Why the Valspar winner uses 10-year irons

Matt Fitzpatrick’s transformation from chipping specialist to bona fide ball speed monster reached its logical conclusion this week at the Copperhead Course. Watching the Englishman cruise to Innisbrook isn’t just watching a golf tournament; is a master class in data-driven accuracy. He doesn’t just play the course; he solves it.

At Valspar, the “Sheffield Steel” in his bag was on full display. Fitzpatrick dominated the metrics that define the modern power game, rounding out the week’s rankings Fifth in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and gaining a consistency +3.32 hits in the field. But the real story was the surgical nature of his approach game. RANKINGS 2 in SG: Access (+5,939), striking a shocker 72% of its greens in regulation for one of the most punishing appearances on the PGA Tour.

Here’s the very specific, slightly odd structure that fueled Fitzpatrick’s victory.

Quick list: Matt Fitzpatrick gear

Driver: Titleist GT3

Specifications: 9 degrees (A1 setting) with Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei AV Raw Orange 65 TX shaft.

There was a time when Fitzpatrick was considered a “short” forward who relied solely on a world-class short game. That version of Matt is gone. By optimizing its swing and relying on the Titleist GT3’s high-velocity technology, it has climbed the distance charts, currently averaging over 300 yards off the tee. The Mitsubishi Orange counterbalanced shaft is the secret sauce here – it allows it to swing with aggressive intent while maintaining the face angle control required to get the needle through the snake pit.

Titleist GT3 Personal Driver

GT3 – Speed ​​Adjusted Distance and Control The GT3 offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and customization. With a speed-tuned design that allows you to precisely match performance to your most frequent contact location, you can make your drives even bigger by taking full control of flight and shaping. For players with a relatively consistent impact location, the GT3 offers a precisely adjustable CG footprint to maximize distance and driving control. Hassle-free thermoforming crown A re-imagined ultra-lightweight design born from a new Matrix Proprietary polymer. The tunable acoustic properties of this unique composite allow Titleist engineers to realize new material benefits while maintaining our distinctive sound and feel. All wrapped up in a clean look that inspires complete confidence. Massive split construction An advancement in internal weight unlocks longer discs and improved steering control in the GT3. The adjustable CG track now sits closer to the face for more dynamic CG control, while additional discretionary mass is pushed to the back of the club to maintain optimal stability through impact. The Advanced Aerodynamics GT3 features a new raised tail contour that represents a dramatic change in driver aerodynamics. Previously impossible to execute due to design limitations, this advanced shaping results in a driver that swings faster while providing optimal CG control.

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Fairway Woods: TaylorMade Qi35 (linked)

Specifications: 15 and 18 degrees with Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange 75 TX and Tensei 1K Orange 80TX

TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Fairway Wood

PROVEN RECIPE TaylorMade Fairways have dominated the Tour for more than a decade due to their unique performance recipe that allows for maximum distance and versatility. The Qi4D fairway is designed for golfers who want cutting-edge technology while prioritizing versatility and control with amazing distance. REGULAR PERFORMANCE The use of a single Trajectory Adjustment System weight (8g x1) provides the golfer with a more mass efficient way to adjust flight, spin and swing weight. The 4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust the loft angle, reach and face for optimized flight and is available on all lofts. REFINED ATTRIBUTES, BIG CHANGES Engineers conducted an objective analysis of all performance attributes and discovered new methods to increase performance and reliability. Landing points, layup angles, address views and center of gravity locations were all updated based on tournament feedback and the expertise of leading fairways around the world, ensuring the optimal fairway for all skill levels. PROVEN TOUR TECHNOLOGIES The new and improved Speed ​​Pocket™ upper cut protects ball speed and reduces spin on low face shots. Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation for TaylorMade fairway performance. Twist Face™ features corrective face curvature designed to ensure straighter shots on the gums. Multi-material construction allows engineers to maximize performance while increasing curb weight.

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Ping: Ping i210 (4), Ping S55 (5-9)

Specifications: PING CFS X shafts.

In an industry obsessed with the “new,” Fitzpatrick is a refreshing anomaly. His choice to stick with the Ping S55 irons — a model that debuted more than a decade ago — is the ultimate testament to performance over marketing. Fitz has dabbled in other groupsets over the years, but he tells me these offer the best combination of forgiveness and response he’s found, all while maintaining the spin he seeks as a lower-end player.

These irons are working blades that provide the specific terrain interaction he requires. His consistent hitting this week and last proves that when you find a band that speaks your language, you don’t switch them just because the calendar turned. The Ping CFS (Control, Feel, Stability) shafts are a lighter 105-115G shaft that are proprietary to Ping. IMO it’s an interesting case study for OEM specific axles, Ping has tremendous success in this regard, Lee Westwood has also been a “Ping axle guy” for years using their JZ Stiff for nearly three decades.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10

Specifications: 46.10F, 52.12F (True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 X100 shaft); 56.08 M, 60.08 M (Dinamic Gold Tour Issue S300 shaft)

The bag is rounded out by a specific mix of Vokey SM10 wedges, featuring the “M” grille in its higher lofts for the versatility it’s famous for around the greens. These specialized grinds allow him to manipulate the face on tight, grainy lies common in Florida.

Putter: Bettinardi BB48 Prototype

Despite a statistically fluctuating season, his Bettinardi BB48 Prototype caught fire at Innisbrook, where he finished first in the field in the scrimmage. When a player with Fitzpatrick’s ball starts rolling it and playing it short, the rest of the field is in for a fight.

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x (2019)

Fitzpatrick continues to believe in the 2019 iterations of the Pro V1x. For a player who tracks every data point, this specific model provides the exact spin window and flight height he’s built his entire yardage book around.

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grips

Golf Tournament Tour with Velvet Clips

OUR APPROACH TO THE VAN: Capturing the Tour’s Most Winning Cord. The Tour Velvet Cord Midsize was credited with winning two major titles in 2019. It features Brushed Cotton Cord Technology (BCT) – a material woven with cotton threads that increases traction and performance in all weather conditions.

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