5 Things to Know about the 2019 PLAYERS Championship

A robust field chock full of heavyweights travels to TPC Sawgrass this week to play the Stadium Course for THE PLAYERS Championship.  Although THE PLAYERS is not a Grand Slam event, victory here can be a career-defining moment. 

 

The Stadium Course favors no particular player or style of play, but opinions on its caliber range from prestigious architectural design to unflattering rancor spiced with R-rated four-letter words. 

Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x Golf Balls Now Available in High Optic Yellow

Titleist has given us extraordinary distance in our golf balls.  They've given us superior scoring control and unmatched consistency as well.  And now for the first time ever, Titleist is also giving us Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls in a new, high optic yellow color. 

 

The introduction of a high-visibility yellow color option to the Pro V1 family (the most played golf balls at every level of competitive golf and the best-selling models in the game) answers the growing demand from members of Team Titleist and golfers around the world. 

Aerotech Golf Shafts Continue Rolling with Strong Performances at the Hoag Classic

One week after winning the Cologuard Classic, Aerotech Golf SteelFiber shafts captured two top-10 finishes at the Hoag Classic on the Champions Tour. 



Woody Austin roared into contention in the second round when he hit 89-percent of the greens in regulation.  The 1995 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year fell just short of winning on the second playoff hole, and finished 10-under and runner-up for the tournament. Austin plays SteelFiber i110 shafts in his irons, and i125 shafts in his wedges. 

Mitsubishi Golf Shafts Continue Worldwide Dominance with Wins at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and Arnold Palmer Invitational

Mitsubishi Golf shafts picked up two huge wins yesterday with victories at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters the Arnold Palmer Invitational.  Justin Harding won the Qatar Masters using a Mitsubishi Diamana W-Series 60x shaft in his driver, while Francesco Molinari won the Arnold Palmer Invitational using a  Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue 70 shaft in his driver. 

 

Harding averaged 300 yards off the tee and ranked 16th in driving accuracy.  While Molinari averaged 295 yards off the tee and hit an incredible 86-percent of the fairways. 

Francesco Molinari WITB What's In The Bag - The Golf Equipment Molinari Used to Win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill

You couldn't have written a better script for Francesco Molinari and Callaway Golf.  Before the Arnold Palmer Invitational kicked on Thursday, Molinari and Callaway inked a new equipment deal to make the Champion Golfer of the Year Callaway's newest stud in their line-up of big name players.  Molinari then proceeded to go out and win in his first official start as a Callaway staffer. 

 

The 36-year old Molinari roared back from five shots down on Sunday with the kind of flair that would have made Palmer proud.  Molinari recorded five birdies in the last six holes, capped off by a 44-foot bomb on the 18th for an 8-under, 64 on the day and 12-under overall for the tournament. 

Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Giveaway - Limited Edition PUMA Golf P Cap Inspired by Arnold Palmer

The Arnold Palmer Invitational always attracts one of the most star-studded fields of the season, and Arnie's Place is challenging for even the best players in the world.  It's been almost three years since The King passed away, but Palmer's influence and touch can  be seen and felt everywhere around Bay Hill this week. 

 

There's a lot of limited edition gear released during API week honoring Palmer, and rightly so.  However, PUMA's tribute might be one of the best ever.  And although I wasn't planning a giveaway, when I woke up today for some reason the thought, "What would Arnie do?" was in my head.  And I decided to give away one of those sweet limited edition pink PUMA P caps that honor Palmer and you've seen Rickie Fowler wearing this week. 

Miura Golf K-Grind 2.0 Milled Wedge Preview - Timeless Craftsmanship Merges with Modern Milling

Miura Golf is giving one of its most iconic clubs a modern upgrade.  Following in the footsteps of the original 1957 K-Grind wedge, the new K-Grind 2.0 features the signature knuckled sole of the 1957 model, but adds cutting-edge milling techniques for an unrivaled combination of functionality and feel. 

 

Given the proven staying-power of the K-Grind, the Miura family craftsmen sought to maintain the integrity of the original design by preserving the fluted sole that enables the clubface to remain square at impact. 

5 Things to Know about the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational

The Arnold Palmer Invitational has been a staple on the PGA Tour since 1966, and ever since Palmer became the host and moved the event to Bay Hill Country Club in 1979 it's routinely featured one of the strongest non-Major fields of the year. 

 

Originally known as the Florida Citrus Open, the API is one of just five tournaments with invitational status, and for the first time is part of the Open Qualifying Series (OQS), offering three spots in the 2019 Open Championship to the top players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties. 

Arnold Palmer Invitational: Inside the Course (Bay Hill Club and Lodge Championship Course)

Arnold Palmer transcended the game, and along the way won the hearts and minds of millions of people with his own swashbuckling, daring style of cool.  So it's fitting that whoever hoists the hardware this Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational will likely have to play with that same kind of Palmer fearlessness.  Twelve of the last 14 winners at Bay Hill and Lodge have won by only two strokes or less. 

 

Bay Hill's Championship Course is a go-for-broke, par-72, 7,419 yard layout with more than 150 acres of thick rough that can grow up to four inches tall. Fairway bunkers extend out far enough so that big hitters can’t bomb it off the tee with impunity.  While greenside bunkers and run-off areas closely guard the small, firm greens, putting a nostalgic premium on short-game strategy and finesse shots. 

Francesco Molinari Signs Equipment Deal with Callaway Golf - Will Play Full Bag of Callaway Clubs and Golf Ball

Reigning Champion Golfer of the Year Francesco Molinari has joined the Callaway Golf Tour Staff and will play Callaway woods, irons, wedges, an Odyssey Putter, a Chrome Soft Golf Ball, and use a Callaway Staff Bag beginning this week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

 

Molinari has used Callaway clubs this season, but this week at Bay Hill marks his official debut as a Callaway staffer.  The deal will have Molinari (the No. 10 ranked Player in the World) playing all 14 Callaway clubs in his bag. 

Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company Equalizer BLACK Wedges Preview - Expanded Line Includes Additional Lofts and Finishes

Nearly one year after the successful launch of the Equalizer wedge line, Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company has introduced a full-line of Equalizer BLACK wedges that includes more loft options and finishes than ever before. 

 

Named after the legendary Ben Hogan's famed "secret weapon, " the Equalizer BLACK wedges were initially introduced as a limited-edition set in late 2018.  Using a Diamond Black Metal proprietary finish (like on the Ft. Worth BLACK irons), these wedges offer reduced glare and better contrast with the ball.  And unlike dark, painted finishes offered by other club manufacturers, the Diamond Black Finish is up to seven times more durable than nickel chrome. 

Aerotech SteelFiber Shafts Continue Dominating on Professional Tours

SteelFiber graphite iron shafts landed first and second place finishes at the Cologuard Classic on the Champions Tour last week, as well as second and third place finishes at the HSBC Women’s World Championship on the LPGA Tour, continuing Aerotech's global dominance on professional tours this season. 

 

Marc O'Meara used SteelFiber i110 shafts in his irons at the Cologuard Classic and hit almost 75-percent of the greens in regulation for the week en route to a 17-under, 202 for the tournament.  The two-time major champion recorded eight birdies in the final round, good for a four-shot victory. 

Keith Mitchell WITB What's In The Bag - The Golf Equipment Mitchell Used to Win The Honda Classic

Kevin Mitchell held off Rickie Fowler and Brooks Koepka on Sunday at The Honda Classic to grab his first career PGA Tour victory.  Mitchell birdied holes 12, 13, and 15 to charge up the leaderboard filled with superstars and major champions, before dropping in a walk-off 15 footer on the 18th for birdie to secure his one-shot win. 

 

The second year pro began the day with back-to-back bogeys on the tough PGA National Champions Course, and as many as six players shared the lead on the back-nine.  But Mitchell roared back with four birdies in the last seven holes (for a final round 67) and finished nine-under, 271 overall for the tournament. 

Rickie Fowler and Cobra PUMA Golf Honor the Legendary Arnold Palmer with Iconic Limited Edition Bag, Shoes, and Gear at the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational

In a tribute to Arnold Palmer, Rickie Fowler will once again head to Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, with special plans to pay tribute to The King. 

 

Throughout the week, Fowler will sport a custom PUMA Arnold Palmer P Cap, Limited Edition IGNITE PROADAPT footwear, and carry a custom COBRA x Vessel Stand Bag, all sporting the iconic Umbrella Logo, designed to honor the life and career of golf's most beloved figure. 

On the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, the 19th Hole has Become a State-of-the-Art Mobile Fitness Center

Being a professional golfer has some pretty awesome perks.  From the free equipment, courtesy cars, and all you can eat food to chartered travel and complimentary dry cleaning, the players are definitely taken care of. 

 

And this week the PGA Tour unveiled two new state-of-the-art mobile fitness centers at The Honda Classic that will travel the Tour and Champions Tour throughout the season, pretty much bringing fitness training to an entirely new level of spectacular. 

Under Armour HOVR Drive Golf Shoes Preview - Full Round Comfort and Responsiveness

Sometimes when a golf shoe focuses on comfort or softness, it loses responsiveness.  Think of walking in the sand on the beach for example.  Extremely soft and comfortable, but you don't really have much feel.  And too many golf shoes on the market today unfortunately sacrifice feel as a trade-off for giving you comfort. 

 

Enter the new Under Armour's HOVR Drive golf shoes.  Delivering both total comfort and powerful energy transfer, the new HOVR Drive shoes are a standout option for golfers who demand lightweight flexibility and full-round comfort and support.  Under Armour is basically saying you can finally have your cake and eat it too. 

Reinventing Brooks Koepka - Why the Two-Time U.S. Open Champion is About to Get (More) Real?

Did you see Brooks Koepka talk with the media today at The Honda Classic?  Because if you did, you witnessed ground zero of the reinvention of the back-to-back U.S. Open champion.  And quite frankly, it was absolutely genius. 

 

The 28-year old former World No. 1 player has already made his share of headlines early this season.  Last month Koepka indirectly called out Bryson DeChambeau for his "embarrassing" slow play at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. 

PUMA Ignite Proadapt Golf Shoes Preview - Adapt or Get Left Behind

If you liked the shoes Rickie Fowler was wearing when he won the Waste Management Phoenix Open last month, PUMA Golf has some good news for you.  Their new Ignite Proadapt shoes, featuring Tour-proven stability, unparalleled traction, and extreme comfort will be available to all of us later next month. 

 

Fowler provided ideas and feedback to the PUMA team as they designed this new full-grain leather upper shoe that utilizes an outsole with Dual-Durometer Tornado Cleats for excellent traction, along with torsional stability provided from the full length Proadapt TPU outsole. 

The Honda Classic: Inside the Course (PGA National Resort & Spa - The Champion Course)

Angled greens, savage winds, and devastating bodies of water greet the best players in the world this week as the PGA Tour heads east for the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa.  Justin Thomas returns to defend his title against a field that includes 2017 champion Rickie Fowler, 2016 champion Adam Scott, 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia, and 2018 U.S. Open and PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka. 

 

Quality ball striking will be key to success for the eventual champion, as The Champion Course is known for penal rough, demanding par-4s, and one of the toughest closing stretches in all of golf.  Hole nos. 15 to 17 - collectively known as "the Bear Trap" will take center stage again this week, and for good reason. 

Adidas 2019 Forgefiber BOA Golf Shoes Preview: Precise Fit with a Twist

Adidas is releasing a new line of Forgefiber BOA golf shoes that feature their innovative Forgefiber technology for the first time in golf footwear.  Forgefiber uses TPU-coated yarn that's stitched at various angles and layers for precise fit and improved stability in a lightweight golf shoe. 

 

Beyond just the distinctive stitching process, TPU yarns are also compressed and heated, which melt the yarns into the textile upper of the shoe creating more natural support.  Adidas tested the locations of the shoe where golfers would need the most stability, and strategically targeted those areas with this advanced stitching construction.