In a recent event at Colonial, golf pros had the opportunity to test Hogan persimmon woods, including a driver, from Ben Hogan’s personal collection. Justin Rose was one of the pros who took cuts with the driver and the results were impressive. Rose averaged around 167-168 mph ball speed with the driver, equating to roughly 267 yards of carry and over 290 yards of total distance on several hits. While persimmon isn’t making a comeback on Tour, it was a fun moment to witness pros using throwback equipment at a Tour event. This also raises questions about whether a driver rollback would be more beneficial than a universal ball rollback in the future.
Matt Kuchar recently tested a prototype putter that he had been working on with Bettinardi Tour reps. The final version was a center-shafted Hexperimental Proto that utilized an aluminum core to displace weight towards the heel and toe, improving sound, feel, and reducing head twisting on mishits. Kuchar chose to take the putter home for additional testing before putting it in play at Colonial for the first time. On the wedge front, Callaway’s Opus wedge made an appearance at Colonial, featuring a more rounded profile with a thicker piece of metal behind the hitting area for improved feel and potentially altered launch properties.
Justin Rose has been dominant with his putter at major championships over the last five years, thanks to his Axis1 Rose mallet. Since switching to the putter in 2019, Rose has gained over 63.912 strokes in Strokes Gained: Putting at majors. Rose’s success with the putter has been a game-changer for him, flipping the script on one of the weaker parts of his game. Despite the unconventional equipment agreement, where he solely uses Axis1 putters, Rose’s performance with the flatstick at major championships speaks for itself.
Adam Scott has continued to experiment with his iron setup, recently using a mixed set of Miuras at the Charles Schwab Challenge. The KM-700 mid and short irons from Miura made an appearance in Scott’s bag, showcasing the Japanese manufacturer’s craftsmanship. The red “Hanko” stamp found on the back of each KM-700 head is Katsuhiro Miura’s personal stamp of approval, signifying the iron’s precise specifications. Scott has had success with the KM-700 in competition before, opting for them alongside Titleist long irons at a previous tournament.
Cobra has been utilizing 3D printing technology to create innovative club designs, including the recent release of consumer-ready 3D-printed Limit3d irons. The irons feature an internal lattice structure that allows for weight repositioning without sacrificing strength. The MM Proto putter, which also utilizes the lattice structure, made its debut at the Charles Schwab Challenge and received positive feedback from pros at Colonial. The lattice design helps reduce unwanted twisting at impact, contributing to improved performance on the greens.
For golfers looking to optimize their equipment for the 2024 season, precision club fitting is essential. True Spec Golf offers brand-agnostic club fitting services to help golfers unleash their full potential on the course. Whether it’s finding the right driver, putter, wedges, or irons, a fitting session at True Spec Golf can help golfers find the perfect clubs that suit their game. Work with experienced fitters to overhaul your bag and elevate your performance on the course. Contact True Spec Golf to schedule a fitting session and take your game to the next level.
