Industry Notes: April 13, 2011

It hasn’t yet been decided if the winner of the new Mr. Lube Canadian PGA match play event or the Titleist and FootJoy Canadian PGA Club Professionals Championship will have an exemption into the RBC Canadian Open … Titleist has announced that WedgeWorks Exclusives are now available in Canada. For more on WedgeWorks Exclusives, click here. For more information, call (877) 928-8898 or click here … Golf Trends/Eaton Corp has become the title sponsor for the Ontario PGA Assistants’ Championship …  Golf Supply House has extended its title sponsorship of the Ontario PGA Pro/Pro Championship through 2013. As part of the deal, Bamboomer Golf Tees will remain the title sponsor of the long drive championship that takes place at during the Ontario PGA’s Fall Scramble at Angus Glen in Markham, Ont.

More Personal Touches From WedgeWorks Exclusives

Titleist has added the 200 Series, a new Black Oxide finish and new personalization options to its WedgeWorks Exlusives line of Vokey Design wedges.

Introduced last year, Vokey WedgeWorks offer various personalization aspects, including length, lie, loft, toe engraving, paintfill, ferrules, grips, shafts and shaftbands. Each is custom engraved, hand-stamped and built to specifications.

The new Black Oxide offers a non-plated, low glare finish that provides added contrast against the golf ball at address. The Black Oxide wedges will be available in 52, 54, 58 and 60 degree lofts in right-handed only.

Vokey will also bring back the 200 Series with its head shape featuring a high toe peak and a soft trailing edge.  The new 200 Series will feature updated graphics and spin-milled C-C grooves compared to the pressed grooves of the original 200 Series.

The new 200 Series will be available in right and left-handed and in a variety of loft and bounce combinations, ranging from 46 to 60 degrees in two-degree increments. The finish will be the WedgeWorks Exclusives Bright Brushed Chrome.

Dynamic Gold Spinner and KBS Hi-Rev shafts have been added to WedgeWorks Exclusives as have several personalization options.

Golfers can choose from three hand-stamp styles, including straight, freestyle and snow in up to eight letters and/or numbers, 20 different paintfill colours and 40 different toe-engraving combinations.

Grips feature a wide variety of textures and colours. Among the available grips are New Decade Multi-Compound, full cord Golf Pride Tour Velvet, as well as ribbed and .600 diameter options. BV Custom grips are also available through WedgeWorks.

Vokey WedgeWorks Exclusives will also offer two new BV Wings grips from Golf Pride, a new shaftband and a new BV Diamonds toe engraving.

The WedgeWorks Exclusives will be available in select international markets, including Canada, this spring.

Industry Notes: March 18, 2011

Nationwide Tour player Jon Mills of Belleville, Ont., and his wife Megan welcomed their first-born last Friday. Benjamin Andrew Mills weighed in at 11 pounds, two ounces. Mom and son are doing well … Titleist has launched its Team Titleist consumer program in Canada with the goal of interacting personally with brand users. ”Through Team Titleist, we are strengthening our connection with the golfer by building brand awareness and loyalty,” said Mary Lou Bohn, vice president of Titleist golf ball marketing and communications. Titleist users will be able to connect with other avid golfers and share their golf stories. They will also have the opportunity to join research and development panels, provide feedback in surveys, participate in exclusive live webcasts, and attend special events. “Having full control of Team Titleist here in Canada allows us to connect with our Titleist brand loyalists on a new level from coast to coast. We can cater information and dialogue to Canadians while still providing them with inside-the-ropes access from both south of the border and overseas,” said Ted Manning, president of Acushnet Canada. Click here for more information … Nike Golf Canada will remain at the title sponsor for the Ontario PGA Fall Scramble through 2013. It was also announced that the Trimark Sportswear Group will take title sponsorship of the Ontario PGA Spring Championship

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.

Industry Notes: March 2, 2011

Titleist has launched its Canadian Pro V1 Dozen A Day Sweepstakes consumer promotion in which it will give away a dozen Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf balls daily throughout March. The link is here … Eric Robillard has joined Jancor Agencies, the distributor of SkyCaddie and other brands, as its representative in the Ottawa Region. His e-mail is proshop@qc.aira.com and his telephone number is (819) 986-8035 … Interesting story by Robert Thompson on the damage done by Mother Nature and tough times for Highlands Links in Ingonish, N.S. You can read that here … Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, a Winnipeg native, will host the Canadian Tour Players Cup in July at Pine Ridge Golf Club. “I’m really looking forward to expanding my role with the Canadian Tour Players Cup this year,” said Toews. “It’s an amazing Canadian Tour event with a very bright future. I love the direction it’s heading in and what it can give back to the local community.” This year’s Players Cup will include the Boston Pizza Jonathan Toews FORE Kids Golf Classic and a new Jonathan Toews and Friends Celebrity Pro-Am.

Titleist Cup to Toronto; Hamilton Returns As Captain

The 2011 Titleist Cup matches between Ontario and Quebec will be played at the Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ont.

Toronto head professional Doug Rankin pointed out that with this being the Canadian PGA’s centennial, “2011 is a very important year for the Canadian PGA and its zones and the Toronto Golf Club is looking forward to sharing in the centennial celebration by hosting this significant event.”

It was also announced that Gar Hamilton, who has led the Ontario team to victory the last two years, will coach the Ontario team for the next two years.

“It’s been an exciting two years and I’m confident we can make it another two years,” added Hamilton, who was recently named to the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame and will retire from Mississaugua Golf and Country Club later this year.

The Titleist Cup or Ontario/Quebec Matches have been played consecutively since 1977. Prior to 1977 the matches were played intermittently from 1961 until the mid 1970s.

The Quebec PGA has won the matches 21 times while the Ontario PGA has won it 12 times. Teams are comprised of 12 Ontario and Quebec professionals and two apprentices.

Titleist Introduces 910 Fairways, Hybrids

The SureFit Tour dual-angle hosel in the new 910F and 910F-d fairway metals and 910H hybrids allows the loft and lie to be independently adjusted and set to provide fitting precision.

“The performance of the new 910 fairways and hybrids perfectly complement the 910 driver,” said Dan Stone, vice president of research and development for Titleist Golf Clubs.

“The same advanced design concepts that went into the 910 driver have enabled us to achieve substantial gains in ball flight, looks, feel and sound throughout the long game clubs,” he added.

“In combination with the new level of precision fitting that can be realized through SureFit Tour technology, the new 910 fairway metals and hybrids achieve total performance in the long game for all serious golfers,” said Stone.

910F AND 910 F∙d  FAIRWAY METALS

Titleist 910 fairway metals are available in two models for distinct performance features.

The 910F is designed to be a versatile, forgiving fairway metal designed for performance from the turf or tee.

The 910F features a pear shaped head design with a deep centre of gravity for easier launch off the turf and straighter more consistent ball flight.

The 910 F-d is a stable, larger volume fairway with a higher moment of inertia and is specifically designed for distance and performance off the tee. The 910 F-d features a deeper face that produces a medium trajectory, with low spin for a more boring ball flight.

910H HYBRIDS

The 910H hybrids feature a new head shape that is characterized by a five per cent larger chassis with square toe profile.

The 910H features a higher moment of inertia for enhanced control and produces higher launch and lower spin for a straighter flight. The profile, offset and centre of gravity in the new 910H hybrids transitions throughout the lofts to create individual trajectory and spin for each club.

Consider The Ball In Your Teaching

Orlando – With the official launch of the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x yesterday at the PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange Country Convention Centre, Matt Hogge has a vested interest in getting across a message that would help the Titleist cause.

On the other hand, Hogge is a PGA professional a well as senior product manager of research and development at Acushnet and says, in general, instructors may want to begin a lesson by taking a look inside a student’s ball pocket.

“As a PGA professional, wherever they are, if they’re going to give a lesson or give an exposition or teach about fitting and to shoot lower scores, we’ve done research to find out that 61 per cent of all golfers have four to five balls in their ball pockets,” said Hogge. Read more

Pro V1 and Pro V1x Get A Makeover

Ten years after Titleist introduced the original Pro V1 golf ball, it was back at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando on Thursday with a new Pro V1 and Pro V1x

“We have tested and validated the performance of the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x with players throughout the pyramid of influence with resoundingly positive performance feedback and success,” said Mary Lou Bohn, vice president of Titleist Golf Ball Marketing and Communications.

“New Pro V1 and Pro V1x are designed to help players of all skill levels shoot lower scores,” said Bohn.

“Both models deliver exceptional distance and short game spin control, yet provide distinct performance differences in driver and iron spin, distance, feel and durability.  We encourage every golfer to experience Titleist golf ball fitting, which culminates in an on-course performance evaluation to assess which new Pro V1 model is best for their game.”

NEW PRO V1

Increased spin control and more consistent flight are the added benefits to the distance and durability of Pro V1, which has a new ZG process core technology, responsive ionomeric casing layer, urethane elatomer cover and spherically tiled 352 tetreahederal dimple design.

It’s new 352 dimple pattern, compared to the 392 dimple of the previous generation, has more surface coverage and three axes of symmetry to deliver a penetrating ball flight, even in the wind.

“Players’ feedback has focused on new Pro V1’s tight penetrating flight, particularly in holding its line in the wind, as well as the increased spin control and consistent reaction into the green,” said Bill Morgan, senior vice president of golf ball research and design for Acushnet.

NEW PRO V1x

The new Pro V1x is deigned to deliver low spin off the driver and long irons for more distance and a more consitent flight, along with better greenside control.

With its four-piece multi-component design, Pro V1x has a large, high velocity dual core with a soft centre, responsive ionomeric casing layer, urethane elastomer cover and a new spherically tiled 328 tetrahedral dimple design, compared to the 332 dimples of the previous generation.

This high coverage dimple pattern with seven different dimple sizes has three axes of symmetry and produces a higher trajectory for distance and a consistent flight, even in windy conditions.  The Pro V1x retains its urethane elastomer cover for soft feel and durability.

“The new Pro V1x has a new 328 tetrahedral dimple design which is exceptionally efficient aerodynamically,” said Morgan.  “The combination of the Pro V1x’s higher trajectory and very low spin results in longer distance.”

“While any distance gains are certainly player dependent, most Pro V1x players have noticed that it peaks further down range and carries farther than their prior generation Pro V1x.  They have also experienced excellent performance in windy conditions,” he added.

“Professionals and amateurs alike, all of whom seek to advance their games, have provided performance feedback and validated each generation of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, to ensure that the world’s best golf balls keep getting better,” said Bohn.

“Adjustable” Doesn’t Lessen Importance of Qualified Fitters

By its very definition, the term “adjustable,” a popular one these days in golf clubs, may suggest the elimination of the clubfitter in favour of the user doing the tinkering to accommodate personal preferences or adapt to course layout or weather conditions.

“Our position really hasn’t changed. We’ve placed an emphasis on the fitter for many, many years,” said Chad Cole of Acushnet Canada, a company that is rolling out the Titleist 910 drivers, fairway woods and hybrids.

Cole, Acushnet Canada president Ted Manning and other company personnel were on hand at Eagle’s Nest near Richmond Hill, Ont., earlier this week to demonstrate how the 910s can be adjusted.

The 910s feature the SureFit Tour dual-angle hosel, which is designed to easily set loft and lie and introduce more draw or fade. Titleist also provides a performance grid to best determine settings.

The SFT hosel has a sleeve and a ring, each with four settings, the sleeve setting numbered one through four and the ring settings labeled A through D for a total of 16 possible combinations to create unique loft and lie for each golfer. A multitude of shaft options further emphasize club individuality.

“Technology that offers up adjustability just places that much more onus on finding someone who’s qualified to identify the proper setting in addition to the other combinations that come into play that optimize the golfer’s launch conditions,” said Cole.

“Does the player have the right head model, the right loft, the right shaft, the right flex? All these things are vital in addition to identifying the proper setting as we can now offer up in the Sure-Fit hosel,” he added.

“Titleist’s position is find someone who’s qualified, who can help you identify the best performing option for you and that goes not only for the driver, but right through the bag,” said Cole.

That puts the emphasis on the company to educate fitters on the latest technology, according to Cole.

“I think, like anything, you never stop learning. It’s important to always try to pick up new things every day,” he said.

“You want to have someone who’s put in the time to learn what are the things that make up a new ball flight?” added Cole.

“We offer up each spring an opportunity for our fitters to basically be re-qualified and bring them up to date, so that they know what to look for – it’s best practices and we do that each year with our fitters to get them up to speed.”

Cole adds that a long-time fitter will have no problem adjusting to the new products.

“I think for a lot of fitters, particularly those who have some experience, it becomes very intuitive where to go based on the grid pattern that we have set up. We’re not looking to make it any more complicated than it needs to be,” he said.

“We’ve set the grid up to focus on, in one orientation, achieving a higher ball flight, and another orientation, to create a lower ball flight and then slight movement left and right as the player needs,” he added.

Titleist 910s Fit Right In

Titleist is expecting golfers to fit right in with the introduction of its 910D2 and 910D3 drivers with a SureFit Tour (SFT) dual angle hosel, which allows loft and lie to be independently adjusted and set.

“The ability to independently adjust loft and lie allows ball flight to be optimized both high and low, and for more fade or draw,” said Dan Stone, vice president of research and development, for Titleist golf clubs.

Titleist 910 drivers are available in two models.

The 910D2 features a 460 c.c. full pear-shaped head designed for playability and forgiveness, promoting a straighter ball flight with higher launch and low-to-mid spin.

The 910D3 features a 445 c.c. pear-shaped head designed for a boring flight.  The 910D3 also promotes a straighter ball flight with low spin, with increased workability.

Both the 910D2 and 910D3 utilize Titleist’s new SureFit Tour dual-angle hosel. The SFT hosel features a sleeve and a ring, each with four settings.

The sleeve settings are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and the ring settings are lettered A, B, C, D.  This results in a matrix of 16 loft/lie combinations that allows the fitter or golfer to make left or right flight improvements (mostly via lie adjustment), and launch and spin improvements (mostly via loft adjustments).

The combination and interaction of the ring and sleeve provides the “dual angle” technology that makes independent loft and lie adjustability possible.

“We describe SureFit Tour technology as a tour-van-in-a-hosel because the dual-angle hosel technology in combination with the interchangeable shaft and rear bezel weight provides a fitter with all the power of a tour van right at the point of fitting,” said Steve Pelisek, general manager for Titleist golf clubs.

“We can adjust loft and lie, as well as change the shaft and weight of the driver right on the tee,” he added.

That’s a change from the past.

“Previous to the new 910, our fitters on tour would have to run back and forth to the tour van when we needed to adjust the loft and lie of a driver, change a shaft or build an entirely new club,” said Stone.  “Not anymore.

“Whereas it would take anywhere from several hours to a full day to fit and build new drivers for a player, with the 910 high performance heads and SFT technology, we can now fit them in 30 minutes and they walk off the range with a more precisely fit driver,” he added.

Both the 910D2 and 910D3 feature a variable thickness face insert with a thick central portion that is equal distance from all points around the face perimeter, allowing for a larger maximum ball speed area and launch/spin face map gradient for increased distance potential.

The 910s have a chemically-milled, 17 per cent thinner crown that allows for more discretionary mass to be relocated low and deep for better stability. The rear portion of the crown has been redesigned to slope lower than the crown on the 909 predecessors to push the centre of gravity lower and deeper.

Coupled with the thinner crown and lower crown profile and the relocation of the bezel weight lower and deeper into the head and on-axis with relation to the centre of the clubface allows for better centre of gravity location for increased speed and stability.

The 910s have been acoustically tuned for solid sound off the club face and feature a black PVD finish.

Vokey Wedges Get Personal

Building on the Vokey Design Spin Milled Wedges, Titleist has introduced the new WedgeWorks Exclusives line, each custom engraved, hand-stamped and built at WedgeWorks in Carlsbad, Calif.

The new wedges feature the Vokey Tour Van Design sole and pre-2010 spin milled grooves. Condition of Competition wedges will be available in the line, beginning in September.

Two new finishes – Bright Brushed Chrome and Oil Can Zero – were created for the Exclusives line, which offer personalization in length, lie, toe, toe engraving, grips, shafts and shaftbands.

“WedgeWorks is a life-long dream come true,” said Bob Vokey. “Wedges are personal. The Exclusives line allows avid Vokey enthusiasts an opportunity make the wedges their own.”

The Vokey TVD features a crescent shaped sole and moderate camber to allow the wedge to easily pivot around its centre for versatility and shot making. Due to its moderate effective bounce, the TVD is a built for a variety of playing conditions.

Vokey TVD wedges are also the only wedges in the Vokey Design lineup that feature a Tour grind in lower lofts, beginning at 52 degrees and increasing to 60 degrees in two degree increments.

The WedgeWorks Exclusives will feature a high performance shaft matrix, including True Temper’s Dynamic Gold, Tour Issue and Project X, as well as the KBS Tour in steel and black nickel. Shafts can be labeled with specifically designed WedgeWorks shaft bands.

Several personalization options are also available, including three different hand-stamp styles (straight, freestyle, snow) in up to eight letters and/or numbers; 20 different paintfill colours and 40 different toe engraving combinations.

WedgeWorks Exclusives will also offer BV grips in a variety of textures and colors to match the player’s look and feel preferences.  Grips available are the New Decade Multi-Compound and full cord Golf Pride Tour Velvet, as well as ribbed and .600 diameter options.

Golf Ball Patent Dispute Continues

Acushnet has won a jury verdict in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware in its ongoing dispute with Callaway over patents used in previous generation Titleist Pro V1 golf balls.

Callaway argues that four patents originally owned by Spalding, which was acquired by Callaway, were infringed, with Titleist claiming that position was invalid.

“We are extremely pleased with the court’s decision, and we hope that this finally brings this long standing dispute to a close,” said Joe Nauman, executive vice president, corporate and legal, for Acushnet.

“We have explained throughout this process that Acushnet independently developed the technology in question,” he said.

“The Titleist Pro V1 family utilizes technology from 74 Acushnet patents and was first introduced to our PGA Tourplayers in October, 2000, well before any of the Spalding patents were issued in 2001 and 2003,” said Nauman.

“We appreciate the jury’s careful consideration of the facts and the time they devoted to these proceedings. This verdict affirms our view that all claims in these patents are invalid – just as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has repeatedly found,” said Nauman.

However, the dispute may not be over, according to Steve McCracken, chief administrative officer for Callaway Golf.

“We are disappointed with the jury’s verdict, particularly in light of the fact that it is contrary to the prior victory we obtained on these same patents back in December 2007 and is inconsistent with the great weight of the evidence,” said McCracken.

“We plan to file a motion with the court to set aside the verdict,” he said.

Titleist DT SoLo Is Going Solo

Titleist has streamlined its DT golf ball offerings to a single model with the launch of its new DT SoLo.

“The New Titleist DT SoLo provides golfers of varying abilities with soft compression, solid technology which delivers a balanced solution for distance, durability and soft feel, as well as short game control,’’ said George Sine, vice president of golf ball marketing and strategic planning.

The new DT SoLo has a large 1.585-inch, solid high-velocity core formulation for soft overall compression, as well as a soft, durable ionomer cover blend with a 392 Icosahedral dimple design and Staggered Wave parting line.

It also comes with a highly-visible AIM (Alignment Integrated Marking) sidestamp to assist in alignment at address off the tee and on the green. It also comes with a cut-proof guarantee..

“The technological advancements of the New DT SoLo reinforce our on-going commitment to provide golfers of all playing abilities with golf ball performance choices that enable them to shoot lower scores,” said Sine.

Titleist Introduces The NXT Generation

The new generation of Titleist NXT golf balls have been introduced and include the multi-layer NXT Tour and the NXT, featuring new solid technology.

“Based upon comprehensive machine testing, as well as positive feedback captured during player testing with current NXT family loyalists and competitive golf ball users, we have delivered two exciting new ways for golfers to lower their scores,” said George Sine, vice president of golf ball marketing and strategic planning.

With its multi-layer technology, the NXT Tour is designed to be longer off the driver and long irons for most golfers and to deliver greenside control and soft feel with durability.

It features a large 1.58-inch dual core, as well as a soft, thin, more durable Fusablend cover for soft feel and increased control around the green. The NXT Tour also has a low-count, high-coverage 332 Icosahedral dimple pattern in seven different sizes, combined with a Staggered Wave parting line.

The AIM (Alignment Integrated Marking) sidestamp in the NXT Tour is in place to assist in alignment at address off the tee and on the green.

“The new, advanced design of the NXT Tour offers an outstanding balance of overall high performance and control,” said Bill Morgan, senior vice president of golf ball research and development.

“The New NXT Tour pushes the envelope of advanced multi-layer, solid core technology, delivering longer distance, soft feel and shot-stopping spin,” he added.

The newly-designed NXT will replace the NXT Extreme and is geared towards distance and straight ball flight.

The new NXT features a large and fast 1.575-inch solid core for high velocity leading to more distance, an ionomer cover for low spin on all shots, a higher coverage 332 Icosahedreal multi-dimple cover with Staggered Wave parting line and an AIM sidestamp.

Vokey Complies With New Regulations

Titleist has introduced the new Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C (Condition of Competition) wedges in response to the United States Golf Association/Royal and Ancient rule change regarding grooves.

Titleist will continue to sell the new Vokey Design Spin Milled wedges that were introduced last fall through 2010, while also selling the new C-C wedges. The current Vokey wedges will remain conforming for most players until 2024.

The new Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C line was developed from a complete set of 17 high performance wedges, with nine lofts ranging in two-degree increments from 48 to 64 degrees, with multiple bounce options, and special sole grinds.

The new Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C Wedges are available in the most popular non-glare Tour Chrome finish. Nine of the 17 models will be available in left-handed models.

“The new groove standards will put more pressure on better players’ short games. It will be crucial for them to determine the most effective combinations of loft, bounce and sole grinds in their wedge set-ups,” said Bob Vokey.

“There is less room for error when players do not have as much spin as they are accustomed and they must be much more precise in their execution,” he added.

“Having worked directly with tour players, club pros and better amateurs in developing these new Spin Milled C-C wedges, I believe we have covered the spectrum in regards to providing the most effective combinations for players who are required to use the new grooves under a Condition of Competition or choose to play them.”

Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C Wedges are made from soft 8620 carbon steel and feature Titleist’s Spin Milled construction technology, regardless of groove configuration.

Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges have a CNC-machined flat face and precisely cut groove geometry, using a new cutting tool that creates a tighter tolerance on both the groove size and edge radius.

The face surface is also precisely machined with a series of milled micro edges, resulting in higher face friction than with a polished wedge face. The resulting additional ball spin retention achieved from this higher friction is particularly advantageous on partial shots, where grooves have much less impact on spin.

“In reaction to the new groove rules we improved our Spin Milled process,” said Dan Stone, vice president of research and development for Titleist golf clubs.

“We created a new cutting tool that allowed us to tighten our groove manufacturing tolerances by more than 40 percent. With the new rules calling for a reduced edge radius and effectively less groove volume, we improved our process to get as close to the limits as possible.”

.

« Previous Page — Next Page »