Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
![](https://www.golfwrx.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3162.JPG.fef780bc13d3f0a070b1b2b269dbe878.jpg)
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.
We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
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Whats in the Bag
Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2024 Open Championship
![](https://www.golfwrx.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_1239.jpeg.a3f22840ce327d6490e0e82a17baa40d.jpeg)
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 70 TX (45.5 inches)
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (16.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 80 TX
Irons: Mizuno MP-20 HMB (3), Callaway Apex TCB ’24 (4-10) Buy here.
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Mid X100 (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-10)
Wedges: Callaway Opus (52-10S) Buy here, Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-10S @57, 60-04T) Buy here.
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Odyssey Toulon Design Las Vegas Prototype 7CH Buy here.
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Align
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
Check out more in-hand photos of Xander Schauffele’s clubs in the forums.
The winning WITB 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.
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Product Reviews
Three Swing Challenge: Testing the Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks A+ grind
![](https://www.golfwrx.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Blank-1014-x-768.png)
The first wedge has made its way to the Three Swing Challenge! This week we have the WedgeWorks A+ grind that was recently released by Vokey. BK is looking for a new 60-degree wedge, and this could be a contender.
Why three swings?
Many years ago, the legendary Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf told us this:
“My formula as a fitter was three shots only. I discounted No. 1 just because it was the first one, counted 100 percent of No. 2 and discounted No. 3 because the player was starting to adjust.”
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Whats in the Bag
Daniel Brown WITB 2024 (July)
![](https://www.golfwrx.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/452174642_18039284575979801_4145669877959372956_n-copy.jpg)
- Daniel Brown WITB accurate as of The Open Championship.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X
![](https://www.golfwrx.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/452174642_18039284575979801_4145669877959372956_n.jpg)
(Image courtesy of SMS on Tour)
Irons: Ping i230 (3), Ping Blueprint S (4-9)
Wedges: Ping s159 (50-12S, 54-12S, 58-06T)
Putter: Ping PLD
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Info an images via SMS on Tour.
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Jach Zohnson
Apr 6, 2024 at 6:30 pm
The article fails to mention the real reason he switched shafts was because he hasn’t won in a minute and is looking for something – anything to help him get back into the winners circle. Pretty sure he’s not losing sleep over 2 frickin’ yards.
Forest
Mar 28, 2024 at 3:52 pm
There are so many conflicting statements in this article. proof read.
Matthew A.
Mar 28, 2024 at 8:53 am
this doesn’t make sense… Tony is quoted saying “it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me”. The article continues and describes one of the differences between the two shafts is the GT has a slightly stiffer tip than the D+ Limited.
GMatt
Mar 29, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Yep, not sure the reporter got it incorrect or Tony did
The Donald
Mar 27, 2024 at 8:28 pm
He can’t handle a TX stiff shaft.
adamotpf
Mar 28, 2024 at 1:11 pm
Neither can your wife 😉