The PGA Tour kicks off its season in Hawai'i at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Our experts offer their best bets for the event.

MyGolfSpy Ball Lab is where we quantify the quality and consistency of the golf balls on the market to help you find the best ball for your money. Today, we’re taking a look at the Callaway Chrome Soft X. An overview of the equipment we use can be found here. To learn more about our test process, how we define “bad” balls and our True Price metric, check out our About MyGolfSpy Ball Lab page.

For the first Ball Lab of 2021, we’re going back to the ball (or at least a similarly named one) that started it all. As the only high-compression offering (which I’d argue makes it the only legitimate Tour ball) in the Callaway ball lineup, the Chrome Soft X is going to be the better option (among Callaway balls) for the overwhelming majority of higher swing speed players.

That, of course, is only half of the story. The more relevant aspect for today’s discussion centers around general quality. Our test of the 2020 Chrome Soft suggested Callaway had some work to do regarding the quality and consistency of its golf balls.

It is what it is.

Nobody sees golf quite like America's Caddie. So who better to tell you everything that is coming than Michael Collins?

WGANC Legacy Champion of Champions  | Ruby Hill  | April 21-22, 2021

The Champion of Champions began as the 54-hole Champion of Champions in 1953.  In 1997 it was separated into two championships.  The Champion of Champions and the 54-hole Stroke Play Championship.  Entries are by invitations only – WGANC Member Clubs’ Club Champions and Runners-up.  It is an individual 36-hole stroke play event – flighted – with gross awards in each flight.

ENTRIES OPEN: March 8, 2021

ENTRIES CLOSE: March 22, 2021

ENTRY FEE: TBA

ELIGIBILITY:

Bridgestone e6: Key Takeaways

Bridgestone’s No. 1 selling ball gets a larger, softer core.Two-piece construction for players who like soft feel.$21.99 per dozen.Available at retail Feb. 26.

Today’s announcement of a new Bridgestone e6 golf ball comes as somewhat of a surprise. It’s a bit ahead of Bridgestone’s normal two-year cycle so perhaps Bridgestone is getting a jump on Q1 sales.

Over its 15-year life, the Bridgestone e6 has morphed into a soft, two-piece, value-priced distance ball. And this newest version is touted as the softest-feeling e6 yet.

“It’s evolved over time,” says Bridgestone Golf Ball Marketing Manager Elliot Mellow. “Our goal is to focus on the core e6 player who’s looking for distance and soft feel. But we also want to create a product that would resonate with the three million new and returning golfers.”

Bridgestone e6 – Softly, Softly

The 2019 Bridgestone e6 iteration was, with a compression of 44, among the softest balls Bridgestone had ever produced. Technically, the new ball is a bit firmer at 45. But Mellow says that, with this ball, 45 is just a number.

Just five minutes ago, when I wrote about the TaylorMade SIM2 MAX D, I mentioned that we’re now into the golf equipment world’s annual release SZN. So you had to know the Callaway Epic Speed Driver collection was coming.

As has become tradition for Callaway, the number of models on the USGA list is basically double what we would expect to find their way to retail.

If you’re keeping score at home, that’s 3 for you and 3 for the Tour.

The future of speed is coming. pic.twitter.com/QAK0IKv6Ji

— Callaway Golf (@CallawayGolf) January 4, 2021

Jailbreak AI Speed Frame

The story here, as it always is with Callaway, is speed. So much so that “Speed” itself is in three of the product names. Based on the stamp on the bottom of the sole and Callaway’s recently released teaser video, we can reasonably assume Callaway will position Epic Speed (and Epic Max) as faster because of the new Jailbreak AI Speed Frame.

With the first PGA TOUR event of the new year, it’s not any particular surprise that new drivers like the TaylorMade SIM2 MAX D are hitting the USGA conforming clubs list. It is, after all, “release SZN,” and that means a veritable cornucopia of new products will be launching over the next three weeks.

Even in a year when the PGA Merchandise Show will be entirely virtual, the industry’s cadence will not be disrupted … at least not any longer.

When the TaylorMade SIM2 and SIM2 MAX landed on the USGA list last month, we fully expected the SIM2 MAX D (the draw version) would follow. And so here you go.

TaylorMade SIM2 MAX D – What We Can See

As is typical for USGA photos, there’s much left to the imagination but there are bits that are plenty obvious.

Golf was very different in 2020. So as a new year starts at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, we look at how it will be very much the same and entirely different in the coming year.

The Next Step in Putter Fitting

Guerin Rife breaks down some of the new enhancements introduced in the V Series and Midlock putters.

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The post [Video] Evnroll V Series & Midlock Putters w/ Guerin Rife appeared first on MyGolfSpy.

Evnroll Midlock – Key Takeaways

Evnroll Midlock is “Armlock made easy”The Midlock grip has the deepest pistol dimension allowed by the USGAMSRP $419 – Availability March 2021

If you’re unfamiliar with Evnroll, or what the Evnroll Midlock putter is capable of, take a peek at this video about Sweet Face technology.

Evnroll’s Sweet Face technology has set a new standard in the industry. Take our Most Wanted Putter Test for example. More than 75 percent of putters have some kind of face technology. Whether it be a face insert with a mill pattern or descending loft grooves to help the ball roll consistent, more and more OEM’s are buying into the new industry standard. If they don’t, they will be left behind.

With Midlock, Evnroll has incorporated its face technology in a putter for all the armlock lovers. It’s also Evnroll’s belief that they can make you a better putter. But there’s a twist…

Why Do Armlock Putters Even Exist?

Three key points:

Removes any wrist-hand movementMore control of face anglePromotes consistency and rhythm

All of these points allow the golfer to eliminate variables in the putting stroke and, in theory, deliver the putter head the same way every time. Also, the most common knock on so-called Armlock putters is the challenging of consistent distance control on longer lag putts.

January 4, 2021

Rule of the Month—Abnormal Conditions/Embedded Ball

Certain conditions are not treated as part of the challenge of playing the course, so free relief is provided as an option. This includes interference from temporary water, ground under repair, animal holes, and immovable artificial objects (such as carts paths and sprinkler heads). All of these things are collectively known as abnormal course conditions. You get free relief when the condition interferes with your lie, stance, or area of intended swing. When an abnormal course condition only interferes with your line of play, free relief is not provided.

 

To take free relief, you first have to find the nearest point of complete relief, which is the spot on the course nearest to where your ball lies, but not nearer the hole, where you could play your next stroke with no interference from the condition you’re taking relief from. Then drop a ball within one club-length of that point not nearer the hole.

EVNROLL V-SERIES KEY TAKEAWAYS

Evnroll V-Series offers expanded fitting optionsV-Series includes 6 models and 4 unique hosel designsMSRP $389 – $419 – availability March 2021

The new Evnroll V-Series is all about versatility. Hence the “V” part of the V-Series moniker. The simplicity is refreshing.

Consider the often-dizzying array of golf equipment marketing terms. Does the average consumer have any idea of what the hell an inertia generator is? Or does the typical weekend warrior really care about some fancy titanium alloy that offers enhanced ductility? Uh, uh. No way.

A good bit of marketing mumbo jumbo is meant to sound pretty and convey quality or something desirable.And sometimes golf companies don’t even care if the consumer has any idea what’s, what.

Fortunately, with the Evnroll V-Series, it’s a full dose of “it does pretty much exactly what you think it does.” The versatility of the V-series is rooted in a system of interchangeable hosels. With six head shapes, four hosels and three head weights, it provides fitters with 72 possible configurations.

First limited-edition Bettinardi putter of 2021.Only 350 of this uniquely crafted Studio Stock 18 Slants will be available.Find it Jan. 12 in The Hive at Bettinardi.com or Bettinardi retailers.

Aloha! While many of us are stuck under the blankets of winter, the Bettinardi 2021 Tiki putter should produce some tropical reverie. Island time is but a state of mind, right? Though our cities may socked in, our thoughts are free to blissfully roam Polynesian putter paradises. On that note, here’s your first look at the Bettinardi 2021 Tiki SS18 Slant limited-run putter.

Specs: Bettinardi Tiki SS18 Slant Limited Run

Model: Studio Stock 18 SlantMaterial: Soft carbon steelFinish: True Black PVDFace Milling: Tropical Fancy F.I.T.Weight: 362 gramsNeck: SlantUnits Produced: 350 worldwidePrice: $800Release Date: Jan. 12

Robert J. Bettinardi’s first Limited-Run putter of 2021 starts the new golf season with a splash! Robert engineered the 2021 Tiki SS18 Slant from one piece, precision-milling the newly designed head shape from soft carbon steel to 362 grams and including a sound slot to offer players more responsive acoustics at impact. Impressively designed with Hawaiian island vibes, the SS18 Slant was given a tropical Full Fancy F.I.T. Face extending across the bumpers, intricately engraved along the inner neck and perfectly displayed across the pocket and sole.

The 2021 Tiki putter was completed in a True Black PVD finish with Honolulu blue, electric pink and white paint scheme with key Bettinardi engravings, including “Limited Run” on the sole with the iconic Orca whale and a unique island-inspired Hex B in the pocket. The SS18 Slant Tiki comes paired with a matching Made in USA leather headcover and black Gripmaster perforated grip with sharp pink stitching.

Bettinardi 2021 Tiki: Honolulu Blue and an Orca or Two

I have played this game for over 50 years and love the challenge. I only break 80 once in a while so I’m always looking for ways to keep a consistent swing for every club in my bag. One of our blog followers asked if GOLFSTR+ could help him overcome EARLY RELEASE. My response reminded me how important your practice with training aids can be.

Swing rhythm and weight shift from your trailing foot to your leading foot during your transition can help you avoid YOUR EARLY RELEASE. Unfortunately the changing weight of each club and the mental pressure from your last shot often have an impact on your next shot.

Practicing with GOLFSTR+ will remind you to keep your leading arm straight. Your leading arm should stay straight in both your back-swing and your down-swing. That’s a good starting point to stop your early release. Following are 2 of the 6 training aid uses for GOLFSTR+

1/ Straight Arm Trainer
a. Feel it touching the back of your leading arm as you pull down to start your down swing.
b. That’s your mental reminder to prevent your EARLY RELEASE as you shift your weight to your leading foot.

2/ Lag Trainer
a. The pressure on your trailing forearm is the reminder to start your transition.
b. The rotation of your leading hip starts your weight shift.
c. Holding your cocked wrist as you start your down-swing stops your EARLY RELEASE.

December 30, 2020

Celebrating the 2019-2020 NCGA Players of the Year

Each of the 2019-2020 NCGA Players of the Year were first-time honorees; Congratulations to all of our champions!

To learn more about the NCGA Player of the Year program, please visit ncga.org/play/poy-points/

 

NCGA Player of the Year—–Alex Chin

Alex Chin, a senior at University of San Francisco, won his first NCGA Player of the Year title with a total of 1,326 points. Achievements included reaching the quarterfinals of the California Amateur and finishing second at the NCGA Amateur Stroke Play Championship. Congratulations Alex on winning Player of the Year honors.

December 30, 2020

Celebrating the 2019-2020 NCGA Players of the Year

Each of the 2019-2020 NCGA Players of the Year were first-time honorees; Congratulations to all of our champions!

To learn more about the NCGA Player of the Year program, please visit ncga.org/play/poy-points/

 

NCGA Player of the Year—–Alex Chin

Alex Chin, a senior at University of San Francisco, won his first NCGA Player of the Year title with a total of 1,326 points. Achievements included reaching the quarterfinals of the California Amateur and finishing second at the NCGA Amateur Stroke Play Championship. Congratulations Alex on winning Player of the Year honors.

Mizuno adds three new models to their M•Craft putter line-up.These new putters feature 100-percent milled construction and the same three finish options from 2020.They will be in shops on Feb. 21, 2021, with a MSRP of $300.

Building upon their 2020 success, Mizuno Golf decided to expand their M•Craft putter line-up in 2021. The original M•Craft putters proved quite popular in 2020 as, for some reason, golf consumers responded positively to fully milled carbon steel heads, three finish options and an included weight kit for $300.

Go figure.

In 2021, Mizuno is adding three models to the M•Craft putter line. Don’t worry. The three models released last season will still be available in 2021.

SPECIFICATIONS: 2021 MIZUNO M•CRAFT PUTTERS

Metal: Forged 1025 carbon steelFinishes: Three (White Satin, Black ION, Blue ION)Construction: 100-percent milledLength: 34 or 35 inchesLie: 70 degreesLoft: 4 degreesHead Weight: 4 and 5, 355 grams; 6, 370 gramsWeight Kit: IncludedGrip: Lamkin Deep Etched Full BLUE cordPrice: $300 .truegolffit-banner-inner-right { padding-top: calc(574/1020 * (100% - 430px)); } @media screen and (max-width: 991px) { .truegolffit-banner-inner-right { padding-top: calc(574/1020 * 100%); width: 100%; } }

The Masters Tournament has delayed its ticketing process for the 2021 championship as it seeks a way to allow some number of spectators for the first major of the year.

WGANC Legacy Hers ‘n His  | Sierra View & Serrano  | October 27-28, 2021

 

ENTRIES OPEN: September 13,, 2021

ENTRIES CLOSE: September 27 2021

ENTRY FEE: TBA per Team

ELIGIBILITY:

WGANC Legacy Two-Person Scramble II  | San Juan Oaks | October 12-13, 2021

 

ENTRIES OPEN: August 30, 2021

ENTRIES CLOSE: September 13, 2021

ENTRY FEE: TBA per Team

ELIGIBILITY: