Equipment
Wilson introduces new Duo Soft golf balls, available in matte colors
Wilson is unveiling the industry’s lowest-compression two-piece golf ball and adding some color in the process.
“The industry’s lowest 29-compression golf balls are not only the softest, longest and straightest, but now even longer and more durable,” says Frank Simonutti, Wilson’s Global Director of Golf Ball Innovation.
“With a 3 percent larger core for increased ball velocity and a softer, thinner sodium/zinc ionomer cover for optimal distance and durability, this newly formulated 2-piece golf ball provides low driver spin, exceptional yardage and unparalleled soft feel to the Distance (D) player.”
The Duo Soft balls, which will be available in-store and online November 17, bear a $19.99 price tag for one dozen. In terms of price, the Duo Soft slides in behind Wilson’s premium Staff FG Tour Urethane ($44.99/dozen) and Duo Urethane ($37.99/dozen).
Simonutti also notes company testing shows the new Duo Soft is an industry leader in the two-piece ball market.
“The optimized dimple pattern has reduced dimple depth by 5.7 percent, resulting in higher trajectory and longer distance performance.” These enhancements give DUO Soft the (1) best feel, (2) longest distance, and (3) the lowest spin leading to straightest flight off the tee in testing against all competitive premium 2-piece balls.”
Consumers will be able to pre-order the Duo Soft golf ball– in one of six matte finishes –starting October 30. The balls are available in red, green, yellow, orange, pink, and a women’s matte white.
Odyssey Golf announced Tuesday that the already popular Damascus Milled putter lineup is getting more options.
Initially launched back in April, only in a Damascus Milled #7 head (in plumbers or double bend configurations), the family grows to four with a One Wide, Two and Rossie S shape, all available in the second limited-edition drop at retail on June 6th.
“Damascus Steel is a beautiful material, and the patterns tell the story, because every one is different” said Odyssey General Manager, Jacob Davidson. “But what stands out is that as beautiful as these putters are, the feedback from Tour has been the exceptional feel of these putters. We wanted to deliver the most premium performance-driven putter we’ve ever done at Odyssey. When you look at this product, we have so much confidence because there is not one thing we’d do different. On this one we really took our time over the last couple years to try to perfect the design.”
Created from a layered construction of multiple steel alloys, this Damascus Steel insert is forged, folded and pressed to create a unique, striking pattern in every piece. Think of it like a fingerprint. Each Damascus construction comes with its own 1-of-1 style pattern. No offerings will ever look the same.
The layered structure, combined with a specialized heat treatment, delivers a finely tuned, highly responsive feel different from other insert materials. The Damascus steel is audibly different compared to other inserts, potentially with slightly more feedback. Odyssey also uses AI-designed back contours to maintain consistent ball speed across the face, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern tech.
Each head in the line is precision-milled from stainless steel and features a blasted silver finish to complement the Damascus insert and sole plates.
With Tour feedback, Odyssey has also developed, in collaboration with Golf Pride, a grip featuring meticulously crafted edges, pistol shaping and a classic modern tour feel.
L.A.B. Golf has been the pioneer when it comes to Lie Angle Balanced putters for years now. When you talk to another golfer and zero torque putters comes up, as it will since it is the hottest thing in golf, the first brand out of their mouthes is L.A.B. Golf. Currently their putter line up has something for every golfer, wether your like blades or mallets. But the company has a new creation for golfers that we saw out on tour just a few weeks ago and is now available to us, the VZN.1i putter.
One of the big stories with the new VZN.1i putter is alignment in the form of the shape. L.A.B. has always given us plenty of alignment options in their putters with different line formations and shapes that can be laser etched onto the top of the putter. With this new design they used the shape of the head and the open cavity in the middle to help enhance the alignment for players. These shapes help players lock into their intended line to improve accuracy and concistency.
“VZN.1i was approached formulaically by combining everything we’ve learned from the success of previous L.A.B. Golf models into a familiar mallet shape that’s easy on the eyes and even easier to putt with,” said Cameron Day, Senior Vice President of Product at L.A.B. Golf. “Every L.A.B. putter is engineered to roll the ball on its intended line through Lie Angle Balance technology. With VZN.1i, we took things a step further by simplifying another critical aspect of putting: alignment.”
Like most of the other L.A.B. mallet putters the VZN.1i is machined from a solid block of aluminum and features a 303 stainless steel face insert. Steel face inserts on all L.A.B. putters not only enhance the sound and feel but they improve ball speed for better distance control. The new shaping also offers two ways of picking up your ball, using the sole or the rear flange can scoop up the ball. The company is offering the VZN.1i with a 1.5 degree forward shaft lean or a vertical shaft option in order to fit more golfers. Each VZN.1i is hand balanced and 10 other stages before it is complete and ready to ship. L.A.B. has its custom program where the golfer can select their length and lie but also head color, shaft upgrades, and grips to make their VZN.1i fit them perfectly.
The VZN.1i is available now starting at $499 for stock models and $599 for custom.
In our forums, one user has asked a question sure to interest all sorts of golfers. What’s the most comfortable walking shoe of 2026?
@RobDMB posed the following question:
“Looking for suggestions/recommendations on the currently available most comfortable walking shoes – preferably waterproof. Essentially looking for something comfortable like a running shoe, but with some stability and waterproof for golf. Decent room in toe box as well. Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!”
Our members in the forum have been sharing their own recommendations on the best walking shoes that can also survive a number of golf rounds. 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.
- SheriffBooth: “To check all your boxes I’d vote for whichever of the current Nike lineup fits your feet the best. Obviously the Victory Pro 4 and Victory Tour 4 are good enough for the two best players in the world, but the new Pegasus, Next% Tour 3, and Tempo all look really good too.”
- i*windows: “when I had issues with my feet I played in Asics running shoes they were a little bit like the hoka’s above, very comfortable, now I’m back to Ecco shoes which are great.”
- mshills: “Everyone’s feet are different so this will be a long list of lots of different shoes. For me, anything from Ecco’s Biom lineup. Nothing else comes close.”
Entire Thread: “2026 Edition: Most Comfortable Walking Shoe?”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
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Vito B
Oct 11, 2017 at 5:57 pm
Interesting. On My Golf Spy, Frank Simonetti says that they tested a large number of different golf balls and there was no more than 4 yards difference in all of them.(except for Aeroburner Soft which was “a lot shorter”). So which is it Mr. Simonetti, are they longer or not? Or are you wearing your “marketing”(aka B.S) hat?
JB
Oct 13, 2017 at 3:27 pm
In context he you are referring to two separate comparisons.
When he says they are longer, he is referring to the previous ball these replaced. Which, yes, can generally be viewed as marketing. It is always expected to be better than previous generations. Do you think anyone would ever sell a product if they said “It is kind of better than the previous generation.” It would be like Apple saying “This is the same exact iPhone, with no real improvement over the old generation”, or “The battery life is the exact same.” Probably wouldn’t sell many phones.
His other comment about a 4 yard difference is a comparison across all balls, both tour and non-tour caliber balls. In other words under the USGA rules, all balls essentially get the same distance, and the only difference is feel, spin, etc. So if your buying a ball just for “distance” you are wasting time, they all go the same distance give or take a few yards. Keep in mind this comparison is not a comparison with the previous DUO.
William Milne
Oct 11, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Must tell you guys…I am senior golfer and at one time scratch player for years. I tried the duo about a year ago and have tried all the other brands and was long time PRO V! player. For my swing speed at about 90 MPH it is great! Also, what I like is that it is the softest feel off pitches and putter of ANY ball I have ever used. Sure, it doesn’t bite as well as the premiums, but for price and feel, I have come to conclusion that it is the only ball for me and I am going to quit trying to find better ball. Tried the duo spin, but did not like it as well…not sure why.
matt
Oct 11, 2017 at 10:49 am
So Women only get the white-balls???
Thomas A
Oct 11, 2017 at 11:40 am
Don’t be racist.
dapadre
Oct 11, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Taking a Knee because of Matts comment.
Travis
Oct 12, 2017 at 8:47 am
Get out of here, Collin!
JB
Oct 13, 2017 at 3:29 pm
I heard they were going to make matt black balls too, but you know what they say about going black…..
Gorden
Oct 10, 2017 at 10:27 pm
Like what he said about distance, all most all golf balls have reached distance limit, last year Barney Adams (original Adams golf) told us Drivers had reached distance limit within the last 6 years or so….Now we need to see how long before golf governing bodies cave in to club and ball companies and make the average tour drive 350….with 400 common for big hitters…..
Volvik
Oct 10, 2017 at 9:19 pm
Welp, there goes my business…
Real Volvik
Oct 11, 2017 at 7:10 am
Not really, we are supplying the technology to Wilson Staff. We’re doing just fine.
Real Real Volvik
Oct 12, 2017 at 8:48 am
Just kidding, no one plays our balls anyway.
Rick
Oct 13, 2017 at 9:16 am
I play the green. I don’t see as well as always but hate wearing glasses while playing. Easy to see and no glare. It even lights up the face of my irons when sun is right which is no benefit, but cool
Scott
Oct 10, 2017 at 8:54 pm
Why don’t they come out with blue balls…
Tanner
Oct 11, 2017 at 7:12 pm
Gamer Soft has. WTF, no yellow ones?
Thomas A
Oct 12, 2017 at 10:23 am
Yellow is listed and pictured here.
etc.
Oct 10, 2017 at 6:54 pm
29-compressioin?!!! They must feel like a silicone ball or a really old marshmallow !!!
Shane
Oct 10, 2017 at 6:32 pm
Says matte but in photo at top with the box they look like regular white, thus so or not? I saw them elsewhere and the shield was blue in color, what gives?
Steve I
Oct 10, 2017 at 5:07 pm
Balls! … White balls … Yellow balls …. Orange balls …. what’s next … Blackballs?
etc.
Oct 10, 2017 at 6:55 pm
IIRC Nike came out with a ‘black’ ball.. but it was quickly discontinued…. wonder why.
Cornwall1888
Oct 10, 2017 at 11:31 am
Softest, longest, straightest? Too good to be true
Dat
Oct 10, 2017 at 9:40 am
Just in time for fall/winter. I like it!