Rickie Fowler’s Putter: Discover His Choice

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Quick Answer

• Rickie Fowler is known for gaming a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS putter.
• This is a classic blade-style putter, celebrated for its timeless design and premium feel.
• He’s been a loyal user for a long time, a testament to its consistent performance under pressure.

Who This Putter Is For

• Golfers who appreciate the traditional look and feel of a blade putter.
• Players seeking a tour-proven, high-quality putter from a legendary craftsman.
• Anyone looking to draw inspiration from the equipment choices of a top professional. I’m always checking out what the pros are using, it’s part of the fun.

What to Check First for a Rickie Fowler Style Putter

• Putter Head Shape: Rickie’s is a blade. Does that classic, compact shape appeal to you, or do you prefer the larger footprint of a mallet?
• Putter Length: This is huge. Does the putter sit comfortably in your hands without forcing you to hunch or stand too tall? Your ideal length is key for consistent posture.
• Grip Style and Size: How does the grip feel in your hands? Is it too thick, too thin, or just right for a relaxed, confident grip?
• Material and Milling: What’s the face made of? Premium materials like GSS (German Stainless Steel) offer a distinct feel and sound that can impact your distance control.
• Toe Hang and Balance: Does the putter face naturally want to close or stay square during your stroke? This relates to your stroke path.

Premium materials like GSS (German Stainless Steel) offer a distinct feel and sound that can impact your distance control. If you’re looking for that premium feel, consider a putter made from this material.

Step-by-Step Plan: Finding Your Putter Like Rickie Fowler

1. Research Classic Blade Putter Designs.

• Action: Browse different blade putter models.
• What to look for: Clean lines, minimal offset (or none), a traditional topline, and a shape that looks good to your eye at address. Think simple and elegant.
• Mistake: Getting distracted by flashy designs or marketing. Focus on the fundamental shape and how it frames the ball.

2. Identify Putters with Premium Metals and Milling.

• Action: Look into putters constructed from high-grade materials like GSS, carbon steel, or high-quality aluminum.
• What to look for: A putter face with a soft, consistent impact feel. The milling pattern on the face also plays a role in feel and how the ball rolls off.
• Mistake: Underestimating the impact of the putter’s materials and face milling on your feel and ability to control distance. It’s not just about looks.

3. Determine Your Ideal Putter Length.

• Action: Get fitted by a professional or try different lengths in a store.
• What to look for: A length that allows you to stand comfortably with your eyes directly over the ball, maintaining a natural spine angle without tension.
• Mistake: Using a putter that’s too long or too short. This forces awkward posture, leading to inconsistent contact and stroke mechanics. I once tried a buddy’s super-long putter and felt like a giraffe trying to play golf.

4. Assess Putter Balance and Toe Hang.

• Action: Understand your natural putting stroke arc.
• What to look for: A putter with toe hang that matches your stroke. If you have a significant arc, you’ll likely want more toe hang. If your stroke is straighter, less toe hang (or face-balanced) might be better.
• Mistake: Choosing a putter with toe hang that fights your natural swing path. This can lead to pulls or pushes because the putter head is trying to do its own thing.

5. Consider the Grip – Size, Texture, and Feel.

• Action: Experiment with different grip sizes and textures.
• What to look for: A grip that feels comfortable and secure in your hands, allowing you to maintain a relaxed grip pressure. Some prefer a larger, more pistol-like grip, while others like a thinner, corded feel.
• Mistake: Sticking with a stock grip that doesn’t suit your hands or preferences. A good grip is your only connection to the putter; it needs to feel right.

6. Test for Sound and Feel.

• Action: Take practice strokes and hit putts on a practice green.
• What to look for: A distinct sound at impact that gives you confidence, and a feel that provides clear feedback on the quality of your strike.
• Mistake: Neglecting the sensory feedback. The sound and feel are crucial for developing confidence and touch on the greens.

What Putter Does Rickie Fowler Use? The Details and Why It Works

Rickie Fowler’s choice of a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS isn’t accidental. It’s a putter that embodies classic design principles and offers a premium experience that many golfers, from amateurs to tour pros, find incredibly effective. Understanding the nuances of this type of putter can help you dial in your own game.

• Mistake: Buying purely based on brand name or what a pro uses.
• Why it matters: A famous name or a tour player’s endorsement doesn’t automatically mean it’s the right tool for your game. Your stroke, your eye, and your feel are unique.
• Fix: Prioritize how the putter looks, feels, and performs for your specific needs. Get fitted and test extensively.
• Mistake: Not considering putter length and its impact on posture.
• Why it matters: An incorrect putter length forces you into a poor stance, leading to tension, inconsistent contact, and a breakdown in your stroke mechanics. You’ll be fighting the club before you even start.
• Fix: Measure yourself or get professionally fitted to determine the exact length that allows for a comfortable, athletic posture with your eyes directly over the ball.
• Mistake: Ignoring putter balance and toe hang.
• Why it matters: The toe hang of a putter is designed to complement a specific type of stroke arc. If your putter’s toe hang fights your natural motion, you’ll struggle with accuracy.
• Fix: Understand your stroke path. If you have a significant arc, look for more toe hang. If your stroke is straighter, less toe hang or a face-balanced model might be better.
• Mistake: Overlooking the feel of the putter face and its impact on distance control.
• Why it matters: The material composition and milling pattern of the putter face significantly influence how the ball rolls off and the tactile feedback you receive. This directly affects your ability to gauge distance.
• Fix: Test putters with different face materials and milling. Find one that provides the tactile feedback you need to feel confident about controlling speed on putts of all lengths.
• Mistake: Sticking with a grip that doesn’t feel right.
• Why it matters: Your grip is your only connection to the putter. If it’s uncomfortable, too large, or too small, it can lead to tension and inconsistent grip pressure, ruining your stroke.
• Fix: Experiment with various grip sizes and materials. A comfortable, secure grip is fundamental to a relaxed and repeatable putting stroke.

FAQ

• What specific Scotty Cameron model does Rickie Fowler use? Rickie Fowler is most famously associated with the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS putter.
• Is the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS a blade or mallet putter? The Newport 2 GSS is a classic blade-style putter. It’s characterized by its compact, traditional head shape.
• What does GSS mean in the context of golf putters? GSS stands for German Stainless Steel. It’s a premium, high-grade steel known for its soft feel, exceptional durability, and consistent performance, often favored in high-end and tour-level putters.
• Can I buy the exact same putter Rickie Fowler uses? While the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS model is available, tour professionals often have their putters custom-specified for loft, lie angle, length, and weighting. You can get a Newport 2 GSS, but it might not be identical to Rickie’s personal gamer.
• What are the advantages of a blade putter like Rickie’s? Blade putters, like the Newport 2 GSS, are often praised for their superior feel and feedback. They offer a more traditional aesthetic at address and are frequently preferred by golfers with an arcing stroke who appreciate a clean, classic look.
• How important is the milling on a putter face? The milling pattern on a putter face is crucial. It affects the feel at impact, helps to ensure consistent ball-tosurface contact, and can influence how the ball rolls off the face, contributing to better distance control.
• What is “toe hang” and why does it matter for putter selection? Toe hang refers to how the putter head naturally rests when held by the shaft. It’s an indicator of how the face will behave during your stroke. A putter with more toe hang is generally better suited for golfers with a more pronounced putting arc, while less toe hang or a face-balanced putter suits a straighter stroke. Choosing the wrong toe hang can force your stroke.