We’ve hit putters with computer screens in. We’ve worn vests that produce 3D models of our swings. Club manufacturers are all working on drivers with computer chips in, whether they admit it or not. Technology is helping improve our golf. So we shouldn’t be surprised by a golf shirt with a computer chip. But seriously, a smartshirt?
Replacing a three wood is difficult. You need it as a club from the tee and off the deck, two contrasting shots that require different features, so a three wood always has to have some compromise in its design. I’m still using a Ping I25 three wood, it’s about four years old, and I know I hit other three woods further. But I know its reliable, and I can always hit it consistently off the fairway. So how are Ping going to try and get me and everyone else to change? By making three new fairway woods.
Late last year we were spirited away to Dubai to try the latest Callaway products. Today we can finally tell you about the new XR OS irons, the most forgiving clubs in the Callaway lineup.
As well as the Callaway XR OS Irons we got to hit the matching XR OS Hybrids on our recent excursion to Dubai. They might just be the easiest to hit hybrids we’ve ever tried.
It’s not an iron. It’s definitely not a wood. It’s not a hybrid, and it’s 100% not a driving iron. It’s the new Ping G Crossover, and they feel it’s a club totally in it’s own category. What we know is it’s easy to hit. Well it is, unless you edit a popular golf website (don’t know what you mean-Ed).
Ping irons tend to be chunky. It’s not a criticism, just a statement of fact. They’re engineered, and if forgiveness come from them being chunky then so be it. With the new G irons though, these look much slicker. In fact, they look positively attractive. A wolf in sheep clothing, or in this case a G in I clothing.
Even big cheeses at golf companies get to go on holiday sometimes. But if you’re a Solheim, and golf and engineering are in your blood, you never truly stop thinking about golf equipment. When you happen across a dragonfly on a tropical island, you or I would think “Hmmm, pretty". John Solheim, grandson of the great Karsten Solheim, thought ‘innovation'.
It’s been a fairly quiet start to the year when it comes to equipment companies making new player signings. While PXG have made some noise with their new roster including Zach Johnson, and Nike have signed Brooks Koepka, the big two of Callaway and TaylorMade have been very quiet.
We all aspire to a bespoke tailored Saville Row suit, or a pair of handmade shoes. Some of us might have dabbled with Nike ID, miadidas, or most likely as golfers, with a pair of FootJoy MyJoys. And at this point we all know that we should have custom fit golf clubs. PGE, parent company to Vega have just launched the Custom Shop, where you can arguably get the most bespoke golf clubs on the market.
It’s the beginning of the year, and all the club launches are coming on strong. Wilson Staff are coming to the party with their new C200 iron designed to improve distance and accuracy.
We spoke to Jeffrey Crouch, Senior Technical Fellow, Flight Sciences, Boeing Commercial Airplanes (now try saying that quickly-Ed) about how they helped improve Callaway's latest XR16 Drivers. We don't claim to understand everything he says either!
“Dubai you say? End of November you say? Two new drivers you say? Smoke me a driver, I’ll be back for my tee time.” I didn't exactly need my arm twisting, and with that I was off to the Arabian Ranches Golf Club to try the latest Callaway XR 16 and XR 16 Drivers.
