All the Gear: Beautiful Bettinardi putters and wedges launched
By James Savage
We’ve had a busy week with the launch of the new Cobra F8 woods and irons.
The embargo lifted at 11am on Wednesday but our coverage was a good couple of months in the making.
You may remember we headed down to London in September for our first look at the new range, completed the filming of our reviews last month and they were all editing and packaged for you ready for this week.
Did you miss @cobragolf's F8 launch earlier? Well, let @JamesSavageNCG introduce you…
Driver ? https://t.co/6OpdcnLxjo
Irons ? https://t.co/idCDTbqFSo
Fairways ? https://t.co/z4GAUPcRFD pic.twitter.com/qW9sPYpOML
— National Club Golfer (@NCGmagazine) November 15, 2017
People often ask what the point of embargoes is and this is a good example as it really allowed us to bring some in-depth coverage at the earliest opportunity.
There was another a big equipment news story this week with Sergio Garcia putting new Callaway woods and irons into play at the DP World Tour Championship.
It all but confirmed what we had long suspected and that is that the Spaniard will be signing a deal with the brand before too long.
“At the moment it’s the company that’s in front of the other ones,” Garcia said this week.
But what else might you have missed from the golf equipment world this week? Read on to find out…
Beautiful Bettinardi putters and wedges
Stop drooling.
You can’t help but admire the craftsmanship which goes into Bettinardi putters. They always have engineering and clever technology at their heart.
But it seems within their new line-up for 2018 there’s more shelf-appeal than ever. This has been underlined with the launch of some stunning new wedges which complement their extensive putter range.
We’ve got five new models making a total of 12 across the BB, Inovai, Queen B and Studio Stock ranges.
Finished in a ‘stealth’ matte black, the four new BB models feature the distinctive Bettinardi putters branding in eye-catching electric yellow.
Following on from the successful 3.0 model which we reviewed earlier this year, the new iNOVAi 5.0 is a striking putter that is extremely stable throughout the putting stroke.
Matt Kuchar has had success with the Studio Stock models (SS3, SS8 AND SS28) which incorporate the brand’s F.I.T. Face milling (Feel Impact Technology which removes the need for a face insert).
The Queen B Series was the UK’s best-seller this year and features the Bettinardi Micro Honeycomb Face milling, allowing for a muted, yet crisp feel at impact for players looking for constant speed and feel.
And if you’re after a stylish wedge then check out the H2 303 stainless steel offering which also features patented Honeycomb face-milling between each groove to create more friction between club and ball for more spin in wet and dry conditions.
SRPs: BB Series (£279), iNOVAi 5.0 (£279), Studio Stock Series (£309), Queen Bee (£309); H2 303 wedges (£139 each).
For more information visit the Bettinardi website.
Justin Rose testing new TaylorMade Hi Toe wedge
Just like Sergio, it seems Justin Rose isn’t too fussed about throwing new equipment into the mix as he chases the Race to Dubai crown.
Testing an New 1 iron and Hi-Toe wedge from @TaylorMadeGolf today…. ?? pic.twitter.com/0OU8tKZlf2
— Justin Rose (@JustinRose99) November 15, 2017
He’s put a new 60˚ Hi-Toe wedge in the bag – similar to the one we saw Dustin Johnson testing in China.
We’ve seen similar offerings from Callaway with the PM Grind Mack Daddy wedges where the club can be opened up for bunker and flop shots meaning the ball will strike nearer to the toe.
They look like an extension of the Milled Grind family he already uses.
Rose has also added a Prototype P790 1-iron to his armoury. We love the P790 irons but haven’t had hour hands on the 1- and 2-irons that we’ve also seen Rory McIlroy gaming this year.
Scott Hend goes low with new Vokey SM7
Sticking with wedges, Australian Scott Hend fired one of the lowest rounds of the DP World Tour Championship making seven birdies along the way.
He claimed his new Vokey SM7 wedges were definitely helping him get the ball closer to the hole.
In his bag there’s a 50˚F-grind, 54˚ M-grind and a 60˚ L-grind. Technically the wedges are still under embargo and won’t be available to buy until the spring. Sad face.
Srixon make charity donation from 2017 Z-Star sales
You may remember back at the start of the year Srixon launched a campaign to donate money to Prostate Cancer UK after the purchase of every dozen Z-Star balls.
Now, with the help of staff player Graeme McDowell, they have handed over a cheque for £42,999 to the charity.
Hats off to Srixon for this initiative which will help the charity fight one of the most common diseases faced by men in the UK.
For more information visit the Srixon website.
Review: Cobra F8 driver with CNC milled face
Titleist Vokey SM7 wedges spotted during tour seeding
Review: Bettinardi Inovai 3.0 putter
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
