'Salty balls': Bryson DeChambeau explains bizarre secret to his U.S. Open success

Bryson DeChambeau has taken a unique approach to golf equipment that differs from his peers.

Bryson DeChambeau has always been mysterious, especially when it comes to his golf equipment. And following his victory in the 54-hole lead of the 2024 U.S. Open, he exposed the reason behind his triumph: salted balls.

To begin with, put aside any inappropriate thoughts. Although the scorching weather at Pinehurst No. 2 was a challenge, DeChambeau was actually talking about golf balls with high salt content.

Next up, let's provide some background information. DeChambeau has built a reputation for testing new and unorthodox strategies in order to gain an edge over his competitors in golf. He stands out from the crowd by employing single-length irons, which is a technique that very few golfers have ever tried. He takes a mathematical approach to mapping out golf courses and shots that surpasses the understanding of many. His fitness and dietary regimen is constantly evolving, which has led to a widespread fascination with his lifestyle habits.

This brings us to the topic of the "salty balls."

DeChambeau expressed his appreciation for the inquiry regarding his unique approach, in a humorous tone, subsequent to his score of 67 during the third round at Pinehurst No. 2.

The particular type of salt being talked about is called "Epsom salt". DeChambeau provided clear information on Saturday night, stating that he puts all of his golf balls in a container of water that has been blended with Epsom salt. He shared this information in great detail.

According to him, he does this to check if each ball is in balance. This test helps to identify any faults in the manufacturing process that can hinder the ball's performance. In other words, he is testing to make sure that each ball performs to the best of its abilities.

However, you may peruse DeChambeau's complete explanation below to gain insight into the distinctive mindset of the 2020 U.S. Open winner.

I used to soak my golf balls in Epsom salt, but now my manager, Connor, takes care of that for me. The purpose of doing this is to ensure that the golf ball is not out of balance. In the past, there was a widespread issue where golf balls were not balanced due to the manufacturing process. It's difficult to make a perfectly balanced sphere with dimples on the edges, so there's always room for error. However, by floating the golf balls in a special solution, we can eliminate any imbalances and ensure a more accurate game.

I am currently assessing the level of balance in a certain object or substance. By determining the degree of imbalance, I can identify how heavy one side is compared to the other. To achieve this, I allow a heavy slide to settle at the bottom and then mark the top with a dot to ensure that it keeps rolling over itself. Think of it like examining mud - if there's too much weight on one side, I can move it 90 degrees to shift the weight to either the right or left. This is how the balance affects its flight and overall consistency.

When it comes to the majority of golf balls that we acquire, it isn't something to worry about excessively. To ensure my golf ball flies as straight as conceivable, I aim to be as meticulous as I can with this additional step, since hitting it straightforwardly isn't my strong suit.

Regardless of the validity of DeChambeau's undisclosed "salty balls" technique, it's evident that his current approach is proving successful. Throughout the entire week, his golf balls have maintained a straight trajectory when in flight and while on the greens - more so than any other player in the tournament. As a result, he enters the final round on Sunday with a three-stroke advantage over his competitors and appears poised to claim his second U.S. Open championship.

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