Matt Kuchar is known for his remarkable consistency, his perpetual smile, and one of the most unconventional - yet effective - approaches to equipment in modern golf. Instead of chasing every new release, Kuchar’s bag is a curated collection of trusted tools, custom-tweaked pieces, and solutions to solve specific challenges in his game. This article will break down every club Matt Kuchar uses, but more importantly, it will explain the why behind each choice and what you can learn from his If it ain't broke, don't fix it philosophy.
Inside Matt Kuchar's Current Golf Bag (WITB)
Kuchar's bag is a fantastic blend of old and new, underscoring a key principle for all golfers: use what works, not just what's new. Let's take a look inside the ropes and examine the gear that has helped him earn millions on tour.
Driver: Bridgestone Tour B JGR (9.5 degrees)
Kuchar opts for the Bridgestone Tour B JGR driver, a model not always in the spotlight compared to other major brands. This choice speaks volumes about his priorities off the tee. The JGR is engineered fantasticly for forgiveness and promoting a slight draw-bias. For a player like Kuchar, who built a career on hitting fairways rather than maxing out distance, this is a perfect match.
He isn’t trying to compete with the longest hitters on tour. He's playing his own game, focused on placing the ball in the optimal position for his second shot. The JGR helps him do that consistently, minimizing the "big miss" to the right and allowing him to swing with confidence.
What You Can Learn: Prioritize Fairways Over Pure Distance
Many amateur golfers get caught up in the chase for an extra 10 yards. But would you rather be 10 yards longer in the rough or 10 yards shorter in the middle of the fairway? For most of us, being in the fairway leads to better scores. When you're testing drivers, don't just look at the longest shots on the launch monitor. Look at the dispersion. Finding a driver head and shaft combination that narrows your misses, like Kuchar has done, is a reliable path to lower scores.
- Test for your miss: If you slice the ball, try a driver with draw-bias weighting.
- Focus on the shaft: The right shaft can do more to tighten your dispersion than the clubhead itself. Work with a fitter to find one that matches your tempo and speed.
Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2+ (14.5 degrees)
This is an interesting club in Kuchar's bag. The Titleist TSR2+ isn't a standard 3-wood, it's designed with a slightly larger, deeper face, making it almost a "mini-driver." It's incredibly powerful off the tee on tight par-4s and a high-launching weapon from the fairway when attacking par-5s in two. This single club gives him distance, control, and versatility. The stronger loft (14.5 degrees) tells us he is looking for a penetrating flight that maximizes roll when used off the tee.
A Mix of Hybrids and a Unique Iron Journey
This is where Kuchar's bag gets really fascinating. He's been famous for his willingness to experiment, most notably with single-length irons. However, his current setup is a more conventional, yet still carefully selected, blend.
Hybrids: G-Force Z C.S Custom (17 degrees), Ping Anser (20 degrees)
Notice the mix of brands here. Kuchar carries two hybrids, which have effectively replaced his long irons. A 17-degree hybrid acts as a 2-iron or even a 5-wood replacement for him, perfect for long approach shots into par-5s or tricky par-3s. The 20-degree Ping Anser is his modern 3-iron, providing a higher, softer-landing ball flight than a traditional iron could. Hybrids are all about creating easy launch and forgiveness from difficult lies, something even the best players in the world appreciate.
Irons: From All One Length to a Tour-Proven Combo Set
For a few years, Matt Kuchar was the second-most famous advocate of single-length irons, alongside Bryson DeChambeau. The theory is that if every iron is the same length (typically a 7-iron length), you only need to learn one setup and one swing. It’s a compelling idea focused on maximizing consistency.
However, Kuchar has since moved back to a more traditional (for a tour pro) combo set of variable-length Bridgestone irons. He typically plays more forgiving models in his longer irons (like the Bridgestone JGR HF2 in the 5 and 6-iron) and blades or players' cavity-backs in his short irons (7-iron through PW).
What You Can Learn: The Power of the Combo Set
You don't have to play the same iron model from your 4-iron to your pitching wedge! Mostアマチュアアマチュア would benefit hugely from a combo set. Here’s how it works:
- Long Irons (4, 5, 6): This is where you need help. Choose a more forgiving, cavity-back model that helps you launch the ball higher and gives you more forgiveness on off-center hits.
- Short Irons (8, 9, PW): This is where you want control, feel, and precision. You can use a player’s cavity back or even a blade-style airon here, which gives you more ability to flight the ball and control distance into the greens.
Mixing and matching like Kuchar allows you to get the best of both worlds: forgiveness where you need it most and precision where it counts.
Wedges: A Master's Blend
Kuchar’s wedge game is exceptional, and his choice of tools reflects a preference for feel and versatility. He carries a mix of models, including Bridgestone J40 Forged wedges (52 and 57 degrees) and often a Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks for his highest lofted option (around 62-63 degrees).
The J40s are older, forged models known for their incredibly soft feel, telling us that feel is a premium for Kuchar in his scoring clubs. More importantly, he uses custom a-grinds on his soles. The grind is the shaping of the sole of the wedge, and it dictates how the club interacts with the turf. A custom grind is tailored specifically to a player's attack angle and the types of shots they want to hit. His high-lofted Vokey gives him a reliable, go-to brand for the most delicate shots around the green.
What You Can Learn: Bounce and Grind Matter More Than You Think
Most golfers buy wedges off the rack without considering bounce or grind. Big mistake. Here's a simple guide:
- High Bounce (e.g., 12-14 degrees): This is best for players who dig, take deep divots, and play in soft course conditions. The "fatter" sole prevents the wedge from digging too much.
- Low Bounce (e.g., 4-8 degrees): This is best for players who "pick" the ball clean, take shallow divots, and play on firm, tight lies. It allows for crisp contact from tricky spots.
The Putter: Bettinardi DASS DKM Kuchar Armlock (40.75 inches, 71Lie, 2.5 degrees)
The armlock putter is Matt Kuchar's signature piece of equipment. He was a pioneer of this method, which has since been adopted by many other tour pros. The armlock style is designed to create ultimate stability in the putting stroke.
The longer shaft and grip are "locked" against the inside of the lead forearm (his left arm). This prevents the wrists from breaking down or "flipping" at impact, a common cause of missed putts, especially under pressure. By locking the putter to the forearm, the stroke is controlled by the shoulders, creating a simple, repeatable pendulum motion. His partnership with Bettinardi Golf has been long-standing, and they developed this model specifically for him to perfect the technique. You’ll notice the specs: a flat lie angle, very low loft, and a long shaft - all designed to make the armlock method work.
What You Can Learn: Is Arm-Lock for You?
If you struggle with yippy, handsy putting strokes, the arm-lock concept might be a game-changer. You don't have to buy a new putter to test the feeling. Try this teaching-drill:
- Take your normal putter and a spare shaft or alignment stick.
- While holding the putter, press the alignment stick against your lead forearm and the putter grip. You want them to be connected.
- Now, make some practice strokes focusing on rocking your shoulders. Feel how that locks your wrists out of the motion?
If that feeling of stability gives you more confidence, exploring an armlock putter could be a great step to becoming a more consistent putter.
Closing Thoughts
Matt Kuchar's golf bag is a masterclass in playing to your strengths and solving your weaknesses. He doesn’t use gear to be a player he isn’t, he uses gear that enhances what he does best: hitting fairways and getting the ball in the hole with precision and feel. His setup teaches us all a valuable lesson - it’s not about having the newest clubs, but about having the right clubs for your game.
While modeling your bag after a pro like Kuchar can provide great insights, the next step is applying that thinking to your own specific needs. What's the right driver to fix your slice? Which wedge bounce matches your home course? As you figure out these questions, our Caddie AI is designed to act as your personal course-management expert and coach, right in your pocket. You can get instant advice on club selection for a tricky yardage or even snap a photo of a challenging lie to get a smart recommendation on how to play it. We take the guesswork out of the equation so you can play with more confidence and clarity, every single round.