Older Club Models Producing Wins on PGA Tour

The best golfers in the world are notoriously picky about their equipment. The feel, the sound, the weight, the length, the lie angle, the launch monitor data, and much more is always dialed in to perfection before these professionals tee it up competitively.

The common perception is that the best golfers in the world are generally using the newest equipment available. And while this is true in many cases, the three most recent winners on the PGA Tour each used an older club model that played a key role in their wins.

It goes to show that while manufacturers are always pushing the envelope to improve performance, many of the most successful players utilize an “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” approach to their game, and it’s paying off.

The most recent example is Matt Jones, who won the 2021 Honda Classic by five shots thanks to a scorching first-round 61. Jones is still playing a set of Titleist 712 MB irons, which were first released in 2012. Jones led the field in strokes gained: tee-to-green for the week with a near-flawless display of ball-striking.

In his first-round 61, Jones gained 5.49 strokes on approach shots alone, throwing darts at pins all day with his 712 MB irons. After a win like that, it’s fair to assume Jones will stick with those irons for the foreseeable future.

The week prior featured the PGA Tour’s flagship event, The Players Championship. Justin Thomas found himself just one shot better than the cut line heading into the weekend but fired rounds of 64 and 68 to earn the big win. Thomas hit multiple key shots, including his second shot on the par-5 16th on Sunday that set up the birdie he needed to win, with a Titleist 915 Fd 5-wood. Thomas is one of many Titleist professional staff members that are still using a 915 fairway wood because of how solid it still performs, six years after it was released.

And prior to the Players Championship, Bryson DeChambeau was able to overpower the field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational to get his first win since the 2020 US Open. DeChambeau is notorious for the effort he has done to pack on muscle and yards off the tee. And, clearly, it’s working for him.

What’s interesting is the driver DeChambeau used to earn his most recent win. The bomber gamed a Cobra KING LTD Pro driver, which was released in 2016. DeChambeau might be the pickiest about his equipment compared to his peers on Tour, so to see him gaming a 2016 driver is a surprise.

However, clearly, it was the right choice. DeChambeau led the field in driving distance and strokes gained: off-the-tee. Twice on the famous par-5 No. 6 hole at Bay Hill that wraps around a pond, DeChambeau was able to cut the corner with drives of over 360 yards and set himself with second shots of less than 100 yards to the flag.

Of course, professionals are in a different world than most golfers. But it’s important to note that the newest club models aren’t always the best for your game. It could be that your current clubs are right for you, and a simple lie angle adjustment is needed. It could mean that clubs from our massive used selection are right for your swing. Or, perhaps, something brand new is the best fit.

However, you won’t know the answer until you get fit. Schedule your 2nd Swing fitting here or give our Online Fitting and Support team a call at (612) 216-4152.