AG197-Feb2017 by Asia Pacific Golf Group

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

olf industry, we have been fortunate ess the successful transition of a from the founder to his eldest son see the process repeat itself with d generation. The company in focus world renowned PING Corporation, acturer of some of the ﬁnest golf ent in the world and the family is heim clan which has managed the business since its formation by the ary Karsten Solheim who passed in the ripe old age of 88.

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

nt Mission Hills Group of China emn a massive dream project to grow golf. In commemoration of its 25th rsary (Mission Hills was founded in he world’s largest golf resort has lf a target of welcoming more than

44 FOOTJOY CONTOURFIT UPS THE ANTE The world’s number one name in golf shoes, FootJoy has hit the road running for 2017. It has launched its latest the FootJoy ContourFIT. The Contour franchise is said to be the best-selling shoe franchise of all time. It was originally created with an emphasis on comfort.

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

62 IT’S XTREME PETTICOAT POWER FOR PXG Bucking all trends in the world of professional golf, Parsons Xtreme Golf has taken a bold decision to hedge its bets on more top players. However, PXG’s strategy for 2017 is a real game-changer – it is not looking at the guys but instead has its eyes glued to some of the biggest stars on the highly popular LPGA Tour.

76 LEGAL EAGLE WITH AN EYE FOR GOLF AND CLASSIC CARS For years, ASIAN GOLF has been bringing you news about professional golfers, great golf equipment and the companies that call the shots in the golf industry. Starting with 2017, we thought we’d break away from convention and look at adding a new dimension to our coverage of the game of golf in the region. So, it is with great pleasure that we are launching “Celebrity Corner” with this issue of ASIAN GOLF. The spotlight falls on a top corporate lawyer, football supremo, golfer and classic car collector.

82 HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR BUTT WHEN PLAYING GOLF? We promise you that this article is strictly on the level and it has nothing to do with anything vulgar! In fact, many golfers don’t realise the role that the rear end plays in golf. Believe me, by the time you’re done reading this article and watching the accompanying video, you will be sold on the importance of the role your butt plays!

ISSUE

197

FEBRUARY 2017

EQUIPMENT FOCUS

50 PING I200 IRONS – A CLASS ACT!

24 JUS CAN W

The men in white cloaks at PING have been hard at work and it’s all been worthwhile. The company has hit the market with a great new product – the PING i200 irons.

54 THE YEAR’S BIGGEST JAILBREAK! You’ve got to hand it to Callaway Golf’s top honcho Chip Brewer and his top R&D side-kick Dr. Alan Hocknell. Both these guys possess that special show-biz knack and ﬂair to come up with something snappy to grab the attention of the marketplace. The dynamic duo has done it again for the 2017 season with the timely introduction of a double-header launch involving two new drivers.

60 THE SHORT GAME MAESTRO IS BACK! Roger Cleveland, not to be mixed up with Cleveland Golf, has designed some incredible wedges for Callaway Golf. Noted for his skilful crafting of top-end wedges, Cleveland’s latest magic wands for the short game is out.

68 D300 DRIVER – SUPERLIGHT AND FAST LIKE USAIN BOLT! Wilson Golf is on a tear! Hot on the heels of the historic Triton launch, Wilson Golf has thrown itself headlong into the launch of its newest line of golf clubs – the Wilson D300 series which replaces the very successful D200 series which hit the market some two years ago.

We at A have ha exploits front of awesom

30 PIN HAS BE

In the g to witne legacy f and to s the thir is the w manufa equipm the Solh family b legenda 2000 at

36 MIS

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REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

Mike Sebastian Editor/Chief Executive Ofﬁcer [mike@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITORS

James Graham Prusa Correspondent

Angela Raymond President [angela@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Alan Campbell (China/Middle East) Correspondent

Andy Stangenberg Club Services Advisor

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Raquel Arcega

Tony Meechai (Black Hat Golf Tips -Thailand)

Executive Creative Art Director [raquel@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

(Pro Tour College)

David Milne & Lawrie Montague

INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Alice Ho Business Executive [alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Alice Ho Email: alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com

ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP(2014) PTE LTD

Wayne Lwee Head, Digital Network/Video Editor [wayne@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

1 Yishun Industrial Street 1, #07-23 A’posh Bizhub, Singapore 768160 Tel: +65 6323 2800 | Fax: +65 6323 2838 Company Registration No.: 201405689G

Myra Paras Accounts Executive [myra@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

No part of Asian Golf may be reproduced in any other publications, printed or published without the written permission of the publisher. Opinions in Asian Golf are the writers’ and are not necessarily endorsed by Asian Golf. Asian Golf accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. Manuscripts, photographs and artwork will not be returned unless accompanied by appropriate postage.

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

FROM THE PUBLISHER SHARED THOUGHTS

Twenty-ﬁve thousand juniors – that’s a staggering number by any stretch of the imagination. This is the sort of numbers that the Mission Hills Group of China is talking about when casting a dragnet to attract and develop junior talent in golf (read article inside). It’s a gargantuan undertaking and if this Chinese behemoth continues with its commitment to junior golf development, strap on your seat belts and get ready for a high speed ride that will start producing golf’s stars of the future in no time at all!

SIAN GOLF sees this as a huge development that can and will do a lot of good for junior golf development. Just imagine if this can be done on an Asia-wide level, perhaps not to the same scale as that being done by the Mission Hills Group. If only each golf club in Asia can play its part to adopt 100 junior golfers a year and provide these youngsters with an introduction to the game and access to their respective golf courses, Asia would have the most ambitious junior golf development programme in the world. Asia has something like over 5000 golf clubs extending from Japan in the North to Indonesia in the South and all across to Pakistan in the West. That’s a huge geography and if we can make it work, more than 500,000 juniors would get a chance to look in on golf! How good is that? There are some twenty national golf associations in Asia and these bodies come under the auspices of the Asia Paciﬁc Golf Confederation. Perhaps the time has come for all of these national bodies, working in concert with their member clubs, come together to embark on an ambitious drive to grow junior golf. We are not speaking about talk – talk is cheap. We advocate ACTION and it’s about time

8 9 ASIAN GOLF 197

FEBRUARY 2017

that the sleepy national golf associations (not all of them) should be given a kick up their posteriors and awoken to do some real work. Don’t depend on foreign agencies to do the job for you. These foreign agencies have their own agendas and while they may sing the praises of junior golf development, they help a select few and it’s all about scoring points for themselves. It is a brutally honest observation and we just have to call a spade a spade! The Mission Hills Group has started the ball rolling and knowing the Chu brothers, Dr. Ken Chu and Tenniel Chu, they would welcome the role of leading the thrust forward to grow junior golf. Junior development is just not about introducing our young to golf and developing stars – both amateur and professional. It is about guaranteeing the sustainable longevity of golf in Asia. For too long, golf has occupied a very sacred domain as an elite sport. This has to change. We have some 2 billion people who populate our part of this planet and a good percentage are young, active, upwardly mobile and with growing disposable income. Our golf clubs need to propagate and regenerate membership growth. Where’s this going to come from? It

REGULARS

FASHION TREND

6 EDITORIAL TEAM

8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

GAME-IMPROVEMENT

25,000 junior golfers through its doors STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE the year. WE SAY! DON’T DEPENDduring ON FOREIGN AGENCIES ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we IT’S YOU XTREME PETTICOAT DOthe THE JOB62FOR . THESE FOR- POWER ad a front row seat toTO witness FOR PXG s of this golf phenom unfold right in EIGN AGENCIES HAVE THEIR OWN AGENDAS AND of profesBucking all trends in the world our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly sional golf, Parsons Xtreme Golf has

me!

WHILE THEY MAY SING THE PRAISES OF JUNIOR taken a bold decision to hedge its bets on more top players. However, PXG’s strategy G – THE BATON GOLF DEVELOPMENT, THEY HELP A SELECT for 2017 is a real game-changer – it is EEN PASSED notSCORING looking at the guys but instead has its FEWweAND ’S fortunate ALL ABOUT POINTS olf industry, have IT been

eyes glued to some of the biggest stars on ess the successful transition of a T IS A BRUTALLY FOR THEMSELVES the highly popular LPGA Tour. from the founder to his eldest son see the process repeat itself with HONEST OBSERVATION AND WE JUST HAVE 76 LEGAL EAGLE WITH AN EYE FOR d generation. The company in focus GOLF AND CLASSIC CARS TO CALL SPADE A SPADE world renowned PINGACorporation, For years, ASIAN GOLF has been bringing acturer of some of the ﬁnest golf you news about professional golfers, ent in the world and the family is certainly is not going tothe materialise from thin air. great golf equipment and the companies heim clan which has managed that call the shots in the golf industry. businessThe since its formation by the answer lies in junior golf development. Grow Starting ary Karsten Solheim the base and who it willpassed in turninnourish growth.with 2017, we thought we’d break away from convention and look at adding the ripe old age of 88. So, we hope that national golf associaa new dimension to our coverage of the tions and golf clubs in Asia makegame a serious SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG! of golf in the region. So, it is with move to turn our onemto golf. The game has that we are launching great pleasure nt Mission Hills Group of kids China n a massive dream project grow not changed. It’s stilltothe greatest“Celebrity game on Corner” with this issue of ASIAN GOLF. The spotlight falls on golf. In commemoration of its 25th Earth! a top corporate lawyer, football rsary (Mission Hills was founded in supremo, golfer and classic car he world’s largest golf resort has collector. lf a target of welcoming more than

C H O O S E T H E B E ST

o T HE NE W TITLE IST New Pro V1 and Pro V1x are the most technologically advanced golf balls in the game. Both provide exceptional distance, Drop-and-Stopâ&#x201E;˘ control and long lasting durability. This along with unmatched quality and consistency, golf ball to golf ball,

Our longest Pro V1 yet has a faster engine with lower long game spin, and a penetrating trajectory with even more consistent flight.

FO R YO U R G A M E.FASHION TREND

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8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

PRO V1 AND PRO V1x.

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we 62 IT’S XTREME PETTICOAT POWER ad a front row seat to witness the FOR PXG s of this golf phenom unfold right in Bucking all trends in the world of profesour eyes. It’stobeen dozen dozen.spell-bindingly Comparing models, new Pro V1 has a lower flight and softer feel sional golf, Parsons Xtreme Golf has me! a bold decision hedge than Pro V1x. So whether you choose thetaken total performance of the toV or the X,its bets on PXG’s strategy G – THE youBATON are making the best choice for your more game. top Visitplayers. titleist.asiaHowever, to learn more. for 2017 is a real game-changer – it is EEN PASSED not looking at the guys but instead has its olf industry, we have been fortunate eyes glued to some of the biggest stars on ess the successful transition of a the highly popular LPGA Tour. from the founder to his eldest son see the process repeat itself with 76 LEGAL EAGLE WITH AN EYE FOR d generation. The company in focus GOLF AND CLASSIC CARS world renowned PING Corporation, For years, ASIAN GOLF has been bringing acturer of some of the ﬁnest golf you news about professional golfers, ent in the world and the family is great golf equipment and the companies heim clan which has managed the that call the shots in the golf industry. business since its formation by the Starting with 2017, we thought we’d break ary Karsten Solheim who passed in away from convention and look at adding the ripe old age of 88. a new dimension to our coverage of the SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG! game of golf in the region. So, it is with great pleasure that we are launching nt Mission Hills Group of China em“Celebrity Corner” with this issue of n a massive dream project to grow ASIAN GOLF. The spotlight falls on golf. In commemoration of its 25th a top corporate lawyer, football rsary (Mission Hills was founded in supremo, golfer and classic car he world’s largest golf resort has collector. lf a target of welcoming more than

82 HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR BUTT WHEN PLAYING GOLF? We promise you that this article is strictly on the level and it has nothing to do with anything vulgar! In fact, many golfers don’t realise the role that the rear end plays in golf. Believe me, by the time you’re done reading this article and watching the The extraordinary distanceaccompanying and high launchvideo, you will be sold on the of the Pro V1x is enhanced with improved importance of the role your butt plays! aerodynamics for its most consistent ﬂight ever.

I am THONGCHAI JAIDEE and my life revolves around Black Mountain. As a professional golfer, I have constant access to a world class golf course that helps me stay at the top of my game. I love life and Black Mountain offers the ideal setting for quality living in a perfectly managed and well-balanced environment. As a family man, Black Mountain is safe and a perfect place to grow my family. What more can I ask for? Come and be part of Black Mountain. Black Mountain Golf Club – a small piece of heaven on earth.

Black Mountain Golf Club – Asia’s Winningest Golf Club

Petchakasem Rd, Hua Hin, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand Tel: +66 32 618 666 | Email: proshop@bmghuahin.com | www.blackmountainhuahin.com

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

HIGH DRAW

BABY FADE

LOW CUT

ATTACK FLAG

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OBEYS YOUR EVERY COMMAND.

NEW

EVERY CLUB’S A SCORING CLUB

PING engineers designed the new iBlade iron for golfers who rely on the workability, precision and control to execute the most demanding shots in the game. Precision cast from 431 stainless steel, the compact head delivers the softest, purest feel ever in a PING iron. The thin face accelerates ball speeds for added distance, and tungsten weighting provides forgiveness when you need it. Visit a PING Authorized Clubfitter today and get fit for technology that rewards your 100% commitment to every shot. ©2016 PING P.O. BOX 82000 PHOENIX, AZ 85071 XXXXXXX

NEW

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TO BREAK THE MOLD. TO

ANSER 2

PECIAL FEATURE

VOSS

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

OSLO

The world’s number one name in golf shoes, FootJoy has hit the road running for 2017. It has launched its latest the FootJoy ContourFIT. The Contour franchise is said to be the best-selling shoe franchise of all time. It was originally created with an emphasis on comfort.

GAME-IMPROVEMENT

25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

BERGEN

olf industry, we have been fortunate ess the successful transition of a from the founder to his eldest son see the process repeat itself with 76 LEGAL EAGLE WITH AN EYE FOR d generation. The company in focus GOLF AND CLASSIC CARS world renowned PING Corporation, PING Vault are engineered For years, ASIANputters GOLF has been bringing to exacting acturer of some of the ﬁnest golf The new and about fully machined the tightest tolerances you news professionaltogolfers, ent in the world and the family is standards for improving your touch, consistency and speed control. great golf equipment and the companies heim clan which has managed the thatTrue-Roll call the shots in the golfoffers industry. business since its formation by thePatented technology a precision-milled Starting 2017, up we off-center thought we’d break leading to ary Karsten Solheim who passedface in design thatwith speeds impacts, away from convention look at adding the ripe old age of 88. fewer three-putts. Get fit forand your stroke type today with a new dimension to our coverage of the clean,a classic blade model or a stable, forgiving mallet SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG! game of golf in the region. So, it is with in platinum or slate. You’ll be better for it. great pleasure that we are launching nt Mission Hills Group of China em“Celebrity Corner” with this issue of n a massive dream project to grow VISIT PING.COM ASIAN GOLF. The spotlight falls on golf. In commemoration of its 25th a top corporate lawyer, football rsary (Mission Hills was founded in supremo, golfer and classic car he world’s largest golf resort has collector. lf a target of welcoming more than

MORE CONSISTENCY. FEWER 3-PUTTS.

SERIES

44 FOOTJOY CONTOURFIT UPS THE ANTE

NEW FROM TITLEIST COVER STORY CLICK TO LEARN MORE

16 17 ASIAN GOLF 197

FEBRUARY 2017

COVER STORY

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

NEW FROM TITLEIST

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

“E

very time we set out to develop new Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, our challenge is to set an even higher benchmark for golf ball performance,” said Michael Mahoney, Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball Marketing. “We are constantly in the field talking to golfers of all skill levels about what we can do to help them shoot lower scores. At the same time, the Titleist Golf Ball R&D and Operations teams are working together to develop new golf ball technologies that deliver performance golfers may not yet realize they need. It’s because of this ownership and commitment at every step of the process that we’re able to deliver meaningful performance improvements and make the best golf balls in the game even better.” Bill Morgan, Senior Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball R&D was quick to chime in: “No matter your playing ability, golfers have a simple choice when it comes to choosing the best golf ball for their game. Either Pro V1 or Pro V1x will give you the best opportunity to shoot your lowest score. The decision purely comes down to flight, feel and spin.” Morgan added, “As we’ve told the pros, while you may consider yourself a ‘V’ or an ‘X’ player, we think this a great time for you to re-evaluate both Pro V1 and Pro V1x to see which 2017 model is the best fit for your game.” This is all serious talk and Titleist certainly means business and it intends to doggedly protect its market share. Speaking about dominance it would be of interest to readers that Titleist is the #1 ball for more players and more champions across the worldwide professional tours. In 2016, Titleist golf ball players recorded 189 victories around the world, more than

18 19 ASIAN GOLF 197

FEBRUARY 2017

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

ﬁve times the nearest competitor with 36. And since its introduction in 2000, the Pro V1 golf ball franchise has been the golf ball of choice for more than 2,500 champions worldwide. This success is due primarily to Titleist’s no-nonsense quality control – nothing gets out until it has been tried, tested and proven to work. The new Pro Vs were no exception. Prior to launch, the testing and validation process for the 2017 Pro V1 and Pro V1x included more than 80,000 golfers of all skill levels who received numerous iterations of prototypes throughout the rigorous two-year development process. This included six different double-blind prototype tests during the summer and fall of 2015 that were instrumental in determining the ﬁnal 2017 designs. This is the undeniable hallmark of being the best! Now, let’s get back to the new Pro Vs and conduct a drill-down on what makes the brand the winningest golf ball of all time. What is truly amazing is how Titleist packs so much of technology into a golf ball. To the average Joe, a golf ball is a golf ball and that’s it. Sorry folks, we beg to differ! At ASIAN GOLF, we have tried all of the Pro V iterations going back for some ten years and we must declare that the latest offerings are by far the most innovative. So, what are the technological milestones of the new Pro Vs? Top of the list are advancements that include new core and aerodynamic designs and the following are the key highpoints:

IF A GOLFER HITS A NUMBER OF GOLF BALLS, THEY WILL FLY THROUGH A ‘WINDOW’ IN THE AIR. WHAT WE’VE DONE WITH 2017 PRO V1 AND PRO V1X IS MAKE THAT WINDOW SMALLER, WHICH IS THE RESULT OF A MORE CONSISTENT FLIGHT,” MORGAN SAID. “WE GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO ENSURE THAT PRO V1 AND PRO V1X ARE PRECISION EQUIPMENT. WE KNOW GOLFERS DEPEND ON THAT CONSISTENCY ON EVERY SHOT IN THEIR ROUND. 20 21 ASIAN GOLF 197

FEBRUARY 2017

The longest Pro V1 ever – the 2017 Pro V1 has been reengineered with a Next Generation 2.0 ZG Process Core that delivers longer distance on all shots through lower long game spin and faster ball speed, while maintaining the very soft feel and superior short-game performance that Pro V1 players demand. A new spherically tiled 352 tetrahedral dimple design produces a penetrating trajectory with even more consistent flight. The extraordinary distance of the 2017 Pro V1x – the new ball features a ZG Process Dual Core, and this is enhanced by a new spherically tiled 328 tetrahedral dimple design that produces a high trajectory with its most consistent flight ever. Great short game qualities – the 2017 Pro V1 and Pro V1x continue to deliver superior short game scoring performance. This is because the soft Urethane Elastomer cover system used on both models is precisely formulated to deliver Drop-and-Stop greenside control with soft feel, providing golfers with the performance and confidence to hit it closer to the hole. The soft Urethane Elastomer cover, created by a chemical reaction that takes place during the casting process, also provides long-lasting durability throughout the course of play. Advanced aerodynamics - the aerodynamic improvements of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x result in a more consistent trajectory. Key to this is the new dimple designs on both 2017 Pro V1 and Pro V1x which feature improved dimple placement that produce even more consistent surfaces. Hence a more aerodynamically consistent flight. “If a golfer hits a number of golf balls, they will fly through a ‘window’ in the air. What we’ve done with 2017 Pro V1 and Pro V1x is make that window smaller, which is the result of a more consistent flight,” Morgan said. “We go to great lengths to ensure that Pro V1 and Pro V1x are precision equipment. We know golfers depend on that consistency on every shot in their round.” There’s no denying the fact – the new Pro Vs pack distance and control, especially at the scoring end of the game. Choosing between the total performance of Pro V1 and Pro V1x, golfers will notice differences in flight, feel and spin. Pro V1 flies lower with a penetrating trajectory and feels softer. Pro V1x flies higher, has a slightly firmer feel, and spins more on iron shots. The real measure of new Pro Vs comes via player validation on across the worldwide professional tours. Jordan Spieth,

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FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

company of Titleist, sales in

the half ended June 30, 2016, I THINK THE REMARKABLE reached US$903 million. By THING WITH THE NEW PRO V1GAME-IMPROVEMENT category, Titleist golf balls, its golfers through its. doors IS 25,000 HOW junior FAR IT GOES NOW I’ M HITTING largest category, saw sales of 82 HOW during the year. US$296.2 million. IT LONGER THAN I EVER HAVE BUT I IMPORTANT IS Acushnet is now a publicly

62 IT’S XTREME PETTICOAT POWER ALSO FOR HAVE PXG THAT SOFT FEEL LIKE WHEN BuckingUP all trends in the A world of profesI GREW PLAYING BALATA GOLF BALL

YOUR BUTT WHEN

listed company and accordPLAYING GOLF? ing to one stock analyst, We promise you that sional golf, Parsons Xtreme Golf has “Anchored by its golf ball segthis article is strictly IT S INCREDIBLY SOFT taken a bold decision to hedge its bets – onADAM SCOTT ment, the Titleist brand on the levelmainand it has more top players. However, PXG’s strategy G – THE BATON tains both thenothing #1 market to doshare with for 2017 is a real game-changer – it is EEN PASSED playing new Pro V1x for the first time in competition, won anything vulgar! In position as well as premium positioning.” That about sums not looking at the guys but instead has its olf industry, we have been fact, many golfers the Australian Openfortunate in mid-November 2016. Spieth said, it all up – Titleist can and will only get tougher! eyes glued to some of the biggest stars on ess the successful transition of a in Australia and in the first week don’t realise the role “I put new Pro V1x in play The vision that founder Phil “Skipper” Young, a the highly popular LPGA Tour. from the founder to his eldest son that the rear end we won. What I noticed immediately was the improved Massachusetts-based rubber entrepreneur had in see the process repeat itself with plays in back golf. Believe 76 LEGAL EAGLE WITH AN EYE FOR fl ight. It held its line in the crosswinds better.” Two weeks 1932, has paid off! In the 85 years since, me, Young’s company d generation. The company in focus by the time you’re GOLF AND CLASSIC CARS has gone through many iterations, and itdone later, Brandon Stone played new Pro V1 in his victory at the world renowned PING Corporation, reading this aris now arguably For years, ASIAN GOLF has been acturer of some ofTour’s the finest golf ticle and watching the European Alfred Dunhill Championship. the bringing largest golf equipment company in the world. you made news the about professional golfers, ent in the world and theAdam family is has also accompanying video, Australian Scott switch and great golf equipment and the companies heim clan which has managed the will be sold on the EDITOR’S BALL-NOTE: Every Pro V1you and Pro V1x is said, “I think the remarkable thing with the new Pro V1 is that call the shots in the golf industry. business since its formation by the importance of the role company’s how Solheim far it goes now. I’m hitting it Starting longer than ever have withI 2017, we thoughtmanufactured we’d break by Titleist associates in the ary Karsten who passed in your butt plays! state-of-the-art golf ball manufacturing facilities, to the have grewconvention up playingand a look away Ifrom at adding the ripebut oldI also age of 88. that soft feel like when a new dimension to our coverage of the highest performance and quality specifications in the balata golf ball – it’s incredibly soft.” SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG! gameand of golf in the it is with This investment in quality control ensures the Well, the new Pro Vs have arrived these newregion. balls So,industry. great pleasure that we are launching nt Mission Hills Group of China emmost consistent performance from ball to ball, and dozen most definitely further consolidate Titleist’s premier posi“Celebrity Corner” with this issue of n a massive dream project to grow to on dozen. This is critical to allowing golfers to consistenttion in the golf ball marketplace. To put this in The perspecASIAN GOLF. spotlight falls golf. In commemoration of its 25th ly execute the same types of shots, round after round. tive, according the latest parent topAcushnet, corporatethe lawyer, football rsary (Mission Hills wastofounded in filingsa of supremo, golfer and classic car he world’s largest golf resort has collector. lf a target of welcoming more than

– ’

NOVEMBER 14 – 16, 2017 | DANANG, VIETNAM The 2017 Asia Pacific Golf Summit will be the eleventh in the series and it is the longest running golf business and knowledge conference in Asia. Details will be available effective March 1, 2017 PRODUCED BY THE ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP (2014) PTE LTD. Suite 07-23 A’posh Bizhub, 1 Yishun Industrial Street 1, Singapore 768160 Tel: +65 6323 2800 • Fax: +65 6323 2838 Website: www.asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com

Working Towards Growing The Game Of Golf In A

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

44 FOOTJOY CONTOURFIT UPS THE ANTE

The world’s number one name in golf shoes, FootJoy has hit the road running for It has its latest the FootJoy • Asia is poised for steady2017. growth in launched golf tourism which will ContourFIT. The Contour franchise is said be more or less internally to driven the growth being ledof be thewith best-selling shoe franchise time. It was originally with an by China, Japan, Korea andallSoutheast Asia whichcreated collectively emphasis on comfort.

account for nearly 2 billion people and a generally youthful and economically mobile population.

• The professional tours (PGA Tour/European Tour/Asian Tour will all be ramping up more tournaments in Asia. The PGA Tour, the world’s largest, already has offices in Japan, Korea, China and Malaysia with mega events like the CIMB Classic (Malaysia US$7 million); Korea - US$9.25 million etc.

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in SPONSOR: ourHOST eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON

EEN PASSED Asia!

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

• Golf clubs in Asia need to re-position to deliver a more engaging, attractively packaged and appealing proposition to a wide audience made up of Millenials, Gen Xers, Gen Ys and Gen Z. A new direction is urgently needed. The old adage applies - golf is not my father’s game - it needs to be re-engineered and made 25,000 junior golfers through its doors revelant to rapidly changing times.82 HOW during the year.

GAME-IMPROVEMENT

IMPORTANT IS 62 IT’S XTREME PETTICOAT POWER YOUR BUTT WHEN • Vietnam, as the fastest emerging nation on the Planet with FOR PXG PLAYING GOLF? regards to golf will playing a major role in the development of

Bucking all trends in the world of profesWe promise you that golfXtreme and will a new direction for the growth of golf. sional golf, Parsons Golfprovide has this article is strictly taken a bold decision to hedge its bets on on the level and it has more top players. However, PXG’s strategy nothing to do with for 2017 is a real game-changer – it is anything vulgar! In not looking at the guys but instead has its fact, many golfers eyes glued to some of the biggest stars on don’t realise the role the highly popular LPGA Tour. that the rear end plays in golf. Believe 76 LEGAL EAGLE WITH AN EYE FOR me, by the time you’re GOLF AND CLASSIC CARS done reading this arFor years, ASIAN GOLF has been bringing ticle and watching the you news about professional golfers, accompanying video, great golf equipment and the companies you will be sold on the that call the shots in the golf industry. importance of the role Starting with 2017, we thought we’d break your butt plays! away from convention and look at adding a new dimension to our coverage of the game of golf in the region. So, it is with great pleasure that we are launching “Celebrity Corner” with this issue of ASIAN GOLF. The spotlight falls on a top corporate lawyer, football supremo, golfer and classic car collector.

24 25 ASIAN GOLF 197

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SPECIAL FEATURE

RECORD BREAKER EXTRAORDINAIRE!

Justin Thomas holds up the winner’s trophy with his parents, Mike and Jani Thomas, after winning the 2017 Sony Open at the Waialae Country Club.

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

PHOTO CREDIT: ASIAN TOUR

2016 CIMB Classic: Justin Thomas being congratulated by the Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Tun Razak

Justin Thomas – this kid just crept up on almost all of us. Sure, he won the CIMB Classic in Malaysia in 2015 but so what – he was just another young jock making a run for glory on the world’s biggest professional stage for golf – the PGA Tour.

26 27 ASIAN GOLF 197

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e did not hear too much after that win and then he resurfaced with a repeat performance a year later with a win at the CIMB Classic in 2016. Again, the reaction was sort of ho-hum – yeah, another win for a wholesome looking kid from Kentucky. There wasn’t any really serious appraisal of his game by any of the golfing pundits. It must be pointed out at this juncture that Thomas has quite a pedigree in golf going for him. The son of a one-time PGA Tour professional, Thomas first picked up a golf club when he was a toddler, aged two. From the age of eight he has been winning a ton of tournaments as an amateur. He started to show early promise but nobody saw the big potential that this young man had on offer. Thomas turned professional in 2013 and by 2015, he had collected seven top-10s and 15 top-25s, with two fourth-place finishes and finished 32nd at the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup, losing the Rookie of the Year award to Daniel Berger. We guess it was only natural for Thomas to go through the mill so to speak and he has now emerged, fully matured and ready to take the throne as a great champion golfer. After he won the Sony Open in Hawaii, which came in quick succession to his victory at the Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, ASIAN GOLF’s Facebook page exhorted the golf world with this call: “Forget Jason Day.

THE MEGA STAR OF THE Forget Jordan Spieth. Forget Rory McIlroy. Forget Dustin Johnson. Forget Henrik Stenson. Forget Hideki Matsuyama. And most of all, forget Tiger Woods.” In a breaking news report, ASIAN GOLF said, “The mega star of the moment is a kid called Justin Thomas. If you thought that Jordan Spieth was the all-American boy, this guy is the real deal all-American hero, apple pie, peanut butter and jelly wrapped up in an explosive golﬁng wunderkind made to kill!” “Thomas is a “killing machine” that the U.S. Pentagon would be proud to adopt as a mascot. How lethal is this kid? Lethal really does not describe what makes this 145-pound youngster kick sand into the faces of his foes. This guy is totally destructive and oblivious of fear!” ASIAN GOLF added. Last October, he sweated his way through the 2016 U.S.$7 million CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur to win by a total score of 23-under par, three clear strokes ahead of Hideki Matsuyama.

MOMENT IS A KID CALLED

JUSTIN THOMAS. IF YOU THOUGHT THAT JORDAN SPIETH WAS THE ALL-AMERICAN BOY, THIS GUY IS THE REAL DEAL ALL-AMERICAN HERO, APPLE PIE, PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY WRAPPED UP IN AN EXPLOSIVE GOLFING WUNDERKIND MADE TO KILL! In the 2017 PGA Tour curtain-raiser, he turned on the heat again and wiped out Matsuyama at the Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii when he streaked ahead by another three-stroke margin to wrap up with another double-digit score of 22-under par. And then, at the Sony Open, just a week after the Kapalua slaughter, he annihilated a super strong full-ﬁeld at the Sony Open in Hawaii by

IT’S BEEN AN UNBELIEVABLE WEEK. UNFORGETTABLE,” WAS ALL THAT THOMAS COULD SAY AFTER LIFTING THE SONY OPEN TROPHY. WE AT ASIAN GOLF ARE ONLY HAPPY THAT WE HAVE HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT TO WITNESS THE EXPLOITS OF THIS GOLF PHENOM UNFOLD RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR EYES. IT’S BEEN SPELL-BINDINGLY AWESOME! Justin Thomas holds up the winner’s trophy after winning the 2017 Sony Open in Hawaii at the Waialae Country Club, Sunday, January 15, 2017.

smashing his way through to another convincing win and leaving Justin Rose, Olympic and U.S. Open champ in the dust. Not only did he whup Rose, he took apart Jordan Spieth who only managed a final score of 19-under par. Just in case you’re wondering, Thomas beat up on everyone and romped home with a final score of 27-under par. And for his marauding performance, he banked in a cool US$1 million dollars! The U.S. million dollar cash prize aside, Thomas set records at the Sony Open – a first round 59, a record score for 36 holes and a record low 54-round score. And let’s not forget that he also set the lowest score returned in history for a 72-hole PGA tournament. Other records that he set include: The first player since Tiger Woods in 2009 (Buick Open and Bridgestone Invitational) to win back-to-back weeks by three shots or more. Thomas joined Ernie Els as the only players to sweep Hawaii in two weeks. Thomas joined Johnny Miller (1974 and

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1975) and Tiger Woods (2003, 2008, 2013) as the only players since 1970 to win three of the their ﬁrst ﬁve starts in a PGA Tour season. A one-man show on the PGA Tour and it has propelled him to the #8 spot on the OWGR. #1 on the 2017 Fedex Cup standings. “It’s been an unbelievable week. Unforgettable,” was all that Thomas could say after lifting the Sony Open Trophy. We at ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we have had a front row seat to witness the exploits of this golf phenom unfold right in front of our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly awesome!

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

JOHN K SOLHEIM SPECIAL FEATIRE

The passing of control of a corporation from one member of a family to another, a younger member of the family, is always an interesting development to watch. Perhaps the one thing that is most watched is the upholding of traditions and values from one generation to the next because therein lies the very foundation of any organisation, business or otherwise.

n the golf industry, we have been fortunate to witness the successful transition of a legacy from the founder to his eldest son and to see the process repeat itself with the third generation. The company in focus is the world renowned PING Corporation, manufacturer of some of the ďŹ nest golf equipment in the world and the family is the Solheim clan which has managed the family business since its formation by the legendary Karsten Solheim who passed in 2000 at the ripe old age of 88. Well before that, one of three sons, the youngest, John A. Solheim assumed control of PING in 1995 and went on to build the PING Company that we know today. John was the second generation. More than two decades have since gone by and John has embarked on the third generation of Solheims to take over the reins at the company. PING is a family run business and the man selected to eventually take charge of the company is Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest son, John K. The younger Solheim was recently appointed as President of PING while his father, John Sr. will stay on as Chairman.

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REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

ASIAN GOLF met with Joh time he said, “John K. has been last several years, and he’s rea together with the other third-g our strong teams throughout th dent John K. will continue to ad engineering innovative, perform highest quality while providing For reactions to the appoin John K. and the following are ex

ASIAN GOLF: How do you view President of PING especially in is going through a very tough p opportunity or both? JOHN K. SOLHEIM: The golf ind time now. It makes it a challeng think long term at PING and I be terms of sporting goods market many opportunities.

DOING THINGS THE RIGHT WAY AS A BRAND LEADS TO LIFE-LONG CONNECTIONS WITH CONSUMERS. TOP OF THE LIST IS INNOVATIVE, HIGH-PERFORMING PRODUCT THAT IS CUSTOM FIT AND CUSTOM BUILT TO THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER. OUR TEAMS ALSO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE WHICH LEAVES PEOPLE FEELING GOOD ABOUT THEIR DECISION TO BUY

PING PRODUCTS. WE STAND BEHIND OUR PRODUCTS AND GOLFERS APPRECIATE OUR COMMITMENT TO THE GAME.

AG: You represent the third ge legacy at PING – do you see a n it steers itself into a new era in JKS: No, I think the vision that m forth many years ago remains s custom ﬁt and custom build the the industry. That will not chang

AG: One of the hallmarks of th dedication to innovation and ad nology. Do you see PING’s uniq development serving as the cu company and its products alwa JKS: Yes, golf consumers are sm good products. So our focus on serves us very well. We will con 32 33 ASIAN GOLF 197

FEBRUARY 2017

n Sr. last year during which n preparing for this role for the ady to take the next step, and 6 EDITORIAL TEAM eneration family members, and he organization, I’m conﬁdvance our primary goal of mance-based products of the unmatched levels of service.” tment, ASIAN GOLF spoke with xcerpts from that interview:

REGULARS

w your ascendency to becoming n a time when the golf industry phase. Is this a challenge or an

dustry has been tough for some ge to ﬁnd the opportunities. We elieve golf is here to stay. In ts golf is huge, so there are still

neers, provide them the best tools, and rely on our world-class product-development process to guide us.

FASHION TREND

AG: If there is one thing that PING is known for is its ability 8 to SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER 44 FOOTJOY CONTOURFIT UPS THE ANTE command the loyalty of its customers. What causes this The world’s number one name in golf stickiness between PING and its customers? shoes, FootJoy has hit the road running for life-long JKS: Doing things the right way as a brand leads to 2017. It has launched its latest the FootJoy connections with consumers. Top of the list is innovative, ContourFIT. The Contour franchise is said to be the best-selling shoe franchise of high-performing product that is custom ﬁt and custom all time. It was originally created with an built to the individual player. Our teams also provide emphasis on comfort. exceptional service which leaves people feeling good about their decision to buy PING products. We stand behind our products and golfers appreciate our commitment to the game.

AG: As a younger person who is representative of the emerging population demographics, do you see a need for PING

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

62 IT’S XTREME PETTICOAT POWER FOR PXG

Bucking all trends in the world of professional golf, Parsons Xtreme Golf has taken a bold decision to hedge its bets on more top players. However, PXG’s strategy G – THE BATON for 2017 is a real game-changer – it is EEN PASSED not looking at the guys but instead has its olf industry, we Solheim have been fortunate to address itself to younger golfers who do show a definite eneration in the eyes glued to some of the biggest stars on ess the successful transitionas of a new vision for the company affithe nityhighly to break awayLPGA fromTour. convention. Put simply, do you see popular from the founder to his eldest son n the industry? yourself upholding PING’s traditional conservatism, which is see the process repeat itself with 76 LEGAL EAGLE EYE FOR my grandfather Karsten set in focus pretty much the ethosWITH of theAN company? d generation. The company GOLF CLASSIC CARS on this, and we have made sound.renowned We custom engineer, I’ve AND already been working world PING Corporation, JKS: Forprogress years, ASIAN GOLF has been acturer of some of the finestin golf e best-performing products good with consumers my bringing age. As I’m getting older, news aboutsure professional golfers, to the next generation ent in the world and the family is ge. we you need to make we are relevant great equipment and the companies heim clan which has managed the taking upgolf golf. e PING brand been its by the that call the shots in the golf industry. business since has its formation with 2017,the weyounger thought demographics we’d break ary Karsten Solheim who techpassed in AG:Starting dvancement in golf club Speaking about and its seemfrom convention at adding theapproach ripe old age of 88. que to research and ingaway lack of interest in golfand as look indicated by the slow uptake of a new dimension to our coverage of the utting edge that will keepBIG! the the game amongst this group, what effect, if any, has there SSION HILLS DREAMS game of golf in the region. So, it is with ays relevant to golfers? been on PING? great pleasure that we are launching nt Mission Hills Group of China emmart and they quickly identify The whole industry has seen thisofwith the slow decline of “Celebrity Corner” with this issue n a massive dream project to grow JKS: ASIAN GOLF. falls on On the positive side there golf. In commemoration of its 25th innovation and engineering equipment salesThe overspotlight the last decade. top of corporate lawyer, football golfers. I know a lot of golfrsary (Mission Hills was founded in arealots ntinue to hire the best engigreat young competitive supremo, golfer and classic car he world’s largest golf resort has collector. lf a target of welcoming more than

ers my age who had never played until they turned 30. I think we could see a similar trend with today’s youth. AG: PING has a very dynamic commitment to junior golfers and this is somewhat of a policy tradition with the company. Do you see a beeﬁng up of this commitment under your watch as President? JKS: We just introduced the new G812 driver for kids ages 8 to 12. This sprang from an idea I had. I wanted a club for a competitive junior golfer that blew away the performance of any kids’ driver or any cut-down adult driver. My son is constantly asking me who has the best driver and I love telling him that for his golf swing he has a better driver than mine. AG: Generally speaking, give us your personal take on junior golf development. Is enough being done to expose the game to juniors and to sustain their interest? JKS: Here is my theory. When I grew up, kids played different sports all year round. In the summer we played golf. Today kids are more one-sport focused year round. Golf is tough to play all year in a lot of places, so this makes it hard for kids to focus on golf when other sports are asking for year-round commitments. AG: You spent some time in Asia and you have a good sense of the pulse of the region. Given this insight and knowledge of the lay of the land, do you see the future of golf growing at a faster pace in Asia than anywhere else in the world? JKS: For PING, Asia is a very important region. We have a great opportunity to grow our market share there and we are seeing great gains recently in areas like Japan and South Korea. I see both of those big markets being similar 34 35 ASIAN GOLF 197

FEBRUARY 2017

to the U.S. from a growth perspective. Golf has become part of the culture so it is not going to disappear. At the same time it’s not growing, so we expect a ﬂat market. In the developing countries it is hard to predict. We had great hopes for places like China, but now golf is really being challenged there. AG: Related to the previous question, Asian women now dominate on the LPGA Tour and Asian men are beginning to assert themselves on the PGA Tour and European Tour with the likes of Hideki Matsuyama and other emerging stars. Do you see this trend being sustained going forward? JKS: My sense is American and European players will get better to match the Asian women. For the men, I think Hideki’s success will encourage more Asian men to improve their games to also have success on the PGA Tour. Long term, I don’t think any region will dominate, but they will all have times where they have the top players raising the game in their respective regions. AG: As you assume duties as President of PING, share with us your wish list of some of the developments that we can expect to see from PING under your watch in the near future? JKS: In the near future, I see us evolving our advertising strategies to better drive golfers to go into golf shops asking to try and be custom ﬁt for PING equipment. We recently built a new facility in Europe and moved into a new building in Japan. We have plans to upgrade our facility in Phoenix as well to ensure we’re able to continue to design and build industry-leading products that will help everyone play better golf. Overall, the number 1 objective is the best clubs in golf, but that isn’t a big surprise or change of direction.

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

62 IT’S XTREME PETTICOAT POWER FOR PXG

IN GOLFING HEAVEN

Bucking all trends in the world of professional golf, Parsons Xtreme Golf has taken a bold decision to hedge its bets on more top players. However, PXG’s strategy G – THE BATON for Hills 2017 is a real game-changer it is EEN PASSED he IMG-managed Ba Na Golf Club is set in the –foothills not looking at the guys but instead has its olf industry, we have fortunate andbeen native forests of the famed Ba Na Hills, only 25 minutes from eyes glued to some of the biggest stars on ess the successful Da transition of aVietnam. This stunning property is set among some Nang City, the highly popular LPGA Tour. from the founder toofhis son theeldest most impressive mountain ranges in the region complementing see the process repeat itself with the inaugural Luke Donald designedEAGLE course. WITH Ba Na AN HillsEYE GolfFOR Club 76 LEGAL d generation. The company in focus was also awarded “World’s Best New GolfAND Course” at the World GOLF CLASSIC CARSGolf Awards world renowned PING Corporation, For years, ASIAN GOLF has been bringing acturer2016. of some of the ﬁnest golf you news about professional golfers, ent in the world and the family is The which spectacular course that found byand the the design team to great golfwas equipment companies heim clan has managed thenature provided provide great experience for golfersthat of every level. call the shots in the golf industry. business sinceaits formation by the Starting with 2017, we thought we’d break ary Karsten Solheim who passed in away convention and look at adding Book bestfrom courses. the ripe oldnow age to ofenjoy 88. one of the world’s a new dimension to our coverage of the SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG! game of golf in the region. So, it is with great pleasure that we are launching nt Mission Hills Group of China em“Celebrity Corner” with this issue of n a massive dream project to grow ASIAN GOLF. The spotlight falls on golf. In commemoration of its 25th a top corporate lawyer, football rsary (Mission Hills was founded in supremo, golfer and classic car he world’s largest golf resort has collector. lf a target of welcoming more than

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

INDULGE YOURSELF

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

44 FOOTJOY CONTOURFIT UPS THE ANTE

36 37 ASIAN GOLF 197

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SPECIAL FEATURE

MISSION HILLS JUNIOR GOLF

Ever since Asian Golf has been in publication, we have seen, heard REGULARS FASHION TREND

and read a whole bunch of pulpit sermons and platitudes from golf’s 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER 44 FOOTJOY CONTOURFIT UPS THE ANTE preaching prophets relating to junior golf development. these The world’sMost numberof one name in golf shoes, FootJoy has hit the road running for pronouncements, while sounding sincere, have invariably beenitsjust noise. 2017. It has launched latest the FootJoy ContourFIT. The Contour franchise is said A lot of talk with no hard cash being placed where the mouth is! Get it! to be the best-selling shoe franchise of all everyone time. It was originally created with an We want to qualify that we do not want to tarnish with one emphasis on comfort. bold sweep of the brush. There are some, unfortunately, they rank in the minority, who are doing their damnedest to help junior golf and we salute these organisations and individuals.

6 EDITORIAL TEAM

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

eep on dreaming and dream BIG like one of the world’s greatest dreamers, Walt Disney. He relished dreams. To Disney, the realization and actualization of anything, regardless of size and complexity always starts with a dream. In fact, he is quoted as having said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” How apt! We are now seeing this quotation play out in real life as the giant Mission Hills Group of China embarks on a massive dream project to grow junior golf. Known for its out-of-the-box-thinking and the derring-do to pull off spectacular undertakings, the group has deemed that 2017 will be a hallmark year for junior golf development. In commemoration of its 25th anniversary (Mission Hills was founded in

JUNIOR GOLF HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE HEART OF THE

MISSION HILLS PHILOSOPHY, SO TO CELEBRATE OUR 25TH YEAR WE ARE AIMING TO BREAK ALL RECORDS WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE THAN

25,000 YOUNG GOLFERS.

18 39 38 19 ASIAN GOLF 197

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REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

“As the world’s largest golf club in the world’s most populated country, we want to help boost the game in China. We will bring golf to tens of thousands of kids of all ages and abilities during 2017 and beyond.” To get this ambitious programme off the ground, Mission Hills has launched a schedule of more than 50 junior golf tournaments, clinics and coaching programmes over the next 12 months, including its Mission Hills Junior Series and par-three Academy Series which have already been launched. Mission Hills will also provide free entry for juniors into its recently opened Dr. David Chu Golf

MISSION HILLS HAS LAUNCHED A SCHEDULE OF MORE THAN 50 JUNIOR GOLF TOURNAMENTS, CLINICS AND COACHING PROGRAMMES OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, INCLUDING ITS MISSION HILLS JUNIOR SERIES AND PAR-THREE ACADEMY SERIES WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN LAUNCHED. 1992), the world’s largest golf resort has set itself a target of welcoming more than 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year. “Junior golf has always been at the heart of the Mission Hills philosophy, so to celebrate our 25th year we are aiming to break all records with opportunities for more than 25,000 young golfers,” said Tenniel Chu, Vice-Chairman of Mission Hills Group. 40 41 ASIAN GOLF 197

FEBRUARY 2017

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

62 IT’S XTREME PETTICOAT POWER FOR PXG

82 HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR BUTT WHEN PLAYING GOLF?

Bucking all trends in the world of profesWe promise you that sional golf, Parsons Xtreme Golf has this article is strictly taken a bold decision to hedge its bets on on the level and it has more top players. However, PXG’s strategy G – THE BATON nothing to do with for 2017 is a real game-changer – it is EEN PASSED anything vulgar! In looking at the guys for butjuniors insteadaged has its Museum in Shenzhen – China’s finot rst golf museum 7 and upwards. The leading playolf industry, we have been fortunate fact, many golfers eyes glued to some stars – and free green fees of onaall its par-three courses – of the ersbiggest from both willonqualify for the Junior Series and ess the successful transition don’t realise the role the highly popular LPGA Tour. in Shenzhen and two Academy Series Grand Finals in November. from theone founder to his eldest sonat its Haikou resort on the that the rear end see the process repeatof itself with tropical island Hainan. TheEYE inaugural Mission Hills World Stars of plays in golf. Believe 76 LEGAL EAGLE WITH AN FOR d generation. company in 2017 focusjunior schedule is an me, by the time you’re A The highlight of the Junior Golf Championship will tee off at the Mission GOLF AND CLASSIC CARS world renowned PING Corporation, done reading this arexciting new international event – the Mission Hills Hills Hainan resort in March, on the tropical holiday For years, ASIAN GOLF has been bringing acturer of some of the finest golf ticle and watching the World Stars Junior Golf thisprofessional island golfers, of Hainan. This new initiative is one of accompanying video, you newsand about ent in the world andofthe family is Championship willwhich be staged in tandem with various initiaseveral World Amateur Golf Ranking events hosted greatyouth golf equipment and the companies heim clan has managed the you will be sold on the that course call thedeshots in the industry. businesstives since formationwith by the importance of the role in its partnership famous golf bygolf Mission Hills and will provide once-in-a-lifetime Starting with 2017, we thought we’d break ary Karsten Solheim who Nicklaus passed inand Annika your butt plays! signers like Jack Sorenstam. opportunities for the winners to compete overseas. away from convention and look at adding the ripe old age of 88. The Mission Hills Junior Series returns for The winners of the Mission Hills World Stars a new dimension to our coverage of the its eighth season BIG! with ten 18-holegame tournaments event will qualify SSION HILLS DREAMS of golf in the region. So, it is with for the World Stars of Junior in Dongguan and aged 10 to Tournament in Las Vegas, America in July. great pleasure that we Golf are launching nt Mission Hills Group of Shenzhen China em-for golfers “Celebrity this issuewinners of n a massive dream to grow by the 17. This willproject be accompanied MissionCorner” Hills withLikewise, of the ANNIKA Invitational at The spotlight fallsHills on in March will qualify for the ANNIKA golf. In commemoration its 25thmonthlyASIAN Academy Series of – played on theGOLF. 18-hole Mission topShenzhen corporate– lawyer,Invitational football rsary (Mission HillsZhang was founded in coursea in par-three Lian -Wei in the United States. Qualifiers from the supremo, golfer and classic car he world’s largest golf resort has collector. lf a target of welcoming more than

Mission Hills Jack Nicklaus Junior Championship in June will be invited to the Golden Bear’s Junior Championship, also in the U.S. In a further bid to help nurture China’s next generation of golﬁng superstars, the Mission Hills Golf Academy will continue to select talented young golfers for its junior development programme. More than 20 golfers aged 8 to 16 currently make up the junior squads and receive top-class coaching and mentoring from the Mission Hills Academy’s PGA coaches. Finally, the Mission Hills Golf Academy will also be launching a series of coaching clinics and community outreach programmes during 2017, to attract new players into the game. Kudos to Mission Hills for taking it upon itself to help grow junior golf in China and Asia. The region needs a hotbed of young talent and this will serve to promote and foster not only the future stars of golf for Asia but it will also be very instrumental in growing the game of golf. It’s all about setting the foundation ﬁrmlyy CLICK TO on bedrock and that’s what LEARN MORE Mission Hills is doing.

THE INAUGURAL MISSION HILLS WORLD STARS OF JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP WILL TEE OFF AT THE MISSION HILLS HAINAN RESORT IN MARCH, ON THE TROPICAL HOLIDAY ISLAND OF HAINAN. THIS NEW INITIATIVE IS ONE OF SEVERAL WORLD AMATEUR GOLF RANKING EVENTS HOSTED BY MISSION HILLS AND WILL PROVIDE ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WINNERS TO COMPETE OVERSEAS.

42 43 ASIAN GOLF 197

FEBRUARY 2017

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

G – THE BATON EEN PASSED

SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

FOOTJOY FASHION TREND 44 45 ASIAN GOLF 197

FEBRUARY 2017

REGULARS 6 EDITORIAL TEAM

FASHION TREND 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

PECIAL FEATURE

STIN THOMAS – WHAT MORE WE SAY!

ASIAN GOLF are only happy that we ad a front row seat to witness the s of this golf phenom unfold right in our eyes. It’s been spell-bindingly me!

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 25,000 junior golfers through its doors during the year.

82 HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR BUTT WHEN PLAYING GOLF?

We promise you that this article is strictly on the level and it has G – THE BATON nothing to do with EEN PASSED anything vulgar! In olf industry, we have been fortunate fact, many golfers ess the successful transition of a don’t realise the role from the founder to his eldest son that the rear end see the process repeat itself with plays in golf. Believe 76 LEGAL EAGLE WITH AN EYE FOR d generation. The company in focus me, by the time you’re GOLF AND CLASSIC CARS world renowned PING Corporation, done reading this arFor years, ASIAN GOLF has been bringing acturer of some of the ﬁnest golf ticlethe and road watching the The world’s number one name in golf shoes, FootJoy has hit you news about professional golfers, ent in the world and the family is accompanying video, great2017. golf equipment and the companies heim clan which has managed the you will be sold on the running for It has launched its latest the FootJoy ContourFIT. that call the shots in the golf industry. business since its formation by the importance of the role Starting with 2017, we thought we’d break ary Karsten Solheim who passed in your butt plays! away from convention lookto at be adding the ripe old age of 88. The Contour franchise isand said the best-selling shoe franchise a new dimension to our coverage of the of all time. It was SSION HILLS DREAMS BIG! game of golf originally in the region. created So, it is withwith an emphasis on comfort. great pleasure that we are launching nt Mission Hills Group of China emNow FJ is upping the ante with ContourFIT, which was born from an “Celebrity Corner” with this issue of n a massive dream project to grow ASIAN GOLF. The spotlight fallsgolfer on golf. In commemoration of itsobsession 25th with comfort so the could experience Comfort That a top corporate lawyer, football rsary (Mission Hills was founded in Quits. supremo, golfer and classic car he world’s largest golf resortNever has collector. lf a target of welcoming more than

“W

ith a very successful category like Contour, the tendency is to implement minor enhancements over the life of the product, but that’s not something we subscribe to at FootJoy,” said Doug Robinson. “From the moment a product is created, we start looking for ways to enhance absolutely every detail - from the overall design and materials, to every stitch and groove, to the laces and cleats.” “ContourFIT, while inspired by the Contour Series family of shoes, is dramatically improved over the prior generations and we believe will excite not only the lifetime Contour wearer, but also any comfort-seeker who tries it on for the ﬁrst time.” Loyal Contour customers will still experience the same consistent ﬁt and reliability they expect 46 47 ASIAN GOLF 197

FEBRUARY 2017

from the Contour franchise, greatly enhanced by significant and noticeable upgrades from top to bottom that result in a lighter, more flexible and more comfortable shoe. Here’s the heads-up on what makes the ContourFit tick - starting from the ground, the new DynaFlex outsole – engineered with TPU- has been designed to flex naturally with the foot. Each flex groove is strategically placed to provide maximum flexibility and mobility. Next is the FTF 3.0 midsole – FJ’s softest and lightest midsole compound - for underfoot comfort and cushioning while still ensuring the golfer has appropriate lateral support and stability. Cradling the foot is a newly designed FitBed that is thick, soft and breathable to ensure all day comfort. The top of the shoe features a new U-throat design to give the player a more generous fit and a

FROM THE MOMENT A PRODUCT IS CREATED, WE START LOOKING FOR WAYS TO ENHANCE ABSOLUTELY EVERY DETAIL - FROM THE OVERALL DESIGN AND MATERIALS, TO EVERY STITCH AND GROOVE, TO THE LACES AND CLEATS. – DOUG ROBINSON new integrated Achilles heel pad that delivers support and comfort while also working with the connected comfort tongue to lock the foot into the shoe for a precise ﬁt. Finally, the entire package is wrapped in a contemporary take on a ‘contourian’ upper design utilizing soft, full grain waterproof leather in the vamp and performance synthetic material in the saddle and quarter that FJ warrants will be 100% waterproof in normal use for one year. “Remember that comfort is a very important aspect of the game if you want to play well. Comfort ensures your overall well-being during the game and

this in turn helps provide that sense of conﬁdence as you take each short or putt. And as we all know, in the game of golf, conﬁdence is king. The FJ Contour shoes have always provided outstanding in-shoe comfort and this is why it has long been the best selling franchise we have in the FJ shoe family. The new Contour Fit has now raised in-shoe comfort standards to a new high and this all adds up to a shoe that will provide you exceptional value after the many rounds you will have played in them.” added Timothy Yoong, FJ Regional Brand CLICK TO VIEW DESIGN Manager.

PING i200 EQUIPMENT FOCUS

The men in white cloaks at PING have been hard at work and it’s all been worthwhile. The company has hit the market with a great new product – the PING i200 irons.

n a launch announcement, PING said that major advancements in the new PING i200 iron make the face and cavity structure more dynamic to achieve faster ball speeds, a soft, powerful feel and unprecedented forgiveness for an iron of its size. “The i200 iron is engineered for golfers who want an iron with a clean look that delivers exceptional feel, distance and forgiveness while providing the trajectory control they need to play with precision,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “Bringing all these benefits into one iron required our teams to re-think how the face and cavity structure can work together to improve overall performance. The feel is amazing and the gains in forgiveness are significant for an iron this size. It’s a shot-maker’s iron by design, but it will fit a lot of golfers because it’s so easy to play. This iron will exceed their expectations in every way, especially the feel.”

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CLICK TO LEARN MORE

PING engineers created a head design that provides precision distances with horizontal and vertical trajectory control while substantially increasing forgiveness. A muscle-stabilizing bar and deeper, longer tuning port harmonize with a thinner, faster face to create a powerful feel and sound. This results from the soft elastomer insert activating at impact to enhance face flexing for faster ball speeds while damping vibrations. The insert nearly doubled in volume, allowing for more than three times the amount of face contact. It is neatly concealed to create a clean cavity design, which is precision milled. The soft, 431 stainless steel head has a hydropearl chrome finish that repels moisture for more control and helps minimize fliers from wet conditions and lies in the rough. The thin face (30% thinner than the i iron) and tuning port structure produce weight savings that are redistributed to the toe and hosel regions to greatly increase the moment-of-inertia in both the heeltoe and high-low orientations. Long irons launch high with increased distance and forgiveness.

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IT’S A SHOT-MAKER’S IRON BY DESIGN, BUT IT WILL FIT A LOT OF GOLFERS BECAUSE IT’S SO EASY TO PLAY. THIS IRON WILL EXCEED THEIR EXPECTATIONS IN EVERY WAY, ESPECIALLY THE FEEL. Precise short irons give golfers full command of their shot making. Tour-inspired aesthetics, including a smooth hosel-to-face transition, minimal offset and a sharper face radius, result in a slim appealing shape and clean look. The i200 iron soles are designed with added bounce and a more contoured lead edge to create a profile that glides smoothly through the turf without digging or bouncing. A variety of high-performance customshaft options are available in the i200 iron to fit a player’s ball flight and feel preferences. The stock shaft is the proprietary PING AWT 2.0, which employs a steeper weight progression paired with a variable step pattern to provide a unique balance of high trajectory, increased ball speed, and stable feel in the long irons, yet controlled trajectory and smooth feel in the short irons.

FIRST CLASS TRADITION

Owned and managed by The Peninsula Hotels and often voted as possessing the “Best Clubhouse in Asia” and “Best Course in Thailand”, Thai Country Club is less than 45 minutes from KVÛ[VÛ HUK PZ YLUVÛLK MVY OH]PUN [OL MYPLUKSPLZ[ Z[HɈ VM WYVMLZZPVUHSZ PU [OL 2PUNKVT JVTTP[[LK [V WYV]PKPUN [OL <S[PTH[L .VSÄUN ,_WLYPLUJL For registered guests of The Peninsula Bangkok, >L HYL OHWW` [V HYYHUNL H [LL [PTL H[ H Z\IZ[HU[PHS YLK\J[PVU MYVT V\Y UVYTHS ]PZP[VY»Z YH[L ,_[LUK `V\Y I\ZPULZZ [YPW PU )HUNRVR VY IVVR H NL[ H^H` NVSÄUN WHJRHNL >OLU P[ JVTLZ [V L_JS\ZP]L NVSÄUN ^P[O PTWLJJHISL OVZWP[HSP[` ¶ ^L WSH` VɈ ZJYH[JO

1997 Winner: Tiger Woods

VOLVO MASTERS

ASIA

2005 Winner: Shiv Kapur

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2008 Winner: Lam Chih Bing

1998 Winner: Vijay Singh

Thai Country Club www.thaicountryclub.com Tel: +66 (38) 570-234 inquiry@thaicountryclub.com The Peninsula Bangkok www.peninsula.com Tel: +66 (2) 861-2888 pbk@peninsula.com

CALLAWAY’S BIG BOMBERS

GB BE

PIC

IVE R

EQUIPMENT FOCUS

You’ve got to hand it to Callaway Golf’s top honcho Chip Brewer and his top R&D sidekick Dr. Alan Hocknell. Both these guys possess that special show-biz knack and ﬂair to come up with something snappy to grab the attention of the marketplace. The dynamic duo has done it again for the 2017 season with the timely introduction of a double-header launch involving two new drivers.

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e want to be quick to add that the latest launch is not just noisy hoopla – the Callaway boys have unloaded some serious technology and it is technology that works! The two new bombers that have come out of the house that the late Ely Callaway built are the Great Big Bertha Epic and the Great Big Bertha Epic Sub Zero. You will notice that both new additions to the Callaway family cling on to the Great Big Bertha franchise and pedigree. One thing that caught our attention is the reference to a new-fangled term that Callaway has adopted and the company calls it “Jailbreak Technology”. It certainly sounds foreboding but by the same token, it comes across as being absolutely revolutionary.

So, what in the blazes is “Jailbreak Technology”? As tech-wizard Hocknell puts it, it is an innovation that has to do with ball speed technology. Jailbreak is said to change the fundamental way the driver head behaves at impact with the ball to promote more distance for every type of player. “Jailbreak Technology creates a new and remarkably efﬁcient working relationship between the face, crown and sole to promote faster ball speed across more of the face to give the golfer more distance,” said Hocknell, Callaway’s senior vice president of R&D. Makes sense? If not, then just read on – we’ve got a terriﬁc video embedded in this report that will make comprehension and understanding of the concept super simple!

JAILBREAK IS SAID TO CHANGE THE FUNDAMENTAL WAY THE DRIVER HEAD BEHAVES AT IMPACT WITH THE BALL TO PROMOTE MORE DISTANCE FOR EVERY TYPE OF PLAYER.

– DR. ALAN HOCKNELL Hocknell explains that the key structural components of a driver – crown, sole and face – deform at impact. Because they’re connected, they influence each other’s dynamics. Jailbreak incorporates two slender titanium bars positioned parallel to each other behind the face, connected to the crown and sole. The size, strength and position of each bar creates a new dynamic relationship between the crown, sole and face. The result is a profound change in how the head, as a whole, behaves at impact, resulting in more speed across a much larger area of the face. Still confused? Heck, go watch the video and become enlightened! Epic’s clubhead consists of Callaway’s new aerospacegrade titanium Exo-cage outfitted with a crown and sole panels made of triaxial carbon, an extraordinarily light and strong composite material developed by Callaway, making it the lightest crown of any Callaway driver currently on the market. The Epic is so-named because it legitimately represents an epic shift in the way the head and face behave to enhance power, spearheaded by Jailbreak ball speed technology and the clubhead’s innovative Exo-Cage/triaxial carbon construction. Any golfer seeking an extraordinarily long, accurate and easy-tolaunch driver, from scratch players to high handicappers should find more speed, distance and accuracy with GBB Epic. The Great Big Bertha Epic Sub Zero Driver, on the other hand, marries tour performance characteristics with forgiveness in a true paradigm shift. According to Hocknell, “Tour drivers typically emphasize the performance better players want most – speed, low spin and control – at the expense of forgiveness, and the Epic Sub Zero’s combination of tour performance and forgiveness make it a breakthrough in driver engineering.” So, if you are on the hunt for a confidence-inspiring, tour-pedigree driver, the Epic Sub Zero will be a perfect fit. And before we forget, both drivers come with complementary, power-packed fairway woods.

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JAILBREAK TECHNOLOGY CREATES A NEW AND REMARKABLY EFFICIENT WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FACE, CROWN AND SOLE TO PROMOTE FASTER BALL SPEED ACROSS MORE OF THE FACE TO GIVE THE GOLFER MORE DISTANCE What Is Jailbreak Technology? The key structural components of a driver – crown, sole and face – deform at impact. Because they’re connected, they inﬂuence each other’s dynamics. Jailbreak incorporates two slender titanium bars positioned parallel to each other behind the face, connected to the crown and sole. The size, strength and position of each bar creates a new dynamic relationship between the crown, sole and face. The result is a profound change in how the head, as a whole, behaves at impact, resulting in more speed across a much larger area of the face.

Great Big Bertha Epic Products – Fast Facts EPIC DRIVER: More distance for every type of player. Jailbreak face technology, an Exo-Cage outﬁtted with Callaway’s proprietary Triaxial Carbon, Adjustable Perimeter Weighting, Speed Step aerodynamic technology, premium Tour-proven stock shafts. CLICK TO LEARN MORE

GREAT BIG BERTHA EPIC DRIVER

GREAT BIG BERTHA EPIC SUB ZERO DRIVER

ANY GOLFER SEEKING AN EXTRAORDINARILY LONG, ACCURATE AND EASY-TO-LAUNCH DRIVER, FROM SCRATCH PLAYERS TO HIGH HANDICAPPERS SHOULD FIND MORE SPEED, DISTANCE AND ACCURACY WITH

GBB EPIC.

EPIC SUB ZERO DRIVER: A true paradigm shift with a combination of Tour driver performance and forgiveness. Jailbreak face technology, an Exo-Cage outﬁtted with Callaway’s proprietary Triaxial Carbon, two interchangeable weight to adjust spin rate, Speed Step aerodynamic technology, premium Tour-proven stock shafts.

CLICK TO LEARN MORE

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CALLAWAY WEDGES EQUIPMENT FOCUS

Roger Cleveland, not to be mixed up with Cleveland Golf, has designed some incredible wedges for Callaway Golf. Noted for his skilful crafting of top-end wedges, Cleveland’s latest magic wands for the short game are out.

alled the Mack Daddy Forged, it is being positioned as an ultra-premium wedge. “Roger’s unique talent for working with Tour pros and understanding the nuances of what they want in a wedge’s look, feel and performance is unparalleled,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, Callaway senior vice president of R&D. “That, and his extraordinary knowledge of all that’s necessary to bring a wedge from initial concept to finished club, is what makes the new Mack Daddy Forged wedges ultra-premium.” The appealing new shape, forged of soft 1025c steel, delivers exceptionally satisfying feel and response on every shot. Less offset, a squarer toe and a straighter leading edge create a clean, confidence-inducing appearance at address to promote crisp contact and command control. High spin comes from the new Mack Daddy 16-groove configuration that incorporates an added

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groove at the bottom, close to the leading edge, to promote added stopping power, especially on pitches and chips. According to Callaway, the new •R• sole grind gives Mack Daddy Forged wedges the kind of versatility necessary to play a variety of shots from the types of grasses. The clearly defined crescent sole and mid bounce makes a broad range of greenside shots easy to play, from square-faced skippers to open-faced flops and everything in between. Added control comes from progressive CG positioning, in which the CG gradually moves upward as the loft of each wedge increases. This promotes a lower and easier-tocontrol flight in the higher lofts without sacrificing spin, making it easier to attack the pin. Mack Daddy Forged wedges are available in two finishes: Satin Chrome with a thin copper strike layer for enhanced feel, and Brushed Slate for a raw look that gradually rusts over time.

•R• SOLE GRIND GIVES MACK DADDY FORGED WEDGES

THE NEW

THE KIND OF VERSATILITY NECESSARY TO PLAY A VARIETY OF SHOTS FROM THE TYPES OF GRASSES. CLICK TO LEARN MORE

PXG GOLF SPECIAL FEATURE

IT WAS ALWAYS MY DREAM GOAL TO BECOME WORLD NUMBER ONE

…. NOW THAT I HAVE REACHED THAT BENCHMARK IN MY CAREER, I AM FOCUSED ON CONSISTENTLY PLAYING THE BEST GOLF CAN.

WHEN I FIRST HIT PXG’S CLUBS I

WAS EXTREMELY IMPRESSED BY HOW THEY FELT.

THEY FELT SOLID AND THE PERFOR– WOW! – LYDIA KO

MANCE WAS

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Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG) is on to something and when the charismatic Bob Parsons starts tinkering around, stand back and expect some explosive results.

LYDIA KO

arsons, who founded PXG in 2014 has been on a tear ever since he launched the company which is in so many ways, totally irreverent and unorthodox when it comes to tried and tested convention within the golf equipment industry. From the outset, he promised change and perCHRISTINA formance and he has delivered just that. Imagine, in 2016, he had an army of world class golfers using PXG clubs on the greatest tour on the Planet – the PGA Tour. Parsons stuffed the bags of players of the calibre of James Hahn, Billy Horschel, Charles Howell III, Zach Johnson, Chris Kirk, Ryan Moore and Charl Schwartzel with clubs freshly minted at PXG and managed to secure a number of top ten ﬁnishes. Not bad at all for the new kid on the block. BRITTANY Inspired and motivated by the early success on tour, the billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist has kicked off 2017 by ﬂipping another page in the short history of his young company. Bucking all trends in the world of professional golf, Parsons has taken a bold decision to hedge his bets on more top players. However, his strategy for 2017 is a real game-changer – he is not looking at the guys but instead has his eyes glued to some of the biggest stars on the highly popular LPGA Tour. PXG has pulled off a major coup by romancing the world’s number one female golfer away from what seemed like an inseparable and blissful conjugal relationship with Callaway Golf. Under Parsons’ orchestration, PXG has waltzed away with Lydia Ko who is said to have signed a whopping multimillion dollar, multi-year partnership with PXG. In fact, for its 2017 tour schedule, PXG has only signed on the ladies – besides Ko the super-star, the new members of

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the PXGTroops include: Powerhouse Christina Kim, an LPGA favourite and three-time LPGA Tour Winner. Brittany Lang, US Women’s Open champion and two-time LPGA Tour Winner. Ryan O’Toole, 2011 Solheim Cup Team Member. These four new stars will join forces with existA KIM ing PXG ambassadors Cristie Kerr, Alison Lee, Sadena Parks, Gerina Piller and Beatriz Recari. You’ve got to agree that this is some serious fire-power and it leaves no doubt in our minds that Parsons is going to war on the LPGA Tour in 2017! Getting back to PXG’s 2017 strategy, according to a statement from the company, it describes its strategy as one that is designed to help accelerate and capitalize on global excitement surrounding the LANG company’s brand and revolutionary equipment. “This year PXG is looking at golf and the tour from a global perspective,” said Parsons. “In 2016 we saw remarkable growth in international sales, but we recognize that we have only scratched the surface. Tour validation is important, and the ladies tour is wildly popular in many countries. We had five exceptional ladies on staff in 2016 and this year that number has grown to nine. These players, as well as our top-notch PGA TOUR pros, will help us bring PXG’s unmatched technology to passionate golfers around the globe,” Parsons added. What does Ko have to say about this new romance that she has struck up with PXG? The 19-year old shot back: “It was always my dream goal to become world number one …. now that I have reached that benchmark in my career, I am focused on consistently playing the best golf I can. When I first hit PXG’s clubs I was extremely impressed by how they felt. They

RYAN O’TOOLE

felt solid and the performance was – wow!” Ko’s sentiments were echoed by the fun-loving and outspoken Kim who said, “I’ve had PXG clubs in my bag for several months and all I can say is they are the real deal.” She went on to add, “The wedges have got to be the best I’ve ever played and the rest of the clubs are simply excellent. I couldn’t be more excited about being part of a company that is disrupting norms and taking risks in the name of innovation and performance.” The air of exuberance was perhaps best captured by Ryann O’Toole who said, “From founder to ﬁtter, every representative of PXG is passionate about golf and dedicated to making sure golfers are able to experience incredible

results on the course. I have never been so impressed by a company.” Besides having assembled a crack team of top female golfers, it must also be noted that the LPGA has been on a solid growth path. It’s been adding on new tournaments, increasing the prize money available on tour and its fan following is growing fast. Why not? After all the girls play a great game of golf, are fun to watch and great to look at! The only issue that we at ASIAN GOLF have with the PXG team is that there are no Asian ladies on the side. Hopefully, this will all change and we can see some top Asian talent wielding PXG golf equipment in the not too distant future. Now, all that’s left is for us to sit back and watch the sparks ﬂy as the PXG Petticoat Troops march out to do battle on the world’s fairways!

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WILSON D300 SERIES EQUIPMENT FOCUS

Wilson Golf is on a tear! The oldest golf equipment manufacturer in the world (103 years) old has blasted out of the starting blocks for 2017 with a whole bundle of new products. Just before the end of 2016, the Chicago-based centenarian launched the golf industry’s ﬁrst-ever “crowd sourced” driver – the Triton. It was the end product of a television reality show and it hit the market with quite a bit of controversy relating to some Triton drivers deemed to be non-conforming by the United States Golf Association (USGA). But that’s now water under the bridge and the new Tritons are scoring some good points with consumers.

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ot on th has thro line of g the very some tw The hallmark of t light” technology and t were excellent produc demo set that ASIAN G are super game-impro The D300 driver is and sports car fan, you in a ﬂash. To start with perLight Technology m drivers on the market. “Innovation is at t thing we take seriously tion Director. “Micro Vo that players can see a distance beneﬁts will b D300 features little bu lar to those on airplan new aerodynamically d Vortex Generators, the

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he heels of the historic Triton launch, Wilson Golf own itself headlong into the launch of its newest golf clubs – the Wilson D300 series which replaces y successful D200 series which hit the market wo years ago. he D200 series was all about Wilson Golf’s “right the driver, woods, hybrids and irons from that genre ts. The D300 series is a step up and based on the GOLF received, ﬁrst impressions indicate that these ovement clubs. s all about aerodynamics in action. If you are a race u will be able to relate to this driver’s technology h, the driver features Wilson Golf’s proprietary Sumaking it one of the lightest and fastest adjustable . he core of all we do and elevating distance is somey,” said Michael Vrska, Wilson Golf’s Global Innovaortex Generators and SuperLight are technologies nd feel, but most importantly, the speed and be obvious from the ﬁrst swing.” The crown of the mps which are Micro Vortex Generators, very simie wings and race and sports cars. Together with a designed head shape, coupled with the visible Micro e D300 is able to reduce drag and increase club

head speed to deliver enhanced distance. According to Vrska, the more the airﬂow stays close to the head, the smoother the clubhead’s acceleration. According to Wilson Lab’s research, the co-efﬁcient of drag due to the micro-vortex generators is reduced by 22 percent. This technology certainly works! Besides being the lightest big stick in the industry, the D300 comes with a very versatile adjustability feature – it’s a six-way adjustable hosel that changes loft by plus/minus one degree and changes face angle from one-degree closed to one-degree open. And all this can be done without having to remove the head from the hosel. How cool is that!

MICRO VORTEX GENERATORS AND

SUPERLIGHT ARE TECHNOLOGIES THAT PLAYERS CAN SEE AND FEEL, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE SPEED AND

DISTANCE BENEFITS WILL BE OBVIOUS FROM THE FIRST SWING.

– MICHAEL VRSKA

EQUIPMENT FOCUS BETTINARDI GOLF

AS YOU HAVE GATHERED BY NOW, ALL THE CLUBS IN THE D300 SERIES ARE ABOUT TECHNOLOGY – LEADING EDGE TECHNOLOGY DESIGNED TO MAKE PLAYING GOLF FUN! THE D300 IRONS EMPLOY THE FLX FACE TECHNOLOGY THAT WAS FIRST SEEN IN THE C200S. THIS TECHNOLOGY MINIMIZES THE CONTACT POINTS BETWEEN THE FACE AND THE BODY OF THE IRON AND ARE CALLED

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“POWER HOLES”.

Complementing the D300 driver are three fairway woods and six hybrids. Like the driver, the woods and hybrids all feature the Micro Vortex Generators and are light to the feel. Would you believe that the 3-wood in the D300 series is about one-ounce lighter than similar 3-woods. The D300 hybrids feature a progressive head design offering increased volume on stronger lofts for more forgiveness on longer shots. Collectively speaking the D300 family of driver, woods and hybrids, as stated earlier, are super game improvement clubs and Wilson Golf looks set to challenge for a bigger share of market as these clubs ﬁnd their way into the hands of golfers all over the world. Next in line are the D300 irons. As you have gathered by now, all the clubs in the D300 series are about technology – leading edge technology designed to make playing golf FUN! The D300 irons employ the FLX Face technology that was ﬁrst seen in the C200s. This tech-

CLICK TO LEARN MORE

nology minimizes the contact points between the face and the body of the iron and are called “Power Holes”. This feature allows the face to flex at impact to impart more distance and forgiveness throughout the face with improved moment of inertia rating. The “Power Holes” are filled with TE031 Urethane around the perimeter of the club for improved feel and sound. According to Wilson Golf, 76% of the face does not touch the chassis resulting in the “Power Holes” flexing more at impact to give a little more ball speed and hence distance. Well, that about wraps it up. The D300 Wilson Staff family is all about DISTANCE. Put them all together and you have the best distance machines in the business.

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e thought we’d give the men and women who play golf an opportunity to share with us their love and passion for golf and for some of the other pastimes that they ﬁnd both riveting

and engaging. So, it is with great pleasure that we are launching “Celebrity Corner” with this issue of ASIAN GOLF. The spotlight falls on a top corporate lawyer, football supremo, golfer and classic car collector. He is Krishna Ramachandra, the Cambridge-educated lawyer who is the managing director of Duane Morris & Selvam LLP located in Singapore.

IT’S A FASCINATING, MAGICAL RELATIONSHIP THAT HE HAS WITH HIS CLASSIC CARS AND IT HAS TO BE SEEN TO BE BELIEVED. IT BECOMES EVEN MORE AWE-INSPIRING WHEN HE GETS BEHIND THE WHEELS OF THESE CARS AND FIRES-UP THEIR ENGINES

– HE BECOMES PART OF THE

GROWLING, GUTTURAL MECHANICAL SYMPHONY. IT’S ALL ABOUT MUSCLE, POWER AND HIGH-OCTANE, A SPECIAL COCKTAIL THAT DRIVES AND KEEPS OUR GOLF-LOVING LAWYER TICKING! There used to be a time when golf was Krishna’s main passion and he was the proud owner of a ten-handicap. However, with huge and growing pressure on both the business and family front, he rarely gets a chance to get out onto a golf course for a round of golf. “But I am optimistic that once these pressures ease up, I will have time to get back to some serious golf,” hinted Krishna. This may happen sooner than expected because one of his closest friends is Josh Burack, the newly appointed chief executive ofﬁcer of the Asian Tour. As stated earlier, Krishna is also very active in the management and promotion of professional football in Singapore. He is currently the chairman of Tampines Rovers, one of the top teams in the S-League, Singapore’s professional football league and the Asian Football Confederation Cup.

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He has big plans for his football team and given his penchant for dreaming and thinking big, Krishna is hellbent on taking Tampines Rovers to greater heights in the near future. While he is working on new strategies to grow the team, he is also very actively involved in building a garage full of classic cars. When asked how many such cars he has in his current collection, he coyly replies, “I’ve got quite a few”. ASIAN GOLF was given a special preview of Krishna’s collections and the best superlative to describe the collection is - “Bloody Impressive”! Amongst the rare collection is a Corvette (a gutsy American muscle car), a FORD GT-40, the Ferrari giant killer at Le Mans, a Series III Jaguar E-Type, an Aston Martin Vantage and the Volvo P1800. To see Krishna amongst these beauties is like watching a happy little kid frolicking with his toy collection. It’s a fascinating, magical relationship that he has with his classic cars and it has to be seen to be believed. It becomes even more awe-inspiring when he gets behind the wheels of these cars and ﬁres-up their engines – he becomes part of the growling, guttural mechanical symphony. It’s all about muscle, power and high-octane, a special cocktail that drives and keeps our golf-loving lawyer ticking! We could go on writing about this exceptional man and his passions but we thought we’d let him tell you in person – featured in this report are two embedded videos; one shares Krishna’s thoughts on golf while the other, is a personal tour of some of his latest classic car acquisitions. Enjoy!

I T ’S A R E V OLU T ION ! The global club industry is in for a wake-up call with the launch of OneClubNet – a digital revolution that aims to bring a game-changing paradigm shift on the total club experience both for clubs and members alike. At the heart of OneClubNet is an all-encompassing and pulsating mobile digital platform that works off smartphones. The primary focus is to help

replace traditional ways of conducting and delivering the club experience onto a dynamic, 24/7, on-the-go mode like nothing ever before. With an easy to use menu, clubs can push out to members all noti½cations and general information on a real time basis. No more heart-breaking problems of messages getting lost or spammed. OneClubNet makes instant

communications, networking and transactions a dream! And that’s not all – on the greater scheme of things, OneClubNet is a global community of clubs and members. Just imagine the power that is unleashed for club members to utilise the services of member clubs on a hassle-free communications platform. Want to play golf in London, hook on to a member club

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book your ¾ight. Need a place to y at a club with accommodation, book oom in a ¾ash. Looking at entertaining a plush club in New York, it’s just a k away. It’s a whole new experience club members and a global revenue erating engine for clubs. OneClubNet is a huge digital iative that brings member clubs all r the world into one community

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GAME IMPROVEMENT

BLACK HAT GOLF TIPS

efore I dive into the topic proper, regular readers of my column would recall that my golf training centre is right next to the world-class Muay Thai Champion Buakaw Banchamek. Being fortunate enough to be his neighbor, I’ve taken the opportunity to incorporate Muay Thai training techniques in my Black Hat training tips. One of the exercises that Muay Thai boxers practice on a daily basis involve squats (great for butt conditioning). I get all my students to do these squats and they all have a giggle because they can’t see the co-relation of squats to golf as most golfers have never done squats or any type of exercise that involves the butt. However, after some time, they all realize how beneﬁcial these exercises are. Rather than provide detailed explanations on why squats are important, I’d prefer to cut to the chase and point out that squats make you a stronger person! I’ve got to admit that I have had a problem with my rear-end. It has been too big for my liking and now that I indulge in squat ve got it down to the size I want and trust me, in the exercises, II’ve

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process, it has helped me become stronger. Besides, it has not only been good for my health, but it’s been amazing for the golf swinging motion! Now that I have explained myself on the importance of the butt, let me get more focused and talk about the butt-end of the golf club! In golf, the butt-end of the club can help you get back to square - especially with your driver! The butt of the club can help you visualize and help with getting you locked-in with a proper swinging motion! Here’s how: 1. Take a golf tee. Locate the hole in the grip at the butt-end of your club. 2. Take the tee and stick it in the hole! Leave a part of the tee sticking out. 3. Take your stance. Place the driver and get in a stance position. 4. When you take it half way back notice the tee pointing towards the target. 5. When you swing through and the clubface end is pointing towards the target, the tee should be pointing backwards. For right handed players, the tee would be pointing right.

YOU WILL ELIMINATE TRYING TO HIT DOWN AT THE BALL WHILE HOLDING THE LEFT ELBOW UP CAUSING A CHICKEN ELBOW.

BASICALLY,

YOU WILL BE MORE FOCUSED ON SWINGING THE CLUB AND THE HANDS AND ARMS IN UNISON AND IT WILL BE A SURE-FIRE WAY TO UNDERSTANDING HOW TO GET A PERFECT SWING.

If you have problems ﬁguring this out, click on the video that is provided. The objective of this butt-end exercise is really very simple: You will eliminate trying to hit down at the ball while holding the left elbow up causing a chicken elbow. Basically, you will be more focused on swinging the club and the hands and arms in unison and it will be a sure-ﬁre way to understanding how to get a perfect swing. Trust me! Using this simple drill will eliminate so many questions you may have about your golf swing. It all has to do with the butt-end of your club and remember, your own butt has a part to play in getting the swing up to scratch. Do your squats, practice this drill I have shown you and you will have the strength and swing to send your drives longer and straighter!

ABOUT TONY MEECHAI Born and brought up in the United States, Tony Meechai won his first golf tournament at the age of nine. He began working in the golf industry when aged 15 and competed in various Mini-Tour and PGA Tour qualifiers after turning professional in 1994. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from New Mexico State University and a degree in Marketing and Professional Golf Management, he has made a name for himself in Asia over the past decade, during which time he has served as Director of Instruction at Thailand’s Heartland Golf Schools and Springfield Royal Country Club as well as presenting tips on numerous region-wide golf television shows. His signature Black Hat Golf Camps and Schools offered at various clubs in Thailand, including Lotus Valley Golf Resort, portrays the unique curriculum and teaching philosophy. Recently, he co-founded the International Preparatory Golf Academy at The American School of Bangkok, which combines an academic and golf education program for junior golfers. Voted 2015 Top 3 Best Professional Golf Coach in Asia Pacific, he continues to strive to grow the game of golf in Asia. For further information, please visit www.tmggroupasia.com or email to tony@tmggroupasia.com. 86 87 ASIAN GOLF 197

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