Inside the Bag: Jake Knapp’s Golf Clubs Explained Simply

Ever wonder what clubs a PGA Tour pro carries? Today we’re peeking inside Jake Knapp’s golf bag. He’s known for having one of the smoothest swings in golf, with wins on both the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour. Let’s break down every club he uses—explained so simply, a 5-year-old could understand!

Who Is Jake Knapp?

• American professional golfer
• Wins on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour
• Known for one of the best swings in golf
• One of the longest hitters on tour (he hits the ball really far)
• Signed with PXG (a golf equipment company) a few years ago

What’s In The Bag? (Full Specs at a Glance)

The "Woods" (Driver, Mini Driver, Fairway Wood)

Quick Vocabulary:
Loft = The angle of the clubface. More loft = ball goes higher. Less loft = ball goes lower/farther.
Shaft = The long stick part of the club. Different weights/stiffness change how the club feels.

1. Driver: Ping G440 LST (9°)

• What it is: The biggest club, used for tee shots on long holes
• Why this one: Jake switches drivers sometimes, but recently chose this Ping model during the Playoffs
• The specs: 9° loft (pretty low = lower ball flight, more roll) with a Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5 shaft
• Fun fact: "LST" means Low Spin Technology—helps the ball fly straighter with less curve

2. Mini Driver: PXG Secret Weapon (13°)

• What it is: A smaller, shorter driver—like a hybrid between a driver and a fairway wood
• Why he carries it: Jake hits the ball really far. Sometimes a regular driver is too much club for tighter holes. This gives him control without giving up too much distance
• The specs: 13° loft with Project X HZRDUS T1100 95 6.5 shaft
• Cool name alert: It’s literally called the "Secret Weapon"

3. Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18°)

• What it is: Used for long shots from the fairway or off the tee on shorter holes
• Why this one: Even though it came out in 2024, many top pros still use it—that’s a good sign!
• The specs: 18° loft (that’s a 5-wood) with Project X HZRDUS T1100 95 6.5 shaft

The Irons (3-Iron through Pitching Wedge)

ELI5: Irons are the clubs with angled faces used for approach shots into greens. Lower number = longer distance. Higher number = higher, shorter shots.

3-Iron: Titleist T250

• A "players’ distance iron"—looks sleek but still gives some forgiveness
• Shaft: KBS Tour C-Taper 130 X (heavy and stiff = control for fast swingers)

4-Iron through Pitching Wedge: PXG 0211 ST

• PXG is his main sponsor, so most irons are theirs
• 0211 ST = a compact, tour-style iron for better players
• Same shaft throughout: KBS Tour C-Taper 130 X
• Why same shaft? Consistency! Every iron feels similar in weight and stiffness

The Wedges (Short Game Specialists)

ELI5: Wedges are high-lofted irons for shots around the green, bunkers, and short approaches. The number = degrees of loft.

Why Three Different Wedge Models?

• 52° & 56°: Same shaft as his irons for seamless feel
• 60° (Lob Wedge): Different shaft (Nippon) — pros often customize their highest-lofted wedge for max feel and spin on delicate shots
• Vokey WedgeWorks = Custom-made by Titleist’s master craftsman Bob Vokey. It’s like a tailor-made suit for your shortest shots!

The Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.2R Tour Prototype

• Brand: Scotty Cameron (the Rolls-Royce of putters)
• Model: Phantom 9.2R Tour Prototype
• Note: Jake changed putters several times in 2026—even pros search for the magic wand!
• "Tour Prototype" = A special version made only for tour players, not sold in stores

The Ball: Titleist Pro V1 Left Dot

ELI5: Not all golf balls are the same! This one is special.

• Pro V1 = Titleist’s flagship tour ball
• Left Dot = A special version with lower spin and lower flight
• Why? Jake swings fast. Regular balls would spin too much and balloon up. This ball keeps the flight boring (in a good way) and penetrating through wind

The Rest: Apparel, Glove & Shoes

• Apparel: Johnnie-O (stylish, comfortable golf wear)
• Glove: FootJoy (the #1 glove on tour)
• Shoes: Nike (comfort + traction)

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Mixed bag strategy: Even though Jake is sponsored by PXG, he uses Ping, TaylorMade, Titleist, and Scotty Cameron too. Pros use whatever works best—brand loyalty comes second.
2. Shaft consistency: His irons and first two wedges share the same shaft (KBS Tour C-Taper 130 X). This creates a seamless feel from 4-iron through 56° wedge.
3. The "Left Dot" ball matters: If you swing 120+ mph, a standard Pro V1 spins too much. Equipment must match your swing speed.
4. Mini drivers are trending: More pros carry a 13° mini driver for accuracy on tight holes. It’s a "fairway finder."
5. Wedge customization is real: Three different wedge models, two different shafts. Short game = precision = customization.

Summary: Jake Knapp’s Setup in a Nutshell

Bottom line: Jake’s bag is built for speed, control, and versatility. Every club has a job, and every spec (loft, shaft, model) is tuned to his swing.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

1. Why does Jake use a Ping driver if he’s sponsored by PXG?

Pro contracts often allow "free agent" clubs for certain categories (usually driver, putter, ball). Jake chooses whatever driver performs best for him—currently the Ping G440 LST.

2. What is a "mini driver" and do I need one?

A mini driver is shorter, smaller, and more lofted than a regular driver. It’s easier to control. Most amateurs don’t need one—a 3-wood or hybrid works fine. But if you struggle with driver accuracy, it’s worth a demo!

3. What does "Left Dot" mean on the golf ball?

Titleist uses dots to mark different Pro V1 versions. Left Dot = lower spin, lower launch. It’s made for players with very high swing speeds (like Jake). Regular golfers should stick with standard Pro V1 or Pro V1x.

4. Why are his wedge shafts different from his iron shafts?

His 52° and 56° match his irons (KBS Tour C-Taper). But the 60° lob wedge uses a lighter Nippon shaft for better feel and touch on delicate shots around the green. Short game = feel > consistency.

5. Can I buy the exact same clubs Jake uses?

Mostly yes—but with caveats:

• Ping G440 LST, TaylorMade Qi10, PXG 0211 ST, Titleist T250, Vokey SM11, Scotty Cameron Phantom putters (retail versions), Titleist Pro V1 Left Dot — all available at retail
• Tour Prototype putter (Jake’s exact model) — not sold to public
• Vokey WedgeWorks 60° — custom made for tour players only
• Shafts: Tour-issue shafts (like his Project X HZRDUS) may differ from retail versions

Pro tip: Don’t copy a pro’s specs blindly. Get fitted for your swing!

Want to stay updated on tour equipment changes? Keep an eye on Golf Monthly for the latest What’s In The Bag breakdowns!