Fred Couples swapped out his long irons for a number of hybrids at Augusta National this week.
Getty Images
On of the many fun things I like to track during the Masters is any tweaks of wisdom from some of the past champions at Augusta National. This week, some of the more off-the-reservation gear set-ups were all by players that are considered long by most measures, and to a man, they have all been vocal about getting as much help in the bag as they can muster.
I’ve compiled some of those set-ups — which may offer some helpful insight for your own game — below.
9-woods for Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson and Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood hits a 9-wood into the par-5 13th at Augusta National. GETTY IMAGES
Let’s start with the 9-wood trend we have seen over the past year or so. The first I saw of it was Tommy Fleetwood back in March of 2023. The idea behind the swap was a 230 club that landed like a wedge. As PGA Tour greens get firmer, the ability to hit something high and floaty at high speeds that also hits a gapping number is a big asset.
Three players have 9-woods in this week and they are all the same model, replace the same club and are for the same reason, to hold the greens on holes like 5, 11, 13, and 15.
Fred Couples hits one of his four Ping G430 Hybrids into No. 13 at Augusta.Getty Images
This story has been well documented at this point but for the average golfer, Fred Couples ditching his 4, 5 and 6 irons for Ping G430 4H, 5H and 6H is a sign to really pay attention.
Fred has struggled with back issues for 30+ years and as he has gotten older, getting the ball up with speed has become more of an effort than he would care to admit. Swapping into hybrids as iron replacements gives him some ease of use at that part of the bag no matter how he’s feeling. To know that you can cruise and still hit the peak height and the number without over exerting yourself is huge for Couples. The math is quite simple, 4H goes 205, 5H goes 195 and 6H 185.
Specs:
Ping G430 3H@19, 4H@22, 5H@26, 6H@30 Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Blue HY 9X (40.25, 39.75, 39.25, 38.75) Swing weight: D3.5
PING G430 Custom Hybrid
The PING G430 Hybrid is loaded with innovations like Carbonfly Wrap, PING’s newest technology and the key to more distance and green-holding stopping power. Alongside proven technologies Facewrap Technology and Spinsistency, they deliver the speed and performance golfers need to take on any approach shot. With six loft options (2H/17°, 3H/19°, 4H/22°, 5H/26°, 6H/30°, 7/34°) they are ideal mid- and long-iron replacements to help fill distance gaps in a player’s game.
CARBONFLY WRAP
The lightweight composite crown wraps into the heel and toe sections of the skirt, creating weight savings of 10 grams which are reallocated to achieve the lower the CG and increase ball speed. The composite also plays a role in the pleasing sound.
FACE WRAP TECHNOLOGY
FaceWrap Technology, a variable-thickness, high-strength maraging steel face wraps into the sole and crown of the stainless steel head, generating more flexing for faster ball speed and higher launch for greater distance.
SPINSISTENCY
The variable roll radius of Spinsistency improves performance across the face (especially on thin shots) by reducing spin to increase ball speed from the maraging steel face.
TUNGSTEN BACK WEIGHT
A tungsten back weight extends the perimeter weighting to ensure maximum forgiveness.
TRAJECTORY TUNING
The lightweight, 8-position hosel enables adjustments for loft (±1.5°) and lie (3° flatter than std.) to further dial in ball flight for the best results.
Phil Mickelson had two drivers and two 5-woods in the bag this week at Augusta National.JOHNNY WUNDER
PING G440 SFT Custom Driver
The G440 driver family (MAX, LST, SFT) is optimized to deliver more ball speed through multiple advancements, including PING’s deepest CG in a driver to date and a shallower, thinner face, while continuing to ensure the game-changing forgiveness expected from a PING driver. Golfers in need of slice-correction technology fit best in the G440 SFT (Straight Flight) option, which features a two-position (Draw and Draw+), adjustable 23-gram back weight.
HIGHLY FORGIVING
Lighter head weight allows for heavier back weight.
FASTER FACE
Shallow, thinner, face increases ball speed for more distance, higher launch.
SOUND DESIGN
New shaping, carbon crown and internal ribs produce muted impact experience.
FREE-HOSEL DESIGN
Saves weight to lower CG, increase forgiveness. Allows for more heel-side face flexing for consistent ball speed across face.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
The Future of Composites
The Elyte driver features an all-new Thermoforged Carbon crown.
This aerospace grade carbon fiber enables fast head speeds while optimizing launch and spin.
Ai Advancements for Optimal Distance, Control, and Launch
Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face™.
Designed to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face
Modern Shape with Adjustability
The new Elyte adjustable perimeter weighting system has utilizes a 13g moveable weight to enable a neutral, draw, or fade setting.
The Elyte model features a matte carbon crown, modern shape, and a chevron on the topline to inspire confidence off the tee and easy alignment.
This man doing something like this isn’t surprising but doubling down on different sections of the bag is a wild scene. Phil Mickelson has been playing driver whack-a-mole over the past few months between a Ping G440 LST and a Callaway Elyte (Core Model). When I was at LIV Miami I also noticed another double: He had two 5-woods.
With regard to the driver, it’s simple: Much like his experiment when he won in 2006, one driver (the Callaway) is reserved for nukes and the other (Ping G440LST) for fairway finders. The Callaway Elyte launches higher, with faster ball speed and lower spin while the Ping is the opposite.
With regard to the 5-woods, Ping Tour Rep Spencer Rothluebber told me that he has one that’s built a little longer and stronger (basically a 4-wood) and the other shorter (closer to a 7-wood). Both are intended to hit a specific number and a specific height into 2, 8, 13, and 15 at Augusta National.
5-wood specs:
(4) G430 18* @ 16.25, Flat minus setting, Graphite Design AD VF 8x tip 1, 42.25, D4
(7) G430 18* @18*, STD Setting, Graphite Design AD VF 9x tip 2”, 41.5”, D4
What you can learn
Pretty simple here: Lose your ego and play some good golf. Equipment technology is made to help you. Golf is not a fashion show, it’s a game of chess, and the smartest golfers seem to win most of the time. We all have 14 slots in the bag, each with a specific job to do. Make 100 percent sure that everyone in your company is efficient and doing their job. If not, it could cost you.
Johnny currently serves as the Director of Equipment at Golf.com, contributing to platforms like Fully Equipped Golf. Prior to this role, he was the Content Marketing Manager at Callaway Golf, where he led “Callaway Golf’s World of Wunder,” a platform dedicated to in-depth golf equipment content. Before joining Callaway, he was the Director of Original Content and host of “The Gear Dive” podcast at GolfWRX.com. Beyond his professional endeavors, Johnny is an avid golfer with a deep passion for the game, having played since his youth in Seattle, Washington.
