Equipment
It was the straightest driver ever. Is there an equivalent? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing a modern equivalent for Callaway’s vintage FT-iQ driver. WRXer ‘CarloGolfer’ kicks off the thread saying “it was the straightest driver ever,” and asks the following question:
“Is there a modern equivalent? It was the straightest driver ever. Nothing was close. I’ve never replaced the magic.
The Ping G Max series were kinda close, but then again, not really. I’m considering trying a G430 Max 10k.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions 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.
- ram01002: “I think 430 Max 10k is your best bet.”
- Hougz79: “Sounds more like it was a great fit for you at the time. I had an FT-i LCG way back in the day, I have not missed it even one day since it was replaced. A quality fitting session should get you something that works for you. Quite literally every brand makes a quality driver currently, it’s just finding the one that performs the best and looks the best to you.”
- bolsadecarne: “I thought i was the only one that loves that driver. I have the 11 version. When I play with some friends, they like to borrow it to do their drives. It really does a great job control and distance. I was actually searching to see if any one had suggestions on reshafting it. It have the original Fubuki 60 R on it. Id like to give it a little upgrade and make over. I just got an used Ping g425 max, I haven’t gotten a chance to use it yet, but that is going to be my new club…I hope. but I’m keeping the FT-iQ in my bag. My wife plays the ladies FT-iQ in a 13.
- philly2kuk: “Nothing ever came close to- it’s the worst driver I’ve ever owned! It was short off the tee, sounded like a tin can and never went straight. Every driver I’ve owned before or since was better than the FT-iQ I had. Having been fit myself in Feb, I tried all the recent offerings and they’re all massively more forgiving. The Ping didn’t work for me, the Gt1 with a standard weight shaft and heavier back weight is my current club of choice. Goes miles and I rarely miss a fairway.”
Entire Thread: “It was the straightest driver ever. Is there an equivalent? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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
