Hideki Matsuyama, the Japanese golf star, has captivated fans with his impressive skills on the course. Many golf enthusiasts wonder about the clubs that help him achieve such success. Matsuyama’s bag includes a mix of Srixon and Toulon Design clubs, with a Srixon ZX5 LS Mk II driver, Srixon irons, and a Toulon Design putter.
Matsuyama’s equipment choices reflect his precise playing style and dedication to the sport. His recent win at the Genesis Invitational showcased the effectiveness of his club selection. Each club in his bag plays a crucial role in his game.
Let’s take a closer look at the specific clubs Matsuyama relies on to dominate the PGA Tour. His set helps him excel in various aspects of the game, from powerful drives to accurate approach shots and delicate putts.
Key Takeaways
- Matsuyama uses a mix of Srixon and Toulon Design clubs in his bag
- His driver is a Srixon ZX5 LS Mk II, which helps him achieve impressive distance off the tee
- Matsuyama’s club choices contribute to his success on the PGA Tour, including his recent Genesis Invitational win
Hideki Matsuyama’s Golf Clubs Overview
Hideki Matsuyama uses a mix of top-quality golf clubs from different brands. His bag setup helps him excel on the PGA Tour and contributed to his Masters win.
Drivers and Woods
Matsuyama’s driver is a Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS with 9.5 degrees of loft. He pairs this with a Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 TX shaft. This combo gives him great distance and control off the tee.
For fairway woods, he uses a mix. His 3-wood is a TaylorMade Qi10 with 15 degrees loft. The 5-wood spot is filled by a Cobra King RadSpeed Tour at 17.5 degrees. Both woods have Graphite Design shafts for consistency throughout his long clubs.
Irons and Wedges
Matsuyama’s iron set consists of Srixon ZX7 irons. These forged irons give him the feel and control he needs for precise approach shots. He uses them from the 4-iron through to the pitching wedge.
For wedges, he sticks with Srixon. He carries a 52-degree, 56-degree, and 60-degree Srixon ZX wedge set. These help him with various short game shots around the green.
Putter
The putter is a crucial club for any pro golfer. Matsuyama uses a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS putter. This blade-style putter is known for its great feel and consistency on the greens.
Many pros, including Matsuyama, prefer Scotty Cameron putters. They’re well-crafted and trusted by top players worldwide.
Golf Ball
Matsuyama plays the Srixon Z-Star XV golf ball. This ball is designed for players with high swing speeds. It offers low spin off the tee for more distance, while still providing good spin and control for approach shots and around the greens.
The Z-Star XV complements Matsuyama’s powerful swing and helps him perform at the highest level on the PGA Tour.
Driver Details
Hideki Matsuyama uses two different drivers depending on course conditions and his needs. He switches between a main driver and a prototype for optimal performance.
Main Driver
Matsuyama’s go-to driver is the Srixon ZX7. This club is known for its low spin and ability to handle higher swing speeds. The ZX7 helps Matsuyama achieve long, accurate drives off the tee.
He typically sets the loft at 9.5 degrees. This setting allows him to control his ball flight and maximize distance. The shaft he uses is a Graphite Design Tour AD-DI 8 X, which is stiff and helps with stability.
Prototype Driver
For certain tournaments or conditions, Matsuyama switches to a prototype driver. This club is custom-made to his specifications. It’s designed to give him even more control over his shots.
The prototype is similar to the ZX7 but with small tweaks. These changes might include a different head shape or weight distribution. Matsuyama and his team keep the exact details of this club under wraps.
Using a prototype shows Matsuyama’s willingness to try new technology. It also highlights his focus on finding the perfect club for his game.
Fairways and Woods
Hideki Matsuyama uses a mix of fairway woods to boost his long game. His choices help him hit greens in regulation and control spin.
3-Wood
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Matsuyama’s go-to 3-wood is the TaylorMade Qi10. This club is set at 15 degrees. It’s a key part of his bag for long par-5s and tight fairways.
The Qi10 gives him great distance off the tee. It also works well for approach shots on long par-4s. Matsuyama used this club to hit an amazing 274-yard shot at the 2024 Genesis Invitational.
5-Wood
For his 5-wood, Matsuyama opts for the Cobra King Radspeed Tour. This club helps him bridge the gap between his 3-wood and long irons.
The Radspeed Tour offers good spin control. This lets Matsuyama shape his shots and land the ball softly on greens. He often uses this club for long par-3s or second shots on par-5s.
Its versatility makes it a valuable tool in his bag. The 5-wood gives him options when he needs extra height or wants to avoid trouble spots.
Irons Play
Hideki Matsuyama relies on high-quality forged irons for precision and control. His iron set is designed for optimal turf interaction and consistent performance.
Main Irons Set
Matsuyama uses Srixon Z-Forged II irons for his main set. These irons are known for their soft feel and excellent feedback. They’re made from 1020 carbon steel, which gives them a buttery smooth feel at impact.
The Z-Forged II irons have unique toe and heel notches. Matsuyama believes these notches help create smoother turf interaction. This feature allows him to strike the ball cleanly from various lies.
His irons are fitted with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shafts. These shafts are popular among pros for their stability and consistency.
Utility Iron
For longer iron shots, Matsuyama sometimes adds a utility iron to his bag. This club bridges the gap between his fairway woods and standard irons.
The utility iron gives him more options for approach shots on long par-4s and par-5s. It offers a blend of distance and control that can be crucial in certain situations.
Matsuyama’s exact utility iron model may vary depending on course conditions and his preferences for each tournament.
Wedges Examination
Hideki Matsuyama’s wedge selection plays a crucial role in his short game precision. His choices blend cutting-edge technology with personalized touches to match his playing style.
Main Wedges
Matsuyama relies on Cleveland RTX 4 Forged Prototype wedges for his short game. He typically carries three wedges in his bag:
- 52-degree wedge with 10 degrees of bounce
- 56-degree wedge with 8 degrees of bounce
- 60-degree wedge with 8 degrees of bounce
These wedges offer Matsuyama versatility around the greens. The 52-degree wedge serves as his gap wedge for longer approaches. His 56-degree sand wedge helps with bunker shots and pitches. The 60-degree lob wedge allows for high, soft-landing shots.
Wedge Technology
Matsuyama’s wedges feature some unique technological elements. The Cleveland RTX 4 Forged Prototype wedges have a compact shape and sharp leading edge. This design helps with turf interaction and shot control.
A standout feature is the toe and heel notches. Matsuyama believes these notches create smoother turf interaction. Srixon reports that he was a key figure in developing this design.
The wedges also incorporate a C-grind sole shape. This grind allows for more versatility in shot-making. It helps Matsuyama open the clubface for flop shots or keep it square for full swings.
Putters and Short Game
Hideki Matsuyama relies on top-quality putters and wedges for his short game. His choices help him sink crucial putts and make precise shots around the green.
Main Putter
Matsuyama’s go-to putter is a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS. This classic blade-style putter is known for its feel and accuracy. He’s used this model for many years, including during his 2021 Masters win.
Recently, Matsuyama switched to a Scotty Cameron Prototype putter. This change helped him win the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship. The new putter seems to be working well for him, leading to more birdies and fewer bogeys.
Putter Specs
Matsuyama’s putters are finely tuned to his preferences. While exact specs aren’t public, Scotty Cameron putters often have the following features:
- Weight: Usually between 340-360 grams
- Length: Typically 33-35 inches
- Grip: Likely a standard-size grip
The putter face may have special milling to improve roll. Matsuyama might also use alignment aids to help with accuracy.
These specs help him control speed and direction on the greens.
Golf Ball Selection
Hideki Matsuyama carefully chooses his golf balls to match his playing style and boost his performance on the course. His selection focuses on achieving the right balance of distance, control, and spin.
Tour Performance
Matsuyama uses the Srixon Z-Star XV golf ball. This ball is designed for elite players who want maximum distance off the tee and high spin around the greens.
The Z-Star XV has a four-piece construction with a large core. This design helps Matsuyama get more speed and distance on his drives.
The ball’s urethane cover gives him excellent feel and control for his short game. It allows him to generate lots of spin on approach shots and around the green.
Srixon, part of the Cleveland/Srixon company, makes this ball to meet the demands of tour pros like Matsuyama. It’s a key part of his equipment setup that complements his precise ball-striking skills.
Matsuyama’s Professional Achievements
Hideki Matsuyama has made his mark in professional golf with major wins and consistent performances. His success spans prestigious tournaments and multiple PGA Tour victories.
Masters Success
Matsuyama’s crowning achievement came in 2021 when he won the Masters Tournament. This victory made him the first Japanese man to win a major golf championship.
His triumph at Augusta National was historic. Matsuyama wore the iconic green jacket with pride, bringing joy to golf fans in Japan and around the world.
The win cemented his status as one of golf’s elite players. It also inspired a new generation of Japanese golfers to pursue their dreams on the global stage.
Notable PGA Tours
Matsuyama’s success extends well beyond his Masters victory. He has claimed 10 PGA Tour titles in his career, making him the most successful Asian player in PGA Tour history.
Some of his notable wins include:
- The Genesis Invitational (2024)
- The Zozo Championship (2021)
- The FedEx St. Jude Championship (2024)
These victories showcase Matsuyama’s skill and consistency across different courses and conditions. He’s known for his precise iron play and calm demeanor under pressure.
Matsuyama’s achievements have made him a golfing icon in Japan and a respected figure worldwide. His continued success on the PGA Tour cements his place among the game’s top players.
Additional Equipment Details
Hideki Matsuyama’s golf clubs are fine-tuned with specific shafts and customizations. His equipment choices show a focus on precision and feel.
Shafts and Customization
Matsuyama uses Graphite Design Tour AD DI shafts in his driver and fairway woods. These shafts are known for their stability and low torque. For his driver, he opts for the Tour AD-DI 8TX, which offers low spin and a strong ball flight.
His irons feature True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts. These steel shafts provide consistency and control.
Matsuyama’s clubs, like the Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS driver, are adjusted to optimize launch conditions and spin rates.
The center of gravity in his clubs is carefully positioned to match his swing style. This helps him achieve his desired ball flight and trajectory.
Grips and Feel
Matsuyama pays close attention to his club grips. They play a crucial role in his feel and control of the golf club. While specific grip models aren’t mentioned, professional golfers often use custom grips tailored to their preferences.
The grips likely have a specific texture and firmness that suits Matsuyama’s hands. This helps him maintain a consistent grip pressure throughout his swing.
Feel is essential in Matsuyama’s equipment choices. His putter selection, which includes a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS, shows his preference for classic designs with excellent feedback.
Equipment Updates and Trends
Hideki Matsuyama often tweaks his golf clubs. He tries new gear and makes small changes to his setup. This keeps his equipment fresh and helps his game.
Recent Changes
Matsuyama has made some key updates to his bag. He now uses a Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS driver. This club gives him more control off the tee.
He’s also added a Cobra DarkSpeed LS 3-wood. This club fills the gap between his driver and irons nicely.
For his irons, Matsuyama switched to Srixon Z-Forged II. These clubs offer great feel and precision.
His wedge setup now includes a full set of Cleveland wedges. These help him with short game control.
Trend Observation
Matsuyama’s equipment choices show some clear trends. He favors clubs that offer a mix of control and feel.
He has stuck with his trusted Scotty Cameron Prototype putter. This shows he values consistency in his putting.
Matsuyama’s iron choice, the Z-Forged II, follows the trend of pros using forged irons for better feedback.
His use of the latest driver tech, like the Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS, shows he’s open to new innovations that can improve his game.
