Min Woo Lee isn’t afraid to use prototype clubs on the big stage

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 Min Woo Lee’s bag as he gets set for the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

***

Min Woo Lee’s swing has gone through an overhaul during the past 18 months and his bag has evolved with it to meet the needs of one of the game’s fastest players.

That bag ends up showing us a couple of things.

First, it’s a willingness to try anything. Lee has three different Callaway prototypes in his bag, including his unreleased set of Callaway Apex MB irons. But second, it’s also nice to be prepared with options for whatever the course setup might present.

“It goes back to kind of just studying the person rather than studying the clubs,” his fitter, Callaway Tour Rep Kellen Watson, told GOLF. “It’s like, what does this guy need? What does he want to see? What window does it need to come out of? If he’s staring straight down the fairway, does it need to come just left? I think this one has really got him into a point where he can aim a little bit more straight than he was last year.”

Lee came on the Tour with a strong out-to-in swing path, but recently he’s worked to become more neutral, which has led to many positive changes in what Watson can do with his bag.

From a driver that somewhat counterintuitively helps him find more fairways to a bevy of utility wood options and a new putter with adjustable weighting, Lee’s setup is built to allow him to swing freely and attack pins.

Keep reading below to dive into Lee’s bag.

Breaking down every club in Min Woo Lee’s bag

Ball

Callaway Chrome Tour X ’24

Earlier in his PGA Tour career, Lee played the Callaway Chrome Tour X+ golf ball, a tour-only version of the Chrome Tour X designed to produce more spin.

That was to counter Lee’s unique delivery dynamics, which launch the ball low with little spin.

Over time, Lee has worked with his coach, Ritchie Smith, to create more neutral delivery conditions, which has brought his launch up, Watson said. As his launch became more efficient, he no longer needed the extra spin from the X+, so he moved to the standard Chrome Tour X.

“The golf-ball testing has really been a journey over the last couple years because it’s been associated with what they’ve done swing-wise,” Watson said. “He used to need the extra spin from Chrome Tour X+ because the launches were very low. Now it’s easier to say, ‘This is the ball.’ We’re good on spin numbers and everything else falls into place.”

Lee also plays his golf ball with his “Chef” emblem and a red line printed on it.

Callaway Chrome Tour X 2026 White Golf Balls

Chrome Tour X is engineered for outstanding tour performance with new speed technology for players who want maximum speed and ultimate control, outstanding distance, workability, spin and tee-to-green performance. FAST: New Tour Fast Mantle The revolutionary new Tour Fast Mantle uses a material that increases distance through an optimized core/layer system. CONSISTENT: Advanced Seamless Tour Aero Uniquely designed aerodynamic package is built for incredible distance and flight consistency on every shot. Precision Technology also ensures each technology is meticulously measured through industry-leading manufacturing, over 150 million proof points, to provide the ultimate in consistency. CONTROL: Tour Level Urethane Cover This high performance cover is developed for incredible feel and wedge control.

View Product

Driver

Specs
Callaway Quantum TD-TD 10.5
Actual Loft: 10.7˚
Lie Angle: 57˚
Callaway Optifit Setting: -1/D
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue w/Velocore+ 7-X
Length: 45″
Tipping: 1″

Lee naturally cuts the ball with a pretty significant out-to-in club path. As he’s worked to neutralize his delivery with Smith, that has also neutralized his club path. That has helped him control a big right miss with lots of curve. But while the ball is still cutting, it’s starting more right as well, especially under pressure.

While it sounds counterintuitive, that’s exactly why Lee tried out Callaway’s Elyte Triple Diamond Tour Draw Head last year.

“We’re giving him the most draw-biased CG that you can find because it mitigates that right fall,” Watson said. “The ball needs to start left to curve right and hit his targets. What you’re trying to do essentially is make a fader of the ball start the ball left and curve it right. It’s about fighting the misses and mitigating the misses rather than saying, ‘This is a draw driver, so only drawers should use it.’”

Lee moved into the updated version of the concept, the still-to-be-released Quantum TD-TD driver this year, and found his start line moved even further left while retaining the same left-to-right curve.

Watson and Lee also switched from the OG Fujikura Ventus Blue to the new Ventus TR Blue with Velocore+. The stouter handle section allows Lee to be more aggressive through the ball and not worry about losing the ball more right.

As a result, Lee can aim more directly at the target.

“It’s gotten him to a point where he can aim a little straighter than he was last year,” Watson said. “His lines were getting more and more left just to try to get the start line left. Ritchie loves it too because he’s aiming straighter with every club. The body lines are much better than they used to be because he was missing more and more right.”

This season, Lee is up to 12th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and Total Driving while remaining 9th in distance at 319.7 yards, which would be a career high. His driving accuracy is just under 60 percent (59.73), which ranks 73rd on Tour. Both numbers would also be career highs.

Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Custom Driver

View Product

ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, Callaway

Mini Driver

Specs
Callaway Quantum Mini 13.5˚
Actual Loft: 13.8˚
Lie: 57˚
Callaway OptiFit4 Setting: N
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue OG 9-X
Length: 43″
Tipping: 1.25″

As far as Lee hits the ball, a 3-wood is something he rarely needs. At his speed and length, he reaches some of the longest par-5s on Tour without one.

Ever since Callaway got into the mini driver category two years ago, Lee has been experimenting with one as a secondary tee option. Now it’s basically a week-in-week-out fixture of his bag.

Not only is the distance of a mini driver shorter when Lee needs to fit the ball into a tight hole or keep it short of a hazard, but it’s also more predictable because of the reduced rollout.

“Not only are you carrying it a certain number, but your overall distance is a lot more predictable too,” Watson said. “You’re launching something with more spin, it’s landing softer, and it’s easier to figure out where it’s going to finish. You’re trying to put it right in the middle of the fairway to hit your next shot with an iron.”

Callaway Quantum Custom Mini Driver

View Product

ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, Callaway

Utility Wood

Specs
Callaway Apex UW ’26 21˚
Actual Loft: 19.8˚
Lie: 57.9˚
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black w/Velocore+ 10-X
Length: 40.5″
Tipping: 2″

This spot used to be occupied by an 18˚ Callaway X Forged UT that Lee could reach 170+ mph ball speeds with. But this year, Lee added Callaway’s Apex UW to the bag and found he could hit most of the same shots as the UT, while adding much higher ball flights and more versatility from the rough.

Now, Lee has three different UW options of different lengths and lofts that he chooses based on conditions and course setup. Watson described it as fitting Lee for an “arsenal” of clubs that he can then build his bag from for the course he’s playing.

“It’s a lot harder to fit these guys for course conditions than it is my buddy at the club,” Watson said. “My buddy plays the same two courses. These guys might need something different every week. I’d rather have him travel with 17 or 18 clubs and then cut it down to 14 depending on the golf course.”

Lee has two 21˚ UWs. One is a half-inch longer and bent to 19˚, essentially serving as Lee’s 3-wood when he needs it, rolling out to 300 yards off the tee. The other is at 40.5″ and around 20˚ and is his primary option most weeks.

He then has a 23˚ UW bent to 21˚ that might get the call this week as it’s specifically built for major championship setups with long par-3s (like No. 2 at Shinnecock).

The X Forged UT has likely been retired, but Lee does have a new 20˚ Apex ’26 UT that he likes as much as the old one. However, it may only come into play when the Tour heads across the pond for the Scottish Open and Open Championship.

Callaway 2025 Apex Custom Utility Wood

The Apex UW is designed for serious, avid golfers seeking the perfect blend of a fairway wood’s power and a hybrid’s versatility. Engineered with Tour feedback and loaded with performance technologies, it delivers a higher, more neutral ball flight with the control all players demand. 
TUNGSTEN SPEED WAVE
A dynamic, 41g+ tungsten wave structure positions mass low and forward, enhancing ball speed and launch—particularly on low-face strikes where players tend to lose distance.
STEP SOLE DESIGN
A redesigned sole with a stepped geometry reduces turf interaction, helping to maintain swing speed through impact and promoting more consistent contact across different lies.
TRIAXIAL CARBON CROWN
The lightweight carbon construction allows for strategic weight redistribution, creating a more forgiving clubhead while refining launch and spin for greater shot-making control.
TOUR-INSPIRED SHAPING
Designed with input from the world’s best, the compact, refined shape and neutral face angle inspire confidence at address and deliver workability from tee to turf.

View Product

ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, Callaway

Irons

Specs
Callaway X Forged ’24 (4-5), Apex MB ’26 Prototype Raw (6-10/PW)
Shafts: Nippon Modus3 Tour 125 X
Loft Progression: 23/27/30/33/37/41/46
Lie: 62˚ 7-iron
Length: 36 7/8″ 7-iron CUT
Swingweight: D2

Lee was the first player to game Callaway‘s Apex MB ’26 Prototype blades last season, and they were designed with some of his feedback.

The shape and visual remain largely unchanged from his previous JDM (Japan Domestic Market) Apex MBs, but the major addition is new sole geometry and tri-sole shaping.

“That tri-sole design gets in and out of the ground really quickly and it plays into pretty much everybody’s favor,” Watson said. “Some of those skinny soles can get stuck if the pattern isn’t correct. This one doesn’t do that.”

As Lee has worked to get less steep in his delivery, the benefits of the tri-sole only made the sole more effective.

While Watson says the prototype MB has proven more forgiving than most players expected, Lee still moves into X Forged ’24 for his 4- and 5-iron. The X Forged flows seamlessly from the MB prototype with the same tri-sole design and similar high-toe shape.

Lee was given a fresh set of oil can irons (with the new JDM X Forged heads) this week, but they are for him to test during his off week.

Callaway 2025 X Forged Custom Irons

Pure Precision, Forged for Better Players
Crafted from a single piece of 1020 Carbon steel, X Forged Irons deliver the crisp sound and soft feel that discerning players demand—precision-engineered for professionals and elite ball strikers.
Clean Looks, Tour-Preferred Shape
X Forged features a streamlined cavity back, compact profile, minimal offset, and a thin topline—crafted to appeal to the eye of the better player.
Tri-Level Sole Design
X Forged Irons feature a tri-level sole with beveled leading and trailing edges, promoting smooth turf interaction and precise ball control through impact.

View Product

ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, Callaway

Wedges

Specs
Callaway Opus SP (50), Titleist Vokey SM10 (55), SM9 (60)
Lofts/Grinds: 50/10S, 56.08M @ 55, WedgeWorks 60T
Finish: Raw
Shafts: Nippon Modus3 Tour 125 X (50-55), Nippon Modus3 Tour 120 S (60)
Lie: 63˚ (50)
Length: 35.625″ (50)
Swingweight: D4 (50)

Lee plays a Callaway Opus SP gap wedge, followed by an older-model Titleist Vokey sand and lob wedges.

He also uniquely switches from Nippon’s Modus 125 X shaft in all of his irons and first two wedges to the 120 S in his lob wedge. That signals that he’s rarely taking full swings with his lob wedge.

By switching to a slightly lighter and much softer shaft, he’s prioritizing feel on partial swings and chip shots with his lob wedge. The more active mid-section can also allow Lee to add more dynamic loft and get the ball up faster when he needs to.

Callaway Opus SP Custom Wedge

SPIN POCKET™ CONSTRUCTION
A re-engineered 2-piece construction head design strategically reshapes mass to optimize CG locations. The Spin Pocket redistributes weight higher, raising the CG, and promoting a lower, more penetrating launch. The result is more spin and enhanced control, especially when you need to flight shots or attack tight pins.
NEW SPIN GEN 2.0 FACE™
The most advanced face in OPUS history. A new 17° groove angle with tighter pitch spacing delivers more groove edge contact for more consistent spin across a variety of lies. Combined with a deeper cross-hatch laser pattern across the face, Spin Gen 2.0 produces enhanced friction for more bite and stopping power on all types of approach shots.
SHAPE 6 – TOUR-VALIDATED PROFILE
Trusted by Tour players for its clean, confident look at address, Shape 6 offers precise leading edge shaping and refined sole geometry. Shape 6 is the 6th and final iteration in the Opus prototype shaping phase, validated by Tour players and major champions. OPUS SP introduces progressive shaping in gap wedges to seamlessly blend with modern iron sets—creating a more cohesive setup from top to bottom.
X GRIND – VERSATILITY WITH BOUNCE
Back by popular demand, the X Grind returns in OPUS SP. Designed for shotmakers who want added bounce for forgiveness, without giving up versatility, the X Grind is ideal for players who like to open the face around the greens or play in firmer turf conditions. It’s the perfect blend of playability and performance in a wide range of shots and conditions.

View Product

ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, Callaway

Putter

Putter
Odyssey TRTL S Prototype
Loft: 2˚
Lie: 70.75˚
Length: 33.125″
Sightline: Stripe
Swingweight: D3.2
Total weight: 530.4g
Sole weights: 5g front, 15g back
Grip: SuperStroke Zynergy 2.0PT

The final prototype club in Lee’s bag is Odyssey’s yet-to-be-released TRTL S Prototype putter.

The Aussie was a blade player, using an Odyssey O-Works 1W with a Microhinge insert to win in Houston last year, but he then switched into a custom Jailbird S2S prototype last summer.

After a down rookie campaign in 2024, Lee’s putting stats rebounded last season. But Lee ranked 142nd in the category through his first two starts, and already was looking at alternatives with Odyssey Tour Rep Cody Hale that gave him more rotation in his stroke.

“The putter had started moving a little more down the line, so we wanted something that would allow the stroke to work more naturally,” Hale said.

Lee was the first player to game the TRTL prototype, and Hale said the combination of certain features and the slant neck worked well for his stroke.

“As we’d been working on this head, we knew it had high MOI, adjustable weighting and some unique alignment features,” he said. “We also talked about going to something with more toe hang. A slant neck gave us that, and that became the starting point.”

Like the driver, Lee switched at Pebble, where in a T2 finish, he was second in SG: Putting. He has rebounded to 60th on Tour in putting.

Grips
The Gripmaster Roo Tour Edition Swinger

Lee uses the Australian-based The Gripmaster Roo Tour Edition Swinger Grip, which retails for a whopping $31.25.

All-leather grips are nothing new and offer a super-tacky, soft feel. Not that Lee is likely paying for his grips, but the wild price is made up for the fact that even a Tour pro like Lee, who plays hundreds of rounds a year and hits a ton of balls, doesn’t need to change his grips during the season.

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.

“>