Equipment
Club Champion acquires TXG
Club Champion has today announced the acquisition of Canadian fitter and builder Tour Experience Golf (TXG), bringing the two most prominent custom club fitters on the continent together.
This integration marks the first time that Club Champion will bring their club fitting services beyond USA borders.
Speaking on the merge, Nick Sherburne, co-founder of Club Champion, said
“We are incredibly excited to bring Ian and his crew into the Club Champion family. We’re looking forward to bringing the best of both our capabilities together to serve every golfer.”
According to the press release, the intent behind the merger is “to further expand custom club fitting services across the Canadian golf market and to bring some crossover to the fitting content available for all golfers from both brands.”
On the acquisition, Ian Fraser, TXG’s founder, stated
“There has always been a mutual admiration between TXG and Club Champion. We share a similar belief that every golfer deserves the best possible equipment for their game, and now we get to work together to further that message.”
Club Champion currently has an in-house studio and production crew, while Fraser and his team at TXG have built a digital platform through social channels, including YouTube. TXG has amassed millions of views across the digital board, with 175K subscribers on YouTube alone at the time of publication.
Per the release, TXG’s existing content strategy will lend itself well to Club Champion’s growing presence, and both brands plan to lean on each other to produce quality content for golfers of all levels.
“We’ve got a podcast, they’ve got a podcast. They’ve got awesome video content and we’ve only just started dipping our toes into that lake. This partnership is about so much more than just the masterful club fitting and building services we both offer. It’s about bringing two of the most prominent names in the golf equipment industry together to promote the best possible clubs, the best possible experience, and the best possible service you can find this side of a Tour card.” – Adam Levy, CEO of Club Champion
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- Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist TSR2 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 8 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White Hybrid 90 TX
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 S
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (54-M, 58-L @60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Onyx (46-50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 Onyx (54-60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash
Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Richy Werenski’s clubs in the forums.
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Equipment
Adam Scott testing green “Masters Use Only” putter + 6 interesting equipment photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Welcome to the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson event at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, which, for your geographical reference, is about 25 minutes from Dallas.
In early-week equipment news, we saw some interesting putter testing from Adam Scott, a Maxfli golf ball signing on the PGA Tour, a 16-year-old’s WITB, a PGA Tour player using another PGA Tour player’s backup putter, and Jordan Spieth weighed in on why he recently switched out just his 7-iron (and then made a hole-in-one with it).
With so much to report and so little time to waste on the intro, let’s get right into this week’s equipment rundown from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
See all of our photo galleries from the week here
Adam Scott’s new L.A.B. putters
Before we get into a couple of the new prototypes Scott has been testing, above is a photo of the L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max prototype putter that he’s been using, and will likely continue to use this week in Texas.
That being said, following the Masters, Scott was looking to try a couple putters with a slightly lighter weight to help with his feel on fast greens.
One of the new prototypes we spotted on Tuesday was a L.A.B. Golf DF3 “Proto 2.1”, custom-built with Scott’s preferred blue colorway, and an Australia-inspired Kangaroo laser engraving…
We also spotted him with a green-colored “For Masters Use Only” Mezz.1 Max prototype…
While it’s unlikely Scott will make a switch this week, it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward, especially on courses with faster greens.
We also got a peek into Scott’s full WITB this week, which consists of a super-mixed set of Srixon irons, including a ZX Utility 3-iron, a ZX-5 MkII 4-iron, ZX-7 MkII mid-irons (5-7) and Z Forged II short irons (8-9).
See Scott’s full WITB from the CJ Cup here
An update on Daniel Berger’s Odyssey Jailbird
Last week in New Orleans, we highlighted Daniel Berger’s Ai-One Jailbird Mini putter because of its unique sightlines.
Well, we have an update.
According to Callaway Tour Manager Joe Toulon, who spoke with GolfWRX.com this week, Berger’s Jailbird Mini is actually from fellow Tour player Tom Kim’s stash. Kim is a prolific putter tester, and the exact putter Berger is currently using was actually originally made for and tested by Kim. The putter didn’t make it into Kim’s starting lineup, however, so he gave the putter back to Odyssey, and it eventually made it’s way onto Berger’s gamer roster.
Jordan Spieth’s new 7-iron
As the story goes, Jordan Spieth changed out his Titleist T100 7-iron on Wednesday before the 2024 Valero Texas Open, and then on Thursday, he used the 7-iron to make a hole-in-one from 199 yards on the 16th hole.
Good timing on that switch, Jordan.
On Tuesday at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson, GoflWRX.com caught up with Spieth to get the full story on why he switched just the 7-iron.
Our full story is over on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, but here’s a snippet of what Spieth had to say:
“I hit my 7-iron a lot, especially on my own. The spin rates, relative to my 6-iron and my 8-iron, were lower, so it was going too far. I was trying to figure out why, if it was something in the makeup of the iron. I got the lies and the lofts checked, and everything was fine. So finally I was like, ‘Can I just get a new one and see if it fixes it?’
“Maybe there was one other time throughout my career where I changed just one iron, so it’s very unusual. I think it’s just because the grooves were worn down from hitting it too much.”
Ben Griffin signs with Maxfli to play the golf ball
At the beginning of the year, LPGA Tour star Lexi Thompson signed a deal with Maxfli to play the company’s golf ball, and now, Griffin has officially joined team Maxfli, as well, thus expanding the company’s Tour presence.
GolfWRX.com caught up with Griffin on Wednesday in Texas for a video interview about his new golf ball of choice, and how he marks it…
View this post on Instagram
A 16-year-old is playing on the PGA Tour this week, using a 2-iron!
Amateur golfer Kris Kim, at just 16 years of age, is making his PGA Tour debut this week after receiving a sponsors exemption into the event. In 2023, Kim won both the R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship and the European Boys’ International Championship.
On Tuesday in Texas, we got a look into Kim’s bag, which revealed that he’s currently playing a TaylorMade P-770 2-iron, and a bag full of TaylorMade clubs.
Check out Kim’s full WITB here
A smart golf ball stamping
I’m not going to sit here and pretend to be a big math guy, because I’m not. However, I do recognize David Nyfjall’s purple ball marking as a square root symbol.
While I don’t know the particular significance of the square root symbol for Nyfjall, I do know you have to be fairly intelligent to even consider using a marking like that. Pretty cool stuff from the Northwestern alum, and 2023 Byron Nelson Award winner.
And, with that, we say goodbye to Texas and TPC Craig Ranch. We’ll see you next week at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte for more insider equipment news and storylines.
For now, don’t forget to check out all of our photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
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- Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 50 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 60 X
Hybrid: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Rescue (19.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Takomo 101U (4), Takomo 101T (5), Takomo 301 CB (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 52-08F, 56-14F), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (58-A)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: L.A.B. Golf DF3
Grips: SuperStroke, Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
More photos of Wesley Bryan’s WITB in the forums.
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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
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
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
Richy Werenski WITB 2024 (May)
Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1...
Wesley Bryan WITB 2024 (May)
Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple...
Adam Scott WITB 2024 (May)
Adam Scott what’s in the bag accurate as of the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5 degrees)...
Pierceson Coody WITB 2024 (April)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi 10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi 10 Tour (15 degrees)...
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Tom
Jan 13, 2022 at 12:02 pm
That sucks .. fitting off mats and hitting into a net sucks anyway!
B
Jan 13, 2022 at 11:16 am
So TXG no longer associated with True Spec who was building clubs for them
Golf Mikey
Jan 13, 2022 at 5:04 am
I wonder if the original owner of Tour Experience Golf in the UK that allegedly got “shafted” by IF some time ago is shedding any tears?
Paul Runyan
Jan 12, 2022 at 9:02 pm
All about the Benjamin’s!
I won’t be watching anything or buying anything from Club Champion.
And that fake Scottish accent! Won’t have to listen to that anymore…
Best of Luck to Matty!!
BB
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:15 am
In principal, this is like the Saudi government trying to launder their reputation by shelling out big bucks to those golfers with good reputations.
gdb99
Jan 12, 2022 at 10:07 am
I had a Club Champion fitting a year ago. I was not happy.
I was hoping to get a TXG fitting, because I think they have a different approach to the fitting process. TXG came across as listening to the player more, whether that be budget, feels, etc.
I think this merger is bad for TXG, it kind of eliminates a competitor to CC in the fitting world.
hoganben
Jun 7, 2023 at 10:02 pm
why would u then go get another fitting for gosh sake? All the guys i talk to on the range who have custom fitted clubs still suck and they would still suck after another fitting.grow some cajoles and dig it out of the dirt..
Vas
Jan 12, 2022 at 9:58 am
Home run for Club Champion for sure. Whatever it cost to buy an inside path into the Canadian market and bolster your horrendous reputation with TXG’s impeccable reputation was worth it.
Skip
Jan 11, 2022 at 11:32 pm
Sorry boys, but Matt’s gone and he was never a business part of the channel. Only creative and production. Likely Ian’s investors wanted out, and this was his best course of action. CC gets a smooth path to expansion into Canada
Justin
Jan 11, 2022 at 9:19 pm
This is a shame. Don’t fault Ian for cashing in, but Ian and Matt were what led to TXG’s growth and online presence. Sad it’s over.
SMU
Jan 11, 2022 at 8:47 pm
Young Matty Boy, just got a hard street lesson on Capitalism, Ownership, Equity, and Contracts, which is my specialty! Fortunately, he is young and very bright so he will only be better for it.
As far as Club Champion goes, they do NOT have a sustainable business model. For example, here in San Diego, our Del Mar Club Champion thinks because they have the component parts and can assemble your desired shaft / head combo, that they get to charge 3 X MSRP from the manufacturer. It’s utterly absurd. Use Club Champion for the value they truly offer, pay $150 to go test out shaft / head combos, and then order direct from the manufacturer and save yourself from being gouged to the tune of thousands.
SMUgamer
Jan 11, 2022 at 8:22 pm
Young Matty Boy, just got a hard street lesson on Capitalism, Ownership, Equity, and Contracts, which is my specialty! Fortunately, he is young and very bright so he will only be better for it.
As far as Club Champion goes, they do NOT have a sustainable business model. For example, here in San Diego, our Del Mar Club Champion thinks because they have the component parts and can assemble your desired shaft / head combo, that they get to charge 2 X MSRP from the manufacturer. It’s utterly absurd. Use Club Champion for the value they truly offer, pay $150 to go test out shaft / head combos, and then order direct from the manufacturer and save yourself from being gouged to the tune of thousands. Like I said, as the public becomes more educated (along with tech advancement), Club Champion will either pivot or die. Sure hope Ian checked out and documented his escape hatches (or better yet, got cash up front) if Club Champion files BK.
SMUgamer
Jan 11, 2022 at 8:12 pm
Young Matty Boy, just got a hard street lesson on Capitalism, Ownership, Equity, and Contracts, which is my specialty! Fortunately, he is young and very bright so he will only be better for it.
As far as Club Champion goes, they do NOT have a sustainable business model. For example, here in San Diego, our Del Mar Club Champion thinks because they have the component parts and can assemble your desired shaft / head combo, that they get to charge 2 X MSRP from the manufacturer. It’s utterly absurd. Use Club Champion for the value they truly offer, pay $150 to go test out shaft / head combos, and then order direct from the manufacturer and save yourself from being gouged to the tune of thousands. Like I said, as the public becomes more educated (along with tech advancement), Club Champion will either pivot or die. Sure hope Ian checked out and documented his escape hatches (or better yet, got cash up front) if Club Champion files BK.
Brandon
Jan 11, 2022 at 7:10 pm
Hope Ian got a big payday and Matt as well.
Allen Parsons
Jan 11, 2022 at 6:13 pm
Don’t you mean PXG?
Tony Johnson
Jan 11, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Wow, I would have thought PXG with all it’s money from Bob Parsons wouldn’t have to sell out like this?!!!!! I was just starting to like where the company was heading, shame on you PXG, and I wish complete shame on you Ian Fraser and that weirdo Matt on youtube!
Pat Perez' bestie drumpf
Jan 12, 2022 at 9:24 am
Maybe read up on things before saying stupid things…
Jake
Jan 11, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Club Champion obviously has some counterfeit paper behind it that keeps them alive to prey on better companies. I’ve never heard a good thing about their workmanship.
Jack Nash
Jan 12, 2022 at 12:58 pm
If their paper is counterfeit then they fooled Jordan Speith as he’s signed a multi year deal with them.
Ryan Mextorf
Jan 11, 2022 at 12:19 pm
Very sad to hear this news. Ian deserves all the success in the world but unfortunately it comes at the cost of losing Matty and being sold to a company that prides itself on charging customers beyond top dollar for half baked fittings. I imagine the YouTube channel will tank without Matty but club champ will get everything it wants out of this deal.
Joey5Picks
Jan 11, 2022 at 1:23 pm
Who says Matty is going anywhere? Cynical speculation, or do you know something?
Ryan Mextorf
Jan 11, 2022 at 2:01 pm
He posted on his Instagram he was stepping away from TXG.
E
Jan 11, 2022 at 3:54 pm
or rather stepping away from Club Champion from the sounds of it
bossofthemoss07
Jan 12, 2022 at 2:22 pm
Such a shame, TXG’s channel was my favorite for golf and will definitely decline now. Mike is ok but the shows were nowhere near as good when Matt was out for a few weeks. I understand why they did it but it sucks they sold out like that
Mark
Jan 17, 2022 at 9:09 am
I respect Mike but he is just so annoying. Just hates on munis and is a CC snob. “I only play private clubs” He needs a good ass whooping
Justblewbyyou
Jun 7, 2023 at 9:41 pm
oops..somehow cli cked on report comment and it wont let me.fix it..oops