GEAR SHORTS: Tiger’s putter, Kuchar’s late club search

The new PGA Tour season is officially underway and there’s a barrel load of gear news to bring you.

Just a day after announcing his withdrawal from the Safeway Open and the Turkish Airlines Open due to his game being in a ‘vulnerable’ state, Tiger gave a clinic to some juniors and answered a few questions about the gear he’ll use upon his return from the attending media.

Tiger on equipment options post-Nike: “Yeah, I’m looking at a bunch of different things, absolutely. I want to see what’s out there.” https://t.co/Yf0MhqIXFN

— Will Gray (@WillGrayGC) October 11, 2016

As well as saying he’ll be trying ‘a bunch of different things’, Tiger also apparently hinted he’ll continue to use the putter he used to win 13 of his 14 majors.

That means we’re likely to see him put his trusty Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Studio Stainless Steel model back in the bag.

@jschil@TwSpot I didn’t know that. Couldn’t see the putter but he said he is using the one that won 13 majors. — steve lutton (@stevelutton) October 11, 2016

Read more – Tiger Woods ‘flushes’ balls at clinic

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Callaway turns Forged

Next up, is the new Callaway Mack Daddy Forged prototype wedges that were spotted on the range at the Safeway Open.

Pic credit: PGATour.com

Callaway isn’t releasing any more details as yet, but it’s expected they will replace the Mack Daddy 3 Milled wedges currently on sale.

The Mack Daddy Forged will be the third set of wedges to be released under the name in recent years, following on from the Mack Daddy 2 in 2013 and Mack Daddy 3 Milled wedges in 2015.

They will also see Callaway return to the forged head last seen in the Mack Daddy 2 designs.

Read more – Callaway introduces MD3 wedges

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Kuchar’s rush replacements

Next, we have the story of Matt Kuchar who played the Safeway Open with a set of replacement clubs cobbled together at the last minute.

Kuchar had travelled straight from the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine to the Turks and Caicos islands for fellow PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland’s wedding.

He then couldn’t make it home to pick up his clubs afterwards due to the threat of Hurricane Matthew and had to find a set to play with once he arrived.

For those that asked, here’s Kuch’s bag for this week. Couldn’t get clubs after Hurricane Matthew so he’s using replacement sticks, bag. pic.twitter.com/Go8AV3Sm2O — Jonathan Wall (@jonathanrwall) October 14, 2016

He ended up picking out the carry bag from the club pro shop with the gear reps on tour sorting out his sticks.

How did he get on? He missed the cut by a shot.

Read more – Matt Kuchar :: ‘I love coming to Scotland’

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Mixed bags for Nike staffers

The question of which clubs Nike’s staffers would play in 2017 has finally been answered. Well, by some at least. Here’s what they had in play.

Pic credit: GolfWRX.com

Russell Henley

Driver Titleist 917D2 (8.5˚),
Fairway woods Titleist 917F3 (15˚),
Irons Titleist 716 T-MB (3-iron), Titleist 716 AP2 (4-9),
Wedges Titleist Vokey SM6 (46˚, 50˚, 54˚, 58˚),
Putter Scotty Cameron Tour Rat Concept 2 Prototype

Pic credit: GolfWRX.com

Patrick Rodgers

Driver Callaway Great Big Bertha (9.5˚),
Fairway wood Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 (15˚),
Hybrid Callaway Apex (20˚),
Irons Callaway Apex Pro ’16 (4-PW),
Wedges TaylorMade Tour Preferred EF ATV-grind (52˚, 56˚, 60˚),
Putter Toulon San Diego

Pic credit: GolfWRX.com

Seung Yul Noh

Driver Titleist 917 D3 (9.5˚),
Fairway wood Nike Vapor Fly (15˚),
Hybrid Titleist H2 816 (19˚),
Irons Titleist 716 T-MB (2, 4), Titleist 716 MB (5-9),
WedgesTitleist Vokey SM6 (46˚, 52˚, 56˚, 60˚)
Putter Scotty Cameron Tour Only Concept 1 GSS Long Neck

Read more – Nike Golf: Why it collapsed

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Special Luke Donald wedges spotted

Meanwhile, across this side of the pond the British Masters was taking place at The Grove and host Luke Donald had a very special gift for everyone that competed in the Pro-Am on Wednesday thanks to his sponsor Mizuno.

Each amateur player was given a limited edition Mizuno T7 wedge with Donald’s picture and signature etched onto the back. Very nice touch.

How good does this limited edition T7 Mizuno wedge look!! All the pro am competitors were given these today, a big thanks to @mizunoeuropegolf for being such a great partner of mine. If you are going to The #BritishMasters this week, head over to the Mizuno truck for your chance to win one yourself #TeamMizuno #Britishmasters #T7
A photo posted by lukedonald (@lukedonald) on Oct 12, 2016 at 1:13pm PDT

Read more – Mizuno T7 wedges revealed

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Badds signs with Ping

Ping announced Aaron Baddeley as its first signing for the new season.

PING is happy to announce Aaron Baddeley is the newest member of our tour staff. Welcome to the #PINGFamily! More: https://t.co/5rh1YSDwb6pic.twitter.com/gz7CX7FK4r — PING GOLF (@PingTour) October 12, 2016

The deal will see him play a minimum of 11 Ping clubs and his bag was made up as follows at the Safeway Open.

Driver Ping G,
Fairway wood Ping G (15˚),
Irons Ping I (3), Ping iBlade (4-PW),
Putter Ping Prototype

Read more – Ping G: Limited edition Bubba model lands

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PXG with a difference

The pics really speak for themselves on this one. Look at this for a custom job on these PXG irons.

Now this is a deadly set of #XtremeDark PXG clubs! #Repost @novogolfusa ・・・ Red paint fill @pxg #darkness #custom #pxg ferrules #0311 #pxgtroops #golf #golfing #getfit #luxury #clean #superpremium #classy #novogolf #whyilovethisgame #instagolf #golflife #part1
A photo posted by Parsons Xtreme Golf (@pxg) on Oct 11, 2016 at 4:07pm PDT

Read more – What’s included in a $99k PXG Xperience?

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And finally…

What a week it was for Joe Miller. The Londoner headed out to Las Vegas to compete in the final of the World Long Drive Championship and ended up winning the whole thing.

Miller, who had already won the title 2010, claimed his second championship belt and a cheque for a cool $125,000.

Here’s his winning 423-yard drive from the final with his Callaway XR 16 LD (3˚) driver.

It comes with a Fujikura Joe Miller Prototype 3X shaft that is 50 inches long.

How bout that for a night pic.twitter.com/GtDwx0VgIC — JoeMillerLDC (@JoeMillerLDC) October 13, 2016