Latest 2007-2008 Golf Equipment And Merchandise

In Las Vegas the kickoff to the 2008 golf equipment season is here. It’s time when we start to figure out what we’ll be using in the upcoming year. Some of the major companies have already released some of thier latest merchandise. Other companies are just giving us hints as to what’s up next and a few are keeping this new equipment under the radar.

It is very hard to keep some of the 2008 golf equipment off the shelves until 2008, and that is why we will try to keep posts on what is being released early for the holidays. Use the latest equipment on a Florida golf course, before your partners even read or research this new golf equipment. This is what we know so far.

	Adams Golf has officially introduced their XTD drivers. The company has created 2 different clubs in an attempt to cater to all swing speeds. The Insight XTD a3OS is designed for slower swingers and features a draw bias and a square shape. Adams has pushed more weight towards the back of the club to maximize launch angle. The Insight XTD a3 driver is designed for the better player. It features a similar shape and a neutral bias. This club is designed to produce a slightly lower ball flight medium to high swing speeds. Both of these high MOI clubs come stock with the Aldila DVS 55 gram shaft and will be available in February.
	The Callaway 2008 line looks very strong. The line features some technology that we've seen before but also offers some new ideas and designs. FT-i LCG Driver - This driver looks a lot like the current FT-i on the outside. The differences lie inside... the company has found a way to position weight even deeper and further out on the corners of the clubhead. This produces straighter, lower spinning shots. FT-i Squareway Wood - It was really just a matter of time before Callaway introduced a square fairway wood. The Squareway woods feature Fusion technology as they combine a steel face and sole with a carbon top. Same idea as the FT-i driver... square shape means high MOI which means straighter shots. FT Irons - Consider these a "cleaned up" Fusion iron. Callaway has found a way to make the current Fusion iron look a lot better. The company hopes this new design will appeal to the better player. FT i-Brids - And to think we thought irons couldn't get any more forgiving than the Fusion Wide Sole. This transition set feature bulky, hybrid-like clubs in the long irons, super game improvement mid and short irons. The FT i-Brids still offer all of the Fusion technology found in today's Fusion irons. Tour i and Tour iX Golf Balls - Two different 4-piece golf balls. The iX is a softer ball... featuring a softer cover and core. Both balls feature a new design that pushes more weight to the outside of the ball for more distance. Hyper X and Hyper X Tour Driver - Think of these as the driver match to the current X Hot fairway woods. These drivers feature Hyperbolic Face Technology... a technology that helps the ball leave the face faster. The Hyper X line comes with a Fujikura stock shaft.
	TaylorMade has officially introduced their 2008 line of golf balls. The ball names have remained the same but the technology used is new and improved. TaylorMade found that the majority of miss hits occur on the upper part of the club face. They noted a serious loss in distance because the ball's spin rate drops and it can't produce enough lift. The company developed the idea of LDP... or Low Drag Performance. This technology helps maximize distance on poor shots. TaylorMade says this new technology helps keep these shots in the air longer... which helps create more distance. The company basically played around with different dimple patterns, sizes and depths to find one combination that worked the best. LDP aerodynamics will be available in the full TaylorMade Golf ball line for 2008.
	Bobby Jones Jesse Ortiz new Studio Edition Driver to be launched Jan 2008. Studio Edition Driver by Jesse Ortiz featuring TOS;Triangle of Stability. At 460cc’s and a 5”x5” USGA maximum dimension, the sleek, bold triangular shape instills confidence and power at address. It delivers it all- Sound, Feel, Distance and Control. The triangular shape is an extension of the previous Players Driver’s unique shape. A triangular shape increases the “gear effect” around a 2.5” diameter area from the center of the face. Ninety percent of shots make contact here. Conversely, a square driver is a compromised design that helps extreme heel and toe hits, but does not adequately correct those slightly off center. By eliminating the compromised mass of the outer rear areas of the square designs, we can reposition this mass deep and directly behind the center of the impact zone; much like the head of a hammer.
	The Wilson line can be broken down as follows: Pi7 - this is their "performance" iron designed for the better player. It will have a smaller head with minimal cavity to promote control and workability. Ci7 - this is a midsize club that offers a combination of forgiveness and playability. It will be more forgiving than the Pi7 but less so than the Di7. This is a great club for mid-handicap golfers or low handicap players who want a little extra help on mis-hits. Di7 - this is the most forgiving of the bunch, designed more for the recreational player.
	The 2008 MacGregor product line introduces a new MT portfolio of irons that range from clubs designed for the low handicapper to game improvement irons for higher handicappers. Utilizing classic lines and PGA Tour influenced head designs, the physics and sole design of each model is specifically designed to match the skill level of the targeted golfer segment. The MT Pro M and the MT Pro C irons are designed for professional and low handicap players. Keeping in line with MacGregor's commitment to offer personalized equipment, the MT PRO-C long irons (3 iron thru 6 iron) and the MT PRO-M short irons (7 iron thru PW) can be combined to create a progressive "PRO-CM" set. For those players looking for classic head designs with slightly more game improvement technology, MacGregor offers the MT and MT-Mid irons. In the Super Game-Improvement category MacGregor is introducing the MT-OS irons, specifically designed for players with slower swing speeds. The 2008 product line also brings a signature series of MT ProWedges designed by Hall of Fame Club designer Don White, as well as several new Bobby Grace putters that incorporate his proprietary and patented DCT (Distance Control Technology) face inserts.
	Cobra Golf announces the release of its most technologically advanced driver, the King Cobra L4V. The name stands for Limit 4 Variables because this revolutionary new driver is designed up to the limit of four USGA defined performance variables: Maximum COR (.830), maximum head dimensions (5?by <5?), maximum volume (460cc), and maximum inertia or MOI. “The L4V driver line is a direct result of Cobra’s commitment to developing the industry’s highest performing drivers via innovative, advanced design and technology,” said Jeff Harmet, President, Cobra Golf and Titleist Clubs.
	Nike is set to introduce new versions of their popular ONE Black and ONE Platinum golf balls in February. These golf balls feature the new Nike Power Transfer Layer Technology. Nike has found a way to increase ball speed off of all clubs... not just the driver. Both of the new Nike ONE golf balls will feature this technology.