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Show Stoppers: Day 2 from the PGA Show

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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

RWWedge

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.

RWWedgeUndercut

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.

RWwedgeMilled

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

EdelSingleLengthIrons

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.

Edel_Single_Length_SLS_1_IronsShaft 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.

Edel_Single_Length_SLS_1_Irons_addressSLS-01 irons (3-PW, SW) will be available for $240 per head. Fittings are necessary for purchase.

Ernest Sports ES16 Tour

ES16TourGolf

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

GForeMillarGolf

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.

GforeSoles

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.

GForeBubbaShoes

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

Golf_Pride_Align_Grips

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.

Golf_Pride_Align_Grips_2

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

IceblockPutterGolf

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.

CompanyOwnerIceBox

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.

IceblockAddress

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_Itobori_Irons

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.

MG_Itobori_Driver

As you might have guessed, the clubs are very expensive. For example, the driver pictured sells for $1250 (head only).

MG_Itobori_Irons_Soles

Customization options are near limitless, and hopefully your club budget is, too. See more photos. 

OUUL Super Light Stand Bag

OUUL_Python_Collection

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.

OUUL_Super_Light_Stand_Bag_TopThe 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.

OUUL_Super_Light_Stand_Bag_FabricThe 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_CBX_Forged

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.

Tour_Edge_Exotics_CBX_Forged_Address

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

TravisMathewBasketball

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.

GforeBathroomShoes

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

MassageShow

Related: See more photos from Day 2 of the PGA Show. 

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26 Comments

26 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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..

  3. Tony P

    Jan 27, 2017 at 12:39 pm

    yawn

  4. Johnnylongballz

    Jan 27, 2017 at 4:32 am

    So not really Show Stoppers, just random stuff at the show.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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…

  8. 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

  9. 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.

  10. bm

    Jan 26, 2017 at 7:59 pm

    Everything’s so clear now. Mizzle is Morris Wanchuck.

  11. 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

  12. Guia

    Jan 26, 2017 at 7:17 pm

    A number of gimmicks.

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Equipment

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

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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)

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  • 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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