Seems to be a hot topic on Instagram these days. In 2024 I found a TSR1 23 fairway that I dialed in with an x5ct 72g S set to 40.5". It also worked with a Diamana 70 and a Tensei 65R at 41". It actually got the same distance as my 910F 7 wood that I've kept since 2019. I traded it in last year (like a fool) because I got pretty confident with a TSi1 23 hybrid.
Before I get to the next part ... history... when I broke 80 for the first time in 2013, had a Callie Steelhead 9 wood paired with a 910F 19 fairway. I've also played the Divine 9 and a couple TM. I went to a 910F 21 in 2014 or so and it, with a 910H 27, were a staple. The issue with Callies is the lie angle is a bit flat. After enough experimenting between 2017-2019 with 913F and 915F fairways, went back to 910F 21. 816H1 and it were a staple until 2024 (when I went to a TSR2 5 wood to cover the 9 wood gap).
Now the "present"... my fitter did a tweak on a shaft that started on my GT-280 and now is on my 5 wood (the GT-280 hits better with an Aldila 55). He tipped it 3/4" and the length is 41.75 and now I smoke the TSR2 and it is pretty easy to work and it completely blew the GT2 21 fairway away. Also replaced the TSi1 23 with a TSR1 26 (with the proper shaft length of 39.5").
Needless to say, I saw a GT1 24 fairway that I saw in the used bin at Golf Mart. I had the intention of returning the GT2 7 wood so I jumped on the 9 wood. The stock 40g shaft came in at C7 swing weight. I just so happened to have a Motore 65R that I had used on the TSR2 18 and attempted (after cutting 1/2") on the GT2 21 (which had a Bassara E55R at the time of trade in; it also worked on the TSR2, which was a little more clean off the deck). The Motore shaft, with a 9g headweight aft and 5g headweight forward, was literally a "match made in heaven" on the 24*
The GT1 24 is almost impossible to mis-hit and I'm using the A2 Surefit setting. It and the TSR2 18 fairway (at D3) are a formidable combo.
My thumbnail doesn't show the 8 iron and 48-10F. Can't upload images because of a "rate exceeded" error.
How many here play a 9 wood regularly?
The ladies had it right for ages. A few on the LPGA (notably Morgan Pressel and Michelle Wie) have been using them.
Gary Player praised 9 woods on "Playing Lessons From The Pros" about 15 years ago and stated he could have won the Masters a few more times had he had one in the bag.
50+ years ago Lee Trevino told golfers "Get Ya a 6 wood" and stated the same thing about winning more. For the record, I picked up a persimmon 6 wood about a year ago on eBay. It and the TSR1 23 fairway got the same distance.... lol.