Over the Green

There’s a really cool putter that has not received the attention it deserves and it’s time that oversight was remedied.

Though TaylorMade Golf is mostly thought of as the dominant metalwood manufacturer, in fact their irons and putters are also top shelf as has been proven with the popularity of the Ghost series putters. MORE…

The Odyssey Flip Face Putter from Callaway allows players to change the face insert by loosening it (with a provided screwdriver which handily doubles as a divot tool!), rotating it 180° and retightening. Callaway bills it as an extension of their commitment to club adjustability. The flip moves between the new Metal-X insert to the old standby White Ice surface letting players match their putter to green conditions on any give day.

The press release had this undeniably cogent comment.

Among the early adopters to Flip Face was PGA Tour Professional Stuart Appleby, who put the #5 model in play early in the 2012 season. “I really like the look of the Flip Face, and it reminds me of the license plates on James Bond’s car that used to flip around,” Appleby said. “I like the Metal-X insert so much; I love that firm feel. But it’s nice having the option to switch to the White Ice insert if you want to.”

Three models are in stores now. The #1, a rounded heel-toe weighted blade putter with a crank-neck hosel and full-shaft offset; Appleby’s #5, a rounded mallet putter with a single bend shaft and full-shaft offset; and the #9, a toe-weighted, heel-shafted, flanged blade putter with a long hosel and half-shaft offset. Each carries an SRP of $349.

Knowingly or unknowingly, millions of golfers have purchased counterfeit golf clubs usually from Internet sites featuring more hyperbole than facts. Purchasers may think they are getting the latest and greatest at an unbelievable price but usually find the clubs, at the very least, disappointing.

Counterfeit golf clubs and balls are an immense problem for the industry and it’s estimated an astounding 2 million are made yearly. They not only cost the manufacturers profits but are hurting golfers foisting off shoddily made products using inadequate materials.

This month a consortium of club manufacturers, the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group, announced they had been successful in getting a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court forcing closure of more than 175 websites selling counterfeit clubs. This followed a similar action in January closing 60 Internet sites.

This newest lawsuit covers 130 defendants operating more than 175 websites that sold not only clubs but balls and accessories. Visitors to these sites will now be redirected to a site referencing the preliminary injunction and other details of the legal action.

Speaking for the Group Christa McNamara of TaylorMade-adidas Golf said, “Over the last decade, we’ve seen a significant increase in counterfeiters using the internet as a tool to dupe consumers. We’ve shut down a significant number of websites with this recent joint action, and it gives us momentum in our efforts moving forward.”

The Golf Group, which was formed in 2004, has been engaged in an education campaign instructing consumers on how to spot and avoid fake golf products through its own website, www.keepgolfreal.com. Comprised of five big name golf companies (Callaway-Odyssey and Top-Flite; TaylorMade-adidas Golf and Ashworth; PING; Cleveland Golf, Srixon and Never Compromise; and Acushnet Company whose brands are Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron) in 2011 seized more than 80,000 counterfeit golf products.

Just before Christmas PING’s CEO John Solheim made his proposal public calling for the USGA to adopt rules mandating three classes of golf balls – one that would go the same distance as today’s, one 30 yards less and one 30 yards more.

Recreational players presumably would have their choice (does anyone think they will pick the 30 yards less ball?) and tournament organizers could specify which was to be played as a “condition of competition.” In particular the PGA Tour with all those long hitting superstars would use the 30-yards-less-ball in an effort to contain their mighty blows. MORE…

It’s getting to the time where procrastination may really cost you. But if one of the finalist on your gift list is a golfer here are a couple of ideas that might solve your problem.

Abacus Bounce
Swedish apparel maker, Abacus, markets and sells leisure clothing with golf at the heart of its inspiration. The company’s collections combine functionality, design, and quality in a way that has given Abacus a very strong international presence in just a few years.

The Bounce Wind Stop Sweater is a great example. This cable knitted wind stop in wool blend has a poly-micro lining, high collar, and half zip. It is windproof and breathable and protects against the wind and cool air and keeps the inner environment at a comfortable temperature. With features like stretch fabric in the back, it is perfect for golf and performance activities. Material: 80% cotton / 20% wool with poly micro lining / stretch in back panel / windproof / breathable Sizes: S-XXL Colors: black, red, grey mélange, ecru mélange Suggested retail; $170.

Bag Boy T-2000 Travel Cover
Bag Boy has taken the technology from its Revolver series of golf bags and developed the T-2000 travel cover with a handle that rotates 360 degrees in order to reduce arm and wrist strain while transporting clubs.

“Our R&D team has done an outstanding job in taking advanced technology from our golf bag line and applying it to the T-2000 travel cover,” said Craig Ramsbottom, President, Dynamic Brands Golf Division. “Our testing shows that the Pivot Grip ™ significantly reduces strain on the arm and wrist as compared to travel covers with traditional handles. Golfers will see and feel the difference immediately when they travel with the T-2000.”

The ergonomic pivot grip is built into the top of the T-2000. The handle rotates 360 degrees to make changing directions simple, never having to let go of the travel bag. The T-2000 is made of durable 1680D nylon and features an ultra-thick wrap-around padded top, sturdy PVC back with an extended ABS base for maximum club protection, two oversized garment pockets and a shoe pocket. The deluxe in-line skate wheels provide the traveler smooth and quiet rolling action. The travel cover fits a 48-inch driver and up to a 10-inch cart bag.

The T-2000 comes in a choice of three colors and has a suggested retail of $189.95

XCG5 from Tour Edge
Tour Edge has been on a run in recent years producing some very good fairways and the latest to be included on that short list is the newest fairway in their line up, the XCG5.

This newest refinement is the only fairway wood to have a titanium cupped face and tungsten sole which are perhaps the “secret” of the exceptional length all the previous XCG fairways have provided. Also unique is the use a combo-brazing process to put the club head together which eliminates the typical welds other makers use and gives company engineers more discretionary weight to move around for just the right placement.

However, combo-brazing is expense. For example it is done in a vacuum chamber to ensure Tour Edge’s very tight manufacturing standards are met but it does provide a very high quality joint between the tungsten and titanium pieces of the head.

As with previous models Tour Edge guarantees the Exotics XCG5 fairway wood is longer than your current fairway wood and if not return it under their 30-day “Play Guarantee” for a store credit or refund. The XCG5 is available in a Graphite Design Tour AD 40, Exotics Fujikura Blur 65, or Aldila RIP 70 Sigma graphite shaft for an SRP of $299.

Wilson adds new models for 2012
On the road to again achieving the greatness of the past, Wilson Golf has announced four additions to their model lineup.

FG Tour V2 irons – Tour staff members Padraig Harrington, Ricky Barnes and Kevin Streelman helped with the design of this new players iron with a thinner top line and minimal offset.
Ci11 irons – In its fourth generation, the black Ci11 irons are aimed at the game improvement category with a design featuring a thinner, harder face.
FG Tour X Golf Ball – Wilson’s new ball for better players is a multilayer urethane cover construction ball with a 93 compression core.
Duo Golf Ball – Duo is Wilson’s entry in the soft but long ball category and they say 8 out of 10 golfers who try Duo, switch.

Nike VR Pro Limited Edition Fairways

The VR Pro Limited Edition fairway woods being played by Stephen Ames, Stewart Cink, Simon Dyson, Francesco Molinari and Tiger Woods are now available to the rest of us. The slightly pear-shaped head with a mid-to-low face height is made from 455 stainless steel. Nike’s Compression Channel technology is part of the head design to increase speed at more spots on the club face. A MRC Diamana ‘Ahina shaft is stock. MSRP is $275.99 with a street price if $225.00.

An interesting item appeared in Jim Achenbach’s column in Golfweek, that one of the truly innovative putter companies of the past few years, Rife Putter of Sanford, Fla. has been sold to Innovex Golf.

To fans of Rife flat sticks this is welcome news and may be just the thing to push Innovex up to the new level of recognition. Here’s the link if you want to read the full story. “Rife Putters agrees to be sold to Innovex”

Getting a gift for golfer is simple, right? Just swing by the local big box retailer and pick up some golf balls and you’re done. Not true.
Also most people know those naked lady tees and “R” rated insulated cups really lack class. Plus how do you know which golf ball matches the golfer’s game and don’t even think about a driver that requires a fitting or something reflecting strong personal preference like a golf bag.

So the question remains what to give a boss or in-law or even a spouse who is an avid linkster without totally breaking the bank or the Christmas budget.

Here a few suggestions covering range of prices.MORE…

Cleveland Golf, a division of Srixon, though best known for its wedges also has a popular full line of clubs including the highly ranked Launcher series of drivers featuring the 270-gram Launcher XL270. The premise behind the XL270 and Cleveland’s other light weight clubs is simple, if the club is lighter it can be swung faster and faster means more distance – golf’s Holy Grail.

Most titanium headed-graphite shafted drivers weight in at over 300-grams so the idea of making a club lighter, especially when matched with a more aerodynamic head shape, can produce more distance.MORE…

Tour Edge has been on a run in recent years producing some very good fairways and the latest to be included on that short list is the newest fairway in their line up, the XCG5.

This newest refinement is the only fairway wood to have a titanium cupped face and tungsten sole which are perhaps the “secret” of the exceptional length all the previous XCG fairways have provided. Also unique is the use a combo-brazing process to put the club head together which eliminates the typical welds other makers use and gives company engineers more discretionary weight to move around for just the right placement.

However, combo-brazing is expense. For example it is done in a vacuum chamber to ensure Tour Edge’s very tight manufacturing standards are met but it does provide a very high quality joint between the tungsten and titanium pieces of the head.

As with previous models Tour Edge guarantees the Exotics XCG5 fairway wood is longer than your current fairway wood and if not return it under their 30-day “Play Guarantee” for a store credit or refund. The XCG5 is available in a Graphite Design Tour AD 40, Exotics Fujikura Blur 65, or Aldila RIP 70 Sigma graphite shaft for an SRP of $299.