Equipment
11 Revealing Photos from the FedEx St. Jude Classic and U.S. Open Sectionals
GolfWRX was live this week from the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee; also on Monday was the U.S. Open Sectional qualifier for the Memphis area, held at both Germantown and Ridgeway Country Club.
If you missed any of the photo galleries, make sure to browse the links below:
- U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier
- FedEx St. Jude Classic: Monday’s photos
- FedEx St. Jude Classic: Tuesday’s photos
- FedEx St. Jude Classic: Wednesday’s photos
Hats off to the USGA and PGA Tour getting on the same page, and having a sectional qualifier just down the road from the PGA Tour event that week. That’s the kind of forward thinking that keeps professional golfers sane. Many of the players were participants in both fields, and here’s how some of the notable names finished up.
DNQ: Lee McCoy, Wesley Bryan, Andres Romero, Ryan Palmer, Scott Stallings, Robert Allenby, Ben Crane and Steve Stricker (who’s playing more this week than he has seemingly all year).
Alternates: Thomas Aiken, Robert Garrigus (Nos. 1 and 2, respectively).
Qualified
The only player to qualify who isn’t in the FedEx St. Jude field is amateur Sam Burns, a current member of the LSU Tigers Men’s Golf Team.
For FedEx St. Jude Classic participants, I wonder whether qualifying for the U.S. Open, or not qualifying, is more of a distraction during the week? Surely, having to book a tee time at Oakmont for a U.S. Open practice round is a good problem to have, but you never know what will distract the mind of a golfer.
But anyway, let’s reveal some photos in this week’s, Revealing Photos: U.S. Open Dreams.
Wedge stampings
I think wedge makers have conspired against me since I declared wedge stampings dead. Between Cam Smith’s Kendrick Lamar stampings, and Wesley Bryan’s Breaking Bad and American Sniper stampings, these wedges are some of the coolest I’ve seen on Tour.
“Gimmie the HeisenWedge.”
See all of the stampings from Smith, and Bryan, who’s making his PGA Tour debut this week, in the gallery below.
In case you’re wondering, and based on Smith’s Twitter, I’m guessing he named his dog Kendrick, thus “Kendrick the Sausage.”
How to make new clubs look old
Slab a pound of lead tape on your irons and let your wedges rust. Just a reminder, these are Titleist 716 T-MB and 716 AP2 irons released in 2016, as well as Vokey SM5 wedges that were released in 2014… although they look as though they’ve been sitting in a used club bin for a decade.
Magnification
This is just about the thickest top line I’ve ever seen on a putter. It’s like when your parents start needing reading glasses, and adjust the text on their phone to the biggest font. With this putter, there’s no excuse not to be aligned at your intended target.
And speaking of font-size adjustments, the staff bag pictured below needs some. I can hardly even read Loren’s name.
I don’t know much about Robby Shelton…
But I have a feeling he’s not a big fan of the Auburn Tigers.
HZRDUS Slime
The green, slime-colored outline on the new Project X Handcrafted HZRDUS T1100 shaft is like caution tape; high-speed swingers only. It’s rumored to be extremely low-spinning.
Weapons that work
Every week we see the Tour guys with the newest, greatest gear in the bag since they’re under contracts with sponsors and whatnot. But it’s always interesting to see what accomplished players are bagging who aren’t collecting paychecks from sponsors. Here, we have Ping G15 clubs, which were released in 2011. And I’ll bet there’s a wear spot the size of a dime on the exact center of those irons.
This photo is from the U.S. Open Sectionals
You know how I can tell? Three main reasons:
- Shorts: Other than U.S. Open qualifiers, when do you ever see a professional golfer wearing shorts?
- Morning dew on the greens: PGA Tour courses always have the workers out bright and early to cut and roll the greens, and the practice greens. But those luxuries aren’t always provided at U.S. Open qualifying courses. Welcome to the struggle of a daily golfer.
- No fans, ropes, TV towers or sponsor signs around the green: Isn’t it nice? Just him and the golf course, the way golf was meant to be played.
Sock game strong
Also something you never see during Tour events is the socks of the players, eliminating the opportunity for players to make fashion statements with their socks.
It’s unfortunate, since socks with stripes and flowers add some undeniable pop to an outfit. But the pants rule also protects any fashion faux-pas like the mid-grays pictured below.
Maybe it’s best the pros wear pants after all.
Morning disaster
Isn’t this just the worst? You end up leaving your fresh cup of morning coffee on the roof of your car, and don’t realize until you drive away and go to take your first sip.
The most common injuries for golfers are the wrist and back
These still photos of Dustin Johnson’s swing explain the reason for both of those injuries.
Good thing he’s a tremendous athlete who can withstand the bending, twisting and turning, because I’m pretty sure my back would disintegrate if put into that position.
Did you know?
Cary Middlecoff, or should I say Dr. Cary Middlecoff, was a dentist in the Army before becoming a professional golfer. He finished his career with 40 Tour wins, three major victories, and just over $250,000 in career earnings. Here’s more about his life and career in a New York Times article from 1998, the year of his death.
Tournament patrons, take notes
If you plan on attending a professional golf event, and you’re not riding around on a segway like the guy on the far left in the picture above, then you’re doing it wrong.
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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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
Brad
Jun 13, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Although it has moved to 2 weeks before or even a week after, the FESJC is usually the week before the US Open and the qualifier is always at Ridgeway CC or Germantown CC. The USGA having it in the same city isn’t something new.
Michael
Jun 11, 2016 at 8:40 pm
You were right when you said wedge stampings were dead. This trend jumped the shark long ago.
Nick
Jun 13, 2016 at 10:07 am
Amen.
Nevin
Jun 11, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Cary Middlecoff has to one of the most under-appreciated Tour Pros of all time. 40 wins and 3 majors, yet he is hardly discussed, even when the topic is under-appreciated Tour Pros.
greg Moore
Jun 11, 2016 at 12:44 pm
The Segway guy got kicked off once security caught up with him.
Weekend Duffer
Jun 11, 2016 at 12:41 pm
I wait every week for this article