- witb.com
- Posts
- The Evolution of Rory McIlroy's Golf Bag: A Deep Dive Into His Equipment Changes Through the Years
The Evolution of Rory McIlroy's Golf Bag: A Deep Dive Into His Equipment Changes Through the Years
In 2013, McIlroy signed a lucrative equipment deal with Nike, a move that brought a significant overhaul to his bag.
Here at team WITB, we’re obsessed with the club and equipment choices that the elite players make. We want to know what they’re currently using and to understand the factors that influence those choices. But equally, it’s interesting to understand the history of these changes. Today, we’re exploring the evolution of Rory McIlroy’s golf bag and taking a deep dive into some of his equipment changes over the years.
Rory McIlroy has had several distinct club setups throughout his career, with each phase marked by equipment changes, sponsorship deals, and technological advancements. These changes have been driven by performance goals, club innovations, and brand affiliations, with notable switches in equipment corresponding to critical points in his career. Below is a detailed breakdown of Rory McIlroy’s club setups over the years, including exact specifications for each era and the reasons for these adjustments.
Early Career: Titleist Setup (2007–2012)
Driver:
Titleist 909D2 Driver, 9.5°
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana White Board 73X
Fairway Woods:
Titleist 906F2 3-wood, 13.5°
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana Blue Board 83g
Irons:
Titleist 695MB Forged (3-PW)
Shaft: Project X Rifle 6.5
Wedges:
Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled (54° & 60°)
Shaft: Dynamic Gold S300
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport GSS
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
McIlroy began his career with Titleist, a company known for producing high-performance clubs that are popular with elite players. He used this setup when he turned professional in 2007 and achieved his first major victory at the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club. His Titleist 909D2 driver and Vokey wedges were key to his consistency and control during this period.
His early Titleist clubs, particularly the forged irons and the Spin Milled wedges, were designed to offer precision and feedback for high-level ball striking. McIlroy’s decision to use Project X Rifle 6.5 shafts in his irons reflected his desire for lower ball flight, which gave him greater control in windy conditions and helped him excel on links courses.
Nike Era (2013–2016)
In 2013, McIlroy signed a lucrative equipment deal with Nike, a move that brought a significant overhaul to his bag. Despite some struggles with performance consistency, this period saw McIlroy achieve some of his most dominant victories.
Driver:
Nike VR_S Covert Tour Driver, 9.5°
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana Whiteboard 73X
Fairway Woods:
Nike VR Pro Limited Edition 3-wood, 15°
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana Blueboard 83g
Irons:
Nike VR Pro Combo (3-4 irons)
Nike VR Pro Blades (5-PW)
Shaft: Project X 7.0
Wedges:
Nike VR Forged (54° & 60°)
Shaft: Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Nike Method 006 Prototype
Ball: Nike RZN Black
McIlroy’s switch to Nike in 2013 was a significant shift that saw him using a full Nike bag. His driver choice—the Nike VR_S Covert Tour—was revolutionary for its cavity-back design, aimed at providing more forgiveness and increased ball speed. Despite initial struggles, he quickly adapted and won two major championships in 2014: the Open Championship and the PGA Championship.
During the Nike era, McIlroy’s iron play was bolstered by the VR Pro Blades, which were designed for precision and shot shaping. However, McIlroy continued to use familiar shafts, including the Project X 7.0, which offered the stiffness and low ball flight that matched his aggressive, high-speed swing.
His short game featured Nike VR Forged wedges, but his putting performance fluctuated, leading to experimentation with various Nike putters, notably the Method 006 Prototype.
Post-Nike Transition: Mixed Bag (2017)
When Nike exited the golf equipment market in 2016, McIlroy entered a period of using a mixed bag of equipment as he tested different clubs to find the best fit. This period was crucial, as he experimented with drivers, irons, and wedges from multiple brands.
Driver:
TaylorMade M2 9.5°
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage TiNi 70 XTS
Fairway Woods:
Callaway XR16 Pro 3-wood, 15°
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage 80 TX
Irons:
Callaway Apex MB (3-PW)
Shaft: Project X 7.0
Wedges:
Titleist Vokey Design SM6 (52°, 56°, 60°)
Shaft: Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport GSS
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
After Nike stopped producing golf equipment, McIlroy used a variety of clubs in 2017. He tested TaylorMade M2 drivers, which provided greater forgiveness and consistency off the tee, something McIlroy highly valued given his reliance on driving accuracy. The Callaway Apex MB irons were added to provide more control, a factor that was pivotal in helping him regain his form.
McIlroy also briefly returned to his trusted Scotty Cameron Newport putter during this time, a model he had used in some of his best performances earlier in his career.
Full TaylorMade Setup (2017–Present)
In May 2017, McIlroy signed a full equipment deal with TaylorMade, marking the beginning of his current setup. This change proved fruitful, with several wins and consistent performances on tour, including a resurgence in major contention.
Driver:
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus 9°
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver TiNi 70X
Fairway Woods:
TaylorMade Stealth 2 3-wood, 15°
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Irons:
TaylorMade P730 Rors Proto (3-PW)
Shaft: Project X 7.0
Wedges:
TaylorMade MG3 (52°, 56°, 60°)
Shaft: Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Copper
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
McIlroy’s switch to a full TaylorMade setup has been one of the most significant changes in his career, marking a new era of consistency. His TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver offers a blend of distance and control, crucial for his aggressive driving style. The P730 Rors Proto irons were custom-made for him and provide the feel and workability needed for his precise iron play. Additionally, the MG3 wedges have given McIlroy more versatility and spin control in his short game, key to tackling challenging greens.
Notable Highlights of Rory McIlroy’s Equipment Changes
Titleist Era: His early success, including his 2011 U.S. Open victory, was built on the solid foundation of Titleist equipment, known for precision and reliability.
Nike Era: This period was marked by major victories but also challenges as McIlroy adjusted to Nike’s golf equipment. Despite some inconsistency, he won four majors during this phase.
Mixed Bag Era: The post-Nike transition allowed McIlroy to experiment with various brands, leading to a rediscovery of his form, especially with the Callaway Apex MB irons and TaylorMade M2 driver.
TaylorMade Era: McIlroy’s move to TaylorMade has given him stability and helped him regain his top form. The custom irons, modern drivers, and wedges from TaylorMade align with McIlroy’s strengths, particularly his long game and ball-striking ability.
Throughout his career, Rory McIlroy’s equipment choices have been a critical component of his success. His ability to adapt to new clubs and setups while maintaining world-class performance is a testament to his skill and understanding of his game. As always, you can subscribe here for your weekly fix of WITB action.
Thirsty for more? Check out some of our latest WITB’s: