He Bought a Broomstick Putter and Didn't Tell Me
+ the golf shorts he's loving
Four days. That’s how long it took my husband to tell me he bought a broomstick putter. Four days of walking around the house, sharing meals, folding tiny pairs of socks together, and not once did he say, “Hey Ash, I made a massive equipment change that will redefine my entire golf identity.”
Because let’s be clear: buying a broomstick putter isn’t like trying a new grip or switching out wedges. It’s a personality shift. A rebrand. A signal flare to the world that says: I’m desperate, and I don’t care who knows it.
At least, that’s how I used to think.
Because if you know, you know. The broomstick putter is barely legal. It towers over the bag. It’s usually held with an awkward grip. And in most cases, it’s adopted by someone who has loads of scar tissue.
I always assumed it was the putting equivalent of a midlife crisis, but after spending just 30 minutes reading what the internet has to say on the subject, I’m coming around. Not all the way. But I get it now.
First, the upsides.
A broomstick putter forces you to rock your shoulders. That’s it. No wrist flips, no twitchy hands, no overthinking tempo. Just you and a giant metronome of a club that forces nearly-perfect rhythm.
My husband (and my brother-in law, and his brother) say it helps their lag putting tremendously. As I was reading about broomsticks online, I saw one Redditor claimed he now leaves everything inside two feet. Another said it saved his back from years of stooping like a Neanderthal. (Valid.)
Adam Scott swears by it, of course. Along with several other pro golfers. And I even read that some broomstick adopters putt better across the board—short putts, long putts, you name it—once they stop trying to make it look pretty.
But the downsides? Oh, they’re juicy.
Let’s start with the look. You’re not blending in with this club. You’re announcing your fragility from the practice green. You’re telling the group behind you: I’ve seen darkness. This is how I fight it.
And then there’s the learning curve. It’s not intuitive. Not elegant. One Redditor said they never missed more 3-footers in their life. That same person also said they’ll never go back to a standard putter. Go figure.
And it’s also just…long. Too long. It feels spiritually wrong that the putter is now the biggest club in the bag. It messes with the natural order of things.
So, why do people do it?
Because it works. Sometimes. And apparently, a lot of times.
When you’ve tried everything else, like different grips, different drills, even whispering positive affirmations to your ball, and the putts still aren’t dropping, the broomstick starts to whisper: It doesn’t have to be this way.
It’s a tool, not a miracle. But if you can get past the visual (and the stigma), it might just steady the ship.
And my husband?
He’s thrilled. He always wears the biggest smile when he talks about it (and he talks about it a lot). He likes the stability, the rhythm, the freedom to just trust his stroke and go. I don’t love the look of it, still, but I love what it’s doing for him: giving him confidence, control, and something new to nerd out about.
This enthusiasm is not enough to make me make the switch. But it’s enough to make me admit I’m no longer broomstick-phobic. Broomstick-curious, perhaps.
So here’s to trying new things. And here’s to the brave souls willing to stand tall on the green and say, I’m putting with this oversized stick, and I dare you to judge me.
Monday R.E.P.O.R.T.
What I’m reading, loving, trying, and overthinking this week.
R: Reading—I’m re-reading The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel and I’m picking up new (and fascinating!) insights. This book is a must for anyone who wants a healthier relationship with money—which is, let’s be honest, all of us. Housel doesn’t teach you how to beat the market or build a spreadsheet. Instead, he shares a bunch of short stories that’ll rewire how you think about wealth, greed, patience, and enough. My favorite takeaway? Financial success isn’t about IQ, it’s about behavior. Small habits, repeated over time, matter more than any quick hit. Another favorite takeaway: people do crazy things with money, but no one is actually crazy. We all make financial decisions through the lens of our own lived experiences, and Housel’s exploration of that idea is super interesting.
E: Excited about—Turning 40! Tomorrow! Somehow both how did that happen and finally. I’m embracing it all—the wisdom, the laugh lines, the firm belief that good SPF is better than a good night’s sleep. I’m determined to enter this decade with big energy and a deeper sense of calm. Bring it on, 40! Just be gentle with my lower back.
P: Packing—Rain gear and cold-weather layers. The Iceland forecast isn’t exactly ideal, but we’re pumped regardless! I’m bringing my two pairs of Air Jordan golf shoes (they’re my go-to mudders), plus leggings and layers for easy, effective on-course outfits. I’ve been wearing this Kjus rain jacket essentially exclusively for 10 years, and I swear by it. And one last trick: I’m packing a small towel in a ziplock bag and keeping it in my golf bag at all times. Dry hands = sanity.
O: Obsessed With—My husband can’t stop raving about these B.Draddy shorts. They look like classic cotton shorts, nothing techy or shiny, but they secretly stretch and breathe like the best performance gear. And fellas, let’s talk inseam—these are the right length. Not too long, not too short, just a solid 9.5 inches that hit an inch or a tiny bit more above the knee. Too many of you are playing in shorts that are too long. Let’s fix that.
R: Recommending—These Adidas Golf kicks are the ones I reach for more than any other. They’re insanely comfortable, effortlessly cool, and somehow work with just about everything in my closet. I love that they look like a classic Adidas sneaker but have all the performance perks you’d want in a golf shoe—grippy, water-resistant, and totally walkable on or off the course. A modern spin on a heritage vibe.
T: Thinking about—First impressions. They’re rarely the full story. For years, I was quick to judge anyone using a broomstick putter. Now, through my husband’s eyes, I see how much joy it brings him, and I kind of love that. I recently met someone who seemed like a totally out of touch glamazon, and she turned out to be warm, humble, and lovely. It’s a reminder that the stories we write in our heads are often just that—stories. Real connection starts when we pause, stay curious, and let people surprise us.
Some Housekeeping…
✉️ If you found this newsletter in the Promotions tab of your Gmail account, please drag the email from your Promotions tab to your Primary tab. You might have to do this for a few weeks, but Gmail will eventually learn to keep me in your Primary tab! And if you had to check your spam folder to find this email, please mark this address as “not spam.”
❤️ If you enjoyed this post, go ahead and give that like button a little tap—it’s a small thing that helps more people find my content. Thanks for the love!
🤙 Or, why not share it with someone who’d love it? You could even screenshot your favorite part and toss it up on Instagram—sharing is caring! Be sure to tag me, @ashleykmayo.
🔒 The archive of Mayo Monday posts is now available exclusively to Mayo Monday subscribers. Here’s how it works: free subscribers get access to all current posts, delivered fresh to your inbox every Monday morning. Paid subscribers? You get the full deal—current posts and the entire archive of articles.
Minke Lee just won yesterday with a broomstick! Viva la escoba!