“What’s in the bag?” is a popular question in golf circles. While this is MOST interesting and common as it pertains to the most recent winner on the PGA Tour schedule (a station far beyond the dreams of these two Grey Dogs), we thought it might be fun to share this: Wes is heading to the California desert in a week to jump on PGA West, Desert Willow, and Quarry followed by Cascata and Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, where Tommy will join him. Lucky (Grey) Dogs! All this “suffering” is what brings you the greatest content anywhere for senior golfers! And you asked for it, so here you go. The “What’s in The Bag” for the end of 2023.
GreyDogTommy
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond, 9.5 degrees, Tensei AV Blue 65, Stiff, JumboMax grip (throughout set-up)
3 Wood: Mizuno Men’s ST-Z 230 Fairway, 15 degrees, Diamana Kai Li, Stiff
5 wood: Callaway Epic Speed, 18 degrees, Diamana BF-Series 70, stiff
4 hybrid: Callaway Apex 19, 22 degrees, Project X Catalyst 70, 5.5 (stiff)
5 iron – PW: Haywood Signature Black, (all 2degrees weak), SteelFiber FC80 Graphite Shafts, F4 stiff
50, 54, 58 wedges: TaylorMade MILLED GRIND 3 WEDGE, Dynamic Gold Tour Issue, stiff
Putter: Edel custom-fit, EAS 1.5 PUTTER, 34”, Edel Round standard
GreyDogWes
Driver: Titleist TsR2, 8 degrees, Tensei AV Blue 55, Stiff, Golf Pride CPX grips (throughout set-up)
3 wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus, 13.5 degrees, Ventus Blue, stiff
5 wood: Ping 430 Max, 19 degrees, Diamana Kai Li, stiff
4 hybrid: Stealth, 23 degrees, Ventus Blue, stiff
5 iron – GW: Mizuno JPX 923 Tour (all 2 degrees weak) KBS Tour Lite, stiff
53/11, 57/13 wedges: Mizuno S-23, Dynamic Gold Tour Issue, stiff
Putter: Scottie Cameron Phantom X 11.5, 35.5”, Wynn midsize
All this … changes. In and out, out and in. Though the inventory listed above has been carefully spec’d by a professional fitter, we like to research, tinker, and test, and then report our findings. Like you folks, we sometimes (often?) swap a 3 hybrid for the 5 wood, for example; Occasionally, a putter gets benched (heck, last winter, Tommy’s Edel putter didn’t even get the ride to Florida…at all! We are all alike!) Though we try to practice what we preach by taking lessons and getting fitted, we too are susceptible to the sinister thought that we can do better with the newest, or most expensive, club–or even the one that is in the bag of our playing partner. In that vein, one of Advisory Board members—a 78-year-old measuring 5’ 7”(charitably!)—recently fell in love with his playing partner’s Callaway Heavenwood. Never minding that the club is 3-wood length, with 7-wood loft, our man—after only a few swings–just HAD to have one! Did he get fitted? No! Consult with his teaching pro? No! Order to a certain spec? No! Our guy proudly ordered the club online!!!! And the results have not been good.
As to balls, well, find one that works for YOU. Remember, we recommend fitting your ball from the green to the fairway and finally to the tee. Seventy percent of our Grey Dog Golf shots are taken from within 70 yards from the hole. Try out a few ball brands and types on and around the green and determine which makes you most comfortable and confident. Once you’ve identified the “best” ball for you—play ONLY that ball! Wes has been playing Titleist ProV1 but there’s a dozen of the new LA Golf balls in his bag for a test run! Tommy is (currently) using ProV1 and testing the Vice Pro, though his brand loyalty is weak in this area!
Glove? YES! The lads are using the Mizuno staff model. Find the article on our website that we wrote about this. You’ll be stunned, and it’ll give you more confidence on the course.
We will be testing some clubs and shafts this winter as new releases are made and we continue to work with teachers and fitters. Our goal is to see what “type” of clubs make sense, and what innovations might be applicable to you, rather than what specific brand; Which shafts work for us seniors, and which don’t show any benefit. Stay tuned and we’ll let you know what worked or didn’t out in the desert, and have a glorious and healthy holiday season!The team at Grey Dog Golf.