Autumn is not only a time when temperatures begin to drop and leaves begin to fall in many climates, but the season is also a time when golf equipment manufacturers begin to launch new products to finish off this year and head into next. Clubs, balls, bags, apparel and other accessories are all being upgraded or introduced by the likes of Srixon, Sun Mountain, Bionic, Etonic, Yes!, Accu-Length, KZG, G.R.I.P., along with major introductions from Ping, Titleist, Bridgestone, Cleveland, Cobra and TaylorMade. “The cycle of new product introductions has really been advanced in the golf equipment industry,” observed Gidge Moody, TaylorMade director of product marketing. “It seems like, just about every time you turn around, something new is coming out. Often, it’s because the state of research and development is moving faster than ever before, and companies want to get to market with whatever is new as fast as they can.” The following is a closer look at a variety of interesting new products across the equipment and accessories spectrum. SRIXON “We have made the new Soft Feel-2 Piece a better ball for the everyday golfer by reengineering the core and applying new aerodynamics to optimize performance,” said Richard Stamper, president of Srixon Sports. The low compression Soft Feel-2-Piece features a soft E.G.G. (Energetic Gradient Growth) core, highly resilient Rabalon elastomer cover and newly developed 328 dimple pattern. The new dimple pattern covers a greater surface area and helps produce a higher lift force. The dimples are also shallow and should help golfers with lower swing speeds achieve a higher flight trajectory. Testing among a variety of players assembled by GolfWeb yielded highly positive reviews. Testers labeled the new Soft Feel-2 Piece playable for a wide range of amateur handicaps, specifically praising a smooth feel at impact along with distances achieved. The ball was also judged very workable around the greens. The Soft Feel-2 Piece balls are in the mid-level price range, with a suggested retail price of $25 per dozen. BIONIC Made by Hillerich & Bradsby of Louisville Slugger fame, Bionic has upgraded its revolutionary golf glove for 2007 while also adding color to a new women’s collection. Designed by Dr. Jim Kleinert, a noted hand surgeon, the Bionic glove features patented anatomical relief pads placed between the hand’s bony prominences. Blessed with an Ease-of-Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation, the gloves are especially beneficial for golfers with hand problems, along with helping all golfers avoid “hand fatigue.” “This [fatigue] is especially important as you progress through a round of golf,” said Kleinert. “While the first few holes may feel fine, the hand wears down the more you play.” Made from top-grade cabretta leather, GolfWeb testers have verified the durability of Bionic gloves, which are machine washable. Some testers have reported getting up to 25 rounds out of single glove with virtually no wear and no tear. New Lycra color schemes for women include light blue, pink and champagne, in addition to all white. The glove has been ruled conforming to the Rules of Golf by the USGA only for those with hand problems. Suggested retail price is $24.95 each. YES! Maker of the C-Groove putter, Yes! Golf has expanded its lineup with the introduction of Hanna, a center-shafted midsized mallet. Made of 304 stainless steel with a head weight of 355 grams, the face-balanced putter has a heel/toe weight distribution designed to stabilize the club at impact and provide enhanced forgiveness. With a long, single sight line for alignment, Hanna has a 2.5-degree loft and is offered two degrees flat or upright. Shaft lengths range 32 to 37 inches. Available in right-handed models only, list price is $190. ETONIC
The XCR model is a nonclassic golf shoe which promises to be extremely durable in all types of terrain and weather. The Gore-Tex membrane, which also is used in running shoes, is waterproof and breathable. The G-Sok outsole provide sure-footed traction for all types of lies. The G-Sok XCR is available in a men’s two-tone black sporty style, with sizes ranging 7-14 in medium width and 7-13 in wide. List price is $125 per pair. KZG The latest from custom equipment maker KZG is a set of double-forged CB-III irons, promising a mix of feel, workability and consistency coupled with an oversized body design and cavityback. The clubs are geared toward mid to higher handicap players. The irons feature a moderate offset, expanded hitting area, wide stable sole, lower center of gravity and optimized perimeter weighting. Generally, clubs in this realm are investment cast, but KZG’s CB-III irons have been forged in Japan from S25C carbon steel. The softer metal also allows the irons to be more easily adjusted for loft and lie preferences. “Not only are they adjustable six to eight degrees upright or flat, but the deep cavity makes them ideal for mix and matching in a blended set,” said Jennifer King, KZG president. “The soft, smooth feel of KZG forgings has always been our hallmark.” Available in 3-PW, with a 50-degree gap and 54-degree sand wedge, suggested retail prices for the CB-III irons are $114 per club with steel shaft and $134 with graphite. SUN MOUNTAIN A player in both the apparel and accessories categories, Sun Mountain has introduced a “jacket in a jar” and a new, upgrade Superlight 3.5 bag. The jacket, called Micro J, rolls up and fits into a plastic container not much bigger than a sleeve of balls. When opened, it unfurls to become a waterproof, lightweight rain jacket for play on warmer, rainy days. It can easily fit into a golf bag pocket without adding weight or bulk. Made in both men’s and women’s versions, there’s a wide selection of colors with contrasting zippers, including palm green/black, black/red, red/granite, saffron/black and more.
The new Superlight 3.5 standbag has a built-in top handle, top-molded stand attachment, roller-bottom stand mechanism, improved X-Strap Dual Strap and a water bottle pouch. At 3.5 pounds, there’s a six-way top with full-length dividers, plus seven pockets. There are 14 color patterns available overall, including black/baltic, black/apple, black/pink, navy and others. Further, a left-handed model is also available. List price for the Superlight 3.5 bag is $159. ACCU-LENGTH Accu-Length specializes in clubs for junior golfers. This fall it is introducing its first hybrid for younger players. Called a 4/5 Hybrid, it is designed to replace a 4 or 5 iron, and will be available in colors that coordinate with the company’s 1000 (yellow), 2000 (red) and 3000 (gray) series. The three styles match up with playes’ ages and sizes. “Hybrids are easier to hit than long irons, which is why junior golfers will benefit greatly from our new 4/5 model,” said Rick Rutter, president of OnTrack Sports, which makes Accu-Length clubs. The company is noted for its expandable clubs as youths grow. The expansion is accomplished by a unique spacer system, and the clubs come with assembly tools. The new hybrid is made with a filament wound graphite shaft and stainless steel head, with 29 degrees of loft. Suggested retail price is $39.99. G.R.I.P. Golf Research In Play, which began operations this past spring, recently introduced CNC milled wedges for women: a 52-degree gap wedge, 56-degree sand wedge and 60-degree lob wedge. The G.R.I.P. wedges, with a classic teardrop shape, are cast from 8620 mild carbon steel and engineered to provide enhanced spin rates and feel around the greens. The company is making a special pitch to casual players. “The club most commonly used by recreational golfers for shots within 100 yards is the pitching wedge,” said Michael Blair, G.R.I.P. director of golf club development. “The pitching wedge is often too much club from these distances.” List price for the wedges is $49.95 each. |
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