What new equipment is Spieth playing?
By James Savage
Jordan Spieth has switched to the new Vokey SM7 wedges AND 718 AP2 irons at the Australian Open.
This came as a bit of a shock as Spieth isn’t always the quickest to switch his equipment. He still plays the three-year-old Titleist 915 driver and 3-wood, for example.
And you may remember it took him a while to transition from the 714 AP2 irons into the 716 models. He made the switch, then went back to the 714 before finally getting the 716 in as a permanent fixture.
It has been a bit of a different story with wedges as he was very quick to move from the Vokey SM5 to the SM6.
And now, almost at the earliest opportunity, he has put the SM7 into play at the Australian Open. In a raw finish with his initials stamped on, obviously.
Speith plays four Vokey wedges – 46˚, 52˚, 56˚ and 60˚ which we found all about during a chat with Vokey tour rep Aaron Dill.
@VokeyWedges watch out world Jordan has SM7 in the bag. #winning pic.twitter.com/uiUtWQLVva
— Aaron Dill (@Vokeywedgerep) November 21, 2017
The SM7 are still under embargo so we can’t give you all the details yet but we can tell you that they were the number one wedge at the recent RSM Classic on the PGA Tour.
So the seeding process has obviously been a success and the new sticks are going down well among Titleist staff players.
We’ve already see dozens of players switch to the 718 irons including Justin Thomas, Paul Dunne, Ian Poulter and more.
And now Spieth has joined the party with the 718 AP2s which we reviewed during the brand’s launch at Archerfield earlier this year.
Garcia’s Callaway deal all but confirmed
And the Masters champion stuck with the GBB Epic driver and 3-wood at the UBS Hong Kong Open.
He’s also using the brand new Apex MB irons.
So although no formal deal has been announced, it is only a matter of time before it becomes official.
Rafa Cabrera Bello sporting new FootJoy shoes
Our man Craig Middleton is currently in Portugal learning about the new FootJoy shoes for 2018.
We are at @Dompedrogolf to test some exciting new @FootJoyEurope products. Sun is out ?⛳️ pic.twitter.com/G44YYHdiFR
— Craig Middleton (@CMiddletonNCG) November 23, 2017
And we reported earlier how a new model was being seeded at the British Masters.
And now we’ve seen Rafa Cabrera Bello sporting a new pair in Hong Kong.
Again, these shoes are under embargo until next year so we’re not allowed to tell you what they are or speculate on the new technology.
But they are black and they look a bit like Pro SL but with spikes. I’ve probably said to much.
Geoff Ogilvy wades in on golf ball debate
The topic of ‘rolling back the golf ball’ has been back at the forefront of debate in recent weeks.
I’m guessing when Tiger Woods starts talking about it then it inevitably makes it way into the news.
But this is nothing new as the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Gary player have been banging on about it for years.
Whilst delighted for all the players, it’s quite sad to see The Old Course of St Andrews brought to her knees by today’s ball & equipment.
— Gary Player (@garyplayer) October 8, 2017
Sir Nick Faldo and Brad Faxon have been going at it on social media and it seems like we may have reached breaking point.
Geoff Ogilvy was asked about it at his press conference ahead of the Australian Open and he seems to think bifurcation – one ball for the pros and one for us hackers – is a logical move.
Insightful comments from Geoff Ogilvy regarding the golf ball and bifurcation (via @GolfAust). Full interview here: https://t.co/xZf9Mcb17G pic.twitter.com/CaqZuB10AT
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) November 22, 2017
His point is that we can start rebuilding golf courses or we can make a ball that doesn’t go as far. And he believes the latter is preferable to 8,500-yard golf courses.
Personally, I want to use the same equipment as the pros and I’m happy to see tour players hit it miles and shoot low scores.
I just can’t see how bifurcation will work. I’m yet to hear a sensible solution. How will it be policed? Will the manufactures ever agree to it?
Driving distances haven’t really gone up over the past 10 years so I think this debate should have taken place more seriously about 15 years ago.
Talk about trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted…
And finally… Any new gear? Er… sort of
We’ve been starved of new releases this week. Everyone has obviously too busy focussing on Black Friday deals.
But thank god for Volvik who have released some new coloured balls.
Not just any coloured balls, patriotic coloured balls with red, white and blue colours representing the United Kingdom’s Union Jack flag.
A similar box containing three green, white and orange balls should appeal to players with Irish allegiances; while a six-ball pack of blue and white coloured balls is aimed at Scottish golfers and visitors to the Home of Golf.
The Volvik ‘Patriot’ boxes have an SRP of £32.99 for the UK and Ireland versions and £27.99 for the Scotland box.
For more information visit brandfusionltd.co.uk or volvik.com.
Garcia officially unveiled as Callaway staff player
Titleist Vokey SM7 wedges spotted during tour seeding
What happens during tour seeding for new FootJoy shoes?
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
