Callaway Golf and Top Golf Merge to Create Global Golf and Entertainment Leader

Callaway (NYSE:ELY) and Topgolf Entertainment Group (“Topgolf”) today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Callaway and Topgolf will combine in an all-stock transaction creating a global golf and entertainment leader. The number of shares to be issued is based upon an implied equity value of Topgolf of approximately $2 billion, including the 14% already owned by Callaway.

Topgolf is the leading tech-enabled golf entertainment business, with an innovative platform that comprises its groundbreaking open-air venues, revolutionary Toptracer technology and innovative media platform with a differentiated position in eSports. Topgolf generated approximately $1.1 billion in revenue in 2019 and has grown at a 30% compound annual rate since 2017. Callaway is a leader in the global golf equipment market with a scale position in active-lifestyle soft goods and a proven ability to deliver strong returns, including company growth that has exceeded golf market growth for seven consecutive years.

Wilson Golf Announces New Staff Model CB Irons

Wilson has officially announced the modernization of a timeless classic with the release of the all-new Wilson Staff Model irons. The company has a rich history of forged “blade” irons, many of which have been played by game’s greats. This new generation of Staff Model irons are an appropriate continuation of one the brand’s most cherished equipment.

The Staff Model irons utilize a shape similar to that of FG Tour 100, while retaining Fluid Feel Hosel construction, which helps to move weight and enhance feel. This new Blade also features a milled diamond pattern which frames the score lines. Additionally, a milled face provides players with improved control and feel. The forged 8620 carbon steel is combined with a high polish mirror finish to give the blades a premium finish. For optimum feel, the irons also feature a bore through fluid feel design.

Firestone Country Club Unveils Bunker Enhancement Project to West Course

Firestone Country Club, renowned as one of North America’s most historic venues for championship golf, is embarking on a project to enhance its West Course and renaming the layout the Fazio Course.

Spearheaded by Fazio Golf Design, the project will include the removal of 18 bunkers and renovating the remaining 51. Several bunkers will be reshaped, and the Better Billy Bunker system will be employed in all for optimal drainage and reduction of washouts during inclement weather.

SIK Golf DW 2.0 C-Series Putter Review

The new SIK Golf DW 2.0 C-Series putter is a trifecta of feel, stability, and roll goodness.  And in fact, it's one of my favorite products of the year.‬

‪You probably already know at least a little about SIK Golf.  U.S. Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau has been using a SIK putter for almost four years now.  And one of the big stories with all their putters is DLT (Descending Loft Technology).

Titleist Tour Speed Golf Ball Review

For some golfers the new Titleist Tour Speed golf balls will be close to or even better performing than the Pro V1 or AVX.  Yes, you read that correctly.  And at an even lower price comparatively, Tour Speed is going to be incredibly appealing.

Tour Speed is not a replacement for Pro V1 or AVX, and honestly I'm not sure where Tour Speed fits in the Titleist line up.  In some ways Tour Speed will be a better ball for certain kinds of performance.  In other ways, the Pro V and AVX line-up remains king.  I've played and tested Tour Speed for about a month now, and here's how they all stack up on a variety of tee-to-green shots.

Cobra Golf Unveils New KING Tour Irons with MIM Technology

COBRA® Golf, a leader in golf club innovation, unveiled today the new KING TOUR Irons,which expand its KING family of players’ irons.  A tour cavity back shape is manufactured using Metal Injection Molding (MIM) technology to deliver the most precise shaping with incredibly soft feel that better players desire.  Building off the popularity of its KING MIM Wedges, COBRA is applying MIM Technology to a full set of irons for the first time and reinventing the way premium irons are designed and manufactured.

MIM manufacturing produces a more precise finished product utilizing fewer steps and minimal hands-on post-process polishing, unlike traditional forging and casting processes.  Each iron head is created using a mixture of 304 stainless steel metal powder, which is then heated and injected into a mold.  During the sintering process, the metal is heated to a higher temperature than forgings (1340°C vs. 1200°C), resulting in a tighter-aligned grain structure that delivers the highest level of precision and soft feel, rivaling that of carbon steel forgings. The final step is hand-polishing to deliver the perfect satin finish. While many forgings require moderate polishing to remove excess materials, MIM technology requires only subtle polishing to ensure the shape is consistent from set to set.

Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro Blade Wedge Review

We see it every week on Tour.  Players hitting wedges to spots with surgical precision.  Holing out from greenside locations with abracadabra ease.  And putting spin on shots that make the ball look like a Yoyo trick.

Swing technique of course goes a long way in pulling off these shots.  But make no mistake about it, all wedges are not created equal.  And even in the hands of less skilled golfers, the new Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro Blade Wedges make a strong case to be considered among the best in class for overall performance.

Golf Datatech Reports Highest Q3 U.S. Retail Golf Equipment Sales Ever

As the golf business continues to surge coming out of the worldwide shutdown from COVID-19, Golf  Datatech, LLC, the golf industry’s leading independent market research firm for retail sales, consumer and trade trends, today announced U.S. retail golf equipment sales for the 3rd Quarter of 2020 surpassed the $1 billion mark. This represents the first-time sales in July, August and September have ever exceeded $1 billion in Q3, and represents the second highest quarter of all time (Q2 2008 sales = $1.013 billion).

Golf Datatech also reported that Q3 golf equipment sales for 2020 were up a staggering 42% over the same time period in 2019, led by strong showings in golf bags, wedges, and irons.

PGA Merchandise Show Shifts to an All-Virtual Format for 2021

PGA Golf Exhibitions, in partnership with the PGA of America, announced today the shift to an all-virtual format for the 2021 PGA Merchandise Show, to be held January 26-29, 2021. Prioritizing the health and well-being of the global golf community during the ongoing pandemic, the decision was made with guidance and feedback from exhibitors, attendees, PGA Professionals, the PGA of America, key industry associations, vendor partners and additional event stakeholders.

The PGA Merchandise Show, the world’s largest annual gathering of the golf industry, traditionally hosts nearly 40,000 golf industry professionals from around the world to discover the newest trends and technology from some 1,000 exhibiting golf companies and brands. In 2021, the 68th edition of the PGA Merchandise Show will instead drive business, education and networking through a cutting-edge, highly-interactive virtual experience and marketplace – which will feature new product launch events, dynamic exhibitor showrooms, commerce applications, education sessions, industry presentations, one-to-one meetings, group networking, special events, and special golf celebrity and influencer engagement programs.

FootJoy Flex LE3 Golf Shoes Review

With massage elements in the footbed and extra padding around the ankle and heel, the new FootJoy Flex LE3 are arguably the most comfortable shoes in the Flex family.

The molded foam upper is lightweight and soft to touch, but firm enough to feel support wrapping around your foot.

Titleist Introduces New TSi Fairway Metals

Faster from the tee and turf, the new Titleist TSi fairway metals are engineered with advanced speed-tuned technologies – including Active Recoil Channel 4.0 – to drive faster ball speeds and higher inertia for longer distance with incredible accuracy.

Available in golf shops Nov. 12, with fittings now at locations nationwide, the new Titleist TSi2 and TSi3 fairways are the longest, straightest, best looking and best sounding Titleist fairway metals ever – taking after the breakthrough performance of the new TSi drivers, which have quickly become the most-played driver models on the PGA Tour.

Titleist Introduces New TSi Drivers Featuring ATI 425 Aerospace Titanium

Faster in the air and faster at impact, the new Titleist TSi drivers push the boundaries of speed through advanced engineering and material breakthroughs – including a new ATI 425 Aerospace Titanium face construction never before used in golf – that combine to produce the longest, straightest, best-looking, and best-sounding Titleist drivers ever.

Available in golf shops Nov. 12, with fittings beginning today at locations nationwide, the new TSi2 and TSi3 models transcend the advancements of the original Titleist Speed Project, accelerating the performance that has made Titleist the most played driver on the PGA Tour for two seasons running.

Sun Mountain Releases New Sync Golf Bag

The new Sun Mountain Sync golf bag is purpose-built for use on golf push carts and gets a new top for 2021. Sync is designed to nest in the upper and lower bag wraps on Sun Mountain push carts and all pockets are designed to be accessible when the bag is on a push cart.

New for 2021 is an individual club divided top with slots for ‘woods’ in the middle and for irons along both sides. Sync is available now in men’s and women’s models with a suggested retail price of $229.99.

Kentwool Introduces Limited Edition Fall Winter Collection of Merino Wool Socks

There’s no better time of the year to warm up and protect your feet with the most comfortable wool socks in the world than when the leaves start changing, fires start crackling and the holidays are upon us. Fortunately, Kentwool’s new limited-edition Fall/Winter colorways, available for both men and women, fit the bill perfectly and are the ultimate in not only comfort and style, but also performance.

Showcasing eight new and exciting color combos, the latest offerings from Kentwool are available in classic ankle style (artifact, brick, teal, evergreen, emerald, azalea, eggplant, amethyst) and in low cut (brick, azalea, eggplant, emerald). All of the Fall/Winter offerings crank up an active person’s style on the golf course, hiking trail, or at the backyard BBQ, and also deliver a proven Kentwool hallmark: protecting users’ feet from blisters, cold, and even muscle fatigue.

Callaway Golf Announces New X Forged UT Irons for 2021

Utility Irons are a popular choice on Tour, especially as a “fairway finder” off the tee and a versatile club into the green on Par-5s. And the new X Forged UT Irons are packed with Callaway’s best technologies in a confidence-inspiring, hollow body construction.

For the better players who want a new go-to club in their bag, this is the player’s utility you’re looking for.

Callaway Golf Announces New Apex MB Irons for 2021

The new Callaway Golf Apex MB Irons are built for the best players in the game.  It’s a beautiful classic blade shape with high performance grooves, remarkable feel, and a new weight design.

 

This is a premium muscleback in every way.

Travis Mathew Announces 50 to 60% Off Sale to Benefit Oscar De La Hoya Foundation

 From October 19th – 20th, TravisMathew is proudly partnering with boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya for an online sale and fundraiser that will benefit the Oscar De La Hoya Foundation. Across these two days, 100% of the profits from sales on TravisMathew.com will go toward supporting this amazing foundation.

Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Oscar De La Hoya literally fought his way to the top. From his start in the local amateur boxing scene all the way to an Olympic Gold medal and 10 world titles as a professional, De La Hoya learned to, quite literally, roll with the punches to seize success for himself. Now he’s bringing that success to others across his community.

Callaway Golf Announces New X Forged CB Irons for 2021

With the new Callaway X Forged CB irons, the goal was simple. Provide consistency, control, amazing feel and a beautiful design for the most discerning of golfers.

Typical irons in this category are single piece, but Callaway took a different approach. They enhanced the player’s performance iron with multi-material construction using weighting, face technology, and shaping to create an iron worthy of the X Forged name.

Tour Edge Announces New Hot Launch 521 Iron-Woods, Wedges, and Irons

Last week Tour Edge announced the launch of two new Tour Edge Hot Launch series designed to cover both ends of the Game Improvement golf club spectrum.

The Hot Launch E521 Series covers Extreme Spec Game Improvement, while the C521 Series provides Competition Spec Game Improvement models.

USGA to Bring U.S. Senior Women's Open to Anchorage Golf Course in 2022

 The USGA today announced that Anchorage Golf Course in Anchorage, Alaska, will host the 60th U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur. The championship is scheduled for July 30-Aug. 4, 2022 and will mark the first time the USGA has taken one of its championships to the state of Alaska. Upon completion, the USGA will have hosted a championship in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.

“It’s a monumental occasion for us to bring a championship to Alaska, something that has been a long time coming,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “Players from all over the country dream of becoming USGA champions, so it is important we bring our events to all corners of the United States to expose golfers and golf fans to the inspiration and competitiveness of our championships. We’re so thankful to Anchorage Golf Course for working with us to make this dream a reality.”