New Equipment In Testing On Tours

[GolfSpy_X]

Dust from the majors has settled. The FedEx Cup has been handed to Jim Furyk. The Ryder Cup is over.

 

But this is an exciting time of year for golf equipment fans, as manufacturers begin to test their 2011 offerings in the Fall Series events on the PGA Tour.

 

NEW LAUNCHER: Four players put a new driver from Cleveland into their bags at The McGladrey Classic.

 

Boo Weekley, Roland Thatcher, Chris Wilson and Ken Duke all used the Cleveland Launcher TL 310 Tour driver for the first time. Cleveland staff used last week's Viking Classic to introduce some of their new 2011 lineup to staffers.

 

"The players very much liked the look and feel of our new TL 310, the ball flight was strong and fit right into their personal window," said a Cleveland Golf tour rep in an email.

 

The drivers were all fit with Miyazaki C Kua 59 X .335 tip shafts. The Miyazaki brand is owned by SRI Sports, parent company of Cleveland Golf and Srixon.

 

NEW GOLF BALLS: Titleist put a new ball in play at The McGladrey Classic this week, but it retains the company's well-known Pro V1 name.

 

The Pro V1 and Pro V1x for 2011 were in the bags of 21 players, including Chad Campbell, Chris DiMarco, Brad Faxon, Brian Gay, Richard S. Johnson, Jeff Maggert, Troy Matteson, Scott McCarron, Brett Quigley, Webb Simpson, Henrik Stenson and Charlie Wi.

 

Srixon is also scheduled to have a new ball introduction next week at the Frys.com event in San Jose.

 

NEW IRONS, DRIVER FOR NIKE: Nike Golf unveiled new VR Pro Combo irons, a set that includes pocket cavity long irons, split cavity mid-irons and short irons with a blade design. These tour-level irons are made from 1025 Forged Carbon Steel and feature high-frequency grooves (yes, they're conforming) that are closer and deeper on the face for better control.

 

Lucas Glover, Trevor Immelman and Carl Pettersson all put the new irons into their bags for the week.

 

Plus, Nike has a brand-new driver, the SQ Machspeed Black with STR8-FIT technology, that Justin Leonard was gaming. The driver has a tall face that tapers quickly to be more aerodynamic and increase speed. It will be available in both traditional and square shapes.

 

Nike says that both the VR Pro Combo irons and SQ Machspeed Black driver will be available at retail on November 26.

 

CALLAWAY CLUBS HELP BJORN: Thomas Bjorn recovered from his role as winning Rider Cup assistant captain with a few new clubs from Callaway.

 

Bjorn was in the field at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, where he shot a 66 in the first round and finished tied for 11th. He had a new 15-degree Callaway Diablo Octane tour 3-wood and a pair of long irons - the new Callaway RAZR X Forged.

 

"He put it straight in the bag after hitting just two shots with it," a Callaway tour rep said of the fairway wood.

 

Bjorn's finish was his best since he won the Portugal Open in June.

 

"I was swinging it nicely and putting nicely and you have to cherish days like that because those are the days that build your confidence back up. My game was pretty solid throughout," Bjorn said.

 

KEEPING WARM: FootJoy tested a new under garment called the FJ Base Layer for its players participating in the Dunhill - nothing like the Scottish climate for determining how weather gear will hold up.

 

The shirts have a base layer that helps hold body heat while pulling moisture away from the body. Players with the new Base Layer included Gregory Havret, Steve Webster, Brett Rumford, Paul Waring and Gary Boyd.

 

IN OTHER NEWS: Ping made it five straight European Tour wins for its putter line when Martin Kaymer was victorious at the Dunhill. Ping putters were first in four of five major tour events this week, including on the PGA Tour, where Heath Slocum put a Redwood Zing in the bag for the first time. ... Graeme McDowell has gone back and forth between two Callaway driver models this season. He switched to a FT Tour and hit almost 80% of fairways for the week in Scotland. ... Fila Golf extended its sponsorship agreement with LPGA Tour player Stacy Lewis. She'll wear the company's clothing and promote its apparel in marketing campaigns.

 

By Jennifer Gardner

GPA Equipment Editor