Golf

Rickie Fowler’s latest gear change could slow a popular Tour trend

Fowler utilizing a counterbalanced putter construct final yr (left) and standard-length providing this week (proper)

Jonathan Wall/GOLF

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rickie Fowler despatched the tools world into a frenzy final season. His resolution to place a counterbalanced Odyssey Versa Jailbird in play coincided with a resurgence on the greens and return to the winner’s circle.

Fowler’s friends caught wind of the 38-inch counterbalance construct and began utilizing it, all the way down to the lead tape plastered on the only real and bigger 17-inch SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 3.0 grip. Wyndham Clark gained the U.S. Open with Fowler’s construct, and weekend golfers couldn’t get sufficient of the putter. Odyssey even launched a limited-edition model (Jailbird 380) that bought out in minutes and floor the corporate’s web site to a halt as a consequence of demand.

Fowler’s putter was the tools story of the 2023 season. (And should you’ve by no means heard the time period “counterbalanced” earlier than, it’s a putter constructed at a longer general size to assist create additional stability in comparison with a standard-length putter. The additional size, which is often paired with a bigger and heavier outsized grip helps place extra mass in the direction of the golfer’s fingers to counteract a heavier putter head and help in constructing a smoother placing stroke.)

rickie fowler putter grip
Fowler was seen utilizing an Odyssey Jailbird 380 mallet in Charlotte.

Jonathan Wall/GOLF

And but, as rapidly because the counterbalanced construct gained steam on Tour, it could be on the verge of dropping the 2 gamers who helped put it again on the map.

Wyndham Clark offloaded the longer, heavier putter earlier within the yr for an Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Jailbird that includes a smaller SuperStroke Tour 1.0P Claw grip. Now Fowler seems intent on doing the identical factor on the Wells Fargo Championship.

During a observe session at Quail Hollow Club, Fowler was noticed testing a number of totally different putter builds from Odyssey, Axis1 and L.A.B. Golf. The session was notable as a result of all three had been constructed at normal size (35 inches), reasonably than the 38-inch counter-balanced setup Fowler had been utilizing since final January.

rickie fowler putter grip
Fowler mentioned the smaller SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip permits him to make use of his fingers extra in the course of the stroke.

Jonathan Wall/GOLF

As he rolled putts, Fowler confirmed to GOLF.com that he needed to maneuver away from the bigger 17-inch Zenergy Tour 3.0 grip that originally took his fingers out of the stroke and engaged the bigger muscle mass.

“It served its purpose,” Fowler mentioned of the bigger grip. “I just wanted to bring back more feel with [a smaller grip].”

The normal SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip was affixed to a recent Odyssey Jailbird 380 head with black-and-orange paintfil (a nod to Oklahoma State University the place he went to highschool). Until final yr, Fowler relied nearly solely on a smaller pistol-style grip that allowed him to ship the putter head extra together with his fingers, so the change isn’t one thing that requires a studying curve.


Odyssey Limited Edition Jailbird Versa 380 Putter

$399.99

Odyssey’s limited edition Versa Jailbird 380 is built to the exact specs and design features of the major-winning model that everyone’s been talking about. It features proven Versa high contrast black and white alignment that accentuates the face angle from address to impact, for confidence throughout the stroke.
The unique Jailbird mallet shape has been a popular choice on Tour with its unique design that helps to frame the ball. With a longer length, longer 17″ SuperStroke grip, and a heavier steel shaft, it’s built for players to grip down on the putter for more control through the stroke. This Jailbird also features our original Microhinge insert and comes with our limited edition June major headcover. Now you can experience championship performance with Versa and Jailbird.

View Product

As for Odyssey’s Jailbird, the putter head stays extremely popular on Tour. Roughly 20 gamers are nonetheless utilizing it, together with Valero Texas Open winner Akshay Bhatia and Webb Simpson, who confirmed he’s going to a broomstick construct this week.

Nothing is official till Thursday morning when Fowler steps on the tee, however for the second, the counterbalanced craze on Tour seems to be dying down.

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JWall

Jonathan Wall

Golf.com Editor

Jonathan Wall is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s Managing Editor for Equipment. Prior to joining the staff at the end of 2018, he spent 6 years covering equipment for the PGA Tour. He can be reached at jonathan.wall@golf.com.


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