The Biggest Gear Changes At The Open
What new equipment have we spotted in play at The Open? Hannah Holden has all the details…
Open Championship links golf often means a change of equipment strategy for top players. High-lofted fairway woods get a week off as driving irons come to the forefront as players try to tackle wind and firm links fairways.
This week at Hoylake, that isn’t quite the case. After weeks of rainy weather, the course is lush and soft, so we haven’t seen as much gear tinkering as we might expect. There have, however still been some interesting changes.
Phil Mickelson driver change
Mickelson has been a Callaway staffer for as long as I can remember, and although he is no longer officially with the brand, he has continued to use their kit in recent seasons. This week that is all starting to change as he has been testing a Ping G430 driver.
So what driver does Phil Mickelson use? He has opted for Ping’s low-spinning model, the LST in a 9-degree head, paired with a Fujikura Ventus Blue 6X shaft. He has swapped from the Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond driver that he previously had in play.
Phil also carries a TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver which he uses both as a driver alternative and as a strong lofted fairway wood.
- RELATED: What’s in Phil Mickelson’s bag?
Fitzy makes a top-of-the-bag change.
Matt Fitzpatrick has always had an eclectic equipment set-up but hasn’t made many changes over the last twelve months. So it was quite a shock to see him with a new wood in the bag for his opening tee shot at The Open. He has added in a high lofted Cobra Aerojet fairway wood to pair with his current Ping G430 Max 3-wood.
- RELATED: What’s in Matt Fitzpatrick’s bag?
New new driving iron
Collin Morikawa has a new 3-iron in play this week. Given it is The Open and he is playing links golf, this probably doesn’t come as a huge surprise, but the interestingly detail is this looks like a brand new P790 model from TaylorMade. Looks like there could be a new product on the horizon in the not-too-distant future.
- RELATED: What’s in Collin Morikawa’s bag?
DJ swaps out his Spider for milled mallet
Dustin Johnson is known for tinkering with putters week in and week out but he still usually ends up back with one of his trusty TaylorMade Spider putters. This week he has made a change though moving into TaylorMade’s brand new TP Reserve line.
This is TaylorMade’s first line of premium fine-milled putters, and numerous tour players have put them straight in play. Dustin has opted for the M21 mallet model.
Hannah Holden
Hannah Holden is the Equipment and Instruction Editor here at National Club Golfer. If you’re looking to improve your game, by changing your golf swing or upgrading your golf equipment she’ll have the answers.
As well as writing lots of features and reviews you can find her on our YouTube channel giving you insights on the latest rules, clubs and tips to improve your golf game.
Hannah is a member at Alwoodley golf club. You will either find her here or driving up and down the country playing in a variety of elite amateur events.
