Range Rat

Image: CS Range Rat titleNEWS FROM THE TOUR VANSBROUGHT TO YOU BY GOLF PRIDE, THE #1 GRIP ON TOUR
Dividing RuleWhen professional golfers reference their equipment, it’s assumed they are talking about clubs, balls, gloves and other fundamental items needed to play. What’s not often thought about is the extensive packing that goes into a staff bag – and the unique items tucked away in one of the many pouches just in case they are needed.
Xander Schauffele’s bag can practically double as a drug store. He includes lip balm, allergy medication, nasal spray and lithium batteries wherever he goes. Kevin Kisner has electrolyte tablets, insect repellent and the necessary SPF 50 sunscreen among his 30 or so items.
In the bag CTA (one winner)Most bags have a fairly similar makeup, but there are a few popular accessories a lot of fans would miss if they were attempting to name everything a player stores. Headcovers for alignment rods are standard practice and rangefinders are ubiquitous even if they can’t be used in competition. Putting gadgets, particularly chalk lines and alignment mirrors, are a near certainty to be in a tour player’s bag.
Getting back to more traditional equipment matters, Tommy Fleetwood has been using a center-shafted Odyssey 2-Ball putter with a Stroke Lab shaft. He has been playing musical chairs with putters in 2019, using both an Odyssey 2-Ball prototype and Odyssey #3 White Hot Pro before going to a different look the past couple of weeks.
As evidenced by Fleetwood’s putter changes, becoming comfortable with gear is one of the hardest tasks in golf. That means many players have no issue sticking with old equipment. Bubba Watson has been using his Ping S55 irons since the 2012 BMW Championship and previously used Ping S59 irons from 2004 until the switch. Perhaps one reason Watson is resistant to change is that his specs are far from typical. His S55s are a half-inch longer than standard length, are 1 degree upright and feature incredibly oversized grips due to 12 wraps of tape on the bottom hand.
Watson is far from alone, and it extends to LPGA players as well. Lexi Thompson has been using her Cobra S2 Forged irons since 2009 and all 11 of her LPGA Tour wins have been with that set.Sean FairholmCoverWhat's InsideRory UnpluggedOdyssey 110419Count ’Em AllDave Cannon: 30 Years Without Missing A ShotEuro Titleist 110419Picture This: KordaPicture This: BermudaA Quick 9Space-Age Material Adds Warmth To Ping’s Cool-Season ApparelRange RatUSGA, R&A Announce World Handicap System RolloutRory Burnishes Stellar YearMickelson Bids Farewell To Top 50Back From Yips, Todd Returns To Winner's CircleEuro PING 110419Nelly Korda Defends TitleWalker Cup Return Puts Spring In Crosby’s StepLPGA 110419The Hours That FollowedEarly Promise For Leadership ProgrammeIreland’s Power Prevails At East LakeStatisticsPostScriptMasthead