The post Callaway’s Apex UW can solve one vexing issue for golfers | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post Callaway’s Apex UW can solve one vexing issue for golfers | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

***

The area between the longest iron a golfer carries and their driver or 3-wood is one of the toughest spots in the bag to fill properly and have consistent gapping. For some golfers, this means opting for high-lofted fairway woods; for others, hybrids are the better option because of the control they can offer thanks to a shorter length.

With the goal of understanding how Callaway’s Apex UW fits into this category, we put it to the test to find out exactly how it stacks up.

Callaway Apex Custom Utility Wood

$299.99

The Apex Utility Wood is the go-to option for the best players on Tour. The unique profile promotes the launch and distance benefits of our high lofted fairway woods, the versatility of Callaway hybrids, along with a more neutral ball flight. It’s a multi-purpose offering that better players can use with confidence off the tee into tight landing areas, out of the fairway into Par-5s, or from the rough. TOUR VERSATILITY, POWER, AND CONTROL The Apex Utility Wood is the go-to option for the best players on Tour. The unique profile promotes the launch and distance benefits of our high lofted fairway woods, the versatility of Callaway hybrids, along with a more neutral ball flight. It’s a multi-purpose offering that better players can use with confidence off the tee into tight landing areas, out of the fairway into Par-5s, or from the rough. TOUR-INSPIRED COMPACT, WORKABLE SHAPE & OPTIMIZED LENGTH The distinct clubhead shaping is inspired by in-depth feedback from Tour pros. They require a compact profile to enhance shot-shaping and improve control. Club lengths are set between a fairway wood and a hybrid, allowing for versatile playability while still being easy to hit. FAST BALL SPEED FROM BATWING TECHNOLOGY & AN A.I. DESIGNED C300 FACE CUP The A.I.-designed Batwing structure is pushed to the perimeter to stiffen the body, allowing the high-strength C300 maraging steel face cup to flex for fast ball speeds. ENHANCED TURF INTERACTION FROM CUTWAVE PRO SOLE The Apex UW is designed for versatile shot-making. An all-new Cutwave Pro Sole is a streamlined design, engineered specifically to cut through the turf more efficiently. HIGH LAUNCH, CONSISTENT CONTROL AND TIGHTER DISPERSION The center of gravity is precisely positioned in a neutral location for an exceptional combination of high launch, steeper landing angles, consistent spin characteristics and reduced draw bias. The Apex UW is an excellent option for better players looking for a more playable hybrid or fairway wood.

Buy Now

View Product

Tools: To best replicate what many golfers experience when testing clubs, I went through this process with an off-the-rack 17-degree UW equipped with Mitsubishi Chemical’s MMT 70g stiff flex shaft. (This shaft is around the exact same weight as my go-to 5-wood shaft so it was the perfect choice for testing since it was going head-to-head against said 5-wood in my golf bag.)

The Test: To find out how the Apex UW works on the course under various conditions with a focus on ball flight control and forgiveness.

Results: The biggest question that comes up around the Apex UW is if it’s really just a small fairway wood or a big hybrid — and to be fair it’s actually the most useful blend of both into one club and why I found it so helpful under almost any scenario I used it in.

As a club with 17 degrees of loft, this Apex UW slots in the position between my 3-wood and my longest iron (4-iron), and in my personal testing is a direct replacement for my traditional 18-degree 5-wood.

Whereas a traditional 18-degree 5-wood comes in at 42.5 inches to 42.75 inches, the comparable (17-degree) Apex UW is only 41.5 inches — and this offers a lot of benefits.

Off the tee, the lower loft helps it fly out of a slightly lower window and the shorter shaft also makes it easier to flight lower when needed. The shorter length makes it advantageous to play closer to the middle of your stance to encourage a more ideal downward strike into the ball rather than forward where the tendency can be to top the ball with longer fairway clubs.

Now, as I said earlier, the UW is the best combination of a hybrid and a fairway wood, and here’s the kicker that I think is the biggest help to most golfers who are going to have this club find a place in their bag.

By having a more rounded face profile, and a shaft that is longer than a hybrid but shorter than a fairway wood, the UW is a club that is extremely easy to hit out of the rough compared to a longer iron or a traditional hybrid.

Yes, a fairway wood has the potential to generate more club head speed but the longer shaft can cause issues for a lot of golfers. The UW solves that by having a little extra length and a heavier shaft to create momentum on those difficult shots.

If you’re a golfer who struggles with longer shots from the rough, looking for more height and distance than a traditional hybrid or need a club that provides the ability to hit more controlled shots off the tee, then the Apex UW could be the perfect fit for your long game gapping.

The post Callaway’s Apex UW can solve one vexing issue for golfers | Proving Ground appeared first on Golf.

The post Callaway Paradym Star series built for more speed and distance | First Look appeared first on Golf.

The post Callaway Paradym Star series built for more speed and distance | First Look appeared first on Golf.

What’s inside

The new Paradym Star line isn’t just about what’s inside, but what’s not inside and out, and to bring this line to life the engineers at Callaway have removed everything detrimental to golfers looking for added distance by removing all unnecessary weight.

For the driver, fairway woods and hybrids, that means taking away the adjustable hosels to help lower the center of gravity, while also building in a more draw-biased weighting. For the irons, it means a lower profile and more loft to add launch and carry distance.

Paradym Star driver

As far as weight is concerned, the Paradym Star driver is around 15% lighter than a standard game-improvement driver and comes in at approximately 272 grams of total weight — to put that mass into perspective a standard 8-iron head on its own weighs around 275g. Heck, a standard Paradym driver headcover comes in around 125g (yes I actually weighed one).

“The total driver package is around 270-274 grams depending on the shaft. And the premium UST Attas shaft uses T1100 fibers, which allows us to get into a lightweight configuration,” said Dave Neville, Sr. Director of Callaway Equipment, “This is great for players that need more draw bias and launch, but they want all the best features of Paradym.”

This is a perfect example of how a golf club is designed as a full system rather than as separate components that just come together at the end. By designing from grip to head it’s possible to better target specific player categories, and for Callaway and the Paradym Star line, that means golfers with moderate swing speeds looking for distance.

Callaway Paradym Star Driver

$699.99

LIGHT ON WEIGHT. HEAVY ON PERFORMANCE. Paradym is creating a complete shift in performance for golfers around the world, from the best players in the game to amateurs of all different skill levels. These game-changing technologies have radically broken the tradeoff between incredible distance and exceptional forgiveness. Now we’re launching all those game-changing technologies in a lightweight design that’s specifically dedicated to moderate swing speed players.This is Paradym Star, optimized for impressive distance from a powerful, lightweight construction. Every facet of this ultra-premium family is engineered with consistently high launch and easy distance in mind. Our Patented 360° Carbon Chassis promotes incredible weight redistribution for maximized distance. Now paired with premium ultra-lightweight components to help generate even more power in your swing. INCREDIBLY EASY TO SWING FROM A PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN The Paradym Star Driver is designed to be extremely easy to swing. At an overall club weight that is 38 grams lighter than the Paradym driver, moderate swing speed players can maximize swing speed and increase their distance potential. HIGH LAUNCH AND STRAIGHT DISTANCE The Paradym Star driver features a 360 Carbon Chassis that promotes incredible weight redistribution. The result is a maximized distance and a high launch with draw bias for moderate swing speed players. PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT COMPONENTS The ultra-premium ATTAS Speed T1100 Shaft is as light as 40 grams, combined with a Winn Dri-Tac Lite grip that’s just 26 grams.

Buy Now

View Product

Paradym Star fairway woods and hybrids

The fairway woods and hybrids follow the same formula and have a reduced average mass of 28 grams and 33 grams respectively.

Callaway Paradym Star Fairway Wood

$399.99

LIGHT ON WEIGHT. HEAVY ON PERFORMANCE. Paradym is creating a complete shift in performance for golfers around the world, from the best players in the game to amateurs of all different skill levels. These game-changing technologies have radically broken the tradeoff between incredible distance and exceptional forgiveness. Now we’re launching all those game-changing technologies in a lightweight design that’s specifically dedicated to moderate swing speed players. This is Paradym Star, optimized for impressive distance from a powerful, lightweight construction. Every facet of this ultra-premium family is engineered with consistently high launch and easy distance in mind. We’ve combined our most powerful ball speed technologies with premium lightweight components for high launch with more forgiveness. INCREDIBLY EASY TO SWING FROM A PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN The Paradym Star fairway wood is designed to be extremely easy to swing. At an overall club weight that is 28 grams lighter than the Paradym fairway wood, moderate swing speed players can maximize swing speed and increase their distance potential. HIGH LAUNCH AND STRAIGHT DISTANCE Paradym Star fairway woods are engineered with more loft and more upright lie angles than Paradym fairway woods. The result is a high launch with draw bias to give moderate swing speed players straight distance. FAST BALL SPEEDS FROM THE TUNGSTEN SPEED CARTRIDGE & JAILBREAK WITH BATWING TECHNOLOGY The Tungsten Speed Cartridge and Jailbreak with Batwing Technology work together to provide fast ball speeds and incredible distance. PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT COMPONENTS The ultra-premium ATTAS Speed T1100 Shaft is as light as 40 grams, combined with a Winn Dri-Tac Lite grip that’s just 26 grams.

Buy Now

View Product

The carbon components of both clubs in the line as well as the elimination of the hosel do a great job of increasing launch to help with carry distance and also stopping power on longer shots which is where golfers with less speed really struggle. For those needing the most help possible, the Paradym Star fairway woods go all the way up to a 9 wood with 25 degrees of loft.

The Star hybrids maintain all of the design attributes of the standard Paradym hybrids, including the MIM weight in the head to generate more consistent flight on shots hit around the face, along with the cut wave sole for better turf interaction. Thanks to the lighter overall head weight the final lengths are 1/4″ longer to help with speed generation and a touch more draw bias.

Callaway Paradym Star Hybrid

$349.99

LIGHT ON WEIGHT. HEAVY ON PERFORMANCE. Paradym is creating a complete shift in performance for golfers around the world, from the best players in the game to amateurs of all different skill levels. These game-changing technologies have radically broken the tradeoff between incredible distance and exceptional forgiveness. Now we’re launching all those game-changing technologies in a lightweight design that’s specifically dedicated to moderate swing speed players.This is Paradym Star, optimized for impressive distance from a powerful, lightweight construction. Every facet of this ultra-premium family is engineered with consistently high launch and easy distance in mind. We’ve adapted our best speed technologies, like Jailbreak with Batwing Technology, and combined them with premium lightweight components that allow you to generate more power from your swing. INCREDIBLY EASY TO SWING FROM A PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN The Paradym Star hybrids are designed to be incredibly easy to swing. Utilizing an overall club design that is 33g lighter than Paradym, moderate swing speed players can maximize swing speed and increase their distance potential. HIGH LAUNCH AND STRAIGHT DISTANCE Paradym Star hybrids are engineered with more loft and more upright lie angles than Paradym hybrids. The result is a high launch with draw bias to promote straight distance for moderate swing speed players. FAST BALL SPEEDS FROM THE TUNGSTEN SPEED CARTRIDGE & JAILBREAK WITH BATWING TECHNOLOGY The Tungsten Speed Cartridge and Jailbreak with Batwing Technology work together to provide fast ball speeds and incredible distance. PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT COMPONENTS The ultra-premium ATTAS Speed Series shaft is just 50 grams, combined with an incredibly comfortable Winn Dri-Tac Lite grip that’s just 25 grams.

Buy Now

View Product

Paradym Star irons

The Star irons offer one of the biggest departures from the standard model because they are not only shaped differently to help increase launch but the clubs feature more loft club to club (30-degree 7-iron vs. 27 degrees in the standard model) to help produce more spin for extra carry.

All of this is on top of the on average 33 grams lighter total weight per club in the set.

“We’re confident with what we’ve done with our Tungsten in this iron. It’s really helping to lower the center of gravity and it’s going to help golfers generate increased launch,” says Brian Williams, Callaway VP of R&D, “This is one of those irons where we want golfers to get it up in the air, and get to a peak apex height, and generate more carry. Between the lightweight and the CG positioning, we should have a nice recipe here for distance with this player.”

Callaway Paradym Star Irons

$1499.99

LIGHT ON WEIGHT. HEAVY ON PERFORMANCE. Paradym is creating a complete shift in performance for golfers around the world, from the best players in the game to amateurs of all different skill levels. These game-changing technologies have radically broken the tradeoff between incredible distance and exceptional forgiveness. Now we’re launching all those game-changing technologies in a lightweight design that’s specifically dedicated to moderate swing speed players.This is Paradym Star, optimized for impressive distance from a powerful, lightweight construction. Every facet of this ultra-premium family is engineered with consistently high launch and easy distance in mind. We’ve combined a Forged 455 Face with the all-new SpeedFrame, giving you get the best of speed and feel, while our premium lightweight shaft allows you to generate more power from your swing. INCREDIBLY EASY TO SWING FROM A PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN The Paradym Star irons are designed to be incredibly easy to swing. Utilizing an overall club design that is 33g lighter than Paradym, moderate swing speed players can maximize swing speed and increase their distance potential. HIGH LAUNCH AND FAST BALL SPEEDS Paradym Star irons are engineered with more loft and ¼” longer club lengths than Paradym irons. The result is a higher launch with fast ball speed to give moderate swing speed players more distance. FAST BALL SPEEDS WITH EXCEPTIONAL FEEL The hollow body design features a high-strength Forged 455 face cup and Speed Frame construction for incredibly fast ball speeds. The hollow body design also features our patented urethane microspheres for enhanced feel. PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT COMPONENTS The ultra-premium ATTAS Speed Series shaft is just 50 grams, combined with an incredibly comfortable Winn Dri-Tac Lite grip that’s just 44 grams.

Buy Now

View Product

Prices and availability

The new Callaway Paradym Star line is available for presale starting August 18th, and the product will be on retail shelves beginning September 15th.

The driver is priced at $699.99, the fairway woods are $399.99 each, the hybrids are $349.99 each, and the irons are priced at $1499.99 for a 6-piece set or $250/club.

Want to overhaul your bag? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Callaway Paradym Star series built for more speed and distance | First Look appeared first on Golf.

The post New Callaway ‘Super Hybrid’ offers driver technology for your long game | First Look appeared first on Golf.

The post New Callaway ‘Super Hybrid’ offers driver technology for your long game | First Look appeared first on Golf.

As a bit of a refresher, the Super Hybrid – is NOT a Marvel superhero, but could certainly be a club that helps golfers save a few shots on the course by combining all the premium technology and materials of a driver into a more controllable hybrid package.

“We’ve tried to make a hybrid package for somebody who struggles to hit a fairway wood,” Brian Williams, VP of R&D at Callaway, said. “Maybe they’re topping it or not striking the center of the face, but a hybrid is something that most golfers can make more consistent delivery within different types of conditions. We’ve created a very versatile, very consistent golf club.”

What’s new in the Paradym Super Hybrid

From a technology perspective, the 2023 Callaway Paradym Super Hybrid is absolutely jammed with performance-enhancing materials that are normally only found in drivers, including a titanium construction, triaxial carbon crown, and upwards of 95 grams of tungsten to provide maximum forgiveness.

Let’s not forget the A.I. designed face to optimize performance on shots hit away from the middle.

“The titanium around the perimeter is very lightweight, and that’s allowed us to strategically place our tungsten MIM Weighting,” Williams said. “That’s how we generate the MOI and forgiveness that golfers still expect from a hybrid. The MIM Weight welded internally is low and forward, a recipe for trajectory and distance. The weight in the rear keeps the MOI up to make this a very forgiving and playable golf club.”

Price and availability

The Callaway Paradym Super Hybrid is priced at $399 and will come stocked with the UST Recoil DART graphite shaft.

The new Callaway Paradym Super Hybrid goes on pre-sale starting August 18th and will be in retail stores starting September 1st.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post New Callaway ‘Super Hybrid’ offers driver technology for your long game | First Look appeared first on Golf.

The post Callaway updates popular Apex UW utility wood | First Look appeared first on Golf.

The post Callaway updates popular Apex UW utility wood | First Look appeared first on Golf.

On Tuesday, Callaway announced the release of two new iterations of its Callaway Apex series: irons and utility woods.

To go along with the release of the newest Callaway Apex iron series, the engineering team at Callaway also updated their popular Apex UW utility wood for improved performance and more consistent ball flight.

For those that need a refresher, the Callaway UW is designed to offer the best of both worlds by combining fairway wood and hybrid attributes to create a club with neutral ball flight properties and precise distance control for skilled players.

“It’s a very precise club built to produce a neutral ball flight so players can work it either way that they want, including on different trajectories,” said Brian Williams, VP of Callaway R&D.

What’s new in the Apex UW

From an internal technology perspective, the 2023 Callaway UW has been upgraded to incorporate popular technologies from the Paradym line — including batwing technology to stiffen the body and produce more ball speed on off-center hits.

That goes along with the A.I-designed C300 maraging steel face to add more flex around the entire face, stabilizing ball speeds for better distance control.

On the outside, the look from address is extremely familiar to the previous model, based on feedback from tour players and Callaway’s extensive professional staff, but when you flip the clubhead over, things change quickly.

The UW sole uses Callaway’s cutwave design to help optimize turf interaction from a variety of lies and conditions — and helps to further enhance the center of gravity.

Price and availability

The Callaway Apex UW is priced at $299 and will come stock with the Mitsubishi MMT 70 or 80-gram graphite shaft. It will come in lofts of 17°, 18°, and 21° (right-hand only).

The new Callaway Apex UW and Apex Irons go on pre-sale starting August 18th and will be in retail stores starting September 8th.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Callaway updates popular Apex UW utility wood | First Look appeared first on Golf.

The post Callaway’s 2023 Apex irons: 5 things you need to know appeared first on Golf.

The post Callaway’s 2023 Apex irons: 5 things you need to know appeared first on Golf.

These are the 5 things you need to know about the all-new Callaway Apex irons and utility.

1. A fresh start

In today’s day and age, to have any single model or family of clubs live for more than 2 years in the marketplace is quite uncommon for most OEMs, but when you have a popular design like the Callaway Apex series and one of the top players in the world using them, you want to make sure things are just right before you create the successor.

For Callaway, that means a total reset for how they defined the Apex series, and with that, they have slimmed down the options, created continuity through the various sets, and eliminated the most game-improvement-focused line, the DCB (deep cavity back).

The new Apex line is concise and offers a mix of new technology with classic shapes and player-driven profiles.

2. Built for the best

When you connect the dots, the previous generation Apex came out around the same time as Mr. Jon Rahm joined Callaway’s roster of players and became the unofficial head honcho. Since that time he has gone on to win two majors and reach number 1 in the world, which marks a very nice feather in the cap for both Callaway and Jon.

Jon is one of a group of players who quickly made the Apex TCB the most-played iron model. The team at Callaway used that as the starting point to build out the rest of the line.

From the sole design that flows through each model intended to create the most efficient turf interaction possible, to the refined shaping on the blade irons up to the UT, each aspect was evaluated for final performance.

“We did 7 or 8 versions of this sole until we had it perfected,” said Brian Williams, VP of Callaway R&D. “We saw this tour-validated feedback where even when we had the slightest thing off, they could pick it up and tell us how to fix it. We changed that leading edge, the sharper leading edge, and this trailing edge gives a little bit of relief – it glides through the turf.”

3. Technology inside and out

Although the Apex MB is a solid forged club built for high-speed players looking for pure feel and control, the rest of the line offers technology specifically engineered to deliver performance.

The standout is the Apex Pro, which uses two different metals in the face construction to create ball speed in the longer irons while delivering control into the scoring clubs.

“Through extensive testing and development, we found exactly where we wanted a cutoff (from scoring to distance clubs),” Williams said. “The 4 and 5-iron target distance, but as we pivot into the 6-iron through wedges, what we saw was more precision, slightly higher launch, and slightly higher spin.”

4. Choose your adventure

From the new MB blade to the UT utility, the models all share similar design cues that tie them together and offer the needed performance from the top to the bottom of your set.

If you are looking for pure precision, the CB and MB irons offer a small compact profile with thinner soles, while the Apex Pro offers a combination of distance-adding technology in the long irons with a better player-preferred smaller shape in the mid and scoring clubs.

In addition, the UT provides 2, 3, and 4-iron replacement options for golfers that want a more confidence-inspiring look on longer approach shots and off the tee.

5. Three models, one price

Whether you’re looking at the Apex Pro, the CB, or the MB — the pricing for the full iron series is the same from top to bottom at $215 a club.

Callaway Apex Iron Series

Starting at $215 per club

The Callaway Apex iron series offers premium technology for premium performance

Pre-Order Now

The only club in the line that comes in at a slightly higher price is the Apex UT utility iron, which comes stock with a graphite shaft and additional shaft options.

All of the new Callaway Apex models go on pre-sale starting August 18th and will be in retail stores starting September 8th.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Callaway’s 2023 Apex irons: 5 things you need to know appeared first on Golf.

The post Winner’s bag: Akshay Bhatia’s equipment at the 2023 Barracuda Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post Winner’s bag: Akshay Bhatia’s equipment at the 2023 Barracuda Championship appeared first on Golf.

Take a closer look at Bhatia’s full-bag Callaway setup.

Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Max (Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft), 9 degrees

3-wood: Callaway Paradym (Fujikura Ventus Black 8TX shaft), 15 degrees

Utility wood: Callaway Apex UW (Fujikura Ventus Black 10X shaft), 19 degrees

Utility iron: Callaway X Forged UT (22 degrees; KBS $-Taper 125 S+ shaft)

Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (5-PW; KBS $-Taper 125 S+ shafts)

Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (50, 54 and 60 degrees; KBS $-Taper 125 S+ shafts)

Putter: Odyssey Tri-Hot 5K #7 Double Wide (21-inch SuperStroke Zenergy 1.0P grip)

Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X LS

Grips: Iomic Sticky 2.3 Black

Want to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Winner’s bag: Akshay Bhatia’s equipment at the 2023 Barracuda Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post Phil Mickelson is contemplating a surprise equipment change at The Open appeared first on Golf.

The post Phil Mickelson is contemplating a surprise equipment change at The Open appeared first on Golf.

This is the same Phil Mickelson who used two drivers to win the 2006 Masters, a driver-less setup to capture the Claret Jug in 2013 and a 47.9375-inch big stick (yes, it’s important to be precise) to become the oldest major winner in golf history in 2021.

Sure, Lefty’s wild gear setups haven’t always worked out, but not every science experiment is going to succeed. It’s about finding the tiniest of edges and exploiting them whenever possible.

This brings us to the latest equipment change Mickelson is contemplating on the eve of the opening round of the Open Championship. On Wednesday, Mickelson was spotted with a 9-degree Ping G430 LST driver and 15-degree G430 Max fairway wood in the bag during a practice round — two clubs we haven’t seen the six-time major winner wield in the past for good reason.

All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Ping G430 LST

Build your own Ping G430 LST driver through Fairway Jockey.

BUY NOW

While Mickelson has played his fair share of non-Callaway clubs over the years, it’s usually been a single fairway wood or wedge. The sight of two Ping clubs led many to question the decision behind the potential change, especially with Mickelson’s longstanding Callaway relationship.

It should be noted Callaway has always provided Mickelson with the flexibility to try different clubs that fit his game, going all the way back to his original deal in 2004. In other words, Mickelson using a non-Callaway club isn’t out of the norm.

It’s also important to mention Mickelson’s deal with Callaway has been on “pause” for over a year, following his controversial comments to golf writer Alan Shipnuck, so it’s unclear if the addition of non-Callaway is much ado about nothing. Mickelson hasn’t commented on the potential changes, but GOLF’s Fully Equipped crew attempted to provide some insights behind them.

With consistent winds expected at Royal Liverpool, having a stable, consistent driver to handle gusty winds can be a major advantage. Ping has historically produced some of the most stable drivers in the industry over the years, and the numbers seen during ClubTest 2023 robotic testing back up the claim. While low launch/spin characteristics — and the LST is the lowest launching and spinning in the G430 lineup — tend to come at the expense of off-center strikes, due to a forward center of gravity, this year’s LST bucked the trend.

With a single-digit carry distance delta (9.7 yards) — comparing geometric center carry to the other 8 mishit locations on the face — G430 LST bested several “game-improvement” models by 6 or 7 yards. And high-toe misses? They ended up a mere 2 yards behind center strikes. Forgiveness is always a good thing, especially when it comes with consistent carry distances.

Gear

“[G430 LST is] a very stable driver,” said GOLF’s senior equipment editor Ryan Barath. “When you’re trying to swing hard and fast and want the ball to go as straight as possible, it’s tough to beat a driver that offers a ton of stability and [Moment of Inertia]. Especially in the wind, once your spin axis starts to tilt, you’re losing that vector. You’re basically destabilizing ball flight as the spin axis tilts. So if you’re able to reduce that spin axis tilt, all of a sudden that ball is going to fly straighter, even in the wind. For Phil, he has a lot of confidence in the Callaway ball that performs well in the wind. So how do we tighten up stability even more in the wind? A driver that creates stability certainly helps.”

Golf Laboratories co-founder Gene Parente, also a Fully Equipped co-host, backed up Barath’s insights on spin axis by confirming stability is one way to ensure the ball has a fighting chance to stay online, especially when conditions worsen during the round.

“As soon as you put a spin axis component in there, a ball [in gusty winds] is off the world,” said Parente. “It’s shocking how little it takes to affect the ball, so to have a driver that has a higher MOI to minimize spin axis, in conditions such as they are in the UK, is really beneficial for a week like this.”

As for the G430 Max fairway wood Mickelson has been testing, it’s been on an impressive run the past several weeks and continues to see an increase in usage. It also features a level of stability that Mickelson is hoping keeps him out of trouble as he prepares to tackle Royal Liverpool.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Phil Mickelson is contemplating a surprise equipment change at The Open appeared first on Golf.

The post Top gear news from the British Open at Royal Liverpool — so far appeared first on Golf.

The post Top gear news from the British Open at Royal Liverpool — so far appeared first on Golf.

Let’s break it all down!

New Mizuno woods & wedges

Mizuno likes to drop new clubs around the British Open, and once again they have not disappointed the gear junkies anticipating what’s coming to retail soon.

So far we have spotted three new clubs in images from around Hoylake and they include a new titanium STG fairway wood, and hidden behind that in Mizuno’s Instagram post appears to be the matching STG driver that we have also found on the USGA conforming clubs list (below).

What’s even more interesting is we originally spotted a prototype of the STG fairway over a year ago at the Travelers Championship, and now it’s finally making its way onto Tour and into full production, which goes to show just how long the development process can be.

Last but not least from Mizuno, they snuck some of their new T24 wedges into an Instagram story post about their irons, and then we went to the conforming list again to confirm that they are in fact the newest wedges from the Japanese manufacturer.

Amazing golf bags

The OEMs and their design teams have pulled out all the stops for the final men’s major of the year by delivering some of the most beautiful and creative golf bags yet.

With themes around water, the event, and of course The Beatles, do you have a favorite?

New old irons for Stenson

Look, we can’t blame the guy for knowing what he likes — heck, when I walk into a pizza shop, regardless of the menu, I already know what I want too.

For former Open Champion Henrik Stenson that means a fresh new set of his Callaway Legacy Black forged irons which date back over a decade to when they were released in 2013. Although this is a “new” set for the major champion, it’s pretty safe to say that these are some of the oldest irons in professional golf at the highest level.

Wedges, wedges everywhere

The conditions of links golf compared to North American parkland golf means players often have to make some adjustments to both ends of their bags.

Gear

At the top end that means new long irons and driving irons, like what Rory used to hit his clinching shot last week at the Genesis Scottish Open, and on the other end it means new wedges with fresh grooves, and in some cases lower bounce angles to deal with the more coarse sand and tight lies.

The Vokey team on the Titleist truck has been busy this week with a whole bunch of new wedges, and they shared some of them on their Instagram.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Top gear news from the British Open at Royal Liverpool — so far appeared first on Golf.

The post 3 brands with dependable men’s golf rain gear to keep you dry and comfy appeared first on Golf.

The post 3 brands with dependable men’s golf rain gear to keep you dry and comfy appeared first on Golf.

But no matter what the weather app says, every day (in theory) is a great day for golf; even better when you’re prepared for the conditions you’re about to play. Golf in the rain can be a skill, and it’s easier to utilize your skills when you’re comfortable and dry.

Gear

It’s wise to keep your golf wardrobe stacked with adequate rain and wind gear because you never know exactly what mother nature has in store. Go ahead and give away whatever scruffy rain suit you own now, and try a set of rain gear specifically engineered for golfing. You’ll love the soft and quiet material which won’t interrupt your swing or anyone else in their backswing.

Water and windproof, this gear is designed to keep you comfortable and dry, no matter your condition of play.

Scroll to the bottom to find the three rain jackets on sale for up to $50 off their original prices– deals you do not want to miss!

Dependable golf rain gear

Keep scrolling to find golf rain gear that doesn’t compromise style for quality.

Below you’ll find 6 pieces of specially selected golf rain gear — 4 jackets, a pullover and a pair of pants. This weather-resistant gear brings the best of both worlds, providing style and quality.

Adidas

The Adidas RAIN.RDY golf collection is waterproof yet breathable. The solid weatherproof rain gear is soft and quiet to keep your focus sharp.

The RAIN.RDY GOLF PANTS ($180) and RAIN.RDY FULL-ZIP JACKET ($280) come equipped with multiple waterproof zipper pockets which are so necessary to keep your balls, scorecard, tees and phone available for trusted storage in the wind and rain.

RAIN.RDY Full-Zip Jacket ($280) – tap here to shop

wind and waterproof

RAIN.RDY Full-Zip Jacket

$280

The ultralight, three-layer build features a soft, quiet material with plenty of stretch that doesn’t distract as you move.

tap here to shop

RAIN.RDY Golf Pants ($180) – tap here to shop

wind and waterproof

RAIN.RDY Golf Pants

$180

These waterproof, breathable adidas golf rain pants set you up to play through steady drizzle or a passing shower. Zip pockets add utility for storing tees, phone or balls. Zip ankles make for easier on and off.

tap here to shop

Callaway

The weather gear in Callaway Apparel’s Weather Series provides ultimate functionality and playability for the performance-driven golfer. 

Mens Dual Action Aquapel Block Swing Tech 1/4 Zip Pullover ($78) – tap here to shop

wind and waterproof

Mens Dual Action Aquapel Block Swing Tech 1/4 Zip Pullover

$78

Play in any weather with this Callaway water repellent pullover. Fleece fabric is warm, lightweight and soft.

tap here to shop

Mens Swing Tech StormGuard Water-Resistant Golf Jacket (now $114.99, was $250) – tap here to shop

wind and waterproof – on sale

Mens Swing Tech StormGuard Water-Resistant Golf Jacket

now $114.99 (was $250)

Designed for effortless movement with every shot, this golf outerwear is equipped with Swing Tech for added stretch in the shoulder seams for a full range of motion.

tap here to shop

Bonobos

If you’re looking for gear to perfectly transition from course to clubhouse or dinner elsewhere, you’re in luck! Both of these jackets are weather and dinner ready.

Elements Shell Golf Jacket (now $149, was $189) – tap here to shop

wind and waterproof – on sale

Elements Shell Golf Jacket

now $149 (was $189)

This breathable, water-resistant jacket offers style & performance on & off the course.

tap here to shop

The Lightweight Elements Jacket (now $199, was $249) – tap here to shop

wind and waterproof – on sale

The Lightweight Elements Jacket

now $199 (was $249)

An aptly named weather-ready jacket that resists wind & rain. Wear it on the course then out to dinner.

tap here to shop

The post 3 brands with dependable men’s golf rain gear to keep you dry and comfy appeared first on Golf.

The post Callaway and TaylorMade bring limited-edition staff bags to the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach appeared first on Golf.

The post Callaway and TaylorMade bring limited-edition staff bags to the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach appeared first on Golf.

Callaway

Callaway staffers including Rose Zhang and Annika Sorenstam, who is also playing in her final U.S. Women’s Open on a special invitation, will both be using the ocean-themed bag to carry all of their gear around Pebble Beach Golf Links.

The bag colors are appropriately seafoam green with gold accents and feature shells on the side panels to represent the beaches that border the world-famous golf course.

TaylorMade

With the tournament taking place the same week as the Fourth of July, TaylorMade has decided to go with a more direct United States theme, featuring subtle references to Pebble Beach along with the stars and stripes.

Beyond the stars and stripes, the bag makes references to 17-mile drive, the latitude and longitude coordinates of the golf course, and the famous lone Cypress tree that sits along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

Beyond the golf bags, it’s going to be a very exciting week at Pebble Beach for the U.S. Women’s Open, and thanks to the west coast location, the event will be broadcast in prime time on the east coast, just like the men’s U.S. Open at LACC was only a few weeks ago.

Want to overhaul your bag? Find an industry-leading True Spec Golf fitting location near you, and for more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below.

The post Callaway and TaylorMade bring limited-edition staff bags to the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach appeared first on Golf.