Equipment
MaxFli adds two new U6 golf balls, the U6 LC and U6X, to its line
Last year, Maxfli turned heads in the golf industry with the introduction of the its U6 golf ball, the first-ever six-piece design to hit retail shelves.
The idea behind the ball was a good one: to offer golfers a lower-spinning option in the tour ball category for maximum distance and improved accuracy. That was achieved by giving the U6 a very low compression core, with layers that became gradually heavier as they moved outward toward the cover. That increased the ball’s moment of inertia (MOI), giving it even more stability and thus an even straighter flight. And like other tour-level golf balls, the U6 had a urethane cover to provide maximum spin and a soft feel on short shots around the green.
According to Ray North, director of product development for MaxFli Golf, the biggest problem with the U6 launch was that it wasn’t broad enough. That’s why Maxfli has added two new U6 models for 2014 — a lower-compression U6 LC and a higher-compression U6X — to maximize the ball’s performance for golfers with slower-than-normal and faster-than-normal swing speeds.
Like the U6, the U6 LC and U6X have low-compression cores, urethane covers and intermediate layers that gradually get heavier as they move from core to cover. That maintains the ball’s stability and low-spin performance. But the U6 LC was made with a lower-compression than the U6 to give golfers with slower swing speeds, between 80 and 95 MPH (with a driver), more distance off the tee. The U6, which will remain in the line for 2014, is better for golfers with swing speeds between 92-to-102 MPH, while the higher-compression U6X will be the longest U6 ball for golfers with swing speeds in excess of 102 MPH.
“We’re trying to make a straighter tour ball,” North said. “This might not be for Bubba [Watson], who likes to work the ball a lot off the tee, but for the majority of golfers it’s going to flight a little lower, spin less and roll out a little more. It’s a fairway-finding ball, and golfers are loving the spin they’re getting around the greens with it.”
All three U6 series golf balls have MaxFli’s Tri-Dimple design, which offers improves their aerodynamics, and will sell for about $40 a dozen when they hit shelves on March 6.
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Richard
Feb 12, 2014 at 12:08 am
I agree with llamont. I tried all the Maxfli U series balls and haven’t found anything I like as much as the U4x. I sometimes play Titlelist pro v1 and 1x balls too and they don’t have anything over the U4x. I went to Dick’s to buy a few dozen and they were all out so I bought a couple dozen U4 balls which are pretty good too but maybe 8-10 yards shorter off the driver. Hopefully they keep selling the U4x balls as well as the U6 series
N
Jan 15, 2014 at 9:57 pm
Has anybody played these balls and how are they, really?
llamont
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:25 pm
I played the original U6 for a short stint and in my opinion, it is an okay ball. The whole “6 piece” ball thing may be a bit overplayed though. The spin was decent (definitely nothing special for a ball that’s supposed to be tour caliper) but the durability of the U6 left a lot to be desired. I’ve been playing the U4X since September and I really like that ball. For the money, I haven’t played anything close. I get decent length off the tee and the green-side spin rate is adequate (for me).
ericb
Jan 16, 2014 at 7:46 am
I played the U6 sample pack. They stay on line pretty easily. Solid feel off the driver, kind of clicky off the wedges but spun nicely with quick stops.
Billy Maddux
Feb 7, 2014 at 3:34 am
I tested golf balls last Spring and the U6 easily beat out all the big names. I found minimal difference in length over the TM Lethal, Nike XI or Pro V1 but they went straighter on the simulator and on the course in actual play. The REAL difference for me was in how they played around the green. Very similar feel to the Pro V1. When you factor in that one could buy them at a discount at Dick’s quite often, it was a no brainer decision. The reason I am at this site tonight is I just went to Dick’s site to see if they had any specials. I buy balls several dozen at a time and am almost out (I play 3-5 times a week). I was shocked to see they were not listed and went to looking for reasons why. Thanks to the author for letting us know and it looks like I will be buying a couple of dozen of something else until the rollout in early March. Probably some Nike XI as they are currently on sale. But I will be going back to the U6 and will never run out again.
JJ
Jan 15, 2014 at 3:24 pm
The relevant swing speed is driver swing speed I take it?
Zak Kozuchowski
Jan 15, 2014 at 5:28 pm
Yes.