Equipment
Inside Viktor Hovland’s driver testing: Why the Ping G440 LST isn’t in his bag…just yet
Viktor Hovland is back in action at this week’s RBC Heritage, looking to build on a final-round 67 at Augusta National that carried him to a top-20 finish.
The Norwegian has been testing between drivers for the last few months, and the work continued this week at Harbour Town. GolfWRX’s Alistair Cameron caught up with Ping tour rep Spencer Rothluebber to get the details on where the testing stands between his current Ping G425 driver and a G440 LST.
According to Rothluebber, the tight layout at Harbour Town means the 425 is likely staying in the bag this week, but the 440 LST could be making its way in sooner rather than later. Here’s what the Ping rep told us on Wednesday:
On the 425 vs 440 LST decision:
“He’s definitely attached to his 425. It got too close to the starting line for him to make the change (at last week’s Masters), and the spin being up was even more reason to stay with his gamer.”
“He saw the strengths of the 440 with the forgiveness, the straightness – just needed to dial in the numbers a little bit.”
On the adjustments to the 440:
“We ended up doing a half degree less loft than the head we did last week, with a little more hot melt forward just to help reduce the launch and the spin. Tested it earlier today and last night and numbers were much improved. Spin rate was anywhere from 21[00] to 24[00] on good hits. The one or two misses he had were up around 27[00], nothing near 30[00]. Slightly faster than his gamer 425.
On why the 440 isn’t in play this week:
“I don’t think he’ll change this week due to the fact that there aren’t too many driver holes on this golf course. It’s tight, he wants to keep it flighted down. The 425 definitely flights just a touch lower.”
“If we get to a bigger golf course, something where he’s going to actually see the distance gain and understand he doesn’t have to steer it around, I think the 440 could be in play.”
On the center of gravity work on the new 440:
“With the extra spin he was getting, we knew we needed to go a little further and lighten the back weight a little bit, get that center of gravity moved just a touch forward to help reduce the spin. It’s something we’ve done with a lot of players, but in this case we had to go a little further. To both get the trajectory down, as well as the spin.”
On the visual differences between the two heads:
“The new one is slightly shallower with more of a rounded crown. The overall face is just a little less from top to bottom, which is an adjustment. Tee height is always unique for guys. For him he may feel like he may need to tee it a little lower just to achieve the look at address. Even at that level they get a little spooky about hitting one high off the face and launching too high.”
On Hovland’s spin preferences:
“He likes to live right around 23[00] 24[00] spin. Launch angle wise, maybe a touch low – he kind of lives in that 10 or 11 range. He definitely wants it to start left, but does not want to see it go left.”
On face angle and setup:
“You can’t look open for him. The club can’t be sitting open because then he feels like he has to increase that over-the-top move. We have the hosel sleeve on the flip side of the circle, which sets him up neutral and gets the lie angle where he needs to be.”
Hovland gets his RBC Heritage week underway on Thursday at 9.55 a.m E.T.
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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