Equipment
18 players switch to Titleist 917 drivers at Quicken Loans National
Titleist debuted its new 917D2 and 917D3 drivers this week at the Quicken Loans National. After the first tee shots of the tournament were struck, 18 of the 28 Titleist drivers being used in the tournament were one of the new models.
See in-hand photos, and learn more about Titleist’s 917 drivers.
There was an even split between Titleist’s 917D2 (9) and Titleist’s 917D3 (9), with the most interesting model change coming from Justin Thomas (917D2, 8.5 degrees), who was previously using Titleist’s low-spin 915D4 driver. This could indicate that the 917D2 is significantly lower spinning than past D2 models.
See who changed into what driver and what loft in the list below.
Note: Players who made the cut this week are bolded. Webb Simpson and Bill Haas both changed to the new driver this week and are 10-under par, five shots off the pace of Round 3 leader Billy Hurley III.
917D2
- Blayne Barber (9.5 degrees)
- Erik Compton (9.5 degrees)
- Bill Haas (9.5 degrees)
- Charley Hoffman (8.5 degrees)
- Mark Hubbard (9.5 degrees)
- Andrew Loupe (8.5 degrees)
- Peter Malnati (8.5 degrees)
- Justin Thomas (8.5 degrees)
- Tyrone van Aswegen (9.5 degrees)
917D3
- Ben An (8.5 degrees)
- Brendon de Jonge (9.5 degrees)
- Chesson Hadley (10.5 degrees)
- Morgan Hoffmann (8.5 degrees)
- Patton Kizzire (10.5 degrees)
- Ben Martin (9.5 degrees)
- Webb Simpson (10.5 degrees)
- Cameron Smith (10.5 degrees)
- Cameron Tringale (8.5 degrees)
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

KK
Jun 29, 2016 at 3:58 am
Good question about the Justin Thomas switch from a D4 to a D2….I’m really interested to see what real changes Titleist made with the 917. Anyone here still playing the SLDR and think it’s the best driver they ever hit due to the ultra low spin design? I’ve never hit one, but I’ve heard that the tradeoff with the low spin (and distance) is a not so forgiving head. TM released the R7 Superdeep and that lasted about 6 months. I wonder if Titleist has somehow figured out high launch, low spin, and forgiving….we’ll have to wait until the Fall to see.
On another note, I don’t care about paint color, graphics on the sole or the club face, or what tour pro is playing this club. If it’s the best club for me, I’m gaming it. I’m not really sure why every time a new club comes out, there are so many negative comments about the club before anyone hits it or even sees it in person.
Ron
Jun 28, 2016 at 10:20 am
Hmmm, wonder how long before we see the SureFit CG Bar in Titleist Irons?
Rox
Rarebit
Jun 28, 2016 at 3:24 am
Yeah well, unless they start selling maximum allowable CT and COR, Tour-stamped versions on the retail shelves people will believe Titleist can only make decent balls based on other companies’ ideas on compression
Mark
Jun 28, 2016 at 3:09 am
They really need these to sell. 915’s are still gathering dust in my area. TM and Ping have battered them out of the park.
Jackson Galaxy
Jun 29, 2016 at 10:46 am
Not really. Unless people suddenly stop needing new golf balls they’ll be okay.
cgasucks
Jul 4, 2016 at 2:46 pm
Yeah…their golf balls is their most profitable segment and what is keeping them afloat even if their clubs tanked (which is unlikely).
Marshall Moyes
Jun 27, 2016 at 5:24 pm
I am 69 and now play to a handicap of 10.8. Having tried Callaway and Taylor made drivers, I still find the Titleist drivers longer and straighter. I cannot agree with C and T drivers being more forgiving or longer.
the guy
Jun 27, 2016 at 4:58 pm
D2 made more cuts. Obvious choice.
Steve
Jun 27, 2016 at 9:18 am
Honestly, unless you are a 4 handicapper or less, not sure knowing what the pros are playing means for most of us. Titleist (and I have played them over the years) has been known for making the best looking and purist feeling Drivers in the market. Their failure to challenge Taylor Made and Calloway seems to be rooted in their inability to gain traction in the “big box” retailers and the presumed more forgiving and greater distance offered by TM and C. It’ll be interesting to see if the latest offerings are more of the same. And oh….were they really serious about the new Titanium version priced at $ 1000? Great company, but beyond the Pro Vs….their marketing has been suspect.
300 Yard Pro
Jun 28, 2016 at 7:27 pm
People buy what the pros play.
um
Jun 29, 2016 at 3:24 am
Exactly. They want to buy what the Pros play.
Jack
Jul 20, 2016 at 5:19 am
For sure the low spin options are not for most amateurs who have a SS less than 100. It’s always easy to get on a launch monitor and figure out what really works for you at a big box store.
Pete
Jun 26, 2016 at 6:50 pm
Didn’t Haas get one of those C16’s earlier in the year?
Matt
Jun 26, 2016 at 1:08 pm
Zak would love to know what those guys were using head/loft wise before and if they changed shafts or went to something new.
Zak Kozuchowski
Jun 27, 2016 at 9:20 am
Agreed, Matt. We will get that info as new WITB photos roll in over the next few weeks/months. Still lots of tinkering happening.