Golf Digest Search Results

What's In My Bag: Charlie Beljan

Charlie Beljan with E. Michael Johnson — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Charlie Beljan won the 2012 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic in his rookie season. From driver to putter, find out what Charlie Beljan carries in his bag.

What's In My Bag: Gary Woodland

Gary Woodland with E. Michael Johnson — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Gary Woodland won the 2011 Transitions Championship, and is one of the PGA Tour's longest hitters. From driver to putter, find out what Gary Woodland carries in his bag.

A gift for Obama

Derek Evers — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:13:00 GMT

By Mike Stachura When japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to Washington for a summit meet- ing with President Obama last Friday, he came bearing a golf gift. Abe handed the First Golfer...

What's In My Bag: Nick Watney

Nick Watney with Ron Kaspriske — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Nick Watney is a five-time winner on the PGA Tour, including a victory at the 2012 Barclays. From driver to putter, find out what Nick Watney carries in his bag.

McIlroy switches back from new Nike putter

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:06:00 GMT

By Alex Myers

The Rory McIlroy-to-Nike-equipment rumors persisted for months before becoming true. His return to one of his old clubs took far less time.

Before his second competitive round representing Nike at the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship, McIlroy ditched the company's putter for his trusted Scotty Cameron. In a post-round interview, McIlroy told the Golf Channel, "I just felt like I wasn't getting the ball to the hole. The greens here are a little slow and the Nike putter I used yesterday is quite light, so for practicing on fast greens it's great, but when you get on greens that aren't quite as quick like here, I felt like I was having to hit it a bit more. So, it's just a weight issue. The one I used today is a bit heavier, so I thought I could stroke it a bit more, so that was it."

Whatever the reason, it didn't seem to help much. The world No. 1 shot a second-straight 75 to miss the cut in his first tournament of 2013 and his first-ever event as a pro not playing Titleist clubs.

Photo by Getty Images

Nike probably won't be too pleased with the putter swap and all the publicity it will bring. Many analysts, including six-time major champion Nick Faldo, were already questioning McIlroy's switch to the Swoosh.

McIlroy isn't the first big name to take the Method putter out of his bag. Tiger Woods first put the club in play during the 2010 British Open only to switch back to his Scotty Cameron before the final round that week. He would eventually go back to the Method and is currently putting with it. Like McIlroy, his missed cut this week -- thanks in part to a two-shot penalty -- wasn't exactly what Nike had planned when they commemorated the duo's 2013 debut by airing a commercial of them playfully competing on a driving range.

At his press conference announcing his switch to Nike on Jan. 14, McIlroy was specifically asked if his new contract would allow him to switch back to his old putter. He dodged the question by praising his new equipment and saying he didn't want to get into contract specifics.

Despite being the world's best player, putting has been the worst part of McIlroy's game. He ranked 82nd on the PGA Tour in strokes gained/putting, and struggled particularly from four to eight feet, where he ranked a dismal 158th.

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New Looks: The Adjustment Bureau

Mike Stachura — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Adjustable drivers can help you maximize your performance.

Harris English: What's In My Bag

Harris English with Stephen Hennessey — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Harris English earned $1.1 million during his rookie season on the PGA Tour in 2012. From driver to putter take a look at what he carries in his bag.

What's In My Bag: Scott Stallings

Scott Stallings with Stephen Hennessey — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The winner of the True South Classic has his second PGA Tour victory since 2011. From driver to putter, find out what Scott Stallings carries in his bag.

USGA/R&A propose ban on anchored putting

Mike Stachura — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:28:00 GMT

By Mike StachuraGolf's ruling bodies are ready to put an end to the style of putting that has been used by the winners of three of the last five major championships.Less than a year after announcing...

What's In My Bag: Carl Pettersson

Carl Pettersson with Pete McDaniel — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

The winner of this year's RBC Heritage by five shots now has five PGA Tour victories. From driver to putter, find out what Carl Pettersson carries in his bag.