All the Gear: Tommy’s Titleist switch pays off
By James Savage
It’s difficult to pin Tommy Fleetwood’s recent run of form on one exact thing. “I’m engaged, I’m expecting a baby, and my caddie is my best mate in the world,” he said after his recent win in France.
All great for our Tommy, but it is always hard to argue against solid facts.
Since swapping his Nike ball for the Titleist Pro V1x following a four-year winless run, Fleetwood has picked up titles at the Abu Dhabi Championship and Open de France, as well as runner-up finishes at the WGC-Mexico Championship and Shenzhen International, a tie for 3rd in Hong Kong, and 4th at the US Open.
His European Tour stats are seriously impressive. Just take a look:
Driving Accuracy
2016: 60.8% (Ranked 77th on Tour)
2017: 74.3% (Ranked 10th on Tour)
Greens In Regulation
2016: 74.1% (Ranked 17th on Tour)
2017: 83.1% (Ranked 3rd on Tour)
It can’t all be down to those trousers…
Carly is tickled pink
Volvik have landed their second major name of the season after snapping up Bubba Watson at the start of the year.
LET star Carly Booth has signed a multi-year deal after using the brand’s S4 ball to qualify for this month’s US Open.
She will put the ball into play this week at the LPGA’s Thornberry Creek Classic in Wisconsin before making her second US Open appearance next week.
Multiple LPGA winners such as Lee Il Hee and Chella Choi also use the ball.
What are the best irons of 2017?
It was an exciting week on the equipment front here at NCG Towers.
Myself and editor Dan Murphy headed over to Moor Allerton in Leeds to try out all the latest sets of irons and you can read our thoughts here. I also headed to Puma HQ with Craig Middleton to see their latest clobber, which was rather snazzy.
Trolley wars
Also this week, Powakaddy unveiled their first fully-integrated GPS trolley with the new FW7s. Yardages and hazard information from over 30,000 courses can be displayed on the trolley screen. You can see what I had to say here.
The FW7s looks set to rival the Motocaddy S5 Connect – which I headed to Sweden to try out this week. The FW7s has the GPS features built-in while the S5 Connect syncs with the free Motocaddy app on your phone.
This is the new @MotocaddyGolf S5 Connect in action @BroHof Gets numbers from app which is synced via Bluetooth. Great bit of tech. pic.twitter.com/Mcz9yHvpzj
— James Savage (@JamesSavageNCG) June 29, 2017
Keep an eye on NCG for more on that…
Funky footwear
Are you more of a Sergio Garcia or a Dustin Johnson when it comes to your footwear?
I’ve been testing out Sergio’s Adidas Powerband Boa Boost and DJ’s Tour 360 to see which might suit us club golfers the best. If you’re all about lightweight comfort and convenience go for the Powerbands.
They shape nicely to your feet and have the added bonus of the Boa lacing at the top of the tongue. If you prefer a classier look and are after a bit more stability, go for the Tour 360. They are both super-comfortable thanks to the Boost cushioning foam in the soles.
Why I’m just a big kid when it comes to equipment
I have the best job in the world. But getting to see and learn about all the latest gear before anyone else has its downsides.
Embargoes are something most normal people will never have to worry about but I need a special calendar for them.
Let me explain in a little more detail how it works. Equipment companies make a new product then invite journalists to see it, learn all about it and test it out.
But we are not allowed to write about it or publish anything about it until a specified date. Why does this happen?
One way of looking at it is it gives us journalists time to digest the information properly and spend time testing the products so we can produce first-class, thorough coverage.
Another way of looking at it is it gives brands the chance to communicate their key messages to journalists to retain a bit of control over the coverage when the embargo actually lifts. The reality is probably somewhere in-between.
Also, there are dozens of media outlets who want a piece of the action and it gives companies the chance to remain fair – not giving some the chance to publish stories or videos before others.
It’s great to get a sneak preview but my journalistic instincts make it difficult for me to keep the information to myself. I want to shout about it. Maybe it’s more to do with a childish urge to do the opposite of what I am told.
Another downside is that I find is that my genuine first impressions and immediate reactions can be lost. It’s quite to hard to have the same vigour and enthusiasm about something you have known about for the best part of a month when it’s time for the big reveal.
But I will continue to do my best. And when that embargo date and time (yes, they are specific to the minute) comes around readers and viewers will be unable to move on social media for the reviews of said products.
It’s all fun and games but maybe it’s a sign that things are taken a bit too seriously?
I have the best job in the world. But getting to see and learn about all the latest gear before anyone else has its downsides.
Embargoes are something most normal people will never have to worry about but I need a special calendar for them.
Let me explain in a little more detail how it works. Equipment companies make a new product then invite journalists to see it, learn all about it and test it out.
But we are not allowed to write about it or publish anything about it until a specified date. Why does this happen?
One way of looking at it is it gives us journalists time to digest the information properly and spend time testing the products so we can produce first-class, thorough coverage.
Another way of looking at it is it gives brands the chance to communicate their key messages to journalists to retain a bit of control over the coverage when the embargo actually lifts. The reality is probably somewhere in-between.
Also, there are dozens of media outlets who want a piece of the action and it gives companies the chance to remain fair – not giving some the chance to publish stories or videos before others.
It’s great to get a sneak preview but my journalistic instincts make it difficult for me to keep the information to myself. I want to shout about it. Maybe it’s more to do with a childish urge to do the opposite of what I am told.
Another downside is that I find is that my genuine first impressions and immediate reactions can be lost. It’s quite to hard to have the same vigour and enthusiasm about something you have known about for the best part of a month when it’s time for the big reveal.
But I will continue to do my best. And when that embargo date and time (yes, they are specific to the minute) comes around readers and viewers will be unable to move on social media for the reviews of said products.
It’s all fun and games but maybe it’s a sign that things are taken a bit too seriously?
Which reminds me…
There’s a new bit of kit coming out next week which we’re all very excited about.
If you were keeping up to speed with our US Open coverage, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
Keep your eyes peeled.
The best irons for 2017
Review: Puma golf clothing and shoes
Titleist 718 AP3 irons spotted during tour seeding
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
