At the Chubb Classic, our founder, Erin Blakely, had the pleasure of chatting with Darren Clarke and his caddie Keith. It’s been quite a while—two years, to be precise—since we last connected with the 2011 Open Champion. Naturally, it was a delight to once again engage with such a respected figure in the sport.
Since we last crossed paths, “Clarkie” has refreshed his gear significantly. The only thing that remains unchanged in his bag is his trusty Pro V1 X golf balls. Let’s delve into the details of what’s new.
Darren Clarke’s Bag for 2025: A Quick Look
- Driver: Titleist GT3 (9.0 degrees), paired with a Fujikura Ventus with Velcore Blue 6-X Shaft
- Fairway Woods: Srixon ZXi (13.5 and 15 degrees), coupled with Fujikura Ventus with Velcore Blue 6-X shafts
- Irons: Srixon ZXi5 (4-5); Srixon ZXi7 (6-PW)
- Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (54, 58, 60)
- Putter: L.A.B Golf Super Stroke with TPT Golf Putter Shaft, enhanced by a SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 1.0 grip
- Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Getting to Know Darren Clarke: Quick Facts
- Birthdate: August 14, 1968
- Hometown: Dungannon, Northern Ireland
- Age: 56
- Turned Pro: 1990
- Tournament Wins: 22
- Major Championship Wins: The Open Championship 2011, The Senior Open Championship 2022
- Current Senior World Ranking: 21 (as of February 2025)
- Sponsors: The Abaco Club Bahamas, NFP
A Closer Look at Clarke’s Setup
The Driver: Titleist GT3 – (9.0 degrees)
Having previously used a TaylorMade Stealth Plus, Darren has now moved to the Titleist GT3, which has been aiding him in hitting nearly 90% of the fairways in his recent tournaments.
Fairway Woods: Srixon ZXi – (13.5 & 15 degrees)
Darren is experimenting with these Srixon fairway woods, and despite their worn appearance, they’re delivering solid performance.
Long Irons: Srixon ZXi 5 – (4 – 5)
Darren has ditched his hybrid setup for more traditional long irons. The ZXi 5 irons give him a boost with their forgiving nature.
Mid & Short Irons: Srixon ZXi 7 – (6 – PW)
Turning to the ZXi 7 irons, Darren prefers their playability and added forgiveness compared to his previous set.
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ – (54, 58, 56 degrees)
Clarke’s wedges have been updated to the RTZ series, providing him with excellent versatility around the greens.
Putter: L.A.B Golf OZ1 – (SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 1.0 Grip)
Darren is now using an L.A.B Golf OZ1 putter, coupled with a thicker grip. This change has helped him maintain his place among the top 10 putters on the tour.
The Ball: Titleist Pro V1X
Sticking with the familiar, Darren continues to play with the Pro V1X, appreciating its high flight and targeted landing capabilities on the tour.
Final Thoughts on Darren Clarke’s Choices for 2025
Darren Clarke seems to have fully embraced Dunlop’s offerings this year, with nearly all clubs, save his driver and putter, crafted by Srixon or Cleveland. The Pro V1X is the only consistent piece, providing him with desired distance and spin. Could this newfound setup lead him back to the winner’s circle? Time will tell. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments, and explore other insightful “What’s In The Bag” articles on players like Bernhard Langer and Vijay Singh.
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