Titleist - PGA Show Demo Day

Quick stop by the Titleist area as the lines were long.  I haven't been impressed by the 907 and 909 (except for the hybrids) lines, so I wanted to give the new 910 series a quick hit.

Titleist had the best spot on the range, being directly downwind on a very windy day.

They had a large area with countless setups.  Managed to find a 910 D2 9.5 with a Graphite Design DI6 to try.  I've wanted to try this shaft for a while now, so a perfect opportunity.

Result...  my tentative 2nd favorite driver of the day. 

Very forgiving.  Seemed like I hit 20 balls exactly the same with mishits varying only slightly.  Pleasant muted sound/feel.  I used the word tentative because I would have liked to see how it performed into the wind or with crosswinds like every other manufacturer.

Found one of the new fairway wood models that haven't been released yet to retail.  Unfortunately my hitting area was taken before I was able to hit it.  Took some quick pictures for those who haven't seen it.

Tour Edge Exotics - PGA Show Demo Day

Alright Exotics fans... is this good news or bad news?  2011 is more of the same from Tour Edge.

More of the same?
I strolled past the Tour Edge tent and caught site of an all black fairway wood and driver.  Turns out it's the new CB4 Tour in their Exotics line, which I hadn't heard anything about.  Two thoughts came to mind...

1) Could it possibly be better than the CB3 Tour which has turned my my most hated club in my bag to my favorite?

2)  Did TEE finally produce a driver that can live up to it's fairway woods?

Fairway woods...  Notice the all black look including Aldila RIP shaft.  I'll admit I'm not a fan of the RIP shafts and much prefer the UST Attas shaft I have in my CB3 Tour.  However, it was immediately determined the CB4 is just as good as the CB3 Tour.  Same explosive distance.  Easy to elevate.  Solid feel. 

Enough to change from the CB3 Tour? 

If you prefer the all black look or want to match another manufacturers (hint hint) all black driver... yes.

If you prefer the Aldila RIP over last years stock shaft... yes.

If not, no.  Especially considering the price tag these usually bring.

I have such a strong feelings towards my CB3 Tour 3 wood, that I was very excited about the potential in the CB4 Tour driver.  Nice compact and DEEP head.  A little too deep if you ask me.  A very limited market for this style head in my opinion.

Similar to the quick opinion I had with the fairway wood, I developed a quick opinion of the driver.  Very unforgiving and doesn't have the explosiveness that the fairways have... AGAIN!  If you miss the center of this driver, you'll be severely punished.  It's just not good enough when struck pure to offset the lack of forgiveness.

So... More of the Same from Tour Edge Exotics. 

The fairway woods remain the best in the business and drivers leaving us with the "What ifs....?"

2011 Bettinardi Putters @ PGA Show Demo Day

My first stop at the Demo Day was to Bettinardi Putters.  Outstanding new line up for 2011 and ran into Keith Webster and Ben Bradbury of Bettinardi....Great guys and was glad I was able to catch up on things with them both.

Van and display...

The new lines consist of the BB Series, Studio Stock, CC and Signature Series.  Each are machined and assembled in-house and in the USA. 

At first glance each of the new series pass the eye ball test for design and quality. 

The BB Series features a "metallic fog" finish (dark/dull grey) which appears perfect for a gamer and is advertised to be one of the most durable finishes in the market today.

I was skeptical when seeing pictures of the BB33 posted elsewhere online, yet I was immediately drawn to this new design in person.  It has a compact, pear shape profile and double bend shaft placed a bit inward to the center than typical.  The balance of the putter through the stroke was outstanding.  Just as forgiving as other mallets on the market, but with less frills.  Aces Bettinardi!  I'll be ordering a 355 gram version (also available in 340 grams).

Other models in the 2011 BB series are the BB1, BB8 Flow neck and BB27.  The BB27 is pictured below as it's also a new model for 2011.  A wide BB1 (newport/anser style) with double bend shaft.  Very similar to a Yes Donna in size/shape.  Excellent for a person looking for some benefits of a mallet putter, but not looking to stray too far from a traditional head style.

The next two lines bring models and features from Bettinardi's higher end "tour" and "prototype" putters to the retail market.

The new Studio Stock line for 2011 are carbon putters featuring their patented F.I.T. (Feel Impact Technology" faces.  The finishes (Borealis Black) on these are quite exquisite for "retail" putters.  Bettinardi has done a nice job with giving the customer a cool finish that isn't distracting to game.  Some pictures of two Studio Stock models that were "tour" only before hitting this new line.

The new Signature Series bring DASS (Double Aged Stainless Steel) to the customer at a fraction of the price (still high, but is a limited run) it's sold for in the "tour" market.  Below are pictures of the new Signature Series #2.  A wide BB8 style head featuring a F.I.T. face, satin finish and leather grip.  In my opinion the wide flange on this model is a nice twist on a design almost every manufacturer offers.  It won't be for everyone, but it does inspire confidence at address. 

More information on these models and purchasing information can be found at the following sites.

http://www.bettinardi.com/

http://www.bettinardiltd.com/

http://www.rjbcollector.com/

I predict a strong 2011 for Bettinardi and hope the BB33 finds some success in my bag early in the 2011 season.

PGA Show Demo Day

Today I died and went to heaven.  The PGA Show Demo Day is just that for "Golf Equipment Addicts".  Every manufacturer on full display circling the driving range at Orange County National.  It's an amazing scene, one that you must see with your own eyes to believe.  I spent 3 hours in total there and could have easily spent 3 more. 

Over the next few days I'll begin posting pictures and brief reviews of equipment.  Enjoy!

Speed = Distance

Chicks dig the long ball!

In 1998 the USA set the COR limit for clubfaces on woods at .830.  In case you slept through Physics class...

COR is a measure of the efficiency of the transfer of momentum between two colliding bodies. 

Cough cough... layman's terms?

Basically the "spinglike" effect a ball has off the clubface when struck.

So since all golf manufacturers are on the same playing field with COR, companies have turned to other advances in materials, controlling launch & spin, center of gravity, etc.

They may turn out drivers like Charlie Sheen goes through prostitutes, but credit goes to TaylorMade with bringing us speed = distance advertising and product first.  In 2007 they introduced their Burner line with Superfast technology.  Basically, if it's longer & lighter, you'll swing it faster.  Every year since then they've come out with at least one new addition to this line.  I will be reviewing their newest Superfast 2.0 model in the near future. 

In the mean time many other Companies have jumped on board.  Adams Golf is on their 4th or 5th generation of aerodynamic design on driver heads. More speed through less resistance, not necessarily driven by length & weight of the club.  

In 2010 we started to see more ultra-lightweight golf shafts than ever before and more golf shaft companies are heading in that direction.  Grip manufacturers even started producing ultra light grips for those shafts.

However in 2011, Cleveland Golf has taken this to an entirely new level. Their newest line that will debut in February will feature 3 new lines of drivers.  Each driver will have its own weight class.  The amazing thing is that their XL270 model is nearly 100 grams lighter than persimmon woods of yesteryear and 40 grams lighter than the aforementioned (for you Brian Moore) Burner released in 2007.  The weight class you choose will be determined by your ability and if you desire “maximum head speed” (their words), “distance & control”, or “penetrating workability”.

I’ll be reviewing these new Cleveland woods next week with the rest of their new line.  I’ll leave you with this… at what cost does going lighter & longer come with?  Certainly control as evident in how you choose your weight class in the new Cleveland line. 

You might need to ask yourself.  Is my next driver purchase to impress the chicks OR is it to lower my scores?

Until next time…

Fairways & Greens.

A long overdue vacation!

Next week I'll be on vacation with my family in Orlando.  The trip coincides with the annual PGA Show and I'll be attending Thursday and Demo day on Wednesday.  Hope to report back with tons of pictures and info on all the new 2011 equipment. 

Introduction...

Hello, my name is Jim Gallagher and I'm addicted to Golf Equipment.

This is my first blog post or editorial, so an introduction for all my new readers. 

Am I a writer/journalist? No, I’m an accountant.  So be kind, I’m better with numbers.

Do I love golf?  Yes!

How's my game? Family and work come first.  Game isn't what it used to be, but I have my moments. : )

Do I love golf equipment?  As my wife says, “Jim switches golf equipment more than he changes his underwear.”  Don’t be alarmed, small exaggeration on her part and I change the latter daily.

I, like many of you, love the game of golf.  However, I enjoy the equipment aspect of the game probably more than actually playing.  It’s been a passion of mine for many years, so doing something productive with that passion seems only right. 

My goals?  Help my readers.  Maybe a review I do will help you find that perfect driver.  Help you realize why your current irons may not fit you correctly.  Basically, I hope teach you a little more about your own equipment, new equipment and industry rumors about what may be coming in the future.  Please feel free to send me your feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. 

This is hopefully a temporary place to get my feet wet.  I've reached out to some print media outlets as well as to a golf forum run by a friend.. http://www.primetimegolf.com/  Check it out!