Hideki Matsuyama is golf’s most notorious tester. Here’s what makes his bag | Bag Spy

Welcome to Bag Spy, a GOLF series devoted to understanding the crucial equipment choices that define a player’s bag. With the help of players and/or their expert fitters, we dig deep beyond the photos to examine setups, specs and the thinking behind them. In this installment, GOLF Associate Equipment Editor Jack Hirsh takes you inside Hideki Matsuyama’s bag and equipment setup for 2026.

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Each week on the PGA Tour, you can count on Hideki Matsuyama bringing a ton of golf clubs, hitting dozens of balls with them and then usually not changing much.

For the team at Cleveland/Srixon, his propensity to test equipment can be both a blessing and a curse.

“From the outside, our work together can seem complicated, but fundamentally it’s no different than working with any other player; we’re always trying to identify equipment that performs better,” a group of Srixon R&D team members wrote in response to a series of questions from GOLF for this article. “What makes Hideki unique is his willingness to test far more ideas than most players. He likes to learn broadly, but when something catches his attention, he’ll study it in great detail.”

While he’s always testing, he has extraordinarily high standards for what actually makes his golf bag. A new club doesn’t have to just be a little bit better. It has to be clearly better in every category.

So week to week, not much changes … except maybe his putter from his extensive and ever-growing collection.

Keep reading below to dive into Matsuyama’s gear setup.

Breaking down every club (and ball!) in Hideki Matsuyama’s bag

Ball

2025 Srixon Z-Star XV

When it comes to Matsuyama’s golf ball, feel is everything. In fact, if a ball doesn’t check the boxes with putting feel, it won’t get very fall.

“During ball testing, we spend a significant amount of time around the greens, especially on the putting surface,” Srixon’s R&D team told us. “If the sound and feel stand out there, we move into chipping and full-shot testing. He’s always searching for a ball that produces a crisp, solid sound off the putter face while still giving him the control he wants throughout the bag.”

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, Srixon

Driver

Specs
Srixon ZXi LS T251 Prototype
Loft: 9.0˚
Loft Sleeve Setting: +.75˚ Upright (1.0˚, heavy sleeve)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8-X
Length: 44 15/16″
Tipping: 0″
Swingweight: D3.5

Matsuyama held onto his previous ZX5 LS Mk II gamer for as long as he could, but late last year, he made the move to Srixon’s latest ZXi LS driver.

One of the reasons it took him time to make the move was his demand for the new model to be better in every category than his previous gamer.

“It outperformed the ZX5 Mk II in every category that matters to him,” Cleveland/Srixon’s R&D team told us. “Matching the previous driver isn’t enough; the new club has to be clearly better overall. If even one area falls short, he won’t make the change.”

One thing similar to his previous game is a silver face, which allows him to see the loft better, which is his preference. Srixon also said his driver has a “high-back” shape that gives him more comfort visually as well.

Matsuyama has been a longtime user of the Graphite Design Tour AD DI-8TX shaft, but he did dabble in the updated Tour AD FI-8TX earlier this season, including when we photographed his bag at the WM Phoenix Open.

Srixon said he has tested lighter profiles but the heavyweight always seems to give him the most speed and control. The AD DI returned to the bag after the FI produced some misses that Matsuyama didn’t like.

Srixon ZXi LS Custom Driver

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, Srixon

3-wood

Specs
TaylorMade Qi10
Loft: 15.0˚
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 9-X

While perhaps no 3-wood shot is more famous for Matsuyama than his clutch approach in a playoff at the Sony Open with a SIM2 3-wood, his current Qi10 has seen its fair share of success.

His Qi10 has been in the bag for his win at Riviera in 2024, his Bronze Medal at that year’s Olympics, 2024 FedEx St. Jude title and his two 2025 wins at the Sentry and Hero World Challenge.

The Qi10 has proven one of the most, if not the most, successful fairway woods of all-time, having won the last five major championships. Matsuyama’s Bronze Medal at the 2024 Olympics helped the club sweep the podium.

TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Fairway Wood

PROVEN RECIPE

TaylorMade Fairways have dominated on Tour for over a decade because of their unique performance recipe, which enables maximum distance and versatility.
The Qi4D fairway is designed for golfers who want the most advanced technology while still prioritizing versatility and control with amazing distance.

ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE

Utilizing a single Trajectory Adjustment System weight (8g x1) provides the golfer a more mass efficient way to adjust flight, spin and swing weight.
4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight and is available in all lofts.

REFINED ATTRIBUTES, BIG CHANGES

Engineers conducted an objective analysis of all the performance attributes and discovered new methods to enhance performance and confidence.
Sit points, lie angles, address views, and center of gravity locations were all updated based on Tour feedback and the expertise of leading fitters worldwide, ensuring the optimal fairway across skill levels.

TOUR-PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES

New and improved cut-through Speed Pocket™ protects ball speed and reduces spin on low-face strikes.
Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation for TaylorMade fairway performance.
Twist Face™ features corrective face curvature designed to provide straighter shots on mishits.
Multi-Material Construction allows engineers to maximize performance by increasing discretionary weight.

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5-wood

Specs
Cobra Rad Speed Tour
Loft: 17.5˚ @ 19˚
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 10-X

Matsuyama’s Cobra Rad Speed Tour 5-wood has been in the bag since 2021 and it shows no signs of leaving the bag anytime soon.

The club features the famous Cobra Baffler rails to help turf interaction and was one of the most recent fairway woods Cobra released with the rails. Currently, Tour players have access to a King TEC Rail Proto, but Matsuyama sticks with his Rad Speed.

Utility Iron*

Specs
Srixon ZXi5 3-iron
Loft: 20˚
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD-DI Prototype

The ZXi5 3-iron is a newer addition to the bag and something Matsuyama only occasionally bags.

While most other Srixon staffers (and free agents as well) opt for Srixon’s ZXiU utility irons, Matsuyama prefers the narrower sole of the ZXi5 to better match his irons. It also launches higher for him.

“Because he plays blade irons throughout the set, utility irons with wider soles can sometimes produce a flight that feels too strong or flat for his preferences,” Cleveland/Srixon’s R&D team told us.

*The 3-iron subs in for the 5-wood based on course/conditions.

Srixon ZXi5 Custom Irons

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, Srixon

Irons

Specs

Irons: Srixon Z-Forged II (4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400
Lengths: 38.625″, 38″, 37.375″, 36.75″, 36.1875, 35.625″
Swingweight: D2.5

Matsuyama has played blades throughout his entire career but has tested cavity-backs like the Srixon ZXi7.

“He absolutely understands the forgiveness advantages of cavity-back irons like the ZXi7, but at this stage of his career, his mindset is still that he doesn’t want to take the easier route,” the R&D team told us. “He prefers to continue sharpening his ball-striking with more demanding clubs.”

That’s a very old-school take, but there’s a recent history to suggest the 34-year-old is considering a switch to something more forgiving in the near future.

“After spending time with other staff players like Shane Lowry, there are moments when he comes back and says, ‘Maybe cavity-backs really are better,’” the R&D team told us. “So, the possibility of making that switch someday is definitely not zero.”

The other interesting thing is that despite playing a super heavy TX shaft in his driver and fairway woods, Matsuyama drops down to the Dynamic Gold S400 in his irons. That’s not unheard of on Tour and it actually makes sense when you consider Matsuyama’s swing.

The S400 is actually heavier than the X100 flex and the extra weight matches his wood shaft in helping him with timing in his swing.

Srixon Z Forged II Custom Irons

Z-Forged II is a traditional muscle back blade Iron designed in close collaboration with Srixon tour pros. Z-Forged II Irons offer crisp feel, maximum control, and pinpoint workability.
Feel is born in the forge. On Z-Forged II, Srixon precision forged 1020 Carbon Steel to create an Iron that puts premium feel and exceptional playability at your fingertips. Designed in close collaboration with Srixon’s professional tour staff, Z-Forged II is a highly-workable muscle back blade for skilled players demanding the most from forged feel.
PUREFRAME
Carefully crafted from 1020 Carbon Steel, Z-Forged II features enhanced feel thanks to PureFrame. The shaping feature strategically adds mass right where you strike the ball for unmatched feel, playability, and performance.
BLADE SHAPING
Z-Forged II offers everything you’d expect from a contemporary blade design: a compact players package with precision shaping and a stunningly clean address profile. Shaping on the back of the head optimizes CG location and MOI without sacrificing any of the feel or workability demanded by the purest of ball strikers.
PROGRESSIVE GROOVES
The 3i–7i feature wide grooves, ideal for longer shots in all conditions. The 8i–PW have deeper, closer-set grooves which cut through grass and debris to enhance spin on approach shots. Laser milling between each groove, on every loft, enhances friction in all conditions.
TOUR V.T. SOLE
Using a proprietary combination of sole-widths, bounce angles, and toe/heel notches, Tour V.T. Sole takes turf interaction to a whole new level of detail. Highly regarded by Srixon tour staff, this unique sole technology encourages a smooth glide through fairway, rough and sand so you can strike the ball solidly without losing speed.
 

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Wedges

1/2

2/2

Specs
Cleveland RTX4 Forged
Lofts/Grinds: 48-MID @ 47.5˚, 52-MID, 56-LOW @ 57.5, 60-LOW @ 62˚
Lie: 63/63/63.5/63.5
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 (48-56), X100 (60)
Length: 35.375″, 35.125″, 34.9375″, 34.9375″
Swingweight: D2.5-D3

The oldest clubs in his bag (non-putter) are undoubtedly his wedges, as he’s continued to rely on the RTX4 Forged platform, which originally came out in 2018. Matsuyama has used them since at least 2020.

He replaces his wedges every two months to keep the grooves fresh but he’s in no danger of ever running out as Cleveland has continued making RTX4 specifically for him.

Matsuyama also plays a unique wide sole in his wedges that is aimed at specifically improving performance at Augusta National. It’s also a similar reason he prefers a flatter sole with his irons as Matsuyama judges every club in the bag by how it could perform at Augusta.

“His wedges feature a wide, low-bounce sole design that again ties back to his focus on Augusta National,” Cleveland/Srixon’s R&D team said. “He understands there may be wedge setups better suited for other turf conditions, but mentally, his equipment decisions are always influenced by what he believes works best there.”

Cleveland RTZ Custom Wedge

All-new RTZ Wedges are made with Z-Alloy, a completely new steel formula that enables a zero-compromise design approach for incredible feel, better durability, and more consistency for our best performing tour Wedges yet. Plus, there’s an all-new ADAPT grind featuring full-face grooves, to give RTZ Wedges more versatility than ever before. 
Z-Alloy 
Z-Alloy is a brand-new steel with better feel. It’s softer, lighter, and remarkably durable. It gives RTZ Wedges superior feel, better forgiveness, and more consistency. On RTZ Tour Rack Wedges, Z-Alloy’s rust-resistant properties ensure longer-lasting, like-new performance. 
HydraZip
HydraZip is a unique system of face blasts and laser-milled lines formulated to maximize spin performance under wet conditions. This technology is dynamically configured by loft groupings, which helps balance spin across lofts, while maximizing spin in adverse conditions. 
ZipCore
This low-density core technology replaces heavier material in the heel and hosel area with a lightweight, low-density, vibration-dampening material. This proprietary core allows us to shift the Center of Gravity closer to where you strike the ball, while simultaneously adding MOI. 
UltiZip
UltiZip’s sharper grooves cut through grass and debris at contact, while deeper grooves help make space for grass, sand, dirt, or water to clear the impact zone, giving RTZ Wedges stronger, more consistent spin from the fairway, rough, or bunker. 

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, Cleveland

Putter

Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS Tour Prototype “Ace”
Loft: 3.5˚
Lie: 68.5˚
Length: 35.5″

If there’s a true revolving door in Matsuyama’s bag, it’s at the putter where even Scotty Cameron himself once told GOLF that no one’s Scotty Cameron collection compare’s to Hideki’s.

“I would say, in the last five years, Hideki Matsuyama has gotten the most and the coolest putters,” Cameron said on GOLF’s Fully Equipped podcast in 2021. “He always goes by my gallery in Tokyo or Hamamatsu, and he gives them an honest try. What I like about it is he’ll give me feedback on why he didn’t like a putter, whether it’s the finish, or the line, or the way it sat… sometimes he gives the putters back, but I think his collection is very impressive.”

Matsuyama routinely travels to tournaments with at least five putters and often receives a new one, mostly Scotty Camerons, but he’s expanded to other brands as well.

Yet even with all the options, Matsuyama often returns to the Newport 2 GSS known as his “Ace.”

Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 Putter

STUDIO CARBON STEEL (SCS) FACE INSERT
Designed to deliver the unmistakably soft sound and feel of carbon, the new precision milled Studio Carbon Steel (SCS) insert is treated with an electroless nickel plating for enhanced durability in a re-engineered concept that includes the line’s new chain-link face milling technology and aerospace-inspired vibration damping for tuned sound, feel and performance.
CHAIN-LINK FACE MILLING TECHNOLOGY
New chain-link face milling technology reduces the putter face insert’s touch points at impact with the ball using a texture that softens the sound and provides improved roll characteristics while preserving feel and feedback off the putter face.
FULL CONTACT SLIM GRIP
With a comfortable chain-link texture to match the new putter face milling pattern, the custom crafted Full Contact Slim paddle-style grip was designed to complement the stroke and performance of blade and mid-mallet putters. Its uniquely contoured profile and flat top provide superior comfort and contact between the hands and the putter, and enhanced body alignment.

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore

Grips: Iomic X-Grip 2.3

The author welcomes your comments at Jack.Hirsh@golf.com.

Want to overhaul your bag in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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