Written by David Connor, TG Equipment Editor on Tuesday 31 January 2012
There is something endearing about a golfer who resists the temptations of sponsors and instead plays the clubs he thinks will lead him to glory – and looking in the bag of Robert Rock in Abu Dhabi it would seem he is exactly that golfer. Rock, who is well known for playing without a cap or visor, held off the challenge...
Written by David Connor, TG Equipment Editor on Monday 30 January 2012
Day Two While day one of the PGA Merchandise Show is all about hitting clubs at the demo day, days two and three are about the major manufacturers showing off by seeing who can make the most noise and essentially seeing who has the biggest stand. As you might expect, after dominating the driver market in 2011, TaylorMade were at it again...
Written by Jonathan Greathead, Senior Equipment Editor on Friday 27 January 2012
Titleist’s reputation for producing equipment for the avid golfer is well-deserved, and their better-player irons are certainly impressive. As well as the new AP2, AP1 and MB irons, the new CB irons are everything a serious golfer could want from a club. The irons, which launched in November last year, feature a small cavity with an inner cavity muscle behind the impact...
Written by Jonathan Greathead, Senior Equipment Editor on Friday 27 January 2012
Callaway may well have built its reputation on award-winning woods in the early days, but in the 21st century their irons are top notch too. As well as clubs suited to better players, Callaway manufacture sticks for those new to the game and game-improvers that are looking for distance, forgiveness and easy launching properties. The new RAZR X HL irons are very...
Written by Jon Greathead, Senior Equipment Editor on Friday 27 January 2012
Callaway’s RAZR X won our most recent TG Hybrids Test towards the back end of last year, and now a new game-improver rescue club is about to hit the market. The new RAZR X HL hybrids feature a Zero Roll design that helps to increase distance from all lies, but also helps to generate a gentler landing on the green. The centre...
Written by Jonathan Greathead, TG Senior Equipment Editor on Thursday 26 January 2012
Titleist have launched four new models of golf ball for the 2012 season, each designed to suit different skills levels and personal preferences. In addition to a new NXT Tour ball and NXT Tour S model, Titleist have also unveiled the Velocity ball and the DT SoLo. The NXT Tour first launched in 2001, but there have been many improvements since. The latest...
Written by David Connor, TG Equipment Editor on Thursday 26 January 2012
The annual PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando is where the great and the good of the golf industry meet every year to show off their new equipment for the coming season – and Today’s Golfer are here to bring you the latest news and reviews of what will be hitting the stores this year. First up is the demo day where...
Written by Jonathan Greathead, TG Senior Equipment Editor on Wednesday 25 January 2012
Winning Major Championships may be the ultimate goal for long-hitting Bubba Watson, but the American has also pledged to try and raise $1million for charities this year. As part of the “Bubba and Friends Drive it to a Million” initiative, Watson’s equipment sponsor PING will donate $300 to the cause for the first 300 drives that he launches over 300 yards in 2012.
Written by Jonathan Greathead, TG Senior Equipment Editor on Tuesday 24 January 2012
Twelve months after being purchased by Adams Golf, Yes! have announced a new line of putters for 2012 which will be unveiled at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. Each putter in the new range will feature a contrasting insert for enhanced feel, which is positioned in a precision-milled slot behind the face. The patented C-Groove technology, that Yes! is predominantly known...
Written by Jonathan Greathead, TG Senior Equipment Editor on Monday 23 January 2012
Superstar Rickie Fowler has joined the likes of Ian Poulter and Johann Edfors by signing a deal to play Cobra Golf woods and irons this year. The Californian, who signed with apparel giant PUMA in 2009, starts his season at the Farmer’s Insurance Open later this week and was clearly excited about using the new products. “I am so excited to have...
Written by Jonathan Greathead, TG Senior Equipment Editor on Monday 23 January 2012
Mark Wilson put PING’s new i20 driver and irons to good effect as he secured his fifth PGA Tour title with victory at the Humana Challenge. The American holed a 10-foot putt for birdie on the last to give him a two shot victory over John Mallinger, Johnson Wagner and Robert Garrigus. The long-hitting Garrigus had glory in his sights on the final hole,...
Written by David Connor, TG Equipment Editor on Sunday 22 January 2012
When it comes to golf balls Callaway say the key is about spin separation – low spin off the tee and high spin round the greens and the new Hex Black Tour, according to the company, offers the biggest difference of any ball they’ve ever produced. The ball is Callaway’s first five-piece golf ball construction and has been designed to offer...
Written by David Connor, TG Equipment Editor on Saturday 21 January 2012
Callaway’s new Hex Chrome golf ball has been billed by the company as a Tour-level ball for moderate swing speeds. Golfers with moderate swing speeds have often had to make a compromise somewhere in their game with the ball they play. A softer feeling ball might cost them distance off the tee while a harder ball could limit spin and feel...
Written by David Connor, TG Equipment Editor on Wednesday 18 January 2012
Callaway have released two new golf balls for 2012 including the five-piece premium Hex Black Tour and the three-piece Hex Chrome balls. Both balls feature a new proprietory thermoplastic urethane cover which Callaway say, at 0.034″, is the thinnest moulded TPU cover on the market and incredibly soft and durable. The thin cover increases greenside feel and spin according to the company...
Written by David Connor, TG Equipment Editor on Wednesday 18 January 2012
Since the change of groove rule in 2010 the design of the grooves on the face of wedges has become even more important and with the new Forged wedge for 2012, Callaway believe they have it cracked. They’ve developed a unique 21 groove pattern which features on the face of both the new Forged wedge and the current X-Series Jaws model. They say...
Written by Jonathan Greathead, TG Senior Equipment Editor on Wednesday 18 January 2012
American Keegan Bradley has signed a deal with clothing giant Tommy Hilfiger, which will see the 2011 USPGA Champion take up a role as Golf Collection Ambassador. Bradley, who was named PGA Tour Rookie of the year following his success at the Atlanta Athletic Club in the year’s final Major, will represent the brand by wearing pieces from the men’s golf collection. “I...
Written by Jonathan Greatehad, TG Senior Equipment Editor on Tuesday 17 January 2012
Englishman Ross Fisher has joined the swelling ranks of Tour professionals at Nike Golf, after he signed a multi-year contract that will see him head-to-toe in apparel, footwear and equipment. The switch to Nike Golf is the first manufacturer change in his seven years as a professional, and the four-time European Tour winner was delighted to have made the move. “Just looking...
Written by David Connor, TG Equipment Editor on Monday 16 January 2012
American Johnson Wagner is the first Tour pro to triumph using the new TaylorMade R-11s driver after winning the Sony Open just two weeks after putting it in the bag. Wagner only put the R11s into play last week at the Hyundai Tournament of Champion where he recorded a top 10 finish and told TaylorMade Tour staff that until using the new...
Written by Jonathan Greathead, TG Senior Equipment Editor on Monday 16 January 2012
ECCO has announced its new shoe line-up for 2012, with the innovative BIOM Hybrid being billed as this year’s standout product. The Danish manufacturer will also offer an updated Street shoe, as well as upgraded BIOM and Cool III models. The BIOM Hybrid combines the outsole from the Street shoe with the Natural Motion technology that featured in the original BIOM that launched last...
Written by Jonathan Greathead, TG Senior Equipment Editor on Monday 16 January 2012
Two-time European Tour winner Steve Webster has extended his deal with Wilson Staff, and will use the brand’s FG Tour irons. In addition to his two Tour titles at the Italia Open (2005) and the Portugal Masters (2007), the 36-year-old was also the man who beat Tiger Woods to the Silver Medal at the 1995 Open Championship at St Andrews. “We are...