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  • Mackenzie Hughes WITB (26th September, 2024) - What's In The Bag? The Presidents Cup @ The Royal Montreal Golf Club

Mackenzie Hughes WITB (26th September, 2024) - What's In The Bag? The Presidents Cup @ The Royal Montreal Golf Club

Mackenzie Hughes relies on the Ping G430 LST driver, which is built for low spin and high ball speed.

September 26, 2024

Driver: Ping G430 LST 9° with a Mitsubishi Diamana WB 63TX shaft

3 Wood: Ping G430 Max 15° (@13.5°) with a Project X Hzrdus RDX Smoke Green shaft

7 Wood: Ping G430 Max 21° (@19°) with a Project X Hzrdus RDX Smoke Green shaft

Irons: Ping i210 (4i-6i) with Project X 6.5 shafts, Ping S55 irons (7i-PW) with Project X 6.5 shafts

Wedges: Ping S159 (52°, 56°, 62°) with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts

Putter: Ping Scottsdale TR Piper C with a Ping PP58 grip

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

Mackenzie Hughes's Club Specifications and Performance Analysis Ahead of The Presidents Cup @ The Royal Montreal Golf Club

Mackenzie Hughes relies on the Ping G430 LST driver, which is built for low spin and high ball speed. With a 9° loft and paired with a Mitsubishi Diamana WB 63TX shaft, this driver provides him with both control and distance. The shaft's stiff profile allows for precise control, especially when hitting under windy conditions, which may be a key factor at The Royal Montreal Golf Club. The driver’s ability to keep the ball flight low will help Hughes manage his shots on the course's tight fairways and tree-lined layouts.

Hughes's 3-wood is set at 13.5°, which allows him to use it both off the tee and for long approach shots. The Ping G430 Max fairway wood is designed for forgiveness and distance, and the slightly stronger loft gives him a bit more distance. The Project X Hzrdus RDX Smoke Green shaft provides added stability for high-speed swings, making it a powerful option for navigating longer par 4s and par 5s.

7 Wood: Ping G430 Max 21° (@19°) with a Project X Hzrdus RDX Smoke Green shaft

Hughes's choice of a 7-wood instead of a longer iron or hybrid suggests a preference for higher launch and softer landings. With the loft dialed down to 19°, this club will help him with approach shots that need to carry hazards or land softly on the greens. The forgiveness and high launch angle make it a great option for long par 3s or when he needs to attack pins from distance.

Mackenzie’s iron setup blends two Ping models: the i210 (for longer irons) and the S55 (for shorter irons). The i210 offers more forgiveness and stability in the longer irons (4i-6i), allowing him to control trajectory on approach shots. For the 7i-PW, Hughes uses the Ping S55, which offers more feel and workability around the greens. Both sets are paired with Project X 6.5 shafts, which provide consistency, accuracy, and the low launch Hughes may need for the tighter lies at Royal Montreal.

Hughes's wedge setup includes a 52°, 56°, and 62° combination that covers a wide range of shots from various lies and distances. The True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts offer a heavier, lower-trajectory option, which is perfect for the firm and fast greens at The Royal Montreal Golf Club. Hughes can rely on these wedges to execute precision shots, control spin, and manage short-game situations with accuracy.

Hughes uses a Ping Scottsdale TR Piper C, a mallet putter known for its high MOI and forgiveness. This putter is ideal for maintaining stability on longer putts and provides consistency on the greens. The putter’s alignment features will help Hughes navigate the sloped greens of The Royal Montreal Golf Club, which can be difficult due to undulating surfaces.

The Titleist Pro V1 ball is a trusted companion for Hughes, offering a soft feel and excellent control around the greens. The Pro V1’s combination of distance and spin control will be particularly helpful at Royal Montreal, where approach play and the ability to control shots into the greens can be a significant advantage.

How These Club Choices Influence His Performance

Mackenzie Hughes has carefully curated his bag to strike a balance between distance, forgiveness, and precision. The selection of the Ping G430 driver and woods shows that Hughes values both length off the tee and forgiveness on longer approach shots, which will help him navigate the narrow, tree-lined fairways at The Royal Montreal Golf Club. His choice of high-launching woods like the 7-wood reveals his preference for controlling flight into softer greens.

The blend of Ping i210 and S55 irons allows him to manage distance gaps effectively. The i210 irons will provide a little more forgiveness and a lower center of gravity for longer shots, while the S55 irons offer the control he needs when attacking flags from mid-range.

His wedge setup, with three lofts and heavier shafts, suggests that he is prepared for versatile short-game scenarios. Royal Montreal’s tricky green complexes will demand touch and spin control, and Hughes’s wedges are well-suited for those needs.

Chances at the Presidents Cup

Hughes has steadily risen as a solid performer on the PGA Tour, and his club setup should give him the tools to perform well at the Presidents Cup. The Royal Montreal Golf Club’s tight fairways and demanding greens will reward accuracy and touch—areas where Hughes excels. His bag is designed for controlling ball flight, spin, and distance, which will be critical in the high-pressure match-play format of the Presidents Cup. Given his club choices and current form, Hughes could be a key contributor to the International Team.

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