Golf News January 15, 2023
It’s the offseason for much of the northern hemisphere, and yet it is prime time for golf news, much of it driven by the upcoming PGA Show. Here’s a selection of items that crossed the GolfBlogger desk this past week or so.
SRIXON Unveils The All-New ZX MK II Irons
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Jan. 11, 2023 — SRIXON announces the launch of the new ZX Mk II Irons. Delivering best-in-class performance and incredible feel, play irons that are fast and pure with the all-new ZX Mk II Irons.
Designed for the best ball-strikers in the world, ZX7 Mk II Irons are a true players iron with incredible feel. An all-new design characteristic exclusive to ZX7 Mk II Irons, PureFrame enhances feel by reducing unwanted vibrations. PureFrame is forged into the body of the iron – just behind the sweet spot – as an 80% thicker portion of 1020 carbon steel. The result is a remarkably soft yet solid feeling at impact that the best players demand.
Meanwhile, the rest of the ZX Mk II Iron line features the second generation of Srixon’s MainFrame technology. MainFrame is a variable thickness pattern of grooves, channels, and cavities carefully milled into the backside of ZX4, ZX5, and ZX Mk II Utility Iron faces that maximize flex at impact. It not only boosts ball speed, but also repositions mass away from the face and into the toe for better forgiveness and consistency on every shot.
A mainstay of Srixon Iron design, ZX Mk II Irons are designed with our Tour V.T. Sole and popular sole notches.
Cobra Golf Introduces King Tour and King CB/MB Players Irons
Carlsbad, Calif. (January 12, 2023) – COBRA Golf, a leader in golf club innovation, unveiled today the new KING TOUR and KING CB and MB irons. Rounding out an impressive KING family that also includes the KING Forged Tec and Forged Tec-X irons, the new releases elevate the KING family of players’ irons to a new level. Aimed at advanced players, a traditional forged muscleback (KING MB), compact muscle cavity back (KING CB), and a technical cavity back model (KING TOUR) cover the full spectrum of golfers who value feel, feedback, and shotshaping ability.
All three new models are crafted from 1025 carbon steel using COBRA’s industry-leading 5-Step Forging Process. While other forged irons have traditionally used a four-step process, COBRA utilizes a fifth forging strike to deliver unmatched soft feel and precision shaping. The forging process begins by heating carbon steel billets to 1200-degree Celsius. The billets are then Rough Forged three times (steps 1-3), a process in which the metal is bent and forged to form the rough shaping of an iron head. Step Four involves applying 1200 tons of pressure at 800-degrees Celsius to each rough clubhead, refining the shapes and placing detail lines and logos. During the final fifth step, each iron head is subjected to 2000 tons of pressure at 700-degrees Celsius, forming an extremely uniform and isotropic internal grain structure. After cooling, each clubhead is polished and made ready for the faces and grooves to be precision milled using a CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) machine.
Cleveland Golf Introduces All New RTX 6 Zipcore
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Jan. 9, 2023 – CLEVELAND GOLF® is thrilled to announce the release of the RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge. The RTX 6 ZipCore is scheduled to launch in North America on Jan. 20, 2023.
The RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge is a short-game weapon uniquely designed to consistently hit high-spin shots no matter the lie. By combining the new HydraZip face, UltiZip grooves, and upgraded ZipCore technologies, players can enjoy controlled spin from any lie.
How was so much spin packed into one wedge? It all starts with HydraZip. A technology that uses dynamic face blasts and laser lines to maximize friction for improved spin consistency in dry and wet conditions. R&D testing showed 43% more spin in wet conditions with the RTX 6 ZipCore than the previous generation.
Just as crucial as spin in wet or dry conditions is consistency. ZipCore, a unique, low-density core is designed to expand the sweet spot and upgrade MOI for ultimate forgiveness, while pushing the Center of Gravity (CG) directly behind the impact zone, helping players find more consistent performance. Meanwhile, by adding High/Low and Heel/Toe MOI into every loft in the line, golfers can benefit from increased spin, distance, and control.
The RTX 6 ZipCore features UltiZip technology, assisting golfers in cutting through debris more consistently. These grooves are sharper, deeper, and tightly spaced for enhanced spin, control, and consistency.
The RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge has four different sole grinds with a variety of lofts that are developed for greenside creativity. LOW, MID, and FULL grind options are all available, but new for 2023 is the LOW+ grind featured on sand wedge lofts. This option offers two degrees more bounce in a C-Shaped sole, adding extra bounce in bunkers.
The RTX 6 ZipCore is equipped with the Dynamic Gold Spinner Tour Issue shaft and Lamkin Crossline 360 grip.
Sacks Parente Golf (SPG) Saves Grams and Saves Shots by Shifting to its Newly Patented Magnesium Face Technology
SPG’s Series 66mg putter leads the way in the move from an aluminum insert to the new magnesium face technology for better feel and accuracy
Camarillo, CA., January 10, 2023 – Sacks Parente Golf (SPG) is continuing its relentless pursuit of helping golfers make more putts by introducing a crucial gram-saving putter insert technology. Starting with the company’s Series 66mg Anser-style putter, SPG is moving from its original aluminum insert and replacing it with SPG’s new patented magnesium face technology – a patent that SPG secured earlier this year.
Why the Switch from Aluminum to Magnesium Inserts?
The inspiration behind the change originated from SPG’s obsession with saving and redistributing weight to places that benefit the golfer the most. “Everything we do is about saving weight and redistributing it to the benefit of the golfer,” said Steve Sacks, Co-founder of SPG. “Saving grams is what we do, and I believe we are better at that kind of engineering than anybody.”
SPG’s patented magnesium face technology is 35% lighter than aluminum, allowing SPG engineers to take 4-5 grams out of the middle of the club and place it in the heel and toe – all to deliver a more stable Anser-style putter.
“Aluminum weighs 2.7 grams per cubic centimeters, whereby magnesium weighs 1.74 grams per cubic centimeters,” said Sacks. “That’s five times lighter than steel. We tried all kinds of materials including metals, ceramics, different steels in different configurations, and we found that magnesium provides a better feel than aluminum. Our patented magnesium face insert will keep the ball online even with a mishit of up to ½” to the toe or the heel from center. This technology, that only SPG can deliver, provides the ultimate in lightweight and performance.”
Additional Technologies and Patents in the Series 66mg Putter
Ultra-Low Balance Point (ULBP)
The Series 66mg putter, as do all SPG putting instruments, incorporates an additional SPG patent, the Ultra-low Balance Point (ULBP) technology, which means that SPG engineers have taken weight out of the shaft and grip and centralized most of the weight in the head. With a lighter shaft and grip, golfers can feel the gravity in the head weight enabling a natural stroke, good tempo, toe release and neutral acceleration at point of impact – all resulting in a consistent putting stroke.
CNC Milled
The Series 66mg putter is CNC milled from five different metals, all formulated by SPG engineers to deliver feel, roll and distance control so lag putts become second nature and three-putts a thing of the past.
PUMA GOLF INTRODUCES DEALER, NEW PREMIUM LINE OF PANTS AND SHORTS
The new franchise aims at players looking for a crisp, premium look that can go from the office to the golf course without missing a beat
CARLSBAD, Calif. (January 10, 2023) – PUMA GOLF introduces DEALER, an all-new line of premium men’s pants and shorts ($70/shorts, $90/pants). Featuring numerous high-end details, PUMA’s latest franchise elevates the brand’s bottoms to a whole new level and offers a variety of colors and styles to match anyone’s taste.
Designed to provide top-notch performance with the addition of enhanced durability and outstanding fit, the DEALER franchise is manufactured with recycled two-way stretch woven fabric that was specifically selected for easy wash and wear. With an expanded range of styles and colors, there’s sure to be a pair of DEALER pants or shorts to fit any player.
Other features of the new DEALER franchise include a stretch waistband with branded silicone interior tape (for improved fit), lightweight woven pockets for enhanced utility, an additional valuables pocket, and even an “Enjoy Golf,” label in the fly. The DEALER pants are offered in both standard and tailored cuts and both pants and shorts are offered in expanded color options including black, white glow, slate sky, ash gray, deep navy, alabaster, coconut, strong gray, deep sage, sedate gray, and deep dive, among others.
“Our goal was to design a line of men’s bottoms that would provide premium looks, fit, and performance,” said Chris MacNeill, Team Head, Golf Apparel at PUMA GOLF. “We’ve not only done that but also created a line that can be equally perfect in both casual and formal settings. Any player can find a pair of DEALER bottoms with the style and fit to match their individual taste and needs.”
PuttView Will Unveil New Augmented Reality Product at 2023 PGA Merchandise Show
Revolutionary PuttView X will change the way players practice putting
HAMBURG, Germany – PuttView, a cutting-edge technology company, will unveil its latest innovation – PuttView X – at the 2023 PGA Merchandise Show.
PuttView X is an Augmented Reality system that can bring every green in the world to life through its pioneering glasses. PuttView X visualizes all aspects of a putt, including the ideal path of the ball and the aiming line. Voice commands and hand gestures enable the user to move around the green freely, set any hole or ball location, and adjust green speed depending on the current conditions.
PuttView X then accurately calculates the putt path by automatically scanning the surrounding area without the use of any additional tools or accessories. The glasses are meant to be used as a training aid, helping players improve their ability to read the line and speed of putts.
PuttView will be showcasing its new AR technology on Tuesday, January 24 during the PGA Show’s annual Demo Day at Orange County National. PuttView will also have 925 square foot booth at the Orange County Convention Center, allowing media and golf professionals to experience the glasses during the industry’s most popular trade show.
PuttView’s latest innovation will be perfect for competitive or recreational players, allowing them to practice at their club or on a private green at home like never before. PuttView X removes any guesswork on the green and makes things visible that could otherwise not be seen.
Based in Hamburg, Germany, PuttView is dedicated to help golfers improve their performance on the green. The company’s debut product, PuttView Indoor pioneered the use of augmented reality to assist golfers with better putting. PuttView Indoor uses a projector to illustrate every aspect of a putt directly onto an indoor green, allowing golfers to have an intuitive, fun and engaging way to practice.
GOLFFOREVER to Exhibit at PGA Merchandise Show, Booth #2681
Justin Leonard appearance, showcase of digital and physical products to highlight golf fitness attractions
Aspen, Colorado — GOLFFOREVER, the industry-leading at-home golf fitness training system that helps golfers play without limits, will kick off the year by exhibiting at the golf industry’s largest business event, the 70th Annual PGA Merchandise Show at Orlando, Florida’s Orange County Convention Center, Jan. 25 – 27.
The GOLFFOREVER team, still riding the momentum of a huge year of growth in 2022, will use their 20’ x 20’ expo space in booth #2681 to demonstrate and showcase their signature products, the GOLFFOREVER Swing Trainer and the GOLFFOREVER mobile app. Visitors to the booth will also see GOLFFOREVER’S retail and green grass point of sale displays as well as its unprecedented GOLFFOREVER Warmup Station, which will be used in retail hitting bays and a growing number of golf clubs and courses across the country.
PGA Show attendees will have the opportunity to see GOLFFOREVER Founder Dr. Jeremy James and 1997 Open Championship winner Justin Leonard share their insights at a symposium presented by golf instruction business experts, Proponent Group, called “Speed Training Starts with Your Body.” The roundtable take place at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 in Meeting Room W304. Afterward, Leonard, one of the original contributors of GOLFFOREVER, will make an appearance in GOLFFOREVER’s booth #2681.
Over the past several months, GOLFFOREVER has brought on reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and PGA Tour Player of the Year as an official brand ambassador, and made a significant impact on tour with more than 100 PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions and LPGA Tour pros using its Training System. Taco Bell CEO and longtime golf industry titan Mark King was also welcomed to the GOLFFOREVER Advisory Board while the brand established partnerships with influential golf industry organizations such as Invited (formerly ClubCorp), Folds of Honor, and the Veteran Golfers Association, and opened retail distribution in Dick’s Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, PGA Tour Superstore and green grass locations nationwide.
GOLFFOREVER also brought on Dr. Troy Van Biezen, physical trainer to Scheffler, Ryan Palmer, Zach Johnson, Jordan Spieth and a host of top professional athletes, as its new director of strategic initiatives. Van Biezen, a Golf Digest Top 50 Golf Fitness Trainer, is a performance coach with more than 20 years’ experience on the PGA Tour and the owner of ChiroSport Specialists of Dallas.
Driven by personalized exercise and warmup routines in the 4.8 App Store-rated GOLFFOREVER app, the GOLFFOREVER Swing Trainer launched at the 2022 PGA Show and quickly contributed to the brand’s meteoric rise. It is used religiously by Scheffler and was a key part of his daily training during his four-win Player of the Year Season and victory at the Masters. Highlighted by its asymmetrical resistance training bar that can be anchored easily at home, the gym or the course, the Swing Trainer’s interchangeability to additionally create premium resistance bands with handles and a D3 swing weight-optimized heavy warmup club gives it three unique uses that provide a direct benefit to strength and mobility in your golf swing.
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