Tag: Driver

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Equipment

TaylorMade: The new Kalea Gold family for women of all handicap levels

The new TaylorMade Kalea Gold womens clubs. (Image: TaylorMade)
The new TaylorMade Kalea Gold womens clubs. (Image: TaylorMade)

TaylorMade has taken a further step in the development of golf clubs specifically for women with the introduction of the new Kalea Gold line. The Kalea Gold irons are part of this new premium line characterised by innovative technology and elegant design, according to TaylorMade. The clubs were designed by women for women and are intended to help players of all abilities improve their golf game.

The Kalea Gold irons are the result of a comprehensive development process in which TaylorMade involved a wide range of groups, playing strengths and types. This included the TaylorMade Women’s Advisory Board, which is made up of female golf professionals from different areas of the industry. This group, along with other test panels and feedback from users of the previous model, Kalea Premier, helped to accurately identify the needs and preferences of female golfers. A particular focus was placed on the appearance and performance of the clubs.
The Kalea Gold family focuses on elegant colours such as white, blue and gold, a deliberate departure from the pastel shades often used for women’s clubs. The club heads of the irons are slim and modern in design, with a thinner topline that offers a clear, clean look in play.

Image: TaylorMade

TaylorMade Kalea Gold: Optics and performance should go hand in hand

The Kalea Gold Driver utilises the Carbonwood™ construction which allows the mass to be strategically placed in the club head. This optimises energy transfer, increases launch angle and maximises distance while ensuring a high level of forgiveness and stability.

The fairway woods and rescue clubs in the line are also equipped with the latest technologies. The Speed Pocket™ and Inverted Cone Face technology minimise miss-hits on off-centre shots. In addition, the ultra-light carbon construction ensures better launch conditions and higher ball speeds.

TaylorMade Kalea Gold irons: Maximum performance in a new design

Technologically, the Kalea Gold irons are characterised by several features that are designed for maximum performance. They utilise the Cap Back™ design in combination with Speed Pocket™ technology to optimise ball launch and forgiveness. The irons also feature an ECHO® Damper for improved sound and feel. The club faces are specially designed to enable higher ball speeds, which should lead to more length.

Another feature of the Kalea Gold irons is their increased loft option compared to the previous Kalea Premier version. This should better cover the gaps between the different clubs in the set and help players to achieve a consistent trajectory. In addition, the irons have a progressive upright lie angle, which supports a slight draw bias and should therefore help against the slice.

The Kalea Gold irons are not only suitable for beginners, but also for advanced golfers looking for a powerful club that will help them take their game to the next level. TaylorMade offers the irons with customisation options so players can tailor their clubs perfectly to their needs.

The Kalea Gold clubs will be available to pre-order from 20 August 2024 and will be available in stores from 6 September 2024. The prices for the individual clubs are in the premium segment: the driver costs £449 / EURO 599, fairway woods £249 / EURO 329, rescue clubs £199 / EURO 269, irons £122 / EURO 165 per iron and the putter £249 / EURO 329.

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Equipment

Golf Driver – Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Driver

The driver is not only the longest club in your bag but also the most spectacular. (Photo: Getty)
The driver is not only the longest club in your bag but also the most spectacular. (Photo: Getty)

Advances in sweet spot technology, size, launch angle, composition, ball speed, and forgiveness are just a few categories where manufacturers like Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade or Cobra invest considerable time and money in research and development. The result is a vast array of drivers on the market, each with unique features and benefits.

How to Choose the Right Driver: Key Factors and Considerations

Golfers face a tough decision in selecting the “right” driver from this extensive range, while pairing this with goals like aiming for shorter approach shots, greater distances, or even the chance for eagles. Although it’s just one club in the bag, it’s often the most expensive. To help you make an informed decision, here are the key factors to consider when buying a driver.

What Driver did Xander Schauffele use to win the PGA Championship?

Key Considerations for Choosing a Golf Driver

Clubhead Size: What’s Right for You?

Clubheads are measured by volume in cubic centimeters (cc), with the maximum allowed size being 460 cc. Nearly all modern drivers utilize the full 460 cc, offering more forgiveness. Compact or mini drivers are available for players seeking greater control and precision. The shape of the clubhead, whether vertical or horizontal, and its degree of forgiveness and loft vary based on the manufacturer’s design.

Best Material for the Driver

Driver technology has come a long way from persimmon and even steel woods. Today, drivers are predominantly made from titanium, carbon or similar lightweight materials. Titanium is favored for its strength, durability, and light weight, allowing for larger clubheads without a significant increase in weight. This enables faster swings, longer drives, and greater forgiveness thanks to a larger sweet spot. Some drivers feature a mix of materials, incorporating light substances like carbon or heavier ones like tungsten to optimize performance.

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Moment of Inertia (MOI) and Center of Gravity (CG)

The CG of a driver is a singular balance point. Adjusting fixed or movable weights in the clubhead shifts this balance. Generally, a lower and rearward CG produces more spin, resulting in a higher ball flight and increased forgiveness. Moving the CG forward enhances ball speed but reduces spin and MOI, which impacts forgiveness. A higher MOI means less likelihood of club twisting on off-center hits.

Optimal Launch Angle for Your Driver

Getting fitted by a professional is crucial to determine the best launch angle. Key factors influencing ball flight include ball spin and launch angle. The loft angle significantly affects how high or low the ball launches.

Selecting the Right Loft

Loft determines the ball’s flight height and is measured vertically. Most drivers have a loft between 8 and 12 degrees. Higher loft creates more backspin, lifting the ball. Many golfers mistakenly believe lower loft equals longer drives, but a higher loft often results in a longer carry for most players.

Recommended Lofts and Shafts for Drivers by Skill Level

Player TypeShaftLoft
Women and seniors with a swing speed of less than 60 mphLadies or seniors13 – 15 degrees
Seniors with a swing speed of 60 – 75 mphSeniors13 degrees
Players with a swing speed of 75-85 mphRegular12 degrees
Players with a swing speed of 85-95 mphStiff10 – 11 degrees
Players with a swing speed of more than 95 mphStiff or X-Stiff< 10 degrees
The Driver World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler uses

How Does Adjusting the Driver Work (Loft, Clubhead & Weight)?

Loft

Determining the ideal loft and launch angle can be challenging. To address this, manufacturers have introduced adjustable features that allow customization by turning a screw. Many drivers enable loft adjustments of up to 4 or 5 degrees, varying by brand and model. It’s important to realign the clubface during these adjustments, as misalignment can affect the ball’s horizontal flight, causing it to veer right or left.

Clubhead

The clubhead’s angle to the target is crucial. When the clubhead is perfectly vertical, it is perpendicular to the target. Turning the clubface away opens the clubhead and reduces loft, while turning it towards the player closes the clubface and increases loft. For players who slice, a closed clubface helps maintain the target angle and prevent the ball from veering right. Conversely, an open clubhead can help players who hook to the left achieve straighter shots. Here are some tips to improve your clubhead speed.

Driver Weight

Adjustable weights in the clubhead can significantly influence the ball’s flight by affecting the center of gravity and moment of inertia. The goal is to achieve the optimal center of gravity at impact, regardless of weight settings. Drivers can have various weights ranging from 1 to 20 grams, which can be positioned on the sole to promote a draw (more weight at the back), fade (more weight at the front), or higher ball flight (more weight at the back). Each manufacturer offers different methods for adjusting these weights.

COR Value and Smash Factor: What Do They Mean?

COR (Coefficient of Restitution) measures the energy transfer from the clubhead to the ball, with a maximum allowed COR of 0.83. The smash factor indicates how efficiently energy is transferred, calculated by dividing ball speed by clubhead speed. An ideal smash factor is 1.50.

Shaft Type and Length: How They Affect Your Driver

The shaft is crucial for driver performance. Manufacturers offer shafts in various flexes, such as regular (R), stiff (S), and extra stiff (XS). Less stiff shafts promote a higher, right-to-left ball flight, while stiffer shafts create a lower trajectory with a tendency to the right. The standard driver length is 48 inches, but most range between 43 and 46 inches. A longer shaft can generate more speed but may reduce control.

What Comes After the Driver?

Once you’ve nailed your driver shot from the tee, the goal is to reach the green in regulation or better. This brings fairway woods and irons into play. Check out our comprehensive guides on fairway woods and irons for more insights.

By considering these factors and getting properly fitted, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect driver to enhance your game.

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Equipment Highlights Tours

The Masters Tournament 2024: Tony Finau With Unusual Equipment Choice

Tony Finau brings two drivers to the Masters Tournament 2024. (Image: Getty)
Tony Finau brings two drivers to the Masters Tournament 2024. (Image: Getty)

When looking at Tony Finau’s golf bag, some long-established Masters Tournament fans might be reminded of an edition 18 years ago. Back then, in 2006, Phil Mickelson won his second green jacket at Augusta National. And he did so with a special set of clubs. Like Finau this year, “Lefty” relied on two drivers back then.

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The reason behind Tony Finau’s unusual bag at the Masters Tournament 2024

The explanation for this “double lotto” in Finau’s bag is relatively simple. During his tournament preparation, the American realised that he could only use his 3-wood on a single hole (hole 8) and set about looking for an alternative. The solution presented itself in the form of a second driver. In addition to the Ping G430 LST with 7.75 degrees of loft, Finau will be adding another Ping G430 LST to his bag for the Masters Tournament 2024, but this one has around 9 degrees of loft and a shaft that is three-quarters of an inch shorter. According to Ping, Finau can use it for his tee shot on five holes (holes 2, 7, 10, 14 and 17). The driver is also more forgiving than the comparable 3-wood and even with the higher loft, the long hitter still manages 300 yards or 275 metres.

Putter patent for Tony Finau

Although not in his tournament bag, Tony Finau now uses a specially designed putter for training rounds at home. Together with his equipment supplier Ping, Finau has designed a prototype that fulfils his special requirements. The American relies on his putter particularly for short shots from the first cut around the greens and turns it 90 degrees for these shots so that he catches the ball with the heel. The new putter is said to have a cube shape, placing the weight directly behind the golf ball. The patent, which was presented on Wednesday ahead of the Masters Tournament 2024, features Finau himself as well as Tony Serrano, Head of Putter Design at Ping, and CEO John A. Solheim.

“When Tony turns his putter over and hits a putt with the toe, all the mass is directly behind the ball,” Serrano said. “So he came to us and said, ‘How can we make a putter that has some of these feelings and attributes and sounds that I get when I turn this putter over?’”

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Equipment Professionals

McIlroy, Tiger And Co.: Golf Stars Compete In New TaylorMade Challenge

Rory McIlroy, Nelly Korda and Tiger Woods compete against each other in an Accuracy Challenge by TaylorMade. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy, Nelly Korda and Tiger Woods compete against each other in an Accuracy Challenge by TaylorMade. (Photo: Getty)

In this challenge organised by TaylorMade, the staff players of the well-known brand compete against each other. The accuracy of the professionals’ drives on the range is put to the test. Naturally, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Nelly Korda and co. will be using the latest driver from TaylorMade, the Qi10.

TaylorMade Challenge: Who hits the perfect centre?

TaylorMade wanted to answer this question and set its high-calibre staff players a demanding challenge. Using the Qi10 driver, the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour stars have to hit a narrow corridor on a slightly sloping fairway. Ten points are awarded for hitting the centre of the fairway, five points are awarded for hitting the slightly wider second area to the left and right of the centre and two points are awarded for hitting the fairway completely outside the markings.
It was by no means a one-on-one competition, with TaylorMade putting “Team USA” with Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda against “Team International” with Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Charlie Hull and Brooke Henderson.

Who can claim victory in TaylorMades “Accuracy Alley”?

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Callaway Golf announces new Paradym Ai Smoke woods and irons

The new Callaway Golf Paradym Ai Smoke Family. (Photo: Callaway)
The new Callaway Golf Paradym Ai Smoke Family. (Photo: Callaway)

Callaway Golf, one of the industry’s leaders in equipment design, performance, and innovation, announced their new family of Paradym Ai Smoke Drivers, Fairway Woods, Irons, and Hybrids. Designed with extensive player data and a new Ai Smart Face to create sweet spots across the entire face, these clubs are available for pre-sale on January 12, and at retail starting on January 26.

“Sweeter from every Spot” – The new Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Drivers 2024

The Paradym Ai Smoke Drivers represent a quantum leap forward in Callaway’s Ai journey, with the most sophisticated face they’ve ever created from player data and machine learning. The Ai Smart Face optimises driver performance using swing dynamics from thousands of golfers. By leveraging Ai and Machine Learning, these swing dynamics are used to create over 50,000 virtual face prototypes, optimising performance for each head shape.

With Ai Smart Face technology, micro deflections are activated upon impact helping to optimise launch and spin on off-centre shots. The result is sweet spots not just in the centre, but all over the face. The 360° Carbon Chassis has been refined to promote increased weight distribution. By adding an internal titanium support structure, the Carbon Chassis is now 15% lighter. This mass has been redistributed into the head to improve launch conditions and add forgiveness.

Four models are available: Ai Smoke MAX is suited for every level of player with a forgiving shape and adjustable perimeter weighting for up to 19 yards of shot shape correction. MAX D is built with high MOI, and a generously stretched profile for players looking for shot shape correction. Triple Diamond is for better players looking for increased workability, and MAX Fast promotes lightweight, easy-to-swing performance.

Paradym Ai Smoke Fairway Woods

The Paradym Ai Smoke Fairway Woods feature Callaway’s Ai Smart Face. Every face is designed to optimise launch and spin, creating sweet spots across the entire face. Based on player testing and feedback, the Callaway engineering team focused particularly on improving performance low on the face, where a lot of misses with fairway woods take place.

Their Carbon Chassis has been refined to promote enhanced launch, spin, and increased forgiveness. And the Tungsten Speed Cartridge pushes the centre of gravity (CG) low and forward for improved launch and distance.

Four models are available: Ai Smoke MAX is the most extensive offering for consistent launch and a neutral ball flight. MAX D is built with high MOI for players looking for shot shape correction, and Triple Diamond is suited for better players who want more workability. MAX Fast is the lightest weight model, providing a forgiving shape that’s easy to launch with draw bias.

Paradym Ai Smoke Hybrids

The hybrids use Ai Smart Face to promote maximum distance with tight dispersion into the green. They feature a shallower profile for high, easy launch while the Tungsten Speed Cartridge creates exceptional distance. A more pronounced sole camber offers enhanced turf interaction, ensuring precise, clean contact.

Three models are available: Ai Smoke features a brand-new contemporary design with a larger profile for amplified forgiveness and instilled confidence at address. Additionally, a more pronounced sole camber offers enhanced turf interaction, ensuring precise, clean contact. Ai Smoke HL is designed to increase distance, improve launch, and tighten dispersion. The lightweight Max Fast promotes more swing speed and launch.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Irons

A total revolution in iron performance from Ai Smart Face. With the Ai Smart Face, the Paradym Ai Smoke irons promote exceptional distance, tight dispersion into the green, and optimal launch in a modern construction. The new shape consists of longer blade lengths, thinner toplines, and optimised sole widths to create a forgiving, yet streamlined look at address. An all-new Dynamic Sole Design features a pre-worn leading edge with variable bounce that cuts through the turf with extreme efficiency.

Three models are available in this game-improvement lineup: Ai Smoke is best suited for golfers with average to high swing speeds looking to maximise distance and improve dispersion. Ai Smoke HL is made for higher launch and more spin for players that need those added benefits. MAX Fast is built to optimise swing speed and increase launch.

Text: Callaway GolfThe new Paradym Ai Smoke family from Callaway promises better hits across the entire clubface. To achieve this, the developers are once again supported by artificial intelligence.

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Equipment

Drivers for beginners: an overview of the new models for the 2023 season

Numerous driver models suitable for novice golfers. (Photo: Srixon, Ping, Cobra, TaylorMade, Callaway)
Numerous driver models suitable for novice golfers. (Photo: Srixon, Ping, Cobra, TaylorMade, Callaway)

The beginning of the year means that numerous new club series from the various manufacturers come onto the market. From beginner models to clubs suitable for the professional level, everything from putters to irons to drivers are included. To help you keep track of this amount of products, here’s a summary of five of the new models that hit the market in 2023.

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Driver

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Driver is a new driver model that aims to provide maximum support to golfers. It features a high amount of carbon compared to other materials and is covered with a polyurethane layer called “nanotexture”. This protects the carbon and provides normal spin values. It also has a “Thru-Slot Speed Pocket”, which ensures that deep hits on the face suffer little loss of length. The HD version comes standard on the draw and has weight in the heel and back of the head to prevent slice and provide plenty of forgiveness. The women’s version comes with an even lighter head. Overall, the Stealth 2 HD Driver is designed to make playing off the tee easier by allowing minimal length loss on off-center hits and minimal slice probability.

Adjustable no
Lofts 9°, 10,5° and 12° (RH and LH)
Ladies version yes 10,5° and 12° (only RH)
Price 649,00 €

The Cobra Aerojet Max Driver

Part of the eponymous Aerojet Series, the new Cobra Aerojet Max Driver features an aerodynamic design that allows for increased clubhead speed and ball speed, according to Cobra Golf. The new PWR Bridge Weighting allows for a floating weighting technology with an internal bridge structure. The trajectory is stable and high with a low draw tendency due to the placement of the 12g weight in the back and the 3g weight in the heel. The draw tendency can be increased by swapping the weights. The driver is also available for ladies – in a black satin finish with a shiny carbon crown and sole.

Adjustable yes
Lofts 9°, 10,5° and 12° (RH and LH)
Ladies version yes 10,5° and 12° (RH and LH)
Price 579,00 €

 

The Callaway Paradym X Driver

The Callaway Paradym X Driver is a beginner golf club that contributes to high forgiveness and length through its innovative use of Forged Carbon material. The 360° carbon chassis has saved weight and can be used for more forgiveness and length. The Paradym X Driver is the most forgiving model in the series and is particularly suited to players who prefer or require a draw bias. An external 5g weight in the back of the club increases ball launch and reduces spin for increased carry distance.

Adjustable yes
Lofts 9°, 10,5° and 12° (RH and LH)
Ladies version yes 10,5° and 12° (RH and LH)
Price 649,00 €

The Ping G430 Max Driver

The new Ping G430 Max Driver is part of the new G430 Series and promises more distance while being more forgiving. It is the most fault-tolerant model in the series. All three driver models are equipped with new technologies designed to deliver higher ball speeds, such as the VFT (Variable Face Thickness) face design and the portmanteau of spin and consistency “spinsistency” (for consistent spin). The G430 Max’s flexibility allows it to be used for all levels of play and is particularly highlighted by its combination of distance and forgiveness. Additionally, a custom option is available for players with low swing speeds who can use lighter weights, shafts and grips to create more ball speed.

Adjustable yes
Lofts 9°, 10,5° and 12° (only RH)
Ladies version yes/unisex
Price 625,00 €

The Srixon ZX5 Driver

The Srixon ZX5 Driver is a powerful and customizable driver suitable for golfers of all skill levels. Thanks to the new Rebound Frame technology, the driver has better power transfer at impact and optimized face technology for more distance off the tee. The adjustable hosel makes it easy to adjust loft, while loft options range from 9.5 to 10.5 degrees. It features a sturdy titanium head and weight at the rear of the sole to provide more stability in the swing. With a larger footprint and flattened shape, the driver supports higher swing speeds and straighter tee shots.

Adjustable yes
Lofts 9,5° and 10,5° (only RH)
Ladies version no
Price 599,00 €