The post TaylorMade Qi35 fairway woods, hybrids: 5 things to know about the 2025 line appeared first on Golf.

The post TaylorMade Qi35 fairway woods, hybrids: 5 things to know about the 2025 line appeared first on Golf.

Similar to the new drivers from the TaylorMade Qi35 family, the new Qi35 fairway woods and hybrids focus on two main characteristics: inertia and adjustability. Inertia refers to the clubhead’s ability to deliver an optimal combination of distance and forgiveness, while adjustability allows golfers to fine-tune their shot shapes and configurations, helping players of all skill levels lower their scores.

Here’s a closer look under the hood of the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway woods and hybrids, which you can pre-order here.

1. More game-enhancing tech

Many of the technologies found in the previous Qi10 fairway wood line are carried over into the Qi35, including Twist Face, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, TSS weights and, this time, a Chromium Carbon Crown. The Qi35 introduces several new features as well, such as improved shaping, weight distribution and optimization across all of the new models.

“With the Qi35 fairway woods, we’ve been able to lower the center of gravity compared to the previous Qi10 models so that it aligns with the center of the ball for a more powerful impact,” said Andrew Oldknow, TaylorMade’s director of production creation for metalwoods. This means the Qi35s are more forgiving, longer and easier to get the ball airborne from off the deck, almost as easily as if you’re launching a ball off a tee.

2. Focus on adjustability

For the first time, TaylorMade is putting 4° loft sleeves in all 3- and 5-woods in the fairway wood line to allow for even greater options for fitting. Previously, adjustable loft sleeves were limited only to the Tour line.

“This gives golfers the opportunity to optimize their distance, flight and face angle,” Oldknow said. “And this year, we’re bringing driver-like adjustability to our fairway woods, offering a tour-level experience to consumers.”

There also will be a loft sleeve on the Qi35 Tour 7-wood.

3. Four models from which to choose

Each of the four Qi35 fairway wood models is designed with specific player profiles in mind:

Qi35 ($349.99): The neutral-biased Qi35 features a lower crown and skirt section (back of the clubhead) compared to previous models, helping to better align the center of gravity (CG) for maximum energy transfer into the ball.

1/3

2/3

3/3

Qi35 Tour ($449.99): More compact and versatile, the Qi35 Tour comes with an adjustable/sliding weight, effectively doubling the adjustability options. It’s ideal for better players who prioritize workability.

1/3

2/3

3/3

Qi35 Max ($349.99): At 200cc, this is the largest model in the line, designed for the highest moment of inertia (MOI) and a quicker, higher launch and slight draw bias. For context, 30 years ago “big” drivers topped out at 190-200cc.

1/3

2/3

3/3

Qi35 Max Lite ($349.99): The Qi35 Max Lite version is a few grams lighter in the head, shaft and grip for golfers who want extra pop without additional effort.

1/3

2/3

3/3

4. Three new hybrids

The Qi35 hybrids come in three models, crafted from a mix of carbon, steel and aluminum, and feature integrated TSS weights for improved performance and versatility. Like the fairway woods, the hybrids are designed with optimized CG to enhance energy transfer into the ball and also to promote higher launch conditions.

Qi35 Rescue ($299.99): The “Goldilocks” hybrid, designed for most golfers seeking the ideal balance of forgiveness, distance and playability from various lies. It also features a 3° loft sleeve for added customization.

1/3

2/3

3/3

Qi35 Max Rescue ($299.99): With an increased MOI, the CG in the Qi35 Max Rescue promotes a faster, higher launch with a slight draw bias for improved forgiveness.

1/3

2/3

3/3

Qi35 Max Lite Rescue ($299.99): Comes with all the features and benefits in the Qi35 Max Rescue, but with a lighter clubhead, shaft and grip.

1/3

2/3

3/3

5. Availability

The Qi35 fairway woods and hybrids are available for pre-order starting Jan. 7, and will be available at retail locations beginning Jan. 30.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post TaylorMade Qi35 fairway woods, hybrids: 5 things to know about the 2025 line appeared first on Golf.

The post The hottest new clubs available at Fairway Jockey for 2023 appeared first on Golf.

The post The hottest new clubs available at Fairway Jockey for 2023 appeared first on Golf.

On the heels of the 2023 PGA Merchandise Show, we’ve seen a pile of new equipment innovations and products sure to please the masses in 2023. Atop the list are a few perennial equipment stalwarts that bring new iterations of previous models as well as some all new club designs, each of which are available right now for pre-order on Fairway Jockey (GOLF.com’s sister company).

Callaway Paradym Series

All new for 2023 is the complete line of Paradym clubs from Callaway Golf. The driver features an industry-first 360 Carbon Chassis that according to Callaway “eliminates titanium from the body to push weight and stability to the limit.” It comes in three models, the standard Paradym that blends distance and forgiveness, the Paradym X for added forgiveness and draw bias, and the Paradym Triple Diamond for a lower launch and more workability.

Additionally, the Paradym series offers Paradym fairway woods and Paradym hybrids that borrow much of the same technology found in the driver, as well as the all-new Paradym irons that feature an A.I. designed Forged 455 Face with an all-new Speed Frame. They’re considered irons designed for golfers who are looking for a players’ distance iron with a refined shape and premium forging.

Callaway Paradym Driver

To create a new paradigm for golfers, we’ve reimagined how a driver is built from the ground up. This is a complete shift in performance, with a design that radically breaks the tradeoff between incredible distance and exceptional forgiveness. The Paradym Shift Construction features an industry-first 360 Carbon Chassis that eliminates titanium from the body, so we can push weight and stability to the limit.

$$599.99 from Fairway Jockey

Cobra Aerojet Series

The new Aerojet line from Cobra is specifically designed to provide golfers added clubhead speed for more distance off the tee as well as from the fairway. The all-new driver design comes in three ways: the standard Aerojet for optimal distance and forgiveness, the Aerojet Max for added forgiveness and optional draw bias and the Aerojet LS, designed for a lower spin launch.

Additional products in the category include Aerojet fairway woods that also come in three models that mirror the performance attributes of the aforementioned three drivers, Aerojet hybrids and the all-new, long-hitting Aerojet irons.

Cobra Aerojet

The Aerojet driver combines a faster aerodynamic shape with extreme forgiveness. An innovative suspended bridge weight design enables unrestricted flexibility of the face and sole, and positions the CG low and forward to unleash faster ball speed. Next, a forged PWRSHELL face insert maximizes flexibility for faster ball speed and higher launch. A H.O.T Face design uses artificial intelligence to create a variable thickness pattern that delivers more efficient speed and spin across the face.

$$549.99 from Fairway Jockey

Ping G430 Series

The latest from Ping, the G430 Series features four new driver models with adjustable weighting that are designed to help different types of golfs hit longer and straighter tee shots. The G430 Max is an all-around forgiveness/distance driver with improved sound and feel; the G430 SFT has added draw bias; the G430 LST is the low-spinning option for added workability; and, the G430 HL is a high-launch option design for slower swing speeds (HL not available on Fairway Jockey).

The G430 line also includes G430 Max fairway woods, G430 hybrids and the all-new G430 irons designed with a lower CG, stronger lofts and a thinner face that deliver faster ball speed and significant distance gains without compromising forgiveness.

Ping G430 Max

The PING G430 Max Driver remains the most forgiving and fits the widest range of golfers. A 25-gram, high-density tungsten moveable backweight influences shot shape +/- 10 yards between the Draw, Neutral and Fade settings. Available in 9°, 10.5° and 12° lofts. Loft is adjustable +/- 1.5° and lie up to 3° flat from standard using the 8-setting Trajectory Tuning 2.0 hosel.

$$549.99 from Fairway Jockey

TaylorMade Stealth 2

The new Stealth 2 line from TaylorMade includes revisions to make it even easier to hit the ball further and straighter than ever. The driver comes three ways, leading with the standard Stealth 2 which includes a new carbon face design and added carbon on the clubhead for greater performance. The other models include the Stealth 2 Plus+ with a sliding weight track for trajectory tuning, and the Stealth 2 HD (also available in women’s) for a higher launch with added draw bias.

In addition to the drivers, the Stealth 2 line includes Stealth 2 fairway woods, Stealth 2 Rescue clubs and Stealth irons in standard and HD offerings.

TaylorMade Stealth 2

Building on the speed producing success of the original 60X Carbon Twist Face that optimized energy transfer for fast ball speeds, the new face design in Stealth 2 features an advanced version of Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) to help maintain ball speed on off-center strikes and increase forgiveness. It weighs 24g (2g lighter than the original Stealth face) and is designed to have an expanded COR area for a larger sweet spot and boosted performance across the entire face.

$$599.99 from Fairway Jockey

Srixon ZX Mk II Irons

The latest ZX irons from Srixon come in three all-new designs, including a newly configured utility iron. The ZX4 Mk II irons have a sleek, narrow look at address, plus a premium forged feel. Behind that clean aesthetic is maximum forgiveness plus powerful distance, all thanks to its hollow head design and extra-strong lofts. The ZX5 Mk II irons blend razor-sharp looks, power, and playability with a premium forged feel, advanced ball speed, and distance technology. And, the ZX7 Mk II irons feature tour-preferred looks and the pure feel of a premium blade with a compact shape, narrow topline, single-piece forging, and narrow sole. Finally, the ZX Mk II Utility replacement long Irons offer every player—even tour pros—more long-game power, control, and forgiveness in a blade-like design with minimal offset and narrow toplines.

Srixon ZX5 Mk II

ZX5 Mk II is the perfect union of razor-sharp looks, power, and playability — combining a premium forged feel, advanced ball speed, and distance technology.

$$171.50/ea from Fairway Jockey

Cobra King

The new King irons from Cobra come in three new varieties to cater to the player who wants forged feel with added performance. The King Tour irons feature a 5-step forged construction, a compact tour cavity back shape, and a TPU insert deliver soft feel with excellent feedback that skilled players demand. The King CB are also 5-step forged but come in a more traditional cavity-back shape for the optimal blend of feel with forgiveness. Third is the King MB, a 5-step forged muscleback for the ultimate in shotmaking capabilities.

Cobra King Tour Irons

A 5-step forged construction, a compact tour cavity back shape, and a TPU insert deliver soft feel with excellent feedback that skilled players demand.

$$186.00/ea from Fairway Jockey

Want to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. For more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below.

The post The hottest new clubs available at Fairway Jockey for 2023 appeared first on Golf.

The post Breaking down the benefits of TaylorMade’s new Stealth 2 Plus fairway woods appeared first on Golf.

The post Breaking down the benefits of TaylorMade’s new Stealth 2 Plus fairway woods appeared first on Golf.

GOLF’s Senior Editor for Equipment Ryan Barath recently traveled to The Kingdom at TaylorMade to check out the adjustability offered by their new Stealth 2 Plus fairway woods.

The post Breaking down the benefits of TaylorMade’s new Stealth 2 Plus fairway woods appeared first on Golf.

The post Rory McIlroy offers blunt solution to his major fairway wood issues at the Travelers appeared first on Golf.

The post Rory McIlroy offers blunt solution to his major fairway wood issues at the Travelers appeared first on Golf.

After a textbook birdie at the par-3 11th hole on Friday at the Travelers Championship, Rory McIlroy was sitting pretty. Through 29 holes, he had already reached 13 under and looked to be on his way to a big 54-hole lead. Then, disaster struck.

After a tee shot out of bounds and a squirrely third on the very next hole, the four-time major champion scrawled out a quadruple-bogey 8 onto his scorecard, causing him to plummet down the leaderboard.

Tournaments

Then at 15, McIlroy hit another poor tee shot into a native area, leading to a double.

He made one birdie coming in to finish at eight under, six shots behind leader Xander Schuaffele, but it could have been so much better.

After his round, Rory revealed the culprit of his collapse to reporters: his fairway woods.

“Three fairway wood shots are what cost me,” McIlroy said Friday evening. “For whatever reason I haven’t been comfortable with my fairway woods the last couple weeks. You know, I just hit three loose ones there, two on 12 and then the one on 15. That was really it. I played well the rest of the way.”

But then Rory was asked how he intends to work through his fairway wood issue mid-tournament. Exhausted from his round that had just finished and perhaps frustrated by the way in which it did, Rory provided a blunt solution.

“I don’t know. Just avoid hitting them,” Rory said, continuing, “or go do some work on the range. Maybe spend a little bit of time in the warmup tomorrow hitting them and sort of getting committed to the shots I’m going to need out there off the tees.”

While Rory’s advice to “just avoid hitting them” sounds like a quip, it can actually be a good decision in certain situations.

If a specific club is giving you all kinds of trouble in a round, you might as well leave it in the bag and choose another club for the remainder of the day Then you can work on fixing your problems on the range later on, when your scorecard won’t be littered with crooked numbers.

The post Rory McIlroy offers blunt solution to his major fairway wood issues at the Travelers appeared first on Golf.

The post Fully Equipped: The pros’ first week with new Titleist TSR drivers and fairway woods appeared first on Golf.

The post Fully Equipped: The pros’ first week with new Titleist TSR drivers and fairway woods appeared first on Golf.

It was the first week out on tour for the newest Titleist metal woods and PGA Tour pros were putting the new product in play. Fully Equipped’s Jonathan Wall and Ryan Barath discuss players’ expectations for the new Titleist TSR line.

The post Fully Equipped: The pros’ first week with new Titleist TSR drivers and fairway woods appeared first on Golf.

The post New Mizuno fairway wood spotted at Travelers Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post New Mizuno fairway wood spotted at Travelers Championship appeared first on Golf.

It wasn’t just Titleist having all the fun showing off new TSR metal woods on the range at the Travelers Championship this week. Mizuno also got in on the action by testing an unreleased 3-wood with staffer Keith Mitchell on the range Tuesday.

We were unable to get in-hand pictures of the club since it is still going through prototype and initial testing but we were able to grab a few snaps from a distance during Keith’s testing session with Mizuno reps.

Technology Speculation

It looks like Mizuno is adopting a multiple-metal construction approach for this fairway wood. They have used steel, titanium, and carbon composite in various configurations over the years but it could be that they are putting them all together into this model. It is also possible the lighter colour sole plate has a tungsten component to it, which would further help make the club more forgiving. 

Another thing of note is the blue channel built into the sole behind the face and in front of the sole plate. Mizuno has used similar channels in the past to help with face flex with the purpose of increasing ball speed, but this certainly looks to be the largest channel they have built to date.

We don’t have word on any official release date, but from afar the testing session with Mitchell seemed to bring positive feedback. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2022? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. For more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below.

The post New Mizuno fairway wood spotted at Travelers Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post Titleist debuts TSR drivers, fairway woods at Travelers Championship (with in-hand photos!) appeared first on Golf.

The post Titleist debuts TSR drivers, fairway woods at Travelers Championship (with in-hand photos!) appeared first on Golf.

Titleist’s TSR drivers and fairways woods were spotted this morning on the USGA conforming club list and will make their official Tour debut at the Travelers Championship. This is part of what Titleist calls its tour seeding process where new products first appear in the public eye beyond the closed doors of Titleist R&D and into the bags of the best players in the world. 

As expected the new metal woods continue with the TS naming structure which stands for Titleist Speed, and like previous releases, we currently have 3 drivers and 2 fairway wood options to help players get dialed in.

What we know: Titleist TSR drivers

Beyond what we can conclude from images and markings on the heads, Titleist has no official comment on what’s under the hood of these new metal woods when it comes to technology. Even without official insight, we can make some pretty confident assumptions based on the visual cues exhibited on the heads, their names, and the history of the Titleist metals.

We’re also not sure what the “R” in the name alludes to, but I’m willing to guess it has something to do with refined speed in the same way Titleist have gravitated towards using “S” for speed when naming the T100S irons. If Acura can bring back the Integra Type R for racing, no reason Titleist can’t build in the same association.

From the first images available, Titleist looks to be sticking with the four driver lineup TSR2, 3 and 4, with the TSR1 likely coming at a later date. Considering the success of the TSi1, it would be hard to imagine a scenario where they eliminate this from the fitting options for players on the lower end of the speed spectrum.

Titleist TSR2: LIike the TSi2 before it, the TSR2 should be the most versatile head that combines mid to low spin with forgiveness. 

Titleist TSR3: The new TSR3 carries forward the rear adjustable SureFit CG weight track but in a slightly more compact-looking design with more of the weight exposed beyond the outside of the housing. With engineers pushing the limits to get every ounce of performance out of new designs – the extra weight outside the track is likely there to help improve MOI.

With the weight track and adjustable hosel, this driver will offer the most adjustability of any of the new models.

Titleist TSR4: This head offers the most interesting change compared to the previous model with a new rear weight port added alongside the proven forward located weight of the TSi4. This should help increase the stability and forgiveness compared to the previous generation without sacrificing the low spin performance the “4” model is known for.

Aerodynamic performance changes

There are two tell-tale signs that the team at Titleist has looked to unlock more speed through aerodynamics based on the obvious visual changes to the geometry of the heads.

The first is the extremely streamlined graphics on the sole which have been reduced to the bare minimum compared to previous designs including a refinement to the SureFit adjustable hosel port on the sole. 

The second clue is spotted at the rear of the heads where the crown meets the sole – known as the skirt. Around the weights on the TSR4 and TSR2 there are small ridges that protrude which act like mini diffusers on a Formula1 car to speed up airflow and reintroduce it to the air around the head – in simple terms it helps the head move faster, and a fast club head results in more distance.

What we know: Titleist TSR fairway wood

Like the previous TSi series, the new TSR fairway woods will come in two options that correspond with the drivers; the TSR3 and the TSR2 — but with one very interesting extra in the TSR2+.

The biggest change that instantly jumps out across the line is the removal of the Active Recoil Channel (ARC) on the sole. This feature allowed for more flexibility and helped maintain ball speed on shots hit lower on face, but I suspect that Titleist has reengineered the face and sole internally so there is a greater performance from the heads.

Beyond the changes, Titleist will be sticking with the same SureFit hosel design.

Titleist TSR3: The TSR3 continues with the Surefit weight track on the sole to help players with adjusting the center of gravity, weight, and feel of the fairway woods. The improvement here is the widening of the track, and an increase in the number of positions to further increase the custom fitting options. On a very nerdy and technical note, you might even see some players use two weights positioned on the far heel and toe, thereby increasing forgiveness/MOI. 

Titleist TSR2: The new TRS2 fairway woods look to continue being the more forgiving option that will offer simplified adjustability with one weight port on the sole for swing weight, and feel fine-tuning. The update is the position of this weight from the rear of the head to a position much closer to the face. 

This more forward position is likely to help with reducing spin to narrow flight windows and improve trajectory control. 

Titleist TRS2+: This is a new stand-alone head that is slightly larger than the TSR2 and will only be available in a strong 3-wood configuration. The USGA conforming list shows 13- and 14.5-degree lofts as options (14.5-degree RH only), but we can’t confirm whether both lofts will end up at retail. 

What makes this an interesting product release? It’s the first time since the 915 Series that Titleist has offered a specific strong 3-wood option in a larger head, with the last being the 915FD.

Potential release dates

We don’t have any official word yet from Titleist on the retail release of the new line, but if they are sticking to their traditional release cycle we should see the new TSR line this fall for fitting accounts, and full retail release soon after. 

Check back later this morning for in-hand photos of every club.

TSR in-hand photos

TSR2 driver

TSR3 driver

TSR4 driver

TSR2 fairway wood

TSR2+ fairway wood

TSR3 fairway wood

Want to overhaul your bag for 2022? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. For more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below.

The post Titleist debuts TSR drivers, fairway woods at Travelers Championship (with in-hand photos!) appeared first on Golf.

The post Why high-lofted fairway woods will be plentiful at the 2022 U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

The post Why high-lofted fairway woods will be plentiful at the 2022 U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

Although they were once thought to be clubs intended mainly for lower swing speed players, high-lofted fairway woods like 7- and even 9-woods continue to infiltrate more players’ bags around professional golf ⁠— specifically the PGA Tour. 

The reason for their popularity is the result of the performance characteristics fairway woods offer compared to other longer clubs and the options they give to golfers from the highest level down to the recreational player.

Course conditions also play a large factor which is why we should expect to see more of them show up at this year’s U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline Massachusetts, but we’ll get to that in a moment.

Not all loft is created equal

Compared to traditional long irons, or even utilities and hybrids, fairway woods have a longer sole front-to-back length which positions the center of gravity farther away from the face. As a club’s center of gravity moves away from the face it becomes easier to launch the ball higher into the air ⁠— it’s the reason a 21-degree 7-wood launches higher than a traditional 21-degree lofted 3-iron.

What goes up must come down

Launch angle is one thing, but a more vital ball flight attribute required when approaching greens is on the downward side of the ball flight ⁠— angle of descent.

The increased launch a fairway wood provides leads to a higher/steeper angle of descent which stops the ball faster, decreases the front-to-back dispersion, and improves overall distance control. Being able to hit a green on the fly is one thing, but making it stop is a whole other challenge, and whether it be from the fairway or the rough, coming into smaller greens like those found at The Country Club ⁠— the host of this year’s U.S. Open ⁠— stopping power is a big asset.

Out of the rough – what about hybrids?

Speaking of the U.S. Open, and its notorious rough, the other advantages a fairway wood ⁠— specifically, a higher-lofted one ⁠— offers compared to a hybrid is the face shape and the longer shaft length.

If we compare the popular TaylorMade Stealth 7-wood to its hybrid counterpart the fairway wood face shape is more rounded which allows the club to get through longer grass faster and easier the way a speed boat hull cuts through water. The flatter more iron-like face shape and leading edge of the hybrid is more susceptible to slowing down and getting caught in longer grass.

Last but not least, the longer shaft length of a fairway wood allows players to generate more club head speed, which not only gets through the rough easier but also helps generate more launch and spin, resulting in what was highlighted earlier ⁠— a higher angle of descent and more stopping power. If needed it’s still easier to choke down on a longer club like a fairway wood since it’s impossible to add length to a shorter club.

We’ll be following all the club changes leading up to the U.S. Open to see which players add new higher-lofted fairway woods to their bags, and if you are struggling with holding greens with your longer irons and hybrids, we suggest you give one a try, too.

The post Why high-lofted fairway woods will be plentiful at the 2022 U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

The post Why Scottie Scheffler dropped his loyal Nike 3-wood for TaylorMade Stealth appeared first on Golf.

The post Why Scottie Scheffler dropped his loyal Nike 3-wood for TaylorMade Stealth appeared first on Golf.

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

When Scottie Scheffler joined TaylorMade’s Tour staff several weeks ago, the multi-year agreement officially put the 25-year-old’s loyal Nike VR Pro Limited 3-wood on notice.

As part of the deal, a TaylorMade Stealth would soon replace the 11-year-old fairway wood, but the timing remained TBD — until this week at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, where Scheffler officially swapped his 13.5-degree Nike for a 16.5-degree Stealth.

Considering Scheffler’s extensive history with the Nike fairway wood, the relatively quick change might have come as a surprise.

For Scheffler, his VR Pro Limited — a club that was initially released in 2011 — dates all the way back to his time as a member of the Highland Park High School golf team. Outside of a brief scare earlier last year when the face caved on his Nike gamer prior to the Sentry Tournament of Champions and he was forced to find a backup, the club has remained a bag staple.

“I put it away for a couple years in college, but I’ve used it the whole time I turned pro, most of my senior year, and pretty much all of high school,” Scheffler said. “I only wasn’t using it for two or three years in there.

“[I]t was really clean, not a lot of loft so I was able to flight it down pretty easily and it was softer than the new 3-woods and for me that’s important. And when I wanted to hit it far, I just teed it up a little higher, hit it higher on the face. I got to know the club really well and for me I knew exactly what I needed to do with it each time.”

According to TaylorMade Tour rep Todd Chew, Scheffler originally tested a 15-degree Stealth as a Nike replacement during the preseason, but the club exceeded his usual 3-wood carry distance.

“Scottie could actually do more with the Stealth 15.0-degree head, but it would go too far,” Chew said. “With the titanium Stealth Plus head he could hit it even further, but that’s not what he needs from this club.”

Gear

To solve the problem, TaylorMade suggested Scheffler try a 16.5-degree Stealth 3HL (the HL stands for “high loft”) at a shorter length to see if it produced a similar carry distance to his gamer.

[I]n Palm Springs we built him a Stealth 3HL 16.5-degree with a Fujikura Ventus Black 8X shaft,” Chew said. “His previous 3-wood was about 12.5 degrees of loft and in order to match launch conditions and distance with Stealth, we had to go to the Stealth 3HL, make it an inch shorter and finish the loft at 16 degrees.

“We were really close with matching launch conditions which was important to Scottie. It was coming out of a different window because of the difference in loft in the heads and he has since been able to figure out how to flight it the way he wants to flight it. The benefits of the 16.5-degree head are that he can hit it much higher and farther if he wants to but also match previous conditions, which were lower and feature more spin.”

While Scheffler’s Nike club has a cult following amongst gearheads, Chew pointed out that improvements in today’s technology make it easier for players like Scheffler to get the high launch they need to attack a par 5 in two, without the penalizing high spin that’s typically attached to fairway wood products from 10 years ago.

“That is the benefit of taking a lot of the spin out of the head and being able to use more loft compared to older technology,” Chew said. “With the previous club, you wouldn’t want to launch it higher in the air because it would spin too much. With today’s technology taking so much spin out of the club, you can use more loft which makes the club so much more playable and versatile.” 

Considering the high launch characteristics, the club could come in handy in a few weeks when Scheffler tackles Augusta National. For the moment, however, he’s hoping it’ll produce some magic this week in Austin.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2022? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. For more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below.

The post Why Scottie Scheffler dropped his loyal Nike 3-wood for TaylorMade Stealth appeared first on Golf.

The post RoboTest: 1 surprising way slow swingers can gain more distance off the tee appeared first on Golf.

The post RoboTest: 1 surprising way slow swingers can gain more distance off the tee appeared first on Golf.

The latest episode of GOLF’s RoboTest reveals why your 3-wood might be a smarter (read: longer!) play off the tee than driver.

The post RoboTest: 1 surprising way slow swingers can gain more distance off the tee appeared first on Golf.