Golf and Hockey Reporter Hailey Hunter Joins XXIO in Exciting New Partnership

Hailey Hunter, current penguins rinkside/reporter host for SportsNet Pittsburgh, is set to join forces with XXIO golf in an exciting new partnership that will see her collaborate on a diverse range of video content and play a pivotal role in the brand’s upcoming product releases in 2024.

“We’re seeing a tremendous amount of growth with XXIO, so it’s exciting to be able to add a person like Hailey to our team who’s so passionate about golf and someone our audience can relate to,” said Noelle Zavaleta, Marketing Communications Director. “She’s going to be highly active with the brand, collaborating on a lot of fun content XXIO hasn’t done before. We’re excited to see what we can do together.”

Arccos Approved for Use in PGA Tour Events

Arccos – the world’s largest on-course tracking system, a leader in connected A.I. golf products and the Official Game Tracker of the PGA TOUR – today announced that Arccos has been approved for use on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR Americas, effective immediately.

Other than ShotLink powered by CDW, Arccos is the only game tracking system approved for use on the PGA TOUR and its affiliated Tours. Already permissible for use under the Rules of Golf, Arccos automatically tracks the location, club used and result of every shot taken on the course. It then provides personalized Strokes Gained analytics for every game aspect and each club in a player’s bag.

TaylorMade Golf Unveils new QI10 Driver Family with 10,000 MOI

TaylorMade Golf has announced the most forgiving family of drivers the company has produced with the groundbreaking lineup of Qi10 Max, Qi10 LS and Qi10. This cutting-edge series unlocks a new frontier of forgiveness, with the Qi10 Max hitting the elusive total MOI (Moment of Inertia) of 10,000 g-cm².

“We’re all about breaking barriers and never looking back. From the first metalwood to 60X Carbon Twist Face, once we commit and cross a threshold we continue to push the boundaries of innovation. Achieving the 10K inertia mark is yet another one of those in the long history of TaylorMade driving the industry forward.”  – Brian Bazzel, VP of Product Creation.

2024 PGA Tour Season Starts with Victory for Fujikura Ventus

Fujikura, the leader in performance golf shafts, was honored to be the #1 driver and wood shaft combination on the PGA Tour, including the first win of the season for a player using a Fujikura driver and wood shaft.

At the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, Fujikura began the 2024 season as the #1 Driver and Wood shaft on the PGA Tour. In total, over 39.0% of the field used a Fujikura driver shaft during the week, with another 36.8% of the field in the wood shaft count.

Ping G430 MAX 10K Driver Sets New MOI and Forgiveness Standards

Founded by Karsten Solheim nearly 65 years ago on the concept of engineering more-forgiving, easier-to-hit golf clubs, PING continues that never-ending pursuit with today’s introduction of the G430 MAX 10K driver, its highest MOI, most forgiving and straightest driver to date.

The G430 MAX 10K driver is available for custom fittings and pre-order at authorized PING golf shops around the world beginning today.

Cleveland Golf Introduces Revamped Launcher XL 2 Drivers

It’s well known the Driver is the one club every golfer gets excited about. But it’s also the one club golfers often struggle with most. That’s where Cleveland Golf comes in. Launcher XL 2 Drivers are packed with an XL blend of distance and forgiveness technologies that give the avid golfer everything they need to go longer off the tee and find more fairways.

“Using a multi-step AI process and emphasizing impact locations in areas where avid golfers tend to strike the ball, we were able to evaluate performance characteristics and manipulate face geometries based on those results,” said Dustin Brekke, Director of Engineering at Cleveland Golf. “With the MainFrame XL Face design golfers will see more powerful ball speeds, distance, and consistency no matter where contact is made.”

Cleveland Golf Announces New Halo XL Woods

Whether it’s long Irons, Fairway Woods, Hybrids, or something else entirely, avid golfers are keeping long-game clubs in the bag that often hurt their scores. That’s exactly why Cleveland Golf created a simpler, easier way to reduce disastrous long-game shots with the all-new HALO XL Woods.

After taking a deep dive into the data on common long-game challenges among avid golfers, Cleveland Golf created an easier way for golfers to achieve long-game success by offering three unique HALO XL models, along with an extended lineup of lofts. These variety of options are designed to not only help players avoid long game challenges, but also eliminate the guesswork players can often encounter when picking long game clubs.

Early Access Black Ops Release from PXG Confirmed

PXG, a leading research and development company and golf club manufacturer, has confirmed the upcoming launch of its highly anticipated PXG Black Ops collection. The new lineup is set to be deployed on January 11, 2024, and will include PXG Black Ops Drivers, PXG Black Ops Fairways, and PXG Black Ops Hybrids.

In November, PXG Blacks Ops golf clubs were added to the USGA's conforming list, clearing the clubs for use in year-end tournaments. Within a week of testing the new clubs, PXG PGA TOUR Professional and just announced Rookie of the Year Eric Cole put the PXG Black Ops Driver in play: the result was a T3 finish at The RSM Classic.

PUMA Golf and Rickie Fowler Unveil Lahaina Maui Cap Benefitting Maui Fire and Disaster Relief

PUMA Golf has created a limited-edition Lahaina Maui golf cap in which all proceeds will go directly to the Maui United Way. The Lahaina Maui Cap prominently features the Lahaina “L,” on the front panel, which is inspired by the “L,” that has been sitting on the hill above Lahainaluna High School since 1904.

In addition to the red Lahaina “L,” the design of the L Cap features several elements that were inspired by native culture. As Lahaina was once covered in breadfruit trees, which supplied critical shade to local inhabitants and helped feed the community, the cap features hand painted images of the once majestic flora.

Callaway Golf Paradym Ai Smoke Driver, Woods, Hybrids, and Irons Preview: First Look

Callaway Golf has announced their new line of Paradym Ai Smoke Drivers, Woods, Hybrids, and Irons that create sweet spots across the entire face.  You read that correctly.  The entire face.

The all-new Ai Smart Face in each of these clubs optimizes performance by controlling face deflections everywhere on the face.  And the result is shots that are longer, dispersion that's tighter, and precision that's deadly even when your margin for error is small.

Callaway Golf Chrome Tour, Chrome Tour X, and Chrome Soft Golf Balls Preview: First Look

Callaway Golf has announced their new line of Chrome Tour, Chrome Tour X, and Chrome Soft Golf Balls.  From cover to core Callaway believes these new balls will take performance to an entirely new level and become the new gold standard in golf ball performance.

Every detail in the 2024 Chrome lineup has been optimized, including the new Hyper Fast Soft Core, mantle designs, new Tour Seamless Aero package, and the cover formulation.  Each of these technologies are meticulously measured through industry-leading manufacturing, with over 100 million proof (data) points, for the most consistent performance.

New Vokey SM10 Wedges Now on Tour

As the 2024 PGA TOUR season debuts this week in Maui, so does the next generation of the TOUR’s longstanding most played wedges: Vokey Design SM10.

Vokey wedges have been the top choice of players on the PGA TOUR every year since 2004. Last season, more than 50 percent of the wedges in play were Vokey Design, with seven of the world’s top 10 players at year’s end gaming at least one Vokey wedge – including reigning major champions Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman.

TRUE linkswear New Winter Collection Offers Performance Luxury and Comfort

TRUE linkswear has unveiled its Winter Collection, featuring footwear, apparel and accessories that will ensure golf’s good times continue during the cold weather months.

While temperatures are at their lowest in January and February, the game can still be enjoyed, assuming players are properly outfitted, and TRUE linkswear’s Winter Collection is the place to start.

2024 USGA Executive Committee Slate Announced

Andrew Biggadike of Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J.; David Dorton of Atlanta, Ga.; Virginia C. Drosos of Dallas, Texas; David Leitch of Earlysville, Va.; and Andy North of Madison, Wis., have each been nominated to serve on the USGA Executive Committee, highlighting the USGA Nominating Committee’s 2024 slate.

In addition, Cathy Engelbert of Berkeley Heights, N.J., has been nominated to serve a second 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.

Adidas Announced as Supporting Sponsor of Inaugural PGA Show Winter Jam Featuring Country Music Star Jake Owen

Adidas, a global leader in sports performance apparel, footwear and accessories, will be a supporting sponsor of the inaugural PGA Show Winter Jam, featuring country music star Jake Owen, on Thursday, Jan. 25, in Orlando, Fla. The PGA Show Winter Jam is not open to the public. Registered PGA Show attendees will receive complimentary admission to the after-hours event held in a new concert lounge in Hall E of the Orange County Convention Center.

The country rock band Back Country Boys will open the PGA Show Winter Jam at 6 p.m., followed by headliner Jake Owen, with DJ Spencer Ludwig closing out an exciting concert night. The PGA Show Winter Jam is an industry appreciation event for the efforts made by Show attendees to grow the game in recent years and an opportunity to unwind and network with peers after a busy Show Day.

USGA Announces Sand Valley Resort Will Host four USGA Amateur Championships

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced that Sand Valley Resort, in Nekoosa, Wis., will be the host site for four USGA championships, beginning with the U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2026. The 2029 U.S. Junior Amateur, 2030 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and 2034 U.S. Girls’ Junior will also be conducted at the resort.

“The USGA is excited to begin this commitment with Sand Valley Resort, and we look forward to a long and fulfilling relationship,” said Mark Hill, USGA managing director, Championships. “The Keiser family has been committed to hosting national championships and promoting amateur competitions. We know that the resort’s courses will challenge and thoroughly impress the world’s best players.”

Wilson Fit AI Set to Change Future of Golf Club Fitting

Wilson Sporting Goods Co. has introduced Wilson Fit AI, an innovative, first-of-its-kind technology that will benefit both golf club fitters and golfers looking for the most advanced custom fitting experience. Wilson Fit AI combines Wilson’s black box algorithm with Blast Motion’s industry-leading motion analysis technology to deliver a simplified, more efficient and engaging fitting process for all involved.

“The team at Wilson is thrilled to bring Wilson Fit AI to market and, simply put, this is the future of golf fitting,” said Bob Thurman, Global Vice President of Research & Development at Wilson and General Manager of Wilson Golf. “Club fitters using a Wilson iron with a Blast Motion sensor embedded into the grip will be able to provide real-time feedback for every aspect of the player’s swing including shaft loading, swing tempo, face closing rates, and more. It will only take a few swings to understand a golfer’s swing profile allowing us to recommend the perfect set of Wilson customized irons, along with the ideal head model, shaft type and grip for each golf club.”

USGA Returns to Venerable Maryland Venues

The USGA has announced that Woodmont Country Club, in Rockville, Md., will host the 2025 and 2026 U.S. Adaptive Opens, and the 2028 U.S. Junior Amateur, while Columbia Country Club, in Chevy Chase, Md., will host the 2027 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and the 2035 U.S. Senior Amateur. This marks the USGA’s first return to Maryland since 2021 and a commitment to host five championships in the state over an 11-year period.

 

“We are excited to return to Maryland, which is home not only to historic golf venues, but also supportive and engaged fans familiar with USGA championships," said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “We know that Woodmont Country Club, Columbia Country Club and the surrounding communities will be thoroughly engaged in hosting these five championships. We look forward to partnering with our host clubs to stage top-tier events for some of the best players in the world.”

USGA Delivers Yearlong Impact in Championing and Advancing the Game

Delivering on an organizational commitment to drive impact “for the good of the game,” the USGA’s investments and programs contributed greatly to golf’s overall health and growth in 2023.

"129 years ago today, a handful of forward-thinking American golf clubs came together to formulate the USGA – with a simple mission to provide a common set of rules for all, to conduct national championships, and to provide a long-term, unbiased perspective for an even better future for our game,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “In 2023, we took significant steps toward that goal to more deeply invest our voice, expertise and financial resources to foster a stronger, more welcoming and more sustainable game.”

Enhanced Layering at Heart of Original Penguin Winter 2023 Collection

Original Penguin, known for its unique, humorous and detail-oriented clothing, is pleased to spotlight its Winter 2023 collections for men and women, inspired by the great outdoors and 60s space age fashion.

Perfectly marrying high street trends with edgy golf course chic, Original Penguin Golf, supported by global brand ambassador and Open Champion Cameron Smith, continues to fuse bold styling with tried-and-tested designs for golfers looking to inject a modern look into their golfing wardrobe.