Viktor Hovland’s Putter: The Model He Plays
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Quick Answer
- Viktor Hovland is currently gaming a Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 putter.
- This is a mid-mallet design, known for its stability and strong alignment features.
- While he’s known to tinker, this Phantom X model is his frequent choice.
Viktor Hovland is currently gaming a Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 putter. This is a mid-mallet design, known for its stability and strong alignment features.
Who This Is For
- Golfers keen to know what gear the pros like Hovland are using.
- Players curious about mid-mallet putters and if they might suit their game.
- Anyone looking to learn from the equipment choices of successful tour players.
What Putter Does Viktor Hovland Use? – First Checks
Before diving deep, get a feel for the basics:
- Exact Model: Confirm it’s the Phantom X 5.5, not just any Phantom X. Details matter.
- Specs: Check the loft and lie angle. Tour players usually have these tweaked.
- Grip: What kind of grip is on there? Thickness and style can change feel.
Step-by-Step Plan to Identify Viktor Hovland’s Putter
- Action: Hit up reputable golf equipment sites and search “Viktor Hovland putter.”
- What to look for: Recent articles, gear news, or equipment databases that pinpoint his current gamer. Keep an eye out for photos from recent tournaments. You want the latest intel, not last year’s news.
- Mistake to avoid: Don’t trust info that’s a couple of seasons old. Golfers switch gear more often than you’d think. I learned that the hard way trying to find a specific driver shaft once.
- Action: Look for official tour reports or equipment checks from major golf media.
- What to look for: These often have detailed breakdowns of what players have in their bags for specific events. Think Golf Digest, Golfweek, or even the PGA Tour’s own equipment reports.
- Mistake to avoid: Getting sidetracked by anecdotal mentions without solid confirmation. Stick to reliable sources. A random comment on a forum isn’t the same as a verified report.
- Action: Check out Scotty Cameron’s official site or enthusiast forums for info on the Phantom X 5.5.
- What to look for: Understand the design philosophy of this mid-mallet and its typical features. What makes it different from other Phantom X models?
- Mistake to avoid: Assuming Hovland’s putter is a standard off-the-shelf model. Pros often have custom adjustments that make their clubs unique.
- Action: Review player interviews or social media posts where equipment might be discussed.
- What to look for: Direct quotes or visual cues that confirm his putter choice. Sometimes a quick Instagram story can give you the scoop.
- Mistake to avoid: Misinterpreting casual comments as definitive statements about his gamer. A player might mention trying something new, but that doesn’t mean it’s his go-to.
- Action: See if there are any photos or videos of Hovland specifically putting with the Phantom X 5.5 in competition.
- What to look for: Clear shots of the putter head, shaft, and grip during actual play. This is your best evidence. Look for the distinctive shape and any markings.
- Mistake to avoid: Mistaking a practice green club for his tournament gamer. The pressure is different, and players often have different setups for practice versus competition.
Understanding Viktor Hovland’s Putter Choice and Stroke
Viktor Hovland’s choice of the Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 is more than just a brand preference; it speaks to his putting stroke and what he values on the greens. This mid-mallet design offers a compelling blend of stability and visual appeal that many golfers, including top professionals, find beneficial for consistent performance.
Viktor Hovland’s choice of the Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 is more than just a brand preference; it speaks to his putting stroke and what he values on the greens. This mid-mallet design offers a compelling blend of stability and visual appeal that many golfers, including top professionals, find beneficial for consistent performance.
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- Action: Examine the design of the Phantom X 5.5, paying attention to its shape and construction.
- What to look for: Notice the mid-mallet profile. This shape generally offers more stability through the stroke compared to a blade putter, helping to keep the putter face square through impact. Also, check for any specific milling patterns or weight distribution that contribute to its feel.
- Mistake to avoid: Overlooking the subtle design elements. For instance, the Phantom X 5.5 features a specific neck or plumber’s neck setup, which influences the toe hang and how the putter naturally settles during the stroke. This detail is crucial for golfers with a slight arc in their swing.
- Action: Research the typical alignment aids found on the Phantom X 5.5.
- What to look for: Look for any sight lines, dots, or contrasting colors on the top line or sole of the putter. These are engineered to help golfers aim more accurately. Hovland, like many pros, relies on these visual cues to set up consistently.
- Mistake to avoid: Dismissing alignment features as purely cosmetic. For a pro, precise alignment is paramount. The Phantom X 5.5’s alignment system is designed to build confidence and reduce aiming errors.
- Action: Consider how the Phantom X 5.5 might complement Hovland’s putting stroke.
- What to look for: Mid-mallets like the 5.5 are often a good fit for golfers with a slight arc in their putting stroke or a straight-back, straight-through motion with a bit of face rotation. Its stable design helps manage that rotation.
- Mistake to avoid: Assuming all mid-mallets are the same. The Phantom X 5.5 has specific weighting and balance characteristics that contribute to its unique feel and performance, which might be perfectly tuned to Hovland’s tempo and stroke path.
- Action: Investigate the potential for custom specifications on Hovland’s Scotty Cameron putter.
- What to look for: Tour players rarely use clubs straight off the rack. Look for any reports detailing adjustments to loft, lie angle, shaft length, or even grip type and weight. These fine-tunings are critical for maximizing performance.
- Mistake to avoid: Failing to account for customization. What you can buy at your local golf shop is a starting point, but a tour player’s gamer is often a highly personalized piece of equipment.
Common Mistakes
- Mistake: Assuming he uses a stock putter.
- Why it matters: Tour pros almost always have custom specs for loft, lie, and sometimes even weight. What you buy off the rack might not be what they use, impacting how the ball rolls off the face.
- Fix: Always look for details on custom adjustments like loft (typically 2-4 degrees), lie angle (usually 68-72 degrees for pros), and grip type and thickness.
- Mistake: Relying on outdated information.
- Why it matters: Players change equipment frequently, especially putters, as they search for that perfect feel and performance. What was in the bag last year might not be there today.
- Fix: Prioritize recent tour reports and event coverage for the most accurate, up-to-date info. Look for gear updates from the current season.
- Mistake: Confusing prototypes with gamers.
- Why it matters: Manufacturers often give players prototype clubs to test. These aren’t necessarily the clubs they’ll use in official tournaments. They’re for feedback and development.
- Fix: Verify if the putter in question was actually used in competition. A club seen on the practice green is different from one locked in the bag for 72 holes.
- Mistake: Not considering the stroke type.
- Why it matters: Mid-mallets like the Phantom X 5.5 are often favored by players with a slight arc or straight-back-straight-through stroke, providing stability. If your stroke is very different, it might not be the best fit.
- Fix: Research the typical stroke types that benefit from mid-mallet designs and compare that to your own putting motion.
- Mistake: Ignoring the alignment aids.
- Why it matters: The Phantom X 5.5 has specific visual cues designed to help golfers align the putter face to their target. If you struggle with aiming, these can be a game-changer.
- Fix: Pay attention to the sightlines and overall shape of the putter head for alignment benefits. Does the visual setup inspire confidence?
- Mistake: Focusing only on the brand name.
- Why it matters: Scotty Cameron is a premium brand, but the specific model and its customization are what truly matter for performance. A great brand doesn’t guarantee a great fit for everyone.
- Fix: Understand why a particular model like the Phantom X 5.5 is chosen. It’s about its design, balance, and how it interacts with the golfer’s stroke.
FAQ
- What Scotty Cameron putter does Viktor Hovland use?
Viktor Hovland primarily uses a Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 putter. This model is a popular choice on tour due to its blend of stability and feel.
- Is Viktor Hovland’s putter a blade or a mallet?
His Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 is considered a mid-mallet putter. Mid-mallets offer a larger head size than blades, providing increased forgiveness and stability through the putting stroke.
- Has Viktor Hovland always used a Scotty Cameron putter?
While he has been seen experimenting with other putters throughout his career, Scotty Cameron has been his most consistent brand choice on tour. He often returns to his trusted Phantom X model.
- What makes the Phantom X 5.5 a good choice for pros?
It offers a good balance of stability, forgiveness, and alignment features that many professionals value for consistent performance. The mid-mallet design helps square the face through impact, crucial for tour-level putting.
- Can I buy the exact putter Viktor Hovland uses?
You can buy a Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 off the rack, but his personal putter will likely have custom specifications (like loft, lie angle, and grip) tailored to his specific needs and preferences.
- Does the putter model affect his speed control?
Yes, the design of the Phantom X 5.5, particularly its weighting, balance, and feel, contributes significantly to his ability to control distance and speed on the greens. A stable putter helps maintain a consistent tempo.
- Where can I find the most up-to-date info on his equipment?
Reputable golf news sites, official tour reports from outlets like Golfweek or Golf Digest, and dedicated golf equipment forums are your best bet for current information. Checking photos from recent tournaments is also a great way to see what’s in his bag.
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.