One PGA Tour season ends and another has already begun, which means Fully Equipped’s triumvirate is already turning its attention to new products, potential gear free agents and tracking club trends. But let’s not completely forget about the 2019-20 season just yet. In the latest episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Wall, Andrew Tursky and Tim Briand take a look back at the biggest equipment storylines from the previous season, and predict if any of them have staying-power going forward.
Listen to the entire discussion right here.
Multi-material putter shafts
Jonathan Wall, GOLF managing equipment editor (@jonathanrwall): “These multi-material shafts are another way to add stability to the head, and I think that’s what a lot of players are looking for is something that’s going to be really consistent and stable. We’re seeing a lot of major manufacturers, and even some that are starting to bust into the space, like LAGP, who are starting to make some noise out on Tour with these shafts. For me it’s multi-material putter shafts. I do not think this is a fad. I think it’s going to continue in the space for a long time.”
TaylorMade’s success on Tour
Tim Briand, EVP True Spec Golf (@ClubWhisperer): “It’s the dominance of Team TaylorMade. Whether it’s Jon Rahm or Rory or Tiger, it seems like that stable of players they put together — I know there was a major shift in sports marketing a few years back, and they made a decision. Instead of let’s go for the quantity count — the driver count — let’s not worry about the driver count as much anymore. Let’s worry that out of the top 10 players in the world that we have the most players signed. You look at that TaylorMade team and, god, they’ve had a lot of success over the last year.”
The reemergence of hybrids
Andrew Tursky, GOLF senior equipment editor (@AndrewTursky): “It’s the reemergence of hybrids. You’ve got Rory, Dustin, Fleetwood — and not just hybrids, but also high-lofted fairway woods. 7-wood, 9-woods, 5-woods. It’s all these clubs that for the last 10 years I’ve tried to keep out of my bag, and now it’s almost like you’ve got to test it or try it because it’s working for all these PGA Tour players. You never saw Dustin with a 7-wood or hybrid or anything crazy like that before this season.”
The full podcast is available below for your listening pleasure.
