Davis Love III has a golf equipment setup that we can all learn from.
André Tursky
Davis Love III is a certified golf legend. He turned pro in 1985 at the University of North Carolina, and since then has scored 21 PGA Tour victories, including the PGA Championship 1997 and the Players Championship (1992, 2003).
The 57-year-old is also a Ryder Cup icon, golf course architect, author, and he hosted the recent RSM Classic 2021 at Sea Island.
Love III has been a professional since the days of khaki pilot heads with steel rods, so it has been at the heart of the tech boom over the past decades. As an old school pro on tour, it’s always interesting to see what he decides to have in the bag these days.
Recently, at the RSM Classic, I was able to take pictures of Love III golf clubs in my hand. Here are 7 things I learned from its setup.
1) Placement of the lead strip
Lead tape on one of Love’s irons.
André Tursky
These little gray strips of tape that professionals apply to their golf clubs are called lead tape. The inexpensive, heavy bands help add weight, and depending on the location and amount applied, the lead tape can actually help shift the center of gravity (CG) in the clubhead, thereby affecting theft of the golf ball.
With two long bands added to the rear portion of its Titleist TSi3 8-degree head, it’s likely that Love III is looking to shift the weight away from the face to increase launch and forgiveness.
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On its Titleist AP2 718 (6 & 7) intermediate irons, Love III has tufts of lead tape around the mid-section of the rear cavities, likely helping to add overall clubhead weight and put more meat behind. the center of the face. On his 5 iron, however, Love III only has a small band on the heel part. While that weight may not be enough to significantly change the center of gravity, band placement can help Love III release the club slightly faster for a draw flight.
It’s important to remember when applying lead tape to yourself that location is important! Don’t apply lead tape to the club head just because it looks cool (although I think it looks cool). If you are unsure where you may need to apply additional weight, consult a trusted installer or local professional for advice.
2) A missile launcher
Love’s Titleist TS3 Fairway Wood.
André Tursky
Love III uses a Titleist TS3 fairway wood, which has been designed to be slightly smaller and lower than its member of the TS2 family. On closer inspection, it also uses the 13.5-degree version of the clubhead rather than the more traditional 15-degree version.
Loft is a crucial aspect of finding the pitch, spin, and distance you need, so be sure to test out several options before purchasing a golf club. For Love III, it’s likely he was looking for slightly more penetrating ball flight with his fairway wood. Most amateurs, on the other hand, will likely benefit from clubs with more loft!
3) Always a heel of tar
The headgear of love.
André Tursky
Love III was a three-time All American at the University of North Carolina, winning six tournament titles, so he surely wasn’t short of confidence when he turned pro. He quickly proved he had endurance in the pro ranks, winning his first PGA Tour event in 1987 at the MCI Heritage Golf Classic in Harbor Town. It seems he never forgot where he came from, as he always represents the UNC Tar Heels with his Stitch-made headgear.
4) A new school iron
Let’s take a closer look at Love’s irons.
André Tursky
Split iron sets (also referred to as “mixed” or “mixed” sets) combine different styles of irons to take advantage of differences in head design. Old school golfers – Love III could certainly be considered part of this group – generally grew up using a role model throughout their set. Often times this meant using very small, long, thin, ruthless irons. Love III, however, embraced the new school mentality of combining models.
For Love III he uses a Titleist U-505 2 iron, a U-500 4 iron and AP2 718 irons (5-9 iron). This means his longer irons will be relatively more forgiving, throw higher, and help increase forgiveness across the face. Its shorter irons allow for control of spin and trajectory.
5) Simple prints
Love has all its personalized corners stamped.
André Tursky
Wedge pads allow golfers to express their creativity, sense of humor, passion for the sport or to say hello to their family. When you have a great nickname like “DL3”, however, what else do you really need from your tampons?
Also note the loft-gapping of the Titleist SM8 raw cleats from Love III. More interestingly, he opts for a 46 degree wedge instead of using the pitching wedge of his AP2 irons. Using a traditional wedge rather than an iron-style pitching wedge can help golfers add a bit more control and spin, but a slight loss of distance.
6) a masterful putter
Love’s Scotty Cameron putter.
André Tursky
Love III is no stranger to using Scotty Cameron throughout his years on the PGA Tour. He even has his own “Inspired By” model directed by Scotty Cameron himself. With such a close relationship with Scotty, it’s always exciting to see what flatstick Love III has in its bag.
At the RSM Classic, Love III played with a Tour-only “Masterful†putter, which is made of premium GSS (German stainless steel) with a milled face.
Funny enough, the topline stitch was done with just a sharpie marker. It always makes me laugh when the pros, who have access to the best club builders and prototypes money can buy, end up making custom adjustments with just a sharpie. But hey, whatever works.
7) The importance of mounting the shaft
A look at the trees of Love.
André Tursky
Need proof that shaft mounting is extremely important? Love III uses four different tree designs throughout its ensemble. He has a Fujikura Ventus Red shaft in his driver, a Tensei CK Blue 80 TX in his fairway, a Project X HZRDUS RDX Smoke in his iron (2) and True Temper Elevate Tour X shafts in the rest of his irons and wedges.
The lesson here is not to just assume that all of your clubs have to come from the same shaft manufacturer. Since each club head is different, each club must be fitted differently for a shaft. Take the Love III setup as a perfect example.
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