Equipment
A driver with vertical grooves is about to hit the market
Vertical Groove Golf is set to debut a (you guessed it) driver with vertical grooves in December. And the Boston-based company claims the USGA conforming club offers golfers improved distance and accuracy off the tee.
The theory is that the vertical grooves reduce “side spin” at impact. (Yes, we know “side spin” isn’t technically a thing). According to Vertical Groove, the groove pattern leads to a 40 percent straighter ball flight on average.
And another claim from the company: The “array of shorter vertical grooves combined with vertical land areas perpendicular to the club face” contribute to added distance and better forward roll.
In independent testing at Golf Laboratories, Inc., the Vertical Groove driver outperformed market leaders in spin rate and distance, in addition to center, heel, and toe dispersion.
“The performance attributes of the Vertical Groove Driver will benefit all golfers, including low-handicappers and golfers that have a tendency to hook or slice off the tee,” said Rubin Hanan, Managing Partner, Vertical Groove Golf, LLC. “Vertical Groove technology on the club face reduces side spin at impact, while generating more forward spin, resulting in better accuracy and increased distance off the tee.”
Additional specs
- Available in both right and left-handed models
- 450 cubic centimeters
- Offered in 9.5, 10.5 and 12-degree lofts
- Aldila NV2K series shafts come stock
- Flexes include: 45 gram L (Ladies), 50 gram A (Senior), 55 gram R (Regular), 65 gram S (Stiff) and 65 gram X (Extra-stiff)
- 45.75 inches
- Suggested retail: $399.99
- Available in December 2016
Check out the Vertical Groove website for ordering information.
And an interesting side note: An earlier iteration of the Vertical Groove Driver showed up in the forums back in 2015. User JGalls wrote about his experience hitting the club at a demo day and snapped this picture.
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Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
…The Jailbird craze hasn’t really slowed down in 2024, either. According to Odyssey rep Joe Toulon, there are about 18-20 Jailbird putter users on the PGA TOUR.
Most recently, Akshay Bhatia won the 2024 Valero Texas Open using a broomstick-style Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter and Webb Simpson is switching into a replica of that putter at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Now, Fowler, who essentially started the whole Jailbird craze, is making a significant change to his putter setup.
Fowler, who has had a couple weeks off since the 2024 RBC Heritage, started experimenting with a new, custom-orange Jailbird 380 head that’s equipped with a standard 35-inch putter build, rather than his previous 38-inch counter-balanced setup.
According to Fowler, while he still likes the look and forgiveness of his Jailbird putter head, he’s looking to re-incorporate more feel into his hands during the putting stroke.
He told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Championship that the 38-inch counterbalanced setup “served its purpose” by helping him to neutralize his hands during the stroke, but now it’s time to try the standard-length putter with a standard-size SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip to help with his feel and speed control.
Although Fowler was also spotted testing standard-length mallets from L.A.B. Golf and Axis1 on Tuesday, he confirmed that the custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 is the putter he’ll use this week at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.
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- Akshay Bhatia what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. Bhatia is deciding between drivers. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS (9 degrees @7.2, 2 grams lead tape heel, 4 grams toe)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (44 7/8 inches, tipped 1 inch)
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (15 degrees @13.9)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X (43 inches, tipped 1.5)
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW Prototype (19 degrees @17.8)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 10 X
Irons: Callaway X Forged UT (21 degrees) Buy here, Callaway Apex TCB Raw (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 125 S+
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S @49, 54-10S, 60-08C @61)
Shafts: KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135 X
Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Split
Grips: Iomic
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
More photos of Akshay Bhatia’s WITB in the forums.
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- Emiliano Grillo what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
5-wood: Cobra LTDx Prototype (18.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (4-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Callaway MD3 Milled (46-08S), Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S, 54-10S, 60-08T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Flatso 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Emiliano Grillo’s clubs here.
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Nonymous A
Nov 28, 2016 at 9:10 am
I hit this driver many times, and if you think of the physics in grooves, spin increases perpendicular to the groove. The dispersion on a low torque shaft was dreadful. The vertical grooves produce generally low spin, but biiiiiiiig sidespin. As a longish hitter (270-300) at 13 years old, I’ll keep my D4
Wayne
Nov 24, 2016 at 11:23 am
My buddy still games an old Killer Bee B-Sting with vertical groves. He’s almost always right down the middle and fairly long.
The Greatest Game
Nov 22, 2016 at 11:42 am
I had the chance to hit the driver this past summer. Just like any other drivers that have a different look on the crown other than the traditional black, it didn’t doesn’t bother me looking down at address. I only focus on the ball with my eyes, everything else gets phased out. The club itself performed exceptionally well compared to my Nike Vapor Pro. I didn’t have a launch monitor at the time, but I could definitely notice an increase in launch angle, and most importantly a much straighter ball flight. I’m looking forward to further testing, and hopefully adding one to the bag.
bradpuma
Nov 22, 2016 at 10:00 am
First thing in this thread that is wrong is that the company is Boston based, The company is based in Jupiter Fl. Second this driver was just featured at Ibis Demo day and sold 20 drivers straight from the range anyone who is knocking it before they try it is getting way ahead of themselves almost the entire Ibis staff has put this driver in play already.
Dave
Nov 20, 2016 at 7:19 pm
Steve,
I still have one of those drivers here in the fitting studio. Interesting pattern but unplayable with today’s golf balls. Smiles, Dave
Dave Aceto
Dec 26, 2020 at 1:56 pm
dave excellent point i like the driver but cant hit it high enough for my low clubhead speed my friends tried it same results explain your comment with todays golf balls thank you
DJ
Nov 18, 2016 at 5:33 pm
if it had a TM, Titleist, or Callaway badge on it, you’d all be lining up to hit it. Price in the stores will drop to $249 – $299.
Scooter McGavin
Nov 18, 2016 at 3:56 pm
“more forward spin”….?
Nocklaus
Nov 19, 2016 at 7:24 pm
Yeah, thats a good one…
Jonah Mytro
Nov 18, 2016 at 11:35 am
Poor pricing model at $399, thats going to be a tough sell to a golfer who can get a TM, Callaway or Ping driver at the same or lower price…Design of the driver isnt appealing at all. I am getting tired of all of these companies telling us their driver is LONGER, STRAIGHTER and MORE FORGIVING than the other guy. I think most of us are smart enough to know most drivers/irons perform the same, its all about the golfer using the equipment.If you slice a TM driver, your probably going to do the same with all of the other OEM drivers..It comes down to the mechanics of your swing..Id rather spend $399 on lessons to fix my hook or slice on my current driver…
Tider992010
Nov 18, 2016 at 11:09 am
I remember several year ago with a drive had no groves. I don’t believe they matter just what the consumer is used too.
John
Nov 18, 2016 at 10:38 am
not 460cc …. not interested
Guia
Nov 18, 2016 at 10:19 am
I am not convinced that Vertical or Horizontal grooves on a driver have any affect. I have a driver that has no grooves, and it performs the same as those with.
FX
Nov 18, 2016 at 9:57 am
Wouldn’t vertical grooves encourage MORE side spin, especially for those who already have issues with that?
Yearight
Nov 20, 2016 at 5:23 pm
I am confused by the same thing. Unless it has something to do with the curve of the face (roll and bulge)
Wow.....
Nov 17, 2016 at 10:34 pm
I’ve obviously never designed a club a before, this is just total speculation.
So thinking about iron and wedge grooves only, and thinking back on the whole groove ban back in 2010 or whatever, and the size of horizontal grooves, and then seeing these grooves…..I don’t know…. In my non-engineer and club designing mind maybe it could work to a bit? I’m talking only about the grooves not the head, aerodynamics, CG, ect. Maybe it’s outside the box thinking….
AGAIN, it could be,and might be complete BS, this is just my ignorant thought on the vertical grooves only.
D. Jenkins
Nov 17, 2016 at 7:43 pm
Pure gold. Well done Mrs. Smizzle.
ACGolfwrx
Nov 17, 2016 at 6:41 pm
Ugly as a hat full of “arseholes”
Bert
Nov 17, 2016 at 5:27 pm
Big Deal – does nothing!
Double Mocha Man
Nov 17, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Where can I get an Otterbox case for the driver head?
Greg Meyers
Nov 17, 2016 at 11:56 am
I currently have this driver in my bag. Its a pretty solid driver… what I notice most is:
1: It goes just as far as my Bridgestone J715 on good swings
2: Bad swings stay between the trees
Cris
Nov 17, 2016 at 11:02 am
So less “side-spin” and puts “top-spin” on the ball. Definitely defies the laws of physics. Powered by Antineutrino technology.
skip
Nov 17, 2016 at 12:50 pm
“Vertical Groove technology on the club face reduces side spin at impact, while generating more forward spin, resulting in better accuracy and increased distance off the tee.”
LOL. Forward spin, good luck getting the ball off the ground if that’s the case. Over/Under on how long this new company lasts? haha.
blink3665
Nov 18, 2016 at 10:59 am
I’m glad someone else saw that. It was the only thing that registered after reading that article. “Forward spin”?
creeder
Dec 8, 2016 at 8:23 am
could forward spin be speaking towards a gear effect the “reduces back spin”. i am not defending, it is really more of a question if it is bad semantics. depending on construction, there could be a reverse effect on back spin hence more forward spin. i dunno, i could be talking out my butt as much as they are.
Golfbuddy
Nov 17, 2016 at 10:01 am
Interesting. Might be fun to hit a few and see what’s up. Could be interesting to see if the vertical grooves help with hitting a draw.
Deacon Blues
Nov 17, 2016 at 9:56 am
Nothing new. Golfsmith had a Killer Bee B-Sting driver with vertical grooves in 2006: http://www.jeffsheetsgolf.com/killer-bee—past-projects (scroll down a bit)
Scott
Nov 17, 2016 at 3:28 pm
Nice link. Funny that the comments on the link made no mention of the side spin.
Shallowface
Nov 17, 2016 at 6:57 pm
I knew I had seen this somewhere before.
Feel the Bern
Nov 17, 2016 at 9:31 am
certified showstopper.