As many vacationers on an outbound flight to Maui, I was captivated by mid-flight images of Mai Tais, white sandy beaches and inner peace in the tropics. Even though I had pre-paradise hopes, I was unable to convince myself that I would learn to surf. However, getting lei’d seemed possible.
My brain spins as I board the return flight to reality. It’s not from an excessive supply of tasty, ice-cold, pineapple-laden Mai Tais. But from the chaos of the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions golf equipment news.
Truthfully, I knew that I was going directly into the eye at Kapalua Plantation Course’s gear storm, but I didn’t realize how chaotic it would be.
As I try to recap the gear world in advance of the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, Maui, I offer my top 10 gear tips.
View all photos from this week’s Hawaii trip here!
1 Rahm and Xander make a Paradymshift
Callaway launched its new Paradym family of golf clubs this week. also revealed all tech and retail information for the public. Jon Rahm, and Xander Schauffele were among the Kapalua early adopters.
See their latest additions below.
Jon Rahm’s driver. 3-wood and 5-wood
Jon Rahm’s mini WITB at Kapalua
Xander’s driver (and Odyssey Toulon custom putter)
These lines are legal because they are just Sharpie markers. It’s not a Hideki situation. Xander simply wants to see more of the face.
2 Collin and Scottie enter Stealth 2 mode
TaylorMade has not yet announced any tech details or the retail release for its new Stealth 2 products. However, Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa made quick switches to the new products.
See their new additions below.
Collin Morikawa’s TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (and Stealth 2 Plus fairwaywood he was trying)
Scottie Scheffler’s Stealth2 Plus driver and Stealth2 fairway wood
Learn more about Scottie’s move here
3 Justin Thomas takes it all back to middle school
JT ran a spin cycle for us all in 2022 regarding his Scotty Cameron mallet prototype putters. For a while, it felt like he was introducing a new 1-of-1 every other week.
It seems that 2023 will be Thomas’s last year of putter fun. He switched back to the Scotty Cameron 303 SSS Circle T putter he started using in middle school (as Dylan Dethier, golf.com, first reported).
Justin Thomas makes a fun putter switch this week. He is going back to the Scotty Cameron blade that he first played in middle school (! he hasn’t used in competition for over a decade.
“I love putting with it, so why not fight it?”
more: https://t.co/ECncXV1XjT pic.twitter.com/kijYFo31MU
Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier January 4, 2023
JUSTIN THOMAS USES A PUTTER AT 2023 SENTRYTOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS, WHICH HE STARTED USING IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
This is a great throwback bag addition and another interesting chapter in JT’s putter saga.
4) Cantlay goes empty
Rumours have swirled about Patrick Cantlay quitting the PGA Tour in order to live a full life. But, he told the media this week that he will continue on the PGA Tour. He was very open in his Tuesday press conference, and I don’t see any reason to doubt him.
Cantlay stated, “Yeah. I think it’s due to the fact that I haven’t been vocal one way or another.” “So, I believe that’s where it is. For the most part, guys seem divided on this issue. I see it as a competition for top talent like any other business. However, I don’t plan to do so as of right now. This has been my position for the .”.
Cantlay arrived at Kapalua in spite of rumors with a Vessel staff bag blacked out – instead of his usual Titleist bag – and his missing Hugo Boss logo.
Cantlay is still on Titleist’s glove/ball/shoe contract, but he’s not a full-time staffer in the equipment department. However, he does seem to still have the same Titleist gear in his bag this week.
I will just eat popcorn while watching the Cantlay shows unfold. Is it Cant-lei when Patrick is in Hawaii?
5) Mullinax and Kisner sign with Wilson
Wilson has finally revealed one of the most elusive secrets in golf: Trey Mullinax and Kevin Kisner have signed equipment agreements with Wilson for 2023. Mullinax, however, is testing his new Wilson setup in Hawaii. Kisner won’t be in the field.
For more information on Wilson signings, click here
6) Luke enLists new PXG irons
We don’t know what Luke List’s set PXG 0317 CB irons looks like, but we know List said that they were new this week. They’re clearly milled and have cavity backs. I’ll let the reader speculate on the rest.
7) SuperStroke, Ping, and…McLovin!
The Masters are second, Hawaiian themes and colors make for an almost perfect artistic inspiration for creating amazing custom headcovers.
Which Kapalua resident do you believe won the headcover contest this week?
SuperStroke…
Ping…
Or…Odyssey?
8: Check out Tom Kim’s new look and putter grip
Thanks to his two quick PGA Tour wins, and electric Presidents Cup performances, Tom Kim became a star last year. He signed a Nike deal this year to capitalize on his initial success.
He also seems to have renewed his equipment contract with Titleist, contrary to rumors that he might have fled elsewhere in search of a larger check.
9) Sungjae Im concentrates his Zenergy
Both Im and Tom Kim switched from putter grips to SuperStroke’s new Zynergy model. These models offer slightly better grip and less seaming on the undercarriage. Kim changed to a Zenergy Tour 2.0 and Im was switched to a Zenergy 1.0 PT.
A quick reminder: The Lee’s Scotty Cameron Tourtype F-5 mallet, is a heater.
10) Odyssey’s white hot wave
As I was looking at the Odyssey putter staff bag, I noticed something. All the putters that are resting against the bag are new. Odyssey has unveiled two new White Hot Versa models and Tri-Hot 5K putter models this week. They also offer a variety of sightlines and hosels.
Although we are still not sure what the design is like, we know that Joe Toulon, a former Odyssey putter rep has been promoted as Callaway’s PGA Tour manager. Here’s some industry news.
We say Aloha and thank Maui for participating in the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions. For more gear news, we’ll be seeing you at the Sony Open Oahu next week.
