Stricker is utilizing a 37-inch Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 putter for the primary time.
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Some execs want to maintain their internal on-course demons hid from public view. Steve Stricker isn’t one in every of them. On Wednesday on the U.S. Senior Open Championship, a reporter spied Stricker engaged on his placing, which prompted him to surprise how top-of-the-line to ever stroke a putt preps for a significant championship.
As a substitute of talking in generalities and concealing his placing woes, Stricker received straight to the purpose: “It’s been just a little little bit of a problem these days on the greens for me.”
Like a hitter making an attempt to swing his manner out of a stoop, Stricker is doing no matter it takes to search out his placing stroke at Newport Nation Membership. Even the most effective undergo tough patches. What made Stricker’s admission so attention-grabbing was the phrases that adopted.
“I feel I’m going to go along with a unique putter, to be fairly sincere with you,” he stated.
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It’s widespread for execs to strive totally different wands when nothing goes proper on the greens. Nevertheless, Stricker’s state of affairs isn’t so black-and-white. His Odyssey White Scorching No. 2 putter has been changed from time to time within the final 17 years, however you’ll be able to the variety of instances on one hand. It could be the closest factor to the connection Tiger Woods has with the “Elder Wand.”
Stricker’s needed to exchange the White Scorching insert and shaft through the years — resulting from basic put on and tear — however putter surgical procedure has by no means pushed the connection to the brink of a everlasting change. It’s all the time close by.
After all, like each long-term relationship, there are bumps alongside the way in which. When the trusty putter began to go chilly not too long ago, Stricker contemplated a change. With counterbalanced putters on the rise, Stricker determined to offer a 37-inch Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 the chance to bump White Scorching No. 2 from the bag.
“[I]t’s the very same factor that Wyndham Clark putts with,” Stricker stated. “It simply feels just a little bit extra steady, particularly in these windy circumstances. I discovered that it’s heavier. It appears to carry the road just a little bit higher, the putter does, I ought to say. It simply appears to trace on my line just a little bit higher.
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 alternative 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 way of the stroke. This Jailbird additionally options our unique Microhinge insert and comes with our restricted version June main headcover. Now you’ll be able to expertise championship efficiency with Versa and Jailbird.
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“That’s the one factor that’s been type of letting me down thus far this 12 months is getting the ball within the gap. And it’s robust to apply proper there the place we’re getting batted round within the wind. That inexperienced is just a little bit totally different than the course. It’s just a little thinner. They aerated it. There’s nonetheless some marks in there from the aeration gap. It’s not so good as the golf course, so that you sit there possibly too lengthy.”
Requested to clarify the variations between the 2 putters, Stricker confirmed it’s a major change away from the normal blade (and size) he’s identified for many of his profession. One is mild and flowy whereas the opposite is sturdy and tank-link.
“It’s an entire 180 from the place I’m at,” he stated. “This putter that I’m placing with, it’s extra face steadiness. It’s received a unique neck on there. It’s a giant ole grip. It’s counterbalanced. It’s longer than my putter.
“It feels just a bit bit simpler to maintain the putter head on my line proper now, and I’ve been scuffling with consistency with mine. It’s a smaller blade. I’ve gotten older. It’s getting tougher.”
Father Time could also be undefeated, however the brand new putter has Stricker feeling like his previous self once more by way of 36 holes. Using the heavier counterbalanced construct for the primary time, Stricker buried quite a few putts from inside 10 ft to publish matching 66s and transfer into rivalry as he chases senior main win No. 8. Even putts that used to come back up quick have been abruptly discovering the opening.
“Hit plenty of actually good putts,” he stated of the putter change. “Even the one I missed at 10, it was like a 90-degree lipout. I felt like I hit it proper on my line. Most likely hit it just a little bit too agency. Left a pair proper in the midst of the opening quick. I assumed I left the final one quick proper within the center, but it surely ended up simply the final roll getting there. It was positively higher than what I’ve been doing.”
It’s the type of placing efficiency that ought to give Stricker the assumption that one other senior main win is effectively inside attain.
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