Sign up for our daily newsletter

Want latest news, reviews, analysis, deals, and events, and offers from our commercial partners? We’ve got you.

Gear Shorts

All hail King Henrik!

The Swede fired his way to the Claret Jug with one of the finest final day major performances in the history of the game on Sunday. What’s more, he managed it with a 3-wood that can be yours for less than £5.

That’s right, Callaway staffer Stenson claimed his first major with a bag full of equipment that strikes the right balance between new and classic.

AAM Scottish Open - Day Three

The headliner was undoubtedly his Callaway Diablo Octane Tour, first released in 2011. Set to 13-degrees, the same as Todd Hamilton’s famous Sonartec Md hybrid from 2004, Stenson used his 3-wood repeatedly off the tee to great effect.

Callaway says he can regularly hit it out there 290 yards. Add in a lot of adrenaline and the 40-year-old smashed it 312 yards down the fairway. What’s more, at the time Stenson holed his winning putt, you could buy a second hand one on eBay for just $6.

One of the most eye-catching aspects of the club is the Grafalloy Blue X-Flex shaft he uses. A shaft the newly crowned Open champ has used for the majority of his pro career, it is no longer in production. Not to worry, though, Stenson has been known to joke he has plenty of them stored in his loft.

Irons

That’s not to mention the Callaway Legacy Black irons from 2013 that were also in the bag. Like the majority of players, Stenson chose to add a 2-iron into his bag, removing his 18-degree Callaway XR 16 4-wood for the week.

 145th Open Championship - Previews

Mickelson sticks to what he knows

Like Stenson, Phil also chose to switch up the top end of his bag at Royal Troon.

Unlike most of the pros, he chose a traditional 2-iron over the more modern utility iron. Here’s his reasoning…

Mickelson

— 

Club snaps galore

Henrik Stenson is no stranger to losing his cool on the golf course with a good old club snap and he was joined with a few great ones over the weekend.

First up was Rory McIlroy. Already known for his club throwing ability (see here), the four-time major champ took it to a new level on Saturday as he snapped his 15-degree Nike Vapor Speed 3-wood after a mis-hit approach on 16.

Thankfully for Rory, the guys on the Nike truck were able to sort him out with a new one for Sunday.

The second culprit was Belgian big-hitter Thomas Pieters. The 24-year-old’s fit of temper arrived on Royal Troon’s notorious 11th hole. Midway through the hole after hitting his seventh (SEVENTH!) shot into the green, the red mist descended.

Pieters went for the traditional ‘club snap over the knee’ with his Callaway RAZR Muscle Back iron before chucking each of the pieces individually into the bush. Top marks for the technique!

 —

DJ’s US Open putter prize

Fresh off the back of his maiden major win at Chambers Bay, Dustin Johnson arrived in Ayrshire to a special commemorative gift from Scotty Cameron.

DJ

(Pic via Austin Johnson, @austinjohnson12)

The American received this chromatic bronze version of his Scotty Cameron Newport prototype putter. A very nice touch.

Beef loves steak! Who could’ve guessed…

In probably the least surprising story from the Open, Englishman Andrew Johnston well and truly lives up to his ‘Beef’ nickname.

Believe it or not, the 27-year-old has nine types of beef stamped onto his Titleist SM6 58˚ wedge. You can see it for yourself.

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses

Latest podcast

The PLAYERS Championship