NEWS FROM THE TOUR VANS
BROUGHT TO YOU BY GOLF PRIDE, THE #1 GRIP ON TOUR
Golf is a game of numbers, many of which have become traditional in the equipment world. Every once in a while, however, players deviate from what is commonly accepted.
Justin Rose arrived at the Farmers Insurance Open with Honma TR20B irons that started at a 4-iron and ended with the seldom seen “10-iron.†Of course the 10-iron essentially is a pitching wedge, but the sight of it is enough to prompt a double take.
What has been typical to start the year is the process players go through to become comfortable with new equipment. Rory McIlroy had far more than 14 clubs in his bag during practice at Torrey Pines as he figured out what combination he would be most comfortable with. McIlroy replaced his TaylorMade M5 and M6 driver and metalwoods with the new TaylorMade SIM driver, fairway woods and rescue club. He also changed to TaylorMade P760 long irons instead of the P750s he used last season.
McIlroy increased the loft in his driver slightly in a quest for added speed and forgiveness, and he is currently carrying his 3-wood around 282 yards. The most noticeable change has been the addition of a 19-degree rescue club, which offers versatility in what type of trajectory he can play.
Tiger Woods also was spotted with a TaylorMade SIM driver and SIM Max Rocker 3-wood before the tournament, but only the driver made it into play. Woods also put the new Bridgestone Tour B XS ball into action after being heavily involved in its design.
As the TaylorMade SIM starts to infiltrate the PGA Tour, Callaway’s new “Triple Track†design on its Chrome Soft golf balls is doing the same. Among the players using the technology last week were Phil Mickelson, Xander Schauffele, Francesco Molinari, Dylan Frittelli and J.J. Spaun.
Many players have shifted to Callaway’s new Mavrik club line as well. Molinari has installed the Mavrik 3-wood in his bag, but still has the Epic Flash Sub Zero driver at the moment. He also pulled the Callaway Apex MB prototype irons in favor of the Apex Pro irons.
Titleist led the ball counts at the Farmers Insurance Open (with 69 percent) and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic (with 73 percent). And FootJoy once again dominated the shoe count at the Farmers Insurance Open, defeating its closest competitor by a 54-percent-to-22-percent margin.
Sean Fairholm
