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Equipment

Arccos Announces Exclusive Partnership with ‘Stats Genius’ Edoardo Molinari to Expand Golf’s Most Powerful and Intuitive Analytics Platform

Arccos – the leader in connected A.I. golf products and the Official Game Tracker of the PGA TOUR – today announced an exclusive partnership that will see Edoardo Molinari, a DP World Tour player and Analytics advisor for more than 35 top professionals including Matthew Fitzpatrick (U.S. Open champion), Viktor Hovland (FedExCup champion), Nelly Korda (Women’s PGA Championship winner) and the European Ryder Cup Team, become Arccos’ Chief Data Strategist & Lead Tour Ambassador to help expand the game’s most powerful and intuitive analytics platform.

In his new role, Molinari will become an investor in Arccos and his StatisticGolf service will be renamed Arccos Pro Insights as he continues working with top-ranked players worldwide. Molinari will also leverage the Arccos system – which was recently approved for use on the PGA TOUR – to seamlessly capture his personal shot data during competitions and practice rounds. He will showcase the Arccos logo on his apparel, promoting the company’s mission to empower golfers at every level with datadriven insights.

“I’m very impressed with the Arccos game tracking system as it is delivering tremendous benefits to so many players around the world,” said Molinari. “It’s the perfect complement to the platform I’ve built for the game’s most elite pros. Joining forces with Sal Syed and his team of amazing data scientists, analysts, engineers and designers, will make an immediate impact. I know we’re poised to pioneer groundbreaking advancements in analytics, helping every golfer become smarter about practice, preparation, and on-course decision-making.”

Recently named European Ryder Cup Team Vice Captain for the second time, Molinari has frequently been called a “stats genius” by tour stars and golf media. As a player, Molinari won the 2005 U.S. Amateur Championship, claimed three DP World Tour titles, was on the winning 2010 Ryder Cup team and reached #14 on the Official World Golf Ranking.

A graduate of a five-year engineering program at the Polytechnic University of Turin, the 42-year-old Italian began recording and analyzing his own stats in 2003. During golf’s COVID-19 hiatus, Molinari conceived and launched StatisticGolf, which quickly became the most used and trusted analytics platform on professional tours. In 3 years, his clients have captured 27 worldwide wins including: US Open, Ryder Cup, FedExCup, and DP World Tour Championship.

“The sophistication of what Edoardo has built surpasses anything that I’ve seen in the field of golf analytics,” said Sal Syed, Arccos CEO & Co-Founder. “Edoardo is not only brilliant with data, he has the perspective that comes from being one of the world’s best players. That combination is totally unique and a big reason why major champions and Ryder Cup winners give so much credit to his work. By pairing Edoardo’s approach with what we’ve built at Arccos, we’ll redefine analytics, to perfectly address the needs of pro golfers, as well as elite amateurs, junior golfers and recreational players.”

Golf’s #1 game tracker, Arccos has built the game’s largest on-course dataset. Today that includes almost 900 million shots and over 1.5 trillion data points recorded during 18 million rounds by Arccos members. The system, which consists of a lightweight smart sensor in each club grip that pairs with a mobile app, has long been trusted by amateurs and elite players worldwide.

Arccos recently launched Link Pro, a revolutionary device that tracks a player’s shots automatically without a phone and works inside a player’s front pocket to seamlessly capture on-course data. Ideal for use in professional competitions, Link Pro is the size of a car key fob and comes standard with a wireless charging case that provides up to 12 rounds on a single charge.

Late last year, Arccos announced a strategic fundraising round featuring several of golf’s biggest brands and most impactful businesses, headlined by the PGA TOUR alongside PING, Inc., TaylorMade Golf Company, Cobra PUMA Golf and Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. (NYSE: MODG), among others. The company’s focus: fully leverage and accelerate the growth of the game’s largest data set to help the entire golf ecosystem by allowing players, coaches, club fitters and product designers make smarter decisions that are based on real performance data.

About Arccos Golf LLC

Arccos Golf LLC is revolutionizing the game tracking experience by integrating Artificial Intelligence with real-time on-course data to deliver unparalleled insights that help players maximize their potential. Listed among the “World’s Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company, Arccos boasts the golf industry’s richest data set. Its official partners include PGA TOUR, PING, Cobra PUMA Golf, TaylorMade, Srixon-Cleveland Golf, Club Champion, EA Sports and Golf Digest.

For more information, please visit: www.arccosgolf.com.

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Equipment

Motocaddy: New new cart bag range 2024

Motocaddy is providing golfers with an abundance of choice this season by launching four brand new models in contemporary styling and colourways, while incorporating more spacious pockets and game-enhancing features than ever before.
The latest bags include a new luxury M-TECH top of the range model, as well as all-new versions of the brand’s best-selling Dry-Series, feature-packed Club-Series and compact Lite-Series, alongside this season’s versatile HydroFLEX carry bag launched last Autumn.

The 2024 bag range is completed by the popular Pro-Series model and award-winning PROTEKTA organiser cart bag – bringing the total Motocaddy selection this year to seven feature-packed models in 19 different colourway combinations, making it easy for golfers to match an eye-catching and functional bag with the trolley of their choice.

“We continue to lead the way in providing golfers with the largest selection of golf bags designed specifically with trolley users in mind,” said Marketing Director, Oliver Churcher. “While it’s not easy to change something as popular as the previous Dry-Series, we believe we’ve enhanced the look and features on this year’s bag as well as the other new models to provide something to suit every golfer at different price points. We continually strive to improve our products to enhance the enjoyment for everyone out on the course,” he added.

The new Motocaddy card bag range 2024

Combining top-quality materials with luxury finishes, the new M-TECH cart bag is styled to complement any Motocaddy electric trolley, not just the premium trolley of the same name. Incorporating cutting-edge Carbon design and wide-ranging features, the new M-TECH bag includes 14 full-length dividers, a jumbo putter well, plus Chromed zip pullers and accessory hook.
There are 10 spacious pockets – the most ever included within a Motocaddy bag – offering four options for garments, plus spaces for dry valuables, insulated food & drink items, and an easy-access external beverage pouch. Additional features include an umbrella sleeve, towel hook, strap passthrough channel, pen holder and scorecard pouch.

(Photo: Motocaddy)

As with each bag and trolley in the range, the M-TECH cart bag also features the brand’s exclusive EASILOCK® system that locks it onto a Motocaddy trolley and removes the need for a lower bag support strap. Two holes on the trolley’s lower bag support align with two removable pins on the base of the bag to ensure golfers can secure their bag more easily and quicker than ever before. The flagship M-TECH cart bag is available from March in a classy Black/Charcoal.

The new Dry-Series card bags 2024

Super-lightweight and 100% waterproof thanks to the durable TPU Nylon fabric, thermo sealed zips and heat-welded seams, the latest bags in the award-winning Dry-Series feature nine spacious pockets, 14 full-length dividers and easy-open Japanese YKK zips for snag free opening.
Additional features include new thermoform panels for added styling and a premium feel not normally seen on waterproof bags, an umbrella sleeve, a Velcro glove patch, towel hook, pen holder and scorecard pouch, plus a removable panel at the front of the bag to allow for club cresting.

(Photo: Motocaddy)

The waterproof fabric is supported by a waterproof rain hood, with the bag providing easy-access carry handles and an anti-twist base for seamless transportation on and off the course. Including EASILOCK® compatibility, the new Dry-Series is also available from next month in four eye-catching trim colours (Blue, Red, Lime and Fuchsia).
Lightweight and durable, the new feature-packed Club-Series offers a combination of value and style with nine generous pockets, 14 full-length dividers, an external umbrella holder and a dedicated putter well. Created using a durable Nylon fabric for a premium look, additional features include a towel and accessory hook, scorecard and pen holders and an anti-twist base. Available in three colour trim
options (Red, Blue and Lime).

(Photo: Motocaddy)

The new Lite-Series from Motocaddy

Constructed from a super lightweight Nylon fabric, the new Lite-Series is the lightest (2.3kg) and most compact cart bag in the Motocaddy range. Incorporating seven pockets and 14 dividers in a spacious top layout, the Lite-Series includes an impressive selection of standout features, including a waterproof rain hood, towel and accessory hook, an umbrella loop, easy access carry handles, an anti-twist base and EASILOCK® compatibility. Available next month in Blue, Red or Lime trim colours.

(Photo: Motocaddy)

“By adding these four new cart bags to the popular HydroFLEX, Pro-Series and PROTEKTA options, we can offer golfers the most comprehensive choice available to match with their electric or push
trolleys. We’re looking forward to seeing even more Motocaddy bags out on golf courses this season,” added Churcher.
With updated modern styling, improved storage options and cutting-edge design, the latest HydroFLEX carry bag provides golfers with the flexibility they need throughout the season, especially during the wetter winter months.
Incorporating game-enhancing features, the super lightweight and waterproof model offers golfers a comfortable carry bag option, featuring an innovative integrated stand system that also fits perfectly
onto any Motocaddy trolley. Standout features include a moulded hip pad, a rear stand lock, and an easily adjustable dual carry strap with quick release connectors for ultimate comfort when carrying clubs around the course.
Easy-open Japanese YKK zips, plus heat-welded seams and an easy-access rain hood provide excellent waterproof protection, while five full length dividers and five spacious pockets offer impressive storage for equipment and valuables. The HydroFLEX is available now in Blue, Lime or Red colourways.

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Equipment

LPGA Tour player Alison Lee signs as Ecco Golf ambassador

Leaders in golf shoe innovation, ECCO GOLF, have announced the signing of LPGA Tour star Alison Lee to its team of brand ambassadors. The 29-year-old Los Angeles native brings a wealth of talent and joins off the back of her most impressive year on tour to-date.

Alison Lee becomes brand ambassador for Ecco Golf

The World Number 18’s journey into professional golf was meteoric, going from college golfer to LPGA Tour player in just a year and a half, before featuring at the 2015 Solheim Cup for Team USA.

Whilst Lee is still chasing her first LPGA Tour victory, she has stepped into the winners’ circle twice on the Ladies European Tour to-date, having won the Aramco Team Series Sotogrande in 2021, and the Aramco Team Series Riyadh in 2023.

Lee, who has been a fan of ECCO GOLF shoes for a number of years, will step into the 2024 season wearing ECCO GOLF TRAY. “I can’t wait to get started in 2024 wearing ECCO GOLF shoes. They are by far the most comfortable golf shoes I’ve ever worn, and having the opportunity to take the next step with the brand as a global ambassador is a wonderful opportunity,” she commented.

(Photo: Ecco Golf)

Timo Vollrath, Head of Global Marketing at ECCO GOLF, expressed his excitement about the new partnership: “We are thrilled to welcome Alison to the ECCO GOLF family,” he said. “Her impressive journey in golf perfectly embodies the values we have here at ECCO. We believe this partnership can help to elevate Alison’s game, and we’re excited to work with her in 2024 and beyond.”

The Ecco Golf Tray: a sporty sneaker for the golf course

The breathable and water-repellent golf sneaker seems to have won over Alison Lee. Thanks to Ecco’s Hydromax technology and a hard-wearing leather upper, the white studded shoe is said to be water-repellent and support good performance even in bad weather. The DriTan technology is said to save a lot of chemicals and water during the tanning process of the shoes.
In addition, the E-DTS Twist sole with enlarged studs in high-wear areas ensures good grip in many conditions, according to Ecco Golf. The removable insole is also padded and breathable for even more comfort. With many exciting color variations, the shoe is also a visual highlight, which will also be seen on the fairways of the LPGA Tour in the future.

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Equipment Golfshoes

New adidas TOUR360 golfshoe with focus on performance, fit and durability

Heading into its 19th year of providing golfers with pinnacle performance in golf footwear, adidas completely redesigned its premium flagship footwear franchise from the inside out to introduce TOUR360 24. Wrapped in confidence, the newest chapter elevates every touchpoint for the foot with an eye on improving traction, stability and comfort to give golfers everything they need to perform their best on the course. The new footwear will come in both laced and BOA® models for men and women and will be available on adidas.com, the adidas app and at select retailers beginning Thursday, February 29.

The same way golf is a sport of constantly striving for perfection, adidas approaches each iteration of the TOUR360 with that same mindset. After pushing the TOUR360 to new heights in 2022, the brand utilized feedback from athletes and consumers around the world to target specific areas aimed at improving fit, durability and performance with this version. This in-depth and collaborative approach resulted in an elevated design with performance at the heart of every detail.

“For TOUR360 24, our objective was to take key learnings from nearly 20 years of TOUR360 development to enhance the performance of the shoe from the inside out,” said Masun Denison, global footwear director, adidas Golf. “We wanted to capture that feeling of confidence that comes when someone puts their foot into the shoe for the first time and gets excited to head to the first tee.  The shoe features the classic signature look, but golfers will notice a difference in the way this one feels the minute they put them on.”

adidas Tour360 golf shoe: three key technologies

  • FIT: The new TOUR360 24 brings key technologies inside the shoe aimed at ensuring the footwear fits the right way. To offer golfers a better fit, adidas is introducing:
    • INSITE™ 2.0 Sockliner
      • Modified for TOUR360 24, this insole features updated shaping in the arch  and heel aimed at improving fit and stability. 
    • Internal 360WRAP
      • adidas included an internal fit sleeve on the sides of the tongue along with the new TORSION BRIDGE in the midsole that when combined is intended to give a feeling of 360 degree support throughout the swing.
    • Performance Last
      • TOUR360 24 is built on adidas’ performance last to help ensure fit consistency across other performance models in the range. Men’s models of TOUR360 24 will be offered in both medium and wide widths while the women’s model will be offered in medium width only.
  • PERFORMANCE: Perhaps one of the most critical pieces for golfers, the adidas team designed the new footwear specifically with performance in mind. Key features include:
    • TORSION BRIDGE
      • Comprised of a more rigid top plate and flexible bottom plate, this new TPU TORSION BRIDGE is designed to improve stability across the mid and forefoot for where golfers need it most, especially as they load and unload power through the swing. It also sits lower to the ground to help conform to uneven lies and surfaces.
    • JET BOOST / LIGHTSTRIKE
      • For the first time in golf, adidas is using JET BOOST in the heel, which fuses smaller, firmer energy capsules together to provide the ultimate blend of stability and comfort. By combining this technology with LIGHTSTRIKE in the forefoot, the adidas team sought to provide the perfect balance of cushioning and stability throughout the swing.
    • Replaceable THINTECH 7-spike outsole
      • Designed for optimal traction, the TPU outsole features replaceable spikes where golfers need them most. adidas also included flex grooves in the secondary traction, finished with high gloss to help reduce clogging in the footwear. adidas also placed a spike closer to the toe with an aim of allowing for better toe-off through the swing and improved power from the ground.
  • DURABILITY: Golfers find themselves in a variety of conditions as they play, so adidas included some key features to go along with the premium leather and microfiber materials to help the shoes last from season to season:
    • ‘T-Shape’ suede microfiber heel
      • This new three-piece construction combines a soft, anti-abrasive sandwiched textile that runs from the center heel to the half collar to help reduce wear and tear over time while enhancing overall comfort.
    • Waterproof leather upper
      • This premium, soft, waterproof leather upper is designed for long-term durability and protection in wet conditions.
The adidas THINTECH Spikes. (Photo: adidas)

As part of the TOUR360 24 range, adidas is introducing a new BOA® model for men and women to provide another option for improved fit and performance. Hidden within the upper of the footwear, adidas collaborated with the BOA Technology team to create a shell pattern fit system that works in conjunction with the lining of the leather upper to enhance overall fit and function. Featuring the micro-adjustable Li2 dial, the system sits underneath a zipper shroud in the upper for a premium and clean aesthetic. Wrapping around the midfoot, golfers can feel even more locked-in as the BOA Li2 dial provides a customized fit.

The new TOUR360 24 will be available in a variety of colorways in laced and BOA versions for both men and women, along with a junior model inspired by the footwear, beginning Thursday, February 29 on adidas.com, the adidas app and select retailers worldwide. 

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Equipment Uncategorized

Novelty: OGIO launches unique golf bag range

Spearheading an exciting 2024 collection, the Fuse Stand Bag is OGIO’s newest golf product, designed as a lightweight, bold and functional carry option for golfers of all ages and abilities.

As part of the range, OGIO is offering the eye-catching Hawaiian-themed Aloha Fuse bag, which sees the top section of the over mould hydro-dipped for water transfer printing, creating designs whereby no two bags are the same.

Infused with OGIO features such as the fit-disk carry system, rapid access pocket and three-ball silo, the Fuse Bag is available in a range of five subtle colourways.

The four other designs – Black Sport, Brush Stroke Camo, Graffiti Kaleidoscope, Navy Sport – feature new overmoulded tops, while all Fuse bags also come with a four-way full length divider top for traditional organisation of clubs and six front facing pockets, including a rapid snap access pocket.

Brush Stroke Camo – Hybrid. (Photo: OGIO)

Unique designs and modern technologies

Building on the success of the limited edition 2023 All Elements Silencer Cart Bag, OGIO has released seven new designs as part of its 2024 golf bag range as it reaffirms its trend for bold, classic and cool designs mixed with technology and functionality.

Featuring OGIO’s unique silencer technology, a premium 15-way moulded top that delivers a more efficient way of organising sets by easily locking each club into place to prevent noisy rattling and damage, the new limited-edition range of designs sees an array of new colourways introduced, including the green and blue Tiger Swirl and the black and white skater-styled Warped Checkers.

Tiger Swirl – Silencer. (Photo: OGIO)

The All Elements Woodē Hybrid Bag has also returned to the market in a range of fresh, distinct designs matching the bold and daring colours of the Silencer Cart Bag. The full waterproof bag features an eight-way top, waterproof shoulder straps and an insulated cooler pocket.

The perfect accompaniment for the 2024 golf bag range, OGIO kickstarted the year by releasing a range of premium golf accessories in four themes including towels and head covers for drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and putters.

Michael Birch expects “great success”

Michael Birch, OGIO sales and marketing manager EMEA, said: “OGIO has always looked to differentiate from the competition and constantly innovate, and these new products prove that is still very much the case.

“New OGIO products like our Fuse Stand Bag and limited-edition designs on some familiar, favourite products continue to move us in the right direction and we are confident that the 2024 golf bag range will be a great success.”

(Text: The Azalea Group)

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Products Uncategorized

TP5 and TP5x: TaylorMade’s golf ball novelties 2024

TaylorMade is launching two revised versions of its well-known golf balls: the TP5 and the TP5x. These balls are equipped with the latest technologies aimed at improving game performance, according to TaylorMade.

TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x golf balls – new versions for 2024

TaylorMade TP5: TaylorMade states that the TaylorMade TP5 is characterised by its 5-layer design, which offers a softer feel and improved spin control, especially near the greens. This is said to be made possible by a new technology, the “Speed Wrapped Core”, which offers faster ball speed and a more comfortable feel.

TaylorMade TP5x: The TaylorMade TP5x is said to be harder and optimised for speed and distance, with reduced spin on drives and long irons, which could be beneficial for players looking for distance. It shares the 5-layer design of the TP5, but utilises different materials and constructions to achieve the desired properties.

“Our learnings from countless player and Tour tests show that golfers”, explains Michael Fox, Senior Director of Product Creation Golf Balls at TaylorMade, “unsurprisingly, favour a softer more muted sound with added distance. Historically, the challenge has been the inability to improve one without negatively impacting the other. With this understanding, we’ve evolved our golf ball design process by uniquely decoupling feel and speed through material advancement, a complete departure from the conventional. The material-level advancement positions our TP5/TP5x family as having the best feel in the industry with faster constructions.”

TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x – What for whom?

While the TP5 is designed for a softer feel and more spin control close to the greens, the TP5x is aimed at maximising distance and speed, with less spin on longer shots. This makes the TP5 ideal for players who prefer more control and feel, and the TP5x for those looking for distance, according to TaylorMade. Both models are equipped with “ClearPath Alignment” technology, which should make alignment easier. The line on the golf ball has been extended for this purpose and made more contrasting to make it easier to aim on the green.

TaylorMade TP5/x pix – emojis and symbols

In addition to the standard models, TaylorMade also offers the TP5/TP5x pix™ golf balls. These balls feature modified visual technology designed to enable easier alignment and better feedback on the green. They are available in different colours, which also improves visibility. The TP5/x is also available with various colourful logos, emojis and symbols that give golfers personalisation options. “My Symbol” is the name of the programme that allows golf balls to be created according to your own wishes.

Price and availability of TaylorMade golf balls

The new golf balls from TaylorMade, both the TP5 and the TP5x, will be available from 15 February 2024. Both models are available in white and yellow. A dozen of the TP5 and TP5x golf balls will cost €63 each, while the more specialised TP5/TP5x pix golf balls will cost €65 per dozen. These price points position the balls in the premium segment of the market.

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Products

Titleist Vokey Wedges: “We have a lot of ideas for the coming generations”

Titleist is launching the tenth generation of its iconic wedges this season. In an interview with Golf Post, Aaron Luttrell, wedge expert at Titleist, talks about the development process of the new Titleist Vokey SM 10 wedges and Bob Vokey’s influence on the development of the new models.

“Bob Vokey is still our wedge guru” – Titleist with the tenth generation of the iconic wedges

Golf Post: Titleist Vokey released the new SM10 wedges. What’s making them better than previous generations?

Aaron Luttrell: A lot of times people ask, what do you do to make a better wedge? So at Vokey, what Bob’s kind of narrowed it down to is if you think about what makes a better wedge player, it’s usually being able to generate spin, being versatile around the greens and having good distance and trajectory control.

That’s really what we design our wedges around. How do we make each of those segments better for all players, not just the better player? What we typically do is we’re looking at improving each one of those areas every time we come out with a wedge. One of the big areas that we worked on for SM 10 was CG placement, which relates to distance and trajectory control.

All of them were kind of interconnected. You can’t really have one without the other. If you’re not striking the club in the right part of the face, you’re probably not going to take advantage of the CG or the grooves. So grind fitting is very important. That’s very related to versatility and shots around the green.

You’re obviously not going to get the spin that you want unless you have like the best grooves in the industry. So really if you look at what we did with trajectory and distance control, it’s a CG movement. So in the higher lofted wedges, in years past, we were able to push CG actually forward in front of the face, which allows the face to square up a bit easier or return to where the players set the club in.

I shouldn’t say square up because some people worry like, Oh, if I open the face, is it going to want to shut? No, it’s just going to want to return to where it started. It’s kind of a dynamic shift. Moving it forward allows that to happen. Moving it high or up keeps that flight down and it allows the player to manage the trajectory.

It also prevents some of those shots that want to roll up the face and take off high and weak. So really what we’re trying to do is push consistency, allow the player to, you know, deliver the club the way they want to deliver it and they get the results that they expect. So that was one thing in the higher lofted wedges and now in the lower lofted wedges, we kind of looked at where CG placement was relative to face center.

Looking at modern iron sets, a lot of those CG placements have started to migrate more toward face center or more toward the toe, not outside face center, but just moving that direction. We realized we were a little more heel-ward than where a lot of our irons are. Again, having the player be able to deliver it in the most consistent way possible.

You want the flow from your irons into your wedges to be very consistent. So we were able to move CG a little more from the heel, more towards the center and saw improvements in accuracy. The players that said that sometimes if they went after it a little bit, the ball, maybe would jump left there on them.

The progressive CG of the new Titleist Vokey SM 10 wedges. (Photo: Titleist)
The progressive CG of the new Titleist Vokey SM 10 wedges. (Photo: Titleist)

Once in a while, that kind of has gone away now. So we had a lot of really excited players last few weeks about their gap and pitching wedge, which normally, you know, people get really excited about high lofted wedges because they hit all the tricky shots with it. But it’s nice to hear people saying, I’m really excited about my SM 10 pitching wedge as well.

So those are the things that we’ve kind of worked on as improvements technically. And then as far as profiles go, We worked really hard to make sure that they’re as consistent as possible. Really good look that we’ve gotten feedback on over the many generations, but looking at where the highest peak of the toe is and making it consistent throughout the set, making sure the blade length is very consistent throughout the set.

And then we went through a different process of designing the shapes. Before it was the whole wedge at once. What we did was, we looked at it a different way and designed the profile and then you put the sole on afterward and then manipulate it to get the CG positioning that you want.

So what that allows us to do is when you look down at a wedge and you’re getting fit and you say have four different 56 degrees, the only difference is going to be how the club goes through the turf. You’re not going to see a difference on the ground or in an open or closed position. They’re going to look identical, the only difference in performance is going to be the performance through the turf because of the, the solid ground.

Golf Post: How many different versions of the SM10 are there in total?

Aaron Luttrell: 25 in right hand, 25 in left hand. So, 25 different loft and grind optinons, the lowest lofted being 46, highest lofted being 62.

Golf Post: Obviously they’re called Vokey Wedges and Bob Vokey has been around forever, and he’s still known as the Wedge guru. But there’s probably a huge team behind him and I wonder, how much of Bob Vokey himself is still in these wedges.

Aaron Luttrell: Every step is vetted for, you know, but in truth Bob is in every R and D meeting. What he does is he allows his team or our R and D team to really be free with their ideas. And then he helps us reign everything back in because really he’s the one that really pays attention to what the players want as far as looks and feel and sound and performance through the turf.

So if he feels like anything may jeopardize, you know, the clean, classic look of a Vokey wedge or the feel or the performance, it gets tossed out. So really he’s a part of it, but at the same time he understands he’s not hand shaping the masters anymore. We have CAD design. We have all these things that can continue to push wedge play forward, but it’s in the vein of very classic workman style type. We have 3D printers, and we will 3D print a part and he will hand measure every single one of them and go back to the CAD designer that he worked with and say we need to make slight adjustments to this toe area or the width of the sole here. So he’s still a hundred percent involved. He is at work every day, He is one of the most dedicated people I’ve ever met to the craft.

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Golf Post: What about the future of Vokey wedges. Which aspects of wedges will be decisive in the future?

Aaron Luttrell: We’re continually looking at every way that we can improve accuracy and control. There’s a lot in the works. Not much we can talk about yet… We do have a lot of ideas for the next generation, the generation after. The nice part about how we go about a design though, is like we launched on tour a week ago.

That’s when we actually get the most feedback on what we did this last time. So we start for the next one. So literally every time we launch a wedge, we’re learning something to make the next one better.

Golf Post: What was the first feedback from the tour players like?

Aaron Luttrell: It was great. We had 160 wedges in play, which was the most in play for any brand. And Vokey was far and away the most played. So, the number one model was SM 10, the number two model was SM 9. So, we’re our own best competitors and the transition so far has been very seamless. All the things that we worked on for SM 10 was feedback from SM 9.

So, we, all the players were very happy because they just said, well the little tweaks we asked for, you delivered on.

Golf Post: The SM10 come in three different finishes, right?

Aaron Luttrell: We actually added a new finish, yeah. This is the nickel finish. We had a finish called brush steel. It was a bit brighter. Nickel is a little bit more matte. It’s perfect in between finish between jet black and tour chrome. We think the durability is going to be pretty good.

And the look of it at address looks fantastic. So for the player that thinks, you know, Tour Chrome might be a little on the bright side and Jet Black may be a little too dark, Nickel will be that nice in between finish.

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Brands

Tiger Woods announces new clothing line Sun Day Red

After weeks of speculation, Tiger Woods officially announced his clothing line Sun Day Red on Monday afternoon. The announcement took place at an event near the Riviera Country Club, where Tiger Woods will participate in this week’s Genesis Invitational, marking his season debut. Sun Day Red is set to launch on May 1.

Tiger Woods and his red tradition

Following the announcement in January that Tiger Woods and Nike would end their collaboration after nearly 30 years, speculation arose about how Woods would dress in the future. Now, the new clothing line Sun Day Red was unveiled at an event in Los Angeles. The brand, launched in collaboration with TaylorMade, will debut on May 1 and is named after Tiger Woods’ tradition of wearing red on Sundays at tour events.

“It started with mom”, Woods said at the event. “Mom thought being a Capricorn that my power color was red, so I wore red as a junior golfer and I won some tournaments. Lo and behold, I go to a university that is red, Stanford is red. We wore red on the final day of every single tournament, and then every single tournament I’ve played as a professional I’ve worn red. It’s just become synonymous with me.”

Brand advertises luxury and innovation

As stated on the official website, Sun Day Red promises to “a brand that promises to bring a new and elevated standard to performance wear and luxury lifestyle fashion.” Additionally, it will offer “never-before-seen patterns, fabrication and technical detailing intended to elevate all levels of play.”

Tiger Woods sees the termination of his partnership with Nike and the establishment of his standalone brand under TaylorMade as the right timing and step in his life: “It’s transitional. I’m not a kid anymore. I want to have a brand I’m proud of going forward.” Sun Day Red will be based in San Clemente, California, rather than in nearby Carlsbad, where TaylorMade’s headquarters is located. According to TaylorMade CEO David Abeles, the brand stands alone. “It is independent from TaylorMade and it is run by an independent group of leaders that are part of my team.” This is not expected to change in the future.

Tiger Woods with first tournament appearance of the year

However, Tiger Woods will first focus on his first tournament of the year, the Genesis Invitational. Starting on Thursday, February 15, this will be the 82-time PGA Tour winner’s first tournament since December when he finished tied for 5th place at the PNC Championship with his son Charlie Woods.

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Equipment Products

The Titleist T-Series 2024: “The right iron for every type of player”

The Titleist T-Series irons cover a wide range of playing strengths and requirements, from the Players iron to the Game Improvement segment. Tom Fisher, head of the iron and wood product line at Titleist, reveals what exactly is in the various models.

Titleist T-Series Irons 2024: Golf Post interview with Titleist product experts

Golf Post: Let’s talk about the T Series starting with the T 100, all the way up to the T 350.

Tom Fisher: Obviously our products are absolutely superb. We have four new models coming out. So T-100: First of all, it’s our tour model. It’s still the number one model played on the PGA Tour. And there’s a reason why. When you look to try and change this iron, you really can’t change it too much for these guys.

But what you can do is, improve the things that really mattered to them and the things that matter to a tour player. And this type of golfer is feel right. So the team have done a magical job improving the feel of this, whether it’s through improving our back bar, which runs through the middle of the golf club.

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So we’ve reinforced that back bar. We put the tungsten in in a different process. So people don’t realize that all of our T-Series irons have the average of 80 grams of tungsten in all of our irons. And what tungsten does, it allows us to strategically place weight where we want it to help with feel, to help with trajectory, and to help with forgiveness, MOI, right?

So in the T100, we strategically placed it to help with that feel aspect. The other thing is how a club feels is through the turf. This is something that we’re very fortunate to have, you know, Mr. Bob Vokey just across the corridor where we work together. We’ve actually taken learnings from his Wedge sole design.

We’ve given a lot more relief on our trailing edge than prior gen. We want a fast iron in and a fast iron out. By having more relief on the trailing edge is allowing that club to just slide and get through the turf a lot easier.

And then we’ve also added our CNC process to our face. So all these faces are milled, which obviously helps with the feel, but more importantly helps with consistency. That’s what tour players want. They want to know consistent distances. They don’t want balls spinning with a wide range of deviation. They want consistent spin, consistent ball speed, consistent launch, because these irons are tuning weapons.

They need to know exactly how far it goes every time. So the summer changes we’ve made to the T 100 from prior gen have been very well received. Our teams did a wonderful job on the new T 100.

Golf Post: Whats special about the T150?

Tom Fisher: As we move into the T 150, this is a brand new naming convention. The prior generation was the T100S. That was basically the T100 two degrees stronger. We just needed it two degrees stronger to help that golfer get a bit more speed, a little bit more distance, but we decided to change it a bit more. Hence why a new name. So the T150 is a little bit bigger, so slightly larger than the T100 in terms of the sole width. But you know, all of the same ideas.

T100 is in the 150, you know: the CNC face, the relief on the sole. The one addition, the changing to the 100 is, like I said, slightly larger. It is two degrees stronger and it also has a through the muscle channel. Through the back here and you can kind of see it there.

The new Titleist T150 model. (Photo: Titleist)
The new Titleist T150 model. (Photo: Titleist)

That just helps to preserve ball speed and forgiveness across the face. If you look down at the golf club, this looks like the T100. But it just gives that goal for just a little bit extra right out of the gate. This has been our most popular iron out of the lineup, right out the gate.

A fantastic iron and we’re thrilled with it. Some of the tour players have actually put longer irons of the 150-series in their bag, because they see the extra ball speed. It can give them a little bit more forgiveness. Again, all about feel and performance.

Golf Post: Let’s get to the game improvement irons, the T200 and T350.

The next two irons, there’s been some significant changes. What I mean by that is not only obviously in the performance, but the feel as well. Nothing feels better than a Titleist iron when you hit it straight, when you hit it just so pure. Certainly when you hit the 100s and the 150s.

But then as you start getting into like what we call player game improvement irons and game improvement irons, you kind of have to wrestle a little bit with all the performance you put into an iron. It is kind of going against sound and feel but that’s one thing the team have done. To try and crack that code of how do we make all of our irons sound and feel like a forged product. And the team have done it with the T100 that we’ve talked about here. So again like i said before CNC face on here as well, sole design on here as well.

But the subtle changes to help with the sound and feel is again, we strategically placed tungsten in the right spot. But what we’ve got underneath this hood is an improved max impact. What we’ve got in there is a technology that helps to really dampen vibration and also at the same time, give you preserved ball speed of the off center hits.

The new Titleist T200 model. (Photo: Titleist)
The new Titleist T200 model. (Photo: Titleist)

And then last but not least, the biggest change is the badge at the back. This has been inserted a lot differently than the last version. It limits vibrations. Sound is vibration, right? And it has a frequency. So we’d run thousands of simulations to make sure we get the frequency exactly where we want it and how we actually, you know, adhere this badge to the back and the design language.

If you turn this badge the other way around, it’s a different shape behind it. There’s some different patterns on it. And that is by design. So it actually helps us give us a sound that we’re looking for. So this is our player’s distance iron with tons of forgiveness, tons of speed. And with a low CG (center of gravity), really easy to get the ball up in the air.

And then lastly, but not least, T350. It’s our game improvement iron. It’s got everything that I just talked about in the T200. The improved maxed impact, CG low, even lower though than the T200 because we want this to launch higher. Um, it’s got obviously the new sole design, the CNC milled face and then the badges on there, but it’s a different shape.

It’s a slightly larger than the T200. So guess what? The design language on the back of that badge is different, because this iron did a different frequency that we needed to tune. Super, super easy to hit! And again, this has been received really, really well, as being, you know, a fantastic, beautiful sounding playable performance in the game improvement sector. It’s really unique in terms of that design.

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And then we’re really obsessed about fitting. These irons were all designed, as you can tell, in different shapes, they have different loft packages. They have different CGs that give you different ball flights. But believe it or not, they all have the same offsets.

So when you transition from one iron into the other, it’s an easy transition. And 90 percent of our tour players play a blended set. And why do they play a blended set? Well, there’s a point where what we call the 3Ds break. What are the 3Ds? The 3Ds are distance, dispersion, and angular descent. And what we want to make sure is that you have a consistent distance every time your standard deviation is really tight.

Your dispersion is tight and your angle of descent is at least 45 degrees or greater of the ball coming down onto the green. So there’s a point where as you transition from a seven iron to a six iron, maybe to a five, you’re going to lose those numbers. You’re going to break at some point. Your ball speed is going to drop or not be consistent because we want five miles an hour ball speed between every iron.

Let’s say your seven iron is 120 miles an hour ball speed. Your five iron needs to be 130 miles an hour, right? So we’ll test you. We have long iron kits out in the marketplace, and we’ll then know what seven iron you want, and then we’ll get you to hit our five iron. And if your ball speed isn’t 130 miles an hour, and your angle descent is not at 45 degrees, we know it’s broken.

That’s when we’ll introduce you a different model. So for example, I’m a T150 player, but I break at the five iron. So guess what got me back? The T200. So I play a T200 five iron. Guess what? It broke it before I played a T 350 iron. We have this really cool process and a really easy fitting philosophy.

And these irons allow us to do that. So it’s been incredibly successful. We’re looking forward to a great 2024 with these new T series, and we recommend everyone go get fit for them.

Golf Post: Let me add one question because, obviously, Titleist is famous for those players irons. But those game improvement irons, the T200 and T350, have taken off so well. Will we see more in this segment in the future?

Tom Fisher: These are sneaky. These are really, really good. Llike I said, 150 came out of the blocks fast. But do not underestimate the 350: performance, feel, looks – it doesn’t look like a game improvement iron, but it has all the performance of a game improvement.

This has been received very well when we’ve done independent player testing. it’s tested off the charts. It’s phenomenal. Will Zalatoris is playing this on tour. He’s got it in his bag right now as his four iron. Why? Because it hits the 3Ds that we just talked about. Don’t underestimate this or any other iron. Go get fit and you’ll find which one’s for you.

Are we going to see more game improvement in the future? I would say watch this space. I think there’s obviously a certain amount of golfers there that, like anyone, seek forgiveness. There are opportunities out there for the slow swinging golfers, certainly for juniors.

And also, as golfers are losing speed, as they get older, losing club head speed, we could do more potentially to help to get their speed back, help them play better golf, help them be more functional with their trajectory. So yeah, watch this space. We got some things in the hopper. We’re not done yet.

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Brands Equipment

Callaway Golf announces Minjee Lee as new staff professional

Today Callaway Golf, one of the industry’s leaders in equipment design, performance, and innovation, announced a new multi-year staff pro agreement with global women’s golf superstar, Minjee Lee. With this announcement, Lee will carry 14 Callaway clubs in the bag, including an Odyssey Putter, plus a Callaway golf ball, bag, and glove.

Minjee Lee joins Callaway Golf for 2024

The 27-year-old Australian native has been a dominant player throughout her golf career. Lee was the #1 ranked Women’s Amateur prior to turning professional in 2014, and since then she has won 10 LPGA Tour events, including major victories at the 2021 Amundi Evian Championship and the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open. She recently won two LPGA events in 2023 at the Kroger Queen City Championship and the BMW Ladies Championship. Her brother Min Woo Lee is also a Callaway PGA TOUR Professional.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Callaway Staff, and I’m excited to see how their equipment will help my performance going forward,” Lee said. “They’re the most played club brand on the LPGA, so I’ve seen how good the product is, and how much it’s helped my brother take his game to the next level. Now that I’ve had a chance to try their new driver and the Chrome Tour Ball, I feel confident in my setup, and I know that this is the right decision for me.”

“Minjee is such a special talent, and we want to help her reach her goals, win more events, and compete on the biggest stages,” said Tim Reed, SVP of Pro Tour at Callaway Golf. “Our fitters have had a great experience so far working with her, listening to her feedback, and getting everything dialed for her game. We can’t wait to see what she achieves with our equipment in play.”

Her current bag features a Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver, an Odyssey Putter, and a new Chrome Tour X Ball.