Equipment

Mickelson brings 8-year-old Callaway prototype hybrid to Memphis

Published

4 years ago

Jun 7, 2017

Update (June 9): Mickelson did not use the prototype hybrid in Round 1 of the FedEx St. Jude Classic.

We spotted Phil Mickelson with a prototype Callaway hybrid in the bag at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. How do we know it’s a prototype? Well, that’s what it says on the sole.

The hybrid is one of the most nondescript clubs we’ve seen on the PGA Tour from Callaway this year, at least in terms of graphics and features. The logos are old-school and so are the colors: black and silver. There’s also no adjustable hosel, moveable weights, and no carbon fiber as there is in Callaway’s new Epic hybrids.

According to a Callaway representative, there’s a reason for that. The hybrid is a prototype that “played a part in helping (Callaway) develop the shape of (its) current Steelhead XR Hybrid.”

Maybe the most interesting feature of the club is its extremely rounded sole, which is also reminiscent of Callaway’s X Hot Pro hybrid that was released in 2012 garnered a cult-like following. Its added offset and curvaceous sole made it an incredible performer from the rough for many golfers.

Callaway told GolfWRX in 2012 was that the shape of the X Hot Pro was inspired by a hybrid Mickelson helped design for the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black to combat the deep rough. Based on the graphics on this hybrid, it appears this is that hybrid.

The loft (22 degrees) is also significantly higher than the loft Mickelson generally uses in a hybrid (he’s often in the 17-19 degree range).

In other Mickelson news, the golfer announced earlier this week that he plans to skip the U.S. Open to attend his daughter’s high school graduation, where his daughter, the class president, is scheduled to speak. Golf fans have reacted with a petition to have the high school move its graduation day so Mickelson can play in the only major championship he’s yet to win.

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Related Topics:Callaway hybrids

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13 Comments

tadlehmann

Jun 7, 2017 at 9:48 pm

is it just a weird angle, or is this club as hooded as it appears? The address pic makes me feel like you’d have to lay that wide open just to hit it straight

Reply Report comment
Blake

Jun 7, 2017 at 5:20 pm

Better looking club than most they have put out in the last 4-5 yrs

Reply Report comment
- rebfan73
  
  Jun 8, 2017 at 7:31 am
  
  I agree….
  
  Reply Report comment
Xav

Jun 7, 2017 at 11:32 am

If it works bag it! We should all aspire to put family ahead of golf. Way to go Phil!

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Ty Webb

Jun 7, 2017 at 8:47 am

That club is old he put it in play at the 2009 us open at bethpage.

It’s a us open only club funny he is using it in Memphis if he is not playing in the us open??

My guess he is and is waiting for an early tee time so he can fly back for the graduation.

Reply Report comment
- xjohnx
  
  Jun 7, 2017 at 9:20 am
  
  Everything about it definitely fits in that era. Callaway has not used their logo without “golf” for many years.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - xjohnx
    
    Jun 7, 2017 at 9:21 am
    
    I guess I should have said without “golf” or without the chevron below it.
    
    Reply Report comment
ooffa

Jun 7, 2017 at 8:19 am

Phil at a golf tournament. Interesting. He didn’t have to be at movie night with the Family?

Reply Report comment
- Charlie
  
  Jun 7, 2017 at 9:47 am
  
  This is one of the dumbest comments I have ever seen on GolfWRX
  
  Reply Report comment
- Ckplus1
  
  Jun 7, 2017 at 10:01 am
  
  Yes , cause being a family man, supporting, proud father is so uncool?!? Ooffa, a little jealous??
  
  Reply Report comment
  - V
    
    Jun 7, 2017 at 11:44 am
    
    No, ooffa just dumb
    
    Reply Report comment
    - ooffa
      
      Jun 7, 2017 at 2:46 pm
      
      I thought you guys would be smart enough to recognize sarcasm. I was wrong, you’re not!
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Mike
        
        Jun 8, 2017 at 5:15 pm
        
        There needs to be a sarcasm font that is universally accepted on this website
        
        Reply Report comment

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Whats in the Bag

Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2021 (Arnold Palmer Invitational)

Published

6 hours ago

Mar 7, 2021

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: Cobra King LTD Pro (7.5 degrees)
Shaft: LA Golf Tour AXS Blue 6 X

3-wood: Cobra King Prototype B (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: LA Golf BAD Prototype 70 TX (43″)

3-wood: Cobra King SZ Tour (14.5 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: LA Golf BAD Prototype 80 TX (41″)

Irons: Cobra King One Length Utility (4, 5), Cobra King Forged Tour One Length (6-PW)
Shafts: LA Golf Rebar Proto (37.5″)

Check out Johnny Wunder’s exclusive deep dive conversation with Bryson’s club builder, Ben Schomin, here.

Wedges: Artisan Prototype (50 @47, 55 @52, 60 @58)
Shafts: LA Golf Rebar Proto shaft

Putter: SIK Pro C-Series Armlock

Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X

Grips: Jumbo Max Light XL

Check out Johnny’s conversation with Cobra’s Tour Manager Ben Schomin below

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Whats in the Bag

Corey Conners WITB 2021 (March)

Published

1 day ago

Mar 6, 2021

GolfWRX Staff

WITB accurate as of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Driver: Ping G400 LST (8.5 degrees @8 degrees, standard, D4+)
Shaft: UST Elements Gold 6F5 (tipped 1″)

3-wood: Ping G425 LST (14.5 degrees @15, small +)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 76 6.5 (43 inches, tipped 1 inches)

3-hybrid: Ping G425 (19 degrees @20, small +)
Shaft: UST VTS Red Hybrid 85 X (40.25 inches, D2)

Irons: Ping iBlade (4-PW)
Shafts: Project X 6.0

Wedges: Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth (50-SS, 56-SS); Ping Glide Forged (60 degrees)
Shafts: Project X 6.0

Putter: Prototype PLD Prime Tyne H (Stealth finish)

Grips: Golf Pride MCC Black/Blue (60R +1 wrap)

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

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Equipment

Bettinardi unveils limited Wall St. Fat Cat putter and new ‘To the Mooon!’ headcovers

Published

2 days ago

Mar 5, 2021

Gianni Magliocco

Bettinardi has unveiled its latest Hive release: its Limited 1/5 QB6 Wall St. Gangster Fat Cat Putter and its ‘To The Mooon!’ Betti Boy headcovers.

The Wall St. Gangster Fat Cat putter features a completely hand stamped checker pattern across the shoulder and bumpers and intricately engraved T-Hive money bags and gold coins across the Micro-honeycomb face milling.

The flat-stick’s sole features a Wall Street Poison Gangster Fat Cat over a stock graph pattern, smoking a cigar, and the flat-stick is completed with a two-tone gold flame and Tour blast finish.

The limited one of five putter comes equipped with a special, rare tonal red Wall St. Gangster Fat Cat headcover made for this putter only and is paired with an exotic leather Gripmaster grip.

The ‘To The Moon’ Betti Boy headcover is the latest over from Bettinardi and features the Betti Boy riding the rocket to the moon stitched stitch across the front. The saying ‘To the Moon’ is on one side of the cover, with the moon stitched in glow-in-the-dark thread with stars across the cover.

The Limited 1/5 QB6 Wall St. Gangster Fat Cat Putter is available in The Hive today at 8 AM CT, while the Betti Boy headcovers drop today at 10 AM CT.

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