Equipment
Show Stoppers: Day 2 from the PGA Show
We hope you’ve enjoyed our coverage from the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show so far.
- On Tuesday, we brought you hundreds of photos from Demo Day as well as the first batch of Show Stoppers. Our coverage highlighted premium clubs and shafts.
- On Wednesday, we followed with our second batch of Show Stoppers that included Zombie Golf, a performance-tracking golf ball and several new equipment launches.
Now we’re serving up our third and final batch of Show Stoppers from the 2017 PGA Show; 10 of our favorite items from Day 2 at the Orange County Convention Center.
Before we depart, we want to acknowledge all the GolfWRX Members we’ve met at this year’s PGA Show. Your influence in the golf industry is paramount and your passion for this great game is inspiring. For those of you not in attendance, thank you so much for following our coverage. The views, comments and interaction on our social media channels has been incredible.
We take great pride in the access we’re able to provide to one of golf’s greatest events, and if you haven’t already, we hope that all of you get to one day experience a PGA Merchandise Show.
Areso Wedges
You may know Areso as a company that provides fully customized putters, but it’s breaking into the custom wedge business in the near future, as well.
The yet-to-be released wedges — named RW after company owner and engineer Rock Wu — have heads that are fully milled from either forged carbon steel or blocks of stainless steel. They are able to be personalized for bounce, sole grinds, leading edge grinds and profile shaping. The grooves are also milled, and can be adjusted for spacing depending on swing characteristics and preference.
The wedges are designed with a deep undercut behind the face to raise CG, which is desirable for more boring-trajectory wedge shots. The wedges also have a bulkier toe portion to push the CG toward the center of the club face. The bronze-colored weight seen on the cavity can be made from aluminum, tungsten, titanium or stainless steel to dial in swing weight.
The company says it will work with a launch monitor system to assist in the fitting process. Wu estimates the wedges will be available to the public in 3-6 months.
Edel Single-Length SLS-1 Irons
When Bryson DeChambeau broke onto the golf scene, he was using a set of custom single-length Edel irons and opened the eyes of golfers everywhere to the one-length philosophy.
David Edel, who worked with DeChambeau on the irons he used, is now releasing a retail set of single-length irons, called SLS-01. Who will most benefit from single-length irons? “Everyone,” Edel says.
The irons are made with variable thickness throughout the set. They has about 12 degrees of bounce, and are made with welded-face technology on their carbon steel bodies. To optimize the performance of the clubs, Edel is implementing a fitting system based on a golfer’s swing, accounting for length, lie angle, swing weight and swing style.
Shaft company Paderson has made progressive, wound-composite shafts for the irons that are optimized for single-length performance. Edel says that traditional steel shaft are not as effective for the single-length system.
SLS-01 irons (3-PW, SW) will be available for $240 per head. Fittings are necessary for purchase.
Ernest Sports ES16 Tour
As one of the leaders in data tracking for shots throughout the bag, Ernest Sports has a new ES16 Tour doppler radar system that sells for $5,900.
The ES16 Tour, which has both indoor and outdoor modes, uses quad doppler radar and two photometric cameras — all packed into the portable system — to provide golfers with a total of 21 data points, including both club and ball information.
The ES16 Tour is possibly the most affordable option for accurate ball and club readings in a space that’s packed with competitors.
G/Fore, Peter Millar Collaborate on Luxury Golf Shoe
Certainly you know G/Fore as a risk-taking apparel company that makes boldly colored golf accessories, and you know Peter Millar for its classic golf apparel and conservative colors. What happens when companies from different ends of the golf spectrum team up to make a golf shoe? You get a Show Stopper.
Founder and fashion entrepreneur Mossimo Giannulli designed the line, which features three shoe models — Bogue Gallivanter (2 colors), Disrupter (2 colors) and Pintuck Gallivanter (3 colors) — that are built for luxury, comfort and performance.
See more photos from the G/Fore’s 2017 PGA Show booth
Each of the shoes have a lightweight EVA midsole, an insole built with ridges for mind-blowing comfort that you need to feel to believe and waterproof leather uppers. They also have TPU (thermoplastic urethane) outsoles with cleats for traction.
In its standard line, G/Fore also offers numerous fashionable options. Our favorite is the Yohji-influenced Crusader high top shoe (pictured above) that has caught Bubba Watson’s eye, according to Giannulli. Watson, the two-time major champion who wears G/Fore shoes and gloves, is apparently interested in wearing them at The Masters.
Golf Pride MCC Align
Love ribbed grips? Golf Pride has something for you with its new MCC Align, which the company believes will please not only be loved by ribbed-grip players but by a much larger percentage of the golfing population.
According to Bruce Miller, Golf Pride’s Retail Product Manager, ribbed grips are used by about 33 percent of PGA Tour players. Their presence in North America retailers is almost non-existent, however, and a very small percentage of golfers ask for them.
Miller called traditional ribbed grips “old technology,” at least in part because of the difficulty of putting them on straight. MCC Align grips are constructed differently. They use a dedicated piece of material that runs along the back side of the grip. It’s 50 percent firmer than the rest of the grip, and its straight line and firmness makes the grips much easier to install properly. It’s also a much better reference point for golfers because of its increased rib size and added traction.
The Align strip sits between a white “gutter,” which presses up the rib up to the USGA’s maximum allowable thickness when it is installed. “Everything we do in our grips is about improving performance during the swing,” Miller says. “This is going to help golfers before they even swing.”
The grips will sell for $10.99 ($11.49 in Golf Pride’s MCC Plus4 Model) and will be available in the spring.
Iceblock Putter
The concept of the Iceblock putter came not from a golf research and design facility, or a longtime golf club designer, but rather from a surgeon’s office in Basel, Switzerland. Daniel Wengen, an ear, nose and throat surgeon and self-proclaimed 17-handicap who owns 23 patents in the medical field, was sitting at his desk one day, bouncing a golf ball off a block of acrylic that held medical implants.
“I’m just a doctor,” says company founder Wengen. Yes, a doctor with a Show-Stopping putter.
The block of acrylic, which weighs nearly 500 grams, turned into the Iceblock putter of the same size and material. A few additions were made to make it into a useable and legal putter; alignment lines scratched into the top and sole of the putter, a shaft drilled into the center of the head and drilled holes on its ends (the R&A prohibits objects that can be struck on all four sides of the head). The putter works for both righties and lefties and stands on its own on flat surfaces.
Wengen says the putter benefits golfers because of its incredibly soft feel and high MOI (moment of inertia). The putters sell for $249 and come with SuperStroke putter grips.
MG Itobori Grind
MG’s golf equipment is custom-ground by Mayuki Takai in Japan… and wow, is it gorgeous stuff. He takes each club to a grinding wheel to create its unique appearance, which is also said to improve performance.
As you might have guessed, the clubs are very expensive. For example, the driver pictured sells for $1250 (head only).
Customization options are near limitless, and hopefully your club budget is, too. See more photos.
OUUL Super Light Stand Bag
Golfers who carry their clubs want a stand bag that’s light, functional, good looking… and of course durable. OUUL’s Super Light Stand Bags from its Python Collection check all those boxes and more. They weigh just 2.7 pounds and use a patented flex foot base system that is made to be highly durable.
The top of the bag was designed with serious golfers in mind. It has several different “handles” that makes it easy for golfers to grab the bag from several different angles, and its 3-pocket system, insulated beverage sleeve and 8.5-inch 5-way top will provide all the storage and access golfers need.
The bags have a hand-crafted “python” print that’s available in several different colors. They sell for $209.99 each.
Tour Edge Exotics CBX Forged Irons
Tour Edge Exotics is known for its premium fairway woods, but it’s a new iron that’s generating buzz for the company at the PGA Show. Its new CBX Forged irons are triple forged from soft S25c carbon steel to deliver a pure feel that matches their blade-like appearance at address.
There’s a bit of new tech in the irons, as well. A dual-level flange and a TPE alloy insert enhance the feel of the irons, the company says.
The CBX Forged irons have modern lofts (20-degree 3 iron, 29-degree 6 iron, 46-degree PW). A price is yet to be determined, but it’s going to be reasonable. Expect to pay around $125-$150 per club depending on what shaft you choose.
Travis Mathew
Based out of Huntington Beach, Calif., golf and lifestyle brand Travis Mathew is about more than only golf clothes and accessories… and its arcade-style booth proves that.
In the Orange County Convention Center that’s filled with golf equipment, apparel, gadgets and anything golf-related as far as the eye can see and feet can walk, Travis Mathew’s booth offers a refreshing break from the sport with a fully loaded bar, pop-a-shot basketball and skeeball. The booth also had leather couches to kick back and relax after logging 10,000+ steps while circumventing the PGA Show floor.
The company was also showing off its Fall 2017 line of golf clothes, which include everything from performance polos to stretch-fit button downs that work great for off-course wear, as well. A bathroom-style display for its new line of shoes was… well, interesting to say the least.
That’s all folks
Related: See more photos from Day 2 of the PGA Show.
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Whats in the Bag
Russell Henley WITB 2024 (March)
- Russell Henley WITB accurate as of the Cognizant Classic.
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX
3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT Hybrid 100 TX
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S, @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron T5 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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Whats in the Bag
Vince Carter WITB 2024 (March)
- The NBA legend was teeing it up in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am.
Driver: Ping G430 Max 10K (9 degrees)
3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees)
7-wood: Ping G430 Max (21 degrees)
Irons: Ping i230 (4-PW)
Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 (50, 54, 58)
Putter: Ping
Ball: Renegade Mbu
Check out more photos of Vince Carter’s WITB here.
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Equipment
From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations
In our forums, our members have been discussing the most forgiving irons currently on the market. WRXer ‘TheShark1’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons, saying:
“Currently gaming the Mizuno Pro 225’s but think I need more forgiveness in my irons. My well struck shots are real nice, but my mishits are not performing as good as I had hoped anymore. I really like hollow body irons so if I could find something more forgiving in a hollow body iron that would be great.
Open to any and all recommendations other than Ping. Can’t hit Ping irons at all.”
And our members have been sharing their best suggestions in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- AvidSwampThing66: “Another vote for the super forgiving and fast Paradym irons. They look really good for being a GI iron.”
- bobfoster: “I just went from MP20 MMCs to the new 245s in my scoring irons (just played my first round with them today). If you have a chance to try them, you might find them worth a serious look.”
- vman: “Shoot me down, but spend the money on lessons.”
- J_Tizzle: “i525s are great off the heel in my opinion.”
Entire Thread: “From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations”
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Mike
Feb 2, 2017 at 7:41 pm
The Exotics CBx forged irons were amazing! Still have in my bag their original CB fairway wood, and original Proto driver, although that is not in the bag, just a back-up driver, but it’s still a great driver. But back to those new irons, just purchased the Mizuno JPX900 forged irons, and if I knew these were on their way, I would have waited. Kind of on the small/traditional size, but wow did they feel great. Just as solid as the Mizunos.
Jonah Mytro
Jan 28, 2017 at 6:31 pm
Saw the MG Itobori Grind heads/clubs at the show – amazing looking club heads with unique color finishes..$300-$600 per club, a little on the expensive side…No hitting bay at booth so no opportunity to demo them..
Tony P
Jan 27, 2017 at 12:39 pm
yawn
Johnnylongballz
Jan 27, 2017 at 4:32 am
So not really Show Stoppers, just random stuff at the show.
Jack's Hit
Jan 27, 2017 at 2:40 am
If the hand-grind irons of the Itobori perform – do they all perform differently because the hand-ground soles are all configured randomly and therefore you have no idea how they perform from club to club through the turf? Great idea, purely for pretty looks but totally incomprehensible for actual performance.
Adrian
Jan 27, 2017 at 6:26 am
The bounce angle of the club can still be accomplished even though they have their unique touch. Their little grinding touch won’t affect the playability of the club much at all but the aesthetic look of the clubs is very unique in my opinion. I think they have the most unique irons and wedges I’ve seen in a long time. I really like what they do to a golf club !!
S Hitter
Jan 27, 2017 at 12:21 pm
I don’t think he means bounce. Bounce angles can be maintained this way, I agree.
I think he means that if the shapes of the soles from club to club in irons like this all look different: i.e., if a 9 iron sole has bumps in certain areas and the bumps in his 8 irons have bumps in areas that don’t exactly match, when we are all used to using smooth soles that all react consistently in normal irons we can buy in stores today; the variety of the bumps will make the heads deflect this way and that way from club to club to make them unpredictable, unless the bumps can all be placed in exactly the same places in the same size and shapes on all the clubs.
Matty
Jan 27, 2017 at 1:06 am
This may sound like a dumb question from someone in Canada, but is the PGA Merchandise Show open to the public?
Jack's Hit
Jan 27, 2017 at 2:42 am
Yes, if you have a proper business in golf that actually has an income. Take a look at the application requirements. So no, it is not open for walk-in with a ticket that can be purchased at the door.
Matty
Jan 27, 2017 at 10:54 am
Well, if they want to “grow the game,” it should be open for the public for one week.
LaBraeGolfer
Jan 28, 2017 at 12:48 am
Pretty much the point of it is to showcase a companies product to companies in golf that may wish to purchase them to sell at their stores and pro shops. It’s one of those things that is pretty much accessible to anyone in the golf industry I believe. One of my coworkers when I worked at Dick’s had credentials to go somehow, I forget why but we both worked in the golf retail in store.
COGolfer
Jan 26, 2017 at 10:15 pm
The Edel irons looked reasonable, until that top shot…
fillwelix
Jan 27, 2017 at 2:53 pm
Completely agree, I was so on board and then I saw that topline…
Mad-Mex
Jan 26, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Is the PGA show relevant anymore? $5900 irons, $12 grips, $500 drivers,,
Tom
Jan 26, 2017 at 9:29 pm
kinda like a car show…are they even relevant any more?
Mad-Mex
Jan 26, 2017 at 10:54 pm
Great point, I say 10 years ago they were, now manufacturers can do their own virtual release show, the killer for them is their product is not readily available. I live in Riverside California, I wanted to see what the fuzz was about PXG clubs, San Diego was the closest (an hour and 15 away) were I could find one.
Jack's Hit
Jan 27, 2017 at 2:43 am
Quit living in the armpit of America and move to a real city then lmao
Dat
Jan 26, 2017 at 8:40 pm
The ES16 is “affordable” at $5900? Affordable for who? PXG posers?
Al
Jan 26, 2017 at 11:03 pm
affordable relative to a $25k trackman. I’d love to have a home sim and am glad to see the price starting to come down. I’d bet prices of comparable launch monitors will drop by about $500 a month.
Al
Jan 26, 2017 at 11:05 pm
*$500 a year
Dat
Jan 27, 2017 at 9:01 am
Not even in the same league. Prices need to come down a ton in the coming years, or this tech will forever be something only used by pros.
bm
Jan 26, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Everything’s so clear now. Mizzle is Morris Wanchuck.
LD
Jan 26, 2017 at 7:49 pm
I may be splitting hairs here, but that topline on the Edel irons is absolutely dreadful.
Steve
Jan 26, 2017 at 10:25 pm
It ain’t just the topline. A BUNCH of ugly this year IMO.
Jack's Hit
Jan 27, 2017 at 2:44 am
Who the feck cares about one-length anyways nobody’s buying
Guia
Jan 26, 2017 at 7:17 pm
A number of gimmicks.