Why Pro Golfers Keep Changing Their Putters (And Other Cool Gear Updates)

What’s Happening at the Travelers Championship?

Imagine you’re playing your favorite video game, and every few levels, you swap out your controller for a new one to see if you play better. That’s basically what professional golfers do with their equipment—especially their putters!

At the Travelers Championship (a big golf tournament with a prize pot of $20 million!), several famous golfers decided to shake things up. The greens (where the hole is) can be super tricky, so having the right "flatstick" (that’s a fun nickname for a putter!) can make all the difference.

JJ Spaun’s Putter Journey

One golfer who’s been on quite the putter adventure is JJ Spaun. Here’s his story:

1. First, he used a L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter—the same model that actually won a Major tournament (the US Open) last year!
2. At the start of 2026, he liked it so much he kept using it through most of the year.
3. Then, for this year’s US Open, he switched to a L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i.
4. After missing the cut (meaning he didn’t play well enough to continue past the first two rounds), he showed up at the Travelers Championship with a brand-new Scotty Cameron Prototype putter.
5. The good news? His putting has improved! He’s currently T15th on the greens, which means he’s gaining 2.338 shots through his putting. That’s pretty awesome!

Important Note: A "putter prototype" means it’s a special, one-of-a-kind putter that the company is still testing. Not everyone has access to these!

Rickie Fowler’s Switch

Rickie Fowler is also putting a new Scotty Cameron in rotation! Here’s what’s going on:

• At the start of 2026, he put a center-shafted Scotty Cameron Golo (a classic model from 2012!) in his bag.
• Now, he’s switched to a Scotty Cameron Xperimental Phantom Prototype.
• Like the Golo, this new putter is also center-shafted (meaning the shaft attaches in the middle of the putter head instead of at the end).
• Early results? He’s ranked T39th on the greens this week and 34th overall in "Strokes Gained: Putting" on the PGA Tour.
• It’s too early to say if this is a permanent change or just an experiment.

Justin Rose Goes Back to an Old Favorite

Not everyone is switching to Scotty Cameron. Justin Rose actually switched away from one!

• He had been using a Scotty Cameron Phantom 5 Prototype.
• Now, he’s moved back to an Axis 1 putter.
• The Axis 1 is from the brand’s SP Series, where SP stands for "Stroke Profile Adjustability." This basically means you can customize it YOUR golf stroke.
• The model appears to be based on the Axiom shape, though details are a bit mysterious since not much is publicly known about this specific model.

Jordan Spieth Tried Something New (But Didn’t Commit)

Jordan Spieth has a reputation for being loyal to his gear. In fact, he’s used a blade-style putter his entire career and has never used a mallet putter (a bigger, heavier type).

But here’s the cool part:

• Before the tournament started, he was spotted practicing with a L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i—the same zero-torque model JJ Spaun briefly used!
• This got golf fans buzzing with rumors that he might finally switch to a zero-torque putter.
• However, after the practice session, he stuck with his trusty TP Mills Trad II gamer for the first two rounds.
• Lesson learned: just because a pro tries something new doesn’t mean they’ll actually use it in competition!

Other Gear Changes: Drivers and Beyond

Putters aren’t the only things getting swapped! Here’s what else is happening:

Matt Fitzpatrick’s Driver Change

• Matt Fitzpatrick moved to a Ping G430 LST driver. That’s a golf club designed for hitting the ball really far off the tee. A "driver" is basically the big stick you use to launch the ball down the fairway.

New Srixon Drivers Debut

• Several Srixon-sponsored players got shiny new clubs called the Srixon ZXi RKT.
• These new drivers come in three versions: Standard, LS, and Max (each one is designed for different swing styles).
• Players like Hideki Matsuyama, Shane Lowry, and Ryan Fox were spotted using them!

Let’s Wrap It All Up

The Travelers Championship has been a hotbed for equipment changes, especially on the greens. Here’s a quick summary:

• JJ Spaun → Switched to a Scotty Cameron Prototype after using L.A.B. Golf putters for a long time.
• Rickie Fowler → Upgraded from a Scotty Cameron Golo to a brand-new Xperimental Phantom Prototype.
• Justin Rose → Moved AWAY from a Scotty Cameron and back to an Axis 1.
• Jordan Spieth → Tried a new putter in practice but stuck with his old faithful.
• Matt Fitzpatrick → Changed his driver to a Ping.
• Multiple players → Got their hands on new Srixon ZXi RKT drivers.

The takeaway? Even the best golfers in the world are always tinkering, experimenting, and searching for that perfect combination of equipment to shave off even one extra stroke. Because at the professional level, that one stroke can mean the difference between winning millions and going home early!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do golfers change putters so often?
A: Putters can make a huge difference on the greens. If a golfer isn’t putting well, switching to a different style or brand can help them feel more confident and improve their results. Sometimes it’s about the weight, the shape, or even just the look that gives them confidence!

Q: What does "zero-torque" mean?
A: A zero-torque putter is designed so the clubface doesn’t twist or wiggle when you hit the ball. Think of it like a self-correcting putter—it helps keep the ball on the right path even if your stroke isn’t perfect.

Q: What is "Strokes Gained: Putting"?
A: It’s a fancy stat that measures how many strokes a golfer gains (or loses) compared to the average professional golfer. If someone is gaining 2+ strokes, they’re putting way better than average!

Q: What’s a "blade" vs. "mallet" putter?
A: A blade putter is the traditional, slim, classic-looking shape most people think of. A mallet putter is bigger, heavier, and often has more weight at the back, making it easier to hit the ball straight.

Q: Why would a golfer go BACK to an older putter model?
A: Sometimes the grass isn’t greener on the other side! If a golfer doesn’t perform well with a new putter, they might return to an old favorite that they know and trust. Confidence matters a lot in putting.