TaylorMade Help Your Thailand Golf Short Game
If you have grown tired of the circus like attention devoted to Tiger Woods, then here is some real news. If your still consumed with speculation centered around the world's #1 player's personal life, shame on you. Ordinarily with the holiday season fast approaching, this would be the time of year when many turn towards reflection. But with a new year quickly on the horizon, it doesn’t allow much time to think about the past. It’s been a brutal year for golf outside of the PGA Tour, which saw its prize fund somewhat insulated from the recession. Time will tell how long it will be able to fend off the real world that may likely still be awaiting it.
Next year it would seem has more questions than answers at this point. The economy hasn’t worsened but it hasn’t improved either in the US. Unemployment levels are higher than a year ago at this time and it remains to be seen whether any level of divine intervention may provide a spark to an otherwise sagging economy.
One segment within the golf industry that may have a modest up tick going for it would be the wedge category. 2010 will be the last year that manufacturers can make U or square grooves, as they are sometimes referred to, based on the USGA and R&A rules. Any wedges featuring this groove configuration can be sold at retail after 2010, but they can no longer be manufactured. Meanwhile, for the recreational golfer around the world, the product is conforming for handicap purposes until 2024. The hope, in a sense, is that avid to casual players will stock up on wedges with U grooves while they remain available. One company has introduced a unique strategy towards wedges that is certain to capture some attention with many weekend warriors.
TaylorMade Golf, which has made a reputation for itself with adjustable features, specifically in drivers, has extended this to include wedges. The company has created the TP wedge with xFT (Exchangeable Face Technology), which allows players to easily remove a clubface and replace it with a new one to maintain performance in terms of spin and control. You may have already guessed it, but the company is offering two types of xFT wedge faces for purchase. Consumers can choose from TaylorMade’s new ZTP groove design that conforms to the USGA's new rules change, or the company’s current Z groove that conforms to the pre-2010 rule on groove design.
"In a nutshell, the rules change stipulates that new groove designs must have less cross-sectional area and their edges must be less sharp," said Bret Wahl, senior director of iron, wedge and putter development. Two types of xFT wedge faces will be available for purchase. Consumers can choose from TaylorMade’s new ZTP groove design that conforms to the USGA's new rules change, or the company’s current Z groove that conforms to the pre-2010 rule on groove design.
"Most players won't experience a dramatic reduction in spin from dry fairway lies, but will see a decrease in spin by up to 50% from the rough. All the more reason to keep the clubface of your wedge fresh and at peak performance. Our new ZTP groove is the most aggressive, spin-inducing design we have that conforms to the new USGA rule."
While most of the attention is centered on the groove configuration changes, TaylorMade is the first company that lets players hang on to their wedges and change out a part that is worn through usage. Previously, grips were the only component.
"Though the face of a typical iron is sturdy, it isn't impervious to wear," said Wahl. "A wedge's face wears from contact with the ball and from the dirt and sand that's often sandwiched between the ball and the face at impact. Every time you explode from sand with your wedge it's like rubbing a piece of sand paper on your clubface. Over time the face wears down and the edge-radius of the grooves becomes dull. In addition to the normal wear and tear a face suffers from normal play, it can be nicked and damaged in a variety of other ways such as when club heads bang together when you put your bag down or when you walk or drive your cart, or when you hit out of waste areas, or when you unintentionally scrape the clubface against debris when hitting the ball from poor lies off the fairway."
How quickly does the face of the average wedge show signs of wear? TaylorMade studies indicate that after about 1,000 shots the edge-radius of each individual groove changes and the roughness of the face surface are worn away. For players who play with reasonable frequency or practice between rounds, 1,000 shots can add up pretty quickly.
The xFT face is held in place with two screws located on the back of the club head that can be loosened and tightened with a white TaylorMade R9 torque wrench. Each TP xFT wedge will sell at a street price of $129 per club and will come equipped with a Z groove face (conforming to the pre-2010 USGA rule). Individual xFT wedge faces with either the Z groove or ZTP groove (conforming to the new 2010 USGA rule) will be sold separately at a street price of $39. Availability in stores and online is set for December 1st with the 56° loft and 12° bounce only, with nine more combinations will follow in mid-February, 2010 -- 50.09, 52.11, 54.12, 56.16, 58.09, 58.12, 60.06, 60.10, 64.06.
Next year it would seem has more questions than answers at this point. The economy hasn’t worsened but it hasn’t improved either in the US. Unemployment levels are higher than a year ago at this time and it remains to be seen whether any level of divine intervention may provide a spark to an otherwise sagging economy.
One segment within the golf industry that may have a modest up tick going for it would be the wedge category. 2010 will be the last year that manufacturers can make U or square grooves, as they are sometimes referred to, based on the USGA and R&A rules. Any wedges featuring this groove configuration can be sold at retail after 2010, but they can no longer be manufactured. Meanwhile, for the recreational golfer around the world, the product is conforming for handicap purposes until 2024. The hope, in a sense, is that avid to casual players will stock up on wedges with U grooves while they remain available. One company has introduced a unique strategy towards wedges that is certain to capture some attention with many weekend warriors.
TaylorMade Golf, which has made a reputation for itself with adjustable features, specifically in drivers, has extended this to include wedges. The company has created the TP wedge with xFT (Exchangeable Face Technology), which allows players to easily remove a clubface and replace it with a new one to maintain performance in terms of spin and control. You may have already guessed it, but the company is offering two types of xFT wedge faces for purchase. Consumers can choose from TaylorMade’s new ZTP groove design that conforms to the USGA's new rules change, or the company’s current Z groove that conforms to the pre-2010 rule on groove design.
"In a nutshell, the rules change stipulates that new groove designs must have less cross-sectional area and their edges must be less sharp," said Bret Wahl, senior director of iron, wedge and putter development. Two types of xFT wedge faces will be available for purchase. Consumers can choose from TaylorMade’s new ZTP groove design that conforms to the USGA's new rules change, or the company’s current Z groove that conforms to the pre-2010 rule on groove design.
"Most players won't experience a dramatic reduction in spin from dry fairway lies, but will see a decrease in spin by up to 50% from the rough. All the more reason to keep the clubface of your wedge fresh and at peak performance. Our new ZTP groove is the most aggressive, spin-inducing design we have that conforms to the new USGA rule."
While most of the attention is centered on the groove configuration changes, TaylorMade is the first company that lets players hang on to their wedges and change out a part that is worn through usage. Previously, grips were the only component.
"Though the face of a typical iron is sturdy, it isn't impervious to wear," said Wahl. "A wedge's face wears from contact with the ball and from the dirt and sand that's often sandwiched between the ball and the face at impact. Every time you explode from sand with your wedge it's like rubbing a piece of sand paper on your clubface. Over time the face wears down and the edge-radius of the grooves becomes dull. In addition to the normal wear and tear a face suffers from normal play, it can be nicked and damaged in a variety of other ways such as when club heads bang together when you put your bag down or when you walk or drive your cart, or when you hit out of waste areas, or when you unintentionally scrape the clubface against debris when hitting the ball from poor lies off the fairway."
How quickly does the face of the average wedge show signs of wear? TaylorMade studies indicate that after about 1,000 shots the edge-radius of each individual groove changes and the roughness of the face surface are worn away. For players who play with reasonable frequency or practice between rounds, 1,000 shots can add up pretty quickly.
The xFT face is held in place with two screws located on the back of the club head that can be loosened and tightened with a white TaylorMade R9 torque wrench. Each TP xFT wedge will sell at a street price of $129 per club and will come equipped with a Z groove face (conforming to the pre-2010 USGA rule). Individual xFT wedge faces with either the Z groove or ZTP groove (conforming to the new 2010 USGA rule) will be sold separately at a street price of $39. Availability in stores and online is set for December 1st with the 56° loft and 12° bounce only, with nine more combinations will follow in mid-February, 2010 -- 50.09, 52.11, 54.12, 56.16, 58.09, 58.12, 60.06, 60.10, 64.06.
Labels: taylormade golf, taylormade thailand
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