Equipment
11 Revealing photos from the 145th Open Championship
GolfWRX was live this week from the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. If you missed any of our photos from the week, browse all of the galleries in the links below:
It was a special week for GolfWRX, as this marks the first time we made the trek overseas to take photos at the Open Championship. That means we’ve finally completed the career Grand Slam (of photos at major championships). Exciting stuff.
But anyway, let’s reveal some photos from Royal Troon.
Leaderboard Bags
TaylorMade’s Commemorative staff bags for the 145th Open are nothing short of awesome, matching the iconic leaderboards at the event.
And Andy Murray won at Wimbledon. Well done.
Stimp Tunnel
How do they get a Stimpmeter reading when the Scottish wind begins blowing? Time to break out the plastic storage boxes.
Here’s to hoping they’re not running at a 14+ like the United States’ 2016 version of the Open.
The Equipment Switch Heard ‘Round the World
Charl Schwartzel made a major equipment switch this week. He changed sponsors and joined the #PXGTroops, putting mostly PXG clubs in the bag.
See his Open Championship WITB here.
Jackets and wedges
Jackets? What kind of jackets…Green Jackets? While Scotland has some odd names for potato preparations, they’re pretty creative with the dish names:
- The Big Easy (Ernie Els)
- Full Monty (Colin Montgomerie)
- Victor Dupoisson (Victor Dubuisson)
- Smokey Miguel (Miguel Angel Jiminez)
What’s going on here Vijay?
Where are the alignment aids, bamboo sticks, water bottles, Gatorade bottles, and all of the other range aids you normally use? And now that I bring it up, where is your golf bag??
It looks as though Vijay may be testing some equipment ahead of the Open Championship, figuring out what longer sticks he’ll have in the bag.
Going to hit a quick bucket of balls
Or should I say cage of balls.
The Wilson Gang
Throw up the “W” if you’re reppin’ Wilson Staff.
The Bogey Train
Royal Troon’s 11th hole, called “The Railway,” has a train track going up the entire right side of the hole. It played as the most difficult hole on the golf course in the 2004 Open, and it wouldn’t be a shock for it to play as the most difficult in 2016.
The players will definitely need to train themselves not to hit the ball right on this hole.
Postage Stamp
You can’t mail it in on Hole No. 8 at Royal Troon, nicknamed the “Postage Stamp” for how small its green is. There’s no bailout on this tee shot, despite it being the shortest hole on the course. It’s not often you’re guarding against making a huge number with a wedge in your hands, but don’t be surprised to see some “others,” and maybe even a double-digit number this week if the winds kick up.
Where’d the ball go?
Judging by where he’s expecting the ball to be and where it actually is, I’d say this ball hit the lip and went back into the bunker. As they say, pot bunkers are often stroke penalties, and this photo shows why.
For the kids
We all forget sometimes — even some of the best players in the world forget — but it’s all about growing the game and getting kids out on the course. Hey kid, nice move.
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
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
-
Equipment1 week agoWhat’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
-
Equipment2 weeks agoCadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
-
Whats in the Bag3 days agoKristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
-
Whats in the Bag1 week agoCameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoNelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
-
Tour Photo Galleries2 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 Cadillac Championship















Benny Karpen
Aug 17, 2016 at 6:52 pm
Mickelson seized the moment with a birdie on the par-5 h from a bunker short of the green, and a 4-iron to 15 feet for birdie on the par-3 h to reach 8-under par.
Dave
Jul 19, 2016 at 11:45 am
Best tourney ever mabey the usga could learn about how to run a great event can’t wait until next year. Great write up.
Rob
Jul 16, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Merry Mex = Lee Trevino
Christosterone
Jul 16, 2016 at 12:53 pm
Those taylormade bags kinda remind me of a bang bag I had about 10 years ago…it was the exact mustard yellow of the leaderboard and was awesome…
Love your posts as usual…
-Christosterone
RG
Jul 17, 2016 at 5:07 pm
Yeah or RBZ headcovers!!
RG
Jul 17, 2016 at 5:08 pm
Stage II that is!
Greg
Jul 16, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Nice job AT.
Totally forgot I now have all the majors on the men’s tour. I have three of the five on the LPGA, also.