In the high-stakes world of professional golf, even the smallest change can have a significant impact.
Just ask Brooks Koepka, who recently made a switch from his longtime Button Back Newport blade to a Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 mallet ahead of the LIV Golf Miami.
This decision, intended to bolster his putting game, has sparked a series of challenges and adjustments as he strives for optimal performance on the green.
Koepka, known for his precision and power, has faced mixed results since adopting the mallet.
Following a T45 finish at both Doral and the Masters, he showed signs of improvement with a T9 finish in Adelaide, his best since a season-opening T5 in Mayakoba.
Despite these strides, Koepka remains dissatisfied with his putting, openly expressing his frustrations.
“I can’t find the hole at all, to be honest with you,” Koepka lamented before the first round of LIV Golf Singapore.
“Something we’ve just been putting some work into, so trying to find some answers.”
A year ago, Koepka ranked T17 in putting, but this season, he finds himself further down the list at T38.
His Strokes Gained average on the greens for the first half of 2024 is minus 0.37, placing him behind 46 other players this season.
“I feel like I’m hitting good putts, they just keep burning lips,” Koepka explained.
“Eventually it starts to wear on you after a while. All you can do is hit a good putt and see where it goes from there. Hopefully they start falling soon.”
With the PGA Championship title defence looming at Valhalla after Singapore, Koepka is keen to bounce back from his disappointing T45 at the Masters.
Reflecting on his recent struggles, he acknowledged the challenge of maintaining focus and confidence amidst inconsistent results.
“With Augusta the way that it went, I kind of felt like I wasted all the time from December until then,” Koepka admitted. “Just keep grinding away, keep doing the work, and hopefully something will turn around.”
Koepka’s journey with his new Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 mallet underscores the complexities of finding the right equipment fit in professional golf.
While changes can promise improvement, they also require patience and perseverance as players adjust to new nuances and challenges.
In the broader context of putter changes among LIV Golf players, Sergio Garcia’s recent adjustments provide another perspective.
Garcia, starting the 2024 season with a Golfyr Maker putter, transitioned back to his trusted Scotty Cameron TN3 after feeling that the Golfyr was too large for his preferences.
Despite initial challenges with the TN3 on slower greens, Garcia has found success with the Never Compromise Reserve NC Contrast Model 4s, demonstrating the impact of equipment choices on performance.
As Koepka and Garcia continue to fine-tune their putting strategies, their experiences highlight the importance of adaptability and persistence in professional golf.
With each challenge comes an opportunity for growth, and both players remain committed to the pursuit of excellence on the green.
