Alright, Duffers, Tyler Reed here, fresh off the data sheets and straight from the fitting bay. We’re deep-diving into Justin Rose’s winning bag from the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open – a dominant wire-to-wire victory, no less. Rose shot a record-setting 23 under par, finishing seven shots clear of the field. A performance like that always gets my attention, not just for the win, but for what’s in the bag that helped him get there. And let me tell you, there are some interesting choices in there that speak volumes about real-world performance versus the latest shiny object.
“Justin Rose completed a dominant wire-to-wire victory to win at Torrey Pines for the second time in his career. Rose set a record for the lowest winning score in the tournament’s history, finishing seven shots clear at 23 under par.”
That kind of performance doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a synergy of elite skill and finely tuned equipment. Let’s break down what Rose is trusting.
The Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (Max Model) (9 degrees)
Starting with the big stick, Rose is using the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (Max Model) at 9 degrees, paired with a Mitsubishi Diamana WB 63 TX shaft. This isn’t surprising. The Triple Diamond line is Callaway’s lower-spin, more workable head designed for higher swing speeds and players who require precise shot shaping. The “Max Model” here likely refers to a slightly larger footprint for increased forgiveness compared to the pure Triple Diamond. I’ve tested this driver extensively on Foresight and TrackMan, and what stands out is its ability to produce consistent ball speeds across the face, especially on slight mishits. For a player like Rose, who delivers the club consistently, the Triple Diamond gives him the low spin he needs to maximize distance and control dispersion.
The Mitsubishi Diamana WB 63 TX is a beast of a shaft, built for stability and low torque. In my fitting experience, players with Rose’s swing speed (which I’d estimate to be in the 112-118 mph range based on this shaft choice) benefit from a shaft that minimizes energy loss and maintains its profile throughout the swing. This combo allows him to hit those piercing tee shots that are so crucial on a demanding course like Torrey Pines.
Fairway Woods: An Eclectic Mix
Here’s where it gets interesting: a TaylorMade M6 3-wood (15 degrees) with a Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 80 TX shaft, and a TaylorMade Qi4D 7-wood (21 degrees) with the same shaft. The M6 is an older model, which proves the point I constantly preach: if it works, stick with it! The M6 was known for its Twist Face technology and overall forgiveness. For a pro, the 3-wood is less about raw distance and more about tight dispersion and consistent gapping into long par-4s and par-5s. That HZRDUS shaft is a low-launch, low-spin performer, ensuring that powerful strike holds its line.
The 7-wood is a trend we’re seeing more and more on tour, and for good reason. It offers a higher launch and a steeper landing angle than a hybrid or a long iron, making it easier to hold greens from distance. The TaylorMade Qi4D is a newer model, indicating some willingness to upgrade for specific performance. The “D” in Qi4D likely denotes a draw-biased or more forgiving head, which when combined with the 21-degree loft, suggests a club designed for consistent, high-flying approach shots into greens where a tight lie might make a long iron too risky. Given the firm conditions Torrey Pines can present, having a club that gets the ball up quickly and lands softly is a massive advantage.
Irons: Forged Feel and Precision
Rose goes with a split set of Miura irons: TC-202 (4&5 irons) and MC-502 (6-PW), all shafted with KBS C-Taper 125 S+. This is a classic tour setup. The TC-202s are Miura’s cavity-back offering, designed to provide a bit more forgiveness and workability in the longer irons. For the critical 4 and 5 irons, a little extra help on off-center strikes without sacrificing feel is invaluable. The MC-502s are muscle-back blades, pure and simple, offering unparalleled feel and control for the scoring irons. This blend ensures that Rose has forgiveness where he needs it in the longer clubs, and surgical precision where he demands it closer to the green.
The KBS C-Taper 125 S+ is a heavy, stiff shaft designed to produce a lower, more penetrating ball flight with reduced spin. This is exactly what a tour player needs to control trajectory, especially when wind is a factor or when trying to attack pins with precision. High ball speeds and consistent strike location make this shaft a data darling for elite ball strikers during fittings.
Wedges: Vokey Dominance
No surprises here: Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges (52, 56, and 60 degrees) with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Onyx S400 shafts. Vokey wedges are practically standard issue on tour for a reason. The SM10 line continues to deliver exceptional spin, versatile grind options, and consistent feel. The key for a player like Rose is having meticulously crafted gaps and bounce configurations that work with his specific attack angle and the typical turf conditions he faces. The Tour Issue Onyx S400 shafts are heavy and stout, providing the necessary stability for full swings and consistency on delicate greenside shots.
Putter: The Money Maker
“Wire-to-wire with Phantom. Congratulations to the winner of the Farmers Insurance Open, who trusted his Phantom 5 tour prototype en route to seven-shot victory at Torrey Pines.”
Rose relies on a Scotty Cameron Phantom T-5 Tour Prototype Putter. Mallet putters, particularly modern “winged” designs like the Phantom series, have gained significant traction because of their high MOI (Moment of Inertia). This means they resist twisting on off-center strikes, leading to a more consistent roll and better distance control, even when you don’t hit the center of the face perfectly. On tour, these subtle forgiveness advantages are huge, especially in high-pressure situations. The “Tour Prototype” designation indicates it’s likely a specifically weighted or milled version tailored precisely to Rose’s preferences for feel and balance. This is where the magic happens – a perfectly fit putter inspires confidence, and that confidence translates directly into more makes.
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x 2025
The Titleist Pro V1x 2025 Golf Ball. This is another area where pros rarely stray far from the established leaders. The Pro V1x is known for its higher flight, slightly more spin than the Pro V1, and excellent greenside control. For a player like Rose who generates significant clubhead speed and prefers a slightly higher launch, the Pro V1x delivers excellent all-around performance, from tee shots that carry well to stopping power on approach shots. The “2025” designation means it’s the latest iteration, likely with subtle improvements in cover durability, feel, or aerodynamic optimization – marginal gains that matter immensely at the highest level.
Practical Advice for the Everyday Duffer
So, what can we take away from Rose’s winning setup? It’s not about rushing out and buying every new club on the market. It’s about calculated decisions based on performance.
- **Don’t chase hype:** Rose’s M6 3-wood is a perfect example. If a club consistently performs for you, there’s no inherent need to upgrade just because a newer model exists.
- **Embrace specialized clubs:** The 7-wood is a great illustration of optimizing for specific shots. If you struggle with long iron consistency or getting enough height, a higher-lofted fairway wood or hybrid could be a game-changer for your longer approach shots.
- **The right shaft matters, *a lot*:** Rose’s choice of heavy, stiff, low-launch shafts across his bag is no accident. The shaft is the engine of the club, and a proper fitting will reveal what truly stabilizes your swing and maximizes energy transfer.
- **Split iron sets are legit:** Unless you’re a scratch golfer who demands the absolute peak of feel in every iron, considering a cavity-back in your longer irons (4, 5, 6) for added forgiveness while maintaining muscle-backs in your scoring irons could dramatically improve your consistency.
- **Putters are personal, but MOI helps:** While Rose’s tour prototype isn’t available to everyone, the underlying principle of a high MOI mallet putter for consistent roll is something every golfer should consider. It’s less about brand and more about finding a head shape and weight that complements your stroke.
Justin Rose’s bag is a masterclass in pragmatic equipment choices – a blend of new tech where it genuinely provides an edge, and trusted older models where performance remains unmatched. It’s a testament to the fact that the best gear isn’t always the newest, but the gear that is meticulously fit to your swing, giving you the confidence and the data-backed performance to achieve record-setting scores.
