Equipment

Best of 2020 Masters memorabilia—and something really special

Published

4 years ago

Nov 11, 2020

A lot of things are different at this year’s Masters tournament, but with so many changes, a lot stays the same, including official 2020 Masters memorabilia.

2018 Masters Gnome

But if there was ever an entity that would have the resources to change course and be prepared for the unexpected, it’s the committee that coordinates the event. The merchandise and for 2020 they have come up with some unique items to celebrate the tournament being in November along with having some traditional items as well.

The Gnome

Normally, this little guy is dressed in traditional spring/summer golf attire, or like in 2018 (seen above) a caddy jumpsuit, but for 2020, he’s prepped for colder weather with a knitted wool toque (as we say north of the border), sweater, and plaid trousers.

The knit cap aka toque

The knit hat is already great, but the fact that they were able to match it to the one being worn by the Gnome this year is beyond impressive—I can hardly find matching socks sometimes. Compared to some other items, expect to see a lot of these on eBay as resellers look to take advantage of those looking for Masters gifts going into the holidays.

Long sleeve shirt – Gnome edition

When you have a hot, item run with it, and what could be better than a famously soft Masters t-shirt with the 2020 Gnome on it? Maybe getting two…

The finer things

Some of the other cool pieces available from the patron shop this year included a leather football and a commemorative playing card set with a wooden storage box. The cards are an item that can be brought out any time to impress guests, while the football might be considered more of a shelf hanger with heirloom qualities.

Amazing eBay find

Although you would not have been able to find this bag during the virtual shopping experience this year, you can find it on eBay. This is a classic Ping carry bag in Masters greens with the logo tastefully placed on the back panel. If I have said it once, I have said it 100 times, the few things to survive the extinction of the dinosaurs are alligators, and original Ping hoofer bags.

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Equipment

Michael Block spotted with full set of TaylorMade “Proto” irons at Valhalla

Published

1 hour ago

May 14, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.

On Monday at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, Block had a full set of TaylorMade “Proto” irons in the bag.

Block is the first player of many on the PGA TOUR to bag a set of the mysterious “Proto” irons. Rory McIlroy first switched into a “Proto” 4-iron at the Valero Texas Open, and Collin Morikawa followed suit at the 2024 RBC Heritage. Block isn’t using just the 4-iron, though, he’s using a full set to go along with a TaylorMade Stealth UDI driving iron.

Speaking with GolfWRX.com on Monday at the PGA Championship, Block revealed the full backstory.

“I hit a couple super “Proto” irons when I was at the Kingdom (TaylorMade’s fitting facility in Southern California) a couple months ago, and it was a 9-iron that didn’t have any badges or anything on it,” Block said. “I had no idea what it was … It was very similar to what I was using back then, you know, my old MCs, and very similar from the top. I hit it and absolutely loved it. For me to even think about switching irons from the last 11-12 years is crazy.

“I got this set about two weeks ago, and I’m working my way into them. I hit them more solid; it comes off the face more solid. Much higher. I think they’re still slightly too upright for me, so they’re being bent a degree flatter, because they’re going a little too high for me and drawing a little too much. When that starts to happen, I start to drop the club under and compensate too much, so I’m getting them flattened slightly, and I’m going to test them on the range again, and hopefully have them in play on Thursday…

“They go further, and they go higher … that combination is kind of a no-brainer. If I can take a 5-iron from 204 rather than a 4-iron, it’s good on me. It’s going to help me out for sure, especially at a major with the pin locations. Having that height coming in, that descent angle is going to be huge.”

With such new irons in the bag, after using the same irons for over a decade, surely you’d think there will be a bit of a learning curve. Block, however, is finding immediate comfort with the new “Proto” irons.

Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.

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Whats in the Bag

WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2014 PGA Championship

Published

3 hours ago

May 14, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Rory McIlroy outlasted Phil Mickelson at the 2014 PGA Championship. It’s even harder to believe McIlroy hasn’t hoisted a major trophy since his 2014 victory at Valhalla.

After a slow start to his final round, McIlroy tallied an eagle and two birdies on the back nine and his fourth major championship. Take a look at the clubs he played a decade ago in Kentucky.

Driver: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (8.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage XTS 70X

3-wood: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 X

5-wood: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (19 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 X

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s clubs from 2014 here.

Irons: Nike VR Pro Blade (4-9) Buy here.
Shaft: Project X 7.0

Wedges: Nike VR Forged (46, 52, 56, 60 degrees) Buy here.
Shafts: Project X 6.5

Putter: Nike Method 006 Buy here.

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Ball: Nike RZN Black

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s clubs from 2014 here.

WITB Time Machine is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.

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