Equipment
Bryson DeChambeau, Microsoft develop pressure-sensing grip
Bryson DeChambeau, in a very Bryson DeChambeau move, joined forces with Microsoft and Seattle-startup Sensoria to work on a prototype “smart grip.” The grip is designed to analyze pressure applied throughout the swing.
The grip’s eight embedded sensors return real-time pressure data. It’s funneled through the cloud via Microsoft Azure, which ”graphically renders pressure of the hands in relation to the golf grip,” Microsoft noted in a blog post.
“The data collected from Bryson over time will be analyzed during future phases of the project in a machine-learning environment to build new intelligent golf-data streams, helping him determine the right grip and club usage, swing speed, rhythm, plane, and other performance and swing-mechanics variables,” Microsoft added in the post.
Credit: Microsoft Technical Case Studies
And it seems Bryson DeChambeau wasn’t just some sort of guinea pig for Microsoft. Rather, Mike Downey, Principal Evangelist for Microsoft Sports Partnerships, discussed Bryson’s golf-related needs with the SMU alum. DeChambeau indicated that maintaining consistent grip pressure was important, and that there were no devices to measure the consistency of his pressure.
The smart grip Microsoft and Sensoria developed detects grip position and pressure levels throughout the swing, relaying data Microsoft Azure’s systems. That data was then rendered on a Microsoft Surface using XAMIL and Microsoft Visual Studio.
For the less technical among us, here’s what the rendering looked like.
Credit: Microsoft Technical Case Studies
Credit: Microsoft Technical Case Studies
And yes, the Smart Grips were built into DeChambeau’s existing JumboMax grips using a one inch square of embeddable microelectronics known as Sensoria Core.
Microsoft and the PGA Tour partnered in 2015 for a three-year deal, which saw Microsoft become the official operating system of the PGA Tour and its Surface tablets worked into the ShotLink shot tracking process.
Sensoria was founded in 2011 by former Microsoft employees. The Seattle-based company develops smart garments and IoE (Internet of Everything) wearable solutions.
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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Pingback: Golf Grip Pressure Guide - Get The Proper Grip Pressure Today - (MUST READ Before You Buy)
Jim
Dec 3, 2016 at 12:38 am
I would rather have immediate feedback. If I’m griping too tight the grip should say “ouch or you are squeezing me too tight”. Seriously if I could feel a click when squeezing too tight that wouldn’t be a bad thing. Many times I catch myself holding on way too tight. Out.
Grizz01
Nov 28, 2016 at 3:18 pm
This is really getting stupid.
Harry
Nov 28, 2016 at 1:35 pm
The tech is cool, but Bryson should let someone else figure out what small changes affect before it hurts his game.
Mr. Wedge
Nov 28, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Technology can be an invaluable tool. But sometimes it just goes overboard. This is one of those times.
Jeff
Nov 28, 2016 at 12:11 pm
I think it would be great to have the ability to understand your grip pressure on your good shots and on your poor shots. No different than video. As visual creatures, we give lots of credence to things we can see, and we discount the things we can not see. This is why high speed video is so helpful to understanding how great players hit the ball. Having insight into non-visible aspects of the swing, like grip pressure and weight distribution is necessary to truly understand the golf swing.
This could be very helpful in the short game, where feel is easier for average players to describe.
Also, the data is transferred via XAML – not XAIML – https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc295302.aspx
HarlyD
Nov 26, 2016 at 11:04 pm
Get a load of dat bat handle on his driver! Looks like a Louisville Slugger. What, 18 wraps of tape, or what?! Sheesh. Ain’t no feel in that thing!
Craig
Nov 28, 2016 at 1:24 am
Jumbomax XL grips
Guia
Nov 26, 2016 at 6:43 pm
This young man is trying his best to become a Robot.
Petewc
Nov 26, 2016 at 1:08 pm
He better start winning with these ideas or no one will care. Need results
M Smizzle
Nov 26, 2016 at 2:18 pm
It’s not about winning….
It’s about selling
Mike
Nov 26, 2016 at 12:41 pm
That’s pretty cool. They could put accelerometers in there as well to get tempo data. Very cool tech in my opinion
Mark
Nov 26, 2016 at 6:10 am
Dear Lord this man is danger of complete IT overload. Golf is a game of variables not computer readouts. Feel, natural ability and imagination are major elements. How did Snead, Hogan, Arnie, Jack etc ever get the ball in the air without all this tech? Talent perhaps?
Desmond
Nov 26, 2016 at 11:19 am
We are in an age of data – some always thirst for more. It may not directly help us, but some frontiersmen will use this to gather data that denies or confirm the validity of constant grip pressure, and we will learn. I’d just rather learn a swing. This data “stuff” is interesting, but I’d rather read the results of the study and apply rather than be the tester.
Boobsy McKiss
Nov 26, 2016 at 1:24 am
Unfortunately it is the future. We’re going to have sensors in our socks, shoes, underwear, shirt, hat, sunglasses, grips, shafts and clubheads. Even in our home everything is going to be connected to apps and databases, such as our refrigerator, light systems, toasters, oven, every water faucet in our house, walls (yes, walls), etc. Every moment in our lives is going to be recorded somehow, and that information is either going to be stored on Azure (Microsoft), AWS (Amazon), GCP (Google), or IBM Cloud. Sad but true. I have to agree with the Alfredo. We are on the edge of a major information overload in not just golf, but everything in our lives. Do we really need to pressure sensitive grips to enjoy the game?
Alfredo Smith
Nov 25, 2016 at 10:52 pm
Information overload. Simple is more. See target, aim at target, hit ball to target…
M Smizzle
Nov 25, 2016 at 12:43 pm
This could be a game changer. Bryson is a winner!
Desmond
Nov 25, 2016 at 11:34 am
I think Bryson will get an argument about constant grip pressure and its importance – some think it’s best to increase pressure throughout the swing.
In the late 90’s, I had a training aid with a sensor in the grip that beeped when pressure was too high — the forerunner …. I put this in the same eBay bin as well as the Hat that beeped when your head moved – that was a decent idea that did not take off.
M Smizzle
Nov 25, 2016 at 12:37 pm
Takes a pretty sorry person to get on golfwrx and just be a complete downer
Desmond
Nov 26, 2016 at 1:55 am
Lighten up, Francis, and see a shrink. You’ve got issues.
John
Nov 26, 2016 at 1:07 pm
This whole generation of “be positive” about everything has absolutely zero critical analysis abilit, they just accept everything
Degrees
Nov 28, 2016 at 11:57 am
You do realize this is not the “millennial” to be calling out for having “zero critical analysis abilit[y]” because he has a FRIGGING PHYSICS DEGREE, but sure, old man, from your La-Z-Boy, let’s yukk it up about these damn kids and their lack of critical thinking skills, when you have a young kid LITERALLY using his science degree to run an EXPERIMENT on a HYPOTHESIS he has.
I can’t understand why GolfWRX STILL allows anonymous internet comments in this, the Golden Age of the Troll, when most everyone compelled to post something reveals themselves as a COMPLETE NINCOMPOOP.
Feel the Bern
Nov 25, 2016 at 10:54 am
This is the future.