Why Everybody (Even Dustin Johnson) Can Benefit from a Putter Fitting

Now that everybody has seen the video of Dustin Johnson’s near 430 yard hole-in-one drive and started shopping the new TaylorMade M3 and M4, there’s another side of his performance at the Sentry Tournament of Champions that needs to be told.

For those unaware, DJ is very protective over his equipment.  In fact, DJ has been using the same shaft in his driver—the Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution 2.0 Tour Spec X-Flex—for well over a year now, which is a huge deal considering the guy can probably call up his tour rep and have his pick of any shaft available under his deal with TM.  But in stark contrast, DJ has gotten a bit of Golfer A.D.D. with his putter, not only switching between models (from a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 to a Spider Tour , then a TP Juno, and finally back to a Spider Tour) but also variations (from blade to mallet).

But DJ’s most recent switch back to the TM Spider Tour is particularly interesting because it illustrates how valuable a putter fitting is.

More likely than not, everyone is familiar with the gains that are achievable with a custom golf club fitting: increases in distance, tighter dispersion, etc.  And it’s not really that surprising when you considering the time and effort that goes into finding that perfect combination of club head and shaft.  Just look at the recent Golficity Vlog shot at Golf & Body where Mike and Frank were fit by Pete’s Golf:

EVERY GOLFER’S DREAM DAY @ Golf & Body NYC

In this Golficity vlog episode Frank and Mike head to Golf & Body NYC for the ultimate golfer’s dream day. First, watch as Frank & Mike get fitted for clubs by Golf Digest Top 100 Club Fitters Sonny Burgo and Woody Lashen of Pete’s Golf.

But the unfortunate reality is that a majority of golfers who are being custom fit for clubs are overlooking a putter fitting.  This is particularly troubling when you step back and realize that putting accounts for nearly 40% of your score.  And to illustrate how much of an impact it can have on your game, we’ll return to DJ’s story.

Before the Sentry TOC, TaylorMade built DJ 12 Spider Tour, each with different sight lines (dots, lines, short, long, etc.).  After testing each of them out with a couple 15 foot putts, it turned out that: (1) with a long sight line, DJ was aiming nearly 10 inches left of the hole; (2) with a shorter sight line, DJ was aimed at the left edge; and (3) with no line on top (his gamer), DJ was an inch left of center.

While an inch doesn’t sound a lot, aiming an inch left on a 15 foot putt would result in a putt that’s over a foot away from the cup.  However, DJ was essentially dead accurate with the Spider Tour that had one sight line with a T-line alignment.  And to further emphasizing how effective the new, properly fit putter was, DJ ranked sixth in strokes gained/putting (and it’s likely that’ll improve as he becomes more comfortable with his new flat stick).

The only image I have of @djohnsonpga proto sight line on his 🕷 this week. Apologies the image is so raw I snapped this in December as a quick reference for myself and then of course DJ puts it in play 😁 As mentioned in a previous post his alignment was more consistent with this new T line option. . . 🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷 . . #dustinjohnson #DJ #putting #Tour #newproducts #pga #golf #golfer #hawaii #maui #🕷 . 🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷

A post shared by Chris Trott (@trottistgolfagram) on Jan 5, 2018 at 8:20pm PST

In sum, being custom fit will have a meaningful impact on your game.  As mentioned above, by working with a fitter and having your loft, lie, shaft flex, and club head all dialed in for your golf swing, you’ll probably see better overall performance (e.g., shot distance and dispersion).  But if you really can only budget being custom fit for one club, go for the putter.

This is particularly important in light of all the different variations on putters: loft, lie, head shape and weight, hosel design, shaft length, sight lines, grip, etc.  Moreover, not only is a putter responsible for nearly half the shots you hit in a round of golf, but, after developing a relationship with your flat stick, it’s also the only club you’ll never have to replace because of changes in technology or your athletic capability.

Cover Image via Instagram