Archive for April, 2011

Adams Golf Intros Idea Pro a12 Hybrids & Forged Iron sets

by Annie Latham on April 28, 2011 in Adams, Hybrids, Irons with No comments

Adams Golf just introduced their new Idea Pro a12 hybrids and forged iron sets. Engineered to meet the standards of better players, the premium hybrids deliver tour-preferred launch conditions, enhanced playability and a sleek black finish. The superior forged iron set (4-GW) produces exceptional feel and performance on every shot with precisely located centers of gravity and ultra thin faces born from a triple milling process.

Per their announcement, Idea hybrids are ranked as the most-played on the PGA, Champions and Nationwide Tours. Thousands of Idea hybrids have been put into play on tour since their introduction in 2003. The Pro a12 is already in the bags of several players, including Adams Golf staff members Tom Watson and Ryan Moore. An Idea Pro a12 hybrid was also in the bag of the winner of the 2011 Heritage tournament.

The Idea Pro a12 hybrids begin shipping to golf shops May 5 with a suggested retail price (SRP) of $299.99.

For the Idea Pro a12 Forged Irons (4-GW), their forged 8620 carbon steel head construction provides “outstanding control, performance and feedback for the lower-handicap golfer and appeals to better players with a thin top line and improved camber on the sole.” Each head is triple milled (on the face, grooves and cavity) for more exacting performance from club to club. A precisely located low center of gravity and progressive heel to toe weighting provides added stability in the long irons and more workability in the short irons and wedges. The progressive offset through the entire set offers better players superior control and workability of their ball flight.

The irons sets are available right-handed in regular, stiff and x-stiff flexes and begin shipping to golf shops May 5 with a SRP of $1,099.99 for graphite and $899.99 for steel.

Source: Adams Golf

###

Boccieri’s Bronze And Tour Series Heavy Putter Models Now Available Nationwide

by Annie Latham on April 27, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Putters with 1 Comment

Boccieri Golf just announced the expansion of its award-winning, Tour-proven Heavy Putter line to include the innovative Bronze and Tour Series collections, which are now available at select retailers and online at www.boccierigolf.com.

A premium CNC milled offering in a bright silver PVD finish, the Tour Series is available in a traditional offset blade (Q2-MT) and new half-mallet (R3-MT). Retailing for just $199.99, the putters offer all the feel and feedback associated with high-end millings at an affordable price.

Featuring four of Boccieri Golf’s most sought-after models – the H1-M, K4-M, L3-M and Q2-M – the Bronze series includes two blades and two mallets. Each showcases a distinctive black nickel finish and retails for $119.99.

Now for a clarification. ALL Boccieri putters are “Heavy.” But there are variants ranging from Lite-Weight to Mid-Weight Black to Mid-Weight Bronze, Mid-Weight Tour, and THEN Heavy Weight. Got that??

###

Case Closed: Callaway Loses Patent Fight Over Pro V1 Ball

by Annie Latham on April 26, 2011 in News, Callaway, Golf Balls, Titleist with No comments

Acushnet Co, the parent company of Titleist, said it has won a long-running patent battle with Carlsbad-based Callaway Golf over the popular Pro V1 golf ball. On Thursday, a U.S. District Judge in Delaware denied Callaway’s request for a new trial and officially closed the five-year-old case.

Callaway sued Acushnet, claiming that the Pro V1 violated four Callaway patents (these came from Callaway purchase of the Top Flite golf ball business from a bankrupt Spalding in 2003). Though initially, Callaway was victorious (partially) with the possibility of collecting nearly a quarter million dollars from past sales of Pro V1 balls, Acushnet appealed. Last year, a jury ruled that the four patents were invalid because they were not new. Callaway fought the ruling but was ultimately unsuccessful.

The Pro V1 ranks as the most popular high-performance ball in golf. An interesting point that probably worked to Acushnet’s favor was that the company introduced the Pro V1 ball to professional players in 2000 — well before before the patents in question were issued in 2001 and 2003.

###

Oakley’s “Rolling O” Heading to Huge Golf Expo in Sacramento

by Annie Latham on April 24, 2011 in News, Accessories with No comments

We got a sneak peek of the Oakley Monster Truck. Dubbed the Rolling O, it is a demo mobile that got to Sacramento a week early.

From Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1, 2011, the Oakley Rolling “O” Eyewear Lab will be at the Haggin Oaks Golf Expo to educate attendees about the technology behind Oakley’s eyewear.

Per the Expo’s website:

Get educated across the globe. Listen up and learn the stories and facts behind Oakley’s groundbreaking technology. Experience a self-contained 40-foot motor coach with front row seats at major sporting venues. Discover the truth about today’s eyewear marketplace of ideas at the Oakley HDO® Demo Tour. Not all sunglasses are created equal —they’re taking science to the streets to show you why.

For more information on all of the events during America’s Largest Demo Days, go to www.HagginOaksGolfExpo.com.

Wish we could have gotten inside for a preview.

Nike Method 002 Putter: Photo Gallery

by James on April 24, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Nike Golf, Putters with No comments

To say I’m impressed with the Nike Method 002 putter would be an understatement. I’ve had the good fortune of spending some time with this superb putter over the past few weeks… and it is, in a word, stellar.

While my review is forthcoming, in the meantime I wanted to share a quick photo gallery for you to take in. The lines on the club are clean, and setup to the ball is extremely square and comfortable. When I place the Nike Method 002 down behind the ball, I immediately feel lined up, ready to make a confident stroke.

That said, I’m going to cut myself well short here because I could ramble on and on and on about this putter… I’ll save it for the official review. Enjoy the photo gallery below.

Nike Method 002 Putter Photo Gallery

Note: A quick thanks to Tim and Victoria over at Nike Golf for sending the 002 our way.

PETCO Park Adds TaylorMade R11 Driver Foul Pole

by Annie Latham on April 22, 2011 in News, Golf Equipment, Drivers, TaylorMade with No comments

TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Company and the San Diego Padres just unveiled an 80-foot tall R11 driver foul pole in right field at PETCO Park as part of an innovative partnership agreement to extend through the 2013 season.

Weighing 950 pounds, the all-aluminum structure runs parallel with the existing foul pole structure, while the 14-foot wide by 8-foot tall image of the R11 clubhead is positioned on the fence in the corner of right field.

The weather- and impact-resistant grip was custom rolled out of .90″ aluminum, welded into a taper shaping and then given a vehicle, textured, bed lining coating to give it a rubber look.

It took 3 days and a total of 250 man hours to install. The R11 foul pole structure is the first of its kind in Major League Baseball.

###

Ready for Some Fast Golf?

by Annie Latham on April 22, 2011 in News, Courses with No comments

Is a dream round of golf for you one that lasts well under 4 hours? If so, then you might want to check out the Angel Park Golf Club, a busy 36-hole facility in Las Vegas.

According to GolfWeek’s Martin Kaufmann, the Express Lane fast-play program being run on Saturday mornings there requires players to sign a pledge agreeing to play in 3 hours, 45 minutes or less. Angel Park’s staff reserves the right to make groups skip holes or move to the other course if they’re not maintaining the proper pace.

Greg Brockelman, Angel Park’s director of golf noted that golfers are actually averaging less than 3:30, and the record to date is a foursome that finished in 2:48.

Angel Park Golf Club features 36 holes of championship Las Vegas golf designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, the lighted Cloud Nine Short Course, and the world’s original natural grass Putting Course.

Express Lane tee times rotate between Angel Park’s Palm and Mountain courses. Brockelman has noticed that the groups that book those times tend to play ready golf and putt out quickly. He said Angel Park tries to facilitate fast play during Express Lane hours.

If the price was right, the Express Lane program would be the way to go.

###

Quick Look: The Cobra Special Release S3 Driver

by James on April 21, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Cobra, Drivers with No comments

You may recall our quick look at the Cobra S3 Driver a little while ago. It’s a sharp looking driver, packed full of technology to help you hit the ball farther and straighter than ever before.

As wonderful as the S3 is, Cobra has stepped-up to offer a special release driver, much like they did for the ZL Driver last year. The Special Release S3 Driver (coming soon) features an all-white paintjob, and an Aldila RIP Beta Shaft.

On top of the features listed above, all of the standard tech you find in the stock S3 driver is on-board as well. You’ll get the E9 Face Technology, Adjustable Flight Technology, and a titanium 6-4 head and face with an aluminum hosel sleeve.

Look for the Cobra Golf Special Release S3 Driver to hit a pro shop near you at the end of April 2011. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to give this one a swing. She’s a sharp one!

Cobra Special Release S3 Driver Photo Gallery:

For more information, hit up Cobra Golf.

New Ad Builds Excitement for Nike 20XI Golf Ball

by Annie Latham on April 19, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Golf Balls, Nike Golf with No comments

Nike 20XI Golf Ball

Nike Golf has a new ad (an incredibly impressive one) that doesn’t feature Tour Pro golfers.  Rather, the star is a magnificent black stallion that is moving quite quickly through a golf course — tearing up turf.  As it approaches a green, the stallion rears up on its hind legs and then lands his front hoofs on the green without leaving a mark (note:  I replayed it several times to confirm what I thought I saw).  Impressive indeed.

At the end of the 30 second spot, we are informed the product is the 20XI golf ball, and it will be available April 29.

??

Found out that the 20XI is the latest Nike Golf advanced technology product to emerge from “The Oven.”

It is a revolutionary golf ball that is the first ball on Tour to use a radical new core technology which delivers more distance off the tee and better control around the greens.

The analogy of the stallion makes sense.

Upon further research, I found a post by Rock Ishii, Nike’s product development director, Nike golf balls, which provides insight into the new 20XI golf ball:

  • The construction of the 20XI creates consistency within its make-up and the results it provides.
  • With the older technology, the solid rubber core, you had so many manufacturing steps, additives, curing, pressing, etc.  The new 20XI ball with its radical new resin core simplifies things.  It’s no longer about layers, but instead about a faster and lighter core.
  • In the past ball designs, we were limited in terms of MOI (moment of inertia). In the 20XI ball, we used an ionomer lightweight material around the perimeter. By moving the lightweight material to the center, we achieve higher MOI with a heavier perimeter. This MOI increase makes for a steeper spin slope; a ball that spins more off short shots and less off a driver, creating a huge competitive advantage for our athletes.

That advantage comes at a steep price:  $58 a box.
To put that in perspective, Titleist Pro Vs run $45.95.  The TaylorMade Pentas list for the same.

The ad appears below.  Nike Golf’s agency of record,  Wieden + Kennedy Portland was responsible for it.  Ellen Kuras directed it using Alexa and Phantom cameras to convey the message of power and control.

They’ve got me curious.  Now I wonder which Tour Pros will bite.  As of the last “Tour Van” post by GolfWeek, the ball breakdown for the Valero Texas Open (144-player field) was as follows:

1. Titleist (104)
2. Srixon (12)
3. Callaway (10)

###

Nike Golf Staffer John Cook Secures Second Win on 2011 Champions Tour

by James on April 19, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Nike Golf, Players with No comments

John Cook Secures Second Win on 2011 Champions Tour

It’s been quite an amazing run for our friends at Nike Golf lately. First, Charl Schwartzel takes down The Masters title… then over this past weekend John Cook follows suit with his second title on the 2011 Champions Tour. Not too shabby!

With his win on the weekend, Cook has vaulted to second on the 2011 Champions Tour money list… but getting to the point of this post is the clubs Mr. Cook used to secure the victory.

Here’s a quick look into his bag:

  • Driver: Nike VR 8.5-degree
  • Irons: Nike VR Pro Blades (3-PW)
  • Hybrids: Nike VR 18-degree
  • Wedges: Nike VR 53-degree and Nike VR 59-degree
  • Putter: Nike Method Prototype
  • Ball: Nike ONE Tour
  • Apparel: Nike Golf Tour Collection
  • Footwear: Nike Trophy

A very solid lineup indeed. Nike Golf was kind enough to send us a ‘care package’ of many of the hot clubs rounding out their 2011 lineup… So stay tuned for a closer look at some of the clubs Cook used to march his way to victory.

Image courtesy: James Branaman – St. Petersburg Times

← Older Entries