Long Putters Win on PGA, DP World, Champions Tours in 2026

Enduring Performance Despite Rule Changes

The use of long putters, often referred to as broomstick putters, has continued to deliver success on professional golf tours throughout 2026, even after significant rule adjustments.

Golf's governing bodies introduced Rule 14-1b after the 2013 season, specifically prohibiting players from anchoring the club or a hand gripping the club directly against their body during a stroke. This change, which followed Adam Scott's 2013 Masters victory with a 49-inch Scotty Cameron Futura X prototype, required many professionals to modify their putting techniques.

However, the putter design, which has been present in golf since the 1980s, has shown enduring effectiveness, with players adapting to the non-anchored stroke and continuing to achieve notable wins.

PGA Tour and DP World Tour Victories

On the PGA Tour this year, Akshay Bhatia demonstrated the continued potency of the broomstick putter by winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Bhatia, who adopted this style of putter around 2023, used an Odyssey Jailbird 380, measuring 44-inches, to secure one of his three PGA Tour titles in a three-year span.

Similarly, the DP World Tour saw significant triumphs for players employing long putters. Eugenio Chacarra, who currently leads the Race to Dubai standings with just one event remaining before the Playoffs, earned three victories this season.

He initially used a PXG Apache Battle Ready II broomstick putter for his wins at the KLM Open and Open d'Italia, before switching to a TaylorMade Spider Tour S in late August, with which he won the DP World India Championship.

Further DP World Tour successes included Dan Bradbury's Joburg Open win with a Ping PLD Oslo XL Proto and Bernd Wiesberger's Volvo China Open title using an Odyssey Square 2 Square Tri-Hot Jailbird ZT.

Success on PGA Tour Champions and Other Circuits

The PGA Tour Champions circuit also witnessed broomstick putters contributing to victories in 2026. Vijay Singh claimed his sixth Champions Tour title at the SAS Championship, utilising a L.A.B Golf DF3 broomstick putter.

Fellow Major winner Darren Clarke also found success with a L.A.B Golf MEZZ.1 Max broomstick putter, winning the American Family Insurance Championship alongside Ben Crane. While the LPGA Tour and LIV Golf League have not yet seen any broomstick putter winners in 2026, the style remains in play.

Yealimi Noh, who led for a significant period at the AIG Women's Open this year before finishing third, secured an LPGA Tour victory with a broomstick putter in 2025. Minjee Lee also won the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship with an Odyssey Jailbird flatstick, marking her third Major crown.

Notable users on the LIV Golf League include Sergio Garcia, who recently began experimenting with the putter, as well as Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel.

Implications for Asian Golf and Equipment Trends

The consistent performance of broomstick putters across global professional tours, including events staged in Asia such as the DP World India Championship and Volvo China Open, suggests a potential influence on equipment trends for golfers in the region.

For Asian golfers, this sustained success could encourage greater experimentation with longer putters, particularly for those struggling with conventional models. Equipment manufacturers and retailers in Asia may observe increased demand for these putter types, prompting broader availability and promotional efforts.

While no specific Asian players or brands are highlighted as driving this trend, the wins on the DP World Tour in India and China directly impact the regional competitive landscape. The market for specialised putting equipment, previously focused on blade and mallet designs, may diversify further as players seek performance advantages.