Equipment
What equipment are college golfers using? We polled 61 coaches to find out…
Editor Andrew Tursky and I decided to set out to better understand what brands college players are using. In order to gather statistics, we created a survey and collected the following data from coaches:
- What level of golf do you coach?
- Do you coach men’s or women’s golf?
- What best describes your attitude towards equipment?
- Is it ethical for coaches to accept money from club manufacturers?
- Among the top 5 players on your team, what drivers do they play?
- Among the top 5 players on your team, what irons do they play?
- Among the top 5 players on your team, what wedges do they play?
- Among the top 5 players on your team, what putter do that play?
- Among the top 5 players on your team, what golf ball do they play?
The survey was created using Survey Monkey and then placed on my business Facebook account. The survey was completely optional. In 48 hours, 61 college coaches responded to the survey. Of them, 78.6 percent of them coach Division I, 8.2 percent of them coach Division II, and 13.1 percent coach either DIII, NAIA or NJCAA. Of the respondents, 77 percent coach men’s golf, while 23 percent of the respondents coach women’s golf.
Of the respondents, 64 percent believe it was ethical for coaches to accept money from club manufacturers, 99 percent believe that players should play whatever they want, and 87 percent preferred that the product should be fit properly. Only 1 percent (one respondent), suggested that they try to influence players and their equipment decisions.
In terms of different equipment played by the top 5 players at these schools, here’s what we found out…
Drivers
- 10 schools reported exclusively using TaylorMade
- 3 schools reported exclusively using Titleist
- 1 school reported exclusively using Ping
- 1 school reported exclusively using Callaway
For the other respondents, we examined the percentage of players on each team using product:
- 42 percent TaylorMade
- 23 percent Callaway
- 17 percent Titleist and Ping
- PXG, Bridgestone and Nike combined made up 1 percent.
Irons
- 7 schools reported exclusively using Titleist
- 2 schools reported exclusively using TaylorMade
- 2 schools reported exclusively using Callaway
- 2 school reported exclusively using Ping
- 1 school reported using exclusively Wilson Staff
For the other respondents, we examined the percentage of players on each team using product:
- 30 percent Titleist
- 20 percent Ping
- 16 percent Callaway
- 14 percent TaylorMade
- 9 percent Mizuno
- 4 percent Srixon
- 3 percent PXG
Please note Miura, Cobra, Bridgestone and Nike were also mentioned, but made up less than 3 percent combined.
Wedges
- 12 schools reported using exclusively Titleist
- 2 schools reported using exclusively Callaway
- 1 school reports using exclusively Mizuno
- 1 school reported using exclusively Ping
For the other respondents, we examined the percentage of players on each team using product:
- 34 percent Titleist
- 21 percent Cleveland
- 18 percent Ping
- 16 percent Callaway
- 9 percent TaylorMade
- 2 percent rest of manufacturers
Putter
- 8 schools reported using exclusively Scotty Cameron
- 6 schools reported using exclusively Odyssey
- 3 schools reported using exclusively Ping
- 1 school reported using exclusively Bettinardi
For the other respondents, we examined the percentage of players on each team using product:
- 34 percent Scotty Cameron
- 24 percent Odyssey (including Toulon)
- 19 percent Taylor Made
- 17 percent Ping
- 2 percent Edel
- 2 percent Bettinardi
Golf Ball
- 32 schools reported using exclusively Titleist
- 3 schools reported using exclusively Bridgestone
- 1 school reported exclusively using TaylorMade
- 1 school reported using exclusively Callaway
For the other respondents, we examined the percentage of players on each team using product:
- 33 percent Titleist
- 27 percent TaylorMade
- 25 percent Callaway
- 10 percent Bridgestone
- 5 percent Srixon
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- Sam Burns’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond S (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 TX
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond T (15 degrees @16)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB ’24 (4-AW)
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (4-PW), True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 Tour Issue (AW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-14F @55), WedgeWorks Proto (60-T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue (56, 60)
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One #7S
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour X
Check out more in-hand photos of Sam Burns’ WITB in the forums.
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- Will Zalatoris’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X (44.5 inches)
3-wood: Titleist TSi2 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T350 (3), Titleist T150 (4-PW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Prototype G.O.S.T. 10 ST X (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-08F, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max
Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Cord
See more photos of Will Zalatoris’ WITB in the forums.
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New Level has been making some really good golf equipment since the company started up in 2018. Offering irons that are more geared towards the better player, precision has been a fundamental philosophy for New Level in creating irons and wedges.
The 480 line of irons has been the flagship of the brand, and the newest member of that team is the 480-DB iron that is now open to pre-orders. A new cavity design is what the whole 480 line is about, and the 480-DB takes advantage of that with added ball speed and a larger sweet spot.
For players who require their irons to offer the best feel, rest assured the DB is a fully forged (from 1020 carbon steel) one-piece golf club. No multi-piece, hollow design with this iron.
While the 480-DB is the next generation of the popular 902-OS, New Level didn’t follow the current trend in golf by chasing distance with the new iron. They actually weakened the lofts on the 480-DB with the spec sheet showing a 33-degree 7-iron and 45-degree pitching wedge. These lofts allow the DB to have less offset while still offering consistent distance off the face.
A traditional design was also at the forefront of the new irons to make sure that golfers with an eye for detail can look down at them with confidence that they will perform under any condition.
A weight low in the back cavity will allow their master club builders to dial in the perfect weight for the golfer, no matter the length or shaft being used. New Level believes that the new 480-DB is one of the most forgiving one-piece forged irons on the market today. A pre-worn leading edge on the sole should get through the turf quickly and with reduced digging for better turf interaction.
You can pre-order the New Level 480-DB right now on the New Level website.
Pricing specs availability
- Irons: 4-PW
- Price: $149/oron
- Availability: Pre-order
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Sam Burns WITB 2024 (April)
Sam Burns’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond S (9 degrees...
Will Zalatoris WITB 2024 (April)
Will Zalatoris’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)...
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ChipN'Run
Mar 19, 2018 at 8:08 pm
Possibly of interest to the golf merchandising crowd.
But, we have no information on:
* Shaft models and flexes
* Actual models of irons and woods
Barfly
Mar 18, 2023 at 4:35 am
Golfers are like sheep. Whatever the new trend is they follow so whatever’s in Rory’s, Rahm’s, and Scheffler’s bag are most likely in these college teams bags. Minus the personal club rep and designer on call.
Tom Medlin
Mar 9, 2018 at 6:10 am
Memories from the University of Maryland, mid 60’s. Our coach had an affiliation with US Royal, we were supplied with their ball for each match. They had a ” different ” dimple pattern that resembled that of a 1930’s ” mesh “‘ I don’t think anyone actually used them.
jack baker 3
Mar 2, 2018 at 10:47 pm
Most golfers including college, play not whats best for them, but what the herd uses. Generally if you pay a loy of money for something its always the best.
Jimmy Ray
Mar 2, 2018 at 10:48 am
How would you like to be at that school that uses exclusively Mizuno wedges: “OK, guys, our colors are orange and blue, so we’re ALL gonna use these sweet blue Mizuno wedges, not to win tournaments, but to look cool. I don’t care if you can’t get out of a bunker with any of the grinds, just shut up and let me count my payoff cash…”
Nate
Apr 11, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Mizuno makes some pretty darn playable wedges. If someone offered me a new set of free mizuno wedges and told me I had to play with them, I highly doubt I would be having issues getting up and down with them, especially hitting a wedge out of a bunker… I think you could hand a good golfer any wedge in the sand and see positive results… That being said, Mizuno wedges are not considered to be the pro’s choice when compared to vokey or muira.
HDTVMAN
Mar 2, 2018 at 10:45 am
Hey, have TaylorMade give me a seven figure check and my dog will use their equipment!
Ben Jones
Mar 1, 2018 at 5:22 pm
We used to get 6 balls of our choice or 9 of the ones that the school budget covered. That Nicklaus yellow ball was horrible.
Gomer’s Pile
Feb 28, 2018 at 11:35 pm
These guys need to get paid ASAP. They are so talented and do so much for our game. This is golf in its purest form. NCAA tournaments should have $100,000 purse minimum. Take from the rich sports and give to the poor. These golfers need cash more than football and basketball players.
ProD1
Mar 1, 2018 at 12:58 pm
That’s exactly what is happening. Basketball and football revenues subsidize all other sports for the vast majority of big time programs.
Thomas Murphy
Mar 2, 2018 at 12:05 pm
??? they need more cash? purses? doesn’t that make it less pure? football and basketball have TV contracts and big donors. Every other sport is a leach and should be grateful.
DaveyD
Feb 28, 2018 at 10:27 pm
It appears that Taylormade has the favoured drivers, but Titleist leads the iron/wedge/putter parade.
Matt
Feb 28, 2018 at 9:24 pm
Those ball numbers should scare titleist like crazy….
glfhsslr
Feb 28, 2018 at 8:27 pm
The players get clubs either free, or PUD pricing, Super cheap….a cameron per say is only like $180 total
mr3puttz
Feb 28, 2018 at 7:34 pm
Wow thats a lot of Camerons. I guess college kids have a bit more cash than I remember having around.
Lk
Feb 28, 2018 at 8:10 pm
Not to sound snide, but it wouldn’t surprise me if over 75% of D1 college golfers grew up in a country club.
RS
Mar 30, 2018 at 5:15 am
If you golf in college $400 is not a lot of $ for a putter that will last 5-10 years. Really, cmon now.
Brian
Feb 28, 2018 at 7:31 pm
No ball retriever or manual score counter?!
Aaron
Feb 28, 2018 at 4:45 pm
Am I understanding the numbers correctly? Some schools “exclusively” use specific brands for different types of clubs? How likely is it that five players from one team all use TM drivers? Five players from another school all use Titleist irons?
More recently I’ve heard of schools signing with one specific brand. But I’ve never heard of five players on any team all agreeing to use one brand of driver and another brand of irons.
Or am I misunderstanding something?
Judge Smeills
Feb 28, 2018 at 10:23 pm
Not every school get deals or free clubs from every company
Brent
Mar 1, 2018 at 12:32 pm
Lots of schools sign with a brand and the coach receives a bonus if his starting players use that brand. Basically, some kids are forced into playing a brand.
Joe
Feb 28, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Pro V’s suck and are over priced. TP5 TP5X and Chrome Soft Chrome Soft X are by far better golf balls.
Joel R
Feb 28, 2018 at 5:54 pm
They actually don’t suck and to suggest they do is bananland.
bb
Mar 1, 2018 at 12:31 am
where is bananland?
usuk
Mar 1, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Bananland is where TP5 is being made
Crazy About Golf
Mar 1, 2018 at 11:37 pm
False
James T
Feb 28, 2018 at 3:29 pm
I am curious why coaches would think it’s ethical to accept money from manufacturers???
Thomas A
Feb 28, 2018 at 4:38 pm
How do you think football and basketball coaches get paid? Big East basketball coaches were paid millions by Nike, most of the time more than doubling their school salary. Happens at every school.
James T
Feb 28, 2018 at 5:51 pm
… still doesn’t make it ethical. I played college golf and if my coach had told me to play anything other than what I was playing I’d be pissed. Though I did appreciate the brand new sleeve of Titleists before every match.
Jack
Mar 6, 2018 at 11:10 pm
Well if I got a real custom fitting and free new clubs, it would be actually beneficial to my game and I’d do it. Just shoving off the rack clubs to players would definitely be unethical.
This of course comes down to the same dilemma (to a lesser extent but still exists) for college players not being paid. Like basketball, they are amateurs and don’t make money. But really they should be paid directly by the brands rather than the brands paying the schools. What does amateur status really matter? That they can play in amateur tournaments? The NCAA just needs to changes their rules to allow pro student athletes to compete. It’s pretty simple if not for the school money grab and greed.
Drive for Dough
Feb 28, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Don’t even play Titleist but will be the first one to say that they make the most solid equipment outside their Drivers.
Not surprised by the breakdown tbh.
Stump
Feb 28, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Can you break out the numbers for women golfers?
Women golfers...
Mar 7, 2018 at 9:23 pm
Lol!
Roger
Feb 28, 2018 at 2:04 pm
Those numbers are close for un-sponsored golf balls. Love to see that!