Editors' Picks And Reviews

February-March 2007

Now Playing: Skycaddie SG4
Have you ever wanted every course you’ve played (and are going to play) at your fingertips? Now you can, thanks to the all-new SkyCaddie SG4 ($349), the most state-of-the-art SkyCaddie yet. Featuring a sleek new design, the SG4 features SkyGolf’s patented IntelliGreen technology, enabling golfers to measure the full depth and shape of the green from any angle of approach, along with showing distances for all targets and hazards on any of SkyGolf’s many thousands of professionally mapped courses. The SG4 also comes with a bonus SD Memory Card Slot for future memory expansion and software upgrades. For more information and where to buy, visit www.skygolf.com.

Hot Features
_Ê ” Large LCD screen for enhanced target display
_Ê ” Patented IntelliGreen technology provides the full depth of the green from any angle of approach, plus the distance to any point on the green
_Ê ” Course-management features with ability to provide distances to hazards
_Ê ” Water resistance for play in all weather conditions
_Ê ” Powered by a lithium rechargeable battery
_Ê ” SD Card Slot for future memory expansion
_Ê ” Conforms to USGA ruling

Training Aids
Still unsure about how to get your game back on track after a layoff? Training aids have become en vogue once again, with the proliferation of several devices designed to help you get your golf game in peak condition. We admit, some training aids do little to actually help, but there are a handful that really do make a difference and can be advantageous to own. The following training aids not only work, they’ll help you practice and play better all season long.

The Stance Minder $99 www.stanceminder.com What it does: Better golfers know that proper alignment is key. The Stance Minder enables golfers to customize their ball position, stance and posture. How it helps: You can’t score if you aren’t set up right. This will help fix everything before you swing.	Izzo EZ Roller $49 www.izzo.com What it does: One of many new training aids from Izzo, the EZ Roller features an aperture to place a golf ball in, with the intent of simulating a smooth roll. How it helps: The EZ Roller forces golfers to make a smooth, nonhitting putting stroke. Bye-bye, yips.
Golf IQ Accuracy Package $89 www.golfiq.com What it does: This multi-aid kit has five different devices geared to helping various parts of the game: a Smash Bag, Practice Pod, Smart Glove, Course Logix software and a Cure Your Slice DVD. How it helps: The Accuracy Package helps with not just accuracy, but also distance and mechanics.	Matzie Assist $70 www.matzie.com What it does: The Matzie Assist has been around for a long time (10 years), and its oversized yellow clubhead, bent shaft and molded grip have been swung in golf shops all over the world. How it helps: The Assist is made to help with better tempo, extension, rhythm and hand movements.
Momentus Power Hitter $159 momentusgolf.com What it does: Designed to be hittable, the Momentus Power Hitter is a heavy-weighted, but proportionally balanced driver. A few swings a day helps to exercise key strength muscles. Five weight classes are available, from 310 grams down to 240 grams. How it helps: Distance, distance and more distance.	The Swing Speed Radar $99 swingspeedradar.com What it does: The Swing Speed Radar does what its name implies, which is to analyze a golfer’s swing speed with wedges, irons, fairway woods and drivers. How it helps: Simple and easy to use, the Swing Speed Radar helps golfers not only monitor their swing speed, but also determine the most optimal speed for consistent ballstriking.

Hogan’s Heroes

Much has been said about the golf swing that made Ben Hogan among the greatest to ever play the game of golf, but less has been said of the man’s personal life. The Ben Hogan Collection ($89) is a series of three narrated DVDs that chronicle the legacy of Ben Hogan from childhood to adulthood, as well as an interesting look at the “self-made” golf swing of Ben Hogan, as analyzed by Jim McLean. Other bonus features include computer software of Hogan’s swing, a DVD-based swing gallery that features regular-speed and slow-motion capture of Hogan’s moves, a career recap and more. For the scoop on where to buy, visit www.thebenhogancollection.com.

Happy Feet
The new V-Lite ($105) golf shoes from Hi-Tec are so light (about 100 grams lighter than most golf shoes), you might forget you have them on. There are no heavy metal shanks or metallic hardware; rather, the V-Lite is equipped with powerful, nonmetal components that lighten the load and levy an amazingly high level of comfort. In addition to being light, the V-Lite golf shoes retain stability and walking comfort, as well as a long-lasting upper that’s built to hold up to tough weather conditions. Oh yeah, the styling isn’t too shabby, either. For a listing on all of Hi-Tec’s new shoes, visit www.hi-tec.com.

Invisible Relief
You’ve probably seen several professional golfers wearing them, but what are those two-tone wristbands? The Trion-Z ($19) is one of the latest advancements in cool gear, designed to provide therapeutic relief through the use of magnet technology. By wearing the wristband, Trion-Z claims the bands have a relaxing effect, helping golfers to better focus and control their emotions under stressful situations. Hey, it won’t hurt to give it a try. Golf is a tough enough game as it is. New for ’07 is the hip necklace ($29). For more, visit www.trionz.com.

Faux Fingers
When PING introduces a new product in a new category, you know it has got to stand up to PING’s notorious quality-control standards. Hence, the company has introduced the new M-Flex ($12), an exceptional golf glove that features a unique, nonleather, micro-fiber composition that’s designed to grip exceptionally well in wet or dry conditions. Surprisingly, the micro-fiber feels very much like Cabretta leather, and in our opinion, breathes even better. Heck, it smells like leather, too. If high-tech hand wear is too “New Age” for you, PING also offers a Cabretta leather model. For more, visit www.pinggolf.com.

Seeing Is Believing
The new MIR-1 putter ($259) from Optix Golf has a mirror surface on the flange of the putter to help golfers not only better align themselves, but also ensure the putter is resting flat on the surface. Now if that seems like a great tool for practice, but too much of a distraction during play, the center flange is easily reversible and can still be very effective without the mirror surface. In addition, the MIR-1 has two pairs of weights (15 grams and 30 grams) that rest in the heel and toe of the putter for a customized feel. Finally, the face and shell of the putter are milled from high-grade aluminum for a putter that aids not only in setup, but also has a great look, feel and sound. For more, visit www.optixgolf.com.

Alternative Tees
If you can get used to the look, then odds are you’ll appreciate how effective the Brush-T ($6 per pack) actually is. Featuring a bristle top (there are four sizes to choose from), the Brush-T enables a very low-friction liftoff from the tee, resulting in what the company says are longer drives. We’re convinced it works, but arguably the most effective part of the Brush-T isn’t the bristles. Instead, every time a golfer tees the ball, they’re ensured the ball is not only the proper height, but also the same height every time. The result is more consistent golf shots with a few extra yards of distance. For more, visit www.brusht.com.

November-December 2006

Now Playing: Never Compromise
The Never Compromise company left nothing out when they thought up the new GM2 (Gray Matter) mallet ($200). The technology begins with the popular gray matter heel-toe weighting, an aluminum-milled body and an aluminum-infused weave face insert. This lightweight face not only helps displace weight, but also yields a softer, more responsive feel.

However, the GM2’s most prominent feature is the ability to alter the putter’s weight in the heel and toe regions by as much as 50 grams. By way of a specially designed weight system, golfers can adjust the putter to varying green speeds and styles.

Aluminum Body
The structure of the GM2 Exchange is made of strong, lightweight aluminum. This nearly ideal material allows for significant amounts of weight to be manipulated in different areas of the clubhead.

Weight Options
The GM2 Exchange series putters offer golfers the ability to alter the headweight of each club by as much as 50 grams. Every model contains adjustable weights that increase by five-gram increments, each of which can be moved to different locations in the heel and toe areas of the clubhead to provide significantly different feels and performance.

Unique Insert
An aluminum-infused composite weave face insert provides enhanced feel and distance control.

Soleplates
The movable weights are housed within compartments in the heel and toe areas of the sole. Players can see which weights are inside via the unique soleplates.

Alignment Aid
Unlike a lot of modern designs, the GM2 doesn’t confuse with busy designs. Instead there’s one simple alignment aid._Ê_Ê

Wrench It
The GM2 Exchange series features a unique sole weighting system that requires the use of a specially designed wrench. Simply remove and customize at will.

Cart Bags
It’s hard to believe that when golf carts were first introduced, you needed a note from your doctor to use one. The year was 1952, and the concept of driving on a golf course was as foreign as using a Segway today. Still, it didn’t take long for the idea to catch on, in large part because of President Eisenhower; images of him cruising around Thunderbird Golf Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on his three-wheeled personal cart captivated golfers who bemoaned their long hikes around the golf course.

These days, cart bags—largely disregarded as something you throw onto the back of your cart—have changed the way manufacturers think about those boring old club-holders.

Unlike their carry bag counterparts, cart bags aren’t limited by their size and weight, so manufacturers haven’t been afraid to be creative, piling on extra features, such as ball silos, felt-lined valuables pockets and insulated drink pouches. I guess we have Ike to thank for this. No wonder so many people liked him._Ê_Ê
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TaylorMade r7 Cart Bag www.taylormadegolf.com $149 The r7 Cart Bag sports seven zippered pockets and full-length dividers to keep each club in its individual slot. Plus, its water-repellent nylon body keeps clubs dry. Perfect for keeping that r7 driver in tip-top shape.	Bennington QO-10 www.benningtongolf.com $279 Bennington Golf’s QO-10 (Quiet Organizer) cart bag features 10 individual full-length dividers for your irons and hybrid clubs. By reserving space for each club, your clubs won’t tangle, clang or crash into one another.
The Bag from Caddyrack www.caddyrack.com $399 The most unique feature of The Bag from Caddyrack is an organizer that protects eight of your irons. Molded with a tough, yet soft nonslip polyurethane polymer, the caddy rack works well with either wide-soled or conventional irons.	Club Glove FCO Luxury Cart Bag www.clubglove.com $269 Club Glove isn’t afraid to think outside the box. Its FCO Luxury Cart Bag is designed so nine of its 11 pockets face out for easy access. For an extra fee, you can even embroider it with your name, initials or company logo.
Sun Mountain C-130 Cart Bag www.sunmountain.com $199 Completely redesigned from its 2006 model, the Sun Mountain C-130 nylon bag weighs just 8.1 pounds, so it’s easy to transport to and from your cart. Its 10 pockets are accessible while mounted on a cart and include areas specifically designed for beverages and valuables.	PING Explore www.pinggolf.com $115 Hey, even if cart bags aren’t meant to be lugged around, you still have to load and unload them from your buggy, right? PING understands we don’t all have the same physiques as The Rock, that’s why they’ve designed the Explore, a very lightweight bag that’s also compatible for push carts.

Heaven Sent
Is it true that the next generation of PING irons is heaven sent? They are if you’re a true believer in innovative technology. The Rapture Irons ($135/club, there’s also a Rapture Driver) are PING’s most advanced to date, marking the first time the company has ventured into face insert technology for irons. Oversized and deep-soled, the Rapture Irons feature a lightweight titanium face insert housed by a heavier stainless-steel body, resulting in enhanced forgiveness, distance and trajectory. The custom-tuning port and elastomer compound in the cavity, as well as the tungsten toe weight, aid in reducing vibration and helping to keep the head square through impact. Designed for the player seeking the ultimate in game improvement, these irons might just perform miracles for your game. For more information, visit www.pinggolf.com.

Aussie Rules
The folks at Tee2Green Technologies in Australia have made a splash with their handsome SureShot GPS yardage reader ($399). What makes it stand out? Well, namely its sleek design and color screen, a feature its rivals don’t possess. In addition to the standard GPS features (distance measuring to specific points, course data storage, ability to measure to points lasers can’t penetrate), the SureShot enables users to record shot statistics and even suggests which club to hit. The light, portable device can be clipped to your belt and its battery lasts much longer than the typical round of golf. It’s perfect in case you find yourself having to go extra holes with one of those boys from Down Under. For more information, visit www.sureshotgps.com.

Hot Wired
John Novosel, a Kansas-based inventor, serendipitously discovered a common trait among Tour pros: their swings had the same tempo. While watching playbacks of slow-motion swings, he noticed it took three times as long for them to complete their backswings as it did for them to return to impact, or as Novosel puts it: there was “a common ratio between backswing and takeaway.” Swings varied in speed, but nearly everyone’s ratio was 3:1. So, what does that mean for you? Not much, unless you pick up the Tour Tempo MP3 player ($99), a lightweight portable device that plays swing tones of varying speeds that match this 3:1 ratio. Just match your swing to the tempo that best fits you, and you, too, will be swinging like a pro. Visit www.tourtempo.com.

Bridgestone GC Series
After a successful entrance by Bridgestone Golf in the premium product category (with its J33 irons), the new GC Series irons ($699) are destined to do the same for the game-improvement category. There are two sets to choose from: the GC.MID, which features a midsized clubhead with minimal offset and progressive heel-toe weighting, as well as midsized sole widths and toplines. The other is the GC.OS, an oversized model with generous and consistent heel-toe weighting, wider soles and thicker toplines. Both models feature fixed weight discs in the heel and toe of the cavity as well as a bored-out Gravity Chamber that deepens in size as irons get bigger, thus aiding in more forgiveness, a higher MOI and higher trajectory. Both models feature a variety of shafts, with Nippon NSPRO shafts as standard.
For more information, visit www.bridgestonegolf.com.

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Read All About It!

A Lifetime of Lessons
By Marshall Smith, with David DeNunzio

Marshall Smith has been teaching golf for more than 50 years and hasn’t lost a step. Learn what a lifetime of teaching can do for your game with this easy-to-digest approach to golf instruction. Visit www.kiss-golf.com to pick up a copy.

Focus for Success Series
By Dr. David Wright, with Charlie Schroeder and Dan McNamee

“Doc,” as he’s known to his students, has written a five-part golf psychology series titled, Focus for Success. The first book, Concentration, was just released and includes audio exercises designed to train that five-and-a-half-inch space between our ears. Visit www.wrightbalance.com.

Common Sense Clubfitting
By Tom Wishon

Far from a summer read, Tom Wishon’s exhaustive account may be the most thorough analysis of clubfitting ever put on paper. The book’s eight chapters are each supported by tons of research, graphs, charts and photographs. You can order a copy by visiting www.wishongolf.com.

August-September 2006

Now Playing: CDT Super Power Pro Golf Shoes

Shoes that can help you hit the ball farther? Sounds like we’re kidding, right? We’re not. The new CDT Super Power Pro golf shoes ($210) from Hi-Tec are designed not only to cradle the foot while walking and provide support when making a golf swing–they’re designed to help you hit the ball a long way. It all starts with one of the most innovative and aggressive sole designs to ever grace a golf shoe. For more information on the full range of shoe styles and features, visit www.hi-tec.com.

EVA Midsole
The compression midsole is comfortably secure and offers just the right amount of cushion needed to make a strong swing and to keep the feet healthy and pain-free while walking and playing.
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Full Grain
The 100% full-grain leather upper is breathable, soft, waterproof and designed to last.

Wear And Roll Bar
Traction where you need it, freedom where you don’t. The heel Wear Bar and toe Roll Bar help the feet rock and roll during the swing as they should, without compromising traction or comfort.

Two Pods
The twin-pod design helps golfers position their body weight over the critical heel and toe regions of the feet. This weight dispersion enables golfers to make a fuller backswing and a more effective weight shift from the back heel to the forward toe during the downswing. Better yet, the arch support cradles the foot for a comfortable yet athletic feel, helping to prevent collapsed arches and overpronation.

Tread Design
This is one of the most aggressive sole designs on the market. Made of strong thermoplastic urethane (TPU), the CDT Super Power Pro sole design features a series of stabilizing bars, grooves and teeth for support in literally every direction–uphill, downhill and sideways. The forefoot Flex Groove is designed for better walking comfort and flexibility.
_Ê
Cradle
The TPU shank in the arch section of the shoe helps place weight on the heel and toe while comfortably cradling the arch. Now that’s what we call support.

CDT Spikes
No other spike lends as much control as the CDT Power spike. With six teeth, two of which are elongated for custom direction control, the CDT spike grips, holds and absorbs shock very well.

Grip Genetics
Grips have come a long way since leather and simple rubber models. Today, there are more substances, ingredients, materials and textures than ever to choose from. Polymers, synthetic, multiblend, dual-density and proprietary mixed rubbers dominate the landscape, encompassing a level of technology once reserved for high-performance tires and automotive technologies.

These top grips aren’t just made of cool new materials, however. Equally inventive are the new textures and dual densities, which are designed to do more than simply help secure the hands to the club. Some wick water, some absorb shock, some are built for comfort, and others are made to promote healthy hands. Some grips are designed to do all of the above, so we’ve decided to call out a few of today’s top performers.

Avon Pro D2x $2.35/each www.avongrips.com The Pro D2x from Avon features firm support in the top region and a softer feel in the lower region. It also has superb traction throughout. Material: Dual-mold compound Design: Ribbed velvet	Comp Grip MF5 $8/each www.compgrip.com Could this be the first microfiber grip? The polymer-based MF5 handles rain and perspiration, and does so with a unique feel and look. Material: Microfiber/polymer Design: Textured-weave velvet
Golf Pride Dual Durometer $4.35/each www.golfpride.com Soft on the outside, firm on the inside, the Dual Durometer is a great option for players who want the best in shock absorption, while retaining a solid feel. Now available in a corded model. Material: Thermoset rubber Design: Velvet	Lamkin Dual Density Torsion Control $4.95/each www.lamkingrips.com One of the most unique grips to hit the market in decades, the DDTC features a unique groove-and-texture pattern that increases gripping power while combating rain and perspiration. Material: Laser-Tac proprietary rubber Design: Ridged velvet
Sharpro PTO $2.85/each www.sharprogrip.com The texture-heavy PTO has perforations and ridges throughout for a rugged look. The lower half is softer than the top for a great feel and optimal shock absorption._Ê Material: Dual-density rubber Design: Upper-cord	Winn G8 $4.25/each www.winngrips.com The latest from Winn Grips provides a uniform feel, despite being constructed from multiple materials for traction and shock absorption in the places where they’re needed most. Material: Proprietary synthetic polymer Design: Vertical-seam velvet

Shling Thing
The new OGIO Shling shoulder harness gets its inspiration from yokes (you know, those things that hang on oxen’s necks to help them carry their burdens). But whereas yokes were designed to balance equal amounts of weight, the OGIO Shling is designed to make carrying awkwardly weighted golf bags a snap, plus it can be adjusted for different shoulder widths. Simple to adjust, just slide it on and hit the links! The Shling can be found on OGIO’s Vision SS bag ($229, pictured). For more information, visit www.ogio.com.

Multilayer Mania
The new White Hot XG series ($119, #7 pictured) features a multilayer face insert with an elastomer core material for a soft feel and a firmer, outer striking surface for improved accuracy and feedback. Also notable, the face has a unique textured-weave design for a faster end-over-end roll. The feel is subtly different from other White Hot models, albeit this time with a slightly softer sensation at impact. The White Hot XG series putters come in a variety of sizes, shapes and hosel configurations. For more information, visit www.odysseygolf.com.

Forged Forgiveness
For a long time, forged irons were relatively plain in shape, possessing the kind of shotmaking attributes and feel that generally catered to only a handful of the best players in the world. And while most Tour pros today have opted for at least a few cavity-back irons in their bags for added playability, finding the mix of that forged feel with hard-hitting forgiveness hasn’t been easy. That is, until MacGregor unveiled the new MACTEC M685 forged cavity-back irons ($699). Interestingly, the M685 long and mid-irons feature what’s called hosel-face, hollow-body technology, where the hosel and clubface are forged as a single piece for a remarkably solid, one-piece feel. The rest of the hollow-body design lends ample perimeter weighting and forgiveness across the entire clubface. All this sounds impressive, doesn’t it? It’s even better in the bag. Multiple shaft options are available. To learn more, check out www.macgregorgolf.com.

Simply Effective
Sometimes it’s the most basic training devices that have the biggest impact. The easy-to-use Right Touch ($49) is designed to help improve swing path, posture and weight shift by reminding the golfer to keep the arms in the right place during the backswing and downswing. This promotes a more compact address and swing, resulting in truer, straighter flying shots. It’s easy to use and comes with a full-length instructional DVD. For more information, visit www.campmoosegolf.com.

Reader Input
What’s your favorite golf ball and why?

1 Bridgestone B330S, MaxFli RedMAX and Srixon AD333
“It’s a toss-up. When it comes to spin, the new B330S from Bridgestone Golf is a great choice. It really makes hitting tight approaches a lot easier. For distance, though, I think the Maxfli RedMAX is as long as any other ball that I’ve tried. And a great in-betweener ball is the Srixon AD333. It’s a two-piece, but it has the feel and performance of a more expensive Three piece golf ball.”
–Drew, Scottsdale, Ariz. (10 handicap)

2 Bridgestone e5
“You can’t beat the price. For less than $25 a dozen, the e5 has an amazingly soft feel–even with the putter. It doesn’t disappoint off the tee either, as I’ve seen my fair share of higher and longer drives. I’ve even noticed a few short shots checking up on the greens! The e5 doesn’t seem as durable as other inexpensive golf balls, but they’re still a steal for anyone who wants a great all-around ball for the money.”
–Wayne, West Covina, Calif. (8 handicap)_Ê

3 Dunlop LoCo Motion
“A lot of my friends place emphasis on what ball they hit, but I can’t tell one from another. I always buy balls that go far and that aren’t going to bankrupt me. It depends on where I shop, but I usually opt for the Dunlop LoCo Motion. They go for around $15 a dozen, so I never feel too bad when I lose one.”
–Fred, Peoria, Ill. (22 handicap)_Ê

4 Titleist Pro V1
“I’ve used Titleists ever since I was a kid, first playing Surlyn-covered 384 DTs and then, as I improved, moving to a balata cover. I loved the Surlyn’s distance and durability, but at times it felt like I was hitting a rock around the greens. When I played the balata ball, it spun like a pro’s, but I couldn’t make it through six holes without cutting it. When the Pro V1 came out, all that changed. Now I get great distance, spin and durability. To me, it’s worth it even if they are expensive.”
–Casey, Lewiston, Maine (7 handicap)

5 Maxfli Noodle Ice
“My friends and I were wondering if a colored ball would ever make a return, and it looks like somebody was listening! The Noodle Ice performs as well if not better than the original Noodle, but the vivid colors are a lot easier to see in the air and in the rough than standard white golf balls. The clearcoat takes some getting used to, but it’s fun to watch these balls fly through the air. Better yet, they’re affordable and come in a variety of colors.”
–Stephanie, Chicago, Ill. (11 handicap)

July 2006

Now Playing: TaylorMade rac MB TP Irons
Who said musclebacks have to be plain in shape? The new rac MB TP Irons ($1,200/3-PW) from TaylorMade Golf feature the company’s usual high-tech spin on innovative new golf equipment, this time in the shape of a Tour-proven muscleback. Played by such names as Retief Goosen, Fred Funk and John Daly (how’s that for a threesome?), the rac MB TP irons were designed with heavy input from several touring professionals who prefer minimal offset and a high center of gravity for the kind of workability and controlling ballflight that’s demanded by the world’s greatest players.

The forged carbon steel rac TP MB irons feature a thinner topline and more compact size and shape than the previous rac TP irons, as well as enlarged, second-generation feel pockets to promote a softer feel. Each iron also has a milled face and grooves for a consistent spin rate and trajectory. Other features include TaylorMade’s Tour bounce configuration, with a specially designed leading edge that minimizes digging and a tail edge that lessens friction through the turf. The rac MB TP irons feature Rifle Flighted, True Temper Dynamic Gold, Dynamic Gold Sensicore, Dynamic Gold SL and Precision Rifle Project X steel shafts. www.taylormadegolf.com

Sometimes it helps to look at an iron from every angle, especially from above and below, to really see if a particular iron suits your ability and demands. In the case of TaylorMade Golf’s rac MB TP irons, each iron features a thin sole design, which creates a somewhat higher CG than thicker-soled irons, resulting in not only a lower trajectory but greater ability when it comes to shaping shots. From above, one can see not only limited offset but a thinner topline, which better players prefer when it comes to iron shape aesthetics. Now, if improved workability and a higher CG aren’t to your liking, TaylorMade also offers several irons that feature thicker sole widths, lower CGs, more perimeter weighting and greater offset for players who want the most in forgiveness, distance and improved spin.

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Quick Facts: rac MB TP Irons

_Ê ” Forged Steel Build
_Ê ” Tour-Inspired Shape
_Ê ” Low-Launch Ballflight
_Ê ” Ideal For Fast Swings
_Ê ” Maximum Workability
_Ê ” Thin Topline
_Ê ” Minimal Offset
_Ê ” Thin Sole Width
_Ê ” Plated Satin Finish

Power Tools
In a mere 10 years, the average driving distance on the PGA Tour has exploded from John Daly’s 288-yard average in 1996 to a whopping 319-yard average held by the longest guy ever on Tour, Bubba Watson. We’ve seen several PGA Tour players hit the ball unprecedented lengths this year, so it’s no doubt that today’s equipment has helped professionals hit a long way.

But what about the rest of us mere mortals? Can today’s drivers do for the average player what they have done for the best players in the world? Granted, you may not challenge Bubba Watson’s leading average of nearly 320 yards per drive, but a few extra yards is definitely not out of the question with one of today’s exciting new drivers. The key in deciding which driver works best for you has to do with first determining what clubhead you prefer, what loft is suited for your swing and, finally, what shaft length, weight and flex are best fit for your swingspeed and tempo. Also, be sure not to forget grip and grip size, as bigger grips promote less hand rotation than skinnier grips do.

PING G5 Driver_Ê $299 Bubba Watson ” Longest Drive: 398 yards The PING G5 is designed to help all golfers produce the desired high-launch, low-spin ballflight–even if you don’t have Bubba-like swingspeed. Shafts: PING TFC100D, Aldila NV 65, Grafalloy ProLaunch 65	TaylorMade r7 425 TP $399 John Daly ” Longest Drive: 397 yards Big John swings the r7 425 TP because of its super-thin crown, low CG, increased COR and, frankly, because it’s really long. Other options include the powerful r7 460 and the player-friendly r7 425. Shafts: TaylorMade Re*AX by Fujikura
Callaway Big Bertha Fusion FT-3 $399 Phil Mickelson ” Longest Drive: 363 yards We all know that Phil used two to win the Masters, but what you may not know is that the FT-3 is arguably the most revolutionary and technologically advanced driver ever made by Callaway Golf._Ê Shafts: Aldila Fusion NVS graphite	Cleveland HiBore $399 Vijay Singh ” Longest Drive: 394 yards_Ê_Ê Is the HiBore the next big thing? We’ll leave that to you to decide, but one thing we know for sure: it’s incredibly straight, long and easy to hit, thanks to its unique crown shape._Ê_Ê Shafts: HiBore Silver by Fujikura
MacGregor MACTEC NVG2 (Tour)_Ê $299 Jos”© Mar”_a Olaz”_bal ” Longest Drive: 349 yards Featuring a weldless Cup Face 360_¡ clubface, the MACTEC NVG2 has a broad array of cool attributes, including Quadra Tungsten sole weights, a Tri-Plane sole and a razor-thin crown section for a low CG Shafts: Quadra Action graphite by Fujikura	Bridgestone J33 Series $299 Stuart Appleby ” Longest Drive: 426 yards The all-titanium model used by Stuart Appleby has a tungsten weight in the trailing edge of the clubhead for both a higher MOI and a lowered and deepened CG. The trademark elastomer compound insert reduces vibration for a greater transfer of energy. Shafts: Aldila NV 65 graphite_Ê

Together At Last
No really–titanium and persimmon can coexist. Featuring a combination of persimmon and titanium, the new SMART ti driver ($369) from Louisville Golf is one of the most unique drivers ever made. Not only does it feature the built-in, spin-correcting gear effects and soft sound that persimmon provides, but it has also tacked on a few more yards of distance. By using a recessed cavity behind the titanium clubface insert, Louisville was able to increase the SMART ti’s COR to a level that’s higher than any other persimmon driver tested by the USGA. In sum, it’s an absolute blast to hit and unbelievably accurate. For more information and to check out all of Louisville Golf’s persimmon products, visit www.louisvillegolf.com.

Teego
If you’ve ever been to one of those high-tech driving ranges where your ball pops out of the ground onto the tee, then you know how good it feels to not bend over and tee up another ball. The makers of the Teego ($99) had the exact same experience in mind when they developed their portable golf ball dispenser. Not only does the Teego go anywhere, it’s very durable and works with any type of tee and holds a total of 150 golf balls. But its best feature might be how it works. The Teego is gravity-driven, so there’s no need for batteries or electrical plugs. Optional accessories also include a driving mat, practice net and X-Tees that work with the Teego system. For more information, visit www.teego.com._Ê

Big Bender
One of the most popular training aids ever, the Medicus iron has helped hundreds of thousands of golfers better their iron swing mechanics by way of a hinging feature in the shaft. The new Medicus Dual Hinge Driver ($159) does the same for longer shots, helping golfers stay on-plane, monitor proper tempo and wrist cock and more. By allowing the golfer to see instant feedback, the Medicus Driver enables golfers to groove proper fundamentals into the swing and, when a fault occurs, the shaft bends and the swing must be repeated from the start. Right- and left-handed models are available in what’s likely to be another one of golf’s most popular training aids. For more information, visit www.medicus.com.

Reader Input

Here at Golf Tips, it’s our responsibility to advise you, the reader, about the new and exciting clubs, components and training aids that will have the biggest impact on your game. But once a month, we like to open the doors to our readers and see what they think.

1 What new club has made the biggest impact on your game and why?
A: Sonartec MD Transition
“For a long time, the gap between my fairway woods and irons was causing me trouble, especially on long par-3s and tough approaches on par-4s. I couldn’t bring myself to muscle a long iron shot, and I didn’t like swinging easy with a fairway wood. The Sonartec MD Transition filled the distance gap between 200 and 220 yards, from both the fairway and off the tee. Also, it’s a money club for hitting bump-and-run shots around the green.”
–Steve, Newport Beach, Calif. (6 handicap)

2 What training aid has helped you the most?
A: Momentus
“I’ve tried a lot of training aids, many of which have helped me learn better swing mechanics. But finding a training aid dedicated toward helping me improve my tempo, loosen muscles and stay on-plane has really made a difference in my game. The heavy-weighted Momentus Swing Trainer also helps me ingrain a more consistent swing plane, which I need to prevent myself from swinging too much from the outside-in. It really limbers me up before I head out to the golf course.”
–Richard, Eugene, Ore. (8 handicap)

3 What’s the best driver you’ve hit, and what makes it so good?
A:_Ê Mizuno MX-500
“Mizuno has been best known to produce high-quality stuff for better players, but one swing with the MX-500 convinced me that Mizuno is out to help everyone play better. I’m not sure how it works, but the carbon crown and titanium face help me hit the ball higher, farther and straighter than I did with my old driver. I miss the “clack” sound of the all-titanium drivers, but even with the muted “thump” sound of the MX-500, it’s still the best driver I’ve played.”
–John, Camarillo, Calif. (15 handicap)_Ê

4 How much time do you spend practicing your short game vs. your long game?
A: 30/70
“In my foursome, I’m known for having a very good short game. But as far as practice time is concerned, I hit balls maybe 70 percent of the time, and hone in on my short game 30 percent of the time. My secret to success is, I actually practice my short game every day! Whether in the office or at home, I make an effort to swing a wedge or putter at least once a day. By keeping a short club in my hands as often as possible, I’ve been able to develop a better feel and I’ve become more accustomed with each club. More familiarity leads to more confidence, which then leads to lower scores!”
–Ryan, Seattle, Wash. (3 handicap)

Six PGA Show Products That Blew Us Away

After some 12 miles of Orange County Convention Center floor hiked over three busy days, Golf Tips can safely state that the 50th PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida, was one of the best in years. A renewed energy permeated the 40-plus aisles of golf geek gear and apparel, populated by the biggest OEMs –Bridgestone, Callaway, Cleveland-Srixon, Cobra-Puma, Nike, TaylorMade, Titleist, Tour Edge and Wilson among them – with a supporting cast of hundreds of golf companies large and small, from printer giant Epson showing off its swing analyzer to growing putter makers like Cure (www.cureputters.com) and Sentio (www.sentiogolf.com) and tiny swing-aid startups like Impact Snap (www.impactsnap.com).

In some ways, the show was golf’s version of the huge Consumer Electronics Show that took over Las Vegas just a couple weeks previous. The game is officially, completely awash in high-tech gadgetry across the board, and there’s no turning back. Small, GPS-and-Bluetooth-powered club-mounted swing analyzers are pretty much a genre unto themselves, putting heretofore complex expensively acquired angles and numbers, from clubface angle to swing plane to ball speed into Everyman’s hands, for a few hundred bucks. The two-plus-decade-old rangefinder and GPS sector has matured into a heady hand-held digital wizardry, with tens of thousands of courses and pinpoint distances at one’s fingertips, whether through a standalone unit or a smartphone app.

Of course, the game’s original tools, clubs and balls, aren’t immune to such epochal leaps in technology; their materials, construction and the fitting techniques used to dial them into one’s personal moves through the bag are the stuff of M.I.T.-meets-Silicon Valley magic. Even kids’ clubs are making a quantum leap forward thanks to companies like Scotland-based Golphin (www.golphin.com), whose four-club sets for youngsters aged 3 to 16 are truly groundbreaking. Sure, we’re all tied to the laws of physics no matter what our age, but today’s technologies help scour away the guesswork and leave a gleaming, stat-paved path to true game improvement.

Added to all these plugged-in marvels were plenty of more traditional crowd-pleasers, from shoes to apparel to towels and training aids, and while we managed to check out several dozen products in person, we could have used at least another week to check them all out. Good thing there’s the web and an army of company reps to helps us fill in the gaps.

So, in advance of Golf Tips’ full-on roundup of this years’ products in its Equipment Buyers Guide coming in our March-April 2016 issue, here’s a peek at a half dozen products that really caught our eyes – and hands, feet and minds.

BEN HOGAN PTx AND FT WORTH 15 IRONS
If the Hawk were alive today he’d be all over these two new models of pinseeking sticks from the company he started way back when. Actually, he’d probably have the more traditional FT Worth 15s in his bag, but we’re particularly taken with the game-improvement PTxs, with their co-forged titanium core and 1025 carbon steel cavity back, which work together to keep the center of mass at the center of each face on each custom-fitted club to produce perfectly optimized launch angles, which allows players to dial in their loft gapping – the idea behind Hogan’s revolutionary idea of abandoning traditional iron numbering in favor of showing its actual loft, from 20 (the old 3-iron) to 44 degrees (pitching wedge) for those looking for a lower ballflight, to 23 to 47 degrees if you want to flight it higher – with any combination of lofts in between. Once your set is configured, Hogan provides a personalized bag tag showing the range for each club. Finally, Hogan’s V-sole combines two bounces in one for maximum versatility on the many turf surfaces you’ll encounter in a round.
$149 per club | www.benhogangolf.com

BRIDGESTONE TOUR B330 RX AND RXS BALLS
These two variations on Bridgestone’s two-piece lower-swing speed ball (under 105 mph) greet 2016 with a few tasty tweaks. The Amatour core is 28 percent softer than the “average tour ball core,” with a greater gradient of softness from center to the outer parts, according to Adam Rayburg, golf ball marketing coordinator. “It also has that soft urethane cover for feel around the greens.” Specifically, the new SlipRes cover “delivers three features – two benefits in performance and one additional benefit,” adds Rayburn. “You’re going to get a higher friction coefficient for greater distance off the driver. The ball doesn’t slide around the face and reduces spin. Around the green, the ball grabs the face a little better; it stays on the grooves, the milling of the club, for better feel. The third benefit is durability.” The same goes for the B330 and 330S for higher swing speeds. All offer the company’s dual dimple technology for excellent wind performance – inner dimples for faster elevation and outer dimples for shallow angle of descent and better rollout. Remember, RXS offers a slightly higher spin rate.
$39.99 for RX and RXS | www.bridgestonegolf.com

COBRA KING LTD DRIVER
“There is a look better players like,” says Cobra’s head of research and development, Mike Yagley, “or it just doesn’t go in the bag.” He’s talking, of course, about Cobra’s flagship player, Rickie Fowler, for whom the King LTD was originally designed. It came out so well the company developed it for the general better-stick market. They’re calling it their first “zero CG driver” and “the ultimate distance machine” thanks to forward-thinking design inside and out. “It’s a little more compact, like our F6 driver, but the best we could do was find as much discretionary mass as possible.” The club’s carbon fiber crown is 20 percent lighter. The titanium is all 811, also lighter. The face is “thicker where it needs to be and thinner where it can be.” The idea behind it all is to reduce the center of gravity to as close to “zero axis” as possible, which allows more efficient impact in the head vertically and horizontally – and more distance. The driver also has the highest possible moment of inertia thanks to a 14 gram weight low and back and a space port, at 16 grams, also low and back. But the coolest thing is via the port, you can see right into the guts of the club. Finally, the LTD’s “My Fly” system lets you adjust the loft from 9 to 12 degrees without drastically changing the fact angle. Visually it’s a stunner, and thanks to all the technology, says Yagley, “you don’t have to think about anything else” but taking dead aim and letting fly.
$449 | www.cobragolf.com

EPSON M-TRACER SWING ANALYZER
What the heck is a well-established printer and information technology company doing at the world’s biggest golf expo? Finally letting the American consumer in on what its Asian customers have known for a couple years now – that the M-Tracer can go toe-to-toe (or byte-to-byte) with any other app-based swing analysis system on the market. Packed with Epson’s Interial Measurement Unit that captures the golf swing in real time at 1,000 samples per second, the M-Tracer unit attaches quickly to the bottom end of a club’s grip; just alert its companion iPhone or Android app what club you’re currently using, and you’re ready to start racking up info that quickly translates to the screen – impact zone, shaft rotation, club speed and path, face angle and, perhaps most crucially, tempo. When a Golf Tips reviewer tested this nifty little gadget with a few 7-irons in the company’s PGA Show booth, the app crunched the data into a stunning 3D visual interface that showed that his back- and through-swings were on plane throughout (a happy surprise) and that his clubhead speed was, while not optimum for the club, at least solid enough to find a green now and again. Swipe the app’s screen either direction and you get a complete stick-figure-like snapshot of what’s going on in your move. Even Orlando-based megateacher David Leadbetter loves the M-Tracer. “It provides real-time feedback and immediate solutions that help golfers develop a more efficient and powerful swing – resulting in lower scores and more fun.” We love that last part.
$249 | www.epson.com/golf

P2 PUTTER GRIP
What sets most Tour pros apart from the rest of us in the putting department? Their ability to maintain an upright and straight hand position throughout the stroke. From the down-the-line view, that means they keep the putter grip and shaft in “flush” line with the forearms, which in turn keeps their hands square to the face and leads to a slew of buried 10-footers. The new series of P2 putter grips from Pro Impact Golf puts this crucial power literally in the palm of anybody’s hands, thanks to a proprietary design of two facing flat sides that fill out both facing palms and virtually eliminate the ability to twist the club at any point in the stroke. The P2 comes in four configurations and sizes – two with U-shaped undersides and a narrower profile, two more V-shaped with a wider look. All have a soft, no-slip rubber finish to facilitate light pressure and ultimate feel. Then it comes down to your hand size and personal preference. Whether you’re traditional or left-hand-low, they work equally well.
$29.95 | www.proimpactgolf.com

SUNICE OUTERWEAR
Golf Tips’ editors have been packing Sunice products into their bags for road trips for many years now, right alongside folks like the 2015 Presidents Cup Team and other high-level pro and amateur competitors. Always at the comfortable and colorful intersection of style and performance, Sunice’s spring 2016 line is no exception. Divided into five categories of overlapping protection – Rain, Wind, Therman, Layering and Sportswear – the array of smartly colored garments just beg to be worn in the wildest, most changeable climate you can think of – which pretty much defines much of America’s winter and spring weather – and leave you perfectly dry and warm with every swing. At the top of the line are several Gore-Tex designs that are fully waterproof, while the FlexVent and Zephal fabric technologies offer whatever level of water and wind-fighting layering you need. We particularly love the Berlin waterproof stretch short-sleeve pullover, about as versatile and movement-friendly piece of performance outerwear as you will find.
Prices vary | www.sunice.com