Daily Pulse for January 4, 2012

Web Street Golf Daily Pulse
VOLUME 3, NUMBER 2                                                           
Wednesday, January 4, 2012

ANY IDEA WHO SAID THIS? “I have been putting with the long stick for a while and I believe that it will be there for a long time and the better I will get!!”

BRAIN TEASER: What Company sponsored the Tournament of Champions event in Maui before Hyundai came on board?

WANNA KNOW WHAT’S NEX? It seems equipment companies never run out of ideas. Some people may roll their eyes and others, likely the vast majority, are eager to see what magic elixir is next. More often than not the driver category gets most of the attention. In part since golf is dominated by male participation, it plays to the ego. Distance has often been a sales tool that represents music to the ears of any listener.

It wasn’t that long ago that the USGA and R&A drew a line in the sand regarding driver performance. It initiated an alphabet soup game where COR (Coefficient of Restitution) gave way to CT (Characteristic Time). Meanwhile MOI (Moment of Inertia) also became a trendy topic. In laymen terms trampoline effect covered COR and CT, while resistance to twisting explained MOI. These terms essentially applied to drivers, while MOI eventually found its way into putters. However, the application didn’t extent itself to fairway woods, hybrids or for that matter even irons. While it seems equipment companies never run out of ideas, this year could be the time consumers make wholesale changes to their bag as fairway woods, hybrids and irons are going to offer some surprises.

Variable face thickness is one of the design principles employed in drivers. It offers equipment companies an opportunity to expand the sweet spot from the size of a pin to that of a peanut shell. Recreational golfers need all the help they can get, as more often than not on any given day it can appear as if multiple players are playing out of a single bag. Nike Golf, which is now 10 years and counting in the equipment business, is looking to add both help and speed to the game. The company has developed NexCOR, a proprietary face technology that is a new expanding multi face thickness design. According to the company, in the past five years it has beefed up its R&D investment by 65%, despite a tough economy and business landscape. The past investment is expected to pay dividends to the company and consumers in 2012.

Fans of Nike Golf are familiar with its VR Pro line of clubs. In 2012, it will debut the VR_S, which features NexCOR technology throughout the line. The S, if your wondering, stands for Speed, which its proprietary technology helps to deliver. In the driver, which Nike said Stewart Cink and Lucas Glover have found a few extra miles per hour improvement in ball speed, also incorporates its STR8-FIT technology to adjust launch angle. In the VR_S the company has modified STR8-FIT to go through to the bottom of the club, which offers a streamline hosel and cleaner look. More often than not, an overwhelming majority of equipment companies build product for its Tour staff first and consumers, in sense, second. With the VR_S, Nike said the consumer product is also built for its Tour players, which happens to be generating a buzz amongst the players who get the first peak at anything the company creates.

The key to the product performance is the NexCOR face technology, Nike’s multi face thickness design. The VR_S driver also carries an aerodynamically engineered head design and a longer, lighter shaft, 45 3/4-inch Fubuki model made by Mitsubishi Rayon. The shaft incorporates Modulus Differential Technology (M.D.T.) with a new Power “Ninja” Core. This metal core, found in the inner most layers of the K-Series, helps to promote maximum energy transfer, according to the company, during the golf swing.

The VR_S driver, available starting on February 1st, will be offering in 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5 and HL (13 degrees) lofts for right-handed players. Lefties will choose from 9.5 and 10.5 degrees of loft. It will retail for a minimum advertised price (MAP) of $299.

Nike is employing the NexCOR in its fairway woods and hybrids as well, which includes L-Face technology. The latter positions the weld on the sole to allow for an expanded maximum COR zone from the middle to lower in the face, which happens to be where a majority of shots are struck by recreational players. At impact the body flexes, Nike said, but the L-Face technology is able to return energy back to the face. In its testing the company said the fairway woods and hybrids generated a CT rating of 225 to 235, which means players should see higher ball flights and longer distances than before. The VR_S fairway woods will carry a MAP of $199 and the hybrids $159.

The VR_S irons keep the party going as it too features NexCOR face. The clubface produces greater energy return, as Nike is calling the VR_S its fastest irons to date. Built with a high strength, stainless steel with NexCOR variable face thickness, Nike said the irons have picked up 15 CT points in its testing. The new face construction also expands the maximum CT zone around the middle and lower area of the face. Nike has also positioned weight off the face with an undercut construction. The Nike PowerBow technology, it said, produces a faster, higher launch for greater carry and steeper descent to hold greens. The VR_S irons with steel shafts will retail for $599 (8-piece set) or $699 in graphite (Fubuki).

Nike is expected to promote in its marketing that it is building speed for consumers that flows through the driver, fairway woods, hybrids and into its irons with the VR_S line. “In golf, when we talk about distance, the first thing that comes to mind is the driver,” said Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation for Nike Golf. “We decided to look beyond that and focus on the entire bag from a holistic point of view. We discovered that NexCOR face technology adds distance and will play a critical role in helping golfers to become better.  They’ll be hitting more shorter irons on their approach shots.

“In setting out to create the fastest and hottest face, we know that consumers don’t hit it in the same spot on the face every time,” Stites continued.  “We conducted impact studies and were able to ‘map’ where consumers hit the ball on the face at impact on every club. Based on those results, we are able to move this NexCOR technology around on the face. The location of NexCOR on the face differs on every club. Not every face is identical.”

Retail availability for the VR_S line in the US is scheduled for February 3. Nike Golf said starting in March through May 2012, it will be conducting VR_S Speed Trials at hundreds of participating golf retail shops and golf courses across the country. Nike’s VR_S Speed Trials will allow consumers to compare the speed of what’s in their current bag to the new Nike VR_S products on a launch monitor.  Their accumulative distance will be tallied and recorded on a national leaderboard that will be featured on www.nikegolf.com.

COWBOY UP: Its safe to say that it’s a big year for Rickie Fowler. The former Rookie of the Year and Ryder Cupper has yet to win on the PGA TOUR, but did break through in Korea last year for his first professional victory. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy appears to be well liked by his peers and possesses the skill set to have a productive career on the PGA TOUR. While Fowler’s future looks bright, it appears his color pallet (OSU) is rubbing off on COBRA GOLF, part of Puma, which supplies his outfits.

COBRA has introduced a new line of clubs that features a heavy orange accent. The color has also found its way into the company’s new logo, which is now gray and orange. The AMP line features a driver, fairway wood, hybrids and irons. The driver boasts E9 Face Technology with dual roll and AMP Speed Tuning along with its color and attitude with black PVD and vibrant orange details on the shaft, club head and grip. “The AMP Driver features technology focused on delivering superior distance and accuracy,” explained Tom Preece, Vice President of Research and Development at COBRA PUMA GOLF. “The titanium 6-4 head with a semi-forged, milled Ti face features E9 Face Technology with dual roll to provide more distance to shots above and below the centerline.”

The AMP Driver incorporates Adjustable Flight Technology (AFT), offering players with the option to set the face angle as Open, Neutral or Closed to optimize ball flight. COBRA has gone with the Aldila RIP Speed Tuned shafts have a progressive weight design and El flex profiles along with Lamkin R.E.L. 3Gen Grip in vibrant orange to match the cosmetics of club head design. The AMP Driver is also available in an offset design to reduce the effects of a slice.

The COBRA AMP Driver (MAP $299) is available in lofts of 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 11.5° in men’s right-handed, and 9.5° and 10.5° in men’s left-handed. The 8.5° loft is available in X or S flex, the 9.5° and 10.5° in S or R Flex and the 11.5° in R or Lite Flex. The COBRA AMP Offset Driver (MAP $249) is available in a men’s right handed or left- handed 10.5° in S or R flex and a men’s right handed 11.5° in an R or Lite flex. Availability in the United States is scheduled for February 10th.

“The AMP Fairways and Hybrids were designed with for all golfers seeking distance and accuracy,” said Preece. “We’ve improved the construction with a 455 high strength steel face that has over 1.5 times the yield strength of the 17-4 stainless steel body, resulting in a lighter, hotter face.”

According to the company, the AMP Fairways were designed with a larger profile for increased MOI (resistance to twisting) to provide added forgiveness. A new, larger high strength steel face with E9 Face Technology with dual roll provides a 5% thinner face for a larger Sweet Zone and added distance, according to COBRA. The fairway woods (MAP $199) are available in men’s right-handed and left-handed 3 (15°), 4 (16.5°) or 5 (18°) in X, S, R or Lite flex. The AMP Hybrid (MAP $189) is available in men’s right-handed 2/H, 3/H and 4/H in S or R flex, and the 3H is also available in men’s left-handed. The AMP Hybrid will be available in the United States on February 10th, while the AMP Fairway won’t make it to retail until March 16th, 2012. Both fairways and hybrids feature the adjustable setting of open, neutral and closed settings found in the AMP driver.

“Our AMP Irons are perfect for any type of golfer looking for improved distance and accuracy,” said Preece. “We studied golfers’ shots to develop our E9 Face Technology and now we’ve improved upon that with our multi-alloy design. The two features work together to provide increased distance in long irons, consistent short irons as well as improved feel and forgiveness.”

The AMP Irons feature a multi-alloy design, strategically positions weight, according to the company, to provide explosive long irons and consistent short irons. Full cavity TPU layer dampens vibration enhances the irons’ feel. The AMP irons also have a V-Skid Sole design to promote consistent distance and accuracy, COBRA said, with a versatile mid-width sole that narrows in the toe and heel. The higher bounce front section provides forgiving sole interaction, a lower bounce middle section keeps the leading edge at a proper height and the rear sole relief has the weight benefits of a wider sole but cleaner turf contact. The sole design is complemented by the ability to bend for correct lie. The product is available in an iron and combo set.

The COBRA AMP Irons are available in 3-LW in a Steel (MAP $699) or Graphite shaft (MAP $799) and S or R flex. The AMP Steel Combo 8 piece set is $799 and $899 in graphite. The company said 8piece sets feature 4-GW and combo sets feature 3/H, 4/H and 5-PW. The graphite irons feature the AMP by Aldila and steel irons feature a True Temper Dynalite 90 Steel shaft. All irons feature the Lamkin N-DUR 3GEN grip. Retail availability in the US is scheduled for February 10th.

THE SHAFT IS THE ENGINE OF A GOLF CLUB: True Temper has been named by the PGA of America as an official Pre-Approved Education Provider for PGA Member Continuing Education. True Temper will now award three PGA credit hours for PGA professionals who attend Professional Fitting Center (PFC) workshops. "We're very excited to collaborate with the PGA of America in providing PGA professionals with continuing education that is both authoritative and comprehensive," says Bill Lange, global distribution sales manager for True Temper Sports. "Our PFC workshops bring together highly accredited engineers, custom fitting experts and retail specialists as invaluable resources for golf professionals."

Available exclusively through True Temper, the Professional Fitting Center Program is an education-based effort to bring shaft knowledge to the PGA Professional. Through this program PGA Professionals will gain basic technical knowledge of golf shaft designs and performance as well as tips on how to properly fit their members for the correct golf shaft. The first two PFC workshops will be hosted at the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla., the afternoon of Thursday, January 26, 2012; and Friday, January 27, 2012. Registration is available on the Performance Fitting Center Website.

"As part of the PGA's continuing effort to provide world-class education and training for PGA professionals, PGA of America is pleased to partner with True Temper which has been such a strong leader in the golf industry for so many decades. True Temper's participation in our education program will undoubtedly be a huge benefit to all of our PGA professionals," says Dawes M. Marlatt, Jr. PGA and director of PGA education. 


WEB GEMS:

CAN'T AFFORD A SLOW START: It seems as if golf doesn't have much of an off-season, inferring it's a never-ending year. For one player that isn't necessarily the case. Peter Lonard admits his career in America could be over in the next few weeks. He faces a tough situation after struggling through the Nationwide Tour last year following hip surgery. He finished 89th on the money list and has five events in which to secure his spot on the tour for the rest of 2012. READ MORE>>>

WORTH THE WAIT: Harrison Frazar was beginning to wonder if this day would ever come. For a player with more than $10 million in career earnings on tour, but just a little more than $200,000 in 2010 when he made only four of 17 cuts, a win appeared to be moving farther and father out of reach. READ MORE>>>

STEADY AS SHE GOES: In the last two years of the FedEx Cup playoffs, a runner-up finish for Martin Laird at The Barclays and for Chez Reavie at the Deutsche Bank Championship was enough for them to lock up a spot in the Tour Championship - and three of the majors - after what had been ordinary seasons. That scenario is not likely to change for 2012. READ MORE>>>

ANSWERS: Robert Garrigus, known for using an usually short putter, said via his Twitter account, "I have been putting with the long stick for a while and I believe that it will be there for a long time and the better I will get!!"

In 2010 the tournament entered a new ten-year agreement with Korean broadcasting company Seoul Broadcasting System, with the tournament being renamed as the SBS Championship. Hyundai took over title sponsorship in 2011 with SBS remaining a sponsor.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IS BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE, BUT IT IS NOT GUARANTEED. THE OPINION EXPRESSED IS THAT OF TERRY MCANDREW AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A SOLICITATION TO BUY OR SELL SECURITIES IN ANY OF THE COMPANIES DISCUSSED WITHIN THIS NEWSLETTER. CONTENTS OF THIS NEWSLETTER MAY NOT BE REPRINTED OR REBROADCAST WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT OF TMAC GOLF