Collin Morikawa tackled putter improvements during the week leading up to the 2025 Travelers Championship, aiming to regain better speed control on the greens after a challenging U.S. Open at Oakmont. The six-time PGA TOUR winner tested innovative putter technology involving the Logan Olson Tour Matrix platform and motion-tracking sensors, as he seeks to boost his putting performance for this event.
Utilizing Advanced Putter Materials and Sensors for Precision
Morikawa worked with TaylorMade Tour putter representative James Holley to try different putter faces, weights, and designs through the interchangeable Logan Olson Tour Matrix system. This cutting-edge setup allows quick swaps of club components, enabling fine-tuning of balance and feel. Alongside this, putting coach Stephen Sweeney oversaw the use of Vertex Golf’s motion sensors attached to the putter shaft. These lightweight sensors track detailed data like face angle, clubhead speed, stroke tempo, and path, providing precise feedback to align Morikawa’s stroke with the desired putting outcome.
Insight into the Testing Process from Equipment Experts
At TPC River Highlands, Holley explained that their approach focused primarily on testing the interaction of putter face textures and weights to identify the ideal speed and feel. Various TaylorMade TP Sotos and Logan Olson putters with fly milled and grooved faces were tested to analyze how sound and feedback influenced Morikawa’s stroke effort.
“We wanted to do some speed work with different face textures and weight,”
—James Holley, TaylorMade Tour Putter Representative
Holley noted the versatility of the Olson Tour Matrix system, which allows building multiple putters with identical shafts and grips but varied backs and weights for tailored options.
“The cool thing about the Olson (Tour Matrix) is, you know, I can build up two fronts with the same shafts, same grip, and then I can give him a square look or a rounded look on the back with different widths. If I put the one-and-a-quarter back on it, it’s a little bit heavier. We can change out weights really easily.”
—James Holley, TaylorMade Tour Putter Representative
Coordination with Putting Coach Enhances Testing Accuracy
Morikawa’s putting coach Stephen Sweeney, whom he began working with in 2022, played a key role in interpreting the data from the Vertex sensors to ensure the putter’s performance matched Morikawa’s stroke feel. Holley praised Sweeney’s involvement in refining the measurements during tests.
“We were working with Sweeney, too, getting some numbers on the Vertex, and it all looked great, … Mainly it was just trying to match what he was feeling with his stroke, versus how the ball was coming off. So with his gamer, that Soto was a little light, and that feel was just not matching what he was seeing on the course.”
—James Holley, TaylorMade Tour Putter Representative
Expected Putter Switch to Logan Olson 1.0 Round Model for Improved Speed Control
After evaluating various options, Morikawa is anticipated to adopt the Logan Olson 1.0 Round putter featuring a milled face. Holley highlighted that this model offers a firmer sound and feel, which can support enhanced consistency in speed control during putting. This change follows Morikawa’s previous equipment shifts this season, including a brief switch to the TaylorMade Spider Tour V mallet putter at the RBC Heritage.
Currently, Morikawa sits 110th on the PGA TOUR in Strokes Gained: Putting, making these early-week technological experiments critical for his performance at the Travelers Championship. The combined use of the Tour Matrix platform and Vertex motion sensors represents an advanced approach to address putting challenges through science and feel.
Looking Ahead to the Impact of the New Putter Setup
Morikawa’s commitment to testing new equipment technologies shows his determination to improve a vital part of his game. The integration of real-time sensor feedback and modular putter design could offer him a precision edge on the greens moving forward. As the 2025 Travelers Championship progresses, his putter switch and enhanced speed control may prove decisive in elevating his overall tournament performance and season success.