Golf ball technology is ever evolving as the golfers look for whatever marginal gains can be found. There are golf balls aimed at every skill level of golfer and some are especially designed to help with for specific needs. So some will boost distance, others will fly straighter, some are aimed at golfers with slower swings and some are designed to deliver tour level performance for the very best players.

TaylorMade covers all of those bases but the company has more recently started to focus on helping golfers with their alignment. The result of this research and development is Vis-Tech balls, a range of designs aimed at helping golfers lock onto their target and add more consistency to their game.

I have recently tested all of the vis-tech golf balls in practice and also used one of them extensively in competitive play for several rounds to see if it could benefit my game. I play an annual four ball with three friends and it’s kind of a big deal to us. We all take it very seriously due to the 12 months of bragging rights that come with it.

Knowing I had the choice of any of the best TaylorMade golf balls with vis-tech designs on offer, I decided to use the Tour Response Stripe ball because I have used the standard Tour Response ball in the past and it’s a good fit for my game. The stripe design intrigued me too, it's visually very powerful. So what better way to judge it than to put in play for my most important round of the year?

This is probably the part where you expect me to say that I romped to victory and the Tour Response Stripe golf ball was the reason why. Sadly I didn’t win, but I did play quite well and I enjoyed the performance of the ‘Stripe’. So much so that I’ve since switched to it full time and I’m hoping it’s going to really help me, especially on the putting greens. It's also easier to find in the rough, which comes in handy.

Vis-tech is all about alignment, which is more important to some golfers than others. While I will sometimes use the alignment lines to help with my drives, I have never used it when putting because I find it distracting. I’ve never been a fan of the thinner alignment line because any time I was standing over a putt I would start questioning whether I had lined the ball up correctly. Being out by a few millimetres on a longer putt could result in the ball going a foot off target. At least that’s what I’d be telling myself.

So I rarely - if ever - use an alignment aid on the greens, which may partially explain why putting is my biggest weakness. I do have friends who will never putt without carefully using the line on the ball to set their path to the hole. Most Tour Pros use this method too, so clearly it works, but it isn’t for everybody, least of all myself.

The thicker alignment line that TaylorMade has introduced with its ‘Stripe’ design can be a game changer for golfers like myself who are not comfortable with the thinner line. There are a few variations of the Stripe design, while there is also the Pix option (available on the TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x balls). You may be familiar with the Pix as Tommy Fleetwood and Rickie Fowler have been using it for several years.

The Pix has sixteen ClearPath Alignment diamonds positioned around the ball's surface which helps with aim and feedback on the roll. I’ve tried Pix before and while I think it looks cool and certainly makes your ball easier to find in the rough and track through the air, it doesn't have the same impact on the greens as the Stripe.

The stripe is essentially a digital band that wraps around the center of the ball, with a thin black line running inside of it to match the sight line on your putter. I did not use the thin line for reasons explained above, but the stripe itself certainly appealed to me. This is personal preference though and you should probably try using both the stripe and the center line to see which you prefer, while also giving the Pix a look too. After all, if it’s good enough for Tommy…

I also found that the Stripe design was very useful off the tee. I figured that being off by a few millimetres is not so catastrophic when you’re aiming at a forty yard fairway as opposed to a four inch hole! It's not something golfers consider but it made a real difference to my accuracy when I started using it. You can even orientate the stripe slightly differently, perhaps slightly out to the right, to encourage a certain swing path if a slice is something you struggle with.

There are different options with the Stripe. The TP5 and TP5x models have the clear stripe, whereas the Tour Response ball I used has three different solid stripe color options; orange, green and blue. The clear stripe on the TP5 and TP5x will appeal to those who prefer a more classic look. I don’t think there’s any performance benefit to clear over solid, but you could perhaps argue that the solid stripe is a little more effective in fading light or cloudy conditions.

All of the TaylorMade vis-tech golf balls are designed for use on the course rather than simply being useful training aids. That being said, they are excellent training aids, particularly when it comes to putting. The Stripe and Pix designs can really help you hone your skills on the greens as you get excellent feedback on how your putts are rolling. With a plain golf ball you can’t always tell if your putts are rolling true or whether they are wobbling all over the place. Pix and Stripe designs will show you that instantly, and this is also useful on the course.

It isn’t just on the greens where alignment counts though. As mentioned above, I found it helpful when driving the ball too. By lining your ball up at the part of the fairway you are aiming at, you can then set your club head, feet and shoulders on the same path as the ball. That sounds like basic stuff, but often we take these fundamentals for granted. By developing a routine where you use the ball to line up your drive and ensure everything else is in sync, you can avoid some of those costly wayward tee shots.

So can alignment aids on a golf ball help to lower your score? It depends entirely on the individual and their preferences, but if used correctly and if it suits your eye, then vis-tech balls will definitely make life easier and save you shots on the course.

Puma is one of the biggest names in the game when it comes to apparel and, with this latest winter jacket it continues to shine. First things first, the Nordic jacket is a great performer in windier and colder weather, with the windCELL technology working its magic to protect me against the wind.

Not only is the performance excellent, but I think it looks great with a mixture of grey and black colorways. If that isn't for you though, there is also navy and grey available, which works really well with a range of apparel.

Fit-wise, it is very comfortable, even over multiple other layers, and it also has pull toggles at the waist to help make it fit snugger and ensure the wind doesn't have a way in.

Further signs of comfort are seen with Velcro adjustment on the sleeves, which helps ensure a further snug fit around the wrist and it also stops any wind getting up the sleeves. There is plenty of storage too, with three pockets to choose from. There are two on the waist and one on the chest to make sure you have room for everything and to keep your hands warm.

One thing that I noticed, and would have preferred, is a little more waterproofing. Although this isn’t meant to be a waterproof jacket, it didn't seem too water resistant either which, for what I think is a great jacket, is slightly frustrating. Overall, in light rain it performs well, but anything too heavy and it does slightly struggle.

There is a lot to like about this jacket and it certainly does everything you would want. Personally, I think it is great for those who want a thinner jacket and not a midlayer, because you can wear this over a polo and be warm enough on a windy day. The only downside I found was the water-resistance wasn't up to scratch, other than that, it does everything it claims to do, which is all you can ask for when it comes to a winter jacket.

We look back through the archives and pick out the 10 best Nike golf clubs ever made

Following the dramatic news that Nike is to step away from club and ball making business in 2016, we picked out our favourite pieces of Nike golf equipment since the company first started making them back in 1998.

Nike was a relative newcomer to golf when it signed Tiger Woods in 1996 for a record $40m, five-year endorsement deal and his ‘Hello world’ line became world famous. It signalled the brand’s intent to move into hard goods, having already made golf shoes and apparel since the 1980s.

Nike’s clubs received some stick in their early years, famously from Phil Mickelson who claimed Tiger was using ‘inferior equipment’. But Woods won four straight majors after changing to the Tour Accuracy TW ball in 2000, became the first player in 30 years to win the Masters and US Open in the same year after changing to a Nike driver; and won a World Golf Championship in Ireland the week he switched to Nike irons. It wouldn’t appear his Nike equipment was holding him back.

The last ever Nike club launch, the Vapor Fly range, was a solid performer as good as anything else out there. During its 14-year tenure in the golf industry, the Nike brand created some excellent golf equipment. Here are 10 of the best Nike products ever made.

Nike VR TW Pro blades - 2008

Tiger Woods helped create this set that replaced the Nike blades he had used for over five years. The centre of gravity was positioned to Woods’ specs to provide added control and to aid shot shaping. The set has a slightly modified shape and thicker toe than the original Nike blade, which was well received by golfers.

Nike Vapor Fly driver - 2016

Distinguished by its bold blue crown with Volt color in the Compression Channel, the Nike Vapor Fly driver has three key technologies that are said to increase launch, distance and forgiveness while reducing spin. A lighter crown resulted in a lower center of gravity and higher MOI for higher launch, less spin and more forgiveness.

Another new feature is the HyperFlight face, which has been thinned out around the perimeter to minimize ball speed loss on off-centre hits. The Compression Channel seen on previous drivers has been re-engineered, creating a springboard effect to amplify performance on miss-hits.

Nike Precision Tour Accuracy TW ball - 2001

This ball caused quite a stir in 2000 when it was revealed the Tour Accuracy TW ball Tiger Woods used in competition was different to the version he promoted in Nike advertisements that was on sale to the public.

His version had a core and cover that was each 5 per cent firmer for a slightly lower ball flight with slightly less spin for his faster swing speed. The mass market Tour Accuracy ball was a non-wound, urethane covered ball that featured Dynafuse injection moulded technology.

Nike VR Forged Pro Combo irons - 2013

They looked like blades and offered similar feel and distance control, but with much more forgiveness built in. Arguably Nike’s best amateur better player combo set, the 3, 4, 5 and 6-irons featured a pocket cavity filled with a polymer Nike called ‘shot-making gel’ while the shorter clubs, from 7-iron through to pitching wedge, have split cavities, with the focus on shot precision.

High-frequency X3X grooves were designed to provide optimal spin.

Nike VR_S Covert driver - 2013

In an industry first, the back-middle section of this driver’s sole was removed in an effort to increase perimeter weighting for forgiveness and position the CG more forwards to reduce spin. It didn’t quite provide the feel golfers demanded but subsequent versions improved on this, right up to the Nike Vapor Fly driver launched earlier this year. It came in two versions, including the Tour version pictured above.

Nike SasQuatch Fairway wood - 2008

The legendary SQ fairway wood was a huge seller and popular on tour too. Tiger Woods still had them in the bag in 2010, and Charl Schwartzel used them to win The Masters in 2011.

The had a 'Monorail' sole to reduce drag and a face made from cryogenically tempered 'Cryo Steel' that was said to be thinner and stronger than Titanium for extra distance.

Nike T40 fairway wood - 2005

This was a cutting-edge fairway wood at the time because it featured a 40g tungsten plug inside the clubhead to lower the centre of gravity (CG) and increase the launch angle, which was much more tungsten than other manufacturers were using at the time.

Nike Ignite driver - 2004

As used by Tiger Woods in his early days, this driver featured a NexTi Titanium Face which Nike claimed was the hottest and strongest titanium ever created.

The NexTi face material allows for a head construction that results in an extremely wide COR or spring like effect. The original version of this driver would now be non-conforming to the rules of golf, it was that hot.

Nike RZN balls - 2011

Nike engineers first discovered in 2011 that they could make a ball core material that performed better than rubber. It was called RZN and went on to feature across many other different Nike product categories, including drivers.

There were four different RZN balls in 2016, the RZN Tour Platinum and RZN Tour Black for fast swingers and the RZN Speed White and RZN Speed Red for slower swing speeds. The core on the 2016 Nike RZN golf balls also had a Speedlock pattern that stop the balls’ layers slipping so they can compress more powerfully at impact, for more distance on mishit shots where you strike the ball with a glancing blow.

Rory McIlroy used the RZN Black in 2014 to win The Open and PGA Championship, his third and fourth Majors.

Nike Vapor Fly Pro irons - 2016

More compact than the Nike Vapor Fly irons, the progressive Vapor Fly Pro irons came with a black PVD finish aimed at both game improvers and better players. The now-legendary irons are still being used in 2023 by certain players in the 2/3 iron.

The set featured a modern muscle design that positions the centre of gravity (CG) in the middle of the face for added stability and a better feel at impact. It’s shape and size meant it offered more workability than a traditional game improvement iron.

The use of RZN material created lower and deeper weighting that encouraged a higher launch, and in turn, a steeper descent angle to help shots stop quicker.

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Titleist Tour Soft Ball Review

The Titleist Tour Soft has always been an excellent all-rounder that offers soft feel at a lower price point. Our testing of the 2020 version has shown that it is a little bit faster off the tee than its predecessor, possibly because of the larger core and thinner cover, translating into extra carry distance. Admittedly it was by less than a handful of yards, but nevertheless there are gains to be had by switching.

Strike a shot out of the middle with Tour Soft and you are rewarded with a strong, stable flight with impressive hang time, even in windy conditions.

Despite still not possessing a urethane cover, we felt like it also gave us a little more touch more control around the greens with the wedges too while maintaining that soft feel many golfers enjoy. It doesn’t grab as much as the Pro V1 or Pro V1x, but the gap between them in terms of short game performance looks to have narrowed somewhat.

We also really like the new sidestamp design, with the T-shape provide an effective visual to line up your putter’s sightline and clubface to help return it square at impact more consistently.

We found it to be especially effective on those nervy putts from 3-6 feet but also off the tee as well. It’s ideal if you struggle to commit to your start line or struggle with your aim with the driver. The brighter finish versus the Pro V1 models makes the Tour Soft stand out visually over the ball, helping with strike and confidence.

If you would like to add Titleist golf balls to your bag, take a look at our Titleist promo codes.

Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver Review

This Callaway driver promises the holy grail of driver performance - a combination of low spin and forgiveness with some slice-fighting capability thrown in for good measure. Find out more about the technology here.

The target golfer is anyone who struggles with a miss to the right, especially a shot pattern that is accentuated by excessive spin from a downward attack angle where the ball travels across the fairway rather than down it.

Admittedly, this is the most common shot pattern amongst amateur golfers but its appeal is somewhat limited in that it immediately eliminates anyone that draws the ball, or who’s bad shot is a hook, given this driver has even more draw bias built in than the Callaway Mavrik Max from a couple of years ago.

At address, the footprint is generous and the blue carbon crown with red lines adds a modern touch. It is a little triangular in shape too, reminiscent of the impressive Big Bertha Fusion driver but a little less drastic.

We tested a 10.5° head lofted down to 9.5° with the stock RCH 55 shaft. We’re aware, as a fast-swinging golfer with a natural draw, we are not the target demographic golfer for this driver, and as such weren’t expecting the numbers to compete with what we currently play. Nonetheless, there were some interesting findings from our testing on the Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor.

Firstly, even in a higher loft than we usually play this driver produced impressive ball speeds averaging 158mph, comparable with drivers from this year we’ve tested in lower lofts.

The launch angle of 16° is high but not excessive but it was the spin that hurt us in terms of generating maximum distance, with an average of 2,660 rpm where we’d normally like to be closer to the 2,000rpm mark.

This will be down to the set-up of the driver and can be easily rectified via a fitting but it wasn't as high as we were expecting it to be. An average peak height of 46 yards shows us this driver has no issue in getting the ball up in the air and keeping it there, with an average carry of 266 yards.

The shot pattern was a strong draw every time with some initial misses to the left rectified via a change in aim. Make no mistake, as someone with a tendency to produce a slight draw it is almost impossible to hit a fade with this driver, and as such it is one of the best drivers for slicers out there.

On the range once our aim was calibrated correctly, we could hit shots that finished close to the target line with regularity and with a stronger flight than we were expecting. The feel of this driver is also worth mentioning - it has a light feel, partly down to the 55g shaft, and a solid yet explosive feel off the middle plus it felt noticeably stable on those all-too-common mishits too. 

Clearly this is a driver designed for golfers that utilize a large portion of the face during the course of a round. Therefore it also made our guides on the best drivers for beginners, and best drivers for seniors.

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TaylorMade Spider FCG Putter Review

For golfers that like the visuals and forgiveness of the Spider X but want something a little smaller and more blade-like in terms of feel, the new Spider FCG could well be the ideal alternative. 

Starting with the looks it has a smaller, slightly more rounded profile than the Spider X but is arguably easier to aim thanks to the T-shape alignment system. It’s really effective in helping setting the face square, using both the long sightline and contrasting white strip parallel to the leading edge in tandem.

The front weighting of the Spider FCG does feel a little different to the rear weighted Spider X but the performance remained similar once you got used to the feel during your stroke. This putter undoubtedly has a firmer, more solid feel than the Spider X thanks in part to the heavier copper insert, closer to that of what you would experience from solid putters with no grooves on the face.

But there are grooves, angled at 45°, and they certainly help the ball to hug the ground after it leaves the face. We putted surprisingly well with the TaylorMade Spider FCG, holing a surprising amount of putts from mid and long range. We found it easy to start the ball online thanks to the crown design and the distance control to be very consistent.

The thinner Super Stroke X Traxion Pistol 1.0 PT grip compliments the mid-mallet head size very well and the all-black putter shaft bolsters the premium appeal.

We tested the face-balanced single bend option, which didn’t feel much like a blade but the L-Neck and short slant versions offer progressively more toe hang to make the putter flow and release more like a blade-style putter.

If you decide to buy from this range, take a look at our handpicked TaylorMade discount codes.

Titleist T400 Iron Review

A wide body shape, along with the Split Sole design, provides optimal turf interaction for cleaner strikes. Up to 100g of tungsten in each head creates a low CG, working in combination with a super-thin forged SUP-10 L-Face insert (5- to 7-irons) to produce explosive launch. The set is progressive, with blade lengths, sole widths and hosel lengths changing through the set for optimal CG positioning and preferred shaping. 

As if the T300 iron wasn’t long enough, now golfers can achieve even more distance from the Titleist T-Series with the T400. It’s an iron with the firepower of a hybrid and at 26°, it has one of, if not the, strongest 7-iron lofts on the market. However, the design is such that it still produces a playable ball flight with exceptional forgiveness, both on off-centre strikes and through the ground at impact too.

From a visual perspective, as you can see below, the overall size and thicker topline makes it look inviting to hit. There is noticeable offset and the back of the sole on the 7-iron is visible at address, which some won’t like to see.

Testing on the Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor, the T400 7-iron produced fast ball speeds close to 130mph, with carries around 190 yards on average, making it a leading contender among the best golf distance irons. As you would expect, the spin sat comfortably under 5,000rpm, with a peak height of 34 yards, which is actually where we see many traditionally lofted 7-irons peaking at.

So despite its low loft, the T400 has no issue getting the ball in the air, helped by the softer and lighter stock AMT Red R300 shaft, hitting a flight window many golfers will already be familiar with.

The unique geometry of the split sole means it doesn’t play as wide as it looks and you get some assistance should you catch the ground slightly before the ball from the extra bounce close to the leading edge. There’s no question, this is one of the most forgiving irons on the market, even when considering the emergence of full hybrid-iron sets.

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Bushnell Tour V5 Shift Laser Rangefinder Review

In terms of technology, Bushnell's latest rangefinder has Slope-Switch Technology is easy to access via a button on the side and benefits from an improved slope algorithm for more accurate distances. A red ring now flashes as JOLT vibrates to give the golfer even greater feedback and confidence to know when they have locked onto the flag. The Bite magnetic mount allows the laser rangefinder to be secured to a golf buggy without the need for any aftermarket accessories.

Bushnell continues to lead through innovation in the laser rangefinder category with the Tour V5 Shift, which has been slimmed down to make it more compact in your hand. Its Fast Focus system returns yardages quickly, with the new flashing red ring in the display providing an extra dose of assurance that you’ve successfully locked on to the flag.

In terms of ease of use, like with the best laser rangefinders it couldn’t be simpler. Just point and shoot – the flag is picked out quickly from the background. The view in the display is crystal clear, helped by the adjustable focus toggle, and with the button on the side, there is now no cause for confusion as to how to change the settings from metres to yards.

The impressive range of 400+ yards to a flag is more than you’d ever need and it’s rainproof too, which is always handy when playing in the UK. We even tested the Tour V5 Shift on the course using a tape measure and when measuring from a point 50m and 100m away, the Bushnell V5 Shift was exactly correct. Like the best golf rangefinders with slope, with the toggle on the side you can take into account changes in elevation quickly and easily.

If you play a lot of golf in a buggy, Bushnell’s Bite technology incorporates a powerful inbuilt magnet so you can attach it to the buggy frame (or most other metal surfaces) for quick access and less faff when you get to your ball. With 7 pounds of pulling force, it is unlikely to fall off even when going over large bumps – it certainly hasn’t for us yet.

The new design of the fastening strap on the grey and vibrant orange carry case hasn’t gone unnoticed – meaning it fastens closed much more easily. All in all, this rangefinder provides a simple yet premium experience. You won't struggle to pick out the flag or other points of interest and the shape is much more ergonomic. You may find that budget golf rangefinders claim to offer a similar experience but it's unlikely they will offer the speed, clarity and accuracy of the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift.

Sometimes you come across an offer that is too good not to share, and that’s the case here with the Titleist U500 and U510 utility irons. 

Known for producing quality through the bag, Titleist is a name trusted by golfers all over the world, from the sport’s biggest stars to those just starting out in the game.

And you can now save £50 (20%) on two of the best driving irons on the market. 

Released in 2019 on the back of the success of Titleist’s 718 T-MB model, the big-name brand decided to put even more focus into this area, and the results were impressive.

In the U500, lower-handicappers have a forgiving club that retains the look and feel of a long iron while delivering exceptional performance. Struggling with the driver or need a club that’s going to give you confidence on a tight tee shot? Look no further than this.

• Buy now from Scottsdale Golf for £199

And the same is true for the U510. Although aimed at golfers who don’t swing it as fast, this club ticks all the boxes. 

It has a thicker topline that perhaps isn’t quite as nice to look at behind the ball, but it’s even more forgiving and will launch the ball higher, making it a handy option on long approach shots, too. 

It also has a slightly lighter stock graphite shaft to help with the extra launch.

• Buy now from Scottsdale Golf for £199

Currently, both are still available for right- and left-handers at various lofts, but we don’t expect this to last long.

As is usually the case, right-handers have more options to choose from. Three U500 lofts remain - 17°, 20° and 23° - in regular or stiff flex, while the U510 is available in 20° or 23°. 

And for lefties, there is still time to get your hands on the 17° U500 or the 20° U510, both of which come with a stiff KBS Hybrid 80 graphite shaft. 

So, what are you waiting for?

For more golf deals, make sure you check out the Golf Monthly website.

In the final round of Project Joe, can our beginner golfer break 100 for the first time with his improved swing and using his new Cobra clubs?

Project Joe Blog Entry 3 - Last Chance Saloon

Watch Joe attempt to break 100 in his final round of the series at the tricky Wellingborough Golf Club

Football, Bill Shankly once declared, is a simple game complicated by idiots. Well my name is Joe, and I am an idiot.

Golf has turned out to be a complicated sport for me – much more than I’d ever anticipated when taking it up. As it turns out, it’s also a lot harder than I thought it would ever be and, boy, do you need to invest serious time to make yourself better.

With a six-month-old son and full-time job, that hasn’t been quite as easy as I’d hoped – for some reason, “Goodbye, see you in four hours” doesn’t always go down especially well at home with the wife.

Since beginning this series with Cobra Golf, though, there’s absolutely no doubt that I’ve improved significantly; everything from basic posture to my swing is better than it was three months ago, thanks to the help of coach James Whittemore and my own practice.

RELATED: Joe Gets Fitted For New Clubs

The custom-fitted clubs have been an absolutely dream – hit them as sweetly as I know I can, and you’re still thinking about the connection hours later. There’s also a hell of a lot to learn, though, and it’s mostly swimming around my head: are my knees bent too much? Is my grip relaxed? Am I rotating enough? Am I snatching too quickly? What on earth are my wrists doing? Am I lined up properly?

So, going into my final round at the lovely Wellingborough Golf Club, there was the nagging sense that I wasn’t going to crack my 100 target – and on a tough course I've never played before with a slope rating of 139, perhaps not even my previous best of 115.

For starters, my two weakest areas just happen to be quite important: anything off a tee, and putting. With much more focus going into my irons and wedges, I hadn’t managed to learn a solid driver swing that was going to get me anywhere productive, nor had I put those valuable hours in on the putting green.

When you can’t consistently get a bit of distance up the fairway in a straight line, you’re a) immediately hampering yourself and relying on rescue shots from the off and b) that’s even if you avoid a penalty in the first place – especially on a course with only two par 3s. It’s not conducive to a good score and will hold me back until I can get it right.

But as I teed off (well, a 6-iron off the floor) on the opening hole, things didn’t begin too badly. If I could putt anything near half-decent, double-bogeys might become pars and the odd disaster hole (hello, that ten over there) could be reduced in severity.

Alas, my fatal mistakes – mainly overhitting on speedy greens I wasn’t used to – kept holding me back. Still, I improved as the front nine went on and actually ended fairly strongly. At the halfway mark I’d shot 56: not in 100 territory, but on to beat my best score at least, and looking to shave shots rather than limit damage. It wasn’t impossible.

But it’s amazing what this game can do to your head. Start thinking about the score and you’re in with a somehow-better-than- expected 66 on the back nine for a frustrating 122 finish. And yet strangely, I didn’t walk off the course with an impending sense of early retirement.

Quite the opposite, actually – I was only thinking about the positives. Some pretty good bunker work; mostly strong wedges; learnings about club selection around the green and how to create a divot. I’d got plenty of pointers on the day and I came away from Wellingborough with some incredibly useful takeaways for next time. I already knew where I was weakest, and it was exactly what stopped me carding a better score – cutting out three and four putts could have legitimately shaved off about 15 shots.

I’m constantly feeling like I could turn a corner at any moment, which I think is good because it suggests improvement. Once I get the right feelings and everything becomes a little more natural, I’m hoping to get much closer to my target of 100.

It’s all part of the journey ultimately, and no one thinks it’s easy – just speak to any club golfer who’s still constantly searching for something more. It can feel lonely when you’ve just chunked one into a bunker, but such is this game that’s become my new obsession. A game this idiot is trying to make much less complicated.

Best Callaway 2021 Autumn Winter Apparel - An impressive selection of tech-driven performance garments designed to boost on-course performance.

Best Callaway 2021 Autumn Winter Apparel

If you plan to golf on through this autumn and winter season it’s important that your golfing wardrobe offers the necessary protection and performance to allow you to play to your potential.

In wind, rain, and colder temperatures, you need the right equipment to keep you warm, dry, and ready to swing with confidence and authority.

Callaway’s 2021 Autumn Winter Apparel collection is packed with a superb selection of garments specifically designed to help you perform on the golf course as the weather takes its inevitable turn for the worse.

Featuring an impressive range of technologies, including Primaloft for maximum insulation, Singtex StormFleece for lightweight functionality, and Swing Tech for freedom of movement, this is Callaway’s most advanced apparel range to date.

The brand is also focused on sustainability and the majority of Callaway’s products have been manufactured using a minimum of 25 per cent recycled material.

Here below we look at some of the very best items from the Callaway 2021 Autumn Winter Apparel collection.

Best Callaway 2021 Autumn Winter Apparel

Men’s Collection

Callaway Stormguard II Waterproof Jacket

+ Excellent waterproof protection + Swing Tech technology offers great freedom of movement - Block colours won’t be to all tastes

When the weather turns ugly, you need complete protection to carry on playing and performing to a good level, therefore you need a waterproof jacket you can trust to keep the elements out but one that also allows you to keep swinging freely.

We’re highly impressed with how the Callaway Stormguard II Waterproof Jacket performs on both those fronts.

It’s waterproof to 15,000 MMU with fully sealed seams, water resistant zippers and adjustable hem and cuffs. It really keeps the rain and the elements at bay.

Sometimes, that level of protection in a waterproof jacket comes at the expense of mobility. Not so with the Stormguard II.

Swing Tech technology delivers in-built stretch, allowing you to continue to swing with confidence. We found the freedom of movement to be excellent and the jacket is lightweight enough that we didn’t notice any restriction of movement at all.

It comes in three stylish colour options with print details on the back and Callaway Tour logo to the right sleeve. A nice touch is the fact it’s constructed from 50 per cent recycled polyester.

Callaway StormFleece Pro Jacket

+ Supremely soft + Water resistant - Full zip option only

Designed in collaboration with SingTex, the StormFleece Pro showcases a new fabric technology that takes the fleece to another level.

The supremely soft shell will keep you warm, while it also resists wind and rain. StormFleece is durable and breathable and offers stretch properties to boot.

It’s also an environmentally friendly fabric, consuming less energy in its production.

We enjoyed the lightweight warmth delivered by this full zip jacket and we think it’s a great one-layer option in all but the very harshest conditions.

The chin guard, storm cuff and adjustable hem with drop tail further enhance the levels of protection against the elements. The lightweight stretch properties mean it’s comfortable and make it very easy to swing while wearing.

It really is super soft and the neutral colour options are subtle and sporty. It’s a go-to garment in changeable weathers.

Callaway Blocked Ottoman Fleece

+ Swing Tech back for freedom of movement + Good thermal properties - Won’t protect against heavier rain

This blocked and ribbed fleece comes with a ¼ zip and features a chest zippered pocket. It’s an excellent mid-layer option that will function well as an outer layer in autumnal conditions, and pretty much all but the heaviest rain.

We like the styling and the four colour options of Dark Moody Heather, Bright White, Quiet Shade and True Red should provide something for all tastes.

The Swing Tech back is what really makes this fleece stand out. The technology is designed to help you maximise movement and it’s really noticeable when swinging the club.

You don’t feel hampered in the slightest, despite the levels of protection from the elements this garment delivers.

Whether used as an outer or mid layer, the Callaway Blocked Ottoman Fleece offers a great blend of style, comfort and performance.

Callaway Heather ¼ Zip Windjacket

+ Lightweight + Zipped hand pockets are nice touch - Not such good thermal properties

As the name suggests, this garment has been designed to protect you from the wind.

It’s lightweight and features Callaway’s excellent Swing Tech to allow freedom of movement when walking and swinging the club.

We found it to protect well from even quite strong winds and, although it’s not fully waterproof, it is resistant to the odd shower, making it a good one-layer garment in most autumnal and less-severe winter conditions. The adjustable cuffs further enhance fit and feel and, overall, it’s a very comfortable windjacket.

Available in four colours – Quarry Heather, Dark Moody Heather, Caviar Heather and Asphalt Heather, it’s a good-looking ¼ zip that could easily be worn off course as well as on.

If you want a lightweight, one-layer stretch garment that delivers good protection from the wind and a degree of warmth, the Callaway Heather ¼ Zip Windjacket would be a good choice.

Ladies Collection

Callaway Ladies Primaloft Quilted Jacket

+ Exceptional thermal properties + Swing Tech for freedom of movement - Not waterproof

Available in Caviar and Peacot colourways, this jacket offers exceptional thermal insulation thanks to the Primaloft technology.

This unique microfibre structure has been specially treated to create optimal physical and thermal conditions, meaning it will keep you protected from the coldest of conditions. We found it does exactly that – It really is a supremely warm garment.

But what’s great about this jacket is that the protection doesn’t come at the expense of comfort and freedom of movement. Thanks to the use of Swing Tech, plus Elastane in the knit panels, the stretch properties are excellent. We were able to keep swinging freely and that’s a massive help in testing weather.

It’s a great looking jacket to boot with gradient quilted pattern and subtle collar. Overall, the Callaway Women’s Primaloft Quilted Jacket is ideal for cold, dry winter days on the fairways.

Callaway Ladies Primaloft Mixed Media Jacket

+ Stylish lines + Thermal properties - Not fully waterproof

This is one of the most stylish garments in the Callaway range and we think it’s one of the best-looking jackets on the market for Autumn Winter 2021. The contour quilting lines, contrast zip and colour options of Peacot and Cactus Flower combine to make this a standout garment.

It also delivers a range of performance technologies to help you play to your full potential this autumn and winter.

Primaloft offers exceptional thermal qualities thanks to its unique microfibre structure – It’s impressively warm but surprisingly lightweight. That combined with Callaway’s Swing Tech means freedom of movement is excellent in this versatile jacket.

It’s a great choice in colder, windier conditions and, although it’s not fully waterproof, it will provide good protection in a range of challenging weathers. As an extra bonus, the jacket has been produced using environmentally friendly processes.

Callaway Ladies Midweight Layering

+ Lightweight + Versatile styling - Not all will want a full-zip mid layer

In testing and changeable weathers, getting your layering right is key to achieving comfort on the golf course.

This midweight layering option from Callaway is a hugely versatile garment that can help keep you warm, under a waterproof or heavier jacket, or it can be worn as an outer layer if the temperature rises a little.

It’s a full-zip garment featuring Callaway Swing Tech for full range of motion. The high-knit collar and fleece back deliver warmth while the ribbed side panel and cuffs enhance the comfort.

We found this to be an extremely comfortable garment offering a snug fit and great thermal properties.

It’s ideal as a mid-layer as it’s sleek and not at all bulky. You can swing completely freely when wearing it.

With attractive lines and four colour options, the Callaway Ladies Midweight Layering offers a great blend of style, comfort and versatility.

Callaway Ladies Jacquard Floral ¼ Zip Pullover

+ Water resistant + Stylish fit and finish - Only two colour options

Mock necks are in right now and that’s what Callaway has opted for here with this great-looking pullover. It's fleece lined and water resistant to keep you protected from all but the absolute worst of the weather.

Available in Cactus Flower and Peacot, the subtle floral design on the front adds an extra degree of style to this garment. We think this is a great layering option as well as a stylish pullover to wear as an outer garment.

The use of Callaway Swing Tech means freedom of movement is excellent while the fleece lining delivers great thermal protection.

Produced using eco-friendly processes, it’s an impressive and versatile garment offering fitted comfort and multi-level performance.

Callaway's new apparel range is the most advanced yet, featuring new technologies in a range of weather-beating products for men and women.

Callaway Launches Tech-Driven Autumn Winter 2021 Collection

When it comes to winter golf, preparation is key - your wardrobe needs to be fit for purpose. 

As we approach the final throes of the 2021 season, the likelihood of facing wind, rain and suboptimal temperatures goes up. So, for those who like to enjoy golf all year round, it’s vital you have apparel designed to keep you warm and dry, while giving you the ability to swing with freedom.

That’s where Callaway’s new Autumn/Winter collection for 2021 comes in. With market-leading innovations to protect golfers from the harshest conditions and breathable layering options for men and women, this is Callaway’s most advanced apparel range yet. 

If that wasn’t reason enough to delve deeper, the majority of Callaway’s products have been manufactured using a minimum of 25 per cent recycled material, as the big-name brand continues to make strides towards a more sustainable future. 

Starting with the heavy hitters, the men’s StormGuard II Waterproof Jacket is one of the most versatile on the market. It does the essentials like keeping you dry and warm, but the real benefit comes from the in-built stretch and Swing Tech, which is less restrictive, allowing you to swing with confidence. 

Gone are the days when putting on a waterproof meant sacrificing performance, and this is evident immediately here. Not only that, but the StormGuard II has been constructed using 50 per cent recycled polyester. 

Moving onto the StormFleece Pro Jacket. This product has been designed in collaboration with SingTex, a new fabric technology that takes this fleece to another level. It’s supremely soft shell will keep wearers warm, while it also offers resistance to wind and rain too.

Put simply, it’s one of those garments that can easily become a go-to due to its suitability in just about any conditions you would expect to play golf in this off-season. 

Elsewhere, the Blocked Ottoman Fleece is another tremendous mid-layer option. It’s a stylish ¼ zip that will come into its own on those bitterly cold days, without being so bulky that it affects your game. Additionally, the Opti-dri technology makes it easy to shrug off the effects of a quick shower and carry on unaffected. 

It comes in four colourways - Dark Moody Heather (pictured above), Bright White, Quiet Shade and True Red - with the Callaway Tour logo on the arm and sleeve adding the perfect finishing touches.

Swing Tech features again in the Heather ¼ Zip Windjacket, which is also available in four distinctive colourways. It’s built to do as the name suggests, but its uses don't end there. It is also water repellent, so golfers will enjoy a degree of protection should they find themselves caught in a mild downpour.

Additionally, it offers a great fit with its adjustable cuffs and is really lightweight, allowing for great levels of stretch. 

Onto the women’s range and Callaway has again pulled out all the stops, starting with the fully insulated Women’s Primaloft Quilted Jacket. It isn’t waterproof but does feature unbeatable thermal insulation thanks to the Primaloft technology. 

This unique microfibre structure has been specially treated to create optimal physical and thermal conditions, meaning it will keep wearers protected from the coldest of conditions. It comes in two colours - Caviar (above) and Peacoat - and features an eye-catching quilted design that doesn't restrict movement. 

Another product in the Primaloft family is the Mixed Media Jacket. The front and back panels of this stylish outerwear option are insulated and feature contour quilted lines and engineered seams for excellent range of motion. 

The two colours - Peacoat (above) and Flower - should offer enough variety for most looking to add this to their winter wardrobe. 

Having the ability to layer effectively is also covered thanks to this full-zip midweight and multipurpose top, which comes in Blue Tattoo (above), Dark Moody, Caviar and Cactus Flower. It has a high collar to lock in heat as well as a fleece back for added comfort and warmth when things get chilly.

Finally, the Jacquard Floral ¼ Zip Pullover is another versatile product in the extensive women’s range this year. Mock necks continue to make a comeback and that’s what Callaway has opted for here, while it is also fleece lined and water resistant to keep golfers protected from all but the absolute worst of the weather. 

In two colour options, the subtle floral design on the front adds an extra splash of style to this piece.

Like the men’s line-up, this just scratches the surface of what Callaway has to offer as we approach the off-season, so it’s well worth taking a tour of the entire catalogue to make sure you get the outfit that looks the part and performs when you need it to.

The new outerwear range from FootJoy has been unveiled and it's FJ's most complete yet

FootJoy Launches New HydroSeries Outerwear Range 

FootJoy has unveiled its comprehensive new HydroSeries outerwear range for 2021.

Winter is coming, so as we reluctantly wave goodbye to summer, golfers with a glutton for punishment will turn attention to the off-season wardrobe and its suitability in coping with the accompanying demands.

Featuring DryJoys Waterproof Technology built to withstand even the harshest conditions, FootJoy’s latest line offers something for everyone, whether you prefer an ultra-lightweight jacket or one that comes with all the bells and whistles for maximum performance. 

If you’re in the latter camp then look no further than the all-new HydroTour (RRP £225).

RELATED: FootJoy HydroTour Jacket Review

FJ’s proprietary DrySeal Technology, as well as the innovative double collar system which keeps rain out via a cinch cord on the inner layer and clever drainage holes on the outer layer, makes this 2021’s ultimate storm-beater. 

And not only does the HydroTour protect, but it also stretches, allowing for plenty of unrestricted movement for the fast swingers out there. The multi-directional fabric affords golfers a luxury feel, which is complemented by the three-panel construction and fewer seams. 

RELATED: Best Golf Waterproofs

Coming in two colourways - black with charcoal and lime, and navy with black and bright red - we'll be surprised if this isn't an immediate hit with golfers.

Next in the men’s line-up is, as the name suggests, the supremely lightweight HydroLite jacket. This middle-of-the-range option is fully waterproof, with added breathability and stretch the big selling points at an RRP of £170.

It won’t keep you as warm on those bitterly cold days but is perfect for when the weather is annoyingly changeable. For the fashionistas, it is available in five striking colourways, including the eye-catching black and navy editions that each come complete with a tonal marble effect print on the chest.

The final men’s garment is the updated HydroKnit. The previous version was immensely popular as it doubled up as one of the best golf wind jackets, so the 2021 edition has plenty to live up to. 

A new construction means this versatile jacket is 30 per cent lighter than before, making it feel more like a midlayer than a fully fledged waterproof. 

Unlike the others, it’s a half zip and FootJoy has added hand pockets for the 2021 version. 

The HydroKnit has an RRP of £150 and comes in three colourways: black and grey with lime; navy and denim; and charcoal with bright red and white.

All three come with accompanying waterproof bottoms suitable for wearing on their own, or the HydroTour (£170) and HydroLite (£120) also work as an over trouser. 

In the women’s range, the popular HLV2 has been given an update and offers full protection from the elements in a lightweight package. 

With its adjustable cuffs and 2.5-layer construction, it provides golfers with total freedom to swing with confidence.

At £160 and available in three different colours - black with silver, navy with silver, and heather grey with white - we think it’s an absolute steal.

The women’s line-up is completed by the full-zip HydroKnit, which can be yours in grey or navy and has an RRP of £200.

For that, golfers will enjoy premium performance, including a lightweight and breathable construction for midlayer comfort and complete outerwear protection year round. 

Additionally, the fit can be tailored to the wearer thanks to the interior waist cinch cord for adjustability as well as front and back princess seams for a flattering look and feel.

Like the men’s range, both products come with a three-year warranty, while accompanying HLV2 waterproof trousers are available in two colours: black and navy.

The new 2021 TaylorMade P790 iron revealed promises better feel and forgiveness than its predecessor thanks to a complete redesign of the clubhead

2021 TaylorMade P790 Iron Revealed

TaylorMade has unveiled the third generation of the popular P790 iron, a model that redefined the players distance iron category when it originally launched four years ago.

A big design change is the introduction of a SpeedFoam Air material inside the forged hollow body, a urethane foam that is 69 per cent less dense than the prior generation SpeedFoam. This accounts for an average of 3.5g in weight savings per iron that allows for a substantial redistribution of mass to lower CG placement and improved launch properties.

It also unlocked access a 1.5mm forged 4140 steel L-Face - the thinnest in P790 history - to promote added flexibility, fast ball speeds and distance while upholding a premium forged feel.

Based on charted data from thousands of shots, the sweet spot has been strategically shaped and positioned centrally to capture more shots - TaylorMade say the high COR area has been expanded by 30 per cent.

• Read our full 2021 TaylorMade P790 Iron Review

Heavier tungsten weighting, up to 31g in an individual iron head, is positioned low to deliver forgiveness, assisted by the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket that provides increased face flexibility while preserving ball speed and distance on low face strikes.

"SpeedFoamAir is the heartbeat of the new P·790 irons. The development of this lightweight urethane material allowed us to strategically reconstruct the iron head to promote optimal launch conditions and a sweetspot that covers the most common strike points on the face," Matt Bovee, Product Creation, Irons, for TaylorMade told GM.

The new P790 iron for 2021 goes on sale September 3rd with an RRP of £1,149 for a seven-piece set with True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 steel shafts (95 in reg) or Mitsubishi Chemical MMT graphite shafts as standard.

There's also the option of the new 2021 TaylorMade P790 UDI utility iron (above, RRP £229). It is a forged driving iron designed with Tour-inspired shaping and incorporating the same thin-walled design and SpeedFoam Air as the P790 iron.

It features the same intelligent sweetspot as the P790 iron, promotes low spin with a piercing trajectory and comes in 2-iron (17°) only.

Building on the success of the MG2, the brand has now launched the next generation of Milled Grind wedges.

TaylorMade Unveils New Milled Grind 3 Wedges

TaylorMade is looking to continue the momentum of the Milled Grind 2 wedge with the launch of the new Milled Grind 3, featuring updated technologies and new aesthetics.

Once again the wedges will benefit from RAW face technology, which means the wedges have an un-plated surface material that rusts over time, as you can see below. This is to maintain consistently high spin generation in wet conditions.

In terms of new introductions to the face, TaylorMade has added Raised Micro-Ribs between the grooves to aid spin and precision around the greens. This is because the abrasive surface further enhances the friction between the ball and the clubface.

The Milled Grind Sole process continues with each leading edge and sole grind being individually CNC milled for accuracy.

There are three bounce options to mention too; low standard and high.

The new low bounce sole geometry promotes a smoother entry and exit of the club through the turf, the standard is geared towards playability and forgiveness, and finally the high bounce option is designed to help players with a steep attack angle or those who play in softer conditions.

The TaylorMade engineers also made a special effort to improve the sound and launch of the new wedges too. This takes the form of the Thick-Thin design of the MG3, in which mass has been placed to optimise the CG location which encourages lower launch and increased spin. The player testing revealed this also helped with sound and feel too.

The final bit of technology to mention are the progressive hosel lengths which allow for optimal CG location and promotes a seamless transition from iron sets into wedges.

They come equipped with True Temper Tour Issue S200 shafts and Lamkin Crossline 360 grips. The wedges will be available at retail on Friday, September 3rd, at an RRP of £149.

There will also be a TW grind model which will be available in January 2022. The MG2 version proved to be very popular, with Rory McIlroy putting it into play and the new MG3 version will also be inspired by Tiger's grind.

Srixon has introduced the tenth generation of its AD333 to the market for 2021 with a raft of changes said to improve feel and performance

Srixon Launches 2021 AD333 Golf Ball 

Srixon has announced the tenth generation of its AD333 golf ball for 2021, a generation that aims to add even more improvements to the popular golf ball model.

The latest AD333 golf ball shares much of the same technology found in the tour-validated Z-Star series - one of the best Srixon balls -  but it's packaged into a two-piece ionomer construction that provides value and performance to a wide range of golfers.

Srixon claims the next generation AD333 will bring golfers more distance and forgiveness than previous generations by dropping the compression of the ball slightly as well as adding a new FastLayer Core.

Related: Best Mid-Price Golf Balls

By dropping the compression from 77 to 72 on the new ball, the new AD333 promotes more deformation of the ball at impact for players with moderate swing speeds.

Related: Best Golf Balls 

In plain English, this should mean a straighter and longer ball flight. The new compression also makes for a softer feel than the previous AD333 with prolonged contact between the ball and clubface also providing more control with short irons and wedges.

The new FastLayer Core - which also features in Srixon's Z-Star family - provides distance and ball speed on the longer irons and woods with the soft centre of the ball becoming progressively firmer around its outer edge.

While the FastLayer Core generates lower spin on impact, the unique 338 Speed Dimple Patterns takes over to reduce drag for a more penetrating ball flight.

These two technologies working in tandem to aid a distance improvement versus the 2019 Srixon AD333 ball.

Finally, the tenth generation AD333 also features Srixon's new Spin Skin with Slide-Ring Material (SeRM), which should offer golfers a little more spin around the green.

Spin Skin with SeRM digs deep into the grooves of wedge and iron grooves to increase friction and maximise spin for more stopping power.

It's a multitude of evolutions for a golf ball now into its tenth iteration, but the new AD333 promises to build on the strong reputation it has with amateur golfers with a moderate swing speed looking for a less-expensive option in their bag that performs from tee to green.

The new Srixon AD333 golf ball will be available from September 10th in Pure White or Tour Yellow with a RRP of £27 per dozen.

The new wedge will replace the PM Grind wedge and will appeal to a wider range of golfers while being Callaway's most technically advanced and versatile wedge to date.

Callaway Launches New Jaws Full Toe Wedge

Callaway has announced the launch of the new Jaws Full Toe wedge, the most technically advanced and versatile Callaway wedge to date.

It follows the launch of the Jaws Mack Daddy 5 in 2019 and has already gone in the bag of tour staff player Jon Rahm.

Brought in to replace the PM Grind wedge, the Jaws Full Toe is designed to give golfers control on all types of wedge shots - from chips, pitches, flops, bunker shots, and full shots into the green.

The Jaws Full Toe combines four distinct technologies that create as much spin as possible - read our full review here. 

Callaway's Jaws grooves have been extended all the way across the face to provide spin anywhere that the golfer makes contact.

Related: Best Golf Wedges

Callaway has also added a raw face for the first time in a wedge and, coupled with offset groove-in-groove technology, the wedges are said to give golfers the spin and control needed to approach any shot with confidence.

Aside from spin, the Jaws Full Toe wedge also offers greenside versatility.

The Full Toe shape and a specialised C-Grind is said to make bunker shots, high flop shots, and short pitches and chips easier to hit from a multitude of lies around the course.

The Jaws Toe Pad pushes the CG higher, creating a lower, more controlled trajectory ideal for improved control on full wedge shots.

Callaway's new Variable Weight Port System moves the CG away from the hosel for solid contact and enhanced feel.

The Jaws Full Toe wedge comes with a premium Lamkin UTX grip and True Temper’s newest Dynamic Gold Spinner shaft in steel as standard, or a Project X Catalyst wedge shaft in graphite, and is available in two finishes, Raw Face Chrome and Raw Black.

The Jaws Full Toe wedge will be available from September 9th from 54° to 64° in both right and left handed with an RRP of £159.

The three new rangefinders feature technology aimed at offering a calm and steady view of the course using Nikon's high-end optics.

Nikon Launches Three New Rangefinders

Nikon has announced the launch of three new rangefinders that feature new, innovative technology that provides a calm and steady view of the course designed for golfers to take their game to the next level.

The three new laser rangefinders: the Coolshot Pro II Stabilized (RRP £499); the Coolshot Lite Stabalized (RRP £429) and the Coolshot 50i (RRP £359) use Nikon's high-end optics to provide golfers with a steady and accurate view of the course in front of them.

The Coolshot Pro II Stabilized is Nikon's most advanced rangefinder to date and can measure up to 500 yards while steadying your view and the laser, counteracting hand shake and environmental factors such as wind to ensure you get a clear and accurate view of the course.

Review: Nikon Coolshot Pro Shot II Stabilized 

Its Dual Locked On Echo technology notifies you that the distance to the flagstick has been measured and helps you target the pin accurately, giving you a visual and audible cue when locked on.

Related: Best Golf Laser Rangefinders

The Coolshot Pro II Stabilized is lightweight and waterproof and also employs four distance measurements which includes slope  - ideal for gaining accurate yardages for uphill and downhill shots - which can be easily turned on and off to comply with tournament regulations.

The Coolshot Lite Stabilized, which can also measure up to 500 yards, is 10g lighter than the Pro II and feature two distance measurements - slope and actual distance - while also using stabilizing technology which reduces vibration caused by slight hand movements by 80% - ensuring a clear and accurate view of the terrain.

Finally, the Coolshot 50i, which can measure up to 400 yards, is Nikon's first rangefinder with a built-in mounting magnet, allowing it to easily secure itself to a golf bag or golf cart.

Its Dual Locked On Quake function informs you that the distance to the flagstick has been measured with a visual cue and a brief vibration.

Much like the Coolshot Lite, the 50i features two measurement modes - slope adjusted and actual distance - whilst also being rainproof.

All three new Nikon rangefinders will be available from retailers from August 17.

The Titleist U505 Utility iron revealed today replaces the U500 and U505 and is joined by the T200 long iron in the category for 2021

Titleist U505 Utility Iron Revealed

For golfers seeking an alternative the TSi2 and TSi3 hybrids, Titleist has introduced the new U505 model in four loft options to replace the U500 and U510 models.

It is said to improving upon these prior models by featuring the evolved Max Impact 2.0 technology that features on the new T200 and T300 irons, as well as new denser D18 tungsten weights that deliver improved sound and feel with forgiveness and versatility.

Compared with the new T200, which has become the more compact utility iron option for the better player, the U505 is a wide-soled, high-launching utility club designed for the player who is looking to increase launch and speed from their long irons.

It possesses the faster face ever put on a Titleist utility iron thanks to a thinner forged L-Face and reconfigured hollow body with a core support structure and an enhanced high resilience polymer core.

RELATED: Titleist U505 Utility Iron Review

These design features are assisted by denser D18 tungsten weights and a brazing process used in aerospace construction that concentrates weight more efficiently and be even more precise with CG placement. In the U505 utility iron, that meant sliding it lower and towards the heel, where tour pros and better players felt it improved launch dynamics the most.

Based on U510 player input, the U505 was designed with a shorter blade length and shallower face but kept the wide sole to maintain all of the performance advantages while moving towards a look that feels more in line with an irons set.

“The new U505 is the direct result of tour player feedback of the original U500 and U510 utility irons,” said Josh Talge, Vice President, Titleist Golf Club Marketing.

“It combines the best of both and the result is our highest performing and most playable utility iron yet. The new T200 long irons offer similar high launch and speed with the look and feel of an iron set at the top of the bag.”

It comes in lofts 16°, 18°, 20° and 22° with an RRP of £239. A Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX HYB shaft as standard but with premium shafts from Graphite Design available with a £100 upcharge.

The new 2021 Titleist T-Series Irons unveiled today are packed full of new technology to assist varying abilities of golfer in hitting more consistent and accurate iron shots

2021 Titleist T-Series Irons Unveiled

Titleist has updated four models within its impressive T-Series of irons - the T100, T100s, T200 and T300 - with new features to enhance the appeal for varying abilities of golfer, ranging from tour pro to the mid-to-high handicapper.

The new T100 continues as the modern tour iron, aimed at the better player seeking feel, precision and workability. A key change in the design comes from the use of denser tungsten weights in the heel and toe of the 3-7-irons (80g on average per club) helped by a new brazing process that eliminates weld points to be even more precise with CG placement.

RELATED: 2021 Titleist T100 Iron Review

This optimises launch while increasing forgiveness and improving feel. The 8-PW are one-piece forgings from soft 1025 carbon steel for the ultimate in feel.

Titleist also worked with the Vokey wedge team to refine the sole shape, developing a variable bounce design with less bounce in the heel and more bounce in the toe, that gets the club exiting the ground quicker for a better ball striking experience.

Like the prior model, the T100s continues to provide feel and precision but with extra distance thanks to two degrees stronger lofts but with the same turf interaction and versatility golfers expect from a tour-shaped head.

It shares many of the same design features as the T100, including the heavier tungsten weights, but also boasts a Muscle Channel in the longer irons that increases ball speed and launch while preserving control and stopping power.

RELATED: 2021 Titleist T100s Iron Review

For golfers that want to look down on something a little larger, the T200 is the next step up in terms of distance and forgiveness. It represents the biggest shift within the T-Series family with 10 different patents utilized, testament to the technology packed into the head.

The next generation Max Impact 2.0 feature now includes a core support design and an enhanced high resilience polymer core that improves both off-centre speed and mass efficiency at impact across a forged, high COR SUP-10 L-Face Insert.

The cavity of the iron is now enclosed with a muscle plate said to contribute to tuning the sound and feel of the iron while also saving weight in the new streamlined chassis.

RELATED: 2021 Titleist T200 Iron Review

A shorter blade length, less offset (same as T100), narrower topline and thinner sole, provides a tour-inspired look and feel while delivering maximum speed and distance, helped once again by the denser tungsten weights in the 3-7 irons.

The T200 also comes in lower lofts (17°, 20° and 22°) with the same technology to double as a compact utility iron option for the better player.

Finally, we have the new T300, billed as the ultimate game improvement iron. Updated Max Impact 2.0, comprising a Cantilever Core Support Structure features a new high resilience polymer core, is joined by a new variable face thickness (VFT) design that is thinner in the heel maximises speed across it for distance.

Use of 40 percent more tungsten improves CG placement for optimal launch, spin and high MOI. There’s also size a new chrome plated finish provides a premium look.

RELATED: 2021 Titleist T300 Iron Review

“The new T-Series irons represent another step forward in Titleist iron design and technology,” said Josh Talge, Vice President, Titleist Golf Club Marketing.

“With these new irons, across the board, every detail matters. They provide the best precision and performance in their respective iron category with stunning aesthetics and feel. Golfers don’t buy an iron ‘line’, they want specialisation, and that’s what each of these models offer.”

The Titleist T-Series irons are available for fittings now and go on general sale from August 26th with the following RRPs: T100, T100s and T200 £164 per club in steel, £178 in graphite; T300 £129 per club in steel, £142 in graphite.

The Champions Choice putters are inspired by the putters Scotty Cameron has made for Major winners and champions across the worldwide professional tours.

Titleist Introduces New Scotty Cameron Champions Choice Putters

Titleist has today introduced the new Scotty Cameron Champions Choice putter line up with three new, limited run and re-imagined Button Back designs.

Inspired by the putters he has made for Major winners and champions on the worldwide professional tours, Scotty Cameron has re-imagined one of his most iconic designs to create three new models called Champions Choice.

Crafted in a limited run, the new putters bring tour-proven shapes of the Special Select family of putters together with an integrated Teryllium insert and Scotty Cameron's revered 'Button Back' setup.

Available in select Titleist authorised retailers from August 6th, the new Champions Choice putters will be offered in three models: Newport Button Back, Newport 2 Button back and Flowback 5.5 Button Back.

Each putter features a solid milled 303 stainless steel body with a soft Teryllium inlay fused together with the iconic button head machine screws and modern vibration dampening technology.

The three Champions Choice models present golfers with two blade options with plumbing necks and a compact mid-mallet with a slantback neck in 33", 34" and 35" lengths.

The Champions Choice Newport Button Back pays homage to the spirit of the original design, but with numerous refinements.

Based on the current Special Select Newport head shape, this Button Back also includes a silver misted stainless steel finish, flat topline and performance balance tungsten wights in conjunction with the Teryllium insert.

Related: Best Blade Putters

The Champions Choice Newport 2 Button Back incorporates decades of design refinements, and brings together the soft feel of the Teryllium alloy inlay with the updated shape and performance of a modern Newport 2 - milled from 303 stainless steel with customisable sole weights and player-preferred narrower topline.

Finally, the Champions Choice Flowback 5.5 Button Back has a class rounded profile and a slantback neck inspired by the prototype putters made for players on the worldwide professional golf tours.

Related: Best Scotty Cameron Putters

Designed and angled back towards the heel, the neck offers enhanced toe flow and nearly one shaft of offset for a curvy mid-mallet that employs both the Teryllium inlay and the weight saving inclusion of a 6061 aircraft grade aluminium sole plate.

Each new Champions Choice putter features heel-toe weighting, stepless steel shafts and come with a matching speciality Button Back Limited headcover in the line's red, white and blue colour scheme.

Each putter also comes with a grey Pistolini Plus grip with black lettering.

The new Scotty Cameron Champions Choice putter models will be available in select Titleist authorised retailers worldwide from August 6, 2021 with a SRP of £599.

The leading golf apparel brand has launched Part Two of its award-winning GameDay range.

Galvin Green Launches Second Instalment Of GameDay Collection

Leading golf apparel brand Galvin Green has built on its award-winning ‘GameDay’ Part One range with the introduction of a 2021 Part Two collection.

Part Two of the collection is inspired by the uncompromising precision of computer-generated technologies, matched with long-lasting garments that offer exceptional performance in all weather conditions. 

Designed for golfers by golfers, the collection includes a host of new products for men, women and juniors and includes an array of Insula sweaters made 100% from recycled plastic bottles.

Adopting a scientific approach to the latest styling, Galvin Green designers magnified pixels in complex technical patterns to produce complete creations that merge precise elements into pure performance.

They also took the opportunity to create a new Golf Green colour tone that features throughout the collection, highlighting the brand's exclusive focus on golf and its commitment to a ‘Greener’ future. 

Around 70% of the collection is now produced using environmental Bluesign approved fabric or certified by Oeko-Tex 100 to cover thread and buttons as well as fabric.

Labels and packaging also come in eco-friendly formats.

Related: Galvin Green Introduces New Limited Edition Links Collection

New to the wide range of men’s Gore-Tex waterproofs is the Abe jacket.

Constructed from Bluesign approved fabric, the jacket is 100% waterproof and windproof, while remaining extremely breathable. 

In the popular Gore-Tex Paclite style, the lightweight Apollo full-zip jacket now comes in Golf Green among seven colour choices.

In the men’s versatile Interface-1 range, the fully windproof hybrid Lucas jacket with a water repellent finish now comes in five colour options, including Golf Green. 

An addition to the Insula sweater eco-generation range, the Damian offers additional padding on the shoulders and back for extra warmth made from 100% recyclable polyester from Thermore. The sweater is extremely breathable, while maintaining a warming effect #3 - the highest level of warmth in the category. 

Headlining the vibrant Ventil8 Plus shirt range, the Mac, Maddox and Marshall styles showcase the inspiration behind the range, with innovative pixel designs in bright and bold colours.

The shirts provide UV 20+ protection and come in a Quickdry stretch fabric for improved comfort. Other new styles are the Marco and Morton.

Related: Best Golf Waterproofs 

A new Ethan vest with a pixel print has been added to the Skinthight thermal base layer range.

New to the women's Gore-Tex range, the Anya lined jacket is made from Bluesign approved fabric.

The extremely lightweight and windproof jacket is treated with environmentally friendly water repellency and is 100% waterproof. It features two front pockets, one inside chest pocket, plus a two-way zipper and adjustable cuffs for greater comfort.

An expanded Interface-1 range of windproof and water-repellent jackets and bodywarmers includes a super-soft, extremely breathable Leslie jacket, with shaped sleeves for easy movement and a level #2 warming effect. 

The attractive Dolly sweater joins the Insula range, offering style and comfort in equal measure, thanks to the super-soft and stretchy quick dry fabric that allows complete freedom of movement, while remaining both warm and breathable. 

Additions to the Ventil8 Plus shirt range include the stylish Maia that offers golfers UV 20+ protection.

Related: Best Golf Polo Shirts

The new Petra shorts round out the collection, providing female golfers with an alternative to the popular skirt, skort and trouser ranges.

The comprehensive selection of accessories includes more caps, belts and unisex visors, plus the ever-popular functional rain hats and snoods.

An expanded junior collection features the new Reine windproof jacket and a trendy Interface-1 hoodie Robbie.

All the items in the extensive Part Two range of the GameDay collection are available from today from the Galvin Green website.

Three golfers that normally carry their bag, use a push trolley or conventional electric trolley experience the Stewart Golf Q Follow for the first time and share their on-course experiences

Designed, engineered and hand-built in Great Britain, the Q Follow boasts the brand’s seventh generation Follow technology, which allows the trolley to automatically follow the golfer around the course to enhance the enjoyment of the game during a round. 

Whether used as a remote-control trolley, or with the innovative Follow function, the Q Follow is said to give golfers the ultimate freedom out on the course.

But to put this theory to the test, we gave the Q Follow to three ordinary golfers who either carry their bag, use a push trolley or use a conventional electric trolley to try it out for a round at the stunning West Hill Golf Club for the very first time and see if it delivers an elevated playing experience. 

After a brief demonstration, it was time for our three testers to tee off with the weather set fair and spirits high.

Dan Griffin (hcp 8) normally uses a carry bag at his home course as it features a lot of heather and he finds the extra portability easier when taking his bag into the heavier rough and sometimes only advancing his ball 20 yards. 

The picturesque heathland course at West Hill provided a similar topography for Dan to deal with, and he found the Q Follow was more than up to the task when his ball found its way into the deep stuff. 

“The Follow mode is incredible, just so simple and ideal when you've hit a good drive and want a stress-free walk down the fairway where you can take in the surroundings or think about your next shot.”

“I found myself in the heather a few times today and I could leave the trolley in the light rough and use the Remote to guide it down to where my next shot was to change clubs.”

“I always carried because I thought it was the most efficient way to get around the golf course. But having the remote control and the Follow function gives me the perfect blend of everything.”

As a regular carrier of a bag, Dan could certainly feel the difference between using the Q Follow for 18 holes versus carrying a full bag of 14 clubs. 

“My shoulders feel better and I generally just feel a lot freer. My back feels great too as you don’t have to put your bag on your back after every shot. I feel fresher for sure.”

Our next tester James Earwicker (hcp 17) primarily uses a push trolley when he plays golf as he carries a lot of extra accessories in his bag that lead it to becoming heavy. 

His first experience with the Q Follow really opened up his eyes to the extent to which actually pushing a push trolley exerts a lot of energy. 

“What I’ve noticed with the Q Follow is it's taken a lot of effort out of pushing the trolley. It's versatile, easy to move and really easy to get used to the controls.” 

Stability was one thing James was most curious about when comparing the Q Follow to his push trolley.

“I was impressed with how stable it was across rough terrain,” James explained. “There’s lots of tree roots, gravel and uneven paths here and I’m surprised how well it's taken to the terrain - it never looked like tipping over once.” 

James’ peace of mind when using the Q Follow was thanks to its purpose-built chassis with a low centre of gravity that means uneven surfaces and any other natural humps and bumps expected on a golf course are confidently traversed.

The rear stabiliser, which incorporates two dual-ball bearing wheels, allows the Q Follow to go up steep inclines without the threat of tipping over backwards. This gave our testers the real freedom to walk the course with the confidence the trusty Q Follow was behind them at a safe distance. 

Our final tester, Dave Walters (hcp 9), has been using an electric trolley ever since a back injury curtailed his ability to carry. 

“It’s so different to my current electric trolley and I love how it totally takes my mind off my bag and clubs and I can just send it on its way from tee to green as I walk ahead of it.” 

“My first electric trolley had such limited functionality compared to the Q Follow and being able to test this has fully converted me. It's the future.” 

After a successful 18 holes at West Hill, all three of our testers seemed to have been won over by the Q Follow’s innovative and easy-to-use features. 

While all three of them arrived at West Hill Golf Club using different methods to transport their clubs, it seems they have all left convinced the Q Follow is the way forward.

Get your hands on your very own Stewart Golf Q Follow: UK Buy Now US Buy Now

By pushing the boundaries of design and innovation, the Stewart Golf Q Follow electric trolley is proving to be a huge hit among golfers around the world

Why The Q Follow Is Taking The Electric Trolley Market By Storm

Of all the technological advancements in the game over the last few years, nothing quite rivals the improvements witnessed in the electric trolley category. Stewart Golf has a track record of defying convention and in its Q Follow you have one of the most cutting-edge products on the market.

Stewart Golf’s all-new flagship model does exactly what the name suggests – it follows you as you play, allowing you to focus on your golf and enjoy unparalleled freedom on the course. In short, it gives you a pro-like experience. Such was the enjoyment we had when using it, a place in our Editors' Choice 2021 Awards was a worthy accolade, but what makes this electric trolley such a joy to use?

All of its unique functionality stems from a handset, which connects to the trolley via Bluetooth and has a 50-metre range. When this handset is in close proximity to the trolley, which is known as the Neutral zone, the trolley will stay stationary. Once you’ve hit your shot and you walk on, you step into the Active Zone and, if you’re in Follow mode, the trolley will follow behind.

Of course, there are times when golfers want to take more direct control of their trolley – it is, after all, a valuable piece of kit. In Remote mode, you can negotiate tight spots, such as bridges and car parks, with ease and confidence.

This functionality is really useful in other situations, too. For example, if you stray into the trees or long rough – as we all do over the course of a round – you can leave the trolley on the fairway, play your shot and use the remote to guide it up to your new position.

WATCH: Three Golfers Try The Q Follow For The First Time

No matter where you play and what terrain you encounter, it’s hard not to be impressed with how the trolley reacts, and when the Q Follow does track you down the fairway, it does so at your walking pace and at a safe distance, even when going down slopes. It doesn’t take long to get used to the handset and switching between the modes soon becomes second nature. In fact, in time, you’ll probably find yourself shaving time off your rounds given how simple it is to guide the trolley around the greens and ahead to the next tee.

Such impressive functionality should come as no surprise. The British brand, which is owned and run by engineers, is ahead of the game when it comes to innovation and golfers have taken to it, converting intrigue into sales. As well as almost doubling the number of staff at the company, they are also adding a further 3500sqft of floor space to allow the creation of dedicated Q, X and R Series production lines as well as a second electronics assembly area to keep up with increased demand.

One of the most impressive design features is the retractable stabiliser, which automatically deploys as the trolley is unfolded. Equipped with two dual-bearing, free rolling wheels and with supreme natural balance, you can always be confident that all your golf gear is safe and secure.

With this guaranteed peace of mind, you’re able to focus on what matters most – your golf. Whether you’re having a chat with your friends, marking your scorecard or taking in the surroundings, there really is no need to worry about where your cart and bag is – and who knows how much better you might play with that unwanted distraction?

Stewart Golf’s hand built trolleys aren’t just popular around the world because of their unique design and functionality. Boosting the Q Follow’s appeal further still are the looks. Its microcellular composite material, which helps make the frame design stiffer and stronger for greater stability, also gives the trolley a marble effect. Along with the carbon fibre effect wheel arches, it looks like a machine sent back from the future.

“The Q Series was four years in development and all of our electric trolleys have been designed with performance and stability as express priorities, which differs from most other remote machines on the market that are derived from ‘single motor’ versions, Mark Stewart, CEO of Stewart Golf, explains. “If you’re 50m away from the trolley you need to be confident that it’s as stable as possible.”

“The Q Follow frees you up from being permanently attached to your trolley. This allows you to walk freely and focus on your next shot - better for your back, your game and your whole golfing experience.”

Never mind the latest driver or eye-catching set of bladed irons, nothing will make you the envy of your weekend fourball quite like the Stewart Golf Q Follow. It’s fun to use and there really is nothing else like it on the market.

Get your hands on your very own Stewart Golf Q Follow: UK Buy Now US Buy Now

Jon Rahm and Callaway have created a formidable partnership on Tour that has seen the Spaniard break his Major duck and become a top ten regular on Tour.

How Jon Rahm And Callaway Became The Most Formidable Partnership On Tour

Jon Rahm’s maiden Major victory at the US Open last month was a momentous occasion for a player who had been waiting a number of years to break his Major duck.

It was also a big win for Rahm’s club manufacturer, Callaway, who celebrated its second Major victory of the year after Phil Mickelson’s triumph at the PGA Championship in May.

Rahm signed with Callaway in January this year, and quickly cited the reason for the switch was “to win Majors”.

Less than a year in, he is a Major champion and the Spaniard has clearly struck up quite the partnership with Callaway.

Since making the switch, Rahm has needed little to no time to adjust. Alongside his epic Major victory at Torrey Pines, he currently has a mammoth eleven top 10 finishes on Tour, three more than his nearest rival Jordan Spieth.

Speaking after his US Open victory, Rahm was quick to thank the team at Callaway for helping him achieve his major goal.

“For all those people that might have doubted the manufacturer change, there’s a reason why I believed I could get better. The new ball and the new irons allow me to hit certain shots I simply wasn’t capable of doing before.

“I need to say a huge thank you to the team at Callaway. I’ve been a real headache for them because I’ve asked them to build so many putters for me to find the one I needed, but I’m pretty sure I’ve found the one now.”

The team at Callaway has worked incredibly hard alongside Rahm to find him the right putter that would ultimately secure him a maiden Major title.

The hard work paid off, and Rahm made two clutch birdie putts on the 17th and 18th holes at Torrey Pines that ultimately won him the championship.

The Odyssey White Hot OG Rossie S putter he used at the US Open is a one-of-a-kind custom made by Callaway at the Ely Callaway Performance Centre, just weeks before the tournament started.

It was first in Rahm’s bag during The Memorial tournament the week before after he had been using the Odyssey Ten 2-Ball as his gamer for most of the year.

Despite statistical success on the greens all season, Rahm and Callaway wanted to leave no stone unturned in his venture to turn top 10 finishes into Major wins.

Related: Best Callaway Spring Summer 2021 Apparel

Rahm’s custom Rossie has no sightline on the back - at his request - as he doesn’t respond well to anything linear on the putter head that tends to disrupt his visuals.

His putter also has Odyssey’s Micro Hinge Star insert that gives him a crisper feel while coming off the face hotter than the normal insert found on the White Hot OG range of putters, allowing him to maintain pace on his putts.

As well as his newly beloved gamer, Rahm’s love affair with the Callaway Chrome Soft X ball is another reason why his switch to Callaway has been so successful, so quickly.

As well as giving him immense ball speeds, it also gives him superior control from 150 yards and in.

Speaking about an 8 iron he hit during the final round at the US Open, the Spaniard was clearly enamoured with the performance of his new Callaway ball.

“Being able to hit a shot high with spin but still hit it through the wind and land it short of the pin is what allowed me to stay aggressive all round.”

Rahm’s ability to control his golf ball around the green while still being able to power it through the wind is thanks to the Chrome Soft X’s thinner cover and new mantle system.

Related: Jon Rahm What's In The Bag?

The mantle system on the ball combines a softer inner mantle with a firmer outer mantle. The firmer mantle works with the thinner cover to promote increased greenside spin while the large SoftFast core promotes faster ball speeds.

Rahm is incredibly tuned in to his equipment choices and his new irons give him the same amount of control and precision the Chrome Soft X has.

The Callaway Apex TCB iron is the perfect package for Rahm, with a combination of lofts, bounce and blade lengths preferred by Tour pros.

Finally, at the top end of his bag, Rahm’s switch to Callaway’s Epic Speed family of driver and fairway woods has made him even more prolific off the tee.

He uses the Callaway Epic Speed Triple Diamond driver at 10.5 degrees with a Aldila Tour Green 75 TX shaft, a set up which has propelled him to second on Tour in strokes gained off the tee.

Callaway continues to be pioneers when it comes to using Artificial Intelligence in designing and crafting golf clubs, and the Epic Speed range of woods is no different.

Callaway redesigned its Jailbreak Speed Frame using A.I. and the new structure has enhanced horizontal and torsional stability to increase ball speeds across the face.

The A.I designed Flash Face in the Epic Speed drivers is then specifically engineered to optimise the Jailbreak Speed Frame, promoting fast speeds across a more expansive area.

The use of artificial intelligence in the Epic Speed drivers means they suit a wide range of players, Tour pros or otherwise.

Alongside the team at Callaway, Jon Rahm used his intuition for equipment - and plenty of testing - to match the technologically advanced head with the right shaft, loft and weights to provide ultimate performance for his swing.

Standing on the 18th green at Torrey Pines with the US Open Championship Trophy held in his arms, Rahm proudly told the media, “There’s a reason why I believed I could get better.”

Just six months into his time with Callaway, Jon Rahm has exceeded all expectations from a manufacturer shift by capturing his maiden Major title and dominating the PGA Tour week in, week out.

The reason he knew he could get better? Equipment, of course. The driver, fairway woods, irons, putter and golf ball Callaway has put into the hands of Jon Rahm have had an immediate impact on his game and the incremental gains he has made have translated into the best golf of his career to date.

With The Open, Olympics and Ryder Cup still to come this season, who knows how far Rahm’s love affair with Callaway will take him in 2021 and beyond.

The collaboration sees the latest limited edition Premiere Series Black Watch Packard shoes come to the market ahead of the Scottish Open.

FootJoy Unveils Harris Tweed Collaboration Ahead Of The Open

FootJoy has today announced a collaboration with iconic brand Harris Tweed and has launched the limited edition Premiere Series Black Watch Packard shoes ahead of the Scottish Open and Open Championship later this month.

Launching ahead of the Scottish Open at Renaissance Club this week, the shoes complement the theme of links golf and will be sent to FootJoy ambassadors to wear at both the Scottish Open and The Open Championship at Royal St. George's the following week.

The Black Watch cloth, from the Harris Tweed Hebrides Heritage Collection, has been chosen to feature on this limited edition Premiere Series Packard shoe.

The Packard shoe was inspired by Frederick Packard, FootJoy's founder and shoe pioneer who drove the adoption of many modern manufacturing and design innovations still employed today.

Related: Best Spiked Golf Shoes

While timeless in design, the Packard is infused with performance innovation, led by the all-new VersaTrax+ outsole which utilises multiple TPU compounds to grip any surface - a harder TPU for on-course grip and a softer TPU for traction on harder surfaces.

The Packard also features an Ortholite EcoPlush FitBed with perimeter stability in the heel as well as a super-soft underfoot cushioning.

Each shoe features its own unique piece of Harris Tweed Black Watch cloth on the saddle with each pair having its own blend of the blue, black and green wool used.

Each pair also comes with its own unique shoe bag made from the same Harris Tweed cloth.

Related: Most Comfortable Golf Shoes 

Governed by The Harris Tweed Act, the fabric must be hand woven in the homes of the residents the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, to be able to use the Harris Tweed name and logo.

Harris Tweed cloth has been produced on the islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra for generations and the wool is dyed before being spun to allow a multitude of colours to be blended into the yarn.

Speaking on the collaboration, Chris Tobias, FootJoy Vice President of Global Footwear, said, “It’s an honour to have the opportunity to work with such an iconic brand. Harris Tweed was the original uniform of choice in the Outer Hebrides, an early innovation statement for golfers performing in challenging elements.”

“The luxurious hand-woven wool is a strong complement to our modern classic footwear, both fuelled by authenticity, style, and performance.”

The FootJoy Premie Series Black Watch Packard shoes are available on the FootJoy website from July 8th with a RRP of £199.99

The TaylorMade 300 Series Mini Driver revealed today promises a blend of distance and control off the tee and fairway

TaylorMade 300 Series Mini Driver Revealed

The 300 Series was first released in 2000 in the form of a family of 300cc drivers sought after by players at every level.

In homage, TaylorMade has today announced the all-new 300 Mini Driver with design cues and aesthetics that create immediate nostalgia for golfers who recall the originals.

The 307cc head delivers a blend of distance, forgiveness, and control, relying on advanced multi-material construction to provide the optimal combination of low-CG performance and high MOI forgiveness for power and playability off the deck.

RELATED: Best TaylorMade Drivers

Off the tee, 300 Mini Driver obtains the optimal properties of high launch with low spin thanks to its low CG and mass that is distributed across the sole from front to back. What it lacks in stature, it makes up for in speed using the combination of a high-strength titanium face and Thru-Slot Speed Pocket to deliver ball speed.

The corrective performance of Twist Face adds another level of playability, while a reinvented V-Steel soleplate adds to the low CG properties and promotes improved turf interaction and versatility when played off the deck.

A prototype model of the 300 Mini Driver appeared on Tour last month during the US Open and some TaylorMade players, including Dustin Johnson, are currently testing the design for potential play at this year’s Open Championship.

“It’s been 20 years since we last made a metalwood this size. It was only natural to call it the 300 Mini Driver to acknowledge what the 300 Series meant to our brand and the game,” Tomo Bystedt, Product Creation, Metalwoods & Irons, told GM.

“We blended the throwback look with modern carbon, titanium and steel construction to produce a club the speaks to TaylorMade loyalists while delivering distance from the tee and the fairway.”

The 300 Mini Driver will be available at retail on 15th July, 2021. It has an RRP of of £369 and will be offered in lofts of 11.5° and 13.5°. The Mitsubishi MiDr ProtoTM is the stock shaft fitted with Golf Pride’s Z-Grip (47g).

Check out our guide to Callaway's 2021 Spring/Summer apparel and float the fairways in style this year

Best Callaway 2021 Spring Summer Apparel

While most will have heard of the AI-inspired technology incorporated into Callaway’s range of clubs, you might not be aware that the brand adopts a similar approach in designing its apparel.

Featuring innovative and performance-driven products that are made with sustainable fabrics thanks to Callaway’s commitment to use a minimum of 30 per cent recycled polyester in its tops and 25 per cent in its bottoms, the 2021 Spring/Summer collection is not to be missed.

The big-name brand has raised its game this year with its Swing Tech fabric delivering unparalleled levels of stretch and freedom, while the design philosophy takes inspiration from floral prints, micro-conversational patterns and the classic Chev trademark. 

Not only is there a wide range of styles available for men and women, also included is Callaway X - the signature European slim-fit line, perfect for the modern man looking to make a statement both on and off the course. 

All this combines into a brilliantly versatile collection that will appeal to all golfers in one way or another.

So, without further delay, let’s take a tour of each product’s finer details.

Best Callaway 2021 Spring Summer Apparel

Men’s Collection

As the name suggests, this Callaway polo features a floral design, drawing inspiration from the trend for larger-scale prints. We really like this philosophy and think it looks great, particularly at this time of year. But it performs exceptionally, too.

We loved how unrestricted it allowed us to feel on the course thanks to the Swing Tech fabrics, which deliver more stretch than ever to maximise the range of motion, no matter the swing. Additionally, it's really light and comfortable, allowing for good ventilation and just providing an all-round pleasant experience from start to finish. 

This eye-catching shirt is sure to draw some attention and, coming in at a great price, we think it will be a real hit with golfers.

Who doesn’t love a good quarter zip? They are a staple of the golfer’s wardrobe and the Pieced Printed Pullover from Callaway is up there with the best of them in every department.

Specifically, we enjoyed testing this as it can be worn in most conditions and settings, whether on the course or not, and it is also made with Swing Tech fabrics for the ultimate in performance. Although an additional layer, we felt no resistance whatsoever. 

Its design is one of subtlety, with flashes of pink trim and white detailing across the chest meaning it will be popular among a wide range of style preferences. Banish the old and pick up a new go-to quarter zip. You won’t regret it. 

This Micro Geo Jacquard polo is a stylish t-shirt that comes with a tour logo on the right sleeve as well as a nice chest block and a three colourway shoulder design. We also found it to be really comfortable and thought it looked great when complemented by a colour-coordinated pair of trousers.

The subtle detailing on the collar adds a nice finishing touch to what is a brilliant top from Callaway and one that delivers exceptional value for money. 

A reminder that all the clothes in this range not only perform and look great, but they have been made, in part, using various forms of plastic waste. A noble cause if ever there was one.

Completing the men’s collection is Callaway’s Chev Tech Trouser II. With its stretching capabilities and lightweight construction, this is one of the most comfortable pairs of trousers we’ve tested in a long time. 

Not only did we enjoy the feel on offer but we also found them to fit really well in all areas, which is one of the hardest parts of finding the perfect trouser for you. There was enough space around the thighs without it getting too roomy and around the lower leg and ankle was the same. 

Finally, the front and back pockets provide ample space for a golfer's needs and ensure nothing should slip out accidentally. Our only wish is that there were more colour options available. 

Women's Collection

The women’s range also benefits from Callaway’s performance-driven approach to its 2021 Spring/Summer collection. In this polo, style is fused with substance to create something that will help golfers perform at their best on the course and look stylish in any setting.

Once again, we noticed that the Swing Tech fabric came into its own to provide unparalleled levels of freedom in the swing. We really felt the difference in stretch compared to other garments we often wear on the course. 

Not only that, but this t-shirt also features Callaway’s classic Chev trademark in the print design, as well as a button mock neck and princess seams to ensure it is shaped perfectly. And all this is available at a great price point, therefore offering terrific value for money.

A staple in the women’s game in particular, finding a pair of shorts you like is essential. If you’re on the hunt, look no further than Callaway’s Pull-On City shorts. With a deep elasticated waist and four pockets - two front and two back - they tick all the boxes. 

They are super comfy thanks to the level of stretch provided, which also helped us look and feel our best when striding the fairways during testing. Available in peacoat, which is essentially a nice shade of navy blue, and made to the highest standards, don’t miss out on these affordable and eco-friendly shorts from Callaway this year. 

Callaway X Collection (slim fit)

This one is a real statement. Part of the brand’s X range that has been designed with a unique and modern look in mind, on first glance it’s clear to see that has been achieved. A white main body is contrasted by a sporadic pattern of multicoloured triangles that really grew on us quickly, while the ‘beetle green’ collar, shoulder and cuff round off the look nicely. 

And as well as the unique style, the fit of this polo offers something different. Golfers who prefer something that hugs the chest and arms will love this shirt as it combines a close fit with performance elsewhere. 

Not something we would normally go for, but in the end we were very impressed with everything this shirt has to offer, and we’re confident you will be too.

You don’t see as many classic sweaters in the game of golf anymore. Whether it’s a variation of the zipped pullover, or even the golf hoodie that’s risen to prominence very recently, the days when most took to the course in your basic sweater are on the decline. But there’s still absolutely a place for them, which is why it’s great to see one included in Callaway’s latest apparel collection.

And what better material to use than merino. Remaining true to the brand’s sustainability pledge, recycled plastics have also been used in the construction of this extremely comfortable sweater that kept us warm in cooler conditions. 

Elsewhere, beetle green is back but this time it’s the main colour, with just a small touch of white contrast detailing on the collar and cuff in a design that we found to our liking. And similarly to the Geo Print polo, it is quite a figure-hugging garment, perfect for those with a physique they want to show off. This makes it a little awkward to take off and put on, but such a small sacrifice is well worth it for this sweater that we think is a bargain.

Callaway Accessories

A good belt should complement an outfit rather than steal the headlines, which is what Callaway’s V Logo product does. And not only does it look the part on one side, but it’s also reversible, meaning you essentially get two great options for the price of one. 

Another thing we really liked about it is the fact that it’s cut to fit. Nobody wants to see that awkward spare bit of belt dangling down the side of their trousers, so this is a big plus. It’s not leather but that makes it comfortable and weightless while it does its primary job and we also really liked the simplicity of the buckle design. It’s not flashy like some of the garish products on the market these days, so it acts as a perfect buffer between upper and lower layers.

There are no airs and graces about this well-designed belt that is easy to slip on and off and would make a great addition to anyone’s wardrobe.

Whether a fashion statement or something to protect people from the sun, a cap is a favourite among golfers and can round out an outfit nicely. That’s certainly what we found with Callaway’s Side Crested offering. 

Available in white, it works perfectly when matched with the rest of the apparel line and does a great job of keeping sweat at bay, even in scorching conditions. It's also comfortable and should fit most head shapes. What more can you ask for?

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The new state-of-the-art Titleist Performance Centre at Woburn will offer visitors the ultimate fitting experience.

Titleist Unveils New 'Home Of Performance' In The UK

Titleist has revealed its new home of performance in Europe, which is now ready to welcome dedicated golfers of all level for the ultimate fitting experience.

The Titleist Performance Centre at Woburn, which is its new home of Tour Player support in Europe, replicates much of the unrivalled offering of the Titleist Performance Institute in California.

Including state of the art analysis equipment and the same tee-to-green performance evaluation available to the world’s best golfers, the new Performance Centre will provide golfers with the ultimate Tour level experience to find the best Titleist equipment for their game.

Since breaking ground in October 2019, Titleist has worked with the Woburn team and sculpted the 10-acre site into the ultimate performance facility that comprises 2,000 square metres of teeing area and a 370-yard fairway with a large S-shaped green to offer multiple shots and pin placements.

This is accompanied by a state-of-the-art performance centre building featuring two product fitting bays, a bespoke club building workshop and a stunning brand boardroom.

Michael Creighton, Titleist Brand Director in the UK, said, "The introduction of the Titleist Performance Centre at Woburn is hugely exciting and underlines our commitment to providing dedicated golfers of all levels with the ultimate fitting experience."

"Our highly skilled fitting professionals have been trained by some of the best in the game and their expertise, coupled with the incredible technology and variety of shots players can hit onsite, will guarantee that any golfer will leave the Performance Centre at Woburn having had the best fitting experience available in Europe."

A host of Titleist Tour Professionals have already visited the Woburn facility, including 2013 Masters winner Adam Scott who said, "To have a facility like this available to Tour pros is an incredible asset for all of us and there is no doubt I will be returning every chance I get."

"The fact that golfers can also visit is an incredible opportunity and I’d encourage anyone who gets the chance to come and get fit. You will not regret it."

Related: Adam Scott What's In The Bag?

Consumer fittings for the Titleist Performance Centre at Woburn with commence from July 29th for products that include the Titleist TSi3 driver.

Booking will be available on an appointment only basis and can be made via the Titleist website.

PowaKaddy has unveiled a trio of new push carts for 2021 with different levels of functionality to suit a variety of golfers

PowaKaddy 2021 Push Cart Range Revealed

PowaKaddy is launching a range of premium push carts for 2021 that boasts modern designs and is packed with features offering golfers an array of options to suit their needs.

Heading up the range is the PowaKaddy Cube push cart (RRP £189.99). A lightweight, compact trolley, with a simple folding mechanism, the Cube is the ideal push cart for those looking for a compact, faff-free solution.

The compact three-wheel design and wide wheelbase make pushing it almost effortless, providing reliable stability even on the most uneven of ground.

The Cube also boasts a sturdy mobile phone storage area, and an ergonomic soft touch handle that is easily adjustable. Golfers will be able to choose from either a yellow, blue, or red trim.

RELATED: Best Golf Push Carts

The all-new PowaKaddy DLX-Lite FF push cart (£209.99), weighs just 5.8kg and has been designed with optimal storage in mind. Thanks to an innovative flat fold design, and at only 20cm deep, it can be squeezed into the tightest of spaces.

Constructed from a lightweight aluminium and designed to tackle all terrains, the DLX-Lite FF brings a host of features; including a drinks holder, water-resistant mobile phone storage area and an easy-to-use footbrake, designed to help golfers park their trolley with minimal hassle.

RELATED: PowaKaddy 2021 FX7 GPS Electric Trolley Review

Completing the new range is the versatile Twinline 5 (£159.99) - a lightweight trolley that is simple to set up and folds quickly and compactly. It features an ergonomic handle, a covered scorecard holder, easily operated footbrake, and a handy drinks holder.

Every push cart in the PowaKaddy 2021 range features the PowaKaddy Key Lock system which helps to keep bags secure on the trolley. 

“The push trolley market is an increasingly important part of our business, and our exciting new range reflects that,” said David Catford, PowaKaddy’s CEO. “The new push trolleys each have unique features to suit all golfers’ needs, and with varied price points they provide different options for everybody, depending on what they’re looking for out on the course.”

The collection features a design inspired by the ocean and winds that play such an influential part in any round of golf on a links course.

Galvin Green Introduces New Limited Edition Links Collection

Galvin Green has introduced a new limited edition links collection of top-quality golf garments this summer, featuring a powerful design inspired by the natural conditions that make playing links golf so formidable.

The three complimentary pieces in the stunning capsule collection are a highly breathable short sleeved shirt with an ocean print and distinctive white sporty stripe panel across the chest; a full zip sweater with Navy front and back panels and trim on the cuffs, plus white sleeves; and a lightweight mesh cap in Navy and coordinated ocean print design.

Related: Best Golf Tops

Each functional garment comes with prominent Galvin Green branding, including a motif on the shirt chest.

Batur Muhammed, the designer of the Links collection, spoke of his inspiration for designing this collection, "My inspiration for designing this collection came directly from the two natural elements most closely associated with these famous golf courses – the ocean and the prevailing winds that invariably influence the playing conditions so much." 

"I looked to reflect the tremendous energy generated by the ocean and gusting winds in the contemporary designs that have Navy as the predominant colour. Just as links courses represent a serious golfing challenge, so this collection proved to be demanding from a design standpoint, but I’m thrilled that the garments have been well received." 

The soft and comfortable collared Manfred shirt (RRP £79) provides excellent moisture-transportation properties and breathability to keep the body cool and dry.

Related: Best Golf Jumpers

Incorporating stretch fabric, it also offers UV 20+ protection and is easy to maintain - drying quickly without the need to iron.

Based on the top selling Dominic style, the sweater (RRP £149) in the Links collection features two front pockets and is designed with stretch fabric for optimum freedom in the swing. It combines exceptional breathability with thermal regulation to provide warmth in colder conditions and is made using recycled polyester from PET bottled and Bluesign approved fabric.

Finally, the Samir cap (RRP £25) features adjustable width and is designed with Ventil8 plus moisture-wicking fabric that dries exceptionally quickly for greater comfort during a round in multiple conditions .

The Links collection from Galvin Green is available now from leading stockists and can be viewed on the Galvin Green website.

Cobra's newest hybrid comes with advanced technologies aimed at delivering exceptional distance, forgiveness and control.

Cobra Releases New King Tec Hybrid

Cobra Golf has unveiled the new King Tec Hybrid, the newest addition to the King players' family of golf clubs.

The King Tec hybrid (RRP £239) is designed for the better players who seek a utility club that delivers reliably, consistent carry distances and enhanced forgiveness off the tee and on longer approach shots into par 5s.

The King Tec is the only hybrid in Cobra's line up to feature Pwrshell Face Design, a design that was recently featured in Cobra's latest Radspeed irons.

The design utilises a thin, forged 455 stainless steel L-cup insert that is hyper-flexible to promote faster ball speed and higher launch across the face.

In addition, the King Tec hybrid features a carbon fibre crown that saves 10g of weight that is then repositioned low and back within the club head to lower the CG.

Related: Best Golf Hybrids

Cobra say that combining these two technologies has allowed them to create the best combination of high launch, reduced spin, longer carry distance and softer landing into greens.

To optimise performance for an even wider range of golfers, the King Tec hybrid features and adjustable weight and loft system.

The hybrid features three adjustable weights - two 12g weights and one 2g weight - that can be positioned in the toe, heel or front to promote a fade, draw or low ball flight respectively.

Further, Cobra's MyFly hosel features eight settings which can be adjusted up to + or - 1.5° allowing players to dial in their preferred launch and spin performance.

Each King Tec hybrid is also equipped with a Cobra Connect Grip powered by Arccos Caddie, allowing users who download the Arccos Caddie app onto their smart device to pair the club and track their shot data.

The King Tec hybrid is available in right and left hand in four different lofts - 17°, 19°, 21° and 24° - all of which are adjustable + or - 1.5° with either a Mitsubishi Chemical MMT 80 graphite hybrid shaft in x-stiff or stiff with the MMT 70 being the option in regular flex .

Available from July 1st online and from retailers, the King Tec hybrid will have a RRP of £239.

Puma's new Proadapt Alphacat shoes aim to push the limits of performance, style and comfort.

Puma Launches New Proadapt Alphacat Shoe 

Puma Golf has introduced its new Proadapt Alphacat shoes, designed to be the 'alpha' of all spikeless shoes, combining performance with hi-tech materials all within Puma's trademark fashion-forward aesthetic.

The brand of choice for Rickie Fowler, Bryson DeChambeau and Gary Woodland, Puma has already launched the spikeless Ignite Cage Crafted shoes this year and the new Alphacat has an altogether more athletic look and feel.

The Alphacat boasts an impressive array of innovative materials, including Puma's proprietary Adapt Foam, which is made from a combination of EVA cushioning and an impact resistant polymer.

The combination of these materials creates a platform that provides impact resistance, energy return, and solid ground feel when walking and swinging the club on course.

As well as the Adapt Foam, the Alphacat shoe features Puma's Proadapt Multi Material Outsole, which features an abrasion resistant TPU perimeter that creates stability and traction on soft surfaces while the central Crsytal Rubber unit provides exceptional ground gripping traction.

Related: Best Spikeless Shoes

The upper of the Alphacat is an Exo Shell comprised on engendered mesh with an TPU film that provides a solid structure as well as a 1-year waterproof guarantee.

Andrew Lawson, Product Line Manager for footwear at Puma Golf said on the launch of the Alphacat shoes, "The new Proadapt Alphacat brings the exact energy and innovation we are about here at Puma.

“More golfers now than ever are wearing spikeless shoes, so when we approached the build of this shoe, our engineers and designers used both performance innovations and style trends to create the most advanced spikeless golf shoe Puma has made to date."

"At the end of the day, the Alphacat gives golfers a shoe that they can feel confident, looking great, and perform at their best in.”

The Proadapt Alphacat (RRP £120) are available in three colourways in men's sizes 7-12 and are available in Europe and Asia from June 15th and in North America in 2022.

There is also an Alphacat women's shoe due to be released by Puma in 2022.

FootJoy has launched a limited edition Pacific Sunset collection of its Premiere Series shoes, with the Packard and Flint uppers getting a Southern Californian pop of colour.

FootJoy Reveal Limited Edition Pacific Sunset Collection

Ahead of the US Open this week, FootJoy has released the limited edition Pacific Sunset collection to celebrate the US Open returning to Torrey Pines in San Diego, California.

Inspired by the vibrant sunsets of Southern California, the limited edition shoes combine the performance of Premiere Series with the distinctly laid back feel of the West Coast.

Related: Best Golf Shoes 

The shoes will be available in the Packard (RRP: £176.99) and Flint (RRP: £169.99) Premiere Series upper designs, and will be available to golfers via the FootJoy website from today (15th June).

The Premiere Series of shoes were released earlier this year and FootJoy has released other limited edition variants to coincide with the Masters and the PGA Championship earlier in the season.

The Packard upper is inspired by Frederick Packard, FootJoy’s founder and a shoe pioneer who drove the adoption of many modern manufacturing and design innovations that are still used today.

The Packard collection features exquisite detailing and a pebble grain leather in both the vamp and the quarter.

The collection uses a calfskin croc print accent in the saddle area, complemented by a natural leather welt and contrast stitching.

The Flint design, the spikeless offering in the limited edition range, was named after Perley Flint, a young Harvard graduate and avid golfer who designed FootJoy’s first golf shoe in the 1920s.

A smooth ChromoSkin leather is used in the upper, with embossed detailing on the saddle area, a refined FJ ornament as well as piping on the side.

Related: FootJoy Premiere Series Flint Shoe Review

The shoe has premium lambskin linings inside and a new fitbed for exceptional comfort.

Both the limited edition Packard and Flint Premiere Series Pacific Sunset collection shoes are available today (15th June) from the FootJoy website.

The new collection of putters combines classic designs with a new Hydro Blast finish to deliver premium performance and aesthetics.

TaylorMade Introduces TP Hydro Blast Putter Collection

TaylorMade has today introduced its premium collection of TP Hydro Blast putters to the market, a collection that combines classic head shapes with a new Hydro Blast finish.

Hoping to become some of the best TaylorMade putters, the collection features seven traditionally shaped putters all of which feature the premium new Hydro Blast finish that provides a rich, premium and cohesive look to the collection of putters.

It also creates a durable surface and is achieved by applying a high-pressure stream of water to 303 stainless steel.

Each model is equipped with the same White Pure Roll insert that features on the popular Spider X putter.

The insert features grooves at a downward 45° angle, designed to optimise roll characteristics by producing enhanced topspin to help the ball start rolling end over end sooner.

The Soto is a classically shaped blade that features flowing, rounded edges. Equipped with an L-Neck hosel, the traditional blade shape produces 40° of toe hang which results in a putter best suited to players to create maximum face rotation through the putting stroke.

Related: Best Blade Putters

The Del Monte has a shorter blade length and a wider area from front to back, creating a more squatted profile that translates into a mallet-like feel while maintaining the overall characteristics of a blade.

It comes in an L-Neck hosel with 29° of toe hang and a Single Bend hosel with 8° of toe hang, which is better for the player who has a straight back and straight through putting motion.

The Bandon head has a Tour-inspired double wing design that helps frame the ball at address and encourages forgiveness via the optimised perimeter weighting.

The L-neck Bandon 1 - which was the first to appear on Tour in the bag of Tommy Fleetwood - features 22° of toe hang which gives blade-like performance within a mallet design.

There is also the Bandon 3 with a Short Slant hosel for 32° of toe hang.

The DuPage model is modern take on a traditional mallet design with unique visual alignment cues and dual slot cavity to help frame the ball at address. It features a single bend hosel that provides a face balance ideal for the golfer with a straight back straight through stroke.

Related: Best Mallet Putters

Finally, the Chaska model revisits the original TaylorMade Corza Ghost design with the familiar circular alignment aid in the back of the putter and three sight-lines on top.

With rounded contours, adjustable sole weights and three forward sightline, the design provides exceptional stability and simple alignment features.

TaylorMade TP Hydro Blast putters are available now with an RRP of £199.

Performance and style collide as Callaway launches its Spring Summer 2021 collection with technology, comfort and sustainability at its heart

Performance Meets Style With Callaway's Spring Summer 2021 Collection

Callaway Golf has always been at the forefront of innovation in the sport, through both its golf clubs powered by Artificial Intelligence or its extensive, performance-driven apparel range for men and women.

The Spring/Summer 2021 Callaway Apparel collection has a wide range of lifestyle and performance pieces mixing improved styling and technologically-enhanced fabrics designed to help golfers feel stylish, confident and comfortable so they can perform at their best.

There are three fashion colour stories for men and women as well as Callaway X, the signature European slim-fit, fashion-focused collection for men seeking a truly modern style.

The collections are inspired by large-scale floral prints, micro-conversational patterns and the classic Chev trademark.

One key technology that features across the range is Swing Tech, which fuses athletic performance with a classic fit.

This game-changing innovation uses re-engineered construction and materials that provide noticeably less restriction and more stretch to maximise range of motion for every type of swing.

The men's All Over Focus Floral Polo (RRP £60) utilises Swing Tech fabric and the design draws inspiration from the trend for repeated larger scale floral prints.

The men's Pieced Printed 1/4 Zip Pullover (RRP £80), which also benefits from Callaway's Swing Tech fabric, is a classic layering option for the cooler months of the season and comes with a striking accent of colour.

Alongside the innovative Swing Tech garments, Callaway's commitment to a sustainable production practice is an essential part of the Spring Summer 2021 collection.

The sustainable and wearable performance fabrics are made with various recycled plastic waste and, for all new products brought to the market, Callaway Apparel is committing to using a minimum of 30 per cent recycled polyester for tops and 25 per cent for bottoms.

The Micro Geo Jacquard Polo (RRP £50) features a three colourway shoulder and chest block and an embroidered Tour logo right sleeve.

To complete the men's collection, the Chev Tech Trouser II (RRP £55) is a technical golf trouser with a lightweight fabric that makes for comfortable walking across the course.

The versatile Callaway X range provides golfers with a unique, modern style for on and off the golf course.

The All Over Geo Print Polo (RRP £60) is a key part of it, geared for the ultra-stylish, fashion-conscious golfer who prefers a closer fit.

The Classic Merino Crew (RRP £75) is also designed with a close fit for the fashion-focussed golfer and comes in Beetle Green with white contrast detailing on the collar and cuff.

The Callaway Apparel Spring Summer 2021 collection also features the V Logo Belt (RRP £40), which is cut to fit and is reversible, as well as the Side Crested Cap (RRP £17.99)

The women's apparel in Callaway's collection also benefits from the brand's technically superior, innovative and performance-driven designs.

The Chev Floral Polo (RRP £45) uses the Callaway Chev as inspiration for the print and features a button mock neck and princess seams to provide a great shape.

The Pull-On City Short II (RRP £45) features a deep elasticated waist for a flattering fit, belt loops, a front pocket and a discreet back pocket to store a score card and a glove.

Both the men's and women's apparel in the Callaway's Spring Summer 2021 collections produce the brand's renowned, technically-superior products known for quality, excellent manufacturing and modern fabrics.

So if you're looking to add some style to your golf wardrobe this season, Callaway Apparel certainly has you covered.

FootJoy has added the Pro SL Carbon Boa to its very popular range of spikeless shoes.

FootJoy Release New Pro SL Carbon BOA Shoe

FootJoy has released a new addition to the popular Pro SL family in the shape of the Pro SL Carbon BOA.

Today's announcement comes off the back of FootJoy announcing its full 2021 spikeless range earlier this year, with the standard, laced Pro SL and Pro SL Carbon spearheading the range.

FootJoy has added the BOA system to the Pro SL, which promises to further elevate its comfort and performance to add another impressive model to the Pro SL range.

This is the second pair of shoes launched by FootJoy this year to feature a BOA lace system.

FootJoy launched the HyperFlex BOA at the beginning of the year with a BOA Wrapid fit system

This new lacing system has proven popular with golfers, who are increasingly surprised at the genuine difference in fit and performance that the non-laced, dialled mechanism provides.

Related: Best Spikeless Golf Shoes

Since launching in 2019, the laced version of the Pro SL Carbon has provided golfers with a carbon fibre insert within the midsole of the shoe to offer exceptional stability and motion control.

The carbon fibre inlay in the Pro SL Carbon flexes and elastically snaps back to its moulded position to recover energy expended when walking between shots and reduce foot and leg fatigue at the end of the round.

Related: FootJoy Pro SL Carbon Review

The combination of BOA and the carbon fibre inlay featured in the all-new Pro SL Carbon BOA presents a highly advanced and welcomed footwear option for golfers looking for a step up in spikeless shoe performance.

The Pro SL Carbon BOA shoes are available from today (June 2nd) with a RRP of £169.99.

The new Cleveland RTX Full-Face wedge features all-over groove coverage for better contact and control.

Cleveland RTX Full-Face Wedge Released

Cleveland Golf has released a new wedge version designed with grooves across the entirety of the face, providing a cleaner contact with better control.

The wedge designers claim that the new RTX Full-Face wedge will help to improve a player's short game versatility by bringing full-face grooves to the flagship RTX ZipCore model.

The RTX Full-Face wedge is said to allow for more consistent shots with more impacts on the sweetspot, due to the boosted High-Low MOI offering better stability on the wedge face.

Comprised of a low-density core in what Cleveland have dubbed ZipCore, the RTX Full-Face also shifts the centre of gravity to improve the consistency of each shot as well as providing a more solid feel.

RELATED: Best Wedges 2021

The club features a High-Toe profile for golfers that like to open the face around the green, while Cleveland's UltiZip grooves technology ensures the entirety of the clubface is covered for optimal spin performance.

Designed closer together, UltiZip grooves are also sharper and deeper to create more groove contact for every shot.

Cleveland Golf has also taken the durability of the club into consideration, featuring a new heat treatment process that is claimed to preserve the lifespan of the grooves.

"The new RTX Full-Face maintains the traditional and striking clean look that golfers have come to expect from a Cleveland wedge, all while adding shot-making creativity with grooves across the entire face,” said Joe Miller, Product Expert at Cleveland Golf Europe.

“It’s the perfect complement to the classic RTX ZipCore and delivers exceptional versatility around the greens.”

The new wedge is available in the UK and Ireland from June 11, with an RRP of £139 in a Tour Satin Finish, or £159 in a RAW finish.

The Tour Satin club is available in 50-64°, while the RAW club is available in 56-64°.

In the second instalment of our Project Joe Series with Cobra Puma Golf, beginner golfer Joe Brewin gets fitted for the new Radspeed to range to try and accelerate his improvement

Project Joe - Blog Entry 2: Can New Clubs Help?

You know you’ve got off to a rough start in golf when the clubs you bring along to a fitting are literally laughed out of the bag. 

Let’s just say that before I rocked up at the (mightily impressive, I should say) American Golf in Hemingford Abbots, my previous bunch were relics of a time gone by.

A set of cheap, chunky and weighted Regal irons bought approximately 15 years ago; a pair of curiously lofted hybrid clubs that were greeted like alien arrivals from another planet; a John Daly ‘grip it and rip it’ (now illegal) 540cc driver inherited even back then - best not even trying to guess how old that one is.

I ‘upgraded’ to a £15 Ram one from a bloke on Facebook, which at least fitted the tees at my local range. The bag: £5 from another commiserative seller online (but at least it has a functional [a] strap and [b] stand, unlike my previous one). 

So... in summary, not ideal.   

I’d got absolutely no idea what to expect from a fitting, having never done one before, but the prospect of upgrading to some tools I wasn’t immediately ashamed of was a rather exciting one. Certainly, the Cobra fitter Billy Whiteman’s pity for my Daly antique suggested that the only way was up. 

One thing I did have in mind going in was the possibility of moving to one-length clubs. For a beginner like me, I thought they might help – the idea of removing some of the uncertainty when clubs get shorter (a big issue for me up to this point) and trying to achieve some consistency that way.

By the end, Billy agreed: after we’d switched between shafts on a 7-iron, we settled on some steel Radspeed One Length irons which were still immediately lighter than my old lumps. Given that my arms are more teenager than Tiger, being able to achieve a faster swing speed with a club far less clunky will surely help in the long run. 

RELATED: Cobra Radspeed Irons Review

When it came to the driver, we took off some length in a bid to narrow my range of fade and strike the ball better. Despite the shorter shaft, my distance increased considerably, along with my confidence.

To close the gap between irons and driver, meanwhile, we trialled a hybrid but ultimately settled on a 5-wood with weighting in the right places – all in the name of taming that natural shot shape a little more. 

As it turned out, you don’t really know what a nice shot feels like until you’ve used some nice new clubs. Immediately, I got more distance with the Cobra clubs – the ball flew off the clubface in a completely different way to my tired old ones, making for a massively more satisfying experience all around (when my swing went right, that is).

RELATED: Cobra Radspeed Drivers Review

I knew I’d struck balls at Hemingford like a bloke with his eyes sewn shut, but couldn’t wait to see what a difference the new clubs would make. A few weeks later, like a kid who’s just been told they’re off to Disneyland, I was able to find out for the first time when my custom set was delivered.

Playing nine holes, the driver was an immediate success. A couple of weeks earlier, I’d played one last (if only second ever) round with my old clubs – a miserable disaster in wind and rain – and abandoned the driver on the back nine completely in favour of my mate’s 4-iron. I couldn’t have hit the ball straight that day if it was being sent down a drainpipe.

Fast-forward a couple of weeks, though, and the game had changed – the Radspeed XD driver felt different from the start and instantly gave me more confidence. The first tee shot went beautifully straight and I didn’t duff it off the tee with that club from there on. 

I’m still getting to grips with the wedges – the nature of one-length clubs means a bit of a mentality shift for the ‘shorter’ ones in that respect – but a bit more practice will do a world of good there. Otherwise, though, I’m very confident that my new Cobra clubs will be literal game-changers once I start getting down the range more and trying to nail a consistent swing.

There are still teething issues that only magic fairy dust could fix otherwise (or failing that, my new coach James), but the road ahead certainly looks much brighter. Unless you’re a seller of golfing tat on Facebook Marketplace, that is.

Joe's What's In The Bag?

Driver - Cobra Radspeed XD, 10.5°, Fujikura Motore F3 regular 44.5" shaft. Fairway - Cobra Radspeed XD 5 wood, Fujikura Motore F3 regular shaft. Irons – Cobra Radspeed ONE length, 5-SW, UST Recoil EXS 460 regular shafts. Bag - Cobra Ultralight stand bag

The story on the unusual club that propelled Mickelson to greatness at the 2021 PGA Championship

The Unusual Club That Propelled Mickelson To PGA Glory

Phil Mickelson rewrote the history books yesterday with a ground-breaking performance at the PGA Championship, becoming the oldest player to win a major championship.

Most surprising perhaps, other than lifting the trophy a month shy of his 51st birthday, was his ability to be long and find fairways on a blustery day at Kiawah Island.

Mickelson is well-known for his desire to “hit bombs” but this has often come to the detriment of accuracy. Yet Mickelson frequently found himself on the short grass, and if not he was only a few yards from it in good position to find the green.

He led the field in Strokes Gained off the tee and was 15th in driving distance, averaging 313 yards but notably hit the longest drive of the week on the 16th hole on Sunday past playing partner Brooks Koepka.

A pivotal role in his performance comes down to the new Callaway driver Mickelson put in the bag this week.

A Jonathan Wall recently outlined for Golf.com, Mickelson began his quest for extra distance at the 2020 Masters by testing a 48-inch driver.

Fast forward to this week, after trying out multiple heads and shaft designs, Mickelson put a 47.9375” Callaway Epic Speed prototype driver in play.

This driver is a long way from what you could buy at retail. Not only does the head only have six degrees of loft (playing at 5.25°) but the head weight is 188 grams, down from a normal head weight of around 200 grams, to account for the longer shaft.

The shaft itself is an untipped Fujikura Ventus Black 6TX shaft made specifically for the head, helping Mickelson optimise spin rates and dispersion.

Mickelson is no stranger to having unique custom clubs in his bag. He also had a TaylorMade Original “One” Mini driver in the bag, that was until third round.

“ Yesterday I hit a couple of squirrelly shots on 12 and 13 and the face on my 2-wood flattened. Fortunately I had a backup head and swapped it out and hit it great today,” Mickelson explained after his win.

'Lefty' also had issues with other clubs in his bag during the week, but luckily he had back up clubs with him that could make a substitute appearance.

“As I was teeing off today my 2-iron face cracked. Tim noticed when I put it back that it had cracked across the face. But fortunately I had a 4-wood that's a very comparable club to that 1-iron distance-wise and I was able to use that club effectively. I used it off 3 tee, 4 tee. There was a few times that I hit it and I hit that club very well.”

“It's just one of those things that happens and you just have to be prepared for it, which is why I bring backup clubs out here.”

Interestingly, Mickelson also utilised the Triple Track alignment lines on his Callaway Chrome Soft X ball both off the tee and on the greens to help hit his start lines.

The announcement sees Cobra enter the putter market with the new King 3D Printed Series and the new King Vintage Series.

Cobra Introduces Two New Putter Ranges

Cobra is making a triumphant return to the putter market with two new ranges of putters, the King 3D Printed Series and the King Vintage Series.

After giving us a glimpse of the unique route it was planning to go down in 2020 with the limited edition SuperSport-35, Cobra has now unveiled its full offerings to be launched in June 2021.

The King 3D Printed Series (RRP £349) is Cobra's first complete line of 3D printed, multi-material putters that feature a 3D printed nylon lattice cartridge created in partnership with HP's multi-jet fusion printing technology.

Cobra's partnership with HP began with the creation of 2020's SuperSport-35 putter, and the two companies have been working together since to move from an aluminium Metal Jet printing process to a nylon Multi Jet printing process to help capitalise on the weight saving benefits of nylon in a putter head.

What Cobra and HP has created in the process is a 3D printed lattice structure that optimises weight distribution within the putter chassis to deliver a high MOI for enhanced stability and roll performance.

Coupled with this, Cobra has partnered with SIK Golf to employ its patented Descending Loft Technology (DLT), which features four descending lofts on the face to produce consistent launch angle and roll for different putting styles and stroke consistencies.

Cobra engineers used SIK's DLT to create Cobra's own version in a 6061 aluminium insert which gives the advantage of weight savings and a soft feel at impact.

The King 3D printed series come in three distinct heads: the King GrandSport-35; King SuperNova and King Agera.

The King GrandSport-35 is a blade model, with 35° of toe hang ideal for the golfer with a slight arc in their putting stroke.

The King SuperNova features an oversize fang design while the King Agera features an oversize mallet shape with an MOI of over 7600, making it one of the most stable putters on the market today.

Related: Best Mallet Putters

The King GrandSport and King Agera are also both available in a 41" armlock version where the SIK face insert features a higher descending loft than the non-armlock models.

All shapes of the King 3D Printed Series putters come with a lightweight polyurethane Lamkin Sinkfit grip with Cobra Connect sensors powered by Arccos Caddie embedded.

Cobra King Vintage Series Putters

Alongside the launch of the King 3D Printed Series, Cobra has launched the King Vintage Series of putters (RRP £199) for golfers seeking a more traditional look.

The King Vintage Series of putters feature a steel chassis, simple sightlines for alignment and a black and turbo yellow colour scheme.

With multiple shapes, hosels and an adjustable weighting system, the Vintage family has a variety of options for any putting stroke.

The Vintage family shares the same 6061 aluminium face insert that the 3D Printed family utilises, with SIK's DLT that features the four descending lofts on the face to produce more consistent roll trajectories.

Related: Most Forgiving Putters

The four available heads in the Vintage family are the blade style Sport-45 and Sport-60; a mallet Torino (not available in the UK); a fang shape mallet Nova and Nova-40 and an oversize mallet in the Stingray and Stingray-40.

The models with numbers next to their name refer to the degrees of toe hang on the putter to suit the different levels of arc to a golfers' stroke.

The Vintage series feature the same Lamkin Sinkfit grip with Cobra Connect sensors powered by Arccos Caddie as found in the 3D Printed range.

Both new Cobra putter ranges will be available to preorder from today and officially go on sale in June.

Titleist has joined the Rugby League World Cup list of partners and is launching a range of licensed golf balls as part of the partnership.

Titleist Named Official Golf Ball Partner Of Rugby League World Cup

Titleist has announced a partnership with Rugby League World Cup 2021 to provide official personalised golf ball for the event that will be taking place across England between October 23rd and November 27th 2021.

As a licensed partner to the tournament, Titleist will give golfers the chance to add the tournament logo or any of the participating teams' marks to its range of golf balls via the My Titleist platform.

The range which will be able to be personalised with Rugby League World Cup 2021 logos and team crests are the premium Pro V1, Pro V1x and AVX as well as the Tour Speed, Tour Soft, Velocity and TruFeel golf balls.

Related: Best Golf Balls

The 2021 Rugby League World Cup is set to be the biggest since its first hosting in 1954 with the men's, women's and wheelchair events all running concurrently between October 23rd and November 27th this year.

Speaking on the partnership, Edward Shirley, Titleist Corporate Sales Manager, said, "Partnering with a world first event like this demonstrates Titleist’s determination to join forces with globally recognised properties to help increase awareness and engagement across multiple sports and audiences. The partnership is an extremely exciting one for Titleist and we look forward to working with the Rugby League World Cup this year."

Johnathan Neill, Commercial Director at RLWC2021, said, "Titleist is a brand that symbolises sporting excellence, and another partner who shares our vision in delivering the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup ever."

"Titleist are not only committed to producing industry leading products but have also demonstrated a desire to collaborate with other sports and major events through their customisation offering and digital platform which will support the tournament’s ambition of reaching new audiences."

It is certainly a surprise partnership between the two brands but don't expect to see any dimples on the RLWC2021 balls when the tournament kicks off later this year.

FootJoy has launched the limited edition Premiere Series Southern Living collection to commemorate the 2021 PGA Championship which starts this week.

FootJoy Launch Premiere Series Southern Living Collection

Ahead of the second men's Major FootJoy have launched a limited edition Premiere Series collection - Southern Living - which commemorates the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.

The collection features an interpretation of South Carolina's Low Country Region, featuring warm, inviting Southern-inspired colours with a modern twist on traditional seersucker print.

Related: Best Golf Shoes

The collection celebrates the effortless yet sophisticated charm of the Low Country in South Carolina and continues to demonstrate FootJoy's commitment to quality, unrivalled design and single-minded focus on golf performance.

Available across the range, the Tarlow (RRP £189.99), Packard (RRP £159.99) and Flint (RRP £159.99) men's upper designs, the hand-crafted Premiere Series shoes are detialed to perfection with complementary accents of colour throughout.

As a nod to Souther styling, the toe-capped Tarlow features a removable kiltie, in addition to the range's seersucker internal detialing and Southern brick-coloured outsole to deliver a distinctive style.

Review: FootJoy Premiere Series Shoes

To accompany the collection, FootJoy has also released bespoke apparel pieces which combine a casual, Southern style with premium, lightweight materials and advanced performance fabrics - these items will only be available to those in the US, however.

The collection will be on show throughout this week's PGA Championship at Kiawah Island and will be worn by FootJoy ambassadors Justin Thomas, Webb Simpson and Bernd Wiesberger.

FootJoy has announced an all-new design in its already popular Flex XP range of spikeless golf shoes.

FootJoy Unveil New Flex XP Camo Shoes

FootJoy has unveiled its latest addition to the Flex franchise - the Flex XP Camo.

Today's announcement comes after FootJoy revealed its full 2021 spring/summer collection last month that introduced new colourways of its most popular styles as well as some new designs in the men's and women's range.

The new shoe introduces the popular camo print to provide a new grey camo option in the men's range and a new blue camo option in the women's spikeless range.

UK Buy Now at The Golf Shop Online for £94.50

US Buy Now at Rock Bottom Golf for $119.95

Since launching the Flex franchise back in 2019, it has become one of the most popular styles in the already dense FootJoy range, for both men and women.

Review: FootJoy Flex XP Shoe

The Versa-Trax outsole of the Flex XP shoe has helped make this the leader in FootJoy's spikeless category as it provides solid traction on course while being stylish and comfortable to wear off the course too.

The Flex XP also provides greater support through the golf swing thanks to the mesh ribbing, whilst offering FootJoy's renown soft and supportive EVA midsole.

The mesh on the upper of the shoe offers great breathability for the warmer months but still provides waterproof protection so you can still wear these confidently in changeable conditions.

Related: Most Comfortable Golf Shoes

The Flex XP - and the new camo colourway - headlined FootJoy's announcement last month of its full spring/summer 2021 range which also featured an updated Pro SL as well as the new FootJoy Stratos.

The men's Flex XP will be available to golfers from May 15th from FootJoy stockists or directly from the FootJoy website while the women's will be available from the same date direct from FootJoy.

FootJoy Flex XP Camo Shoes

KPS has sold TaylorMade to South Korean investment company Centroid for a reported $1.7bn, just four years after buying the company from adidas.

TaylorMade Golf Sold For $1.7 Billion

KPS Capital Partners has sold TaylorMade Golf to South Korean Investment company Centroid, for a reported $1.7 billion.

KPS Capital Partners acquired TaylorMade back in 2017 from Adidas Golf for a reported £425 million, meaning they have quadrupled their investment in just four years.

Now an independent gear-focused company, TaylorMade sponsors the likes of Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy, as well as several LPGA players, and is a leading golf brand.

Meanwhile, after establishing in 2015, Centroid has focussed on several strategic investments in South Korea, including the acquisition of South Springs Country Club for $170 million, making it one of the most expensive golf course sales in the country.

The South Korean company has also invested in other companies from a range of industries, though Centroid is clearly excited about buying TaylorMade.

“TaylorMade Golf is a transformational investment for Centroid,” said Jinhyeok Jeong, founder and CEO of Centroid Investment Partners.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to invest in a global leader in golf.

"The industry is currently experiencing high demand, increased participation with strong long-term opportunities around the world.

"TaylorMade is an iconic brand with continued momentum across the key golf equipment categories and regions, especially the Korean and wider Asian markets."

TaylorMade is also hoping to capitalise on their continued growth by partnering with Centroid.

David Abeles, TaylorMade CEO, said: “This transaction is a very important milestone as we continue to build upon our brand’s momentum around the world.

“Not surprisingly, the sale process for TaylorMade generated tremendous interest from a wide range of prospective buyers and resulted in an agreement that reflects the outstanding performance of our business today, as well as the outlook for the future.

“Our partnership with KPS has been extraordinary.

"At the same time, we are equally excited about our new partnership with Centroid and believe that it will enable our outstanding team to continue to build on the strategies that have driven TaylorMade’s success.”

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals.

In the first blog entry for our Project Joe series with Cobra Puma Golf, beginner Joe Brewin explains the state of his game and gets a much-needed lesson

Project Joe - Entry 1: Me And My Golf Game

The cameras are set. A crowd is gathered. There’s one final warm-up swing towards the early-morning sun, before I set my stance and prepare to take aim. The fairway is wide open for a straight drive down the middle, begging for an easy stroke to send the little white ball in front of me serenely towards safety. A good start. Easy life.

As is so often the way in golf, though, reality is rarely anything close to the dream (at least in my world). This is the 16th hole at Girton Golf Club, Cambridgeshire – and I am about to embarrass myself.

Reality No.1: the ‘crowd’ is three strong, consisting of a Golf Monthly staffer, our patient cameraman for the day and my even more patient new coach, James Whittemore. Reality No.2: as I swing back, the brainworm ingrained within every beginner golfer niggles away – I’ve got no idea what might happen next.

Wild ‘fade’? Awful slice? God forbid, a good one where I actually want it to go? A troubling top? Reality No.3: it’s the latter. I watch the ball scuttle off left into the undergrowth, and know this is going to be a long morning for everyone concerned. Worse, I reload and do exactly the same thing again. At least we find that one.

As I hack my way to the end of the hole, not a clean strike in sight, the brainworm quickly wins out. As a novice, I know I’ve got no right to be annoyed by my incompetence, but when you’ve previously been striking 60-70 per cent of your shots with a modicum of respectability at the range, it’s demoralising. The course is very different, though: different lies, different conditions, a different mindset... a greater chance of cocking it all up.     

Before I go on, a quick potted history: by day I’m the deputy editor of FourFourTwo magazine, and newly a father of one. (Full-time job, newborn, trying to get better at golf? Good one.) I started playing last July, since when I’ve been to two group lessons and had three solo lessons at the tail end of 2020.

The latter at least stopped me hooking the ball with every depressing stroke, but as I’d later find out, also taught me an unhelpful habit. Either way, moving to a new city and a third lockdown put paid to any more progress there. I’ve played one and a half rounds of golf in total: rough average score around 120 over 18 holes. Really putting the ‘project’ in Project Joe, basically.

When I hop into the buggy with James after the travesty of our first assessment hole, I’m heartened by the fact he’s quickly spotted a pattern of doom. My bad shot throughout was a top – arguably the most humiliating blunder stroke, just behind your classic swing and miss – and largely down to one (very crucial) thing: poor posture.

It’s a big one, and nobody in previous tutorials had ever mentioned it to me before. Perhaps they were getting there, avoiding too much too soon – but either way, it was going to change my entire feel when it came to swinging a club. We keep the tutorials relatively light from there until a lesson after our final hole.

Aiming at some bunkers on the left down the par five (on a good day, my natural shot is a fade) the connection is sweet much to everyone’s amazement and the ball goes exactly where I’d hoped, albeit finishing on an unfortunate slope that makes the second shot awkward. After a wayward hybrid off the deck, we practice some approach shots and chips from the edge of the green, with James tweaking as we go.

Nearly everything I do from here is different – it’s an unenviable task to fix basically everything, but there are chinks of light early on. It's proof why getting lessons with a good tutor from the beginning is the right way – only someone with a trained eye who knows what they’re on about can fix your swing, not Johnny Vloggins from YouTube.      

In the 30-minute lesson that follows, James suggests six manageable changes almost immediately: my ball position (further back – my brain plays tricks with me here); my club position (ball closer to the toe, face more upright); a stance that involves i) less knee bend, ii) more bum thrust and iii) getting right over the ball; a proper, committed follow-through with my back foot swivelled. Throughout the day there’s no immediate success – he’s not magic, but it’s an important start. 

The short-term goal is to break 100, which will be well in sight if I can achieve the basic task of getting balls off the ground consistently. That (shockingly!) wasn’t always the case when I last played 18, leading to some wayward 10+ holes which obliterated my scorecard.

I’m keeping in contact with James as we go, with the aim of eventually getting in two range trips per week. I like the idea of being disciplined – i.e. enough focus on the short game, rather than mindlessly punting driver and iron shots – with at least one putting session as part of that.

Will that work out in practice? Will this renewed optimism last? Will some new Cobra clubs make all the difference? Find out in my next blog!

After thorough testing the Mizuno JPX921 Forged iron has been chosen for our Editor's Choice List in 2021

Mizuno JPX921 Forged Iron

Mizuno continues to make some of the very finest irons in golf and the JPX 921 Forged irons continue that trend. Grain Flow Forged HD in their legendary facility in Hiroshima Japan, they have long been a favourite of leading professionals.

The JPX921 Forged irons, which also made our list of the best compact mid-handicap irons, deliver a superb blend of power, control and forgiveness. They will help players of varying abilities get the very most from their game. Exceptionally fast ball speeds combine with classic looks and a high level of workability to deliver great versatility.

Mizuno JPX 921 Forged Irons

The JPX921 Forged irons integrate the power of Chromoly into a full body forged iron for the very first time.  Initially applied in Mizuno's Hot Metal irons - Chromoly has made the cross over to Mizuno's forgings with excellent results. Testing shows the fastest ball speeds Mizuno has ever produced from a fully Forged iron thanks to a clubface that’s 0.5mm thinner than predecessors.

These irons unquestionably produce excellent, impressive, distance and a strong ball flight. 

In addition, perimeter weighting with a toe bias maximises stability through the strike and that is further enhanced by a wider CNC milled back slot. You’ll find the irons produce very consistent results even with slightly off-centre strikes.

Related: Mizuno JPX 921 Irons Review

Buttery Soft Feel

Although the JPX921 Forged irons feature some impressive, game-improvement, technologies, they maintain that fabulous feel you associate with Mizuno irons.

They offer a sleek and compact profile with a shorter blade length throughout. There’s minimal offset and a bevelled trailing edge. The set gets sleeker as you move down to the shorter irons.

Apart from all the technology, with their pearl brush finish and clean lines, they quite simply look gorgeous.

The JPX921 Forged irons deliver the best of both worlds, feel and playability with a good level of power and forgiveness.

Mizuno JPX 921 Forged Irons

The Galvin Green Action Jacket been chosen for our Editor's Choice List in 2021.

Galvin Green Action Jacket

If you live in a country that sees a lot of rainfall, and yet you still wish to get out onto the golf course as much as possible, then a decent waterproof jacket is a necessity to combat downpours that could ruin the entire round’s enjoyment.

Galvin Green Action Jacket

Well thankfully Galvin Green is one brand that specialises in this particular aspect of the game and the waterproofs it makes are some of the best in the business. The brand new Action definitely fits into that bracket because it is one of the finest models the Swedish brand has produced to date.

First things first, and as you would expect, it is totally waterproof and windproof thanks to the Gore-Tex C-knit fabric. Whatever downpour you experience on the golf course, the Action will deal with it, and yet it also remains lightweight and breathable so that it doesn’t hinder the golf swing.

Focus On Your Game

Speaking of the swing Galvin Green has also implemented Gore-Tex ‘Super Stretch’ too which are a series of inserts on the jacket that provide extreme stretch in key areas like the back and elbows. We have all played in waterproofs that feel cumbersome and limiting, but with this stretchy fabric the Action helps you focus on your game, and not worry about apparel related hindrances.

Another important feature to mention is the inclusion of an extremely durable TechSteel fabric which reinforces the shoulder and lower back areas for those bag carriers on the golf course. Additionally the jacket is also part of the brand’s ‘Green in Galvin Green’ initiative, with it being produced using environmental Bluesign approved fabric.

Great Looks

But wait there's more because as far as looks go, we think Galvin Green has really nailed it here. It finds a way of being smart as well as totally modern with the cutting-edge graphics around the shoulders and back sections.

Galvin Green continues to deliver at the very highest level of golfing attire and this jacket represents the next step in waterproof technology. If you’re thinking of playing more golf, all-year round and don’t want the weather to catch you off guard at any point, then the Action has got you covered.

Galvin Green Action Jacket

The Callaway Apex Pro hybrid is one of the products featured in our Editor's Choice product list for 2021.

Callaway Apex Pro Hybrid

Given how far the modern-day driver can be hit and the difficulty a lot of us have in getting the most out of a 3-iron we’re looking for a lot from our hybrids.

The advantages are obvious and plenty, we can have the centre of gravity relatively low to promote a high launch and there is plenty of forgiveness but we still need to get it out there 200 yards plus and a lot of its work might be done from the rough.

The Apex Pro, as the names suggests, is directed at the better player but it is still one of the best hybrids on the market right now.

Callaway Apex Pro Hybrid

It is more compact than the standard Apex 21 and it will produce a more penetrating flight but there is still plenty of help on hand.

Looks wise at address there is definite iron-like profile to it so, if your irons stop at the 5, then there is a very easy flow to the set by adding this.

This is for the player who wants more of that iron-type trajectory and for the player who generates plenty of head speed but, with Callaway’s Face Cup Technology, there is great speed and spin consistency across the face.

Workable Firepower

Under the bonnet are the new Jailbreak A.I. Velocity blades which have been designed to increase the vertical stiffness near the sole of the club and to create more speed low on the face where the mishits tend to occur with the hybrid.

During research the computer threw up improvements to the original Jailbreak concept and, in short, that has led to moving the connection points more to the heel and toe which allows the face to have a more flexible region.

This club packs a punch – just the look of it will start your mind racing about drilling one into the wind on a par 5 from distance – and there is the workability and control that the strong player will be looking for, rather than something just designed to get the ball up in the air.

Callaway Apex Pro Hybrid