The modern pro golfer has every advantage money can buy. Huge tour trucks sit parked at every stop, packed with the newest tech and specialized reps ready to fix every tiny flaw. But Ross SteelMAN is doing things differently. He didn’t just rely on a fancy fitting to get his PGA Tour card. He used Google, eBay, and even AI to build a bag that actually works.
Steelman earned his spot on the big stage by finishing as the number one player on the Korn Ferry Tour points list this season. His gear looks normal at first glance, but the way he got it is pure grit. According to GolfWRX, the 25-year-old actually hunted down an older Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana PD 60x shaft on eBay because the newer models weren’t available. He even used a Sharpie to hide the reflective strip on his TaylorMade Qi4D driver. That is the kind of DIY energy that wins championships.
The power of an AI fitting
Finding the right feel isn’t always about a high-priced specialist. Steelman used ChatGPT to help him find iron shafts that matched the movement of his driver shafts. This wasn’t just a random guess. Per GolfWRX, the AI suggested he try Steelfiber shafts for his TaylorMade P7CB irons. He tested a single 8-iron with an Aerotech SteelFiber 110CW and loved the muted feel through the turf. It worked so well that he eventually moved to a full set.
The results of this tech-savvy approach were massive. During an eight-event stretch, Steelman played at 160-under-par. That kind of scoring doesn’t happen by accident. He even handles the fine details himself, adding lead tape to his irons to adjust the swingweight based on how each head feels.
Building a custom bag from scratch
There is a certain pride in knowing exactly how your tools are built. GolfWRX heard Steelman confess he likes hunting down niche clubs independently and figuring out how to make them function. He even manually adjusted the length of his 15-degree 3-wood, continuing to cut and re-grip the club until the feel was perfect. He isn’t just a player; he’s his own club builder.
He even uses lead tape as a tracking system. He puts tape on his wedges to mark how many rounds each club has played. This helps him decide exactly when it is time to swap them out for something new. Strokes Gained: Off the tee currently has him sitting at the number one spot on Tour.
