Rory McIlroy isn’t the only one revisiting older gear to sharpen his performance at TPC Sawgrass. Akshay Bhatia, who had been struggling with his drives this season, found himself outside the top 100 for strokes gained off the tee. Searching for a remedy, Bhatia decided to bring back his trusty Callaway Rogue ST LS driver—a club he’s been familiar with since 2022.
Switching equipment isn’t something Bhatia takes lightly. He’s known for sticking with clubs once he finds his groove, which explains why the Rogue ST has been his companion through the ranks of the PGA Tour for three consecutive years. Earlier this season, however, Bhatia was an early adopter of Callaway’s new Elyte driver, even trying out its lower-spinning version. But following an underwhelming start and a missed cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bhatia reverted to his reliable favorite. He noted that compared to newer models, the older driver has a more neutral bias.
“Some newer drivers are more fade-biased,” Bhatia explained. “When facing wind off the right or trees in the start line, I often felt I was out of options. This older driver has a slight right bias but still allows for a fade thanks to reduced loft. It’s what I trust.”
Matching the old driver with his previous Project X HZURDUS “Hulk” shaft from 2021, Bhatia is revamping his strategy. “Going back to an older driver and longer shaft—it’s been a successful formula,” he shared, adding that his swing coach has been pivotal in making adjustments.
That slight change was all it took for Bhatia to climb to 11th in strokes gained off the tee, accumulating over 2.2 strokes through the first two rounds.
In addition to this old favorite, Bhatia made room in his bag for something new: Callaway’s Elyte Mini driver, replacing his 3-wood. The Paradym Ai Smoke Ti 340 Mini Driver from last season hinted that such changes were coming. The compact club has been perfect for Sawgrass’s tricky holes, allowing controlled left-to-right shots. The Elyte Mini, though not yet available to the public, has already seen action among pros since its debut at the WM Phoenix Open last month.
After completing his round, Bhatia mentioned an equipment switch that had gone somewhat unnoticed. He’s been using a backup to his familiar Odyssey Jailbird Broomstick putter for the first time in competition. “Following a rough start with putting at the Genesis Invitational, where I suffered four three-putts, I decided to try my backup,” Bhatia revealed. That switch earned him a top-10 finish at Torrey Pines, a testament to his ability to adapt.
This week, Bhatia turned again to the backup putter, thanks to its additional quarter-shaft offset, which suits his stroke. “It just felt right,” he said. “As my coach advises, if it sets up better and feels good in my hands, that’s the one I’ll go with.”
Interested in revamping your own gear for 2025? Check out a club fitting at True Spec Golf near you.
