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What make cult golf clubs so great?

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As golf equipment nerds, myself included, it’s always fun to have the great debates like what is the “best ________ ever made?” This could be a putter, wedges, irons, bag, fairway woods (a highly contested one), or a driver.

But what really makes these clubs “the best”? Why do we love them, and what gives them their cult followings? Beyond the emotional connection, what are the factors or technology actually makes these clubs so great?

One of the key ingredients to the “cult” club is when they were released and how technology advanced during that time. Think of the first time you saw or heard someone hit a Titleist 983K; it looked massive, but combined with the modern golf ball, it was considered a game changer for both the tour pro and amateur alike. The shape, the sound, the jump in technology — all of these lead to it being one of the most popular drivers ever made from Titleist and it was produced back in 2005.

I want this to be an ongoing discussion, but to start, let’s break down three of the most famous cult clubs of the last 20 years.

TaylorMade V-Steel fairway woods

Released in the early 2000s, this club was everywhere! It could be found on the PGA Tour — in TaylorMade and non-TaylorMade staffers bags alike (I’m sure it helps that TM was spending big money on Tour during this period), but as a kid who was working big box golf retail, at the time, these were hot. Speaking of Tour, TaylorMade had at least three options available for Tour: standard paint break, the HFS (happy face steel — named for its very rounded sole and leading edge), and the VS II.

From a retail perspective what made this club great was a number of factors

  • It was introduced in an era when you could still buy a fairway wood with either steel or graphite shafts, I remember that it was usually $25-$30 extra for the graphite. This gave a lot of options to a big variety of players that wanted new tech and for the hold outs that still wanted steel. This helped with mass appeal.
  • The shape: It’s a simple thing but very important. The V-Steel had a small rounded profile that better players loved, while it was still shallow enough that average players could hit off of the deck. The shape of the sole was also vital for turf interaction and when you combine the sole and the profile together it made the 5 and 7-woods a delight to hit out of the rough.
  • We can’t underestimate the value of the glued hosel. The first adjustable fairway (by my recollection and research) was the R9, and compared to drivers during the same time period, fairway woods never saw that same advancement in technology and ball speed.  This resulted in players keeping these for a long period of time and so began their reign as a cult favorite.

Even up until three years ago, one of the best scratch players I knew still had one of these 4-woods in the bag. He used it like a 5-wood because it didn’t quite have the “pop” like the new stuff, but you knew when he pulled it out it was going to be good. The exact purpose of the go-to fairway wood.

The original ad was another beauty of the era

Ping Eye 2+ wedges

The Updated XG version had all the same design advantages

Going all the way back to 1982, Ping Eye 2s were a complete game changer. Karsten Solheim started with investment casting and was the very first to bring that method of manufacturing to the golf industry. Speaking to the longevity of the design, you can still buy the modern version of the Ping design with the Glide 2.0 ES wedges, not to mention other homages to the design in the Callaway PM, the TaylorMade High Toe, and the loved-or-loathed (I LOVED IT !) Nike Toe Sweep. So, what makes it work so well?

  • The offset and hosel design: Although it looks like it has a bunch of offset, if you look at the shaft to leading edge relationship its only about half a shaft. When you look at where the hosel enters the head it enters at the face and does not flow directly into the leading edge, add that to the to thin heel dimensions and when you open the face, the bounce moves back from the shaft, and it makes it easy to get through the turf without digging.
  • The face shape: One word BIG…big and beautiful. The High Toe (wink wink) allowed for more face to be exposed when you opened it. This, combined with the mass from the perimeter weighting, made it way more forgiving when you hit it high on the face — a common occurrence when you open it up…so let’s talk about opening that face and what happens to the bottom of the club.
  • The sole design: Taking queues from the original Wilson R90 (we’re going deep for this one) the sole is extremely rounded heel to toe but pre-worn in the middle with a touch of concave, TaylorMade ATV sole anyone? Add that rounded heel toe to the offset and what you get is a lot of bounce exposed away from the hosel and where the club initially enters the rough or sand and you have MAGIC!

The bounce moving back as you open the face – brilliant design

Mizuno MP-33 irons

Could we call these “the blades to end all blades?” Maybe, maybe not — that’s up for debate, which is what makes this game so much fun. BUT if you paid any attention to the tour before tee up money became a big thing, these were the irons that took Mizuno to the top. A simple muscleback design and subdued branding, these are the definition of “clean.” But what really makes them work:

  • The classic shaping and clean lines made these a favorite. We can’t underestimate the fact that when these were introduced there was a big transition occurring on Tour, and it was also around the time Tommy Armour 845s were introduced, and along with Ping, you were starting to see more cavity back irons show up in the bags of the world’s best.
  • The 33 was considered a fairly easy to hit blade compared to the iron it replaced in the MP-14. With this “easy to hit” factor, players that were on the fence for blades move into them easier. Everyone remembers their first blade!
  • Grain Flow Forged – Oh yes! This patented process of keeping the initial piece of raw steel in a solid yet very hot form during the entire process created unmatched feel and essentially coined the “Mizuno feel” identity.

 

This is just the beginning of this series looking back on classic cult clubs. Please use the comment section or add your favorites to the thread: Talking Cult Classic Clubs. Hopefully, I can break down the most popular models from a historical technology standpoint, and we can have a fun discussion!

 

 

 

 

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Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

46 Comments

46 Comments

  1. CJ Werley

    Apr 12, 2019 at 3:26 am

    This topic cannot be discussed without mentioning the King Cobra 14* 3-Wood. IMO that was one of the hottest wood around in the mid-90s.

    There was no more popular club in the early 90s than the TaylorMade Burner Plus 9.5* (“Tour Preferred”), which arguably moved the dial more than any driver up until the Great Big Bertha.

    The 975D driver and their shortlived 681 irons were Titleist’s crème de la crème designs. The fact they rolled out during the same timeframe is no coincidence (google Terry McCabe).

    Also, though not a club, per the definition; “one of the key ingredients to the “cult” is when they were released and how technology advanced during that time,” I believe there’s a strong argument for FJ DryJoys to be included in this mix. Up until that point, golf shoes were either garbage (Mizuno shoes lasted a week) or $500.

    NOT ON THIS LIST:

    Cleveland VAS 972s
    Ping Zing 2s
    The Bubble
    The Bubble Grip
    The Bubble Headcover

  2. Dustin

    Mar 21, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    Tommy Armour 845’s.
    Callaway Warbird S2H2’s.
    The original GBB.
    The Zebra Putter.
    The Odyssey 2-ball.

  3. G March

    Mar 20, 2019 at 10:53 pm

    I have to admit that I am biased. I have a set of MP33’s and while the “best” I always debatable, I’m happy to see that you chose those as the “the blades”.

  4. Ken

    Mar 18, 2019 at 10:07 pm

    OMG, how could you miss the GBB driver? I was a marshal on the 18th tee box at Dye’s Valley Course during a Senior Tour Pro Am NFL event, when Jim Dent pulled it out, something from outer space. He bombed one down the fairway, then I asked him what the heck was that club? He handed me the club, I made a few practice swings then he handed me a ball to tee up. I swatted it long and straight, thanked him and told him I loved it. The next day I had a new Great Big Bertha in my bag and probably helped sell 200 of them at my club.

  5. Joe Taylor

    Mar 17, 2019 at 4:59 pm

    I have nearly worn the “S” off my old Ping sw.

    • Michael Cooper

      Mar 24, 2019 at 11:33 pm

      Hey Joe. Have to ask since the guy I most associate with Ping irons was named Joe Taylor – from Burroughs/Burbank golf team days…is that you? Joe was the best high school golfer I ever knew.

      For the rest, I use Ping Zing Beryllium irons still today a couple times a week.

  6. Frank

    Mar 16, 2019 at 8:55 am

    Now approaching my 80th birthday I have gone retro. Ping Eye 2+ wedges with new shafts and grips. Goes nicely with my Ping B60 putter except when the putter misbehaves then out comes my Rossie putter. Sometimes putters need a timeout.

    • JAMES Walter

      Mar 29, 2019 at 5:49 pm

      I watched JNicklas use the blade TArmour…so I did for forty years, then some crud stole my 1966 staff irons and a1940ish Sandy Andy wedge. I’m 75 now and have shot my age with some used twenty-year old Rams like TWatson used a beat up rocketbalz driver and cobra seven metal and 13 degee metal at my 6200 yard coarse, I play the blues(I still feel like I can) I’d like to thank the thief.

  7. Steve Meek

    Mar 9, 2019 at 12:39 am

    Anyone remember Sonartec Fairway woods and hybrids. They were fantastic clubs, really easy to hit, and really long in their day. Interesting story as well, look up Peter Pocklington (Edmonton Oilers owner)

    • Mike

      Mar 9, 2019 at 9:21 pm

      Seems like trouble followed Peter wherever he went.

    • Vansmack73

      Mar 14, 2019 at 12:24 am

      I loved mp 33 and still have a set. But remember mp9 and mp 7. Both were sweet with more offset that makes today’s blades look onset

  8. Mike

    Mar 8, 2019 at 9:46 pm

    Ping Eye 2 3-wood. Most accurate club I’ve ever used to this day, shot mid 70’s in high school w it in early 90’s, ZZ Lite shaft, exceptional performers.

  9. golf-doug

    Mar 8, 2019 at 1:56 pm

    who can forget the Pittsburg persimeon spoon (2-1/2) fairway metalwood and the trusty Hogan sand wedge with the huge bounce…..wow

    • Mike

      Mar 8, 2019 at 9:47 pm

      Or the Cleek!

    • Don

      Mar 17, 2019 at 7:29 pm

      I still use the Hogan Sure Out sand wedge with the monster bounce….cuts through anything and feels better than any other SW I’ve ever hit. I also use the VSteel 3 and 5 woods….bought a backup set a few years ago before they disappeared entirely. And as I type this I feel like an old geezer!!

  10. Michael Alonso

    Mar 8, 2019 at 1:07 pm

    While I’ve tried a few different fairway woods, I keep going back to my V Steel 3w. It’s the most consistent club in my bag.

  11. Tom54

    Mar 8, 2019 at 1:01 pm

    Mizuno mp 29s were an awesome iron too. One of the best blades ever.Also the biggest big bertha driver was great too.So many great clubs were made back in the days. Remember back then,whatever was out was considered the best that was offered. That is today’s claim as well. Only time will tell as to which clubs today will be tomorrow’s must have collectibles. Would like to know from readers what club that is recently out do they think will still be in their bag 5-6 years from now. For me,it’s the putters that you latch on to that you always come back to. I agree with Robert about the old Wilson 8802 and Arnold Palmer cause I have em both. Something very nostalgic about bringing those out every once in a while.

  12. dtrain

    Mar 8, 2019 at 12:56 pm

    Early Ping Putters, manganese bronze specifically.
    Cleveland 588 wedges
    MacGregor VIP irons were this way for many years.
    Wilson R90 SW as well.

  13. Ken s

    Mar 8, 2019 at 12:37 pm

    Another reason irons ( such as eye two ) were great is because this was just before golf companies made the lofts less and less and the length of clubs longer and longer. This wS the worst thing to happen to all recreational golfers! They did this so the golfer hits his 8 iron longer as well has other irons. A big mistake! No wonder so many golfers loved those ping eye 2. If many still had them I bet they would be scoring better then today’s irons .

    • OM18V

      Mar 8, 2019 at 10:11 pm

      Old guy started with eye 2 a few years ago. Callaway XR OS improved my scores.

    • Andrew

      Mar 11, 2019 at 6:30 pm

      And here comes “that guy”, completely oblivious/ignorant to the science behind why they’ve changed the lofts. Those darn whippersnappers would birdie every hole if they went back to persimmons with hickory shafts.

  14. Back in my day

    Mar 8, 2019 at 10:52 am

    Titleist 905R reigned supreme. Forgiving (460). Long (max C.O.R.). Accurate (bore-thru design). Anti-Left (flat lie angle, neutral weighting). Looks (sexy, clean classic pear shape). Sound (solid, dynamic crack) Value (great shaft options– V2,NV,Speeder,Ys-6+)

    Honestly I could play it today and still hit bombs.

    • Ken

      Mar 18, 2019 at 10:18 pm

      Have one in the garage. Got me thinking? Will go to the range and test it against my M2

    • MBU

      Apr 1, 2019 at 4:28 am

      I have a 905S, (400cc) in my bag permanently. Ive been through most of the newer drivers, but I hit this better and sweeter than any of them. It has a 77g Speeder shaft…
      Some of it is down to loving the look of the head, but really, ive complete trust in it, and middle for middle it is the same length as the newer ones i had, AND i hit it out of the middle much more often.

    • Anton

      Apr 8, 2019 at 7:29 pm

      Still play this with original diamana Blueboard 83. Cannot find a better driver.

  15. marty

    Mar 7, 2019 at 8:17 pm

    Srixon i302 irons, forged, feel like butta, rifled shafts. Brilliant

  16. M

    Mar 7, 2019 at 6:38 pm

    If Mizuno re-released the 33’s I’d buy them in a heartbeat.

  17. Mike

    Mar 7, 2019 at 4:57 pm

    I found MP 33’s at local box store in good to very good condition, original grips and all, all standard specs, all for $99! And yes, I grabbed them immediately.
    On that note, the Bridgestone J33 blades are NICER!!!!!!!

    • Mizzyman

      Mar 7, 2019 at 5:24 pm

      Yea but MP-33 are conforming to 2010 grooves rules but J33 are not!

  18. Jeff Young

    Mar 7, 2019 at 2:49 pm

    I have the long wedge and still take it out for a spin
    The “33” are the grail of amazing irons. To pretty to hit
    I would like to add the titleist 975d driver and woods to the list.
    FW came in steel

  19. Bret Rogerson

    Mar 7, 2019 at 2:38 pm

    What make writer check spelling of title?

  20. Mather Hewison

    Mar 7, 2019 at 11:31 am

    I have powerbuilt tps irons from 1986 have tried everything made since and they are still the best irons i have ever had and started playing golf in 1964. I used to play wilson staff for years and loved them. But its not the clubs its the guy swinging them.

  21. Golf Legend

    Mar 7, 2019 at 11:12 am

    I have Ben Hogan Edge CFT irons and Ben Hogan CFT 3h and 2h all reshafted with Project X flighted 6.0 steel and Golf Pride GP2 grips.
    Winning bets against dudes with new $1000.00+ iron sets.
    Ben Hogan spirit baby!!!
    Golf Legend Out!!

    • Mizzyman

      Mar 7, 2019 at 5:22 pm

      Yea but MP-33 are conforming to 2010 grooves rules but J33 are not!

    • david chilman

      Mar 8, 2019 at 12:54 pm

      I am still playing 1956 Hogan’s with dynamic gold shafts . Great heads, and the 8 iron had not been changed as later. Given to me by pro playing Hogan irons in development. Before marketing. He was using Izet woods, as did Hogan I think. One of the real classics along with McGregor.

    • Ken

      Mar 18, 2019 at 10:29 pm

      Good call on the re-shaft. I went to a club fitter and found my stiff shafts were senior fle on my Edge irons, they we far out of spec. Re-shafted them and became the 1993 club champ at my club

  22. TheBrad

    Mar 7, 2019 at 11:05 am

    Don’t forget the original Ping Anser 2. You can buy them used for around $30 or $40 and they’re still incredible.

    • Kelly Fitzgerald

      Mar 7, 2019 at 12:41 pm

      I have a ping cushin I bout in 1976 and still use it to this day. Love it

  23. Robert

    Mar 7, 2019 at 10:41 am

    Wilson blade putters – the 8802 and the Arnold Palmer (originals – not copies).

  24. Eric Larson

    Mar 7, 2019 at 10:23 am

    Titleist 975d a lot of people were using it. It was the best looking driver to date and was deep off of the tee.

  25. Lynn J Osburn

    Mar 7, 2019 at 9:30 am

    The beryllium pings we’re a brake through also. I play isi beryllium with Graphite shafts, ez on the hands and very forgiving.

    • Kevin Link

      Mar 7, 2019 at 11:26 am

      The beryliium Pings were in the bag of the best amatuer in my hometown. He was unbeatable and hit a repeatable high soft fade with them. Awesome sticks….

  26. Woody

    Mar 7, 2019 at 8:33 am

    You are missing Ping putters. They revolutionize putting and their designs are used by every manufacturer. Also, Callaway big Bertha irons, first cast irons I do believe.

    • Shallowface

      Mar 7, 2019 at 10:16 am

      Cast irons were around long before the Big Bertha. Karsten was casting Ping irons in 1968, and I don’t know for sure if they were the very first.

      • Steve P

        Mar 12, 2019 at 11:50 am

        I believe Confidence Golf was the first to make a cast iron.

    • Larry Eveler

      Mar 8, 2019 at 10:03 am

      Thank you. I was wondering why Callaway wasn’t mentioned. Big Bertha War Bird woods ruled for a long time. I liked them much better than Talormade.

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Equipment

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

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As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

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I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/28/24): L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick putter with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft.

From the seller: (@hibcam): “L.A.B. GOLF Mezz.1 Max Broomstick- LA Golf Paige Spiranac Shaft- 44″/79.5. Brand new, never used brown leather cover. The head was professionally anodized from Orange to Blue (Orange looked bad with the Pink shaft so I had it changed). Only a few rounds on this combo. Please see last pic- slight ding on back corner. 8.5-10 condition. THE SHAFT COST $475/ THE PUTTER $625. $799 shipped in the US. ONLY $699 SHIPPED.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

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