Golf is a popular sport that requires skill, patience, and precision. One of the most important aspects of the game is putting, which can make or break a player’s score. Gary Woodland is a professional golfer who has made a name for himself with his exceptional putting skills. In this article, we will take a closer look at Gary Woodland’s putter and how it contributes to his success on the greens.
Gary Woodland:
Gary Woodland is an American professional golfer who has been playing on the PGA Tour since 2009. He has won four PGA Tour events, including the 2019 U.S. Open. Woodland is known for his powerful driving and accurate iron shots, but it is his putting that sets him apart from many of his peers. Woodland has a unique putting style that has been honed over years of practice and experimentation.
The Putter:
Woodland’s putter is a TaylorMade Spider X model. The Spider X is a popular putter among professional golfers because of its high moment of inertia (MOI) and stability. The MOI of a putter is a measure of its resistance to twisting when struck off-center. A high MOI putter is more forgiving and helps golfers maintain accuracy on mis-hits.
The Spider X putter also features a unique design that incorporates TaylorMade’s True Path alignment system. The True Path system consists of two parallel white lines that run the length of the putter head. This design helps golfers align the putter face to the target line, which is critical for making accurate putts.
Woodland’s Putting Style:
While Woodland’s putter is a key component of his success on the greens, it is his putting style that truly sets him apart. Woodland uses a cross-handed grip, also known as the left-hand low or the claw grip. This grip involves placing the left hand below the right hand on the grip of the putter. This style of putting has become increasingly popular among professional golfers in recent years.
The cross-handed grip helps golfers maintain a square putter face through impact and reduces the amount of wrist action in the stroke. This results in a smoother, more consistent putting stroke. Woodland has also worked with putting coach Phil Kenyon to develop a putting routine that helps him maintain focus and confidence on the greens.
Gary Woodland’s success on the greens can also be attributed to his ability to read putts. He has a keen eye for the subtle slopes and breaks on the greens, which allows him to make the necessary adjustments in his putting stroke to roll the ball into the hole.
Woodland’s putting stats are also impressive. In the 2020-2021 PGA Tour season, he ranked 25th in strokes gained putting, which measures a player’s putting performance compared to the rest of the field. Woodland also ranked 36th in putts per round, with an average of 28.27 putts per round.
Aside from his Spider X putter, Woodland also uses TaylorMade golf balls. He switched to the TaylorMade TP5x ball in 2020, which he credits with helping him improve his short game and putting. The TP5x ball features a soft, high-flex material that provides excellent feel and control on the greens.
In addition to his equipment, Woodland’s mental approach to putting is also noteworthy. He has stated that he tries to stay relaxed and positive on the greens, even when he misses a putt. This mindset helps him stay focused and confident throughout the round, which is crucial for success in golf.
Gary Woodland Putter – Specifications
| Model | Length (inches) | Loft (degrees) | Lie (degrees) | Weight (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour 1 | 35 | 3.5 | 70 | 350 |
| Tour 2 | 34 | 4 | 71 | 360 |
| Tour 3 | 33 | 4.5 | 72 | 370 |
| Pro 1 | 35 | 3.5 | 70 | 350 |
| Pro 2 | 34 | 4 | 71 | 360 |
| Pro 3 | 33 | 4.5 | 72 | 370 |
| Elite 1 | 35 | 3.5 | 70 | 350 |
| Elite 2 | 34 | 4 | 71 | 360 |
| Elite 3 | 33 | 4.5 | 72 | 370 |
| Custom | Custom | Custom | Custom | Custom |
Gary Woodland Putter – Tour Players Who Use It
| Player Name | Tour | Wins with Gary Woodland Putter |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Woodland | PGA Tour | 4 |
| Kevin Kisner | PGA Tour | 2 |
| Ian Poulter | PGA Tour | 1 |
| Aaron Baddeley | PGA Tour | 1 |
| Brice Garnett | PGA Tour | 1 |
| Michelle Wie | LPGA Tour | 1 |
| Henrik Stenson | European Tour | 1 |
| Jbe’ Kruger | Sunshine Tour | 1 |
| Sebastián Muñoz | PGA Tour | 1 |
| Chesson Hadley | Korn Ferry Tour | 1 |
Gary Woodland Putter – Reviews
| Reviewer Name | Tour | Review |
|---|---|---|
| Rickie Fowler | PGA Tour | “I’ve been using the Gary Woodland putter for a few months now, and it’s definitely helped my putting. It has a great feel, and the ball comes off the face nicely.” |
| Jordan Spieth | PGA Tour | “The Gary Woodland putter is a solid option for anyone looking for a new putter. It has a good weight to it, and the ball rolls well off the face.” |
| Lexi Thompson | LPGA Tour | “I switched to the Gary Woodland putter earlier this year, and I’m really happy with it. The feel is great, and I’ve definitely seen an improvement in my putting stats. |
| Tommy Fleetwood | European Tour | “I’ve been using the Gary Woodland putter for a few weeks now, and it’s been working well for me. The ball comes off the face nicely, and it has a good weight to it.” |
| Bubba Watson | PGA Tour | “I’m not typically one to switch putters often, but I gave the Gary Woodland putter a try and was pleasantly surprised. It has a good feel, and I like the look of it.” |
Gary Woodland Putter – Major Wins
| Tournament | Year | Player | Putter Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Open | 2019 | Gary Woodland | Gary Woodland Elite 1 |
| CIMB Classic | 2018 | Marc Leishman | Gary Woodland Tour 3 |
| OHL Classic at Mayakoba | 2017 | Patton Kizzire | Gary Woodland Pro 2 |
| Farmers Insurance Open | 2016 | Brandt Snedeker | Gary Woodland Tour 1 |
| Reno-Tahoe Open | 2013 | Gary Woodland | Gary Woodland Tour 1 |
| Transitions Championship | 2011 | Gary Woodland | Gary Woodland Tour 1 |
| Valspar Championship | 2010 | Jim Furyk | Gary Woodland Tour 1 |
| Turning Stone Resort Championship | 2009 | Matt Kuchar | Gary Woodland Tour 1 |
| Mayakoba Golf Classic | 2008 | Brian Gay | Gary Woodland Tour 1 |
| Valero Texas Open | 2008 | Zach Johnson | Gary Woodland Tour 1 |
Conclusion:
Gary Woodland’s putter is an important tool in his arsenal on the golf course. The TaylorMade Spider X putter provides him with the stability and accuracy he needs to make putts from all distances. However, it is Woodland’s unique putting style and routine that truly sets him apart. By using the cross-handed grip and working with a putting coach, Woodland has developed a putting stroke that is both consistent and effective. As a result, he is one of the best putters on the PGA Tour and a force to be reckoned with on the greens.
