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| Callaway's new Diablo (left) and FT-9 drivers
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The Seve-inspired Icon driver from MD Golf
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Srixon XX10
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While putters, trolleys and shoes took the major awards at the Golf Europe trade show in Munich, where most of the major manufacturers were revealing their 2009 products this week, the big-headed 'monsters' will still be the driving force behind sales in an increasingly turbulent market.
When it comes to show-casing the head-turning clubs, the driver is still king and several brands were eager to show off the equipment they reckon golfers will be salivating to try in the New Year - even in the tough economic climate most of us are facing.
"We have to be positive," one manufacturer told me. "It's tough for everyone in the industry but the technology is getting better and better and if you can deliver an edge you have to flaunt it."
One of the most eye-catching new drivers won't be available until March but with its 'edgy' looks and a blood-red sole, Callaway Golf's Big Bertha Diablo is looking like it might attract more than its fair share of attention in the pro shops of Europe by the Spring.
Described as 'devilishly long' and posessing 'wicked, dark power' the Diablo has a distinctive, radical shape - neither pear nor square - but which Callaway claims will encourage the club to be swung on an inside line to encourage a drawing ball flight to eliminate slicing.
Aimed at the mature mid-handicap golfer looking to be sneaky long, the Diablo will cost around £229 and will be available in lofts between eight and 13 degrees and with either a draw or neutral bias.
Callaway also announced the FT-9 and FT-9 Tour drivers, with 'hot' hyperbolic faces to replace the FT-5 traditional-shaped drivers. the makers say the clubs have the largest face of any of its drivers to deliver higher, longer and more forgiving tee shots. From february it will be prices at £329 for the standard version and £349 for the FT9 Tour.
Apart from the new Titleist 909 and Cobra L5V drivers - already announced - other new clubs to catch the attention were the MD Golf range of gun-metal grey titanium drivers, endorsed by the company's new ambassador - Seve Ballesteros.
Already there's a new driver bearing his name - the Icon - with a distinctive red ProForce V2 shaft and added weight in the head to maximise stability and deliver more accuracy.
The MD Golf Superstrong Ti460 has a classic headshape, the Superstrong Ti Offset aims to help the slicers with its, while the Ti460 Square is built for accuracy.
