Podcasts
Gear Dive: Legendary club builder Larry Bobka speaks on Tiger’s old Titleist irons
Legendary club builder Larry Bobka joins us in the first episode of our new podcast called “Gear Dive,” hosted by Johnny Wunder, GolfWRX’s Director of Original Content. Gear Dive is a deep look into the world of golf equipment, and Wunder will be interviewing the craftsman, the reps and the players behind the tools that make up the bags of the best golfers in the world.
Bobka, our first guest, is a former Tour rep and club builder involved in some of the most important clubs of the past 25 years. From his days at Wilson Golf working with legends such as Payne Stewart, Hale Irwin and Bernhard Langer, he transitioned into the Golden Age of Titleist/Acushnet building clubs for Tiger Woods, Davis Love, David Duval and Brad Faxon. He currently runs Argolf where he builds and fits handmade putters for Tour players and amateurs alike. He’s one of the Godfather’s of modern golf equipment.
Skip to 45:30 for the discussion about Tiger’s Titleist irons.
Check out our podcast on SoundCloud below, or click here to listen on iTunes!
What do you think of the new podcast? Leave your feedback in the comments below!
In this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, we dive into one of the most interesting flatstick releases of the year with a full review of the new TaylorMade SYSTM 2 putters. After spending time on the greens, I break down what makes this design stand out, where it performs, and why it has me completely torn between loving it and fighting it. If you are into feel, alignment, and consistency, this is one you will want to hear about.
We also take a look at some of the putters in play on the PGA Tour last week. From familiar favorites to a few surprising setups, there is always something to learn from what the best players in the world are rolling with under pressure.
To wrap things up, I walk through the process of building a set of JP Golf Prime irons paired with Baddazz Gold Series shafts. From component selection to performance goals, this is a deep dive into what goes into creating a unique custom set and why this combo has been so intriguing.
I break down my first top 10 zero-torque putter rankings for 2026. From the biggest names in the category to a few under-the-radar surprises, I dive into what makes each of these putters stand out and how they performed. I have used every one of these putters on the list, both in practice and on the course.
Talk about feel, consistency, forgiveness, and of course, whether zero-torque technology actually delivers on its promise to help you start more putts on line. If you have been curious about making the switch or just want to know which models are leading the pack this year, this episode has you covered.
Did your favorite putter make the list?
In Episode 49, the boys chat with Johnny Thompson, a longtime Callaway Golf employee. Johnny has worked in some great roles within the company, including years as a Tour Rep for Odyssey and Callaway. He has spent time on the LPGA Tour, Champions Tour, and PGA Tour and is now working as the Tour Content Manager for the company. JT is a fun guy and someone that is very knowledgeable in the clubfitting and Tour worlds.
Or listen on Apple.
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
Best fairway woods of 2026: The most versatile fairway woods + the most forgiving fairway woods
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
The 24 players who can win the Masters
Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB: 2026 Masters
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
J.J. Spaun’s winning WITB: 2026 Valero Texas Open
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus...
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Driver: Ping G440 Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft:...
WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2021 Truist Championship
Rory McIlroy’s victory at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship 2021 (now the Truist Championship) marked a significant return to form,...
Collin Morikawa WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade SIM Tour (14 degrees) Shaft:...
-
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 ago
Kristoffer 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
Bert Sugar
Apr 27, 2019 at 3:53 pm
This interviewer is, let’s be nice and say poor
len
May 14, 2018 at 8:56 pm
It’s sooooo important to gearheads to know Tiger’s WITB… and to offer a juvenile opinion or twitter-brained blurt or give us your feeeeelings … 😛
bogeypro
May 9, 2018 at 8:23 pm
ugh…. podcast…. sad face
peter collins
Apr 27, 2018 at 6:40 am
podcast bye
Casey
May 1, 2018 at 7:25 pm
See ya. Take your 6 hpur pace of play with you
Brett Weir
Apr 26, 2018 at 10:33 am
The interview with Bobka starts at 12 minutes 46 seconds.
charles peed
Apr 26, 2018 at 10:24 am
way too much bs/tease at start. glad to know interviewe knowsrso much gratuitous info (david toms had a putter,etc). never made it to the interiew. whoops guy came on while I was typing.guy didn’t too well in college. met gene sarazen, & so on.
Jim
Apr 26, 2018 at 3:32 am
I MUCH prefer reading – Podcasts are fine for those times when you’re stuck in a car in heavy traffic, or a long road trip, but since I’m usually surfing the old web at my desktop, I prefer reading. If you must do Podcasts, please also print a script.
Lance
Apr 25, 2018 at 7:38 pm
Would love to READ the article Both formats please
Joe Perez
Apr 25, 2018 at 7:28 pm
Nice. I like listening to these while standing at the beach, looking at the waves.
Doug lamb
Apr 25, 2018 at 4:57 pm
Tired of being teased with an interesting story. Only to end up being a podcast!!
tom missler
Apr 25, 2018 at 11:51 am
very interesting club builder. most interested in what he had to say about the players and other personalities he’s worked with over his career.
Shanks Happen
Apr 25, 2018 at 10:40 am
I also would love a transcript of the podcasts. And yes, if it means they are available a week after, that is cool too.
rex235
Apr 25, 2018 at 2:03 am
Larry Bobka answered my questions to him almost a year ago. Took almost 13 minutes to hear him?
“Uno Nuno?”
Wait a minute…
John Daly didn’t use a Wilson Whale Driver at the ’91 PGA, he used a Cobra Ultramid model.
Daly also had PING irons, and a PING putter at Crooked Stick.
Payne Stewart used a Wilson Laminated Whale Driver first at the ’89 PGA, and didn’t like that Wilson gave Daly such a large contract, so he left. (Bobka corrected him.)
Jim
Apr 25, 2018 at 12:58 pm
JD was caving in virtually every Ti or steel driver then. The Cobra was a solid composite head. You’re also right on rest of post.
Tommy
Apr 25, 2018 at 1:03 am
I like to multi task….podcasts are of no use for this. Please include transcripts. I, like many, skip these stories completely.
JJVas
Apr 25, 2018 at 10:38 am
+1
mlb
Apr 24, 2018 at 9:30 pm
I agree transcript would be helpful.
Harp007
Apr 24, 2018 at 6:55 pm
Awesome interview with Larry Bobka. I’ve known LB for over 20 years and his knowledge and recall are amazing. Great podcast and insights.
Larry Bobka
Apr 25, 2018 at 8:46 am
Thanks Harp..
Jim
Apr 25, 2018 at 1:02 pm
I don’t have time for ‘podcasts’. I don’t do ‘pod’ anything…
Would much appreaciate the transcript
Mike Rohmann
Apr 24, 2018 at 4:45 pm
Larry !! I was lucky enough to play some golf with Mr. Bobka in San Diego. We had some good duels in Team play and he was always a gentlemen and great golfer. I heard he’s moved on to bigger things after Titleist and I hope Larry that you are doing really well. I know the guys out at Vista Valley CC would love to see him back.
Larry Bobka
Apr 25, 2018 at 8:44 am
Mike. Thanks for the kind words. I always enjoyed our battles and beers afterwards. I’m in Jupiter, FL working for Argolf Putters. I miss VVCC and Saturday Team play. Take care, my friend..Larry
Kendall Thomas
Apr 26, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Larry, great interview! I heard you quoted Tiger saying an old guy gave him a set of Hogan Apex irons. 4 years, everyone believed he was playing a set of Mizuno irons. What company did you say the prototypes blades were?
Diesel
Apr 24, 2018 at 3:57 pm
Glad he finally put the “Miura” iron conspiracy to bed.
Birdswing Golfer
Apr 25, 2018 at 3:34 am
I never understood the Miura conspiracy Tiger played Ping then Mizuno?
surely if there was any truth in the clone irons they would of been Mizunos!
Dan
Apr 24, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Great info but 30m is plenty
Jamie
Apr 24, 2018 at 1:36 pm
Cliffs Notes please. The babble at the beginning was useless and my time is valuable.
Dan
Apr 25, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Yet you have times to criticize and post. Haha Love it!
Tom
Apr 24, 2018 at 1:23 pm
The interviewer needs to shut up!!!!!! Just ask the simple question and let the guest talk – we don’t want to hear you. For example, “What was it like to work with Tiger… (stop here) blah, blah, blah, blah”. Just end it. Or, “Talk about David Duval… (STOP!!) blah, blah, Duval history lesson, blah”
Jens Eriksson
Apr 24, 2018 at 2:13 pm
Couldn’t agree more! Thank You
Brett Weir
Apr 24, 2018 at 1:00 pm
There you have it…Tiger’s Titleist irons in his heyday were forged by Endo…straight from the horse’s mouth.
golfguru
Apr 24, 2018 at 12:05 pm
Wonderful interview. Keep up the great work and looking forward to the next one.
ogo
Apr 24, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Custom club propaganda for the neurotic who don’t have a golf swing but want to have a custom WITB set of weapons to give them false confidence. Custom clubs are total hokum… believe it..
e
Apr 24, 2018 at 11:52 am
oh man this podcast stuff again… how about a transcript for those of us who don’t want to spend over an hour listening to something we could read in 10 mins?
golfguru
Apr 24, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Start typing one up for us…..
Brian
Apr 24, 2018 at 1:23 pm
Agree. I have no interest in listening to podcasts.
Thomas A
Apr 24, 2018 at 1:32 pm
Ditto. I’m at my computer at work, not driving in my car. I need to get this stuff on the downlow.
Mike
May 15, 2018 at 11:55 pm
+11111111111111111
ProjectX
Apr 24, 2018 at 11:37 am
Who would win in a fight…Bobka or the Hurricane?
J Zilla
Apr 24, 2018 at 11:24 am
Another Bobka?
Melissa Bobka
Apr 24, 2018 at 8:30 pm
No. This is “The Bobka”.