When Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer in the world, recently decided to test his skills with amateur golf clubs, the results were surprising. Instead of his professional-grade tools, Scheffler opted for a set belonging to Barstool Trent, an amateur golfer known more for his love of the game than his proficiency in it.
Trent’s clubs are far from the top-tier equipment Scheffler is accustomed to. Despite this, the golfing maestro, who raked in over $60 million on the Tour in 2024, demonstrated his adaptability. With Trent’s amateur clubs, Scheffler managed to place his first eight-iron approach within a mere 15 feet.
In an enlightening conversation, Scheffler shared his insights on the experience of playing with clubs intended for amateur use. He was particularly struck by the distance Trent’s clubs could achieve. Despite a misfire, Scheffler found the ball still managed to reach the green. As he noted, “They do go really far.” Even when he scaled back his swing, Scheffler found the club could still carry the ball 180 feet.
Scheffler also noticed the design of Trent’s clubs lent itself to a higher launch with less spin, an ideal feature for golfers who lack the power to hit the ball far. This led him to the conclusion that an amateur would find it more challenging to use his professional clubs than he would to use their amateur ones, thanks to their design.
This begs the question: Is there a stark difference between the clubs used by professional golfers and those used by amateurs? The answer is less straightforward than one might think. While many of the clubs used by world-class players are also accessible to amateurs, there are some notable exceptions.
Loft is one area where differences can be found. Certain manufacturers produce lower-lofted clubs that are exclusive to Tour players. Additionally, leading brands like Titleist, Taylormade, and Ping can modify a club’s specs at events to tailor it to a player’s unique requirements.
During tournaments like the Open Championship and the Scottish Open, players often switch to different clubs, such as driving irons, to accommodate varying playing conditions. However, for the average amateur golfer, the recommendation is to stick with higher-launching clubs, as they are the most effective route to lowering one’s handicap.
In conclusion, while Scheffler’s experiment with amateur clubs was a fun diversion, it also highlighted the key differences in golf club design and how they can impact a player’s performance. Regardless of the equipment, though, one fact remains clear: Scheffler’s skill shines through, whether he’s wielding professional-grade clubs or those designed with the amateur golfer in mind.