Equipment
James Patrick joins Titleist
Wedgemaker James “Patrick” Harrington has announced on his website that he has joined Titleist “to further advance [his] passion and creativity” with wedges.
For years, there has been speculation that Titleist has been looking for a wedgemaker to succeed legendary wedge maker Bob Vokey, for whom the company’s current line of wedges is named. Vokey, 73, has suffered several health problems in recent years, including kidney cancer in 2008.
Harrington, 30, has a reputation as one of the best wedge grinders in the industry. He had a well publicized split with Edel Golf in January 2011, and has since been producing handmade wedges for his own company, James Patrick Golf, which he founded in his home state of Wisconsin.
Harrington did not make clear what role he would take with Titleist, only saying that the company is “providing the resources needed to continue to explore the unending pursuit of creating the world’s finest wedges.”
He thanked his fans for “helping to build the foundation,” and said that move to Titleist is “the next step in the journey of my life’s work.”
Above: Custom wedges created by Harrington for James Patrick Golf.
James Patrick wedges were created one at a time by Harrington, allowing him to make them with custom grinds, finishes and stampings that caught the attention of several golf websites and publications. Even though the wedges had a base price of more than $300, with custom options that could cost customers hundreds more, Harrington struggled to keep pace with demand for his products, which are currently listed as “sold out” on his website.
Harrington ground the handmade wedges from Kyoei forged blanks, and created them with a design that included a thinned out hosel for less resistance on shots from the sand and grass, as well a three tungsten weights in the toe section of the wedges that Harrington said move the center of gravity closer to the wedge’s sweet spot for more consistency.
Prior to starting his own company in 2011, Harrington attended Arizona State University, where he graduated from the PGA Management program. He went on to work as a grinder for leading club fitters Hot Stix and Cool Clubs, and trained under legendary clubmaker Don White in 2008.
According to his website, Harrington has worked with PGA Tour professionals Fulton Allen, Cameron Beckman, Robert Garrigus, Peter Jacobson, Matt Kuchar, Ryan Moore, Kevin Streelman and Aaron Baddeley, for whom he ground a set of irons that Baddeley used to win his first Tour event in 2006.
Click here to read what members are saying about James Patrick’s move in the forums.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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 Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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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- Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist TSR2 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 8 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White Hybrid 90 TX
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 S
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (54-M, 58-L @60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Onyx (46-50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 Onyx (54-60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash
Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Richy Werenski’s clubs in the forums.
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Equipment
Adam Scott testing green “Masters Use Only” putter + 6 interesting equipment photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Welcome to the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson event at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, which, for your geographical reference, is about 25 minutes from Dallas.
In early-week equipment news, we saw some interesting putter testing from Adam Scott, a Maxfli golf ball signing on the PGA Tour, a 16-year-old’s WITB, a PGA Tour player using another PGA Tour player’s backup putter, and Jordan Spieth weighed in on why he recently switched out just his 7-iron (and then made a hole-in-one with it).
With so much to report and so little time to waste on the intro, let’s get right into this week’s equipment rundown from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
See all of our photo galleries from the week here
Adam Scott’s new L.A.B. putters
Before we get into a couple of the new prototypes Scott has been testing, above is a photo of the L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max prototype putter that he’s been using, and will likely continue to use this week in Texas.
That being said, following the Masters, Scott was looking to try a couple putters with a slightly lighter weight to help with his feel on fast greens.
One of the new prototypes we spotted on Tuesday was a L.A.B. Golf DF3 “Proto 2.1”, custom-built with Scott’s preferred blue colorway, and an Australia-inspired Kangaroo laser engraving…
We also spotted him with a green-colored “For Masters Use Only” Mezz.1 Max prototype…
While it’s unlikely Scott will make a switch this week, it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward, especially on courses with faster greens.
We also got a peek into Scott’s full WITB this week, which consists of a super-mixed set of Srixon irons, including a ZX Utility 3-iron, a ZX-5 MkII 4-iron, ZX-7 MkII mid-irons (5-7) and Z Forged II short irons (8-9).
See Scott’s full WITB from the CJ Cup here
An update on Daniel Berger’s Odyssey Jailbird
Last week in New Orleans, we highlighted Daniel Berger’s Ai-One Jailbird Mini putter because of its unique sightlines.
Well, we have an update.
According to Callaway Tour Manager Joe Toulon, who spoke with GolfWRX.com this week, Berger’s Jailbird Mini is actually from fellow Tour player Tom Kim’s stash. Kim is a prolific putter tester, and the exact putter Berger is currently using was actually originally made for and tested by Kim. The putter didn’t make it into Kim’s starting lineup, however, so he gave the putter back to Odyssey, and it eventually made it’s way onto Berger’s gamer roster.
Jordan Spieth’s new 7-iron
As the story goes, Jordan Spieth changed out his Titleist T100 7-iron on Wednesday before the 2024 Valero Texas Open, and then on Thursday, he used the 7-iron to make a hole-in-one from 199 yards on the 16th hole.
Good timing on that switch, Jordan.
On Tuesday at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson, GoflWRX.com caught up with Spieth to get the full story on why he switched just the 7-iron.
Our full story is over on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, but here’s a snippet of what Spieth had to say:
“I hit my 7-iron a lot, especially on my own. The spin rates, relative to my 6-iron and my 8-iron, were lower, so it was going too far. I was trying to figure out why, if it was something in the makeup of the iron. I got the lies and the lofts checked, and everything was fine. So finally I was like, ‘Can I just get a new one and see if it fixes it?’
“Maybe there was one other time throughout my career where I changed just one iron, so it’s very unusual. I think it’s just because the grooves were worn down from hitting it too much.”
Ben Griffin signs with Maxfli to play the golf ball
At the beginning of the year, LPGA Tour star Lexi Thompson signed a deal with Maxfli to play the company’s golf ball, and now, Griffin has officially joined team Maxfli, as well, thus expanding the company’s Tour presence.
GolfWRX.com caught up with Griffin on Wednesday in Texas for a video interview about his new golf ball of choice, and how he marks it…
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A 16-year-old is playing on the PGA Tour this week, using a 2-iron!
Amateur golfer Kris Kim, at just 16 years of age, is making his PGA Tour debut this week after receiving a sponsors exemption into the event. In 2023, Kim won both the R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship and the European Boys’ International Championship.
On Tuesday in Texas, we got a look into Kim’s bag, which revealed that he’s currently playing a TaylorMade P-770 2-iron, and a bag full of TaylorMade clubs.
Check out Kim’s full WITB here
A smart golf ball stamping
I’m not going to sit here and pretend to be a big math guy, because I’m not. However, I do recognize David Nyfjall’s purple ball marking as a square root symbol.
While I don’t know the particular significance of the square root symbol for Nyfjall, I do know you have to be fairly intelligent to even consider using a marking like that. Pretty cool stuff from the Northwestern alum, and 2023 Byron Nelson Award winner.
And, with that, we say goodbye to Texas and TPC Craig Ranch. We’ll see you next week at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte for more insider equipment news and storylines.
For now, don’t forget to check out all of our photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Richy Werenski WITB 2024 (May)
Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1...
Wesley Bryan WITB 2024 (May)
Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple...
Adam Scott WITB 2024 (May)
Adam Scott what’s in the bag accurate as of the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5 degrees)...
Pierceson Coody WITB 2024 (April)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi 10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi 10 Tour (15 degrees)...
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EZ
Jun 26, 2016 at 11:57 pm
…..And yet….3 YEARS go by without anything….did they just buy him out and make him sign a non-compete for the rest of his life? What a shame.
BigBoy
Jul 30, 2013 at 12:04 am
im going to sprinkle hundreds and thousands all over my Cleveland wedges
Juan
Jul 29, 2013 at 2:11 pm
a good thing gone bad….bring on the mass production
Jack Lives Here
Jul 28, 2013 at 6:30 am
James wedges are beautiful. Van Gough was under capitalized as well. I wish James every success with the new position.
SAMPGA
Jul 27, 2013 at 6:40 am
I’VE GOT WORD FROM THE INSIDE THAT JP WILL BE IN CHARGE OF AN ULTRA HIGH END LINE OF WEDGES FOR JAPAN…Voke will be here forever!
Blanco
Jul 26, 2013 at 9:15 pm
Does this guy ever smile? He needs to a visit to smiley-town. My guess is they don’t go into full on JP-mode for many years (if he stays on that long)– he’s there for more design and tour stuff not marketing. His name doesn’t ring out yet but will one day.
Personally I think his wedges look gaudy with the exception of the unstamped raw steel stuff I’ve seen. I think his grinds are excellent though.
Scott Rose
Jul 26, 2013 at 1:04 am
Hmmm….form or function? I’d rather see an artist stay solo.
Clayton
Jul 25, 2013 at 4:59 pm
“Show me the money!!!” – JP
HBL
Jul 25, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Probably for us, the masses, there will be no change. Almost impossible to get now and, at least, in the near past. In the future, we can expect mass produced wedges with the pros getting the custom work like it is with Vokey.
The Real James
Jul 25, 2013 at 1:49 pm
I wonder how a mass produced JP will look?
Ever try grinding a wedge? It’s pretty easy if you have a good grinding machine, and then 5 swings later all the prettiness is left in the turf.
princeton
Jul 25, 2013 at 12:00 pm
This is the biggest news in the Golf Equipment Business in years!!!! This is huge that Vokey as tapped his heir apparent to take over once he retires fully! Vokey stated yesterday that he is only working two or three days a week and for the every so often special request from a Tour Pro! I wonder how Aaron Dill is feeling today? I am sure that this hurts him a little, as thoughts were that he would be Vokey’s pick for his replacement…?
Jack
Jul 25, 2013 at 2:39 am
Plus, I doubt he is really taking over for Vokey. I think he is more likely to create his own line (much younger and different look), much like he is doing already, but backed by Titleist’s money and marketing power.
Jack
Jul 25, 2013 at 2:17 am
I like the look of the wedges, but not at 300+ before custom options!
RatzA$$
Jul 25, 2013 at 1:45 am
Wow that’s awesome. Someone stamps a sand wedge, quick paint fill of skittles like colors and a “special grind” and presto! Every minute a sucker is born.
Those that can’t dress like Fowler can have clubs that approach his outfits.
BHahahahhaha
Roger
Jul 26, 2013 at 3:11 pm
Ratz i’m still Lovin my Ping Eye 2 BECU wedge!!! Classic great looks and feel …and a great Wedge too !!!
Desmond
Jul 25, 2013 at 1:41 am
“I don’t want to be the big-box retailer,” Harrington said. “I like the roots of where I’m at, me making hand-made stuff. I’m able to offer a unique look because I’m an artist. I don’t want to grow too fast.”
An odd change for a guy who didn’t want to be a big-box retailer, but wanted to be an artist.”
lol.
KCCO
Jul 25, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Confused by this comment…..but anyway JP has always been an artist, and when at his level, each day his work will only progress, with that being said, when the time comes I wonder if he has more of a gamer wedge (meaning no frills on the looks, and just a performer), and be able to dull it down a bit, just a clean wedge and something thats gonna fill the vokey void when that day comes…. curious as to how they much different they would play then the beautiful designer stuff I’ve seen in his galleries history, as most look like collector pieces I would decorate my house with…..not being sarcastic, his work is top notch
J
Jul 24, 2013 at 11:24 pm
His wedges are sick!
Will be curious to see what kind of prices come out of the Titleist custom shop now..
JP wedges and Scotty putters… You could spend 5,000 and walk away with just your wedges and a putter.