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Wilson ZM Wedges 2024: New grooves and high versatility

The new Wilson ZM wedges for the 2024 season (Photo: Wilson).
The new Wilson ZM wedges for the 2024 season (Photo: Wilson).

In 2024, Wilson Golf launched an innovative lineup of Staff Model wedges, introducing the ZM and ZM HT models. Designed with inputs from leading Tour players, these wedges offer golfers at all skill levels unparalleled versatility and performance, especially around the green. The ZM and ZM HT wedges represent a breakthrough in Wilson Golfs technology, combining feedback from professional players with cutting-edge design.

Wilson ZM Wedges: New grooves and forged precision

The ZM wedges feature a new high-spin, precision-milled groove pattern complemented by Garnet Face Blasting. This unique combination ensures a faster, deeper, and longer interaction with the ball, resulting in higher and more consistent spin. This technology is particularly effective in wet conditions, providing superior check control and enhancing performance regardless of the weather.

Crafted from soft Forged 8620 Carbon Steel, the ZM wedges boast a straighter leading edge and an elevated Centre of Gravity (CG). This design is crucial for trajectory control in the higher lofted wedges, promoting a more controlled ball flight and solid contact. The progressive changes in the CG as the lofts increase, ensures a consistent feel and performance across the different loft options.

Different sole grinds ensure versatility

The Wilson Staff Model wedges also offer exceptional versatility through a range of sole grinds. The 56˚, 58˚, and 60˚ models come in three bounce options – low, medium, and high. These choices allow golfers to select wedges that best suit their playing style and the conditions of the courses they play on.

Available in six loft options, the ZM wedges cater to a wide range of preferences, with additional lofts available through custom fitting. The ZM HT, sharing the game-changing characteristics of the ZM, incorporates a high toe and wide sole design. This configuration provides even more flexibility, allowing golfers to adjust their shots with greater ease. The ZM HT is available in right-hand configuration, with specific loft options also available through custom fit.

In conclusion, the Wilson Staff Model ZM and ZM HT wedges signify a significant advancement in golf technology. They blend advanced engineering, premium materials, and versatile design to provide outstanding performance. Ideal for golfers looking to improve their short game, these wedges offer a blend of control, versatility, and precision that can help any golfer play like a pro.

Technical data and further information

ModelStaff Model ZM and ZM HT
MaterialForged 8620 Carbon Steel
Lofts50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, and 60° (Custom Fit for 46° and 48°)
Bounce OptionsLow, Medium, High (6-12 Degrees)
Left-Handedn.a.
Shaft OptionsTrue Temper Dynamic Gold Spinner WG
GripGolf Pride Tour Velvet
Price150 euros per wedge
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LIV Golf: Sergio Garcia and Co. get new outfitter

Soon in new clothing: Sergio Garcia in the LIV Golf League. (Photo: Stuburt)
Soon in new clothing: Sergio Garcia in the LIV Golf League. (Photo: Stuburt)

Stuburt, a renowned brand in the Worldwide Golf Brands (WWGB) portfolio and proud subsidiary of Golf Tech, is entering into a partnership with the LIV Golf teams Stinger, Fireballs and Torque. The brands stand for a dynamic and future-orientated spirit and equip the teams with high-quality and functional clothing.

Stuburt equips three LIV Golf teams

The collaboration marks a significant moment in the history of both organisations and underlines Stuburt’s ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and performance in golf apparel. As a brand, Stuburt will provide the Stinger, Fireballs and Torque teams with high quality equipment that is both stylish and functional. A particular focus of this partnership is the close co-operation between the design teams in Manchester and Vienna and the players of the LIV Golf teams. This co-operation has resulted in unique collections that are specifically tailored to the needs and wishes of the athletes.

Stuburt equips a Spanish-Mexican team with the Fireballs GC, an all-South African team with the Stinger GC and a mixture of players of South American origin with Torque GC. The Fireballs are completed by Spanish team captain Sergio Garcia, Abraham Ancer, Eugenio Chacarra and David Puig. Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, Brandon Grace and Charlie Schwartzel are part of the Stingers. Torque GC includes captain Joaquin Niemann, Sebastian Munoz, Mito Pereira and Carlos Ortiz.

The exclusive collections will be available in stores soon so that fans and golfers worldwide can become part of this new era in golf.

(Image: Stuburt)
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Players Championship 2024: Canadian loses his nerve, his wife reacts hilariously

Adam Hadwin loses his nerve in the first round of the Players Championship. (Photo: Getty)
Adam Hadwin loses his nerve in the first round of the Players Championship. (Photo: Getty)

It could have been a round that motivated Canadian Adam Hadwin to do more. After seven holes, he was already three over par in the first round of the Players Championship, but he fought his way back to even par on the 16th. Two holes remained to bring his score into the red. It turned out differently…

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Players Championship 2024: First the ball, then the club

First he sank a ball in the water on the 17th, where the first hole-in-one had already been made on Thursday afternoon, and had to accept a double bogey. But that was not enough. On the last hole at the TPC Sawgrass, his drive was already flirting with the water, but just managed to stay dry. His shot into the green then fell victim to the right-left slope of the fairway in front of the green and rolled into the water. Too much for the one-time PGA Tour winner. His club had to take the hit and flew into the lake immediately afterwards. At least he got away with a bogey on the 18th, but that put him back at three over par, as he had been after seven holes.

Hadwin’s wife Jessica, known for her humorous take on her husband’s golfing misdemeanours, could find nothing wrong with the 36-year-old’s breach of etiquette: “I have seen the moment in question. If I’m going simply on the aesthetic of the toss….10/10” shw wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

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Tracking Fairways in Regulation: A Waste of Time?

Arccos data shows, that tracking fairways in regulation in a round can be overrated. (Photos: Getty)
Arccos data shows, that tracking fairways in regulation in a round can be overrated. (Photos: Getty)


The table below shows how many more strokes it takes from the rough rather than the fairway to finish a hole from various distances by handicap index.

Yes, playing from the fairway is better but the difference is negligible.

Statistic shows number of strokes needed to finish a hole from different distances by handicap index, comparing strokes needed from rough with those from the fairway. (Source: Arccos)
Statistic shows number of strokes needed to finish a hole from different distances by handicap index, comparing strokes needed from rough with those from the fairway. (Source: Arccos)

For example a 10 handicap index golfer will only take 0.06 shots more from the rough than the fairway when playing from 200 yards.

If all 14 fairways were missed with 200 yards remaining this would result in just 0.84 shots more per round, less than 1 stroke

The farther from the hole the smaller the difference becomes

The chart below shows the number of fairways hit by different handicap indexes during their best rounds (top 20% of recorded rounds) and worst rounds (bottom 20% of recorded rounds).

That’s right, less than a single fairway difference for all skill levels between their best and worst rounds!

Tracking fairways - average fairways hit per round. (Source: Arccos)
Tracking fairways – average fairways hit per round. (Source: Arccos)

So if the number of fairways hit is not a major difference between a golfer’s best and worst rounds, what is?

Arccos data shows that the main reason why FIR is overrated is because of penalty shots and recovery shots. We’d all rather play from the rough than take a penalty or hit a recovery shot.

When playing a bad round, players at every skill level are hitting more “poor” shots resulting in penalties or having to hit a recovery shot.

The chart below shows the average number of penalties per round by different handicap indexes during their best and worst rounds.

The difference in the number of penalties varies by skill level. Scratch golfers have a difference of 0.72 penalties between their best and worst rounds, whereas 15 handicap index players have a difference of 1.22.

Tracking fairways - average penalties hit per round. (Source: Arccos)
Tracking fairways – average penalties hit per round. (Source: Arccos)

When it comes to recovery shots, scratch players average 0.39 recovery shots during their best rounds and 1.19 during their worst, a difference of 0.80. In contrast a 15 handicap index golfer has a difference of 1.40 recoveries between their best and worst rounds.

Tracking fairways - average recoveries per round. (Source: Arccos)
Tracking fairways – average recoveries per round. (Source: Arccos)

So rather than tracking FIR, track how many drives are “in-play” where you have a chance to go for the green and that don’t result in a penalty or recovery shot!

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LIV Golf gives up fight for world ranking points

Greg Norman, CEO of the LIV Golf League. (Photo: Getty Images)
Greg Norman, CEO of the LIV Golf League. (Photo: Getty Images)

LIV Golf’s endeavours to obtain world ranking points have come to an end. In a letter to the players, Greg Norman explains the cancellation.

The LIV Golf League is giving up its aim of obtaining world ranking points for its tournaments. Greg Norman, CEO of the tour financed by Saudi Arabia, wrote this in a letter to his players, which was first quoted by Sports Illustrated. According to the letter, it is now hopeless that there will be any points for the LIV players in the near future. LIV Golf had applied to the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for inclusion shortly after it was founded. The application was last rejected in October 2023.

In his letter, Norman accuses those responsible at the OGWR of having no interest in clarifying the current situation: “A resolution which protects the accuracy, credibility and integrity of the OWGR rankings no longer exists”, SI quotes Normans letter. “We have made significant efforts to fight for you and ensure your accomplishments are recognized within the existing ranking system. Unfortunately, OWGR has shown little willingness to productively work with us.”

No points for LIV Golf – “Even if…”

Even more than the refusal of the seven-member committee of OWGR directors to recognise LIV Golf as eligible to participate, Norman now also sees inclusion in the OWGR system as pointless: “Even if LIV Golf events were immediately awarded points, the OWGR system is designed such that it would be functionally impossible for you to regain positions close to the summit of the ranking, where so many of you belong.”

Peter Dawson, Chairman of the OWGR committee, which also includes the PGA Tour Commissioner, the DP World Tour CEO and representatives of the four majors, explained in October that inclusion would fail in particular due to the Tour’s lack of qualification criteria. Although LIV Golf recently held a kind of Q-School, only three players qualified. In addition, the winner of the Asian Tour ranking is eligible to compete. Others, e.g. Jon Rahm or Anthony Kim, are simply bought in and declared eligible to compete. Dawson has not yet issued a statement on Norman’s statements. A total of 24 tours worldwide with thousands of players are eligible to collect world ranking points. Every single LIV player was aware when they switched to the Invitational Series that they would not receive any points for the World Golf Ranking.

This week, LIV Golf will play its fourth tournament of the current season. The event takes place in Hong Kong. Jon Rahm criticised the basis for calculating the world golf rankings during the tournament: “”I’m going to go back to what I said two years ago. I didn’t think it was a good system back then”, Rahm told AFP ahead of the event, which begins on Friday. “If anything, the more time goes on, the more it proves to be wrong”, added the 29-year-old, who is still number three in the world rankings.

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Solheim Cup 2024: These vice-captains will lead Team Europe

Team Europe captain Suzanne Pettersen has recruited Mel Reid as vice-captain. (Photos: Getty)
Team Europe captain Suzanne Pettersen has recruited Mel Reid as vice-captain. (Photos: Getty)

Suzann Pettersen, the captain of the European team, has announced her four vice-captains for the 2024 tournament at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. Among them is Mel Reid from England, who will support the team alongside Laura Davies, Caroline Martens and Anna Nordqvist, who have already served as vice-captains at the 2023 Solheim Cup in Finca Cortesin in Andalusia.

Solheim Cup 2024: New vice-captains appointed

With Reid, Davies, Nordqvist and Martens, Pettersen has put together a high-calibre team to hopefully continue Team Europe’s success from the last Cup in Andalusia. The last event ended in a dramatic 14-14 draw after a tense tournament – Team Europe only retained the trophy because of their victory in the previous year. Pettersen’s selection of vice-captains emphasises a deliberate strategy to combine the experience of her vice-captains with the winning momentum of the last tournament.

The Look ahead: Preparations for Virginia

The training season for the 19th edition of the tournament is already in full swing and the strategic direction of the European team promises an exciting and fierce contest. With the appointment of Davies, Martens and Nordqvist, Pettersen is relying on a mix of experience, success and team spirit to win the 2024 Solheim Cup against the American team. In Mel Reid, who already served as vice-captain in 2019 and is a six-time winner of the Ladies European Tour and four-time participant of the Solheim Cup, Pettersen gains an experienced and vital key figure for this year’s Solheim Cup 2024.

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Charlie Woods aims for PGA Tour debut in Florida

Charlie Woods - PGA Tour
Will Charlie Woods soon make his debut on the PGA Tour? (Photo: Getty)

Things are getting serious for Charlie Woods in Florida. The 15-year-old will play a PGA Tour pre-qualifier at Lost Lake Golf Club on Thursday to qualify for next weekend’s Cognizant Classic. Should the teenager finish in the top five or share one of the places, however, that would only be the first step for Charlie Woods. Advancing would initially mean taking part in next week’s Monday Qualifier. There he would have to finish in the top four to take part in the Cognizant Classic and have a chance of winning a share of the nine million US dollars in prize money.

Charlie Woods: Almost a tournament winner at the age of 13

Charlie, who was born in 2009, is not in the spotlight for the first time. He has already played with his father four times at the PNC Championship, which Bernhard Langer won for the fifth time last year with his son Jason. In 2021, the Woods duo and Charlie, who was 13 at the time, even managed to finish runner-up. Tiger’s offspring also seems to practise a lot outside of father/son tournaments. His handicap is currently +3 and therefore clearly fulfils the requirements for pre-qualifiers, which demand a handicap of 2 or better. In the pre-qualifier, he is now fighting for progress in the flight with Olin Browne Jr, son of three-time Tour winner Olin Browne, and Ruaidhri McGee.

Tiger Woods’ son far from the age record

At the Cognizant Classic, which will take place between 29 February and 3 March at Palm Beach Gardens, Charlie Woods would probably be one of the youngest participants in the tournament on the course. It would be far from historic on the PGA National’s Champion Course. Because in the history of golf, Don Dunkelberger is unlikely to be overtaken any time soon. At the age of just 11, Dunkelberger played in the 1937 Chicago Open, but withdrew from the tournament after the first round. The youngest participant of this millennium is Lorens Chan, who took part in the 2009 Sony Open at the age of 14. In 1992, Charlie’s father Tiger made his debut at the Nissan Open at the age of 16. He failed to make the cut at his first PGA Tour event at the Riviera Country Club before going on to win 15 major titles in his career.

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Novelty: OGIO launches unique golf bag range

The new Aloha Fuse Bag by OGIO. (Photo: OGIO)
The new Aloha Fuse Bag by OGIO. (Photo: OGIO)

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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TP5 and TP5x: TaylorMade’s golf ball novelties 2024

The new golf balls from TaylorMade for the 2024 season (Credit: TaylorMade)
The new golf balls from TaylorMade for the 2024 season (Credit: TaylorMade)

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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Edoardo Molinari named as new Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup

Edoardo Molinari has been appointed as the Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup. (Image: Getty)
Edoardo Molinari has been appointed as the Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup. (Image: Getty)

Luke Donald has appointed Edoardo Molinari as his first Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup which will be played at Bethpage Black, New York, USA from September 26-28, 2025.

Molinari will return to Donald’s backroom team after a highly-successful stint in the role for the 2023 Ryder Cup in his native Italy, where Team Europe secured a memorable 16 ½ – 11 ½ victory against the United States at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

The Italian, alongside his brother Francesco, was part of the victorious European Team as a player in the 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. He has also won three times on the DP World Tour and made 402 Tour appearances to date.

The 42-year-old, a popular figure within the game, proved crucial to Team Europe’s success in Rome, with Captain Donald placing a key emphasis on Molinari’s statistical analysis model in the months leading up to, and during, the biennial contest.

Molinari said: “I’m very happy. It’s something that I’m very proud of and probably means I did a pretty decent job last time, so I cannot wait to help the team and Luke again in Bethpage and I’m really looking forward to it.

“Luke called me the very day he was named captain, a little before the official announcement, and said he really enjoyed working with me in Rome and would like my help again. We had another chat about a week later, maybe 30 or 40 minutes on the phone, chatted about a few things and he asked me and I said of course, I would happily do it all over again.

“I think Rory put it best in the press conference after Rome, he said the most difficult thing in golf these days is to win an away Ryder Cup. It hasn’t been done in many years now, Luke was part of the team in Medinah, the last one that Europe won away, and hopefully we can produce something similar.

“I cannot wait. I’ve never been part of an away Ryder Cup. I heard it will be very tough, very difficult, you need to have a lot of patience and calmness, but I cannot wait to get started. I cannot wait to be at Bethpage with the whole team, it’s going to be a long two years waiting for that week, but it will be extremely exciting and hopefully we can win again.”

European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald said: “Edoardo is someone I have got to know very well over the last couple of years and he’s going to be a great addition again for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

“He plays a very significant role. He’s playing full-time out here on the DP World Tour, he’s a good player, a Ryder Cupper and he knows what it’s all about. He’s around the players a lot and he works with a lot of players on their statistics as well.

“I’ll lean heavily on him with the qualification criteria and then when we get close to the matches, how the team is forming, how their skillsets match to the golf course at Bethpage and whether they’re more foursomes-related pairings, fourballs-related players, and putting those pairings together.

“We spent a lot of time together over the last couple of years, we grew very close. He was extremely important to the whole journey and the process and he’ll be even more important on this away one. If we can create some history and try and win away from home, it’s going to be a very, very sweet four years together.”

Molinari and his brother Francesco followed compatriot Costantino Rocca into Ryder Cup folklore when they represented Europe in the Ryder Cup in 2010 at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.

The Molinaris became the first brothers to compete against the United States since Bernard and Geoffrey Hunt played in the 1963 Great Britain & Ireland team, when they played in the 2010 contest at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. They halved their fourballs match against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar, while Edoardo contributed another crucial half point in his singles match against Rickie Fowler as Europe triumphed 14½-13½.

In addition to his three victories on the DP World Tour, Molinari was also the Challenge Tour Number One in 2009 and is a respected member of the DP World Tour’s Tournament Committee.

Before turning professional, Molinari won the 2005 US Amateur Championship and alongside Francesco, claimed the World Cup of Golf for Italy in 2009 at Mission Hills in China.

Text: European Tour Group Communications