More Golf Equipment

You Par What You Eat

Dinner the night before

While most golfers don’t count calories on the course–you’re burning off about 2,250 of them over 18 holes, so why worry?–there’s a real danger of losing energy and hydration out there, adversely affecting your score. What to do?

Light Breakfast for an early start

“Nutrition is key to your success on the course,” says Cate Munroe, nutritionist and kitchen coach based in Phoenix. “Eating the right foods can provide you with the consistent energy, improved concentration and increased stamina you need to shoot lower scores and maximize your physical and mental performance. Proper nutrition can give you the strength to hit it farther off the tee and the focus to drain putts.”

FOOD


*Hearty Breakfast for a later start*

It all starts before your round–even the night before–when eating the wrong food “may not show on the front nine, but will definitely prevail as you make the turn,” warns Munroe. “Be sure to get nutrients you need to give you consistent energy for a consistent round. Focus on eating natural, whole foods. The less processed, the better. Avoid foods high in sugar. Fat is especially important before your round because it’s going to help sustain your energy throughout the day and keep you full longer.” Since your blood-glucose level can deplete plenty overnight, which will tire you out quickly on the course, eat high-quality carbs with proteins at dinner the night before, such as pasta with meat sauce, chicken, or long-grain rice with stir-fry vegetables.

Lunch to keep you going

On game day, if you’re playing early, opt to eat a light breakfast–bananas, nuts, whole-wheat bagel with light cream cheese, yogurt, fruit or cereal with skim milk–before jetting off to the course. If you’re playing mid- or late morning, then “get up early and eat a big breakfast–bacon, eggs, pancakes, biscuits,” advises Adam Smith, PGA professional at Salisbury Country Club in Midlothian, Va., who teaches golf fitness in the off-season. “You have to fuel up.” Eggs, egg whites, low-fat cream cheese and yogurt exemplify good fats and proteins, which will minimize your hunger during the round while increasing your metabolism. According to nutrition experts, if you’re playing in the afternoon, eat a meal three hours before your tee time, and a small high-carbohydrate snack an hour before you play, for energy. A guideline: 30-35 grams of carbs for every hour you’ll be on the course. For lunch, try eating whole-wheat pasta with tomato and meat sauce; a chicken sandwich with soup; or an omelet with toast.

Healthy Snacks

Something Filling at the turn

It’s also important to snack frequently on the course. “Have a granola bar, apple or banana,” says Smith. “If you’re walking, keep snacks in your bag. Even if you’re riding in a cart, you need fuel intake. Beverage carts don’t usually have the healthiest snacks.” So pack nuts, peanut butter on whole-wheat bread, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, beef jerky, or even frozen berries that’ll defrost during the round. And at the turn, if you’re looking for something filling, grab a burger or chicken sandwich on whole-wheat bread or in a tortilla. Because you’ll be on the course for roughly five hours, you ideally want to walk off the 18th green with as much energy as you had on the first tee.

16 oz. 2 Hours before you play

DRINK

The single-most important nutrition-related guideline to remember in golf is to stay hydrated. “If you find yourself thirsty during a round, that means you’re already dehydrated,” says Smith. “Drink a lot of water constantly. You want a full tank all the time.” Drink 16 ounces about two hours before you play, whenever possible. Then have another eight ounces a half hour before you tee off, then another eight ounces 15 minutes before. Then keep sipping from a water bottle the entire round. Why so much water? You’ll sweat it all out of your system quickly, particularly when it’s hot out. If you lose one percent of your weight via dehydration, your heart has to beat an extra three to five times per minute; more than three percent can have severe health repercussions. Bottom line: The more you sweat, the more water you need to drink.

Steve Heller, golf fitness coach for the likes of PGA Tour pros Ricky Barnes and Jeff Quinney, runs Fore-Max Golf Training Systems at the Westin Kierland Golf Resort in Scottsdale. He and his staff perpetually see dehydrated golfers at their desert resort. “Amateurs aren’t used to dry conditions,” says Heller. “They’re on vacation, have a beer or coffee, then don’t touch water. Their game goes bad, but it’s actually a physical health issue. Their blood pressure and blood dilation change, and they’re lucky to make it through the round–forget the golf swing. We see six heat-stroke cases a month, during our warm seasons. Our staffers remind golfers to drink a water bottle every two holes. Pros have a bottle every hole. You sweat it out quickly. There aren’t many warning signs, either. First you get a little headache, then you’re suddenly down for the count. If you’re not using the bathroom a lot on the course, you clearly have to drink more water.”

Amino Vital every 6 hours

While not necessarily bad for your game, caffeine changes your blood chemistry so much that you dehydrate and get shaky on short putts. “Have two cups of water for every cup of coffee you drink,” says Heller. “Otherwise, you’re on hole No. 2, you haven’t gone to the bathroom and you start to get shaky fast.” Many PGA Tour pros, including Zach Johnson and Stephen Ames, drink Amino Vital or Amino Vital’s Focus Zone every six holes to get a rise without the caffeine crash later on. It helps them maintain focus and physical strength by delivering the proper amino acids for fast body absorption. Focus Zone’s loaded with electrolytes and vitamin C, and is better for your body than soda and sugar-loaded sports drinks. Speaking of drinking, experts claim having a beer on the course is fine–as long as you’re drinking twice as much water.

Heller stresses that good nutrition yields a better physique, makes it mechanically easier to put a good swing on the ball, and makes you feel more fit, flexible and stronger. “Eat the right things, and it’ll transfer to your golf game,” says Heller. “PGA Tour pros eat right–they know what to snack on and when, during the round. They’re conditioned to not get tired on the course. We work with people who get all of their exercises right and then go out drinking. By the time they hit the 12th hole the next morning, they’re done. And that’s proof that it’s not just fitness that carries into their game as much as what they’re eating and putting in their body.”

After your round, eat as soon as possible, as there’s a time window after which your body’s capacity to rebuild itself diminishes. Eat about ¼ of your daily protein requirement, plus carbs and water. For example, have a turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread, a power bar or small cup of almonds, and a small glass of juice.

Instead Of That, Try This

Jessica Janc, owner of Body & Soul Nutrition in Carlsbad, Calif., advises you to be smart about what you eat, offering these suggestions:

1 Instead of coffee, try green tea. “It’s high in antioxidants, lacks coffee’s chemical additives, but gives you the same kick.”

2 Instead of a hot dog at the turn, “either bring your own sandwich, almonds and apple, or order a turkey sandwich on whole wheat. Or have a hamburger wrapped in lettuce, without the bun.”

3 Instead of a soft drink, “drink water, Vitamin Water, Propel or diluted Gatorade. Stay away from soda–diet or otherwise.”

4 Instead of candy, “eat a low-sugar protein bar.”

5 Instead of a beer, “have a vodka-soda or a vodka-cranberry juice.”

We Tried It

ZL DRIVER
The ZL (Zero Limits) Driver from Cobra is considered the most technologically advanced big stick from the company. How does it stack up?

First Impressions: Cobra knows how to make good-looking drivers, and the ZL doesn’t disappoint. The carbon crown and sole combine with the titanium face and body in a traditionally shaped design. That said, it looked huge behind the ball and made us feel as though we could swing really hard and still make solid contact. The model we tried had a VooDoo shaft that was about an inch longer (46 inches) than other drivers we’ve tried.

Performance: We weren’t thrilled with the 46-inch shaft at first. In fact, it took a little getting used to, but once we did, the ZL worked great. Shots hit off the heel and toe still managed to fly relatively straight and far. The adjustable hosel enabled us to customize the head to accentuate either a fade or draw–we like that, even if we intended to make adjustments as minimally as possible. Speaking of draw, the fixed weight in the sole is designed to help encourage a draw flight without the need for a closed clubface angle. We liked that too, although we wonder why Cobra didn’t make that adjustable. When we did find the sweet spot, our drives flew high and far. Simple as that.

Bottom Line: The ZL Driver is a great choice for distance gluttons who also want the forgiveness that comes from a mixed-metal driver and customization from an adjustable hosel.

S2 DRIVER
The all-titanium S2 Driver is a distance lover’s dream. But is there more to it?

First Impressions: The PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finish (a fancy way for saying shiny black) looks awesome. Like the ZL, the S2 has a traditional shape, but this time in an all-titanium build with an adjustable hosel.

Performance: The 9-Point Face Technology works to promote a greater transfer of energy across a greater surface area of the clubface, i.e., shots hit off the sweet spot still travel high and far. In our testing, we could not help but agree, as most, if not all, of our drives had big distance. Some shots spun more than others, but we attribute that to the loft (we hit a 10.5), not necessarily the head design. At impact, the S2 had a hard feeling, especially when compared to rich acoustics of the multimaterial ZL driver (a moot point, especially considering the power this driver has). The S2 has a 46-inch Fujikura Fit-On Max graphite shaft, which like the ZL, felt a tad too long for our taste, but worth a try if you really want to max out your swing speed.

Bottom Line: Power, power, power. The ballflight was a bit higher than we’re used to, but the clubhead yielded some humongous drives. The feel may have been compromised, but who cares when you’re sitting pretty a mile down the fairway?

BAFFLER TWS
The Baffler is back, this time with a Triple Weighting System (TWS).

First Impressions: The straightforward aesthetics of the Baffler TWS mask a lot of technology within. Stuff like internal weighting, a maraging-steel face insert and a CG that’s both low and away from the face.

Performance: If you’re struggling with your long irons and have yet to decide on a hybrid replacement, the Baffler TWS may be the one. We found this hybrid to be remarkably easy to hit, both from the rough and fairway. The TWS really ramped up the MOI, meaning they resist as much twisting as possible and help your hybrid shots fly both high and with a little draw. The six loft options, as well as senior and women’s models offered, help cater to a wide variety of players. The Cobra/Aldila DVS-HL graphite shaft launched the ball high in a hurry, helping us hit shots that, frankly, we could never do with our long irons–ever.

Bottom Line: The Baffler TWS (all six of them) is a great long-iron replacement for all skill levels. Better players might prefer the neutral weighting of the Baffler PRO.

S2 IRONS
Cobra’s multimaterial irons are popular not only because they look great, but also because of some serious performance benefits.

First Impressions: The most noticeable feature of the S2 Irons is the topline insert, which makes for a unique look over the ball. It’s almost as if it’s there to remind you to not overswing–the club has enough technology built in to get the job done right. Behind the clubface is a wealth of cutouts, inserts and shiny medallions–all designed to increase the clubs MOI, lower the CG and promote straighter and longer shots.

Performance: We hit long, powerful shots with the S2s. The lofts are muscled up a bit, and the perimeter weighting made it possible to still hit the green when we missed the sweet spot. We also favored the sole design, which is beveled to make the most of a wider sole without feeling or looking overly clunky. The sound and feel of the S2 irons actually felt more like the soft, muted feel of a forged iron. Oh, and we really liked the Nippon N.S. Pro steel shafts.

Bottom Line: A technologically advanced iron that uses nonmetal materials to make the CG lower and the hitting area bigger. What’s not to like?

We Tried It 2010

FT-IZ DRIVER
Featuring a radical triangular design (buh-bye square), this driver is dubbed by Callaway as the company’s longest and straightest driver ever.

Looks and Feel: It has fighter-jet good looks–aerodynamic, sleek, mean. It’s also a cinch to align. The face angle seemed to sit shut rather than square at address even though we tested a 10-degree model with a square face angle, but that’s likely a function of the shape as it rests on the turf. As for feel, it’s the first carbon-crowned driver that doesn’t feel like one at all. It has a tremendous pop at impact.

Performance: It’s definitely long, just like Callaway says. But, in our test, we found it was a lot easier to turn this over and hit a hook than it was to hit a slice. That is, a lot of our misses were pull hooks. We suspect that’s not a mistake, since the configuration of the head shape and internal weighting, in fact, combine to make this club easier to square up at impact than, say, a traditionally shaped head. That took some getting used to, but once we did, we fell in love. As for forgiveness on off-center hits, the FT-iZ demonstrated a lot of give. We rarely missed big, and when we did, it was our fault, not the driver’s.

Bottom Line: If you want a driver that has a new-age shape, awesome forgiveness and is an inherent slice-killer, the FT-iZ is a solid choice. We didn’t test a Tour version (with a one-degree open face), but we suspect that one would have cured our hooks in a jiffy. That said, the FT-iZ remains a top contender for a 2010 GT Tech Award.

DIABLO EDGE DRIVER
The new Diablo Edge is a four-piece, all-titanium design that, like the FT-iZ, is hell-bent on adding more distance to everyone’s drives.

Looks and Feel: Callaway is really making strides in bucking against traditional driver shapes and trying something different. The Diablo Edge is aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing, and both solid and missed hits feel pretty good. Our only criticism is of the S2H2 hosel configuration on the Standard model. We understand the point: Weight is removed from the hosel and redistributed in the clubhead. Then why affix a cheapish-looking ferrule on the short hosel? It takes away from the sexiness of the sleek titanium design. However, the Tour model, well, that has got to be one of the best-looking shapes (it has a traditional hosel) we’ve ever seen from Callaway. Booyah.

Performance: We only tested the Standard model, but our findings were impressive. The Diablo Edge produces a surprisingly penetrating ballflight, thanks to both a nine-degree loft and a square face angle (models above 10 degrees have one-degree closed faces). We saw a limited dispersion on our misses, and our solid bombs flew a long way, usually in the direction we wanted. In fact, we took a couple swats and tried to mis-hit and had trouble doing so–let that give you an idea of how forgiving this driver is. You may not always hit it straight (that’s up to your swing, not necessarily the driver), but you’ll definitely hit a lot of long drives with this club.

Bottom Line: A forgiving power-hitter. The shaft felt a little whippy, so if you opt for one, be sure you get fitted for the proper weight and flex.

DIABLO EDGE IRONS
Using a 360-degree, undercut-cavity design and a low center of gravity, the Diablo Edge irons are both long and very forgiving.

Looks and Feel: The Diablo Edge has two things going for it: a wide sole and an undercut channel, which basically means weight is pushed to the perimeter of the face. These attributes offer serious forgiveness and, when combined with a low CG, mean big distance, too. We were taken aback by the weird modified Tru-Bore hosel, though. Was it necessary to cut it out like that? We couldn’t help but wonder if that would cause some added friction in deep rough. Nevertheless, having the option to integrate a couple hybrids into the set mitigates any minor dislikes in the iron’s design.

Performance: We hit them high and straight, which for the higher handicapper/slower swinger will translate into bigger distance. Better players, and/or those who swing faster, might see a lot of ballooning shots, but that’s to be expected from an iron in this category. The white groove markings, as well as the vertical white stripes on the sides of the grooves make aligning the clubhead behind the ball very easy. So easy, that we didn’t even have to think about it.

Bottom Line: These irons are long and forgiving, especially in shots hit more toward the toe. Better players who want a more boring trajectory will prefer the Diablo Forged irons.

X SERIES JAWS
Designed by Roger Cleveland with input from Phil Mickelson, the Jaws wedges represent the latest in new wedge tech from Callaway Golf.

Looks and Feel: Can someone please pass the butter? These wedges are sharp and smooth–two traits of great wedge design. With many wedges using a cast design, we can’t help but feel the love for forged carbon steel. It has a soft feel that helps make you feel more relaxed over your chips. The MACK Daddy grooves are as aggressive as can be under the new rules, and the C-Grind sole
basically reduces turf contact to a small area on the center-bottom of the sole. As for the two finish options, we liked the Milky Chrome finish, but we loved the Dark Vintage finish.

Performance: We don’t try to fake it. How a wedge performs is highly contingent on the skill of the golfer using it. That said, we took our limited skills and found these wedges to perform beautifully. We liked the compact shape–it seemed to make hitting pitches and chips from the rough easier. We also liked the open-face capabilities. That is, when we open the face, the leading edge doesn’t come way up off the ground.

Bottom Line: The best-looking wedge we’ve seen from Callaway. Better players will like it more than amateurs, mainly because they’re able to do more with it.

Hot New Golf Balls

Srixon Z-Star Yellow Tour
In what could be the biggest surprise hit of 2010 (if not the last few years), the new Z-Star (and Z-Star X) Tour Yellow quickly has become one of the most coveted golf balls worldwide. So much that it has even surprised the folks at Srixon who set out to make a yellow multilayer golf ball that had a urethane cover and Tour-proven distance and control. Why did they do it? Simple. Yellow is the easiest color to see, and according to Srixon, the yellow-greenish color is more pleasing to the eye and makes the golfer feel more relaxed over the ball. Srixon staff players seem to agree–many have already put this yellow ball in play. Look for it on the shelves at your local golf shop this April. (Although we suggest you request a few sleeves in advance. They’ll go fast.)

Specs:
Construction: 4-piece multilayer
Cover: Urethane, 324-dimple Invisiseam pattern
Performance: Designed for more distance off the tee, but with a high level of spin around the greens. Z-Star Tour X is slightly longer and has a firmer feel. As for the coloring, we absolutely love it. $39/doz.

Callaway HX Bite
With a name like HX Bite, it’s easy to know how this ball was designed to perform. Although not with a urethane cover, the HX Bite not only is a three-piece design for more spin around the greens, but also is considered to be a solid distance contender. How can that be? Well, the mantle (midlayer) is specially designed to flex more off the tee with the driver for more distance; but when hit with an iron, it resists flexing and allows the soft cover to create more spin. We tried it, and we’re impressed with the results. Also, we really like the way this golf ball felt when putting–soft, but not too soft. It also was durable and resistant to scuffing and abrasion. Seriously, what’s not to like here?

Specs:
Construction: 3-piece multilayer
Cover: Ionomer, 332-dimple HEX technology
Performance: It’s long off the tee, and spins a lot on short shots for added control. These versions are more durable and longer than Callaway’s previous midpriced golf balls. $29/doz.

Titleist NXT Tour
Even we admit that, for a while, the difference in performance between the NXT Tour and the Pro V1 was too great to consider replacing one for another. One had Tour-level performance; the other, more suited for the demands of a weekend warrior. But not this year. Thanks a lot, Titliest. You’ve succeeded at creating one of the best non-urethane-covered golf balls on the market in terms of distance and spin around the greens. You’ve also made it harder to choose which one is better for more golfers. In fact, we contend this ball is more responsive than many of the urethane-covered balls were just three to four years ago. It’s long, feels soft, and even though it may not spin as much as a urethane-covered ball might on chips and pitches, it comes awfully close.

Specs:
Construction: 3-piece multilayer
Cover: Fusablend, 332-dimple pattern with Staggered Wave Parting Line tech
Performance: The ideal blend of power, spin and durability from a non-urethane-covered golf ball. We found these balls to last forever, and for players who want more distance with a soft feel, the NXT is a viable alternative. $29/doz.

Wilson Staff FG Tour
Wilson Staff doesn’t normally garner the fair share of acclaim here in the States that it gets in the UK, but with the new FG Tour, that may change. The FG Tour is legit–it has a four-piece construction and a urethane cover made with what Wilson Staff calls “Traction Control Technology”–a fancy way of saying it has added spin on wedge, pitch and chip shots. We’ve actually tested the FG Tour, and can’t help but say it deserves a spot among the top Tour-level golf balls available. Wilson Staff also says it “feels like a balata ball,” and we can’t help but agree. Give them a try; you won’t be disappointed.

Specs:
Construction: 4-piece multilayer
Cover: Urethane with Traction Control Technology
Performance: A Tour-caliber golf ball that’s long with the driver and spinny on short shots. $38/doz.

Easy On Your Hands

Lamkin Mega-Lite 2TEN

Sure, the economy’s tough right now. But just because many golfers can’t justify buying a new set of clubs at the moment, that shouldn’t stop them from playing clubs that feel factory fresh. The solution: Get new grips for a fraction of the cost of new clubs. And the three largest grip manufacturers–Lamkin, Winn and Golf Pride–are offering some eye-opening new products this year that you’ll want to get your hands on.

Lamkin’s touting a new material, coined 3GEN, which stands for third generation, in two of its latest grips. 3GEN is a synthetic rubber that’s both soft and tacky, meaning it absorbs plenty of impact vibration, making all shots feel soft. It’s also low in torque, so it won’t feel as if it’s turning in your hands at impact, as some softer polyure-thane grips do. And it’s durable and fade-resistant, to boot. Here’s the kicker: When you wipe the material with a wet cloth, the tackiness reactivates to day-one fresh.

Lamkin N-Dur

That explains why the two grips mentioned–Lamkin’s new Performance Plus with 3GEN model and Lamkin’s N-DUR model, for woods and irons–are both white. The color was deliberately chosen to encourage you to wipe them with a wet cloth and then dry them whenever you see them begin to get dirty, as white grips will do. They’ll feel and look new. “The 3GEN material is very functional; it’s not just a great-feeling material,” says Bob Lamkin, president and CEO of Lamkin Grips. “This isn’t just another white grip on the market; it’s a material advancement. We were able to develop a mate-rial in a color compound that still maintains the playing characteristics of a black rubber grip. The color compound we developed in 3GEN maintains longevity, and the grip keeps its playability without wearing out prematurely due to the ozone. What we traditionally did to achieve color grips is pull properties from the materials, which resulted in premature wear and hardening. Not this time.” Bottom line: You get maximum hand traction with very little squeezing.

Winnlite firm

The Performance Plus with 3GEN’s textured surface is designed to help you set your fingers in a position that eases hand pressure, tension and fatigue. Its reduced taper allows your hands to work together as one unit, providing more control over the club with less grip pressure. The N-DUR has a dual surface pattern: The underside’s aggressive surface differs from the top’s smoothness, but they work together to alleviate hand tension and add traction where needed, which, in turn, helps you swing easier. It, too, has a reduced taper–the lower-hand area is slightly larger with less taper.

Winnlite medium

Another new grip from Lamkin is the Mega-Lite 2TEN oversized, lightweight putter grip. “It takes the wrists out of your putting stroke, marrying your hands as one unit without the usual oversized grip drawbacks of being heavy and changing the feel,” says Lamkin. “It’s 40 percent lighter than a standard oversized putter grip, and weighs the same as a standard-sized grip. So you’ll still have great feel and benefit from the oversized grip.”

Golf Pride Tour Wrap 2G

Winn’s push for 2010 is its new WinnLite Grip Technology, created by an advanced injection molding process that the company says significantly reduces grip weight to help golfers increase clubhead speed and generate more distance. A lighter grip essentially shifts the club’s balance point downward, which, in this case, increases the launch angle for higher ballflight while enhancing clubhead feel, according to the company. WinnLite grips– available in WinnLiteFirm (featuring V17-PolyCord material), WinnLiteMedium (featuring V17 material) and WinnLiteSoft (featuring V17-Soft material)–weigh as little as 25 grams, which is about half as much as conventional rubber grips.

Golf Pride Tour Wrap 2G

“WinnLite Grip Technology is a breakthrough in golf equipment,” says Dr. Ben Huang, president and CEO of Winn Incorporated. “WinnLite grips offer about half the weight of conventional grips. Total weight becomes lighter, swing weight is higher, and the kickpoint of the shaft is moved more toward the head. Golfers can feel and control the head and increase club swing speed, accuracy and distance.” Lightness also is offered in Winn’s new 62-gram JumboLite putter grip that’s made of PCi Triple Line material and patterned to enhance texture and feel.

Golf Pride revamped its one-piece, simulated-wrap Tour Wrap 2G grip for woods and irons this year. “We are excited to refresh and modernize the classic Tour Wrap after 20 strong years in our product line,” says Dan Koehler, director of sales and marketing. “We slightly altered its material (it’s a synthetic rubber) to bring out the more favored characteristics of the grip.” Thus, it’s now more tacky and softer than ever, and combines the look and feel of luxury leather with the durability and performance of high-tack rubber. It’s offered in a range of sizes, including a new Jumbo with a straighter taper that allows consistent grip pressure for smooth, tension-free swings. “There’s a growing segment of golfers seeking comfort,” says Koehler. “A larger, softer and tackier grip like this helps alleviate the pain that a smaller, harder grip might cause. You don’t have to hold this as tightly, so there isn’t as much tension in your hands.”

Why should I consider thick grips?

Most people assume thicker grips are reserved for golfers with either huge or arthritic hands. And while a thicker grip diameter may help those types of golfers, thicker grips can do wonders for those who suffer from overactive hands or those who have a habit of regripping the club at the top of the swing. Some better players tend to put thicker grips on their wedges, as well, to help lessen the hand rotation on delicate, in-between pitch shots. So, if you find yourself occasionally pulling or hooking your shots, especially when it comes to midlength wedge and pitch shots, consider a midsize or even jumbo grip. And remember, even if you don’t like the way it feels, you always can swap it out and go back to what you’re used to.
–Ryan Noll

What’s Hot In 2010

The Goods: Cleveland Launcher DST driver

The Skinny: A sub-300-gram driver, some 25 grams less than a “standard” thunderstick, designed to increase swing speed, which as everyone knows, means more downrange firepower.

The WORD from Nate Radcliffe, metalwoods development manager in Cleveland’s R&D division: The rules of the modern game govern energy transfer, stability and other key design variables, but historically the weight and balance point of the golf club have been governed more by available technologies than by the rule books. Co-research with our parent company (SRI-Sports) has proven that lighter total weight and longer golf clubs show a measurable potential to increase swing speed, ball speed and distance. Additionally, today’s lightweight offerings are far more playable than designs in the past, due to the improved CG/MOI properties of modern clubheads. We recently proved this when four “stock” ultralight S-flex prototypes went into play on the PGA Tour in the first week [following the club’s introduction].

In the Launcher DST, most of the weight is removed from the shaft and grip of the club while maintaining a head weight that’s very close to the industry standard (198g). The Launcher DST is less than 300 grams in total weight, which makes it the lightest club in the North American market heading into 2010. The trick to designing an effective lightweight golf club is to preserve the preferred swing weight so that the user maintains feel, but to decrease the total weight so that the launch monitor measures greater speed and distance. Simply stated, remove the weight but preserve the balance of the club, and players will see added distance without adversely affecting feel. $299

EDITORS’ PICK

Cleveland CG7 BP Irons
Cleveland claims its new CG7 BP (Black Pearl) irons ($699) were built for mid- to high-handicappers, but after the single-digit handicap GT staff put them to the test, we see no reason why better players shouldn’t play with them.

Not only are they some of the most beautiful-looking irons we’ve ever seen (note the gunmetal finish), but they’re some of the best-sounding ones we’ve ever hit. Perhaps that’s because they were designed with 360 Gelback Technology and a Dynamic Microcavity for unparalleled feel and forgiveness. For players who dig a thinner top line, there’s a Tour version, too.

The Goods: Mizuno MP-58 forged irons

The Skinny: A departure for Mizuno and its Dual Muscle cavity-back design featuring titanium in the club’s “outer muscle” for added forgiveness.

The Word from David Llewellyn, golf club R&D manager, Mizuno USA: This is Mizuno’s first multimaterial MP iron. By forging the titanium insert into the muscle of the iron, we’re able to replace the higher-density steel with lower-density titanium, while maintaining thickness behind impact. The effect is a simultaneous increase in forgiveness and improved feel. Before Ti Muscle Technology, feel and forgiveness worked inversely to each other.

Mizuno’s patented Grain Flow Forging is a manufacturing process that provides the best-feeling irons in the industry, regardless of handicap. The metallic grain structure of our forged heads has long, uniform, tightly compacted grains. This, combined with our exclusive 1025E mild carbon steel, which is six times purer than required by industry standards, provides unparalleled soft, solid, consistent feel from head to head and set to set. Unfortunately, there’s a misconception that forged irons are for better players. The reality is that mid- to high-handicappers have more to gain by using a Mizuno forged iron, due to the improved feel and feedback. If players can feel more and learn more about what happens at impact, they can more easily improve and adapt their swing. $1,200/set

The Goods: TaylorMade Penta TP ball
The Skinny: Forget the coven, TM’s new five-layer ball is all about a different kind of black magic.

The Word from TaylorMade’s Dean Snell, head of golf ball research and development: It took three years of extensive research and development to create the Penta TP, the first five-layer Tour ball. The goal was to develop a revolutionary ball that delivered exceptional performance in all five key shot categories–driver, long irons, middle irons, short irons and partial wedges. The five layers of Penta TP include the core, inner mantle, middle mantle, outer mantle and cover, and each one plays a critical role in optimizing the performance of each of the five key shots. The layers of Penta TP are configured strategically to promote “Progressive Distance,” which allows it to deliver terrific distance to all types of swing speeds. That’s because each layer is exceptionally fast. Slow swingers who generate only enough clubhead speed to activate the outer mantle will benefit. Medium swingers who can activate only the outer and middle mantles will benefit. Fast swingers who activate the outer, middle and inner mantles will benefit. And, of course, very fast swingers who activate every mantle plus the core will benefit. Penta TP is targeted at better players, although every level of golfer can activate the ball’s distance capabilities and greenside spin. $45/dozen

EDITORS’ PICK

PING i15 Driver
Swinging this premium big stick made us feel like a Tour pro. Made with a “fade-bias,” the i15 ($405) is designed for players who like to shape their shots. Translation: The i15 is built for better golfers.

Its 460cc’s are masked nicely via its traditional pear shape and deep face, both of which help promote a better energy transfer into the ball. Also, internal weights placed away from the face knock spin rates down to produce a more Tour-like trajectory and better control. That said, the i15 still retains a measurable level of forgiveness that many other Tour-inspired drivers simply don’t have.

Ping G15

Ping i15

The Goods: PING G15 and i15 irons

The Skinny: The latest, greatest renditions of PING’s game-improvement and player cavity-back castings.

The Word from Brad Schweigert, PING director of product design: The G15 is a game-improvement iron that’s extremely forgiving and easy to hit with a high trajectory. These results were achieved through an innovative new approach to the cavity design that saved approximately 15 grams from the front, the CTP weight, face and top rail area. The mass savings allowed us to increase the sole width and toe weighting to create a lower and farther-back CG position and increase the MOI while still maintaining the solid feel and distance control that players expect from PING irons. The major improvements players will see in the G15 irons over the G10 irons are longer distance (approximately five yards longer), increased forgiveness and a more solid feel.

The i15 was designed to meet the needs of more accomplished players looking for a combination of forgiveness and workability. The set offers a smooth transition from larger-sized long irons designed to provide a high trajectory with greater forgiveness into smaller short irons that offer a more penetrating ballflight and gives players greater trajectory and distance control. The entire set features a high-density tungsten weight located in the low toe section of the club head. This multimaterial technology allows us to design a clubhead that maintains the performance benefits that are attributed to smaller head size (trajectory control, easier to hit from deep rough, etc.) while still significantly increasing the MOI and, ultimately, the forgiveness of the club. The major improvements players will see in the i15 irons over the i10 irons are improved distance control, increased forgiveness, easier-to-hit and higher-trajectory long irons, and a more solid feel. $115/steel-shafted club; $142 graphite-shafted club

Callaway FT-iZ

Callaway Diablo Edge

The Goods: Callaway FT-iZ and Diablo Edge drivers

The Skinny: It looks like pyramid power has taken hold as the kids from Carlsbad have introduced a triangular -shaped driver, while price-leader Diablo gets a body makeover.

The Word from Alan Hocknell, Callaway Golf’s senior VP of R&D: The new head shape of the FT-iZ driver creates unprecedented speed, stability and shot consistency. We used Polar Weighting, which positions weight at the front and rear of the driver, raising MOI and creating our most efficient high-inertia head design ever. We also studied and optimized aerodynamics to create a faster large head, which generates additional ball speed on all shot types.

The Diablo Edge driver features a four-piece modular design that produces the most weight-efficient titanium driver we’ve ever created. Each part is precision formed and accurately fused together allowing weight to be positioned optimally for high MOI and consistent, penetrating ballflights. $399 (FT-iZ); $299 (Diablo Edge)

EDITORS’ PICK

Exotics XCG-3 3-wood
Who needs a driver when you can hit the Exotics XCG-3 3-wood ($299)? According to Tour Edge VP Jay Hubbard, who was on hand when we tested Exotics’ new line late last year, the XCG-3 3-wood goes 20 yards farther than last year’s XCG model, guaranteed. You heard us, t-w-e-n-t-y.

Considering last year’s model went nearly as far as our drivers, we found it hard to believe, but after a few swings, it was clear Hubbard and his crew weren’t lying.

How’d they do it? Weight. It’s the company’s first fairway wood to incorporate a heavy tungsten sole and titanium body. (Tungsten weighs twice as much as steel, so even more weight can be placed below the ball.) That helps you launch it, big time.

The Goods: Adams Speedline 9032LS driver/Speedline 9032Ti hybrid-fairway woods

The Skinny: Adams’ sloped driver sees its first reincarnation, now paired with a thin- crowned, deep-CG little brother built for the short grass.

The Word from Adams Golf: As in the original Speedline series, the patent-pending aerodynamic shaping of the next-generation Speedline 9032LS driver creates less drag and airflow turbulence, resulting in an impressive three- to four-mph-faster clubhead speed and three to nine yards more distance. Design improvements to the 9032LS include a 17.3% larger face area for more forgiveness, and heel and toe scoops that are 11__ã2 times bigger than the original Speedline driver for better airflow. The new features optimize launch conditions with 10% lower spin off the clubface, thereby generating even more distance.

The exceptional design features of the Speedline 9032Ti hybrid-fairway woods have resulted in the longest-hitting fairway wood ever developed by Adams Golf. These new woods have a center of gravity that’s 22% lower, a crown that’s 25% thinner and a titanium body that’s 40% lighter than conventional fairway woods. This advanced weighting system is highlighted by two 40-gram tungsten sole inserts and a weight port that makes the Speedline 9032Ti extremely long off the tee and easy to hit from the fairway. In addition, these fairway woods are designed with an extremely high CT (characteristic time) face to deliver the fastest ball speed of any fairway wood designed by Adams Golf. The unparalleled technology of the Speedline 9032Ti woods is so advanced that they come with a guarantee of an additional 10 yards over conventional fairway woods for every golfer. $369 (driver); $329 (fairway wood)

EDITORS’ PICK

TaylorMade xFT Wedge
Arguably the most innovative offering for 2010, TaylorMade’s xFT (Exchangeable Face Technology) wedge rings up for $129 and allows you to change out its face so you have fresh new grooves whenever you want. It’s that concept that we like the most. After all, having fresh, sharp grooves makes a huge difference when playing your approach shots. Comes in 10 loft/lie combos; each extra face costs $39.

The Goods: adidas TOUR360 4.0 shoe

The Skinny: Years after someone figured out that low-profile fairway woods rock, adidas is bringing players’ feet closer to the biggest rock of all.

The Word from Dave Ortley, senior director global footwear, adidas Golf: For 15 years, golf footwear manufacturers have relied almost entirely on two fastening systems, Fast Twist and Q-Fit. Both systems include a receptacle and a removable cleat. The receptacle is inserted in the sole unit of golf shoes to retain the cleat, which typically screws in and locks in place. At adidas Golf, our pursuit of innovative and meaningful golf footwear technology ran us up against certain restrictions related directly to the thickness of the conventional cleat-attachment systems. They were both too thick, and protruded too far up into the sole of the shoe, making the sole itself very thick and bulky.

Our THiNTech low-profile shoe technology brings the golfer’s foot (and center of gravity) closer to the ground for added stability, better balance, improved feel and, ultimately, better ballstriking. To do this, we knew that we needed a new attachment system that was thinner than what every other manufacturer was using. We signed an exclusivity deal with PrideSports (makers of Fast-Twist) and codeveloped a new system known now as PINS (Performance Insert System), which cuts the thickness of the cleat and receptacle unit by 30%, allowing adidas Golf to accomplish its goal of designing thinner sole units. The end result is shoes that look sleeker and more appealing while performing like no other. New advanced THiNTech low-profile sole technology delivers better stability, balance, flexibility, feel and reduced weight due to less material in the sole unit. The technology is exclusive to adidas Golf through 2011, and will find its way into all adidas golf footwear for the 2010 season. $180

The Goods: Golfshot

The Skinny: iPhone app providing GPS yardages, aerial views, personalized yardages and stat analysis for those who don’t think 19th-hole lies are the best form of performance review.

The Word from Michael Hall, president of Shotzoom Software, Golfshot’s creator: Our Golfshot GPS application was built with the game of golf and the golfer in mind–not gadgetry or “cool technology.” The product offers 25,000 courses worldwide, mapped in 11 languages, plus state-of-the-art statistics that can be e-mailed to the user and others in his or her group. We built a golf platform for the golfer as a tool for improvement.

Golfshot scoring should be as easy as paper and pencil. We want to provide lay-up positioning based on players’ clubs and their course, and in their language. It’s about golf, pace of play and assisting our members with their games. While there are plenty of options to add to our program, we believe Golfshot members want to play golf, not play with their phones. A simple, to-the-point interface gives our golfers a competitive advantage while keeping the foursome behind them happy that our users aren’t spending more time on their phones than on the game. Most avid golfers chart their rounds (via paper or Excel), use or have used expensive rangefinders, and desire current information on their favorite golf courses. With the emergence of smart phones, it was a golfer’s dream to remove the need for computer, rangefinder and paper scorecard, and have it all combined in the one device they carry with them at all times: cell phones. $30

The Goods: Srixon Trispeed II and Trispeed Tour balls

The Skinny: Budget gourmet balls with covers that can withstand a blow from all those groovy wedges the fusty USGA has said will be illegal one day.

The Word from John Rae, performance research group manager at Cleveland Golf/Srixon R&D: With the launch of the Trispeed II and Trispeed Tour, Srixon is offering the consumer two ball options in the three-piece category that don’t put as much damage on the wallet as urethane-covered three-piece balls. The Trispeed II is a low-compression ball designed to produce low spin off the driver. This low-spin performance will produce more distance for most golfers (as most golfers tend to have too much spin off the driver). Compared to the original Trispeed (which was widely known for its exceptional distance), the Trispeed II boasts a thinner cover and bigger core. This combination will produce more ball speed, aiding the golfer in achieving maximum distance.

The Trispeed Tour offers a nice complement to the Trispeed II. With its softer cover and firmer core compression, the Trispeed Tour will produce that additional spin around the greens and on approach shots that certain golfers demand in their ball. With these two offerings, golfers can find an upgrade to the two-piece ball they’re currently playing without the exorbitant cost associated with the urethane balls. $29/dozen

EDITORS’ PICK

Rife Mid Series Putters
Two new offerings from Rife had us rolling in the aisles–so to speak. The 460 Mid Blade and 400 Mid Mallet both feature the company’s patented RollGroove Technology, which claims to promote a no-skid roll, so we knew, based on previous tests, that we’d like the results. On top of that, we liked that we could choose between a blade and a mallet. But the deciding factor? The price. A very affordable $99. These days, we’re jazzed to find quality product at a discounted price.

EDITORS’ PICK

Titleist CB and MB Irons
With an eye for quality, traditional products, Titleist’s two newest iron offerings are sure to be a hit in 2010. It’s hard not to be attracted to the MB’s ($135-$159) classic blade design and the CB’s (same price) high-performance cavity back. Don’t you agree?

Sneak Peek 2010

Offerings Coming Soon To Pro Shops

TaylorMade
The first five-layer golf ball, TaylorMade’s Penta TP combines the best characteristics of the company’s TP Red and Black balls. Its designer, Dean Snell, claims that it’ll have the distance of the Black, the iron control of the Red and the short-game feel of Titleist’s Pro V1. The Penta TP will sell for $45/dozen and hits retailers in Sunbelt states December 1, with chillier areas receiving shipments deeper into the winter.

No, they don’t have adjustable clubheads, but TaylorMade’s new R9 ($799) and R9 TP ($899) irons both feature something called a Velocity Control Chamber. What’s that? According to TM’s engineers, it’s a “fully enclosed compartment positioned behind the clubface that makes it possible for an immense area of the ultrathin clubface to exist unsupported.” Translation: It increases the COR, which produces longer shots.

TaylorMade’s most innovative offering for 2010 is the xFT (Exchangeable Face Technology) wedge ($129). That’s right, you can change out the wedge’s face so you have fresh new grooves whenever you want. Comes in 10 loft/lie combos; faces will cost $39.

Cleveland
Measuring 45.75 inches (.25 inches longer than standard drivers), Cleveland’s new Launcher DST driver ($299) was created to maximize distance through higher ballspeed. Weighs a featherweight 300g.

Cleveland’s game-improvement CG7 BP (Black Pearl) irons ($699) were built for mid- to high-handicappers and designed with a laser-milled face texture to maximize surface roughness and spin. Features 360 Gelback Technology and a Dynamic Microcavity for unparalleled feel and forgiveness. Comes in a Tour version, too.

The traditionally shaped CG15 Wedge ($119) from Cleveland features zip grooves and has lofts that range from 46_¡ to 64_¡. Certain models will be offered in three finishes: Satin Chrome, Black Pearl and Oil Quench.

Cleveland Classic debuts two new putters in 2010, a plumbers neck blade called “#4” ($69) and a slant neck blade called “#4.5” ($69).

Bridgestone
The e-Series golf balls ($26/doz.) from Bridgestone have received a makeover. The 2-piece e5 has a softer urethane cover and a revamped dimple pattern for a higher ballflight. The 3-piece e6 has a new inner layer that cuts sidespin for straighter, longer hits. And the new 3-piece e7 is a lot like the e6, only it’s about 5% firmer for a lower, more penetrating ballflight.

Callaway
Designed by the renowned designer, Roger Cleveland, Callaway’s new X Series JAWS wedge features Mack Daddy grooves and is constructed from soft 1020 carbon steel. Available in Soft Milky Chrome ($109) or Dark Vintage ($119).

Odyssey
Created with Tour input, Odyssey’s new White Ice ($129/estimated street price) line of putters feature a Black Nickel finish that looks and feels more premium than the White Hot XG line it’s replacing. Also new for 2010 is a more responsive insert that yields better auditory feedback, feel and consistency–especially with softer balls. Comes in a number of head shapes. (Sabertooth, shown). Look for it in stores starting November 15.

Cobra
The new S2 Irons ($985) from Cobra have a multimaterial makeup of urethane, polymer and steel for an iron that feels good, even when you’re not. Highly playable and made for players of any skill, the S2 Irons also have a low/back CG for a higher ballflight and a stronger loft configuration for more distance throughout the set.

Titleist
The new AP1 ($699) and AP2 ($999) 710 irons from Titleist both have received makeovers, making them easily the most playable forged irons ever made by Titleist. Both have been tweaked for better feel via a Tuned Feel System that’s a co-molded medallion made of elastomer and aluminum located behind the clubface.

Tour Edge/ Exotics
Exotics’ new XCG-3 fairway wood ($299) was built with a heavy tungsten sole and skirt. Why tungsten? It’s twice as heavy as steel so even more weight can be placed below the ball for superior launch characteristics. How heavy is it? Its sole represents 63% of the clubhead’s total weight.

The XCG-3 hybrid ($199) is Exotics’ first hybrid with a tungsten sole, and its thin maraging steel cupface was designed to improve rebound off the clubface. The XCG-3 also includes two internal weight pads that help lower its CG.

Adidas footwear
Now in its fourth generation, Adidas’ Tour 360 4.0 ($180) comes in five different color combinations and a two-year waterproof warranty. Its 360WRAP makes it Adidas’ most stable golf shoe ever.

Mizuno
Maker of some of the purest irons you can buy, Mizuno offers a slew of new beauties to choose from in 2010. The MP-58 ($999) is built with Mizuno’s all-new DUAL MUSCLE TITANIUM technology and the MP-68‘s ($899) new 3D blade style is the next iteration of a player’s blade.

Other new clubs include the FLI-HI ($140) hybrid iron, made specially for high shots that land soft. The MX-300 ($799) is Mizuno’s best effort at melding forgiveness with shot maneuverability, and the MX-1000 ($999-$1,199) oozes big distance and playability for all skill levels.

Adams
Built with recreational golfers in mind, Adams’ highly forgiving Idea a70S ($799) hybrid iron set features three hybrids, two mid-hybrids and three wide-soled cavity-back short irons. (The Idea a70S hybrids also may be purchased individually.)

Designed for mid-handicappers, Adams’ Idea a7 ($599-$699) hybrid set features a 3- and 4-iron hybrid and six irons whose top lines get progressively thinner as the clubs shorten. (The Idea a7 hybrids also may be purchased individually.)

Nike
Not available until March 2010, the new Nike MachSpeed ($359) driver looks more menacing than any other driver we’ve seen from Nike. Featuring a square shape that’s optimized for better aerodynamics, as well as STR8-FIT customization, the MachSpeed is sure to be Nike’s next big thing.

Nike’s new Method ($249) putters created a buzz a while back, with several players using and winning with them long before they were introduced to the public. Why the buzz? The face of every Method putter has a polymetal groove design, causing a faster, purer and more consistent forward roll.

Srixon
Featuring a new material called “Ti-X51AF,” which has a lower density and higher elasticity than general titanium, Srixon’s Z-TX Driver ($499) not only is light but also has an optimal CG location to maximize its distance and accuracy. Srixon’s premium forged Z-TX Irons ($899) provide playability and accuracy without sacrificing forgiveness, with an optimal weight distribution that provides a 20% larger COR area.

GOLF TIPS’ TECH AWARDS 2009
This year featured several new innovations, advancements and just plain cool stuff. So instead of describing them all here, we shifted the bulk of the write-ups over to our website at golftipsmag.com. But in case you were curious to see what we thought was top-shelf in 2009, here’s our list of worthy GT Tech Award recipients.

Excellence in Adjustability Award:
TaylorMade R9 Driver
Hitting any type of drive has never been easier (especially straighter ones)

Distance Through Geometry Award:
Cleveland HiBORE Monster XLS
Taking a risk with an inventive shape and refining it to perform even better is the stuff we like to see.

Slice Buster Award:
Callaway FT-iQ Driver
Exquisite design to solve an unattractive ballfight.

Breakthrough of the Year:
TaylorMade Burner Irons
Straighter, higher, farther–what more could you want from an iron?

Best Overall Driver Series:
Titleist 909D Series
Three models that cater to all types of players from a company not known to make clubs for all types of players.

Best Reason to Walk Again:
Clicgear Pushcarts
Easy to use, easy to store, easy to kiss the golf cart goodbye.

Most Impressive New Ball:
Bridgestone B330-RX
Tour-caliber performance for everyone. We mean it–everyone will love this ball.

The Coming of Age Award:
GolfLogix iPhone software
If you have a smartphone and you play golf, you need to have this.

Best On-Course Nourishment Award:
Amino Vital
The pros use this stuff all the time. Just look for the logoed towels.

Best-Performing Yet Unique-Looking Award:
Axis1 Putter
Beauty is in the eye of the ball-holder. It’s not how; it’s how many.

Top Shaft Material Innovation:
UST Mamiya AXIVCore Shafts
A four-axis material that produces incredible stability. We also love its counterbalanced feel.

Devil in the Details Award:
Callaway Diablo Series
You won’t see a lot of Diablos played on Tour, but you’ll see them in a lot of golf bags at your club. Mostly from the guys who beat you.

Might as Well Be a Driver Award:
Exotics XCG-V Fairway Woods
The only difference is you’ll have a lot more fun hitting these from the fairway than you would hitting a driver. They’re powerful, to say the least.

Outstanding New Shaft Series:
Fujikura Motore
Even if you don’t swing like a Tour player, you still can have a ballflight that emulates one.

Up the Ante Award:
Srixon Z-Star
The best ball you have yet to try. It’s that good.

Must Have New Shaft Award:
Aldila VooDoo, Mitsubishi Fubuki, GD Aura
All 3 can help you hit it farther and straighter.

Welcome Back Award:
Golf Pride Tour Velvet BCT
The best-feeling corded grip we’ve ever wrapped our hands around.

The Megan Fox Award:
Cleveland CG7/CG7 Tour
Fantastic aesthetics and excellent versatility make these irons a must-have set

Outstanding Value Company Award:
Hireko Golf
Great values can be found on this company’s website, especially when it comes to drivers.

Best New Putter Tech Award:
PING’s iWi Series
New advancements from the company that started it all.

Radical Putter Design:
Odyssey White Hot Series
Odyssey’s willingness to explore new shapes is to be commended.

Great Looks, Great Feel Award:
Adams Speedline Driver
A blue driver? We love it.

Top Craftsmenship Award:
Mizuno MP-52 irons
Mizuno’s Grain Flow Forging produces some of the best-looking and -feeling irons in the world.

TECH AWARD WINNERS
By Category (in no particular order):

Top Drivers
Cleveland HiBORE Monster XLS
Titlest 909D Series
Callaway FT-9 and FT-iQ
TaylorMade R9
PING Rapture V2

Top Woods
Adams Speedline
Callaway Diablo
Nike Dymo2
Exotics XCG-V
PING Rapture V2

Top Hybrids
Callaway Diablo
Cleveland Launcher
Cobra Baffler Pro
Nickent 5DX
TaylorMade Rescue

Top Irons
Callaway X Forged
Cleveland CG7
Mizuno MP-52
TaylorMade Burner
PING Rapture V2

Top Wedges
Cleveland CG14
Nike Victory Red
Ping Tour W
Titleist Spin Milled Tour Chrome
Scratch Wedges

Top Putters
Heavy Putter Mid-Weight Series
PING iWi
TaylorMade Rossa TP
Odyssey White Hot
Rife IMO

Top Balls
Bridgestone B330-RX
Titleist Pro V1 (V1x)
Srixon Z-Star
Callaway Tour i
TaylorMade Burner TP

Top Shafts
Fujikura Motore
Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki
UST AXIVCore Shafts
Aldila VooDoo
Graphite Design Aura Series

Top GPS Devices
Garmin Approach G5
SkyCaddie SG5
GolfLogix GPS-8
Bushnell Yardage Pro XGC
Callaway uPro

Health Tip: Stay Focused!

Amino Vital: Focus Zone_Ê_Ê_Ê_Ê _Ê
Staying hydrated on the golf course is important_Ê if you want to stay physically and mentally strong for the entire round._Ê Drinking water is a great way to stay hydrated, but it doesn’t do much more_Ê than that. As far as energy replenishments, those sugary or caffeinated drinks_Ê can adversely affect the nerves and your energy levels in a roller coaster_Ê fashion, starting with ascending highs and crashing lows. What you need out_Ê there is a drink that hydrates you and with the help of complex amino acids to_Ê keep your mind in the game and your muscles replenished.

Enter the_Ê Focus Zone. Amino Vital, makers of Focus Zone, developed a popular drink_Ê additive used by countless professional athletes (including a big handful of_Ê PGA Tour players) that’s designed to support mental focus and prevent muscle_Ê breakdown. Using a mix of electrolytes and amino acids (two things your body_Ê needs to stay strong) and without any added chemicals, sugars and caffeine,_Ê Focus Zone mixes easily with water to provide instant refreshment. Just_Ê dissolve a packet in a water bottle and you’re good to go. Unlike caffeinated_Ê drinks, there’s no jolts, peaks and valleys with Focus Zone. Instead what_Ê you’ll get is steady muscle recovery and improved mental focus. And by the_Ê way, it’s a “clean” drink additive, that’s both safe and legal for_Ê professional athletes to consume.

To check it out, visit www.aminovitalstore.com_Ê for information on Focus Zone and other products from Amino Vital. _

We Tried It

IZZO GOLF SWAMI

At first we struggled to upload courses onto the Swami by Izzo Golf because we’re on a Mac, and the Swami is only PC compatible. (It doesn’t work on a Mac’s Parallels Desktop. Luckily we found an old PC, thanks to our tech guy.)

Don’t expect a lot of bells and whistles from the Swami. Its simple, black-and-white screen only gives front, center and back yardages (it doesn’t measure your shots, and there’s no hole map), but the yardages were on the money. A big plus is its rechargeable Li-Ion battery that lasts 12 hours. You can’t turn on the Swami until you’re at the golf course, which is a great way to preserve its battery life.

It’s lightweight, basic, holds 10 courses at a time and has a database of 12,000 courses. Plus it’s easy to attach to your belt, and being light and unobtrusive is a real bonus when you want to access yardages immediately. Its plastic casing and limited capabilities beg the question: Will it come down in price? Cost: $150 | More Info: izzo.com

SONOCADDIE V300
The sturdy, waterproof-screen Sonocaddie V300 shows an overhead view of the hole with yardages listed down the right-hand side of the screen with lines pointing to the front edge of each hazard. This simple display made it easy to know exactly how far away we were from trouble.

A close-up view of the green made it a breeze to see our exact distance from the front, middle and back of the green.

We found it a bit too big to put in our pocket, but it fit nicely into our cart’s cup holder. Stores up to 30 courses. Its rechargeable battery lasts for 15 hours. PC only. Cost: $399 | More Info: sonocaddie.com

GolfLogix Software

As smartphones continue to grow in popularity, so too have the golf GPS applications that run on them. A recent visit to Apple’s iTunes store revealed that three of the most popular paid apps were golf course GPS software.

But according to GolfLogix CEO Scott Lambrecht, those players lack something his Scottsdale-based company has–quality maps. “We’ve been in the mapping business for 10 years, unlike guys who make GPS [apps] using Google maps,” says Lambrecht.

Consider that GolfLogix has mapped more than 24,000 courses worldwide and has designed smartphone software that not only gives precise yardage, but also tracks your stats.

Smartphone users can download GolfLogix’ software for free as a guest at golflogix.com, where you can become a member and get unlimited access to all courses, and track your stats so you can compare and contrast your performance with everyone else in the company’s online community–just like the pros. It’s “Shot Tracker” for weekend warriors.

For $39 a year, you get unlimited access to all 24,000+ courses in GolfLogix’ database. The website even stores how far you hit your clubs.

“It’s a good deal, considering that the BlackBerry Curve is free with a two-year contract at most phone companies,” says Lambrecht. Not to mention the iPhone recently came down in price to $99.

The new GolfLogix smartphone software will run on iPhones, BlackBerrys, Google’s Android and Nokia Symbian models.

GARMIN GOLFLOGIX GPS-8
The sturdy and straightforward Garmin GolfLogix GPS-8 features a black-and-white screen and, while it doesn’t have most of the extras found on some other models we tested, it excels in the most important area: measurement. As GolfLogix CEO, Scott Lambrecht puts it, “Traditional golfers want to play golf, not a video game.”

After testing models that did everything but hit your shot for you, it was refreshing to use a unit that delivered the information we really needed: distance to the green (front, center and back) and yardage to hazards (it recognizes a maximum of six per hole). Another key feature we liked but didn’t find on other units was lay-up distances to the 150-, 125- and 100-yard signs.

The GPS-8 subscription costs $29.95 a year for unlimited courses, or you can load (and rotate out) one course for free. Holds 20 courses. PC and Mac compatible. Features Garmin mapping technology. Cost: $299 | More Info: golflogix.com

SKYCADDIE SG5
Simple, easy to use and accurate. These were our first impressions of the SkyCaddie SG5.

Its color interface was easy to read and simple to navigate. The display didn’t have any annoying glare, so we didn’t have to hold it at awkward angles to check the yardage. All we did was choose one of the pin placements (front, middle or back) on the left side of the screen, and SkyCaddie did the rest of the work for us. After we finished a hole, SkyCaddie’s scorecard instantly came up so we could keep score. The SG5 attaches to a sturdy belt clip and is small enough to be operated by one hand. Its battery life is strong and can handle several rounds on a single charge.

Although we didn’t take advantage of this function, we thought it was pretty cool that you can sync your SG5 to your computer where the desktop application saves your round. Holds up to 20 courses. PC and Mac compatible. Comes with an AC battery charger, car charger and carrying case. Cost: $399 | More Info: skygolf.com

CALLAWAY UPRO
The small, thin and lightweight (but very powerful) uPro from Callaway is, like the Swami, SkyCaddie and Bushnell units, light enough to clip to your belt or carry in your pocket (which is what we did when we played with it). It features a color screen that switches between “green” mode where yardages are measured to the front, middle and back, and “hazard” mode where bunkers and bodies of water are listed, top to bottom, on their corresponding side with yardages measured to the front and back of them. It took us awhile to get used to this mode, but eventually it worked like a charm.

We liked that it prompted us when we walked to the next tee with a “Do you want to play (the next hole)?” because sometimes our golf ball doesn’t travel in a straight line, and we might unintentionally be on that hole.

We tested it in high altitude so we were glad to have the “mark” button to measure our longer drives. The battery started to drain toward the end of our round, even though we charged it pretty well. Not sure if this was a user error or the unit (the Callaway website says the uPro’s battery life is 10-12 hours). Whatever the case, it was surprising given that when the unit is not in use, the screen goes to sleep.

The uPro’s coolest feature is its “pro” button on the side, which shows you an actual flyover of the hole (for an extra fee). Cost: $399 | More Info: uprogps.com

The Most Important Piece Of Equipment You Carry Is Not In Your Bag

From the outside golf seems like a relaxing game, people walking around enjoying a nice day outdoors… And because of this perception some people do not consider golfers to be “true” athletes. In fact golfers themselves rarely prepare themselves like athletes. When our game goes south, we blame the course conditions, our equipment, and the weather but never take the time to consider that maybe the reason we are missing shots is because our bodies are failing us.

The reality is that golf is an endurance sport and golfers are endurance athletes. Golf requires power, strength and accuracy off the tee, strategy and finesse along the fairways and total focus on the greens. On top of all that, the golfer must maintain peak concentration for 4 to 5 hours. A round of golf is mentally and physically draining. Fatigue sets in slowly and by the time you realize it you may not have the time or the ability to recover. Every golfer has been there when the game is lost by the 14th hole and all you can do is dream about that beer awaiting you in the clubhouse. Sustaining energy and focus throughout an entire 18 holes is the key to consistent play for the golfer. And the only way to ensure a good performance is by treating yourself like an athlete on game day and fueling your body through proper hydration and sports nutrition.

For golf professionals it’s critical. Golf demands perfection in every aspect. A small swing fault or a lazy putt could cost a PGA Tour player millions, which is why more and more pro golfers are taking advantage of the science of sports nutrition and reaping its benefits. “Keeping yourself hydrated on the golf course, no matter what level you’re playing, is a key component,” says a top strength and conditioning coach who works with pro golfers like Zach Johnson and Stephen Ames. “It’s only a matter of time before the regular guys jump on the sports nutrition bandwagon, if they haven’t already.”

Sports nutrition drinks are nothing new. An explosion of new ones have flooded the category in recent years, offering hydration, endurance and recovery to athletes in every arena. So, it’s no surprise that golf is the latest sport to realize the benefits of better performance through sports nutrition.

The stress of competition in tournament play, or on any given weekend can lead to dehydration and depletion of the body’s energy reserves. At that point, players may experience the kind of muscle and mental fatigue that leads to collapse and a game that never has a chance to turn itself around. Plain bottled water won’t help you recover at that point. Your body needs more.

Some sports drinks replenish lost salts and electrolytes that the body loses _â__Ò plus they add lots of sugar and carbohydrates as “cheap” sources of energy. While these drinks do a good job of hydrating, they are not really good sources of energy. Energy drinks are usually full of caffeine and other stimulants and will provide an energy spike just as a cup of coffee might do, but may also be accompanied by jitters and eventually lead to a “crash” leaving the athlete feeling more fatigued than before. Protein-based drinks are great for vigorous activity and muscle building, but are more suited for long training regimens and recovery after physical exercise. And the thought of downing a thick protein drink on a hot summer day out on the fairways is not exactly refreshing. Unfortunately, none of these drinks really meets all the needs of the golfer.

But there is one company out there trying to change that. Ajinomoto, one of Japan’s best-known and most respected brands has developed a line of sports drinks under the Amino Vital brand that are tailored specifically for golfers. Amino Vital Golf_â_¨ is a low sugar, low carbohydrate drink that provides a balanced formula that is perfect for golfers. What makes Amino Vital Golf special is its proprietary blend of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, but unlike protein sourced from food or whey protein supplements, they are quickly absorbed into the body providing you with energy right when you need it. And as a derivative of protein, they also help to prevent muscle breakdown and aid in muscle recovery. It is this essential ingredient that Ajinomoto claims reduces both mental and physical fatigue and ultimately helps you stay focused and play at your best from start to finish. Amino Vital Golf comes in the form of a powder that you can easily mix with water right on the course for a quick and refreshing energy boost. And according to the pros on the tour, this combination of energy, focus and stamina is the winning formula.

“Giving your body what it needs to perform is essential. This is where Amino Vital Golf has shown its amazing benefits and why it is the number 1 sports drink for golfers. I have been working with and training PGA TOUR players for more than a decade and this is the one supplement I won’t let my guys be without” says a leading strength and conditioning coach on the TOUR.

In fact, Ajinomoto claims that over 160 PGA tour professionals use their Amino Vital Golf products regularly, producing 10 tour wins already this year through July. Some of the best players are drinking it before, during and after rounds. If you’ve watched a PGA event on television, you may have noticed white Amino Vital Golf towels hanging off of more and more bags each week, as more golfers seem to be drinking and reaping it’s benefits. Pro golfers drinking Amino Vital Golf have dominated the pro tour for the past two years including Trevor Immelman who won this year’s Masters and Zack Johnson who won it last year. JJ Henry, winner of the US Ryder Cup, uses Amino Vital at every training session.

It’s not just the pros who are benefiting. “We’re starting to see the trickle down effect to the everyday golfer as well,” says the Marketing team at Amino Vital. “The regular guy is watching the pros win with Amino Vital Golf every weekend and he’s starting to think ‘Hey maybe that can help me’. In fact, one of our customers wrote to us saying he just won his second local tournament of the year, in 100 degree heat mind you, and he owes it all to Amino Vital Golf. All the other golfers we’re asking him how he stayed so fresh. It’s the prototypical AVG success story, so we put the guy up on our website. Needless to say, we hope his ‘secret’ doesn’t remain that way for long.”

There are a lot of things we carry with us to help us get through a tough round. But no piece of equipment is as important as our body and our mind. So, the next time you are trying to figure out what went wrong on the last hole, consider what you are fueling your body with while you play. It may not be your 9 irons fault after all. For more info, visit www.aminovitalgolf.com._Ê