In the aftermath of Kobe Bryant’s tragic death in January, we saw tributes to the NBA legend immediately on the PGA Tour, in the form of things like Justin Thomas’ equipment or Brooks Koepka’s shoes, players wearing Kobe’s jersey while sinking big-time putts, and other special tributes within golf. One of the more unique ways we’ve seen golfers give a nod to “Mamba” is this putter that got some attention on Thursday at the 2020 Sanderson Farms Championship.
On Joseph Bramlett’s PGA Tour profile page it lists his special interests as basketball and music. So when Bramlett asked Bettinardi Golf to produce a backup of his Studio Stock 28 Armlock putter, he asked the company if they could produce one that paid homage to one of his favourite players – the late Kobe Bryant.
Bettinardi responded by producing a replica of Bramlett’s gamer – a 40.5-inch wide-bodied blade with 5 degrees of loft and 74 degrees of lie angle – that boasts a logo in purple and gold (the colours of Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers) on the face and purple paintfill for the Bettinardi name in the rear cavity. It’s the sole of the club, however, the received the most attention.
Along with a likeness of Bryant wearing his No.24 jersey, in large block letters are the words “Mamba Mentality” along with Nos.8 and 24 – the two numbers Bryant wore during his career with the Lakers.
“Joseph has always been a big fan of Kobe and the Lakers,” said David Kubiak, who works the PGA Tour for Bettinardi. “With many of our tour players we will make backups for them so they have a putter to work with on loft changes or while practising between events, and eventually put into play. He was very excited to get it and was enjoying practising with it this week.”
Whether Bramlett puts the putter in play this week at the Country Club of Jackson in Mississippi is still to be determined, though it’s clear the young PGA Tour player enjoyed showing off the unique Kobe design on the practice green.
