Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2019 i Golf Magazine

“FURY” ISN’T AN EMOTION often associated with golf footwear. It’s normally a balky putter or scattershot irons that raise our ire—unless the shoes get our dogs barking or our feet moistened. Happily, once you lay eyes on FootJoy’s latest model, it’s clear that the name was chosen in the mold of that classic muscle car, the Plymouth Fury: Aggressive, high-octane, engine-revving stuff. Consider the design elements of the FJ Fury to understand why a pair will redline your performance and style. ($190, footjoy.com)…

NOT FIVE minutes ago I opened a can of beer and dumped its contents into the kitchen sink. Sacrilege, you might say, or criminally stupid. It was an IPA, and if we’re being honest with each other—and why shouldn’t we be—I like IPAs very much less than the frequent and crippling gas attacks unleashed by Churchill, my dog who is 163 human years old. I then took a penknife, sliced the can in two across its belly, and measured its diameter—a little more than 2.5 inches. (Yes, I could have Googled this, but why deprive my wife of yet another opportunity to gaze in astonishment upon her favorite idiot.) “Beer cans (2.5 in.) and golf holes (4.25 in.) each have a diameter that comfortably accommodates a golf ball.”MICHAEL CORCORAN The…

Everyone knows Bridgestone Tour B golf balls by now, as various stars including Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker, Gary Woodland and Tiger Woods currently play them. On the club side, however, most recreational players aren’t nearly as familiar with the Bridgestone lineup—a shame considering the company’s numerous and legit technologies that provide top-notch performance. A first look into Bridgestone clubs should start with the Tour B JGR family, which, as you can see from these pages, encompasses driver, fairways, hybrids and irons. Unlike older Bridgestone offerings, these clubs are aimed at weekend golfers, not just low-handicappers and Tour players.…

FLASH FACE Developed using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, this is a “radically different” variable face thickness design that creates faster ball speeds in the sweet spot of the hitting area. JAILBREAK Internal bars connect the crown and the sole of the club, stiffening them to create more face flex, ball speed and distance across the entire face. T2C TRIAXIAL CARBON CROWN A lighter carbon material with a tighter weave saves weight that can then be redistributed to other areas of the clubhead to create a higher MOI, more stability and better performance on off-center hits. ADJUSTABLE PERIMETER WEIGHTING A sliding 16g weight located on a track on the low rear of the Epic Flash (12g on the Epic Flash Sub Zero) that can be adjusted to customize CG location.…

ST 190 $ 400 Lofts: 9.5°, 10.5° Stock shafts: Fujikura Atmos Blue, Atmos Red, Atmos Black Mizuno’s most advanced driver to date, the ST 190 is aimed at pleasing any player who wants easy launch and a ton of ball speed off the strike area. Built with a forged SP700 titanium face that’s about 10 percent stronger than the typical 6-4 titanium, the ST 190 produces top-level COR and distance. A new lightweight carbon-composite crown saves some weight for a lower CG and improved launch, while an accordion-like sole design flexes at impact to reduce speed loss on mis-hits. A 6g back weight enhances stability on off-center hits for straighter shots. Fitter comments: The longest (and perhaps the best) Mizuno driver ever can be played by just about anyone who…

PING is renowned for putting function over form, but the company’s newest models are some of the best-looking around. What’s going on? Many of the key technologies, like DragonFly, are now hidden on the inside of the club. The same can be said for the latest generation of COR-Eye technology found in the sleek G410 irons. Hidden behind a cavity medallion, this design creates a larger flexing area on the face for higher launch and faster ball speeds. With the G410 driver, DragonFly tech provides significant weight savings to create a lower CG and extra stability.…

Always known for beautiful forged irons and traditional-looking woods that provide solid performance, the newest long-game offerings from Srixon are loaded with updated technologies capable of delivering competitive ball speeds, forgiveness and distance. In the eye-catching Z 585 irons, an internal channel on the thin and fast face insert enhances speed and distance; the Z 585 and Z 785 drivers are engineered with a new face cup design that provides greater flex across a larger area of the clubface. Not too shabby from a company often pegged as favoring feel over game-improvement.…

Drivers M5 DRIVER $549 Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12° Stock shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 60, Project X HZRDUS Smoke 70 TaylorMade builds each M5 with a face capable of producing ball speeds that exceed USGA rules. It then injects resin into ports in the heel and toe areas to bring each one down to the legal limit. Through this technique, every M5 is guaranteed to provide maximum speed at impact. Equally impressive is the face itself, which is 20 percent thinner than that of the previous M3, delivering a 66 percent larger sweet spot. (TwistFace still plays a prominent role by providing further correction of mis-hits on the high-toe and lowheel.) Additional speed elements are built into the sole, while an inverted T-Track allows for customized CG location. Fitter comments:…

Drivers TS2 DRIVER $499 Lofts: 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5° Stock shafts: KuroKage Black 50, Tensei AV Blue 55, HZRDUS Smoke Black 60, Even Flow White 65 The TS2 is Titleist’s most advanced driver to date. A Speed Chassis that took two years to perfect is the highlight, as is an ultra-thin titanium crown, SureFit Hosel, variable-thickness face and adjustable swingweight. It’s all packaged in a modern 460cc head shape that yields ample forgiveness and high-launch, low-spin drives. Fitter comments: A serious choice for Tour pros and rec players alike. TS3 DRIVER $499 Lofts: 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° Stock shafts: KuroKage Black 50, Tensei AV Blue 55, HZRDUS Smoke Black 60, Even Flow White 65 The TS3 is a powerful, traditionally shaped shotmaker that yields a mid-launch for better players. The technology…

In addition to the signing of big-hitting PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland, there’s a lot going on at Wilson Staff, particularly in the woods category. First and foremost is the superlight design philosophy applied to the company’s new D7 woods, delivering a great option for slower swingers or just about anyone who’s looking to minimize body strain without sacrificing speed. Dynamic Launch Control technology, which optimizes internal weighting depending on driver loft for the best possible launch conditions, is also noteworthy. Finally, the use of Kevlar (the stuff found in body armor), along with carbon fiber in the crown for vibration tuning, is pretty darn cool.…

THE SHEER VOLUME of gear represented in this guide can be intimidating if you’re actually looking to upgrade part or all of your bag. You’re probably wondering where to start. Fortunately, the answer is anything but complicated. The first step is to determine what category you fit into. Typically, clubs are engineered for either better players, mid-handicappers, and high-handicappers who need all the help they can get. If you want to end up with clubs that truly help you score better, then you must be honest about your game, swing and budget, and then simply do the research. Once you decide on a model that suits your needs, locate a qualified professional and get fit (see p. 46). Even if you don’t invest in a fully customized set, spending time…

IN THE SAME WAY that you can’t add yards by blindly banging balls with a driver at the range, you can’t improve your putting stroke by simply rolling the same putt over and over, even if you switch up the length. Feedback is a constant necessity, no matter what you’re working on. That’s why drill-based putting regimens are the fast-track to success. There are many to choose from (start at golf.com). Just make sure to avoid any that force you to push against something—you’ll likely move the club in the wrong direction once you remove the resistance. The drill I’m demonstrating below is one I use often with my students. I place an iron on the green just outside the toe of the putter, with the grip pointing away from…

“YOU CAN COUNT ON THREE THINGS,” the saying goes: death, taxes and, in our particular case, a massive gear guide in the March issue of GOLF (our first ClubTest was 1992). Of the 75 new (or new-ish) drivers, woods, hybrids and irons presented in this issue, I’d be hard-pressed to tell you which ones are better than the rest. Sure, I have my favorites and I know the ones that are truly pushing the envelope, but we’ve reached the point where the art of clubmaking is so advanced that pretty much every new piece of gear is capable of transforming your game. Secret is, there is a perfect club or set for every golfer, and while we sprinkle clues for you over the course of 39 pages in this year’s…

YOU CAN TRACE THE arc of Eddie Merrins’ life by the dozen Hall of Fames in which he’s been enshrined. There is the State of Mississippi Hall—Merrins was born with a plastic spoon in his mouth in a backwater town but went on to win the 1948 high school state championship. The LSU Athletic Hall of Fame is a nod to his standout playing career as an undergraduate. The UCLA HoF recognizes his 14 years as the head coach of the men’s golf team, including the 1988 national championship team. But for the man known far and wide as the Li’l Pro, one bronze plaque cuts to the heart of his life’s work: the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. “It has been a great joy and a great honor…

1. Backswing Reed’s upper- and lower-body turns are excellent. His stance and alignment: excellent. And he sets the club beautifully at the top before starting down. But check the toe of his driver—it’s pointing more toward the ground than it is at the camera, indicating an open clubface. The need to adjust for it on the way down is what fuels the poor sequencing scores at right. CURRENT / POTENTIAL Tip: With a little practice, you’ll earn a Swing Index you can be proud of. Don’t have one? Sign up at SwingIndex.golf or download the app from the App Store. 2. Impact Patrick doesn’t shift his weight forward as much as other golfers—his power comes more from rotation. But with his slightly open clubface, the more or harder he rotates…

IF YOU’VE NEVER BEEN FIT FOR CLUBS, your game could seriously be suffering. People tend to stick to out-of-date, poorly fit clubs because they either don’t see the benefit of a fitting or are intimidated by the process. But trust me—it’s worth it! You may not even realize how much your off-the-rack clubs are affecting your game. If you’re ready to take the leap into a professional clubfitting—–or want to get the most out of your next fitting—I have two simple and effective tips for you. First: Don’t be brand-loyal. The numbers don’t lie, so make sure to come in with an open mind when it comes to building your bag. For example, the brand that helps you drive it longer and straighter might not suit you best when it…

The core of the ERC is infused with Graphene, which, says Wikipedia, “is the strongest material ever tested.” So advanced is this semimetal that Andre Geim and Kon-stantin Novoselov won the Nobel Prize for their research work on the carbon allotrope. We have no idea if these scientists play golf, but Callaway knows that their new ball launches high, spins fast and feels good. The uniqueness extends to the cover and its Triple Track alignment system. It’s a different kind of ball from the inside out. ($39.99/doz.)…

Not all golf clubs are created equal. Neither are clubfitters. The top players in the industry differentiate themselves through the savvy of their staff, the sophistication of their tools, the intimacy of their service and their liberty to optimize all aspects of your game without overly restrictive brand allegiance. Searching for the best in a crowded business? Here are 25 that fit the bill. Keep in mind that many clubfitters waive or discount fitting fees with an equipment purchase. 2ND SWING 2ndswing.com A golf club retailer and custom fitter with locations in Minnesota, Arizona and Delaware. Full-bag fitting: $300 CLUB CHAMPION clubchampiongolf.com More than 50 locations in dozens of states, including six in Florida alone. Full-bag fitting: $350 CLUB CRAFT AT THE JOEY D. GOLF PERFORMANCE CENTER clubcraft.com Affiliated with…

MOST OF THE 75 CLUBS featured in this guide can be custom-fit for just about any shaft imaginable, thanks to “adjustable adapter systems” that allow fitters to snap off and swap in new clubheads and shafts at lightning speed. Leading the charge is Club Conex (photo, above). The device is patented and licensed to more than 500 fitters around the country, plus the UK, Asia and Australia. Club Conex launched in 2004, prompting a sea change in the way clubs are built, tested, fitted and enjoyed. “Prior to 2004, people just kind of hit a club and went with it. Things now are much more objective,” says Anthony Ciaccio, Club Conex president. The gizmos have been deemed USGA-conforming, so you could conceivably swap clubheads on the range before heading to…

Driver LAUNCHER HB $299 Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12° Stock shaft: Miyazaki C. Kua Widely known for its commitment to creating some of the best wedges in the game, Cleveland Golf has also created some of the longest-hitting and most-forgiving drivers in recent years. The 460cc Launcher HB comes equipped with a handful of new attributes, including an ultra-lightweight hosel (non-adjustable) for optimized weighting, and a Flex-Fin sole design that works in cahoots with a new-age HiBore crown for just the right amount of compression at impact. What for, you ask° Simple—higher launch angles with minimal spin for max distance off more contact points on the Launcher Cup Face. Technology aside, the Launcher HB’s sleek profile just plain looks fast. Fitter comments: An all-around performer that can work for mid- and…

MC-501 $ 1,960 Clubs: 4-PW Shafts: Wide variety of premium options Miura’s MC-501 has the look and profile of a classic muscleback, which could make some mid-handicappers nervous. But before you completely write it off as a better-player model, take a closer look at what’s under the hood. Roughly 20 grams of weight was repositioned to the sole, which is wider than what you find on most blades. The sole also incorporates the Miura’s Y-Grind, which features a soft leading edge to help with turf interaction. From heel to toe, the 501 is the longest club Miura ever, meaning you don’t have to sweat the mis-hits as much. Fitter comments: Aimed at better players desiring a traditional profile and feel with a bit of extra help. Irons CB-301 $ 1,960…

CHROMOLY High strength-to-weight ratio material that allows multi-thickness faces for exceptional ball speeds, while also allowing bendable hosels for fitting purposes. HARMONIC IMPACT TECHNOLOGY Fine-tuned clubhead geometry that delivers perfectly tuned impact and feel. CORTECH DESIGN Optimized face thickness distribution for maximized COR area. STABILITY FRAME Produces enhanced stability and launch as well as Tour-preferred vibration and sound. SEAMLESS CONSTRUCTION A one-piece cupped geometry that produces a high level of feedback at impact. BEVELED TRAILING EDGE Aggressive relief on the trailing edge that reduces turf drag through impact. SOUND RIBS Designed to create specific vibration patterns that discerning players find pleasing.…

CREASED CROWN Combines with Dragonfly Technology on the inside of the new G410 driver to stiffen the ultra-thin crown, allowing for a more optimized CG location. T9S+ FACE A thinner and stronger clubface made through a patented head-treatment process that provides more face flex at impact, faster ball speeds, and improved forgiveness. TRAJECTORY TUNING 2.0 A new patented lightweight adjustable hosel provides eight settings rather than the previous five. COUNTERBALANCED SHAFT Designed with an 8g counterweight in the grip end of the shaft to move the CG to a higher location. This allows for more weight in the clubhead for increased energy transfer. HYDROPEARL 2.0 FINISH A smooth and durable chrome finish that reduces turf friction by approximately 40 percent, improving clubhead speed and performance in heavy or wet conditions.…

If you’re a fan of TaylorMade gear, you’ve probably noticed that among all the impressive innovations, there’s one that comes up in more models than you can shake a stick at: SpeedFoam. Yeah, the name strikes us as odd, too, but SpeedFoam is very serious tech that involves injecting a liquid material into hollow clubheads. Once it cools and solidifies, the SpeedFoam has the ability to support the face (which is thinner than you realize) without slowing COR or speed and while significantly enhancing sound and feel.…

Driver EXOTICS EXS $299 Lofts: 9.5°, 10.5° Stock shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue 2G 50, 60, 70 When you factor just how much technology is crammed into the Exotics EXS driver along with its relatively low price, it’s clearly one of the best values in golf. We’re talking about things like a Flight-Tuning System with adjustable weighting, hosel adjustability, RollFace technology, Dual Carbon Fiber—heck, there’s more technology in this driver than we have space for. But the EXS’s notoriety comes not only from what it’s made of, but in how well it performs. The Beta Titanium faceplate is exceptionally hot, helping golfers increase their ball speed and overall distance—especially on strikes slightly off the sweet spot. Fitter comments: Good value option that can work for a wide variety of players…

Driver X DRIVER $649 Lofts: 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5° Stock shaft: MP1000 lightweight The newest XXIO driver features True-Focus Impact Technology, which is aimed at allowing moderate-speed swingers to max out their speed and distance. The keys to the X’s performance are a lightweight shaft that reduces strain on the body during the swing, a high-energy clubhead optimized for amateur contact locations, and exotic materials and premium construction. The bottom line is that the X is made to be as easy and minimally stressful to swing as possible, to create maximum launch and carry for those who can’t crank up their speed like the guys on TV. Fitter comments: Moderate swingers or anyone who wants more distance and forgiveness in a lighter package that’s less stressful to swing. Fairway Wood…

Salvation beckoned on the other side of the river. It was only a couple of hundred yards away, but the churning water of the Rio Grande was the fiercest challenge yet in José de Jesús Rodríguez’s short, hard life. Late at night, when he made his forays for freedom, the river was as black as ink. Underfoot were treacherously slippery rocks and other unseen hazards. Growing up in landlocked Irapuato, Mexico, José de Jesús never learned to swim. Now the chilly water lapped against his chin, inviting the darkest fear: “If I slip, I die,” he remembers thinking. Day after day, for three agonizing months, José de Jesús tried to steal across the Rio Grande, only to be thwarted by its currents and the United States Border Patrol. So many times…

Golf Casa de Campo, in La Romana, is sublime. The resort features three Pete Dye courses: The Links, Dye Fore and Teeth of the Dog (No. 48 on our list of the Top 100 Courses in the World). Punta Espada G.C. at Cap Cana is a Nicklaus stunner that some judge to be the best in the Caribbean. Obviously, it’s a must-play. Culture In winter, you can get a true sense of Dominican life by taking in a Caribbean League baseball game. The atmosphere is unlike anything stateside from America’s favorite pastime. If a ballgame isn’t your thing, take a walk on the pearly-white sand beaches or chase marlin in the crystal-clear Atlantic. Eats Fresh is the word when it comes to DR cuisine. Some of the world’s finest fruit…

D.R. SASHO MACKENZIE doesn’t spew swing theories. He spouts facts, based on mountains of evidence generated from his lab in the Department of Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. The biomechanics professor’s goal: Optimizing how speed is created during the swing. His target: any player who’s willing to listen. GOLF: You’re part of a new wave of techno-thinkers who are reshaping the way golf is taught, especially at the Tour level. Why should recreational golfers care? SASHO MACKENZIE: Simple—what works at the highest levels work for any participant. GOLF: The trick, then, must be convincing them that this is indeed true. SM: Golf sits in the middle ground when it comes to embracing technology—hardly ahead of the curve in terms of science-based practices like track and…

EVERYDAY ITEMS HAVE LONG been a staple in a golf instructor’s bag of tricks: bath towels, 2x4s, beach balls. For a while, even a clothes hanger found use as an effective training aid. The Hanger (Watson Golf; $69.99) is that idea brought into the 21st century. It looks like you might imagine it would—like a clothes hanger!—except this one neatly attaches to the grip. Included near the bottom of The Hanger is a plastic iron-shaped clubhead, designed to give you a visual representation of the angle of the real clubface throughout your swing. Take your normal setup and start moving the club back. You should feel The Hanger press into the inside of your left forearm. Your goal is to maintain this connection all the way through impact and beyond.…

SHORT BUNKER SHOT SUCCESS depends largely on a solid setup. The next time you’re in greenside sand, run though the following checkpoints to nail this critical part of your routine. 1: Take a normal-width stance (feet just outside your shoulders) with the ball positioned forward of center. 2: Flare your front foot and shift your weight both forward and toward the target so that your front foot and knee line up. 3: Grip the club lightly at the same part of the handle you use for a full iron shot. (A lot of golfers choke down on the grip here, and I have no idea why. Scared of this shot? You shouldn’t be!) 4: Open the clubface slightly. By adding loft you can commit to both a full backswing and…

IMAGINE, IF YOU WILL, that your putter isn’t a putter. It’s a very low-power rifle, capable of precise aim and the ability to roll putts at perfect speeds. You and your “rifle” are on the green, staring down a 10-foot putt. You read the slope and aim the rifle one cup outside the left edge of the hole, which means you expect this putt to break about 6⅜” (a cup measures 4¼” in diameter; a half cup is 2⅛”) to the right and into the center of the cup. You visualize the ball starting on your aim line, rolling end over end in a slow arc, over the green and dropping over the lip, all at perfect speed. Honestly, what could be more perfect? Aim and speed. That’s all you…

When Simon Lusky worked as a chef for the St. Louis Cardinals, he’d rent a room from Rickie Fowler, who lived near the team’s training facilities in Jupiter, Fla. The two became friends, and their conversation naturally turned to on-course nutrition—and Fowler’s lack thereof. It got Lusky thinking. “We needed something small, the size of a golf ball, that was easy to get down and dense in calories,” he said. “He’d go play, and I’d tweak the recipe until we found something that worked.” The result? “Birdie Balls.” A whirled paste of pitted dates serves as the base. Add some peanut butter, sorghum (an antioxidant-rich grain), pea protein and a flavor of your choice (Rickie prefers a Nutella-inspired hazelnut cocoa). Lusky’s St. Louis–based restaurant, Revel Kitchen, sells ’em like golf…

LET IT FLY “Keep your right arm close to your body going back” is a swing coach staple. For Daly, not so much. Long John would definitely fail the towel-under-the-arms drill, and he’s better off. Some guy named Jack was also famous for a flying right arm. Like Daly, Nicklaus was incredibly long and straight. A free arm swing not only produces more power, it’s more athletic and much easier for most people to execute than pinning the elbow to the body. FACE THE FACTS Daly has some idiosyncrasies: strong grip, extremely long backswing, cupped left wrist at the top, flying right elbow, etc. What isn’t unusual is his clubface position—the leading edge of his iron is parallel to his left forearm in a perfectly square position. Slicers: copy this!…

My favorite golf courses are the courses with history. The ones that have a sense of tradition. The ones that honor the traditional values of golf. I don’t try to change my swing. I know it changes, but I’m not the one doing it. It’s just one of those natural things. I’ve had mental issues. I’ve had physical issues. I’ve had a combination of both. For me, golf and life work together. Golf is a by-product of the stress and everything else going on outside the ropes. When I feel good off the course, I play better on it. In 2015 I had a lot of family stuff going on. They only let me in the field at the Hero World Challenge that year because Jason Day withdrew. Everything came…

8:01 a.m. Arrives at range. 8:02 a.m. Hits two wedge shots. Meanders over to Bubba Watson’s bag, makes swings with Bubba’s lefty clubs. 8:07 a.m. Boasts he once flew one 285 with a lefty swing. Returns to range spot, hits four more sand wedges. 8:11 a.m. Wipes off club, talks to JT. Walks over to Gary Woodland’s bag. Chats while swinging Woodland’s driver. 8:18 a.m. Walks back to his own bag. Hits two wedge shots. 8:20 a.m. Back to Bubba. Looks at his Trackman, makes fun of Bubba’s clubhead speed. 8:21 a.m. Returns to spot. Caddy AJ shows DJ funny YouTube video on phone. The pair laugh. 8:24 a.m. Signs autograph, switches to 7-iron, hits six shots rapid-fire. 8:27 a.m. Pulls driver, hits eight shots rapid-fire, checks Trackman numbers. 8:30…

GOLF TOP 100 TEACHER Sean Foley has spent a lot of time studying the practice habits of elite athletes in a variety of sports. He’s observed the intense preparation of U.S. Navy SEALs, perhaps the most well-trained outfit in the world. But he began to notice that none of what he learned seemed to have trickled down to the recreational ranks. “Golfers go to the range, hit a bunch of 7-irons with no wind and then wonder why they don’t improve on the course,” Foley says. “It’s because they’re not practicing the same skills.” But help is on the way, via one of Foley’s star students (and, as of this writing, the number-one-ranked player in the world), Justin Rose. Pay close attention to Foley and Rose on the range. You…

When Don Cheadle isn’t disappearing into a character for his latest movie (April’s blockbuster-to-be Avengers: Endgame) or TV series (Showtime’s Wall Street-in-the-’80s satire Black Monday), his friends know exactly where to find him—on a golf course. In fact, the Oscar-nominated actor, 54, had just finished a round when we caught up with him in Hawaii. I read that you’re a 7-handicap. Yeah, but it’s trending down, which isn’t great for my gambling. How did you get started in the game? My father and my uncle played when I was young, and I’d be stuck at home with my sisters. At some point I was like, I want to be with them. When you’re making a movie on location, there’s a lot of down time. What’s the best course you’ve played…

WHO WE’RE FOLLOWING I’ve recently been tracking two different photo-driven accounts. @LinksGems is well-known. Just gorgeous golf photos. The other is @DogsOfTurf, which is devoted entirely to golf’s canines. It’s as fun as you’d think it would be. —Sean Zak WHAT WE’RE WATCHING Old Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf episodes on YouTube. Recommend: Harry Bradshaw v. Billy Casper at Portmarnock, 1963. Cardigans and crewcuts in full color—and Sarazen on the mic. —David DeNunzio WHERE WE’RE PLAYING I’m pretty pumped about the South Course at Corica Park, a newly renovated muni in my neck of the woods in the Bay Area. What was once a flat and featureless track with terrible drainage is now a firm, fast layout with lots of movement, designed in the style of an Aussie sandbelt course.…

Super 70s Sports @Super70sSports “250 over water? Hand me the 3-wood, I’m in flavor country.” NOT THIS MONTH IN GOLF HISTORY March, 1972: Gary Player goes an entire day without remembering to tell everyone he meets about the importance of fitness, and does not forgive himself for it until 2013. March, 1979: Earl Woods says, “Look, I don’t care if you’re three. If you can’t pure a driver out of a fairway divot over water, don’t even ask me for Dairy Queen later.” March, 1991: In a misguided effort to compete with Chi-Chi Rodriguez’s popular sword dance, Miller Barber pumps three imaginary rifle shots over the gallery after draining a clutch birdie putt. March, 2005: Johnny Miller pumps himself up in the morning for the 11,000th straight day by looking…

I DON’T PLAY GOLF. In fact, I’ve actively avoided the game. But I’m willing to learn, especially if the instructor is Jon Tattersall, one of GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers. But it’s not exactly what I thought it was going to be. The key aspect of Tattersall’s training as a golf coach has nothing to do with the actual playing of golf. You don’t swing a driver, you don’t even touch a club. It’s all about, as he says, “physicality.” Specifically, my lack of it. I like to think that I’m not a terrible athlete for a 43-year-old. I run 30 miles a week, I just finished a half-marathon in under 100 minutes, I’m able to make it up and down stairs without panting. The back barks every so often, and…

DONN VAN WINKLE, 50 Software Engineer Encinitas, California Handicap: 6.4 Black, huh? Here in San Diego, it’s all about the surf and skate culture. So, yeah, black. You’re either Johnny Cash or Gary Player, right? It’s hard to picture Gary Player on a skateboard. I don’t know. He’s a pretty fit guy. San Diego is pretty sunny. Don’t you get hot playing in black pants? Yeah. So I change into black shorts. Or camo shorts. I really like those. What do the members think? Well, I play at Goat Hill Park, which is kind of different from most courses. There’s no dress code. People play in shorts and T-shirts and sometimes barefoot. It’s an old muni in Oceanside that John Ashworth from Linksoul bought. That’s why I have the Linksoul…

Driver TOUR B JGR $399 Lofts: 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5° Shafts: Wide variety of premium models The Tour B JGR driver features Bridgestone’s new power mill face design that effectively extends the time the ball spends in contact with the club, giving users lower spin rates (and straighter shots). A new crown design with both internal and external channels allows for more flex at impact. The results? Increased ball speeds and higher launch angles. Ribs in the sole add stiffness for greater energy transfer, further ramping up speed. The Tour B JGR also features 25g of internal weight and an 8g external weight to promote a slight draw bias for those who fight a slice. Fitter comments: Best for mid- to high-handicappers who want high launch, low-spin performance and a bit…

Drivers EPIC FLASH $530 Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°; Stock shafts: Project X EvenFlow Green 55, Project X HZRDUS Black Smoke 60 or 70 The “Flash” in the name of Callaway’s new flagship driver isn’t just a slick marketing term for “Epic II.” It denotes a cutting-edge face technology for increased ball speed that was developed using a AI-fueled supercomputer. Engineers programmed the computer to work outside the confines of typical face geometry, in which the middle often is thicker than the perimeter, as a means to optimize speed. Instead, Flash features a “non-intuitive” thickness pattern constituted by subtle ripples flowing from heel to toe, which would never exist without AI working out age-old problems. Other impressive features include Jailbreak technology to stiffen the clubhead for more face flex and speed,…

Driver KING F9 $449 Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12° Stock shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke 60 and 65, Fujikura Atmos Tour Spec Blue 6 and Black 7, UST Helium 50 Whether you’re talking formula, stock, or drag car racing, it takes more than a powerful engine to clear the finish line first—it also takes precision aerodynamics to cut through the air, minimize friction and maximize speed. Cobra’s F9 is as race car as it gets, with a new carbon wrap SPEEDBACK crown, a low CG and a CNC-milled face insert that when combined make the F9 Cobra’s fastest driver to date. And speaking of the club’s crown, the aerodynamic PWR Ridges help with clubhead alignment, too. As for the low CG and custom trajectory, it’s achieved via MyLoft adjustable weights and…

RAW MATERIAL Called S25C or premium soft carbon steel, it’s delivered to the factory, where billets are cut to correspond with individual models. This yields the highest tolerances in the industry. FIRST FORGING The S25c carbon steel billets are heated to 1,200° C, then struck flat and placed into a die where the clubhead can be forged without the hosel. This allows the grain structure to be carefully manipulated to create a unique look and feel and deliver the performance for which all Miura irons are known. ACCURATE FORGED Following the first (and a second) forging processes, the clubheads are cooled then reheated to between 800° and 900° C, where the weight distribution and density of the irons are precisely defined. The clubhead is then stamped with scoring lines and…

Fairway Wood G410 $310 Lofts: 14.5°, 17.5°, 20.5°, 23.5°; Stock shafts: PING Alta CB Red 65 and Tour 65/75 For players who don’t spin the ball like crazy or need major all-around performance, the standard G410 fairway wood is a rock-solid option. Featuring a similar low and deep CG location as the previous G400 for impressive stability and forgiveness, the new fairway wood has a bit more zip due to a slightly more forward weight concentration in the lower-profile clubhead. Like the driver, the G410 fairway is also fitted with a lighter, more aerodynamic hosel sleeve that offers eight fitting positions for customized trajectory through on-the-fly loft and lie adjustment. The G410 is also available in a slice-busting SFT model and low-spin LST version. Fitter comments: Like the driver (right),…

Drivers Z 785 $49 9 Lofts: 9.5°, 10.5° Stock shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 65 Designed for and with input from Srixon tour professionals, the Z 785 driver has a look and shape that better players love (it’s 460cc, but has more of a pear-shaped design that lends a smaller-looking profile and more workability.) According to Srixon, the Z 785’s newfound materials, such as the stronger and lighter Ti51AF Cup Face and the lightweight carbon crown, combine to produce faster ball speeds and a penetrating, low-spin trajectory. Additional attributes include options to adjust the weight and loft dynamics using the Quick Tune Adjustment and Customization System. It’s only a matter of time until Srixon’s drivers catch up in popularity, like the company’s golf balls have. -Fitter comments: Aimed at low-…

As far as technology goes, just about everything is new at TaylorMade, but the first thing you need to know about is the “Speed-Injected TwistFace” featured in its M5 and M6 drivers. As in last year’s models, TwistFace helps correct low-heel and high-toe hits, but with the new M5 and M6 it also guarantees max COR and ball speeds. It starts with “over-the-limit” clubfaces that TaylorMade injects with a resin through ports in the heel and toe (the red circles on the photos shown here). The resin is designed to “slow” the clubface until it’s right at the legal limit. Now, every M is a fast as the rest.…

Driver D7 DRIVER $299 Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 13° Stock shaft: UST Mamiya Helium Wilson’s D7 driver won’t guarantee you’ll hit it 300 yards, but it does feature a lightweight design that makes tacking on additional speed very feasible. The 192-gram head is paired with a sub-60-gram shaft to create a lighter-than-normal design. The non-adjustable hosel might be a downer for those who like to tinker with weights, but don’t fret: Internal weights were strategically positioned within the head of all three lofts (9, 10.5 and 13 degrees) to create different launch and spin profiles. A Kevlar layer was also inserted between the visible carbon fiber crown to neutralize vibrations and improve sound at impact. Fitter comments: Can fit the full spectrum of players, but particularly those who’ll benefit from a…

If you’re not that familiar with XXIO, it’s time to start paying attention, because the company’s high-quality (and premium-priced) sticks are so packed with technology that none other than Ernie Els is gaming them. The X series is engineered to match the company’s overarching goal of making clubs that are not only easier to swing (thanks to a lightweight design), but also easier to square up at impact. XXIO’s True-Focus Impact Technology incorporates a high-energy impact head, low-swing-speed MOI design, smart impact shaft and multiple materials. If you’re looking for easy-to-swing high-tech sticks, XXIO’s X family is worth serious consideration.…

Kobe Bryant ended his career as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, but his legacy is his calculated creation of a game-specific persona—Black Mamba—separate from his everyday self. Mamba Mentality (MCD, $35), released last October, inspires and challenges in equal amounts. Are you a little soft come tee time? Kobe’s insights into focus, prep and opponent awareness can give you the killer instincts to win every match. THE BEST PART: Each year before the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers would stage a lavish team dinner. As Pau Gasol notes, Kobe got up from the table at the end of the evening one year, heading home for some rest, Gasol assumed. Incorrect. Bryant bolted to the gym for a late-night workout. THE TAKEAWAY: Winners never lose sight of the target or…

1. INHALE Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. Count to four. Make sure to focus and concentrate on your breathing and block out everything else. 2. HOLD After your lungs are completely filled with air, hold your breath to a slow count of four. 3. EXHALE Exhale slowly through your mouth or nostrils and slowly count again to four. As in step 1, focus and concentrate strictly on your breathing and the movement of air out of your lungs and through your mouth or nostrils. 4. HOLD Hold your breath for another slow four count, then repeat. Keep at it until you feel tension leaving your body.…

1. DON’T MAKE IT PERSONAL Avoid bringing up bad experiences or placing the blame for poor play on your caddie. Ultimately, you are the one hitting the shot. You’re making this change to improve, not to point a finger. 2. BE CLEAR The worst thing to do is leave your caddie in No Man’s Land. Thank him or her for their contribution and tell them that you might recommend them to another player if you feel it’s the right fit. That may never happen, but getting into the details will only upset both of you. 3. OFFER A SEPARATION TIP Greenbacks, not life advice, smart guy. Feelings hurt less with a few bucks on the way out the door. Place it in an envelope and tell them, “Thank you for…

OLLIE SCHNIEDERJANS stepped onto the 17th tee box in the final round of the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open at 15 under par, nipping at the heels of leaders Gary Woodland and Chez Reavie. The 17th at TPC Scottsdale, at 318 yards, is driveable by Tour standards. The pin stood three paces from the left edge of the green and seven paces from a water hazard. The hole was gettable that day, with 42 out of 72 players carding birdie or eagle. Schniederjans let loose a 308-yard blast. Good enough, right? Uh, no. Ollie pulled it so far left that the ball landed on the opposite side of the hazard, leaving him about 30 yards from the pin. Distance wasn’t the issue. Because of the placement of the pin relative…

A Tour-level putting stroke features between two and four degrees of arc. That’s the sweet spot for recreational players, too, but you can’t get there if your putter isn’t a fit for your motion. Understanding how different putter shapes are designed to interact with your stroke (and your setup) is an important first step. Start with the four shapes below.…

THE BETTER YOU MANAGE weight and load up your right side as you motor the club to the top, the faster you can whip it back down and into the back of the ball for a powerful impact. I and most other guys on Tour work on it constantly. One of my favorite drills to get it right is pictured below. Start by placing an alignment stick on the ground perpendicular to your target line and pointed straight at a teed ball. Take your setup, anchoring your front foot against the side of the stick as shown. As you swing back, try to get the clubhead as far away from your body as possible. Think “wide,” letting your weight slide over to your rear foot. You’ll know you’ve got it…

You missed the green, but hey, the ball’s sitting up in the rough. Good, right? Maybe. In this situation, it’s not always certain how the ball will come out. As with all short-game shots, crisp contact is the key. STEP 1: Even if you’re short-sided, refrain from opening the face too much. With the ball up, you risk sliding the club right underneath it if you add extra loft. The ball won’t go anywhere. I keep the face square in this situation, or barely opened if I really need more loft to stop it close. STEP 2: I swing as if I’m hitting a little draw, with the club moving in-to-out and my hands rolling over slightly through impact. This helps the club remain shallow, which usually results in cleaner…