Equipment
Show Stoppers: Day 3 from the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show
The GolfWRX team is live from this year’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. The “Show Stoppers” segment will highlight our favorite clubs, gear, and training aids at the show.
At the PGA Merchandise Show, golf companies show off their latest equipment on Tuesday at the PGA Demo Day at Orange County National, and at the PGA Show inside the Orange County Convention Center on Wednesday through Friday. Follow along as we bring you inside the ropes of this year’s events.
Axis 1 Joey C Putter
Axis 1 introduced its new Joey-C putter at the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show. It features a traditional blade look, similar to the Axis1 Joey, and adds a copper insert for softer feel.
Axis 1 putters have a center of gravity that is balanced in the center of the club head. That translates into hitting putts on-line more consistently. The design also promotes a stroke that stays more square to the target, limiting face rotation during the stroke.
Axis 1 putter cost between $199 and $299, depending on the model. The Joey-C sells for $229.
Club Crown by Vive
Club Crown by Vive is a company that makes a high-tech film that allows golfers to customize the crowns of their drivers. The film weighs just 2 grams, increasing the heft of your driver head by a mere one percent.
They cost around $50 each, and are available in a variety of stock styles and custom options. Installation is quick and easy, proved by the lovely Tovah (above) in this photo slideshow.
Edel Golf’s Custom Irons, Wedges and Putters
Edel Golf’s wedges are some of the most drool-worthy wedges in golf. They’re offered in eight different stock grinds, and a near-limitless amount of custom options that have caused many a golfer to spend more than they intended on new short-game sticks.
Click here to see more custom Edel Golf irons, wedges and putters from the PGA Merchandise Show.
New Balance Golf Shoes
New Balance, a company that is best known for its walking and running shoes, launched its first line of golf shoes at the 2014 PGA Merchandise show. Six styles for men and women offer both cleated and spikeless options, which are available in both waterproof and breathable fabrics.
The Minimus Sport Golf and the Minimus LX Golf shoes utilize the One-Lok cleat system that puts golfers’ feet close to the ground while providing added stability. Men’s shoes are offered in D, 2E and 4E widths, and women’s are offered in B and D widths. Prices range from $119.99 to $159.99.
Click here to see more New Balance golf shoes from the PGA Merchandise Show
Odyssey Putters
Odyssey released several new putter models at the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show, including its high-end Metal-X Versa putters.
The Metal-X Versa putters combine two of Odyssey’s latest technologies: its acid-etched Metal-X face pattern that improves face friction for a better roll and its Versa technology, which uses white-and-black lines that are layered perpendicular to the target line to help golfers increase their awareness of face angle throughout the stroke.
Odyssey also unveiled its “Tank Cruiser” putters, which have removable weights in the sole and grip to allow golfers to fine tune swing weight and total weight. The putters are available in the four models: #1, #7, 330M and 2-Ball in 35- and 38-inch lengths. They’ll sell for $249 each when they hit stores on April 1.
The Metal-X Milled putters will hit stores on Jan. 17 in six model. The #1, #6, #9HT and 330 Mallet will cost $299, while the #7 and Rossie, which have aluminum sole plates, will cost $349.
Click here to see more Odyssey putters from the PGA Merchandise Show.
Rife Switchback Putter
The Rife “Switchback” is an adjustable putter with four interchangeable bumper weights that change the head weight from 350-to-380 grams.They have a clean, high-tech look, and will be a hot commodity for tinkerers at the reasonable price point of $199.
Also new from Rife is the company’s Maven putter, a design that was inspired by new Rife Brand Ambassador Mike Shannon, one of Golf Digest’s Top-50 best teachers in America. The Zebra-shaped putter (see the photos in our forum) will come with five different hosel configuration to help golfers dial in their alignment and toe-hang needs. The first model, which has a plumber’s neck, will be available in May and sell for $235.
Click here to see more photos of Rife putters from the PGA Merchandise Show.
True Temper Project X LZ
True Temper’s prototype Project X LV graphite shafts are hand rolled to exact specifications at the company’s headquarters in San Diego. They have the stiff butt and tip sections that characterize the original Project X graphite shafts, but the mid-sections are much softer.
According to Don Brown, product development manager for True Temper, the softer mid sections act as “loading zones,” helping golfers release more energy into the golf ball at impact. Click here to read more about True Temper’s prototype Project X LV shafts.
True Temper’s Project X PXv 39 shaft also caught golfers’ attention at the PGA Merchandise Show. It’s the first of the company’s shafts to weigh less than 40 grams at a length of 46 inches. Originally, it was intended for recreational players, but it has been tested and put in play by professionals in Europe and the U.S.
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Equipment
Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage
Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.
It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.
When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”
“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”
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According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.
Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:
“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.
“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.
“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.
“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.
“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”
So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.
His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.
See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here
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Equipment
Spotted: TaylorMade P-UDI driving iron
It seems like the RBC Heritage is full of new gear to be spotted, and you can add TaylorMade’s P-UDI utility irons to that list.
We spotted a 17-degree P-UDI 2-iron in Nick Dunlap’s bag yesterday, and now have some photos of both the 3- and 4-irons. Nick has his P-UDI 2-iron setup with a Project X HZRDUS Black 4th Gen 105g TX shaft.
From what we can tell, this new P-UDI utility iron looks to have some of the usual TaylorMade technology as we can see the Speed Slot on the sole of the club for additional face flexibility. A toe screw is usually used to close off the hollow body design that will probably be filled with a version of TaylorMade’s Speed Foam that is present in the current iron lineup. This hollow body, foam-filled design should offer additional ball speed, soft feel, and sound, as well as an optimized CG for ball flight.
“Forged” is etched into the hosel, so we can assume that either the face, body, or both are forged for a soft and responsive feel. The club looks good from behind and at address, where we can see just a little offset and a topline that I would consider medium thickness. We don’t have the full details on what is under the hood or how many loft options will be available yet.
TaylorMade P-UDI 3-iron – 20°
TaylorMade P-UDI 4-iron – 22°
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
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Whats in the Bag
Collin Morikawa WITB 2024 (April)
- Collin Morikawa what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 LS (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX (45 inches)
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (4), P7MC (5-6), P730 (7-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Mid 115 X100 (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (7-PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-SB09, 56-LB08), TaylorMade MG4 TW (60-TW11)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: TaylorMade TP Soto
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Cord
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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78Staff
Jan 25, 2015 at 6:27 pm
$50 for a driver head wrap? PT Barnum would be proud…sheesh.
Neal Gregory
Feb 10, 2014 at 1:48 pm
I purchased a 34inch 350g Axis1 Umbra putter. The zero balance helped with not pulling putts. I played with it for a couple rounds that had very challenging greens. My only complaint was that it felt too light, so I returned it. The owner was great about the return. Once Ohio thaws out, I will def. be purchasing the Umbra 400g and putting a slightly larger grip on it.
Looks of a putter builds confidence? No, my friend, sinking putts you wouldn’t normally make builds confidence. Anyone who putts for dough knows that!
Neal
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Really!?!?!
Jan 24, 2014 at 11:26 pm
Okay, I have to call BS on this one. These are supposed to be “showstoppers” and the axis 1 putters are a joke. I would be willing to bet that if they weren’t a golfwrx sponsor they never would have made this post. You cannot tell me for one second that there wasn’t something better to cover than those hideous things. Sorry to vent a little but that is a lame sponsor plug…nothing more, nothing less.
Phil Long
Jan 25, 2014 at 1:22 pm
A joke? Lol!
I usually don’t respond to posts like this but I will.
Tell you what….please shoot me an email and next time I am in your area, I will personally meet you and let you roll the putters. You can even bring yours too and we can do some testing. I’m confident enough in our product to do so. Doubt I will hear from you but hope I do.
Thanks,
Phil Long
Vice President
Axis1 Golf
[email protected]
Really!?!?!
Jan 26, 2014 at 11:23 am
The gauntlet has been thrown and I gladly accept the challenge Mr. Long. I shot you an email, I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Joel
Phil Long
Jan 26, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Joel,
Thanks for reaching out!! I hit you back.
Thanks,
Phil
Michael K
Jan 26, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Mr. Long….I live in Maryland and would love to try one of your putters if you are ever in the area…I also play at Andrews Air Force Base and you are welcome to be my guest. r/Mike
Phil Long
Jan 26, 2014 at 12:41 pm
Michael,
Thanks for the offer. Would love to. I know its 5 months away but I am coming up for the AT&T National. We could get together then if not before. Shoot me an email!!
Thanks,
Phil
Mike
Jan 26, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Who cares if they roll the ball better. Those things are hideous and after a month of playing it, you’ll go back to trusty. Bottom line is that confidence starts by looking down at something that is pleasing to the eye. Not that thing. Just saying.
Charlie
Jan 30, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Seriously? what one person deems hideous another thinks is the perfect look.
There are a million different putter designs. You go find one that you think is pretty, meanwhile I’ll find one that best rolls the ball in the cup.
Charlie
Jan 30, 2014 at 12:28 pm
What a lame post from someone who has never seen an Axis in person let alone actually tried one out. The Odyssey Sabertooth was pretty hideous until people realized how good of a putter it is.
I’ll bet you’re the type who discounts a putter until a pga player wins with it, then you rush out to buy.
JCorona
Jan 24, 2014 at 9:47 am
My name is Joey C…. would I be a narcissist if I got that putter??? That being said, how can I NOT buy a putting that is actually named after me…. then again, I don’t drink Corona beer….
JCorona
Jan 24, 2014 at 9:48 am
*putter
Homer Simpson
Jan 24, 2014 at 7:05 am
Booth girl showdown! Booth girl showdown! Booth girl showdown!
Christopher
Jan 24, 2014 at 10:26 am
Yes! My Spidey-sense is tingling …
nik
Jan 24, 2014 at 12:06 pm
Yeah! Then we all can be 14 again!!!!!