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 right into a frenzy final season. His determination to put 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, right 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 resulting from demand.
Fowler’s putter was the tools story of the 2023 season. (And in case you’ve by no means heard the time period “counterbalanced” earlier than, it’s a putter constructed at an extended total size to assist create further 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 arms to counteract a heavier putter head and help in constructing a smoother placing stroke.)
Jonathan Wall/GOLF
And but, as shortly because the counterbalanced construct gained steam on Tour, it could possibly be on the verge of shedding 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.
Throughout a observe session at Quail Hole Membership, Fowler was noticed testing a number of completely different putter builds from Odyssey, Axis1 and L.A.B. Golf. The session was notable as a result of all three have been constructed at customary size (35 inches), slightly than the 38-inch counter-balanced setup Fowler had been utilizing since final January.
Jonathan Wall/GOLF
As he rolled putts, Fowler confirmed to GOLF.com that he wished to maneuver away from the bigger 17-inch Zenergy Tour 3.0 grip that originally took his arms out of the stroke and engaged the bigger muscle tissues.
“It served its function,” Fowler stated of the bigger grip. “I simply wished to carry again extra really feel with [a smaller grip].”
The usual SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip was affixed to a recent Odyssey Jailbird 380 head with black-and-orange paintfil (a nod to Oklahoma State College the place he went to highschool). Till final yr, Fowler relied virtually completely on a smaller pistol-style grip that allowed him to ship the putter head extra along with his arms, so the change isn’t one thing that requires a studying curve.
Odyssey Restricted Version Jailbird Versa 380 Putter
$399.99
Odyssey’s restricted version Versa Jailbird 380 is constructed to the precise specs and design options of the major-winning mannequin that everybody’s been speaking about. It options confirmed Versa excessive distinction black and white alignment that accentuates the face angle from deal with to influence, for confidence all through the stroke.
The distinctive Jailbird mallet form has been a well-liked selection on Tour with its distinctive design that helps to border the ball. With an extended size, longer 17″ SuperStroke grip, and a heavier metal shaft, it’s constructed for gamers to grip down on the putter for extra management by the stroke. This Jailbird additionally options our unique Microhinge insert and comes with our restricted version June main headcover. Now you possibly can expertise championship efficiency with Versa and Jailbird.
View Product
As for Odyssey’s Jailbird, the putter head stays extremely common 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.
Wish to overhaul your bag for 2024? Discover a becoming location close to you at True Spec Golf.
