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Nexbelt Limited Edition Holiday Ratchet – Style Belts

By
David Daubert
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Celebrate the holidays and show off your sense of style with one of these Limited Edition Ratchet-Style Ribbon Belts from Nexbelt, “The Belt With No Holes.”
The Peppermint Santa, Tinsel Time, Snowfall Blue, and Christmas Lights “holiday themed” ribbon belts are now available at select Nexbelt golf retailers across the country and on the Nexbelt website at: https://www.Nexbelt.com/collections/holiday-belts.
The new Hampton Ratchet-Style Ribbon Belt is a great custom option for corporate gifts, employee stores, holiday gifts, corporate events and employee recognition awards. You’ll love wearing one of these belts around the holidays as they are sure to be noticed and appreciated wherever you go!
Best of all, the cut-to-fit strap fits up to 50″ waists, so you don’t need to worry about ordering the belt in a particular waist size if it is a gift.
Nexbelt is known for its innovative technology and providing maximum comfort with its unique cut-to-fit rachet style belts. The ratcheting system called PreciseFit allows the wearer to adjust the belt in 1/4 inch increments, providing the best fit, feel and fashion available.
Company Founders, Tom Hunsucker, and Eddie and Francis Rowland started Nexbelt in 2010 with a vision to reinvent the way Americans buy, sell and wear their belts. Tired of the old outdated pin/buckle system, they set their sights on creating a belt that would be both adjustable and highly fashionable at the same time. Out of their passion, Nexbelt, “The Belt With No Holes” was born.
For more information on Nexbelt visit www.Nexbelt.com.

Scotty Cameron Introduces New Phantom X 12.5 Putter

By
Brian Weis
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Scotty Cameron has added a new model to the 2019 Phantom X family – the Phantom X 12.5 – to meet the needs of players seeking a stable mallet with more toe flow and a new alignment option. A left-handed Phantom X 12.5 model also joins the lineup.

Phantom X 12.5 joins a cohesive Phantom X family that now includes 10 modern mallet designs built around five different head styles. Phantom X 12.5 provides golfers with a new setup option – featuring a low-bend shaft configuration and a tour-inspired single milled sight line – built around the family’s flagship model, the high-MOI Phantom X 12.

Like every putter in the lineup, the Phantom X 12.5 incorporates Scotty’s tour-inspired, multi-material construction methodology of combining 303 stainless steel and 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum for increased MOI, optimal weight distribution, forgiveness, improved sound and responsive feedback.

“Every time we introduce a new putter line, I receive requests from tour players and dedicated golfers for additional setups and configurations. Phantom X 12.5 is the result of some of those requests. I added the low-bend shaft for extra toe flow and also designed a new alignment option by milling a single sight line down the center painted black for a very clean look from address. It really sets up nicely. Adding this new model also gave me the opportunity to make a left-handed version designed so everyone can take advantage of the performance benefits of the Phantom X 12.5.”

PHANTOM X 12.5 PERFORMANCE AND TECHNOLOGY

  • LOW-BEND SHAFT CONFIGURATION: The Phantom X 12.5 has a stepless steel shaft with one shaft of offset and a single “low-bend” designed to aim directly down the target line and promote an arc path for more toe flow in the putting stroke.
  • TOUR-INSPIRED ALIGNMENT: Addressing requests from tour players and dedicated golfers alike, Scotty added a continuous, single center sight line milled from the leading edge to the back of the flange – painted gloss black – offering a new alignment feature for the Phantom X line.
  • LEFT-HANDED MODEL: Adding a new configuration to the family, the Phantom X 12.5 is also available for left-handed players.
  • MULTI-MATERIAL HEAD WITH SOLID FACE TECHNOLOGY: The Phantom X 12.5 mallet is constructed with a standard-milled, 6061 aircraft aluminum face anodized black that extends back and through the flange area surrounded by heavier 303 stainless steel wings for high-MOI and stability.

PHANTOM X WEIGHTING & GRIP
New Phantom X 12.5 putters feature the line’s advanced stability weighting with two, customizable stainless steel heel-toe weights and stepless steel shafts, as well as the Pistolero Plus grip in cement gray with gloss black paintfill.

FINISH & GRAPHICS
The Phantom X 12.5 model’s aircraft grade aluminum components have been anodized black in a misted finish that helps to reduce sun glare. The stainless steel putter head components have also been misted for a radiant yet glare resistant appearance. The single milled sight line, painted gloss black, provides a subtle tone-on-tone visual alignment guide.

AVAILABILITY
Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12.5 putters will be available in North America on December 12, 2019, and worldwide on February 14, 2020 through Titleist authorized golf shops. MAP $429.

ON THE WEB
www.scottycameron.com

PXG Signs GRAMMY® Winning Artist & Golf Fanatic Darius Rucker

By
Brian Weis
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Scottsdale, AZ (November 25, 2019) – PXG, the bold, performance-focused golf equipment company, today announced GRAMMY award-winning artist, Darius Rucker, as its newest ambassador.

Rucker is famous for his multi-Platinum status in the music industry and loved for his down-to-earth character and generous non-profit work. He’s a musical genius on stage and a golfer at heart, making him a perfect addition to the PXG Troops.

“Darius is more than another big name sporting our clubs. He’s a friend. And, quite possibly, a bigger golf fanatic than I am,” PXG founder and CEO, Bob Parsons shared. “He is already doing great things for golf through his relationship with the PGA TOUR and I know he will do great things for PXG too. I couldn’t be more proud to have him on board.”

Brought together by shared love the game, relentless pursuit of performance, and a friendship formed on the golf course, Rucker currently has a full set of 14 PXG clubs in play.

“I play a lot of golf, and since switching to PXG clubs I’ve gone from an 8 handicap to a 4, and I broke 70 for the first time without changing any other part of my game,” Rucker noted.

What’s in Darius’s bag?

  • 0811 XF GEN2 10.5 Driver – Fujikura Speeder Evo V 569- R
  • 0341 X GEN2 3 Wood – Aldila-NV2KXV-Blue-70-R
  • 0317 X GEN2 19 Hybrid – Accra iSeries 80i
  • 031 7X GEN2 22 Hybrid – Accra iSeries 80i
  • PXG 0311P 5-9W AeroTech SteelFiber 110cw
  • PXG Sugar Daddy 52° and 56° Wedge – AeroTech SteelFiber 110cw S
  • PXG Romeo 60° Wedge – AeroTech SteelFiber 110cw S
  • PXG Gunboat GEN2 Putter

Rucker added, “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Bob – who he is, what he has accomplished and how he operates his businesses. I particularly love what he has done for the game of golf since launching PXG. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

To learn more about PXG or to schedule a custom golf club fitting, visit PXG.com.

ABOUT PARSONS XTREME GOLF

Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG) was founded by American entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons. Leveraging breakthrough technology and sophisticated manufacturing processes that integrate high-performance alloys, PXG produces the finest golf clubs in the world.

PXG’s professional staff includes Zach Johnson, Pat Perez, Billy Horschel, Ryan Moore, James Hahn, Charl Schwartzel, Wyndham Clark, Scott Langley, Lydia Ko, Anna Nordqvist, Brittany Lang, Celine Boutier, Austin Ernst, Christina Kim, Katherine Kirk, Alison Lee, Ryann O’Toole, Gerina Piller, Jennifer Song and Linnea Strom.

PXG offers a full lineup of right and left-handed clubs, including drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters, as well as high-performance, fashion-forward apparel.

JAWS MD5 Wedges – The Most Aggressive Grooves in Golf

By
Ed Travis
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Every player knows (or should know) the key to hitting scoring shots, the ones critical to posting a good score, is control of trajectory and spin. When less than a full swing is required, or the ball is in the rough or in sand controlling spin is more difficult and that means a wedge’s grooves become the major factor in being able to pull off the desired shot.

At Callaway Golf addressing this problem was a task for Chief Wedge Designer Roger Cleveland and his team with the result being the new JAWS MD5 wedges with what the company is calling “The Most Aggressive Grooves in Golf.”

Aside from having one of the catchiest names around, JAWS is an interesting advance for wedges. The innovative groove design has major differences from the previous model MD4 and a very tight manufacturing spec. The new grooves are milled with walls, edges and angles having the closest tolerances Callaway has ever been able to achieve.

JAWS grooves are milled with a 37º wall angle, much sharper than the 5º wall angle of the MD4, which makes them ideal from 80 yards and especially for producing the much desired one-hop-and-stop trajectory. They also use Callaway’s Groove-In-Groove micro millings on the areas between the JAWS grooves which gives more grip to the ball’s cover and therefore added spin.

Additional details may be found on the Callaway Golf web site.

WYNTK JAWS MD5 wedges
Made from 8620 mild carbon steel
Heads of 46° to 52° loft wedges smaller sized than those of higher lofts
Four ports along rear reduce weight which raises center of gravity
23 loft and bounce combinations
Five grinds: S, C, W, X and low bounce W
Platinum Chrome and Tour Grey finishes
Pricing: $159.99 each

Cobra Speedzone Irons

By
Ed Travis
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Given all the various iron designs on the market coming up with one that’s unique is very difficult to do and rarely happens. In fact, it’s so rare when a one-of is introduced as with Cobra Golf ’s KING Speedzone irons people will be sure to pay attention.

Iron designers want a highly reactive face surrounded with a frame that provides both structural integrity and stability combined with forgiveness, the correct launch and the correct spin. Not easy to do and excess weight in the upper part of the head, i.e., above the center of the face and along the topline, is not desirable. The more mass placed high in the face the more compensation is required so the center of gravity is lower and closer to the sole.

This is especially important in the long and mid irons and SZ attacks this problem in the 4- through 7-iron by substituting carbon fiber for steel along and just below the topline. Because carbon fiber is very strong and 40% lighter than steel Cobra was able to push 3 grams of weight lower down in the head which helps to improve both ball speed and trajectory.

Tom Olsavsky, vice president of research and development for Cobra expressed it this way. “When designing irons, there is a delicate balance of delivering playability, feel and distance, and the SPEEDZONE Irons in both traditional and ONE length make-ups provide all three attributes in spades. Our innovative SPEEDZONE technology has allowed us to maximize distance without giving up any feel or forgiveness.”

SZ irons have a wider body to enlarge the perimeter, lower the center of gravity and increase the resistance to twisting or MOI. Lofts are fairly strong because Cobra was able to find the proper combination of launch and spin for the best distance and control. And speaking of spin, grooves are CNC milled with a V-cross section, to reduce spin, in the 4-, 5- and 6-irons and U-cross section in the scoring clubs for maximum spin.

WYNTK Speedzone Irons
-Game improve cast steel irons
-Carbon fiber in top rail and just below top rail
-Slightly wider body
-PWRSHELL face
-42.5° pitching wedge, 21° 5-iron
-Co-molded cavity medallion
-Cobra Connect Powered by Arccos
-Variable length 4-PW or ONE Length 5-GW ($799) steel shafts
-Available Jan. 17, 2020, pre-order Jan. 3, 2020

Cobra Has a New Speedzone

By
Ed Travis
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While a hot driver design can’t guarantee the success of a club company it certainly can draw a lot of attention especially to a well-respected company such as Cobra Golf. For the 2019 season the KING F9 Speedback was the driver that accomplished all that and more so in 2020 they are resurrecting the Speedzone brand name for an entire new family from drivers through irons.

The announcement was built around a tie-in to racecars but as someone who found last year’s Speedback to produce the most for my swing that was totally unnecessary.

Tom Olsavsky, vice president of research and development did hit the nail on the head though, “Our new KING SPEEDZONE drivers emphatically answered the question we are always asked – can you really improve the driver any further and stay within the rules of golf? That answer is yes. By approaching design the same way you would if you were trying to create the world’s fastest cars, we left nothing on the table in terms of speed considerations. With our six zones of performance, SPEEDZONE is the fastest driver that we have ever produced.”

The KING Speedzone driver has several attributes that will make it a must-try for most every golfer starting with the what Cobra calls an “Infinity Face” of forged then CNC milled titanium. CNC milling produces very precise thicknesses across its entirety and the forging in fact wraps around the leading edge, the top edge, toe and even slightly up the hosel. Compared to the Speedback the milled area is 95% larger.

The crown design is also new with a T-Bar strap running from front to rear producing a very strong construction that focuses more impact energy on the face for more power to be transmitted to the ball. Plus, there was a weight savings they were able to reposition low in the head to improve ball launch. Over the T-Bar the crown is carbon fiber which in the SZ extends around to the sole where it takes over two large areas. Cobra tells me the SZ driver head is over 50% carbon fiber saving 25 grams.

This weight has been moved to the rear and low in the head so compared with the Speedback there are 69 versus 40 grams. The crown shape continues to be low aerodynamic drag and with the rear/low weighting means the ball comes off the face higher and with lower spin. Personal fitting can be dialed in with the two switchable sole weights (14g and 2g) to either improve forgiveness (14g in rear) or lower spin (14g in front).

WYNTK Speedzone Driver
-CNC milled wrap around face
-Titanium T-Bar
-360 Carbon fiber wrap crown
-Low drag crown & low CG
-Traditional profile SZ
-SZ Xtreme larger shape & 17g added in rear
-MyFly8 loft adjustment
-Women’s model
-Draw and straight clubheads
-Available Jan. 17, 2020 $449

Arnold Palmer To Be Honored with US Postal Stamp in 2020

By
Brian Weis
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The United States Postal Service announced today that it will be recognizing Arnold Palmer with the issuance of a nationwide stamp as a part of its 2020 stamp program.
The U.S. Postal Service will honor Palmer for his positive impact and compelling story, rising from humble beginnings to become a globally revered champion. The U.S. Postal Service notes, “with drive and charisma, he helped transform a game once seen as a pastime for the elite into a sport enjoyed by the masses.”
“To have my father celebrated in this way is a true honor,” said Amy Saunders, Palmer’s daughter and chairwoman of the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation.  “It’s something I think he would be proud of as both an individual and as an American, and it’s a wonderful way to preserve his legacy.”
The stamp features James Drake’s action photograph of Palmer at the 1964 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.  Palmer’s name appears in the top left corner and the words “Forever” and “USA” are printed along the bottom of the left edge.  Art Director Antonio Alcala designed the stamp.
The Palmer stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp, meaning that it will always be equal in value to the current First Class Mail price. This is the first time Arnold Palmer has been honored with an official stamp. Fellow Latrobe, Pa., native Fred “Mister” Rogers was honored with a stamp in 2018.
The USPS will announce the date and venue for First Day of Issue at a later date. Once dedicated, stamps can be purchased at a local post office location or online atwww.usups.com/shop.

CaddyDaddy Launches New CLAW Golf Glove in time for Holidays

By
David Daubert
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CaddyDaddy announced the new CLAW Golf Glove constructed of 100% cutting-edge synthetic materials providing an exceptional grip, durability and comfort. A combination of advanced micro-fiber with exclusive silicone coating provides a tacky grip like no other golf glove on the market. The glove is machine washable and lasts 3-5 times as long as conventional leather gloves and conforms to the Rules of Golf.
In addition to an incredible grip, the CLAW glove features a flex-mesh upper which increases air-flow and breathability throughout. Imagine wearing a glove that not only improves swing confidence but plays cool all season.
“Our team was amazed at the lack of innovation in the golf glove market. Leather gloves simply play too hot and deteriorate quickly. All synthetic gloves are uncomfortable and lack the feel golfers expect,” said Greg Derbas, President of CaddyDaddy. “We believe CLAW gloves not only outperform every leather glove on the market, they also prolong the life of the grips.” MSRP-$19.99.
CaddyDaddy
Founded in 2002, CaddyDaddy is a leading manufacturer of golf travel bags, travel covers, gloves and accessories. Cutting edge designs, materials and manufacturing techniques make Caddy Daddy products both innovative and affordable. Most CaddyDaddy products can also be embroidered with custom logos for tournaments. Caddy Daddy is a family-owned and operated business based in Phoenix, Arizona.
Visit CaddyDaddyGolf.com to view their full line of products.

Cobra F-MAX Airspeed

By
Ed Travis
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Cobra Golf is known for high performance clubs played by better amateurs and Tour professionals. Fans are used to seeing Lexi Thompson, Rickie Fowler and Bryson DeChambeau (this week Jason Dufner was signed) walking the fairways with the Cobra logo on apparel and bags.

However, as pointed out when the original F-Max driver was introduced over two years ago, Cobra has a big stake in providing clubs for those average golfers with what is usually called “moderate” swing speeds. They recognize some of us at least are getting older and no longer able to generate the power we formerly did. Thankfully Cobra gives this growing demographic a top-of-the-pile priority.

Their latest club family, the F-MAX Airspeed, has been specifically designed for slower swings which you can read to mean seniors and ladies and Cobra tells me they are both their lightest and most forgiving club lineup ever.

Quoting Tom Olsavsky, VP or R&D for Cobra in the F-MAX Airspeed announcement, “Not a single aspect of club design was overlooked when we were trying to maximize the weight savings in this line. We even use an unpainted shaft with clearcoat and a decal design to save two extra grams of weight over a typical painted shaft. That is a perfect illustration of the level of detail than went into making these clubs as lightweight as possible.”

An unpainted shaft to save two grams? That shows a level of commitment to which average golfers should pay attention.

The F-MAX Airspeed family includes for men and women driver, fairway woods, hybrids and graphite-shafted combination sets of hybrids and irons plus a men’s iron model.

Re-engineered drivers, significantly lighter compared to the previous model, head the lineup. The crown is now carbon fiber rather than titanium a reduction of 10-grams. This weight was moved to the rear of the clubhead towards the sole to lower the center of gravity. After these changes the head weighs 2 grams less but thanks to weight redistribution the very high MOI of 5,000 of the previous model was retained with no sacrifice of forgiveness.

To further reduce overall weight the 40-gram COBRA AIRSPEED shaft is stock picking up 5-grams and a 41-gram Lamkin midsize grip saves another 6-grams dropping club weight by 11 grams. The final package is an ultra-light 285 grams compared with the previous 298 grams of the F-MAX. The point is however this is a lighter club, some 40+ grams less than most drivers, and can be swung faster for more yards down the fairway.

We were also attracted to the irons in the family. Olsavsky was quoted, “For golfers who love the game but just don’t swing it with the same speed they used to, the F-MAX AIRSPEED irons are a great choice. We are confident that the combination of easy launch, low spin, and increased clubhead speed that these irons provide, will make the game much more enjoyable.”

F-MAX Airspeed irons have undergone a similar diet as the driver with lighter shafts (5 grams less) and lightweight grips combined with low profile perimeter weighting in a true super game-improvement cavity back design. Men’s irons will be offered in a 7-piece set of 5-PW, GW with steel or graphite shafts and a graphite combo set with a choice of hybrids and irons.

All Cobra Golf F-MAX Airspeed models will be at retail on Jan. 10, 2020.

WYNTK
F-MAX Airspeed Driver
-High MOI ultralight weight
-PWR Ridge Carbon fiber crown
-Internal back and heel weighting
-Choice of offset hosel or straight hosel
-Right (9.5°, 10.5° & 11.5°) or left-hand (10.5°)
-Men’s or women’s $329

F-MAX Airspeed Fairway Woods
-Complimentary design to driver
-Men’s lofts: 16°, 20° and 23°
-Women’s lofts: 19°, 23° and 27°
-Men’s or women’s $219 each

F-MAX Airspeed Irons
97-gram shaft
Shorter hosels in long irons to lower CG
Extreme perimeter weighting
Men’s 7-piece set $599 steel shafts or $649 graphite shafts
Men’s or Women’s Graphite iron/hybrid Combo 7-piece set $699

F-MAX Airspeed Hybrids
Offset hosel
Back and heel weighting
Men’s lofts 3H (19°), 4H (22°), 5H (25°), 6H (28°) & 7H (RH only) (31°)
Women’s lofts 4H (23°), 5H (26°), 6H (29°) & 7H (RH Only) (32°)
Men’s or women’s $199 each

A Lot to Like From Tour Edge

By
Ed Travis
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For more than 30 years Tour Edge Golf has built clubs for recreational players with two important features, top performance and pocketbook-friendly prices. Through the use of innovative materials like maraging steel and construction techniques such as combo-brazing plus designs like the Iron-wood the company has carved an enviable place in the golf equipment market.

The primary goal is to build clubs that help ordinary golfers play and enjoy this often unreasonable and maddening game. Based in Batavia, Ill. and started in 1986 the brand has recently become a prominent name on the PGA Tour Champions with endorsements by Scott McCarron, Duffy Waldorf, Tim Petrovic and Tom Lehman.

Tour Edge markets three brands of clubs each targeted at a different segment of golfers. For better players there is the Exotics line with cutting-edge materials and construction, really a futuristic approach, that has been found wide acceptance from Tour professionals and low handicap amateurs. Average players wanting custom fit game-improvement category clubs should look closely at the Hot Launch series. It combines reasonable prices with a seemingly incredible turnaround time of 48 hours.

The latest series is called “Get in the Game” and features complete sets of the Bazooka line, the new 470 Black and 370 models.

“Our Get in the Game products include complete sets for men, seniors, women and juniors, as well as modestly priced golf bags, wedges and putters,” said Tour Edge President David Glod. “The entire Get in the Game concept is fueled by our desire to help grow the game of golf by offering great performing products at the best pricing in the industry. No one else is doing what we are doing as far as offering every type of golfer a quality option to get into new golf equipment.”

Both the Bazooka 370 and Bazooka 470 Black and have redesigned shapes with weight repositioned for more forgiveness and very thin faces for more ball speed. New golfers and golfers coming back to the game will find them easy to hit so it’s less of a hassle to hit productive shots.

Bazooka 370 Box Set all with graphite shafts either Regular or Senior flex includes:
Driver 10.5°, 44.5” length
3-wood 15°, 5-wood 19°
4-hybrid 24°
5-iron (27°) through sand wedge (pitching wedge 46°)
Anser-style putter
Stand bag (men’s set) or Cart bag (senior set)

The Bazooka 470 Black are a complete men’s set with aerodynamically shaped heads in the woods and large clubheads in the irons with a wider and longer blade.

The boxed set consists of the following. Steel shafted irons come with a stand bag or graphite shafted irons a cart bag.
Driver 10.5°, 45” length
3-wood 15°, 5-wood 19°
4- & 5-hybrids
6-iron through sand wedge (pitching wedge 46°)
Mallet Putter

WYNTK Bazooka 370
Driver – 460cc titanium clubhead, thinner face with added heel and toe weighting
Fairway woods – low profile oversized heads
Hybrid – shallower face with deeper CG
Irons – larger heads with undercut cavity, heel & toe weighting
Men’s set lightweight dual strap stand bag – 8-way top, 5 pockets
Senior set cart bag – 5 storage pockets and 2 garment pockets
Available now priced at $439.99

WYNTK Bazooka 470 Black
Driver – 460cc titanium clubhead higher MOI shape, variable thickness face
Fairway woods – shallow face
Hybrids – shallow face, CG lower and deeper
Irons – longer and wider cavity back blade, extreme perimeter weighting
Lightweight stand bag or cart bag
Available now for $539.99

MP-20s – “Layers for Feel”

By
Ed Travis
-

Most muscle back iron designs owe a debt at least in part to Mizuno Golf engineers who over the years have created iconic clubheads with both great looks and the performance pros and low handicappers want. The company has now again come up with an outstanding new iron series the MP-20s which replace the current MP-18s.

The most talked about feature in the MP-20s is the addition of a layer of copper underneath the exterior chrome plating to produce the softer feel much sought after by better players. The copper layer is an idea that goes back thirty years to the 1988 Mizuno TN-87s made for Japanese star Tommy Nakashima.

“Most modern muscle backs and limited ‘tour edition’ irons can be traced back to the great Mizuno blades. Though what makes a Mizuno iron truly exceptional is everything you can’t see,” said David Llewellyn, R&D Director, Mizuno Golf. “If you could peel back the chrome plating, you would find a sandwich of nickel and soft copper before the Grain Flow Forged HD chassis. Under a microscope, you can see a perfect flow of grain within the steel from the hosel to toe, compacted tighter in the hitting area. Designers can mimic our lines, but not what’s inside.”

The three new MP-20 models are all forged from 1025E mild carbon steel covered with a layer of nickel followed by a 4-micron thick layer of copper then another nickel layer and finally the chrome plated exterior. Mizuno expects the new MP-20 MB (Muscle Back), MP-20 HMB (Hot Metal Blade) and MP-20 MMC (Multi Metal Construction) will be played both as individual complete sets and as part of blended sets.

WYNTK
MP-20 MB: Tapered blade profile for lower COG in long irons giving higher launch and a higher COG in shorter irons for lower launch. Grain Flow Forged head from a single billet of 1025E mild carbon steel, layered with copper plating then nickel chrome exterior. 5-iron 27° and pitching wedge 46°. Set 3-PW $1,300 with steel shafts.

MP-20 HMB: Hollow muscle back with tungsten heel and toe weighting in long and mid irons. Forged face and hosel lasered welded to stainless steel body. Copper layer between body and satin finish exterior. 5-iron 25° and pitching wedge 46°. Set 3-PW $1,400 with steel shafts.

MP-20 MMC: Second generation of Mizuno’s Multi-Material Concept construction with thinner topline and a titanium internal plate and tungsten sole weight. Forged from same steel as other MP-20s the MMC also have layered copper with either satin or chrome finish. 5-iron 25° and pitching wedge 46°. Set 4-PW $1,225 with steel shafts.

Westhaven Golf Club – Franklin, Tennessee’s Premier Golf Club

By
David Theoret
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As a Golf Writer, my travels recently took me to the town of Franklin, TN, just south of Nashville in Williamson County. After doing a little research, I discovered that the town gets its name from Benjamin Franklin, who was a close friend of Dr, Hugh Williamson (see the connection)? Prior to the Civil War, Franklin was one of the wealthiest towns in Tennessee. Even though the Civil War decimated the national economy, the area was able to regain its prowess; Williamson is now one of the wealthiest counties in the state and Franklin is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. My niece lives in Franklin and says it’s not unusual to see well known celebrities around town and at the grocery stores. After all, they have to eat too!

If you live in -or frequent – the area and enjoy the game of golf, you have a few private clubs to choose from. Among them is the Westhaven Golf Club, home to a magnificent Arthur Hills championship golf course. Westhaven provides the perfect place for golf enthusiasts of all levels to enjoy the game in a casual and friendly environment. Since opening in 2009, Westhaven has received national recognition for its design and attention to detail. GolfWeek and Golf Digest both named Westhaven to their “2010 Best New Courses” list. 

When I arrived at the course, I was met by an attendant who quickly whisked my bag out of the trunk and on to a waiting golf cart. He directed me to the golf shop where I was met by General Manager Mark Lammi. After chatting for a bit, we learned that we knew a lot of the same people and could have gone on for hours. I was hoping Mark was going to be able to join me for at least a few holes but other club events got in the way. I was left to challenge the course on my own, wife in tow with her trusty camera. Thankfully she photographs the course, not my golf game.

Before parting ways, Mark directed me to the practice area, a place I could have easily spent the day. In addition to a full length driving range where you can hit every club in your bag, there’s a short game chipping area with multiple bunkers, a fairway bunker for long range sand shot practice and a large practice putting green. The practice facility is open year round. In case your old clubs aren’t treating you the way you think they should (or vice versa) the golf shop has access to all of the top brands including Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, Miura, Mizuno, PXG and more! They also have a great selection of high quality logoed apparel and all of the golf accessories you need to have an enjoyable round.

Westhaven has one of the best golf teaching facilities in the area. Their Golf Performance Center is staffed by six dedicated PGA teaching professionals who offer valuable instruction to help golfers get more enjoyment out of their game! You’ll find both indoor and outdoor facilities including four hitting bays, the latest TrackMan technology and the area’s only PXG Fitting Studio. Whether you’re looking for a quick fix to your putting woes or a long-term development plan, the staff has the expertise to help you improve your game.

Arthur Hills is one of my favorite designers. His courses all seem to blend in with the natural surrounding no matter where they are. The golf club at Westhaven is no exception. In addition, the fairways are carefully mowed and manicured with Bermuda rough and Bent grass greens. From the back tees the course measures 6,976 yards with a course rating of 74.1 and a slope of 137. Less masochistic golfers will find that either the Blue tees (6,513/71.9/132) or Green tees (5,953/69.1/128) will give them all the golf they can handle and still allow them to depart with some dignity. Ladies I spoke with found the course to be enjoyable from the Red tees (4,776/63.9/111). In all, Westhaven has five sets of tees: if you want to get creative, the back of the scorecard gives slope/rating/yardage info for 9 sets of combo tees, just don’t stray from the colors!  Although the course is located in the Westhaven neighborhood, there are no homes lining the fairways which allows players to focus on their game. 

I learned from the Westhaven website that all of the holes of names. Number 3 Is named “Otter” and is a par 5 that plays 484 yards from the Blue tees. The landing area has a lone pot bunker that needs to be avoided at all costs. Should you hit a good drive, Otter is going to present you with choice. There’s a creek that crosses the fairway about 100 yards in front of the green. There’s a little room to the right if you want to bail out, but then you’ll have to deal with two pot bunkers between you and the green. Should you decide to go for the green, beware of the lake to the left of the elevated green. I think I know why they call this hole Otter; if you pull your 2nd shot left, you “otter” drop another!

Number 7 (Snapper) is a par 3 that plays 180 yards from the Blue tees. Most players will hit a mid to long iron or hybrid into a boomerang shaped green that is guarded on the left by a pond. Should you need to bailout of the tee, there’s some room to the right of the green that will leave several pitch options for a chance at par.

Number 11 is a risk/reward hole aptly named “Decision.” If you have the distance off the tee, you have to give it a go. This short par 4 is listed at 280 yards but because it’s downhill it’s considerably shorter. It takes about a 240 yard carry to get over the thin strip of wetlands at the bottom of the hill. The green sits a few feet above the fairway and there’s a pot bunker in front that see its share of play. A few subtle undulations in the green can make a two-putt challenging. The safe play is to layup short of the wetlands, hit your short pitch up to the green and putt for birdie.

Number 14 (Harpeth) is the most picturesque hole on the course. This dogleg left par 5 plays 533 yards from the Blue tees and borders the Harpeth River. Play your tee shot downhill towards the cluster of bunkers. More bunkers dot the landscape on your way to the green, however the landing area for your layup shot is pretty open. Play your approach shot over a couple of pot bunkers to an elevated green that is long and very narrow. Par is a good score here.

Hole Number 17 is named Eagle, however at 531 yards from the Blue tees, there can’t be many of them! It sure is a beautiful hole and plays around a lake that guards the left side of the entire hole. Bunkers form the right side, forcing a tee shot towards the water. On your layup there’s plenty of room to the right past the last bunker. Play towards the green on your second and you may find the large cross bunker. The green is small and undulated. A more appropriate name – for me at least – would be Watery Grave!

Members of Westhaven can take pride in their Food and Beverage operations, Executive Chef Bill Brown serves up a wide variety of Classic American Cuisine on his seasonally changing lunch and dinner menus. His Weekly Chef Features enhance an already lush palette of menu variety and are very popular among members. The Club’s talented culinary staff do their best to offer locally sourced products and accommodate all dietary needs. Whether you’re dining in the recently renovated bar, main dining room or one of the private dining rooms, you and your guests will have a panoramic view of the golf course. The Turn Grille is a great place to grab a beer and a burger while you watch your favorite team on one of three big-screen TVs.

Westhaven Golf Club offers an unforgettable experience for hosting wedding receptions and events. There are a variety of venues on site and the staff will work with you to plan a custom menu that is sure to delight your guests. Their event facilities can easily accommodate up to 200 guests, but is also perfect for smaller, more intimate affairs.

This same knowledge and expertise goes into planning and hosting a golf tournament at Westhaven Golf Club. I played a few holes with a couple of guys who had attended outings here. They told me the staff was very professional in everything they did, from setting up bags on carts to a delicious buffet dinner and awards. Everything ran smoothly and efficiently.

There are a number of ways to become a member at Westhaven Golf Club and they can be found on their website. As a member, you’ll enjoy full access to all Club amenities including the 18-hole Arthur Hills designed golf course and the Golf Performance Center. Even if you don’t live in the Westhaven Community, you’ll have access to many of the community’s amenities including eight tennis courts, three resort-style pools and the fitness center. Westhaven is managed by Troon Privé, a division of Troon one of the leading golf management companies in the world. As a member of Westhaven Golf Club, you’re privy to all of the benefits of the Troon Privé Privilege Program including reciprocity with The Standard at the Smith House and the Nashville City Club – both private city clubs in downtown Nashville.

For more information or to arrange a tour of Westhaven Golf Club, visit them online at www.golfwesthaven.com.

BOA Redefines Future of Fit

By
David Daubert
-
Announces the first study showing measured performance improvements in footwear with Boa-powered precision fit solutions.
Boa Technology, makers of the award-winning Boa Fit System, is pioneering new ways to advance human performance through fit. With the launch of Boa’s state-of-the-art Performance Fit Lab at their global headquarters in Denver, CO and in partnership with the University of Denver, Boa is conducting independent scientific studies that measure the biomechanical impact of its fit solutions. Through the development of new configurations made possible with the Boa Fit System, Boa is working alongside leading brand partners to revolutionize traditional shoe upper construction and improve athlete performance.
Boa’s initial study with the University of Denver focuses on the benefits of fit in the area of agility and speed and how the Boa Fit System enables faster, more powerful directional changes through a seamless connection between equipment and body. The study was conducted in DU’s Human Dynamics Laboratory with 31 Division 1 and club sport athletes completing five key movements. Each movement was performed multiple times in footwear with four different upper configurations: one with laces and three Boa performance fit configurations. 
“By tracking movement biomechanics of multiple high-level athletes, we were able to examine speed, power, explosiveness, and energy efficiencies,” says Bradley Davidson, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Denver. “Typically, changing equipment has almost no effect on athlete performance, but in this case, the evidence shows clear improvements with the Boa Fit System. For these athletes, even a 1.5-4% performance improvement following a multi-week training program is quite significant—and they gained the equivalent improvements simply by changing shoes.”
The tests show that the Boa Fit System tri-panel configuration improves strength, speed, and power transfer of the athlete by 1.5-5% across five key movements.
As a result of early positive study findings, the latest New Balance run products feature optimized Boa configurations. Both the Fresh Foam Hierro Boa (trail shoe) and the 1500T2 Boa (road shoe) are designed with the scientifically proven tri-panel Boa configuration, allowing runners to pivot faster, with more power, and increased confidence.
Boa is deeply committed to enhancing performance fit through innovation and scientific study. The company has made significant long-term investments that include the opening of the new Performance Fit Lab, the hiring of in-house biomechanics experts, and partnering with respected, credible, external partners on validation studies. “Our research group is one of the first to use biomechanical performance variables to examine shoe upper design,” says Daniel Feeney, Ph.D., Biomechanics Research Engineer at Boa. “We are leading the industry by using innovative, new methods and the latest equipment to scientifically prove the meaningful benefit of Boa’s impact on fit. 
Boa’s 2,700 square foot Performance Fit Lab is located on the ground floor of its global headquarters in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood. The lab is equipped with the latest tools for measuring biomechanical data, including a 950-square foot motion capture space, a metabolic cart, 4 floor-mounted force plates, an indoor hiking path, instrumented bike and treadmill, Trackman, and more. 
In addition to studies measuring agility & speed, Boa has named two other performance benefit categories it will explore – power & precision, and endurance & health, with validation studies due to be conducted in 2020. The first study will set out to prove how the Boa Fit System delivers unparalleled performance and power, without compromising precision as it applies to golf. The second study will center around race, road, and trail running and address how the Boa Fit System improves efficiency.
“Looking beyond 2020, we will expand our performance benefit studies to include tennis, workwear, hiking, and other sport categories,” says Shawn Neville, CEO Boa Technology. “Our organization sees the value in proving the benefits of the Boa Fit System, and so do our world-class brand partners. Providing data to support the creation of better performing product is already allowing us to collaborate on a new level with our partners and in new categories.” 
With a focus on shaping the future of fit, Boa is armed with the data, innovative design, and key partnerships to drive the industry forward. The fully published white paper will be available to the public in early 2020, along with key brand partner products that will debut the latest technical Boa configurations to maximize performance and make the world’s best gear even better.  

Cobra’s Hollow T-RAILs

By
Ed Travis
-

Cobra Golf has introduced a super game-improvement category iron called the T-RAIL that fulfills the needs of those wanting the accuracy of a typical iron along with the forgiveness of hybrids while making use of the classic Baffler Rail sole design.

T-RAIL stands for Transitional Rail and is the company’s first, all-hollow iron-hybrid set featuring a mating of a hollow, hybrid shape with an iron face and topline, for an iron-hybrid design. The hollow body with its lower and deeper center of gravity compared with traditional cavity-back irons helps to easily get the ball in the air and on the correct line. The design also features Baffler Rails on the sole, a real aid to smooth turf contact to give more distance out of every lie. A high-strength, forged steel face designed with Cobra’s E9 Technology features a thin interior pocket from heel to toe to help preserve ball speed and distance on off-center hits.

“T-RAIL irons make it easy for beginners and golfers who have lost some distance and control to gain the confidence needed to play better and have more fun,” said Tom Olsavsky, VP of R&D, COBRA Golf. “Players who need max forgiveness and are looking for more distance will be amazed at how far and straight they hit these, even being able to get them airborne from tough lies.”

T-RAILs are available in both men’s and women’s combo sets hollow, iron-hybrid 5-iron through pitching wedge plus and a 4-hybrid for a 7-piece set.

WYNTK about T-RAIL
Men’s 7-piece Combo Set $899, black with blue colors, 4-hybrid and 5-PW
Right or left handed
COBRA ULTRALITE 50g graphite shafts
COBRA Lamkin REL midsize grips
5-and 6-hybrids available on custom order
Women’s Combo Set $899, black and lilac colors, 5-hybrid and 6-PW, SW
COBRA ULTRALITE 50g graphite shafts
COBRA Lamkin REL grips in midsize
Steel shafts available by custom option
T-RAIL sets in shops November 1, 2019

The Original Penguin – Keeping It Real Since 1955

By
David Theoret
-

The Original Penguin has been making great looking golf polos since the mid-50s. Take a look at photographs of professional golfers from that era and odds are Penguin Pete is somewhere in the picture. The Original Penguin’s Clubhouse Stripe Polo is one of my favorite polos in a closet full of them. The thick horizontal stripes create a laidback look that’s perfect for an early morning tee time or drinks after work. This casual and versatile striped golf polo is made with pique fabrication with parallel cords woven into the surface to create a subtle raised texture. There’s a hint of stretch in the fabric to help you move through each swing and the moisture wicking technology helps keeps you cool when things heat up. The self-collar and 3-button placket add to the classic look of this polo that has graced the Original Penguin lineup since 1955. The iconic Penguin Pete logo is embroidered on the color. The Clubhouse Stripe Polo is available in sizes S – XXL and in either Bright White or Caviar.

When it comes to color blacking, the Original Penguin does it right. Their Color Block Golf Polo features a color blocked front panel with contrasting shoulders, color and back. The ribbed color is tipped in white as are the hems on the sleeves and the contrasting 2-button placket adds a great look when unbuttoned.  The moisture wicking fabric will keep you cool and dry throughout your round and with Penguin Pete gracing the pocket in the left chest, everyone will know the brand you’re sporting. This great looking color blocked polo is available in sizes S – XXL and in Navy/Grey.

The 3D Earl Polo was created with comfort in mind. Pima cotton provides strength, durability and softness and the interlocking fabrication provides extra stretch to move with you through your golf swing. The tri-color piping on the self-collar, cuffs and pocket gives this classic polo a modern look. The 3D Earl Polo is available in sizes S – XXL and in Sargasso Sea, Bright White, Biking Red and True Black.

Are you looking for something to spruce up your golf wardrobe? The Glen Plaid Pants may be just the thing. These originals from the Original Penguin feature a glen plaid print in a twill fabrication that is lightweight and breathable, perfect for that hot days in the fairway when the sun is beating down. The Glen Plaid Pants feature an active waistband and a good amount of stretch in the fabric so you can twist and swing freely, all in total comfort. The fabric is yarn dyed meaning these pants will keep their color after many trips through the washing machine. The Glen Plaid Pant is available in sizes 30 -38 and in Caviar only.

The Original Penguin offers a complete line of golf apparel for men as well as a wide selection of activewear. There’s also a line of women’s wear that includes polos and a golf dress. See everything Original Penguin has to offer including some amazing sale items at www.originalpenguin.com.

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