Equipment

11 Revealing photos from the 2016 Quicken Loans National

Published

10 years ago

Jun 25, 2016

GolfWRX was live this week from the 2016 Quicken Loans National at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. If you missed any of the photos from the week, make sure to browse the galleries in the links below.

Tiger Woods and his foundation host the event this week, although he has announced that he won’t be competing. That may be for the best, given Tiger’s recent performance on Congressional’s 10th hole. It’s still unfortunate to see Tiger as a host rather than a competitor, however.

Anyway, let’s reveal photos from this week’s Quicken Loans National, hosted by Tiger Woods.

The Kid

We spotted all-time baseball great Ken Griffey Jr. playing in the pro-am with fellow Nike-ambassador Tony Finau. Surely Finau was bombing a golf ball past him, but no one hit a baseball like Ken “The Kid” Griffey.

His golf swing has traces of his silky smooth baseball cut, too.

Ken Griffey Jr. has a pretty swing when it comes to golf, too.

????https://t.co/8CSVdBPdtl

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 22, 2016

No new tricks

Charles Howell III is just an old dog up to his same old tricks. Earlier this year he signed with PXG, but as a gear head, he just can’t help but experimenting with different clubs and shafts when he can. This week, it appears that he’s testing Srixon Z-U45 driving irons.

Never change, Charles. Not that you could help yourself, anyway.

Nostalgia

Remember Super Soakers? Remember super corny commercials in the 90s? Here’s both:

But seriously, Bettinardi’s custom Super-Soaker putter head covers are awesome, and bring back some good memories of summers as a kid.

Too cool.

Titleist throwing it back?

Here’s a comparison photo of the Titleist 915 (left) and its new 917 driver. Looks as though the company is going away from the black crowns, and back toward a gray colorway like older releases, most notably the Titleist 975D that Tiger Woods used for a decade or so.

Which do you prefer; left or right? Black or gray?

Barking up the wrong tree

I have three theories as to why this metal tag is nailed to the tree:

Congressional is treating its trees, and the numbers mark that a tree has already been treated.
The tags are marking specific species of trees, for whatever reason.
This tree is really just keeping it 100.

Am I completely barking up the wrong tree, or did I nail it? Tree experts, please help me out.

Wedge essay

So we’ve upgraded from wedge stampings to wedge essays. Great quote from Happy Gilmore, but the wedge maker was probably irritated after the first line.

Rickie’s putter(s)

Rickie Fowler’s gamer putter is sweet.

And so are his two picturesque backups. Ah, the life of a Tour player.

No pressure

Davis Love III, as captain of the 2016 Ryder Cup Team, is already bringing his captain’s bag around on Tour. How about if you’re on the bubble in the Team USA standings and you see DLIII strolling by you on the range. Just that extra reminder you’re under constant scrutiny by the eyes of the captain. Every shot must feel like do-or-die… but no pressure!

Anyone seen K.J. Choi lately?

Yep, still working out. You know what he’s not doing…?

Sitting down

Is anyone gonna get to work around here?

That’s why you shouldn’t have chairs set up near the putting green or range. Nothing gets done with chairs around.

For the kids

It’s easy to forget, in the midst of all the craziness on Tour, such as ridiculous USGA rulings, that golf is a gentleman’s game. It really is all about influencing kids to not only play golf the right way, but to be a good person, too.

Here, Jimmy “Bones” Furyk takes some time out of his practice to sign autographs and talk to a young fan.

Also, do you think the Pittsburgh native will ever give up that awesome U.S. Open staff bag from Callaway? I’m guessing no.

Equipment

Interesting clubs at top of bag – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

12 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, users are talking about top of bag setups that are non-traditional or thought-provoking in some way. Original poster @SuperSpurs106 inquired about other members who might use unorthodox set-ups to help with gapping issues or weak spots.

They wrote:

“I currently have a PING G430 driver, TM Qi35 3W and a TM Qi4D 7W. Driver and 7W are fine but can’t get on with my 3W and have always struggling with this club over the years. Thinking of adding a 2H which I know would look odd. Just wondering if anyone else had a weird set up at the top of their bag?”

Our members in the forum have offered up their thoughts and personal experiences with non-traditional top of bag set-ups, and their reasoning for thinking outside of the box to begin with. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

BowMain42: “Don’t worry about what “looks” odd. If the club does what you need it to do, it’s the right club.”
scooterhd2: “I cant hit 3 woods either. Thats why I roll with a unicorn XL Hibore 2 wood. 400 cc head at 16 degrees of loft and its just a monster 3 wood off the tee. Off the deck, we are playing the f6 baffler. 5 wood at 41.75 inches and its easy to control.”
phizzy30: “I had driver, 3 metal, 2/4 hybrid once upon a time as a higher ss player. 4 hybrid is gone and in place is a driving iron nowadays. I don’t think what you’re proposing is weird in anyway, however the yardage gap might be glaringly huge between driver and 2 hybrid. What is it about your 3 metal that has got you all messed up? You could always go 4 metal with shorter shaft and see if that works.”

Entire Thread: “Interesting clubs at top of bag”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Equipment

Members of the Mini Driver Club – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

12 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user has gone searching for fellow users of a mini driver. In a post, @TightFade asked for other mini driver users to chime in with their weapon of choice, the reason for employing a mini, and what club follows it in the bag.

@TightFade asked:

“What mini are you playing? What spot in the bag did it take over? What’s the next club after it? For me: Elyte mini 13.5. Replacing 3w. Next up club looks like it’ll be 5w.”

Our members in the forum have been sharing their own bag setups featuring the mini driver, and the various reasons they purchased one in the first place. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

RCGA: “Ping G430 Max 12* ‘Thriver.’ Next club is a 4w and 2i (I play a weird course).”
JMB3: “R7 at 12.75 with Diamana BB 63s. 3w replacement. Next Club: Elyte Ti 5w at 17*.”
ColdOkieGolf: “R7 15.5 turned down to 13.5 It replaces the 3w. I found it surprisingly easy to hit off the deck, and it’s very rare that I need or want to hit something beyond 250 from the fairway, so next club is my 7w.”
ChaosTheory: “I’m sub-90 MPH with driver. But I’m able to hit DOD. I have been wanting something like the R7 15.5, so I just ordered one. I have a spot in the bag so nothing has to go. But I could see it replacing my trusty 4 wood, which I never use for approach shots. Just tee shots and lay ups. If I drop the 4 wood, I will turn my 7 wood down to ~20 degrees and will have good gaps. I recently tried a thriver build: 12 degree driver turned to 14, with a heavier 44 inch shaft and added head weight. I hit it great. Very accurate and not overly high, but the problem was that it sometimes went as far as a typical drive. And that’s not what I needed. So I will probably turn the 15.5 up to 16.5 or even 17.5. It’s all theoretical at this point. ?”

Entire Thread: “Members of the Mini Driver Club…Check In.”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Whats in the Bag

Chris Gotterup WITB 2026 (June)

Published

12 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Chris Gotterup had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.

Drivers: TaylorMade Qi4D (8 degrees), Ping G440 LST (9 degrees @8), Ping G440 LST (7.5 degrees)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS T1100 Handcrafted 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g