2016 PGA Merchandise Show Coverage

[iacas]

TST will be at the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show, and this is the thread for all of the coverage.

I'll be doing mostly things with LSW, 5SK, and KickX… but occasionally I'll meet up with @WUTiger and @SavvySwede who will be bringing all of the action your way. If there's something you'd like them to check out, post it here. For all of their coverage, follow this topic!

It's going to be a blast!

[mchepp]

Looking forward to the coverage @WUTiger and @SavvySwede!

[Club Rat]

@SavvySwede & @WUTiger

If you guys have time, check out EVNROLL PUTTERS - Booth: 3301

Every Putter has a "sweet Spot" but only an Evnroll Putter has a "sweet Face"

 

 

[Club Rat]

@SavvySwede. you may like - EyeLine Golf - Booth: 1373

The new Groove Laser is like nothing you have ever seen. We created a special dotted line pattern to give it powerful visibility.

$125 what a joke........

 

[WUTiger]

I landed at MCO this afternoon, and checked in at Rosen Inn - Pointe Orlando. The hotel is maybe a half mile from the PGA sector of the sprawling Orange Co. Convention Center. The building has three wings.

I got my credentials and a tag for my camera bag. I need to print out final version of my appointment schedule to make sure I have everything accounted for.

During media check-in, I met a Dutch gentleman names Ruud Kurver. He's with a tech company called degolfapp.nl, which is working on a swing analysis software. Ruud is also a part-time correspondent for a Dutch golf magazine, and will be doing a story on new innovations in swing analysis apps and software.

More soon.

[SavvySwede]

Just got back from Taylormade's M2 announcement event where they show us all the new clubs TM will be releasing for the 2016 season starting 2/19/2016. The M2 driver, M2 fairways and rescue, and M2 irons.

The M2 driver delivers maximum forgiveness by putting all of the weight low and back. Taylormade accomplished this by combining the saved weight of the M1 crown design with additional mass saved by removing the M1's adjustable weight tracks. The M2 adjustable hosel is fluted to saved an additional 3g while giving it the capability to be adjusted +/- 2 degrees. The sweetspot if further expanded by the additional of an very flexible speed pocket where the front track had been placed on the M1. What you get when you put it all together is a distance maximizing stick for players of all abilities.

Outermost ring (yellow) represents .800 COR

Inside the M2

The M2 fairways and rescue utilize all the same technologies featured in the M2 driver. Flexible speed pockets, fluted hosels and maximal weight redistribution to create heads that are effortless to launch on towering trajectories.

TM said they made the speed pocket just about as flexible as possible for the M2 fairway.,

The beauty of the M family is that the same top-down look is maintained throughout the M1 and M2 models. You would not even be able to tell the difference between the two drivers at address were it not for the fluted hosel of the M2, this way one could use a mix between the drivers and fairways while still maintaining the same look throughout the set. There are also 30+ shafts options with no up-charge so you get total customization without going over budget.

 

What personally struck me the most was the M2 irons. The CG is a full 2mm lower than the Rsi or Aero irons, (17.2mm vs 19.2mm) which is the equivalent to miles in clubhead design. This allows the M2 irons to have stronger lofts for higher ball speed yet still have a steeper landing angle to hold the greens. I tell ya I tried these bad boys on the range and the sensation was something I had not encountered before. The 5 iron took off like a wedge but just kept going. The ball went so high I thought for sure the must be falling short of my regular 5 iron but the Flightscope continually confirmed carries 15-20y longer than my usual 5 iron (215-220 vs 195-200). They get their zip from a 360 degree undercut cavity and speed pocket to create maximum COR and maintained ball speeds across the entire face. The M2 Tour irons have all the same features of of M2s but with a slightly more compact head, thinner toplines and less offset for the look better players prefer.

Fluted hosel

 

Feel free to ask questions about my experience with the clubs. I'll also be adding a post with the new putters soon as my computer starts letting me upload photos again.

 

[djfajt71]

I like the look of the M2 irons.  In your opinion, what category would they fall into, as the above pic looks like a cavity back? But then again, it's also a wedge, so I don't know if that would fall into the appearance.

[nevets88]

Is this a new perfect putter model? Looks like it's cheaper as well.

[SavvySwede]

4 hours ago, djfajt71 said:

I like the look of the M2 irons.  In your opinion, what category would they fall into, as the above pic looks like a cavity back? But then again, it's also a wedge, so I don't know if that would fall into the appearance.

The tour version would be my preferred model, but the regular M2 was plenty playable.

[natureboy]

9 hours ago, nevets88 said:

Is this a new perfect putter model? Looks like it's cheaper as well.

How much less?

[SavvySwede]

Opening DEMO Day

Early morning photo opp with Bubba Watson

By popular demand PURE Grips now come in jumbo size.

 

Tried the Kick X Blast Driveway "2 wood"

Hit it really well despite them not having one in X-stiff for demo. Sound was a little loud for my taste (most clubs are, I have sensitive ears) but it certainly was a cannon. KIck X Tour forged irons everthing I could ask for, great sound and feel.

Rode the GolfBoard. A lot more stable than I expected you can completely hang off the side yet it won't tip over.

Saw the all new family of PING G series clubs. (I'll be posting an interview with PING engineer Marty Jertson shortly and go more in depth)

PING Cross over, an iron/hybrid for the best of both worlds. Really pretty finish, I'm a sucker for a dark finish.

Modernized version of the original PING Anser. Same exact shape as the original Anser but with more perimeter weighting hidden inside. Finished to look like the original manganese bronze but no polishing necessary.

PING G fairway with SF Tec

 

 

 

[Vinsk]

On January 22, 2016 at 9:03 AM, iacas said:

TST will be at the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show, and this is the thread for all of the coverage.

I'll be doing mostly things with LSW, 5SK, and KickX… but occasionally I'll meet up with @WUTiger and @SavvySwede who will be bringing all of the action your way. If there's something you'd like them to check out, post it here. For all of their coverage, follow this topic!

It's going to be a blast!

Awesome! I'll be there Thursday in the afternoon. 

[RussUK]

31 minutes ago, SavvySwede said:

Opening DEMO Day

Early morning photo opp with Bubba Watson

By popular demand PURE Grips now come in jumbo size.

 

Tried the Kick X Blast Driveway "2 wood"

Hit it really well despite them not having one in X-stiff for demo. Sound was a little loud for my taste (most clubs are, I have sensitive ears) but it certainly was a cannon. KIck X Tour forged irons everthing I could ask for, great sound and feel.

Rode the GolfBoard. A lot more stable than I expected you can completely hang off the side yet it won't tip over.

Saw the all new family of PING G series clubs. (I'll be posting an interview with PING engineer Marty Jertson shortly and go more in depth)

PING Cross over, an iron/hybrid for the best of both worlds. Really pretty finish, I'm a sucker for a dark finish.

Modernized version of the original PING Anser. Same exact shape as the original Anser but with more perimeter weighting hidden inside. Finished to look like the original manganese bronze but no polishing necessary.

PING G fairway with SF Tec

 

 

 

Im liking the look of the Kick X wood. 2 questions:

1. Are they a new company as ive never heard of them before

2. Would you put in the same catagory as the mini drivers, despite being a 2 wood, a bit like Mickelsons Phrankenwood?

Good action shot on the golfboard too, all thats missing is the Beach Boys!

[billchao]

Looks like you're having a great time, @SavvySwede!

How was the dispersion on the M2 irons? @DeadMan and I were having a theoretical discussion in the M2 thread and I realized it's just easier to ask. Did you have any problem flighting them down?

[SavvySwede]

New Hogan VKTR hybrid, PTx irons, and FT Worth hi.

Really liked the feel and look of the Hogan clubs, particularly the FT Worth hi which are more forgiving hollow cored long irons to compliment the regular FT Worth set. If you the at the toe you can see the port where they put foam in the toe to give it a softer feel and sound.

 

 

Big announcement today GAME GOLF just announce their new tech enabled grips with Golf Pride. The is incorporated into the grip itself for a sleeker looker.

The grips also send notifications for when you would ideally regrip each club. So the clubs you use the most often will notify you what percentage of life they have left and how long you can wait to regrip clubs you might not use as often.

 

[SavvySwede]

GAME GOLF and Golf Pride announcement

 

(sorry about the audio, my cam isn't the best from longer range)

 

 

[mchepp]

Keep up the good work @SavvySwede! 

The Game Golf / Golf Pride partnership seems very wise. Is it exclusive to Golf Pride?

[Dave2512]

The GP/GG grip is heaven sent.