EQUIPMENT
New Drivers for the New Season By ED TRAVIS ach season when the new clubs are introduced drivers get the most attention for a good reason. That new number-one wood may be the answer to taking our game to a higher level, one where we hit our tee shots farther and straighter…well, at least that’s the dream. Unrealistic perhaps, but at the same time the quest for “better” is the only way our games will improve and that is true for touring professionals as well as weekend amateurs. California Golf has researched the latest driver offerings from manufacturers and here are those we feel should be on anyone’s short list. And as we preach each time don’t spend your money unless you have a professional fitting. The fitting’s cost is simply an insurance policy on your future enjoyment of the game.
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Callaway Golf Big Bertha B-21 The B-21 is engineered for high launch and low spin using Callaway’s Flash Face design using their supercomputer and artificial intelligence software. Inside are the familiar Jailbreak rods tying the sole and carbon fiber crown together to put more impact energy into the ball. To straighten out the usual left to right curvature of most recreational players extra weight was located towards the heel. $500.
Callaway Golf Epic There three new Epics and all were designed using Callaway’s proprietary artificial intelligence software. The Speed model was reshaped for lower aerodynamic drag and the MAX is a game-improvement driver. They are joined by the MAX LS (low spin) for those with higher swing speeds and better players. All use the Flash Face SS21 and replacing Jailbreak rods, a Jailbreak Speed Frame to reduce head distortion. $530. 24
WINTER 2021
California Golf + Travel
Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 The ZX5 (game-improvement category) and ZX7 (better player category) have a larger carbon fiber crown with the ZX5’s being more rounded along with a larger footprint and designed for higher launch. It has a pointed rear shape and shorter skirt than the ZX7’s rounded rear profile and taller skirt. The ZX7 is a low spin low launch design. Both use Srixon’s Rebound Frame with flexible and stiff zones. ZX5 $500, ZX7 driver $530.
Cobra Golf Radspeed A new internal weight configuration, Cobra calls radial weighting, which was arrived at by calculating the radius of gyration resulted the Radspeed’s most interesting feature, placing significant weight behind the face for low spin and adding rear weight to maintain high launch and keep up ball speed when impact is off center. Three variations including a draw bias slice-fighter are available. All have Arccos Cobra Connect. $449.
Ping G425 Following up on the G410 drivers the new G425 lineup has three models, the MAX, LST and SFT targeted for three types of players. MAX with its 26-gram sliding weight will be the choice of most and the LST with smaller clubhead, 17-gram sliding weight and lower spin the selection by higher swing speed golfers. The SFT has a 23-gram weight in the heel to counter left to right ball spin, the dreaded slice. $500.
