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WMPO Tour Truck Report: MMT mania, Chez puts Ascent to the test, Hoffman goes the other way on his 60

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Titleist

Continuation of a theme: More players adding length.

CT Pan went to 46 inches in his TSi2 driver (9 degrees) with a Fujikura Ventus Red 6 X.

Richy Werenski to 46 inches in his TSi4 driver (9 degrees) with a Fujikura Ventus Red 6 X.

Russell Henley to TSi3 (10 degrees) from TSi4 with a KBS TD 80 Category 5.

Will Zalatoris replaced his trusty TS3 19-degree hybrid with a Titleist U500 3-iron. The new chicken stick has a Nippon Pro Modus3 Hybrid shaft.

Charles Howell III is progressing nicely into his Mitsubishi MMT iron shafts. After a solid second round at Torrey with the new sticks, he is now home at Isleworth CC testing further. Word is he is very happy with the dispersion across the board.

Vokey Wedge Rep (Aaron Dill)

“Conditions here are a little soft from rain and snow recently in the area. Wedge wise, we are seeing the usual fresh grooves as players have commented that the greens are not holding the ball as well as expected from the moisture they have around the course. “ 

Charley Hoffman is testing and possibly gaming a K Grind (60-06). Charley would normally game a 60-04L but said with the softer conditions a little forgiveness could be a nice thing to have. Spent time around the short game area and saw some excellent results. 

Ping

Scott Harrington ditched his G410 3-wood opting to adjust his 5-wood (16 degrees) to a stronger spec to fill the gap. The 5-wood has a Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X shaft. He also added a G425 Crossover with a Fujikura Ventus Blue 9 X Hybrid shaft.

Gary Woodland is now in a Ping G425 LST 3-wood (14.5 degrees set at 13.6). Shaft: Accra Tour ZX 4100 M5 (42.5 inches, tipped 2.5 inches) and a Ping G425 Max 7-wood (20.5 degrees @19) with the Accra Tour ZX 4100 M5.

Stewart Cink switched into G425 LST (10.5 degrees) from the G410LST (10.5 degrees) he has had recent success with. The new driver has a Graphite Design Tour AD XC 6 TX (45.25″).

Cameron Champ put a stronger lofted i500 3-iron in the bag (17 degrees). Like his irons, it has a True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 shaft. 

TaylorMade

Harold Varner (non-staffer) tested multiple variations of the SIM2 Max (10.5 degrees). Fujikura Motore X F1 6X, Ventus Black 6 TX, and Evo 7 6 X shafts. Not sure if any will make it in play but sounds like a Fuji party over there.

Chez Reavie (non-staffer) tested a SIM2 Max driver (9 degrees), SIM2 3-wood (15 degrees), and SIM2 5-wood (19 degrees) with Aldila Ascent Red 60 TX, 70 TX, 80 TX. He also put a SIM2 Hybrid (22 degrees) in the bag with MMT HY 90 TX. Not 100 percent sure if the driver will go in, but we will keep you posted.

Nick Taylor put a SIM2 3-wood (15 degrees) in the bag with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X.

Scott Stallings (non-staffer) is also testing the SIM2 (10.5 degrees) with an MCA Kaili White 60 TX.

Hudson Swafford (non-staffer) tested a 60-09 LN Hi-Toe 2 lob wedge. He was previously in the OG Hi-Toe. The wedge has a True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shaft.

Callaway

*Callaway is seeing its fastest Tour conversion rate since Epic

Sam Burns switched into Epic Speed (9 degrees) fully equipped with a TPT Prototype shaft

Will Gordon, who is making some swing changes, lofted up on his Epic Speed Triple Diamond Driver (10.5 degrees from 9). The new driver has an MCA Tensei White CK Pro 60 TX shaft.

Dylan Frittelli switched into Odyssey’s new “Triple Track 2-Ball Ten Proto” putter.

Erik Van Rooyen will most likely be putting the 2-Ball Proto in play as well.

Scott Garrison SST/KBS

Fun story here. Scottie Scheffler, who cracked the face of his trusty Nike Pro Limited 3-wood a couple of weeks back, was in search of a replacement. Garrison had an old one in his garage and brought it out to TPC this week. The potential new replacement is shafted up with a KBS TD 70 Category 5 shaft. Scheffler’s previous setup had an Aldila Rogue Black 110 M.S.I. 70 TX.

Photo Courtesy of @scotteggolf

Free Agents

Scott Brown put a brand new set of Proto Concept irons in the bag. The exotic Japanese muscle backs came fully equipped with yet another set of Mitsubishi MMT 125 TX shafts.

Steve Stricker added some new Callaway gear to the bag recently swapping in the new Epic Speed Triple Diamond driver (9 degrees) with a Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 8.2 X and a fresh set of Callaway Apex TCB (Tour Cavity Back) irons. The irons have True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts.

Scott Stallings also tested the Mitsubishi MMT 125 TX in his Titleist T100 irons.

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  1. ChristianR

    Feb 4, 2021 at 2:55 am

    How it works exactly for non-staffers and free agents? They have access to tour trucks to get whatever they want?

    • Richie Hunt

      Feb 4, 2021 at 4:53 pm

      Yes, There’s usually an area for the Tour vans to park that isn’t too far from the range. On the driving range there’s usually at least one rep for every manufacturer and typically the player or his caddie will ask the Tour rep about trying a driver and shaft combination. Sometimes the player/caddie may actually stop by the Tour truck. Usually when they stop by the Tour truck it’s for repairs (grips replaced, wedges grinded, etc).

      On the putting greens there’s usually a few bags filled with putters to try out and a player will go and grab one of the putters. Typically if they decide to keep it they’ll just let the Tour rep know.

      From the stories I’ve heard, PXG is the only company that charges non-staffers for their equipment. The other companies don’t charge as they look at it like if the player wins with their equipment, that’s a victory for them.

      • ChristianR

        Feb 5, 2021 at 4:44 am

        Thanks Richie.
        I was guessing exactly that.

    • Craig

      Feb 5, 2021 at 6:47 pm

      Pretty much.

  2. Ryan

    Feb 3, 2021 at 7:15 pm

    Damn it. Now I have to go try those MMT iron shafts.

    • Karsten's Ghost.

      Feb 4, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      You’re not alone. If the pros are finally happy with dispersion, this could be the tipping point.

  3. Benny

    Feb 3, 2021 at 7:10 pm

    Wow awesome details guys. Stricker not only switching from Titliest but driver snd irons as well as x100 shafts, wtf!?!?

    • T

      Feb 4, 2021 at 10:49 am

      Right? Doesn’t even seem like they’re talking about the right person here… must be true, but seems totally out of character for Stricker lol

    • George

      Feb 4, 2021 at 3:36 pm

      I was really hoping the Apex TCB stood for Takin’ Care of Business.

    • DS

      Feb 5, 2021 at 10:25 am

      Jordan Speith should follow Stricker to the tour van!!

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Whats in the Bag

Kevin Tway WITB 2024 (May)

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Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX

5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)

Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4

More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.

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Did Rory McIlroy inspire Shane Lowry’s putter switch?

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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.

The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?

Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.

When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.

To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.

Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.

“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.

“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”

Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.

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Webb Simpson equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird

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With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.

On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.

Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.

See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here

GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?

Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for…comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’

So that’s why I went back.

 

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A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?

It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.

Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.

It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.

Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two. So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.

Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.

So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?

Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives near by Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.

Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play? 

Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.

There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.

It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.

Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.

And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?

Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’

If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’

My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’

I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”

And you’re going with it this week?

Hundred percent.

Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week. 

Thanks, man.

See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here

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