Equipment

DeChambeau makes history with 14 graphite shafts on PGA Tour (inside info from LA Golf Shafts)

Published

4 years ago

Oct 7, 2019

There was a lot of talk about golf history being made this week at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, and much of it had something to do with LA Golf shafts.

First, we had Kevin Na, become the FIRST golfer in history (since available data) to be negative strokes gained: tee-to-green but still win the event. Kevin can thank his smoking hot putter, which helped him make over 558 feet worth of putts for the week—an Odyssey Toulon Madison with an LA Golf Shafts Ozik TP graphite putter shaft.

Kevin Na Putter

The other part of history had to do with Bryson “The Golfing Scientist” DeChambeau. Bryson became the first golfer on the PGA Tour to ever use graphite shafts in each one of his clubs from top to bottom—that’s right, all 14 clubs including his putter had graphite shafts.

This all started with his “Rebar” wedge shafts discussed here (GolfWRX Spotted: LA Golf “REBAR” Wedge Shafts) and in the talk with LA Golf Shafts Chief Product Officer John Oldenburg, he touched on how irons shafts were next. This week has proven that testing obviously went well, and while defending his SHCO title, DeChambeau finished with a final round 63 to finish fourth.

From John on the new iron shafts Bryson had in play

“In a nutshell, the ‘Texas Rebar’ shafts are really, really stiff. In a test session with Bryson a few weeks back, he noticed that as he went stiffer in iron shafts his performance improved as it relates to launch, spin, dispersion, and shot control.

“The versatility of composite materials allows us to add stiffness, drop torque, move the balance, and modify the flex profile without adding additional weight. We designed him ‘rebar’ for the 4-iron, 7-iron, and wedge, as those irons he likes to test with. He put the wedge shafts in play immediately in Napa, and then said, “let’s make the rest!”

“We sent him some more of the wedge shafts to Vegas along with some of the 4-iron prototypes. I was not there, but my understanding is that he put the 4-iron shaft in his 4 and 5-iron and put the wedge shaft in all of the other irons. Our original plan was to make a full set of individual shafts for each club, with a progressive frequency and tip stiffness profile. Bryson has chosen to play the shafts in his current configuration since he feels they perform so well.

“We believe this will be an ongoing process, and will continue to fine tune the shafts to meet Bryson’s performance requirements. The current wedge and 4-iron shaft are both around 120 grams. The 4-iron shaft is slightly softer overall and in the tip than the wedge. Although they are 10-15 grams lighter than the TT DG X7 they are nearly a full flex stiffer and are lower in torque than his previous X7 shafts.”

With Bryson, the testing never truly stops, and we look forward to seeing what will end up in his golf bag next!

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Ryan Barath

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.

34 Comments

Pingback: Graphite vs. steel iron shafts – what you need to know – GolfWRX
#1KuchFan

Oct 13, 2019 at 2:46 pm

He’s so quirky. I can’t get enough of these articles. They hardly ever mention the golfing scientist. So quirky.

Reply Report comment
- Simon Taylor
  
  Oct 14, 2019 at 11:59 pm
  
  Thick thick sarcasm…. best ????
  
  Reply Report comment
Jarnio Bubly

Oct 12, 2019 at 12:14 am

Some players make history with their stellar play while Bryson makes history with is equipment.

Reply Report comment
Zach

Oct 9, 2019 at 12:50 pm

PXG: Hold my beer

Reply Report comment
Cody

Oct 8, 2019 at 10:37 pm

I play aldila rip 115 slt tour x flex shafts. Super stiff and a torque rating of 1 to 1.4 depending on the iron.

Reply Report comment
- Cody
  
  Oct 8, 2019 at 10:38 pm
  
  Steel is dead graphite is the future.
  
  Reply Report comment
rjvanro

Oct 8, 2019 at 9:13 pm

All graphite is probably why Bryson has decided to pump some iron. Probably feeling a little less manly. LOL

Reply Report comment
Piter

Oct 8, 2019 at 6:06 am

Good on him for trying stuff. I hadn’t heard about SL clubs before untill i read about him using them, and am interested. I prefer graphite shafts, despite being strong enough (that silly common excuse for buying steel shafts), but because of the feel. Nice to see a pro not following convention all the time.

Reply Report comment
JThunder

Oct 7, 2019 at 10:49 pm

I just come on the internet to vent my frustration with life. Bryson sucks because he’s different. Lots of other suck because they’re too much the same. Tour issued clubs are better than what we can get at retail, so that sucks. But pros could play the same regardless of what’s in their bag, so that sucks. OEMs never invent anything new, just repackage and steal and it’s all marketing – that sucks. Amateurs need lessons and no golf club is going to improve their game, and that sucks too.

Reply Report comment
- PLightning
  
  Oct 8, 2019 at 12:07 pm
  
  Lessons from washed out hacks that never broke 80 that were taught on youtube suck.
  
  Reply Report comment
- A. Commoner
  
  Oct 8, 2019 at 2:00 pm
  
  Give life a chance. You might feel better.
  
  Reply Report comment
- rjvanro
  
  Oct 8, 2019 at 9:11 pm
  
  LOL JThunder you would be a great person to have a beer with. LOL snowing here in Calgary and that really sucks!
  
  Reply Report comment
Kevin

Oct 7, 2019 at 5:52 pm

https://us.v-cdn.net/6024507/uploads/ipb/monthly_01_2010/post-94483-12644619954416.jpg

I believe Phil Mickelson used all graphite shafts in each one of his clubs when he was with Yonex at one time. He was with them in from 1992-2000 and know the iron and putter were graphite. Not sure how much research this writer did to make the claim however a quick search of this side shows his bag.

Reply Report comment
- chip75
  
  Oct 7, 2019 at 6:19 pm
  
  My thoughts went straight to Mickelson as well, there were times (when he was Yonex) when Phil had an Eye2 wedge in his bag and a Titleist PT fairway wood (it might have been a Taylor Made Tour Preferred?), but I’m pretty sure he gamed a full set of graphite shafts.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Joe
  
  Oct 7, 2019 at 10:09 pm
  
  I think you are correct.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Lefty
  
  Oct 8, 2019 at 5:58 am
  
  Dear Numpties,
  
  Lefty had a steel putter shaft.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - chip75
    
    Oct 8, 2019 at 4:14 pm
    
    From what I remember he did have a steel putter shaft, but he gamed graphite for a time too. It would have been around 1995-1996.
    
    Reply Report comment
JP

Oct 7, 2019 at 5:40 pm

If it speeds up his pace of play, I’m all for it…

Reply Report comment
Caroline

Oct 7, 2019 at 5:03 pm

Bryson is like every pro out there when he is on he is on….no rotation in the shaft makes it easier to hit straight shots, and very little open/close of club face to curve the ball. I would think the stiffest shafts work well with that concept as any kind of bend is going to move the club face…and his swing is around and through with little wrist/hand angles at all (Steve Stricker) or Moe Norman with a wrist set that does not open or close the club face….

Reply Report comment
Jason B

Oct 7, 2019 at 5:00 pm

He changes shafts quicker than he putts 8 footers.

Reply Report comment
C

Oct 7, 2019 at 4:52 pm

Another reason proving pros suck now compared to Jack and Arnies days.

Reply Report comment
dat

Oct 7, 2019 at 3:15 pm

But, will it actually help his game and will he win?

Reply Report comment
Rich Douglas

Oct 7, 2019 at 2:14 pm

Disclaimer: “Professional Golfer. Do not try this at home.”

Reply Report comment
Dave

Oct 7, 2019 at 2:10 pm

In other news LA Golf sold out of their entire inventory of rebar shafts due to rampant demand from every GolfWRX “scratch” golfer under the sun who thinks they should play the stiffest shafts on the planet.

Reply Report comment
- Rich Douglas
  
  Oct 7, 2019 at 2:15 pm
  
  Thank you. Now if we could just get them to shut up about the no-offset forged blades they use to hit all those shanks….
  
  Reply Report comment
Shallowface

Oct 7, 2019 at 2:08 pm

I like Bryson, but if any of this stuff really mattered he’d never lose. As it is, he wins a few, loses most, has some high finishes and misses some cuts. Just like everyone else. And if he decided tomorrow to go with a bag of conventional gear, his results would be exactly the same. Or maybe better, who knows, as it might clear his head of some of the clutter. I believe he will eventually try it.

Reply Report comment
- Eastpointe
  
  Oct 7, 2019 at 2:55 pm
  
  I would tend to agree with you if we were talking about a new driver head or new putter head but we are talking about an outside the box completely unheard of shaft profile. I think this is really interesting and with time and practice Bryson could revolutionize golf club setups
  
  Reply Report comment
- Brandon
  
  Oct 7, 2019 at 10:17 pm
  
  Exactly. People occasionally survive jumping off the golden gate bridge, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.
  
  Reply Report comment
DukeOfChinoHills

Oct 7, 2019 at 2:06 pm

This is a passing fad.

Reply Report comment
James

Oct 7, 2019 at 1:46 pm

Yea, this is history worth remembering. I’m sure he he huddled with his PR people and said, let’s make history. Just wow.

Reply Report comment
Bing Hogan

Oct 7, 2019 at 12:30 pm

We’ll see how long this lasts…

Reply Report comment
- Rich Douglas
  
  Oct 7, 2019 at 2:22 pm
  
  Right. Because he’s the only pro golfer–or golfer of any stripe–who tinkers.
  
  252 golfers have won 5 or more PGA tour events in the history of professional golf.
  
  Five golfers have ever won the NCAA and US Amateur in the same year.
  
  Bryson is on both of those lists.
  
  Oh, and he’s been playing single-length irons the entire time. So that shows quite a bit of commitment to a concept.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Benny
    
    Oct 8, 2019 at 7:34 am
    
    Well said Rich Douglas. I don’t like Bryson’s attitude and not shaking hands while tossing a baby fit. But have to hand it to him. He hits bombs (which most don’t know) and the dude is doing something never heard of.
    I commend him and regardless if this is a PR move to get LA Golf Shafts name out there. It shows the dude is not stopping anytime soon. I have seen a number of guys online and in Boston area swear by single length. Lets see where this goes..
    
    Reply Report comment

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Whats in the Bag

Cameron Young WITB 2024 (March)

Published

15 hours ago

Mar 25, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Cameron Young WITB accurate as of the Valspar Championship.

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra Tour Z5 65 M5

2-wood: Titleist TSR 2W Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX

Irons: Titleist T200 (3), Titleist T100 (4-5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: MMT Utility 105 TX (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 58-08M, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 5.5 Tour Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align

Ball: Titleist Pro V1 Left Dot

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Equipment

Best hybrids 2024: Expert fitters recommend the hybrids for your game

Published

18 hours ago

Mar 25, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

At GolfWRX, we believe the best hybrid for your game is going to be the one that gives you the greatest opportunity to both score and save shots during your round of golf.

In 2024, we have seen a continued expansion of hybrid options from every manufacturer with models designed to fit golfers of all skill levels and clubhead speeds. Some manufacturers offer models all the way down to 8-iron-replacement lofts.

That being said, ultimately the best way to find the best hybrid or hybrids for you is to work with a professional fitter using a launch monitor and gap them accordingly. The difficult part is a lot of people don’t have easy access to fitters, launch monitors, and club builders — so at GolfWRX, we have done a lot of the work for you.

We want to give you the tools and information to go out and find what works best for you, and we’re offering recommendations based on exactly what you need from your hybrids.

We have again broken our 2024 best hybrid list into two categories.

Best hybrid for golfers seeking forgiveness
Best hybrid for golfers seeking versatility

We reached out to our trusted fitters to discuss how they sort through the hybrid club options available to golfers. Forgiveness and versatility were the highest-ranked choices.

Most versatile hybrids of 2024

Titleist TSR2

“Forgiving speed and performance,” is the branding for the TSR2. TSR2 hybrids remain slightly longer with a classical shape. Center of gravity is lower and deeper in the TSR2 for higher launch and maximum forgiveness.

For more information, check out our launch piece.

Ping G430

In all of the G430 fairway woods and hybrids, Ping developed Carbonfly Wrap in a bid to deliver more distance by positioning the CG closer to the face line in design to maximize ball speed, resulting in higher, longer carries. The lightweight composite crown wraps into the heel and toe sections of the skirt, creating weight savings of 10 grams, which are reallocated to achieve a lower CG and increase ball speed.

For more information, check out our launch piece.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke

Leveraging the company’s new Ai Smart Face, Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid has been reshaped and features a larger profile for greater forgiveness and a refined sole camber for better turf interaction. The Tungsten Speed Cartridge is positioned in the front of the club for lower spin and ease of launch.

For more information, check out our launch piece.

TaylorMade Qi10 Rescue

The Qi10 Rescue is designed with an all-new Carbon Crown that helps free up weight for improved weight distribution in the heads. The club has split internal weighting to achieve more distance and a higher launch.

For more information, check out our launch piece.

TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue

The Qi10 Tour Rescue model features a C300 face with a more compact look and a higher-toe design. It’s designed for better players who seek to combine distance and control with iron-like turf interaction, workability, and precision.

For more information, check out our launch piece.

Most forgiving hybrids of 2024

TaylorMade Qi10 Max Rescue

Qi10 Max Rescue clubs are designed with all-new Carbon Crowns that help free up weight for improved weight distribution in the heads. The Qi10 Max has an ultra-low CG (center of gravity) and a shallow face height for even higher launch and greater forgiveness.

For more information, check out our launch piece.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke HL

Designed for players with moderate to average swing speeds who are looking to hit the ball higher to maximize carry distance, the Paradym Ai Smoke HL leverages the company’s new Ai Smart Face. It features a larger profile for greater forgiveness and a refined sole camber for better turf interaction. The Tungsten Speed Cartridge is positioned in the front of the club for lower spin and ease of launch.

For more information, check out our launch piece.

Ping G430

For more information, check out our launch piece.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast

The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast is designed for moderate-swing-speed players. In addition to Ai Smart Face, Max Fast features a larger profile for greater forgiveness and a refined sole camber for better turf interaction. The Tungsten Speed Cartridge is positioned in the front of the club for lower spin and ease of launch.

For more information, check out our launch piece.

Titleist TSR1

Titleist’s new TSR1 hybrids are built with a larger, “wood-like” size to help golfers find more speed and forgiveness. They’re also built 0.5 inches longer than standard to provide additional assistance in creating speed.

For more information, check out our launch piece.

Best hybrid of 2024: Meet the fitters

Adam Rathe: Club Champion
Adam Scotto: Club Champion
Adam Seitz: Club Champion
Aidan Mena: Club Champion
Alex Dice: Carl’s Golfland
Alex Praeger: Club Champion
Ben Giunta: The Tour Van
Blake Smith, PGA: True Spec
Bo Gorman: True Spec
Brad Coffield: Carl’s Golfland
Brett Ott: Club Champion
Brian Riley: Club Champion
Cameron Scudder: Club Champion
Carmen Corvino: True Spec
Christian Sandler: Club Champion
Clare Cornelius: Cool Clubs
Dan Palmisano: Club Champion
Dane Byers: Club Champion
Darren Joubert: Club Champion
Dennis Huggins: Club Champion
Drew Koch: Club Champion
Eric Touchet: Touchet Performance Golf
Erik Gonzales: Club Champion
Evan Morrison: Club Champion
Gus Alzate: True Spec
Jake Medlen: Stripe Show Club Fitters
Jake Woolston: Club Champion
Jake Wynd: Club Champion
Jay Marino: Club Champion
Jeremy Olsen: Club Champion
Jim Yenser: Club Champion
Joe Stefan: Club Champion
Joey Simon, PGA: Club Champion
Jonathan Kaye: Club Champion
Jordan Patrick: True Spec
Jordan Rollins: Club Champion
Kevin Arabejo: Club Champion
Kevin Downey: Club Champion
Kirk Oguri: Pete’s Golf
Kyle Lane: Club Champion
Kyle Murao: Club Champion
Marc Roybal: True Spec
Mark Hymerling: Club Champion
Mark Knapp: Carl’s Golfland
Matt Miller: Club Champion
Matt Rish: Club Champion
Matthew Gandolfi: Club Champion
Mike Martysiewicz: Club Champion
Mike Weis: Club Champion
Mitch Schneider: Club Champion
Nicholas Barone: Club Champion
Nick Sherburne: Club Champion
Nick Waterworth: Haggin Oaks
Preston Vanderfinch: Club Champion
Rick Lane: Club Champion
Rob Anderson, PGA: Club Champion
Russell Hubby: Club Champion
Ryan Fisher: Grips Golf
Ryan Grimes: Club Champion
Ryan Johnson: Carl’s Golfland Bloomfield Hills
Sam Kim: True Spec
Scott Sikorski: Club Champion
Scott Felix: Felix Club Works
Scott Trent: Club Champion
Sean Pfeil: Club Champion
Shaun Fagan: True Spec
Steve Harrow: Club Champion
Tad Artrip: Club Champion
Thomas Mattaini: Pull the Pin
Tony Rhode: True Clubs
William Buse: Club Champion
William Cho: NovoGolf
William Fields: Club Champion

Conclusion

The fitters consulted for this piece have accumulated data from thousands of fittings with golfers just like you. From beginners to tour players, their feedback and information can’t be undervalued.

Join the discussion about the best hybrids of 2024 in the forums.