Prototype places abundantly in Cognizant Classic

Wcome to Fully Equipped’s weekly Tour equipment report. Every Friday of PGA Tour weeks (plus other times, if the news calls for it), GOLF Equipment Editor Jack Hirsh brings you some of the biggest news about golf clubs on Tour, including changes, changes and launches.

While the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing began at PGA National, many of them the game’s top pros were taking a week off before next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. But that hasn’t stopped companies from bombarding us with barrel prototypes.

If you’re a fan of low-torque (also known as zero-torque) gauges, this week would certainly excite you.

First up is Tour’s launch of the new LAB Link 2.1 and 2.2, the next generation of the Link 1, currently the only LAB blade in their matrix.

The 2.1 is a more traditional modern blade shape, while the 2.2 is a shorter blade with a wide body from heel to toe. But the interesting thing is that both inserts have LAB’s new HS lifting area presented in OZ.1i HS last summer.

In addition, they have a new deep milled face. I would be very interested in this, as all LAB faces so far have been either too soft or too hard for me.

But LAB wasn’t the only company to offer new heeled, low-torque axle options. Bettinardi launched several new “Hexpiramental” prototypes at the Cogninzant Classic, and each appeared to feature a new low-torque tube from the company.

Bettinardi currently has four shapes in its Antidote low-torque line, and all are center-shafts. But it seems the company has come up with a new sinker that looks more like a traditional long hydraulic neck, but with the shaft oriented towards the center of the thrower.

It looks like a very similar concept to Odyssey’s LAB or SB S2S Tri-Hot lift tube that Max Greyserman uses, where the pivot point is raised to align with the propellant’s CG to give it finger lift properties.

Bettinardi’s take on it seems about as traditional an effort as we’ve seen so far.

So far, we’ve only seen two shapes: a wide-body high-tip SS9 blade and a new mid-hammer option similar to an Odyssey Jailbird or Scotty Cameron Fastback with a rear window.

But it also looks like there are plenty of face grind options already, with photos showing Bettinardi’s new VFT grind pattern and the FIT face currently in their Antidote line.

Most recently, Scotty Cameron also unveiled a new prototype for the pros this week with a new T12 hammer.

We don’t know much about it, and you’ll have to see photos at GolfWRX for yourself, but we’ll address the elephant in the room and admit that it’s pretty obvious what kind of look and performance Cameron is going for here. But before anyone starts throwing accusations, know that almost every OEM has hardware and technology that looks exactly like the other’s. People like what you do well, so there’s no point in trying to do things that are radically different from what works.

What’s interesting here is that the last time we saw a Scotty “12” hammer in the Phantom X line, it also had gaps between the wings and the center of the impeller. But that putter seemed bigger and more focused on delivering ultra-high MOI.

We have no idea when this might come out, because we still haven’t heard any details about the T3 (the one Ryan Gerard is playing) merchandise that’s been out since last summer! I wouldn’t expect anything anytime soon, as the T12 we saw at GolfWRX doesn’t appear to have the new SCS insert or chain-link face mill that the rest of the Phantom 2026 line has.

Two artworks come into play

While all of those new prototypes look great, the only new prototypes that came into play this week were the two Odyssey Damascus Milled No. 7.

Yes, you read that right! Damascus!

Damascus steel is one of those materials that is usually used in high-end boutiques to give them a special look. The material is usually based on carbon steel and then welded, folded or forged together to create a unique look that only that part has.

It’s considered more art than a piece of performance material, but both Chris Kirk and Kevin Yu put the new Odyssey Damascus sticks in the bag this week at Cognizant. Kirk played a version with a twist, while Yu had one with a Crank Hosel.

Check this out

This section is dedicated to interesting photos we’ve taken recently on Tour, but haven’t had a reason to share yet. For this week, check out Joel Dahmen’s Ping Anser hybrid, which is still in his bag more than 14 years after its release.

Odds and ends

A few more gear changes and notes we’re following this week.

Keith Mitchell added a new Scotty Cameron Kombi S (yes, new!) after testing against an original Kombi he brought from home … Matthieu Pavon has a Scottsdale Tec Ketsch Onset, same platform as Tony Finau’s new stick and in the same setup, just with a different head shape … Emiliano Grillo added a TaylorMade Qi4D 3-wood and TaylorMade led the fairway count with 84 … Danny Walker and Hoatong Li both added the TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini driver … Chandler Phillips added a Qi4 10.5 driver this week and this game the fourth Qi14 TaylorMade Driver … Brandt Snedeker, Davis Thompson and Li everyone was Spidered this week … Brooks Koepka is still in a Spider Tour X L-Neck, but reportedly has switched to a Titleist Pro V1x golf ball … Alejandro Tosti added a 25˚ Qi4D Rescue… Garrick Higgo added a split set of TaylorMade P7CB (4-5) and P7MB (6-PW) cuffs… Chris Kirk and Rasmus Hojgaard both moved to the Quantum TD Max driver.

3 things you must read/watch

A selection of GOLF content from the past week that may interest you.

Tony Finau’s new shot isn’t his only gadget tweak | Bag Spy – Take a deep dive into Tony Finau’s bag, which has made some more than normal changes this season, including a brand new Ping Scottsdale Tec prototype.

PING G440 LST Custom Driver

The G440 driver family (MAX, LST, SFT) is optimized to deliver more ball speed through numerous advancements, including PING’s deepest CG in a driver to date and a shallower, thinner face, while still providing the game-changing forgiveness expected of a PING driver. The G440 LST (Low Spin) design appeals to players with faster swing speeds, providing lower spin and more control at 9° and 10.5° loft with the three-position back weight. VERY FORGIVING Lighter head weight allows for more back weight. FASTER FACE Shallow, thinner face increases ball speed for more distance, higher release. SOUND DESIGN New moulding, carbon crown and internal ribs produce impactful silent experience. FREE-HOSEL DESIGN Saves weight to lower CG, increase forgiveness. Allows more heel-side face flex for consistent ball speed across the face.

View Product

TaylorMade Qi4D fits one of the best in the world – Watch Johnny’s TaylorMade Qi4D fitting with Adrian Rietveld, fitter of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.

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TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Driver

SHAPE FOR SPEED The re-engineered head profile increases ball speed thanks to improved aerodynamics developed through advanced simulations. FACE FOR DISTANCE 60x Carbon Twist Face™ is a technological cornerstone that provides weight savings, exceptional ball speed and more durability compared to a titanium face. ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE The 4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust the loft angle, reach and face for optimized flight. PROVEN TOUR TECHNOLOGY The new and improved Speed ​​Pocket™ cutting edge protects ball speed and reduces spin on low face shots. Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation of TaylorMade driver performance. Multi-material construction allows engineers to strategically place mass in areas of the head where it maximizes performance, speed and stability.

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Bryson DeChambeau and LA Golf have parted ways. Here’s whaty didn’t work out – GOLF’s Michael Bamberger looks at where things went sour between one of the most marketable stars and one of the hippest equipment companies.

The author welcomes your comments at Jack.Hirsh@golf.com.

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