Equipment
Photos from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
GolfWRX is live this week from the Monterey Peninsula in Pebble Beach, Calif., for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, the most scenic and celebrity-filled event on the PGA Tour. Pebble Beach Golf Links sits atop cliffs that overlook Carmel Bay, producing both breathtaking views and an imposing threat. The multi-course event is also played on Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course.
Phil Mickelson looks to capture his fifth win at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, but has been battling lower back issues. He withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines due to injury, and had a lack luster performance in his title defense at last week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, aside from throwing footballs into the grandstands.
Brandt Snedeker, this week’s defending champion, and two-time champion Dustin Johnson are also headliners for the tournament, which features seven of the top-21 players in the world rankings. Snedeker broke the tournament scoring record last year en route to victory, and also captured the pro-am division title alongside fellow Vanderbilt alum Toby Wilt. Johnson will team up again this year with NHL Hall-of-Famer and future father-in-law Wayne “The Great One” Gretzky, or better known in the Instagram/Twitter world as Paulina Gretzky’s dad.
Other notable celebrities are NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady, Alex Smith, and Aaron Rodgers, NFL Coach Bill Belichick, musicians Kid Rock, Kenny G and Darius Rucker, surfer Kelly Slater, tennis star Andy Roddick, actor Don Cheadle, and of course, the rumblin’ stumblin’ sports reporter Chris Berman.
Check out our photos from this week’s event at Pebble Beach.
Monday
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Mon. Part 1
Tuesday
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Tues. Part 1
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Tues. Part 2
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Tues. Part 3
Wednesday
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Wed. Part 1
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Wed. Part 2
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Wed. Part 3
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Wed. Part 4
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Wed. Part 5
Thursday
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Thurs. Part 1
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Thurs. Part 2
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Thurs. Part 3
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Thurs. Part 4
Friday
2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Fri. Part 1
Special Galleries
Coach Bill Belichick WITB
Wayne Gretzky
Kid Rock
Jim Renner WITB
K.J. Choi WITB
Jason Bohn WITB
Dustin Johnson WITB
Brendon Todd WITB
Daniel Summerhays WITB
Jim Herman WITB
Steven Bowditch WITB
Geoff Oglivy WITB
Jason Kokrak WITB
Ryan Palmer WITB
Graeme McDowell WITB
D.A. Points WITB
Cameron Tringale WITB
Bud Cauley WITB
Kevin Stadler WITB
Click here to see what GolfWRX members are saying in the discussion thread.
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Equipment
What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/26/24): Artisan 0521 custom putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for an Artisan 0521 custom putter
From the seller: (@Nobody2): “$775 -Artisan 0521 custom putter PVD (black finish) with sweep neck hosel. There are no personal stampings other than my player # in very small print on the side of the hosel (all Artisan products have this along with the date it was made). This putter looks absolutely amazing and has only been used for 3 rounds. It has a black steel shaft and has a very Cam Smith look to it. The putter looks new and has no wear marks anywhere on the putter. It comes with extra weights (one set of of 5 gram weights and one set of 15 gram weights). The head cover is a a navy blue ‘quilted blade putter cover.’ If you are wondering why I am selling…I flat out have the yips and the only thing saving me is a broomstick. New, this putter is $1085, so if the specs work for you (grip, length and lie can certainly be tweaked) it will save you some good money and 2 month wait time.
Specs:
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Artisan 0521 custom putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
View this post on Instagram
A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
View this post on Instagram
It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
View this post on Instagram
Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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the dude
Feb 7, 2014 at 4:37 pm
can’t wait to see boomer dig some ditches……
Tony
Feb 7, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Who’s sporting the LH Ping Ansers?
Greg
Feb 7, 2014 at 3:12 pm
could be Edward Loar’s bag
Ryan williams
Feb 7, 2014 at 5:53 am
Kelly Slater WITB?
Greg
Feb 7, 2014 at 10:54 am
Once play has started won’t bother the players to get WITB. Kelly didn’t get in until late Wednesday night /early Thursday morning. Flying in after winning a surfing competition in Hawaii.
Will
Feb 6, 2014 at 6:29 pm
Anyone have a Peyton Manning WITB photos yet? Curious as to what he plays.
Tyler
Feb 6, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Few things- What happened to Daly? Why’d he put the lbs back on? I’m kinda suprised Peyton showed up after that EMBARRASSING performance a few days ago. And, lastly who is that hot “ethnic” chick?
takeherdeep
Feb 6, 2014 at 2:51 pm
I was wondering the same thing. She be good looking….
JCorona
Feb 7, 2014 at 11:20 am
why wouldn’t Peyton show up?? If anything it proves he is a gentleman and not some whiny pro athlete/sore loser who runs and hides after a poor performance. Or, was it an OUTSTANDING defensive job by the Seahawks??
Daly probably ate more calories than what he burned off… that is how one “puts the lbs back on”… I am sure he is sorry that he disappointed you….
And I am sure the “hot ethnic chick” would jump at the chance to introduce herself you seeing how nicely you treat everyone else.
Tyler
Feb 9, 2014 at 4:58 pm
It really doesn’t prove he is a gentleman. Not sure where you got that from. It proves it didn’t bother him that much to be humiliated by Seattle’s defense. Yes, Seattle embarrassed him.
I was wondering WHY not HOW Daly put the weight back on.
You’re right. I think she would rather introduce herself to someone boring like you with no opinions whatsoever and a
llamont
Feb 7, 2014 at 6:05 pm
“Hot ETHNIC Chick”… Really??? SM”D@mn”H. Reference “Dead Solid Perfect.”
Dummy
Feb 6, 2014 at 12:44 pm
Who’s the dude with the long hair, glasses, and puma clothes?
Greg
Feb 6, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Jake Owen (country singer)
llamont
Feb 6, 2014 at 12:12 am
Life appears to be catching up with “Long” John Daly. I hope he pulls it together.
Marcus
Feb 5, 2014 at 11:06 pm
What course are the Wednesday photos from?
Marcus
Feb 5, 2014 at 11:05 pm
What course is that at? MPCC?
Greg
Feb 5, 2014 at 11:14 pm
All photos were from the new range at Pebble Beach or the 1st tee at Pebble.
Marcus
Feb 6, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Ah, thanks, Greg. Been a while since I have been there.
Buck
Feb 5, 2014 at 8:53 pm
Who’s the hottie with John Peterson
Tom
Feb 4, 2014 at 7:59 pm
Who’s sportin the XTD irons?
Greg
Feb 4, 2014 at 11:42 pm
Jake Owen (country singer)
Double Mocha Man
Feb 4, 2014 at 11:48 am
What?! No Super Bowl Seahawk’s QB’s in the field??? You’re never too short for golf.
Richard Sherman would be a hoot in this tournament. But alas, he’s on crutches.
Alex
Feb 3, 2014 at 11:30 pm
Im gonna need a cash money putter cover! haha