Tour Edge goes big with removable weight screws

By Chuck Stogel
GolfWeb Equipment Correspondent
 

Tour Edge, the little company that continues to offer cutting-edge technology in golf equipment, goes big-time with removable weight screws in its latest product introductions.

Both the V25 driver and putter models, and the Exotics Iron-Wood series -- all making their debut this month -- offer a variety of tuning ports and removable weights for golfers who wish to adjust trajectories based on course and weather conditions, and their own unique playing characteristics.

Exotics is a distinct, premium line that represents the most advanced technology conjured by Tour Edge engineers. The high-performance clubs were first unveiled in late 2004 with a series of fairway woods, and have since added drivers and irons. The new Iron-Woods complete the portfolio for a full choice of on-course clubs.

V25 is a wholly new line for Tour Edge, which continues to make its popular game-improvement Bazooka clubs. V25 offers a wide array of removable weight choices in both the driver and putter.

“Tour Edge has forged a name for itself as a leader in product development, customer service and affordable prices,” said David Glod, the company founder and president who urges testing and custom fitting before buying clubs. “Give new products an in-depth trial before purchasing, and get custom fit by a professional when you decide to purchase. Buying correctly fit clubs can improve your game substantially more than buying a ‘label.’”

To back up the confidence in its products, Tour Edge, which is based in Batavia, Ill., offers a lifetime warranty for everything it makes

Here’s a closer look at the latest clubs from Tour Edge Golf.

EXOTICS IRON-WOODS

There are three clubs in the new Exotics Iron-Wood lineup. Numbered 2, 3 and 4, they have 18, 21 and 24 degrees of loft, respectively.

“The Exotics group is about creating a very special series of golf clubs,” said Jay Hubbard, Tour Edge marketing director. “Each and every club is designed to specifically offer a combination of power, control and responsiveness.”

The Exotics Iron-Woods combine a forged, lightweight beta titanium cupped face, with high spring-like effect, and a heavier Hyper-Steel body. Joined by a process called Combo-Brazing, the cast body includes an interlocking channel while the chemical brazing eliminates the need for welding around the face.

Already engineered with a low, deep center of gravity, the Iron-Woods also have two ports in the rear for removable weights. The standard setup provides two 6-gram weight screws while the weight kit that’s included has a tuning wrench plus four more weight screws of 2, 4, 8 and 10 grams each.

Changing and adjusting weight alignment can help sculpt desired flight patterns for draw, neutral or fade.

Three choices of shafts are available in a variety of flexes: both the Aldila NV 90 and Fujikura Exotics shafts are graphite while the Nippon NS 950 shaft is steel.

Tour Edge pegs the estimated retail price at $199.99 per Iron-Wood.

V25 DRIVER

The V25 driver has a list price of $299.99.  
The V25 driver has a list price of $299.99.    
Variety is the spice offered by the new V25 driver. Numerous choices include three head configurations -- draw, neutral, fade -- in a selection of lofts, along with two ports for removable weights that will further affect trajectory patterns.

There are eight weight screws provided, along with a proprietary wrench, for each driver. Along with one 2-gram and one 10-gram weight, there are two 4-, 6- and 8-gram weights.

“Each different weight combination delivers a distinctive flight pattern allowing [golfers] to customize launch conditions,” said Hubbard.

Tour Edge provides a chart that helps golfers discern what weight combinations will provide shot-shaping from most draw to draw, neutral, fade and most fade.

The 460cc titanium heads on the driver are manufactured in three configurations to naturally deliver draw, neutral and fade bias before any tinkering with weights. Lofts range from 8 to 11.5 degrees, depending on the configuration and varying face angles. For example, the 10-degree Neutral driver has a face angle that is open one degree. Draw drivers come with square or closed faces.

Available with a 45-inch Grafalloy graphite shaft as standard, Tour Edge lists the retail price at $299.99.

V25 PUTTER

And the weights just keep on coming.

The V25 putter has a list price of $149.99.  
The V25 putter has a list price of $149.99.    
For its new V25 putter, with an oversized mallet head, there are four ports in the semicircular rear for adjustable weight screws. Along with a proprietary wrench, each putter comes with 12 screws: four each in 5-, 10- and 20-gram weights.

“Each weight combination delivers a different roll pattern that will help eliminate short, long, right or left of the hole missed putts,” said Hubbard. “[Golfers should] test different combinations with multiple putts to dial in the right weight combination.”

Weight combinations can be varied from as light as 20 grams to as much as 80 grams, and set up with more weight toward the heel, toe or center.

Available with steel shafts in 33 to 35 inches, suggested retail price is $149.99.