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With the 2017 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS 2017) fast approaching, it is timely that we take stock of what is currently happening in Asia with regards to the golf industry. There is no better platform than APGS 2017 to explore how the golf industry in Asia can exploit the potential of positive trends to grow the game of golf.
SPECIAL FEATURE 28 NO WORRIES – THE SWING DOCTOR’S IN THE HOUSE! GOLFTEC is a savior for all golfers who have problems with their swing. In fact it is an incredible teaching aid for golfers of all skill sets. It is a perfection tool when it comes to correcting golf swings. GOLFTEC is now operational in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.
GAME-IMPROVEMENT 86 FLIP OUT! Our resident golf guru Tony Meechai is back after his Summer break and he is raring to go. His re-charged batteries are all fired up and he kicks off his new season with a tip on how to improve your pitch shots.
92 THE PERFECT TEN In this exclusive Asian Golf Monthly series, respected coach Iain Roberts is teaching golf novice Niall Donnelly to play the game in 10 one-hour sessions. The third lesson finds Niall discovering the mysteries of arm action and swing plane.
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34 GOLF WEAR 34 D.N.A. HELIX – A LEGEND RE-BORN! FootJoy has launched a new golf shoe. The new D.N.A. Helix, like its predecessor, has been built for performance, shaped by experience and wrapped in innovation.
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14
14 SHARED THOUGHTS | APGS 2017 FEVER HITS VIETNAM! The 2017 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS 2017), the longest running international conference on the business of golf in the Asia Pacific, will be held in Danang, Vietnam’s third largest city on November 14-16. The theme for the Summit is “New Directions”.
EQUIPMENT FOCUS 44 THE WAR PAINT IS ON – BRIDGESTONE’S READY FOR BATTLE! As part of a bold initiative, Bridgestone Golf has just launched an entire arsenal of new golf balls which includes four models - TOUR B X, XS, RX and RXS. The charge is being led by its newly minted chief executive officer Angel Ilagan and under his leadership, Bridgestone is not apologetic about making direct comparisons to its competitors.
70 TOUR EDGE HITS THE MARKET WITH ITS “ROCKET LAUNCHER”! The new Tour Edge Exotics CBX fairway woods are real marvels of golf club technology. These new clubs feature the very best in materials and the latest in golf club technology advancements. The CBX wood is a game-changer.
52 GOLF’S NEW “MONEY” CLUBS!
74 A “SOFTY” WITH BITE!
Titleist has launched its revolutionary 818 hybrids. There are two models - the H1 and H2. Both draw their pedigree from the Titleist Tour-proven drivers which are renowned to create the longest, most accurate Titleist hybrids ever.
Titleist has introduced the New DT TruSoft Golf Ball. Their launch battle-cry thunders across the world’s fairways declaring it as “the softest Titleist golf ball that delivers the best-in-class performance with even longer distance!”
60 TITLEIST IRONS – ENGINEERED TO WIN! For brand new prototypes to go out and win some of golf’s most prestigious titles really speaks volumes about the research and development process at Titleist. Without overstating the case, Titleist lives up to one of the late Steve Jobs credos where he states that “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” And the new Titleist irons are fabulous! Great to look at and a joy to play with!
80 CHRISTMAS HAS COME AT TAYLORMADE! The former number one brand in golf has announced the expansion of its P700-Series irons lineup with the Introduction of P790 which is said to combine forged construction with new speedfoam technology for extraordinary distance, forgiveness and playability with the look and feel of a true players’ iron.
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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)
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FROM THE PUBLISHER SHARED THOUGHTS
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e 2017 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS 2017), the longest running international conferce on the business of golf in the Asia Pacific, will be coming to Vietnam.
GS 2017, the 11th edition in the series, will be held in Danang, Vietnam’s third largest y on November 14-16. The theme for the Summit is “New Directions”.
s the only international golf summit of its kind in Asia and over the duration of its stence, all the big luminaries in the golf industry have spoken at the event. Among me of the big names who have spoken at the Summit in the past include golf’s greatest ampion, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Peter Thomson, Greg Norman and nika Sorenstam.
A
PGS has set unmatched standards and
address the changes and shifts that are currently occurring.
drop like what it has attained, raising the
Vietnam is widely regarded as the “new frontier” for the de-
bar in itself is not going to be enough. As
velopment of golf. It is without doubt the global leader in new
APGS enters its next decade, new standards
course development and the pace of development is perhaps
to be set. New hope and vitality needs to be injected
the industry against a scenario of epic changes and
digm shifts.
15
Vietnam offers the perfect backdrop for the industry to
milestones and against an impressive back-
september october 2017 2017
the most dynamic anywhere on the Planet. New golf courses are being opened across the nation and as these new courses are put into play, more are be-
ing developed. All the major international golf course
DELEGATES WHO ATTEND APGS 2017 ARE NOT ONLY GOING TO
architects are engaged in projects in Vietnam and their combined works are already show-casing the country as one of the best in Asia when it comes to world class golf courses. Given the disruptive innovation in progress both in
BE PRIVILEGED TO LISTEN TO AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN BUT A MAN WHO
Vietnam and globally in golf, APGS 2017 has structured a
UNDERSTANDS BUSINESS RIGHT TO ITS
programme that embodies all the qualities of the disruptive change. Leading the message of disruptive change
CORE.
will be the charismatic Bob Parsons, founder and the
A GOLF COURSE OWNER AND THE
inexhaustible driving force behind the upstart, kick-ass
MANUFACTURER OF THE FINEST GOLF
golf brand PXG aka Parsons Xtreme Golf.
EQUIPMENT AROUND, HE IS INSPIRATIONAL
He is a true maverick - a self-made man, a billionaire
AS A WORLD CLASS ENTREPRENEUR,
extraordinaire, a philanthropist who has built a business
AND HE WILL BE LEAVING HIS INDELIBLE
empire that straddles a multitude of industries.
IMPRIMATUR IN
Delegates who attend APGS 2017 are not only going
VIETNAM.
to be privileged to listen to an extraordinary man but a man who understands business right to its core. As a
need to be operated, the urgent need to improve service
world class entrepreneur, a golf course owner and the
quality standards, tapping the potential of golf tourism and
manufacturer of the finest golf equipment around, he is
a host of other areas that are vital to the success of golf
inspirational and he will be leaving his indelible imprima-
operations in the second decade of the New Millennium
tur in Vietnam.
and beyond.
Mr. Parsons, as the Summit’s keynote speaker, will
The host sponsor for the Summit is the Hanoi-head-
be leading a team of highly qualified experts who will
quartered BRG Group, led by Madame Nguyen Thi Nga
discuss a variety of topics on changing trends in golf,
and the two-day Summit will be staged at the brand new
the emergence of technology its effect on how golf clubs
Sheraton Hotel.
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COVER STORY
NEW DIRECTIONS
With the 2017 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS 2017) fast approaching, it is timely that we take stock of what is currently happening in Asia with regards to the golf industry. There is no better platform than APGS 2017 to explore how the golf industry in Asia can exploit the potential of positive trends to grow the game of golf. In a nutshell, the signs look good for golf on the giant Continent but there are also some ominous signs that the golf club industry must pay attention to. This relates to the rapidly ageing population of Asian economies which will most certainly place a serious drag on their growth. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is warning that “a failure in responding to population ageing will make the escape from possible structural low growth difficult.” The golf club industry has to take note of this serious warning and start now towards making major structural changes to ensure that the growth of golf remains healthy going forward. 21
october 2017
T
he game of golf is no newcomer to Asia although there are some countries that did block access to the game for a number of reasons – political belief being one of those reasons. But with virtually all of Asia having moved to more capitalistically-driven governments with the exception of the hermit rogue nation of North Korea, golf is played everywhere on the Continent and in some of the countries, golf is experiencing boom times. China, the nation with the world’s largest communist footprint has the second highest number of golf courses in Asia after Japan and although the Beijing regime projects an anti-golf sentiment, it is very doubtful if this stance will be sustainable given the rapidly growing middle-class in
that country and its growing appetite for golf which is viewed as a visible yardstick of measuring one’s social status. Japan which has suffered a decline in golf due to a number of reasons with economic pressures being the main bugbear, but this morass is showing signs of change. With the rise of young Japanese superstars like Hideki Matsuyama, younger Japanese are beginning to show interest in the game and a definite sign of this can be seen in the growth of equipment sales in that country especially from manufacturers like Callaway. Something positive asiangolf 205
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some really fine golf courses and the newly emerging country of Myanmar, which after years of harsh military rule, is opening up to the world and it has also heralded a new age for golf in that country. There is no denying that golf in Asia is on a brand new threshold – a launch pad that promises a whole new sense of hope and new directions for golf going forward. This mood will be captured in the 2017 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS 2017), the eleventh in the series, making it the longest and most successful summit on the business of golf in the Asia Pacific. The latest edition of APGS 2017 will be staged in the dynamic Vietnamese city of Danang which in itself is rapidly becoming a major global golf destination. What is happening in Danang insofar as the development of golf courses is
is certainly happening in Japan and it augurs well for the future. South Korea, after a brief respite is seeing growth in the game spurred on by the incredible success of its male and female professional golfers on the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour respectively. While access to golf clubs in the country is still an expensive proposition, “screen golf” or golf simulators continue to explode in the country with close to 8,000 installations spread throughout the nation. It may interest readers to know that South Koreans lavish around more than US$13 billion annually on golf. Amongst the new emerging power-houses of golf are Vietnam which is rapidly becoming a veritable show-case for
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THERE IS NO DENYING THAT GOLF IN ASIA IS ON A BRAND NEW THRESHOLD – A LAUNCH PAD THAT PROMISES A WHOLE NEW SENSE OF HOPE AND NEW DIRECTIONS FOR GOLF GOING FORWARD.
THIS MOOD WILL BE CAPTURED IN 2017 ASIA PACIFIC GOLF SUMMIT (APGS 2017), THE ELEVENTH IN THE SERIES, MAKING IT THE LONGEST AND MOST THE
SUCCESSFUL SUMMIT ON THE BUSINESS OF GOLF IN THE
ASIA PACIFIC.
concerned is being replicated throughout the nation. There is a hive of activity taking place with new golf courses slated to be opened or in the process of being developed. One observer describes it this way: “There is no place on the Planet that can match Vietnam for golf course development – the country is swarming with big name designer golf course architects together with a host of one-man operations seeking plum deals in Vietnam.” This frenetic pace of development is expected to go on for quite some time as local developers race against one another to open their facilities for play. Amongst the big players who are making massive investments are the Ho Chi Minh City based KN Investment Group led by Mr. Le Van Kiem, widely regarded as “the pioneer of golf in Vietnam”. The billionaire entrepreneur, labour hero, industrialist, builder, philanthropist and avid golfer is developing a huge 800-hectare track of land in Cam Rahn Bay, a spectacular show-piece of Vietnam’s coastal and beach frontage stretching for five-kilometres. Rated as being amongst Vietnam’s largest mixed developments, it will feature a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole course – the first true links golf course in Asia. The development will feature multiple six-star, five-star and four-star hotels, an entertainment zone, upscale marina, polo club, theme park, luxury villas and other attractions. Mr. Kiem told ASIAN GOLF: “The golf course and property development will be one of the finest and most sought after in the region, providing attractive investment opportunities and an enhanced residential experience for buyers.” Another big player is the BRG Group led by Madame Nguyen Thi Nga, a powerful lady who heads up a multifaceted corporation with interests in banking, hotels, tourism, real state, golf course development, and automobiles amongst other business interests. Already an owner of a number of golf courses in Hanoi, Haiphong and Danang, Madame Nga has entered into a strategic business alliance
with Nicklaus Design, owned by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. This alliance provides for the construction of golf courses throughout Vietnam and it is said that there are some ten golf courses on the cards set for development over the next few years. Madame Nga is also an avid golfer and her passion for the game will most definitely see a meteoric rise in the popularity of golf in Vietnam. “I believe that golf can make a substantial contribution to Vietnam’s tourism revenue and it will also be a major employer of Vietnamese people,” she said. Her corporation BRG is the host sponsor for the 2017 Asia Pacific Golf Summit. Other major players in golf course development include the FLC Group and the VinPearl Group. The FLC Group aims to build 20 new golf courses in Vietnam in the next five years. The Hanoi-based company - a major developer of apartments, shopping centres, industrial parks and resorts - already has US$1 billion of golf resort development under way or completed at four locations on Vietnam’s 3260-kilometre coastline. The current pace of development of new golf courses in Vietnam, Myanmar and elsewhere is happening at a rate that has not been seen in Asia for quite some time and it augurs well for the future of golf in Asia. While the upside looks very positive, there is also a downside to the boom and this concerns an over-build situation. The global golf industry is notorious for this especially in markets like America, Japan and to a lesser extent South Korea. During
THERE IS NO PLACE ON THE PLANET THAT CAN MATCH VIETNAM FOR GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT – THE COUNTRY IS SWARMING WITH BIG NAME DESIGNER GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS TOGETHER WITH A HOST OF ONE-MAN OPERATIONS SEEKING PLUM DEALS IN
VIETNAM.
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the halcyon days of golfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rapid expansion, golf course owners and architects couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t build courses fast enough. Many thought this explosion would never end, but end it did. The predictable market forces of supply and demand, combined with slowing economies saw many courses faced with no option but to shut down and to some extent, there are still clubs being closed in America, Japan and Europe. One can only hope that the current wave of new developments in Asia proves to be sustainable and that it would lead to a whole new generation of golfers being drawn to the game. Given Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buoyant economy and its youthful population, golf is likely to have a good chance of growing and prospering, particularly in countries like Vietnam and Myanmar. Thailand will continue leading the growth of golf in Southeast Asia and Indonesia is most likely to show solid growth in the coming years. There are also some very strong positive signals coming out of China as it relates to its burgeoning growth in out-bound travel. This is a trend that all golf course operators in Southeast Asia should take note of. When you are looking at mil-
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lions travelling out of China every year, it does offer a good potential waiting to be tapped for golf. The Chinese tourist of today is sophisticated and seeks great experiences abroad and they have deep pockets to pay for it. Take Singapore for example – Chinese tourists last year accounted for slightly over US$2 billion dollars in tourist dollars. Golf course operators should start targeting Chinese golfers by offering memorable golfing experiences packaged together with immersive food and cultural experiences.
NEW DIRECTIONS Against this backdrop of encouraging trends, the APGS 2017 will focus on how to grow the game of golf by taking advantage of the prevailing promising trends. “Golf in Asia has had its tough times over the past few years but with the strengthening of virtually all Asian economies, the club industry has been able to show growth in general terms with some clubs reporting outstanding results,” observed Mike Sebastian, CEO of the Asia Pacific Golf Group, the owner of APGS 2017 and the publisher of ASIAN GOLF. “In keeping with the silver linings prevailing over the Asian golf club industry, there has never been a better time for the industry as a whole to embark on plans to grow the game and help establish stronger foundations for continued growth in the years ahead,” he added. The programme for APGS 2017 will feature about twenty top international speakers. The keynote address will be delivered by Bob Parsons, founder and chairman of Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG). This multi-billionaire entrepreneur entered the golf equipment industry when it was going through its toughest phase and has literally turned the entire industry on its head. With his innovative thinking and entrepreneurial derring-do, he has opened up a market for top-end quality products with prices to match. This in itself is proof of how one man busted through the malaise that the industry was mired in to create a whole new pathway and vitality for golf! Like PXG, Topgolf is another organisation
that has set the entire golf industry on fire. Topgolf’s bold thinking is singularly designed to reinvent golf and to draw flocks of people to the game. Topgolf’s goal is to help create unforgettable experiences with friends and family. Topgolf is revolutionising and drawing new fans to the game of golf and its rapidly growing success story will be shared by Topgolf International’s chief operating officer, Zach Shor. APGS 2017 is an exciting platform that will showcase new and exciting trends to help revolutionise and grow the golf club industry. In keeping with its theme, New Directions, APGS 2017 will play host to two of the golf industry’s biggest power-houses - it simply doesn’t get any bigger! The PGA Tour and the PGA of America will be at the Summit, and this in itself is top-draw validation of the event! Both the PGA of America (est. 1916) and the PGA Tour (est. 1929) collectively account for close to 200 years of experience in golf. And that’s a lot! The PGA Tour is the world’s most powerful professional tour, and it is poised to grow its presence in Asia. This is a very timely initiative as there is no better way to help grow the game of golf than by providing an opportunity for the public to see the game’s best players in action. Likewise, the PGA of America is the world’s largest sports organisation. The entry of the PGA of America into Asia brings with it the promise of change and growth for the game of golf and whichever way one looks at it, it’s only going to spell a lot of good for the Asian golf industry. This century-old organisation is comprised of 28,000 men and women golf professionals who are the recognized experts in teaching and growing the game. This is where Asia stands to benefit tremendously as the PGA of America hopes to work closely with parties in Asia to alleviate standards and professionalism as it relates to golf. In the next few weeks, all attention will be focused on Danang, host city to the 2017 Asia Pacific Golf Summit. If you would like to attend this major international conference on the business of golf, you can register as a delegate at https://secure.golfconference.org/
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GOLFTEC SPECIAL FEATURE
If you thought that politicians and Twitter users are the biggest users of profanity and expletives, think again! You have not been on a golf course because the profanity that flies around when golf swings go awry are perhaps some of the most colourful and creative to be uttered by human lips! Both professional golfers and club players alike are guilty of this and it is not about the game’s etiquette. It is just human nature to bleat out swear words when a golf club and golf ball are totally out of syn. You try hard to send your ball straight to where you want it to land, and instead, you either slice it or hook it. Damn it! There’s a cure for this sort of smash-mouth behavior. It’s called GOLFTEC!
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G
OLFTEC is a savior for all golfers who have problems with their swing. In fact it is an incredible teaching aid for golfers of all skill sets. It is a perfection tool when it comes to correcting golf swings. GOLFTEC’s programme involves a comprehensive approach that uses a mix of patented teaching technology and highly trained coaches to help students reach their golf goals. GOLTEC’s systematic approach to game improvement involves “five factors” which breakdown as follows: Fact-based diagnosis;
Sequential lessons; Advanced retention tools; Vide-based practice; Precision-matched golf clubs. This system is now available in Asia at GOLTEC facilities located in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore. Commenting on the company’s exponential expansion, its co-founder and CEO Joe Assell told ASIAN GOLF, “The overseas interest in GOLFTEC has picked up tremendous steam in recent years, especially in Southeast Asia.” He went on to add, “Our world-renowned approach to instruction and club-fitting has revolutionized
the way that golfers lea There are plans afo ness to Kuala Lumpur, and to enter large golf m and Guangzhou in south the past two decades G unrivalled category grow crease in revenue since Some fast facts to s leadership: More than 7 million le More than 450,000 im 188 training centres certified professional c
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rn and improve.” oot to expand the busiBangkok and Jakarta markets like Shenzhen hern China. “Over OLTEC has posted wth, including a 98% ine 2010,” declared Assell. substantiate GOLFTEC’s
essons given since 1995; mproved golfers; currently open and 650 coaches;
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OUR WORLD-RENOWNED APPROACH TO INSTRUCTION AND CLUB-FITTING HAS REVOLUTIONIZED THE WAY THAT GOLFERS LEARN AND IMPROVE. 96% student success rate; 7-stroke improvement on average; “With its unique position in golf instructions, GOLFTEC has continued to break records for revenue profit, students and coaches – this type of growth and influence over the past 22 years is unmatched in golf,” Assell exclaimed.
The facts speak for themselves! So, if you want to get a firm handle on your swing so that you can play better golf, put your trust in GOLTEC. Not only will they change your game for the better, but their professionals will make sure that you are custom fitted with the right clubs to pay a better game of golf.
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ore than most industries, the golf industry has had its fair share of doom and gloom stories. The golf business landscape has been inundated by news about golf course closures, declining incomes, equipment manufacturers shutting down and a litany of such dismal news. The time has come to put this all behind and look ahead. Asia has entered an exciting era of dynamic growth with most of the Continent’s economies reflecting good health. More Asian corporates are moving up the ladder of success on the For-
tune and Forbes list of billion-dollar conglomerates. This is an excellent measure of the powerhouse that Asia is. Populations are becoming better educated, more affluent and ready for new and exciting experiences. While the Baby-Boomers may be on the decline, the younger population demographics including the much talked about Millennials have matured and moved up the consumer pyramid. There has never been a better time than NOW for the golf industry to take stock of all the positives and prepare itself to tap into new opportunities for improved business and greater earnings.
New technologies like Mobile Ap to be brought on board to improve t member experience. New and exciti of play need to be introduced that is consuming, more fun and more affo Service standards need to be stepp fold. New and improved ways of ren efficiently maintaining golf courses fast-tracked. It’s all about NEW DIRECTIONS b herein lies the future of golf and its g in Asia. There’s a NEW AGE of oppor awaiting the golf club industry in Asia
|1| ADAM HARRIS |2| ANDREW WOOD |3| ANDY STANGENBERG |4| PAUL STRINGER |5| STEVEN FREUND |6| GREGG PATT |8| ROBERT PARSONS |9| ZACH SHOR |10| ARJUN CHOWDRI |11| TODD RHINEHART |12| DR. MILTON ENGELKE |13| DAVID D
ASIA PACIFIC GOLF
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adopters of the emerging changes will be set and ready to reap harvests brought about by the paradigm shifts. Be part of the ENLIGHTENED COMMUNITY and be at the 2017 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS 2017). No other golf business event in the world can offer you a road map to prepare for the exciting times ahead. Come and listen to the architects of change who will be piloting Asia’s thrust forward.
TERSON |7| TENNIEL CHU DOUGET |14| BRAD BURGESS
F GROUP (2014) PTE LTD.
1 Yishun Industrial Street 1, Singapore 768160 xÊÈÎÓÎÊÓnÎnÊUÊ7iLÃ Ìi\ÊÜÜÜ°>Ã >«>V wV} v}À Õ«°V
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GOLF WEAR FOOTJOY: D.N.A. HELIX
FootJoy, the #1 name in golf shoes has just gone out and built a better mouse-trap – the all new D.N.A Helix. For those of you who can recall, the D.N.A. brand first hit the world’s golf fairways in 2014. When it was launched, it received rave reviews from golfers, both professional and the club variety. It quickly became a heartthrob favourite of golfers the world over. With this sort of success, one would wonder why FJ would want to tinker around with a winning product. But when you are the top dog in the product category it is only right to think that they were not about to sit back and enjoy their laurels.
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B
eing the sort of company that FJ is, their R&D pursuit for a better golf shoe has resulted in the launch of a brand new shoe – it is not an iteration of the earlier model. The new D.N.A. Helix, like its predecessor, has been built for performance, shaped by experience and wrapped in innovation. “While it was certainly a challenge to improve upon a shoe as successful as D.N.A., the continued dialogue we have with our Tour staff revealed there was an opportunity to improve the overall performance of the category,” said Keith Duffy, Senior Product Manager, Footwear. “But this isn’t just an update for us. D.N.A. Helix is a completely new golf shoe built from the ground up to deliver Tour-level performance and lightweight comfort for all players.” It features a wider platform and a structured, lightweight construction to create power from the ground up. Originally launched in 2014, the DNA category has
been widely adopted at every level of play, including the worldwide professional Tours. Inspired by that heritage of success, DNA Helix was developed from the ground up based on specific feedback from the world’s best players who value the combination of flexibility and comfort but requested more platform stability, particularly in the heel area of the shoe. Here’s the drill-down on the new D.N.A. Helix: It has a NitroThin 3.0 TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) outsole foundation and it was developed to deliver the additional stability requested by Tour players. It is 38% more stable than its predecessor. It has a 3D Foam-Collar that helps to lock the player’s foot in place. The new outsole features strategically placed cut-outs in the TPU to expose more of the softer midsole which contributes to this outsole being 23% lighter than the previous version as well as being more flexible.
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“After the very successful introduction of the original DNA, the FJ Product team was challenged to deliver something even better. With the input and feedback from many of the PGA Tour pros that had used the first generation DNA, the new re-engineered DNA Helix is now better in every sense of the word. Better grip, better performance, better in-shoe comfort and at a much lighter weight,” explained Timothy Yoong, FJ Regional Brand Manager for Southeast Asia.
WHILE IT WAS CERTAINLY A CHALLENGE TO IMPROVE UPON A SHOE AS SUCCESSFUL AS
D.N.A., THE CONTINUED DIALOGUE WE HAVE WITH OUR TOUR STAFF REVEALED THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE CATEGORY
– KEITH DUFFY
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
T
The only go an excitin lf tournament sp eci g, fun-fille d event w ally organized for here golf g The Asia club execu olf club owners, o Pacific G pe tives get olf Group to play an rators and manag Tournam d compete ers ent. The to together with the in a tourn . It’s back again – B urnamen ament all t will be st RG Group will be their own h It will be aged con . played w junction osting the 2017 Asi with the ith two-m a This tourn P a ci fic Inter2017 Asia an teams ament is Club Golf Pacific G drawn fro all about olf Summ m clubs w good, cle it. ithin the an fun an The tourn Asia Paci d more im ament wil fi c p fo o rt otprint. antly, it is l be run o n Novem about ne There is n ber 14 at tworking o entry-f the Dana . It’s the th ee to part ng Golf & ird in the ic ip a to attend te in this Country C series. tourname the 2017 lu b in Danang, Asia Paci Vietnam. fic Golf S nt. To qualify, playe u mmit and rs need to Entry wil there are l be 144 slots register as delega from each on a first-come-fir tes available st-serve b club can re . asi gister on For more -line thro s and a two-man informati te u g a h the APG m on plea S website alice@asi . apacificg se visit www.golf conferen olfgroup ce .com or ca ll +65 632 .org or email to A li 3 2800 fo r more de ce Ho at tails.
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EQUIPMENT FOCUS
BRIDGESTONE GOLF
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october 2017
It’s got its big guns trained on its targets. It has sounded its battle cry and the first salvo has been fired! With its corporate muscles bristling with bursting energy and its heart pumping red hot blood seeking dominance on the battle-field, Bridgestone Golf has yelled out to the world with a fearless slogan: “Dare to be better. Dare to Bridgestone.” If this does not mean that Bridgestone is ready to take on all comers in the highly competitive arena of golf balls, we don’t know what else the company has on its mind.
B
ridgestone Golf, a subsidiary of the giant Bridgestone company, the world’s largest manufacturers of tyres for automobiles is now on a global rampage to bite off large chunks of the golf ball market. As part of this bold initiative, the Japanese manufacturer has just launched an entire arsenal of new golf balls which includes four models - TOUR B X, XS, RX and RXS. The charge is being led by its newly minted chief executive officer Angel Ilagan and under his leadership, Bridgestone is not apologetic about making direct comparisons to its competitors. Illagan is not a golf industry insider – he held leadership positions in corporations like Vera Bradley, Rubbermaid, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Conagra and General Mills. He is refreshingly different! In an interview with FORBES Magazine, Illagan said in reference to the new Bridgestone golf balls, “We’re very excited. We think this is good for the category, we think this is good for the industry. The more we promote the category, golf and golf products, the better for all of us. We know we’re going to get more than our fair share of it because
we have the better product, the data and the information to back that up.” The new balls are the direct result of Bridgestone’s consumer golf ball fittings. According to the company, data from more than 3 million in-person and online ball fittings went into the R&D process to determine how specific characteristics would benefit different players. In addition, Bridgestone said it used white label surveys to gauge and fulfill exact needs of customers. This is a big shift from how golf balls are normally designed based on testing and feedback from Tour players. “Unlike other manufacturers, we don’t try to shoe-horn golfers into a ball that doesn’t fit their game,” said Adam Rehberg, Bridgestone Golf Ball Fitting. “Plain and simple, our goal is to help golfers find the ball that will lower their scores by maximizing performance from tee to green.” “The secret to our success is in the data, as we rely on our database of millions of swings to understand how golfers of all skill levels are hitting the ball,” said Elliot Mellow, Bridgestone Golf Marketing Manager. “We then start to build out player personas based on trends and col-
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WATCH VIDEO
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laborate with third party golf industry data sources to further fine-tune each persona bucket. Once we have established exact needs of different players we determine which of our proprietary technologies can help them rise above the competition.” The new models are: TOUR B RX - reduces driver spin for increased accuracy of the tee. TOUR B RXS - for enhanced feel and control. The RX and RXS are for mid-to-low handicappers, promising “explosive” distance and optimized trajectory thanks to a high repulsion construction and new 338 modified Dual Dimple design. A side note here, the 338-dimple construction in the RX and RXS was one of the major reasons for the name change by Bridgestone. The RX will help players hit more fairways, according to Bridgestone, while those that rely on feel will gravitate toward the RXS. TOUR B X - reduces driver spin for increased accuracy of the tee. TOUR B XS - for enhanced feel and control. asiangolf 205
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TOUR B X and XS are designed for low handicap golfers that place an emphasis on feel. The X and XS provide more spin and greenside control, according to the company; due to a softer urethane cover formulation. Increased distance is provided from enhanced aerodynamics and improved 330 Dual Dimple design, Bridgestone said. The X is for those players looking for more accuracy off the tee, it said, while the XS provides extra length. A modified dimple design and a more balanced core are among the noteworthy improvements in Bridgestone’s new ball line. Bridgestone claims that the new balls, are the most innovative and performance-oriented product yet from a company with extensive rubber expertise that owns more than 1,000 ball patents and has over 900 polymer engineers worldwide.
WE’RE VERY EXCITED. WE THINK THIS IS GOOD FOR THE CATEGORY, WE THINK THIS IS GOOD FOR THE INDUSTRY.
THE MORE WE
PROMOTE THE CATEGORY, GOLF AND GOLF PRODUCTS, THE BETTER FOR ALL OF US.
WE KNOW WE’RE GOING TO GET
MORE THAN OUR FAIR SHARE OF IT BECAUSE WE HAVE THE BETTER PRODUCT, THE DATA AND THE INFORMATION TO BACK THAT UP.
– ANGEL ILAGAN
WATCH VIDEO
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EQUIPMENT FOCUS
TITLEIST 718 IRONS
For brand new prototypes to go out and win some of golf’s most prestigious titles really speaks volumes about the research and development process at Titleist. Without overstating the case, Titleist lives up to one of the late Steve Jobs credos where he states that “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” And the new Titleist irons are fabulous! Great to look at and a joy to play with! 53
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Wkept under wraps find their way onto the professional hat can you say when a set of new golf clubs that are
Tours and win? Darn it! How in the blazes did this happen? Well, put it down to a corporation’s smarts and its ability to expertly cover up the new clubs until launch time. The smart guys at Titleist did just that for a few weeks as part of a prelaunch “seeding exercise” before they unfurled the cloak of secrecy to reveal the company’s latest irons and hybrids – arguably the best to have come out from Fairhaven. It’s a very clever way to obtain a good read on how the new clubs perform in competition. But it becomes brilliant when the clubs pull off spectacular wins at mega events like the British Open and the PGA Championships – two great majors with a stellar line-up of the world’s best players and in both cases, the victories came courtesy of two young and fearless professionals – Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas!
A
rmed with bragging rights, th line of Titleist 718 irons, mad the AP1, AP2 and the newest to the family, AP3, are being p as the best engineered clubs to meet the performance requirements of p every level of the game. Other irons in the are the T-MB, CB and MB. Collectively, t offerings will continue the legacy o claim as being the #1 iron on Tour since 2005.
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he new e up of addition pitched designed players at e series these new of Titleist’s n the PGA
At the launch of the new irons, Josh Talge, vice president of marketing, Titleist Golf Clubs, said, “Our R&D team is relentless when it comes to improving iron performance and engineering new technologies into head profiles that look, sound and feel great. The invention of AP3, which combines the distance and forgiveness of our best-selling, game-improvement AP1 iron with the look and feel of our tour-favorite AP2, is a significant advancement that will help a wide range of golfers, and further illustrates why more of the world’s best players have Titleist irons in their bags.”
The 718 irons are about maximizing MOI and ball speed, while maintaining the proper launch, trajectory and shot-stopping control that players need to hit greens more consistently. Titleist considers irons as scoring clubs. “It’s about hitting your number and stopping the ball close to the pin,” said Marni Ines, director, Titleist R&D Irons Development. He continued, “Even with distance focused irons like 718 AP1 and AP3, which are just as long or even longer than the competition, the ultimate goal was playable and repeatable distance. When it comes to hitting a good iron shot, distance without control is meaningless.”
OUR R&D TEAM IS RELENTLESS WHEN IT COMES TO IMPROVING IRON PERFORMANCE AND ENGINEERING NEW TECHNOLOGIES INTO HEAD PROFILES THAT LOOK, SOUND AND FEEL GREAT.
THE INVENTION OF AP3, WHICH COMBINES THE DISTANCE AND FORGIVENESS OF OUR BEST-SELLING, GAMEIMPROVEMENT AP1 IRON WITH THE LOOK AND FEEL OF OUR TOUR-FAVORITE AP2, IS A SIGNIFICANT ADVANCEMENT THAT WILL HELP A WIDE RANGE OF GOLFERS, AND FURTHER ILLUSTRATES WHY MORE OF THE WORLD’S BEST PLAYERS HAVE THEIR BAGS.
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– JOSH TALGE
TITLEIST IRONS IN
WATCH VIDEO
THE 718 IRONS ARE ABOUT MAXIMIZING MOI AND BALL SPEED, WHILE MAINTAINING THE PROPER LAUNCH, TRAJECTORY AND SHOT-STOPPING CONTROL THAT PLAYERS NEED TO HIT GREENS MORE CONSISTENTLY. TITLEIST CONSIDERS IRONS AS SCORING CLUBS. “IT’S ABOUT HITTING YOUR NUMBER AND STOPPING THE BALL CLOSE TO THE PIN. DRILL-DOWN ON THE 718 AP1 IRONS This model has been designed and built for maximum distance and maximum forgiveness. Longer and more forgiving than the prior generation, the 718 AP1 irons combine classic Titleist look and feel with the game’s most advanced game improvement technology to produce an iron that is easy to hit, get in the air and stop on the green quickly. It comes in as a top contender for the best in the game improvement iron category. Available irons: 4-P, 48º, 53º. DRILL-DOWN ON THE 718 AP2 IRONS The new 718 AP2 continues to raise the bar, improving upon the technology and performance that have made AP2 the gold standard of modern tour irons. The co-forged, cavity back design provides ultimate playability with consistent distance and forgiveness, packaged in a tour-validated profile that delivers pure forged feel. AP2 is said to be the most popular tour iron globally because it combines the look and feel tour players demand with the precise distance control they need to consistently hit their target, shot after shot. For everyone else, it’s the tour iron within reach, because it is so forgiving. Available irons: 3-P, 50º asiangolf 205
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WATCH VIDEO
WE WERE THE FIRST TO USE AN ASCENDING MASS TECHNOLOGY SHAFT WI PLAYER TESTING AND TOUR FEEDBACK HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING,” TALGE SAI RED AMC (ASCENDING MASS CONCEPT) GRAPHITE SHAFT WITH ASCENDING MASS T WITH NIPPON NS PRO 950GH AS THE STOCK OPTIONS FOR AP1. TRUE TEMPER P (CB) AND PROJECT X (MB) ROUND OUT 718’S PREMIUM STOCK OPTIONS. IN ADDITI LEADING NUMBER OF CUSTOM SHAFT CHOICES, MANY AT NO UPCHARGE.
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WATCH VIDEO
716 AP2 AND OUR ROBOT TESTING, D. THE NEW MITSUBISHI TENSEI PRO
ITH
TECHNOLOGY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ALONG
PROJECT X PXI (T-MB), PROJECT X LZ ON, TITLEIST OFFERS AN INDUSTRY-
DRILL-DOWN ON THE 718 AP3 IRONS The all-new 718 AP3 is the player’s distance iron. An innovative hollow-blade design with high-speed face technology, AP3 merges everything Titleist has learned from creating and advancing AP1 and AP2 irons to produce the longest, fastest Titleist player’s iron ever. Titleist reckons the AP3 truly represents the best of both worlds - distance and forgiveness of a game improvement iron packed into the look and feel of a player’s iron. The AP3 draws its pedigree from the Titleist Concept C16 irons, which taught the company’s R&D team how to engineer breakthrough distance and forgiveness into a player preferred, smaller footprint. Available irons: 3-P, 48º
DRILL-DOWN ON THE 718 T-MB IRONS The ultimate utility iron, the 718 T-MB has grown into a full set of uniquely designed irons that deliver effortless distance at every loft in a technical, muscle-back shape. Initially developed as a high launching, player’s long iron, the hollow-body, multi-material design of T-MB produces a powerful combination of high launch and forgiveness with a playable trajectory. T-MB is said to be an absolute workhorse that launches high and just keeps going and according to Titleist, players can’t believe the performance they get out a club that from address looks like a classic muscle back. Available irons: 2-P, 50º
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DRILL-DOWN ON THE 718 CB IRONS The New 718 CB irons continue Titleist’s legacy of delivering tour-proven performance in a sleek, cavity back profile, delivering precision shot control with added forgiveness through the game’s most high-tech blade construction. Available irons: 2-P. DRILL-DOWN ON N THE 718 MB IRONS A esigned for today’s game, new 718 MB classic muscle back designed is the modern choice for or those players desiring maximum ditional forged look and feel. Available shot control with a traditional irons: 3-P. els come fitted with high performance All of the 718 models stock shaft matrix which h includes all-new premium aftermarwo new True Temper AMT shafts with ket options, including two tour-proven ascending mass technology. The new AMT Tour lack (AP3) models provide lighter White (AP2) and AMT Black reased launch and speed and long iron shafts for increased heavier short iron shaftss for control in specific weight ranges matched to the target players for AP2 and AP3. “We were the first to use an Ascending Mass Technology shaft with 716 AP2 and our sting and tour feedback robot testing, player testing has been outstanding,” Talge said. The new Mitsubishi Tensei Pro Red AMC (Ascending Mass Concept) ending mass technology is also availgraphite shaft with ascending able along with Nippon NS Pro 950GH as the stock options for ect X PXi (T-MB), Project X LZ (CB) and AP1. True Temper Project ut 718’s premium stock options. In addiProject X (MB) round out ndustry-leading number of custom shaft tion, Titleist offers an industry-leading charge. choices, many at no upcharge. asiangolf 205
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STS SPORTS TURF SOLUTIONS CO., LTD
290 Jareonpattana Rd, Bangchan, Klongsamwa, Bangkok, Thailand, 10510 Tel: +66 2-540-3180 | Fax: +66 2-540-3181 | e-mail: Brad@sportsturfsolutions.com | www.sport
tsturfsolutions.com
TITLEIST HYBRIDS EQUIPMENT FOCUS
It’s time that all of us in the global golf media paid attention to how Titleist is treating its latest hybrid clubs. The company is breaking away from tradition and calling its muscle-laden 818 hybrids as “improved long-game shot-making” clubs. They have decided to dump the commonly used term “rescue” clubs for hybrids. Well done Titleist – you have taken the lead to give hybrids a whole new meaning – a total game changer!
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S
o, what’s the low-down on the 818s? To start with, there are two models - the H1 and H2. Both draw their pedigree from the Titleist Tour-proven drivers which are renowned to create the longest, most accurate Titleist hybrids ever. It’s a godsend for dedicated golfers seeking performance and fitting precision for improved long-game shot-making. “We define hybrids as scoring clubs, not rescue clubs. That’s how our R&D group has been designing these clubs for years, and it’s the reason Titleist has become the clear #1 hybrid on the PGA Tour,” said Josh Talge, vice president of marketing, Titleist Golf Clubs. “The amount of technology we’ve engineered into 818 is unprecedented for the hybrid category, and will give golfers at every level the confidence to take dead aim from distances they never have before.” Here’s the drill down for the 818 hybrids:
• 818H1 is designed for golfers who have a sweeping delivery to the ball and prefer the look of a fairway wood. The larger profile provides high launch, effortless distance and tremendous forgiveness. Available in 19º, 21º, 23º, 25º and 27º lofts.
• 818H2 is for golfers who have a steeper delivery to the ball and prefer the look of an iron. The compact, square-toed profile delivers penetrating launch with precise distance and iron-like control. Available in 17º, 19º, 21º and 23 lofts. asiangolf 205
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THE AMOUNT OF TECHNOLOGY WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE ENGINEERED INTO 818 IS UNPRECEDENTED FOR THE HYBRID CATEGORY, AND WILL GIVE GOLFERS AT EVERY LEVEL THE CONFIDENCE TO TAKE DEAD AIM FROM DISTANCES THEY NEVER HAVE BEFORE.
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The 101 On The 818 Performance and Technology “When building scoring clubs like 818H1 and 818H2, you have to think about distance in terms of playable distance. Playable distance is easy distance that launches high and lands soft. Improving that performance requires faster ball speeds, higher launch and a higher peak height of shot, which we achieved through our redesigned Active Recoil Channel 2.0 and improved MOI properties. Playable distance is also consistent distance that you can control. Having seen just how powerful the combination of SureFit CG Weights and SureFit Hosel was for players being fit into our 917 drivers and fairways, we knew that technology would be especially meaningful in shot making clubs like 818 hybrids, allowing players to optimize their ball flight and produce more consistent shot patterns. We’ve also made 818 hybrids even more forgiving, which is crucial to maintaining that playability on off-centre shots.” – Stephanie Luttrell, Director of Titleist R&D Metalwoods Development. STEPHANIE asiangolfLUTTRELL 205 68
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TOUR EDGE: EXOTICS CBX FAIRWAY WOODS EQUIPMENT FOCUS
Tour Edge may not be a “big boy” in the golf equipment business but when it comes to their ability to harness top-flight technology and produce golf clubs with tremendous bite and power, the company is up there with the mighty powerhitters of the industry. For those of us who have been touched by Tour Edge’s products, especially their woods, can swear by the power the clubs pack. This writer has one – a 3-wood from the company that is close to ten years old and it is still whacking the ball a country mile off the fairways! The latest in the company’s power clubs is the extremely long Exotics CBX fairway woods. These clubs are stirring up a great deal of interest amongst golfers and are also notching up some impressive performances on the professional tours. asiangolf 205
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he new Exotics CBX fairway woods are real marvels of golf club technology. These new clubs feature the very best in materials and the latest in golf club technology advancements. “The CBX wood is a game-changer. The distance gains from the independent test are phenomenal. Then we saw the spin numbers and started calling it the ‘spin-killer’ around the office,” said President and Founder David Glod. “Everything has lined-up for the CBX, the design, compilation of materials, and CG location to make it our next best fairway wood,” Glod added. According to him, the new fairway woods have “really brought us back to full circle on where we were when we launched Exotics and provided a product that no one else in the industry could match numbers wise.” Recent independent “Iron Byron” (robot testing) results prove the all-new CBX woods to be the longest, lowest spinning fairway
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woods in a test that included three of the best-selling fairway woods on the market today. The CBX outdistanced competitors by an astonishing average of 16 yards. So, what is it that makes the CBX such an outstanding wood? It’s all got to do with its design which alters the club’s centre of gravity (CG) to manipulate the initial launch angle and velocity, hence reducing the amount of spin the ball will have on release. The precise engineering creates a spin-killing distance machine and the proof is in the numbers. The higher CG location minimizes spin for optimal low-spin distance, making for a tour-calibre fairway wood that provides amazing distance off the tee and from the rough. The result of the higher CG is the lowest spinning, exceptionally versatile fairway wood capable of delivering amazing distances and less dispersion on miss-hits due to the reduced side spin. Tour Edge engineers introduced their first Exotics fairway wood in 2004, creating new benchmarks for technology, distance and power in a fairway wood. The engine of the CBX metalwoods again lies within Exotics core ethos of using superior multi-materials and construction methods.
THE CBX WOOD IS A GAME-CHANGER. THE DISTANCE GAINS FROM THE INDEPENDENT TEST ARE PHENOMENAL.
THEN WE SAW THE SPIN
NUMBERS AND STARTED CALLING IT THE ‘SPIN-KILLER’ AROUND THE OFFICE
– DAVID GLOD
Tour Edge Engineers developed the new Speed Ramp sole on the CBX based on the design of the SlipStream™ sole waves in the very popular Exotics CB PRO fairway wood. The Speed Ramp sole is the next generation of design to minimize ground contact and maintain speed through impact. The super thin Beta Titanium face is combo brazed to the heavy hypersteel body without welding for exact weighting tolerances. The Exotics variable face thickness technology provides forgiveness on off-centre hits. Cosmetically the CBX is beautifully modern featuring a strong black finish without any alignment marks. The CBX fairway wood comes in four lofts; 3 (13.5 degree), 3 (15 degree), 4 (16.5 degree), and 5 (18 degree). asiangolf 205
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EQUIPMENT FOCUS
DT TRUSOFT GOLF BALL
Those of you who like playing with a “soft” golf ball because you want control on the greens normally gripe about distance. You just can’t have it all – something’s got to give and almost always the sacrifice is distance. But not anymore! The bright guys at Titleist have figured things out and they have just rolled out a new golf ball that is not only soft but has the extra legs to pick up a lot more yardage on the fairways.
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T
he guys who have given the world the winningest golf ball have turned on their magic again. Titleist has introduced the New DT
THE DT TRUSOFT PROVIDES A SUPERIOR COMBINATION OF SOFT FEEL, LONG DISTANCE AND PLAYABILITY INTO AND AROUND THE GREEN, WITH THE CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY THAT GOLFERS EXPECT FROM A
TITLEIST.
TruSoft Golf Ball. Their launch battle-cry thunders across the world’s fairways declar-
ing it as “the softest Titleist golf ball that delivers the bestin-class performance with even longer distance!” Coming from Titleist, the name behind the world’s winningest golf balls – the Pro V1 and Pro V1X, you better believe it! According to the company, the new ball has been re-engineered with a larger, low compression core and proprietary soft cover technology resulting in the DT TruSoft delivering longer distance with incredibly soft feel on all
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shots, plus increased short game spin for stopping power
ball. That’s certainly true for many of the lower compres-
on the green.
sion products in the market right now – but not DT TruSoft,”
For golfers who prefer a very soft compression feel, DT TruSoft is the best performing golf ball in its class – a result
said Michael Mahoney, vice president, Titleist Golf Ball Marketing.
of Titleist’s rigorous research and development and industry-
“When we launched DT TruSoft two years ago, it
leading manufacturing technologies. The new ball is made at
instantly became the longest ball in the category. Our
the Titleist Ball Plant 2 in North Dartmouth, Mass., and as a
R&D team has since discovered how to provide even more
company spokesman put it, “the DT TruSoft provides a supe-
distance without impacting the remarkably soft feel that
rior combination of soft feel, long distance and playability into
golfers tell us they love about this product. New DT TruSoft
and around the green, with the consistent performance and
continues to prove that golfers who prioritize feel don’t have
quality that golfers expect from a Titleist.”
to give up everything else.”
“We’re meeting more and more golfers who believe you have to sacrifice distance in order to play a softer-feeling
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So, there you have it – a performance golf ball that is both soft and the longest in its class!
INTRODUCING
ADD CONFIDENCE. SUBTRACT STROKES. PEBAX ® ELASTOMER INSERT
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The sum of its parts equals an incredible feel with the full-face forgiveness of patented
True Roll (TR) Face Technology. Choose from 15 new and improved models, including clean, confidence-inspiring blades and high-MOI mallets with alignment features engineered to fit your eye and your stroke.
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JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO ELIMINATE 3-PUTTS. We did the math, and statistics prove that True Roll Face Technology significantly reduces 3-putts, helping you save strokes every round. We’re committed to eliminating 3-putts from your game. Get fit for a PING putter today. ©2017 PING P.O. BOX 82000 PHOENIX, AZ 85071
Distance. Elevated. Innovative face-flexing technology launches the ball faster and higher to give you tour-player-type distance and stopping power.
So Fast, They’re Ahead of Their Time. In the new G400 Series, it’s not just one thing that makes the difference, it’s everything. It’s the small details that add up to big results. It’s what sets PING’s engineers and researchers apart from the rest. Get fit today and experience the G400 difference in your game.
Fast and Forgiving A speed-inducing forged face and MOIraising tungsten sole weight deliver greater distance and fairwayfinding forgiveness.
GET FIT TODAY © PING 2017
Maraging Steel Faces One of the strongest and most flexible alloys in the world, maraging steel ensures faster ball speeds that launch shots farther, higher and straighter.
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EQUIPMENT FOCUS
TAYLORMADE
How times have changed! It was not too long ago when TaylorMade Golf set a cracking pace when it came to the release of new golf clubs. It was a period where most of us just could not keep pace with the frequency of new clubs hitting the market. That’s all changed and the tempo of new product releases from TaylorMade is more measured at least in terms of timing. We are now looking at a different TaylorMade that has cut its attachment to the giant Adidas sports brand. It is now owned by a new company and the lean and fighting fit TaylorMade is armed to its teeth with a battalion of some of the best professional golfers in the world which includes world #1 Dustin Johnson. With the fire-power behind it, the revitalized TaylorMade is back in business with two new sets of irons.
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T
he former number one brand in golf has
design, we have effectively engineered an iron that is as
announced the expansion of its P700-Series
beautiful as it is powerful – setting the new standard for
irons lineup with the Introduction of P790
all-around iron performance,” declared Tomo Bystedt,
which is said to combine forged construction
TaylorMade’s senior director, Iron Creation.
with new speedfoam technology for extraor-
The P790’s hollow cavity uses SpeedFoam Technology,
dinary distance, forgiveness and playability with the look and
a new proprietary construction which serves a dual pur-
feel of a true players’ iron.
pose of generating ball speed as well as the management
“With the P790, we have created a forged iron that meets the demands of discerning players and delivers distance performance never before seen in a players’ iron. By combining our new SpeedFoam filler and WrapFace technology with a clean, classic
of sound and feel. Injected into the clubhead, SpeedFoam provides the face support and damping properties that make the performance of the P790 unlike any other iron in the TaylorMade family. The incorporation of the WrapFace creates a cut-thru Speed Pocket on the sole with extreme flexibility in the lower part of the clubface; it’s this flexibility which creates greater forgiveness and consistency than is typically seen in a distance iron design. For forgiveness and playability, P790 irons feature strategically placed internal metal-injection-molded (MIM)
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tungsten weighting for precise CG placement and higher moment of inertia. Complementing the P790 irons is the new P730 irons. The P730 has been designed to build off the company’s storied heritage of major championship winning blade irons, especially with the ’11 and ’14 Tour Preferred MB. The design team’s primary objective was to retain the features that were iconic to the Tour Preferred MB ‘14 – notably sole camber, offset flow, sole radius and hosel length – while at the same time improving its performance in two subtle ways; shaping and mass properties. The shaping improvements evolved from previous MB irons with direct feedback from Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson and other PGA TOUR players over the past several years. The overall blade profile is slightly smaller with cleaner and crisper lines, particularly in the 7-8-9 iron transition.
BY COMBINING OUR NEW SPEEDFOAM FILLER AND WRAPFACE TECHNOLOGY WITH A CLEAN, CLASSIC DESIGN, WE HAVE EFFECTIVELY ENGINEERED AN IRON THAT IS AS BEAUTI-
– SETTING THE NEW STANDARD FOR ALL-AROUND IRON PERFORMANCE. – TOMO BYSTEDT FUL AS IT IS POWERFUL
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Corporate Golf Day Management FORE can take care of every aspect of your golf event. We recommend the best golf courses, negotiate your green fees, and register your guests. On the day our team can be on hand to ensure your event goes without hitch. We can set up on-course signage, custom score cards and even caddie bibs. We provide your guests with custom-made FenixXcell apparel and accessories, and source your sponsorship. Our partners at Leadbetter Bangkok Golf are available to conduct golf clinics and just let us know if you’re up for our ‘beat the pro’ challenge.
Golf Trip Management FORE can organise both trips inbound to Thailand or outbound trips to anywhere in the World. If you are looking for the complete package you need not look any further. Let us take control and provide you with an unforgettable experience. We'll take care of your trip from start finish so you don't have to - everything from budget proposals, transfers, golf course bookings, hotel bookings, to custom made apparel. Through our partnership with the Leadbetter Academy Bangkok, we also offer golf trips to a variety of destinations where you are accompanied and coached throughout the trip by PGA Professionals.
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BLACK HAT GOLF TIPS GAME IMPROVEMENT
Flip out? What the heck is the golf instructor talking about? We don’t blame you for asking! Tony Meechai is very unorthodox when it comes to teaching golf. He is a trained and fully certified PGA coach out of Chicago, now living in Bangkok, Thailand. Over the years of teaching golf in Asia, he has taken time-tested teaching methods and given them a sort of unconventional twist. The important thing is that he makes it work and therein lies his success as a top golf coach in Asia. Back to “flip out” – he’s really talking about the difficulty in making pitch shots. Find out what he has to offer as a solution.
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S
truggling with your pitch shot? It could be related to your perception and understanding of the swinging motion. How often do I see beautiful practice swings with a
driver only to watch in utter shock, when the ball is actually hit and it bounces to a disappointing 20-feet across
the tee-box!
Once again, the way I was taught to teach is based on Club-Focused Instruction. To me, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the fastest and simplest method to get a struggling golfer to understand and execute a swing well. Most of the time, when I focus on what the club is doing in the swinging motion rather than what the body is doing, the student is cured and well on his way to a more enjoyable golf game. The student obviously needs to practice and have more success with this tip. So, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what you need to do if you are struggling with your pitch shots.
MOST OF THE TIME, WHEN I FOCUS ON WHAT
THE CLUB IS DOING IN THE SWINGING MOTION RATHER THAN WHAT THE BODY IS DOING, THE STUDENT IS CURED AND WELL ON HIS WAY TO A MORE ENJOYABLE GOLF GAME.
THE STUDENT OBVIOUSLY
NEEDS TO PRACTICE AND HAVE MORE SUCCESS WITH THIS TIP.
Flip Out! No, I don’t mean to go nuts! I mean just take the golf club and flip the club so that you are holding the clubhead end in your hands. 1.
Now, with the club flipped over in your hands position yourself to the
2.
Your purpose with the club flipped over is to swing the shaft back and
3.
You will notice the grip end of the club brushes the grass at the bottom
4.
Keep swinging it backward and forward, and NOT up and down.
ball. forth. Yes, move the entire shaft of the club backward and forward. of the arc. 5.
Now, flip the club over and hold it by its grip.
6.
Take a regular stance.
7.
With the same intention, just focus on swinging the shaft back and forth.
8.
Allow the clubhead to contact the ball. The clubhead loft will move the ball forward. Your job is to just move the entire club shaft back and forth. No up or down action! Trust me! This tip has made me thousands of dollars in lesson revenue!
Now you are getting it for free! When you try it and it works, think of me! Flip Out does work!
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 PGA Professional Golf Management, he has made a name for himself in Asia over the past decade, during which 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 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 Club-Focused Instruction curriculum and teaching philosophy. Voted 2015 and 2016 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 tony@tmggroupasia.com. Like Black Hat Golf Tips page on facebook.
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PREVIEW GAME IMPROVEMENT
IMPAC
IAIN INTRODUCES THE SWING GUIDE
In this exclusive Asian Golf Monthly series, respected coach Iain Roberts is teaching golf novice Niall Donnelly to play the game in 10 one-hour sessions. The third lesson finds Niall discovering the mysteries of arm action and swing plane. AND SHOWS HOW TO USE IT – BACKSWING …
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NIALL TRIES THE SWING GUIDE
B
efore we go further, I should explain that this project does not claim to take me from novice golfer to half-decent player in 10 hours. Yes, it comprises 10 one-hour lessons. But, in between, there needs to be practice. And more practice. And more practice after that. Iain gives expert guidance, but it’s up to me to put in the time and effort. So I arrive and tell Iain my practice at the range has been distinctly average. I can’t hit the ball cleanly anywhere near as often as I would like. “Do your warm ups and then we’ll take a look,” he says. After my first two shots he steps in and makes some corrections, advising me about weight transfer from right leg to left during the swing and keeping my head still. The improvement is instant. Our third lesson is off to a great start.
CT …
AND FOLLOW-THROUGH.
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Iain explains that we’re going to get more advanced, this time working on arm action and the swing plane. He produces a club with a strange piece of yellow plastic attached to the grip. “These are cheap to buy but priceless in what they can do for your game,” he says cheerfully. It’s a swing guide, designed to ensure you rotate your forearms and hinge your wrists on backswing and follow-through. What follows is five minutes of repetition while I get used to moving my arms and wrists in the correct way, each time with the “cup” of the swing guide nestling against my right forearm at the top of the backswing and left forearm at the end of the follow-through. We then isolate the action so that there is no swing of the arms at all, just holding the club at impact point and hinging the wrists back and forth. Once this is completed,
AND LEARNS TO USE IT – BACKSWING …
AND FOLLOW-THR
Iain invites me to hit a few balls. The t “It’s all about educating your arms an says. Taking it a step further, Iain talks idea that the club must follow a smo swing. We practice slow-motion bac to placing the club at the correct an through to impact and beyond. Grad half-speed swings and finally start again. The results are encouraging this hour some of my 7-iron shots off into the distance. “You’re sta look like a golfer,” says Iain.
HITTING AFTER USING THE SWING GUIDE – STANCE …
BACKSWING …
AND FOLLOW-THR
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WHAT FOLLOWS IS FIVE MINUTES OF REPETITION WHILE I GET USED TO MOVING MY ARMS AND WRISTS IN THE CORRECT WAY, EACH TIME WITH THE “CUP” OF THE SWING GUIDE NESTLING AGAINST MY RIGHT FOREARM AT THE TOP OF THE BACKSWING AND LEFT FOREARM AT THE END OF THE FOLLOWTHROUGH.
WE THEN ISOLATE THE ACTION SO THAT THERE IS NO
SWING OF THE ARMS AT ALL, JUST HOLDING THE CLUB AT IMPACT POINT AND HINGING THE WRISTS BACK AND FORTH.
ONCE THIS IS THE TRANS-
COMPLETED, IAIN INVITES ME TO HIT A FEW BALLS. FORMATION IS ASTONISHING.
“IT’S ALL ABOUT EDUCATING YOUR
ARMS AND WRISTS TO MOVE CORRECTLY.
OUGH.
transformation is astonishing. d wrists to move correctly,” he
s about the swing plane, the ooth orbit throughout the ckswings and I get used gle to swing smoothly dually we build up to hitting a few balls . By the end of are zinging arting to
ROUGH.
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IT’S BEEN A GOOD LESSON!
ABOUT IAIN ROBERTS Iain Roberts has spent a lifetime in golf since first picking up a club at the age of 14. As player, coach, retailer, administrator and senior executive, he has vast experience in the game. His outstanding contribution to golf was given the ultimate recognition in 2015 when the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland awarded him Master Professional status. Iain is founder and operator of the Iain Roberts Golf School – www.iainrobertsgolfschool.com – which operates from three locations in Hong Kong.
www.iainrobertsgolfschool.com
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