Driving into the distance

    GOLF RETAILING reports on the latest driver and fairway wood launches

    Bridgestone launches drivers, fairways and hybrids

    Bridgestone-J815In Orlando at the PGA Merchandise Show Bridgestone Golf launched the J715 and J815 drivers, J15F fairway woods. The new clubs are designed to be custom-fitted and adjusted to meet the needs of individual players.

    The first driver to be introduced by Bridgestone since 2010, the J715 460 Driver incorporates new technologies designed to maximise distance and accuracy off the tee, including the ability to adjust the crucial loft and lie settings. The Fast Action Speed Technology (FAST) crown is extremely thin near the clubface and thickens progressively towards the back of the club head to enable the crown to flex slightly at impact – thereby creating a higher launch trajectory and increased velocity.

    Spin Flight Control Technology involves moveable weights on multiple axes in the heel and middle of the club head. Finally, the Variable Adjust System enables the golfer to change both the loft and lie angles on the driver – the loft up to 1° (closed and open) and lie settings of standard, 1° upright or 2° upright.

    Like the J715, the J815 driver has Power Slit Technology for greater ball velocity and a strong trajectory, but it has a more rigid sole design to gain higher ball flights by generating a ten percent lower spin rate that gets the ball airborne and flying further. The larger head shape of the J815 is designed to boost confidence at address, while extra volume in the heel improves ball strikes. The J715 and J815 drivers will have an RRP of £349.99.

    Both the new J15F Fairway Woods and J15 HY Hybrids benefit from design innovations that optimise ball flight and add greater distance from various lies including the proprietary FAST Crown technology. An adjustable Weight Port Technology in the sole of both clubs allows the golfer to influence the level of spin and trajectory for maximum distance and control. The J15 Fairway Woods will be available with 13.5°, 15° and 18° loft options at £199 RRP. The J15 Hybrid comes in loft options of 17°, 19°, 21° and 23° at RRP of £159.

    Ping cuts the spin

    Ping G30 LS Tec copyPing has launched the G30 LS Tec (Low-Spin Technology) driver. A sole weight positions the CG extremely low and back (slightly forward of the standard G30 driver) to generate low, stable spin (approximately 400 rpm less) with a high MOI for flight control and distance on off-centre performance. Ping’s Turbulator Technology on the crown reduces aerodynamic drag on the downswing to help increase clubhead speed, and a thin T9S titanium face increases ball velocity for more distance. Using Trajectory Tuning+ Technology, players can add or subtract up to one degree of loft. RRP £299.

    Callaway introduces fairway and hybrid woods for better players

    Callaway-Big-Bertha-Alpha-815Callaway Golf has announced new Big Bertha Alpha 815 fairway woods with adjustable weights for spin control and ball flight trajectory. Also announced are Big Bertha Alpha 815 hybrids aimed at better players. The fairway woods also have adjustable weights (three and 30 grams) that can be used to move the weight forward for a low spinning ball flight for tee shots, or to move the weight back for higher launch and more forgiveness. Loft and lie can also be adjusted with eight settings. RRP is £249.

    The Big Bertha Alpha 815 hybrids focus on a more controlled, penetrating trajectory for better players, along with ball speed all across the face and loft and lie adjustability. The compact head shape also has less offset for a look preferred by better players. RRP is £219. More at: www.callawaygolf.com

    Benross turns up the heat

    Benross-HOT-SPEED-10-Driver-LDThe Benross Hot Speed 10 driver is said to blend power with performance. The mid-width head and mid-CG sole weight, position the centre of gravity in the centre of the head to help optimise spin and launch angle. A patented Benross Hosel Adaptor allows the face angle to be adjusted from square to 1°, 2°, or 3° closed and 1° or 2° open, allowing golfers to ‘dial-in’ a particular look or shot bias to suit their game.

    The Hot Speed 10’s honeycomb crown structure and pod sole design deliver a blend of power and forgiveness with uncompromised looks, sound and feel says Benross. As standard the Hot Speed 10 comes with Aldila’s new ATX Tour Red shaft, which benefits from a softer tip section to encourage a slightly higher ball flight to maximise carry distance. RRP: £199.99. More at www.benrossgolf.com

    TaylorMade picks up Golf Digest gongs

    TaylorMade-R15TaylorMade has been awarded eight gold medals in the 2015 Golf Digest ‘Hotlist’ equipment issue.

    The most notable of those gold medals was for the R15, the only driver to earn 20 out of 20 stars, with five stars in the categories of: performance, innovation, look/sound/feel and demand. TaylorMade also received gold medals for the R15 Fairway and R15 Rescue.

    The company says the R15 metalwood line takes learnings from TaylorMade’s successful ‘R’ franchise, utilising breakthrough technologies such as Inverted Cone technology, Thick-Thin wall castings, movable weights, low-forward centre of gravity and an adjustable hosel as well as offering the club in TaylorMade’s iconic white finish. More at http://taylormadegolf.com