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Cleveland Launcher XL HALO Irons

The large hybrid-style heads of the Cleveland Golf Launcher XL HALO Irons help players needing added distance in a super game-improvement category iron with high MOI and lots of forgiveness.

Fast Facts Cleveland Launcher XL HALO Irons
Super game-improvement irons
Hybrid-style iron design high MOI
V-shape sole short irons
Sole rails long irons
Action Mass CB counterbalance grip
Stepped crown
Loft specific grooves
Lofts: 5-iron 23°, pitching wedge 44°
Graphite shafts 7-iron set $899.99
Steel shafts at retail Sept. 17, 2021 7-iron set $799.99

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Cleveland Golf recognizes the need for women, beginners, and seniors to have an easy-to-hit iron with design features that help clubhead speed in a confidence-building head size. The new Launcher XL HALO irons, an update of the Launcher Halos from 2019, fits that description nicely.

“From head to grip, Launcher XL HALO Irons just make golf easier and more fun,” said Brian Schielke, General Manager at Cleveland Golf. “Most of us don’t have much confidence standing 170 yards out with a long iron in hand and needing to carry a bunker to make the green. But with Launcher XL HALO, you’ll swing easier, feel confident, and be shocked at how forgiving they are. These irons will become your go-to clubs.”

The heads are slightly larger and have a very high MOI, for example in the 7-iron, 2,908 g-cm2, to maintain the greatest amount of ball speed possible when impact is off center. The lower lofts, the long irons, have rails on the soles to ensure smoother turf contact and the higher lofts have V-shaped soles for a solid strike to the ball. Each has an 8-gram weight in the butt end of the shaft under the grip to improve swing speed without making the club too light. Cleveland offers the option of an “Accuracy Build” without the counterbalance weight in the butt with shafts that are one-half inch shorter.

Ping i59 Irons

Ping has announced their newest irons in the better-player category, the i59 model, featuring a forged body and face, aluminum insert, milled grooves plus toe and hosel weighting.

Fast Facts Ping i59 Irons
Better-player category irons
Body forged 1025 carbon steel
Face 17-4 laser cut stainless steel
MicroMax milled grooves
AlumiCore insert
Toe weight
Hosel weight
Arccos sensor grip
Stock shafts: Project X LS, UST Recoil 760 ES
Stock grip: Arccos Golf Pride New Decade MCC White
$275 per club steel shafts, $290 per club graphite shafts

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Ping has again moved the bar higher for better player irons with the introduction of the i59s that not only look great but have some interesting features led by the use of an aluminum insert between the forged body and face.

This insert called AlumiCore Technology, unlike foam inserts used by other makers, is aerospace aluminum and being lighter than steel let Ping engineers move 30 grams of weight from the middle of the club. This weight was switched to the hosel and toe measurably raising the resistance to twisting at impact or MOI for more forgiveness, something even the best players appreciate.

“There’s been a lot of anticipation for the i59 iron since we took them out on tour a few months ago, so we’re very excited to bring them to golfers around the world,” said John K. Solheim, PING President. “It’s a true forged blade on the outside, but inside it’s like nothing ever engineered in golf equipment. Our team took on the challenge of disrupting an iron category that traditionally has lacked a lot of performance innovation and they developed an iron unlike any other. The combination of the look, feel and forgiveness ‘when you need it’ sets it apart from anything else in the industry. Once golfers hit it, they’ll be pleasantly surprised by its versatility. The i59 will clearly appeal to better golfers but the combination of forgiveness and clean appearance will attract golfers of all skill levels.”

Of note is Ping’s commitment to quality. Each i59 is inspection individually at several points in the manufacturing process such as forging, face machining and sole shaping.

Rarity Bay Country Club – There’s Nothing Else Like It!

Over the past 10 years, I have been blessed to visit, play, and write about some incredible golf courses, resorts, and destinations. While each has had its elements of beauty and challenge, nothing matches what we experienced at Rarity Bay Country Club in Vonore, TN a few weeks ago.

The 18-hole championship golf course is just one of many amenities available within this exclusive gated community. Rarity Bay sits on a 960-acre peninsula on Lake Tellico and is considered one of the premier lakefront developments in Eastern Tennessee. Within the community, there are 1,600 homesites and 10 miles of shoreline set along the clear waters of Lake Tellico, with the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains serving as a backdrop.

Homeowners here seemingly have it all: a gorgeous home in a gated community with a well-manicured and challenging golf course on one side, Lake Tellico on the other, and beautiful views of the Great Smoky Mountains. In addition to golf and boating, there’s an equestrian center with professionally maintained stables, and a lighted show arena, both managed by a staff of trained professionals, 125 acres of biking and hiking trails, and several racquet sports courts. You will be hard-pressed to run out of things to do!

The magnificent 18-hole championship golf course was designed by D.J. DeVictor and Peter Langham and is set on over 150 acres of rolling terrain. As you make your way around the layout you’ll encounter mounded fairways, significant elevation changes, and challenging putting surfaces, all while enjoying the spectacular views of the Great Smoky Mountains and Lake Tellico. No matter how good or bad you play, the views will keep you in a positive frame of mind.

From the back tees, Rarity Bay plays 6,799 yards with a par of 72. The course rating is 72.3 with a slope rating of 129 all on Bermuda grass. Our group played from the Blue/White Combination Tees (5,985/67.9/124) and found it to be very challenging from that distance. In all, there are 9 playing distances on the scorecard for you to find a yardage that suits your game. With only one par 5 on the front side compared to three on the back, the front nine is considerably shorter.

Rarity Bay has several memorable holes. The layout starts with the best view from any course I have ever played in Tennessee. Standing on the tee box, you see the golf course, Lake Tellico, and the mountains all laid out right before your eyes. It is so beautiful I couldn’t tell you much about the first hole other than it’s a short downhill par 4!

Number 2 is a picturesque par 3 over water that plays 188 yards from the Gold Tees. The green is very wide and not real deep. The water is beautifully framed by large rocks. Hit into the rocks and you can say goodbye to that ball.

Number 4 is probably the most interesting hole on the golf course and if I were naming holes it would be “Where’s the Green?” From the Blue and Gold Tees, it’s a long par 4, dogleg left. Move up to the Whites and it’s a 288-yard hole that plays straight away, once you figure out that the green is sitting significantly below the fairway things start to change! There’s a periscope to help see the group in front of you. Hit a good drive followed by a good pitch shot and this is a fun little golf hole!

Number 8 is another short par 4, playing 314 yards from the White Tees. It’s a slight dogleg left and you can’t see the pin from the tee because this green sits below the fairway. A good drive will leave a short chip shot into a green protected on the right by sand. Number 8 is a good place to make up a stroke on your partners.

Number 9 is yet another picturesque golf hole. The hole plays 518 yards from the Blue Tees, downhill the entire way. Beware of the deep valley directly in front of the green. A good drive followed by a solid layup shot down the middle will still leave an interesting uphill chip shot.

Number 10 is a reachable 486-yard par 5 that plays downhill from the tee box. A good drive will leave a decision of whether or not to try and get home in two. It will be a long iron or hybrid that is all carry into a green that slopes back to front with two bunkers guarding the right side. Come up short on your approach shot and you’ll be left with a challenging pitch shot significantly uphill.

For most players, the par 5, 528-yard, 18th hole is a three-shot hole. The hole plays around water which shouldn’t come into play until your second shot. Keep your second shot out to the left; a good aiming point is the two bunkers on the left side of the fairway. You’ll find a lot of undulation in the green which slopes back to front left. Trouble lurks around the green too; lay up short and you may still have the water in play. There’s a large swale and deep bunker behind the green if you go long so your best bet is to find the green!

Rarity Bay also has some pretty impressive practice facilities to help you keep your game tuned up. There’s a full-length driving range where you can hit every club in the bag as well as a short game area complete with sand traps and a well-manicured putting green. There’s no reason not to play your best when you hit the first tee.

After your round, you’ll want to venture inside Rarity Bay’s well-stocked pro shop to pick up some logoed gear to commemorate the occasion. They have all kinds of apparel for men and women and all of the necessities you’ll need while playing such as balls, gloves, and towels. If you’re hungry, Rarity Bay has some great food, and the Bay Bistro is a great place to grab a bite to eat before or after your round. After a complete renovation and remodel the dining room is open to members and golfers until 3 pm, after which it is available only to members. The menu is interesting, with such dishes as a Chicken and Waffle Sandwich, Breakfast Pizza, and Blackened Barbeque Salmon. If you enjoy the food, it’s just another reason to join the club.

The Rarity Bay’s Recreation Center sits adjacent to the Clubhouse and is home to several lighted tennis courts, four pickleball courts, a fitness facility, and a swimming pool. The Rec Center offers a casual atmosphere that is ideal for spring and summer activities and the perfect setting for private parties and barbecues.

Pickleball is probably the fastest growing sport in America and Rarity Bay is no exception. And why not enjoy a game while enjoying breathtaking mountain and lake views. In November 2017 Rarity Bay Country Club (RBCC) built four dedicated pickleball courts. The Rarity Bay Pickleball Club (RBPC) has created a Thursday evening event called “Dink & Dine” which is a great way to get some exercise and meet new members.

If you’re considering a move to Tennessee and love golf and boating, there’s nothing more scenic and serene than what you will find at Rarity Bay. To experience all that Rarity Bay has to offer, consider booking a Discovery Tour which includes accommodations, dinner at the Bay Bistro, and a round of golf. For more information, you can schedule a visit by giving them a call at (423) 884-3020 or visit them online at www.raritybayliving.com.

Thunder Bay Golf Resort – A Lot More Than Just Championship Golf!

The Thunder Bay Golf Resort in Hillman, Michigan is a unique piece of property; even if you don’t play golf, you won’t run out of things to do. The entire resort encompasses about 400 acres including the 160-acre wooded Elk Preserve. The golf course was designed by property owner Jack Matthias who, by his own admission, knew nothing about building a golf course at the time. Needless to say, the course has survived since the front nine was built over 50 years ago (the back 9 was added in 1990 and the lodging in 1991), so he obviously did something right. From the Back Tees, the course plays 6,712 yards with a slope of 73.2 and a course rating of 131. Move up to the White Tees 6,346/71.5/127) and the distances are a lot more manageable. The golf course was cut from a mature pine forest and has Bluegrass and Rye fairways and tee boxes. As you make your way around this layout, you’ll see how picturesque it is. You’ll encounter some typical golf course hazards in the form of sand and water; surprisingly in Northern Michigan, water hazards seem to outnumber sand traps.

Several holes will stay in my memory bank for quite some time, starting with the first hole. This 352-yard (White Tees) par 4 starts with a semi-blind tee shot. It’s a soft dogleg left and if you push your tee shot right off the first tee, there are several trees to deal with. Left off the tee is no bargain either as there is a pond at the turn of the dogleg and a second just short of the green. A good drive down the right side of the fairway will leave a mid to short iron into a wide, shallow green that slopes back to front. Par is a great start.

Number 9 can be interesting. The hole plays only 303 yards and calling it a “dogleg” is an understatement; it’s more like a left turn. For golfers not familiar with the course, you don’t want to hit your tee shot any longer than 165 yards. Any further and you’ll be in the pond. If you don’t know any better and hit driver, you may find what used to be the tennis courts or worse yet, bounce one off the clubhouse. According to my playing partner that day, Head Golf Professional John Kuzewski, that is a reality.

The par 3 holes at 3, 12, and 18 are relatively short – 134, 122, and 115 yards respectively – and play over or around water. The par 3, 6th hole is a completely different story. From the White Tees, the hole plays 194 yards, slightly uphill, to a green protected on the right side by a large oak tree. This par 3 will test your mettle.

The back-to-back par 5s at 10 and 11 can help propel you to a great start on the back nine if you play them well. Number 10 is a dogleg left that for many will take a driver out of your hand because of the bunker at the dogleg, about 225 yards from the White Tees. It’s pretty much tree-lined from tee to green. A good drive will still leave two well-struck shots into the green. Water surrounds about 75% of the green and only the front is open. It’s a great hole to start the back nine.

Number 11 will allow you to air out your tee shot. It too is tree-lined and at 465 yards, fairly short. A good drive up the left side will leave the best angle into a green with water short and left. For pins set left of the center, add one club; right of the center hit one less.

Number 14 is my favorite hole on the golf course. It’s a 388-yard par 4, dogleg left that plays uphill all the way. A good drive that carries the pond and trees on the left will leave a long to mid-iron into a two-tiered green protected on the right by sand. The difference between a front and back pin can be as many as three clubs.

Number 17 probably has the most photographed approach shot on the course.  It’s a 365-yard par 4 dogleg right so a good drive down the left side will reward you with a clear look into the green and the opportunity to snap a picture of your own. A good drive will leave a mid to short iron approach into an elevated green with a small pond and rock garden short of it. As I found out, you get a free drop from the rocks; either that or John was being extremely nice that day.

Not many courses end on a par 3, but it is a nice change. Number 18 plays 115 yards over a water-filled ravine. Choose your club wisely, hit the right level of this two-tiered green, and make a par (or better). Anything over the green is trouble.

The accommodations and lodging at Thunder Bay Resort are second to none. They offer 34 luxury and whirlpool suites, 2-bedroom golf villas, and 3-bedroom golf chalets with 1450 sq. ft of space. All have nice views of the golf course. We stayed in one of the suites which was plenty big enough for a foursome. The front door (off the parking lot) opens to two double beds, much like a standard hotel room. Beyond that room is a separate “kitchen” area with a full-size coffee pot, kitchenware and utensils, microwave, and a mini-refrigerator. Behind that is a living room area complete with a pull-out couch, murphy bed, recliners, fireplace, flat-screen TV, and dining area. These are the perfect accommodations for a foursome! In case you have your own home with you, there is a small, full-service, RV Park just off the parking lot and only a few steps from the first tee.

Compared to other parts of the country, the golf season in Northern Michigan is relatively short. To compensate and keep a year-round cash flow, many Northern Michigan golf resorts make the transition to ski resorts as the weather changes. Being on the eastern side of the state presents several challenges. The majority of Northern Michigan golf and ski resorts are in Northwest Michigan – a natural snow belt. Much of this is lake effect snow off of Lake Michigan with prevailing winds from the west and north. While snow-making can now overcome this obstacle, the “Sunrise Side” lacks the terrain to do a successful downhill skiing facility in Northeast Michigan.

Desperate to find a solution and keep the business afloat, owner Jack Matthias and his staff came up with a unique solution: Elk Viewing! Thunder Bay’s Elk Viewing Package includes a sleigh/carriage ride (depending on snowfall), a gourmet dinner prepared by Jack’s son and a world-class chef in his own right, Spencer, and a wine tasting. The Elk Viewing Package began strictly as a winter sleigh ride event, but because of its wild success, is now offered from mid-May through the summer, fall and winter until late March. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the event.

Thunder Bay Resort has teamed up with a couple of other notable courses in the area including the Arthur Hills designed Red Hawk Golf Club and the Rees Jones designed UAW course Black Lake to create the Sunrise Challenge golf package.

When you combine a round of golf with elk viewing, a carriage ride, gourmet dinner, wine tasting, and a night’s lodging at the resort, you’ve got the most unique couples golf package available. For more information or to book a visit at Thunder Bay Resort, visit them online at www.thunderbayresort.com. If you’ve fallen in love with the area on your visit, Thunder Bay offers homesites; some are on the golf course while others are located on a mile of frontage bordering the Thunder Bay River. Give Jack Matthias a call at (989) 567-6996. Reservations can be made by calling 800-729-9375 and golf can be booked by calling the Pro Shop at 989-742-4875.

Worldwide Tour a Step Closer

The PGA Tour is the largest professional golf circuit and by any measure an outstanding success thanks to former commissioner Deane Beman’s foresight and business acumen put on steroids by Tim Finchem, commissioner for 22 years and the present Commissioner Jay Monahan.

Last November a major expansion was announced when the European Tour needed additional funding. The PGA Tour made a sizeable investment initiating a new formal relationship characterized as a “strategic alliance.” That alliance is now evident with co-sponsored events in the 2021-2022 season.

It would seem almost certain that within a few years a full merger of the two tours is inevitable which along with the European Tour’s and PGA Tour’s present stable of professional circuits will mean a worldwide professional golf will be controlled by the headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

The European Tour owns the Challenge Tour, a feeder series similar to the Korn Ferry Tour here in the states, and the Legends Tour like the PGA Tour Champions. They also have another prize attractive to the PGA Tour, namely the Ryder Cup the richest, most prestigious international golf event which is jointly owned with the PGA of America. Should the PGA Tour take over the European tour this would give them a say in the biennial competition, venue selection and most importantly the tens of millions of dollars the Cup generates.

The PGA Tour in addition to the PGA Tour Champions and the Korn Ferry Tour also owns the Forme Tour, Mackenzie Tour and PGA Tour LatinoAmérica and overall, their objective remains the same. Keep sponsorship and television rights money flowing. All that is required is the professional game continues to be attractive to corporations wanting access to the golf-fan demographic, typically those with discretionary income available to be spent on sponsor’s goods and services.

The PGA Tour-European Tour combination along with the other smaller tours is a giant step towards a world tour, an idea that is not exactly new. Indeed, until the travel challenges of the pandemic the PGA Tour held several events outside the United States including Mexico, the Caribbean, China, Japan and South Korea. Also, those with long memories will remember a world tour was proposed by Greg Norman back in 1994. It wasn’t a PGA Tour idea and received no support from Commissioner Finchem who at the time had just taken over from Beman.

The PGA Tour has been on a roll but like all things, good times don’t last forever. The business world changes and companies must keep up. In fact, the most successful organizations lead the changes.

Until now the PGA Tour has no direct competition and simply must continue to grow fan interest which to a large degree is a measure of the allure/charisma of the players and the quality of the competition. The Tour already does this exceedingly well with approximately $2 billion in annual revenue from broadcast rights, sponsorships, real estate development, resorts, and other sources. In everyday terms though the biggest impact is the over $200 million given to charities each year. This makes them the largest giver of all professional sports organizations plus goes a long way in generating support of local fans who attend events and serve as unpaid volunteers while making attention from the media a given.

The PGA Tour-European Tour strategic alliance is now co-sponsoring events starting with the European Tour Scottish Open and opening 50 spots in PGA Tour opposite-field events, the Barbasol and Barracuda Championships.

This is a strong competitive move reacting to the possible startup of one or perhaps two well-funded world tours drawn to the idea of a larger, more encompassing professional tournament series. Unfortunately, this would most likely dilute potential sponsorships, diminish charitable contributions and certainly act as a distraction for golf fans.

Competing tours are a bad idea and professional golf as represented by the PGA Tour has a critical job to create excitement and interest among consumers to grow the number of people who play the game. This should not be sidetracked nor victim of meaningless wrangles over equipment standard minutiae or revisions and interpretations of the playing rules. All can, and do, detract from golf’s positive image and visibility.

White Pine National Golf Resort – An Incredible Journey Through the Forest

You could say that golf course design was in their DNA. Brothers Bruce and Clem Wolfrom, the designers and shapers of White Pine National Golf Resort in Spruce, MI come from hardy stock. Their father, Clarence was a longstanding superintendent at Maple Lane Golf Course in Sterling Heights, MI, and a member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. He also helped found the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation and assisted many turf professionals to get their start in the industry.

Bruce admits he has always been intrigued by the possibility of taming Mother Nature. Before building White Pine National, Bruce served as Superintendent of Treetops in Gaylord, MI, and Clem was hired as superintendent of the private Detroit Golf Club.

The biggest challenge the two faced in realizing their dream of building and owning a golf course was finding the right piece of property. Their goal was to find land that was “naturally laid out” and had the right soil and elevation. They looked at hundreds of sites and finally found a 400-acre site located in Hubbard Lake, MI. The land featured majestic white pine and oak trees, high terrain, and light sandy loam soil. The brothers purchased the property in 1991 and, after 21 months of construction and renovation, opened White Pine National Golf Resort in September 1992.

At 6,762 yards (73.0/127), White Pine National isn’t going to overwhelm many longball hitters. Move up to the White tees if you’re looking to simply enjoy yourself and have a good time: and the yardage drops significantly to 5,896 yards (68.6/118). The Bentgrass fairways and greens feature a lot of undulation and the greens run at a 10 on the stimpmeter year-round. Four sets of tees provide suitable distances for every level of player.

With all of the trees, sand bunkers, and smallish greens to keep your shots honest, the one thing you won’t find out here are water hazards, and with good reason. Bruce, who also serves as the Golf Course Superintendent at White Pine National, says that the course does not require any type of drainage system. Because of its high terrain and what Mother Nature has already provided, the turf is protected from disease and damage caused by heavy downpours and flooding. The course has only been closed once because of heavy rains since it opened, and that was only for a few hours.

The first four holes consist of 2 par 5s and 2 par 3s and can help you get off to a fast start. Or not! The course follows the contours of the surrounding terrain and the greens have been placed in very natural settings. As you make your way around the layout, you’ll be presented with shots around and through majestic hardwood and pine trees. Don’t be surprised when you see deer grazing in the fairways, songbirds singing a tune for you, and eagles soaring overhead. It’s golf the way nature intended.

Inside White Pine National’s pro shop you’ll find some of the latest equipment and logoed apparel from the top manufacturers in the golf industry for both ladies and men as well as balls, markers, and tees for your round. Consider a new polo, hat, or towel to commemorate your round!

Whether it’s a quick warm-up before their round or some solid practice time, golfers from all over the area come to White Pine National to take advantage of their practice facilities. In addition to 3 target greens on the driving range, there’s a practice putting green and a 9-hole putting course to test your skills with the flat stick. Be sure to loosen up before heading over to the first tee!

Most Memorable Hole: Number 12 is far and away my favorite hole on the entire layout and is one of the most unique driving holes I have ever played. For starters, it’s a long hole – 402 yards from the White Tees – with tall pine trees scattered throughout the landing area. If you can get through the trees off the tee, you’ll be left with a long, downhill approach shot into one of the course’s largest greens. Get used to it; you’ll also encounter a tall pine tree in the middle of the 18th fairway!

Favorite Par 3: White Pine National’s second par 5 is followed by the second par 3. Number 4 plays 132 yards according to the scorecard yet it is significantly longer because it plays uphill. The green sits well above the fairway and anything hit short will likely funnel down to a collection area. The two-tiered green is long and narrow and anything over the green or in the bunker behind it spells trouble

Favorite Par 4: Number 16 is a fun par 4 and a great risk/reward hole Hitting it straight off the tee can pay large dividends. It’s a very narrow driving hole with trees on either side and at 251 yards from the White Tees, it is reachable. Once you reach the green and look back, you’ll notice that the hole plays downhill and that the green is surrounded by bunkers. Avoid the bunker off the tee and you should be able to post a good score.

Number 11 is a scenic par 4, and a strong runner-up for Favorite Par 4. It’s a dogleg left that plays 371 yards from the White Tees. A good drive down the middle of the fairway will leave a mid-iron into a very wide green with little depth to it. The bunkers short of the green add to the aesthetics of this golf hole. The green has two distinct tiers and if you are putting uphill to a left pin, be sure to hit it hard enough or it’s coming back to you.

Favorite Par 5: Number 3 is the second par 5 at White Pine National. This dogleg left plays 461 yards from an elevated tee box downhill to an awaiting fairway. You’ll need to be careful with your layup shot and playing it out to the right is a safe bet. On the left side of the landing area is a lot of mounding and bunkering that can add a lot of difficulty to the hole. The bunkers start about 80 yards from the green. Two successful shots will leave a short pitch shot into the green and set up a good birdie opportunity.

The RoadHouse Restaurant is a great place to unwind after your round with your favorite libation or a delicious meal. RoadHouse is open for breakfast too and their Pulled Pork Hash and Eggs are delicious as is the breakfast flatbread. Lunch and dinner selections include your usual burgers and sandwiches as well as such novelties as Smoked Chicken, Smokehouse Pork and Peppers, and a Ribeye Steak. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to be pleased.

White Pine National provides seasoned golfers with a formidable challenge and beginners with a great place to learn the game. They offer lodging on a limited basis in some tremendous local homes. Best to contact them for more information. You can reach them by phone at (989) 736-3279 or visit their website at www.whitepinenational.com.

Epic Super Hybrids—Callaway Golf

Callaway is promoting the new Epic Super Hybrids describing them as having the “DNA and technology of a driver,” and incorporating the highest level of technology they have ever put in this category of clubs.

Fast Facts Callaway Golf Epic Super Hybrids
Interior Jailbreak rods
Titanium face and body
Carbon fiber crown
Tungsten weighting
Adjustable sole weight
Adjustable hosel
Lofts: 16°, 18°, 21°, 24°, 27°
At retail September 9, 2021
$399.99 each

WYNTK
Several features of the Epic Supers set them apart from hybrids marketed in prior years by Callaway Golf who have a firm grasp on the top spot as the world’s largest golf equipment company.

According to their test data the Epic Super Hybrids produce the fastest ball speed any of Callaway’s hybrids have ever produced which is another way of saying they are hot and hit the ball farther. The face and body are titanium, therefore lightweight and offering similar benefits to those in Callaway’s titanium drivers plus these hybrids make use of internal rods that connect the crown and sole limit the amount of crown flex at impact which means more energy is concentrated in the face. These rods tagged “Jailbreak” are not new, first introduced in the 2017 Great Big Bertha Epic Driver but have been configured for the Super Hybirds based on Callaway’s experience using artificial intelligence software for club design.

Of interest and worth noting, last year’s hybrids, the Apex 21, sold for $269.99 or $130 less than the new Epic Supers while the Big Bertha B21s were $249.99 giving the newbies a premium of $150. These differentials certainly reflect Callaway’s dominant position in the club business, perhaps even more than the club’s performance advancements.

TaylorMade P-790 Irons

TaylorMade Golf’s P-790 model have been a popular choice in players-distance irons since the original introduction and now a third version has been released featuring a newly formulated foam filling in the hollow head construction.

Fast Facts TaylorMade P-790 irons
Players-distance category
Hollow, urethane foam filled heads
Forged 8620 carbon steel body
L-shaped forged 4140 steel face
Sole slot
Tungsten weighting
Lofts: 5-iron 23.5°, pitching wedge 45°
Stock shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold VSS, Mitsubishi MMT
Stock grip: Golf Pride Z Grip 360
Available for preorder
At retail Sept. 3, 2021
Price: $1,399 steel shafts, $1,599 graphite shafts

WYNTK
Since the first version was introduced four years ago the P-790s quickly became one of TaylorMade’s bestselling iron models attracting attention from better players as well as mid-handicappers wanting a clean-looking blade that still had mishit forgiveness.

A new foam filling for the heads, SpeedFoam Air, is being promoted as a significant advancement since it is 69% less dense than the previous formulation. It saves an average of 3.5g per iron which matters because the head weight is then shifted towards the perimeter and the center of gravity is lowered for better launch and more forgiveness.

Matt Bovee, Product Creation, Irons for TaylorMade was quoted saying, “SpeedFoam Air is the heartbeat of the new P·790 irons. The development of this lightweight urethane material allowed us to strategically reconstruct the iron head to promote optimal launch conditions and a sweet spot that covers the most common strike points on the face.”

The L-face of the P-790s at 1.5mm is the thinnest they have ever produced and that translates into more ball speed and smoother feel.

From studying the impact point of the ball for several thousands of shots TaylorMade engineers improved the shape and location of each iron’s sweet spot which is aided by up to 31g of tungsten and the now familiar Thru-Slot Speed Pocket.

Callaway’s Jaws Full Toe Wedges

Callaway Golf’s new Jaws Toe Wedges offer additional spin to those looking for control of their wedge shots including full shots, sand shots, chips, and pitches by incorporating several important features.

Fast Facts Jaws Full Toe Wedges
Aggressive full face groove pattern
C-grind standard
High center of gravity
Variable weight ports
Lofts: 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°, 64°
Choice of finishes: Raw Face Chrome, Raw Black
Stock shafts: Dynamic Golf Spinner, Project X Catalyst
Stock grip: Lamkin UTX
At retail Sept. 9, 2021
Price $169.99 each

WYNTK:
Callaway’s already impressive wedge lineup overseen by Roger Cleveland Chief Designer has been extended with the addition of the Jaws Full Toe family in five lofts and a choice of chrome or raw black finish. The toe is a larger diameter, so weight is moved higher on the face and away from the hosel to help produce a lower trajectory, easier to control shot.

Wedges are all about spin and the Jaws grooves run the full length of the face from toe to heel and are groove-in-groove with added surface roughness. This helps produce spin regardless of the contact point with the ball and is important around the green and especially for high arcing shots…the so-called flop shots.

PXG 0311 GEN4 ST Irons

The triple forged 0311 GEN4 ST irons from PXG are made for professionals and scratch handicap amateurs with a significant redesign of the previous model improving feel and control.

Fast Facts PXG 0311 GEN4 ST irons
Triple forged players-category irons
3-, 4-, 5-irons cavity back
Milled back
Adjustable rear weight
Lofts: 5-iron 26°, pitching wedge 47°
Finishes: Chrome, Xtreme Dark
Stock shaft: Elevate Tour
Stock grip: PXG Z5
Available now at PXG.com
$349 per club chrome, $399 per club Xtreme Dark

WYNTK:
PXG has expanded their line of 0311 irons with the new triple forged blade STs for play by the very best golfers, in fact ST comes from “super tour” which gives some idea of who they are thinking of with this design.

Long irons, 3 thorough 5, have a small cavity back which removes steel from the upper part of the head and effectively lowers the weight distribution therefore biasing a higher trajectory. Mid irons have a slightly smaller blade size and thinner top line while the short irons—8-iron through gap wedge—have even thinner toplines and shorter blade lengths.

The large rear weight is adjustable in 2-gram increments prior to purchase as determined in the personalized club fitting. Also evident along the lower rear margin are four of the now familiar PXG weight screws.

Honma TW-W21 Wedge

Two years after the well-received TW-W4 model wedges, Honma Golf has announced their successor the T//World W21 (TW-W21) in a wide range of sole grinds and bounces for a variety of course conditions.

Fast Facts Honma TW-W21 Wedge
CNC milled mild steel face
Aluminum back inserts
Reverse taper blade
Co-designed graphite shaft
Three sole grinds (I, C, S)
Seven lofts (48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°)
Stock shafts: Vizard, IB-105, Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 115
Available now at retail $149.99

WYNTK
Hitting quality wedge shots can be made much easier with the proper shaping of the head including the sole, the location of the center of gravity and the groove pattern. Honma with the new TW-W21 wedges touches all the bases such as making sure the CG is in the correct place by using aluminum panels in the rear of the head to shift weight placement efficiently.

The standard grind for the lower lofts (48° to 54°) is Honma’s I-Sole profile which has some relief, i.e., less material, across the trailing edge to allow the club to slip more easily through the turf. The higher lofts have a C-grind with a flatter sole and lots of heel and toe relief which helps when the blade is laid in an extremely open position as when hitting a flop shot. There is also a S-grind available in the 58° and 60° lofts with a wider sole that is helpful in sand play.

“As much as our previous wedge line set high standards in performance and economic use of weight distribution, the new TW-W21 wedge line continues that tradition while giving golfers innovative, personalized loft, lie and grind characteristics that empower them to play full shots and shots around the green with confidence and control,” said Janeann Lanning, COO of Honma, North America. “Honma’s newest and most versatile wedge line puts improved short game creativity and reliable spin and distance control in the hands of discerning golfers.”

HONMA GOLF – A Six Decade Legacy of Beautiful Japanese Craftsmanship

Honma golf equipment has increasingly been the first choice of many golfers throughout Asia.  Their home of manufacturing facilities in Sakata, Japan is located about a one-hour plane ride north of the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo and has operated one of the most prestigious and high-performance global golf equipment companies since 1959. From victories on the world’s most elite tours to Honma’s most precious and brilliantly crafted designs being gifted to dignitaries, the brand’s lore runs deep.

The self-made Honma family has played an instrumental role in the success of the Japanese people and economy since the 16th century. In the 18th century, income from their shipping and banking interests enabled them to become Japan’s wealthiest landowners, which was later immortalized in Japanese folk songs. In 1813, the Honma family built a summer residence in the port city of Sakata. After World War II, the home was renovated and turned into a private museum, with many historic art treasures. It is now one of Sakata’s main tourist attractions. 

In 1959, brothers Yukihiro and Hiro Honma — in a manner true to the traditional Japanese craftsmanship that went into preparing a katana for the feudal samurai — began to produce some of the finest golf clubs in the world. The brothers were both avid golfers when they opened the Tsurumi Golf Centre in Yokohama more than six decades ago. From their single driving range and club repair business, they grew the company thatcrafts the world’s most prestigious golf clubs. Similar to the painstaking process of heating, folding and hammering of the katana blade along with careful water quenching and hardening, Honma has long trusted its master craftsmen, its “takumi,” to hand-sculpt the finest materials into clubs players would trust generation after generation.

In 1973, Honma introduced its first driver with a graphite shaft. At a time when drivers were made of persimmon wood with inserts screwed into the face, mated to a steel shaft, Honma could pair them with graphite shafts.
Honma’s image has long been one of a luxury Japanese golf brand. Today, more golfers worldwide – including a growing number in North America and Europe – appreciate that Honma still designs and engineers its own clubs and shafts that endure Japanese precision, detail and craftsmanship, consumer trust and high satisfaction.
Honma employs more than 350 legendary tradesmen known as ‘takumi’ or ‘expert craftsmen’ who build and design BERES, TR, and T//World GS clubs with unparalleled beauty and technology. Hiroshi Suwa, the Head of Product Development and the lead Takumi with 42 years of service at Honma Golf  leads the team.
Honma’s uncommon beauty is born through a unique process. For example, every Honma driver and fairway wood starts out as a single block of Mississippi persimmon wood in the talented hands of a seasoned takumi. That piece is meticulously shaven and hand-crafted into the desired, actual size clubhead shape. Once the wooden model is perfected with precision angles, curves and lines, it is scanned digitally and brought into a CAD environment for engineering. Honma then employs state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge materials to bring performance and beauty into its unprecedented design.
A picture containing athletic game, golf, sportDescription automatically generatedToday, the prestigious BERES line continues to turn heads with gold inlays and luxury pricing, and that will not change. The soon-to-be-released BERES Black is coming in the Fall of 2021. Complimenting BERES is the new T//World GS (Gain Speed) family of clubs, which are beautifully crafted, game improvement products designed with advanced technology to deliver more speed and exceptional playability for a wide range of golfers. Visit https://us.honmagolf.com

Three New Cleveland Launcher XL Drivers

Replacing the two-year-old Launcher HB Turbo models, Cleveland Golf is updating the line of game improvement drivers with three new versions, Launcher XL, Launcher XL Lite and Launcher XL Lite DRAW all with increased forgiveness.

Fast Facts Cleveland Launcher XL Drivers
460cc clubhead-longer front to back
Increased resistance to twisting
Rebound frame
Adjustable 12 position hosel
Counterbalance grip
Stock shaft: Project X Cypher 50 or 40
Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
Available August 20, 2021, $399.99

WYNTK
Cleveland has introduced the Launcher XL series of drivers targeted for those wanting a forgiving MOI design with weighting low in the head to assist getting the ball airborne—higher launch, more carry. The Launcher XL MOI at 5,200 g-cm2 which is the largest resistance to twisting measurement of any driver they have ever made.

The head’s frame is the Rebound design the company says give alternating areas of stiffness and flexibility which increases the swing energy imparted to the ball and therefore producing added yards. Also, as a counterbalance to the head there is an 8-gram weight under the Golf Pride grip.

For those needing an anti-slice driver the DRAW model has a closed face and all three Launcher XL can be built in an Accuracy version with an inch shorter shaft with the counterbalance weight excluded.

“The Launcher XL drivers hit the ball long and straight – plain and simple,” said Jeff Brunski, Vice President of Research. “This is the most forgiving driver line we’ve ever made. More than anything, you’re going to see straighter drives more often. We’re introducing a standard model with adjustable loft and lie settings, a lite model that’s longer and faster, and a draw model that corrects for a slice. There’s something for all game improvement players with Launcher XL.”

Golf in Sebring, Florida – Don’t Overlook This Location

I heard it said years ago that by the year 2016, the population of the state of Florida would surpass the population of the state of New York. Not only were they correct,  but five years later, the margin continues to widen.

There are several reasons for this sudden influx of humanity, the climate is perhaps the biggest. Not having to pay state income tax has to rank up there as well. For golf enthusiasts, there’s no better place in the country to be, you can swing the sticks year-round if you don’t mind the heat and humidity of the summer. Take it from a golf lover who lived in Florida for 22 years, you can get used to it!

Now that you’ve decided to make the move and join the hordes that are heading to the Sunshine State, you’ll need to decide where to go, east coast or west coast. The further south you go – on either coast – the more expensive things get. The price goes up as you get closer to the water, too. Private golf communities are a great option if golf’s a key reason for your move; it’s like one-stop shopping.

There are some great values to be had inland on both real estate and recreation. Sebring is an area that’s often overlooked. The median home price is well below the national average and as far as golf goes, the area is referred to as “America’s Value Golf Capital.” It’s also home to The Citrus Golf Trail, a collection of five local courses.

One of the members of “The Trail” is Sun ‘N Lake, a golfing community. Sun ‘N Lake was once considered a retirement community but over the past few years, it has become a melting pot for both active adults and younger professionals. About 9,000 residents call Sun ‘N Lake home; many of them are snowbirds.

The community is home to two championship golf courses, which have been voted the number one golf course in Highlands County for four years running, Deer Run and Turtle Run.

Deer Run is considered the tougher of the two. The course was originally designed by Don Dyer in 1976; local golf course architect Ron Garl redesigned a couple of holes in 2003 and put his signature on it by converting the 18th hole to a par 3 with an island green. This championship layout plays host to qualifiers for the Web.com Tour, the Latin America Tour, and the Canadian Tour each year. Deer Run offers golfers 6 sets of tees with suitable yardages to fit every level of golfer. From the Black Tees, the course plays 7,202 yards with a slope of 134 and a course rating of 73.7. Ladies can play a manageable 5,046 yards; most members play from the White Tees which measures 6,170 yards (69.6/127). The greens are Champion Bermuda, and the fairways and roughs feature 419 Bermuda grass.

Deer Run’s final three holes can make or break a great round. Number 16 is a par 4, dogleg right that plays 352 yards from the white tees and requires you to at least hit your tee shot to the corner of the dogleg. If you favor the left side off the tees, you’ll take many of the trees out of play and have a good look into the green. Be wary of the water and sand that guard the green. Number 17 is the toughest hole on the back nine and certainly the most challenging. The hole plays 379 yards from the White tees with a large pond in the middle of the fairway. Most golfers will be able to hit driver off the tee and should favor the left side of the fairway or risk being blocked out by trees. A good drive is still going to leave a long to medium iron into an elevated green protected on either side by sand. As referenced earlier, Number 18 is truly a unique hole to end a round of golf; after all, not many courses end with a par 3! From the white tees, the hole plays 128 yards to an island green. Choose your club wisely, hit a good shot and success can be yours. Find the water and you’re just another statistic!

Turtle Run was designed by Charles Ankrom and opened in 1999. Golfers have 4 sets of tees to choose from: the back tees play 6,402 yards with a course rating of 70.7 and a slope of 127. The ladies’ tees play from 5,002 yards (64.3/114). Two other tee boxes offer yardages suitable for all levels of golfers. The greens are Tifdwarf Bermuda, and the fairways and roughs feature 419 Bermuda grass. The course is built in the middle of a Scrub Jay preservation area and provides safe shelter for this protected species; it’s also a beautiful setting for the golf course.

Distance off the tee is not as important on Turtle Run as it is on her sister course. In fact, leaving the driver in the bag may be your best move on many holes. At just over 6,400 yards the course is not going to overpower the majority of golfers, regardless of the tees you choose. Landing areas off the tees are generous, the greens are incredible, and the emphasis is on the short game. Some greens are open in front and receptive to the senior-friendly bump-and-run shot; the majority are elevated with bunkers in front and require you to carry your approach onto the green. Distance is also key as many greens have multiple tiers and being on the same tier as the hole can shave several strokes.

For me, the most memorable hole on Turtle Run is the par 5, 14th. At only 481 yards from the White Tees, it’s definitely not the longest par 5, but for many players, it’s going to take a driver out of your hand because of the stream that crosses the fairway about 250 yards out. If you play down the left side of the fairway you can get 260-280 yards before you get to the wet stuff. A good line off the tee is the bunker on the right. Keep to the right with your layup and you’ll keep the water on the left out of play and then hit your approach shot to a slightly elevated green but beware of the deep, large bunker in the front left.

Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club is a proud member of the Citrus Golf Trail, which has done a wonderful job of making the Sebring area a golf vacation destination. The Citrus Golf Trail offers a variety of stay and play golf packages that include rounds of golf at several local courses as well as accommodations at The Inn on the Lakes. Inn on the Lakes is a unique property; they have 155 spacious, beautifully decorated guest rooms and suites, and no two are the same. Their fine dining restaurant, Chicanes, offers delicious meals as well as a sumptuous breakfast menu. They are the preferred accommodations vendor of the Citrus Golf Trail.

Sun ‘N Lake is not what they call a bundled community, meaning that you don’t have to join the club if you buy a home there. It seems to me that if you live there and play golf a membership makes sense, especially at the ridiculously low prices they charge!  They are offering an introductory membership at 50% off that includes unlimited play on both courses including a trail fee for your private cart, a $200 driving range credit discounts on merchandise in the pro shop, and many other benefits. The first year will set you back less than $2500 for a family! There are also special rates for seniors, super seniors, and seasonal golfers as well.

If you’re looking for an affordable golf vacation or somewhere in Florida that you can call home, check out Sun ’N Lake in Sebring. You can visit them online at www.sunlakegolfclub.com.

Titleist T-Series Irons

Titleist has replaced their current T-series irons with four new models and the newbies include three for tour players and better amateurs, the T100, T100S, and T200 plus a game improvement model theT300.

Fast Facts Titleist T-Series Irons
T100
Variable bounce sole
Tungsten weighting heel and toe in 3-7 iron
Brushed chrome finish
Lofts: 5-iron 27°, pitching wedge 46°
Stock shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White, MCA Tensei White AM2
Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
At retail August 26, 2021, $186 per club

T100S
T100 shape, weighting, finish
2° stronger lie
Lofts: 5-iron 25°, pitching wedge 44°
Stock shafts: Project X LZ, MCA Tensei White AM2
Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
At retail August 26, 2021, $186 per club

T200
Players-distance category iron
Hollow body construction
Polymer core
L-shaped face insert
Lofts: 5-iron 25°, pitching wedge 43°
Stock shafts: True Temper AMT Black, MCA Tensei Blue AM2
Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
At retail August 26, 2021, $186 per club

T300
Game-improvement category
Cavity back
Variable face thickness
Hollow body construction
Polymer core
Tungsten weighting 4-7 iron
Lofts: 5-iron 23°, pitching wedge 43°
Stock shafts: True Temper AMT Red, MCA Tensei Red AM2
Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
At retail August 26, 2021, $143 per club

WYNTK
Titleist is calling the new T-series irons “the next generation” and certainly can point to the previous generation models as being the most played on the PGA Tour.

Most recreational players will be looking at the new T300s which offer all the bells and whistles in game improvement without the wider soles and thicker top lines of the super game improvement T400s, which presumably will be updated soon as well.

Two of the top Titleist-iron people were quoted in the media release.

“The new T-Series irons represent another step forward in Titleist iron design and technology,” said Josh Talge, Vice President, Titleist Golf Club Marketing. “With these new irons, across the board, every detail matters. They provide the best precision and performance in their respective iron category with stunning aesthetics and feel. Golfers don’t buy an iron ‘line’, they want specialization, and that’s what each of these models offer.”

“T-Series irons are designed to provide precise control for any player who wants to score lower,” said Marni Ines, Director, Titleist Irons Development, Golf Club R&D. “From form to feel to function, every aspect of these irons is crafted towards the golfer being consistent from their first shot to their last throughout every round. Whether it is the T100, T100•S, T200 or T300, every iron is individually engineered to help the golfer deliver a strike where they can see and feel pure performance.”