Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another one of my little experiments. Today’s topic is all about that Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 putter that Max Homa’s been using. I’ve been seeing a lot of buzz about this thing, and me being me, I had to get my hands on one and see what all the fuss is about.
So, first things first, I got myself a Phantom X 5.5. I wanted to feel exactly what Max Homa feels when he’s lining up those clutch putts. I’ve been a fan of Scotty Cameron for a while, but this one’s a bit different from what I’m used to. It’s got that whole winged mallet design, which looks pretty sleek, I gotta say.
Now, onto the practice green. I started off just getting a feel for the weight and balance of the putter. It’s definitely got a nice, solid feel to it. I spent a good hour just rolling putts from different distances, trying to get a sense of the distance control.
- First Impressions: The alignment aids on this thing are pretty helpful. That single sightline really helps you get the ball started on the right line.
- Feel: It’s got that classic Scotty Cameron feel, that’s for sure. Soft, but not too soft, you know?
- Distance Control: This is where I really started to notice a difference. The consistency I was getting on my lag putts was pretty impressive.
After a few sessions on the practice green, I decided to take it out for a real round. I wanted to see how it performed under pressure. And let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint. I felt way more confident over those knee-knockers. I also noticed a big improvement in my lag putting. I was leaving myself with a lot more tap-ins than usual, which is always a good thing.
My Experimentation in More Detail
I wanted to see if maybe it wasn’t the putter but my alignment, so I spent extra time trying to make sure I was setting up square. The single sightline on the Phantom X 5.5 did help here, I felt more sure of where the face was pointed. I even tried using that MCC Plus 4 grip, similar to what some pro players use, to see if that made a difference. The lower hand grip did feel different and maybe helped me control the clubface a bit better, but honestly, it could be a placebo effect.
I also took it to a different course with faster greens to see how the putter performed under different conditions. Even on those slick greens, I still felt like I had good control over the distance. I even holed out a couple of long putts, which definitely boosted my confidence.
My putting definitely improved over the few weeks I was using the Phantom X 5.5. I was making more putts inside 10 feet, and my lag putting was on point. I wouldn’t say it’s a magic wand or anything, but it definitely made a noticeable difference in my game. Maybe that’s why Max Homa is using it, I mean the guy is a rising star on the PGA Tour for a reason, and if this putter is good enough for him to win outside of the US, maybe there is something special about it. I was trying to find any information about his specific setup, like if he uses any special grips or anything, but all I could really find is that he’s a Titleist staffer.
So, there you have it. That’s my experience with Max Homa’s putter, the Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5. I wouldn’t say you are going to be breaking course records after just getting it, but it might help you shave a few strokes off your game. If you’re in the market for a new putter, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try. And hey, if it works for Max, maybe it’ll work for you too.
