The top golf equipment stories of the 2018-19 PGA TOUR season
4 Min Read
Now that the PGA TOUR’s 2018-2019 season has wrapped up, it’s time to celebrate by recapping the top equipment stories of the season. There was controversy, surprise switches, big-time players making big sponsor changes … and of course, Tiger Woods was in the spotlight for his equipment.
The stories below are listed in no particular order, but they all had a significant impact and intrigue in their own right. Enjoy the look into the past season of equipment, and we look forward to seeing you back on the Equipment Report once the Fall season begins in just a few short weeks.
Spieth switches irons before The Open
Jordan Spieth has used Titleist AP2 model irons throughout his professional career, but that changed right before the 2019 Open Championship. Instead of using AP2 irons, Spieth put Titleist’s new T100 irons in play at Royal Portrush. While it may have seemed like odd timing to put new irons in play the week of a major, Spieth actually had a hand in the creation of the T100 irons. (More on Spieth’s role in the design of the irons and why he switched)
Fowler changes up his golf ball
Fowler shocked the equipment world when he announced he was signing a golf ball deal with TaylorMade, instead of staying with the Titleist Pro V1 line of golf balls that he had been using since before he turned professional. As part of the announcement, Fowler spoke with PGATOUR.COM to explain what made him switch, and which TaylorMade golf ball he’d be using going forward. (The full Q&A with Fowler)
Xander fails CT test at The Open, and J.T. speaks out
Before competing in the 2019 Open Championship, Xander Schauffele’s driver was deemed illegal after random testing conducted by the R&A. Schauffele responded publicly, calling the testing “unfair.” Fellow pro Justin Thomas later spoke out on the matter, giving his opinion on who should be to blame and how to tackle the issue going forward. (Schauffele comments) (Thomas comments)
Rose signs with Honma
While Just Rose had been a TaylorMade staffer throughout his long career, rumors began swirling at the end of 2018 that he’d be making a sponsor switch. While most speculated he would eventually sign with Honma, Rose made it official with an announcement on New Year’s Day. On the same day, Rose also unveiled the “Rose Proto” Honma irons that he continues to use. (More on Rose’s equipment deal) (More on Rose’s prototype irons)
Molinari wins in first event as a Callaway staffer
After going on a tear in 2018 as an equipment free agent, there was major speculation whether Francesco Molinari would sign a deal, and if he did, which company would get his services. Molinari announced at the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard that he was signing with Callaway – and then he went on to win that week. (Molinari explains his decision)
The young guns sign equipment deals
Matthew Wolff, Viktor Hovland and Collin Morikawa came onto the PGA TOUR with some of the highest expectations from rookie golfers in recent years. With golfers such as Brooks Koepka having success as equipment free agents, fans wondered whether the new young guys would follow his lead. As it turned out, each of them signed deals. (More on Wolff) (More on Morikawa) (More on Hovland)
Ping club designer makes the cut at the PGA using equipment he designed
There was no one at the 2019 PGA Championship who knew his equipment better than Marty Jertson. That’s because Jertson, who competed and made the cut at Bethpage Black, previously worked as a Senior Design Engineer at Ping. He’s now the President of Fitting and Performance at Ping.
The Great One’s red putter
Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky competed this year at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am alongside his usual pro partner, Dustin Johnson, who’s engaged to Wayne’s daughter Paulina. Wayne was spotted using an all-red Scotty Cameron putter during the event. The Great One has a great reason for his choice of color. (Read the full story on Gretzky’s putter)
Aaron Rodgers uses “That’s what she said” wedge
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has quite the sense of humor, and he expresses it on his TaylorMade wedges. Yes, he’s a big fan of The Office. (Rodgers discusses his tribute to Michael Scott)
Gary Woodland’s butter knife
The days of players using long irons made with a blade construction are waning, but fresh off his 2019 U.S. Open win, Gary Woodland used a Wilson Staff blade 2-iron that could send chills down the spine of nearly any golfer. (Look at the 2-iron from address)
Tiger Woods switches to P-7TW irons (and so does Fleetwood), and Woods later reveals more info
After Tiger Woods used TaylorMade TW-Phase 1 prototype irons for much of 2018, equipment fans were eager to see if he would have a new iron for 2019. Speculation picked up when Tommy Fleetwood was spotted using “P-7TW” irons at the Abu Dhabi HSBC. Surely the “TW” wasn’t a coincidence. Woods did in fact switch into P-7TW Milled irons, but they looked a bit different than Fleetwood’s version. (Woods Q&A) (The big switch) (Fleetwood at Abu Dhabi)
Tony Romo uses hand-me-down clubs from Tiger and Spieth
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback-turned-announcer Tony Romo sent the equipment world into a frenzy when he was spotted by PGATOUR.COM using golf clubs at the 2019 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am that were once used by Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods. (The full scoop on Romo’s hand-me-downs)