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Jake Knapp discusses why he opts for a mini driver instead of a 3-wood

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The following is an excerpt from a piece we filed for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head on over there for the full story, which also includes the Mexico Open winner discussing how he configures his PXG irons set up. 

Knapp may be a Tour rookie, but he’s experienced enough to know what works for him. And it’s not a 3-wood.

“I put in a 3-wood every once in a while, but I was just never able to find one that I loved,” Knapp told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday. “Three woods, in general, I just hit on the bottom of the face. They spin a lot and don’t go anywhere.”

Rather than using a fairway wood, Knapp goes with a TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver that has 13.5 degrees of loft. The club complements his 9-degree Ping G425 LST driver.

During a fitting session in Oklahoma last year, Knapp told his fitter he was looking for a club that goes 286 yards, and his first three shots with the mini driver went between 285 and 290.

“It’s just an easier club to hit than a 3-wood,” Knapp explained. “It spins more off the ground, but I don’t need it off the ground too often. And from 270+ yards away, you’re not really trying to be too precise. You’re just trying to get it up around the green most of the time. So, for me, it’s really just a tee club and kind of a fairway finder for me.”

Read more here and check out Jake Knapp’s full WITB below.

Driver: Ping G425 LST (9 degrees @7.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5

Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 95 6.5

Irons: Srixon ZU85 (2), PXG 0311 X (4), PXG 0211 ST (5-PW) 
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei White Hybrid 100 TX (2), KBS Tour C-Taper 130 X (4-PW)

Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II (52-10), Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (56.5-10S), WedgeWorks (60-T @61)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper 130 X (52, 56), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Double Bend
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour SGP 1.0

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1 Left Dot

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5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. Brandon

    Feb 28, 2024 at 8:13 pm

    Same reason I carry a cobra big tour 3 wood. I almost never hit it off the turf. Feel much more confident with a hybrid than I do with any 3 wood I’ve ever owned, and if I can’t reach a long par 5 in 2,so be it.

  2. Brian

    Feb 28, 2024 at 5:13 pm

    Wonder why he didn’t hit this off the tee when he was missing just about every fairway on Sunday with his driver?

  3. Chuck

    Feb 28, 2024 at 3:14 pm

    286.
    With “3”-wood.
    In the late 1990’s, the longest hitter on Tour was John Daly. He was the Tour driving distance leader for 11 out of 12 years. 1991-2002. And before the advent of the Pro-V1 and multilayer urethane balls, Daly’s Tour-leading driving distance averages were between 288 and 299.
    And now the Tour distance leaders are in the 320’s.

    • eastpointe

      Feb 29, 2024 at 8:40 am

      Imagine how far he would have hit the ball if he followed a fraction of the fitness regiment that the vast majority of players today do.

      • Chuck

        Feb 29, 2024 at 10:06 am

        There is of course an argument to be made that the ultra-low-spin technologies of the 21st century naturally (and even rightly?!) encourage and reward more fitness, more aggressive athleticism (less golfer technical skill in controlling spin) because spin is so well controlled on long shots by the urethane balls and high tech composite shafts and multimaterial alloy heads. That’s fine.

        It doesn’t answer the question of why not keep that multilayer urethane ball technology, but just roll back the overall distance significantly. Which is what the ruling bodies are beginning to attempt.

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Equipment

Adidas launches complete redesign of its flagship footwear: Tour360 24

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Adidas has today unveiled the complete redesign of its premium flagship footwear to introduce Tour360 24.

The newest chapter is designed to elevate every touchpoint for the foot to help with traction, stability and comfort to give golfers everything they need to perform their best on the course.

“For Tour360 24, our objective was to take key learnings from nearly 20 years of Tour360 development to enhance the performance of the shoe from the inside out. We wanted to capture that feeling of confidence that comes when someone puts their foot into the shoe for the first time and gets excited to head to the first tee. The shoe features the classic signature look, but golfers will notice a difference in the way this one feels the minute they put them on.” – Masun Denison, global footwear director, Adidas Golf

Adidas focused on three key areas with the new Tour360 24:

Fit

The new Tour360 24 brings key technologies inside the shoe so that the footwear fits the right way. To help give golfers a better fit, adidas is introducing:

  • Insite 2.0 Sockliner – Modified for Tour360 24, this insole features updated shaping in the arch and heel to provide improved fit and stability.
  • Internal 360Wrap – Adidas included an internal fit sleeve on the sides of the tongue along with the new Torsion Bridge in the midsole that when combined gives golfers a feeling of 360 support throughout the swing.
  • Performance Last –  Tour360 24 is built on adidas’ performance last to help ensure fit consistency across other performance models in the range. Men’s models of Tour360 24 will be offered in both medium and wide widths while the women’s model will be offered in medium width only.

Performance

Perhaps one of the most critical pieces for golfers, the adidas team designed the new footwear specifically with performance in mind. Key features include:

  • Torsion Bridge – Comprised of a more rigid top plate and flexible bottom plate, this new TPU Torsion Bridge drives maximum stability across the mid and forefoot for where golfers need it most, especially as they load and unload power through the swing. It also sits lower to the ground to help conform to uneven lies and surfaces.
  • Jet Boost/Lightstrike – For the first time in golf, adidas is using Jet Boost in the heel, which fuses smaller, firmer energy capsules together to provide the ultimate blend of stability and comfort. When combined with Lightstrike in the forefoot, golfers will get the most out of cushioning and a feeling of stability throughout the swing.
  • Replaceable ThinTech 7-spike outsole – Designed for optimal traction the TPU outsole features replaceable spikes where golfers need them most. adidas also included flex grooves in the secondary traction, finished with high gloss to help reduce clogging in the footwear. adidas also placed a spike closer to the toe to allow for better toe-off through the swing to help generate additional power from the ground.

Durability

Golfers find themselves in a variety of conditions as they play, so adidas included some key features to go along with the premium leather and microfiber materials to help the shoes last from season to season:

  • ‘T-Shape’ suede microfiber heel – This new three-piece construction combines a soft, anti-abrasive sandwiched textile that runs from the center heel to the half collar to help eliminate wear and tear over time while enhancing overall comfort.
  • Waterproof leather upper – This premium, soft, waterproof leather upper is designed for long-term durability and protection in wet conditions so that golfers get the protection they need.

What Tour pros are saying

Collin Morikawa

“The first time I tried the prototypes for the Tour360 24 I was amazed with how they felt. Having footwear that I can trust and feel confident in is such an important piece of my game and this new Tour360 checks all the boxes.”

Hinako Shibuno

“Tour360 24 combines everything golfers will need in a golf shoe when they step on the course. I continue to be impressed with how much stability and traction this model provides, all while in such a clean and iconic silhouette.”

Nick Taylor

“In my first win as a professional in 2014, I was wearing the Tour360s.  Now, nearly 10 years later, I wore the new Tour360 24 during my most recent win in Phoenix. While the technology has certainly improved over the past 10 years, that iconic feel of the Tour360 is still the same. It’s that feeling I know all golfers will appreciate when they play in this new footwear.”

BOA Model

As part of the Tour360 24 range, adidas is introducing a new BOA model for men and women to provide another option for improved fit and performance. Hidden within the upper of the footwear, adidas collaborated with the BOA Technology team to create a shell pattern fit
system that works in conjunction with the lining of the leather upper in design to enhance overall fit and function.

Featuring the micro-adjustable Li2 dial, the system sits underneath a zipper shroud in the upper for a premium and clean aesthetic. Wrapping around the midfoot, golfers will feel even more locked-in as the BOA Li2 dial provides a customized fit.

Availability

The new footwear will come in both laced and BOA models for men and women and will be available on adidas.com, the adidas app and at select retailers beginning Thursday, February 29.

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Whats in the Bag

Anthony Kim WITB 2024 (February)

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Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X

3-wood: Titleist TSR2+ (13 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X

Irons: Titleist T200 (2), Titleist T100 (4), Titleist 620 MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (4-PW)

  • Kim may alter his iron blend. We’ll confirm what he puts in play when competition begins.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 54-10S, 58-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron T22 Teryllium Newport 2 Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Ball: Titleist Pro V1 or Pro V1x

  • Kim was testing both golf balls. We’ll confirm what he puts in play. 

(Photo via LIV Golf)

Featured image credit to Mike McAllister of LIV Golf on Twitter. 

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Equipment

GolfWRX Spotlight: Vortex Optics laser rangefinders

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Vortex Optics, a player in the hunting space since 1986, is breaking into the golf world with three rangefinders. The Barneveld, Wisconsin-based company just announced its Blade, Blade Slope, and Anarch laser rangefinders.

In addition to riflescopes, spotting scopes, and binoculars, Vortex Optics has been producing rangefinders for years, so they’re anything but novices. The customer-first, family-owned business is leveraging what it already knows about making great rangefinders and applying its technology and Clear View optics to products designed for the fairways, rather than the forest or field.

“Entering the world of golf rangefinders was a natural choice for us,” said Vortex CEO Joe Hamilton. “When our customers, dealers, and team members – all part of Vortex Nation- unanimously called for our expertise in optical quality, technology, innovation, and customer service to elevate their golf experience, it became a clear path forward. We’re excited to bring our proven success to the golfing community.”

Vortex Optics Blade

An impressive laser rangefinder.

Featuring 6x magnification and a black LCD display, the Vortex Optics Blade is reflective up to 1,400 yards and to the flag at up to 350 yards. The minimum range is six yards and accuracy is +/- one yard. The linear field of view at 100 yards is 37 feet 6 inches. Measuring time is one second.

The Blade and Blade Slope rangefinders are slightly smaller than the Anarch, measuring 3.9 inches by 3.0 inches by 1.5 inch. The Blade weighs 6.5 ounces.

Range modes include line of sight and scan and Pin Spotter Mode (vibration when the pin is locked onto) is an additional feature. Handily, the Blade rangefinder is equipped with a cart magnet.

Built from a polymer chassis, the Vortex Optics Blade rangefinder is waterproof and shockproof.

The Vortex Optics Blade retails for $299.

Vortex Optics Blade Slope

A laser rangefinder with slope functionality.

Just like the Vortex Optics Blade rangefinders, the Blade Slope features 6x magnification and a black LCD display and is reflective up to 1,400 yards and to the flag at up to 350 yards. The minimum range is six yards and accuracy is +/- one yard. The linear field of view at 100 yards is 37 feet 6 inches. Measuring time is one second.

Slope mode, of course, is the distinguishing feature between the Blade and Blade Slope. Slope mode accounts for the changes in gradient, i.e. a downhill shot plays shorter, an uphill shot plays longer. Presently, slope mode is not legal in tournament play, but the Vortex Optics Blade Slope allows users to toggle it on/off.

As mentioned earlier, the Blade Slope rangefinders is slightly smaller than the Anarch. It measures 3.9 inches by 3.0 inches by 1.5 inch and weighs 6.5 ounces.

Again, range modes include line of sight; Pin Spotter Mode is an additional feature. The cart magnet — essential for riders — is present in the Blade Slope.

Polymer chassis. Waterproof. Shockproof — just like the Blade.

The Vortex Optics Blade Slope retails for $399.

Vortex Optics Anarch

An image-stabilized laser rangefinder.

The Vortex Optics Anarch features 6x magnification and a red illuminated LCD display. It is reflective up to 1,400 yards and to the flag at up to 450 yards (100 yards more than the blade). The minimum range is 10 yards and accuracy is +/- one yard. The linear field of view at 100 yards is 31 feet 8 inches. Measuring time is one second.

The Anarch is slightly larger and heavier than the Blade models, measuring 4.0 inches by 3.0 inches by 1.6 inch. It weighs 9.2 ounces.

Range modes include slope, line of sight and scan and Pin Spotter Mode is an additional feature as well as image stabilization. A cart magnet is present here as well.

Like the other rangefinders in the lineup, the Vortex Optics Anarch is waterproof and shockproof. While the blade models feature a polymer chassis, the Anarch is crafted from a magnesium chassis.

The Anarch retails for $599.

In addition to the rangefinder, all packages include a case with a carabiner, a ball marker, and a lens cloth.

All rangefinders are backed by Vortex Optics’ VIP warranty — a lifelong, fully transferable promise to repair or replace your rangefinder should it become damaged.

Rangefinders are available now. For more purchase details, head to Vortex Optics’ website. You can catch up with the company on social media: Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube.

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