Equipment

Daniel Berger is using irons he bought “from some guy on the internet”

Published

2 years ago

Jan 24, 2022

Back in 2020 when Daniel Berger became an equipment free agent, he switched into TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC irons that were released to the public in 2011. Berger found comfort and familiarity with the irons, probably because he first started playing them in high school.

In terms of modern classics, the TP MCs rank pretty high on the list. The forged cavity-back designs have a blade-like profile with a touch forgiveness, and they’re forged from 1025 carbon steel. A weight in the back cavity also helps to place center of gravity (CG) in the center of the heads. At their release, they were a great mix of precision and forgiveness for better players, and clearly, the designs have held up through the years.

The only problem with using irons from that long ago is finding backup heads. I mean, what happens when the grooves wear out or something happens to one of the irons? It’s not like Berger can go onto the TaylorMade tour truck and find a replacement, since the company doesn’t even manufacture the irons anymore.

So, Berger took to the social media. Some may think that’s an unlikely source to find fresh TP heads, but apparently, it worked. As of the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open, Berger is using irons that he purchased from someone on social media.

“I’ve got a couple different sets and they’ve come from all over the place,” Berger told GolfWRX on Monday at Torrey Pines. “I bought one set online… just from some guy on the internet, he messaged me online on social media. It’s a perfect set. I don’t know if he worked at TaylorMade at some point, but the box and everything was from TaylorMade…they were brand new.”

And that wasn’t the only set Berger received, either.

“Then a lot of the other ones I’ve got have been just from people reaching out, and friends and family,” Berger said. “But yeah, it’s worked out. I’ve got plenty of backups.”

It’s not everyday on the PGA Tour that you see a guy playing with irons he found online. You just gotta love the internet.

If you’re looking to browse the Internet for a golf club purchase of your own, don’t forget to check out our GolfWRX classifieds section where you can buy, sell and trade equipment.

Your Reaction?

LIKE463
LEGIT47
WOW30
LOL29
IDHT8
FLOP9
OB6
SHANK18

Related Topics:daniel berger featured recommended TaylorMade

Up Next

Shot Scope unveils new Pro LX+, Pro LX and H4 rangefinders

Don't Miss

This PGA Tour pro is using a ridiculously expensive 1-of-1 sand wedge. Here’s why

Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

22 Comments

Pingback: OLD vs. NEW: TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC 2011 irons vs. My ... - GolfWRX - MidHandicap
Pingback: GolfWRX Top-5 Picks: Our favorite golf articles from 2022 – GolfWRX - GolfWRX - MidHandicap
Pingback: GolfWRX Top-5 Picks: Our favorite Instagram posts from 2022 ... - GolfWRX - MidHandicap
Pingback: TaylorMade Tour Favorite MC 2011 Irons vs. Modern Irons (Full Launch Screen Numbers) – GolfWRX – cnatrainingfacts
Pingback: TaylorMade Tour Favorite MC 2011 Irons vs. Modern Irons (Full Launch Screen Numbers) – GolfWRX – comnavimie
Pingback: TaylorMade Tour Favorite MC 2011 Irons vs. Modern Irons (Full Launch Screen Numbers) – GolfWRX – comnavigifu
Pingback: TaylorMade Tour Favorite MC 2011 Irons vs. Modern Irons (Full Launch Screen Numbers) – GolfWRX – comlifull-fam
Pingback: TaylorMade Tour Favorite MC 2011 Irons vs. Modern Irons (Full Launch Screen Numbers) – GolfWRX – mtilending
Pingback: TaylorMade Tour Favorite MC 2011 Irons vs. Modern Irons (Full Launch Screen Numbers) – GolfWRX – bactrimtabs
Pingback: OLD vs. NEU: TaylorMade Tour MC 2011 irons vs. my modern irons (Full Launch Monitor Numbers) - Fly Pin High
Pingback: OLD vs. NEW: TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC 2011 irons vs. My modern irons (Full launch monitor numbers) – GolfWRX
Pingback: How a Tour pro is using a dental tool to improve his putting – GolfWRX
Jeff

Jan 26, 2022 at 6:29 pm

Totally agree when it comes to irons built for moderate to good players. Find a set you like and no real technology changes will ever really help or hinder your game.

Reply Report comment
David

Jan 26, 2022 at 2:29 pm

I agree with Danny boy, still playing my 2nd set of MCs. Obsolete technology isn’t a significant factor with tour irons. These have the feels and look great. He ain’t getting mine!

Reply Report comment
Obviously

Jan 25, 2022 at 7:50 am

Nobel. Nope. Everything is not everything . If All irons were same same. They’d make one set.

Reply Report comment
Golf Nobel

Jan 25, 2022 at 2:46 am

I can’t believe a modern player is unable to switch to a new iron considering he can access any kind of technology from whatever company he want…
This is a mental parachute when you’re not hitting as you expect.

Reply Report comment
- Gunmetal
  
  Jan 25, 2022 at 10:28 am
  
  Golf is mental? No way.
  
  It’s all about comfort levels and if TM is going to keep paying him regardless of model, why would he switch?!?!
  
  I love these stories. I remember Snedeker buying Burner Super Fast TP driver heads on ebay just trying to stockpile, lol.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Nolf Gobel
    
    Jan 25, 2022 at 12:47 pm
    
    Golf Nobel buys a new set of super game enhancers every year and still can’t break 50 on the front 9 from the red tees.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Golf Nobel
      
      Jan 25, 2022 at 1:22 pm
      
      I’m 16 hcp. Clown.
      
      Reply Report comment
Shekelberg

Jan 25, 2022 at 2:00 am

Oy Vey.

Reply Report comment
Jake

Jan 24, 2022 at 11:30 pm

Such a great setup look in both long and mid iron. Mental note.

Reply Report comment
- Ian Tarrant
  
  Jan 26, 2022 at 6:01 pm
  
  15hcp in Crocs…
  
  Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Equipment

Michael Block spotted with full set of TaylorMade “Proto” irons at Valhalla

Published

5 hours ago

May 14, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

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.

On Monday at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, Block had a full set of TaylorMade “Proto” irons in the bag.

Block is the first player of many on the PGA TOUR to bag a set of the mysterious “Proto” irons. Rory McIlroy first switched into a “Proto” 4-iron at the Valero Texas Open, and Collin Morikawa followed suit at the 2024 RBC Heritage. Block isn’t using just the 4-iron, though, he’s using a full set to go along with a TaylorMade Stealth UDI driving iron.

Speaking with GolfWRX.com on Monday at the PGA Championship, Block revealed the full backstory.

“I hit a couple super “Proto” irons when I was at the Kingdom (TaylorMade’s fitting facility in Southern California) a couple months ago, and it was a 9-iron that didn’t have any badges or anything on it,” Block said. “I had no idea what it was … It was very similar to what I was using back then, you know, my old MCs, and very similar from the top. I hit it and absolutely loved it. For me to even think about switching irons from the last 11-12 years is crazy.

“I got this set about two weeks ago, and I’m working my way into them. I hit them more solid; it comes off the face more solid. Much higher. I think they’re still slightly too upright for me, so they’re being bent a degree flatter, because they’re going a little too high for me and drawing a little too much. When that starts to happen, I start to drop the club under and compensate too much, so I’m getting them flattened slightly, and I’m going to test them on the range again, and hopefully have them in play on Thursday…

“They go further, and they go higher … that combination is kind of a no-brainer. If I can take a 5-iron from 204 rather than a 4-iron, it’s good on me. It’s going to help me out for sure, especially at a major with the pin locations. Having that height coming in, that descent angle is going to be huge.”

With such new irons in the bag, after using the same irons for over a decade, surely you’d think there will be a bit of a learning curve. Block, however, is finding immediate comfort with the new “Proto” irons.

Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.

Your Reaction?

LIKE5
LEGIT1
WOW0
LOL0
IDHT0
FLOP0
OB0
SHANK0

Whats in the Bag

WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2014 PGA Championship

Published

7 hours ago

May 14, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Rory McIlroy outlasted Phil Mickelson at the 2014 PGA Championship. It’s even harder to believe McIlroy hasn’t hoisted a major trophy since his 2014 victory at Valhalla.

After a slow start to his final round, McIlroy tallied an eagle and two birdies on the back nine and his fourth major championship. Take a look at the clubs he played a decade ago in Kentucky.

Driver: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (8.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage XTS 70X

3-wood: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 X

5-wood: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (19 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 X

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s clubs from 2014 here.

Irons: Nike VR Pro Blade (4-9) Buy here.
Shaft: Project X 7.0

Wedges: Nike VR Forged (46, 52, 56, 60 degrees) Buy here.
Shafts: Project X 6.5

Putter: Nike Method 006 Buy here.

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Ball: Nike RZN Black

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s clubs from 2014 here.

WITB Time Machine is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.

Your Reaction?