Equipment
Top-10 Photos from the 2016 WM Phoenix Open
GolfWRX was live this week from the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, where golf’s biggest party is held. An estimated 500,000 people came out to last year’s event, mostly for the festivities at hole No. 16’s stadium-style atmosphere.
The party-like vibes seem to be infectious to the players — well, except Bubba Watson — making it one of the most entertaining golf events all year.
And for gear heads and golf fans, our photos this week were worth celebration, as well. Below are my top-10 photos from the 2016 WM Phoenix Open, and you’re welcome to argue the order of this list in the comment section. Let the countdown begin.
Rickie Fowler’s “Spank My Sole”
We learned about Fowler’s wedge stampings in 2015, and they continue to be wildly entertaining. My best guess is that “spank my sole” refers to the way Fowler wants to engage the bounce at impact with his wedge, by spanking it against the turf or sand. Also, the photo provides a nice look at the tungsten plugs Fowler has in the toe of his wedges, which he also has in his irons.
Old School 2-Ball
If you don’t think pros are weary to switch into new equipment, especially with their putters, look no further than this photo.
With all of the alignment technology in the new Odyssey putters, which you can learn more about here, it’s amazing that Harris English (click here to see all the clubs in his bag) decides to stick with this alignment line, surely drawn with a standard Sharpie marker and a ruler. It might be time to freshen up that faded line, too.
Groundhog Day
Robert Streb — the undisputed champion of wedge stampings — has new Vokey wedges in his bag this week that honor Groundhog Day (the day) by quoting Groundhog Day (the movie).
Maybe the wedge will help him get up-and-down over, and over, and over, and over again.
Raw
Here’s another appearance from Harry English in the Top-10. This photo shows off one of the most raw clubs on Tour that we’ve seen in the last few years, a Callaway Razr X Muscle Back 2 iron. Most golfers couldn’t even get the golf ball airborne with this club, but it could make for a nice putter replacement.
Phil’s Addiction
In my revealing photos segment last year, I asked GolfWRX readers to rally around Phil Mickelson as he dealt with his addiction to lead tape. Unfortunately, he’s fallen off the wagon already in 2016. Five sheets of lead tape, Phil?
Regardless, this photo offers a look into how Phil likes to tinker with his equipment, even when he’s the one who helped design the club — a Callaway PM (Phil Mickelson) Grind. Maybe he should have designed the wedge a few swing weight points higher?
Party On!
The WM Phoenix Open isn’t dubbed the “greatest show on grass” for no reason — event-goers like to party. This putter cover from Bettinardi commemorates the celebration, although it looks like one of the partiers on the cover had a little too much to drink. And another is a stickler for recycling (he’s probably an employee at Waste Management).
Kirk’s PXG creativity
PXG’s weighting system has been the cause of commotion in the golf equipment world, especially in our forums. Chris Kirk, who signed with PXG in 2016, found a creative way to set up the weights in his wedges. Surely this configuration is to lower the head weight.
Thank you, Scotty
Zac Blair’s custom Scotty Cameron putter is simply a masterpiece. Just look how the “Scotty Cameron” stamping reflects off the back of the putter — it’s mesmirrorizing
Poulter’s snowball fight
Based on photos from this week, it was relatively frigid in the Arizona desert on Tuesday and Wednesday. And with some snow left over on the range, Poulter thought to throw a snowball at his caddie… you know, as a “thank you” for carrying his bag all year. We knew he could play golf and drive Ferrari’s, but his throwing motion doesn’t look too shabby. A poised and balanced release. Nice throw, Poults.
Generation golfwrX
For every cool photo of golf equipment we see, it makes us even happier to share the joy of golf and GolfWRX with the youth of America. And what’s more fun than enjoying the thrill of golf while spending time with your father?
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Whats in the Bag
Russell Henley WITB 2024 (March)
- Russell Henley WITB accurate as of the Cognizant Classic.
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX
3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT Hybrid 100 TX
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S, @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron T5 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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Whats in the Bag
Vince Carter WITB 2024 (March)
- The NBA legend was teeing it up in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am.
Driver: Ping G430 Max 10K (9 degrees)
3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees)
7-wood: Ping G430 Max (21 degrees)
Irons: Ping i230 (4-PW)
Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 (50, 54, 58)
Putter: Ping
Ball: Renegade Mbu
Check out more photos of Vince Carter’s WITB here.
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Equipment
From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations
In our forums, our members have been discussing the most forgiving irons currently on the market. WRXer ‘TheShark1’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons, saying:
“Currently gaming the Mizuno Pro 225’s but think I need more forgiveness in my irons. My well struck shots are real nice, but my mishits are not performing as good as I had hoped anymore. I really like hollow body irons so if I could find something more forgiving in a hollow body iron that would be great.
Open to any and all recommendations other than Ping. Can’t hit Ping irons at all.”
And our members have been sharing their best suggestions 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.
- AvidSwampThing66: “Another vote for the super forgiving and fast Paradym irons. They look really good for being a GI iron.”
- bobfoster: “I just went from MP20 MMCs to the new 245s in my scoring irons (just played my first round with them today). If you have a chance to try them, you might find them worth a serious look.”
- vman: “Shoot me down, but spend the money on lessons.”
- J_Tizzle: “i525s are great off the heel in my opinion.”
Entire Thread: “From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations”
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Greg Moore
Feb 5, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Great job, AT! Glad you used the IJP “snowball” photo!