Callaway has launched the X-24 Hot irons, which the company claims to be the longest and most accurate irons they have produced for the X-Series. They are scheduled for UK retail delivery on August 1.

Designed to cope with the toughest yet playable winter conditions that ‘committed’ golfers can find, FootJoy has launched the simply named FJ Boot.

Cleveland Golf has launched a summer promotion that looks set to seriously tempt golfers, while also boosting pro shop sales. The company is promising to give golfers £50 of store credit if they buy a Launcher DST driver, or £100 of credit if they purchase a new set of Cleveland irons, in a promotion the company says it is funding itself entirely.

Energy snacks company SSP has appointed four new European distributors: KDC in the Republic and Northern Ireland; Golf Global in Germany and Austria; Lantz Golf in Sweden and Norway; and Fitness Sport in Iceland.

Under Armour has launched a new line of performance socks. The company promises its four sock styles will provide golfers with ‘strategic cushioning’, arch support and ‘reliable comfort’.

Continuing SGB Golf’s exclusive series of country summaries taken from the BGIA’s report on The European Golf Apparel and Foot

In the decade prior to the recent recession, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland combined had established itself as one of the most important golf markets in Europe, but the global economic crisis has hit the Emerald Isle hard.

wear market, part 11 turns to Ireland

Spanish football giant FC Barcelona has agreed for Premier Licensing to launch a range of official Barcelona golf accessories. Premier Licensing now has 20 professional football and rugby clubs in its portfolio, having entered the market in 2006.

www.premier-licensing.com

Ian James, head of marketing at Foremost Golf, embarked on this column by recounting the feedback from PGA professionals who wouldn’t know what to write in a regular email to customers. That’s a pity on two counts, he says

There is no one better positioned or qualified to encourage more people into golf, or to improve a golfer’s enjoyment, than the PGA professional. Here’s proof.

Callaway claims it is setting a new benchmark as it breaks into the GPS market with the introduction of its uPro GPS device

Callaway launched its new uPro GPS device into the UK market on June 15. The uPro GPS comes in BasicMode with an RRP of £299, with ProMode options available at extra cost.

Neil Cooke, technical director at Golfsmith Europe, explains the best method for removing the end of a broken steel shaft from a hosel

For many years one of the nightmare repairs that used to crop up was a steel shaft broken in the hosel - the problem being there wasn’t a proper tool to do the job.

During challenging financial conditions, Myles Pemberton, marketing manager of Manbat, writes that all businesses must look seriously at every possible opportunity that can increase overall profitability, including replacement batteries

Batteries may not seem the most obvious opportunity to the club pro, but the substantial increase in the number of electric golf trolleys on courses all over the UK means batteries provide an opportunity the proactive professional simply cannot overlook.

In 2010 Brand Fusion celebrates its 30th Anniversary as a global wholesaler of a broad variety of golf merchandise. Nigel Freemantle talks to Duncan Lennard about his journey from Essex 'white van man' to company MD

Somewhere in the depths of Brand Fusion’s massive new warehouse in the West Midlands, there lies a batch of fantastic and forgotten fur-lined headcovers.

David Scott is Manager at The Duke’s, St Andrews & Estates Landscape, and at the club’s parent hotel, the Old Course Hotel. He spoke to Robin Barwick about preparations for the fast-approaching busiest week of the year

European Tour coach Denis Pugh explains why he uses the new GolfBuddy World Platinum GPS rangefinder

When it comes to coaching course management, many golfers find it hard to grasp the idea that knowing their own game inside out is a great way to shoot lower scores.

Just when we were waiting for one of the in-form English golfers to step up at Pebble Beach – and Paul Casey had us going for a short while – it was an Irishman, Graeme McDowell, who held his nerve through one of the most intense challenges golf can throw at a man. Pebble Beach and all the unforgiving treachery it could muster, in a US Open, with three of the finest golfers of this generation in determined pursuit – Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els – as well as Gregory Havret at his career best.

The premium BB Series putters feature a durable, understated black nickel finish, and each model is milled with a single sightline. The collection features five classic designs, led by the BB1, which is based on the traditional Anser. The heel-toe weighted putter is finished with rounded edges to embellish what is intended to be a smooth feel.

Reminiscent of an Imperial fighter from Star Wars, the JAS Craz-D has been designed by Ping supremo John Solheim, with a view to keeping the putting stroke on line. The mallet putter is made from a stainless steel outer body and urethane inner section to maximize MOI.

For Odyssey’s new Backstryke trio, the shaft has been moved further back on the clubhead, so the axis of the shaft point is as close as possible to the putter head’s centre of gravity. Odyssey claims this produces ‘Stroke Balance’ – a fluid and stable stroke path for improved control. The three designs are the 2-Ball, Blade and Marxman, all with White Ice multi-layer face inserts.

For the California series, Cameron has combined four classic head shapes with the contemporary weighting technology of the Studio Select putters. Cameron’s ‘Select’ technology is designed to enable the weight of a putter head to be balanced with shaft length, so the longer a golfer’s preferred shaft, the lighter the clubhead. The Monterey is pictured.

The Wilson Staff 8883 precision-milled putter is based on the company's classic designs but is intended to offer improved performance and feel. The semi-mallet style boasts "Visual Plane Differential" and multi-surface markings, and the face is milled with a view to providing consistent ball striking, while secondary grooves should promote forward spin.

Never Compromise has redeveloped its NCX-Ray design, forcing more weight to the bottom of the club, promising higher MOI. The putter has ‘Suspended Face Technology’, designed to limit the amount of contact the club has with the ball. The brand claims its grey and red colours make it easier to line up putts.

Part of Rife’s Island Series, the Deep Blue has been designed with the weight of the putter head pushed as far back as possible. With a face insert made of very light 6061 aluminium and with hollowed-out side rails, the thickest masses of steel in the putter are in the rear corners. Rife promises excellent stability.

Yes! claims this flatstick is the ‘ultimate putter for the purist’. The company's C-Groove-technology is intended to help the ball roll evenly, while the cavity backblade is made from forged stainless steel, promising excellent feel. The shaft is finished with an Iomic brand grip.

The Norman Drew putters have been created from a solid block of carbon steel with a view to producing a quality and feel reserved for putters at twice the price. The face and aluminium plate in the sole of the club are designed to increase topspin and the putter comes with a Winn grip.

Nike says the Method putters are the end result of investigations into what the company calls its ‘scientific method’ to establish the perfect blend of steel and polymer. Nike says the visible polymetal grooves in the face create a faster forward roll after impact, with minimal bounce.

T2G is Longridge’s latest range of value putters, available in either a blade or mallet style with a Black/Silver finish. The Blade 901 (pictured) has an aluminium alignment bar, while the Blade 902 has a more traditional shape.

Alignment arms distribute the weight evenly within the putter face of Gel’s centre-shafted Rego. The face has a multi-layered, grooved aluminium insert that is designed to deliver even greater feel than the original GEL models.

Ram’s Zebra is based on a mallet design with weighting intended to increase MOI. The redesigned face is designed to give improved feel right through to the unique Softie Zebra grip.

Further to the success of Hotblade’s Tad Moore-designed putters in 2009, each Hotspot putter has been individually handcrafted from 431 stainless steel, and features a CNC milled aluminium face insert.

Benross claims the technology in this putter will ‘maximise every golfer’s chance to hole more putts’. Made with a wide body for stability, and precision-milled aluminium face inserts, V grooves are designed to impart added topspin onto the ball at impact. The putter is finished with a Golf Pride Pure Red VRAD grip.

The gunmetal grey Emperor reduces glare, allowing the golfer to focus on lining up putts with the yellow sightline over the sweetspot. The S-Blade Emperor is made with curved face technology, which should make it easier for golfers to impart topspin.

The new Corza Ghost is a mallet putter designed with input from Rossa Tour pro Dave Stockton. The eye-catching white finish has been used to provide a greater colour contrast between the putter and greens, with the intention of helping golfers focus on the putterhead.

A putter with classic looks, the iN Anser features a nano-nickel construction, with a view to providing strength without weight, and therefore maximum feedback. The new iN range also features eye-catching designs such as the Wack-E (also pictured).

The latest incarnation of the Odyssey 2 Ball putter fatures a White Ice Insert that provides improved feedback and is firmer, to make for better distance control. The weight in the club's sole can be adjusted while the dark nickel finish is intended to inspire confidence.

Finished in moody black, the Seve Signature Series comes with a Winn grip and matching headcover. Pictured is style number eight, while the other models include a

This premium mallet putter features three adjustable sole weights with a view to finding the ideal weight for each golfer, while the shaft is bent to allow players unobstructed view at address.

While Oscar Jacobson’s theme for 2010 is ‘The Scandinavian Sartorialist’, practicality is injected into the philosophy with the WPS Waterproof. Made from 100% performance polyester, the WPS comes in Print, which is a jet black, and Black, which in fact has a slightly lighter tint.

Part of the Men’s Hurricane Collection, the Ultimate V2 is made from Gore-Tex 2 layer performance shell and Gore-Tex 2 layer stretch shell, and Sunice says it has 20% more stretch and is 25% lighter than previous jackets. With a lifetime waterproof guarantee, features include X-static stretch lining and waterproof zips.

With a two-year waterproof guarantee, this jacket is aimed at the younger golfer. Made in lightweight Sta-Dry 100% waterproof and windproof shell, extra protection is provided by a tapered storm collar, storm proof zipper welt and interior storm flap. An open tailored waistband prevents the jacket from catching and enhances freedom of movement.

Following Ping Collection’s first-ever design consultations with Ping tour pros, who include Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Angel Cabrera, the new Tour Impact suit takes detailing from the G15 and i15 clubs, and is made from a four-way stretch, two-layer waterproof and breathable fabric.

Part of Galvin Green’s Inseason range, Atos is made from lightweight Gore-Tex Performance Shell fabric, with a view to offering maximum breathability and waterproof properties. Technical features include waterproof zips, touch-and-close fasteners for chest width adjustment and an exclusive rain channel on the sleeves to direct water away from the hands.

The Resort men’s waterproof is available as a full jacket or weather beater with zip-off sleeves. Featuring an ultra-soft laminate outer designed for comfort and protection, it has a micromesh liner, YKK front and pocket zips, cuff and waist Velcro adjusters and drop tail hem with twin shock-chord adjustment.

Part of the new women’s collection for Autumn 2010, the Balmore is intended to be a warm soft-shell jacket, with an outer manufactured in waterproof polyester stretch and the back fabric in teddy. Breathable and windproof and in sizes XS-XXL, it comes in vanilla or black.

Stuburt’s Helium Tour range includes a full-zip jacket with zip-off sleeves and a half-zip jacket combining the lightweight and breathable Comtex fabric with stretch Neoprene body panels. Design features incorporate the company’s Dri-Back waterproof membrane and mesh system and adjustable cuffs.

The Elan is made from Bruce Clark’s exclusive Aspir8 fabric, which is intended to offer excellent breathable qualities and comes with a three-year waterproof guarantee. All seams are tape-sealed and zips are waterproof. Available in full-sleeve jacket or half-sleeve pullover top, colourways are Black/Metal and Metal/Black.

With a three-year waterproof warranty, adidas says this jacket offers all-weather protection with fully sealed seams. Constructed in a soft shell four-way stretch fabric to give 100% range of motion and quiet movement during the swing, this jacket features an open hem with bungee drawcord.

Developed exclusively by ProQuip, this is the company’s first all-over stretchable rain suit made from lightweight Tourflex fabric, designed for improved comfort and performance. Intended to feel like a second skin, the performance jacket features a slim sports cut, and comes with a range of technical features including waterproof zips.

Manufactured from lightweight Gore-Tex Paclite, this versatile jacket from Peak Performance is both waterproof and windproof and has excellent breathable properties, the company says.  Design features include two zipped hand pockets, adjustable cuffs and a drawstring hem. It also comes complete with a stowaway bag.

With a three-year guarantee, Nike says this jacket in Blue Sapphire/Soft Grey is seam sealed, windproof, waterproof and breathable. Made from 100% polyester with mechanical stretch, technical details include an exposed reversed centre front zip, storm flap with chin guard and laser cut scorecard pocket.

Green Lamb’s Aquaproof is designed to be lightweight, waterproof and breathable, fully seam sealed and it comes with a three-year guarantee. Features include inner cuffs and a full-length zip with storm flap. Discrete branding and piping on the front are intended to give the jacket a feminine tailored look. Colour options are Cobalt, Grey or Cardinal Red.

Made in Gore-Tex performance shell membrane, the Tour Lite Qualifier has fully sealed seams and is designed to be completely waterproof, windproof and breathable. Featuring the company’s patented Motion-tuned technology, it has dual motion cuffs and waterproof zip closure pockets.

The Argo half-zip jacket is made from stretch Gore-Tex Paclite Shell, which Galvin Green says is ergonomically applied for maximum freedom of movement. Intended to be ultra-light, the breathable jacket features waterproof zips, chest width adjustment and rain channel on the sleeves. Now available in a striking blue, it is complemented by Aquila trousers.

Sunderland says this jacket represents fantastic value while retaining excellent water repellence. Links is designed as a full jacket and features include waterproof, breathable lining, YKK storm zips and an inside scorecard pocket. In Black/Charcoal, Black/Garnet and Skydiver/Black, the Links comes in sizes S-XXXL.

Benefiting from a four-way stretch shell fabric designed for maximum comfort and freedom of movement, this jacket is wind resistant and comes in three colourways. Features include a tailored cut and fit and a contoured silhouette with a longer back and open bottom.

Manufactured in Gore-Tex Paclite Shell with a lifetime waterproof guarantee, the Sophia is part of the women’s Hurricane Collection from Sunice. Intended to offer an ultra light construction, the jacket features an exposed waterproof YKK Zip, wrist rain channels and adjustable Velcro cuff tabs.

The Canmore men’s jacket is made from what Abacus promises is a soft polyester, water-repellent fabric with waterproof lining. In a dark grey combination, this softer feel rain jacket features sealed seams for enhanced protection. It is available in sizes S-XXXL.