Unsurprisingly, Si Woo Kim became one of Mark Weir’s picks for the 14th Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club starting on September 26th. Although the South Korean native did not clinch any trophies, Kim’s performance was consistent throughout the 2024 season. On the PGA Tour, the 29-year-old posted nine top-15 finishes, and recently at the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth, Kim finished T18.
As he now prepares for the Presidents Cup and to defeat Team USA for the first time since 1998, Kim has added all the best clubs in his bag, mostly ones from Callaway. The 4-time PGA Tour winner has chosen the Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver with 9° loft adjusted to 8. The $599.99 club optimizes the off-center shots and offers optimum launch with its Ai Smart Face Technology.
Furthermore, the driver with the compact head comes with an option to add a 14-gram weight to increase the speed and low spin off the tee. Coming to fairways, Kim has two fairway woods in his bag, the Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Fairway (3-Wood) with Fujikura Ventus Black 8X shaft and the Callaway Rogue ST LS Fairway 5-Wood. The former has similar technology as the driver and has an adjustment hosel for better trajectory follow-through, and Kim uses it at 15° loft. It goes for $349.99.
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USA Today via Reuters Jan 20, 2022; La Quinta, California, USA; Si Woo Kim lines up a putt on the third green during the first round of the American Express golf tournament at La Quinta Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Polls of the day Poll 1 of 5 What do you think is the key to Si Woo Kim’s success on the PGA Tour? His golf gear His mental toughness His training regimen His experience Do you think Lydia Ko’s billionaire husband should take up golf? Yes, it would be interesting No, he should stick to his own interests Only if Lydia wants him to Doesn’t matter, it’s their personal life Whats your Perspective on: Have an interesting take? Join The Debate Who do you think deserves the title of highest-paid LIV Golf golfer in 2024? Jon Rahm Cameron Smith Neither Both Do you think Cameron Smith made the right decision to stay with LIV Golf? Absolutely No way Time will tell He should have left
As for the Rogue ST LS 5-wood, the South Korean pro has an 18° loft with a Fujikura Ventus Black 9X shaft. The fairway wood has a Tungsten Speed Cartridge that allows the golfers to hit with optimum launch at high speed. The jailbreak AI technology also provides stability during the shot so that there are fewer mishits; this retails for $229.99. But what clubs does Kim use when his ball is stuck in a green side bunker or the rough?
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Irons, wedges, and putter on Si Woo Kim’s bag
Unlike many golfers who use mainly two different types of irons, Si Woo Kim has three different models in his bag. The 3 iron is Callaway X Forged UT Iron with 15° loft equipped with KBS Tour V 125 X shaft. The next is the 4-iron from the Callaway Apex CB Iron set, and for 5 irons to pitching wedge, Kim has opted for Callaway X Forged CB Irons; the last two are paired with the same shaft. The 3-iron has the CG positioned such that it provides precision and maximum speed. Furthermore, a tungsten insert increases the MOI and, in turn, the forgiveness of this $249.99 club.
The 4-iron and 5I-PW provide similar functions, but depending upon the situation, the South Korean may choose any one. The Apex CB iron retails for $215, whereas the 5I-PW goes for $1,399 a set. Well, to now answer the bunker question, the 4-time PGA Tour winner’s choice is the Callaway Platinum Opus Wedges in 48°, 52°, and 60°, equipped with KBS Tour V 125 shaft and Golf Pride MCC gripe. The bonded tungsten in the club naturally gives a lower launch into the green and stability for better spin and speed. This goes for $299.99.
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Last but not least, the most important club on Kim is the Odyssey 2-Ball Ten Tour Line Putter. Released in 2022, the mallet putter is more forgiving because of its head shape. What’s interesting is that Kim uses the broomstick version, as it is relatively easier than the orthodox one. The putter sells for $299.99. And his bag also has the Callaway Chrome Soft X Ball. The $49.99 balls give high speed and a soft feel when hit; it was on the Golf Digest 2023 Hot List as well.
With a bag loaded with exceptional clubs, will they work in Si Woo Kim and the International Team’s favor against the Americans? It remains to be seen.