I love it when two things are true at the same time. It brings balance to the universe and I like balance.
He Patrick Reed is the most polarizing figure in golf (and, according to Sean Fairholm himself, 2n.d most hated) is true. That Patrick Reed is also one of the best players on the planet right now is also true.
Will the fact that he left LIV and is earning his way onto the PGA Tour by tearing up the DP World Tour help his reputation? Conventional wisdom has its doubts, but conventional wisdom is known to be wrong.
With all this going on, we’re missing out on what’s really important.
What the hell is with those irons that Patrick Reed plays?
Well, fellow GolfSpies, it’s time to meet Grindworks.
Who and/or what is Grindworks?
You can submit this sub Yesterday’s news but we prefer It’s never too late to reach out file. Grindworks is a Japanese boutique forging brand founded in 2015 by Kiyonari Niimi, a 40-year veteran of the Japanese golf industry with extensive experience in club design, manufacture and assembly. In 2014, Niimi was inducted into the International Clubmakers Guild Hall of Fame.
Niimi’s partners include Kenji Kobayashi, former president of the famous Japanese forging house Endo and founder of Epon Golf (Endo’s retail arm). He and Niimi collaborated to design Epon’s original forged irons. A third partner, Tario Cham, is also an industry veteran who, according to the Grindworks website, has worked with several “top Japanese brands.”
Reed worked with him Grindworks since 2018, not long after his endorsement deal with Callaway ended. However, he did not use Grindworks equipment in his 2018 Masters victory. As a free agent, Reed’s bag at that Masters included a PING G400 LST driver, a NIKE VR Pro wood, a Titleist T-MB driver, Callaway MB grips and wedges from Artisan Golf and Vokey.
Reed partnered with Grindworks to develop the personal prototype irons which he put into play for the first time in December of 2019 at the Hero World Challenge.
Grindworks Patrick Reed handcuffs
Grindworks’ iron offering is limited to muscle blades and hollow backs, but is focused on Patrick Reed. Reed himself is sporting a set of Grindworks custom forged irons based on the company’s PR-101A blade (5-iron to PW) and PR-202 cavity (4-iron). The “PR”, of course, is for Patrick Reed, as both irons are a collaboration between Reed and Niim.
The consumer line features the PR-202 back irons and the MB-101A muscle blades, which are based on Patrick Reed’s limited edition versions. Both iron sets are forged from S20C carbon steel, which is the Japanese industrial standard equivalent to 1020 carbon steel. The blades retail for $1,795 for a seven-piece set. Hollow backs sell for $1,395. A combination set is also available as are utility irons.
No real stock setup though Grindworks offers a variety of standard and premium shafts and handles.
The wedges are another Niimi-Reed collaboration called “The Barrett Collection.” Also forged S20C, Barrett wedges sell in a set of three (51-, 57-, 61-degree) for $625. A 48-degree wedge is sold separately for $225.
Grindworks completes its offering with metal woods and machines. The Equinox fairway line features a 19-degree hybrid and a 15-degree wood (both adjustable) as well as three driver lofts. Surprisingly, they are available in 9.5-, 10- and 10.5-degree options. The drivers are designed for the top player, with an open face and a published MOI of 4000 g-cm2putting it right up there with some of the top OEM low-rev models in terms of forgiveness.
The hybrid is $299, the freeway is $399, and the driver is $750.
While Grindworks is a Japanese company, its US sales, distribution and assembly are based in Texas.
Grindworks and Patrick Reed: Final Thoughts
The partnership with Patrick Reed is a curious choice. He has been involved in various rules controversies and reportedly clashed with teammates during his college career. Right or wrong, Reed has been portrayed as a “villain” in the golf press and by many golf fans. His move to LIV was met with a collective cheer followed by a “good riddance.”
To put it bluntly, he is polarizing. It makes you wonder how well Patrick Reed’s signature merchandise is selling on the Grindworks website.
Beyond any formal agreement with Grindworks, Reed is the ultimate free agent in gear and apparel. His former LIV team, the 4Aces, had a sponsorship deal with Under Armour, but we’re not sure where that deal stands now. We know he’s wearing Under Armor shoes and gear on the DP World Tour. Reed has also been linked with Hublot watches and Equity Prime Mortgage, but neither has a confirmed deal for 2026.
His agreement with Grindworks it may, in fact, be mutually beneficial. Reed gives the new brand some notoriety and tournament validation. Meanwhile, Grindworks lets Reed co-design his own irons.
Outside of the company website, Grindworks gear is pretty hard to find. You can find used kits on eBay and we found a set of MB-101A irons at Golf spot previously owned by Mike. The website does not list any authorized US installers. He encourages players to contact the company directly for help choosing custom options.
As it stands today, you can consider Grindworks a niche, boutique brand. Considering TRUST Of all the drivers involved, we don’t doubt the quality and performance of the devices. Whether it’s something that appeals to you, in fact, may depend entirely on your feelings about Patrick Reed.
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