2018 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap Part 1 of 4: Wilson Golf, Mitsubishi Golf Shafts, and TaylorMade Golf

Demo Day is always my favorite part of the PGA Merchandise Show.  I start at the front gates, and purposefully make my way around the entire 42-acre Orange County National Golf Center.  I hit as many new clubs as I can in the nine hours we get, jot down notes for recaps, and grab pictures and videos so you can see everything. 

 

Music is pumping, people are drinking, and everyone's having a great time.  Demo Day is basically golf's version of Woodstock, except everyone has their clothes on.  By the end of the day I have worse calluses than I do actually playing an entire season back home in Ohio.  And I usually don't sleep that evening, because if I did I probably wouldn't want to wake up for the first day of the Show. 

2018 PGA Merchandise Show and Demo Day PGAPappas GIVEAWAYS

Well I'm finally home from the spectacle that is Demo Day and the PGA Merchandise Show, and I've never been more excited about new equipment, apparel, and golf gear as I am this year. 

 

I'll start uploading daily pictures, videos, and recaps starting tomorrow, and will have my Best of Show final wrap up sharing with you what products stood out as best in their class and why. 

As always I picked up some swag for you while I was down there and currently have five separate giveaways you can enter to win in three different ways. 

Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 4 Wedges - Preview

Callaway Golf has released an ultra- premium wedge called Mack Daddy 4, created with an appealing new shape, forged of soft 8620 carbon steel, and delivering an exceptionally satisfying feel and response on every shot. 

 

Less offset, a squarer toe and a straighter leading edge create a clean, confidence-inducing appearance at address to promote crisp contact and command control.  Higher spin comes from the new Groove-in-Groove technology and surface treatment to promote added stopping power, especially on pitches and chips.  Callaway also added an extra 16th groove to provide extra grab on shots hit from right lies that are often hit thin. 

TaylorMade Golf Spider Interactive Putter Powered by Blast - Preview

TaylorMade Golf has announced the release of the new Spider Interactive putter Powered by Blast.  Engineered in collaboration with Blast Motion and SuperStroke Golf, it will advance how golfers of all skill levels capture, analyze and progress their game on the greens. 

 

The Spider putter is TaylorMade's most popular putter in company history and was one of the most popular putters on the PGA Tour in 2016 to 2017.  Taking the next step in its evolution with the incorporation of Blast's motion capture sensors, this is TaylorMade's first totally-integrated golf sensor product in company history. 

Miura Giken MC-501 Irons Preview

You probably haven't heard much about this yet, but Miura Golf will be releasing three new sets of irons this year, and the Miura Giken MC-501 irons should make their debut at the PGA Merchandise Show next week. 

 

I'll have all the information about them you'll ever need next week from the floor, as well as tons of pictures and first impressions.  In the meantime, here's what we know about these muscle cavity beauties so far. 

Callaway Golf Rogue Drivers and Fairway Woods Preview

Riding a wave of momentum into 2018, Callaway Golf has released their new Rogue Drivers and Rogue Fairway Woods.  Both clubs feature the company's proprietary Jailbreak Technology made famous in last season's Epic drivers, but Callaway claims the Rogue drivers and woods are more forgiving and deliver even faster ball speeds thanks to an updated face. 

 

Improving on the best selling driver of 2017 is no small task, and I'll give you my full impressions next week at the PGA Show.  In the meantime here are few key details about the new line, and some comparisons for perspective to last year's Epic. 

Wilson Golf C300 Driver, Woods, and Irons Preview

It's easy to be curious about the hundreds of eye-catching new products that come out every year about this time.  Wilson Golf's new C300 Series of drivers, woods, and irons however, will grab your attention. You can expect heavy coverage of the entire line from me at the PGA Show.  I can't say for sure until I review these new clubs, but my first impression is the C300 Series has the potential to be Wilson's best selling line ever. 

 

The C300 Series clubs feature Wilson Staff’s revolutionary Power Hole technology for accuracy and power.  These urethane-filled through-holes strategically positioned around the face minimize contact between the body and face while providing maximum flex and an expanded sweet spot. 

TaylorMade Golf M3 and M4 Driver, Fairway Wood, and Rescue Preview

TaylorMade Golf is shifting the landscape of golf club engineering with the introduction of their new M3 and M4 metalwoods.  In a radical departure from traditional driver face design, TaylorMade's breakthrough innovation - Twist Face technology - promises new thresholds of never before seen performance. You might even call it a plot twist in driver design (see what I did there)? 



Seriously though, the concept is intriguing and it's sure to be a polarizing topic in the industry.  Twist Face technology is supposed to deliver a corrective face angle for shots hit off-center that should result in longer, straighter shots.  I'll have a full report for you from the PGA Merchandise Show on whether or not the benefits are real and tangible. 

Antigua Golf Apparel Spring 2018 Collection Preview - High Fashion at the Forefront

It's not officially spring until The Masters is upon us, but that doesn't mean we can't warm up a bit with an early peak at the bold new styles from one of the nation’s most prominent golf apparel designers. 

 

I'll be showing you a lot of Antigua Golf's new Spring 2018 collection from the PGA Show next week, and can tell you already they've made spring a season of energy and optimism. 

Preview: COBRA Golf Introduces the 2018 KING F8 Drivers with CNC Milled Faces for the Ultimate in Speed and Precision

COBRA Golf's new KING F8 line of clubs earned immediate validation last month when Rickie Fowler used the new KING F8+ driver and fairway woods to win the Hero World Challenge over a star-studded field.  I'll have a full report on COBRA's entire F8 line-up, including the new F8 irons next week at the PGA Merchandise Show.  I'm especially excited about COBRA's new equipment because last year's KING F7 Driver was one of my top-rated drivers of the season. 

 

The KING F8 and KING F8+ drivers feature COBRA's first ever Precision Milled Forged face for the ultimate in driving performance.  The groundbreaking, fully CNC machined driver face paired with revolutionary 360* Aero Technology, and equipped with COBRA CONNECT Powered by Arccos, delivers COBRA's fastest, most precise, and smartest drivers to date. 

PING Golf G400 Max Driver, Glide 2.0 Stealth Wedges, G700 Irons Preview

PING Golf is going all in on new equipment releases this year, with drivers, irons, and putters that promise to be some of the most eye-catching products at the 2018 PGA Merchandise Show. 

 

I'll have detailed impressions of the new PING G400 Max driver, G700 irons, Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges, and Vault 2.0 putters at Demo Day and on the floor at the Show.  In the meantime here's some info on all the clubs that PING believes will deliver across-the-board performance gains to help all golfers play better. 

EDEL Golf Torque Balanced Putter Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 12 Giveaway

Nothing causes more stress for a golfer than putting, and so each new year we see companies lay out different putter models, sizes, weights, toe-balanced versions, face-balanced versions, and everything in between to be our saviors. 

 

In one way, shape, or form, they all promise their putters have great feel, fantastic spin, and superior control.  Most of the time however, you just have to file these promises under complete and utter bullcrap.  That is, unless the promises come from a company like EDEL Golf. 

Callaway Golf Epic Sub Zero Fairway Wood Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 11 Giveaway

Move over Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt and the rest of the 2000 St. Louis Rams, there's a new "Greatest Show on Turf" in town.  Callaway Golf's GBB Epic Sub Zero fairway woods are attack oriented clubs that run circles around the course with burner speed.  They eat up massive chunks of yardage from the fairway and the tee, and every time you take a swing, they put big shot potential in your hands. 

 

I should tell you right away the Epic Sub Zero fairway woods don't feature the jailbreak technology included in the Epic drivers, the face is too shallow for rugged titanium bars.  But trust me, it's nothing to stress out about.  The SZ still fires with the power of a .357 Magnum thanks to its lightweight triaxial crown and Callaway's latest generation Hyper Speed Face Cup. 

Cobra KING F7 Driver Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 10 Giveaway

Let’s be honest.  We’ve all grabbed a driver from our bag, stuck a tee into the ground, and then had no idea what was about to happen next.  Our ball might go left and it might go right.  We might hit it high and we might hit it low.  Stepping into the tee box can sometimes be like pulling the arm on a Vegas slot machine.  You just hope for the best. 

 

Cobra Golf's KING F7 driver takes random chance out of the equation and hits the jackpot with a three gold bar payout in distance, forgiveness, and adjustability - making it one of my top performing drivers of the year.  It leaves no doubt in all-around performance and will give you confidence to take dead aim and fire away without inhibition. 

Cleveland Golf RTX-3 Sand Wedge Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 9 Giveaway

The pros make it look easy, but hitting out of a sand bunker for the rest of us can be intimidating, and sometimes even a truly miserable experience.  Put a Cleveland Golf RTX-3 sand wedge in your hands however, and you'll start blasting your way out to lower scores in no time. 

 

I wrote a full review on the Cleveland RTX-3 wedges here earlier this week, and you can read all about why it gets my top billing, in particular for its amazing spin and incredibly versatile sole.  The RTX isn't just a game-changer from the sand however.  It will be your go-to club from 100 yards and in, and when you see your approach shots landing a few feet from the hole, it might also become the favorite club in your bag. 

Callaway Golf Steelhead XR Fairway Wood Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 8 Giveaway

Let this one bounce around your grapefruit for a bit.  Callaway Golf's new Steelhead XR fairway woods can be used with equal effectiveness on the tee, from the fairway, in the rough, and around the green.  One club.  Infinite utility. 

 

No, they're not equipped with flux capacitors and won't leave a trail of flames in the turf when you swing them.  The Steelhead XR woods don't even have removable weights or an adjustable hosel.  Callaway's gone back to the future however, and recharged one of the most successful fairway woods in history with jaw-dropping performance that will give you an edge just about anywhere on the course. 

CRU Golf Lighthouse Collection Leather Headcovers Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 7 Giveaway

From the Turnberry lighthouse off the cliffs at Ayrshire, Scotland to the Harbour Town lighthouse on the shores of Hilton Head, South Carolina, golf course watchtowers around the world are just as much a part of the game as daunting greens and tempting fairways. 

 

CRU Golf pays homage to these magnificent beacons with their Lighthouse Collection leather headcovers, and I can unapologetically say these are some of the finest CRU has ever made. 

Cleveland Golf RTX-3 Wedge Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 6 Giveaway

Here’s the scenario.  You’re in a fairway bunker, maybe 100 yards out from a back pin location.  Your ball is partially buried - the dreaded fried egg.  If you blast out too far your ball’s screaming over the green and into a pond.  Don’t clear the tall bunker lip and tentacles of shame will emerge from the trap and cripple you where you stand.  What are you going to do? 

 

If you grab a Cleveland Golf RTX-3 wedge, you’ll probably hit one of the prettiest, highest bunker shots you’ve ever seen.  Even before your club twirl is finished you’ll know that danger was averted, and while the iconic 588 name might be gone from your wedge, the legendary 588 performance has never been better. 

Piretti Firenze Black Onyx Putter Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 5 Giveaway

Golfers are an finicky bunch.  We fall in love with our putters almost as quickly as we fall out of love with them.  I'd like to tell you the Piretti Firenze Black Onyx putter will once and for all put an end to your compulsive putter buying binges, but I can't.  Putting your hands on the new Firenze is just going to feed an insatiable obsession to keep buying Piretti masterpieces for the rest of your life. 

 

Let me give it to you straight.  The Firenze is one of the best putters you'll ever hit.  Today, tomorrow, seriously... forever.  Incredible distance control and stability makes it almost foolproof.  A heavier head and deep milled grooves create exceptional roll.  And the soft, pure sensation off the face combined with its sleek and powerful appearance makes Firenze a flat-out game changer. 

Wilson Staff FG Tour PMP Lob Wedge Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 4 Giveaway

It's the high-lofted assassin you grab from your bag when you need that impossible flopper to a foot.  Sometimes it's the only option you have when you're short-sided or stuck in thick rough.  I'm talking about your lob wedge of course, and Wilson Staff's FG Tour PMP lob wedge is hell-bent on making it easier than ever to expand your shot repertoire around the greens. 

 

I already wrote a full review on the Wilson PMP wedges here, so you can read all the ins and outs about their flight, spin, and distance control.  They'll shave strokes off your game and probably also save you from more than a few tough lies.  I won't go into detail here again except to say the PMP performance is legendary.  It's a wedge you can trust completely.  And it will deliver for you when it counts the most.