By: Ron Green, Jr. – Global Golf Post

LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA – Almost everything, it seems, remains a work in progress for Bryson DeChambeau.

Missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open with rounds of 78-74 capped a challenging week for the Tour rookie that included travel issues and coping with the USGA’s recent declaration that the center-shafted putter he prefers for his sidesaddle stroke is non-conforming.

“It’s been a heckuva week. A lot of bad timing. I shouldn’t have played this week probably,” DeChambeau said.

“I’m a rookie. A lot of learning still. I’ll be fine.”

DeChambeau had to deal with a six-hour flight delay two Sundays ago on his way to Denver to visit with his trainer. Then he flew to Orlando for the PGA Merchandise Show to tout his preferred one-length clubs, before it was back to California where he played in Wednesday’s pro-am.

He struggled with his ballstriking. “I made some swing changes for the worse this week,” DeChambeau said. “I’m going to make some changes back this (off) week and win the AT&T (Pebble Beach Pro-Am).”

DeChambeau continued to putt sidesaddle but used a putter with the shaft near the back of the clubhead, meeting USGA requirements.

“It is what it is. I can’t do anything about it. I’m just trying to play the best golf I can,” DeChambeau said.

“Unfortunately, I’m missing a lot more putts because of it and not playing great golf because of it but it’s not really a distraction. It’s just an obstacle.”

DeChambeau explained the difference in the putter he’s using and the one that was deemed non-conforming this way: “It’s not as efficient,” he said. “The shaft is in the back of the head. The MOI is not as stable. I can’t get it to start on my line as well because the face moves when I try to apply force. It’s a bit frustrating.

“There’s no loft on the putter as well. It’s like hitting into the ground every time and the ball just pops up and there’s no chance. It would be better to chip it honestly.”

All is not lost, however.

DeChambeau said his experience at the Merchandise Show convinced him one-length clubs are the wave of the future.

“We changed the game, I can tell you that. No doubt about that,” DeChambeau said. “Amazing things going on there. One-length irons are going to do amazing things for the game I believe. I know. We’ve already seen it happen.”

Republished with permission by Global Golf Post