Behind the Scenes with Callaway at the USGPA Championship

The final Major of the year is upon us and there’s plenty of activity going on behind the scenes with Callaway’s Staff Players at Whistling Straits. Here’s the lowdown…

All change for Wisconsin…

Phil Mickelson might have taken an inch off his FT Tour driver as he searches for more accuracy (he switched to a 44-in Diamana Blueboard 93-gram), but Graeme McDowell and Oliver Wilson have gone the other way, adding length to their drivers in order to increase club speed.

On a windswept course that measures more than 7,500 yards, a 46-inch shaft could be a smart play for this week.

US Open Champ McDowell only put the FT Tour in play last week at Firestone but saw an immediate pay-off as he finished T22. Driving stats for the week: almost 70% of fairways (T7), 303 yards (ranked 22nd). For the season: 68%, 286 yards. It’s a visually stunning course.”

Long-drive merchant Alvaro Quiros has also made a change, going back to his old shaft after being unable to dial in the flight characteristics and spin rates on a number of new driver shafts. Old faithful has less torque and is much stiffer… so expect some bombs in Wisconsin this week. Judging by the response from the fans, Alvaro is already a big hit.

Ernie Els is another player who has made an adjustment, putting a slightly heavier shaft in his X-Tour 3-wood in order to rediscover the consistent rhythm he is famed for. He has also changed grips to improve his feel of the club. The word from the range is he’s swinging the best he has all year.

Pre-Tournament Preparations – each to his own…

Oliver Wilson’s unusual shoeless practice regime - seen here on the range on Wednesday - apparently helps with his leg action and foot pressure. Just don’t expect that to continue come Thursday.