First words
It has been a real roller-coaster ride for Nike, riding on the back of Tiger Woods for the past few months. Sticking with their man through thick and thin, it looked as though the world number one (still, just about) was repaying Nike’s loyalty by giving its Method 1 putter the ultimate endorsement, by switching to it in the week of the Open Championship. In with the Method’s polymetal grooves, and out with the trusty old Scotty Cameron Newport 2, with which Woods had claimed 13 major titles over the course of a decade. “It must feel like you are kicking out a member of the family,” an American journalist accidentally said to Woods in his pre-tournament press conference.
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Golf Pride intensifies rivalry
With the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales just weeks away, Golf Pride has launched a pair of new putter grips in the colours of the United States and Europe, to give golfers the opportunity to stake their allegiance to their flag.
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Ping Collection Springs into action
There is no holding back Ping Collection, which has already launched its new range of golf apparel for Spring Summer 2011.
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Glenmuir heads to Canada
Glenmuir, the Scottish apparel brand, has appointed a Canadian distributor, Brisson Sports Marketing.
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It’s a jungle out there: Johann Edfors, now with Puma and Cobra |
CHIPPING IN
Cobra strike for Edfors Sweden’s Johan Edfors, who already wears Puma apparel and footwear on tour, has agreed to play the clubs of Puma’s new sister brand Cobra Golf. Edfors, 34, has won three times on the European Tour. He is expected to play a Cobra driver, woods, Baffler and Pro CB irons. www.cobragolf.co.uk Open success for Zero Restriction American outerwear brand Zero Restriction claims that over 40 golfers competing in the rain-soaked Open Championship at St Andrews were wearing its waterproofs. Zero Restriction is distributed in Europe by Premium Golf Brands. www.premiumgolfbrands.com Tour honour for Mizuno At the Open Championship, Masato Mizuno, chairman of the Mizuno Corporation, and Akito Mizuno, company president, were awarded Honorary Life Vice Presidency of The European Tour by Neil Coles, chairman of the European Tour’s board of directors, and chief executive George O’Grady, in recognition of Mizuno’s service to the European Tour over the past 25 years. http://golf.mizunoeurope.com BBC bags Open The BBC has renewed its agreement to televise the Open Championship with the R&A, giving the broadcaster rights for the next six Championships, to 2016.
www.opengolf.com Motocaddy in Surrey partnership Powered trolley brand Motocaddy has signed a new agreement to become the official powered trolley of the Surrey County Golf Union, one of the country’s leading golfing associations with 108 clubs and nearly 50,000 club members. As part of the deal, Motocaddy will offer incentives for the County’s elite players to use its range of products. www.motocaddy.com Nikon teams up with HeinrichGolf Nikon has struck an agreement with course guide supplier HeinrichGolf, to enable the guide producers to use Nikon’s new 1000A S laser rangefinders to ensure pin-point accuracy in their course guides, as used by caddies on the European Tour. www.europe-nikon.com Haines joins Nike Nike Golf has signed former Walker Cup golfer Matt Haines to a multi-year contract. The 20-year-old from Kent was ranked fourth in the World amateur rankings prior to turning pro in May, and he is already ranked in the Challenge Tour’s top-10. Haines will play the Nike VR driver and woods, VR split cavity irons, the new Method putter and One Tour ball, as well as wearing Nike footwear and apparel. www.nikegolfeurope.com
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Country Code – The Netherlands
The next stop on SGB Golf’s tour of country summaries, taken from the BGIA’s report on The European Golf Apparel and Footwear market, is the Netherlands
The rising popularity of golf in the Netherlands in recent years has gained such momentum that the global economic downturn did not effect the sport as much as in neighbouring countries. More that 2% of the Dutch people now play golf – around 300,000 - making it the third largest participant sport in the Netherlands behind football and tennis. However, as far as golf retailing is concerned, many of the Nertherlands’ golfers are casual players, unconcerned about wearing specific golf shoes and apparel.
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Marble Series in Red
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The feel-good factor
Feeltec has launched a new range of putter grips into the UK market under the guidance of distributor Paul Steels
Feeltec is telling golfers it is time to ‘putt the feel back’, with a range of putter grips split into three series: EX, Marble and Hawaiian.
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Plan ‘B’ for ball-bearings
Continuing his exclusive series of workshop tips – addressing the repairs that pros wish they didn’t have to do – Neil Cooke, technical director at Golfsmith Europe, takes on the putter-head ball-bearing
It is many years ago now that Karsten Manufacturing introduced the innovation of firing a ball-bearing down their putter shafts to ensure the clubhead stayed in place. It was an excellent technical advance at the time, and it was all well and good for day-to-day play, but that tiny ball-bearing became a dreaded nightmare of considerable magnitude on the occasions when customers had decided to shorten the putter shaft over their knee after another tiddler scooted around the hole!
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Changing the rules
Brands are changing the rules on the retail channel, according to Ian James, head of marketing at Foremost Golf
Ten years ago, when the internet promised so much, many predicted that brands would, increasingly, go direct to the consumer, eventually removing the need for the retailer. However, in the face of intense pressure from the large retailers, brands have largely held off from alienating this traditional distribution channel. Even Levi, faced with the threat of being de-listed by large retailers, was forced to close down its direct e-commerce strategy.
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Can you feel it?
Paul Steels, UK distributor of Feeltec grips, issues a reminder that putter grips merit close attention
Our faithful friend the putter grip has gone through many changes. It has become much more colourful, its size and shape now varies enormously, and they are made of new materials. To think plain, old black rubber was standard issue 15 years ago!
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Trading Intelligence
Name: Martin Balfour Club or shop name: mbgolfshop Ltd at Donnington Valley Golf Club and Newbury & Crookham Golf Club Location: Newbury Affiliation: TGI Golf Number of staff: 7
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Professionally speaking: (l to r) Paul Hedges (Foremost Golf), Sand Jones (PGA) and Eddie Reid (TGI)
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Allied forces
Eddie Reid, managing director of the TGI Golf buying group, spoke to Robin Barwick about the new, upcoming trade show in Harrogate
How is business for TGI in 2010? Business is going very well. Over the past 10 years we have enjoyed constant growth in terms of members, and at the moment we have 410 members in the UK and Ireland, but our membership is about quality rather than quantity.
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Rough lies
Paul Trow wonders if the new wedge restrictions on Tour are having the effect for whch golf’s governing bodies had hoped
Following a spate of European wins in America, high home expectations proved unfounded at the Open Championship, but at least the Old Course at St Andrews was in top form for the Open’s 150th anniversary.
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Ping
i15
Entering the second half of its two-year cycle, the progressive i15s come with a tungsten weight inserted into the toe, with a view to increasing MOI by around 3% compared to the previous i10s. The i15 long irons have slightly larger clubheads, and while they are intended for the better player, they should offer more forgiveness. RRP: £85 per club
www.ping.com
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Callaway
X-24 Hot
Callaway claims its new X-24 Hot irons are the longest and most accurate irons they have produced for the X-Series, and they are scheduled for August 1 retail delivery. The irons feature a PVD anti-glare finish and Callaway’s proprietary VFT Face technology, a 360-degree undercut channel and precise centre of gravity, with a view to providing a broad sweetspot. RRP: £649 (8 clubs, steel shafts); £749 (graphite)
www.callawaygolf.com
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Titleist
AP1
The new AP1 irons are multi-material, dual-cavity irons intended to provide improved feel and shot control, great looks and a higher ball flight for the better player. The face thickness on this generation of AP1s has been reduced with a view to enhancing perimeter weighting, and tungsten nickel in the sole should increase stability. RRP: £82 per club (steel); £96 (graphite)
www.titleist.co.uk
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TaylorMade
Burner Superlaunch
Built with mid-to-high handicappers in mind, the Burner Superlaunch irons make a progressive set with low-profile clubheads, with a view to encouraging a high launch angle. Incorporating TaylorMade’s SuperFast and Inverted Cone technologies, the company says ‘forgiveness’ is the key message with these clubs. RRP: £499 (steel); £599 (graphite)
www.taylormadegolf.com
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MacGregor
MT Cup Face
Designed for low-to-mid handicappers looking for a classic shape, the MT Cup Face irons are built with a forged clubface that is welded to a 17-4 steel sole and body, with a view to providing a sweetspot that covers the entire clubface. The classic blade profile is slightly larger than that of traditional blades, and the clubs come fitted with stepless steel shafts as standard.
RRP: £549
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MD Golf
Superstrong Combo
Irons 4 and 5 have been replaced with hybrids in the Superstrong Combo set, with a shaft choice between Proforce 65 and Ultra Flex graphite. The irons in the set are made from 403 stainless steel and the clubs have been built with a view to providing maximum peripheral weighting. RRP: £299.99 (steel/graphite); £349.99 (all graphite)
www.mdgolf.co.uk
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Wilson Staff
FG Tour
The Wilson Staff FG Tour forged irons are designed to combine classic looks with the latest cavity technology for the better player. Based on the FG17 designed by Bob Mendrella, the FG Tour has a similar shape, precision forged from mild carbon steel. The clubheads have a thin top line, wide sole and deep cavity for a lower centre of gravity, while ‘minimal offset’ is intended to aid workability. RRP: £549 (4-PW)
www.wilsonstaff.com
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Cobra
S2 Max
The S2 Max cavity-back irons are designed to provide forgiveness, accuracy and distance for the game-improver. Cobra’s ‘9 Point Face Technology’ should result in an expanded sweetzone, while a wide sole and low clubhead profile push the CG deeper to encourage a high launch angle. Golfers can also opt for a iron-hybrid set. RRP: £379 (steel); £449 (graphite)
www.cobragolf.co.uk
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Nike
SQ Machspeed
Launched in March, the SQ Machspeed irons are aimed at game improvers seeking high launch and faster ball speed. Nike says its Powerbow technology creates a very deep CG and wide sweetspot, with 50g of weight being repositioned thanks to a deep undercut behind the clubface. RRP: £480 (7 clubs, steel); £540 (graphite)
www.nikegolfeurope.com
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Mizuno
MP-68
New from Mizuno for 2010 are the MP-68 irons. Designed to be classic Mizuno blades but with what the company describes as ‘enhanced feel’, they are designed for professional players and elite amateurs. A scalloped muscle-back and shorter hosel are intended to provide a more centred CG. RRP: £85 per club (chrome); £105 (Black Nickel)
http://golf.mizunoeurope.com
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Cleveland
HB3
Cleveland’s new HB3 transition set, which started retailing in April, is intended for the game-improver. The HB3 soles feature centre recess sections to reduce turf drag, and the set has progressive sole widths with a view to increasing forgiveness as the clubs lengthen. RRP: £499 (steel); £599 (graphite)
www.clevelandgolf.com
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Adams Golf
Idea Pro Black CB1
A premium set of irons designed for skilled golfers, the Pro Black CB1 set features eight forged carbon steel clubs finished in nickel-chrome and black PVD. The clubheads are built with precision-milled cavities, a thin top-line and bevelled trailing edge to reduce turf interaction. RRP: £799.99 (4-GW, steel)
www.ukgolfdistribution.co.uk
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Srixon
Z-TX
Srixon launched the Z-TX range of clubs in the Autumn, featuring driver, fairway woods and irons. Japanese-owned Srixon says the Z-TX irons provide a sweetspot that is 20% bigger than its previous models, and tungsten nickel weights lower the CG with a view to providing a higher ball flight. RRP: N/A
www.srixon.co.uk
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Ram
SDX II
Intended to be affordable performance irons, the SDX II combination set is designed for the improving golfer. Long irons are replaced with a hybrid, while clubs 5-SW are cavity-back irons, with the short irons featuring a shallower cavity with a view to enhancing playability. RRP: £149.99 (steel); £199.99 (graphite)
www.ramgolf.co.uk
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Snake Eyes
Custom 675C
Built with low-to-mid handicappers in mind, the Custom 675C irons come with a thin topline, bevelled ‘tour grind’ soles and minimal offset. Snake Eyes says the clubheads are quintuple forged from 1030 carbon steel with a view to providing a soft feel, and eight-gram increments allow for progressive swing-weighting. RRP: £599 (3-PW, steel)
www.snakeeyescustom.com
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John Letters
T9+
New for 2010, the T9+ set features hybrid replacements for the 3 and 4 irons, while clubs 5-SW are forged, and feature an undercut cavity with a view to enhancing launch angle. The hybrids are built with discretional heel-toe weighting with a view to enhancing MOI. RRP: £449 (steel); £499.99 (graphite)
www.johnletters.com
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Tour Edge
Exotics XCG-3
Tour edge 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 started at UK retail in March, complete with lifetime warranty. RRP: N/A
paul.skeates@foremostgolf.com
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Titleist
CB
Titleist’s CB irons are forged cavity backs, with a view to providing excellent feel and classic looks for serious golfers playing at a high level. As something of a rarity among contemporary irons sets, Titleist is still offering a CB 2-iron for golfers who are still comfortable with the longest irons. RRP: £104 per club (steel); £118 (graphite)
www.titleist.co.uk
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TaylorMade
R9
Aimed at avid golfers in the low to mid-handicap range, who are searching for a traditional look but with the latest technology, the R9 irons are geared towards producing a moderate launch angle. The 3-6 irons feature TaylorMade’s ‘Velocity Control Chamber’, and the clubs are made with Inverted Cone technology and progressive face thickness. RRP: £699 (steel); £799 (graphite)
www.taylormadegolf.com
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Callaway
Diablo Edge
Callaway says the centre of gravity in the cavity-back Diablo Edge irons has been moved 50% lower in the clubhead, and 17% deeper, which should bring the sweetspot down to the lower reaches of the clubface. Hybrid replacements are available from 6-iron up. RRP: £549 (8 clubs, steel); £649 (graphite)
www.callawaygolf.com
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Ping
G15
Ping says that in building its G15 irons, subtle alterations have been made to the weight distribution of its previous G10 models. A slightly wider sole and thinner top line should increase MOI and forgiveness, while the G15s feature deeper cavities than the slimmer i15s.
RRP: £80 per club (steel); £95 (graphite) www.ping.com
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Star in stripes: Louis Oosthuizen with the Claret Jug |
Open for trade
Robin Barwick reports from the Open Championship’s 150th anniversary celebrations in St Andrews, at which Louis Oosthuizen was not the only champ
So when did the pressure really tell on the golfers competing in the 2010 Open Championship? Was it through the brutal squalls that blighted the golfers during the first two rounds, or down the stretch on the Sunday afternoon? Or was it in fact on the eve of the Open, when some of the world’s finest golfers tested their nerve and versatility in the Golf Foundation’s fast-paced ‘Open Tri-Golf Challenge’?
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Urban Golf Gear
Energy Shot
UGG says its line of 60ml energy shots has been scientifically developed with B vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants and herbs. The drinks contain no sugar or sodium, and UGG promises the energy boost from the shots will not be followed by an energy crash, and that the drinks are neither fattening nor unhealthy. RRP: £1.99
www.urbangolfgear.co.uk
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SSP Golf
Golf Performance Energy Bars
The SSP range of Golf Performance Energy Bars is ever-expanding, with ‘Superberry’ among the latest flavours, incorporating blueberries, cranberries and goji berries. The bars are designed to gradually release carbohydrates into a golfer’s system, for an enduring energy boost. A 24-bar counter display unit is available. RRP: £1.40
www.sspgolf.co.uk
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Rulegolf
Rulesixteen
Rulesixteen is a ball marker and divot tool combined. A slide-action, rectangular ball marker attaches between the forks of the divot tool, and the elongated shape of the marker is intended to assist golfers gauge the line of a putt once they have removed the ball. RRP: £10
www.rulegolf.com
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adidas
Retego eyewear
Designed in collaboration with Justin Rose, the Retego glasses are fitted with ‘Decentred Vision Advantage PC’ lenses, which are intended to provide distortion-free vision and UVA protection. The 8-base curvature is designed to provide a wide field of vision and double-snap nose pads should ensure a comfortable fit. RRP: from £120
www.adidas.com/eyewear
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Premier Licensing
Premium Gift Tin
Premier Licensing offers a range of football club gift packs. The Premium Gift tin holds three branded golf balls, bag tag, ball marker, divot tool and marker pen. The tins are available for Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Celtic, Barcelona and Real Madrid among other teams. RRP: £14.99
www.premier-licensing.com
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Asbri
PitchMaster
The patented PitchMaster from Asbri is a fully retractable pitch repair tool that Asbri describes as “the Ferrari of all pitch repairers”. Ryder Cup licensee Asbri specialises in branded golf merchandise and the company promises retailers low minimum orders, no set-up charges, quick lead-times and fantastic customer service. RRP: £6.99
www.asbrigolf.com
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Sunwise
Windrush sunglasses
Following success in cricket, running and Formula 1, UK eyewear specialist Sunwise offers ‘low price, high quality’ golf sunglasses. The range features panoramic, high-definition lenses in a variety of flexible, lightweight and durable half frames, including 100% UVA and UVB protection. RRP: £18.99-£24.99
www.sunwise.co.uk
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Peak Performance
Golf umbrella
Made from 100% polyester fabric, with a fibreglass pole and ribs and rubber handle, the Peak Performance umbrella comes in black and is decorated with the Peak Performance logo. The umbrella comes in a logoed cover for easy storage. RRP: £30.00
www.peakperformance.com
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Druh
Belts & Buckles
Druh is sparkling in 2010, with a bold range of diamante buckles and brightly coloured diamond-design belts. Founded by former European Tour golfer Simon Hurd, Druh specialises in hand-made leather and snakeskin belts, and it has also launched a John Daly Lion Buckle range for 2010. RRP: £70 (leather); £105 (snakeskin)
www.druhbeltsandbuckles.com
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Sabona
Athletic bracelets
Sabona’s Athletic bracelets feature a combination of five 1,200-gauss magnets and ‘minus-ion producing materials’, with a view to boosting general health and relief to aches and pains. Brand Fusion distributes the bracelets in the UK. RRP: £9.99
www.brandfusionltd.co.uk
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Champ
Pro Stinger Spike
The all-weather Pro Stinger offers a combination of plastic cleats with a central metal tip, with a view to providing exceptional traction in all conditions. The spike’s outer traction elements are also intended to provide cushioning, and Champ promises the spikes are green-friendly in all conditions. RRP: £8.99 per pack
www.champspikes.com
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Trion:Z
Broadband Wristbands
Trion:Z’s Broadband ionic-magnetic bracelets contain minus-ion producing minerals and twin 1,000-gauss magnets. The minus-ions help counter the body’s heavy intake of positive ions from electronic equipment, mobile phones and physical stress-inducing machinery, and the magnets protect against radiation.
RRP: £21.99
www.trionz.co.uk
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Flix Golf
Flix Lite
The Flix Lite is an automatic opening repair tool. Lightweight and durable, the Flix Lite features an ergonomic handle and a magnetic ball marker, and it is available in Black, Blue, Gunmetal and Red. RRP: £7.99
www.flixgolf.com
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Cleatskins
Cleatskins Golf
Made from Skintek rubber, Cleatskins molded shells slip over the soles of golf shoes to make them safe and clean for wear on the street, in the clubhouse and wherever golfers need to go. Cleatskins extend the life of golf cleats, and the easy-care products are machine-washable. RRP: £19.95
www.cleatskins.com
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Boston Golf
Credit card bag tags
Designed for budget and bulk orders, the new credit card bag tag series from Boston Golf provides a corporate or club branding opportunity. The tag comes with a contoured rubber mould, it is backed by stiff plastic and is finished by a leather strap. RRP: N/A
www.bostongolf-uk.com
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Under Armour
Performance Eyewear
Under Armour incorporates APVX lens technology into its glasses, with a view to providing a very broad field of vision and clarity in the periphery. The lenses are promised to be up to 10 times stronger than a typical polycarbonate lens, and they come in three options: Polarised, UA Multiflection and Photochromic. RRP: N/A
www.underarmour.com
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SKLZ
Sport-Brella
The SKLZ Sport-Brella is a portable, all-weather shelter. It provides instant protection from the sun, rain, and wind with its domed shape, side flaps and UPF 50+ protection. It sets up in just three seconds and is ideal for outdoor golf events and academies. A Sport-Brella chair is also available. RRP: £69.95
www.brandfusionltd.co.uk
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Premier Licensing
Pompom headcovers
The retro Premier League pompom headcovers are available in the colours of all the premier League’s best-supported teams, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton. Made with a dual-embroidery combination, the headcovers are available in driver and fairway wood sizes. RRP: £14.99
www.premier-licensing.com
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Longridge
Magnetic headcovers
Longridge says the magnetic seal on its new headcovers allows easy access, excellent durability and great protetion to clubheads. With models for drivers, woods, hybrids, irons and different shapes of putters, the driver headcover comes with a detachable top panel which is ideal for logos, and also for pitch fork and tee storage. RRP: N/A
www.jsint.com
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Softspikes
Black Widow Tour
Softspikes says its Black Widow Tour is golf’s first ‘self-adjusting’ cleat, designed to let golfers custom-match their cleats to their swing, balance and weight. The cleats are fitted with ‘support rings’, which can be adjusted by the golfer to the ‘Tour-comfort setting’ of maximum flex, or a ‘Tour-firm setting’ for extreme traction and a spike-like feel. RRP: £9.99 per pack
www.blackwidowtour.com
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MorodZ
Alignment Sticks
Country Down-based PRG is distributing MorodZ custom alignment sticks in the UK and Ireland. The fibreglass MorodZ rods are available in six bright colours, and the 44” rods fit easily into a golf bag. PRG can also customise the rods with branding and logos for pros and corporate organisers. RRP: £7.99
www.prgolfonline.com
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