Equipment

Bryson DeChambeau “really considering” side-saddle putting stroke

Published

10 years ago

Oct 21, 2016

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.

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13 Comments

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…..

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
Dan

Oct 23, 2016 at 3:38 am

I could be wrong, but I thought putting side-saddle was illegal?

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

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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?)

Reply Report comment
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

Reply Report comment
- Jim
  
  Oct 21, 2016 at 11:54 am
  
  …ALSO, very helpful for persons with vision deficits…
  
  Reply Report comment
- Rob
  
  Oct 22, 2016 at 6:47 am
  
  shhhhh
  
  Reply Report comment
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…)

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
NoOneCares

Oct 21, 2016 at 11:12 am

We get it Bryson, you’re weird.

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Equipment

Putters that never made it: Check out some of the best tour builds that didn’t make the cut

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

Alistair Cameron

Arguably, the best perk of being a professional golfer on the PGA Tour is the ability to request or even just be handed pretty much any club you could think of. It happens more often than you think, usually with putters around the practice green from one event to the next. Come Wednesday, the Tour bags lining the edge of the putting surface become resting places for fallen flatsticks that never made the cut.

So let’s take a look at some of the best we’ve seen out on Tour this year that never made it to the competition. (You may notice none of Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Scotty Cameron putters made this list. There are too many.)

Let’s start with this custom Damascus Milled Odyssey Rossie made for Ryo Hisatsune. Featuring a single line and the short-slant hossel, we’ve seen plenty of Number 7 and jailbird heads featuring the Damascus Milled insert, but this is the first and only one we’ve spotted in a Rossie. Hisatsune primarily putts with an Odyssey Black Series iX #9, but we have seen him recently with a TaylorMade TP Collection SOTO, so there could be potential that the Damascus Milled Rossie could end up in the bag.

Everyone wants to be Cameron Young right now. We’ve had Justin Thomas and Tom Hoge both game the Scotty Cameron 9.5R prototype. Well, for the PGA Championship, Brooks Koepka nearly joined that list after requesting the same style of putter, with the full-length alignment line. But the Scotty Cameron reps took the request a step further and made one specially for Koepka with a Teryllium insert, similar to one in his previous Newport 2 gamers. The reason why this one didn’t go into play, though? Because it was too heavy.

Harry Hall was the third-best putter on Tour last year, so when Bettinardi made him a custom proto, you know it was going to be good. The custom BB28 blade features VDF face milling, a custom-welded single-bend shaft, and the owner’s initials – HH – on the sole of the putter. Hall, who usually games an Odyssey O-Works #7 W, has dabbled with a TaylorMade Spider Tour X already this year. Maybe there’s a chance this Bettinardi might make his bag.

Honestly, this one doesn’t need a description. It’s Kieth Mitchell’s custom Scotty Cameron Napa. One Scotty Cameron face stamp, two Scotty Dogs, two Scotty Cameron 7-Point Crowns and one Circle T. That is all. Oh, except for the Cashmere Cameron headcover.

Finally, and just for fun, how about we pour one out for this TaylorMade Spider Tour X made for Scottie Scheffler in its new torched finish. It’s unlikely we’ll see a putter change anytime soon from the best golfer in the world. In fact, he hit just two putts with it on the Harbour Town practice before going back to his trusty gamer.

Whats in the Bag

Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X

7-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X

Irons: Grindworks PR-202 (4), Grindworks PR-101A (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 Tour Rack (52-10 Mid), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-08M), SM11 (60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Rat 1.5 Tour Prototype

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

See more photos of Patrick Reed’s clubs here.

Equipment

Which of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

In our forums, our members have been discussing their favorite major winning irons used by Tiger Woods. WRXer ‘golferdude54’ kicks off the thread saying:

“Mizuno MP 14/29. Titleist 681T. Nike Forged Blades. TaylorMade P7TW.

Among these irons that helped Tiger win 15 majors, which is your favorite in terms of looks?”

And our members have been naming their favorites and why in response.

Here are a couple of posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

SwingBlade: “I prefer the early blades he played and the more recent TM TW’s especially because after Tiger had his major behavioral setbacks, part of Nikes support payback was making Tiger play a Nike putter and cease using his beloved uniquely customized Scotty putter.”
ProjectX: “This (Nike Forged Blades) and there’s not even a close second.”

Entire Thread: “Which of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss”