New drivers revealed

The 2001 Premiere Golf trade exhibition this week at the Congress Palace in Marbella attracted more than 100 exhibitors, who revealed a bewildering array of new golf clubs, balls and other equipment.

Golfmagic went behind closed doors to search out what’s coming our way in the next few months.

Srixon's new hi-tec driver.

‘Hot Metal’ is the sector which catches the imagination most as club golfers demand more and more yards from their drivers.

Most don’t care that the clubs cleared for take-off in Europe are seen as illegal immigrants in the United States. ‘How far can I hit?’ Is the question on everyone’s lips.

However, while the Ping TiSI Tec and the Wilson Deep Red 365 (See reviews), were revealing their new clubs which do comply to around the world, Srixon was launching its similarly conforming Srixon XX10.

It signals the Japanese company's first sortie into the hardwear market and will soon be complimented by two models of iron.

Thousands of hours of testing has gone into the club, as you would expect, and the clever Japanese have identified that the more the loft on the club, the more weight is position towards the heel to encourage a draw in flight.

Also the sweet spot stretches across the face rather than in one spot. At £399 you’ll get a lot of technology for your money, so expect to see the club in your local pro shop in the New Year.

Taylor Made and Cobra both chose Premiere Golf 2001 for the European launch of new drivers that conform to R & A rules but are outlawed by the USGA.

The new Taylor Made XR-03 and its King Cobra SS 370 Unlimited counterpart join a growing list of drivers that fall foul of the USGA's rules governing COR (Coefficient of Restitution).

To you and me that’s the ‘trampoline effect’ of the face and dozens of drivers are subsequently banned in competition in America but can be used in all other countries around the world.

The Taylor Made XR-03 (X stands for experimental and R stands for R & A conforming) has been introduced as an alternative to the company's successful 300 series, with a larger head and a thinner face creating more distance, even with off-centre strikes.

The King Cobra SS 370 Unlimited driver, features a thin Titanium head and oval insert and a 60g Aldila graphite shaft for a higher launch angle and more distance. It will be available in the new year in right and left hand versions and lofts from 7.5 - 12 degrees.

Cobra also plans a King Cobra SS 310 Tour driver, to help better players shape more shots and a King Cobra SS 350 Offset.