Fairway Woods/Hybrids

Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood: Heaven-Sent

When it comes to filling out their golf bag, many golfers face a conundrum trying to stay under the 14 club USGA limit. To cover the gap between their driver and long irons they can either carry a fairway wood, like a three or five, or opt for hybrids, which typically range in loft from 3-wood to five-iron.

The rebels with a cause at Cleveland Golf have challenged this limitation with the Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood, which unabashedly offers the best of both worlds in terms of looks and performance. Engineered for golfers who struggle to hit their fairway woods off tight lies, or make clean contact with a ball snuggled down in the rough, the Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood is quickly becoming the workhorse of many golf bags.

The Science

The 3+ Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood features 18 degrees of loft, more than ample for settling comfortably into the role of a 5-wood. Its head is noticeably bigger than your typical hybrid, and its size creates a higher moment of inertia for more stability at impact, according to Cleveland. There are three guide rails along the sole of the club to help keep the face square during impact. They also have the added benefit of helping the clubhead run smoothly over any surface.

There are subtle and even hidden, design components that elevate the Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood into rarified air. Unbeknownst to golfers wielding it, an 8-gram weight placed inside the end of the grip delivers better balance and control without the need for extra exertion. Cleveland also added two “rebound frames” with alternating zones of flexibility and rigidity that impart more energy into the golf ball when struck.

The Results

I’ve never been able to consistently hit fairways woods off the deck, despite various technological advances. And I’ve also struggled over the years to hit any 3-wood off a tee on short par 4s that call for less than driver. I was looking for the Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood to fill both roles, a big ask considering it’s not necessarily designed to take the place of a 3-wood.

But I typically play from between 6,200 and 6,400 yards, hit my driver 240 yards on average according to my Arccos Caddie shot tracking app, and needed a forgiving club that gives me around 220 yards off the tee and 215 to 220 yards from the fairway. The Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood has filled this role perfectly, and truth be told, it’s the single best hybrid I’ve ever used.

The feel is otherworldly, perhaps part of the inspiration for the Halo (High Angle Lift Off) name. The Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood feels light in my hands, yet at address, it’s stout, powerful and ready to spring into action. I play anything from slight draw to a hook and looking down at many draw-bias hybrid clubheads makes me want to snap a shot into the woods. Not the case with the Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood, which has more of a neutral fitting.

The sound and feel of the clubface are unlike any others I’ve experienced, whether it be hybrids or fairway woods. In fact, it’s so noticeably pure that every playing partner I’ve had since putting it in my bag has commented on the pleasing “thwack” at impact. The black and turquoise color pattern is also an attention-getter, although it can clash with just about every other club cover in the bag save for other Cleveland clubs or the TaylorMade SIM series.

I’ve now used the Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood over 10 rounds and 50 shots. According to Arccos’ Smart Distance feature, I average 217 yards and I’m hitting the fairway 62% of the time off the tee. These numbers are in-line with my objectives for the club, and the Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood will be in my bag for the long haul.

The Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood retails for $219.99, an amazing value considering most OEM’s price their hybrids in the high $200s, and Callaway has even rolled out an Epic Super Hybrid for $399.99. For more information, visit www.clevelandgolf.com.

TaylorMade Unveils SIM Metalwoods

TaylorMade is pushing the metalwood envelope yet again with its all-new SIM family, highlighted by drivers, fairways and hybrids.

SIM Drivers

With an asymmetric sole design and enhanced Inertia Generator, SIM drivers rely on geometry to unlock the next frontier of performance. A series of shape-inspired innovations work in unison to improve forgiveness while also increasing aerodynamics and clubhead speed at the most critical stage of the swing – the last three feet (one meter) of the swing prior to impact.

Known as the speed generation zone, this is where the most meaningful increase of clubhead speed occurs. At the Tour level, players commonly accelerate from 90 mph to 120 mph in that moment of truth. SIM drivers are engineered to improve aerodynamics, and thus clubhead speed, through this critical phase of the golf swing.

SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max•D drivers feature a raised crown and sole to reduce drag and improve airflow throughout the swing. While raising the crown and sole improves aerodynamics, it typically comes with a tradeoff in the form of higher CG projection. However, the SIM family of drivers counteract that with the Inertia Generator positioned low and back with a heavy steel weight at the rear of the club. This design element moves the CG projection very low, optimizing launch conditions and increasing MOI – providing additional forgiveness for the golfer.

TaylorMade’s journey to SIM began with the lightweight carbon composite technology the company has developed over the course of the last 15 years. The fifth-generation carbon composite material, which was refined throughout the lifespan of the popular M series, was the key to unlocking a series of new geometric opportunities for TaylorMade engineers.

By using carbon materials to construct the crown and sole paneling of all drivers, designers saved a considerable amount of weight.

New for 2020 is an ultra-light weight chromium carbon crown with a chalk white topline that creates contrast with the black clubface to help frame the ball at address and improve alignment.

In 2019, TaylorMade took Twist Face – the revolutionary face curvature that’s designed to straighten ball flight – to the next level of performance with Speed Injected Twist Face.

This technology allows the company to push ball speeds near the legal limit for every driver in the SIM family, particularly on off-center hits. There are three key features that allow this to occur.

Ultra-thin Titanium face with redesigned Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) Variable amounts of injected resin based on testing of the face
A proprietary algorithm to tune each head
Every driver head is inspected, measured and tuned to maximize speed and to ensure conformity

The SIM driver features Sliding Weight Technology that allows for up to +/- 20 yards of draw or fade bias. For even further personalization, the 2-degree Loft Sleeve allows for the adjustment of the loft, lie angle and face angle of the driver. The Loft Sleeve is available on all three models, while Sliding Weight Technology is only offered in SIM.

The SIM Max driver is designed to deliver maximum forgiveness, while the SIM Max•D is engineered to help golfers avoid the right side of the course via a strategically placed heel-bias internal weight and divergent topline masking, which makes the driver look more open at address helping golfers close the face at impact.

The SIM Max has an 8% larger face than SIM, while Max•D has an 18% larger face.

SIM Fairways

The iconic V Steel design has been reinvented with the new SIM family of fairway metals. Advanced shaping combines with a V Steel sole to improve turf interaction and playability from various lies.

A more rounded leading edge improves the club’s initial contact with the turf, while the V Steel sole further raises heel and toe sections of the sole away from the ground andimproves versatility. These design features combine to significantly reduce turf contact area in SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max•D fairways, reducing ground friction which can positively influence both clubhead speed and ball speed.

Matching the aesthetics of the driver family, the chromium carbon crown and contrasting chalk white color help frame the ball at address and improve alignment.

The fairway is a 180cc titanium head that combines a lightweight carbon construction with a revolutionary new ZATECH titanium face and a heavy 80g steel sole weight. The strategically positioned weight creates an extremely low CG that allows for increased ball speed, higher launch and improved forgiveness on low-face hits.

The 185cc SIM Max steel fairway woods are constructed using strong and durable C300 face material. Also featuring the reinvented V Steel for exceptional versatility from all lies, the SIM Max is designed for higher launch and peak trajectories, with extremely long distance and improved playability.

The oversized 190cc SIM Max•D has been optimized for forgiveness and golfers seeking a draw bias design. Like SIM drivers, the fairway woods feature progressive head sizes to provide greater forgiveness to the players who need it the most.

TaylorMade introduced Twist Face to its fairway metal lineup in 2019 and has carried the revolutionary technology into each SIM offering. Like the SIM drivers, the faces have been modified to counteract the gear effect on common mis-hits in the high-toe and low-heel.

The Speed Pocket has been engineered to provide increased ball speed to the entire face while improving forgiveness on low-face impacts. A slot insert has also been designed to sit flush with the sole to improve sole interaction and eliminate turf drag from the Speed Pocket, aligning with the performance goals of V Steel.

SIM Max Rescue

As a long-iron replacement, it’s imperative that hybrids be versatile and playable in all conditions. That’s why TaylorMade has incorporated V Steel technology into a hybrid for the first time in the company’s history with SIM Max Rescue. The clubhead is engineered to deliver improved turf interaction and reduced friction when playing from various lies. A reshaped leading edge works in conjunction with V Steel to further improve playability and strike conditions.

Designers rounded the toe and adjusted the face angle to give SIM Max Rescue a more confidence-inspiring shape at address for all levels of golfers. It utilizes the same C300 Steel face used in the fairway woods to help improve ball speed, durability and overall performance. The corrective technologies of Twist Face and Speed Pocket offer improved performance and forgiveness on mis-hits on the toe, heel and low on the face.

Drivers $549.99 , Fairways $399.99, Rescue $249.99 | www.taylormadegolf.com

Titleist TS Hybrids Put Tour Speed In Reach

Born from the Titleist Speed Project, the new Titleist TS hybrids represent a new standard in hybrid performance—combining the explosive speed and distance of TS metalwoods with the advanced technology that has made Titleist the most played hybrids on the PGA Tour.

For dedicated golfers—and Titleist Golf Club R&D engineers—hybrids are considered scoring clubs, not rescue clubs. The new TS2 and TS3 hybrids, benefitting from the innovations of the Titleist Speed Chassis, allow players to replace their long irons with even more speed, launch and precision:

The tremendously forgiving TS2 hybrids maximize performance for players who have a sweeping delivery to the ball—delivering high launch and easy distance. The larger profile is designed for players who prefer the look of a fairway metal.
The fast-launching TS3 hybrids produce outstanding distance and control for players who hit down on the ball—offering mid launch, precise distance and iron-like control. The compact, square toe shape is designed for players who want more of an iron look.

“Pretty much every golfer we’ve had test a TS hybrid has had the same reaction – these things just go,” said Josh Talge, Vice President, Titleist Golf Club Marketing. “When it comes to the world of golf clubs, hybrids don’t always generate the type of excitement you see with other categories. But with TS hybrids, our R&D team has developed a hybrid that players will start thinking about as their go-to club. A club they just can’t wait to hit.”

FREE TRIAL & FITTINGS

Beginning Aug. 8, golfers can experience the speed of Titleist TS hybrids by attending a Titleist Fitting and Trial event (including Titleist Thursdays) being held at hundreds of locations nationwide. Find an event, or book a free fitting with a Titleist Product Specialist.

TS hybrids are available in golf shops worldwide beginning Aug. 30.

TS HYBRID PERFORMANCE & TECHNOLOGY

The improved performance of TS hybrids is driven by the innovative Titleist Speed Chassis, featuring technologies originally developed for TS drivers and fairways and now optimized for each hybrid shape:

Thinner, faster face. The fastest hybrid face Titleist has ever made (16 percent thinner than prior generation 818 hybrids)—delivers faster ball speeds and increased forgiveness.
Optimized Weight Distribution. Refined crown and face thicknesses create a lower CG for higher launch and lower spin. The resulting MOI is up to 10 percent higher on average than 818, creating a powerful combination of speed and stability.

“Titleist hybrids were already by far the industry leader for hybrid performance, speed and distance—and now we’ve taken that to another level with these TS models,” said Stephanie Luttrell, Director, Metalwoods Development, Titleist Golf Club R&D. “By taking everything we learned in developing TS drivers and fairways and implementing those technologies into our hybrid platform, we’ve been able to improve our speed and distance performance while maintaining the incredible playability that makes these hybrids scoring clubs—that easy, consistent distance that launches high and lands soft, closer to the hole.”

TWO WAYS TO SPEED

Like their driver and fairway counterparts, TS hybrids bring more speed to golfers through two distinct designs. The new TS2 is a scoring club built for distance with maximum forgiveness across the face, while TS3 offers outstanding distance with shot-shape customization through the adjustable Magnetic SureFit CG. Both models feature Titleist’s patented SureFit hosel with 16 independent loft and lie settings to create a more consistent and optimized ball flight through precision fitting. Lofts for the TS2 range from 17 to 27 degrees; for the TS3 they range from 19 to 25 degrees.

PREMIUM STOCK SHAFTS

The TS stock shaft lineup extends to TS hybrids with four aftermarket models – KURO KAGE Dual Core Black 60 (High launch and moderate spin), TENSEI AV Series Blue 70 (Mid launch and spin), HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 (Low/mid launch and spin) and Even Flow T1100 White 90(Low launch and spin) – developed by the game’s top shaft manufacturers using insights from Titleist’s industry-best motion capture and consumer testing. Custom shaft choices are available.

$279 | www.titleist.com

Tour Edge Adds Hybrids, Iron-Woods To Hot Launch 4 Lineup

Tour Edge continues its advancement of its popular Hot Launch 4 line with new hybrids and individual HL4 Iron-Woods.

Tour Edge hybrids and iron-woods have been setting standards for decades as industry pioneers in hybrid club advancements. The Tour Edge R&D team continues that tradition with the HL4 line.

The HL4 hybrids features a thinner and lighter forged 17-4 stainless steel crown that provides faster club and ball speeds, while also featuring higher MOI properties, which is a consistent performance upgrade throughout the entire HL4 line.

“The HL4 hybrids are as good as it gets because it achieves exactly what I designed it to do: hit the ball long, high and straight,” said Glod. “Get ready for the ultimate launching experience.”

The newly designed HL4 Iron-Wood features a re-designed shape with a thinner forged face for more spring-like effect and distance. The upgraded distance is about a club longer over the previous Hot Launch iron-woods.

“I put everything I’ve learned since launching the world’s first iron-wood over 15 years ago into the HL4 Iron-Wood for my most versatile design yet,” said Glod.

Glod coined and patented the iron-wood name in 1999 and is a leading designer in golf in hollow body irons.

HL4 is the fourth release in the award-winning Hot Launch series from Tour Edge founder and master club designer, David Glod. HL4 features a complete lineup from driver to irons, all designed to fill a niche as the best technology and performance at a mid-tier price point.

HL4 Hybrid

More weight in the sole of the HL4 Hybrid lowers the CG and raises MOI for optimal feel, launch and forgiveness.

Cup Face technology combined with Variable Face Thickness technology provides greater distance from more contact points on the face that results in better off-center hit distance.

The redesigned face of the HL4 Hybrid is thinner and produces more face flex and greater distance, making these hybrids the ideal long iron replacements for every level of golfer.

A high-toe face design delivers greater forgiveness and an expanded sweet spot across the face. The low-profile face design combined with a redistribution of weight into the sole lowers the center of gravity making this hybrid incredibly easy to launch.

HL4 Iron-Wood

Available individually or as a complete set, the newly designed HL4 Iron-Wood features increased head volumes for more forgiveness and a thinner forged face for more spring-like effect and distance.

The iron-wood combines a hollow hyper-steel body with a super-thin forged steel face for maximum club and ball speeds.

More weight in the sole of the clubhead combined with the perimeter weighting properties of a hollow body design increases launch angle and forgiveness on every shot.

The new Rear Inverted Crown technology lowers the CG for the highest-launching iron-woods to date.

Variable Face Thickness technology in both the hybrid and the iron-wood provides more contact points on the face that equates to better off-center hit distance.

The Power Channel on the sole behind the club face of both the hybrid and the iron-wood is wider and deeper for better weight distribution and increased face flexing. The Power Channel delivers amplified ball speed and less spin, as well as added forgiveness on shots struck lower on the face.

HL4 Custom Fitting

Tour Edge plans to have over 750 custom fitting centers across the country that will feature the mobile HL4 custom fitting bag and their industry leading 48-hour guaranteed delivery on custom fit orders. All custom fit specific orders turned into Tour Edge by 2:30 p.m. Central standard time will be built at Tour Edge headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, and shipped to any continental U.S. state in 48-hours time, either back to the Tour Edge fitting location or directly to the end consumer.

The Hot Launch 4 hybrid comes in 19, 22, 25 and 28 degree lofts. All lofts will be available in right and left-handed models at a retail price of $119.99.

The Hot Launch 4 Iron-Wood is available in 18, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 36, 40, 44, 49, 54 and 59 degree lofts. All lofts will be available in right and left-handed models. The individual HL4 Iron-Wood are priced at $79.99 in KBS Tour 90 steel shafts and $89.99 in graphite.

The HL4 series features an upgraded UST Mamiya graphite shaft that offers enhanced tip stability. It is available in Ladies, A-flex, Regular and Stiff shafts ranging from 45 to 65 grams.

The line has also been upgraded to a Lamkin Z5 multi-compound grips that features distinct hand-placement zones. A larger Midsize grip is now available as a custom option.

All HL4 clubs will be available August 1^st at an authorized Tour Edge retailer.

www.touredge.com

High Heat 3-Metal Another Knuth Golf Winner

When Golf Tips first tested the Knuth Golf High Heat driver in early 2018, the feedback was loud, clear and long: This club was something special, especially for mid- to high-handicappers who tend to venture away from the center of the club now and again. Then we got hold of the 5-metal a couple months later and saw the same game-breaking magic in play.

Now we’re in love with the 3-metal, both off the tee and the fairway.

Especially the tee, when we absolutely, positively have to get the ball in the fairway — far, far down the fairway.

The High Heat story is getting told more and more these days, for good reason: The clubs do exactly what they’re purported to do, with the data to back up the assertsions.

Here’s the gist.

Inventor Dean Knuth had worked for years to crack the last true riddle in the modern driver and fairway metal design world: How to get the same performance on off-center strikes as on the still-too-small sweet spot (for most of us, anyway).

Knuth’s mix of focus and engineering acumen and patience, coupled with careful testing of various head and face materials, resulted in what he called “focus Optimal CG Game Changer and Fire Zone Face Technologies.”

In brief, he came up with a way to expand each club’s sweet spot to the entire face by reducing the average thickness of the toe and heel areas by 30 to 40 percent.

For instance, the Knuth Golf High Heat driver produces ball speeds of 1.41 times the average swing speed (known as the “smash factor”) compared to the major brands’ average of 1.3. That translated into more than 20 yards extra distance.

Knuth took the USGA’s changes to the “CT” rule — the amount of time a ball can stay on the face of a club, from 257 to 275 microseconds — and pushed those numbers toward the High Heat’s perimeter, to an average of 267 on the toe and 266 on the heel. That’s why Knuth has dubbed High Heat’s full-hot-face effect “257+ Technology.”

Combined with a low and deep center of gravity, the High Heat is fashioned for amateur golfers, especially those lamenting the loss of distance that has crept into their games as the decades stack up.

The data is similar for the 3-metal too and 5-metal, too, as well as Knuth Golf’s brand new hybrids.

Golf Tips testing bore that out.

With the driver, what felt like slight toe hits resulted in powerful mini-fades that landed near the 250-yard marker. Center strikes, of course, were even more impressive in impact explosion, ball flight height and carry distance.

The testing continued with one big fly after another. Even definite heel shots stayed on line — on a string with, again, solid carry and roll-out distance. With the High Heat driver, strikes went from underwhelming to overachieving, swing after swing.

When Knuth’s fairway metal and hybrid versions came out, we gave them a spin, too, and got the same sweet power-packed sensation with each swing — even those that were clearly on the toe or heel. Our latest testing with the 15-degree 3-metal, in particular, took us aback; when faced with tighter driving targets and the need for less than full-on distance, pulling this handsome, larger-headed-than-usual club gave us confidence over the ball, which led to a smoother, slower swing — and explosive impact, pleasingly piercing ball flight and virtually no chance at a slice. Instead we got a dead-straight to slight draw movement. And even to a decent headwind, our tee shots cleared 220 yards; downwind, closer to 235.

For fairway strikes, the High Heat 3-metal performs beautifully, too. Again, swing easy and let Knuth’s hard work kick in.

Driver $499, fairways $329, hybrids $257 | www.highheatgolf.com

Wilson Staff D7 Driver, Woods, Hybrids Go ‘Superlight’

The newly launched Wilson Staff D7 driver, woods and hybrids for 2019 provide golfers with greater ball speeds for longer distances, and ultimate playability when attacking the green.

With a club head weight of just 192 grams, the Wilson Staff D7 driver features RE-AKT Technology plus a combination of superlight design and reactive face technology to deliver faster club head speeds and ball speeds for longer distances off the tee.

Engineered with the [K]omposite Crown Design, the D7 crown features a layer of Dupont Kevlar between carbon fiber to neutralize vibration and produce a sharp, crisp sound and ultimate feel.

“The process of creating the D7 driver started with designing the head shape and then stripping out nearly 25 grams of excessive weight,” said Jon Pergande, Global Innovation Manager at Wilson Golf. “This weight was strategically returned to the head with the goal of improving the sound of the driver and optimizing ball flight with Dynamic Launch Control.”

Dynamic Launch Control strategically positions internal weights in each head to aid different swing speeds — the 9 degree for players with a fast swing speed with weighting forward in the head for lower launch and spin; the 10.5 degree for those with a moderate-to-fast swing speed with weighting in the middle of the head for a higher launch and spin; and the 13 degree for a slow-to-moderate swing speed with weighting further back and towards the heel for the highest launch and spin rate with a draw bias.

The D7 driver is available with the new UST-Mamiya Helium Series shaft that’s played on Tour. Lightweight with extreme stability, the shafts options are available in A-flex (45 grams), R-flex (46 grams) and S-flex (57 grams). The new Wilson Staff MicroLite Lamkin grip maintains a traditional feel in a super lightweight construction.

Wilson Staff D7 fairway woods and hybrid offer a dramatic change to previous distance versions, starting with a head shape inspired by input from Wilson Tour players.

The new lightweight crown construction features thin-cast pockets which reduces five grams of weight and promotes the superlight design.

“By removing excessive weight and changing the structure of the clubs, we see that the D7 woods and hybrids make a significant gain in performance,” said Jon. “As with the D7 driver, the D7 fairways and hybrid can be swung faster with the same effort to give golfers the desired distance.”

A Carpenter Custom 455 Stainless Steel face insert provides a thin, hot face, increasing both feel and distance.

The D7 fairway wood is available in three loft options — 15 degrees (3-wood); 18 degrees (5-wood); and 21 degrees (7-wood) — with the same UST-Mamiya Helium Series shaft and Wilson Staff MicroLite Lamkin grip as used on the driver. Left hand models are available in 15 and 18 degree loft options.

The D7 hybrid is available in four loft options (19, 22, 25 and 28 degrees) with the UST-Mamiya Recoil shaft in A-, R- and S- flexes at 65 grams. The grip is the Wilson Staff classic Lamkin Crossline pattern grip. Left handed versions are available in 19°, 22˚ and 25° loft options.

The D7 driver, woods and hybrid are available for purchase on Monday, Jan. 21st.

Driver $299.99 | Fairway Wood $199.99 | Hybrid $179.99 | www.wilson.com

Tour Edge Unveils Exotics EXS Fairway Metal, Hybrid

On the heels of its recent rollout of the Exotics EXS driver, Tour Edge now adds the Exotics EXS fairway metal and hybrid to its new product mix.

The clubs feature a myriad of game-enhancing innovations including a Flight Tuning System (FTS) that includes 11-gram and 3-gram interchangeable weights, Cup Face Technology with Variable Face Thickness (VFT Technology) for an expanded sweet spot, multi-material usage of Carbon Fiber for ideal weight distribution and a new and improved SlipStream Sole for faster clubhead speed through the turf. They are available worldwide on November 1, 2018.

The fairway metals’ FTS Technology allows adjustable sole weights to be moved to two alternate settings; an 11-gram weight in the heel, 3-gram weight in the rear for lower spin, slice-reducing shape and a medium launch and then the 3-gram weight in the heel and 11-gram weight in the rear for medium spin, neutral shape and a higher launch. Additional weight screws can be purchased as a kit that includes 6-gram, 9-gram and 14-gram weights.

In the hybrids the CG location of the EXS is positioned closer to the face for less spin, creating a trajectory that fights wind and increases roll. The 4-gram sole weight can be adjusted to another weight to increase swing weight in the club and to further reduce spin. Additional weight screws can be purchased as an EXS hybrid weight kit that includes 7-gram and 10-gram weights.

Both types of club features premium exotic metals; a brand new United States manufactured, high-density Carpenter steel in the fairways and Japanese HT980 steel cup face in the hybrids. In both cases, the hyper-strength strength steel is quench-hardened, a special heating technique that takes 750 degrees to provide an extreme amount of strength while allowing for a thinner face.

The aerodynamics in the EXS fairway wood are greatly enhanced by new and improved wider SlipStream speed channels on the sole that create a faster clubhead speed due to smoother turf interaction. The CG location of the EXS is positioned closer to the face for less spin, creating a trajectory that fights wind and increases roll.

An ultra-premium Tensei CK Blue 2G shaft series by Mitsubishi Chemical is the chosen stock shaft for both fairway metals and hybrids. The fairway metals are available in five different lofts; 13, 15 and 17 degree 3-woods, an 18 degree 5-wood and a 21 degree 7-wood. The 15 degree 3-wood is available in left handed. The hybrids are available in five different lofts; 17 degrees, 19 degrees, 22 degrees, 25 degrees and 28 degrees.

$229.99/$199.99 | www.touredge.com

New Titleist TS Fairway Metals Take Speed Seriously

The new Titleist TS fairway metals, born from the insights and technical breakthroughs of the Titleist Speed Project, are designed to drive faster ball speed with higher launch, lower spin and increased MOI for more distance and game-changing forgiveness.

The new TS2 and TS3 fairways — available in golf shops Sept. 28 with fitting events at locations nationwide — provide distinct performance benefits similar to their TS2 and TS3 driver counterparts. TS2 is the longest, most forgiving Titleist fairway wood ever, generating explosive speed with forgiveness and accuracy across the face. TS3 delivers speed-tuned performance through Titleist’s adjustable SureFit CG technology with dynamic forgiveness and shot control.

The future of “Titleist Speed” is driven by several key innovations that combine to form the new Titleist Speed Chassis:

Ultra-Thin Crown. Reduction in crown thickness – 27 percent thinner than the prior generation 917 fairways – allows weight to be shifted lower and deeper.
Thinner, Faster Face. Refined VFT (variable face thickness) delivers faster ball speeds and increased forgiveness.
Optimized Weight Distribution. Refined crown and face thicknesses create a lower CG for higher launch and lower spin. The resulting MOI is up to 11 percent higher than 917, creating a powerful combination of speed and stability

An enhanced Active Recoil Channel (ARC) merges with the Titleist Speed Chassis to launch the ball off the face with higher launch, lower spin and more speed. ARC 3.0 has a taller design than its prior generation, producing even greater face flexibility for a more consistent deflection and increased ball speeds across the face. While the Titleist Speed Chassis obsoleted the need for ARC in TS drivers, it remained a crucial technology for TS fairways due to shots being hit off the turf, low on the face.

TS fairways bring more speed to golfers through two distinct designs. Similar to TS drivers, TS2 fairways lets golfers swing aggressively with maximum forgiveness across the face, and TS3 offer an adjustable sweet spot for speed-tuned performance. Both models feature Titleist’s patented SureFit hosel with 16 independent loft and lie settings to create a more consistent and optimized ball flight through precision fitting.
The TS fairways stock shaft lineup features four new aftermarket models – KURO KAGE Black Dual Core 55 (High launch, moderate spin), TENSEI AV Series Blue 65 (Mid launch and spin), HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 (Low/mid launch and spin) and Even Flow T1100 White 75 (Low launch and spin) – developed by the game’s top shaft manufacturers using insights from Titleist’s industry-best motion capture and consumer testing. Each of these shafts will be making their market debut with TS fairways. Custom shafts are also available.

$299 | www.titleist.com

Bentley Golf Equipment Rolls Out Driver, Woods

Bentley Golf Equipment is fairly new to the North American market, but with the Bentley collection of woods including the BD1 Driver in three loft options, the BF1 Fairway, the BU1 Utility and the BH1 Hybrid, their profile is bound to rise.

“We are pleased to introduce this beautiful collection of Bentley woods,” said Simon Wilson, partner at Bentley Golf North America, LLC. “The craftsmanship is superb. Only the finest materials are used to craft these stunning, premium performance woods. I would expect nothing less from Bentley.”

The Bentley BD1 Driver is a fusion of traditional styling and cutting-edge technology, featuring a premium forged titanium body coupled with an ultra-thin crown resulting in a lower center of gravity. On course with the BD1 you will experience a golf club working in complete unison between the head and the shaft producing impressive controllable distance. It is available in lofts of 9.5, 10.5 and 12-degrees.

The Bentley BF1 Fairway has been meticulously designed for ultimate control without compromising distance. The Bentley Fairway, Utility and Hybrid all feature a maraging steel face coupled with a one piece 17-4 stainless steel body designed for explosive distance while retaining a responsive feel off the club face. The Fairway wood is available in a 15-degree loft.

The Bentley BU1 Utility is the perfect combination between Fairway and Hybrid delivering incredible versatility in all playing conditions. It provides effortless performance from heavy rough to sprawling fairways, making it a go-to club in the bag. It is available in an 18-degree loft.

The Bentley BH1 Hybrid has been designed with forgiveness in mind. With a sleek sculpted look, the BH1 hybrid mimics a long iron and offers unrivalled playability. It provides effortless shot shaping ability in a compact luxury design. It is available in a 21-degree loft.

The Bentley woods come with a graphite shaft using the finest Japanese materials, and painstakingly designed specifically for the Bentley Range. All woods feature an adjustable weight system that is placed low to the rear of the sole, producing a high launching, low spinning ball flight; perfect for adding distance in both carry and roll, while also negating sidespin. The woods also feature Bentley’s proprietary, ultra-soft, luxurious PU pin hole grip for incredible feel the moment you pick up the club.

The Bentley woods in this collection feature a proprietary 40T multidirectional layer graphite shaft in flexes of lite/ladies, regular/strong regular or stiff/x stiff. Shaft upgrades are available.

For more information, visit www.bentleygolf.com.

Tour Edge Touts New Exotics CBX

Tour Edge has introduced the new Exotics CBX fairway woods, a tour-caliber club for those seeking the very best in materials and the latest in golf club technology advancements.

Recent independent Iron Byron test results prove the all-new Exotics CBX woods to be the longest, lowest spinning fairway woods in a test that included three of the best selling fairway woods on the market today. The CBX outdistanced competitors by an astonishing average of 16 yards.

The CBX design alters the club’s Center of Gravity (CG) to manipulate initial launch angle and velocity, also reducing the amount of spin the ball will have on release. The precise engineering creates a spin-killing distance machine — and the proof is in the numbers.

“The CBX wood is a game-changer. The distance gains from the independent test are phenomenal. Then we saw the spin numbers and started calling it the ‘spin-killer’ around the office,” said President and Founder David Glod. “Everything has lined up for the CBX — the design, compilation of materials, and CG location to make it our next best fairway wood. It really has brought us back to full circle on where we were when we launched Exotics and provided a product that no one else in the industry could match numbers wise. We can’t wait for golfers to try it and to start spreading the word!”

Tour Edge engineers introduced their first Exotics fairway wood in 2004, creating new benchmarks for technology, distance and power in a fairway wood. The engine of the CBX metalwoods again lies within Exotics core ethos of using superior multi-materials and construction methods. A Beta Ti cup face is brazed with a Hyper Steel body to produce the perfect launch and low spin combination.

A carbon sole unit moves mass forward to determine the precise CG location. The longer toe to heel and shorter front to back head shape provides precise weighting throughout the clubhead and optimizes performance with absolute CG location. The higher CG location minimizes spin for optimal low-spin distance, making for a tour- caliber fairway wood that will provide amazing distance off the tee and from the rough. The result of the higher CG is the lowest spinning, exceptionally versatile fairway wood capable of delivering amazing distances and less dispersion on miss-hits due to the reduced side spin.

Engineers developed the new Speed Ramp sole on the CBX based on the design of the SlipStream sole waves in the very popular Exotics CB PRO fairway wood. The Speed Ramp sole is the next generation of design to minimize ground contact and maintain speed through impact.

The super thin Beta Titanium face is combo brazed to the heavy hypersteel body without welding for exact weighting tolerances. The Exotics variable face thickness technology provides forgiveness on off-center hits. Cosmetically the CBX is beautifully modern featuring a strong black finish without any alignment marks.

The Exotics CBX fairway wood will be for sale in four lofts; 3 (13.5 degree), 3 (15 degree), 4 (16.5 degree), and 5 (18 degree).

Premium shafts include the Project X HZRDUS series and Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage Silver Dual Core, a standard Lamkin Z5 grip for comfort. Custom premium shaft options at no additional charge include the Aldila Rogue Silver and Black series, Exotics Fujikura Pro series, Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana series and the Mitsubishi Rayon Tensei CK Blue series. It is projected to ship to authorized Tour Edge dealers on Sept. 5.

$349.99 | www.touredge.com