Golf News 11 February 2024

Golf News 11 February 2024

In golf news this week are items from Bridgestone, ASICS, Honma and Cleveland Golf.

• Bridgestone Golf Launches Midset, a Breakthrough Visual Technology for Maximum Performance
• Enjoy a Smooth Comfortable Stride WSith ASICS GEL-KAYANO ACE 2 Golf Shoe
• Honma Golf Debuts Three New Performance-Driven Golf Balls
• Cleveland Golf Unveils New HB SOFT 2 Putters with Nine Stroke-Specific Models
• BRIDGESTONE’S GROUNDBREAKING NEW TOUR B LINEUP PUSHES THE ENVELOPE OF PERFORMANCE WITH INPUT FROM TIGER WOODS

Bridgestone Golf Launches Midset, a Breakthrough Visual Technology for Maximum Performance

Proven mental approach provides key to superior focus on every shot

Bridgestone Golf has introduced MINDSET, a proprietary visual technology available on all four of the 2024 TOUR B Series golf balls. The MINDSET process was created by BRIDGESTONE GOLF staffer Jason Day and his long-time mental coach, Jason Goldsmith, and consists of three easy steps that have been critical to Day’s success for the better part of a decade.

The process consists of three simple steps that work with the MINDSET graphic: IDENTIFY, VISUALIZE, FOCUS. The first step, in which players look at the outer, red circle of the MINDSET graphic, involves making critical decisions regarding the upcoming shot. This step requires the player to IDENTIFY the target and gather information regarding distance, wind conditions, club selection, and shot shape. Once these decisions have been made, the inner yellow circle prompts the player to move to step two, which is to VISUALIZE the shot path. This step is about connecting to the target and includes visualizing the shot to the target. In the final step, the green dot prompts full FOCUS onexecution. As everyone knows, green means “go,” and focusing on the green dot enables the golfer to clear their mind of all thoughts and swing away with confidence.

Bridgestone’s new MINDSET technology will be available at retail on all four new 2024 TOUR B golf balls (X, XS, RX, and RXS) on February 16, 2024, for the same price ($49.99) as the standard TOUR B models. For help selecting which TOUR B model is the right ball for them, consumers should visit bridgestonegolf.com to use Bridgestone’s online golf ball selection tool.

Enjoy a Smooth Comfortable Stride WSith ASICS GEL-KAYANO ACE 2 Golf Shoe

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Jan. 19, 2024 – Designed to bring lightweight comfort to the golf course, the all-new GEL-KAYANO ACE 2 builds upon the renowned excellence of ASICS® running shoes, seamlessly blending comfort and flexibility to give golfers the ultimate performance footwear needed throughout their rounds.

The GEL-KAYANO ACE 2 is a spikeless golf shoe designed to deliver unparalleled comfort on the golf course. Featuring ASICS FlyteFoam® Technology, this model offers lightweight shock absorption and support, for a smooth and comfortable stride. The incorporation of Flex Grooves enhances rotation during the swing, while also creating an effortless walking experience from the first tee to the final green.

To provide golfers with enhanced stability and support during the golf swing, the GEL-KAYANO ACE 2 features waterproof air mesh and an all-new TPU heel cradle to provide a flexible, yet supportive fit. Additional ankle padding helps ensure a comfortable fit, adapting to golfers every move. These features optimize power transfer and promote a more efficient swing motion.

GEL-KAYANO ACE 2’s FG traction sole patterns are strategically placed to increase grip and traction, so golfers can maintain their footing and walk securely. Additionally, wedge-shaped studs offer better traction at the wider edge of the shoe to increase tracking during the swing and while walking on the course.

Constructed with a refined waterproof upper section, a thin, PU lining keeps golfers’ feet dry – even in wet conditions. Meanwhile, flexible mesh provides a comfortable fit. This mesh has been improved to flex ergonomically with weight transfer during the golf swing.

Honma Golf Debuts Three New Performance-Driven Golf Balls

Honma introduces TW-X, TW-S, and D1 balls to the North American market.

Carlsbad, CA — Honma Golf proudly introduces an innovative trio of golf ball models to the North American market. Available this spring, the new TW-X and TW-S golf balls deliver top-tier ball speed, spin and overall performance while the D1 ball packs distance, forgiveness and durability at a price point and reliability that has helped make it one of the best-selling balls in the Asian market.

The TW-X and TW-S both sport a premium cast urethane cover that provides amazing spin performance on short irons, increased durability, and an extremely scratch-resistant surface. The cast urethane cover provides a soft feel with surprising durability, creating a ball that retains its resilience after rigorous use, from iron shots to bunker escapes. The TW-X and TW-S deliver exceptional feel shot after shot. The cast urethane cover bites into the grooves of the club face during shots at low clubhead speeds, increasing ground contact time and achieving high spin performance.

Honma’s 326 Dimple construction was developed over a rigorous three-year design process. The 326 dimples are intentionally aligned with a certain size to withstand strong winds with mid/high trajectory. This provides a highly stable trajectory for any shot. A simple yet sophisticated alignment design enhances player concentration. PRICING $36 dozen

Cleveland Golf Unveils New HB SOFT 2 Putters with Nine Stroke-Specific Models

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Jan. 18, 2024 – The all-new HB SOFT 2 Putter line from CLEVELAND GOLF^® integrates Speed Optimized Face Technology with nine, stroke-specific models designed to enhance players performance on the greens in a finely tuned, near-custom putter.

Designed to provide golfers with truer strikes and more consistent swing feel, HB SOFT 2 caters to different stroke types. By designating the appropriate hosel, shaft, and grip for both face-balanced and moderate toe hang models, this ensures each putter is built to match the player’s individual stroke.

A key feature of the HB SOFT 2 is Speed Optimized Face Technology (SOFT). SOFT uses individualized milling patterns in each model to normalize ball speed across the putter face, resulting in more consistent distance regardless of where the putt is struck. These unique milling patterns are carefully aligned to each head shape’s Center of Gravity, MOI, and weighting profile.

To further enhance swing feel, a 20g counterbalance weight in the butt end of the shaft is included in each HB SOFT 2 model 35 inches and over. This provides consistent feel, regardless of shaft length, giving golfers the  confidence to execute their strokes with precision.

Based on stroke type and alignment preferences, HB SOFT 2 features Cleveland Golf’s custom-made pistol grips. For a slight arc stroke type, the HB SOFT 2 Pistol grip has a classic look and allows the hands to naturally turn over through the stroke. For those with a more “straight back, straight through” motion, HB SOFT 2 Pistol Oversize grip promotes a stable stroke, while still maintaining feel and control.

HB SOFT 2 also introduces a completely new head shape to Cleveland Golf’s putting matrix; HB SOFT 2 RETREVE. RETREVE is the company’s first ever putter with the ability to pick the ball out of the hole, or from any surface without bending over to grab it.

For more information on the new HB SOFT 2 Putter line, visit us.dunlopsports.com/cleveland-golf.

BRIDGESTONE’S GROUNDBREAKING NEW TOUR B LINEUP PUSHES THE ENVELOPE OF PERFORMANCE WITH INPUT FROM TIGER WOODS

COVINGTON, Ga. – (January 22, 2024) – Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, today introduced the new 2024 TOUR B family of golf balls. Designed to deliver the ultimate combination of distance and greenside spin and control, the latest TOUR B golf balls feature the new REACTIV X System that takes Bridgestone’s Contact Science to a new level.  The 2024 TOUR B family comes in 4 distinct models, TOUR B X and TOUR B XS (for swings over 105 mph), and TOUR B RX and TOUR B RXS (for swings under 105 mph).

The newly developed REACTIV X System, which combines a REACTIV IQ cover with an EXCLRNT mid-layer, is the result of years of development and multiple iterations of REACTIV technology. In the initial version, REACTIV utilized impact modifiers in the urethane cover of each TOUR B model to create a cover that reacted to the impact velocity of every shot. On aggressive swings off the tee, the cover became firmer for faster ball speed and more distance, while on scoring shots with wedges and short irons it became softer for more spin and shot stopping control.

In the second iteration of REACTIV, called REACTIV IQ, the “smart,” cover of each ball in the TOUR B lineup was specifically tailored to optimize performance for the different players types of each of the four TOUR B models. Now, with the REACTIV X System, not only is the REACTIV IQ cover of each TOUR B model optimized and “smart,” due to the use of impact modifiers, but a denser XCLRNT mid-layer acts as a backboard at impact to create even more shot-stopping spin around the greens. The new XCLRNT layer in the REACTIV X system also contributes to a more efficient transfer of energy from the core at impact for increased ball speed and distance, as well as a slightly deeper sound at impact.

Tiger indeed played a significant role in helping develop the new TOUR B balls, paying particular attention to the TOUR B X, which he switched to from the XS model due to ongoing sessions with Bridgestone ball fitters. Though Tiger played a version of the XS model for close to 20 years, his desire for a bit more distance off the tee led him to make the permanent switch.

“I love working with Bridgestone’s engineers and fitters, and really enjoyed the R&D process of the latest TOUR B,” said Tiger. “Since I now play the TOUR B X, I’m partial to that model, but all four new balls sound, feel, and play better than ever. Once you get fit for the right model, regardless of your skill level, you’ll know you have the best Tour ball made today.”

Bridgestone’s TOUR B lineup with the REACTIV X System doesn’t just offer optimized performance for faster (over 105 mph) swingers like Tiger, Jason Day, Matt Kuchar, and Chris Gotterup, all of who will be playing the new TOUR B X in 2024, but equally helps players with swings under 105 mph. For example, Fred Couples will be gaming the new TOUR B RX in 2024, due to ongoing work with Bridgestone’s fitting team.

Bridgestone’s latest TOUR B family of balls will hit retail on February 16, 2024 and feature a street price of $49.99 per dozen. For help selecting which TOUR B model is the right ball for them, consumers should visit bridgestonegolf.com to use Bridgestone’s online golf ball selection tool.