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Ever wonder what golf clubs do the pros use? In this article, Matt Callcott-Stevens captured all the critical data on the PGA Tour & PGA Tour Champions golf clubs and how players build their bags in comparison.
With the PGA Tour wrapped up for the season, I have had time on my hands to unleash my inner golf nerd. I have spent the past few weeks analyzing what golf clubs do the pros use on the PGA Tour Champions and the PGA Tour.
My ambition is to highlight the similarities and differences between pro tour golf clubs for seniors and the younger generation. After reading this guide, you will know what the top brands and golf clubs on the PGA Tour are. I will also leave you with a breakdown of the clubs your favorite tour pros swing.
⛳️ Read More: The Most Forgiving Irons of All Time [Past & Present]
What Clubs Do Pros Carry?
Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway, Ping, and Srixon are the most popular golf club brands utilized by pro tour golfers. I reveal the percentage of top PGA and PGA Tour Champions players using each brand.
Titleist Golf Clubs
Titleist trumps its competitor golf club brands in popularity on the PGA Tour. The brand accounts for 36% of all irons used by the top 50 players and 24% of drivers. That value rises when we look at wedges, with 48% playing Titleist Vokey wedges. Tour players appreciate Titleist golf clubs for their feel, feedback, compact designs, and workable flight.
Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Will Zalatoris, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Thomas are a few pros synonymous with Titleist. Although they employ different models in their bag, I found the T100 irons are the most popular. Ten of the top 50 PGA Tour pros currently play the workable T100 range.
Conversely, the brand does not enjoy the same prominence on the PGA Tour Champions with the longer clubs. Padraig Harrington uses their TSR3 driver, while Brett Quigley and Dicky Pride use Titleist irons.
TaylorMade Golf Clubs
TaylorMade is the next most popular brand, accounting for 30% of fairway woods and irons among the top 50 PGA Tour professional golfers. TaylorMade Fairway Woods are also a popular option for the Tour Champions players, with 30% of the top 30 players using the brand.
I find the presence of the brand dwindles as we reach the lower clubs in the bag, stemming from an abundance of short-game options. Only 8.2% of the players analyzed use TaylorMade wedges on the PGA Tour, while the result was 0% on the PGA Tour Champions.
Famed TaylorMade tour staffers include Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and Scottie Scheffler. PGA Tour Champions players who use TaylorMade clubs include Fred Couples and Vijay Singh.
Callaway Golf Clubs
Callaway follows TaylorMade as the third most golf clubs on Tour, with a healthy selection of metal woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters. The brand dominates the hybrid category on both tours, with 35.31% and 26.7% of the top 50 PGA Tour and senior players using them, respectively.
Their dominance is also seen in the putting department on the youngsters and veterans tour thanks to their acquisition of Odyssey Golf. Just under one-third of the top players use a Callaway putter on the PGA Tour, but the figure almost doubles to 52.21% of pros on the seniors tour.
I was always impressed by Callaway’s result in the driver department on the PGA Tour Champions. Just under half, or 44%, of the top 30 senior golfers use Callaway drivers. Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and Si Woo Kim are among the biggest names on the brand’s portfolio.
Despite severing ties with the brand in 2022, Phil Mickelson is the most famed golfer over 50 years old swinging Callaway clubs.
Ping Golf Clubs
Ping does not dominate one category specifically, but it is well represented through the bag. Twenty-four percent of senior golfers swing a Ping driver, while 18% of PGA Tour pros use the brand.
The next popular golf clubs category where the brand appears are the fairway woods and putter sections. Just under 17% of the top 30 seniors swing a Ping fairway wood compared to 16% on the PGA Tour.
The most popular PGA Tour pros who play Ping golf clubs include Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau, Tyrrell Hatton, and Sahith Theegala. Miguel Angel Jimenez and Kevin Sutherland are two notable Ping staffers on the PGA Tour Champions.
Srixon Golf Clubs
Srixon produces value for money, soft feeling, high launching, and workable metal woods and irons for amateurs and pros. Srixon is dwarfed in tour representation compared to Titleist, TaylorMade, and Callaway golf clubs. However, they punch above their weight in the irons department.
Over 20% of the top Senior golfers employ Srixon irons in their golf bags for their feel, forgiveness, launch, and workability. It ties with Callaway for the most used irons brand by the top Champions Tour golfers.
Srixon does not manufacture wedges or putters, relying on their sister brand, Cleveland to handle this area. Hideki Matsuyama, Shane Lowry, and Brooks Koepka are the highest-profile players to operate with the brand’s irons. My former boss, Ernie Els, carries the Srixon flag high on the senior’s tour, using their irons.
Cobra Golf Clubs
Cobra is one of the least popular brands on the PGA and PGA Tour Champions with the top-ranked players. It only accounts for 2% of drivers, 4% of fairway woods, and 3.3% of irons swung by PGA Tour professional golfers.
I was surprised to find none of the best Tour Champions players using Cobra golf clubs, despite my experience of forgiving, easy launching, and long clubs superbly suited to senior golfers.
Rickie Fowler is the most popular name on the Cobra Golf books since the brand parted ways with Bryson DeChambeau in 2022.
Cleveland Golf Clubs
Although the highly forgiving Cleveland woods, irons, and hybrids perform for amateurs, they are tough to find in a pro’s bag. However, their wedges are highly popular with PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions players for their feel, acoustics, launch, and exceptional spin.
I recorded 14.3% of the top 50 PGA Tour golfers using Cleveland wedges, with the RTX ZipCore proving the most popular golf club. The quantity of pros using Cleveland wedges increases on the Champions Tour, with 20.8% of players using the brand’s short clubs.
Brooks Koepka, Keegan Bradley, Hideki Matsuyama, and Shane Lowry are the most famous profile players using Cleveland wedges. On the Champions Tour, Jerry Kelly, Ernie Els, K.J Choi, and David Toms play wedges from the Huntington Beach, California outfit.
Most Popular Golf Clubs on the PGA Tour
Most Popular Drivers on Tour
The Titleist TSR3 is the most popular big stick among the Top 50 PGA Tour pros, with 24% carrying one. Callaway came in second with the Paradym Triple Diamond, while the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus is the third most popular driver on tour.
Breakdown of Drivers on the PGA Tour
| Position | Golf Club | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Titleist TSR3 (12) | Max Homa, Wyndham Clarke, Jordan Spieth, Cam Smith |
| 2. | Callaway Paradym TD (8) | Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Si Woo Kim, Emiliano Grillo |
| 3. | TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (7) | Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Keegan Bradley |
Titleist TSR3 Driver
The Titleist TSR3 driver is the most popular pick for PGA Tour pros. It accounts for 24% of the drivers used by the Top 50 golfers on the planet. The aerodynamics, feel, acoustics, speed, and low spin deliver the optimal tee box experience.
Callaway Paradym TD Driver (8)
Eight top professional golfers swing the low spinning, high launching, neutral flying Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond driver. Chief among them is Cameron Young, who finished third on the PGA Tour in 2023 for average driving distance.
Although I appreciate the adjustable weighting design on the Paradym TD, I do not find it as forgiving as the standard Callaway Paradym. Low handicappers will appreciate the workability and acoustics of the Paradym TD. However, its reduced forgiveness is less ideal for mid and high-handicappers.
TaylorMade Stealth Plus Driver 2
The TaylorMade Stealth Plus 2 finds itself in the bags of 7 of the top 50 PGA Tour pros, including Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman was the longest hitter on tour in the 2022/23 season, with an average distance of 326.3 yards.
I love the low spin, elevated launch, forgiveness, feel, and acoustics of the Stealth Plus 2. Unfortunately, it’s not ideal for the average golfer. The reduced spin requires a higher swing speed to consistently get the ball airborne. This is why I prefer the easier launching Stealth Plus 2 HD driver for the average player.
5 Longest Hitters & PGA Tour Golf Clubs
| Player | Driver | Average Distance (Yards) |
|---|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus | 326.3 |
| Brandon Matthews | Srixon ZX7 MKii | 321.2 |
| Cameron Young | Callaway Paradym TD | 316.9 |
| Cameron Champ | Ping G425 Max | 316.1 |
| Matti Schmid | Taylormade SIM 2 Max | 315.8 |
Rory McIlroy produced the best driving distance average in the 2023 season, returning figures of 326.3 yards. The Northern Irishman swung a TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus to deliver low spin, forgiveness, and explosive ball speed. The remaining 4 players in the top 5 used a mix of Srixon, Callaway, and Ping drivers.
TaylorMade was the only brand to feature in the top 5 twice, with their Stealth 2 Plus and SIM 2 Max, swung by Matti Schmid.
⛳️ Read More: TaylorMade Stealth Driver Review
Most Accurate Drivers on PGA Tour
| Player | Driver | Average Distance (Yards) |
|---|---|---|
| Russel Henley | Titleist Tsi3 | 71.74% |
| Collin Morikawa | TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus | 69.55% |
| Ryan Moore | Cobra Aerojet LS | 69.33% |
| Aaron Rai | Taylormade M6 | 69.11% |
| Ryan Armour | Ping G425 LS | 68.95% |
Russel Henley delivered the best fairway in regulation returns in the 2023 season, hitting 71.74% of fairways. He employed the services of a Titleist TSi3 to keep him on the short grass, the only Titleist big stick to feature in the top 5.
Henley was trailed by Morikawa and Ryan Moore, who swing a TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus and Cobra Aerojet LS, respectively.
Most Popular Fairway Woods on the PGA Tour
The Titleist TSR3 is the most popular big stick among the Top 50 PGA Tour pros, with 24% carrying the high launching, adjustable wood. The Callaway Paradym TD is the second most used fairway wood, with 5 players swinging it, while the Stealth 2 is played by 4 tour pros.
Breakdown of Fairway Woods on the PGA Tour
| Position | Golf Club | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Callaway Paradym TD (7) | Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Si Woo Kim, Emiliano Grillo |
| 2. | Titleist TSR3 (6) | Jordan Spieth, Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, Will Zalatoris |
| 3. | TaylorMade Stealth 2 (4) | Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clarke, Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka |
Callaway Paradym TD
Callaway Paradym TD fairway woods are the single most used model on tour, with 7 of the top 50 carrying them. Jon Rahm, Tony Finau, and Xander Schauffele are among the golfers swinging the low-spinning, fast-face adjustable driver.
Titleist TSR3
Jordan Spieth and Cameron Young are two of the six tour pros who operated with a Titleist TSR3 this season. I find the adjustable fairway wood delivers workable flight and a mid-to-high launch to suit superior golfers seeking maximum control off the tee and on approach.
TaylorMade Stealth 2
TaylorMade bags the final spot on the podium in the Fairway Woods category with their Stealth 2 range. I found that 4 professional golfers, including Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood, play the clean gliding sole and high-launching Stealth 2.
Most Popular Golf Hybrids on Tour
Only 17 out of the top 50 golfers on the PGA Tour carry a hybrid in their bag. Although traditionally associated with high handicappers, some tour pros desire the effortless launch and forgiveness of a hybrid on approach.
Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and Matt Fitzpatrick are the only 3 players inside the top 10 that play a hybrid. Titleist dominate the category with their TSi2 hybrid, followed closely by the Callaway Apex and Apex Utility Wood.
Breakdown of Fairway Woods on the PGA Tour
| Position | Golf Club | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Titleist TSi2 (3) | Jordan Spieth, Cameron Young, Russell Henley |
| 2. | Callaway Apex UW (2) | Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns |
| 3. | Callaway Apex (2) | Keegan Bradley, Emiliano Grillo |
Titleist TSi2
Cam Young, Jordan Spieth, and Russell Henley are all aboard the TSi2 wagon, favoring it for its feel, turf interaction, and towering launch. I also find the TSi2 boasts an explosive clubface, which preserves ball speed and contains spin for maximum distance.
Callaway Apex Hybrid
Keegan Bradley and Emiliano Grillo carry the fast, long, and adjustable Callaway Apex hybrid. In my experience, the hybrid produced neutral ball flight and outstanding distance for consistent long-game results. I also appreciate the adjustable hosel to alter my launch and flight settings.
Callaway Apex UW
Xander Schauffele and Sam Burns turn to the fast, forgiving, stable, and easy-launching Apex UW hybrid on approach and off the tee. In my experience, the Apex hybrid offers the speed and turf interaction of fairway woods with the launch and forgiveness of hybrids.
What Irons Do the Pros Use?
TaylorMade and Titleist is the dominant golf irons brand on the PGA Tour, covering 60% of the top tour players. Despite the popularity of TaylorMade as a brand, none of their irons are among the 3 most played sets on tour.
The Titleist T100 range is the clear winner, with 10 tour players carrying the irons in their bags. T100 irons are followed by the Callaway Apex TCB and Srixon ZX7 MKII.
Breakdown Most Used Irons on Pga Tour
| Position | Golf Club | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Titleist T100 (10) | Jordan Spieth, Cam Smith, Tom Kim, Sungjae Im, Will Zalatoris |
| 2. | Callaway Apex TCB (4) | Jon Rahm, Sam Burns, Emiliano Grillo, Min Woo Lee |
| 3. | Srixon ZX7 MKii (7) | Brooks Koepka, Sepp Straka, Corey Conners, Ryan Fox |
Titleist T100
The dual-cavity constructed T100 range features in the bags of 20% of the top 50 players iron setups. Jordan Spieth, Will Zalatoris, and Cam Smith play the T100 set for their feel, workability, progressive center of gravity, and clean turf interaction.
Callaway Apex TCB
The Callaway Apex TCB iron models are favored by Jon Rahm and Sam Burns for their feel, flight, control, and compact design. I find these irons highly workable and appreciate the crisp acoustics of shots out of the sweet spot.
Srixon ZX7 MKII
Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka is one of four top 50 players swinging the Srixon ZX7 MKii irons. These modern clubs generate the feel, launch, spin, and workability tour players demand on approach.
5 Most Accurate Approach Players
| Player | Irons | GIR (Percentage) |
|---|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | TaylorMade P7TW | 74.43% |
| Kevin Yu | Callaway Apex TCB | 72.96% |
| Collin Morikawa | TaylorMade P7CM | 70.85% |
| Doug Ghim | Titleist T100 | 70.56% |
| Jon Rahm | Callaway Apex TCB | 70.50% |
The Callaway Apex TCB irons featured in 2 of the top 5 accurate golfers bags in 2023. Kevin Yu and Jon Rahm played the TCB iron model and were second and fifth most accurate for the season.
Scottie Scheffler recorded the highest greens in regulation percentage, hitting 74.43% of greens with the TaylorMade P7TW irons. Collin Morikawa, another TaylorMade staffer, had the third-highest GIR return, with 70.85%. The double major winner finished the season with a 70.85% success rate on approach.
Most Popular Golf Wedges on Tour
Titleist Vokey reigns supreme in the wedges section, accounting for 51% of the high-spinning pro tour golf clubs. The Vokey SM9 is a favorite, appearing in 18 of the top 50 players’ bags for its spin, flight, control, and abundance of sole grinds.
Cleveland and Ping brands account for the second most wedges, with 14.3% of the top golfers using their short clubs. I found the RTX ZipCore was the most popular Cleveland wedge, while the Glide 4.0 topped the standings for Ping.
Breakdown of PGA Tour Wedges
| Position | Golf Clubs | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Titleist Vokey SM9 (18) | Max Homa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Brian Harman, Wyndham Clarke, Jordan Spieth |
| 2. | Ping Glide 4.0 (7) | Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau, Tyrrell Hatton, Corey Conners |
| 3. | Cleveland RTX Zipcore (3) | Brooks Koepka, Keegan Bradley, Ryan Fox |
Titleist Vokey SM9
The Titleist Vokey SM9 is the single most popular wedge series on tour, appearing in the bags of 18 pros. Max Homa, Brian Harman, and Jordan Spieth are three of the top 50 pros currently relying on the high-spinning, versatile SM9 wedges.
Ping Glide 4.0
Ping Glide 4.0 wedges made it into the bags of 7 top 50 golfers this season, including the FedEx Cup Champion, Viktor Hovland. Pros appreciate the Glide 4.0 due to its clean turf interaction, enhanced friction, and consistent greenside spin.
Cleveland RTX ZipCore
Wedges are the only club where Cleveland-branded golf clubs are in a pro’s bag. The RTX ZipCore is the third single most popular wedge among the best golfers in the world. Brooks Koepka and Keegan Bradley carry it for its outstanding spin, feel, and durable grooves.
5 Best Scrambling Leaders in the World
The 2023 Open Championship winner Brian Harman thrived from the greenside this season, recording the best scrambling record. The Savannah local posted a 67.74% scrambling success rate using the Titleist Vokey SM9. Harman was followed by Jonathan Byrd on 66.35%, who also used a Titleist Vokey SM9.
The Titleist brand rounded out the top 5 with Tommy Fleetwood, who plays Vokey Wedgeworks Proto wedges. Matt Kuchar and J.J. Spaun placed third and fourth, respectively, using the Cleveland RTX ZipCore wedges.
| Player | Wedges | Scrambling Success |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Harman | Titleist Vokey SM9 | 67.74% |
| Jonathan Byrd | Titleist Vokey SM9 | 66.35% |
| Matt Kuchar | Cleveland RTX Zipcore | 65.76% |
| J.J Spaun | Cleveland RTX Zipcore | 65.74% |
| Tommy Fleetwood | Titleist Vokey Wedgeworks | 65.47% |
PGA Tour: What Putters Do the Pros Use?
Titleist continued to dominate its fellow golf club brands in the short stick department, with their Scotty Cameron models accounting for 34% of the top 50 putters. Callaway Odyssey putters are played by 28% of the top 50 players and came in second.
The Callaway Odyssey Versa Jailbird was the single most popular putter found in 4 players bags. It was followed by the TaylorMade Spider X Hydroblast, used by Kurt Kitayama and Tom Hoge. Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young stroked the Titleist Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto, the third most used flatstick.
Breakdown of Most Popular Putters on the PGA Tour
| Position | Club | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Callaway Odyssey Versa Jailbird (4) | Wyndham Clarke, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Adam Schenk |
| 2. (Tie) | TaylorMade Spider X Hydroblast (2) | Kurt Kitayama, Tom Hoge |
| 2. (Tie) | Scotty Cameron X T5.5 Proto (2) | Patrick Cantlay, Cameron Young |
Callaway Odyssey Versa Jailbird
Wydnham Clarke, Rickie Fowler, and Keegan Bradley are three stars who stroked Versa Jailbird. The top players appreciate the Versa for its elevated moment of inertia (MOI), stability, and forgiveness without impacting feel and control.
TaylorMade Spider X HydroBlast
TaylorMade tied Titleist Scotty Cameron for the second most-stroked putter on the PGA Tour. Kurt Kitayama and Tom Hoge carried the flat stick for its clean roll, premium finish, and forgiveness across the putter face.
Scotty Cameron X T5 Prototype
The X T5 Prototype is developed for tour players seeking increased forgiveness, a premium finish, and a clean roll off the clubface. Patrick Cantlay and Cameron Young both carry the X T5 Prototype.
Lowest Putting Averages PGA Tour – Putting Statistics
| Player | Putter | Putting Average |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor Montgomery | Taylormade Ghost Spider S | 1.659 |
| Sam Ryder | Odyssey White Hot Versa Seven | 1.7 |
| Eric Cole | Odyssey White Hot OG #1 CS | 1.701 |
| Max Homa | Scotty Cameron T-5.5 Proto | 1.701 |
| Sahith Theegala | Ping Prototype Putter TR 1966 Anser 2 | 1.71 |
Taylor Montgomery recorded the lowest putting average in 2023 using a decade-old putter. The Las Vegan averaged 1.665 putts per hole and converted his birdie attempts 38.31% of the time. His chosen flatstick is a TaylorMade Ghost Spider S.
Montgomery is the only member of the five best putters to stroke a TaylorMade flat stick. Sam Ryder and Eric Cole finished second and third respectively, with Callaway Odyssey putters.
Most Popular Golf Clubs on the PGA Tour Champions Tour
Most Popular Drivers on the PGA Champions Tour
Contrary to the PGA Tour, Titleist does not enjoy the prevalence on the Champions Tour. Only 8% of the top 30 senior golfers carry a Titleist driver, compared to 44% who operate with a Callaway big stick. Ping ranks second for driver selection, followed by Tour Edge, which did not feature at all on the PGA Tour.
The Ping G430 LST is the single most popular driver among Champions Tour pros, with 10% of the players analyzed using the model. Callaway takes the second and third places on the podium with the Paradym Triple Diamond and Epic Speed Triple Diamond.
Breakdown of Drivers on the Champions Tour
| Position | Club | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ping G430 LST (3) | Miguel Angel Jimenez, Phil Mickelson, Kevin Sutherland |
| 2. | Callaway Paradym TD (3) | Stephen Ames, David Toms, K.J. Choi |
| 3. | Callaway Epic Speed TD (2) | Steve Stricker, Steven Alker |
Ping G430 LST Driver
The low-spinning Ping G430 LST is a popular option for faster-swinging, longer-hitting seniors like Phil Mickelson. Miguel Jimenez and Kevin Sutherland also use the fast, forgiving, medium launching driver despite lagging Phil on the distance front.
Callaway Paradym TD Driver
The ever-consistent Stephen Ames heads the lineup of Champions Tour players swinging the Paradym TD off the tee. David Toms and K.J. Choi follow Ames example by carrying the fast, adjustable, and neutral flying Paradym TD.
Callaway Epic Speed TD Driver
Although it is 2 years older than the Paradym, Steve Stricker and Steve Alker still find use for the Epic Speed TD in their bag. The adjustable hosel, neutral flight, explosive face, and high launch help faster swing speed golfers maximize distance off the tee box.
5 Longest Hitters on the PGA Tour Champions
| Player | Driver | Average Distance (Yards) |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Karlsson | Titleist TS3 | 308.5 |
| Tim O’Neal | Titleist TSi2 | 306.7 |
| Scott McCarron | Tour Edge Exotics C722 | 297.1 |
| Charlie Wi | N/A | 297.1 |
| Ernie Els | XX10 Eleven Driver | 295.2 |
Robert Karlsson enjoys the best average driving distance figures in 2023, with 308.9 yards off the tee. The Swede relies on the Titleist TS3 to maximize his yardage, while the runner-up, Tim O’neal, shoots with a Titleist TSi2.
The gap between O’Neal in second and Scott McCarron in third is almost 9 yards. McCarron operated with a Tour Edge Exotics C722 driver, averaging 297.1 yards.
5 Most Accurate Drivers on the PGA Tour Champions
| Player | Driver | FIR % |
|---|---|---|
| Jerry Kelly | Ping G425 LST | 81.49% |
| Bernhard Langer | Ping G400 | 79.94% |
| Fred Funk | N/A | 79.02% |
| Olin Browne | Callaway Paradym TD | 78.05% |
| Paul Goydos | N/A | 76.42% |
Jerry Kelly boasts a superior tee shot accuracy to his peers, reaching 81.49% of fairways in 2023 with his Ping G425 LST. Bernhard Langer snuck in behind Kelly for second, hitting 79.94% of fairways using an older Ping G400 driver.
The only non-Ping player I found in the top 5 for FIR was Olin Browne, who swings the Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond. Unfortunately, I struggled to find an updated version of Fred Funk and Paul Goydos’ drivers, and I decided to leave them out. If any reader has spotted the bags of these players recently, please let me know so I can update the table.
Most Popular Fairway Woods on Senior Tour
Callaway and TaylorMade fairway woods are found in half of the top 30 senior players’ bags. Each brand contributes 25% to the cause. The TaylorMade SIM is the most played fairway wood, followed by the Tour Edge Exotics C722 and the Ping G430 Max.
Despite being a prominent fairway wood brand for seniors, the Epic Flash is the only Callaway fairway wood used by more than one player.
Breakdown of Fairway Woods on the Champions Tour
| Position | Club | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | TaylorMade SIM (3) | Vijay Singh, Steven Alker, Dicky Pride |
| 2. | Tour Edge Exotics C722 (2) | Bernhard Langer, Alex Cejka |
| 3. | Ping G430 Max (2) | Stewart Cink, Y.E Yang |
TaylorMade SIM
The TaylorMade SIM is played by 3 Champions Tour pros for its accelerated clubhead speed, low CG, and clean sole interaction. Vijay Singh, Steven Alker, and Dicky Pride all carry the TaylorMade SIM despite being older model golf clubs.
Tour Edge Exotics C722
Two Germans, Two majors in 2023, and both individuals swing Tour Edge Exotics C722 fairway woods. Bernhard Langer and Alex Cejka play the C722 range for its explosive clubface, clean turf interaction, elevated launch, and consistency.
Ping G430 Max
The Ping G430 Max features in 2 top 30 players bags. Stewart Cink and Y.E. Yang use the adjustable, fast-paced, and spin-controlled face to maximize launch and distance on approach or off the tee.
Most Popular Hybrids on PGA Tour Champions
Over 50% of the top 30 PGA Tour Champions players swing hybrids for their clean turf interaction, elevated MOI, and towering launch. Tour Edge and Callaway lead the way in the field, each accounting for 26.7% of hybrids.
Titleist, TaylorMade, and Ping take up the remaining spots, each contributing 13.3% to the total hybrids played on the senior’s tour.
Breakdown of Hybrids on the Champions Tour
| Position | Club | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tour Edge Exotics E722 (3) | Bernhard Langer, Tim Petrovic |
| 2. | Callaway Apex UW (2) | K.J. Choi, Phil Mickelson |
| 3. | Ping G400 (2) | Steve Flesch, Kevin Sutherland |
Tour Edge Exotics C722
The Tour Edge Exotics C722 is the single most popular hybrid on tour, played by 3 of the top 30 players. Bernhard Langer, Tim Petrovic, and Ken Duke employ the forgiving and adjustable hybrid to reduce turf interaction, lower spin, and send the ball consistently high off the deck.
Callaway Apex UW
Callaway Apex Utility Woods generate blistering speed across the surface and contain spin to encourage a powerful launch. Phil Mickelson and KJ Choi are the seniors inside the top 30 to swing the utility wood. Outside of the top 30 golfers in the world, David Duval and Jim Furyk carry the Callaway Apex UW.
Ping G400
The extremely high MOI, thin fast face, and spin-controlling Ping G400 is the third most popular hybrid on the Tour Champions. Steve Flesch and Kevin Sutherland are the two notable players who swing the older model Ping hybrid to boost distance on approach.
What Golf Irons Do Pros Use on the PGA Tour Champions?
Srixon and Callaway are the most popular tour pro golf clubs brands for irons on the senior tour. Together, the pair contributes 41.6% of irons to the top 30 seniors. Ping follows by supplying 16.7% of irons to the top players while Tour Edge is the fourth most popular, with 12.5% of top seniors swinging their irons.
The Srixon ZX7 range is the most popular choice among Tour Champions, followed by the Tour Edge EXS Pro blade irons. Callaway X-Forged are the third most popular, along with the newer Srixon ZX7 MKii irons.
Breakdown of Most Popular Irons on Senior Tour
| Position | Club | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Srixon ZX7 Cavity Back Irons (3) | Jerry Kelly, K.J. Choi, Steve Flesch |
| 2. | Tour Edge EXS Pro Forged Cavity Back Irons (2) | Tim Petrovic, Ken Duke |
| 3. | Callaway X-Forged Iron Set (2) | Alex Cejka, Retief Goosen |
Srixon ZX7
The tour cavity back construction on the ZX7 irons enhances the stability and forgiveness of the golf club while preserving a compact profile. I find the long irons generate rapid pace and a powerful launch, and the short irons and wedges generate maximum spin on approach.
Jerry Kelly, K.J. Choi, and Steve Flesch play the older ZX7 range. Conversely, David Toms and Ernie Els play the newer ZX7 MKii irons.
Tour Edge EXS Pro
Tour Edge EXS Pro blade irons ensure a soft feel, crisp acoustics, and workable flight on approach. Ken Duke and Tim Petrovic play the slick-looking blades, which offer limited forgiveness but enhance the control of superior golfers on approach strikes.
It is interesting to note that the most accurate tour player on approach, Bernhard Langer, plays a different model Tour Edge blade iron. The German turns to the Tour Edge Exotics CBX Forged to handle his shots from the fairway and the rough.
Callaway X-Forged
My compatriots, Retief Goosen and Alex Cejka carry the Callaway X-Forged irons in their golf bags. I find these irons generate a buttery soft feel, controlled spin, and amplified acoustics thanks to their forged body construction. They are also a pleasure to gaze upon at address, and they encourage smooth turf interaction from any lie.
5 Most Accurate Approach Players on PGA Tour Champions
| Player | Irons | GIR % |
|---|---|---|
| Bernhard Langer | Tour Edge Exotics CBX Forged Irons | 78.36% |
| Steve Stricker | Callaway Apex Pro 19 Raw Irons | 77.51% |
| David Branshaw | N/A | 74.37% |
| Ernie Els | Srixon ZX7 MKii Irons | 74.07% |
| Scott Dunlap | N/A | 74.03% |
The ever-consistent Bernhard Langer has the highest GIR percentage on the Tour Champions in 2023. He has hit over 78% of all greens on approach, which is why he ranks among the top 3 earners on tour. Langer is followed by Steve Stricker, who reached 77% of GIR this season.
Most Popular Wedges on PGA Tour Champions
It is no surprise to see Titleist holding the largest share of wedges on the Tour Champions, with their Vokey range. Unlike the PGA Tour, it is the older version Vokey SM8, which is preferred by players like Steve Stricker and Steve Flesch. I discovered that 33.3% of the top 30 seniors are swinging a Titleist Vokey wedge.
Cleveland is responsible for the second most popular brand of wedges, with the RTX ZipCore a favorite among the veterans. Callaway contributes the third highest count of wedges to senior tour professional golfers.
Breakdown of Wedges on the PGA Champions Tour
| Position | Golf Club | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Titleist Vokey SM8 (4) | Steve Stricker, Steve Flesch, Brett Quigley |
| 2. | Ping Glide 4.0 (3) | Miguel Angel Jimenez, Stewart Cink, Kevin Sutherland |
| 3. | Cleveland RTX ZipCore (3) | David Toms, Ernie Els, Darren Clarke |
Titleist Vokey SM8
Titleist Vokey SM8 wedges are played by 13% of top Tour Champions players. The wedges are preferred for their master craftsmanship, controlled flight, soft feel, and exceptional spin to maximize control. The 3 Steves fly the Vokey SM8 flag high on the Champions Tour, with Alker, Stricker, and Flesch all carrying them.
Ping Glide 4.0
Miguel Angel Jimenez, Stewart Cink, and Kevin Sutherland employ the Glide 4.0 wedges for their turf interaction, spin, and feel. Despite the elevated spin rate, the wedge launches low, feels soft, and is crafted in 4 grind options to excel from every lie.
Cleveland RTX ZipCore
David Toms, Darren Clarke, and Ernie Els ply their greenside trade with the soft-feeling, low-launching, and high-spinning Cleveland RTX ZipCore range. In my experience, these wedges boast durable, sharp grooves that encourage maximum shot-stopping power on pitches, flops, and short approach shots.
5 Best Scrambling PGA Tour Champions Leaders
| Player | Wedges | Scrambling % |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Stricker | Titleist Vokey SM8 46 Titleist Vokey SM7 54 Titleist Vokey SM4 60 | 71.74% |
| Jerry Kelly | Cleveland RTX 3 52° and Cleveland RTX 4 60° | 69.55% |
| Steven Alker | Titleist Vokey SM8 – 50°, 54°, 58° | 69.33% |
| Bernhard Langer | Tour Edge BL Prototype | 69.11% |
| Stephen Ames | 68.95% |
The best senior golfer in the world also has the highest scrambling success rate on the Tour Champions this year. Steve Stricker has successfully gotten up and down from the greenside 71.74% of the time, 2% more than second-placed Jerry Kelly has produced.
Stricker is a Titleist loyalist in the wedge department, operating with an SM8 pitching wedge, SM7 sand wedge, and SM4 lob wedge. Third place Steven Alker also players Vokey SM8 wedges, while Jerry Kelly generates spin with the Cleveland RTX 3 and 4 golf clubs.
PGA Tour Champions: What Putters Do the Pros Use?
Callaway Odyssey is the largest single proprietor of putters to the top 30 ranked seniors. This golf equipment brand accounts for over 52% of the top players’ putters, with the White Hot 2 Ball and White Hot OG 7 the most played flat sticks.
Titleist supplies the second most putters to top veteran golfers, with their Scotty Cameron range, while Ping places third. Several senior golfers play putters from boutique manufacturers like AR Golf, Sacks Parrente, and Bloodline Golf.
Breakdown of Most Popular Putters on the Senior Tour
| Position | Golf Club | Professional Golfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Callaway Odyssey White Hot 2 Ball (8) | Steve Stricker, Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Jerry Kelly |
| 2. | Callaway Odyssey White Hot OG 7 (2) | Alex Cejka, K.J. Choi |
| 3. | Titleist Scotty Cameron Go Lo S1 (1) | David Toms |
Callaway Odyssey White Hot OG 2 Ball
The famed Odyssey White Hot OG 2 Ball putter design is a hit with the senior golfers for its alignment aid, stability, and clean roll. Eight golfers stroke the 2 Ball construction, including Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, and Steve Flesch.
While assessing putting stats, I noticed that two low putting averages were achieved with an Odyssey putter. However, none of the players were using an Odyssey 2 Ball. Steve Stricker, the best putter on tour this season, achieved the feat using a bladed White Hot No.2 flatstick. Fifth place, Steven Alker employed an Odyssey White Hot OG Rossie.
Callaway White Hot OG Odyssey Seven
Another premium, soft-feeling putter is the Callaway Odyssey Seven. The winged back mallet putter optimizes stability and friction, encouraging enhanced topspin on all putts. Alex Cejka and K.J. Choi rely on the Odyssey Seven to get them around the green.
Titleist Scotty Cameron Go Lo S1
The Titleist Scotty Cameron Go Lo S1 Proto combines forgiveness, premium looks, and a soft feel. I found the milled putter face increases friction and topspin to optimize roll and distance control. David Toms is the highest-profile player in the top 30, stroking the Go Lo S1.
5 Lowest Putting Averages on PGA Tour Champions
| PGA Tour Pros | Putter | Putting Average |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Stricker | Odyssey White Hot No. 2 | 1.683 |
| Miguel Angel Jimenez | Ping D572C | 1.694 |
| Brett Quigley | Scotty Cameron 009 Masterful Tourtype SSS | 1.71 |
| Y.E. Yang | Scotty Cameron GSS Tour | 1.727 |
| Steven Alker | Callaway Odyssey White Hot OG Rossie | 1,729 |
I thought it was interesting that no two players in the top 5 used the same putter to achieve their low putting averages. Top-ranked Steve Stricker added an Odyssey White Hot No.2 to the bag, while Miguel Angel Jimenez putts with a Ping D572C.
Brett Quigley and Y.E. Yang putted with Scotty Cameron flat sticks, but different models. Quigley struck the 009 Masterful Tourtype SSS, while Yang handled the GSS Tour.
How Does the Set Up Change from PGA Tour to PGA Tour Champions?
I noticed three predominant differences between the setup of PGA and Champions Tour pro golf clubs. Driver lofts, hybrids, and driving irons were the key differences in the bag structure. I also discovered that seniors often add older model clubs to their golf bags.
PGA Tour Driver Lofts
While comparing the drivers of Tour Champions to PGA Tour players, I noticed that the lofts differed. On average, senior golfers prefer higher lofted drivers set at 10.5°, compared to the PGA Tour, where the lower lofted 9° profile is popular.
There are exceptions to the rule, like Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson, who swing a 7.5° driver. Miguel Angel Jimenez and Steven Alker also unleash strong lofted 9° drivers for a lower launching golf ball.
Driving Iron vs Hybrid: Common Club Set Up
Only 34% of the top 50 PGA Tour pros carry a hybrid in their bag, with driving irons still being preferred by many of the game’s best. However, 53% of Tour Champions golfers play a hybrid for the elevated launch, clean turf interaction, and forgiveness.
I discovered that PGA Tour pros typically prefer the workability and controlled flight of a utility iron over a hybrid. Professional golfers may change their bags at any time to suit the conditions of a specific course.
For example, a lower launching driver iron is ideal for windy days and dry courses. Conversely, the high-launching soft landing hybrid suits target golf courses that demand precise distance control on approach.
Best Golfers in the World Using Older Clubs on Tour
My research revealed that Champions Tour pros enjoy carrying older model clubs that they are comfortable swinging. Until recently, Bernhard Langer used Adams Idea Pro hybrids released 16 years ago. Steve Stricker also utilizes a 9-year-old Titleist 915F fairway wood.
Like anything, there are exceptions to the rules. The best putter on the PGA Tour this season, Taylor Montgomery, uses a 10-year-old Taylormade Ghost Spider S. So, having the latest golf equipment may not always be the answer for gaining more accuracy, even for the best players.
Do Most PGA Tour Players Use Lead Tape?
Yes, PGA Tour players do use lead tape on different clubs to achieve optimal MOI and CG placement. PGA Tour professional golfer, Akshay Bhatia explains that lead tape boosts the MOI of his driver and fairway woods for greater long-game forgiveness.
He also applies lead tape to his wedges to raise the CG level. This promotes a lower launch, consistent contact, friction, and spin. Finally, he uses lead tape on his putter to help it sit square at address and resist twisting at impact.
⛳️ Read More: Should I Add Lead Tape to My Golf Clubs?
Final Thoughts: What Golf Clubs Do the Pros Use?
After reviewing what clubs do pros use, it is clear that Titleist is the dominant brand on the PGA Tour. More top 50 PGA Tour players use their drivers, irons, wedges, and putters than any other brand. I found that 24% of the top 50 players swing the Titleist TSR3 driver.
The TSR3 fairway wood was another favorite with the pros, along with the Titleist T100 irons. Titleist Scotty Cameron putters ruled the roost on the PGA Tour, and the Callaway Odyssey brand leads the way with the seniors.
Callaway and Ping are the preferred metal wood brands on the Tour Champions, while the Srixon ZX7 set are the most popular irons. Finally, the Titleist Vokey wedges are king on both tours. Although PGA Tour pros prefer the SM9 while older pros prefer the SM8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What iron is used most on the PGA Tour?
The Titleist T100 iron range is the most used on the PGA Tour, appearing in 20% of the top 50 players’ bags. Callaway Apex TCB irons are the next most popular, performing for 8% of the top 50 PGA golfers.
What driver is most used on the PGA Tour?
The Titleist TSR3 is the most popular big stick among the Top 50 PGA Tour pros, with 24% carrying one. Callaway came in second with the Paradym Triple Diamond, while the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus is the third most popular driver on tour.
What is the difference between PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions?
The primary difference between the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions is the competitiveness and age of the players. The PGA Tour Champions is for golfers age 50 and older. Profesional golfers become eligible for Tour Champions once they hit the age minimum. Secondary differences is that the PGA Tour offers substantially larger purse sizes. The Senior Tour also can use a golf cart.
What is the most common putter used on the PGA Tour?
Titleist Scotty Cameron models are the most common and dominate at 34% of the top 50 putters on the PGA Tour. Callaway Odyssey putters are played by 28% of the top 50 players and came in second. The Callaway Odyssey Versa Jailbird was the single most popular model of putter found in 4 players bags in 2023.
What golf ball do the pros use?
Titleist golf balls have dominated the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions for many years, whether for more distance or spin control. The Pro V1 and Pro V1x tend to be the preferred choice among top golfers in the world.
