Equipment
Phil Mickelson spotted with new Callaway driver (and 178 mph ball speed) in holiday video
At GolfWRX, we have a keen eye for things “out of the ordinary,” and in a recent video shared to both Instagram and Twitter, Phil Mickelson is spotted not only hitting his recently internet famous “bombs”—while admitting to “needing more speed”—(eye roll from every regular golfer trying to break the 140 mph mark when it comes to ball speed) but…
…we also get a glimpse of what looks to be the next yet-to-be-named driver from Callaway in the video.
Check it out below.
Wishing everyone a happy holiday season. Let’s all put in the work to make 2021 a special year. ? pic.twitter.com/aVO1eYlJk3
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) December 28, 2020
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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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.
View this post on Instagram
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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mixedteesmusicgolf
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:04 am
Rolex alert – is that the new Sky Dweller on rubber strap?
Simon walker
Jan 15, 2021 at 9:24 am
It’s a yachtmaster, rose gold
jgpl001
Jan 11, 2021 at 3:40 am
Phil advertising a Driver? – now this is funny, he wouldn’t hit a fairway that was 500 yards wide regardless of ball speed
simms
Jan 6, 2021 at 5:33 pm
Yet another driver Phil will claim is the answer and best ever (same thing he has said about the last 6 or 7) will have one or two good rounds and then be back to hitting it all over the place. Come on people if Callaway cannot make a driver Phil can keep in play what are the chances they make one the 15 handicapper is going to keep in play?
Pingback: Phil Mickelson’s speed training continues – reaches 180mph ball speed using Fujikura Ventus – GolfWRX
JP
Dec 30, 2020 at 2:31 pm
You do you Phil. As long as it’s still fun, stay on tour. Love seeing him tee it up!
Golf wrx sucks
Dec 29, 2020 at 12:27 pm
Old man Mick needs accuracy, not faster club head speed.
duke
Dec 29, 2020 at 12:11 pm
50 yrs old
178mph ballspeeds
Wow!!!!
Go Phil
None
Dec 29, 2020 at 11:51 am
Looks like he’s playing Tensei Orange Raw? Wonder the length?
ND Hickman
Dec 29, 2020 at 7:13 am
Have to say I’m more interested to find out if they are replacing the Apex Irons line-up in 2021. I know they’ve got the Apex MB and CB’s coming but I’d like to know if there’s more coming to the PGA show next month.
Kevin
Dec 29, 2020 at 9:14 am
Yes Apex pro’s, Apex forged and Apex “DCB” I think is what I saw – all new for ’21
Rory
Dec 29, 2020 at 9:21 am
DCB???? What is that??
ND Hickman
Dec 29, 2020 at 10:48 am
Oh really? That’s cool, do you have a link I could check out?
JimBob
Dec 28, 2020 at 11:43 pm
Epic Speed
stephen
Dec 28, 2020 at 11:28 pm
Awesome for a 50 year old dude
ProjectX
Dec 28, 2020 at 10:07 pm
I fully expect to see Phil in an Autoflex shaft this year.
Funkaholic
Jan 6, 2021 at 9:06 am
The autoflex has been shown to be overrated.