In a revealing confession, golfer Collin Morikawa admitted his 9-wood felt like cheating. However, his opinions changed drastically upon encountering the formidable Oakmont rough.
Hey there! Let's talk about those nifty fairway woods your favorite golfers are known to carry these days - the 7-wood and 9-wood. You might think these aren't the first choice for pros, but you'd be wrong!
Thanks to their remarkable qualities, from adding more height and faster ball speed to increased versatility and effortless playability, these clubs have become the go-to for many over traditional clubs like the 3-iron or 4-hybrid.
As a matter of fact, it's been reported that over 10% of Tour professionals now have a 7-wood or a high-lofted fairway wood in their bag. This week, as the US Open tees off at Oakmont Country Club, you can bet your golf balls these trendy clubs will be swinging.
Why, you ask? Oakmont is notorious for its demanding conditions, with a heavy, long rough that makes it a real challenge for players to rack up the points if they miss the fairway.
One of the players who swears by his 9-wood is Colin Morikawa, who hilariously calls it his "cheat" club. And he's not kidding! Rather than risking it with a 6-iron when your ball is buried in Oakmont's rough, Morikawa advises hitting a 9-iron. I mean, who are we to argue with the pro yourself?
The question remains, will a 7-wood or 9-wood be the best solution for getting out of Oakmont's rough? Well, it depends on the density, and the lie of the ball. However, when it comes to hitting the ball off the tee or from the fairway, these clubs will be mighty useful for players aiming to stay in the game.
Moreover, tour stars like Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Dustin Johnson, Joaquin Niemann, and even Rory McIlroy himself have hopped on this trend. It seems everyone is chasing for more fairways and fewer trips into the rough!
Rory McIlroy, in particular, was spotted using the TaylorMade Qi10 driver once again, following a brief switch to the Qi35 at the RBC Canadian where he missed the cut due to poor performance off the tee.
Don't miss out on the exciting golf action at this year's US Open. Keep your eyes peeled for those high-lofted fairway woods bringing their A-game!
The 7-wood and 9-wood, known for their versatility and effortless playability, are becoming popular choices among Tour professionals, including the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Dustin Johnson, Joaquin Niemann, and Rory McIlroy himself. With Oakmont Country Club's challenging conditions, it's no surprise that these clubs may be instrumental in helping players stay in the game and avoid rough terrain.
