Puetz Golf - In The Bag

PRODUCT REVIEWS AND EQUIPMENT NEWS YOU CAN USE

Hot 2024 holiday gift ideas to give and hopefully receive

BY TONY DEAR • CG EDITOR

We hope this issue finds you with a lower handicap than when the year began, and that somewhere along the way, you were able to forge some quality memories involving great shots, exceptional rounds, and enjoyable walks or rides with your families and buddies.

We trust that whatever effort you put into your game met with at least a commensurate level of success (though significantly greater success than what you deserved or expected from your practice would be ideal, of course).

We also expect that as the holidays draw near, you’re thinking about what golf gifts you might give or request. And that while though the cold and wet might be preventing you from heading out for nine or 18 right now, you’re already planning out your 2025 golf season, pondering where you might go for a buddies or couples trip (could it be Bandon Dunes or Gamble Sands or perhaps somewhere further afield, even overseas?), what you’ll be working on with your swing and which new equipment might lift your game a notch or two.

As always, Puetz Golf will have whatever implement or accessory you want — or think you need — and there are 10 items we’re fairly sure will not only make your Christmas Day a little better but also shave a stroke or two off your score. We wish all our readers a very happy holidays and hope you all enjoy your families and friends.

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1 • GHOST 

ANYDAY 14-way Stand Bag, GT-14 Cart Bag, Weekender

PUETZ GOLF PRICE • $414.99 • $474.99 • $264.99

Ghost Golf has been around for less than five years. The company began life as a humble golf towel-maker. Its towel featured a powerful magnet that allowed them to attach easily to any metal surface. Ghost soon branched out into other categories, though, quickly establishing a reputation for quality. It is already regarded as one of the industry’s finest makers of golf bags, belts, hats, gloves, travel bags, headcovers, and other accessories, including of course, the towels. Though its towels will always be Ghost’s raison d'être, it’s probably best-known for it bags, especially the ANYDAY stand bag, which is available in seven styles — Maverick, Maverick Black Ops, Katana, Oreo, Patriot, Ronin, and Saya. It weighs 6.5 pounds., has 14 velvet-wrapped, full-length, club dividers, a large putter well, heavily padded dual straps, a stabilizing base, a magnetic pocket, water bottle sleeves, multiple personal pockets, a customizable ball pocket, a pen holder, a line-marking aid, a glove keeper, and a rain hood. That’s a lot of features, though it commands such a high price thanks to the quality of the build and materials — leather, synthetic leather, nylon, and carbon-fiber. The GT-14 Cart Bag weighs 7.4 pounds, and is likewise constructed using quality, weather-resistant materials. There are three grab handles in addition to many other features. The Weekender is a lightweight Sunday bag that weighs just 4.1 pounds and features a three-way divider for the suggested eight clubs. There’s surprisingly ample storage space for such a small, lightweight bag, and it comes with six pockets, three of which are insulated.

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2 • CALLAWAY

Apex Ai 200, Apex Ai 300 irons

PUETZ GOLF PRICE • $199.99 per club

When Callaway bought the Ben Hogan Equipment Company in 2003, it did nothing with the Hogan brand, which more or less disappeared. In 2012, it sold Hogan to Perry Ellis, an innovative fashion designer who focused on sportwear. He died in 1986, but his brand lives on, and now owns and licenses other notable fashion brands. While it licenses the Hogan name to English entrepreneur Simon Millington, it retained the trademark for the famous Apex iron, and released its first offering in 2013. It has shown Apex the respect it deserves by introducing a number of top-quality, forged Apex irons that are the flagship of Callaway’s extensive iron inventory — Paradym Ai Smoke, Rogue, Big Bertha, and Mavrik. The Apex Ai200 and Ai300 were launched in August, which helped to maintain Apex’s status as one of the most prestigious and sought-after iron models in the game. The Ai200 is the better player’s club and features a hollow body filled with Urethane Microspheres to improve feel by dampening impact vibrations. The forged 455 Carpenter Steel face (surrounded by a 1025 forged steel body) was designed using Artificial Intelligence to create Ai Smart Face which increases ball speed, launch angle, and spin-rate which results in a higher launch that enables to the ball to descend steeply and stop quicker on the green. An adjustable backweight allows fitters to customize feel and weight. Though sleek and refined-looking, the Ai300 is a larger club with significantly more offset which makes it ideal for game-improvers.

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3 • MIZUNO

JPX925 irons

PUETZ GOLF PRICE • $149.99 per club

Mizuno was always the forged blade company, and while it certainly produces some of the industry’s most beautiful, better-player irons, it also offers a highly respected line of JPX cavity-backed clubs. They’ve been around for 15 years, and despite not having as big a cachet as the manufacturer’s forged blades, they have been in Brooks Koepka’s bag for his major championship wins. Not surprisingly, perhaps, the earliest JPX irons weren’t given much love, but with the rise of Hot Metal — Mizuno’s extremely strong steel used to make very thin but durable clubfaces — the franchise has grown in stature. The JPX 925 is cast using Nickel Chromoly 4335+ which was first used in the JPX 923 in 2022. The center of its clubface is a relatively thick 2.4 millimeters wide. That is a little thicker than that of the JPX923, but the areas around the center are just 1.2 millimeters. Those are referred to as “flex zones.” The difference in thickness is called CORTECH, and it enables the clubface to flex more which results in greater ball speeds. The 4-7 irons have internal, tungsten weights designed to help golfers hit higher-launching, steeper-descending approach shots. Ribs located just beneath the club’s topline enhance sound, and therefore feel. A variable-thickness sole helps to increase the amount the face flexes. The Hot Metal family also includes Pro and HL models for Koepka wannabes and golfers who need help getting the ball in the air. The tech is much the same, but its different dimensions and tweaked lofts make all the difference.

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4 • TITLEIST

GT 2, GT 3, GT4 Drivers

PUETZ GOLF PRICE • $649.99

In the years since it became serious about speed, Titleist has introduced a number of drivers that all offered ample tech, but which look very similar. Of course, there were minor changes, but the non-expert glancing at each model would likely be unable to tell them apart. The GT (Generational Technology) continues the trend with its sleek, all-black, pear-shaped design. The tech continues to evolve, however. The biggest differences between the GT and previous models are the raised back part of the sole (“Boat Tail”), and multi-material clubhead — the first time Titleist has made a non-all-titanium driver since 2010. The carbon crown is a thermoform polymer and heat-treated to make it pliable and applied to the chassis using a Proprietary Matrix Polymer (PMP) which can be manipulated to create a more powerful sound. It also allows Titleist to make the seam between crown and chassis disappear. Internal “Split Mass” weighting sends weight to the back to improve stability, and front to lower spin and increase ball speeds, creating what Titleist calls “Total Performance” drivers. The Speed Ring is designed to maximize the club’s COR (coefficient of restitution) in the center to maximize ball speed on solid strikes. The GT 2 is designed for a high launch with increased MOI that doesn’t sacrifice speed. The GT 3’s adjustable CG track allows fitters and golfers to select between five CG locations and manipulate ball flight. The 430 cc GT4 creates less spin, and a more penetrating ball flight, ideal for better players.

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5 • TAYLORMADE

Kalea GOLD women’s package sets

PUETZ GOLF PRICE • $1,899.99

TaylorMade’s Kalea clubs are weighted, sized, and styled specifically for women, and the GOLD package set is ideal for new players who want a quality product they can take straight from the store to the golf course. TaylorMade says Kalea is designed “to deliver maximum performance for everyone from the beginner to the club champion.” Premium components and proven TaylorMade technologies, such as Carbonwood construction, are used to create a set that promises the optimal transfer of energy while maximizing distance, forgiveness, and stability. Michelle Penney, TaylorMade’s Principal Engineer of Product Development, says she wanted to name the new Kalea clubs “GOLD” because she wanted to set the gold standard with the company’s second premier women’s line. “The most important part of the DNA of this product,” she says, “is that it’s designed by women, for women.” The driver and fairways woods are ultralight with appropriate loft to help ladies who are new to the game create some clubhead speed and get the ball off the ground. The irons feature Cap Back Design, a Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, and Inverted Cone Technology, which are all designed to carry the ball farther and control its flight. Their lie angles also give the club a slight draw bias. The multi-material Kalea Gold Spider S putter increases MOI to keep the ball on track if it’s not struck cleanly. The stand bag is available in both blue and white.

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6 • COBRA

FLY XL 2 package sets

PUETZ GOLF PRICE • $999.99

Cobra is a major manufacturer that makes topof-the-line clubs for low-handicappers and game-improvement (even game-starter) clubs for golfers who are less consumed by the game, yet still crave the ability to hit satisfying shots. The FLY-XL 2 complete set includes a full bag of lightweight, forgiving clubs that create an easy launch and respectable distance. The set consists of a driver, fairway-wood, 4/5 hybrids, 6-9 Irons, PW, SW, blade putter and cart bag. The titanium driver is available in 10.5- and 11.5-degree versions and has an oversized shape with heel-biased weighting to help square the clubface at impact — potentially allowing for a slight draw. The fairway-wood features a shallow profile to keep the center of gravity low and help golfers get balls airborne. The same heel-weighting promotes a draw. The hybrids are designed to create perfect gapping between the fairway-woods and irons, which provides an ideal option for 175-200-yard shots. The irons come in 6-PW and SW and have a traditional cavity-back design to increase perimeter weighting, helping novice golfers who may struggle to find the sweet spot with any regularity, to create decent ball speed, and keep it online. The blade putter has a machined face which allows for great feel and control. The premium cart bag features a 14-way divider to separate clubs. It also has a velour pocket for storing valuables, and seven other pockets for balls, tees or other items.

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7 • CALLAWAY

OPUS wedges

PUETZ GOLF PRICE • $179.99 • Platinum $229.99

Because manufacturers are so careful to release new products at precisely the most impactful time nowadays, embargoes are used to prevent the media from divulging sensitive information before the manufacturer wants it known. That is why Callaway had some of its staff players using prototype Opus wedges disguised as JAWS Raw wedges for 18 months. Jon Rahm was hitting this new club at the 2023 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, and then at the Ryder Cup in Rome, despite the club not being released to the public until July of this year. The Opus wedge is cleaner, smoother, and more refined looking than previous Callaway wedges. Its rounder, teardrop shape was preferred by the company’s high-profile testers. “Spin-Gen” technology features three elements that together are designed to create more consistent spin, regardless of the conditions. Aggressively milled grooves are positioned closer together, resulting in greater space to provide more of them. The faces are blasted using tiny quartz crystals that help to create a rougher surface. That creates more friction. Angled micro-grooves between the main grooves channel moisture away, ensuring the wedge performs much the same in wet conditions as dry. Four grind options make for clubs that are better suited for lush or tight turf and can sit either raised or flush to the ground. They are available from 48 to 60 degrees and with either a Brushed Chrome or Black Shadow finish. Opus Platinum wedges have 17 grams of tungsten in the top-line to help less-able golfers hit the ball on a lower trajectory.

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8 • BAG BOY

Quad Pro 4 & Slimfold Push Carts

PUETZ GOLF PRICE • $259.99

BagBoy has been in business since 1946 and became part of the Dynamic Brands (based in Richmond, Va.) portfolio in 2004. Its current inventory includes push or electric carts, stand bags, cart bags, plus travel bags and accessories. The Quad Pro push cart was introduced in September and is a sturdy, four-wheel product with several features that make pushing a cart less strenuous. There’s an integrated, magnetic iron plate for range finders, towels, and speakers, and the design gives you superb stability with maintenance-free tires. It offers generous storage space with an extra-deep scorecard console, large accessory bag, and a beverage or phone holder. It is compatible with Top-Lok bags meaning BagBoy and Datrek golf bags can attach to the cart securely. The handle-mounted parking brake locks the cart into a stationary position with ease, and it opens and closes with a simple, two-step procedure. The Quad Pro weighs 16 pounds, with dimensions of 24 x 17 x 15 inches in its folded position. The Slimfold has three wheels and an ultra-slim design, making it one of the smallest and lightest push carts on the market. It opens and closes quickly and easily, and like the Quad Pro, has a handle-mounted parking brake. Its large wheels maneuver easily, and the upper bag bracket is designed for all bag types and sizes. The scorecard console has a beverage or phone holder — as well as a place for balls — and it too, is compatible with Top-Lok golf bags. The Slimfold weighs 15 pounds and, in its folded position, has dimensions of 32.25 by 8.5 by 13.5 inches.

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9 • TITLEIST

Pro V1 with Enhanced Alignment

PUETZ GOLF PRICE • $54.99

The Pro-V1 celebrates its 25th anniversary next year. Yes, it’s been nearly a quarter of a century since Billy Andrade became the first player to win with it, claiming his fourth and final PGA Tour victory at the 2000 Invensys Classic, played at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas. YouTube videos show the Massachusetts native hitting irons distances he wasn’t used to. He was stopping the ball quickly on the greens, thanks to a ground-breaking solid-core, soft-Urethane-cover design that combined the benefits of a Surlyn-covered distance ball with those of a balata-covered precision ball. Andrade shot 28-under-par at the fiveround event, beating a 30-year-old Phil Mickelson by one stroke. The ball has been through numerous iterations since then and has been used for hundreds of pro wins around the globe. The most recent model features what Titleist calls “High-gradient, dual-core technology,” and a “speed-amplifying high-flex casing layer” to lower longgame spin and boost ball speed. The cast urethane cover has 348 tetrahedral-shaped dimples that launch the ball high and give it a consistent flight pattern. The Enhanced Alignment version features an alignment line used by tour players to help aim their putters more confidently. The line is almost a third as long as the ball’s circumference, making it 65 percent longer than Titleist’s standard side stamp. The firmer-feeling Pro-V1x is used by several PGA Tour players, including Justin Thomas and Matt Fitzpatrick. It is preferred by players looking to launch the ball a little higher still, and thus, stop it a little quicker on the green.

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10 • TAYLORMADE

TP5 & TP5 X Stripe

PUETZ GOLF PRICE • $57.99 

TaylorMade’s five-layered TP5 first appeared in 2017, about a year after the company found itself languishing at sixth in the golf ball market with less than 5 percent market share. The original was a success, however, and sent TaylorMade two places higher in the rankings. Though its path to success wasn’t all plain sailing, it reached a new level in 2021 with the introduction of its ClearPath Alignment Technology. The first Pix, introduced in 2019, continued to develop and gained in popularity. When Rickie Fowler came on board, the ball became widely used by fans. Early in 2022, TaylorMade added a 22-millimeter lime-colored stripe to the Tour Response ball, and the stripe became part of the TP5 earlier this year. Unlike the colored stripe (blue, red, orange, and light blue are available, in addition to the lime) on the Tour Response, however, the TP5 is white and bordered by black dots that define it. As for the ball itself, the current TP5 is the softest TaylorMade has ever created. Its most notable feature is the three layers that surround the core, each firmer than the last and infused with a Dow Chemical Company-developed substance called SpeedWrap. The results are more ball speed and lower driver spin with a softer sound. A soft, cast urethane cover (the fifth layer) improves feel and creates excellent shortgame spin. While TP5 is the softest five-layer ball, the slightly firmer TP5x is the fastest. These will be a big hit this holiday season so shop soon.

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