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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

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

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As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

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I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/28/24): L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

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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 L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick putter with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft.

From the seller: (@hibcam): “L.A.B. GOLF Mezz.1 Max Broomstick- LA Golf Paige Spiranac Shaft- 44″/79.5. Brand new, never used brown leather cover. The head was professionally anodized from Orange to Blue (Orange looked bad with the Pink shaft so I had it changed). Only a few rounds on this combo. Please see last pic- slight ding on back corner. 8.5-10 condition. THE SHAFT COST $475/ THE PUTTER $625. $799 shipped in the US. ONLY $699 SHIPPED.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

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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Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

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