Patrick Reed: Controversy, Control, and a Green Jacket

Patrick Reed – 2018 Masters Champion

When you look at Reed, you might not immediately think “athlete.” He’s unassuming, and that’s part of the beauty of golf — you can’t judge a man’s game by his stature. In fact, it’s often joked that the funnier a man’s legs look compared to his body, the better golfer he is. Almost guaranteed.

Reed is known for playing mixed brands in his equipment, going with what works best for him. He’s not loyal to any one sponsor and even weights his own clubs, using lead tape to adjust the center of gravity. He prefers a visual sense of where the weight sits, applying tape on the outside rather than internal adjustments or screwed-in mods. The look of the club is important — when the face is next to the ball, it has to look right. No single brand makes everything he likes, which is part of why he mixes.

Like most golfers, Reed has preferences for top line and offset, which serve as both visual guides and functional tools, influencing confidence, shot-shaping ability, and forgiveness.

He plays a shorter driver, prioritizing control and versatility over pure distance. Just taking a half-inch off the shaft can improve finishes and control. Reed isn’t a one-trick pony; unlike a Morikawa who always plays a fade, he can shape the ball both ways depending on the shot.

He can hit long when needed. Speed is not a constraint, but he doesn’t build his game solely around it. To generate power, he relies more on rotation than lateral movement — a key element of his consistency. A quirk of his driver swing is that he clears and shifts his lead foot — not as dramatic as Scottie Scheffler’s footwork, but proof you don’t have to stay planted post-impact.

Mechanically, his chest stays connected throughout the swing, and his transition is unathletic. Nothing like Rory McIlroy or Tommy Fleetwood with their unique hip movements. Even so, Reed produces some exquisite finishes, a big part of his game.

As for flaws, Reed focuses heavily on his takeaway—it’s the most important part of his warmup. One issue he sometimes has is moving his arms too quickly relative to his chest, which can leave them behind him on the downswing. To counter this, he often places a towel under both arms during practice, forcing his hands, arms, and chest to move together throughout the takeaway.

Reed’s reputation is complex. Fans have loved to hate him, partly due to on-course controversies including cheating. But his skill, adaptability, and strategic approach are undeniable — the kind of game that keeps others watching closely.