Equipment
The top-5 longest drivers on the PGA Tour and their driver/shaft combos
Let’s take a look at what the PGA Tour’s biggest bombers thus far in 2018-2019 are using to launch their rockets.
1. Cameron Champ
Average drive: 315.6 yards
Driver: Ping G400 Max (9 degrees @ 7.9)
Shaft: Fujikura Pro 63 TS (44.75 inches, tipped 1.5 inches)
T2. Luke List
Average drive: 314.4 yards
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana White D+ 80TX
T2. Rory McIlroy
Average drive: 314.4 yards
Driver: TaylorMade M5 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK White 70TX
4. Tony Finau
Average drive: 311.5 yards
Driver: Ping G410 Plus (9 degrees @ 8)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana RF 70-TX (45.25 inches, tipped 1 inch)
5. Wyndham Clark
Average drive: 311.4 yards
Driver: PXG 0811 XF GEN2 (10 degrees)
Shaft: Accra Prototype (45.25 inches)
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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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Steve R
Jun 7, 2019 at 5:35 pm
Interesting that Champ plays a Ping driver with a stock Callaway shaft (albeit x flex tip trimmed). I play a Callaway Epic Flash sub-zero with a shaft commonly found in a Ping or TM driver – the Aldila Xtorsion. He’s a little longer than I am…lol… but I found 20 yards with this combo over the stock Tensei CK blue it usually comes with. My other changes were a midsize grip and switch the moveable weight from 12g to 15.5g.
Bart
May 31, 2019 at 9:50 am
New to golf here. What does “tipped 1.5 inches” mean?
Dan
Jun 2, 2019 at 9:51 am
Tipped means the club was trimmed at the tip ( bottom ) vs the but ( top ) to make the shaft stiffer.
Dave Bryce
Jun 3, 2019 at 7:21 pm
It means 1.5 inches cut off of the tip!
Rich Douglas
May 29, 2019 at 7:20 pm
Most players use the best driver they can muster under their equipment contract, so no revelations there. (That’s why the WITB articles are boring–WITB is what they’re paid to put in there.)
But notice the shaft lengths of the three players who listed them. All three are shorter than the “standard” length (45.5″) found off-the-shelf at your local golf equipment dealer. Like Tiger (44″) and Justin Thomas (42″), they know that making solid, centered contact is more valuable than the added clubhead speed created by a longer shaft. Longer distance and more accurate.
Yet we see so many people hitting 45.5″ drivers with 9-degree lofts, even though they can’t possibly get the best out of them. Where are these guys? Look in the woods; it’s full of them.
Adam Boyle
Jun 14, 2019 at 8:18 pm
I would be more interested in the longest drivers on tour who don’t have a club sponsor. Now that would be interesting
Gunter Eisenberg
May 28, 2019 at 9:59 am
I thought DJ would be on that list too.
joro
May 27, 2019 at 2:57 pm
Interesting, but these guys would be long with Knights from Walmart.
AltaD
May 27, 2019 at 8:38 am
Gotta love those Ping drivers! I’ve got a G400 LST and it’s not leaving my bag anytime soon.
Deron
Jun 5, 2019 at 2:56 pm
G400 LST may be the best driver every created. It does spin more than some others but if you find the right shaft for it, it’s a bomber.
Alex
May 26, 2019 at 11:35 pm
Lots of Mitsubishi on the list. Not surprised their stuff has been great forever.
Brooks woz ere
May 26, 2019 at 9:51 pm
Why don’t you put the driver tee shots that actually count under pressure and use those stats for this, huh?
howdoeshisdictaste?
Jun 3, 2019 at 6:51 am
You mean like the shot he hit in the water at the Masters when he had a chance to win?
2putttom
May 26, 2019 at 9:01 pm
PING !
JK
May 26, 2019 at 5:07 pm
2 wins among them all this season. I hope Champ can get better with his wedge game and become a top player