The Anthony Kim Comeback: More Than Just Heart – Was There a Gear Story We Missed?
As the Equipment Editor for The Daily Duffer, my inbox is usually flooded with press releases touting the “revolutionary” new driver that adds 20 yards or the “game-changing” iron set promising tour-level feel for every hacker. More often than not, my launch monitor and I find those claims to be, shall we say, aspirational. So when the news broke about Anthony Kim’s stunning performance at LIV Adelaide, my first thought wasn’t about the dramatic narrative, but rather: what was he playing?
We’ve all heard the stories, and as the source article correctly pointed out, AK’s return felt like a long shot. I’ve seen countless golfers try to rediscover their game after a significant layoff, and the physical and mental hurdles are immense. But equipment, while often overlooked in these grand comebacks, plays a silent yet critical role. Could a re-evaluation of his bag have contributed to this unexpected resurgence?
The conventional wisdom, and one I largely shared, was that this was a pure grind. Years out of the game, coming back from injury – it’s a brutal road.
“I mean, the guy hadn’t played any meaningful golf *in 12 years*. He hadn’t been competitive at the highest level *in 14 years*.”
That’s an eternity in professional golf. Technology has advanced leaps and bounds in that time. Drivers are more forgiving with higher MOI and lower spin. Irons boast stronger lofts and sophisticated internal weighting for enhanced distance and launch. Balls fly differently. Putting greens are faster. The entire landscape has shifted.
When a player makes a comeback after such a long hiatus, especially one where their game was already somewhat of an enigma, the gear setup becomes paramount. You’re not just dusting off old clubs; you’re essentially re-tooling from scratch. In my fitting bay, I see golfers every day who are using clubs that are five, ten, even fifteen years old. The difference in ball speed, spin, and dispersion between well-optimized modern equipment and outdated gear can be staggering – sometimes 5-7 mph of ball speed improvement, leading to 15-20 yards for the average amateur. For a pro, those margins are just as critical, if not more so.
What we saw at LIV Adelaide – a 9-under 63 to surge past Rahm and DeChambeau – wasn’t just raw talent re-emerging. That kind of consistent ball striking and control suggests a level of confidence in the equipment. There’s no confirmed official “What’s in the Bag” for AK from that event, which itself is interesting. But let’s theorize a bit based on what we know AK’s game was and what modern tech offers.
AK was always known for his raw power. If he’s swinging with anything approaching his old speed, modern drivers, with their advanced aerodynamics and optimized CG placements, would allow him to maximize that. I’d be looking for a driver setup that delivers high launch, low spin – typical for powerful players seeking to maximize carry distance and roll out. A well-fitted driver can easily add a significant amount of efficiency. We’re talking 1-2 degrees higher launch, 200-300 RPM less spin for a player who previously struggled with spin, translating to significant gains.
“Kim, charging from five strokes back, shot a 9-under 63 and zoomed past Rahm and DeChambeau.”
A 63 is no fluke. That’s a low score earned through precision. This implies dialed-in irons as well. Modern irons, especially players’ distance or even some muscle-back designs, incorporate technologies like Tungsten weighting, multi-material constructions, and thinner faces to enhance ball speed and forgiveness without sacrificing feel. The jump in forgiveness (higher MOI) in irons over the last decade is substantial. A mis-hit that might have ended up in thick rough with an older iron could now hold the putting surface with something more forgiving, leading to fewer dropped shots. For a player who hasn’t been in competitive rhythm, that forgiveness is invaluable.
The source article frames this as a purely human story, and it largely is.
“Kim doing this is downright bizarre, stunning and inspirational. It shows his immense talent and drive.”
I agree wholeheartedly that his talent and drive are undeniable. But let’s not discount the tools. When I fit a golfer, especially one with a unique swing profile or returning from injury, every club in the bag is scrutinized. Shaft flex, weight, kick point, lie angle, loft – these aren’t just minor adjustments. They are fundamental building blocks that enable a player to translate their physical effort into optimal ball flight. Imagine trying to run a marathon in shoes that are three sizes too big. You’re still running, but you’re profoundly hindered.
So, for those of you out there looking at your own game and wondering if a “comeback” is possible, look beyond just your swing. Take a hard look at your equipment. Is your driver spinning too much? Are your irons launching too low? Does your wedge grinds suit your attack angle? In my fitting experience, many golfers are leaving significant performance on the table simply by using ill-suited or outdated clubs.
Anthony Kim’s triumph was a testament to his grit and raw ability. But I’d wager a significant sum that somewhere in the background, a conscientious club fitter helped him optimize his weapons. Maybe not just to deliver sheer power, but to provide the consistency and forgiveness needed to card a 63 under pressure. Because in golf, as in life, sometimes the right tools make all the difference when you’re trying to prove everyone wrong. This wasn’t just a story of heart; it was a testament to what a player can achieve when they combine immense talent with potentially well-optimized modern gear. And that, dear readers, is a lesson for us all, whether you’re trying to win a LIV event or just beat your buddies on Saturday.
