Phil Mickelson WITB update at the Valero Texas Open

[Lefty94]

Phil has used the Eye 2 wedge off and on for the last few years. It started a few years ago when he put one with the illegal grooves into play to protest the illegal groove rule that exempted the Eye 2. Once that died down, he has used the conforming XG off and on. Someone can correct me but I am almost positive it was the 60 or 64 MD2 U grind with almost no bounce he used off the hard pan to knock it stiff in Scotland last year to win the Scottish Open.

[Lefty94]

[quote name='Steff_P' timestamp='1395941793' post='8962585']
[quote name='Hifade' timestamp='1395940579' post='8962413']
[quote name='Steff_P' timestamp='1395931676' post='8961549']
[quote name='Hifade' timestamp='1395921091' post='8960481']
It's PING's Eye 2 XG.......he put it in the bag earlier this year or late last year.
[/quote]

Does ping still make those wedges? I have seen it for sale on a website cant remember what website though.
[/quote]

Yep, the XG is their "new" version of the old classic Eye 2
[/quote]

Ook. Does the XG have the old grooves? I have heard something about that on TV. Thats why PM uses his.
[/quote]

No the XG are the legal grooves. I believe after the controversy of the EYE 2 being legal, there was some settlement in which PING agreed to allow them to be non-conforming. Something to that affect. Not remembering the specifics there was some agreement that made the old ones non-conforming even thought they were exempt from a previous lawsuit.

[cplax25]

[quote name='jcosjrgolf' timestamp='1395880332' post='8958677']
[quote name='cplax25' timestamp='1395879452' post='8958557']
Already ditched the Apex Pros?
[/quote]
Maybe Phil could not stand the wear and squirrel marks on his Apex Pros (lol)!
[/quote]

Ha!

[rex235]

Phil has played with PINGs when he

...was a four time All American at Arizona State (still remember that shot at Oak Tree CC)
...won the US Amateur at Cherry Hills
...won as an Amateur on the PGA Tour.

... While still an Amateur at Jack's Memorial Tournament, Phil had a set of Ram Tour Grinds in his bag.....
.. (and he holed at least 3 shots on the practice range... . back then, Jim "Bones" McKay was caddieing for Larry Mize...)

Phil's putter then appeared to be "The Original" by Arnold Palmer....

Strangely, Phil thanked Callaway, but gave no love to PING during last years Open Championship, even though he had an Anser Hybrid in his bag...

....even though my admission at one time wanting a set of LH Callaway X [b]Prototype[/b] model irons-
( -already have LH Apex irons-Thanks,)

...am not surprised the PING Eye 2 XG wedge is in Phil's bag...

...Perhaps Phil can close that US Open, and career Grand Slam door, in June....

[J_Tizzle]

Geez, now I have to buy a G25 driver AND a XG lob wedge. Stupid marketing...

[jonn443]

I like the x-forged looks and feel over the Apex Pro irons. Once I get more consistent this year I am definitely testing those with the pxis against my MP-53s.

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='Steff_P' timestamp='1395931676' post='8961549']
[quote name='Hifade' timestamp='1395921091' post='8960481']
It's PING's Eye 2 XG.......he put it in the bag earlier this year or late last year.
[/quote]

Does ping still make those wedges? I have seen it for sale on a website cant remember what website though.
[/quote]

I saw a brand new one in GG a few weeks ago. I would have picked it up if it had been a lefty.

[atlambert2]

Does anyone else think those x-forged look like a one-off custom set? seems like there is more weight lower/in the bottom part of the club than the usual x-forged. Looks a little chunkier in the bottom of the cavity "rim" if you ask me. It wouldn't be out of the ordinary for phil to ask Cally to make a minor tweak like that, dude is such a gearhead and so specific about his clubs. Who knows, maybe its just my eyes playing trickks on me

[MCoz]

This thread is "much ado about nothing" in regards to what Phil uses next week let alone at the Masters. He is T-135 today. He really has to burn it up tomorrow to make the weekend. Amazingly he hit more fairways than he hit greens!
The Augusta set up will be quite different. He will likely have two high lofted fairway clubs (previously not Callaways). So lets revisit this then. For the first time in a decade I won't be going to the Masters, I have to be elsewhere. So I will be counting on GolfWrx info.

[Zach Heusser]

[quote name='MCoz' timestamp='1395971666' post='8965841']
This thread is "much ado about nothing" in regards to what Phil uses next week let alone at the Masters. He is T-135 today. He really has to burn it up tomorrow to make the weekend. Amazingly he hit more fairways than he hit greens!
The Augusta set up will be quite different. He will likely have two high lofted fairway clubs (previously not Callaways). So lets revisit this then. For the first time in a decade I won't be going to the Masters, I have to be elsewhere. So I will be counting on GolfWrx info.
[/quote]
Given his history, I wonder if he will put in the TM mini driver.

[pga43]

[quote name='Zach Heusser' timestamp='1395975363' post='8966259']
[quote name='MCoz' timestamp='1395971666' post='8965841']
This thread is "much ado about nothing" in regards to what Phil uses next week let alone at the Masters. He is T-135 today. He really has to burn it up tomorrow to make the weekend. Amazingly he hit more fairways than he hit greens!
The Augusta set up will be quite different. He will likely have two high lofted fairway clubs (previously not Callaways). So lets revisit this then. For the first time in a decade I won't be going to the Masters, I have to be elsewhere. So I will be counting on GolfWrx info.
[/quote]
[u][b]Given his history, I wonder if he will put in the TM mini driver[/b][/u].
[/quote]

Won't happen since he's won with the Deep.


Greg

[scratchswinger]

Request for a photo of Phil's Snake Skin shoes from today! Please Greg!

[NTKT10]

[esterofilo]

[quote name='Hot Rod 71' timestamp='1395879105' post='8958531']
Old faithful PING lob wedge over the new MD2 lob wedge. Interesting.

Also, back to the 2013 X-Forged over the Apex Pros.
[/quote]

Do you think Phil has a stock pile of these wedges from back in the day, or does he keep sharpening the grooves?

[esterofilo]

[quote name='esterofilo' timestamp='1396013720' post='8967793']
[quote name='Hot Rod 71' timestamp='1395879105' post='8958531']
Old faithful PING lob wedge over the new MD2 lob wedge. Interesting.

Also, back to the 2013 X-Forged over the Apex Pros.
[/quote]

Do you think Phil has a stock pile of these wedges from back in the day, or does he keep sharpening the grooves?
[/quote]

Ah, I see it's the newer XG model, not the old model.

[scratchswinger]

Someone needs to start a thread called "Phil' Shoes" and we can ask Greg to take photos of his kicks each day. The guy certainly has a very unique, expensive collection. I remember seeing an interview with Amy and she mentioned that for the Ryder Cup and Open Championship trip he backs two large suitcase of golf shoes.

Here are some photos from the Snake skins in Texas.

[attachment=2144765:1890603_837148456302023_604079565_o.jpg][attachment=2144799:10012642_837147892968746_438634654_o.jpg]

[Steff_P]

Man those shoes are ugly!

[pga43]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1395981188' post='8966775']
Request for a photo of Phil's Snake Skin shoes from today! Please Greg!
[/quote]

Pretty sure my telephoto lens isn't strong enough, since I'm in SoCal for the LPGA Kia Classic.


Greg

[mctrees02]

[quote name='laweijfmvo' timestamp='1395929494' post='8961243']
no phrankenwood for the masters?
[/quote]San Antonio is a far cry from Augusta...

[cphrey]

I started a thread asking this bc I forgot we had a recent WITB for Phil. So, does anyone know if he is paid to use that ping? It doesn't matter but now that I have posed the question I would like to know. The way he will throw a club in the bag here and there, I would imagine that answer is NO, which leaves him one open spot in the bag to mess around with on occasion.

[TPG1971]

The only thing missing from his bag this week was his game.

[hankmoody]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1396018972' post='8968455']
Someone needs to start a thread called "Phil' Shoes" and we can ask Greg to take photos of his kicks each day. The guy certainly has a very unique, expensive collection. I remember seeing an interview with Amy and she mentioned that for the Ryder Cup and Open Championship trip he backs two large suitcase of golf shoes.

Here are some photos from the Snake skins in Texas.

[attachment=2144765:1890603_837148456302023_604079565_o.jpg][attachment=2144799:10012642_837147892968746_438634654_o.jpg]
[/quote]

Ha ha that makes me feel better. I only have 6 (or is it 7?) pairs of golf shoes.

[cphrey]

I guess the better question might be, would a club company ever pay a player to game ONE single club and if so, would it be worth it?

[ssfranny]

[quote name='Hot Rod 71' timestamp='1395879105' post='8958531']
Old faithful PING lob wedge over the new MD2 lob wedge. Interesting.

Also, back to the 2013 X-Forged over the Apex Pros.
[/quote]

Agree with Philly Mick ...2013 X forged better than Apex Pros. Ryo Ishikawa plays X forged too.

[ssfranny]

[quote name='jonn443' timestamp='1395952979' post='8963927']
I like the x-forged looks and feel over the Apex Pro irons. Once I get more consistent this year I am definitely testing those with the pxis against my MP-53s.
[/quote]

My 2 sets right now are MP 53s and X forged... Callaways feel more solid

[jonn443]

[quote name='ssfranny' timestamp='1396061552' post='8972753']
[quote name='jonn443' timestamp='1395952979' post='8963927']
I like the x-forged looks and feel over the Apex Pro irons. Once I get more consistent this year I am definitely testing those with the pxis against my MP-53s.
[/quote]

My 2 sets right now are MP 53s and X forged... Callaways feel more solid
[/quote]

That's a strong club to be able to call it more solid then the MP-53s...lol. but looks wise, I think the X-forged are beautiful! Do you play them with the pxis?
Also, what's your HC?

[deck]

He had the MB's in the bag for a lot of last year didn't he?

[TheMerryTex]

He did off and on with the X Forged. He definitely had the X Forged in the bag today, followed him for three holes before he WD.

[Matt97GT]

Anyone know what's in Phil's weekend bag this year?

[Lefty94]

[quote name='cphrey' timestamp='1396034545' post='8970273']
I started a thread asking this bc I forgot we had a recent WITB for Phil. So, does anyone know if he is paid to use that ping? It doesn't matter but now that I have posed the question I would like to know. The way he will throw a club in the bag here and there, I would imagine that answer is NO, which leaves him one open spot in the bag to mess around with on occasion.
[/quote]

I don't believe Phils gets paid for any non Callaway club. I believe that Harry said on here before that Phils contract is pretty loose, in that if he finds something that works better he can use it until Callaway gets him something he likes better. For instance when he put the RBZ in play 2 years ago it was because the Xhot/Phrankenwood wasn't ready yet. Once it was he switched. Same thing with the SLDR at Presidents Cup. The BB Alpha weren't ready to be released. Once they were he switched. The only reason I think the EYE 2 is still in the bag is because it's such an iconic shape that callaway cant really recreate. I mean everyone can create a tear drop wedge with any grind. But that Eye 2 is a Ping trademark. Just a guess.