Show-stoppers 2009

The Pro-stance training aid, helps stimulate the feel and balance of your swing.

  Tony Dear has been writing about golf for more than 10 years. A former assistant pro from Southern England and journalist with top-selling golf magazines, he now lives in Seattle and is a member of the Northwest Golf Media Association. We asked him to give a independent perspective of the PGA exhibition and to pick out and rate some of the outstanding products on show.

PRO-STANCE PRACTICE AID

With over 1,000 exhibitors in the show, I wasn’t able to sample everything on offer, but this practice aid from the Paul Hurrion stable immediately caught my eye. He worked closely with teaching pro Stewart Craig to perfect the final product, which gives the golfer excellent feedback in terms of balance -whether swinging with a driver or merely putting and enables the instructor to make adjustments ppropriate to the pupil. It doesn’t make the golfers using it look ridiculous and it's not too expensive.

Price: £44.65

What it does: Helps you establish a solid, well-balanced set-up and swing by encouraging even weight distribution between your heels and toes - something that most golfers, even pros, find difficult to achieve.

Will it sell? Well, there are plenty of golfers who would jump off Blackpool Tower before spending money on any training aid let alone a good one, so the market is limited. Those who are serious about their golf, however, and want a theoretically sound, pleasingly discreet and fairly inexpensive aid should definitely consider this.

Rating: 5. It’s great when so simple a design has such a positive an impact on your golf. Hurrion and Craig say too much attention is paid to swing planes and weight shifts (and what’s happening above the waist) when a more golfers should start by addressing their poor balance and leg action. Once that’s corrected the golfer can build a powerful and repeating swing.

Website: www.pro-stance.co.uk

The Heavy Putter company's new Mid-Weight model

HEAVY PUTTER MID-WEIGHT

The original 900 gram Heavy Putter had its share of devotees, but the 750 gram Mid-Weight, which still has sufficient mass to engage the big muscles, will attract a whole new legion of users. The counterweight in the grip end of the club is still present and the overall weight is still considerably more than standard putters. So don’t think this is a case of Heavy Putter compromising its original belief in making putters heavy and user-friendly

Price: About £109 to £149

What it does: According to Stephen Boccieri, Heavy Putter’s founder, a greater total weight engages the golfer’s larger and more stable muscles, while its higher balance point disengages the golfer’s hands, promoting a smoother, more consistent pendulum stroke. Lighter putters, he adds, have a lower balance point and tend to cause the wrists to break down.

Will it sell? It should, though not in the same numbers as Ping, Odyssey or Scotty Cameron models, obviously. After giving the Mid-Weight a thorough test, the higher centre of gravity in the shaft will start to feel right, so I expect many more golfers will switch to Heavy Putter if they can get their hands on one.

Rating: 4. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but a great choice for anyone whose stroke is too wristy.

Website: www.heavyputter.co.uk

Cobra S9-1 (Fast speed) driver

KING COBRA S9-1 DRIVER

With its growing stable of young, powerful golfers (Ogilvy, Holmes, Villegas, Poulter, Na), Cobra seems constantly in the news these days and gets as close to R&A and USGA limitations on MOI, COR and clubhead dimensions as anyone. The S9-1, available some time in February, is a big, exciting, deep-faced, club that will surely add to the company’s now established reputation for building great drivers.

Price: £199, realistically

What it does: Smashes the ball far into the distance – provided, of course, you match your swingspeed, preferred shot shape and favourite Pink Floyd song (no, just kidding, there) to the appropriate model, of which there are eight. Consult with your pro and test drive a few before deciding which to buy.

Will it sell? Oh yes - even in this tough economic climate

Rating: 5. Another superb driver from Cobra and a worthy addition to the L5V.

Website: www.cobragolf.com

Callaway's X-22 irons - impressive

CALLAWAY X-22 IRONS

Latest model in Callaway’s impressive X-Series. The X-22’s MOI is 10% greater than that of the X-20, but the look is more Tour model than game-improvement club. There’s a thinner top-line and narrower sole, but with that high MOI this club should appeal to a wide range of players.

Price: £399 or thereabouts (for eight irons)

What they do: Look great, feel great, dampen vibration, maximise ball speed, forgive off-centre hits, inspire confidence.

Will they sell? Definitely. X-20 owners will be impressed with the changes and though a small number of really high handicappers may be lost because of the sleeker, more refined look, many a TaylorMade or Ping user will be tempted across. Heck, even Titleist and Mizuno stalwarts might take a look, although others might veer off towards the seriously elegant X-Forged irons on the next shelf.

Rating: 5. Hard to fault this set.

Website: www.callwaygolf.com

GEL's new Ruby putter

GEL RUBY PUTTER

The GEL (Groove Equipment Limited) booth in Orlando was very busy for most of the week. Some will tell you that had a lot to do with the fact a couple of shapely models in figure-hugging blue and yellow cat-suits were stationed there. However, those more interested in the products were there to try the highly touted range of GEL putters, manufactured in Hong Kong but engineered by British biomechanics expert Dr. Paul Hurrion who works with Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and a number of other European Tour players on their putting.

Price: £100

What it does: GEL’s patented aluminium insert is softer than most so provides greater feedback than you’re probably used to. It also features horizontal grooves; some flat, others angled, that get the ball rolling almost immediately after impact. There are currently 14 putters in the range (Hurrion sees a time when there will be 24), my favourite of which was the Anser-style Ruby.

Will it sell? Yes, with commercial support and promotion and even without the need for cat-suited models to lure you into the shop.

Rating: 5. This really is as good a putter as has ever stroked my golf ball. Only 20 outlets in Britain are currently selling GEL putters according to the company’s British web site. But expect that number to rise as awareness increases.

Website: www.gelgolf.co.uk

The Turning shoe - German design

THE TURNING SHOE

First impressions were that I thought it was either a joke, or some sort of implement designed to improve your balance and which could only be used during practice. I soon learned it's a deadly serious golf shoe that can, thanks to an amendment to Rule 14-3 which makes allowances for equipment used by people with medical conditions, be worn in competition.

The idea is that it allows the body to turn and face the target more easily after impact reducing torsion and stress on the knee, hip, ankle and spine. It was developed by a German golfer Frank Drollinger to reduce the pain he experienced when swinging a golf club. The method is not unlike the Stack and Tilt swing that has recently enjoyed much success on the PGA Tour.

Price: £252

What it does: Takes some getting used to maintaining a perfect balance at first, but the concept is actually a good one and seems to work.

Will it sell? Golfers with pain in their knees and ankles should try them.

Rating: Unrated. I’d need to give them a more thorough test than just trying them on at the Show, preferably at least 18 holes. But the concept is intriguing and I met a handful of people, whom I don't think were 'planted', who seemed to back up the manufacturer’s claims).

Website: www.united-golfers.de

Top of the range, World Class GTX shoe from Ecco

ECCO WORLD CLASS SADDLE GTX GOLF SHOE

How can you not like a golf shoe that retails, in the US at least, for $430 (no word yet on what it will actuallycost in the UK - only a price conversion - or indeed where it will be sold)? It had its introduction in Orlando and, not surprisingly, received more than a ripple of interest from curious shoppers with its internal stabilizer, Gore-Tex membrane, uppers made from Crocodile and Lizzard leathers, vegetable-tanned lining and insole, customied, non-slip fit and two-colored Champ Stinger cleats .

Price: £250

What it does: Makes you and your feet feel incredibly important, as well as comfortable and dry.

Will it sell? Not many, but someone somewhere will feel the need.

Rating: 5. Unless of course we’re rating it for value in which case it might drop a point or two. Because no matter how much technology and top-quality leather you throw at it, $430 (equivalent to about £380) is still an awful lot of money for a pair of golf shoes.

Website: www.eccogolf.com

Adivista shades from adidas

ADIVISTA L SUNGLASSES BY ADIDAS

I would never have imagined sunglasses could pack so many 'technological breakthroughs' boasting that would stretch along Miami Beach including double-snap nose bridge, flex zones, scratch and shatter-proof lenses and quick-release hinges to protect the temples.

Price: Starting at about £120

What they do: Ease eye strain, reduce dazzle and adapt to all light conditions.

Will they sell? Most certainly. A top quality, stylish pair of glasses from a company like adidas are bound to do well.

Rating: 5. The Rolls Royce golf sunglasses , surely? What greater accolade could there be?

Website: www.adidas.com/uk