Equipment
Breaking down SuperStroke’s CounterCore lineup
A putting grip can affect the feel, stability, and forgiveness of the club’s head.
SuperStroke grips have been used to earn more than $500 million in major championships and PGA Tour events, and one of the key sciences behind the company’s grips is a concept called counter-weighting (or counter-balancing).
What is counter-weighting?
A counter-weighted putter has more weight in the top end of the grip than a conventional putter.
Thanks to counter-balancing, SuperStroke found that it’s possible to add weight to the grip end of a standard-length putter, from an extra 25 to 75 grams or even more, depending on the golfer’s preferences, to have an effect on the club’s head.
This added weight in the grip end increases the clubhead’s MOI (moment of inertia), making it more stable and resistant to twisting on off-center strikes allowing golfers to improve their path naturally. As with irons, drivers and putters, a higher MOI results in more accurate miss-hits (in both direction and distance).
In addition, counter-weighting your putter can slow down a players’ hands this allowing the head to swing more naturally through the ball with improved face rotation. The added weight in the grip has the benefit of decreasing the hands’ role and promoting a pendulum-type stroke which is controlled by the arms and shoulders.
SuperStroke’s CounterCore Lineup
The Flatso, Pistol GT, Slim are the three CounterCore grip options players’ can utilize, with all three coming equipped with a 50g weight and wrench, with the option to purchase 25g and 75g weights separately.
The grips feature No Taper Technology as well as the company’s Cross-Traction surface texture.
SuperStroke’s No Taper Technology helps golfers minimize grip pressure with a unique parallel design. The uniform lower hand profile assists golfers in quieting their hands and adding consistency to their stroke, while the Cross-Traction surface texture creates a more consistent non-slip grip.
CounterCore Flatso
The SuperStroke CounterCore Flatso features a pentagonal profile to allow for increased consistency due to its wider flat-front and multiple edges.
Pistol GT
The new Pistol GT with CounterCore Technology is SuperStroke’s newest grip, and it features a classic pistol shape that is popular amongst golfers.
CounterCore Slim
The SuperStroke CounterCore Legacy putter grips are the company’s original patented design with the addition of CounterCore Technology.
Why you should try a Counter-Balanced putter
There are several reasons why you might want to consider putting a Counter-Balanced putter in the bag, as well as many reasons why a Counter-Balanced putter could help lower your scores.
The Counter-Balanced technology can greatly help a player whose stroke tends to get “handsy” or “wristy,” causing inconsistency in both your line and distance control. It does so by putting the emphasis on the arms and shoulders.
If you currently like your putter, but the head feels a bit too heavy, a CounterCore grip from SuperStroke grip can help lighten the head, aiding golfers to find a clearer path.
For those who struggle with miss-hit putts and need more forgiveness, SuperStroke’s CounterCore lineup will help golfers thanks to its excellent MOI.
Toe Hang vs Face Balance
Included in the weight discussion is whether a Toe Hang or Face Balanced putter is more optimal for a player’s stroke and needs.
Toe Hang putters generally benefit golfers who have more face rotation in their putting stroke and/or are looking to increase the amount of face rotation. This style of putter face aids players who tend to miss putts to the right, with the toe hang helping close the face at impact.
In contrast, Face Balanced putter tends to benefit players who have minimal face rotation or those looking to reduce the amount of face rotation in their stroke. This style aids players who generally miss putts to the left, with the face balanced putters helping the face to stay more square/open at impact).
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Whats in the Bag
Cam Smith WITB 2024 (May)
- Cam Smith what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X
3-wood: Ping Max G430 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 7 X
7-wood: Titleist TS2 (21 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Elements Proto 8F5
Irons: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi (2, 3), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X Custom Series
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 52-08F, 56-08M, 60-04T)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130X (46, 52, 56, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron 009M
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Tack
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Check out more in-hand photos of Cam Smith’s gear here.
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Whats in the Bag
Patrick Reed WITB 2024 (May)
- Patrick Reed what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G400 (8.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 125 MSI 70 Tour X
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 125MSI 80 Tour X
Hybrid: Callaway Apex Pro (18 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila RIP Phenom Hybrid 100 TX
Irons: Titleist 716 TMB (2), Grindworks PR-202 (4), Grindworks PR-101A (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore (50-10 Mid), Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (56-08M @55), SM10 (60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey White Hot RX Pt Customs No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
More photos of Patrick Reed’s WITB in the forums.
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Equipment
John Daly’s $750 custom irons and 10 must-see gear photos from the 2024 PGA Championship
Welcome to the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
In the last two PGA Championships held at Valhalla, Tiger Woods won in 2000 – when he famously pointed his golf ball into the hole during the historic duel with Bob May – and Rory McIlroy won the 2014 event, basically in the dark on the final hole.
The point is, history shows that Valhalla tends to produce top-tier champions and plenty of drama.
This week at the 2024 PGA Championship, GolfWRX got its first up-close look at what some of the LIV Tour players have in their bags in 2024. We also caught back up with a few PGA Championship legends, such as Rich Beem and John Daly, and we dove into the bags of PGA Sectional qualifiers, too.
In total, we captured 47 different photo galleries this week, including 32 individual What’s In The Bag (WITB) forum threads. Click here to see all of our photos from the event, or continue reading to see my 10 equipment highlights from Valhalla.
1) Brooks Koepka’s new putter
Koepka was previously using a Scotty Cameron T5.5 putter with a slant neck, which he used to win at the beginning of the month in Singapore on the LIV tour. This week, however, he tried a T5.5 with a plumbers neck instead of the slant neck, and it’s immediately going in the bag. According to Scotty Cameron Tour rep Drew Page, Koepka already loved the head, and now finds the plumbers neck a bit more familiar to the blade-style putters he’s used throughout most of his career.
2) The lead tape king returns, with putting goggles
Phil Mickelson has always been one of the GOATs when it comes to lead tape usage, so it was no surprise to see his 64-degree custom Callaway wedge slathered with slabs of lead tape on the back.
The big surprise was that lefty was spotted using ProAim putting training goggles on Wednesday during his warm-up session.
The ProAim goggles are helpful to find center lines and ensure proper alignment to the target.
See Phil Mickelson’s full WITB from the 2024 PGA Championship
3) Dobyns’ old-school gamer setup
Speaking of lead tape, check out Matt Dobyn’s old Titleist 718 T-MB irons, which are so loaded with lead tape that the club is nearly unrecognizable.
Respect.
The head professional at Meadow Brook Club is making his sixth start in a PGA Championship, and he’s using a throwback Callaway GBB Epic driver with MOI-boosting lead tape and adjustable weight placements.
As GolfWRX Forum user “InTheBag” pointed out in our Matt Dobyns’ WITB thread, he has the type of setup that makes you want to hide your wallet: “I don’t know Mr. Dobyns, but one look at that bag tells me he can take your money,” writes InTheBag.
Spot on.
4) John Daly’s custom Sub70 irons and wedges
We first saw John Daly using $750 direct-to-consumer Sub70 659-CB irons and TAIII wedges at the 2023 PNC Championship, and he still has them in the bag, but he’s since stepped up the customization on the Sub70 clubs.
Does Daly ever NOT keep things entertaining?
View this post on Instagram
A true showman.
5) DJ’s custom putter
Dustin Johnson has always been one to test multiple putters week-to-week, and he has a keen eye for different alignment lines and crowns. This week, he’s opting for a completely gray TaylorMade Spider Tour “T3.0” prototype with a short slant neck.
See the rest of DJ’s WITB from the week here
6) Patrick Reed still rocking GrindWorks irons
Patrick Reed knows his stuff when it comes to equipment, and he’s a prolific tester. Still, however, the GrindWorks PR-101A irons are squarely in the bag after his departure to the LIV tour.
The most notable new addition to Reed’s bag is this Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond 3-wood.
Click here to see Reed’s full WITB from this week
7) Beem’s Scratch set
Rich Beem, who won the 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine National, came to the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla with a bag full of Scratch Golf irons, which are loaded with lead tape and equipped with some of the coolest custom ferrules in professional golf.
See Rich Beem’s full WITB here
8) Jon Rahm’s 10-iron
Before going to LIV, Rahm was using a Callaway Apex TCB pitching wedge.
Now, he’s using a Callaway Apex TCB “10 iron.”
He’s also since upgraded to three Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke metalwoods, and fresh stampings on his Jaws Raw wedges. Click here to see Rahm’s full WITB from the 2024 PGA Championship.
9) “Why so serious?”
Tyrrell Hatton, another LIV player in the 2024 PGA Championship field, channels his inner Joker to ask everyone, “Why so serious?”
10) Block’s “Proto” iron, from address
As you probably know by now, Block switched out of his old TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC 2014 irons, and into a full set of TaylorMade’s new “Proto” irons. We’ve already seen the Proto 4-iron in the bags of Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa, but this is our first look at the higher-lofted irons in the set.
Here’s a look at the 7-iron from address:
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the Proto irons in our Forums
And, with that, we say goodbye to Louisville, and the second major championship of the 2024 season. We’ll see you next week at the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas after a champion has been crowned.
Until then, don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week at the 2024 PGA Championship!
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gunmetal
Jun 19, 2022 at 2:25 pm
100%
That’s why citing moi is really misleading. Not to mention what moi matters at 5 mph?!?!
Most (not all) people struggle at putting because they don’t practice it because it’s not as fun as banging balls on a range.
Grip type and Method are however huge influencers on ones ability to consistently hole putts.
Ryan
Dec 22, 2021 at 3:19 pm
The “Toe Hang v Face Balance” portion of the article totally contradicts what Phil Kenyon discusses in the video included in the article and what I’ve understood from various other sources, such as TXG. When you put a putter with more toe hang on an inclined plane, it will fall open more than a face balanced putter, which would mean that when most golfers stroke a toe hang putter it has more of a tendency to leave the face open and miss to the right (for a right-handed golfer). Also, I’m not sure what counter-balancing a putter has to do with toe hang, nor do I understand why we would need a deeper dive on tech that has been around for a while now. Sorry, I love most of what this site posts, but this just wasn’t great content in my opinion.
Hogan
Dec 22, 2021 at 4:58 pm
100
Charles
Dec 22, 2021 at 12:50 am
This article would have been useful when the grips launched in 2016. Don’t see many now. Anywhere
Mike
Dec 21, 2021 at 8:49 pm
Thank you wrx staff this was helpful, will take a deeper look into this grip for 2022.
Tony Wright
Dec 21, 2021 at 12:51 pm
Hi. Counterweighting can be valuable. But it does not increase the clubhead MOI. It very very slightly increases the total club MOI, it reduces club swingweight.
JD IV
Dec 21, 2021 at 11:51 am
“Breaking down SuperStroke’s CounterCore lineup”… also known as “Breaking down a 5+ year old simple technology” …. or maybe better known as “beating a dead horse”…. or actually typical WRX “journalism”