Golf equipment news

KBS, the pioneering golf shaft brand that offers a high-performance shaft for every club in the bag, has introduced the new TOUR V-X, a steel iron shaft engineered to deliver greater stability and control without losing the unmistakable feel golfers expect from KBS.

Created for players seeking more predictable performance across the iron set, the TOUR V-X features a firm butt section, responsive mid-section and stable tip profile. This carefully balanced construction helps the shaft remain straighter and reduces unwanted movement through impact, promoting consistent launch, reliable trajectory and tighter dispersion.

Why it matters: At the heart of the TOUR V-X is an advanced flex profile and geometric design developed around the three core pillars of KBS performance: stability, feel and playability.

The TOUR V-X’s weight-to-strength ratio is nearly 20% higher than any previous KBS iron shaft design. The increased strength helps reduce shaft distortion during the swing, particularly at impact, allowing the clubhead to be delivered more consistently and helping golfers produce a truer ball flight.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: “Golfers should not have to choose between stability and feel,” said Kim Braly, Director of R&D and Master Shaft Maker at KBS. “With the TOUR V-X, we have engineered a shaft that feels unmistakably KBS but offers an exceptional level of control through impact. It is a next-generation design created for players who want to swing with confidence and see more predictable results.”

Available in six weights from 105g to 130g, the TOUR V-X provides golfers and club fitters with plenty of scope to find the combination that best suits an individual swing. Flex options span R, R+, S, S+, X and TX, creating a comprehensive fitting matrix for a wide range of swing speeds and delivery patterns.

The TOUR V-X joins the lighter TOUR V-X LITE within the expanding V-X family, giving golfers a complete selection of performance-focused steel shaft options across different weights and swing profiles.

Why it matters: The Pride Performance Simulator Tee has been engineered to help remove one of the variables from indoor golf by promoting cleaner contact, reducing interference at impact and delivering more consistent feedback from every shot.

At the heart of the design is PrideSports’ Ball-First Technology, with a flat leading edge that helps ensure the club makes contact with the ball before the tee. This is combined with a low-resistance head design that reduces friction through impact, helping to minimise unwanted spin and produce more consistent launch conditions.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Constructed from durable TPU material, the tee is built for repeated use with golf simulators, while its screen-safe design helps protect impact screens during play and practice.

“Golfers spend thousands of pounds on launch monitors and simulator technology, but often overlook the tee they’re hitting from,” said Joe Henderson, President of PrideSports.

“We designed the Pride Performance Simulator Tee to ensure the tee isn’t influencing the strike or the data, giving golfers greater confidence that the numbers they see are a true reflection of their swing.”

Available in seven different heights ranging from approximately 13mm to 51mm (½ inch to 2 inches), each retail pack contains seven tees, allowing golfers to optimise tee height for different clubs, swing styles and simulator setups.

The Pride Performance Simulator Tee is available in red and white colour options, with each retail pack also including a mesh carry pouch

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: “From the materials we use to the way each head is forged, shaped, and weighted, every decision was made with feel in mind. It's the hallmark of Srixon Irons and something we've always refused to compromise on,” said Joe Miller, Srixon European Product Manager. “With this generation, we pushed that philosophy even further, creating irons that perform at the highest level while delivering the rewarding sensation golfers instantly recognise when they've hit one pure.”

Every second-generation ZXi Iron is forged by Endo Manufacturing in Japan, widely recognised as one of the world's premier forging facilities. The combination of advanced manufacturing processes, premium materials, and exacting quality standards allows the designs of Srixon engineers to be executed with the precise forging techniques required by the new i-FORGED platform while delivering exceptional consistency from head-to head.

Srixon engineers also leveraged advanced simulation technology to further elevate performance through the line-up. For ZXi5, ZXi5+, and ZXiU Irons, the new MainFrame iQ system uses AI-assisted design and thousands of simulated impact scenarios to create a more efficient face structure. By reducing face mass as much as eight percent and strategically repositioning weight throughout each head, engineers have achieved faster ball speeds, increased forgiveness, higher MOI, and more consistent performance across the face.

The flagship ZXi7 Players Iron introduces PureFrame iQ, an evolution of Srixon's acclaimed PureFrame technology. Using AI-assisted simulation tools, engineers expanded and optimised the forged ridge positioned directly behind the sweet spot. The redesigned PureFrame iQ structure stiffens the impact zone, reduces unwanted face deformation, increases stability, and utilises mass more efficiently than the previous generation to produce the soft yet responsive feedback preferred by highly skilled players.

Weight distribution is also tuned throughout the set, incorporating additional perimeter weighting in the long irons for forgiveness while concentrating mass towards the centre of the short irons for enhanced shot shaping caThe next-generation ZXi family was engineered to provide golfers with a complete spectrum of forged performance options. From tour-inspired precision and workability to increased speed, distance, and forgiveness, each model is purpose-built to serve a distinct player profile while maintaining the signature feel, shaping, and craftsmanship that define Srixon Irons. Together, they create a cohesive line-up that can be played individually or blended seamlessly into custom combo sets.

• ZXi7 Players Iron: Forged from premium S15C steel and tungsten, ZXi7 Irons are engineered for precision workability, deliver tour-preferred shaping, exceptional feel, and maximum control.
• ZXi5 Players Performance Iron: A players’ performance iron blending forged feel with added speed, forgiveness, and consistency.
• ZXiU Utility Iron – A powerful long-iron replacement delivering higher launch, forgiveness, and versatility.

Making its debut within the Srixon Iron family, ZXi5+ Irons combine a compact player's profile with stronger lofts, longer blade lengths, wider soles, and increased forgiveness. The model is designed for golfers seeking greater distance while retaining the appearance and feel of a forged players iron.

"With the inclusion of the ZXiR and ZXiR HL series serving the needs of game-improvement golfers, we saw an opportunity to introduce a fully forged hollow Players Distance Iron for those seeking more distance and forgiveness in a more tour-authentic package," Miller continued. "Our ZXi5 Irons have been, and will continue to be, phenomenal performers but the addition of ZXi5+ allows us to fit a broader range of golfers within the series. We’ve already seen the success these irons have had on Tour with Ryan Fox’s Open win, and they are a great option for golfers wanting more forgiveness in the long-iron portion of their bags.”

The next-generation ZXi Irons embody Srixon’s ongoing pursuit of performance through precision engineering, advanced forging technology, and Tour-validated design. Whether golfers prioritise workability, distance, forgiveness, or a combination of all three, the ZXi family delivers a complete range of forged performance solutions built around one defining principle: Feel, Perfected.

Motocaddy, the world’s leading electric trolley brand, is strengthening its commitment to professional golf after being confirmed as the Official Trolley Partner of the English Trophy on the HotelPlanner Tour this week.

The English Trophy takes place at The Caversham in Reading from September 10-13, bringing together top emerging players from across the international professional game as they compete for valuable Road to Mallorca ranking points and a share of the £250,000 prize fund.

Why it matters: As part of the agreement, Motocaddy will supply 60 award-winning QB2 push trolleys for competitors to use throughout the tournament. The initiative will allow players to experience Motocaddy’s push trolley range first-hand, while providing the brand with valuable insight and feedback from golfers competing at this level.

Motocaddy will also have a strong presence across the event, with on-course branding and signage throughout the tournament, while the brand will field a team in the Pro-Am, creating further opportunities to engage with players, partners and colleagues across the golf industry.

Manufacturer figures: The award-winning QB2 push trolley combines advanced functionality with a compact, easy-to-use design. Its innovative two-step folding mechanism and auto-fold front wheel allow it to be set up and packed away quickly, while oversized frictionless wheels provide smooth manoeuvrability across the course. An adjustable ergonomic handle, foot-operated parking brake and integrated storage further enhance its practicality, with compatibility with Motocaddy’s EASILOCK® bag-to-trolley connection system adding further convenience.

“We’re delighted to become the Official Trolley Partner of the English Trophy and be associated with an event that plays such an important role in the development of professional golfers,” said Oliver Churcher, Marketing Director at Motocaddy. “The HotelPlanner Tour provides a hugely important pathway for players looking to progress their careers, so to have the opportunity to support them directly with Motocaddy products is a big moment for our brand.

“Getting our products into the hands of professional golfers is incredibly valuable to us, not only because they can experience the performance of our products first-hand, but their feedback helps us understand what matters to golfers competing at this level. Alongside supplying trolleys for the players, our on-course presence will give us a fantastic platform to both contribute to the tournament and engage with a wider audience,” he added.

Wilson Golf has expanded its acclaimed INFINITE™ Zero Torque putter lineup with the launch of two new women’s models - ‘The 606’ and ‘Lakeview’ - bringing the proven stability and consistency of its Zero Torque technology to dedicated 33-inch configurations.

Based on the same precision engineering as the popular Zero Torque putters launched earlier this year, the new women’s models are designed to keep the putter face square to the target for longer throughout the stroke, reducing unwanted rotation and promoting greater consistency on the greens.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Both putters are engineered with one degree of forward shaft lean to promote proper hand positioning, helping golfers deliver a square face through impact while maintaining a natural feel.

As with the existing Zero Torque models, both women’s putters are produced using Metal Injection Molding (MIM), an advanced manufacturing technique that enables the creation of the intricate, highly precise geometries required for the Zero Torque design. Deliberate mass positioning further enhances stability, while the refined mallet shaping delivers a premium look and feel.

Completing the technology is a precision-engineered, double-milled face pattern that delivers a smoother face for exceptionally consistent feel and roll across the entire striking surface. The tour-inspired milling helps provide reliable distance control and a true roll, even when contact is not perfectly centered.

Visually, the new women’s models introduce a distinctive gold colourway, with the red detailing featured on the existing Zero Torque putters replaced with gold across both the putter head and grip. The result is a premium, contemporary, finish designed to complement the performance-driven technology on offer.

Both putter models are available from August 27 in a 33” length with a Wilson Premium Midsize grip and are set to be offered at £229/$199

Mizuno is proud to announce the launch of the Mizuno Pro S-4, the newest addition to its growing Signature Series iron lineup and the most forgiving model in the series to date.

Developed for players who demand the refined look, precision, and forged feel of a Mizuno Pro iron, the S-4 introduces a higher-launching player’s cavity back profile designed to offer greater forgiveness and stability throughout the set.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: As with every iron in the Signature Series, the S-4 is built around Mizuno’s renowned forging expertise. Each head is forged from a single billet of 1025E Pure Select Mild Carbon Steel using Mizuno’s patented Grain Flow Forged HD process, delivering the unmistakably soft, responsive feel that has defined Mizuno irons for generations. A copper underlay further refines vibration characteristics and feedback at impact.

Mizuno’s Harmonic Impact Technology sound tuning complements the forging process by carefully managing vibration and acoustics at impact. Together, these technologies create the solid sound and responsive feedback preferred by accomplished players, preserving the precise feel expected from a Mizuno Pro iron.

Visually, the S-4 remains true to the Signature Series identity, with a redesigned cavity muscle structure featuring softer, flowing geometry throughout the back of the iron. The refined shaping strategically distributes mass to enhance stability and forgiveness, while a progressive topline, flowing offset progression, and premium finish preserve the clean, compact appearance that defines the Mizuno Pro aesthetic.

With the addition of the Mizuno Pro S-4, the Signature Series now offers its broadest performance range yet. From the shot-making purity of the S-1 to the tour-proven versatility of the S-3 and the added forgiveness of the S-4, the series continues to reflect Mizuno’s commitment to creating irons for the diverse demands of accomplished players.

Premium high-tech golf apparel brand Galvin Green is taking its CONCEPT collection in a bold nature-inspired direction for Autumn/Winter 2026 with CONCEPT: Modern Roots, a distinctive drop inspired by the raw power and quiet strength of the forest.

Designed for the modern golfer, the collection brings together contemporary silhouettes, expressive detailing and performance-driven fabrics to create pieces that move effortlessly between the golf course, the city and the natural world. With ‘Play Anywhere. Wear Everywhere.’ at its core, CONCEPT: Modern Roots continues to challenge traditional perceptions of what golf clothing can be.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: “CONCEPT: Modern Roots is about bringing together two worlds that naturally complement each other – the raw, understated character of nature and the energy of modern life,” said Sofia Ask Klason, Global Brand Director at Galvin Green.

“We took inspiration from the forest and translated that into the colours, textures and graphic elements throughout the collection, while keeping the versatility and performance that are fundamental to every Galvin Green product. We wanted these pieces to feel at home on the golf course, but just as relevant when you’re away from it,” she added.

The collection draws on the colours, textures and understated strength of the natural world, expressed through two distinctive colour stories: Jungle Green and Navy. Rich Jungle Green tones sit alongside Navy, Black and Blue Slate, creating a versatile palette that balances organic inspiration with a contemporary, urban aesthetic. Across the six-piece collection, every garment is available in two colourways, with Jungle Green providing a consistent thread alongside Navy or Blue Slate depending on the style.

Striking new colour combinations and advanced technical fabrics define the second instalment of the contemporary AW26 collection.

The latest offering in THE LAB franchise demonstrates Galvin Green’s continued commitment to explore new ideas within golf apparel, combining unmatched technical performance with a host of eye-catching designs. The result is a collection developed for serious golfers who refuse to let challenging conditions dictate when they can play.

Why it matters: Premium high-tech golf apparel brand Galvin Green is taking THE LAB collection in a bold new direction, unveiling a striking second instalment that combines distinctive new colour combinations with advanced technical fabrics and contemporary silhouettes engineered to challenge the elements.

At the heart of the collection are two distinctive outerwear styles, the ALONZO and LEANDRO jackets. Available in Storm Blue/Navy/White and Storm Blue/Navy respectively, both garments combine striking looks with performance-driven fabric technologies engineered to withstand the most challenging weather.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: How it performs - Think of it as the perfect blend of two Seed favourites: SD‑15 distance off the tee and SD‑01 feel and spin around the greens

You get long‑ball durability and speed with the premium urethane control normally found only in high‑end tour balls.

Who it’s for - Quite simply — everyone. Whether you’re stepping up from a distance ball and want more greenside bite, or you’re a tour‑ball player looking for extra value without sacrificing performance, the SD‑17 is built to suit all swing speeds and playing styles.

Key Features - 2‑piece construction with cast urethane cover / New 80‑compression core for broad player compatibility / SD‑15 distance + SD‑01 feel and spin / Designed for all swing speeds and abilities

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Hi-Toe 5 features a RAW face finish in combination with proprietary Spin Tread Technology. The RAW face is engineered to increase spin in both dry and wet conditions.

Hi-Toe 5 is offered in five sole grind configurations, each engineered for a distinct combination of swing type, turf condition, and playing style. Four configurations are available in the standard line: ATS, ATV, ATX, and ATW. The ATC grind is offered for right-handed players in both custom options and in the MyHi-Toe 5 wedge personalisation programme.

Professional golfers have never hit the ball further, and that has left the governing bodies searching for answers. Their proposed solution has been the golf ball rollback, but not everyone is convinced by it.

Effectively, it would introduce a new ball specification that reduces the maximum distance elite golfers can hit the ball. Its aim is to help curb distance gains and preserve the challenge of golf courses.

Although any proposal has been pushed back to 2030 at the earliest.

But there are concerns that it doesn't address the root of the problem. Instead, should the focus be on other bits of modern equipment or even the way courses are prepared for elite competition?

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: According to DP World Tour professional Brandon Robinson-Thompson, the golf ball has become an easy target rather than the true cause of the issue.

Speaking to Robinson-Thompson Your Golf by NCG Podcast, Nicola Slater asked how much difference he expected the rollback to make if it eventually comes into play.

"Well, from what I've heard, I don't know how much I can share, but from what I've heard, it's not making much difference at all," he said.

"If it rolled back like they said it would, I'd be like a bit disappointed, because I'm not sure it's really golf ball related, the issues that they're trying to solve. However, from what I've heard from people that have been testing rollback balls, it's not a lot of difference in the ball."

While Robinson-Thompson admitted neither he or Srixon have tested the proposed rollback golf balls, there are suggestions changes are far smaller than many expected.

"I think there's a narrative for sure that's become dominant on distance," he added.

"I think it's been proven through certain events and course setups that it's not necessarily about distance. Are we hitting it further? Yes, of course we are.

"There's potential to make certain courses obsolete, for sure, which is a shame. But not everything lasts forever, and things change, and things improve. But I just don't think that the way that we're progressing, athletically and technologically, I think that's just kind of the way it is."

One of the arguments against the proposed rollback is the knock-on effect it will have on golf's entertainment value.

Robinson-Thompson believes spectators still want to be amazed by how far tour professionals can hit the ball. If we take that wow factor away, does the sport still have the same appeal to viewers?

"I wouldn't want to go and watch the pros pat it 250 yards," he joked.

"I think you lose a little wow factor. Even as an elite professional, I played with Rory (McIlroy) last year a couple of times, and I mean, even that's like, 'oh, wow', because the ball does go much, so much further than my own ball.

"So I can relate to the awe of an amateur watching us hit, similar to watching those sort of guys that just do hit it a long way. It's kind of cool."

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Three men's majors have been played in 2026. Three different champions have lifted each trophy. Yet, all of them had one thing in common.

The game's top professionals are always on the lookout for those incremental marginal gains in performance. It's part and parcel of top-level sport.

Perhaps the latest trend in the pursuit of this level of excellence lies with replaceable spikes. They have been present under the feet of this year's major winners, lifting the game's most prestigious trophies.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: The winners of the Masters, PGA Championship and U.S. Open all wore Softspikes on their way to major glory, continuing a trend that has become somewhat impossible to ignore for the regular club golfer.

It is quite the remarkable run that reflects a wider change in the professional game.

Could the most important bit of golf equipment be the one golfers pay least attention to?

Why traction still matters

Golf may not look like the most athletic of sports, but as golf swings continue to be more explosive and packed with speed, stability is a big demand on players.

With the average PGA Tour professional hitting the ball over 300 yards off the tee, having a strong base can be key.

It's for that reason, choosing the right golf shoes for you can be imperative to improved on-course results. As most golfers know all too well, even the slightest loss of grip can skew the quality of strike.

According to Softspikes, 45 of the top 52 finishers at this year's U.S. Open chose replaceable spikes over spikeless or trainer-style golf shoes. For a tournament renowned as one of the toughest tests in golf, that's a striking statistic.

One that pushes back against the suggestion that spikeless models are now the norm and most popular, certainly when it comes to the men's professional game.

A growing trend?

The majors are far from isolated instances in 2026.

The victory extended a remarkable run on the PGA Tour, with players wearing spikes now winning 24 consecutive events. Even more notably, every men's and women's major championship winner so far this year has opted for replaceable spikes.

That follows a similar pattern from 2025, when all four men's major champions also wore spikes.

While there are countless factors that contribute to winning golf tournaments, the consistency of this trend suggests that many elite players still view guaranteed traction as a genuine performance advantage.

It also begs the question as to whether spikeless alternatives are having the opposite effect and if club golfers should abandon them altogether.

We recently spoke to Under Armour’s Head of Footwear Optimisation, Chris Murtagh, about the whole spiked vs spikeless golf shoe debate and he insisted the latter still has a place.

“As people get very high peak forces, and that can be unique to individuals, not necessarily handicap related," he said. "Some people just create a lot of force, even if they could be high handicaps.

“If they’re the case, often in a spike shoe, particularly on dry ground, they can start to shear and can start to slip. So, in that case, we would probably be looking more at spikeless.”

• NOW READ: The importance of choosing the right golf shoe size
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There was a time when the top end of a tour golf bag followed a predictable layout that consisted of a driver, 3-wood, maybe a 5-wood at a push, and then straight into long irons. Anything higher lofted was often dismissed as a rescue option rather than a serious players' club.

That's not the case anymore.

There is an increasing trend of tour players using higher lofted clubs throughout their set-ups. It is most noticeably apparent when it comes to fairway woods.

More and more of the world's best are turning to seven-woods and nine-woods, to deal with the challenges of modern golf.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: It seems not even Augusta National Golf Club is an exception to this new way of thinking. And ahead of The Masters, Tommy Fleetwood offered some insight into why that shift has taken place.

How times have changed

Speaking about his set-up ahead of the tournament, Fleetwood didn’t hesitate when highlighting the importance of his higher lofted fairway woods and one club in particular.

“It's a great 9-wood golf course," the Englishman said when speaking to the media on Tuesday. "I think it's always been -- I can't remember when I first put a nine-wood in or a high lofted club, but it's a perfect 9-wood golf course. I've had that in the bag for a few years."

That statement alone shows how today's professionals see the game. It's a stark contrast to the stinger, long-irons of the Tiger Woods era.

It's not uncommon for courses on the PGA Tour to reward towering approaches and soft landings, actually it is quite the opposite.

Augusta is the ultimate example of this. With the course set to be playing firm and fast this week, like the Masters of old, there seems to be a greater emphasis on launching the ball high and land it softly.

"It's funny really because I know Augusta is probably associated with being fairly forgiving off the tee in a way, so you think you can whale around driver a little bit, but I don't necessarily think that's always the play for me," Fleetwood said on the brink on the 90th Masters.

"I think there's holes that set up really well where I can draw it with the mini driver if I'm feeling less comfortable with the driver and things like that."

Replacing the long irons

Are long irons a thing of the past?

Well, they look to be pretty scarce on the ground at this year's Masters championship, that's for sure.

“The biggest thing is the 9-wood for me," the 2025 FedEx Cup champion reiterated. "If I can put myself in position on the par-fives or the fourth long par-3, for me, I can't really hit that high four-iron, so a nine-wood helps me a lot.”

Fleetwood isn't the only one taking up this approach. The 2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson also has a nine-wood in play this year.

The rise of higher-lofted fairway woods signals a subtle but significant shift in equipment philosophy. Of course, power still matters and has a big impact on performance, but that extra sense of control is also hugely important.

And as courses like Augusta continue to reward height and precision, it’s no surprise that players are rethinking what belongs at the top end of their bags.

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MailOrderGolf are #1 when it comes to lake balls.

Their lake balls are collected directly from divers, then carefully cleaned, sorted, and graded to ensure top quality.

MailOrderGolf aim to provide quality balls at reasonable prices - with savings of up to 80%!

Is this the best time of year to sort your golf insurance? Golf Care's new Masters Mania promotion indicates it could be.

The Masters is the biggest week in golf. Not only does it throw up a great sporting spectacle, but it is a time when golfers can grab themselves a great deal.

That is certainly true when it comes to golf insurance. Golf Care is the UK's largest golf insurance specialist. They cover everything from lost or stolen equipment to personal liability on the course.

Now they have a new offer available.

Timed to coincide with the Masters tournament getting underway, it combines a first-year discount on cover with a range of added-value incentives aimed at regular golfers.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: But, what do you get for your money exactly? And is it worth it?

Well, the campaign is designed to appeal to players gearing up for the new season. From free rounds of golf to equipment rewards, it does have its perks.

For golfers weighing up their options ahead of the new season, it presents a package that might just go beyond the traditional insurance model. Here's a breakdown of what you get for your buck...

What does the Masters Mania offer include?

It is no surprise to find Masters inspired golf deals. For many it is the start of their golfing season and there is an argument to say that golf is at its most engaged each year when the tournament is being played.

This promotion certainly won't be the last you'll hear about.

At the centre of it is a 30 per cent discount on first-year golf insurance. Entry-level policies start at just over £28.05 per year, depending on the level of cover selected.

However, it is the additional perks that form a major part of the package.

New customers who take out a policy during the promotional period receive a welcome bundle. This includes three free rounds of golf at a selection of courses across the UK, with a combined value of over £300.

Perhaps the most convincing factor is that customers will also receive a collection of Titleist Pro V1 golf balls worth £25.

The different levels of cover

As part of the Masters Mania offer, there are four golf insurance packages to choose from. Golfers are able to select the package that offers them comprehensive protection both on and off the course.

Each cover policy includes up to £10 million in public liability insurance, as well as protection for golf equipment against theft, loss, or accidental damage.

Golfers can choose from four levels of cover, ranging from Bronze to Platinum, allowing them to tailor their policy based on the value of their equipment and their playing habits.

Platinum is the most expensive option and offers up £7,500 in cover for golf equipment.

Although they each have different levels of equipment cover, they all offer a new-for-old replacement policy on clubs that are up to three years old.

The Masters Mania offer is available until the 19th, April 2026.

Find out more here.

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Their lake balls are collected directly from divers, then carefully cleaned, sorted, and graded to ensure top quality.

MailOrderGolf aim to provide quality balls at reasonable prices - with savings of up to 80%!

Distance irons seem to be in most golfer's bags one way or another, but that hasn't quenched the thirst for the true players' offerings just yet.

Whilst there is no doubt that more forgiving irons suit a number of golfers out there, they aren't the perfect solution for every golfer. Some value control over raw distance gains.

This is where Ping new i540 irons come in. Designed for golfers who want more ball speed without giving up control, they blend metal-wood inspired face technology with a compact, players-style profile.

If you want extra yards without sacrificing feel, it sounds like the i540 might just change what you expect from a players-distance iron.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Here's a closer look at how Ping has set about trying to deliver this and everything you need to know about them...

Ping i540 Irons: The technology

At the core of the i540’s distance performance is a forged, variable-thickness maraging-steel face that is 9% thinner than that of previous designs.

Because the face is thinner, it flexes more at impact and an increased flex creates more ball speed and a higher peak height.

There is a real emphasis on creating more speed from these irons, with Ping also engineering the sole and topline transition areas to bend almost wood-like. This is ultimately designed to increase speed.

Ping believe the result is a face that behaves more like that of a driver than your typical set of irons.

One of the most notable innovations in the i540 is inR-Air Technology. Bear with me here as I give you the technical definition of what that is. Its a patent-pending internal airbag system positioned behind the face inside the cavity.

If you aren't familiar with any of that, then all you really need to know is that it helps to deliver a more desirable sound and feel while still allowing the face to flex freely.

Ping's i-Beam Technology also helps to unlock this improved sound and feel. It does this by reinforcing the head and supporting the body.

It is a metal-wood-inspired construction that adds a little bit of stability in a model of irons you wouldn't usually expect it from.

Elsewhere, Ping has also added in some tungsten weighting in the mid to long range irons.

By placing tungsten along the sole, the center of gravity is lowered. A lower CG increases ball speed and promotes a higher launch angle, which leads to improved stopping power on approach shots. Valuable in irons that are typically harder to get airborne than others.

Ping i540 Irons: The details

RRP:

Steel: £200 / $235

Graphite: £210 / $250

More Information: Ping website

Don’t forget to check out and like our YouTube channel – YOUR GOLF NCG – where you will find lots of hints, tips and equipment reviews.

The Ryder Cup is a showcase of passion and world-class golf. It’s also a fascinating insight into the tools the best players in the game trust when the pressure is at its highest.

From drivers designed for power off the tee to pitching wedge setups tailored for Bethpage Black’s brutal greenside tests, there are plenty of surprises and trends in the world's best golfers' bags.

In our Ryder Cup WITB special we take a closer look at the most common equipment choices across both squads, and what they tell us about how the Ryder Cup might be won.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Most Popular Driver

Titleist are the dominant golf club manufacturer at the 2025 Ryder Cup when it comes to drivers. More specifically the new GT series and the GT2 and GT3 drivers set to be the most used at Bethpage in a couple of weeks. J.J. Spaun, Russell Henley and Matt Fitzpatrick will all have one in play.

Interestingly, there are some players who still opt to use older Titleist driver models. Robert McIntyre still prefers the TSR2. This isn't a big surprise, a lot of tour players generally have one or quirky golf club inclusions in their set-up and some just don't like change.

Such as Ludvig Aberg and Justin Thomas, who trust Titleist and have made these drivers integral to their games. It will be interesting to see if the new GT range stands tall come Sunday evening in New York or if the older TSR models will have the last laugh.

When it comes to Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler they both tee it up with the TaylorMade Qi10 driver - a driver that is now reduced in price!

Most Popular Fairway wood

TaylorMade fairway woods are the most popular, with plenty of American and European players alike trusting the brand. This is a reflection of the norm on tour as well, with TaylorMade fairway woods favoured more than any other golf club brand.

A lot of players who aren't TaylorMade staffers or contracted to the brand also choose to game them. Europe's big-hitting Swede Ludvig Aberg is one. Aberg is actually a Titleist player but chooses to use the TaylorMade Stealth 2 3-wood.

The TaylorMade Qi10 is the most popular model for those at Bethpage – with four of the Americans having at least one in the bag. It is also now available at discounted prices and is once again the choice of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.

Most Popular Mini Driver

The popularity of mini drivers has caught fire over the last couple of years, especially in the professional game.

Two golfers have a mini driver in play for the Ryder Cup. Incidentally, both are from the European team. Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose are opting to use the TaylorMade R7 Quad mini driver.

The 2025 R7 Quad Mini Driver is TaylorMade's latest mini driver release and a nod to the company’s first-ever adjustable weight driver from the mid-2000s. When you think of mini drivers, a lot of us tend to think of TaylorMade as the first brand to spring to mind. But for 2025, there are plenty of mini driver options available on the market, some of which are very impressive.

There's in no doubting the quality of mini drivers but for many, it is about finding a space in their bags. It seems members of Team USA have the same difficulty.

Most Popular Hybrid

You are forgiven if you can't recall the last time you saw a hybrid being used on your television screens. By a professional at a tour event that is. Many pro golfers opt to stack their bags with a 7-wood and even a 9-wood rather than a hybrid.

Higher-lofted fairway woods have reclaimed their favour with the world's best. This sentiment is reflected by the Ryder Cup teams.

Only four out of the 24 players from the respective teams have a hybrid in the bag. Russell Henley, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young from Team USA; while Robert MacIntyre is the sole hybrid player from Team Europe.

Although there are four different models on show, two of them are Titleist golf clubs. Young uses the newer GT2 model, while Henley opts for the more retro option in the TSi2. Callaway and TaylorMade are also represented, by Schauffele and MacIntyre respectfully.

Most Popular Irons

When it comes to the 2025 Ryder Cup, the Titleist T100 irons emerge as the most utilised irons in both Team USA and Team Europe bags. These new Titleist irons are precision instruments enabling you to achieve optimum height and control.

In fact, Titleist feature the most out of any golf brand when it comes to irons. Exactly half of those playing at Bethpage choose to have Titleist irons in the bag. They have always been a popular choice, especially among non-sponsored players, in the professional game.

Most Popular Wedges

Titleist also take the prize for most popular wedges at the Ryder Cup. Something that will please their engineers is that many of the top professionals have switched to their latest offering this season, the Vokey SM10s.

Interestingly, Scottie Scheffler is still using the SM8 model, so not all professionals immediately switch the new equipment. Unlike Rory McIlroy, who has put the new TaylorMade MG5 wedges straight in the bag and helped him to victory at the Irish Open.

Eight players in total are deploying Titleist's latest wedge release from their gold-standard Vokey line-up. Titleist staffers like Matt Fitzpatrick, Ludvig Aberg and Cameron Young have some configurations of these wedges in their bag.

In addition, players like Sam Burns, who are contracted to a different manufacturer, Callaway in this instance, for much of their bag still play the Vokey SM10s.

Most Popular Putters

There are many different putting strokes, temperaments and styles, all of which can be successful in their own right. So it is no surprise then that there are a multitude of different putters on display at the Ryder Cup.

Nothing emphasises this more than the fact that six players from the two teams game Odyssey putters – and all of them are different models. In fact, there are only two putters that are used by multiple players.

Three players use a tour favourite, the TaylorMade Spider Tour X (including Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy), and the same number of players opt for the Scotty Cameron Phantom T-5 Tour Prototype.

Only four of the 22 Ryder Cup players are using a blade putter. This is a reflection of the growing trend of pro golfers using mallet-styled putters over recent years.

Most Popular Golf Ball

Historically, Titleist golf balls have dominated the Ryder Cup. This year is no different. The majority of players from Team USA and Team Europe trust Titleist Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf balls. Interestingly, once again Scottie Scheffler has not made the move to the newest model, in this case the 2025 Pro V1, and still opts for the previous iteration.

In fact, 13 players in total are teeing up a Titleist golf ball in one form or the other at the Ryder Cup.

The Titleist Pro V1x is the most used out of the two, as six of those playing at Bethpage trust the headline model.

Callaway golf balls are also well represented at this year's Ryder Cup. Multiple time major winner Jon Rahm headlines their roster and a number of players are using the Chrome Tour X model at Bethpage.

Ben Griffin is somewhat of an outlier opting to tee up a Maxfli golf ball.

Summary Statistics

• Drivers - Titleist 9 / Callaway 6 / TaylorMade and Ping 4 / Srixon 1
• Fariway woods (some carry more than 1) - TaylorMade 13 / Titleist 6 / Callaway 5 / Ping 3
• Mini Drivers - TaylorMade 2
• Hybrids - Titleist 2 / TaylorMade and Callaway 1
• Irons (some carry multiple brands) - Titleist 12 / Ping 9 / Srixon 7 / TaylorMade and Callaway 5 / LA Golf, Mizuno and Miura 1
• Wedges - (some carry multiple brands) - Titleist Vokey 16 / Ping 7 / TaylorMade 6 / Cleveland 5 / Callaway 3
• Putters - TaylorMade, Scotty Cameron and Odyssey 6 / Ping 2 / Bettinardi 1 / LAB 1 / SIK Pro 1
• Balls - Titleist 13 / Callaway 4 / TaylorMade 3 / Srixon 3 / Maxfli 1

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Don’t forget to check out and like our YouTube channel – YOUR GOLF NCG – where you will find lots of hints, tips and equipment reviews.

Tiger Woods has been with Nike for roughly the same period I've been on Earth.

My grandparents, and some of my colleagues, will tell me that's not a long time.

But it is, and since 1996, Woods and Nike have become one of the most famous athlete-brand establishments in all of sports, along with NBA icon Michael Jordan.

On January 8, Woods and Nike both officially announced the split with social media posts that could bring a tear to your eye.

So, what have been the highlights of the flourishing Woods-Nike partnership, and which players have joined him along the way?

How has the story blossomed since Woods turned professional in 1996?

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Tiger Woods Nike timeline

1996

Woods signed with Nike for the first time in 1996 for five years in a deal reportedly worth $40 million.

Just months after signing with the Swoosh, the young American won the Las Vegas Invitational and the Walt Disney World Golf Classic on the PGA Tour.

This coincided with the famous 'Hello World' television advert which has forever been remembered by golf fans.

These were the words Woods uttered in his first press conference.

1997

A 21-year-old Woods blew the field away at Augusta National in 1997 to win the Masters by 12 shots.

His winning shirt went on to be mass-produced, and suddenly Woods' relationship with Nike was becoming a match made in heaven.

1999

Two years after winning his first major, Woods took part in another popular commercial that shows him doing keep-ups with a golf club.

The "hackey-sacking" video was allegedly not planned as the director spotted Woods juggling the golf ball off camera, so the focus turned to this and that is how the advert was born.

2000

At the turn of the millennium, Woods cut ties with the Titleist golf ball and switched to Nike, namely the solid-core Tour Accuracy golf ball.

After this switch, Woods won the next four major championships and set upon the path to greatness.

2001

Woods agreed on a monumental new deal with Nike in 2001 which was worth a reported figure of $100 million.

Nike created a new golf ball named after the new sprightly superstar called the Tour Accuracy TW which began to be sold in golf shops.

2002

Nike manufactured clubs and made them available for retail for the first time in 2002. Woods put a new driver and a set of irons and wedges into play.

2005

Woods gave Nike one of its greatest moments at the 2005 Masters.

He struck golf's greatest chip which trickled down to the hole on the par-3 16th at Augusta National, taking a couple of seconds for the Nike Swoosh to disappear into the cup.

This was also the same year Nike signed Michelle Wie West as a 16-year-old.

2006

2006 was the year of Woods' second renewal with Nike, 10 years after beginning his association with the brand.

2008

Woods won the US Open at Torrey Pines in a playoff against Rocco Mediate in 2008, dramatically securing his 14th major title.

This was the same year Nike released the Tiger Woods Platinum apparel collection.

2013

Rory McIlroy signed a mammoth decade-long deal with Nike in 2013 worth $200 million.

Woods also extended his deal as well, and the pair took part in a very fun advert many will remember for its catchphrase 'No Cup is Safe'.

In June, Woods' agent Mark Steinberg said he was confident Woods would be with Nike for the rest of his career.

2016

Although Nike shut down its golf equipment rollout in 2016, Woods continued the partnership which was now 20 years old.

2022

Quite surprisingly, Woods wore a pair of FootJoy golf shoes at the 2022 Masters, instead of his usual selection of Nikes. Nike addressed this at the time:

"Like golf fans around the world, we are delighted to see Tiger back on the course. He is an incredible athlete, and it is phenomenal to see him returning to the game at this level.

"His story continues to transcend sport and inspire us all. As he continues his return, we will work with him to meet his new needs."

Wood also addressed the subject during the week at Augusta:

"Nike's been fantastic over the years of providing me with equipment and work, and we have worked, we've been working on trying to find something to allow me to do this and swing again.

"We're still going to continue doing it, and hopefully, we'll have something soon."

NOW READ: Why Tiger Woods comebacks still matter…

NOW READ: What driver does Tiger Woods use?

Which was your favourite Tiger Woods Nike commercial? Tell us on Twitter/X!

Santa seems to have squeezed himself down Ludvig Aberg's chimney already.

The European star debuted a flashy new set of Titleist irons on the PGA Tour last week having signed a club deal with the popular brand.

Aberg brandished Titleist's 2023 T100 irons at the Grant Thornton Invitational playing with fellow Swede Madelene Sagstrom.

"Until this past week actually I haven't had a club deal, I’ve been playing with whatever I like," Aberg told PGATour.com last week.

"I’ve used the 2018-19 T100s up until now, but I like the way that they sit, I really like these (2023 T100s) and they can improve my game.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: "One of the reasons I made the switch is that they are very similar (to the 2019 set), he added. "I’m not the biggest fan of changing too much, especially your clubs and I like to figure it out myself.

"The switch was very easy and I feel like this week was a good time to get used to it and have a few weeks off and be ready for next year."

The 24-year-old also uses the Titleist TSR2 driver, a 718 T-MB 2-iron and three Vokey SM9 wedges, as well as the Titleist Pro V1x golf ball.

Aberg and Sagstrom fired rounds of 60, 72 and 60 at Tiburon Golf Club to finish on 24-under-par, two shots behind winners Jason Day and Lydia Ko.

Aberg won for the first time on the PGA Tour at the RSM Classic in November using the older version of his new irons, two months after winning the Omega European Masters on the DP World Tour.

These victories confirmed the potential of the former World No.1 amateur who made his Ryder Cup debut at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club as one of Team Europe's captain picks.

He won two points in a sweltering week in Rome, one of which was with Viktor Hovland as they inflicted a 9&7 beat-down of Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler in the Saturday foursomes.

In other Aberg-related news, Golf Channel today reported he has parted ways with his caddie Jack Clarke and will be joined by Joe Skovron in the new year.

NOW READ: Ludvig Aberg clubs: What's in his golf bag?

NOW READ: Ludvig Aberg's Ryder Cup caddie speaks to NCG!

The Ludvig Aberg-Titleist deal is done! Tell us what you think on Twitter/X!

The R&A and the USGA have shown their hands.

Hitting distances are set to be reduced at all levels by modifying how golf balls are tested.

You can read how the golf ball roll back plan might affect you here and you can also discover the reactions of the industry here.

But what about the reactions of those at NCG HQ? The fallout that matters.

We put together six key questions from the governing bodies' roll back announcement for four of our brightest minds (they were the only ones available) to get stuck into:

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Are the governing bodies doing the right thing?

Matt Chivers: Yes they are. They've addressed the issue in a measured way that only significantly affects a small percentage of us all.

Chris Vodden: Yes. Like Billy Foster told us, more shot-making and less driver-wedge action on most holes, please! The gap between the best and the rest isn't wide enough. Bring on a more fun and interesting game.

Matt Coles: This is a difficult question. I can understand why they might think it is the right idea, but for me, I don't understand why they're doing it. Also, the golfing landscape might have changed within the next five years.

Matthew Beedle: I’d say that for the sake of sustainability and golf courses not having to spend vast amounts of money “protecting” their golf courses, yes.

However, I can’t help but feel that there are two golf courses that they have had at the forefront of their minds when making these decisions.

Augusta National and the Old Course - not your everyday golf course.

Does the ball go too far?

Matt Chivers: The ball does go too far and would continue to go too far and stretch golf courses to their limits if nothing was done.

Chris Vodden: Not for me! But yes, the ball does go too far for a tour player or an elite amateur.

Matt Coles: At the top level, I think it's great that we see guys hitting the ball 350 yards and more. It's great to see Brooks, Bryson, Rory and hitting 'bombs'.

Matthew Beedle: For the majority of golfers, no.

Will this make any difference to club players?

Matt Chivers: No, and the minimal difference it will make to club players won't happen until 2030. Keep quiet and enjoy your round.

Chris Vodden: No. Unless they're speed-training twice a week, they'll hardly notice. The only thing it might affect are personal scores, but everyone else is in the same boat.

Matt Coles: This could make a huge difference. At my level, which is hovering just inside a single-figure handicap, taking seven to 10 yards of each shot is big. If I have to hit 5-iron instead of 6-iron, then my handicap will shoot upwards.

Matthew Beedle: As mentioned above, the majority of golfers around the world won’t be able to swing fast enough to see a difference.

Is a 15-yard reduction enough at the top level?

Matt Chivers: 15 yards seems the perfect and least offensive amount. Can the top players honestly complain about such an insignificant reduction?

Chris Vodden: I don't think it is as, if the rate of technology in golf clubs continues to grow, it might not be as far as that in 10 years.

Matt Coles: All that I can see changing would be the scores being posted. We will see more winning scores of 14-under than 20-under, but it will be the same golfers that are at the top. There might be a slight change in the percentage of fairways and greens.

Matthew Beedle: No. Players at the top level are insanely good. Will it make a difference to them that they’re hitting an 8-iron instead of a 9-iron? No.

It also won’t be enough to see the top tournaments head to “classic” courses. We’ll still see top professionals and elite-level amateurs battle it out at the same courses we see them play at now.

Will it stop beginners from taking up the game?

Matt Chivers: No chance. Beginners are not interested in the nitty-gritty details. Leave that to the governing bodies that have spent years researching.

Chris Vodden: Definitely not. They can't hit it 15 yards to begin with so they're not going to notice a difference!

Matt Coles: I can't see this happening. For beginners first getting into the game, the type of ball being used makes no difference whatsoever. It is about the feeling of hitting your first good shot, sinking your first par and then birdie putts. A ball roll back has no impact on those feelings.

Matthew Beedle: No. Unless you’re a talented beginner who can swing and strike a golf club at the same level as a PGA Tour professional, then they’ll know no different.

Will it negatively impact participation?

Matt Chivers: I can't see this at all. By the time roll back reaches recreational golfers, it will be at the back of their minds and the changes will be too minimal to reduce enjoyment in playing.

Chris Vodden: Some people could throw their toys out of the pram because they're obsessed with their own yardages, but if anything, that's a net positive for the game of golf.

Matt Coles: The only golfers who won't want to play anymore are those too stubborn to go along with the changes. Good riddance to them!

Matthew Beedle: No. We’ll all very much love the game the same way we do now. Golf is a game of constantly trying to improve and better yourself each time you step foot on a driving range or the course.

Perfecting your craft, or at least trying to, is part and parcel of the game and these changes won’t make a difference in that aspect.

NOW READ: Should our classic courses ever be put under the knife?

What is the golf ball roll back solution for you? Tell us on Twitter/X!

The R&A and the USGA have announced plans to reduce hitting distances in the game for everyone.

13-15 yards will be shaved from the longest elite hitters, while a five to seven-yard reduction is projected for LPGA and LET players in changes planned for 2028.

The decision aims to minimise the impact on the recreational game while protecting the sport's long-term sustainability.

In March, the governing bodies were met with strong opposition when initially announcing the intention to introduce a new Model Local Rule whereby top players would essentially use a tournament ball.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Some manufacturers and some players were vocally against it, but what are their thoughts now the golf ball roll back announcement has been made?

The R&A and the USGA

"We are convinced that this decision is one of the key ways of achieving a sustainable future for golf, protecting the integrity of the game and meeting our environmental responsibilities," R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers said.

"The measure we are taking has been carefully considered and calibrated while maintaining the 'one game' ethos deemed to be so important to the golf industry.

"Importantly, it also keeps the impact on recreational golfers to an absolute minimum. We are acting now because we want to ensure that future generations can enjoy the unique challenge of golf as much as we do."

"Governance is hard," USGA Chief executive Mike Whan said. "And while thousands will claim that we did too much, there will be just as many who said we didn't do enough to protect the fame long-term.

"But from the very beginning, we've been driven to do what is right for the game, without bias. As we've said, doing nothing is not an option - and we would be failing in our responsibility to protect the game's future if we didn't take appropriate action now."

Manufacturers

"As a brand that prioritises improving product performance for golfers of all skill levels, the decision to proceed with the golf ball roll back is disappointing," TaylorMade Chief Executive David Abeles said in a formal statement.

"While appreciative of the opportunity to have a seat at the table and a voice in the debate, we feel like the roll back is simply disconnected from what golfers believe is best for the game.

"Throughout the decision-making process, the USGA provided a platform to express our views, provide new data sources, and engage in candid discussions. In the spirit of collaboration, we acknowledge and respect the rules that form an integral part of our game's fabric, even when we disagree with them.

"Looking ahead, as the new golf ball standards come into effect in 2028 for professional golfers and 2030 for amateurs, we assure everyone, at every level of our game, that we will be well-prepared to navigate these changes.

"Our commitment to innovation remains unwavering. As with every product we make, we will work tirelessly to find alternative pathways to make them better and we will continually push the performance boundaries within the parameters set by the rules."

"We do not believe this is in the best interests of the game. We don't agree that there is a distance problem in the game," a Titleist spokesperson said in a holding statement.

"As we consider today’s R&A and USGA announcement against recent feedback provided by the World Alliance of PGA’s and the PGA Tour, we are also concerned that the golf ball rollback overly impacts golfers and does not fully reflect the input of those closest to the game," Acushnet Chief Executive David Maher said.

"There have been requests to align on what data is used and how it is used to draw conclusions prior to any equipment changes being made.

"Many important stakeholders do not see distance as a problem the way the governing bodies do, and therefore come to differing conclusions about how to proceed to ensure the best possible outcome for the sport."

"We do believe the game is thriving and hope to support the continued energy and enthusiasm around golf." ( Full statement here)

"We are aware of and understand the passionate responses on both sides regarding the USGA announcement on the distance roll back of golf balls. While we would prefer that any new rules did not impact recreational golfers, we believe further commentary is no longer productive," President and Chief Executive of Bridgestone Golf Dan Murphy said.

"At this point, we need to concentrate on creating conforming products that allow both professionals and amateurs to play their best golf."

"Topgolf Callaway Brands respects the perspectives of the governing bodies and knows they are acting in what they believe is the best interest of the game," Topgolf Callaway Brands President and Chief Executive Chip Brewer wrote in a statement.

"However, when viewing the same data, we have consistently communicated that we would not have chosen to roll the ball back and we would have preferred bifurcation over a change across the board."

This is a statement from Topgolf Callaway Brands President & CEO, Chip Brewer.

Chip Brewer says they would have "preferred bifurcation over a change across the board." pic.twitter.com/J9VxrFeKQL

— Golfalot (@Golfalot) December 7, 2023

The Tours

"Today's announcement takes into account previous feedback from the PGA Tour that we believe a Model Local rule related to golf ball conformance is not in the best interests of the gamer as a whole, and also feedback the PGA Tour received from the manufacturing community that a longer timeframe prior to implementation would be needed for such a change," commissioner Jay Monahan wrote to the PGA Tour members.

"Furthermore, the suggested concept of adding an additional testing protocol to address the issue of "creep" on the spring-like effect of driver faces is something the PGA Tour continues to support.

"However, we continue to provide feedback to the USGA and the R&A that we believe the proposed increase in test clubhead speed to 125 mph is disproportional to the rate of increase we see when analysing PGA Tour radar data on launch conditions, using best practices for analysing data.

"Therefore, we do not support today's announcement regarding the increase to 125 mph, believing a more moderate adjustment is appropriate."

"We appreciate the amount of time and effort the game’s governing bodies, The R&A and the USGA have expended in research in this area," a DP World Tour spokesperson said, via the Independent.

“They are golf’s rule makers, and we therefore respect the decision they have arrived at.”

The PGA Tour rejected bifurcation, which has led us to a rollback for everyone.

They also “do not support” the current rollback for everyone as proposed. pic.twitter.com/nJDC6whej7

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) December 6, 2023

"The LPGA is appreciative of the leadership and stewardship of the USGA and The R&A on a variety of topics within the game, including today’s announcement regarding the anticipated changes to the rules governing distance," the LPGA statement read.

"While we do not feel there is a distance issue in the women’s game, we recognize the need for the USGA and the R&A to address complex challenges and ensure the game’s continued long-term growth, success and sustainability.

"We support the USGA and R&A’s decision to eliminate their previous proposal for implementation of a Model Local Rule related to the golf ball as we believe a unified approach to the game is important for the continued growth of women’s golf.

"Consistency across the game provides the best opportunity for the LPGA to showcase the enormous talent of our athletes and helps ensure the LPGA will continue to be a leader in elevating, inspiring, and advancing girls and women as we have been for more than 73 years."

Players

"So the last couple of decades, we've been talking about what to do, especially as golf courses are getting longer," Rory McIlroy said to Sky Sports. "They're needing more and more acreage to build golf courses. Is that sustainable? Because they're building more acreage, they need more water to maintain them.

"There's all these environmental factors that come into it. I think that's the biggest reason we should do this, but also, from a professional that plays the game, I said in that Twitter post a few days ago, I think it'll just bring back some skills into the pro game that have maybe been lost.

"I actually think it will make the pro game more entertaining to watch. I think you're going to see a different variety of games succeed, it's not just going to be this bomb and gouge that we see predominantly now when you watch the top level of golf.

"It'll bring some of the great classic courses back into consideration when we go to major championships. That's the reason I'm a big proponent of just making the ball go a little shorter and maybe becasue of that, it might spin a little more and shot-shaping comes back into it, and long irons get played a little bit more.

"I just think the game at the top level will become a little more skilful again."

"The thing is we've all known that this could potentially be coming over the last few years," Tony Finau said. "It's been talked about for a very long time, whether it's the driver that was going to change or the golf ball, so we've been talking about a rollback for a couple years.

"I can't say it's like surprising, but now that it's here, there's a date, it's official, and no matter where you stand, we're going to have to deal with it starting in '28."

"You're just going to have to adapt. It's all just about adapting," Nelly Korda said. "Technology constantly changes, and the best players are still going to be the best players. It's just about who's going to adapt the quickest and the easiest."

"I'm a fan of the R&A, I'm a fan of the USGA and we have to look after the game and obviously, the future and what's good for the game," Annika Sorenstam told SiriusXM radio.

"I'm sorry but the game is not the same for amateurs and professionals, it really isn't. So if we're talking about sustainability that we're running out of land, I haven't heard an amateur ever say 'This course was really short'.

"So if we're only targeting the PGA Tour, that's one thing but to roll it back for everybody? I really think this is more of a PGA Tour issue than anything. On the LPGA Tour, we haven't run out of courses.

"I'm happy to play courses that the men can't play, courses that we think of, bucket list courses that are too short for the men. So let's just think about that and I think there are things you can do to make these courses a little more difficult.

"If you look at the schedule, where they play today, there are some courses where they really don't score that low and what's the difference there?

"It's not just the distance, it's the greens and the rough and maybe more narrow fairways where you have to have a little more strategy than just bombing off the tee. But we shouldn't forget that bombing off the tee is a skill."

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Eddie Pepperell believes changes to golf balls and golf clubs could be imminent.

The R&A and the USGA are expected to announce universal golf ball rollback in the coming days if reports are accurate.

But Pepperell is curious if golf's governing bodies could alter clubs too based on his experiences on the DP World Tour's committee.

The Englishman was "privy to conversations" with the R&A and club manufacturers, contributing to the tour's feedback which stated changes to clubs were as important as the ball.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: "As a committee on the European Tour when I was on it," Pepperell told the Chipping Forecast podcast. "We had to make a decision and give some feedback and part of that decision and that feedback was that we felt that there was a way in which the clubs could also be amended.

"Because there was some interesting information that came out that was presented to us from the R&A on the club front as well, and we felt as a committee that it was more compelling to go down the route of changing the clubs as much as the ball.

“After listening to Titleist and them telling us that if the ball changes, they’re going to have to change all of their clubs anyway, we figured well why not implement some interesting changes on the club front?

"So, I’m curious to see whether they’re just going to announce something with the ball because I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the clubs as well."

"My feedback was - ball, club - take it back. Because now’s a good time to do it.

"There’s a lot of good things going on, I know people will disagree with that, but also, to the point with the five per cent rough figures, come 2028, my feeling is that will be down to one or two per cent and by the time we get to 2028, players are going to have come up with inventively creative ways to hit the ball far and swing faster.

“My feeling was – you needed to go quite hard and now to act fast."

The R&A and the USGA released a Distance Insights Update in March 2022 to continue their work in addressing the long-term cycle of increasing hitting distance in the game.

Then in March 2023, the two organisations announced the new proposed Model Local Rule, changing how golf balls are tested to reduce hitting distance at the elite level.

The latest reports on rollback could include amateur players too as opposed to just the best players we watch each week.

Is golf a game of skill or power?

Billy Foster told NCG's From The Clubhouse Podcast that the game has been "destroyed" by distance and shot-shaping has become a thing of the past.

Pepperell, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, echoed Foster's skill-based sentiment and would like to see players use every club in their bag, instead of "more drivers and more wedges."

"The main reason I want to see the ball go less far is because I want to see more professional golfers hit 14 clubs or play mid-irons, long irons, short irons and drivers," he said.

"I think if I was to see an observable pattern that is undeniably true over time is that that’s happening less and less, and we’re seeing more players come out and hit more drivers and more wedges.

"I think that’s boring and removes the really important skillset that is part of the game of professional golf, or any golf for that matter, and that is the ability to hit a mid-iron."

Achushnet, the company that owns Titleist and FootJoy, made clear its opposition to bifurcation earlier this year, as did TaylorMade.

PGA Tour chief executive Jay Monahan stated in a memo there is a “significant belief” that the proposal is not in the best interests of the game in July.

Pepperell explained how some players' thoughts about bifurcation could have been affected by manufacturers' reactions.

"The main reason the bifurcation didn’t go through was probably to do with the pressure that was put on the players by the manufacturers," he added.

"But the feedback I got and from some of the manufacturers was pretty plain and simple, and stark actually. It was if the bifurcation rule happens, we are not going to be investing nearly as much money and time into you guys as tour professionals and it was as simple as that.

"I think that threat had a very big impact on the decision-making that’s gone on and certainly influenced a lot of the players’ thinking, especially on the American side of things."

NOW READ: A shorter golf ball? It’s clubs who will need to make it work

What is the golf ball roll back debate all about? Tell us your view on X!

Rory McIlroy "doesn't understand" the anger towards golf ball rollback.

A new report has suggested rollback could affect all golfers as opposed to just elite male players which was the USGA and R&A's first suggestion.

The Northern Irishman wrote on Twitter/X that possible universal changes "will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer."

Some PGA Tour players have slammed plans that could significantly shave yards off the tee that have rocketed so much in recent years, but McIlroy has the opposite view.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: "I don’t understand the anger about the golf ball rollback. It will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability," he wrote.

"It will also help bring back certain skills in the pro game that have been eradicated over the past two decades.

"The people who are upset about this decision shouldn’t be mad at the governing bodies, they should be mad at elite pros and club/ball manufacturers because they didn’t want bifurcation.

"The governing bodies presented us with that option earlier this year. Elite pros and ball manufacturers think bifurcation would negatively affect their bottom lines, when in reality, the game is already bifurcated.

"You think we play the same stuff you do? They put pressure on the governing bodies to roll it back to a lesser degree for everyone.

"Bifurcation was the logical answer for everyone, but yet again in this game, money talks."

The R&A and the USGA are determined not to do nothing, in the words of the R&A's chief executive Martin Slumbers, which means either to bifurcate or to change the entire game.

McIlroy expressed support for bifurcation when the governing bodies first announced the plans for a new Model Local Rule in March

You can read what NCG's From The Clubhouse team think here, but what do other players think of this newest update?

I don’t understand the anger about the golf ball roll back. It will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability. It will also help bring back certain skills in the pro game that have been eradicated over the past 2 decades.…

— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) December 3, 2023

Those in favour of the motion, say 'aye'

There aren't many PGA Tour stars in favour of golf ball rollback, it should be said.

Tiger Woods insisted he has always supported bifurcation after the third round of the Hero World Challenge.

The 15-time major champion said, "We just don't have the property anymore," and compared golf's current state to baseball.

"This has been I guess the talk ever since I've been out on tour," he said.

"And then to finally see it come to this point where I think both governing bodies who control the rules around the world are going to come to a collaborative understanding of how far.

"We just don't have enough property anymore. So I think that understanding that yeah, we've been hammering the ball needs to slow down, but it has kept speeding up my entire career and here we are.

"I've always been for bifurcation. I've always said that. Just like wood bats and metal bats."

Those opposed, say 'no'

One at a time, please. The naysayers have been the loudest thus far.

Golf Digest's David Shedloski reported former PGA champion Keegan Bradley has already been beating rolled-back balls to get used to prospective future conditions.

Bradley described the concept of rollback as "one of the dumbest things" he's ever heard.

"Srixon made whatever the USGA was saying, and it was 40, 50 yards (shorter) with my driver,” Bradley said.

"I was a club or two shorter. I think that the USGA - everything that they do is reactionary. They don't think of a solution. They just think we're going to affect a hundred per cent of the population that plays golf.

"For the amateur world to hit the ball shorter is monstrous. I can't think of anything more stupid than that. I don't think it's very smart at all, especially when golf's growing in popularity literally coming out of COVID.

"I don’t know what the ramifications are going to be with the ball - what they're going to do, what direction they going to go," he added.

"It would have to be a complete overhaul of the equipment that I use, the shafts that I use. Yeah, I mean the amount of change that's happened just in the course of my career is insane.

"I think we constantly get penalised for mistakes they (governing bodies) make. Whether they let the ball go too far, that's not our problem.

"They (are doing this) to punish not only the professional golfers but the world of golf for something that they screwed up on. I really think it's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of."

Fellow American Rickie Fowler also suggested rollback could stunt golf's momentum after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fowler was ranked 39th in driving distance on tour in 2023, averaging just over 308 yards off the tee.

"There are other ways of going about this," he said.

"To take the game and knock it back when it's in the best position it's ever been in, I don't want to see it as the golf ball being necessarily the right move.

"I don't see how when we're at the best place the game has ever been. ‘Oh, you love the game? Yeah. Hey, thanks for joining us over Covid. Now we're going to make you hit it 20 yards shorter. Have fun.'

"I understand both sides. But looking at it as far as the game and everyone talks about growing the game, I think it's going to be a huge step back."

NOW READ: Players who rejected golf ball rollback from the start

NOW READ: ‘The game has been destroyed’: Billy Foster has no doubts distance is ruining golf

Where do you all on the PGA Tour-golf ball rollback debate? Tell us on X!

Legendary caddie Billy Foster believes golf has been destroyed by distance.

Foster says there is "no punishment" for not striking the driver purely and equipment now goes too far.

The R&A and USGA announced a proposed model local rule in March that could see distance decreased by 15 yards across elite levels of the game.

A number of tour players publicly rejected this but Foster told NCG's From the Clubhouse podcast he wants "skills levels back" and blames the forgiveness and size of clubheads for the game's rocketing length.

"To me, having seen the best players in the world for 40 years, I think the game’s been destroyed," he said.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: “It’s not getting destroyed, it’s been destroyed. You don’t see shot-making anymore, you don’t see guys shaping shots into flags and hitting it at the middle of the green then hitting a 10-yard cut to a back right flag and seeing who’s got the real quality.

“Bunkers out there at 300 yards, you couldn’t reach them 20 years ago, now they’re flying them. It’s completely changed. They just stand up now, tee it up and just bomb 310, 320, 330, 340 yards some of these guys.

“500-yard holes and they’re hitting driver wedge. They were hitting driver, 5-iron 20 years ago. It’s ruined it to a certain degree, but a lot of that is down to the forgiveness of the driver.

"The driver is too big. If you hit it out the heel with a persimmon, it would go 230 yards. Now, you do the same with one of these big metal things and it goes over 300 yards.

“There’s no punishment for not striking it purely and the ball doesn’t move half as much as it used to. All it does is make the good players and the fantastic players so much closer together.

Does less distance and golf ball roll back favour better players?

No one is better placed to discuss change in golf than Foster who's caddied in the professional ranks since 1983 for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia.

The man from Bingley St.Ives in Yorkshire has seen the impact of driving distance first-hand by looping for Matt Fitzpatrick since 2018, helping him to win the US Open four years later.

Fitzpatrick averaged under 290 yards off the tee in 2019, but this has risen to over 300 yards in 2023 and he's become a two-timer PGA Tour winner in that time.

Rory McIlroy said the governing bodies' proposal could "help identify who the best players are a bit easier" and said olf has been "dumbed down" at the elite level.

Foster alluded to this side of the debate by explaining better players could benefit from less emphasis on distance and more on shot-shaping.

"Back in the day, your best players coming down the stretch always seemed to win, now any of these lads can win really, within reason," he added.

“That’s because the equipment is so forgiving and goes too far.

“For as much respect I have for all of these lads, they never saw how it used to be 30 or 40 years ago.

"They never saw the qualities and the ball striking of some of these lads would be arguably greater. They’d set the gap between the next best because they are that good that they would benefit from less forgiving clubfaces or shaping shots more because they are the best players.

"So that would make them move one step ahead of the rest.

“It needs reining back and the skill levels back. People love to see great golf shots, now it’s just let’s see who can get to 400 yards first. Let’s see who can drive it over the first green at Augusta and chip back."

Now have your say

Is Billy right? Has distance destroyed golf, and can it be reigned back in? Let us know how you feel on X.

NOW READ: What is bifurcation and how might it affect you?

Rory McIlroy switched his putter at the FedEx St.Jude Championship - a move he's already deployed in 2023.

The Northern Irishman has largely used a TaylorMade Spider in the last few years and as recently as the Wells Fargo Championship in May with the Hydro Blast mallet edition.

But to navigate the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs, McIlroy has opted for the Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 putter, but how did he come to this decision?

Endless hours of testing? A thorough examination of his stroke tempo?

No, none of that. The 34-year-old explained his choice in more detail at TPC Southwind:

"Honestly, I just wanted a different look, just wanted to freshen it up," he said.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: "I've got my Spider with me this week - if that putter isn't doing what I want it to do over the first couple of days, I may go back. I just wanted to freshen it up.

3 in a row for @McIlroyRory 🐦🐦🐦

He is now tied for third @FedExChamp. pic.twitter.com/AMWnh5RdGS

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 13, 2023

"Honestly, it was zero testing process. It was to go into the garage and see what I had and just pull a couple out and go have a few putts. That was it."

But the four-time major champion's tinkering didn't finish there.

The putter felt too long compared with the TaylorMade Spider after two rounds in Memphis - but was it too late to shave an inch off the club?

The equipment trucks left the event on Wednesday, so McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond took the Phantom X 5.5 to a local shop to make the necessary adjustments.

"I always put my right hand on my putter first,” he said. “I just felt like where my right hand was at the top, it just felt a little too up.

"I compared it to my Spider last night, it was like half an inch. It wasn't like a huge difference. But Harry took it to a local golf shop and got it cut down last night for me."

He also added tungsten weights in the sole of the putter to counteract the weight lost when the shaft became shorter.

Through the first three rounds this week, McIlroy was ranked 40th in strokes gained in putting, but sixth on the leaderboard, and the World No. 2 is ranked 86th in this department across the whole season.

Rory McIlroy WITB 2023

Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver (9°, Fujikura Ventus Black 6-X shaft)

Fairway woods: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus fairway (15°, Mitsubishi Kai’li White 80 TX shaft) TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19°, Fujikura Ventus Black 9 X shaft)

Irons: TaylorMade P730 Rors Proto (3-9, Project X 7.0 shafts)

Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 (46°) Titleist Vokey SM9 (54° 10-S, 58°K, Project X 6.5 shafts)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 putter

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x golf ball

Clothing: Nike

What do you make of this Rory McIlroy putter swap? Tell us with a post!

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Titleist TSR1 drivers: The Technology

The TSR1 driver understandably shares a lot of technology with the rest of the TSR driver family. The big difference is it is built for ultra-lightweight speed and distance.

Over one-third of golfers worldwide fit into the moderate speed category, which Titleist are categorising at under 90mph. So a lot of golfers could benefit from a lighter set-up that delivers more speed and distance.

The TSR1 is roughly 40 grams lighter than its sister club, the TSR2. Weight savings are made by having a lighter headweight, 40-gram shaft and lightweight grip.

Aerodynamics have been improved to get the club head moving as fast as possible through the air. It has a similar “boat tail” shape as we see in the TSR2 to help golfers move the club head faster in the air.

Multi-Plateau Variable Face Thickness technology helps keep ball speed high on off-centre hits, while a deep CG increases launch and provides exceptional ball speed.

Titleist TSR1 Driver

The TSR1 has a very similar shape the popular TSR2 driver, the profile is marginally larger but visually sits great behind the golf ball.

It is designed for maximum speed and stability for moderate swing-speed players. It provides effortless speed, distance and high launch. This is perfect for golfers with club head speeds under 90 mph who want to optimise their launch conditions for more speed. Also good for higher club head speed players who struggle to launch the golf ball.

Titleist TSR1 Fairway Woods

Again the key story is creating the lightest and highest launching fairway wood in the TSR range. At 180cc this has a larger footprint than the TSR2 yet the club is 20 grams lighter.

An open hosel construction saves weight allowing the centre of gravity to be lowered for more height and more forgiveness.

Titleist TSR1 Hybrid

The TSR1 hybrid has a larger more fairway wood-style shaping to allow for a lower centre of gravity.

This provides a higher MOI for more forgiveness on off-centre strikes. The larger shaping also provides more confidence over the ball.

The Details

Available: February 23 (pre-order February 9th)

RRP: Driver £529; Fairways £289; Hybrids £259

Driver lofts: 9°, 10°, 12° LH: 10° (9° and 12° custom only)

Fairway: 3 (15°), 5 (18°), 7 (20°), 9W (23° | custom only)

Hybrid: 4 (20°), 5 (23°), 6 (26°), 7 (29° | custom only)

Driver shaft: Mitsubishi MMT SpeedMesh 40 or 35

Fairway shaft: : Mitsubishi MMT SpeedMesh 40 or 35

Hybrid shaft: Mitsubishi MMT SpeedMesh 50 HY of 40 HY

More information: Titleist website

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Cobra Aerojet

This year's big story behind the Aerojet driver range is new aerodynamic shapings to drive up club head speeds. The sole and crown of the driver are much more curved to make the club head more streamlined and reduce drag as you swing the golf club.

PWR-Bridge Technology

Next up is the new Pwr-bridge technology on the sole. This is essentially a suspended bridge weight design that creates unrestricted flexibility of the face and sole and positions the CG low and forwards to create faster ball speeds.

H.O.T Face

Cobra has used artificial intelligence to design a club face with variable thicknesses on the back. This ensures spin and speed stay consistent even of off-centre strikes.

Drivers

There are three drivers in the new Aerojet range. The low-spinning LS, the mid-range Aerojet and the forgiving draw bias Aerojet Max driver.

Cobra Aerojet LS

This is designed for skilled golfers with fast club head speeds. It is the least forgiving model but also the one that should fly the furthest with the least spin.

This has the most aggressive aero shaping to help drive up club head speeds and deliver maximum distance.

The sole features two adjustable weights, one in the heel and the other in the toe. Switching these around allows to you to create a more neutral or fade bias ball flight.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW FROM PGA SUPERSTORE

Cobra Aerojet

The Aerojet is the main model of this range and delivers a blend of speed and forgiveness. This model is likely to suit the widest breadth of players.

The sole features one weight on the back of the club head to help increase launch and add perimeter weighting for more forgiveness.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW FROM PGA SUPERSTORE

Cobra Aerojet Max

This offers the forgiveness of the regular Aerojet model but with the added benefit of a draw-bias design.

There are two adjustable weights in the sole. One on the back and one in the heel allowing you to switch between a neutral or more draw-biased ball flight.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW FROM PGA SUPERSTORE

Fairway Woods

The Aerojet fairway woods also utilise the Pwr-bridge, Pwrshell and H.O.T face technology to deliver a blend of max distance and effortless launch.

Cobra Aerojet LS

The Aerojet LS is designed for the better player looking for a lower more workable ball flight.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW FROM PGA SUPERSTORE

Cobra Aerojet

The regular Aerojet model aims to provide a blend of forgiveness and versatility. Expect a high launch and control with some level of workability.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW FROM PGA SUPERSTORE

Cobra Aerojet Max

Finally, the Aerojet Max is designed to give easy effortless distance but also with draw bias to help straighten out a left to right shot shape.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW FROM PGA SUPERSTORE

Hybrids

There is just one hybrid in the Aerojet line-up. It has a smaller, more rounded profile and really looks more like a small fairway wood.

It provides a blend of distance and high launch to give you lots of yardage and forgiveness. This is available in regular length or as a one-length offering.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW FROM PGA SUPERSTORE

Irons

Again the key Aerojet technologies continue into the game improvement irons.

They do also feature a polymer feel system which is an injected polymer filler inside the hollow area of the club head. This dampens vibration for a softer, more forged-like feel and sound at impact.

CLICK HERE TO BUY FROM AMERICAN GOLF

CLICK HERE TO BUY FROM PGA SUPERSTORE

You’ve probably spent a small fortune to get the set up that’s right for your game, so don’t forget to get specialist insurance from Golf Care to protect your clubs from theft, loss, and accidental damage. Plus, they even cover GPS watches, trolleys, and other golf equipment. With 30% off annual insurance starting from just £26.59, and a free golf gift bundle worth up to £365 including 12 free Srixon balls, it’s a no brainer. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Drivers

The big new technology in the Srixon ZX MK II driver range is the new rebound frame with dual flex zones.

Zone 1 is the driver face, you can see below this deforms inwardly at impact. Zone 2, which sits further back in the club head deforms outwardly. When both zones snap back to their original shape they send more energy back into the golf ball, increasing ball speed and getting you more carry distance.

The crown of the drivers feature a star frame. This is a series of ridges and latticework to allow a very thin titanium crown to be used. A thinner crown means lots of weight saving so more weight can be used in other areas of the golf club to optimise launch and spin characteristics.

Ridges on the back of the club faces create varying face thicknesses all over the club face. This allows ball speed to be more consistent across the face by improving ball speed on toe and heel strikes.

Each driver features adjustable weights on the sole that allows you to adjust swing weight and centre of gravity to favour a draw or fade shot shape. An adjustable hosel also provides varying loft, lie, and face angles.

There are three different models in the Srixon ZX Mk II driver range which are all designed to perform differently and suit different styles of golfers.

Srixon ZX7 Mk II Driver

The ZX7 MK II driver is designed for total control and as such is the most workable driver in the Srixon ZX Mk II driver range.

It has a more compact tour-inspired shaping and has a more forward CG to help produce low spin and mid-height launch.

This is perfect for players who don't like to see the golf ball go left as it has a neutral/fade flight bias.

Srixon ZX5 Mk II Driver

The Srixon ZX5 Mk II Driver is designed for total confidence. It is the most forgiving driver in the Srixon ZX Mk II driver range and aims to produce long straight shots that also launch very high.

It has a larger, more elongated shape to look more confidence-inspiring behind the golf ball. The back and low CG help this launch high with mid spin and high levels of forgiveness.

If you struggle with a fade or slice, this model is for you as it has built-in draw bias technology to help straighten out your ball flight.

Srixon ZX5 LS Mk II Driver

The Srixon ZX5 LS Mk II driver is designed to offer ZX5 levels of forgiveness but with less spin.

It sits in the middle of the range in terms of sizing and is designed to create mid-height and spin conditions.

If you like to see a straight ball flight this model is great as it is designed to be fairly neutral or favour a slight draw.

RRP: £499

Fairway Wood

The Srixon ZX MK II fairway wood shares some technologies with the new Srixon family of drivers.

The club heads feature rebound frame technology for more ball speed and extra distance.

The crown structure and material in the 3 and 3+ wood are different, though. These lofts feature a carbon crown to help save weight high and lower the CG for increased launch and forgiveness on every shot.

The crown is also stepped to further lower the centre of gravity and deliver high launch for longer shots of the deck.

The sole of the fairway woods features a floating weight pad. Having so much weight low helps optimise launch, but it also allows room for more face flexion driving up ball speeds for shots struck low on the face.

RRP: £279

Hybrid

The Srixon ZX MK II Hybrid has been made more compact thanks to tour player feedback. They have a very neutral face angle and a squared off toe to try and reduce that left miss.

Again in the ZX hybrid Srixon are making the most of their rebound frame technology to drive up ball speeds and carry distances.

The centre of gravity has been moved lower in this new ZX MK II model for higher launching and longer carrying shots.

The radius of the club face has been updated to make spin more consistent on bottom or top club face strikes so you have more dependable distance from shot to shot.

RRP: £239

The Details

Available: 1st March 2023#

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER FROM SCOTTSDALE GOLF

Stock shafts: Project X HZRDUS Black Gen 4, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX

More information: Srixon Website

You’ve probably spent a small fortune to get the set up that’s right for your game, so don’t forget to get specialist insurance from Golf Care to protect your clubs from theft, loss, and accidental damage. Plus, they even cover GPS watches, trolleys, and other golf equipment. With 30% off annual insurance starting from just £26.59, and a free golf gift bundle worth up to £365 including 12 free Srixon balls, it’s a no brainer. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: XXIO 12: First impressions

A great-looking range that clearly delivers on high-end premium front.

XXIO 12: The technology

As you would expect the attention to detail matches the premium promise. XXIO individually engineer each grip and shaft as well as the driver and iron faces, which are made from exotic titanium alloys.

A rebound frame structure is used throughout the woods. This is four alternating layers of stiff and flexible zones to increase COR. In the drivers, cup face is integrated to provide more ball speed across the club face.

In the irons we see a new thinner club face which can flex more to increase speed and distance. This is enhanced thanks to deep grooves etched into the interior of the iron body to further increase face flex.

ActivWing technology is also featured throughout the woods. This stabilises the clubhead by changing the aerodynamics of the club at the start of the downswing. Airfoil helps create more lift helping the club get in an optimal impact angle for additional speed and distance.

Cup face is used here too and the centre is thinner and larger than before. This gives you more ball speed, especially on off-centre strikes.

The clubs also feature added weight under the grip. This gets weight behind the hands in the swing and helps makes the downswing more consistent.

XXIO 12: The line-up

XXIO 12

The main XXIO 12 range features premium drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons for golfers with slower swing speeds

XXIO 12 Ladies

The range also features a women's set which is individually designed with engineered components tailored specifically to female golfers

XXIO 12: The details

RRP: £699 (driver); £469 (fairway woods); £329 (hybrids); £200 per club (steel irons); £220 per club (graphite irons)

More info: XXIO website

If you’re after more equipment content, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and if you have any questions about anything gear-related, feel free to drop me a line on Twitter or Instagram.

Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Adidas Tour 360 golf shoes 22: First impressions

These pack a punch straight out of the box. Personally I love the styling, its a traditional Tour 360 with a twist. The bright colours stand out and the overall design feels really athletic and strong.

Adidas Tour 360 golf shoes 22: The technology

When it came to the performance of this shoe there were two key areas on which Adidas wanted to zone in: fit and traction.

The shaping of the shoe is designed around a 'Feet You Wear' last. The design mimics the natural shape of the foot to give you a more natural fit as we'll as better stability, traction and comfort.

There is a tremendous amount of weight transfer and lateral movement in the golf swing. Using this last helps golfers get a better connection to the ground to make it easier to generate power in the swing.

In combination with the last there is also an inside sock liner. This cradles the contours of the foot, especially around the heel, to deliver cushioning, comfort and support. To enhance fit on to top of the foot a geofit collar pad provides a more personal fit.

Comfort is also of huge importance. Adidas combined Boost cushioning and a EVA stability frame to give full-length comfort. Boost is a foam like material with a series of thermoplastics wrapping round air pockets. This is flexible enough to have some give when you walk, give you energy return but also keep its overall form.

The stability frame is a horseshoe-shaped piece that surrounds the boost on the perimeter of the forefoot to boost stability.

Adidas undertook a series amount of tour testing to get this shoe right including looking at pressure traces of some of the best players in the world. This lead to the new Spikemore cleat design.

This involves cleats being directly injected straight onto the TPU base. This allows the spike locations to be more precise as well as the shaping of each cleat arm. The individual cleats also have a centre cone which improves overall grip.

These new spikes are larger than previous designs which helps to disperse weight and promote increase green friendliness.

Both the men's and women's line feature BOA offerings to further optimise fit. The PerformFit Wrap system features two overlapping panels that pull down over the top of the instep. This locks the foot in place and which the BOA fit system provides a customised fit.

“The Tour 360 is synonymous with pinnacle technology and premium materials, and we remained true to that throughout the design process of this new model. Golfers will instantly notice a more natural fit that offers better stability, better traction and amazing comfort. I’ve been a part of the creation of every model of the Tour 360, so I can confidently say that this is our best-performing model we have ever introduced.”

Masun Denison, global footwear director

Adidas Tour 360 golf shoes 22: The line-up

The Tour360 will be offered in five models for 2022 with BOA, laced, men's, women's and junior options.

Adidas Tour 360 22 Men's BOA

Adidas Tour 360 22 Men's Laced

Adidas Tour 360 22 Women's BOA

Adidas Tour 360 22 Women's Laced

Adidas Tour360 22 Juniors Laced

Adidas Tour 360 golf shoes 22: NCG verdict

I cannot tell you how long I've waited to get my hands on a pair of spiked women's Tour 360's. In fact as a junior I used to buy the men's version as I loved the stability and support.

The technology has reached another level since then and finally I can get this in a women's shaping that fits me properly.

And the fit is so good. From every angle it hugs the shape of my foot, when I walk the shoe just follows the natural movement of my foot.

I have not dared to take these on the golf course yet, they are too white and the UK winter mud will not be ruining these beauties so for now you will have to gleam insight from my trips to the driving range. But even off mats the traction has delighted me. The gripped sole is slightly wider than the width of your foot and it provides a really stable base. The spikes are also really doing their job and I really like the addition of the spike under the arch of your foot for a little added traction.

So far I am serious impressed with the performance, I will be back with a more long term update when these have been out on the course more.

Adidas Tour 360 golf shoes 22: The details

Available: January 28

RRP: £160

More info: Adidas website

If you're after more equipment content, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and if you have any questions about anything gear related, feel free to drop me a line on Twitter or Instagram.

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