Wednesday, October 31, 2012

TaylorMade RocketBallz Driver - To Bond or Not To Bond?

If you are like me, you might have been curious when you found out TaylorMade Golf was adding an additional model to the highlly succesfful RocketBallz driver line. The most recent offering is referred to as the RocketBallz "Bonded" Driver, and if you’re asking yourself why the “bonded” name, you’re not alone. Basically, the new RBZ Driver is a fixed hosel version of the original RBZ Driver. Therefore, the club head is actually “bonded” or glued to the shaft and cannot be adjusted like the original. If that sounds like a step backwards to you, given the adjustability popularity that has taken over the driver category this season and figures to continue through 2013, you may be half right. There’s nothing especially “new” here.

So the question is why buy it?

Just about every golfer desires more distance from his or her driver. It’s what the average player strives for and also the reason for the employment of certain R&D and marketing people at every major golf equipment manufacturer. The RBZ Bonded Driver provides the complete TaylorMade RBZ technology which makes the RocketBallz Driver among the best selling drivers ever, without an adjustable hosel. It has distance, but not adjustability.

According to TaylorMade, the RBZ Bonded driver comes with TaylorMade’s “Inverted Cone” milled into the back of the face. This results in a large sweet spot while reducing the distance loss on drives struck outside the sweet spot. The Bonded Driver comes with the same ultralite TM 360 Lite grip, Matrix XCON 5 shaft and drag-defying aerodynamic head shape that produce faster swing speeds that leads to more distance.

And the RBZ Bonded Driver has the same matte white crown and black face as the original RBZ Driver.

For that reason, this is the same driver that created the huge hype early in the year minus one significant feature. That brings us around to the initial question: why would you purchase it? The lack of an adjustable hosel means one crucial thing: this driver costs less than any other high tech driver available on the market. You get speed, power and distance in a contemporary, Tour-validated look for under $199.00.

In all honesty, I bet many golfers that buy an adjustable driver, set it once, and then never adjust it again. If you’re someone like that, then the TaylorMade RocketBallz Bonded Driver is for you and even better at a price that can't be beat!

Friday, October 26, 2012

Nike Golf Releases New Method Technology With The Nike Method Core Weighted Putter

Polymetal groove technology combined with a weighting system

BEAVERTON, Ore. (October 25, 2012) - With professional wins across the globe, Nike Method technology delivers putting confidence. Creating and innovating never stops at Nike Golf with the newest edition to its Method franchise, the Method Core Weighted putter.

The Nike Method Core Weighted putter utilizes fixed weights on the heel and sole of the putter to provide proper weighting by putter length. The weights help to lower the center of gravity as well as move the center of gravity away from the face.

David Franklin, Nike Golf Master Modelmaker, stated, "Most people don't realize that they are about 3/10 of an inch above the ground at impact. You need to keep the center of gravity of the putter as low as you can so that it never gets higher than the CG of the ball. This stops the putter from driving the ball down and creating backspin on the ball."

The Method Core Weighted putter works to solve this potential putting inconsistency with its strategically designed weighting system. Franklin continued, "With the Method Core Weighted technology, we worked to get the center of gravity lower than the ball, enabling the putter to rise up at impact, lift the ball and turn it over quickly."

The Method Core Weighted putter delivers stability and absolute confidence when every putt counts. Nike Method technology utilizes a milled face and Polymetal Grooves that have been proven on global professional tours to generate a more true and consistent roll, keeping putts on target.

The revolutionary Method putter technology was born of innovation and fueled by the demands of Nike Golf's Tour athletes. This major-winning innovation delivers the roll, feel, and sound necessary for clutch putts in big moments. The Method Core insert is a combination of aluminum face and polymer grooves to lessen impact and vibrations and provide pure sound and feel.

Nike Golf's Method Core Weighted putters will be available November 1, 2012 in five models, each with a lustrous tour satin chrome finish (4 blades; 1 mallet). The MC01w will also be available in a left-handed version.

Nike Method Core Weighted Putter

Available: 11/1/2012

MSRP/MAP: $169/$139.99

Thursday, October 25, 2012

First Look At Callaway's New 2013 X-Forged Irons

Callaway provided a preview its new 2013 irons, the X Forged, on Wednesday. Luke Williams, senior director of global woods and irons for Callaway, discussed their decision to not manufacture more forged cavity back irons. He explained the the most popular irons on the PGA Tour and the European tour are not the company’s forged cavity backs but last year’s RAZR X Muscleback irons and the Tour Authentic X-Prototype irons. The tour players favor the clean looks and performance of the musclebacks and X-Prototype to the forged cavity backs.

Golf WRX reports, “According to Williams, Callaway’s recent musclebacks have been a success due to what the company is calling CG Height progression. CG (Center of Gravity) Height Progression places the center of gravity lower in the long irons for the higher trajectory that tour pros want. It also places the CG higher in the short irons for a flatter trajectory. Callaway’s past forged cavity back irons, the RAZR X Forged, had the opposite CG progression. The center of gravity was actually the lowest in the short irons.”

The musclebacks also go more smoothly through the turf than the RAZR X Forged irons which tend to dig through impact. The new X Forged have what Williams called “a slightly wider muscleback sole.” The 2013 X Forged look like musclebacks as well. Compared to the 2012 RAZR X Forged irons, the 2013 X Forged have a shorter blade length and do not have the high heel and sharp toe.

Callaway’s Facebook page described the new irons as, “A new face design, sole profile and optimized CG Height Progression through the line delivers distinctive performance advantages, including distance, with an incredible (and somewhat drool-inducing) look.” The 2013 X Forged irons are expected to be available in January 2013 for $999 per set.

Right now Phil Mickelson is testing these new irons out and expect many of the other Callaway staffers to be putting them in their bag next year. With the announcement of the new TaylorMade RocketBladez irons and now these, 2013 is looking like a great year for new irons.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

TaylorMade's New RocketBladez Irons - Revolutionary or Evolutionary?

TaylorMade announced today what it is labelling "a once-in-a-lifetime innovation within the iron category" when the company officially introduced RocketBladez, an iron that claims to promote high launching, long and straight performance for all golfers.

The crucial element to RocketBladez irons is called Speed Pocket, which is taken directly from the highly succesfful RocketBallz fairways woods and rescue clubs. TaylorMade engineers integrated Speed Pocket into the new irons to promote faster ball speed and higher launch angle, which in turn will help create longer, higher shots that should stop quicker.

"Metalwoods have advanced tremendously since TaylorMade introduced the first one in 1979," TaylorMade CEO Mark King said. "The ball has advanced too, and even footwear and apparel have improved a great deal. But there hasn't been significant advancement in irons since the perimeter-weighted cavity back was introduced more than 50 years ago. The Speed Pocket changes that - it's a once-in-a-lifetime innovation in the iron category. If your iron doesn't have a Speed Pocket, your iron is outdated."

The Speed Pocket is a 2mm-wide slot in the sole of the iron (available in 3- through 7-irons) that flexes and rebounds at impact, increasing the speed of the face. The advantage is said to be more effective on impacts made low on the face, which is the shot that amateurs tend to hit more often.

Tour professionals will use the RocketBladez Tour model, which delivers consistent distance and is void of hot spots on the clubface to ensure more predictability.

RocketBladez Irons are priced at $799 with steel shafts, $899 with graphite shafts and are available for pre-order. The irons hit retail Nov. 30. The Tour irons will not be available until Feb. 1.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Our Review of the Adams a12 OS Hybrid/Iron Combo Set

Has Adams Golf created another winner with its Adams Idea a12 OS irons? They’re the most recent generation of the IDEA series, which has long been known for its revolutionary designs and reasonable pricing. Should you think you could be keen on the newest hybrid/iron combo set by a business that has been in the forefront from the “hybrid revolution,” you should continue to read our review of these Adams irons.

For quite a few years now, Adams has been a steadfast proponent of replacing long irons with easier-to-hit hybrids. Long irons are notoriously difficult to hit consistantly. Hybrids not only are simpler to hit but fly farther and higher than long irons. Even the pros are replacing their long irons with hybrids.

Like earlier Adams IDEA hybrid/iron combo sets, Adams Idea a12 OS irons are made to ensure that the hybrids “flow” seamlessly into the set’s mid-irons, generating the transition from 1 club to the next natural and unforced. That seamless transition is one reason the clubs won Golf Digest “Hot List” Gold Medals for 2012 within the Super Game Improvement and Innovation categories. I tested a set of these irons lately to view if they live as much as these awards.

Before I share my on-course experiences with all the irons, here’s a short description of their design features.

The standard set of Adams Idea a12 OS irons contains three hybrids (4-, 5- and 6-hybrid), 2 “transitional” hybrid irons (7 and 8) plus a standard cavity-back 9-iron, pitching wedge and gap wedge (AW). The stock steel shaft is the Adams True Temper Performance 85; the stock graphite shaft is the Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue (weight varies with the flex you select).

The set makeup is perfect for most starting golfers and others with handicaps above 15 or so. Everybody struggles with long irons, but the 4-, 5- and 6-hybrids inside the set removes that challenge altogether. Golfers with slower swing speeds will almost certainly get some yardage gain from these clubs since they all have an ultra-thin face, perimeter weighting plus a low center of gravity to promote high, hot launches and increased distance.

Adams’revolutionary “Velocity Slot Technology” is also built into these clubs. This certain function improves rebound across the club’s entire face, raising the launch angle and ball speed without increasing spin. Furthermore, it considerably enhances forgiveness. The Adams a12 OS hybrid are the very first hybrids to employ this technology. TaylorMade, which purchased Adams earlier this year, then came out with a similar technology in their RocketBallz line that they call "Speed Pocket" which is essentially the same thing.

As you’d expect from their name, the set’s two “transitional hybrids” (7 and 8 ) bridge the gap between the classic hybrids and the cavity-back, Adams Idea a12 OS irons (the 9, PW and AW). Their “Truss Back” style provides considerable perimeter weighting and lowers the center of gravity making them very forgiving on off-center hits.

Okay, what do these style functions mean when you are out on the course? Here’s what I learned when I tested a set of Adams Idea a12 OS irons.

They’re desirable for a super game-improvement set of clubs targeted at newbies, occasional golfers and players with handicaps of 15 or higher. Keep in mind that a few of their game-improvement characteristics are visible, and that may possibly make their looks unappealing to better players. For example, the quantity of offset isn't huge, but it’s definitely noticeable. The top line is thick. Plus the cavities of the cavity-back irons are deep and the soles are very large. All welcoming characteristics for a higher handicap player but not to a better player.

Speaking on the offset, these clubs are intended to assist the golfer in hitting the ball high, straight and long. But if you are like me and also have a natural draw, the offset within the Adams Idea a12 OS irons can be a killer mainly because you’ll pull everything left. Obviously, most golfers that will be excited about these clubs haven’t however developed a draw-promoting swing so the offset will not bother them. In truth, they’ll almost certainly be pleased to view it due to the fact it is going to enable them avoid slices! For those who have a tendency to slice the ball, the offset built into the Adams Idea a12 OS irons can be a genuine game-changer. The Adams a12 OS IDEA hybrid/iron combo set is highly recommended for golfers looking for a "game improvement" iron set. Whatever set you are coming from we are confident that you will definitely notice an improvement in performance of these clubs which will in turn, improve your game and make golf a lot more fun to play.

Be sure to check out all the various Adams a12 OS iron set models available at Great Golf Deals.com - a leading online golf store since 1998 specializing in brand name discount golf equipment.

Friday, October 5, 2012

What's In Our Staff Members' Golf Bag?

Ok so we always want to know what the top PGA Tour players have in their bags and it is nice to know what clubs the best players in the world are using while making a living playing golf.

But what about the average golfer?

The average golfer should not be playing the same golf equipment the pros play. First of all, the pros pretty much have all their clubs custom built to their exact specification. They do not buy sets off the rack and just start playing. Normally their equipment is set up for a golfer that has a very high swing speed and is a very consistent ball striker. The Pro golfer usually doesn't need additional distance from their clubs but they are looking for more control and "feel". The average golfer is always looking to gain more distance and needs extra forgiveness on off-center hits.

Because of these differences, we thought it may be more interesting to know what the average golfer currently has in their golf bags and what their favorite go-to club is.

Carol Mitchell is our Director of Merchandising and currently has a handicap around "22-ish" with a swing speed of 76 MPH. She has been playing golf for about 9 years now and loves it. The best part of her game is chipping around the greens and the area that she wants to improve on is driving the ball.

What's In Carol's Bag?

DRIVER: Nike Callaway Women's RAZR Fit Driver (11.5°) with the stock Fujikura Motore F8 Lady's flex shaft
"I've always been a fan of Callaway drivers since the Big Bertha days. I knew I liked this driver as soon as I hit it. It has an adjustable head (which I have not really messed with) and a composite body which feels really light weight." I have a lot of confidence when I set up to hit drives with this driver and the sound it makes is nice too.

FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway Women's RAZR X Black Fairway Wood (3Wood-15°) and (5Wood-19°) RAZR X graphite shafts
"I tried both the Callaway RAZR Fit fairway wood and the Callaway RAZR X Black fairway wood and I consistently hit the RAZR X Black fairway wood further and straighter. I like the dark stealthy looks of the RAZR X Black club too - It looks mean"

IRONS: Adams a12 OS Hybrid/Iron Combo Set (4-PW,SW) with Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue Lady's flex shafts
"I definitely wanted a hybrid combo set because I have given up trying to hit long irons. I tried other combo sets from Cobra, TaylorMade and Callaway but went with Adams because of the "velocity slot" technology in the hybrids. If you get a chance, compare the hybrids in this set with any other hybrid out there. I guarantee you will notice a difference in feel and distance. Plus Adams has been the leader in hybrid technology for years."

WEDGES: Cleveland CG 16 Chrome Wedges ( 56°, 60°) ActionLite Steel shafts
"I could have gotten graphite shafts in these wedges but I like the heavier feel of these wedges. Plus they are very forgiving."

PUTTER: Odyssey White Ice 2-Ball Lined Putter 34 Inches
"I've had an Odyssey putter forever and I like the 2-ball version because it helps me with my alignment."

BALL: Bridgestone B330RX
"I like the new re-design of these balls and I feel like I am getting more distance and great feel around the greens with these balls"

BAG: Sun Mountain Women's 3.5 Stand Bag
"I like walk and carry my bag or use a push cart so this is the best bag for that. It is lightweight but is doesn't sacrifice on storage space."

Tell Us What Is Currently In Your Bag.

You Can Check Out All This Gear At Deep Discount Prices at Great Golf Deals.com Discount Golf Equipment

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Our Fearless Top 10 Golf Equipment Rumors for 2013

As the 2012 golf season comes to an end and prices of 2012 gear start to fall like the leaves on the trees, the speculation about the new 2013 golf equipment begins.

Most golf equipment manufactures do not release information about their 2013 product line until after the first of the next year and usually around the time of the National PGA Convention which happens in late January.

But throughout the fall and into winter we start to get bits and pieces of information that starts to circulate around the industry about what new and exciting products may be on the horizon.

Most of the information is from second or third-hand sources and usually ends up on discussion boards where the rumors grow from there.

So with no further adieu and with no guarantee of any of its accuracy, here are the top 10 hottest golf equipment rumors for 2013 that are being circulated around to date:

  1.  TaylorMade will be coming out with their latest iteration of the "R" driver which would mean the R13 Driver. Do they take the risk of using the unlucky number 13 which is next in number sequence from the current R11? I can see TaylorMade doing it and coming up with a new clever Marketing campaign touting that the new 13 is now a lucky number... 
  2.  Nike Golf will be coming out with two new lines of equipment: one being a "Tour" line targeted at low handicap golfers and another line targeted at the mid-to-high handicap golfer. Both lines will feature new drivers, fairways and hybrids.
  3. Cobra Golf will be coming out with an update to the AMP driver called the AMP Cell Driver. These drivers will be available in 4 different colors and with a wrench the loft can be adjusted from 8.5 degrees up to 11.5 degrees.
  4. There will also be a new Cobra AMP Cell Pro Driver available in 2 colors with loft adjustable from 7.5 degrees to 10.5 degrees. The AMP Pro Cell driver will also have an upgraded tour-level shaft.
  5. Not to be outdone by their drivers, Cobra will also be releasing a new AMP Cell Iron line where the back fill of the cavity back irons can be customized with four different colors.
  6. Callaway will feature a new update to the highly successful RAZR-Fit driver with the driver head available in 4 different colors 
  7. Callaway will be releasing an new X Proto Hybrid which is currently being used on the PGA Tour by several pros including Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els 
  8. TaylorMade will be coming out with an updated RocketBallz fairway woods and hybrids line but not a new Rocketballz drivers 
  9. Cleveland Golf will finally succumb to the adjustable driver trend and come out with an adjustable driver based on the highly successful Classic drivers. 
  10. The current number one ranked golfer in the world, Rory McIlroy, will sign a new equipment contract and be switching from Titleist to Nike Golf Equipment

Let us know what you think of these rumors and if you have heard of any not listed here.

Be sure to check out all the latest discount golf equipment at Great Golf Deals.com