Author: Alexandra Caspers

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Uncategorized

Players Championship: Was that already the best shot of the tournament?

Hayden Buckley with a hole in one on hole 17 of The Players Championship. (Photo: Getty)
Hayden Buckley with a hole in one on hole 17 of The Players Championship. (Photo: Getty)

There were ten holes-in-one on the 17 hole before the Players Championship 2023 and number 11 was not long in coming. Hayden Buckley, who started on hole 10 in the second flight, sets the bar high and holes the ball in one shot. The ball lands some distance to the right of the flag and then picks up speed toward the hole. In the process, Buckley hit the perfect line for the main prize. After two birdies and a bogey on his round up to that point, the ace puts him near the top in what is still very early in the tournament.

Hole in One at Hole 17 at the Players Championship 2023

Categories
LIV Tour

US Open and British Open will not exclude LIV Golf players

LIV Golfers allowed to participate in major tournaments. (Photo: Getty)
LIV Golfers allowed to participate in major tournaments. (Photo: Getty)

Quietly, the US Open and the 2023 Open Championship are allowing LIV golfers to participate. Back in December, Augusta National announced that it would not exclude LIV players from the Masters, and now the US Open at LA Country Club and the British Open at Royal Liverpool are following suit. The major tournaments announced their qualifying criteria in February and the lists of players who have already qualified include LIV players.

The qualified LIV players get their eligibility mostly through past major victories, for example Martin Kaymer is still qualified for the US Open after his victory in 2014. However, due to the lack of world ranking points and the exclusion from the PGA Tour, it will be harder and harder for LIV players to qualify for the majors as long as there is no separate LIV criterion. However, the way is open for them, especially for US Open and British Open, via the qualifying tournaments.

LIV players at the US Open

Prior to last year’s edition, a statement from the USGA said, “We are proud to be the most open championship in the world, and those players who have earned the right to participate in this year’s championship, both by exemption and qualification, will have the opportunity to do so.” The same is true for 2023. The following LIV players are currently qualified for the US Open: Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Martin Kaymer (former U.S. Open winners for the past decade), Phil Mickelson (because of his 2021 PGA Championship victory), Cameron Smith (2022 Open Championship) and Joaquin Niemann (qualified for the 2022 Tour Championship).

In addition to major victories and the world rankings, there is the possibility of securing a place in the tournament via tournament victories, FedExCup and Race to Dubai, and for amateurs via various amateur competitions. In addition, the qualifying tournaments are open to all.

LIV players at the Open Championship

Also at the R&A and the Open Championship the motto of open competition is still valid. 13 current or former LIV players are qualified for the tournament in Royal Liverpool according to the current status:
Louis Oosthuizen, Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Cameron Smith (former winners under 60), Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau (top 10 at the 150th Open), Thomas Pieters, Adrian Otaegui, Adri Arnau, Richard Bland (top 30 in the final Race to Dubai 2022), Brooks Koepka (US Open win), Patrick Reed (Masters win), Joaquin Niemann, Talor Gooch (top 30 in the FedExCup 2022).

In addition to the qualifying criteria, there will be the Qualifying Series. There will be 16 spots across a series of Regional and Final Qualifying, as well as a total of 34 spots at tournaments on the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour, Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. Provided they are eligible to play on the tours, these tournaments are also open to LIV golfers in an attempt to gain a Major entry.

Categories
Ladies European Tour

13 Major Champions to compete in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International next month

(Photo: Saudi Ladies International)
(Photo: Saudi Ladies International)

The Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund (PIF), has confirmed there will be a total of 13 major champions competing in the history-making event, with a prize purse of US$5million. Major winners include three-time major champion and last year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship winner In Gee Chun, multiple major champion Anna Nordqvist, world no. 7 Lexi Thompson and defending champion Georgia Hall. 

Other major champions who are competing at the event are:

  • Ashleigh Buhai (2022 AIG Women’s Open)
  • Patty Tavatanakit (2021 ANA Inspiration)
  • Kim A-Lim (2020 U.S. Women’s Open)
  • Hannah Green (2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship)
  • Jeong Eun Lee6 (2019 U.S. Women’s Open)
  • Danielle Kang (2017 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship)
  • Lydia Ko (2016 ANA Inspiration; 2015 Evian Championship) 
  • Hyo-Joo Kim (2014 Evian Championship)
  • Ji Eun-Hee (2009 U.S. Women’s Open)

These 13 major champions, who hold 18 major titles between them, are part of a star-studded field that is set to be the event’s strongest lineup, with more top stars set to be announced over the following weeks.

The Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF is the third stop in a record-breaking 2023 LET season, featuring 30 events across 21 countries with a total prize fund of €35million up for grabs.

The groundbreaking event made waves around the world last year following the announcement of its commitment to women’s golf through a prize purse boost to US$5million, which is the largest prize purse outside of the majors and matches the men’s event, the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.

World no. 8 In Gee Chun picked up the third major title of her career when she took home the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship title last year, winning by a stroke over Lexi Thompson and Minjee Lee. It was an impressive performance, especially in the tournament’s first round, as the South Korean put up an eight-under-64 score to equal the largest first-round major lead in women’s golf history.

She also performed well at the 2022 AIG Women’s Open, narrowly losing out on the title to Ashleigh Buhai – who will also be competing at the tournament – in a four-hole sudden-death playoff.

The 28-year-old secured her previous major title in 2016, winning the Evian Championship. She spectacularly captured the title, finishing with a score of 21-under-par, which is the lowest winning score recorded in a major tournament in golf. 

This will be the first time Chun will compete in Saudi Arabia, where she will hope to make a solid start to her 2023 season.  

“I’m excited to finally visit Saudi Arabia. I’m also looking forward to an event that is expected to elevate women’s golf in all parts of the global community. It will definitely be a great early season challenge with a very strong field competing.”

Another major winner and top-10 player competing at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF is America’s Lexi Thompson. The world no. 7 ended her three-year title drought by winning the LET’s Aramco Team Series individual title in New York. In addition to the win in her home country, the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship title holder also notched seven top-10 finishes in 2022.

As a player who has openly voiced her thoughts on equality in the game of golf, Thompson said: “Equal pay in golf has been something that all of us in the women’s game have wanted for so long, so seeing that huge prize purse increase at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF to match the men’s tournament was extremely heartening. For us, it’s always been about feeling equal and we are all focused on growing the game to leave in a much better place for future generation of female golfers.”  

Crowd favourite and defending Champion Georgia Hall is one of the many top players who are excited to make their return to the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, where she created many fond memories last year by winning the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF title.

The world no. 24 and 2018 Ricoh Women’s British Open winner added: “It was great to win early in the season last year and I hope to defend my title this year. I’m a fan of the place and enjoy playing on this course as it suits my game well. 

“Playing in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East gives me much confidence as I’ve done well in past competitions. The treatment we get during event week is absolutely top-notch and makes it much easier to put up great performances on the course for the fans.” 

On the prize purse boost, the 26-year-old added, “It’s a massive boost for the women’s game, and it also goes beyond golf as it’s what women in sport deserve. We are all thoroughly grateful to Golf Saudi for what it’s doing for women’s golf. 

“I’ve personally seen how the Aramco Team Series and Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF events have grown and developed every time I’m here, and I’m confident that it will continue on this path.”

Free tickets are now available for the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF and can be secured by visiting www.golfsaudi.com, where you can also discover more tournament information.

Categories
LIV Tour Uncategorized

LIV Golf League’s 2023 Schedule To Feature 14 Events In Seven Countries

(Photo: LIV Golf)
(Photo: LIV Golf)

The first official season of the groundbreaking LIV Golf League will feature 14 events in seven different countries showcasing some of the top championship courses in the world, including a return to five venues that hosted tournaments as part of the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series. Centurion Club outside London, England (July 7-9), Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Bedminster, New Jersey (August 11-13), Rich Harvest Farms outside Chicago, Illinois (September 22-24), Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami, Florida (October 20-22) and Royal Greens Golf & Country Club near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (November 3-5) will welcome back many of the sport’s biggest stars for the landmark season in the league’s official launch. In addition, fans in the U.S. will see LIV Golf’s innovative league at Orange County National in Orlando, Florida (March 31-April 2) and at Trump National Golf Club, Washington D.C. (May 26-28).

These seven venues, alongside the seven previously announced dates and locations complete the 2023 LIV Golf League schedule: Mayakoba’s El Camaleón Golf Course on Mexico’s Riviera Maya (February 24-26), The Gallery Golf Club in Tucson, Arizona (March 17-19), The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia (April 21-23), The Serapong at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore (April 28-30), Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma (May 12-14), Real Club Valderrama in Andalucía, Spain (June 30-July 2) and The Greenbrier in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia (August 4-6).

“We received tremendous feedback globally from fans throughout our beta-test year, with one resounding theme: LIV Golf’s team format, innovations, and festival-like events are delivering a one-of-a-kind golf experience,” said LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman. “Last year helped lay the foundation for the future of golf at extraordinary courses that have hosted some of the world’s top competitions. LIV Golf’s schedule features fantastic venues and championship sites for our official league launch that will carry the sport into a new era.” 

Along with hosting LIV Golf tournaments, these courses collectively have hosted more than 200 professional, collegiate and amateur events, including such prestigious tournaments as the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, Senior PGA Championship and U.S. Women’s Open. Leading golf organizations and pro tours across the globe have utilized these venues, with many of the courses considered the best in their respective regions and states. Honors such as World’s 100 Greatest Courses, America’s 100 Greatest Courses, 100 Greatest Public Courses, Top 3 Best New Courses, Top 5 Best New Private Golf Courses, and Top 100 Golf Resorts have been bestowed in recent years. Three courses on the 2023 schedule (Real Club Valderrama, Sentosa Golf Club, Royal Greens Golf & Country Club) rank No. 1 in their respective countries. 

Information for tickets, hospitality packages and Pro-Am opportunities are available at LIVGolf.com. Fans are encouraged to secure tickets now, or register to be the first to hear when tickets are released, for LIV Golf’s festival-style three-day tournaments that feature shotgun starts, individual and team competitions, live music and fan activities for all ages.

LIV Golf’s star-studded, international field will feature many of the sport’s biggest names including major winners Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson, Bubba Watson, Louis Oosthuizen, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel. Final rosters for the LIV Golf League will be announced prior to the league launch, when 12 established team franchises will compete in the global 14-event schedule for an unprecedented $405 million in prize purses.

Consistent with the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series, the LIV Golf League will showcase its innovative new golf format featuring simultaneous team and individual play, with each season culminating in a Team Championship finale. The LIV Golf League will not compete with the Majors or international team events.

LIV Golf is owned and operated by LIV Golf Investments, whose vision and mission are centered around making holistic and sustainable investments to enhance the global golf ecosystem and unlock the sport’s untapped worldwide potential.  

(Text: LIV Golf)

Categories
European Tour

Hero Dubai Desert Classic: A thrilling contest with Rolex as Official Partner and Timekeeper

(Photo: Rolex)
(Photo: Rolex)

With the much-anticipated return of the 2023 Rolex Series, the attention of the golfing world will turn to the iconic Hero Dubai Desert Classic – the second Rolex Series event of the year. Celebrating its 34th edition, the 2023 tournament promises to be a thrilling contest with Rolex as Official Partner and Timekeeper.

Spanning more than 50 years, Rolex’s support for golf is one of the most enduring and successful partnerships in sport. The Swiss watchmaker’s relationship with the game began in 1967 when Arnold Palmer, joined by close friends and fellow members of The Big Three, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, became Rolex’s first golf Testimonees. Since then, Rolex’s association with golf has grown exponentially, permeating all levels of the sport, providing unwavering support for elite and amateur players alike, governing bodies, all the Major championships and the main professional tours, as well as the finest events on the golfing calendar.

Founded in 1989, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic was the first DP World Tour event to be staged in the Arabian Peninsula. Rolex became Official Timekeeper of the DP World Tour in 1997 and the event became part of the prestigious Rolex Series – the tour’s premium event category – in 2022. It is renowned for having one of the strongest and most international fields, proving a tough competition for the world’s leading golfers.

The flagship Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club, with its distinct backdrop of shimmering skyscrapers, once again hosts the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from 26-29 January. With the 2023 Ryder Cup on the horizon and qualifying spots to play for, the 2023 tournament presents a timely opportunity for players to find form early in the season.

2023 is set to welcome some of the biggest names in world golf and Rolex Testimonees have a proud history of success in Dubai. Those to have prevailed on the Majlis Course and lift the coveted Dallah Trophy include Fred Couples (1995), José María Olazábal (1998), Thomas Bjørn (2001), Tiger Woods (2006, 2008) and most recently, Rafa Cabrera Bello (2012). Fellow Spaniard and Rolex Testimonee Jon Rahm enjoyed an impressive finish to the 2022 season, which saw him claim a record third DP World Tour Championship title in Dubai at the nearby Jumeirah Golf Estates in November.

Speaking about the Rolex Series, Rahm said: “I have been fortunate enough to win Rolex Series events pretty early on in my career. Given the prize money and strength of field at these events, they always demand an extremely high level of golf and performance. As a Rolex Testimonee, there is also added motivation because you want to make sure a Rolex Testimonee wins. Hopefully, the Rolex Series will continue for a very long time due to its prestige and the fact that it represents such key moments throughout the year for us players to focus on in the calendar.”

2023 also marks the return of the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and the sixth anniversary of the Rolex Series. The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the second of five Rolex Series events held throughout the year. The Series consists of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (19-22 January), the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Genesis Scottish Open (13-16 July), the BMW PGA Championship (14-17 September), and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (16-19 November).

(Text: Rolex)

Categories
Equipment Products

More Carbon, More Fargiveness: Taylor Made Introduces the Stealth 2 Drivers

Taylor Made Golf Company Introduces the Stealth 2 Family of Carbonwood Drivers. (Source: TaylorMade)
Taylor Made Golf Company Introduces the Stealth 2 Family of Carbonwood Drivers. (Source: TaylorMade)

One year ago, Taylor Made Golf Company transformed the trajectory of driver technology with the groundbreaking Stealth CarbonwoodTM drivers, featuring the first-of-its-kind lighter and faster 60X Carbon Twist FaceTM. After a strong year in the marketplace and on professional tours across the world, carbon-face driver performance is just getting started as TaylorMade introduces the Stealth 2 Plus, Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD drivers.

Stealth 2 Carbonwood drivers combine the speed of Stealth with technological advancements that create a new level of forgiveness.

This is Fargivness

Building on the speed producing success of the original 60X Carbon Twist Face that optimised energy transfer for fast ball speeds, the new face design in Stealth 2 features an advanced version of Inverted Cone Technology (ICT). The new ICT is designed to maintain ball speed on off-centre strikes and increase forgiveness, or as we like to call that combination: Fargiveness.

A more pronounced ICT produces a thinner face on the edges and a thicker centre face, engineered to spread speed around the perimeter. Stealth 2’s face weighs just 24g (2g lighter than the original Stealth face) and is designed to have an expanded COR area for a larger sweet spot and boosted performance across the entire face.

“There are two main ways to produce forgiveness in a driver, by optimising the face and by optimising the body. Building off the 60X Carbon Twist Face in the original Stealth that led to ball speed gains for golfers across various skill levels, with Stealth 2 we challenged ourselves to bring more forgiveness in each of the three models. We accomplished that through introducing our modified face construction focused on forgiveness on the outside of the face, and a brand-new carbon-based modular body construction.”

– Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director Product Creation, CarbonwoodTM and Metalwoods

The More Carbon the better

Stealth 2 is the first driver in TaylorMade’s history that has more carbon (including composites) than any other material by volume. TaylorMade has gradually increased the usage of carbon over the last five years and when compared to first generation Stealth there is a 75 percent increase in carbon in Stealth 2 Plus and nearly double in Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD.

What does more Carbon mean? More Carbon creates more discretionary mass that can be re-located for a higher Moment of Inertia (MOI) and optimal CG location. The additional carbon has enabled our engineers to increase total MOI in the Stealth 2 Plus driver by nine percent from Stealth Plus.

Carbon is seen in Stealth 2 drivers with a: Carbon Crown, Carbon Reinforced Composite Ring, Carbon Sole and the 60X Carbon Twist Face. The only parts made of metal in Stealth 2

clubheads are the titanium collar on the front of the club that holds the hosel and frames the face, and front and rear weights that vary by model.

The added Carbon Reinforced Ring provides constructional strength, durability and mass savings that allowed engineers to form a more complex and functional shape.

“The modular carbon body construction of Stealth 2 represents our commitment to carbon as the leading material in every TaylorMade driver we produce. It was clear that the breakthroughs we had with Stealth were just the beginning in terms of the performance we can extract from this technology platform. A primarily carbon-based head construction is revolutionising where we are able to position mass in a driver and this allows us to finely tune the launch, spin and MOI in each of the three Stealth 2 driver models.”

– Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director Product Creation, Carbonwood and Metalwoods

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Groundbreaking Technology remains

Stealth 2 maintains various technological innovations that made the original Stealth driver a powerhouse at all levels of golf.

The 60X Carbon Twist Face is encased by a polyurethane nanotexture cover that is used to fine tune launch and spin to optimise total distance regardless of playing conditions.

The Inertia Generator remains the foundational source of refined aerodynamic properties. The result is a slippery-fast head shape that aids in swing speed generation on the downswing while retaining high MOI, for golfers at every level.

TaylorMade’s flexible Thru-Slot Speed PocketTM design is engineered to maximise ball speeds and produce additional forgiveness on low-face strikes.

Our engineers obsessed over creating the perfect acoustics with Stealth 2 in order to produce a sound and feel that TaylorMade drivers are known for. We used a combination of carbon panel curvature, shape, and thickness to finely tune acoustics, delivering a sound profile that is both bright and powerful.

Performance Comparison of Stealth 2 Plus, Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD

STEALTH 2 PLUS

Because of weight savings from the usage of carbon materials, engineers were able to incorporate the use of a 15g sliding weight track designed to help golfers dial in shot shape by shifting mass on the sole to create the desired ball flight. Stealth 2 Plus is the lowest spinning driver in the family.

STEALTH 2

The reconstructed Stealth 2 driver delivers high MOI performance with a heavy 25g tungsten weight positioned on the Inertia Generator. The TSS (TaylorMade Swingweight System) weight is strategically located on the sole to encourage optimal launch and spin properties, delivering complete performance while allowing the driver to be tuned for

swingweight in custom. The carbon ring on Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD stands out, as it is completely red and visible at address unlike Stealth 2 Plus.

STEALTH 2 HD

Engineers utilised weight savings from the full-body carbon construction to shift the Inertia Generator with its heavy 30g weight closer to the heel in Stealth 2 HD, creating high launch and draw-bias with extreme MOI. Stealth 2 HD is the most stable and forgiving driver in the family.

STEALTH 2 HD WOMEN’S

Featuring a lighter head weight than the standard HD model and a unique colourway, Stealth 2 HD Women’s driver is designed to enhance clubhead speed. It maintains the high MOI head design for easy, high launch with a draw bias.

SPECIFICATIONS, AVAILABILITY AND PRICING

Stealth 2 Plus, Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD drivers will be available for preorder on January 10 and at retail on February 17.

Stealth 2 Plus has an RRP of £529 / EURO 669 / SEK 7,299 / NOK 6,799 / DKK 4,999 / CHF 689 and will be offered in 8°, 9° and 10.5° lofts. Shaft offerings include Mitsubishi Kai’li Red 60 (X, S, R) and Project X HZRDUS Black (Gen 4) 60 (X/6.5, S/6.0). Stealth 2 Plus comes stock with Golf Pride’s Z-Grip Plus 2 Black/Red (52g).

Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD have an RRP of £499 / EURO 649 / SEK 6,999 / NOK 6,499 / DKK 4,899 / CHF 669 and will be offered in 9°, 10.5° and 12° lofts. Stealth 2 shaft offerings included Fujikura Ventus Red TR 5 (S, R, A) and Mitsubishi Diamana S+ 60 (X, S, R). The Stealth 2 HD shaft offering is Fujikura Speeder NX Red 60 (S) and 50 (R, A). Both models come with Golf Pride’s Z-Grip Plus 2 Black/Red (52g) grip.

Stealth 2 HD Women’s comes in 10.5° and 12° lofts with Adila Ascent Ladies 45 shaft and Lamkin Ladies Sonar (38g) grip.

For all offerings, numerous custom shaft and grip options are available through our Custom department. The custom process allows us to build the ideal club for any golfer – it’s not women’s equipment or men’s equipment, but the right equipment.

MYSTEALTH 2 PLUS – IN YOUR ELEMENT

TaylorMade continues its investment in personalisation with the MyStealth 2 programme to allow golfers to have advanced personalisation in the Stealth 2 Plus Model:

  • Face Colour: Red, Black, Yellow, Blue, Light Blue, Bright Green, Pink, Orange, Purple
  • Ring Colour: Red, Black, Gold, Silver, White, Charcoal
  • Crown Finish: Gloss or Satin
  • Top Line: Black or White
  • Sightline: Logo or No Logo
  • Weight Colours: Black or Chrome
  • Custom MyStealth 2 Headcover MyStealth 2 has an RRP of £599 / EURO 759 / SEK 8,349 / DKK 5,699 / CHF 779 and is offered in the Stealth 2 Plus model in 9° and 10.5° loft in both RH and LH. Preorder begins January 10 at TaylorMadeGolf.com and available at select retailers starting February 17.

(Text: TaylorMade)

Categories
Equipment Products

TaylorMade Stealth 2 Fairways: Versatile Designs and Breakthrough Technologies to Fit Golfers of All Abilities

TaylorMade Announces New Family of Stealth 2 Fairways and Hybrids. (Source: TaylorMade)
TaylorMade Announces New Family of Stealth 2 Fairways and Hybrids. (Source: TaylorMade)

TaylorMade Golf Company continues its technological innovation in the fairway wood and RescueTM categories with the announcement of the Stealth 2 fairway and Stealth 2 Rescue family. The latest line of Stealth 2 fairway woods and RescueTM clubs continues to feature with breakthrough movable weight technologies and versatile designs.

TaylorMade presents new Stealth 2 Plus fairway

The flagship model of the line is Stealth 2 Plus fairway, which features a heavy 50g sliding weight on the sole. This weight allows for three main settings, each with its own performance characteristics – creating three different fairway woods in one. The middle setting is the most versatile for optimal playability off the deck or off the tee. This standard setting will fit a wide range of golfers and has mid launch, mid-spin and consistently powerful distance.

Players can manipulate the weight to fit their swing or desired launch conditions. Shifting it to the front reduces spin and creates a piercing trajectory for added distance off the tee. This setting is also ideal for high-spin golfers who want to knock off spin for increased roll out and distance.

“We anticipate the forward setting being popular on Tour, particularly among players like Collin Morikawa who have historically used our 13.5° Rocket 3-wood for increased distance and a low spin/low launch. The versatility of Stealth 2 Plus will allow for this type of “rocket” setting but ultimately its versatility is its greatest appeal. Adjusting the movable weight creates noticeable performance differences in terms of launch, spin and distance, allowing golfers to dial in the preferred flight characteristics that their game, course and conditions require.”

–Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director of Product Creation

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Positioning the weight all the way back is the most forgiving setting. It adds spin and increases MOI for enhanced performance on off-centre strikes. This setting also encourages a steeper descent angle with more spin, creating a performance option for players who possess the power and speed to attack par 5s with their second shots – helping them to hold the green more easily.

The combination of the sliding weight along with an FCT Loft Sleeve gives Stealth 2 Plus a massive spin and loft range, checking in at +/- 2° of loft and approximately +/- 550 RPMs of spin. These two functions allow players to customise the club to fit their specific needs and playing style.

The Stealth 2 fairway builds on the success of the original Stealth fairway, which was among the most played fairway woods on the PGA Tour in 2022. It features a slightly lower profile 3D carbon crown that pushes CG down and pulls mass away from the high toe area, allowing more weight to be positioned rearward for optimal forgiveness and maximum playability.

The V SteelTM sole continues to play a pivotal role with the Stealth 2 fairway. This iconic TaylorMade technology is dual-purpose:

  1. 1)  Helping to drive weight low for deeper CG.
  2. 2)  Improving turf interaction and providing the versatility to take on a variety of lies.

Joining the TaylorMade Family: Stealth 2 HD

Another unique addition to the TaylorMade fairway family is the all-new Stealth 2 HD, engineered to maximise forgiveness and deliver easy playability for golfers at every level. A radical departure from traditional TaylorMade designs, it features an ultra-high MOI construction with an oversized 200cc head.

A larger, low-profile sole helps the club hug the ground at address and makes it easier to achieve a high launch, while internal weighting encourages a draw-bias ball flight. Stealth HD has the highest MOI of any TaylorMade fairway wood and expands the limits of forgiveness in terms of off-the-deck playability. For golfers who have historically struggled to produce successful shots with their fairway woods, this ground-breaking design will be an exciting and easy-to-hit alternative.

Every Stealth 2 fairway and Rescue features a new Advanced Inverted Cone Technology, an intelligent design that optimises the face thickness profile of each individual club type to ensure peak performance regardless of face size, shape or material. Engineered to maximise speed and enhance durability, the design is thinnest at true centre and around the edges, with a thicker mantle surrounding centre face.

“Advanced ICT takes a proven TaylorMade concept and pushes it to the next level. We’ve now optimised variable face thickness for each individual club, so that every face on a Stealth 2 fairway or Rescue has been specifically engineered for that club. This design feat is a testament to our team’s relentless drive to improve on every aspect of our products year after year.”

-Matt Johnson, Principal Engineer, Advanced Design

SPECIFICATIONS, AVAILABILITY & PRICING

Stealth 2 Plus, Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD fairways will be available for preorder on January 10 and at retail on February 17, 2023. Stealth 2 Plus has an RRP of £379 / €479 / SEK 5,299 / NOK 4,999 / DKK 3,699 / CHF 489 and will be offered in 3/15° and 5/18° lofts. It will be offered in the Mitsubishi Kai’li Red FW (75X, 75S, 65R), with a variety of custom shaft options available. Stealth 2 Plus fairways come stock with the Golf Pride’s Z-Grip (52g).

Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD have an RRP of £299 / €379 / SEK 4,199 / NOK 3,999 / DKK 2,999 / CHF 389. Stealth 2 will be offered in lofts of 3/15°, 3HL/16.5°, 5/18°, 7/21° and 9/24°. Shaft offerings include Fujikura Ventus TR Red FW (6-S, 5-R, 5-A), with a variety of custom shaft options available. Stealth 2 HD will be offered in lofts of 16°, 19° and 22°. Fujikura Speeder NX

Red is the stock shaft offering with a variety of custom shaft options available. Both models come stock with Golf Pride’s Z-Grip (52g).

Stealth 2 HD Women’s Fairway is offered in lofts of 16°, 19° and 22°, and comes stock with the Aldila Ascent Ladies 45 shaft and Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip.

STEALTH 2 PLUS, STEALTH 2 AND STEALTH 2 HD RESCUE CLUBS

For the first time, TaylorMade is releasing a trio of Rescue clubs within the same family: Stealth 2 Plus, Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD, each designed with a specific golfer and performance goal in mind.

Stealth 2 Plus Rescue features a compact tour-inspired shape that lends itself to enhanced shot making. It combines the control and workability of a long iron with the added forgiveness of a Rescue.

Compared to the original Stealth Rescue, CG is positioned lower in the Stealth 2 head for a more centred CG projection that leads to optimal launch and spin. A mass pad positioned at the back of the club further increases MOI for forgiveness and playability.

Stealth 2 HD is new to the family and utilises a larger but lower overall profile along with internal draw-bias weighting to deliver high launch and easy-to-hit performance. Higher lofts than traditional Rescue clubs promote better launch and help golfers get the ball airborne faster at moderate swing speeds.

With versatile designs and breakthrough technologies, the Stealth 2 family of fairway woods and Rescue clubs has the potential to change the trajectory of fairway and hybrid design for years to come. Golfers of all abilities will be able to find a club that fits their needs and helps them improve their game.

SPECIFICATIONS, AVAILABILITY & PRICING

Stealth 2 Plus, Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD Rescues clubs will be available for preorder on January 10 and at retail on February 17, 2023. Stealth 2 Plus has an RRP of £249 / €329 / SEK 3,499 / NOK 3,299 / DKK 2,499 / CHF 329 and will be offered in lofts of 2/17°, 3/19.5° and 4/22°. It will be offered in the Mitsubishi Kai’li Red HY (95X, 85S, 75R) shaft, with numerous custom shaft options available. It comes stock with the Golf Pride’s Z-Grip (52g).

Stealth 2 Rescue has an RRP of £239/ €299 / SEK 3,299 / NOK 3,099 / DKK 2,299 / CHF 299 and will be offered in lofts of 3/19°, 4/22°, 5/25°, 6/28° and 7/31°. It will be offered in the Fujikura Ventus Red TR HB (7-S, 6-R, 5-A) shaft, with numerous custom shaft options, as well as Lamkin’s Crossline 360 grip (47g).

Stealth 2 HD Rescue has an RRP of £239/ €299 / SEK 3,299 / NOK 3,099 / DKK 2,299 / CHF 299 will be offered in lofts of 3/20°, 4/23°, 5/27° and 6/31°. It will be offered in the Fujikura Speeder

NX Red (60-S, 50-R, 50-A) shaft, with numerous custom shaft options available. Stealth 2 HD Rescue comes stock with the Lamkin Crossline 360 grip (47g).

Stealth 2 HD Women’s Rescue offerings include the Aldila Ascent Ladies shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip (38g). Loft offerings include 4/23°, 5/27° and 6/31°.

(Text: TaylorMade)

Categories
Equipment Products

TaylorMade Golf Unveils Stealth HD Irons

New TaylorMade Stealth HD irons. (Source: TaylorMade)
New TaylorMade Stealth HD irons. (Source: TaylorMade)

TaylorMade Golf, the industry leader in innovation and technology, today announces the all-new Stealth HD irons – an unconventional approach to helping developing golfers find success in the game.

TaylorMade presents all-new Stealth HD irons

The original Stealth iron featuring Cap BackTM design for more forgiveness excelled at bringing golfers everywhere better shots more often and will continue as the brand’s marquee game improvement iron. With the addition of Stealth HD, the company welcomes a wider breadth of golfers to Team TaylorMade with a more forgiving, easy-to-launch max game improvement option.

Development of this iron started from the ground up, as TaylorMade embarked on a journey to create an iron unlike any other in the brand’s history. Product creationists and engineers surveyed golfers in the max game improvement demographic to understand what they need, how they play golf and gather data on their performance. Research included extensive product testing as well as in-depth interviews with the target golfers for Stealth HD.

Taking design inspiration from the data, Stealth HD was engineered to deliver performance where this player needs it most. An ultra-low-profile head shape in the long irons drives CG lower to help get the ball airborne with ease – a critical component for defining success among this player set. Progressive head sizes, meaning that each club is uniquely shaped and gets incrementally larger from 5-iron through pitching wedge, help independently optimise the performance of each iron.

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An increased sole radius and innovative step-down design along the bottom of the club round out the all-new shape. Testing confirmed that increasing the sole arc from heel to toe led to more shots high on the face, which translates to higher launch and further helps this golfer get the ball airborne. The step-down sole is designed to boost playability by reducing the amount of surface area that contacts the turf.

An asymmetric draw-bias face was incorporated in direct response to golfer interviews, as players within this demographic associated “successful shots” with any result that flew straight or had a draw shape. High COR and fast ball speeds are an added benefit of the new face construction.

In addition, TaylorMade increased loft throughout the Stealth HD iron set to correspond with findings from a proprietary simulation tool – which factors in relevant design variables to optimise carry distance, launch angle and spin at slow to moderate swing speeds.

“A high launching, easy-to-hit iron with surprisingly exceptional feel.“

“In working with players in this category, we exhausted all optimisation tools to determine the ideal loft for each iron in the set. Incorporating higher lofts was done purposefully and with intent. Our goal was to provide as much launch and spin as possible without sacrificing distance, and what we found was this design strategy often led to increased carry distance for the

developing golfer when compared to traditional super game improvement irons with stronger lofts. By combining this totally unique construction with our existing technologies, we created a high launching, easy-to-hit iron with surprisingly exceptional feel.”

– Matt Bovee, Director, Product Creation Irons

While the head was made for slow to moderate swing speeds, performance effects are seen at every level of skill and speed. The Stealth HD iron is a great option for fitters and any player who struggles to launch the ball consistently. The full package of design elements provides forgiveness and distance for developing golfers, all while maintaining a premium aesthetic.

In addition, Stealth HD irons incorporate proven TaylorMade technologies such as Cap BackTM Design, a Thru Slot Speed PocketTM and the ECHO® Damping System, a trio that creates a flexible and responsive face with exceptional feel.

SPECIFICATIONS, AVAILABILITY & PRICING

Stealth HD irons will be available for preorder on January 10 and at retail on February 17, 2023. Stealth HD irons have an RRP per iron of £129/ €170 / SEK 1,815 / NOK 1,715 / DKK 1,286 / CHF 170 for steel and £143/ €190 / SEK 2,029 / NOK 1,929 / DKK 1,429 / CHF 190 for graphite and will be available from 5-PW with AW, SW and LW (RH Only) available. Stock shaft offerings include KBS Max 85 MT (steel) and Fujikura NX Red/Silver (graphite), with a variety of custom shaft options. Stealth HD irons come stock with the Lamkin Crossline Black/Red grip (47g).

Stealth HD Women’s Irons offering includes the Aldila Ascent Ladies shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip (38g).

(Text: TaylorMade)

Categories
Equipment

NICOLAI AND RASMUS HØJGAARD JOIN #TEAMCALLAWAY

(Photo: Callaway)
(Photo: Callaway)

(Chessington, UK – January 9, 2023) Callaway today announced two important new Staff Professional signings, with rising stars Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard joining its 2023 team on the DP World Tour.

The high-flying 21-year-old Danish twins, both already multiple winners on the DP World Tour, will use a full bag of Callaway and Odyssey products, including the newly-launched Paradym Driver, and the company’s Chrome Soft Golf Ball, featuring proprietary Precision Technology.

The brothers made history in 2021 when they both won in consecutive weeks on Tour. Seven days after Rasmus picked up his third DP World Tour title at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland, Nicolai became the DS Automobiles Italian Open Champion.

Golf, and winning, has been a key part of Nicolai and Rasmus’ lives from an early age, both competing in the ‘aged 10-and-younger’ category at the Danish National Championship, and claiming first and second places!

In 2016, Rasmus went on to become Danish Amateur Champion and, two years later, Nicolai became the European Amateur Champion. They were also both members of the Danish side that won the European Boys’ Team Championship in 2017, and competed for Europe in the 2018 Junior Ryder Cup.

Commenting on these significant new signings, Peter Harrison, Director of Tour Relations, Callaway Golf EMEA, said: “Rasmus and Nicolai join us at a hugely significant time in their careers. They are undoubtedly both superstars of the future, already proving they are born winners, and their Tour victories in recent years are just the beginning.

“We are thrilled to welcome them both to #TeamCallaway and offer them the very best equipment and technology to take their games to the next level, whether that’s on the DP World Tour, competing in golf’s Majors, or playing in future Ryder Cups.”

Rasmus commented: “Testing my new Callaway equipment during the winter has gone really well, and I can’t wait to start the 2023 DP World Tour season as a member of #TeamCallaway”

Nicolai added: “I’m super excited to put the new 2023 Callaway and Odyssey products into play this week as I tee it up in Abu Dhabi for Team Continental Europe at the Hero Cup”

What’s in the Bag – Rasmus Højgaard
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond 8.5°
Fairway: Callaway Paradym 3-Wood HL
Utility: Callaway UW 21 Raw
Irons: Callaway 2023 MB Proto 4-10
Wedges: Callaway JAWS MD5 Raw, Callaway JAWS Full Toe 56° & 60°
Putter: Toulon Design Le Mans Tour
Golf Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X

What’s in the Bag – Nicolai Højgaard
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond 10.5°
Fairways: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond 16.5° HL, Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond 18°
Irons: Callaway 2023 MB Proto 4-10
Wedges: Callaway JAWS Raw 50°, Callaway JAWS Full Toe 56° & 60°
Putter: Toulon Design Chicago
Golf Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X

(Text: Callaway)

Categories
European Tour

Rahm and Fitzpatrick presented with DP World Tour Honorary Life Membership

Matthew Fitzpatrick an Jon Rahm recieve DP World Tour Honorary Life Membership (Photo: Getty)
Matthew Fitzpatrick an Jon Rahm recieve DP World Tour Honorary Life Membership (Photo: Getty)

Jon Rahm and Matt Fitzpatrick, the last two U.S. Open Champions, have been presented with Honorary Life Membership of the DP World Tour ahead of the 2022 season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

In 2021, Rahm became the first Spanish winner of the U.S. Open as he triumphed at Torrey Pines, birdieing the final two holes to finish one stroke ahead of Louis Oosthuizen. He returned to World Number One with his victory and became just the fourth Spaniard to win a Major Championship.

Earlier this year, Fitzpatrick completed a fairy-tale triumph at The Country Club, Brookline, winning the U.S. Open at the same venue he won the U.S. Amateur Championship nine years prior – joining Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win both Championships on the same course.

Keith Pelley, the CEO of the DP World Tour, presented the pair with their Honorary Life Membership cards ahead of the final Rolex Series event of 2022, becoming the 58th and 59th members to be conferred the honour.

He said: “Jon and Matt’s achievements over the last two years were truly special and we are delighted to present them both with Honorary Life Membership of the DP World Tour.

“Jon assumed the status of an Honorary Life Member of our Tour immediately after his win at Torrey Pines but with him not being here in Dubai last year, we were unable to make the official presentation – I am delighted to be able to put that right this year, alongside recognising Matt for his own magical U.S. Open moment in June.

“Jon’s victory was an incredible achievement, becoming the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Open and just the fourth Major winner from Spain. And for Matt to write his name alongside Jack Nicklaus in golf’s record books is something that few golfers in history can claim to do.”

Rahm said: “To join the list of icons that have earned this, it is truly an honour. Any time you can write your name in history next to some of the greatest players that have accomplished this before me is very unique. To keep doing things like this, it is a true honour to represent Spain and an honour to receive this.”

Fitzpatrick said: “I’ve been out on Tour seven or eight years now and I remember when Danny Willett received his and I thought at the time ‘I’d love one of those’. When I found out that I’d be presented with Honorary Life Membership by Keith and the Tour I was truly honoured. I’m very grateful.”