J.J. Spaun Transitions to New Putter, Eyes Success at Colonial

As frustrations mount on the greens, many golfers express their exasperation by discarding or damaging their putters. However, J.J. Spaun stands out as one who openly acknowledges his emotional struggles with his flatstick. This week, at the Charles Schwab Challenge held at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, he revealed, "I found myself kind of resenting my putter at times when I’m out on the course."

Spaun's previous weapon of choice was the zero-torque L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter, which played a pivotal role in his victory at last year's U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. Despite its historical significance, the putter had not been yielding favorable results for him lately. He finished last season ranked 74th in strokes gained putting, and his performance had deteriorated further this year, placing him 155th and losing half a stroke to the field, even as he secured his third career win in San Antonio just before the Masters.

Recognizing the need for a fresh approach just weeks ahead of defending his U.S. Open title at Shinnecock Hills, Spaun made the decision to switch putters at Colonial. The results so far have shown promise; after a solid third-round score of 68, he sits just two strokes behind leader Eric Cole, who shot a 63. Spaun remarked, "It’s good to switch it up and see it kind of solidify that it was a good decision these first two rounds and hopefully keep it going this weekend, next week, and keep it into going into the U.S. Open."

In his first round, Spaun recorded a 64 and successfully converted four crucial 8-foot birdie attempts, along with a 14-foot birdie. His second round included a 21-foot birdie, while the third round showcased a long make from 32 feet and a bunker hole-out for another birdie. However, he also faced some struggles, including a three-putt bogey from 14 feet and missed opportunities from shorter distances.

Spaun's shift to a new putter represents a significant change, moving from the center-shafted zero-torque head to L.A.B.'s OZ.1i HS, the company's first heel-shafted model featuring a steel-milled insert. Sam Hahn, co-founder of L.A.B., explained to Golf.com that Spaun had difficulty with alignment as the finish on his DF3 began to wear off. After collaborating with L.A.B.'s Liam Bedford in Arizona, Spaun found a more comfortable fit with the new model, which instilled confidence in his setup. Hahn noted, "Despite the fact that the face rotation and all that stuff was on par with his DF3, he just loved the way it looked and had confidence setting up with it."

In the world of golf, a change in equipment can dramatically impact performance. As Spaun moves forward, he hopes this new putter will help him maintain success as he prepares to defend his title.