WRX Insider: An exclusive and very rare look inside the bag of Hideki Matsuyama
Driver
・He has found that heavier shafts allow him to generate more clubhead speed
with his swing. Hideki also believes that heavier shafts help create and
support his unique tempo.
・Based on PGA Tour launch monitor data, he averages mid to high 170s ball
speed, low to mid-2000s RPMs backspin, and 100 feet peak height.
・Through the fitting process, we did quite a bit of testing and definitely
explored different internal weighting options with hot melt.
・With the ZX5 driver we ended up finding a very unique place to put the
hot melt, but that is a secret we prefer to keep.
・For drivers, he prefers a higher pitch sound over a muted tone,
・We had success with both the ZX5 and ZX7 drivers. Hideki played both models
in numerous PGA tournaments this year. The deciding factor for Hideki to
choose the ZX5 over the ZX7 was distance. The ZX5 setup generated more
ball speed and carry distance. The ZX7 setup allows him to maximize his
control. During a tournament, Hideki played the ZX7 and hit over 80 percent
of his fairways, but it was not carrying as far as the ZX5. He went back
to the ZX5 mid-way through that event.
Irons
・we have added a small C-grind to the leading edge of his irons along with
a flat “full” sole design.
・With regards to offset, Hideki prefers some offset over zero offset in
his irons.
・We also travel with pre-cut lead tape in ½ and 1 gram increment, and Hideki
will apply the tape to different areas of the club (muscle, flange, hosel,
shaft), depending on how the club feels while testing.
Wedges
・All three sole grinds have a similar characteristic. Hideki doesn’t change his 52* sole often, but he is constantly tinkering with his 56*and 60*.
・In the 56* and 60*, Hideki plays a very straight leading edge with little
to no offset.
GENERAL
・Hideki has an extremely critical eye, and if a product look does not meet
his expectations, he won’t even try to hit/test it.
・Once he finds a shape he likes, we will start to dial in the performance of the driver. We typically need to manipulate the masking line between the crown paint and face to achieve the topline shape, face angle and lie angle that he wants to see at address. Ball speed is always critical for him. The new ZX driver with Rebound Frame has really helped us improve our competitiveness this year and it has been unmatched for him, in particular with the ZX5 driver. When ball speed is sufficient, we work through the fitting process (adjusting loft, CG location, and shaft) to dial in the ball flight and spin numbers that he wants to see. If it feels good on the range, Hideki will take it to the course to confirm he can hit all the shots he needs.
・Hideki tests many different shafts, but the tendency is to fit him in
higher kick point shafts.
Hideki Matsuyama WITB
Driver: Srixon ZX5 (9.5 degrees/flat)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 TX
3-wood: Taylormade SIM Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD TP 9 TX
Utility: Srixon ZX (4, 23 @ 22 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI HY 115 TX
Irons: (4) Srixon Z7 (5-P) Srixon Z Forged
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Wedges: Cleveland RTX 4 Forged Prototype (52-10, 56-8 @57.5, 60-08 @ 62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
*Hideki found in testing that a stiffer profile in his wedges suited his launch preferences.
Putter: Scotty Cameron Circle T GSS
Grip: Scotty Cameron Standard Pistol
GolfWRX：WRX Insider: An exclusive and very rare look inside the bag of Hideki Matsuyama
