MY BAG: Justin Rose
"The R15 driver is my most reliable club. I've decreased the loft from when I started using it—I also spread the weights wider so it feels a little more stable."
DRIVER
TaylorMade R15 430 (9.5°)
taylormadegolf.com
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage XTS70
mitsubishirayongolf.com
FAIRWAY WOOD
TaylorMade AeroBurner TP (15°)
Shaft: Matrix Ozik 8M3 Black Tie
matrix-golf-shafts.com
IRONS
TaylorMade Tour Preferred MB (3-PW)
Shaft: KBS Tour C-Taper
kbsgolfshafts.com
WEDGES
TaylorMade Tour Preferred EF (52°, 56°, 60°)
Shaft: KBS Tour C-Taper
PUTTER*
TaylorMade Ghost Spider S
BALL
TaylorMade Tour Preferred X
GRIPS
Lamkin Justin Rose Spec--R.E.L. Ace
lamkingrips.com
*At press time, Rose switched to the TaylorMade DA-62 White Smoke putter.
TECH TALK
Power PlusMizuno MP-25 irons
Mizuno's design team waded through the Internet to find what folks thought about its MP-54 irons. Turns out they're bulkier and a bit shorter than a few competitors. So the company built the MP-25, for scratch golfers to 10 handicappers, with smaller heads that play longer than its predecessor. Boron strengthens the carbon steel, and the thinnest face on any MP iron ever is backed with "micro slots" in the 3- through 6-irons, to further boost ball speed. In company testing, the MP-25 put out 2.6% more speed while generating 7.3% less spin. All told, that's 4% more distance—up to 7½ yards longer. Available Sept. 18. $1,000, steel; $1,100, graphite.
INSIDE STORY
Micro slots run from the sole into the cavity to increase face flex. A carbon-steel cap is welded over the sole slot, and a rubber gasket covers the opening in the cavity.
TWO PHOTOS
SIMON BRUTY (BAG, BALL)
PHOTO
ROBERT BECK FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (ROSE)
PHOTO
JAMES WESTMAN (IRON)
