Equipment
9-wood curiosity – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing 9-woods. WRXer ‘gibsonsg4’ is considering swapping his 4-iron out for a 9-wood, and kicks off the thread saying:
“Thinking about swapping over to a 9-wood in a replacement slot for a 4-iron – anyone have experience doing this and the setup needed to match the gapping?
Curious on it to help with longer 200-205 yard shots into long par 4’s/3’s and short par 5’s – but not sure if it will typically go further than a 4 and leave a gap to 5-iron. As a left hander seems my only options are a g440 and GT1.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- Streuner: “it comes down to gapping and targetory. 9woods are giving the ball a very high curvature, nice if you want it to stop on a certain spot, bad as soon as there is some kind of wind. sure, the shaft will have an influence, but this will need a fitting even more.”
- aquapig: “My set up is 4w, 7w, 9w, 5i…Gaps work well for me. 9 wood replaced my 200-205 yard 4i…7 w goes 215-220. I hear a lot of folks talk about how if there is any wind at all, then 9w is a no go. I’m a high ball hitter and I can definitely hit my 9 wood high into long par 3s and par 5s, but Ive also learned flight it down when needed. I play in Florida and it’s often blowing on my course. Never much of an issue with the 9w.”
- GolferTodd: “I would suggest getting a fitting. Bring your 4 iron and compare the data between the 9 wood and the 4 iron. Also can get fitted for the right shaft, I’m assuming high launch is what your seeking for soft landings on greens.”
Equipment
Neal Shipley, AKA, the “Big Fridge’s,” custom stamping
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.

“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: L.A.B. Purple DF3 with Masters cover
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.

From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Whats in the Bag
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms

Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105

Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
