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Best of Show: The 2013 PGA Show Winners

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Every year, we head to the PGA Merchandise Show in search of the latest and greatest golf gear.

This year, we spent three days scouring Demo Day at Orange County National and the inside of the Orange County Convention Center to find products that were innovative, easy to use and will help golfers shoot lower scores. While there were tons of great products by countless manufacturers, certain companies stood out from the crowd this year with shafts, accessories, equipment and training aids that will be “must haves” for serious golfers in 2013

Enjoy our list of this year’s winners from the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show. We want to congratulate UST Mamiya, CamCaddy, FlightScope, Faldo by Edel, Nike Golf, Callaway, The Golf Swing Shirt and TaylorMade-Adidas Golf for pushing themselves to create gear that we can’t wait to put in our bags in 2013.

Best of PGA Merchandise Show Winners

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ust

UST Mamiya Recoil Graphite Iron Shafts

Graphite shafts get better every year. Through better construction and materials, companies find ways to create shafts that feel and perform better for a wider range of players. At this year’s Show, UST Mamiya didn’t just bring a better shaft — the company brought one that could revolutionize the shafts golfers use in their irons.

The company’s new Recoil iron shafts use fibers that allow the walls of the shafts to be constructed thinner than graphite iron shafts of the past. This makes the shafts oval more on the downswing, which increases energy transfer. Because the fibers are denser than previous materials, Recoil shafts can also be made in weights that mimic steel — 95 grams, 110 grams and 125 grams.

According to UST, the increased energy transfer makes the Recoils fly 5 to 10 yards further than steel for many players. They’re also higher torque than most steel shafts, which gives them a better feel. And because of graphite’s ability to dampen vibrations, the Recoils will have less ouch factor during range sessions.

The shafts cost around $110 each, which will keep most golfers playing steel, but we’re betting that UST’s big push with graphite is the beginning of a change for iron shafts. When they start to hit the Tour, they’ll start to find their place in the bags of dedicated golfers.

Click here to read the full article, see more photos and watch a video about the Recoil shafts with UST’s Vice President of Brand Development and Tour Operations, Mike Guerrette.

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camcaddyCamCaddy

Getting better at golf is hard. It costs time and money to go see an instructor, and working on your game by yourself is clumsy, especially when you want to see what your swing looks like.

That’s where CamCaddy comes in. CamCaddy is a simple device that helps golfers easily shoot video of their swings without the need of someone to hold the camera.

The device works by attaching to an alignment stick. All that a golfer has to do from there is bury the alignment stick in the ground and attach a smart phone to the adjustable clip, which secures the device to make shooting solo video a breeze.

Because the CamCaddy is small and lightweight, it can go everywhere golfers go. And thanks to the power of today’s smart phones, the video it shoots can be texted or emailed to a golfer’s instructor, making on-the-range feedback possible. CamCaddy will also satisfy those who prefer to dig their swings out of the dirt, giving them an up-to-the-minute progress report on their swings.

The device is already being used on Tour by players like Charles Howell III, Kevin Na and Kyle Thompson. For $30, it’s just a matter of time before you get yours.

Click here to read the full article and see more photos, as well as a video interview with PGA Tour Pro Kyle Thompson and his instructor Dale Lynch.

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flightscopeFlightScope

FlightScope has made its X2 launch monitor even more powerful with its new VX2 App, which will allow golfers to view video comparison of their swings within a mobile device and see the related 3D FlightScope results in real time with the use of an Apple iOS or Android device.

FlightScope Founder Henri Johnson says that his X2 Dopplar Radar System is the most accurate in golf, an impressive claim when one considers it’s about a third of the price of similar TrackMan unit. According to Johnson, FlightScope tracks the entire flight of the golf ball from launch to landing, giving golfers real data that can help them find the right equipment and improve their technique alone or with their instructor.

FlightScope’s new Skills App makes the X2 even more desirable, allowing users to create custom games, combinations of targets and challenges that give golfers the ability to analyze their consistency under pressure.

The VX2 and Skills apps work in conjunction with FlightScope’s website, myflightscope.com, which allows Skills app users to track their progress, compete with friends and compare their data with users across the globe.

Click here to read the full article and watch a video interview with FlightScope Founder Henri Johnson.

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edelFaldo by Edel

Dave Edel knew what would happen when he partnered with six-time major champion Nick Faldo for a line of customizable irons and putters — golfers would flock to his booth to see the clubs that Faldo helped design.

That’s why he tried to get a bigger booth at the 2013 PGA Merchandise show, but it was too late — all the bigger ones were already reserved.

Looking back, it might not have been so bad to be in the smaller space. Golfers who walked by the Faldo by Edel booth had to wonder what was going on.

Those who wandered through the pack, which spilled over into neighboring booths, saw some of the most beautiful irons, wedges and putters in golf — clubs that were made by Edel himself to exacting standards, just like the fly fishing reels and fine watches the PGA Professional makes by hand.

Like Edel’s previous irons, the Faldo by Edel irons fit golfers for a particular grind, offset, shaft and grip that gives a golfer the best chance to hit it close. Golfers can also choose three toe shapes and leading edge styles, as well as two different top line thicknesses.

“Hogan used to talk about building a club from that ground up,” Edel said. “That’s exactly what we’re doing.”

With the putters, golfers are fit for one of three head shapes, which are available with different weights, neck styles, alignment aids, shafts and grips that will help them get the ball started on the right line with the right pace.

Click here to read the full article, see more photos and watch a video interview we shot with Dave Edel and Nick Faldo.

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nike covertNike Golf

Nike has made it a habit of bringing famous Nike athletes to the PGA Show to showcase its new products. The problem was, the athletes were usually a bigger attraction than the new product. This year, Nike’s VR_S Covert driver was one of the stories of the show,  bringing in huge crowds to Demo Day to hit the shiny red big sticks.

The fact that the VR_S Covert is being played by all five of Nike’s 2013 signings — Rory McIlroy, Kyle Stanley, Nick Watney, Thorbjorn Olesen and Seung Nul Yoh — gave the driver street cred. And the golf ball-sized chunk of mass missing from the sole of the club makes it different in a way that’s super cool.

Of all the major club manufacturers, Nike had the smallest booth at the Orange County Convention Center — a small, walled-in structure that actually functioned to keep the buzz out. But even with that hiccup, the company made a major step forward in 2013, getting golfers excited about hitting one of its clubs, which hasn’t happened in years.

Click here to read the full article and watch a video that tells golfers everything they need to know about the Nike Covert Drivers.

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callawayIntroducing the New Callaway

Callaway is not the same company it was last year.

And it’s not just the products that are new and different — it’s the energy that surrounds the brand.

Callaway made a statement at the PGA Merchandise show with its Social Wall, a mammoth display that featured praise from various golf websites and Twitter about its new product. On the wall, Average Joes gushed about the company’s latest gear — products like the Razr Fit Extreme Driver, the X Hot and X Hot Pro fairway woods and the company’s new irons and Versa putters.

Under new CEO Chip Brewer’s leadership, Callaway is finally headed in the right direction, creating products that give golfers the total package — feel, performance, playability and good looks. The only new product where Callaway didn’t make a splash was with wedges, where it has yet to introduce a new model in 2013. We wonder what Brewer and the team have in store for us there.

If the PGA Merchandise Show was any indication, Callaway is listening closely to what golfers want. If the company can pair those lists with even better performance, expect Callaway to start gaining back some of the marketshare they lost in recent years.

Click here to read the full article and see more photos.

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swingshirtSwing Shirt

The modern batch of swing trainers rely on smartphone-generated data to help golfers improve their technique.

These devices are a good thing, because numbers don’t lie. But the problem with numbers is that they don’t provide golfers with any feel, which is extremely important to a golfer who learning a new move.

At around $50, the swing shirt is much cheaper than the new high-tech swing trainings, and it provides instinctive feedback on what it feels like to stay connected during the golf swing.

At Demo Day, golfers jumped at the chance to try on The Golf Swing Shirt, which has a single sleeve hanging from slightly below chest level. To use it, all golfers had to do was insert both arms through the sleeve and start swinging. The shirt keeps a golfers hands, arms, shoulders and core moving in unison, giving golfers the connected feeling that is taught by many PGA Professionals such as endorser Jimmy Ballard.

Click here to read the full article, see more photos and watch a video interview we shot with Ballard and former long drive champion Art Sellinger.

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tmagTaylorMade-Adidas Golf

TaylorMade-Adidas’ presence at the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show proved that the brand has no plans of leaving its current No. 1 spot. While the company’s claims of increased distance are getting old, TaylorMade continues to improve its products with more technology, more adjustability and more pizazz.

Just like in previous years, TaylorMade’s new metalwoods were one of the biggest hits of the Show. The R1 was a must hit for most golfers, as were the RocketBallz Stage 2 drivers, fairway woods and hybrids. And even though the company’s RocketBladez irons hit shelves in December, golfers were still buzzing about how high and far they could hit them.

Inside the Orange County Convention Center, TaylorMade brought the “wow” factor with its own private room — an open-concept display that showcased its other new products — the “Lethal” golf ball and Adizero golf shoe — in museum fashion.

For golfers who wanted to flex their golf muscles, TaylorMade provided an indoor range and putting green. And there were plenty of opportunities to relax with a complimentary beverage (some might say Kool Aid) on one of the room’s comfy modern-style couches and bar, where LPGA star Natalie Gulbis dropped by to chat with company executive Sean Toulon.

As much as gear heads like to hate TaylorMade for its extravagance, it had the best booth at the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show by a landslide. Even more importantly, the company brought along improved products in every category with one exceptions — wedges. Like Callaway’s wedge exclusion, we’re wondering what’s next.

Click here to read the full article and see more photos.

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GolfWRX is the world's largest and best online golf community. Expert editorial reviews, breaking golf tour and industry news, what to play, how to play and where to play. GolfWRX surrounds consumers throughout the buying, learning and enrichment process from original photographic and video content, to peer to peer advice and camaraderie, to technical how-tos, and more. As the largest online golf community we continue to protect the purity of our members opinions and the platform to voice them. We want to protect the interests of golfers by providing an unbiased platform to feel proud to contribute to for years to come. You can follow GolfWRX on Twitter @GolfWRX and on Facebook.

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. bushnell v3 rangefinder

    Dec 16, 2013 at 4:40 am

    Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too.
    This sort of clever work and exposure! Keep up the
    terrific works guys I’ve included you guys to my blogroll.

  2. John B

    Jan 31, 2013 at 11:28 am

    I have already gotten a Swing Shirt and I would highly recommend it. It truly gives you the connection feeling that I have been looking for.

  3. Tom McBride

    Jan 29, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    JT Read belts hands down for quality, innovation and price. A cotton canvas webbing belt that is stitched with any Club logo. Very nice quality, fit and finish.

  4. Kevin Donnellon

    Jan 28, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    I was at the Show, and you nailed this piece. The Callaway Wall was something else. Smart and humble and is a superb platform for what should be a successful relaunch. The TMAG booth was something else, especially with the swings at their booth. And the one of the most fun things I have ever seen was the Beer Pong game at the Pukka booth. The show had more energy than I have seen in a while. Great job catching the mood and atmosphere so well in these pieces.

  5. Warren

    Jan 28, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    Our booth was across from the New Products Zone, so we were able to view many of the new products on display at the golf show. We were also present when the awards were given for the top three products. One was the Cam Caddy, which is basically a stick with a spot for your phone. The other was an iPhone hard cover with the PGA logo, which I wonder where the innovation comes from since many booths offered iPhone covers in hard and soft covers. Lastly, the Vibram Five-Fingers shoes…which truly was something new and interesting.

    My vote: The Golfmen created a way to install spikes in regular tennis shoes, then easily remove them when done or keep them on if you like wearing a particular style of shoes. Retail price: $14.99
    And it leaves little or no mark on the bottom on the shoe when the spikes are removed.

    If you were at the show and saw the products, which ones did you think were better deserving of the top awards?

    • BB

      Jan 28, 2013 at 9:15 pm

      I believe the CamCaddy is overrated and over priced. Not sure I understand price point of $ 30.00 for a cell phone holder? I did like the fact that you could hook up to aiming sticks, but overall I can use other video sources with tri-pod and have better video.

      Totally agree about the Iphone cover.

      IMO there were several other game improvement devices that deserved consideration.

  6. Corey

    Jan 28, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    Did yall check out the Pro Align Trainer at the Tour Sticks booth? if so, what were yalls thoughts?

  7. J

    Jan 28, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Second thought, anyone get price points on the edel irons/wedges?

  8. J

    Jan 28, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Great coverage guys! Was a true treat! Thanks a bunch!

  9. GolfWRX

    Jan 28, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    Thanks for the thanks Troy. We have so much more to post up. Get ready!

  10. Troy Vayanos

    Jan 28, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    The CamCaddy and FlightScope look to be two great additions to the golfing public. I’ve already ordered my CamCaddy and can’t wait to give it a try.

    Thanks GolfWRX for your coverage of this event. It has been great to see all the pictures and to read the articles on the latest and greatest golf equipment.

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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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Equipment

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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