Equipment
Phil’s Secret Weapon: The “Phrankenwood”
Here is the photo of the “secret club” Phil Mickelson said was being built especially for Augusta National this week, the “X Hot Phrankenwood.”
The Phrankenwood appears to be an even larger version of Callaway’s X Hot Pro 3Deep, probably with even less loft to make the driver/fairway wood longer than the 3Deep but still more workable than a standard driver.
Notice the slots cut in the rear of the sole, which we’re assuming makes the club usable off the short grass.
The club has no loft stampings, but has been spotted on the USGA’s List of Conforming Drivers this morning.
This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
Click here to see what people are saying in this forums.
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Photos of a new Callaway Forged iron popped up in our GolfWRX Forums, and our members are trying to figure out whether they’re going to be replacements for Apex Pro irons, or whether they’re an update on the Legacy series. They could also be X-Forged irons, but since Callaway recently came out with new X-Forged irons, that would be unlikely.
Here’s what GolfWRX Members are saying:
- elwhippy: A new Legacy iron? Looks a bit Japanese shaped.
- mattTHEkatt: Like an X-Forged/Legacy Black mashup. They look powerful.
- DTown3011: …gotta be the next Apex!
- J13: Pics look like a newer legacy black.
- mgholda: Pics look like a newer legacy black.
- TheMoneyShot: I thought Cally was going to phase out the Apex name after they released the MBs?
- john443: A larger cavity in these then the X- Forged… competitor to the 750 and AP3 maybe? …or Legacy Black finally brought to retail…hallelujah. CF16 replacement???!
- Equipto: These look very sharp, and like thumpers. I don’t care if they are a Legacy Black or Apex replacement, call them whatever… i’ll try them
- mrmikeac: Next gen Callaway Apex Legacy? Hmmmm…..
- Brizam: The Legacy Black might be the best players cavity back ever made. If they were to become available they’d move straight to the top of the list of clubs to buy for me.
- Jourdan M: This is the Apex Pro
Here are photos of the new Callaway irons we spotted
Previous Apex Pro irons
Previous Legacy irons
Which one do you think the new iron looks like?
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Wilson came out with its FG Tour V6 irons in 2016, but these new Raw versions have a different look… and with time, they’ll have a VERY different look.
The new FG Tour V6 Raw irons have an unplated finish, and they’re designed to “develop a unique patina based on age, exposure and use over time,” according to Wilson. This gives each iron a unique look, and one that’s far from the clean cut original FG Tour release that had a chrome finish (which won’t rust).
In addition to the rusting effect, the irons are different because they have a copper badge in the cavity that will eventually match the color of the golf club over time. Here’s a graphic mock-up of how the Raw irons may look overtime.
Like the original releases, the irons have tungsten weights and mass behind the impact area for a “forged feel” and “improved feedback,” according to the company.
The FG Tour V6 Raw irons are a custom option on Wilson.com, and are available through Wilson’s premium partner accounts as of today, Tuesday, June 19. According to Wilson, the Raw irons “are a very limited production run,” so only a certain amount of sets will even be built.
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Equipment
Chief Engineer Chris Voshall on Mizuno’s approach to the Tour and some of the most insightful pros
Mizuno’s Chief Engineer Chris Voshall chatted with Johnny Wunder on the latest episode of the Gear Dive.
Voshall offers innumerable interesting anecdotes–particularly interesting is the development of the JPX 900 iron for Brooks Koepka and Voshall’s discussion of his work with other Tour talents.
In the excerpt below, however, Voshall discusses Mizuno’s approach to Tour players and further, whose feedback has proven particularly valuable.
“We’re not making them something special. If they’re coming to us, it’s because the product is that good…They come to us instead of us having to go to them…that’s one of the really exciting things.”
Voshall indicated that players on Tour play essentially the same Mizuno products that are available at retail.
“If the Tour van is out of inventory, they can reach out to us…and we’ll get them more heads. There’s nothing unique about what they’re playing, which I think speaks to the customer…you can almost not trust marketing around the whole world these days, but for us to say ‘there’s nothing different’…that’s something we really hang our hat on.”
With respect to excellent testers on Tour, Voshall sang Luke Donald’s praises, as well as Jhonny Vegas and Brian Gay.
“I love working with Luke. Luke, especially when you’re talking irons…turf interaction, that’s the thing he’s looking for. So with Luke, you’ve really got to speak to him about how it feels, how it enter, how it exits [the turf] and how that’s causing the ball to launch. You could give him the exact same head with a slightly different sole grind, and he will love or hate one versus the other. He’s really cool to work with on that front.”
“Jhonny Vegas…he’s raw power. He goes at it. He wants to slam the club into the ground as hard as he can and see where it goes. He very much on the opposite end of the spectrum as Luke, who’s very much an artist out there, trying to work it, trying to do different things.”
“One of my favorite guys to work with, even though he’s not on staff anymore, is Brian Gay. He knows his game. He knows equipment. Speaking to the fact that he’s been out on Tour as long as he has and has the wins he has with the length he hits the ball, it shows that he does not miss a shot. And he knows everything…when he makes a comment on a club, that’s the one that I take most serious.”
For the rest of Voshall’s insights and perspective, give the full podcast a listen below.
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George Cap
Jun 2, 2013 at 7:59 pm
Where can I purchase a Callaway X Hot Prankenwood 8.5 degree 3 wood?
Brouster
Oct 21, 2014 at 12:21 am
How can I purchase phrankenwood driver
Steve
Apr 10, 2013 at 2:03 am
I guess he’s not going to use that black-painted TM RBZ 3-wood that he snuck into his sack a few months ago!
Leif
Apr 9, 2013 at 11:19 pm
He is still using the Razr Fit Xtreme driver too! This is his “3w”
David
Apr 9, 2013 at 6:44 pm
When Phil won a few years back with the two drivers I stopped questioning his decisions.
lance
Apr 9, 2013 at 6:11 pm
You never know what phil the thrill will have in the bag! !
Im thinking phil will cary this new stick along with the razr fit extreme!
Phrankenwood for a draw, and the fit extreme for his cut shots!
Jeffrey
Apr 9, 2013 at 5:51 pm
I was wondering if anyone knows if Phil’s club is a new creation or an 8.5 loft version of the new xhot 3deep being released April 19th. I heard that the 3 deep was a tour release to the public like the utility x prototypes.
Don
Apr 9, 2013 at 4:35 pm
I WANT ONE!!!! Put me on the list callaway.
Jeffrey
Apr 9, 2013 at 3:23 pm
The loft is 8.5 degrees with a 45 inch driver shaft.
Brad
Apr 9, 2013 at 3:03 pm
This club’s specifications are probably close to Cobra’s “Long Tom” 2 Wood (45 inches and 12.5 degrees with the head being quite a bit larger than a fairway wood but smaller than a driver). The 2 wood is as old and good a concept as one can get with golf equipment.
Randall
Apr 9, 2013 at 2:43 pm
I think he’s bored of golf. Has to do these things to give a reason to go play when you know you are aging, already extremely wealthy, and love your home life (ehh Tiger). It’s just a hobby for him now
Clay
Apr 9, 2013 at 1:00 pm
The club is misspelled, you have to take the “h” out. It should be named “Prankenwood”.
JEFF
Apr 9, 2013 at 12:31 pm
WEIRD….. KINDA DUMB…… WHY?
gery katona
Apr 9, 2013 at 11:59 am
I’m always a bit surprised when guys experiment and put new stuff into play just before a major, especially something as critical as a driver. When the pressure is on, the last thing you need to be concerned with is doubt in your equipment. I realize Phil is trying to optimize his bag for the situation and I guess some guys can get away with it while others keep the stuff they are comfortable with.
Edmond Brooks IV
Apr 9, 2013 at 11:53 am
Phil the thrill he just makes the Masters for me I love Tiger but Phil is always my favorite all around true Professional. Phil and Phrankenwood you just know you’re going to see another Phil shot!
Stephen
Apr 8, 2013 at 3:25 pm
I would buy a Phrankenwood if they make a 12 degree LH..Callaway should have a drawing for a Phil Mickelson series Phrankenwood!!
Putty
Apr 8, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Rocketbladez, are you not satisfied with your Razr Fit Xtreme?
RocketBladez
Apr 8, 2013 at 11:37 am
So what happened to the RAZR Fit Xtreme driver that he was raving about when he won in Phoenix earlier this year? Was that just marketing hype for his sponsor so we would all go out and buy one?
Double Mocha Man
Apr 8, 2013 at 12:08 pm
And by this Sunday it’ll be time for all of us to go out and buy a Phrankenwood!
Yohanan
Apr 8, 2013 at 10:28 am
It’s alive!
andietaylor
Apr 9, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Grandstanding Phil…always doing something to make headlines. It’s all about Phil. Loves the controversy…good, or bad. Maybe he can write off the new clubs on his tax return?
Todd
Apr 9, 2013 at 8:41 pm
What happened to that driver that was such “a dream”? You know, the one he raved about after Phoenix? Phil, if you haven’t figure out how to make a swing yet, no souped-up #2 wood is gonna save you now.