Scott using NINE-year-old £50 driver at The Players
By James Savage
We’ve reached that time of the year where new equipment releases are a bit thin on the ground.
Most companies have unleashed their gear for 2018 season and now it’s a case of letting everyone get out on the course to use it.
Testing will continue for me throughout the year as I work on various online and print projects.
Bit of gear testing on the course @Hillsborough_GC this afternoon. First up, the @UAGolf Performance SL Sunbrella. Light, comfortable, plenty of grip and oozing with style. pic.twitter.com/MGcRyOiiCe
— James Savage (@JamesSavageNCG) May 10, 2018
And there will still be some new releases coming your way over the next few months.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at the big equipment stories from The Players Championship.
Adam Scott goes back to 2009 driver and broom-handle putter
Former world number one Adam Scott has gone back to the Titleist 910 D3 driver.
The model was released in 2009 and can be bought online for about £50.
It was the same one he used to win the 2011 WGC Bridgestone Invitational.
Scott averaged 297 yards off the tee during opening-round at TPC Sawgrass hitting 57.14 percent of fairways.
He could have gone for the Titleist 913 model which he won the Masters with but he donated that to Augusta National for a collection of clubs by former champions. So he couldn’t actually have gone for that one.
Scott has also gone back to a broom handle putter as he looks to climb up from 71st in the official world golf ranking.
Dustin Johnson gaming new Spider Mini putter
The world number one loves a putter change.
Not sure if it means anything, but I find it interesting that three of DJ’s last six wins have come with a new putter he put in play that week. Using Spider Mini for the first time at PLAYERS.
— Jonathan Wall (@jonathanrwall) May 10, 2018
These new models, which will be available to buy in July, are 15 percent smaller than the previous Spiders but have additional weighting to maintain stability.
“The forward CG of Spider Mini allows DJ to feel the putter release in a similar manner to a blade, and the mallet shape gives him the stable feeling of the Spider Tour,” said Chris Trott, TaylorMade’s tour director.
“Based on that, he immediately liked the concept of the Spider Mini being a blend between his two preferred putter shapes.”
Johnson shot his first bogey-free round at TPC Sawgrass as he shared the first round lead on -6.
The Spider Mini putters will be available in red and silver.
Everyone is talking about Phil’s shirt
There were similar levels of hysteria when Mickelson wore this Mizzen+Main shirt in a practice round at The Masters.
And while many were quick to poke fun at the five-time major winner, the man himself was strictly business.
“We have short sleeves too,” Mickelson said.
“We have polos and stuff. This stuff is stretchy. You don’t even know it’s on. It’s really comfortable.
“I think nobody does kind of slightly overweight middle aged guy better than me and this says exactly who I am.”
Mickelson, playing alongside Tiger Woods and Rickie Fowler, opened with a 79…
For the record, I quite like the shirt. Especially after finding out it never needs ironing.
What’s in DJ’s bag at the PGA Championship?
WITB: Phil Mickelson – WGC Mexico Championship
What I won with: Adam Scott at the 2013 Masters
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
