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.

Industry Notes: March 14, 2011

The Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences of the United States Patent and Trademark office has determined that the claims of four Callaway Golf patents are invalid in a long-running dispute that began in 2006 when Callaway claimed the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball infringed some of its patents. Appeal opportunities still exist … TaylorMade has launched its “Burner Brother of Speed” consumer campaign featuring staff player Camilo Villegas in a series of television, digital and print ads and online features inviting golfers to take part. Golfers can register online at www.taylormadegolf.com to become part of an interactive community that will receive swing tips from Villegas, product information and other benefits.

Doucet Joins GG1

Former Callaway Golf Canada director of sales Steve Doucet has joined Green Grass One.

Doucet worked at Callaway for 13 years, starting as a territory manager.

“We have worked with Steve for the past seven years at Callaway Golf, one of our biggest and longest standing partners. Steve’s deep industry experience, strong relationships, and business development expertise bring substantial value to our team, members, and supply partners,” said Doug Walker, one of three principals at Green Grass One.

Doucet’s focus will be on Green Grass One member development in the American market, as the company expands its services into the United States in 2011-12.

Based in Mississauga, Ont., Green Grass One is a buying group, retail consultancy, and shared services provider for facilities across Canada, with over 300 member facilities.

Top-Flite D2+ Has High Speed Core

The Top-Flite D2+ Feel features a high speed core that allows for softer ball compressions that offer an ideal balance of feel and ball speed for distance and control.

Top-Flite’s Dimple in Dimple Aerodynamic pattern is designed to reduce drag and improve lift to offer a combination of distance and control for all player types.

Tour i(s) And i(z) Have Dual Core Construction

The Tour i(s) golf ball from Callaway is designed to enhance overall performance, and deliver greenside control with greater spin separation.

The Dual Core construction offers golfers of all abilities the ability to generate maximum short-game spin, while keeping driver spin low for distance and accuracy. The soft Callaway Tour ball features refined HEX Aerodynamics, while the Hyper-Urethane cover offers control into and around the greens with improved durability.

Meanwhile, the Tour i(z) ball is built for distance, offering with penetrating ball flight through the bag. The Dual Core Construction was designed to deliver faster ball speeds, while a patented HEX Aerodynamics pattern is in place to reduce drag and produce better ball flight in various weather conditions.

The soft urethane cover uses a proprietary blend for feel and control around the green, with improved durability.

X Series Jaws Wedges Have CC Grooves

Created by Roger Cleveland, Callaway’s chief of golf club design, the X Series JAWS CC Wedges feature the company’s proprietary Tour CC grooves.

The 21 tightly spaced grooves are in place to provide the maximum cross-sectional area to sweep away moisture and debris on shots hit from varying course conditions.

The grooves can only be produced on a forged wedge, which enhances feel and feedback on shots hit around the green.

New bounce options have been added for 2011, featuring soles that have been individually designed for maximum versatility, especially in firm and tight playing conditions. X Series JAWS CC Wedges are available in either Slate or Brushed Chrome finish.

“Callaway wedges were in the hands of a number of PGA TOUR winners in 2010, including two major champions and the year-ending Tour Championship winner,” said Cleveland.

“They choose to play Callaway wedges because of the performance provided by the sole geometry, a softer feel because the wedges are forged, and groove technology that produces increased spin,” he said.

Callaway Launches RAZR

Callaway Golf launched its new RAZR line of products Thursday at the 2011 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

The RAZR line features its lightweight Forged Composite materal that was designed in partnership between Callaway and Automobili Lamborghini.

Also showcased was the next generation of Callaway’s Diablo line, led by the Diabo Octane driver and fairway woods and other 2011 products.

Forged Composite in the RAZR Hawk and Diablo Octane drivers offers a light, strong, precise material with more than 500,000 turbostratic carbon fibres per square inch.

Its ability to be precisely forged allows engineers to design clubhead components within tolerance of one-thousandth of an inch to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and strategically locate weight, while offering mass properties for more power at impact.

Callaway RAZR Hawk/RAZR Hawk Tour Drivers

RAZR Hawk drivers feature sole and crown components constructed of Forged Composite, reinforcing 67 per cent of the head. The ability to precisely forge within one-thousandth of an inch allows engineers to introduce a proprietary approach to aerodynamic shaping called Streamline Surface Technology.

This technology addresses drag focuses during the entire downswing, reducing energy loss due to drag by 43 per cent over its predecessor, the FT-9, for greater swing speed.

These 460 c.c. drivers are available in neutral, draw and tour models.

Diablo Octane / Diablo Octane Tour Drivers

Forged Composite material in the crown of Diablo Octane drivers allowed engineers to precisely set the clubhead’s centre of gravity and moment of inertia to promote accurate trajectories.

This lighter clubhead is paired with a longer shaft to increase head speed and power at impact for increased distances.  Diablo Octane Drivers also include Callaway’s proprietary Hyperbolic Face Technology.

“Forged Composite gives us the ability to engineer performance benefits like never before, including measurable advantages in clubhead speed, drag reduction and overall distance off the tee,” said Alan Hocknell, senior vice president of Research and Development for Callaway Golf.

“We are proving that materials matter with our 2011 drivers, and we’ve only just begun to tap the potential of this material,” he added.

RAZR Hawk Fairway Woods

Forged Composite in the crown of the clubhead allows Callaway engineers to precisely redistribute weight for center of gravity placement with the goal of maximizing distance without compromising ball flight or feel.

Club designers then apply aggressive Variable Face Thickness Technology to precisely shape the face thickness in each fairway wood, to increase the sweet spot to promote consistent trajectories. Other features include a traditional head shape and full-length hosel.

Diablo Octane/Diablo Octane Tour Fairway Woods

The standard models feature a larger footprint and are designed with a deep centre of gravity for better playability and higher trajectories. The Tour models are designed with a smaller profile and a traditional hosel for increased workability with low, penetrating trajectories.

“Engineered for maximum distance and consistency, our new fairway woods are the result of years of hard work and research insights into the needs of golfers of varying abilities,” said Hocknell.

“From tour pros to everyone else seeking longer and straighter shots, there is a fairway wood in Callaway’s 2011 line-up that will suit your game,” he added.

RAZR X/RAZR X Tour Hybrids

The standard model RAZR X Hybrid has a clubface with a Zero Roll Design to produce higher launch angles on shots hit low on the face for greater distance and soft landings on the green.

The standard model also features an offset hosel to provide a confidence-inspiring look at address and assist in squaring the clubface at impact. The Tour model has less offset to enhance workability.

“The team here at Callaway aimed to create versatile hybrids that can be integrated in a player’s bag and inspire confident shots from all areas of the course,” said Hocknell.

“Among other advancements in both models of the RAZR X Hybrids, we thinned the face and shifted weight to the perimeter of the clubhead for a more inertia-driven design,” he added.

RAZR X Irons

The new RAZR X irons feature RAZR Technology, to shift the centre of gravity lower and deeper in the clubhead.

Player research has showed that golfers tend to strike the ball lower on the clubface and these irons are designed for better performance on such shots. RAZR technology allowed engineers to build the iron with distance and forgiveness in mind, but with the versatility and look of a traditional thin sole iron.

RAZR X Tour Irons

RAZR X Tour Irons offer a more compact head shape with less offset and a thinner topline for workability and a sleek look.

Like the RAZR X irons, the RAZR X Tours feature a Variable Face Thickness profile with a fully integrated clubface/undercut cavity system.  These technologies enable engineers to precisely position mass properties and design the face of each individual iron for maximum ball speeds.

RAZR X Forged Irons

Made of forged 1020 Carbon Steel to produce a soft feel and responsive feedback, the RAZR X Forged Irons feature a head shape with a higher, squared-off toe, a sharper leading edge, thin top line, narrow sole and short blade length.

Callaway’s Tour CC Grooves provide elite golfers with increased spin for aggressive shot-making.
“RAZR Technology is a breakthrough in iron design for Callaway Golf. Most irons today are designed for one specific performance benefit — distance, forgiveness or feel — but RAZR Technology allowed our engineers to combine distance, accuracy and workability all into a new, complete package,” said Hocknell.

“In the RAZR X Iron, we’ve created the ideal iron for golfers looking to make the jump from being a high handicap to a single digit player,” he said.

“In designing the RAZR X Tour and RAZR X Forged irons, we incorporated feedback from accomplished golfers and even tour professionals like Phil Mickelson, so that we could deliver playability, workability and feel,” he added.

Watch GNN next week for more on Callaway’s 2011 product line.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Yes Virginia, There Is A Callaway Golf Canada

Rumours of Callaway Golf Canada’s demise have been greatly exaggerated, according to managing director Scott Reid, who admits that a significant transformation is taking place, beginning in the first quarter of 2011.

“As of January 1, we will become part of a North American solution, which will be a North American entity that includes the United States and Canada,” said Reid.

“We have made some changes and ultimately, Callaway Golf Canada will be a sales and marketing organization with a few support positions, but most of the services that can be shared with the U.S. will be moving down to corporate headquarters in Carlsbad (Calif.), things like customer care, accounts receivable and payable, credit, those are the main ones.” Read more

Forged Composite Debuts In New Octanes

Forged Composite makes its debut with the introduction of the Diablo Octane and Diablo Octane Tour drivers from Callaway, as well as the Diablo Octane fairway woods.

Forged Composite was developed in conjunction with the research and development department at famed automobile maker Lamborghini with the goal of providing a greater transfer of power at impact and more accurate trajectories compared to titanium clubs.

“Applying Forged Composite in tandem with a proprietary isothermal forging process has generated a measurable performance advantage over the metal alloys generally used to manufacture golf clubs,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, senior vice president of research and development for Callaway Golf.

Employing Forged Composite in the crown of the Diablo Octane Driver allows Callaway engineers to precisely set the clubhead’s centre of gravity and moment of inertia in order to promote accurate trajectories.

This lighter clubhead is then paired with a longer shaft to increase head speed and power at impact for longer distances.

Diablo Octane drivers also feature Callaway’s proprietary Hyperbolic Face Technology, which utilizes a chemical milling process to provide a larger sweet spot and improved impact efficiency.

Diablo Octane Tour models feature a slightly smaller head size than standard models, a full hosel and a more open look at address.

The Diablo Octanes come with a Project X graphite shaft that is 46 inches in the standard model and 45.5 inches in the Tour.

The Diablo Octane and Diablo Octane Tour fairway woods are engineered to maximize power. The standard models feature a larger footprint and are designed with a deep centre of gravity for better playability and higher trajectories.

The Tour models are designed with a smaller profile and a traditional hosel for increased workability with low, penetrating trajectories.

The Diablo Octane fairway woods feature aggressive Variable Face Technology that increases the size of each club’s sweet spot for high ball speeds leading to better distance.

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