Equipment

Fred Couples finally switches irons—after 10 years

Published

6 years ago

Nov 5, 2020

Fred Couples still moves the needle. For a Seattle-born gear junkie (me), pretty much anything the guy does is a big deal.

Earlier this summer, I wrote an article about the makeup of Couple’s bag. What you see is a player committed to feel and trust more than anything. He, like very few others, will stick with a club for years. His 3-wood is 12-years-old and his irons (at least a version of the same head) for over 10.

Until this week.

The part of his bag that I believe has made the biggest impact on his stellar play over the past decade was the switch to the Bridgestone golf ball (currently the Tour B RXS). It allowed Couples the ability to not tweak the overall DNA of his bag over the years, all while giving Fred the firepower and spin he needed off the driver and around the greens. Sometimes, players who love old gear can keep it current with a serious golf ball.

The PGA Tour Champions is in Phoenix this week for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, and Fred paid a visit to Ping HQ on Monday to test some gear.

Brad Millard (Ping Tour Rep) was the man running the session, and in a Herculean effort, was able to spin Couples out of some old standbys and into a new driver and irons. Trust me, it’s no small feat. If you get Freddy to change nine clubs in one sitting, you deserve a medal. Not because he’s difficult, he’s just Fred Couples, and if he’s making a switch it’s gotta do more than just impress on TrackMan.

Regarding the switch into the new Ping G425 LST driver, Millard said this

“Fred loved the look and feel of the G425, his launch and spin were perfect (12.5 launch spin around 2300-2400) and we dialed in the flight he wanted.”

Driver: Ping G425 9 LST (Dot Setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue 65 TX (45 1/4″)

Couples cruises in around 108 MPH swing speed and 160-165 MPH ball speed—depending on how his back is feeling.

The irons were the next frontier. Couples isn’t one to play around in that category and has tested (at home) different sets from time to time but hasn’t ever found that true replacement for the Bridgestone Dual Pocket CB he has loved for 10 years.

Photo courtesy of @fullyequippedgolf on IG

Ping I210 irons seemed to get his attention quickly, however. Not only do they resemble a club from his past (Ping Eye 2) but they have a few things Freddy loves. Offset, bounce, and a long blade length. Once Millard dialed in the lies, it was a no-brainer from there.

Fred Couples’ new iron setup

Irons: Ping I210 (3-PW)
Shafts: Aerotech Steelfiber I110 CW X

Std Lofts, +.25 inches, and 1 degree up.

Fred is also testing Ping Glide 3.0 wedges 54-WS and 58 and 60-SS. We will confirm if any or all go in play. All wedges with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts.

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44 Comments

Steve

Jul 29, 2024 at 2:31 pm

I thought Freddie was going to game the new Bettinardi irons? Lol. I guess they just paid him to shill for them.

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KingJames

Dec 16, 2020 at 8:41 am

Great article!

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Boom Boom

Nov 15, 2020 at 3:56 am

Maybe its my ocd but why is there a pic of two Tensei AV Raw shafts if Freddie is using a Tensei CK Blue 65 TX?

On the other hand I was surprised to find out Freddie prefers offset and longer blade length.

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Pick it clean

Nov 9, 2020 at 10:13 am

Has Freddie ever been a staffer for anyone?

Reply Report comment
- Scott McDonald
  
  Nov 9, 2020 at 12:40 pm
  
  Hogan early. Lynx
  
  Reply Report comment
Tom Duckworth

Nov 8, 2020 at 10:12 am

I would like that setup. The golf ball is interesting I think that many players could do well to look into what ball they play more.
I based what I play on feel more than anything but I think I should throw that out the window and do some testing and just look at spin numbers. You hear complaints about low spin irons I would like to see more testers use different balls when they test. Hit the same iron with low spin and high spin balls.

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Jo Flo

Nov 7, 2020 at 3:43 pm

Paulo is a dck.

Reply Report comment
- Pureswinger
  
  Nov 7, 2020 at 8:28 pm
  
  Biden is President now so it’s time to get along.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Paulo
    
    Nov 8, 2020 at 8:10 am
    
    Over the moon Biden did it. Thank god that lunatic is out of the house. My dads older than him and we don’t trust him with the tv remote , never mind the nuclear launch codes
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Pureswinger
      
      Nov 8, 2020 at 10:53 am
      
      Didn’t you date Jennifer Anniston?
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Paulo
        
        Nov 8, 2020 at 11:55 am
        
        If she’s your mom then yes I did. Many times.
        
        Reply Report comment
        
        Purseswinger
        
        Nov 8, 2020 at 1:05 pm
        
        That’s great! Maybe you’re my Dad? I do have some issues about that. There’s this crazy gene in me that makes me want to screw sheep. Guess I got that from you. LOL!
        
        Reply Report comment
    - Jim
      
      Jun 3, 2024 at 7:54 pm
      
      Boy you look like an idiot now don’t you,lol
      
      Reply Report comment
Peter

Nov 7, 2020 at 5:28 am

No glove and now Pings! Two things that Fred and I have in common. Yay!

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- Abbie @Golf Mario
  
  Nov 22, 2020 at 1:36 pm
  
  I like your comment! My husband is the same way. Here in Utah we golf a lot during the season and he is a no glove, Ping golfer! Made me laugh when I read your excited about having that in common, haha!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Peter
    
    Mar 8, 2021 at 2:38 am
    
    cheers! Does he also hear the commentator in his head as he stands over the shot?. “6th hole, Couples’ second to the green…”
    
    Reply Report comment
Mick

Nov 6, 2020 at 9:03 pm

Cink wins a few weeks back with Ping i210. The LPGA has a heavy usage of Ping i210 ( most amateur men should watch what they play) . Now Couples switches to them. They will go down as an all time great for PING.

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AG

Nov 6, 2020 at 7:02 pm

What’s with the weird Bridgestone golf ball ad thrown into the middle of the article?

“Fred Couple switches irons… but first let me tell you how amazing this golf ball is!”

Reply Report comment
- John Wunder
  
  Nov 7, 2020 at 8:09 am
  
  It’s not a weird ad, if you wanna know why a player can maintain older equipment for a longer period of time, the golf ball is the lynchpin of the whole thing. to not reference it is a discredit to the whole process. We don’t do weird ad’s in the middle of a players bag info.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Pureswinger
    
    Nov 8, 2020 at 12:15 am
    
    Your grammar sucks!
    
    Reply Report comment
    - John Wunder
      
      Nov 9, 2020 at 7:16 am
      
      Well, thank god I have experts like you to track it all and make sure it’s called out.
      Thanks for reading.
      
      Reply Report comment
  - Zach
    
    Nov 9, 2020 at 10:16 am
    
    Can we confirm what he bagged? I think the driver and irons were in there. What wedges?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - FamousDave
      
      Nov 9, 2020 at 6:44 pm
      
      I’d guess Freddie has bagged a lot during his career. LOL!
      
      Reply Report comment
Mike Barnett

Nov 6, 2020 at 5:46 pm

Would you guys consider the Ping i210 irons a low handicap player set? I see they are high bounce.

Reply Report comment
- Paulo
  
  Nov 7, 2020 at 2:45 pm
  
  Hi Mike. Fred can have them any way he wants. He’s one of the all time greats. His are probably hand forged unlike the retail models. What’s your index ? Ping might make you a custom set with your exact bounce spec. Drop them a line as they may have lost your contact details and club specs
  
  Reply Report comment
FamousDave

Nov 6, 2020 at 11:07 am

This confirms even more that Bridgestone is getting out of making clubs.

Reply Report comment
- Paulo
  
  Nov 6, 2020 at 3:13 pm
  
  Excellent point and a huge shame. Still don’t understand the shift to ping irons though , obvious choice from Bridgestone would be hand made irons by whomever he wants to make them because he’s Fred couples after akt
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Desert Hacker
    
    Nov 6, 2020 at 3:26 pm
    
    Yep, I would’ve expected the same. I have the 2015 version of those Bridgestone irons and I’ve been waiting for something to come along and replace them…might go back to Mizuno. Not going to be easy to take them out of the bag.
    
    Reply Report comment
- DJ
  
  Nov 19, 2020 at 10:51 am
  
  Bridgestone Tour 201mb and 201cb. We’ll see if they come to the US market.
  
  Reply Report comment
Imafitter

Nov 6, 2020 at 10:03 am

Very satisfies with my Ping i500’s, 3.0 Eye2 Wedges, 410 fairway & hybrids, and especially my G400MAX driver, which I shortened and re-weighted. Just outstanding equipment!

Reply Report comment
Dave M.

Nov 6, 2020 at 9:58 am

I sold those bridgestones this year on eBay for $300 more than I bought them for in 2014…I guess they are good, I just hit them too much to the right

Reply Report comment
- Dave M.
  
  Nov 6, 2020 at 3:14 pm
  
  I meant to the left
  
  Reply Report comment
  - pureswinger
    
    Nov 6, 2020 at 4:47 pm
    
    You liberal golf you!
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Paulo
    
    Nov 7, 2020 at 3:22 pm
    
    Maybe you were aiming there or presenting dynamic lie too upright or, Jesus H Christ it could be a thousand things but I promise you it was unlikely an inherent design defect in the iron head .
    
    Reply Report comment
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Delbert

Nov 6, 2020 at 9:47 am

What’s his specs? That would be cool to see. Didn’t he play a set off the rack once?

Reply Report comment
- Pureswinger
  
  Nov 6, 2020 at 10:04 am
  
  They’re posted you dummy! Tiger should switch to these and give his body a break. With the Steelfiber shaft, they are great sticks. The driver is a beast. Anyone struggling with their game should seriously consider Ping for everything.
  
  Reply Report comment
Kalle

Nov 6, 2020 at 9:44 am

The i210 are legendary. I may never abandon them.

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Karsten's Ghost

Nov 6, 2020 at 6:03 am

The i210 keeps getting more and more… it’s an all-timer.

Reply Report comment
- Mark it Zero
  
  Nov 6, 2020 at 8:30 pm
  
  It’s cool to see the love for the i210 because I’ve had a lot of success with mine. But, obviously, I’m no Fred Couples, or other staffers who have had success with them. Also, aren’t they bound to be replaced soon? I’ve had mine for two years…
  
  Reply Report comment
Paulo

Nov 6, 2020 at 12:17 am

Is he a ping staffer now?

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Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

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

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

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

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

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