England's Tyrrell Hatton put on a show in the second round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, going 12-under overall after 13 holes to take a five-shot lead before fading light stopped play on Friday.
Golfing News & Blog Articles
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Wilson Staff D9 Irons – Key Takeaways
Wilson’s longest iron gets a little longer.Features computer-optimized Power Holes and lower center of gravity.$649.99 in steel, $749.99 in graphiteAvailable Jan. 26The new Wilson Staff D9 irons have, relatively speaking, a hard act to follow.
D9’s game improvement predecessor – the D7 – was Wilson’s best-selling iron post-lockdown even though it was in its second year. Wilson touted D7 as its longest iron ever and our Most Wanted testing confirmed that. D7 was the second-longest iron set tested last year, just behind the Callaway Mavrik.
Length isn’t everything, but it is something. And when you’re Wilson, getting attention in the hitting bay is maybe the best way to get the consumer’s attention. And if a lot of distance is good, then a little more than a lot is even better.
So what makes the Wilson Staff D9 irons longer? Well, new Power Holes and an even lower CG are two big reasons along with a little help from a loft-bending machine.
Let’s unpack this suitcase and see what’s inside.
Key Takeaways
Wilson Staff D9 driver features computer-designed Peak Kinetic Response (PKR) variable-thickness face. Fairways and hybrids are Wilson’s first to combine variable-face thickness and 455 maraging steel.All are non-adjustable, fixed-hosel metalwoods.Real-deal Tensei CK Blue (driver, fairways), Tensei AV Silver (hybrids) are stock.Driver ($349.99), fairways ($219.99), hybrids ($199.99) for sale starting Jan. 26.The new Wilson Staff D9 driver, fairway woods and hybrids probably won’t lead the pack in innovation, technology or style. But it would be wrong to presume they’re lacking in innovation, technology or style.
Specifically, Wilson shifted its supercomputer into overdrive to design the new D9 driver. The new D9 fairway woods and hybrids didn’t get the full UNIVAC treatment but they are the first Wilson metalwoods to combine variable-face technology with 455 maraging steel.
For a company fighting for metalwood relevance, it’s a step in the right direction. And while the D9 probably won’t be causing the Big Five any sleepless nights, there’s plenty here for your average golfer to ponder. Especially if he or she doesn’t want to ante up the five bills for a new TaylorMade, PING, et al.
Wilson Staff D9 Driver – Fire Up The Computer
The Wilson D7 was a sneaky-good driver. It didn’t get much fanfare but it was a solid performer for us in both 2019 and 2020 Most Wanted testing. In fact, the D7 copped Best Value for Mid-Swing Speed last year.
To make a sneaky-good driver a sneaky-better driver, Wilson is firing up its computer.
Retief Goosen's 10-under 62 was good for the first-round lead in the PGA Tour Champions' Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai on Thursday.
Brandon Hagy, a late entry at The American Express, opened with an 8-under 64 on Thursday to lead the tournament.
World No. 6 Rory McIlroy took a one-shot lead in the first round of the HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi after carding an error-free 64 to finish at eight-under before bad light stopped play on Thursday.
Danielle Kang opened the year with a bogey-free, 7-under 64 for a one-shot lead over Jessica Korda and Nelly Korda at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.
Attorney Glenn Cohen told ESPN that Phil Mickelson "had nothing to do'' with gambler Billy Walters getting a commuted sentence and that despite what the White House said, no letter or phone call was made by Mickelson on Walters' behalf.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational has announced plans to allow 25% fan capacity for its March 4-7 event at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida.
Callaway has announced its second-generation ERC Soft golf ball with Triple Track.Callaway bills it as the company’s “longest ball with soft feel.”Retail price is $34.99 a dozen.
With the second generation of the Callaway ERC Soft golf ball, it’s reasonable to expect some changes. Just don’t expect a dialing back of Triple Track to be among them. If you hate Triple Track, Callaway has a ball for you but it’s not the ERC Soft.
Callaway ERC Soft – High Energy Core
Callaway bills the ERC Soft as “our longest ball with soft feel.” I’m not sure what that says about Chrome Soft but let’s not dwell on it.
As is typical for golf ball stories, the Callaway ERC Soft golf ball features a high-energy core. “High energy” is always going to be relative based on the point of comparison so the simple takeaway is that golfers like soft so creating faster (high-energy) soft materials is something everyone across the golf ball industry is trying to do.
This is especially true for Callaway who, with the exception of Chrome Soft X and Warbird, lives in the low-compression space.
Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x Key Takeaways
Titleist has announced new versions of its best-selling Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls.Described as improved from cover to core, it’s the most significant improvement to the franchise since the original launched.The retail price is $49.99 – $2 more than the previous versions.With the launch of a new generation of Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, it’s worth reflecting about where the golf ball world is right now.
It’s fair to say the ball market has changed a bit since the previous Pro V1 launch. Soft balls, patterned balls, colored balls and direct-to-consumer options are more prevalent than ever and each has impacted Titleist’s supremacy in the ball market to one degree or another.
But, as they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same. While not as dominant as it once was, Titleist remains comfortably No. 1 at retail. Its advantage on the PGA TOUR is even more significant where Titleist ball use runs at about 74 percent.
Ben Hogan Player’s Black Combo Set – Key Takeaways
Hogan’s PTx Pro/Icon blade combo set gets a black finish.Diamond Black Metal – or DMB – finish provides durability.Direct-to-consumer price is $840 for a seven-piece set.Available today at BenHoganGolf.com.The new Ben Hogan Player’s Black Combo Set isn’t exactly “new” but it definitely scratches an itch. For the record, it’s virtually the same Player’s Combo Set the company released last May but in a Diamond Black Metal finish.
“It’s purely based on consumer demand,” says Hogan CEO Scott White. “We’ve been shocked by the number of calls we’ve been getting asking for the Player’s Combo set in black.”
The original Hogan Player’s Combo set features Hogan ICON blades at the top end of the set and PTx Pros at the bottom. The original set comes with either a PTx Pro 4-iron, a Hogan UiHi utility 4-iron or a 22-degree VKTR+ hybrid.
The Player’s Black Combo set, however, is available only in the PTx Pro/ICON option, at least for now.
“We’re trying to keep our business as simple as possible,” explains White. “The UiHi is a good seller but utility irons, in general, are kind of a specialty club. But given the success of the Player’s Combo set, offering it in black is something we’ll consider.”
Shot Scope PRO L1 Laser Rangefinder – Key Takeaways
Shot Scope enters the market with a full-featured, value-priced rangefinderThe PRO L1 includes 6X magnification, Target Lock Vibration, red/black graphics & Adaptive Slope technologyAvailable starting today at retail and at www.shotscope.comPrice: $199.99There are two ways to look at the new Shot Scope PRO L1 laser rangefinder.
On one hand, it’s the latest entry in the growing field of high-featured yet modestly priced rangefinders. On the other, the Shot Scope PRO L1 is a touchpoint for a deeper and more interesting conversation.
But first, let’s see what Shot Scope is bringing us for $200.
Shot Scope PRO L1 Rangefinder – Facts and Figures
The Shot Scope PRO L1 rangefinder is the first foray into the laser market for the Edinburgh, Scotland-based company. Feature-wise, the PRO L1 is the full plate of haggis. For two bills, you get 6X magnification, Target Lock Vibration, an 875-yard range and accuracy down to 3.6 inches.
You also get two other features you may not expect for $200: Adaptive Slope Technology and Black/Red dual optics.
Introducing the all-new Astro Tour V IV Driver from Masters Golf.
Masters Golf was founded in 1979. For over 30 years, their brand philosophy has been built upon the pursuit of optimum distance performance for all golfers and the development of clubs designed for ultimate ease of use.
Their Astro Tour V series drivers have been extremely popular among experienced amateur golfers due to the exceptional distance performance along with a traditional deep shape preferred by purists. This 4th iteration Astro Tour V IV driver follows this fundamental design concept of its predecessors. Though it has an R&A allowed max volume of 460cc, the appearance at the address looks much more compact due to the deep face / deep back design which also helps promote a very strong trajectory.
The Astro Tour V IV driver also features a 14g stainless weight plate towards the back end of the sole which helps minimize energy transfer at impact. CG angle is increased to help capture the ball for a stronger trajectory. Because of the deep back a low placement of the stainless plate, this CG design promotes a higher launch with greater directional stability.
Donald Trump granted clemency to 143 people on his final day as president, including commuting the sentence of professional gambler Billy Walters, who was serving time for insider trading.
Are your drives randomly flying left or right every time you swing your driver? If you don’t understand what’s causing the flight path you will never be a great golfer. The swing path of your club and club face direction at impact are both contributing to your launch direction and path: straight, draw, fade, hook or slice. Check out this summary and then start practicing to shape the shot you want. Controlling the side-spin of your ball is the starting point for great golfers.
Golf publications consistently state that the direction of the swing path of your club through impact controls about 85% of the initial direction of your ball. The face direction of your club at impact causes side spin for your ball that move your ball left or right from its launch trajectory. Of course wind direction WILL help or hinder the direction of your ball but you will have to add that factor into your shot depending on the prevailing wind direction.
The following description is for a golfer using right handed golf clubs.
Use a Conventional Grip for all Shots
You should be setting up with a conventional grip with the back of your left hand facing directly up you target line. Your club should line up across the upper end of your fingers of your left hand (NOT YOUR PALM). The crease between your thumb and first finger on both of your hands should be pointing at your tailing shoulder. [Rotating your hands to a stronger or weaker grip will have an impact on your ball flight so you should test changes to understand the proper grip.]
Straight Shots
Because all golf clubs are swung in an arc around your body it is difficult to hit every shot in a straight line up your target line. Just setup with your toes on a line pointing straight up your target line. If your swing impacts your ball straight up your target line with a perfectly square face up your target line, your ball will launch straight up that line.
There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.
What We Tried
TaylorMade MyTP Custom putter interface – The online design interface that allows golfers to create customized versions of TaylorMade’s Juno and Soto blade putters.
Your Custom Builder
Dave Wolfe – MyGolfSpy writer and putter fanatic. I’ve tested hundreds (maybe thousands) of flatsticks.
TaylorMade MyTP Interface
Like the MySpider design interfaces, the number of options is the most significant feature in the system. For a putter to be truly custom, you must be able to pick enough features to make it unique to you. Here are the options available with the MyTP program:
Tiger Woods announced that he had another back procedure. So what does that mean for him in 2021? We look at the year ahead.
The PGA Tour heads to California for Jack Nicklaus' tournament at the PGA West TPC Stadium Course. Our experts offer their best bets for the event.
