Adam Scott Considering Anchored Putter For Augusta (Video)

There was once a time when Adam Scott was just the young Australian phenom who had yet to reach his full potential. After winning the 2004 Players Championship it seemed as if he was destined for big things, but instead he was stuck in mediocrity for seven years. This all changed in 2011 when he made the biggest change in his golfing career, he got himself a new putter. Since then he has been one of the game’s best, but with the latest developments in the golf world his reign at the top may be in jeopardy.

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In 2011 he shelved the traditional putter for the unorthodox and formerly legal anchored putter, and the changes were obvious. From 2008-2010 he ranked 163, 183 and 177 in total putting, and never finished in the top ten at a major championship. From 2011-2014 Scott ranked 137, 161, 62 and 54 in total putting, and not only did he pick up nine top tens in majors he even added a Green Jacket to his wardrobe. During that four-year period the only player arguably better than him was Rory McIlroy, but now the future for Scott is up in the air.

With the ban on anchored and belly putters going into effect in 2016, Scott and many others are having to adjust and transition back to the traditional flat stick. For the fifth ranked golfer on the planet the trip back down memory lane has been a shaky one. After finishing in a tie for fourth at the WGC-Cadillac Championship he missed the cut at the Valspar, and was a non-factor this past week at Bay Hill. With no more competitive rounds left on his schedule till Augusta, Scott broke down his first three tournaments.

"“If I compare (my game) to two years ago it’s easy to see what I need to work on,” Scott said. “Sharpen up the ball-striking and come up with a good plan for the putter."

He may say he needs to work on his ball striking but the numbers say something different. Currently he ranks 2nd in driving distance, 1st in greens in regulation, and 5th in strokes gained tee-to-green. It’s just when he gets on the flat surface is when things get ugly. He Currently ranks 186th in strokes gained putting, 196^th in three-putt avoidance, and 175^th in total putting. This begs the question with just two weeks remaining until The Masters, will Scott revert back to the anchored putter for Augusta?

"“Putting with a longer putter is maybe the smarter thing to do,” Scott said following a disappointing final-round 72 and tie for 35th Sunday at Bay Hill. “I don’t know. It’s all about the lag putting. It’s such a difference in weight of club and stroke and everything. I’m just trying to figure it all out.”"

Going back to ‘old reliable’ really may be the smartest decision for Scott. This time next year there will be no choice, so while he still has the option he might as well take advantage of it. He shouldn’t waste a year by preparing for what is coming in the future. In golf an elite player has a small window to win at the highest level, and right now he should put himself in the best position to get his second Green Jacket. He knows the winning formula so for now he should use the method he’s comfortable with, and come up with a new equation next year.

All stats and quotes from PGATour.com

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