Major Champs Make Driver Switches at the Masters Titleist’s GTS drivers quickly became the most played driver on the PGA Tour, with 34 models in use at the Valero Texas Open last week. The brand accelerated the launch of the GTS driver, moving its debut from the usual summer Tour validation to before the Masters to ensure its stars had access to the equipment at the season-opening major. Major champions Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, and Cameron Smith joined the GTS lineup, switching to the driver during the Masters. Cameron Young, the newly minted Players champion, also adopted the GTS lineup, swapping his GT1 hybrid for a GTS3 7-wood to improve apex height into greens. Thomas, returning to competitive action in March after a lengthy hiatus due to back surgery in late 2025, had previously used both an older TS3 driver and the newer GT2. At Augusta, he opted for the GTS2 model. Johnson and Smith both transitioned to the GTS2 10-degree head. Young’s switch highlighted the versatility of the GTS series, as he integrated the 7-wood into his setup for better performance on par-5 holes. Akshay Bhatia, a 24-year-old left-handed player, added an extra utility wood to his bag at the Masters. Replacing his X Forged UT 4-iron, Bhatia used a second Apex UW to target second shots on holes 13 and 15, aiming for a higher apex to land softly on Augusta’s greens. Johnny Thompson, Callaway’s Tour Content Manager, explained the strategic reasoning behind the change. The decision aligned with the importance of scoring opportunities on the par-5 holes at Augusta, which have all played under par in the last three years.#justin_thomas #cameron_young #titleist #dustin_johnson #cameron_smith
Gary Woodland’s Equipment Adjustment and Titleist GTS Driver Launch at Houston Open Gary Woodland, the 41-year-old PGA Tour player, made a notable equipment change during the 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open. After struggling with his iron play earlier in the season, Woodland decided to switch back to KBS C-Taper 130 X iron shafts, abandoning the True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100s he had used previously. The decision came after a conversation with Cobra Director of Tour Operations Ben Schomin, who noted that Woodland’s increased club head speed—currently the highest on the tour at 127.68 mph—was causing issues with the X100s. The stiffer shafts were leading to a lag in clubhead speed at impact, resulting in deeper divots and less optimal turf interaction. Woodland explained that the switch to the older C-Taper shafts helped “tighten everything up” and improved his shot consistency. “My misses were better today,” he said after his second round, adding that the shafts felt “comfortable” and allowed him to regain control over his game. The change also addressed a drop in his speed, which had been a concern in recent years. By returning to a shaft he had used since 2015, Woodland was able to restore his rhythm and confidence, finishing the first round one stroke behind the leader at Memorial Park. Meanwhile, the Houston Open also served as a testing ground for Titleist’s new GTS driver lineup. The brand unveiled three drivers—GTS 2, 3, and 4—as well as fairway woods, offering players pre-built setups and customization options. The GTS series features updated weight distributions, with the GTS 2 adding front weight, the GTS 3 introducing rear weight, and the GTS 4 allowing heel-toe adjustable front weight.#gary_woodland #houston_open #cobra #ben_schomin #titleist
