Equipment
Bryson DeChambeau preparing to put 48-inch driver in play
Bryson DeChambeau is on the hunt for his first major this week at the 2020 U.S. Open, but ahead of the second major of the year, the Californian teased a significant equipment change for the near future and the spectacular results it could yield.
Speaking to media in New York, DeChambeau revealed that he plans on using a 48-inch driver which could see him consistently hitting an astronomical 210mph ball speed.
“We’re working on testing a 48-inch driver after this week. It’s just going to happen, too. So we’ll see how far I can go. I’m working with LAGP to build a shaft that’s stable but that I can use to get my ball speed up to 210mph. That would be fun.”
Asked would he be comfortable putting the driver in play on tour, the 27-year-old was transparent in letting everyone know that the change may come sooner rather than later.
“A hundred percent, yeah, why not. If it’s as consistent as what I’m doing now, there’s no reason why. If I was 205-mile-an-hour ball speed, I’d be using it everywhere out here. It would be even more of an asset to me. That’s the way I look at it.
There’s this point of no return where if you’re around like 180 and you try and get faster but it gets that much more drastically off line, it really doesn’t help you that much. You don’t gain that much. But once you start getting 195 to 200 to 205, even though you’re missing it that far off line, you’re so far up close to these greens, it’s too big of an advantage to take away.”
As for this week’s test at Winged Foot, Bryson will have his regular 45.5-inch gamer in play. The strategy for this week probably won’t surprise you either, as the golf scientist plans on using the club as much as he can regardless of whether or not it’s flying straight.
“Even if it’s in the rough, I can still get it to the front edge or the middle of the greens with pitching wedges and nine irons. That’s the beauty of my length and that advantage.
Obviously, if it’s into the wind and there’s some of those situations going on, it’s going to be different. There are certain holes I might lay up on just because of the situation but for the most part I’m going to be trying to go after it as much as I possibly can.
Even if I hit it in the rough, I still feel like I can make birdies out here. I still feel like I can run it up the middle of the green and make a 20-footer.”
DeChambeau tees off for round one of the 2020 U.S. Open at 8.16 AM ET alongside Dustin Johnson and Tony Finau.
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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joro
Sep 30, 2020 at 10:45 am
Clown ? What a bunch of dopes who can’t break 120 on a good day. This guy has a goal, how about you. Just cut the BS and mind your own business and leave the guy alone. You know nothing about the game or the people playing it.
HKO
Sep 29, 2020 at 11:56 am
PGA soon to be 5 rounds of 18000 yds double black teed 27 holes on one day and no doping test.
phizzy
Oct 14, 2020 at 9:20 am
PGA tour drug testing is a joke to begin with. I have a buddy who did play on the Mackenzie tour(won’t mention his name) who has the inside scoop on testing and says players are warned ahead of time and keep things hush hush for the most part especially for the top players due to the fact that the tour wants to keep a clean cut image so as to keep sponsors and what not. I like Bryson and what he’s doing. Bomb and gouge. It’s the way I play golf and I will say it makes the game a bit easier having wedges into greens rather than a 7 iron or up.
geohogan
Oct 19, 2020 at 10:37 am
and new commissioner will be Steph Curry
with renaming of PGA to Holey Moley III, Partie trois, Sequela.
Play-by-play commentator Joe Tessitore, color commentator Rob Riggle
finally MC who understand Americans and what they want.
“Make American Golf great Again” MAGGA
JTB
Sep 23, 2020 at 1:16 pm
Bring back shot-making to modern golf courses. This is ridiculous. I have a hard time believing he can control and work a 48″ driver left/right, but if modern day courses don’t require this, then he can just bomb away. Please don’t let Bryson turn the game into a joke.
geohogan
Sep 21, 2020 at 5:49 pm
Tiger was at top of his game and golf swing in 2000. He couldnt leave his swing alone
and tinkered himself into one injury after another.
Bryson isnt the first and wont be the last.
Cody
Sep 24, 2020 at 11:43 am
He tinkered his way to 15 majors. You can speculate that he could have won more with his old swing(s), but reality is that his constant search seem to work pretty darn well.
phizzy
Oct 14, 2020 at 9:23 am
I agree. It wasn’t just the PEDS but also his violent swing that put a lot of stress on his back and knees which ultimately led to his injuries and multiple surgeries. I don’t like Tiger as a person, but he has tremendous talent and grit and is a once in a generation golfer. q
geohogan
Sep 21, 2020 at 5:27 pm
There is no way a 48 inch shaft can be controlled the same as 46 inches, unless the diameter of the shaft tip and hosel are increased to maximum currently, 0.370 inches
Question will be whether shaft or his body give out first.
Self destruction either way.
Johnny Penso
Sep 27, 2020 at 11:19 pm
His shafts are as stiff as rebar. Adding another 2 inches won’t make much difference.
geohogan
Oct 1, 2020 at 8:16 pm
Top driver shafts have 0.325 inch tip. This diameter is the limiter
for control as shaft gets longer and longer.
Its why 45 inches is about the longest the pros will play.
Increase thetip diameter and the mechanical properties allow somewhat longer controllable length, but that involves changes to the hosel as well as the shaft.
IMO, the USGA would be smart to get ahead of this madness and limit the tip diameters.
Dennis
Sep 20, 2020 at 12:10 am
Let him search for his ball by himself then, no ball spotters! That would be fun to watch 🙂
james sickels
Sep 19, 2020 at 4:24 pm
It will be great for courses with little ruff, but in deep ruff then the control of the second shot is very poor. He is experiencing that in the US Open on his green approach shots. Also as mentioned by other comments, the kinetic force going into his eco-skeleton is tremendous. He will have TWs banged up body 10 years earlier. Most of the many long drivers have all kinds of injuries to include rib seperation, knees, shoulder, and spinal issues. He’s fun to watch, but he may be in for a world of hurt in the future.
Bryson's Bro
Sep 21, 2020 at 9:14 pm
How’d he do in the US Open?
phizzy
Oct 14, 2020 at 9:27 am
Yes I agree. Look at Jaime Sadlowski and Jason Zubak who have lower back issues now. Putting a tremendous amount of stress on the lower back and knees from such violent swings will eventually give way to serious injuries. I myself am no slouch off the tee and have herniated discs in my lower back due to injuries from doing very heavy squats and dead lifts in my younger years from bodybuilding. My swing also isn’t doing any favors as my joint health is concerned either.
Speedy
Sep 19, 2020 at 1:48 pm
If he wore elevator golf shoes, he could go to 50″. Pray for Bryson.
Jason
Sep 19, 2020 at 11:42 am
What he isn’t taking into account is that at 48 inches, he will probably create more force than his joints can handle, which will cause his swing to breakdown biomechanically.
Trevion
Sep 18, 2020 at 10:59 pm
He’s not wrong. If he can actually hit 200+ mph ball speed and 350y+ carries consistently, he could dominate golf courses. All he’d need to carry around would be a driver, 4 wedges, and a putter. As he gets faster though he really needs to dial in his wedges better or it’s all going to be for nothing, really.
Johnny Penso
Sep 27, 2020 at 11:21 pm
I don’t know. I heard he won a tournament a couple weeks back so he must be doing something right.
Stephen Pearcy
Sep 18, 2020 at 10:59 am
I wonder how many tournaments are considering graduated rough,especially at 325-400 yards. Graduated so a really wayward shot is (at minimum) a 1-2 shot penalty.
KJ
Sep 17, 2020 at 5:37 pm
Sure he’s a bit of a clown, but I really enjoy that he’s willing to tinker at the highest level.
Dave
Sep 29, 2020 at 6:52 pm
me too. he will be trying a 48inch driver. it doesn’t mean he will be making it work & be worth it in tournaments. let’s just wait & see. if it does provide an (unfair) advantage then we can discuss that in the future. my personal metric is if someone drives the first at Augusta then Houston we may have a problem.