Tour News
Henrik Stenson ditches legendary 3 wood for Callaway GBB Epic
Henrik Stenson has ditched his legendary 3 wood in favor of a new Callaway GBB Epic at the Dubai Desert Classic. “You’re seriously making a big deal out of a 3-wood switch,” you might be saying to yourself. In this case, absolutely.
Related: Read more about Callaway’s GBB Epic fairway woods
For most PGA Tour players a 3-wood switch is barely a side note, but for Stenson it’s noteworthy because of how much the No. 4-ranked golfer in the world has relied on his Callaway Diablo Octane Tour 3 wood throughout the years.
The Diablo Octane Tour 3 wood was produced by Callaway in 2010, giving it an estimated current value of about $24, according to the PGA Value Guide. It’s been worth millions more to Stenson, however, who has relied on it more often than his driver off the tee under the gun. With the Diablo Octane Tour (see it in the cover image), Stenson has won eight times on the European and PGA tours, including the PGA Tour’s 2013 FedEx Cup and last year’s epic showdown with Phil Mickelson in The Open Championship at Royal Troon.
To be fair, Stenson has tried several new 3 woods throughout the years, including Callaway’s XR ’16 last season, but he always seems to resort back to old faithful when he’s playing his best.
Another interesting note: Based on the photos from Dubai, Stenson’s new 3 wood appears to have a bonded-hosel design instead of the adjustable hosel used on the retail version of the GBB Epic. That gives it an appearance at address that’s more similar to the Diablo Octane Tour, which also has a bonded hosel. Stenson is also using his old shaft in the new 3 wood, a Grafalloy Blue (X-Flex).
Related: See what GolfWRX Members are saying about Stenson’s 3 wood switch in our forum.
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GolfWRX is live this week from the Monterey Peninsula in Pebble Beach, California, for the 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the most scenic and celebrity-filled event on the PGA Tour.
Pebble Beach Golf Links sits atop cliffs that overlook Carmel Bay, producing both breathtaking views and an imposing threat. The multi-course event is also played on Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course.
A unique inclusion in this week’s photos: celebrity WITBs from a few of the amateurs in the field (including Darius Rucker, SchoolboyQ, and Macklemore). We also have a number of WITBs from the professional contingent and a look at Buffalo Bills’ QB Josh Allen’s sticks. Also: A look at some iconic Arnold Palmer clubs (pictured in the featured image).
Check out links to all our photos below, and when you’re done, join the discussion in the forums.
General Albums
- 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – Tuesday #1
- 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – Tuesday #2
- 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – Tuesday #3
- 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – Tuesday #4
- 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – Monday #5
- 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – Wednesday #1
- 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – Wednesday #2
WITB Albums
- Lanto Griffin – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Charles Kelley WITB (country singer from Lady A band) – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Ben Silverman – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Jonas Blixt – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Fabian Gomez – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton from Fresh Prince of BelAir) – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Seung Yul Noh – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Beau Hossler – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Danny Willett – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- JB Holmes – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Harry Higgs – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Kevin Kisner – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Kira Dixon – Golf Channel reporter – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Michael Pena, actor – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Matt Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Bo Van Pelt – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- ScHoolboy Q – American Rapper – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Macklemore -American Rapper – sort of WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Darius Rucker – singer – WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Camilo Villegas WITB – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Amanda Balionis (CBS golf reporter) – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Arnold Palmer’s personal 1960-61 Wilson Staff Model Dyna-Powered irons
- Josh Allen mini WITB (Buffalo Bills NFL quarterback) – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Pullout Albums
- Kyle Westmoreland – custom Hzrdus driver and fairwood shafts – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Cameron putters – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- TaylorMade Max putters – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- LA Golf Malibu X putter – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Pebble Beach 18th Hole walking tour (and inside “The Lodge”) – 2023 AT&T Pebble Pro-Am
- PXG putters – 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Join the discussion in the forums!
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The PGA Tour is back in the continental United States for the first time in 2023, and GolfWRX is back inside the ropes to show you what the pros are playing!
The American Express at PGA West in La Quinta, California, is the backdrop for the first event of the PGA Tour’s West Coast Swing. We have four general galleries, 11 WITBs — including Rickie Fowler and Sam Burns — and a bevy of special galleries this week, with custom putters aplenty.
Check out links to all our galleries, below!
General Albums
- 2023 The American Express – Monday #1
- 2023 The American Express – Monday #2
- 2023 The American Express – Tuesday #1
- 2023 The American Express – Tuesday #2
- 2023 The American Express – Wednesday #1
WITB Albums
- Justin Lower – WITB – 2023 The American Express
- Doug Ghim – WITB – 2023 The American Express
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2023 The American Express
- Caleb Surratt – WITB – 2023 The American Express
- Aaron Wise – WITB – 2023 The American Express
- Patrick Rodgers – WITB – 2023 The American Express
- John Pak – WITB – 2023 The American Express
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2023 The American Express
- Gunner Wiebe – WITB – 2023 The American Express
- Satoshi Kodaira – WITB – 2023 The American Express
- Rickie Fowler – WITB – 2023 The American Express
Pullout Albums
- New Cameron putter – 2023 The American Express
- Cameron putters – – 2023 The American Express
- New Bettinardi prototype putters – 2023 The American Express
- New L.A.B. Golf LINK.1 putter – 2023 The American Express
- New Evnroll putters – 2023 The American Express
- Jimmy Walker testing the Axis prototype putter – 2023 The American Express
- Cameron CT Baller Boy covers – 2023 The American Express
- Richy Werenski’s Cameron Timeless putter – 2023 The American Express
- Graphite Design – CQ 6 & CQ 7 shafts – 2023 The American Express
- Titleist TRS hybrids – 2023 The American Express
- Ping PLD prototype putters – 2023 The American Express
- New Ping putters – 2023 The American Express
- New ProTC irons – 2023 The American Express
- Greyson Sigg’s new Mizuno ST-X 230 driver – 2023 The American Express
- Zac Blair’s TBC cover – 2023 The American Express
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Pop open a tin of the finest beluga, GolfWRXers… In all seriousness, it’s less jelly-like substance, more richness of intrigue than salt-cured roe at Wedge Stamping Caviar as we present to you some of the finest instances of hammer-and-stamp work on the PGA Tour.
In this initial serving, we’re mining photos from October and November at PGA Tour stops, including the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, the Cadence Bank Houston Open, and the RSM Classic.
So grab your mother-of-pearl spoon and dig in — with restraint, please.
The traditional K.I.S.S. stamping on a BV proto: first and last initial, demonstrated here by Andrew Landry. Bonus points for the bounce angle (8) stamp.
When your last name is something imposing/interesting, you’re definitely stamping it on your wedge as Cole Hammer has done here in a “University of Texas” colorway.
Simple, perfect stamping for Xuewen Luo.
Patrick Cantlay is still rolling with a SM7. Ultimate K.I.S.S. to stick with a previous generation wedge with stamped initials. Bent loft (47 degrees) is a classy touch.
Excellent #perspective on Kevin Roy’s 54-degree Vokey.
Anytime a custom grind wears off the loft number, it’s caviar. Lovely patina on Woodland’s Wilson, too.
Another favorite motif: Tiny initials pattern (as demonstrated by Palmer Jackson).
The Webb Simpson traditional. Maybe the longest-serving stamping on Tour.
Not a stamping on Akshay Bhatia’s Jaws Raw, but we’ll serve it up anyway for reasons immediately discernible to the seasoned palate.
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Charley Hoffman WITB 2022 (December)
Tom Hoge WITB 2022 (December)
TOUR REPORT: 10 takeaways from a WILD week in golf equipment at Kapalua
‘This guy does not stop’ – Tour pros take aim at Patrick Reed over latest rules controversy
GolfWRX Launch Report: 2023 Callaway Paradym drivers
OLD vs. NEW: TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC 2011 irons vs. My modern irons (Full launch monitor numbers)
Gary Woodland signs multi-year deal with Cobra
Rory Mcilroy delivered a ruthless verdict when asked if he could rekindle friendship with Sergio Garcia
Report: PGA Tour pro expected to sign with LIV Golf next week
PGA Tour pro buys second-hand set of legendary clubs on eBay
Will Zalatoris WITB 2023 (February)
Will Zalatoris what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Taiga Semikawa WITB 2023 (January)
Taiga Semikawa what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Keita Nakajima WITB 2023 (February)
Keita Nakajima what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Trey Mullinax WITB 2023 (February)
Trey Mullinax what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
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19th Hole1 week ago‘This guy does not stop’ – Tour pros take aim at Patrick Reed over latest rules controversy
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19th Hole2 weeks agoRory Mcilroy delivered a ruthless verdict when asked if he could rekindle friendship with Sergio Garcia
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19th Hole1 week agoPGA Tour pro buys second-hand set of legendary clubs on eBay
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19th Hole2 days agoBrandel Chamblee reveals the golf legend that stopped talking to him once he became an analyst
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19th Hole1 week agoPatrick Reed issues statement following rules controversy in Dubai
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19th Hole1 week agoReport: Major champ in shock split with long-time caddie
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19th Hole2 weeks ago‘That’s what everybody wants me to do’ – Is Anthony Kim about to make a sensational return to pro golf?
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Equipment2 weeks agoBettinardi is celebrating its 25th anniversary with limited putters runs. First up: BB1 MS
joe
Feb 22, 2018 at 3:46 pm
I found a Titleist 983K with the same shaft in Stiff for $9.99 in the used bin at my local box store. Yes, I almost jumped at it and spilled the whole bucket of clubs over, and I did ask any questions, just went up and bought it, and the Titleist head was in Excellent condition, right from the first swing the thing launches long and straight!!!! Woohoo…selling a bunch of drivers on the ‘Bay now…I just bought an awesome driver for $9.99, hope to use this for 10 years.
jmvargas
Jun 2, 2018 at 9:10 am
he is still using the same shaft…as they say the shaft is the club’s engine..
Dave R
Feb 8, 2017 at 8:30 pm
Why Change is it like a rest?
Miuralovechild
Feb 5, 2017 at 3:51 am
It looks like he has gone with an Oban Kiyoshi tour ltd. in his 5 wood as well as the driver. I wonder why he wont put that in his 3 wood as well. Anyone? Quality wise, consistently, and feel have to be so much better with the Oban. I’ve heard that his 3 wood shaft plays like an XXX.
Good wood
Feb 3, 2017 at 8:52 pm
I talked to Gareth the other day. He’s done with the diablo. He’s donating it to the HOF in Sweden.
Tom54
Feb 3, 2017 at 6:20 pm
The fact that Henrik is still using his old shaft tells you all you need to know about the switch. I’m sure the new model is better but unless it has the same feel it won’t seem to be in his mind. Probably staring at the familiar blue shaft is all he needs
M.S.
Feb 3, 2017 at 5:05 pm
It’s temporary only. Henrik stated this to the main Swedish golf site:
-“…Most likely the Diablo is back when I get home, this new one is OK but I do know where I have Old Faithful….” (my translation)
The truth is that during practice the face on the Diablo caved in, and without a spare head the Epic had to suffice.
StillBoard
Feb 3, 2017 at 4:16 pm
And not once did you mention his Olympic medal.
larry fox
Feb 3, 2017 at 9:47 am
I Love seeing you guys go at it! Such passion
Mike
Feb 3, 2017 at 8:59 am
You can still get the Grafalloy blue pro launch from Sweden, I’ve got 3, one in my 9 degree GBB driver and the other two in the 3 & 5 woods, there bloody good at getting it up there, and a nice feel to boot.
TR1PTIK
Feb 3, 2017 at 10:42 am
Unless they’re simply named differently overseas, the Pro Launch is not the same shaft. There was only one Grafalloy Blue when it was originally released and it looks exactly as pictured. They later did a re-release of the Blue with a white shaft and Blue badge. They also released two Pro-Launch versions – a Red and a Blue.
jgpl001
Feb 3, 2017 at 1:08 pm
Feel?
One thing the Grafalloy Blue doesn’t have is feel, it’s a stout, solid lump, it just bombs the ball low with low spin, excellent if you have th SS though…I did 10 years ago and loved it then
TR1PTIK
Feb 3, 2017 at 4:20 pm
If he’s talking about the Pro Launch version I’d agree that it does have decent feel. Until the middle of last season, I gamed the original Blue and it absolutely was a board. If I could have controlled the clubface better I would have stayed with it though because I could definitely hit some bombs (my version of bombs anyway).
indyvic
Feb 3, 2017 at 11:49 pm
I bought the original from a reputable Golf Store on the advice of the club fitter and had it installed in my driver. Took it to the range, never felt a thing. Took it back within an hour. jgpl001 is correct “if you have the swing speed.”
Ommmmmm
Feb 4, 2017 at 3:19 am
It’s the best shaft ever made, perfect feel and load, stiff as a telephone pole, you can rip it without it ever moving. Only the strong need to use it. I love it
DAVID NATHAN WEEKS
Feb 3, 2017 at 7:17 am
The diablo will be back soon enough.
Scott
Feb 3, 2017 at 4:37 pm
This. I’d bet good money that by the Masters he has the Diablo back in the bag, and is right now willing to try the Epic as part of his contract to help Callaway move product.
BooBunkie
Feb 3, 2017 at 3:11 am
Well, that 3 wood may not make it to The Mahztaz, and neither will Eldrick! Dude just bailed on the tourney in Do Buy! Sheesh, his walking yesterday looked painful. Well, whata’ya think, is that a
wrap for 2017?
MBA-J
Feb 2, 2017 at 10:10 pm
“Legendary?” Strong language for a dude with one major and eight total wins. The overemphasis of marginal accomplishments have turned various sports halls of fame into “halls of ‘very good.'”
Alvaro
Feb 3, 2017 at 7:22 am
Well, when you have made almost 40M$ playing golf, won The Open, 19 professional wins, The FedEx Cup, The Race to Dubai twice while hitting 3w 80% of the time and sometimes outdriving peers hitting a drive, you can consider that a legendary 3 wood, yes.
michael
Feb 3, 2017 at 8:52 am
^^^ What that guy said
The dude
Feb 4, 2017 at 10:50 am
^^what THIS guy said….
TR1PTIK
Feb 3, 2017 at 10:38 am
You obviously only watch the PGA Tour. I feel sorry for you…
S Hitter
Feb 2, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Same shaft though, eh? lol can’t get rid of that shaft
S Hitter
Feb 2, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Oh, and er I’ll buy that for a dollar
Dill Pickleson
Feb 2, 2017 at 9:12 pm
god help us.
The dude
Feb 2, 2017 at 8:30 pm
When is it not considered a 3 wood…..since his “3 wood” is said to be ~ 12deg…
Jim
Feb 3, 2017 at 2:27 pm
Exactly – for some reason we speak of woods only in odd numbers these days …1,3,5, etc. Historically a 12 degree club would have been a 2 wood; more recently a “strong 3”.
McPickens
Feb 6, 2017 at 1:17 am
wouldn’t that be more like a “spoon” or a “brassie”? I also do not like the odd numbers only. I currently game a 16 deg. fairway wood. I would call it a 4 wood, but no, today that would be a 3 wood HL.
BooBunkie
Feb 2, 2017 at 5:12 pm
We’ll see if the 3 wood makes it to the Mahztaz!!
Branson Reynolds
Feb 2, 2017 at 5:04 pm
This is why i like when guys don’t have equipment contracts. I like to see what they actually like to play with.
Golfer
Feb 2, 2017 at 7:11 pm
He does have a contract…
S Hitter
Feb 2, 2017 at 9:19 pm
lol yeah isn’t he with Callaway?
Branson Reynolds
Feb 3, 2017 at 9:01 am
Damn fellas, give me the benefit of the doubt on being a complete moron. I was saying that Stenson switching from the ol’ trusty to the latest and greatest($$$) is why i like no equipment contracts. I like to see what people actually want to use, not what they get paid to use.
Crash Test Dummy
Feb 2, 2017 at 9:37 pm
He probably doesn’t have a shaft contract with Grafalloy. The Grafalloy Blue is a really interesting choice because it is a pretty old shaft. It is a good shaft though. I think if he had a shaft contract, he would probably be using one of the new premium shafts.
westphi
Feb 2, 2017 at 4:54 pm
We’ll see if it stays. One tournament is hardly a “commitment.”
jgpl001
Feb 2, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Totally agree
If he keeps it the bag it would be a massive endorsement – I might even get one
His 3 wood is as important as an arm or a finger to him
Golfraven
Feb 2, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Epic fail!
The dude
Feb 2, 2017 at 8:22 pm
What’s the fail?
Boobsy McKiss
Feb 2, 2017 at 8:27 pm
He was trolling and you bit. Here’s your trophy.
LD
Feb 2, 2017 at 9:32 pm
That they don’t offer the glued-hosel at retail.
Kevin B
Feb 2, 2017 at 4:07 pm
When you find that one 3-wood you can hit no matter what, you keep it! I am upset I made that mistake many years ago and thought, newer was better. I have now found one that I think I can keep until it breaks, an 07 burner 3W.
3 metal stinger
Feb 2, 2017 at 5:02 pm
Thanks for letting us know. Jk no one cares, hold this L again
Kevin B
Feb 2, 2017 at 7:33 pm
Thanks.
3 metal stinger
Feb 2, 2017 at 8:02 pm
L
Kevin B
Feb 2, 2017 at 8:03 pm
Thanks again, but I think the only person taking an “L” as you call it, is yourself. What grown man follows around another man on a golf forum, to troll? I think its hilarious so I hope you keep them coming, but I really wonder how pathetic your life must be. Anyways, thanks again for the laugh!
3 metal stinger
Feb 2, 2017 at 8:11 pm
L
The dude
Feb 2, 2017 at 8:27 pm
Db
LD
Feb 2, 2017 at 9:36 pm
Decibel?
S Hitter
Feb 2, 2017 at 9:22 pm
You just did, Kevin B, followed the troll lol
And don’t you know this is WRX?
Tony Rich
Feb 3, 2017 at 12:52 am
You’re a waste a space 3 metal….he loves his 3W, I love my Titleist PT 13*, the one Tiger could played and could use right now. Got to TMZ if you want to be tough.
3 metal stinger
Feb 3, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Reading comprehension is hard, I know
Juan
Feb 2, 2017 at 3:44 pm
The Epic fairways haven’t been getting nearly the level of buzz as the drivers, but if Stenson sticks with this one, that’ll be a pretty solid endorsement.
Branson Reynolds
Feb 2, 2017 at 3:34 pm
There’s a small handful of people in the world that find this interesting, and that’s why I love golfwrx. Because they’re all here.
gwillis7
Feb 2, 2017 at 4:06 pm
exactly.
Progolfer
Feb 2, 2017 at 3:28 pm
They’re either paying him through the nose to play it, or he’s getting driver-like numbers out of it. Either way, I wouldn’t doubt seeing his trusty rusty back in the bag before Augusta…
TR1PTIK
Feb 2, 2017 at 4:08 pm
While I’m sure there’s stock lying around somewhere in a corner at Callaway HQ, you’ll notice that the shaft he has bonded to the Epic is the older (original) version of the Grafalloy Blue which makes me wonder if he didn’t actually pull the shaft from his Diablo Octane.
WilCox
Feb 2, 2017 at 4:53 pm
No, Stenson liked the original Blue so much that he stashed some away when Grafalloy moved on to the newer versions. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Diablo back in the bag at Augusta.