Justin Leonard WITB

Golfdog · May 21, 2006

Straight from the horse's mouth on PGA Tour radio

I caught a WITB interview with Justin Leonard on PGA Tour radio this afternoon. Some interesting tidbits. JL has gone to a 46" SQ because his "numbers look good and he gets a little more distance out of it." Three weeks ago, he switched to a Scotty Cameron "Newporty something or other." I guess JL isn't really a SC aficionado. ;)

I can't remember what model irons, but he said they were a couple years old, and this is his second of playing them. He said he'll play his current set through the end of the year, then they'll be shot. Then he'll switch to his backup set, which is exactly like his current set, and play those. He has been playing S400 shafts "for about 20 years." He plays a 54º and 58º wedges. He said the 58º has the maximum allowable grooves.

He said the only gear he tests regularly are drives and balls, because that's where the technological advances seem to go.

Interesting info from JL.

abewley · May 21, 2006

he plays nike tour blades...

Ultimate · May 22, 2006

... Three weeks ago, he switched to a Scotty Cameron "Newporty something or other." I guess JL isn't really a SC aficionado. ;)

A better guess might be that "JL is really a Nike staffer," and that other companies don't really exist. I'd be tempted to say, "I guess JL isn't really a Titleist staffer," but he might just be getting a little tee-up bread from Cameron for his use of that putter week-to-week. In any event, it can't be too happy for a Nike guy to quit his custom Nike putter and go back to an old Cameron. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for JL to do an in-depth interview about his many years of work on custom putters with Titleist/Scotty Cameron...

And it is probably not because JL doesn't know much...

Funny how all these tour players suddenly say, "Oh I don't know about that, I'm not really into the club thing," as soon as they are asked about a non-sponsor brand...

Boise59 · May 23, 2006

I did a clinic with him in Cleveland 3 years ago and he couldn't have been nicer. Maybe he had a bad day. ;)

steve81 · May 23, 2006

JL is not a very friendly guy. I saw him at the masters and he was always pissed off. I buddy played a Pro-Am with him and he said that he did not talk at all and that he was mad all day. So his "SC or something" comment does not surprise me....I am surprised he did an interview at all.

my buddy also did a clinic with him. According to him, JL thought his crap didn't stink and he was very arrogant.

lazyjc4 · May 23, 2006

I've caddied in the Booz-Allen Classic Pro-Am the past two years, and he was our pro two years ago. When I met him I said "I'm Justin, too." So he naturally called me Justin 2 all day long. Thought he was pretty nice, didn't want to talk about his equipment too much, though. Just gave the stock answers, but this was pre-Nike, so he didn't have anything to talk up. Last year we had Mickelson and he wouldn't shut up about his Callaway stuff. Anyways, thought JL was pretty engaging, although he gave some horrible reads on the greens. I had to ask him nicely to leave that job to me ;)

kmrev · May 24, 2006

Justin is extremely fan friendly. Guess he had a bad day that particular day. He plays Nike Forged blades and wedges...

SwingMan · May 24, 2006

JL is no Feherty - from what I've seen, heard and read, he appears to be on the serious side but has a sense of humor. I can see him being arrogant or friendly depending on the day. One never knows - he may be the moody type. He's human.

I followed him at a private exhibition - no ropes - a few years ago, and he was the serious one of the bunch - Feherty, DA Weibring, Frazier, and JL. Of course, Harrison didn't say much - he was just a very nice guy. Feherty was great -- and has game.

liongolf_ike · May 26, 2006

the few times that I have been able to interact with JL, he was always super nice. Year after year at the Shell Houston Open and the Tour Championship he has remembered me and my name since I first met him when I was in high school. He is a really nice guy, family man, and very serious about what he does. He is a little cocky, but most guys on tour are, i mean these guys are the best in the world. Overall I love JL and think he couldnt be a nicer guy.