VOLUME 1, NUMBER 194

Web Street Golf Daily Pulse

VOLUME 1, NUMBER 194

Tuesday October 5, 2010

ANY IDEA WHO SAID THIS? “The third session was our demise. We won half a point out of six. We lose the Ryder Cup by one point and lost by five in the third session. That was our demise.”

ON THIS DAY: In 1986, Fred Wadsworth won the Southern Open after qualifying on Monday. He’s the last player to perform that feat.

EAST GOES WEST AND WEST TURNS EAST FOR OPPORTUNITY: China is being heralded as the next growth platform for many golf companies. However, there is some mounting evidence that the Chinese have their own plans when it comes to the game. Japanese Honma Golf Co., an equipment company, received a sizable investment from Chinese investors earlier this year. Even though diplomatic tensions between the two countries can be tenuous, two-thirds of Honma's board is now composed of Chinese executives, and the company is aiming to become the No. 1 golf brand in China. Honma President Koji Nishitani said Chinese customers always buy premium golf clubs, which can cost from 90,000 yen to 500,000 yen, or roughly $1,000 to $6,000, for each club. "They buy more expensive clubs than the Japanese," he said. One side note worth pointing out that has been devoid of the national media attention in the US is the top three in the FedEx Cup standings were all backed by Japanese companies. Jim Furyk through Srixon, Matt Kutchar with Bridgestone Golf and Luke Donald at Mizuno made it a clean sweep of the top three. READ MORE>>>

ON THE RISE: Cleveland Golf has added a few more choices to its Classic Collection putter line. “Over the past two years, we’ve experienced great success on both the PGA and Nationwide tours with our Classic putter line,” said Chuck Thiry, Brand Manager for Cleveland Golf. “The Classic Collection’s tour success coupled with its value-driven pricing has helped propel our putter market share to the highest level in our company’s history and we believe these latest offerings will continue that trend.” READ MORE>>>

NIKE GOES A LITTLE RETRO: Nike Golf has introduced the new VR Pro Combo irons. According to the company, it the philosophy behind its original Pro Combo irons with the craftsmanship and technology of the VR franchise. The latest from Nike Golf features a pocket cavity design in the 3 and 4-iron that offers higher trajectory on longer shots, according to the company. The split cavity design in the 5, 6, 7 irons, Nike said enhances pin-seeking control and workability, and the blades (8, 9, PW in the set) deliver “unsurpassed” short-game feel.  “The pocket cavity long irons look, feel and sound just like a blade iron, but it is much easier to get the ball in the air with these compared to blades,” Nike Tour Athlete, Justin Leonard said.

Through new linear Center of Gravity (CG) Mapping, the CG moves gradually and consistently throughout each club in the set for optimal launch and consistent distance control, Nike said.  The CG continues in a straight line throughout the iron set, starting low and elevating naturally higher.

The VR Pro Combo irons are forged out of 1025 Forged Carbon Steel to a near-finished level, Nike said, eliminating most handwork and ensuring consistency throughout the set. First, the finished iron face is milled to a flat surface. The face is then die-stamped, pressing grooves to exact specifications for extremely low variance and shot-making consistency, Nike said. This three-step groove process creates Nike’s most exact iron faces ever, it said.

The new X3X high-frequency grooves, according to the company, provide better performance and more consistent distance control.  There are more grooves, closer together and deeper on the face to ensure maximum flight control and shot-to-shot consistency.  Nike pointed out that the new design conforms to new USGA and R&A rules.

Availability of the VR Pro Combo irons is scheduled for November 26, 2010. It carried a manufacturer’s suggested retail price for a full set (3-PW) of $1079.99.

KEEP HOPE ALIVE: Wilson Golf announced it would once again support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation by donating one percent of sales of its Hope line of premium women’s golf equipment to support clinical and genetic research worldwide. This marks the 12th consecutive year Wilson Golf has partnered with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

“Through our Hope line, we are pleased to support such a meaningful and dedicated organization as The Breast Cancer Research Foundation,” said Tim Clarke, general manager of Wilson Golf. “The Hope line provides our customers with premium women’s golf products and a way that they too can support the organization.” In 2004, Wilson expanded its partnership with BCRF by launching Hope, a line of sporting goods created exclusively for women.

WEB GEMS:

WINNERS AND LOSERS: If your still experiencing some sort of a Ryder Cup hangover, this might help nurse you through it. Ratings for Europe and the US team at Celtic Manor as only our friend’s form across the pond can deliver. For example, Rory McIlroy, 5: There were moments of genius but the kid finished with a 50 percent record and wobbled three times on the final hole. At least he now knows what the Ryder Cup is all about. READ MORE>>>

COULD THE WORM BE TURNING? It’s rare that a loss can ever be classified in some small ways as a win. However, there are those who think Tiger Woods is on the comeback trail based on his performance at Celtic Manor. READ MORE>>>

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ANSWER: Jim Furyk

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IS BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE, BUT IT IS NOT GUARANTEED. THE OPINION EXPRESSED IS THAT OF TERRY O 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