Equipment
Jon Rahm joins Callaway tour staff in multiyear deal
Today, Callaway Golf announced that Jon Rahm, the number two ranked player in the world, has joined its tour professional staff in a multiyear agreement.
Rahm worked extensively with the company’s tour department to dial in the specs for each of his new clubs, and will officially make his Callaway staff debut this week at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
For the year’s opening event, the Spaniard will use Callaway prototype woods and irons. He will eventually use the brand’s MD5 Jaws wedges, but they may not be in the bag in Hawaii. Rahm will also be gaming a Callaway Chrome Soft X golf ball. While he’ll still have his TaylorMade Spider X putter in the bag, Rahm will move to an Odyssey putter in 2021.
Speaking on joining Callaway, Rahm, who shot a course record 59 at Silverleaf with his new clubs, said
“I’m so happy to be joining Callaway, and I can’t wait to start the year. The equipment is already performing well for me, and in my first round with the new setup,
“I shot a course record 59 at Silverleaf. I have confidence in my new Callaway clubs – and especially the golf ball, which has really impressed me during the testing process.”
Rahm used Callaway and Odyssey equipment at Arizona State University, where he won 11 tournaments while playing for Head Coach Tim Mickelson. The 26-year-old has the second-most wins in school history, behind fellow Callaway staffer Phil Mickelson.
On the new signing, Callaway President & CEO, Chip Brewer said
“We’re proud to welcome Jon Rahm as the newest member of our Tour Staff. He’s one of the very best players in the world, and he’s a proven winner on golf’s biggest global stages. We’ve admired Jon for many years, going back to his college days when he first used our equipment. We’re excited to see him playing Callaway and Odyssey again, as he looks to take his game to yet another level.”
In addition to using Callaway and Odyssey equipment, Rahm will wear apparel from TravisMathew throughout 2021.
Editor’s note: We will follow up this piece with a full Rahm WITB and details from the tour truck when the Spaniard’s club and shaft recipe is fully cooked.
- LIKE262
- LEGIT26
- WOW18
- LOL4
- IDHT0
- FLOP8
- OB3
- SHANK47
View this post on Instagram
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.
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
We always get some great photos of some phenomenal putters at tour events and love to share them. Here are a few from the 2024 Zurich Classic that caught our eye and seemed interesting. (And as a reminder, you can check out all our photos from New Orleans here)
MJ Daffue’s Scotty Cameron T-11 Prototype
MJ is going with the new Scotty Cameron T-11 Prototype this week. The putter is a multi-piece mallet that puts an emphasis on stability with the wings on the back. Daffue’s putter does have a design that differs from retail with a monotone finish, which eliminates the black paint on the aluminum parts that we see at retail. He also has a half siteline milled into the top and an L-neck welded on for some additional toe hang. The face features a deeper milling that should offer a softer feel and slightly quieter sound.
Scotty Cameron T-7.5 Prototype
We spotted a few different Scotty Cameron Phantom models with modified rear flanges. It looks like the straight black flange was cut into a half circle for a little softer look at address. On this T-7.5, you can still see the raw aluminum from the back view, so this might have been a last-minute job to get them out on tour. The semi-circle also has a white line on it, maybe to frame the ball differently.
Alex Fitzpatrick’s Bettinardi SS16 DASS
Alex’s SS16 is made from Bettinardi’s famous D.A.S.S., or double-aged stainless steel, for a softer and more responsive feel. The face has a unique diamond pattern milling and features a logo that I feel like I have seen before, but can’t put a name to. The putter is a classic mid-mallet style with a simple, single white siteline on the top. The sole is clean with just the SS16, DASS, and a green triangle logo on it.
Steve Stricker’s Odyssey White Hot No. 2
This putter has made some amazing putts in its long career! Stricker’s White Hot No. 2 might be in the top 10 of most famous putters in golf. When you see all the dents and lead tape, you know the heel will be up and it will be sinking putts! The soft White Hot insert looks to be in good shape and has less wear on it than the rest of the putter. We don’t know how much lead tape is on the sole, but it has to be multiple layers compacted down over the years.
Doug Ghim’s Scotty Cameron T-7 Prototype
This T-7 should win the award for “best color finish” in this list with its deep chromatic bronze. It looks like Scotty added a cherry bomb dot to the heel of the deep-milled face and filled it with a very dark blue paint. The rest of the putter looks pretty stock with its single site line on the topline and twin site lines down the “fangs” of the putter. Twin 5-gram weights are installed in the sole and the putter is finished off with a gloss black double bend shaft with a fill shaft offset.
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Project X’s Denali wood shafts have been seen in more and more golf bags this year as we start off the season. As a refresher, Denali Blue is the mid-launch and mid-spin model while Denali Black is for players seeking lower launch and spin.
Denali combines great feel with stability and increased ball speed. Currently, Project X only offers Denali Blue and Black in wood shafts, but we spotted a hybrid shaft in Daniel Berger’s bag at the 2024 Zurich Classic.
The shaft looks to be a Denali Blue 105G – HY in TX flex. No word on details from Project X yet but we can assume that this is a mid-launching shaft that weighs around 105 grams in Tour X-Stiff flex.
Berger has this shaft in his TaylorMade P770 3-iron, likely for some added launch and spin to hold the green from longer distances.
Hopefully, this means we will see some more shafts coming under the Denali name in the future, as I think many of us would like to try one in a hybrid or utility iron!
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic
- Check out in-hand photos of Daniel Berger’s full WITB here.
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
Rory McIlroy WITB 2024 (April)
Rory McIlroy what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus...
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole3 days agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole3 days ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 week agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole1 week agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole1 week agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
Dennis Beach
Jan 4, 2021 at 10:37 pm
Maybe its not even about the equipment. TM just didn’t want to give him what he thought he was due. There is no loyalty to one brand anymore. Players in the past would play the same equipment(clubs, ball) brand forever. If it is equipment, he could do worse.
Jack Nash
Jan 4, 2021 at 4:39 pm
I fully expect that other than the “look” the irons won’t be any different than his TM’s. As someone said earlier none of Rahm’s equip will be in my bad anytime soon.
Dennis Beach
Jan 4, 2021 at 2:03 pm
Nothing he plays helps me. Did my own research on everything I play in my bag. Ping g410SFT driver,older Cally Diablo 3 wood, 2 Snake Eyes hybrids(18-21), a full set of hybrid irons(24-46),from a company not so many people have ever heard about. 2 Cleveland CBX2 wedges, and a Cleveland putter. I play a Cally 2-piece ball. Not one club that a pro uses, will ever find its way into my bag, because they want it that way.
Imafitter
Jan 4, 2021 at 2:03 pm
I wish him luck as I like watching Jon play. Not surprised based on his relationship with the Mickelson family. Some do well and some don’t when they change equipment, but I hope he is successful.
Dave r
Jan 4, 2021 at 1:28 pm
None of them use retail anything.
Tank
Jan 4, 2021 at 11:56 am
I really didn’t expect him to say anything but give glowing comments about his NEW SPONSOR!
Dyson Bochambeau
Jan 4, 2021 at 10:15 am
He will struggle like most guys who switch equipment
Funkaholic
Jan 4, 2021 at 12:04 pm
What a ridiculous comment.
gunny
Jan 4, 2021 at 12:15 pm
No it’s really not at all. Look at players who switch 14 clubs and the ball while at their peak. There’s almost always a long drought period and some don’t ever get back to where they were. Think Lydia Ko and Graeme McDowell. Lydia made things worse by moving away from her Coach as well, but her fall has been significant.
Blades Forever
Jan 4, 2021 at 6:07 pm
Agreed, An other example is Justin Rose.
Smith
Jan 4, 2021 at 9:27 am
I’m just glad the headline didn’t reference the 59. Guy made it to #1 in the world with TM – not saying they’re any better than Callaway, but not sure there’s a ton of improvement that can be offered be the change.
Brandon
Jan 4, 2021 at 9:17 am
Sounds like he has the new Apex pro in the bag along with the Epic Max. If so, we should see those hit the conforming list this week.
JT
Jan 4, 2021 at 9:10 am
The newest gen chrome soft x at retail is legit, I put it head to head with PV1x and loved it. Was an easy change. Not surprised to see JR go with it right away and give it so much positive feedback.
Jacon
Jan 4, 2021 at 10:46 am
Almost none of the staffers play the retail ball; there are something like 40 tour-noyl variations.
The most common ones I see from low-level tour players are the Diamond CS-X and the Star CS-X, which are firmer and more spinny, respectively.
JM
Jan 4, 2021 at 11:14 am
That’s correct. None use retail ball.
Benny
Jan 4, 2021 at 5:10 pm
All the Tour gear comes off the exact same manufacturing line as the retail stuff guys. You’d be suprised to know we do play the same. The Pros just receive more definied and specified gear with specific perameters which each OEM pull from the same bucket of goods. Only time its “different” is when they do Prototypes. Acushnet was a customer of mine. I also knew a couple who worked on the ProV line. There is no magic Tour Only plant or line except at Cameron, or the company Cameron uses.