Gear: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5, 5.5, 11, 11.5 putters
Price: $429 each
Specs: Milled 303 stainless steel with aluminum and adjustable sole weights
Available: March 26
Last season brought an update to the Scotty Cameron Select line of blade-style putters, so this year it is the mallet putters’ turn to be refreshed. While there are several mid-size and high-MOI mallets in the Phantom X lineup introduced two years ago carrying over into 2021, Titleist’s putter maker has added two new models with different neck configurations for players who want more forgiveness and feel.
The Phantom X 5 and X 5.5 share the same head, which is milled from a piece of 303 stainless steel and has extensions in the heel and toe area. But instead of keeping the entire head solid, which could make the putter extremely heavy, Cameron replaced a significant portion of the bottom of the head with aluminum, which is a much lighter material, and then added a pair of weights in the heel and toe area. The weights are not designed to be changed by golfers, but fitters can swap the weights out to adjust the club’s swing weight based on its length and a player’s preferences.
Where the two putters vary is in the neck. The Phantom X 5 has a single-bend in the shaft that makes it face balanced and ideal for players who have a straight-back, straight-through stroke. The Phantom X 5.5 has a small slant neck which creates a small amount of toe hang. It is very similar to the putter that Justin Thomas plays and is better suited for players who have a slightly-arced putting stroke.
The Phantom X 11 and X 11.5 are similarly shaped to the X 5 and X 5.5, but they are slightly larger and have extra steel pieces at the end of the heel and toe wings. Again, the silver-toned areas are milled 303 stainless steel, and the darker sections are aluminum to save weight. The larger profile increases stability and the moment of inertia to make the X 11 and X 11.5 more resistant to twisting on off-center hits.
The difference between the two putters, again, is found in the neck. The Phantom X 11 has a high-bend neck and is face balanced; the Phantom X 11.5 has a single bend that is lower, which encourages more movement in the toe portion of the putter, so it is better for golfers who have an arched stroke.