Golf News Feb 15, 2022

Golf News Feb 15, 2022

In golf news this week are items from The Rocket Mortgage Classic, TGA Golf, LA Golf and PXG.

Rocket Giving Fund Distributes $1.35 Million to Nonprofits Thanks to 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic

Digital Inclusion Initiative Shares In Monumental Success 

The Rocket Giving Fund (the nonprofit which manages the Rocket Mortgage Classic), and title sponsor Rocket Mortgage announced that more than $1.35 million was raised in 2021 through The Rocket Mortgage Classic to support local nonprofits. A total of $805,000 were directed at community partners supporting the event’s “Changing the Course” initiative, which is working to end Detroit’s digital divide. 

Just a couple of years ago, Detroit was rated the least connected large city in America. Rocket Mortgage, Microsoft, the United Way for Southeastern Michigan and others have worked to help Detroiters gain access to the internet. In 2020, roughly 40 percent of Detroit households were digitally included.  Today that number has grown to 67.5 percent. 

A digitally included household means at least one member in the household has a reliable broadband connection, a working non-smartphone computer/tablet and the knowledge to use it. 

2021 Disbursements: 

The following donations were made by the Rocket Giving Fund

• $700,000 to the Connect 313 Fund
• $100,00 to the Children’s Foundation
• $5,000 to Human-I-T
• $109,828 to the Greater Palmer Park Community
• $439,169 to Birdies For Charity

Youth Participation On Rise At TGA Premier Golf

TGA PREMIER GOLF FACTS:

• TGA focuses on juniors ages 6-14, providing introductory golf enrichment programs on school campuses, park and recreation centers, and local golf courses. 
• TGA is the only junior golf program utilizing the Youth Sports Franchise business model.
• TGA has impacted over 825,000 kids (50,000 annually) through its 77 markets across 23 states. Over 40 percent of TGA registrations are girls. 
• TGA has developed the industry’s first true “Player Pathway”in which a kid’s first time experiencing golf is in the TGA school programs, then transitioning to the local golf courses, then playing high school and, perhaps even college golf. TGA franchises have incredible success stories like this to tell. 
• TGA introductory programs transition students to national programs like Drive Chip & Putt, PGA Junior League, USGA Girls Golf, and Youth on Course, who partners with TGA in several markets.
• TGA’s franchise in Detroit had 49 students who started golf in TGA’s programs qualify for the girls’ state golf championships the past two seasons. This also includes students receiving college golf scholarships. 
• Recently, TGA was acquired by Youth Athletes United, one of the largest youth sports franchise companies, which will expand TGA’s programs to even more markets nationwide through its more than 250 franchise outlets.
• Professional golfer, Danny Guise (Korn Ferry and Mackenzie Tours), has become TGA’s Ambassador committed to working with TGA franchise after-school and camp programs impacting kids and teaching them the fundamentals of the game.
• TGA programs can be found in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, and Canada.
• Visit www.franchisetga.com and www.playtga.com for more information.

LA Golf Launches Innovative Putter With Larger Sweet Spot

THE LA GOLF PUTTER FEATURES DESCENDING LOFT FACE TECHNOLOGY IN AN ALL-CARBON HEAD

Beverly Hills, Calif. (February 14, 2022) LA Golf has launched its first putter, showcasing an all-carbon head, large diameter anti-vibration shaft, stainless steel hosel, and Descending Loft Face Technology.

The combination of these components — and especially the carbon composite head — allows for an over 50% larger sweet spot, when measured against a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 blade putter of the same head weight. “I would challenge any golfer to try this putter and feel the difference for themselves,” said Reed Dickens, founder and CEO of LA Golf. 

To solve for consistency of launch angles, LA Golf acquired SIK Golf – the creator of the Descending Loft Face Technology. This technology features four descending degrees of loft, so regardless of shaft lean at impact, it yields more consistent and predictable rolls. This revolutionary technology is what DeChambeau has used for years and credits – along with LA Golf’s proprietary anti-vibration shaft – for improving his game and bringing him his first major win at the 2020 U.S. Open. 

LA Golf’s ultra-stiff, large diameter putter shaft prevents wiggle in the head at impact, ensuring the ball rolls straight on the intended line. “My mind was blown when I first tried the LA Golf putter. It just rolls so pure off the face.” said Michelle Wie West, golf icon and newest LA Golf partner.

The LA Golf Putter, priced at $1,500, will be offered in several lengths with a Jumbo Lite grip. The LA Golf putter is available for pre-sale at LAGOLF.co now

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PXG Releases Stunning All-New, 100% Milled Sugar Daddy II Wedges

Calculated Engineering Delivers Tour Winning Performance

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (February 1, 2022) – PXG has introduced its 0311 Sugar Daddy II Wedges. The 100% milled wedges are designed to deliver outstanding workability and control from any lie.

PXG Sugar Daddy II Wedges offer two sole designs, the BP-Grind (13) and C-Grind (10). Optimal for lush turf conditions and sand, the BP-Grind features a wide sole and slight taper from heel to toe, offering more bounce. Designed to perform in firm turf conditions, the C-Grind presents a narrow sole and aggressive taper from heel to toe, offering a moderate bounce. Both sole designs are available in every loft across the PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II Wedge lineup – 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62-degrees.

Precision Milled Grooves are designed at the USGA limit to support extreme shot-making, while new Full Face Groove technology expands the hitting area for shots played toward the toe side of the face. The expanded groove length helps golfers land it soft and ensures more consistent results on impacts all across the face. 

High Toe Weighting creates a high moment-of-inertia (MOI) and helps position the center-of-gravity (CG) more in-line with open face shots for enhanced consistency, while new Precision Weighting Technology introduces swing weight adjustability to the PXG Wedge fitting experience. A large weight located near the CG enables golfers to achieve fine-tuned performance through various head weight configurations.

PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II Wedges are triple forged from 8620 soft carbon steel and then CNC Milled to their final form. The innovative process ensures every geometry is produced to exacting specifications for consistent performance today – and when golfers are ready to refresh their set. 

PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II Wedges are available for purchase on February 1, 2022 and are offered in both Chrome and PXG’s stunning Xtreme Dark finish. For more information and to schedule a golf club fitting, visit www.PXG.com or call 844.PLAY.PXG.