At the 2026 WM Phoenix Open held at TPC Scottsdale, professional golfer Chris Gotterup carried the exact set of equipment that contributed to his third PGA Tour victory just weeks earlier at the Sony Open. Using the same Bridgestone Tour B X prototype ball and clubs without any changes, Gotterup demonstrated how critical his chosen gear has been in delivering consistent, powerful performances on the PGA Tour. His unwavering confidence in this setup reflects a meticulous approach to both ball-striking and course management in Arizona’s challenging desert conditions.
A Look at Gotterup’s Consistent Tournament Success and Strategy
Gotterup’s calm finish with a closing round of 64 at the Sony Open was built upon a foundation established during his 2025 Genesis Scottish Open win, where he outplayed Rory McIlroy in a gripping final pairing. The composure developed then has fortified his mindset heading into the WM Phoenix Open, as noted by CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz, who labeled him a “serious threat” prior to the tournament’s pairings. His ability to stay composed has become a defining feature of his game.
The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, measuring 7,261 yards with a par 71 layout, offers distinct challenges. Although shorter than Torrey Pines, where Gotterup secured a top-20 finish earlier in the season, the course’s firm fairways, overseeded Bermuda greens, and variable desert winds reward precision and trajectory control over pure distance. Averaging 319.6 yards off the tee—ranking seventh on Tour in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee—Gotterup’s equipment and skills are closely aligned with the course’s demands.
Mastery of the Long Game: Insights Into Gotterup’s Driver and Irons
Gotterup’s driver is a Ping G440 LST, meticulously set at 7.5 degrees of loft, a level that challenges most amateurs to get the ball airborne effectively. This low-spin clubhead carries Ping’s deepest Center of Gravity design, allowing the ball to stay low while reducing the penalty on off-center hits. Paired with a Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 70 TX shaft—a stiff, aerospace-grade carbon fiber shaft—the driver absorbs Gotterup’s powerful transition without compromising face angle, which is essential given the force behind his swing.
Interestingly, Gotterup leaves the 3-wood slot in his bag empty. Instead, he employs a TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper at 13.5 degrees, effectively bridging the gap between the driver and 5-wood. This club, with a 300cc head size, is versatile enough to launch off the tee or attack longer par 5s from the fairway. Its 80-gram HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX TX shaft adds necessary heft for turf shots. Complementing this is a TaylorMade Qi35 5-wood set at 18 degrees, equipped with a Mitsubishi Diamana WB 83 TX shaft to round out the long game.
The irons provide a unique window into Gotterup’s precision approach. He exclusively uses Bridgestone Tour B 220 MB muscleback blades from his 4-iron through 9-iron. Forged from 1020 carbon steel with grooves milled to precise tolerances, these irons feature narrow soles adept at cutting through thick rough while maintaining control. Notably, Gotterup is currently the only golfer on the PGA Tour to rely on Bridgestone blades, underscoring his ball-striking prowess. The irons are fitted with KBS C-Taper 130 X shafts, which are heavier and promote a low launch, essential for holding the firm Bermuda greens common at Scottsdale.
Precision Around the Green: Wedges, Putter, and Ball Selection
Before the start of the 2026 season, Gotterup overhauled his wedge lineup, opting for four TaylorMade MG5 wedges at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees. These wedges incorporate Spin Tread technology, which features deep channels between grooves to shed moisture—an advantage on Scottsdale’s desert turf that stays wet with morning dew. The 60-degree wedge is equipped with a low-bounce grind optimized for clean contact on tight lies around the greens. All wedges carry True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts in Black Onyx, intentionally softer than his iron shafts to enhance feel on delicate shots.
Gotterup’s chosen putter is the TaylorMade Spider Tour X with an L-Neck design. Its Pure Roll insert, a composite of Surlyn and aluminum with grooves cut at a 45-degree angle, immediately initiates forward roll at impact—crucial on overseeded Bermuda greens, where grain can otherwise cause errant ball movement. The putter’s grip is a SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol 2.0, non-tapered and designed to quiet wrist action for consistent putting strokes.
At the core of Gotterup’s bag is the Bridgestone Tour B X 2026 MindSet ball, the product of over 240 prototypes and twenty material iterations. This version generates 2.3 mph more ball speed compared to its predecessor, translating into nearly nine extra yards. For a player hitting drives beyond 310 yards, these incremental gains reduce difficulty in approach shots, turning what would have been a 7-iron into a 9-iron or a 9-iron into a wedge, which significantly smooths scoring opportunities.
What Gotterup’s Equipment Tells Us About His Game
Chris Gotterup’s bag at the WM Phoenix Open reflects a player defined by raw power and meticulous ball-striking. The combination of driver speed, Bridgestone’s unique blade irons, and a wedge and putting setup finely tuned for desert conditions highlights his no-compromise approach to the game. His equipment choices emphasize precision and control over forgiveness, mirroring his aggressive style and mental fortitude on the course.
As Gotterup continues to compete on the PGA Tour, his dedication to this particular setup could set a precedent for other players seeking optimal performance in varying course conditions. His 2026 success underscores the importance of integrating equipment technology with strategy, potentially influencing gear trends throughout the season.
