David Duval WITB 2023 | What Is The Former World #1 Playing

Interested in the latest David Duval WITB? In this article, our golf expert reviews each golf club he uses on the PGA TOUR Champions in 2023.

Our David Duval WITB 2023 allows us to honor the gentleman celebrating his 30th year as a professional.

The veteran is a player I felt would win far more majors than he did. Fortunately, he gifted me a handsome payday after backing him in his 2001 Open Championship victory.

By the end of this post, you will know what clubs the former world number 1 uses and whether any will work in your golf bag. Since many of the clubs offer less forgiveness than game improvement clubs, I will also provide alternative club suggestions for mid and high-handicap golfers.

David Duval Quick Facts Table

David Duval WITB Quick Summary

David Duval Driver

Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond Driver

$599.99

Updated on 2023-06-07

Driver 10°

Overview

The gentleman from Jacksonville, Florida, turns to the Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond off the tee. Its fast, low-spin design has helped the Floridian smash a 328-yard drive this season. However, he will be looking to up his fairways in regulation record if he is to challenge for the Charles Schwab Cup.

I find the Triple Diamond enables better workability off the tee than the other Paradym drivers, thanks to its reduced clubhead size and 14-gram back weight. In addition, the A.I. Jailbreak System produced outstanding stability at impact, preserving my ball speed and containing spin on mishits.

Overall, the low-spinning nature of the club requires optimal energy transfer to consistently launch the ball.

I feel slower swing speed golfers will struggle in this area and should consider the standard Callaway Paradym Driver, which made the list of best drivers in 2023.

PROS

• Low spin
• Promotes workability off the tee
• Provides outstanding stability at impact
• Generates rapid ball speed
• Adjustable weight

CONS

• Premium price tag
• Not suited to slow swing speeds

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David Duval Utility Wood

Callaway Apex Utility Wood

$281.99

Updated on 2023-06-07

Utility Wood 17 °

Overview

The Georgia Tech Alumni skips the fairway woods in his setup and moves directly to a 17 degree Callaway Apex Utility Wood. Surprisingly he leaves 7 degrees between his driver and the next club, which is 2 degrees than most of his peers.

Duval plays the Callaway Apex UW to elevate his ball from the deck, thanks to its clean turf interaction and the neutral center of gravity location (CG). I also appreciate the work of the C300 maraging steel clubface, which generates rapid speed and controlled spin for consistent carry distance.

The average golfer can swing the Apex UW and enjoy consistent results. My only concern is the neutral flight for higher handicappers, who may require the slice combatting draw bias found in the Callaway Paradym X Fairway Wood. 

PROS

• Promotes a high launch
• Generates steep descent angles
• Enables workable flight
• Increased face flexibility
• Clean turf interaction

CONS

• The lack of offset may worsen sliced shots
• The hosel is fixed, preventing loft and face angle adjustment

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David Duval Utility Iron

Callaway X Forged Utility Iron

$249.99

Updated on 2023-06-07

Utility Iron 22°

Overview

The 13-time PGA Tour winner transitions to the irons with a tour-only 22 degree Callaway Raw X Forged UT. Duval’s edition offers less bounce and reduced materials on the back. Plus, it sports a thinner top line and reduced offset compared to the X Forged Utility Iron available to amateurs.

Callaway engineers offset the X Forged UT slightly to help all golfers launch straighter and higher. In addition, the sole provided superior bounce in the rough to prevent the club from digging into the turf.  

Turf interaction aside, I enjoyed the rapid ball speed produced by the Flash Face Cup and the buttery-soft feel from the 1025 mild carbon steel. I feel low handicappers are better equipped to handle the reduced forgiveness of the X Forged UT. Conversely, mid and high-handicappers should test the Callaway Paradym X Hybrid.

PROS

• Enables workable flight
• Buttery soft feel
• Produces impressive ball speed
• Clean turf interaction
• Contains spin

CONS

• Reduced forgiveness
• No stock shaft options for slower swing speed golfers

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David Duval Irons

Callaway Apex TCB Irons

$1,110.00

Updated on 2023-06-07

4 Iron – PW

Overview

Double D, as he is known to his peers, remains loyal to Callaway in the irons department, opting for the Apex TCB irons. The Tour-inspired irons for superior golfers have helped him hit 63% of his greens in regulation this season, a feat he needs to improve to rise up the standings.

TCB irons sport cavity backs to add perimeter weighting and leniency without disturbing feel and workability. The Forged 1025 mild carbon steel is responsible for the delicate touch and amplifies acoustics on sweet strikes.

Callaway did apply an element of offset to the longer irons for increased forgiveness. However, they are built for workability, not to prevent shape. As a result, I feel the average golfer is better suited to the consistency of the Callaway Apex DCB Irons.

PROS

• Optimizes workability
• Soft feel
• Amplified acoustics
• Clean turf interaction
• Compact shape

CONS

• Insufficient forgiveness for the average amateur
• Expensive

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David Duval Golf Wedges

Callaway JAWS Raw Wedges

$179.99

Updated on 2023-06-08

Wedges 50°, 54°, 58°

Overview

The 1999 Players Championship winner remains faithful to Callaway in the wedges, opting for the JAWS Raw to boost greenside control. His scrambling record sits around 63% for the season, and he manages to get up and down from the sand 50% of the time.

In my experience, the JAWS Raw wedges deliver phenomenal spin revolutions owing to their Razor Sharp Grooves and Offset Groove-in-Groove Technology. In addition, a muted toe pad restricts glare at address.

Despite its superb spin performance, I find the lower launching flight is better suited to skilled wedge players seeking increased control. I feel mid and high handicappers will deliver superior results with a higher launching, forgiving Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedge. The Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge was also recently ranked one of our top wedges for golfers in 2023.

PROS

• Maximum spin revolutions
• Lower, controlled flight
• Optimal shot stopping power
• Glare-resistant toe pad
• Produces a soft feel
• Comes in steel shafts or graphite shafts

CONS

• Pricey
• Not the most forgiving wedge

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David Duval Putter

Odyssey Toulon Small Batch Santa Monica Putter

Putter

Overview

Your 1999 Tour Championship winner closes out his bag with another Callaway company club, the Odyssey Toulon Small Batch Santa Monica. Odyssey only releases these flat sticks in limited batches. This means it is almost impossible to purchase them on the open market.

Odyssey pays homage to the end of Route 66, calling this batch Santa Monica. This blade putter is clean and classy. It is built to induce a clean roll off the putter face, delivering a delicate touch that superior golfers will appreciate.

Since the rest of us may struggle to find or justify the expense of the putter, I have an alternative solution, the Odyssey White Hot OG One Putter. It is more affordable, reliable, and consistent.

PROS

• Classy finish
• Classic blade design
• Soft feel
• Generates a clean roll
• Limited edition

CONS

• Difficult to find
• Less forgiving than other putters

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Final Thoughts on David Duval WITB

That wraps up our David Duval WITB 2023, and you can see that the 2001 Open Championship winner sports a Callaway-heavy setup. Most of his clubs are better left in the hands of low handicappers and professionals, stemming from their reduced offset, forgiveness, and consistency.

Out of all his clubs, I find that the Callaway Apex Utility Wood is the only one I would recommend to a broader audience of players. It launches high, controls spin, interacts smoothly with the turf, and provides me with consistent carry distance.

If you liked reading this David Duval WITB article, you may want also to check out the latest from other PGA TOUR Champions players including Steve Stricker, Bernhard Langer, John Daly, Mike Weir, Fred Couples, and more!

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