Equipment

Club Champion acquires TXG

Published

4 years ago

Jan 11, 2022

Club Champion has today announced the acquisition of Canadian fitter and builder Tour Experience Golf (TXG), bringing the two most prominent custom club fitters on the continent together.

This integration marks the first time that Club Champion will bring their club fitting services beyond USA borders.

Speaking on the merge, Nick Sherburne, co-founder of Club Champion, said

“We are incredibly excited to bring Ian and his crew into the Club Champion family. We’re looking forward to bringing the best of both our capabilities together to serve every golfer.”

According to the press release, the intent behind the merger is “to further expand custom club fitting services across the Canadian golf market and to bring some crossover to the fitting content available for all golfers from both brands.”

On the acquisition, Ian Fraser, TXG’s founder, stated

“There has always been a mutual admiration between TXG and Club Champion. We share a similar belief that every golfer deserves the best possible equipment for their game, and now we get to work together to further that message.”

Club Champion currently has an in-house studio and production crew, while Fraser and his team at TXG have built a digital platform through social channels, including YouTube. TXG has amassed millions of views across the digital board, with 175K subscribers on YouTube alone at the time of publication.

Per the release, TXG’s existing content strategy will lend itself well to Club Champion’s growing presence, and both brands plan to lean on each other to produce quality content for golfers of all levels.

“We’ve got a podcast, they’ve got a podcast. They’ve got awesome video content and we’ve only just started dipping our toes into that lake. This partnership is about so much more than just the masterful club fitting and building services we both offer. It’s about bringing two of the most prominent names in the golf equipment industry together to promote the best possible clubs, the best possible experience, and the best possible service you can find this side of a Tour card.” – Adam Levy, CEO of Club Champion

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Gianni Magliocco

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected]

26 Comments

Tom

Jan 13, 2022 at 12:02 pm

That sucks .. fitting off mats and hitting into a net sucks anyway!

Reply Report comment
B

Jan 13, 2022 at 11:16 am

So TXG no longer associated with True Spec who was building clubs for them

Reply Report comment
Golf Mikey

Jan 13, 2022 at 5:04 am

I wonder if the original owner of Tour Experience Golf in the UK that allegedly got “shafted” by IF some time ago is shedding any tears?

Reply Report comment
Paul Runyan

Jan 12, 2022 at 9:02 pm

All about the Benjamin’s!

I won’t be watching anything or buying anything from Club Champion.

And that fake Scottish accent! Won’t have to listen to that anymore…

Best of Luck to Matty!!

Reply Report comment
BB

Jan 12, 2022 at 11:15 am

In principal, this is like the Saudi government trying to launder their reputation by shelling out big bucks to those golfers with good reputations.

Reply Report comment
gdb99

Jan 12, 2022 at 10:07 am

I had a Club Champion fitting a year ago. I was not happy.
I was hoping to get a TXG fitting, because I think they have a different approach to the fitting process. TXG came across as listening to the player more, whether that be budget, feels, etc.
I think this merger is bad for TXG, it kind of eliminates a competitor to CC in the fitting world.

Reply Report comment
- hoganben
  
  Jun 7, 2023 at 10:02 pm
  
  why would u then go get another fitting for gosh sake? All the guys i talk to on the range who have custom fitted clubs still suck and they would still suck after another fitting.grow some cajoles and dig it out of the dirt..
  
  Reply Report comment
Vas

Jan 12, 2022 at 9:58 am

Home run for Club Champion for sure. Whatever it cost to buy an inside path into the Canadian market and bolster your horrendous reputation with TXG’s impeccable reputation was worth it.

Reply Report comment
Skip

Jan 11, 2022 at 11:32 pm

Sorry boys, but Matt’s gone and he was never a business part of the channel. Only creative and production. Likely Ian’s investors wanted out, and this was his best course of action. CC gets a smooth path to expansion into Canada

Reply Report comment
Justin

Jan 11, 2022 at 9:19 pm

This is a shame. Don’t fault Ian for cashing in, but Ian and Matt were what led to TXG’s growth and online presence. Sad it’s over.

Reply Report comment
SMU

Jan 11, 2022 at 8:47 pm

Young Matty Boy, just got a hard street lesson on Capitalism, Ownership, Equity, and Contracts, which is my specialty! Fortunately, he is young and very bright so he will only be better for it.

As far as Club Champion goes, they do NOT have a sustainable business model. For example, here in San Diego, our Del Mar Club Champion thinks because they have the component parts and can assemble your desired shaft / head combo, that they get to charge 3 X MSRP from the manufacturer. It’s utterly absurd. Use Club Champion for the value they truly offer, pay $150 to go test out shaft / head combos, and then order direct from the manufacturer and save yourself from being gouged to the tune of thousands.

Reply Report comment
SMUgamer

Jan 11, 2022 at 8:22 pm

Young Matty Boy, just got a hard street lesson on Capitalism, Ownership, Equity, and Contracts, which is my specialty! Fortunately, he is young and very bright so he will only be better for it.

As far as Club Champion goes, they do NOT have a sustainable business model. For example, here in San Diego, our Del Mar Club Champion thinks because they have the component parts and can assemble your desired shaft / head combo, that they get to charge 2 X MSRP from the manufacturer. It’s utterly absurd. Use Club Champion for the value they truly offer, pay $150 to go test out shaft / head combos, and then order direct from the manufacturer and save yourself from being gouged to the tune of thousands. Like I said, as the public becomes more educated (along with tech advancement), Club Champion will either pivot or die. Sure hope Ian checked out and documented his escape hatches (or better yet, got cash up front) if Club Champion files BK.

Reply Report comment
SMUgamer

Jan 11, 2022 at 8:12 pm

Young Matty Boy, just got a hard street lesson on Capitalism, Ownership, Equity, and Contracts, which is my specialty! Fortunately, he is young and very bright so he will only be better for it.

As far as Club Champion goes, they do NOT have a sustainable business model. For example, here in San Diego, our Del Mar Club Champion thinks because they have the component parts and can assemble your desired shaft / head combo, that they get to charge 2 X MSRP from the manufacturer. It’s utterly absurd. Use Club Champion for the value they truly offer, pay $150 to go test out shaft / head combos, and then order direct from the manufacturer and save yourself from being gouged to the tune of thousands. Like I said, as the public becomes more educated (along with tech advancement), Club Champion will either pivot or die. Sure hope Ian checked out and documented his escape hatches (or better yet, got cash up front) if Club Champion files BK.

Reply Report comment
Brandon

Jan 11, 2022 at 7:10 pm

Hope Ian got a big payday and Matt as well.

Reply Report comment
Allen Parsons

Jan 11, 2022 at 6:13 pm

Don’t you mean PXG?

Reply Report comment
- Tony Johnson
  
  Jan 11, 2022 at 6:58 pm
  
  Wow, I would have thought PXG with all it’s money from Bob Parsons wouldn’t have to sell out like this?!!!!! I was just starting to like where the company was heading, shame on you PXG, and I wish complete shame on you Ian Fraser and that weirdo Matt on youtube!
  
  Reply Report comment
- Pat Perez' bestie drumpf
  
  Jan 12, 2022 at 9:24 am
  
  Maybe read up on things before saying stupid things…
  
  Reply Report comment
Jake

Jan 11, 2022 at 3:21 pm

Club Champion obviously has some counterfeit paper behind it that keeps them alive to prey on better companies. I’ve never heard a good thing about their workmanship.

Reply Report comment
- Jack Nash
  
  Jan 12, 2022 at 12:58 pm
  
  If their paper is counterfeit then they fooled Jordan Speith as he’s signed a multi year deal with them.
  
  Reply Report comment
Ryan Mextorf

Jan 11, 2022 at 12:19 pm

Very sad to hear this news. Ian deserves all the success in the world but unfortunately it comes at the cost of losing Matty and being sold to a company that prides itself on charging customers beyond top dollar for half baked fittings. I imagine the YouTube channel will tank without Matty but club champ will get everything it wants out of this deal.

Reply Report comment
- Joey5Picks
  
  Jan 11, 2022 at 1:23 pm
  
  Who says Matty is going anywhere? Cynical speculation, or do you know something?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Ryan Mextorf
    
    Jan 11, 2022 at 2:01 pm
    
    He posted on his Instagram he was stepping away from TXG.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - E
      
      Jan 11, 2022 at 3:54 pm
      
      or rather stepping away from Club Champion from the sounds of it
      
      Reply Report comment
- bossofthemoss07
  
  Jan 12, 2022 at 2:22 pm
  
  Such a shame, TXG’s channel was my favorite for golf and will definitely decline now. Mike is ok but the shows were nowhere near as good when Matt was out for a few weeks. I understand why they did it but it sucks they sold out like that
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mark
    
    Jan 17, 2022 at 9:09 am
    
    I respect Mike but he is just so annoying. Just hates on munis and is a CC snob. “I only play private clubs” He needs a good ass whooping
    
    Reply Report comment
- Justblewbyyou
  
  Jun 7, 2023 at 9:41 pm
  
  oops..somehow cli cked on report comment and it wont let me.fix it..oops
  
  Reply Report comment

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Whats in the Bag

Christiaan Maas WITB 2026 (June)

Published

3 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold X100

Wedges: TaylorMade Prototype (50-SB09), TaylorMade MG5 (56-HB12, 60-LV07)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400

Putter: TaylorMade TP Juno

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Check out more in-hand photos of Christiaan Maas’ clubs here.

Equipment

TaylorMade MySpider Tour and Tour X: More customizable build options now available

Published

3 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

Alistair Cameron

TaylorMade Golf’s MySpider program underwent a substantial overhaul over the last month. Firstly, the company launched the option to customize the Spider ZT model, and now the program has returned with the MySpider Tour and MySpider Tour X.

The revamped page now gives golfers complete control over every visual and functional detail of their putter on the popular Tour and Tour X head, with every cosmetic idea thought of. In MySpider Tour, golfers can choose from four head finishes, 16 paint fill colors, nine Surlyn face insert colors, three aluminum insert options, six sightline configurations, and four hosel options — L-neck, small slant, double bend, center shaft. Six sightline options are available in MySpider Tour, including the optically engineered True Path alignment system. MySpider Tour X gives builders the option of four head finishes, four hosel configurations, and five sightline options, also including True Path alignment.

One of the more interesting features of the new MySpider program is the availability of three distinct face insert options. Along with the usual Surlyn Pure Roll insert trusted by Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, which can be customized from nine colors, golfers can now also select firmer options. Two are offered with the black aluminum Pure Roll insert, slightly firmer than the traditional insert, or for the firmest feel, golfers can choose from two colors of milled aluminum inserts.

Another fun addition to the MySpider Tour is the ability to use the “Tommy Sightline.” The custom alignment aid design, which was first drawn onto Tommy Fleetwood’s putter by PGA Tour Rep James Holley, is based on the milled sightline on his Spider ZT head. There are five shorter lines on the left and right of a longer central line serving as the traditional short line alignment aid.

See below for the full specifications sheet for MySpider Tour and Tour X:

MySpider Tour

MySpider Tour X

Equipment

Then and now: Comparing Rory McIlroy’s current setup to his record-breaking 2019 Canadian Open victory

Published

6 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

Alistair Cameron

In Rory McIlroy’s first appearance at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, he crushed the record books to earn his 16th PGA Tour title in dominating fashion, winning by seven shots over Shane Lowry and Webb Simpson.

McIlroy’s score of 22-under-par 258 is the lowest 72-hole score to date at the Canadian Open, and his closing 61 is also the best final-round score in the history of one of golf’s oldest tournaments. Finally, with his win in 2019, McIlroy became only the sixth player to win the career Triple Crown, adding to his victories at the U.S. Open in 2011 and The Open Championship in 2014, joining Tommy Armour, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods in a coveted list.

So, with that, why not compare his current setup to the clubs he used to break all the records?

Driver

2019: TaylorMade M5 (9 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees @8), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7X (45 5/8 inches)

McIroy led the Tour in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee in 2019; he’s doing the same in 2026. Between now and then, McIlroy has switched from the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX (a shaft with slightly more feeling in the tip) to the original Fujikura Ventus Black 7X, having just made the change to the heavier version from playing the 60X.

What’s interesting about McIlroy’s 2019 setup is that the weighting on his driver is actually set in the high-draw setting, using the T-Track weighting system, whereas in the Qi4D, he’s currently using a heavily rear-weighted setup. (Two 13-gram weights in the rear and only two 4-gram front weights.)

The TaylorMade M5 driver he played in during his Canadian Open win was the company’s first head that they claimed to design to initially exceed the USGA’s COR limit, and then injected with tuning resin to bring it back in bounds.

Fairway woods

2019: TaylorMade M6 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX; TaylorMade M5 5-wood (19 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 90 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8X; TaylorMade Qi4D 5-wood (18 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9X

The TaylorMade M6 fairway wood that McIlroy was using during the 2019 season is still in the bag of some of the best golfers on Tour in 2026. Just check out Justin Rose’s winning setup from the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. This year, though, McIlroy has still been searching for his top-end-of-the-bag setup, having played both the new Qi4D and the Qi10, which he won the Masters with.

The same shaft swap can be seen in the fairway woods as the driver, along with slightly less loft on the 5-wood.

Irons

2019: TaylorMade P750 (4) Buy here, TaylorMade P730 (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0
2026: TaylorMade P760 (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0

The biggest difference between McIlroy’s custom set and the stock P730s is the groove design. While the P730s were constructed with 14 MX-9 grooves on their milled faces, McIlroy’s proto heads instead use the higher-spinning, 16-groove layout of the TW2 grooves. Other big differences between the sets are that McIlroy’s 7- and 8-irons have thinner toplines, are 1 degree stronger in loft, and are 1/4 inch longer than the original P730 builds.

With McIlroy’s 4-iron, the switch from P750 to P760 sees a transition to a two-piece construction with Speed Foam in it, which allows McIlroy to launch the ball slightly higher, with more workability.

Wedges

2019: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48-09SB), TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09SB, 56-09SB, 60-LB09), Shafts: Project X Rifle 6.5
2026: TaylorMade MG5 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB, 60-08LB @61), Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)

Between 2019 and 2026, McIlroy’s focus on his short game has been much more apparent. It was the reason why he switched back to the TP5 golf ball, to help with launch, spin and control with his wedges leading up to his career Grand Slam victory in 2025. The most apparent changes to McIlroy’s wedge setup are his lofts and bounce. He’s slowly delofted his pitching to a sand wedge, but has increased the loft on the lob wedge, bending his current 60-degree to 61. With that, adding more loft to his lob wedge also slightly increases the bounce and leading-edge sit point, so, as a result, he plays a lower-bounce lob wedge compared to 2019. The MG5 wedges are also softer than the first Milled Grind option from 2019. McIlroy also no longer plays the full-face grooves found on the Hi-Toe.

Putter

2019: TaylorMade Spider X
2026: TaylorMade Spider Tour X

Notice anything similar. Yes, the copper finish on Rory McIlroy’s Spider X putter in 2019 is a slightly more reflective finish than the recently released torched PVD finish. McIlroy was using the True Path alignment system, but now uses only a single white sightline.

Ball

2019: 2019 TaylorMade TP5 (#22)
2026: 2025 TaylorMade TP5 (RORS)

As mentioned above, McIlroy had transitioned from the TP5 to TP5x golf ball since his victory in Canada in 2019, but now is black with the same style of golf ball as his victory at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.

Grips

2019: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
2026: Golf Pride MCC

Interesting, McIlroy actually used Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet Cord grips during his victory in 2019 (it was during a 2+ year switch to the corded TV) as opposed to his usual MCC grips, which he has played for most of his career.