MY BAG: Michael Phelps

"The irons feel great and look cool too. I'm going to say that nobody else has red, white and blue on their clubs like I do."

1. DRIVER

Ping G25 (9.5°)

ping.com

Shaft: Ping TFC 189D

2. FAIRWAY METAL

Ping G25 (15°)

Shaft: Ping TFC 189F

3. HYBRID

Ping G25 (20°)

Shaft: Ping TFC 189H

4. IRONS

Ping G25 (four through nine)

Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100

truetemper.com

5. WEDGES

Ping G25 PW (45°), UW (50°)

Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100

Ping Tour (54°, 58°)

Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100

6. PUTTER

Ping Scottsdale TR Senita, 35½ inches

7. BALL

Titleist Pro V1x

titleist.com

GRIPS

Golf Pride Tour Wrap Midsize 60 Round

golfpride.com

See close-up images of Michael Phelps's gear at GOLF.com/ping

TECH TALK

Spin Cycle

CLEVELAND'S 588 RTX WEDGES BOAST HIGH-SPIN GROOVES

Club companies have been investing major resources in wedge design since the advent of "condition of competition" (a.k.a. lower-spinning) grooves in 2010. Cleveland's Rotex (RTX) clubface showcases three technologies to increase spin in various playing conditions. Its Tour Zip U-grooves are 16% larger (by volume) than in previous 588 series wedges. Durable laser-milled microgrooves on the surface of the face increase friction against the ball while a Rotex milling process—which forms semicircular, downward-oriented marks—creates additional roughness. You'll find the grooves in 588 RTX (muscle back) or 588 RTX CB (cavity back) wedges. Vijay Singh and Ted Potter Jr. play the 588 RTX on Tour, while Charlie Beljan uses the 588 RTX CB.

PHOTO

ROBERT BECK (PHELPS)

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KOHJIRO KINNO (BAG)

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KOHJIRO KINNO (BALL)

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SNAP36 (WEDGE)

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COURTESY OF CLEVELAND (GROOVES ILLUSTRATION)

Microgrooves plus a semicircular mill pattern on the surface of the face complement the club's U-grooves.