Golf News – August 15, 2016

Mizuno Unveils New JPX900 Iron Series

Innovative technology, metals composition sets clubs apart

Norcross, Ga. (Aug. 15, 2016) – For the first time in its history, Mizuno has released a three-tier family of irons under the JPX name, ensuring that golfers of all skill levels are able to put in play the same technology the world’s best players rely on. The new JPX900 family of clubs continues the company’s pursuit of excellence, embracing a stylish design philosophy that embraces speed, futurity and innovation.

The new family offers a strong connection across all skill levels, enabling casual golfers to put in play the same clubs the professionals use. The JPX900 Tour, JPX900 Forged and JPX900 Hot Metal offer golfers the opportunity to find the right set of clubs to suit their games. Believing that details matter, Mizuno put its emphasis on the most minute of details to craft a line of clubs that is unmatched in playability and performance. Each iron series utilizes a different metal composition, marrying it with the best technology on the market to deliver distance, control and forgiveness.

“The JPX900 family of irons represents an exciting new chapter in Mizuno’s rich history,” said Ryan Ellis, Associate Brand Manager¬ – Golf. “We have always been committed to improving what we do each year, striving for the next breakthrough. The JPX900 family enables each player to find the best clubs to fit their style of play, from the weekend golfer to the grind-it-out gamer who squeezes nine holes in after work. By combining cutting-edge technology with our unyielding desire to produce the best clubs in the industry, we have assembled a complete family of clubs that will connect with players of any skill level.”

The JPX900 Tour meshes the best attributes of Mizuno’s grain flow forged player’s irons with advanced weighting techniques and the clean styling of the JPX series. The 900 Tour boasts 1025E mild carbon steel, a professionally proven forging material that delivers a soft, solid and consistent feel and was used to craft the successful MP iron series. The power frame design pushes more mass to the corners of the clubhead, to help maintain ball speed on off-center hits, allowing this iron to play surprisingly forgiving.

The JPX900 Forged is built on the foundation of the JPX850 Forged, using Boron steel that enhances feel and boosts distance. Infusing Boron during the forging process creates material that is 30 percent stronger than existing 1025 steel, allowing Mizuno to create a new multi-thickness face and making the JPX900 Forged the thinnest forged face Mizuno has ever made. A reshaped pocket cavity helps to expand the sweet spot of the club, orienting it for higher ball speeds across the club face.

The JPX900 Hot Metal boasts the thinnest club face in Mizuno history. Utilizing Chromoly 4140M, the series was designed like a metal wood, adding thickness by using offset geometry and employing discretionary weight to optimize performance. The cup face design delivers a larger COR area, and mass is pushed to the extreme corners of the club to offer unmatched stability and forgiveness.

All members of the JPX900 family are customizable through Mizuno’s Performance Fitting System (PFS), which utilizes proprietary technology of the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer to pinpoint club specs for peak performance. An assortment of high-end, professionally proven shafts – such as Dynamic Gold AMT and Project X LZ, Modus 105 – are available as standard for various clubs.

To watch a video of the JPX900 irons series, please visit:
youtube.com/watch?v=7naEi5yufrQ

PING introduces precision-milled PING Vault™ putters

PHOENIX (Aug. 15, 2016) Taking inspiration from its legendary Gold Putter Vault and long-held reputation as a leader in putter design and manufacturing, PING introduced its PING Vault series today. Four models are designed for golfers seeking a putter engineered to exacting standards and precision-milled to the tightest tolerances.

“The PING Vault Series recognizes our unequalled putter success on tour since 1959 and continues our focus to advance the design and process of making putters,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “The precision and craftsmanship in these putters is amazing.  They look great and perform in every respect. The blades are clean and simple while the mallets provide added alignment cues and more stability. With all four models being available in either a Platinum or Slate finish, golfers can easily find one to fit their stroke and eye.”

Two blade designs (Voss and Anser 2) and two new mallet models (Oslo and Bergen) will be available in small quantities beginning August 25th as the company works to increase capacity to meet the high demand. Pre-orders start today at golf shops around the world.

“Since launching the PING Vault putters on tour in June we’ve had considerable interest, which has put our delivery schedule a little behind,” Solheim said. “These putters require a lot of time and precision in the manufacturing process. The higher demand means golfers may have to wait a couple of extra weeks to get one in their bag. It will be well worth the wait.”

Players will experience improved putting touch and speed control with the patented TR face technology, one of the most significant and measurable innovations in putting performance in the last several years. The individually milled face pattern varies in depth and pitch across the face, which speeds up off-center impacts – ultimately leading to fewer three putts.

The blade models are fully machined from 303 stainless steel forged billets, ensuring the highest quality and precision in design and manufacturing while delivering a tremendous look,

feel and sound. The Voss is a new design that features a ball-width cavity and sloped heel-toe weights for precise setup.

“The new Voss has a great look and is incredibly simple and clean,” Solheim said.  “The cavity is exactly ball width so when you set up you’re ready to go. The continued popularity and tour success of the Anser 2 made it an obvious choice to be part of the PING Vault line. It’s a classic design that never goes out of style.”

The bodies of the Oslo and Bergen are milled from 6061 T-6 aluminum on-site in PING’s machine shop where craftsmen oversee every precise detail, including milling of the new TR face technology. The improved stability and roll characteristics result from stainless steel bottom weighting, which boosts MOI and lowers the CG. Both models feature a precision double-bend shaft that can be adjusted to match either a Slight Arc or Straight stroke type.

The Oslo is a simpler mallet with a smaller footprint and lower-level sightline. The Bergen features a raised ball-width crown alignment aid similar to the award-winning Ketsch model.

“The Oslo and Bergen are high-performance designs in the mallet category where we’ve enjoyed great success in recent years with models like the Ketsch,” Solheim said. “They are easy to align and offer tremendous stability due to the extremely high MOI. In addition to a primary sight line, the precise milling lines provide subtle reminders to improve alignment.”

Solheim said the new model names are a tribute to his father, Karsten Solheim, and his home country of Norway. “He was born in Bergen more than 100 years ago. Oslo is the country’s capital and Voss is a beautiful town known for its outdoor activities. We think it’s a nice way to further his legacy.”

The new PING Pistol (PP62) grip is standard on all four models. The Pistol shape fits naturally into the palm and fingertips for more-consistent grip pressure. The lightweight (68g), oversized grip’s soft, tacky polymer construction ensures a comfortable feel.

PING Vault Putter Specifications

Voss (Blade)

– 350g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

– Available in Platinum or Slate finish

– PING Pistol 62 grip

– Slight Arc

– 35″ std. length, -3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º

– U.S. MSRP: $325.00

Anser 2 (Blade)

– 350g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

– Available in Platinum or Slate finish

– PING Pistol 62 grip

– Slight Arc

– 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º

– U.S. MSRP: $325.00 

Oslo (Mallet)

– 365g, fully machined 6061 T-6 aluminum body/17-4 SS sole plate

– Available in Platinum or Slate finish

– PING Pistol 62 grip

– Slight Arc or Straight

– Double-bend shaft

– 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-2º

– U.S. MSRP: $325.00

Bergen (Mallet)

– 365g, fully machined 6061 T-6 aluminum body/17-4 SS sole plate

– Available in Platinum or Slate finish

– PING Pistol 62 grip

– Slight Arc or Straight

– Double-bend shaft

– 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-2º

– U.S. MSRP: $325.00

Club Glove Introduces New Features To The TRS Ballistic Premium Luggage Line

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA – Club Glove® – The leader in premium travel luggage, golf bags, club covers and accessories continues enhancing their TRS Ballistic line of premium luggage.

Since it’s initial debut in 2011, the TRS Ballistic line has continued to break new ground by making continual improvements to the luggage features; from the innovative connecting process to its state of the art wheelbase.  Some of the newer features include: a newly designed high impact wheelbase that allows for recessed storage of the retractable handle and added protection of interior goods, along with a new zippered compartment that stows the patented Train Reaction System adjustable straps when not in use. The newest of these features is the adjustable strap, which allows the user to connect multiple pieces of rolling luggage no matter the size and conveniently carries at your preferred height.

Following its inaugural launch, the TRS Ballistic luxury luggage line quickly became renowned as the world’s only self-balancing and connecting luggage system, which introduced a new standard in American made luggage. TRS Ballistic is strategically designed to meet the demands of the avid traveler and touring professional. Functioning as an interconnected luggage system, TRS Ballistic luggage creates a perfectly balanced train by attaching multiple pieces together; providing an effortless and almost weightless movement around and about airports and cities.

An avid traveler himself, Club Glove President, Jeff Herold, describes what inspired the idea behind the unique luggage line: “We wanted to come up with a more traditional style luggage that would be able to withstand the rigors of travelling on the PGA tour….our original duffels, though incredibly well built, with an almost military style were wonderful for our exclusive niche of clients; however, we needed to come up with something that appeared a little more mainstream in terms of style and appeal to the frequent traveler.”

Luggage, or suitcases – as it was once known – has seen dramatic evolvement over the past two decades, contingent to advancements in transportation. These days, the biggest concern travelers seem to have are how properly their luggage is being handled by third party personnel such as, TSA, airline baggage handlers, etc.

With this in mind, Club Glove strategically designs its luggage to withstand most, if not all, of the tribulations that come with travelling.

The TRS Ballistic luggage line will be displayed at the Club Glove booth during the PGA Fashion and Demo Experience taking place in Las Vegas, beginning August 15th through August 17th.

Club Glove is the undisputed number one professional and collegiate golf travel bag brand. Used by more PGA Tour players than any other brand in golf, the Last Bag was named one of the sport’s top 10 innovations of the last 20 years by Golf Digest. Their latest innovation in luxury travel, TRS Ballistic luggage, has taken the luggage industry by storm with pristine pieces that display sophistication and unmatched durability.

For more information regarding Club Glove USA or to purchase products see clubglove.com