Photo via Yahoo Sports

Ross Steelman learned to build golf clubs as a teen and it hasn't left him

Ross Steelman’s unconventional approach to golf equipment has become a defining trait of his career, rooted in a teenage fascination with club customization that resurfaced during his breakout 2024 season. The Missouri native, who won the Korn Ferry Tour points list, spent his high school winters working in a golf repair shop, learning to rebuild and modify clubs from discarded parts.

Even as a professional, Steelman’s gear choices remain anything but conventional: he sourced a driver shaft from eBay, experimented with a lightweight graphite iron shaft despite skepticism from peers, and even used an old TaylorMade Rossa Daytona putter for much of the year. His hands-on tweaks—like cutting and gluing a shaft to match the feel of his eBay driver—paid off, as his approach stats improved by two shots after adopting the unconventional setup.

‘I trust it because I built it myself,’ he said, highlighting a philosophy that blends DIY ingenuity with competitive results, a far cry from the instant-replacement culture of modern golf.

Steelman’s gear obsession reflects a broader trend among rising young stars embracing creativity in their equipment choices, though his methods stand out even among his peers. While pros often rely on rapid shipping and manufacturer recommendations, Steelman’s process—from scouring online marketplaces to testing homemade modifications—stems from his early days grinding clubs in a repair shop.

The approach aligns with his fast, aggressive swing, which benefits from lighter shafts and custom setups that mainstream brands might dismiss. His story underscores how personal connection to equipment can translate into on-course confidence, a rare blend of craftsmanship and performance in today’s data-driven sport.

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