Equipment
Tiger vs. Phil: WITB for my top 5 duels
The title says it all.
I’m sure there will be some back and forth on the top 5, but these are my picks based on the WITB and overall entertainment.
No. 5: 2007 Deutsche Bank Championship (TPC Boston)
SCORES
Phil Mickelson -16 (Winner)
Tiger Woods -14 (T2)
What Transpired: Phil fired a final round 66 to edge TW (67) by 2.
Why in the Top 5: Like one of the other match-ups, both players fired rounds in the mid-60s.
What was in the Bag
Phil Mickelson
DRIVER: Callaway FT-5 Tour 8.5 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana White Board 73x5ct
3-WOOD: Callaway X-Hot 15 Degrees with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana White Board 73x5ct
HYBRID: Callaway FT 2H 18 Degrees with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 93x5ct
IRONS: Callaway X-Forged CB with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.o
WEDGES: Callaway X Forged (52, 56, 60) with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.o
PUTTER: Odyssey #9 PM Proto @33.5 Inches
GRIPS: Royal Grip Sand Wrap
Tiger Woods
DRIVER: Nike Sasquatch @8.5 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 83x5ct
3-WOOD: Nike Sasquatch @15 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 103x5ct
5-WOOD: Nike T40 Tour 5T @19 Degrees with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 103x5ct
IRONS: (3-PW) Nike Forged MB (Red TW Logo) with True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 (Tipped 1/4 w/ Wooden Dowel Inserts)
WEDGES: (56) Nike Forged Pro Combo (60) Nike Forged SV with Dynamic Gold S400
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron GSS Newport 2 with Ping Man Grip (Blacked Out) 35 Inches
GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Chord “Logo Down”
No. 4: 2001 Arnold Palmer Championship (Bay Hill Club & Lodge)
SCORES
Tiger Woods -15 (Winner)
Phil Mickelson -14 (T2)
What Transpired: Tiger was in a “slump” and finally, after five arduous weeks, broke through to outduel Phil.
Why in the Top 5: The two players separated themselves from the pack, and if it weren’t for some 72nd hole heroics by Tiger, a playoff (the first and maybe only Tiger/Phil version) would have ensued.
What was in the Bag
Tiger Woods
DRIVER: Titleist 975D @7.5 w/ Dynamic Gold X100 (tipped to length) @43.5 inches long
3-WOOD: Titleist 970 @15 w/ Dynamic Gold X100 (tipped to length) @42.5 inches long
IRONS: 2-P Titleist 681T (Endo Forged) with Dynamic Gold X100 (Tipped 1/4)
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey 258/08 @56, 260/06 with Dynamic Gold S400
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron GSS with PingMan “blackout” grip
GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
GLOVE: Nike
Phil Mickelson
DRIVER: TaylorMade 360 8.5 degrees w/ Fujikura Speeder 757 X
3-WOOD: Yonex Titanium 13 degrees with Yonex Tour Graphite Proto X
IRONS: (2-PW) Titleist 990 with Royal Precision Rifle FCM 7.0
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey 252/08, 256/10, 60 “P Grind” with Royal Precision Rifle FCM 7.0
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Santa Fe Terryllium (Stainless Steel) @33.5 Inches
GRIPS: Royal Grips Sand Wrap
GLOVE: Titleist
No. 3: 2009 Tour Championship (East Lake GC)
SCORES
Phil Mickelson -9 (Winner)
Tiger Woods -6 (2nd but Won Fed Ex Cup)
What Transpired: Phil fires a final-round 65 to claim the title and bounce up from 14th to 2nd in the FedEx Cup final standings. If it weren’t for a late birdie surge by TW, Phil could have taken home the $10 million.
Why in the Top 5: It’s symbolic of the relationship. Phil won the day and the trophy but TW won the war. Bittersweet for both. If memes were a thing back then it would look like this.
What was in the Bag
Phil Mickelson
DRIVER: Callaway FT-9 Tour 8.5 with Mitsubishi Chemical Fubuki K 73x5ct
3-WOOD: Callaway Diablo 15 Degrees with Mitsubishi Fubuki K 73x5ct
HYBRIDS: Callaway PM Prototype (19,22) with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Thump Hybrid 100X
IRONS: (4-PW) Callaway Pro MB1 with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.o
WEDGES: Callaway X Forged MD (54, 60) with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.o
PUTTER: Odyssey PT82 PM Proto @33.5 Inches
GRIPS: Golf Pride MCC Black/White
Tiger Woods
DRIVER: Nike Dymo 380CC Prototype @8.5 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana White Board 83x5ct
3 WOOD: Nike Sasquatch @15 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 103x5ct
5 WOOD: Nike Sasquatch @19 Degrees with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 103x5ct
IRONS: (3-PW) Nike Forged MB (Red TW Logo) with True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 (Tipped 1/4 w/ Wooden Dowel Inserts)
WEDGES: (56) Nike Forged Pro Combo (60) Nike Forged “FastBack” with Dynamic Gold S400
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron GSS Newport 2 with Ping Man Grip (Blacked Out) 35 Inches
GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord “Logo Down”
No. 2: 2002 US Open (Bethpage Black)
SCORES:
Tiger Woods -3 (Winner)
Phil Mickelson Even (2nd)
What Transpired: Tiger Woods put on a warrior’s performance and at times physically overpowered Bethpage Black. However, the hearts of the NY State crowd were with Phil who put up a titans effort but in no way ever threatened TW.
Why in the Top 5: It was the first major in which TW was winning but Phil had all the energy behind him. Its the first time I heard “People’s Champion” in reference to Phil and I believe the love affair with NYC and Mickelson started here.
What was in the bag
Tiger Woods
DRIVER: Nike TW Prototype 310CC @8.5 w/ True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 (tipped to length) @43.5 inches long
3-WOOD: Titleist 970 @15 w/ Dynamic Gold X100 (tipped to length) @42.5 inches long
IRONS: 2-P Titleist 681T (Endo Forged) with Dynamic Gold X100 (Tipped 1/4)
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey 258/08 @56, 260/06 with Dynamic Gold S400
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron GSS with PingMan “blackout” grip
GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Phil Mickelson
DRIVER: Titleist 975 J-VS 8.5 with Graphite Design PM702 X
3-WOOD: TaylorMade 300 Tour 13 Degrees Graphite Design PM902 X
IRONS: 2-P Titleist 731PM with Royal Precision Rifle FCM 7.0
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey 252/08, 256/10, 60 “P Grind” with Royal Precision Rifle FCM 7.0
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Napa PM Proto 33.5 Inches
GRIPS: Royal Grip Sand Wrap
No. 1: 2005 Ford Championship (Doral Resort and Spa)
SCORES:
Tiger Woods -24 (Winner)
Phil Mickelson -23 (2nd)
What Transpired: An absolute slugfest that came all the way down to an almost chip in by Phil at the 72nd. It was a non-major, low scoring free for all.
Why in the Top 5: Some of the best golf you will watch by these two. Tiger’s Haney swing was just now starting to kick in and both players were airing it out with the driver and airtight with the irons. It was just a fun watch whether you love golf or not.
What was in the bag
Tiger Woods
DRIVER: Nike Ignite 8.5 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board Prototype (Matte Blue) 73X5ct
3-WOOD: Nike Ignite T60 @15 with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana Blue Board 103x5ct
IRONS: (3-PW) Nike Forged MB (Black Swoosh on Muscle) with True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 (Tipped 1/4 w/ Wooden Dowel Inserts)
WEDGES: (56) Nike Forged Pro Combo (60) Nike Forged “Fast Back” with Dynamic Gold S400
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron GSS Newport 2 with Ping Man Grip (Blacked Out) 35 Inches
GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Chord “Logo Down”
Phil Mickelson
DRIVER: Callaway FT-3 8.5 with Graphite Design PM702 X
3-WOOD: TaylorMade V-Steel T/S 13 Degrees with Graphite Design PM702 X
IRONS: Callaway X Tour with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.0
WEDGES: Callaway Vintage Forged (52, 56, 60) with Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.0
PUTTER: Odyssey PM Proto Blade
GRIPS: Royal Grip Sand Wrap
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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Stanley
May 23, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Oooooooo those Nike blades…..
Baldrick
May 23, 2020 at 7:10 pm
Mix in an editor next time.
“7.o”
“Chord”
Nack Jicklaus
May 24, 2020 at 12:51 pm
I always drooled over those in the golf shop years ago…