Callaway Introduces s-Tech Core In HEX Chrome Ball

The new HEX Chrome three-piece ball from Callaway is designed for golfers with moderate swing speeds.

It has a low compressed core called s-Tech to help reduce spin off the tee and promote more distance, while retaining a softer feel around the greens.

The s-Tech core is surrounded by a single mantle layer, Callaway’s new DuraSpin cover and improved HEX aerodynamics.

“We took a unique approach in the design of our new HEX Black Tour golf ball, and the investments we’ve made in new technology over the past few years have culminated in this innovative five-piece construction,” said Dave Bartels, senior director of golf ball research and development for Callaway.

“The level of spin separation golfers will experience can be attributed to our advanced i-Core technology and new DuraSpin cover material.  Our advanced dual-mantle system and optimized HEX Aerodynamic design produce the ball speed and flight characteristics to benefit all golfers,” added Bartels.

The HEX Black Tour is our most highly-engineered golf ball ever and signifies a major technology breakthrough and performance milestone for Callaway Golf,” he said.

“Many of these advanced technologies, like our HEX aerodynamics and DuraSpin cover, can also be found in the design of the HEX Chrome golf ball, which allows us to offer a tour performance golf ball for players with moderate swing speeds at a substantial value,” said Bartels.

Callaway Aims For Spin Separation In New HEX Black Tour Ball

The measured differential between the high spin generated on shorter approach shots into the green and the low spin off the driver for distance off the tee is called Spin Separation in Callaway’s new HEX Black Tour golf ball.

“I’ve had more fun working on my game with the new HEX Black Tour ball than I have in years because I’ve been able to hit shots around the green that I haven’t been able to hit since the ’90s with wound balls,” said Phil Mickelson.

“The amazing thing to me is the spin separation — how this ball spins so much from 40 yards in and yet spins so little off the driver and goes so far,” he added.

Dave Bartels, senior director of golf ball research and development, says the HEX Black Tour ball is the result of years of R&D.

“We took a unique approach in the design of our new HEX Black Tour golf ball and the investments we’ve made in new technology over the past few years have culminated in this innovative five-piece construction,” he said.

“The level of Spin Separation golfers will experience can be attributed to our advanced i-Core technology and new DuraSpin cover material,” he added.

‘Our advanced dual-mantle system and optimized HEX Aerodynamic design produce the ball speed and flight characteristics to benefit all golfers,” said Bartels.

The HEX Black Tour features dual core construction to maximize the compression difference between the inner and outer core layers.

The extremely soft inner core helps reduce spin off the tee for more distance, while the high compression outer core creates higher spin closer to the green for more control with irons and wedges.

Both the inner and outer mantles are comprised of ionomer blends in different ratios to affect the hardness and resilience of each mantle layer.

In combination, the soft inner and firm outer mantles are designed to protect the high-tech dual core, while producing powerful ball speeds across a range of swing speeds.

The DuraSpin Cover formulation was developed using a unique thermoplastic urethane (TPU) blend that Callaway cited for its excellent mechanical properties and durability characteristics.

Compared to previous materials, Callaway discovered that durability was significantly improved to better prevent marks and scratches throughout the round.

Callaway’s patented HEX Aerodynamics are included to produce 100 per cent surface area coverage on a golf ball whereas traditional round dimples typically cover only 88 percent of the surface.

What’s Going Down In O-Town?

ORLANDO — Heading into the PGA Merchandise Show, which begins Thursday at the Orange Country Convention Center, companies are looking to ride already-established momentum in, make a splash in Orlando, then carry that momentum throughout the year.

Great Timing For PING

PING couldn’t have asked for better timing than Mark Wilson’s win last weekend at the Humana Challenge, using the new i20 driver and irons just before the show began.

“What a great start in just his second week out with them on the PGA Tour. That was quite an accomplishment,” said PING director of engineering Brad Schweigert.

“A lot of it is brand building than actually stimulating individual club sales, but when you have a new product launch like this and you have early success with it, I think it can only help,” he added.

“We don’t put a load of pressure on our tour players to get into the new products. We obviously make it available and work with them, so when they do choose and they have success, it’s a great feeling for us,” said Schweigert.

“When he first hit them, he just thought they went through the ground really nice. They really suit his eye. They had some forgiveness where he wanted it in the long irons. The trajectories were really good. It was a good fit right from the beginning.”

Nike Dares You

Nike Golf president Cindy Davis joined LPGA Tour star Suzann Pettersen and some big bruisers in the form of Ken Griffey Jr. and Sterling Sharpe at a company event Tuesday evening at the Peabody Hotel.

Griffey and Sharpe took part in a Speed Trial, something that will become a part of demo days and at retail outlets in the months to come as part of the launch of Nike’s VR_S woods, hybrids and drivers.

Golfers will get the chance to compare their own clubs against the VR_S products.

“Getting people to change is not always easy,” said Davis.

“Change isn’t easy in anything and golfers who have been playing this sport for a long time often default to whatever brand they’ve been playing and don’t do due diligence to really understand what’s available in the marketplace,” she added.

Nike, a relative newcomer in the club business compared to other major manufacturers, is providing the incentive to do that through Speed Trials, according to Davis.

“Is it too difficult to go hit a few drives, a few fairway woods, a few hybrids to really see the technology? We don’t think it is,” she said.

“If we didn’t find a way to have trial with a purpose, we’re not sure we’d get the engagement level we think we’re going to get with this program,” said Davis.

“If someone says, `I dare you,’ a lot of people say, `Okay, I’ll take you up on that.’ This program, in many ways, the Speed Trials, says `I dare you.’”

Callaway Has Lots To Show At The Show

Callaway is not only introducing its fully-adjustable RAZR Fit driver, but also its RAZR X Black family of woods, hybrids and irons, but it won’t end there.

The new HEX Black Tour and HEX Chrome golf balls will be introduced, as will the new Metal-X line of putters from Odyssey. In irons, the RAZR X Black, the RAZR XF and the RAZR X HL iron will complement the company’s 2011 offerings—the RAZR X, RAZR X Forged and RAZR X Tour.

Watch GNN for more on the technology of these products.

What Happened In Vegas Won’t Stay In Vegas

Expect to see Callaway’s new “Epic Demo” advertising campaign, shot on location at and above the Las Vegas Strip in December, on network television in the next few weeks.

At the helm of the shoot was music video and commercial director, Joseph Kahn. The television and online executions will put the spotlight on the company’s 2012 products and staff professionals, reportedly in a way most golfers aren’t used to seeing.

PING nFlight Going Mobile

You won’t actually see it in Canada until later this year, but PING is giving accounts a peek at its new, mobile nFlight fitting system, which works with several launch monitors off an iPad-type device, which delivers a wealth of swing information.

You heard it here first, but don’t tell anybody that.

Fourteen Goes Forged

Fourteen Golf, distributed in Canada by Jancor Agencies, is introducing its TC-530FG forged irons at the show. Watch GNN soon for the complete tech story.

Nike Deja Vu

You likely heard a lot about Nike’s 20XI ball in 2011 through stories such as this and this, but there’s more to come because the company is looking at this year as the launch.

Last year’s launch of the 20XI only took place in North America and this year it goes global. Advertising campaigns and player seeding will be among the means used to promote the ball in North America and around the world.

“We not only created a new core technology. We created a whole new manufacturing process. It was a start-up,” said Nike Golf president Cindy Davis.

“Making a urethane ball, a premier ball, is not an easy thing. Creating a whole new way from an injection molding standpoint was a whole new thing,” she added.

“We wanted to bring it to (the North American) market because it was out in the marketplace from a knowledge standpoint, so we made a strategic decision to begin the process in North America,” said Davis.

“We actually look at this year as the real launch of the 20XI golf ball because it goes global next month. Now the trial begins. If you look at our portfolio from an advertising standpoint, it will get the largest amount of advertising dollars percentage-wise of our media spend,” she said.

“I think we learned something,” said Davis. “Because of the energy that we created in North America launching this, all the launch quantities in other parts of the world have nearly doubled than what was originally planned.

“The other parts of the world have said, `I’ve heard about this, when is it coming?’ so we created some real anticipation and pent-up demand for this product,” she said.

Off To Orlando

Depending on when you read this, I could be 30,000 feet over North Carolina or Georgia on my way to the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.

It’s been a tradition for years and while the show has changed dramatically since I first started going, one thing that doesn’t change is a crazy schedule. Read more

Callaway Lends Support To Golf In Schools

Callaway Golf Canada has come on board as presenting sponsor of the National Golf in Schools program, designed to introduce children to the game through elementary schools across the country.

“We have been very interested and excited about the Golf in Schools program since its inception,” said Callaway Golf Canada managing director Scott Reid.

“To now be able to put some concerted time, effort and funds in behind this initiative gives us hope that the health and future of the game of golf has a true fighting stance to succeed,” he added.

Launched in May of 2009, the Golf in Schools program has been introduced into physical education classes at 1,250 of Canada’s 10,000 elementary schools across Canada.

“The Canadian elementary school physical education system represents a vital touch point that will help introduce thousands of children each year to the game of golf,” said Golf Canada executive director Scott Simmons.

PGA of Canada executive director Gary Bernard was also quick to recognize Callaway’s involvement.

“This is another great step in the evolution of the National Golf in Schools program,” said Bernard.
“I believe Callaway’s involvement can only benefit the program in getting more kids introduced to golf and have them start down the pathway to a life in the game,” he said.

Callaway’s support of Golf in Schools builds on its involvement in the Callaway Golf for Kids program, a grassroots initiative developed by the Golf Association of Ontario, which supplements the Golf in Schools program in the province of Ontario.

“Callaway has been involved with the GAO’s Golf For Kid’s program for several years and we felt now was the right time to expand our support of the game nationally,” said Reid.

“We look forward to working with Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and all of the provincial golf associations to bring Golf in Schools to thousands more Canadian elementary schools and increasing the awareness of the program from coast to coast” he added.

Golf in Schools is also supported by the National Golf Course Owners Association, provincial golf associations and ClubLink.

Timberlake’s ‘N Sync With Callaway

Callaway is gunning for the next generation with news that actor and musician Justin Timberlake has been named creative director

The announcement from Jeff Colton, senior vice president of global brand and product for Callaway calls on Timberlake to be involved in development and execution of concepts for Callaway marketing activities and consultation on visual representation of the brand.

“We have worked with Justin for more than three years now and have been thoroughly impressed with the level of quality he brings to everything he is involved with,” said Colton.

“The opportunity to bring someone with his multifaceted talents into our creative matrix is very rare and his input has already made an impact,” he added.

Off the top, Timberlake with support the company’s 2012 RAZR line, including the just-launched RAZR Fit driver.

The 2012 line will be launched in the first quarter of 2012 through the company’s “Epic Demo” campaign being shot at several iconic Las Vegas landmarks.

“It’s always great when professional projects surround something that I am passionate about and the sport of golf and my work with Callaway definitely fit that criteria,” said Timberlake.

“I’m looking forward to bringing a fresh perspective to this category, focusing on the social aspects, fun and lifestyle associated with Callaway and playing golf,” he said.

Callaway Introducing RAZR Fit

Callaway Golf has announced that it’s RAZR Fit driver and RAZR Fit fairway woods will be available to consumers on Feb. 17.

Technologies include an adjustable hosel, plus moveable weights to promote draw or neutral ball flight.

“We are particularly proud of the performance gains we have achieved while adding the benefits of adjustability within the RAZR Fit design,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, Sr. Vice President of research and development for Callaway Golf.

“Callaway is not just entering the adjustability race with the introduction of RAZR Fit — we are taking the pole position. The adjustable features, combined with our proprietary technologies, allow golfers to play a more meaningful role than ever before in their journey to optimized performance,” he said.

The RAZR Fit driver and fairway woods both feature Callaway’s OptiFit adjustability system that is designed for easy use and noticeable changes in trajectory for each of the settings.

The system allows golfers to adjust the club’s face angle to three address positions — open, square and closed.

This adjustment is controlled within the “cog,” a rotatable element of the hosel that changes the angle of the shaft axis relative to the head.

Rotating the cog enables golfers to choose a preferred look at address, while also minimizing a slice or hook generated by the club’s delivery to the ball.

Because the shaft does not rotate with the cog, shaft graphics and grip reminders remain consistent to the player’s look and feel when they adjust the face angle.

In the driver’s head, OptiFit weights (one weighing 12 grams and the other two grams) are featured in the sole’s toe and heel positions. These are movable and can be exchanged to create a shift in the club’s centre of gravity and a perceivable draw or neutral ball flight.

The crown of the RAZR Fit Driver is comprised of Forged Composite, an advanced carbon composite material that Callaway developed over several years in partnership with Automobili Lamborghini.

With its light, strong, precise properties, Forged Composite allows Callaway engineers to save crucial weight and precisely control the thickness of the crown. These benefits give the RAZR Fit Driver a lower center of gravity, making it more forgiving on off-center hits.

Callaway’s RAZR Fit driver also incorporates a proprietary innovation in aerodynamic shaping called Streamlined Surface Technology that addresses the complex variations in aerodynamic flow during a driver’s entire downswing.

More than four years in the making, Streamlined Surface Technology is now in place to reduce RAZR Fit’s energy loss due to drag by 14 per cent, relative to its predecessor, the RAZR Hawk driver, despite the addition of an adjustable hosel for increased ball speed for more distance.

Also being introduced is Callaway’s new Speed Frame face technology, which combines hyperbolic shaping of the clubface with precision thickness control to achieve a larger sweet spot.

This new technology is designed to optimize stress distribution and increase ball speeds across the face. Callaway engineers were also able to save weight by implementing this new face technology.

The RAZR Fit Driver comes standard with a 45.5-inch Aldila RIP’d™ NV shaft and a premium Golf Pride New Decade Multi Compound grip.

RAZR Fit Fairway Woods

Like the RAZR Fit Driver, the RAZR Fit Fairway Woods feature three address positions—Open, Square and Closed. They will be available in a three-Wood (15 degrees) and a five-Wood (18 degrees), and allow players to make adjustments.

The clubhead is a traditional shape in a compact head size, as well as a shallow face with a low leading edge.

Callaway’s engineers have also applied Variable Face Thickness Technology to precisely shape the face thickness in each fairway wood, increasing the sweet spot and promoting consistent trajectories and hotter ball speeds.

Callaway Introduces New Forged Wedge

The new Callaway Forged Wedge, created by Roger Cleveland, features 21 tightly-spaced, conforming grooves, with sharper edges due to a Triple Net Forging process to provide better trajectory and distance control.

The maximum conforming groove capacity is in place to ensure that moisture is swept away and more edges come in contact with the ball to maximize friction and increase spin.

The new wedge is forged from 1020 carbon steel for soft feel and features a traditional styling with a higher toe and straighter leading edge for a square look at address.

A softer, more gradual C-shape is designed to provide versatility for more accurate shotmaking by relieving the heel and reducing the width of the sole. This enables golfers to lay the face open, while reducing the bounce angle for proper contract and better spin and control.

Finish options include a Trivalent Dark Chrome that produces a smoky, muted look to help reduce glare and a copper finish that is new to Callaway and is designed to oxidize over time.

Each wedge loft has been paired with ideal bounce to provide better turf interaction and versatility.

The Mystery Of The 64-Degree Wedge

As I mentioned on Monday, I spent a couple of days with Callaway Golf in Carlsbad, Calif., this week and it wasn’t one of those deals that, if they told me, they’d have to kill me, but close.

The idea of the trip was to have the media check out Callaway’s new products for 2012, but there  is an embargo on the information we can leak in respect to technology, etc. In other words, if I told anybody, then they’d have to kill me. It’s all standard stuff, really.

What I can say is that you can expect a lot of product announcements in January, leading up to the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, where Callaway, I expect, will make a lot of noise. Read more

Callaway Introduces RAZR XF Irons, Hybrids

The new RAZR XF irons and hybrids from Callaway are made with a forged 1025 carbon steel body for soft, responsive feedback.

The face is made of a thin, high-strength 455 carpenter steel for faster ball speeds and more distance, which also allows the placement of addition weight in the perimeter of the clubhead for high moment of inertia.

A dark, Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) finish offers a distinctive look for reduced glare, while an aluminum and injection-molded thermoplastic medallion is designed to offer fine-tuned sound and feel.

The RAZR XF hybrids also feature a larger head design and added offset for higher launch angle on shots hit low on the face to add distance and softer landings. They also have Callaway’s proprietary VFT technology, which controls face thickness to create a larger sweet spot and higher ball speeds.

The hybrids also come with a black PVD finish and a multi-material medallion.

“The RAZR XF irons are the most premium iron in our line and incorporate the best iron technologies Callaway has developed over the years,” said Luke Williams, global senior director of woods and irons for Callaway Golf.

“By combining our research and design expertise with the best materials available, we’ve produced a premium line of products for the player looking for the utmost in forgiveness and distance,” he added.

The RAZR XF irons and hybrids will be available in a set of six irons and two hybrids and come standard with Winn grips.

New Digs For Callaway

Callaway Golf Canada has moved to a new address. Below is all of the new company information:

675 Cochrane Drive

Suite 101, West Tower

Markham, Ont.,

L3R 0B6

Phone:1-800-387-7000
Fax:1-800-387-7001
Customer Service E-mail:cacs@callawaygolf.com
Website: http://www.callawaygolf.com/ca

Callaway CEO Resigns

After nearly six years as president and chief executive officer of Callaway Golf, George Fellows has resigned.

Callaway has named Anthony S. Thornley in the interim to take over in Fellows’ former role. Thornley has served on Callaway’s board since 2004 and has been the chair of the board’s audit committee.

For more information, click here.

Patent Dispute Isn’t Over Yet

Callaway says it will appeal a decision reached in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware that ruled in favour of Acushnet in a long-running patent dispute between the two companies. That decision was reported by GNN here.

“We are disappointed with the court’s decision, especially in light of our victory in the first trial and Acushnet’s admitted infringement of our patents,” said company spokesman Tim Buckman.

“We will appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit,” he added.

Has Patent Dispute Come To An End?

Acushnet’s long-running patent dispute with Callaway Golf may have reached an end after five years.

Acushnet has announced that the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware had provided its final judgement in its favour and has denied Callaway’s request for a new trial. Callaway has claimed that the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball infringed on four Callaway patents.

“Today’s positive ruling substantiates what our contention has been throughout this process, that the patents in question were invalid and should never have been issued,” said Joe Nauman, executive vice president, corporate and legal for Acushnet.

“We had confidence that, once we had the opportunity to present all the evidence and, as we continued to receive favourable rulings from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), we would prevail,” he added.

“The confirmation by the U.S. District Court is another significant step in finalizing this case,” said Nauman.

Callaway has the option of appealing the case to the Federal Circuit Court.

Callaway Introduces UPRO MX

The Callaway UPRO MX blends technological advancements with an intuitive user experience.

When the device launches in May, the Callaway UPRO MX will introduce a full-color Multi-gesture Touch Screen and a precise Optical Finger Navigation system so golfers can navigate the deep feature set with the swipe of a finger.

Pre-loaded with more than 25,000 courses from Callaway’s global database, the UPRO MX will offer golfers hi-resolution actual aerial photography of golf courses and hole flyovers in addition to critical distance data.

HX Diablo Combines Multi Benefits

The HX Diablo Tour ball from Callaway is designed to provide a combination of distance, feel and control in a three-piece performance golf ball.

The Power Reaction Core has a softer centre that gets firmer toward the outer edge to create lower spin off the driver for more distance and more spin around the green.

The DuPont HPF inner cover is in place to increase ball speeds and provide better feel. HEX Aerodynamics is designed to reduce drag and promote penetrating trajectories in varying wind conditions.

The new two-piece HX Diablo ball combines distance with soft feel, with its proprietary core that’s highly resilient, but features an ultra-low compression to produce high ball speeds for long distance off the tee, with the soft feel off the clubface.

A thin Ionomer cover helps keep driver spin low to maximize distance. HEX Aerodynamics reduces drag in order to promote stronger ball flight.

Next Page »