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Brandel Chamblee sparks debate after showing decline in putting make percentage on PGA Tour

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Brandel Chamblee’s latest tweet on X is taking off, with the Golf Channel analyst presenting an interesting study that shows a decline in putting make percentage in today’s game compared to twenty years ago.

Presented matter of factly, Chamblee posted the following numbers:

That tweet has been met with plenty of responses from golf fans, theorising just why the make percentage is down today from 20 years ago, Here are some responses to the numbers:

What’s your theory behind the slight decrease in make percentage on tour, WRXers?

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected]

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Chuck

    Feb 24, 2026 at 1:44 pm

    The comment by Randy Schrader @GolfnRandy is too modest. He is clearly on to the most obvious answer of all; in response to ever-increasing technology-induced distance, course setups on tour demand ever-more punitive greens and green speeds. It is that simple. I expect that players are every bit as good at putting as they were 20 years ago. Probably better. But they are playing on greens that have been made more difficult, as a last-stand defense of golf courses against the onslaught of distance.
    I just don’t understand how this isn’t the first, last, best and only explanation.
    I’m really tempted to say, “End of story. Full stop.” But I always hate it when debate opponents do that. So, give me your best shot; tell me why I’m wrong about any of this.

  2. Jessie

    Feb 23, 2026 at 7:02 am

    EGOS will lower PPRs for all Tour golfers. It’s the future.

  3. Jessie

    Feb 23, 2026 at 7:02 am

    EGOS will lower PPRs for all Tour golfers. It’s the future..

  4. Darrel

    Feb 21, 2026 at 1:38 pm

    “Paralysis by analysis”, the players today spend an excruciating amount of time looking at the line from every different angle and the garbage aim point trampling of every green (not respecting players that follow them). The only thing they don’t do is borough into the hole to look from there.

    Long story short, they look at the put for so long that they don’t trust themselves and their first look, so they tighten up and no longer putt with feel. “Trust the force Luke!!”

  5. The Truth Network

    Feb 21, 2026 at 6:34 am

    The players today are soft and depend too much on their “team”. There is no ownership anymore and everything is everyone else’s fault. Including this batch of players “inept” putting. They suck and the stats prove it.

  6. Joey5Picks

    Feb 20, 2026 at 1:35 pm

    Those differences are unlikely to be statistically different. So essentially, the make rates are unchanged.

  7. Josh

    Feb 20, 2026 at 11:54 am

    … Or maybe it’s just that in the last 20 years the Pro game has realized that statistical improvement and superiority over your peers starts at the Tee box and marginal strokes gained putting isn’t as likely to win you a tournament as Bomb and Gouging your way into 2-putts?

  8. jwwjr

    Feb 20, 2026 at 10:41 am

    AimPoint. Most of the stomping around is near the hole, which a putt of any length has to roll through. If they weren’t allowing players to tap down spike marks now, AimPoint would be already banned. It still creates enough indentation around the hole to make a difference. Hopefully it will be banned soon.

    • RM

      Feb 20, 2026 at 10:59 am

      I’m inclined to agree with this. Even a little rougher surface around the hole could explain it. Would be helpful to see the data for every year though.

    • Noonan

      Feb 20, 2026 at 12:40 pm

      It’s the ‘volcano effect’ and it is a real thing formed around the cup by the afternoon/twilight rounds.

  9. RAY NEESE

    Feb 20, 2026 at 9:37 am

    Yet every week they are shooting lower scores. Didn’t JR just break tournament record? Those guys are so good when they are on. I wish I could putt to their averages. I would love to see caddies out of picture on greens. JMO

  10. Peter

    Feb 20, 2026 at 7:53 am

    He can post interesting content. I would love to see the same stats for LPGA, I think they are better putters.

  11. Noonan

    Feb 19, 2026 at 4:29 pm

    It’s because caddies can’t line them up behind them anymore. And even AI insert faces/weighting, zero torque, ALL technology isn’t working as advertised either. Bunch of snake oil.

  12. Kevbot

    Feb 19, 2026 at 3:30 pm

    Someone went down a rabbit hole one day and decided that in order to become a better putter people needed all these weird training aids/gadgets. That stuff was basically non-existent pre-2005. I blame it on the new age/ new school golf instructors who shove this down their young students’ throats. Also, putters themselves have been increasingly ugly and complicated with fat grips, graphite shafts, etc. and it’s confusing the heck out of people.

  13. T

    Feb 19, 2026 at 11:30 am

    Greens TOO FAST, too slick
    Good putters went to LIV
    LOL

  14. The Truth Network

    Feb 19, 2026 at 8:35 am

    Aim Point is going to go down as the biggest STAIN in the history of the game. It will be banned in the future.

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Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.

They wrote:

“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”

Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. 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.

  • kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
  • jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
  • jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
  • Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”

Entire Thread: “Most Birdies Without Breaking Par.”

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Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.

@DTorres asked:

The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?

Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.

We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.

Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. 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.

  • rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
  • bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
  • CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”

Entire Thread: “Best current stock shaft 2026.”

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GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

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A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down. 

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

 

  • GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

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