There’s no question Jamie Sadlowski hits the ball a long way—massive, crazy distances in fact. A former long drive champ, pound-for-pound the slight Sadlowski could be the longest man on the planet when it comes to hitting a golf ball.
But for the last year Sadlowski, from St. Paul, Alberta, has attempted to set the standard not in long drive, but in professional golf. He’s played on the Mackenzie Tour/PGA Tour Canada and attempted to make a living on golf’s mini tours while he chases a big league dream. He’s also inked a deal with Cleveland/Srixon that sees the Canadian bomber playing their woods, irons and ball in a configuration that is unique to a man who regularly hits 400-yard drives.
“Last year was a learning experience,” he explains. “Other than a few professional events, I hadn’t played a lot of tournament golf. And through playing on the Mackenzie Tour, I learned a lot about myself and my game.”
While he had some solid finishes, Sadlowski couldn’t hold onto his status on the Mackenzie Tour, a testament to the quality of the players on the Canadian circuit. He learned a great deal about what he needs to do to be competitive as a pro—and it isn’t hitting long drives. In fact, his length off the tee means Sadlowski’s biggest challenge was hitting short chips to tightly tucked pins. After all, you don’t hit many flighted wedges at a long drive contest.
“For me, course management is one of the biggest issues,” he says. “You’re not going to be able to drive every hole, and you’re going to be left with some tough shots to tucked pins. Those are the shots I’ve been working on.”
With coach Peter Kostis, Sadlowski has been dialing in his new RTX-3 wedges. What’s next? Mackenzie Tour qualifying school near his home in Arizona and another year in Canada as he chases his dream of playing on the PGA Tour.
Jamie Sadlowski’s Power Tips for Maximum Distance
How to unlock more distance and improve your driver setup for more power.
Jamie shows you his key on the takeaway and downswing.
How to launch it farther off the tee.
What’s in the bag
Needless to say, Sadlowski has a unique set up starting with his driver.
Driver: Cleveland Launcher, 7.5 degrees, with a 104 gram shaft. “I carry it about 340 yards in the air, but if I really want to get one out there then it’ll go about 360 yards,” he says.
17 and 20 degree UT: Utility irons that Sadlowski added to the bag rocket a remarkable 290 and 270 yards respectively.
4 to PW in Z965 Blades and 56 and 60 degree RTX3 wedges: Sadlowski carries his 4-iron 240 and works back through his set in 15-yard increments. His pitching wedge typically flies 165-yards.