By Ted Johnson
2013 Buyer’s Guide Yeah, we know…
A poor workman always blames his tools. It’s the Indian, not the arrow. And bad shots are never the club’s fault. So if you can’t buy a golf game, why do we always seem more willing to shell out for the latest golf equipment than for lessons on how best to use it? Because the latest gear holds the promise of more yards, better accuracy, lower scores. Above all, however, new equipment can impart a sense of confidence to produce these results. What are this year’s trends? Self-customization of drivers and fairway woods, for one. You can adjust the loft and lie yourself to fit your game. After being marginalized by the hybrid, fairway woods are back, producing driver-like distances, thanks to technology that makes faces hotter than ever. And both short and long irons are also producing increased ball speed and a crisper feel. Putters are trending towards the high-MOI of the mallet over blade, while your choice in balls needs to match your swing speed. The following pages present more than 50 products, from drivers to putters to balls, apps, aids and devices. Happy shopping!
co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m
May 2013 |Colorado AvidGolfer
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DRIVERS
Nike VR_S Covert Tour
$400
Callaway RAZR Fit Xtreme
$400
Titleist 913D2
$400
Mizuno JPX-825
$300
Hot Stuff: Dual adjustability WHY: Cavity-back design for ultimate stability But: Not enough adjust for slice
Hot Stuff: Designed for workability WHY: Second-gen adjustable driver with hot, thin face for more distance But: For shapers off tee
Hot Stuff: High-tech game improver WHY: Triangular-shaped head easy to align, forgiving But: Distance secondary Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013
$400
Callaway X Hot Pro
$300
Ping G25
$350
Tour Edge Exotics XCG6
$350
Hot Stuff: Lightweight but stable WHY: One way to get faster clubhead speed = more distance But: Requires fluid, not jerky, transition at top of swing
Hot Stuff: Many adjustable settings WHY: As loft increases, so does size of head & closed face angle But: Too many settings?
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TaylorMade Rocketballz
Hot Stuff: Bulge-and-roll adjustability WHY: Each adjustment changes face shape to induce more control But: For better players
Hot Stuff: Half-degree adjustability WHY: Larger head very forgiving, counterbalanced shaft for faster speed But: No fix for slice
Hot Stuff: Sold as game improvement: Not WHY: Sharp, crisp contact v hot face for great disance & workability But: None; best bang for $ coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m
FAIRWAY METALS
Adams Super S
$200
Adams Idea Tech V4
$200
Tour Edge Exotics XCG-5*
$300
Cobra AMP Cell
$275
Hot Stuff: Dual slot technology = very hot face WHY: Face flex almost = to ti drivers; high, long shots off tight lies But: Large head can intimidate on tight lies
Hot Stuff: Dual slot technology = very hot face WHY: Compact design in lofts of 17, 19, 22, 25, 28, 32 But: None. Best hybrid avail.
Hot Stuff: High-level of adjustability: face & loft WHY: Fine-tune distance gaps; SmartPad sole squares up face But: Colorful options too much? Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013
$280
Ping Anser
$250
Callaway RAZR X Fit Xtreme
$270
Cleveland CG Black
$200
Hot Stuff: Heat-treated thin face for more boom WHY: Better golfers love its distance; No. 1 fairway wood on Tour But: 43.5 inches not easy for all
Hot Stuff: Nine adjustments for fine-tuned fit WHY: Compact stainless head + back-loaded CG means confidence But: More consistent than long
Hot Stuff: Braxed titanium face, tungsten sole WHY: This 2012 model remains great performer with optimum feel But: Note the price
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TaylorMade RocketBallz Stage 2 Tour
Hot Stuff: Small head, adjustability, great feel WHY: Hot model for those who consider every par-5 a must-go But: Not as forgiving as others
Hot Stuff: Most forgiving fairway wood on market WHY: Lightweight design for distance; low-CG for high ball flight But: Starts with 16-degrees coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m
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irons
Mizuno MP-64
$1,000
Hot Stuff: Forgiveness in softest-feeling blade WHY: You’ll get addicted to feeling of on-center butteriness But: Long irons a challenge to get high trajectory
Cobra AMP Cell
$700
Hot Stuff: Two-part face in 4-7, 8-PW in steel WHY: Long irons larger but lightweight for distance; 8-PW compact & soft But: Different size step-downs
Mizuno JPX-825
$700
Hot Stuff: Middle-handicapper’s dream set WHY: Right combo of tech & design yielding feel, forgiveness & distance But: A set to last you a decade
Callaway X Hot Pro
$800
Hot Stuff: Flexible face lower for consistency WHY: Lighter, w/right combo of offset, looks, grooves, hotness = 1 less club But: Face lofts very strong
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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013
Callaway X Forged
$1,000
Adams Idea CMB
$1,000
Hot Stuff: Eye-catching design, flawless milling WHY: Player irons designed for consistency across clubface But: Control & feel; not distance
Hot Stuff: High forgiveness, power in player club WHY: Tungsten weighted sole + thin face = “Oh My” distance But: More high-performance than game-improvement
Adams Idea Pro a12
$600
Hot Stuff: Compact, sleek player’s iron WHY: More forgiveness in longer irons, velvet feel on on-center hits = smiles But: For aspiring, not recreatonal
TaylorMade RocketBladez Max
$1,300
Hot Stuff: Polymer-back filled face for Super D WHY: Game-improvement in small-head design but easy-to-hit style But: Paying for the tech, max coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m
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WEDGES
Nike VR Pro DS Forged
$90
Hot Stuff: X3X grooves & dual grind sole WHY: Hood it or open it up, it looks good and spin is just great But: More fitting info needed
Ping Gorge
$130
Cleveland 588 RTX
$130
Hot Stuff: Industrial grunge look w/ deep grooves WHY: Ping has always been great about finding right fit; essential for scoring But: Military gray can wear you out
Hot Stuff: Grooves 16% larger for more friction WHY: Milled lines between grooves adds overall friction for more spin But: Same sole in all models
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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013
Miura New Wedge
$235
Fourteen RM-12
$185
Titleist Vokey Design SM4
$130
Hot Stuff: Famous forged maker turns to wedges WHY: So retro, but oh so soft, precise and immaculate. Softness off the scale But: They are collectors items
Hot Stuff: Trapezoidal grooves 15% larger WHY: Larger grooves = more friction; rounded sole = more versatility But: Can be hard to find
Hot Stuff: Larger, deeper grooves in Bob V heads WHY: If limited to only one wedge, the default model for most pros But: Lots of fitting for optimal performance
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PUTTERS
Ping Scottsdale TR
$150
Titleist Cameron Select Newport
$350
TaylorMade Ghost Spider S
$180
Bettinardi BB1
$300
Hot Stuff: Aluminum face grooves vary in depth WHY: Great classic; now off-center hits maintain speed due to groove depth But: Sound (feel) varies on face
Hot Stuff: Deep milling in face induces velvet feel WHY: Adjustable weights fine-tune weighting for luxurious look and feel But: Priced to match look
Hot Stuff: Perhaps most stable mallet on market WHY: Steel frame, alumninum center create boxcar effect. New paint job But: Looks huge in your bag
Hot Stuff: Mesmerizing jewel-milled face=ideal feel WHY: Sleek, lower profile and soft, soft feel for ultimate high performance But: Easily nicked
36
Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013
Yes i4-Tech
$180
Odyssey Versa Series
$170
Ping Scottsdale TR
$180
Bobby Grace Stainless 6 Diamond
$825
Hot Stuff: Half-oval grooves induce skidless roll WHY: Grooves angled 20 degrees, plastic backing for softer feel But: Finish can be a little garish
Hot Stuff: Alignment aid matches model to stroke WHY: Increased stabiliy, new insert for softer feel produce consistent strokes But: Some feel sound too muted
Hot Stuff: Varying groove depth in face insert WHY: Middle hits are softer, off-center hits harder for consistent speed on all But: Middle hits can seem dead
Hot Stuff: Soft feel, easiy aligned blade WHY: Heavy (360g) head custom milled by Bobby to your specs But: Price is not a typo coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m
balls
Bridgestone B330S
$43
Bridgestone E5
$27
Hot Stuff: Same dimple pattern as Hex Black WHY: Softer core matches better with average swing speeds But: Perhaps best Callaway value
Hot Stuff: Large gradient score goes soft to firm WHY: Avg. swing speeds get high ball flight off tee & high spin on wedges. But: Amazing ball for the money
Titleist NXT Tour
Nike Vapor Black
$25
Callaway HEX Black Tour
$46
Hot Stuff: 5-piece ball, different core consistencies WHY: Cuts through the air for added distance but with no loss of spin But: Putts can feel a little clicky
Callaway Hex Chrome
$36
$32
Hot Stuff: New dual core increases driver speed WHY: Ionomer-blend means more control on wedges, putts. But: Perhaps best Titleist value
Hot Stuff: Dual-dimple pattern for efficiency WHY: Top performer for high swing speeds, more durable than Pro V1 But: Slow swing speeds? 330-RX
Hot Stuff: Reformulated core for greater distance WHY: Polymer mantle under cover cuts down on mis-hits for straighter shots But: Hard but long
Ogio Aquatech
EyeLine Golf Ball of Steel
Hot Stuff: WHY: Ogio gets the issue of a cart bag being your den away from your den But: For the serious cart rider
BAGS
$200
Sun Mountain Zero G
Hot Stuff: 8-pocket carry bag with back strap WHY: Not the lightest, just more comfortable; hugs hips, not shoulders But: For the serious walker
38
Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013
$225
Srixon Z-Star
$45
Srixon Q-Star
$25
Dixon Fire
$60
Hot Stuff: Unique gradient core, soft to firm WHY: SL designed for average swing speeds; thinnest cover = +spin But: Some think it feels too hard
Hot Stuff: 2-piece ball with large gradiant core WHY: Designed for 10-or higher handicaps, balances distance and spin But: Good, not great, wedge spin
Hot Stuff: “Green-friendly” ball has no heavy metal WHY: Ball was designed to be easily recycled; new cover feels good But: Pricey but decent.
$30/3
Hot Stuff: Putting ball that’s 5x greater in weight WHY: Never leave a putt short again; only way to move ball is accelerate But: They’re heavy
Sun Mountain Journey
$200
Hot Stuff: Two-lbs lighter golf travel bag WHY: Makes transporting golf bags so much easier in airports But: Cheaper than older models
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ACCESSORIES
$180
Maui Jim Hot Sands
Hot Stuff: Rimless, lightweight sunglasses WHY: Cool looking, feel like air and offer very little leakage But: Eyewear is not cheap
PSP Golf The Little One
Adidas Crossflex golf shoe
Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013
$60
BiteTech ArmourBite* CamCaddy CamCaddy*
$38
Hot Stuff: Smartphone stabilizer for video review WHY: Holds your Smartphone (or video cam) for use on range But: You could’ve thought of that
$100
Hot Stuff: Synthetic, lightweight, comfort, stability WHY: Waterproof in a tennis shoe upper with soft, secure wide sole. But: OK, Sergio G. wears them
40
Hot Stuff: Padded fingers reduce grip pressure WHY: Forces gripping club lightly; reduces tension in arms But: You could’ve thought of that
$90
Hot Stuff: Short iron with head barely larger than a ball. WHY: Fosters focus on hitting sweet spot every time, confidence you can hit any club But: Hosel hitters might have issues
$25
LeviTee Golf glove
Hot Stuff: Mouthpiece that relieves jaw tension WHY: You laugh? Fighting tension is key to staying stree-free on course But: Hunter Mahan uses it
Oakley CarbonPro golf shoe
$200
Hot Stuff: Advanced design in waterproof full-grain leather WHY: Light, flexible with shock absorption & foot stability; keeps foot on ground But: Faux leather Cipher 2 is $50 less
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