DeChambeau ready to make impact on golf in pro debut at RBC Heritage
Bryson DeChambeau, the young mad scientist of golf, is making his pro debut this week in the $5.9 million RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links.
The reigning NCAA Division I and U.S. Amateur champion who wears a Ben Hogan-esque cap was a physics major at Southern Methodist and has tinkered with his clubs and game to the point he’s playing with irons of the same length.
He believes it gives him a more simple swing compared to changing lengths with changing lofts, and also believes it is better on his back and body to repeat the same swing from the same posture.
“I am an artist,” said DeChambeau, who is coming off a tie for 21st in the Masters and is playing this week on a sponsor exemption. “I love creating things, and that’s ultimately why I’ve become so scientific is because scientists out there are artists.”
He followed up his scientist homily Tuesday with an explanation of what “feel” is for him on the golf course: “When you say proprioception, it’s the connection between your brain and arms, it’s the neuropathways when you train your body to do certain things, to understand where your arms and hands and body are in space and time.”
DeChambeau has signed endorsement agreements to use the equipment of Bridgestone and Cobra Puma Golf, the latter company manufacturing his custom-made irons of the same length throughout the bag.
When you say proprioception, it’s the connection between your brain and arms, it’s the neuropathways when you train your body to do certain things, to understand where your arms and hands and body are in space and time.
Bryson DeChambeau describing what he considers ‘feel’ on the golf course
Cobra Puma Golf president and chief executive officer Bob Philion said Tuesday that the company is exploring producing the clubs in greater numbers for public consumption and expects to have an announcement sometime this year. So golfers would have the option of adopting DeChambeau’s philosophy and style of play.
“We’re getting smarter everyday. We’re really intrigued with the space [of single-length irons] and Bryson and his team are helping us understand it,” Philion said. “The research has been really good so far in terms of it being an easier way to play. It’s not for everyone, but stay tuned. We like the space and think it’s going to work for a lot of people. … We think we have the ability to bring something really revolutionary to the industry.”
Alan Blondin: 843-626-0284, @alanblondin
This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 9:47 PM with the headline "DeChambeau ready to make impact on golf in pro debut at RBC Heritage."