Equipment
Show Stoppers from Day Two: 2016 PGA Merchandise Show
After Demo Day on Tuesday, The PGA Merchandise Show moves inside the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando for its remaining three days. In case you missed it, here are our Show Stoppers from Day One of the Show.
Now it’s on to Day Two’s list, as well as our general galleries from Thursday.
- PGA Merchandise Show: Thurs. Pt. 1
- PGA Merchandise Show: Thurs. Pt. 2
- PGA Merchandise Show: Thurs. Pt. 3
Leupold GX-2i2 rangefinder
Like the company’s top-shelf GX-4i2 rangefinder ($499.99), Leupold’s new GX-2i2 has TGR (True Golf Range) technology, which gives golfers yardages that consider elevation changes, atmospheric conditions and trajectory.
Unlike the GX-4i2, however, which uses an adjustable face plate to make the device legal for tournament play, the GX-2i2’s TGR mode can be toggled on and off in the device menu. Better news? It’s USGA approved for tournament play when TGR mode is toggled off.
The GX-2i2 is accurate to 0.5 yards and has a range of 800 yards. How does it know a golfer’s trajectory, you might be asking? By entering the yardage a golfer hits each club, the GX-2i2 is better able to calculate the effect of uphill and downhill shots.
Along with PinHunter and PrismLock technology, which sounds an audible beep when it senses a prism-equipped flagstick, the GX-2i2 comes with FogMode, which helps acquire yardages through the fog.
Foresight’s 180-degree hitting bay
Each year, more and more of the PGA Merchandise Show floor is populated with companies touting launch monitors and golf simulators that improve the experience of indoor golf.
Foresight Golf, which makes the popular GC2 launch monitor, wowed us with a 180-degree hitting bay that used three projectors to showcase its FSX golf simulator software in 4K resolution.
GC2 is a camera-based launch monitor that’s easy to set up — it needs just a few feet of space — and offers an in-depth look at everything golfers will want to know about their ball flight by analyzing the ball’s movement over an 18-inch stretch.
When equipped with the company’s HMT (head measurement technology), GC2 becomes an attractive alternative to today’s top launch monitors for golfers who want to measure finer details such as angle of attack, club path, and rate of closure. And since HMT is a camera based system, there’s no more guessing about where golfers contact the ball on the club face. The unit can actually “see” impact.
Both GC2 (about $6000) and HMT (about $6495) can be used indoors and outdoors.
KLVN golf bags
Can your golf bag do this? pic.twitter.com/D9dYb6SEde
— KLVN Golf (@klvngolf) January 28, 2016
A golf bag is a golf bag, right? That notion has been challenged in recent years by companies that believe a better golf bag is possible.
The latest is a company called KLVN, which launched a new bag at the Show. Its bag is actually two bags, and uses a rigid frame made of glass-filled nylon (a strong plastic) and ABS (a resin material) to house a smaller carry bag within the larger cart bag.
The carry bag is secured inside the cart bag with a locking mechanism. With the push of a button, however, golfers can take the smaller bag with them in situations where they can’t proceed with their golf cart.
The bags sell for $389, and can be customized in different colors and with different pockets based on a golfer’s tastes.
Golf Pride Tour SNSR, Tech-Enabled Grips
With two new grip lines announced at the this year’s Show, Golf Pride has positioned itself squarely in two of the industry’s fastest growing spaces.
The company’s Tour SNSR (pronounced sensor) putter grips are available April 1, and use two different designs to help golfers manage tension. The Tour SNSR Straight grips are blue and black, and have a non-tapered design. That means the top of the grip and the bottom of the grip are roughly the same thickness.
The Tour SNSR Contour grips are red and black, and use an oversized pistol shape that helps stabilize a golfer’s top hand. Both grips sell for $24.99, and use a soft, rubber construction that depresses when a golf grips the putter too firmly.
Golf Pride also announced a partnership with Game Golf. Together they created a version of Golf Pride’s popular Tour Velvet grip that comes equipped with Game Golf’s shot-tracking “tags.”
Details on distribution and pricing will be unveiled later this spring, but the technology gives Game Golf users the ability to seamlessly track and share their rounds, shot data, and compete in Game Golf events on Android and iOS devices without adding anything extra to their clubs. Golfers will also receiving recommendations on when it’s time to change their grips based on the number of rounds played, according to the company.
Bentley Golf
You would expect golf clubs with the Bentley logo on them to carry a hefty price tag… but $100,000? While the stock set — including 14 clubs — retails for $3,500, the tricked out version, which includes a trip to Japan for a fully customized set will run golfers six figures.
The irons, offered in blade and CB models, are made from S25 carbon steel and forged by Vega with a dual finish, “piano” black and satin.
Throughout the set, the designs are inspired by shapes from a Bentley automobile; the dividing lines between silver and black finishes take after the haunch in the rear quarter panel, and the grip offerings are made to match the different interior leather options.
The drivers — made from titanium — are offered in 9, 10.5 and 12 degree lofts, while the fairway woods come in a 15-degree head.
The shafts come in women’s, regular and stiff-flex offerings, labeled with Bentley’s own design, but any custom shaft is available for an upcharge. Other than the stainless steel finish on the iron shafts, golfers can have rose gold or gun metal if your pockets feel up to the challenge.
Why golf clubs for Bentley? Well, because the owners of Bentley like to play golf. Fair enough.
Bentley Golf also has ball markers (steel for $70 or silver for up to $700), divot repair tools (about $700) and golf bags (about $3500).
Specs are listed below.
Happy Putter doubles down on adjustability
Brainstorm Golf’s first generation Happy Putter introduced a level of adjustability never-before-seen on the market, offering golfers the ability to adjust lie angle, loft, offset, weight and even dexterity (between right-handed and left-handed with the same putter).
According to its CEO and president Vikash Sanyal, however, the putters weren’t getting the traction and play on Tour that he wanted. But as he said, “with desperation comes creativity.”
Its new prototypes (blade and mallet), which are expected to hit the market in April around the Masters, offer three interchangeable sight lines made from aluminum. With its second generation designs, Happy Putter is 2-for-2 on bringing something new to the putter market. Also, they offer the same adjustable options (aside from dexterity) as its predecessors.
According to Sanyal, the company has signed Champions Tour player Steve Pate, and a top-100 PGA Tour player and three top-10 LPGA players are soon to be announced. The new putters are expected to sell for $320, and have head weights between 360 and 390 grams.
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Equipment
Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron
As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)
What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!
View this post on Instagram
I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…
To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”
On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.
Here’s what he had to say:
You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?
MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.
And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.
When did it come back in the bag?
MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.
What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?
MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?
Do you remember how much you paid for it?
MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.
The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?
MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.
It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?
MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.
What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?
MT: Like high 170’s.
Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.
MT: Yeah. The butter knife.
Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons?
MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.
How far do you carry that?
MT: Like 235.
A good little wind club, I’m sure.
MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.
I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man.
MT: Absolutely.
To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/28/24): L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick putter with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft.
From the seller: (@hibcam): “L.A.B. GOLF Mezz.1 Max Broomstick- LA Golf Paige Spiranac Shaft- 44″/79.5. Brand new, never used brown leather cover. The head was professionally anodized from Orange to Blue (Orange looked bad with the Pink shaft so I had it changed). Only a few rounds on this combo. Please see last pic- slight ding on back corner. 8.5-10 condition. THE SHAFT COST $475/ THE PUTTER $625. $799 shipped in the US. ONLY $699 SHIPPED.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.
We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
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Grand Bleu
Sep 2, 2016 at 11:50 am
Sure Bentley clubs look nice ! Sure production quantities don’t matter as they are made one by one.. but goods from prestigious brands aren’t just a show out : Aston Martin forged irons have a good reputation.. And they are quite expensive but not irrealistic, even for who doesn’t own an Aston.. Surprisingly, I have bought from my regular dealer an Aston Martin black wedge, a AM cap and a AM polo and paix 125€ for the whole thing ! And since, this 56° is my favourite club !
Grand Bleu
Sep 2, 2016 at 11:27 am
Re/Bentley golf
Sure it Looks nice ! Sure they are hand made, so production quantities don’t m
scott
Feb 3, 2016 at 3:20 am
imagine being a broke 1 handicap and getting these comped. haha
Golfgirlrobin
Jan 31, 2016 at 10:59 pm
Manager at my local Golf Galaxy told me they hadn’t sold a single Happy putter in five months. Hard to imagine doubling down on that.
Trump
Jan 31, 2016 at 2:50 pm
I invented Bently clubs. Anyone who doesn’t use Bently clubs is a looser.
Bob
Jan 31, 2016 at 4:12 am
“Prestige” car companies sell lots of luxury add ons at absurd list prices. As far as I can tell they are for people who have so much money they don’t look at prices and to fill up car maker catalogues.
I'm Ron Burgundy??
Jan 30, 2016 at 1:02 am
Haha Bentley!! HAHA! I thought that was a joke?!! I wrote it down in my diary and I laughed at it!
Nope
Jan 29, 2016 at 4:22 pm
The GC2 is such an annoying machine, having to take it apart and move the camera around from one side to the other for the Left hand. And you can’t reliably use it outside when the light changes, it confuses the machine.
talljohn777
Feb 1, 2016 at 6:25 pm
Try playing right handed. Problem solved.
Gardner Fuller
Jan 29, 2016 at 3:31 pm
That KLVN bag looks pretty cool!
Willy
Jan 29, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Looks like Bentley is trying to enter the PXG high end market in golf….will be interesting to see if that market can be profitable. Seems like a bad idea, but I also don’t have $$$ like the audience they are targeting, so maybe people will buy into the brand.
Jafar
Jan 29, 2016 at 1:52 pm
Sweet, now all I need is a Bentley golf cart
Ryan k
Jan 29, 2016 at 1:45 pm
Any word on release date of that rangefinder?
Also think the klvn bag is a great idea but seriously $389? Let’s be real.
cody
Jan 29, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Mr Happy putter, have you considered that maybe as a new comer to the market that maybe you should introduce your interesting although gimmicky putter at a more reasonable price point in order to gain the traction that you are looking for??
Happy Not
Jan 29, 2016 at 2:49 pm
No.
Golf is an elite sport, not for the street. Not meant to be easily affordable
Other Paul
Jan 31, 2016 at 8:46 pm
Maybe where you live. In my city a huge portion of the average people play golf for fun.
Chuck
Jan 29, 2016 at 11:25 am
lol. I remember “Porsche Golf.” When was the last time you saw a Porsche driver, or a complete set of Porsche clubs?
(Writing this made me check on whether you could still buy overpriced Porsche clubs; you can’t. But you can still buy Porsche bags, apparel, headwear, logo ball marks, etc. And, setting aside the brain-damage prices, they are very nice items indeed. They should just not pretend to make the best golf clubs. It does not make sense. It would be like Tiffany making golf clubs. Or maybe like TaylorMade building a sports car.)
asdkjfi;
Jan 31, 2016 at 7:43 am
Maybe Ping? Those turbulators…
Doc
Jan 29, 2016 at 10:53 am
The company’s Tour SNSR (pronounced SNSR) … LMAO
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 29, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Thanks for catching that, Doc. It’s been a crazy week!
ooffa
Jan 29, 2016 at 10:46 am
Bentley Golf. LOL. Shoot for the stars. Maybe someone will buy a set. But that person will be laughed at. By the salesman (secretly) and by his friends. (outwardly).
TWShoot67
Jan 29, 2016 at 1:11 pm
It would be like this Owner of Bentley clubs, ” look guys I have Bentley Woods and irons.” Friends response, ” Who give a s#!^!”
Tom
Jan 29, 2016 at 1:12 pm
It’s always a good thing to have a friend with dispensable funds.
Steve
Jan 29, 2016 at 4:52 pm
Laughing harder when your twenty by him with driver you got on clearance