"SPIN = CONTROL!" What's In The Bag? | Rocco Mediate

This what's in the bag video features Rocco Mediate, a 6-time PGA Tour winner, 4-time PGA Tour Champions winner, and runner-up at the 2008 US Open. Rocco remains one of the best golfers in the world and takes a unique approach to the equipment in his bag.
In this video, 2nd Swing's Drew Mahowald chats with Rocco Mediate about what's in the bag and why Rocco chose each particular club in his bag. The discussion also focuses on some of the unique specs and tweaks Rocco has made to his clubs.
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[@kakimotoK20]

This is the best WITB I’ve ever seen. Rocco is super cool, thank you 2nd Swing for making this happen. More in the future 👍👍

[@2ndswing]

More in the future indeed !

[@tyblack8337]

Rocco’s a legend. Legitimately at the top of my list of someone to hang out with and play a round of golf. Just seems like a genuine person. Such great information here!

[@Gays4Trump]

Always loved his amazing child bearing hips! One of the best battles with Tiger all time!

[@2ndswing]

Was great to have him! Thanks for watching...we'll make some more stuff happen in the future !

[@joshualeesman435]

Yeah this is actually one of the best WITB's I've ever watched. Takes a unique tour pro to be able to know his gear so well and explain the reasoning so well. Would definitely watch any and all of these with Tour pros

[@2ndswing]

Rocco gets DIALED in with his equipment!

[@jaychu3850]

Rocco could easily be an on course announcer or even in the booth!

[@2ndswing]

Just spews golf knowledge all the time...it's awesome!

[@industrialpalletworx3548]

That 8 iron shaft in wedges is a "tour secret". It's been done for years now, like 30 plus. Gives you the ability to spin it more.

[@ghylock1]

Great stuff from Rocco! Whenever I see Rocco I think about the 2002 US Open at Bethpage. He was teeing off on the first hole and the announcer said something like, "Something tells me this isn't the first guy named Rocco to play this course."

[@sheckii]

I played college golf in 2010-2013, and it was still an 8-iron is 155 yards type of thing. We always looked for enough spin for control and not everyone used 60 and 58 was enough. It’s refreshing to hear Rocco talk about spin is control because the gamification of numbers force players to do comparisons vs playability in different grasses and lies. And that is where spin is so so key. Truly a legend. Loved his humble approach to golf. This content was cool because it was purely about equipment reasoning vs a promotion of a tech.

[@peter_d_73]

This was cool. Rocco's a living legend. I'm not sure if he has, but he should have his own KZbin channel to hear more stories. Love to see him on Bryson's channel having a round of golf and talking about the short game and putter game.

[@josephsoto727]

Love this!! Really interesting to hear it straight from the player on why they play certain clubs rather than just seeing what they're using. Also nice to see not every tour player playing blades and driving irons

[@2ndswing]

Rocco knows what he needs and knows how important the different tech and specs are!

[@mishellgagnon5771]

Now there's a guy who knows his trade. SUPER INTERESTING! Thanks Rocco for keeping us to date and YES.. SPIN is CONTROL( I'll remmeber).

[@stephendibari5010]

Love Rocco, this WITB is awesome ! So much playing common sense with all his years of experience... great dude. Interesting his 56 wedge is highest wedge. Lee Trevino said the same thing when i saw him at a Senior tour event in Long Island back in 1997-98. He was around the practice green chipping and I asked if he was using a 60 deg. wedge, he turned to me said he doesn’t carry a 60 deg and opened up the 56 and said i can make this into a 60 !

[@2ndswing]

True!!

[@madmartigan3921]

I've been watching witb videos for years, this is my favorite.

[@mangelo635]

I could sit with Rocco and listen to his knowledge drop for hours, would love to have a few beers with him and hear stories from his career. And new equipment is not always the best every year.

[@industrialpalletworx3548]

The one question I have for him is. A few years back maybe 10 or 15 years now, he was doing some announcing. He described a pitch shot the players were going to be hitting into greens that week. He called it a fenjuiceler or something like that. I want to know what that shot is and how to hit it. It's a low spinning wedge shot, but it was cool as all get out to hear him describe it.

[@duncanajpv8]

Proper gear head, fascinating stuff 👍

[@moritzbunger9447]

Absolute legend. Nothing more to say, really.

[@drewgwins6073]

This was the MOST informative and real conversation about what's in the bag. He was all about control. Love it!! I'll have to try the 8 iron shaft in the wedge thing.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

“Spinner” shafts have been the master club builder tool for decades. Most oem’s are fitting ‘spinner’ shafts in their wedges stock these days.

[@2ndswing]

Was something I had never heard of, but apparently it's a popular way to make the wedge a little softer for short game shots! - Drew

[@Handletaken4]

I think MSG did this on one video

[@dougie6897]

Rocco has amazing knowledge on club specifications, club characteristics and club design….what a splendid WITB interview!!

[@kenolson9943]

Thanks for your time, Rocco!

[@billwallenstein3387]

That was awesome! “Soft sand wedges and spin is control”

[@cwugrad396]

wow incredibly insightful. and i love he uses what works for him. rather than sticking to one company. hope he does well next year

[@azdbuk]

Love Rocco, an actual personality, and epic golfer. One of my favorite moments on course in person was 2008 US Open day 4. And he is a Rush fan to boot. I suppose I am getting old, I am seeing less and less personalities on tour. This, VJ, and Jimenez are my favorite WTB's.

[@bigbluemsp]

A friend of mine used to Caddie for Rocco. Got to meet him, and he's just a great guy. Laid back but a machine when it comes to routine.

[@anthonycsimmons7215]

Absolutely the best WITB i have ever seen on U-Tube, complete explanation of all of the questions that you would ever want to ask a touring pro. Thanks again.

[@stephenkujan]

I was just surprised that Rocco needs a extra stiff shaft to draw the ball. Perhaps this applies to his unique swing. Maybe he over-draws if the shaft is too soft. For me if the shaft is too stiff I have trouble squaring the face.

[@2ndswing]

Interesting isn't it?? It all depends on the swing tempo and the transition at the top. A quicker transition can result in the clubhead lagging behind with a more flexible shaft, resulting in an open face.

[@Jaxdog309]

Rocco one of my all time favs

[@danamcqueen6982]

Rocco is the best, really enjoy hearing his thoughts on golf. He should be on TV instead of all the boring talking heads we deal with week to week.

[@tomdelia]

Rocco is one of a kind…..always an interesting guy

[@2ndswing]

You bet!

[@shotsavior1236]

Good job Rocco (and Drew). As an old-schooler myself, I'm always telling the young guys that they're low spinning themselves into higher scores.

[@everardogolf]

Great video! Enjoy listening to Rocco

[@batman48195]

Great video. It’d be cool if you put him on the launch monitor to see what kind of clubhead speeds he generates to understand how those extra stiff shafts perform.

[@ryandavidtrapasso]

I was hoping this was gonna happen after seeing Larry a few times on roc’s instagram. Heck yes

[@2ndswing]

Rocco spends a lot of time with Larry at 2nd Swing getting dialed in. Talk about a couple of guys with golf knowledge...

[@jimfarrell7196]

I always enjoy listening to Rocco. He's a bit of a character for sure.

[@austinmeehan3522]

Rocco knows his bag inside and out

[@2ndswing]

Indeed!

[@charlieboylol527]

Rocco is a great guy ,brilliant pro ,thanks 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏

[@wallstreetoneil]

So awesome - he said something I've known about shafts in a way but Rocco expressed it exactly - that's if you want to draw the driver, you absolutely want a more than stiff shaft - and in fact, I borrowed a guy's Callaway *** 10-degree Rogue ST LS driver with this exact 7X TR Black shaft - it shocked me it was so easy to hit - I have a HZRDUS im10 6.5X - but that Ventus so so much better. I play Tensei White Pro TX in my hybrid & it absolutely make draws controllable. That's basically the Tiger-grind he uses on his wedges - lots of bounce in the middle and then zero in the toe & heal - perfect for better players - and also what I use for my 52&58 - now have to find a way to make my 47 have that grind

[@jeffreylove8061]

Big fan Rocco! Grew up in Mt. Pleasant, Pa, just a few miles from Greensburg, Pa where you made your name. You and Mike Nicolette were an inspiration to me!

[@rptucker3871]

One of my top 3 favorite golfers along with Cory Pavin and Fred Couples. I used Callaway irons because Rocco did. I now have Ping i230 irons that's just coincidence. I use stiffer shafts than people tell me to use and I've been using the Ping G400 driver for 4 years or whatever time it's been out. I'm not long but I hit fairways and greens and beat all of my golf buddies on a regular basis. I just love Rocco though. He is the coolest freakin guy on tour.

[@2ndswing]

He's awesome! And what a coincidence that is...i230s might be in my bag for 2023 too! - Drew

[@georgefettersjr.2238]

They're supposed to be a club for the guy who cares that the 4-iron goes 196, and not 198 or 194. And isn't trying to make it go 215. The previous generation i210 is that kind of club, in my experience.

[@dougcoull4484]

Very interesting chat with Rocco seems a great guy and blew a few myths away 👍

[@martinwilliams4759]

Wow so much information great bag

[@user-cd6fd5wh6q]

I like Rocco! Pretty nice comments regarding Artisan Golf. No argument from me regarding the playing logic on his wedges and how he has them setup for his game.

[@dlicious2020]

Rocco has always been a class act!

[@ryanlynn328]

This is a great video. Really good stuff from Rocco here!

[@russellkempe3231]

Rocco is awesome and so is 2nd Swing.

[@mikecarpenter8918]

3 nuggets of knowledge and I'm only 2 minutes in.

[@JasonNortwich]

This guy is awesome (Rocco), great video!!!

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

Love the spin=control. I always target 2500 +/-100 on my driver. My master club fitter has folks come into his studio, paying $350/fitting session, yet they demand 50 yds behind my drives despite most being 15-20 years my junior.

[@georgefettersjr.2238]

Low spin may make sense, but it has to be paired with higher launch, not lower. And in dropping spin, as Mediate repeatedly said, they're dropping control. Kind of silly to pay an expert fitter that kind of money, and then start arguing with them.

[@robvu977]

Great vid. Keep them coming!

[@robertfarnese2921]

I loved when Rocco went toe to toe with Tiger ….. Rocco seems super chill …. Best of luck in 2023

[@77bovi]

Awesome vid. Learnt so much, especially the wedges and the shafts in them. Been thinking about my wedge setup recently. Wanna know more what he meant 0, 0 bounce in heel and toe, I couldnt see the difference. Does it also mean he has to play the face square to get bounce in the sand?

[@pipebliss]

It's like a C grind with the heel and toe grinded away. When hitting from the bunker you are laying the club almost on its back so it doesn't matter much. Most tour pros are entering the sand with the heel.

[@emiliojesena1800]

Went to the 2008 US Open. Yes, where he almost made history going to a playoff with Tiger Woods. Got my 15 seconds of fame on TV when Rocco teed off on the 9th hole in the third round. I was on the swing analysis by Johnny Miller.

[@johnbaranco7438]

Great video!! More of these with top players (if possible).

[@eugenedizon48]

Loft and lie machine is on my bucket list!

[@jefffalva]

More Rocco!!!!

[@melabshier5812]

Loved it. 👍

[@billsimard4317]

Awesome stuff here 🤙 Keep up the good videos guys !!

[@awesomebillfromdawsonville8715]

👍 one off my favorite golfers

[@markushayes]

Watched Rocco hole out a bunker shot on 17 at Harbor Shores infront of a packed house to win the Senior PGA. Insane moment!

[@2ndswing]

Unreal!

[@markl577]

So if you play regular flex in your irons, what should the flex be in your wedges? Most off the rack wedges come in a stiff/wedge flex. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@deepee1544]

Love Rocco!!!

[@nickl451]

best vid! wish you had him in the simulator hitting some shots too lol

[@MarkyCannoli]

Very interesting interview

[@kuensu8109]

Great info!!!

[@kyleericson9777]

I know Hovland is still playing an entire i210 setup, but of course that may change in 2023.

[@josephhaller8321]

Rocco is great for golf😊

[@AllOutOfEnemies1]

I had no business learning that much from a WITB

[@matthew.dehaven]

Guess i need new wedge shafts! lol. I was told at my fitting (not y'all) that i should play the same shaft throughout.

[@lkae4]

Horrible advice. Wow. I've seen zero pros with the same shafts in the wedges. Zero.

[@-ram-m2664]

yeah, I could never understand that. You certainly don't swing a wedge like a long iron. However, I have had some success with the heavier but softer shaft in the shorter clubs.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

@@-ram-m2664 Most will fit heavier shafts in wedges, especially if they play low mass iron shafts. If you’re playing a 125-130g iron shaft, adding counterbalance mass is commonplace in wedges, unless you are ok with dramatic swingweight changes from iron-wedge. Many touring pros and skilled amateurs play same model shaft in wedges as irons. Very common to step down in stiffness and do a ‘spinner’ build on the wedges. For example an X100 Tour Issue irons player will often play an S400 shafted wedge with ‘spinner’ profile.

[@jkim8282]

He's the only player to have lost to the championship to TW and yet won the hearts of everyone.

[@josephsaraceno2734]

very informative

[@okolekahuna3862]

He makes a good point about bounce.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

It’s the only item I disagree with him on. Then again, as a touring pro he’s playing highly manicured courses, even rough is freshly mown each day to the prescribed height. The traps are deep, fine, fluffy sand. Even a full shot PW is typically from a fairway but there’s a nice 3/4-1” cushion from the perfectly mown grass. For me, and many of us I suspect, our greens are mown and rolled daily but the traps are re-filled and groomed monthly, rough mowed weekly at best and fairways mowed every 2-3 days. Even though my home course is an expensive private club, members rarely fill their divots and tight lies w/barren patches with wedges are commonplace. If you’re fortunate enough to play under professional conditions, bounce is your best friend. If your conditions involve tight, skinny lies and firm, barren bunkers, having a low bounce wedge in your bag is extremely beneficial.

[@TG-821]

Awesome video

[@lancestokes6063]

What was his driver length?

[@mattspitzer4996]

you should have Rocco more often

[@danielfrancoeur8345]

Before I even started the video, I saw the title with Rocco. I said to myself: Oh boy, that will be interesthing. And I was rigth

[@greythekid8955]

Love the skull and cross bones.

[@adamvlassis4090]

Did Rocco try a newer ping and not like it? I recently bought a ping g425 w ventus black 7x from 2ndswing and it has a “Rocco” grip on it.

[@2ndswing]

It very well could be his! For years he has been testing different drivers to see if they can beat his G400. So far, nothing has beat it since he wants that extra spin.

[@lifesaver3499]

very interesting...thanks..isnt artisan by a former hogan guy in fort worth?...ps !ost imterestimg part...no higher than 56...also notice he said he buys the clubs

[@TheNuscas]

What do tour pros do with these wedges they are ditching every few weeks?

[@rlhotka]

What was Rocco doing in MN?

[@zazhou]

Would have been great if Rocco showed us his putting stroke á la Bryson!

[@dbeasleyphx]

I walked with Phil Mickelson and Rocco Mediate at the Tucson open at Star Pass. Phil and Rocco were hitting 300 yard bombs. Phil won that tournament as an amateur and kicked off his career right.

[@jgonz69]

I used to have a house by the original 8th hole (original 18 hole layout) and walked it with Sluman, Duval and Furyk. Walked with Duval when he was using his surveyor wheel to get yardages. Old School!

[@ericzellershow]

8iron x100 shaft cut down for the sand wedge: mobile club repair YT channel guy says this gives lower flight more spin.

[@John_Wood_]

Ball?

[@Kyle-0262]

I like how Rocco is like a rifleman. He knows the exact specs of his weapons!

[@lawbinson]

Is Rocco fitted by Larry?

[@2ndswing]

Rocco spends a lot of time with Larry at 2nd Swing getting tuned up. Most of the time it's subtle tweaks to his gamers rather than new models

[@robertbogdan7058]

You forgot one thing. What brand of cigar?

[@2ndswing]

😂

[@colonelangus3826]

So many pros are so vanilla and lack personality. Rocco is not one of them. Rocco is awesome.

[@judd8750]

Its interesting, I would think a very stiff and heavy shaft would be harder to turn over for a draw? Hmmm

[@Tom-ok2rh]

Funny I always thought that too that too stiff of a shaft would make you hit it dead right because most of us don’t have enough speed to square up the face at impact…maybe that’s why the pros are good and we suck?😂😂

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

It’s not about “turning over” the club. If you’re on plane, swinging from 4* (+/-1*) inside path, hitting draw is natural. The issue is the stiffer profile shaft he’s using is extremely tip stiff/stable. He’s eliminating shaft droop and improving impact consistency. Of course he’s far more consistent at impact than most any amateur. I would suggest for most amateur’s, the Ventus Blue Velocore, or similar is better option. The softer mid-section of Blue profile improves feel and will allow better loading for an amateur with more pedestrian swing speed. The point to be made is the more stable tip provides opportunity for more consistent impact delivery.

[@Tom-ok2rh]

@@MichaelM-to4sg I actually have each one of the Ventus Velocore in various drivers. Red, Blue and Black but only in stiff not extra stiff..I have tried extra stiff before and hit it well but I figured I was only kidding myself thinking I need an extra stiff. I can maybe hit 100-105 club head speed tops is all. I might try an extra stiff next time and give it a go.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

@@Tom-ok2rh I’m a little faster SS, 108-110 w/44.5” driver. I play a Speeder NX 50X. I prefer lighter driver shaft, due in part to resultant swingweight and feel. I didn’t like the Ventus Blue 5S, the 6X & TX versions feel wooden compared to the Speeder NX. I’m honestly not a fan of Ventus wood shafts, I demoed the Blue TR 6TX in my TSi3 3-wood, again preferring the Dismante TB60x and Speeder NX 60X. Perhaps strangely I love the Ventus Blue HB 9X in my Srixon U85 19* & 22* irons. At your club speed, I’d think the black profile would produce too low launch. But that’s the problem with EI profiles and choosing shafts based on tour player usage. The Ventus is the most popular wood shaft on tour. The black profile should be perfect for my delivered loft, lie and swingspeed. I demoed the 6X black, consistently produced 10.4* launch and 2350 spin. Those are much too low for me. The Blue was much better fit, I just hated the feel compared to Speeder NX and Diamana TB. The Ventus Red was strangest of all. It was a very high 14.6* launch but slightly lower (2450) spin than Blue. The red also felt really noodly despite 6X flex. The lesson I suppose is never assume a result based on EI or tour prevalence. Get a professional fitting, particularly when spending $400 for a single shaft.

[@The559Jeff]

Did he say 6 ounces of hot melt in the heel? Holy sheet! that’s like a tube of toothpaste! 😂😂😂

[@biggregg5]

I don't know if I love this or hate this. There seems to be about as many opinions on golf club set-up by professionals as there are possibilities by the experts....sort of like how to swing the club. Instead of clarity, it's mud.

[@Teadrinker710]

Does anyone know about the stickers or where to get them? I have 3 on a shaft I bought and would love to match up the rest of the set

[@smaller_than_small9433]

Golfdotz

[@Teadrinker710]

@@smaller_than_small9433 thank you!!!!!!!!!

[@gerrymcintosh4477]

My clubs are all wrong. No wonder I can’t hit them. Need to get me new clubs. 🤭🤔🤗.

[@2ndswing]

We know a place...

[@jakephelps4766]

Feel free to correct me but I feel like Rocco isn't correct when he says a stiffer shaft helps promote a draw....always been told it's the opposite

[@NewJerusalem77]

For a pro, regular flex leaves the clubhead way behind with the face open. It's like swinging a clubhead on a rope to them. They would lag it too much. For an amateur who usually casts the club, it may have more of a left tendency. I've played regular or stiff my whole life. Switched to extra stiff last year. Best decision I ever made. I always blamed my swing or even the clubheads. But, extra stiff straightened my ball flight more than any club or swing change. It's my golf secret.

[@pipebliss]

Roxx is the man. He's a master with the 56 wedge.

[@judd8750]

Love your products!

[@pipebliss]

@@judd8750 thank you ❤️

[@zacharymilos392]

What s legend!!!

[@lawbinson]

When you hear players like Rocco, Langer, Adam Scott, and others wanting offset, I wonder if it makes every regular joe complaining whenever a club doesn’t have 0 offset is barking up the wrong tree. It is ultimately personal preference. I wonder if we’ll see any i230 players keeping the i210 long irons in the bag.

[@wanderdude3582]

wow legend

[@CraigalFun]

I've never heard " tge stuffer the shaft, the easier to turn iver". I'd have said the opposite was true

[@TrotGolfer]

I like Rocco but if stiff means spin why did he soften his 56…

[@roadtoscratchgolf3481]

Wisdom from a player that is on tour. Play the clubs that work best for you, no matter the brand.

[@Handletaken4]

Let's face it. RM could grab any iron set, putter, wedges and woods from a 2nd Swing and shoot 65 at the local muni.