Why it was great: Bridgestone J33R driver
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BK’s Breakdowns: Russell Henley’s winning WITB from the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
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Titleist GTS driver fitting: 10 handicap vs. +4 handicap
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Spaun’s surprise putter switch + the best wedge stamping on tour? | Inside the Ropes: Charles Schwab Challenge
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Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
This video series breaks down why certain clubs maintain such a cult following, and what made them so popular to begin with.
The first club in this series is the Bridgestone J33R – a driver from 2005 that was both hard to find and extremely sought after. In this video, equipment expert Ryan Barath breaks down some of the design attributes that still makes this a great club today.
Russell made a massive charge on the last 3 holes of the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge this weekend to force a playoff with Eric Cole. Henley drained another putt on the first playoff hole to win his 6th PGA Tour event! While he is a Titleist staff member, his WITB is far from a simple blend of the latest gear. He mixes brand new with some very old clubs in order to play his best.
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX
3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Project X Denali Black 80 TX
Irons: Titleist T250 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6)
True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11
48-10F @47
True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
50-08F @51
54-10S @55
60-04T
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
What happens when a 10 handicap and a +4 handicap go through a full driver fitting at one of the most advanced golf performance centers in the world? Brian Knudson and Andrew Von Lossow headed to the Titleist Performance Institute in Oceanside, California, to find out.
Both players go through a complete Titleist GTS driver fitting with the Titleist fitting team to see how swing speed, launch conditions, strike location, shaft profile, and head setup can completely change performance off the tee. Even though the golfers have very different games, the fitting process reveals just how important proper equipment can be for maximizing distance, tightening dispersion, and improving consistency.
You will see how Titleist fitters analyze every part of the driver setup including loft, weighting, shaft selection, and head model to build a driver specifically for each player’s swing. While the skill levels, club head speeds, and desired outcomes are different both players show how deep and versatile the new Titleist GTS driver lineup is.
Videos
Spaun’s surprise putter switch + the best wedge stamping on tour? | Inside the Ropes: Charles Schwab Challenge
Alistair Cameron takes you inside the action at the Charles Schwab Challenge in this week’s episode. Recent winner Brandt Snedeker breaks down his WITB, Neal Shipley discusses his iconic wedge stampings, the reigning U.S. Open champion, J.J. Spaun, discusses a surprise putter switch. Also featured is a look at Project X’s new Titan shafts, which debuted on tour with a bang. All this, and more!
Kieffer Denning
Sep 24, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Found the J33r 460 in my attic this morning while looking for my Adams MB2 blades. I brought it to the range and I could not believe how nice it felt, how great it looks at address and I hit it very straight. I don’t think it is as long as my PXG driver but, at 70 yrs old, I have been having issues with the large club head feeling like I am swinging an old vacuum and slowing down at impact. The J33r evened out and flew through impact time and time again. Thank you for the video! I may need to find a new shaft as I may get more punch than the Adila NVS that is in it presently. If you haven’t reviewed the Adams MB2 irons from around 2015, they are another masterpiece of club building. Thanks again
steve
May 25, 2019 at 4:22 pm
My game (3 hdcp) may be an exception to the rule. But, I would be willing to bet that most players would shoot a comparable score using clubs they gamed 10+ years ago versus clubs they bought just last year. I’ve tried new equipment through the years but always come back to my TM R7TP irons and Burner driver and 3 wood. Something to be said for familiarity.
ken
May 25, 2019 at 10:22 pm
I have a 20 deg loft Callaway hybrid in my bag that took place of my 3 iron.
I absolutely can smoke this thing.
I use it in par 5’s when I’m in the “go zone”…I’m a middle hdcp player . Low to mid 80s.
I paid a whopping 20 bucks for the thing.
I play amateur tournament golf. I routinely score better than guys with much newer and more pricey equipment.
Patrick
May 25, 2019 at 3:49 pm
Would love to see something on the original Orlimar Trimetal fairway woods. Easy to hit, very hot off the face. Still using mine!
unknown ahlgren
May 25, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Loved the sound. The soft metallic “wheck” at impact was so much better than the cowbell contest of those days.
Kent Herndon
May 24, 2019 at 12:47 pm
As I watched this I realized I had several older drivers in by golf club collection. One was the Adams prototype (915) with Long Drivers of American logo attached and one was the Bridgestone J33R. Loved both these clubs. Took the Adams out today and it was almost as good as my Ping 410 Plus. Amazing. Thanks for a great video.
Dan
May 24, 2019 at 7:25 am
I saw one in goodwill last summer for $9.99. Should’ve picked it up
Joe
May 25, 2019 at 3:38 pm
Dude…you should have grabbed that (obviously).
S
May 23, 2019 at 8:47 pm
Sonartec rip off. That’s where they go that idea for the sliver
Joe
May 25, 2019 at 3:40 pm
You’re probably right. My SS03 3 wood is still my main 3 wood. Absolute howitzer.
john ballas
May 23, 2019 at 7:49 pm
hi ryan great information can you talk about the cleveland 460 launcher
C.B.
May 23, 2019 at 3:51 pm
Used my J33R 460 for 8 years. I still have it.
Tom Drew
May 23, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Great series! Would love to see more
Dan
May 24, 2019 at 3:32 pm
2nd that
Jose
May 23, 2019 at 2:20 pm
Looking forward to more of these vids
Kirby
May 23, 2019 at 2:07 pm
What do you think of the Taylor Made 360R’s?
TheTroll
May 23, 2019 at 12:28 pm
Hey Ryan, glad you’re enjoying the J33 driver I traded in late last year at FGO. Always liked that driver though peak height was an issue.
2putttom
May 23, 2019 at 11:10 am
well now I’ve learned something new.
Jim Shields
May 23, 2019 at 10:46 am
Good piece.
Overall, I agree. I still use my TaylorMade 540 driver that I bought many years ago.
I have taken to Golf Galaxy every 2 years and eventually do a “bake off” against the current top rated drivers. I came close last year to replacing it with the Calloway, but the guy I was working with at the store noted that the newer clubs were about an inch longer than my 540. I added an extension to the shaft and I’m back in business.
I just cannot justify the expense for 10-15 yards. I don’t need it.