Equipment
Caddies change out staff bags for something lighter
It’s a grind for PGA Tour caddies to carry around a fully loaded staff bag for four days straight of competition — especially in the hot Arizona sun.
Caddies for TaylorMade staff players will have an easier time this week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. They’ll be carrying TaylorMade’s new Supreme Hybrid carry bag instead of their usual TMag staff bags.
The new Supreme Hybrid bag weighs just 5.3 pounds and has a four-point adjustable shoulder strap, 10 pockets for storage and a 14-way top with two slots, which fit any oversized putter grip.
Good thing the PGA Tour banned caddy races a few years back. If it hadn’t, losing caddies would claim that TaylorMade caddies had a competitive advantage due to their lighter bags.
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Bert
Feb 3, 2015 at 10:34 am
Played at an over-the-top course this summer and my assigned caddie immediately wanted to transfer my equipment and other items in my Sun Mountain Sync to his lightweight carry bag. What? A Sync Bag isn’t lightweight enough? No it’s plenty light; he wanted to double bag. What a joke and a scam on the player. Next time I’ll carry my own bag.
This topic seems to be an “advertisement” in disguise.
Sargio_Gercia
Feb 1, 2015 at 2:03 am
Old Skool staff bags the way forward… They beat out the haters and have room for all my shizzle for the 36-hole club championship. Red White and Blue Hogan staff. It’s the boss. Why so serious, Golfers? Grip it and rip it, when the stand bag philistines are soaking wet and don’t have extra gloves, towels, rain gear and hot coffee, them who looks like the chumperoo now?!! The Haters Gonna Hate: Taylor Swift. I want to play a round with her.
Connor
Feb 13, 2015 at 3:05 am
(Happy Gilmore voice) …….Psycho.
Drew
Jan 30, 2015 at 11:52 am
That Taylor Made bag looks really close to Sun Mountain Four Five.
Tom
Feb 1, 2015 at 1:31 pm
I am Fairly sure Sun Mountain makes most of the carry bags for almost all manufacturers except Ping.
Paul
Feb 1, 2015 at 2:53 pm
I don’t believe they make bags forTitleist either anymore for 2015…
Bill
Jan 29, 2015 at 10:23 pm
Once you pick up a light carry bag with 14 clubs, 6 balls, and 12 tees you’ll never go back
bradford
Jan 29, 2015 at 11:38 am
using collective “your” here…this is not a personal attack
Shawn K
Jan 28, 2015 at 10:37 pm
I think it is ridiculous they still carry those heavy staff bags.
Good for the caddies!
Jeff
Jan 28, 2015 at 10:37 pm
I love the staff bag, not this carry bag. And if it’s too tough to carry then I’ll carry it for 10% of $500,000 for four days. Us regular guys can’t pull the staff bag off because it looks ostentatious, but it’s almost a rite of passage for the Tour. You make the Tour and you get a sweet staff bag. If I want to see stand bags with names on the ball pouch I’ll go watch the high school match down the road.
Joshua
Jan 29, 2015 at 10:23 am
I don’t think staff bags are great for caddies backs, a lot of weight on one shoulder.
Double Mocha Man
Jan 29, 2015 at 10:39 am
I say let ’em have push carts!
Why does anyone care?
Jan 28, 2015 at 9:54 pm
It is just flat ridiculous that anyone thinks an amateur shouldn’t/doesn’t deserve to/isn’t good enough to use a staff bag. I’m so tired of hearing that nonsense on this forum. I played professional baseball for 9 years and never cared one bit if some beer league softball player sported the exact glove I used, or the exact cleats, let alone a bag. I didn’t pay for any of my stuff, they did… It’s their money.
For someone who rides every round, I think it’s silly not to have a staff bag if you can afford it. They offer so many benefits over a stand bag or cart bag. The biggest being that they will actually stand up without falling over, unlike a cart bag. They also carry everything I could possibly need in a round, including room for an umbrella, a jacket, rain gear or anything else, unlike a stand bag
Using a staff bag doesn’t mean you are calling yourself a pro golfer anymore than using “tour issue” clubs, like so many here do. People who are solid golfers and say things like “I’m a X handicap and have no business carrying a staff bag” aren’t giving respect to pro golfers, they are insulting people who decided to spend their money on a piece of equipment that is sold AT RETAIL!
I’d be willing to bet a lot that if you polled the PGA field about this, the vast majority wouldn’t care in any way shape or form. A staff bag isn’t something you earn, it’s something you buy, and if you are good enough to be a pro golfer, it’s something they give you.
Camryn
Jan 29, 2015 at 12:57 am
Good note. Can’t stand pretentious Golfers. That’s exactly why the rate of players is declining. “Elitism?” Golf in some aspects is, in Rodney Dangerfield’s best voice, “A crummy Snobatorium.”
Jafar
Jan 29, 2015 at 9:50 am
That is an awesome way to put it.
bradford
Jan 29, 2015 at 11:36 am
Sure, everyone has a “right” to play with one, but what’s the point? Perhaps I’m a purist, but I can’t see the need to carry 3 outfits, 2 umbrella’s, 4 types of rangefinders, 36 golf balls, a twelve pack, and 200 golf tees. I can’t see the need for any non-professional to have one. Staff bags are designed to be carried by a caddie, and the size is based on the need to carry everything one might need in a tournament. The average player never sees a caddie, and is never disqualified if he needs to buy a sleeve at the turn.
So, sure, buy one and throw it on your golf cart with your 30 pack. You have every right, but it looks ridiculous.
Matt
Feb 1, 2015 at 9:14 am
I have a staff bag and love it. I only use it on the cart and as the article suggests, it’d be a pain to lug it around 18 holes. But the looks are better, it seems more durable and I’ve got more than enough storage than I’ll ever need. I don’t care if people think I’m pretentious – it’s my game and I’ll play with whatever I please.
Just an opinion on bags....
Jan 28, 2015 at 8:00 pm
I wish I could have the room of a staff bag, but without all of the logos….I don’t wanna be that guy, I only play to an 8 and have no business carrying a staff bag. I do like those new titleist stand/staff bags, and TMAG’s TMX bag. I thought the more slots the more organized, I find everything gets tangled, prefer the 6 way top, and allow my clubs to be faster outta the bag. May sound silly, but I find myself wasting time untangling sticks in bags that are supposed to keep everything in it’s own slot. Better off sucking it up, letting them bang around and deal with some chatter marks.
gvogel
Jan 28, 2015 at 7:54 pm
I like it. Maybe more guys buy smaller bags, take some of the clubs out, and walk more often.
Most of us are way too obese.
8thehardway
Jan 28, 2015 at 7:06 pm
Great marketing move, sure to generate looks and comments. Was Vapor-ish green accent a coincidence?
Ben
Jan 28, 2015 at 8:58 pm
It’s green because of the Waste Management tournament. Their corporate colors are green. But I think the staffers will be carrying more black and white or red and black ones. Still a cool concept.
gerald
Jan 29, 2015 at 1:14 am
Taylormades corporate colors have never been green. For the longest time its been black/red/white
Graeme
Jan 29, 2015 at 5:02 am
That’s not what he said. The Waste Management tournament corporate colours are green, not TM’s.
Teaj
Jan 29, 2015 at 8:19 am
Blue?
Double Mocha Man
Jan 29, 2015 at 10:38 am
That would be “Seahawk neon green”. Came before Vapor.