Golf News Roundup Jan 29 2022

Golf News Roundup Jan 29 2022

Big news this past week came in from the LPGA, which has a new sponsor for its developmental circuit. Also, new product news from Srixon, Garmin Bridgestone and Cleveland golf.

Epson Signs Five Year Deal With LPGA Developmental Tour

Epson has signed a five year deal as title sponsor of the LPGA’s Developmental Tour, formerly known as the Symetra Tour.

The LPGA’s minor league circuit is in its 42nd year and is billed as “The Road To The LPGA.”

As part of its partnership, Epson will support minimum purse levels of $200,000. A “Epson Tour Ambassador Program” will extend $10,000 to Epson Tour graduates, providing financial assistance as they begin their LPGA careers.

Epson also will contribute funds to initially lower entry fees by 10% per tournament for each player throughout the season, amounting to as much as $1,000 per individual over the course of the year. Part of this initiative is the creation of the Epson Tour DEI Partnership, as Epson and the LPGA are challenging at least four other companies to join them in elevating the Epson Tour members by working together to cut player-entry fees in half, from $500 to $250. Participating organizations will receive Pro-Am teams and signage at every Epson Tour tournament.

The 2022 Epson Tour schedule will be announced during the week February 7, but the season is set to open in Winter Haven, Fla., with the return of the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic at the Country Club of Winter Haven from March 4-6. Epson will also assume sponsorship of the Epson Tour Championship, which concludes the season in Daytona Beach, Fla., from Oct. 6-9 at LPGA International.

Srixon Announces the New Q-STAR TOUR

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. SRIXON® has introduced the new Q-STAR TOUR golf ball, now in its fourth generation.

The new Q-STAR TOUR delivers the softest golf ball with tour-level performance from Srixon. The Q-STAR TOUR is calibrated to fit moderate swing speed players that seek the distance and spin of a tour-caliber ball.

Key Technologies:

• FastLayer Core: The FastLayer Core offers distance and soft feel without compromise due to a gradual transition from soft inner core to firm outer edge.
• SpinSkin with SeRM: A urethane coating with flexible molecular bonds digs deep into wedge and iron grooves for increased friction on every strike and maximum spin.
• New Alignment Aid: A new, longer side stamp helps align those crucial putts.
• 338 Speed Dimple Pattern: Providing a penetrating ball flight in all conditions, the optimal dimple design increases lift and deduces drag to maximize distance.

Garmin^® has introduced Green Contour data to golfers. With this new intuitive feature, golfers will have the opportunity to go out on a course – with a compatible Garmin device or by using the Garmin Golf^™app on their smartphones – and see the actual slope direction of the green to setup the ultimate approach shot to sink their putt.

The data presented on-screen can be configured to show the high and low sections of the green or slope percentages and directional arrows. Green Contour data is available through the Garmin Golf app upon purchase of the Garmin Golf membership for $9.99 a month, or $99.99 a year.

Compatible devices include

• Approach G80 golf handheld
• Approach S60 golf watch
• Approach S62 golf watch
• Approach Z82 laser range finder
• Approach R10 launch monitor (Includes the Home Tee Hero golf simulator with Garmin Golf membership)

BRIDGESTONE, Leaders in ‘Contact Science’ unveil REACTIV IQ® Cover Technology

 Bridgestone Golf has introduced today its next-level 2022 TOUR B golf ball series, featuring the most advanced iteration of Contact Science to date. Designed to deliver distance and greenside control, the new TOUR B golf balls feature the new REACTIV iQ® cover.  The 2022 TOUR B family comes in 4 distinct models, TOUR B RX and TOUR B RXS (for swings under 105 mph), and TOUR B X and TOUR B XS (for swings over 105 mph).  

The new REACTIV iQ cover reacts to the force of impact for the needs of each club and shot, solving the trade-off of spin vs. distance. Off the tee it rebounds quickly, delivering explosive velocity and increased distance. Around the green the ball stays on the face longer providing more spin and soft feel. Optimizing the formula of REACTIV iQ, the impact modifier recipe has been maximized for each ball, to deliver customized performance for all four TOUR B’s. 

The Bridgestone TOUR B family of balls will hit retail in February, 2022, 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 try Bridgestone’s V-FIT for a free video ball-fitting consultation. 

CLEVELAND GOLF UNVEILS BLACK SATIN FINISH FOR RTX FULL-FACE

Cleveland Golf has released Black Satin finish for the RTX Full-Face.

The foundation of RTX Full-Face is a unique, low-density core that sits at the heart of the wedge. ZipCore makes you better by shifting the center of gravity, while also boosting High-Low MOI for more stability high and low on the wedge face. The result: more impacts on the sweet spot for more consistent spin, distance and feel on every shot.

Furthermore, RTX Full-Face features UltiZip grooves covering every last millimeter of the clubface for optimal spin performance, while a High-Toe profile allows the club to slide under the ball with confidence.