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TaylorMade gives its forgiving Hi-Toe wedges a forged makeover

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:15:31 +0000

TaylorMade has brought the same forged feel that has made its Milled Grind 5 wedges so popular to its larger and player-friendly Hi-Toe line.

The company is calling the announcement of the Hi-Toe 5 wedge line the completion of its forged wedge family.

“Hi-Toe has always been designed to be different,” Matt Bovee, TaylorMade’s Senior Director of Product Category, Irons and Wedges, said in a release. “The expanded toe, the full-face grooves, the willingness to look different in the bag. Those are the unique features that drew players to this wedge line in the first place.

“The carbon steel construction delivers a softer, more responsive feel at impact, and the precision tolerances of a forged head produce the kind of consistent feedback that allows golfers to dial in distance and trajectory shot after shot. Pair that with a broad selection of grinds to fit all different swing types and playing conditions, and there’s a configuration in this lineup to help everyone play with more confidence around the green.”

The Hi-Toe line will still be known for its larger, higher-CG profile, full-face grooves and unique five-sole grinds. But now the line is gaining the same tech as the flagship MG5 line with the forged construction, saw-milled grooves and raw spin tread. TaylorMade is also doubling down on the concept, claiming the Hi-Toe 5 is the highest-CG wedge they’ve ever created.

Keep reading below for more on the Hi-Toe 5 wedges, including my take on the release.

What’s actually new with Hi-Toe 5 — and why you should care

Forged Feel

TaylorMade is going all in on forged wedges after the success of its MG5 line, which their data shows is the No. 1 forged wedge in golf. The MG5 has been adopted by most of TaylorMade’s staff players and several big-name non-contract players, such as Chris Gotterup and Ben Griffin.

Not only does forging the wedges from carbon steel greatly soften the feel, but it also allows the company to exact every aesthetic detail during production.

It also opens up a number of possibilities for combining MG5 and Hi-Toe 5 wedges within a set. While the Hi-Toe is only offered in 50- to 60-degree lofts, TaylorMade actually suggests using the smaller MG5 for lower lofts like the gap wedge and potentially pitching wedge, while utilizing the expanded surface area of the Hi-Toe for the scoring wedges.

The Hi-Toe 5 ATX grind from all angles. Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Maximum spin

Thanks to the double cavity design and signature high-toe shape, Hi-Toe 5 wedges feature the highest CG of any wedge TaylorMade has designed. Couple that with the new saw-milled grooves from the MG5, and there’s no shortage of spin with the Hi-Toe 5 wedges.

The saw-milled grooves are engineered with steeper walls and tighter internal radii, allowing them to generate more friction, which produces more spin. The spin tread technology between the grooves and raw face also enhances friction.

As in previous Hi-Toe lines, those grooves extend across the whole face.

The TaylorMade Hi-Toe 5 lineup

The Hi-Toe lineup returns with the same five grinds from the previous iteration. Four are available in the stock line, while the lower-bounce ATC grind is only available through custom or the MyHi-Toe 5 program.

ATS

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

What is it: TaylorMade’s standard grind for the Hi-Toe line with a four-way camber designed to give players versatility from both square and open-face positions.

Available lofts: 50.09, 52.09, 54.10, 56.10, 58.10, 60.10 (Right-hand only 50 & 54)

Who it’s for: The ATS grind will fit the most swing types and be the most playable from all turf conditions.

ATV

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

What is it: One of the more unique TaylorMade grind offerings, the ATV grind features a concave sole that makes it play with more bounce in a square position and lower when you open the face. The ATV also has a bevel on the leading edge, which minimizes turf interaction prior to contact.

Available lofts: 58.11, 60.11

Who it’s for: Golfers with shallow to neutral swings who play on neutral to firm turf.

ATX

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

What is it: A mid-to-high bounce wedge with a tri-sole design to give players versatility from a variety of conditions and lies.

Available lofts: 58.12, 60.12

Who it’s for: Players with steeper swings who demand versatility.

ATW

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

What is it: The ATW is the highest-bounce offering in TaylorMade’s lineup with a wide and forgiving sole. Like the ATX, the ATW also features a tri-sole grind, but over a much wider area.

Available lofts: 58.14, 60.14

Who it’s for: Steep swingers who do not manipulate the face much and want the most forgiving wedge possible.

ATC

TaylorMade

What is it: The lowest bounce offering with a reverse C trailing edge to improve contact on tight lies.

Available lofts: 58.08, 60.08 (Right-hand/custom only)

Who it’s for: Shallow players who play on firm turf.

My take: Hi-Toe isn’t a game-improvement wedge. It’s something better.

It wasn’t a matter of “If” but “when” TaylorMade would start forging the Hi-Toe line.

And as someone who is always after the softest feel while trying to lower launch and increase spin, a Hi-Toe 5 lob wedge could make a lot of sense to me.

Despite being a low-single-digit handicap, I’ve always struggled to hit low-spinny shots with my wedges. The Hi-Toe 5 is designed to do exactly that through its high-CG design, full-face grooves, spin tread system and its subtly increased offset.

Offset in wedges is a slightly taboo topic, but it actually can help players produce more low spinners because it creates the feeling of covering the ball. It also helps to raise the CG higher. There’s a reason many wedges built for higher handicappers have extra offset, but that’s a concept better players can take advantage of too.

Now with a feel that matches the flagship MG5 line, the Hi-Toe 5 rounds out TaylorMade’s wedge offerings, giving them one of the most robust lineups in the industry.

Price, Specs and Availability

TaylorMade Hi-Toe 5 Custom Wedge

PREMIUM FORGED FEEL Hi-Toe 5 wedges are fully forged from soft carbon steel and designed with precision geometry to deliver world-class feel and feedback out of all lies and conditions. MAXIMUM SPIN FROM ANY LIE Hi-Toe 5 wedges employ aggressive saw-milled grooves with ultra-tight tolerances. The result is a groove with steeper walls and razor-sharp radii that maximize spin from any lie. CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE IN ALL CONDITIONS Hi-Toe 5 wedges utilize a RAW face and Spin Tread Technology to channel away moisture and retain spin. The same way tire treads help keep your car connected to the road, laser-etched channels redirect water away from the face and create added friction at impact. CONFIDENCE-INSPIRING DESIGN Hi-Toe 5 wedges allow golfers to execute shots from any lie, with a larger overall profile, expanded toe area and full-face grooves. Plus, our highest CG wedge produces a low, penetrating flight with high spin for enhanced control. ALL-TERRAIN VERSATILITY Hi-Toe 5 wedges are offered in five different grind options to satisfy a wide range of playing conditions and swing types. As a family, the grinds offer golfers versatility, forgiveness, and consistent all-around performance.

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TaylorMade Hi-Toe 5 Chrome Custom Wedge

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TaylorMade’s new Hi-Toe 5 wedges are available for pre-order starting August 13 and will arrive at retail locations on Sept. 3.

Each wedge will cost $199.99 and can be customized through the MyHi-Toe 5 program, exclusively on TaylorMadeGolf.com for $249.99. The ATC grind is available only through a custom order or the MyHi-Toe program.

Stock Hi-Toe 5 wedges will come in the Aged Copper finish, but Satin Chrome is available via a custom order. The MyHi-Toe program also offers the Charcoal Black and Tour Raw finishes.

The stock steel shaft is the KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 in 115g, and the graphite is the UST Recoil DART 80g.

Want to find the best driver for your game in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post TaylorMade gives its forgiving Hi-Toe wedges a forged makeover appeared first on Golf.

Why I've spent this season searching for the perfect wedges | Fully Fit 2026

Jake Morrow — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:27:17 +0000

Welcome to Fully Fit 2026, GOLF’s new platform for providing you with real-golfer insights into what 2026 gear might be best suited for your game. To this end, we assembled six GOLF content creators of varying abilities and ran them through the gauntlet of six full-bag fittings (driver to putter!) at six major club manufacturers in Phoenix and Carlsbad, Calif. Our hope: that you might see shades of your own game in one of our panelists’ and take some learnings and inspiration from their fitting experiences. In this installment (below), Jake Morrow details his irons journey around Fully Fit 2026. You may browse each of our panelists’ full 2026 dream bags here:

Last year during our Ping stop of the Fully Fit trip, I ended up quite liking the Ping S259 wedges.

They spun very well, they felt very confidence-inspiring at impact, and it was a shape that I liked to look at behind the ball.

The only problem was that the stock grinds that Ping offered me didn’t really work out on the golf course. I ended up with a W grind in the lob wedge mostly to deal with digging on full shots, but that stopped me from some of the more creative short game shots I wanted to accomplish.

It wasn’t until I went back to Ping and did a custom wedge with PGA Tour Builder Adam Harding that I found “the perfect” lob wedge. You can read and watch all about that incredible experience here.

Adam Harding explaining some custom grind work to me during my custom wedge fit. Mark Hannan/GOLF

Since that fitting, I’ve been pretty stubborn about not messing with that lob wedge. About two months however, I noticed the lob wedge has been wearing down. I’ve noticed that it’s not performing the same way that it did when it was fresh and that it’s time to replace it.

The good news? Adam built me a backup when he built the first one, so I knew I had a weapon in the holster when I needed to switch.

The bad news? I wasn’t really happy with my 50º and 56º that were in the bag, so the experimenting began.

Couple quick notes here for those who may be curious:

I played a set of Cobra King wedges for the entirety of 2025, and they were still my choice at the start of the season after our Fully Fit trip. Cobra has not released new wedges in 2026, and my own rules told me to try something new for the bag, so they were unfortunately exempt from further testing. That being said, Cobra King wedges rule. You should try them. Side note: hands down the best RAW finish in the wedge game. Best patina for sure.

I have also known that RTZ 2 was coming, so I didn’t put any effort into testing RTZ product. Now that I have RTZ 2 in my hands this entire article could be blown up in the coming days, but more to come on that testing soon.

My set of Cobra KING wedges that I played with in 2025 and started this year with as well. Jake Morrow/GOLF

Replacing the lobber was going to be hard, so that became a lower priority than figuring out what to do about the 50º and the 56º options in the bag. The problem was not performance. I had put Ping S259 in the bag to match my new lobber, and they performed wonderfully. I was able to be creative with shots, hit the ball high and low; the 56º W-Grind was a bunker cheat code, and it was nice that they matched the lob wedge for the sake of my own OCD. The issue, though, was I just never loved how they looked behind the ball.

I genuinely have no idea why. There was just something about the way that they looked that made me second-guess the full swings. Almost like they were too “wedge-y” and not “iron-y” enough? I’m still not quite sure, but with the rest of my bag (aside from the driver) being more locked-down than ever, it could also have just been a tinkering itch I needed to scratch.

PING s259 Custom Wedge

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My Fully Fit Runner-Ups

My first stop was to my runner-up set of wedges from Fully Fit. The TaylorMade MG5s should be at the top of anyone’s list to try as gamer options for the bag. They’re a little bit firmer off the face, but you feel a tad more compression at the same time than some other wedges. They appear a bit more compact behind the ball, and that leans them more (for me) into the “iron-ie” side of shaping rather than getting a higher toe profile or a longer blade length like a more common wedge design typically would. I put these in the bag for about 10 rounds of play and just like the S259, they performed great.

My custom set of TaylorMade MG5 raw wedges Jake Morrow/GOLF

Still, though, they didn’t end up winning the fight for what some of you readers are going to think is an insane reason. They flew too far. They didn’t jump. They were just HOT.

The 50º was getting closer to 135 yards in the air, and the 56º was getting close to 115 yards. When in the rough, those numbers could jump even further.

Could I have gotten used to the yardages? Yes. Did I struggle with the yardages? Yes. Did I end up switching them out solely because my job allows me access to anything else I wanted to test? Most definitely.

Next up: Callaway Opus SP

I still think these may have been the best performing wedges (50 and 56) that I’ve had in the bag this year. They’re ultra consistent in spin, launch, and dispersion. They spin when you WANT them to, and you can make them trundle when you don’t. Creativity is unlocked, confidence is increased, and the reliability of the wedges to get out of a sticky situation isn’t matched by many others. But they didn’t end up stuck in the bag.

Callaway Opus SP Custom Wedge

SPIN POCKET™ CONSTRUCTION A re-engineered 2-piece construction head design strategically reshapes mass to optimize CG locations. The Spin Pocket redistributes weight higher, raising the CG, and promoting a lower, more penetrating launch. The result is more spin and enhanced control, especially when you need to flight shots or attack tight pins. NEW SPIN GEN 2.0 FACE™ The most advanced face in OPUS history. A new 17° groove angle with tighter pitch spacing delivers more groove edge contact for more consistent spin across a variety of lies. Combined with a deeper cross-hatch laser pattern across the face, Spin Gen 2.0 produces enhanced friction for more bite and stopping power on all types of approach shots. SHAPE 6 – TOUR-VALIDATED PROFILE Trusted by Tour players for its clean, confident look at address, Shape 6 offers precise leading edge shaping and refined sole geometry. Shape 6 is the 6th and final iteration in the Opus prototype shaping phase, validated by Tour players and major champions. OPUS SP introduces progressive shaping in gap wedges to seamlessly blend with modern iron sets—creating a more cohesive setup from top to bottom. X GRIND – VERSATILITY WITH BOUNCE Back by popular demand, the X Grind returns in OPUS SP. Designed for shotmakers who want added bounce for forgiveness, without giving up versatility, the X Grind is ideal for players who like to open the face around the greens or play in firmer turf conditions. It’s the perfect blend of playability and performance in a wide range of shots and conditions.

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It’s another case of me not being in love with how they look behind the ball. There’s something about how the top of the heel and the topline interact that doesn’t sit quite right with me. I think it’s because the Opus SP have a slightly more “traditional” look to them that TONS of players prefer. A tad more offset, a bit higher heel, and a bit rounder of a leading edge that sort of cuts into the hosel transition. Again, performance… 10/10. The problem was it took some effort for me to feel comfortable taking full shots with the 50º particularly, so onward the test went.

The Elephant in the Room

You may be thinking to yourself right now, “How has Jake not talked about Vokey yet?”, and that’s a wonderful question with another weird answer.

I have a wonderful set of Vokey’s that I got fitted into by Brandon at TPI, who did a terrific job with me and got me into a set that really works. The M-Grind at this point is maybe the only stock-grind lob wedge that I feel comfortable with, and Vokeys are Vokeys. I even went and did another test with Brandon to specifically test the WedgeWorks options and see if the M could be beat. Nope. There’s just nothing wrong with them.

But that’s sort of what’s wrong with them. Vokey seemed like too easy of an answer. I’ve also done nothing but glaze up the GTS3 this year, so I thought it best to give someone else a chance. Could Vokey’s have ended this entire thing? I mean… probably.. but what’s the fun in that? Lower scores? Who needs em. (I’m kidding. Sort of.)

Where we’re at today

I legitimately sat around for about a week figuring out what to do with the 50º and the 56º part of my bag. With all this tinkering going on, there wasn’t time to mess with any lobber experiments (although I’ve got some crazy testing to do), but I had no clue where to turn for help.

I have used a set of Mizuno T24 and a set of Mizuno Pro T-1 wedges in the past that I liked, as well as some Wilson Staff wedges that are incredibly underrated, but they weren’t jumping back into the bag. I wanted something fresh. While I was sitting thinking about it, the doorbell rang with a box that changed the game (At least that’s how the movie version would have gone).

PXG had sent me a box of polos and a new vest, and that sparked a text to one of their tour builders; my friend Anthony Gagliano. Anthony is the one who was messing around on the range with Johnny and Jake Knapp, and also did Johnny’s irons fitting for YouTube as well. The box of clothes made me remember last year’s fall PXG event. At that event, on top of testing the Gen8 product, I hit the Sugar Daddy III wedges for the first time and was in love. They felt absolutely amazing, and I couldn’t remember them looking bad, so I figured now was good of a time as any to get them in the bag.

After questioning why I would ask for a 50º and a 56º but not a lobber, and the vague acceptance of a challenge to take down the S259, Anthony graciously sent me over a set of Sugar Daddy IIIs with some custom stamping on them built to my spec and in Anthony we trusted as I headed to Pinehurst to play No. 2 for the very first time.

Yes. I brought the brand new set with me to Pinehurst, and only that set. They’ve been in the bag since, and I can’t say that I’ve trusted two wedges like this for quite some time. Maybe all the way back to a set of Vokey SM7 wedges that were the very first new wedges I ever owned.

The 50º S-Grind and 56º S-Grind PXG Sugar Daddy III set with custom stamping that Anthony did up for me. These are currently in the bag. Jake Morrow/GOLF

The Sugar Daddy III wedges feel incredible. They compress the ball and you can feel it get “heavy” on the face at impact, but they’re still responsive in the hands. I really like the look of the back cavity on the wedges and the adjustable weight is a cool way to make sure they’re dialed in from the build perspective.

I did get a bit of tour sauce, and Anthony hooked it up with some RAW finish heads as well. The shaping is compact just the way I was looking for, and the soles have enough bounce to be trusted with full shots, but not wide enough soles to feel like they’re going to get in the way. The shape proportions are great; the toe doesn’t get too high, and the way that the hosel leads into the leading edge and the top of the heel feels proper. There’s just nothing distracting about the shape behind the ball. The flight, the spin, and they do it all on command exactly how and when I want. So for now, they’re in the bag, and we’re taking a break from further testing.

Have I started my own secret custom-grind war for the lob wedge spot? Maybe. Stay tuned on that.

This will be fun. Coming soon. Jake Morrow/GOLF

I’ve said this before, but we’re in an incredible market for golf clubs right now. I am obviously in a position to test out as much gear as I please, but I encourage everyone to do the same in whatever way they are capable of for themselves.

Ready to overhaul your bag in 2026 like our Fully Fit panelists? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Why I’ve spent this season searching for the perfect wedges | Fully Fit 2026 appeared first on Golf.

Why Michael Thorbjornsen switched to the winningest putter on Tour

Jack Hirsh — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 20:14:26 +0000

Michael Thorbjornsen’s breakthrough PGA Tour victory at the Rocket Classic came on the heels of a putter switch.

After missing back-to-back cuts at the PGA Championship and following the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, the 24-year-old decided it was time for a switch from the Spider Tour Short Slant putter he had used since his rookie season in 2024.

That next week at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Thorbjorsen worked through several different options with TaylorMade putter rep James Holley, trying to find a solution to improve his putting from inside 12 feet.

“He was wanting to try something a little smaller and with less toe hang,” Holley said. “Specifically inside of 12 feet he felt like he had a bit of a right bias. We worked through some putters and settled on Spider X double bend. The more forward CG and less toe hang gave him a better start line and more confidence inside 20 feet based on his putting stroke.”

Michael Thorbjornsen had been using the larger Spider Tour putter with a slant neck but made the move to this Spider Tour X Black DB at the Charles Schwab Challenge this spring.

"He was wanting to try something a little smaller and less toe hang. Specifically inside of 12’ he… https://t.co/xkehleSGUl pic.twitter.com/wqhjB5g23h
— Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) August 3, 2026

Compared to Thorbjornsen’s previous Spider Tour, the Spider Tour X is a more compact shape that fits the look he wanted. The Spider Tour X is the same shape used by Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa and so many more players. It’s the winningest putter on the PGA Tour the last two seasons. Tommy Fleetwood later joined Thorbjornsen as two TaylorMade staffers who have moved from the Spider Tour to the Spider Tour X this season.

The double-bend hosel configuration will generally help a player lower the amount of rotation in their stroke and bring their start line a little more left.

Thorbjornsen also changed grips from a larger SuperStroke to a TaylorMade Golf Pride White Cap pistol grip, which allowed him to get the club more in his fingers, rather than his palms. This was a change only made possible for him thanks to the additional stability provided by the Double Bend shaft on the smaller Spider Tour X.

TaylorMade 2026 Spider Tour X DB Custom Putter

TORCHED PVD FINISH The durable PVD coating creates a beautiful high-quality finish. THIN WALL UNDERCUT CONSTRUCTION We’ve engineered a super stable structure by removing excess weight to create high MOI and legendary Spider performance. CG LOCATION PROGRESSION Each Spider Torched model features different CG locations for optimal putter fitting. HYBRAR ECHO® DAMPENER HYBRAR is behind the face to dampen unwanted vibrations, delivering premium sound and feel on every putt with the best possible sensation.

$349.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, TaylorMade

The change paid off immediately as Thorbjornsen made 94.44 percent of his putts inside 10 feet at Colonial, his best mark of the season. Last week at the Rocket Classic, he put together the best week of his season in Strokes Gained: Putting, picking up nearly a shot a round, good for 14th in the field.

During a deep dive of Thorbjornsen’s setup this spring, TaylorMade Tour rep Adrian Reitveld commended Thorbjornsen for honing in on his putting since turning pro.

“You can see how structured his practice is now; the drills, the process,” Reitveld said. “He’s gone from a talented putter to more of a student of the game.”

Thorbjornsen has yet to rank inside the top 100 on the PGA Tour in SG: Putting, but is trending upward since his switch and now has the confidence from his first PGA Tour victory.

Want to find the best putter for your game in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Why Michael Thorbjornsen switched to the winningest putter on Tour appeared first on Golf.

Michael Thorbjornsen's clubs: Rocket Classic winner has full bag of TaylorMade gear

Jack Hirsh — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 02:25:17 +0000

Thanks in part to a dramatic 26-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to cap a Sunday 63, Michael Thorbjornsen is now a winner on the PGA Tour, taking the Rocket Classic by two shots.

It marks yet another win for TaylorMade’s Spider line of mallet putters — and TaylorMade overall as the former Stanford standout plays a full bag of TM gear. Thorbjornsen stroked the final putt with a Spider Tour X double bend, a putter he switched to earlier this season after beginning his PGA Tour career with a Spider Tour Short Slant.

“You can see how structured his practice is now; the drills, the process,” TaylorMade Tour Rep Adrian Rietveld told GOLF earlier this season during a deep dive of Thorbjornsen’s setup. “He’s gone from a talented putter to more of a student of the game.”

Putter wasn’t the only major change Thorbjornsen made this season. This spring, he moved from a full set of TaylorMade P7MC irons with a P770 3-iron to more of a combo set with TaylorMade P7MBs replacing the 5-PW.

Thorbjornsen ranked first in greens in regulation this week, missing just nine at Detroit Golf Club, and picked up +3.668 shots on the field on approach.

He also switched golf balls last season, moving to the softer and spinnier TP5 golf ball, following the move of now-back-to-back Masters winner Rory McIlroy.

“The main reason for that is to start to learn how to hit these off-speed shots,” Rietveld said. “I thought that’s actually a better golf ball for him through the bag. And he should be able to incorporate more of these off-speed shots and should be able to incorporate a wedge game that’s required for a top-10 player in the world.”

In his short time on Tour, Thorbjornsen’s bag has morphed into the prototypical setup for the modern bomber player, complete with a backweighted “LS” driver and a mini driver as a secondary option off the tee. Thorbjornsen plays the TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver instead of a 3-wood.

“Being a 180-plus ball speed guy, the mini driver is kind of a safety for that,” Rietveld said. “When he doesn’t feel comfortable with driver, it becomes almost like a 300-yard club to get him in play and keep him in the tournament.”

For more on Thorbjornsen’s detailed setup, keep reading below.

Michael Thorbjornsen’s winning WITB at the 2026 Rocket Classic

TaylorMade

Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS 9.0
Actual Loft: 9.75°
FCT Setting: 1 click higher (1˚ degree sleeve)
TAS Weights: 3g front, 8g Back
Lie: 58.5°
Face: W/ Fiducials
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black Velo+ 7X
Length: 45.25″ EOG
Tipping: 1″
Swingweight: D4

TaylorMade Qi4D LS Custom Driver

SHAPED FOR SPEED Traditional address shape based on feedback from world-class players helps create confidence on every shot. Qi4D LS is the lowest spinning option in the Qi4D lineup. FACE FOR DISTANCE Qi4D LS drivers feature a new and improved roll radius, yielding more consistent spin across vertical impact locations. ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE 4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight. TOUR PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES New and improved cut-through Speed Pocket™ protects ball speed and reduces spin on low-face strikes. Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation of TaylorMade driver performance. Multi-Material Construction allows engineers to strategically place mass in areas of the head where it maximizes performance, speed, and stability.

$649.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, TaylorMade

Fujikura Ventus Black Wood Shaft (Velocore+)

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Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Specs
TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini 13.5˚
Actual Loft: 13.5˚
FCT Sleeve setting: Standard (1.5˚ sleeve)
Front Weights: 5g Toe, 7g Heel
Back Weights: 10g Toe, 10g, Heel
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8-X
Length: 44″ CUT
Tipping: 1.5″
Swingweight: D4.5

TaylorMade R7 Quad Custom Mini Driver

PERFORMANCE FOR THE MODERN PLAYER Inspired by one of the most iconic models in TaylorMade history, the R7 Quad Mini Driver pays homage to what’s come before, while creating its own modern identity in the same breath. It’s that very modern design that incorporates proven TaylorMade technologies to give golfers versatility and playability. R7 QUAD WEIGHTING SYSTEM The new quad weighting system features four movable weights (13g x2, 4g x2) that provide the ultimate in spin management and shot shape control. Forward CG creates a penetrating flight best suited for maximizing distance whereas rear CG helps prioritize control and ease of use from the deck. Shot shape can also be fine-tuned helping create the most optimal flight. Additional weights can be purchased for a wider range of adjustability. INFINITY CARBON CROWN A new satin Infinity Carbon Crown has been added to the R7 Quad Mini Driver chassis creating a stunning look while saving weight for better mass optimization. The cosmetic package is clean, elegant, and confidence-inspiring.

$479.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Jack Hirsh/GOLf

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), P7MC (4), P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (3), X100 (4-PW)
Lofts: 21/24/28/32/36/40/44/48
Lies: 60/60.5/61/61.75/62.75/63/63.5/64
Length: 1 1/4″ long (38 1/4″ 7-iron)

TaylorMade P7MB Custom Irons

TOUR-INSPIRED SHAPING Direct input from Tour inspired the new shape of P•7MB, crafted for ultimate workability. The new design uses a shorter blade length, narrower sole width, and progressive offset design. FACETED MUSCLE BACK GEOMETRY A seamless blend of traditional muscle back iron performance with a contemporary look and design. The updated back bar now uses symmetrical geometry to create a timeless look both in the playing position and in the bag. COMPACT GRAIN FORGING 1025 carbon steel is 5X forged using a 2,000-ton press engineered to produce a tighter, more compact grain structure with fewer defects. It is designed to provide the most solid, consistent feel possible. MACHINED FACE & GROOVES Precision is paramount. Machining the face ensures precision and quality with our mostaggressive MX9 score line geometry for exacting shot making.

$185.71 from Fairway Jockey

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Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Wedges: TaylorMade MG5
Lofts/Grinds: 52-SB, 56-SB, 60-TW
Shafts: KBS Tour V 120 X
Lie: 63.5˚
Length: 36 5/8″, 36 5/8″, 36 1/4″

TaylorMade Milled Grind 5 Custom Wedge

FORGED FEEL Incredible feel is a must for having a great wedge game. MG5 has been forged from soft carbon steel and designed with geometry to provide excellent feel with great feedback. MAXIMUM SPIN MG5 uses all-new, more aggressive grooves designed to maximize spin. Saw-milled grooves produce tighter tolerances allowing engineers to design steeper walls and sharper radii intended to maximize spin in both dry and damp conditions. PERFORMANCE IN ALL CONDITIONS RAW face with Spin Tread technology channels away moisture to help retain spin. The same way that tire treads help your car stay connected to the road, laser-etched channels redirect water at impact and creates more friction between the club face and golf ball to maintain spin in wet conditions. CRAFTSMANSHIP MEETS CONSISTENCY Crafted by hand and then milled to perfection. Each wedge and sole grind are precision-milled to eliminate the natural human error that comes with hand polishing. Our grinds deliver unmatched consistency and craftsmanship that players can count on every time. CHARCOAL FINISH MG5 debuts a sleek, sophisticated charcoal finish that reduces glare and enhances its aesthetic appeal in the bag.

$199.99 from Fairway Jockey

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TaylorMade

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X Black
Loft: 2˚
Lie: 72˚
Length: 35.5″
Hosel: Double Bend
Alignment aid: True Path Mid Line
Insert: 80/20 Pure Roll
Total weight: 534g
Swingweight: E5
Grip: TaylorMade Pistol

TaylorMade 2026 Spider Tour X DB Custom Putter

$349.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

MCC Swing Grip, Black/Black, Standard – Golf Pride

MCC Swing Grip The MCC (New Decade MultiCompound) is an innovative hybrid grip that fuses the positive performance of rubber and cord. The MCC boasts the Golf Pride® exclusive Brushed Cotton Cord in the upper hand area for firm all-weather control, and a performance rubber material in the lower hand for ultimate feel and responsiveness. LARGER LOWER HAND The larger outside diameter simulates the feel of building up the grip with four extra wraps. This reduced taper encourages lighter grip pressure, promoting less tension in the hands and creating more fluidity and power throughout the swing. ALL-WEATHER CONTROL Our exclusive Brushed Cotton Cord fuses moisture-wicking cotton fibers into a new soft rubber material for added stability in any condition. MAXIMUM SURFACE TEXTURE Engineered for softer feel and strategically placed for high traction. A soft micro-texture increases traction and comfort, while texture placement is ideal for maximum hand coverage. Specifications: Grip Size: Standard, Midsize Cord Size: 60 Round

$11.99 from PGA TOUR Superstore

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Ball: 2026 TaylorMade TP5

TaylorMade TP5 2026 Golf Balls

It’s Time to Switch The best players in the world, like 2025 champion in Augusta and career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa have already made the switch to the fastest ever TP5. It’s time for you to make the switch, too. What Is Microcoating? No two golf balls are the same, but the all-new TP5 sets out to solve an invisible problem through our revolutionary microcoating finish process. Uneven paint and excess pooling in the dimples can compromise distance and accuracy. Microcoating uses precision application technology to ensure uniform coverage across the ball’s entire surface. Click on the video for a deep dive. Thinner than a Human Hair Microcoating is thinner than a human hair and delivers measurable performance advantages: more consistent ball flight, optimized distance, and tight left-to-right dispersion. The Fastest TP5 Ever TP5 has long been our softest five-layer Tour ball, but now it’s faster than ever. Employing our largest Tour core to date, the TP5 retains more energy at impact, which results in faster ball speeds and more distance at the top of your bag. Tour Flight The reengineered Tour Flight Dimple Pattern features new dimples that when combined with microcoating, promote a more predictable, penetrating ball flight with optimized peak height performance and increased accuracy. Hyper Focus TP5 Stripe employs an all-new Tour Stripe with 360° ClearPath Alignment™, tighter feedback lines and a performance dot that allows you to achieve hyper focus on the green and hole more putts.

$57.99 from PGA TOUR Superstore

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Want to overhaul your bag for 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Michael Thorbjornsen’s clubs: Rocket Classic winner has full bag of TaylorMade gear appeared first on Golf.

Why Collin Morikawa tested irons off a cart path for The Open

Jack Hirsh — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:04:50 +0000

Welcome to Fully Equipped’s weekly Tour equipment report. Every Friday of PGA Tour weeks (plus other times, if news warrants), GOLF equipment editor Jack Hirsh runs you through some of the biggest news surrounding golf clubs on Tour, including changes, tweaks and launches.

Collin Morikawa is using the same blueprint that won him the Claret Jug in 2021.

At Royal St. George’s five years ago, Morikawa benched nearly his entire set of TaylorMade P730s for a set of P7MCs.

The idea was to utilize the P7MC’s narrow sole geometry to minimize his turf interaction and get the club to enter and exit the firm links turf as quickly as possible.

This year, he’s employing the same strategy, but how he got there was a little unorthodox.

To test which irons he would use for this year’s Open Championship, TaylorMade sent both to Morikawa and he hit them off a cart path at home.

The first was a custom set of P7CBs with a unique sole geometry and leading edge grind.

“These changes were specifically designed to improve entry into firmer turf while maintaining enough effective bounce to prevent excessive digging,” TaylorMade Tour rep Adrian Rietveld said.

Collin Morikawa tested irons for this week by hitting them off a cart path!!!

(Hopefully that means his back is healthy!)

That's how firm players were expecting Royal Birkdale to be and it seems the decision has paid off for him so far.

Morikawa famously switched out his… pic.twitter.com/V2tTEeLKim
— Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) July 17, 2026

The other set was the MCs, which Rietveld said have one of the narrowest soles in the TaylorMade iron lineup. An iron with a narrower sole naturally presents less bounce and enters and exits the turf with little resistance.

“For players who deliver the club as precisely as Collin, this often creates a sensation of the club simply disappearing through impact rather than being redirected by the turf,” Rietveld said.

To decide between the two sets, he hit both irons off the cart path and then compared the marks on the sole with each.

TaylorMade P7CB Custom Irons

BEST-IN CLASS FEEL Using Tour feedback and modal analysis we’ve strategically designed mass placement for best in class feel. Crafted using Compact Grain Forging and 2000 tons of pressure to deliver the purest feeling 1025 soft carbon steel possible. PRECISE CONTROL Precise milled face and grooves combined with a constant CG the P•7CB is designed to deliver an optimal launch and spin combination for the ultimate control and precision. CONSISTENCY Created to maximize accuracy and consistency. The P•7CB optimized perimeter weighting and co-forged tungsten designed to deliver a beautiful blend of stability and workability. COMPACT TOUR SHAPING Every aspect of shaping in this iron was intended to meet the needs of discerning ball strikers. A compact blade length and thin topline create a confident, clean look in the playing position while the sole camber and progressive bounce profile provide consistent turf interaction.

$200.00 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, TaylorMade

“While this may initially sound unusual, it actually provided an incredibly consistent testing environment,” Rietveld said. “Sliding each club along the firm path immediately highlighted exactly where the sole was contacting the surface. Every mark on the sole represented a point of ground interaction, allowing him to visually study how each grind, relief area and leading edge would engage the firm ground.”

The MCs produced fewer marks on the sole, indicating they had more predictable and cleaner ground interaction, which is what Morikawa and the Tour team expected.

As a result, Morikawa is playing a full set of P7MCs this week, 5-PW, in place of his normal P7CB/P730 combo while his PDHY 4-iron remains.

The change you didn’t expect pros are making for links golf

It’s ironic that old Golf Digest WITB spreads from the late 2000s and early 2010s have been trending around Twitter lately. The thing I keep noticing is many players played both 5-woods and 3-irons back then, while only playing three wedges.

For the Open Championship this year, it appears we’ve gone back in time to those setups.

Justin Rose's 3-iron turned out to be a McLaren Golf Series 3 cavity back with the same KBS C-Taper 125 S+ that's in his Series 1 blades.

He used the Series 3 4-iron for his first couple of rounds with the McLaren irons back in April and May.

The 2-iron is the same T200… https://t.co/PS77l9XLcU pic.twitter.com/iFMxYl7D0j
— Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) July 16, 2026

We hear about the same two changes for links golf every year: swapping out fairway woods for long irons and low-bounce wedges. This year, there are plenty of those switches like normal, but some players are putting a unique twist on it by reverting to classic three-wedge setups to add more clubs to the top of the bag.

Last week in this space, we wrote about how Tommy Fleetwood made that move to keep his 9-wood in the bag along with a 3-iron.

And this week, Justin Rose revealed he was dropping a sand wedge in order to add both a 2- and 3-iron to his bag. His T200 2-iron is the same one he used at the U.S. Open while the 3-iron is a new McLaren Golf Series 3 3-iron similar to the 4-iron he played when he debuted the new irons earlier this year.

“Typically, when I’m playing in America, I’ve got up to 4-iron and then a 7-wood into a 3-wood,” Rose said on Tuesday at an extremely baked out and dry Royal Birkdale. “Typically, I think my 7 was going to come out of the bag this week, and a 2-iron is going to go in. But I feel like that does leave me a bit of a gap on certain par-4s where you’re wanting to push the ball up as far as you can towards the bunkers. So I’m feeling a 3-iron as well as a 4-iron and 2-iron. I feel like I need all of the long irons, which means I’ve got to drop a wedge somewhere.”

McLaren Golf Series 3 Custom Irons

An engineering powerhouse providing distance and forgiveness. Featuring a powerful engine built around its Metal Injection Molded frame, Series3 is a complete performance system. Internal weighting and carbon fiber elements work in unison, positioning the center of gravity with precision and stabilizing the club through impact. The result is scintillating speed, responsive control and vibration-dampening feel.

$375.00 from Fairway Jockey

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Part of the reason most pros moved from three- to four-wedge setups is that iron lofts have gotten stronger over the years and a desire to have more options from scoring yardages.

But at a firm links golf setup, where some pros like Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth have said 5- and 6-irons could run out to nearly 300 yards, Rose decided to add some extra precision to the top of his bag.

A hole that typically calls for a 3-wood or even a driver, it’s possible that a 2-iron might be too much in these conditions. By using the 3-iron, Rose preserves the ability to drive it as close to some of Royal Birkdale’s penal fairway bunkers without reaching them.

But while Rose is adding long-game options, Fleetwood is actually taking them away. With the extremely firm conditions and relatively light winds this week, Fleetwood said he removed the 3-iron he played last week and added his sand wedge back in.

“I feel as the course gets faster, I don’t really have a need for something that’s kind of hot, for me, so I took the 3-iron out this morning and put an extra wedge in again,” Fleetwood said after an opening-round 69. “Ended up being the same bag setup that I have normally.”

Links golf inspires many changes, but there’s always more than one way to go about it.

DeChambeau tinkers again

Bryson DeChambeau was at it again at a major championship, making big changes to his gear setup as he attempts to make his first major cut of the season.

So really bizarre move here, but it appears the new irons and iron shafts aren't the only gear move for Bryson DeChambeau this week.

Despite practicing with it for most of the week, it appears DeChambeau has switched out of his TaylorMade Qi4D Proto 200+ and back to his Krank… pic.twitter.com/tWYW5jcfUs
— Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) July 16, 2026

The more notable change is that DeChambeau was playing with his TaylorMade Qi4D Proto 200+ driver for most of the week leading up to Thursday’s opening round.

It would have been hard to believe he would move out of that driver after leading the field in SG: Off the Tee at the U.S. Open through the first two rounds, despite missing the cut. But that’s exactly what happened.

After he was spotted with it a couple of times during the practice rounds, DeChambeau ended up moving back into his Krank Formula Fire Pro driver that he won the 2024 U.S. Open with. He put a Project X HZRDUS T1100 shaft in it instead of the Titan he played in the TaylorMade.

In his opening-round 67, DeChambeau hit just four fairways but led the field in SG: Off the Tee with 1.6.

That was far from the only move he made, as DeChambeau is finally gaming his custom 3D-printed irons bearing his own logo. DeChambeau has teased the irons he has been creating with his own team for months and even used a prototype 5-iron at the Masters.

Is Bryson DeChambeau going to lead gear headlines at a major again?

He still has his TaylorMade Qi4D 200+ Proto in the bag, but it looks as though he's testing a new set of irons at Royal Birkdale this week with steel shafts!

Are these the irons he's been trying to 3D print… pic.twitter.com/e3zod9JOgW
— Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) July 13, 2026

He also went back to steel shafts, opting for the Dynamic Gold X7, one of the stiffest steel shafts available in his irons and wedges, abandoning the all-LA Golf graphite setup he’s employed for the last several years.

Unfortunately, we don’t have much insight into these changes as DeChambeau declined to speak to the media after his opening round Thursday and did not have a pre-tournament press conference.

Golf Pride dominates grip counts again

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Golf Pride completed another sweep of the grip counts at this year’s major championships.

An overwhelming 142 of 156 players in this year’s Open Championship field play a Golf Pride grip, marking an incredible 91% usage at this year’s majors.

Check this out

This section is dedicated to cool photos we’ve snapped recently on Tour, but haven’t had a reason to share yet. This week, check out Sam Burns’ Callaway Apex MB Prototype irons that he used to shoot 62 in Round 2.

The Apex MB prototype is Callaway’s most popular iron on Tour right now. Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Odds and Ends

Some other gear changes and notes we’re tracking this week.

Cameron Young switched driver shafts to a Mitsubishi Diamana Blackboard prototype … Mizuno launched its new Mizuno Pro S-4 cavity back iron … Marcus Plunkett replaced his mini driver with a Callaway Apex UW 15˚, becoming one of the first pros to add the unique loft option … Lucas Herbert played the opening round without a driver before adding it back for his second-round 62 … Cameron Smith switched out of his longtime Scotty Cameron 009M gamer for a new Phantom 3.5 mallet … Rickie Fowler’s fourth putter in four events is a Scotty Cameron Phantom 5 mallet … Ping had both the No. 1 driver model (Ping G440 LST) and iron (Blueprint S) … Si Woo Kim switched to a new Opus SP C-Grind lob wedge with 2 degrees less bounce … Michael Brennan added a Titleist U505 1-iron … Brennan was one of seven golfers, including Bud Cauley to go without any fairway woods … Cauley also added a Titleist U505 2-iron while Cameron Young, Alex Fitzpatrick and Patrick Cantlay added T250 3-irons and Patrick Reed and Jake Knapp added T250 2-irons … Matt Fitzpatrick has been using a new Bettinardi BB1 Fitz Flow with a Honeycomb sole milling to grip the green better.

3 things you should read/watch

A selection of GOLF content from the past week that may interest you.

Chris Gotterup’s Bridgestone irons are a rarity. Here’s what else is cool about his setup – Chris Gotterup has become one of the best players in the game by doing it in his own unique way. Whether that’s his swing, clubs or anything else, take a deep dive into his golf bag.

Jake Knapp gets fit for the PXG Lightning driver – Watch Jake Knapp go through the entire PXG Lightning driver lineup with Johnny Wunder to show which head is the best for him.

Tom Kim’s move back to Scotty Cameron blade putter proves worth it – Tom Kim won the Genesis Scottish Open after switching back to a Scotty Cameron blade putter earlier this season. He’s only the second player to win with a blade putter this year.

The author welcomes your comments at Jack.Hirsh@golf.com.

Want to overhaul your bag in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Why Collin Morikawa tested irons off a cart path for The Open appeared first on Golf.

Chris Gotterup's Bridgestone irons are a rarity. Here's what else is cool about his setup

Jack Hirsh — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 19:22:43 +0000

Welcome to Bag Spy, a GOLF series devoted to understanding the crucial equipment choices that define a player’s bag. With the help of players and/or their expert fitters, we dig deep beyond the photos to examine setups, specs and the thinking behind them. In this installment, GOLF Associate Equipment Editor Jack Hirsh takes you inside Chris Gotterup’s bag as the three-time 2026 winner chases his first major.

***

Chris Gotterup has arrived in the upper echelon of the game’s best players in a big way.

The 26-year-old has three PGA Tour wins this season and enters this week’s Open Championship as one of the favorites. He’s earned his place in his very own unique way.

Gotterup’s swing mechanics are far from orthodox, and his golf bag setup is similarly one of a kind. For starters, he’s the only player on the PGA Tour playing Bridgestone Golf’s latest muscle back irons.

The rest of his bag is developed around adding control to his power, which has him in the top-10 on the PGA Tour in driving distance. His driver is built for stability. His mini driver adds a level of control for tighter tee shots. His irons are customized to rein in his dispersion. His golf ball was chosen to keep his spin in check.

Gotterup’s is truly one of the coolest bags on the PGA Tour, and one that’s quickly becoming a blueprint for the modern PGA Tour power golfer.

Keep reading below to dive into the bag of one of the game’s hottest golfers.

Breaking down every club in Chris Gotterup’s bag

Ball

Bridgestone Tour B X with Mindset

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The only piece of equipment Gotterup is contracted to play is the new Bridgestone Tour B X golf ball.

It’s a relationship that goes back to Gotterup’s time at Oklahoma, where he was first exposed to the product through a few of his teammates. He was eventually convinced to try the Tour B X golf ball in competition late in 2022 and ended up finishing third in the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament that season. He decided to sign with the company after that performance.

With Gotterup’s previous ball, he often felt like his mid- and long-irons “hit a wall” in the air, causing them to come up short because of the extra spin.

“He likes to work the ball. He puts plenty of spin on the X model to be able to stop it on the greens, and whenever he needs to flight it a little bit more, he can definitely do that with the X,” said Bridgestone senior marketing manager Adam Rehberg. “He kind of said that was the proof in the pudding (after KFT Q-School). I trust the ball. I know it’s going to do the things I need with my long irons.”

Gotterup was instrumental in the development of Bridgestone’s newest generation Tour B series, released this year, and won the first event of the season with it at Sony. He also plays the version with the Mindset focus aid developed by Jason Day and his coach, Jason Goldsmith.

Bridgestone 2026 TOUR B X MindSet Golf Balls

THE NEW TOUR B X IS PUSHING THE LIMITS OF DISTANCE UNBOUND DISTANCE: New VeloSurge core-mantle integration technology delivers breakthrough velocity for unmatched distance off the tee TOUR CONTROL: The Reactiv iQ cover adheres to the clubface longer, generating tour-level spin and precision control on shots around the green The NEW TOUR B X with MindSet – the first golf ball scientifically designed to help players separate analytical thinking from athletic performance MindSet is a visual cue printed directly on the golf ball, serving as a reminder of a simple three-step process Step One: IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET. The first step is information gathering. Where is my target, what is the distance, wind conditions and what club do I need to hit? Step Two: VISUALIZE THE SHOT PATH. This step is about connecting to the target and visualizing the shot or putt you want to hit. Step Three: FOCUS ON THE DOT. In this step, you stay connected to the target, clear your mind of analytical thoughts, focus on the green dot and execute the shot you visualized. JASON DAY assisted in the development of MindSet and plays the ball in professional competition The TOUR B X delivers increased ball speed for MAXIMUM DISTANCE off the tee and HIT & SIT performance on approach shots Bridgestone Golf is the #1 BALL FITTER IN GOLF: The TOUR B X is higher compression for swing speeds OVER 105 mph Designed for players who want additional distance TIGER WOODS, JASON DAY, CHRIS GOTTERUP and KURT KITAYAMA assisted in the development of the NEW TOUR B X and they along with HARRY HALL and MATT KUCHAR play it in professional competition

$54.99 from PGA TOUR Superstore

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Driver

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Specs
Ping G440 LST 7.5˚
Actual Loft: 7.0˚
Ping Trajectory 2.0 setting: Dot (Standard)
CG shifter: 32 g, Neutral
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 TX
Length: 45.375″
Tipping: 1″
Swingweight: D5+

If there’s anything fans have come to know about Chris Gotterup, it’s that he holds nothing back off the tee.

Over the past two seasons, he’s become one of the best drivers on the PGA Tour, finishing 9th in SG: Off-the-Tee in 2025, and he currently ranks 10th this season. His clubhead speed (averaging roughly 124 mph) hasn’t changed since his rookie season in 2024, when he was T48th in SG: OTT, and he’s still top-10 in driving distance on both measured drives and all drives.

But what has changed is a roughly six-point increase in Gotterup’s driving accuracy, and a lot of it owes to a switch to the Ping G440 LST driver. Gotterup has always been interested in Ping drivers due to the stability of the platform, Ping Tour Rep Kenton Oates told GOLF. He previously played a G430 LST.

“The 430 LST was very good for Chris, but still, if anything, had an extra right miss at times that he did not like,” Oates said. “The G440 model has in taken that away, which was the main reason for switching.”

The addition of a 7.5˚ head to the G440 LST line allowed Gotterup to play his driver in the more neutral “Dot” setting on Ping’s hosel adapter, allowing him a more square face and making it easier to start the ball left for his signature fade.

In addition to Strokes Gained, Gotterup is averaging a career high in Driving Distance (321.7 yards) and is just under the career high in accuracy (55.75%) he set last year. His right rough tendency is down nearly five points to 17.99 percent from 2024, when it was 22.80 percent.

PING G440 LST 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. The G440 LST (Low Spin) design appeals to players with faster swing speeds, providing lower spin and more control in 9° and 10.5° lofts with the three-position 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.

~~$619.00~~$449.00 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore

Mini Driver

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Specs
TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper
Actual Loft: 13.5 degrees
FCT Setting: UPRT
Lie angle: 60.5˚
Weights: 15g Forward, 1.5g Rear
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black Gen. 4 80 TX
Length: 43″ CUT
Tipping: 1″

Gotterup is a tremendous example of how the modern player has gravitated toward the mini driver. While the primary shot shape with his driver is a cut, the mini driver’s smaller profile allows him to turn it over easier without giving up as much as a 3-wood.

“The BRNR Mini gives him a very specific ball flight,” TaylorMade Tour Rep Adrian Rietveld said. “It offers exceptional control from the tee while still providing enough speed when he needs it. For certain golf courses, it fills a gap that a traditional driver or 3-wood doesn’t quite cover.”

Gotterup replaced this club with his older TaylorMade RSi TP 1-iron for his Scottish Open victory last year, but it appears that was also the last time he gamed that club.

TaylorMade R7 Quad Custom Mini Driver

$479.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, TaylorMade

5-wood/7-wood/3-iron

1/3

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

2/3

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

3/3

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Specs
7-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D 21.0˚
Lie: 59.5˚
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 83 TX
Length: 41.5″

5-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D 18.0˚
Lie: 59˚
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 83 TX
Length: 42″

3-iron: TaylorMade P770
Lie: 59˚
Shaft: KBS C-Taper 130 X
Length: 39″

This is the part of the bag that changes the most depending on the course setup. While the 7-wood was in the bag for Gotterup’s most recent win at the John Deere Classic earlier this month, it was the 3-iron that saw action last week and will likely be called upon again this week.

The 3-iron comes into play when the course demands lower flight, more rollout and precision off the tee, Rietveld said. “It’s an excellent option in firm conditions or when positioning is more important than maximum carry.

“The 5- and 7-woods are chosen when Chris expects to hit more long approach shots or needs additional stopping power into greens. The higher launch angle and steeper landing angle allow him to attack pins from longer distances.

“It’s less about one club being better than another and more about building the best 14-club setup for the challenges each golf course presents.”

With his fairway woods specifically, Gotterup also prefers square face angles, rather than open, and prioritizes turf interaction and spin to make sure he can hold fairways and greens in firm conditions.

TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Fairway Wood

PROVEN RECIPE TaylorMade Fairways have dominated on Tour for over a decade because of their unique performance recipe, which enables maximum distance and versatility. The Qi4D fairway is designed for golfers who want the most advanced technology while still prioritizing versatility and control with amazing distance. ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE Utilizing a single Trajectory Adjustment System weight (8g x1) provides the golfer a more mass efficient way to adjust flight, spin and swing weight. 4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight and is available in all lofts. REFINED ATTRIBUTES, BIG CHANGES Engineers conducted an objective analysis of all the performance attributes and discovered new methods to enhance performance and confidence. Sit points, lie angles, address views, and center of gravity locations were all updated based on Tour feedback and the expertise of leading fitters worldwide, ensuring the optimal fairway across skill levels. TOUR-PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES New and improved cut-through Speed Pocket™ protects ball speed and reduces spin on low-face strikes. Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation for TaylorMade fairway performance. Twist Face™ features corrective face curvature designed to provide straighter shots on mishits. Multi-Material Construction allows engineers to maximize performance by increasing discretionary weight.

$379.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, TaylorMade

Irons

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Specs
Bridgestone 220 MB 4-9
Shafts: KBS C-Taper 130 X
Lofts: 22/25/29/33/37/41
Lies: 59.5/60/60.5/61/61.5/62
Length: Standard (37″ 7-iron)
Swingweight: D2

Chris Gotterup is the only player on the PGA Tour using Bridgestone’s 220 MB irons. He’s also not contractually obligated to play them.

When Gotterup signed with Bridgestone, he wanted to remain a free agent for clubs so he could play whatever performed best. To Bridgestone, that actually made him the ideal candidate to put in their new 220 series irons, which were released just ahead of his PGA Tour rookie season. They were the first clubs the company had released in North America in five years.

Gotterup’s contract with Bridgestone doesn’t require him to play any clubs, but there are incentives if he does. He initially started testing the 221 CBs before finding success with the 220 MB.

“The boy loves to cut the ball. He likes to fight it. So the MBs work very well for him,” Rehberg said. “We worked through a lot… different grinds, taking different weights off the hosel and adding, and got him to a good place where he feels comfortable.”

One of those customizations includes his KBS C-Taper 130 X shafts being inserted 2 mm deeper into the head and using a longer ferrule to help stiffen the shaft tip. Bridgestone’s Tour Director Todd Corum said that it helps keep Gotterup’s spin in check and tightens his dispersion.

Gotterup loves to tinker and is constantly checking the lofts and lies of his irons, which is key given his steep delivery.

Bridgestone 220 MB Custom Irons

Forged players muscleback clubhead design Tour Groove Design with super precise .02mm groove for stable consistent spin on all shots Consistent ball flight from the balanced center of gravity throughout the set Compact clubhead to maximum workability

$170.00 from Fairway Jockey

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Wedges

1/4

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

2/4

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

3/4

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

4/4

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Specs
TaylorMade Milled Grind 5
Lefts/Grinds: 46-SB, 52-SB, 56-SB, 60-LB
Lies: 62.5/63/63.5/64
Shafts: KBS C-Taper 130 X (46), Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Black Onyx (52-60)
Lengths: 36.25″, 35.75″, 35.5″, 35″

Gotterup has played TaylorMade wedges since his college days.

Rietveld calls it a great example of a player choosing equipment purely for performance reasons.

“The scoring clubs are where players develop enormous trust,” he said. “Chris has complete confidence in the look, feel and consistency of the MG5 wedges. Distance control, trajectory management and spin consistency are everything inside 120 yards, and he feels MG5 continues to deliver exactly what he wants. Tour players don’t switch wedges for the sake of it — they switch because performance improves.”

That’s exactly what happened when TaylorMade brought out the MG5 wedges. Gotterup switched from his MG4s to the MG Protos last summer and then moved seamlessly into the MG5 later in 2025.

“We spent time comparing launch, spin rates, carry numbers, dispersion and, equally importantly, his feedback on feel,” Rietveld said. “Around the greens we evaluated how the club interacted with different turf conditions, rough and bunker sand because those are often the deciding factors.

“Once Chris saw the performance benefits and, just as importantly, developed trust in what he was seeing, the transition became very natural.”

TaylorMade Milled Grind 5 Custom Wedge

$199.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Putter

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Putter:
TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck
Length: 33.25″
Lie: 70.5˚
Loft: 1.25˚
Insert: White Pure Roll
Alignment aid: Short line (No TruePath)
Shaft: Black Stepless
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol 2.0

This season, Gotterup has seen a dramatic uptick in his Strokes Gained: Putting, going from outside the top-100 on the PGA Tour the past two seasons, to 27th this year, picking up .376 shots on the field.

A lot of that improvement can be owed to switching from a previous-generation Spider Tour X to a 2025 Spider Tour X Black with a short line at the 2025 U.S. Open.

Gotterup holds his putter very vertically at setup, so finding something that soles properly on the ground can be a challenge.

“For most of that year prior to the U.S. Open, we would test different putters in order to find one that sat correctly on the turf,” TaylorMade putter rep James Holley said.”We were able to match the face angle of the old Spider with the new Black. And with the short line and no TruePath he lined it up better with his hand position.”

Holley said they’ve tried putters with more upright lie angles, but that usually ends up throwing off Gotterup’s wrist angles and rotation in the stroke.

The putter has lead tape caked on the sole instead of heavier weights because Gotterup wanted the weight spread out evenly as opposed to a deeper CG that the heavier backweights would cause.

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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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, TaylorMade

Extras

Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip 58R (1 wrap)

Jack Hirsh/GOLF

The author welcomes your comments at Jack.Hirsh@golf.com.

Want to overhaul your bag in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Chris Gotterup’s Bridgestone irons are a rarity. Here’s what else is cool about his setup appeared first on Golf.

Haeran Ryu's clubs: TaylorMade's insane major driver streak continues

Jack Hirsh — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 22:07:15 +0000

Just as Nelly Korda won the first two LPGA majors of the season, Haeran Ryu has won the next two majors after she triumphed at the Evian Championship in France on Sunday.

And both of the year’s two-time major winners won their titles using TaylorMade Qi4D drivers. In fact, every major played this season, men’s or women’s, has been won with a TaylorMade driver, continuing an impressive run for the brand.

Unlike Korda and men’s major winners Rory McIlroy and Wyndham Clark, Ryu plays the Qi4D LS model. PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai used an older model TaylorMade M6.

For more on Ryu’s detailed setup, keep reading below.

Haeran Ryu’s winning WITB at the Evian Championship

TaylorMade

Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS 9.0
FCT Setting: 1 click lower
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue OG 5-S
Length: 45.5″ EOG
Swingweight: D1

TaylorMade Qi4D LS Custom Driver

$649.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, TaylorMade

Fujikura Ventus Blue Wood Shaft (Velocore+)

Based on the game-changing VENTUS Blue profile originally launched on global tours in 2018, the all-new 2024 VENTUS captures the same incredible player-trusted feel as the original model, with improved material integrations and layouts. The first profile to incorporate Fujikura’s newest evolution of VeloCore Technology provides players even greater overall performance results. The next generation of Fujikura’s ground-breaking proprietary key technology. VeloCore+ is a multi-material bias core construction technique that not only increases and enhances the original combination of Pitch 70 and 40 Ton materials, but incorporates an all-new third premium material to give players even tighter dispersion and increased ball speeds. VeloCore+ takes all the benefits of the original VeloCore configuration and enhances performance even further by strengthening and tightening the overall structure.

$350.00 from Fairway Jockey

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TaylorMade

Mini Driver: TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver 11.5˚
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 60 S

TaylorMade R7 Quad Custom Mini Driver

$479.99 from Fairway Jockey

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2-Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi4D Rescue 17.0˚
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue HB OG 8-S

TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Hybrid

RESCUE™ YOUR ROUND Advanced multi-material construction combines 450 stainless steel and a carbon fiber crown creating the ultimate iron replacement option. The Qi4D Rescue™ is designed to hit desired carry yardages while maintaining a steep landing angle, providing golfers the ultimate tool to hold greens with added utility from any lie. ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE Utilizing a single Trajectory Adjustment System (TAS) weight (8g) provides the golfer a more mass efficient way to adjust flight, spin and swing weight. 3° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight. CG OPTIMIZATION Engineers achieved a balanced CG placement for optimal flight and workability by utilizing an ultralight carbon crown and strategically positioned TAS weight for more iron-like performance. TOUR PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES Cut-through Speed Pocket™ protects ball speed and reduces spin on low-face strikes. Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation for TaylorMade rescue performance. Twist Face™ features corrective face curvature designed to provide straighter shots on mishits.

$299.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Irons: TaylorMade P770 (4), P7MC (5-PW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro 950GH S (4), Nippon N.S. Pro 1050GH S (5-PW)

TaylorMade P770 Custom Irons

SOLID FORGED FEEL Improved for a more solid feel like never before. The 2024 P•770 has been strategically tuned using a player’s forged construction and modal analysis to create a notable improvement and the best feeling P•770 to date. MODERN PLAYERS IRON TaylorMade’s FLTD CG™ coupled with precision milled face and grooves, deliver the launch and spin modern players demand. Designed with forgiving, high launching long irons and lower launching, high spinning scoring irons for accuracy and control. CONSISTENCY Consistent ball striking and accurate shot making from a forged iron construction designed with meticulous mass optimization and an updated tungsten weight design for more forgiving long irons. REFINED SHAPING Refined shaping for a cleaner look and improved turf interaction. The 2024 P•770 has a thinner topline visual balanced with a confidence inspiring, compact head shape. A newly modified leading edge design helps deliver consistent shot making and crisp turf interaction.

$200.00 from Fairway Jockey

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Wedges: TaylorMade MG5
Lofts/Grinds: 48-09SB, 54-12SB, 58-07LV
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro 1050GH S

TaylorMade Milled Grind 5 Custom Wedge

$199.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 11R OC

Scotty Cameron 2025 Phantom 11R OC Putter

Inspired by prototype models made for tour players, the Phantom 11R OC—“R” for “round” and “OC” for “onset center”—is a new Phantom mallet with rounded corners in a revolutionary low torque package. With a straight shaft installed directly in line with the model’s CG, the Phantom 11R OC is designed with a heavier head to provide high stability while maintaining very low torque through the stroke. CHAIN-LINK FACE MILLING TECHNOLOGY The texture of chain-link face milling technology reduces the putter face’s touch points with the ball to soften sound and improve roll characteristics while preserving feel and optimizing feedback. CUSTOM BLACK SHAFT Custom made for the new OC putters, each model includes a special black KBS x Scotty Cameron shaft with optimal flex, unimpeded alignment and precise feel. CUSTOM MATADOR GRIP With a debossed chain-link texture built-in, each new OC putter includes a custom 11-inch mid-size Matador grip in black with racy red and cool gray accents.

$549.00 from Fairway Jockey

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Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Golf Pride Tour Velvet Swing Grip

Tour Velvet Swing Grip The most popular grip in golf today combines an exclusive, state-of-the-art rubber-blend compound, non-slip surface pattern for maximum playability, comfort, and confidence. The Tour Velvet® is the standard upon which many club manufacturers base their grip designs. ALL-WEATHER CONTROL State-of-the-art rubber-blend compound with a non-slip surface pattern for maximum playability and confidence. MODERATE SURFACE TEXTURE Scientifically designed plus sign texture created to pull moisture away from surface to allow for consistent traction. MODERATE FEEDBACK The standard in grip feel providing comfort and moderate feedback. Specifications: Grip Size: Standard, Midsize, Jumbo Core Size: 58 Round, 60 Round, 60 Round

$6.99 from PGA TOUR Superstore

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TaylorMade

Ball: TaylorMade 2021 TP5

TaylorMade TP5 2026 Golf Balls

$57.99 from PGA TOUR Superstore

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Want to overhaul your bag for 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Haeran Ryu’s clubs: TaylorMade’s insane major driver streak continues appeared first on Golf.

Why Tommy Fleetwood is playing 2 clubs that fly same distance | Tour Report

Jack Hirsh — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:48:53 +0000

Despite the move to breezy links golf this week at the Genesis Scottish Open, Tommy Fleetwood is still playing a club designed to hit moon balls.

Yes, Fleetwood still has his trusty 9-wood in the bag at Renaissance Club and plans to keep it in the bag for next week’s Open Championship as well. But that doesn’t mean his bag setup is unchanged.

This week, Fleetwood has added one of his TaylorMade GAPR Lo utility irons (a 3-iron loft) from 2018 while dropping his 56-degree wedge, something he did earlier this year.

“He thinks that the 9-wood is just too valuable to take out, but he needs a club that he can hit off the tee and into greens with a really low trajectory,” said TaylorMade Tour rep Adrian Reitveld. “So in reality, the two clubs actually go more or less the same distance, but just have totally different ball-flight characteristics.”

Adding the 3-iron, a club Fleetwood has used off and on for links golf is nothing new. The winds on costal layouts often require players to keep the ball low and that’s most easily achieved with a long iron.

But using a 3-iron in conjunction with a 9-wood that goes the same distance (roughly 235 to 240 yards) but at a completely different trajectory is a new tack. While modern high-lofted fairway woods offer much versatility, it would still be tough for a 9-wood to match the low peak height one could get with a utility iron.

Fleetwood has made moves like this before, including earlier this year in Miami, when he dropped his sand wedge to add a 4-iron between his 9-wood and 5-iron, specifically for long par-3s.

TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Fairway Wood

$379.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, TaylorMade

It’s likely that Fleetwood is adding the GAPR specifically for one hole or shot at Renaissance and plans to do the same next week at the year’s final major in his hometown.

“Both are great off the links turf, and he has a ton of options at that top end of the bag which means he can only play two wedges, a 52 and a 60,” Rietveld said. “In Tommy’s opinion, that’s the perfect set up for Birkdale.”

Plan ahead for utility irons

Like Fleetwood, many other players chose to add 3-irons this week, but most went the more traditional route in dropping a top-of-bag club like a second fairway wood or hybrid.

Fleetwood’s TaylorMade stablemate, Rory McIlroy, is playing one of his older generation P760 utility irons, the 3-iron, that he’s used for years and is dropping his 5-wood to make room for it.

Callaway Apex Custom Utility Iron

Built for better players who demand a precise, high-ball-speed alternative off the tee, the APEX UT delivers control and speed in a sleek, utility iron profile. FLEXCORE TECHNOLOGY Our most advanced, multi-material construction ever in a utility iron, this flexible core design promotes more face flexure and faster ball speeds across the face. FLEXCORE Technology unlocks the face from the sole, allowing for more consistent distance even on off-center hits, helping you attack every shot with confidence. UTILITY Ai FACE DESIGN Engineered specifically for utility irons, this Ai Face design focuses on superior distance control and spin consistency. Provides advanced precision and responsiveness for shot-shaping and trajectory control. FORGED HOLLOW-BODY CONSTRUCTION A multi-piece forged hollow body delivers solid impact feel and sound. Delivers a responsive, solid feel with enhanced vibration dampening, providing the feedback elite players require without compromising the forgiveness expected from a utility iron.

$319.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, Callaway

Likewise Viktor Hovland (Ping iDi), J.J. Spaun (Srixon ZXiU), Aldrich Potgieter (PXG Gen8 X driving iron) and Xander Schauffele (Mizuno Pro 225 Fli-Hi) are all adding utility irons that before this week they have played at times for months or even years.

Min Woo Lee is using a new 20-degree Callaway Apex UT, but it’s a club he’s had ready for a few months so he could test it and even put it in play to get used to it for links golf. He first gamed this club at the U.S. Open.

Min Woo Lee is gaming his new 20-degree Apex UT utility iron this week in Scotland.

He's one of many players who are dropping a fairway wood or hybrid for a driving iron such as Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, JJ Spaun, Aldrich Potgieter and more.

What all of… pic.twitter.com/rk7jrNEihS
— Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) July 10, 2026

It goes to show how much work Tour pros do with reps ahead of events. Gone are the days of players heading across the pond for the Open and Scottish Open, only to swap out clubs on the fly. That work is now being done months in advance so there is no adjustment period.

T-Grind (and low bounce) reigns supreme across pond

What do Alex Fitzpatrick, Brooks Koepka and Kurt Kitayama all have in common? Each switched to a Vokey T-Grind lob wedge this week, and the T-Grind is proving a very popular links-golf choice.

Wedges

How the PGA Tour's favorite grind shaped Titleist's Vokey SM11 wedges

By: Jack Hirsh

The T-Grind is most popular grind on the most popular wedge on the PGA Tour in the Vokey SM11, but on firm links turf, the T-Grind becomes even more valuable. Fitzpatrick was previously in the wider-sole A+-Grind, while Koepka was playing the rare B-Grind.

At the 2022 Open Championship at burnt-out St. Andrews, Vokey ran out of T-Grind heads, and the current grind trend began.

Titleist Vokey SM11 Tour Chrome Custom Wedge

$199.99 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, Titleist

“There’s this trend at this event with these conditions where a T-Grind really outperforms most of the other grinds we make, just due to how it’s made and what it does,” Vokey wedge rep Aaron Dill said then. “The rear section of the sole of the T grind is the lowest rear section we make, meaning when he opens up the face of the wedge, it sits as close to the ground as anything that we build in the Vokey line. So for guys to say, ‘This one fits me the best here,’ it makes a lot of sense.”

Notable names who are already using the T-Grind include Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Patrick Reed, Min Woo Lee and Fleetwood. Of that list, only Thomas is actually contracted to play Vokey wedges, which led the lob, sand and gap wedge count this week with 235 in play, or 52 percent of the field.

In a similar vein, Rory McIlroy has also made a wedge change this week, going to a lower bounce TaylorMade MG4 lob wedge from his MG5 gamer.

Looks like Rory McIlroy is playing a TaylorMade MG4 lob wedge this week that I understand has a little less bounce than his regular MG5.

Not sure if this is the same wedge he used at the Scottish and Portrush last year, but reducing bounce is nothing new for players headed for… pic.twitter.com/ZgVolKfLM6
— Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) July 10, 2026

Check this out

This section is dedicated to cool photos we’ve snapped recently on Tour, but haven’t had a reason to share yet. This week, check out Rory McIlroy’s driver as he’s second in the field this week in SG: OTT.

Rory McIlroy seems to have figured out his driver swing this week. Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Odds and Ends

Some other gear changes and notes we’re tracking this week.

Srixon launched new ZXi RKT fairway woods and hybrids with one model in each category … Lucas Glover added the new RKT 3-wood to his bag … At the ISCO Championship, Ryan Brehm (ZXi RKT), Sean Crocker (ZXi RKT LS), Brandon Robinson Thompson (ZXi RKT), all put the new Srixon driver in play … Patrick Reed is using a mallet for just the second time in his career, switching from a Scotty Cameron Tour Rat 1.5 to a new Phantom 12.5 Tour Prototype.

3 things you should read/watch

A selection of GOLF content from the past week that may interest you.

The 3 biggest equipment changes of 2026 … so far – Look back at the gear changes that not only made headlines, but also lead to huge wins.

My iron journey has been an experiment on my game | Fully Fit 2026 – Johnny Wunder details the journey he’s gone through to find the best sets of irons for his game. It seems like there’s more than one.

How to find the right Vokey Wedgeworks grind for your game – Jake Morrow gets led through the Vokey WedgeWorks grind options to see what fits his game the best.

The author welcomes your comments at Jack.Hirsh@golf.com.

Want to overhaul your bag in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Why Tommy Fleetwood is playing 2 clubs that fly same distance | Tour Report appeared first on Golf.

The 3 biggest equipment changes of 2026 ... so far

Jack Hirsh — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 23:38:48 +0000

Six months into 2026 and the PGA Tour season is nearly over as we approach the final major of the season next week.

The year has been a great one for equipment, and that’s led to some volatility in the bags of the game’s best players. Some moves have been more consequential than others.

While changes last month like Bryson DeChambeau’s prototype TaylorMade driver and Jordan Spieth’s near putter switch stole headlines, others had lasting impacts — and two even led to major titles.

There’s still plenty of golf left this season, but take a look at some of the biggest gear switches of 2026 so far.

Rory McIlroy dabbles with cavity backs

Rory McIlroy kicked off the year strong by gaming a set of TaylorMade P7CB cavity-back irons both at TGL and his first DP World Tour starts of the season in the Middle East.

Just a month earlier at the Australian Open, McIlroy first forayed into the cavity-back long irons, the first non-blades he’s played in competition, and liked them so much he switched to the rest of the set by the weekend.

That set was still in the bag for his first TGL matches and again at the Dubai Invitational.

Gear

Why Rory McIlroy is so excited about his major 2026 gear switches | Tour Report

By: Jack Hirsh

“If there’s help to be had, I’ll definitely take it,” McIlroy said after an opening-round 66 in Dubai in early January. “And even in Dubai at the end of last year, I hit a couple of 5-irons that I mis-struck slightly, and instead of it maybe coming up five or seven yards short, it was coming up more like 10 to 15 yards short.”

But while the early results were promising, the new cavity-back irons didn’t stick, and he was back in his custom RORS Protos by his first statestide start at Pebble Beach.

He revealed the rationale didn’t necessarily have anything to do with performance, but rather his familarity with what his blades did versus the cavity backs.

“So whatever way the weight of the head was or whether it was the blade length,” McIlroy said in February, “I’d make swings that I feel like I’d make with my blades that would be a very neutral ball flight, and then with the cavity backs, they would just like start to tail off to the right.

TaylorMade P7CB Custom Irons

$200.00 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, TaylorMade

“It made me feel like I could fully release like my iron shots, which is great in theory and great in practice, but then once you get on the course with a card in your hand, for so many years I’m used to feeling that like held-off position through impact, and then to go from that to trying to release it, it just was a different feel, especially under pressure or in the heat of competition,” he said. “Just didn’t feel as familiar as I wanted it to.”

Ultimately, McIlroy was gaming the RORS Protos when he won his second straight Green Jacket in April, but he seemed like he left the door open on using a cavity back iron in the future.

We’ll stay tuned on that one.

Wyndham Clark finds ‘the one’

It’s rare that a gear free agent falls in love with a club so much that they end up signing with the company that makes it, but that was a match made in heaven for Wyndham Clark and Ping’s Scottsdale TEC Ally Blue Onset putter.

Putters

Wyndham Clark's Ping putter deal couldn't have been timed any better

By: Jack Hirsh

Clark, newly a free agent to begin the year, started playing putter and driver roulette at the beginning of the season, trying five drivers in as many weeks to start the year and then moving on to putters.

He later joked that he was “dating” a lot of golf clubs as he explored options.

It even got to the point where Clark showed up to the Players Championship with a putter he bought at his home club’s pro shop.

But ever since Houston, he’s stuck with Ping’s Scottsdale TEC Ally Blue Onset putter and later moved to a new counterbalanced build of the head. Since then, his putting stats have returned to the all-world level that saw him win three times in nine months, including his first U.S. Open.

PING Scottsdale TEC Ally Blue Onset CB Custom Putter

$399.00 from Fairway Jockey

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore

Clark and Ping formalized their relationship on Wednesday of the U.S. Open week, and that deal couldn’t have been timed better as Clark won his second U.S. Open title, cementing his comeback and giving a ton of publicity for their new putter line.

McLaren debuts with big Justin Rose splash

McLaren Golf launched with much pomp and circumstance at the end of April, but no move was flashier than the announcement that Justin Rose was coming on board as both an ambassador and an investor.

News

Justin Rose's shocking McLaren move was years in the making

By: Dylan Dethier

Rose had won twice in the past eight months and finished top-3 at the Masters for the second straight year. At 45, Rose could have easily continued on his free agent ways, but instead he’s gone all in with the super car maker’s new venture into golf equipment.

The former World No. 1 debuted a combo set of McLaren’s Series 1 and Series 3 irons that utilize Metal Injection Molding technology at the Cadillac Championship.

“McLaren Golf has been something that’s been on the back burner for a good number of months,” Rose said at his pre-tournament press conference that week, his first comments after the announcement. “Obviously, to launch a brand out of the ground obviously has been going for a lot longer than a year. It’s something I’ve been involved with from the outset, really helping the engineering team, really testing the very first editions of the club. So yeah, I’ve been kind of working with the project for well over a year, probably.”

McLaren Golf Series 1 Custom Irons

A Tour blade with the feel you expect and the forgiveness you don’t. Series1 is a modern Tour blade, engineered through Metal Injection Molding. It delivers a level of forgiveness traditional forging can’t achieve, while maintaining the feel and workability often lost in cast designs. The result is performance without compromise – a blade for elite players who demand more from their irons.

$375.00 from Fairway Jockey

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Since his debut in Miami, Rose has continued to make tweaks to his iron setup and teased that more clubs are coming down the road.

In his past five events, Rose has finished outside the top-25 just once.

The author welcomes your comments at Jack.Hirsh@golf.com.

Want to find the best clubs for your game in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post The 3 biggest equipment changes of 2026 … so far appeared first on Golf.

TaylorMade 'Hits a Homerun' with their latest themed release

Jake Morrow — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:14:08 +0000

TaylorMade released their new TaylorMade Baseball collection today featuring golf balls and accessories. Whether you’re grabbing a hot dog at the turn or during the 7th inning stretch, TaylorMade helps you celebrate. Let’s check out what items they have in the collection!

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TaylorMade Golf

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TaylorMade Golf

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TaylorMade Golf

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TaylorMade Golf

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TaylorMade Golf

Shop the Collection

Headcovers

The TaylorMade Baseball collection includes offerings for a driver, mallet, and alignment stick head cover.

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TaylorMade Golf

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TaylorMade Golf

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TaylorMade Golf

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TaylorMade Golf

Buy at TaylorMade Golf

Golf Balls

TaylorMade also has both the TP5 and TP5x PIX offerings available in the new baseball theme. Imagine a bucket of these out on the driving range!

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TaylorMade Golf

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TaylorMade Golf

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TaylorMade Golf

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TaylorMade Golf

Really cool stuff from TaylorMade to celebrate the Great American Game! Make sure to snag some gear quickly as these TaylorMade drops have a tendency to sell out fairly quickly.

The post TaylorMade ‘Hits a Homerun’ with their latest themed release appeared first on Golf.