The best players in the world – sometimes they’re just like us
Equipment editor Hannah Holden rounds up a rather baffling day at the Masters
If you had turned at the wrong time today you would be forgiven for thinking you were watching live coverage of your club’s monthly medal rather than the best in the world on golf’s most hallowed turf.
There just seemed to be mishap after mishap on day two of the 83rd Masters. But isn’t it nice to know that the pros are sometimes just like us…
First up, Zach Johnson with a move that many a club golfer can relate to: not getting his tee shot past the forward tee.
ZJ clipped the ball during his practice swing before it ricocheted off the tee marker and ended up finishing just in front of him.
Zach Johnson hitting his ball on 13th tee on a practice swing.
WOW. ?? pic.twitter.com/UcUkKYOEVm
— National Club Golfer (@NCG_com) April 12, 2019
One of the most ridiculous ‘shots’ I have ever seen in a professional golf tournament.
Playing partners Ian Poulter and Matt Kuchar couldn’t restrain themselves from laughing at the unfortunate blunder. Luckily for Johnson the new Rules of Golf prevented him from receiving a penalty shot – our expert Steve Carroll explains why – and he went on to card a birdie four.
If you’re interested, Johnson’s driver is a PXG 0811 in 9° with a Diamana Blue shaft.
Next up, John Rahm is partial to the odd shank and this one was a corker. The patrons had a near miss when the Spaniard’s ball dived towards them before scuttling into the trees on the par-5 8th hole.
A Jon Rahm hosel shank, a tradition unlike any other. ??pic.twitter.com/hkCXfbHek0
— National Club Golfer (@NCG_com) April 12, 2019
The shot was so bad Rahm couldn’t bear to watch. Unlike the typical club golfer Rahm did manage to salvage par after punching his ball back out of the trees.
Meanwhile Kiradech Aphibarnrat didn’t quite manage to make this recovery shot look effortless.
He brought a new definition to the term ‘duck hook’ when he took a dive to the floor playing his second shot in to the par-4 17th hole.
Execution? 10/10
Style? 6/10
Here’s a quick 16-second round up courtesy of GolfTV’s Jamie Kennedy:
“Hey man, I missed Friday at the Masters. Did anything happen?”
Me… pic.twitter.com/tpUJx9HvnI
— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) April 12, 2019
Anyway, that was fun. Now for some equipment that caught my eye today…
Johnson replaces major winning putter
It wasn’t just his tee topping antics that made headlines for ZJ on Friday. He is well known for being a great with the flatstick but is currently ranked 119th on the PGA Tour for Strokes Gained: Putting. For context, he was ranked 5th in 2007, the year he won the Masters.
Johnson has used an unusual looking SeeMore FGP putter for nearly his entire professional career. It was in the bag for both his major wins, the 2007 Masters and the Open in 2015, but it’s finally been ditched.
Instead Johnson has opted to switch it up putting a TaylorMade Spider X Copper putter in the bag at Augusta.
I wonder if this will become a staple in Johnson’s bag or if his trusty SeeMore putter will return in the future…
Spider X factor. #PureRoll pic.twitter.com/YjDcnV82eK
— TaylorMade Golf (@TaylorMadeGolf) March 19, 2019
What on earth is Scott’s putter?
Butch Harmon sounded perplexed when he caught sight of Adam Scott’s most recent putter. Adam Scott rolled in a birdie on 12 before Harmon highlighted the beast:
That’s a strange putter he’s using there looks like a branding iron or something.
So what is it?
The Australian is no stranger to controversy when it comes to his flatstick. He won the Masters with a broomhandle putter before they were outlawed in January 2016. Since then he has tried a number of putters and, indeed, methods.
Scott currently ranks 14th on the PGA Tour for Strokes Gained: Putting, after changing his putter earlier in the season.
He said:
I experimented with [my putting] the last couple of weeks and it was going well,” Scott said. “It’s one thing hitting putts at home, but it’s another thing to put it to the test on the golf course.
It is called a Directed Force putter by a company called LAB Golf.
According to LAB Golf’s website, the Directed Force putters are “lie-angle balanced” in a bid to keep the face straight through impact.
Scott, meanwhile, has no issue using something a bit left-field:
I’ve putted with many putters that you might call non-traditional, so the looks of the putter doesn’t bother me at all.
The putter certainly helped today as Scott fired a 4-under par 68 to take a share of the lead at 7-under.
A second round of 68 from Adam Scott puts the Aussie in a share of the lead at #TheMasterspic.twitter.com/lIuU628am3
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) April 12, 2019
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Hannah Holden
Hannah Holden is the Equipment and Instruction Editor here at National Club Golfer. If you’re looking to improve your game, by changing your golf swing or upgrading your golf equipment she’ll have the answers.
As well as writing lots of features and reviews you can find her on our YouTube channel giving you insights on the latest rules, clubs and tips to improve your golf game.
Hannah is a member at Alwoodley golf club. You will either find her here or driving up and down the country playing in a variety of elite amateur events.
