PGA Tour player gear-testing habits are changing

When it involves PGA Tour golfers, they’re like F1 drivers in some ways — they present as much as occasions with an entire crew ready to leap in and assist out when wanted. And, identical to an F1 automotive, a tour player’s gear is finely tuned to suit their wants, and when there may be any doubt, there may be a military of apparatus reps prepared to assist, identical to a pit crew.

On this week’s Fully Equipped podcast, the entire crew, together with True Spec Golf’s Kris McCormack and Golf Laboratories’ Gene Parente, sat down to debate a rising development that has been noticed early this 12 months on the PGA Tour — and that’s the giant discount in week-to-week tools adjustments being made on website.

As GOLF’s tools managing editor Jonathan Wall came upon this week whereas attending Bay Hill, the positioning of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a number of sources confirmed that gear adjustments have occurred loads slower than they’ve prior to now. “Having been out on tour for close to a decade now … you used to be able to hang your hat on equipment changes happening in January and February, but without players like D.J. (Dustin Johnson) and Bryson DeChambeau, it has felt a lot quieter.” Wall mentioned. “This has been the first week that I have talked to three different reps independently and they all told me the same thing, in that it has felt a lot quieter than in years past … and players seem to be testing a lot more at home rather than at events.”

McCormack, who has labored with a number of PGA Tour gamers over time, talked about his expertise with how player’s testing habits have modified. “I’ve seen players on all ends of the spectrum,” he mentioned. “Some just want to work with an unbiased fitter, while others will test with what feels like a full entourage, including a swing coach. But, to confirm what Jonathan has witnessed on tour, we have been hearing from more players who want to do independent testing at home, instead of at events.”

Whether this implies OEMs will alter the way in which they employees PGA Tour occasions with the massive tools vehicles sooner or later is but to be seen, however will probably be one thing we’ll proceed to comply with.

If you’re wanting to take a look at the whole dialog, head over to GOLF’s Fully Equipped YouTube page for the episode or pay attention wherever you get your podcasts.

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Golf.com Editor

Ryan Barath is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s senior editor for equipment. He has an extensive club-fitting and -building background with more than 20 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. Before joining the staff, he was the lead content strategist for Tour Experience Golf, in Toronto, Canada.