Equipment
Bryson DeChambeau “really considering” side-saddle putting stroke
Bryson DeChambeau intends to “tinker” with side-saddle putting during the holiday break from the PGA Tour with the intent of using it in 2017, according to a Golf Digest report.
“It’s in development now,” DeChambeau told Golf Digest. “I think it’s an easier way to putt and could be another game-changer like the one-length [irons].”
The style of putting, popularized by Sam Snead, sees the player stand facing the target instead of perpendicular to it, with the golf ball to the side of the feet. It’s said to be beneficial to the player because it’s a “right arm only” stroke, and you can look at the target during the stroke.
“Given I have a couple months off, I’ll be ready for it,” he told Golf Digest. “If it doesn’t work I’ll go back to putting normal. It’s not an issue.”
Related: Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2016
Obviously, DeChambeau doesn’t shy away from doing things differently, given his single-length iron setup and one-plane golf swing. But for DeChambeau, this technique won’t be entirely new. According to Golf Digest, DeChambeau used a side-saddle putting stroke during the Jones Cup while still in college.
Say what you want about DeChambeau, but don’t say he doesn’t keep things interesting.
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
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Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
jgpl001
Oct 25, 2016 at 4:43 pm
He is certainly unique, but sometimes I think he is trying to be different just to be different
I like the guy but to date all we see are lots of gimmicks, but Few if any any results…..
Guia
Oct 23, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Such a drastic change to his putting style is very concerning. He appears to have lost confidence, side saddle putting has never worked for anyone at the tour level (yes, this includes Snead and Longer). I don’t think we will see him use this style for very long.
Brentflog
Nov 20, 2016 at 11:49 am
Snead was winning tour events in his 50s side saddle. Not sure who Longer is but Langer doesn’t putt side saddle.
Dan
Oct 23, 2016 at 3:38 am
I could be wrong, but I thought putting side-saddle was illegal?
george
Oct 23, 2016 at 3:48 am
No it’s not. Putting croquet-style while standing on both sides of the putting line and it’s extension backwards is illegal. Standing entirely on one side of the putting line is legal. It’s basically just a extremely open setup. You just need a really long putter shaft with a (just barely legal) 80deg lie.
Jason
Oct 22, 2016 at 8:41 am
I love how Bryson approaches golf scientifically. How many golfers would be better if they did what was best instead of what the perceived as being correct. He is all about utility, love it.
Me Nunya-izzle
Oct 21, 2016 at 3:36 pm
This is by far the best way to putt, BUT you need a center shafted putter and high MOI if you are going to look at he target( for inevitable off center hits).
Snead looked at the ball.
Also you look like a puttz. (Puttz, get it?)
Jim
Oct 21, 2016 at 11:46 am
Everyone should try putting open…like toe line 40 degrees open to putt line, make sure rt leg isn’t im backswing line and “roll the ball off the finger tips” of the strong hand – so to speak…imagine tossing a golf ball to a three yr old. You’d NEVER trust standing square, you’d open to them and gently toss it..It’s an anatomically correct motion. Side saddle…meh….same idea…a bit too much. Not incorrect though
Jim
Oct 21, 2016 at 11:54 am
…ALSO, very helpful for persons with vision deficits…
Rob
Oct 22, 2016 at 6:47 am
shhhhh
Mikee
Oct 21, 2016 at 11:27 am
I wouldn’t say “weird”……I think “unique” is a better term.Certainly more personality than Dufner (but that’s a low setting on the bar of life…)
Philip
Oct 21, 2016 at 12:46 pm
I get the impression that he is going out of his way to be different – makes for an interesting marketing angle. Snead only did it because he ran out of ideas to deal with his putting yips – not necessarily because it was better. Myself, I alternate between being square and totally open. I’m going to give side-saddle a try tomorrow – maybe merge it with my open stance.
NoOneCares
Oct 21, 2016 at 11:12 am
We get it Bryson, you’re weird.