{"id":777760,"date":"2026-07-03T14:08:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T14:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/777760\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T14:08:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T14:08:19","slug":"looking-back-at-busy-month-of-june-gear-moves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/777760\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking back at busy month of June gear moves"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to Fully Equipped\u2019s\u00a0weekly Tour equipment report. Every Friday of PGA Tour weeks (plus other times, if news warrants),\u00a0GOLF equipment editor Jack Hirsh<\/a>\u00a0runs you through some of the biggest news surrounding golf clubs on Tour, including changes, tweaks and launches.<\/p>\n

With several big names taking the week off after a run of two Signature Events and a major in four weeks, the John Deere Classic is a slower one on the gear moves.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll still have a summary of any news we hear of in the odds and ends section of this week\u2019s Tour Report, but after a busy month, we felt the holiday weekend gave us a great opportunity to look back at several high-profile gear changes from the past month.<\/p>\n

The Memorial (June 4-7): Cameron Young\u2019s GTS3 move<\/p>\n

Big change for Cameron Young this week as he’s made the move to the Titleist GTS3 driver.<\/p>\n

Down in loft to 10\u02da from the 11.0 GT3 he was playing since Bay Hill.<\/p>\n

Also went back to his Diamana PD 60TX shaft.<\/p>\n

One of the PGA Tour’s hottest players is now playing one of golf’s\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/G0ZzkBZspT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) June 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Titleist\u2019s GTS drivers<\/a> exploded onto the Tour in March, with more than 60 players making the switch in the first two months.<\/p>\n

But the biggest conversion came at the beginning of the month at the Memorial when Cameron Young switched into the Titleist GTS3 driver.<\/a><\/p>\n

Young is the first player ranked inside the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking, at No. 3, to add the new driver. Previously, the highest-ranked player was No. 16, Justin Thomas.<\/p>\n

The huge benefit of the GTS was the dual weighting system for Young, who needs a little extra launch when paired with his Pro V1x Double Dot prototype golf ball. <\/p>\n

\u201cBeing able to utilize the dual weighting just lets us kind of get into a really nice in-between spot in terms of launch and spin for him,\u201d Titleist\u2019s J.J.Van Wezenbeeck told GOLF.<\/p>\n

Because the GTS has both an adjustable front track weight and an adjustable rear flat weight, Titleist was able to put an extra two grams in the rear of Young\u2019s new GTS3, which was just enough to give him the extra launch he needed, while staying at the 10-degree loft.<\/p>\n

Young has remained firmly in the top 10 of Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee since the move and was fourth in the field last week at the Travelers.<\/p>\n

Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"Titleist
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

View Product<\/a><\/p>\n

ALSO AVAILABLE AT:\u00a0PGA TOUR Superstore<\/a>,\u00a0Titleist<\/a><\/p>\n

Cameron Young\u2019s GTS3 specs
Titleist GTS3 10.0
SureFit Hosel Setting: A1
SureFit CG Setting: 10g N track, 7g rear
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 60 TX<\/p>\n

RBC Canadian Open (June 11-14): Viktor Hovland\u2019s forced driver switch<\/p>\n

Viktor Hovland is in a Ping G440 LST this week for the first time since playing the model at the 2025 Masters. <\/p>\n

Hovland has been testing 440 LST and 440K every few months in hopes of finding the replacement for his longtime G425 LST gamer.<\/p>\n

This week in Canada, Hovland surprised\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/SMWoeL8qGw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) June 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Viktor Hovland had to force himself to finally retire his longtime Ping G425 LST gamer.<\/p>\n

When Hovland made the trip up to Canada for the RBC Canadian Open after three weeks off, he did so with just one driver: a new G440 LST<\/a> with a Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6-X VeloCore+ shaft.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one way to switch,\u201d Ping Tour Rep Kenton Oates told GOLF. \u201cLeave your security blanket in Oklahoma and call it a day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hovland had been working on the switch with Ping reps since the beginning of May and it paid off big time three weeks later at the Travelers Championship, where Hovland led the field in SG: OTT and ended up winning in a playoff over Scottie Scheffler.<\/p>\n

Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"PING
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

PING G440 LST Custom Driver<\/a><\/p>\n

The G440 driver family (MAX, LST, SFT) is optimized to deliver more ball speed through multiple advancements, including PING\u2019s deepest CG in a driver to date and a shallower, thinner face, while continuing to ensure the game-changing forgiveness expected from a PING driver.\u00a0The G440 LST (Low Spin) design appeals to players with faster swing speeds, providing lower spin and more control in 9\u00b0 and 10.5\u00b0 lofts with the three-position back weight.
\nHIGHLY FORGIVING
\nLighter head weight allows for heavier back weight.\u00a0
\nFASTER FACE\u00a0
\nShallow, thinner, face increases ball speed for more distance, higher launch.\u00a0
\nSOUND DESIGN
\nNew shaping, carbon crown and internal ribs produce muted impact experience.\u00a0
\nFREE-HOSEL DESIGN
\nSaves weight to lower CG, increase forgiveness. Allows for more heel-side face flexing for consistent ball speed across face.\u00a0<\/p>\n

View Product<\/a><\/p>\n

ALSO AVAILABLE AT:\u00a0PGA TOUR Superstore<\/a><\/p>\n

Specs
Ping G440 LST 9.0
Actual loft: 7.4
Ping Trajectory 2.0 setting: Flat Dot
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black w\/ Velocore+ 6-X
Tipping: 1\u2033
Length: 45.75\u2033 EOG
Swingweight: D5+
Grip: Golf Pride MCC Black\/Blue 60R (+1 wrap)<\/p>\n

U.S. Open (June 18-21): Bryson DeChambeau\u2019s TaylorMade Qi4D prototype<\/p>\n

Bryson DeChambeau’s first drive with his new TaylorMade Qi4D Proto 200+ driver goes 427 yards (with an assist from the wind and Tuckahoe Rd). <\/p>\n

Bryson DeChambeau arrived at the U.S. Open with a prototype TaylorMade driver that was a long time coming. <\/p>\n

The company and the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/1BeGmsZ7fR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) June 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Two prototype TaylorMade Qi4D driver heads that popped up on the USGA conforming list Monday of U.S. Open week turned out to be for none other than golf\u2019s mad scientist, Bryson DeChambeau.<\/p>\n

But this wasn\u2019t something that TaylorMade started working on just because DeChambeau approached them earlier this year. Developing a product for extreme 200+ mph ball speeds was something TaylorMade was already working on, said Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade\u2019s VP of product creation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndependent of the conversations we were having with Bryson, we were going down this path of prototyping drivers to, you know, as we always try to stay ahead of things for players of that immense speed that we\u2019re seeing emerge in golf,\u201d Bazzel told GOLF. \u201cThe stars aligned a bit as we were going down this path of exploration on sort of a concept car prototype, and then he started inquiring, getting a little bit more serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeChambeau\u2019s first tee shot with the Qi4D Proto 200+ went a staggering 427 yards<\/a>, but DeChambeau faded on Friday to miss his third straight major cut. The driver certainly wasn\u2019t the issue as he led the field in SG: OTT the first two rounds.<\/p>\n

Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"TaylorMade
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Driver<\/a><\/p>\n

SHAPED FOR SPEED<\/p>\n

The re-engineered head profile increases ball speed thanks to improved\u00a0aerodynamics developed through advanced simulations.<\/p>\n

FACE FOR DISTANCE<\/p>\n

60x Carbon Twist Face\u2122 is a technological cornerstone that provides weight savings, incredible\u00a0ball speed and more consistency vs. a titanium face.<\/p>\n

ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE<\/p>\n

4\u00b0 loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight.<\/p>\n

TOUR PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES<\/p>\n

New and improved cut-through Speed Pocket\u2122 protects ball speed and reduces spin\u00a0on low-face strikes.
\nAdvanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation\u00a0of TaylorMade driver performance.
\nMulti-Material Construction allows engineers to strategically place mass in areas of the\u00a0head where it maximizes performance, speed, and stability.<\/p>\n

View Product<\/a><\/p>\n

ALSO AVAILABLE AT:\u00a0PGA TOUR Superstore<\/a>,\u00a0TaylorMade<\/a><\/p>\n

Travelers Championship (June 25-29): Jordan Spieth\u2019s putter change that never was<\/p>\n

The Travelers practice green turned into putter testing week.<\/p>\n

Jordan Spieth spent Tuesday and most of Wednesday working with a L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i and a Scotty Cameron Phantom 5 prototype after saying earlier this month he\u2019d been fit for L.A.B. putters over the offseason.<\/p>\n

He\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/pehFGtmxFz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) June 27, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

The practice green was littered with guys testing new putters at the Travelers Championship, and a good chunk of them belonged to Jordan Spieth.<\/p>\n

Spieth set Twitter ablaze before the tournament by spending all day Tuesday testing a L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i and eventually several other center-shafted mallets. He even went as far as to game the L.A.B. during Wednesday\u2019s pro-am, but by the end of the day Wednesday, he was back with his T.P. Mills Trad Forged II gamer.<\/p>\n

This week at the John Deere, Spieth said any struggles he was having on the green were mental and he wasn\u2019t planning on changing putters.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I\u2019ve been hitting my lines a lot, and especially the last month I just haven\u2019t seen them go in,\u201d Spieth said. \u201cI\u2019ve actually been hitting my lines well, and I was just, like, well, maybe if I just grab one off the shelf and it goes in on a practice green \u2014 you know, so much of putting is mental.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy plan this week is just to stay with where I\u2019m at. I made some putts on Sunday, and I plan on taking that momentum into this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n

Bonus: Wyndham Clark signs putter-only deal with Ping<\/p>\n

While Clark switched to his current Ping Scottsdale TEC Ally Blue Onset CB<\/a> gamer back in April, he and Ping executed one of the most well-timed sponsorship agreements ever, announcing the deal on the eve of his U.S. Open win.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI credit the new putter for helping me get back in the winner\u2019s circle,\u201d Clark said in a release. \u201cThe white finish first got my attention, and when I started rolling putts with it, it set up easily and gave me immediate confidence. I\u2019d never used a putter with onset before, so it was a new look for me that really matches my eye. The onset combined with the top-rail dot simplifies alignment and my consistency has improved. I\u2019m sinking more long putts than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wyndham Clark gets makes his second U.S. Open title the first major title for Ping’s new Scottsdale TEC putter.<\/p>\n

It’s the first major title for a Ping putter since Bubba Watson at the 2014 Masters. pic.twitter.com\/Dlmo7RhXoY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jack Hirsh (@JR_HIRSHey) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Clark ended up winning at Shinnecock, highlighting the dramatic turnaround in his play on the greens. <\/p>\n

He finished 4th in the field at the U.S. Open in SG: Putting and has risen from 155th on the PGA Tour in the stat, where he was losing .725 strokes a round, to 43rd, gaining .239 strokes. He\u2019s also 5th in putting average at 1.702.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u00a0played some ugly golf the last two days, but my putter and short game kind of kept me in it,\u201d Clark told NBC\u2019s Mike Tirico Sunday after hoisting the U.S. Open trophy.<\/p>\n

Read more here<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"PING
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

View Product<\/a><\/p>\n

ALSO AVAILABLE AT:\u00a0PGA TOUR Superstore<\/a><\/p>\n

Specs
Ping Scottsdale TEC Ally Blue Onset CB
Loft: 3 degrees
Lie: 70 degrees
Length: 38\u2033
Headweight: 400g (17g tip weight + 13g lead tape)
Insert: PEBAX
Grip: SuperStroke Tour 3.0 17\u2033<\/p>\n

Check this out<\/p>\n

This section is dedicated to cool photos we\u2019ve snapped recently on Tour, but haven\u2019t had a reason to share yet. This week, check out Scotty Cameron Circle T prototype Phantom 5.5 putter with a Teryllium insert.<\/p>\n

\"Side-by-side
\n If anyone is ever looking to offload this guy, you know where to find this writer.<\/p>\n

Jack Hirsh\/GOLF<\/p>\n

Odds and Ends<\/p>\n

Some other gear changes and notes we\u2019re tracking this week.<\/p>\n

Rickie Fowler switched putters again, this time to a new Scotty Cameron Phantom 12 mallet<\/a> \u2026 Daniel Berger switched from a TaylorMade Qi4D to a Titleist GTS4<\/a> \u2026 Berger (Tour X DB), Luke List (Tour V CS) and Travis Crowe (Tour X L-neck) all switched to Spiders this week.<\/p>\n

3 things you should read\/watch<\/p>\n

A selection of GOLF content from the past week that may interest you.<\/p>\n

Why Viktor Hovland finally retired his longtime driver for something new<\/a> \u2013 Viktor Hovland got his first victory since switching away from the Ping G425 LST driver he used for almost six years.<\/p>\n

I thought I knew what irons were for my game. I was wrong | Fully Fit 2026<\/a> \u2013 In the latest entry for GOLF\u2019s Fully Fit, Fairway Jockey\u2019s president explains his journey from playing cavity-back irons, to shifting to player\u2019s distance clubs this season.<\/p>\n

Is this the secret to Viktor Hovland\u2019s driver switch?<\/a> \u2013 Viktor Hovland\u2019s new driver also featured a new shaft, the Fujikura Ventus TR Black with VeloCore+. Could this new option be a fit for you?<\/p>\n