By Jason Bruno

Carnoustie Sportswear isn't your run of mill golf apparel brand, it's a cut above the

industry standard. Many clubs that are featured in America's Top 100 list carry their

product line, and not many can make those claims.

Known for their fine cotton golf shirts, the Carnoustie Performance Polo features a moisture

wicking micro-poly blend, self collar and 3 button placket.

LinksNation: Can you tell me about the brand and where you see your place in the

market?

Marshall Mancillas: Today we find ourselves in many of the best clubs from the

west coast to the east coast, from Cypress Point to Pine Valley. We are also very

big in the best golf resorts like Bandon Dunes and Pebble Beach - where they

want something better. Having said that, our price points are very understandable.

In winter and fall we flourish because we make so many different things.

LN: What exactly does the catalog of Carnoustie apparel cover?

MM: Everything from knits, polyester (tech/performance) outerwear, to sweaters

and some really beautiful suede goods.

LN: Only available in green grass locations?

MM: Mostly green grass. We do some retail, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom

. . . but our main gig is Golf. I've been a player and understand the market.

The Carnoustie logo displayed just below the back collar is a nice touch.

LN: You started the company 22 years ago, how did that come about?

MM: I was a lawyer in the Real Estate business here in L.A, but I've been a player

since 1960. In the late 80's the landscape of golf apparel changed with companies

like Ashworth and Bobby Jones, I saw an opportunity. I was kind of naive when I got

started. My Father made a wonderful career in tailored clothing . . . so maybe it was

in my blood.

LN: Do you think that being naive entering the industry might have been a blessing

in disguise? The passion drove you . . .

MM: In a way, sure. It also kept me on track. So many times it's so easy to get off

track, but what was really encouraging was once I got started people immediately

liked my point of view, and that was really encouraging.

LN: Why Carnoustie? It's obviously a famous classic Scottish links venue, but how

did the name become the brand?

MM: I was at home in the wee hours and the family was all sleeping, I started

watching some old vintage links footage on TV from Scotland . . . and a light bulb

came on in my head. I was inspired by the classic Scottish landscape. I started to

research if the name was available, and much to my delight it was. The rest is

history.

One of the most impressive qualities about the Carnoustie Performance line is how

uniform the collar stays throughout the day - no roll up at all. The micro-poly fabric

is lightweight, and stays with your body even during the fastest swings from the tee

box. During testing, the moisture wicking elements kept us dry in the South Florida

sun. All Carnoustie garments are versatile timeless styles that will have you looking

your best whether you choose to wear them on or off the links.

An elegantly themed men's brand is what Marshall Mancillas likes to say. We couldn't

agree more . . .

For more information on Carnoustie Sportswear: http://www.carnoustiesportswearonline.com/

By Jason Bruno

COBRA KING F6 Driver

Over the last few years companies like Cobra, Nike, Callaway and Titleist have taken steps toward

the market leader in the big stick category. In 2016, Cobra continues to climb that ladder with their

King F6 line. The F6 driver comes in two models, standard (shown above) and F6+ which features a

carbonTrac system that allows you to dial in your spin and trajectory via five different position from

front (low spin - penetrating flight) to back (higher spin - high launch). In the standard F6 that we

tested, you're offered a more basic choice - either front or back based on your desired launch/spin.

According to Cobra, the F6 is their most forgiving driver offering and comes at a price tag

of $349 which is extremely reasonable in today's premium driver market (F6+ retails at $399).

Cobra drivers don't have speed pockets engineered into their sole plates for faster ball speeds,

they utilize their Speed Channel for off center hits and incredible distance. The Forged 8-1-1

titanium E9 face has variable thickness that creates sweet spot like distance from virtually

any impact on the face. The MyFly loft sleeve allows settings from 9 to 12 degrees.

Appearance: Love the classic and simple style of the KING F6 crown. I'm still a big fan of the gloss look

over the matte black some other companies are going with. The texturized rear portion of the crown with

the thin perimeter pinstripe is a great look. Their aren't many better looking drivers on the market today.

F6 comes in White, Black, Blue and Turbulence Gray w/lime accents.

Feel/Sound: Sweet spot hits are as you'd want them - euphoric. Impact anywhere on the face

provided a good response from our testers. Just a good solid thwack. Nothing super loud like a

"cowbell" or totally muted either. From a feel perspective a total thumbs up.

Our test model came with the Matrix Red Tie, which is standard on the F6. The F6+ offers the Matrix

Black Tie (which is low launch/low spin), Matrix White Tie (High launch/low spin), Aldila Rogue Black,

and Aldila ATX Tour Blue & Green models.

Performance: Launching the F6 was a piece of cake. Distance was adequate - not short by any

means, but not the longest driver we've tested recently. (my test #'s: SS-102 Ball Speed-150

Launch-16.1 BackSpin-2910 Carry-249 yds Total-261 yds). I'm normally a low spin player off the

tee, so the spin rates were quite high for me. Moving the weight port forward did reduce spin somewhat

(about 200-250 rpm) and lowered the trajectory about 1 degree. Most of our single digit testers found

the F6 as a high launch mid/high spin set up that is geared to fly, not the ideal setup for the player who

likes to work the ball . . . but for the mid/high handicap player who wants a launcher, the KING F6

could be just right .

For more info on all Cobra products: http://www.cobragolf.com/

By Jason Bruno

My first time hearing about DST Golf was at this years PGA Show, DST stands for

delayed strike technology. The idea first evolved when Berti Cordle (former player on

the European Challenge Tour and golf instructor) sought out the truth about what elements

the best ball strikers in history have had in common regarding their dynamic motion

leading up to and at impact. He studied the bio-mechanics of ball striking for the past

3 years, and the result of his research is the development of the DST Golf club (which is

available in Compressor and CR10 models).

What he found was that all of these players have much more forward shaft

lean at impact than they started with at address. So, how could he create a

way to replicate this dynamic position in a golf club so this could be felt by all

players?

The illustration of Ben Hogan at impact is a perfect example of what proper

impact looks like. A delayed strike or lag impact is when your hands lead the

clubhead through the strike, this is how the clubface is controlled and the golf

ball compressed - therefore achieving total control over accuracy and distance.

Our test club came in the DST Compressor 8 iron. I admit pre-setting your hands well

in front of the ball at address and looking down at the curved shaft is quite odd at

first. Then you'll start immediately feeling consistent compression at impact, and wonder -

What have I been missing? Is this is how golf clubs should have been designed in the

first place. Within the first few swings the ball launched much higher than my usual

flight and with virtually no side spin. Similar in concept to Martin Chuck's ingenious

Tour Striker, but the DST is certainly a simpler and easier concept for the masses to

execute properly.

The sole of the DST Compressor is wide and extremely flat so it sets up correctly on the turf when

the proper forward shaft lean is put into effect. I've started a ritual of warming up with the DST

at the start of each range session, and before heading to the 1st tee. My iron play has improved

dramatically (averaging 12 greens in regulation per round over the last 4 weeks) since using the

DST Compressor.

The photo above illustrates the recommended address and correct impact positions, if you

look closely - the arms, hands and golf club are in identical positions. It's only the body that

has moved and shifted towards the target. The concept is simple, if you start with the golf

club in the impact position, it's much simpler and requires far less compensation to return

it correctly to impact. I highly suggest you visit http://www.dstgolf.com/ and watch the video

demonstration.

As of this Spring, 6 of the 10 players in the world, and more than half of the top 50 players

in the Official World Golf Ranking are using DST to fine tune their ball striking. 240 PGA Tour

and European Tour players use DST, including 27 major winners. Through my travels covering

the recent Florida swing I witnessed two of the best ball strikers in the game using the DST

on the range - Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose . . . needless to say, but if they're using it (and

are not paid endorsers) should we all be using it.

As time goes along this golf season I'll post any performance breakthroughs for my game and

who's using the DST out on Tour via @LinksNation on Twitter.

If you're looking to improve your ball flight and create a better and more consistent impact, then

you're gonna want to check out DST Golf: http://www.dstgolf.com/

By Jason Bruno

Rival and Revel Silo. Looking at this photo you likely have no idea what this device is,

but If you like to practice, or walk a short course - you'll want to read on . . .

Perhaps the most unique accessory at this year's PGA Show, Rival Revel's Silo

is a perfect item for the golf enthusiast who has everything. The Silo golf club

carrier conveniently holds 6 clubs, eliminating the need to carry your entire bag

for a practice session or when walking a short course. One end of the Silo holds

3 tees (as shown), the other end has a magnetic ball marker.

Master club builder Dirck Storm who is a serious range rat and gadget lover - demonstrates

proper form with Silo and sticks in tow (walking from the range to the short course at John

Prince Learning Center in West Palm Beach).

Features:

- Silo can easily fit and be stored into your golf bag

- reduces club chatter

- great for cart path only rounds, stands on it's own with only 3 clubs inserted

John Prince Park's short course sits right beside the driving range at the learning center.

On the first tee, the Silo holds the clubs in standing position. No need for the carry bag.

In the prototype stage is an attachable strap for the Silo. Stay tuned on future attachments.

The Silo is lightweight, and the center section is contoured for a comfortable fit for any size

hands. Rival and Revel call the Silo a simplified product for a sophisticated person, we couldn't

agree more. A serious thumbs up with all of our testers.

Silo is available in nearly every color combination and retails for $25.

For more info on the Silo: http://www.rivalandrevel.com/