Ross Steelman, who topped the Korn Ferry Tour points list in 2026, attributes part of his success to a distinctive approach to his golf equipment—one that reflects his hands-on background and a preference for customizing clubs himself.

Steelman’s connection to club building dates back to his high school years in Missouri, where he worked during winters at a golf repair shop. At that time, he did not own a new club until he was 14, instead relying on used clubs he salvaged from 50-gallon bins, modifying them to suit his game. This DIY ethic has persisted into his professional career, most recently during a one-month break in the Korn Ferry Tour schedule in late spring.

Frustrated with his driving, Steelman turned to e-commerce, purchasing a driver shaft, a 3-wood shaft, and a hybrid head from eBay. He also acquired a TaylorMade Rossa Daytona putter, which he used for the remainder of the season. Not satisfied, he then bought a steel fiber graphite iron shaft from True Temper’s website and installed it in an 8-iron for experimentation on the range at home.

Despite initial skepticism from his peers—who cautioned that the shaft was too light by five swing weights and predicted he would dislike it—Steelman embraced the unconventional setup. “Perfect. Can you build a set?” he reportedly said, determined to continue with the custom shafts. The adjustment contributed to a two-stroke improvement in his approach statistics over the rest of the season.

Steelman’s tinkering did not stop there. He used ChatGPT to identify iron shafts with a similar feel to the driver shaft he favored, allowing him to replicate the performance characteristics he sought. He then customized the shaft by cutting and gluing it, confident in the results because he had crafted it himself. This willingness to experiment with nontraditional graphite shafts in irons contrasts with common professional advice but suits his fast swing and high ball flight.

Throughout his college years playing at Missouri and Georgia Tech, Steelman distanced himself somewhat from the equipment side of the game, but his passion for club building has resurfaced prominently on tour. He described this hands-on approach as “the romantic part of golf,” expressing satisfaction in discovering equipment personally rather than acquiring it through quick deliveries from manufacturers.

Steelman’s unique method reflects a broader narrative of how technical curiosity and self-reliance can shape a professional athlete’s performance. By forging a personal connection with the clubs he customizes, he not only improves his confidence in his equipment but has translated those gains into tangible improvements on the course.