GOLF NEWS EQUIPMENT SPECIAL 2022

Designed to optimise friction for the high spin and control you need to save strokes and lower your scores.

TAYLORMADE JOINS THE PREMIER LEAGUE WITH ALLNEW KALEA WOMEN’S RANGE

TaylorMade have introduced a new range of equipment specifically targeted at the female golfer looking for lightweight speed, easy launch, and maximium forgiveness. Leading the line-up is the driver (£379), featuring a weight-saving carbon crown and carbon sole plus a 22g steel rear back weight, the Kalea Premier is engineered for advanced forgiveness by combining a low and back CG with an ultra-lightweight head construction that promotes faster swing speeds. Repositioning the inertia generator towards the heel encourages optimal launch and spin to fuel distance at moderate and slower swing speed. The matching fairway woods (£219) and hybrids (£179) feature larger heads than the previous Kalea product, and the fairways feature a lightweight carbon crown to drop the centre of gravity for easy launching shots. All the fairways feature the same 180cc design for added consistency, while the fairways and hybrids share a V-Steel sole design for better turf interaction.

Irons (£122 per club) feature a low centre of gravity for high launch, while inverted cone technology helps retain ball speed on miss hits. The set is finished off with a Spider putter (£229) that features all their tour-proven technology and adds a graphite shaft to lower the weight while retaining a high MOI. A matching bag is also available.

PRECISION GOLF OPENS EXPANDED CLUB-FITTING FACILITY AT SURREY HQ

Precision Golf, the UK’s leading independent club fitting facility, has expanded its Surrey headquarters to become the largest independent golf performance studio in Europe.

SCOTTY CAMERON JOINS THE JET SET

Famed for his milled stainless steel putters, Scotty Cameron’s new Special Select Jet Set putters (£599) feature two new designs to maximise forgiveness in a traditional blade design.

The result of Cameron’s research in bringing the benefits of higher MOI to blade putter shapes, the line’s ‘Plus’ models introduce slightly wider profiles than standard to create a more forgiving putter. The putters feature a Tour Black finish, and a specialised Pistolini Plus grip, shaft band and headcover.

“I developed this ‘tweener’ size working with a few Tour players who wanted something

in between the width of a traditional blade and our Squareback flange width,” explains Cameron. “The Special Select Jet Set Newport Plus and Newport 2 Plus offer those desired sizes and happen to be the first we’ve created for everyone. Limited releases like these new Special Select Jet Set models are for those who want a high-performance putter, but also that little extra.”

The Plus models feature an aluminium weight in the sole that has enabled them to move more weight further out to the perimeter of the putter, while all four models feature adjustable tungsten weights to fine-tune head weight.

The expansion at the West Byfleetbased facility, the official opening of which was carried out by long-time customer Colin Montgomerie, takes the number of Trackman-powered fitting bays up to six, along with one of the most advanced putter fitting studios in Europe, a cutting-edge custom build workshop, a fully equipped gym, and a biomechanics and chiropractic studio.

■ MONTY WAS RIBBON-CUTTINGONDUTIES

Precision Golf was established in 2004 by James Davey and Simon Cooper with the aim of helping golfers gain better enjoyment of the game and playing better golf. The completed facility is over ten times the size of its original set up.

“We realised last year that, coming out of lockdown and with demand for our services growing, we simply had to find a way to again increase capacity,” explained Davey. “When we learned that the adjoining business unit would become available towards the end of 2021, we knew the perfect solution had materialised, and we pounced. With the additional space, everything is bigger and better.”

He added: “We now have six full time club-fitters, more on-site club-building and an expanded operations and after-sales team. On top of this, our golf performance team of Stuart Cartwright (tourlevel coaching), Kate Davey (sports fitness) and Stuart Robinson (biomechanics) can all now operate from expanded and superbly appointed facilities. We can now realise our dream of offering the most holistic and comprehensive golf performance centre.”

Precision Golf offers products from all the main golf club manufacturers, as well as difficult-to-find boutique brands, alongside the most comprehensive selection of shafts and grips in Europe. With many thousands of possible head and shaft combinations, the expert team at Precision Golf have the know-how to improve every golfer’s game.

“Trusting your game is made easy when you know you have the right equipment in your hands, said Montgomerie, who has been using Precision Golf to fine tune his golf equipment since 2007.

“Precision Golf provides bespoke solutions ensuring that, whatever your ability, clubs can be built or adjusted to complement your game allowing improvement without the handicap of ill-fitting equipment. This fantastic facility is the best of its kind anywhere in the country.”

For more details, visit precisiongolf.co.uk or call 01932 977777.

■

WITH TRACKMAN

THE GEAR EFFECT

A LOOK INSIDE THE BAGS OF RECENT WINNERS ON TOUR

CALLUM SHINKWIN CAZOO OPEN

DRIVER: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS (10.5°)

FAIRWAY WOODS: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond (15°, 18°)

IRONS: Callaway Apex MB (3-9)

WEDGES: Callaway JAWS Raw (46°, 52°) Callaway JAWS Full Toe (58°)

PUTTER: Odyssey Toulon Madison BALL: Callaway Chrome Soft X

JOOHYUNG KIM

WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP

DRIVER: Titleist TSR3 (9°)

FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist TSR3 (13.5°)

UTILITY: Titleist T200 (2,3)

IRONS: Titleist T100 (4-9)

WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46°, 52°) Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks (60°)

PUTTER: Scotty Cameron TourType Timeless GSS BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

MAX KIEFFER D+D CZECH MASTERS

DRIVER: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS (9°)

FAIRWAYS WOOD: Callaway MAVRIK Sub Zero (15°)

HYBRID: Titleist 913H (19°)

IRONS: Callaway Apex TCB ’21 (3-PW)

WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50°, 56°, 60°)

PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot OG 2-Ball BALL: Titleist Pro V1

WILL ZALATORIS

FEDEX ST JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP

DRIVER: Titleist TSR3 (8°)

FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist TSR2+ (13°)

UTILITY: Titleist T200 (3)

IRONS: Titleist T100 (4-9)

WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50°, 55°), Titleist WedgeWorks Proto (60°)

PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 11 BALL: Titleist Pro V1

PATRICK CANTLAY

BMW CHAMPIONSHIP

DRIVER: Titleist TS3 (9.5˚)

FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist 915F (15˚)

HYBRID: Titleist TS2 (21˚)

IRONS: Titleist 718 AP2 (4-9)

WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM7 (46˚, 52˚)

Titleist Vokey SM9 (56°,

PUTTER:

RORY MCILROY TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

DRIVER:

FAIRWAY WOODS:

UTILITY:

IRONS: T

WEDGES:

PUTTER:

SHANE LOWRY

BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

DRIVER:

FAIRWAY

UTILITY:

IRONS:

WEDGES:

PUTTER:

WRAP UP THIS WINTER WITH FARAH

Farah Golf’s first Autumn/Winter collection comprises a range of garments that will enable golfers to enjoy their game in comfort and style, no matter the weather.

Among the key pieces in the line-up are the Warren, a stylish quarter-zip midlayer with a technical jacquard body and rib sleeve.  The fabric has a soft handle and offers maximum heat retention without sacrificing freedom of movement, allowing for an unrestricted swing.

For more extreme conditions, the Kenley compression base layer is made from a lightweight technical fabric, with amazing next-to-skin comfort. As well as delivering maximum thermal protection, its moisture wicking capabilities will keep you cool. On rainy days, the shower-proof Parker top features a striking camo print and a slim fit design, while the Abbott and Kala offer a more traditional look. The Abbott is lightweight, constructed in technical fabrics offering elevated levels of breathability and comfort whilst stretch binding at the hem and cuff maintain a flawless fit for prime performance.  The Kala is a highperformance wind stopper perfect for blustery days out on the course. The softshell construction offers excellent water-repellent protection whilst being light and comfortable to help you play to your maximum potential. It is the perfect outer layer to protect against changing weather conditions.

For more details, visit farahgolf.com.

PLOT YOUR PATH TO LOWER SCORES WITH SHOT SCOPE

Shot Scope has developed a new feature of its data capture software that further enhances the experience of users of its golf GPS devices.

The new ‘Shots Plotted’ feature enables golfers to see a historical snapshot of where tee shots have finished up and the club that was used, providing the means to create a strategical plan for every hole.

The new feature allows golfers to identify the best strategy to play each hole based on past performance. With a new way to visualise performance, users will have the ability to delve into their golf game in as little or as much detail as they want. Individual club used, end location of the shot, score, and an individual strokes gained benchmark score are some of the filters that can be applied so that golfers can analyse their game through a different lens each time.

The ‘Shots Plotted’ feature can be used by golfers who own Shot Scope’s PRO LX+ laser/GPS, as well as any of its data tracking V2 and V3 watches via the Shot Scope app.

For more details, visit shotscope.com.

FUJIKURA EXTENDS VENTUS SHAFT RANGE

START STRIPING YOUR PUTTS WITH ZEBRA

First introduced in 1976, the Zebra putter was way ahead of its time, with its mallet-shaped head, adjustable weight system, and unique black-and-white stripe alignment aid proving an instant hit with tour professionals and club golfers alike.

Two years in the making the latest models to carry the iconic Zebra name have been reinvented for the 21st century with highquality components and performance-enhancing design elements. Integral to the relaunch has been Austie Rollinson, Odyssey’s long-serving putter guru, who consulted on the designs with the aim of creating the ideal balance between alignment, forgiveness, weighting, feel, and roll to help all golfers putt their best.

In addition to the striped alignment system, each model also features a grooved face insert that precisely controls the friction at impact needed to deliver the correct amount of topspin to the golf ball to ensure consistent distance control across a wide portion of the face. The grooves not only work with the stroke to impart topspin, but they also serve to lower the launch angle to minimize skidding and get the ball into the ‘roll phase’ more quickly, which is vital when controlling a putt’s overall distance.

Four models make up the range, with RRPs from £159.99-£199.99.

(4-PW)

Fujikura is dominating out on tour, with the top three players in the world using Ventus shafts, 23 wins on the PGA Tour this season. But Ventus shafts are three years old now and it’s time for the brand to extend the line-up with two new TR shafts to add to the Blue TR unveiled earlier in the season.

Ventus TR Red and TR Blue are more stable designs that fit in the spaces between the current models. The Black is the lowest launching shaft in the line-up, while the TR Red sits between the original Blue and Red models.

While VeloCore Technology remains to provide an incredibly stable overall platform, an added layer of ultra-strong and ultra-lightweight spread tow carbon fabric reinforces the mid/handle section to increase torsional stiffness. Each VENTUS TR profile provides a similar feel to its original counterpart, but with enhanced stiffness and reduced launch and spin.

with it, they wouldn’t use it.

THE GEAR EFFECT

A LOOK INSIDE THE BAGS OF RECENT WINNERS ON TOUR

What it allows us to do out here on tour is change the balance point of the putter. We can really manipulate the putter weight with added head weight or heavier grips. As well as the consistency benefits it’s another fitting tool that helps us really hone in a putter for each individual player.

CAMERON SMITH

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

DRIVER: Titleist TSR2 (10°)

EQUIPMENT NEWS

BY NUMBERS

3-WOOD: Titleist TSi2 (15°)

IRONS: Mizuno Pro Hi-Fli (3), Titleist T100 Black (5-9)

WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 Jet Black (46°, 52°, 56°), Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks Proto Jet Black (60°)

PUTTER: Scotty Cameron 009M Prototype BALL: Titleist Pro V1

CHEZ REAVIE

BARRACUDA CHAMPIONSHIP

Are Tour players tricky to work with? Not really. However, they do know exactly what they want. They hit balls and roll putts day in, day out, and many of them are incredibly acute when it comes to the differences they can feel. Many players on tour would be able to tell a 5g difference in grip weight, for example. Or they are only happy with a putter grip that is out of production and we have to scramble to find one. I’ve had players who have noticed the putter shaft feels off if the shaft is tipped differently. This is on a 15ft putt! And these guys are almost never wrong, they can pinpoint these differences so quickly.

DRIVER: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (9°)

It’s their job and they need to trust their tools.

FAIRWAY WOODS: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15°, 19°)

HYBRIDS: Callaway Apex Pro (20°, 23°)

TRIED & TESTED

IRONS: TaylorMade P750 Tour Proto (5-PW)

WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54°), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks (58°)

PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot OG #7S BALL: Titleist Pro V1

BROOKE HENDERSON

EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

WHILE ODYSSEY PUTTERS ARE ALWAYS EVOLVING, THEY ALSO SHARE DNA WITH THOSE EARLY MODELS TOO

DRIVER: Ping G400 (9°)

FAIRWAY WOODS: Ping G400 Stretch 3 (14°), Ping G400 5 (17.5°)

HYBRID: Ping G425 (26°)

PING CHIP R

Gold medal

Golf News Editor Nick Bayly tests out Ping’s answer to golfer’s short game woes – the Chip R. It’s a chipper, of course, but not as you know it

1 - The most-used Odyssey model at the Zurich Open was the Tri-Hot 5K 2

box containing the answer to all my prayers –or so I hoped.

IRONS: Ping i210 (5-UW)

WEDGES: Ping Glide 4.0 (52°, 60°)

PUTTER: Ping Cadence TR Ketsch C BALL: Taylormade TP5X

RICHIE RAMSAY

When Pablo Larrazábal shot 62 in the wind at last month’s ISPS Handa Championship it was incredible. But he can’t do that if he doesn’t trust his equipment. He uses a Triple Track Chrome Soft X and we added a Triple Track Alignment to his Toulon Design Las Vegas. And those tweaks are the difference between winning and just making the cut.

CAZOO CLASSIC

DRIVER: Callaway Epic Max LS (8.5°)

While I’m a reasonably confident wedge player from 90-130 yards out – give or take the occasional thin and chunk – get me within 5-30 yards of the short stuff and a devilish spell possesses any sort of highlofted club and turns it to jelly in my hands.

2 - Number of discs on a 2-Ball putter

Divots fly or shouts of ‘Fore!’ ring out as another one flies at knee-height towards the clubhouse windows, or worse still, a complete duff sees the ball pretty much remain where it is.

- Number of wins for Toulon Design

Straight out of the box, I was certainly impressed. The weight, the quality of the components, the looks and the finish all spoke of a club that had ambitions far loftier than any chipper I'd ever previously seen or tested.

that you get from a wedge. The ball comes off the face with a lively click and rolls out nicely. The important thing is to hit it as you would a putter – standing upright, rotating the shoulders and keeping the arms straight and avoiding any wrist hinge.

What has been your most exciting moment working for Odyssey?

FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway MAVRIK Max (15°)

HYBRID: Callaway Apex Pro (21°)

UTILITY: Callaway X Forged UT 21 (24°)

IRONS: Callaway Apex TCB 21 (6-PW)

WEDGES: Callaway JAWS MD5 (52°, 56°, 60°)

PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot XG #7

TONY FINAU 3M OPEN & ROCKET

MORTAGE CLASSIC

DRIVER: Ping G425 LST (7°)

FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway Rogue ST (14°)

IRONS: Nike Vapor Fly Pro (3), Ping Blueprint (4-PW)

WEDGES: Ping Glide 4.0 (50°, 56°),

Odyssey has had over 300 wins in Europe and I’ve been a part of a large portion of those, and they are all important to me. However, the one that really stands out was when Michael Campbell won the 2006 US Open with a putter I’d fitted him for. But when I was new to the tour team, I was sent out to Florida for some training with the US team. Literally my second week. We were at a Champions Tour event when suddenly Arnold Palmer approaches the Odyssey bag I’m looking after and asks me what’s new. I had to pinch myself. I also got to work with Seve, I say ‘work’, I had to listen to what he wanted. He was very precise in what he asked for, and I always found that I had to be extra alert when he was around

Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks Proto (60°)

PUTTER: Ping PLD Anser 2 prototype

BALL: Titleist Pro V1

What’s the strangest requests you’ve had from a tour player when it comes to a putter?

ASHLEIGH BUHAI

So, it was with great excitement that I heard that Ping was bringing out a new club designed to lend a helping hand to those who struggle to make a decent connection when within near touching distance of the flag. No sooner had the press release revealing the product details of the Chip R ‘pinged’ – quite literally – into my inbox, I was on the phone to my contacts to request a sample. Thankfully, the ‘powers that be’ were all too aware of my shortcomings in the short game department and just days later a UPS van pulled up outside my house with a brown

- Different men’s putters on the Odyssey website

– Number of Odyssey putters in play at the ISPS Handa Championship – 41 more than the closest competitor

– Total Major Wins

TRIED & TESTED

Apart from the ‘Chip R’ lettering on the clubhead it could easily pass for a Ping longiron. Offering 42 degrees of loft, it’s essentially a 9-iron, but the shaft is shorter, more like a standard putter, and is upright, also like a putter, to help you stand nearer the ball and prevent the heel from digging in. It doesn’t have the exaggerated wide sole that is a feature of some chippers, which some people lacking confidence with their short game might find it a problem, it didn’t bother me.

Out on the course, the Chip R’s design revealed its strengths – and weaknesses – as each scenario unfolded. On contact with the ball, it feels solid, offering a sharper, more iron-like response, rather than the soft feel

It’s not designed, like some chippers, to be whacked from 120 yards, although no doubt some owners will give it a go, and you’re not going to use it from semi-rough or over a bunker unless you have a lot of landing room on the other side, but any shot from inside 30 yards where 20-30% of its journey needs to be aerial, then the Ping Chip R is your club.

It has the weight to get the ball moving and just enough loft to get it up out of the grass.

It also has the benefit of looking like a proper club, and not one bought on eBay for a fiver.

There really shouldn’t be a place in the bag for the Ping Chip R for decent short game players, but for the multitude of us for whom four wedges is probably two too many, it could be the answer to your prayers. Amen.

RRP £170, eu.ping.com.

CALLAWAY JAWS RAW WEDGES

AIG WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

DRIVER: Callaway Epic Speed (10.5°)

FAIRWAY WOODS: Ping G425 (14.5°), Srixon ZX (18°)

HYBRID: Srixon Z H85

I once had a player ask me to bend a putter so flat that he could use it off his knees. We never really got a reason why he wanted it, but we were able to do it without the putter neck snapping. He tried it for one morning, and then handed it back. It obviously didn’t do what he thought it would!

IRONS: Srixon ZX5 (5-PW)

WEDGES: Cleveland RTX ZipCore (50°, 54°, 60°)

I’ve played Callaway wedges over the years, and believe Roger Cleveland is one of the bestwhen it comes to wedge design. He understands how a wedge should look behind the ball and, perhaps more importantly, how a wedge should best get through the turf.

easily, while a smooth hosel transition and squarish toe help frame the ball perfectly. They are simple to look at and there are no distracting features that get in the way.

from a more traditional players’ wedge design.

PUTTER: Odyssey Tri-Hot 5K One BALL: Srixon Z-Star 7

SEAN CROCKER HERO OPEN

DRIVER: TaylorMade SIM (8°)

FAIRWAY WOODS: TaylorMade Stealth Plus 3 (13.5°), TaylorMade M6 5 (18°)

What’s putting tip you’ve ever received? I wish I’d written them all down over the years! I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with some of the best putters in the game, but one piece of advice that sticks with me is that the head of the putter will only do what the hands tell it to do. So, a very small movement of the hands can result in quite a large movement of the head, so getting the grip right is very important.

IRONS: Srixon ZX7 (3-5), Srixon Z-Forged (6-PW)

WEDGES: Cleveland RTX Zipcore (52°, 56°), Cleveland Rotex 2.0 (60°)

PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot OG #7

I also like the idea of keeping the putter face square to the target for a little bit longer after you’ve hit the ball. It is something that Thomas Bjorn does, where it looks like the face is pushed towards the target instead of being rotated.

BALL: Srixon Z-Star XV

The Jaws Raw wedge range is his latest creation and there is a convincing argument for these being the best-looking wedges currently on the market. My sample set came in a black raw finish – they also come in chrome – ramping up the contrast between clubhead, ball and grass, but whatever option you opt for, the straight leading edge makes it feel like you can get to the bottom of the ball

Technology-wise, they feature what Callaway claims are the most aggressive grooves in golf. The unplated raw finish ensures the groove edges remain sharp, while the offset milled micro grooves in between the grooves help maximise spin. In the sand and lob wedges, tungsten weighting is used to centre the sweet spot.

Out on the course the proved total spin machines. Playing on rock-hard links turf at the stunning Royal St Georges, I was still able to stop the ball when I needed to. However, the onus was on me to hit them properly. Coming from using Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, these are noticeably less forgiving on slight miss-hits, but that is to be expected

While the 50° and 54° models are offered in an S grind (10° bounce), the 60° featured a low bounce Z-Grind, which featured relief in the heel and toe, as well as a leading-edge grind, and was perfect for the tight links ground. But on a normal parkland course, I think it would be getting stuck in the ground. Fortunately there are three other grinds available, so there is a good chance one of those would be close to perfect for the courses I normally play.

I need some more time with these to see if they make my golf bag permanently, but I liked the versatility of the classic design, but feel extra forgiveness may be more beneficial for my game than the extra spin and beautiful looks.

£169/£159

Equipment Editor Dan Owen gets in a spin over Callaway’s latest performance wedges

CHOOSE ITALIAN STYLE

THIS AUTUMN & WINTER

Chervò has looked to push boundaries for 40 years. Combining comfortable clothing with increasingly technical and innovative materials, the Italian brand has always offered a unique take on golf wear.

You’ll therefore find it unsurprising to hear that its eagerly awaited Autumn-Winter 22/23 collection is no different. Released with autumn here and winter on the horizon, the latest collection has taken inspiration from nature’s diverse elements.

Combining the latest in aqua-block, stretch, wind-lock and pro-therm fabric technology, three new lines - Snow Leopard, Marmorized Saxum and Golf Vibes - see a range of products released that every golfer needs as the weather continues to change, including warm sweaters, waterproof jackets and stylish gilets.

Agile and magnetic with its spotted coat, the snow leopard inspired the most iconic items for

women in the Snow Leopard collection. The line features warm garments with nature-inspired colours extending from black to white and rosewood to grey, without shying away from more daring custom animal prints. Touches of gold and fur textures are the ultimate emblems of luxury, while the sporty details, fabrics and performancedriven cuts are Chervò’s own stamp of guarantee for the collection’s practicality.

The challenges of winter and the search for absolute comfort and movement inspired Chervò to design the Marmorized Saxum men’s mood, a collection that carries all the technical requirements of great golfing sportswear, in addition to a combination of textiles, colours and patterns that draw inspiration from a strong, powerful natural element such as marble.

Countless combinations are possible, with green and gold meeting the more understated hues of black and grey, ensuring golfers can express their

own unique style.

The third and final new collection, technical performance and unlimited comfort are the soul of the Golf Vibes range – available to both men and women. The women’s line is all about colour with pink taking the centre role, complemented by varying nuances such as cerise or Pompei pink.

Touches of brightness and colour blocking are matched with unique fabrics and knits, enabling the more exuberant golfer to introduce a sparkly pop of colour to a more classical style such as blue or vanilla. A more delicate palette also finds its space in a muted line of garments, where neutral nuances find their home with iconic looks which guarantee high performance and sportier outfits. A similar idea is brought to the men’s collection. Light blue stands out as the prominent feature of this modern colour scheme, whilst blue navy and dark grey embody the ever-lasting coolness of Chervò’s sportswear.

PLAY WITH STYLE

LUXURY GOLF SHOES & ACCESSSORIES

Luxury Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer has launched a new version of its golf watch, the TAG Heuer Connected Watch Calibre E4 - Golf Edition, with technical improvements including a new automated shottracker, redesigned golf software and a magnetic ball marker built into the strap.

Designed for on- and off-course wear, the E4 - Golf Edition features a redesigned interface to make it easier to control the watch’s golf functions, including highresolution 2D maps showing hazards and distances on more than 40,000 golf courses around the world.

A redesigned buckle features a built-in magnetic ball marker emblazoned with a distinctive TAG Heuer logo in bright, contrasting colours to improve visibility. There is also a spare ball marker provided in the case.

The watch features a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope to automatically detect swings to allow users to track their performance in the app without having to activate the function by hand. This function is currently limited to tracking the first shot on each hole, so users can only track their tee shots, not their entire performance.

The automatic shot tracking also enhances existing features of the watch, such as the Driving Range feature, by providing the app with more data (as it’s activated automatically). The Driving Range feature offers a ‘heat map’ for every hole, which shows where shots landed on previous rounds. Over time, this allows golfers an overview of the strategies which work for them, helping them to pick the perfect club and the perfect route to each hole.

The automatic shot detection ensures users also have more information on the performance of each of their clubs, with the app automatically recording accuracy and distance for every tracked shot. This means that the app’s trademark club recommendations are more precise and information- packed than ever before.

The watch interface has been redesigned to enhance the watch’s unique 2D maps, allowing golfers to track hazards and distances on 40,000 golf courses around the world. There is now more screen area available to view a 2D overhead map of the course, and more information is displayed on screen at once, with distances, club information, scores, and hole numbers displayed clearly on screen as users play.

When the user moves the crown of the watch, the maps move up and down with it, allowing users to see the layout of each hole. When users press on the distance on screen, they can access all the important information about the hole like par, distance to start and end of greens.

Once golfers have finished a round, they can review their performance in 3D via a companion app paired to the watch, giving a dramatic visualisation of the details stored by the watch in a simulated 3D visual of the shot showing the trajectory of the ball. This feature is currently available only for iOS devices.

Synchronising data to and from a phone is a lot faster thanks to Bluetooth 5.0. It offers data transfer at twice the speed, so sharing data with the paired app becomes faster and smoother. The watch itself has undergone a full redesign as part of the new generation

of Connected watches, with a striking new sporty look in a 45mm watch. The crown (which is used to scroll the map in TAG Heuer’s built-in golf app) has a large diameter and stands out from the watch so it can be controlled easily using just a fingertip while on the golf course.

The 45mm model has a sporty design and a ceramic bezel which gives it the feel of a traditional high-end timepiece, highlighted with the iconic green of the Golf Edition. The iconic 18 holes bezel provides an immediate scorecard during a round with colour-coded segments showing on each hole if you are above, on or below par.

The new screen is perfect for golfers on the course, with industry-leading quality and contrast ensuring that maps, scores, and statistics will remain visible even in strong sunlight, thanks to a strong contrast ratio. The watch has technical improvements across the board, with a battery life 30% longer than previous Connected models, perfect for tracking golf through the day. It offers a full day of battery life on each charge, even after five hours of using golf functions.

The watch comes with exclusive watch faces inspired by golf, and it also comes with an additional black strap, allowing wearers to pair the watch with different outfits.

Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood is one of number of leading tour pros that wears the watch. He said: “TAG Heuer Golf Edition allows golfer of every level to improve their game. The new Drive shot-tracking feature helps you track your most important shots and the integrated ball marker is so easy to use and store away.”

RPP £2,200, tagheuer.com

TAYLORMADE HIGH TOE WEDGES

£139, TAYLORMADEGOLF.CO.UK

When you watch tour players hit wedge shots in person, it’s amazing how much lower they flight them. And how much spin they generate too. The TaylorMade High Toe 3 is designed to help your wedge shots perform like those of a tour pro. The high toe raises the centre of gravity to help launch the ball lower, while the milled grooved raw face feature raised micro ribs between them to generate more spin. A versatile four-way sole grind and fullface grooves ensures a wider effective hitting area. An aged copper finish adds a premium aesthetic which will blend seamlessly with the RAW face as it rusts over time.

BIG MAX DRI LITE SEVEN

£109.99, UK.BIGMAXGOLF.COM

Summer is over and the weather is changing. I don’t want to sound too pessimistic, but it won’t be too long until trolley bans kick in on wet golf courses. Rather than carrying a full bag, the Dri Lite Seven is the perfect option for those winter months. Fully waterproof, the seven-inch bag is compact but still offers enough room to carry a full set if required.

TAYLORMADE STEALTH DHY

£219, TAYLORMADEGOLF.CO.UK

While TaylorMade’s Stealth UDI driving iron is designed to hit low bullets, the DHY is a utility iron that offers much more than just a safe option off the tee.

It has an inviting address profile, longer blade length and wide sole, creating a generous hitting area that inspires confidence. A rounded heel toe radius enhances playability and turf interaction. The weight is positioned in the sole, creating a lower centre of gravity and making it more playable and easier to launch than a traditional iron. That lower CG creates a higher launch than Stealth UDI, giving players the option to choose the launch that best suits their game.

The DHY is available in 17°, 19°, 22° and 25° lofts in RH and 19° and 22° in LH, is are fitted with Aldila ASCENT Black shafts (75S, 65R, 55A) and Super Stroke S-Tech (50g) grips.

SRIXON ULTISOFT

£28 FOE 12, SRIXON.CO.UK

The softest ball in Srixon’s current line-up, the UltiSoft is a two-piece model with a 42 compression and is designed for golfers with slower swing speeds. A fastlayer core is designed to generate more speed and works like a core with thousands of layers as it gradually transitions from a soft core to a firm outer edge. The 338 speed dimple design helps increase lift for maximum carry, while a soft, thin cover provides more greenside spin and softer feel on all pitches, chips and putts.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST GEAR

PRO SHOP

FOOTJOY STRATOS £164.99/£159.99, FOOTJOY.CO.UK

First introduced last autumn, the Stratos brought cloud-like comfort, debuting StratoFoam underfoot cushioning, to the brand’s leading range. Offered in models for men and women, the new-and-improved design builds on its comfort features with an all-new sculptured heel piece and moulded heel inside to enhance in-shoe comfort while offering a more athletic look. The shoe’s exterior construction features soft, luxurious leather uppers for a premium feel combined with the VersaTrax+ outsole for the ultimate in on-course traction and off-course versatility. The StratoFoam midsole offers energy return as well as soft underfoot cushioning.

CALLAWAY STORMFLEECE PRO II JACKET

£110, CALLAWAYEUROPEAPPAREL.COM

Not simply a fleece, this jacket features Singtex Stormfleece, a material that Callaway Apparel believe is the best in the business. The StormFleece Pro II is lightweight yet designed to defend the wearer in tough weather conditions. It makes a great layering piece with the added bonus of a low carbon footprint, made from 93% recycled polyester with a 7% smattering of spandex for in-built stretch.

BLUE TEES PLAYER WIRELESS SPEAKER

£109, SKYMAXSPORT.COM

Music on the golf course can be divisive, but there are definitely golfers who love playing with some music in the background. The Player is a Bluetooth speaker with a 100ft range and features a 360-degree sound for optimal acoustics on and off the golf course. Fully waterproof, and featuring a 12-hour battery life, the gamechanger over a traditional Bluetooth speaker is the ultra-strong magnets that allow it to be stuck to a golf cart or trolley without fear of it falling off mid-round.

ECCO GOLF BIOM G5

£210, ECCOGOLF.COM

Promising ‘athletic performance in a premium, progressive and sporty design’, Ecco Golf’s latest addition to the Biom range features a cleated sole, not something we’ve come to expect from the Danish brand which carved out a niche for offering shoes that could be worn from clubhouse to course. Zarma Tour spikes are combined with hybrid grooves deliver traction and stability, while premium leather uppers with a waterproof Gore-Tex construction offer year-round play.

FLUIDFORM technology ensures a finely-tuned balance of cushioning and rebound energy so that you walk off the 18th green feeling as fresh as you did on the first tee. It comes in five styles for men and five for women in a choice of lace or BOA closures.

ORIGINAL PENGUIN INSULATED PUFFER

£139.99, ORIGINALPENGUIN.CO.UK

Part of the expanding Polar Pete collection of on-trend layering and outerwear pieces with great performance for golfers playing all year around, the Insulated Puffer uses PrimaLoft thermal insulation for warmth and is made from a water-repellent, 100% nylon durable micro-ripstop. It can be worn on windy and cold days on the golf course, but will look just as smart down the pub or when out walking the dog.

BUSHNELL ION ELITE GPS WATCH

£199, BUSHNELLGOLFGLOBAL.COM

A first for Bushnell, the ION ELITE is the first GPS watch to feature Slope technology. Slope offerscompensated distances to account for a hole’s elevation, providing golfers with even more precise yardages. It features large, easy-to-read front, centre and back distances, GreenView with movable pin placement. It also features HoleView. A simple tap provides access to a visual layout of the current hole in play allowing you to understand what lies ahead for blind shots or doglegs.

SMOOTH OPERATORS

Afriend of mine, whose judgment I greatly trust, once told me ‘When everyone else zigs, you need to zag’. And by that I think he meant that not following the herd can lead to great things. The Glide 4.0 wedges are proof positive, if any was needed, that the designers at Ping are big fans of this philosophy, at least when it comes to creating lofted irons.

Most wedges follow the very traditional one-piece bladed design that has existed in one form another since Gene Sarazen invented the sand wedge. In coming up with the Glide 4.0, Ping have created a muti-material wedge that is designed to offer an incredibly soft feel, with industry-leading forgiveness, while still looking fantastic behind the ball.

With the most comprehensive selection of lofts and grinds ever offered from Ping, and all available in both dexterities, this is a wedge that can be used by players at every level of the game.

Despite Ping also offering the Glide Forged Pro wedges, which are designed specifically for their tour staff and elite amateurs, tour take up on the Glide 4.0 wedged has been fantastic. Players using them among the paid ranks include Cameron Champ, Harris English, Tony Finau, Tyrell Hatton, Greg Havret, Louis Oosthuizen, Mito Pereira, Seamus Power and last, but not least, dual Masters champion Bubba Watson.

FEEL AND FORGIVENESS

The Glide 4.0 wedge is ground-breaking in so many ways, but it also represents the first time Ping has used 8620 carbon steel in a cast wedge. This is a much softer steel than previously used, and leads to 36% more contact time, but, unlike most wedges, Ping has placed an elastomer insert in the back of the heard that helps soften the feel even further.

Importantly, it also saves weight which can then be moved to the perimeter and topline, making the

Glide 4.0 wedges significantly more forgiving than traditional wedge designs, as well as helping to control the trajectory.

CLASSIC SHAPING

Ping has concentrated on ensuring that the Glide 4.0 looks great behind the ball. Small details that make a massive difference, such as the hosel transition, which isn’t quite as narrow, have been perfected here.

On the back of the head you can see where Ping have cut out material to save weight in the middle and distribute it towards the sole and top of the head, which is thicker although it’s not noticeable at address.

This is a high-tech wedge, but it looks perfect at address, with a slightly rounded, yet compact shape. Unusually, the engineers made the head sizes of the S and T grind versions smaller than the W and E options, with the intention of offering more forgiveness for golfers that need it.

SPIN TO SPARE

Ping offers different wheel-cut grooves in the lower lofted wedges to the higher lofts. In the lower lofts (46°–52°) the grooves are milled at a 20° angle to make them spin more on full swings, while the high lofts (54°–60°) the grooves are milled at 28° and feature a tighter radius to provide more spin on feel shots around the green.

The Glide 4.0 also feature an emery face blast that adds more friction between the ball and club for more spin and a lower launch.

Ping’s secret weapon, when it comes to spin, might be the Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish. When club faces get wet, spin can

drop massively. Independent testing has shown that when the 4.0 wedges get damp, they don’t lose any spin. So, whether it’s raining or just an early morning dewy round, or you’re playing out of the rough, these wedges will perform exactly the same all the time –and spin consistency is the key to great wedge pla

GRIND OPTIONS

S Grind – The most popular grind, the C grind is designed to be a versatile wedge that will work for the majority of golfers.

T Grind – Offering the most versatility, the T Grind designed for the player who likes to manipulate the club for different types of shots, and features the most heel and toe relief.

W Grind – Designed for forgiveness, this is the wedge for the player who needs help out of the sand and who doesn’t try and manipulate the wedge for different shots around the green. Offering the most bounce in the line- up, choose this grind if you need that extra help.

E Grind – Inspired by the classic Ping Eye 2 wedges, the E Grind features a different profile at address, with a higher toe, and the recessed sole grind that always made that club such a favourite of tour players from the sand.

With the Ping Glide 4.0 offered in 17 different loft, bounce and grind combinations, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got the right set up to suit your game, so book a custom fitting with a qualified Ping fitter if you’re considering investing in a set.

Ping Glide 4.0 wedges have an RRP of £160/£170 per club (st/gr) and are available in eight lofts from 46°-60° with Ping Z-Z115 shafts and Lamkin Crossline grips as standard.

For more details, and to find your nearest stockist and fitter, visit eu.ping.com.

The fourth generation of Ping’s popular Glide wedge range, the 4.0, offers a break with tradition for short game tools, with a new face technology and a loft-specific groove design that will help generate spin and distance control from any lie, says GN Equipment Editor Dan Owen

20% Smaller

The All New Compact CT8 GPS IMPOSSIBLY SMALL

The CT8 GPS is the latest addition to the successful PowaKaddy Compact Electric trolley range. The Simple-2-Fold™ system ensures it remains 20% more compact than previous models from PowaKaddy and features a large 3.5” Touchscreen display. Experience smarter power with the CT8 GPS. Its fully integrated GPS system gives you access to over 40,000 courses around the world. The addition of Active Green View and Drop Pin technology ensures the CT8 GPS cements its place as the smallest, most intelligent electric golf trolley in the world.

View the All-New 2022 PowaKaddy Range at powakaddy.com

View the All-New 2022 PowaKaddy Range at powakaddy.com

Dedicated to producing performance active wear that not only looks good, but feels great, Stuburt has all the bases covered when it comes to kitting yourself out for those long summer days on and off the golf course

Stuburt

has been making shoes for over 100 years. Through its history, Stuburt has designed and manufactured sports shoes for leading names across various categories including yachting and football. Its golf heritage includes famous names like Tony Jacklin, who was one of the first Tour players to sport Stuburt golf shoes and Darren Clarke, whose Classic Collection was an enormous success for the business, as well as a few well-known Major winners we can’t mention here. Fast forward to 2022 and Stuburt now has a wellestablished apparel range which reflects that same quality, style and performance that comes with over 100 years of shoe expertise. The SS2022 range is incredibly diverse reflecting the varied tastes of the modern golfer. Pricing is also one of the key components to success for the Stuburt range, so as expected the SS2022 collection offers a great, wellconceived selection of garments and footwear that suits any budget.

Stuburt’s premium spiked shoe is the EVOLVE TOUR II SPIKED. This is a high-performance, quality product made from supple full grain leather. It is also fully waterproof thanks to Stuburt’s DRI- Back technology. Its lightweight cushioned midsole delivers long-lasting comfort, and the spiked outsole provides maximum grip and traction, allowing golfers to enjoy their golf

whatever the condition of the course or weather. Available in three colour options (White/Grey, Black and White) it costs just £74.99, and comes with a one-year waterproof warranty.

Featuring the same DRI -Back waterproof technology and warranty as its spiked counterpart, the EVOLVE 3.0 SPIKELESS is a full grain leather, street inspired style, but still delivers the same high levels of technical performance that has come to be expected from the Stuburt brand. Comfort comes from the full grain upper, cushioned insole and midsole which envelopes the foot. The spikeless outsole gives you all the traction you need and completes the relaxed, stylish look. It too is available in three colour options (Light Grey, Black and White).

Another great selection from the Spring/Summer collection is the XP II SPIKELESS. Manufactured using premium microfibre woven uppers this golf shoe is lightweight and is designed to appeal to golfers looking for comfort and performance, coupled with a contemporary sporty look. The XP II SPIKELESS features performance uppers have memory characteristics that fit perfectly to the shape of your foot. Featuring an ultra-comfortable cushioned insole and midsole with a spikeless outsole, this dynamic golf shoe is also fully waterproof thanks to Stuburt’s DRI-back waterproof technology and comes with a one-year waterproof warranty.

When it comes to clothing Stuburt really does have you covered! The polo range includes interesting prints, such as the vertical fading stripes of the Pebble Polo and repeat pattern on the Monarch polo both of which cost less than you would imagine. The Highland Polo delivers a great traditional golf look in a performance fabric that delivers moisture transfer, ideal for summer days. The Princeville is another striped favourite made from a breathable stretch fabric enhancing player comfort and performance.

With the British summer bringing rain and shine it is always worth investing in a midlayer, or two, and Stuburt has plenty. The Reynold is a windproof quarter zip, with bold logo placements which, when combined with the colour blocking effect, give it a really contemporary look. For colder days or twilight golf pick from the Element with its thermal windproof performance, or the Avalanche which also benefits from body temperature regulation.

Whether you’re a trouser person or are happy to get your legs out on the course the Urban range will suit your game. Made from a blend of polyester and elastane they deliver exceptional freedom of movement and elevated levels of breathability and comfort. With accessories that include umbrellas, the Devon cap socks, belts you can complete your look, not forgetting of course to get your hands on – or should I say in a Stuburt golf glove!

STUBURT

VISIT WWW.STUBURTGOLF.COM

Instagram - @stuburtgolf Twitter - @stuburt FB - @stuburt

JONES ORIGINAL HARDWOOD

£170, JONESSPORTSCO.EU

Taking it back to simpler times, the Jones Original is a retro carry bag designed for the walking golfer. Made with lightweight materials, the wipe-down vinyl makes it a perfect year-round option, keeping your grips dry even when there’s dew on the ground.

CALLAWAY HYPERLITE ZERO

£199.99, CALLAWAYGOLF.EU

Carrying a golf bag over your shoulder can be tiring, but if it’s your only option why not lighten the load with this ultralight option from Callaway? Weighing under 3lbs, and boasting a carbon fibre stand, the only way to save any more weight is to play with a half-set.

PING HOOFER

£210, EU.PING.COM

As long as I’ve been playing golf the Ping Hoofer has been the benchmark in stand bag design. The legendary Hoofer is available in four colourways and features a new double strap that can easily be converted to a single strap if preferred.

BAGS OF STYLE

Whether your like to walk, push, pull or ride, there’s a stylish golf bag out there for you

POWAKADDY DRI TECH

£279.99, POWAKADDY.COM

If you use a trolley, it’s often best to use a bag from the same manufacturer. So, if you use a PowaKaddy, you’ll find a PowaKaddy bag is often the best option. With their Key-Lock base, the bag won’t twist when locked into the base of a PowaKaddy trolley.

The Dri Tech cart bag is four times more waterproof than many other golf bags that claim to be waterproof.

It boasts 14 full-length dividers, including one designed for a putter with a thicker grip. There are seven pockets, including two full-length apparel pockets. It is offered in five colours.

MOTOCADDY HYDRO FLEX £219.99, MOTOCADDY.COM

The Hydroflex can be used as carry, trolley or cart bag, with its EASILOCK system helping to to slot perfectly onto a Motocaddy trolley, while easy-open stand mechanism makes it perfect for those rare days when trolley bans are in place.

OGIO ALL ELEMENTS

£260, EU.OGIO.COM

While each bag in this list is a great option, each one with its own strengths, Ogio specialises in making golf bags and the All Elements range is one its best yet . Available in seven vivid patterns – and black – this hybrid bag will help you standout in a crowded fairway.

BIG MAX AQUA SPORT 3 £249.99, BIGMAXGOLF.COM

Ideal for year-round use, but especially in wet weather, the Aqua Sport 3 is made from a 100% waterproof material, and features waterproof sealed seams and waterproof zippers to keep everything dry.

Weighing just 2.4kgs, it is lighter than some carry bags, and it boasts a dizzying ten pockets, offering acres of storage space, although make sure you remember where you put the car keys. It offers 15 full-length dividers - one more than is needed – but the 15th is ideal for an oversized putter or an umbrella, although there is an external loop for stowing one.

SUN MOUNTAIN H2NO CARBONFAST £979.99, SUNMOUNTAINGOLF.CO.UK

Taking premium golf bags to the next level, the H2NO Carbonfast features a recessed carbon fibre panel that protects and stores the legs when used on a trolley or a golf cart. The bag is fully waterproof and features a 14-way divider.

In the G425 MAX, total MOI pushes a record 10,000, largely due to a 26-gram tungsten movable weight that shifts the CG and can be secured in the Neutral, Draw or Fade setting.

SPEED GENERATOR

All three driver models benefit from a proprietary T9S+ forged face that generates accelerated face flexing and helps add distance.

3 DISTINCT DRIVERS

Available in MAX (highest MOI), LST (low spin), or SFT (draw bias) models to fit your game.

SKECHERS GO GOLF PRO 5 HYPER

£140, SKECHERS.CO.UK

Worn by Matt Fitzpatrick when winning his first Major at the US Open, the Pro 5 Hyper is arguably the best shoe Skechers have ever designed. Featuring its Arch Fit in sole ,which is designed to relieve pressure on your feet, as well as ResaMax cushioning, they’ve taken step in comfort to a new level.

ODYSSEY 2-BALL ELEVEN

£329, ODYSSEYGOLF.COM

The 2-Ball boasts the most popular putter alignment aid of all time and has won everything from Majors to monthly medals. Odyssey has added it to the Eleven putters launched earlier this year. Focusing on making a putter that swings like a blade, but has the forgiveness of a mallet, the 2-Ball retains the high MOI, while moving the centre of gravity closer to the face. This really helps get the ball rolling quickly and accurately.

PRO SHOP YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST GEAR

TITLEIST SCOTTY CAMERON PHANTOM X 11

£409, TITLEIST.CO.UK

Titleist has extended the Phantom X range with the new 11, and 11.5 models. The putters feature a solid, precision-milled stainless steel face and body that’s combined with aluminium sole and flange component. Contrasting a high MOI design with a more compact head than others in the range, the 11 features a single bend shaft for players looking to reduce putter face rotation, while the 11.5 is designed for golfers who rotate the face through the stroke.

OGIO ALL ELEMENTS

£260/279, EU.OGIO.COM

OGIO’s new All Elements golf bags are offered in eight colour schemes, ranging from a conservative all-black model up to the bright red galactic design named ‘Nebula’. Golfers looking to stand out on the course can select one of the other six patterns on offer – outer space ‘Terra Texture’ with white and grey hues, jungle green ‘Shibori Mountain’, fastpaced blue ‘Warp Speed’, purple palm leaves ‘Midnight Jungle’, multi-coloured geometric ‘Geo Fast’ or camouflage-inspired ‘Double Camo’ with orange detailing. Stand bags come with double straps and an eight-way waterresistant top, while the cart bags incorporate a single strap and a 15-way top to keep clubs safe and secure.

CALLAWAY JAWS RAW WEDGES

£169, CALLAWAYGOLF.COM

The new Jaws Raw wedges feature untreated faces, allowing the sharpest grooves in golf not to be dulled with a coating. Raw wedges spin because of this, not because of any additional friction on the face. But while the raw face is the headline, it’s the compact shape and straight leading edge that is the icing on the cake for this greatlooking wedge. With added tungsten to help fine tune trajectory, a slew of grind options, and two finishes, there’s an option to suit all players and all playing conditions.

BUSHNELL GOLF PHANTOM 2 SLOPE

£149, BUSHNELLGOLF.COM

Without doubt one of the best value entry-level GPS devices on the market, the Phantom 2 Slope features large, easy-to-read front, centre and back distances that factor in the elevation of your target to give slope-adjusted yardges. Dynamic green mapping shows the shape of the green, and the touchscreen element allows you to move the pin placement. Also offering up to six hazard/layup distances per hole, this secondgeneration model boasts a slightly large face to make it even easier to read the numbers, but like the older model is still comes preloaded with more than 40,000 worldwide courses.

Offering 18 hours use on a single charge, it also comes with a USB-C charging cable, a belt clip and carabiner, but as a new feature it also has a magnetised back which enables it to be stuck onto any metal surface, including the upright strut of a buggy chassis. The free Bushnell Golf app provides additional product benefits, graphics and data to further help improve your game, as well as easy access to course updates.

SIK BY LA GOLF FLO M MALLET

£475, SIKGOLFGLOBAL.COM

SIK by LA Golf’s new FLO M mallet putter is precision milled from a solid block of stainless steel and features the brand’s patented descending loft technology which helps provide more consistent launch angles and improved roll. Around 10% smaller and 70g lighter than the original FLO mallet, the M Mallet was inspired by feedback from Tour players, some of whom preferred a slightly smaller profile and a lighter weight.

The goal was to create a mallet that provides increased MOI and forgiveness but with the same weight and similar feel to a blade. Not coincidentally, the FLO M weighs in around 360g, the same weight as SIK’s Pro model blade, which was used by Bryson DeChambeau in his 2020 US Open victory, making it play and feel as close to a blade as possible but with the enhanced forgiveness of a mallet.

Fully customisable, it can be ordered with a variety of hosels – including plumber’s neck, double bend, slant neck, swept neck, and armlock – and a choice of satin steel or matte black finishes, as well as custom loft and lie angles and sightline type and location. different headcover colours.

ADIDAS CODECHAOS22

£140, ADIDAS.CO.UK

The second generation of the Codechaos shoe boasts an even bolder and more disruptive look with the outsole having been redesigned to feature even more of the twistgrip technology, which wraps over the heel and forefoot areas to offer enhanced grip. The uppers are made from multiple layers of recycled materials and feature a thin polyurethane film over the top to make them stain-resistant and waterproof. Offered in both lace and BOA closures, they are available in five colour combinations.

WELL PLD!

PING has returned to the milled marketplace with a range of premium putters that have been hand-made to tight tolerances to produce precision tools for a precision job – meet the PLD

Ever since 1959, when PING founder Karsten Solheim introduced the brand’s first 1A putter, Ping has been building a heritage on creating unique, individual putters for the game’s very best players. Through working with those who are the most proficient at this dark art, the company has accumulated a wealth of in-house knowledge around creating the ultimate putter for the game’s very best players.

Over the years these one-off designs have been developed, prototyped and manufactured in Ping’s Putter Lab – the brand’s PLD marquee stands for Putter Lab Design – at the global headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, before each has been precision CNC milled for their intended owner.

Ping’s new PLD range of four putters – Anser, Anser 2, DS72 and Prime Tyne 4 – was born out of a desire to produce the very best putters for the best players in the world and to help them perform at the highest level. Sounds simple enough. But it takes a lot to satisfy the demands of Ping’s stable of Tour players.

“The PLD Milled is an exciting addition to our putter line,” explains John K Solheim, chairman and CEO at Ping. “We’ve identified a couple of our most popular models from the past and some newer designs that have attracted a lot of attention in the last couple of years. We’ve given the new putters a very clean, premium look to emphasise the precision process they undergo before they are ready for play. As we collaborate on new designs with our engineers and tour staff through the PLD programme, we’ll add new models to bring golfers the latest in tour-proven performance on the putting green.

MILLED TO PERFECTION

Each PLD putter starts its life out as a piece of forged 303 stainless steel which is then CNC milled into shape. For the uninitiated, CNC milling is a machining process that utilises computerised controls to manage the movement and operation of multi-point rotary cutting tools. In the case of a putter head, as the tools rotate and move across the surface of the putter, they slowly remove excess material to achieve the desired shape and size.

A lot of work goes into every detail, every curve, every radius, even ensuring the alignment aid is perfectly milled into the putter. This precision takes time, with each putter taking around four hours to complete on the CNC mill.

DEEP GROOVES

Ping wanted to provide its players with a putter that was responsive and consistent off the face, so it developed AMP, which stands for Aggressive Milling Pattern. There are two versions of AMP – Deep and Shallow – although the majority of Ping’s Tour players prefer the Deep AMP Milling for its softer feel and that is what has been brought to market.

CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON

With PLD putters having been in the hands of Ping’s tour staff for the last two seasons, and having accumulated more than 20 wins in that time, Ping believes that now is the perfect time to release them to the golfing public, and they’re doing it in the form of a new family of four super premium PLD putters.

PING PLD ANSER

TOE HANG: MID | STROKE TYPE: SLIGHT ARC

| HEADWEIGHT: 350G

The original, and arguably still the best, the Anser has softer lines than previous Ansers, with subtle curves to the corners. All PLD putters boast a slightly smaller profile than standard Ping putters, but the topline is a little thicker.

The Anser has a matt black head which has a slight gloss to the finish, but not to any level where it becomes too reflective in sunlight, and it comes with a matching black graphite shaft and a blacked out Ping rubber PP58 grip to complete the stealth look.

Used on Tour by Joaquín Niemann and Sebastian Muñoz, the Anser is perfect for players with slight arc strokes and those who like to feel they release the putter through impact. It doesn’t offer a sightline, so this model will also suit players who use the length of the putter blade to align squarely at their target.

PING PLD PRIME TYNE 4

TOE HANG: MID | STROKE TYPE: SLIGHT ARC

| HEADWEIGHT: 360G

Inspired by PGA Tour player Cameron Champ, who has been a big fan of this Fang-style model in recent years, the PLD Prime Tyne 4 features a heel-shafted slant neck and has the most toe hang of the four PLD putters.

Heel-shafted mallets have had huge take up on tour in recent years, offering the alignment help and forgiveness of a mallet, but that work with someone who is more used to putting with an Anser-style putter.

A single white sightline against the black finish provides a strong visual alignment cue, while a prominent golf ball-width fangs help to concentrate focus on the impact area, which is ideal for golfers who don’t always find the centre of the face.

PING PLD ANSER 2

TOE HANG: MID | STROKE TYPE: SLIGHT ARC

| HEADWEIGHT: 350G

Fast becoming another timeless classic Ping putter pantheon, the Anser 2 has squarer corners and bumpers than the standard Anser and a slightly long er blade length., Again, overall it’s a little smaller than standard Anser 2 putters, but good things come in small packages, and that’s certainly the case with this model.

The addition of a sightline will make this a popular option for those that like a little help squaring up the face to the target line, and to show that the ball is sitting in front of the centre of the face – which isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

As with the standard Anser, its ideal for players with slight arc strokes and those who feel they they release the putter through impact, rather than those who swing more like a pendulum.

TOE HANG: 0° – FACE BALANCED |  STROKE TYPE:STRAIGHT | HEADWEIGHT: 365G

Viktor Hovland has forced his way into the world’s top three using a PLD DS72, although his model is unplated, so it has rusted over time. His is also set with 2.5° of loft, rather than the standard 3.5° offered at retail.

The DS72 is a face-balanced, blunt back midmallet – its back edge is parallel to the putter face – with a wide topline, single sightline and a cavity back that is the width of a golf ball. All the design cues are either parallel or perpendicular to the target line to make it easy to line up without resorting to a more outlandish head design. It boasts a classic chrome finish that gives the DS72 vibrance without glare.

It is best suited to players with a straight backand-through putting stroke.

ALL PING PLD PUTTERS ARE PRICED AT £399. TO FIND YOUR NEAREST STOCKIST OR AUTHORISED CUSTOMING FITTING SPECIALIST, VISIT EU.PING.COM.

HONMA TW757 P IRONS

£159/£169 (PER CLUB, ST/GR), HONMAGOLF.COM

with it, they wouldn’t use it.

The TW757 P is a modern player’s distance iron designed for distance while retaining the feel the Japanese brand is renowned for. Tungsten weighting in the toe and sole centre the sweet spot and are used in combination with an under-cut cavity to create a surprising amount of forgiveness for the size of the iron head. A reduced face thickness

What it allows us to do out here on tour is change the balance point of the putter. We can really manipulate the putter weight with added head weight or heavier grips. As well as the consistency benefits it’s another fitting tool that helps us really hone in a putter for each individual player.

Are Tour players tricky to work with? Not really. However, they do know exactly what they want. They hit balls and roll putts day in, day out, and many of them are incredibly acute when it comes to the differences they can feel. Many players on tour would be able to tell a 5g difference in grip weight, for example. Or they are only happy with a putter grip that is out of production and we have to scramble to find one. I’ve had players who have noticed the putter shaft feels off if the shaft is tipped differently. This is on a 15ft putt! And these guys are almost never wrong, they can pinpoint these differences so quickly.

It’s their job and they need to trust their tools.

TAYLORMADE STEALTH

£112/£136, TAYLORMADEGOLF.EU

ODYSSEY BY NUMBERS

The Stealth irons feature a Cap Back design that extends around the toe. The polymer composite cap takes weight from the back so that it can be dropped lower in the head where it’s more useful. The design also supports the top line, making it more rigid. This allows the bottom half of the face, and the Thru-Slot

WILSON D9 FORGED

£792 (4-PW), WILSON.COM

at the numbers that make Odyssey the No.1 putter in the

The two-piece construction of the D9 features an carbonsteel body and face that is just 2mm thick. Power Holes on the sole help the face flex more at impact, but they are filled with urethane for a softer feel. Wilson has refined the idea that less material supporting the face can help the face flex at impact, and the D9 Forged now uses a unique asymmetrical version

CLEVELAND LAUNCHER XL

£499/ £599 (ST/GR), CLEVELANDGOLF.CO.UK

TITLEIST T400

£185 PER CLUB, TITLEIST.CO.UK

IRONS TO INSPIRE

When Pablo Larrazábal shot 62 in the wind at last month’s ISPS Handa Championship it was incredible. But he can’t do that if he doesn’t trust his equipment. He uses a Triple Track Chrome Soft X and we added a Triple Track Alignment to his Toulon Design Las Vegas. And those tweaks are the difference between winning and just making the cut.

What has been your most exciting moment working for Odyssey?

This new progressive set offers forgiveness where it is needed in the long irons and control where required in the short irons. Hollow longer irons offer maximum forgiveness, while the Mainframe AI-designed face offers fast ball speeds across the face. Short irons feature a more compact cavity back design for precision and control.

The T400 irons are built to be the longest, highest launching and most forgiving of Titleist’s T Series range. The heads boast a hollow construction, a low centre of gravity and super thin faces. They also have a wide body and a split-sole design to prevent digging. The result is an iron that will help golfers with moderate swing speeds hit the ball higher and farther, even when they miss the centre of the clubface.

Looking to raise your iron game this season? Then check out these new kids on the block

COBRA FORGED TEC X

£999 (4-PW), COBRAGOLF.CO.UK

Odyssey has had over 300 wins in Europe and I’ve been a part of a large portion of those, and they are all important to me. However, the one that really stands out was when Michael Campbell won the 2006 US Open with a putter I’d fitted him for. But when I was new to the tour team, I was sent out to Florida for some training with the US team. Literally my second week. We were at a Champions Tour event when suddenly Arnold Palmer approaches the Odyssey bag I’m looking after and asks me what’s new. I had to pinch myself. I also got to work with Seve, I say ‘work’, I had to listen to what he wanted. He was very precise in what he asked for, and I always found that I had to be extra alert when he was around

What’s the strangest requests you’ve had from a tour player when it comes to a putter?

A game improvement iron that looks like a player’s distance iron, the Cobra Forged Tec X takes the core of what makes the Forged Tec work but expands its dimensions to appeal to more golfers. The hollow body features a 65g tungsten weight to make launch effortless. The irons are filled with a lightweight foam for a soft forged feel, and a thin PWRSHELL face offers fast ball speeds.

I once had a player ask me to bend a putter so flat that he could use it off his knees. We never really got a reason why he wanted it, but we were able to do it without the putter neck snapping. He tried it for one morning, and then handed it back. It obviously didn’t do what he thought it would!

What’s best putting tip you’ve ever received? I wish I’d written them all down over the years! I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with some of the best putters in the game, but one piece of advice that sticks with me is that the head of the putter will only do what the hands tell it to do. So, a very small movement of the hands can result in quite a large movement of the head, so getting the grip right is very important.

I also like the idea of keeping the putter face square to the target for a little bit longer after you’ve hit the ball. It is something that Thomas Bjorn does, where it looks like the face is pushed towards the target instead of being rotated.

£849, EU.CALLAWAYGOLF.COM

The Rogue ST MAX irons are some of the longest Callaway has ever produced. The high-strength steel Flash Face Cup has been optimised for ball speed, launch and spin, while each loft has a specifically designed face to maximise its performance. Tungsten weights positions the centre of gravity specifically for optimal launch in each iron, while urethane microspheres are used to improve feel and sound.

PING I525

£180 PER CLUB, EU.PING.COM

Representing an upgrade on the i500s that came before, the compact hollow head of the new i525 features a forged maraging steel face for faster ball speeds, while tungsten weighting in the extremes of the toe and shaft tip make it one of the most forgiving irons for its size. The big change has been the addition of a layer of EVA polymer in the head, which is strategically placed to improve sound and feel with no loss of ball speed.

APEX IRONS

TO THE POWER OF

Callaway has all bases covered with its Apex irons, from the club golfer who wants to hit the ball further, to the tour players looking for a precision tool. Whatever your demands, there’s an Apex iron that will help take your game to new heights

APEX

The Apex has been a fantastic line of clubs for Callaway for one main reason. It’s not that they look good, although they do; it’s not that they are easy to hit, although they are; and it’s also not because they’re long, although boy do these irons pack a punch. It’s down to them doing all of this with a forged feel.

Forged carbon steel is used in the body of the club, while the A.Idesigned Flash Face Cup increases ball speed all over the face, with what Callaway calls ‘spin robustness’. The club face isn’t only designed to deliver faster ball speeds across the face, but also to give consistent spin rates wherever the ball is struck. This helps to eliminate a thinned flyer, for example. And to make sure they feel as sweet as a fully forged iron, urethane microspheres are used in the clubhead to soften the sound and feel even further.

The Apex 21 iron also features tungsten gravity cores, which ensure that the centre of gravity is in the correct position for every club, with five times as much tungsten as previous Apex irons. The weight is positioned to increase launch and forgiveness.

APEX MB

Muscle backs aren’t for the faint-hearted. But what these thin blades lack in forgiveness they make up for with feel and precision. Forged from 1025 stainless steel, the MBs feature a central weight which moves the centre of gravity to the middle of the clubface.

While forgiving would be the wrong word, it’s fair to say these will feel super solid at impact. The irons also feature 20V grooves to reduce fliers. There’s not a lot of technology involved in these classic muscle-back irons, but as a club for the shotmaker, they are perfect.

APEX PRO

The Apex Pro is Callaway’s first hollow iron designed for the better player. They offer a classic look at address, with minimal offset and a relatively thin topline, but the hollow construction and AI-designed flash face combine to give faster ball speeds than a typical player’s iron. The soft forged steel body helps with the feel, but also allows them to be bent easily for loft and lie, essential for a good

It’s also the first time Callaway has used its Tungsten Gravity Core design in a player’s iron, with up to 90g of tungsten suspended precisely where you need it for high launch and optimum spin.

APEX DCB

The Apex DCB or Deep Cavity Back, is one of the most forgiving irons Callaway has ever produced, but with that sweet, forged feel that only an Apex can deliver.

It utilises the same technology as the Apex, including the forged body, AI-designed Flash Face Cup, and urethane microspheres, but the iron heads are larger, with more offset, while the soles are wider, and there is up to 50g of tungsten used in each iron.

Super easy to hit, these fit a broad spectrum of golfers who want their shots to fly further while also feeling fantastic.

APEX TCB

While most golfers need all the help they can get when it comes to ball speed, better players generate enough power themselves. For them feel is more important, the Apex TCB (Tour Cavity Back) features a one-piece face and body for that solid connected feel at impact, but there is added help from the Metal Injection Molded tungsten weighting.

While these are a compact low offset iron, that extra help offers a forgiveness advantage over similarly sized irons. This is the most popular iron with Callaway’s tour staff.

HYBRID

designed for the broadest selection of players. It’s important hybrid in Callaway’s line up for one very only one to feature an adjustable hosel. custom fitting, fine-tuning for loft, lie, and face hitting better shots. While that’s a big feature 21 is loaded with tech to help you hit and hold

Flashface brings maximum ball speed to the Apex 21 uniquely different design to maximise performance with a focus increasing ball speed on miss-hits as Blades are Callaway’s latest way of vertically This is important in a hybrid design as it allows the create more ball speed, which just happens to strike the ball on the face with their hybrid. the huge amounts of Tungsten placed low in gravity helps launch the ball high and land the toe of the club, to counteract the weight This really helps iron out the left miss that many

offered in 3 (19°), 4 (21°), 5 (24°) and 6 (27°) in RH only. They are fitted with a 70g UST graphite shaft as standard, with a choice of light,

YOUR PERFECT

new heights, figuratively and literally, with help from Callaway Golf’s Apex hybrids and Utility irons. Golf News Equipment Editor Dan Owen model options and finds out which one could be right for your game

mid to low handicappers and for added control and workability. to reach long par fours and fives Apex Pro is a close cousin of the much of the same technology, Flash Face and Velocity blades. differences include the smaller, more smaller the centre of gravity is lowers the launch angle compared Apex 21 hybrids, the hosel on the a more iron-like appearance at Carpenter steel Face Cup gives them a great spin consistency. The Apex Pro flatter lie angle, a design by better players.

offered and 5 (26°) are fitted Chemical choice of an 80g graphite shaft

APEX UTILITY WOOD

Callaway ripped up the rule book with the Apex UW to create a club that its tour staff was asking for. Neither a true hybrid, nor a fairway wood, they’ve taken the best attributes from both to create this impressive bit of kit.

Callaway ripped up the rule book with the Apex UW to create a club that its tour staff was asking for. Neither a true hybrid, nor a fairway wood, they’ve taken the best attributes from both to

While many of the technologies utilised are the same, including tungsten weighting, A.I. designed Flash Face and Velocity Blades, plus a C300 Maraging Steel Face Cup, it’s the way the ingredients have been put together that’s different.

including tungsten weighting, A.I. designed Flash Face and Velocity Blades, plus a C300 Maraging Steel Face Cup, it’s the way the ingredients have been put together that’s different.

The UW is designed to launch higher and spin more than a hybrid, but lower than a 5-wood. It is also designed to hit and hold greens from a distance for better players, which is key as golf courses get longer.

Callaway 5-woods tend to have more draw bias, but the Apex UW was designed with a very neutral centre of gravity to stop the hook many better golfers fear with a hybrid. Plus, the unique sole design makes it more versatile from a bad lie than most fairway woods.

The UW is designed to launch higher and spin more than and hold greens from a distance for better players, which is Callaway 5-woods tend to have more draw bias, but the Apex UW was designed with a very neutral centre of gravity to stop the hook many better golfers fear with a hybrid. Plus, the unique sole design makes it more versatile from a bad lie than most fairway woods.

Used on tour by Sam Burns, Kevin Kisner, Ryan Moore, Adam Hadwin, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Oliver Wilson, they are a serious option for all strong ball strikers and those looking for softer landings from distance.

Used on tour by Sam Burns, Kevin Kisner, Ryan Moore, Adam Hadwin, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Oliver Wilson, they are a serious option for all strong ball strikers and those looking for softer landings

The Apex UW is offered in 17°, 19° and 21° lofts. They are fitted with a choice of 60g, 70g or 80g Project X graphite shafts in regular, stiff and x-stiff flexes.

The Apex UW is offered in 17°, 19° and 21° lofts. They are fitted with a choice of 60g, 70g or 80g Project X graphite shafts in regular, stiff and

For more information about the entire Callaway irons range, plus to find your

eu.callawaygolf.com

LYLE & SCOTT AVIEMORE

£55, LYLEANDSCOTT.COM

with it, they wouldn’t use it.

Offered in navy, cranberry, cactus green and acid blue, this stylish polo boasts plenty of detailing, including a colour contrast chest pocket and collar, and the brand’s famous Eagle crest on the chest. Boasting four-way stretch for easy swinging comfort, it has a soft hand feel and is breathable.

What it allows us to do out here on tour is change the balance point of the putter. We can really manipulate the putter weight with added head weight or heavier grips. As well as the consistency benefits it’s another fitting tool that helps us really hone in a putter for each individual player.

Are Tour players tricky to work with? Not really. However, they do know exactly what they want. They hit balls and roll putts day in, day out, and many of them are incredibly acute when it comes to the differences they can feel. Many players on tour would be able to tell a 5g difference in grip weight, for example. Or they are only happy with a putter grip that is out of production and we have to scramble to find one. I’ve had players who have noticed the putter shaft feels off if the shaft is tipped differently. This is on a 15ft putt! And these guys are almost never wrong, they can pinpoint these differences so quickly.

It’s their job and they need to trust their tools.

ODYSSEY PUTTERS ARE ALWAYS EVOLVING, THEY ALSO SHARE DNA WITH THOSE EARLY

TOO

PICK UP A POLO

When Pablo Larrazábal shot 62 in the wind at last month’s ISPS Handa Championship it was incredible. But he can’t do that if he doesn’t trust his equipment. He uses a Triple Track Chrome Soft X and we added a Triple Track Alignment to his Toulon Design Las Vegas. And those tweaks are the difference between winning and just making the cut.

What has been your most exciting moment working for Odyssey?

ORIGINAL PENGUIN SOFT FILTERED TIE DYE £54.99, ORIGINALPENGUIN.CO.UK

ODYSSEY BY NUMBERS

CALLAWAY APPAREL FILTERED FLORAL

look at the numbers that make Odyssey the No.1 putter in the game

Guaranteed to turn heads on the first tee, the Tiu Dye polo is made from a lightweight blend of 30% recycled polyester and elastane and offers four-way-stretch and easy-care handling. It features a three-button placket, self-fabric collar. The Penguin logo on the left chest completes the look.

£55, CALLAWAYEUROPEAPPAREL.COM

Made with moisture wicking dri-release fabric to help keep you comfortable as you hone your swing, the material has added stretch and Swing Tech technology to let you move freely around the course.

PUTTER ON TOUR IN 2021

PUTTER ON TOUR FOR LAST 11 YEARS

PUTTER ON EVERY MAJOR TOUR

PUTTER

TRAVISMATHEW FINALLY HERE £74.99, EU.TRAVISMATHEW.COM

The holidays start with the FINALLY HERE polo. Your day will get a little brighter with an all-over print featuring textured palm trees that deliver a subtle style and an elevated look.

PING THE 1A PUTTER

£60, PINGEUROPE.COM

Taking inspiration from Karsten Solheim’s original idea for the 1A Putter, this ey-catcging polo features a premium graphic print of this unique sketch on the shoulder.

Odyssey has had over 300 wins in Europe and I’ve been a part of a large portion of those, and they are all important to me. However, the one that really stands out was when Michael Campbell won the 2006 US Open with a putter I’d fitted him for. But when I was new to the tour team, I was sent out to Florida for some training with the US team. Literally my second week. We were at a Champions Tour event when suddenly Arnold Palmer approaches the Odyssey bag I’m looking after and asks me what’s new. I had to pinch myself. I also got to work with Seve, I say ‘work’, I had to listen to what he wanted. He was very precise in what he asked for, and I always found that I had to be extra alert when he was around

Sun’s out, guns out. It’s time to bag yourself a short sleeve golf shirt

GALVIN GREEN MACK £69.99, GALVINGREEN.COM

What’s the strangest requests you’ve had from a tour player when it comes to a putter?

The stylish MACK shirt offers a premium feel and performance. The highly breathable VENTIL8 PLUS fabric provides UV 20+ protection and incorporates Quickdry stretch material for a comfortable fit.

I once had a player ask me to bend a putter so flat that he could use it off his knees. We never really got a reason why he wanted it, but we were able to do it without the putter neck snapping. He tried it for one morning, and then handed it back. It obviously didn’t do what he thought it would!

What’s best putting tip you’ve ever received? I wish I’d written them all down over the years! I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with some of the best putters in the game, but one piece of advice that sticks with me is that the head of the putter will only do what the hands tell it to do. So, a very small movement of the hands can result in quite a large movement of the head, so getting the grip right is very important.

I also like the idea of keeping the putter face square to the target for a little bit longer after you’ve hit the ball. It is something that Thomas Bjorn does, where it looks like the face is pushed towards the target instead of being rotated.

FARAH GOLF FRANKSTON

£49.95, FARAHGOLF.COM

Made from a four-way stretch fabric and featuring a repeat ‘F’ pattern the Frankston polo combines style and performance with an ultra-soft hand feel.

OSCAR JACOBSON DODMAN

£59.99, OSCARJACOBSONGOLF.CO.UK

Made from a durable, lightweight, four-way stretch fabric that offers unrivalled freedom of movement and exceptional breathability. The fine details and premium quality are what we’ve come to expect from Oscar Jacobson.

ODYSSEY

THE PEOPLE’S PUTTER

With four unique and distinct putter ranges, Odyssey has a flatstick to suit every type of golfer and every type of putting style. Golf News equipment editor Dan Owen dives into the differences between their design and performance attributes and picks out some of his favourite models

ODYSSEY TRI-HOT 5K

The Tri-Hot 5K was created with the intention to produce a blade shape as preferred by many tour players that could outperform a high-MOI mallet putter for forgiveness. Odyssey has moved the centre of gravity positioning forward and used stainless steel, tungsten and aircraft-grade aluminium to create the performance it was searching for. With an inertia level exceeding 5000 IZZ for incredible forgiveness, the centre of gravity is moved closer to the face to improve speed control and consistency, as well as consistency of spin.

RED STROKE LAB SHAFT

The steel portion is shorter than the original, saving seven grams compared original Stroke Lab shaft. It’s been made stiffer and more stable for added consistency.

STAINLESS STEEL FRONT

The front portion of the putter and the neck are milled from 303 stainless steel. This places a large potion of the weight at the front of the putter head which keeps the centre of gravity forward. This helps with dispersion and results in more holed putts when hit less than perfectly.

TUNGSTEN WEIGHTING

Over 120g of tungsten is placed in the heel and toe of the face. That’s close to a third of the total weight of the putter. Not only does it keep the centre of gravity forward. which helps improve roll, but it also increases inertia to over 5000IZZ. This is more akin to an oversized non-traditional putter shape.

WHITE HOT INSERT

The original insert is back, with the same formulation as the original at the request of Odyssey tour players. Also, the fact it is lighter than the steel surrounding it adds even more heel and toe weighting to the putter.

ALUMINIUM FLANGE

The lightweight flange gives the putter its shape without adding excess weight.

ADJUSTABLE WEIGHTING

Fine tunes the feel of the putter with aluminium, steel and tungsten weights.

ODYSSEY ELEVEN

The Odyssey Eleven range features a mallet putter that performs more like a blade. The mallet head shape adds forgiveness and alignment, but with a more forward centre of gravity to get the control benefits of tighter dispersion found in bladed putters.

Traditional mallets often have their weight at the back of the head, which improves MOI, but makes them harder to square at impact and putts can be missed to the right. By moving the centre of gravity forward it can help square the clubface, which in turn should help you hole more putts.

TOULON DESIGN 2022

Toulon Design putters have become popular very quickly, with over 38 tour wins already around the world. Providing a more traditional feel than the Odyssey insert, they are produced to the highest standard and milled from the finest materials.

The steel portion of the shaft is shorter than the original Stroke Lab shaft, saving 7g. It has also been made stiffer and more stable for added consistency.

REFINED HEAD SHAPE

A refinement of the Ten, the putter head is designed to frame the ball at address and ensure alignment is spot on.

The heavy steal front helps move the centre of gravity a quarter-of-an-inch forward compared to other mallet putters, which is huge.

ADJUSTABLE WEIGHTING SYSTEM Odyssey is implementing a similar design language across its 2022 putters. As with the Tri-Hot 5K and Eleven, adjustable weights are placed in the front corners of the putter head to help move the centre of gravity forward while improving the moment of inertia in the head. Weights are available from 5g up to 20g.

DEEP DIAMOND GROOVE MILL PATTERN

While similar, the face design has evolved from previous models. Deep full face grooves control sound and feel by channelling vibration and feature extra grooves across the face that bisect the diamond pattern. The face features a medium depth double fly cut to enhance forward roll and feel.

than the original, saving seven grams compared original Stroke Lab shaft. It’s been made stiffer and more stable for added consistency

the weight moved to the front and perimeters of the putter, it makes so forgiving. The TPU sole

as the original at the request of Odyssey tour players. Also, the fact it is lighter than the steel

WHITE HOT OG 2022

Odyssey has extended the line up of last year’s hottest selling putter model. The White Hot OG putters brought back the legendary insert that tour players prefer. There are four new models added this season to go with those previously launched.

NEW HEAD SHAPES

Odyssey has added the popular Double Wide model. They’ve introduced a #7CH , otherwise known as a plumber’s neck hosel. #7 Nano features a smaller head and a heel hosel that will appeal to golfers with an arc putting stroke. And there is also the #7 Jailbird, which is a combination of the #7 and the Jailbird and adds an extra stabilising bar at the rear of the head.

MILLED SURFACE FINISH

A rich silver PVD finish features fine milling on key surfaces. The beautiful designs will appeal to golfers who appreciate the look of a milled putter.

steel portion is shorter than the original, saving 7g compared original Stroke Lab shaft. It has been made stiffer and more stable for added

The original White Hot formulation, feel, sound and performance are all back in one exceptional two-part urethane insert. Tour players and golfers alike had been asking Odyseey to re-introduce it for years.

BLACK EMERALD STROKE LAB SHAFT

THE PUTTER GURU

How has Odyssey evolved in your time with the brand?

It’s Interesting to reflect on that. When I started with Odyssey on the European Tour back in the mid-1990s there were less than 10 guys using our putters. We were a new brand in Europe and everything was fresh, and inserts were still something most guys hadn’t tried at that point, so we were really offering something different to our competitors.

If you compare that to now, where, over the years, we’ve added alignment help with putters such as the 2-Ball. We’ve added higher MOI models, if you think how hot the no.7 was and still is on tour. The inserts have evolved over the years, but more recently we’ve gone back to that White Hot feel, as it has always been the most popular with our tour staff. Then we’ve added Toulon, and more recently Stroke Lab shafts, so there are options for players who prefer a milled putter, and for golfers who need a change in feel.

We offer so much technology and we understand how the ball rolls in a lot more detail than we did.

Putter design has evolved to help get the ball rolling earlier after impact. While our putters are always evolving, they also still share DNA with those early

models too. There are players out on tour who are still playing some of those early designs. There is Danish player who isn’t part of our tour staff who has always used a Rossie and doesn’t like to switch putter. We’ve had to change the insert for him, as he literally wore it out. And he has about six back-up putters in case anything happens to it!

How often do you have to change out the average tour player’s inserts?

A lot of the guys change inserts to vary feel and there are a number of them who will have matched putters, one with a firm insert and one with a softer insert. The players play on a much wider variety of putting surfaces than they did 20 years ago, so players are always looking to find out whether a different feel of putter could more effective of a different type of green.

The majority of guys will tend to stick to the same putter, regardless of conditions, but a few will have a loft adjustment if they’re playing on particularly grainy greens that you tend to find in Africa, Thailand or Malaysia. Adding loft, often up to 3 or 3.5 degrees, creates better launch conditions on grainy greens as it lifts the ball from the grass more quickly.

What has the reception been to this year’s new models out on Tour?

It’s been very positive. Some of the classic models have had players take to them this season. The #5 mallet, the 2-Ball and the #1 Wide have all proven popular. And our traditional #1 is always popular. The Tri-Hot putters are picking up momentum. It takes a bit longer for the players to appreciate the extra consistency, but once they see that benefit, it’s going to take a real effort to ever pry that putter out of their hands.

Toulon Design has added an extra dimension too. These putters offer that one-piece milled feel that is very different to our Odyssey inserts, and it attracts players we would never have received otherwise. And when an Odyssey player is looking for a totally new sound and feel, we can move them over to Toulon.

For Tour players, sound is so important to their interpretation of feel. Pablo Larrazábal, for example, loves that crisper sound from a milled putter.

How have players taken to the Stroke Lab putter shaft?

Over 50% of the DP World Tour players playing Odyssey putters use it now. The proof is in the pudding for them, and if they don’t putt consistently

Seamus Sweeney, Odyssey Golf’s representative on the European Tour, has been helping the world’s best golfers find their perfect Odyssey putter for over 25 years. Here he explains how small details can make all the difference at the top level

with it, they wouldn’t use it.

What it allows us to do out here on tour is change the balance point of the putter. We can really manipulate the putter weight with added head weight or heavier grips. As well as the consistency benefits it’s another fitting tool that helps us really hone in a putter for each individual player.

Are Tour players tricky to work with? Not really. However, they do know exactly what they want. They hit balls and roll putts day in, day out, and many of them are incredibly acute when it comes to the differences they can feel. Many players on tour would be able to tell a 5g difference in grip weight, for example. Or they are only happy with a putter grip that is out of production and we have to scramble to find one. I’ve had players who have noticed the putter shaft feels off if the shaft is tipped differently. This is on a 15ft putt! And these guys are almost never wrong, they can pinpoint these differences so quickly.

It’s their job and they need to trust their tools.

When Pablo Larrazábal shot 62 in the wind at last month’s ISPS Handa Championship it was incredible. But he can’t do that if he doesn’t trust his equipment. He uses a Triple Track Chrome Soft X and we added a Triple Track Alignment to his Toulon Design Las Vegas. And those tweaks are the difference between winning and just making the cut.

What has been your most exciting moment working for Odyssey?

Odyssey has had over 300 wins in Europe and I’ve been a part of a large portion of those, and they are all important to me. However, the one that really stands out was when Michael Campbell won the 2006 US Open with a putter I’d fitted him for. But when I was new to the tour team, I was sent out to Florida for some training with the US team. Literally my second week. We were at a Champions Tour event when suddenly Arnold Palmer approaches the Odyssey bag I’m looking after and asks me what’s new. I had to pinch myself. I also got to work with Seve, I say ‘work’, I had to listen to what he wanted. He was very precise in what he asked for, and I always found that I had to be extra alert when he was around

What’s the strangest requests you’ve had from a tour player when it comes to a putter?

I once had a player ask me to bend a putter so flat that he could use it off his knees. We never really got a reason why he wanted it, but we were able to do it without the putter neck snapping. He tried it for one morning, and then handed it back. It obviously didn’t do what he thought it would!

What’s best putting tip you’ve ever received?

I wish I’d written them all down over the years! I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with some of the best putters in the game, but one piece of advice that sticks with me is that the head of the putter will only do what the hands tell it to do. So, a very small movement of the hands can result in quite a large movement of the head, so getting the grip right is very important.

I also like the idea of keeping the putter face square to the target for a little bit longer after you’ve hit the ball. It is something that Thomas Bjorn does, where it looks like the face is pushed towards the target instead of being rotated.

PUTTING THE F BACK INTO GOLF FASHION

Farah Golf focuses on what made Farah so popular in the first place: contemporary style and well fitted clothing with signature prints, textured patterns and subtle detailing

Farah clothing is a menswear label that has been around for as long as we can remember. It has played a key part in the style of pretty much every generation from the Mods to the Rude Boys, Casuals and the 90s’ indie music scene –each sub-culture making the signature Farah F Tab its own.

Despite its US origins, Farah has remained so intertwined with our culture that it has come to be considered quintessentially British, which is why it is exciting to see golfers finally getting the chance to sport their own ‘F’ tab with the launch of Farah Golf. And, what’s more, it has all been designed exclusively in Manchester!

The whole collection is unlike that of any golf brand out there. It is instantly recognisable, incredibly wearable and will have universal appeal. Statement pieces with seasonal prints including the stylish geometric patterned Addison Polo and the oversize floral print on the Dallas Polo sit alongside very cool, core classics.

The iconic branding comes in the form of a golf specific frosty green Farah ‘F’ motif. This appears on every garment’s left chest, as well as on the brand’s famous side seam flag label. The ‘F’ even features in the designs themselves in the form of branded buttons and zippers, and more prominently in the Frankston Polo, the Sadun belt buckle, and the Reese cap.

All the polo shirts are made from lightweight fabrics, specifically sourced for golf. Alongside

cotton blends and tech fabrics, there is a four-way stretch, partially plant-based recyclable fabric called Sorona used in the tipped Hoxie Polo. Whatever the composition, all the fabrics feel incredibly soft and premium and are ideal for playing golf in.

Golf-specific design features carry across the range. The Judson Trouser has a neat scorecard pocket, the lockdown zipper and wind guard of the Tisdale Mid Layer deliver comfort and performance, while the four-way stretch fabric in the Jonah Trouser delivers superb movement. As well as fit-for-purpose design, detailing really matters to the Farah brand. All these finer performance characteristics have been included to enhance the golfer’s playing experience without limiting their use to a golf course.

Farah is all about providing men with the right clothes from which they can confidently create their own style. That means each season Farah Golf will consistently offer a thoughtful line-up of both updated classics and trend-led pieces, including signature prints, textured patterns, and great detailing. Farah focusses on the elements that have enabled the brand to remain at the forefront of many men’s wardrobes in the last five decades and for many years to come.

FOR FULL DETAILS ON THE RANGE. VISIT WWW.FARAHGOLF.COM OR FOLLOW @FARAHGOLF

HOXIE POLO

Made from a partially plant-based fabric called Sorona, the Hoxie is a technical polo that is also kinder to the environment. The subtle textured fabric gives the polo a unique look and feel. The double tipping on the collar and placket characterises several items in the Farah Golf range, as does the raised F motif.

DALLAS POLO

Bold, all-over floral print makes a real fashion statement, but this greatlooking garment also packs a punch when it comes to performance. The 4-way stretch fabric offer great movement and elevated levels of breathability, while the branding on the back neck and woven F flag complete the distinct look.

HAYES MIDLAYER

The distinct look of this great midlayer comes from a curved chest stitched line and low hem. This contemporary garment offers great breathability and is super stretchy thanks to the elastane in the fabric blend. The contrast zip and F motif on the neck gives a modern twist on an everyday classic.

WHATEVER THE COMPOSITION, ALL THE FABRICS FEEL INCREDIBLY SOFT AND PREMIUM AND ARE IDEAL FOR PLAYING GOLF IN

JONAH TROUSER

Jetted pockets with white tipping give the Jonah trouser and Jester shorts a distinctive, contemporary look. Both are made from a moisture-wicking fabric that is also breathable, making them idea for summer golf. With a wide range of sizes and leg lengths you will easily find your perfect match.

WIN AN ARCCOS CADDIE BUNDLE!

BUSHNELL’S NEW ION ELITE GOLF GPS WATCH TO BE WON!

Golf News and teamed up with GPS and laser rangefinder specialists Bushnell Golf to offer the chance to win its latest feature-packed golf GPS watch, the all-new Ion Elite.

We’ve teamed up with those clever people at Arccos Golf to offer you the chance to win a set of the all-new Arccos Caddie Gen 3+ Smart Sensors and an Arccos Caddie Link to help take your game to the next level this season.

Boasting a full colour touchscreen display, slopecompensated distances and preloaded with 38,000+ courses around the world, Bushnell Golf's Ion Elite watch is the key to lowering your scores wherever you play.

The ION ELITE’S built-in 'Slope' feature offers more precise compensated distances to account for a hole’s change in elevation, providing golfers with even more precise yardages.

Preloaded with 38,000+ courses, it also has auto-course recognition and automatically advances from hole-to-hole.

The winner will receive a pack that includes 14 of the brand’s latest generation Smart Sensors – one for every club in your bag – and the Caddie Link, a powerful wearable that allows you to leave your phone in the bag to concentrate on playing your best golf. You’ll also receive your first year’s subscription to the award-winning Arccos Caddie app for free.

A clearly visible blue surround is shown on screen to inform the golfer that slope distances are calibrated and being displayed. Slope Technology can also be disabled to make it legal for tournament play.

A scoring feature enables you to enter your strokes and stats on your wrist and upload your scores to the Bushnell Golf Mobile App for post-round review and analysis. The Bushnell Golf Mobile App also provides all course updates so that you know you’re playing the very latest course set up.

Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors simply screw into the butt of your grips, and, using the Arccos Caddie Link device, automatically tracks shots through the brand’s’ A.I. platform, which delivers unparalleled insights into your game to help maximise your potential.

On the course, it offers large, easy-to-read front, centre and back distances, GreenView with moveable pin placement and GreenView, which provides accurate distance based on a golfer’s line of play. HoleView provides access to a visual layout of the current hole in play allowing you to understand what lies ahead for blind shots or doglegs.

The sleek, modern design allows it to also be worn as an everyday timepiece with a visual clock face.

Water-resistant and lightweight, the ION ELITE Golf GPS watch is available in a choice of two colours – black or white –and has an RRP of £199.

Other features in the Arccos Caddie platform include Smart Distance Club Averages, an A.I. Powered GPS Rangefinder, Caddie Advice and Strokes Gained Analytics for every club in the bag to highlight your strengths and weaknesses, as well as guide your practice and equipment choices. Arccos Caddie users experience an average handicap improvement of 5.78 strokes during the first year, some in as few as five rounds, by ensuring you make smarter on-course decisions.

It also offers a 12-hour+ battery life; a shot distance calculator, and the ability to get up to six hazard distances per hole.

TO ENTER

TO ENTER

■ QUESTION HOW MANY GOLF COURSES ARE PRELOADED ONTO THE ION ELITE GOLF GPS WATCH?

For more information on the extensive range of distance measuring devices available from Bushnell Golf, visit bushnellgolf.com.

For your chance to win this fantastic prize, worth £299.98, answer the following question correctly and email your answer to info@golfnews.co.uk, with ‘Arccos Competition’ in the subject line. Please include your name, email address, contact telephone number, and where you picked up your copy of Golf News, or if you read it online. The closing date for entries is May 30, 2022.

To be in with a chance of winning the BUSHNELL ION ELITE Golf GPS watch, simply answer the question above correctly and email it to info@golfnews.co.uk, with ‘Bushnell Competition’ in the subject line. Please include your name, email address, contact telephone number, and where you picked up your copy of Golf News, or if you read it online. The closing date for entries is October 30, 2022.

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Goliath, meet David.

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but a UK based start-up run alian is about to disrupt the global Straight out of Crewe.

Don’t laugh, but a UK based start-up run by an Australian is about to disrupt the global golf ball industry. Straight out of Crewe.

but a UK based start-up run alian is about to disrupt the global aight out of Crewe.

progressive edge to create a welcoming and relaxed

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We sell direct to you, with great service and comparable performance for half the normal price

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Moral of the story – you don’t have to pay a premium for premium performance golf balls. Check out our balls at seedgolf.com

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Proud hosts of the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational and the Ladies European Tour, Aramco Team Series 2022

INNER ROGUE RELEASE YOUR

Callaway has been on an epic roll with its drivers in recent years, as the company has continually innovated to improve performance, with the use of Artificial Intelligence and Jailbreak Technology being among the recent technological enhancements that have proved such unbeatable combination. Tour professionals have used Callaway drivers to win multiple majors in recent years, including staff player Jon Rahm, the world’s No.1 golfer and reigning US Open champion, who currently has new Rogue ST in his bag, while Callaway is

currently the most-used driver brand on the DP World Tour, further underlining the company’s popularity with the world’s best players.

The new Rogue ST (Speed Tuned) is Callaway’s most comprehensive ever driver line up. Available in a choice of four different models, Callaway has focused on offering individualised performance for each design, rather than having to manage the extra weight that is required to deliver adjustability in some other brand’s models.

WHICH CALLAWAY ROGUE ST DRIVER WILL WORK BEST FOR YOU?

Do you use the whole face of the driver?

Do you need help getting the ball airborne?

Do you have an inconsistent shot pattern?

Do you need a very forgiving driver?

If you’ve ticked most of these boxes, the Rogue ST MAX is the driver for you and will be the best fit for the widest number of golfers, fitting everyone from high handicaps to tour pros alike. High launching, mid spinning, maximum forgiveness, and ever so slightly draw biased. This is a driver for everyone.

With a forged 1025 mild carbon steel body, the Apex 21 irons both feel soft, and are easily adjustable in a custom fit. Urethane microsphere help produce the soft, solid feel and sound every golfer prefers.

Is your normal miss to the right?

Do you often shout ‘fore right!’?

Would you consider yourself a slicer?

Do you wish you could hit a fairway, even just once?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you probably need to bag yourself a Rogue ST MAX D. While similar at address to the MAX, there are significant differences. It’s more upright, it has less face progression, and boasts a heel-biased weight. It does everything it can to help you avoid the right-hand side of the golf course.

Callaway’s new Rogue ST driver is the hottest ticket in equipment town right now, but finding which of the four models will work best for you is the key to unlocking your driving potential. Golf News Equipment Editor Dan Owen guides you through their designs and asks the questions that will help your narrow down your search

Rogue ST driver

performance off

tee….

WHAT’S UNDER THE HOOD?

ALL-NEW A.I DESIGNED FLASH FACE

Each model of Rogue ST driver has a new refined A.I. designed Flash Face 22. Where previous models concentrated on ball speed, the new faces have had improved launch and lower spin added to the parameters that the A.I. is trying to maximise. Clever stuff.

JAILBREAK SPEED FRAME

From last year’s Epic Speed line, they’ve added the A.I. designed Jailbreak Speed Frame. This provides stability in the horizontal and torsional direction across the face. What does this mean? All your shots, wherever they are struck on the face, will retain more ball speed.

Getting your Rogue ST driver custom fitted by an expert will ensure you not only find the right model, but also the correct set up for that model, so make sure you book a fitting appointment with a trained Callaway fitter so that you can nail down your precise specifications and maximise your performance. And don’t think that just because you have always played with a certain type of driver, or a certain set up, that a different onve won’t suit you.

Chris Courtneidge, Custom Fitter & Product Trainer at Callaway’s European

TITANIUM UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION

The one-piece body of the driver improves stability and lowers the centre of gravity. The Triaxial Carbon crown and sole saves weight that can be used elsewhere to improve forgiveness.

TUNGSTEN SPEED CARTRIDGE

The Tungsten Speed Cartridge is key to their forgiveness, moving up to 26g, dependent on the model, to where it is needed to maximise performance in the driver’s head. By putting this weight as low and far back as possible in the head, ball speed robustness, or reducing how much slower ball speed is on miss-hits, is maximised.

Do you need to lower your spin to unlock distance gains?

Do you still need and want a forgiving driver?

Do you want a neutral driver that you can move both ways?

Do you want a driver that will offer some forgiveness when you decide to go after one?

If this ticks any of your boxes, you probably need the Rogue ST MAX LS. Retaining most of the forgiveness of the MAX, whilst lowering the spin, this will be a good driver for the high-speed player who still needs some help and the average golfer who hits down on the ball and generates too much spin.

Performance Centre in Chessington, Surrey, has had fantastic success so far with an unexpected model.

“The Triple Diamond LS has been the model that’s surprised us the most, as lots of golfers of all abilities automatically assume that a ‘Tour-calibre’ driver simply would not work for them. Roughly 50% of golfers so far who I have fitted here at our European Performance Centre are getting best-in-class performance from this head and are pleasantly surprised to see it go in the bag.”

Do you prefer a classic look at address?

Is your miss up and down the face rather than side to side?

Do you prefer a lower ball flight?

Do you consider yourself a decent ball striker?

APEX PRO 21

The Apex Pro 21 features an all-new design. Creating an iron that offers distance and forgiveness, while appealing to a single figure golfer, is a tricky proposition. Callaway has cracked the code by combining a forged 1025 steel hollow body design with an AI-designed Flash Face. The Apex Pro 21 uses up to 90g of tungsten in the long irons, more than any other Apex model, improving launch, and massively increasing forgiveness.

If you’ve answered 'yes' to most of the above, then the Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS could be your best option. Triple Diamond drivers were previously reserved for tour players, but this time it has been it has been made available to the general public. With a smaller footprint and a mid-launch with low spin, this will be the choice for many of Callaway’s tour staff, including world No.1 Jon Rahm, but it will also appeal to all decent amateurs and elite players looking for shot-shaping capability and a penetrating ball flight.

BOOK A CUSTOM FITTING

MEET THE ROGUE GOLFERS

Callaway's Tour Professionals are loving the new Rogue Drivers and how it’s improved their game, and so will you

"I like what it does. I like the look of it, having a matt black driver. I’m a very big fan of matt colours. I always try to have a matt black car and it’s something that I love. Plus being able to see the carbon fibre throughout it, as a Formula 1 fan, it’s something that I really enjoy.

It looks really slick.”

"This driver is so consistent" MATTHEW JORDAN

"This is one sexy thing" ERIK VAN ROYEN

"I love this driver" ALVARO QUIROS

" I put it straight in the bag and then it worked well on the golf course" DANNY WILLETT

"It only took a few balls to know this driver was going to fit my game"

XANDER SCHAUFFELE

JON RAHM

"It’s as simple as this –it’s probably the best club I’ve ever hit" MATT WALLACE

"Incredible performance" HENRIK STENSON

"Great looking and performs well too" SAMI VALIMAKI

MEET THE ROGUE

TAYLORMADE STEALTH

£469, TAYLORMADEGOLF.EU

I’m not sure exactly why TaylorMade called its latest driver ‘Stealth’ as it’s one the most eye-catching designs out there, but what’s easy to understand, however, is why it has called it their first 'Carbonwood' driver, as it features a 60-layer carbon fibre Twist Face and a carbon crown. The carbon face saves weight compared to titanium that is used further back in the head to increase forgiveness. The unique Nanotexture Face Technology is a coating that makes the carbon usable by adding durability and helping add spin on miss-hits to add consistency. Stealth + is available for golfers looking for lower

CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX

£479, CALLAWAYGOLF.COM

The original Rogue was one of Callaway’s most successful recent driver models, so it’s no surprise to see the name return. Where the Epic driver had a focus on adjustability, Rogue ST concentrates on pure performance. Powered by a Tungsten Speed Cartridge, up to 26g is moved to where it is needed to maximise performance. Putting it further back in the head helps retain ball speed on miss-hits. Combined with the AI-designed Jailbreak Speed Frame and the new AI-designed Flash Face, this driver is focused on providing the fastest,and most consistent drives. Plus, there are three other head options to fine-tune your fit – Max D, Max LS and Triple Diamond LS.

PING G425 MAX DRIVER

£450, PING.COM

Despite it entering its second season, the G425 is still one of the top drivers on the market. Ping has a recipe for making super stable, easy to hit drivers. We can tell you they’ve not messed up that formula with the G425 MAX. The highest MOI driver they’ve ever produced, it features a 26g movable tungsten weight that shifts mass lower and further back and can be adjusted to help encourage a draw or fade. It also features a fully-adjustable hosel, and is offered with a choice of four stock shafts to dial in for a precise custom fit.

XXIO 12

£699, XXIOUK.COM

Combining forgiveness, distance and a lightweight design, there isn’t anything else quite like XXIO 12 on the market. It features ActivWing stabilisation that alters aerodynamic forces at work in the first half of the downswing. The airfoil generates lift, guiding the club to its optimal impact angle for maximum speed. A combination of a heavier clubhead and a lightweight shaft increase ball speed and swing speed at the same time. A Weight Plus design positions mass under your grip to help you find the ideal spot at the top of your swing and makes the downswing more consistent.

WILSON LAUNCH PAD

£305, WILSON.COM

The Launch Pad driver is designed for golfers who struggle to get the ball airborne and fight the dreaded slice. One of the lighteest drivers on the market, it comes with a lightweight EvenFlow shaft to create effortless swingspeed. It is designed with a Peak Kinetic Response face, created using advanced computer modelling, resulting in a Tourproven geometry and improved ball speed across the entire face. This works in conjunction with an offset hosel and a 2˚ upright lie angle to help fight a slice.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

COBRA KING LTD X £399, COBRAGOLF.CO.UK

Cobra’s King LTD driver was so good that some of the company’s tour players were still playing it six years later. The LTD X takes what was good with that model but adds modern forgiveness and uses up to 30% more carbon fibre to save weight elsewhere in the head.

PWR-COR Technology moves that saved weight low and forward, right behind the face to transfer maximum speed to the golf ball at impact with reduced spin. Weight at the rear of the head added forgiveness and consistency. Three models are available for a perfect fit.

HONMA TW757

£559, HONMAGOLF.COM

For golfers looking for a combination of technology and Japanese craftsmanship, Honma's TW757 might be the driver you’re looking for. While the drivers feature classic lines behind the ball, they are powered by Carbon-Slot Technology. The carbon reinforces the slot, allowing for a thinner slot which increases ball speed. A carbon crown saves weight, while feel and sound have been improved, while two internal ribs transfer energy more efficiently. Offered in 455cc and 460cc heads, both feature front and back adjustable weighting.

CLEVELAND LAUNCHER XL £379, CLEVELANDGOLF.CO.UK

The latest Launcher XL is arguably Cleveland's best ever driver, and undeniably the most forgiving it has created. Featuring a higher MOI than previous models, it is designed to increase launch and be more forgiving. Borrowing technology from sister brands Srixon and XXIO, the Launcher XL features a Rebound Frame, alternating areas of flexibility and stiffness to direct more energy into the ball. The adjustable hosel offers 12 different options, while the grip features an Action Mass CB weight. This helps square the clubface more consistently.

The latest drivers are designed to help golfers of all experience levels to hit it further and straighter

HOLLOW VICTORY

Promising significant distance gains, exceptional forgiveness and solid feel, Ping’s second generation of hollow-bodied player’s distance iron, the i525, is ready and waiting at your nearest pro shop

When Ping introduced its first ever hollowbodied iron, the i500, all the way back in 2018, it was marketed as a players-distance iron with a heavy emphasis on the distance part of the equation. In creating its replacement, the i525 – whose launched was delayed a year by the pandemic – the design goal was to enhance the distance, but do so in a manner where it was more predictable while preserving the forged-face construction and giving the player more of a refined look.

Ping’s engineering team discovered that the best way of achieving this was to use a forged, variablethickness maraging-steel face with a stainless body plasma welded together in a hollow construction. The high strength of the maraging steel allows the face to flex, but that rebound is enhanced through the use of an internal sole undercut.

“The i500 was long from heel to toe and we slimmed this down to make it more pleasing at address,” says Ryan Stokke, Ping’s director of engineering. “We wanted to make it as ballistic as possible, but in the right fashion, with the proper balance of blade length, offset and top rail thickness.”

He adds: “The undercut we use in this design allows stress to move deeper into the sole. That reduces stress on the face to allow not only for more bending,

but more uniform bending in the centre of the face. That not only pushes ball speed, but makes a high ball speed more predictable, which is what players in this category want.”

So, what can you expect from the i525s? Well, there’s no better person to give the lowdown than PING President John K Solheim. He says: “The i525 is clearly for the golfer in search of more distance. But it offers so much more performance, including exceptional forgiveness concealed in a players-style head. Its size and shape are beautifully crafted, and it’s packed with tremendous technology on the inside, which makes it very appealing to a wide range of golfers.”

He adds: “What’s most satisfying from an engineering standpoint is how our team has been able to maximise the flexing of the metal-wood-style face structure, while creating a pleasing sound and feel. As golfers know who’ve played this type of iron design, they often sacrificed some of the feel for more distance. That’s not the case in the i525, as we’re able to provide golfers a solid-feeling iron with the increased ball speed they need to hit longer, higher shots that hit and hold the green. We’re seeing some incredible results as a lot of golfers are a club stronger or more, including Tour pros who are attracted to the compact look and increased ball speed of the longer irons.

KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS

FORGED MARAGING STEEL FACE - The strength of the variable-thickness, maraging steel allows for a thinner, more dynamic face structure with an internal sole undercut in the 17-4 stainless steel body to increase flexing for more ball speed and shots that launch faster and higher with distance control.

SOUND ENGINEERING - A polymer is precisely injected onto the inside of the face to improve feel and sound without interfering with face deflection, the source of its increased ball speed.

EXTREME WEIGHTING – Tungsten toe and shaft

SPECIFICATIONS & RRPS

AVAILABLE 3-9, PW, UW in 10 colour codes (lie angle), RH & LH. Black colour code is standard.

Loft options: Standard, Power Spec and Retro Spec

STOCK SHAFTS: Project X IO (5.5, 6.0, 6.5), PING AWT 2.0 (R, S, X), PING Alta CB Slate (SR, R, S), Alta Distanza Black 40, UST Recoil 760 ES SMAC (A), 780 (R, S)

STOCK GRIP: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet (six sizes) RRP: £180/£190 per club with steel/graphite stock shaft.

ELEVATE YOUR GAME

New season apparel now available at your local PING stockist or online

UNRIVALLED PROTECTION, AGAINST THE ELEMENTS

New season apparel now available at your

PING

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