Bryson DeChambeau desperately searched for answers to his horrific putting game in 2017. 

The 2015 U.S. Amateur and NCAA champion missed six cuts and withdrew from an event in 10 starts, with his best finish being a T36. He ranked 194th in Strokes Gained: Putting, and resorted to an extreme solution to his woes.

DeChambeau shocked the PGA Tour by trialling a side-saddle method, made famous by Sam Snead late in his career. He would stand facing the hole and use a putter that was likened to a croquet mallet, pushing the ball in front of him. 

The 23-year-old said short putts felt like “cheating” with his new club, and the USGA later ruled it non-conforming. This led to a nasty bust-up between DeChambeau and the USGA, where the young American was eventually forced to apologize. 

Bryson DeChambeau slammed the USGA for banning his new putter

DeChambeau was incredibly frustrated when the USGA banned his new putting method. And he took his frustrations straight to Golf Digest, not mincing his words about the institution. 

He revealed that he had a conversation with the USGA after missing the cut at the Honda Classic, saying, “It [was] a long conversation. But the USGA essentially doesn’t like me doing it.”

“I’m pretty much done with it. They’re not a good organization, and you can quote me on that. I’m part of their family, and as family it’s very frustrating to see them stunt the growth of the game.”

The USGA responded publicly to DeChambeau’s comments, writing to Golf Digest: “We talked to Bryson in mid-January to discuss both his putter and his method of stroke.

“In that conversation we confirmed that his method of stroke (side-saddle) was fully compliant within the Rules of Golf, and he could feel confident in continuing to employ that method.”

DeChambeau also apologized to the USGA for his comments, posting to his social media: “I would like to apologize for my remarks regarding the USGA. I was stopped by a member of the media at a bad time, and my emotions got the better of me.

“I respect the USGA and am grateful to be a part of their family. My main goal is to make more putts. Over the past couple of months, I have let the distractions get in the way of my performance.

“My game is improving, and I’m looking forward to getting back into form at the Valspar Championship. Thank you all for your support.”

DeChambeau eventually settled on a broomstick putter with an arm-lock technique, which eventually turned him into one of the better putters in the game. The orthodox method just wasn’t for him, and eventually he found a putter the USGA could accept.