The event this year,
again, was an ode to the creativity and innovation of those
who love golf, are continually searching for the perfect
club, and for the best way to become a scratch golfer.
In attending a PGA Show and identifying
the best products at, one faces a major hurdle – having
enough time to visit and talk with the inventors and sales
teams. This year the Show organizers scheduled both a demo
day for retailers and club manufacturers, as well as an indoor
testing area. Both were extremely well attended.
The Show was alive and the “vibe” was palpable.
With over 1,250 exhibitors and close to 45,000 attendees,
the convention floor was filled for three days solid.
Top participating golf manufacturers included: adidas, Fairway
and Greene, Callaway Golf, Club Car, Full Swing Golf, Nike
Golf, Sport-Haley, Tour Edge, Wilson Golf, Nickent and Yonex,
to name just a few. Both Titleist and PING had a presence
this year though on a much smaller scale, with Titleist having
their Performance Lab and PING a fitting truck, both were
extremely busy.
The hottest trend in the industry right now, allows golfers
to be fitted with multiple shafts and interchangeable heads.
While this allows the retailer and club fitter tremendous
savings in demo club costs by being able to swap shafts in
an instant, the result is information overload for the consumer.
It is simply a tool to help in custom fitting that has existed
previously, except now the USGA allows these shafts to be
used in play. And, both Nickent and Callaway are using their
standard heads rather than specifically designed heads to
match these shafts, which makes no sense whatsoever.
This new system is geared mainly for tinkerers and savvy
technically orientated golfers who have mucho disposable
dollars, as these new sets are expensive! Rest assured,
Tour players are not using this system.
I personally have yet to be convinced that a shaft with
an attachment is going to play the same as one without.
And, until there is a standard attachment for all manufacturers,
I am not convinced that this trend will be around for too
long. As I was taught at business school, businesses do
not create markets, markets create businesses and there
is definitely not a significant market for this product
presently or in the foreseeable future.
Technology continues to thrive in the golf domain. Whether
it is drivers, putters, irons, balls or shoes, advances
in designs and materials continue and new products are
being introduced almost monthly.
The inaugural Golf in China Forum gave the Show a global
flavor, while numerous fashion shows added pizzazz to the
proceedings.
Hybrids are still the star of this year’s show in
hard goods, as performance fabrics are in the soft goods.
As easy-to-hit hybrids have replaced hard-to-hit long irons
in the bags of many golfers, retail golf shops have been
the big beneficiaries. The hybrid revolution has given
birth to an entirely new category of individual-club sales,
producing lucrative revenue streams for on-course and off-course
retailers from coast to coast, as golfers replace an $80
to $100 long iron with a $150–$250 utility club or
two.
In fact, when it comes to individual club sales, hybrids
have surpassed putters in many retail stores as top sellers,
checking in just behind drivers as the No. 1 revenue producer.
The following products are the best of the Show:
Amongst hybrids that will be on retailers shelves shortly
are Tour Edge’s new Exotics XCG Hybrid, Nickent 4DX
UT Hybrid and Wilson’s new FYbrid series.
It can safely be said that Tour Edge, Nickent and Wilson
simply are making the best of all the hybrids currently
available and tested. TaylorMade, Callaway and PING closely
follow them.
A strong statement indeed, yet undoubtedly the feel and
distance of the Exotics are second-to-none in this product
category. Plus, with their moveable weight technology, dialing
in your desired trajectory is a cinch and as close to a custom
made hybrid as there is on the market.
 TaylorMade
Burner Driver
 The leader in the field of drivers, bar
none, TaylorMade continues to innovate and bring products
to market that both Tour pros the consumers both need and
desire. A great combination!
Following the enormous success of the r7 Series and the
recent Burner, the newest addition to the best selling line
will be the TP Burner, which should probably be another big
success for TaylorMade.
Like the Burner driver, the Tour Burner driver is targeted
at any player who wants a modern, powerful driver that he
can swing fast and launch long.
The Tour Burner features a look that calls to mind "new
geometry" and which is functional as well as eye-catching.
What gives Tour Burner its distinct appearance is TaylorMade's
new Dual Crown technology, wherein the crown is dramatically
smaller in diameter than the sole.
The Tour Burner's address footprint is large and confidence-building, thanks
to the large sole. Players who take comfort in seeing an expansive and powerful-looking
club head behind the ball at address will love Tour Burner.
Its Dual Crown technology permits a smaller crown that's
5 grams lighter (17%) than the Burner driver's crown. The
redistribution of that saved weight, in conjunction with
the head's innovative shape, allowed TaylorMade engineers
to position the CG exceptionally low within the club head.
The Tour Burner is extremely forgiving on off-center hits.
Its MOI measures 5100; that combined with its Inverted Cone
clubface technology, make it extremely stable and forgiving
on off-center hits. That allows Tour Burner to deliver longer,
straighter shots more often, even when you miss the center
of the clubface.
As with the Burner and r7 SuperQuad drivers, the new Tour
Burner delivers high "effective MOI," referred
to by TaylorMade as "eMOI." Their definition of
eMOI being "The positive influence on ball speed on
off-center hits that's exerted by the combined effects of
a driver's MOI and clubface technology (versus constant-thickness
clubfaces).
The eMOI in the majority of TaylorMade’s drivers is
dramatically and substantially higher, and more valuable
in terms of its affect on ball speed, than MOI alone, owing
to the benefits of TaylorMade's patented Inverted Cone Technology."
The Tour Burner also features SuperFast technology that
includes the SuperFast 60-gram shaft and an ultra-light grip,
which help make Tour Burner extremely light to promote faster
swing speed for faster ball speed and increased distance.
$499 www.taylormadegolf.com Available March 15.
Tour
Edge Exotics XCG Driver
 The XCG is an engineering breakthrough that combines a magnesium
crown that is twice as light as typical titanium crowns with
a heavier hyper-steel body and a titanium cupped face. According
to Tour Edge, that combination moves more weight lower and
to the rear of the sole than is possible from any current
driver on the market. The result, XCG, produces very little
spin and a high moment of inertia for longer drives.
The XCG has the fastest ball speed and lowest spin rates
I've seen in awhile. Not to mention, phenomenal feel, performance
and distance. It's just a fantastic product.
The material's flexibility allows the XCG crown and neck
to absorb more shock on contact, producing a smooth, powerful
feeling at impact.
The club's hyper steel sole creates a super-high moment
of inertia, reducing club head twisting on even the most
off-center hits. This high MOI can make the difference between
the first cut of rough and the fairway, or even between being
OB and in play.
The XCG delivers with an X-Quad ultra-light shaft from Graphite
Design. The X-Quad's four-way interweave technology creates
a responsive tip, improved stability, and precise control.
The combination of magnesium, steel, and titanium will vault
the Exotic’s XCG driver to the forefront of the golf
industry.
$399 www.touredgegolf.com
Wilson
FYbrid Fairway Utilities
 I am happy to report that the mission that Wilson set out
to accomplish, that of developing a FYbrid family of fairway
utility clubs to eradicate confusion in the long game and
also to provide consistent gaps between clubs, has been accomplished
more than satisfactorily.
They have developed clubs that result in the same confidence
and consistent results on long shots, as with short game
irons. You will be amazed when you know precisely how far
you hit each shot with each club. You will probably just
need a combination of two to six clubs based on your ability
to generate club head speed and trajectory height off fairway
woods.
By effectively combining fairway woods and hybrids into
a single family, the FYbrid system eliminates the redundancy
of more than twelve traditional clubs by offering six clubs
that cover the long distance needs between the driver and
six iron.
The clubs set up so well, feel absolutely powerful, and
when one consistently gets the ball to where it was aimed.
A lower score will put a huge grin on your face! The UST
V2 shaft is phenomenal and makes these clubs perform unbelievably
well.
I highly recommend that any golfer with a handicap of 10
or higher should investigate these six clubs.
$149 per club www.wilsongolf.com
 The Nickent 4DX UT is a fairway wood replacement club designed
to give you more spin and a higher trajectory (ball flight).
The 4DX UT has a wider body and a longer shaft to match the
look and feel of a fairway wood, while offering the playability
benefits of a hybrid.
The 4DX has been injected with elastomer for a more solid
and lively feel at impact, as well as having its center of
gravity moved back using tungsten weights. Its head has brazed
titanium and stainless steel for head stability.
As with the Wilson Fybrid, a UST shaft complements this
club. This club plays solid and has an extremely attractive
black-green-chrome color scheme to boot.
Nickent continues to gain market share both on Tour and at
the retail level.
$199 www.nickentgolf.com
Crocs Golf Shoe. An extremely busy booth was the Crocs/Bite
Footwear booth where the new Crocs golf shoe was introduced.
I already own 4 pairs of crocs as I find them to be extremely
comfortable.
The golf Crocs look like regular Crocs, just with cleatsand
have a stronger support system at he ankles - they are extremely
comfortable. The Croc’s best features, the orthotic
foot bed and advanced toe-box ventilation system make this
golf shoe that much more comfortable than regular golf shoes.
Just remember not to wear them in wet conditions, as they
are rather well ventilated!
$39.99 www.crocs.com
Max
Benjamin Mini Cigar Bag
This is an ideal and impressive gift. Whether it is for
a charity event, corporate gift or for personal use, this
bag is perfect for the golfer who wants to take a small portable
case with their whisky and favorite cigars anywhere they
want to go. It is well made and ashionableand always a
conversation piece. 
The Mini Cigar bar is made from fine leather and has three
compartments inside the bag, each one large enough to hold
a bottle of your favorite beverage. Included with the bag
are a cedar lined leather cylindrical humidor, 4 stackable
acrylic glasses, and a jet style cigar lighter.
$295 www.maxbenjamin.com
Daphne’s
Head Covers
 This 25-year-old family business is doing a rip-roaring
business in the custom head cover arena. These head covers
are not only well designed, but also their quality and attention
to detail is superb.
Each animal is fully lined and elasticized to ensure a secure
fit on your clubs. Each animal is guaranteed for life. Inside
the label you will find their factory phone number. Rest
assured, that if you should have any problems with your head
cover, and the manufacturer will fix it pronto.
The latest model is the Hippo Heads & Tails , which fits
on two clubs, a 460cc driver and a fairway wood or hybrid.
Also, the Gorilla model for hybrids is very cool!
$25.99 www.daphnesheadcovers.com
 Trion: Z Pallette Mag-Titan Bracelet. Following its highly
successful and most prominently featured Dual Loop Magnetic
bracelets, the MagTitan Palette is the more simple, dressy
and definitely longer lasting version of the Trion:Z models.
It consists of two medical-grade magnets in a patented Alternating
North-South Polarity Orientation (ANSPO) for magnetic field
flow and penetration far beyond traditional magnetic bracelets.
The clean lines of the Titanium band are complemented with
a touch of color with its smart cloisonné accent.
I personally wear both the Dual Loop and Mag-Titan together – double
the boost!
$149 www.trionz.com
Putters by Fisher, Yes Golf, Heavy
Putter and TaylorMade attracted intense interest. These four great new putters
were at the Show and they will definitely help improve your
putting:
 The TaylorMade Monza Rossa Spider putter is already becoming
a cause celebre on Tour. In its first week of introduction
12 Tour players were using them, and lo and behold, J.B.
Holmes got TaylorMade its first victory with the Spider at
the FBR Tournament in Phoenix.
Simply put, the Spider has a high MOI, similar to the PING
Doc 13, but also has TaylorMade’s famous MWT Moveable
Weight Technology and AGSI Insert.
The Spider putter rolls the ball superbly, especially well
with the AGSI insert. The Spider’s two Movable Weight
Technology (MWT) ports give the player the option to easily
change weight in the rear for customized control and feel.
The Monza Spider's high MOI helps it to deliver extremely
consistent distance results on off-center hits, so that instead
of coming up short, often times the ball reaches the hole.
$240 www.taylormadegolf.com
 Heavy
Putter’s new A-3M is one of the best long
putters to hit the market. If you prefer a 48 – 50
inch putter, the A-3M personifies what a well-balanced, great
feeling
putter this is to use.
The A3-M is a blade style putter with a heel bent shaft.
It has a
non-reflective gray matte finish that keeps players focused
on the ball and not distractions often picked up by shinier
putters.
Long putters are available between 43” – 52” and
come with a standard lie angle of 78*, which can be adjusted
+/- 2*. The general Heavy Putter theory of engaging larger
more stable muscles to create a more consistent pendulum
stroke remains the same, however, the head is 50 grams heavier
than the standard HP matte series to counter-balance the
additional weight of the longer shaft. Also important to
note is that these are custom built putters and are available
with a slight surcharge.
The mid/long tip weight kit (not included with purchase)
has two copper tungsten tip weights (70g) that make the putter
head 500 grams (from its standard 525 grams) and two heavy
tungsten tip weights (120g) that make the putter head 550
grams. The interchangeable weights allow the golfer to customize
his/her release point of the stroke by lowering or raising
the balance point of the mid/long putter.
$249.95. Tip weight kit is $50.00 through www.heavyputter.com
Fisher
Talon Tour Series TS-2H RFP Putter  The Fisher Talon Tour Series RFP (Four Speed Reversible
Face Plate Technology) putters builds on Fishers line of
4 Speed Technology. These are the worlds first 4 speed putters
offering 4-patented Kevflex polymer inserts for custom feel
and speed control enabling the user to dial in their feel
and speed control based on playing conditions or personal
preference.
The Talon TS-RFP putter, shown in the photo, is designed
with increased head weights and a mid-sized putter grip to
help stabilize the putting stroke. The heavier head weight
and larger grip both contribute to a better putting stroke
by quieting the smaller muscles in the hands and wrist and
engaging the larger muscles of the arms and shoulders creating
a more repeatable, smooth pendulum stroke.
The TS-2H comes with a zippered Plate Kit, tool and deluxe
head cover. The TS-2H is face balanced with 3.5 degrees of
loft; 71-degree lie angle and 470 gram head weight.
$299.95 www.fishergolf.com
YES!
Golf’s new Donna Putter
 I can remember when this company had one of the smallest
booths at the Show. Not anymore. YES! Is extremely popular
on all the Tours worldwide. Their C-Groove technology works
remarkably well.
This face balanced hybrid putter, a cross between a mallet
and a cavity back blade, is composed of two different materials.
The face is made of aviation grade aluminum and the body
is made of 304 stainless steel. The combination of a lightface
and heavy back generates a high MOI and a 355-gram head weight.
The heel-toe balance makes it a very forgiving putter. The
full offset shaft features a double bend and the cavity of
the putter head has a single alignment line.
$249.99 www.yesgolf.com
SkyGolf’s
SkyCaddie GPS SG5.
 Still the market leader in hand held GPS range finders! The
new model, the SG5, is ideal for golfers who prefer the simplicity
of reading the distance to the green from anywhere on the
hole in large, easy to read numbers and a large color display
and long-lasting rechargeable battery.
SkyGolf’s advanced GPS with its patented IntelliGreen
technology is integrated with the very best Swiss engineering
to provide unmatched reliability. Golfers can measure the
full depth and shape of the green from any angle of approach
and shows distances for all targets and hazards on any of
SkyGolf’s more than 17,000 professionally mapped courses.
$430 www.skygolfgps.com
As for drivers, TaylorMade’s new Burner drivers will
again prove to be the dominant market leader in this category,
as will Adam’s IXD driver.
Callaway’s new balls, the Callaway i and Callaway
ix, and TaylorMade’s Red & Black were the buzz
at the Show. Both companies are offering improved performance
and feel. They are excellent balls as evidenced by the
usage on the PGA Tour since their introduction.
Visit www.taylormadegolf.com and www.callawaygolf.com for
additional information.
The
Medicus 460cc Driver
 With more than one million already sold, Medicus is the
most successful swing training aid in the history of golf.
At any given point during the golf swing, Medicus will “break” when
the club is either off plane or swung with poor tempo, but
stays intact during a solid golf swing. Because it’s
a real golf club, as well as a training aid, golfers can
actually hit balls with Medicus, a distinct advantage over
most other golf training aids.
The new 460 cc Medicus driver is so easy to hit, golfers
will be much more enthusiastic in their practice sessions
with even greater immediate positive feedback than before.
$199 www.medicustrainer.com
ESoles
Golf shoes are part of your equipment and comfortable golf
shoes make the game easier mentally and physically.
 Orthotics, customized shoe inserts, go a long way to ensuring
that you have the most comfort in your chosen shoes. Ortothic
manufacturers are as plentiful as shoe brands yet one company;
eSoles, is the most sophisticated and the top experts in
this field.
eSoles Golf footbeds are designed to align the body, enhance
balance and increase swing consistency. The eSoles custom
footbed will align, support, and stabilize your foot in your
footwear of your choice. The foot and body alignment ensures
that many of the balance and consistency variables are addressed
allowing the golfer to focus on form and power.
Do yourself and your feet a huge favor and invest in a pair
of eSoles.
www.esoles.com
 TaylorMade’s
Targa Tour Glove is constructed with
AAA micro-perforated leather and a performance moisture wicking
fabric that allows ventilation to the entire hand.
The glove is extremely comfortable and very stylish and
is the only glove on Tour that offers 360-ventilation.
$14.99 www.tmaxgear.com
Sun
Mountain ClubGlider Travel Bag
 Sun Mountain licensed the wheel technology from one of the
non-winning contestants on the Golf Channel’s “Fore
Inventors Only” show and now has a winner themselves!
This bag will greatly enhance the life of every golfer who
is tired of schlepping a golf bag around airports sans wheels.
The travel bag offers all the protection and storage space
of a traditional golf bag whose design simply eliminates
heavy lifting and bending.
With easy, extendable legs and wheels the ClubGlider can
also support additional luggage, making your travel experience
that much more enjoyable.
ClubGlider includes heavy-duty two-way zippers, thick foam
padding, two dual entry storage pockets, internal cinch straps,
ballistic fabric, vinyl-reinforced wear areas, and a lift
assist
handle.
$299.99 www.theclubglider.com
Aldila DVS shaft – WOW! What a wonderful feeling one
gets using this shaft. Made for use in woods and hybrids,
the solid feel and innovative, responsive tip design generates
extra kick at impact – along with controlled spin and
a higher launch angle.
Using Aldila’s Next-Generation Micro Laminate Technology,
the DVS, especially in the 55 and 60-gram weights, is stabilized
by a unique flex profile and very low torque that translates
into maximum distance. You can feel the power!
Aldila’s new DVS shaft is going to be one of the most
desired shafts this year.
$199.99 www.aldila.com
 Clicgear’s new and updated model has made this pushcart
the most popular seller in this field. Folding into just
24-by-15-by-13 inches, it is small enough to fit into your
trunk or storage locker and hardly be visible.
The cart is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, has a full-size
console tray to hold balls, tees, car keys and cell phones,
plus a useful folding beverage holder.
Its easy rolling pneumatic tires, give it a smooth ride
and the cart has an easy-to-use positive lock handbrake.
An umbrella holder, towel hook with a Velcro strap are additional
items included with the cart.
$239 www.clicgear.com
 Alias Footwear. I discovered these shoes at the Show a few
years ago. They are simply, without doubt, the most comfortable
and widest fitting golf shoe. They look athletic, very hip,
need no break-in period and come in a variety of tasteful
styles and color combinations.
It’s a great shoe for seniors and the new, leather, “Limo” model
is classy and VERY comfortable.
$125 www.aliasfootwear.com
Cutter & Buck DryTec Luxe
Dimension Polo Shirts. Finally
C&B is back to their original quality and upgraded styling
and design they were best known for a few years ago.
The CB DryTec Luxe Dimension Polo, in 16 colors, part of
the CB ProTec line of performance fabrics, incorporates luxury
with moisture management capabilities that make the wearer
look fresh, both on and off the course, and most importantly,
the shirt feels and wears great.
www.cutterbuck.com
The Ogio Exodus bag is
designed for serious outings. The quality made Exodus bag
has two insulated pouches to keep
beverages cold (or hot) from the first tee to the last. The
bag’s new 10” wedge top can accommodate all the
popular hybrid clubs; ten pockets include special storage
for valuables in a fleece-lined space; and an innovative "Isolation
Chamber" buffers wet gear from dry.
Many other benefits and features of the Exodus are: places
for the dedicated storage for divot tools, umbrellas, towels,
tees, gloves, and of course … cigars.
www.ogio.com
 Lija Ladies Wear. Lija becomes more popular each year and
for 2008 their product line is as good as any other major
name.
Twill Horizon Jacket: This jacket, in strawberry and navy,
closes the gap between fashion and outerwear! It’s
fully lined with lightweight cotton and features two front
zipper pockets and two chest pockets.
$160
Twill Venture Knee Short, shown in the
picture, is offered in strawberry, white and navy, featuring
a lightweight
fabric, combined with a sleek fit, making them a must have.
A side buckle on the waist and rivets on the two front
pockets showcase Lija’s attention to detail.
$110
Mesh
Showboat Cardigan.
The cardigan, as shown in the photo, is available in lollipop
and navy, and is made from a delicate textured knit. It
exudes a vintage sportswear look, and features contrast
color stripes
on the cuffs and button placket, as well as on the left
chest pocket.
$140
A Nuvo S/S Meridian Polo is also available
in strawberry, white and mist. This classic polo is made
from a fashion-forward,
eco-friendly material with moisture-wicking, quick-drying
and anti-microbial properties to help you feel as fresh
on the 18th hole as the first.
$80
www.lijastyle.com
ECCO
Flexor Two-Stripe Golf Shoes
 This is one of the best brands in the golf show domain.
Tour players rave about ECCO’s shoes and many use the
shoes without remuneration. That’s always the sign
of an excellent product in itself.
All ECCO designs blend a network of built-in technologies to create the ideal
platform for the perfect swing. Principal among these is a direct-injected,
PU-constructed midsole/outsole.
ECCO uses a unique process, which allows for the creation
of a one-piece shoe construction, which ensures unrivaled
durability, flexibility, lightness and weather resistance.
All ECCO shoes provide a superior level of cushioning and
comfort that does not break down over time, unlike commonly
used materials such as air, rubber and EVA foam.
$160 www.eccousa.com
Ahead
Clothing
 The company’s new X-Cap was causing quite a stir.
It features retractable eyeglass holders to ensure you know
where your glasses are at all times.
Their Authentics line features four performance tops: CoolMax
FX, Hybridwear, Quick Dry Performance and mercerized performance
polos. The hallmark of AHEAD's Authentic line is its ability
to coordinate easily with the golfer's basic wardrobe of
khaki, navy and black.
The Kate Lord line of apparel focuses on high performance
fabrics throughout, along with a wide selection of styles
and color.
www.aheadweb.com
Ashworth
 Ashworth’s “Technical Performance” line
includes new fabrics and innovative blends that are combinations
of pima cotton and polyester that breath, wick moisture,
are lightweight and extremely comfortable.
Ashworth has added a “specialized “innosoft” finish
that gives their EZ Tech Hi-Def 100 percent luxury cotton
a lustrous and luxurious feel that is easy to care for and
doesn’t wrinkle. This lightweight cotton has a special
no-roll collar and is geared for a more refined and classic
look.
www.ashworthinc.com
Adidas
TOUR360 LTD
 The TOUR360 LTD melds advanced technologies with luxurious
materials, to create an entirely new category of golf shoe.
Key to what separates it from competitive footwear is THiN-Tech,
a revolutionary new low-profile shoe construction that brings
the golfer closer to the turf for improved feedback, feel
and stability to promote better ball-striking.
THiN-Tech incorporates a one-piece TPU sole that positions
the foot closer to the ground. That creates a remarkably
solid, responsive and stable shoe that makes hitting a golf
ball a more tactile experience. It also lowers the athlete’s
center of gravity to promote increased stability, and channels
feedback from the ground more efficiently to promote improved
footwork. That helps the athlete hit the ball more solidly,
more often.
The TOUR360 LTD also offers the stabilizing benefits that
athletes expect from adidas Golf’s proprietary 360WRAP
support system, a visible technology that encircles the foot
to deliver a customized fit while increasing stability and
leverage. Additional features include the POWERBAND CHASSIS
with 10-cleat configuration for enhanced grip, 3D FIT FOAM™ sock
liner for added support and comfort.
$250 www.adidasgolf.com
Overall, two definitive conclusions can be derived from the
Show experience. Golf is alive and well and poised to improve
over the next few years. The golfer has numerous options
in every golf product category and one needs to take the
opportunity to explore, test, and take advantage of the
technology now available – it will enhance your enjoyment
and skill level in the game of golf.
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