Tag: breakthrough golf technology

  • 3 Unique Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

    3 Unique Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

    Father’s Day is only three weeks away and if you haven’t thought of anything for dad, here are a few ideas that are sure to bring a big smile to his face. We’re keeping it simple this year with one club, one service and one destination.

    Full bag Fitting from True Spec Golf

    https://youtu.be/t8KqXOACe1M

    I’ve lost track of how many times I have emphasized the importance of fitting when buying new golf clubs, but it’s a lot! Golf clubs are expensive, so if you are going to spend upwards of $2000 for a new set, it’s going to be worth a few extra hundred buck to get those clubs dialed in with the right shaft and specs.

    I’ve been to a couple of True Spec Golf’s locations for fittings and on every occasion they’ve knocked it out of the park and helped my golf game. A few years ago a fitting with True Spec Golf in Jupiter led to them building me a three-wood that goes almost 10 yards further than the last, without losing accuracy. Most recently at True Spec in Orlando I discovered a new iron shaft that will give me half a club more distance by optimizing launch and spin conditions for my swing. We’re talking 6-8 yards more distance. That’s a huge gain for irons by just changing shafts!

    If you are buying new clubs or simply want to dial in your existing clubs, a fitting professional from True Spec Golf can and will help your game. They guarantee it! To schedule your fitting today, visit https://www.truespecgolf.com/

    Summer Tee Golf Package at Pinehurst Resort

    Nestled in the sandhills about 70 miles south of Raleigh, North Carolina is the village of Pinehurst, and the surrounding area has some of the best golf in North America. At the center of this Eastern golf mecca is the famed Pinehurst Resort. With nine golf courses (and a great short course) designed by some of the game’s most iconic designers, world-class accommodations and top-notch dining, Pinehurst has it all. Why not send dad and his buddies on a golf trip they’ll never forget?

    Pinehurst Resort’s Summer Tee Golf Package includes resort accommodations for three nights, breakfast and dinner each day, three rounds of golf and – a fourth round for free. There’s a surcharge for the no. 2 course, but it’s probably worth it just to walk in the footsteps of the 2014 US Open Champions from the PGA and LPGA Tour.

    I’m heading up to Pinehurst myself on Father’s Day weekend, so stay tuned for lots of social media coverage on our Instagram & Facebook pages. For more information about Pinehurst golf packages and to reserve your spot today, visit their website here: https://www.pinehurst.com/offers/

    Timeless Golf Company – Carbon Steel Putters That Won’t Break The Bank

    To say I’m a putter enthusiast would be a bit of an understatement, as I own no less than 30 flatsticks. I also love learning about new companies and their products, so I was pretty excited when I found out about Timeless Putters.

    Timeless manufactures affordable carbon steel putters and offers two models – The Tradition and the Legacy, each shaped like classic putters from Karsten Solheim (Tradition) and Scotty Cameron (Legacy) that truly have stood the test of time and have become “timeless.”

    Carbon steel is soft and heavy – A great combination for a precision milled putter. Head weights come in at about 350 grams, and plenty of customization options are available such as finish (Black, Satin or Blue PVD) length, lie, loft, shaft and stamping. I personally recommend spending the money to upgrade to the amazing BGT Stability Tour shaft.

    I’ve had my Timeless legacy putter in blue PVD for 6 weeks and have been on a tear with it lately. The feel of a carbon steel putter is second to none, the putter sits perfectly square at address, rolls the ball great and the finish is unique and very attractive.

    The greatest thing about Timeless putters is that they are affordable. Most companies that make customizable carbon steel putters will charge well over $500 for their putters, but Timeless sells their stock models for only $299. This is a disruptive and unbeatable price for this kind of putter. Take a look for yourself – You won’t be disappointed. https://www.timelessputters.com/

  • BGT – Stability Tour Putter Shaft

    BGT – Stability Tour Putter Shaft

    Upgrade your putting performance with the Stability Tour putter shaft from Breakthrough Golf Technology

    It’s no secret that I have been a fan of industry titan Barney Adams and his newest venture Breakthrough Golf Technology (BGT) for a few years now. I first covered the company and their Stability Putter Shaft a few years ago, and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.

    Be sure to tune in to The Back of the Range Golf Podcast for a great interview with Barney Adams about his remarkable career in making us all better golfers

    BGT’s latest product is the Stability Tour putter shaft. Like the original Stability Tour shaft, it is a graphite & carbon fiber putter shaft designed to improve putter specific motion and performance. Compared to a standard steel putter shaft who’s technology has remained unchanged for over 50 years, the Stability and Stability Tour shafts have increased flexural rigidity, which greatly reduces torsional rotation.

    English Please…

    What are flexural rigidity and torsional rotation? In laymen’s terms, the Stability shafts are 25% stiffer and reduce torque by 50% compared to those old-fashioned steel shafts, without sacrificing feel. With a putter shaft that doesn’t twist or bend as much through the stroke, you will be able to return the putter to impact more consistently, which means your misses will be closer, and in the long run you’ll make more putts.

    The Stability Tour shaft differs from the original Stability in several ways. In addition to the softer feel, it has a thinner profile, weighs more and is balanced more like a steel shaft. All these factors make it easier to transition from a steel shaft without changing the overall weight and balance of your putter, and that’s why tour players requested these features.

    What Took So Long?

    Why hasn’t putter shaft technology changed in so long? Most people buy putters without thinking about the shaft. We just assume it’s a standard putter shaft, right? Nothing to it! The answer is simple – Until recently, we didn’t have the technology to analyze putting performance, so we couldn’t really tell if changing shafts in your putter would make a measurable difference.

    With the help of new technology like high-speed cameras, robots, SAM Putt Lab, Quintic Ball Roll software and Trackman 4, the Stability Shaft was exhaustively tested with hundreds of putters, rolling thousands of putts.

    I have used the SAM Putt Lab before with other putters. It is an amazing tracking device that uses ultrasound and measures 28 parameters of the putting stroke down to a tenth of a degree. One thing is for sure, the data you get from a session on SAM is critical in understanding how a shaft like the BGT Stability and Stability Tour can help your putting.

    Breakthrough Golf Technology claims you are 82% more likely to return the face square at impact with the Stability & Stability Tour shaft. Maybe that’s why 99% of golfers who play with the Stability prefer it over steel.

    Real World Results

    As with the original Stability shaft that I tested, the Stability Tour shaft produced instant results for me in the Bettinardi BB8 putter I installed it in. The first and perhaps most obvious difference is the feel. Dampening the vibration from impact is something that these shafts do way better than steel, which has the effect of deadening the sound and making your putter feel softer at impact.

    It may be hard to notice with the naked eye and seem funny to talk about launch angles with a putter, but the Stability Tour shaft actually launches the ball a bit lower than a steel shaft. What this translates to when putting is a ball that skids less and starts rolling end over end faster. I would love to get this putter on a Quintic or SAM Putt Lab to get some hard data, and if/when that happens I’l be sure to update this post with my findings.

    Price & Availability

    The Stability and Stability Tour putter shafts are available through custom club fitters like Club Champion or direct from Breakthough Golf Technology’s online store.

    Prices range from $199 for the original Stability Shaft to $249 for the Stability Tour. That price included shipping and installation by the professional staff at BGT’s state-of-the-art facility in Texas.

  • 2018 Holiday Gift Guide

    2018 Holiday Gift Guide

    2018 has been a pretty good year for golf, despite course closures all around the globe and the unfortunate trend of driver prices regularly creeping up to and past the $500 mark. There is more technology than ever out there for golfers of all abilities to get the most out of their game. Since the holiday shopping season is upon us again, here are some gift ideas for the serious golfer on your list, or yourself!

    Clubs

    • Ping G400 – Arguably the best driver in golf, it is among the top 3 sellers and owners of one like me will be happy to tell you how good it is. Paired with a high-performance shaft from TPT Golf, I gained 9 yards and hit it straighter too. Demand for the #1 selling G400 MAX is high, with prices rising to more than $500. ($570.00 on Amazon)
    • Wilson Cortex  – If you watch the Golf Channel, you are probably familiar with the hit show Driver vs Driver that gave us the controversial Wilson Triton driver a few seasons ago. Driver vs Driver 2 just wrapped up and this year’s winning club is called the Wilson Cortex, and it has already hit the market. The buzz with this club is that it produces very low spin. If you are a Wilson fan and your driver is a few generations old, the Cortex is a must hit! ($498.95 on Amazon)
    • Miura irons – Japanese company Miura Golf has been forging some of the best quality irons in the world for many years, and they keep getting better. Previously available only through high-end club fitters, Miura is now making custom sets available direct from the manufacturer. The new MC-501 irons have been an object of sheer lust for me since I first saw them at the PGA Show a while back. (Iron sets starting at $1350 and up)

    Wilson-Cortex-Driver
    Wilson Cortex Driver

    Training

    • Putting Mirror – I’ve been using my EyeLine putting mirror for a few years now and it has helped me become more consistent on the greens. Many of the top players in the world use similar mirrors to check ball position, eye and shoulder alignment and iron out problems with their putting stroke.
    • Eyeball Golf – Remember that old saying – Keep your head still? Well, the eyeball trainer can help you do that! It’s simple, easy to use and won’t break the bank. Give it a try! (.99 direct)

    EyeLine Golf Putting Mirror
    EyeLine Golf Putting Mirror

    Software

    • Golf Logix – The USGA has recently weighed in on the topic of green reading charts and maps by limiting the size and scale of the books people use, but the leading app company GolfLogix is ok with that, and the typical user of their service isn’t a tournament golfer anyway. The innovative PuttBreaks feature in the Golf Logix app is easy to use and can really help you read the greens on unfamiliar courses, or even help confirm what your eyes see. (Available for free in the iTunes and Google Play store – $29.99 for 12 month Putt Breaks membership)

    GolfLogix with Putt Breaks
    GolfLogix with Putt Breaks

    Shafts

    • Breakthrough Golf technology  – Golf industry veteran and living legend Barney Adams has set his sights on making you a better putter, and Breakthrough Golf Technology’s new Stability Shaft is how he’s doing it. Guess what – It works! My putting has improved ever since I put the shaft in play, and I’m looking forward to converting a few more putters soon. (Available direct w/ free install – $199.99)
    • TPT Golf – I’m a big fan of TPT golf and their innovative new shafts. Earlier this year I tested one in my Ping G400 driver and gained 9 yards. They aren’t cheap, but for demanding golfers with spare cash, TPT is the shaft you must try when you visit your custom club fitter for a new driver.

    Breakthrough Golf technology - Stability Shaft
    Breakthrough Golf technology – Stability Shaft

    Apparel

    • Oakley –  I’m not impressed too much with the apparel options available this year. That’s not to say there isn’t anything good out there, it’s just that nothing stands out. Nothing except Oakley that is. The Engineered Polo Bubba is a shirt I could live with almost every day, and they are super cheap right now. (Available direct – $24.00 as of 12/7/2018) Why not pair it with a slick Bg Emb Visor too? (Direct – $28.00)

    Oakley Engineered Polo Bubba
    Oakley Engineered Polo Bubba

    Misc

    • Craftsman Golf Headcovers – Why not customize the look of your golf bag and protect your clubs from theft by getting rid of the factory headcovers and replacing them with fun head covers from Craftsman Golf? I recently covered my Callaway XR16 LD Long Drive club with a funny cat head cover with a bell that drove my playing partners nuts! It was great fun. Seriously though, Craftsman Golf makes good quality stuff at very reasonable prices! (Available direct – www.craftsmangolf.com)
    • Bushnell Rangefinders – Bushnell continues to make market-leading laser and GPS rangefinders. I’ve been using the awesome Pro X2 Laser Rangefinder for a while, and the perfectly sized Phantom GPS is a perfect compliment to any laser rangefinder and easily fits in your pocket. If you want the best of both worlds, consider the Bushnell Hybrid Rangefinder, that has both a precision laser rangefinder and GPS in one easy to use handheld device.
    • Club Champion Fitting –  Club Champion is the largest custom club fitting company in the US, and they are brand-agnostic, which means they aren’t going to push you towards a certain brand, just what works best with your golf swing. I recently had my Cobra F8+ driver upgraded with a new shaft from Paderson Golf and gained 6 yards and greatly tightened the dispersion. They have 40 indoor fitting centers all over the country, so weather isn’t an issue and there is probably one close to you. If you take the game seriously and want to play your best golf, there’s really no excuse not to get custom fit for every club in your bag.
    • NoSweat Liners – It may be chilly outside now, but at some point, it’s going to warm up again outside and you’ll start sweating on the golf course. Living in Florida, the summer heat and humidity makes it impossible not to sweat profusely when playing golf. NoSweat liners install easily inside your hat and really help soak up the sweat coming from your forehead. Sometimes I sweat so much that it’s hard to putt because sweat keeps dripping on the ball! NoSweat liners fixed this problem for me, and they are used by professional golfers and many other athletes in sports like hockey and football under their helmets. If you are a sweater like me, you’ll want to give them a try! ($9.99 and up on Amazon)
    • SkyCaddie SX500 – SkyCaddie has been around for as long as I can remember using such distance measuring devices, and their products are always recognized as one of the best GPS for golf, and their newest model is no exception. The SkyCaddie SX500 has a large (5″) bright screen, solid battery life and is easy to use. All SX500s come with a 1-year subscription. SkyCaddie maps all their own courses for greater accuracy, and I’ve always found their distances to be very precise when compared to a laser rangefinder. The difference is rarely more than a few yards, and for amateur golfers, this is certainly within the acceptable range. ($399.95 on Amazon)

    Bushnell Hybrid
    Bushnell Hybrid GPS/Rangefinder

  • Breakthrough Golf Technology Instantly Made Me A Better Putter

    Breakthrough Golf Technology (BGT) is a new golf company that makes putter shafts. Founder Barney Adams is a golf industry veteran and pioneer, bringing Adams Golf from nothing to become one of the major players in golf innovations in the 1990s & 2000s. Adams golf turned the industry on its head with the Tight Lies fairway woods and then changed golf forever by popularizing hybrids, making them a staple in amateur & touring pros’ golf bags around the world.

    Mr. Adams left Adams Golf when Taylor Made Golf purchased the company in 2012 (and promptly killed the iconic brand through neglect) He started BGT a few years later in 2014, and we’re now able to see the fruits of his labor with the Stability putter shaft.

    Breakthrough Golf technology - Stability Shaft

    There are four parts to the Stability shaft that work together to improve putting performance. This “Advanced Materials Integration” uses advanced multi-material design combined with geometries never before used in putter shafts. The Stability shaft has the same look and weight as traditional steel putter shafts but feels more solid and stable. The Stability shaft delivers the face of the putter more square at impact for better accuracy. The shaft also produces a lower launch for more predictable roll, resulting in better distance control.

    Real World Testing

    I found my latest gamer putter – a Scotty Cameron Futura 5W – last winter after my last Scotty Cameron met its unfortunate end at the bottom of a lake at the Mines Golf & CC in Malaysia following one too many three-putt greens. Since then, I’ve been a one-putter man. It has been my gamer for over 8 months, which is pretty remarkable given my history of frequently changing putters.

    I sent my Futura 5W off to Texas for BGT to work its magic, and I got the putter back in about 10 days from the day I sent it. My Scotty Cameron was now attached to the Stability shaft, and I started rolling putts in my living room with it the same day. Almost immediately I noticed the solid feel, free of unwanted vibrations. In fact, I never knew how much vibration you get from a putter until I tried this shaft. The difference to me was dramatic. Breakthrough Golf Technology claims that the Stability shaft launches the ball lower. I can’t confirm that claim without some fancy and expensive testing equipment, but I’ll take their word for it because the end result of lower launch is better roll, and this shaft seems to make the ball roll better coming off the face.

    Another claim made by Breakthrough Golf Technology about the Stability shaft is improved accuracy because the putter face will be more square at impact. Again, without some fancy testing equipment like the SAM Putt Lab, I can’t verify those claims with raw data, but I can tell you that in the five rounds (90 holes) of golf I’ve played since getting the Stability shaft installed, I’ve made (Pardon my French) a shit-load of putts! What that translates to in numbers is 26 birdies in 90 holes, or a birdie percentage of about 34%. Obviously, I can’t attribute all those birdies to my putter alone, but it has been a great month for me on the greens.

    Bottom Line

    Confidence with the putter can be very fleeting for me, but maybe the Stability shaft is what I needed to get me over the hump and get my handicap back in the highly desirable plus range. Even when putting poorly I’m usually around the hole, but the added stability and consistency of Breakthrough Golf Technology’s Stability shaft might be the edge I needed to convert two or three more 10-footers per round.

    The list price for the Stability shaft is $199.99 with free installation, and it’s worth every penny. People don’t hesitate to drop $400 or more on a new driver that they can only use 14 times per round, but balk at spending money on a putter. When it comes to improving the performance of the most-used club in everyone’s golf bag, every dollar is well spent. Just don’t tell my playing partners!