Equipment
Top-10 Photos from the 2016 WM Phoenix Open
GolfWRX was live this week from the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, where golf’s biggest party is held. An estimated 500,000 people came out to last year’s event, mostly for the festivities at hole No. 16’s stadium-style atmosphere.
The party-like vibes seem to be infectious to the players — well, except Bubba Watson — making it one of the most entertaining golf events all year.
And for gear heads and golf fans, our photos this week were worth celebration, as well. Below are my top-10 photos from the 2016 WM Phoenix Open, and you’re welcome to argue the order of this list in the comment section. Let the countdown begin.
Rickie Fowler’s “Spank My Sole”
We learned about Fowler’s wedge stampings in 2015, and they continue to be wildly entertaining. My best guess is that “spank my sole” refers to the way Fowler wants to engage the bounce at impact with his wedge, by spanking it against the turf or sand. Also, the photo provides a nice look at the tungsten plugs Fowler has in the toe of his wedges, which he also has in his irons.
Old School 2-Ball
If you don’t think pros are weary to switch into new equipment, especially with their putters, look no further than this photo.
With all of the alignment technology in the new Odyssey putters, which you can learn more about here, it’s amazing that Harris English (click here to see all the clubs in his bag) decides to stick with this alignment line, surely drawn with a standard Sharpie marker and a ruler. It might be time to freshen up that faded line, too.
Groundhog Day
Robert Streb — the undisputed champion of wedge stampings — has new Vokey wedges in his bag this week that honor Groundhog Day (the day) by quoting Groundhog Day (the movie).
Maybe the wedge will help him get up-and-down over, and over, and over, and over again.
Raw
Here’s another appearance from Harry English in the Top-10. This photo shows off one of the most raw clubs on Tour that we’ve seen in the last few years, a Callaway Razr X Muscle Back 2 iron. Most golfers couldn’t even get the golf ball airborne with this club, but it could make for a nice putter replacement.
Phil’s Addiction
In my revealing photos segment last year, I asked GolfWRX readers to rally around Phil Mickelson as he dealt with his addiction to lead tape. Unfortunately, he’s fallen off the wagon already in 2016. Five sheets of lead tape, Phil?
Regardless, this photo offers a look into how Phil likes to tinker with his equipment, even when he’s the one who helped design the club — a Callaway PM (Phil Mickelson) Grind. Maybe he should have designed the wedge a few swing weight points higher?
Party On!
The WM Phoenix Open isn’t dubbed the “greatest show on grass” for no reason — event-goers like to party. This putter cover from Bettinardi commemorates the celebration, although it looks like one of the partiers on the cover had a little too much to drink. And another is a stickler for recycling (he’s probably an employee at Waste Management).
Kirk’s PXG creativity
PXG’s weighting system has been the cause of commotion in the golf equipment world, especially in our forums. Chris Kirk, who signed with PXG in 2016, found a creative way to set up the weights in his wedges. Surely this configuration is to lower the head weight.
Thank you, Scotty
Zac Blair’s custom Scotty Cameron putter is simply a masterpiece. Just look how the “Scotty Cameron” stamping reflects off the back of the putter — it’s mesmirrorizing
Poulter’s snowball fight
Based on photos from this week, it was relatively frigid in the Arizona desert on Tuesday and Wednesday. And with some snow left over on the range, Poulter thought to throw a snowball at his caddie… you know, as a “thank you” for carrying his bag all year. We knew he could play golf and drive Ferrari’s, but his throwing motion doesn’t look too shabby. A poised and balanced release. Nice throw, Poults.
Generation golfwrX
For every cool photo of golf equipment we see, it makes us even happier to share the joy of golf and GolfWRX with the youth of America. And what’s more fun than enjoying the thrill of golf while spending time with your father?
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Greg Moore
Feb 5, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Great job, AT! Glad you used the IJP “snowball” photo!