Callaway Golf Company has announced it will pay second quarter dividends of $0.01 per share on July 15, which is a cut of six cents per share compared to the first quarter this year.

The MD Golf brand is continuing to establish footholds in golf markets across the globe, with New Zealand the latest territory to give MD Golf a strong retail presence.

Andy Bough, who was until recently marketing director of apparel company Glenmuir, has joined Cork-based Premium Golf Brands. Bough is starting with PGB in July, in a role that SGB Golf understands is predominantly sales related. At the time of going to press, confirmation from PGB was not available.

Swedish clothing brand Peak Performance is making a concerted effort to establish itself as a premium, specialist golf brand in the UK.

Gel Golf has launched a network of custom-fit putting centres in the UK. Gel putter designer Dr Paul Hurrion has developed a unique fitting procedure for Gel, which he has personally instructed to a team of six PGA professionals, with a further seven pros to be inducted this summer.

TGI Golf, the European buying group for golf pros, has launched a new online marketing tool that enables its members to personalise shop marketing material. The Online Print System provides pros with a variety of templates including vouchers and posters for events and products.

Alchemy was the medieval forerunner of what we know today as chemistry, and stories have been passed down through the centuries of alchemists who could transform base metals into gold or silver.

I have a confession to make - I don't play golf. However, I've had lessons from pros - usually as part of a conference thingy - and found the moment when you make that perfect sweet connection between iron and ball to be quite exhilarating (although without that same pure delight of the perfectly-timed extra cover drive, of course). Putting still strikes me as very irritating, though.

Following the success of Oscar Jacobson's WPS jacket (Weather Protective System) this year, the Swedish company has confirmed it will continue the jacket through Autumn/Winter 2009/10.

While increasing numbers of hardware manufacturers are investing in their custom-fit offering, eyewear specialist Oakley is introducing a Custom Programme of its own. Golfers can choose between 28 styles of sunglasses and two styles of goggles, with a wide range of colour and lens options across all styles. Customers can also include personalised lens etchings in creating their bespoke shades.

With UK average temperatures rising year on year, staying safe in the sun has never been so important.

Dougherty gets a grip

Nick Dougherty has found the form of his career putting with a 2-Thumb grip. The 29-year-old Englishman notched his third career win at the BMW International Open in Munich last month, averaging 26.7 putter per round over four days.

www.2thumbgrip.com

The golf apparel market has been overcrowded for some time and it is reasonable to expect some consolidation during tough trading conditions. In these conditions, in our experience, sensible buyers more readily appreciate factors that help them run their businesses better, like good stock availability and fast turnaround times.

As the 138th Open Championship approaches, it seems hard to believe that 25 years have passed since Seve Ballesteros stole past Tom Watson to win the 1984 Open at St Andrews. The people who brought you MD Golf's Seve Ballesteros Icon range of equipment have again collaborated with the Spanish legend to produce a commemorative set.

The Open Championship is just round the corner. I have reported from most Opens since my first in 1981, including the 1986 and 1994 versions at Turnberry. So why has it taken golf's oldest championship 15 years to return to the glorious Ailsa links on the west coast of Scotland? The answer, sadly, is infrastructure. In both 1986 and 1994, the experience for many visitors to Ayrshire was characterised by a shortage of accommodation and by interminable traffic jams.

A few years ago I was shown a survey that interviewed a range of golf customers about where they had seen a particular golf product featured. The magazine that was quoted most frequently as the source was Golf Magazine. As most people reading this will know, this magazine does not and never has existed in the UK market...! For me this was a pivotal moment because it proved to me that no matter where you see it, seeing a product again and again and again is a very powerful tool. Front of mind awareness is priceless and PR plays an essential role in achieving this.

How are Cobra sales for 2009 going so far?

Everyone is finding it a hard sell this year, and people are not buying as much equipment as they used to, but we are holding our own in terms of maintaining market share. Our first quarter numbers from Golf Datatech show we increased our UK market share in drivers by a couple of percentage points, from 9.5% in 2008 to 11.6%, in terms of unit share as opposed to value share, to move up to third in the drivers market.

Motocaddy has brought to market a contender for golf innovation of the year, with its S5 GPS, golf's first electric trolley with built-in GPS. The range-finding technology has been provided by Sureshot, with the GPS unit integrated into the trolley handle. The S5 comes with a remote control handset that features a USB connection to download course information from a computer, and the information is then uploaded to the S5 wirelessly. The remote also serves as a security device as the trolley will not operate if the remote is out of range.

Succeeding what Powakaddy claims to be the best-selling electric trolley of the past decade - the Freeway - is the new Freeway II. The new model comes with a lithium battery as optional, which is 75% lighter than the lead acid equivalent, and a multi-function LCD display is positioned in front of the soft-touch ergonomic handgrip. Available in Black and a new White option, golfers can also buy a holder designed specifically for the Freeway II to take a Skycaddie GPS rangefinder (RRP: £29.99).

The Hill Billy Terrain is built with a 200-Watt motor, which the company says will make light work of all golf course terrain. The Terrain features a three-way folding frame for ease of transport and storage, and its settings include a pre-set distance function that allows golfers to send the trolley ahead when needed. New for this year is a light battery for light usage, and the Terrain comes with a 12-month guarantee. It is available in Black or Silver.

Power Bug is another trolley company to have entered the digital age, and its Digital Pro-Sport features a nine-point LED display that enables golfers to pre-set the trolley at their desired cruise speed. The lightweight and compact trolley is built with a 200-Watt motor and its Hurricana battery is available in 18 or 36-hole options. Power Bug has an extensive range of accessories to go with its Pro Sport, including a cart seat, and the trolley comes in Black, Blue, Silver, Red and Pink.

Sun Mountain's Speed Cart features broad-diameter ‘pneumatic' tyres, which are designed to roll over all surfaces better than standard wheels. The fold-down trolley features an adjustable and ergonomic handle, which is fitted with a hand brake. The Speed cart also comes with holders for an umbrella, drink, scorecard, balls, pencil and tees, and a padded valuables tray. It is available in Black, Silver, Yellow, Orange and White.

The Automatic collapses with one simple fold, and features what Bag Boy describes as its ‘G Force Performance' wheel design. The Automatic is made from ‘high modulus ultra lightweight aluminium tubing' and it comes with fully adjustable bag brackets to cater for all bag types, including junior bags. It is fitted with a scorecard holder, valuables compartment and a parking brake mounted onto the handle.

Stewart Golf's F1 Lithium takes golf trolleys to a different level. Called the ‘F1' because it became known as the ‘folding one' during development, the F1 does fold down in half in one single motion. It has magnesium alloy wheels, electronics derived from NASA, and it only weighs 14kg including battery and its own customised golf bag. It comes in a variety of colours, including pink.

New for 2009, the Pace 9 Easi-glide is sturdy and unfussy. It is built with a pair of front wheels to provide golfers with excellent manoeuvrability over uneven surfaces, and the push trolley is fitted with a broad handle and a holder for scorecard, balls and tees. The trolley folds simply for ease of storage and transport, and the wheels feature quick release mechanisms.

The steel trolley from PGA Collection is lightweight yet sturdy, and has been made with a contoured handle for extra comfort. It also features large, durable wheels that have been fitted with anti-slide tyres, and the trolley comes with a waterproof scorecard holder. The trolley collapses in one step and comes in Black.

Clicgear's 2.0 push cart features a number of improvements for 2009, including an improved opening mechanism, on-frame umbrella storage and wide-profile wheels, and it also comes in an expanded range of colours: Black, Silver, Red, Blue, Yellow, Kiwi and Orange. Made from aluminium, the push cart weighs only 8kg. A full range of cart accessories is also available, including matching cart bags and umbrellas.

Not content with being one of the most fashionable golf fashion houses in Europe, Chervo has now opened its own superb golf resort, San Vigilio.

Paul Nilbrink was runaway winner of the 4th Aegean Airlines tournament, by nine clear strokes and with a 15-under-par total of 129 over 36 holes. Nilbrink's outstanding performance included a second round 63, nine under par.

Guerin Rife started taking his early putters on the PGA Tour in 2000. He had two models that he had machined in the same shop Scotty Cameron used in California, with patented, horizontal grooves, and he would stand by the side of tournament practice greens with the putters on display, hoping to catch someone's attention. Anyone.

Launched in 2008, Ping's Rapture V2 irons are the company's ‘maximum forgiveness' irons. Ping's in-house research into multi-material combinations has led to the over-sized clubheads being made from a 17-4 stainless steel body, with a titanium face and tungsten sole weight. The clubs are available from three iron to nine, and with a range of four wedges.

The ‘SZ' of the King Cobra SZ irons stands for ‘Sweet Zone', and forgiveness and high trajectory are key to these clubs, which have been designed for mid-to-high handicappers. The clubheads have a sleek, low profile and a shortened hosel to push the centre of gravity low and back, while the wide sole and heel-toe weighting are designed to maximise the clubs' moment of inertia. With models for men, women and seniors, the clubs come from 5-iron to sand wedge.

The CG7 irons from Cleveland come with Gelback and Micro-Cavity technologies, with a view to providing great feel, distance and forgiveness. Gelback takes the form of an injection-moulded, lightweight insert that dampens unwanted vibrations from strikes across the clubface, while the Micro-Cavities are progressively sized to provide the optimum centre of gravity for more distance. Cleveland also has the CG7 Tour option for the better player.

Illustrating what more companies are doing with the make-up of a new set of irons, MD Golf's SuperStrong Combos feature six irons, from sand wedge to six-iron, with the set completed with a pair of offset hybrids, of 21 and 24 degrees. The stainless steel irons are made with ‘maximum' peripheral weighting, which gives the clubs a thick sole and top line, to aid playability. The clubs come fitted with UST Ultraflex graphite shafts or Proforce 65Lady, and UST Multi-compound grips.

TaylorMade claims it has re-invented the way it designs clubs, with the long, middle and short irons being created as separate entities. TaylorMade's SuperFast Technology is an umbrella that covers progressive COR through the set, progressive MOI and progressive shaft length. The clubs are fitted with ultra-light shafts and grips and TaylorMade promises faster ball speed and increased forgiveness. The brand's Inverted Cone Technology is also present throughout the set.

The Big Bertha Diablo irons from Callaway are premium clubs with the better player in mind. They feature traditional head shapes, yet with Callaway's flaming Diablo cosmetics. The clubheads are forged from a soft 1020 carbon steel and feature high-strength 455 Carpenter Steel faces. The clubs are designed to provide exceptional feedback at impact thanks to the soft body, yet the stronger clubface should increase ball speed.

Cast from 431 stainless steel, Titleist's AP1s are aimed at skilled golfers who are looking to take their game to the next level. The upper and lower cavities on the back of the clubheads are designed to optimise weight distribution around the perimeter. The clubs feature a high-density tungsten nickel box and an elastomer cushion with a view to providing excellent feel, forgiveness and overall performance.

Bridgestone has introduced a series from which accomplished golfers can make up a set to fit individual preference - the ‘Ultimate Combo Set'. Featuring three clubhead designs; J36 Blades, Cavity Backs and Pocket Cavities, all irons are forged from 1020 mild carbon steel for a soft feel, and they feature U-grooves for excellent control. Golfers seeking added forgiveness from long irons may prefer the Pocket Cavities, but could work through to the Blades for the scoring clubs.

Wilson says it has improved the Di7 irons to produce its longest and most forgiving iron, the Di9. The clubs have been designed with a low profile and wide sole to lower the centre of gravity, with a view to providing a higher and straighter ball flight. The responsive clubface should generate exceptional ball speed, while the ‘super-lightweight' shafts feature Wilson's patented Wide Tips to limit twisting at impact.

The Precise Weight Positioning System of the Benny Irons is designed to deliver ‘unrivalled' stability, forgiveness and feel. The centre of gravity has been moved further back to increase the sweet spot by 25%, claims the company, and with a high MOI the distance and accuracy of the clubs should be excellent. They come fitted with True Temper shafts and Golf Pride New Decade multi-compound grips.

Weighted to provide that high MOI, the Viper XT irons are made with an ultra-thin S42 steel face that is plasma-welded to a deep-gravity clubhead, with a view to maximising power and accuracy. The clubs are fitted with FST Pro 115 stepless lightweight steel shafts or AeroTech Hoop Wind graphites. All shafts are hand ‘PUREd' before assembly.

Weighted to provide that high MOI, the Viper XT irons are made with an ultra-thin S42 steel face that is plasma-welded to a deep-gravity clubhead, with a view to maximising power and accuracy. The clubs are fitted with FST Pro 115 stepless lightweight steel shafts or AeroTech Hoop Wind graphites. All shafts are hand ‘PUREd' before assembly.

Arguably the highlight of the 2009 releases from Benross, the VX-51s are forged, cavity-back irons with a moderate sole width, a slim top line and a satin finish.

The C3 irons from Go have been designed with the beginning or improving golfer in mind. The cavity-back irons, which are assembled in the UK, are available right and left-handed, and golfers are free to assemble combination sets to their personal preference, mixing in Midi Rescue clubs, fairways woods and a driver. All C3 irons come fitted with True Temper steel shafts or ‘Fuko' graphites.

Nicklaus claims its has taken its Polarity MTP irons and made them even better, to produce the Polarity HTC. The patented Extreme Polar Weight System has distributed the clubhead weight deeper, with a view to enhancing ball velocity and trajectory. The Polar Weight also resists twisting at impact. Shaft options are FST Pro Silver Ultra Light steel, Precision Rifle Black Graphite, and Nicklaus SG Pro 3.01 Ladies.

Nike has a series of three VR irons: TW Forged, Split Cavity Forged, and Full Cavity. Tiger goes for the TW Forged of course, but mere mortals may prefer the Split Cavities, which have traditional looks, and a top line and sole only slightly thicker than the TW Forged, and they have a hint more offset. Designed to offer forgiveness while still aiding shot shaping, the Split Cavities are fitted with Dynamic Gold steel shafts.

With its VMX set, Yonex has built mid-sized steel heads with 3mm clubfaces, and combining with V-Con Core cavity technology, the promised result is increased power and forgiveness. The irons also have a triangular weighting system, designed to maintain stability through impact, and they come with the option of True Temper steel shafts or Yonex's own HS6000 graphites.

Nickent's 3DX RC+ Combo Set features three club designs: ironwoods to replace the 3 and 4 irons, wide-sole mid-irons, and short irons with a narrower sole. The mid and short irons feature carbon backing to dampen vibrations and to lower the centre of gravity, while XW tungsten-polymer weight inserts boost the club's forgiveness and stability at impact. The clubs have True Temper ST-90 steel shafts or UST SR2.5 graphite.

From the four sets of irons launched by Mizuno last Autumn, the MX-200s are the biggest sellers. The irons are ‘Grain Flow Forged' from 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel to ensure excellent feel and control, and the sweetspot is extended by a Y-shaped reinforcement pad in the cavity that provides ‘Y-Tune forgiveness' for off-centre strikes.

The Exotic XCG irons are built with a dual-density dampening system called 3DS, which consists of an elastomer insert that sits in the clubhead cavity, with a view to providing excellent responsiveness. The insert is softer with the shorter irons and wedges to produce even greater feel and spin, whereas the firmer density in the long irons promotes a stronger rebound and hence, shot distance.

The IQ irons from PGA Collection have been designed to make a seamless transition into the IQ hybrids, to provide golfers with the ideal line-up. The irons are made with deep cavity-backed clubheads to ensure the weight lies around their perimeter, to give golfers the best chance of maintaining stability through impact, a high trajectory and greater distance.

 Ram says its Serbera irons for mid-handicappers are its most forgiving ever. The multi-material, cavity-back clubs have that low centre of gravity to promote maximum forgiveness, clubhead speed and penetrating strikes. The Serbera set is fitted with Golf Pride Decade multi-compound grips and Grafalloy DC shafts.

In terms of materials, ‘iron' clubheads offer much less variety than woods as there is no great advantage in using different alloys. Unlike with a driver clubhead, there is no benefit to having an iron head that is ultra lightweight. As a result the metals used for irons are generally one of two forms; cast stainless steel or forged carbon steel.