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
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
View this post on Instagram
A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
View this post on Instagram
It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
View this post on Instagram
Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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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