Equipment
Details on Jordan Spieth’s switch to the new Titleist TS2 driver
After years of stubbornly sticking with the Titleist 915D2 driver (9.5 degrees), it appears Jordan Spieth has finally made the switch into a new Titleist driver. This week at the 2018 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, we spotted Spieth with a new Titleist TS2 driver (10.5 degrees, A-1 Titleist SureFit setting), and a new Titleist TS2 3 wood (15 degrees). Spieth’s new driver has a Graphite Design Tour AD-IZ 6X shafts (45 inches), while the 3 wood has a Graphite Design Tour AD-IZ 7X shaft (43 inches).
According to Titleist Tour representative J.J. VanWezenbeeck, testing with the new Titleist drivers started two weeks ago at Trinity Forest — Spieth’s home track in Dallas — alongside his instructor Cameron McCormick. VanWezenbeeck says Spieth prefers to work on equipment changes away from tournament sites, thus allowing him to focus only on event preparation while on location.
After testing, Spieth decided to go with the Titleist TS2, seeing more speed and higher launch compared to his 915D2.
“We tested several driver options – both TS2 and TS3 – with Jordan in the day we spent with him and he felt most comfortable with the new TS2,” said VanWezenbeeck. “Jordan was able to see a little more speed and higher launch versus his previous gamer. The result was slightly less spin which provided him a few more yards. Our main focus, however, was direction. Jordan did a great job in 2018 increasing his distance following a previous driver fitting session earlier last season, which included setting and shaft changes. The new TS2 and its increased MOI provide him a greater opportunity to hit more fairways, more consistently.”
VanWezenbeeck says Spieth first saw the new drivers at The Players while they were still in prototype phase; Spieth provided feedback, according to VanWezenbeeck, and he was influential in developing the final design for the “Speed Project.”
Well, Spieth is finally gaming the driver on which he provided consultation. During Spieth’s first-round, 5-under 66 at the Shriners — the first competitive round Spieth has played with the new Titleist TS2 driver — Spieth averaged 309.6 yards (10 yards longer than his 2017-2018 average). Not a bad start with the new stick.
For more info on the new Titleist TS2 and TS3 drivers, click here.
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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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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 Hole3 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
ogo
Nov 27, 2018 at 7:18 pm
The switch wasn’t a performance decision… it was a MARKETING decision…. to sell more new and improved titanium cans for the gullible golffing m a s s es….. soooo obvious
Connor Jones
Nov 21, 2018 at 11:39 am
I mean they have got to find him a driver cmon now. With all the testing they have the ability they have got to find something. He literally put it in play and then says he wasn’t getting his optimal numbers…. gimme a break
Flag Pepper
Nov 21, 2018 at 2:41 am
Like so many players Jordan probably has stipulated in his contract that he had to put the new woods in play for a week. Remember when Stenson suddenly had an Epic 3-wood? When DJ and Rose played the P750 for a week? No story here, just Spieth fulfilling his contractual obligations.
baller
Nov 12, 2018 at 7:58 pm
he needs new balls. not a new club.
Scheiss
Nov 12, 2018 at 1:44 am
Where are the details on Spieth’s switch back to the 915, and subsequent missed cut
JP
Nov 10, 2018 at 7:10 pm
Spieth needs a new putter, not a new driver.
benseattle
Nov 10, 2018 at 1:03 pm
Why is this still a FEATURED ARTICLE on the Front Page of Golfwrx? For some two weeks now, the website has been touting OLD NEWS.
Doesn’t this place have any Editors?
Of course, this is nothing new…. GolfWRX consistently leaves articles up on its front page WAAAY after their “sell by” date. To me, this just means the people who run the site need to Pay Attention.
Brain
Nov 9, 2018 at 9:13 pm
This story didn’t age well.
Tom
Nov 7, 2018 at 1:27 am
New Driver, same disappointing play…..
Jeffrey
Nov 5, 2018 at 6:14 pm
Still play the 913. I haven’t been able to get better performance out of all the later gimmicks er I mean later models.
Tom
Nov 4, 2018 at 5:34 pm
I like Spieth, but the wheels have come off his game, shoots 71-72 last two rounds in Vegas on a easy course, uh oh!
Scheiss
Nov 5, 2018 at 11:46 am
Obviously it’s the new driver, he’s going back to the 915
Tom
Nov 4, 2018 at 5:30 pm
I hit these new drivers and they deliver. I would say they get ya another 40-60 yards in carry and 80-100 more yards in total distance!
HDTVMAN
Nov 5, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Definitely. I have the TS3, and when I reach my drive, I pick it up and drop it 75 yards further down the fairway. It is long. (Of course, no one is looking)!
Kyle Price
Nov 3, 2018 at 11:27 am
Hit these new Titty’s both 2 and 3 are deep. Say what you about they past 913-17 clubs, which were shorter. These are longer and way straighter than my M2 with Oban. Got the TS2 with GD shaft. Bomber!!
JG
Nov 3, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Could you rewrite this in English?
Scheiss
Nov 2, 2018 at 6:28 pm
Yeah, 10 yards more, in the desert, in very dry, hard, fast conditions and in some wickedly strong wind.
Get real
JP
Nov 2, 2018 at 10:22 pm
Roll out in the desert is fantastic. I’m going to the Shriners this weekend, just played out here today (Friday). The thin dry air with roll friendly fairways gives me MORE than 10 extra yards from anywhere else I play.
Scheiss
Nov 3, 2018 at 2:54 am
Oh, forgot to add, on a rocky hillside canyon area that has many downhill tee shots.
That stats from this week are skewed and should not be taken seriously.
Show us the stats from sea level and on a flat course, next to the ocean with no wind and lots of moisture
BMoney
Nov 2, 2018 at 4:07 pm
Why do you care what people do with their money?
ogo
Nov 2, 2018 at 2:29 pm
Gotta sell sell sell the latest greatest improved drivers to the gearhead masses … and besides, Spieth gets $25 for each new driver sold to the suckers.
LoPro
Nov 6, 2018 at 12:41 am
Now that’s BS if I’ve ever heard it ..l..