PGA Tour professional Sahith Theegala has taken an unconventional approach to overcoming mental blocks with certain clubs, working with Ping to create custom numbering that includes an “eight-plus” iron and an 11-iron—modifications no other tour player currently employs.
The customization stems from Theegala’s struggles with his 7-iron during the 2024 FedEx Cup playoffs, where he hit six errant shots with the club over a two-week span, according to a Golf on CBS TikTok report.
“Sahith came to us a few months ago and said he’s having a hard time hitting his seven-iron,” a Golf on CBS reporter explained. “He was tired of looking at the number seven on the sole. He needed something completely different to change up the mojo.”
The Modification Process
At Theegala’s request during the BMW Championship in 2024, Ping’s custom shop welded over the “7” marking on his iron and shaved down the excess metal. The company then screen-printed an “8” on the sole, creating what Theegala calls his “ocho club” or “eight-plus” iron.
To maintain proper club balance after the modification, Ping technicians added lead tape to the back of the club. Critically, the club retains the same loft and lie specifications as Theegala’s original 7-iron—only the numbering has changed.
“Now it’s the same loft and lie as his standard seven-iron specs have always been, but it says eight-iron instead of seven-iron,” the reporter noted.
Mental Approach
Speaking to GolfWRX.com in September 2024, Theegala acknowledged the psychological nature of his aversion to the club.
“Just straight vibes,” Theegala said. “Just wasn’t doing it with the seven-iron. You can ask this guy (caddie Carl Smith). It’s been my least favorite club in my bag, probably my whole life. I’m like, I’m done. I chunked it, like, four times at Memphis and Colorado combined, hit it in the water, probably six times total in two weeks, and I’m finally like, alright, I’m over it.”
The modification proved immediately effective. After implementing the change, Theegala reported positive results at the Tour Championship, where he finished in a tie for third place.
“Changed to the seven with the number shaved off and a different font eight on it. So it’s worked out. It’s one-for-one so far. I hit it nice at the Tour Championship,” Theegala said.
The 11-Iron Addition
Theegala extended the customization approach to his pitching wedge, which he similarly found problematic. Using the same welding and reprinting process, Ping removed the “W” designation and replaced it with “11” at Theegala’s direction.
“He was having the same issue,” the Golf on CBS reporter said. “He didn’t really like the pitching wedge either. So we did the same thing. Filled in the ‘W,’ shaved it down. We asked him what to put on the bottom. He said ‘You know I’ve seen a 10-iron out there, but no one has an eleven, so print 11.'”
As a result, Theegala’s iron set features an unconventional progression: 4, 5, 6, 8, 8, 9, and 11.
When asked about his preference for certain numbers, Theegala offered little explanation beyond intuition. “I’m not sure. I’ve just never really loved number 7,” he told GolfWRX.com
