Alex Noren, one of European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald’s vice captains, just beat nearly his entire team, winning the DP World Tour’s flagship event at the BMW PGA Championship.
Noren has one of the most unique gear setups on the PGA Tour, particularly with his driver, a Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Max D. Not only is this a driver designed for game-improvement players, but the draw bias of the model also inherently conflicts with Noren’s preferred left-to-right ball flight.
But actually, the draw-bias profile actually makes Noren more comfortable hitting a fade. Noren moves the club hard from the outside-in and left through the golf ball, which makes the miss he fears the most a high spin block to the right. He wants a driver that he can swing as hard as he can left and not fear losing the ball right.
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In Ryder Cup twist, vice captain and ‘snub’ Alex Noren bests Team Europe at BMW
By: Josh Schrock
With the Max D head’s upright and heel-weighted configuration, he accomplishes just that. It’s a great example of how many pros set up their drivers to promote the opposite of their preferred shot shape. Most draw players prefer flatter lie angles and open club faces to promote a right start line, while faders like closed club faces and more upright lie angles for the opposite effect.
Because the Max D has some optical tricks to make it appear closed, Noren also lofts it down and opens the face to give a more neutral look at setup.
The win is also the second worldwide win for Callaway’s new 2025 Apex Utility Wood. Noren also had the first when he won last month at the British Masters. The new Utility Wood is the third generation of the popular long game option and goes back to the shape that made the original a cult classic and mainstay in many pros’ bags, including Noren’s.
Keep reading below for Noren’s detailed WITB specs.
Alex Noren’s winning WITB at the 2025 BMW PGA Championship
Alex Noren has one of the more interesting driver set ups in professional golf.Jack Hirsh/GOLF
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Max D 9.0˚ (D/-2) Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF-6 X Length 45.125″ EOG Swingweight: D1.75
Callaway Elyte Custom Driver
FEATURES & BENEFITS The Future of Composites The Elyte driver features an all-new Thermoforged Carbon crown. This aerospace grade carbon fiber enables fast head speeds while optimizing launch and spin. Ai Advancements for Optimal Distance, Control, and Launch Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face . Designed to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face Modern Shape with Adjustability The new Elyte adjustable perimeter weighting system has utilizes a 13g moveable weight to enable a neutral, draw, or fade setting. The Elyte model features a matte carbon crown, modern shape, and a chevron on the topline to inspire confidence off the tee and easy alignment.
$619.99 from Fairway Jockey
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Graphite Design Tour AD VF Wood Shaft
Brand new for 2024, Graphite Design introduces the latest in the Tour AD premium line of golf shafts, the Graphite Design Tour AD VF – Victory Force. Designed and manufactured at the Graphite Design Japan factory headquarters, the new Tour AD VF wood shafts are jet black with red accents and finished with a gloss clear coat. The Tour AD VF, like the other high performance Tour AD wood shafts, utilizes premium, aerospace quality carbon-fiber materials and are avaiable in a wide range of flexes. The Tour AD VF shaft profile is Firm in the butt section, Stiff+ in the center section and has a Very Stiff tip to promote Low/Mid launch angles and Low-ball spin rates. The Tour AD-VF shafts utilizes the modern TOAYCA M40X carbon-fiber material in the butt section of the shaft to support a stiff, yet smooth feeling kick point and the ultra-high modulus TORAYCA T1100G carbon-fiber material in the middle thru to the tip of the shaft for unrivaled shaft stability and precise ball control without the loss of exceptional feel. Victories require Force. JOCKEY TIP: The Graphite Tour AD DI is ideal for the player that prefers a stiffer mid-section, while maintaining a very stiff tip section through impact, promoting a low/mid launch and low spin ball flight condition.
FEATURES & BENEFITS Penetrating Flight With Low Spin The compact shape and deeper face of the Triple Diamond fairway wood allow players to shape shots with ease and control. A forward weight screw promotes a lower spin rate and a more piercing ball flight for added workability. All New Tungsten Speed Wave for consistently fast ball speeds Featured on the 3-7 wood, the new Tungsten Speed Wave is a 35g weight that positions mass low and forward to promote fast ball speeds. This new, innovative design is engineered specifically to enhance misses low on the face. Ai 10x Face for Optimal Launch and Tight Downrange Dispersion Our most advanced Ai face to date, the new Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face. Designed with our C300 Face cup to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face.
$419.99 from Fairway Jockey
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Utility Wood: 2025 Callaway Apex Utility Wood 19˚ Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black Gen. 4 95g TX Length: 40.125″ EOG
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.
$369.99 from Fairway Jockey
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Alex Noren uses a full set of Apex TCBs.Jack Hirsh/GOLF
Since Xander Schauffele put a TCB iron in play,his strokes gained in approach have significantlyincreased year over year. Now in 2024, he is top 5 inthe world in strokes gained on the field, and has wontwo major championships with the new '24 TCB Iron. MAJOR SUCCESS Trusting the ‘24 Apex TCB iron, Xander Schauffelewent on to secure two major championships in the2024 season. TOUR FEEL Combining our best in technology, the '24 TCB usesa 1025 tour cavity back body with a 17-4 tour tunedface for consistent spin and control up and down thebag. The feel is second to none. Just ask Xander. PRO LOOKS The beautiful raw aesthetic and overall footprint isexactly what Xander was looking for. With a compact controllable shape, and shorter blade length, TCB '24 are players irons for discerning golfers.
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.
$199.99 from Fairway Jockey
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Tommy Fleetwood’s TaylorMade Spider putter.Jack Hirsh/GOLF
These Odyssey Ai-ONE putters feature our Ai-ONE insert which delivers more consistent ball speeds, even from off-center hits, leaving putts closer to the hole. AI-ONE INSERT Designed using Artificial Intelligence, we've created contours on the Aluminum backer of the insert which we co-mold to a White Hot Urethane striking surface to promote consistent ball speed across the face with the classic White Hot feel that Tour players and amateurs love. Ai WINDOW Our designers and engineers developed a Panlite window, which is a unique automotive grade polymer, that allows us to showcase the unique topology of the back of our insert. SL 90 SHAFT A lightweight steel shaft with 20-30 grams (depending on the grip) of counterbalance weight in the butt end. This is an evolution of our Stroke Lab weighting that will appeal to even more golfers. UNIQUE NAVY BLUE PVD FINISH These putters all feature a beautiful navy blue PVD finish that really sets them apart and gives them a premium look. INTERCHANGEABLE FRONT WEIGHTS Available in 5, 10, 15 and 20 grams these removable weights allow you to dial in your head weight to your exact preference.
$299.99 from Fairway Jockey
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Noren uses a Tour-only Chrome Tour Dot.Jack Hirsh/GOLF
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour Dot
Callaway 2024 Chrome Tour Golf Balls
Chrome Tour is the new gold standard in Tour Balls. From core to cover, every detail in the new Chrome Tour has been optimized for the better player seeking distance & feel. HYPER FAST SOFT CORE New Hyper Fast Soft Core produces exceptionally fast ball speed for long distance. SEAMLESS TOUR AERO New Seamless Tour Aero delivers a consistent ball flight on every shot. HIGH-PERFORMANCE TOUR URETHANE SOFT COVER New High-Performance Tour Urethane Soft Cover consistently delivers greenside control with incredible feel.
$54.99 from Fairway Jockey
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Grips:Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60
Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.
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. Designed to produce exceptionally fast ball speeds, tight dispersion, and optimized launch across the face Modern Shape with Adjustability The new Elyte adjustable perimeter weighting system has utilizes a 13g moveable weight to enable a neutral, draw, or fade setting. The Elyte model features a matte carbon crown, modern shape, and a chevron on the topline to inspire confidence off the tee and easy alignment.
