Tennis Racket Strings of Choice, Used by The Top 10 ATP and WTA Players

September 14, 2019

Racket Stringing Machine — OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

When you think about buying a tennis racket, you probably don’t give much thought to the strings. The problem is, if you avoid the strings, you avoid playing good tennis!

There are various different types of strings and within that discussion, you also have to consider the tension and gauge. The best players on both the ATP and WTA tours all have their own preferences, which covers the brand of strings they purchase and the tension and gauge measurements they go for, including restringing.

It can become a little complicated, and if you’re new to racket buying, it’s important to look into this issue and find out as much information as possible. The main types of strings to opt for are:

Natural gut strings – The original strings, but these don’t last as long as some of the newer options
Synthetic gut or nylon strings – A good all-rounder choice
Multi-filament strings – More durable than natural gut strings but with similar characteristics
Durable polyester strings or Kevlar strings – These are most commonly see on the professional circuit and are ideal for those who tend to break their strings on a regular basis. There are also new strings within this umbrella category which are a little softer, and therefore give less vibration and pressure on the arm when hitting a shot.

You also need to think about string gauge and tension. Thin strings are ideal for honing your skills but are prone to breaking. In that case, thicker strings will last longer but may not give you the same playing experience. Gauge size goes from 15, which is a thick string, up to 19, a very thin string. You’ll see an L after the measurement which stands for light.

Thin strings are more powerful but they’re going to break. For that reason, you’ll see pro players changing their rackets, purely because they’ve hit a shot too hard and broken a string!

Tension-wise, that is a personal choice and something you will see the ATP and WTA disagreeing on widely. Everyone has a different opinion this, but the medium range is best for most people. If you have a higher tension on your racket you won’t get as much power but you will have more control, but if you go lower you’ll get the vice versa effect. High tension also tends to give you an aching arm at the end of the day.

To help you make a decision, let’s look at the tennis strings the top 10 ATP and WTA players use.

Racket String Preferences of the ATP and WTA Top 10 Players

Despite currently being ranked number 10, the most famous female player is Serena Williams. Williams opts for a Wilson Natural type of string and a tension of 64lbs. This is a relatively low tension, as she likes to opt for extra power.

Not all tension measurements are made public, but we do know the specific types of strings which players use. This is because these are brand named, just as rackets and apparel are, and many players have endorsement deals as such.

For instance, within the women’s game, we have number 2 Naomi Osaka, who uses the Yonex Poly Tour Strike 1.25mm on a regular basis. She has openly said that she prefers these types of strings for their durability and the amount of power she is able to generate on each shot. On the other hand, Sloane Stephens prefers to use Luxilon Big Banger ALU Power. As the name would suggest, this type of string is designed with optimum power in mind, allowing Stephens to hit shots with as much power as possible, to overpower her opponents

Current world number one, Ashleigh Barty uses the Head Hawk Touch 17 Strings, with Simona Halep opting for the Luxilon power strings, just like Slone Stephens.

In the men’s game, we have a similar mixed bag to consider. World number one Novak Djokovic opts for Head Graphene 360 Speed Pro, a string which is designed with durability in mind but does generate a large amount of power, especially on forehand shots. World number two, Rafael Nadal, sticks with one of the biggest names in tennis, with the Babolat RPM Blast. As the name would suggest, these are strings which go for power also, but on backhands as well as forehands. This is why Nadal’s most powerful shots really do knock you off your feet!

The iconic Roger Federer has long been a Wilson advocate and he carries this through to his strings, opting for the Wilson Natural Gut strings, but occasionally going for the Luxilon Big Banger ALU Power option too. He sticks with a tension of around 48.5/45lb, which gives him the power yet the finesse he’s so famous for.

Also of note within the men’s top ten is Stefano Tsitsipas, who opts for the Luxilon version, but going for the 4G brand of strings, rather than the Big Banger ALU Power option which many male and female players tend to gravitate towards. These are very similar in nature to the latter, however, they are a little more durable and as a result, create slightly less power, although snap far less often.

Kei Nishikori is a Wilson fan, just like Federer, opting for the Wilson Natural Gut but also the Luxilon on occasion.

As you can see, it’s a real mixed bag in terms of what strings to choose and which strings the top players in the men and women’s games go for. Luxilon strings are extremely popular for both men and women, with the Big Banger ALU Power being one of the most commonly used. As mentioned, these generate terrific power, especially on a strong forehand, but they are prone to snapping, simply because they are so thin. This is a pay off you need to bear in mind; you can opt for durability but you won’t get as much snap or power on your shots. On the other hand, if you go for power, you might snap a string on occasion!

The two tennis names of Babolat Tennis Strings and Wilson come to send and third in popularity respectively. Nadal and Federer both use these types of strings, and have done for many years. You will often find that tennis players are quite superstitious and don’t like to mix things up too often! If they find a string which suits their game, they will continue with it until a new technological advancement within the same model comes out. Of course, this may change with endorsement deals, but generally speaking, once a player finds a string which suits their game, they will stick with it over the long-term. This is a habit you also need to adopt if you want to become a top player in the game at some stage too.

Racket Stringing — Stringing Machine. Close up of tennis stringer hands doing racket stringing in his workshop

Considerations When Purchasing Tennis Strings

It’s a good idea to play around with tension and gauge as you get used to the shots you’re going to favour. Will you have a powerful forehand like Serena Williams, or will you opt for cheeky, seemingly impossible shots, like Roger Federer. Sometimes you need less power and more control, and how you do this depends completely upon your game and style.

Shopping around is vital if you want to find a good deal. If you’re opting for some of the most popular strings, such as the Luxilon range then you may find prices are a little higher. This is simply because they are endorsed by so many of the top players on the ATP and WTA tours, but it is possible to find them at a good price if you do your research. Similarly, Wilson and Babolat are popular but can be found at competitive prices if you shop around.

In terms of finding your ideal gauge and tension, this is a personal choice you need to work with. As mentioned earlier, it depends on your game and what types of shots are going to be your signature go-to options.

When you purchase a new racket you will probably be asked at source how you want it to be strung. You may find yourself stuck for an answer if this is the first time, and in that case, ask for advice from the person you’re purchasing the racket from. They will be able to show you the default choices, and from there you can work out what is suitable for you, and what isn’t. You’ll be able to feel the racket as you play, and you can then have your strings altered according to what you need. A looser string will give you the power you need, but a tighter string will give you more control.

At the end of the day, choosing tennis strings can be a confusing process. Buying a racket is never a simple endeavour, but you will not come to a firm conclusion without first trying out different options. Remember, restringing is entirely possible, so take advice and go from there.

Top 10 Tennis Racket Grips

What Golf Balls do The Top Male And Female Players Use?

Michael

September 7, 2019

If you’re a budding golfer or you simply want to learn more about the equipment the top men and women players use, you’ll probably be interested to learn which golf balls they favour over all others.

Whilst you might not want to copy their specific choices, it may help you to decide which could be best for you, or give you some ideas if you’re just starting out. Of course, you might simply want to emulate your hero, and in that case, you’ll be keen to use the same balls as them.

First things first, why is a golf ball so important?

Everyone has preferences when playing golf, and some players prefer harder balls, some prefer softer balls. It all depends on the types of shots they are used to playing, and whether they want accuracy or serious power. Many professional players opt for soft fall balls, and these give optimum playability and finesse. If you want serious power and distance, then a harder ball is the best option, and of course, these are more hard-wearing than a soft ball.

Let’s look at which balls are favoured by the top ten men on the PGA tour, and then look at the top 10 women on the LPGA tour. What’s in The Bag? Golf Clubs of The LGPA Top 10 Players

SWINDON, UK – APRIL 19, 2014: Titleist Golf Ball on a Red Tee over a white background

Which Balls do The Top 10 Men’s Players Use?

We should bear in mind that the top 10 rankings are changing with every event. At the current time however, the top 10 rankings look a little like this:

Brooks Koepka
Dustin Johnson
Rory McIlroy
Justin Rose
Tiger Woods
Francesco Molinari
John Rahm
Bryson DeChambeau
Justin Thomas
Patrick Cantlay

There are some seriously big names in that list, and finding out which equipment they use in general is something most budging golf players want to do. So, which balls do these players use over and above the others?

World number one Brooks Koepka uses the Titleist Pro V1x and mixes up the rest of his equipment across various different brands.

Dustin Johnson Golf — American golfer Dustin Johnson

World number 2, Dustin Johnson, is a big fan of the TaylorMade brand, and as such he is playing with the TaylorMade TP5x. You’ll find this ball extremely popular with many of the top players on the tour, and if you want to purchase these for yourself, you will need to shop around a little first – they’re quite expensive as a result of all the big names which endorse them! Rory McIlroy and John Rahm are two other top 10 players who use this type of ball on a regular basis.

This type of ball is considered optimum because it has a very thin layer on the outside which gives a spin and can reach height when hit in the right way. This type of call is designed to travel longer and higher than ever before, whilst giving you the spin you need. In that respect, the price tag is justified for the quality of shots you’re getting.

Justin Rose is another TaylorMade ball fan, but he opts for the TP5, and not the TP5x. This is a step down from the most up to date version, but Rose prefers this ball because he feels it suits the way he plays his game. This is something you should take note of – you don’t always have to go with the most up to date model on the market; if you find a ball that really suits your game then you stick with it until you find another which helps you do more.

Tiger Woods does things a little differently and opts for the Bridgestone Tour B XS golf ball, ahead of the Nike option he used previously. Of course, Nike pulled out of the golfing arena and as a result, athletes using their equipment had to look elsewhere. This particular ball suits Woods’ game because it gives a further distance to his shots, thanks to the technology infused within the core of the ball. This particular ball is a great option if you want to get a serious distance on your shots.

Francesco Molinari used a Titleist Pro V1 in the past, a step down from the ball which the current world number one uses, but this year he has signed a new deal with Callaway and will use the Chrome Soft X this current season. This ball is currently a prototype, so whether it will stick around or not remains to be seen!

Bryson DeChambeau is a Bridgestone fan nowadays, just like Tiger Woods. The final two players to mention are Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay, who both choose the Titleist Pro V1x.

Which Balls do The Top 10 Women’s Players Use?

Now we know which balls the top 10 men use, what about the women?

As it stands currently the top 10 on the LPGA Tour are:

Jin Young Ko
Jeong Eun Lee
Sung Hyun Park
Lexi Thompson
Minjee Lee
Brooke M Henderson
Sei Young Kim
Nelly Korda
Ariya Jutanugarn
Hyo Joo Kim

World number 1, Jin Young Ko, opts for the same brand as the men’s number one, namely the Titleist Pro V1, however, she doesn’t go for the x version and sticks with the model before. Just like Rose, she feels the ball suits her game the best. Brooke Henderson, Nelly Korda, and Sei Young Kim both follow this pattern, choose the same ball as world number 1.

Similarly, world number 2, Jean Eun Lee, is another Titleist ambassador, choosing the same ball, but opting for the V1x version instead. Sun Hyun Park and Ariya Jutanugarn also agree and follow the same route.

There are three players who do things a little differently, namely Lexi Thompson, Minjee Lee, and Hyo Joo Kim.

Lexi Thompson follows in Tiger Woods’ footsteps and opts for the Bridgestone make of tennis balls. She chooses the Bridgestone Tour B X Ball currently, mentioning that it suits her game best and gives her supreme power and distance over her shots.

Minjee Lee and Hyo Joo Kim both opt for the Srixon brand. Lee chooses the Z Star VX and Kim opts for the Z Star Arrow. This is a brand that is making waves in the golfing equipment world and there are likely to be several more players breaking into the LPGA top 10 who use this type of ball in the future.

Choosing Your Ideal Golf Ball

It might be that you simply want to follow in the golfing footsteps of your favourite player, and as a result, you’ll choose the same ball that they use. That’s fine, but remember to shop around for the best deal. Some of the most technologically advanced golf balls can be quite expensive and it’s worth looking for lower prices wherever possible.

Of course, it could also be that you want to develop your own game and you’re simply looking for advice from the pros in terms of what they like and don’t like about certain brands and models. Justin Rose is a great role model in that regard, as he has chosen to stick with an older model of TaylorMade ball, despite the fact that many of his competitors have chosen the newer version of the same ball.

Rose simply feels that he has found the ideal fit for his game and in that case, he’s sticking with what he’s found. That is something you should bear in mind also. Just because something new comes out onto the market, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be the ideal fit for your game. Every player has different strengths and weaknesses, and Rose obviously feels that the TaylorMade ball he uses fits his strengths and reduces his very few weaknesses. This is your aim.

There are countless different balls types and they all aim to enhance a certain part of your game, fitting in with what your strengths currently are. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to have an assessment from a professional and seek advice on the type of ball which will fit your game. Remember, golf balls are quite expensive, and you need to get the decision right from the get-go unless you want to spend unnecessary money on a hit and hope endeavor!

By seeking advice you’ll be able to find a ball that suits your swing style and the aims you’re reaching for. From there, you can save cash by opting for the best choice first, and you can get to work on improving your game right away. It may be that you stick with your first choice of a ball for the foreseeable future, or it could be that a new brand comes onto the market and you feel it would suit you better. In that case, it’s fine to switch, but only if you feel it will improve your game considerably.

If you want to copy the world’s best, you need to be personal in your approach. Take advice from professionals but go with what you feel is best. Shop around for great deals and of course, get practicing!

Tennis Balls Used at Grand Slams and ATP Masters Events

Michael

September 5, 2019

You might think that a tennis ball is just a fluorescent yellow tennis ball, right? Wrong!

Tennis balls all differ slightly in the way they play, the type of surface they’re suited to, and of course their brand name. As with most equipment types and apparel, endorsement deals come into play.

Tennis players, both male, and female, have endorsement deals with sportswear companies, wearing their clothes and shoes for major tournaments. These contracts change occasionally but tend to stay the same for however long a player is doing well. These contracts can be at risk if something adverse happens off the court, or if a player suddenly starts playing badly for a long period of time.

When it comes to some of the biggest events on the ATP tour, including the four Grand Slam Majors and the ATP Tour Masters, all nine of them, tennis balls are certainly a topic of conversation too.

There are different ball sponsors for each event and these contracts change occasionally. It’s interesting to look into which balls are used at these tournaments, and well as how long the contracts have been in place, or whether they have changed recently. Players also voice their concerns, likes and dislikes over certain balls from certain companies, and this occasionally plays a part in the decision to renew a contract or terminate it and change companies.

Let’s take a look at which tennis balls are used for the various different major tournaments across the ATP tour.

Dunlop Tennis Balls Australian Aus Open Melbourne Park Rod Laver Hard Court

Grand Slams – Which Tennis Balls Are Used?

The year begins with the Australian Open, played ever January, the curtain opener for the professional season. This first Grand Slam of the year currently uses Dunlop tennis balls, made in Japan. This is a relatively new deal, having been signed in 2018 and expected to last for the next five years.

Prior to the Dunlop contract being signed, the Australian Open used Wilson Tennis Balls and has this contract in place for many years. The change to Dunlop didn’t go down so well with all players, with Roger Federer voicing his concerns about the bounce-ability of the Dunlop balls at this year’s curtain opening Grand Slam. Federer wasn’t the only one to mention this, but the contract remains in place, with another three years to run.

Babolat Tennis Balls Roland Garros French Open Clay Court France

As spring arrives we move on to the French Open, the second Grand Slam the season, played on the clay of Roland Garros. Considered a difficult tournament, due to the slightly different type of surface, the French Open now uses Babolat tennis balls, with the contract in place since 2011.

Prior to 2011, Dunlop was in charge of supplying the French Open, and yet again, the switch proved to be a little unpopular at first. Once again, Federer mentioned that the new Babolat Tennis Balls had bounce issues on the clay, bouncing too high and causing positioning issues at the last minute. This was an issue mirrored by Djokovic also, but it was thought to be due to the weather on that particular tournament year. Since that time, the Babolat balls have seen no complaints come their way.

Slazenger Tennis Balls Wimbledon Championship Grass Court United Kingdom

Summer sees the most historic and iconic tournament of them all – the grass of Wimbledon. You’re not likely to see a switch in ball contract here, as Slazenger has been the provider of tennis balls to SW19 since 1902, with no complaints! This is the longest partnership in the history of sporting contracts and no players have ever voiced any concerns in terms of bounce or viability on the courts at this most famous of tournaments.

One of the biggest features of the Wimbledon Slazenger Tennis Balls is their bright colour. This is designed to be visible in the sometimes difficult conditions at this summer tournament, with the summer months occasionally being a little hit and miss weather-wise.

Wilson Tennis Balls US Open Flushing Meadows Hard Court

The final Grand Slam of the year takes place at Flushing Meadows, named the US Open. The hard courts of this final Grand Slam were created 1978, with the tournament having been played on grass and even clay prior to that date. Nowadays, the hard courts are synonymous with this tournament and the switch in surface meant a change of balls. The US Open is now supplied by Wilson, with most players agreeing that this brand of tennis balls is best for a hard court surface.

What About The ATP Masters Events?

Whilst all the major Grand Slam tournaments use different branded tennis balls, the ATP Masters events aren’t quite so varied, although do have a few anomalies.

The BNP Paribas Open, held at Indian Wells, and the Miami Open both use HEAD Penn balls, which aren’t used at any other major tournaments across the ATP Tour. During the run-up to the clay-court Grand Slam at Roland-Garros, we see the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters, the Madrid Open, and the Masters 1000, which is held in Rome. These three tournaments use Dunlop branded balls, specifically the Fort Clay Court model. Away from the clay-court tournaments, the Barcelona Open, Shanghai Masters, and tournaments held in Munich, Budapest, and Estoril as part of the ATP 250, also use the Dunlop balls, albeit not the clay-court model.

In that case, Wilson has a large dominance away from the Grand Slam calendar tournaments, although we know that contracts can and do change on a regular basis, with player input being important along the way.

Are The Balls Used on The WTA Tour Different to the ATP Tour?

The brand of balls used in the Grand Slams is exactly the same as the men’s, however, the type of ball used is slightly different. The men use an extra duty ball which is predominantly felt, however, the women use a regular duty type of tennis ball, also made of felt, although with slightly less felt content overall.

This doesn’t make a huge difference but does adapt to the different games well.

Why is a Tennis Ball so Important?

We know that you cannot play tennis without a tennis ball – what would you hit? Despite that, what aspects of the ball are most important?

You’ll see players testing the ball before they serve, choosing which one they want. In this case, they’re looking at the outer aspect of the ball and finding out whether it’s a new ball or one which has been used several times before.

A new tennis ball is smoother, and the felt isn’t raised. When a ball has been hit a few times, the felt sticks up a little and has a “fluffier” effect. In this case, the players are looking for balls that are smooth and don’t have this effect. The fluffy ball isn’t a bad ball per se, it’s simply that a new ball, one which is smooth, is far better for the initial serve, with the second ball being used for the next serve.

Of course, sports companies cannot simply make a tennis ball however they like and they need to conform to strict regulations in terms of the weight, size, shape, and how well it bounces (or otherwise). Every type of ball has to be approved before it can be used at a major tournament.

In order to be eligible for use, a ball must be no more than 2.7” in diameter and cannot weigh more than 2.10oz.

We should point out that the racket is just as important as the ball, and that is why you will see professional players messing around with different string tensions on their racket before settling on a specific measurement. The grip, string, and size of the racket is vitally important, as well as the weight. This all adds up to give the player the best control over their shots.

For instance, tennis strings can be tight or they can be loose. A looser measurement will give you more power, but you’ll have far less control for tight shots. On the other hand, if you go for tighter tension measurement, you’ll get far more control but you won’t have the power. In addition, you might find your strings break regularly and you’ll have to have them restrung quite often.

Final Thoughts

If you thought a tennis ball was just a fluffy, fluorescent yellow ball, think again! The biggest tournaments on the ATP calendar put time and effort into signing contracts with the best manufacturers, in order to ensure the best entertainment for crowds. Sub-standard balls will create sub-standard tennis, no matter how great the player is.

Opting for a long-term contract is rare, and you’ll usually see tournaments signing five years and no more, before deciding whether to renew or not. Despite that, Wimbledon is breaking the mold, having chosen Slazenger for decades. This is a partnership which doesn’t look to be ending at any point in the near future, with constant scientific research going into how to make a ball bounce better, perform better, and feel better.

Read about Top 10 Tennis Racket Grips

Top Golf Clubs used by the Pros

Michael

September 1, 2019

Golf Clubs at Sports Shop - Ping - TaylorMade

If you’re a keen golfer and you want to emulate your favourite players, you’ll no doubt want the same kit as them.

The best golf clubs in the game don’t come cheap, but the top players in the men’s game opt for quality over price. Of course, they also have rather lucrative sponsorship deals with the top sports companies, which helps them out!

You’ll no doubt be aware that a top golfer has more equipment in his bag than just a set of clubs, but this is one of the most important pieces of kit. Each player has difference preferences, and whilst it does depend upon which company they are sponsored by, it also depends upon what club they prefer in terms of grip, hold, and of course, perhaps also a little superstition.

At the current time, the top 10 players on the men’s PGA tour are:

Brooks Koepka
Dustin Johnson
Rory McIlroy
Justin Rose
Tiger Woods
Francesco Molinari
Bryson DeChambeau
Jon Rahm
Justin Thomas
Patrick Cantlay

So, what do these top ten guys use?

Let’s explore.

What’s in Brooks Koepka’s Bag?

In many ways, Koepka has a huge advantage; currently, he isn’t tied to any particular company in terms of sponsorship, which means he is open to use whatever he feels suits him best. This also means that you can follow his advice, knowing that it isn’t influenced by contracts!

Currently the world number one, Kopek has won four majors to date, and he has always been a loyal Nike supporters in terms of clubs. When Nike announced they were no longer going to supply hardware in the golfing niche, there were a few products which stuck around on the market, with the Nike Vapor Fly 3 iron being one of the most popular. This is a club which Koepka uses on a regular basis. He also mixes things up occasionally and uses the TaylorMade M5 quite regularly too.

When you consider that the world number one is one of the longest hitters in the game, this club helps him to hit distances of up to 308.1 yards!

What’s in Dustin Johnson’s Bag?

Currently sitting at number 2 in the PGA rankings, Dustin Johnson is a loyal TaylorMade player, having used this brand for his entire career to date.

Johnson is currently using the TaylorMade M6 driver, but he does occasionally switch things up and opts for the TaylorMade M5 also, which has the new speed injected twist face technology incorporated. Johnson says this gives him the ability to slide towards the toe when hitting his shots.

What’s in Rory McIlroy’s Bag?

A four times major winner, McIlroy is one of the most popular players on the tour and as a result, many fans want to emulate his style and use the same clubs as him. In that case, you need to be looking towards TaylorMade once more.

Having signed a lucrative deal with TaylorMade back in 2017, you will find a plethora of the brand’s equipment in McIlroy’s bag, but this golfing season he has been seen using the newest addition – the TaylorMade M5. The same clubs seen in the bag of Dustin Johnson, the TaylorMade M5 has the newest technology incorporated, and this helps McIlroy regular hit distances of over 300 yards.

What’s in Justin Rose’s Bag?

If you’re tired of hearing about TaylorMade to this point, it’s going to improve at this moment, as Justin Rose does things a little differently. Rose switches it up a little and incorporates Honma into his equipment bag.

Having signed a deal with Honma Golf recently, Rose uses the company’s irons and wedges, whilst also using a driver from the same brand. He has been seen using the Honma World 747 460 driver, having been a loyal TaylorMade M3 driver fan in the previous year.

WITB Justin Rose Honma

What’s in Tiger Woods’ Bag?

Probably the most famous player on the PGA tour, the clubs Woods uses are always emulated by golf fans in quick succession; whenever he changes his preference, his fans do too!

Having won a huge 15 majors, Woods is a TaylorMade fan too, with the M3 driver in his bag in 2018, before moving to the TaylorMade M5, along with many of the other top 10 players on tour. Again, this is down to the speed injected twist face technology that everyone is such a huge fan of at the current time.

WITB Tiger Woods – TaylorMade

What’s in Francesco Molinari’s Bag?

The hugely popular Italian is currently number 6 in the world rankings, having won the Open Championship in 2018 and the Race to Dubai. To top off a momentous 12 months, Molinari also decided to change the clubs he uses, switching to Callaway.

In the past, Molinari has been a Nike faithful, but as the company has stopped producing golf gear, he was forced to make a change. He then moved to TaylorMade, as many of the other top players, but made the switch to Callaway soon after. He currently uses the Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero Driver, which he has certainly put to good use!

What’s in Bryson DeChambeau’s Bag?

Bryson DeChambeau does things a little differently to the rest of the pack, and the world number 7 currently uses the Cobra King brand of clubs.

Currently using a Cobra King F8, DeChambeau opts for the thick JumboMax grips when playing professionally, and these are the largest grips you’ll find on the market. He also always goes for seven iron length, which gives him an even swing, regardless of which club he picks up.

If you really want to follow in his footsteps, the Cobra King Forced MB One Length irons were made exclusively for DeChambeau!

What’s in Jon Rahm’s Bag?

The popular Spanish player, Jon Rahm, doesn’t surprise with his clubs, and he is another faithful of the TaylorMade variety. Currently using the TaylorMade M5 with speed injected twist face technology, Rahm has been using this particular club since it was launched, liking the extra distance it gives him and the control on hitting.

Having been signed to TaylorMade for a while now, if you want to emulate your favourite Spaniard, you need to look towards the latest technology in the TaylorMade brand.

What’s in Justin Thomas’ Bag?

The American world number 9 is one of the longest hitters in the game, and that means he needs a strong club that allows him to reach such long distances. Shunning the TaylorMade club, Thomas uses the Titleist clubs, and he has been using these for as long as he has been professionally in the game.

Currently using the TS3 driver by Titleist, this is the latest club in the company’s range, and he began using it at the US Open in 2018.

What’s in Patrick Cantlay’s Bag?

The PGA number 10 ranked player, Patrick Cantlay, has shown huge potential over the last year or so, breaking into the top 20 and then moving to the top 10. Having nearly quit golf altogether, due to a back injury, Cantlay is one of the most consistent players on tour.

Cantlay is another of the Titleist players, and he currently uses the Titleist 917D2 driver. Many of the other players who use the Titleist brand stick to the newest clubs on the market, such as the TS2 or TS3, but Cantlay prefers to go down a different route, which has certainly served him very well over the last couple of seasons!

Final Thoughts

The best players in the game know how to get the best out of any golf club, but the most up to date technology will always turn the head of a professional. If one of your favourite players is using a club and they’re doing well at majors, you know it’s a club that’s worth investing in.

If you’re thinking of purchasing any of the clubs we’ve mentioned, it’s certainly worthwhile shopping around to make sure you find the best deals. Clubs are not the cheapest things in the world, and if you can save a little cash here and there, it will certainly serve you well.

It’s also worthwhile checking out the different models in a certain range, and not simply going for a specific club because your favourite player has it in their bag. We all play slightly differently, and it’s worth doing your research into which club will accentuate your golfing strengths and help to improve any weaknesses you might have.

If you want to work your way up to the top rankings in the game at some point in the future, if you’re a budding Tiger Woods, then you need to understand your strengths and your weaknesses and work with both accordingly.

Remember, players change their club preferences on a regular basis, and this will be influenced by new contracts, but also by new products that make their way onto the market. Do your research, work with your own game, and shop around for deals on the clubs which serve you best.

What’s in The Bag? Golf Clubs of The LGPA Top 10 Players

Tiger Woods – WITB (2019)

Michael

July 19, 2019

Hot on the heels of the recent announcement that Tiger Woods would be hitting with TaylorMade equipment this coming season, the recent Farmers Insurance Open proved to be the showcase event. Using the brand new clubs for the first time, Woods looked confident and in style as he arrived at the event, hoping to use the tournament as a platform for the coming season.

Whats in Tigers bag (WITB)

As part of the several year deal, Woods will be making use of the TaylorMade M5 driver and 3-wood, which he showed to the world on the opening day. Shown here at TaylorMade.

The deal doesn’t include clothing and apparel, and Woods will obviously stick to his profitable Nike deal, as well as wearing his own patented TW brand. TaylorMade however will be his first choice for equipment, and hot on the heels of using the M3 type at East Lake, Woods showed off his new M3 5-wood, in a bag clearly marked with P7 TW.





	Nationality American




	Date of Birth December 30, 1975


	Estimated Net Worth $800 million dollars 


	Height 1.85m (6 ft 1 in)


	Born Cypress, California


	Turned professional 1996

Nationality	American
Date of Birth	December 30, 1975
Estimated Net Worth	$800 million dollars
Height	1.85m (6 ft 1 in)
Born	Cypress, California
Turned professional	1996

WITB

Driver: TaylorMade M5 460, 9.5°, Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 70TX shaft

3 wood: TaylorMade M5, 13°, Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80TX shaft

5 wood: TaylorMade M3, 19°, Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80TX shaft

Irons TaylorMade P-7TW (3-PW): True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind Raw, 56˚ and 60˚, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shafts

Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS

Ball: Bridgestone Tour B XS

New Season

Eager to showcase his new branding, Woods is looking to start the season in style, and hopes to continue onwards to perhaps reach the dizzy heights of his earlier career. Currently the world number 12, Woods is hoping to recover from earlier controversies and focus on the green, rather than the tabloid headlines. With new sponsorship deals coming to the fore, it looks like the commercial world is backing Woods to make his mark on the golfing world once more, and starting with the Farmers Insurance Open, looks set to use the tournament as a platform for growth and success. His new TaylorMade clubs are also hoping to have a huge hand in the season’s success, showcasing the brand to the many millions of Tiger Woods fans across the globe, whether they follow golf closely or not.

Top Clubs Used By The Pros

Naomi Osaka Adidas Tennis

Michael

June 1, 2019





	Country (Sports) Japanese




	Date of Birth October 16, 1997


	Estimated Net Worth $20 million dollars 


	Height 1.80m (5 ft 11 in)


	Lives Florida, United States


	Turned Professional September 2013

Country (Sports)	Japanese
Date of Birth	October 16, 1997
Estimated Net Worth	$20 million dollars
Height	1.80m (5 ft 11 in)
Lives	Florida, United States
Turned Professional	September 2013

One of tennis’ most famous and yet most humble stars is certainly Naomi Osaka.

At just 21 years of age, Osaka is the Women’s World Number 1 and has won two back to back Grand Slam Titles, the US Open and the Australian Open. Having picked up a tennis racket at the tender age of 3, Osaka’s still become instantly evident, and she turned pro in 2013. From then, her rise to superstardom has been stratospheric, and shows no signs of slowing down.

One of the most eye catching things about Osaka is her youthful exuberance, her down to Earth attitude, and her friendliness. Being open about her struggles throughout her career and her disbelief at winning her first Grand Slam, Osaka is refreshingly open and honest with the media, however she is also very private about her personal life. There has been no word about whether or not Osaka is dating anyone, and the chances are that if she is or was, she won’t tell anyone anyway!

Born in October 1997 in Osaka, Japan, Naomi Osaka’s mother is Japanese and her father is Haitian. Due to her tennis career taking off at such a fast speed, Osaka now resides in Boca Raton, Florida, where the weather is perfect for off season tennis practice! Currently ranked at the top of the women’s game, Osaka is the first Asian female player to hold this ranking in the singles competition. She also has a sister, Mari Osaka, who is attempting to make it to the dizzy heights to the women’s game too.

Net Worth

Of course, all of this success means cash coming her way, and Osaka could net more than $30 million in 2019. With yet another Grand Slam under her belt, this amount is sure to rise by the end of this coming year, and who knows what other titles will be hers by the end of the season?

Naomi Osaka Adidas Cartoon — Naomi Osaka Cartoon

Endorsements

Endorsements are also plentiful, and Osaka currently has several contracts, including Yonex, Adidas, Wowow, and Nissin Foods. Her most recent endorsement was announced to be Citizen Watch, followed swiftly by a three year deal with Nissan.

Naomi’s win at the Australian Open final we believe she was wearing Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 3 Grey/Black but also sometimes seen wearing Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 3 X Parley which can be purchased at Adidas

At just 21 years of age, you would expect all of this success and cash to be slowly changing Osaka into somewhat of a starlet, but that isn’t the case; she is as refreshingly down to Earth as she has ever been, and provided she holds onto this, she is certain to be one of tennis’ best loved stars for many years to come.

The Tax Crisis Rocking Spain’s Soccer Elite

Michael

February 19, 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo was recently seen arriving at a Madrid court, dressed in a smart black coat, diamond jewelry dazzling in the sun. It’s hard to believe he smiling when about to be slapped with a $21.6 million fine for fraudulently hiding income from the Spanish tax authorities. Though having an estimated net worth of $450 million dollars, and a Nike lifetime contract to around $1 billion dollars, the fine is not going to cause him many issues.

But where did the tax allegations come from?

A series of whistleblowers and investigations into the income and business dealings of wealthy footballers has shown a darker side to the footballing world, with Ronaldo’s case being one of the most recent. The star was handed a huge fine and 23 months in jail, but any sentence under two years is rarely served in Spain. Basically, Ronaldo was off the hook, as his later Instagram, complete with ‘thumbs up’ emoji pointed out. A hefty fine is not hefty to Ronaldo, let’s face it. This is a man who’s legs alone are insured for $144 million, owning huge businesses and being the name on many an endorsement deal. This is before you factor in his wages for playing weekly for Juventus.

Ronaldo was accused of intentionally not declaring income from many of his businesses and using a Virgin Islands-based firm to receive and funnel cash.

Background

All of this came from an earlier boom in Spain’s economy. This led to the golden era of Spanish football, and the Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ era. Big named stars such a Figo, Kaka, Zidane, and Beckham were all signed for huge price tags. After this time however, the economy slowed down drastically and in 2010 a law referred to as the ‘Beckham Law’ was passed. This prevented tax evasion techniques which may have been employed in the past, and as a result, investigations uncovered several big names involved in what the Spanish Government decided were unlawful tax evasion schemes. Charges have been faced by Modric, Falcao, Di Maria, Mascherano, Viera, Lionel Messi, and Neymar. Some of these cases hit the headlines, some didn’t, but most did not understand that they had committed a crime.

The change came when Rui Pinto was arrested in Budapest. Portuguese Pinto is considered to be behind the ‘Football Leaks’ story, but another law is doing a lot to protect him, a whistleblower law in Hungary. This is because Pinto believes the work he did to uncover such dealings led to the courts being able to investigate cases, such as the Messi and Ronaldo examples. It’s bizarre in so many ways, and hard to understand, but covers a huge amount of dollars.

Of course, soccer is a world-wide revelation and hugely popular in almost every country on the planet. We are talking about some of the biggest names in the game, and with huge court dates hanging over them. This all highlights the dark side of an international sport which has long been run in what Pinto considers to be troubling ways.

Endorsements

Take a look at look at Nike CR7 Cristiano Ronaldo collection

Another article on Cristiano Ronaldo – Nike CR7 Cleats

Cristiano Ronaldo Nike CR7 Boots — View of the football boots sent by Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid to Ma Chengquan, chairman of Chinese Super League (CSL), before the 18th round match between Shanghai SIPG and Guangzhou Evergrande during the 2017 Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) in Shanghai, China, 22 July 2017.

Manny Pacquiao – Net Worth – Anta Sports

Michael

February 19, 2019

Manny Pacquiao TCL Chinese Theater — Manny Pacquiao at the “Manny” Los Angeles Premiere, TCL Chinese Theater, Hollywood, CA 01-20-15

The man perhaps better known as Pac-Man has shown there is certainly cash to be made for brands with a Chinese stamp in the west, even though there are huge concerns about an impending trade war.

Net Worth

Pacquiao with an estimated net worth of over $190 million dollars.

You may also be interested in – Tom Brady – Networth

Endorsements

Box, celebrity and politician, Pacquiao launched his boxing-wear line with the help of Anta Sports, a Chinese sportswear brand that has a logo which looks a little like the famous Nike swoosh. When you look closely however you’ll see that it clearly isn’t Nike, proving that Chinese brands still have major staying power in the West, despite whatever economic and political crises might be raging currently. The Pac-man line has sold in huge amounts in the US, but it’s not just Pacquiao who has a hand in it, with other big named sports starts helping out too.

Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors star, hit 10 three-pointers recently, wearing a pair of the KT4 line of Anta sneakers. To tie in with this achievement, the company has announced a new line of sneakers to be released, just before the NBA All-Star Weekend. There’s a reason he’s known as ‘China Klay’ overseas!





	Nationality Filipino




	Date of Birth December 17, 1978


	Estimated Net Worth $190 million dollars 


	Height 1.66m (5 ft 5.5 in)


	Born Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao


	Turned professional 1995

Nationality	Filipino
Date of Birth	December 17, 1978
Estimated Net Worth	$190 million dollars
Height	1.66m (5 ft 5.5 in)
Born	Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao
Turned professional	1995

China

China is a huge market and companies that choose to launch products that usually find great success. The looming grey cloud of a trade war has put some companies off, but it certainly hasn’t stopped Chinese countries trying their best for success in the west, as Anta proves. The profits can be huge, even though the economic situation may be slightly dicey.

For the future, however, the chances are that the world will see far more sportswear brands hailing from China. Which will see them making their mark in western countries. With huge stars like Pacquiao helping to push awareness overseas, it’s impossible to see any other outcome besides success.

Check out Anta website here:

1...30 3132Page 32 of 32