Club Junkie

Fore Love of Golf is moving channels! Subscribe here on Apple or Spotify for all future and past episodes. In Episode 49, the boys chat with Johnny Thompson, longtime Callaway Golf employee. Johnny has worked in some great roles within the company including years as a Tour Rep for Odyssey and Callaway. He has spent time on the LPGA Tour, Champions Tour, and PGA Tour and is now working as the Tour Content Manager for the company. JT is a fun guy and someone that is very knowledgeable in the clubfitting and Tour worlds.

On this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, Brian sits down with Andy Hennis from New Level Golf for a deep dive into one of the most interesting independent brands in the game. Andy shares the story behind New Level Golf, how the company approaches design and performance, and what sets their clubs apart in a crowded equipment landscape.The conversation then shifts to the brand new SPN V3 wedges. Andy breaks down the technology, shaping, and performance goals behind the latest iteration, including what players can expect in terms of feel, spin, and versatility around the greens. If you are curious about boutique golf equipment or looking for insight into wedge design from the ground up, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

In this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, we sit down with master club builder and fitter Eric Cooke from King Pine Golf for a deep dive into the world of custom golf clubs. Eric shares his unique approach to building and fitting, what golfers often get wrong about their equipment, and how true customization can unlock better performance on the course. We also get into some of his philosophies on feel, consistency, and dialing in the details that matter most. Plus, Eric gives us a few intriguing hints about where King Pine Golf could be headed in the future. If you are serious about your equipment and want to understand what goes into a truly dialed in setup, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

I get to test out the new OVVIO driver shafts from Gears Golf. Gears created a shaft lineup to work with players swing types using their high-tech data. Every year we see tons of limited edition Masters themed gear from brands big and small. I break down some of the great items from some of the big EOMs.

What are the best fairway woods of 2026? Well GolfWRX just published their Best Fairway Woods list for this year and I break down who made it and a few who didn't on the show. Out at the Valero Texas Open there are some very interesting putters in some bags being tested. We have to jump in and talk about a few that stood out from Hideki, Marco, and Grillo with some special sauce! Finally, there isn't a ton on the workshop bench this week but it looks like I am going to have to reshaft my brother's set as the heads are flying off!

In this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, we take a deep dive into the new LAB Golf Link 2.2 putter and explore what makes it one of the most talked about zero torque designs in the game. From its unique construction to the feel and performance on the greens, we break down everything you need to know about how the Link 2.2 stacks up against other premium putters and who it is best suited for. We also sit down with Wilson Golf's Markus McCaine for an inside look at the brand's latest equipment, innovation process, and what is coming next from Wilson. Markus shares insights into product development, fitting trends, and how Wilson continues to push performance forward for golfers of all skill levels.

There are a lot of hot drivers out in the market this week and the new TaylorMade Qi4D has a ton of buzz going. I put the Qi4D up against its low spin Qi4D LS sibling to see how they are different. There are some really cool new putters floating around the Valspar this week and I have to break them down. Finally we run through what clubs are on the workbench for some tweaks.

Time to review the hottest irons from Wilson Golf! This year Wilson is giving us 3 brand new Staff Model irons with one, the XB, being brand new to the lineup. Wilson's Staff Model XB is a new hollow body design that gives golfers distance, forgivness, and great feel in a players size. The Staff Model CB and MB irons have been updated for 2026 with a new satin finish for less glare and refined shapes for optimal CG placement and classic looks from address.

Odyssey has some new putters with a interesting new insert and alignment aid. The new insert is called Ai-Dual and built on two layers of urethane for consistent ball speed and new FRD grooves for better roll. Odyssey features a 1/2 ball alignment feature that helps golfers frame the ball for better center contact. We also take a look at some of the interesting clubs and putters from the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week.

I get to review one of the hottest shafts out of Korea, the Attomax Pro Atom Blue wood shaft! This $900 shaft features super high-end carbon fiber and an amorphous metal wire technology for added stability. I break down the new LAB Golf prototype putters spotted on tour. Reviewing the new Bettinardi BB Series putters has been awesome and I am really liking the new Variable Depth Fly Mill face. It feels great and puts a good roll on the ball.