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  • Aaron Rai WITB (6th March, 2025) - What's In The Bag? Arnold Palmer Invitational @ Bayhill Golf Course

Aaron Rai WITB (6th March, 2025) - What's In The Bag? Arnold Palmer Invitational @ Bayhill Golf Course

His 2025 setup features several notable tweaks compared to 2024. There's always some tinkering going on with the game’s elite, and Rai is no exception.

March 06, 2025

Who is Aaron Rai and witb for 2025?

Aaron Rai is the kind of golfer you don’t see coming, but once he’s here, you’re kind of glad he showed up. The 28-year-old Englishman has steadily carved his niche in the world of professional golf, and he's doing it with a level of precision that makes you think, "This guy's more about accuracy than flair—wait, is that okay in golf?"

Born in Wolverhampton, England, Rai's rise to the big leagues wasn’t exactly traditional. Instead of playing junior golf at posh private courses, Rai’s development was rooted in hard work and a no-nonsense attitude. His career kicked off when he decided that he wasn't going to follow the typical "one big sponsorship and a shiny putter" route. No, Aaron’s a grinder—he worked through the European Challenge Tour and was even known for his impressive performances in the EuroPro Tour. Now, this isn't a sob story of a talented player just trying to make it; this is the tale of a future star who had to work through the grind, earning everything.

In 2018, he made his big breakthrough. He won the European Tour's 2018 Australian PGA Championship—a performance that made the world sit up and take note. By 2021, Aaron Rai earned his PGA Tour card. And since then, he's become known as a consistent player who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. And trust me, his hands are pretty clean when he’s hoisting that trophy—no muddy grip here. His key traits are his unflappable nature and his pinpoint approach shots, especially on par-3s. But for the folks at home, it’s Rai’s backstory—the underdog rising—that makes him relatable. Even the best players had to grind, and Aaron Rai did it with style.

Aaron Rai’s 2025 WITB Setup: A Glimpse into His Bag

Now, let's talk about the gear that makes Rai’s hands the best tools in the bag. His 2025 setup features several notable tweaks compared to 2024. There's always some tinkering going on with the game’s elite, and Rai is no exception.

Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9°) with Aldila Synergy Blue 70 TX Shaft

Starting with the driver, Rai has gone back to his trusty TaylorMade M6 for 2025. This choice makes sense since the M6 offers a high forgiveness rate and explosive distance—a good combo for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The Aldila Synergy Blue 70 TX shaft helps him maintain control off the tee while keeping that low spin for optimal distance.

Driver #2: Titleist GT2 (9°) with Aldila Synergy Blue Prototype 70 T Shaft

But wait, we have a second driver in the mix. Rai’s new Titleist GT2 (9°) is a pretty interesting addition. This club offers a slightly different launch profile than the M6, which is key when adapting to varying course conditions like those at Bay Hill. The Aldila Synergy Blue Prototype 70 T shaft gives it that extra stability while preserving a strong launch angle.

3 Wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15°) with Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X Shaft

Rai’s fairway wood is a work of art, too. The TaylorMade Qi10 with a Fujikura Ventus Blue shaft is one of the most high-performance combinations in the bag. The 15° loft ensures Rai can approach tighter fairways with enough distance without losing control. It's just the right amount of reliability on both long and medium-length shots.

Hybrid: Titleist TSR2 (24°) with Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White Hybrid 90 TX Shaft

We’re all about versatility here. The Titleist TSR2 hybrid, with its Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White Hybrid shaft, is a solid choice for those tricky long-iron shots. The 24° loft provides more than enough height and carry to clear those awkward obstacles.

Irons: TaylorMade P7TW (5i-9i) with True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 Shafts

Iron play is one of Aaron Rai’s specialties, and he trusts the TaylorMade P7TW for precision. These blades are designed to deliver raw feel and control, giving Rai the edge in the short to mid-irons. The True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 shafts ensure excellent stability through the swing.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F @44, 48-10F @49), SM10 (54-12D), WedgeWorks (60-K) with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S300 Shafts

Rai’s wedges come with a touch of class. Vokey’s SM9 models in the bag are precision-engineered with just the right grind to fit any course. His lob wedge—WedgeWorks 60-K—takes the cake for those high, soft approaches around the greens. Every wedge is complemented by the True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shafts for consistency.

Putter: TaylorMade HydroBlast TP DuPage with a SuperStroke Tour 1.0P Grip

For the flat stick, Rai keeps it simple and effective. The TaylorMade HydroBlast TP DuPage putter offers exceptional feel and responsiveness, while the SuperStroke Tour 1.0P grip helps maintain consistency on longer putts. The grip’s slight heft gives him the confidence to make more challenging putts look like a walk in the park.

Ball & Grips: Titleist Pro V1 with Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grips

It’s no surprise that Aaron Rai uses the Pro V1, as it’s the gold standard in golf balls. Expect that extra distance and softer feel. For the grips, the Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip offers a secure and firm feel, helping Rai control every shot from tee to green.

Performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Aaron Rai is currently one over par on the opening day of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. As he tackles this challenging Bay Hill course, he's got to make sure his setup stays consistent. Historically, Rai’s performances here haven’t been as loud as some of the bigger names, but he has displayed solid control. His equipment has seen significant improvements, particularly his driver selection, with both the M6 and Titleist GT2 being pivotal for gaining an edge in this elite field.

Aaron Rai is shaping up to be a threat at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and his solid bag setup makes him a force to reckon with. Keep an eye on this grinder; his game is getting sharper by the day.

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