The Loop

Winning clubs for Watson, Hjorth

Bubba Watson had a lot going for him at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (clutch putting and leading the field in greens in regulation are a good start) and a lot going on with his equipment (a last-minute change to his putter grip as well as the addition of a Ping Tour-S TS 64-degree wedge), but with the bomber from Bagdad, Fla., it always comes back to the driver. Watson used his 7.5-degree Ping G15 (with a Grafalloy BiMatrx prototype shaft) to great effect at TPC Louisiana. Not only did Watson lead the field in driving distance at an eye-catching 331.4 yards, but was accurate, too, ranking T-13 in fairways hit.

Ping came up a winner on the LPGA, too, as Maria Hjorth won the Avnet LPGA Classic. Hjorth used a Ping Pickemup putter longer in length than her Ping K15 driver (a club many consider to be a game-improvement type driver) while also opting for a pair of hybrids, thereby starting her iron set at the 5-iron--something many amateurs would be wise to consider.

Here's what was in the bags for Watson and Hjorth.

Bubba Watson Zurich Classic of New OrleansBall: Titleist Pro V1x Driver: Ping G15 (Grafalloy BiMatrx prototype), 7.5 degrees 5-Wood: Ping G15, 17 degrees Irons (3-PW): Ping S56 Wedges: Ping Tour-W (52, 56 degrees); Ping Tour-S Rustique TS (64 degrees) Putter: Ping Redwood Anser

Maria Hjorth Avnet LPGA ClassicBall: Titleist Pro V1x Driver: Ping K15, 9.5 degrees 3-Wood: Ping K15, 16 degrees Hybrids: TaylorMade Rescue 11 (18 degrees); Ping G10 (24 degrees)Irons (5-PW): Ping S56 Wedges: Ping Tour-S Rustique (52, 56 degrees); Ping Tour-S TS (60 degrees) Putter: Ping Scottsdale Pickemup Long

-- E. Michael Johnson**Follow on Twitter @EMichaelGW