The latest news and notes from the golf equipment world:
KZG GF 4 Driver
The "GF" in this driver's name stands for "gravitational force," as in Gravitational Force Technology. That's the name KZG uses for moveable weights.
So the KZG GF 4 driver comes with four weight ports (hence the "4" in the driver's name) and seven screws of varying weights. The result is literally thousands of possible combinations that allow adjustments to the driver's swingweight, launch angle and draw/fade bias. However, KZG recommends that those changes only be made by professional clubfitters.
The driver's classically shaped titanium head is 425cc in volume. The KZG GF 4 driver is geared to low- to mid-handicappers.
Alpha Golf V5 Driver
Following two years of research and testing, Alpha Golf is ready with its newest driver, the Version 5, or V5. The V5 features a pear-shaped, titanium head with an extremely low and centered center of gravity. The Alpha V5 Driver also matches up the center of gravity position on the clubface with the region of highest COR. The Alpha V5 is a complement to, not a replacement for, Alpha's V2 driver.
The V5 is designed for golfers seeking distance with workability. The V5 has the signature Alpha satin black face that allows for erasable point-of-impact marks. It comes in lofts of 7.5, 9, 10.2 and 12 degrees.
Alpha Golf Web site | Alpha Drivers: Compare Prices
New Balls from Dunlop
Dunlop is introducing three new balls for 2006, the LoCo Motion, the LoCo Tour-D, and the DDH I.C.E.
• LoCo Motion: At 85-compression, the LoCo Motion sports a new 402-dimple pattern that promotes added lift, plus a high-spin cover blend for better playability around the greens.
• DDH I.C.E.: The I.C.E. has a 360-dimple pattern and 92-compression and is geared to mid-to-high handicappers seeking a low-priced distance ball.
• LoCo Tour-D: The Tour-D is Dunlop's premium offering. It's a three-piece, 95-compression ball with a thin urethane cover and a 432-dimple pattern. The LoCo Tour-D's aerodynamics are designed to producer a lower, penetrating ball flight with great feel around the greens. The Tour-D is geared to low- to mid-handicappers.
Dunlop Web site | Dunlop Balls: Compare Prices
Callaway OptiFit System
The OptiFit System developed by Callaway allows golfers to experiment with many different shafts and clubheads during a custom clubfitting session by simply locking the two pieces together, or unlocking to substitute a different head or shaft. There are nearly 300 clubhead-shaft combinations to work with in the OptiFit System. The system should soon be in the hands of authorized Callaway clubfitters and retailers and pro shops. More info
SureShot GPS
The SureShot GPS is one of the newer handheld GPS devices for measuring distances on the golf course. It's made by an Australian company, Tee2Green Technologies. The SureShot GPS has a color screen, with a polarized filter and enhanced backlight capability. Among its features is the ability for the golfer to map a hole himself, locating as many as 15 hazards on any given hole. Scoring data can be transferred to a PC for analysis. And the purchase price is all-inclusive (including a 12-month subscription to course data, cables, plug packs, software and so on).
SureShot GPS Web site
GClip
What's a GClip? It's a gadget that clips onto your belt to provide easy access to various golf accessories, made by a company called Fine Tune Golf. The 1-oz., stainless steel GClip comes with a divot tool, two ball markers, a tee holder that accomodates any length tee, plus a Velcro-patch to which the golfer can attach his golf glove. It's downright nifty, for anyone who hates fumbling around inside the golf bag looking for this stuff, or doesn't want to crumple up a golf glove in his back pocket.
GClip Web site
