Mark Calcavecchia, the 1989 Open Championship winner and a veteran of the PGA Tour Champions circuit, recently revealed a secret to success when it comes to putting. He shared that pro shops offer more than just hot dogs and headcovers – they are a source for some of the best putters available. Calcavecchia, who has a reputation for turning to the pro shop for new putters in times of need, recently purchased a Ping PLD Anser putter off the rack at Prestonwood Country Club. Despite his initial desperation, he expressed excitement about the beautiful putter and his improved putting performance with it.
Calcavecchia’s history of turning to the pro shop for putter purchases dates back several years. In 2007, he won the then-called PODS Championship (now the Valspar Championship) with a putter he bought after breaking his original putter in frustration. Similarly, in 2015, he purchased a putter at a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Des Moines before winning the Principal Charity Classic on the Champions tour. Calcavecchia has admitted that his selections are often based on the appearance of the putter and how it feels to him psychologically.
In a revealing interview with the Champions tour in 2022, Calcavecchia shared a story of his first PGA Tour victory in 1986, which he credits to a last-minute pro shop purchase. Frustrated with his putting performance during a practice round in Texas, Calcavecchia decided to buy the ugliest putter he could find in the pro shop, a black-headed Titleist putter called the Dead Center. To his surprise, the new putter transformed his game, leading to a victory at the Southwest Golf Classic. Calcavecchia’s unconventional approach to putter selection has led to success on multiple occasions throughout his career.
Despite his successes with pro shop putter purchases, Calcavecchia’s unconventional methods have not always been well-received. In a 2010 interview, he shared stories of discarding putters in rain gutters, flower gardens, and even in the ocean. These anecdotes highlight Calcavecchia’s unique relationship with putters and the importance he places on finding the right tool for his game. His willingness to experiment and take risks in search of the perfect putter has been a defining characteristic of his career.
Overall, Calcavecchia’s experiences with pro shop putter purchases serve as a lesson in persistence and the importance of finding the right equipment for one’s game. Despite facing challenges with his putting performance, Calcavecchia’s willingness to explore new options and try unconventional methods has led to success on multiple occasions. His story serves as a reminder that sometimes the best solutions can be found in unexpected places, such as the shelves of a pro shop. As golfers continue their quest for improvement on the greens, Calcavecchia’s journey offers a unique perspective on the art of putting and the value of experimentation in the search for success.
