Equipment
Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Guide
So it happened again.
It’s less than one week from Father’s Day, and you still haven’t picked something up for Dad? Don’t worry, because GolfWRX is here to help. Our staff has created a list of the coolest Father’s Day golf gifts on the planet, each of which has been rigorously tested and approved by our equipment-obsessed staff.
To make things even easier, we’ve included links below to buy these products, which means you’re just a few clicks away from making Dad the best-geared guy in his foursome. While you’re at it, why not pick something up for yourself, too? You’re going to need something to keep up with Dad’s new found swag.
Drivers
Nike Covert — $399
Most new drivers have one really cool feature, but the Nike Covert has two. Nike has wowed us with the Covert’s “high-speed cavity-back construction,” which in simpler terms means that it has a huge hole in the back of the sole that makes it more forgiving on mishits. It also has “FlexLoft,” which allows golfers the ability to independently adjust loft and face angle to create the perfect set up at address. If Dad has an extremely fast swing speed or has trouble with too much spin, consider the smaller, lower-spinning Covert Tour driver, which is used by Rory McIlroy. Click here to read our full review.
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Ping G25 — $349.99
Ping moved the center of gravity even lower and farther back in its new Ping G25 driver, which will helps golfers hit their drives higher and straighter drivers. The G25 also has Ping’s “Trajectoy Tuning Technology” — a slim, adjustable hosel that allows golfers to add or subtract 0.5 degrees of loft from the head. Each of the leading custom fitters on our GolfWRX Advisory Panel recommended the G25, particularly for golfers who need to hit their drives higher. Click here to learn more about the G25 line of drivers, fairway woods and hybrids.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30084882/ping-g25-driver?tcode=GOLFWRX”]Click here to buy[/button]
TaylorMade R1 Black — $299.99
TaylorMade’s R1 Black does everything TaylorMade’s uber-adjustable R1 White driver does, but it’s shiny black crown is much more understated at address. Six golfers switched to the R1 Black in its debut last week at the FexEx St. Jude Classic, proving that even for the best players in the world a silly thing like paint can make a difference. The R1 is hands down the most adjustable driver on the market, and in our testing, we also found it to be one of the best at controlling spin. Click here to read our full review of the R1.
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Callaway 3Deep — $213.98
OK, the Callaway 3Deep is technically a 3 wood, but that doesn’t mean Dad can’t hit it as far as a driver. To make the 3Deep, Callaway tweaked the design of it ultra-hot X Hot Pro 3 wood, giving it a slightly larger head and deeper face. That allows the 3Deep it to create ball speeds that will rival most players’ drivers. If Dad doesn’t have a decent amount of club head speed, the 3Deep probably isn’t for him. But its smaller head and shorter shaft length make it a great alternative to a driver for golfers who need more help with direction than distance. Click here to read our full review of the 3Deep.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30096312/callaway-x-hot-pro-3-deep-fairway-wood?tcode=GOLFWRX”]Click here to buy[/button]
Golf Shoes
Ecco Men’s Tour Hybrid Wingtip — $189.95
These might just be the most versatile golf shoes in the world. The styling of Ecco’s Hybrid Wingtip spikeless golf shoes blends in perfectly at the office, but its TPU outsole, which lasts five times longer than rubber, is built for the course. If Dad is known to take a break from work for a quick bucket or a quick nine, these will be his favorite shoes.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.tgw.com/customer/category/product.jsp?SUBCATEGORY_ID=47806&SITE_ID=A0380&CID=AFC-GOLFWRX”]Click here to buy[/button]
Nike TW ’14 — $179.99
Nike’s TW ’14 is the newest version of Tiger Woods’ signature golf shoes, which Nike says gives Tiger the traction, stability and flexibility he needs to play his best golf. We’re sure all that’s true, but what we’re most pleased with is that the new shoes look infinitely better than the old model. The TW ’14 are inspired by Nike’s “Free” running shoes, so if Dad is looking for a pair of golf shoes that feel more like his sneakers, you can’t go wrong here. Click here to learn more about the TW ’14.
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Puma Faas Lite — $89.99
Puma is touting its Faas Lite as the lightest golf shoe in the world, tipping the scales at a lean 6.5 ounces. Like most things Puma, these come in bright colors, and transition well with a pair of jeans. For a shoe that weighs 6.5 ounces, they’ve got quite a bit of traction and cushioning. A word of caution — these probably won’t go over well with Dads who still wear FootJoy Classics. Click here to learn more about the Faas Lite.
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True Linkswear Men’s True Proto — $169.99
If Dad has ever complained of blisters, you need to buy him a pair of True Linkswears. The Proto is the same shoe that was worn by Ryan Moore when he won the 2012 Justin Timberlake Shriner’s Open, and has a little more built-in stability than the company’s other spikeless models. No, True Linkswear shoes don’t look like the normal golf shoes, but they’re are nearly blisterproof. What other shoe can say that? Click here to lean more about the Proto.
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Putters
Bettinardi Matt Kuchar Signature Model 1 — $375
Is Dad’s nervous about the upcoming anchored-putter ban, which looks as if it will prevent him from using his favorite broomstick or belly putter in tournaments after 2016? If so, get him a Matt Kuchar-inspired Bettinardi arm lock putter, which anchors to a golfer’s leading forearm for a nearly yip-proof stroke. It was created in collaboration with Kuchar, and is the same putter he has used to win twice in 2013. Click here to read a full review of the putter, which explains the rule and how to use an arm lock putter in great depth.
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Nike Method Core Weighted Drone 2.0 — $169.99
One of the most memorable moments during our trip to Nike Golf’s “The Oven” was watching the performance benefits of the company’s Method putters. Method putters have grooves in impact area that include both polymer and metal. The polymer, which is located in the bottom half of the grooves, improves feel, while the metal edges on the top of the grooves lift up on the back of the ball, creating a forward tumble that decreases skid for a truer role. The Drone is Nike’s highest-MOI putter, making it the most stable and forgiving on mishits.
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Odyssey Versa Putters — $169.95
Most alignment aids on putters are parallel to the target line, but Odysseys’ Versa putters have alternating black-and-white lines painted on the putter head that Odyssey says improves a golfer’s awareness of where the putter face is aimed at address. It’s a change that’s been well received by many Tour players, such as Fowler, Mickelson, Els and many more. Golfers can also buy the Versa #7, 2 Ball and Versa #2 putters from certain golf stores with a stock SuperStroke putter grip for $199.99.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.tgw.com/customer/category/product.jsp/SUBCATEGORY_ID/46614/searchWords/odyssey+versa+superstroke/sattr0/Model/sattrVal0/%232?SITE_ID=A0380&CID=AFC-GOLFWRX”]Click here to buy[/button]
TaylorMade Daddy Long Legs — $199
This is possibly the most stable non-anchored putter ever made. The Daddy Long Legs is actually smaller than TaylorMade’s original Spider putter, but it has a heavier head that is balanced out by a longer, heavier grip. TaylorMade recommends that golfers increase the counterbalancing effect by playing a slightly longer-length and choking down a few inches. It’s available in 34-, 35- and 38-inch lengths. Click here to read out full review on the Daddy Long Legs.
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Golf Balls and Accessories
Callaway Hex Chrome + — $29.95 per dozen
The Hex Chrome + is a four-piece golf ball with a slightly higher compression than the company’s five-piece Hex Black Tour golf ball, which gives Tour players such as Gary Woodland, Phil Mickelson and Sang Moon Bae the extra spin they need to stop it quickly on the green. But what’s more important for non-Tour pros like Dad is that the balls are currently priced at $29.95, well below the $40-plus dollars golfers usually have to fork out to play a Tour ball.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.tgw.com/customer/category/product.jsp/SUBCATEGORY_ID/47745/searchWords/callaway+hex+chrome/sattr0/Color/sattrVal0/White?SITE_ID=A0380&CID=AFC-GOLFWRX”]Click here to buy[/button]
Ping iCradle for iPhone — $29.95
The iCradle from Ping is the gift that keeps giving. It allows Dad’s iPhone to be secured to his putter shaft, which lets the company’s free, downloadable iPing app work it’s magic. iPing will tell most Dads everything they could want to know and more about their stroke, which will help them identify, correct and monitor their habits. iPing can even recommend a putter that fits Dad’s stroke, which could help you with your next gift idea. Click here to learn more about iPing.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.tgw.com/customer/category/product.jsp/SUBCATEGORY_ID/22580/refScid/1760/sattr0/Item/sattrVal0/iPhone+4+Cradle?SITE_ID=A0380&CID=AFC-GOLFWRX”]Click here to buy[/button]
Sky Caddie GPS Watch — $149.98
Sky Caddie’s GPS watch comes pre-loaded with yardage information from 30,000 golf course located throughout the world. It’s water resistant up to 30 meters, and has an odometer feature that tracks miles for runners, bikers and walkers that can be uploaded to Google Maps. It costs $19.95 for a one-year membership to access the course data, but we think that’s a small price to pay for accurate distances to the front, center and back of green of every green.
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TaylorMade Lethal Golf Balls — $45.99
We love that the Lethal doesn’t spin as much as other premium golf balls on full wedge shots, which helps high-spin golfers keep those shots from spinning away from the flag. Like previous balls from TaylorMade, it feels soft, checks around the green and is very stable in the wind. It’s been used by Dustin Johnson and Boo Weekley to win on Tour this year, but it’s not just for Tour players. Its five-piece construction ensures premium performance for Dads of all swing speeds.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Whats in the Bag
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 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…
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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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