Titleist's newest drivers, the 909 series, have been good to pros who put them in the bag. Chez Reavie won with a 909D2 in the bag at the Canadian Open to kick off the wins for the driver line, and at last week's British Masters, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano earned a win with a 909D3.
It was the first time Fernandez-Castano had used a 909D3 in competition. He came from three shots back to join a playoff with Lee Westwood and win on the third extra hole. It was the Spaniard's fourth victory on the European Tour.
OCHOA MAKES IT SEVEN: Women's No. 1 golfer Lorena Ochoa earned her seventh LPGA crown of the season - and first since May - with a bag full of Ping clubs.
Ochoa, who has praised her Ping equipment throughout the year and visited Ping headquarters in Arizona to thank the employees personally, used the same equipment that she has been successful with all year.
Ping spokesman Pete Samuels said that Ochoa is expected to wait until her year is over before trying out new Ping equipment.
"She'll wait until the off season to seriously test S57 (irons), V2 driver, fairway and hybrid," he said in an email.
ROMERO GETS WIN NO. 3: Speaking of multiple wins, Eduardo Romero made it three Champions Tour wins for the year with a victory last week at the SAS Championship. All of his wins have come while using Callaway equipment.
Since his last win at the U.S. Senior Open in August, Romero added a Callaway X fairway wood and replaced his older Callaway hybrid with a new 18-degree Callaway FT.
"The equipment? It's unbelievable, Callaway Golf. They make good clubs, good drivers, good balls," Romeros said two weeks ago. "I'm hitting it longer than 10 years ago. Some people say 'Why?' It's because of the equipment. It helps me a lot."
Romero averaged 295 yards off the tee, about 23 yards longer than the Champions Tour average.
"The FT-5 driver, this the driver that changed my life," he said. "The X-20 Irons I've been using for one year so far. It's a complete difference; they helped me a lot in all the tournaments and gave me a lot of confidence."
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Garcia switches to new Rossa putter
After a decent run with a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 putter in which he used to win The Players Championship in May, Sergio Garcia has made a change on the greens.
Last week's Tour Championship marked the first time that Garcia had a Rossa TP Daytona putter by Kia Ma in the bag.
"I felt like I was hitting good putts, and I knew it was just a matter of time until a couple of them went in," Garcia said, who finished as runner-up after losing to Camillo Villegas in a playoff.
The new putter, designed by famed craftsman Kia Ma, features a milled head with a face constructed of 304 stainless steel. Heel-toe weighting keeps the putter more stable and increases MOI.
Four other putter models are available in the series, which will be on the market in October.
Editor's Note: TaylorMade PR folks said later that they discovered the new putter was actually a Daytona No. 1 '07 Shot Pin with a solid face that Kia Ma made specially for Garcia.
Last week's Tour Championship marked the first time that Garcia had a Rossa TP Daytona putter by Kia Ma in the bag.
"I felt like I was hitting good putts, and I knew it was just a matter of time until a couple of them went in," Garcia said, who finished as runner-up after losing to Camillo Villegas in a playoff.
The new putter, designed by famed craftsman Kia Ma, features a milled head with a face constructed of 304 stainless steel. Heel-toe weighting keeps the putter more stable and increases MOI.
Four other putter models are available in the series, which will be on the market in October.
Editor's Note: TaylorMade PR folks said later that they discovered the new putter was actually a Daytona No. 1 '07 Shot Pin with a solid face that Kia Ma made specially for Garcia.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
New Studio Select models hit the market
More than 20 PGA Tour players have used a Fastback 1 Studio Select putter from Scotty Cameron this season, and now the putter is available at retail.
The new Fastback model, which is a modified Newport style mallet with a more compact head, was in Richard S. Johnson's bag when he won the U.S. Bank Championship on the PGA Tour and in Brendon de Jonge's bag to win the Nationwide Tour's Xerox Classic.
The Fastback is a near face-balanced putter and has a double bend shaft with a half shaft of offset. It will retail for $325.
Twenty more players have used Scotty Cameron's new Squareback model, which as the name suggests, has a more square back flange than the Fastback.
Two more Studio Select models, the Newport 2.6 and the Newport 2.7, are also in the new introductions.
"The four new additions to the Studio Select line are a combination of our work with players at the Putter Studio and on the practice greens across the worldwide professional tours," said Cameron, who is Titleist's master putter designer.
"We listen to their feedback and understand their preferences in a putter. That is where we came up with the ideas for the mid mallet style Fastback and Squareback and the new neck options in the Newport 2.6 and 2.7. All eight models now available in the Studio Select line have been used and validated at the highest levels of competition."
The new Fastback model, which is a modified Newport style mallet with a more compact head, was in Richard S. Johnson's bag when he won the U.S. Bank Championship on the PGA Tour and in Brendon de Jonge's bag to win the Nationwide Tour's Xerox Classic.
The Fastback is a near face-balanced putter and has a double bend shaft with a half shaft of offset. It will retail for $325.
Twenty more players have used Scotty Cameron's new Squareback model, which as the name suggests, has a more square back flange than the Fastback.
Two more Studio Select models, the Newport 2.6 and the Newport 2.7, are also in the new introductions.
"The four new additions to the Studio Select line are a combination of our work with players at the Putter Studio and on the practice greens across the worldwide professional tours," said Cameron, who is Titleist's master putter designer.
"We listen to their feedback and understand their preferences in a putter. That is where we came up with the ideas for the mid mallet style Fastback and Squareback and the new neck options in the Newport 2.6 and 2.7. All eight models now available in the Studio Select line have been used and validated at the highest levels of competition."
Tour Van Notebook: New putter pays off in Ryder Cup points
Perhaps the most memorable putt of the 37th Ryder Cup was Hunter Mahan's 17th hole bomb to put him 1 up over Paul Casey in the second of Sunday's singles matches at Valhalla Golf Club.
Mahan lost the 18th but gained a much needed half-point toward the American victory.
Mahan's putter is a relatively new model from Ping, an iWi D66. He first began using the flat stick after the PGA Championship.
"As soon as I grabbed it, put it down, it just looked good to me," said Mahan after starting the FedEx Cup with the new putter. "I liked the feel and just been using it the last couple of weeks and been feeling great. I love the feel, love the setup and it's rolling great for me."
The iWi D66 uses interchangeable weight inserts. One of the two 12-gram steel inserts is placed near the heel; the other is on the toe. Golfers can use optional tungsten 20- and 28-gram weights to make the putter heavier, if desired.
In addition to the singles halve, Mahon was undefeated for the week (2-0-3) and earned the most points (3.5) of anyone on the U.S. team.
HYBRID POWER: Will MacKenzie used his Adams Idea 18-degree hybrid to his benefit Sunday in his second PGA Tour win.
MacKenzie won the Viking Classic in a playoff after making birdies on the 18th hole three consecutive times - twice in the playoff itself. Both times, MacKenzie hit the green with his second shot using the Idea hybrid.
It was most difficult in the final playoff hole, MacKenzie said.
"It was like I was so pumped up there I could hit that hybrid over the green," he said. "I had to really smooth it. And it's tough to smooth a shot when you have water left and water front, you really can't move that pin."
MacKenzie's Adams hybrid used an Accra XH 85 Tour Edition red shaft.
SUPER STROKE STRIKES AGAIN: Nationwide Tour player Matt Bettencourt earned his first win at last week's Oregon Classic by being straight (hitting 67.9 percent of fairways) and long (averaging 300.8 yards) off the tee and sinking a lot of putts.
No surprise that's what it takes to win. But Bettencourt hadn't had the putting in place until just a few weeks ago.
"I switched to the Super Stroke Grip 13 weeks ago," he said. "Went from around 150 to the top 50 in putting," Bettencourt said. "It's made all the difference in the world for me."
Earlier this year, the Super Stroke grip caught the eye of K.J. Choi, who admitted that he purchased one after watching an infomercial. The idea behind the grip is that the larger size quiets the hands and keeps them working together.
"It's taken my hands out of it," Bettencourt said. "(It's) really changed my game."
For the week, Bettencourt had 1.604 putts per GIR (T4 in the field) and 27.3 putts per round (T11).
Mahan lost the 18th but gained a much needed half-point toward the American victory.
Mahan's putter is a relatively new model from Ping, an iWi D66. He first began using the flat stick after the PGA Championship.
"As soon as I grabbed it, put it down, it just looked good to me," said Mahan after starting the FedEx Cup with the new putter. "I liked the feel and just been using it the last couple of weeks and been feeling great. I love the feel, love the setup and it's rolling great for me."
The iWi D66 uses interchangeable weight inserts. One of the two 12-gram steel inserts is placed near the heel; the other is on the toe. Golfers can use optional tungsten 20- and 28-gram weights to make the putter heavier, if desired.
In addition to the singles halve, Mahon was undefeated for the week (2-0-3) and earned the most points (3.5) of anyone on the U.S. team.
HYBRID POWER: Will MacKenzie used his Adams Idea 18-degree hybrid to his benefit Sunday in his second PGA Tour win.
MacKenzie won the Viking Classic in a playoff after making birdies on the 18th hole three consecutive times - twice in the playoff itself. Both times, MacKenzie hit the green with his second shot using the Idea hybrid.
It was most difficult in the final playoff hole, MacKenzie said.
"It was like I was so pumped up there I could hit that hybrid over the green," he said. "I had to really smooth it. And it's tough to smooth a shot when you have water left and water front, you really can't move that pin."
MacKenzie's Adams hybrid used an Accra XH 85 Tour Edition red shaft.
SUPER STROKE STRIKES AGAIN: Nationwide Tour player Matt Bettencourt earned his first win at last week's Oregon Classic by being straight (hitting 67.9 percent of fairways) and long (averaging 300.8 yards) off the tee and sinking a lot of putts.
No surprise that's what it takes to win. But Bettencourt hadn't had the putting in place until just a few weeks ago.
"I switched to the Super Stroke Grip 13 weeks ago," he said. "Went from around 150 to the top 50 in putting," Bettencourt said. "It's made all the difference in the world for me."
Earlier this year, the Super Stroke grip caught the eye of K.J. Choi, who admitted that he purchased one after watching an infomercial. The idea behind the grip is that the larger size quiets the hands and keeps them working together.
"It's taken my hands out of it," Bettencourt said. "(It's) really changed my game."
For the week, Bettencourt had 1.604 putts per GIR (T4 in the field) and 27.3 putts per round (T11).
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tour Van Notebook: Four Ping wedges a trend for the week
Three U.S. winners last week - Angela Stanford on the LPGA Tour, Chris Tidland on the Nationwide Tour, and R.W. Eaks on the Champions Tour - all had something in common. They each carried four Ping wedges.
Stanford had Ping Tour wedges, Tidland used Ping's Tour W wedges, and Eaks had a mix of i5 and i3 O-size wedges. All three also carried Ping i5 irons. Both Stanford and Tidland are Ping staff players.
Ping's Rapture V2 driver and woods also fared well for the week. The new offering from Ping, which will be available to consumers in the fall, earned a first win for the driver from Tidland and for the fairway woods from Stanford.
MIZUNO SIGNS LEWIS: It's official - Stacy Lewis will become the first LPGA Brand Ambassador for Mizuno.
"I've used Mizuno clubs ever since my freshman year at Arkansas and have enjoyed success with them throughout my collegiate career," Lewis said. "As a professional, there was really no reason to play any other club."
Lewis had been playing Mizuno equipment and carrying a staff bag since she began her professional career. This announcement for a multi-year contract makes the relationship official.
Lewis finished in a tie for 28th at last week's Bell Micro LPGA Classic. She is trying to make enough money playing on sponsor's exemptions that she will not have to go to Qualifying School. So far, she has made $31,942 and needs to get to $120,000 to make her goal. The money she won at the U.S. Women's Open - $162,487 - does not count toward the total to earn her LPGA Tour card.
"(I'm) just trying to get the word out there about what I'm trying to do and to get the sponsors to give me the invitations to play and earn my Tour card," Lewis said.
Fans can follow Lewis' progress - and find out what events are considering giving her an exemption - at www.stacysback.com.
HYBRID SWITCH LEADS TO WIN: Nationwide Tour player Chris Tidland does have a few clubs in the bag not made by Ping. One of those was new last week: an 18-degree Adams Idea Pro Gold Boxer hybrid.
The Idea Pro Gold Boxer's shaft was a Graphite Design Tour AD YSQ model, new for this year. The shafts use a special method of weaving the graphite material, called Axial Composite Interlace (ACI) for increased stability and distance.
Adams, which has been tops on the Champions Tour hybrid count for years, now has 46 percent of all the hybrids in play on the Nationwide Tour.
SCRATCH KEEPS IT GOING: Champions Tour runner-up Tom Jenkins carried Scratch Golf forged wedges in his bag at the Greater Hickory Classic, giving the small Oregon-based company its highest-ever finish on that Tour.
Tag Ridings also carried three Scratch wedges in his T6 finish at the Boise Open for another top 10 on the Nationwide Tour.
Scratch Golf makes custom grinds from 1018 carbon steel. They are the No. 1 forged wedge on the Nationwide Tour, on the strength of wins from Kris Blanks and Rick Price this season.
Stanford had Ping Tour wedges, Tidland used Ping's Tour W wedges, and Eaks had a mix of i5 and i3 O-size wedges. All three also carried Ping i5 irons. Both Stanford and Tidland are Ping staff players.
Ping's Rapture V2 driver and woods also fared well for the week. The new offering from Ping, which will be available to consumers in the fall, earned a first win for the driver from Tidland and for the fairway woods from Stanford.
MIZUNO SIGNS LEWIS: It's official - Stacy Lewis will become the first LPGA Brand Ambassador for Mizuno.
"I've used Mizuno clubs ever since my freshman year at Arkansas and have enjoyed success with them throughout my collegiate career," Lewis said. "As a professional, there was really no reason to play any other club."
Lewis had been playing Mizuno equipment and carrying a staff bag since she began her professional career. This announcement for a multi-year contract makes the relationship official.
Lewis finished in a tie for 28th at last week's Bell Micro LPGA Classic. She is trying to make enough money playing on sponsor's exemptions that she will not have to go to Qualifying School. So far, she has made $31,942 and needs to get to $120,000 to make her goal. The money she won at the U.S. Women's Open - $162,487 - does not count toward the total to earn her LPGA Tour card.
"(I'm) just trying to get the word out there about what I'm trying to do and to get the sponsors to give me the invitations to play and earn my Tour card," Lewis said.
Fans can follow Lewis' progress - and find out what events are considering giving her an exemption - at www.stacysback.com.
HYBRID SWITCH LEADS TO WIN: Nationwide Tour player Chris Tidland does have a few clubs in the bag not made by Ping. One of those was new last week: an 18-degree Adams Idea Pro Gold Boxer hybrid.
The Idea Pro Gold Boxer's shaft was a Graphite Design Tour AD YSQ model, new for this year. The shafts use a special method of weaving the graphite material, called Axial Composite Interlace (ACI) for increased stability and distance.
Adams, which has been tops on the Champions Tour hybrid count for years, now has 46 percent of all the hybrids in play on the Nationwide Tour.
SCRATCH KEEPS IT GOING: Champions Tour runner-up Tom Jenkins carried Scratch Golf forged wedges in his bag at the Greater Hickory Classic, giving the small Oregon-based company its highest-ever finish on that Tour.
Tag Ridings also carried three Scratch wedges in his T6 finish at the Boise Open for another top 10 on the Nationwide Tour.
Scratch Golf makes custom grinds from 1018 carbon steel. They are the No. 1 forged wedge on the Nationwide Tour, on the strength of wins from Kris Blanks and Rick Price this season.
Couples seeks replacement driver
Fred Couples - he of the nickname "Boom Boom" - apparently hit his driver just a little too hard at the PGA.
That's where he cracked the face of his Bridgestone J33 driver after using it for more than three years. At the Mercedes-Benz Championship last week, where Couples finished in a tie for 35th, he lamented the problems he'd been having finding a new driver.
"I've never struggled to find a driver in my life, and Bridgestone has been trying very hard, but it's the oddest thing," he said.
One of the hardest parts of finding the new big stick was hitting several drivers on the range. Couples has struggled with back problems on and off for several years.
"Hitting that many with a driver, I'd rather hit 7- and 8-irons to work on my swing than hitting a driver. I've had overdone it a couple of times and had to relax a few days," he said.
The J330, which Couples used along with a TaylorMade driver over the past couple of years, had 8.5 degrees of loft and a 44-1/2-inch Fujikura 757 shaft. Even though Bridgestone has tried to duplicate the specifications of Couples' favorite, it's not quite been right.
"I had one driver the whole time, and now I've tried 30. Really, it's an eye thing," Couples said. "I'll hit them good on the range, but then you go out on a hole and you have to cut it or draw it or hit it straight or whatever."
For many pros, finding a new driver after a beloved one breaks can be a challenge. Jim Furyk, for example, broke his Srixon driver in late 2006 and was unable to replace it with a duplicate. He's recently been using a Titleist 909 driver.
In addition to the driver, Couples carries Bridgestone J33 Forged Cavity Back irons and a Bridgestone J33 sand wedge. He also uses the Bridgestone B330 golf ball.
That's where he cracked the face of his Bridgestone J33 driver after using it for more than three years. At the Mercedes-Benz Championship last week, where Couples finished in a tie for 35th, he lamented the problems he'd been having finding a new driver.
"I've never struggled to find a driver in my life, and Bridgestone has been trying very hard, but it's the oddest thing," he said.
One of the hardest parts of finding the new big stick was hitting several drivers on the range. Couples has struggled with back problems on and off for several years.
"Hitting that many with a driver, I'd rather hit 7- and 8-irons to work on my swing than hitting a driver. I've had overdone it a couple of times and had to relax a few days," he said.
The J330, which Couples used along with a TaylorMade driver over the past couple of years, had 8.5 degrees of loft and a 44-1/2-inch Fujikura 757 shaft. Even though Bridgestone has tried to duplicate the specifications of Couples' favorite, it's not quite been right.
"I had one driver the whole time, and now I've tried 30. Really, it's an eye thing," Couples said. "I'll hit them good on the range, but then you go out on a hole and you have to cut it or draw it or hit it straight or whatever."
For many pros, finding a new driver after a beloved one breaks can be a challenge. Jim Furyk, for example, broke his Srixon driver in late 2006 and was unable to replace it with a duplicate. He's recently been using a Titleist 909 driver.
In addition to the driver, Couples carries Bridgestone J33 Forged Cavity Back irons and a Bridgestone J33 sand wedge. He also uses the Bridgestone B330 golf ball.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Adams driver gets new name, release date
The 9015D prototype finally has a name.
Adams Golf announced that the club introduced earlier this year as a prototype will be called the Insight Tech a4 driver, and will be available to consumers beginning Oct. 1. It's already had a PGA Tour win, in the bag of Richard S. Johnson at the U.S. Bank Championship in July.
"It was in play on tour much earlier than we expected and the word spread quickly in the locker room that we had something very special," said Scott Burnett, senior design engineer for Adams. "When we saw the great results and heard the tremendous feedback we moved quickly to bring this product to the consumer."
The driver, which has been used by Rory Sabbatini, Charles Howell III, Brad Bryant and Bernhard Langer, was also put in play in July by Jim Furyk. He, though, recently switched to a Titleist 909 driver.
The Insight Tech a4 is designed to increase distance for better players. In fact, it got its start as a concept for the Long Drivers of America, who consulted and tested the club. Notably, it incorporates a 15-gram weight on the rear sole to move the center of gravity for optimum launch conditions and medium spin rate. The pear-shaped clubhead reduces drag for higher clubhead speed.
A companion driver, known as the 9016D, was also designed for the LDA - but is primarily geared toward those players who can swing at 120-plus miles per hour. The 9015D, now the a4, is still a long drivers' stick, but can give good results to players with lower swing speeds.
"This driver appeals to the long drivers, tour pros and the recreational golfer, all of which are looking for more distance, straighter shots and better feel and sound," Burnett said.
The a4 will ship with a Matrix Ozik shaft and sell for $499.99.
Adams Golf announced that the club introduced earlier this year as a prototype will be called the Insight Tech a4 driver, and will be available to consumers beginning Oct. 1. It's already had a PGA Tour win, in the bag of Richard S. Johnson at the U.S. Bank Championship in July.
"It was in play on tour much earlier than we expected and the word spread quickly in the locker room that we had something very special," said Scott Burnett, senior design engineer for Adams. "When we saw the great results and heard the tremendous feedback we moved quickly to bring this product to the consumer."
The driver, which has been used by Rory Sabbatini, Charles Howell III, Brad Bryant and Bernhard Langer, was also put in play in July by Jim Furyk. He, though, recently switched to a Titleist 909 driver.
The Insight Tech a4 is designed to increase distance for better players. In fact, it got its start as a concept for the Long Drivers of America, who consulted and tested the club. Notably, it incorporates a 15-gram weight on the rear sole to move the center of gravity for optimum launch conditions and medium spin rate. The pear-shaped clubhead reduces drag for higher clubhead speed.
A companion driver, known as the 9016D, was also designed for the LDA - but is primarily geared toward those players who can swing at 120-plus miles per hour. The 9015D, now the a4, is still a long drivers' stick, but can give good results to players with lower swing speeds.
"This driver appeals to the long drivers, tour pros and the recreational golfer, all of which are looking for more distance, straighter shots and better feel and sound," Burnett said.
The a4 will ship with a Matrix Ozik shaft and sell for $499.99.
Tour Van Notebook: Nike Victory Red irons earn first win
It was a week of firsts for Japan Tour player Toyokazu Fujishima: First time to use Nike's new Victory Red Forged Split Cavity irons and first time to win on that tour.
"The feel of this club is just great," said Fujishima after winning the Fujisankei Classic. "The follow through is great and the trajectory is consistent. It is just as I imagine myself hitting. Also the face and back look cool, I really like this iron."
The Victory Red Forged Split Cavity irons are one of three sets - the others are the VR Roged TW Blades and the VR irons - that Nike unveiled last month. It's the first time any of the three sets was used for a major tour victory.
Nike's VR Forged Split Cavity irons, made of 1025 forged carbon steel, are designed for easy workability and the split back puts the center of gravity back for more control.
Nike plans to begin selling the irons on Nov. 1. A set that includes 3 through pitching wedge will retail for just under $1,000.
LIMITED GROWS IN POPULARITY: TaylorMade's tour van technicians are reporting that its easier to fit the players to the r7 Limited than many other drivers. The ability to position weight in different areas of the clubhead helps them customize the driver to each player.
Mike Weir is one of the most well-known players to switch to the Limited. He configures the weight to have 1 gram in the back, 12 grams in the toe and 10 grams in the heel. That keeps him from missing right and lowers his trajectory for more distance and accuracy.
"He feels the more he hits it high, the more susceptible he is having it leak," a TaylorMade representative said in an email.
But not every TaylorMade player loves the Limited. Eric Axley switched back at the BMW Championship to his previous Tour Burner driver, because it has a lower center of gravity.
NEW TITLEIST EQUIPMENT: Dudley Hart finished second at the BMW Championship, earning a spot in the Tour Championship in two weeks, with new Titleist equipment.
Hart, who shot four sub-70 rounds for the week, carried a new Titleist 909 driver, fairway wood and hybrid. He also had a new Scotty Cameron by Titleist Fastback putter.
"The feel of this club is just great," said Fujishima after winning the Fujisankei Classic. "The follow through is great and the trajectory is consistent. It is just as I imagine myself hitting. Also the face and back look cool, I really like this iron."
The Victory Red Forged Split Cavity irons are one of three sets - the others are the VR Roged TW Blades and the VR irons - that Nike unveiled last month. It's the first time any of the three sets was used for a major tour victory.
Nike's VR Forged Split Cavity irons, made of 1025 forged carbon steel, are designed for easy workability and the split back puts the center of gravity back for more control.
Nike plans to begin selling the irons on Nov. 1. A set that includes 3 through pitching wedge will retail for just under $1,000.
LIMITED GROWS IN POPULARITY: TaylorMade's tour van technicians are reporting that its easier to fit the players to the r7 Limited than many other drivers. The ability to position weight in different areas of the clubhead helps them customize the driver to each player.
Mike Weir is one of the most well-known players to switch to the Limited. He configures the weight to have 1 gram in the back, 12 grams in the toe and 10 grams in the heel. That keeps him from missing right and lowers his trajectory for more distance and accuracy.
"He feels the more he hits it high, the more susceptible he is having it leak," a TaylorMade representative said in an email.
But not every TaylorMade player loves the Limited. Eric Axley switched back at the BMW Championship to his previous Tour Burner driver, because it has a lower center of gravity.
NEW TITLEIST EQUIPMENT: Dudley Hart finished second at the BMW Championship, earning a spot in the Tour Championship in two weeks, with new Titleist equipment.
Hart, who shot four sub-70 rounds for the week, carried a new Titleist 909 driver, fairway wood and hybrid. He also had a new Scotty Cameron by Titleist Fastback putter.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sonic Golf device works well for Singh
Vijay Singh added another piece of equipment to his practice routine that has been paying off big time: headphones.
Last week at the Deutsche Bank Championship, Singh talked about a device he's been using since the U.S. Open that lets him listen to the tempo of his swing.
"(It) tells you how fast you're swinging the club or not. It just keeps you in a good rhythm all the time," Singh said.
The system, made by Sonic Golf, is not yet on the market. It uses a sensor that's installed in the grip of any club and which generates information about the swing. The sensor transfers that sound information to wireless headphones that the golfer wears. Each swing produces a unique, audible rhythm of tones that helps the golfer adjust his or her tempo for more consistency.
Its inventor, Dr. Robert Grober, is a physics professor at Yale University who has been developing a way to link the golf swing with sound for more than a decade.
"Good golf swings are rhythmic," Grober said. "Generally a rhythmic golf swing gets closer to the swing plane and is more consistent."
Singh agrees that the device works to improve consistency.
"I always had a good rhythm, but I never had a consistent rhythm," Singh said. "That's making my swing a lot more consistent, not just with the driver but the whole game. It's one rhythm for the whole game instead of having a quicker rhythm for irons or slower rhythm for the driver. It's just making me so much more consistent."
And, Singh said, it works even when he isn't using it.
"Even when I take it off, I remember the humming sound in my head. I hum to myself on the golf course just by listening to that that many times," he said.
For information on Sonic Golf, see www.sonicgolf.com.
Last week at the Deutsche Bank Championship, Singh talked about a device he's been using since the U.S. Open that lets him listen to the tempo of his swing.
"(It) tells you how fast you're swinging the club or not. It just keeps you in a good rhythm all the time," Singh said.
The system, made by Sonic Golf, is not yet on the market. It uses a sensor that's installed in the grip of any club and which generates information about the swing. The sensor transfers that sound information to wireless headphones that the golfer wears. Each swing produces a unique, audible rhythm of tones that helps the golfer adjust his or her tempo for more consistency.
Its inventor, Dr. Robert Grober, is a physics professor at Yale University who has been developing a way to link the golf swing with sound for more than a decade.
"Good golf swings are rhythmic," Grober said. "Generally a rhythmic golf swing gets closer to the swing plane and is more consistent."
Singh agrees that the device works to improve consistency.
"I always had a good rhythm, but I never had a consistent rhythm," Singh said. "That's making my swing a lot more consistent, not just with the driver but the whole game. It's one rhythm for the whole game instead of having a quicker rhythm for irons or slower rhythm for the driver. It's just making me so much more consistent."
And, Singh said, it works even when he isn't using it.
"Even when I take it off, I remember the humming sound in my head. I hum to myself on the golf course just by listening to that that many times," he said.
For information on Sonic Golf, see www.sonicgolf.com.
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