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Looking for Ernie Els WITB 2023 edition? Read on, Senior Golf Source golf expert covers the latest golf equipment of this PGA Tour Golfing Great.
It is rare to write an article about one of my compatriots, let alone a former boss. I have worked for the Big Easy twice in my lifetime, and none of them involved golf. In this post, I pay tribute to my former employer and conduct an Ernie Els WITB 2023 edition.
The three-time major champion switched to the PGA Tour Champions in 2020 and has since registered two victories on the Senior Tour. Plus, he will serve as the International captain for the World Champions Cup, playing to win against the European and USA team captains at the World Champions Cup.
In this post, we will look at what keeps the South African Professional Golfer swinging easily and hitting long.
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Ernie Els Quick Facts Table
| Full Name | Theodore Ernest Els |
| Birthday | October 17, 1969 |
| Birthplace | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Age | 53 |
| Year Turned Pro | 1989 |
| Tournament Wins | 66 |
| PGA Tour Major Wins | 3 Majors US Open Championship (1994)The Open Championship (2002, 2012) on the PGA Tour |
| Senior World Ranking | 8 |
| Equipment Sponsor | Titleist |
Ernie Els WITB Golf Club Overview
- Driver: XXIO Eleven Driver – 10.5°
- 3-Wood: XXIO Eleven Fairway Woods – 14° | EvenFlow Blue 6.5 85 X Graphite Shaft
- 2 – 5 Irons:
Srixon ZX MK II Utility Irons – KBS S-taper 130X Steel Shaft - 6-9 Irons: Srixon ZX7 MK II Irons – KBS S-taper 130X Steel Shaft
- Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge – (52, 56, 60) – KBS S-Taper 130X Steel Shaft
- Putter: Bloodline R1-J Blade Putter
- Golf Ball: Srixon Z Star XV Golf Balls (Yellow)
Ernie Els Driver | XXIO Eleven Fairway Wood – 10.5°
Mr. Els operates with a premium XXIO Eleven big stick, set at 10.5°, which suits moderate swing speeds. I cannot confirm Ernies driver shaft for 2023. However, I can tell you the Eleven driver produces explosive ball speed, forgiveness, and accuracy off the tee.
In addition, I find this driver provides superior stability at contact to restrict face twisting, maintain ball velocity, and lower spin.
PROS
- Generates explosive ball speed
- Forgiving
- Prompts straighter shots
- Easy launching
- Reduces glare, ideal for the PGA Tour
CONS
- Priced at a premium
- No adjustable hosel
Ernie Els 3 Wood | XXIO Eleven Fairway Woods – 14°
The Big Easy sticks with XXIO for his fairway wood needs and swings a 14° 3 wood on the PGA Tour. In my experience, this golf club helps moderate swingers accelerate clubhead and ball speed for a high launch and optimal distance on approach.
I typically enjoy minimal turf interaction with the XXIO Eleven Fairway Wood, which promotes a clean, solid strike from the fairway and the rough.
PROS
- Lightweight construction
- Boosts clubhead speed
- Prompts rapid ball speed
- Launches high
- Exceptional forgiveness
CONS
- The hosel is not adjustable
- Expensive price tag
Ernie Els Irons (2 – 5 Irons) | Srixon ZX Mk II Utility Irons
Ernie Els sticks to the Sumitomo Rubber Industries company for his irons, opting for the Srixon ZX Utility 2, 3, 4, and 5 iron play. He keeps it traditional and leaves out hybrids, instead seeking the workability of the irons.
The Srixon ZX MK II Utility Irons improve your coefficient of restitution for consistent ball speed and spin on all strikes. In addition, they are fitted with a low center of gravity (CG) to push your ball higher, a trait most senior golfers welcome.
Ernie Els uses a KBS S-taper 130X golf shaft.
PROS
- Produces adequate golf ball speed
- Encourages a high launch
- Soft feel
- Enables better workability than hybrids
- Optimal carry distance
CONS
- Slightly unforgiving golf clubs
- Expensive per iron
Ernie Els Irons (6 – 9 Irons) | Srixon ZX7 MK II Irons
Srixon remains Ernie’s irons of choice as he selects the ZX7 range to carry his mid to short iron play. They clearly work for the big fella as he hit 83.33% of greens in regulation last season on the Tour.
The Srixon ZX7 MK II Irons offer the look and feel of blades but generate the consistency and forgiveness of a player’s distance irons.
Srixon engineers employed perimeter weighting around the clubface to increase the sweet spot for consistent velocity and spin on all strikes. I particularly appreciate the progressive groove structure, which elevates your spin on mid and short iron shots for drop and stop control.
PROS
- Higher moment of inertia (MOI) than other blades
- Buttery soft feel
- Crisp turf interaction
- Exceptional playability on approach
- Superior stability at impact
CONS
- Less forgiving than game improvement irons
- The club head is not as compact as most irons
Ernie Els Wedges | Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge – 52, 56, 60°
The South African switches to Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge for his short-game needs, a brand also owned by the Japanese conglomerate. In my experience, these wedges deliver ample forgiveness, consistency, and a controlled flight on short full shots.
I also find their heat-treated narrow, deep, and sharp grooves produce sufficient spin around the green. Although they are not the highest spinning wedges I know, they make up for it with consistent contact across the clubface.
Learn more about the RTX ZipCore wedge in our review of the best golf wedges for 2023.
PROS
- Forgiving wedge
- Promotes straighter shots
- Preserves velocity and spin on mishits
- Generates adequate spin
- Promotes controlled flight
CONS
- Club head glare may prove an issue for some golfers.
- Only one grind option for the pitching and gap wedges.
Ernie Els Putter | Bloodline R1-J Blade Stand Up Putter
Bloodline is not a brand that springs to mind when your foursome starts discussing their favorite flat sticks. The man from Gauteng province has worked hard to change that since he became an ambassador for the brand in 2018.
Ernie has utilized the Bloodline R1-J Blade Putter since 2017 on the PGA Tour and announced he will continue with the golf club in 2023. The premium-priced putter features a trendy red finish and a CNC-milled face, which provides a pure feel and a smooth roll across the face.
An additional feature to mention, is its Stand Up construction that keeps the putter upright without you holding it. That helps golfers step back from the line and ensure the putter face points at their target line.
PROS
- Superb feedback
- Generates clean roll
- Stands upright on its own
- Impressive alignment aid
- Stylish red finish on this stand up putter
CONS
- It costs a fortune
- Not ideal for straight strokes
Ernie Els Golf Ball | Srixon Z Star XV Golf Balls
If you watch the PGA Tour Champions, you will see Ernies yellow golf ball flying through the air. Usually, I leave this section out because we often see players using the same ball. In contrast, the twice Open Championship winner operates with the Srixon Z Star XV Golf Balls.
This 4-piece golf ball prompts low driver spin, accelerated ball speed, and increased greenside spin for all-around performance. Plus, it features an aerodynamic Speed Dimple Pattern which fights drag and boosts lift for optimal launch and ball flight.
PROS
- Lowers spin on long game shots
- Prompts faster ball speed
- Generates higher spin on mid and short-game shots
- The yellow color is easy to follow
- Aerodynamic dimple pattern
CONS
- Expensive for the average golfer
- Better suited to high-swing speed golfers
Final Thoughts on Ernie Els WITB 2023
There you have it. Those are the Ernie Els golf clubs and ball for the current season.
Although he uses a mix of XXIO, Srixon, and Cleveland equipment, they are all part of the Dunlop sports brand, which is owned by Sumitomo Rubber Industries.
Despite being the 8th-best Senior on the planet, Ernie has not won since 2020 and is due for a trophy in 2023.
With his easy swing and hard work ethic, silverware is just around the corner for the big man. Let me know if Ernie Els WITB features any of your chosen golf clubs.
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