Why Valspar winner uses 10 year old instruments

Matt Fitzpatrick’s transformation from grit-and-grind pro to ball-speed beast reached its logical conclusion this week at the Copperhead Course. Watching the Englishman stroll through Innisbrook is not just watching a golf tournament; it’s a masterclass in data-driven precision. He doesn’t just play the course; you solve it.

At Valspar, the “Sheffield Steel” on his wallet was on full display. Fitzpatrick dominated the metrics that define the modern power game, finishing the week ranked Fifth in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and constant gain +3,32 strokes in the field. But the real story was the surgical nature of his road play. Level Second in SG: Method (+5.939), it’s an amazing hit 72% of his vegetables according to the rules in one of the most punishing structures on the PGA Tour.

Here’s the more elaborate, slightly eccentric setup that inspired Fitzpatrick’s victory.

Quick List: Gear by Matt Fitzpatrick

Driver: Titleist GT3

Details: 9 degrees (A1 setting) with Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei AV Raw Orange 65 TX shaft.

There was a time when Fitzpatrick was considered a “short” hitter who relied solely on a world-class short game. That version of Matt is gone. By improving his swing and relying on Titleist GT3 high speed technology, he has climbed the distance charts, currently averaging over 300 yards off the tee. The counter-balanced Mitsubishi Orange shaft is the secret sauce here—it allows him to swing with aggressive purpose while maintaining the face angle control needed to thread the needle through the Snake’s hole.

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Fairway Woods: TaylorMade Qi35 (Arrested)

Details: 15 and 18 degrees with Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange 75 TX and Tensei 1K Orange 80TX

TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Fairway Wood

Proven Recipe TaylorMade Fairways have dominated the Tour for over a decade thanks to their unique recipe for performance, enabling superior distance and flexibility. The Qi4D fairway is designed for golfers who want the most advanced technology while prioritizing flexibility and control with incredible distance. ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE Using a single Trajectory Correction System weight (8g x1) gives the golfer the most efficient way to adjust weight for flight, spin and swing. A 4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for improved flight and is available for all lofts. VERIFIED PERFORMANCES, BIG CHANGES Engineers conduct objective analysis of all aspects of performance and find new ways to improve performance and reliability. Landing points, lie angles, address views, and center of gravity areas were all updated based on tour feedback and the expertise of the world’s leading raters, ensuring the perfect approach for all skill levels. BATOUR-PROOF TECHNOLOGY-The new and improved Speed ​​​​​​​​Pocket™ cutter protects ball speed and reduces swing on low face shots. Advanced CAD modeling creates a clean and powerful sounding design, the foundation of TaylorMade fairway performance. Twist Face™ has an adjustable face curvature designed to deliver straight shots on mishits. Multi-Material Construction allows engineers to increase performance by increasing the weight of choice.

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Irons: Ping i210 (4), Ping S55 (5-9)

Details: PING CFS X shafts.

In an industry full of “newness,” Fitzpatrick is a refreshing paradox. His choice to stick with the Ping S55 hardware—a model that debuted a decade ago—is the ultimate testament to marketing efficiency. Fitz has gotten into other sets over the years but he told me these provide the best combination of forgiveness and response he’s found, while maintaining the spin he needs as a low hitter.

These blades are workaholic blades that provide the exceptional turf handling that you need. His consistent hitting this week and last proves that when you find a set that speaks your language, you don’t trade it because the calendar has changed. Ping CFS shafts (Control, Feel, Stability) are the lightest 105-115G shafts from Ping. IMO it’s an interesting case study for OEM shafts, Ping has a huge amount of success with this, Lee Westwood has also been the “Ping shaft guy” for years using their JZ Stiff for nearly three decades.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10

Details: 46.10F, 52.12F (True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 X100 shafts); 56.08M, 60.08M (Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S300 shafts)

The bag is surrounded by a specific combination of Vokey SM10 wedges, which include an “M” milling on his high points for the versatility he is famous for on the greens. This special grind allows him to use the face on the hard, green mange that is common in Florida.

Putter: Bettinardi BB48 Prototype

Despite a season of variable statistics, his Bettinardi BB48 Prototype caught fire at Innisbrook, where he ranked 1st in the field in qualifying. If Fitzpatrick’s punter starts rolling and plays it short, the entire field is on fire.

Football: Titleist Pro V1x (2019)

Fitzpatrick continues to be optimistic about the 2019 iteration of the Pro V1x. For the player who keeps track of all the data points, this particular model provides an accurate rotation window and flight length to build his yardage book around.

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip

Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord Grip

OUR VAN ACCESS: The winning rope to hold on the Tour. The Tour Velvet Cord Midsize was expected to win two majors in 2019. Features Brushed Cotton Cord Technology (BCT) – a woven cotton twill fiber material that maximizes traction and performance in all weather conditions.

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