Stricker is utilizing a 37-inch Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 putter for the primary time.
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Some professionals desire to maintain their internal on-course demons hid from public view. Steve Stricker isn’t one among them. On Wednesday on the U.S. Senior Open Championship, a reporter spied Stricker engaged on his placing, which prompted him to surprise how among the finest to ever stroke a putt preps for a significant championship.
As an alternative of talking in generalities and concealing his placing woes, Stricker received straight to the purpose: “It’s been slightly little bit of a problem recently on the greens for me.”
Like a hitter making an attempt to swing his manner out of a droop, Stricker is doing no matter it takes to seek out his placing stroke at Newport Nation Membership. Even the very best undergo tough patches. What made Stricker’s admission so attention-grabbing was the phrases that adopted.
“I believe I’m going to go along with a special putter, to be fairly trustworthy with you,” he stated.
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It’s frequent for professionals 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 Sizzling No. 2 putter has been changed from time to time within the final 17 years, however you’ll be able to the variety of occasions on one hand. It is likely to be the closest factor to the connection Tiger Woods has with the “Elder Wand.”
Stricker’s needed to exchange the White Sizzling insert and shaft over time — on account of 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 at all times 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 lately, Stricker contemplated a change. With counterbalanced putters on the rise, Stricker determined to provide a 37-inch Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 the chance to bump White Sizzling No. 2 from the bag.
“[I]t’s the very same factor that Wyndham Clark putts with,” Stricker stated. “It simply feels slightly bit extra steady, particularly in these windy circumstances. I discovered that it’s heavier. It appears to carry the road slightly bit higher, the putter does, I ought to say. It simply appears to trace on my line slightly 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 tackle to affect, 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 authentic 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 sort of letting me down to this point this 12 months is getting the ball within the gap. And it’s powerful to apply proper there the place we’re getting batted round within the wind. That inexperienced is slightly bit totally different than the course. It’s slightly thinner. They aerated it. There’s nonetheless some marks in there from the aeration gap. It’s inferior to 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 recognized for many of his profession. One is mild and flowy whereas the opposite is sturdy and tank-link.
“It’s a whole 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 special 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 combating consistency with mine. It’s a smaller blade. I’ve gotten older. It’s getting more durable.”
Father Time could also be undefeated, however the brand new putter has Stricker feeling like his previous self once more by 36 holes. Using the heavier counterbalanced construct for the primary time, Stricker buried quite a few putts from inside 10 toes to submit matching 66s and transfer into rivalry as he chases senior main win No. 8. Even putts that used to come back up brief had been all of the sudden discovering the outlet.
“Hit lots 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. In all probability hit it slightly bit too agency. Left a pair proper in the course of the outlet brief. I believed I left the final one brief proper within the center, but it surely ended up simply the final roll getting there. It was undoubtedly higher than what I’ve been doing.”
It’s the sort of placing efficiency that ought to give Stricker the assumption that one other senior main win is effectively inside attain.
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