Equipment
Jason Day’s new putter inspired by venomous Australian Spider
With two wins already in 2016 (Arnold Palmer Invitational, WGC-Dell Match Play), and four wins late in the 2015 season that included the PGA Championship, you wouldn’t think Jason Day would change putters… but he did.
Day’s previous gamer (left) and his new Spider Limited Red putter.
Day has used a TaylorMade Itsy Bitsy Spider prototype putter since 2015. He’s a huge fan of the color red, though, and made a special request for a matte red model, which become the “Spider Limited Red.” The particular shade of red employed is inspired by the venomous Redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti), which, like Day, is native to Australia. After the 2016 Masters, where he finished T10, Day put the new putter in play at the RBC Heritage, where he finished T23.
Photo credit: China Insider (www.scmp.com)
It may sound like a ridiculous connection to make, but to be fair, the red spot on this particular Redback — which was actually found in Guangdong in a shipment of metal frames from Australia — looks like the putter itself. Impressive work from TaylorMade.
If you’re interested in buying one, TaylorMade will be releasing 15,000 Spider Limited (black-and-red) putters for $219, and 2,000 Spider Limited Red (all-red) putters for $299 on June 3.
Each release includes TaylorMade’s Pure Roll face insert. Both putters will be sold with a sightline, and in the following lengths:
- Black and Red: 33, 34 and 35 inches (RH only)
- All Red: 34 and 35 inches (RH only)
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Tiger Woods is making his PGA Tour return at the 2023 Hero World Challenge this week, which marks the first time we’ll see him tee it up in competition since the 2023 Masters.
On Tuesday, we spotted Woods in the Bahamas using a new, unreleased TaylorMade Qi10 LS driver prototype equipped with a new Graphite Design Tour AD-VF 6 X red and black shaft.
? https://t.co/0pyqrJZKUP pic.twitter.com/iIz0CjZZIQ
— GolfWRX (@GolfWRX) November 29, 2023
Back in September, if you remember, Justin Thomas switched into a Graphite Design Tour AD-VF 5 X shaft in his Titleist TSR3 driver. Thomas wanted a longer driver option, and he found 15 more yards thanks to the new 45.625-inch driver.
This week, Woods showed up with the same shaft model (just slightly heavier and stiffer, due to the shorter length compared to Thomas).
So, what is it about this AD-VF shaft that’s attracting top names such as Thomas and Woods?
According to Graphite Design’s website, the AD-VF metalwood shafts have a “FIRM+” butt section, a “STIFF” mid-section, and a “VERY STIFF” tip section.
The “VF” stands for “Victory Force,” and the design promotes a low/mid launch, with low spin. The shafts, which are designed and manufactured at the Graphite Design Japan Factory, use “TORAYCA M40X” pre-preg material in the butt section, and “TORAYCA T1100G” pre-preg in the mid/tip sections to produce better control, stability, and feel.
Here’s how the AD-VF shaft compares to other shafts in the Graphite Design family, according to the company’s website, and as you can see, it’s as stiff as anything Graphite Design offers across the butt, mid, and tip sections. Reductively, you could call it the “stiffest shaft in the lineup.”
As a reminder, Woods most recently gamed the Fujikura Ventus Black with a TaylorMade Stealth Plus head at the Masters in April.
Woods is set to tee off on Thursday at 11:52 a.m. EST alongside Justin Thomas.
See Tiger Woods’ full WITB at the 2023 Hero World Challenge
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- Louise Ridderstrom what’s in the bag accurate as of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Vanquish 5 S
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD
3-wood: Callaway Paradym (15 degrees @16)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder NX 60 SR
Hybrid: Callaway Apex Pro (20 degrees)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Recoil D.A.R.T.
Hybrid: Callaway Apex Pro (23 degrees)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Recoil D.A.R.T.
Hybrid: Callaway Apex Pro (26 degrees)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Recoil D.A.R.T.
Irons: Callaway Apex (6-PW)
Shafts: UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F3
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S, 54-10S, 58-12X)
Shafts: UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F3
Putter: Sacks Parente 54 MC
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
More photos of Louise Ridderstrom’s WITB in the forums.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (11/29/23): Ping i230 Orange Dot irons with Fujikura Axiom 105s shafts
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 set of Ping i230 Orange Dot irons with Fujikura Axiom 105s shafts.
From the seller: (@ScottyWaaa): “i230 irons with Fujikura Axiom 105s – $1500. Orange Dot. 1/4 inch long. mcc +4 grips. Mint irons. Used about 15 rounds. No trades.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping i230 Orange Dot irons with Fujikura Axiom 105s shafts
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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Report: Rory McIlroy planning to leave Florida as he eyes permanent move away from U.S.
The reason behind Azinger’s NBC exit as his replacement for Hero World Challenge is revealed
Pro becomes first new addition to LIV Golf for 2024
Here’s why Vijay Singh has red numbers written all over his irons
Phil Mickelson doesn’t hold back in response to leaked PGA Tour memo offering members equity ownership opportunity
Brooks Koepka aims multiple jabs at LIV Golf on social media
Gary Player leaves fans stunned with 7-word putdown of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur
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Viktor Hovland gives typically wholesome answer when asked how he’s spent his $34.5m yearly earnings
Spotted: New TaylorMade Carbonwood driver hits USGA conforming list
Louise Ridderstrom WITB 2023 (November)
Louise Ridderstrom what’s in the bag accurate as of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond (10.5...
Tiger Woods WITB 2023 (November)
Tiger Woods what’s in the bag accurate as of the Hero World Challenge. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 LS Shaft: Graphite Design...
WITB Time Machine: Rickie Fowler’s winning WITB, 2017 Hero World Challenge
We’re jumping in the WITB Time Machine and heading back to 2017 when Rickie Fowler was head of the class...
Rory McIlroy WITB 2023 (November)
Rory McIlroy what’s in the bag accurate as of the DP World Tour Championship. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 LS (9 degrees)...
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Myvoice
Aug 26, 2016 at 10:28 am
I purchased one of these putters from a previous run, made in Japan. It’s by far the best putter I’ve ever used. The main reason it works well for me is the balance and face loft; gets the ball rolling without skipping, which is what I’ve always noticed on Jason’s putts. After that, the most powerful thing is that you can change the weight of the putter using the Taylor Made standard weights. I purchased two kits. The putter comes standard with a 1G weight in each side. I ended up with 10G in each side as perfect for me and the greens I generally play on. It makes sense; pros are usually playing very, very fast greens, but the greens we play on are generally a lot slower. Heavier weight for slow greens and lighter for fast. All you have to do is unscrew the weights and replace for various conditions.
NOW, they come out with the new one for general release. Guess what? That’s right, they glued in a cheesy aluminum thing that resembles a weight, but it’s not, and there are no screw holes to use the Taylor Made weights with these new putters. For me, that defeats the best part about this putter.
gunmetal
May 1, 2016 at 1:04 am
Good idea for Day to switch his putter. With the season he had last year, 2 wins this year, and his shaky #1 ranking in the world, what better time to switch flatsticks.
Brian
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:25 pm
Is the one on the left modeled after an Eastern Grey Kangaroo?
GolfRocks
Apr 28, 2016 at 11:47 pm
Cool write up for Day. He ditched this putter already. Is it just me or does the spider that inspired it look burnt orange and the putter looks maroon? Seems a bit cartoonish. Taylor Made felt like having another reason to release something today. I’ll still take an old Scotty or a milled Miura putter any day.
Hooker T. Washington
Apr 28, 2016 at 6:09 pm
I enjoyed reading this, and always find it cool to hear the stories or reasons behind a player’s choice of club colors, stampings, etc. I myself carefully chose all of my different paint fill colors for various reasons.
…However, Day has already ditched this one and is back to using the matte black model this week at the Zurich…
Hooker T. Washington
Apr 28, 2016 at 6:06 pm
I enjoyed reading the article, and always think it’s cool to hear the story behind a player’s choice in club colors, stampings, etc. I myself carefully chose all of my different paint fill colors for various reasons.
…However, Day has already ditched this one and is back to using the matte black model this week at the Zurich…
RoGar
Apr 28, 2016 at 3:12 pm
Every company world wide does this!!! Who cares? If you like it buy it, if you don’t, don’t. TaylorMade makes very good products, so does Ping, Titleist, Callaway, etc. etc. If they release a new driver every week, great!!! I still game the R1, cause it gives me the best numbers, and I’m happy and confident with it…
Nick
Apr 28, 2016 at 1:20 pm
Im glad theyre re-releasing this. I used a friends itsy and it felt great. 15,000 more will be released… Ill take one ar two for sure
Rob
Apr 28, 2016 at 11:29 am
So, it’s the same putter he used before except it is red.
Jim
Apr 28, 2016 at 10:30 am
And again… The same worthless comment
mitch
Apr 28, 2016 at 9:44 am
and again taylormade flooding the market with “new” stuff that is the same just different color and name.
Jamie
Apr 28, 2016 at 11:59 am
You think the other OEM’s are putting out groundbreaking stuff that isn’t just repackaged/rebadged gear?
Jacob
Apr 28, 2016 at 2:20 pm
TM does a much better job of coming out with new putter designs than anybody else dude…