Equipment
Mickelson confirms plan to use “Phrankenwood”
Phil Mickelson confirmed that he will use a small-headed driver called a “Phrankenwood” at the Masters this week in a Tuesday afternoon press conference.
The club’s official name is the Callaway X Hot Phrankenwood, which was rumored to a 2 wood, something between a driver and a 3 wood that Mickelson could control better than a driver and hit off the ground in certain cases.

As it turns out, the club is actually more of a driver. Mickelson said that the Phrankenwood has 8.5 degrees of loft, only about 0.5 degrees more than his Callaway Razr Fit Xtreme driver, and the same Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki K 70X shaft, at 45 inches.
According to Scott Goryl, senior manager of global communications at Callaway, Mickelson began searching for a fairway wood that went as far as his driver early this year, one that launched with less spin and allowed him to more easily hit the ball left-to-right, a draw for Mickelson.
Mickelson said that the Phrankenwood “knocks the spin off the ball,” which allowed his practice round tee shots on No. 9 at Augusta to get to the bottom of the hill, a feat he said he hasn’t been able to accomplish in years.
The Phrankenwood measures 250 cubic centimeters, 190 CC’s less than Mickelson’s Razr Fit Xtreme driver that he has used for much of 2013. But it’s 65 CC’s larger than Mickelson’s 3 wood, a 13-degree Callaway X Hot Pro 3 Deep, which Mickelson used as the longest club in his bag at the Shell Houston Open two weeks ago.
The Phrankenwood features the same key constructions as Callaway’s X Hot fairway woods, a 455-Carpenter stainless steel “Speed Frame Face Cup,” an ultra-thin stainless steel cast body and an “Internal Standing Wave” that moves the center of gravity of the club head lower and more forward than previous models.
The USGA’s limitation on coefficient of restitution mandates that no club have a COR rating, or spring-like effect, of more than 0.830, which means the Phrankenwood can’t have faster ball speeds on center hits than a driver. But its unique size, shape and construction is obviously giving Mickelson less spin on his tee shots, which likely limits carry distance but apparently more than makes up for that in roll.
It’s not clear where Mickelson needs to hit the Phrankenwood off the deck at Augusta, but the slots in the sole and the club’s small size indicate that he can if he needs to.
Expect Mickelson to use the Phrankenwood exclusively on tee shots where he needs to hit the ball left-to-right, and for him to opt for his 13-degree 3Deep on holes that bend right-to-left, much like the two-driver strategy he employed in his 2006 Masters win.
Note: Unlike the X Hot drivers, fairway woods and hybrids, which feature dark grey paint with a matte finish on their crowns, the X Hot Phrankenwood features a shiny black-painted crown like the Razr Fit Xtreme. Check out the photos below, which include shots we captured during Wednesday and Thursday’s practice rounds.
Click here to see what people are saying in the forums.
Equipment
Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver
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
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
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
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Bill
Apr 14, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Never mind. Found the stats for Phil. He was in the 290s with the Frankenwood. Pretty darn good. Will have to check the rest of the stats to see where he faltered.
Bill
Apr 14, 2013 at 10:09 pm
Wonder what Phils take on his Frankenwood is now. I’d like to see his driving stats from Augusta. I give him points for trying new things but he won at Pebble with the Razr Fit Xtreme and left it in the garage for a 2 wood. I agree that 460cc heads have their problems but the 440cc xtreme driver sets up well and he had success with it. Paddy Harrington is the poster boy for what happens when you over tinker.
To be fair, Phil is getting towards the end of his peak and is looking for an edge. Still, while I get the 3 deep, I don’t really buy into the Frankenwood.
Jack
Apr 11, 2013 at 3:07 am
So after all this stuff with bigger clubheads more forgiving, now we are going back to smaller heads to reduce spin?
Pingback: Mickelson Set To Tee Off With Phrankenwood | Mulligang Golf
Bob Sailer
Apr 10, 2013 at 2:29 pm
.830 COR is for all clubs. If you shoot a ball at a clubface out of an Air Cannon at 100mph and it rebounds back faster then 83mph then it is too hot and is illegal (hence the .83). This was the way they did the original tests. Now they use Characteristic Time (CT) which is a differnent test.
Jim A
Apr 10, 2013 at 2:23 pm
I’ve been playing a “phrankenwood” for the better part of the past 15 years. It’s called an Orlimar TriMetal Plus 12* strong 3-wood. It’s also a “spin killer.” So I can carry and roll it as long as any oversize titanium diver I’ve ever hit. And at just 43.5″, I rarely miss the sweet spot. The tungsten sole weights and rails allow me to chase par 5’s off the deck, the only situation in which I ever need a fairway wood (since the emergence of hybrids). So now I can carry an extra hybrid (a #2H to go along with my #3H), both of which round out my irons (4-PW, GW, SW, and LW).
MattK
Apr 10, 2013 at 2:20 pm
In about 3 months, this will be available for $300 at your local golf shop. LOL
Jeremy
Apr 9, 2013 at 10:48 pm
Zak,
I’m going to somehow agree with both you and Rob. The rules states that drivers are limited in COR. It does not simply say “woods are limited” which would make it much easier to understand for all. However, unless clubheads in 2/3 woods are greatly increased and deepened, getting to a .830 just isn’t going to happen. I think the USGA and R/A are going to have to very shortly have to define what a driver is with CC regulations and so on. Otherwise we are going to be pushing close to it very shortly Technology is just growing faster than courses can.
Sailer
Apr 9, 2013 at 9:49 pm
Sounds like familiar hype after Phil won the Phoenix open and was bragging about his new driver and how it was the best thing ever. He is currently 166th on Tour in driving accuracy@ 52%. Better run out and by one, eh? What a crock!!
Zak Kozuchowski
Apr 9, 2013 at 8:14 pm
Rob,
If 3 woods could have higher COR ratings than drivers, none of the tour players would be playing drivers anymore. They’d be obsolete!
Thanks for reading.
– Zak
Rob
Apr 9, 2013 at 7:57 pm
The USGA’s limitation on coefficient of restitution mandates that no club have a COR rating, or spring-like effect, of more than 0.830,
I don’t think this is true for fairway woods as the ERC II driver was rulled non-conforming but the 3 wood was due to it being a fairway wood
Rob
Apr 9, 2013 at 8:00 pm
you are right I relooked at the archives! LOL
Yamoms
Apr 10, 2013 at 4:59 pm
False. There just isn’t a 3 wood that has achieved the .830 core. So while drivers have reached the limit and can’t make improvements on core, fairway woods still can get hotter.