How LIV rookie Josele Luis Ballester built set for his insane speed | Bag Spy

There is definitely something different about Josele Luis Ballester.

Ask anyone around the collegiate game and they’ll tell you the former Arizona State Sun Devil and 2024 U.S. Amateur champion was either the or at the very least among the top two players to come out of college this year. He’s the definition of the modern golfer: athletic, fast (195+ mph with the driver), can overpower any course on the planet — and, yes, he’s young (only 21). The youth surge is real in golf and is becoming more and more like professional tennis. These kids coming outta school are not only ready to win but also typically all have that one thing every golfer desires: speed. Even the slower elite college players possess 170+ mph ball speed. It’s a different game than it was 15 years ago, and Ballester is the prototype example of that.

Fitting someone with Ballester’s speed is no easy task, because his speed comes more from brute strength than technique. In other words, he’s a raw athlete who doesn’t play the tee-it-high-and-hit-up-on-it game; his angle of attack is down, his launch is low and the amount of attention he must pay to his spin is probably more critical than most. Why? At sub-8 degrees of launch and 195 mph+ you need every rotation of spin you can find to keep the ball in the air. Last player I can remember like this was Cameron Champ.

I had a chance to go through Ballester’s bag with Ping’s LIV rep, Spencer Rothluebber, who offered some interesting insight into Ballester’s setup.

JW: When fitting someone with Ballester’s speed and launch conditions, what do you have to stay mindful of?

SR: Iron and wedges wise, not much different than any other player. Metal woods are where it differs. Josele is either level or negative on his attack angle so where your norms on Tour of 12 launch and 2,300 spin would be perfect for most, it’s not enough juice to keep the ball in the air. He’s looking in the 7-8 launch in the 2,700-2,900 RPM range.

Another unique thing about his setup is he prefers softer feeling shafts. We do this because he doesn’t want to miss shots left and primarily only hits a fade off the tee. A higher lofted driver is also preferred so he can have the feeling of covering the ball, while still being able to launch it. Hence the MCA Diamana RF, which has a stiff handle yet softer tip profile. He plays his driver at D4+, which to some would feel like a rock at the end of a bull whip. Perfect for how he delivers the club. You’ll find a good number of Tour players want an AOA at closer to zero for control and with the proper make-up of loft, CG and shaft, you can re-create optimal launch conditions without having to “swing up” on it. That’s why getting fit is so important.

JW: What did he gain switching from the Ping Crossover driving iron to iDi? 

SR: Turf interaction was the most important thing. The iDi was significantly better through the turf, and sound/feel was also better from Crossover to iDi. Turf interaction with everything longer than a 3-wood is so important; it has influence on strike point, which in turn has a direct effect on launch, spin, etc. We always have to be mindful of that especially with someone at his speed.

JW: What’s the most difficult aspect of dialing in his bag? 

SR: Due to his speed, wedges are difficult. I have tried to promote adding another wedge to allow more stock-number shots because his speed makes it tough to control his distances. This is the plight of any real long hitter: gapping can get funky and it’s usually at the bottom of the bag. The players that prioritize short irons/wedges and really evolve in that area (a la Dustin Johnson) seem to have the greatest success. Essentially, it’s teaching a knockout puncher to also be a technician. Not simple for some — it takes a ton of work and commitment.

JW: Any of his Trackman data catch your eye? 

SR: Anytime I see a Tour pro at 200 mph [of ball speed], it’s always crazy to witness.

Here is Josele Luis Ballester’s full setup:

Driver: G430 LST 10.5 @ 9.25 (Big-)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diaman RF 70TX (Tip 1, 45.25 EOG, D4+)

Mini-Driver: TaylorMade BRNR 13.5
Shaft: MCA Kuro Kage 80TX (43.5 EOG, D4)

Utility Iron: Ping iDi #2 18
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT UT 125TX (39.75, D3)

PING iDi Custom Driving Iron

The iDi marks a big step forward in driving iron and long-iron performance, giving better golfers the flexibility of three loft choices to fit their distance number and trajectory window. Loft offerings are optimized for launch and spin in 2, 3 & 4 irons with a thinner, forged maraging steel face that flexes to increase ball speed and distance. The 2 is a traditional driving iron, delivering low launch and spin. The 3 (mid launch, mid spin) is designed as a driving iron or long-iron replacement. The 4 launches higher with more spin, making it easier to hold greens and is also recommended as a long iron replacement. The 17-4 stainless steel head is both deeper front to back and shallower, which allows for 15% higher MOI on high/low impacts, and makes room for the new inR-Air technology. inR-Air is a pocket of air in the clubhead that damps sound and improves feel. The covered cavity and i-Beam structure help reduce vibration. In addition, iDi is shorter heel-to-toe to make it easier to tun over. For control in shot making, each iDi is approximately 1/4″ shorter and 1° flatter. 

$269.00 from Fairway Jockey

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Irons: (4) Ping IBlade (5-PW) Ping Blueprint (1 flat, std length, D2+)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X7
Lofts: 23/27/30.5/34/38/42/46

Wedges: Ping Glide Pro Forged (50/10S, 54/10S, 58/10S)
Shafts: Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (Std length, D5)

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X (34 inches, 2.5 loft)
Grip: Golf Pride Pro Only Cord

TaylorMade 2025 Spider Tour X Black L-Neck Custom Putter

  SPIDER TOUR X L-NECK For nearly two decades Spider putters have been delivering championship-winning stability and performance to professionals and amateurs alike. Scottie Scheffler recently joined this group by stepping into the winner’s circle for the third time in four starts with a Spider Tour X L-Neck in the bag. TRUE PATH™ ALIGNMENT Navigate the greens with clarity with the optically-engineered True Path™ Alignment system. This legacy tech from TaylorMade helps you better visualize the line to the hole while also making it easier to aim the putter towards your target. WHITE TPU PURE ROLL™ INSERT Experience a softer feel with our White TPU Pure Roll™ insert. Crafted from a blend of Surlyn and aluminum, it features grooves angled at 45° for optimal forward roll and better overall roll characteristics. PRECISION WEIGHTING AND DESIGN A thin wall undercut and steel wireframe allow for precision CG placement, creating a superstructure with enhanced stability and forgiveness.

$349.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Chord