Kyle Berkshire: What's In My Bag?
AGE 26
LIVES Orlando
STORY Two-time winner of the World Long Drive Championship (2019, 2021).
NOT JUST A BASHER Many people who follow me on social media don’t realize I compete as a long driver. Instead they ask why I’m not on tour. My game isn’t ready to play professionally just yet, but I play to a plus-3-handicap. My social-media following has flourished because I post golf-related videos. People understand I’m a golfer, too. —With E. Michael Johnson
DRIVER
SPECS Cobra LTDx LS, 5.5°, Paderson Kinetixx shaft.
When I play golf, my Cobra driver is between 6 and 7 degrees. For long drive it’s between 1.5 and 7 degrees. It all depends on wind, altitude, etc. Although my normal carry is about 350 yards, my longest drive measured 492 yards.
DRIVING IRON
SPECS Cobra King Forged Tec KB 3D prototype, 15°, Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10TX shaft.
This is a 3-D printed club. Pretty cool. I don’t carry a fairway wood, so this is basically my club off the tee when I play because I still hit it more than 300 yards. I want to lay back a little to have full shots into the greens on most holes.
IRONS
SPECS Cobra King Forged Chrome CB (3-PW), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X7 shafts, Golf Pride Tour Wrap Midsize grips.
I’ve played cavity-back irons since I was 7 years old. They’re forgiving and have a comfortable feel. My favorite club is my 8-iron. My shafts are hardstepped, which means they’re stiffer and spin less.
WEDGES
SPECS Cobra V Grind Raw (48°, 54°, 58°, 62°), True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 shafts.
Most times I carry four wedges but sometimes only three. I spend a lot of time working on my wedge shots. That might surprise some people, but it’s become a very big part of my game.
PUTTER
SPECS SIK Pro Series C Armlock, 37 inches, 3°.
This is the same style Bryson DeChambeau uses, though his is more upright. I putt armlock style but with a twist: I hook my right index finger under the grip. The outline in the middle of the sole is of me hoisting the World Long Drive Championship belt.
LINE IT UP
The red line around my Titleist Pro V1 is great for putting. The balls we use for long drive have a softer compression. This allows me to launch it higher and spin it less if I increase my angle of attack.
AT THE READY
As you see, my bag has multiple drivers in it. I need extras. I hit a driver 30 to 50 times before I have to switch it out. It’s not that the club breaks, but the face flattens out.
WHIP IT GOOD
The Orange Whip helps activate my golf muscles without swinging a club. I really like the feel of the orange ball whipping through the impact zone. With this I don’t need many swings to get loose.