Equipment
The Coolest, Most-Patriotic Custom Equipment from the Presidents Cup
If you’re an international team-competition gear aficionado, nothing beats the Solheim Cup. The extremes of visible patriotism Michelle Wie and others go to is a point of contention. This hasn’t always necessarily been the case on the men’s side at the Ryder and Presidents Cups, however. Nevertheless, we’ve seen a patriotic fashion uptick in recent years — maybe that’s due to the nature of social media — and it’s our job here at GolfWRX to document it. Here’s some of the best custom gear we saw this week at the Presidents Cup.
The FootJoy shoes many staffers are wearing would surely bring a joyful tear to Robert G. Heft’s eye
Odyssey’s custom Presidents Cup (at Liberty National) blade putter cover, featuring Lady Liberty herself
Each International player’s staff bag is embroidered with a cup for each Presidents Cup appearance… a hat trick for Oosty
Playlist: “America the Beautiful” on repeat
Team headcovers abound: The International squad’s also feature the flag of each player’s country.
Presidents Cup tee markers are… Presidents Cups. Brilliant!
On Snapchat, no doubt. Typical millennial.
That’s a nice piece of memorabilia there. But did Asst. Captain Tiger Woods sign it, though?
While not Presidents Cup-specific, this is one of the all-time great mallet putter covers from Scotty Cameron on Adam Scott’s putter
International belt game strong
Similar to the International side, the U.S. team’s staff bags showcase an embroidered cup for each Presidents Cup appearance. Welcome to the big leagues, Chapp!
Kuch adds to the stock of Prez Cup headcovers with a stars-and stripes-cover of his own from Seamus Golf
This is the Presidents Cup, Phil! Here’s Mickelson’s Iliac alignment stick cover from the 2016 Ryder Cup. This year marks his 23rd consecutive year appearing in team competition (Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup), so I can’t blame him for getting mixed up.
Still the best calves in the game: Kevin Kisner’s caddie, Duane Bock. Good enough for 1/2 point for the U.S. side owing to sheer intimidation. And some patriotic kicks to boot.
THE Presidents Cup yardage book cover.
Wonder which team she’s rooting for?
Patrick Reed’s Toulon Garage putter cover. Top says: “Team Reed.” Special level of patriotism = special putter cover.
Rickie Fowler’s custom Pumas, and a golf ball that’s sitting in the best lie ever
All these red-and-white striped shirts, it’s like Where’s Waldo. Where’s Tiger? Found him!
Adam Hadwin’s International Team emblem-stamped Mack Daddy 2 Tour Grind
Finally, it’s the official Presidents Cup… water bottle? They really thought of everything to customize, didn’t they?
- LIKE131
- LEGIT9
- WOW2
- LOL5
- IDHT1
- FLOP2
- OB1
- SHANK20
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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
View this post on Instagram
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!
- LIKE8
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
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.
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram
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.
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole4 days ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole3 days ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
Guia
Oct 2, 2017 at 6:40 pm
Classy.
Guia
Oct 1, 2017 at 11:25 pm
Oh, Yea. Those wide stripped shirts are fine if your a 5 year old.
Guia
Oct 1, 2017 at 11:24 pm
It was determined during the 60’s, I believe by the Supreme Court, that the flag likeness can be worn as a shirt, pant, hat, etc.
As far as the flag touching the ground, it is only a breach if it touches the ground in conflict (war), in this case it is burned. If it touches the ground in another manner, it is to be cleaned and put back into service. When it becomes unserviceable it is to be destroyed. Burning would be the best method, but shredding is acceptable.
I for one do not condone wearing of the flag as pants or shirts. But, I don’t make the rules.
OB
Sep 30, 2017 at 1:15 pm
It’s called “wrapping yourself with the flag”…. whether it be your shoes, pants, shirt, cap, head covers, bag, wrist watch, Fruit of the Looms too.
Mike Tomasi
Sep 29, 2017 at 3:07 pm
Seriously people get a grip. I’m so tired of everyone thinking they know things when they don’t. American Flags as in manufactured to be a flag only are not to be worn or all that other crap you people are talking about. Manufacturing pants with an American flag pattern does not fall under flag code. Nothing dumber than people who hate the flag in the first place critiquing people on proper use of the flag.
Swingman/Jerry
Sep 29, 2017 at 7:26 pm
Where is your support for that statement?
Billy 3
Oct 2, 2017 at 9:04 am
Title 4 of the United States Code.
Jimmy
Sep 29, 2017 at 11:54 am
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
Swingman/Jerry
Sep 29, 2017 at 1:34 pm
Exactly – according to the US Code – Respect for Flag
joro
Sep 29, 2017 at 11:30 am
The only thing missing is Red, White and Blue goofy flaps on the Back pockets of Reeds pants.
michael
Sep 29, 2017 at 10:10 am
Since when do earbuds and a phone count as “patriotic custom equipment”?
Also the rest of this piece is kind of dumb. Who cares what belt a guy is wearing?
Thomas A
Sep 29, 2017 at 9:07 am
Secondly, they have a flag on the portion of the bag that they lay on the ground. You’ve got to be kidding me!
Thomas A
Sep 29, 2017 at 9:06 am
The flag on shoes is making me cringe. Since when do we let Old Glory get dragged through the grass. He better be wiping them off at each tee box. Disrespectful and literally a Flag Code violation.
joro
Sep 29, 2017 at 11:32 am
Is it really patriotism or marketing. I am sure you can buy it all for a price.
AD
Sep 28, 2017 at 10:32 pm
All this time and money could have been spent asking Chi Chi Rodriguez’s family in Puerto Rico how they’re doing over there on behalf of the international team and spend all the US money fixing their own territory they don’t really care about any more because Cuba isn’t in a nuke crisis
The dude
Sep 29, 2017 at 6:45 am
Ya…those water bottles woulda gone a long way….
alan p
Sep 29, 2017 at 7:19 am
What a sentence. Take a breath, throw a comma in there, and relaaaaaax
AD
Sep 28, 2017 at 10:29 pm
And all that money spent on trinkets so that the players all feel like they’re more special than anybody else? Wow what an achievement
AD
Sep 28, 2017 at 10:28 pm
Wait – you mean to say that the US is beating the other team again in the Nobody Cares Cup again? For reals? Serious? Whoa what a surprise that the old hated presidents get the chance to pat themselves on the back yet again lol
Da Judge
Sep 28, 2017 at 10:31 pm
Most of the old presidents were decent golfers too…. and our current POTUS owns fantastic up-scale golf courses and ritzy resorts.
Thomas A
Sep 29, 2017 at 9:05 am
Which if he were half a man he’d sell off so as not to have a conflict of interest. But it’s all about him and money.
Guia
Oct 1, 2017 at 11:18 pm
How is it a conflict of interest????????
henry
Sep 28, 2017 at 10:05 pm
the spacing in patricks name on his bag is driving me nuts
Jacked_Loft
Sep 29, 2017 at 7:10 am
Thanks buddy. No it’s making me loony tunes too.
Jacked_Loft
Sep 29, 2017 at 7:10 am
Buying a “w”
chinchbugs
Sep 28, 2017 at 9:03 pm
calf game strong