Tour News
Golf Ball Selection Not That Important In Ryder Cup Foursomes
By Joseph Bidwell
GolfWRX Contributor
Of all the formats in the Ryder Cup the Foursomes matches are probably the most intriguing. It’s a format that can potentially force players to use a piece of equipment they are not familiar with: their partner’s golf ball.
In the Foursomes format for the Ryder Cup prior to 2006 teammates would have to use the same single type of ball for the entire match as they alternated shots to complete a hole. In 2006, that rule changed allowing players to change a ball whenever the rules would normally allow it (in between holes) and vary the brand/type of ball they use. This change took the emphasis off of pairing players with similar golf balls as teammates could put balls in play particularly on par 4’s that would allow their teammate to hit approaches with their own golf ball.
Players chose to tee off with their teammates ball as discrepancies in launch conditions have less effect on the outcome of a shot off of the driver or fairway wood than compared to an iron or wedge. This makes sense in that if your partners ball is 10 yards shorter off the driver because it spins too much you’ll still be in the fairway if you hit it straight. A ball that spins too much off of an iron or wedge could be catastrophic, especially into the wind. So the strategy after the rule change makes logical sense.
Launch angle and spin rates off of irons and wedges from one ball to the next can vary enough for players at this level that they won’t switch when a new ball model comes out. A prime example of this is Luke Donald still playing a 2007 model Titleist ProV1X.
Given this rule change, it’s surprising that two U.S. groups chose one player’s ball in their Foursomes matches. Phil Mickelson was on record saying that he and Keegan Bradley would only use Bradley’s Srixon Z-Star golf ball during their Foursomes matches. They won both their matches handily, 4&3 and 7&6. As was reported in several broadcasts, Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker choose to only use Woods’ Nike One Tour D during their matches.
Another team of note on the American side was that of Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson. Dufner uses a ProV1 and Johnson uses a ProV1X. Of all the players paired together during Foursomes play, their golf balls varied the most in performance characteristics, but they too won both of their matches. Johnson and Dufner both spoke of how well they know each other’s games and how often they had played rounds together during the FedExCup.
On the flip side, the European duo of Ian Poulter and Justin Rose won both of their Foursomes matches. They were the only side for Europe to do so. In a post-match interview Saturday Rose said, “We know each other well enough not to say sorry if we hit a bad shot and we back each other, especially around the greens, both of us have great short games…”
Overall, the U.S. won five Foursomes matches to the Europeans’ three. The rule change has put less emphasis on the equipment and more emphasis on how well players are playing and how well teammates match up together. The camaraderie of the groups of Mickelson and Bradley, Dufner and Johnson and Poulter and Rose proved that on Friday and Saturday. But unfortunately for the Americans, the singles matches were a different story.
“Click here for more discussion in the “Tour/pre-release” forum.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 John Deere Classic
GolfWRX is on site this week at the 2024 John Deere Classic. With the Scottish Open next week and The Open Championship two weeks away, those who have qualified will be looking to shore up their games in Silvis, Illinois, before heading to European shores.
On the equipment front, we spotted some new SuperStroke x Marvel grips and got an in-hand look at impressive custom Scotty Cameron putters. Our WITB galleries already feature a look at Jason Day’s wares, and general complement the spread.
Be sure to check back throughout the week as we add more photos from TPC Deere Run!
General Albums
- 2024 John Deere Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 John Deere Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 John Deere Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 John Deere Classic – Tuesday #2
- 2024 John Deere Classic – Tuesday #3
- 2024 John Deere Classic – Tuesday #4
WITB Albums
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Josh Teater – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Michael Thorbjornsen – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Austin Smotherman – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Joseph Bramlett – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- C.T. Pan – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Anders Albertson – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Seung Yul Noh – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Blake Hathcoat – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Jimmy Stanger – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Cole Sherwood – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Anders Larson – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Bill Haas – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Tommy “2 Gloves” Gainey WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Tracy Vest – Iowa PGA Section Champ – – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Jorge Campillo (Iniguz) – WITB – 2024 John Deere Classic
Pullout Albums
- Garrick Higgo – 2 Aretera shafts in the bag – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Jhonattan Vegas’ custom Cameron putter – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Bud Cauley’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 John Deere Classic
- 2 new Super Stroke Marvel comics grips – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Swag blade putter – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Swag Golf – Joe Dirt covers – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Swag Golf – custom John Deere cover – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 John Deere Classic
- Fujikura’s new Ventus Red and Black VeloCore+ shafts – 2024 John Deere Classic
See what GolfWRXers are saying about the photos and join the discussion in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
GolfWRX was of course on-site this week for our hometown event, the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club.
The photos have begun to flow in, and as always, we have WITBs, general galleries, and some cool special galleries — including a look at Jason Dufner’s 3D-printed putter. Be sure to check back throughout the week as we add more photos.
Check out links to all our photos below and see what GolfWRXers are saying in the official discussion thread.
General Albums
- 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic – Monday #3
- 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic – Monday #4
- 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic – Monday #5
- 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic – Tuesday #2
- 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic – Tuesday #3
- 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic – Tuesday #4
WITB Albums
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Hayden Springer – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Jackson Koivun – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Callum Tarren – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Luke Clanton – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Jake Knapp – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Angelo Giantsopoulos – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Nick Bienz – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Adam Svensson – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Stewart Cink – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Robbie Shelton – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Brandon Berry – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Miles Russell – WITB – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
Pullout Albums
- Garrick Higgo’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- TaylorMade proto iron – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
- Jason Dufner’s custom 3-D printed Cobra putter – 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Equipment
Spotted: Phil Mickelson testing Callaway’s mini driver
There is some serious equipment testing going on at Pinehurst’s legendary No. 2 course before the 2024 U.S. Open starts! We spotted renowned club tinkerer Phil Mickelson on the range with a new setup. He was testing out the new Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Ti 340 Mini Driver with a new Mitsubishi Diamana BB (Blue Board) shaft.
Phil has long been a mini driver/2-wood/strong 3-wood guy, as he was the inspiration for the Callaway “Phranken Wood” about 10 years ago. For many pros, adding a strong 3-wood or mini driver allows them to turn it over easier and add a more consistent draw to their bag off the tee without losing too much distance.
Mitsubishi’s Diamana BB is the newest mid-launch shaft in the Diamana line. The “BB” on the shaft of course references the iconic Blue Board shafts from 20 years ago and this model will have a similar smooth feel.
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 U.S. Open
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