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)

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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

GolfCrunch is Looking for New Editors to Join Our Team!

by James on April 18, 2011 in News with No comments

If you love writing as much as you love the game of golf, GolfCrunch may have an opportunity here you’ll want to apply for. At the moment, we’re actively looking for passionate (and dedicated) editors to join our team.

All editors at GolfCrunch enjoy the following benefits:

  • Access to golf clubs and equipment for review and testing
  • Insider access to special deals and prices from manufacturers
  • Exposure of your work to a worldwide golfing audience
  • The pleasure of working for a fun and dynamic team of golf nuts!

If you have the time to contribute a daily article… that’s a good start, and a good sign. In addition, if you’ve always wanted to connect with the golf world in some way, shape or form, this could be your chance. Again, drop us a line at info@golfcrunch.com. We want to hear from you!

The Bridgestone Golf J38 460 Driver

by James on April 18, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Bridgestone, Drivers with No comments

The Bridgestone J38 460 Driver

Used by PGA touring professionals Matt Kuchar and Kevin Chappell, the Bridgestone Golf J38 460 Driver is jam-packed full of technology… yet, it retains a classic look.

The Bridgestone J38 460 DriverAs you can see from the image to your right, the Bridgestone J38 460 driver has quite a classic shape. Reminiscent of Cleveland and Titleist drivers, the time-tested pear shape of this driver provides clean lines, and confidence at address.

The crown is extended back quite a bit, and this extended profile provides a low and deep center of gravity for high launch and low spin off the clubface. In the end, isn’t that what we all want? Optimal launch angle with low spin for maximum carry? Yes, I do believe so.

The J38 is made from 6-4 titanium, and has an ultra-thin crown… This allows for more weight to be distributed to the perimeter for added forgiveness.

In addition, Bridgestone has built ‘enhanced face thickness’ into the clubface. In the end, this provides yet another level of forgiveness on those off-center strikes.

The Bridgestone Golf J38 comes stock with your choice of Fujikura Motore F1 65 shaft (regular, stiff for x-stiff). I’ve played the Motore in a number of drivers, and it’s a solid performer. The only bummer here is it’s available in right-hand only, in lofts of 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5. Sorry lefties.

If you want to order one up, you best head down to a golf retailer or pro shop near you… Or better yet, pop on by the Bridgestone Golf website and drop them a line. They’ll be more than happy to help you.

Bag Boy Unveils New Cart Bag with Clip-Lok

by Annie Latham on April 14, 2011 in Accessories, Bags with No comments

The Bag Boy Company just announced their new XLT-15 cart bag which features the Clip-Lok system to hold clubs firmly in place and prevent unnecessary noise and club damage during the round.

The Clip-Loks are designed to eliminate club contact by holding the shaft of the club securely in place until the club is ready to be used. The Clip-Lok system is easy to operate, simply snap the shaft into the lock.  There are 15 individual Clip-Loks integrated into the bag’s 11-way organizer top.

The 420D nylon, 10-inch cart bag comes with individual full length dividers and an external putter well with a putter Clip-Lok. There are eight easily accessible pockets on the bag for plenty of storage, including a large insulated cooler pocket and a fleece lined pocket to protect valuables. This lightweight cart bag weighs only 7 pounds.

The XLT-15 cart bag weighs seven pounds and is offered in seven color combinations – red/black, yellow/black, lime green/black, navy/silver, black, pink/charcoal/white and aqua blue/silver/white. It is available in golf shops and golf specialty retailers for a suggested retail of $159.95.

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Photo Gallery: Wilson Di11 Irons

by James on April 12, 2011 in Irons, Wilson Staff with No comments

The Wilson Di11 Sand WedgeWhen Wilson Golf told me they’d like to send a set of Di11 irons our way for some testing… I said… YES PLEASE!… and what do ya know, the Di11 irons have arrived, and they’re just as gorgeous as they look on the Wilson website.

Fitting nicely into the ‘game improvement’ category in the Wilson Staff lineup for 2011, the Di11’s promise many things. Wilson notes these as follows:

  1. The largest sweetspot and highest ball speed off the face than any other game improvement iron. While I can’t attest to this from experience (yet), the Di11’s do look to have a massive sweetspot, and with the large cavity back, I have no doubt there’s tons of room for error when striking shots.
  2. A wide sole and low CG. The soles on these irons are deep. Really deep. So much so, the longer irons (6 and 5) are on the edge of becoming a hybrid… seriously.
  3. Wide tip technology. Check out the pictures in our photo gallery below to confirm this. Note the wide tip technology at the hosel. The wide shaft negates twisting, resulting in straighter shots.
  4. Elasatomeric Coating. While I can’t speak to this from experience (we haven’t hit the range with these yet), I can tell you the clubs do feel solid, and after stroking a few chips and short shots, the vibration is… well, there’s pretty much no vibration.

We’re really looking forward to testing the Wilson Di11 irons out. I have a feeling we’re going to have a lot of positive comments to throw down… However, the low-handicap golfer may want to look elsewhere in the Wilson lineup for a more suitable iron. That’s what we figure… but after a few buckets have been emptied (or 5 or 10), we’ll let you know the low-down.

In the meantime, check out the photo gallery below.

Photo Gallery: Wilson Di11 Irons

Vokey WedgeWorks Now Available in Canada

by James on April 11, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Titleist, Wedges with No comments

When Brian Vokey and the team at Titleist introduced ‘WedgeWorks‘ last year, I was in awe. The online shop let you pick and choose from a lineup of custom wedges that you could tune and tailor to your liking. Add initials, adjust your loft, length, grip, and much more. The website (click here) is awesome to say the least, and in all honesty… if you’re not a Cleveland wedge fan (I am), Vokey wedges are a solid choice.

Well, for the longest time Canadians have been shunned from ordering from WedgeWorks. That is, until now. Titleist has just announced that Vokey WedgeWorks is now available in Canada.

Unfortunately, the order process isn’t exactly an easy one. Folks in the U.S. can simply go through the online customization process. It’s fun, easy, and I often find myself browsing around the site… you know, putting together custom wedges, and playing around with different options (it’s pretty darn cool). For Canadians (and other ‘international’ regions), an order form must be printed, filled out, and returned to your nearest Titleist golf club retailer. The retailer confirms your order, and returns the form to Titleist for fulfillment.

For more information, below are the order form and brochure PDF’s for your enjoyment.

Srixon Unveils FREE Golf WeatherFIT app

by Annie Latham on April 11, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Cleveland, Drivers, Srixon, Technology with No comments

Srixon has just unveiled an app for the iTunes Store that works on the iPhone and iPad.  Called the Srixon Golf WeatherFIT app, it provides accurate 4-day weather forecasts for golf courses around the USA. In addition, the app uses the weather forecast to help you decide how to properly fit your Srixon Z-STAR driver and Srixon golf ball for maximum performance in the weather on those specific days of play.

Yes, you read that correctly.  The Srixon Z-STAR driver features the STAR Fitting System which enables you to independently adjust face angle and the internal weighting of the clubhead.  The face angle adjustment helps you produce more accurate shots. Fine tuning the internal weighting with the different weight options will optimize your desired ball trajectory and swing weight.

>> The STAR fitting system allows up to 84 possible configurations per loft offering for the ultimate in custom club fitting.

It is understandable why you’d need an app for that!

The Z-STAR driver also features Starburst(TM) variable face design, which enlarges the driver’s high COR area by 5 percent, providing added distance and forgiveness. This new driver features a Miyazaki(TM) Dromos(TM) shaft, which is the first premium custom shaft designed specifically for adjustable clubs.

The driver runs $399.99 (retail price).

The app itself is FREE.

Charl Schwartzel’s Putter: Nike Method 004 Prototype

by James on April 11, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Nike Golf, Players, Putters with No comments

Charl Schwartzel had nothing short of a superb final round at the 2011 Masters. That chip-in on the first hole for birdie… the hole out for eagle on the third… and then four straight birdies stroked into the center of the hole to finish his round… the round was absolutely first class, and Charl is more than deserving of the green jacket.

With all those birdies rolling into the cup during the end of his round, I was trying to decipher the type of putter he was using. After closer inspection, his putter appears to be a Nike Method 004 model… However, some more research and digging revealed to me that the putter is a prototype from the folks at the Nike ‘Oven’.

Nike Method 004 Putter

If you take a closer look at the face of Schwartzel’s Method 004, you’ll notice it doesn’t feature Nike’s ‘Polymetal Groove Technology’ (the black lines you normally see across the face of the Method line). My guess is Charl is much more comfortable with a flat face made up of one material… if I remember correctly, Charl ‘s last putter (one he used for a long time) was a Bobby Grace Fat Lady. You’ll notice the mallet design on the Fat Lady features no extra ‘grooves’ on the face. It’s a flat surface comprised of a single material.

Bobby Grace Fat Lady Putter

For what it’s worth, some of you may be wondering which putter Tiger Woods used during the 2011 Masters. No big surprises here, as he carried the same Nike Method 003 putter he’s been using for some time now. Unlike Charl, Tiger’s 003 does feature the Polymetal Groove Technology to help get the ball rolling… however, while watching some pre-round coverage on the Golf Channel, Notah Begay III noted that Tiger had this material shaved down to reduce the effect of this material.

It’s always cool to hear about the pros, and the tinkering they do with their equipment. I think we could all be well served to tinker with our equipment to get the right feel for comfort… but then again, I suppose it helps to practice as much as they do as well!

What’s in the Bag: 2011 Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel

by James on April 10, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Nike Golf, Players with No comments

2011 Masters Champion Charl SchwartzelWhat a riveting 2011 Masters! McIlroy failing to find his form over the back nine, Scott and Day playing fantastic golf down the stretch… and finally Charl Schwartzel coming up huge, finishing with 4 birdies to win the 2011 Masters in style. Congrats to Charl and South Africa for a fantastic performance. Job well done.

So what was in Charl’s bag for his first major win? Part of the Nike Golf team, Charl had nothing but the swoosh in the bag:

  • Driver: Nike VR Tour 8.5-degree with Rombax 7V05 shaft
  • Fairway Woods: Nike SQ Sumo 3-wood/13-degree, Nike SQ Sumo 5-wood/19-degree with Mitsubishi Diamana Blue Board 83 shafts
  • Irons: Nike VR Pro Blade (3-PW) with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shafts
  • Wedges: Nike VR Pro 54-degree and Nike VR Pro 60-degree with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shafts
  • Putter: Nike Method 004 Prototype
  • Ball: Nike ONE Tour D

On top of that, Charl also had on a pair of Nike Lunar Control shoes, and of course Nike pants, shirt and visor.

Again, well done to Charl… we’re looking forward to many more solid performances, and perhaps a few more major wins from the young South African!

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