Erik van Rooyen has long been one of golf’s most distinctive figures—not just for his fashion-forward look, but for a game that travels across continents. The 34-year-old South African is a two-time PGA Tour winner with a résumé that includes victories in Europe, Africa, and North America. As of 2025, he’s grinding to regain form after an up-and-down season. He notched a top-10 finish at the Cognizant Classic earlier this year but missed the cut at both The Players and the PGA Championship.
Still, van Rooyen remains a dangerous player every time he tees it up. Known for his fluid swing and cool demeanor, he’s currently ranked 130th in the FedEx Cup and 101st in the Official World Golf Ranking. With a mix of consistency and explosiveness, van Rooyen is always capable of making a run on any given week. That ability is underpinned by one of the most dialed-in setups on tour. Here’s a look at the gear powering his 2025 season.
Van Rooyen’s long game: Blending distance and control with elite shafts
Van Rooyen has never been one to chase distance for its own sake. Instead, he’s relied on equipment that lets him control his trajectory and shape shots while still generating plenty of power. His driver of choice is the Callaway Elyte (10.5 degrees, adjusted to 9.5°), paired with a premium Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60 TX shaft. This low-launch, low-spin combo—retailing at $599.99—suits van Rooyen’s preference for penetrating drives with tight dispersion. The Elyte is a tour-only head, offering compact shaping and precision favored by elite players.
Scottie Scheffler holds an eight-stroke lead over Erik van Rooyen and Adam Schenk at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
Marks 15th career 54-hole lead/co-lead in individual stroke-play events on TOUR; 8-for-14 to date converting to victory.
Results with the 54-hole lead/co-lead on TOUR: pic.twitter.com/J9OUMH1GH4
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) May 4, 2025
Rather than carrying a traditional 3-wood, van Rooyen opts for the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Ti 340 Mini Driver (13.5°), which gives him a reliable option off the tee or deck. It’s fitted with a Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX shaft—another high-end option at $449.99—that promotes stability and tight shot patterns. This club bridges the gap between driver and fairway wood, giving van Rooyen the versatility to play aggressive lines or shape tee shots on positional holes.
He rounds out the top of the bag with a Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond 5-wood (18°), featuring the Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X shaft. At $599.99, it’s a staple among tour players for its mix of speed, forgiveness, and flight control. The 5-wood gives van Rooyen another reliable option into par-5s or long par-4s, especially on softer setups where height into greens is crucial.
His long iron setup starts with a Callaway X Forged UT (21°) utility iron equipped with a Graphite Design Tour AD DI 95 X shaft—retailing at $249.99. This club offers a blend of workability and distance, acting as a bridge between his fairway woods and his traditional irons.
Erik van Rooyen’s short game: Tour-level feel from tee to green
For his scoring clubs, van Rooyen carries a unique combo of Callaway Apex Pro (4) and Callaway Apex TCB (5–10) irons. This progressive iron setup allows him to transition seamlessly from longer, more forgiving irons to compact player blades with increased feel. The 4-iron setup costs $1,305.00, while the TCBs run $1,505.00 for the rest of the set. Each is shafted with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue 120 X100s, the gold standard for tour-level control and consistency.
In the wedge game, van Rooyen relies on three Callaway Opus wedges: 50° (10S), 56° (12S), and 60° (08C). These milled wedges offer a soft feel and consistent spin, with precise grinds tailored for a variety of conditions. Each wedge retails at $179.99 and features the same Dynamic Gold Tour Issue 120 X100 shafts as his irons—ensuring consistent weight, flex, and feel throughout his set.
On the greens, van Rooyen putts with an Odyssey Toulon Design San Diego, priced at $599.99. This classic blade-style putter features premium milling and deep CG placement for optimal roll and feedback. The Toulon San Diego has become a staple in his bag thanks to its traditional shaping and trusted performance in pressure moments—ideal for a player who thrives on rhythm and confidence.
His grips are Golf Pride Tour Velvet, the most-used grip on professional tours worldwide, and a value at just $6.49 apiece. They provide van Rooyen with the familiar traction and feedback he needs, especially under pressure. The ball of choice? The Callaway Chrome Tour, priced at $164.99 per dozen. Designed for elite performance across all phases of the game, it offers van Rooyen the spin, control, and carry distance required to compete on the toughest tracks. It’s a premium ball engineered for tour-level consistency—exactly what van Rooyen demands in his pursuit of another win.
With an equipment setup built around feel, control, and subtle flair, Erik van Rooyen continues to make his mark as one of the game’s most interesting players. Whether he’s dialing in an approach with his Apex TCB irons or carving a tee shot with his mini driver, van Rooyen blends artistry and precision in a way few others do. His 2025 bag is a reflection of a player who knows exactly what he wants and isn’t afraid to stand out while chasing it.
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