Equipment
Bryson DeChambeau “really considering” side-saddle putting stroke
Bryson DeChambeau intends to “tinker” with side-saddle putting during the holiday break from the PGA Tour with the intent of using it in 2017, according to a Golf Digest report.
“It’s in development now,” DeChambeau told Golf Digest. “I think it’s an easier way to putt and could be another game-changer like the one-length [irons].”
The style of putting, popularized by Sam Snead, sees the player stand facing the target instead of perpendicular to it, with the golf ball to the side of the feet. It’s said to be beneficial to the player because it’s a “right arm only” stroke, and you can look at the target during the stroke.
“Given I have a couple months off, I’ll be ready for it,” he told Golf Digest. “If it doesn’t work I’ll go back to putting normal. It’s not an issue.”
Related: Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2016
Obviously, DeChambeau doesn’t shy away from doing things differently, given his single-length iron setup and one-plane golf swing. But for DeChambeau, this technique won’t be entirely new. According to Golf Digest, DeChambeau used a side-saddle putting stroke during the Jones Cup while still in college.
Say what you want about DeChambeau, but don’t say he doesn’t keep things interesting.
This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.
Joel Thelen
Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.
First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.
Mitchell Meissner
Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX
Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.
@Lamosteve began:
Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine
Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
- JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
- jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Memorial Tournament Tour Report: Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young switch up drivers, and more
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
J.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament
Best irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
Asterisk Talley WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Brianna Do WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
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jgpl001
Oct 25, 2016 at 4:43 pm
He is certainly unique, but sometimes I think he is trying to be different just to be different
I like the guy but to date all we see are lots of gimmicks, but Few if any any results…..
Guia
Oct 23, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Such a drastic change to his putting style is very concerning. He appears to have lost confidence, side saddle putting has never worked for anyone at the tour level (yes, this includes Snead and Longer). I don’t think we will see him use this style for very long.
Brentflog
Nov 20, 2016 at 11:49 am
Snead was winning tour events in his 50s side saddle. Not sure who Longer is but Langer doesn’t putt side saddle.
Dan
Oct 23, 2016 at 3:38 am
I could be wrong, but I thought putting side-saddle was illegal?
george
Oct 23, 2016 at 3:48 am
No it’s not. Putting croquet-style while standing on both sides of the putting line and it’s extension backwards is illegal. Standing entirely on one side of the putting line is legal. It’s basically just a extremely open setup. You just need a really long putter shaft with a (just barely legal) 80deg lie.
Jason
Oct 22, 2016 at 8:41 am
I love how Bryson approaches golf scientifically. How many golfers would be better if they did what was best instead of what the perceived as being correct. He is all about utility, love it.
Me Nunya-izzle
Oct 21, 2016 at 3:36 pm
This is by far the best way to putt, BUT you need a center shafted putter and high MOI if you are going to look at he target( for inevitable off center hits).
Snead looked at the ball.
Also you look like a puttz. (Puttz, get it?)
Jim
Oct 21, 2016 at 11:46 am
Everyone should try putting open…like toe line 40 degrees open to putt line, make sure rt leg isn’t im backswing line and “roll the ball off the finger tips” of the strong hand – so to speak…imagine tossing a golf ball to a three yr old. You’d NEVER trust standing square, you’d open to them and gently toss it..It’s an anatomically correct motion. Side saddle…meh….same idea…a bit too much. Not incorrect though
Jim
Oct 21, 2016 at 11:54 am
…ALSO, very helpful for persons with vision deficits…
Rob
Oct 22, 2016 at 6:47 am
shhhhh
Mikee
Oct 21, 2016 at 11:27 am
I wouldn’t say “weird”……I think “unique” is a better term.Certainly more personality than Dufner (but that’s a low setting on the bar of life…)
Philip
Oct 21, 2016 at 12:46 pm
I get the impression that he is going out of his way to be different – makes for an interesting marketing angle. Snead only did it because he ran out of ideas to deal with his putting yips – not necessarily because it was better. Myself, I alternate between being square and totally open. I’m going to give side-saddle a try tomorrow – maybe merge it with my open stance.
NoOneCares
Oct 21, 2016 at 11:12 am
We get it Bryson, you’re weird.