Hybrid clubs introduced in latest lines

July 13, 2006 By Chuck Stogel GolfWeb Equipment Correspondent

Beyond the major names in equipment, companies such as Nickent, Infiniti and Yes! are all vying for the attention of golfers seeking new clubs.

Nickent, particularly, is notable because of the success it has had among the professional ranks with its 3DX series of hybrids, especially on the Nationwide Tour.

“The players are [very] excited about the new technology we debuted in the DC series of hybrids [this season],” said Josh Trivett, Nickent director of tour operations. “Our goal is to help the Nationwide [Tour] players obtain their ultimate goal of playing on the PGA TOUR.”

Meanwhile, in the realm of equipment names you would certainly recognize, FootJoy and Etonic each have made a pitch for women with specialty products this summer. Callaway Eyewear, meanwhile, is expanding its sunglass line to offer prescription lenses.

Here’s a closer look at the latest from these manufacturers.

NICKENT

Following the introduction earlier this year of its DC series of 3DX hybrids, Nickent has launched a series of 3DX hybrid irons. Both types of products are the work of master designer John Hoeflich, who joined the company as a senior vice president last September.

Although labeled hybrid, the 3DX irons look a lot like traditional iron clubs. What is unique about them is the application of the latest technologies.

There are seven clubs in the 3DX hybrid iron set: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and PW. The 10-iron is comparable to a traditional pitching wedge with 44 degrees of loft. The PW in the Nickent set has 48 degrees of loft. A 52-degree gap and 56-degree sand wedge are also available.

3DX hybrids look like regular irons

Sold just as irons, Nickent is also pairing the 3DX hybrid irons with Nos. 3 (21-degree) and 4 (23-degree) DC hybrid clubs to make fully integrated sets.

Along with its huge success on the Nationwide Tour, Nickent boasts that it is the No. 2 most-played hybrid on the PGA TOUR this season. And, it is making inroads on the LPGA Tour too, where Brittany Lincicome used one of the company’s DC utilities to win the recent HSBC Women’s World Match Play championship.

In crafting the 3DX hybrid iron, Nickent saved 35 grams of weight by attaching a distinctive five-gram carbon composite cap to the back of the clubhead. The extra weight was then redistributed into two steel plugs at the bottom and back of the hollow iron, which created a high launch characteristic. In the process, the lofts of the Nos. 5, 6 and 7 irons were strengthened four degrees in comparison to a standard set.

In testing the 3DX hybrid irons among a range of players assembled by GolfWeb, the clubs were rated very satisfactory and “must consider.” Although a few higher handicaps expressed mixed feelings, the consensus of testers praised the clubs as very solid, very forgiving, achieving good distance, accuracy and workability, and for easily getting the ball airborne. What more might ask from a club?

Offered with either steel or graphite shafts, suggested retail prices are $749 for a set of the irons 5-PW and $849 when combined with the Nos. 3 and 4 hybrids.

YES!

Yes! Golf has carved a niche for itself with grooved putter technology. Its two newest models are the Callie-f, which is forged, and the Victoria II, a face-balanced mallet that is 10 percent larger than the original Victoria.

“Tour professionals have been very instrumental in the development and design of our putter line over the past couple of years,” said Dave Richardson, Yes! director of sales.

The Victoria II adds a new alignment aid on the top rail and modifies the alignment line in the cavity, both designed to provide a better visual to the target.

The Callie is Yes! Golf’s top-selling putter. The Callie-f adds a forged model to the portfolio. A traditional cavity back made from a single piece of forged manganese-bronze, all but the grooves have been oxidized to provide a non-glare finish.

Both new styles offer shaft lengths ranging from 32 to 37 inches. Suggested retail prices are $190 for the Victoria II model and $300 for the Callie-f.

INFINITI

Infiniti Golf this season introduced new fairway woods, utility clubs and hybrids in right-hand models. All are value priced, but look elegant.

One of Infiniti’s technological characteristics is its XS weight system, which positions mass directly behind the impact area of its clubs.

Assure XS hybrids had mixed reviews

The Assure XS hybrids come in lofts of 20 and 24 degrees with a slight offset. The two-color topline is well defined to assist in setup and alignment.

The HotShot XS utilities are offered in lofts of 18, 22 and 26 degrees. Their heel to toe measurement has been increased to expand the hitting area while the profile has been lowered in tandem with the XS weight system.

The ProPulsion XS fairway woods, in lofts of 14 and 17 degrees, have a sleek, low-profile design. The heads are made with maraging steel to produce a hard face.

GolfWeb testers gave the Assure XS hybrids mixed reviews, praising the clubs for solid impacts and satisfactory trajectories on center hits. Some players had control problems on off-center hits.

Suggested retail prices for the new fairway, utility and hybrid clubs are $119 each.

CALLAWAY EYEWEAR

In partnership with Hoya Vision Care, Callaway Golf Eyewear is extending its sunglasses portfolio to offer prescription lenses.

Six types of frames are available, ranging $70 to $160. There is one style of frame offered from Callaway Eyewear’s Sport series, one frame from the X flexibility series and four frame styles in the Collection series.

The cost of the prescription lenses is extra, ranging $250 to $300. Prescription must fall within a +3.00 to -5.00 range.

All the shaded lenses are designed with Neox performance enhancing technology and with sunscreen protection.

The Sport series features full-frame, lightweight styling in tortoise and black. The X series is also designed for sport, with two-tone frame colors. The Collection series offers featherweight, thin frames and nosepieces.

ETONIC

The ST-GT is the latest shoe in Etonic’s women’s footwear lineup. It combines the company’s biomechanically designed Stabilizer Technology with Gore-Tex’s breathable waterproofing system.

It is all built on a women’s last to provide performance, style and fit.

“For women who play in all types of conditions, they will enjoy the ST-GT because of the added comfort features of a new women’s last and Gore-Tex uppers,” said Karen Pitts, Etonic Worldwide VP of marketing.

Three color schemes are available: white/soft tan, white/federal blue and white/morning pink. Suggested retail price is $139 per pair.

FOOTJOY

Three models of FootJoy gloves are being expanded with colorful options for women. All come in sizes S-L.

StaSof, launching in August, is a premium Cabretta leather glove with a soft, breathable textured suede microfiber along the back of the hand. Six colors include white, tan, pink, red, navy and black, with a list price of $22.

FootJoy’s popular WeatherSoft glove is adding fashionable color tabs for women. The colors include black, pink, blue, red, yellow and tan. Hitting the market this week, suggested retail price is $12.

The StaCooler glove, already available in new, vibrant colors, features a lightweight, breathable mesh. Colors include white, tan, lime, raspberry, orange, red, blue and black, with a list price of $14.

“With new fashion trends in women’s apparel, and the success of our women’s footwear, this new lineup of women’s glove fashion colors in a variety of price points complements the golfer’s attire,” said Maria Bonzagni, FootJoy senior director of marketing for glove and accessories.