The long putter legend ditches his broomstick for something that might shock you.

Adam Scott just sent shockwaves through the golf equipment world by announcing he’s going back to a traditional-length putter. Yes, you read that right. The man who practically wrote the book on long putters is trading his broomstick for something you’d recognize from your local pro shop. After more than a decade of rolling with that distinctive 49-inch wand that helped him win the 2013 Masters, Scott is making the switch at this week’s BMW PGA Championship.

Why the Sudden Change?

The numbers don’t lie, and they’ve been telling Scott a harsh truth. After years of solid putting performance (top 50 in Strokes Gained: Putting from 2018-2024), he cratered to 111th this season. That putting collapse helped knock him out of the FedExCup Playoffs, finishing 90th in standings. Sometimes the data forces your hand, and for a perfectionist like Scott, poor putting stats are like nails on a chalkboard.

The New Weapon of Choice

Scott isn’t just going shorter – he’s going completely different. His new L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i HS putter represents a radical departure from everything he’s known. This isn’t just any traditional putter; it’s the first heel-shafted version from a company known for center-shafted designs. The wild part? Scott helped design this thing back in 2023, drawing inspiration from his favorite sports car for the shape.

The Technology Behind the Switch

L.A.B. Golf didn’t just slap Scott’s name on a regular putter and call it a day. This OZ.1i HS achieves their signature “zero torque” design through an aluminum riser in the hosel that keeps the shaft pointing to the center of the face, even though it enters near the heel. It’s like engineering wizardry meets traditional looks – the best of both worlds for golfers who want performance without looking like they’re wielding a pool cue.

What This Means for Golf

Scott’s equipment choices have always moved markets. When he went long, others followed. When he switched to L.A.B. Golf in 2019, suddenly everyone wanted to try lie angle balanced putters. Now he’s going traditional again, but with cutting-edge technology hidden inside. This could signal a trend toward putters that look familiar but perform like space-age equipment.

The Verdict

Will Scott’s putting woes disappear with this switch? That remains to be seen when he tees it up at Wentworth. But one thing’s certain – when a player of Scott’s caliber makes this dramatic a change, the entire golf world pays attention. Sometimes going backward is actually moving forward.