Lynx launches Prowler VT Driver Switch-Face Technology

    Lynx Golf have unveiled the world’s first adjustable driver to offer golfers multiple true loft changes, with the Lynx Prowler VT Driver featuring Switch-Face Technology (SFT) – a pioneering removable-face design developed by the British company at its headquarters near London, UK.

    Launched at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Switch-Face Technology (SFT) is a ground-breaking development in driver adjustability, as the entire hitting face of the driver is completely removable.

    The ‘First Look’ launch of this revolutionary product comes with an array of detachable faces with different lofts available to choose from, the golfer can simply remove one face and replace it with another of a different loft.

    Loft and face angles are among the most significant contributors to ball launch angles and spin rates and Lynx’s SFT means the golfer is always playing with true loft. The loft angle stated on each entirely separate striking face is the loft angle that is always presented at address, critically while keeping the clubhead square to the ball.

    “The PGA Merchandise Show surpassed our expectations. The Prowler VT with Switch Face Technology was received with incredible enthusiasm and we are delighted, as it is a real game-changer for golf – and deserves to be seen as such.

    The show attendees were all super-excited to see the first look of this new technology and literally everyone who was afforded a “sneak peek” prior to its debut in early summer 2019 thought, like we do, that it’s so obvious, simple yet clever, and gives players the ability to make a true-loft change to their club.

    I think a lot of people will be wondering why it’s never been done before, and once again it highlights Lynx’s ability to raise the bar on innovation. “

    Driver face plates with 1-2 degree open and closed settings are also available for those golfers preferring a draw or fade bias in conjunction with a true loft setting where only the angle of the face plate is altered. At address, the clubhead itself remains square to the ball.

    Unveiling the Lynx Prowler VT Driver featuring Switch-Face Technology, Lynx CEO and co-owner Steve Elford said: “We are extremely proud to be breaking new ground in driver adjustability and this club is a complete game-changer – Lynx’s SFT offers golfers true loft change options for the very first time in a driver.

    “With adjustable hosel drivers, while golfers believe they can change the loft they are also altering lie angle and face angle and this either toes the driver head in (closes it) or opens it out to varying degrees.

    “So, while adjustable hosel drivers, including other models in the Lynx range, do give golfers multiple options to configure their clubheads, finding, setting and maintaining the perfect true loft and face angle combination is almost impossible.   

    “The Lynx Prowler VT Driver with Switch-Face Technology overcomes all these technical issues for golfers and for custom fitters and delivers the most accurately-flexible and high-performing golf driver available in the market today.”

    Each individual driver face comes with its own attachment screws which are manufactured to remain embedded in the face plate when the face is removed and can’t fall out.

    Following the initial first look at the PGA Merchandise Show, there will be at least 25 different true loft and face angle options available, meaning custom-fitters and golfers will be able to experiment with and assess precise, accurate combinations from 8 degrees loft and 2 degrees closed, to 12 degrees loft and 2 degrees open, and an array of combinations in between.

    Face angle changes are achieved in manufacturing, where the thickness of each removable face is carefully calibrated and shaped so it sits open or closed once it is attached to the clubhead…which always stays square to the ball.

    Added Stephanie Zinser: “As well as always playing with true loft, there are tremendous additional benefits for the golfer from Lynx Switch-Face Technology.

    “The design moves weight out of the hosel and with the use of the fixing screws, weight is then re-located where it should be – in the driver head itself, around the perimeter of the club. This leads to increased MOI.

    “Also, because each striking face plate is uniquely manufactured with Lynx’s Effective Energy Transfer (EET) system inside the face, ball strike force is accurately and equally dispersed throughout the face, leading to greater power and far more forgiveness than other clubs.”

    In testing, the Lynx Prowler VT with Switch-Face Technology saw three-time European Tour winner and Walker Cup winner, Nick Dougherty, a Lynx ambassador and Sky Sports presenter, increase his average ball speed by 10mph and achieve a 354-yard drive (329-yard carry).

    Golf Retailing Editor Dan Owen got an exclusive first hit of the driver at the PGA Merchandise Show.

    I’d been given the nod prior to the show that something that hadn’t been seen before was going to launch from Lynx at the show. I was expecting a removable crown driver, but was taken off guard by the removable face story. At a show where every other key launch had been seen prior to the show, Lynx timed their launch perfectly for maximum impact.

    I got to hit the driver from the secret squirrel range bay at the show, zippered off so prying eyes couldn’t see the new product. Alex Bridges, International Sales Manager, took me through the new technology. And it makes a lot of sense. Loft changes on adjustable hosel drivers aren’t quite what they claim. They change loft by adjusting the face angle, and don’t actually adjust the true loft of the product. The Switch Face Lynx driver does exactly that however.

    The proof was in the pudding however, as I took some swipes with the driver on the windy Orange County driving range. A low spin head, the 8 degree option was giving me knuckleballs, while the 10 degree was still providing a penetrating ball flight. Importantly, bar a groove on the crown where the face and body meet, this is a great looking driver at address. When everyone else is offering superfluous markings, the Prowler VT looks very clean. Another aspect that will be incredibly useful for custom fitters is the easy access to the inside of the head, giving the option to be able to position hot melt weighting perfectly. With a selection of premium UST Mamiya shafts options, this is an intriguing driver option that offers something fresh to a very competitive driver market.

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    As an avid golfer since the age of eleven Dan lives and breathes all things golf.  With a current handicap of eleven he gets out and plays as often as his work life (and girlfriend) allows. Dan confesses to still being like a kid at Christmas when it comes to seeing the latest golf equipment. Having served as GolfPunk’s Deputy Editor, and resident golf geek for the past 13 years and working for golf's oldest brand, John Letters Dan brings to GOLF RETAILING an excellent understanding of the sector.