New Golf Equipment Reviews: Callaway La Grange Shoes and Bolle Sunglasses FIRST LOOK Preview

Callaway Golf is clearly doing more than just making great equipment these days.  Their new La Grange golf shoes are their finest spiked shoes to date, and I'll tell you why below in my initial impressions. 

 

Golf is always going to be a hard game, but new sunglasses from Bolle ensure your shades will be the least of your problems.  I've been testing the Anaconda, Bolt, and King models and there's a slew of technology in each of these styles that make them some of the best your money can buy. 

New Golf Equipment and Ball Reviews: Cleveland CBX Wedges and Titleist AVX Balls FIRST LOOK Preview

I've had the chance to play a few rounds now with the new Cleveland CBX wedges and Titleist AVX golf balls and have a few first impressions for you before my full review on both. 

 

The CBX wedges are some of the easiest to hit wedges I've ever played, but don't think you're sacrificing versatility just because they're cavity backs.  The AVX golf balls are extremely impressive in distance and spin, and I'd be shocked to not see plenty of Pro V1 players making the switch after just playing them for a few holes.  These are two new products that I can tell you already should be on your must try list of new gear for the year. 

New Golf Equipment Reviews: Callaway Golf Swami 2.0 Shoes and Electric California Sunglasses FIRST LOOK Preview

You've gone through the fittings, read the reviews, and are beginning to get an idea of what new equipment you want in your bag this season.  But what about performance for your feet and eyes?  New Swami 2.0 spikeless shoes from Callaway Golf and sunglasses from Electric California feature cutting edge style and comfort, and innovative features make them stand apart from the pack. 

 

I've been wearing Electric's Knoxville, Knoxville Pro, and Tech One sunglasses for a few weeks now and everything about them is world class. The Callaway Swami 2.0 spikeless shoes check all the boxes with tremendous comfort and outstanding traction. 

The Masters 2018 Giveaway: Callaway Rogue, Jordan Spieth, CRU Golf, and Titleist

Tiger's back.  Rory's back.  Phil's back.  Hell, even Poulter's back?  Just about every big name in the field is coming into Augusta red-hot this week.  The 2018 Masters is setting up as one for the ages.  So of course, that means I'm going to have to up my Masters Giveaway game this year. 

 

This year we're having four prizes and four different winners.  Each prize is directly or indirectly related to the Masters.  A Callaway Rogue Fairway Wood (currently played by reigning Masters champion Sergio Garcia).  A signed Jordan Spieth Under Armour Tour Cap (the last American Masters champ and also signed in Masters green).  A full set of CRU Golf Limited Edition Masters headcovers.  And your choice of a dozen Titleist Pro V1, Pro V1x or Tour Soft balls (the most played ball brand in modern Masters history).  Getting excited? 

CRU Golf 2018 Major Collection - Limited Edition Masters Headcovers REVIEW

It’s a rite of passage that connects golfers on a primal level to the folklore of miracle shots and great champions.  It evokes the smell of fresh cut grass and vibrant Azaleas that enshroud the property like jam-packed, frenzied patrons.  It’s of course The Masters at Augusta National, and CRU Golf’s limited edition April 2018 Major Collection headcovers pays homage to this heritage and mystique with dazzling authenticity. 

 

There are an estimated 1,600 Azalea bushes bursting with blooms down the left side of the famous 13th hole, and behind the green at Augusta National.  I’m convinced CRU inspected each one before designing their new headcovers.  Varying hues of pink, red, and white faithfully reproduce one of Augusta’s most recognizable icons. CRU’s Azalea number patches are so captivating and authentically detailed, they’re seemingly a portal to this hallowed ground. 

New Golf Equipment Reviews: Cobra KING F8 Driver and Golf Pride Tour Velvet ALIGN Grips FIRST LOOK Preview

The new Cobra KING F8 driver and Golf Pride Tour Velvet ALIGN grips were two new products that stood out as Best of Show for me at the PGA Merchandise Show back in January.  And I've been putting them to the test for the last few weeks with a full review coming soon. 

 

The Cobra F8 driver delivers one of the best combinations of distance and forgiveness of any driver on the market today.  That's no exaggeration.  And the Tour Velvet ALIGN grips take an already spectacular grip in the Tour Velvet, and makes them even more spectacular. 

New Golf Equipment Reviews: Wilson Staff C300 Driver and C300 Irons FIRST LOOK Preview

I've been testing the new Wilson C300 driver and C300 irons the past few weeks, and will have a full review soon.  I wanted to share a few initial thoughts with you first however,  as these have both given me some surprises I did not expect. 

 

When my full review drops I'll have tested these clubs in all conditions.  That's the great thing about playing here in Ohio in March to April - you get some days that approach 70 degrees and the sun is absolutely glorious, and other days when the temps are barely holding in the 40s and rain certainly makes an appearance. 

2018 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap Part 4 of 4: Ping, Cobra Golf, Puma Golf, Piretti Fine Putters, Callaway Golf Shoes

The first day of the PGA Show was coming to a close for me about this time, and darting back and forth around the one million square foot space for meetings at the Orange County Convention Center can present some logistical challenges.  All told, in three days on the floor I walked more than 100,000 steps - the equivalent of 48 miles.  I get excited about my golf, okay? 

 

In my Day 1 Recap Part 3 we looked at new gear from Titleist, Scotty Cameron, Vokey, and FootJoy.  In this section we check out more from PING, Cobra, Puma, Piretti, and Callaway Golf shoes.  Let's wrap Day 1 up. 

2018 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap Part 3 of 4: Titleist, Scotty Cameron, Vokey Wedges, and FootJoy

One of the largest areas on the PGA Show floor always belongs to Titleist, and you could spend a good portion of the day just looking at new Titleist gear to be honest.  This year the Titleist zone was absolutely packed, and for good reason. 

 

From the new 917 D2 driver and AP3 irons to the SM7 wedges and Scotty Cameron putters, Titleist has put together one hell of a bag.  In my PGA Show Day 1 Recap Part 2 I showed you the latest from Devereaux, Under Armour, Peter Millar, Stitch, and New Balance.  I already gave you my hands-on impressions of the new Titleist line during Demo Day, so this section will consist mainly of more eye candy, and a few more looks at the new FootJoy Tour S shoes. 

New Golf Equipment Reviews: Callaway Rogue SZ Driver, Mitsubishi Diamana BF and RF Shafts, and More

I'm helping you get equipped with the right gear to improve your game this spring and have a smorgasbord of new equipment reviews right around the corner.  Most of my reviews are based on equipment and gear that I thought stood out as Best of Show during Demo Day at the PGA Show a few months ago. 

 

I'm taking everything on the course multiple times, and giving you some useful comparisons to help you decide what's right for you this year.  In the meantime, here are some pictures from the latest wave of new products I'll be reviewing: including the Callaway Golf Rogue SZ Driver with Aldila Synergy shaft, and the new generation Diamana shafts from Mitsubishi. 

New Golf Equipment Reviews: Fujikura PRO 2.0 shafts, FootJoy Pro S/L and Tour S Shoes, Nikon Coolshot 80i VR Rangefinder, and More

Spring is almost here and that means it's almost new equipment review season.  I'm going to have tons of comprehensive reviews for you this year that you won't want to miss. 

 

New equipment from Callaway, Cobra, Piretti, Titleist, and Wilson to name a few.  New gear and apparel from CRU, J.Lindeberg, Mitsubishi Shafts, Travis Mathew, and more. 

SPOTTED: New Aldila Rogue 130 Platinum Proto Shafts

Testing begins this week for the new Aldila Rogue 130 Platinum Proto shafts at the Valspar Championship in Tampa.  There's not a lot of news about the shafts yet, but here's what I know so far, including some pictures to sink your teeth into and specs from Aldila's 2018 Catalogue. 

 

The 130 Platinum shafts are billed as mid launch, low spin shafts that will be even more stable than the previous generation.  That's largely because of the new 130 MSI material now being used.