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Our Rocco Mediate WITB 2023 review allows us to honor the man who featured prominently in one of the best major tournament playoffs of this millennium. The 2008 US Open was legendary as Tiger was forced to birdie the 18th playoff to take it to sudden death before the big cat stealthily claimed his 14th major title.
By the end of this post, you will know what clubs the Florida Southern College graduate carries and whether they fit your swing, launch, forgiveness, feel or spin desires. Plus, you will see that Mediate mixes and matches his golf clubs, not relying on any single brand to carry him on Tour.
If you get a chance to attend the PGA Champions Tour, Rocco Mediate tends to be a favorite as he and his caddy regularly engage with the crowd, and setting his cigar down in between shots.
⛳️ Read Next: 13 BEST Irons for Seniors [Men & Women] + Pro Tips
Rocco Mediate Quick Facts Table
| Full Name | Rocco Anthony Mediate |
| Birthday | December 17, 1962 |
| Birthplace | Greensburg, Pennsylvania |
| Age | 60 |
| Year Turned Pro | 1985 |
| Tournament Wins | 10 Wins |
| Major Wins | 1 – Senior PGA Championship (2016) |
| World Senior Ranking | 50 |
| Equipment Sponsor | None |
Rocco Mediate WITB Quick Summary
Driver: Ping G400 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus 7X TR Black
3 Wood: Callaway Rogue ST LS (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus 8X TR Blue
Utility Wood: Callaway Apex UW (20 Degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus 8X TR Blue
Irons: Ping i230 (3-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 Mid
Wedges: Artisan Golf Custom (48, 52, 56 degrees)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 Mid
Putter: SIK Pro
Shaft: La Golf C2L-180
Grip: JumboMax ST 1.2
Golf Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Rocco Mediate Driver
Ping G400 Driver – 9 Degrees
est $200.00
Driver 9°
Overview
The 2016 Senior PGA Championship winner plays a 9-degree Ping G400 Driver for superior aerodynamics, low spin, rapid speed, and a high launch. Clearly, the G400 does the trick for Rocco, guiding him to a 77% fairways in regulation record.
Ping engineers refined the club head on the G400, shaving off 15 cubic centimeters from the oversized design. The smaller crown, coupled with Dragonfly and Vortec technology, fights drag and promotes a rapid acceleration leading into impact.
Adding to the power of each strike is a fast forged clubface and a deep center of gravity which maximizes rebound at impact. Although the Ping G400 does offer an element of forgiveness, the reduced clubhead size and low spin are not suited to the average golfer. Instead, I suggest testing the Ping G430 HL Max Driver.
Read more on my top picks for Ping golf clubs for senior players here.
🏴☠️ Fun Fact: Rocco Mediate likes to decorate his driver clubhead with skull and crossbones.
PROS
- Aerodynamic clubhead
- Enhanced MOI
- Lowers spin
- Boosts ball speed
- Amplified acoustics
CONS
- Challenging to find a new G400
- The smaller clubhead leaves reduced room for error for high handicappers
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Rocco Mediate Fairway Wood
Callaway Rogue ST LS Fairway Wood – 16.5 Degrees
Updated on 2024-09-11
Fairway Wood 16.5°
Overview
The six-time PGA Tour winner switches allegiance from Ping to Callaway in the fairway woods and opts for a newer construction. Mediate swings the Callaway Rogue ST LS, which generates incredibly low spin, explosive velocity, and a low launching shot.
Mass is pushed low and forward in the Rogue ST LS to ensure you generate minimal revolutions and preserve ball speed. In my experience, it produces plenty of forward momentum and carry distance off the deck and the tee.
While faster swing speeds will relish the lower trajectory of ST LS shots, they are not ideal for slower swing speeds. Instead, I recommend sticking to the Callaway Rogue ST Max or Callaway Rogue ST Max D Fairway Wood due to their higher launch and increased leniency.
PROS
- Low spin
- Lower launching shots for increased control
- Lightning fast clubface
- Aerodynamic design
- Promotes optimal workability
CONS
- The low spin profile is not suited to slow swing speeds
- Less forgiving than the Rogue ST Max
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Rocco Mediate Hybrid
Callaway Apex Utility Wood – 20 Degrees
Updated on 2024-09-12
Hybrid 20°
Overview
The top 10% finisher in the World Series Poker Main Event in 2005 trusts Callaway to transition him from woods to irons. The Apex UW, as the name suggests, is a utility wood built to launch high and curve hard.
Callaway concocted the Apex UW to produce moderate leniency, lightning ball zip, and neutral flight bias. Despite these forgiving qualities, it sports a compact clubhead with reduced offset to allow low handicappers to work to shape their long shots.
Although the Apex UW features popular technology like the Jailbreak A.I. Velocity blade and MIM’d tungsten, there are better options for the average golfer. I find the Callaway Paradym X Hybrid and Paradym X Fairway Wood a better solution for mid and high-handicappers.
PROS
- Produces explosive ball speed
- Enables shot shaping
- Flexible clubface
- Moderate forgiveness
- High launch
CONS
- The neutral flight provides limited support on sliced shots
- No adjustable hosel
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Rocco Mediate Irons
Ping i230 Irons – (3-9 iron)
est $1,499.99
Irons 3-9
Overview
The first player to win a Tour event using a long putter follows the traditional 3 iron to 9 iron setup in a classic players’ bag. He switches back to Ping for his approach play, opting for the Ping i230 irons, which marry a compact player’s style profile with advanced technology.
I find the long irons carry a low CG profile and a flexible Activated Elastomer, which boosts energy transfer and ball speed while containing spin. The result is an enhanced launch and increased carry distance.
In addition, the 431 stainless steel head delivers a buttery-soft feel on center strikes and enhanced feedback on mishits. Finally, reduced offset encourages better workability but shows no mercy on hooks and slices.
Ultimately, the Ping i230 irons look, feel and play phenomenally, but they are best suited to low handicappers. I recommend mid and high-handicappers think about the Ping G430 Irons instead.
PROS
- Attractive profile
- Incredible feel
- Low CG promotes a mid to high launch in the long irons
- Promotes workability
- Smooth turf interaction
CONS
- Priced at the higher end of the market
- The lack of offset provides limited protection against hooks and slices
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Rocco Mediate Golf Wedges
Artisan Golf Custom Wedge – 48, 52, 56 Degrees
est $350.00 each
Wedges 48°, 52°, 56°
Overview
Rocco shows his class in the wedge category, switching to a custom-made 48, 52, and 56-degree wedge from Artisan Golf. You cannot find these wedges on any shelf, but Artisan Golf can build the wedges for you starting at $350 a club and a trip to Texas to get fitted.
Interestingly, the 7th best player on Tour from the sand does not go weaker than 56 degrees in the wedges. Plus, he sticks to a single sole grind to retain uniformity in bounce through the sand, rough and short grass. If you’re interested in these golf wedges, eBay also sells used versions.
PROS
- Crafted to your needs
- Generates exceptional spin
- Buttery soft feel
- Enhanced feedback and acoustics
- Clean finish
CONS
- Expensive wedges
- You have to travel to Texas to have them custom-made.
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Rocco Mediate Putter
SIK Pro Putter
est $399.99
Putter
Overview
The 7th one putter on the PGA Tour Champions this season is the revolutionary SIK Pro putter, which is modeled on the famed Ping Anser. Unlike its traditional look, the flat stick is stacked with Descending Loft Technology to help golfers produce consistent topspin no matter your angle of attack.
In addition, its milled groove face generates optimal friction at contact, preventing topspin and ball speed dropoff. The result is a clean rolling putt for consistent distance control on the dancefloor.
SIK putters are not readily available since LA Golf acquired the company. However, the positive news is that the new owner is incorporating SIK technology into an improved chassis like the Bel-Air range. However, they cost an arm and a leg.
PROS
- Generates a consistently clean roll
- Optimal friction
- Forgiving
- Best suited to slightly arched strokes
- Enhanced feel
CONS
- Expensive putter
- Not readily available
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Final Thoughts on Rocco Mediate WITB
Mediate has entertained golf fans for close to four decades. Although he is best remembered for his 2008 U.S. Open duel with the big cat, he does far more with his larger-than-life character and loyalty to the game.
Our Rocco Mediate WITB 2023 highlights his trust in Callaway and Ping to bolster his woods and irons game. In addition, his lack of an equipment sponsor allows him to mix and match his set by employing Artisan Golf Custom wedges and a SIK putter.
Overall, there are very few clubs in Rocco’s bag suited to the average senior golfer, bar the SIK Pro, which those with slightly arched strokes may relish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Rocco Mediate?
Rocco Mediate was born on December 17, 1962. Rocco is currently 60 years old.
Where did Rocco Mediate go to college?
Rocco Mediate is a graduate of Florida Southern College. Florida Southern is the oldest private four-year college in the state, with the main campus in Lakeland. The college is known for having the most extensive collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in one location.
Rocco was on the Florida Southern golf team along with professional golfer, Lee Janzen. The golf team went on to win the 1985 NCAA Division Men’s Championship.
Who is Rocco Mediate married to?
What ball does Rocco Mediate use?
Rocco Mediate plays golf with a Callaway Chrome Soft X golf ball. Over the years, Rocco has played with other Callaway golf balls such as the Callaway Complete Performance of the Rule 35 golf balls.
