Equipment
Phil’s Secret Weapon: The “Phrankenwood”
Here is the photo of the “secret club” Phil Mickelson said was being built especially for Augusta National this week, the “X Hot Phrankenwood.”
The Phrankenwood appears to be an even larger version of Callaway’s X Hot Pro 3Deep, probably with even less loft to make the driver/fairway wood longer than the 3Deep but still more workable than a standard driver.
Notice the slots cut in the rear of the sole, which we’re assuming makes the club usable off the short grass.
The club has no loft stampings, but has been spotted on the USGA’s List of Conforming Drivers this morning.
This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
George Cap
Jun 2, 2013 at 7:59 pm
Where can I purchase a Callaway X Hot Prankenwood 8.5 degree 3 wood?
Brouster
Oct 21, 2014 at 12:21 am
How can I purchase phrankenwood driver
Steve
Apr 10, 2013 at 2:03 am
I guess he’s not going to use that black-painted TM RBZ 3-wood that he snuck into his sack a few months ago!
Leif
Apr 9, 2013 at 11:19 pm
He is still using the Razr Fit Xtreme driver too! This is his “3w”
David
Apr 9, 2013 at 6:44 pm
When Phil won a few years back with the two drivers I stopped questioning his decisions.
lance
Apr 9, 2013 at 6:11 pm
You never know what phil the thrill will have in the bag! !
Im thinking phil will cary this new stick along with the razr fit extreme!
Phrankenwood for a draw, and the fit extreme for his cut shots!
Jeffrey
Apr 9, 2013 at 5:51 pm
I was wondering if anyone knows if Phil’s club is a new creation or an 8.5 loft version of the new xhot 3deep being released April 19th. I heard that the 3 deep was a tour release to the public like the utility x prototypes.
Don
Apr 9, 2013 at 4:35 pm
I WANT ONE!!!! Put me on the list callaway.
Jeffrey
Apr 9, 2013 at 3:23 pm
The loft is 8.5 degrees with a 45 inch driver shaft.
Brad
Apr 9, 2013 at 3:03 pm
This club’s specifications are probably close to Cobra’s “Long Tom” 2 Wood (45 inches and 12.5 degrees with the head being quite a bit larger than a fairway wood but smaller than a driver). The 2 wood is as old and good a concept as one can get with golf equipment.
Randall
Apr 9, 2013 at 2:43 pm
I think he’s bored of golf. Has to do these things to give a reason to go play when you know you are aging, already extremely wealthy, and love your home life (ehh Tiger). It’s just a hobby for him now
Clay
Apr 9, 2013 at 1:00 pm
The club is misspelled, you have to take the “h” out. It should be named “Prankenwood”.
JEFF
Apr 9, 2013 at 12:31 pm
WEIRD….. KINDA DUMB…… WHY?
gery katona
Apr 9, 2013 at 11:59 am
I’m always a bit surprised when guys experiment and put new stuff into play just before a major, especially something as critical as a driver. When the pressure is on, the last thing you need to be concerned with is doubt in your equipment. I realize Phil is trying to optimize his bag for the situation and I guess some guys can get away with it while others keep the stuff they are comfortable with.
Edmond Brooks IV
Apr 9, 2013 at 11:53 am
Phil the thrill he just makes the Masters for me I love Tiger but Phil is always my favorite all around true Professional. Phil and Phrankenwood you just know you’re going to see another Phil shot!
Stephen
Apr 8, 2013 at 3:25 pm
I would buy a Phrankenwood if they make a 12 degree LH..Callaway should have a drawing for a Phil Mickelson series Phrankenwood!!
Putty
Apr 8, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Rocketbladez, are you not satisfied with your Razr Fit Xtreme?
RocketBladez
Apr 8, 2013 at 11:37 am
So what happened to the RAZR Fit Xtreme driver that he was raving about when he won in Phoenix earlier this year? Was that just marketing hype for his sponsor so we would all go out and buy one?
Double Mocha Man
Apr 8, 2013 at 12:08 pm
And by this Sunday it’ll be time for all of us to go out and buy a Phrankenwood!
Yohanan
Apr 8, 2013 at 10:28 am
It’s alive!
andietaylor
Apr 9, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Grandstanding Phil…always doing something to make headlines. It’s all about Phil. Loves the controversy…good, or bad. Maybe he can write off the new clubs on his tax return?
Todd
Apr 9, 2013 at 8:41 pm
What happened to that driver that was such “a dream”? You know, the one he raved about after Phoenix? Phil, if you haven’t figure out how to make a swing yet, no souped-up #2 wood is gonna save you now.