Equipment
DJ’s new putter has a “T-line,” and the reason explains exactly why you need to get fit
In 2017, Dustin Johnson used a TaylorMade Spider Tour Black that had no sightline on the crown. At the 2018 Sentry Tournament of Champions — where he happened to win by 8 strokes — DJ had two, perpendicular sightlines on his Spider putter; TaylorMade calls it a T-line. And if the reason why he changed putters doesn’t explain why you need to get fit, I’m just not sure what does.
Here’s what happened in an account from TaylorMade:
“[Dustin Johnson] was struggling with his putting end of last season, punctuated by his lost lead in China after struggling on the greens. Keith Sbarbaro [his fitter and VP of Tour Relations] met with him in Carlsbad at the putter lab to solve his woes. The Tour team built 12 identical Spider Tours, each with different sight lines (long, short, dots, etc.). He hit 5 putts (flat, 15 footers) with each sightline in the lab. The putters with the long lines he was aiming upwards of 10 inches left of the hole. The short line model(s) he lined up left edge. The one he used all last year with no line was 1 inch left of center, but the “T-line” model was right at dead center nearly every putt…”
It’s amazing to me that the World No. 1 golfer, who won four times in 2017, could be aiming upwards of 10 inches left of the target. I don’t care if it’s an old-school 8802-style putter with no sightline, that’s eye-opening to hear a golfer of his caliber can be that far off with his aim from 15 feet. It just goes to show how much the look of a putter, and the alignment lines, can have an affect on your aim. And it also explains to us mortals that we should be doing the same test for ourselves before buying a putter.
Apparently, DJ needs a “T-line” to aim properly. But every golfer is different. Next time you have access to a putter fitting, or any alignment feedback device, take advantage of it. Try different putters, models, styles and sightlines to see what works best for you… it just may save your putting.
Related: Dustin Johnson’s Winning WITB from the 2018 Sentry TOC
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
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
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Stephen Finley
Feb 21, 2018 at 11:47 am
Or, you could figure out what’s actually wrong with your eyeline-to-putter-to-target relationship and simply adjust your setup. Or turn your head a little as appropriate. I’m serious. Eyeline at address matters. Not all of us have a thousand bucks to try four or five different ridiculous expensive putters through four or five fittings, and I don’t know how that’s the best solution anyway.
One wonders how Nicklaus or Jones ever could’ve made a putt without all this. And yet they did.
Joe Wessendarp
Feb 6, 2018 at 4:12 pm
TaylorMade might re-think its use of “T-line” unless licensed by trademark owner.
Kyle
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:10 am
So it takes DJ until 2018 to get the proper putter, and I’m supposed to think that means I should get fit?
If it was that simple, shouldn’t DJ have had the right putter years and years ago? If anything, this makes me less confident a single fitting would be successful…
Rybo
Jan 27, 2018 at 7:29 am
So DJ aimed 3.1798* to the left with the longer sight lines, seems quite reasonable from a visual perspective. And maybe his stroke path matches the 3* aim left producing a square face at his target line. Edel has been stating these visual issues for years and there have been entire books written on how different visual aspects effect performance.
Everybody thinks Tour guys dwell over every aspect of their equipment. Nothing could be further from the truth. If something looks good and/or feels good they will put it in play. A chagne to an alignment line is a tweak compared to a change in length, lie, shaft offset, hosel location, weight, etc etc etc.
@rusty – both stores in Naples have straight 15′ putts, just need to know where they are!
TeeBone
Jan 24, 2018 at 11:46 pm
So the #1 player in the world can’t aim a putter unless it has a special “T” on it? I think I’d seek out an optometrist before a fitter.
Kurt
Jan 24, 2018 at 5:15 pm
You can statically align the putter at address but the moment you start your backswing you lose all that alignment and depend on your putting stroke to realign the putter at impact.
Might as well only have a dot over the sweet spot and hope for the best.
Ian
Jan 24, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Pretty sure the whole world calls it a T line.
Manufacturers talk golfers like the golfer is a moron.
Jerry
Jan 14, 2018 at 6:04 am
Hard to believe DJ was not properly fit for aim previous to this year – shame on his fitter. If he done an Edel fitting, he would have known how the shape, hosel, offset, and slghtlines affect aim – sightlines are subtle changes to your aim.
dlygrisse
Jan 10, 2018 at 2:12 pm
I have often believed most of the obnoxious alignment aids you see on putters now days do more harm than good. I have always putted best with a small line or dot.
Stephen Finley
Feb 21, 2018 at 11:26 am
From a marketing perspective, all they have to do is give the buyer the impression and/or expectation of “better” and “improvement.”
That goes double for all the complex heads, Jetsons looks, etc. I’m continually amazed at what kinds of features and designs pros seem to think they need to hit the sweet spot on a _putter_, for God’s sake.
Rusty
Jan 10, 2018 at 12:51 pm
Honestly, two largest PGA superstore, Golf Galaxy (former Golfsmith) in Naples Florida doesn’t have STRAIGHT putting surface from 15 feet. Each putt brakes from 15 feet. It amaze me each store has 500 different putters to sell and they can not make putting area absolute level. Any idea how to fit/test 15 putters? Anyway, you need perfect facilities to do that.
Christopher
Jan 25, 2018 at 4:53 pm
The problem with stores is they often have raised putting surfaces to test putters on, and they’re not always built for heavy traffic. So they may be flat to start off with but they often wander as they get older (as they’re not on solid surfaces) and see more use. Obviously there are some exceptions, but if you can find a store with a flat training aid to practice three footers that will give you feedback, you should be able to find what suits you best (if you don’t have a local fitter).
Realist
Jan 9, 2018 at 1:38 pm
I have a much cheaper alternative.
1.) Put a line on the ball
2.) Line the ball up with your aiming spot/point
3.) Use whatever putter you own and just line the ball line up to putter line
Putting 101 – No gimmick edition
Jerry
Jan 14, 2018 at 6:00 am
The line on the ball does not work for a lot of people. In other words, it probably will not work for most. The eyes play tricks on you, and everyone sees things uniquely.
Stephen Finley
Feb 21, 2018 at 11:36 am
And I have a question or two for the alternative _and_ original solutions:
1. Since even the swinging of a putter is on not a straight line but an arc, how does a straight line on the putter not interfere with that and even influence a player to take the putter back on an inappropriate straight line that is out of whack with what the human body does and how a putter swings in plane?
2. For people who put lines on balls, what happens when you’re two degrees off from, say, 15 feet in setting the ball perfectly on line? Do you back off and reset if you notice it? How does it not complicate things (and slow down play) to put yourself in a situation where now you have one more task during a putt, and if you get it wrong, presumably you’re almost guaranteed to miss the putt? And how do you make the straight line on the ball match up with the curving arc of a properly swung putter?
I’m seriously asking.
Steve
Jan 9, 2018 at 12:56 pm
What makes me laugh about this is, where can an amateur golfer find a fitter, who will make them 12 different versions of a specific putter they like just for fitting purposes. The best putter fitting I’ve experienced is for an Edel which I bought just over a year ago, it was awesome but we have since fell out and it’s in the naughty bag. However the next putter I bought was still based on what was found in the Edel fitting and we getting along well at the moment. Also don’t think I’m a poor putter who’s looking for his next fix, according to my stats recorded on garmin gps I averaged 30 putts per round last year, which isn’t bad for a 7 handicap. I think proper fitting for amateurs for any club can be a difficult thing to find (In the UK anyway).
KJ
Jan 9, 2018 at 4:43 pm
Exactly Steve. It’s not exactly “available” in the US either. In fact, the article states, “…it also explains to us mortals that we should be doing the same test for ourselves before buying a putter.” Huh? Is this author trying to tell me I can go into my local PGA Superstore and receive the same, or even remotely similar, care and treatment that DJ received from his TaylorMade rep? In all likelihood, I couldn’t receive this kind of treatment and consideration from my local pro, who would usually do adequate to good clubfitting. Does putter fitting make sense? Yes. Is it readily available for an amateur handicap golfer? Not really. I only know one pro anywhere near me who could perform putter fitting — Todd Sones — and his approach is more focused on length, lie angle, and type of putterhead recommended relative to a player’s natural path. I doubt even he would have anything that would replicate a “putter lab” with laser-type aiming analysis.
Stephen Finley
Feb 21, 2018 at 11:41 am
“Naughty bag.” I love it. Gotta remember that. I’m still using two of the same forged-blade putters — an Old Master 8802 replica and a MacGregor George Low copy — I was using as a plus-2 in my 20s and then as a pro (for a while, both teaching and playing), but I’ll confess thinking about a new putter on the odd week and taking the current putter into the shop just to show it that there were other pretty girls too, and it could be replaced. Always seemed to do the trick.
The rest of your post is so right, too. One wonders how this over-over-triple-overkill approach to fitting could ever apply to even an avid and skilled player who wasn’t endlessly sponsored and funded.
Sam
Jan 9, 2018 at 10:09 am
This site is turning into Golf Digest, every other article is about how you need to buy the latest because your gear is too many weeks behind
Stephen Finley
Feb 21, 2018 at 11:42 am
You can say _that_ again. Nothing like presuming endless funding on the part of players who work for a living.
dbleAGLE
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:53 am
When spinter muscles tighten over that 3′ rt to lt breaking putt to win the hole all alignment marks on the putter fade out and it comes down to being mentally strong & making a good stroke without jabbing at it.
Vince Ja
Jan 9, 2018 at 5:22 am
C’mon, the putter alignment is a false hood…if you rely on something visual behind the club face youre a fool. VJ
Philip
Jan 8, 2018 at 10:33 pm
A golf putting fitting doesn’t need to be a special facility or professional – a golfer just needs to be objective and honest with themselves when they practice on a decent green (not a fake store putting green) so they they can decide on their gaming putter (of course, having a collection of 16 different types of used putters to go through at different lengths helps me out a lot), but I always come back to my favourite 2-3 putters. The thing is – we change over time and one should be double-checking regularly to ensure that they haven’t picked up bad habits or the speed of the greens have changed enough to make their gamer putter start working against them. That all being said – I have been trying for a few seasons to set up a putter fitting with a relatively close Edel facility, but they never respond – I think this year I’ll go over to the course and see if the facility listed on their website is still in operation – my 2018 golf season present to myself :o)
COGolfer
Jan 8, 2018 at 7:53 pm
Unfortunately, for most of us putter fitters are harder to find than driver/iron fitters. I believe Club Champion does have fittings, but haven’t heard much about the process or results.
steve
Jan 8, 2018 at 6:09 pm
Here’s the problem and more confusion.
The sight line parallel to the putting line is only useful at static address, not during the putting stroke while looking at the ball.
With only a sight line perpendicular to the putting line you must visualize a putting line that is perpendicular to the putter face.
In either case, the path of your putting stroke overrides all static alignments. DJ’s “T-line” is a personal preference that seems to help him with poor address alignment.
It’s puzzling because when you are standing at address and trying to align the putter you are gazing sideways for a putting line which is optically problematic. Oh, well ….