Good evening everyone and thanks for stopping by. Our friend Scott Kramer is back to take us on a trip around the world of golf equipment. Tonight Scott looks at Tommy Armour Golf, a new putter inspired by Phil Mickelson and much more…
– The death of LPGA Tour star Erica Blasberg was particularly tough on folks at both of her golf equipment sponsors, Cleveland Golf and Puma Golf. Both companies posted tribute cover pages to her on their respective websites.
– KZG debuted its high-MOI PTI (Performance through Innovation) driver for mid-to-high handicappers, which features two screw weight portals, titanium cup face insert and 460cc clubhead.
– The Sports Authority, Inc. acquired Tommy Armour Golf from Hilco Consumer Capital for undisclosed terms. TSA had been selling Armour products under an exclusive distribution agreement with Hilco dating back to 2007.
– Sears struck a multi-year agreement with Edwin Watts Golf Shops, to establish the first U.S. based “store-within-a-store” retail model for the golf industry. Watts has begun opening 12 new service-oriented golf shops inside existing Sears stores in several states. Each Watts Shop inside Sears ranges from 2,700-3,000 sq. ft., offering a similar layout as its free-standing counterparts complete with hitting bays.
– Ecco debuted its women’s Comfort Swing GTX shoes with multi-colored dual density outsoles, matching cleats and a modern upper pattern integrated with a Gore-Tex membrane for weather resistance.
– Marriott Golf and Bag Boy teamed up to create Walk For Health, a program designed to promote the health benefits associated with walking the golf course.
– TaylorMade will soon unveil its R9 SuperDeep driver, which has an extra-deep clubface. It features the USGA maximum for clubface height, helping position weight forward for a lower MOI, mid-launch angle, and to get the ball spin rate down. Two weight ports provide up to 448 different launch combinations. The clubface is somewhat short from heel to toe. The club is available in limited distribution.
– Robin Arthur, formerly Grafalloy’s director of research and development, started a new company — Xtreme Engineering — and X-Calibers shafts that are designed with Ballistic Integrated Mechanics flight software and available only through Golfworks.
– Callaway reported 1Q global sales of $303 million (up 11 percent from last year) including U.S. net sales of $151 million (up 7 percent for the same period last year). Fortune Brands reported that first quarter golf sales for Acushnet were lower in the U.S, and sales of golf balls were modestly lower.
– Adams Golf debuted Idea Black CB2 forged irons that are forged from soft carbon steel and feature Ni-Cr dark plating, a vibration-absorbing cavity, dual perimeter weighting, progressive offset, and a four-way cambered sole.
– Odyssey introduced a limited edition of its ProType 82 putter that was inspired by the model Phil Mickelson used to win the 2010 Masters. Only 82 right-handed and 82 left-handed were available for purchase in the U.S., for $500 apiece.
– Fourteen Golf’s MT-28 V5 wedge has become available in a new black finish. The company also added a left-handed version.
– adidas Golf’s created Rangewear, a lightweight, comfortable jacket/pant combination for use at the driving range.
– When Tim Clark used True Temper Sports’ DG Spinner shaft in his sand and lob wedges, to win the recent Players Championship, it marked the first PGA Tour victory for the shafts that have yet to hit the market. A company spokesman said that the shaft aims to lower ball launch and increase ball spin during full- and low-impact swing conditions.
– Tiger Shark Golf debuted four putters, including the Great White #8 mallet and GreenSpeed VS-6, plus new UltraTac Jumbo and UltraTac SJ-67 jumbo grips.
{mosimage}Veteran golf equipment writer and former Golf Magazine senior editor Scott Kramer has published a new e-book, How To Buy The Right Golf Equipment. The easy-reading book helps the average golfer by simplifying the process of buying clubs, shafts, balls, bags and shoes — as well as buying equipment for other people, including your spouse and kids. The following excerpt is the chapter on buying putters. For the complete book, visit amazon.com for the Kindle version or lulu.com for the instant pdf download.