Hi everyone. Hope you had a great day and thanks for stopping by. Each year SirPutts and I throw some predictions out there for all to read… sometimes they’re great… sometimes they’re not. SirPutts did his last week so now it’s time for mine!
Equipment Trends
We’ll be seeing some very different looking drivers on the market in the coming year and I think it’s a trend that probably won’t go away anytime soon. The science behind a square head makes a lot of sense and I think customers will warm up to the radical designs. Companies will also continue to focus on the idea of movable weight. I think it’s just a matter of time before we see clubs that combine both ideas.
MOI will continue to be the hot buzz word in irons and putters as well. I think there will be a shift in focus when it comes to irons… companies will start to market radical shaft designs instead of crazy head designs. There are so many things that can still be done with shafts (especially graphite ones) and it will just take some time for consumers to realize how important shafts are. I don’t know if this focus on shafts will start in 2007 but I think it’s something we will see in the next few years.
The days of the traditional set are nearing the end… hybrid and combo sets make the game a lot easier and we should see even more of these this year. There really isn’t a reason for the average golfer to carry a 3 or 4 iron. Forget getting the clubs that look the best… focus on the clubs that work the best for you.
2007 On The PGA Tour
I think that Woods fellow will do well again. He seems to get geared up for the Majors so expect him to take 2… the U.S. Open and The Masters. I’m predicting (and hoping) that some of the younger players win something this year… let’s take Luke Donald at the British and Adam Scott at the PGA.
Best Selling Equipment Of 2007
Game Improvement Irons – This is where I’d usually slide in a Callaway or TaylorMade iron but I’m thinking Adams will take this category in 2007. The company has made some great strides in the past few years and this category is their bread and butter. The new Idea Tech OS is a great “premium” combo set featuring multi-metal technology but I think the Idea a2 OS (or whatever may replace it) should do very well. Cobra should also have a very strong year and any more wins by their small but talented Tour staff will only help!
Players Irons – Mizuno continues to beef up their iron line and some of their best work falls into this category. A new Callaway X Forged iron should get people talking and rumors of a new TaylorMade TP iron have been popping up as well. I’m going out on a bit of a limb here and will go with the Nike CCI Forged. The swoosh keeps gaining momentum and the cast CCI is a solid iron. One can only hope the forged is just as good or even better. One has to think that Cleveland has something coming down the pipe as well… we just don’t know what yet. My sleeper pick here… the Cobra Carbon CB’s… a very solid iron at a great price. They might even end up in my bag this year…
Hybrid Clubs – The hybrid market is wide open as far as I can tell. It’s harder to name a “bad” hybrid than trying to list all the good ones. I think Adams will have a strong year in this category and Nickent should continue to do well. Watch Titleist to have a strong year with the better player. There hasn’t been any real spectacular new technology or fad in this market lately but expect that to change this year. Maybe a hybrid featuring a very high MOI? A geometrically advanced hybrid? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!
Drivers And Fairway Woods – Take your pick in the driver category… the Nike Sumo and Callaway FT-i will have everyone excited and both should have solid years. TaylorMade will have a few new drivers sure to cause a stir as well. The SuperQuad has people talking and any sort of new Burner driver that may be on the horizon will probably do well. TaylorMade always seems to do well in this category… I guess that’s what solid products and lots of advertising will do… go figure. The Cleveland HiBore XL has been getting a lot of hype on various internet sites as well. People are finally warming up to the idea of a “non traditional” driver and this second HiBore will do much better than the first. Watch for Titleist and Cobra to release some new drivers in the coming months as well. Probably the most exciting category of the bunch… and I’m going with the Nike Sumo (Squared) here.
SirShanksAlot.com In 2007
We’re packing our bags and getting ready for the PGA Show in Orlando. We hope our coverage will be a great kick off to what should be the most exciting year yet. Watch for a new site design, more golf club reviews and even better news and rumors. Our readers keep coming back so I guess that means that you like us… I think. Thanks for the support!!!!
Super Bowl 2007
Like I was going to forget this one! Go Chargers!!
That’s all for tonight. Just over a week before I head down to Orlando. We’ll start our lead up to the show next week so stay tuned!