TEEING OFF 2 3 P U T T E R S The level of technology, forgiveness, and customisation in putters has never been higher. Leading that charge is the new TaylorMade Spider GT Max (1 taylormadegolf.com). Since the original Spider was introduced 15 years ago, TaylorMade has been at the forefront of making putters more stable. The Spider GT Max takes that and adds two sliding 40g weights on the sole. With these weights, golfers can change the putter’s toe hang and CG to suit the needs of their putting stroke. For players seeking a flatstick that strikes a balance between tradition and modernity, there is The Boss from SWAG (2 swag.golf). The company’s first full-sized mallet will get a retail release this summer. Though it is larger and more forgiving, it sacrifices none of the company’s trademark attention to detail. It’s billet-milled from a single block of 303 American stainless steel to deliver premium feel and feedback. Lastly, L.A.B. Golf (3 labgolf.com) is also pushing putter technology forward with its MEZZ.1 MAX. These putters have zero torque, so the clubface naturally stays square to the path during the stroke. Fitting is essential for L.A.B. Golf putters, but the brand offers a simple, on-line method for making sure your putter suits you perfectly. 1 ALL IMAGES COURTESY THE COMPANIES DEBUT OF THE PXG GOLF BALL Many elements of golf equipment can be confusing, but none more so than the golf ball. PXG (pxg.com) is aiming to clarify things with its new PXG Xtreme Premium Golf Ball. Rather than offering multiple models, PXG has introduced one ball that produces both distance and short-game spin comparable to the top-selling ball in golf. This achievement was unlocked thanks to new partnerships that expanded PXG’s research and development capabilities. To create high spin around the green, the PXG Xtreme Premium Golf Ball uses a soft urethane cover. The distance is achieved with a combination of a high C.O.R. core and a seamless, aerodynamic 338 dimple pattern. This new ball will be available exclusively through PXG’s retail locations, its website and Amazon. 58 NetJets
1 2 3 H Y B R I D S Hybrids are asked to do a lot in the modern game, and this group has all the shots: drives on tight holes, recoveries from wayward shots and long, precise approaches. Cobra (1 cobragolf.com) has taken a sharp turn away from its past with the new Aerojet hybrid. Gone is the tried and true rail sole, replaced by a deep body design and high bounce leading edge to prevent digging. A combination of H.O.T. Face and PWR-Bridge suspended weight give the Aerojet the strong ball speed needed for reaching long par 5s in two. Srixon’s ZX Mk II hybrid (2 dunlopsports.com/ srixon) enhances the company’s growing reputation in the metalwood space with strong all-around performance. The same Rebound Frame technology found in the drivers appears in this hybrid to promote higher ball speed. A deeper CG creates higher launch, even on imperfect strikes. The hybrids from PING (3 ping.com) have always been models of consistency and forgiveness, but the G430 adds a new level of distance. Carbonfly Wrap – an ultralight crown technology also used on the drivers – has allowed PING’s engineers to lower the CG, increase ball speed and boost forgiveness, which adds up to longer shots, even if you’ve slightly botched your shot. 1 2 3 I R O N S This year is bringing exciting new irons for players across the handicap spectrum. For the most skilled players, Mizuno (1 mizunogolf.com) is leading the way with its JPX 923 Tour irons. These irons are focused on giving elite ball strikers the look, feel and turf interaction that they’re seeking with a copper underlay beneath the chrome plating, thinner topline and a more rounded trailing edge to the sole. Golfers somewhere between the players and game improvement categories have a lot to look forward to. TaylorMade’s P770 (2 taylormadegolf.com) irons take the ball speed and forgiveness of the popular P790 and pack it into a smaller, more appealing club head. Slightly weaker lofts also give players higher launch and more spin so their shots land softly. PXG (3 pxg.com) continues to push the game improvement category forward with its new 0311 GEN6 irons. These clubs – available in P (Players) and XP (Xtreme Performance) models – feature the thinnest face in any iron. That thinner face results in higher ball speeds and more forgiveness for longer, more consistent approach shots. NetJets 59
