Golf News 28 January 2023

Golf News 28 January 2023

Here is some recent golf news from Bridgestone, Cleveland, Rapsodo, Srixon and Ahead.

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THE NEW e6 GOLF BALL FROM BRIDGESTONE PROVIDES ENHANCED FEEL AND LONGER DISTANCE

COVINGTON, Ga. – (Jan 25^th, 2023) – Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, announced today that the new e6, the longest running and historically biggest selling model in the company’s lineup, is now redesigned to provide a softer, more pleasing feel at impact with maximum distance for value-minded players.

After 15 years of success, the e6 is still going strong, with a new design aimed at players that want an exceptionally soft feel and pleasing sound at impact without giving up any distance off the tee. In the case of the new e6, those that don’t have Tour-level swing speed will greatly benefit from the soft, extremely large gradient core and Bridgestone’s advanced dimple technology and aerodynamics. As always, a seamless Surlyn cover helps provide a combination of speed, distance, and exceptional durability.

The two-piece Bridgestone e6 will be at retail in late January 2023and feature a street price of $24.99 per dozen.  It will be available in white and optic yellow. For help selecting which premium Bridgestone model is the right ball for them, consumers should try Bridgestone’s Golf Ball Selection Guide.

Rapsodo Announces Mobile Launch Monitor 2 Pro with Golf Simulation for More Options, Measurements and Fun on the Range or at Home

ST. LOUIS, MO, January 25, 2023 – Rapsodo announces the release of its new golf product, the Mobile Launch Monitor 2 Pro (MLM2PRO™). Today, the device has made its official debut at the 2023 PGA show in Orlando, with pre-orders starting February 1.

The MLM2PRO™ is the successor to Rapsodo’s original Mobile Launch Monitor, which was designed using radar technology and machine learning to bring pro-level data to golfers so they can analyze their swing by monitoring metrics like distance, ball speed, smash factor with data visualization, club gapping, shot dispersion, and more.

With the MLM2PRO™, Rapsodo will introduce golf simulation including Rapsodo Range, a virtual driving range, and Rapsodo Courses, which will consist of over 30k courses globally. Rapsodo Range will provide trajectory and shot trace indoors. While Rapsodo Courses gives players the ability to practice on their local course ahead of a big event or play a nationally recognized course on their bucket list. Rapsodo has provided users thousands of course options through their MLM2PRO™ Premium Membership, so users will have an extensive list to select from and play virtually anywhere in the world. Additionally, the MLM2PRO™ is compatible with multiple simulation software providers including E6 Connect and Awesome Golf to give players a variety of options to suit their game. Even more integrations are scheduled to continue to add to MLM2PRO™ users’ subscription options.

Callaway Golf Partnership

The new portable launch monitor provides even more advanced data for golfers to analyze. In total, the MLM2PRO™ will report six measured metrics within 13 core metrics including new data points like descent angle, spin rate and spin axis. The ability to measure both spin metrics is an invaluable addition to the latest golf monitor, and was possible through a partnership with Callaway Golf. The Impact Vision camera in the MLM2PRO™ records and processes images of the ball’s rotation to measure the ball’s spin rate and spin axis. Adding these key metrics improves the ability to determine overall carry distance and path.

Multiple High Speed Cameras

The MLM2PRO™ has two built-in cameras, offering a major upgrade from the original MLM which required the iOS device camera to track ball flight. The inclusion of the cameras opens up the MLM2PRO™ to both Android and iOS platforms. The two cameras serve different purposes. The wide-angle “Shot Vision” camera is used to record a swing video with shot trace on every shot. The 240-fps high speed shutter “Impact Vision” camera captures a series of photographs that are visualized in the MLM2PRO Mobile App as a short video – allowing players to view their impact on every swing. The Rapsodo Swing Vision feature pairs the MLM2PRO™ with a phone or tablet to have multiple angles of each golf swing, allowing golfers to capture down-the-line and face-on swing replay videos so they can get more out of their practice time.

Pricing and Availability

The MLM2PRO™ is built for both iOS and Android users, and will come with a sleeve of three Callaway® RPT™ Chrome Soft X® Golf Balls with Rapsodo precision technology. It is available for $699.99, and every purchase includes a one-year premium subscription to access additional benefits. It will be available for pre-orders starting February 1, with widespread availability by March 31. Please visit www.rapsodo.com/pages/ownthecourse for more information.

BRIDGESTONE GOLF INTRODUCES NEW e9 LONG DRIVE GOLF BALL

Leaders in Innovation push the limits of ball speed

COVINGTON, Ga. – (January 24, 2023) – Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, announced today the new e9 Long Drive, a new golf ball designed in conjunction with World Long Drive professionals.  The new e9, the Official Ball of World Long Drive, will be used in all WLD competitions and is the longest ball in the Bridgestone Golf portfolio.

The new ball, which is aimed at players looking for maximum carry and the ultimate in overall distance, features a two-piece construction with injection molded seamless Surlyn cover and Bridgestone’s Tour-proven 330 dimple pattern. An extreme gradational core (softer in the center, firmer toward the exterior) promotes extreme ball speed and lower long game spin. The uniquely-designed e9 Long Drive also offers higher launch, more carry, and more overall efficiency.

Though the e9 Long Drive was designed with input from professional long drivers and will be used in all official WLD events in 2023, it is also ideal for players who don’t possess long drive swing speeds. Unlike many distance-oriented models aimed at faster swingers, the e9 Long Drive was designed with a slightly lower compression core, making it a great choice for anyone, including average swingers, who desire higher launch, more speed, and longer carry distance.

The two-piece Bridgestone e9 Long Drive will be available (classic white only) at retail in March 2023with a street price of $29.99 per dozen.  For help selecting which premium Bridgestone model is the right ball for them, consumers should try Bridgestone’s Golf Ball Selection Guide.

 

CLEVELAND GOLF ANNOUNCES NEW FRONTLINE ELITE PUTTERS WITH ONE-OF-A-KIND TUNGSTEN FACE

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 – The all-new Frontline Elite Putter line from CLEVELAND GOLF^® features eight carefully crafted models with improved forward weighting and face technology, all designed to help golfers hit straighter putts with consistent speed and distance. The Frontline Elite Putters are slated to launch Feb. 22.

Frontline Elite Putters were carefully designed to reduce adverse effects of off-center strikes and help players sink more putts, regardless of stroke type.

“For the Frontline Elite Putter, we used more than 30g of metal injection molded tungsten across the striking area to move weight as far forward as possible,” said Casey Shultz, Product Manager at Cleveland Golf. “In a forward-weighted putter design, face rotation is significantly reduced on off center strikes. So, even if you miss-hit your putt, your ball will stay more on-line, and at the desired speed for more scoring chances.”

After computer simulation/calculations comparing forward-weighted Frontline Elite against rear-weighted competitors, the results revealed 38% improved accuracy when struck off-center.

Each putter in the Frontline Elite lineup includes Speed Optimized Face Technology (SOFT). Its individualized groove patterns, specific to each putter shape, balance energy transfer across an enlarged striking area, normalizing ball speeds and helping miss-hits travel a similar distance to perfectly struck putts.

Frontline Elite also features counterbalance weights beneath each putter grip and sole weights in each head. This weighting approach is intended to help maintain a consistent swing feel. To help with alignment consistency, Cleveland Golf’s patented 2135 Technology is featured on all mallet models. Every model uses either a simple, or high-contrast alignment line designed to best accommodate a slight arc or straight stroke type.

BRIDGESTONE GOLF CONTINUES TO INNOVATE WITH NEW e12 CONTACT

Leader in Golf Ball Technology Expands Contact Science with New Cover Formulation

COVINGTON, Ga. – (Jan 23, 2023) – Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, announced today the all new e12 CONTACT golf ball, featuring a FLEXATIV cover, the fourth generation of Contact Science that helps create 46% more surface contact at impact. Borrowed from Bridgestone Tire, Contact Science optimizes the moment of impact, yielding faster speeds on more powerful contact and higher spin rates on less powerful contact. Designed for players looking for a combination of maximum distance, straighter overall shots, exceptionally soft feel, and enhanced short game performance, the new e12 CONTACT golf balls are loaded with technology, highlighted by the brand new FLEXATIV Surlyn cover.

The new FLEXATIV cover is designed using impact modifiers that allow it to react to the amount of force applied at impact. When struck with a driver the cover behaves like a firmer material for faster ball speed and more distance, and also less sidespin for straighter shots and enhanced forgiveness on off-center hits. When struck with a wedge or short iron however, it behaves like a softer, slower material. The result on shorter shots, when combined with CONTACT Force dimples, is 46% more surface contact, creating significantly more spin and control around the greens.

The CONTACT Force dimple design on the new e12 CONTACT, which carries over from the previous model, features a structure with a raised area in the center and an outer portion that slows sidespin during flight. The raised area of the dimple allows for more contact with the clubface at impact than traditional dimples, yielding a much more efficient transfer of energy and improved core activation. The result is faster ball speed and more distance with every club in the bag. Short game spin and control is also improved due to increased contact with the clubface.

The three-piece Bridgestone e12 CONTACT will be at retail in March 2023and feature a street price of $34.99 per dozen.  In addition to the classic white version, the e12 CONTACT will be available in Matte Green, Matte Red and Matte Yellow color options. For help selecting which premium

Bridgestone model is the right ball for them, consumers should try Bridgestone’s Golf Ball Selection Guide.

SRIXON RELEASES REFRESHED Z-STAR SERIES FOR 2023

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023 – SRIXON^®, a global leader in golf ball technology and innovation, announces the eighth generation Z-STAR Series golf ball. The Z-STAR Series is scheduled to launch Feb. 15, while the Z-STAR Series DIVIDE is scheduled for Spring 2023.

Made with an extra thin, urethane cover that provides tour level stopping power around the greens, the Z-STAR Series gives players more bite for more spin. Paired with the new Spin Skin+ to increase the cover’s degree of friction to enhance approach shots and greenside spin on every shot, Srixon claims this new generation will offer unmatched performance and feel.

Inside the Z-STAR Series is the new FastLayer DG Core, which is soft at the center and gets firmer from the inside out. The design of this core is intended to maintain a satisfying feel, while also providing ball speed.

The Z-STAR is engineered with a thin mid-layer and softer compression to prioritize softer feel and approach shot spin, while the Z-STAR DIAMOND also has a thin mid-layer but has a firmer compression to optimize Iron spin and distance. The Z-STAR XV’s unique core achieves a soft center that increases dramatically in hardness with an evenly distributed hard outer edge, which boosts ball speed for increased distance and enhances Iron spin.

Each Z-STAR Series ball features Speed Dimple Pattern, the 338 aerodynamic dimples improving overall launch even when wind conditions aren’t ideal. Its deep dimensions create a low drag coefficient that helps the ball stay on target and maintain distance, while keeping a penetrating ball flight in headwinds.

Included in the Z-STAR Series is the Srixon Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV DIVIDE golf ball. With its unique 50/50 Visual Performance in Yellow/White, this ball is a high-performance, tour-quality option made to see the game in a whole new way.

Both the Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV DIVIDE feature Srixon’s new FastLayer DG Core, new Spin Skin+, and Speed Dimple Pattern.

Ahead Introduces ’23 Summer/Fall Apparel Lines

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (Jan. 23, 2023) – As ahead rolls out its 2023 Summer/Fall 2023 lineup, prints remain popular for men while a perfect mix of performance with wearable trends defines women’s apparel.

For men, prints continue to be a strong seller. The ’23 Summer/Fall collections are slightly less whimsical with a more understated approach. The new line includes a pair of new polo options — the Tailgater and Timepiece. The Equinox and Monaco polos incorporate sophisticated yet trend-right plaid patterns, while the Pinnacle features a fashion-forward full button front.

The new polo options for Summer/Fall 2023 are part of two new men’s collections for ahead:

• Carbon, Coastal Blue & Flint. Grounded in ahead’s new Coastal Blue, this line features a mid-range blue complemented by shades of grey in a color group that works as well in the summer months as it does in fall. There are seven polo options, including the Tailgater and Equinox.

• Fog, Ember & Vineyard – Vineyard red made its debut as a top color in the Spring 2023 men’s collection and continues into summer/fall, this time accented with a deep shade of ember for a sophisticated and seasonally appropriate palette. There will be five new polo options in this collection, including the Timepiece and Monaco.

Customers also will find attractive new mid-layer and outerwear pieces that coordinate with these new collections. New to outerwear is the Countryside quarter-zip and Outback vest, each featuring a comfortable Sherpa fleece.

Hoodies have made their way off the street and onto the course, and ahead is answering the call with the Zeneth quarter-zip in Coastal Blue, ember, and white.

For a more casual look, the new Preserve is a soft tri-blend perfect over a polo on the course or out and about on the weekend.

Women have come to anticipate from ahead a perfect mix of great performance apparel and the summer/fall 2023 line will not disappoint. Here’s a closer look:

Cascade, Denim, Blossom – This group is grounded in tones of blue – both cascade and denim. The two prints in this group are distinctive, with the Boca sleeveless featuring a soft paisley-inspired print and the Royal Palm overknit showcasing a sporty plaid.

Rouge, Graphite, Blossom – Led by Rouge, a mid-tone jeweled red supplemented by graphite, this color story provides the perfect transition into fall. The unique palette is sporty and carries two prints that are certain to be popular. The Retro puffer vest takes a ski-inspired look to the course to coordinate with the offering.

Ahead’s sun shirts for women are a perennial favorite and offer fashionable sun protection with three new prints offered in the Idalia collection.

For warmth, the Seascape, a full-zip Sherpa jacket, and the Sanibel jacket and Laguna vest, both combining a quilted front with stretch side panels, come in four colors including Cascade and Denim.

Women get their own hoodie with the new tri-blend Fireside pullover, which will be a perfect logo piece and available in four colors.

Finally, women’s bottoms get a boost with the new Supreme skort. Featuring a power shape waistband, slightly flared hem, and stretch tech fabrication, this skort is both flattering and functional.

For further information visit aheadweb.com. To access the company’s online shop page, visit aheadusashop.com.