Equipment
Louis Oosthuizen switches to Ping iBlades at The Players
When the best golfers in the world change equipment at high-profile tournaments like The Players Championship, they’re generally adding a course-specific club they’ve tested extensively before the event, as Jason Day did with his 2 iron. That wasn’t the case for Louis Oosthuzien, who decided to replace eight clubs in his bag this week. He added Ping’s new iBlade irons (3-9, PW), becoming the first PGA Tour player to use the clubs in competition.
Oosthuzien kept the shafts (True Temper Dynamic Gold X100, standard length) and grips (Golf Pride Tour Velvet Ribbed 58) the same, as well as the swing weight (D1), meaning the only new variables were the eight new iron heads.
Related: See in-hand photos of Ping’s new iBlade irons
It’s not clear how much time Louis Oosthuizen spent testing Ping’s new iBlade irons before he arrived at TPC Sawgrass, where the clubs were officially debuted to Tour players, but he obviously liked what he saw on the range. The No. 13-ranked golfer in the world didn’t challenge for the tournament, but he did finish T8 in Greens in Regulation at The Players. A more important stat: his T28 finish in the event earned him a little more than $68,325.
Ping isn’t saying anything about the new irons right now, but the iBlades appear quite similar to the company’s S55 irons, which Oosthuizen was previously using. He’s not one to change equipment as quickly as some other players on the PGA Tour, so it has to be assumed that he liked something better about the new irons.
Equipment
Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver
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.
Equipment
Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
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”
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo
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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TheCityGame
May 17, 2016 at 9:40 am
No, it doesn’t have to be assumed he liked something better about the new irons.
It’s can be assumed he didn’t think they were worse than his old ones because he’s a Ping shill and is in the business of selling golfers new clubs. As are you.
S
May 21, 2016 at 11:44 am
Ping Shill? Dude is using Callaway Wedges and was using an I25 driver more than a year into the G30 series. Check your facts.
Nick
May 17, 2016 at 8:17 am
I saw Bubba made/was about to make the change too cmyktaylor. Don’t know what happened there?
These do look great, don’t they? Really nice and clean, like s55 but better! Can’t wait to give them a hit when they become available.
cmyktaylor
May 16, 2016 at 10:10 am
PGATour ran an article six days ago stating that Bubba was making the change at The Players. Did he end up not putting them into play?
http://www.pgatour.com/equipmentreport/2016/05/09/golf-equipment-bubba-watson-ping-iblade-irons-players-championship-tpc-sawgrass.html