The Masters PGAPappas 2020 Giveaway

Hello, friends!  Augusta National and Magnolia Lane will have more intrigue than ever this week with The Masters moved to November and subtle signs of fall all over the perfectly manicured grounds.  Tiger is the defending champion for the first time since 2006.  J.T., Rory, and D.J., are still looking to add a green jacket to their resumes.  And everyone is wondering can Bryson overpower Augusta like he did Winged Foot to win the U.S. Open?

With so many mesmerizing storylines, it's only fitting my Masters giveaway should be equally epic.  And it's going to be.  Beginning on Monday of Masters week, we'll have seven consecutive days of new giveaways each day.  And the prizes are filled to the brim with awesome for this 84th Masters.

Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange Shaft Review

Higher launch and lower spin are the magic words to get the most bang from your driver, and it's been bombs away for me with the new Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange shaft.

Tensei AV Raw Orange is a counterbalanced shaft (with more weight in the butt section, but actually has an evenly balanced (almost linear, one-piece) feeling, and is extremely stable.  It's still a stout feeling, but a smoother stout and not boardy feeling at all.

FootJoy Hydro Tour Rain Jacket Review

A quiet morning.  A walk outdoors.  Some things in life are so perfect you don't need anything else to be happy and content.  And you can add FootJoy's new Hydro Tour Rain jacket to that list of perfect things.

The HydroTour is straight up one of the best rain jackets I've ever worn, giving me exceptional protection and comfort across the board.  This is really a jacket without any compromise.

Cobra Golf Releases Limited Edition King MIM Wedge Inspired by Augusta National and The Masters

 COBRA® Golf unveiled today its Limited-Edition KING MIM Wedge, inspired by the instantly recognizable flowers that surround the most talked about three-hole stretch in all of golf. Even though the flowers may not be in bloom, this wedge pays homage to what has traditionally been the year’s first major and allows golfers to take part in the excitement that this major continues to inspire despite its new calendar date.

Building off the popularity of the brand’s first fully Metal-Injection-Molded (MIM) 304 stainless steel head construction, COBRA’S Limited-Edition MIM Wedge features an eye-catching vintage copper PVD finish with paint-filled intricate laser etching that call to mind Azaleas, White Dogwoods & Golden Bells.

PING Golf Signs Bubba Watson to Lifetime Contract

PING announced that two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson has signed a “lifetime” contract to represent the company. Terms of the agreement were not released, but PING confirmed the contract extends the relationship well past Watson’s expected PGA Tour career.

“We’re extremely excited to make this announcement,” said John K. Solheim, PING President. “We understand it is unique in the sports endorsement world, but so is Bubba. He’s done a lot for PING over his amazing career and we felt the time was right to make this commitment to him. His skill level and creativity on the golf course have defined his career, but his generosity and compassion are what make him a great fit for PING. He’s like family to us and we’re very happy he’ll be with us for the rest of his golf career.”

Toue Edge Exotics EXS Pro Hybrid Review

The new Tour Edge EXS Pro hybrid is the kind of hybrid you can call on to hit any shot you want.

Fantastic versatility with nothing sacrificed in performance.  It's a perfect face height to use off tee or from fairway. From the rough it rips through the grass, and the ball screams off the face.  And I've even used it with pretty good success chipping off greens.

Mizuno Golf ES21 Wedge Review

Scoring clubs are crucial to playing better and having more fun.  But it's sometimes difficult for many of us to get consistent results with traditional blade wedges.

That's why Mizuno Golf designed the new ES21 wedges, blending the precision you want from this specialty club with the forgiveness you need to ensure you play your best.

Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver Review

The slice.  It chips away at your dignity.  You step into the tee box hoping for a ray of sunshine, but instead experience another power outage.  The slice is an epidemic.  Or at least it used to be.

Callaway's new Big Bertha B21 driver takes away the right side as well or better than any anti-slice driver I've ever hit or tested.  And I tested B21 hard.  Poor grip, chicken wing, over the top, and deliberately open face,  B21 turned all these slice swings into very playable, and surprisingly long drives.

Adidas Golf Introduces Masters Inspired Gear that Pays Homage to Low Amateur

Securing a tee time in the year’s final major isn’t easy. For the select group of amateurs in the field, a tee time that comes with a room key to stay on property puts them in a different category, entirely.

Inspired by these coveted quarters that house them, and to celebrate this unique group of golfers who are all seeking to be called the tournament’s Low Amateur come Sunday, Adidas Golf is unveiling the limited edition Crossknit DPR “Low Am” available worldwide beginning Nov. 9.

Duca del Cosma Teams Up With PGA Tour Superstore

Leading Italian golf fashion brand Duca del Cosma has teamed up with PGA TOUR Superstore to offer its latest collection of high-grade leather shoes to an even greater number of avid golfers.

A total of 49 different styles of spikeless golf shoes, hand-crafted in Europe golf shoes – 22 ladies and 27 men’s – are now available online at pgatoursuperstore.com under Duca del Cosma branding.

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.