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If you follow the PGA Tour Champions, you’re probably curious about Steve Alker WITB (what’s in the bag?) or related queries. Read on for the full details.
2022 PGA Tour Champions
In 2022, Kiwi professional Steve Alker won every fifth tournament he competed in and completed the season as the Charles Schwab Cup champion. He also ranked first on the PGA Tour Champions for scoring average and ball striking.
Whatever he is doing clearly works for him. This is why I conducted a Steve Alker WITB 2023 review. You may find some of his equipment suits your game and give you an added advantage on the golf course.
Steve Alker Quick Facts Table
Here is a summary of current facts and statistics on PGA Professional Golfer Steve Alker.
| Full Name | Steven Craig Alker |
| Birthday | July 28, 1971 |
| Birthplace | Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand |
| Age | 51 |
| Year Turned Pro | 1995 |
| Tournament Wins | 16 |
| Biggest Accomplishment | 2022 Charles Schwab Cup Winner |
| Senior World Ranking | 1 |
| Equipment Sponsor | New Level Golf, Titleist |
⛳️ Read Next: Senior Shaft vs Regular Shaft: Which Is Best For Senior Men?
Steve Alker WITB Breakdown
Before we dive into each golf club, here’s a quick summary of Steve Alker WITB.
| Driver | Fairway / Rescue Woods | Irons | Wedges | Putter | Ball |
| Callaway Epic Speed Driver: 9.0 Degree Loft | TaylorMade SIM Titanium Fairway 15 Degrees | New Level 632 CB 5-PW | Titleist Vokey Wedges SM8 50, 54, 58 degrees | Odyssey White Hot OG Rossie | Titleist Pro V1 |
| TaylorMade SIM Titanium 20 Degrees | |||||
| Tour Edge Exotics C721 Hybrid 22-Degree Loft |
⛳️Read Next: The 13 Best Putters for Seniors To Shave Strokes Today!
Steve Alker’s Driver
Callaway Epic Speed Driver – 9 Degrees
Alker plays a 9-degree driver, which carried him to second on tour for combined distance and accuracy.
I feel the Epic Speed is an excellent option for senior men looking for consistent ball speed, accelerated clubhead velocity, and a draw-bias profile.
PROS
- Exceptional forgiveness
- Lightning ball speed
- Encourages straighter flight
- Aerodynamic clubhead for accelerated pace on the downswing
CONS
- The stock shafts for stronger lofts are only available in a stiff flex
- The draw bias profile can exacerbate hooks
Steve Alker’s Fairway Woods
TaylorMade SIM Titanium: 15 & 20 Degrees Loft
The 2022 Charles Schwab Cup Champion attributes part of his success to the accuracy and consistency of his fairway woods.
Steve swings a 15-degree 3 wood, and a 20-degree 5 wood weakened from the stock 19-degree profile.
I find the SIM Titanium helps the average golfer combat heel and toe mishits to preserve ball speed and restrict spin for straighter golf shots. Plus, I appreciate the superior turf interaction produced by the V-Steel sole to catch the ball cleanly from any lie.
PROS
- Encourages straight shots
- Maintains ball speed on all strikes for optimal distance
- Limited turf interaction from all lies
- Flexible clubface
- 2-degree adjustable loft sleeve
CONS
- Difficult to find stock
- Limited shaft options for slower swing speeds
Steve Alker’s Hybrid
Tour Edge Exotics C721 – 22 Degrees Loft
I am fond of Tour Edge equipment as they cater to the needs of golfers with slow swing speeds.
Alker is far from a slow swinger, but he leverages the forgiveness and easy launch produced by the C721 hybrid. The 22-degree construction is the only hybrid the Hamilton native carries.
PROS
- Easy launch
- High MOI to deliver straighter shots
- Produces consistent distance
- Preserves ball speed across the clubface
- Optimal forgiveness
CONS
- Some golfers may drop carry distance and control because of its high launching nature
- Expensive for a hybrid
Steve Alker’s Irons
New Level 623 CB (5 – PW)
New Level is not the first name that springs to mind when you think of irons for tour players, but here we are.
The Scottsdale, Arizona company only sponsors one golfer, the on-form kiwi. He uses their 623 CB irons which carry traditional lofts and a player’s iron profile with a minor cavity back.
In my experience, these irons best suit players with a low to mid handicap and below. They do not deliver the forgiveness of game improvement irons, but it is more than you find in the muscle backs.
PROS
- Affordable for a players iron design
- It provides more forgiveness than standard golf irons
- Traditional lofts
- Soft feel
- Crisp acoustics off the clubface
CONS
- Not forgiving enough for most golfers
- You can only source them directly through New Level.
Steve Alker’s Wedge
Titleist SM8 Tour Chrome Wedge – 50, 54, 58 Degrees
Alker finished the 2022 season as the second-best senior player from the sand, getting up and down more than 63% of the time. In addition, he ranked fourth for scrambling.
He opted for the Titleist Vokey SM8 wedges to take him to glory, thanks to their feedback, acoustics, spin, and controlled ball flight.
PROS
- Delivers controlled ball flight
- Produces rampant spin
- Buttery soft feel
- Clean turf interaction
- Compact head design
CONS
- Not many improvements from the SM7
- Reduced forgiveness
Steve Alker’s Putter
Odyssey White Hot OG Rossie Putter
Looking at Alker’s putting stats this season, it is no surprise that he dominated the money list and the silverware cabinet. The Waikato veteran claimed the honors for the best putting average and the Odyssey White Hot OG Rossie that carried him.
The moderate mallet putter head features a classy, PVD milled finish and a two-part urethane insert for a superb feel.
In addition, the added weight in the mallet head expands the sweet spot and generates consistent topspin across the insert.
PROS
- Forgiving
- Preserves topspin on all strikes
- Produces a soft feel
- High MOI to help you square the clubface at the contact
- Enlarged alignment to ensure your putter face is aiming at your target
CONS
- Not the prettiest head profile
- Moderately expensive
Steve Alker’s Golf Ball of Choice
Titleist Pro V1
The top-ranked Senior male golfer on earth likes the classics, as is evidenced by the presence of Titleist Pro V1 sleeves in his bag. These legendary three-piece golf balls deliver low driver spin, prolific velocity off the tee, and superior greenside spin.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Low long-game spin
- Rapid ball speed
- Exceptional greenside spin
- Produces penetrating trajectory
- Soft feel
Cons
- Expensive
- Built for faster swing speeds
Final Thoughts: Steve Alker WITB
I tip my hat off to the New Zealander for his phenomenal work ethic and never die attitude. After years of slugging it out on the Korn Ferry Tour, he has finally hit his straps at the sprightly age of 51. After completing my Steve Alker WITB review, I noticed a few key points.
Firstly, he plays a weaker-than-usual 5-wood which has helped him dominate on long approach shots this season. Secondly, he uses irons from the relatively unknown New Level brand, which are affordable, feel soft, and provide some forgiveness.
Finally, he employs classic Titleist Vokey SM8 wedges and an Odyssey White Hot OG Rossie, which helped him get up and down with ease this year.
