Equipment
WRX Spotlight: AeroTech SteelFiber i Series shafts
Product: AeroTech SteelFiber I Series shafts. (Shaft tested AeroTech SteelFiber i70cw 110X)
Pitch: A tour proven steel/graphite iron shaft that not only feels amazing but creates that high launch, low spin profile a lot of golfers are looking for.
AeroTech on the i Series: “As the world’s first perimeter-weighted golf shaft, SteelFiber adds more stability and forgiveness with every shot. The steel fiber around the perimeter creates a greater density (weight) on the shaft’s surface that moves the shaft wall’s center of gravity (CG) outward, thus increasing the shaft’s Moment of Inertia (MOI).”
Our take on the AeroTech SteelFiber i Series shafts
Director of Original Content Johnny Wunder on the AeroTech SteelFiber i Series: I tried the AeroTech SteelFiber out of sheer curiosity. I saw Freddie had them, Sneds, Kuchar, and a bunch more ranting and raving about a lighter iron shaft that doesn’t sacrifice that solid Dynamic Gold feel. After speaking with Chris over at AeroTech, I went into the i70cw 110 X and LOVED them, especially in the longer clubs.
Now, truth be told, as a high-ball hitter, I did experience some problems from 8-PW. It was hard for me to keep the ball down into the wind. It’s not a ballooning thing either. Like the shaft was designed to do, it’s a high-launch, low-spin window it goes through. For me, as a player who likes to drive his short irons in a little flatter, it was a challenge. This isn’t a negative FYI, the shots are as solid as any. If I was to do it over, I would have played with the weighting bit and perhaps gone to the 125cw past the 7-iron.
These are quality shafts that will satisfy a range of players: they can be boardy and stout for the big hitters and soft/manageable for the others.
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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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BettiBoop
Mar 1, 2019 at 1:45 pm
I played the i95’s all last season and they were a total game changer for me, played the best golf of my life. Of course that’s not all due to the shafts but they were certainly a factor. This season I’m rolling into the newer fc90’s which are essentially the i95’s but in a flighted profile. So far I’m liking what I am seeing on the monitor but time will tell on the course whether I stick to them or go back to the i95’s. Either way I’m all sold on SteelFiber shafts for my game.
Mohamed
Mar 1, 2019 at 1:33 pm
I had my fitter get me set of steelfibre irons over several years ago and found them very comfortable and easy to use, they allowed me to drop at least 5 strokes in a round. I am sure technology has improved the quality since then – but they are expensive
Tim Donoho
Mar 1, 2019 at 1:15 pm
I tried to work with this company and they rudely arrogant and frankly unbearable. I spoke to my iron manufacturer and they said it was also their experience with aerotech. I would not want to put myself through this again.
Scott
Feb 28, 2019 at 9:06 am
Posting an equipment spot on WRX and not referring to the product by its proper name is a bad look.
It’s either an i70 or it’s an i110. It isn’t both.
Mark
Feb 28, 2019 at 8:36 am
“I saw Freddie had them, Sneds, Kuchar …”. Written as if this Mr. Wunder is a close friend of these chaps. Delusions of grandeur.
Sn
Feb 28, 2019 at 12:11 am
Link to forum ain’t working man. Fix it
Don
Feb 27, 2019 at 3:41 pm
I think the writer means 110cw in X flex not “i70cw 110X” shafts.
The i70 at 74 grams is a completely different animal and 36g lighter.
dj
Feb 27, 2019 at 3:19 pm
I recently was fitted with these shafts. I love them. But…the cost is about the cost of the club itself.
Chris Coffey
Feb 27, 2019 at 2:38 pm
I switched to the i110CW’s when I purchased Titleist 2 irons 3 years ago away from S300’s which were creating too much spin. I love the control of the Aerotech shafts, and they also have helped relieve stress on two rebuilt elbows. S400s were too harsh in comparison. So the Aero shafts accomplished my goal. Never really cared who plays with them though.