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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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/8/24): Scotty Cameron Art of Putting Laguna 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 a Scotty Cameron Art of Putting Laguna putter.
From the seller: (@kcsf): “Scotty Cameron Art of Putting Laguna. -I will regret this one selling for sure. It does have one small nick on the face near the toe as shown, otherwise in amazing new condition. -BOS reconditioned and received last month. Oil can finish as done new by BOS when this putter was released many moons ago. -Head cover is authentic SC and shows age. Velcro is worthless of course, but does stay closed. -Length is 34.25 inches, original shaft. -Grip is old and needs replacing. I can have my pro do it prior to shipping at an additional cost of the grip only. -$475.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Art of Putting Laguna 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
Mitsubishi Diamana WB: What you need to know + club build, on-course testing
GolfWRX’s Resident Club Junkie, Brian Knudson, was naturally excited to get his hands on Mitsubishi’s new Diamana WB shaft.
In this video, BK gives you a brief overview of the new WB, builds up a driver, and takes it to the course for some testing.
With the rebirth of the iconic Whiteboard profile, Mitsubishi didn’t just re-issue a classic, but rather infused all the company’s latest tech into a new shaft, paying homage to the original with its quintessentially Hawaiian-inspired stylings. A summary of that impressive roster of technology, below.
- 80-ton Dialead pitch fiber: Positioned in the handle, Dialead is designed to deliver greater ball speed via better energy transfer.
- Aerospace-grade MR70 carbon fiber adds additional strength, and 46-ton fiber in angle plies in the tip section reduce torque for tighter shot dispersion.
- Consistent Feel Design: Engineers target minimal variance across shafts (butt OD, weight, and balance point) to make the fitting process easier.
- Xlink Tech Resin System: Engineers continue to reduce resin content and increase carbon fiber volume for greater feel without sacrificing strength and durability.
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Whats in the Bag
Webb Simpson WITB 2024 (May)
- Webb Simpson what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist TS2 (15 degrees, B2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue 70 TX
5-wood: Titleist 913 Fd (18 degrees)
Shaft: UST Mamiya VTS Proforce 8 TX
Hybrids: Titleist TSR2 (24 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD D1 Hybrid 105 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (5, 6), Titleist 680 (7-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 54-14F, 60-04L)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (46), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Check out more in-hand photos of Webb Simpson’s clubs here.
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Greg Moore
Feb 5, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Great job, AT! Glad you used the IJP “snowball” photo!