More major championships have been sealed with a Scotty Cameron putter than arguably any other brand, becoming the gold standard for feel, craftsmanship, and performance. You see them on TV every Sunday in the hands of the world's best, sinking the putts that matter most. This article will show you exactly which pros use Scotty Cameron putters, from legends to current superstars, and what you, the everyday golfer, can learn from their choices to improve your own game on the greens.
Why Scotty Cameron Putters Dominate the Pro Tours
Before we look at the specific players, it's helpful to understand why Scottys are so prevalent at the highest level. It's not just a marketing trend, it’s a commitment to quality that translates into trust. Pro golfers depend on their putter for their livelihood, so their choice is based purely on what gives them the best chance to make putts under pressure.
Here’s what sets Scotty Cameron putters apart:
- Unmatched Craftsmanship: Known as "The Art of Putting," each putter is milled from a solid block of premium steel, most commonly 303 stainless steel. This C&C milling process creates incredibly precise shapes and lines, giving players a clean, perfect look at address. There are no flaws, no strange reflections - just a piece of equipment designed for one purpose.
- Legendary Feel: "Feel" is the holy grail in putting. It's the feedback the putter gives your hands at impact, which is vital for controlling distance. The solid-milled construction of a Scotty Cameron is famous for providing a soft yet solid feedback that top players rely on to gauge speed on greens of any condition.
- The "Circle T" Program: You might have seen red Circle T logos on putters used by pros. This stamp signifies that the putter was made for the tour. These aren't necessarily "better," but they are often prototypes, feature custom grinds, unique stampings, different neck styles, or are made from ultra-high-end materials like German Stainless Steel (GSS). This direct-to-tour program means pros can get a putter customized to their exact specifications.
The Iconic Scotty Users: A Roll Call of Greatness
The list of pros who have used a Scotty Cameron to win is long and distinguished. A few names, however, are so intertwined with the brand that they’ve become part of its legend.
Tiger Woods and the Newport 2 GSS
You can't talk about Scotty Cameron putters without talking about Tiger Woods. His Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS Prototype is perhaps the most famous golf club in history. He used this specific putter to win 14 of his 15 major championships, and it rarely left his bag for over two decades.
The Putter: It's a customized blade-style putter made from German Stainless Steel (GSS), a material known for its exceptionally soft feel and a distinct, muted sound at impact. It features the iconic “cherry bomb” red dots in the back cavity and on the face.Interestingly, there is a small dot on the topline of the putter, said to be a flaw that he grew to love and would check to make sure any backup putter had the same 'flaw'. For Tiger, this putter wasn’t just a tool, it was an extension of his hands and incredible putting instincts.
Coach's Take: Tiger’s choice highlights the a priceless quality in putting: unwavering confidence. He found a putter that looked perfect to his eye, felt perfect in his hands, and never deviated. The takeaway for you is that once you find a putter you trust completely, stop shopping. Stick with it and learn its every nuance.
Justin Thomas and His Customized Protoypes
Justin Thomas is a renowned feel player and has used Scotty Cameron putters throughout his professional career, including for his PGA Championship wins.
The Putter: While he flirted with a mallet (the Futura X5.5 model) earlier in his career which featured a small slant neck on a mallet design for more arc, he primarily uses a blade reminiscent of a Newport 2. His current tour tool is often a Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 tour prototype or a highly customized T-5 Welded Neck prototype. The key here is the welded-on "knuckle neck" or flow neck. This custom neck style increases the toe hang of the putter, making it a perfect match for a player like JT who has a strong putting arc.
Coach's Take: JT's putter shows the importance of matching your flatstick to your stroke type. A welded neck isn't a retail option, but the lesson is powerful. If you have an arcing stroke, you need a putter with some toe hang. This helps the face open on the backswing and release closed through impact naturally, without you having to manipulate it.
Jordan Spieth and "009"
Loyalty is a theme among many top Scotty users, and Jordan Spieth is a prime example. He has used his trusty Scotty Cameron 009 Prototype for nearly all of his biggest victories, including his three major championships.
The Putter: The 009 is a classic blade inspired by the original designs that started it all. It’s slightly softer and more rounded than the Newport 2 shape. Spieth’s is made from carbon steel, which delivers a very soft, responsive feel. He’s famously resisted changing, saying he knows exactly how the ball will come off the face in any situation. That kind of predictability is an incredible asset under pressure.
Coach's Take: Spieth’s choice underscores the importance of a comfortable look. He often "looks at the hole" when he putts, especially on short ones. This method requires absolute faith that the putter face is square. His beloved 009 gives him that confidence, allowing him to be more instinctive and less mechanical.
Not Just Blades: The Mallets Making Waves
While the classic Newport blade often grabs the headlines, Scotty Cameron's mallet designs have been just as successful on tour, offering more forgiveness and alignment help.
Scottie Scheffler's Phantom X T-5.5
The world's #1 player, Scottie Scheffler, has dominated with a mallet in his hands. His success put the Scotty Cameron Phantom X series on the map for many golfers.
The Putter: Scheffler uses a Scotty Cameron Phantom X T-5.5 Proto. At first glance, it looks like a standard small mallet designed for stability. But look closer at the neck. Like JT’s putter, it has a custom welded 'knuckle neck' shaft hosel. This gives the inherently stable and forgiving mallet head the toe hang of a blade. For a player who grew up using blades, this is the best of both worlds: the feel and release pattern of their old blade, with the stability and alignment benefits of a modern mallet.
Coach's Take: Scheffler's setup a popular trend on tour. Players with an arc who want more forgiveness no longer have to force a face-balanced mallet. You can find retail mallets from Scott with various neck options (like the "jet neck" or "slant neck" in the PhantomX 5.5) that are designed for this exact purpose.
What You Can Learn From The Pros' Putter Choices
Observing what the best players in the world use is interesting, but the real value is in applying their logic to your own game. You don't need a GSS Prototype to make more putts, but you do need to choose a putter with the same level of care.
1. Match the Putter to Your Stroke Path
This is the most important lesson. Watch your putting stroke in a mirror or have a friend film it.
- If your putter swings on a noticeable arc (inside-to-square-to-inside), you need a blade or a mallet with toe hang (Newport, 009, Phantom X 5.5).
- If your putter moves mostly straight back and straight through, you need a face-balanced mallet for stability (Phantom X 5, 7, 11).
Using the wrong type of putter forces you to make micro-adjustments during the stroke, which kills consistency.
2. Feel is For Real
Pros trust their feel to control speed. When you're testing putters, don't just hit five-footers. Hit 20- and 30-foot putts to see how the putter responds. Do you feel like you know how твердо to hit it?
- Solid-Milled Faces (e.g., Special Select line): Offer a solid, crisp feedback.
- Insert Faces (e.g., Phantom X line): Often feel softer and can be more forgiving on off-center hits.
There's no right answer - it's about finding the feedback that clicks with you.
3. Look Down and Love What You See
Aesthetics aren't just for show. You have to look down at your putter and feel confident. Some players prefer the simple, clean look of a blade with a single sight line. Others feel more confident with the longer lines and visual cues of a mallet. Pick the one that makes you feel like you can't miss.
Final Thoughts
The best players on the planet, including titans like Tiger Woods and modern stars like Scottie Scheffler, turn to Scotty Cameron putters for their precision craftsmanship, supreme feel, and the confidence they inspire. Whether it's a timeless blade or a forgiveness-packed mallet, they choose a model that fits their stroke and gives them complete trust on the greens.
Choosing the right putter is a critical first step, but what about the decisions you face on the other 50-60 shots in a round? To help with that, we created Caddie AI. Our app acts as your personal on-course expert, giving you smart, simple strategies for every hole and shot. If you're stuck between clubs or facing a tricky lie, you can get instant, trusted advice right in your pocket. We make the tough choices simple, so you can play with the same kind of confidence the pros have.