Why Silverman put a hockey-style grip on his putter

Ben Silverman borrowed Tony Finau’s unusual putter from his caddie on a Utah practice green. He liked the hockey-style grip: its flat sides suited his palms with his left hand below his right. After contacting Caliber Golf, he received his converted putter in roughly six days.

The design retains a golf-club head; the hockey resemblance comes from a long, rectangular carbon-fibre handle. It extends along the putter shaft rather than occupying only the top section. Caliber introduced the construction at the PGA Show in 2023, offering both complete putters and conversions retaining an existing head.

Silverman said the different vibration at impact initially surprised him, but he adapted quickly and liked the feel in his hands. Some putts still stopped short on Friday.

He opened the Bermuda Championship with 63 and 67. After Friday, October 23, his 12-under total left him tied for third, one shot behind the leaders. The four-round tournament concludes on October 25.

PGA Tour statistics placed Silverman fourth in strokes gained on approach after two rounds. That strong approach play is another reason not to explain his position solely through the new putter.

Caliber charges $225 to fit the system to an existing putter. Standard finished length is 36 inches; alternatives must be requested when ordering. Once a custom build is assembled, no refund is offered. The company also advises against changing the installed head afterwards.

In an October 24 MyGolfSpy test, Phillip Bishop liked short and medium putts but struggled with long putts on slow greens. He tested a Sub 70 putter fitted with Caliber, so those observations concern the complete club, not just its grip.

Sources: PGA Tour; TeeScripts; Caliber Golf; MyGolfSpy.