New Year, New Gear

Get your game in better shape for the Year of the Horse with the latest releases

TaylorMade Jetspeed

According to research conducted by TaylorMade, 72 per cent of all golf shots are struck below the centre of the clubface. This is a good thing when hitting wedges, but a liability when striking drives. So-called ‘thin” shots generate too much spin and “cause the ball to fly too high and land too short,” according to the company’s Senior Director of Metalwood Creation, Brian Bazzel. But there is hope, at least if you believe the, well, spin about the company’s new line of JetSpeed metalwoods. The addition of a Speed Pocket (a hollow slot behind the face that produces greater clubface flexibility and faster ballspeeds) helps to minimize spin on shots hit below the centre of the face.

Like most new drivers this year, the JetSpeed, which comes in three different lofts, is adjustable. TaylorMade’s Loft Sleeve Technology gives players the option of adjusting the loft 1.5° up or down. In addition to the drivers, the Jetspeed metalwood lineup includes Rescues (four lofts) and Fairway Woods (five lofts). Prices for the collection range from HK$2,050-4,280. www.taylormadegolf.com

PING i25

Since the advent of adjustable drivers (made adjustable by a separate shaft and clubhead), manufacturers have struggled to keep the club’s swing weight consistent. PING has addressed this issue with a variety of shaft offerings that accompany their latest offering, the i25. The shafts can be matched to individual golfers by their weight and flex, thus fitting the motion of the swing and desired shot shape. “With adjustable clubs, fitting for shaft weight has been limited because of its effect on swingweight,” says PING Chairman and CEO John A. Solheim. “The PWR series [Performance-Weighting-Responsiveness] overcomes that by varying the CG location of the different weights so we can offer options that optimize ball flight while providing a better-feeling, more responsive shaft.”

Put simply, golfers of all abilities can now find a consistently weighted club that fits their desired shot shape. Another standout feature of the i25s is a golf ball-wide racing stripe on the crown that helps players better align their shots. The 45.25 inch/460cc clubhead comes in three adjustable loft offerings. From HK$3,400. www.ping.com

Pages

Written by Charlie Schroeder

Click here to see the published article.

A Name to be Remembered - John Catlin
It may not resonate as well as his compatriot Patrick Reed, who along with another Masters champion Sergio Garcia are expected to light up this month’s Honma Hong Kong Open presented by Amundi...
Final Shot with Greg Kinnear
"Kinnear" appears to be a Celtic name. What are your family roots? Lineage? If you look way, way back? There's plenty of Scotch in there and a little Irish. So, I'm both happy and depressed at...
The Ordinary Heroes
Very often in golf, a hero will emerge. He rises from near oblivion to become the next great hope in the sport with his name moving beyond just a byword to a feature in the headlines....
Becoming a Wilson Staff
I needed new golf clubs that was for sure. My Ben Hogan Apex irons were well and truly shot. I had broken the 5-iron against a tree long ago, my pitching wedge had gone missing and, my 3-iron was...
Livewire - The New Pat Perez
To know Pat Perez is to understand the dynamics of his flavorful persona. That there can be two diverse sides to his PGA TOUR saga – one win in his first 378 starts; two triumphs in the last 85...
PGA TOUR's October Asia Fest
It is becoming a wonderful tradition for the game in the Far East when fans can prepare to welcome and celebrate the best golfers on the planet, thanks largely to the PGA TOUR bandwagon which...
It's Not All About Winning
I have to admit to being a big fan of attending The Open on the practice days. Not only is it significantly cheaper, £25 as opposed to £80, but it’s obviously a lot quieter, and there is a chance...
Defending the Roll of Honour
Headline writers all over the world have enjoyed a field day since Justin Rose sensationally holed out from the rough on the 72nd hole as a 17-year-old amateur to finish a fairy-tale fourth at...
In Conversation with Siddikur Rahman
While mastering the grammar of golf, the narrative for most golfers on Tour has always been their desire to live their dreams and be the best they can. Beyond the public relations armoury...
In Memory of Peter Thomson
Considered one of Australia’s greatest golfers, Thomson assisted with the renovation of the Old Course and was also involved in designing the Eden Course. He played in the first Hong Kong Open...

Pages