Equipment
PXG and TaylorMade reach settlement over P-790 Irons legal dispute dating back to 2017
The lengthy legal battle between PXG and TaylorMade has finally come to an end, with the two companies reaching a settlement of the pending patent litigation and related patent disputes between the parties.
The legal dispute dates back to 2017 when PXG Founder Bob Parsons sued TaylorMade for patent infringement related to its new P-790 irons. The clash went back and forth, with TaylorMade accusing PXG of violating their patents, and then PXG amending its original complaint of patent infringement and creating a new version with as many as 11 patent-infringement claims.
PXG’s effort to prevent the P-790s sale at retail was unsuccessful, and the legal altercation has now been put to bed with PXG and TaylorMade both reaching a settlement which allows each company to have specified rights to make club products under patent cross-licenses.
Speaking on the settlement, David Abeles, TaylorMade Golf’s CEO, said
“I’m pleased that we were able to reach an acceptable and amicable resolution to put this case behind us so we can continue focusing on bringing industry leading equipment innovations to the golfer.”
While Bob Parsons, PXG’s CEO, stated
“As a golf equipment innovator, PXG will continue to pursue research and development and obtain patents for our novel club designs in the iron technology space. We will not hesitate to assert those patents in the future.”
Details of the settlement are confidential.
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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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Ranger76
Feb 11, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Love my custom fit P790’s. Quite a few of us have the irons at my club and everyone loves them too.
Scott
Feb 1, 2019 at 8:50 pm
So PXG settled and Paige ended up going with Mizuno. What was the ROI here? Sounds like a win win.
1775
Feb 1, 2019 at 5:51 pm
Who cares? I mean, really? People commenting here act as if they had some stake in this.
DOMINICK TOMAINO
Feb 2, 2019 at 2:33 pm
So then why are you commenting on here ..brainiac..? Or should I say ‘hypocrite’..!
Tom
Feb 1, 2019 at 5:32 pm
Gianni must weigh like 100 pounds?
Tom
Feb 1, 2019 at 5:29 pm
Gianni is one bad man….
Gunter Eisenberg
Feb 1, 2019 at 5:20 pm
So how much PXG paid to TM to settle?
For those who make fun of my comment just remember, TM’s R9 irons were filled with foam and introduced way before PXG got in the business.
X
Feb 1, 2019 at 9:37 pm
Child,
Go back further in time for other foam filled clubs.
Go on, use Google and look it up
Gunter Eisenberg
Feb 2, 2019 at 10:59 am
Thank you my trans-fluid friend.
S.M.O.
Feb 1, 2019 at 5:15 pm
PXG CEO is trying too hard, much like the people who play his clubs.
John Krug
Feb 1, 2019 at 3:53 pm
Much ado about nothing.
Regis
Feb 1, 2019 at 11:32 am
Here’s the reality. You bring a case in Federal Court and you don’t have the goods and/or won’t discuss settlement the judge will work you like a pack mule and he/she will let you know it at the first conference. Look at how many cases settle where there’s no comment or briefing. These judges and their staff have nightmare dockets and work their butts off. They don’t have time for golf club manufacturers arguing over who has the proprietary rights for foam in iron heads
Buster
Feb 1, 2019 at 11:20 am
Win for PXG….TM money down the drain!
JP
Feb 1, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Care to elaborate?
Nothing happened with this lawsuit. Haha
Mark King
Feb 1, 2019 at 10:47 am
Bob Parsons = Raging Bullieaholic
Jose Pinatas
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:15 pm
Bob Parson’s favorite song: Sussudio.
earlanthony
Feb 1, 2019 at 10:32 am
Two words: One Length.
Every one else is spitting piss.
Chip
Feb 1, 2019 at 11:43 am
What does this mean?
earlathony
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:15 pm
The revolution of golf: One Length. Nothing else matters.
Tom
Feb 1, 2019 at 7:43 pm
Hey genius, Tommy Armour introduced this one length concept in the mid 1980s…..was a dud, will be again.
earlanthony
Feb 2, 2019 at 4:48 pm
One length, custom fit. Perfection. Tommy Armour, no fit, not perfection. Therefore, dud. Man named Tom has no brain. Therefore, makes stupid remarks and trolls silly discussions. Get a life. Learn to play. Go one length. Case closed.
Leftienige
Feb 3, 2019 at 7:20 am
Hello folks . Back in the late ’60’s I had a set of Tiger Shark irons , from 6-iron to P/W all one length . Nothing’s new under the Sun !
Tim Thomas
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:18 pm
Means everyone else is spittin piss.
Mower
Feb 1, 2019 at 12:44 pm
“One Length”?
Is that what all this is about? No details, so this whole thing is a… meh.
earlanthony
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:17 pm
One length, one swing, one dimension. Perfection.
JP
Feb 1, 2019 at 10:01 am
TM – 1 : PXG – 0