Get Equipped: New Ping putters, Vokey wedges, Maxfli balls
As of today, there are 37 days until the opening round of the 2025 Masters Tournament, and while this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational and next week's Players Championship will command the full attention of the game's best players, the challenge of Augusta National looms and equipment preparations are starting to be made.
Typically, golfers bring the 14 clubs they intend to use to a tournament, along with a backup driver and a backup putter. Some may bring either a high-lofted fairway wood or a driving iron too and make a game-time decision on which could be the most helpful based on the conditions and the course. But in the days and weeks ahead, golfers who know they will be competing in the Masters will likely get new sand wedges and lob wedges, practice with them once or twice, or maybe use them in a practice round before putting them away and saving them for Masters week.
The thinking is that Augusta National's greens, tight ties and unique holes demand that players control the ball and use precision around the greens, so fresh, sharp grooves are a must. However, pros tend not to like using brand-new wedges because they are not always sure the bounce and sole configurations match what they want. A practice session or practice round can confirm that the wedges work properly and give a player confidence without wearing the grooves, and going through the process this week at Bay Hill or in the next few weeks means that if changes have to be made, everything will get done before the golf world descends upon Augusta.
If you haven't swaped out your wedges, now might be the time to talk with a good custom fitter about which models match your game and the course conditions in your area. Wedges like the Callaway Opus, Cleveland RTZ, Cobra King, Mizuno T1, PXG Sugar Daddy, Ping s159, TaylorMade MG4, Titleist SM10 and Wilson Staff Model offer a variety of lofts, sole grinds and options that could help you develop a better short game this season.
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