I-Mix is in the mix for Mickelson and Els

Callaway's I-Mix technology, the company's new interchangeable shaft system, is making an appearance at Augusta National this week.

Phil Mickelson, known for tinkering with his equipment and winning the 2006 Masters with two drivers in his bag, is experimenting again. In addition to carrying two drivers in Tuesday's practice round, he has also been using the I-Mix system.

"I did have two drivers in the bag today," Mickelson said in his press conference Tuesday. "The nice thing about that is I have been able to interchange shafts and put a longer shaft in if I want to get more distance. I'm hoping I only need one driver because I want to put an extra wedge in. But if I feel like distance is going to be a bigger factor, I'll stick a second driver in. I don't know. It will be day-to-day. I have two or three different game plans."

Ernie Els has also been working with the I-Mix system, using an FT-I head with a few different shafts.

"We've been working on an FT-I square head driver, and I'm actually using the square head but the old shaft," he said Tuesday during his press conference. "If you don't like a certain shot, you can pull it out on the range and put another shaft into the head." He said he was "still working on getting the perfect fit."

Els also said he would be using a softer Callaway ball this week. "I can spin it around the greens a lot better, and the ball comes out a bit lower, but it spins better, so I think I'll probably use that."

(Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Comments

[Peter Whitford]

Note that Ernie said "on the range"--before going to the first tee in other words. Changing shafts is interesting as I have two drivers--one shaft gives me a high tee shot--one a lower trajectory tee shot (for windy days)--I check the weather and wind and "play" the driver I "need" for that days playing conditions so to speak. I wonder about "torque" with the interchangeable shafts as that is a "factor" that the better players consider, I do anyway.

[paul]

Callaway & TaylorMade are marketing companies,this is such hype.Phil & Ernie should quit collecting cheques for promotion and earn them the old fashion way -"Win".

[Roy Johnson]

Philbob is a looser.He is now looking for any gimmick to help him.

[Michael E]

I'm pretty sure you can't alter a club during a round. So he'd have to pick a shaft he liked prior to the round. I heard that most manufacturers will be employing this system next year, so buying different multiple shafts could become quite big business for players, since they can update their own clubs without having to take it to a pro.

[Hap Platt]

Pablo,

I do not think one can/could change shafts DURING a round. . .one would have to pick the shaft prior to teeing off on the first hole...I do not think you can alter a club during play...but Augusta National may have a local rule, etc. . .

[Pablo]

Do the number of shafts count against the total club count? Or can you carry a bunch of shafts and have your caddie change them as needed?

[Simple Simon]

This means I will now have to follow the pros and have multiple shafts with which to slice my drives.

[Hendrik]

Thought that Ernie would not be such a equipment freak. His swing is perfect so he should just concentrate on his course strategy & mind balance. Then he might close the deal this time.