More Golf Equipment

Trending Now

Well, maybe the trend started last year, with Fred Couples wearing what looked more like skate shoes out on the PGA and Champions Tour. Or maybe it started with Ryan Moore, wearing a pair of shoes that, well, didn’t look much like golf shoes or street shoes. Both players have been playing professional golf while wearing nontraditional golf shoes with no replaceable spikes and, instead, opting for shoes with built-in traction that are just as practical off the course as they are on the course.

Does this mean other professional players may follow suit? We’re not sure, but we can tell you that some of the GT staff is already aboard the nonspike bandwagon. In addition to being less hassle (you can wear them all day if you want to), golf shoes with nonreplaceable spikes are generally hyped first and foremost for their comfort and second for their gripping power. And come the summer months, when the courses are dry and traction isn’t a real issue, style and comfort are what we’re usually looking for in a pair of golf shoes. We’ve tried a couple funky golf shoe models this year with no spikes, and here are our thoughts. If anything, we recommend you give them a try. At the very least, even if you don’t like playing golf in them, you’ll look great come suppertime in the golf course grillroom.

Kikkor

Designed to appeal to the Rickie Fowler generation, the new Kikkor golf shoes (Dress Sneaker shown) have a skateboard-shoe profile and ample traction on the sole for a grippy, comfortable round of golf. If we didn’t see the bottom, we would have never believed they were golf shoes. They’re super comfortable, too. kikkor.com

TRUE

Worn by Ryan Moore, the low-profile True golf shoes are as close as you can get to feeling as though you’re not wearing shoes at all. Now, that’s not a bad thing, because they have plenty of traction and support. The folks over at TRUE found a way to do it in a sleek and chic golf shoe that weighs a mere 11 ounces (that’s exceptionally light). truelinkswear.com

Ecco

The new Street Premiere from Ecco worn by Fred Couples, are __ber-comfortable and have surprisingly more traction than we thought they would. Combine that with good stability and not a second needed for "breaking them in," these shoes by Ecco are ready to wear all day, right out of the box. (Don’t tell, but we’ve actually worn these around the office.) eccousa.com

Polara Golf Balls

If you’re a recreational golfer who tends to find the rough more than the fairway, your fast track to straighter shots has arrived. No, it’s not a new training aid, oversized draw driver or magic swing tip. It’s a golf ball that flies straight, even when you put a slice swing on it.

"It’s estimated that 85% of golfers have trouble hitting the ball straight and then end up slicing the golf ball," says Dave Felker, head of technology for Polara Golf. "If you want to prevent a slice, you have to understand how the ball behaves when you slice it."

Polara’s new lineup of self-correcting golf balls do just that. The company guarantees, via independent testing, that they’ll reduce your hook and slice by up to 75%. Utilizing what the company calls Self-Correcting Technology, Polara has designed two golf balls that boast an asymmetrical dimple pattern of three different shapes: deep, shallow and small that are designed with a specific purpose. The key is how the dimples are laid out on the ball. Just pointing the side stamp arrow toward the target allows the Self Correcting Technology to perform at the highest level. Simply line up the arrow that’s painted on the side of the Polara toward the target and say bye-bye to your hooks and slices forever!

As Felker says, "It lowers the embarrassment factor, speeds up play, and [golfers] have more fun."

With these new self-corrrecting orbs from Polara, you can focus more on your chipping and putting and less on trying to find your golf ball.

Ultimate Straight XS 3-Piece

Featuring a soft ionomer cover material that generates higher spin for better stopping power on the green, the Ultimate Straight XS 3-piece is Polara’s high-performance ball. One layer beneath the cover is its boundary layer material called DuPont HPF that produces lower driver spin and longer distance. At its core is a soft, resilient polybutadiene core for better feel. The shallow dimples lower lift and establish preferred spin axis, the small dimples provide slice and hook correction, and the deep dimples lower drag and enhance weight distribution.

Specs: 3-piece, 386 dimples. Ionomer cover, DuPont HPF midlayer, polybutadiene core. $40/dozen.

Ultimate Straight 2-Piece

Like its 3-piece brother, the Ultimate Straight 2-piece ball features three different kinds of dimples that eliminate hooks and slices by up to 75%. But this firmer distance ball features a Surlyn cover and a high-velocity polybutadiene core that yields prodigious drives.

Also like the XS, it has two regions of dimples. On the poles, the deeper dimples lower drag and enhance weight distribution, while the small dimples provide added slice and hook correction. On the equator, the shallow dimples lower lift and establish the preferred spin axis.

Specs: 2-piece, Surlyn cover, 386 dimples, polybutadiene core. $30/dozen.

Tech Corner

HOW TO USE THE POLARA

To correct hooks and slices, simply point the side stamp arrow at your target. (When the arrow doesn’t point at your target, it’ll react like a regular ball.) To boost distance with your driver, tee the ball up high and use a driver with a loft of 10.5 degrees or more. To bust your irons, point the arrow toward your target. Polara says you’ll gain up to 20 yards. For extra bite on the greens, align the arrow so that it’s perpendicular to your target.

For more information, visit polaragolf.com.
Note: Nonconforming; not for tournament use.

Cool, Calm & Colored

Here’s a trivia question for you. Who was the first player to win a PGA Tournament with a colored golf ball? Better yet, how about the first Major Tournament won with one? (Yes, it actually happened.) The answer is Wayne Levi, who broke the color barrier way back in 1982 at the Hawaiian Open. Jerry Pate won the PGA Championship that same year, also sporting an orange orb.

It’s a wonder it didn’t catch on, right? Professional use of colored golf balls quickly withered after the mid-1980s, as more and more players opted for higher-performance golf balls that were made with predominately white covers. Near 30 years later, color has resurfaced, albeit this time in a new variety of golf balls that cater to virtually every type of player. Now, you can find colored distance balls, multilayer balls, even the same multilayer urethane-covered type golf balls that today’s best players in the world compete with (and yes, some are still experimenting with colored balls off and on the professional Tours). Maybe the question ought to be, who will be the next player to win on Tour with a colored golf ball? We’ll have to see. Until then, have a look at some of our favorite colored golf balls in 2011.

Srixon Z-Star Tour Yellow
The Srixon Z-Star and the newer Z-Star XV golf balls feature Tour-level performance in urethane-covered, multilayer, colored golf balls. According to the folks at Srixon, the Z-Star and Z-Star XV’s Tour Yellow color was carefully selected to be not only highly visible, but also more pleasing to the eye. In terms of performance, the three-piece Z-Star is the softer of the two golf balls, formed with a lower compression for enhanced spin and shotmaking capabilities. Golfers with swing speeds in the 80-105 mph range will likely gravitate to this ball. For faster swing speeds, the Z-Star XV has both four-piece construction and a firmer core, resulting in less spin off the tee for a longer, more penetrating ballflight. $44/dozen

Srixon Trispeed Tour
For golfers looking for spin, distance and durability in a ball without a urethane cover (which are typically more affordable), the Trispeed Tour is a three-piece golf ball with a resilient ionomer cover and a soft core.

It’s the ideal ball for mid- to low-handicappers who value price and durability as key factors in their selection of a high-performance golf ball. It comes in the same Tour Yellow hue as the Z-Star golf balls. $29/dozen

Bridgestone e6
For golfers looking for a soft, multilayer golf ball that’s also long and durable, the e6 golf ball is a handsome choice. There are two colors, Optic Yellow and Orange, both promising enhanced visibility. Also new with the e6 is Bridgestone’s Dual Dimple tech, which helps the ball fly longer and land on a shallower angle for more roll once it hits the ground. $27/dozen

TECH CORNER

How do four-piece golf balls work?
“There are multiple types of four-piece golf balls. The main versions are dual-core designs and dual-midlayer designs. Srixon uses a dual-core design in the Z-Star XV. The core of a golf ball is where there’s a real challenge for designers. Firmer cores provide more ball speed, but also provide high driver spin. Softer cores provide low driver spin, but with a lower ball speed. By making a dual-core design, it’s possible to make the inner core soft (for low driver spin) and the outer core firm (for high ball speed), both at the same time. This type of configuration is ideal for stronger players who want to hit longer, more penetrating drives, but who also want to retain enough workability to hit shorter finesse shots made possible by a firm ionomer midlayer and a soft urethane cover.”
–John Rae, vice president of R&D for Cleveland/Srixon

How do dimples work?
“The dimples on a golf ball are what most affect the golf ball in terms of aerodynamics, once in flight. They’re what keep the ball in the air, and the way air passes over dimples will impact the flight trajectory and distance a golf ball travels. Dual Dimple Technology is a proprietary new dimple innovation from Bridgestone Golf. Similar to the way an aircraft uses different parts of the wing at different angles during takeoff and landing, the engineers at Bridgestone have designed a golf ball to take advantage of different areas of its cover, optimizing aerodynamics at launch and during descent. The Dual Dimple Technology features a deeper inside-dimple specifically geared to help increase thrust power at launch, and an exterior dimple to help promote a shallower landing angle for more rollout. The result is longer distance throughout the line while still maintaining the ability to help specific ballflight tendencies for which the e-Series were created.”
–Brandon Sowell, director of marketing for Bridgestone Golf

White Is All Right

By now you’ve probably noticed that white is the new “it” color in golf. Ironically, it’s not as though white hasn’t been around a while already, with our white tees, white golf balls, white golf shoes, white belts and so forth. But it wasn’t until recently that white equipment crept its way into our golf bags, thanks mostly to the Corza Ghost series putters that have an all-white paint finish that instantly made it recognizable on the PGA Tour.

TaylorMade’s R11 has just arrived, this time with a white crown and a jet-black clubface for what’s clearly one of the most striking aesthetics we’ve ever seen in a driver. And while there’s much more technology to the R11 than just the paint job, the white color is actually fairly easy on the eyes, thanks to a muted, satin finish that seems to absorb more light than it reflects, thus reducing unwanted glare. We talked with Tom Olsavsky, Director of Product Creation for Metalwoods at TaylorMade about why they choose white and what it means for the future of TaylorMade equipment.

Golf Tips: Why white? Is there something about white that you’ve found appealing to the eye, such as the Ghost series putters? Did you experiment with other colors, too?

Tom Olsavsky: White was chosen because it provides the optimum contrast with a black face. We experimented with other colors and other variations of white, and found that white has great contrast with green, which aids in alignment. Furthermore, white creates what looks like a larger address size, approximately 2% larger, which adds to confidence for golfers. And lastly, it’s easily seen on TV, which was quite apparent from watching the players on Tour use it during the broadcasts so far this year.

Golf Tips: Why is it so important for the clubface to be black?

Olsavsky: The black sole and face finishes were seen as more exciting from a shelf-appeal standpoint. In the past, we had complaints that a black face with black crown isn’t very good for alignment. The black on white however is exceptionally easy to align.

Golf Tips: Isn’t white distracting? Is there anything the clubhead paint has with it to minimize glare?

Olsavsky: We tested white extensively to develop the final version, which has a flat, clear coat to reduce hot spots from the sun. Initial feedback from Tour players was immediate and positive about the reduction of this hot spot. The “white” color is a unique combination to produce this effect and isn’t the same as that used on our Ghost putters.

Golf Tips: Do you suspect other companies to follow your lead with not only white, but maybe other colors, as well?

Olsavsky: We know that white isn’t totally new; in fact, we made a white driver with a black face in 2008, but that was on a CGB Max ladies product. This execution is new because of the change to a flat-white color and some other things that we did with the R11/Burner 2.0, to optimize this version for optimum playability.

There’s another company with a new white driver. There are some rumors that they did it just because we were doing it, but their execution doesn’t have all the benefits of ours. So yes, we expect some copying in our industry, now that our product is out in the open.

We expect this combination of a flat-white crown with a black face to be around for a while because it has a better performance appearance and isn’t just a fad. Our industry has seen several cosmetics in wood/metalwood heads over the last 40-plus years, from actual wood, to black with wood face, to silver metalwoods, to colors (mostly black or gray) with silver/black faces.

All The Rage!

NEW COMPOSITES. Finding new lightweight-yet-strong materials that improve product performance for golf clubs has long been a goal of manufacturers. Callaway‘s new Diablo Octane driver features one such material, a “Forged Composite” that the company codeveloped with Lamborghini. The material is comprised of “turbostratic” carbon fibers. For Lamborghini cars, this translates to a favorable power-to-weight ratio and acceleration capability. For Callaway’s Diablo Octane–where the material makes up the crown of the otherwise titanium clubhead–it means a greater transfer of power at impact, plus more accurate trajectories.

BETTER WEIGHT MANAGEMENT. In 2011, you’re hearing lots about lightweight clubs and speed–the lighter the club, the more clubhead speed it generates and the farther the ball flies. Cleveland leads the way here, with its new Launcher Ultralite drivers that come in three weight schemes that match your swing and flight preference, while bearing a lightweight shaft at the right length for that particular swing. Each shaft is matched to a specific clubhead profile, and the use of extremely lightweight grips also help you pick up some clubhead speed. The company challenges you to find the Right Weight for your swing at any of its 2,000 fitting locations nationwide.

CAST VS. FORGINGS IN IRONS. Remember when better players used forged blades, and the rest of us played cast, cavity-back irons? That line has grown quite murky, especially as castings have become more sophisticated. Case in point: PING‘s gorgeous blade-style S56 iron is primarily for better players who prioritize shot control. A steel body boasts variable tungsten toe weighting that positions the CG to help launch the ball higher. A stabilizing bar fortifies the structure. They’re only slightly more forgiving than PING’s Anser forged iron that’s actually a cavity-back forging with a tungsten-nickel sole, hollow cavity, progressive set design, satin chrome finish, and custom tuning port that softens impact vibration. Those of you who still seek pure forged irons without cavities should check out TaylorMade’s new TPMB forged irons.

DRIVER ADJUSTABILITY. By now you’ve seen, hit or even purchased one of the many adjustable drivers on the market. This year, adjustability goes a step further. With its 910D2 and 910D3 drivers, Titleist gives you the ability to independently adjust loft and lie–without affecting the other. On previous models from all brands, you essentially changed both at once by adjusting just one. TaylorMade has added yet another form of adjustability, in its R11 driver. As in models past, you can still adjust the hosel to tune ballflight, as well as move the weights around. However, this model has a three-setting adjustable disc on the soleplate that allows you to effectively open and close the clubface, as it rests flat on the ground. And that all adds up to you having one club that can be set 48 different ways.

PREMIUM PUTTERS. There’s no shortage of upscale putters on the market this year. Odyssey leads the way with a pair of new models in its White Ice line–the 2-Ball Blade Lined and the D.A.R.T. Blade. Scotty Cameron by Titleist added several new models, including the Studio Select Laguna 2 and the honey-dipped California Hollywood. Never Compromise expanded its offerings with an entire new series, coined the Gambler. Each of the four Gambler putters feature different Vegas-themed artwork machined into the sole of each model. You’ll also notice an emphasis on putter fitting this year, as more companies want you to get a model that not only fits your loft, lie and length requirements, but also meets your specific tastes in grips, aesthetics and head shape.

ONSLAUGHT OF FAIRWAY WOODS. You’re seeing loads of new fairway woods this year–just when you thought they might completely fade away to make way for the hybrids of the past few years. Tour Edge’s Exotics multimetal Trilogy fairway woods are all about distance, stability and improved turf interaction. Titleist’s 910F will wow golfers, as will the special 910Fd version, which is a deep-faced, low-lofted, larger-headed 3-wood that doubles as an easy-to-hit driver (thus the “d” in its name). Cleveland’s and Adams’ latest woods are ultralightweight, which means you can pick up clubhead speed and thus distance on your shots.

WEDGES WITH SOFTER-EDGED GROOVES. 2010 was the last year wedge makers could perfect their products with aggressive grooves that help you get a little extra suck-back spin–thanks to a USGA ruling. But all of the new wedges with soft-edged grooves are not noticeably any more difficult to hit–just ask any PGA Tour pro who was forced to use them the past year. And if the pros couldn’t discern the difference, odds are you won’t either. Mizuno‘s new MP T-11, Titleist’s TVD, Cleveland’s CG16 and PING’s Tour S highlight a slew of new soft-edged models from major manufacturers hitting the market.

HYBRIDS REPLACING 5- AND 6-IRONS IN IRONS SETS. Ever since PING invented cavity-back irons, it has been considered a trendsetter. So golf circles recently took notice when seeing that PING’s new K15 Iron/Hybrid set offers stainless-steel hybrids in 3H, 4H, 5H and 6H hybrid clubs. In fact, the K15 irons start at the 5-iron. While there have been several all-hybrid sets out in the past, this blended set may truly raise the bar. Likewise, Cobra‘s new S3 Max Iron-Hybrid set also offers hybrids in the 3- through 6-clubs.

PRICEY OUTERWEAR THAT WILL LAST FOREVER. Nike calls its new N-Destrukt product utilitarian. adidas Golf armed Bandon Dunes caddies with a customized model because it’ll conquer any weather condition. However, you can get the consumer version–although they don’t come cheap. Nike’s will run $650, and adidas’ about $500. Both models include jacket and pants.

New Kicks

ADIDAS ADIPURE Z
Price: $250. In Brief: Could there be a more comfortable premium shoe? Not that we’ve worn. www.adidasgolf.com

• Advanced THiNTech makes it 32% lower than conventional cleat systems.
• Powerband Chassis promotes more stability for better weight transfer through impact.
• FitFOAM molds to the exact contours of your feet.
• Hand-finished full-grain leather upper; 100% waterproof.

CALLAWAY FT CHEVÂ BLUCHER
Price: $229. In Brief: Classy appearance, techy construction. shop.callawaygolf.com

• Its temperature-regulating system from Outlast Technology moderates your feet temperature.
• OrthoLite open-cell foam insoles provide enhanced breathability, moisture control, anti-microbial properties and long-term cushioning.
• Its Comfort Tech Gel Tongue uses injection-molded gel tubes to disperse lace pressure more uniformly across the tongue’s surface.
• Under its ball, heel and midsole, Callaway Comfort Tech Gel Pods are strategically placed into the contoured footbed to relieve pressure and provide comfort.

TRUE LINKSWEAR
Price: $159. In Brief: Get so low to the ground, you’d think you weren’t wearing shoes. www.truelinkswear.com

• A wide toe box so your toes function independently.
• Weighs a mere 11 ounces.
• No midsole, no spikes, and its TPU sole is only 2.5mm thick.
• The TPU “Ergo-Traction” platform maximizes surface contact and grip while walking and during the golf swing; 360_¡ waterproofing.

KIKKOR GOLF: DRESS SNEAKER
Price: $125. In Brief: Hop off your skateboard and hit the links. www.kikkor.com

• Premium full-grain leather.
• Diacon Embedded Spike System for ample traction.
• Sneaker-like looks and comfort.
• Comfortable polyurethane insole.
• One-year limited waterproof warranty.

ECCO GOLF: BIOM GOLF HYDROMAX
Price: $225. In Brief: Golf’s first-ever natural-motion shoe has arrived. www.eccousa.com

• Soft yak leather uppers.
• An anatomical last with flexible midsole arch support mirrors your foot’s skeleton.
• Takes advantage of the foot’s system for absorbing impact.
• Lightweight, dual-density TPU outsole brings players closer to the ground for improved feel and traction.

We Tried It: Callaway RAZR & Diablo Octane Drivers

TESTED:
$399 (MSRP)
RAZR Hawk (standard)
Loft: 9.5
Shaft: Aldila RIP graphite, S-flex

RAZR Hawk Tour
Loft: 9.5
Shaft: Aldila RIP graphite, S-Flex

When Ely Callaway first introduced his Big Bertha Driver 20 years ago, the golfing world changed forever. It was the entrance of the oversized metalwood that defied convention in terms of shape, materials and volume. Virtually overnight, what once was golf’s most difficult club to hit (the driver) quickly became the easiest and most coveted (not to mention most marketed) club in the bag. Hard to believe the original Big Bertha was only 190cc.

Fast-forward two decades, and the Callaway Golf Company continues to build upon Ely’s legacy with its new grouping of big bombers. The Diablo Octane and RAZR Hawk drivers both introduce what Callaway calls “Forged Composite”–a new carbon composite material that was developed in partnership with Automobili Lamborghini. The material features a whopping 500,000 turbostatic carbon fibers per square inch, making it the lightest strongest and most precise composite the company has ever made. And that folks, is just the beginning”

RAZR Hawk Driver
Looks and Feel: First of all, the RAZR Hawk comes in two 460cc models: The RAZR Hawk (we’ll refer to it as “standard” in this review) and the RAZR Hawk Tour. The standard model has a more modern shape, with a thicker heel section of the clubhead and a triangular-ish shape. The Tour model is more traditionally shaped, with less distance from front to back and a streamlined heel region for a more pear-like shape. Both drivers are constructed of 67% Forged Composite–the Hyperbolic clubface and soleplate are high-strength titanium, and the rear weight is made of heavy nickel. Unlike the type of carbon fibers we’re used to seeing that are weaved together, the Forged Composite material is actually mechanically liquefied, pressed and bonded together for better shape manipulation and also for greater strength. As for feel, our initial reaction with the standard model was a very good one: long gone are the days of muted, soft-feeling and -sounding, carbon-crowned drivers. That driver had some real pop! The Tour model also looked and felt great, with a little firmer sound and feel and more like what we expected from a Tour driver (thanks to more neutral weighting and a traditional hosel configuration). Our only gripe is a minor one: We wish the Tour version had Callaway’s chevron logo on the crown like the standard model does. Any alignment aids on a black driver can really help.

Performance: Not only are both drivers designed with a Forged Composite crown for a greater control of weight placement (mostly lower and away from the face), but each driver has Streamlined Surface Technology that addresses aerodynamics of the clubhead as it swings, rotates and releases through the swing. The results are two drivers with no sharp edges and less drag for more clubhead speed–another trait we couldn’t help but notice in our trial. We hit the ball a long way with both clubheads, with the standard model producing the expected higher ballflight than the Tour model. Our mis-hits with the standard model benefitted from more gear effects than we’ve seen from previous carbon-composite drivers–meaning heel and toe shots didn’t produce the big hooks and slices we expected. But we will say that, for some reason, our mis-hits tended to fly more to the left than to the right. Could this be due to better aerodynamics making it easier to close the clubface through impact? Possibly. On another note, we will say it took a few swings to acclimate to the 46-inch shaft, since not only do you have to adjust your setup (especially if you normally play a 45-inch or less shaft), but you also have to flatten your swing a bit. The trade-off? For the average golfer, an extra inch on the driver can mean up to 3 mph increases–equating to a possible increase of up to approximately 8 yards in total distance. Sure, there are some detractors who prefer a shorter driver, since it’s easier to make solid contact, but with such a forgiving clubhead as the RAZR Hawk, the 46-inch shaft becomes even more compelling for those few extra yards. Finally, both drivers also are equipped with Aldila’s RIP graphite shafts–a shaft that has soared in popularity among touring professionals for its stability and consistent performance. The standard also comes in a Draw model, and both the standard and Tour model come in a variety of loft and shaft flex configurations.

Bottom Line: The RAZR Hawk and RAZR Hawk Tour will appeal generally to better players who want more clubhead speed from a driver that has clean, conservative aesthetics. The Tour version is an excellent choice for golfers who desire to shape their shots, while the standard model also has some shotmaking maneuverability, but in our opinion, represents the straightest driver Callaway has ever made to date. Faster swingers will find that the RAZR Hawk drivers produce a more penetrating ballflight than many other 460cc driver models on the market today. Put it this way: Both RAZR Hawk drivers are supremely forgiving and represent the best in Callaway driver technology–how could you go wrong with that?

Pros: Great shaping; exceptional feel and control and distance

Cons: No alignment aid on the Tour model; longer shaft is awkward

TESTED:
$299 (MSRP)
Diablo Octane (standard)
Loft: 9.5
Shaft: Project X graphite S-flex

Diable Octane Tour
Loft: 9.5
Shaft: Project X graphite, S-flex

Diablo Octane Driver
Looks and Feel: The Diablo also comes in two models: standard (which has a Draw option) and Diablo Octane Tour, both of which sport the same Forged Composite material in the crown as the RAZR Hawk drivers. Because of its strength and lightness, engineers could better manipulate the internal weighting for a higher MOI as well as lengthen the shaft to 46 inches–also like the RAZR Hawk drivers. But unlike the RAZR Hawk, the Diablo Octane driver has a bulkier, bigger-looking 460cc clubhead that’s strategically designed for pure distance and forgiveness. With the standard model, the Diablo Octane had a larger toe region (a common spot where amateurs mis-hit) and a large alignment aid on the crown that shows the Forged Composite material. The Diablo Octane Tour is all black, again with no alignment aid. But its shape is considerably different than the standard model, with its more rounded, stout, deep-faced configuration that’s 10cc smaller than the standard model. Regarding feel, both drivers felt light and easy to swing. Upon impact, both produced the clack, not clunk, sound we have grown to love with titanium drivers. In fact, the feel is so good that we could barely feel any difference between solid shots and the rare mis-hit shots.

Performance: Looks and feel are important, but if you’re a distance-glutton, you likely care a lot more about how it performs. Luckily, with these drivers, there’s no letdown. With the standard model, the ball launches high in a hurry to maximize carry–even if you don’t have Phil Mickelson-like swing speed. The Hyperbolic face felt hot virtually everywhere, with mis-hits losing only a small amount of distance. In fact, we found the standard model to produce more backspin on off-center hits, which helped keep the ball in the air longer and fly straighter. Again, as with the RAZR Hawk drivers, the 46 inches took some getting used to, but no doubt, once we did, the ball flew a long way, and we didn’t notice an increase in mis-hits. With the Diablo Octane Tour, however, we noticed a huge difference between it and the standard model. For starters, it shares a lot of the same technologies of the standard model, but does it in a very different set of parameters. The deep-face design and smaller overall size is more suited for the faster swinger who wants to hit bigger, more towering drives but doesn’t want the added backspin and ballooning that sometimes comes with 460cc drivers. With the Diablo Octane Tour, the ball flew in a high but much more boring trajectory than the standard model–making it ideal for big hitters with faster-than-average swing speeds. It too was uncannily forgiving for a “Tour” driver, considering we found it difficult to discern what was a solid hit vs. a mis-hit! Both drivers came equipped with Project X graphite shafts for better stability and overall distance.

Bottom Line: The Diablo Octane drivers are made for golfers who want the most distance and forgiveness they can get out of a driver. The standard model performs very well for moderate swing speeds–faster swingers may find the ball to fly too high and with too much spin–although a properly fitted shaft might mitigate that. The Diablo Octane Tour however is primed to be a real long-drive competitor with its deep-face design and penetrating trajectory. Either way, both drivers have demonstrated that carbon-crowned clubheads are bona-fide long-drive clubs that, in our opinion, are among the most forgiving we’ve ever hit.

Pros: Outstanding distance and forgiveness; the alignment aid looks cool; nice price

Cons: Again, no alignment aid on the Tour version; 46-inch shaft is a little whippy

We Tried It: Bridgestone B330 & B330-S

THE TOUR B330
Specs: Four-piece construction, urethane cover, 330 dimples.

Performance: We aren’t sure exactly what’s brewing in the golf ball cauldrons at Bridgestone (and there’s no way they’re telling anyone), but apparently there were a few more secret ingredients added to make the B330 even longer than it was before. Yes, the B330 is in fact ridiculously long, thanks to a penetrating trajectory that, no joke, splits through the air lower and with more forward roll than previous B330 golf balls. Within 150 yards, the new and improved B330 surprised us. We actually felt as though we had more control than with previous models. And even with the rollback in groove sharpness, we had no problem holding the green. Our shots didn’t fly as high as normal, but we aren’t complaining. Control like that is what we want.

Around the greens, with pitches and chips, again, the B330 had more bite than previous B330s, but it’s still not quite as grabby as other models we’ve tested. Some players actually prefer this, since less spin around the greens makes it easier to hit more consistent shots. When putting, the B330 had a solid, firm feeling. We wish every ball felt like that on the greens. When a ball gets too soft and mushy when putting, we feel as though we lose feel and control.

Bottom Line: While our test was anything but scientific, we can say we felt as though the new B330s were longer and flew lower than most golf balls, but a little higher than previous B330s. As for the length, we put the B330 among the longest urethane-covered golf balls we’ve yet to try.

The new Bridgestone B330 and B330-S (yes, the 2011 models are new versions of both golf balls) are an amalgam of distance and spin designed for better players. Before we begin, let’s just say that the B330 and B330-S golf balls already rank high on our list, mostly due to the fact that they perform exactly how the box says they’re supposed to perform. They’re labeled as golf balls more suited for golfers with at least 105 mph driver swing speeds. (Any slower, and Bridgestone steers their players toward the softer B330-RX.) It’s with a faster swing speed that you’ll be able to take advantage of the four-piece construction (more on that in a moment). Second, the B330-S is clearly identified as the ball that has a greater amount of spin and a softer feel, making it a more appealing choice for players who like to finesse the ball a bit. (Remember, although the B330 doesn’t have the highest spin rate we’ve seen around the greens, it still has a urethane cover, meaning it spins more than most non-urethane-covered golf balls on the market. So don’t rule it out as a non-finesse ball.) On the other hand, the B330 is firmer, and a solid choice for players who tend to have a steeper driver angle of decent and wish to keep their trajectory lower and prevent ballooning.

General Technology
How the components of a golf ball work depend greatly on the type of shot being played. Here’s a look at four pieces of a ball and what they’re designed to do for different types of shots.

Cover: The cover of the golf ball has the greatest impact on shorter shots around the green and greatly determines the amount of spin a ball can create. The softer the cover, the more friction there is between the ball and clubface, thus creating more spin and also producing a lower launch angle. The B330-S has a slightly softer cover than the B330, thus it has more spin around the greens for players who require added control.

Outer Mantle: The high spin that the cover of the ball can generate is preferred on short chip shots around the green, however it can be a detriment to distance and accuracy on longer full shots. In an effort to counteract the increased spin off all other full shots as a result of a soft cover, the mantle layers mainly work to reduce spin. The outer layer primarily impacts spin performance on mid- to short-iron full shots where the ball isn’t severely deformed at impact. It helps reduce spin and produces a higher launch for greater distance.

Inner Mantle: The inner mantle also impacts spin performance, especially on driver and long-iron shots where the golf ball is greatly deformed at impact. And it works to reduce spin, providing a higher launch angle and longer carry distance.

Core: Finally, the core of the golf ball is the main engine for distance on full shots, while it also has a large impact on the way a ball feels to the player. The B330 has a firmer core, meaning it feels firmer than the softer core found in the B330-S. The core of the B330 produces a higher initial velocity, generating greater ball speed. –Brandon Sowell, Bridgestone Golf

THE TOUR B330-S
Specs: Four-piece construction, urethane cover, 330 dimples.

Performance: We were big fans of the previous B330-S, which made us even more curious about any new improvements made to the 2011 model. When comparing overall shot length, the B330-S had the distance we’d come to expect, but with a higher trajectory than we found with the B330. It’s not like that’s a bad thing; in fact that’s exactly what’s expected with this ball. With drivers and even with woods, we found the B330-S to have a soft feel with comparable distance to last year’s versions.

With approach shots, pitches and chips, it’s a whole different story. The B330-S, already dubbed as a higher-spinning ball, spun like crazy with short shots! Maybe this is a reaction to the reduction in groove sharpness, but the B330-S had ample bite to help negate the new rulings. The higher the lofted iron, the more spin it seemed we were able to generate. Now, mind you, our “test” was no more than an actual playing test with no scientific data to back it up, but we can say confidently that we saw significant spin with our shorter iron shots. No doubt. We saw a boost in trajectory, as well. With pitches and chips, the B330-S spun more than the B330, but not so much that we had a hard time controlling our shots.

Bottom Line: The B330-S felt softer than the B330, and had a higher trajectory and more spin with virtually every club in the bag. Around the greens, these balls were real showstoppers, showing they have plenty of bite and stopping power where it’s needed most.

Sneak Peak 2011

If you’re like most avid golfers, you’re already looking ahead and wondering what cool gear is coming in 2011 to help you lower your index. Golf Tips was given sneak previews of some upcoming equipment. And while we don’t have a crystal ball, we can only assume at this point which trends will be hitting your local golf shop come springtime. Consider them educated hunches.

HOT NEW GOLF BALLS THAT ARE PRICED JUST RIGHT. Some of the hottest new golf balls are also the most affordable. Bridgestone’s FIX, for example, generates plenty of spin around the greens and low spin off the driver–just the way you want it to. It features a low-compression core and soft cover. Srixon’s Soft Feel 2010 does the same and improves lift, so you won’t balloon shots. TaylorMade’s Burner Tour sports a new soft cover and large, low-compression core. $20/doz or less for all of these new orbs.

WEDGES WITH SOFTER-EDGED GROOVES. This is beyond a trend, it’s a sure thing. Wedges with aggressively edged grooves are officially not being made anymore, thanks to new USGA rules. But wedges with softer-edged grooves aren’t noticeably more difficult to hit–just ask any PGA Tour pro, who had to use them this past year. Mizuno’s new MP T-11, Titleist’s TVD and PING’s Tour S highlight a slew of new soft-edged models from major manufacturers hitting the market.

MORE CUSTOMIZED PUTTERS. There’s been a strong onslaught of putter customization the past year. You can easily find putter-fitting studios all over the country that use high-speed video analysis to show you exactly what dynamics are happening during your putting stroke and suggest a putter model that may help you find the hole more often, given your unique stroke. On top of that, putter manufacturers, such as Edel, Scotty Cameron, PING, Odyssey and TaylorMade Rossa are letting you individualize various aspects of your putter. Depending on the company, that can include specific face insert material, weighting, head material, paintfill color, length, grip, loft and more.

MORE PERSONALIZED DRIVERS. The past couple of years revealed many adjustable drivers that allowed you to better dial in the ballflight you wanted. Now comes a whole new lot that’ll help you further personalize the long ball. Titleist’s 910D2 and D3 drivers for 2011 offer you the ability to adjust loft and lie angle independently of one another. On previous models from all brands, you essentially had to change both at once. The D2 also has a thinner crown that allows for a steeper curvature, making it faster through impact. And Cleveland’s upcoming Launcher driver models–while not adjustable–will allow you to get a specific weighting scheme that correctly fits you to your optimum distance, feel and control.

THE RETURN OF FAIRWAY WOODS. Expect to see loads of fairway wood options this year, which faded out to make way for hybrids in the past few years. Tour Edge’s Exotics multimetal Trilogy fairway woods aim to ease shots from deep rough, firm turf and lousy lies. The large diamond-shaped inner rail glides the clubface into a square impact position and minimizes divots. The sole’s two outer rails and one inner rail help turf interaction and mis-hit stabil-ity, while a 60-gram internal weight chip lowers the CG. Titleist’s 910F will wow golfers, as will the 910Fd model, which is a deep-faced, low-lofted, larger-headed 3-wood designed to also be used as a driver on long par-3 holes. Cleveland’s upcoming fairway woods are ultralightweight, which means you can pick up clubhead speed and thus distance on your shots.

ULTRA-COMFORTABLE CARRY BAGS. The latest lot bears features that make these bags much more comfortable to shoulder. Cleveland’s new CY Hybrid and CG lightweight stand bags both sport the new-for-2011 comfort strap system that’s designed to restrict unnecessary bag movement. It’s accomplished through the addition of shock-absorbing materials that have been added to each strap–they effectively balance the bag and reduce unwanted movements and bouncing. Sun Mountain, meanwhile, has put its popular hip belt on its upcoming Swift ZG bag, moving weight from your shoulders to your hips and making it exponentially more comfortable. And Burton will make a comeback in 2011, promising bags with “luxury hardware” on them, that may well translate to enhanced comfort.

PRICEY OUTERWEAR THAT WILL LAST FOREVER. Nike calls its upcoming N-Destrukt product utilitarian. adidas Golf armed Bandon Dunes caddies with a customized model because it’ll conquer anything. But you can get the consumer versions of both. However, they don’t come cheap. Nike’s will run $650 and adidas’ about $500. Both models include jacket and pants.

RETURN TO FLUORESCENT GOLF BALLS. Last year’s Srixon Z-Star and Z-Star X fluorescent-colored “Tour Yellow” balls were so successful that the company will expand its yellow offerings in 2011 to also include the TriSpeed Tour. Bridgestone will also offer yellow and orange versions of its popular e6 ball. Interestingly, Bridgestone reports that nearly 40 percent of golf balls sold in Japan are colored.

TURF-FRIENDLY CLUB SOLES. You’re going to hear lots about fairway woods, hybrids and irons with soles that improve interaction with the turf. The soles are more rounded so that they won’t dig in and stifle your shots, but rather will glide easier through the turf and make the most of your lie. Look for new hybrids and irons from Cobra to do the trick nicely, as will Mizuno’s upcoming JPX-800, MP-53 and MP-63 irons.

NEW, RICH-LOOKING WEDGE FINISHES. Manufacturers have always offered you a choice of wedge finishes: Chrome, bronze, satin and raw finishes have been among the most popular. Now some market leaders have debuted new and different luxe finishes on their latest wedges. Buyers of PING’s new Tour-S wedges have the option of getting the product in a golden Rustique finish that tarnishes naturally. And Titleist’s new Bob Vokey TVD model is offered in two distinctive new finishes: Bright Brushed Chrome, which isn’t a mirror finish but is brighter than regular chrome, and Oil Can Zero, which rusts gracefully while bearing a champagne look.

HYBRIDS REPLACING 5- AND 6-IRONS IN IRON SETS. PING has long been considered a trendsetter–the company fathered cavity-back irons, after all. So golf circles recently took notice upon seeing PING’s new K15 Iron/Hybrid set that offers stainless-steel hybrids in 3H, 4H, 5H and 6H hybrid clubs. In fact, the irons in the K15 set start at the 5-iron. Mind you, there have been several all-hybrid sets out in the past. But this blended set may truly raise the bar.

GLOVES WITH EXTRA BUILT IN. A golf glove is no longer there just to protect your hand from blisters. Some of the latest models have a little extra built into the chassis. For instance, Callaway’s Ion X has a metallic wristband. And TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred has a black ion cuff that wicks moisture away from your skin.

Power Tools

READY TO GO BIG? Hey, we understand your need to crush drives, drill your fairway woods and even muscle your iron shots, but don’t forget that even in long-drive competitions, the ball still needs to find the grid to rack up a good score. As im-portant as it is to hit longer shots, if they aren’t straight, that just means your shots will fly farther into the trees, lakes and, well, hopefully not into anybody’s backyard.

Let’s take a look at some products de-signed specifically to not only help you nuke it, but hopefully lend a hand at helping you hit the ball straighter and with more consistency.

BIG DOGS


ALPHA V5 LX The all-black V5 LX is obviously built for sheer distance. But it’s a very forgiving driver, as well. The crown is made up of variable thicknesses for support where it’s needed, as well as having two weight ports for that customized look, feel and performance. alphagolfclubs.com	ADAMS SPEEDLINE 9064LS Adams has made a big impact this year with professional long-drive competitions, and the trend continues into 2011. The new Speedline 9064LS is aerodynamically shaped to help cut through the air for a faster swing speed, and the big face means big-time forgiveness. adamsgolf.com	TAYLORMADE BURNER Made with TM’s SuperFast Tech, a Dual Crown and more, the Burner is overflowing with distance-driven technology to help every type of player hit longer drives. The shaping also helps make it easy to align for straighter drives, as well. taylormadegolf.com

TITLEIST 909D3 New drivers are up in 2011, but don’t rule out what’s currently available. The 909D3 is incredibly long, not to mention versatile and forgiving. The forward CG helps prevent the ball from ballooning, resulting in a lower, more penetrating ballflight. titleist.com	PING K15 The latest from PING is pure power. The K15 driver has the shape and geometry for bigger drives, but also straighter ones using the company’s Straight Flight Technology weighting that encourages a more square clubface at impact. It also has a huge, deep clubface. pingolf.com	COBRA S2 Another power player on the long-drive circuit, Cobra’s S2 is engineered with Adjustable Flight Technology to fine-tune whatever ballflight you’re after. Furthermore, the 9-Point face is ex-tremely forgiving, meaning you’ll hit it long and far. cobragolf.com


CLEVELAND XL 270 (XTRALITE) When a golf club feels the same in your hands but generates more head speed from the same swing, Cleveland calls that effortless distance. The 270-gram XL is lighter than nearly every product in the market, yet it feels like a standard driver in your hands. This balanced reduction of mass is the key to effortless distance with control. clevelandgolf.com	KRANK RAGE Do we really need to describe what this driver was made to do? With its all-titanium build and “Impact Technology” that supplies vertical and horizontal support for less deformation and more energy transfer, the Rage is, well, all the rage. krankgolf.com	PUNISHER 450 PRO LD Three-time World Long Drive Champ Sean “The Beast” Fister designed the Punisher driver. The all-black finish and proprietary face material come together in a mean-looking, mean-sounding and ridiculously long driver. No doubt, this is a serious driver for long-drive gluttons everywhere. longdriving.com

GEEK FAIL SAFE 3 With a name like Geek–hmm, never mind. The Fail Safe driver looks like it belongs in a weight room, making it a perfect fit for the big brutes who compete in long-drive competitions. We haven’t tried it ourselves, but we hear this 460cc beta- titanium driver sounds like a cannon at impact. What’s not to like about that? geekgolf.com	MOI GOLF DARKSIDE PRO Excuse moi? Sorry, we had to say it. The new Darkside Pro SF driver is no laughing matter, as it’s built for sheer, mean distance off the tee. Using cupface technology with a rigid beta-titanium face, the Darkside Pro SF is sure to turn heads in long-drive competitions this year. moigolf.com	DNA DRIVER They may be new, not just to long-drive competitions but to golf in general, but we think they’re definitely onto something. The DnA driver is built with a removable face, enabling designers to offer three different “acoustics” or sounds for golfers to choose from. If you want a driver that feels and sounds like persimmon with the performance of a titanium head, this is your driver. dnagolf.com

SHAFTS


ALDILA RIP Made for a lower launch and lower spin (just what long drivers and PGA Tour players want), the RIP shaft has a stiff tip for better stability for lower spin rates and a more penetrating launch. The latest tech from Aldila went into making this shaft, which has already proven itself as a tournament winner. aldila.com	FUJIKURA MOTORE SPEEDER The new Motore Speeder uses Quadra Axis Composite and Triax Woven Composite technologies (you don’t have to know what that is, just know this shaft is hell-bent on more distance and control). The shaft also is superior at resisting droop and deformation, meaning better energy transfer into the golf ball. fujikuragolf.com	GRAFALLOY PROLAUNCH AXIS Smart-Ply Technology features six unique cross-linked fiber axes producing extreme power, distance and accuracy. Integrated Micro-Mesh tip technology maximizes clubhead stability, responsiveness and spin control. ProLaunch Axis is offered in three launch-tuned models to match launch angles to each golfer’s swing. graffaloy.com

UST ATTAS The longest and straightest shaft from UST (so they say), uses UST’s AXIV material in the grip region for better stability and a more solid feel. The constant-taper design offers a better transfer of energy into the ball. Now, if none of that makes sense to you, just know this premium shaft is superlong, feels great and comes in 12 weights and four loft options to choose from. ustgolfshafts.com	ALDILA VOODOO Using S-Core Technology and a rib-like internal design, the VooDoo deforms less at impact for a greater energy transfer into the ball. Power never looked and felt so good. aldila.com	GRAPHITE DESIGN THROTTLE Designed with a stiff tip and a high bend point, the Throttle delivers a penetrating ballflight. Made with long drivers in mind, it’s a power hitter’s dream shaft. gdintl.com


HOUSE OF FORGED JAMIE Sadlowski Signature This special-edition shaft, honoring the youngest long-drive champ ever, Jamie Sadlowski, is a regular-length shaft for golfers of all skill levels who want the performance of a long-drive shaft. houseofforged.com	HOUSE OF FORGED PATRIOT Made in the USA and designed as an all-purpose shaft, the Patriot delivers huge power and a low-spin rate for a penetrating trajectory. It’s also a standard-length shaft. houseofforged.com	HOUSE OF FORGED WHUP-N-SHAFT We like the name, too. This shaft is 50 inches of pure power. We get a kick out of the shaft flex options, considering it goes from X to XXX. It’s a big-boy shaft, no doubt. houseofforged.com

SK FIBER JAVELIN Designed with input from top long-drive competitor Carl Wolter, the Javelin is a low-torque power hitter’s shaft. It’s also deadly accurate, helping you hit it both far and straight. skfiber.com	MITSUBISHI RAYON DIAMANA WHITE BOARD Known for having a stable tip, the White Board cuts down spin to help launch the ball on a flatter, deeper trajectory. Not only do long drivers love it, so do dozens of players on the PGA Tour. mitsubishirayongolf.com	MITSUBISHI RAYON FUBUKI For the long driver who doesn’t want to compromise feel, the Fubuki is a solid choice. Very stable, long and forgiving, the Fubuki doesn’t disappoint, especially with hard, fast swing speeds. mitsubishirayongolf.com

TRAINING AIDS


SWING SPEED RADAR One of the best ways to get better is to monitor your progress. The Swing Speed Radar with Tempo Timer helps you gauge your swing speed and tempo at the same time. Just set it down and start hitting. swingspeedradar.com	POWER SWING FAN Use air to build speed, loosen muscles and train your body to make a more fluid, powerful golf swing. A classic training aid like this never gets old. golftrainingaids.com	GYRO SWING Using an actual battery-operated gyroscope, the Gyro Swing helps you to never swing with an open face at impact again. You truly have to feel it to believe just how well it works. gyroswing.com

ORANGE WHIP The Orange Whip aims to sharpen your swing rhythm and tempo, improve your balance, increase your clubhead speed and develop lag and load. After practicing with it each day, you’ll find strength and flexibility in your golf swing. orangewhiptrainer.com	MOMENTUS POWER HITTER An evenly balanced, heavy driver that’s hittable, making it easier to build muscles and get instant feedback. Available in six different weights, up to 350 grams. momentusgolf.com	POWER WEDGE When using the Power Wedge, the properly sequenced “click” as the club passes through impact means you’re shifting your weight off your back foot with solid timing. The Power Wedge synchronizes your legs, hips and arms, preventing a swaying back. sklz.com