Equipment
Spotted: Chris Kirk with new driver and S200 shafts in irons at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Chris Kirk is playing this week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale and has recently made some interesting changes to his clubs that you don’t generally see from tour players.

The first big change is the driver. Kirk recently switched to the all-new ST200X from Mizuno with a Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana D+ series 60 TX. A change like this seems pretty normal since the ST200X is one of three new drivers released from Mizuno for 2020 and Kirk is a Mizuno staff player. But the ST200X is the lightest, most draw-biased, game improvement driver model in the ST200 series, and it’s not too often you see a tour player fit into a draw-biased club. He also plays in an upright/lower-lofted hosel setting making the driver effectively play around 9.5 degrees.


When we reached out to Mizuno for comment we were told the reason for Kirk’s decision to use the most draw-biased driver in the line was simple “to help eliminate one side of the course.” It’s a common practice by golfers of all skill levels to choose a shot shape of the tee with the predominant option being a fade but in the case of Kirk who prefers to see the ball draw right to left the choice was simple.
The other switch for Kirk is more unusual than the first and that is a full iron shaft swap from ProjectX LZ (Load Zone) to True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S200.

Tour players are creatures of habit, and when it comes to iron shafts they are one of the last things players tinker with since weight, flex, and balance point can all change the feel of a club.
When asked about the change spotted this week at the WMPO here’s what Kirk had to say.
“For a couple of years now, I used the Project X LZ 6.5 that weighed 125g, and then S200 into my wedges that weigh 127g to keep weight consistent. Then I found I needed something that just spun just a hair more than the Project X LZ but would have the same soft feel.”

“I talked with the Mizuno guys and asked why can’t we just try S200’s throughout the bag? … I put them in and just love the soft feel. They are very similar to an S300 or S400 and it’s hard to tell the difference except for the lighter weight.”
When asked how this change ultimately changed ball flight Kirk replied
“Ideally, in the set from 4-iron through-9 iron I want to see it peaking between 95 and 100 [feet] and these are just perfect, and my spin numbers are right where I want them to be”
With all these setup changes for Mr. Kirk, and a wide-open TPC Scottsdale as the venue for this week’s event, it’s going to be fun to see if they result in a great finish.
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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Scootin'
Jan 29, 2020 at 3:02 pm
I once heard that you should play the softest shafts you can control. Having moved from S300 to a Project X LZ 6.0, I can say from personal experience the softer feel is something I love.
DB
Jan 29, 2020 at 11:43 am
I have seen at least a few tour players recently moving into a “stiff” iron shaft because it gave them more launch, spin, etc. It makes sense, and I don’t think they can overpower an s200 or s400 the way they would overpower a “stiff” graphite shaft in their woods.
the dude
Jan 29, 2020 at 10:37 am
great article…..need more of the “why”…
D
Jan 29, 2020 at 10:27 am
It’s so nice to read more quotes from PGA players about why they made the change, especially Chris Kirk talk about numbers, feel, etc. I never would have thought about the S200s having more spin than the LZs. And hopefully this causes more people to test the Mizuno driver.