Connect with us

Equipment

Show Stoppers from Day 3: 2016 PGA Merchandise Show

Published

on

The PGA Merchandise Show is a week-long celebration of all things golf, highlighting the people, products and places that are intertwined with the game. Each day we’ve showcased the most noteworthy products we’ve spotted at the Show. If you’ve missed any of our coverage so far, you can catch up below.

Enjoy our final edition of Show Stoppers from the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show.

Directed Force Putters

Directed_Force_putters

There’s no bigger buzzword in putter design right now than balance. Terms such as “counter-balanced” and “face-balanced” have become staples of the modern golf equipment vocabulary, but a new putter company is hoping to add a new term to the list.

Directed Force Putters are lie-angle balanced, which founder Bill Presse says helps the putter stay square throughout the stroke and creates a more pendulum-like motion.

21b55b03f9dbb8ec9a17e57ce8d7d0f2

Practice Drill: If shaft lean and tempo are consistent, the balls will stay inside the putter. If not, they’ll roll out.

The 6061 aluminum putters are offered in lengths of 28-52 inches and lie angles of 61-79.5 degrees. Each of the 21 available lie angles is paired with a specific center of gravity (CG) that’s designed to work in harmony with its lie angle. Two screws — one in the heel, one in the toe — allow for the CG adjustments. The company also offers a side-saddle model with a lie angle of 79.5 degrees with a split grip, and its shaft has a rearward lean of 2 degrees.

The putters come stock with the company’s elliptical Press Grips (available in 1.25- and 1.375-inch models) and have a back-shaft design, both of which encourage a forward press. Watch the video below to learn more about the putters, which are available through directedforce.com for $399.95.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=gN4RUpYH55w

See what GolfWRX Members are saying about Directed Force putters in our forum.

Bushnell Tour V4 rangefinders

201661_CAT1

The Tour V4 Slope has a red front, while the standard model has a silver front.

Bushnell’s Tour V4 rangefinders could be the company’s best models to date. They’re lighter and more powerful than past models, and a change to the rules of golf also helped Bushnell improve their functionality.

The USGA’s revision of rule 14-3, effective this year, permits golfers to use distance-measuring devices that account for elevation changes as long as that functionality is disabled in tournament play. Bushnell’s Tour V4 Slope ($399) allows golfers to toggle the company’s “Slope” technology on and off through its menu, complying with the new rule. Bushnell also offers a non-slope version of the Tour V4 for $299.

201660_CAT1

2Y9G76932Y9G7694

 

Both devices are accurate to 1 yard, and will provide distances to flagsticks up to 400 yards away. They’re 30 percent smaller than the company’s popular Tour V3 rangefinders, and use Bushnell’s “Jolt” technology that vibrates to alert golfers when they have targeted a flagstick.

Areso Kine-Fit putters

b51819d8cf10a12d7b424379f2905b25

SAM PuttLab is designed to measure the small details of a putting stroke that cause golfers to miss or make a putt. For that reason, many top instructors use the system to identify tendencies and correct flaws. SAM also works as a fitting tool, and can help golfers find the loft, lie, toe hang and grip size that will work best for their stroke.

a2e5baae11ffe661077c93fee7ea528a

Areso putter models range from classic to crazy. Each is 100 percent milled.

A German company called Areso decided to take SAM’s fitting power to the next level. Its team worked with SAM to develop software that would identify which Areso putter will work best for golfers based on their SAM results, as well as the best specifications for their stroke (lie, loft, length, grip, head type and balance).

5f33fa681e12ad5a78b6c36766773b86

Areso’s Optimus putters use interchangeable parts that allow for thousands of different configurations.

The putters start at $400, and are available for purchase through aresogolf.com. See what GolfWRX members are saying about the putters here.

The Fowlers and Spieths

d5f2f5c6e0f49bfbbbc6c9a7f6e630d3

Arguably the two most popular young players in the game today – Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler — have made heads turn in the golf fashion world with their prototype shoes.

21aa6b3b0d380ef893f145f3f0fbef51

The “Rickie Fowler high tops,” officially named the TitanTour Ignite Hi-Top SE, are expected to hit stores as a limited edition release in June for $200 in the white-and-black colorway (pictured above), which was on display at the PGA Show.

21f0da9af05c648b5dbe6774a99e1c35

The design of Fowler’s high tops was designed based on Puma’s TitanTour Ignite.

The shoe wasn’t originally designed for public release; Fowler just wanted a shoe that matched his off-course look. Golf fans have been crying out for Puma to release them, however, so the company is giving the people what they want. The shoes are made with a leather upper, suede high heel and pig-skin interior.

a60555168ca40a9b66d7ce51d4f681dc

We don’t know much about the “Jordan Spieth’s” from Under Armour — other than they’re really cool and Spieth wins a lot while wearing them. They were on display at the PGA Merchandise Show in the Under Armour booth, however, suggesting they may make it to stores before the end of 2016.

Tour Spin Club Washer

1f9bf0ada4f2daf9ad09542bbf1a9b05

Have you ever left the driving range or golf course with grooves full of dirt and grass because cleaning them is just too much of a hassle? The TourSpin from Riveer solves that problem, and devastates bag boys everywhere.

567f4b631955247ecbe260bd46736053

Riveer is a 20-year-old company specializing in wash systems for a variety of industries, namely aviation and military. It began making golf-club washers over the last few years because owner Matt Petter is a certified “golf nut,” according to a fellow Riveer employee. For golfers, the 20 years of power-cleaning expertise will get their irons, hybrids and wedges cleaner than ever in about 45 seconds.

bb3579e518319aa14c96ec8286bceb44

The automated system uses water pressure applied by rotational force to remove dirt and grass stains from golf clubs. They sell for $18K, while the tricked-out version with a cleat-cleaner and golf ball washer sell for around $29K.

74e22e2a76d4f6e9e6dc7f664bd04222

The company expects some facilities will implement a “vending machine” tactic, having users pay coins or tokens to use the club-cleaning machine.

Ikkos

82fc6d3b3b2c978098908d5dabdcf3de

Ikkos goggles, which started as a way to train Olympic swimmers in 2008, use neuroscience principles to teach the brain how to perform body movements through visual and audio stimulation. Sound frequencies put the brain into a meditative-like learning state, while visuals seen while wearing the goggles teach the brain a movement pattern.

fc5abb0fe40387a67ba3bcb9ba8aeadf

When you’re born as a baby, you learn movement by mimicking others, according to the company. Ikkos technology is designed to reverse engineer the learning process, and bring you back to the way you learned as a youngster – through imitation.

4fc40a37892b1735d7ab38016cbbe82c

Here’s how it works: Download video content (YouTube works) into an App called CopyMe, and play it through the headset ($40), which repeats the content repetitively – around 30 times or more. Then put on the smaller goggles ($28), which are completely blacked out, and perform the intended movement.

The technology is currently being used for athletes, as well as for the rehabilitation purposes, namely cerebral palsy patients and stroke victims.

Your Reaction?
  • 58
  • LEGIT5
  • WOW8
  • LOL4
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP3
  • OB2
  • SHANK85

We share your golf passion. You can follow GolfWRX on Twitter @GolfWRX, Facebook and Instagram.

10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. Mark

    Feb 3, 2016 at 1:23 pm

    After watching the video for the Direct Force Putters, the tech makes perfect sense. I would really like to try one. I would think the possibility of this improving my game (saving me strokes) is much higher than spending $300-400 on a new driver to improve my game.

  2. Scott

    Feb 1, 2016 at 11:30 pm

    If the putter had “Scotty Cameron” on it, you would be drooling over it. I’ve had a Directed Force putter for about 4 months. It is quite simply the best putter I have ever used. Sure, it looks weird, but I usually have the last laugh as Im collecting bets. By all means though, continue to poo poo something because it isn’t a brand name. It’s your loss.

  3. Thudstaff23

    Feb 1, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    I made up a new word for those Ricky high-tops: Interrible. Also, am I the only one who thinks that Directed Force looks like the shape of an immaturely drawn ball sack?

    • joepz

      Feb 1, 2016 at 6:49 pm

      They should rename that putter the “Man-Up.”

  4. Park District Hacker

    Feb 1, 2016 at 7:44 am

    No-name companies charging $400 for putters. Who is buying these?

    • steve

      Feb 1, 2016 at 9:06 am

      no one, bad business model

    • Stuart Smith

      Feb 2, 2016 at 10:06 pm

      You are buying named putters just for the name that have no math or physics behind them. Just a pretty club. Put a circle t on it and you will even pay more. This putter is the first of its kind with not only patents on the design but also the physics. You may be surprised where it may pop up next.

  5. Mat

    Feb 1, 2016 at 3:39 am

    If this is the “showstoppers”, stop the show.

  6. snowman

    Jan 31, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    Directed Force Putter seems like a great technology, however needs to be in a more conventional head shape if they hope to get any market IMO. The head on that thing is just too extreme for me.

    • ACas

      Feb 1, 2016 at 10:38 am

      agreed, 100%. You can say performance trumps looks as loud and as often as you want, but it just won’t replace the appeal of a good looking club and lack of support a bad looking will receive. I would jump all over one of those putters if he can get it to look like a blade of traditional mallet.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

on

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 post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

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

 

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

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

 

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

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!

Your Reaction?
  • 3
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Whats in the Bag

Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)

Published

on

  • 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.

Your Reaction?
  • 1
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Whats in the Bag

Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)

Published

on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

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.

Your Reaction?
  • 1
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending