Author: Justin L. Pucheu

Titleist 710-Series AP1 Irons Review

Titleist’s improves on an already great set of irons with the new 710 AP1.

Titleist AP1 HeroLike a sports car (or any vehicle for that matter, I guess) evolves as model years pass, so has Titleist’s Advanced Performance irons. The newer models might look pretty similar at first glance, and in some ways, they are, although there are loads of significant updates that shouldn’t be overlooked. As you know, more weight here, less offset there, and some added horsepower under the hood can make a world of difference.

In 2008, Titleist broke their own mold a bit with the release of the AP1 and AP2 irons. Never before had the (in Alan’s words) “traditionally traditional” Titleist released irons with more visible technology and with that they stirred quite a buzz. Fast forward to August of 2009 where we learned that Titleist had done some fine-tuning and enhancement to both the AP1 and AP2 irons. Luckily, I had the chance to give the Titleist 710 AP1 irons a spin.

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PING G15 Hybrid Review

With a club as easy to hit as the G15 hybrid, why fight a difficult long iron? The new G15 hybrid offers great distance, incredible forgiveness, and loads of versatility in a new package.

PING G15 HybridPING has been a major innovator in the industry for quite a while. No one can argue the significance of the innovations they’ve created to help all players. Even in PING’s inception, Karsten Solheim made history as being the first to use heel-toe weighting in the custom putters he created. 50 years later, that tradition of forward thinking and advancement continues, as the new G15 lineup is evidence of how far along they’ve come.

Up until this point, my experience with PING clubs had been limited to their drivers and putters. Though I never pulled the trigger on it, the Rapture V2 was (in my opinion) one of the best drivers I had ever hit. The G10 however wasn’t too far behind it, which is the reason I was pretty excited to have the opportunity to review the hybrid in the latest of PING’s G-series.

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Bridgestone, Callaway, and Pinnacle Roll Out New Balls

New ball lineups from some of the industry’s top manufacturers aim to please a wide variety of players, with new offerings that deliver benefits to the areas of your game where you need them the most.

Bag DropAre you choosing the right ball for your game? Would you know if you weren’t? Are you playing a certain ball simply to keep up with what your buddy plays? These are all questions you should think about for a minute, especially if you’re serious about taking as many strokes off your score as possible.

If you are serious about dropping your score, maybe it’s time you seriously considered finding the ball that works the best for you. A few years back, a concept such as ball fitting was simply unheard of, though now, some say a ball fitting has become just as important to some as club fittings. If you think about it, it is the one single piece of equipment that’s in play for every shot. Fortunately, the golf ball market may the one area with the most choices, and the smallest impact on your wallet.

This week, we take a look new additions to that market from Bridgestone,
Callaway , and Pinnacle.

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Callaway Releases New JAWS Wedges and Odyssey White Ice Putters

The new JAWS wedges give your short game some needed bite, while the new Odyssey White Ice putters might just heat up your game on the greens.

Bag DropThis week, we come to you with more clubs designed to help out your game from 80 yards and in, this time from Callaway Golf (who, in case you didn’t know, is the parent company of Odyssey as well).

The new Callaway JAWS wedges promise to give you the ultimate in spin and control in order to get on the green, while the new Odyssey White Ice putters are there to assist in rolling it true to the hole.

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What To Know Before You Buy New Clubs

It’s that time of year, when those of us equipment junkies start to get a little restless. So many new choices, so little time. Before you make that big purchase, maybe there are a few things you should think about.

Bag DropNew products are being announced left and right, and they’re starting to make their way into stores. Surely, you’re tempted by something, whether it’s a new driver or a new set of irons. We’ve seen new clubs from Mizuno, Ping, Titleist, TaylorMade, Tour Edge, and others. Nike and Callaway have their new stuff waiting in the wings. Of course the latest and greatest is going to cost you a pretty penny. If you’re going to drop even a single dollar on a new club, it’s important to do your research and testing to find what’s going to be best for you.

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Tour Edge Launches New Exotics XCG-3 Hybrids, Fairways, and Drivers

Like Enzyte for your long game, Tour Edge guarantees you’ll be longer, or your money back. Hopefully the creepy smile isn’t a side effect.

Bag DropIt seems like all too often, all we hear about is Callaway, TaylorMade Titleist, Nike, or Ping – the big boys in the industry. I’m not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing, but some of the smaller guys deserve a look sometimes as well. They are possibly even more deserving of attention than the giants are because we all hear about it as soon as one of them brings us the latest in moveable weights, adjustable heads, etc. The marketing guys cleverly place ads with everything from Tiger to Trevor to a smooth talking baby in a high chair, sporting a certain visor and calling his buddy a shankapotamus.

What we don’t always see are the products from companies such as those from Tour Edge. Though they make some pretty strong claims (“20 yards longer or your money back”), they also stand by another guarantee – one that says you can play their club for 30 days and if you’re not completely satisfied, you’re entitled to a full refund. That alone may make the latest in the Exotics line worth trying out. Continue on to see many other reasons to give the new XCG-3’s a chance.

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TaylorMade Releases R9 and R9 TP Irons, Raylor Returns

TaylorMade gives us a blast from the past (sort of) with the Raylor hybrid, while also building on the R9 name with their newest irons. If the Burner line is for the bomber, and the R9 line is for the technician, does that mean that the Raylor is for… Rick Astley???

Bag DropTaylorMade has for years been synonymous with innovation and progressive thinking, and though they may catch a hard time due to the frequency of their releases, no one can say that they do not push the limits of playability. That’s why it may come as a surprise that they resurrected a club that was first released back when Michael Jackson first purchased Neverland Ranch and the song that would years later become the subject of the infamous (and played out) internet prank known as the “Rickroll” was a number one worldwide hit.

Of course, I would be referring to the TaylorMade Raylor, which for those of you that may be too young to remember, was a very popular fairway wood back then. The Raylor name has been brought back for their newest hybrid club, and as you can imagine, there is a bit of difference between the old and the new. Along with the Raylor, Taylormade has also brought us their latest irons, which share the name with their very popular line of woods from 2009.

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Back in Black: Adams Releases New Idea Pro Black Hybrids and A7 Select Putters

Shoot to thrill with new putters and hybrids from Adams Golf.

Bag DropHave you had a look at any of Adams Golf’s equipment lately? If you haven’t, maybe it’s time you check them out and see what they’ve been bringing to the market. The #1 hybrid company on the PGA, Nationwide, and Champions Tour has been hard at work, designing some very attractive new equipment that will likely appeal to all types of players.

Adams Golf has recently released four new A7 Select putters, as well as brand new Idea Pro Black hybrids. Maybe you’re saying to yourself “hybrids just aren’t for me.” Maybe you also forgot about Turnberry this year, where some old guy named Tom Watson kicked the crap out of players half his age with his trusty Adams hybrids for the majority of the Open Championship. If that doesn’t make you at least consider giving them a try, fear not, because we’re also going to take a look at some affordable new putters that may suit your eye better. Kick back, relax, and put the TPS reports to the side, as we take a look at the new hybrids and putters from Adams.

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Titleist Fall 2K9 Part Two: MB and CB Irons, Cameron California and Studio Putters

We’re back with part two of our sneak peek at what Titleist has coming for us in a few short weeks, including new MB and CB irons, as well as new releases from Scotty Cameron.

Bag DropJust as I promised last week, we bring you part two of our look at Titleist‘s soon-to-be-released clubs. If you missed last week’s installment of The Bag Drop, you might want to have a look at it, as we took a look at the updated AP irons and Bob Vokey’s newest conforming wedges.

If that left you hungry for more, or if you’re simply interested in the more classic irons that Titleist offers, look no further, as this week we give you the details on Titleist’s new-for-2010 MB and CB irons. As an added bonus for you putter aficionados, the new Scotty Cameron “California” family of putters also get the proper once-over.

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