Golf Digest Search Results

Mixed Blessings: Tour pros are increasingly playing with diversified iron lineups -- with good reason

Derek Evers — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:03:00 GMT

By E. Michael Johnson Breaking up may be hard for some folks, but when it comes to irons PGA Tour pros have no qualms about splitting up matched sets. Heck, it's the thing to...

2013 Hot List: Golf Balls

Mike Stachura and Ashley Mayo — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The right ball for you has all the answers inside.

Find your ideal business foursome

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:40:00 GMT

By Ashley Mayo

Sportswriter Grantland Rice once wrote, "Eighteen holes of match or medal play will teach you more about your foe than will 18 years of dealing with him across a desk." Few people doubt him. That's why Callaway has joined with LinkedIn to help you discover your ideal business foursome.

After visiting CallawayHitTheLinks.com and logging in via LinkedIn Connect, the social network's API (application programming interface) recommends people who are both highly connected and passionate about golf. But if you'd rather not rely on LinkedIn's algorithms, you can opt for a "mulligan" and create your own dream foursome. The first 1,000 participants will receive a dozen Callaway HEX Chrome+ balls, and one lucky group will win a golf "business" trip that includes a custom club fitting at Callaway's California headquarters and a round of golf.

Mickelson adds new irons, golf ball at Masters

Zak Kozuchowski — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:17:00 GMT

We know, we know -- this is turning into the Phil Mickelson edition of GolfWRX Buzz. But we can't recall another other player making as many equipment changes in a major championship as Mickelson has...

Up close and personal with Phil's "Phrankenwood"

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:11:00 GMT

By Guy Yocom

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- While Phil Mickelson played in the Par 3 Tournament Wednesday afternoon, caddie Jim (Bones) Mackay prepped for some final pre-tournament preparation. Bones donned the heavy white coveralls, the signature of the Masters caddie, and performed a perfunctory inventory of Phil's tour bag.

The shorter clubs were with Phil and the Mickelson children (Amanda, Sophia and Evan) over at the Par 3 Course. But the heavy lumber, which has often determined Phil's fate at Augusta, remained with Bones. The star of the lineup, resting under a large white clubhead cover, was the Callaway X Hot "Phrankenwood" he's putting into play this week.

Bones couldn't tell my eyes were riveted on nothing else but the Phrankenwood. "They've got to find a way to make this outfit lighter," he said of the caddie uniform. "They make a warm day even warmer."

"Your man ready?" I said.

"Oh yeah," Bones said. "We got this." Bones palmed the Phrankenwood, which Phil began dropping hints about at the Shell Houston Open.

"The Phrankenwood!" I said. "How's it working out?"

Bones winked. "He's killing it. The ball is coming off with almost no spin. The center of gravity is high, the ball is tumbling, and isn't picking up as much mud on the fairways. Want a closer look?"

"Um, yes."

Bones removed the clubhead cover like he was presenting jewelry. He handed me the club, which I waggled, hefted, grounded and inspected. "Tell me more," I said.

"It's about the size of a driver from about 1999," Bones said. "About 250 cc's, but much better technology. Again, it's the ball flight. It has less than 9 degrees of loft, but more than 8.5. Phil's hitting it straighter than his conventional driver, and long. He doesn't bend the ball as much as he does his driver, but that's OK. He can shape it enough."

The Phrankenwood sets up nicely. The head is glossy black, sets up nice and square, and to the eye has even less loft than the 8.5-9 degrees Bones alluded to. That may be because we just aren't use to seeing small-headed metal woods with so little loft. Phil's grips are slightly oversized. The shaft, of course, feels murderously firm -- there is so little play when you waggle the club.

Mickelson has made effective adjustments with his set composition before. At the 2006 Masters, he used two drivers -- one that produced a hook, the other a fade, and drove the ball monstrously long and straight en route to winning his second Masters. He's adopted sand wedges with a tad more bounce to deal with Augusta's incredibly tight lies.

The switchups have given Phil a tactical edge and a psychological boost as well. He enjoys the stimulation of trying new stuff, and having the feeling he has something the other players don't.

"He has a look in his eye when he pulls out the Phrankenwood," said Bones. "He's excited. It might be the thing that makes the difference for him this week."

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Mickelson spotted with new irons at Augusta

Zak Kozuchowski — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:20:00 GMT

All of the equipment buzz at the Masters this week has revolved around Phil Mickelson's "Phrankenwood," a small-headed Callaway driver that he is using at Augusta to get more roll and more easily shape his...

Mickelson to play "Phrankenwood" at Augusta?

Zak Kozuchowski — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:52:00 GMT

Remember the special club Phil Mickelson said the Callaway team was making for him to use at the Masters? Today, Callaway's "X Hot Phrankenwood" hit the USGA's Conforming Club list in a left-hand-only model that was...

Golf Balls: Inside edition

Derek Evers — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:24:00 GMT

By E. Mike Stachura Cut shot: Inside the Maxfli U/6 and Volvik Vista iV.Who says golf balls are all the same? Volvik believes the dual core on its Vista iV, where the inner core...

Bye Bye Blades: Game improvement irons

Derek Evers — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:07:00 GMT

By E. Mike Stachura Then and now: Callaway's 2003 Big Bertha irons and TaylorMade's 2013 RocketBladez.Golfers' shift away from the muscle-back blade irons -- once the only kind of irons you could buy --...

The Second Driver: Callaway's new 3-wood

Derek Evers — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:32:00 GMT

By E. Michael Johnson Tee it up: The X Hot 3Deep clubface is 10-percent taller than the X Hot. If 60 is the new 40, then 3-wood is the new driver. Or at least...