Is Side-Saddle Putting For Real?

The side-saddle putting method may be making a comeback thanks to Bryson DeChambeau.

The “golf scientist” has been well known in golf circles for a while now after a wildly successful amateur career including becoming only the fifth player ever to win both the US Amateur and the NCAA Division 1 Championship in the same year.

But his eccentric style is what has made him so interesting and helped him burst into the national spotlight at the 2016 Masters. The physics major at SMU uses single-length irons. He tests his golf balls in a jar of water before picking out and using only the ones that float in the center (apparently, about 7 per dozen). And now he has brought back side-saddle putting into competition, once made famous by Sam Snead.

It’s not the only old-fashioned technique to be brought back into the sports world recently. On December 26th, Houston Rockets rookie Chinanu Onuaku successfully made two free throws by shooting underhanded, bringing the Rick Barry-style “granny shot” back to the NBA.

Hey, it’s only funny if it doesn’t work right? Well the jury’s still out on the putting, which DeChambeau says he is just testing. In the Franklin Templeton Shootout — a team event during golf’s “silly season” — he and partner Lexi Thompson finished tied for 11th out of 11 teams. “I am an artist. I love creating things. And that’s ultimately why I’ve become so scientific,” he has said.

On side-saddle putting he added, “I think it’s an easier way to putt and could be another game-changer like the one-length irons.”

Say what you want about DeChambeau, but he makes us think. His endless tinkering may ultimately bring new standards to the game, or help you improve yours.

So what’s the method all about?

As Brian Manzella explains in this video below, the advantages of the side-saddle method are that it allows you to look down the putting line with both eyes and stand similar to how you would if you were rolling the ball towards the hole. So this winter, give it a try in your office or your basement and see what you think and if it’s worth bringing to the course in 2017.

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