I found out a bit more about TaylorMade’s plans for the R7 Quad line. There should be at least 2 more versions of the club coming out in 2005. The first (expected in March or April) will be a shallow faced version of the original one. This club is being used on tour and should be called the R7 Quad HT. It will be under the TP (Tour Preferred) name and will be geared towards the better player. The second R7 Quad will be the much rumored 440CC version. My source says that this club probably will not be released until August or September. I have heard from a few TaylorMade sources that the company plans to tone down the number of new club releases in 2005 in an effort to build consumer confidence.
Watch for Nakashima Golf to make a splash in the near future. This California based club company has started introducing their stuff to tour players and are getting a few bites. Have a look at www.nakashimagolf.com and check out their high quality gear.
Hogan will be releasing The Hawk putter in the new year. I saw it and it reminds me of the MacGregor MOI. If I am not mistaken it will be available in two different head designs as well. I will see it again next week and will pass on more details then.
Precept’s new ECW Hybrid set should be a hit with ladies next year. This set will feature 4/5 and 5/6 hybrid woods along with 7-SW. The hybrids will have a tungsten plug in the bottom and initial reports say they get the ball up very quickly. All the clubs in the set will also feature an elastomer compound to reduce vibration on miss hits.
The MI putter line by Srixon will be released soon. The line will consist of three different mallet putters designed to increase the moment of inertia. They look and feel a lot like a softer version of the Odyssey DFX.
I know it’s not equipment related but I thought it was interesting…. the R&A is making the 17th hole (The Road Hole) at St Andrews even harder for next year’s Open Championship. They have decided to increase the size of the famous Road Hole bunker in hopes it will make it harder to run the ball up and onto the green. I have actually played this hole and there is NO need to make it any harder! I missed the bunker during my round but hit a shot out of it for fun.