FORE Magazine

Top Menu

  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Home

Main Menu

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login

logo

FORE Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
EquipmentWinter 2018
Home›Equipment›A Head Start on 2018

A Head Start on 2018

By Scott Kramer
February 2, 2018
6504
1
Share:

The start of a new year is like Spring Training for golf, when everything seems so fresh and the possibilities are limitless. So while you have a clean slate of expectations for the year, why not try out some of the latest products just hitting the market? They might just make a big difference.

Callaway’s Rogue fairway woods ($299 apiece) sport the company’s Jailbreak technology, in which two steel vertical bars stiffen the body, placing more impact load on the clubface to increase ball speed and distance. They also employ the latest face cup on an ultra-thin face, to further maximize ball speed. The ultra low-forward center of gravity (CG) promotes high launch and low spin. Expect shots to get airborne with ease, and travel at a strong trajectory. It’s available in eight lofts in various shaft weights.

Cobra’s adjustable-lofted F8 driver ($479) has a huge, top-edge-to-bottom milled and textured sweet spot circle on the titanium face. You can easily see ball imprints from your shots, so you know where contact is being made. Those marks easily wipe off. The driver’s streamlined carbon fiber crown with polymer “aero trip” ridges work to reduce air drag, which in turn helps boost clubhead speed and thus distance. An included smart grip auto-records driving statistics and location.

Bridgestone’s teardrop-shaped TOUR B XW-1 forged wedge ($140) features a versatile sole with increased heel and toe relief, The mill pattern on the clubface aims to generate ball spin and greenside control, while strategically placed forged mass behind the impact zone results in solid feel. The wedge comes in a satin chrome or glare-reducing black oxide finish, in lofts of 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees.

adidas Golf’s adicross Bounce ($120) looks more like an athletically-inspired lifestyle shoe than a cleat-less golf kick. But make no mistake, this model is all about fairways and greens. It sports an offset wrapped saddle with two eyelet rows for customizable lacing, so you can tighten or loosen the shoe where you want. The upper features a forging technique that makes it look like a cool ribbed texture that also reinforces the shoe, providing increased lateral support and stability during the golf swing. A rubber spike-less outsole has 181 strategically placed lugs for optimal grip and green friendliness, but can be worn off-course as well. The outsole sidewall contains proprietary foam, for extra comfort with each step.

Mizuno’s S18 wedge ($150) includes boron in the face, which preserves groove life, so you’re always getting consistent spin. Increased surface roughness also helps rev up spin near the green. Each loft has its own properties to help yield the best possible feel and playability. As the lofts increase, more mass is added to the upper blade to raise the center of gravity. This induces higher spin rate and optimized flight on impact made high up the clubface. The bounce angle and sole grind are matched for versatility. It’s available in a white satin or gunmetal finish.

Wilson’s DUO Soft ball comes in three flavors. The DUO Soft ($20/dozen) is the original low-compression, two-piece model. It remains the softest, longest, and straightest in Wilson’s line, and is now also more durable, higher launching and even faster. A 29 compression rating makes the ball feel nice and soft. The ball also has an ionomer cover with 302 dimples. The DUO Soft Optix ($20/dozen) is the same ball, but comes in five colors: yellow, orange, pink, green and red. Each is matte-finished, as opposed to the usual glossy, which helps them stand out even more on the course. And the DUO Soft Spin ($27/dozen) also feels soft, but gets you even more spin on wedges for greenside control. The three-piece, surlyn ball has a 40 compression rating.

Previous Article

A Culture of Creativity

Next Article

Saticoy Country Club: A Rich History for ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Scott Kramer

Veteran golf writer Scott Kramer has covered the golf equipment market full-time since 1990. His career has spanned senior editor positions at both Golf Pro Magazine and GOLF Magazine. He now works on a freelance basis for many consumer and trade publications, including the SCGA’s FORE magazine.

Related articles More from author

  • Equipment

    Titleist Players Listen Up, The New Irons Are Here

    August 24, 2017
    By Scott Kramer
  • Equipment

    Do you have a long iron in your bag?

    September 12, 2017
    By Scott Kramer
  • EquipmentWinter 2016

    Perdition, Hope and Great Big Bertha

    January 1, 2016
    By Jay Stuller
  • Vockey Master Wedge Maker
    Equipment

    Wedge Master

    July 1, 2014
    By Scott Kramer
  • Equipment

    Callaway Epic is… Epic!

    January 11, 2017
    By Scott Kramer
  • EquipmentSummer 2019

    Wheels Down

    July 25, 2019
    By Scott Kramer

Recent Posts

  • — FALL 2025FeaturedIn The ClubhousePublic Affairs

    STAKEHOLDER INPUT

  • — FALL 2025FeaturedGolf GroupsOn The Tee

    Competition, Connection, Camaraderie… and Charity

  • FeaturedIn The ClubhouseSummer 2025

    From Page to Screen

  • — FALL 2025FeaturedIn The ClubhouseSCGA Junior

    Crown Jewels

  • FeaturedHandicap HintsIn The ClubhouseSpring 2025

    Fun & Games

— Winter 2026CoversFeatured

SCOTTSDALE FOR ALL

THE LOWDOWN ON HIGH SEASON IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN HEAT-SEEKING GOLFERS who favor Scottsdale, Ariz., relish the sublime mountain vistas, stately saguaro cacti and perfectly groomed, overseeded fairways. ...
  • GALLERY GOLF

    By Tod Leonard
    January 30, 2026
  • SoCal Flagship

    By David Weiss
    January 30, 2026
  • DESTINATION DINING

    By David Weiss
    January 30, 2026
  • Maggie Made Over!

    By SCGA Staff
    January 30, 2026
© 2016 FORE Magazine About Us | Contact Us | Advertise