Equipment

Tech Talk: Mickelson’s KBS Tour V2 shafts

Published

13 years ago

Feb 4, 2013

Phil Mickelson was vocal in post-round interviews last week about the importance of his change to Callaway’s new Razr Fit Extreme driver, which he said allowed him to be more confident off the tee in his record-setting performance at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. But a look at Mickelson’s stats for the week shows that his iron play was more important to his 28-under total at TPC Scottsdale than his tee shots.

Mickelson ranked T11 in driving distance, averaging 298.8 yards off the tee — about 10 yards more than his 2013 season average. He was also 55th in the field driving accuracy, hitting the fairway 57.14 percent of the time — about 5 percent better than his season average.

However, Mickelson led the field by hitting 87.5 percent of greens in regulation at TPC Scottsdale, a staggering 14 percent better than his season average. He also birdied nine of the 16 par-3 holes, which led to a 9-under score on those holes that was nine shots better than the field average.

Callaway went out of its way to inform golfers that Mickelson’s 9.5-degree Razr Fit Xtreme driver head (adjusted to an open position for an actual loft of 8.1 degrees) is the same one available to consumers at retail. But what consumers will not be able to buy any time soon are Mickelson’s “KBS Tour V2” iron shafts, which he used in his Callaway Razr X Muscleback 4 iron through pitching wedge and Callaway JAWS 52-, 60- and 64-degree wedges.

The prototype shafts are stiffer in the tip section of the shaft (the part closest to the club head) than the x-flex version of the KBS Tour shafts, which is achieved by making the diameter of the shaft larger in that area. The change gave Mickelson the more penetrating, lower-spinning trajectory that he wanted. The shafts are also five grams lighter, which according to KBS Marketing Director Eric Hubble, gave Mickelson back some of the feel that is lost with a stiff-tip iron shaft.

Just how picky is Lefty with his equipment? Last March at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, Mickelson put the original version of the KBS Tour V2 iron shafts in play in his 5 iron through pitching wedge. In May, KBS lead designer Kim Braly was still working with Mickelson during practice rounds at The Players Championship to tweak the construction of each individual short iron shaft. The tweaking lasted until last summer, which is when Braly and Mickelson finally ended their revision process.

Click here to see what else was in Mickelson’s bag at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Whats in the Bag

Brianna Do WITB (June 2026)

Published

15 hours ago

Jun 8, 2026

Will Schube

Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees)
Shaft: KBS PGW

3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees)
Shaft: KBS PGW

5-wood: Callaway Elyte (18 degrees)
Shaft: KBS PGW

Hybrids: Callaway Paradym (21 @22, 24, 27 degrees)
Shafts: KBS PGI 60

Irons: Callaway X Forged Star (7-PW)
Shafts: KBS PGI 75

Wedges: PXG Sugar Daddy III (50, 56, 60 10S)
Shafts: KBS

Putter: Odyssey Damascus Milled Rossie S Putter

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Whats in the Bag

Athena Singh WITB 2026 (June)

Published

15 hours ago

Jun 8, 2026

Will Schube

Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 Degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Max (16 Degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 6 S

5-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (18 Degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 6 S

Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi4D (25 Degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 7 S

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT Graphite 65 R

Wedges: TaylorMade MG5 (50-09SB, 56-08LB, 60-08LB)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT Graphite 75 S

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Equipment

What are the best golf socks? – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

18 hours ago

Jun 8, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, not everything is about club selection and shaft options. A heated debate has bubbled up surrounding the best sock options players can wear on the course.

@CletePurcel asked:

“Just bought 2 new pairs of FootJoy shoes and trying to find out the most favorable socks to wear. I try to walk 9 holes two to three times a week and good socks are a must. Thanks in advance.

Members in the forum chimed in with their favorite footwear accessories. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

Maroon_19: “I’ve only worn Kentwool socks for golf for the last 8 years – regardless of weather. I walk 90% of my rounds and play anywhere from 50-75 rounds a year (going to go up as I just retired). They only get worn for golf. As long as you care for them, they’ll care for you. Have had zero blisters with them. I just started using my second set of 8 pair for our Bandon trip earlier this month. The old ones will now go into the daily wear rotation. Still good after all these years.”
smoova: “I’ve had good luck with Swiftwick. Walk every round 12 months a year in Colorado.”
Hawkeye77: “FJ Pro ProDry is what I’m usually wearing just because I have more of them, but I’ve got some Smartwool socks I love for the wool aspect – they sell them as running socks. The thicker socks are better for certain shoes. I’ve gone merino/other wool in almost all my socks – athletic, “dress” and so forth – no more “Orlon”, lol, some golf socks are the exception.”
th6252: “Another vote for Kentwool, honorable mentions to Balega and Falke(thanks to someone on this forum for turning me onto the RU3).”

Entire Thread: “Best golf socks???”

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