You go all the way to Orlando for the PGA Show – being more or less on Tiger’s doorstep – and he doesn’t even turn up! What’s that all about? I even arrived at the convention centre really early one morning just in case Tiger’s show tactics were similar to the dew-sweeping ones he adopts for his Open practice rounds – but no joy.
Nike did not make it past the pre-show demo day either, but honestly, you can understand that. Nike executives have been drilled not to discuss the Tiger situation beyond the company’s official statement: “Tiger has been part of Nike for more than a decade. He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era. We look forward to his return to golf. He and his family have Nike's full support.”
Ping Collection has launched its Autumn Winter 2010 range of performance golf attire, featuring the most extensive portfolio of waterproofs the brand has ever brought to market.
Ping Collection has continued to draw from the designs of Ping hardware, by incorporating the colours, logos and detailing from Ping’s enormously successful G15 and i15 ranges. The range includes knitwear, polo shirts, trousers and accessories for men, women and children, but the line is spearheaded by brand new waterproof designs such as the Tour Impact suit, which Ping Collection created after collaboration with Ping’s stable of tour pros.
Innovative Australian clothing company Skins has launched its first range of base layer clothing designed specifically for golf.
Due for retail delivery by the end of March, Skins’ G400 range features seven garments with ‘dynamic gradient compression’, which provides specific areas of muscle support with a view to increasing blood flow, which enhances oxygen delivery to the muscles, which in turn leads to greater endurance and faster recovery.
Not very much of 2010 had taken place before TaylorMade set out its stall for the season ahead, launching in mid-January the Burner SuperFast driver and fairway woods, and the R9 SuperTri and R9 SuperTri TP drivers.
The Burner SuperFast driver is so named because it weighs a feather-light 284 grams, which is 14 grams lighter than both its immediate predecessor the Burner 09, and TaylorMade’s best-selling driver ever, the Burner 07. That 14 grams has been taken away from the grip, thanks to the new Winn Lite grip balancing the scales at a mere 30 grams.
Philip Gazeley, managing director and designer of 2Thumb Grip, is looking forward to a strong 2010, after the successes of 2009 thanks to the introduction of the 70-gram 2Thumb Pro-Light. “The 2Thumb Wrist Brake training aid is also proving a great success with PGA coaches worldwide,” Gazeley tells SGB Golf. “2Thumb received constant media interest throughout last year, highlighted by Nick Dougherty winning the BMW German Open using the 2Thumb putter grip.”
A new golf instruction guide designed for use on the golf course is being stocked by golf retailers in 2010. Instructacard Pocket Golf Professional is due to appear in American Golf and Nevada Bobs outlets from this month. The pocket book guide displays fault and fix diagrams for golfers’ most common faults.
In the seventh part of SGB Golf’s exclusive series of country summaries taken from the BGIA’s newly completed report, The European Golf Apparel and Footwear Market, we consider the market conditions in Sweden
Sweden is an enormously important golf market within the European spectrum as the country has a very high percentage of registered golfers. In keeping with the Swedish way of life in general, golf here is egalitarian, resulting in an estimated 6% of the population being registered golfers – which equates to over 570,000 golfers – although the registration numbers have declined since peaking in 2005.
The Golf Foundation has announced that former Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis, and Ken Brown, the BBC commentator and former Ryder Cup golfer, have agreed to become ambassadors for the Golf Roots programme. Golf Roots aims to reach one million children by 2013.
Ken Schofield, the former European Tour boss and current PGAs of Europe director, has been reflecting on the impact that tearing down the Berlin Wall has had on European golf.
“Not until that moment of supreme history 20 years ago, when the Berlin Wall was toppled, was our great game permitted to be played in East Germany and all points to Vladivostok!” said Schofield, who had attended the Aegean Airline pro-am in Crete, which welcomed golfers from across Eastern Europe. “This thrilled me,” said Schofield, “because for the first 15 years of my time at the European Tour we saw no golf – or indeed golfers – from Eastern Europe.”
Following the success of its Exotics XCG irons, Tour Edge has introduced the enhanced Exotics XCG-3 set for 2010
Tour Edge has modified its Exotics XCG irons to create the new XCG-3, with larger clubheads, a new Dual Density Dampening System (3DS) and thinner clubface, with a view to providing improved feel, forgiveness and shot distance. The new clubs are scheduled for UK retail delivery in March.
Complementing the Exotics XCG-3 series of drivers, fairway woods and hybrids, and also the CB3 Tour woods, which are all new for this year, Tour Edge president David Glod describes the XCG-3 iron as a club “that performs like a cavity back and feels like a blade”.
Galvin Green has launched Ventil8 fabric technology as part of its Cool Collection for 2010, and with it promises to put an end to sweaty and clingy golf shirts
Galvin Green claims to have taken moisture management to a new level with its new and exclusive use of Ventil8 fabric, which is designed to allow moisture to evaporate twice as fast as conventional polyester. The Swedish brand, renowned for its adept use of fabric technology and clean designs, has produced a range of ergonomically designed Ventil8 shirts for its 2010 Cool Collection, incorporating five men’s models and one for ladies.
Ventil8 fabric has been formulated to evaporate moisture rapidly by spreading sweat over a wider area of fabric than other polyesters, enabling moisture to vaporise faster.
Embarking on a new series to address pressing issues in the pro shop, Ian James, head of marketing for Foremost Golf, considers the importance of developing an email database
The way that people shop and the way shoppers expect to interact with retailers is changing dramatically, and it’s good news for the golf professional at a green-grass golf operation.
It used to be that retailers worked hard on finding great locations. High customer traffic in a mall with lots of convenient parking, restaurants and cafés to keep the shoppers watered and fed, and anchor tenants to pull those customers to each end of the centre, would create a passing trade of potential shoppers that could be converted into loyal customers.
I was once coached by former England and Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Bonetti. As a 14-year-old I played for the Beds County football team, and I had the opportunity to go on work experience with Luton Town, who were in the top flight in those days, and the goalkeepers were coached by Bonetti.
Unfortunately I broke my leg not long after that, and I turned to golf at 14. By the time I was 17 I had turned professional.
Stuart Horne is co-director of Links Sports Retail Partnerships, a business launched in November 2009 with a view to extending the reach of sports brands beyond their established retail channels. Stuart has previously worked for brands including TaylorMade, Callaway and Sigma Golf, and here he encourages both golf professionals and companies to take a fresh perspective
The golf market is flat right now, and not growing like it did in the 1980s and 1990s. Potential customers to golf clubs and retailers tend to be working longer hours and they are wary of the economic climate and cutting back on luxuries. The results are that there are more and more occasional golfers, membership waiting lists generally belong to a bygone era, and so business is harder to come by.
When Seve Ballesteros won the Open Championship at St Andrews in 1984, he did it wearing Slazenger. One of Britain’s oldest sports brands returns to the golf course in 2010 in the form of Slazenger Heritage Gold Label. Robin Barwick spoke to brand manager Louis Wolcott
How did the creation of Slazenger Heritage Gold Label come about?
The brand is owned by IBML (International Brand Management), which also owns brands such as Dunlop and Kangol, and my colleague Chris Lee, who is a former creative director at Reebok, has obtained a top-level fashion license to launch Slazenger Heritage. Back in the 1970s and 1980s Slazenger was as popular as Pringle and Lyle & Scott, and there is room in the market for Slazenger to return.
The Ryder Cup has become a significant bi-annual booster to the golf trade, and if all goes to plan for Asbri Golf, few businesses will enjoy the tournament more than the Pontypridd company. Asbri’s Paul Williams spoke to Robin Barwick
To the hosts, an added advantage of staging one of the most exciting events in world sport is the spur to local trade. This has been one of the top priorities for the Welsh Assembly and for Celtic Manor owner Sir Terry Matthews, right from the start of their bidding process for The 2010 Ryder Cup, a process that began in 2001.
“The Ryder Cup is about putting Wales on the map for us,” said Rhodri Morgan, the former First Minister of Wales, at the 2009 Celtic Manor Wales Open, when he was still in office. “Wales has a deficit in its profile compared to Scotland or Ireland. We didn't want to continue to be Europe's best-kept secret. When we say ‘put it on the map’, that is in terms of business investment opportunities, trade opportunities and trade partnership funds.”
Strong new product offerings, an ever-growing tour presence and continuing growth in both the wedge and ball markets means these two brands are on course to go from strength to strength in 2010
It’s been just over a year since SRI Sports of Japan, owners of the Srixon brand, bought the assets to Cleveland Golf. The two brands form a giant golf company and it’s a move that has proved to be extremely successful with both companies seeing a growth in their market share of sales, despite the tough economic climate last season.
2009 was an extremely successful year for Srixon, which increased its position as the Number One two-piece ball brand in the UK, while making a big dent in the three-piece ball market share thanks to the instant success of the new Z-Star ball. The growing success of Srixon balls was documented throughout the year in monthly retail audits provided by Sports Marketing Surveys, which highlighted that not only did the brand average in excess of a 20% share throughout the year, but that in November, they achieved their goal of actually being the Number One golf ball brand in the UK!
Swiss glove specialist Hirzl claims its premium gloves offer unparalleled durability as they are made from kangaroo hide, ‘one of the strongest and most tear-resistant leathers in the world’, and the gloves also benefit from a patented tanning procedure. Hirzl says its gloves last four times longer than standard golf gloves. The TRUST Control comes with a slightly thicker palm and is better suited to mid to high handicappers, while the TRUST Feel comes with thinner palm leather.
New for 2010, Bionic says the Performance Series glove was three years in the making and that the glove features ‘44 unique anatomical features’. The Triple-row finger grip system consists of three multi-layer zones on each finger, made from Terrycloth and leather, which is designed to absorb moisture and maintain comfort in all conditions, while Lycra is positioned in the finger and palm creases, and along the sides of fingers for optimum flexibility and breathability.
Footjoy’s Pure Touch is the glove worn on Tour by the likes of Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy. With new Cabretta leather specifications, a new leather preparation technique and the removal of a perforated palm, Footjoy claims the Pure Touch is the most technologically advanced glove it has ever made. The company says strategic elastic placement ensures a sculpted fit.
Asbri’s Cresta Collection features a pair of gloves, the Cabretta EliteMark and the all-weather TourMark. The EliteMark is designed for soft feel, and it comes in a variety of sizes for men and women. The TourMark is made from a synthetic backhand and a microfibre palm with a view to providing excellent grip in all conditions. The TourMark comes in White with either Blue, Red, Silver or Pink, and both gloves have magnetic ball markers ready for club or corporate logos.
The synthetic palms of the MacWet gloves are designed to grip when wet, and so golfers are encouraged to wear the gloves as a pair, particularly in poor conditions.
The MacWet brand is Glenmuir-owned, and its machine-washable and breathable gloves come in men’s and ladies’ sizes.
The Fleece gloves from Daily Sports are new for 2010 and they are designed to give women golfers great feel and comfort even in the coldest of golfing conditions. The gloves are available in a broad range of colours: Ivory, Almond, Chocolate, Marine, Salad, Pine, Old Rose, Ruby and Black and in sizes S-XL. Daily also offers matching headbands, winter beanies, scarves and padded caps.
Made from Cabretta leather, the Premium glove has been made with cross stitching across the palm and fingers with a view to improving grip, and the spandex fitting system between the fingers and over the knuckles encourages a comfortable fit. Fitted with a Velcro fastening strap, the glove comes in Snake Eyes Black and White.
Ram’s All Weather glove is made from a combination of microfibre materials, with a view to providing golfers with all-weather performance and durability at half the price of a lot of other brands. The thumb and palm areas are made from Cabretta leather, the glove has Lycra inserts for a snug fit and it comes in men’s and ladies’ models.
Wilson Staff’s Pro Soft is made from Stay Soft Cabretta leather, complete with Tack-Tech technology, which promises exceptional grip and resistance to perspiration. The leather is coated with 3M Scotchgard for extra durability and softness, while a DuPont Lycra mesh covers three knuckles for a good fit and ventilation. The Pro Soft comes in five sizes, S to XXL.
Made from premium calfskin leathers, the FJ Icon series are shoes worn far and wide on golf’s pro tours. Designed to be breathable yet waterproof and coming with a one-year warranty, the Icon shoes are made with leather linings for comfort and durability, with memory foam located in the tongue and collar of the shoes, with a view to providing a custom fit. The outsole is intended to be flexible while providing a solid platform for the golf swing, and is made from tri-density TPU, while the shoes come fitted with Champ Stinger cleats.
The Helium Tour is made from TecTuff leather uppers, which promises exceptional durability and abrasion resistance, and the shoe is fitted with Stuburt’s ‘four-layer, Dri-Back bootie membrane and moisture wicking system’ which is designed to provide protection in all elements while maintaining comfort. Champ’s Ice cleat system boosts traction, and the Helium Tour comes in four colour options and in sizes 7-12, and with a 12-month waterproof guarantee.
The New Classic is designed to be a fusion of tradition and modern technology. The uppers are made from ‘Lizard’ and ‘Pinnacle’ leathers, and the outsoles are made with softer TPU areas in the grip and traction zones for greater stability. The soles of the shoes are bonded to a direct-injected midsole, with a three-part insole intended to provide maximum comfort and fit. The New Classic GTX comes in four colour options, incorporating combinations of Black, White, Coffee and Cognac.
The Tour360 4.0 sees adidas introduce its ThinTech low-profile technology, which is designed to bring the golfer’s feet closer to the ground with a view to improving traction, balance and weight transfer. adidas says the new outsole and cleat system - developed in collaboration with Pride Sports – brings the golfer 32% closer to the ground compared to conventional cleat systems. A re-engineered Powerband chassis is intended to deliver exceptional lateral stability as the golfer swings through the ball, and the shoe comes in five colour options.
Hi-Tec says pre-sales of its new CDT Power 500 for Spring 2010 have doubled expectations. The company has brought its twin-pod outsole with patented CDT directional cleats down to a more accessible price point in the new shoe, which is due at retail in April. The CDT Power 500 is available in sizes 7-13 including half sizes, and in three colour options: White/Black/Lime, White/Black/Red and Black/Black/Silver.
Etonic is introducing its new PowerPlay outsole system for 2010, which is present throughout its collection. The entry-level Lite-Tech models are made with a water-resistant synthetic upper; the mid-range Sport-Tech shoes come with leather uppers and a Hydroguard waterproof membrane; and the more premium Dri-Tech models are fitted with Shockabsorb insoles and come with a two-year limited waterproof warranty.
The Hyperbolic SL is made with a seamless, ultra lightweight microcfibre upper that is similar to the material used in the latest generation of lightweight football and rugby boots, and the shoes are fitted with a ‘Hyperlite’ low profile outsole with a configuration of seven Chevron comfort spikes. Coming with a one-year waterproof guarantee, the Hyperbolic SL has an adjustable width with a view to providing a tailored fit, and a ‘Gel comfortech wrap’ tongue. Available in White/Black and Black/Silver/White.
Nike says its Air Zoom TW 2010 shoes offer Tour-level performance, the luxury of genuine leather and the performance benefits of lighter and more durable materials. The shoe that Tiger Woods will be wearing when he re-joins the Tour, the Air Zoom TW 2010 has been fitted with a TPU stabiliser that extends above the traditional outsole with a view to providing greater lateral support without making the shoe stiff. Champ Scorpion Stinger spikes come as standard, as does a one-year waterproof warranty. The shoes are available in Black/Gunmetal and White/Met Pewter/Met Silver.
New for 2010, the men’s Cell Fusion comes with an upper made from a combination of full-grain leather and microfibre synthetic leather. The shoe features Puma’s Heel iCell technology, which consists of a system of hexagonal cells that are designed to enhance cushioning and stability. The shoe’s TPU outsole comes with Smart Quill spikes with Fast Twist locking. The Cell Fusion comes with a two-year waterproof guarantee, in White/Snorkel Blue and in sizes 6-11, 12 and 13.
The new Classic shoe from Snake Eyes is made with a leather saddle upper and top strip panel. A durable rubber outsole sits below the softer EVA mid-sole, which is designed for flexibility and comfort. The outsole has a seven-cleat configuration with Q-Lok technology, and the Classic’s traction is boosted by multi-directional lugs. The shoe comes in UK sizes 7.5-12, and in Black, Brown and White/Black.
Made with a synthetic leather upper, the new Trainer Shoe from Longridge is water resistant, and it comes with a wide fit as standard with a view to ensuring a comfortable fit. A lightweight, cushioned sole is designed to absorb impact to protect joints, and the shoe comes fitted with removable soft-tred spikes. The Trainer shoe comes in sizes 7-12 for men and 4-7.5 for women, including half sizes.
Lambda is offering golfers the opportunity to display their patriotism on their feet with its line of Imperia golf shoes. So far the shoes are available in the Union Jack, Stars and Stripes, and the flags of Sweden, Norway and Germany, with more flags to be introduced. Manufactured in Portugal, the Imperia shoes have classic styling and are made from water-repellent Portuguese leather. The shoes come with a leather sock-liner and an EVA insert with a view to ensuring comfort and shock absorption, and in sizes for men and women.
Designed with a youthful upper pattern, the lightweight FJ Sport shoes are made with substantial in-shoe cushioning with a moulded EVA fit-bed, intended to provide maximum comfort and shock absorption. The uppers are made from full-grain leather, and a Proofguard membrane provides waterproof protection with a one-year warranty. The TPU outsole is also moulded, and is fitted with a forefoot FlexZone to boost flexibility, and with Stinger cleats from Champ.
Golfsmith Europe’s managing director Doug Poole explains to Duncan Lennard how Golfsmith is bringing one of golf’s most famous names – MacGregor – back from the wilderness
When the first golf clubs started rolling off MacGregor’s Ohio production line, the US Open was just three years old, the first rubber-cored ball was yet to leave Coburn Haskell’s drawing board, and amateur Harold Hilton missed out on the £30 winner’s fee for pipping James Braid to the Open Championship.
This was 1897, and the advent of a company that would claim 59 Major wins, endorsements from the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan, and a legacy of technical innovation including ‘harmonised’ sets of steel and hickory shafts, rubber-and-cord grips, and four-way face roll. MacGregor was the first company to market sand wedges as part of a set.
As a new golf season starts to thaw, Neil Cooke, technical director at Golfsmith Europe, has some handy advice as to how club pros can attain legendary status among their membership
If you are going to fit only one club in the bag for your customer then make sure it’s the driver. It doesn’t matter that you ‘drive for show, putt for dough’, because the reality is that the one factor that sells golf clubs better than any other, and the one factor that creates legends in the pro shop, is distance. If you can give your customers more yards off the tee, you’ll have their mates beating a path to your door.
To fit the driver correctly three separate issues need addressing; swing technique, set up and club specification. The main fitting parameters for club specifications are length, loft, flex, face angle and total weight. While swing technique takes a lot of time and effort on behalf of the golfer, a few simple changes in set up can add valuable yards.
