Scottie Scheffler's Putting Transformation: The Impact of Switching to the Spider Putter
Scottie Scheffler had an unforgettable season last year, marking one of the greatest performances in golf history. A pivotal moment in his journey came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where a key equipment change significantly altered his game.
Struggles on the Green
Before arriving at Bay Hill, Scheffler had endured nearly a year without a victory. His remarkable ball-striking skills consistently created birdie opportunities, yet his putting struggles prevented him from capitalizing on them. The frustration became so intense that he and fellow TOUR player Sam Burns would practice putting on indoor mats late at night, even as their pregnant wives slept.
Scheffler’s long-time friend and mentor, Brad Payne, recalled a heartfelt conversation with him in Dallas. Payne described how every interview revolved around Scheffler’s putting issues, which only added to his frustration. The breaking point came after The Genesis Invitational, where he finished T10 despite ranking last in Strokes Gained: Putting (-4.36). At that time, he was 127th on TOUR in putting, losing nearly half a stroke per round on the greens.
The Game-Changing Switch
Determined to find a solution, Scheffler made a bold decision before the Arnold Palmer Invitational—he switched from his traditional blade putter to a TaylorMade Spider mallet putter. The impact was immediate. He dominated the tournament, winning by five strokes and claiming his first PGA TOUR victory in 51 weeks.
This tournament marked the beginning of an extraordinary stretch for Scheffler. Over five events, he won four times and secured a runner-up finish in the fifth. His victories included the Masters and the RBC Heritage, another Signature Event. By the end of 2024, he had captured seven PGA TOUR titles, an Olympic gold medal, and the FedExCup.
Confidence and Performance Boost
Reflecting on the change, Scheffler acknowledged the psychological challenges of adjusting to new equipment. “When you make a change and have terrible results in the first week, it’s easy to blame the equipment rather than yourself,” he said. However, his instant success with the Spider putter reinforced his confidence and validated the switch.
Scheffler’s statistics demonstrate the substantial improvement in his putting. At the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational, he ranked fifth in Strokes Gained: Putting. Over the past year, he has gained nearly 0.3 strokes per round on the greens—an improvement of three-quarters of a stroke per round compared to the previous year, when he was losing 0.44 strokes per round. This equates to nearly three strokes gained per tournament.
His putting averages also improved significantly. Since switching to the Spider, he averages 28.1 putts per round, down from 29.2. His mid-range putting has been particularly impressive—he now makes 33.4% of putts from 10-15 feet (up from 26.4%) and 27.6% from 15-20 feet (compared to 21.1%). Additionally, his success rate on short putts (3-5 feet) increased from 83.4% to 89.8%, and his three-putt percentage dropped from 2.8% to 1.4%.
A Shift in Approach
Another crucial adjustment was Scheffler’s decision to stop using the alignment line on his ball for putts. Instead, he chose to rely more on feel and athleticism, mirroring his approach in full swings.
Reflecting on the transformation, he shared, “Looking back a year, I feel completely different over the ball on the greens. When putts aren’t falling, you try to force them in, but that’s not how golf works—especially at PGA TOUR events. I feel more free now, focusing on my athleticism and just playing the game.”
With these changes, Scheffler has redefined his putting game, elevating himself to an even higher level. His success serves as a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the impact of the right equipment choices in professional golf.
