Equipment
Wilson’s Driver vs. Driver is back for a second season, entries now open
Wilson announced today that The Golf Channel has given the go ahead for season two of Driver vs. Driver — a reality show that follows the process of designing a new driver while its contestants compete for a cash prize. The new season is set to premiere in the Fall of 2018 and the “Call for Entries” is now open.
#DriverVsDriver is set to return! Submit your design by 6/4 and you could be a Season 2 contestant!#WilsonStaff
? https://t.co/O8pjtUtk86 pic.twitter.com/wInahEoraP
— Wilson Golf (@WilsonGolf) May 2, 2017
To enter your driver design, you or your team are required to submit a “short video” describing your concept and why you believe it to be golf’s next great driver innovation. No experience as an engineer or inventor is necessary, but it certainly will help since the competition will be stiff based on season one. The deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. ET on June 4, 2017.
In case you forgot, last season’s winner was Eric Sillies who helped produce Wilson’s Triton driver. As promised, Wilson brought that driver to market, although it didn’t hit stores without a hiccup. Retail versions of the Triton were initially deemed illegal, but Wilson made slight adjustments to the sole plate of the driver to make it conforming.
You may also recognize the driver sketches in Wilson’s promotional images from somewhere. Ahead of season one, I visited Wilson’s headquarters to learn about the challenges of designing a driver, as well as the difficulties of making the driver not only legal, but effective and marketable. I can attest the entire process is far from easy, so season two’s winner will certainly earn their victory.
Good luck to all entrants and contestants of season two!
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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…
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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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- 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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Sandy Bunker
May 5, 2017 at 7:26 am
I’d like to submit my 25 year old Wilson Invex driver remodelled to today’s specs ( 460cc TI head & tricked up shaft ) and see how it goes on the Trackman , GC Quad etc. Man that driver was ahead of its time.
H
May 4, 2017 at 12:49 pm
“it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
H
May 4, 2017 at 12:49 pm
“it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
Michael
May 4, 2017 at 11:05 am
There are currently no titanium driver heads manufactured in the US. The last one made here were prior to the Ping G-series drivers. There are persimmon drivers still being made in the US though.
ooffa
May 4, 2017 at 8:53 am
Wow, That was boring!
ooffa
May 4, 2017 at 11:26 am
Nope, just boring.
ooffa
May 4, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Yep. too bored with your comment to bother.
ooffa
May 4, 2017 at 6:51 pm
ZZZZZzzzzzzz
rebfan73
May 4, 2017 at 7:43 am
Zzzzzzz
Mad-Mex
May 4, 2017 at 2:28 am
How about this, make it a K-Sig driver theme, Tour Grade quality for less than $199!!!
Then you will have me watching!
setter02
May 3, 2017 at 11:16 pm
Simple, 99% of it isn’t made in the US, happy shopping!
joro
May 3, 2017 at 11:58 am
Not again, I just got my Triton setup for my swing. It was okay when I got it but it get a lot better when I worked with the settings and got it just right. It is now my best Driver, better than the BB or the M2. Not another one!!
Dj
May 3, 2017 at 8:18 am
The Triton is actually a decent driver. My biggest surprise of demo day for sure
Mr Muira
May 3, 2017 at 7:12 am
If the engineering gonzos had a brain you would forget about the exterior looks and think about what they could do internally to make a driver work better than the $40 hollow pieces of crap they sell for $600.
H
May 3, 2017 at 2:17 am
I guess Wilson must have some money lying around not doing anything to throw it away on more junk that nobody will ever buy
H
May 5, 2017 at 2:13 am
We know its you Smeagol, why don’t you just go ahead and jump into the cauldron and fizzle
Rex
May 2, 2017 at 9:30 pm
Stop!
tlmck
May 2, 2017 at 5:43 pm
I would like to submit my new/old Titleist 909 D3 for consideration. Far superior to any new tech on the market.
taco breath
May 2, 2017 at 9:13 pm
i was thinking of something similar but for me its the 905r
Dj
May 3, 2017 at 8:17 am
Lol that thing wouldn’t come within 5 mph of ball speed of the m1 and epic
golfraven
May 2, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Please learn from series one and don’t f.. with R&A and USGA so next driver actually has a chance in the market. I like that Wilson are bold and give this a shoot though.
JS
May 2, 2017 at 2:13 pm
the tv money must outweigh the money they lose on these drivers.
chinchbugs
May 2, 2017 at 1:53 pm
***Conforming drivers not required***
Blake
May 3, 2017 at 4:53 pm
This was what i said also. Someone should go in and tell wilson “Why are you trying to compete with tit, tmag,etc on conforming drivers when 99% of golfers never play in a usga sanctioned event. Own the non conforming driver market. And therefore own the amateur market”
TR1PTIK
May 5, 2017 at 4:11 pm
How many guys in your foursome use non-conforming clubs (that were purchased as non-conforming clubs)? Wilson would be dealing themselves a much quicker death if they followed your advice.
Robert
May 2, 2017 at 1:27 pm
I would think season 2 will be much better now that it’s a known entity. They should get way more entrants. I was surprised at some of the teams that actually made the show and thought the WRX Driver you guys built was the best of all of them.
setter02
May 3, 2017 at 11:18 pm
Wilson is a known entity, how’s that working out for them?