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Taking On Copperhead – Transitions Championship Preview

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It takes just one look down the fairways at the Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead course to realize it takes exceptional talent to conquer this course. On a cool and windy day in Palm Harbor, Florida yesterday the 7340 yards that makes up the PGA Tour’s Transitions Championship host golf course looked even more daunting.

And the players know it.

The best golfers in the world looked like they were grinding before a major as they hit balls yesterday. They seemed to know that miss-struck shots with weak ball flights will be of little use this week if they plan to hoist a trophy on Sunday and grab the winning check of $972,000.

Defending champion Retief Goosen was not even on site yesterday but that didn’t mean he was not preparing for a title defence. He was busy prepping on his own and testing some new KBS iron shafts.

Goosen looks to be in top form heading into the 10th edition of this PGA Tour event. He already has multiple top-five finishes on tour this season and the difficult Copperhead layout (9th toughest on the PGA Tour in 2009) is a great fit for his cerebral style of play.

Not to be overlooked as a rival for Goosen this week will be The Prince, Ryo Ishikawa. Prior to dealing with the usual throng of Japanese media following his every move he put on a clinic at the range, striping ball after ball effectively and predictably into the burgeoning breeze. Playing on a Sponsor’s Exemption for the 2nd year in a row, Ishikawa won four events on the Japan Golf Tour in 2009. Unusually he finished only 71st at the Transitions in his first appearance but with a year under his belt he might have better plan for tackling the layout.

Overall there is a fairly impressive field teeing it up here this week. It includes 10 of the top 25 players in the Official World Golf Rankings.   World No. 2 Steve Stricker as well as Jim Furyk have games well suited to the course where steady play is very much rewarded. 

Other highlights of the assembled field include Sean O’Hair, Vijay Singh, Stewart Cink, Luke Donald, and Kenny Perry. John Daly is also tipping it up but his random style of play is not the most conducive to winning on a course featuring tight, tree-lined fairways. The “anti-John Daly”, Justin Leonard, looked sharp and confident yesterday as well.

Padraig Harrington looked strong yesterday with all parts of his game. A t3 in Miami assures us he is in top form. He was his usual smiling self and apparently excited, for a number of reasons. Not only was he set to visit the White House today to meet President Obama, he also attended his first NHL hockey game last night.

In a week of firsts for Harrington, maybe it’s time for his first Transitions Championship as well. 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Notes:

The Looks: Visit here to see a slideshow of practice range and tour van images captured Tuesday at The Transitions Championship.

Magnificent seven – Seven players have played in all nine Transitions Championships – John Huston, Billy Andrade, Brian Gay, Tim Herron, Lee Janzen, Billy Mayfair and Shaun Micheel. Only Gay and Janzen are scheduled to play in 2010.

The Shafts: Several players were seen testing the new higher spin True Temper steel prototype shafts yesterday. One who I spoke with said he wouldn’t consider putting the shafts in his irons this week due to the gusty conditions that are normally prevalent. As he said, “they just make the ball go up and up; great for some but just not for me.”

In The Vans: It was fairly slow around the equipment trucks yesterday. This far into the season many players have their gamer set dialled in. Of note was a new putter that Justin Rose was playing around with…but we promised not to say anything about it…yet.

A Beast: From the Black Tees, the 7340, par-71 Copperhead Course is rated at 76.8 with a slope of 144. There are elevation changes of up to 80 feet and more than 75 bunkers that protect the course.

This report provided to GolfWRX.com by Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)

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Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.

They wrote:

“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”

Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
  • jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
  • jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
  • Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”

Entire Thread: “Most Birdies Without Breaking Par.”

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Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.

@DTorres asked:

The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?

Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.

We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.

Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
  • bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
  • CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”

Entire Thread: “Best current stock shaft 2026.”

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GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

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A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down. 

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

 

  • GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

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