Chris Gotterup’s 2026 Bag Holds a Driver Secret No One Expected

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Most tour players crank their drivers up to nine or ten degrees to chase maximum height and spin. Chris Gotterup does the exact opposite, swinging a driver set to a razor-thin 7.5 degrees. This extreme loft choice stands out as the most surprising fact in his August 2026 equipment reveal. According to GolfWRX, he is using a Ping G440 LST model to achieve this low trajectory.

The choice of 7.5 degrees suggests a player who generates massive clubhead speed and needs to control the ball flight rather than add it. Gotterup pairs this aggressive driver with a Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX shaft that weighs 70 grams. This specific combination points to a swing that is both fast and stable. The data shows he is not looking for help; he is looking for precision.

### The Mini-Driver Dilemma

While the driver is the headline, the real story lies in what he carries behind it. Gotterup has brought a TaylorMade BRNR mini-driver into the bag at 13.5 degrees. This club acts as a bridge between the low-lofted driver and the fairway woods. Per GolfWRX, this mini-driver runs on a Project X HZRDUS Black TX 80-gram shaft.

Using a mini-driver is a rare move on the modern tour. It gives a player more distance than a three-wood but offers better control than a standard driver. The 80-gram shaft adds weight to the head, which helps stabilize the swing for a player who might struggle with a lighter fairway wood. This setup allows Gotterup to hit the ball far off the tee without the risk of a standard driver spin. It is a bold move that requires confidence in the swing speed.

### Iron and Wedge Precision

The iron setup shows a clear split between a game-improvement head and a pure muscle back. Gotterup uses a TaylorMade P770 in the three-iron position. This club provides forgiveness on long approach shots where accuracy is critical. For the rest of the set, he switches to Bridgestone Tour B 220 MB blades from four through nine. According to GolfWRX, these blades run on KBS C-Taper 130 X shafts.

This mix is designed for feel and control rather than maximum launch. The blades offer the feedback a skilled player needs around the greens. The wedges follow a similar theme of high-end customization. He carries TaylorMade MG5 wedges in 46, 52, 56, and 60-degree lofts. The shafts for these clubs are a mix of KBS C-Taper 130 X and True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100.

The putter choice is a TaylorMade Spider Tour X with a Torched PVD finish. This model is known for its stability and high moment of inertia. It helps players keep the putter face square through impact. The grip is a Golf Pride Z Grip Cord, which offers a firm feel in all weather conditions. The ball of choice is the Bridgestone Tour B X, which matches the Bridgestone irons in his bag.

### Why This Bag Matters

Gotterup’s equipment list challenges the idea that every tour player needs the same setup. The 7.5-degree driver and the 13.5-degree mini-driver show that speed and control can coexist. Golfers watching this might want to rethink their own driver settings. A lower loft could be the key to better accuracy. The mix of irons also proves that players do not need a full set of blades to succeed.

The presence of the mini-driver suggests that the gap between the driver and the three-wood is still too large for many players. Filling that gap with a dedicated club makes sense for anyone who hits the ball hard. The specific shaft choices like the 80-gram HZRDUS Black show that weight distribution is just as important as head design. This bag is a clear signal that tour players are willing to experiment with unconventional setups to find an edge.


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