Born from years of research and development as well as extensive player testing, TaylorMade Golf is proud to introduce the ATV (All-Terrain Versatility), a wedge created to offer golfers a simple choice to handle the multitude of shots and course conditions. With its strategically designed sole geometries, the ATV is the most versatile wedge in golf.

“Prior to the introduction of the ATV, the wedge is a piece of equipment that traditionally forces a player to sacrifice a certain shot type,” said Brian Bazzel, product creation manager for irons, putters and wedges. “The ATV wedge is engineered to perform beautifully on a multitude of different types of shots, including chips, pitches, sand shots, full shots from fairway, out of the rough, off hardpan, flop shots and bump-and-runs.”

The ATV’s sole design was designed with every curve, angle and edge serving a purpose to make the club more versatile. Significant relief at the toe, heel and trailing edge reduces resistance and changes how the sole reacts with turf and sand, depending on how the club is positioned at address and how much the face is opened. Each ATV sole is slightly different, depending on the loft.

Bazzel added: “You won’t find a bounce number etched anywhere into the ATV clubhead because the sole takes on different bounces depending on how you position the club for the type of shot you’re hitting, including where your hands are positioned in relation to the clubhead and depending on whether the face is square or to what degree it’s open.”

New Groove Design
The ATV wedge incorporates a new groove design created by the company’s R&D department that generates nearly as much spin as its previous highest spinning groove ever, the Z, outlawed in high-level competitions starting last year when the USGA reformed its definition of acceptable groove design. In addition, the flat areas between the grooves of the ATV wedge clubface incorporate a micro-texture that helps hold the ball to impart backspin.

www.taylormadegolf.com

TaylorMade Golf today improved its flagship PENTA golf ball franchise with the announcement of the PENTA TP3, a three-piece, tour caliber golf ball designed to increase spin without sacrificing distance and priced accessibly at $34.99.

Similar to the PENTA TP5, the TP3 model has the same tour-proven cast urethane cover material which results in an incredibly soft golf ball that that will perform beautifully from tee to green. It was engineered for the golfer who could benefit from a ball that spins more – specifically on their long and mid-irons.

“Golfers are all different and require variations in their equipment to best suit their games,” said John Kawaja, TaylorMade executive vice president. “The added spin from the TP3 will offer more control for a wider range of golfers while maintaining distance off the tee. Engineering a product with Tour-level performance at a lower price point is a huge plus for the consumer.”

In an effort to produce exceptional feel, maximum speed, and spin control with a three-piece multilayered ball, TaylorMade golf ball engineers had to optimize the core, mantle and cover materials. The PENTA TPs proprietary REACT core technology allows for lower driver spin with added speed to create longer ball flights with the driver. It also increases driver ball speed and lowers driver spin, but on mid and short irons works together with the durable, thin cast urethane cover to create increased spin without sacrificing distance off the tee.

The new PENTA TP3 will be available at retail March 3, 2012 for $34.99 per dozen.

www.taylormadegolf.com

Nike Golf is capitalizing on the success of its VR Pro forged wedges with the introduction of the highly crafted Nike VR Pro Forged Dual-Sole (DS) wedge.

Available on November 1, 2011, the Nike VR Pro Forged DS wedge is developed with a precise forging process, resulting in a wedge that offers accurate shot-shaping performance and a greater propensity for low scoring. Built for Nike Golf Tour athletes, the VR Pro Forged DS wedge features a Dual-Sole grind, ensuring ideal set-up from sand, fringe, fairway or deep rough.

The Dual-Sole provides two distinct benefits:

For normal square addressed shots, the sole has added leading edge bounce, but the trailing edge is relieved. This allows for utilization of the bounce, which helps to eliminate digging but reduces the contact area so the club glides through the turf. The Dual-Sole also prevents bladed shots.

For open faced shots, a unique relieved heel design comes into play when the face is in an open position. This allows the leading edge to sit low to the ball, especially on short flop shots.

The VR Pro Forged DS wedge features Nike’s high-frequency X3X grooves with a precision laser crosshatch pattern that is applied to the land area between the grooves. This pattern adds three times the surface texture versus conventionally finished faces, creating more spin in all conditions. With Nike’s X3X grooves, there are more grooves (20) that are closer together and deeper on the clubface, which provides more control and consistency in all conditions off of the clubface, while conforming to the USGA and R&A rules.

Availability: November 1, 2011
Finish Options: Satin Chrome; Oxide (NEW); Platinum (NEW)
Loft/Bounce Options: 56/16 dual; 54/24 dual; 60/13 dual (Available in RH)
MAP: $119.99

www.nikegolf.com

Want to win a sleeve of the soon to be released Nike Golf 20XI golf ball? To quote Bob the Builder, “Yes, You Can!”  Starting this Monday – Wednesday (April 4-6, 2011)  on facebook you can win a sleeve of the limited edition Masters green swoosh Nike 20XI golf balls to test out before they go on sale to the public, April 29, 2011.

How to win a Sleeve of the Nike Golf Limited Edition Masters Green Swoosh 20XI Golf Balls

All you have to do is visit the Nike Golf facebook fan page on either Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday (April 4-6, 2011) to get your chance to win a sleeve of these revolutionary golf balls. The green swoosh edition Nike 20XI will not be for sale to the general public, so make sure to hit up Nike Golf on facebook all next week.

www.nikegolf.com

Nike Golf is unveiling its new 20XI (pronounced: twenty-X-I) premium golf ball franchise, featuring innovative golf ball technology that will dramatically enhance the performance of golfers around the world and, at the same time, propel golf ball manufacturing into an entirely new level of innovation.

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The new Nike 20XI ball features a combination of proprietary technology never before seen in the golf industry, and is the result of four years of collaborative research and development between Nike Golf’s golf ball engineers and a team of material and science experts at DuPont. The game-changing technology replaces conventional rubber cores with a radical new resin material. Resin is a highly neutralized polymer that’s faster and lighter material engineered to produce longer distance and more controlled shots.

“I have never been more excited about a new golf ball innovation than I am now,” said Rock Ishii, Nike Golf’s Product Development Director for golf balls. “For many years, golf ball development has primarily been focused on the number of layers with a solid rubber core. We believe that there wasn’t really anywhere else to go as far as technology advancement in these areas, and felt that the next window of opportunity was in the exploration of various materials for the core.”

Ishii and his team of engineers discovered that using resin core technology accomplishes three critical performance components that golfers dream to have in a golf ball: More distance off the tee; Straight ball flight; Increased control around the greens.

Faster Ball Speed Equals More Distance

• Advancement in proprietary resin core chemistry delivers faster ball speed.
• Internal tests with Nike Golf tour athletes have shown an average of 2-3 mph increase in ball speed.
• Every 1 mph increase equates to 2-3 yards carry distance.

Highest Levels of MOI Provides Longer, Straighter Ball Flight

• Lighter core and heavier outer layers result in perimeter weighting.
• High MOI assists in reducing driver spin and maintains spin beyond apex to maintain carry and control.
• After apex, the higher MOI assists in maintaining spin an average of 100-200 RPM.
• 20XI has the highest levels of MOI in a golf ball to date.

Steeper Spin Slope Equals More Distance Off the Tee; More Control Around the Green

• Less spin off the driver, more off the wedge.
• Overall design and MOI assist in reducing driver spin at impact on average of 100 – 200 RPM over prior Nike ball technology.
• Softer cover materials allow for greater short iron spin and control.

Nike Athletes Who Switched to the Nike 20XI
To date, the following Nike athletes have made the switch to the new Nike 20XI: Stephen Ames, Stewart Cink, Richard Finch, Lucas Glover, Matt Haines, Anthony Kim, Kevin Kisner, Justin Leonard, Jamie Lovemark, Pablo Martin, Francesco Molinari, James Morrison and Carl Pettersson.

Two Versions of the Nike 20XI Golf Ball
The Nike 20XI franchise will launch two versions of the ball, the 20XI-X (tour-level distance) and 20XI-S (tour-level spin). While both balls deliver on faster speed, higher MOI and steeper spin slope, the 20XI-X is optimized to reduce excess driver spin to maximize distance. The 20XI-S incorporates a softer cover for enhanced greenside spin and control. Both 20XI balls will be available April 29, 2011 in North America.

“Rock and his team have nailed this,” said Nike athlete Stewart Cink. “They’ve been able to increase the gap between driver spin and wedge/iron spin. With this ball, I have 2mph more speed off of the driver and I’m hitting it 10 yards farther. Nike has developed a ball that goes faster and has found materials that spin more with the wedges and less with the driver. So it’s longest off the tee and spinniest around the greens. What’s not to like?”

In addition to developing a first-of-its kind golf ball, Nike Golf’s new technology has led to a reduction in manufacturing steps and allows for a 54% improvement in production consistency for resin core vs. rubber core.

Will you make the switch to the Nike 20XI?

Availability: April 29, 2011
Nike 20XI $45.99

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PGA Tour rookie Jhonattan Vegas is known for his ability to overpower golf courses, Vegas averaged 309-yard drives with his Nike VR Pro driver at the 2011 Bob Hope Classic.  Equally impressive is the fact that he had two rounds at the Bob Hope Classic in which he averaged 100% in driving accuracy.

Watch this video of Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation for Nike Golf talk about the features of the new VR Pro driver from the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show.

www.nikegolf.com

Nike VR Pro Driver

The new Nike VR Pro driver is the latest addition to the premium VR line, which began with the introduction of the successful Nike VR irons in November, 2008.

Starting on February 3, 2011, the new Nike VR Pro driver will be available at retail. Already, Nike athletes Anthony Kim and Francesco Molinari have put the new Nike VR Pro driver in play at the HSBC Champions and Dubai World Championship, respectively. This driver has a pear shaped Tour-driven head designed with direct input from Nike athletes. The pear shape allows for more weight at the optimal center of gravity (CG) locations and delivers a hotter launch with optimal spin for the game’s best players.

Variable Compression Channel
The VR Pro driver features a new Variable Compression Channel, which increases speed at impact in more spots on the clubface. This Compression Channel extends the entire length of the face and delivers greater distance on draws, stingers, high cuts, fades or straight shots. With the extended length of the Compression Channel and with the variation in the thickness in specific locations, it allows players to garner more ball speed which translates to greater distance.

“The Compression Channel was designed to give tour players increased ball speeds for their ‘go to’ shots; these shots are not always in the center of the face,” according to Tom Stites, Director of Product Creation, Nike Golf. “The channel action delivers a similar ball speed as the center of the face.”

Adjustable Face Angle Technology
This premium driver provides golfers all the benefits, adjustability, looks and performance that the Nike athletes receive week in and week out on Tour. The VR Pro driver expands upon Nike’s award-winning STR8-FIT Face Angle Technology, giving players both the ability to select their shot shape as well as the flexibility to dial in the look of their driver like never before. The VR Pro driver offers multiple face angle positions for the ultimate in workability and confidence at address.

The Nike VR Pro drivers are designed for golfers who are refining and optimizing distance in their game, desire a more traditional pear-shape look and demand tailored performance with pinpoint accuracy. The Nike VR Pro driver is sold with the Project X shaft which helps this driver have the optimal launch and carry. This shaft utilizes zoned optimization for three unique technologies in one tour-ready shaft.

MSRP:$479.99

Availability: February, 3, 2011

Loft Options: 8.5 (RH); 9.5 (RH/LH); 10.5 (RH/LH); 11.5 (RH/LH); All available in: R,S,X

www.nikegolf.com

The 2010 Open Championship seems like a distant memory, because it was won decisively by South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen. One of the reasons for Oosthuizen dominance was his short game and his Ping Tour-S wedges. We wanted to find out if Tour-S Rustique wedges lived up to their promise of control and feel, in the hands of an average golfer.

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Look and Feel
The Tour-S Rustique wedges have a nice vintage looking matte bronze finish, which will wear off over use, as it tarnishes naturally and rust over time, giving it a non-glare appearance. At address the both the 52 and 56 degree wedges setup nicely, but look more lofted than they are, which confused me at at first. The 52 setup more like a 56 degree, and the 56 degree setup more like a 60 degree wedge.

Made of 8620 steel the machined face of the Ping Tour-S wedges feature conforming groves and a single alignment line. The sole of the Tour-S wedges have been re-shaped to allow for more versatility in your shot selection, and making ability. The Custom Tuning Port (CTP) has been redesigned, which angles towards the back to expand the perimeter weighting for added forgiveness, and better feel at impact.

True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shafts and Ping ID8 grips round out the Tour-S Rustique wedges, which also come in a traditional steel finish. Overall, they are a  nice looking set of wedges.

Performance
According to USGA research, the average golfer hits the green in regulation 13 percent of the time from the rough. With such a low success rate from the rough, spin, control, and feel are very important in your wedges.

What I found from playing both the 52 and 56 degree Ping Tour-S Rustique wedges, is how much more you can feel your shots. I really liked how soft the Tour-S wedges felt on those chip shots and pitches around the green, providing immediate feedback. You can easily tell the difference from a well hit versus poorly hit shot.

Distance control and shot making ability are where the Ping Tour-S wedges shine. The 8620 steel machined face and conforming grooves produced a lot of spin on my shots from the rough and fairway. I also liked how well the Tour-S wedges glided through the sand and rough, with its re-shaped sole. The re-shaped sole made it very easy to utilize the bounce built into the wedges for hitting it out of the sand or deep rough.

Even if you don’t hit your shot flush with the Tour-S wedges, the CPT is angled back to expand the perimeter weighting for more forgiveness on those mishits, with less twisting.

Overall, the Ping Tour-S wedges are great set of wedges that provide excellent feel, shot making ability, and distance control. Even, if you don’t have the skills of Louis Oosthuizen, you can at least increase your percentages of hitting the greens in regulation.

Specs: 52 /12 degrees of bounce & 56/12 degrees of bounce

Ping Tour-S Wedge $119

Nike VR Pro Blade Irons with X3X high frequency grooves

Nike Golf has enhanced the VR Blade irons in its line with the introduction of the new VR Pro Blades.  With new X3X high frequency grooves and a more precise forging process, Nike Golf has created the most exact iron faces they have ever created.  From materials, to design, to construction, the VR Pro Blade irons are developed with true craftsmanship to eliminate variance and enhance control.

New Forging Process
Crafted for consistency that Nike Golf Tour Athletes demand, the VR Pro Blade is a forged iron that exemplifies precision.  The VR Pro irons utilize a new precision-forging technique that immediately delivers the club to a near-finished level.  This precision-forging technique eliminates most hand work and ensures consistency and maximum performance throughout the set.  First, each iron face is milled to a perfectly flat surface.  The face is then carefully die-stamped, pressing grooves to exact specifications for extremely low variance and shot-making consistency.

x3x High Frequency Grooves
Each VR Pro Blade iron features the new x3x high frequency grooves which result in a cleaner, more consistent ball flight and spin.  With more grooves closer together and deeper on the clubface, the VR Pro Blades ensure more control and consistency in all conditions off of the clubface while still conforming to the new USGA and R&A rules.

Shot-Making Control
The VR Pro Blade features Tour-ready control in a flatback design which is the choice of top-level players seeking feel and shot-making workability.  The grind and profile on the VR Pro Blades is the same as its predecessor, the VR Forged TW Blade irons.  The center of gravity of the VR Pro Blades provides ultimate control and shot shaping demanded by Nike Golf’s Tour athletes.

This exciting new VR Pro Blade iron is the third blade set Nike Golf has ever created, combining Nike Golf’s precision, craftsmanship and advanced technology to create an iron that eliminates variance and enhances control.

Availability:  November 26, 2010

Men’s:  #3-PW Dynamic Gold X,S,R;  RH/LH;  MSRP:  $1079.99 steel
Individual:  #2 Dynamic Gold  X,S,R;  RH/LH;  MSRP:  $135.00

www.nikegolf.com