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James Patrick Has Re-Emerged, And He’s Ready to Fit You For Wedges

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Four years ago, James Patrick “JP” Harrington was a club builder with a dream of creating the world’s best wedges. From his mother’s garage in Minnesota, the 30-year-old was making strong case that he could. Selling one wedge at a time, he captured the attention of the golf equipment world with some of the most beautiful wedges golfers had ever seen. And to many of his customers, his “JP” wedges performed even better than they looked.

JP_Wedges

“JP” wedges that Harrington hand ground in his mother’s garage.

Harrington’s life changed on a Wednesday in April 2013 when his phone rang. The call was from Titleist’s Vice President of Human Resources, who wanted to meet him. The Titleist VP flew to Minnesota to meet Harrington the following Monday, where Harrington ground him a wedge. The next week, he had another visitor. It was Wally Uihlein, the President and CEO of Acushnet, Titleist’s parent company. “[Uihlein] asked me, ‘If you had the full resources of Titleist, what could you create,’” Harrington says. “And by July, I had signed a partnership with Titleist.”

Shortly after the deal was signed, Harrington announced on his website that he had joined Titleist. He said Titleist was “providing [him] the resources needed to continue to explore the unending pursuit of creating the world’s finest wedges.” He thanked fans for “helping to build the foundation,” and called Titleist “the next step in the journey of [his] life’s work.” There were no other details.

Speculation swirled that Harrington was being groomed to be Titleist’s successor to Bob Vokey, the signature craftsman of the company’s Vokey line of wedges. There was another rumor was that Harrington would take over design of Titleist’s Japanese wedge line. The truth has turned out to be more interesting.

JP Wedges

Harrington’s new line of JP wedges.

Harrington, now 34, has continued to work “as a one-man show,” he says, albeit in a new location. Titleist stationed him in a private facility in Carlsbad, California. It’s a workspace not all too different than his mother’s garage in Minnesota with a few key exceptions; it’s located just miles away from the Titleist Performance Institute in Oceanside, one of the best golf equipment testing facilities in the world. It’s also just a few miles from Titleist’s R&D facilities, giving Harrington access to the full force of Titleist’s golf equipment manufacturing resources.

When Harrington started with Titleist four years ago, his primary focus was vetting his beliefs about wedge design, a process that took him around the world and back. Speaking with Harrington prior to the wedge launch, he emphasized the importance of his trip to Japan, where he worked one-on-one with professional players on their wedge games. Harrington had worked with tour players before, but never on such a large scale. In his travels, he also met with suppliers around the globe to better understand all the parts and materials that go into a golf club: the clubs heads, the shafts, the grips, and even the glues that hold them all together.

QPA Wedges

With Titleist, Harrington continues to focus to his core philosophies of quality, performance and esthetics.

Harrington came to prominence through his grinding skills, his ability to hand-shape the soles of wedges to meet the needs of his customers. Early on in his research, however, he realized that he would need to change the way he had been making wedges to improve his designs. He found that he could offer golfers even better performance by producing wedges not with his hands, but with CNC milling machines. “As good as I can grind, the CNC tolerances of a milled sole far exceed what a human can do in a repeatable fashion,” Harrington says.

Harrington’s grinding skills still proved vital in the process, though. In developing his new line of JP wedges for Titleist, Harrington spent a considerable about of time working with Scott Knudson, the head machinist in Titleist’s R&D department. Knudson is an expert in CAD, or computer-aided design, the software that tells a CNC milling machine what to do. The goal of Harrington’s work with Knudson was to translate the unique sole design he developed at Titleist into CAD, which proved to be challenging.

JP_Multi_Directional_Sole

Harrington’s sole design, which he calls a “Multi-Directional Camber Sole Design,” uses an extreme amount of curvature from both front to back and side to side, which was easy for Harrington to shape with his hands. It proved difficult to duplicate in CAD, however, even for an expert like Knudson. The solution was for Harrington to immerse himself in CAD and digitize his grinding skills. He says he spent day after day shaping wedges on a computer screen much like he would on a grinder… and it wasn’t just one wedge sole he needed to perfect.

Screen Shot 2017-05-05 at 7.28.05 AM

Harrington’s research on what different golfers need from their wedges led to his decision to offer an incredibly wide range of options: 16 different lofts from 45-60 degrees. Each loft is also available in multiple sole grinds: two or three, depending on the loft. And to make his wedges even more precise, each sole grind is distinct to each loft. That left Harrington to design 36 different sole grinds in CAD. That sounds like a lot, and it is, and it’s just one part of his new wedge design.

All of Harrington’s new wedges are made four pieces: a 1025 carbon steel body, a forged titanium back plate, an internal “calibration” weight, and a tungsten toe weight. And since each piece is specific to each loft and each sole design, the minimum number of parts needed to create the new JP wedge line is 144. That number grows considerably when you consider that Harrington will be using different weight versions of his calibration weights to be able to build wedges to the exact swing weight golfers need regardless of their club length, shaft, and grip requirements.

Exploded

The four pieces of the JP wedges “fit together like a puzzle piece,” Harrington says, and because each piece is precisely engineered for each loft and sole grind, he can position the center of gravity (CG) of his wedges in the optimal location for spin and trajectory control — whether it’s a 47-degree wedge with medium bounce, a 53-degree wedge with high bounce, or a 59-degree wedge with low bounce. “Each wedge has a seamless design on the exterior,” Harrington says, “but on the inside they’re all unique.”

JP Fitting Experience

Harrington fitting a golfer at Titleist’s Oceanside Test Facility.

Just as unique as the design of the wedges is Harrington’s approach to fitting them. In his research, Harrington developed a fitting tool he calls a “high-speed rail photo system,” which is essentially a high-speed camera on a mini train track. It sits beside a golfer as he or she swings and records how a golf club interacts with the golf ball and turf at impact, capturing 10,000 frames per second. The rails were added so that the camera can be slid forward after every swing to provide an area of fresh turf and consistent alignment with the ball.

Harrington fabricated the camera himself, and it will play an important role in the launch of his new wedges. They will not be sold at retailers; rather, Titleist is recommending that golfers book a one-on-one appointment with Harrington called the “JP Fitting Experience” at Titleist’s Performance Institute in Oceanside, California, where they’ll spend three hours being fit for wedges. The cost is $2,000, which includes three custom wedges built by Harrington (golfers can also purchase a fully customized JP wedges directly from Titleist for $500 each).

Harrington says he’ll be able to better evaluate a golfer’s swing mechanics using the camera, which allows him to precisely measure the movement of the club through the impact area. Harrington will also be evaluating the shots each of his clients need to hit to play their best golf, and to help him do so Titleist built Harrington a custom tee and short-game facility equipped with strips of rough and bunkers at the Titleist Performance Institute. Using it, he will observe golfers playing a comprehensive range of shots using his motion-capture system and Trackman.

JP-Custom

As a final step, Harrington will build each JP wedge by hand, and is also responsible for each wedge’s custom engraving. Using CAD, he will design the back of the wedge with up to 20 characters and a choice of 24 different paint colors to make each wedge one of a kind.

Harrington calls the titanium back plate of his wedges “a blank canvas” for golfers to make their wedges their own, and of course, he can help guide them through their wedge customization process. He, better than most, can relate to starting at a blank canvas and creating something truly unique.

Learn more about JP Wedges at jpwedges.com.

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  1. bad9

    May 9, 2017 at 12:39 pm

    They could cost $5 each. They are ugly. I would never pay for something that looked as terrible as that.

  2. Double Mocha Man 4 President

    May 7, 2017 at 11:02 am

    I’d rather have a set of PXG irons to put in my black titleist bag. Cool article tho

  3. Steve

    May 6, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    I forgot a 3 year old Mizuno wedge on a course and it wasn’t turned in. My guess is it’s about 1 million to 1 that a $500 wedge wouldn’t get turned in either.

    • cgasucks

      May 7, 2017 at 10:51 am

      Turned? What are you trying to say? Wedges aren’t zombies you know.

  4. MRC

    May 6, 2017 at 11:07 am

    Great article Zak.
    Absolutely love reading about the nuts and bolts of club design and manufacturing.
    Incredible opportunity for JP and Titleist.
    Titleist built Harrington a custom tee and short-game facility equipped with strips of rough and bunkers at the Titleist Performance Institute. Are you kidding? Titleist is first class.
    True, cost of new custom wedges may not be for everyone. At the same time, if new wedges and the TItleist experience is in the cards, why not?
    Scotty Cameron and Titleist worked out. I’m sure the above will too.
    Good luck Mr.Harrington and enjoy the ride.

    • Zak Kozuchowski

      May 6, 2017 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks for the comment, MRC. I’m glad you enjoyed the article.

  5. mp-4

    May 6, 2017 at 10:21 am

    Great article.

    • Zak Kozuchowski

      May 6, 2017 at 4:06 pm

      Thanks for the comment, MP-4. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.

  6. 8thehardway

    May 5, 2017 at 10:02 pm

    JP’s wedges were the most impressive I’ve ever seen. How fortunate his obsession and talent have the backing of such a respected company. Like Edward Hopper’s paintings and John Jensen’s knives, just knowing that such wedges exist, that such talent and ability exist increases my happiness. His wedges are an affirmation of excellence, a stark contrast to the ordinary, practical items with which we content ourselves.

  7. Fat Perez

    May 5, 2017 at 9:29 pm

    5 bills? 5 bills for a wedge plus 9% tax? 5 fiddy for a club? But what if your swing and bunker game

    is atrocious? I’m lost, somebody help me understand where we’re going with this blue chip white

    collar game? Anybody? I wanna pay $500 for a “smart golf ball.” Imagine when that product is

    developed. The ball you can pre program to create dart like accuracy towards the desired target.

    5 bills for a degrading wedge? Oy Vay!!!

    • JThunder

      May 8, 2017 at 10:10 pm

      Golf has historically been a game of leisure for the wealthy. Between manufacturers and eBay, there are plenty of ways to buy clubs for less.

      Now, if you want to talk about how awful capitalism is in general, that’s another conversation.

  8. Dave R

    May 5, 2017 at 8:58 pm

    Finally a real good looking wedge, and many thanks for showing the long and short of making them. Again these are good looking and can’t wait till they hit Canada.

  9. JR

    May 5, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    I predict the people who bash PXG for being too flashy and too expensive, will fawn over these wedges.

    • birdie

      May 9, 2017 at 12:52 pm

      i predict the cost of these wedges will actually be backed up by the technology and quality over pxg simply separating themselves based on costs.

  10. TIM

    May 5, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    that’s 3000 cad , for a wedge that might last 2 yrs, if these for lifetime maybe

  11. rebfan73

    May 5, 2017 at 7:09 pm

    Actually, a “cool” article for once……

  12. Ric

    May 5, 2017 at 7:04 pm

    “TRUMP” wedges . Only people of super wealth can afford these and that’s exactly who it’s targeted for ! Money won’t make it easier to get out of the sand or rough. It’s a status symbol period. NEXT THEY WILL HAVE EMBEDDED DIAMONDS AND BE SOLID GOLD.(LIMITED SUPPLY) !

    • JThunder

      May 8, 2017 at 10:13 pm

      Interesting thought; how can it be a “status symbol” when less than 1% of the golfing public has ever heard of James Patrick? You’d have to leave a price tag on it – there’s no way anyone would know the price or exclusivity otherwise.

  13. Sean

    May 5, 2017 at 6:45 pm

    Very well written and interesting. I did not realize all that went into wedges.

  14. Matt

    May 5, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    If money was no object I’d be on a plane tomorrow.

  15. TWShoot67

    May 5, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    I say Congrats for and to JP! I wish him well with Titleist ( the man has put the hours in) and maybe one day I could get that personal experience.

  16. H

    May 5, 2017 at 5:00 pm

    On 2nd thought, forget it. I don’t want anything to do with Titleist

  17. golfraven

    May 5, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    It’s called HYPE. Make it seem exclusive and keep the stock limited and people will jump on the band wagen and fight over it even if they would never have dreamed to spend so much cash on something they didn’t aspire in the first place.

  18. golfraven

    May 5, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    Unfortunately the trend catched on and OEMs will make you believe that it is perfectly fine to spend 1K on wedges (2K incl. fitting). All this is leading to increased club prices – soon 200 per wedge and 700 bucks per driver (+upcharge for those better shafts you should get fitted for) will be standard. You better start cutting your child’s college funds.

  19. Dat

    May 5, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    I don’t get it. What makes these so special that he couldn’t bring them to retail?

    • Chris

      May 6, 2017 at 9:23 am

      I’m guessing all the personalised features? Weight, grind shaft etc is custom fit to the player.

    • birdie

      May 9, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      they want these to be exclusive and they want to ensure players are properly fit into the grind that the manufacturer recommends. and they are retail. you can buy online, you just won’t find them in a big box store. several brands do this.

  20. George

    May 5, 2017 at 3:24 pm

    yes 2000 for a 3 wedges is insane, but think about it this way. You get 3 hours with one of the best wedge fitters/builders out there. I dont know how much Butch Harmon charges for lessons but I am assuming it is not cheap. Now im not saying this is for everyone and it sure as hell is not for me. Wedges will wear out and you will have to replace those before replacing anything in your bag. But you are paying more for an experience that may not be in option later in this guys career.

    • Ian

      May 6, 2017 at 3:57 am

      Except Harmon is a coach with a fine track record and will no doubt fix your swing. These are just pretty. So pretty + ungly (that’s the swing) = pretty ugly

  21. joe

    May 5, 2017 at 2:30 pm

    this is just another person who thinks that his wedge company is going to be successful just because he is teamed with titliest you know it don’t mean anything! look what happen to Hopkins golf scratch golf scratch golf even had Don Williams of Mcgregor fame i will bet in about 5-10 yrs from now no one will heard of these people!

    • JC

      May 5, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      Did you actually read the story? He didn’t reach out to Titleist. Titleist got him and asked him to do this. They chose to have him go out and create wedges like this rather than have him continue what he was doing.

    • Rusty Grant

      May 5, 2017 at 4:16 pm

      Don White? If this is who you’re referring to he said that JP was one of the most talented people he had ever met in his life.

    • Chris

      May 6, 2017 at 9:25 am

      In 5 to 10 years nobody will know about Titleist…? Aaalrighty then..

  22. DJ

    May 5, 2017 at 2:29 pm

    Question Zak,

    Does he keep your exact specs on file for future use or do you have to go through a fitting each time you need wedges? What is the price if you are able to just reorder what you had if you are able to? Since wedges are the quickest club to wear obviously

    • Zak Kozuchowski

      May 5, 2017 at 2:59 pm

      DJ,

      It will be documented. Each golfer will get a “fitting report” after their work with JP. I did not discuss a re-order policy with Titleist or JP, but I will check in with them.

    • Zak Kozuchowski

      May 5, 2017 at 4:18 pm

      DJ,

      I checked with Titleist, and any golfer can purchase a fully customized JP wedge for $500 each by calling the number listed in the story. A fitting is not mandatory.

      I apologize for my misunderstanding, and I have updated the language in the story.

      • cgasucks

        May 6, 2017 at 8:35 am

        Still $500 a wedge is friggin expensive…especially for people who like to change wedges every few years.

  23. Dj

    May 5, 2017 at 2:12 pm

    Hard pass. Expensive, they don’t even look good, and performance won’t be any better than anything out now.

  24. Mike

    May 5, 2017 at 12:59 pm

    Beautiful wedges and I love that the fitting process will enable each player to figure out what grinds, bounce, and lift is best for them. The only problem is that if you are an avid player then you need to replace your most used wedges every year or so. It’s just too expensive to replace every year.

  25. cgasucks

    May 5, 2017 at 12:48 pm

    It still doesn’t tell me why Patrick laid low for the past 4 years. That’s what people really want to know.

    • Rusty Grant

      May 5, 2017 at 4:18 pm

      These wedges were just over 3 years of R&D. He wasn’t gone…. Just “grinding away”

  26. Skaffa77

    May 5, 2017 at 12:09 pm

    I like to reflect on what made someone or something successful and relate it to what they are doing today. His original wedges that brought him so much notoriety and success were ground by hand to meet the exact needs (shape, grind, feel) of his customers. He was an artisan of wedges…an artist of grinding…not perfection…but beautiful and supremely functional to those who used them.

    His new wedges will be CNC milled because they are “better” than he could do by hand…tighter tolerances. While his new wedges will have the benefit of his years of experience and personalization, I feel like these wedges will have lost the artisan customization (hand ground) that brought him his success. It wasn’t the perfection in tighter tolerances that made his wedges a coveted treasure…it was the custom grinds he add to make them look, feel and function better than what his golfers were able to find.

  27. H

    May 5, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    F, I’ll take 3. But man, those grooves won’t last 6 months. That’s the sad part.

  28. Sam

    May 5, 2017 at 11:56 am

    HOLY SMOKES, $2000 for a fitting session and three wedges? and another $500 for a fourth wedge? WOW, and people say PXG clubs are expensive?!?!? 😉

    I’m sure these are great, they look awesome, but you can just buy all four Vokey wedges at the store for almost that much.

  29. BJ

    May 5, 2017 at 11:43 am

    Good write up and really cool stuff.

    Lots of responses about shocked by or complaining about the price.

    I think this is simply Titleist recognizing that PXG hadn’t completely lost it’s marbles by jumping into a super premium price point. They are simply trying to compete in that same spot with this and their C16 line.

    I’m not going to hate on either. I can’t afford a Ferrari or Maserati, but I don’t begrudge those guys for making them. I drive a Ford product now. I certainly can’t afford a Ford GT, but why should I be irritated at Ford because they choose to try to compete with Ferrari, while still churning out the F150 I know and love?

    • Zak Kozuchowski

      May 5, 2017 at 11:48 am

      BJ,

      Thanks for reading the article and I’m glad you enjoyed it.

  30. Joe

    May 5, 2017 at 11:24 am

    can’t please everyone. Wow…. what a bunch of whiney mules in here. Don’t buy them…. or here’s a thought…. It’s not anyone else’s fault that you cannot afford them.

    • setter02

      May 5, 2017 at 10:50 pm

      I blame you Joe, even tho I can afford them. But you crying in this about people crying makes you more pathetic…

  31. Adam Crawford

    May 5, 2017 at 11:13 am

    While I understand why the comments are focused on the price of the session/wedges, I think it’s really interesting that Titleist is willing to invest in a guy who’s building wedges in a garage and not only give him a job, but give him a line of wedges all his own. And further, not only give him a line of wedges, but give him the most expensive line of product Titleist offers (that I know of). This article to me is more about one guy building a product that a company believes in and less about how expensive his wedges are.

  32. Pat

    May 5, 2017 at 11:06 am

    Great write up Zak! The original JP wedges were pretty cool and hard to come by. They were pretty pricy as well. I was hoping that his move to Titleist would have brought the prices down a bit, but it looks like they went the opposite direction. $2,000 would be well spent on lessons, custom fitting, or paying for greens fee’s. Also putting Vokey up against Harrington with that price point, Harrington never stood a chance.

    • Zak Kozuchowski

      May 5, 2017 at 11:31 am

      Pat,

      Thanks for the comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the article.

  33. Tyler

    May 5, 2017 at 10:39 am

    The idea is cool but is obviously geared toward the wealthy people of Southern California. $2000 bucks for wedges. I’ll play the same way using wedges I found in the used bin at Roger Dunn.

  34. Tom Duckworth

    May 5, 2017 at 10:35 am

    I thought these were interesting and look cool….until I got down to the last part. Yea I’m going to spend $2000.00 and fly out to Cal. for wedges. Greed is all I have to say.

    • Joe

      May 5, 2017 at 11:22 am

      then don’t….sour grapes is all I have to say

  35. Jayzen

    May 5, 2017 at 9:59 am

    Well at least he has titleist to fall back on when this $2000 wedge idea fails. Get serious. I was interested until I read that 4 wedges will cost more than my entire bag, and outfit, and shoes, and pushcart….

  36. mitch

    May 5, 2017 at 9:43 am

    my ping glide wedges work just fine. I don’t need glitter and dots on my wedge to make me feel good.

    • Tyler

      May 5, 2017 at 10:41 am

      Wait a minute. Those ping wedges have dots on them! The color code. You hypocrite! lol

  37. carl spackler

    May 5, 2017 at 9:21 am

    so these wedges are hollow? if they are so great who is playing them on tour?

  38. Jack

    May 5, 2017 at 9:16 am

    Not that I believe it, but Titliest has claimed in recent advertisements that due to groove degradation, the run-out on a wedge shot will greatly increase after only a limited number of rounds. Somehow, I doubt that Mr. Patrick will include this information in his fitting sessions in his bid to sell $500 dollar wedges.

    • Jonny

      May 5, 2017 at 2:18 pm

      I would be curious if there is a reorder policy. If I get fit, can I reorder next year when I need new wedges? I think Titleist said something like after 75 rounds your spin will be greatly reduced. I don’t know how much my wedge swing changes each year and I’d rather not fly to Cali every year to get fit again.

      • setter02

        May 5, 2017 at 11:13 pm

        Its just a number to try and get you to spend more on wedges. Its like putting an innings limit on a pitcher when he could throw 30 pitches through 7 innings (not gonna happen), how many times have you hit that wedge in those 75 rounds. Personally my 50* rarely gets used, maybe once every couple of rounds, so is it going to be ‘worn out’ after 35-40 swings?

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Equipment

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

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As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

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I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/28/24): L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

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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 L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick putter with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft.

From the seller: (@hibcam): “L.A.B. GOLF Mezz.1 Max Broomstick- LA Golf Paige Spiranac Shaft- 44″/79.5. Brand new, never used brown leather cover. The head was professionally anodized from Orange to Blue (Orange looked bad with the Pink shaft so I had it changed). Only a few rounds on this combo. Please see last pic- slight ding on back corner. 8.5-10 condition. THE SHAFT COST $475/ THE PUTTER $625. $799 shipped in the US. ONLY $699 SHIPPED.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

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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Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

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