What's In My Bag: Danielle Kang
From 2015 to 2021, I didn’t have a club-endorsement deal, so I tested different brands. In 2021, I had 13 Titleist clubs in my bag and later became a Titleist brand ambassador. I like to be involved when it comes to my clubs, and the team at Titleist has been incredible to talk to and learn from as they created this set. —With Keely Levins
DRIVER
SPECS Titleist TSR3, 9°, Basileus Trias 50 S-Flex shaft.
This is Titleist’s most popular model on tour. It’s designed for players who have a consistent impact pattern around the center of the face. As a result, the face features a special variable-thickness pattern that emphasizes the best performance for center strikes. The TSR3 has a more compact size, but it also adds a movable weight that allows players to shift the center of gravity slightly. Yes, this helps somewhat with draw or fade preferences, but mostly it’s designed for lining up the CG with where a player is making impact. The result is better energy transfer.
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I played an 8-degree driver my whole life, but recent swing changes have changed my angle of attack by almost 4 degrees. To compensate for that, I switched to a 9-degree driver.
FAIRWAY WOODS/HYBRID
SPECS Titleist TSR2+, 14.5°, Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro White 50 R-Flex shaft; Titleist TSi3, 18°, Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White 65 R-Flex shaft.
The problem with looking for a fairway wood to serve as your alternative driver is compromising its playability off the ground. This fairway wood doesn’t stray too far from its mission as a backup club for those shorter, tighter driving holes. First, its 190-cubic-centimeter size and the deepest center of gravity of any Titleist fairway wood automatically establish stability. Its taller face also makes for a bigger trampoline for tee shots. Still, its size and easier launch make it a more effective choice than driver off the deck.
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We changed my 3-wood loft, too. I keep a 21-degree TSR3 hybrid on standby. If I’m off and can’t generate enough speed with my 4-iron, I sub in the hybrid.
IRONS
SPECS Titleist T100 (4-9-iron), Nippon NS Pro 950GH S-Flex shafts.
A proven performer has little need to make drastic changes. This does not mean the latest T100 hasn’t undergone any improvements. The dual-cavity design uses super dense D18 tungsten (which weighs about 1.5 times more than lead), allowing for precise center-of-gravity placement in each iron without sacrificing the premium forged feel and pleasing shape the T100 is known for. Engineers worked with tour pros and the grind experts in its wedge department to smooth and soften the trail edge of the sole to allow the club to move faster through the turf.
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I played the 716 CBs for seven years. I tested the T100s recently and absolutely love them. Titleist put a custom grind on each iron to create better feel through the ground. I wanted higher trajectory to get the ball to stop faster on the greens.
WEDGES
SPECS Titleist Vokey Design SM7 (44.10F, 49.08F) and SM10 (53.14F), WedgeWorks 58.06K, Nippon NS Pro 950GH S-Flex
The new SM10 line is beyond complete with plenty of options for those savvy enough to get fit for wedges. The center-of-gravity location received particular attention. The smaller profile and shorter hosel lengths (on lofts 46 to 52) help drive the CG low to make the transition from short irons easier. In the 54- through 62-degree models, the CG has moved up, forward and toward the center to promote a lower, more controlled flight. The “spin milled” grooves have been updated and when combined with a texture between the grooves increase spin by as much as 300 revolutions per minute.
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The SM7 pictured here is an older model. I play two SM7s and two of Vokey’s newest model, the SM10. The feeling I’m looking for is the ability to control the toe. Vokey’s grinds are the best for spin control. I have two 58-degree wedges, one as a gamer and one for practice, to help the grooves last longer.
PUTTER
SPECS Scotty Cameron M3 GSS Tour prototype putter, 33 inches, 3° of loft.
These traditional mallets almost clandestinely improve stability through a weight-saving sole plate and tungsten heel-and-toe sole weights. Of course, they still look like they should be displayed on velvet pillows under glass. As Cameron says, “Get the weight redistribution right without making the putter look cumbersome.” The milling pattern combines a deep mill with a second pass that trims off the peaks for softness with consistency.
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I dug into the history of putters, what Nicklaus, Snead and Jones putted with. I wanted mine to resemble a wedge, and I got to watch Scotty Cameron make this. He eyeballed the center, and I cut the alignment line. Everything about this putter is gorgeous. He’s an artist.
THE RIGHT SPIN
I tested the Pro V1x against the Pro V1 and found the spin is better with the x for me. I tend to be flat and under, so I’m looking for more spin and height.
Titleist 2023 Pro V1x Golf Balls
Titleist 2023 Pro V1x Golf Balls $55 | Dick’s Sporting Goods Buy Now SUPERSTITION
My brother, Alex, gave me a dream catcher when I was 14. I qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open and won the U.S. Women’s Am with it. It fell off, and I lost the Canadian Am by one. Now I always have one on my bag, and it has to be given by Alex.
WHOLE FOODS
I work with nutritionists to create my on-course eating plan: hard-boiled eggs for protein, dried sweet potatoes for carbs and rice cakes with cashew butter for fats.