Golf News Roundup, February 2, 2021

Golf News Roundup February 2, 2021

Lots of news this week in the wake of the 2021 PGA Show:

The Golf Writers Association names 2020 Players of the Year, new releases from Callaway, Bridgestone, Mizuno, BGT, XXIO and more.

GWAA Names Johnson, Kim, Langer 2020 Players of the Year

The Golf Writers Association of American has named Dustin Johnson, Kim Sei-young and Bernhard Langer 2020 Players of the Year.

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson, whose four wins in 2020 were highlighted by an emotional five-shot triumph at the Masters, earned his second Golf Writers Association of America’s Player of the Year Award, while Bernhard Langer picked up his sixth honor as Senior Player Year and Sei Young Kim won her first Female Player of the Year Award.

Players of the Year are traditionally honored at the annual GWAA Awards Dinner in April in Augusta, but the 2021 event has been cancelled due to the pandemic. The three players will receive their awards later this year.

PARALOID™ Impact Modifiers from Dow infuse enhanced performance into new Callaway golf balls

Midland, Michigan-based Dow has combined with Callaway Golf to deliver a next generation golf ball formulated with PARALOID™ Impact Modifier from Dow.

The newly released ERC Soft and Supersoft golf balls from Callaway Gol feature a hybrid cover infused with a PARALOID Additive and a proprietary blend of SURLYN™ Ionomers from Dow. The multi-material composition of the golf ball shell and core is said to promote long distance, exceptional spin, softer feel and short game control.

Dow’s portfolio of PARALOID Additives enables the formulation of specialty high-performance compounds and composites and offers excellent compatibility with other resins when mixed by various melt processing techniques. In addition to durable goods such as sporting equipment, PARALOID Additives strengthen and toughen a broad range of thermoset and thermoplastic polymer systems for building products, automotive, and electronics applications with properties that are critical to withstand the most challenging conditions.

The Supersoft golf balls will be available at retail on February 4th. The ERC Soft golf balls will be available at retail on February 25th.

For more information about the PARALOID portfolio of impact modifiers from Dow, visit www.dow.com/en-us/brand/paraloid.html.  For more information about Callaway Golf Company, visit www.callawaygolf.com.

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Bridgestone Golf Introduces New Dimple Technology in e12 Contact

COVINGTON, Ga. – (Jan 25, 2021) – Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, announced today the release of the revolutionary new e12 CONTACT golf ball. Following the great success of the award-winning TOUR B series featuring REACTIV cover technology, the latest e12 is designed with next-generation contact science and aimed at players looking for a combination of game-changing distance and forgiveness with exceptionally soft feel and enhanced short game performance. 

The true breakthrough in the e12 CONTACT design is the innovative new CONTACT Force dimple, which features a unique structure with a raised area in the center and an outer portion that slows sidespin during flight. The raised area of the new dimple allows for 38% 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. 

The new CONTACT Force dimple design not only creates more efficient energy transfer and less in-flight drag for longer straighter shots, it also promotes longer contact time with the clubface on pitches and chips for increased spin and control on shots in the scoring zone. Many players will also see benefits on the green with more consistent putting results due to improved putter face contact. In addition, a new, softer core contributes to significantly enhanced feel on all shots.  

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Breakthrough Golf Introduces Putter Headcover Exclusive Styles – All Designed With A Little Attitude

Dallas, Tx. – Breakthrough Golf Technology has introduced a line of putter headcovers.  The new headcovers are designed with lots of personality for movie lovers and golfers everywhere.  Pick and choose from three iconic movies or two classic fan favorites. 

• Make My Day
• Show Me The Money
• Say Hello To My Little Friend
• Digital Camo
• Black Carbon

Barney Adams, CEO states “Headcovers are just a natural extension to our Stability Putter Shafts. Although we are passionate about the game, we do try not to take ourselves to seriously at BGT and these headcovers were a fun way to inject a little attitude.”

Available in both mallet and blade styles. Fits almost any putter made. Mallet accommodates RH and LH. All vegan leather.  The headcovers will retail for $49.99.

Read GolfBlogger’s Stability Putter Shaft Review at the link.

 

XXIO Unveals XXIO Prime: Luxury Is Light

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Jan. 25, 2021 — XXIO^®, a global leader in premium lightweight golf equipment, introduces the all-new XXIO Prime, the ultimate symbol of excellence and performance. The new XXIO Prime officially launches in North America on February 12, 2021.

Read GolfBlogger’s XXIO X Irons Review and XXIO Eleven Irons Review

“It’s safe to say that the new XXIO Prime Woods and Irons are the most advanced set of clubs ever developed for moderate-to-slow swing-speed players,” said Jeff Brunski, Vice President of Research and Development. “From the exotic materials and construction to the ultra-lightweight shafts featuring our Weight Plus counter-weighting technology, every detail in the new XXIO Prime has been engineered to add distance and accuracy – specifically for players who have lost some yards over the years. XXIO Prime is truly different and special.”

Experience the difference of ultra-lightweight woods and irons with the all-new XXIO Prime. Easy to swing shafts and revolutionary counterbalanced construction elevate performance for moderate swing speed players. Enjoy improved distance, increased accuracy, and less strain with our most powerful XXIO Prime yet.

Key Technologies:

• Rebound Frame: Featured on the new Prime Driver, Rebound Frame is an alternating pattern of stiff and flexible zones that focuses more of your impact energy into the golf ball. It increases ball speed and distance on every drive, especially center-face impacts.
• Weight Plus: Weight Plus is a counterbalancing technology that places weights in the end of each shaft, located behind your hands as you grip the club. That grip weight helps push the club head up through your backswing for a more consistent top of swing position. And as you begin the downswing, the weight brings your hands into position, keeping your arms closer to your body for a squarer face at impact.
• Super-TIX PLUS Titanium Face: Each XXIO Prime Driver, Fairway Wood, and Iron face is made from Super-TIX PLUS Titanium, an incredibly strong yet lightweight alloy that adds speed to all your shots.
• Lightweight Construction: The new XXIO Prime SP-1100 Shaft, with TORAYCA T1100G carbon fiber and NANOALLOY resin, is extremely lightweight to help produce more swing speed and distance with its smooth, easy-to-swing profile. The softer tip section also makes it easier to close the club face and strike the ball pure.

Retail Information and Pricing

XXIO Prime

Pricing: $899.99 for XXIO Prime Driver, $599.99 for XXIO Prime Fairway Woods, $399.99 for XXIO Prime Hybrids, $274.99 for individual XXIO Prime Irons, $1,099.99 for 4-piece set of XXIO Prime Irons

U.S. Retail Launch Date: February 12, 2021

XXIO Prime Royal Edition

Pricing: $1,199.99 for XXIO Prime Royal Driver, $799.99 for XXIO Prime Royal Fairway Woods, $449.99 for XXIO Prime Royal Hybrids, $299.99 for individual XXIO Prime Royal Irons, $1,799.99 for 6-piece set of XXIO Prime Royal Irons, $2,399.99 for 8-piece set of XXIO Prime Royal Irons

U.S. Retail Launch Date: March 12, 2021

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New Mizuno ST Series Metal Woods Deliver Sound and Speed Benefits of 2nd Generation SAT2041 Beta Ti Face

NORCROSS, GA (January 25, 2021) — Mizuno announced the next generation of ST Series metal woods will be available starting February 2021, representing the culmination of the company’s 3-year, rapid-fire driver development project.

The new ST-Z and ST-X further deploy Mizuno’s high strength, Forged Beta SAT2041 Ti face and complex carbon construction to deliver potent ball speeds and a dense, satisfying sensation at impact. The Forged Beta SAT2041 TI maintains its characteristics and resists micro fractures for longer than the commonly used 6-4, Alpha Beta Ti.

The ST Series offers a choice between two different head designs in the driver with characteristics to suit different playing requirements and deliver different ball flights.

ST-Z Driver

Designed to be ultra-stable and to offer low-spin efficiency, the ST-Z driver has a balanced toe/heel carbon composite construction with deep central back weight – for a spin efficient, straight-line ball flight. Featuring the 2nd generation of Mizuno’s Forged SAT2041 Beta Ti face for potent ball speeds and consistent performance over time, the ST-Z driver has a wide, low footprint, with a neutral visual lie angle and comes with 4 degrees of quick switch adjustability to fine-tune look and trajectory.

“The ST-Z’s predecessor – the ST200 – had a reputation for being a straight-line bomber favored by our longer hitting tour players, and the ST-Z profile is no different,” said Chris Voshall. “But with an extra year’s extra experience engineering the Forged Beta SAT2041 Ti, we were able to release a little extra ball speed and a much more satisfying experience off the clubface.”

ST-X Driver

The ST-X driver features an expanded toe-located carbon composite window and a heel-located sole weight that combine to produce a reliable draw bias. Equipped with 4 degrees of quick-switch adjustability, the ST-X driver offers a more compact profile, a slightly deeper back portion and a more upright visual lie angle.

As with the ST-Z, the ST-X builds upon the 2nd generation of Mizuno’s Forged SAT2041 Beta Ti and offers more dense feedback through impact and a more muted, powerful tone.

Those with mid-lower swing speeds will benefit from the J-Spec, Japan Specification, incorporating an incredibly lightweight 39g MFusion graphite shaft on the ST-X.

ST-Z Fairway Woods

Offering a throwback profile with curves for the purist and performance for the pragmatist, the ST-Z fairway woods provide high levels of stability and low spin efficiency and feature Mizuno’s 3rd generation MAS1C face – the most powerful to date. The ultra-lightweight carbon crown lowers the COG for better spin vs MOI performance, while re-engineered WAVE Technology, delivers a compact wave design that lowers the mass. Both the 3 and 5 woods have an adjustable, quick-switch hosel offering 4 degrees of loft and face angle adjustability.

Mizuno has strived to create the best products for consumers for 115 years, and the new ST Series adheres firmly to that spirit and desire while offering the best performance benefits that modern technology can bring.

The ST Series woods will be available at retail starting February 2021. Test the ST-Z and ST-X at a Mizuno Swing DNA Fitter. For further information or to find out more about Mizuno’s full range of golf equipment, apparel and accessories visit: Mizunogolf.com.

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Sik Golf and Cobra Golf Announce Partnership, Launching The First 3d Printed Putter and More

Pinellas Park, Florida. (January 27, 2021) – SIK Golf, creator of patented Descending Loft Technology, and Cobra Golf, a leader in golf club innovation, today announce a long-term partnership which will see the brands working together on technology that was used in the first 3D Printed commercial putter, launched by Cobra in 2020. The two companies plan to continue working together on future products currently slated for launch in Summer 2021. 

This partnership, the genesis of which was SIK Golf partner and long-time Cobra Golf ambassador Bryson DeChambeau, has the common goal of bringing superior putting performance to the masses through SIK’s patented Descending Loft Technology (DLT). COBRA utilized the same technology found in all of SIK Golf’s fully-milled putters in the 3D Printed Supersport-35 putter, reengineered into an aluminum face insert, both saving weight and providing a slightly softer feel than a traditional, all-steel SIK putter. SIK’s signature face design utilizes four descending lofts (4°, 3°, 2°, 1°) to ensure the most consistent launch angle, truer role, and improved distance control for golfers that deloft or add loft to the putter at impact.

To learn more about SIK Golf and Descending Loft Technology, visit SIkGolf.com. For more information on the Cobra Supersport-35 visit CobraGolf.com. 

Optishot Golf Signs As The Official Simulator Partner of Global Extreme Drivers Tour

BRIGHTON, MICHIGAN; JANUARY 26, 2021 – OptiShot Golf, a global golf simulator company based out of the United States, today announced a strategic partnership with New Zealand’s IGANZ, founder of the newly established Xtreme Drivers League (XDL) and the Global Xtreme Drivers Tour. 

“We are thrilled to be able to support the Global Xtreme Drivers Tour in their first season,” said Kevin Johnston, President of OptiShot Golf, “Our technology offers golfers and Long Drive competitors a way to play the game they love from the comfort and safety of their own space. What’s most exciting to me is that around the world, fans of the sport can become part of the season in a fun and affordable way by logging their shot statistics against the best Long Drivers around the globe. It’s a great way to introduce the sport, and our brand, to a new audience.” 

Due to the ongoing travel and safety issues caused by the pandemic, the first season of the Xtreme Drivers Tour will be held virtually, with over 23 countries entering competing athletes OptiShot Golf BallFlight product will be used in the 2022 Virtual Long Drive season that will culminate in the Global Tour Championship event in Dubai at the conclusion of the season. 

OptiShot’s shot tracking technology allows for amateurs to try their hand against the stats of the world’s longest hitters which creates a multitude of additional opportunities for sponsored events, fundraising efforts, and maybe even bragging rights. 

“Recently established as a stand-alone sport, we are working hard to create new and exciting ways for fans and athletes to participate in our Long Drive events” said Olna Ford, Owner of the New Zealand Long Blacks, CEO and President of New Zealand Long Drive and CEO of Xtreme Drivers League. “Partnering with OptiShot Golf gives us an innovative way to bring Long Drive home to our fans while providing our athletes with a competitive global TOUR in a safe way.” 

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