Equipment
Spotted: Callaway Epic Irons
Since the launch of Callaway’s GBB Epic drivers and fairway woods in January, GolfWRX Members have been talking about new Epic irons that were rumored to be in the works at Callaway…. and it seems they were on to something.
Yesterday in our forums, photos of what appear to be Callaway Epic Pro irons were posted in this thread by GolfWRX Member jlp. The photo also includes what look to be Callaway Epic hybrids (hidden underneath Callaway Epic hybrid head covers). GolfWRX Member CTRoss10 also posted what he says is an address photo of a Callaway Epic 5 iron.
We reached out to Callaway representatives, who said they’re not commenting on the Epic irons or Epic hybrids at this time.
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Equipment
Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron
As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)
What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!
View this post on Instagram
I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…
To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”
On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.
Here’s what he had to say:
You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?
MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.
And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.
When did it come back in the bag?
MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.
What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?
MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?
Do you remember how much you paid for it?
MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.
The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?
MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.
It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?
MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.
What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?
MT: Like high 170’s.
Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.
MT: Yeah. The butter knife.
Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons?
MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.
How far do you carry that?
MT: Like 235.
A good little wind club, I’m sure.
MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.
I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man.
MT: Absolutely.
To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/28/24): L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft
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 L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick putter with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft.
From the seller: (@hibcam): “L.A.B. GOLF Mezz.1 Max Broomstick- LA Golf Paige Spiranac Shaft- 44″/79.5. Brand new, never used brown leather cover. The head was professionally anodized from Orange to Blue (Orange looked bad with the Pink shaft so I had it changed). Only a few rounds on this combo. Please see last pic- slight ding on back corner. 8.5-10 condition. THE SHAFT COST $475/ THE PUTTER $625. $799 shipped in the US. ONLY $699 SHIPPED.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft
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
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 with an additional degree of loft 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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Mark Reynolds
Jun 12, 2017 at 7:07 pm
Hit these today and they felt great despite the fact that they are not forged. The ball flew and I was impressed by the distance until I checked the lofts: they were jacked. The smaller head and thinner topline is appealing but not enough to justify the $ 250 per club price tag.
I’ll be keeping my AP 2’s.
Bob Pegram
May 4, 2017 at 1:55 am
These look like they are intended to compete with M2 and/or M1 irons, not players’ clubs.
Dan
May 3, 2017 at 1:20 pm
No complaints here about product after product. Still playing my Cleveland 588 MT irons and haven’t found anything worth the performance or high cost to knock them out of the bag.
H
May 3, 2017 at 11:54 am
Not defunct
http://www.hirekogolf.com/golf-clubs/custom-golf-clubs/golf-irons.html?brand=70
joro
May 3, 2017 at 8:39 am
Hurry up and get your order in, that has got to be the answer, or as Ping says, the Anser. With a 40 degree 1 inch longer Wedge it will go like an 8 iron, wait a min. isn’t that a normal 8 Iron?
Mr Muira
May 3, 2017 at 7:36 am
Fugly.
Forsbrand
May 3, 2017 at 2:38 am
Hearing lofts have been increased by 4 degrees per iron, so that you lose yards with say six iron by 15 yards, otherwise you’d only need a ba full of irons. #seriouslylong
TexasSnowman
May 2, 2017 at 9:12 pm
enuf with lime green for heavens sake.
rebfan73
May 3, 2017 at 7:38 am
Agreed. When Nike got out of the club game, I was like “YES! No more Volt!” Then TaylorMade and Callaway took up Nike’s slack…….and it’s ALL downhill from there.
karansivi
May 2, 2017 at 12:34 pm
Remind me of Nickent irons lol
rebfan73
May 3, 2017 at 7:38 am
+1
chinchbugs
May 2, 2017 at 9:49 am
Can you say Fusion irons with new decal/badges….
H
May 2, 2017 at 3:08 am
Geez Callaway, that was subtle
thrag
May 2, 2017 at 12:30 am
I wish Calloway would go all the way and reintroduce the old Hogan Apex Edge Pro. Specs similar to Apex Pro, however, Edge is more is a middle (10-15) handicapper than a better players club like the Apex Pro. Longer toe to heel, thicker top line and slightly larger sole make it easier to hit.
H
May 2, 2017 at 3:09 am
Isn’t that what the Apex CF is? duh
Me
May 1, 2017 at 6:04 pm
Where are the Nancies bitchin about too short of product life cycles. This company now is king of new product every 6 months. The steelhead was more or less just a rebadging of a similar iron 15-20 years ago ( x-14 x16 etc). Jailbreak is laughable as a technology even the designers admit it was necessary to support the crown and body of the club with basically stringers. These pillars hold the club together.
if it was anything but that why isn’t in their fairways and hybrids, see what I mean hype. They’re now showing up on the used rack.
Epic irons where is the jailbreak?
D. Vader
May 2, 2017 at 8:49 am
It’s not taylormade, so they don’t care.
lco21
May 2, 2017 at 9:08 am
Hey! Stop with spewing the truth! We can’t handle that here and Callaway is everyone’s favorite OEM right now!
H
May 2, 2017 at 11:35 am
Not to mention the fact that it’s beyond the COR limit
DrB
May 3, 2017 at 11:38 am
COR is no longer an issue. CT is what matters.
H
May 3, 2017 at 11:55 am
Duh
alexdub
May 1, 2017 at 3:39 pm
These seem to be the obvious replacement to the XR/Pro irons that used the “facecup” technology. These Epics clearly have the facecup and the thicker top line which would support that. I think the Apex is a fantastic and successful line for Callaway, and there is no way they are getting rid of it. Pictures of new Apex MB irons (that Rory is using) have been all over the boards here and I’m sure we’ll also see those rolled out sometime this Summer/Fall.
golfraven
May 1, 2017 at 1:45 pm
So essentially those are the new APEX. Looks like that with Ben Hogan going out of business (again) the name (APEX) is also fading into the background. Just my suspicion.
Terry
May 1, 2017 at 2:50 pm
There are not replacing the Apex. And there is no relation to the rebooted Ben Hogan company.
hb
May 1, 2017 at 3:12 pm
They sold the Ben Hogan brand but kept the Apex name. Indeed I don’t see EPIC irons being a replacement of Apex series.
Minnesota golfer
May 1, 2017 at 1:43 pm
In 2014, callaway XR driver was new and great, XR wood and hybrids were new and great, XR irons were new but were mediocre game improvement irons. Is history repeating now in 2017?
setter02
May 3, 2017 at 11:23 pm
History has been repeating it self in the golf industry for many years.