Akshay Bhatia, a PGA Tour player, made a bold decision to go back to his old Callaway Rogue ST LS driver for the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Bhatia had been struggling off the tee, losing strokes in that category, and decided that reverting to his trusted driver from 2022 was the best move for him. Despite trying out Callaway’s new Elyte driver at the start of the season, Bhatia found more success and comfort with the older model, which he trusts and has had success with in the past. The Rogue ST LS driver offers a more neutral bias compared to newer models, which Bhatia believes has helped him find more accuracy and confidence off the tee.
In addition to going back to his old driver, Bhatia also reintroduced an older Project X HZURDUS “Hulk” shaft from 2021. This change, along with some swing adjustments with his coach, has seemingly paid off as Bhatia has seen improvement in his off-the-tee performance, ranking 11th in SG: off-the-tee through two rounds at the Players Championship. The slight differences in specifications, such as loft and length, can make a significant impact on a player’s performance, and in Bhatia’s case, these adjustments have helped him gain more control and distance off the tee.
While Bhatia returned to his old driver, he also made a change by adding Callaway’s new Elyte Mini driver to his bag. This prototype mini driver has been used by several players since its debut and offers a different option for tee shots, especially on courses like TPC Sawgrass with narrow fairways. Bhatia found the Elyte Mini to be beneficial on certain holes that required specific shot shapes, showcasing his adaptability and willingness to try new equipment to enhance his performance on the course.
Another equipment adjustment Bhatia made this week was with his putter. After a disappointing performance at the Genesis Invitational, Bhatia switched to a backup Odyssey Jailbird Broomstick putter that he had never used in competition before. The change in putter resulted in a noticeable improvement in his putting performance, gaining over 5.3 strokes in the final three rounds at Torrey Pines. This decision highlights the importance of finding the right equipment that suits a player’s stroke and preferences, as even a small change in offset can make a significant difference in putting consistency.
Bhatia’s approach to equipment selection and adjustments demonstrates the importance of trust and comfort in a player’s gear. By going back to his old driver and shaft, as well as incorporating a new mini driver and putter, Bhatia shows a willingness to experiment and adapt to find the best tools for his game. The combination of experience with certain clubs and the openness to try new options reflects Bhatia’s commitment to continuous improvement and optimization of his performance on the course. As a young player on the PGA Tour, Bhatia’s equipment choices serve as a reminder that finding the right fit in clubs can lead to success and confidence in one’s game.
