Sweet Stuff by Terry Ross

by Terry Ross

For players looking to improve their game, nothing makes more of a difference than physical conditioning and developing the proper muscle memory—together with the coordination to pull of the necessary shots.

GolfForever is both a training tool and a web/app-based program designed to enhance all aspects of a golfer’s physical strengthening and conditioning with the proper warmup, exercises and stretching techniques that the best players in the world use to further their games to the elite status.

Golf conditioning has seen a revolution in the way that the best players in the world advance their games and prepare for competition over the past three decades, and the GolfForever swing trainer tool and its conditioning programs have taken the best of some of these advancements and produced a program that can be done at home or anywhere there is enough space to workout.

The Swing Trainer device itself is an at-home, cord-driven training device that doubles as an optimized weighted warmup club that features a D3 swing weight and a quick-Interchange weighted ball (green) that mimics the dynamic feel of your driver--but is 2.5x heavier to help you loosen up properly. A heavier, quick-Interchange weighted ball option (gray) is also included for a slightly overloaded feel and speed training workouts. The GolfForever Swing Trainer also comes with handles that can be attached to the cord for specific exercises and--the entire apparatus comes with a Premium Carry Bag.

This can be paired with the GolfForever app for a complete at-home golf training system that you can do in your living room, garage, or a studio. You receive instructions for 30 days of free access as a trial after purchasing the app. You take a simple strength and flexibility Test right at home with the mobile app and receive a customized plan on the app with guided video workouts, how and when you need them-and whenever you want, with routines customized for your needs.

The tour-proven workouts are demonstrated and explained by top PGA Tour coaches, doctors and trainers such as Dr. Jeremy James, Dr. Troy Van Biezen, Pete Holman and Margo Moselle. Also featured in the workouts are PGA Tour standouts Justin Leonard, Scottie Scheffler and Ryan Palmer.

The many areas covered by these experts include flexibility, rotational power, core strength, injury recovery--and more.

Scheffler, the top-ranked player in the world and the Master’s champion from this past April, is an ardent user and believer in the GolfForever Swing Trainer and credits it with helping his game.

“When you’re able to have a workout routine and gradually build up to where you’re training your body to move properly, you’re going to get a lot of big dividends on the golf course,” said Scheffler. “You’ll have mobility in your hips (and) more mobility in your spine. And, when you go out to hit golf balls, you will feel more fluid and--all a sudden, you’re going to see a few more yards and distance off the tee, as well. For me, GolfForever is something that’s worked, and I’m going to continue to do it because I’ve seen the real benefits.”

Scheffler has gained almost seven yards in driving distance and advanced from 36th to 16th on the PGA Tour, while his clubhead speed has increased to 118.97 from 116.94 MPH—taking him from 57th to 32nd on Tour.

The GolfForever library has more than 1000 videos in its library that can function as a training session—with many of the exercises designed to help with balance as well as strength. It is the best training tool outside of hiring a private, tour-level physical therapist to come to your home. The training sessions on the app are excellent for developing a more powerful, efficient swing—and for feeling better after a round or practice by promoting muscle recovery.

For more information on GolfForever and the Swing Trainer, go to: https://golfforever.com

The new fairway and hybrid woods that Japanese club maker Honma Golf recently introduced into the U.S. market as part of their new premium T//World TW757 collection of high-end clubs are designed for a variety of players--and offer a host of visually pleasing and performance enhancements that many players will fall in love with.

The Sakata, Japan company has been known for its craftsman clubs for more than six decades, and their latest contribution to the woods and hybrid category look, feel and perform at a high level.

These clubs are designed with performance enhancing characteristics that both pros and amateurs can appreciate and will help their game—and thus suitable for both types of players.

The TW757 Hybrid built for high initial ball speed, and with its high-launch tendency, the result is a noticeably higher ball flight and greater distance than most hybrids we have evaluated.

According to the company, the lower progressive CG weighting promotes high launch--and the vertical slot clubface helps compensate for mishits from the upper and lower clubface. This maintains initial ball speed and increases power across a wider area of the clubface. Together with the player-preferred neutral bias and square face angle, these come together to deliver the optimal balance of distance and control. A Maraging 455 Steel Cup-Face creates hot ball speed gains, with an internal weighting cartridge allowing weight to be redistributed low and deep to help increase launch conditions from any lie.

The club also features optimized progressive sole weighting that adopts a shallow and low CG design that results in high trajectory and low spin. This provides a playable, strong trajectory that can resist wind while still maximizing carry from a variety of turf conditions.

Behind each TW757 hybrid is Honma’s Vertical Rib face design, which along with an advanced sole slot increases initial ball speed and improves weight distribution in a classically shaped, compact head design.

The TW 757 fairway woods feature a strong, compact look at address and many of the construction features found in the hybrid for faster initial ball speed, stability and control. Classic shaping blends a 455-steel cup-face with an ultralight carbon crown to deliver a true player’s 3-wood. Tour-proven compact profiles and optimized adjustable sole weighting with a shallow and low CG design results in high trajectory and low spin. All of these are features that make this a good replacement for a driver on many holes.

As with any club, the shaft is the engine and, in the fairways, and hybrids, Honma has developed its own proprietary shaft made specifically for these clubs. The exclusive VIZARD for 757 50 Shaft was holistically designed to synergize these woods from grip to tip. The strong mid-section in conjunction with a sub 5.0° torque value stabilizes club delivery and maximizes energy transfer at impact, while a softer tip provides for high launch and optimal spin. This versatile shaft has a smooth feel and is excellent for a wide variety of players looking for a premium ultra-lightweight shaft. As with all VIZARD shafts, this proprietary shaft is spine aligned at 6 o’clock for added stability.

These shafts have a soft but controlled feel that add to the distance and accuracy attainable with these clubs.

To complement the standard VIZARD for 757 50 Shaft, Honma produces several other high-end shafts through Sakata’s worldrenowned Custom Department. Produced in-house in Honma’s Sakata factory to the industry’s tightest tolerances, the VIZARD MA, MP, FZ and Platinum shafts hold their own on professional tours around the world.

The TW757 Hybrids come in 18, 21, 24 and 27-degree lofts, while the fairway woods come in 15, 18 and 21-degree lofts.

For more information: visit https://

When it comes to jackets that fit the bill for both playing golf and traveling, it would be hard to find anything as versatile and accommodating as the SCOTTeVEST Tropiformer 3D--that really is the Swiss Army Knife of jackets.

Although CEO and founder Scott Jordan established SCOTTeVEST more than 20 years ago because he couldn’t find cloths with enough pockets, it is only recently that the Idaho-based company has reached out to the golf market with reformulated products.

Jordan, who has coined the company motto: “It’s not rocket science. It’s pocket science.” Has taken the art of designing super functional clothing and really made a science out of it.

Along with his wife Laura, who is the company president, they have built a reputation for producing quality products that cater to carrying your electronics with you with a personal touch--and even include such notables as Steve Wozniak—one of the co-founders of Apple—as a member of their Board of Advisors.

In addition to the 22 pockets in the Tropiformer 3D jacket—yes 22 pockets—the jacket easily transforms into a nice vest with the magnetic removable sleeves. This is an excellent feature for those rounds where the temperature rises, and you need to quickly shed sleeves. And when the temperature dips, you can easily reattach the sleeves to match the conditions.

The Tropiformer has tons of features designed for your life on the go. A a removable/stowable hood and the ability to pack into its own back pocket are just some of the very nice features that include: large inside pocket that easily stores a tablet; chest pocket with drop-in pocket; glasses pocket with chamois; key holder and bottle holder; two phone pockets; two handwarmer pockets; digital camera and MyMemory™ pocket and the personal area network that allows you to wire headphones and power cables through specially designed channels in the garment without getting tangled in loose wires. This is really the ticket for going through airport security—just take off the jacket with all your gear and put it in the tray!

The jacket is made of water-repellent Aquapel™ by Nanotex treated 100% Polyester shell with breathable mesh panels that repels liquid spills and is fluorocarbonfree and PFOA-free. It is also machine washable.

In addition to the Tropiformer jacket, SCOTTeVEST has a large and versatile assortment of other designs with loads of innovative features and pockets, such as vests, jackets, hoodies, button downs, teeshirts, polos and pullovers, pants and shorts, PJs and underwear.

The company also has a well-designed lineup of fashions for women, including jackets, vests, hoodies, dresses, skirts, tops, pants skorts and more.

For more information: www.scottevest.