Equipment
Revealing photos from the 2016 Masters
During the 2015 Masters, I began a segment called “Revealing Photos,” which combined equipment information with unique observations of photos taken by our photographer, Greg Moore. And based on the positive feedback, I’ve been revealing photos for nearly every PGA Tour event since.
For the one-year anniversary of the segment, I made my first pilgrimage to Augusta, Georgia, to take my own photos. So this will be the first self-photographed revealing photos.
Warning: I am not a professional photographer, so if you want to see the real professional’s photos, make sure to browse the galleries below:
And if you want some background on what The Masters and Augusta National Golf Club both mean to me, read my story here. Now, let’s get to this special edition, Revealing Photos: Live from The Masters.
“It’s way more hilly than it looks on TV”
I’ve heard it a million times from people who have attended The Masters. My goal was to attempt to capture said “hilliness” as best as possible to end the perception that Augusta is flat. Here is a gallery of my attempts, which in my opinion actually came out unsuccessfully.
I promised myself I would never say “It’s more hilly than it looks on TV,” yet that’s the first thing I said when I walked through the gates and saw the fairway on hole No. 1.
The Augusta hills are no joke… and they’re the reason my dad had to stretch his calves on the steps of the grandstands (photo is 100 percent not staged, he was struggling).
“Skeep, skeep”
Surely you’ve seen videos of players skipping the ball across the pond at hole No. 16. Hearing the Georgians trying pronounce the word “skip,” as “skeep” is something to behold. Charley Hoffman’s ball made it safely across and onto the green, enticing a huge roar.
2016 Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III’s ball found a watery grave, but the fans showed their respects with a clap for the effort. Love still walked away disappointed, however.
2 balls to the left
Ian Poulter’s golf ball ended up on a fan’s lap next to the fifth green of the Par-3 Contest. It was off a bounce, no worries.
After taking a drop, the two stood next to each other reading the putt. “So what do you think here,” Poulter asked. My father, with some quick wit, shouts “Two balls to the left!” inducing chuckles all around.
The read was off.
But the joke was appreciated by Poulter, who signed the manhood-endangering golf ball for the spectator to keep.
No details left unnoticed
The word perfection is often associated with Augusta National and The Masters. That’s probably because its staff thinks of everything.
That includes employees sweeping dirt from the sidewalks outside of the bathroom.
Marshals literally vacuuming debris from the tee boxes.
And check out the divot brigade. No wonder why you can’t find a blade of grass out of place at Augusta. Because there isn’t one.
A photo of a photo of the spot of “Phil’s shot”
How many times do the course employees get asked to see the spot where Phil hit his gutsy, Green-Jacket-winning shot in 2010?
So many times that they had photos developed to show annoying patrons like me.
Hey, how’d that GolfWRX chip get there?
Wasn’t me.
Purity
Notice something unique about this photo? It was taken after play for the day, so there’s no flag on the green. Just pure beauty.
A big swing for a short shot
This photo shows amateur Bryson DeChambeau hitting a shot from in front of the ninth green, except he was aiming for the 18th green. That’s weird; usually players will pick up their golf ball and practice more practical shots to prepare for the tournament.
Weird, until you find out he was in a group with Phil, Keegan and Dustin. Surely they were playing for more than proper tournament preparation.
The lone palm tree
Out on hole No. 4, which is about as far away from the clubhouse (and civilization) as you can get at Augusta National, sits the smallest leaderboard ever, and the only palm tree on the golf course — or so they say. Surely the Masters volunteers pull straws to see who gets stuck changing out that leaderboard.
Lastly, a shout out to pops
I’m not looking to make this about me, but a quick thank you to my dad for finally making my dream of going to The Masters come true. A decent view, but an even better bucket hat.
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Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play one degree upright to help dial in his desired launch.
We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
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Whats in the Bag
Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)
- Zac Blair what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X
Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X
Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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Whats in the Bag
Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)
- Martin Trainer what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX
3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Eric
Apr 11, 2016 at 10:40 pm
There’s always gotta be that dude that thinks he’s too cool for school and tries to ruin things. Don’t click on the article and read it if it’s soo bad. No one put a gun to your head so you don’t have to be a d!ck about it. The dude went to the Masters with his father and shared the moments that he will never forget. I’ve seen a lot worse articles on here. Show some class and respect and just don’t say anything. I’m sure that is something hard for your type but you can always try to learn. Good luck on that. I appreciate the stories and for ppl like myself that probably won’t ever have a chance to get there, it’s cool to see things I def would not have seen from watching everything on tv. So thank you very much for sharing. I appreciate it very much. Well done sir!
Mark Donaghy
Apr 11, 2016 at 4:38 pm
Great pics and great insights, kinda like behind the scenes. We never get to see that stuff do thanks for sharing! Hopefully one day I’ll be lucky enough to experience it myself.
Joe
Apr 11, 2016 at 2:15 am
Nice article and pictures.
MarkB A
Apr 10, 2016 at 10:46 am
Regarding the hills. I was watching, I think, Jordan’s caddy walking up hill towards one of the last holes at the end of the day. He looks like he was dragging. I am sure it is not an easy slog each day for the caddies.
rymail00
Apr 10, 2016 at 12:37 am
Job well done. I imagine walking ANGC with your dad must of been a blast.
My old man went to the Masters a few years back and mentioned all the hills and stuff, as well reading about it on here, but on tv I it does look quite as “hilly” as what I’ve heard/read. Looking at your 9 slides, and you saying “the slideshow was unsuccessful showing it” kinda shocks me. Especially pics 2-4-5-6-9. It’s just views of the course i have never seen before
Thanks for posting them.
If
Apr 10, 2016 at 12:33 am
I thought this was going to be an article relative to the tournament regarding the Pros and the golfers of the moment. It reveals nothing. We didn’t need the personal diary of an idiot here
Bif
Apr 10, 2016 at 2:02 am
That’s a bit harsh, but I see your point, there is nothing or special being reported here. He should have just put up all this personal stuff on his own FB page instead of here if there was nothing incisive or new to report about Augusta CC, Masters or the Pros.
Idiot
Apr 11, 2016 at 1:36 pm
If u r talking about me, say it to my face.
Mike
Apr 11, 2016 at 2:04 pm
Don’t be a doofus. These are great behind the scenes pictures and of interest to those of us who only see ANGC on TV.
DeadStick
Apr 12, 2016 at 9:07 am
Lemme guess… Aspergers? Bipolar?
Andrew
Apr 9, 2016 at 2:22 pm
Interesting that Bryson found himself way left in the practice round on 18, and then he did the same thing twice on Friday! Looks like that tee shot doesn’t suit his eye at all.
4pillars
Apr 9, 2016 at 2:16 pm
Great pics
Greg Moore
Apr 9, 2016 at 1:47 pm
Nice job once again, AT!
I hope you’ll do one with some of the photos I took for you.