Anthony Kim’s return to professional golf and his recent win at LIV Golf Adelaide has been nothing short of a fairytale. As an equipment editor, my eyes immediately zeroed in on what he had in the bag. It’s not just about the redemption story; it’s about the tools that helped him get there. And let me tell you, his setup is a fascinating blend of old-school reliability and cutting-edge performance.
First, let’s talk about that win:
“Anthony Kim completed one of golf’s most remarkable comebacks by winning the LIV Golf Adelaide individual title — his first professional victory in nearly 16 years. Starting the final round five shots behind, the 40-year-old American fired a bogey-free 9-under 63 to finish 23 under and beat Jon Rahm by three strokes.”
That kind of performance, after such an extended layoff, speaks volumes not only about Kim’s talent but also about a dialed-in equipment setup. What strikes me immediately is the heavy reliance on Callaway and Titleist, with a strategic TaylorMade iron thrown into the mix. This isn’t a mixed bag from a player just grabbing whatever; it’s a meticulously constructed arsenal.
Metalwoods: A Powerful Proposition
Kim is rocking a full Callaway metalwood setup, and it’s interesting to see the choices. Let’s start with the big dog:
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (10 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX
A 10-degree Triple Diamond is a strong loft for a tour pro, but it’s often a sign of someone looking for a specific launch window and stability. The Triple Diamond line, across Callaway’s drivers and fairways, is designed for lower spin and a more penetrating flight, catering to higher swing speeds. The Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX shaft is a beast – extra stiff, typically delivering a very stable, low-launch, low-spin profile. In my fitting bay, I’ve seen this shaft pair exceptionally well with players who attack the ball and seek maximum control without sacrificing ball speed. We’re talking club head speeds consistently above 110 mph here, needing to bring spin down to an optimal 2000-2400 RPM range for maximum carry and roll.
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7X
5-wood: Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7X
The Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond 3-wood is Callaway’s quintessential low-spin, workable fairway wood for better players. The “Ai Smoke” branding suggests a continued push for AI-designed face optimization, aiming for consistent ball speeds across a wider area of the face. Paired with the Fujikura Ventus Blue 7X, this is a clear setup for stability and control. The Ventus Blue, in my testing, offers a mid-launch, low-spin profile, a perfect complement for a player who generates a lot of speed and wants to prevent ballooning. The 5-wood, a newer and interesting addition, the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond, further emphasizes control and possibly a steeper landing angle for attacking greens from longer distances, without sacrificing too much carry. The matching Ventus Blue 7X shaft reinforces that consistent feel and performance through the fairway woods.
Irons: A Strategic Mix
This is where it gets really interesting. Kim isn’t using a full matching set, a trend we see more and more on tour as players prioritize specific performance from each iron.
4 Iron: Titleist T250
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400
Ah, the Titleist T250 4-iron. This is a common choice among tour players who want a touch more forgiveness and speed in their longer irons without sacrificing the workability and feel of a player’s iron. The T250 is a hollow-body construction, pushing weight low and deep for enhanced launch and a high MOI. It’s designed to bridge the gap between a pure blade and a more forgiving utility iron. In my fitting experience, the T250 (and its predecessors like the T200 or T-MB) delivers impressive ball speeds and a higher, softer landing, which is crucial for holding greens from 200+ yards. It offers that blend of distance and control that traditional muscle-back 4-irons might lack for some pros, especially when you’re knocking off some rust.
5-9 Irons: TaylorMade P7TW
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400
Now, this is a statement. The TaylorMade P7TW irons are essentially Tiger Woods’ custom muscle-back blades. These are pure, unadulterated player’s irons, designed for exceptional feel, workability, and precise turf interaction. They are not forgiving. They demand a high level of ball striking. For someone coming back after a long break to opt for these, it highlights his confidence and the purity of his iron striking. The True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 shafts are the classic tour-weight steel shafts, delivering a stable, penetrating flight and excellent feedback. This combination of a forgiving 4-iron and precise blades for the scoring irons is a smart “combo set” for a professional. It gives him the aid he needs at the top of the set and the ultimate control where it matters most.
Wedges: Vokey Precision
Titleist Vokey SM11 Wedges (45, 49, 55 and 59 Degrees)
This is hardly surprising. Vokey Design wedges are a staple on professional tours for a reason. The SM11s would feature optimized CG placement for flight control and feel, along with refreshed groove designs for maximum spin. His gapping (45, 49, 55, 59) is pretty standard for a professional, covering all those crucial scoring distances around the green and from the fairway. The specific grinds would be custom-fit to his swing and typical course conditions, allowing him to be aggressive with his short game.
Putter & Ball: Stability and Feel
Putter: Scotty Cameron TourType Timeless GSS tour prototype
Another classic choice. Scotty Cameron putters, especially the TourType prototypes like the Timeless GSS (German Stainless Steel), are known for their premium feel, balance, and aesthetics. This isn’t a design that prioritizes MOI for forgiveness as much as it does consistent roll and precise feedback for a player who is already a great putter. GSS offers a firm, crisp feel that many top pros prefer.
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1 2025 Golf Ball
The latest iteration of the Pro V1, even if it’s the 2025 model, is a testament to Titleist’s dominance in the golf ball market. The Pro V1 is engineered for optimal flight, spin, and feel for a wide range of golfers, but particularly for those with higher swing speeds. It balances driver distance with exceptional greenside control. This choice aligns perfectly with the rest of his gear – high performance for high-level play.
This “2025” ball from the source material is a fascinating detail. It could mean he’s testing a prototype, which tour pros often do long before public release. It highlights the custom nature of his setup.
My Take: Smart Choices for a Comeback King
What does this tell us? Anthony Kim isn’t chasing every marginal gain from a super exotic new club. He’s opting for equipment that is tried, tested, and known for consistent, tour-level performance. The blend of forgiveness in the long irons (T250) and precise control in the mid-irons (P7TW) is a clear indicator of a player who knows his game, his strengths, and where he needs a little help. The Triple Diamond offerings from Callaway across his metalwoods are undoubtedly set up for launch and spin numbers that suit his powerful swing, enabling those penetrating ball flights he was known for in his heyday.
“After stepping away from the sport in 2012 amid injury and personal struggles, Kim battled back through LIV Golf’s promotion event and seized the Adelaide crown in an emotional redemption moment.”
This equipment combination suggests a player who values consistency and feel above all else, which is paramount when finding your competitive stride again. For the average Duffer looking at this bag, don’t just run out and buy the P7TWs unless you have a swing speed and ball-striking consistency to match. However, the concept of a combo set (more forgiving long irons, player’s short irons) is something I preach constantly in my fittings. The Titleist T250 is a great example of an iron that can genuinely offer a tangible benefit in terms of launch and ball speed for many golfers seeking help at the top end of their bag.
The shafts, particularly the Diamana D+ Limited and Ventus Blue, are designed for serious speed and control, confirming that Kim is still generating plenty of power. If you’re a high-speed player struggling with spin or launch, these shaft families are always worth looking into during a proper fitting. The “Triple Diamond” designation also isn’t just marketing fluff; it indicates a lower spin, deeper face design preferred by players who consistently find the sweet spot and want maximum workability. It’s not a club for those battling a slice or inconsistent contact, where a higher MOI, more draw-biased head might be more appropriate.
In essence, Anthony Kim’s bag is a masterclass in strategic club selection. It marries modern technology’s ability to optimize launch conditions with the timeless demand for feel and control. His success with this setup proves that sometimes, the best gear isn’t the flashiest, but the one that empowers a player to play their best golf, even after a long hiatus.
