Rickie Fowler's newest gear change may gradual a well-liked Tour pattern

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rickie Fowler despatched the tools world right into a frenzy final season. His determination to put a counterbalanced Odyssey Versa Jailbird in play coincided with a resurgence on the greens and return to the winner’s circle.

Fowler’s friends caught wind of the 38-inch counterbalance construct and began utilizing it, right down to the lead tape plastered on the only real and bigger 17-inch SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 3.0 grip. Wyndham Clark received the U.S. Open with Fowler’s construct, and weekend golfers couldn’t get sufficient of the putter. Odyssey even launched a limited-edition model (Jailbird 380) that offered out in minutes and floor the corporate’s web site to a halt because of demand.

Fowler’s putter was the equipment story of the 2023 season. (And should you’ve by no means heard the time period “counterbalanced” earlier than, it’s a putter constructed at an extended total size to assist create additional stability in comparison with a standard-length putter. The additional size, which is often paired with a bigger and heavier outsized grip helps place extra mass in direction of the golfer’s fingers to counteract a heavier putter head and help in constructing a smoother placing stroke.)

And but, as shortly because the counterbalanced construct gained steam on Tour, it might be on the verge of shedding the 2 gamers who helped put it again on the map.

Wyndham Clark offloaded the longer, heavier putter earlier within the 12 months for an Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Jailbird that includes a smaller SuperStroke Tour 1.0P Claw grip. Now Fowler seems intent on doing the identical factor on the Wells Fargo Championship.

Throughout a observe session at Quail Hole Membership, Fowler was noticed testing a number of totally different putter builds from Odyssey, Axis1 and L.A.B. Golf. The session was notable as a result of all three had been constructed at customary size (35 inches), slightly than the 38-inch counter-balanced setup Fowler had been utilizing since final January.

As he rolled putts, Fowler confirmed to GOLF.com that he wished to maneuver away from the bigger 17-inch Zenergy Tour 3.0 grip that originally took his fingers out of the stroke and engaged the bigger muscle tissue.

“It served its objective,” Fowler stated of the bigger grip. “I simply wished to convey again extra really feel with [a smaller grip].”

The usual SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip was affixed to a contemporary Odyssey Jailbird 380 head with black-and-orange paintfil (a nod to Oklahoma State College the place he went to high school). Till final 12 months, Fowler relied nearly solely on a smaller pistol-style grip that allowed him to ship the putter head extra together with his fingers, so the change isn’t one thing that requires a studying curve.

Odyssey Limited Edition Jailbird Versa 380 Putter

$399.99

Odyssey’s limited edition Versa Jailbird 380 is built to the exact specs and design features of the major-winning model that everyone’s been talking about. It features proven Versa high contrast black and white alignment that accentuates the face angle from address to impact, for confidence throughout the stroke.
The unique Jailbird mallet shape has been a popular choice on Tour with its unique design that helps to frame the ball. With a longer length, longer 17″ SuperStroke grip, and a heavier steel shaft, it’s built for players to grip down on the putter for more control through the stroke. This Jailbird also features our original Microhinge insert and comes with our limited edition June major headcover. Now you can experience championship performance with Versa and Jailbird.

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As for Odyssey’s Jailbird, the putter head stays extremely in style on Tour. Roughly 20 gamers are nonetheless utilizing it, together with Valero Texas Open winner Akshay Bhatia and Webb Simpson, who confirmed he’s going to a broomstick construct this week.

Nothing is official till Thursday morning when Fowler steps on the tee, however for the second, the counterbalanced craze on Tour seems to be dying down.

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Jonathan Wall

Golf.com Editor

Jonathan Wall is GOLF Journal and GOLF.com’s Managing Editor for Gear. Previous to becoming a member of the employees on the finish of 2018, he spent 6 years masking tools for the PGA Tour. He may be reached at [email protected].