All the Gear: Bubba back with Titleist balls
By James Savage
It was great to get a sneak peek of the new Titleist Vokey SM7 wedges this week as they were introduced to players on the PGA Tour.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on which players make the switch between now and when the wedges are available for us to try which should be early in the new year.
FIRST LOOK: New SM7 @VokeyWedges spotted during tour seeding ???https://t.co/nPPy5fX0Rl pic.twitter.com/XT1vpM67px
— James Savage (@JamesSavageNCG) October 31, 2017
On a personal note, I have continued my non-premium balls test with 9-holes at Hillsborough and Moor Allerton and will bring you the results next week.
Bubba Watson back with Titleist golf balls
The two-time Masters champion hasn’t enjoyed the best year in 2017 slipping from 10th in the Official World Golf Ranking to 63rd.
You may remember he signed a deal with Volvik golf balls back in January and dabbled with both green and pink balls.
Now we’re not saying this has had anything to do with his dip in form but Watson and Volvik have mutually agreed to end the partnership.
Watson said ahead of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas that he’d be switching back to the Titleist Pro V1x ball which he used for both of his Green Jacket triumphs.
He doesn’t currently have a golf ball deal with Titleist.
Volvik have responded by saying they will be stepping up their search for more top-ranked players after selling over a million balls in the UK alone over the last six months.
Mizuno ST180 driver on the horizon
You may have noticed a few social media posts about a new driver from Mizuno.
The ST180 doesn’t have the same adjustability levels as the JPX900 and looks more like a forgiving ‘weight-back’ model.
However, Mizuno say the spin rates remain low for increased distance – something which took them a little by surprise.
There are also fairway woods which also have the similar wave sole technology for increased speed.
We look forward to testing the ST180 woods out in January and it will be available to buy in the UK from February.
SRPs: Driver £399, fairways: £279
Greg Norman ‘Shark Experience’ golf carts launched
Who wouldn’t want a HD television in their golf buggy with live sport, music and entertainment available at their finger-tips?
Well, I can think of a few people who’d rather concentrate on their round of golf but there are also detailed flyover maps and yardages as part of the Shark Experience – Greg Norman’s latest business venture.
Introducing Shark Experience – Your Game. Your Way. You have never played golf like this before… https://t.co/qwX7CRd2AT pic.twitter.com/volF3ZVwCx
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) November 1, 2017
There are also video tips from the man himself but I’m thinking there is not much hope for any player who needs to call upon these mid-round.
Shark Experience will be previewing at the PGA Show in January 2018 and will start rolling out at select courses across the US.
More information is available on the Shark Experience website.
KBS launch ‘game-improvement’ shaft
What is a game-improvement shaft? Well the new KBS Max 80 is aimed specifically at higher handicap players who struggle to light their iron shots.
It’s lightweight and produces a high trajectory and spin rate.
More height and spin should lead to a bit more distance.
“In the past our philosophy has been to design stronger shafts aimed at the better player, but the Max 80 has been developed for those players with a higher handicap looking to maximize the performance of their irons on every shot,” said Kim Braly R&D and tour operations director.
More information and fitting details are on the KBS website.
Review: Mizuno JPX900 driver
Bubba Watson to play Volvik S4 golf ball
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
