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On the eve of his 59th birthday, we felt it fitting to create a Kevin Sutherland WITB 2024 to honor the long-serving PGA Tour pro.
A big thanks to Mr. Sutherland’s caddie, Mr. Billy Lewis. Senior Golf Source Founder Erin Blakely had the privilege to review his boss’ bag. He is a true scholar and a gentleman.
After reading this Kevin Sutherland WITB 2024 review, you will know every club in Californian’s bag. I also reveal whether any clubs suit the average golfer and offer more forgiving alternative options if they do not.
Kevin Sutherland Quick Facts Table
| Birthday | July 4, 1964 |
| Birthplace | Sacramento, CA |
| Age | 59 years old |
| Year Turned Pro | 1987 |
| Tournament Wins | 6 wins |
| Biggest Achievement | 2 – Charles Schwab Cup Championship (17, 20) |
| World Ranking | 41 |
| Equipment Sponsor | Ping and Titleist |
Kevin Sutherland WITB Quick Summary
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 6 X
3 Wood: Ping G410 (14.5 degrees)
Shaft: True Temper HZRDUS Black XS
3 Hybrid: Ping G400 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila ROGUE® White 130 M.S.I. 80
Irons: Ping iBlades (4 iron – 9 iron)
Shafts: KBS Tour 120 Stiff
Wedges: Ping 4.0 (46, 50, 54 degrees)
Shafts: KBS Tour 120 Stiff
Lob Wedge: Ping Glide Forged Pro (60 degrees)
Shafts: KBS Tour 120 Stiff
Putter: Ping Sigma Kinloch Center Putter
Grip: Ping Pistol Grip
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Kevin Sutherland – Driver
Ping G430 LST Driver
Driver – 10.5°
The Fresno State alumnus swings the Ping G430 LST from the tee, achieving a longest drive of 331 yards and an average of 288.8 yards this season. According to Lewis, Sutherland generates greater distance with this driver over his previous Ping G425 LST.
Overall, Sutherland achieved a longer drive last year with the Ping G425LST, but his 2023 average is superior with the G430LST in hand. In my experience, the lower center of gravity (CG) and high moment of inertia (MOI) Carbonfly wrap optimized my distance. It simplified getting the ball airborne and preserved ball speed for consistent length.
The low spin edition in the G430 range is best left to the pros, who are able to generate sufficient clubhead speed and transfer optimal energy. Moderate and slow-swinging amateurs are better off with the forgiveness of the Ping G430 Max.
PROS
- Super low spin
- Promotes a higher launch
- Fast clubface
- Adjustable hosel
- Moveable CG weight
CONS
- Best suited to rapid clubhead speed
- Premium price tag
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Kevin Sutherland Fairway Wood
Ping G410 Fairway Wood
$77 – $209
3 Wood – 14.5°
Billy explained that the 5 times PGA Tour Champions winner has kept the Ping G410 in his bag for 6 years. The logic is simple, when you find something you like and that works, you stick with it, as Kevin has. And he’s in good company with Paul Broadhurst still carrying them in his bag.
I found the G410 produced clean turf interaction in the cabbage patch and the short grass to promote consistent contact. Ping relocated the CG marginally ahead of the G400 position to lower spin, preserve ball speed, and maximize distance.
The G410 is one of the few clubs in Sutherland’s bag that most amateurs could get away with swinging. Besides its fast clubface and elevated lift-off, it is equipped with a 9-Lobe Trajectory Tuning loft.
⛳️ Related: Top Ping Golf Clubs For Seniors in 2024
PROS
- Easy launching
- Clean turf interaction
- Adjustable hosel
- Low spin
- Forgiving
CONS
- Outdated model that is challenging to find new
- No other complaints
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Kevin Sutherland Hybrid
Ping G400 Hybrid
3 Hybrid – 19°
The 2002 WGC Accenture Matchplay Champion has carried the G400 3 hybrid for 7 years. Billy mentioned in passing that his gaffer loves it because it helps him plug multiple distance gaps at the top of his bag.
According to Lewis, Sutherland can send high-impact shots, 225 to 230 yards, or hit softer shots to 220 yards. It gives his boss a versatile option to boost distance. The Machined Back Weight structure on the G400 enhances MOI to stabilize the clubface at contact, preserve ball speed, and control spin.
I found the G400 does well to provide leniency across the clubface, a feature welcomed by all golfers. It is the second last club in Sutherland’s bag that I feel the average golfer could excel with.
PROS
- Optimal forgiveness
- Extreme MOI
- Lowers spin
- Rapid ball speed
- Prompts faster clubhead speed
CONS
- Old model that is difficult to find new
- Limited alternative stock shaft options, but you can customize your setup.
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Kevin Sutherland Irons
Ping iBlade Irons
Irons 4 – 9
Your 2019 Principal Charity Classic winner remains loyal to Ping in the irons, turning to the iBlade range. The set comprises a 4-iron through 9-iron before Sutherland switches to specialized wedges.
In previous outings, I have appreciated the softness of every shot, the clean turf interaction, and workable flight. Although not suited to a mid or high-handicapper, I found the iBlade to carry more game-improvement features than classic blades and muscleback irons.
A high-speed clubface combines with tungsten toe weights to enhance stability and salvage ball speed on all shots. I instead suggest looking at a lenient, consistently performing set like the game improvement Ping G430 Irons.
PROS
- Buttery soft feel
- Workable flight
- Stable clubheads at contact
- Clean turf interaction
- Dampens vibrations
CONS
- Reduced forgiveness
- Difficult to find a new golf irons set
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Kevin Sutherland Wedges
Ping Glide 4.0 Wedges
Wedge 46°, 50°, 54°
The Sacramento-born golf pro kicks off his wedges with the Ping Glide 4.0 range, opting for the 46, 50, and 54-degree models. Kevin knows how to operate the Glide 4.0 wedges ranking in the top 20 on the Tour Champions for scrambling.
My interactions with the Glide 4.0 have yielded positive results, with a buttery-soft feel, rampant spin, and compact shape. The 8620 Carbon Steel body produced superb feedback and feel, while the milled grooves generated exceptional spin revolutions.
I also appreciate the 4 sole grind designs, which help the wedges appeal to a broader range of skill levels. However, I find the W-grind is better suited to the average golfer who requires leniency through the turf.
Although I did experience an element of forgiveness from the Glide 4.0 wedges, I recommend high handicappers stick to greater perimeter weighting. Try a wedge like the Cleveland CBX2 Hollow Cavity that is consistently forgiving.
PROS
- Buttery soft feel
- Enhanced spin revolutions
- Compact profile
- Amplified feedback
- Available in 4 sole grinds
CONS
- Expensive for a wedge
- Lower levels of forgiveness
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Ping Glide Forged Pro Wedge
Wedge – 60°
Billy told us that the bossman swings a Glide Forged Pro wedge to execute higher lofted shots and creative greenside play. Kevin plays the S-grind with 10 degrees of bounce, which is a little more than I like, but I do not have the short-game skills of Mr. Sutherland.
The compact profile, exceptional spinning grooves, and raised clubface friction help low handicappers and tour pros work magic around the dancefloor. The softness of each shot is created by a forged 8620 carbon steel head and further enhanced by the expertly milled grooves.
Ping combined milled grooves with an Emery Face Blast to raise friction at impact and impart greater spin onto the ball. I feel the Glide Forge performs better for low handicappers, so I would recommend mid and high-handicappers consider the forgiveness of the Tour Edge Hot Launch E523, which is also half the price.
By now, you also probably noticed that Mr. Sutherland likes to use his share of lead tape on his clubs. Another pro who loves his tape is John Daly.
PROS
- Compact profile
- Increases friction
- Optimizes spin
- 2 grind options
- Clean turf interaction
CONS
- Moderately expensive
- Not super forgiving
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Kevin Sutherland Putter
Ping Sigma Kinloch C Putter
Putter
As I write this, Kevin Sutherland has the 3rd best overall putting average on the PGA Tour Champions this season. The Ping Sigma Kinloch C has guided him to this position, thanks to its clean stroke, stability, consistent speed, and pure feel.
The double-wide design provides an air of stability through the stroke to help the Sacramento native keep the putter face square at contact. Sutherland strokes a face-balanced center shaft design, best suited to players with a straight stroke.
In my experience, the PEBAX Elastomer Insert is the star of the putter, owing to its feel and friction increase. It helped me preserve speed and topspin across the face to produce a smooth roll with limited skid.
Overall, I find the Sigma Kinloch C will work for amateurs with straighter strokes. However, if you produce an arched stroke, consider the Ping Tyne 4.
PROS
- Soft feel
- Produces a clean roll
- Preserves topspin across the face
- Generates consistent ball speed
- Built for straight strokes
CONS
- Not suited to arch strokes
- Difficult to find new
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Final Thoughts | Kevin Sutherland WITB
That draws our Kevin Sutherland WITB 2023 review to a close, and another thank you must go to Billy Lewis for his time. As you can see, the Californian relies on Ping to carry him on the PGA Tour Champions, often opting for outdated clubs that are difficult to find new.
As Billy Lewis explains, PGA Tour Champions players will stick to one club once they find something that works and they like. Besides his Ping G430 LST Driver, I struggled to find the rest of his clubs new and ready for action, given their age.
Kevin Sutherland exemplifies the adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” If your current golf clubs are serving you well, embrace them and continue your gameplay — just as Mr. Sutherland has done.
