PGA Tour Pros Test Mini Drivers and New Equipment at Harbor Town

Harbor Town Demands Precision Over Power

Harbor Town Golf Links presents a unique challenge that defies the typical "bomb-and-gauge" approach favored on most PGA Tour venues. Following a major renovation, the course's tight and winding layout requires players to focus on precision in the 280-290 yard range rather than maximum distance.

Mini Drivers Take Center Stage

Three prominent players tested different mini driver options: Jason Day with a Ping prototype, Akshay Bhatia with the newly launched Callaway Quantum Mini, and J.J. Spaun with a TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini.

Day's assessment was particularly insightful: "You kind of need the 280 to 290 range, and the 3-wood may not go as far." His Ping prototype featured a 13-degree loft in a Small Minus setting with a tour-specific 43.5-inch shaft configuration.

Bhatia's testing with the Callaway Quantum Mini revealed impressive spin rate consistency between 3,300-3,800 rpm when hit off the deck, providing a 500 rpm window that matches traditional fairway woods while offering superior tee shot control.

Equipment Innovation Continues

Titleist officially launched their GTS2 and GTS3 fairway woods featuring silver faces for improved visibility and larger profiles compared to previous models. Meanwhile, custom prototypes continue to emerge, including Brian Harman's 633BH cavity-back irons and the rare appearance of an 11-iron in Jhonattan Vegas's bag.

The equipment choices at Harbor Town demonstrate how course-specific conditions drive innovation and strategic thinking at the highest level of professional golf.