All the Gear: Rickie Fowler puts Cobra F8 driver into play

We’ve been up at Archerfield this week getting a sneak peak at the new Callaway gear for 2018. And there is lots of it!

Cheeky 9 on the Dirleton @archerfieldgolf testing new @CallawayGolfEU gear. Stunning evening #PlayedbyNCG pic.twitter.com/NLn2yjCmPe

— James Savage (@JamesSavageNCG) November 30, 2017

But we can’t talk about it yet. What we can do is talk about how much we love Archerfield – one of the best testing and practice facilities around.

The only downside is the climate…

What could possibly go wrong? New @CallawayGolfEU wedges test @Archerfieldhse pic.twitter.com/4B9vfLVgUK

— James Savage (@JamesSavageNCG) November 29, 2017

Anyway, much of this week has been focussed on Tiger Woods’ comeback but we’ve spotted a few things which may have got lost along the way.

Let’s start with Rickie Fowler – Cobra Puma Golf’s top boy.

Rickie puts new Cobra F8 driver into play

Cobra F8 driver review

We brought you all the news and reviews on the Cobra F8 range a couple of weeks ago and the brand will be delighted to see Rickie Fowler out the F8+ driver into play so early.

It’s not available to buy until February but Fowler using it to good affect will only increase the buzz around what it a very exciting product. It has a CNC milled face which is a first for a driver.

Cobra F8 driver review

Fowler uses the F8+ which is a tad more compact and less forgiving than the regular F8.

It just has two weights where a heavier one can be placed in the front or back position whereas the regular F8 also has a heel setting.

Rickie Fowler

The F8+ wasn’t the only bit of new gear he has been showing off in the Bahamas as this ‘P’ snapback cap is also hitting the shops next year.

The P cap (£22) utilises a moisture-wicking, performance sweatband and will be available from February 15.

Rickie cap

Click here to see our Cobra F8 driver review.

Adam Scott back with the broomhandle putter

Adam Scott putter

When the anchoring ban came into effect last year, we saw Adam Scott switch to a shorter putter.

Adam Scott

And the early signs were positive for the 2013 Masters champion with wins at the Honda Classic and WGC-Cadillac in February and March respectively.

But things have dried up since then and the Australian has slipped to 31st in the world ranking – he was 7th at the end of 2016.

So at the Australian PGA this week, Scott has gone back to a broomhandled Scotty Cameron putter similar to which he used to land his Green Jacket.

Adam Scott putter

Just like Bernhard Langer, Scott is sailing close to the wind in terms of the anchoring ban but as long at the putter doesn’t come into contact with his chest, he’s ok.

Golf Channel analyst and rent-a-quote Brandel Chamblee has already hit out at the ‘appalling’ enforcement of the ban on the Champions Tour…

Tiger’s new Bridgestone golf ball

Tiger Woods Golf Ball

We couldn’t leave him out could we? When Tiger teed it up in the Bahamas we expected him to be using the same Bridgestone B330s ball he used 12 months ago.

But it’s actually a new model which few people will have had their hands on – the Tour B XS.

It’s similar to the B330s with a softer cover and enhanced aerodynamics.

“I am more confident in the performance of the Tour B XS than any other ball I have ever played,” said Woods who signed a deal with the brand last year.

“It is incredibly long off the tee, while offering excellent feel and spin around the green. The consistency it provides gives me complete confidence that I can hit any shot the situation calls for.”

Bridgestone have been credited for making the Nike balls which Tiger used to win a number of majors with.

Want to know more about the ball @TigerWoods used today?
Check it out here >> https://t.co/gigWzYJcri #DareToBridgestone pic.twitter.com/TQqQOaYf6R

— Bridgestone Golf (@bridgestonegolf) November 30, 2017

It’s the same ball used by Matt Kuchar who shot a tidy 69 (two better than Tiger) during his opening round of the Hero World Challenge.

Tiger Woods golf ball