Equipment
Ben Hogan releases new VKTR hybrids
Ben Hogan was known for his deadly accuracy with long irons — surely you’ve seen this photo of his famous 1-iron shot in the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion. Golf has changed since then, however. Instead of long irons, many professional golfers now opt for at least one hybrid to replace a hard-to-hit long iron. As such, the Ben Hogan Golf Company has developed a VKTR hybrid, catering to the needs of the modern golfer.
According to the company, the VKTR hybrids are for golfers seeking a higher launch than they can get from the company’s long irons, but still want the performance benefits of workability and distance control from various lies. For that reason, the hybrids are designed to create more spin than many hybrid options on the market, which can help golfers more easily hold greens on approach shots.
The VKTR hybrids use the same 360-degree, V-Sole design as the company’s irons and wedges.
“The VKTR design … creates the proper launch angle and spin rates needed to generate the ideal ball flight to hold greens from long range,” said Terry Koehler, President and CEO of Ben Hogan Golf. “Our independent robot testing shows that the VKTR hybrid results in an increase in spin rates and angle of descents with consistent distance control.”
The design of the hybrids include interchangeable weights on the bottom of the sole and along its perimeter, which allow golfers to adjust draw, fade and neutral biases.
Hogan’s VKTR hybrids ($249) will be available in April available in 11 lofts, ranging from 17 to 27 degrees. They use a progressive design; the lower-lofted models have larger heads for a higher launch, while the higher-lofted models have a smaller profile for a more penetrating flight. Through HoganFit online, golfers can properly fill in the yardage gaps in your bag.
Stock Shafts and Grips
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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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- Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 50 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 60 X
Hybrid: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Rescue (19.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Takomo 101U (4), Takomo 101T (5), Takomo 301 CB (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 52-08F, 56-14F), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (58-A)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: L.A.B. Golf DF3
Grips: SuperStroke, Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
More photos of Wesley Bryan’s WITB in the forums.
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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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Kourtney Knowles
Jan 25, 2016 at 7:43 pm
I ordered one of their tk wedges last summer although I had never demoed their clubs. I wanted a project x 6.5 shaft and so they had to order it in. The shaft got back ordered and so they called me two weeks later and I ended up cancelling my order. About a week after than I got a call from one of their customer reps telling me he told the owner about what happened in my particular order and that I had cancelled. The owner told the rep to call me back and offer me any of their clubs at wholesale price. I ended up purchasing an entire set for nearly 40% off with KBS shafts. I figured if i didn’t like them I could always sell them and maybe make a few bucks. I’ve gamed these clubs for 3 months now and absolutely love them. I am a scratch golfer and wouldn’t probably recommend them for those who struggle making solid contact, but the wedges are the best I’ve ever gamed and I would say the other irons are more forgiving than a traditional mb iron.
The company is by far the best customer experience I have ever experienced and I can’t wait for these new hybrids to come out.
J White
Jan 25, 2016 at 5:01 pm
I was at the company last week, they look awesome in person and I’m sorry 10yr old technology in a hybrid means absolutely NOTHING. Their irons feel amazing and many of the companies employees worked for the original Hogan before callaway dismantled them so this “new junk” is very good imo. They also have a cavity back iron as well as a driving iron that also looks great. I’m a huge supporter of these smaller companies like hogan and Adams before taylormade destroyed them. So either try them before bashing and get off your big box brand or don’t say anything.
Don't ask me, I just work here
Jan 25, 2016 at 12:38 pm
These look like the old Idea Pro Gold hybrid IMO………
8thehardway
Jan 21, 2016 at 5:30 pm
This company continues to impress me; everything seems so well thought out, nothing rushed to market. If these hybrids give me more spin and a steeper angle of descent, I’m in.
Curt
Jan 21, 2016 at 3:09 pm
Lots of negative comments here from people that haven’t even tried the new Hogan clubs. I just had a recent dealing with the company and it was a great one. Good guys that stand behind their product and do right by the customer. I have a couple of new Hogan products that I will be testing and providing review of on GolfWRX. I am excited to test them and provide my unbiased results, opinions, etc here. I am one of those guys that has ZERO brand loyalty! I’m only loyal to the betterment of my game so I use the best of each club (results only) with no regard to the name on the clubs. Stay tuned!!
BaBaBoey
Jan 21, 2016 at 3:28 pm
I can’t hardly wait. Can you tell me when so I can mark it on my calendar?
Fahgdat
Jan 22, 2016 at 12:26 pm
I can hardly understand what language you’re speaking and why you would even crack a poor joke about it
Matt
Jan 21, 2016 at 3:49 pm
Agreed. Have to say, the new irons are great. Great feel and would love to try out the new hybrids…
Fahgdat
Jan 21, 2016 at 3:07 am
Nobody wants this new fake Ben Hogan company stuff. Everybody wants the PXG
Teaj
Jan 20, 2016 at 9:24 pm
they look sexy though
BaBaBoey
Jan 20, 2016 at 6:34 pm
PS Adams called and they want their 10 year old design back.
BaBaBoey
Jan 20, 2016 at 6:33 pm
We used to grind ski onto the soles of hybrids and fairway woods for the guys on tour all the time. They looked a lot like what the Hogan sole is going for.
WILSON!!
Jan 20, 2016 at 6:13 pm
You said “They use a progressive design; the higher-lofted models have larger heads for a higher launch, while the lower lofts have a smaller profile for a more penetrating flight.” Yet the picture directly below it says the exact opposite. I’m losing my faith in this site more every time I visit.
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 20, 2016 at 8:21 pm
Wilson,
Thank you for pointing that out. We got it wrong, and it has been amended.
Jafar
Jan 20, 2016 at 2:48 pm
I like it and have been looking for a hybrid that can offer weighting in the heel for more draw bias.
The VSole on a hybrid is interesting.