Lots of things can easily go wrong in your golf swing if you’re gripping the club too tightly or loosely. The greatest players in the history of the game, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, in their “How To” books emphasize the importance of steady and consistent grip pressure. While making my way back from the equipment area at the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, I came across Hank Haney’s Swing Band and wondered what this color coded band was all about.
Hank Haney's Swing Band DVD
Watch the video to see Colby Huffman show how to use Swing Band and how it can help improve your game.
The Swing Band
Is a simple golf training aid which is thick rubber band that is color coded on each side (Red indicates off plane swing, Black ball curves right for a slice, White ball curves left for a hook, and Green ball goes straight). The Swing Band is designed to be worn for one minute at a and it helps you see where your wrists should be for maximum power and feel proper grip pressure.
Hank Haney's Swing Band
During your swing the goal is to keep the green tab in the middle of your wrists at all three parts of your at address, top of the backswing, and the follow through. What’s nice about the Swing Band is that it’s very easy to use and carry in your bag. But, it also helps in grain proper feel in your golf swing with your wrists and grip pressure. Feel cannot be taught, so we have to experience it for ourselves to understand what it feels like, and the Swing Band helps with that.
What’s also nice is that the Swing Band can be used for teaching proper chipping technique, where you lead with your left arm and not break down the wrists. The Swing Band also comes with an hour-long DVD featuring Hank Haney and Colby Huffman showing you the various ways to use the Swing Band and get the most out of it.
The Swing Band shows a lot of promise and I look forward to reviewing it.
About Colby Huffman
Colby has taught at the David Leadbetter Junior Academy, and at the International Junior Golf Academy (IJGA) both under Gary Gilchrist. While working for Gary, he developed two Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Award recipients, and worked with many other highly ranked juniors and LPGA standouts on a daily basis such as In-Kyung Kim and Song-Hee Kim (both professionals ranked in the top 15 in the world).
Colby has also served as a Hank Haney Lead Instructor from 2007-2009 at HHIJGA, where he was a mentor and valued golf instructor. Colby also appeared on the Golf Channel series “School of Golf: Hilton Head Island” under Hank Haney.
At the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show Outdoor Demo Day, I had the opportunity to checkout the latest models from the Speedline metal woods: Speedline FAST 10 drivers and Speedline FAST 10 fairway woods. The drivers are designed to increase club head speed, resulting in up to 15 more yards in carry distance. The fairway woods feature customizable precision milled sole plates for greater distance out of a variety of lies.
Watch the video to see Henry Lange from Adams Golf explain the features of the Speedline FAST 10 Driver and FAST 10 Fairway Woods.
Speedline FAST 10 Drivers
As with the entire Speedline brand, the patent-pending aerodynamic shaping of the third-generation FAST 10 driver refines the technology to create 10 percent less drag and airflow turbulence than previous models, resulting in up to 15 yards more yards of carry distance. Design improvements include a 100 percent increase in toe curvature and a 300 percent decrease in the heel curvature for even more efficient and stable airflow attachment around the club head. The new features reduce drag throughout the swing for a faster club head speed that generates more distance than previous models, all with 10 percent higher MOI.
“The success of the Speedline series clearly shows that the benefits of a driver head with aerodynamic shaping which delivers increased distance has resonated with golfers of all playing abilities,” said Chip Brewer, President and CEO of Adams Golf. “Now, with the launch of Speedline FAST 10 as the third-generation of this technology, we have furthered our lead in this exciting new category of drivers.”
Speedline drivers have collected eight tour wins since their introduction in January 2009.
Speedline FAST 10 Fairway Woods
The easy-to-hit Speedline FAST 10 fairway woods were developed with precision milled sole plates and premium aesthetics to appeal to players of all levels. The patent-pending design of the Speedline FAST 10 woods feature strategically placed weight pads to match the swing characteristics of different golfers: the standard model weight pad is positioned back for a higher launch; the draw model weight pad is positioned in the heel. The Speedline FAST 10 fairway woods also have a 57 percent increase in the sole camber for more consistent ball striking and enhanced playability from all types of lies. The unparalleled technology of the Speedline FAST 10 woods has already made it into the bags of Adams Golf staff members Tom Watson and Aaron Baddeley.
“We’ve consistently seen tour pros switching to our fairway woods because of their increased playability,” says Tim Reed, Vice President of Research and Development for Adams Golf. “There was no disputing the consistent ball striking and increased distance they saw when they put it into play. With the launch of the Speedline FAST 10, everyday golfers will now be able to experience the longest and easiest-to-hit fairway wood we have ever designed.”
Models and Pricing
Both of the men’s versions of the driver and the fairway wood will debut with a choice of high-performance shafts: the mid-high launch Aldila Wasabi or the mid-low launch Matrix HD. The women’s versions are standard with lightweight Graffaloy graphite shafts.
The suggested retail price for the Speedline FAST 10 drivers is $399.99. The suggested retail price for the Speedline FAST 10 fairway woods is $299.99.
aboutGolf is known for making the best golf simulators on the market today and now they are taking launch monitors to a whole new level with two new products: aG Studio indoor launch monitor and aG Mobile indoor/outdoor launch monitor.
What is 3Trak?
Launch monitors have been around for a while, but aboutGolf has taken the same technology used in its PGA Tour Simulators called 3Trak and applied it to its new line of launch monitors designed for golf instruction, club fitting, and club sales.
3Trak launch monitors use three-dimensional, high-speed photography to provide unyielding dynamic performance. The most accurate data in the industry from the only technology to directly measure spin and spin axis. The 3Trak simulator tracking technology makes no assumptions or calculations…it simply measures ball performance — on EVERY plane. So how you hit the ball in the simulator is how you hit on the golf course.
aG Mobile Launch Monitor
The aG Mobile is a lightweight portable unit that can be used both indoors and outdoors, which is great for golf lessons and club fittings. Utilizing the same 3Trak technology of the PGA Tour Simulators and Perform Software, your golf instructor now has access to multiple dashboard views, live ball flight and data manipulation options.
You’ll now have access to information like clubhead speed, ball speed, vertical and horizontal launch angles, spin, carry distance, total yards, and more. 3Trak doesn’t use a special golf ball to gather this data, the high-speed cameras get this data by photographing a white line sticker that’s affixed to the top of your golf club.
The early release model of the aG Mobile I saw, required you to hook up the launch monitor to a PC to run the software. In a future version, all you’ll need is a monitor, because the Perform Software will be running on the aG Mobile unit. Also the updated model of the aG Mobile unit will have a smaller footprint, than the one pictured. This will make it very easy for outdoor lessons and providing instant feedback.
aG Studio Launch Monitor
The aG Studio is designed for fixed indoor installations and mounted above the golfer as an integrated part of a performance bay. If you watch the Golf Fix on the Golf Channel, you may have noticed aG Studio on the set.
aG Studio uses the same software and technology like aG Mobile and provides the same ball and club data too, but in an indoor setting only. Taking performance data and turning it into actionable feedback with reliable data, will make your golf lessons more insightful and effective.
I’m really impressed by how aboutGolf continues to evolve its product line and put reliable data in the hands of teachers, fitters, and golfers.
Many of the great putters in the game, like Jack Nicklaus and more recently Phil Mickelson, have adopted a forward press putting style. The forward press can help by creating more stability and true roll in your putting stroke. At the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, I checked out the new Odyssey Backstryke line of putters, which are engineered to deliver a better putting stroke.
Backstryke Features
In designing the Backstryke, Odyssey engineers moved the shaft backward, placing the axis of the shaft point as close as possible to the putter head’s center of gravity. This in-line axis helps promote a fluid, stable stroke path, for better distance control, consistency, and accuracy.
The Backstryke features a Visible Face Alignment that allows golfers to clearly see if the face is square to the target line without the shaft impeding the line of sight. This a nice feature when setting up to putt from any distance, and very helpful if you have problems lining up your putter square to the target line.
The Forward Press Stabilization on the Backstryke allows you to use a hands-forward position without de-lofting the putter head, which is a common problem when using a forward press putting style. The result of the stabilization, is more of an upward stroke on the ball. The forward shaft lean of the Backstryke helps with emulating the style adopted by the game’s greatest putters. The shaft position also helps create a stable straight line with the leading arm to prevent the wrists from breaking down during the stroke.
The White Ice multi-layer insert on the Backstryke has been fine-tuned to enhance the responsiveness and consistency, by using an inner core that is 19.6% firmer to enhance feel, and 92% stiffer for better resiliency. The face surface has also been roughened to enhance the sound at impact with softer golf balls.
My Thoughts on the Backstryke
I tried out all three models (Blade, Marxman, and 2-Ball) and I was really amazed at how easy it was to roll the ball so quickly and accurately from 10 feet and out. I also liked how easy it was to line up my putts and square the face towards the target, that combined with the forward press made for some consistent putting.
I think the Backstryke is an interesting approach in designing an engineered putting stroke and could potentially be a big hit with people who struggle with consistency, accuracy, and distance control. I’m curious to see how the Backstryke performs under real playing conditions, and how much of a difference it can make.
At the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, I found out that Bushnell is the exclusive measuring device of Patriot Golf Day, the Folds of Honor Foundation along with the Patriot Golf Course. To support the fundraising efforts of this worthy cause, Bushnell is providing a percentage if every 2010 sale of their Tour V2 Patriot Pack to the Folds of Honor Foundation.
The Bushnell Tour V2 Patriot Pack comes equipped with a Tour V2, Skinz with a Patriot Golf Day symbol on one side, and red, white and blue stars and stripes on the other, extra battery and premium carrying case for $299. An excellent value, since the Tour V2 sells for $349 and you’re getting a bunch of extras. Bushnell will also provide 20 complimentary Tour V2 Patriot Packs to be sold in the Patriot Golf Course pro shop with all proceeds supporting the foundation.
What is Patriot Golf Day?
Patriot Golf Day is a joint initiative of The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association that encourages golfers across the country to add $1 or more to their greens fees over the Labor Day weekend. Sparked by the vision and dedication of PGA Golf Professional Dan Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot in the 125th Fighter Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, Patriot Golf Day has raised $5.1 million during its first three years.
The Folds of Honor Foundation (FHF), the beneficiary of Patriot Golf Day, provides post-secondary educational scholarships to the spouses and children of service members disabled or killed as a result of their military service to our great nation. FHF was founded in 2007 by Rooney, also a golf course owner, PGA Professional and USGA member.
Rooney has served three combat tours in Iraq. After returning from his second tour, Major Rooney was inspired to create FHF to empower deserving military families with educational support and opportunities by offering unique scholarships which can be applied to schooling now or held by FHF on behalf of young children until needed at the time of enrollment in a post-secondary educational institution. To date, 862 scholarships have been awarded by FHF.
“We have lost more than 4,000 soldiers and Patriot Golf Day is a way for patriotic Americans to assist families of military personnel who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” said Rooney, who returned from his third tour in Iraq in 2008. “Bushnell Golf’s support of Patriot Golf Day has
added a critical fundraising component that is going to allow us to reach more families with scholarships and other forms of support.”
If you’re looking to buy a laser rangefinder, you really should consider picking up the Bushnell Tour V2 Patriot Pack. It’s for a great cause!
Bridgestone Golf unveiled its new line of J38 Forged irons at the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show. The J38 series offers two different iron models designed to answer the need for greater precision and softer feel for the discerning golfer looking for the best performing and best feeling forged irons in the industry. Using proprietary forging techniques, the J38 series features new weight management technologies and never-before-used material innovations to enhance the game for the iron connoisseur.
Watch the video to see Danny Le, Bridgestone Golf Club Marketing Manager talk about the features of the new J38 Irons.
J38 Forged Cavity Back
The J38 Forged Cavity Back offers a first-of-its-kind Magnesium Composite insert, which optimizes perimeter weighting for better forgiveness on off-center hits. In addition, the new insert dampens vibration at impact for a smoother energy transfer, resulting in a purer and softer feel.
The J38 Cavity Back irons are premium forged from 1020 mild carbon steel for the ultimate in soft feel and feature new conforming grooves for optimum distance and spin control. Like its predecessor, the J38 Cavity Back boasts a tapered sole-design for more versatility in shot making, allowing players to ‘work the ball’ and more easily control trajectory. Another key feature is the trailing edge relief for better performance from a variety of lies, especially out of the rough. The irons also feature a satin chrome finish that produces the glare-reducing appearance that better players demand.
J38 Forged Dual Pocket Cavity
For the better player who demands a buttery feel and more traditional topline, but needs a bit more forgiveness – Bridgestone offers the new J38 Forged Dual Pocket Cavity irons. The J38 Dual Pocket Cavity removes discretionary weight to the perimeter of the clubhead for more forgiveness and provides more mass directly behind the hitting area for a more solid feel.
Like the J38 Forged Cavity Back, the Dual Pocket Cavity irons are premium forged from 1020 mild carbon steel for an incredibly soft feel and feature new conforming grooves for pro caliber distance and spin control. The J38 Dual Pocket Cavity irons feature the same tapered sole-design for more versatility in shot making and trailing edge relief for better performance from a variety of lies, for which Bridgestone’s irons have become known. The J38 Dual Pocket Cavity irons also utilize a satin chrome finish for the ultimate in glare reduction at address.
“Bridgestone Golf has become known over the last few years for high-quality premium forged irons and the new J38 irons continues that tradition,” said Danny Le, Golf Club Marketing Manager, Bridgestone Golf, Inc. “The J38 irons are perhaps the most innovative of our forged offerings over the last 5 years. We are able to incorporate new materials and better weight management for a greater combination of feel and forgiveness than ever before.”
Both of the new J38 sets of irons come standard with the Tour-proven Project XTM flighted shafts. The J38 irons both come standard in a set of 4-pw and feature a street price of $799 (MSRP $899) and will be available at golf specialty stores and green grass retailers nationwide in March 2010. An additional 3-iron will be available upon request ($115).
For more information on the J38 iron series and Bridgestone’s entire product offering, visit www.bridgestonegolf.com.
Yellow golf balls are balls you hit at your local driving range or low quality golf balls. No self-respecting golfer would ever use a yellow golf ball on the golf course. Right?
Srixon Z-STAR Tour Yellow Golf Ball
That’s all about to change with the new version of the popular Srixon Z-STAR Tour Yellow golf balls. Yep, that’s right a tour caliber premium yellow golf ball!
At the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, Srixon quietly introduced the Z-STAR and Z-STARx Tour Yellow golf balls and I have to say I was quite skeptical about why anyone would want to play a yellow golf ball.
Why a Yellow Golf Ball?
Have you ever tried to track a golf ball on a clear and sunny day? Even with sunglasses on, you can easily lose the golf ball in the air.
To solve this problem, Srixon did a lot of testing backed by scientific data that has proven, that yellow is the most visible color in the visual spectrum and psychology has correlated green with calming and stress relief. Take the two findings and you have the Srixon Z-STAR and Z-STARx Tour Yellow golf balls.
Tour Yellow is a unique blend of yellow and green to formulate the next generations of tour golf balls. The Tour Yellow balls will be played by some of Cleveland Golf Tour Staff like Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk. It will be interesting to see what the reaction will be on Tour by fellow competitors and the fans.
Z-STAR
The Z-STAR is a high-performance multilayered ball with low compression and extremely soft feel. This is the softer of the two Z-STAR balls which is great around the greens and distance control with your putter. The only thing different is the color!
The Z-STAR Tour Yellow may turn heads on the golf course and make it easier to find my golf ball, but I’m curious to see if it will make me more relaxed?
I’m willing to try the Srixon Z-STAR Tour Yellow. Are you?
Heavy Putter is known for its putters that feature a higher center of gravity and weighted shaft in the butt-end of the club, that forces you to use your larger muscles in your putting stroke.
At the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, Boccieri Golf introduced its new control series of wedges, called the Heavy Wedge.
Why a Heavy Wedge?
Your short game is one area that you always need to practice to lower your golf score and so many things can go wrong. Taking the same principles of the Heavy Putter, by adding weight in strategic areas and manipulating the balance point that will improve your wedge game.
The Technology of the Heavy Wedge
The Heavy Wedge, just like the putters feature a Back Weighting system installed in the grip end of the shaft. The 250 gram weight makes the head of the Heavy Wedge only slightly heavier than a conventional wedge. By making the head slightly heavier, you use your larger muscles in your swing for a more consistent and smoother swing.
This also raises the balance point by 37% on the Heavy Wedge, versus a standard wedge which is much closer to the hosel. The higher balance point produced by the back weighting system is the key to improving your body mechanics affecting the swing’s plane, tempo, transition, impact, and balance. The goal is better control and closer shots with your wedges.
Swinging the Heavy Wedge, I didn’t notice the increased head wieght. What I did notice, is how easily it allowed me to set my hands quickly on the takeaway and retained my angle of retention on the downswing and at impact. It would be kind of hard to flip your hands using the Heavy Wedge or break the triangle when chipping. I’d like to see how the Heavy Wedge performs in real course conditions and if it improves my short game in terms of contact and consistency.
The Heavy Wedge is available in the following Lofts/Bounce combinations: 52/08, 56/11, 60/04, 60/07 and come with FST Hi REV tapered stepless design 120 gram wedge flex shaft.
The “New” CG1 Tour irons unveiled at the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show are designed for consistent ball striking, distance control, and new level of forgiveness never before seen in a blade.
What makes the CG1 Tour irons unique?
The CG1 Tour irons are a split set design, inspired by PGA Tour players, features cavity back long irons and short iron blades to create the perfect combination of workability and forgiveness.
The split cavity back long irons and muscle back mid/short irons maintain a traditional look while providing extra forgiveness and the workability of a blade. You get the best of both worlds in a nice looking set of irons.
Tour Zip Grooves
The CG1 tour irons feature Cleveland Golf’s Tour Zip Grooves, which is their milling process that creates pristine edges, increasing “Zip” and shot consistency that conforms to the 2010 USGA groove rule.
Laser Milled
Other features of the CG1 Tour irons is the breakthrough surface roughness technology called Laser Milled. Laser Milling is a process of using a laser to rough up the surface of the irons with with calibrated texture lines milled between each groove. This helps with optimizing ball-to-face friction and maximizes spin within the Rules of Golf.
The CG1 Tour Irons are great looking set of irons and I can’t wait to hit them!
Would you buy a split set of cavity back and blade irons, like the Cleveland CG1 Tour?
Watch the video to see Doug Roberts, Cobra Golf Principle Design Engineer, explain the different features of the two new S2 Drivers and find out which driver is right for you.
Cobra S2 Driver
The new Cobra S2 Driver offers superior performance in a great-looking package. Its traditional profile and rich, black Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) finish inspire confidence at address. Golfers of all abilities will appreciate its superior playability, performance, feel and aesthetics.
“We went to great lengths with the Cobra S2 Drivers to ensure that they appeal to avid golfers of all abilities who seek superior distance, forgiveness and accuracy with ball flight optimization,” says Tom Preece, Vice President of Research & Development for Cobra Golf.
“The 9 Point Face Technology is designed to allow more shots hit across the clubface to perform as if they were struck in the center of the clubface. Adjustable Flight Technology enables golfers to quickly and easily optimize the ball flight they want via one of three face angle settings, which in turn helps them improve their accuracy and distance. In addition, the Cobra S2 driver features a highly engineered 460cc 6-4 titanium clubhead, which not only effectively transfers energy efficiently to the ball, but is designed to produce the best sound and feel in any titanium driver we’ve ever produced.”
The Cobra S2 Driver ($375 SRP) is available in lofts of 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 and 11.5 degrees, with the new high performance Fujikura Fit-on Max graphite shaft and a Golf Pride grip. It will ship to golf retailers the first week in February.
Cobra S2 Driver Offset
The new Cobra S2 Offset Driver offers golfers the outstanding performance of the Cobra S2 Driver in a maximum draw-biased design. This 460cc 6-4 titanium driver is geared toward mid- and high-handicap golfers who are looking for maximum forgiveness and a high-launch, draw-biased (anti-slice) ball flight that yields superior distance.
The Cobra S2 Offset Driver ($325 SRP) is available in lofts of 9.5, 10.5 and 11.5 degrees, with the new high performance Fujikura Fit-on Max graphite shaft and a Golf Pride grip. It will ship to golf retailers the first week in February.
