All the Gear: What’s in the bags of our past PGA champions?
By James Savage
We can get a little obsessed with what gear Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson are using.
So we’ve taken a look at what a few of our seasoned campaigners have been using at Quail Hollow this year.
It’s great to see past champions John Daly, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els in the field – but what equipment are they using?
John Daly has been ripping it up with the Vertical Groove driver.
The clue is in the name. It has vertical grooves which are aimed at helping to reduce side spin
The 51-year-old also has a new Ping G400 3-wood in the bag, a Callaway Apex 2-hybrid, Ping G400 Crossover, Ping i200 irons and Ping Glide wedges.
He’s also using a classic Ping Karsten Anser 2 putter. On all of his irons, wedges and putter he adds lead tape at the bottom to make them heavier.
It has been a big week for Ernie as he celebrates his 100th appearance in major championships.
The Ecco ambassador has had a special pair of shoes made to mark the occasion.
From the 1989 Open Championship to this week's #PGAChamp, congrats to the @TheBig_Easy on his 100th career major championship. #100Majors pic.twitter.com/SqWOTTNTJF
— ECCO Golf (@ECCO_GOLF) August 10, 2017
He and Phil Mickelson were also treated to a cake from the PGA.
Els has been using the 2017 TaylorMade M1 driver with the weight back in the most forgiving position.
…and P770/750 irons in Charlotte this week. He also games TaylorMade Milled Grind Wedges and a SeeMore putter.
Vijay has a very special new piece of it out on the course this week – a pair of spectacles.
How many other golfers can you think of that wear glasses when playing? And how do you stop them falling off when looking down at the ball? Answers on a postcard please.
Anyway, the 1998 and 2004 champion favours the 2016 TaylorMade M2 driver as used by US Open champion Brooks Koepka.
He also uses the classic Mizuno MP-4 bladed irons and Hopkins Golf CJ1 wedges. Nope, me either.
Oh and uses the TaylorMade Spider Tour red putter, obviously.
All the Gear: Vertical Groove driver comes to the UK
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
