New Shaft News

For those real golf shaft aficianados I just received word that ACCRA (affiliated with UST and Mamiya-OP) has officially introduced the SC 85 shaft with rumours of another lighter weight model to come in that series.

It has all the same hoop strength features of the previous SC shafts in a great new weight ideal for fairway clubs or for golfers who like a little more heft, as a driver shaft

"The new ACCRA SC 85 will provide keen golfers with the ultimate combination of power and feel. The new ACCRA SC 85 provides golfer with the unique combination of super low torque (2.4) yet with a tip section so responsive that increased ball velocity is virtually always the result. “In the past, low torque shafts were tip stiff and had a boardy feel. What our engineers were able to accomplish is remarkable,” states Gawain Robertson (Partner-ACCRA Golf shafts) “Our engineers added the highest modulus composite materials available to create unreal hoop strength to this shaft (shaft recovers back to round faster than any other shaft). So what happens is the firm butt section of the shaft combined with the hoop strength and the super low torque provide you with unbelievable stability (straight shots), while the responsive tip section gives you the unbeatable power,” continued Robertson."

Expect more Accra news (maybe even an exclusive scoop) as the PGA Show nears at the end of January.

A Quote For The Ages...

"In our sport it's different. Some of the guys don't bring it every day, and I just don't understand that. It's not that hard to concentrate for five hours. Like I said, you've got 19 other hours to recover, which is fine." - Tiger Woods on player mentality - during his press conference after winning the 2006 Target Challenge.

Down Is Up

For those of you with a thirst for official golf news from club manufacturers here is a hint - it is just about to be summer in the southern hemisphere!!

So how does this help you? Let's just say the many products that will be introduced for 2007 in North America are already popping up on the manufacturer's offical websites in the southern countries.

Here is an example http://www.callawaygolf.com/au.CLUBS.Irons.X20.html

That should start you on a nice Google Hunt!!

Think of it as my holiday gift to you.

A Quick Legal Note

Consumers will hardly see the effect of a recent legal ruling but for industry giants Cleveland Golf and TaylorMade Golf, it was a big one. Especially considering the importance of custom fitting these days.

This news just in from Cleveland Golf:

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently entered a final judgment ofnon-infringement in favour of The Roger Cleveland Golf Company ("Cleveland Golf") and Taylor Made Golf Company ("Taylor Made"), ending a patent infringement suit filed by Henry-Griffitts, Inc. ("Henry-Griffitts") in 2004. In this lawsuit, Henry-Griffitts alleged that club-fitting systems used by Cleveland Golf and Taylor Made infringed U.S. Patent No. 4,932,662 (the '662 Patent").

Cleveland Golf and Taylor Made chose to vigorously defend this lawsuit, and the United States District Court for theSouthern District of California entered a judgment finding no infringement of the '662 Patent by either Cleveland Golf or Taylor Made on January 23, 2006. Henry Griffitts appealed the District Court decision, and oral arguments were held at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington D.C. on November 6, 2006. The Federal Circuit ruling affirmed the judgment of the District Court, defeating the claims of Henry Griffitts in their entirety, and awarded costs of the appeal to Cleveland Golf and TaylorMade.

Don Reino, general counsel for Cleveland Golf, stated, “While Cleveland Golf respects the intellectual property rights of others, our company will defend against what we believe are frivolous claims with the same passion that we use in making our golf equipment.”

Pssstt...Wanna See Something Cool?

This image? Looks like a photograph right?

As realistic as it looks it is actually an image created by Nate Tierney and John Ruggeiro of Adams Golf R&D Department.

The image shows the new Tom Watson wedges that will debut in 2007.

The duo created the image with UG Software, the software of choice for the entire Adams Golf R&D Department.

The graphic was chosen by UGS (the software manufacturer) and will be included in the 2007 UGS calendar that is distributed worldwide. This link will show you the “Best of Show” winners in the 2006 calendar https://www.ugs.com/promotions/calendar2006/

The 2007 calendar will be printed and distributed in a couple weeks.

I thought it was a striking image so I thought I would post it here.

Thanks to the guys at Adams (KR, JW) for passing it along.

As Expected

Tiger Woods displayed a high level of maturity at his press conference from the Target World Challenge on Tuesday, December 12. He did manage to get his message out about his Foundation's programs before having to take on the usual flurry of questions.

Many, of course, you would like to know the answers to them yourselves.

To read the full transcript visit http://asapsports.com/golf2/2006target/121206TW.html

Or to listen hit the PGA Tour's website at http://video.cgi.cbs.com/video/video.pl?url=/pgatour/audio/2006/1212_twoods_presser.wmv

Tiger Tales

A lot has been written on Tiger Woods and his accomplishments on course. Away from the bright light of tournament play he has been equally impressive - with a foundation that does great things in the field of education for children.

This week his Target World Challenge returns and while it is primarily a charitable event with a little competition thrown in for entertainment value, it never fails that at any Tiger appearance people will forget why he is there and crash headlong into the usual subjects. Slumps, marriage, world issues, Phil Mickelson - when Tiger is around certain topics always seem to surface. Unfortunately in a week like this it takes focus off the good that his foundation is doing.

Remarkably Tiger has been very gracious and skilful in deferring the inquiring minds and directing them towards the topic at hand. All credit to him for that.

While many people get to see the end result of this in the various stories that will run in the press, I am fortunate to get to see and hear this first hand sometimes. It is unbelievable the microscope that this man lives under –all for being the most talented golfer on the plant.

We will see (or hear in my case) if his ability to keep attention focussed is still intact when the PGA Tour holds a teleconference from Sherman Oaks, California, the site of the Target World Challenge, tomorrow afternoon. Coincidentally the PGA Tour will also be announcing the 2006 PGA Tour Player of the Year. You get one guess at whom that might be.

Hopefully Tiger will be able to have time to update the world on his foundation’s work AND his great season on tour - with the foundation coming first.

Based on what he has done already with his fame and fortune, I would have to agree with Earl Woods’ assessment that eventually Tiger’s impact may be felt more off the golf course than on it. Much like Microsoft’s Bill Gates and the work he and his wife have done to use their money to benefit others.

I just hope that everyone pays as much attention to Tiger for that reason as much as his ability to win golf tournaments, how his swing is doing, or if he and Phil send each other Christmas cards.

For more about the Tiger Woods Foundation and the amazing things they have been doing see www.twfound.org/

Critics may say that Tiger's foundation is nothing but a tax write-off but I would dare them to say that to the face of just one of the young people who the foundation has helped.

Tiger will tell you himself, with all honesty, that just one success in his Foundation programs means just as much to him now as another PGA Tour win.

It is an approach like that for which Tiger really needs to be admired, not simply for his athletic ability.

So, for those weeks when Tiger is not in the field at a PGA Tour event, just remember that he may be away for the purpose of enriching the life of someone who really needs it.

Hopefully that will make your T.V. snacks go down a little easier.

In the meantime, this week you know he will be in the field.

Enjoy and admire...

Good News For Daly Fans

You knew it had to happen. The exemptions are starting to roll in for John Daly.

After losing his PGA Tour card after finishing 193rd on the Official Money List in 2006, Daly will have to rely on exemptions and good play to garner any play on the tour in 2007.

Daly is a big fan draw (for both good and bad reasons) and he has been granted an exemption to play in the most attended regular PGA Tour event, the 2007 FBR Open, scheduled to be played at the TPC Scottsdale, Feb. 1-4.

The Bird's Nest will be rocking for sure as Big John fires away, no doubt decked out in his new flaming Maxfli gear.

"John Daly is a crowd favourite wherever he plays on the PGA Tour, but especially here at the FBR Open," said FBR tournament director Pat McGinley. "We look forward to having him back in the Valley this February," was the quote carried by a story on ESPN.com.

Let's hope Daly, and his game, are in good form for 2007.

They will need to be if he wants to see much action on the PGA Tour in 2008.

In the past his major wins have provided a security blanket that kept him on tour but he will quickly realize that any other than good play and behaviour to match may leave him outside, looking in.

I hope that will be not the case for this golfing folk hero.

Will The New Callaway Driver Fit Your "i"?

As I mentioned here a couple months ago Callaway Golf will be introducing a geometry-based design for 2007, a "square" driver if you will. I have had the opportunity to see this driver a few times now and with each viewing my resistance to the looks seems to diminish.

We all know it is about performance and not looks anyways although Callaway was vigilant in getting the input of automobile designers when crafting the shape of this "departure from the norm."

Word I have from the PGA Tour is that various players have experimented with the driver and will put it into play for 2007. This even though a few tour guys have come to nickname the club "the Ciabatta" with deference to the similar shaped bread.

Hey if it would work, I'd hit the ball with an old boot and from all indications this new generation of drivers offer up stability and overall performance not available from traditionally shaped drivers.

The FT-i Driver also incorporates Callaway Golf's proprietary OptiFit(R) Weighting System, which produces three centre of gravity configurations--Draw, Neutral or Fade--and enables golfers to choose the configuration that best suits their individual game, according to the company.

"We are committed to developing the most innovative technology to help golfers better their game, and in some instances, that means starting from scratch and completely changing the shape of club design," said Jeff Colton, Senior Vice President of Research and Development. "Simply put, the Callaway Golf FT-i Driver pushes the boundaries of shape, imagination and performance."

The new FT-i Driver is available in both standard and Tour models as well as men's and women's versions. The standard models feature lofts of 9-, 10-, 11-, and 13(HT)-degrees and feature the new Fujikura(R) Speeder(R) 586 shaft in light, regular and stiff flexes. The 10- and 11-degree models are available left handed. The Tour version has a slightly more open face, comes in 8.5- and 9.5-degree lofts and features the new Fujikura Speeder 686 shaft in regular, stiff and extra-stiff flexes, and the 9.5 degree model is available left-handed.

Callaway Golf will officially unveil its new FT-i driver and an array of other new products at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida, in January 2007. It will be available at retail beginning February 2007.

Will it be for you? Only you can be the judge of that.

But my advice is to at least give it a second look - you might be surprised how much it grows on you.

http://www.callawaygolf.com/ft-i

Ready, Set, Go

We have yet to turn the calendar from 2006 and it looks as if the golf world is already in full force for the 2007 season.

With the past year being a weak one at retail, golf club manufacturers are already revving up the P.R. machines and pushing out product to get golfers fired up. A fine mix of marketing and innovation may be just what the doctor ordered to boost slumping sales. Check Titleist, Nike, Callaway, TaylorMade, Adams, Tour Edge, and Cleveland Golf's websites for some fine examples with more to come in the next few months.

The theme remains the same for the PGA Tour, who, before their Qualifying School even ended, was pushing the charge to the FedEx Cup for 2007. Of course, you can't blame The Golf Channel for this. Not only are they understandably excited about their new agreement that will see them have extended tour coverage, they have a lot of money invested as well and need to drive up their viewer base.

Additonal frenzy comes the qualifying schools, both for the LPGA and PGA Tours. Seeing the new talent emerge and earn a spot on either tour draws the attention of many golf fans, especially those who know these golfers personally. (Congratulations to Brad Fritsch for earning his Nationwide Tour card).

This time of year is also a transition time for many tour pros. They are busy signing new endorsement contracts and although not everyone cares that Henrik Stenson moved to Srixon, for gearheads like myself it means something. I am not sure how it will affect my daily life, but it is interesting nonetheless!

Of course, not every golfer gets swept up in this madness. For me, it is just the case because we are already deep into work on stories for 2007 editions of Flagstick Golf Magazine, Flagstick For Women, and Flagstick Golf Travel www.flagstick.com so, literally, our '07 has already began.

For what is is worth though, it is shaping up to be a great year. I am already having a hard time paring down the products to include in our Top 50 Hot Picks, there are plenty of great deals at golf destinations, and the tours seem to be offering up the potential for high entertainment value.

Oh, and did I mention that the President's Cup will be played in Montreal in 2007 and that the Canadian Tour is scheduled to return to Ottawa as well?

In the meantime be sure to catch Ottawa's Roger Beale competing for his native Barbados in the World Golf Championships Barbados Cup (the former Canada and World Cup) this week on worldwide television. www.worldgolfchampionships.com Also Lee Curry, Brad Fritsch and Matt McQuillan (to be aired on The Golf Channel in January) will play this weekend in the Pro Team Golf League matches between Canada and the United States from Jamaica. www.ptgl.com

There is a lot to look forward to in golf for 2007 so let's get it going.

I like to think the best days are always ahead of you.

That should apply to golf as well.