News

New Geometry in 2007

By Pete Wofford

The buzz in equipment is the science of golf and expanding our optical boundaries of what makes a great shape. Until metal woods and then the introduction of titanium as the premier weight-to-strength metal, we really didn’t know much about our drivers, such as loft, cubic centimeters and coefficient of restitution. Well, we can add one more term to the physics of golf: the gram centimeter squared (the calculation used in measuring the moment of inertia) amount of clubhead twist. By pushing the boundaries of clubhead weight distribution, engineers have re-shaped drivers and made the mishit that much better.
“We call it a tax break for the poor,” said Tom Stites, director of club creation for Nike Golf. “We have evolved from dreams to engineering and now reality. The science has been there but the timing was not feasible until the advancement in materials and resources. This is an exciting time to hit the ball straighter.”
Leading the marketing buzz is the Nike square-shaped driver. The number on the SasQuatch SUMO2 driver is 5300g cm2, which the company claims is the highest moment of inertia. That’s a big number when compared to persimmon woods at around 1300g cm2, the first titanium drivers around 3100g cm2 and competitors at around 4500g cm2.“The numbers are important in knowing you have the maximum benefits,” added Stites.
Besides drivers, the game improvement market has expanded the design of hybrid clubs, incorporating oversized hollow clubheads into full sets of irons and the putter is still based on feel. Listed here are several new products (destined for a golf shop near you) that will not only test your geometry skills but also your eye appeal.
Off The Tee
TITLEIST: TRIANGULAR 907D DRIVER
Building on its success, the new Titleist 907D1 and 907D2 feature the latest in geometrical technology. The D1 features a 460cc multi-material clubhead, increased MOI (Moment of Inertia) with a triangular profile and tapered face thickness. The company claims the triangular shape has a 28 percent higher MOI and the shape is more efficient in weight distribution and less drag. The D2 is also a 460cc multi-material clubhead, but is more traditional in geometry.
[ $500 ] [ titleist.com ]

CALLAWAY’S: FUSION SQUARE
The new shape of drivers includes the Callaway Golf FT-i driver. Featured is a square clubhead design that expands on Callaway Golf’s weight-shifting Fusion technology platform that uses multiple materials in clubhead construction. The new 460cc Complete Inertial Design precisely positions discretionary weight in the outer corners of the clubhead and was designed to produce the highest total inertia of any driver on the market. The resulting resistance to both horizontal and vertical twisting provides forgiveness and more distance on every drive.
[ $625 ] [ callawaygolf.com ]
TAYLORMADE’S: BURNER
TaylorMade Golf has brought back the name Burner, this time for the largest clubhead (460cc) with a 46-inch lightweight graphite shaft (52g) and featuring the company’s “eMOI,” meaning effective moment of inertia. TaylorMade claims their eMOI is different from other high MOI drivers because of the company’s patented variable clubface thickness. Unlike competitors’ square clubhead designs, the Burner is “bullet-shaped with sleek crown markings.”
[ $399, $499-TP version ] [ taylormadegolf.com ]
NIKE: SASQUATCH SQUARED
The power of physics, geometry and having the number one player use your driver was behind Nike’s introduction of the SasQuatch SUMO2 (super moment of inertia squared). The SQ SUMO2 is the result of years of testing and pushing the clubhead design boundaries (since clubhead size is limited to 460cc and the coefficient of restitution (spring-like effect) set at .830). The highest moment of inertia is designed to enhance accuracy. The SQ SUMO2 has a deep titanium clubface, titanium body and weight-saving composite crown. The cosmetic finish of black and silver is also a part of the innovation, the company claims, appearing as a more pear-shape clubhead.
[ $479 ] [ nikegolf.com ]
Around the Green
ADAMS GOLF: FORGIVING IDEA
Player friendly is the message from Adams Golf with the introduction of the Idea Teach OS Hybrid irons. Featured are adjustable weight ports, titanium clubfaces, composite crowns and tungsten weighting into a set of four hybrids and four game-improvement cavity-back irons. According to the company Idea Tech OS irons have a lower center of gravity and higher moment of inertia translating into “higher and longer ball flight.”
[ $899 steel, $999 graphite ] [ adamsgolf.com ]
FACEFORWARD: PLUS
Based on similar principles of the F2 Golf wedge design (and $10 million of direct response sales) where the clubhead hosel is positioned behind the clubface for a face forward look, new for 2007 is the full line of F2 Plus irons. The “dogleg shank-proof hosel” design aligns the shaft with the clubface sweetspot, which the company claims allows less clubhead twist at impact for great accuracy and a lower center of gravity for better trajectory.
[ $499 steel; $599 graphite, 4-iron – pitching wedge ] [ f2golf.com ]

Puttin’ For Dough
CAMERON: NEWPORT DETOUR
Scotty Cameron has fused his innovative Titleist Detour technology with the conventional design of the Newport line to create two new putters: the Newport 2 Detour and the Newport 2.5 Detour. The putter’s curved profile with its extended orange sightline, which is straight for the first inch and curves thereafter, shows the player the proper path. A removable stainless steel backweight allows a single putter head to work with varying shaft lengths based on player preference.
[ $300 ] [ titleist.com ]
PING: REDWOOD SERIES
Ping has introduced the Redwood putter series, its first completely milled stainless steel putter line, available in three models: the classic Anser, Zing and the malletshaped Piper S. No detail has been left to chance in these putters, which are individually machined out of 303 stainless steel. With slightly heavier heads, each putter in the series offers a solid feel with a black chrome finish.
[ $280 ] [ pinggolf.com ]

Accessories Make the Game Better
ETONIC’S: TRAIL RUNNER
The G-SOK XCR is an industry first for Etonic. By incorporating outdoor technology seen in Etonic’s trail and running shoe business with a non-cleated performance golf shoe, the XCR provides golfers with a non-classic golf shoe that the company claims is durable in all types of terrain and weather. The Gore-Tex XCR features a waterproof breathable membrane and an outsole for traction from all types of lies.
[ $125 ] [ etonic.com ]
BUSHNELL: MEDALIST RANGEFINDER
Since the allowance of distance rangefinders in posting handicap scores and some competitions, the demand has prompted the introduction of the new Bushnell Medalist, a compact measuring device accurate up to measurements of 300 yards. It’s lighter, smaller, boasts a 4x magnification and is ready-to-use right out of the box.
[ $299 ] [ bushnellgolf.com ]