Equipment
Titleist introduces new limited-edition Vokey Design AD-siXty wedges
Aaron Dill, the PGA Tour rep for Vokey wedges, was hand-picked for the job by Master Craftsmen Bob Vokey, according to Titliest, and he has spent the last 10 years learning from Bob Vokey himself. Dill, or “AD,” has also established a cult-like following among equipment aficionados for his one-off wedge stampings on the wedges of tour players, most notably for the popular hip-hop lyrics on Justin Thomas’ wedges and cult-classic movie quotes on Morgan Hoffmann’s wedges.
Now, Dill created his own limited-edition “AD-siXty” Vokey wedges, which were inspired by conversations with Geoff Ogilvy, and they will sell for a starting price of $250 on September 20 through WedgeWorks.
“I spoke with Geoff (Ogilvy) and we got on the topic of Australian golf courses and how they related to courses in America,” Dill said. “I asked him some questions and came up with an idea to complement the firm, links-style conditions that players face. Geoff was always a low-bounce player in his 60 (degree wedge). Originally, he used a T-grind, then was introduced to the L, and that has remained a good friend since. I used original chassis that he had in the L and removed the ribbon, taking the bounce down.”
The AD-siXty wedge has four degrees of bounce and it’s most similar to the L grind, according to Dill, but the AD-siXty has a lower bounce angle in the front of the wedge helping it sit closer to the ground, and it’s designed for a higher flight. It’s especially made for those who play from firm conditions and for bunker play, and the grind has heel, toe and trailing edge relief. The wedges will also be equipped with Vokey’s TX4 groove technology for maximum spin, progressive center of gravity for distance and launch control, and they have a Brushed Nickel finish.
“The AD-siXty will be very different than the low bounce 60-06K,” Dill said. “It will flight higher and be less bounce in most situations, which makes it a great option for firm conditions and bunkers. This wedge is most similar to the L Grind (60-04), but it has lower bounce angle in the front, which makes it sit closer to the ground. With the ribbon removed, players may also notice a somewhat smoother feel and a faster glide through the rough.”
Dill’s limited-edition wedges can be personalized with stampings up to eight characters and with one-of-12 paintfill colors, as well as custom grips, shaft bands and ferrules. They will come stock with BV Wings grips. Click here for more information and purchasing.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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Lars Jolt
Nov 20, 2017 at 10:25 am
This screams MIZUNO! NO wonder they are better looking and more refined tham the ugly Titliest wedges.
MrWolf
Sep 21, 2017 at 9:45 am
$250 for a cast wedge? No thanks.
Irma
Sep 21, 2017 at 2:17 am
Seriously. Titleist is on a losing slide, and they know it. All they do it copy what others are doing, and not even doing that very well.
The dude
Sep 20, 2017 at 10:03 pm
Still not forged…..Fu Off!
Mike
Sep 20, 2017 at 5:50 pm
More sausage machine wedges from Vokey. Ho Hum.. Must be Christmas bonus time
Jack
Sep 20, 2017 at 4:42 pm
This grind might be fine for the sandbelt courses of Australia. Not so much in the US, where even scratch players would have problems using them effectively.
Sam
Sep 20, 2017 at 4:14 pm
I’d rather have a JP than an AD
Andrew
Sep 20, 2017 at 1:35 pm
Sorry. No address pics and the grind is a ripoff from the old Cleveland 588s.
BIG STU
Sep 21, 2017 at 3:14 am
I was thinking the same thing myself Andrew since I am a big fan of the OLD 588s
Boss
Sep 20, 2017 at 1:18 pm
Shank! What’s with the Mizuno copy of the “AD” in the circle?
Old Gaffer
Sep 20, 2017 at 1:07 pm
I love the rusty Titleist wedges, they look naturally awesome!
Why don’t they leave the other irons as raw forgings and let them rust too?
C
Sep 20, 2017 at 10:10 am
A limited edition Vokey? You don’t say.
Chris B
Sep 20, 2017 at 9:26 am
I love the “sixty” stamp and the colour.
Joe
Sep 20, 2017 at 9:07 am
what’s ‘introdcued’? Sounds interesting.
carl spackler
Sep 20, 2017 at 8:54 am
i’d pay $250 if it was a raw wedge arron dill ground himself. but not for some cast copy
Caddy
Sep 20, 2017 at 12:28 pm
I understand, but grinding can take awhile. That’s really why they only personally grind for tour pros. He will effectively make a prototype and then they semi-mass produce them. The heads prepped for grinding are likely cast from carbon steel just like the mass produced models and the final shape is literally the same. It will glide through the turf the same too. When Ogilvey gets a replacement, it may very well be the production model.