by Larry Baush, PuetzGolf.com
People learn in very different ways especially when it comes to learning a motor skill, such as the golf swing. Some people need visual feedback and seeing their golf swing on video helps achieve what is called “position golf” with the player achieving the “correct” position at certain points in the swing. Other players benefit from the use of Doppler radar launch monitors such as Trackman which provides 3D impact and ball flight data. A player can then use trial and error to try to achieve the optimal launch numbers that will give them the most distance and accuracy.
But the Trackman launch monitor can overwhelm new users with all the data that it provides and video can help a player achieve the “proper” position yet still not play their best or achieve their desired ball flight. What is needed is a hybrid approach that utilizes both video and the data that Trackman provides along with a trusted guide who can explain what the data means and can demonstrate how to improve that data with the necessary swing changes.
The professional instructors at Puetz Golf can help golfers of all skill levels navigate their way through the data intensive Trackman numbers. They will also provide analysis of video feedback to achieve the proper positions required to advance to the next level of playing ability. Patrick Ackerman, a PGA Class A Teaching Professional and certified club fitter and Casey McMullin, teaching professional, have a proven track record of utilizing both Trackman and slow-motion video.
Launch angle is the angle that the ball takes off relative to the ground at impact.
The Trackman data that Patrick and Casey will interpret include launch angle, carry, spin rate, smash factor, ball speed, club speed, dynamic loft, attack angle, club path, and face angle. The launch angle is the angle that the ball takes off relative to the ground and it is, along with ball speed, a primary component determining the trajectory and distance of a shot. There is an optimal balance between launch angle and spin rate for every golfer based on their club speed and ball speed.
Spin rate is the amount of spin in RPMs of the golf ball as it leaves the club face.
Spin rate is the amount of spin on the golf ball immediately after impact while ball speed is the measurement of the speed immediately after impact. Balls struck on the heel or toe will reduce potential ball speed as will glancing blows that produce hooks and slices. While club speed (the speed the club head is traveling immediately prior to impact) is important, the ball speed that is created at impact is the biggest factor in how far the ball really carries. Gaining 1 mph of ball speed can increase your driver distance up to 2 yards.
Ball speed is the measurement of how fast the ball is traveling after impact.
Dynamic loft is a measurement of the amount of loft on the club face at impact. There are a variety of factors that contribute to dynamic loft including the angle of attack, the shaft flex during the swing, and how the golfer releases the club. Creating the optimal dynamic loft in relation to club speed will achieve the best trajectory to maximize carry. Shots hit with too much dynamic loft will balloon robbing the golfer of distance while too little will make it hard to judge distance as shots roll out excessively. The launch angle is correlated to dynamic launch but it will always be a little lower than the dynamic loft reading.
The dynamic loft is the measurement of loft of the club face at the moment of impact.
Trackman provides data on both carry distance and total distance of each shot. The carry distance is important pertaining to iron shots while the total distance is important when choosing a driver where ball speed, launch angle and spin rate must be optimized to reach a golfer’s potential distance. Distances are calculated for a landing area that is the same height as where the ball was hit from.
Trackman provides the distance of carry for each shot as well as the total distance of the shot.
We’ve learned while doing driver fittings at Puetz Golf that the attack angle is one of the biggest influences on driver distance. A player who has a negative attack angle, or one that is coming into the ball with a downward blow, is producing a great deal of spin and is unable to launch the ball on the optimal angle for the most carry. Changing this player’s swing to achieve a positive attack angle, or hitting the ball on the upswing, will produce less spin and a higher launch angle achieving greater carry distance and more run out once the ball lands. This player will see impressive distance gains without the need to buy a new driver. Of course if they insist, we will be happy to get them into a new driver.
The attack angle should be a negative number (down on the ball) on iron shots and a positive number for the driver (upward attack).
The Trackman data concerning the club path is where having the tutelage of an instructor can really accelerate results. The professional instructors at Puetz Golf can show players how to correct their club path to hit straight shots, achieve an in-to-out swing to hit a draw as well as an out-to-in swing to hit a fade. The immediate feedback from Trackman allows a student to try adjustments to see how they affect club path to achieve their desired ball flight.
A professional instructor will be able to help monitor and correct club path issues.
In conjunction with the club path, the data on face angle will help a golfer achieve the desired ball flight that they are looking for. The face angle refers to the direction the club face is pointed at impact.
The direction that the ball takes off from the club face is determined by the face angle.
The final number provided by Trackman is smash factor. Smash factor provides data on the amount of energy transfer from the club head to the golf ball. The higher the smash factor, the better the energy transfer resulting in greater distance. Golfers are looking to achieve a smash factor near 1.50 with a driver while a pitching wedge would produce a smash factor reading closer to 1.25.
The smash factor is a measurement of energy transfer from the club to the ball.
So how is smash factor calculated by Trackman? It divides the ball speed by the club speed. A player may achieve a 100 mph club speed but only a 140 mph ball speed resulting in a smash factor of 1.40. Another player who also swings with a club speed of 100 mph finds the center of the club more often and squares up the club face better than the first player resulting in 150 mph ball speed and a smash factor of 1.50. This difference in the smash factor equates to approximately 20 yards of distance. The instructors at Puetz Golf will show you how to find the center of the club face to help raise your smash factor.
Puetz Golf is offering half off on a series of three Trackman lessons through the 28th of June (lessons must be used by 12/31/2016). The regular price for a series of 3 Trackman lessons is $180 but they are now available for just $90. During each 30 minute lesson, Patrick Ackerman and Casey McMullin, the Puetz Golf instructors, will help you interpret the Trackman numbers and offer instruction on how to maximize and optimize your data to achieve the distance and ball flight you are striving for. Click HERE to take advantage of the 1/2 off Trackman Lesson special online at PuetzGolf.com.
Larry plays to a single digit handicap at Rainier Golf and Country Club in Seattle, Washington. He has authored the book Uncorked, The Life and Times of Champagne Tony Lema available soon on Amazon. He can be contacted at larryb@puetzgolf.com.
by Larry Baush
Bob Vokey loves to talk about wedges. More importantly, he loves to listen to feedback about wedges, especially from the PGA Tour pros that are on the Titleist staff. The results can be seen in the new groundbreaking Titleist Vokey Design SM6 wedges that feature a new progressive Center of Gravity (CG) design that aligns the CG with the impact position of each loft. This results in distance and trajectory control along with exceptional feel.
“These are the best wedges we’ve ever made,” declared Vokey. “Our engineers have taken everything I’ve learned working with tour players, PGA pros and amateurs over the last 20-plus years, everything that (Vokey Tour Rep) Aaron Dill has learned from being on tour week in and week out, and we brought it to life with technology that will help golfers at every level of the game. SM6 really is the total package.”
The Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled 6 wedges are the next step in wedge innovation from the clear leader in the category. The SM6 wedges establish a new performance standard by improving in the three key areas of wedge play: distance gapping, shot versatility and spin control.
The first thing that players familiar with Vokey Design wedges will notice in the new SM6 design is the progressive CG. Engineered using cutting-edge CAD technology, the progressive GC is visible technology on the back of the clubs.
Lower CG produces increased ball speed and superior feel. The lower CG moves more mass behind the ball at impact producing faster ball speeds.
In the low lofted SM6 models (46° – 52°) the CG is positioned low to increase ball speed an average of 1.5 mph (3-5 yards of increased distance). The low CG also aligns the progression into a typical iron set make-up. A thinner topline and raised lower section is particularly appealing to players of all skill levels.
Mid CG position aligned precisely between the low loft and high loft wedges for consistent distance gapping and shot control.
In the mid lofted models (54° – 56°) the CG is positioned in the middle of the club providing precise distance gapping and exceptional feel.
With higher lofted wedges, the golf ball rolls up the face more at impact. Raising the center of gravity aligns the CG with the impact position producing more consistent distance and trajectory control.
In the high lofted models (58° – 62°) the high CG position produces tighter distance dispersion, improved trajectory control and better feel. The high CG position is aligned precisely with impact position of high lofted wedges which is higher on the face. This technology is visibly highlighted by a raised upper section.
The new Vokey Design SM6 wedges offer the five tour-validated sole grinds that have been fine-tuned through work with the world’s best shot makers. Golfers of all skill levels will appreciate the improved shot versatility for their type of swing, preferred shot making and course conditions.
At first glance these choices of sole grinds can be quite dizzying but all golfers soon realize that these choices ensure that they will have a wedge that looks good to their eye, fits their swing, is best suited for their course conditions and allows the versatility around the greens to cut strokes off their scores.
Each of the five grinds are currently in play across the worldwide professional tours. Each grind is a direct result of Vokey’s experience fitting Tour players, PGA professionals and amateurs of all skill levels for more than 20 years.
The SM6 L Grind features enhanced heel, toe and trailing edge grind.
The L Grind is designed for the player with a shallow/sweeper swing type and is best suited for firm course conditions. It is available in the 58.04, and 60.04 lofts. With an enhanced heel, toe and trailing edge grind, the L Grind provides maximum versatility on firm playing conditions.
The SM6 M Grind has heel, toe and trailing edge grind that gives players maximum versatility around the greens.
The M Grind is for the player with a shallow/sweeper or neutral swing and works best on firm and medium course conditions. It is available in 54.08, 56.08, 58.08, 60.08, and 62.08 lofts. The heel, toe and trailing edge in the M Grind gives maximum versatility around the greens.
Trailing edge and heel grind on the SM6 S Grind provides stability on full shots without sacrificing shot choices around the greens.
The S Grind is for the neutral or steep/digger swinger who plays on mostly medium or soft course conditions. It is available in 54.10, 56.10, 58.10, and 60.10 bounces. For stability on full shots while still maintaining versatility around the greens, the heel and trailing edge grind of the S Grind is the right choice.
The SM6 F Grind is an all-purpose wedge that will fit most players.
The F Grind benefits a wide array of swing types including the shallow/sweeper, neutral and steep/digger swings. It is also well adapted to most course conditions including firm, medium and soft. It is available in 46.08, 48.08, 50.08, 50.12, 52.08, 52.12, 54.14, and 56.14 lofts. This grind, that will fit most players, features a traditional full sole with medium to high bounce and is an all-purpose wedge particularly suited for full shots.
The wide sole of the SM6 K Grind makes it excellent for bunker play and the camber enhances choices for shots around the green.
The K Grind fits the player with a neutral or steep/digger swing type who plays on medium and soft course conditions. It is available in 58.12 and 60.12 lofts. The K Grind features a wide sole for excellent bunker play while the camber enhances greenside shot versatility.
The TX4 grooves feature a new parallel face texture resulting in more spin.
The new, proprietary Spin Milled TX4 grooves and face texture deliver more spin with more consistent spin control. The machine milled, parallel face texture of the TX4 grooves create a sharper, more consistent groove edge.
Low lofted wedges are designed with narrower, deeper grooves while the higher lofted wedges have wider grooves.
The TX4 grooves feature two groove geometries with a narrower, deeper groove for the 46° to 54° lofts and a wider, shallower groove in the 56° to 62° lofts. The parallel face texture and progressive groove geometries optimize ball-to-groove edge contact producing more spin and control around the greens.
The SM6 wedges are in the bags of over 45 players on the PGA Tour including Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker, Jason Dufner, Adam Scott, and Bill Haas.
Jordan Spieth has the new Titleist Vokey Designed SM6 wedges in his bag.
“I didn’t know how Voke could improve on what he did with the SM5s,” Jordan Spieth said, “but somehow he’s done it again, him and his team. These are amazing.”
Players can choose from Tour Chrome, Steel Gray and Jet Black (raw) finishes. The wedges can be custom ordered at any of the four retail locations of Puetz Golf with a wide choice of specifications and personalization. Choose from an industry-leading selection of shafts, grips, shaft bands, ferrules, stamping and paint fill. For a complete listing of personalization and custom options, consult a certified club fitter at your local Puetz Golf retail location.
Larry plays to a single digit handicap at Rainier Golf and Country Club in Seattle, Washington. He has authored the book Uncorked, The Life and Times of Champagne Tony Lema available soon on Amazon. He can be contacted at larryb@puetzgolf.com.
by Larry Baush, PuetzGolf.com
When you are John A. Solheim, the chairman and CEO of PING, you can take a photograph and then show it to your engineers and they’ll come up with technology to utilize in a new driver. The new G driver from PING features Dragonfly Technology that was inspired from a close-up photograph taken by Solheim of a dragonfly’s wing.
The wing intrigued Solheim and a group of engineers at PING who were influenced by biomimicry, an approach to innovation that emulates nature and the time-tested patterns found therein. By emulating the dragonfly’s wing structure, PING engineers designed an exoskeleton structure for the crown of the new G driver that is the thinnest and lightest PING has ever produced.
The New PING G Series driver features Dragonfly Technology in the crown.
The weight savings attained by utilizing the Dragonfly Technology came to 8 grams and that allowed PING engineers to move that discretionary weight lower and rearward increasing the MOI for more forgiveness while at the same time increasing dynamic loft for more distance.
“It’s a credit to the imagination and the disciplined approach of our engineering, design, and research teams that we’ve elevated performance across every category in new and exciting ways, innovation that will make the game easier for golfers of every ability level,” said Solheim. “Our design process is different, as we gather information from the world around us, study new materials, and test rigorously to make sure our products give golfers meaningful results.”
What makes the design and engineering teams so special at PING is that they can go from utilizing the exoskeleton design inspired by a dragonfly’s wing to then turning around and coming up with design ideas from studying the base flaps on 18-wheel semi-trailers. These base flaps minimize large-scale votex shedding on the big rigs and PING researchers and engineers incorporated their ideas to improve aerodynamics and increase speed on the new G series drivers. Vortec Technology and turbulators on the crown contribute to reducing drag 37% in the impact zone yielding greater clubhead speed. The variable-thickness T9S face has a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing for a thin face to increase ball speed.
The new G drivers allow golfers to optimize launch conditions prior to a round with the adjustability of loft up to +/- 1° with five settings utilizing a lightweight, aerodynamically efficient and high-strength 7075 aluminum hosel sleeve.
In addition to the standard G driver, PING offers two additional models; the G SF Tec with weight closer to the heel producing a draw bias while the G LS Tec model features a CG that is extremely low for the player who is seeking a low stable spin with forgiveness.
The new PING G iron with COR-Eye Technology,
The G Series features a new iron that utilizes revolutionary COR-Eye Technology that was first introduced in the GMax irons. COR-Eye Technology activates the sole, face and top rail in flexing for consistently faster ball speeds across the hotter face. The entire G set is heat treated using a specialized process that creates Hyper 17-4 alloy, which is 40% stronger than traditional 17-4 stainless steel. Metallurgical advancements combined with COR-Eye Technology provide four times the face flexing with improved stability.
PING G irons with COR-Eye Technology activates the sole, face and top rail in flexing.
“The results are big distance gains and a higher peak trajectory for better stopping power so you can hit and hold the green,” Solheim said. “One benefit of that is a player might be able to club up and hit a 7-iron, for example, instead of a 6-iron,” he went on.
The weight that was saved from the face was allocated to the low toe and perimeter, creating a high MOI for extreme forgiveness. PING also connected the Custom Tuning Port to the sole and that created a deeper CG that helps elevate the launch angle while increasing MOI. Players will love the refined look of the G iron at address with a thin top rail, satin-blast finish and the appropriate offset. An enlarged multi-material dampening badge in the cavity back teams with the COR-Eye Technology resulting in exceptional sound and feel.
PING’s proprietary Ascending Weight Technology shafts contribute to the improved performance of the G irons. This optimal combination of physics and feel produce a shaft that is lighter as they progress from the short irons and pitching wedge to the long irons. Lighter long-iron shafts help square the clubface at impact while increasing speed and optimizing flight for distance and accuracy. Heavier short iron shafts improve trajectory control and feel on those “touch” shots closer to the green.
Continuing on the tradition of being equipment innovators, PING created a new category that they have christened Crossover and the new G Crossover combines the precision, workability and control of an iron with the ball speed and forgiveness of a hybrid.
The new PING G Crossover creates a new golf club category.
“People love the look and feel of the Crossover because they haven’t seen anything like it,” Solheim stated. “It shouldn’t be confused with a driving iron; it’s higher-launching and much more forgiving, and offers a lot of versatility. Our extensive player testing has revealed this to be a very attractive option.”
The high-strength Carpenter 455 steel face is precision machined to an optimal thickness for greater face flexing, faster ball speeds and longer results. For players who work the ball the flat face, narrow top rail and appropriate offset will fit the eye. This player’s look doesn’t come at the expense of distance or forgiveness as an innovative cascading internal sole engages the entire face, sole and top rail in flexing to maximize distance while extreme heel-toe weighting creates a high MOI for forgiveness.
PING understands that nearly all golfers struggle to get the ball launched up in the air easily with fairway woods. The G fairway woods have come to the rescue. With a lower leading edge that yields 12% higher face impact (relative to the G30 fairway wood).
“The face sits lower so it’s much easier to hit the ball high in the air,” Solheim explained. “Contact occurs higher on the face which makes this club perform beautifully off the ground and tee.”
High-strength Carpenter 455 steel allows for a thinner, precision-machined, variable-thickness face. The cascading sole design engages more of the structure in face flexing resulting in faster ball speeds and higher launch. A lightweight thin crown allows the CG to be moved lower and further back making it easier to get the ball up in the air.
A unique process by PING adds friction to the face for reduced spin. The crown features turbulators and golfers can optimize launch conditions prior to a round by adjusting loft up to +/- 1° with five settings utilizing a lightweight, aerodynamically efficient and high-strength 7075 aluminum hosel sleeve.
The G fairway woods include the G SF Tec with weight closer to the heel, a lighter swing weight, and higher lofts to produce a draw for players who typically miss to the right. The G Stretch 3-wood is custom-engineered to stretch a player’s distance off the tee and on shots into the green with a larger head, slightly forward CG, 13° of loft, and reduced spin.
The new G Hybrids feature an innovative tiered internal sole that helps activate face flexing to power the ball off the face faster for increased distance. An ultra-thin crown allows for a lower and further back CG resulting in higher launch, reduced spin and a higher MOI for increased forgiveness. Like the G fairways, a unique process adds friction to the face to reduce spin and a high-strength Carpenter 455 steel face maximizes flexing to produce faster ball speeds across the entire face.
To ensure that you take advantage of all the technological innovations that PING has incorporated into the new G Series you should be fit by a knowledgeable, certified clubfitter. Puetz Golf is recognized by Golf Digest as a Top 100 Clubfitter and by PING as Fitters of the Year. Visit PuetzGolf.com to learn more about getting a custom fit into the new PING G Series.
The PING G Series is in all four Puetz Golf locations starting with the National Launch on March 11th. For more information, visit PuetzGolf.com.
Larry plays to a single digit handicap at Rainier Golf and Country Club in Seattle, Washington. He has authored the book Uncorked, The Life and Times of Champagne Tony Lema available soon on Amazon. He can be contacted at larryb@puetzgolf.com.
by Larry Baush
The course I play is directly under the flight path of planes taking off and landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The planes are so close (450 yards—thanks Bushnell!) that you can see the effect of the airflow as clouds pass over the wings. Many of those planes flying above our heads are manufactured by the Boeing Commercial Aircraft company and Callaway has tapped into the aerodynamic expertise at Boeing to help design the new XR16 and XR16 Pro drivers.
The association between Boeing and Callaway dates back to the stint that Allen Mulally served on the Callaway Board of Directors while he was the CEO of Boeing Commercial Aircraft. Mulally went on to serve as the CEO of Ford steering them through the rocky waters of the 2008 financial meltdown. Ford was the only automaker that did not require massive financial assistance from the government.
So here is the challenge that faced the engineers at both Callaway and Boeing: how to achieve maximum clubhead speed and make that same clubhead forgiving. These two objectives work against each other because a more forgiving clubhead has a longer crown and a longer crown creates more aerodynamic drag decreasing clubhead speed.
With the help of the Boeing engineers Callaway designed a crown that is 9 grams lighter than the previous XR model which helps contribute to clubhead speed. This savings in weight in the crown allows weight to be redistributed lower and deeper in the clubhead with the payoff being a higher MOI and more forgiveness.
Where the Boeing engineers really earned their chops, though, was that the newly designed crown creates roughly 30% less air resistance than the previous XR model. The face creates 10% less air resistance and it all adds up to more speed and distance.
The new Callaway XR16 driver was the result of a design collaboration between Callaway and Boeing.
So what are these design innovations that resulted in both more speed and more forgiveness? The most visible innovation is a series of raised titanium portions behind the topline on the crown. These raised portions resemble the shape of an aircraft wing and they help keep the airflow during the swing tight to the surface of the crown. Keeping the airflow tight to the surface reduces drag resulting in faster clubhead speeds.
What you can’t see inside the head is the improved R-Moto technology that Callaway first introduced in the Big Bertha Alpha 815 drivers. R-Moto technology is basically a rib structure that is supportive to the face so that it can be made both lighter and thinner. The XR16 face is 9 grams lighter and 19 percent thinner than the previous model with the result being more ball speed from all areas of the clubface, not just the “sweet spot” center of the face.
Finally, the use of 8-1-1 Titanium for the body of the driver allowed even more saving of weight allowing another 2 grams of discretionary weight. Callaway loaded those 2 grams into the aforementioned deeper and lower position in the clubhead to further increase the forgiveness.
The XR16 is 460cc with a Fujikura Speeder Evolution 565 as the stock shaft. Lofts will be offered in 9, 10.5, and 13.5 HT and the driver is adjustable for loft and lie including the ability to adjust for draw or fade bias. The price tag for the XR16 will be $349.99.
The XR16 Pro is designed for better golfers who benefit from the lower spin rate from the 450cc clubhead. The trajectory from the XR16 will be lower and more penetrating due to the lower CG and deeper face. The XR16 Pro comes with the Fujikura Evolution II TS 665 shaft as the stock option but there are many premium shafts that will be available at no upcharge.
The XR16 Pro features a 450cc and was designed for better players
The XR16 Pro will be offered in lofts of 9 and 10.5 degrees and it is also adjustable. The sticker price for the XR16 Pro is $399.99.
The XR16 line will also include fairway woods with the XR16 selling for $229.99 and the XR16 Pro selling for $249.99. The standard XR16 fairway will be available in 3+, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11 models (the 3+, 3, and 5 will be stock clubs while the others will be custom ordered by Puetz Golf). The standard XR16 will feature larger heads than the previous XR fairways. The same distance gaining technology found in the XR16 driver will be featured in the fairways.
The XR16 fairways will feature larger heads than the previous XR fairways
The XR16 Pro fairway will be available in 14-, 16-, and 18-degree lofts and features a more compact head than the standard XR16. More advanced players will appreciate this feature as it will make the club more workable with control over shot shaping.
Puetz Golf has been named to the Golf Digest America’s Top 100 Clubfitters.
Pre-orders of the XR16 begin January 15th at all four retail locations of Puetz Golf and online at PuetzGolf.com. Puetz Golf has been named a Golf Digest America’s 100 Best Clubfitter and our certified club fitters can dial in the exact XR16 specs to help your game. To learn more about custom club fitting at Puetz Golf go HERE or call 866 362 2441 to schedule your custom fitting appointment.
Larry plays to a single digit handicap at Rainier Golf and Country Club in Seattle, Washington. He has authored the book Uncorked, The Life and Times of Champagne Tony Lema available soon on Amazon. He can be contacted at larryb@puetzgolf.com.
by Larry Baush
I had some trepidation about writing an article containing bold predictions for the golfing world in 2016 until I did some research. I went back and read some of the bold predictions for 2015 that were made by well-known golf media pundits and discovered that, hey, you don’t have to be very good at this. Five of the Golf Channel’s finest made their bold predictions in a column dated January 2, 2015. Their record? One correct and it was a prediction that the U.S. would win the President’s Cup which is not the boldest of predictions.
And therein lies the rub—the prediction has to be bold, but not too bold. Predicting that someone will yell “You da man!” after a drive at a PGA Tour event is not a bold enough prediction. On the other hand, predicting that “Happy Cheeseburgers!” will replace “Mashed Potatoes!” (which was actually shouted out this past year) is too bold—unless we get on this, people. We must all Tweet with the hashtag #happycheeseburgers right now! Let’s get this trending.
Okay, on with the bold predictions. These predictions and opinions are my own and in no way reflect the opinions of Puetz Golf or any other employees there. Here we go!
Jordan Spieth Will Defend at The Masters
Spieth is the complete package with the game and mental outlook that Augusta National rewards. It’s tough to defend any title, especially the Masters. The last time it was done was Tiger Woods in 2001/2002. Spieth has the record at Augusta to believe that he can repeat. A 2nd place finish in 2014 along with the win last year suggests that there could be some magic in the air at Augusta come April.
Jordan Spieth will again slip on the green jacket.
The PGA TOUR Will Settle With The Caddies Concerning The Bib Lawsuit
Back in February 2015 more than 80 caddies who work the PGA Tour filed a lawsuit against the Tour involving the caddie bib and the advertising displayed on it. The caddies, independent contractors working for independent contractors of the PGA Tour, is contesting as a restraint of trade and anticompetitive conduct, the requirement to wear bibs displaying sponsor names without any compensation.
Will the PGA Tour start paying caddies to wear branded bibs?
The cost of litigation and the public relations minefield that this suit entails would make one think that it is in the best interest of the Tour to settle with caddies and start paying them to help the Tour fulfill the promotional aspects that entice corporate sponsorship that keeps the Tour rolling.
Despite what many might think, being a caddie on the Tour is not something that just anybody can do. The work is hard, the hours are long and unless you loop for a big name like Michael Greller, Jordan Spieth’s caddie, or “Bones” Mackay, Phil Mickelson’s caddie, and a few others, you’re not going to make millions of dollars. At many Tour stops the accommodations extended to the caddies at the course are definitely second-class. It’s time that this segment of the Tour workforce started to be recognized for the valuable work they do. If the Tour can live with the player independent contractors sporting UPS logos on their polos while competing for the FedEx cup, then they can live with tossing a few bucks the caddie’s way.
Dustin Johnson Will Win a Major
Dustin Johnson’s talent will overcome his tendency to do something really dumb to capture his first major title of his career. I don’t see it happening at Augusta where his length gives him an advantage but you can’t make any mental mistakes at Augusta and win. I don’t see it happening at Oakmont where again, his length will give him an advantage, but his putting on those fast, tricky greens may let him down. The Open Championship at Royal Troon is too much of a crap shoot as that tournament often comes down to what side of the tee time draw you land on.
Is Dustin Johnson primed to win a major in 2016?
That leaves the PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club where distance gives you a big advantage. My prediction is that he builds a big lead going into the fourth round that would be impossible to squander away with any dumb moves.
Golf at the Olympics Will Turn Into a Big Deal
Golf returns to the Olympics in 2016.
There will be a player who really takes to heart playing for God and country who will make winning a gold medal a top priority. NBC will then run a 5 minute tear jerking feature on that player and his struggles to win a gold medal and the whole thing will just blow up.
And finally;
The U.S. Will Win the Ryder Cup
The USA last won the Ryder Cup in 2008.
Talk about a BOLD prediction! Davis Love III, along with his Vice Captains Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods, will get the American team stoked to capture the cup. Watch for a closely contested match at Hazeltine with the Americans pulling it out in dramatic fashion.
And there you go – my bold predictions for 2016. Hope I get one correct. Let me know your thoughts in the comments and Happy New Year to all. #happycheeseburgers
Larry plays to a single digit handicap at Rainier Golf and Country Club in Seattle, Washington. He has authored the book Uncorked, The Life and Times of Champagne Tony Lema available soon on Amazon. He can be contacted at larryb@puetzgolf.com.
by Larry Baush
I was the first one done with opening the Christmas gifts – again. But this year felt different; I was done WAY before everybody else. So I sat back on Grandma’s couch and with arms folded, became a spectator as my sisters continued to open up their gifts.
“Are you done?” my dad asked me. I nodded that I was. “It looks like there might be something over there behind the tree under the curtains,” he said. “Go see what it is.”
I crawled under the tree and there, partially hidden by the curtains was a brand-new set of Spalding junior golf clubs. My first matched set! There was a driver and 3-wood, a 3- 5- 7- and 9-iron all inside a fancy leather-like bag.
My bag wasn’t plaid, but it was shaped like this example.
I was so excited because up to that point I had only been messing around with cut down clubs and now I had my first matched set and Spalding was one of the big players in the equipment game back then. These were not some Sears knockoff house brand, these were the real deal.
By the next summer my new matched set was followed by lessons in the form of a junior clinic that was conducted at the country club my folks had just joined. The course was close enough for me to get to on my bike with the bag containing my new clubs slung over my shoulder. I fell in love with the game at that point and it is a love affair that has carried on to this day some 50 years later.
Over the years I added a club here or there to my Spalding set. A Wilson Patty Berg wedge here or some club to fill in the yardage gaps that come with the territory of an odd numbered starter set. My favorite was a cut down MacGregor MT Tourney 4-iron that was my “go-to” club.
I was the runt of the litter and it took me a very long time to add any height (like until college!) so I wore that Spalding set out before I actually outgrew it. Even so, I did eventually move on to a used set of Wilson Staff irons that we bought from the head pro who had used them for a year. But I’ll always remember fondly that first matched set I got at Christmas and will forever be grateful for my dad giving me the gift of golf – a true gift of a lifetime.
These were my dad’s clubs.
Puetz Golf has a wide selection of junior gear that features all the modern technology that will make it easy for your kids to pick up the game. Imagine how proud and gratified you will be as you share the fairways with your offspring and they discover the same joy in the game that you have. Who knows? Maybe they will be so good that they’ll be the next Jordan Spieth and will be able to take care of you in your twilight years. Check out the junior section at PuetzGolf.com HERE.
Larry plays to a single digit handicap at Rainier Golf and Country Club in Seattle, Washington. He has authored the book Uncorked, The Life and Times of Champagne Tony Lema available soon on Amazon. He can be contacted at larryb@puetzgolf.com.
by Larry Baush, PuetzGolf.com
It’s that time of year when you rack your brain on what to give that golfer on your gift list. Puetz Golf is here to help. A GPS or Laser rangefinder is the perfect accessory on every golfer’s wish list. With a wide assortment of the newest and best rangefinders, PuetzGolf.com can help you select the golf gift that will get used for many years to come.
GPS and laser rangefinders come with so many different options now that it can be a dizzying experience to shop for just the right one for the person on your list. Many of the most popular models are on sale for the holidays. GPS rangefinders have made a big move into the wearable arena with watches that not only give you the yardage to the front, middle and back of the green, but also provide fitness feedback capabilities and score tracking.
The popular Garmin Approach S6 GPS watch displays yardages to the front, middle and back of the green as well as customizable yardage points so that you can measure the carry distance over hazards or the distance to the end of a dogleg. The color touchscreen allows you to manually drag-and-drop the pin position for that day’s location. The Approach S6 will also keep and print your digital scorecard for stroke play or Stableford format. The full color course maps gets you to the second shot view very quickly or preview doglegs and water hazards. The golfer on your list will never be surprised again by what lays ahead on those blind holes that they have never played.
The Garmin S6 GPS Watch Rangefinder features a high-resolution, sunlight readable screen.
The Garmin Approach S6 can also help improve their game. The SwingTempo and SwingTraining mode provide swing metrics that help golfers improve their games. The SwingTempo mode provides audible tones to help synchronize swing tempos to the optimal 3:1 ratio between backswing and downswing for training sessions on the driving range.
This stylish watch can be worn every day as it displays the time and provides fitness feedback. The S6 is preloaded with over 38,000 international courses without the burden of extra fees or the cost of a subscription. As new courses are added, the S6 can be updated at no additional charge.
The Garmin VivoActive GPS Smartwatch is more than just a golf accessory
Puetz Golf also stocks the Garmin VivoActive GPS Smartwatch that synchs with your smartphone and delivers enhanced information including a full range of workout and activity feedback. Keep up with email, texts and phone calls while on the course and follow your favorite stocks right from your watch. Oh yeah, it also gives you all the important distances you need to know while playing a round of golf.
The Bushnell NEO-X Golf GPS watch is available in three colors
Bushnell offers the NEO-XS Golf GPS watch and you can save $70 now through December 31st. The NEO-XS is preloaded with over 33,000 courses in more than 30 countries and features an extra-long battery life—play up to three rounds between charges. Auto course recognition and auto hole advance make using the NEO-XS a breeze and there is no membership or download fees to worry about. This is another watch that will be worn on and off the course with its stylish sports band.
The SkyCaddie Linx GPS Watch utilizes TrueGround Course maps, golf’s “best-in-class” mapping system. Bluetooth smart wireless technology, along with the new complimentary SkyGolf 360 mobile app and updated onDemand error-corrected course maps that provide accurate and up-to-date course information. The Linx is preloaded with 35,000 maps so it is ready to play out of the box with auto course recognition and auto hole advance. The Linx also has fitness features to track your distance walked and calories burned.
The SkyCaddie Linx uses Bluetooth to link to the SkyGolf 360 app.
The Voice Caddy SC100 Swing Caddie Portable Launch Monitor is a standalone unit that will give the golfer on your list instant feedback on their swing and make improvement easier to visualize. The Swing Caddy displays carry distance, swing speed, ball speed and Smash Factor and it can be used on the course or the practice tee. The Swing Caddy regularly sells for $269.99 but is on sale for a limited time on PuetzGolf.com for $199.99 (online orders only) making it a very affordable entry unit.
The Voice Caddy SC100 Swing Caddie Portable Launch Monitor provides valuable swing feedback to help improve your golf game.
Laser rangefinders, while not featuring the sexy technological features of the GPS watch, provide golfers with an instant reading of the distance to not only the pin, but anything else you can bounce the laser off of. These lightweight units work similar to binoculars and shoot a laser beam at an object and the unit can accurately calculate the distance by the length of time it takes the beam to reflect back. This makes the laser rangefinders the most accurate way to find yardages. The lightweight units come with a carrying case that can be strapped onto a golf bag making them very convenient to use. There is no scrolling through screens or entering in customizable data, just simply point and shoot to use.
The Bushnell Tour V3 features JOLT Technology that vibrates when you’ve locked onto your target.
Bushnell is offering up its popular Tour V3 Patriot Pack laser rangefinder with a $25 instant savings through the end of the year. The Tour V3 features JOLT technology that eliminates all doubt that the target has been acquired. With short vibrating bursts golfers are assured that the distance displayed is the correct distance. The Bushnell Tour Z6 also features JOLT technology and features a $50 instant savings. The Bushnell rebates are good through Dec. 31st, 2015.
The Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt vibrates to reinforce that the laser has lock into the flag.
The Leupold GX-3i2 laser rangefinder features the most desired optical system on the market combining precision glass, cutting edge technology and rugged structural components. This optical system provides instant measurement on any shot and the PinHunter 2 Laser Technology and Prisim Lock Technology put Leupold laser rangefinders on the leading edge. Smart features such as Fog Mode ensure that golfers get accurate reading no matter the weather. The Digitally Enhanced Accuracy (DNA) provide faster, more precise ranging to within 1/10th of a yard.
Leupold GX-3i2 Laser Rangefinder features exclusive PinHunter 2 Laser Technology and Prism Lock Technology™ for instant measurement on any shot. It also has a fog mode so you are never without a measurement.
The Leupod GX-3i2 features a scan mode that allows the user to get multiple readings in one quick sweep. Holding down the power button will continuously update the user with accurate line-of-site measurements. On courses equipped with prism technology in the pins, the GX-3i2 will beep and freeze the moment you scan past a a prism-topped flag stick providing an accurate distance reading.
You can find more rangefinder ideas and much more at the PuetzGolf.com Holiday Gift Guide.
If you are still unsure of exactly what piece of golf equipment that would be perfect for the golfer on your list, give them a Puetz Golf gift card. The one gift that you can rest assured will not be returned or unused. Order you gift card directly from PuetzGolf.com in any denomination and we can ship a physical gift card through the mail or an E-Gift card sent directly to an email inbox. Go HERE to order gift cards at PuetzGolf.com.
Larry plays to a single digit handicap at Rainier Golf and Country Club in Seattle, Washington. He has authored the book Uncorked, The Life and Times of Champagne Tony Lema available soon on Amazon. He can be contacted at larryb@puetzgolf.com.
by Larry Baush, PuetzGolf.com
Your next Cobra driver was designed with the assistance of The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) as well as a research study on materials that took place on the International Space Station. Created with premium materials and state-of-the-art technology, Cobra Golf feels that this new driver is worthy of the name KING. On November 13th the Cobra King LTD and King LTD Pro will be unveiled at all four retail locations of Puetz Golf and it is now available for pre-order online at PuetzGolf.com.
The new Cobra King LTD driver features a Zero CG with the Center of Gravity positioned above the neutral axis line.
The King LTD driver was designed by Cobra to be their first zero CG driver and it is being billed as Cobra’s longest and straightest driver ever created. The driver and fairway woods feature a Spaceport in the sole that was inspired by the International Space Station’s observation platform.
The removable Spaceport adds customization and allows you to look inside the clubhead.
The 16-gram Spaceport is constructed of aerospace-grade aluminum and clear polycarbonate material that is secured by a “Spiralock” thread technology designed to withstand high loads and heavy vibrations. It is safe to say that the Spiralock will withstand any of the abuse you can throw at it. The polycarbonate material allows you to see inside the head.
The internal technologies found inside the Cobra King LTD.
Once the Spaceport is removed, you can view the technologies inside the clubhead including the 811 Titanium E9 face, the carbon fiber crown and the low CG hosel. The low CG hosel allowed Cobra engineers to move the Center of Gravity exactly on the neutral axis line resulting in what Cobra is calling Zero CG. The result is more distance with a higher launch, less spin and more ball speed. This efficient transfer of energy at impact does not come with any sacrifice of forgiveness.
The extremely thin and lightweight TeXtreme carbon fiber crown on the Cobra King LTD driver
Another factor that allowed the movement of the CG lower is the lightweight crown constructed of carbon fiber. Cobra has used carbon fiber before but the King LTD is the first driver which is constructed with TeXtreme®, a material that is 20% stronger than standard carbon fiber allowing for a much thinner and lighter crown.
The move towards more lightweight materials is carried through to the face and body of the club with the use Ti-811 titanium that is lighter than the 6-4 titanium used in previous Cobra driver models. The lighter material allowed for a redesign of Cobra’s E9 variable thickness face structure with a more effective Sweet Zone® that increases ball speed, especially on off-center strikes.
The e9 face on the Cobra King LTD driver.
An exclusive Cobra innovation is the Speed Channel that is an engineered trench around the perimeter of the face. With this innovation Cobra was able to minimize the thickness and again, increase ball speed.
The new Cobra King LTD offers a wide choice of adjustability options starting with swingweight. A stock King LTD driver features a 12-gram tungsten weight that is installed internally in the rear weight port. It can be adjusted in conjunction with the Spaceport to achieve custom swing weights.
Loft adjustability available on the Cobra King LTD driver through the MyFly and SmartPad technologies.
The options for adjustability include the MyFly with SmartPad features that offer up to eight easily adjustable loft settings. Golfers are able to dial in the optimum launch conditions that will produce the maximum distance for their particular swing characteristics. The King LTD is adjustable from a 9° to 12° in half degree increments. There are also draw bias settings at 9.5°, 10.5° and 11.5° lofts.
The King LTD Pro can be adjusted from 7° to 10° in half degree increments with fade bias settings at 7.5°, 8.5° and 9.5°.
The stock shaft of both the King LTD and the King LTD Pro drivers is the Aldila Rogue Black 60 shaft in regular, stiff and x-stiff flexes.
The King LTD line also includes fairway woods with the same features as the King LTD driver. The compact head shape features the Zero CG and Spaceport as well as the TeXtreme® carbon fiber crown.
The fairway woods feature a 475 stainless steel face which is a stronger and thinner material than the 465 stainless faces used on the Cobra Fly-Z and Fly-Z+ fairway woods. The thinner and stronger faces result in faster ball speeds – right up to the USGA’s limit for balls struck on the center of the face.
The King LTD fairway woods come in a 3-4 model (13 – 15.5 degrees) and a 5-7 model (16 – 18.5 degrees). The stock shaft is the Aldila Rogue Black 60 in regular, stiff and x-stiff flex.
The Cobra King Ltd driver and fairways will be in the four retail locations of Puetz Golf Golf, and online at PuetzGolf.com on November 13th. As always, a custom fitting at Puetz Golf will ensure that you are fit into the correct shaft and loft adjustments. Puetz Golf is a Golf Digest Top 100 Fitter. Schedule a fitting today online at PuetzGolf.com.
Puetz Golf has been named to the Golf Digest America’s Top 100 Clubfitters.
Larry plays to a single digit handicap at Rainier Golf and Country Club in Seattle, Washington. He has authored the book Uncorked, The Life and Times of Champagne Tony Lema available soon on Amazon. He can be contacted at larryb@puetzgolf.com.
by Larry Baush, PuetzGolf.com
Titleist, the #1 ball in golf, has introduced a new ball for golfers who prefer a truly soft feel, the Titleist DT TruSoft. The ball is precisely designed and manufactured to provide a supremely soft feel on every shot along with the consistent performance and quality that players have come to expect from Titleist.
The Titleist DT TruSoft is the best preforming golf ball in its class and is the perfect replacement ball for players who relied on the Titleist DT SoLo ball. The performance of the DT TruSoft is the result of rigorous research and development on the part of Titleist. In addition, Titleist employed industry-leading, state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies at the Titleist Ball Plant 2 in New Beford, MA.
With a new core and cover technology that delivers incredibly soft compression feel with impressive distance and short game performance the Titleist DT TruSoft will benefit players with a slower swing speed.
The new Titleist DT TruSoft white golf ball
“DT TruSoft is the latest generation of Titleist’s soft compression core and cover technology,” stated Michael Mahoney, Director, Titleist Golf Ball Product Management. “In each of the past three introductions of DT models, we have continued to provide golfers with softer and softer feel. Through our extensive testing with golfers, we know there is a growing interest for extremely soft feel, yet these golfers still want performance into and around the green. DT TruSoft represents the best combination of very soft feel and the all-around performance of distance and playability you expect from a Titleist golf ball.”
“DT TruSoft is significantly softer than the DT SoLo, which was already the softest compression golf ball in our line.” Mahoney went on. Mahoney also went on to explain that the DT TruSoft “exceeds the performance of other products in this category as many of our competitors sacrifice either short game spin or distance.”
The technology that went into the DT TrueSoft is truly cutting edge. The ball was designed with a fast, very low compression core and a soft pure ionomer cover. The new cover and core work together to provide a uniquely soft feel and sound on every shot, while delivering very low spin in the long game for consistently long distance and reliable short game spin. A 376 tetrahedral dimple design ensures an aerodynamically consistent flight.
The DT TruSoft is available in white or yellow and is in stock now at all four retail locations of Puetz Golf and online HERE at PuetzGolf.com. The retail prices for the Titleist DT TruSoft is $21.99.
by Larry Baush
Titleist utilizes a consistent two-year product cycle and it is the iron line that will be updated in 2016. Titleist began the tour seeding of the new 716 iron line at the Quicken Loans National tournament as it rolled out the new five models: AP1, AP2, CB, MB, and T-MB. Titleist changed it up a bit this year by launching the new 816 Hybrid line at the same time as the irons, which makes a lot of sense.
Titleist uses the tour seeding stage for performance validation from the best players in the world while giving those tour players the opportunity to test the final product. Many players use this period to decide if they will put one of the models into play. With the final stage of testing complete, Titleist is releasing the new iron line on October 23rd when they will be available at all four retail locations of Puetz Golf and they are available for pre-order now online at PuetzGolf.com.
So what’s new? Here is a rundown on each model.
716 AP1 Irons
The new 716 AP1 irons is the longest, most forgiving Titleist iron ever. Titleist believes that it will be recognized as a leader in the game improvement iron category due to the innovative design features that have been incorporated.
The new Titleist 7116 AP1 Irons
An extreme 360° undercut cavity creates a large, thin, unsupported face that increases both speed and launch for more distance. The center of gravity is driven low by the use of high density tungsten in the design. This allows for stronger lofts resulting in more speed and maximum distance.
The 716 AP1 360 degree undercut (left) and the large, thin unsupported face (right)
The high density tungsten also moves the weight to the perimeter providing an increased moment of inertia for both speed and forgiveness, even on off-center hits. Players will also notice the turf interaction as the pre-worn leading edge is fast through the turf with less dig and this produces a nice fast and lively feel. The heavily cambered, or rounded soles also help the club exit the turf smoothly even for golfers with steeper attack angles.
The high density tungsten weighting in the 716 AP1 irons.
Golf WRX tested the new Titleist 716 AP1 irons and found that the sound produced by the thin unsupported face was slightly louder than the previous model yet it was not the hollow sound you might expect from a distance-driven game-improvement iron. They also found that the stronger lofts of the AP1 did not come at the expense of launch angle that is especially important to the game-improvement crowd when it comes to long irons.
The stock shafts in the Titleist 716 AP1 irons are the True Temper XP90 (R300 and S300) steel shafts and the MRC KuroKage TiNi 65 (stiff, regular and A, or senior flexes) graphite shafts. The stock sets in your local Puetz Golf Superstore and on PuetzGolf.com are configured 4-PW (43°) and GW (47°). Get an award custom fitting and choose from 3 iron all the way down to the W2 wedge (52°) in any set configuration you desire. Custom orders are shipped to your address within 6-10 business days.
The Titleist 716 AP1 irons will be available in the four retail locations of Puetz Golf on October 23rd and are available for pre-order now online at PuetzGolf.com.
716 AP2 Irons
The new 716 AP2 irons feature Tour-proven distance and forgiveness. The Tour-proven distance comes from consistent ball speed and the 716 AP2 irons use extreme high density tungsten weighting to position the CG low and in perfect alignment at impact for more ball speed.
The new Titleist 716 AP2 Irons
The most advance, solid feeling and forgiving Tour played irons that Titleist has ever made feature an innovative co-forged construction of 1025 carbon steel and high density tungsten. With the high density tungsten low and on the perimeter, the moment of inertia is increased for speed and forgiveness on off-center hits. The 716 AP2 irons allow for the ultimate in trajectory control while at the same time pardoning slight mishits making it the perfect iron for low, single-digit handicappers and all the way to the best players in the world.
The new Titleist 716 AP2 forged construction (left) and low center of gravity (right)
One of the design features that make this iron so popular with good players is the compact size. What makes the irons special is the industry-leading amount of tungsten used. Titleist uses an average of 56.2 grams of tungsten in the 3-7 irons while its competitors don’t use even half that much. This make for a very forgiving players iron. In this day of fast-faced irons with a spring-like effect it’s nice to see an iron that provides accurate feedback and expected distance control.
The high density tungsten weighting in the new Titleist AP2 iron
The acoustics of these irons are very similar to other 1025 carbon steel forged irons. Because of the co-forging process and the resultant higher MOI which causes less twisting, the irons can feel even softer than one-piece forged irons. The compact heads also help dig the ball out of long grass while the pre-worn leading edge and Vokey-inspired sole grinds help achieve a ball-first contact from any lie, especially for those players who have a steeper angle of attack.
The stock shafts in the 716 AP2 irons are the True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT steel shafts (R300 and S300). Puetz Golf Superstore and PuetzGolf.com stock sets are configured 4-PW. An award winning fitting will provide you with dialed in specs and allow you to configure your set from the 3-iron to a 50° wedge. Special orders can be shipped to your address in 6-10 business days.
The Titleist AP2 irons will be available in the four retail locations of Puetz Golf on October 23rd and are available now for pre-order online at PuetzGolf.com.
716 CB Irons
The new 716 CB irons are designed for the player who is looking for a Tour-proven profile that delivers shot control with forgiveness. Precise distance control is the result of the extreme high density tungsten weighting that positions the center of gravity low and in perfect alignment at impact. The results are more ball speed and the trajectory and control that better players desire.
The Titleist 716 CB irons
The 716 CB irons are a true forgiving cavity blade as the co-forged construction puts the high density tungsten low and on the perimeter for added forgiveness.
The stock shaft in the 716 CB irons is the True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT steel shaft (R300 and S300 flex).
The new Titleist 716 CB Irons are available on October 23rd.
716 MB Irons
The new 716 MB irons feature a precise, high muscle design with a squarer toe, a thin topline and pre-worn leading edge for maximum shot control. This iron was designed using a combination of player input and high tech CAD modeling. The result is a pure, forged muscle back iron with the soft feel that better players desire so that they can control the shape and trajectory of their shots.
The Titleist 716 MB Irons
The stock shaft in the 716 MB irons is the True Temper Dynamic Gold (R300 or S300 flex) and the Puetz Golf Superstores and PuetzGolf.com will stock the set in a 4-PW configuration.
The new Titleist 716 MB irons are available now for pre-order online at PuetzGolf.com and will be in the Puetz Golf stores on October 23rd.
716 T-MB Irons
The new 716 T-MB is the newest and boldest iron design from Titleist. Designed as a utility iron it is offered in 2-5 irons. Puetz Golf is a participant in the MOTO (Made-Only-To-Order) program and has access to the full eight-piece set. This hollow-bodied, multi-material head has a very similar look to the 716 MB irons but it is enhanced with features that make it accessible to any golfer looking for a blade-like iron with the added forgiveness to play their best.
The innovative new Titleist 716 T-MB iron
These irons are a great option for a player who is looking to put together a mixed set of game-improvement long irons. The thin, fast face provides speed and launch for more distance while the high-density tungsten positions the center of gravity low and deep. The lower and deeper center of gravity allows for stronger lofts and the result is a high launch, low spin shot with more carry distance.
The new Titleist 716 T-MB thin face (left) and high density tungsten weighting (right)
The muscle back frame with the extreme tungsten weighting provides a powerful combination of forgiveness and high launch. Titleist used the most tungsten that it has ever used in any iron model with an average of 80 grams per head.
The new 716 T-MB thin face (left) and muscle back design (right)
The look at address of these irons is very much a players iron with a thin topline (thinner than the 716 AP2) and an offset and shape that is similar to the 716 MB irons. The turf interaction is enhanced with a pre-worn leading edge and a trailing edge camber for a narrow sole.
The six-piece MOTO set at Puetz Golf Superstores and online at PuetzGolf.com will be configured as a 5-PW and special order MOTO sets can be configured from the offerings of 2-PW. The stock shafts are the True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT steel shafts (R300 or S300 flex) and the Kuro Kage TiNi 65 graphite (stiff flex with regular flex available as a special order).
The 716 T-MB irons will be available in all Puetz Golf Superstores on October 23rd and you can pre-order online now at PuetzGolf.com.
816 Hybrids
The new Titleist 816 hybrids feature superior technology for long game performance and come in two models – the 816H1 and the 816H2. The 816H1 is a high launching hybrid that flies farther and lands soft while the 816H2 is a more compact hybrid for iron-like control with more distance.
The new Titleist 816 hybrids. 816 H2 (left) and the 816 h1 (right)
Both models feature the Active Recoil Channel technology that actively flexes at impact to generate high ball speed and low spin for long distance. Both models also benefit from the Ultra Thin Face that delivers speed and distance on off-center hits. With the higher launch and steeper landing angle of the 816 hybrids you can stop the ball closer to the pin.
The new Titleist 816 hybrids with ARC technology (left) and relieved sole (right)
The 816 hybrids also feature a relieved leading edge that helps them glide through the turf. An award-winning Puetz Golf fitting will help you dial in a precision fit. Both models offer a 2 degree loft choice between clubs and a new 1 degree SureFit Tour hosel adjustment for loft and lie. It is the most precise fit and yardage gap fitting that Titleist has ever offered.
A wide array of stock shaft are available and include the MRC Diamana D+ White 90 HY (stiff flex), MRC Diamana S+ Blue 70 HY (regular and stiff flex), MRC Diamana Red 60HY (regular, stiff and A or senior flex) and the Fujikura Motore Speedeer HB 8.8 Tour Spec (stiff). With this assortment of stock shafts Puetz Golf can help you dial in your preferred trajectory.
The 816 Hybrids will be available in all Puetz Golf Superstores on October 23rd and you can pre-order online now at PuetzGolf.com.
Larry plays to a single digit handicap at Rainier Golf and Country Club in Seattle, Washington. He has authored the book Uncorked, The Life and Times of Champagne Tony Lema available soon on Amazon. He can be contacted at larryb@puetzgolf.com.
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