Tag: Golf Balls

You Can’t Miss the New TaylorMade TP5 Pix Golf Balls

Clearly, the era of boring, plain white golf balls is over. Every year at the PGA Merchandise Show – the golf industry’s annual trade show – more and more companies are showing off new golf balls with ever more bright and creative graphics.

Very conspicuously, TaylorMade Golf wasn’t at the PGA Show this year. In a weird way, their absence had almost as much impact as if they had been in attendance. For example, the release of a new golf ball doesn’t normally create waves, but since we didn’t see the new TP5 Pix golf balls at the PGA Show, this announcement is now more impactful. Well played TaylorMade… I think?

The new TP5 Pix golf balls are the same excellent TP5 golf ball, with some distinct graphics added for greater visual impact. As TaylorMade describes it: The TP5 Pix golf balls are “optically designed using advanced visual technology to offer more visibility in The Most Complete Tour Ball in TaylorMade’s product lineup.”

Tech Talk

Pix, derived from ‘pixelated’, was designed following extensive research with partners at Indiana University, who also helped them design their latest putter line.

From the official press release: “First and foremost, Pix™ is easier to see than a normal white golf ball. The human eye processes lighter colors more efficiently when it’s darker and darker colors when it’s lighter. It’s this phenomenon that led designers to the two-color design of TP5 Pix. Whereas most competitive products have only one color within a single image or shape, TP5 Pix’s unique design features 2 colors within one shape, further enhancing visibility and delivering a product that’s easy to see, regardless of the time of play during the day. Producing this shape requires a unique, one-of-a-kind printing machine which has taken more than 18 months to design and develop.”

Seems to me like a lot of words to say “we’ve painted this cool pattern on our golf ball so you can see it better.” Naturally, there’s some science behind the design of the pattern and the colors they used, but in the end it will allow the golfer to see the spin of the golf ball on short shots and putts.

As I’m currently gaming the TP5 myself, I’ll be putting these in play to see if they help me visualize the spin of my pushed and pulled putts or chunked chip shots! (Just kidding, I never push putts. The pulls though…UGH)

Pricing & Availability

TP5 Pix will be available (US and Canada only) at retail on March 22 at an MSRP of $44.99 USD per dozen. Pix is not currently available in the TP5x golf ball. To learn more about TP5 Pix or any of TaylorMade’s ’19 golf ball offerings, visit TaylorMadeGolf.com.

March 14, 2019
5 More Last Minute Gift Ideas for Golfers

Last week we presented readers with 9 Last Minute Gift Ideas. With only 4 days left until the big day, hopefully you have all your Christmas shopping done by now! If not, there is still time to get a few really, really last minute gifts. Here are 5 more gift ideas for golfers:

Hole More Putts

This ingenious tablet will make you a better putter. Seriously. Using dozens of sensors that track important factors of your putting stroke like face angle, impact point, path, tempo and attack angle, the tablet gives you a score from 0 to 100 based on 5 putts you hit. From there the tablet syncs with your phone or tablet to display the results in more detail and offer advice and drills to fix your deficiencies. It’s like a SAM Putt Lab that you can take with you anywhere and costs a fraction of the price. Available now online: https://holemoreputts.com/

Chef’s Cut Real Jerky Company

Chef’s Cut Meat Snacks – I’ll admit, when I tried Chef’s Cut Beef Jerky for the first time at the PGA Show last year, I kept stopping by their booth for seconds, thirds, fourths and fifths. I’m addicted! I love beef jerky, but Chef’s Cut has taken it to another level and added turkey and chicken jerky to their menu. Combined with their delicious meat sticks, Chef’s Cut is now my go-to snack on the golf course.

Trion:Z Magnetic Therapy Bracelets

The popular magnetic therapy bracelets and necklaces are back in the US market and looking better than ever. Trion:Z magnetic therapy bracelets feature powerful Colantotte magnets, infused with negative ions. What does that mean? I don’t know exactly but those that prefer alternatives to drugs for pain management may want to try these bracelets. I was recently suffering from elbow pain, but a few days of wearing my Trion:Z Zen Loop Duo Premium and the pain subsided. Plus they look cool and are available in many colors and styles.

TecTecTec Laser Rangefinders

Funky name, simple design and reliable performance. That’s how I sum up the TecTecTec VPro DLX 1000 rangefinder. Sure, other brands have fancy displays and cool features, but in the end they all just measure distance. The VPro DLX 1000 does a good job and locks on to targets fast. It’s waterproof, and in this price range ($179.99) I don’t believe there’s another golf rangefinder on the market that out performs TecTecTec. If you want a no-frills distance measuring device for golf, check them out!

Wilson Duo Soft Golf Balls

WIlson’s Duo golf ball has been around for about 4 or 5 years now, and they are probably the softest feeling ball on the market. When I tested the first generation I remember thinking it was as close to the feel of the old balata covered wound balls of the early 90s as I could remember. The new generation Wilson Duo Soft golf balls are still very soft, but perform better than the first generations. You can get them in six different colors and all at a price that won’t break the bank. WIlson’s website has the Duo Soft listed at $19.99 a dozen.

December 21, 2017
9 Last Minute Gift Ideas For Golfers
There are less than two weeks left before Christmas, and for online shoppers this weekend is probably the cut-off point for shipping to make sure it arrives on time. In case you are out of ideas for the golfers in your life, here are a few suggestions!
- Bushnell Pro X2 Rangefinder – With Slope-Switch technology, dual display modes, Pinseeker with JOLT, 6x magnification, a range of up to 1300 yards and a solid waterproof metal housing, the Bushnell Pro X2 is the flagship of Bushnell’s laser rangefinder line. It’s legal for tournament play when the slope-switch is turned off. It locks on to targets quickly and vibrates when locking on to the flag from distances up to 450 yards. Available on Amazon: $449.98
- Club Glove Travel Gear – If you ever travel by air to play golf, you’ll need a reliable travel bag to protect your clubs. There’s a good reason that 90% of tour players use Club Glove – They are the best quality, most reliable travel bags available. Made in the USA and available in several sizes, your golf bag will be well protected and getting around the airport is a breeze. I’ve logged close to 50,000 miles of air travel with my Last Bag, and it’s not showing any signs of wear other than some dirt and dust from airliner cargo holds. Paired with their matching luggage and the Train Reaction system and you have a complete travel set that’ll last you decades. Club Glove Last Bag available on ClubGlove.com: $319.00
Photo Credit: MyGolfSpy.com
- Bridgestone Tour B Golf Balls – Played by Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker, Bryson DeChambeau, Paula Creamer and more, the new Bridgestone Tour B golf balls are one of the top performing golf balls available. I’ve been using them since the 2015 season and I love the stable flight, penetrating trajectory and predictable spin and fell around the greens. Bridgestone Tour B XS: $44.89/dozen
- Cobra Golf Soundchuck Mini Bluetooth Speaker – It seems that more and more people are playing music on the golf course these days. With mobile phones and unlimited data plans, streaming music from the internet is very popular. Play music from your phone or tablet in style with the Cobra Soundchuck Mini bluetooth speaker. Available in three colors, it clips to your golf bag, cart or person to keep the party going on the course. MSRP: $79.99 – Amazon Price: $64.99
- Puma Golf P Cap – Rickie Fowler wears this cap on tour. It’s simple and stylish. Available in 6 colors. Why not get a few? You can never have too many snapbacks… Amazon Price: $27.85
- Golf Pride MCC Plus4 Align Grips – The most neglected part of any golfer’s equipment is usually the grips. Your only connection to the club is obviously important, and you are probably giving up strokes if you are playing with worn out grips. The most used grips on tour for decades, Golf Pride makes grips in all styles and sizes, but perhaps the most popular grips in their line are the MCC Plus4 that feature a reduced taper design for greater feel. Golf Pride’s new ALIGN technology helps you feel the grip under your hands and achieve consistent hand placement. You’ll be sure to improve your scores with new grips, so why not get the best? You can get a set of 13 Grips with all the tools you’ll need for $149.99 on Amazon
- Sun Mountain 4.5 LS Golf Bag – If you are anything like me, you play some rounds riding in a golf cart and some walking the course. The folks at Sun Mountain know this and designed a carry/stand bag that works for any situation. When walking the course the adjustable, heavily cushioned dual strap manages the load and the stand deploys easily and holds the bag stable. When riding, there’s a cart strap pass through that allows access to all the pockets and the flat bottom is shaped to fit in the cart’s bagwell. The Sun Mountain 4.5 LS really is the best of both worlds in one bag. Available in many colors on Amazon for $209.99
- Tattoo Golf Apparel – The mad scientists over at Tattoo Golf have been making unique & stylish golf apparel for years, but they’ve really stepped up their game lately and have quickly become my current favorite golf apparel brand. Mixing their trademark skull & crossbones logo with daring patterns and bright colors, one could describe Tattoo’s style as golf clothing for bikers, but their look now transcends the biker crowd and appeals to anybody that wants more than just the boring old khakis and solid color shirts your dad wore on the golf course. Not only is their stuff exciting and fun to wear, but they are quality built and priced to blow the big brands away. Sign up for their mailing list for flash sales and big discounts (sometimes up to 30% off!) and check out their fashions online at https://www.tattoogolf.com/
- WAGC USA Membership – Calling all American residents! Would you like a chance to play golf for Team USA in an exotic location, all expenses paid? It doesn’t matter what your ability, because the World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) is an annual golf competition that is broken down into five flights with handicaps ranging from 0.0 to 25.0. The WAGC plays locally all over the USA, and players earn points in local events to earn exemptions towards the national championship, where the winners of each flight are named to Team USA and represent the US (all expenses paid) against 35 other countries at the 2018 WAGC World Finals, being held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia For more information visit the WAGC USA’s website here. Annual membership is only $189
December 12, 2017
Night Eagle Golf Balls

Legendary Canadian golfer Moe Norman used to say he was the only player in the world that could play a tournament at night, because he hit the ball so straight there was never any need to see where it went. He knew where it was going – right down the middle, every time.

Unfortunately, you and I aren’t Moe Norman. Not even close. If I tried playing golf at night with a normal golf ball, I would probably never finish the round. It’s a good thing there’s a better way! I remember playing my first night golf event back in the 1990s, and the golf balls were terrible. It was a plastic sphere that you inserted a miniature glow stick into the middle of to make it glow in the dark, and they were awful. Fortunately the technology for night golf has advanced by leaps and bounds since then.

Our friends at Premier Glow have a better option – The Night Eagle CV LED golf ball. The Night Eagle CV LED golf ball activates by shining a strong light source, such as the light from your smartphone camera or a flashlight about half an inch from the printed circle on the ball. Upon sensing the light, the computer chip inside the golf ball will automatically turn on the LEDs. Once the LEDs are active, they will continue to emit light until another strong light is sensed. Unlike some other LED golf balls, there is no timer inside the Night Eagle LED golf ball. Once activated it will stay continuously lit until turned off. This makes it easier to find, as you don’t have to rush to get to it before the light turns off after the pre-determined timer expires. You could say the drawback is that if you leave it turned on by accident, the battery will eventually drain and you’ll have to replace the golf ball, but LEDs consume very little energy. In fact, the battery in the Night Eagle will last for about 30 hours of continuous use. Even your slow playing uncle Ed should get plenty of use out of the Night Eagle.

The Night Eagle LED golf ball sells for around $5 each, but if you buy in bulk you’ll save a few bucks. Premier Glow has 3 packs available and other volume discounts that can save you more. If you play golf in the afternoon and sometimes finish at dusk or are planning a night golf event, head over to premierglow.com for everything you’ll need! Check out the video below to see how they work:

August 25, 2016
Lostgolfballs.com – Never Buy New Golf Balls Again
It is estimated that golfers lose about 300 million golf balls per year in the United States alone. That’s a lot of cash sitting at the bottom of a lake! So tell me, why are you paying full retail price for golf balls? Professional golfers on the PGA Tour will use between 5 and 9 golf balls per round on average. That’s fine for them because they get their balls free. The average weekend golfer may also use several golf balls per round, but that’s usually because they get lost in the trees or water!

Lostgolfballs.com finds those golf balls, cleans them up and sells them back to you at a deep discount. They have been doing it for over twenty years, and they are the best at it. Golf is hard, and let’s be honest – Most golfers suck at it. Company founder Gary Krueger knows this better than most. He played on the PGA Tour. Think I’m exaggerating? Lostgolfballs.com recovered, recycled and sold over 43 million golf balls in 2015. That accounts for 6% of all golf balls sold worldwide! Since the company started they’ve processed and sold close to 530 million golf balls. That’s million, with a capital M.

The Recovery Process

As the company likes to say, every golf ball is used once it has been hit. Lostgolfballs.com uses a proprietary and environmentally friendly cleaning system that washes every golf ball without damaging its original condition. Once they have been cleaned and sorted by brand and model, the golf balls are given a rating from A to AAAAA. Golf balls rated AAAAA (5A) are in almost new condition and show hardly any signs of wear, if at all. The most common difference between a 5A rated used ball and a new ball will be some ink left over from the previous owner’s personal markings that the cleaning process wasn’t able to fully remove. AAAA (4A) golf balls will show minor signs of wear, similar to a golf ball that has been played for a few holes, but with no drop in performance.

Why Buy Used?

In a word? Cost! Lostgolfballs.com sells their 5A rated golf balls at almost 50% off the retail price, and in some cases more than 50% off. AAAA (4A) and AAA (3A) rated balls are even less. Taking the most popular golf ball as an example – The Titleist Pro V1 and V1x golf balls retail new for $47.99 per dozen. At lostgolfballs.com, the cost for a dozen is $26.99 (5A), $21.99 (4A) and $14.99 (3A). Furthermore, you can buy in bulk. Titleist Pro V1 buckets of 50 or 100 (5A quality) are available for $111.99 and $223.99, respectively. When buying brand new, you pay $4 per golf ball. When buying used, 5A quality balls you pay about $2.25 each. If you choose 4A rated balls you’ll pay $1.83 each.

Does A Used Ball Perform Like New?

When it comes to golf balls, they don’t make ’em like they used to, and that’s a great thing for us! Golf balls are no longer constructed with liquid cores and rubber windings, and as a result they are far more consistent and durable than they have ever been. It’s not uncommon for golfers to play multiple rounds with the same golf ball. Personally, I’ve played 54 holes with one ball before, and after a quick cleaning by hand it still resembled one of lostgolfballs.com’s 4A rated balls.

To help consumers understand that used golf balls perform just as well as new ones, lostgolfballs.com did some testing at an independent research facility to compare used balls they sell with brand new versions of the same balls. Given the variables in testing and statistical margin for error, the data showed that the difference between the used balls and new balls was almost negligible. In some cases the used balls even flew further than the new ones!

To Summarize…
- Lostgolfballs.com’s recycled golf balls fly just as far and spin just as much as their new versions.
- Used golf balls are much cheaper than new balls, and in some cases over 50% cheaper.
- AAAAA (5A) rated golf balls are almost like new and show little (if any) signs of wear.
- Every major brand and model is available – Titleist, Callaway, Taylor Made, Srixon, Bridgestone, Nike and more
- Free shipping on orders over $100
Give lostgolfballs.com a try if you are in the market for golf balls, and I know you are. I think you’ll be impressed at the quality of golf balls you get, and you’ll get a lot more for your money too. Once you’ve played a few holes with them you’ll realize you’ve been wasting money all these years, and you’ll never buy new golf balls again.
April 11, 2016
Best New Golf Balls – 2016 PGA Show

To be perfectly honest, the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando didn’t have as much to offer in the way of new products as previous years. Thankfully, golf ball makers have some great new and updated products for us this season. Here’s a few of the best new golf balls to check out in 2016.

Callaway Chrome Soft

Last season’s king of the hill is still on top this year, but has some stiff competition. When I tested this ball last year I was afraid to over-compress it, but if the ball is good enough for Phil Mickelson, it’s good enough for anybody! The Chrome Soft golf ball is a 4-piece golf ball and combines Callaway’s SoftFast Core and inner mantle layers with a soft urethane cover for spin around the greens without spinning too much off the tee. The Chrome Soft won 5 stars on Golf Digest’s Hot List in 2015 and should make another strong showing in 2016. This ball feels very soft around the greens and really performs well.

https://youtu.be/LdMsLcG5T_M

Volvik Crystal Vivid

Volvik is known for making colored golf balls, and they’ve taken their signature Crystal ball and given it a matte finish. The result is a very striking finish that’s easy to see and really pops! The three-piece Volvik Crystal Vivid has a very soft feel and a durable Surlyn cover, with a compression rating around 80. Made for slower swing speeds, the Volvik Crystal Vivid are available in orange, pink, green and red.

Bridgestone B-Series

Bridgestone’s popular B-Series golf balls (which includes the Tour B330, B330S, B330RX and B330RXS) get an update for 2016. The new Tour Core is 6% larger and has a steeper gradient in softness from the inner part of the core to the outer region for faster ball speed and less spin off the driver. The new SlipRes cover took four years to develop and Bridgestone claims it has the highest friction coefficient rating possible, which translates to more spin from shots in the rough and around the green without increasing spin on the driver. I tested the new B330 for 18 holes and was so impressed that I’m buying a case of 12 dozen to use for the 2016 season.

The Amatour Core in the B330RX and B330RXS golf balls is 28% softer than the average tour ball core, making these balls ideal for golfers with swing speeds under 105 MPH. Along with the Callaway Chrome Soft, The Bridgestone B330RX is probably the best option for golfers looking for tour performance, durability and distance from slower swing speeds.

Wilson Duo Urethane

Wilson Golf claims their Duo golf ball is the softest on the market, with a compression rating of 29! Having tried the original Duo several years ago, I can tell you that the ball is a marshmallow. Wilson Golf now offers three models in the Duo line. The original Duo, Duo Spin and the Duo Urethane. The three golf balls offer a very soft feel for golfers seeking more distance with slower swing speeds. (See a pattern emerging in golf ball marketing yet?)

Wilson Duo – 29 Compression – Durability and distance with very soft feel – $20
Wilson Duo Spin – 35 Compression – Durability and distance with more spin and very soft feel – $27
Wilson Duo Urethane – 55 Compression – Softest urethane ball in golf, distance with tour spin and performance – $38

I haven’t tried the new Duo golf balls, but I remember the original Duo feeling a bit like the old Titleist Tour Balata on the putting green. Given the $20 price point for the Duo, these golf balls should be very popular!

February 23, 2016
8 Golf Products You Can’t Live Without

The golf industry is no different than any other industry in that there is no shortage of copy-cats, corner cutters and imitators out there. Every major golf equipment manufacturer has had their products cloned, and anyone with a good idea better cash in fast because you can bet someone out there will try to copy it at some point. I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of new products introduced over the years with varying levels of success. Some are upgrades of existing products or ideas, and others are totally new concepts. Here are eight cool products that I have come across lately that deserve your attention!

Drink Caddy

The Drink Caddy (seen above) is part novelty item, part useful gadget. Many golfers like to have a drink or three when they play golf. This wouldn’t be much of an issue, other than the policy many courses have that don’t allow outside food or beverages on the course. They want to sell you their $3 Gatorades and $5 beers. Instead of stuffing beer cans in your bag, the Drink Caddy helps by disguising a drink dispenser as just another club in your bag. There is a pretty large 52oz (1.5 liters) reservoir that hides away in your bag, attached to the dispenser that pumps the liquid of your choice on demand. It works great and is easy to clean and use. You can’t use it with carbonated drinks, but other than that it is a great option for those hit-and-giggle scramble events to carry rum, vodka, wine or boring old water. You decide!

Nexbelt – The Belt With No Holes

My new favorite apparel accessory is Nexbelt belts. Just like the tagline says, they have no holes. Instead, Nexbelt has designed a belt that uses a kind of ratchet system to size the belt. This system helps in a couple of ways. First, it allows a more precise fit than the old fashioned holes, and can be easily adjusted without drawing attention to your crotch. The other bonus of this design is that it allows them to make one belt for everyone up to 50″. You buy the belt, size yourself and then cut the extra length off yourself. They have dozens of styles and colors for men and women, work, casual and golf. Give them a look and access the online shop here.

MagneCaddy

This is as simple as you can get for a golf accessory. Have a bad back? Hurts to bend down and pick up your clubs around the green? Just install the MagneCaddy on the end of your putter and pick up those wedges with ease. The device screws into the little hole on the butt end of your grips and uses a powerful magnet to pick up anything metallic. When I say powerful, I mean it. I picked up a sand wedge with it and shook it in the air, but the MagneCaddy held it strong. The only problem with a magnet this strong is that it will cling to anything made of metal, including your car, the golf cart, other clubs in the bag, etc.

Polara Self-Correcting Golf Balls

“Dammit, that golf ball flies too straight!” Ever hear anyone say that on the golf course? Yeah, me neither. The average golfer still hits the ball all over the place, despite all the wonderful technology in those $400 drivers that promise we won’t. Polara Golf is the only company that can back up those claims. They make a golf ball that flies so straight it’s illegal. The Polara golf ball has dimples of different sizes and depth arranged in a specific way as to self-correct in flight. As a result, when properly aligned to the target these golf balls fly on a flatter, knuckleball-like trajectory and they go very, very straight. The shallow dimples around the center of the ball are what help them fly straight, but they also reduce lift, meaning they will fly lower and carry less than regular golf balls. However, the lower spin also means they will roll more after landing. Overall I noticed a small difference in distance over a normal golf ball. Use a high lofted driver to counteract the lower ball flight and spin and these balls are awesome. They even make their own (illegal) driver to use with them that helps even more. Obviously you can’t use them in any USGA sanctioned events, but for the casual golfer they can certainly help make the game more fun!

Renegar Wedges

Bob Renegar has been around for a while, but you may never have heard of him. He first designed his unique wedges under a different name, but he’s now selling his scoring clubs under the Renegar Golf brand. The Renegar wedge has a sole grind that is unlike any other on the market. According to Renegar, it allows the golfer to produce virtually any kind of shot around the greens, from any lie. The grind allowed them to lower the leading edge of the club without losing bounce. This permits the club to perform well from a variety of lies and circumstances around the green. This versatility is key for a good short game. I’ve used a similar sole grind for years, even if it isn’t exactly like his. In early testing, Renegar wedges are a joy to chip with and can handle closely mown collars, deep bermuda rough and sand with ease. Look for a complete play test and review of these cool wedges soon!

Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt

I have become attached to my rangefinder in much the same way that many people are to their smartphones. I’m so dependent on it that I can remember the exact date and course that I last played without one. Over the years they have greatly improved on the technology that was originally borrowed from range finders designed for hunting. Now, most models from all the major brands have some sort of flag-lock feature to be sure you are hitting the flag, not the trees behind the green when shooting a yardage. The Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt is one of the best. Not only does Bushnell’s Pinseeker technology work well, but the unit also vibrates when lock is established so you can be sure. The Z6 Jolt is also light and the display is very bright, so you can use it in all conditions. A review on this one is also coming soon!

Swiftwick Socks

Socks are socks, right? Except when they aren’t. Swiftwick makes compression socks for all sports including golf. No matter what sport you play, you want your feet to be comfy. Swiftwick socks fit like new every time you put them on, and provide support and moisture wicking for your feet. Not only that, but they look cool, come in many different sizes, colors and styles and they are made in the USA. What more do you need? Try them out!

Personal Golf Tote

From the “Why didn’t I think of that” department comes the simple but very handy Personal Golf Tote from Cynwark. We’ve all had to share a golf cart with a basket hog at one time or another. You know the type – they throw all their stuff in the basket behind the seats, leaving you no room to toss your empty beer cans and head covers. The nerve of some people. So you do what we all do, throw your stuff in the front storage compartments and end up leaving your sunglasses and keys behind. Well, now you don’t have to fight over the basket or forget stuff in the cart. Simply hang the Personal Golf Tote over the side of the cart from the seat handle and put your keys, wallet, snacks, golf balls, tees, your range finder, sunscreen and whatever else in it for safe keeping. At first I was afraid of the guys making fun of it, but they all thought it was a neat idea, and the ladies absolutely love it. Simple but thoughtful. It’s the perfect golf gadget!

July 7, 2014
TaylorMade Introduces Tour Preferred Golf Balls
TaylorMade is making waves in the golf equipment market with their “Loft Up” message that relates to the popular SLDR driver. They also recently announced the new line of Tour Preferred irons, which should be very popular. Next up are the new Tour Preferred golf balls! The last two performance golf balls TaylorMade had to offer were good, but not really my cup of tea. The Penta TP5 spun too much and launched too high for my tastes, and the Lethal didn’t really register on the “must try” scale. The new Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X golf balls however will be on my test list. Below is the official press announcement from TaylorMade:

Softer and more durable cover makes new line-up the best performing
golf balls in company history

CARLSBAD, Calif. (January 30, 2014) – TaylorMade Golf Company, the No. 2 golf ball brand on the PGA TOUR, is proud to announce the release of Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X: two tour-caliber golf balls that provide complete tee-to-green performance.

After a decade of prototyping and testing with the world’s best players, the company believes the new Tour Preferred franchise is the best performing ball the company has released to date.

“Golf ball innovation doesn’t just happen overnight. Rather, it is a series of ongoing conversation with our Tour players,” said Dean Snell, vice president of golf ball R&D. “These conversations have led to the introduction of breakthrough technologies including low drag aerodynamics for ultimate wind resistance, a five-layer construction for superior control throughout the club set and now our softest and most durable cover.”

Key to the performance of the Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X golf ball line is TaylorMade’s patented and proven technologies, including:
- REACT™ Core for greater ball speed on all shots for increased distance.
- Spin Mantle™ designed to deliver precise and consistent spin rates on given shots throughout the bag.
- Low-Drag Performance Aerodynamics (LDP™) A 322-dimple pattern designed to minimize distance loss on low spin shots and also maintain a penetrating ball flight into the wind.
A new technology featured in the golf balls is Soft Tech™, TaylorMade’s softest and most durable cover to date. Made of a cast urethane, the new cover provides an even softer feel around the greens than previous TaylorMade offerings. The Soft Tech cover will also provide higher resistance to shearing and will last longer.

Click image to see Sergio test the new Tour Preferred X around the green

What separates Tour Preferred and the Tour Preferred X from each other is spin. The Tour Preferred is designed for players who desire more spin in the mid-to-long iron shots. The additional spin will also promote a higher trajectory on approach shots.

Tour Preferred X maintains the same spin and trajectory into the green as its predecessor Lethal. Unlike Lethal, Tour Preferred X promotes better green side control because of its new Soft Tech cover.

TaylorMade anticipates that more than 80% of its tour players will gravitate to this model as they are seeking controlled iron spin, for a more penetrating ball flight.

Click image to watch Dustin test Tour Preferred X from 150 yards

Since their introduction on Tour earlier this year, tour players have quickly made the switch to both models including Sergio Garcia who has already won twice with the Tour Preferred X (Thailand Golf Championship in December and Qatar Masters in January). Emerging LPGA star Jessica Korda also played the Tour Preferred X in her season-opening win at the Pure Silk Classic.

Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X will be available at retail on March 1st at $45.99 per dozen. For more information, please visit www.taylormadegolf.com
February 4, 2014
Spring 2012 New Product Showcase

Spring is fast approaching, and those who live in a cold-weather place are probably itching to get out and play golf again! There are tons of new products coming out this year and it promises to be an exciting year for golf. With the new season on its way, here are just a few products that caught our eye.

Golf Buddy Voice
The Golf Buddy Voice is a golf GPS that speaks to you. Simply clip the tiny unit on your hat, push the button and it will speak out the yardage to the front, middle and back of the green. It comes pre-loaded with a ridiculous amount of golf courses and even detects which course you are playing automatically.

Tattoo Golf Clothing & Accessories
Tattoo Golf makes cool shirts with patterns inspired by tattoos. The shirts feature skulls and crossed golf clubs, dragons and other cool designs. Tattoo Golf’s accessories also garner attention, with the ultra-slick switchblade style divot tool being a very popular item. Check out their full line at Tattoogolf.com.

Wilson Duo Golf Balls
Remember the days of the old balata golf balls that felt like marshmallows? Wilson Golf is doing its best to bring that feel back with the Duo golf ball. Claiming the ball has a compression rating around 40, this is one of, if not the softest golf ball on the market. Bouncing the ball on the pavement may give some clue, as the ball hardly makes a sound compared to most modern golf balls. For slower swing speeds and those looking for a super soft feel around the greens, the Wilson Duo is a must have.

Nike VR_S Family of Clubs
Nike is all about speed with the new VR_S line of clubs for 2012. Replacing the popular MachSpeed line, the VR_S Driver features Nike’s ST8 Fit adjustable hosel system, a 55 gram premium Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki shaft, and Nike’s NexCOR technology, which creates faster balls speeds all over the face of the club for greater distance on mishits. The clubs looks sharp and are designed for more distance. Look for a full review soon right here!

Super Stroke Splash Putter Grips
SuperStroke grips started to catch on a few years ago when KJ Choi used one of the original models on the PGA Tour to help quiet his hands while putting. Several more players on tour are also using them, as as the tour goes, the consumer market goes. Parent company TigerShark is introducing a new line of putter grips for 2012 called the Super Stroke Splash with pastel colors and various sizes and weights. I’m a big fan of the Super Stroke Ultra Slim myself. Check them out and maybe they’ll help your putting too!

February 24, 2012
Paula Creamer Wins with Bridgestone B330-RX

At Oakmont Country Club last weekend, LPGA superstar Paula Creamer teamed with Bridgestone Golf to capture the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open, her first career ‘major’– despite battling a sore thumb and a golf course that yielded only a single under-par scorecard. Paula’s victory was also the first major victory for Bridgestone’s B330-RX – a golf ball designed for Tour performance on and around the greens, yet optimized for moderate swing speeds off the tee for better distance and accuracy.

Creamer used a deft touch and laser-like iron approaches down the stretch on Sunday to secure the title in convincing fashion, besting her nearest competitor by four shots with a tournament total 281 (3-under par. As a result of a rain-delayed second round, Creamer put her injured thumb through a rigorous endurance test, playing 23 holes on Sunday and a total of 52 holes over the weekend. For the week, Creamer hit an impressive 75% of fairways-in-regulation, ranking near the top of the field in that category. Demonstrating the improved accuracy she’s gotten from the B330-RX, Paula managed 72% greens-in-regulation at Oakmont, which also put her in the top 10 of that category.

“Earlier this year we put Paula through an extensive ball-fitting,” said Dan Murphy, Vice President of Marketing – Bridgestone Golf, Inc. “During the fitting we found that Paula’s 100 mph swing speed was producing excess driver spin with firmer golf balls. Her swing was ideal for the softer new B330-RX. She began testing it and absolutely fell in love with it. Paula was a little disappointed that we didn’t have a pink B330-RX for her, but she was willing to give up on the color preference for what she felt was better greenside control and more distance off the tee. We are really excited for Paula because we know how much this championship means to her. Having the first major championship title for the B330-RX is incredible for our brand, as well. The ball has had a great reception at retail since we launched it in March and this win should help continue that momentum.”

Bridgestone Golf is now also teaming with Golfballs.com to offer a special late-summer quantity purchase deal on Bridgestone’s most popular balls. Through the promotion, exclusively available on the Golfballs.com web site beginning July 15, golfers may take advantage of a buy-three, get-one-free deal on one-dozen packages of Bridgestone’s popular “B” and “e” series.

The special includes Bridgestone’s 3-piece B330RXS, the softest multi-layer urethane series ball on the market and one designed for moderate-swing speed players. It also includes the Bridgestone e6, a soft multi-layer ball designed to reduce hooks and slices off the tee and deliver a straighter, longer and more accurate ball flight. The B330RXS and the e6 are Bridgestone’s two largest-selling balls.

“We’re very pleased to team with Bridgestone to offer a quantity deal to our customers,” said Golfballs.com president and CEO Tom Cox. “The Bridgestone lines are among our best-selling, and the ability to provide the ball best suited to each player’s swing speed and style makes this a great value.”

The entire “B” series, which also includes the B330, the B330S and Paula’s B330-RX, and the “e” series that also includes the e5 and e7 balls are all available through the promotion that runs through Aug. 31. Golfers who purchase three dozen of any of the seven ball types at the regular price will receive the fourth dozen free. There is a limit of one free dozen per customer. Complete details on the Bridgestone offer will be available at www.golfballs.com beginning Thursday, July 15.

ABOUT GOLFBALLS.COM

From humble beginnings in a 100-square-foot room in a small-town warehouse, to its current state-of-the-art 20,000-square-foot facility, Golfballs.com has grown to become one of the world’s leaders in on-line golf ball and equipment sales. Co-Founder Tom Cox has served as president and CEO since its 1995 start-up, growing the business from $17,000 in first-year sales to a 40-employee company that has over $10 million in annual sales, and which has sold over 50 million golf balls direct to consumers in all 50 states and over 50 countries. Golfballs.com has an in-house production department and is an authorized internet retailer for key brands including Titleist, Callaway and Nike and has been an approved Titleist imprinter since 2003, creating a company-wide focus on the sale of customized and personalized golf equipment. The company opened its retail outlet store in 2004 and recently launched loyaltylogo.com, a full-service promotional product distributor catering to businesses.

July 22, 2010