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Best New Products of the 64th PGA Merchandise Show

By Jason Bruno

Orlando, Florida - The 64th PGA Show finished up just over a week ago, and

as usual we kicked off our show week with the innovative folks from Tour Edge

/Exotics at the spectacular Lake Nona Country Club. While other media sources

contemplate whether the show is on an up swing or is in decline, we celebrate

the gathering of golf industry professionals and media.

The products featured are those that impressed us the most. This year we covered

more companies than ever before, and bring you our most comprehensive coverage

ever.

This year's Tour Edge Media event was held at the magnificent Lake Nona

Country Club. There aren't many days when the golf writers all convene in

one place, especially in a setting such as this. Certainly was one of those

days that won't soon be forgotten. Although high winds made scoring tough,

Lake Nona shined.

The scene moved from Demo Day at OCN on Tuesday to the Orange

County Convention Center on Wednesday. 40,000 industry professionals

from 84 countries gathered to see the latest products from over 1,000

companies (including 271 new companies to the show).

Clubs/Equipment

Tour Edge /Exotics

Exotics, well known for their exceptional metalwoods, introduced the

new EX10 line in Orlando. Featuring HT980 steel cup face technology

and its newly designed slip-stream sole rails (re-designed to be

shallower and more compact for smoother club/turf interaction).

Throw in the stock Graphite Design Tour AD shaft and you have a

winner. Big thumbs up here.

Exotics XJ1 is a lightweight high launching big distance metalwoods

line for the moderate to slower swing speed player looking to gain

some extra length off the tee. Featuring a carbon crown and 9-1-1

titanium chasis which allows the walls of the clubhead to be thinner

and more responsive to shots hit by players with less than tour player

swing speeds, the XJ1 offers a super-lightweight high performance

product and at a premium price tag - $699

http://touredge.com/

Callaway

Callaway seems to have the new club with the most buzz at the moment

- the EPIC driver. The booth display (shown above) was a celebration of

the brand's recent resurgence.

By now you've probably seen the chevron's new EPIC metalwoods line

featuring "Jailbreak" technology. In fact, Callaway Metalwoods Senior

Manager of R&D Evan Gibbs told us "The EPIC line was 3 years in the

works before being launched this year. Jailbreak technology consists

of two titanium rods that connect the crown to the sole, minimizing

the amount the clubhead body flexes at impact - this allows the face to

flex more freely. Jailbreak improves the efficiency of the energy transfer

between the clubhead and golf ball generating more ballspeed."

more from them in 2017.

https://bonobos.com/shop/golf

UFM

I know what you're thinking, why is there underwear here in the PGA Show

feature?! I get it, but I urge any man that's reading this to go to UFM and

check out there website. I was skeptical as well, but I'm going to say that

since I've been wearing them, I'm ready to toss all of my current boxer briefs

and stock up on these. Simply, UFM puts everything where it's supposed to

be and whether you're working or playing golf that can't be a bad thing.

Moisture Wicking Fabric
Support For Your Manhood
Isolation from Your Thighs
Elimination of Chafing
Tapered Leg Design That Stays in Place With Movement
No Squishing or Suffocating Your Manhood
Improved Profile View

https://www.ufmunderwear.com/

Puma

Ignite Disc is the next stage of perfect fit in golf footwear, it's been

around for a few years with many of the top brands but leave it to

Grant Knudson (Puma's shoe creator) to give it his spin. Puma's

version is located on the outer side where you can easily see what

you're doing (as opposed to other brands that call this device - BOA

and locate the dial on the back of the shoe behind the heel. $120

Knudson never stops creating new styles and developing comfort

technologies. All of these styles now come in disc version as well.

http://www.cobragolf.com/pumagolf/

Ecco Golf

The new ECCO COOL golf shoe features GORE-TEX® SURROUND™

technology, it's an air channeling system within the sole structure,

that allows 360° breathability and channels out unwanted moisture

created by your feet each day while walking and playing golf. $280

(top: photo credit from Ecco Golf)

I snapped this as we gave the new Ecco Cool shoes the plunge in the

water test. The shoe has a HYDROMAX® treated leather and sock

liner to increase comfort and give a seamless feel. A polyurethane

midsole provides cushioning, and ECCO COOL comes with a removable

inlay sole that offers extra width in the toe box area for those who

require it.

http://global.ecco.com/en/sport/golf

Under Armour

The Spieth One is the latest

golf shoe from Under Armour

created for two time major

champion Jordan Spieth.

Sporty in appearance, the

Spieth One is available on

March 1st. featuring a single

seam micro-fiber upper, the

outsole was designed for a

firmer heel for support and

a softer forefoot for flexibility

and comfort while walking the

fairways. Spieth One also

features Rotational Resistance

traction which prevents foot

rotation from load to impact

$200

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us

New Balance

New Balance Golf 3001 features a waterproof microfiber upper and

REVlite midsole for comfort and responsiveness, traction comes

from Champ Spikes SlimLok Zarma Tour cleats. The 574 LX spikeless

was inspired by the popular 574 NB sneaker, full grain leather upper

featuring semi-translucent NDurance outsole provides the traction.

REVlite midsole provides the comfort. Both models retail $189

http://www.newbalance.com/men/shoes/golf-1/

Accessories

Dormie Workshop

The Bishop Brothers from Nova Scotia are a great group of guys

that founded Dormie Workshop and create the impressive premium

leather headcovers and accessories. From aiming sticks covers, putter

covers, hybrids, fwys and drivers covers the possibilities are endless.

Creativity and style have no limits at the Dormie Workshop. If you

have a design or an idea for something unique, they can create it

for you, custom works are they're specialty. Order your very own

Dormie Workshop headcover today.

http://www.dormieworkshop.com/

Zero Friction

Zero Friction's John Iacono may have created the absolute best new

tech product at this year's show. Not a fan of wearing a GPS watch

while playing golf, John sought out to create a GPS device that would

be a part of his already successful one size fits all compression glove

line and the Tour Quality Cabretta Leather Motion-Fit glove line as well.

Iacono had the device built so his glove line didn't even need modifying.

Using the already existing elastic sleeve that was previously a tee

holder and also the magnetic ball marker tab, he was able to create the

first GPS glove system in golf - DistancePro. Loaded with nearly 40k golf

courses, the DistancePro pairs up to your smart phone thru the Zero

Friction App providing real time course info while on the links. Genius!

each box contains 2 gloves and a DistancePro GPS - $139 Compression,

$159 for Motion Fit model.

http://www.zerofriction.com/

The Frogger Catch Latch is an really useful magnetic fastening system

to help manage your golf accessories. Cell phone, GPS, keys etc. are all

secure with Frogger's new Catch Latch system.

Catch Latch Bag C-Clamp securely attaches to the top of your golf bag
Catch Latch Belt Clip slides easily over your belt
Attach your favorite accessories via the dongle ring
Magnets in dongle and receiver attract and self-align to connect
Dongle pulls straight out to easily disconnect from receiver
Receiver has a dynamic internal lock to secure product while in motion
Receiver rotates to a fully locked position when orange indicator visible
$12.95
https://www.froggergolf.com/

BigMax

Blade Quattro is the latest from BigMax, makers of quality golf trolley pull

carts. The Quattro has all of the convenience of a compact fold up cart,

but with the added stability of four wheels for hilly terrain or windy days

where a three wheeled cart may fall over. Having one of these would

influence even the everyday golf cart user to get healthy and walk the

fairways. Blade Quattro will be available in spring of 2017.

https://us.bigmaxgolf.com/

We're already looking forward to the 2018 PGA Show, but for now we'll

be busy testing and reviewing these and many other fine golf products

as they launch throughout the year.

Greg Norman Collection (2017)

By Jason Bruno

Although you may not ever become the Champion Golfer of the Year and

hoist the Claret Jug, you can look as sharp as the Shark while walking the

fairways and out on the town. From dress to golf performance wear, Greg

Norman has an outstanding assortment of fabrics and styles to have you

looking and feeling your best all day long. Performance Stretch, ML75,

Weather Knit and Solar XP are the latest threads in the '17 Greg Norman

Collection.

1/4 zip Heathered Mock is the perfect long sleeve pullover for those

cool mornings and late afternoons on the links. The 88% poly/12%

spandex blend is a comfort stretch garment that features UPF 50 sun

protection. (Grey Heather shown above).

The ML75 multi-stripe polo is the perfect companion layer to the 1/4 zip mock.

The ML 75 multi-stripe polo features a superfine microfiber yarn in a

classic design. Preferred by tour players, these are premium threads

of the highest order. In zoom mode you get a view of the timeless

style of Greg Norman's tailored collar. (color shown: Black/Light Orchid)

Another ML75 polo

is the Tonal Stripe,

constructed of 100%

microfiber poly

fabric featuring

UPF 50+ sun

protection.

Available in 12

colorways (including

British Red shown

right)

Made from 100% microfiber polyester, the Solar XP Weather Knit long sleeve

performance polo offers super sun protection (featuring chemical free 50+

UV coverage) and Play Dry technology (Aquamarine shown above).

Silver Shark logo adds a classy touch on the back yoke.

The Shark's Weather Knit polo is an ultra light aerated micro grid fabric

designed to keep you cooler on those humid days. UPF 40+ sun protection

comes standard (Calypso Coral shown above)

GN's versatile long sleeve button down is a high performance stretch and

easy care casual dress shirt that is ready for any event. This is bar none

the most comfortable button down we've ever worn (British Red shown

above).

Summary

The latest from Greg Norman has you decked out in style with fabrics

that handle and impress for every activity, and all at a very reasonable

price point (all garments featured here in this review have an MSRP

between $60-$80). Offering free shipping on all orders over $100,

get your Greg Norman style at: https://gregnormancollection.com/

Shaftlign Putters

By Jason Bruno

Shaftlign Putters, created by Lafayette, Louisiana's own Clay Judice

- golf equipment innovator and admittedly a long suffering golfer

with the Yips. When the USGA's Anchoring Ban was announced it

sacked not only his putting method, but his business as well. Judice

was the inventor of a very successful product a few years ago called

"Belly Putt". The device came as a kit that allowed you to convert

your standard length putter either temporarily or permanently to a

longer length belly putter for a very modest cost. Now, with the

anchoring method being exiled to Azkaban, "Belly Putt" is no more.

However, as any addicted golfer will attest to, the game goes on

and Clay was left searching for a way to save his own golf game.

Judice found that alignment especially on the shorter putts may

have been the culprit for his demise on the greens. So he started

by laying a thin pin stripe (like those found on automobiles) down

the shaft and he began using the shaft line as a reference when he

addressed shorter putts. Seeing some immediate success, the idea

progressed into a cutoff piece of shaft that he mounted directly

above the putterhead topline. He painted both the shaft and the

affixed attachment white to create a perpendicular line. At that

point Judice knew he was on to something. Although that particular

version was deemed non-conforming, Clay worked with the design

until it evolved into the model you see here in this review - the CJ1.

Appearance/Objective

It's not conventional, but it's really an eye opener when you

see how easy it is to line up square to your target.

After receiving the Shaftlign we began testing and noticed the

reaction of golfers that see the putter for the first time: "What is

that putter?" Also, "Hmm, that's interesting" are the some of the

typical comments heard. Although unorthodox, It's objective

exceeds the need for putter vanity. Looking down at address you

realize that the singular white perpendicular line is so simple,

that you can't help but think "Wow, why didn't I think of something

so simple as that.

Not to be forgotten, and always to be admired for his innovation,

it was Karsten Solheim who first brought out the Ping Anser putter

50 years ago. At the time, he was laughed at by many of the best

players in the game. Today that design is THE Standard of which

every manufacturer copies. I'm not saying the Shaftlign will take

on the same significance as the Anser, but let's just say it gives

us reason to believe that great new ideas in putter design can still

be achieved. As Judice said to me, "Everyone thinks the inventor

is a kook, until his idea takes off."

Testing

The reason there is not a standard center aiming line on the flange

is that Judice found that using a horizontal line to aim at your target

causes issues. Standing to the side of the ball often confuses the

eyes because of the skewed perspective. I somewhat agreed with

him on this point (but have been a captive of the horizontal line

method for years, so I was still holding out a bit of skeptism on his

theory). Recently I tried an experiment while playing with a friend

in the industry who specializes in marketing innovative golf products.

I played the front nine using a conventional Anser style blade with

the line on the ball as well as the center aiming line of the putter as

I always have. On the front nine my speed was spot on, but missed

almost every 4 to 6 foot putt I had. I was struggling to get set up

comfortably over the ball, which I know means I wasn't sure if I

was aligned correctly. Sounds odd to admit that your struggling with

alignment from inside 6 feet, but painfully, it is what it is.

This indecision created a lack of confidence, so at the turn, I went

to the trunk and grabbed the Shaftlign. It wasn't a make or miss

test, it was about seeing if using a bold perpendicular line would

help regain some confidence standing over the ball. Just simply

knowing that you're aimed where you intend to. My buddy Rick

immediately commented on the tenth green, "whoa, you made a

putter switch, what's that?" After I drained a curling 10 footer on

the eleventh, he said "Let me see that thing!". He commented how

solid it felt but that it was odd in appearance. No argument here,

but concentrating on the solid white verticle line freed me up. I

did lip out a few 12 to 15 footers but made a ton including every

putt inside 8 feet to shoot a back nine 32, and my first sub-70

round in quite sometime. I was convinced, it's one thing to see

the line and roll it good on the practice green, and entirely another

to feel comfortable with game time pressure on the line. I'd be

remiss if I didn't mention how pure the feel of the strike is, every

tester commented just how sweet and solid impact feels and how

smooth the ball rolls off the Shaftlign CJ1.

Specs/Price

The Shaftlign has a CNC milled 304 stainless head that weighs a

hefty 356 grams. The CJ1 comes standard with 70 degree lie angle,

and 2.5 degrees of loft. Available in right or left hand in lengths of

33" to 35". Currently there are two versions of the CJ1 available:

100% milled model that's featured here is $249, and a cast model

which is face milled but has the same specs is $199.

The stock grip on the Shaftlign wasn't our favorite, like most

golfers, we replaced it with one of our own preference - Clay

does offer a midsize model from PURE Grips that would be

much preferred.

Judice refers to the his CJ1 creation as an inline style (not a

centershaft design), sort of a hybrid between the classic Bullseye

and the SeeMore putter made popular by Payne Stewart and Zach

Johnson.

Summary

Overall the Shaftlign more than exceeded any expectations, the

perpendicular (or vertical) line method is something that every

golfer should try out, it makes too much sense. If the appearance

isn't as conventional as you prefer, Clay expects to have a few

new models coming out in the near future and has a few famous

major winners now on the Champions Tour currently testing

Shaftlign models.

For more information on Shaftlign: http://shaftlign.com/

Flat Cat Golf - Square Your Face

By Jason Bruno

Flat Cat Golf is a fresh face in the golf grip marketplace, specifically

putter grips. The recent trend of oversize grips on putters has caught

fire with companies like SuperStroke leading the way. Flat Cat has

taken the oversize concept to another level with a stylish rectangular

form. Flat Cat's motto: "Square Your Face" . . . is ground in the idea

that the grip, hand and clubface all share the same position at address

and impact.

The folks at Flat Cat sent us over their putter grip kit to test. Having four

choices makes it much easier to choose the desired size/weight/feel that

suits your game.

Function & Style:

Technically, the focus of every putt is to square the face of the putter

relative to the intended line of play with the proper amount of force in

order to achieve the correct pace for the golf ball to be holed out.

In simpler terms, proper aim, square impact = sinking more putts.

A close friend of mine constantly is chanting "form follows function" -

well this image perfectly illustrates the harmony of the putterface and

grip. It's a symbiotic relationship. The rectangular shape (with rounded

corners) is a different look and feel to what your hands are used to for

sure, but you'll be surprised how nicely the Flat Cat sits in the palm of

your hands and influences soft grip pressure throughout the stroke. I'm

a big fan of the white/lime green graphics, and you have to admit the

grip cap is a cool touch.

The Standard size Flat Cat shown here is similar in size to a Super

Stroke 2.0.

GRIP SPECS:

The size of each model is displayed along the seam on the back

of each grip. The two extremes are SLIM & BIG BOY (shown above).

Slim 45 grams 1.09H x .92W

Standard 68 grams 1.37H x 1.02W

Fat 85 grams 1.50H x 1.14W

Big Boy 104 grams1.68H x 1.26W

(all models are 12.2" in length)

At address the look from down the line is anything but busy, a nice

simple contrast of white surface bordered by the green edge. Note

the cross-hatch design for ease of alignment (Big Boy model shown).

Testing:

Through extensive testing I found that the STANDARD model was

the perfect combination of size and weight for my big mitts. Although

the orientation and shape of Flat Cat grips is unlike any other on the

market today, the material makeup is similar to what other oversized

grips like SuperStroke are made of (light weight foam base with a soft

synthetic sleeve overlay). There is a bit of a muted sensation at impact

that comes standard on all of these oversized non-rubber type grips,

a small incidental byproduct that pales in significance when you start

sinking putts.

At 12.2" in length any of the Flat Cat models will accommodate whatever

grip method you choose to putt with.

PRICE/GUARANTEE:

Flat Cat Putter Grips retail for $27.95 and believe it or not they

offer a 30 day money back guarantee - just return the grip if

you feel it hasn't helped improve your putting. Ever heard of a

GRIP company backing up their claims with a guarantee? Now

that's confidence in their product. If you're looking for a simple

solution to your putting woes, the answer may be as simple as

a Flat Cat . . .

For more info: http://www.flatcatgolf.com/

Sentio Golf - Sierra 101 Putters

By Jason Bruno

A putter with a floating face? Have you ever seen anything like it?

Perhaps you may have seen Sentio putters featured in our "Best New

Products" report from the PGA Show back in January. After the Orlando

unveiling, which received rave reviews from golf gear aficionados, the

Sentio Team knew they were onto something, so they went back to work

to perfect their Sierra 101 line before officially launching the brand just

a few weeks ago.

Sentio is the Latin word for feel and that's exactly what this new putter

brand is about. Our first exposure to Sentio Golf and their Sierra putter

line was when we were contacted via email by Sentio President Jim

Varney prior to the 2016 PGA Show in Orlando where they presented

prototypes of a three piece putter head featuring a stainless steel body,

face and a Thermo Plastic Elastomer center (more commonly referred

to as TPE or simply polymer) sandwiched in-between the two stainless

components. In the photo above you can clearly see each polymer and

its "light saber" like color beam. As cool as it looks, it's specialty is all

in its function.

The Genesis of the Sentio concept

According to Varney (who's not just the Co-Founder of Sentio, he is the

Vice President of Product Insight, a company that specializes in early

stage R&D industrial design and mechanical engineering), most of the

recent putter releases have offered very little from a new technology

standpoint. He expressed his observations: "Everything seemed very

traditionally based and any innovation that was happening was coloration

or alignment graphics. Where is the innovation? Why is this not being

pushed more?" Varney thought. "Let's look at this from the inside out or

as if we've never seen a putter before." Once they examined the entire

landscape of putters out there, they realized that virtually all of the

putters on the market divided consumers into two different factions

- inserts were the solution if you wanted a softer feel. Solid body

putters if you preferred a firmer feel. There were those two camps

and no one crossed over. They came up with the idea of "How can we

provide the player with what they're trying to get to - which is this

middle ground," Varney said. "They want the softer feel but they want

that response at impact. They want to feel AND hear something, not

just that deadness (at impact), and they don't want that harsh feel

that many stainless putters have . . . and that was the genesis for how

we came up with the technology of the insert molding idea."

And so the Floating Face was born.

From the sole view you can see each polymer: Until now, the concept

of innovating variances of feel in a putter was thought to be an elusive

intangible that wasn't feasible to create. The specific paint filled letter

designates the firmness of each polymer S=soft M=medium F=firm.

Sentio's Sierra line features a forged CNC milled 303 stainless steel body

and 304 stainless face. 304 was chosen as the desired material for the

grooved face because of it's sound and how well suited it is to the

manufacturing process.

Color coded PURE midsize putter grips are standard equipment on all

Sentio putters.

Limited Century Edition Tour Prototype

The Century Edition is a special limited tour prototype that features a

black/bronze PVD finish. From an aesthetic point of view, I'm partial

to this set up.

The contrasting silver face and black body of the Century Edition is

striking, and creates a bold alignment feature. The simple and clean

look at address inspires confidence.

Limited to only the first 100 putters off the assembly line (001-100),

the Century Edition is the rarest of Sentio models and comes with the

green polymer (soft feel). Check out the engraved number, I ordered

mine with specific digits in mind - #061 (Why 61? It's a long story).

On the Greens

The grooved milled face provides crisp contact and a consistent

roll out. Forgiving yes, but unlike most insert designs, there is

enough instant feedback to know when you've miss hit a putt.

No surprises here.

Of the players that we had test each model, there was no clear

cut choice of one particular feel. Some preferred the buttery green

feel, while others swore that the red or blue was for them. Either

way, there's likely one that you'll prefer.

Sentio's Sierra line held up really well in every aspect of roll, and

even with only a 2 degree loft angle. Varney found that with the

tighter turf cut on the greens of today, not nearly as much loft is

needed to get the ball rolling on top of the surface as there was years

ago when putters were designed with upwards of 5 degrees of loft.

Sentio Putter Specs and Features:

350 gram head weight
2 degrees face loft
72 degrees lie angle
Full offset plumber hosel
4:00 toe hang
MIM & CNC milled 304 stainless steel face
Full CNC billet-milled 303 stainless steel body
Satin Silver finish (Black/Bronze PVD on Century Edition)
Satin Silver PVD finish on face
PURE mid-size grip
Headcover

The folks at Sentio use absolute precision to insert mold each blade with

their proprietary TPE core (polymer) in a medical-grade clean room. This

process is all completed here in the USA.

How to Choose Which Sentio is Right for You

Although Sentio is presently offering a 30 day swap out if you would

prefer a different Sierra with softer or firmer polymer, here is a

general guide for choosing the right one for you:

Green: Is for players who play most of their golf on surfaces that

are on the fast side and prefer some sound and feedback but a soft

sensation at impact. It is my experience that players that die the ball

into the cup would most likely choose this model.

Red: Is generally regarded as the most versatile for all types of

players and varied speeds of greens. An ever so slightly firmer feel

then Green but still much softer then your typical milled face stainless

putter.

Blue: For those who prefer a firm feel and a bit more of the click

sound at impact (the feel of a milled putter - but with the technology

of Sentio). Also for players who are a bit more aggressive or those

that play on greens where surfaces are on the slower side.

In all of the years of testing putters, none has ever replaced the

custom Scotty Studio Select Newport 2 Midslant that has been in

my bag for every golf course review, money game and stroke play

event over the past 8 1/2 years - until now. I estimate that number

at well over a thousand rounds, so safe to say a flatstick has to be

worthy to become "The Gamer".

For the past month or so, I've been gaming a Sierra with green feel,

but I admit to liking the red just as much. As mentioned earlier I'm

a bit monogomous when it comes to a blade, so the Sierra I'm gaming

will likely get the nod for a prolonged period.

Summary

Sentio combines a very tasteful blend of the classic Anser style blade,

with technology that stands out from everything else in the world of

putters today. Without the innovation of TPE and the floating face

concept, Sentio would be just another milled putter in the marketplace,

just as a Big Mac would be nothing more than a double cheeseburger

without its "Secret Sauce". The colorful polymer center makes rolling

the rock a virtual euphoria of golf bliss. Sentio is the real deal.

Sierra 101 - $299 Limited Century Edition - $399

For more info on everything Sentio: http://www.sentiogolf.com/

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