Product Introductions Will Continue At Rapid Pace: TaylorMade-adidas Chief

The good folks at TaylorMade-adidas had a shindig at the company nerve centre in Carlsbad, Calif., on Wednesday evening to celebrate the anniversary of a rebirth as opposed to the birth of the company.

If you recall, the company had lost its way by September of 2000. Not only had it lost its reputation as an innovator in its cherished metalwood category, but sales were suffering and its financial future was in question.

“The morale of the people here at the company was not overly excited and we really didn’t have a lot of the things in the pipeline that would say that things were going to get better for us,” said chief executive officer and president Mark King.

It was time for a change and King realized the challenge ahead when he announced that the company was relaunching with a new logo, new product and a new attitude while at the 2000 PGA Championship at Valhalla, when 200 people were invited to a press conference.

Five showed up. Read more

The Doctor Retires And Other Notes

 As I mentioned in a previous blog in this little corner of GNN, I recently played in an annual event played in memory of the late Rick Fraser, a Toronto Star and Toronto Sun sportswriter who was admired as much for his bluster and personality as he was for his admirable prose.

It was the final playing of The Fraz, as the tournament was known, as Fraser’s colleagues would gather to shank shots, hoist a few cold ones and tell often-exaggerated stories.  One of the regulars was summoned for a few thoughts as the last Fraz wound down at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

Star columnist Dave Perkins has the appearance of Bluto of Popeye fame, but underneath that rough exterior and his no-holds-barred opinions beats the heart that is a prerequisite for a touching tribute to Fraser and the duties he performed in his long tenure at the Star. Read more

TMaG To Distribute Ashworth

TaylorMade-adidas Golf Canada has acquired the rights to distribute the Ashworth line of apparel in this country. No details of the transaction were announced.

TaylorMade adidas first acquired the Ashworth brand in October, 2008, but Fletcher maintained the distribution rights in Canada. Fletcher has distributed Ashworth in Canada for 12 years.

The Canadian deal is positioned as a way to complement its fashion-forward, technical adidas apparel with one of the best-known brands in golf.

“Our plans to integrate this great brand into the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company are taking shape,” said David Bradley, general manager for TaylorMade adidas Golf Canada.

“We are confident that by working together and taking advantage of the many synergies that we have with the adidas Golf brand, we can quickly make Ashworth a powerful asset to our company,” he added.

“We believe profoundly in the power of the Ashworth brand and that it will be a tremendous complement to the performance-enhancing image of adidas Golf,” said Bradley.

“We are confident that the synergies and differences between Ashworth and adidas Golf will allow us to reach a broader audience and enhance our overall apparel business significantly,” said David Bradley.

Allan Fletcher, who was chief executive officer for Ashworth when the deal was first announced in 2008, describe the deal in Canada as “amicable,” adding that TaylorMade has the resources to establish the brand internationally, while the Fletcher Leisure Group concentrates on its Sunice brand, which has recently established subsidiaries in the United States and United Kingdom.

As part of the transition, Fletcher will continue to distribute Ashworth until Oct. 1 and customers can continue to place orders through the Fletcher customer service department. They can also contact Taylor Made adidas sales reps for assistance.

As of Oct. 1, the Ashworth brand will be fully assumed by TMaG and distributed from the company’s distribution centre in Brantford, Ont. At that point, customers will be able to use a dedicated Ashworth customer service line at 1-800-668-9883.

Dave Stockton Sees A Ghost

Easy aim is the objective of the new Corza Ghost mallet putter from TaylorMade, maker of Rossa putters.

Designed with input from Rossa tour staff professional Dave Stockton, the Ghost is also made for ease of use in rolling the ball down the intended line.

“We started with the intention of designing a putter that’s easier to aim than any other,” said Rossa senior director Bill Price.

“That led us to experiment with a white finish. We consulted Dr. Steven A. Hitzeman,, a professor at the Indiana School of Optometry and he felt we were onto something,” he added.

Hitzeman says the Ghost offers a contrast that suits the eye.

Coza Ghost’s white putterhead stands out so clearly against its background, the putting surface, because of the high contrast between white and green,” said Hitzeman, a past president of the Indiana Optometric Association’s Sports Vision Section.

“That high contrast maximizes stimulation to the retina and highlights the head’s shape and features. The contrast would be lower if the putter were black or gray because these colours are closer in luminance to the colour of the putting green than white,” he said.

“White creates the biggest difference in luminance, hence maximizing contrast and promoting focus. Many golfers use the leading edge of the putter as part of their alignment strategy, so this high contrast for the leading edge gives the golfer the best chance of squaring up the putterface at address.

“Also, the lines on the top of the putter are painted black to achieve maximum contrast against the white surface of the putter. All of these high contrast alignment elements gie the golfer the best possible chance of accurately aiming the putter,” he explained.

Three black alignment lines are on the crown with a circular hole in the back of the putterhead to offer various options on which to focus.

“You can focus on the topline to aim Ghost or you can focus on the alignment lines to visually connect the circular hole and your ball to lock in your aim. The point is that you’ve got options, each one highly effective,” said Bret Wahl, senior director of iron, wedge and putter development.

With the focus on aim, a move was made to eliminate hot spots, the reflection of direct sunlight from the top of the putter into the golfer’s eye that can distract the player.

“When I started playing on tour in the 1960s, I used a silver mallet,” said Stockton.

“Nicks and marks would form on the crown from normal use. They lit up when sunlight hit them at address, which I found extremely distracting, so much that I would have the crown sandblasted frequently to erase the hot spots,” he added.

“When you look down at the putter you don’t want anything disturbing your focus, which should be on the putterhead and the features of it that you use to align the putterface squarely down the target-line,” said Stockton.

The Corza Ghost’s white finish helps keep hot spots from standing out, allowing the user to focus attention on seeing the whole form of the putterhead and the alignment system.

The high MOI mallet also features AGSI (Anti-skid Groove System Insert), with 14 polymer-filled grooves in the face to hold the ball briefly at impact to promote forward spin.

A blade and mid-mallet are expected to follow in July.

Tour Stars Put Names On adidas Shoe Lines

Two signature shoe series from adidas Golf will feature LPGA Tour players Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis.

“After looking closely at the women’s footwear category, and examining our brand assets, we became convinced that both Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis had the athleticism, charisma and personal style to help us launch a new generation of women’s footwear into the marketplace in 2010,”said Dave Ortley, senior director of global footwear.

“We worked closely with Paula and Natalie throughout the entire process and found inspiration from each of their lives both on and off the course as they contributed to the project at every stage of creation,” he added.

“The end game for us was to present a new approach to the trade that would create interest and give female golf consumers a line of shoes that look and perform great alone and coordinate well with out leading apparel lines,” said Ortley.

Signature Paula

• The Signature Paula line features bold colours and ribbon graphics on the footbed inlay sole. Other features include a TPU outsole, heel and eyestay. Each pair comes with exclusive ribbon lacing or optional performance shoelace. It also features adidas Golf’s new ThinTech low-profile technology for better stability and a re-engineered Powerband Chassis for more power and control during the swing.

Signature Natalie

• Signature Natalie has sleek styling and intricate detailing with contrast deco stitching throughout the rhinestone inlays displayed in the heel and tongue of the shoe. A key feature is the removable lace tag with Gulbis’ signature swan logo and an original artwork print on the footbed. ThinTech low-profile technology is also part of the Signature Natalie line.

Both lines are available in four colourways.

California, Here He Comes

TaylorMade veteran Todd Fraser is heading to Carlsbad, Calif., to take a new position at TaylorMade-adidas company headquarters as senior director of product marketing.

Fraser has been with TaylorMade-adidas Canada for five years, most recently as director of marketing, after spending seven years at La Mode and four years at Gen-X.

Fraser will begin his new position on Monday.

Spider Vicino Goes For Form and Function

The next generation of the Rossa Monza Spider line of putters from TaylorMade has been introduced with the unveiling of the Monza Spider Vicino.

Seeking to combine function with form, TaylorMade sought a sleeker, more pleasing look, while maintaining high moment of inertia and forgiveness.

The most frequent request TaylorMade received concerning the original Monza Spider was about the aft wings that contain the weight ports. It was felt that tucking them in closer to the body would create a more streamlined appearance.

However, stability on off-centre hits in the Monza Spider and Itsy Bitsy Monza Spider came from weight distribution, which is why the wings were positioned so wide. Tucking the ports in would therefore reduce MOI and resistance to twisting.

It was determined that the ports could be shifted inward without losing significant MOI through the use of lighter material for the central core of the putter head and a heavier material for the wings.

A lightweight polymer core that weighs just 24 grams, 107 grams less than the Monza Spider’s Core, was used which allowed more weight into the Monza Spider Vicino’s perimeter through the use of a 316-gram steel frame, compared to 202 grams in the Monza Spider.

As a result, the weight ports were moved closer together, while still creating high MOI and greater stability on off-centre hits.

The new shape of the Vicino goes along with a crown design that isn’t as visually busy. Therefore, the “basketball court” alignment aid on the Monza Spider has been replaced by a thin, silver-coloured layer of steel that contrasts with the black PVD frame.

The steel crown layer has a single black line to aid alignment. The Vicino’s crown is also flush with the topline.

The Vicino also incorporates a new composite AGSI+ insert. While past Rossa inserts consisted of Titallium, the Vicino’s insert is made of carbon fibre and resin, like a graphite shaft.

The composite insert is in place to flex and “hold” the ball in its grooves more effectively at impact for more forward spin. The composite insert is also lighter, allowing for the redistribution of three grams to the perimeter.

The Vicino also features TaylorMade’s Movable Weight Technology and comes with two four-gram weights, while heavier or lighter weights can be purchased separately to customize the feel by increasing or decreasing the head weight through the use of a MWT wrench.

Kia Ma Adds Three More Putters

TaylorMade has introduced three new Rossa putters that carry the name of its in-house craftsman Kia Ma.

The new models consist of two blades – Daytona and Monaco – and the Fontana Tour mallet.

Each is 100 per cent milled from end to end and made from 304 stainless steel, with high polish and Silver Mist finishes.

Every Rossa TP by Kia Ma features a Titallium insert and AGSI+ technology for truer roll, less backspin and promotion of forward spin for better control. Each also has Movable Weight technology with Micro-Movable weights that allow the change of putterhead weight by small degrees for individual preferences.

SuperLaunch Aims To Take Golfers Higher

The Burner SuperLaunch irons from TaylorMade have been introduced to help slower swingers and low-ball hitters achieve more distance, while offering generous offset to help straighten a slice and promote a draw.

With high moment of inertia, the SuperLauch irons feature a wide multi-functional sole, the key to establishing low and deep centre of gravity location that is critical in getting the ball higher.

The substantial topline not only contributes to stability and forgiveness, but also has a cambered rearward edge to give it a downward slant.

Like the Burner irons from TaylorMade, the SuperLaunch long irons, mid-irons and short irons are designed separately.

The long irons boast a low profile shape compared to the rest in the set with the objective of making it easier for lower swing speeds to result in high shots when combined with the wide sole and deep cavity.

Meanwhile, the Burner SuperLaunch short irons have a traditional face height and profile, while the mid-irons are medium profile.

Progressive face thickness throughout the set offers the thinnest face in the long irons for more COR, faster ball speed and better weight distribution and thicker faces in the short irons for better feel.

Inverted Cone Technology is a part of each iron to help expand the sweet spot to promote more distance, even on off-centre hits.

TaylorMade Bags Have Fast Action Snap Technology

TaylorMade has introduced a collection of 10 bags, including eight new models with improvements in design and functionality, including Fast Action Snap Technology that allows golfers to quickly access accessories such as phones, rangefinders, GPS, cigar holders and other valuables.

“The hassle of digging through the pockets of your golf bag for golf accessories and personal belongings is over,” said Jose Miraflor, category leader for TaylorMade golf bags.

“The introduction of Fast Action Snap Techmology provides golfers with an easy solution and is yet another example of our attention to detail and commitment to engineering the most functional golf bags in the marketplace,” he said.

Other new features in the new line include lighter bags, conveniently-placed pockets and increased durability. All bags have full-length internal dividers.

The full line of 2010 cart and stand bags include:

Maranello Cart Bag

Durable 1680 Denier nylon with integrated carbon Fibre PU construction
14-way divider top – 8.5 x 11 inches
Integrated umbrella sleeve
Large insulated cooler pocket with drainage ports and a velour lined valuables pocket with Internal Key/Ring Clip
Nine pockets and a removable internal valuables pouch
Integrated front handles for easy cart loading and unloading
Cart strap pass-through channel
Full -length dividers
Integrated bottom trunk handle
Rainhood
8.6 pounds

Catalina Cart Bag

Integrated umbrella sleeve, integrated putter tube, and a large insulated cooler pocket with drainage ports
Three velour-lined valuables pockets with internal key/ring clip
14 Way Divider Top – 8.5 x 11 inches
Nine cart-accessible pockets
Patented internal crush-proof construction and removable internal valuables pouch
Integrated front handles for easy cart loading and unloading
Accordion expandable side pockets
Trolley compatible
Pen and divot tool slots
TPR cart strap lock
Fast Action Snap Technology compatible
Full plength dividers
Integrated bottom trunk handle
Rainhood
Lightweight construction at 5.9 pounds.

Monaco SL Cart Bag

Durable lightweight 420 Denier nylon construction
14-way divider top – 8.5 x 11 inches
Eight pockets and a velour-lined valuables pocket
Fast Action Snap Technology compatible
Internal crushproof construction
Brushed aluminum hardwear and nylon zipper pulls
Full-length dividers
Nylon webbing bottom trunk handle
Rainhood
6.8 pounds

TM Supreme Hybrid Bag

14-way divider top – 8.5 x 11 inches
Large insulated cooler pocket with drainage ports
Nine pockets including two velour-lined valuables pockets with internal key/ring clip
TPR comfort handle
Accordion expandable side pocket
Pen and divot tool slots
Fast Action Snap Technology compatible
Full-length dividers
Integrated bottom trunk handle
Quick release EVA molded anatomically-correct shoulder straps with velour lining
5.8 pounds

Pure-Lite Stand Bag

Lightweight 420 Denier Diamond Ripstop nylon construction
Six-way top with new integrated handle – 7.5 x 11 inches
Seven total pockets
Valuables pocket with internal key/ring clip
Insulated water bottle sleeve pocket
TPR comfort handle
Bungee towel cord
EVA molded, anatomically correct shoulder straps with velour Lining
Pen slot
Fast Action Snap Technology compatible
Full-length dividers
Integrated bottom trunk handle
4.9 pounds

R9 Stand Bag

Ultra-Light nylon construction
Four-way top with new integrated handle – 7 x 8 inches
Seven total pockets and velour-lined valuables pocket with internal key/ring clip
Water bottle sleeve pocket
TPR comfort handle
Bungee towel cord
EVA foam molded, anatomically correct shoulder straps with velour Lining
Pen slot
Fast Action Snap Technology compatible
Nylon webbing bottom trunk handle
Full-length dividers
Rainhood
3.9 pounds

Burner Stand Bag

Ultra-Light nylon construction
Six-way top with new integrated handle – 7.5 x 11 inches
Six total pockets and a velour-lined valuables pocket
Insulated water bottle sleeve pocket
TPR comfort handle
Bungee towel cord
EVA foam molded, anatomically correct shoulder straps with velour lining
Pen slot
Fast Action Snap Technology compatible
Full length dividers
Nylon webbing bottom trunk handle
Custom Burner leg graphics
Rainhood
4.5 pounds

Micro-Lite Stand Bag

Ultra-Light nylon construction
Four-way top with new integrated handle – 7 x 8 inches
Seven total pockets including velour-lined valuables pocket with internal key/ring clip
Water bottle sleeve pocket
TPR comfort handle
Bungee towel cord
EVA foam molded, anatomically correct shoulder straps with velour lining
Pen slot
Fast Action Snap Technology compatible
Nylon Webbing bottom trunk handle
Full-length dividers
Rainhood
3.9 pounds

Stratus Stand Bag

Ultra-Light Nylon Construction
Six Way Top – 7.5 x 11 inches
Five total pockets including a velour lined valuables pocket
Insulated water bottle sleeve pocket
TPR comfort handle
Bungee towel cord
EVA foam molded, anatomically correct shoulder straps with velour lining
Pen slot
Fast Action Snap Technology compatible
Full length dividers
Nylon webbing bottom trunk handle
Rainhood
4.5 pounds

TM Carry Bag

Ultra-Light Nylon Construction
Four Way Mesh Top – 6 x 8 inches
Four pockets include full length side storage and valuable pocket
Water bottle sleeve
Ergonomic adjustable shoulder strap
Available in single strap
Two pounds

SuperFast Driver Is A Lightweight

Weighing just 284 grams, which is 14 grams lighter than the Burner drivers introduced in 2007 and 2009, the new Burner SuperFast driver from TaylorMade is built for increased clubhead speed leading to more distance.

The 460 c.c. head on the SuperFast was designed to be sleeker and more aerodynamic with increased moment of inertia to provide forgiveness. Measuring 4,500 square m.m., the new clubface is 14 per cent larger than the face on the Burner ’09.

The SuperFast face also has a new bulge and roll design that works with the higher MOI to maximize forgiveness on off-centre hits. The face also incorporates TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone Technology for faster ball speed on off-centre hits.

Dual Crown Technology in the Burner SuperFast lowers and pulls back the centre of gravity to promote a higher launch angle and increased spin.

The Burner SuperFast also has a new Winn Lite grip that weighs just 30 grams, which is 14 grams lighter than the grip on the Burner ’09. It also has a light Matrix Ozik XCon 4.8 shaft with soft tip and measures 46.5 inches in length to promote a wide, fast swing arc.

The Burner SuperFast is available in three lofts and five shaft flexes.

Fairway woods are also available in 17-4 stainless steel with aerodynamic head shape with lighter weight, longer club length with a larger, deeper clubface. At 301 grams, the Burner SuperFast fairways are available in three, five and seven wood in five flexes.

SuperTri Combines Technologies

TaylorMade is following in the footsteps of the R9 driver, which combined Flight Control Technology and Movable Weight Technology in a 420 c.c. head, and the R9 460 with FCT alone in a 460 c.c. head.

“Those two drivers were created because TaylorMade didn’t yet have the ability to combine both FCT and MWT in a 460 c.c. head,” said Todd Beach, TaylorMade’s senior director of metalwood development. “A year later, we do.”

That driver is the new R9 SuperTri, which combines FCT and MWT with three movable weights in a 460 c.c. head to combine the two technologies in the quest for distance and forgiveness.

The R9 SuperTri uses two methods to allow for FCT and MWT, including more efficient use of Ultra-Thin Wall Technology throughout the clubhead. The SuperTri also uses a new, lighter FCT sleeve that weighs three grams less.

The centre of gravity is two m.m. farther back in the head than the R9 to help launch the ball high with more spin, leading to more distance. The inclusion of MWT with three weights allows for a side-to-side trajectory change of up to 75 yards.

Inverted Cone Technology is designed to increase the area on the clubface that delivers fast ball speed leading to more distance.

With a reshaped crown to reduce wind resistance, the SuperTri’s clubhead is sleeker than previous R9 heads, while its face is deeper at 62 m.m..

With its black-on-black colour scheme, including a black PVD face, the R9 SuperTri is equipped with a Fujikura Motore 60-gram shaft used in the R9 driver.

.

Does The USGA Focus Too Much On Pros?

As reported on GNN last week, the United States Golf Association has listened to an appeal from TaylorMade and will go along with the sale of xFT (exchangeable face technology) wedges next year.

It’s all part of the USGA’s new rules on wedges that come into effect on the PGA Tour next year, but allow for the sale of larger U grooves to the general public in 2010. After that, the old grooves will not be allowed for sale.

The xFT wedges allow the faces to be changed with a torque wrench. The USGA had informed TaylorMade that xFT face plates with the large grooves could not be sold next year, prompting the company to file an appeal, saying the exchangeable wedges should be under the same deadlines as whole wedges with the old grooves.

To its credit, the USGA did show some flexibility here, with the prodding of TaylorMade’s technology titan Benoit Vincent, but showdowns between the USGA and manufacturers are common and have resulted in lawsuits and disrespectful treatment of golf icons, among other nastiness, in the past. Read more

Lindsay Goes Extreme

Canadian Lindsay Knowlton is going to extremes to test adidas Golf apparel that features ClimaCool, Coolmax Extreme, ClimaLite and ClimaProof.

The product line manager for adidas Golf is a three handicap and former provincial and national level player from the Toronto area, who leaves Thursday from Carlsbad, Ca., on an extreme golf adventure entitled “Wear In The World.”

Knowlton and American Josh Sullivan will play extreme courses in places such as Death Valley, Bolivia, Argentina, South Africa and Australia over 31 days. Along the way, they will play with adidas tour professionals such as Andres Romero and Nathan Green, winner of the 2009 RBC Canadian Open.

They will also experience local cultures, teach golf to locals and participate in other activities such as cage diving with sharks in South Africa and mountain biking through Bolivia’s “Death Road.”

Knowlton and Sullivan will document their adventures on www.adidasgolf.com, Twitter and Facebook.

“Our intent with this program is to prove that adidas Golf apparel powered by Coolmax Extreme performance fabric stands up against the world’s most extreme golf conditions and allows golfers to perform at their best regardless of what Mother Nature throws at them,” said John Kawaja, executive vice president of adidas Golf.

Knowlton and Sullivan will hit a ceremonial first drive Thursday in Carlsbad before embarking for the following courses:

• Furnace Creek, Ca.: Reported to be the world’s lowest-elevation golf course at 214 feet below sea level.
• LaPaz Golf Club, Bolivia: Called the world’s highest-elevation golf course at 10,800 feet above sea level.
  Ushuaia, Argentina: The world’s southernmost 18-hole golf course.
• Walker Bay Golf Resort, South Africa: Africa’s southernmost golf course.
• Alice Springs, Australia: Reported to be the world’s hottest golf course with temperatures in excess of 122 degrees F.

TaylorMade xFT Is Good To Go

As mentioned in the News Now section of GNN this week, TaylorMade has been cleared by the United States Golf Association to distribute and sell its TP wedge with xFT (Exchangeable Face Technology), which allows players to replace worn clubfaces and replace them with new ones.

“Though the face of a typical iron is sturdy, it isn’t impervious to wear,” said Bret Wahl, senior director of iron, wedge and putter development for TaylorMade.

“A wedge’s face wears from contact with the ball and from the dirt and sand that’s often sandwiched between the ball and the face at impact. Every time you explode from sand with your wedge, it’s like rubbing a piece of sand paper on your clubface. Over time the face wears down and the edge-radius of the grooves becomes dull.

“In addition to the normal wear and tear a face suffers from normal play, it can be nicked and damaged in a variety of other ways such as when clubheads bang together when you put your bag down or when you walk or drive your cart, or when you hit out of waste areas, or when you unintentionally scrape the clubface against debris when hitting the ball from poor lies off the fairway.”

That has three results:

1. The groove’s edges lose the ability to grab the cover, reducing spin.
2. The groove loses volume into which moisture and debris once were channeled. Less groove volume means that more substances will come between the ball and the clubface, further reducing the amount of spin that can be imparted, especially from the rough.
3. The texture on the surface of the face from milling or sandblasting is reduced, which limits the face’s grip on the ball.

TaylorMade says its studies indicate that after about 1,000 shots, the edge-radius of each individual groove changes and the roughness of the face surface is worn away. For players who play with reasonable frequency, 1,000 shots add up pretty quickly and even faster for players who practice between rounds.

According to the company, tour players and others hesitate in retiring their wedges because they’ve become accustomed to the club’s look, weight, feel and sole grind, which influences the way the sole reacts with turf, rough and sand.

Sometimes they have confidence in a particular wedge that they’ve performed well with under pressure, so they would like fresh grooves, but they don’t want to give up the wedge. Meanwhile, amateurs would like to put new grooves in play, but can’t justify the expense of buying new wedges so frequently.

The Exchangeable Face Techology in the new TP wedge allows players to exchange an old, worn wedge face with a new one.

The xFT face is held in place with two screws on the back of the clubhead that can be loosened or tightened with a white R9 torque wrench. Each xFT face is backed with a thin layer of Poron, a soft, urethane microcellular foam, for a tight fit and to act as a cushion to avoid metal-on metal contact.

Each TP xFT wedge face is forged from soft 304 stainless steel, then completed with a four-step CNC precision-milling process. First, the surface of the face is milled flat, then the back and perimeter of the face are machined to ensure a precise fit into the pocket in the clubhead.

The texture is then milled onto the face surface and finally, the grooves are milled into the face, with care taken to ensure that the depth, shape and edges are at their maximum.

The xFT wedge faces come in a new ZTP groove design that conforms to the USGA’s new rule changes, or with a Z groove that conforms to pre-2010 rules. In 2011 and beyond, xFT wedge faces will incorporate only grooves that adhere to the new USGA rule, such as the ZTP groove.

“In a nutshell, the rules change stipulates that new groove designs must have less cross-sectional area and their edges must be less sharp,” said Wahl.

“Most players won’t experience a dramatic reduction in spin from dry fairway lies, but will see a decrease in spin by up to 50 per cent from the rough – all the more reason to keep the clubface of your wedge fresh and at peak performance.”

Each TP xFT wedge head is fashioned in a teardrop shape made of stainless steel and milled for precision, including the pocket into which the clubface fits. The clubhead is plated in nickel-chrome for durability, then given a pearl finish to reduce glare.

TP xFT wedges are equipped with KBS High-Rev shafts.

TaylorMade’s Back In The Groove

TaylorMade will be allowed to sell its TP xFT (exchangeable face technology) wedges after an appeal to the United States Golf Association last week.

The xFT wedges allow the faces to be changed with a torque wrench. The USGA had informed TaylorMade that xFT face plates with large U grooves could not be sold next year, prompting the company to file an appeal.

While the large grooves will no longer be made or distributed by club manufacturers starting in 2011, they will be for sale in 2010. TaylorMade argued that exchangeable faces should have the same deadline as whole wedges, which can be distributed with the larger grooves in 2010.

« Previous Page — Next Page »