DeLaCruz Fairway Cruzer

This may be the first time you're hearing the name of DeLaCruz Golf. If it is, then it's also the first time you're hearing the name of company founder Dick DeLaCruz. But if you haven't heard his name until now, you've certainly heard of the clubs he's designed over the years.

DeLaCruz was the original designer for and vice president of Callaway Golf, where he designed the Bobby Jones putter line and helped create the "S2H2" system. He later designed the first King Cobra irons, the best-selling irons of the mid-90s.

"You know his clubs, you just don't know his name," the DeLaCruz Web site proclaims.

At his new, eponymous company, DeLaCruz designs and manufacturers a wide range of clubs, including drivers, fairway woods, wedges and putters. And DeLaCruz Golf's offerings have already wracked up great reviews from, among others, GolfTest USA.

About.com Golf recently took the DeLaCruz Fairway Cruzer, a fairway wood, for a test spin, and count us among those impressed.

The Fairway Cruzer (which was rated No. 1 fairway wood in the most recent fairway wood testing by GolfTest USA) features an ultra-thin maraging stainless steel face that allows maximum perimeter weighting, and a 35-gram solid brass sole plate that helps lower the center of gravity to the base of the club, while maintaining a traditional face depth.

The Fairway Cruzer comes in six different lofts: 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 degrees. The Cruzer shaft, made by Harrison, comes in L, A, R, S and X flexes, with women's clubs available at 1-inch shorter than the men's.

The yellow brass sole plate really stands out, as you can see in the photo on this page. Those readers old enough to remember persimmon woods will recall that persimmons incorporated metal sole plates, often brass.

We mention this because at our first stop with the DeLaCruz Fairway Cruzer - the driving range of a local golf resort - the pro who was hitting it with us immediately remarked that its feel reminded him of persimmon.

After his very first stroke with the Fairway Cruzer, the pro said, "That's a good club." After a few more: "That's a really good club."

"It reminds of persimmon woods," he said. "It just feels very solid - not like most metal woods where you can tell the head is hollow. I could definitely put this club in my bag."

The feel of the Fairway Cruzer at impact, along with its traditional shape and size, drew kudos from all who tried it. Over several weeks of play, the Fairway Cruzer performed well from a variety of lies, producing excellent results in both distance and forgiveness.

Dick DeLaCruz and DeLaCruz Golf are not yet household names. But as the company continues to turn out warmly received clubs, more and more golf households will become home to DeLaCruz clubs.

The DeLaCruz Fairway Cruzer carries an MSRP of $179.99.