You know I love testing new gear and writing reviews for all of you, really sharing as much of everything golf I do with you as often as I can. And this year we're going to get everyone even more involved with guest product reviews! And the first guest review of 2022 comes from our 12 Days of Christmas Vessel Player III golf stand bag winner Jeff.
Jeff has taken his new Player III out a few times already, and I think he's found himself "the perfect hybrid bag."
Leading high-performance apparel brand Galvin Green has assembled its strongest ever Tour player lineup of global ambassadors for the 2022 season, with the addition of proven elite golfers playing on the PGA, LPGA and DP World Tours, including Americans Troy Merritt, Lanto Griffin & Mina Harigae.
The Swedish brand’s ultra-lightweight and highly breathable clothing will be worn by five star players on the PGA Tour for the forthcoming season. Two-time PGA Tour winner Troy Merritt will be wearing Galvin Green for his sixth consecutive year, after a productive 2021 which saw him pick up four top-10s including a second-place finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Joining Merritt for another year is Lanto Griffin, who recorded two top 10 finishes in the 20/21 season followed by back to back top 10s at the start of the 21/22 season, coming at the Shriners Children’s Open and the ZOZO Championship.
Luxury Italian golf shoe brand Duca del Cosma is set to unveil its exciting new collections at next week’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando (25-28 January), showcasing the latest innovations in shoe design and color combinations that offer golfers something completely different in terms of style and comfort.
After a record year of sales in key markets across the world, the brand is looking to continue its Italian Golf Evolution with a spectacular display of premium leather shoes and boots – all designed and handcrafted in Europe – that appeal to a growing number of golfers to wear both on and off the course throughout the year.
Callaway Golf has officially announced that David Duval has joined their Professional Staff.
Duval will play Callaway Woods, Irons, a Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Ball, and an Odyssey Putter on the Champions Tour.
Titleist has introduced the third generation of its AVX golf ball, improving upon short game spin and control, increasing driver distance, and providing even softer feel.
The original AVX was engineered by Titleist in 2018 as a performance alternative to its flagship Pro V1 and Pro V1x by offering the lowest flight, lowest spin and softest feel of the three premium offerings.
COBRA Golf isn't just going to make a big splash in the game-improvement category of irons in 2022. They're going all-out cannonball with the new KING LTDx Irons. Feel, sound, distance, and forgiveness have all been re-engineered to give golfers everything COBRA can possibly give you.
I got a chance to hit the LTDx irons in December and will have a full review on them soon. Short synopsis right now though? They made me fall in love with game-improvement irons again. And COBRA really has improved every performance category with these LTDx irons.
It's said fortune favors the bold. And COBRA Golf is coming out in 2022 guns blazing. The new COBRA KING LTDx drivers aren't merely contending to earn a spot in your bag this year. LTDx has its sights on being the best driver of all time.
COBRA has announced today its innovative new family of LTDx Drivers, Fairways and Hybrids, and I had the chance to hit them all last month at a COBRA preview event. We're going to focus on some tech stories and specs in this FIRST LOOK preview. And a full review on all is coming soon. But I will tell you also now, the LTDx line is a showcase of unabashed power.
On the eve of the first PGA TOUR Champions tournament of 2022, Tour Edge officially announced today that Alex Cejka and Mike Weir have joined their Professional Staff.
Both players ranked in the Top 10 of the final 2020/21 Charles Schwab money list.
In its ongoing pursuit of adding value for its customers, FlightScope, the global leader in tracking and analyzing sports performance data, will officially launch the FlightScope Mevo+ Pro Package add-on option for its Mevo+ tracking radar at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, January 24-28.
The Mevo+ is an advanced indoor and outdoor tracking radar and golf simulator that offers 16 data parameters, golf course simulation and customizable skills challenges. The Mevo+ is a popular product in the launch monitor and simulator space and offers customers an accurate tracking device for practice and entertainment sessions.
Fits with the Founder, the biweekly podcast presented by Club Champion, found its footing in 2021 and will begin its second season in 2022.
The show, which has featured guests like Callaway Senior Vice President Sean Toulon, KBS Golf Shafts founder Kim Braly, and TaylorMade’s Director of Tours Chris Trott AKA Trottie, looks to maintain its all-star roster of guests into season two.
Fujikura has announced the latest addition to its successful VENTUS line of shafts: VENTUS TR.
The new VENTUS TR features a mid-launch profile designed specifically to stiffen torque in the section of the shaft where golfers need it most, leading to increased stability and consistency.
SRIXON has announced the launch of the Z-STAR Series DIVIDE. The Srixon Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV DIVIDE golf balls are available in a Yellow/White colorway, and officially launch in North America on Jan. 21, 2022.
“We are thrilled to be launching Z-STAR DIVIDE and Z-STAR XV DIVIDE,” said Brian Schielke, General Manager of Srixon North America. “While they certainly stand out on the course, the performance benefits are what excite us the most. They’re so easy to align your putts, see flying through the air, and give great visual feedback on pitches and chips around the green.”
Mizuno, the Japanese equipment manufacturer founded in Osaka in 1906 introduces the latest ST Series of metal woods with the ST-X and ST-Z drivers offering exceptional consistency – The next generation of stability.
Once ball speed is maximized with launch angle and spin rates optimized, the final route to elevated driving performance is greater consistency. Step up the Next Generation of Mizuno's ST Series, the new ST-Z 220 and ST-X 220 – Engineered to produce the most efficient drives and highest ball speeds...more often.
XXIO has introduced the all-new XXIO X. The new XXIO X officially launches in North America on Feb. 11, 2022.
A skilled player with a strong swing stands to benefit greatly from XXIO’s unique lightweight designs. XXIO X stands apart as woods and irons that pair easily with your natural speed to enhance distance and accuracy beyond what you thought possible.
Super Bowl-winning coach and Reynolds Lake Oconee resident Bruce Arians is known for his key play-making strategies and gutsy coaching style.
This year, his “great plays” will be part of the grand prize in an exciting new sweepstakes from Reynolds Lake Oconee.
Zero Friction, LLC, maker of high-quality, technologically advanced products for golfers worldwide, will introduce the Wheel Pro, a multi-functional push or pull golf cart bag at this month’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.
“This is not your typical golf bag. Our new Wheel Pro Push Cart bag is a three-in-one product. It’s a carry stand bag that quickly and simply converts to a push cart or can be put on back of a motor cart,” said John Iacono, founder and President of Zero Friction. “And it only weighs 10 pounds.”
In a blockbuster move, the nation’s top golf club fitter and builder, Club Champion, has acquired top Canadian fitter and builder Tour Experience Golf (TXG). This new alignment brings the two most prominent custom club fitters on the continent together to better service golfers in North America and beyond.
“We are incredibly excited to bring Ian and his crew into the Club Champion family,” said Nick Sherburne, co-founder of Club Champion. “We’re looking forward to bringing the best of both our capabilities together to serve every golfer.”
SRIXON has announced the all-new Z-STAR DIAMOND golf ball. The Srixon Z-STAR DIAMOND officially launches in North America on Jan. 21, 2022.
"Z-STAR DIAMOND is a game-changer for me," said Brooks Koepka. "This golf ball was a major driver in joining Srixon and it's been a seamless transition. The performance is really impressive, and I feel confident heading into the new tour season."
The USGA and ProMedica today announced a long-term partnership that includes presenting partner rights for the U.S. Women’s Open, notably elevating the championship through a $10 million purse, additional host sites that include some of the most esteemed courses in the U.S., and increased charitable support, to ensure that its life-changing impact continues to set the standard in the women’s game.
ProMedica, a mission-based, not-for-profit integrated health and well-being organization that serves communities in 28 states, becomes the newest partner in the USGA’s global program, which is designed to extend the reach of the Association’s mission to champion and advance the game of golf. In addition to the U.S. Women’s Open presenting sponsorship, as part of the long-term relationship, ProMedica becomes the official health and well-being partner of the USGA.
XXIO has announced the all-new XXIO 12 and XXIO 12 Ladies. Swing easy and strike it pure with the new XXIO 12, which officially launches in North America on Feb. 11, 2022.
The brand flagship and epitome of design philosophy, XXIO 12 Woods and Irons are remarkably lightweight and easy-to-use clubs offering a specialized suite of technologies that amplify performance for the moderate swing speed golfer.
Odyssey has announced its new Tri-Hot 5K, Eleven, and Toulon Putters, along with new versions of their major-winning White Hot OG lineup. Each of these offerings will be available at retail on February 4.
Odyssey developed Tri-Hot 5K with an audacious goal, to introduce a new blade putter construction that outperforms a mallet, in a classic shape that the best players on TOUR love. Odyssey moved the CG positioning forward and leveraged new materials in ways that have never been realized in a putter. Stainless steel, tungsten, and 6061 aircraft grade aluminum have all been meticulously crafted to re-invent what a blade can accomplish.
PGA TOUR star Abraham Ancer and LPGA major winner Yuka Saso officially joined Callaway Golf as Staff Professionals.
Ancer will play Callaway Woods, an Odyssey Putter, and will wear a Callaway hat in competition. He has been one of the top players in the world over the past several years. In 2021, he earned his first PGA TOUR win at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational and finished 9th in the FedEx Cup Standings, all while using a Callaway Epic Speed Driver and an Odyssey Putter. He’s currently 17th in the Official World Golf Rankings, and Abraham will make his Callaway debut this week at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Callaway Golf has officially announced their new Chrome Soft, Chrome Soft X, and Chrome Soft X LS Golf Balls.
Each of these new products will be available at retailers nationwide starting on January 28.
Callaway Golf has officially announced their new Rogue Family of Drivers, Fairway Woods, Irons, and Hybrids.
Here's a first look preview with tech and performance details of all the new clubs.
The new Vokey Design SM9 wedges – the next generation of the PGA Tour’s most played wedges – will make their debut this week at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui.
Master Craftsman Bob Vokey and Vokey Tour Rep Aaron Dill, working alongside Vokey’s team of engineers, have spent the last two years designing prototypes and testing them with the world’s best players, pushing forward in their relentless mission to craft better performing and better feeling wedges.
The last Letter from Santa of this year's 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway. And Santa knows how to finish strong. Really strong.
We have 12 PAIRS of Adidas ZG21 Golf Shoes for 12 Winners! Absolutely insane! 12 of you will each receive a new pair of Adidas ZG21 golf shoes, you know the shoes. Same ones Collin Morikawa wears and has worn all year as he smashed all kinds of records.
The Christmas party has started for me and the fam here, so will keep this one short. Santa's letter was delivered by Dasher tonight, and looks like he was right to wonder about Buddy. Coincidentally I'm wearing some of what Santa wants to give to you this time around.
We have a TravisMathew and Cuater FULL 7-piece golf apparel OUTFIT that TWO of you are going to win. You'll get a jacket, polo, pants, belt, golf shoes, socks, and cap. ALL of it. Just head over to the TravisMathew/Cuater website, and pick out whatever you want.
This morning Santa reminded me of something I did a few months back that was, well... let's call it confident in the face of almost certain disaster.
I'm talking about the Bridgestone Tour B Cup back in September. I asked Adam from Bridgestone to hit a flop shot over my head to prove how much I trust the new 2022 Tour B golf balls. From 6 feet away. I still have all my teeth, and Santa thought it went so well he wants to give one of you a FULL YEAR supply of 12 DOZEN new Bridgestone Tour B Golf balls. You can choose any model you want, the X, XS, RX, or RXS.
I traveled a lot this year, playing and reviewing some great courses, new courses, and everything in between. But have to be honest. I've never wanted to be somewhere as much as I do right now. And that's at The North Pole.
Santa was absolutely tearing it up something crazy at the Happy Moose Bar & Grille tonight. Really best to let Santa tell you all about it. I can say however it has something to do with the Cobra RADSPEED driver, and one of you will win your very own. You can choose 9.0 or 10.5 degrees, any flex you want, and RH or LH.
Santa is taking over my 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway from here on through Christmas Day. He told me we're having two Letters from Santa giveaways today at 12:45 and 7:45, two more on Christmas Eve at the same times, and then one final Letter from Santa giveaway on Christmas Day about 4:45.
And Santa's not messing around. Up for grabs today is any SIK Golf putter you want. Seriously, ANY PUTTER. Pro, DW, Flo, whatever you want. You probably want to check out SIK Golf's webs site to get a feel for all the different models and heads and options. And I'll certainly help with any questions you might have.
Apparently Santa wants my 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway to get even crazier. And when Santa tells me something, you know I'm gonna listen.
The gift up for grabs in my Letters from Santa Giveaway 7 is a limited edition CRU Golf "Declaration" leather driver headcover. Actually three of them, one each for three of you. Words from the Declaration of Independence are stamped into the headcovers. The red, white, and blue colors are popping. And the leather is luxuriously soft as you'd expect from CRU.
My favorite FootJoy shoes of all time. I really can't give any higher praise. The Premiere Series, every one of them. The Tarlow, the Flint, the Packard. All with exquisite details, hypnotizing beauty, and unrestrained performance. And absolute proof golf shoes really can make your mouth water.
I already reviewed all of these shoes for you this season, but will highlight a few points here again and touch on some differences between them since one of you will win your very own pair of brand new FJ Premiere Series shoes. Choose any style, any color, any size you want. Go crazy.
Santa's talking miniature horses, Matrix Resurrections, and golden pixie dust in his latest letter. Just when you think you know everything about someone, they go and blow your mind.
And speaking of mind-blowing, the gift up for grabs in my Letters from Santa Giveaway 6 is a brand new Vessel Player III golf stand bag. You can choose any of the seven available colors, in a 6-way or 14-way top. Whatever you want. I'll let Santa fill you in on all the details.
Bombination. In a word, that's how to describe the new Mizuno ST-G 220 driver. A damn beast to be honest. And with all-out adjustability (featuring two movable weights and three movable weight tracks) the ST-G 220 will also be wildly effective and incredibly versatile for a wide range of players and skills. Mizuno is making that holy grail of added distance with more forgiveness a legit reality with the ST-G 220.
And one of you will win your very own ST-G 220 driver in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway. You can choose whatever stock shaft you want, whatever flex you want. And you can see all the options here.
This one is insanely awesome. Not gonna lie, it's pure magic. And for extra crazy? I don't really know what exactly will be in this gift package from Santa!
The big man in red is a huge fan of Inverness Club and loves that Inverness is an anchor site for my Play With Pete Invitational. And so one of you is going to win an amazing Inverness Club $500 Apparel and Accessories Golf Shop Gift Package! I'll let Santa give you all the details in his latest letter.
Tiger is back. He has a new golf ball. Santa is pumped.
I'll just let Santa explain it all. But the gist is he wants TWO of you to EACH win TWO DOZEN new 2022 Bridgestone Golf Tour B XS "TIGER" stamped Proto Balls.
More and more of us are opting to play hybrids in our bags rather than long irons, and the new Tour Edge Exotics C721 hybrid is one of the best you'll ever hit.
And TWO (2) of you will win your very own C721 hybrid in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway. You can choose any loft (2/17 degrees, 3/19 degrees, 4/22 degrees, or 5/24 degrees), shaft, flex, and even custom length and grip size you want. You can see all the options here.
If you think wedge spin is sexy, the new Callaway JAWS MD5 and JAWS Full Toe wedges might just be the Sexiest Wedges Alive. Callaway always designs absolute spin machines, and the MD5 and Full Toe are their finest to date.
We've reviewed the JAWS MD5 and Full Toe earlier in the year, but will hit on few key points here again because one of you is going to win a Full Set of three (3) MD5 and Full Toe Wedges in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway. We'll have a 52 degree MD5 gap wedge, 56 degree MD5 sand wedge, and a 60 degree Full Toe lob wedge wedge up for grabs. And yup, RH or LH available for you to choose.
You guys already know that Santa and I are buds. But even the best of friends don't know every detail about the other's life. And gonna be honest, I did not know Santa had a few sets of Aerotech Golf SteelFiber shafts in his irons. And I definitely didn't know he has dreams of turning professional.
SteelFiber shafts have more PGA Tour wins than any graphite iron shaft in history, and I guess you can add Santa's name to the list of players who use them, including World No. 1 Nelly Korda. Now one of you will also win a Full Set (11) of Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve graphite shafts in my Letters from Santa GIVEAWAY 3 in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway.
It's a crazy weather day here today. High wind advisory with wind gusts up to 60 mph. Thunderstorms all over the area. So figured it's also a perfect day to give away a new FootJoy HydroKnit rain jacket for DAY 3 of my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway. You know, when the weather outside is frightful, HydroKnit is so delighful!
Like we'll do all 12 Days, I'm just going to touch on some key points on what makes HydroKnit such a great jacket since we've already gone into all the details earlier in the year. Check out the jacket here on the Footjoy site to see the colors and sizes you can choose from.
When Santa told me he was interested in the new Srixon ZX drivers it honestly didn't surprise me. The ZX7 I reviewed for you guys this year has been the best Srixon driver I've ever played.
What did surprise me however was Santa's decision between the ZX5 and ZX7. I'll let him explain in his own words. But suffice to say in my Letters from Santa GIVEAWAY 2 in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway, you'll be able to choose a brand new ZX5 or ZX7 driver, LH or RH, whatever flex you want.
It's won countless major championships. It's the most popular model in their line-up. And more than 80-percent of players on Tour use this brand, and aren't even under contract or endorsed to do so.
Of course I'm talking about Golf Pride grips and their Tour Velvet model. These are grips that are exceptionally comfortable and perform dependably in both dry and wet conditions. And one of you is going to win a Full Set of 13 Tour Velvet Align grips. And we're also going to give one of you a Full Set of 13 Tour Wrap MicroSuede grips in DAY 2 of my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway.
So you guys already know this year's PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway is going to be bigger and wilder than ever. Last year we had Santa Claus helping me out and recommending gifts to give you. And happy to report the big man in red is back this year.
Santa and I have known each other a long time now, and he absolutely digs the 12 Days. He had a great time following along and giving me suggestions on what to include last year. And this year he's let me know to expect daily "Letters from Santa" to take all the fun up another level. And Nick, I appreciate you being cool with me showing everyone your letters.
Cleveland Golf has announced the next generation of the popular CBX line of wedges, the CBX ZipCore. Cleveland Golf’s CBX ZipCore will launch in North America on Dec. 17, 2021.
Now in its third generation, the CBX family of wedges, first introduced by Cleveland Golf, has transformed the market. CBX ZipCore is no different and continues upon the legacy of Cleveland’s cavity-back wedges that deliver the perfect blend of forgiveness and versatility.
If you enjoy the walk as much as you do the game, Adidas Primegreen Solarthon spikeless golf shoes will let you stride the fairways and greens with exceptional comfort, while delivering performance that stacks up to premium golf shoes on the market.
I won't go into all the details about Solarthon again here, but since three of you are each getting a brand new pair in DAY 1 of my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway, I thought I'd touch again on some of the key features that make these one of the best walking shoes out there.
It's that time again friends! My annual PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway kicks off tomorrow, December 9th. And as much of an adrenaline rush and wild as it always is, we're taking Release The Kringle to a whole new level this year. I can't exaggerate how crazy it's going to be.
We'll have more gifts, more prizes, and more winners in this years 12 Days of Christmas than we've had in the past two years... combined. Mmm hmm... Jingle BAM baby!
The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship, a new national championship that will showcase the world’s best golfers with disabilities. The inaugural competition will be conducted on Course No. 6 at historic Pinehurst Resort & Country Club on July 18-20, 2022. The 2nd U.S. Adaptive Open will also be held on Pinehurst No. 6, and will be conducted from July 17-19, 2023.
The U.S. Adaptive Open Championship will serve as the association’s 15th national championship, joining such iconic events as the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur. Champions of this new event will see their names recorded in the annals of golf history alongside many of the game’s storied figures.
Golf’s governing bodies have made available a Model Local Rule (MLR) to further limit the use of Green-Reading Materials.
MLR G-11 enables a committee to limit players to using only the yardage book that it has approved for use in the competition.
The USGA Nominating Committee has released its proposed slate of 2022 Executive Committee members and officers. The Executive Committee will again be led by Stu Francis of Hillsborough, Calif., who will be serving the final year of his three-year term as USGA president, and by Fred Perpall of Dallas, Texas, who has been nominated to serve as president-elect.
In addition, Sinclair Eaddy Jr., of Baltimore, Md., and Kevin Hammer of Boynton Beach, Fla., have each been nominated to serve a three-year term on the USGA Executive Committee, a volunteer group of 15 people that provides strategic and financial oversight as the Association’s policy-making and governance board.
For the first time ever, Club Champion can officially put a better golf game in a box.
New for 2021, the Club Champion Gift Packages are the perfect present for your favorite golfer this holiday season! Included inside each gift box – designed to look like a miniature version of a Club Champion club delivery box – is a certificate redeemable for either a driver fitting experience and a custom driver, or a putter fitting experience and a custom putter. The driver + fitting experience will retail at $1,000; the putter + fitting experience will retail at $500.
SRIXON and Cleveland Golf, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, LTD. are proud to announce that Brooks Koepka has joined its Tour staff. As a new member of our Tour Staff, Koepka will play a Srixon Driver, Srixon Irons, Cleveland Golf Wedges, Srixon Golf Ball, and carry a Srixon Staff Bag.
“I am very excited to join my good friends Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell and Hideki Matsuyama as a Srixon and Cleveland Golf Tour Staff member,” said Brooks Koepka. “I’ve been an equipment free agent for the past few years, so it will be fun to be involved with a company on a daily basis and be able to contribute to the development of their future equipment. I put the ZX7 Irons in play in January and it is the best iron I have played on Tour. I look forward to kicking off our new partnership this week in Las Vegas!”
