Equipment

What GolfWRXers are saying about “Boutique brands vs Major OEMs”

Published

6 years ago

Apr 3, 2020

In our forums, our members have been discussing both boutique brands and major OEMs and why the former “trail the OEMs in drivers and woods”. WRXer ‘gr8 flopshot’, who plays a bag full of boutique clubs bar woods, poses the question and it’s got our members talking in our forum.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

DaRiz: “Irons, wedges, and putters don’t change much, and for all the technology OEMs try to pack in there, it’s more about how they look and feel. So boutique can fit in nicely here. Drivers/FW, on the other hand, definitely benefit from the millions of dollars in R&D, and it is probably really hard to compete. You can argue that COR is maxed out, but the tiny changes in launch conditions, spin rates, and forgiveness add up.”
MattM97: “One reason why I and most other lefties don’t go boutique is options. At least with OEM’s for drivers and most woods we get the most of what is released, some versions and loft we don’t get but better than nothing. I’m not against boutique; I love my putters, I love the look of a lot of wedges, I would absolutely love a set of Japanese forged CB irons one day. Just woods I’ll stick to OEM options.”
sniper: “The Wishon 560’s I had built years ago were as good (or better) as anything I’ve had. My current set of MP-18SC’s and Wishon’s are the best feeling irons I’ve played. Both came from a club builder and not built by the OEM. Obviously on the Wishon’s.”
RogerInNewZealand: “Genuinely good point. It’s like why we buy JDM, Yonex Ezone 420…and the famed J33 Bridgestone driver from long ago! T.E.E is another one..always a surprise there. With your wood/driver if your sorted that’s fine! You don’t have to bag an exotic club to hit fairways.”

Entire Thread: “Boutique brands vs Major OEMs”

Whats in the Bag

J.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

12 hours ago

Jun 7, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: Titleist GTS3 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana BF 60 TX

3-wood: Titleist TS2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 7 X

7-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (21 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 8 X

Irons: Titleist 150 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Project X 6.5

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 50-08F, 56-10S (@55), WedgeWorks (60-L)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X Torched
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy 1.0P

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash

Whats in the Bag

Alex Noren WITB 2026 (June)

Published

2 days ago

Jun 6, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D (9 degrees @7, draw setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 6 X

3-wood: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana BB 83 TX

Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (19 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black

Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Callaway Opus SP (46-10S, 50-10S, 56-08C, 60-08C)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Odyssey O-Works #1W

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour

Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Noren’s clubs here.

Equipment

Spotted: Titleist GTS USWO headcovers

Published

3 days ago

Jun 5, 2026

Andrew Von Lossow

GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore was at Riviera Country Club this last week in Los Angeles for the U.S. Women’s Open. While browsing the photos, I spotted a recent major trend in headcovers. That is, the Titleist GTS headcover line expands the majors theme.

Seen on the bag of Natalia Guseva were the red, white, and blue Titleist GTS covers. This is the third time we have seen limited-edition Titleist major covers, the others being at the Masters and the PGA Championship. But with the launch of the GTS line back at the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March, this is the first time we have seen Titleist come out with major themed head covers for the season (driver headcovers through hybrids).

Check out some photos below.

At the Masters, we saw the familiar Masters green, white, and yellow. While the PGA Championship design was colors synonymous with the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team. This shows the season major drops continue full steam ahead for major OEMs. New opportunities for each major for designs and themes, and who knows, maybe a lucky spark for a player and a major championship for their resume. It gets the wheels turning for what major theme headcover you would keep on your bag for the whole season!