Equipment
Why does size matter as it pertains to distance? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing why size matters as it pertains to distance. WRXer ‘baller4opca’ kicks off the thread, asking:
“Why are folks putting a lot of stock in the added bulk of Bryson? How does that size translate to ball speed? I know the height and length of a player matters but confused on why size matters. I take a Cameron Champ for example. He is long and lanky but still pounds the ball. I’m a fairly muscular guy by golf standards and find that being this muscular can sometimes take away from my flexibility.”
And our members have been having their say on the subject in our forums.
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.
- Shankyouverymuch: “Force = Mass X Acceleration. The added bulk equates to more force when he swings. Of course, you still need to swing the club properly to obtain maximum results.”
- PhilsFanDrew: “There are many different ways to hit the ball a long way. A taller, lankier player can generate a lot of speed by creating a wider swing arc giving the clubhead more time to generate speed before impact. A stockier player like Jon Rahm takes a really small backswing but has so much lower body power to hit the ball far. Other than size, Bryson is swinging with the same swing philosophy he’s had since becoming a pro so he must feel that in order to maximize distance for the way he swings that he needed to add mass. He also seems very data-driven so I could see him gather his stats with his new frame and then if he isn’t getting the results he wants dial it back to find a happy medium.”
- QuigleyDU: “It really pretty simple. Getting bigger just adds that much more punch to the ball. Would you rather be hit by George foreman or Floyd Mayweather? Floyd is probably faster, but George is so much bigger it is going to hurt more. It also adds stability to your swing when swinging that hard.”
- oikos1: “Big guys and little guys can both hit the ball far. There seems to be this underlying “for or against” discussion which is completely irrelevant as we have evidence for both to work. Figuring out what you think is best for you is the challenge, and there is only one way to find out.”
Entire Thread: “Why does size matter as it pertains to distance?”
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

June
Jun 25, 2020 at 4:40 pm
Bigger is always better!
Foxy
Jun 25, 2020 at 4:38 pm
You gotta have the size to go the distance, boys.
Daylene Delight
Jun 25, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Seriously? You had to ask if size matters? It’s not the size of the boat. It’s the motion of the ocean. Technique is everything, my dear.
gwelfgulfer
Jun 25, 2020 at 12:59 am
I actually think the past 15ish years of the PGA Tour has shown the opposite in that the little guys can pound it. Bryson is a complete anomaly rather than a rule. Far more little guys with actual game playing for actual money vs. the gorillas praying to just get 1 out of 6 shots in the grid…
Tommy
Jun 24, 2020 at 6:12 pm
You don’t see too many “skinny” guys on the Long Drive circuit. On the contrary, they’re into steroid fueled bulk ala WWE and the stronger and bigger they are, the longer they are, so it seems.
Rory
Jun 25, 2020 at 10:54 am
One of the top guys weighs 195… not very big ..