Equipment
WRX Insider: Jimmy Walker going back to steel at Colonial
It all started with an experiment during lockdown. It’s late March and 2016 PGA Champion Jimmy Walker is bored…so he breaks out his old 42-inch Titleist 970 3-wood with a Dynamic Gold X100 shaft (circa 2000) and starts ripping a few.
Odds are it’ll feel great but the numbers won’t actually hold up…right?
Now it needs to be said that I interact with Jimmy from time to time via text having met last year through Claude Harmon at the Canadian Open. He’s an awesome human being, one of the best out there. How can you not like a guy that’s kind, humble, loves BBQ, four fingers of whiskey, a good telescope, and talking gear. Hell, the guy is a unicorn in my book.
One of the most entertaining aspects to him is his pure love of gear and especially the classics. When I say classics, I mean late 90s/early 2000 classics. The guy knows his stuff. So for both of us to see the numbers above and realize what was possible was a total nerd parade. The question at that point was, if the 970 does this, what will TS3 do?
Zap ahead a month later and I get this picture…
Jimmy then proceeded to start testing this thing, and low and behold the numbers were solid. Even better, it felt like a hammer. That’s the feeling he was chasing.
Now, at this point, I’m inspired. I’m online trying to find 45-inch X100’s, which are hard to find FYI. JJ Van Wezenbeeck (Titleist tour rep) had to dig around and dust off some old stock to get this done for Walker.
So now what? He won’t take this any further will he? Is it possible to go steel in a TS3? Will it even function?
Then I get this picture…
Followed by these numbers…
To which I replied….
Will it pan out? Who knows but for a gear head like me, I’m rooting hard for a win. I’m grateful I was able to be a small fly on the wall for this experiment.
I love this guy.
Driver, 3-wood specs
Driver: Titleist TS3 (8.5 degrees @ 7.75, C1 setting)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X-100 (44 inches, tipped to length)
3 wood: Titleist TS3 (15 degrees @ 14.25, C1 setting)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X-100 (42 inches, tipped to length)
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
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
Imafitter
Jun 9, 2020 at 10:21 pm
Will be fun to watch him play with these clubs this week. Met him when I was a volunteer driving players at the PGA two years ago…very nice guy!
Tom
Jun 9, 2020 at 10:17 pm
Not a club building expert, so please be gentle… if I wanted to try to build a 3 wood like this could I use a X100 1 iron shaft (42 in) or would that not turn out right
DeepRed
Jun 9, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Great, I just converted my fairway wood to graphite, mostly because my favorite club in my Maltby 23* hybrid, now I need to dig out the steel Rocket shafted three wood and consider yet another driver, either another of my Rocket shafts, a Rifle 6.5 or a Microtaper S.
Neil Cameron
Jun 9, 2020 at 1:29 am
Jimmys shafts were tipped to lenghth,same as Tiger did
I think Matt was using non tipped shafts(i think) which would be too soft for Matt.I remember the x100 shaft for woods was not very stiff.
ps I am a huge fan of TXG
brian
Jun 9, 2020 at 8:16 am
His dispersion was fine, but he lost something like 6mph of clubhead speed, his efficiency numbers took a dive and, of course, the ball speed some some 11mph lower with the steel shaft.
Rob
Jun 8, 2020 at 11:29 pm
I would agree with the 3 wood as I also have a steel shaft in my old Adams 3 wood…the heaver shaft just seems to work great in the 3 wood….I tried the steel shaft in an old Callaway driver but was not happy at all with that one.
Benny
Jun 8, 2020 at 6:56 pm
Awesome article and even better comments. Thanks boys!
Rule 15.3a
Jun 8, 2020 at 4:56 pm
Is he still backstopping for his buddies?
Delbert
Jun 8, 2020 at 11:33 am
I hit X100s straight and decent length. That’s all that matters is getting it in play on most days. It will be interesting to see how others react if he wins or places. Finding the right graphite shaft is like trying to find the right pair of jeans. With steel, you just hit it hard.
Topher
Jun 8, 2020 at 11:32 am
Any idea of the swingweight of these woods?
Dave
Jun 8, 2020 at 4:24 pm
D-Heavy. Or, Heavy D. Either way I’m super curious what it feels like.
Kevin Ricciardelli
Jun 8, 2020 at 4:25 pm
D5
joro
Jun 8, 2020 at 10:57 am
A lot of people think that heavier is still better than the light stuff being used today. I was a Master Wood Maker for Cobra and in my own game hit the steel shafted Driver around 260 pretty consistently and that was with a Wood hear with a COF of 7.5 which is nothing compared to todays Ti Meta, Graphite, bounce, faces that go to a COF of 8.3 and more. So I can see where with the extra weight and a fast swing good distance and especially more accuracy can be achieved. I think a guy like Phil would be better off with the accuracy of steel and maybe give up a few years to keep it on the Planet. But of course his ego will be affected if he is not the longest out there. Accurate he is not, long he is but where it goes nobody knows.
stanley
Jun 8, 2020 at 10:31 am
interesting. i hate to be a doubter but i think it’s safe to say that he will go back to his graphite shaft sooner than later.
gwelfgulfer
Jun 8, 2020 at 10:11 am
Golfworks here in Canada blew the remaining stock of DG woods shafts a couple of years ago, so I picked up a few to try out. Currently have an X100 in a 10.5* 9015D @ 44″. Feels great, lower flight that rolls out nicely. I also picked up some OG Rifle 7.0 and 6.0’s years ago and have them in some fairway woods, interesting to say the least with the 7.0’s in a wood (currently in a Wishon 949MC 16.5*).
Tommy
Jun 8, 2020 at 9:16 am
I’d want to know how the TS3 numbers with a graphite shaft compare to the TS3 steel shaft numbers, including ball speed, spin rate and dispersion. Hard to say whether it is worthwhile going back to steel without that comparison…
gwelfgulfer
Jun 8, 2020 at 10:06 am
These guys go more by ‘eye’ than numbers when you’re at the top. They have different needs/wants than just being ‘optimized’ for distance. Take the experiment that Woodland did a couple years ago dropping down to a 4wd and steel shaft and still flying it over 300. With graphite, his gapping was bad at the top of the bag.
Brandon
Jun 8, 2020 at 10:35 pm
In another article on Walker’s shafts it said he lost a little distance in the steel but it was good because his gapping was better. His next club is 3 iron with he can hit 240 so now he can add a 64 degree instead of the 5 wood or whatever he dropped.
brian
Jun 8, 2020 at 9:10 am
The TXG guys did a video on this and their results did not match Jimmy Walker’s.
chip75
Jun 8, 2020 at 9:50 am
Matty was losing a lot of club speed with the steel shaft, if Jimmy is losing an equal amount he’d be giving up a club or two. Would be interesting to see comparison numbers. 121.5 mph is pretty fast for the X-100. Being a “Steel Guy” I’ve always wanted to see the test, but after TXG’s results, I’m not sure if further study is required, perhaps another few brave souls are needed …
Jack Nash
Jun 8, 2020 at 8:55 am
Would love to see Jimmy in the winners circle again. Plus winning with a steel shaft? The graph boys would be spinning.
EastpointeCC
Jun 8, 2020 at 8:49 am
This is priceless. I would love to see a large sample size. My guess is that the dispersion will be much larger than modern graphite but who knows. This also highlights just how insanely good these guys are.
William
Jun 8, 2020 at 8:15 am
I had to email True Temper about X100 driver shafts. They don’t make them anymore but still have a few “in stock” that can be custom ordered.
Picked up a 970 15* and a 7.5* underline 975D to build out a Tiger Slam bag. Who knew the X100 shafts would be harder to acquire than T blades or a 970 fairway wood now.