Equipment
PXG introduces high-MOI, adjustable Operator putter
Joining the Drone and Gunboat on the high-MOI mallet-style putter end of the spectrum, PXG is launching its highest MOI putter to date: the Operator.
With a maximum head mass of 400 grams, depending on weight adjustments, the Operator features a soft billet-milled 304 stainless steel face and a body made from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum.
PXG made the Operator for those seeking advanced customization and maximum forgiveness. Multiple sole weights, available in increments of 2.5g, 5g, 10g, 15g and 20g, can be used to adjust the overall head mass.
Regarding the name: “Operator” is the specific term for Delta’s operational personnel, although in recent years it has become a term for almost all U.S. military special forces.
The putter is available in three models.
Operator
The double-bend hosel style creates a full shaft of offset with a face-balanced hang angle. Built for players with a straight-back-straight-through stroke.
Operator H
The hosel neck is heel-shafted with a half shaft of offset and mid toe-down hang angle. Built for players with more face rotation in their stroke.
Operator P
The plumber’s neck shaft creates a full shaft of offset with a slightly toe-down hang angle. Built for players with a moderate amount of face rotation in their stroke.
All Operator models feature PXG’s proprietary TPE honeycomb sole insert and a TPE insert behind the face to dampen vibrations and enhance feel.
$450 retail.
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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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- 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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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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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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...
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
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19th Hole2 weeks agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
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19th Hole4 days agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
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19th Hole4 days ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
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19th Hole1 week agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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19th Hole2 weeks agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
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19th Hole1 week agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
Matt Paolucci
May 20, 2018 at 5:19 pm
looks a lot like the SIK Flo putter which it a way better putter.
josé
May 20, 2018 at 1:45 pm
PXG = Peeee x Geeee
Steve S
May 19, 2018 at 10:45 pm
Why do these guys always make claims they can’t back up? Maltby had a much bigger and higher MOI putter about 10 years ago. It was about the size of a pie pan and weighed a ton.
alvin
May 19, 2018 at 12:59 pm
It’s not a ‘putter’…. it’s a POTTER cause it gits yo ball into da hole every time.. oooh yaaah
golfdude
May 19, 2018 at 5:52 pm
Dat big black putter tool beats up on da lil’ white ball an drops it inta dat whitey hole… splunk !!!
alvin
May 19, 2018 at 12:50 pm
Black putters are the biggest baddest putters… and outputt red, white and blue putters …!
acew/7iron
May 19, 2018 at 8:45 am
But can it stop the yips?
No?
Next!
alvin
May 19, 2018 at 12:53 pm
It’s got lots of ‘jacks’… if you know what I mean.
Joe
May 19, 2018 at 8:20 am
Why aren’t they telling us what the MOI is of the putter?
It must not be very impressive.
alvin
May 19, 2018 at 12:52 pm
When you got a big black putter hanging there in your hands MOI is irrelevant… it’s biig !!
The dude
May 18, 2018 at 7:23 pm
Using this putter in my group is a punchable offense………
alvin
May 19, 2018 at 12:56 pm
It’s a Big Black Operator…. and you will be feared by all.
Robert Parsons
May 18, 2018 at 1:23 pm
Spider 2.0 ?
lance
May 18, 2018 at 1:30 pm
Spiders are red…. but if you try the big black PXG you’ll never go back ….:-o
lance
May 18, 2018 at 1:22 pm
Ever since I got an Operator P, I am more potent on the greens and get my ball into the hole more often… it’s such a juicy feeeling … 😎
Peter X. Green
May 18, 2018 at 11:32 am
Can’t afford the clubs…. but I bought a PXG cap… $59.95 … it’s a start 😀
Rico Moore
May 18, 2018 at 11:25 am
Where can I try one out??
Peter X Green
May 18, 2018 at 4:38 pm
It will cost you $20 for a tryout.. and if you buy it will be credited to the sale.
Jared
May 18, 2018 at 8:13 am
Surprised that this thing only cost $450, figured it would cost at least $750.
lance
May 18, 2018 at 1:26 pm
With sales tax it cost me $495…. and it’s worth twice that with all the action I get on the greens with the ball going into the hole.. 😮
Gorden
May 18, 2018 at 1:14 am
Whats it been 20 years or more since Frank Thomas came out with his Frankly Frog putter that is the model for all these chunks of putter.
J
May 18, 2018 at 12:34 am
looks like a Ping Bergen and Taylormade Spider had a baby
Deadpool
May 17, 2018 at 7:41 pm
F OFF PARSON
bobby
May 18, 2018 at 1:33 pm
Golfers are gullible and like to get ripped off with a new status toy.
Jason A
May 17, 2018 at 6:33 pm
PXG Spider
Ryan Michael
May 17, 2018 at 5:28 pm
P790 retaliation!
Peter X Green
May 17, 2018 at 4:54 pm
Best irons… and now the best putters… and worth every $¥£ 😛
DB
May 17, 2018 at 3:08 pm
I don’t understand PXG’s theme for putters. When you look at their drivers, hybrids, irons, etc… they all look great at address. Clean and simple.
Then you get to the putters – screws everywhere, funky designs. Not exactly easy to look at. I don’t get it. I’m all for the tech and the screw-weighting, just don’t understand why it’s visible at address on the putters.
Tyler
May 17, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Those wings don’t resemble a spider at all.
Biddles
May 17, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Corny, ugly. Pretty much the same as the rest of PXG’s gear.
Probably putts well, though.
lance
May 18, 2018 at 1:29 pm
Wicked looking and it frightens my playing buddies with their impotent Scotty’s, Betti’s, other’s …. it the biggest baddest black tool around and I got it …!!!