Tag: adidas

  • Dick’s Fires 500 PGA Professionals

    Dick's Sporting Goods Fires 500 PGA ProsLast week Dick’s Sporting Goods,  the nation’s largest retailer of Callaway and Taylor Made golf equipment, fired all of the PGA Professionals they employed in the golf department at over 560 stores across the nation. Dick’s tried to differentiate themselves from other retailers by employing a PGA professional in each store to improve the customer experience and deliver a higher level of service, but due to the continued decline in golf equipment sales and participation, they were forced to put over 500 pros on the street. They were the largest employer of PGA Professionals after the PGA itself.

    Back in May, Dick’s CEO Ed Stack said the company’s overall golf business missed its first quarter sales by $34 million and he expected the downward trend to continue. “We are selling drivers in our stores this spring for $99 that were approximately $299 20 months ago,” said Stack. The golf business accounts for about 15 percent of Dick’s overall revenues.

    The way I see it, TaylorMade adidas Golf (TMAG) is at least partly to blame for the layoffs. While driver sales in the first quarter were only down 2 percent from 2013, the average price of drivers was down 16 percent. As TaylorMade’s largest retailer, Dick’s is hit hard every time TMAG releases a new driver model, because it forces Dick’s and other retailers to sell the older models at a clearance price which cuts into profit margins. Small retailers are sometimes forced to take a loss to stay competitive.

    TaylorMade released four different driver models last year, and the glut of new products continues, flooding the market with clubs consumers don’t want to buy. Walk into your local Dick’s Sporting Goods and you’ll probably see older model clubs from TaylorMade and others for closeout prices between $99 and $199, far below the suggested retail price. This is all part of TMAG’s sales strategy to put their clubs in as many golf bags as possible, but the industry is now starting to pay the price and the hangover from this glut will have an impact for years.

    The great irony of this is none other than TaylorMade’s former CEO Mark King has been the primary spokesman for Hack Golf – an initiative to grow golf by thinking outside the box for ways to infuse the game with exciting changes and attract new players. King recently left TaylorMade to become the president of adidas North America, and speaking to HBO’s Bryant Gumbel for an segment on “Real Sports”, he said “Young people entering the game after high school, 18 to 30-year olds are down 35 percent in the last 10 years. So I don’t like where the game looks like it’s going.”

    He’s right. According to the National Golf Foundation, about 400,000 people left the game in the past year, and now over 500 PGA professionals are also looking for work. It appears the PGA of America, Mr. King and his Hack Golf initiative and other industry leaders have their work cut out for them.

  • TaylorMade SLDR Driver

    TaylorMade SLDR DriverIf I could only use one word to describe TaylorMade Golf for the past 3 or 4 years, I think it would be: Prolific.

    pro·lif·ic (prəˈlifik) adjective: present in large numbers or quantities; plentiful.

    TaylorMade is everywhere. Go to any major sporting goods retailer, golf store or green grass pro shop and you are likely to see TaylorMade clubs, balls, hats, bags and more. This is deliberate of course. In the marketing war to win over customers, more is better. The more you see their name on TV, in pro shops or on the course, the more likely you will become a TaylorMade customer yourself.
    For this strategy to work however, you need a good product and money, and TaylorMade has both. Now backed by the adidas Sports Group, TaylorMade adidas Golf (TMAG) has a long history of industry changing products. It all started in the 70s when Barney Adams created the original “Pittsburgh Persimmon” cast metal driver. Once he got a few PGA Tour pros to try it and they started winning with it, the metalwood era had begun. By the mid 90s, wooden headed clubs were gone. In 1995, they introduced the Burner Bubble driver with a painted (imagine that) copper head and the innovative bubble shaft, and it took the market by storm. By 2004 when the R7 adjustable driver came out, TaylorMade had already established itself as an industry leader. Last year we had the famous (or infamous) white drivers and fairways, and while one TMAG staffer once told me “We’re all in on white”, they have returned to a more neutral color scheme with their most recent clubs, the SLDR Driver and the newly introduced JetSpeed Driver and Fairways.

    TaylorMade SLDR Driver

    TaylorMade SLDR DriverThe TaylorMade SLDR driver is almost old hat at this point, having come out earlier this summer. TaylorMade loves to introduce new products at several points in the year, making it seem like there is a constant stream of new goodies coming from the R&D folks in Carlsbad, California. They say what makes this driver long is the placement of the CG (center of gravity) low and forward in the club to reduce ball spin. When combined with greater loft at impact, balls are launching higher with less spin, and according to the magical club testing robots and launch monitors, it is their longest driver ever.
    We’ve all heard this before of course. Longer, straighter, more forgiving – these words are attached to every company’s new product launch press releases nowadays. Will the TaylorMade SLDR driver deliver on this promise? In a word, maybe. Every golfer will get different results, and obviously a proper fitting makes a huge difference. I compared the SLDR driver side by side with two current “gamer” drivers. The Adams Super LS and a Cleveland Classic that is now my backup.

    Performance

    TaylorMade SLDR DriverHaving such a low and forward center of gravity (CG), the TaylorMade SLDR will perform better if you add some loft. If you normally play a 9.5 degree driver, try the SLDR with 10.5 degrees. The forward CG lowers ball spin to the point that too little loft will leave you unable to carry the ball very far. I had the 10.5 lofted TaylorMade SLDR TP, which is the “tour” model with an upgraded shaft. I usually play 7.5 (Cleveland Classic) to 8.5 (Adams Super LS) degrees of loft, so going to the 10.5 head was a big change. Naturally I launched the ball very high with the SLDR driver. Since I was basically comparing apples and oranges, I didn’t notice a gain or loss in distance with the SLDR driver. The SLDR driver carried a bit further than the Cleveland Classic and Adams Super LS, but because the conditions are usually soft and wet in my area I wasn’t able to see how much roll I would get. It seems that every year my swing speed goes down, but I don’t lose distance. Advancements in club and ball technology are the main reasons for that. In practical terms, distance depends largely on one’s golf swing and playing conditions. It is too hard for me to judge if this driver is really longer than my “gamers” in real world testing. One thing is for certain, this driver is as hot as any current driver, so if you have a club that is a year or two old, you will most certainly see a gain in distance with the TaylorMade SLDR driver if properly fitted.
    I generally don’t mess with adjustable drivers much, because I like to work the ball both ways off the tee and prefer a neutral setup that allows me to shape shots without too much extra effort. The SLDR driver’s sliding weight allows a person to dial in up to 30 yards of side to side ball flight, according to TaylorMade. Out of the box I found the TaylorMade SLDR wanted to draw the ball, so I set it a few clicks towards to toe and found a setting that worked pretty well. Had the shaft been a little stiffer I think the default setting may have worked. Either way, this adjustment is simpler and easier to adjust than the removable weights and confusing sole plate of the R1 driver, and a welcome change.

    Aesthetics

    TaylorMade SLDR DriverIs the era of the white drivers over? I’m not sure, but for the moment it is on hiatus for the TaylorMade SLDR driver. This one is painted a nice charcoal-gray color, which is more traditional and looks great. The chrome accent at the rear of the crown and busy graphics let you know this is still a TaylorMade driver, however. The busy design on the sole is classic TaylorMade, as the MWT (moveable weight technology) has evolved to become a single weight sliding along a track for adjustments in draw or fade bias. The adjustable hosel is still there to allow the golfer to adjust dynamic loft by opening or closing the club face. Compared to some of the more recent offerings, the TaylorMade SLDR is a pretty good looking club.

    Conclusions

    The SLDR driver is a solid, low spinning club that strikes a decent balance between new technology and classic looks. If properly fit, I’m confident that most golfers will see an increase in distance, but depending on what kind of driver you are upgrading from, that gain may be negligible in the real world. To get the most out of this driver, I highly recommend adding loft. Even the 10.5 that I was hitting wasn’t producing a ball flight that was too high for me. Everyone differs of course, so go out and hit one and see for yourself. If you are looking for a good upgrade from a driver that is a few years old, the TaylorMade SLDR is a worthy choice.

  • Preview – Battle of the Golf Blogs 2013

    IMG_2006Every year the golf world comes to Orlando for the annual PGA Merchandise show. While this is certainly an important event, the Battle of the Golf Blogs competition is even more important! Ok, maybe not, but we take it very seriously have a lot of fun with it and so do our sponsors for the event. This year may be the best one yet, because we’ve lined up some top notch companies to help us out, and the venue is second to none and one of my personal all time favorites. Be sure to follow us on Twitter with hashtag #BOGB

    Sponsors

    The following companies were busting down the door trying to sponsor our little match, and we were happy to oblige them.

    • Since you can’t play without golf balls, Bridgestone Golf was gracious enough to handle that logistical issue. We’ll be playing a variety of their offerings from the B330 to the E6.
    • Since you can’t play golf naked without getting arrested, Fila Golf was very kind to dress us all in a different outfit to show off their extensive line of fashions that look great on or off the golf course.
    • adidas Golf makes some of the finest quality footwear on the planet, so it was awesome when they stepped up to provide us all with a shiny new pair of shoes to wear for the competition.
    • The Venue – Black Diamond Ranch will host us on the world famous Quarry Course. Readers of this site may remember our trip there from 2011. The course is a beauty and a beast and has hosted many notable tournaments. None however, have been as significant or impactful as #BOGB!

     The Contestants

    2012-01-26 17.48.17-1Defending #BOGB Champion John Duval of  www.intothegrain.com lives in Port Orange, FL. A former ski bum and hockey junkie from Montreal, Canada, he also likes Italian food, making fun of the New York Jets and long walks on the beach. He’s considering going back to school for a Masters Degree in Awesomeness. John has played the Quarry course several times before, and if he loses he’ll blame in on the fact that he can’t putt. Twitter: @into_the_grain

    602735_10101676775590122_1211301538_nDave Lair of www.orlandogolfblogger.com lives in Orlando, FL and stands on the wrong side of the ball when playing golf. A dedicated family man, Dave is the proud father of three future Masters champions. Dave doesn’t play as often as he used to, which was once in a blue moon to begin with. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him shoot a round in the mid 80s and destroy his low handicap playing partners, but it probably won’t happen because we’ll be heckling him all day. Twitter: @DaveLair

    532871_10151242374279097_231195530_nRob Hayashida of www.sandbox8.com comes from Chicago, IL where the wind chill was -14 today. Good call coming to Orlando Rob! One of the better guys in the golf blog world, he enjoys snapping pictures of his competitors mid-backswing and usually has all the latest gadgets to play with, which is fine with us, because it distracts him from his goal of beating us. He’s never played at the Quarry Course before. Boy is he in for a treat! And by treat, I mean penalty shots! Twitter: @GolfViews

    tonyTony Korologos of www.hookedongolfblog.com lives in Sandy, UT and can play the drums like nobody’s business. Tony is desperately clinging to a 2.5 handicap, but that is at 5000 feet of elevation. It will balloon to a 6 or 7 at sea level. He’ll try to blame the clubs for his loss of distance but we’ll question his manhood just because we can. Tony loves all things Greek and is a proud pappy of newborn Seve Korologos, soon to be the best golfer in the family. Twitter: @hoggolfblog

  • 8 Christmas Gift Ideas For Last Minute Shoppers

    Christmas is almost here, and if you are like me, you still haven’t done your shopping yet. Shipping cutoffs are approaching fast and the stores are packed with last minute shoppers. If there is a golfer on your gift list, here are a few suggestions that you may be interested in…

    • HIRZL Gloves – There are several things Switzerland is famous for making well. A few products that come to mind are chocolate, watches, Swiss army knives and golf gloves. Wait, what? Hirzl gloves are the real deal. They are a premium golf glove that provides superior grip in all conditions and durability that surpasses all other gloves on the market. Made with a mix of Kangaroo and Cabretta leather, they are worth every penny. Street price: $25 – Visit their website for more information. 
    • IJP Designs Apparel – Most everyone that follows the professional tours knows Ian Poulter. Americans know him mostly as the guy that wears flashy pants and keeps kicking their asses at the Ryder Cup. His apparel company has made great inroads in the US market, and IJP offers a complete line of shirts, pants (or trousers if you prefer the Queen’s English), shorts, belts and more. The line features classic designs along side the more darling paterns, and there should be something for just about everyone. Visit ijpdesign.com for more.
    • Slammin’ Sam Beer – A new venture, Slammin’ Sam Beer Company holds an exclusive, worldwide license with the estate of Sam Snead. Slammin’ Sam is a craft-brewed American lager with a refreshing taste and balanced finish that is inspired by the legendary all-time PGA Tour wins leader. Developed using a proprietary recipe developed by Ray Klimovitz, recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Life Service Award from the Master Brewers Association of the Americas, Slammin’ Sam will be offered at renowned resorts, golf courses, restaurants, bars and everywhere beer is sold.
    • TaylorMade Ghost Spider S Putter – TaylorMade’s newest putter was released just in time for the holiday season. The next generation of the Ghost Spider makes it easier for players to square the face at impact to start the ball on its intended line and delivers tremendous twist-resistance on the backswing and off-center hits. Its Tour-designed crown flows smoothly into the outer frame for less distraction, while the black and white frame and single white center-line promotes focus, accurate aim and stroke awareness. TaylorMade’s PureRoll Surlyn insert promotes incredibly soft-yet-solid feel and smooth roll off the face. Available 11/1. MSRP $179 – taylormadegolf.com.
    • adidas Golf Adipure Motion Shoes – One of golf’s great classic shoes, the adipure motion is 5 ounces less and 23% lighter than the previous adipure model. A state-of-the-art outsole construction frees the foot and body to move in a way it was inherently meant to – from the ground up to the shoulders. The adipure motion features a 7-spike, ultra-light exoskeleton outsole with puremotion technology designed to provide dynamic movement and ultimate flexibility. Available 12/1. MSRP $220; adidasgolf.com
    • 2012 Miura Wedges – Miura has been making some of the most beautiful and playable forged irons and wedges in the game for years. The New Wedge Series from Miura, the world’s preeminent maker of quality forged golf clubs, preserves the eternal elements of the “old” Series and adds refinements that make the clubs a pleasure to look at and a joy to play. Now in odd-numbered lofts from 51 degrees through 59, the New Series features redesigned bounce angles that work well with the way thinking players like to play golf.
    • Switch Belts – Made of thermoplastic resin, Switch Belts won’t stretch, fade, warp or wear out. You cut them to fit, can clean them in the dish washer and walk through metal detectors as they contain no metal. What I’m trying to say is, Switch Belts are not just good for golf, but for any outfit. In fact, there are 196 possible belt and buckle color combinations to match every outfit in your closet. Belts go for about $30. www.switchbelt.com
    • SwingTip – In a market flooded with useless swing aids and devices that make you look idiotic on the practice tee, it’s refreshing to see a device that is neither. The SwingTip is a device that attaches below the grip on your club and transmits information about your golf swing to your iPhone, iPad or Android device for analysis. It will give you a graphical display of your swing path along with information like club head speed, club face angle, swing path, impact zone and tempo. You can also review your swing and/or practice session info later online. MSRP $129 – www.swingtip.com

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  • TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Company To Acquire Adams Golf

    Adams Yes! LogoBig news in the golf business world today! TaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMAG) has announced their agreement to buy a majority interest in Adams Golf. You may recall that Adams bought putter maker Yes! golf just a few months ago. This purchase will strengthen one of the industry leaders and make life a bit tougher for the other players out there. It looks like the golf industry is starting to look a bit like the cell phone world, with companies buying each other to consolidate and increase market share. I’m not sure if this move is good or bad for the industry, but I guess we’ll soon see.

    I speculated a few months ago about the Rocketballz design feature using a scooped out cavity behind the face that appeared to infringe on Adams’ design of the Fast 12 fairway woods. Now that TMAG has purchased Adams I wonder if this fairway wood design will be protected, or if others will imitate or duplicate it. I’ve reached out to both companies for more info. In the meantime, here’s the official press release:

    Herzogenaurach and Carlsbad, Calif. (March 19, 2012) – The adidas Group and Adams Golf, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADGF) today announced that the TaylorMade-adidas Golf business segment has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Adams Golf for $10.80 per share in cash. The transaction value is approximately $ 70 million (approximately € 53 million), which represents a premium of approximately 71% to the share price prior to Adams Golf’s announcement that it was examining strategic alternatives on January 4, 2012.

    Through the acquisition of Adams Golf, TaylorMade-adidas Golf reinforces its position as the world’s number one player in golf. The addition of Adams Golf enables TaylorMade-adidas Golf to broaden its product range and to extend its presence across a wider array of golfers.

    “This acquisition reflects our commitment to continued growth in the golf category,” said adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer. “The proposed combination of Adams Golf and TaylorMade-adidas Golf brings together two highly complementary sets of brands, combining Adams’ focus on game-improvement as well as senior and women golfers with TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s focus on the younger and the low-to-mid handicap golfer.”

    “We are very excited to team up with Adams Golf, whose management team we have respected for many years,” commented Mark King, President and CEO of TaylorMade-adidas Golf. “Our mission is to be the best golf company in the world across all geographies, products and customer demographics, and adding Adams Golf is another important step in achieving that goal.”

    “This merger provides strong opportunities for our employees, suppliers and partners,” said Barney Adams, Interim CEO of Adams Golf. “The Adams Golf brand will fit nicely into TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s stable of brands, and together we will be able to increase our reach and better serve our customers by leveraging a wider set of resources. We are also excited that TaylorMade-adidas Golf has decided to maintain Adams Golf’s headquarters in Plano, Texas.”

    The Board of Directors of Adams Golf has unanimously approved the transaction. Certain insiders, who include John M. Gregory, Joseph R. Gregory, SJ Strategic Investments LLC, B.H. (Barney) Adams, Russell L. Fleischer, Mark R. Mulvoy and Robert D. Rogers, collectively own approximately 35% of Adams Golf’s outstanding shares and have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the transaction. The adidas Group plans to finance the acquisition with cash on hand or through existing credit lines. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals as well as approval by Adams Golf shareholders. The transaction is expected to close mid-2012.

    In connection with the transaction, Barclays is acting as financial advisor to the adidas Group, and Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP is serving as legal counsel. Morgan Stanley is acting as financial advisor to Adams Golf and Haynes & Boone, LLP is serving as legal counsel.

    About the adidas Group
    The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry, offering a broad range of products around the core brands: adidas, Reebok, TaylorMade, Rockport and Reebok-CCM Hockey. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has more than 46,000 employees and generated sales of over € 13 billion in 2011.

    About TaylorMade-adidas Golf
    Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company sells golf clubs, balls clothing and accessories under the TaylorMade, adidas Golf and Ashworth brands. TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company posted 2011 sales of over € 1.0 billion.

    About Adams Golf
    Adams Golf designs, assembles, markets and distributes premium quality, technologically innovative golf clubs for all skill levels. Recently launched products include the Speedline Fast 12 drivers, Fast 12 LS drivers and the Speedline Fast 12 fairway woods, along with the Idea a12 OS irons and hybrids, Idea a12 hybrids, Idea Pro a12 irons and hybrids, Idea Tech V3 irons and hybrids, Redline irons, Idea a7 and a7 OS irons and hybrids, and Speedline 9088 UL drivers. Adams Golf also develops new products under the Yes! Putters, Women’s Golf Unlimited, Lady Fairway and Square 2 brands. In 2011, net sales were approximately $ 97 million (€ 73 million).

    Additional Information About the Transaction
    In connection with the proposed transaction, Adams Golf will file a proxy statement and other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The definitive proxy statement and other materials filed with the SEC will contain important information regarding the merger, including, among other things, the recommendation of Adams Golf’s board of directors with respect to the merger. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER MATERIALS THAT ADAMS GOLF FILES WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS. You will be able to obtain the proxy statement, as well as other filings containing information about Adams Golf and the merger, free of charge, at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the proxy statement and other filings made by Adams Golf with the SEC can also be obtained, free of charge, by directing a request to Adams Golf, Inc., 2801 East Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75074, Attention: Investor Relations.

    Participants in the Solicitation
    The directors and executive officers of Adams Golf and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Adams Golf’s directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2012 (as it may be amended from time to time) and its Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 8, 2011. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. Investors should read the proxy statement carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “estimate” or other similar expressions. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially. Actual results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: the ability to obtain regulatory approvals of the acquisition on the proposed terms and schedule; the failure of Adams Golf’s stockholders to approve the acquisition; the risk that the acquisition may not be completed in the time frame expected by the parties or at all; the parties’ ability to satisfy the closing conditions and consummate the transactions; and Adams Golf’s ability to maintain its existing relationships with its employees, customers and suppliers. Additional information regarding factors that may affect future results are described in Adams Golf’s filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

    All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made. Neither Adams Golf, Inc. nor TaylorMade-adidas Golf undertakes any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of the press release.

  • adidas Golf Introduces SAMBA GOLF Footwear

    adidas samba golf shoeI’ve always been a huge fan of the Samba soccer shoe from adidas. I wore them every day in high school and beyond, and now they are making a golf shoe from the timeless design of the Samba! Here’s more details, as outlined in the following press release from TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company…

    CARLSBAD, CALIF. (November 17, 2011) – adidas’ iconic SAMBA is one of the most popular and recognizable shoes on the planet, with more than 35 million pairs sold worldwide. Now, for the first time, golfers can showcase the legendary footwear on the golf course with the introduction of the SAMBA GOLF shoe.

    Introduced in 1950, the original SAMBA was created to enable soccer players to train on hard, icy ground and quickly evolved to become a dominant indoor soccer shoe. Over time, SAMBA’s combination of classic styling and comfortable fit fueled its transcendence into a modern-day essential worn everywhere from athletic fields to the mall and from city streets to the suburbs, and by virtually everyone regardless of age and gender. Athletes, celebrities, students, parents and grandparents have made SAMBA a ubiquitous part of global culture.

    “SAMBA has been widely loved around the world for decades,” said Bill Price, Vice President of adidas Golf Footwear. “It’s time to bring its timeless styling to the golf course.”

    SAMBA GOLF maintains the shoe’s classic silhouette and 3-Stripes design, and features a durable, suede toe-guard and the distinctive tan gumsole equipped with six cleats and THINTECH low-profile technology for improved traction, stability and support. The textile, synthetic-leather upper is water-resistant and provides lightweight, durable performance.

    The footwear is offered in medium width and three colorways: Black/White /Gum, White/Black/Gum, and Satellite/White/ Gum- available at retail on March 1, 2012 at an MSRP of $100 USD; red/white/gum will be released on May 1, 2012.

     About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company

    TaylorMade Golf has led the golf industry’s technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly owned subsidiary of the adidas Group. adidas Golf creates high-performance, technology-infused golf apparel and footwear worn by hundreds of professional golfers around the world. Ashworth, which became a brand of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company in 2008, creates relaxed, lifestyle-oriented golf apparel synonymous with authenticity and quality. Learn more about TaylorMade-adidas Golf and its brands at (866) 530-TMAG (8624) or www.taylormadegolf.com, www.adidasgolf.com, www.ashworthgolf.com, and www.tmag.com.

    About the adidas Group
    About the adidas Group The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry offering a broad range of products across the three core brands adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has more than 39,000 employees and generated sales of EUR 10.381 billion in 2009. 

  • adidas Golf Introduces adidas STREET Footwear

    adidas STREET footwearGolf shoes are evolving. It used to be that all golf shoes either looked like the classic saddle or wingtip style, or they looked like tennis shoes with spikes. In the last few years, companies like Ecco have changed the way we think about golf shoes, making the “street style” popular with the help of brand ambassadors like Fred Couples. Another shoe company that is changing the game is Kikkor Golf. Their innovative line of skater inspired shoes is gaining much popularity with golfers, especially the younger crowd.

    These new style shoes are comfortable, make a statement and can mostly be worn right out of the house and on to the first tee. With the nubby, spikeless sole of these golf shoes, one seldom has to change his shoes in the parking lot or locker room any more. Of course, there are other options for those traditional spiked shoes to be worn off the course too, but I personally don’t wear traditional golf shoes much any more.

    This new youth movement in golf shoes has forced the big boys like Nike, Footjoy and adidas to jump into the market as well. TaylorMade adidas Golf has answered the call with their adidas Street footwear. The details of the new shoe are below, in the TMAG press release. We’ll be posting our review as soon as we can get our hands on a pair, so keep checking back or simply subscribe to our email updates for more.

     

    Justin Rose wearing adidas STREET footwearCARLSBAD, CA (September 21, 2011) – adidas Golf, the industry leader in footwear innovation, has introduced the spikeless adidas STREET footwear. adidas Golf Tour Staff professional Justin Rose debuted the new spikeless golf shoe en route to his wire-to-wire win at the BMW Championship last week.

    adidas STREET combines iconic adidas styling with full-grain leather for a rich look and feel. The upper is both lightweight and durable, while the soft, spikeless outsole provides traction, comfort and off-course versatility. The spikeless sole gave Rose superior traction throughout the week, including in wet conditions during the final round when a steady rain fell throughout the back nine.

    Rose switched to the adidas STREET last week after being given a prototype pair and was instantly hooked, as the innovative shoe has helped his footwork and allowed him to move freely with the extra flexion and torsion he needs. “I noticed an impressive improvement after wearing the adidas STREET shoe. The softer construction puts less stress on the body and I walk off the course feeling fresher,” said Rose.

    adidas STREET is designed to allow the foot more natural flexion and torsion while cushioning every step. The spikeless outsole delivers superior traction with 124 strategically placed traction lugs of varying size for a secure grip in all playing conditions, with textured synthetic toe-cap that’s super durable and improved abrasion-resistance.

    adidas Golf launched the Balance Nitro franchise in 2005 leading the Japan spikeless category.  Later adids Golf continued innovations with the Traxion Lite series in the US and now the release of the adidas STREET. The adidas STREET is poised to solidify that leadership position when it launches nationally on November 1, 2011.  “It’s exciting to see the adidas STREET succeed so soon on tour, but not a surprise, since we’ve been making the best spikeless golf footwear for more than five years,” said Kevin Ross, vice president of adidas Golf.

    adidas Street Soleadidas STREET carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $90 in five colorways – white/white/black, black/black/white, cognac brown/tour white/gum, white/FP royal/FP royal, and white/FP lime/FP lime – to be released on November 1, 2011.

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    About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company TaylorMade Golf has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly owned subsidiary of the adidas Group. adidas Golf creates high-performance, technology-infused golf apparel and footwear worn by hundreds of professional golfers around the world. Ashworth, which became a brand of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company in 2008, creates relaxed, lifestyle-oriented golf apparel synonymous with authenticity and quality. Learn more about TaylorMade-adidas Golf and its brands at (866) 530-TMAG (8624) or www.taylormadegolf.com, www.adidasgolf.com, www.ashworthgolf.com, and www.tmag.com.

    About the adidas Group About the adidas Group The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry offering a broad range of products across the three core brands adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has more than 39,000 employees and generated sales of EUR 10.381 billion in 2009.

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