Rocco Mediate's artistic wedges
SAN DIEGO —
When it comes to short game, many of the game's premier players show a lot of creativity. But Rocco Mediate, who started the third round of the 108th U.S. Open tied with Robert Karlsson and Tiger Woods in second place, takes it to a whole new level.
Mediate stamps and colors the back of his Callaway X Forged wedges himself. All of the Xs and shapes that you see on the back of his wedges were made by hammering a metal stamp directly into the steel, then filling in the area with paint.
"I'm nuts, I'm a little bit of a lost soul," he told me after his press conference Friday afternoon.
Click on the image to see his handiwork more clearly.
Rocco Mediate's clubs:
Driver Callaway FT-5 (8.5°)
Fairway wood Callaway Ft-i Squareway (15°)
Hybrid Callaway X Hybrid (18°)
Irons Callaway X-20 (3-PW)
Wedges Callaway X Forged (52° and 56°)
Putter Odyssey Sabertooth White Hot XG
Ball Callaway Tour ix
Posted by: Jimmy | Jan 3, 2009 10:05:05 AM
For the record offset irons are NOT to help with a slice, they are to keep your hands in front of the ball at impact helping to hit down on the ball which gets the ball airborne.
Posted by: James | Dec 1, 2008 9:59:15 PM
Why would'nt a pro want to hit forgiving clubs???? Who says a pro has to hit blades. Alot more pros use cavity back irons.
Posted by: josh | Jun 20, 2008 11:45:58 PM
Rocco is my hero he should have won it tiger is just to good and ya he is the beat golfer in america rocco hits his irons like no other
Posted by: Ron | Jun 18, 2008 1:53:13 PM
Yep, most tour players are playing forged cavity backs for clubs 4 5 & 6 and a lot have dumped their 3 iron for a hybrid. Its way easier to play! Not even tour players try to hit a Hogan Nicklaus fade with a 3 iron anymore... Just blast to the center of the green, take the par and get birdies on other holes with your 8 iron blades!
Posted by: nmonroe | Jun 18, 2008 11:20:01 AM
I'm a 1 handicap, and I play x-20s w/5.5 rifle shafts; I can shape the ball, but when I want it straight, it's straight. And the longer irons are like hitting a hybrid they're so easy to play.
Rocco knows: why not use all the forgiveness you can get? I've been convinced for a long time that nearly everyone can benefit from playing an easier to hit club.
Posted by: Dave | Jun 17, 2008 9:01:31 PM
mike, drivers today are surely better than drivers of yesterdays,
you might not gain that extra 10 yards with every driver every year,
but surely, with the newer balls, and new technology on the drivers,
you would be hitting much further than you would have 10 years ago, even if you are 10 years younger then,
Posted by: Mike | Jun 17, 2008 5:55:33 PM
I have never seen a club yet that can correct a bad golf swing!!! If you swing poorly it matters not what you are hitting it will go poorly, if you put a good swing on the ball you can expect a good result, amateurs have been taken in by the hype and marketing of the golf club manufacturers, if I gained the 10 extra yards promised with every new driver I have ever purchased i would be hitting my 265 yard drives 700 yards by now!
Posted by: Doug | Jun 17, 2008 4:08:49 PM
I like the fact he is playing X-20 irons. I also play X-20 irons, although not with the same consistency as Rocco:), but I can shape shots with these clubs. Once again, not with the same consistency as Rocco or any tour player for that matter. I don't care how "forgiving" a club is; people can still slice them if they make a bad swing or need to shape them around a tree. It just may take a little more effort than with a blade or muscle back. But amateurs should first learn how to hit the ball straight. If you don't have a tour card, then you probably can't hit a 10-yard fade and stop the ball on a dime with any consistency anyway. I'm not surprised scores have not improved over the past 10 years; especially when I see amateurs playing blades or other clubs beyond their skill level.
Posted by: DJ | Jun 17, 2008 1:47:58 PM
Welcome to the fan club, bandwaggoners. Rocco has been a favorite player of mine for years. He's right up their in likability with Couples. Every year during the L.A. Open, he does a clinic at our local Roger Dunn. He's great with the fans; explains the game very clearly and in a straightforward manner. Awesome guy. Signed a hat, too. Callaway got their money's worth this past weekend.
Posted by: Dillon | Jun 17, 2008 11:11:26 AM
He probably plays them because they are very forgiving and the extra offset allows him to hit his hook better.
Posted by: Dillon | Jun 17, 2008 11:10:51 AM
He probably plays them because they are very forgiving and the extra offset allows him to hit his hook better.
Posted by: Jonathan | Jun 16, 2008 4:25:47 AM
Also wondering about those X20 irons, amazing to see a top tour player playing irons that are best for a mid to high handicapper although I am sure they are not standard!
Posted by: David Rivero | Jun 16, 2008 2:09:57 AM
Best wishes to you Rocco. Are next working class hero? America loves the underdog and AMERICA loves ROCCO. Thank you Tiger and Rocco for a Great Father's Day.
Posted by: Jeff Root | Jun 15, 2008 10:30:07 PM
Rocco is a true gentleman. No one else would make the comments he has made about the upcoming playoff with Tiger. He is awesome. Good luck as he will need it.
Posted by: Tim | Jun 15, 2008 9:57:31 PM
Can anyone explain why a player of Rocco's calibre would only be playing X-20 irons? Not even X-20 Tours? What's the go there?
Posted by: Tim | Jun 15, 2008 9:54:33 PM
Can anyone explain why a player of Rocco's calibre would only be playing X-20 irons? Not even X-20 Tours? What's the go there?