Opinion & Analysis

My dream round (including my dream WITB)

Published

6 years ago

Mar 17, 2020

Have you ever thought about your golf unicorn scenario? If the golf gods let me time travel, and all courses and equipment were available to me: Where would I play? With who? What’s in the bag? What am I wearing? Every last detail. Well, for me, this is what it would look like.

WHERE: Augusta National Golf Club from the tournament tees on a Sunday pin placement setup. 1997 length of 6,925 yards.

FIVESOME: John “Old Bud” Wunder, Sr., Rob “Big Blue” Wunder, Mark “Warbie” Langston, Nico “Lodeon” Bollini.

My old man, my uncle who taught me how to play, my second dad and my best friend. My boys are a bit too young, and this would be if it happened today, so I needed to say that out loud.

WEATHER: 78 degrees with a slight breeze, a little overcast.

TEE TIME: 11 a.m.

LUNCH AT THE TURN: The “Burger Dog” from the halfway house at Olympic Club.

If you know, you know. It’s ridiculous.

OUTFIT: G/FORE head to toe

My favorite stuff to wear so might as well go all swag on it at Augusta.

BAG: VESSEL BLACK SUNDAY 2.0

This is the perfect golf bag. Nothing better out there, in my opinion.

WITB

DRIVER: Callaway Great Big Bertha 8.2 “Tour Issue” w/ RCH 36 “Pro Series” Strong Flex shaft

My uncle Rob got one of these in 1997 and didn’t like it; he ended up giving it to me to try and I absolutely DESTROYED it. The longest drives I ever hit at my home track Rainier G&CC were with this driver. From the blue tees, 149 into #7, 121 into #11, pin high on #12 and flew it in the front right bunker on #18. Only a Rainier member would know, but these are pokes.

3-WOOD: Callaway S2H2 “2 dot” 13 Degrees with w/ RCH 36 “Pro Series” Strong Flex Shaft

Best 3-wood setup I ever had, period.

5-WOOD: TaylorMade Raylor 19 Degrees w/ Dynamic Gold “Tour Issue” X100

This was a fun one to think about. This club represents more than good shots for me. All the players I looked up to as a kid had either the 16 or 19 in this head and I saw some of the best-looking fairway wood shots ever with it. It will always have a special place in my heart.

IRONS: (3-6) Ping Eye2 Copper, (7-PW) Titleist 962B w/Dynamic Gold “Tour Issue” X100

The combo set of all combo sets. Best looking Ping cavity backs ever and arguably the greatest cast players clubs in the history of the earth. I had this set up when I played the best golf of my life, although it was 2-4 in the Pings and the rest 962B.

WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Aaron Dill custom 53 degree, TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 “TW” Grind 60′ degree w/Dynamic Gold “Tour Issue” S400

One wedge from a dear friend and the other from my favorite player of all time.

PUTTER: Tiger Woods Scotty Cameron GSS

C’mon. Exact Replica of Tiger’s Scotty “Elder Wand”

BALL: Titleist Original Pro V1

The ball that changed the game.

GLOVE: Titleist Players

Best glove ever made, hands down.

What happens from there I don’t care.

I’d love to know what you guys would do if you were presented with the same scenario. Let me know in the comments below.

Related Topics:featured

Up Next

Golf club treasure hunting: The annual Fore Golfers Only sale

Don't Miss

The Wedge Guy: Demystifying the ‘half wedge’ shot

John Wunder

15 Comments

Geoffrey Holland

Mar 20, 2020 at 10:29 am

Capilano Golf and Country Club in West Vancouver BC, first tee time of the day 7:30 a.m. in April. the first golf course I ever played, also the first birdie I ever made on number 14. Thanks James B for bringing me along to play with you so many times.

My fivesome would include my late grandfather Gilbert Robinson, who introduced me to the game but I never got to play with him because he died when I was 9. He actually taught me how to play right-handed but I ended up left handed. We did play once at a pitch and putt where I even made a par.

I’ll fill out the group with some great Canadian golfers, George Knudson, Mike Weir, and either Brooke Henderson or Sandra Post. It all depends on their schedules. Those four are some of the greatest Canadian pros of all time.

Wardrobe? Who cares.

WITB:

Golfsmith Harvey Penick titanium driver with Aldila HM50 x-stiff. I worked for Golfsmith Canada back in the day and this driver head was my favourite.

TaylorMade Original One 12 degree driver TT Dyn Gold S300. This will act as my 3-wood. I’ve never had much time for fairway woods but this is a solid one.

Ping Eye 2 1 iron becu with TT Dyn Gold S300. I have hit some beautiful shots with this golf club. The most memorable was on number 17 at Marine Drive Golf club in Vancouver, setting up a 20-foot birdie putt.

Campbell Arnold Palmer irons 3-pw with original Palmer stiff shafts. At one point I was without an iron set, and a friend at the golf course I worked at rescued these from someone who was cleaning out their storage locker. Just a lovely set of old school irons old, forged with the pinned shaft. Thanks James W.

Ram Tom Watson 55 and 60 degree wedges with TT Dyn Gold S300. If I’ve had a set of clubs since 1983 its had one of these wedges in it. Best wedges ever.

Arnold Palmer original putter. Napa style, whatever you want to call it, best putter head ever. 38 inches.

All clubs two inches overlength, all irons 2 degrees upright.

For the ball, I’ll go with the old Spalding Tour Edition Zinthane balata. That baby could spin.

Reply Report comment
Nick Panepinto

Mar 19, 2020 at 1:18 pm

Course: Kiawah Island; Ocean Course (Walking)

Foursome: ’00 Tiger, ’92 Jeremy Roenick, ’15 Jordan Speith

WITB:
– Driver: r7 Superquad TP
– Irons: Taylormade Smoke RAC TP 3-9
– Wedges: Titelist Vokeys SM7 (48, 52,58)
– Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 6
– Ball: Taylormade TP5
– Bag: PING Moonlite (Augusta Colorway)

Outfit:
– Shirt: White Polo with Harbor Town Logo
– Shorts: Khaki Vineyard Vines Performance Shorts
– Hat: Green Masters Hat
– Shoes: Jordan XI’s

Glove: Titleist Player’s Glove

Tee Time: 6:30 AM

19th Hole: John Daly; Classic Club Sandwich

Thank you for this post, it has been a nice escape putting this together from the madness that has been going on.

I wish all of you health and the best!

Reply Report comment
ZoomIt

Mar 18, 2020 at 11:42 pm

Myopia Hunt
2:00 pm start
78*

Arnold Palmer out of the coolers at the turn. If you know, you know

Titleist 975 D 9.5*
Titleist PT-15*
Titleist 904 19

Dynamic Gold

Titleist 690 mb 3-P
Dynamic gold

Raw Vokeys
256.14
260.08

Scotty Cameron newport

Nike Tour Accuracy

Reply Report comment
Kimo

Mar 18, 2020 at 9:13 pm

Cuz, I’d play Ala Wai golf course in Waikiki.
Clubs no mattah.
Jus need new Pinnacle golf balls. Clean eh?
I’d go play wit mah friends an cousin.
No can beat dat, eh?

Reply Report comment
Nihonsei

Mar 18, 2020 at 8:01 pm

TM Super Steel 9.5 w/ Bubble shaft
Cleveland Quad Pro 15*
Ping i3 “Blades” w/ TT Tri-Gold (AMT) 3-PW
Wilson Harmonized 80*
Ping Anser, Blue Ti hosel Hand painted dot on top
Maxfli Revolution or Topflite STrata
Playing any course in Austin or Basstrop along the Colorado River or the Base Course in San Antone AFB

With my Pops(RIP), Any coach that shut me out of playing for my Middle or Jr. High squad in order to keep me out of the game I Loved as a kid and couldn’t quite afford, and for a pro both Harvey Penick and Lee Trevino or The Black Knight as I was more active writing the U.N. as an Anti-Apartheid youth than hitting balls as I never outgrew the pen but the sticks never kept up…my pops was lefty and cut downs were not feasable once he taught me as a righty. I’d rock BC Ethic club clothes and go barefoot for a round! Thanks for asking, this was fun to consider!!!

Reply Report comment
Ryan Rieckhoff

Mar 18, 2020 at 7:44 pm

Golf Course – Sahalee Country Club
Tee Time 1:00 PM
Club Set Up
Driver TaylorMade Burner 91 model with Flex Twist Shaft
Titleist 13 PT FW with stock stiff shaft
Ping Eye 2 + 1 iron Black Dot with Precision Rifle 7.0
2 Iron Thru SW Ping Zing 2 Red Dot with Precision Rifle 7.0
Maxfli Tad Moore Putter
Maxfli HT Balata 100 1994 version

Reply Report comment
Gdb99

Mar 18, 2020 at 7:12 pm

I would play Augusta.
Probably wear my favorite Timberlin shirt, Blue with White stripes. Shorts. My new FootJoy shoes I have coming.
I would use my Great Big Bertha, but it had too many sky marks on it!
My current Cobra LTD will work
Ping G400 5 wood in big – configuration
Cobra DWS 23* hybrid
Played many rounds with a set of Ben Hogan GCD irons
Cleveland 588 RTG gap, sand, and lob wedge
Original Odyssey White #2 putter
I would love to play with my brother Jon, my Uncle Leonard, and my father. I never knew my dad played golf until until after he passed, my uncle told me the stories just before he also passed.
Thanks for the story. ?????????????

Reply Report comment
BillyG

Mar 17, 2020 at 10:56 pm

I played that driver, Eye2 coppers 1-LW, a TM tour spoon, and a old Ping Anser. Those were great days. What happened and why did I sell it all? Stupid.

Reply Report comment
Greg pepper

Mar 17, 2020 at 10:30 pm

Still have the Taylor Made Raylor 19 degree in the bag as my 3 hybrid. Had it originally wth tour golf hm-40 shaft but now play with hybrid Fuji shaft. Hybrid before there were hybrids.

Reply Report comment
Alex

Mar 17, 2020 at 7:59 pm

Wolf Creek ( mens only club in Olathe, KS)
3 best golf buddies and myself-with Woodland,Watson, Streb, Tom Pernice as caddies
Mid September
73 degrees
5mph wind
Suns out with a few clouds
Cigars, Skoal, Ultras,
Clothes- Travis Mathew or Peter Millar shirt and pants
Koepka Nikes or Footjoy 1857 shoes. Depends if its Peter Millar or TM clothes
Nike Dri Fit or Travis Mathew Hat
Stitch Bag with Stitch headcovers
Driver- 9 degree Ping Rapture V2 with Proforce V2 65x
3wood- 13.5 degree Cobra S91 pro Diamana Tensei Oragne CK Pro 70 x stiff
Hybrid- 18 degree Mizuno CLK Diamana White 90hy x stiff
Irons 3-9 Ping S58 X100 bent a degree weak in the short irons
Vokey SM7 48-10, 54-14- 60-08 all bent one degree strong with S400
MCC New Decade Black and Orange Grips Standard
Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 35 inches midsize red Scotty Grip
Pro V1

Reply Report comment
Flip Tickles

Mar 17, 2020 at 6:17 pm

ANGC with Sunday Pins, preferably not all the way back with my equipment choice.
W/ 2 of closest friends and Pat Perez
Any comfortable leather sunday stand bag
Swag – G/fore is a great choice, but I’ll rock William Murray on this occasion
Driver – Titleist Howitzer X100 at 43 inches
Irons – Titleist Tour Model 1-PW S400
Wedges – Titleist DLIII and ELK S400
Putter – Wilson 8802
No Glove, golf pride tour wrap cord grips
Ball – Titleist Tour Balata 100
Lunch- deep fried cheese curds
Drink – Bulldogs and Beer
Dinner – Steak and Lobster
Smokes – Marb Golds zippo lighter
NO PICTURES ALLOWED

Reply Report comment
- Flip Tickles
  
  Mar 18, 2020 at 10:16 am
  
  I’d also consider my old Wilson Killer Whale Driver with graphite firestick stiff and top Flite Z Balatas 90 compression
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Geoffrey Holland
    
    Mar 20, 2020 at 10:31 am
    
    I had one of those and I love hated it. I called it Willy. Eventually I threw it in a river while yelling “you’re finally free Willy”.
    
    Reply Report comment
Billy

Mar 17, 2020 at 4:42 pm

975D with Fujikura speeder 757
Sonartec SS-02 13 degree with Fujikura Vista Tour Series 70
V-steel 5 wood with TT Dynamic Gold
DCI 690 irons with TT Dynamic Gold
Cleveland Tour Action 588 wedges
Bettinardi BB8 honeycomb RJB putter

Reply Report comment
Elder Wand

Mar 17, 2020 at 2:42 pm

Then going sub 60.

Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Opinion & Analysis

AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience

Published

6 days ago

Jun 5, 2026

Andrew Von Lossow

This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.

I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.

With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.

Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!

Club Junkie

Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast

Published

1 week ago

Jun 4, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.

Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.

If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.

Follow Club Junkie:
Instagram: @clubjunkiepod
TikTok: @clubjunkiepod
Threads: @clubjunkiepod
X: @ClubJunkiePod

Club Junkie

Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie

Published

2 weeks ago

May 28, 2026

Brian Knudson

On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.

I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.