What's New: From the Lab

We know that with hybrid clubs you can have a love/hate relationship.  In our opinion, the reason is that most off-the-rack hybrid shafts are too long, too light and too soft of flex for the average golfer.  See our related blog on Finding the Right Hybrid Shaft here…  And, remember, we can re-shaft your current hybrid(s) to make them perform soo…. much better!  So, let’s find the best shaft for you based upon your strength (distance), desired trajectory and fit to your current irons: Strongest Players – 3 Hybrid – 240+ Yards The strongest players typically play a driver, 3 or 4 wood and a 17 to 19 degree hybrid.  We have had great experience fitting these low lofted hybrids in a mid trajectory steel shaft that is slightly lighter than their iron shafts.  If that still feels too heavy, we recommend going to a 100 to 110 gram graphite shaft based upon the golfers desired trajectory.  Brand Shaft Weight Trajectory Project X Rifle Steel 115 gr Mid OBAN CT 115 Steel 115 gr Mid OBAN Kiyoshi Purple 105 105 gr Low KBS Tour Prototype 105 105 gr Mid OBAN Kiyoshi White 95 95 gr Mid Mitsubishi OT Hybrid 100... Read More

Ping recently introduced their latest game improvement iron, the G710.  Available at this time in only the black PVD finish, the G710 offers the same type of hollow body technology of the i500 and other heads in the golf marketplace. Sign up for your iron fitting here! Performance The G710 is very forgiving, as it should be.  Spin and distance are similar to the G410 but shot dispersion was tighter in our testing.  We also tested it against the i500 and the i500 was longer due to lower spin but not as tight in dispersion. Sound and Feel Feel was excellent off the face on both center hits and miss-hits.  Sound was not as good as the G410.  A little “clicky” which is amplified as we do all of our fittings and testing indoors. Bottom Line Very good performance.  Pricing is up there with all of the other hollow-cavity irons so that is one drawback.  I personally like the black PVD finish but it may not be for everyone.  Look, sound and feel are pretty critical when evaluating which club will give you more confidence into the green! Sign up for your iron fitting here! Dan Sueltz

If you have not heard of AI (Artificial Intelligence) you will hear a lot more about it in the coming years.  Over 60% of companies in the golf industry are using some form of AI to drive the designs of their equipment.  Why?  Because they can make changes faster and tailor their designs to specific user characteristics. Three Distinct MAVRIK Models The Callaway MAVRIK heads (not just the drivers) are a great example.  The MAVRIK driver heads have 3 different models, MAVRIK (standard), MAVRIK SZ (Sub Zero) and MAVRIK MAX.  Each loft has its own face that is uniquely designed to match the characteristics of the target golfer in terms of face contact and launch.  Because of these 8 different head and face combinations, Callaway had to get USGA approval on the Conforming list for each head and loft! Advanced Technology and Design All the MAVRIK drivers have new face material, a thinner, faster material that yields more consistent ball speeds across the face.  Callaway calls this Ball Speed Robustness.  We definitely see that in the testing we have done.  The other key factor in their design is the spin consistency.  It is not uncommon on most modern drivers to see... Read More

The new Miura TC-201 offers the performance of a muscle back with the increased forgiveness of a cavity back. The progressive weighting in the sole provides a lower center of gravity in the long irons for added height and higher trajectory on longer shots. Slightly changing to a higher center of gravity in the short irons creates a lower trajectory and more control on shorter shots. Constant weight towards the heel and toe helps with off center shots. The sole design contributes significantly to the playability and forgiveness of this club and the minimal offset paired with the top line at address inspires confidence. The TC-201 is a player’s iron that acts as a replacement for the CB-1008 and perfectly complements the MB-101. Build yourself the perfect mixed set of TC-201 3 or 4 thru 6 iron and then MB-101 7-PW.  Throw in some Miura Wedges and you are all set! Dan Sueltz

Cobra recently announced their Forged TEC and Forged TEC One irons in what Golf Digest calls the Player’s Distance iron category.  We have tested these irons and we feel these are a strong competitor to the PXG Gen 3 0311T, New  2019 TaylorMade p790, Callaway EPIC Forged and Ping i500. Book Your Iron/Wedge Fitting Here! Design The hollow design has allowed Cobra to put the center of gravity lower in the clubhead which creates a higher launching shot.  Coupled with a thin, hot face material , the head creates maximum distance with lower spin.  The hollow body is also infused with foam microshperes that give the club a solid sound and softer feel. Set Makeup The Forged TEC and Forged TEC ONE is available in both Right and Left Handed models from 3 iron through Gap Wedge.  The lofts are consistent with most modern clubs with 6 iron at 26 degree loft and PW at 44 degrees.  We offer a variety of set options with customized shafts and grips. Book Your Iron/Wedge Fitting Here! Dan Sueltz  

The long-awaited Project X Even Flow Riptide shafts are hitting the market the first week in January, 2020.  These shafts are the next evolution of the popular Even Flow shafts that came in Red, Blue, Black, White, and an OEM-only Green. Book Your Driver, Wood or Complete Fitting Here!   Models The current release models are the Riptide (Black with Orange/White lettering) and the Riptide CB (Blue with White lettering).  The CB model is counter balanced for use in heavier, longer clubs to reduce swing weight. Weights and Flexes  The Even Flow Riptide Black will be available in 50, 60, 70 and 80 gram weights.  This shaft is designed for stronger players but with a better feel, i.e. slightly higher torque than HZRDUS and the Even Flow White. The Even Flow Riptide CB will be available in 40, 50, 60 and 70 gram weights and softer flexes in the lower weights.  This shaft is designed for smoother swings.  Even though these shafts are counter balanced, do not expect more than 1 to 2 swing weights lighter, especially in the heavier shaft weights. Shaft Profiles The Even Flow Riptide (Black) has a profile somewhere between the Even Flow Black (better feel... Read More

The new KBS TD wood shafts now round out the initial graphite shaft offerings from KBS.  These shafts are designed to be mid launch/low spin but that, in our testing, is related the weight and flex of the shafts. Book Your Wood or Complete Fitting Here! Models The KBS TD Shafts are available in 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 gram weights. The raw weights of the 40 (48gr) and 50 (52 gr) are similar but the raw length of the 40 is 45 inches, one inch shorter than the 50, 60, 70 and 80 shafts. KBS is using it’s own set of flex ratings identified as Category 1 through 5.  Category 1 is traditionally a Senior flex and Category 5 is Tour Xtra Stiff. Shaft Test Data: Weight, launch and spin Model                   Weight            Trajectory         Spin                   Torque TD 40                     48.9                    Mid-High        Mid-High           7.9 TD 50             ... Read More

The new Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo irons leverage some of the great designs of the original Cleveland Launcher hybrids and irons with some great new technology.  And, you cannot dismiss the fact that these irons are designed for higher ball flight and better performance in a modern new look. Book your fitting here to see if these irons are for you! Sets These irons are available in 4 iron through PW, DW (gap) and SW (sand wedge).  Available also in Left Handed, which is a real plus! Design Probably the best design I have seen in years with the longer irons looking more like hybrids and the shorter irons having thinner top lines and smaller footprint.  This makes this matched set look very seamless, not like a set where you buy hybrids and then a set of irons.  Very cool idea! Technology The hollow body design allows Cleveland to place the center of gravity low which creates the higher launch and peak height.  The very thin hardened steel face insert is what creates the higher ball speed and, in turn, more distance.   Who is this Club For? I see the Launcher HB Turbo as a great combo iron set for... Read More

The Graphite Design Tour AD XC wood shaft is the latest in the great lineup of Tour AD (Accuracy and Distance) shafts from Graphite Design. Book your Driver or Wood Fitting to see which of these shafts may fit YOUR swing! Design Designed as Xtra Carry, the XC wood shafts have a softer butt section, but firmer mid and tip section for added stability and reduced spin.  This shaft actually improves on the design of the Tour AD IZ.  The Tour AD XC utilizes new MX 40 pre-preg materials from TORACAY for added stability and feel. Well known for their relatively soft mid section, the Tour AD XC is a slight departure for Graphite Design offering golfers a firmer feel at impact. Available Models The Tour AD XC is available in five different weights from 47 to 84 grams at raw length.  The Tour AD XC 4 is available in Senior, Regular and Stiff flex.  The XC 5 is available in Senior, Regular, Stiff and XStiff.  The fact that the lighter weight shafts are available in X flex is a tribute to the fact that certain stronger players can do well with stiffer shafts.  The most popular weight XC 6... Read More

The major manufacturers are introducing new wedges this fall in anticipation of winter in the southern United States and spring in the Southern Hemisphere!  Lot of great new looking wedges to think about.  Here is a rundown of the latest: Book Your Iron/Wedge Fitting Here Make Sure You Have The Right Wedge Shaft “Your advice on the proper shaft for wedges is spot-on!  Keep up the great work.”  Ken Everrett, PGA Professional and Instructor, Snowmass Club, Colorado. Callaway Jaws MD5   As usual, Roger Cleveland has improved the look, feel and performance of the Mack Daddy with the new JAWS MD5.  Improved spin with Groove-In-Groove technology in a soft 8620 forged carbon steel body.  Over fifty loft/bounce options in 5 different grinds including a low (8*) bounce W grind.  In Platinum Chrome or Tour Grey.  We expect the JAWS MD5 to continue to be one of our best sellers.   Cleveland CBX2 Following on the heels of the very successful CBX cavity back wedge, the CBX2 is designed for players that need extreme forgiveness and improved distance.  Available in 3 grinds in lofts from 46 – 60 degrees.  A great wedge for mid to high handicap players, but can be... Read More