Equipment
The drivers used by the top-10 longest hitters on the PGA Tour in 2017-2018
What drivers do the PGA Tour’s longest golfers use to bomb their tee shots? Now that the 2017-2018 PGA Tour season is behind us, we can do a thorough examination.
First, here’s a tally of what the top 10 in driving distance on Tour are using by driver manufacturer. Interestingly, only two OEMs figure.
- Ping: 4
- TaylorMade: 6
But this is GolfWRX, so of course you want to know more. Below is a breakdown of the driving-distance leaders on the PGA Tour in 2017-2018, the specifics of their drivers, shafts and how far their average tee shots flew.
10) Keith Mitchell
Driver: TaylorMade M1 440
Loft: 10.5 degrees (10 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 7.5 (tipped 1 inch)
Length: 45.25 inches
Swing weight: D3
Grip: Golf Pride Victory Cord 58R
Average driving distance: 312.6 yards
9) Bubba Watson
Driver: Ping G400 LST
Loft: 8.5 degrees (7.6 degrees)
Shaft: Ping BiMatrix-X (tipped .50 inch)
Length: 44.5 inches
Swing weight: D4
Grip: Ping 703 Gold
Average driving distance: 312.9 yards
See what GolfWRX members are saying about Bubba’s clubs
8) Brooks Koepka
Driver: TaylorMade M3 460
Loft: 9.5
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 70TX
Average driving distance: 313.0 yards
See what GolfWRX members are saying about Koepka’s clubs
7) Gary Woodland
Driver: TaylorMade M3 440
Loft: 9 degrees (8 degrees)
Shaft: Accra RPG 80X (tipped 2 inches)
Length: 45.25 inches
Swing weight: D5
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord Mid
Average driving distance: 313.4 yards
See what GolfWRX members are saying about Woodland’s clubs
6) Dustin Johnson
Driver: TaylorMade M4
Loft: 9.5 degrees
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution 2.0 Tour Spec
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Average driving distance: 314.0 yards
See what GolfWRX members are saying about Dustin’s clubs
5) Luke List
Driver: TaylorMade M4
Loft: 8.5 degrees
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana White D+ 80TX
Average driving distance: 314.7 yards
See what GolfWRX members are saying about List’s clubs
4) Tony Finau
Driver: Ping G400 Max
Loft: 9 degrees (9.5 degrees)
Shaft: Accra Tour Z X485 M5 (tipped 1 inch)
Length: 45.25 inches
Swing weight: D5
Grip: Custom Lamkin UTX Mid
Average driving distance: 315.3 yards
See what GolfWRX members are saying about Finau’s clubs
3) Tom Lovelady
Driver: Ping G400 Max
Loft: 9 degrees
Shaft: TPT MKP 15.5
Length: 44.75 inches
Swing weight: D3+
Grip: Golf Pride V55 Full Cord 58R
Average driving distance: 315.9 yards
2) Trey Mullinax
Driver: Ping G400 Max
Loft: 9 degrees
Shaft: Mitsubishi KuroKage XT 60-X
Length: 45 inches (tipped 1 inch)
Swing weight: D4
Grip: Golf Pride V55 Full Cord
Average driving distance: 318.7 yards
1) Rory McIlroy
Driver: TaylorMade M3 460
Loft: 8.5 degrees
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage 70XTS
Length: 45.625 inches
Swing weight: D8
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 58R
Average driving distance: 319.8 yards
See what GolfWRX members are saying about Rory’s clubs.
- LIKE432
- LEGIT30
- WOW25
- LOL12
- IDHT5
- FLOP7
- OB5
- SHANK58
- Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Prototype (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Utility: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White 85 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex Pro (3), Callaway X Forged (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 130
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (52-10S, 56-10S, 60-06C)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X
Putter: Odyssey Ai One Milled Eight T DB
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Hojgaard in the forums.
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
- Rory McIlroy what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 X
Irons: TaylorMade Proto (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9)
Shaft: Project X 7.0 (4-9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks (58-K @59)
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X3
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol Tour
Ball: 2024 TaylorMade TP5x
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
Ping PLD putters have been a very common site on profesional tours. Pros seem to gravitate toward the PLD line’s custom options and precision milling. We have seen the PLD line expanded over the years, but we haven’t seen too many, if any, large mallets.
This week we spotted a PLD putter in Nate Lashley’s bag that has a similar look to the old Ping Wolverine head shape. This putter is a large mallet with the famous “claws” on the outside and oval center that housed the alignment aid.
Nick’s putter has the PLD logo on the back but also looks like it might have an insert installed on the face. It is hard to tell but at the address picture, it looks like the face is a lighter material than the rest of the putters. The putter is center-shafted and should be face-balanced with a high MOI for stability and forgiveness on mishits. The sole is completely milled and has no markings of name or technologies that might be present in the head. A single white site line is on the top of the putter for alignment.
Nick’s putter is finished off with a chrome steel shaft and a Super Stroke Zenergy Flatso 2.0 grip in black and white.
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic
- LIKE3
- LEGIT2
- WOW1
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB2
- SHANK2
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
Rory McIlroy WITB 2024 (April)
Rory McIlroy what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus...
Sam Burns WITB 2024 (April)
Sam Burns’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond S (9 degrees...
Will Zalatoris WITB 2024 (April)
Will Zalatoris’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)...
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole1 day ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoReport: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole2 days agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole1 week agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 week agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole1 week agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
Ron Roulhac
Jan 9, 2019 at 7:26 pm
Appreciate the article. It’s nice to have all of this golf club information in one place. To improve you golf game, it’s not just about clubs, but your approach is very important. After visiting http://www.golfswingpundit.com my golf game improved dramatically.
Benny
Nov 3, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Many great points in here. Does show me that the long ball hitters are all under 9* loft. Low loft, low spin drivers and getting that launch angle up. I saw this video with Thomas on pressure scales. At impact he is posted up on his right/rear leg around 90% and behind the ball. So add all that up amd you get some added distance boys. My 13* 430 won’t get me there lol.
Chris Bunting
Oct 17, 2018 at 2:07 pm
Woodland, lol. 80tx, tipped 2″. Id use that shaft to stake a new tree in my yard. F’n animal.
Cliff
Oct 8, 2018 at 2:20 pm
Ben:
Thanks for the good stuff, but for us mortals with swing speeds of under 120, how about the drivers used by the shortest hitters on tour. That info may give us some insight into what clubheads and set ups are generating the most distance. Probably would be good to do the seniors and women, too, but for me I am going and get my x shaft tipped 2 inches so I can hit my driver under the tee markers. Lot of hot air in town (Washington DC) these days.
dave
Oct 8, 2018 at 12:49 pm
The engineers make their big money designing shafts, all those guys can use the same heads with their “made for them shafts” and get similiar results.
Billy
Oct 6, 2018 at 6:05 am
I have the LST. I am 65 and hitting the ball longer than I ever have. For some reason the 65g stock shaft fit me perfectly. Not surprising with Ping.
CrashTestDummy
Oct 5, 2018 at 5:27 pm
You put any brand driver in their hands that is fitted for them with a good shaft, they would still be the longest guys on tour.
Just k
Oct 5, 2018 at 9:25 pm
Not necessarily. It’s hard to get the launch/spin combo with a Callaway or other as ping and TaylorMade atm
Brandon Miller
Nov 13, 2018 at 12:20 pm
I agree it’s great to see what the longest hitters in tour are using and there set ups but ultimately they could interchange the club heads and have similar results.
big jones
Oct 5, 2018 at 4:43 pm
This is interesting. How about providing lists of wedges and putters. That’s a great idea about the drivers of straight hitters. Thanks.
Vas
Oct 5, 2018 at 4:40 pm
Made the move to the Ping LST this year. If I smash one with both, my Rogue SZ was probably 5 yards longer, but the LST does NOT go left… like ever. I’m a believer. Also, everyone I know who has tried the G400 Max that isn’t brainwashed into having the absolute lowest spin setup loves it. The original G400 is probably useless now, but the LST and Max are ridiculously good.
dat
Oct 5, 2018 at 1:43 pm
PXG? Nope.
Tom
Oct 5, 2018 at 1:24 pm
All these driver heads perform the same, rules of golf ensure that. Just depends on who is paying each guy…
Joe
Oct 7, 2018 at 10:08 pm
No they don’t. Heads are very different. They are absolutely designed to accomplish different things.
John Krug
Oct 5, 2018 at 1:03 pm
Driver specs are personal to the individual. Is it accurate to say the information provided is as relevant as the shoe size of a player?
Martin
Oct 5, 2018 at 12:56 pm
The shafts interest me most. Amazing that there are two Accra’s, such a small company!
Brett
Oct 25, 2018 at 10:55 pm
Been using Accra shafts for years now! Seriously underrated!
John
Oct 5, 2018 at 12:34 pm
I doubt the list would change much if they hit a different brand driver.
Aaron
Oct 5, 2018 at 12:32 pm
Rory’s driver is D8! Even with his Tensei Orange shaft, that’s a lot of extra head weight being added.
Matt
Oct 5, 2018 at 1:03 pm
More a result of length. Every half inch is 3 ticks on the scale. So if he was at 45″ his SW would be a shade over D4.
Murv
Oct 5, 2018 at 1:06 pm
His driver is almost 46 inches long. Accounting for almost all of the swing weight.
Dave
Oct 9, 2018 at 2:40 pm
The reason the SW is d8 is because of the extra length. BTW SW is an artifical number. I can build a d0 with same head weight and shaft.
Redundant Ray
Oct 11, 2018 at 10:54 pm
I think that extra swing weight is probably just the result of the extra length. He plays a longer driver, like 46″ I read somewhere.
Jack Nash
Oct 5, 2018 at 12:31 pm
As a result of last weeks Ryder Cup, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to list the Drivers used by the Top 10 Most Accurate Drivers on the PGA?
Mike
Oct 5, 2018 at 1:15 pm
Agree with Jack Nash – accuracy far more important than distance. Ryder Cup teams as follows: Europe : 8.5 x4; 9.0 x5; 9.5 x1; 10.5×2
USA: 7.6 x1; 8.0 x1; 8.5 x3; 9.0 x2; 9.5 x3 10.5 x2
If Casey, Rahm, DJ & Simpson are at 10.5 deg drivers – those of us playing amateur golf should be at least 13 deg ,,, yet, we are being sold drivers to imitate the top professionals !?!?
Scott
Oct 5, 2018 at 3:14 pm
Mike, there are more factors than loft. Shaft flex, kick points weight, etc. If you were fit for your driver vs. buying one off the rack, you would understand.
Craig
Oct 5, 2018 at 7:10 pm
Sometime the lofts described may not be accurate, they will take a 10.5 degree driver and adjust the loft down which depending on driver also creates a slightly open face many pro’s prefer.