support@golfcitizen.com
ISSUE
12
250
SEPTEMBER 2021
The problem-plagued 2020 Tokyo Olympics is over. The show went on against all odds but so typical of the critics, the mega event was lampooned with criticisms that were not really deserved. But, let the critics know that while the city of Tokyo has been lumped with a massive debt of US$20 billion amongst other problems, in typical Japanese tradition, precision, pride and honour, the Olympics went off with hardly a hitch and will be remembered as a one-of-a-kind spectacle where athletes rose to challenge past records and set new benchmarks – all this without spectators. This on its own qualifies the Tokyo Games to be a winner! So, let the critics cry while Japan goes down in the annals of Olympics’ history as a nation that showed its true mettle and cleared every hurdle placed before it! BANZAI NIHON!
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So, against this backdrop of making things happen under the most testy and trying conditions, how did golf do at the Olympics? First, let’s look at the macro perspective – golf did enormously well and if anything at all, it certainly justified and validated its inclusion in the greatest sporting spectacle on Planet Earth. It also justifies the tremendous effort that the International Golf Federation (IGF) made to bring back golf to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games after having been left out of the game’s schedule for more than 100 years. While golf’s inclusion in the Rio Games was fraught with criticisms and pessimism relating to its inclusion in the Olympics, this certainly was not the case with the Tokyo Olympics. At the micro level, golf at the Tokyo Games went ballistic and the facts speak out emphatically to this.
SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER FASHION TREND
PANDEMIC BOOM TIMES! Are you seeing things? Do you need to squeeze a few eye-drops into your peepers to ensure that you are not going prematurely blind? NO need for such drastic reactions. You are seeing what you see! If anything at all, the global pandemic has not had a crippling effect on the golf equipment industry, at least for now. We can all do with some rainbows to help keep our spirits up.
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IT’S TIME FOR A FJ MAKE-OVER!
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It’s always nice to be able to feature something fun and ASIAN GOLF is breaking away from the heavy stuff in golf to give its readers a full preview of FJ’s brand new 2021 collection in golf wear. The new collection features three lines for men and one for women.
EQUIPMENT FOCUS
PXG 0311 – YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY! PXG has deployed innovative new super tour blades for advanced amateurs and scratch golfers! PXG 0311 ST® GEN4 Blades have been inspired by the company’s tour professionals and informed by player research - these sleek, super tour blades are crafted for skilled golfers who crave greater workability, enhanced control, and an exceptional feel.
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TITLEIST HITS IT RIGHT OUT OF THE PARK! Titleist is one of those brands that takes the development of new golf clubs very seriously. The company that has dominated the world of irons on the PGA Tour for 16 of the last 17 years, including each of the last seven seasons, has hit the ground running with its brand-new Titleist T-Series – irons that advance the company’s mission of producing the best irons.
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BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY – AN IRON WITH “HEART”!
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TaylorMade has rolled out the all-new P-790 irons, a family of irons with a proven pedigree and a bucketful of universal acclaims for its performance. At first glance, it becomes very apparent that the head-turning good looks of the P-790, a distinct family trait, is still there but enhanced to the nth degree of excellence! With the new P-790, the third generation in the series, TaylorMade has combined its newly engineered SpeedFoam™ Air with an intelligent Sweet Spot to help golfers obtain new levels of power and performance.
SPECIAL FEATURE We can write a good-sized novel on club fitting, but we have decided to let golfers who have been custom fitted share their experiences. In this context, ASIAN GOLF will be publishing a regular feature entitled Me And My PINGs where golfers who have been fitted lift the mystique about club fitting. We invite golfers to contact us to share their experiences because by so doing, it’s just going to help legions of other golfers to start playing and enjoying better golf.
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Just when we thought that the fairways of the professional world of golf was stable and back to normal, the rumbles of disruption have emerged again. For those of our readers who have been following the battle between the renegade London-based Premier Golf League (PGL) and the combined front of the world’s richest and most powerful professional golf tour, the PGA Tour and the European Tour, ASIAN GOLF, which has been following developments closely from the beginning, has decided to bring you up to speed on what seems to be developing into a colossal confrontation.
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Mike Sebastian
INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITOR
Alan Campbell (China/Middle East)
Editor/Chief Executive Officer [mike@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Correspondent
GLOBAL EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL
Angela Raymond
President [angela@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Gregg Patterson
President, Tribal Magic Inc.
Andrew Wood Founder/President, Legendary Marketing
James Cronk
Raquel Arcega
Executive Creative Art Director [raquel@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
President, Cronk Group
IT Consultant Tech-Know Integrators
Alice Ho
INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Business Manager [alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Alice Ho
Email: alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com
ASIAN GOLF www.asiapacificgolfgroup.com Tel: +65 6323 2800 Company Registration No.: 201405689G
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 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.
ASIAN GOLF, the longest running pan-Asian golf magazine has been awarded the citation as the Best Asia Pacific Golf News Publication for 2021. This prestigious award has been bestowed upon the magazine by the Londonbased APAC Insider. This sought-after award recognises all-round excellence, commitment and dedication of the publication to its industry. “This is really a humbling experience to be recognised as the best in the Asia Pacific region,” said Mike Sebastian, CEO and Publisher of ASIAN GOLF. “This is the second time we have been recognised and it comes as validation of the good work that the team does day in and day out!” ASIAN GOLF is an international golf magazine produced in English and enjoys a worldwide circulation. Its social media following, especially on Facebook is in excess of 103,000 followers.
FROM THE PUBLISHER SHARED THOUGHTS
SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM THE PUBLISHER
Are you seeing things? Do you need to squeeze a few eye-drops into your peepers to ensure that you are not going prematurely blind? NO need for such drastic reactions. You are seeing what you see! If anything at all, the global pandemic has not had a crippling effect on the golf equipment industry, at least for now. We can all do with some rainbows to help keep our spirits up.
SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM THE PUBLISHER
AS WE MOVE INTO THE SECOND HALF OF 2021 AND SEE ESCALATING POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES IN MANY REGIONS AND WHILE WE EXPECT GOLFER ENGAGEMENT TO REMAIN HEALTHY, WE DO EXPECT TO
FACE VARIOUS LEVELS OF DISRUPTION WITHIN OUR SUPPLY CHAIN.
I HAVE THE UTMOST CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITY
TO NAVIGATE THESE UNCERTAINTIES WITH EXCELLENCE AS WE SEEK TO DELIVER THE HIGHEST QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO OUR TRADE PARTNERS AND DEDICATED GOLFERS AROUND THE WORLD.
A
– DAVID MAHER
nyway, it is encouraging to see that two of
quarter driven by an increase of US$65m in Titleist ball
the big boys of the golf equipment world are
sales, an increase of US$43 million in FootJoy golf wear, an
reporting that their bank vaults are filling up
increase of US$41m in Titleist clubs.
with cash. The two players are Acushnet, the parent company of Titleist and FootJoy and
Callaway Golf.
The South Korean owned Acushnet was first to report
Reflecting on the sales, the Acushnet President and CEO David Maher declared, “Demand across all Acushnet product categories remains robust and contributed to another terrific quarter for the company.” However, he
that its year-to-date net sales of US$1,205 million for the
was cautious when discussing the second half of the year
last six months were up 70% year on year, up 64% on the
Maher said, “As we move into the second half of 2021 and
same period for 2020 and up 34% compared to 2019. It’s net
see escalating positive COVID-19 cases in many regions
sales in the United States increased by 117% in the second
and while we expect golfer engagement to remain
ASIAN GOLF FEELS THAT THE DEMAND IS COMING FROM THE DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP MADE UP OF POST-WAR BABY BOOMERS.
THE DEMOGRAPHIC WINDOW OF THIS GROUP COVERS THE PERIOD STARTING IN 1946 STRETCHING THROUGH TO 1964. NOW, WE ARE LOOKING AT THOSE BORN IN THE LATE 50’S TO 1964 AND THIS IS THE GROUP THAT IS BEGINNING TO RETIRE AND SPEND THEIR CASH IN NEW
LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDES GOLF. IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT DEMAND FROM THESE TAILER-ENDERS OF THE BABY BOOM
PERIOD IS ONE OF THE MAIN CONTRIBUTORY CAUSES FOR THE HEALTHY STATE OF THE GOLF INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY IN
NORTH AMERICA.
healthy, we do expect to face various levels of disruption
both its equipment and apparel segments. In addition,
within our supply chain. I have the utmost confidence in
Topgolf, which merged with Callaway in March 2021, also
their ability to navigate these uncertainties with excel-
contributed to revenue growth, with US$325m in sales for
lence as we seek to deliver the highest quality products
the period between April and the end of June.
and services to our trade partners and dedicated golfers around the world.” Meanwhile, Callaway Golf has also reported record
Revenues from sales of golf equipment in Q2 increased by 37% to US$138m compared to the pre-pandemic levels in the second quarter of 2019, driven by the continued surge
revenue increases across its equipment and apparel brands
in golf demand and participation, the successful launch of
over the last six months as the golf boom continues to
the new EPIC line of woods and APEX line of irons .and the
resonate across the industry.
continued success of its Chrome Soft line of golf balls.
The company’s financial results for the second quarter
Income from apparel sales rose by 21% compared to
ended June 30, and for the first six months of 2021, saw net
2019 figures, with clothing brand Travis Mathew continuing
revenues driven by higher-than-expected growth across
to experience increased demand from golfers.
SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM THE PUBLISHER
THESE RESULTS REFLECT THE STRONG MOMENTUM AND EXCEPTIONAL OPERATING PERFORMANCE ACROSS ALL OF OUR BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND UNDERSCORE THE STRONG CONSUMER DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEE
THAT THE INTEREST IN THE SPORT OF GOLF REMAINS AT ALL-TIME HIGHS AMONG BOTH EXPERIENCED GOLFERS AND NEW ENTRANTS TO THE SPORT. There was one negative though and that relates to the US$168 million loss for Q2 in 2020 due to golf course and retail closures caused by the pandemic. Chip Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer
– CHIP BREWER
US$3.02 billion to US$3.05 billion. Just in case you are wondering how sustainable these upward trends are, based on the future outlooks presented by the bosses at Acushnet and Callaway, it’s
of Callaway, said: “These results reflect the strong mo-
going to be coming up roses. From a statistical standpoint,
mentum and exceptional operating performance across
ASIAN GOLF feels that the demand is coming from the
all of our business segments and underscore the strong
demographic group made up of post-war baby boomers.
consumer demand for our products and services. We are
The demographic window of this group covers the period
encouraged to see that the interest in the sport of golf
starting in 1946 stretching through to 1964. The older
remains at all-time highs among both experienced golfers
people in this group, who are now well into their seventies,
and new entrants to the sport.”
were the ones who drove the big golf demand of the 80’s
Speaking in a more optimistic tone, Brewer added: “As
and the early 90’s. Now, we are looking at those born in the
we look ahead to the second half of 2021 and beyond, we are
late 50’s to 1964 and this is the group that is beginning to
confident that our unique portfolio of businesses is well po-
retire and spend their cash in new leisure and recreational
sitioned for long-term growth. We expect to deliver excellent
activities which includes golf. It is our belief that demand
financial results for the full year. All in all, we are excited
from these tailer-enders of the baby boom period is one of
about the long-term trends in our golf and outdoor apparel
the main contributory causes for the healthy state of the
businesses, as well as the growth opportunities for Topgolf,
golf industry, especially in North America.
all of which will continue to drive shareholder value.” Callaway has forecast full year sales in 2021 of
Now, the big sixty-four-dollar questions – how long can this last for? Think about it.
TOKYO GOLF OLYMPIC COVER STORY
C O V E R S T O RY | T O K Y O G O L F O LY M P I C
The problem-plagued 2020 Tokyo Olympics is over. The show went on against all odds but so typical of the critics, the mega event was lampooned with criticisms that were not really deserved. But, let the critics know that while the city of Tokyo has been lumped with a massive debt of US$20 billion amongst other problems, in typical Japanese tradition, precision, pride and honour, the Olympics went off with hardly a hitch and will be remembered as a one-of-a-kind spectacle where athletes rose to challenge past records and set new benchmarks – all this without spectators. This on its own qualifies the Tokyo Games to be a winner! So, let the critics cry while Japan goes down in the annals of Olympics’ history as a nation that showed its true mettle and cleared every hurdle placed before it! BANZAI NIHON!
C O V E R S T O RY | T O K Y O G O L F O LY M P I C
S
o, against this backdrop of making things happen under the most testy and trying conditions, how did golf do at the Olympics? First, let’s look at the macro perspective – golf did enormously well and if anything at all, it certainly justified and validated
its inclusion in the greatest sporting spectacle on Planet Earth. It also justifies the tremendous effort that the International Golf Federation (IGF) made to bring back golf to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games after having been left out of the game’s schedule for more than 100 years. While golf’s inclusion in the Rio Games was fraught with criticisms and pessimism relating to its inclusion in the Olympics, this certainly was not the case with the Tokyo Olympics. At the micro level, golf at the Tokyo Games went ballistic and the facts speak out emphatically to this. Although there are no statistics available to back up golf’s popularity at the Tokyo Olympics, it must be noted that every nation in the Asia Pacific geography was placed on the game’s
CRAZY NATION.
ALTHOUGH MATSUYAM OLYMPIAN TO FIN
BATTLED LIKE A TRUE
television broadcast footprint – even strife-torn Afghanistan and the remote island of Papua New Guinea! Add to this the fact that television broadcast of the golf competition went out on a common time-zone which means to say that golf fans were able to watch proceedings during their wakening hours. In the absence of TV audience ratings for the Asia Pacific, a good measure of the pull-power of Olympic golf was very evident in the great interest generated on social media. In the men’s event, Japan was glued to its millions of television sets as national hero and reigning Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama made a gallant bid to win gold and boost national pride in what is a golf crazy nation. Although Matsuyama did not make the grade, he battled like a true Olympian to finish tied fourth overall. As Matsuyama’s effort collapsed, another Asian dug deep to summon up the will and courage to bring glory to his home country and to the Asian continent. Taiwan’s C.T. Pan crossed swords with American super-star Collin Morikawa to defeat him in a gut-wrenching play-off to wrest the bronze medal – a massive victory for Pan and for all of Asia.
WINNERS OF GOLF-MEN’S 2020 TOKYO OLYMPICS: XANDER SCHAUFF MEDAL), AND RORY SABBATIN SLOVAKIA, RIGHT (SILVER MEDAL)
IN THE MEN’S EVENT, JAPAN WAS GLUED TO ITS MILLIONS OF
TELEVISION SETS AS NATIONAL HERO AND REIGNING
MASTERS CHAMPION HIDEKI MATSUYAMA MADE A GALLANT BID TO WIN GOLD AND BOOST NATIONAL PRIDE IN WHAT IS A GOLF
MA DID NOT MAKE THE GRADE, HE
NISH TIED FOURTH OVERALL.
FELE (USA, GOLD MEDAL), C.T. PAN, LEFT (TAIWAN, BRONZE
C O V E R S T O RY | T O K Y O G O L F O LY M P I C
XANDER WITH HIS MOTHER PING-YI SCHAUFFELE
XANDER SCHAUFFELE OF US WINS GOLD MEDAL
Let us not forget that the man who went on to claim the coveted gold medal has a very strong connection to Asia. Little was known of American Xander Schauffele’s ties to Asia until the Tokyo Games. While there was some chatter about Schauffele being able to speak Japanese, no one had come out to reveal that his mother, Ping Yi is Taiwanese, born and bred and raised both in Taiwan and Japan. In fact, his maternal grandparents still live in Taiwan. So, Schauffele’s win, by virtue of his parentage, is a win for Asia also! Upon reflection, Asian men did well at golf in the Tokyo Olympics. There was a total of 13 players in a field of 60 representing Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, India, South Korea and Malaysia. There is no denying that their participation in the games will have a positive effect on the growth of golf in not only their respective countries but also throughout Asia. While the men’s tournament was a cliff-hanger resulting in a historic seven-man play-off for the bronze medal, the women’s tournament was, a nail biter! The pre-tournament favourite Nelly Korda had to fight tooth and nail right up to the 18th hole to secure a win for gold. She was paced by New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, India’s Aditi Ashok and Japan’s Mone Inami,
WINNERS OF GOLF-WOMEN’S 2020 TOKYO OLYMPICS: NELLY KORDA AND LYDIA KO, RIGHT (NZL, BRONZE MEDAL)
C.T. PAN OF TAIWAN WINS BRONZE MEDAL
(USA, GOLD MEDAL), MONE INAMI, LEFT (JPN, SILVER MEDAL)
C O V E R S T O RY | T O K Y O G O L F O LY M P I C
I THINK IT’S GOOD, JUST EVEN TOP 5 OR TOP 10 AT AN OLYMPICS IS REALLY GOOD. BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT SPORT OR THAT PERSON HAS A MEDAL CHANCE.
SO JUST HAVING MORE TOP FINISHES, EVEN IF IT’S NOT EXACTLY A PODIUM FINISH, WILL MAYBE BRING EYES TO THE SPORT AND MORE SUPPORT, MORE KIDS PICK UP MORE, WHATEVER, THAT HELPS GROW THE GAME.
– ADITI ASHOK
the eventual silver medal winner. Inami’s silver gave the host nation good reason to cheer, and the diminutive Japanese golfer deserved the right to claim the medal. However, the heroine of the women’s golf event which offered the drama of a potential giant-slaying feat, came close to materialising as millions of television viewers back in India were glued to their sets, cajoling, inspiring and pushing her to win golf’s prestigious gold medal. Aditi Ashok, ranked 200 in the world, duked it out with Korda, the world number one but she just could not rise to the occasion. Undeterred, she battled on for the silver and bronze play-off, but it was not to be her Olympic
MONE INAMI OF TEAM JAPAN CELEBRATES WITH THE SILVER MEDAL
moment. While she may not have won a medal, Ashok has most definitely opened the eyes of a cricket-mad
the country’s leading politicians, would have certainly made
nation to realise that they have the players and the talent to
many sit up and take notice of the sport. “I think it’s good,
challenge for honours in golf at the Olympic level.
just even top 5 or top 10 at an Olympics is really good.
Ashok hopes her medal run in Tokyo will put the
Because you know that sport or that person has a medal
spotlight on the game at home, which by the reaction from
chance. So just having more top finishes, even if it’s not
exactly a podium finish, will maybe bring eyes to the sport and more support, more kids pick up more, whatever, that helps grow the game,” Ashok said. India’s Golf Whisperer and golf entrepreneur Shivas Nath had this to say about Ashok’s performance: “The impact of a medal would have reverberated right through and would have been felt by the entire nation. There is no question the game will grow in India, and the government will get involved, sports budgets will be allocated to golf, corporations will get their weight behind golf too. Indian golf more than ever needs this sort of performance even though we did not get a medal!” Nath went on to add, “In India less than 1% know about golf’s Major championships but everyone knows about the Olympics, everyone watches it, follows it and discusses it. Winning an Olympic medal is massive, the athlete is a ‘forever icon’.“ This is a development that would please the IGF whose focus is to grow the game of golf through the Olympics and India with a population of 1.4 billion people offers tremendous growth potential. Aside from the fairy-tale ending to Ashok’s Olympic challenge, Asian women golfers performed extremely well against a tough Olympic field of 60 golfers. A total of 18 players took part representing Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Philippines, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Thailand. Of this group, 8 finished in the top 15 which is a huge achievement for Asian women golfers. In the final analysis, golf has done well at the Olympic level. Asia has played its part to ensure the validation of golf as a deserving member of the Olympic family of sports. Golf has honoured the Olympic Creed – “The important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight; the essential thing is not to have won, but to have fought well.”
C O V E R S T O RY | T O K Y O G O L F O LY M P I C
Asian Golf Would Like To Celebrate And Salute Our Golfin
MONE INAMI (JPN)
ADITI ASHOK (IND)
SHANSHAN FENG (CHN)
YUKA SASO (PH)
JIN YOUNG KO (KOR)
XIYU LIN (CHN)
SEI YO
HYU JOO KIM (KOR)
PATTY TAVATANAKIT (TH)
INBEE PARK (KOR)
MIN LEE (TW)
KELLY TAN (MAL)
BIANCA PAGDANGANAN (PH)
ARIYA J
C.T. PAN (TW)
HIDEKI
ASIA HAS PLAYED ITS PART TO ENSURE THE VALIDATION OF GOLF AS A DESERVING MEMBER OF THE OLYMPIC FAMILY OF SPORTS. GOLF HAS HONOURED THE OLYMPIC CREED – “THE IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS NOT THE TRIUMPH, BUT THE FIGHT; THE ESSENTIAL THING IS NOT TO HAVE WON, BUT TO HAVE FOUGHT WELL.
ASHUN WU (CHN)
SI WOO KIM (KOR)
RIKUYA HOSHINO (JPN)
CARL YUAN (TW)
ANIRBAN LAHIRI (IND)
GUNN CHAROENKUL (TH) JUVIC
ng Olympians:
OUNG KIM (KOR)
NASA HATAOKA (JPN)
WEI-LING HSU (TW)
JUTANUGARN (TH)
DIKSHA DAGAR (IND)
TIFFANY CHAN (HK)
MATSUYAMA (JPN)
SUNGJAE IM (KOR)
JAZZ JANEWATTANANOND (TH)
PAGUNSAN (PH)
UDAYAN MANE (IND)
GAVIN GREEN (MAL)
Engineered for more forgiveness and more fun. There’s one to fit your eye and stroke. Available in 11 score-lowering models.
MULTI-MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION Strategic use of various materials, including tungsten, steel and aluminum, provide the forgiveness and accuracy golfers expect from a PING putter. | P.O. BOX 82000 PHOENIX, AZ 85071
Shallow, uniform-depth grooves provide a soft feel and consistent roll. The softer front layer of the dual-durometer insert provides precision on shorter putts; firmer back layer ensures distance control.
CLUB FITTING SPECIAL FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURE | CLUB FITTING
We are totally convinced that there isn’t a single golfer on this Planet who has not heard of club fitting. It’s a term that keeps cropping up all the time, but it has not seemed to really have caught on in a big way. You see, club-fitting is a critical aspect of the game of golf. We think so – in fact we are darn convinced so! It’s like everything else in this off-the-shelf world that we live in – the sort of one size fits all belief. Not so with golf clubs especially if you want to play a good game and enjoy the game in the process buddy!
SPECIAL FEATURE | CLUB FITTING
ASIAN GOLF WILL
BE PUBLISHING A REGU-
LAR FEATURE ENTITLED
ME AND
MY PINGS WHERE GOLFERS
WHO HAVE BEEN FITTED LIFT THE MYSTIQUE ABOUT CLUB FITTING.
WE INVITE GOLFERS TO CON-
TACT US TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES BECAUSE BY SO DOING, IT’S JUST GOING TO HELP LE-
GIONS OF OTHER GOLFERS TO START PLAYING AND ENJOYING BETTER GOLF.
M
ost everyday golfers know that pro-
We think that with all the research and development
fessional golfers have their clubs
that is constantly going into the design of golf clubs and golf
fitted to match their game. It will be
balls, the least golfers can do is to prick up their ears, lift the
absolute suicide for a professional
shades covering their eyes and go get an appointment for a
to walk onto a tournament tee-box
club fitting. It’s the best darn thing that you can do to help
and let rip a drive with a driver that is not custom fitted
improve your game and avoid going home all pissed off with
for him. Here’s a quick disclaimer – it does not mean
yourself and kicking your dog as it charges towards you to
to say that off the rack clubs are useless – no way. You
plonk a slobbery canine kiss to welcome you home.
see, all of us have our quirks about how we swing our
We can write a good-sized novel on club fitting, but we
clubs and our body mechanics and dynamics are in no
have decided to let golfers who have been custom fitted share
way boringly perfect cookie-cutter designed. We are all
their experiences. In this context, ASIAN GOLF will be publish-
different, hence the need to fine-tune golf clubs to fit
ing a regular feature entitled Me And My PINGs where golfers
how we are physically built. That’s putting it in a simple,
who have been fitted lift the mystique about club fitting. We
bite-sized capsule!
invite golfers to contact us to share their experiences because
How often have you been in the position to precision drop your golf ball right close to the mouth of the hole only to walk off with a triple bogey. Quite normal
by so doing, it’s just going to help legions of other golfers to start playing and enjoying better golf. Our first custom-fitted golfer in this series, is Datuk
really. However, playing with a set of custom fitted
Verus Sham, a retired senior government officer from Sabah,
clubs provides you with a better chance of being more
East Malaysia. He is an avid golfer who has been playing with
accurate and precise with your shot. Custom fitting just
off-the-shelf clubs for as long as he can remember. Now, he
gives you that chance to be able to make the difference
is armed with his customised clubs and he is just waiting to
between slam-dunking a birdie or blowing it with a
cash in on the beers!
bogey.
DATUK VERUS
SPECIAL FEATURE | CLUB FITTING
AT THE GOLF RANGE AND GOLF COURSE, I HAVE FOUND THAT I COULD USE MY CLUBS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WITH EASE. I WAS CONFIDENT IN USING THEM FROM THE START, AS THEY ARE
AFTER ALL CUSTOM FITTED FOR ME.
ANYWAY, I CERTAINLY HAVE NOTICED THAT I AM GAINING MORE DISTANCE WITH MY DRIVER, FAIRWAY WOODS AND IRONS.
exercise than competition and enjoyment with my fellow retirees. Hence, I have decided to get custom fitted clubs as my retirement gift for myself.
ASIAN GOLF:
This I believe is your first experience with custom fitting. As an avid golfer, what are some of your initial reactions after putting the clubs to play? DATUK VERUS: Yes, this is my first experience in custom fitting. My initial reaction is that, since they are custom fitted for me, they should enable me to play my game better by returning better scores, and therefore enjoy my game much more. My feeling is just like owning a new custom-made branded men’s suit. I feel better, comfortable and proud wearing it!
ASIAN GOLF: ASIAN GOLF:
What made you decide to get custom fitted? DATUK VERUS SHAM: I am a social golfer. I have enjoyed playing golf since I picked it up in 1986 at age 44. As I was playing mostly fellowship
What are some of the more distinct improvements that you have noticed? Has shot accuracy improved? Have you been able to get better control over shot dispersion? DATUK VERUS:
games, I didn’t bother much with what clubs I used. As a
At the golf range and golf course, I have found that I could
senior player now, I wish to continue to play golf, more for
use my clubs almost immediately with ease. I was confident
in using them from the start, as they are after all custom
playing more golf. My handicap went quickly down to 11,
fitted for me. Anyway, I certainly have noticed that I am gain-
but it’s now hovering at about 21 as a senior player. With
ing more distance with my driver, fairway woods and irons.
my new custom fitted PING set (taken delivery in late April
But, as I only started using these clubs in late April this year
2021) I hope to continue playing fairly good and enjoyable
(2021) and with playing restrictions due to the pandemic
round of golf.
lockdowns, I have yet to improve on accuracy of my shots, especially on approach shots, pitching and chipping. However, I feel that I could improve in this area too, given enough practices and time sooner than later.
ASIAN GOLF:
How long have you been playing golf; what is your handicap and how long have you had the new Pings? DATUK VERUS:
ASIAN GOLF:
Have your regular playing partners noticed any difference in your game? DATUK VERUS: My regular playing partners have complimented me for being able to drive longer and straighter with my new PING driver and 5-wood at my age. Now that I am playing with confidence and enjoying my golf more with my custom fitted clubs, I will certainly recommend club fitting to my friends
I started playing golf in 1986, 35 years ago. But, due to heavy
of any age. In fact, I would tell them to get their clubs fitted
work commitments, I played very little. It was only after I
earlier when they are still young or younger so that they can
retired from the Government Service in 1997 that I started
enjoy the benefits earlier, unlike me.
A 5 star championship golf course located in Indonesia’s city of Bandung. Parahyangan Golf is set admist picturesque lakes, rolling hills and lush paddy fields.
SAUDI CONFRONTATION SPECIAL FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURE | SAUDI CONFRONTATION
Just when we thought that the fairways of the professional world of golf was stable and back to normal, the rumbles of disruption have emerged again. For those of our readers who have been following the battle between the renegade London-based Premier Golf League (PGL) and the combined front of the world’s richest and most powerful professional golf tour, the PGA Tour and the European Tour, ASIAN GOLF, which has been following developments closely from the beginning, has decided to bring you up to speed on what seems to be developing into a colossal confrontation. In brief, the battle is over the proposed staging of a revolutionary new professional tour mooted by PGL which is being vehemently opposed to by the combined custodians of the professional tours in America and across the pond in Europe – the two major staging platforms for the world’s major professional golf tournaments.
SPECIAL FEATURE | SAUDI CONFRONTATION
WE ARE ALIGNED WITH THE PGA TOUR IN OPPOSING, IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS, ANY PROPOSAL FOR ANY ALTERNATIVE GOLF LEAGUE. OUR TWO ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE GLOBAL GOLF LESS FRACTURED AND NOT
CREATE FURTHER DIVISION, WITH THE INTERESTS OF ALL PLAYERS AND FANS AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR THINKING.
E
– KEITH PELLEY
ver since the PGL floated its concept, it ran
breakaway world tour that promised multi-million-dollar
headlong into a brick wall of resistance from
deals as rewards. This was a totally justified stance to take
the PGA Tour and the European Tour. At first,
given the fact that the PGA Tour almost single-handedly has
because of the reported involvement of oil-
built the tour into what it is today – an incredible behemoth
rich Saudi Arabian financial interests in the
of sports that has helped to create mega stars in golf.
PGL initiative, the resistance was sort of muted especially
The PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan’s warning
since the central theme of what was being discussed at the
was immediately supported by the European Tour’s Keith
beginning, was focused on the supportive role that the Saudi
Pelley who said, “We are aligned with the PGA Tour in op-
interest wanted to play in growing the professional game of
posing, in the strongest possible terms, any proposal for
golf and golf in general.
any alternative golf league.” Pelley went on to add, “Our two
However, this perceived benevolent posture gradually
organisations have been working together to make global
seemed to take on a more sinister position as it became
golf less fractured and not create further division, with
apparent that the new kid on the block wanted to become a
the interests of all players and fans at the forefront of our
major force on the professional golf scene. This got the PGA
thinking.” Pelly’s statement goes a long way to demonstrate
Tour to swing into an attack mode based on what it saw as a
the strong and indivisible bond that has been put in place
marauding force (PGL and its backers) bent on drawing its
between the two tours.
huge talent pool of world-class players to play in tournaments organised by the new upstart. The attack mode spearheaded by the PGA Tour and its
As if the united front was not enough, Rory McIlroy, acting in his capacity as chairman of the Players Advisory Committee on the PGA, also snubbed the dollar-lined over-
partner, the European Tour was swift and decisive - the PGA
tures from the PGL. In rebuking the PGL initiative, McIlroy
Tour threatened the world’s leading golfers with instant
said, “You have to protect what you have … it’s a competitive
suspension and a lifetime ban if they joined the proposed
threat. And Jay (Monahan) took us through its last night. It’s
RORY MCILROY | CHAIRMAN OF THE PLAYERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE PGA
I DON’T THINK THERE’S A BETTER STRUCTURE IN PLACE IN GOLF, AND I DON’T THINK THERE WILL BE.” NO NEED TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES – MCILROY HAS SPOKEN, AND IT MEANS THAT NO RANKED PLAYER ON TOUR WOULD LEAP-FROG TO JOIN THE ASPIRANT PGL!
SPECIAL FEATURE | SAUDI CONFRONTATION
TO MOST OF US WHO ARE WATCHING DEVELOPMENTS WITH THE SHARP FOCUS OF EAGLE EYES CAN ONLY COME TO ONE CONCLUSION
– AND THAT CONCLUSION BEING THAT THE ENTIRE PGL PROJECT HAS BEEN PRONOUNCED DEAD ON ARRIVAL! AS IF THE WARNING TO PLAYERS AND MCILROY’S SNUB WAS NOT ENOUGH, JUST WEEKS AGO, IN AN APPARENT MOVE TO RING-FENCE THE PGL AND KILL ITS BOLD AND IRREVERENT BID TO START ITS OWN TOUR, THE PGA TOUR UNVEILED ITS 2021-22 CALENDAR AND IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT AN IMPREGNABLE FORTRESS IS BEING BUILT TO KEEP OUT RENEGADES, LIKE LOFTY POSITION.
in the by-laws that were written by the members.” The Northern Irish star and four-time major winner
PGL FROM CHALLENGING ITS
He went on to add, “Today’s announcement shows not only the growth of the game, but also how professional golf is
concluded without mincing his words when he declared, “I
collaborating like never before ….. the Strategic Alli-
don’t think there’s a better structure in place in golf, and I
ance between the PGA Tour and European Tour has been
don’t think there will be.” No need to read between the lines
a material, positive step forward in those efforts. ... we
– McIlroy has spoken, and it means that no ranked player on
continue to work diligently with the stakeholders in global
tour would leap-frog to join the aspirant PGL! To most of us who are watching developments with the sharp focus of eagle eyes can only come to one conclusion – and that conclusion being that the entire PGL project has been pronounced DEAD ON ARRIVAL! As if the warning to players and McIlroy’s snub was not enough, just weeks ago, in an apparent move to ring-fence the PGL and kill its bold and irreverent bid to start its own tour, the PGA Tour unveiled its 2021-22 calendar and it seems obvious that an impregnable fortress is being built to keep out renegades, like PGL from challenging its lofty position. Working in a “strategic alliance” with the European Tour, both tours have struck an amicable arrangement to work in their joint best interests. In announcing the new calendar, the PGA Tour’s Monahan said, “We think it’s a very strong indication of what we can do together. And for us, we’re going to continue to focus on what we can control and continue to make some significant advancements.”
ANDY GARDINER, CEO OF PGL
professional golf and look forward to more announcements on that front.” A classic example of how this “strategic alliance” is manifesting itself can be seen in the fact that for the first time ever, the Scottish Open will be jointly hosted by the PGA Tour and the European Tour. And this first step is apparently going to be followed up in “many more to come” according to the European Tour’s CEO Pelley. There is no denying that with the “strategic alliance” in place, the combined force of the PGA Tour and the European
EVERYTHING FROM PGL’S STANDPOINT IS HUNKY DORY BUT THERE IS A SERIOUS GREASE-PATCH THAT IT MUST WATCH OUT FOR.
FOR
ITS TOUR TO WORK, IT NEEDS STARS, YOUNG STARS WITH
Tour presents a powerful and muscle-bound partnership that
THE PULL POWER TO EXCITE
no new-comer would want to take on in a knock-down-drag-
SPONSORS AND ADVERTISERS
out fist fight. It would be suicide! That’s what many thought but just when everything
AND LOYAL FANS.
GIVEN THE
looked like it was under control, the PGL got a second wind
BLOCKADES SET UP AND
that pumped up its lungs to bring to life another affront that
STARING THE
has fired a new round of salvos to demonstrate that it was still very much in the battle. Led by its CEO, Andy Gardiner, a London-based lawyer and a former Lehman Brothers executive and current director at Barclays Capital who claims to have a war chest of US$1 billion, and the reported support of partners with assets ringing up a total of some US$20 billion, Monahan and gang have been issued with a new challenge.
PGL IN ITS
FACE, THERE IS NO WAY IT
CAN STIR UP THE SAME EXCITEMENT, SUPPORT AND
FOLLOWING WITH A FIELD OF LACKLUSTRE HAS-BEENS AND ALSO-RANS.
SPECIAL FEATURE | SAUDI CONFRONTATION
In a spanking new website, which seems to have just been launched, the PGL is working hard at stating and arguing its case. To start with, it has recently unravelled a schedule planned to begin in January 2023 that would include 18 tournaments targeting the top 48 male players in the world. That’s still some time away and anything can happen between now and then. However, to be fair, the PGL has shown its hand and that’s got to be good for something. According to its plans, a dozen of these events would be staged in the United States with the others “chasing the sun” around the world. Each competition would be worth US$20m with US$4m going to the winner and last place picking up US$150,000. By way of comparison, the biggest purse on the
WE THINK IT’S A VERY STRONG INDICATION OF
WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER.
AND
PGA Tour for a single event is US$2.7m from a US$15m prize fund at the Players Championship. There would be a team element with team principals PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS
FOR US, WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE CAN CON-
TROL AND CONTINUE TO MAKE SOME SIGNIFICANT ADVANCEMENTS.
TO-
DAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT SHOWS NOT ONLY THE GROWTH OF THE GAME,
BUT ALSO HOW PROFESSIONAL GOLF IS COLLABORATING LIKE NEVER BEFORE... THE BETWEEN THE
STRATEGIC ALLIANCE PGA TOUR AND
EUROPEAN TOUR HAS BEEN A MATERIAL, POSITIVE STEP FORWARD IN THOSE EFFORTS. ... WE CONTINUE TO WORK DILIGENTLY WITH THE
STAKEHOLDERS IN GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL GOLF AND LOOK FORWARD TO MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THAT FRONT.
– JAY MONAHAN COLLIN MORIKAWA
THERE IS NO DENYING THAT WITH THE “STRATEGIC ALLIANCE” IN PLACE, THE COMBINED FORCE OF THE PGA TOUR AND THE EUROPEAN TOUR PRESENTS A POWERFUL AND MUSCLE-BOUND PARTNERSHIP THAT NO NEW-COMER WOULD WANT TO TAKE ON IN A KNOCKDOWN-DRAG-OUT FIST FIGHT. IT WOULD BE SUICIDE! choosing which scores from individuals from the four-man
fans. Given the blockades set up and staring the PGL in its
line ups would count. There are also plans to involve the
face, there is no way it can stir up the same excitement,
leading women’s tours and to plough 50% of the spoils back
support and following with a field of lacklustre has-beens
into “the golf community”.
and also-rans.
Everything from PGL’s standpoint is hunky dory but there is a serious grease-patch that it must watch out for. For its tour to work, it needs stars, young stars with the pull power to excite sponsors and advertisers and loyal
MATTHEW WOLFF
Let’s all take our ringside seats to watch the action unfold – be prepared for a total let down! For a sense of the PGL’s mission, check out its website at: https://premiergolfleague.com/the-league/
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER
VIKTOR HOVLAND
FJ SUMMER/FALL 2021 APPAREL COLLECTION SPECIAL FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURE | FJ SUMMER/FALL 2021 APPAREL COLLECTION
Hey! Did you know that there is power to be had from the clothes you have in your wardrobe? We are not pulling one over you – you can honestly harness the power of your wardrobe to achieve, and this is according to a world-renowned fashion psychologist. The expert is Dr. Dawnn Karen, who has a book out about how clothes influence behaviour for the wearer and those around him or her. The title of her book is “Dress Your Best Life”. According to her you may get dressed every day without really thinking about what you’re putting on, but did you know that what you wear has a powerful effect on how you feel? Or that your clothes influence the way others perceive you? By making a few adjustments to your wardrobe, and learning to style from the inside out, you’ll not only elevate your look, but level up your entire life. Karen is a pioneer in the field of fashion psychology, and she has spent years studying the relationship between attire and attitude. In her book, she goes far beyond well-known makeover advice, pushing you to ask yourself: Are my clothing choices hurting me or helping me to achieve my life goals? Her book will help you discover your unique style story, become a smarter shopper, use colour to your advantage, match moods to clothing choices, and embrace new or different standards of beauty. This knowledge is a power that you’ll exercise every time you open your closet door or walk into an important meeting or even onto the golf course in just the right outfit.
SPECIAL FEATURE | FJ SUMMER/FALL 2021 APPAREL COLLECTION
S
o, with the timely advice of someone who knows fashion and how to use it to one’s advantage, let’s look at how you can look spiffy on the golf course and play the game of your life! The company that perhaps outfits most golfers in the world is arguably FJ or formerly known as FootJoy. These big boys have launched their latest 2021apparel collection and
what is on offer looks cool! It’s always nice to be able to feature something fun and ASIAN GOLF is breaking away from the heavy stuff in golf to give its readers a full preview of what’s available to re-stock your golf wardrobe. The new collection features three lines for men and one for women. The men’s collection is made up of: GLENDALE COLLECTION – and the colours are hot pink/French blue/ black/white. DESTIN COLLECTION – the main colours are mint/sky/navy/white. GARDEN CITY COLLECTION – and this collection comes in merlot/ grey/smoke/chili. The colours are all fresh and FJ continues to push the trend of prints which are used on several different materials and backgrounds, including accents, trims and stripes. New prints include the Vintage Floral, Broken Pinstripe, Floral Vines and Golf Doodle prints.
GLENDALE COLLECTION GARDEN CITY COLLECTION
DESTIN COLLECTION
THE COLOURS ARE ALL FRESH AND FJ CONTINUES TO PUSH THE TREND OF PRINTS WHICH ARE USED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT MATERIALS AND
BACKGROUNDS, INCLUDING ACCENTS, TRIMS AND STRIPES.
NEW PRINTS INCLUDE THE VINTAGE FLORAL, BROKEN PINSTRIPE, FLORAL VINES AND GOLF DOODLE PRINTS.
SPECIAL FEATURE | FJ SUMMER/FALL 2021 APPAREL COLLECTION
A refreshed Essentials line offers a range of shirts and bottoms
THE FABRICS
that complement the three new fashion collections with a variety of new styles, materials and construction options in Traditional and Athletic Fits. For the female golfer, FJ’s popular GolfLeisure® Collection continues to grow with a wide range of options, designed to give the active fe-
USED IN ALL
FJ GOLF APPAREL ARE
male golfer style and comfort on the course and in her everyday lifestyle.
CREATED COMPLETELY
The 2021 Line features primary colours of aquamarine, cobalt and citrus,
FROM SCRATCH WITH
to compliment the core colours white, black and navy. The fabrics used in all FJ golf apparel are created completely from
EVERY STITCH, EVERY
scratch with every stitch, every fibre and every textile engineered with
FIBRE AND EVERY
the golfer in mind.
TEXTILE ENGINEERED
If you are set to make the big switch, FJ advises that the Glendale, Destin and GolfLeisure® Collection will be available from September 2021 and The Garden City Collection will be available from mid October 2021. GOLFLEISURE® COLLECTION
WITH THE GOLFER IN MIND.
THREE DISTINCT DRIVERS Available in MAX (highest MOI), LST (low spin), or SFT (draw bias) models to fit your game.
OUR MOST FORGIVING DRIVER. EVER. Total MOI pushes 10,000 in the G425 MAX, a new standard in long and straight. A 26g tungsten CG shifter increases MOI an average of 14% across the Draw, Neutral and Fade settings.
At PING, we measure success in the lab and on your scorecard. Led by our most forgiving driver ever, the G425 MAX, big performance gains were achieved across the new G425 family. The proven innovations engineered into G425 clubs deliver score-lowering results off the tee, from the fairway and into and around the green so golfers of all skill levels can enjoy the game more.
©20021 PIN P G | P.O. BOX 82000 PHOOENIX, AZ 85071
PXG 0311 ST GEN4 EQUIPMENT FOCUS
EQUIPMENT FOCUS | PXG 0311 ST GEN4
The PXG adventure started back in 2014 – not too long ago. When the brand was launched by the maverick billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons, the usual flock of doomsday pundits gathered to talk it down. These naysayers let fly their negativity on the basis that PXG, a total newcomer and a lilliputian with no track record in golf, was walking into the land of the giants only to be crushed. Least were they aware that the force driving this bold initiative was a man who was driven by the spirit to keep moving forward. His credo, simply put states: “Never stop investing. Never stop improving. Never stop doing something new. The moment you stop improving your organization, it starts to die. Make it your goal to be better each and every day, in some small way. Remember the Japanese concept of Kaizen. Small daily improvements eventually result in huge advantages.” This is one of the key philosophical cornerstones of Parsons Xtreme Golf, a pillar that is cast in solid bedrock.
EQUIPMENT FOCUS | PXG 0311 ST GEN4
S
ince its debut in 2014, PXG, under the watchful eye of its founder has never looked back. Its first set of irons, the original 0311 model, that featured unique weight screws surrounding the heads and a hollow-bodied design has gone
through a series of iterations and each generation has seen the bar of excellence raised. Over the past seven years, the 0311 has been refined and it has been taken to a new generation - the fourth generation of the 0311 irons. The GEN4 0311 is ready to rock with three brand new models - the T model has been designed for accomplished golfers, the P, ideally suited for mid-handicap players who want more distance and feel, and the XP meant for players who want the maximum in forgiveness and power. In a nutshell, PXG has deployed innovative new super tour blades for advanced amateurs and scratch golfers!
EQUIPMENT FOCUS | PXG 0311 ST GEN4
WE’VE INTEGRATED EVERYTHING WE LEARNED INTO OUR NEW
PXG 0311 ST GEN4 BLADES. AND, WHILE THESE BEAUTIES MIGHT NOT BE FOR THE FAINT OF HEART AT ADDRESS, THEY CERTAINLY DELIVER TOTAL CONTROL FOR THOSE WHO CAN SWING THEM.
PXG 0311 ST® GEN4 Blades have been inspired by
through gap wedge feature a thinner topline and shorter
the company’s tour professionals and informed by player
blade length engineered to get the ball out of the rough with
research - these sleek, super tour blades are crafted for
ease and accuracy. To further fine-tune performance, PXG 0311 ST GEN4
skilled golfers who crave greater workability, enhanced control, and an exceptional feel. A thoughtful departure from a traditional tour blade,
Blades also incorporate PXG’s Precision Weighting Technology. Leveraging a large weight located near the center of
PXG 0311 ST GEN4 Blades feature a varied clubhead design
gravity (CG) on the back of the clubhead, golfers can experi-
supporting extreme workability in the scoring irons and
ence various head weight configurations during a fitting. With all critical geometries milled for consistent
more forgiveness in the long irons. These irons also present minimal offset and a razor thin top line. “We spent a lot of time working with our tour players and other talented golfers to understand how we could pack
performance, these triple forged blades help advanced amateurs and professional golfers shape their shots and sharpen their game. “New PXG 0311 ST GEN4 Blades have cleaner lines,
more performance into our solid-bodied blades,” said PXG Founder and CEO Parsons. “We’ve integrated everything we
more forgiveness, and have increased my distances,” said
learned into our new PXG 0311 ST GEN4 Blades. And, while
PXG tour professional and PGA TOUR winner James Hahn. It
these beauties might not be for the faint of heart at address,
helped him to shoot his lowest score ever – 60 – at the 2021
they certainly deliver total control for those who can swing
Barbasol Championship! PXG 0311 ST GEN4 Blades are available in Chrome or
them.” A tour player-inspired design, PXG 0311 ST GEN4
Xtreme Dark. A customer favorite, Xtreme Dark provides
Blades introduce a varied blade length across the short,
a matte-black aesthetic leveraging a Diamondlike Carbon
mid, and long irons. The 3- through 5-irons present a
(DLC) Coating, which significantly increases the surface
slightly larger profile and small cavity to boost the moment
hardness of the finish for improved wear resistance over
of inertia (MOI) and forgiveness. The 6- and 7-irons offer
time.
a thin topline and moderate blade size to provide exceptional face control and excellent workability. And the 8-iron
So, if you are looking to sharpen your game, place the new PXG 0311 ST® GEN4 Blades in your bag!
TAYLORMADE P-790 EQUIPMENT FOCUS
EQUIPMENT FOCUS | TAYLORMADE P-790
A PIONEER IN THE PLAYER’S DISTANCE IRON CATEGORY, P•790 IS BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF PERFORMANCE AND ELEGANCE. DELIVERING POWER, DISTANCE AND FEEL IN A PACKAGE THAT APPEALS TO A WIDE RANGE OF PLAYERS. TO TACKLE THE TASK OF IMPROVING ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IRONS IN RECENT HISTORY, ENGINEERS BEGAN BY REDEVELOPING THE TECHNOLOGY THAT SITS AT THE CENTRE OF IT ALL.
EQUIPMENT FOCUS | TAYLORMADE P-790
It is simply incredible to witness paradigm shifts in technology, especially in the use of materials to boost the performance of products, and in the case of this product review, it’s about golf clubs, more specifically irons. It’s the latest iteration of the game-changing TaylorMade P•790 irons. The life of this iron started back in 2017 when TaylorMade took the golfing world by storm by introducing the first-generation P•790 which was a combination of an ultra-thin face, hollow-body construction and SpeedFoam which provided for a forgiving route to maximum distance and playability. Aesthetically, it was a drop-dead beautiful set of irons. Digging into the archives we ran into a fascinating story which features TaylorMade’s Tomo Bysted - Senior Director of Product Creation recalling how brand ambassador Jason Day reacted when introduced to the P•790. Bystedt said, “Jason hits it and I’m reading out the numbers for him - 256 carry, 275 total, crazy numbers - and he’s not even really trying to hit it that far.” Bystedt continued, “He’s shaping the ball, hitting a couple low shots, a couple of high shots. I mean you could see it in his face. Like, really? He hits a few more balls, walks over to his bag, takes out his old long iron, hands it to me and says, ‘I don’t need this anymore.’ That’s how good the 2017 model of the P•790 was. It had arrived and it ruled the fairways until the new 2019 P•790 emerged which took the whole experience of playing with the technologically advanced irons to a whole new level. The 2019 model had been nipped and tucked into a more traditional players iron shape with higher launch and more forgiveness.
F
ast forward to 2021, and in grand style, Taylor-
category, P•790 is built on a foundation of performance and
Made rolls out the all-new P•790 irons, a family
elegance. Delivering power, distance and feel in a package
of irons with a proven pedigree and a bucketful
that appeals to a wide range of players. To tackle the task of
of universal acclaims for its performance. At first
improving one of the most successful irons in recent history,
glance, it becomes very apparent that the head-
engineers began by redeveloping the technology that sits at
turning good looks of the P•790, a distinct family trait, is still there but enhanced to the nth degree of excellence! With the new P•790, the third generation in the series,
the centre of it all.” And that game-changing technology is the Speedfoam Air! What is it, you may wonder? It is like the “heart” of the
TaylorMade has combined its newly engineered SpeedFoam™
iron - an ultralight urethane foam inside the forged hollow
Air with an intelligent Sweet Spot to help golfers obtain new
body construction which is 69% less dense than the prior
levels of power and performance
generation. “Speedfoam Air is the heartbeat of the new P•790
In the launch statement, this is how TaylorMade de-
irons. The development of the lightweight urethane material
scribed the new irons: “A pioneer in the player’s distance iron
allowed us to strategically reconstruct the iron head to pro-
SPEEDFOAM AIR IS THE HEARTBEAT OF THE NEW
THE
P•790
IRONS.
DEVELOPMENT
OF THE LIGHTWEIGHT URETHANE MATERIAL ALLOWED US TO STRATEGICALLY RECONSTRUCT THE IRON HEAD TO PROMOTE OPTIMAL LAUNCH CONDITIONS AND A SWEET SPOT THAT COVERS THE MOST COMMON STRIKE POINTS ON THE FACE.
EQUIPMENT FOCUS | TAYLORMADE P•790
mote optimal launch conditions and a sweet spot that covers
aligned with centre face to naturally provide performance
the most common strike points on the face,” is how Matt
where golfers need it the most. The 2021 P•790 contains much of the DNA that has
Bovee, of the Product Creation, Irons described it. In a world where minor adjustments can lead to major
made this a dynamic iron franchise for more than five years.
results, the switch to SpeedFoam Air accounts for signifi-
Heavy tungsten weighting, up to 31g in an individual iron
cant weight savings – an average of 3.5g in respective irons.
head, is strategically positioned to deliver both stability and
The change allows for a substantial redistribution of mass
forgiveness. The patented Thru-Slot Speed Pocket™ contin-
to lower CG placement and improved launch properties.
ues to provide increased face flexibility while preserving ball
Furthermore, it unlocked access to the thinnest face in
speed and distance on low face strikes.
P•790 history and allowed for the creation of an intelligent sweet spot. The P•790 iron heads are crafted from an 8620 carbon
In conjunction with the launch of the P•790s, TaylorMade has also put out the P•790 UDI –a forged driving iron designed with Tour-inspired shaping and incorporating proven Taylor-
steel that maintain strength and durability while allowing for a
Made technologies such as the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket™ and
new thin-walled design – adding to the overall weight-saving
Forged Hollow Body Construction with a new thin-walled
benefits of SpeedFoam Air. This re-engineered Forged Hollow
design. Like the other irons in the set, the P•790 UDI is
Body Construction pairs with a responsive 1.5mm forged 4140
powered by the all-new SpeedFoam™ Air and is con-
steel L-Face to promote supreme flexibility, fast ball speeds
structed of a soft, 8620 carbon steel body combined
and distance while upholding a premium forged feel.
with a high strength forged 4140 carbon steel face.
The company’s iron development team charted data
The P•790 UDI features the same intelligent
from thousands upon thousands of golf shots and determined
sweet spot that positions performance precisely
the most common impact points on the iron face. Utilizing
where golfers need it the most. The head design pro-
this data, engineers strategically shaped and positioned the
motes low spin shots with a piercing trajectory and is built
sweet spot to capture more of those shots. Results include
for golfers who want control without sacrificing distance.
measurable upticks in ball speed and distance compared to the prior generation. Overall, the sweet spot has been better
All the new irons are available in golf stores throughout Asia.
THE P•790 UDI FEATURES THE SAME INTELLIGENT SWEET SPOT THAT
POSITIONS PERFORMANCE PRECISELY WHERE GOLFERS NEED IT THE MOST.
THE
HEAD DESIGN PROMOTES LOW SPIN
SHOTS WITH A PIERCING TRAJECTORY AND IS BUILT FOR GOLFERS WHO WANT CONTROL WITHOUT SACRIFICING DISTANCE.
EQUIPMENT FOCUS | TAYLORMADE P•790
Not to be left out, there’s also a family of awesome
new Raised Micro-Ribs further enhance those benefits and
wedges from TaylorMade - the all-new Milled Grind 3
deliver added precision around the greens – especially on
(MG3) wedges, building on the Tour-proven performance of
partial shots.
RAW Face Technology. Many of the game’s best players prefer RAW wedges
“Wedges have to be versatile and exacting, whether it’s a full swing from 100 yards, a touchy 15-yard pitch
for a critical reason. The unplated surface material will
that needs to stop quickly, or any distance between. With
rust over time to preserve consistent spin while also
Milled Grind 3, we’ve designed a wedge that’s capable of
delivering better performance in wet conditions. The all-
delivering optimal spin on every shot from every distance,”
EQUIPMENT FOCUS | TAYLORMADE P•790
said Bill Price, TaylorMade’s man at the Product Creation
division for Putters and Wedges.
geared towards increased playability and forgive-
Raised Micro-Ribs (0.02mm tall and .25mm wide) span the entire face and sit between the traditional
ness on various shots.
grooves. They create an abrasive and textured surface
TaylorMade’s Milled Grind Sole process produces wedges of exacting specifications time after time. Each leading edge and sole grind are individually CNC milled
HIGH BOUNCE - is designed to help players with a steep attack angle or those who play in softer
area that improves the interaction between club face and ball on finesse shots.
STANDARD BOUNCE - the SB sole geometry is
conditions.
TW GRIND - Offered in custom offerings only, with 56° and 60° lofts available, each sole on the MG3 TW was inspired by Tiger’s grind. In examining every component of wedge
for accuracy and consistency from club to club. Player-
design during the development of MG3,
inspired alterations to the sole and bounce offerings for
engineers made a special effort to improve
MG3 wedges include:
sound and launch.
LOW BOUNCE - this new LB sole geometry promotes a smoother entry and exit of the club through the turf.
WEDGES HAVE TO BE VERSATILE AND EXACTING, WHETHER IT’S A FULL SWING FROM 100 YARDS, A TOUCHY 15-YARD PITCH THAT NEEDS TO STOP QUICKLY, OR ANY DISTANCE BETWEEN. WITH MILLED GRIND 3, WE’VE DESIGNED A WEDGE THAT’S CAPABLE OF DELIVERING OPTIMAL SPIN ON EVERY SHOT FROM EVERY DISTANCE.
TITLEIST T-SERIES EQUIPMENT FOCUS
E Q U I P M E N T F O C U S | T I T L E I S T T- S E R I E S
It is indeed very heartening to see the big-name brands in the golf equipment sector constantly stepping up to the plate to not just hit home runs but to knock it right out of the pack. The benefit of this constant lifting of the bar to new heights has only one effect and it’s a good one – it simply means that golfers are presented with terrific new equipment to play with and great equipment in the hands of good golfers can only mean one thing – a better game, better scores and most importantly, a more enjoyable day out on the golf course.
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itleist is one of those brands that takes the development of new golf clubs very seriously. It is part of that company’s ethos to always work on the best so that golfers can play to their best expectations. It’s as simple as that! The company that has dominated the world of irons on the PGA Tour for 16 of the last 17 years, including each of the last seven seasons, has hit the ground running with its brand-new Titleist
T-Series – irons that advance the company’s mission of producing the best irons. The T-100 Series irons, first introduced at the 2019 U.S. Open, features four models - T100, T100•S, T200 and T300. The common hallmarks shared by all four include new materials, processes and refinements that provide exacting precision, performance and unmatched feel. Before we take a dive to check out the irons, let’s take an up-close look at the top of the line which is T100 – the Modern Tour Iron. It has been designed for the better player who is looking for precision control and unrivaled feel. ASIAN GOLF has learnt that the refinements found in the new T100 model are the product of continuous feedback from some of the best iron players in the game, including Jordan Spieth, Will Zalatoris, Sungjae Im, Cameron Smith, Garrick Higgo and Jessica Korda, among many others. It is the most played iron model on the PGA Tour for a reason – and with tour-validated improvements - now has even more reasons to stay on top. A ‘player’s iron,’ the new T100 offers more precise flighting and control, fully forged feel, a more versatile sole design, and plays like the commanding and consistent field favourite it is on tour. The T100 irons are designed with a new Tour-preferred brushed chrome finish.
T100 – THE MODERN TOUR IRON. IT HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR THE BETTER PLAYER WHO IS LOOKING FOR PRECISION CONTROL AND UNRIVALED FEEL.
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When asked to comment on the T-Series, Josh Talge, VP for Titleist Golf Marketing said, “The new T-Series irons represent another step forward in Titleist iron design and technology …. with these new irons, across the board, every detail matters. They provide the best precision and performance in their respective iron category with stunning aesthetics and feel. Golfers don’t buy an iron ‘line’, they want specialization, and that’s what each of these models offer.” Chipping in, Marni Ines, Director, Titleist Irons Development, Golf Club R&D explained, “T-Series irons are designed to provide precise control for any player who wants to score lower …. from form to feel to function, every aspect of these irons is crafted towards the golfer being consistent from their first shot to their last throughout every round. Whether it is the T100, T100•S, T200 or T300, every iron is individually engineered to help the golfer deliver a strike where they can see and feel pure performance.” “What sets these irons apart from the competition is the precision and feel they provide the golfer. Irons are scoring clubs and it is important to the T100 player to hit their number and hit it more consistently,” Ines pointed out. Well, there you have it – straight from the guys who were hands-on in the development process of the T-Series. Next on deck are the T200 Long Irons and the new Titleist U-505 utility clubs. Just when you thought that long irons were passé, Titleist comes along with the T200. According to Titleist, the new T200 long irons are designed for the better player who is looking for long irons to increase launch and speed. Every component of the multi-material hollow body construction of the T200 contributes to long and consistent distance.
THE NEW T-SERIES IRONS REPRESENT ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN TITLEIST IRON DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY …. WITH THESE NEW IRONS, ACROSS THE BOARD, EVERY DETAIL MATTERS. THEY PROVIDE THE BEST PRECISION AND
PERFORMANCE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE IRON CATEGORY WITH STUNNING AESTHETICS AND FEEL.
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As a wrap-up, we look at the new U•505 utility iron. Commenting on this utility iron, Talge said, “The new U•505 is the direct result of tour player feedback of the original U•500 and U•510 utility irons …. the U•505 combines the best of both and the result is our highest performing and most playable utility iron yet. The new T200 long irons offer similar high launch and speed with the look and feel of an iron set.” “With the U•505, we have players covered regarding what they are seeking in launch, speed, feel and looks at the top of the bag,” said Ines. “The immediate positive feedback we have received by players who have put these in play has been encouraging. They love the balance of the height advantage and control they are getting from a utility and long iron. That’s what these clubs give you. “ In addition, players love the look when they put it down at address. Even though they may play blades or T100’s in their regular set, they want the confidence and forgiveness these clubs provide irons they set them down. FITTINGS: An authorized Titleist fitter will help the golfer find the combination of T-Series models to unlock their ability to hit the golf ball longer and closer to the pin. Golfers can find a Titleist fitting location by visiting: www.titleist.com.sg/golf-club-fitting
T200 LONG IRONS AND THE NEW TITLEIST U-505 UTILITY CLUBS. JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT THAT LONG IRONS WERE PASSÉ, TITLEIST COMES ALONG WITH THE T200. ACCORDING TO TITLEIST, THE NEW T200 LONG IRONS ARE DESIGNED FOR THE BETTER PLAYER WHO IS LOOKING FOR LONG IRONS TO INCREASE LAUNCH AND SPEED.