Connect with us

Equipment

What equipment are college golfers using? We polled 61 coaches to find out…

Published

on

Editor Andrew Tursky and I decided to set out to better understand what brands college players are using. In order to gather statistics, we created a survey and collected the following data from coaches:

  • What level of golf do you coach?
  • Do you coach men’s or women’s golf?
  • What best describes your attitude towards equipment?
  • Is it ethical for coaches to accept money from club manufacturers?
  • Among the top 5 players on your team, what drivers do they play?
  • Among the top 5 players on your team, what irons do they play?
  • Among the top 5 players on your team, what wedges do they play?
  • Among the top 5 players on your team, what putter do that play?
  • Among the top 5 players on your team, what golf ball do they play?

The survey was created using Survey Monkey and then placed on my business Facebook account. The survey was completely optional. In 48 hours, 61 college coaches responded to the survey. Of them, 78.6 percent of them coach Division I, 8.2 percent of them coach Division II, and 13.1 percent coach either DIII, NAIA or NJCAA. Of the respondents, 77 percent coach men’s golf, while 23 percent of the respondents coach women’s golf.

Of the respondents, 64 percent believe it was ethical for coaches to accept money from club manufacturers, 99 percent believe that players should play whatever they want, and 87 percent preferred that the product should be fit properly. Only 1 percent (one respondent), suggested that they try to influence players and their equipment decisions.

In terms of different equipment played by the top 5 players at these schools, here’s what we found out…

Drivers

  • 10 schools reported exclusively using TaylorMade
  • 3 schools reported exclusively using Titleist
  • 1 school reported exclusively using Ping
  • 1 school reported exclusively using Callaway

For the other respondents, we examined the percentage of players on each team using product:

  • 42 percent TaylorMade
  • 23 percent Callaway
  • 17 percent Titleist and Ping
  • PXG, Bridgestone and Nike combined made up 1 percent.

Irons

  • 7 schools reported exclusively using Titleist
  • 2 schools reported exclusively using TaylorMade
  • 2 schools reported exclusively using Callaway
  • 2 school reported exclusively using Ping
  • 1 school reported using exclusively Wilson Staff

For the other respondents, we examined the percentage of players on each team using product:

  • 30 percent Titleist
  • 20 percent Ping
  • 16 percent Callaway
  • 14 percent TaylorMade
  • 9 percent Mizuno
  • 4 percent Srixon
  • 3 percent PXG

Please note Miura, Cobra, Bridgestone and Nike were also mentioned, but made up less than 3 percent combined.

Wedges

  • 12 schools reported using exclusively Titleist
  • 2 schools reported using exclusively Callaway
  • 1 school reports using exclusively Mizuno
  • 1 school reported using exclusively Ping

For the other respondents, we examined the percentage of players on each team using product:

  • 34 percent Titleist
  • 21 percent Cleveland
  • 18 percent Ping
  • 16 percent Callaway
  • 9 percent TaylorMade
  • 2 percent rest of manufacturers

Putter

  • 8 schools reported using exclusively Scotty Cameron
  • 6 schools reported using exclusively Odyssey
  • 3 schools reported using exclusively Ping
  • 1 school reported using exclusively Bettinardi

For the other respondents, we examined the percentage of players on each team using product:

  • 34 percent Scotty Cameron
  • 24 percent Odyssey (including Toulon)
  • 19 percent Taylor Made
  • 17 percent Ping
  • 2 percent Edel
  • 2 percent Bettinardi

Golf Ball

  • 32 schools reported using exclusively Titleist
  • 3 schools reported using exclusively Bridgestone
  • 1 school reported exclusively using TaylorMade
  • 1 school reported using exclusively Callaway

For the other respondents, we examined the percentage of players on each team using product:

  • 33 percent Titleist
  • 27 percent TaylorMade
  • 25 percent Callaway
  • 10 percent Bridgestone
  • 5 percent Srixon
Your Reaction?
  • 695
  • LEGIT85
  • WOW37
  • LOL21
  • IDHT9
  • FLOP16
  • OB8
  • SHANK111

Brendan Ryan, an entrepreneur and scientist, is a passionate golfer who loves his local muni. Armed with a keen interest in the game, a large network of friends in the industry, Brendan works to find and produce unique content for GolfWRX.

34 Comments

34 Comments

  1. ChipN'Run

    Mar 19, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    Possibly of interest to the golf merchandising crowd.

    But, we have no information on:
    * Shaft models and flexes
    * Actual models of irons and woods

    • Barfly

      Mar 18, 2023 at 4:35 am

      Golfers are like sheep. Whatever the new trend is they follow so whatever’s in Rory’s, Rahm’s, and Scheffler’s bag are most likely in these college teams bags. Minus the personal club rep and designer on call.

  2. Tom Medlin

    Mar 9, 2018 at 6:10 am

    Memories from the University of Maryland, mid 60’s. Our coach had an affiliation with US Royal, we were supplied with their ball for each match. They had a ” different ” dimple pattern that resembled that of a 1930’s ” mesh “‘ I don’t think anyone actually used them.

  3. jack baker 3

    Mar 2, 2018 at 10:47 pm

    Most golfers including college, play not whats best for them, but what the herd uses. Generally if you pay a loy of money for something its always the best.

  4. Jimmy Ray

    Mar 2, 2018 at 10:48 am

    How would you like to be at that school that uses exclusively Mizuno wedges: “OK, guys, our colors are orange and blue, so we’re ALL gonna use these sweet blue Mizuno wedges, not to win tournaments, but to look cool. I don’t care if you can’t get out of a bunker with any of the grinds, just shut up and let me count my payoff cash…”

    • Nate

      Apr 11, 2018 at 5:03 pm

      Mizuno makes some pretty darn playable wedges. If someone offered me a new set of free mizuno wedges and told me I had to play with them, I highly doubt I would be having issues getting up and down with them, especially hitting a wedge out of a bunker… I think you could hand a good golfer any wedge in the sand and see positive results… That being said, Mizuno wedges are not considered to be the pro’s choice when compared to vokey or muira.

  5. HDTVMAN

    Mar 2, 2018 at 10:45 am

    Hey, have TaylorMade give me a seven figure check and my dog will use their equipment!

  6. Ben Jones

    Mar 1, 2018 at 5:22 pm

    We used to get 6 balls of our choice or 9 of the ones that the school budget covered. That Nicklaus yellow ball was horrible.

  7. Gomer’s Pile

    Feb 28, 2018 at 11:35 pm

    These guys need to get paid ASAP. They are so talented and do so much for our game. This is golf in its purest form. NCAA tournaments should have $100,000 purse minimum. Take from the rich sports and give to the poor. These golfers need cash more than football and basketball players.

    • ProD1

      Mar 1, 2018 at 12:58 pm

      That’s exactly what is happening. Basketball and football revenues subsidize all other sports for the vast majority of big time programs.

    • Thomas Murphy

      Mar 2, 2018 at 12:05 pm

      ??? they need more cash? purses? doesn’t that make it less pure? football and basketball have TV contracts and big donors. Every other sport is a leach and should be grateful.

  8. DaveyD

    Feb 28, 2018 at 10:27 pm

    It appears that Taylormade has the favoured drivers, but Titleist leads the iron/wedge/putter parade.

  9. Matt

    Feb 28, 2018 at 9:24 pm

    Those ball numbers should scare titleist like crazy….

  10. glfhsslr

    Feb 28, 2018 at 8:27 pm

    The players get clubs either free, or PUD pricing, Super cheap….a cameron per say is only like $180 total

  11. mr3puttz

    Feb 28, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    Wow thats a lot of Camerons. I guess college kids have a bit more cash than I remember having around.

    • Lk

      Feb 28, 2018 at 8:10 pm

      Not to sound snide, but it wouldn’t surprise me if over 75% of D1 college golfers grew up in a country club.

    • RS

      Mar 30, 2018 at 5:15 am

      If you golf in college $400 is not a lot of $ for a putter that will last 5-10 years. Really, cmon now.

  12. Brian

    Feb 28, 2018 at 7:31 pm

    No ball retriever or manual score counter?!

  13. Aaron

    Feb 28, 2018 at 4:45 pm

    Am I understanding the numbers correctly? Some schools “exclusively” use specific brands for different types of clubs? How likely is it that five players from one team all use TM drivers? Five players from another school all use Titleist irons?

    More recently I’ve heard of schools signing with one specific brand. But I’ve never heard of five players on any team all agreeing to use one brand of driver and another brand of irons.

    Or am I misunderstanding something?

    • Judge Smeills

      Feb 28, 2018 at 10:23 pm

      Not every school get deals or free clubs from every company

    • Brent

      Mar 1, 2018 at 12:32 pm

      Lots of schools sign with a brand and the coach receives a bonus if his starting players use that brand. Basically, some kids are forced into playing a brand.

  14. Joe

    Feb 28, 2018 at 4:38 pm

    Pro V’s suck and are over priced. TP5 TP5X and Chrome Soft Chrome Soft X are by far better golf balls.

  15. James T

    Feb 28, 2018 at 3:29 pm

    I am curious why coaches would think it’s ethical to accept money from manufacturers???

    • Thomas A

      Feb 28, 2018 at 4:38 pm

      How do you think football and basketball coaches get paid? Big East basketball coaches were paid millions by Nike, most of the time more than doubling their school salary. Happens at every school.

      • James T

        Feb 28, 2018 at 5:51 pm

        … still doesn’t make it ethical. I played college golf and if my coach had told me to play anything other than what I was playing I’d be pissed. Though I did appreciate the brand new sleeve of Titleists before every match.

        • Jack

          Mar 6, 2018 at 11:10 pm

          Well if I got a real custom fitting and free new clubs, it would be actually beneficial to my game and I’d do it. Just shoving off the rack clubs to players would definitely be unethical.

          This of course comes down to the same dilemma (to a lesser extent but still exists) for college players not being paid. Like basketball, they are amateurs and don’t make money. But really they should be paid directly by the brands rather than the brands paying the schools. What does amateur status really matter? That they can play in amateur tournaments? The NCAA just needs to changes their rules to allow pro student athletes to compete. It’s pretty simple if not for the school money grab and greed.

  16. Drive for Dough

    Feb 28, 2018 at 2:32 pm

    Don’t even play Titleist but will be the first one to say that they make the most solid equipment outside their Drivers.

    Not surprised by the breakdown tbh.

  17. Stump

    Feb 28, 2018 at 2:23 pm

    Can you break out the numbers for women golfers?

  18. Roger

    Feb 28, 2018 at 2:04 pm

    Those numbers are close for un-sponsored golf balls. Love to see that!

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Equipment

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

Published

on

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 one degree upright to help dial in his desired launch.

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

Your Reaction?
  • 10
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW2
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Whats in the Bag

Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)

Published

on

Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X

Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X

Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X

Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

Your Reaction?
  • 3
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW1
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Whats in the Bag

Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)

Published

on

Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX

3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Your Reaction?
  • 10
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW1
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending