John Daly, the man with the legendary Grip It and Rip It philosophy, carries a golf bag as colorful and unconventional as his career. Unlike tour pros locked into rigid equipment contracts, Daly plays what he wants, when he wants, creating a fascinating mix of brands and models. This article breaks down exactly what Long John has in his bag, from the driver he uses to launch bombs down the fairway to the trusty putter he relies on to cash checks.
Before we look at the specific clubs, it's important to understand John Daly’s approach to his equipment. He is one of the few professional golfers who is largely a free agent. He doesn’t have a multi-million dollar, 14-club contract that dictates what he has to play. Instead, he maintains relationships with several brands and plays the clubs that give him the most confidence.
This results in what golfers call a “mixed bag.” You might find a Ping driver sitting next to TaylorMade fairway woods and Titleist irons. For fans and amateur golfers, this is fantastic. It’s an honest, performance-based endorsement. If a club is in Daly's bag, it's because he truly believes it works best for his game.
As a coach, I love this approach. It sends the right message to everyday golfers: you don't need a matching set from one brand to play your best. The goal is to find the 14 individual clubs that perform best for you, regardless of the logo. Daly is a perfect example of this in action.
Daly’s setup can change from tournament to tournament based on feel, but an analysis of his most recent appearances reveals a consistent theme: power, forgiveness, and trust in classic designs.
Let's start where everyone wants to start: the big stick. Daly’s reputation was built on his enormous power off the tee, and his choice of driver reflects that. He needs a club that is stable, forgiving, and allows him to unleash his famous, unbelievably long backswing without fear.
While we all want Daly’s distance, 99.9% of amateurs should not use his driver shaft setup. An extra-stiff or tour-x-stiff shaft is designed for swing speeds well over 115-120 mph. Using a shaft that is too stiff for you will rob you of distance, feel, and make it difficult to square the clubface at impact, often leading to a slice. Finding the right driver and shaft combination for your unique swing is far more important than copying Long John's.
For his fairway woods, Daly often sticks with older, trusted models. This proves that the latest technology isn’t always the best. Comfort and confidence are paramount.
Daly's choice of older fairway woods is a fantastic lesson. Don't be afraid to look at high-quality, pre-owned clubs. That 3-wood you loved from a few seasons ago might still be the best option for your game, saving you money while giving you a club you trust.
You might expect a two-time major champion to use razor-thin muscle back blades, but Daly prefers a bit more help from his irons. His choice blends the sleek look of a players iron with the forgiveness of a cavity back.
This is probably the biggest lesson for aspiring golfers. Even one of the best ball-strikers in the world chooses an iron that offers forgiveness. So many amateurs think they need to "earn" the right to play forged cavity back irons, but the reality is that most golfers would benefit massively from the added forgiveness they provide. You get a better feel than with a chunky game-improvement iron, but enough help to make your bad shots much more playable.
Around the greens is where Daly’s talent for creative shot-making shines, and his wedges reflect the need for versatility.
Pay attention to your yardage gaps at the bottom end of your set. Having wedges spaced out properly (e.g., 4-6 degrees between each) is far more important than what brand you play. Knowing you have a full, three-quarter, and half-swing distance for your gap, sand, and lob wedges will transform your scoring inside 120 yards.
A golfer's relationship with their putter is sacred. You won't find Daly chasing the flavor-of-the-month putter. He sticks with what works.
John Daly's golf bag is a perfect reflection of his personality: it's not about what looks shiny or what he's told to play, but what actually works. From his high-powered driver to his forgiving irons and trusty wedges, every club is there for a reason and has earned its spot by delivering performance and confidence.
Building that kind of confidence in your own equipment comes from understanding your game and making smart choices. If you ever find yourself struggling to pick a club or decide on a strategy for a tough lie, our Caddie AI can help. You can tell it about the shot you're facing or even snap a photo of your ball's lie, and we’ll give you a personalized recommendation in seconds, removing the guesswork so you can swing with the same type of conviction as Long John himself.
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