News

Ryan Palmer on switching irons, learning the game in Texas, and why he doesn’t have an equipment contract

Published

8 years ago

Dec 3, 2018

Last week, Johnny Wunder talked with three-time PGA Tour winner Ryan Palmer on his Gear Dive podcast. While the pod has nearly 5,000 listens on Soundcloud, we saw plenty of WRX Members asking to, well, see some of what Palmer had to say in the form of a transcript or article.

In response to those requests, we’ve transcribed some highlights from the Texan’s appearance on the Gear Dive, and we hope you enjoy.

On growing up in Texas

RP: Growing up in Amarillo, it’s flat, it’s windy. It can get on a little hardpan. I guess I’ve learned, I just learned, at an early age how to trap the ball…I was able to hit it low for a lot of years. I used to hit a big ol’ sweeping hook…it was just the game I learned to play, you know. As I got better and got older, you learn to hit other shots. I can always go back to that trap-flighted that I can hit so good when the wind is blowing. So, I guess, a little bit of an advantage there growing up in Amarillo and the Panhandle.

On what he looks for in an iron

RP: It’s mostly appearance…I like a little offset in the iron…You’ll notice, and, as I talk about in my career I don’t switch, and, when I find something I like I stick with it, and Titleist always comes out with a good looking iron each and every year. So I kind of just kept moving and progressing with their models. And you know the sole of a Titleist worked out. That’s the reason why I hit the AP 2s for so long, because of the sole of it. I liked the width of it, how it went through the turf, and every iron I looked through the last 10 years, the first thing I look at is the sole, and if it’s a little skinnier than what I’m used to seeing, yeah I know it’s not going to be what I want. That’s kind of the first thing I look. A little top line I guess. But, main thing is, looking at the sole of the club and the length from heel to toe. That’s the two things I look at the most.

On what it takes to switch, particularly with a driver

RP: Yeah, I switched to TaylorMade’s back in ’08, I think it was ’08, ’09, somewhere around there from Titleist. Uh, you know, today with drivers, I’ve been hitting the M1 since it came out. And then before that, I was in the white Burner SuperFast, forever. When I get a driver I like, I hit the same shaft forever. It was the old Harmon Tour Design Shaft CB2x. You know, I switched shafts the first time last year or two years ago, I think, at Colonial. To the ACCRA…That was the first time I’ve switched shafts since, since, the Web.com in my driver.

With the driver, you know, the one thing…I look at, first of all, I’ll hit it a few times before I get on the monitors, I need to see the launch. The feel of the club, all that stuff, the weight of it. Once I start seeing the flight, then I’ll get on the numbers. And you know, look at the ball spin, the launch, the spin for me. I don’t look at the other garbage on there. I just, it’s ball speed, launch, spin, and you know, obviously clubhead speed. Once I see those numbers, that’s all it takes. Then, if I hit one or two hooks with the driver, then, it’s out. I won’t even give it another look.

On not having a club deal

RP: Well the problem today is, you’re having to sign the full bag. I mean, with TaylorMade, you’re having to sign the full staff, the ball. Titleist, full clubs, the ball. Callaway, I mean, Callaway will get you in a driver deal. TaylorMade doesn’t have anymore driver deals out there. Ping is obviously full staff, full clubs. So it’s just, guys, are not wanting to sign away every club in their bag. I mean, for me, I got an Odyssey putter, Vokey wedges, Srixon irons, TaylorMade woods.

You know, honestly, some of the contracts aren’t worth what the money we’re playing for. That’s the way I’ve always looked at it, the last few years, and, I’d rather take the clubs I’m comfortable with and have confidence in than going out there with something I’m not used to just get a couple hundred thousand more dollars.

I think these young guys today, come out here, and then they leave the Web, and then automatically, “Who can I sign with, where can I sign?”…They’re getting bad advice, from a lot of, from the people giving them advice, you know? There’s people out there trying to make a buck off them. They think, “Here sign this deal with this company, this club company, because somebody on the outside is getting an extra kickback.”

Guys don’t realize, you sign a $400,000 contract with whoever…Go finish top 10 twice, and you’ve made it, you’ve made that money. So it’s almost, that’s my approach, and, you know, Mike Chisholm, my manager, close personal friend of mine first, but, we talk about it all the time. And, to me, and he knows, there’s more money to be won on the golf course then there is off the golf course when it comes to equipment.

On the switch from Titleist 710 AP2 to Srixon 785 irons

RP: I ran, I don’t know which year it was, um, they sent, I don’t know if it was when the 12 or 14s, when they came out. They sent me like, two or three sets, and they sent Stricker two or three sets as well. That was all, they told me, this is all we have left. And so, they just kind of, they finally played theirselves out.

We were at BMW this year and James Mackay and I, and my coach, Randy Smith, we were on the range, and I had a Mizuno set made, I had these 785s made. And, we hit a bunch of balls, different shots. Low, right-to-left, left-to-right, high, and with the Srixons, I hit every shot the way I wanted. And so I was playing so bad as it was, I played the Srixons the final round at BMW. And then, didn’t look back, because I hit a lot of shots I wanted, the yardage control, everything I wanted that day. And then James and I both agreed, I told James, I’m comfortable, let’s just take them. We took them to Malaysia, and Korea, and Vegas so, it’s worked out.

You can find the full podcast here.

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11 Comments

Benny

Dec 16, 2018 at 6:06 pm

Agree nice read and follow up Wrx. Always love hearing and seeing this stuff. I think more and kore we will see this. Brooks is the top 10 I can think of w/o a bag deal. Rose moving to Honma. Heard TMag doesn’t do the “woods only” contract anymore. Yet still so many play their woods when the option is there?

Reply Report comment
Rich Douglas

Dec 16, 2018 at 10:59 am

There should be a strong correlation between on-course performance money and endorsement money. But as pointed out by Palmer, there isn’t. Unless you have an ownership stake, of course.

In golf, tournament purses can be influenced by many factors, including corporate sponsorships. But it is the fans who buy the equipment endorsed by players, not the corporations. Thus, there is an imbalance, where there’s a disproportionate amount of money to be earned on-course (from corporations) than off-course (from fans). The golf OEMs can’t pay the players in endorsements commensurate with their on-course earnings. There are exceptions, of course, but very few. I like Palmer’s point that, for most players, that the money lost from a club contract can be made up by using clubs right for you.

We’ve seen this on the Tour in the past. I remember when Payne Stewart switched to Top-Flite after coming into dominance. Hitting a two-piece surlyn ball with cast clubs was quite a switch for him and his performance suffered.

Where I disagree with Palmer is with the emergent pro. That guy should grab the cash and get the stability from it. Let his performance then dictate whether to go “independent” from there.

Now, what about Corey Pavin and those VAS 792s….

Reply Report comment
Broton

Dec 5, 2018 at 12:05 pm

Thanks for the transcription!! Glad to know you guys are listening. Way to go GolfWRX!

Reply Report comment
Burnt toast

Dec 4, 2018 at 9:56 am

Eh, he’ll have a club deal as soon as he wins a tournament…

Reply Report comment
retired04

Dec 4, 2018 at 8:34 am

I never do podcasts or video-like to read/scan/digest-so THANKS for the transcribing!! Read the whole thing and enjoyed it.

Reply Report comment
Jamie

Dec 3, 2018 at 9:53 pm

What putter grip does he use with his ‘claw’ putting style?

Reply Report comment
Danny Lynch

Dec 3, 2018 at 5:32 pm

Srixon makes the best feeling CB and MB iron out there. The 765’s are about a perfect a feeling golf iron as can be made. If you haven’t already, give the Srixon’s a try.

Reply Report comment
Speedy

Dec 3, 2018 at 4:26 pm

It’s all between the ears.

Reply Report comment
BIG STU

Dec 3, 2018 at 3:17 pm

Thanks also for transcribing the Pod Cast for some of us old farts

Reply Report comment
Aztec

Dec 3, 2018 at 1:04 pm

Excellent! Thanks for transcribing. And, pretty pleased he chose Srixon irons. Refreshing to hear him talk about how important it is how irons and drivers look and not obsess over trackman numbers.

Reply Report comment
Connor Jones

Dec 3, 2018 at 11:13 am

Very interesting take on the club contract and I absolutely love it. Important to play well rather than struggle and switch clubs

Reply Report comment

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News

Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

4 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

Will Schube

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.”

News

Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

4 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

Will Schube

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.”

News

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

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

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.