Equipment
Forum Thread of the Day: “New Callaway Driver – Epic Flash”
Today’s Forum Thread of the Day comes from tbomb who describes his experience with a new “Epic Flash” driver from Callaway. Despite not being due for release until next February, tbomb claims to have tested Callaway’s new driver, and he has got our forum members more than a little interested, stating how “The sound alone will make you excited. It’s a powerful sound, and the ball flies off the club face.”
Describing in great detail the appearance, from colors to crown, and performance of the new Epic Flash driver, tbomb reveals: “Launch was great, I played the 9* Epic Last year with 1*+, and this launched the same. May have been the shaft. Feel great. I hit 15 balls (straight out of the Pro Shop), and I nutted 12 of them. All on a rope. No more then 15 yards dispersion.”
There may be no photos until December, but tbomb has disclosed plenty of information to get a feel for what the new Epic Flash driver will look like, describing it as “yellow and green” and a “bright club.” His overall impression of the new club from Callaway? “I feel confident saying this will be the driver for 2019.”
Get the full rundown of the new Callaway Epic Flash driver here.
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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Connor Jones
Nov 21, 2018 at 11:48 am
Callaway is just shooting themselves in the foot with this. They keep releasing their “best driver yet” and sooner or later people are going to stop buying their stuff but we will see
Speedy
Dec 1, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Yep, it didn’t work for sliced bread either.
Kirby
Nov 21, 2018 at 1:39 am
So great to here all the “Amateurs” out there making comments on another club, the day you people are playing on tour I’ll be listening until then keep on amusing each other. The simple reason the club companies release new clubs every year is to make money, simple, honest truth..just as there are $250 up green fees on courses with no tee times available, there are plenty of players with $500 in their golf bag to buy any club they want.
MauriceGer
Nov 7, 2018 at 5:17 am
Invest $ 1500 once and get from $ 3000 per month: https://tinyurl.com/makemoneyonline264621
Susansap
Nov 5, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Try new life – work from home!
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Pete O'Tube
Oct 30, 2018 at 2:53 pm
We need a ‘Who gives a d***’ between IDHT and Flop, because really, I don’t give a d***.
Brandon
Oct 11, 2018 at 5:55 pm
I bet I can still hit it past 90% of the people who go buy this with my used 80 dollar BioCell+.
Derek
Oct 21, 2018 at 6:04 pm
I have a picture of it. How do i post it?
Josh Babbit
Oct 30, 2018 at 1:05 pm
Congrats big guy!
Tom
Oct 10, 2018 at 11:48 pm
Epic Flush is more like it……
JP
Oct 10, 2018 at 10:55 pm
Yet none of the top ten PGA Pros that hit the driver the farthest this year used a Callaway. TM and Ping. So much for being the longest / hottest driver.
Michael
Oct 10, 2018 at 9:35 pm
What? Removed the thread?
Johnny Penso
Oct 10, 2018 at 9:04 pm
….and the OP of the thread is gone…
bill
Oct 10, 2018 at 6:59 pm
seriously pissed off at callaway and am going with another vendor in my shop next season. how many times do they tell us 2 year product cycle and then come out with a new driver every year. WE HAVE ROGUE. WE DONT NEED ANOTHER DRIVER LET US SELL THE ONES WE HAVE. Then no net down all year and they expect you to sell the previous model driver at full price. No thanks callaway. No flash for my course.
Paul
Oct 11, 2018 at 1:55 pm
No one is forcing you to upgrade every year. Callaway knows if they produce it, people will buy it, which they will.
Thomas A
Nov 13, 2018 at 11:07 am
Honda comes out with a new Accord every year. Do you feel pressured to buy the upgrade?
Brian McGranahan
Oct 10, 2018 at 6:28 pm
That name though, terrible.
Ardbeggar
Oct 10, 2018 at 6:22 pm
I can hardly wait to get it. An additional 2 yards is worth every dollar.
joro
Oct 10, 2018 at 5:06 pm
Oh boy, another 500 Dollar plus Driver.
Think Golf
Oct 10, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Had the driver in my hands today, I can’t share any details however it will be another successful Driver that I promise.
ogo
Oct 10, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Color… size… sound… shape… wicked name… fancy exotic shaft… gearhead’s delight… soooo stoooopid … 😛
Tom
Oct 10, 2018 at 2:34 pm
If this club conforms to the equipment standards, it will perform no better than anything else released over the past 7-8 years…..nutt’n new except another attempt to take the consumers’ money.
dave
Oct 10, 2018 at 3:08 pm
so wrong…the epic an rogue were much better all over the face along with great sound and feel….much longer than 917 line…not longer than my new ts3 but id rather have my epic back same shaft. hits toward the toe stay in the air longer with less dispersion. epic was first driver that reduce slight toe hooks to playable if not bombs….the m3 addressed this by opening the toe more but if you happen to push off the toe it was much much worse….different technology better result for callaway…i will say i never got along with my rogue..long as hell but not the control i had with the epic same shafts of course…
Tom
Oct 10, 2018 at 6:39 pm
What department do you work in at Callaway Dave?…..all BEE S lol!All heads are at the limits of the rules- ALL HEADS – even “open models” from China factories….
smo3131
Oct 16, 2018 at 8:10 am
Which shaft did you have in your epic and rogue drivers?
Baz
Oct 10, 2018 at 1:23 pm
What a load of b*llocks
Hurricane Michael
Oct 10, 2018 at 12:52 pm
“No more then…” It’s bad enough you trust a guy that doesn’t know simple grammar. But to repost it is truly dumb.
Benny
Nov 22, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Isn’t there a couple billionairs who don’t have high school diploma’s? I know a guy who cannot even spell let alone worry about his grammar worth about $90mil. If trolling someone over their grammer is all you have than you are in trouple man…
Dtrain
Oct 10, 2018 at 12:16 pm
I always love how people describe a “powerful sound” “the ball flies off the face” “it sounds hot” “the ball is just exploding off the face”
Please, this is just acoustics, nothing to do with actual performance, but then again we all like listening to different kinds of music….so….
I do agree that a driver than sounds pleasing is more enjoyable to hit, but it really has nothing to do with actual performance.
ogo
Oct 12, 2018 at 11:55 am
FYI… A loud impact sound means you are losing energy… which means you are losing distance…. believe it because that’s the science.
2putttom
Oct 10, 2018 at 11:09 am
…” he new Epic Flash driver will look like, describing it as “yellow and green”
Oregon Duck colors I like
JP
Oct 10, 2018 at 9:11 pm
Does one of the brothers work for the post office?