It’s not too far fetched to compare the golf industry with the auto industry, where each year new models are rolled out that the makers claim are an improvement over the previous stock in both look and feel. This year is no different, but as the competition among club makers has grown increasingly intense over the years, it’s as if the designers have become increasingly radical in their search for market share.

Technology continues to thrive in the golf domain. Whether it is drivers, putters, irons, balls or shoes, advances in designs and materials continue, and new products are being introduced almost monthly. 

The most dominant domain of golf’s latest technologies is the composite crowns, oversized driver heads and movable weights whether in putters or drivers. The results are a bigger, a hotter and more forgiving adjustable weight driver and for 2007, radical square heads.

Also making a major impact are the Iron Hybrids, the Wood Hybrids and to add to the mix, the Ultra Hybrid. Over 35 models are available in this all-purpose club category. Their acceptance and use by PGA Tour players, women especially, are making hybrids a major category of clubs.

Due to space restrictions, only those companies that, in our opinion, are about to introduce market equipment that is truly noteworthy, are being included in this issue. Additional issues will cover many more of the new products introduced at this year’s Show.

TaylorMade r7 Draw iron


Following their fabulous success on Tour with drivers, irons and wedges, TaylorMade Golf (TMAG) has introduced their r7 Draw iron.  These irons perform miracles for those golfers who cannot hit a ball straight and need additional distance!

The r7® Draw iron incorporates two key draw-enhancing features.
First, is a maximum degree of offset, which positions the leading edge of the clubface behind the front of the hosel, providing an extra fraction of a second to square the club face.

Second, is the use of TMAG’s phenomenally successful Draw-Weighted Technology. To apply it to an iron, TaylorMade’s engineers designed an ultra-deep, toe-biased cavity design and also removed significant weight from the toe and repositioned it in the heel, moving the CG (center of gravity) closer to the shaft. The dynamics of this CG relocation makes it easier to rotate the clubface back to square during the forward swing.

These irons are extremely easy to hit and launch high and long – a perfect club for the mid to high handicapper. These could be the best irons manufactured to date!

The r7 Draw wedges, including pitching wedge, attack wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge feature an extremely wide and deep sole, low degree of bounce and a radiused, “tucked under” leading edge all designed to get up in the air with a high degree of spin and are easy to hit out of the rough, from tight lies, and are easy to explode from sand.

The r7 Draw irons are equipped with either the T Step 90-gram steel or RE*AX™ 55 55-gram graphite shafts at an MSRP of $990 in Steel and $1,197 in graphite for sets of 3-PW. Available wedges include the PW, AW, SW and LW at an MSRP of $133/$100. Right-handed, left-handed and ladies’ versions are all available. www.taylormadegolf.com

TaylorMade r7 Draw Rescue Hybrids


Following their unprecedented success with Rescue Clubs , TMAG has introduced the Draw Rescue hybrid. The first thing you notice about the r7® Draw Rescue® hybrid is that the clubhead is bigger than most hybrids.

Twelve percent larger than the TaylorMade Rescue dual or Rescue Mid hybrids, the r7 Draw Rescue hybrids’ larger size contributes to a higher MOI, while their exceedingly low and far-back CG makes them exceptionally easy to launch on a high, long flight.

The r7 Draw Rescue hybrids also feature Draw-Weighted Technology – easier to square the face at impact, a higher flight and a right-to-left shot shape (for right-handed golfers).

The lightweight 55-gram RE*AX™ 55 graphite or the 90-gram T Step 90 steel promote increased clubhead speed and a high draw. Finally, the advanced T-shaped sole design reduces sole-to-turf friction at impact, more efficient energy transfer at impact, as well as enhancing playability from all types of lies.

The r7 Draw Rescue hybrids are available in 3, 4, 5, and 6 at an MSRP of $175 with graphite shaft and $155 with steel. Right-handed, left-handed and ladies’ versions are all available.
www.taylormadegolf.com

The Maxfli Fire Ball

Maxfli has another winner in their ball series to complement the Noodle plus it is a 3 piece ball at a 2- piece price. The Fire is a long distance ball featuring a tri-component multi-layer construction. Its HPF 1000 speed mantle with orbicular dimple design ensures low-spin, stability and high launch with excellent feel.

The feel and distance produced by the ball equals the distance of the Noodle and compares well to Nike’s new Juice 312 balls discussed later in this article.

 MSRP: $24.99 • www.taylormadegolf.com

Wilson Staff Di7


Designed specifically for the mid to high handicap golfer, the Wilson Staff Di7 is the first and only game improvement iron to combine an optimum weighted, wide sole, cavity back head with a low torque, wide tip shaft.  Recent findings have shown that three out of every four golfers have a 10+ handicap with these players hitting 85% of iron shots between the center and toe of the club face.  The new Wilson Staff Di7 iron addresses this with optimum Center of Gravity (CG) location by incorporating a wider sole and a thicker rear flange to pull the CG away from the face and toward the sole.  Lower CG locations help the player hit the ball higher and longer while the deeper CG positioning provides more stability on off-center hits encouraging a straighter ball flight.

The Di7 also features an exclusive Elastomeric paint coating in the back cavity, which dampens vibration by up to 1/3 providing a much softer feel, especially on any miss-hits.

The irons are available with two of the game’s most popular shaft options: the Tour-proven True Temper TX 105 lightweight shaft or the UST ProForce V2 graphite shaft, both provide low torque to reduce twisting on off center hits for greater control and accuracy.

MSRP of $449 for steel and $549 for graphite sets (4-SW). The irons are available in both right and left hand options.
www.wilsonstaff.com

Wilson Staff Fifty Golf Ball


The new Wilson Staff Fifty 2-piece golf ball delivers the maximum distance that consumers have come to expect combined with a soft feel that simply is remarkable.

The Fifty features an extremely soft, yet highly reactive Nano-Tech core and is the first ball to incorporate the latest advancements in Nano technology, resulting in a core that is 22% softer than the Wilson Staff Dx2. This ultimate soft core fuels the feel and responsiveness desired by most golfers.

The Fifty redefines performance expectation for 2-piece performance balls and at $17.99 per dozen, the Fifty defies expectation. www.wilsonstaff.com

Nike Sumo2 Driver & SQ SUMO Drivers


This is one of two drivers causing quite a stir on Tour and the marketplace. The other being Callaway’s FT-I. Why? Primarily because of its shape, but more importantly these drivers hit the ball straighter and with less dispersion than other drivers.

Already a winner on Tour in late 2006 with K.J. Choi, the SUMO named for the SUper MOment of Inertia created by the driver’s geometric designs, the SQ SUMO  features golf’s highest MOI of 5300.  Boasting a high visual distinction due to its square head design, the advanced MOI is created by the geometric square design combined with the utilization of a multi-material construction.

The SUMO, with it’s deeper beta titanium face, a titanium body and a composite crown material, achieve weight savings that are then redistributed into the square design, making the driver hotter, longer and more responsive. 

As such, the square geometry dramatically enhances the SQ PowerBow and SQ Max Back Center of Gravity (CG) technologies, which work together to increase MOI.  The SQ SUMO and the new SQ SUMO, which boasts a super MOI of 4950, are well worth your attention.

Both sport the same distinctive yellow soleplate as the original Sasquatch driver. The SQ SUMO, which features an all-titanium head, incorporates the same design evolution of the SQ PowerBow and SQ Max Back CG, raising its new super MOI to 4950, the highest in an all-titanium driver.

The SQ SUMO and the SQ SUMO are both 460cc, featuring SasQuatch/Diamana shafts, and are available in 8.5º, 9.5º, 10.5º and 13º. They will carry respective suggested retail prices of $479.99 and $359.99. www.nikegolf.com

Nike Juice 312 Ball


The first thing to do – read the packaging!
Nike has pushed the edge of creativity again with their tongue-in-cheek marketing copy using interesting adjectives such as “ginormous” and “hugantic”.

Nike’s Juice 312 ball compliments low to mid swing speeds.  The two-piece Juice features a low dimple count of 312, representing an all-time low dimple count of any Nike Golf ball. This and its high velocity core all combine to maximize carry, increase hang time and minimize drag, translating to greater distance. 

With its new 2-piece technology, the Shore D 65 cover provides extra energy to overall ball velocity, but still maintains adequate spin off the irons.  The high velocity, low compression core increases ball speed, yet reduces spin off the driver.

To remind golfers to “juice it,” the Juice 312 ball features a boldface stamp design that is accompanied by the Nike Swoosh.  The Juice 312 will carry a suggested retail price of $28.00 per dozen.

Also look for the updated version of the Nike One Platinum ball in early 2007 featuring updated technology.
www.nikegolf.com

Nike Unitized Putters


Looking for a putter with classic lines and exceptional feel? Nike’s new Unitized putter deserves a place in your bag.

Nike Golf introduced four models within the Unitized putter line -- the Tiempo, Retro, Neo and the Techno. 

With four head designs to suit any golfer’s preference, each of the four models shares the same Unitized optimal feel technology, along with a distinctive visual differentiation that is brought about by the straighter, cleaner look of the head/shaft unit, and by the uniform black nickel plating of the head/shaft.

Available in 33”, 34” and 35” lengths, and right and left handed, each of the four models will carry a suggested retail price of $299.00. www.nikegolf.com

Titleist’s updated Pro V1 and Pro V1 X balls.

As the unchallenged leader in golf balls, look for the new versions of the most played balls to each have softer covers and be seamless. As of press time, no pricing or release date is available.

Adams Golf


Over the past few years Adams has continued to innovate and bring to market clubs that players are buying and achieving great results. They have carved out a niche by offering premium equipment at mid-level prices.

The Idea Tech OS Hybrid Irons are possibly one of the best, easy-to-hit, premium hybrid iron sets that stretches the limits of technology and forgiveness, Idea Tech OS integrates adjustable weight ports, titanium, composite and tungsten weighting into a cutting-edge set of four hybrids and four irons.

The Idea Tech OS delivers 11% higher MOI compared to the four top-selling, game improvement irons on the market. The CG is also located 20% lower. This combination of high MOI and low CG translates into a high and long ball flight, while maintaining consistent club-to-club yardage gapping.

The Idea Tech OS set features:

# 3 & 4 Hybrid iWoods are extremely forgiving hybrids are constructed with a composite crown to achieve a low center of gravity (CG) for a higher launch.

# 5 & 6 Hybrids: These hybrids transition the launch conditions between the iWoods and the short irons to achieve consistent yardage gapping and are constructed with a titanium face for more distance through higher ball speed at impact.

TriTech Short Irons, The tungsten weight positioned in the sole achieves low CG (center of gravity) allowing for a high launch angle. The Vibration Dampening System, consisting of a multi-piece thermoplastic urethane insert in the cavity, enhances the feel and sound. The short-iron chassis is crafted with 431 stainless steel. 

The Idea Tech OS hybrid irons are available in Men’s, Senior’s and Women’s. Right hand and left hand sets are available.
Additional club models are also available: 2 iWood, gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge. MSRP: $999 (graphite) and $899 (steel). www.adamsgolf.com

Callaway Golf


Callaway has introduced their new FT-i Driver. It too has a new almost square, geometrical design similar to Nike’s SUMO  driver.
This 460 cc driver, nicknamed “The Chiclet” by its designers, features a carbon composite body with a titanium “cup” face similar to that of the Fusion FT-3.

As with Nike, Callaway also claims the square shape helps them achieve “complete inertial design” which means they’ve been able to increase the MOI (moment of inertia, or stability) to better resist twisting horizontally and vertically based on the theory that a higher MOI and less twisting results in straighter tee shots.

Both the FT-i and FT-i Tour will include Callaway’s internal weight system and offer a choice of draw, neutral, or fade bias. Callaway’s OptiFit system will be available for the driver.

The FT-i version will be available in both right- and left-hand models. Right handed lofts include 9°, 10°, 11°, and 13HT. Left handed lofts are 10° and 11° in only a draw or neutral bias. The stock shaft is a Fujikura Speeder 586 in light, regular, and stiff flexes.

The FT-i Tour is available in only one loft - 9.5, but will be available in all three bias options for both right- and left-handers. Its stock shaft will be a Fujikura Speeder 686 in regular, stiff, and x-stiff. The FT-i Tour will also feature a slightly open clubface.

We tested both the Nike and Callaway driver at the Fry’s Open in Las Vegas in October and were most impressed by each driver’s performance the ball went straighter, longer and with less dispersion than the current drivers available.
MSRP: $499.99   www.callawaygolf.com 

To be fair to our readers and entrepreneurs in the golf industry, this new square design was first introduced by Techline Golf (www.techlinegolf.com ) in 2001. Lack of capital to bring it to the golf marketplace is still Techline’s major impediment. Its BigFace1 is an excellent driver as well.

Ahead’s Knit Woven Color Block Long Sleeve Wind Shirt


Fact: Looking great on or off the golf course imbues confidence.
Fact: Ahead’s Knit Woven Color Block wind shirt is lightweight and highly water resistant and is a handsome, and even essential piece of equipment ,and a must have for every golfer’s bag.
Made out of polyester-spandex construction, the knit woven wind shirt features a 4-way stretch for easy movement. 

The color block style features pieced side panels with dyed to match knit rib at collar, cuff and waistband.  The wind shirt is available in short sleeve and long sleeve in four colorways; sand, scarlet , black and cadet blue.

MSRP: $66.00.   www.aheadgolf.com

 Sun Mountain’s RainFlex Outerwear

Riding high on their technologically superior garment, Sun Mountain has added more styles to its revolutionary new line of RainFlex outerwear.
RainFlex is constructed from a knit fabric that is extremely light weight, waterproof and breathable. More importantly, as the name suggests, RainFlex is a flexible fabric that stretches with the golfer’s movements and is virtually silent. The RainFlex men’s line includes a long sleeve jacket, long sleeve and short sleeve zip pullover, two styles of pants, and new for 2007, long and short sleeve v-neck pullovers.
MSRP: from $99 for the short sleeve v-neck to $169 for the long sleeve jacket.  www.sunmountain.com

Tour Edge


 After revolutionizing the game with the introduction of the   Bazooka JMAX Iron-Wood, Tour Edge has magic up their sleeves, with the new Exotics CB2 “wood-like” hybrid utility club. This is a ”ultra-hybrid” club that fits in between a hybrid iron, a fairway wood and a hybrid wood with tendencies of that of a short-shafted 7-wood-like club with wide and low profile faces and lots of forgiveness.

 The CB2 combines a forged, lightweight 15-3-3-3 beta titanium cupped face that is chemically bonded to a heavier hyper-steel body.   For distance enhancement, the CB2 features variable face thickness for maximum rebound. The perimeter of the face is thinner while the center is thicker.

The CB2 has two weight ports with removable 6-gram screws.  A weight kit is optional with four additional screws that can be employed to fine tune the CB2 to any swing.

Currently the CB2 is only available in a right hand model.  Graphite Design X-Quad, Aldila NVS Hybrid graphite and Nippon 950 GH steel shafts are available and the stock grip is the Golf Pride New Decade cord grip.

The optional weight kit includes a tuning wrench, a 2-gram weight, a 4-gram weight, a8-gram weight and 10-gram weight. MSRP:$219.99 • www.touredge.com  

“The 73” Wedge by Feel Golf


Feel Golf has introduced a 73 degree wedge, which seems like a lot of loft, just as the 60 and 64 degree did when first introduced years ago, however it is very easy to use.

What makes this wedge a great option is the fact that the player can take their full “driver” swing and “The 73” eliminates the little “half swings” that cause problems. The player doesn’t need to play around with opening the face, or lack the confidence for those perfect high flop shots when short sided. “The 73” glides through the rough like a big mowing machine.

“The 73” in a Satin finish is priced at $129.00 MSRP.
www.feelwedges.com


“Golf’s Best New Destinations” – a Golf Book by Brian McCallen.


Over the past 15 years, hundreds of new public and private golf courses have been built all over the world and the United States.
Instead of taking as gospel, the Top 50 or Top 100 courses as chosen by certain golf magazines, choose a few of the courses Brian has written about. Rest assured, you will find courses and destinations that are unique and exciting.
MSRP:$50 • www.hnabooks.com

Great Divider’s lightweight, crushproof 3 Wheel Golf bag


Enjoy walking with a three-wheel cart? Then the Great Divider bag is the bag for you.

Weighing just six pounds, this 14-way full divider bag both organizes your clubs as well as protects your clubs from banging into each other.

The 3 Wheel is made with 420D Tartan Nylon 600D Polyester and has elastic tee loops, is equipped with an EZ Snap Exterior Putter Clip, eight zippered pockets, two mesh windowed pockets, two mesh pockets, a Velcro Glove Holder, dual neoprene ball sleeves, an accessory carabineer and a complimentary matching rain hood.

 The 3 Wheel is available in black, royal blue, fire engine red, canary yellow, pink, periwinkle and tangerine. 
MSRP:  $119 • www.greatdivider.com

Sun Mountain Superlight 3.5 Improved for 2007


Sun Mountain continues to perfect the Superlight 3.5 with additions such as the built-in top handle that provides a convenient spot to grab when removing the bag from the shoulder, top-molded stand attachment, patented Roller-Bottom stand mechanism with recessed Y-Spring, improved X-Strap(r) Dual Strap for added comfort, and a standard water bottle pouch.

Superlight 3.5 is available in eight color combinations: black/lime/silver, black/goldenrod/white, black/baltic, black/orange/goldenrod, black/evergreen, black/red, navy, and black. $159 • 800-227-9224  •  www.sunmountain.com

Overall, 2007 is going be a year that the marketplace is inundated with new products in every category. At last count there were over 75. Watch out for TaylorMade’s new Giallo putter line, Nike’s CCI irons, Bobby Grace’s new putter with a supposedly revolutionary new insert, Titleist new 907 “D1 and D2 460cc Series” drivers, and MacGregor with their new draw series of drivers and irons.
Some of the better products will be featured in upcoming articles, so stay tuned

Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is also a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and the California Golf Writers Association and a Mediator for the golf industry. He is a contributing writer to numerous national magazines. He can be reached at drlotz@cbsgolf.net.