Roll Off

It’s difficult to have any conversation about golf without mentioning trends.

Players are, on the whole, emphasizing physical fitness and nutrition. Massive driver heads, precision golf balls and remarkably efficient irons and shafts have reduced the fear of hitting a “foul ball” and mitigated the effect angles have when approaching the green. Because of those factors, power never has been more essential. Just look at the world ranking. Four of the current top five – Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas – finished in the top 11 in driving distance on the PGA Tour last year.

But what about putting, the eternal dark art that remains vexing to all? Have modern professionals improved on the greens like they have off the tee?

Along with most everyone else, that was Barney Adams’ assumption. Adams, the notable entrepreneur who started Adams Golf, recently ventured into the putting business by making shafts with something he calls Breakthrough Golf Technology. Being that he was intent on revolutionizing putt...