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Rafa Cabera Bello-Switches Entire Bag Week of The US Open


Golfspy_CG2

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I received the following information from Titleist. 

Apparently Cabera Bello is just like us, new clubs are out and he basically rushes right out to play with them 🙂   Granted he had a bit of help from resources we will never have, but it's still unheard of for a player to make such big changes the week of a tournament.. LET ALONE THE US FREAKING OPEN! 

I am pulling for him to win, because what an amazing story that would be.   

So not only him, but see the chart below of all the players that have gone to the TSi this week.   Including many Non Contact (NA) players.   That speaks pretty well of how this driver performs. 

 

RAFA’S FITTING PERFORMANCE – A MATTER OF TRUST: Titleist Brand Ambassador Rafa Cabrera Bello sits in a three way tie for 3rd place heading into the weekend at the U.S. Open, two shots behind the leader. But Rafa was busy working out his equipment early in the week in preparation – switching up 13 of his Titleist golf clubs with new shafts and a brand new TSi driver.  Here’s the rest of the story:

 

Rafa worked with David Leadbetter instructor Sean Hogan this week at Winged Foot (Leadbetter was unable to make it this week). Following a range session on Monday, Hogan was discussing with Titleist Tour Rep Jim Curran as to whether he felt Rafa was in the correct shafts - Rafa was playing True Temper Project X LZ 7.0 - which is a very stiff iron shaft. Rafa has played the 7.0 for a long time and has been resistant to change, but he was willing to try the 6.5. Titleist Tour Rep Peter Bezuk built the new iron set at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday.

 

During a Tuesday morning range session, the team of Rafa, Hogan and Titleist Tour reps J.J. Van Wezenbeeck and Curran ran every iron through TrackMan. The yardages were better and Rafa's consistency was improving with each shot. By the time they were done, Rafa felt very comfortable with the new set up, and confident that he now had the proper ball flight, launch and spin. After seeing how he improved upon his iron consistency, Rafa said “let’s do the wedges."  Back at the Titleist Tour Trailer, Bezuk built three new wedges with the same True Temper Project X LZ 6.5 shafts.

 

Meanwhile, Hogan and Curran surveyed Rafa's metals and saw 7.0 and heavy gram weights on all three. VanWezenbeeck stepped in provided new options and shaft builds, ultimately changing the shafts in all three Titleist metals to HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX. Not only did they change the shaft, Rafa transitioned into a new Titleist TSi driver. Rafa was introduced to the TSi last week in Napa. While he liked the head, he was not interested in testing until after the U.S. Open.

 

Now with new shafts Rafa was open to trying the new TSi3 driver at Winged Foot. With the new TSi3 (10.0*), Rafa saw faster ball speed, better launch and liked the feel of the new face. Rafa and Hogan did a great deal of swing motion work and, in combination with all of the equipment changes support, allowed him to produce more quality shots. It is in the bag this week for the first time.

 

After the overhaul was complete, the team then teased Rafa, since he just changed 13 of his clubs, "should we regrip the putter 😊.”  After two practice rounds - Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday - Rafa confirmed the switches and was very appreciative of the full collaboration between his instructor and the Titleist Tour team.

 

WHAT'S IN RAFA'S BAG?: Pro V1x golf ball

TSi3 (10.0) driver w/True Temper Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 60

TS3 (15.0, 18.0) fairway metals w/True Temper Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 80

U500 (3-4) utility irons w/True Temper Project X LZ 6.5

620 MB (5-9) irons w/True Temper Project X LZ 6.5

Vokey Design SM8 pitching (48.08F), sand (54.08M) and lob (60.04L) wedges w/ True Temper Project X LZ 6.5

Scotty Cameron GSS putter

 

DRIVER CONVERSION CONTINUES: Titleist began the seeding and validation process of its new TSi2 and TSi3 drivers at the Safeway Open in Napa last week, and it continued in earnest at Winged Foot. Titleist not only won the driver count for the second consecutive week, the new TSi3 was the most played model among all drivers in the field with 22. In fact, a total of 28 TSi models were in play, that’s nearly a 64% conversion rate just two weeks into the new season. Below is a list of players, including amateurs and free agents who carried a new driver this week:

 

TITLEIST NEW TSi DRIVER CONVERSIONS AT U.S. OPEN

TSi2 DRIVER (6)

LOFT

TSi3 DRIVER (22)

LOFT

Tyler Duncan

9.0

Ben An

8.0

Lanto Griffin

10.0

John Augenstein (Amateur)

10.0

Chesson Hadley

10.0

Keegan Bradley (NA)

11.0

Brian Harman

9.0

Rafa Cabrera Bello

10.0

Mark Hubbard

10.0

Tommy Fleetwood (NA)

9.0

Steve Stricker (NA)

9.0

Justin Harding

9.0

 

 

Scott Hend

9.0

 

 

Max Homa

9.0

 

 

Billy Horschel (NA)

9.0

 

 

Charles Howell III

10.0

 

 

Jazz Janewattananond

8.0

 

 

Matt Jones

11.0

 

 

Daniel McCarthy

9.0

 

 

Lukas Michel (Amateur)

9.0

 

 

J.T. Poston

9.0

 

 

Adam Scott

10.0

 

 

Cameron Smith

10.0

 

 

Jordan Spieth

10.0

 

 

James Sugrue (Amateur)

9.0

 

 

Jimmy Walker

8.0

 

 

Paul Waring

9.0

 

 

Will Zalatoris

9.0

 

TITLEIST NEW TSi FAIRWAY METAL CONVERSIONS AT U.S. OPEN

TSi2 (8/9)

LOFT

TSi3 (7)

LOFT

Ben An

15.0

Keegan Bradley (NA)

16.5

Charles Howell III

15.0, 21.0

Lanto Griffin

16.5

Mark Hubbard

15.0

Lee Hodges

15.0

Matt Jones

16.5

Lukas Michel (Amateur)

16.5

Troy Merritt

15.0

J.T. Poston

15.0

Ian Poulter

21.0

Davis Riley

15.0

Cameron Smith

15.0

Will Zalatoris

16.5

Jimmy Walker

18.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shaded players converted this week at U.S. Open.

NA = Players without an agreement.

:ping-small: G430 Max 10K 

:titelist-small: TSiR1 15.0 Aldlia Ascent 60g

:titelist-small: TSR2 18.0 PX Aldila Ascent 6og

:titelist-small: TSi1 20 Aldila Ascent Shafts R

:titelist-small: T350 5-GW SteelFiber I80 

:titelist-small: SM10 48F/54M and58K

:ping-small: S159 48S/52S/56W/60B

:scotty-cameron-1: Select 5.5 Flowback 35" 

:titelist-small: ProV1  Play number 12

 

 

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Great post. Now you have me following him!


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Rick

 

 

Left Hand, 

Driver; PXG 0311XF Cypher 50 gr Senior  
5 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr       
7 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr      
5 hybrid; Cally Steelhead, Hazardous R2     
Irons; Mizuno JPX 923HM 7-GW Recoil 460 F2
Wedges; Titleist S9 54*, Mizuno SW 56*

Putter; Waaay too many to list

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2 hours ago, Rickp said:

Great post. Now you have me following him!


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

I think he should granted Charter Status on MGS.   I mean this is a bit different than me getting a new club in at 2:00, and taking the plastic off as i head to the first tee at 3:00.  
 

To think he had to get confident with his distance numbers, the amount of spin...etc.  

Pretty damn cook if you ask me. 

:ping-small: G430 Max 10K 

:titelist-small: TSiR1 15.0 Aldlia Ascent 60g

:titelist-small: TSR2 18.0 PX Aldila Ascent 6og

:titelist-small: TSi1 20 Aldila Ascent Shafts R

:titelist-small: T350 5-GW SteelFiber I80 

:titelist-small: SM10 48F/54M and58K

:ping-small: S159 48S/52S/56W/60B

:scotty-cameron-1: Select 5.5 Flowback 35" 

:titelist-small: ProV1  Play number 12

 

 

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I think he should granted Charter Status on MGS.   I mean this is a bit different than me getting a new club in at 2:00, and taking the plastic off as i head to the first tee at 3:00.  
 
To think he had to get confident with his distance numbers, the amount of spin...etc.  
Pretty damn cook if you ask me. 

He’s definitely MGS material!


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Rick

 

 

Left Hand, 

Driver; PXG 0311XF Cypher 50 gr Senior  
5 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr       
7 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr      
5 hybrid; Cally Steelhead, Hazardous R2     
Irons; Mizuno JPX 923HM 7-GW Recoil 460 F2
Wedges; Titleist S9 54*, Mizuno SW 56*

Putter; Waaay too many to list

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I guess that he must have felt really confident about his new clubs. 

My Reviews:

2023 Official review - Rapsodo MLM2Pro!

2022 Official Review - Edel SMS Wedges

2021 Official Review - Tommy Armour Impact 3 Putter

2020 Official Member Review - BagBoy Chiller Cart Bag

Cobra SpeedZone Xtreme - Unofficial Review by xOldBenKenobiX

Honma TR21 4 Wood - Unofficial Review by xOldBenKenobiX

 

Driver - :cobra-small: Cobra SpeedZone Xtreme 10.5, UST helium 5  Wood - :honma:TR21 4 Wood, Vizard 20-60  and TW GS 5 Wood Vixard FD 55  768205649_Screenshot2023-06-0213_28_25.png.53900da2fbc8d481e66d2a00ab6ac775.png 301 Combo 301CB and 301MB    231036130_Edel_Golf_Logo_v2_grandecopy.png.13cc76b963f8dd59f06d04b1e8df2827.png.6bd9ee8247ca1cc0415f39bf5fdfe313.png. SMS 48*, 56*, 60*   Putter: Lucky golf putter. Ball:  ::titelist-small:  ProV1, ::Arccos:: Smart Sensors. Shoes: a couple ::footjoy-small:: A couple of :nike-small: A couple of Adidas ,   Yeah I have a shoe addiction.::SuperSpeed:: Started at 79mph, finished 1st stage at 91mph

20200728_121856.jpg.9cf8a7d26ca1096e8d390a8c2f59b6c2.jpg

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4 hours ago, tommc23 said:

I've hit the 6.5 and they were stiff but I was able to hit them I can only imagine the 7.0

6.5 would hurt me to swing. 7.0 would put me on the DL😳

:ping-small: G430 Max 10K 

:titelist-small: TSiR1 15.0 Aldlia Ascent 60g

:titelist-small: TSR2 18.0 PX Aldila Ascent 6og

:titelist-small: TSi1 20 Aldila Ascent Shafts R

:titelist-small: T350 5-GW SteelFiber I80 

:titelist-small: SM10 48F/54M and58K

:ping-small: S159 48S/52S/56W/60B

:scotty-cameron-1: Select 5.5 Flowback 35" 

:titelist-small: ProV1  Play number 12

 

 

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8 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

6.5 would hurt me to swing. 7.0 would put me on the DL😳

I hit a few balls with Steven Bowditch’s 9 iron and Pitching Wedge.  They were  Project X 7.0 hard stepped twice. I hit the ball ok with them, but anything longer would have been a real challenge. 

:Sub70:  849 Pro Evenflow Riptide 6.0
:cobra-small: F8 3 & 5 Woods Project X Evenflow Blue 6.0

:titelist-small: TS2 7 Wood Project X Evenflow Blue 6.0
:mizuno-small:  MP18 MMC - Project X LZ 5.5
:cleveland-small: Zipcore Wedges 50,54,58 - Project X LZ 5.5
MLA Tour Mallet 33"
:srixon-small:  Z Star
:ping-small: Pioneer bag
:Clicgear: buggy

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9 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

6.5 would hurt me to swing. 7.0 would put me on the DL😳

i tested the 7.0 in the standard PX shaft and then in the new project x LS 7.0 during my iron fittings they were both great - extremely stout, especially the LS, but they benefit from a very aggressive loading 

i ended up with the DG X7. a few grams heavier and more compatible with a faster swing that loads a little more smoothly. 

image.png.926c5dbfc594427870bc33c43f290630.pngSIM2 8º | KuroKage XD 70TX 

  image.png.4f15ae5144722103242556b2db6d1033.pngSIM 3W 14º | Fujikura Atmos Black Tour Spec 9TX

image.png.bce9eebd9a20266703b359d88959bbcb.pngSIM2 5W 18º | Fujikura Ventus Black 10X
Titleist logo | Logo gallery, Golf birthday party, Logo designU500 2i | Fujikura Ventus HB Black 10TX
Titleist logo | Logo gallery, Golf birthday party, Logo design T100 4-PW | Dynamic Gold X7
Vokey Design Vector Logo | Free Download - (.SVG   .PNG) format - VTLogo.com SM6 52* SM8 56* SM8 60* | Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
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i tested the 7.0 in the standard PX shaft and then in the new project x LS 7.0 during my iron fittings they were both great - extremely stout, especially the LS, but they benefit from a very aggressive loading 
i ended up with the DG X7. a few grams heavier and more compatible with a faster swing that loads a little more smoothly. 

I think they use 7.0 and above as rerod in concrete.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Rick

 

 

Left Hand, 

Driver; PXG 0311XF Cypher 50 gr Senior  
5 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr       
7 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr      
5 hybrid; Cally Steelhead, Hazardous R2     
Irons; Mizuno JPX 923HM 7-GW Recoil 460 F2
Wedges; Titleist S9 54*, Mizuno SW 56*

Putter; Waaay too many to list

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What is a "seeding and validation process"?

  • :taylormade-small: Sim 2 Driver Fujikura Ventus Blue 6R shaft
  • :taylormade-small:Sim 2 5 wood Fujikura Ventus Blue 5R shaft
  •  th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg  0311 Gen 5 Seven Wood Project X Cypher 50 5.5 shaft set to flat with weights set to fade.
  • :titelist-small: H818 Hybrid 25 degrees Tensei ck Series 60 HY regular flex shafts at C4 setting (flat for lefties)
  • :titelist-small: 718 AP1 irons 6-gap Tensei ck Series AMC IR regular flex bent two degrees flat
  • :vokey-small: SM 7 Wedge 58 degrees M grind with 8 bounce Steel shafts wedge flex bent 2 degrees flat
  • :ping-small: Glide 3 52.12 and 56.14 with  Alta CB Red Regular Flex shaft bent 2 degrees flat
  • Go back and forth between :cameron-small: Select Newport 2 putter 34 inch length and :ping-small: Sigma G Tyne putter 33 inch length
  • Bridgestone B X.
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