Golf | Evolving Consumer

Taking Covert

Nike Golf looks to have golfers covered this season with the VRS Covert Forged Irons, which the company claims will provide provide high-speed performance in a premium design. Nike Golf’s engineers incorporated a NexCOR face, Nike’s proprietary variable face thickness technology to deliver faster ball speed for greater distance.

In addition the new irons also offer a high-speed cavity back design with a lower, deeper center of gravity that can help golfers make longer and straighter shots.

“We focused on improving distance and off-center hit performance with the VRS Covert Forged irons,” explained Chris Savage, Nike Golf irons innovation engineer. “It’s the first time we designed a forged iron with a high-speed NexCOR face, and engineering the variable thickness really amplifies the trampoline effect off the face. We further enhanced the performance with balanced perimeter weighting via a deep, engineered cavity back design. In our testing, the VRS Covert Forged irons delivered up to seven additional yards in distance compared to last year’s product.”

“Our research shows that more than 80 percent of player impact is between the center and the toe side of an iron,” Savage added. “So another key focus on this product was to shift the center of gravity to the center of the face. By moving the true sweet spot to the area where most people hit the ball, we enhanced the iron’s feel and improved off center performance by as much as 17 percent.”

These clubs made their debut at the end of last month.

Nike Golf Official Website

PGA 2014 Merchandise Show: It’s In the Bag

Batman likely doesn’t have time for golfing – you know with all that crime fighting stuff he does. Alter ego Bruce Wayne probably does swing a bit, at least to keep up appearances. Either way OGIO has just the bag for billionaire crime-fighting playboys.

Introduced last week at the PGA 2014 Merchandise Show in Orlando the OGIO Gotham golf bag collection features both stand and cart bags, which combine a proprietary blend of fabrics and construction techniques that will make every golfer feel like a superhero.

The Gotham includes innovative speed zippers for easy access to balls and tees, and creatively placed internal storage compartments (something we suspect a crime fighter might appreciate). The Gotham collection also features OGIO’s four point-strap system for the ultimate in carrying comfort – because not everyone has the strength of a superhero.

OGIO Official Website

2014 PGA Merchandise Show: The Xventure Begins

At this week’s 2014 PGA Merchandise Show Bracketron has unveiled its new Xventure Golf line, which includes a wide range of mounts, chargers and accessories that help tech savvy golfers use mobile devices to improve their game. The new products include the TriCaddy XL, a golf tripod that includes a tablet holder and can be positioned to record a full golf swing.

Designed for indoor and outdoor use, the TriCaddy XL provides players with a portable and easy way to record their full golf swing for analysis and review. With its four-section adjustable legs, the tripod provides easy positioning and height adjustment, offering a range of 15 to 35 inches. It features a tablet device holder for effortless, hands-free recording, and the tripod also features a dual standard 1/4″ thread and t-notch adapter for optimal flexibility plus 360 degree rotation for portrait or landscape use.

Bracketron Xventure Official Website

No Fake ID Here

Last fall Nike asked consumers and golf fans to create a customized design for the Tiger Woods 14 golf shoes and we have a winter. The customization from the NikeiD is the real deal, and the Nike TW’14 has been unveiled.

The winning shoe was designed by Dane Thompson (@DaneJThompson), a big golf fan from Iowa. He create a patriotic theme for what he deemed will be a big year for Tiger, and Thompson designed the shoe with a white leather upper, blue midsole, and red Nike Swoosh, Nike Flywire and lace highlights. The shoe’s inspiration was to support team USA in the upcoming Olympics and the 2014 Ryder Cup, as well as to support Tiger in red, white, and blue at the 2014 US Open. Aside from the pride of designing Tiger’s favorite customized Nike TW’14 shoe, Thompson will have his design worn by Tiger on Tour in the early part of the 2014 season. Also, Thompson will receive a pair of the Nike TW’14 he designed.

Nike Golf Official Website

PGA 2014 Merchandise Show: OGIO’s New Shoe

This week at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando OGIO is expanding its line of golf apparel with the introduction of its highly-anticipated footwear. Available in four models the line includes the Race, City Spiked, City Turf and Sport shoes, which each have unique design elements to address golfers’ needs.

The company noted that it looks to deliver three crucial features including style, comfort and performance. The design of each shoe is made to stabilize a golfer’s swing platform and improve balance to enhance the game. The shoes are constructed from high quality materials for comfort and durability, and OGIO’s golf shoes promise the most comfortable “out of the box” golf experience, while withstanding the toughest conditions in all types of climates. Continue reading PGA 2014 Merchandise Show: OGIO’s New Shoe

Ground Pounder

Those looking to add significant distance to their tee shots now have a major force to aid those efforts. The Ground Force Trainer from Golf Gapper is a four-week program that the company claims will increase a drive by five to 15 yards.

The $119 package includes the patent-pending square rotational disk, power pole, DVD, lead leg support foam pad, instruction manual and mesh carry bag. This Ground Force Trainer is used to train golfers in their backswing, where power is developed when the golfer creates ground force with their trailside leg and gluteal muscles.

“The Ground Force training disks create this instability, causing a specific muscular reaction that exactly mimics the sensation and strength necessary to motor learn the proper load in the back swing and feel the connection with the ground,” said Dr. Jenni Martin, MS DC LPGA Class A teacher and club professional who created the product. “The gluteus medius muscle is responsible for hip rotation and hip stability. These muscles also help the golfer maintain balance. The rotational square disks act similarly to a ‘lazy Susan’ found in the kitchen. They’re used in pilates to teach exercises that require movement of the lower and upper body in opposite directions, and to exercise the balance muscles.”

May the Ground Force be with you. Video after the jump

Nike’s Lunar Empire

John Carter may have met a princess on Mars, but Nike is looking to rule the moon – or at least the golf course with its new Nike Lunar Empress women’s golf shoes. These don’t feature any rocket boosters, but to feature innovative technology including Nike Lunarlon, Dynamic Flywire and Integrated Traction meaning they’ll offer the benefits of natural motion, cushioned comfort, control and breathability combined in a waterproof shoe.

“We’ve loaded up the new Lunar Empress with performance features designed to benefit golfers of all levels who want a flexible yet supportive shoe with amazing comfort,” says Lee Walker, Nike Golf Global Footwear Marketing Director. “It’s been fun working with golfers during product testing for the Lunar Empress and seeing their reactions to the shoe – how excited they are to welcome the fresh, sporty design to their ensemble and also their surprise at just how light it is.”

The shoe is so light, at just 7.4 ounces per shoe, that it might make wearers think they’re walking in lower gravity. Each step will also be softened as these offer responsive, full-length Lunarlon cushioning that runs from heel to toe.

Nike Golf Official Website

Storm Trooper

Spring isn’t exactly around the corner but when it gets here you won’t want a little rain to spoil your day on the fairway. The Antigua Storm Suit will have you covered. This 100 percent polyester, waterproof and seam-sealed suit promised to be packable, and can fit even in a small golf bag. While lightweight and made to travel, it also includes a number of hidden features that make it comfortable to wear.

It includes pass-through pockets, an elastic draw cord waistband, an adjustable bungee toggle bottom hem, and hidden zipper pocket on the inside left chest. With this you’ll be a storm trooper and ready to take on those rainy days.

Antigua Official Website

The Devereux Collection Goes Contemporary

Robert and Will Brunner, brothers and avid golfers, have introduced the Devereux collection of premium-quality modern menswear aimed for the avid golfer’s lifestyle. The attire is tailored to move seamlessly from the workday to the weekend, providing elegance and versatility. It was created to be simple-yet-sophisticated, with clean modern styles that are designed to fit properly and inspire performance – on and off the golf course. Continue reading The Devereux Collection Goes Contemporary

Wii Sports Club Swings with Golf

It might be too cold in much of the country to hit the greens, but you can still tee off from home with the Wii U as golf has joined the lineup of Wii Sports Club titles, and is available from the Nintendo eShop. It utilizes the unique controls of the Wii U GamePad and Wii Remote Plus controllers. With the GamePad on the floor players can actually see the golf bag as they look to make their swing.

Wii Sports Club – Golf joins currently available spports Wii Sports Club – Tennis and Wii Sports Club – Bowling. All five classic sports froom the original Wii Sports are being released individually as downloads in the Nintendo eShop, and feature high-definition graphics, controls via Wii MotionPlus technology.

Wii U owners can download Wii Sports Club and get a free pass to play any sports for a 24-hour period, and then can purchase day passes for $1.99 per sport or permanent access to individual sports for $9.99.

Wii Sports Club Official Website

Nike Makes Lunar Landing With Golf Shoe

Nike Golf has entered the lunar orbit with the Nike Lunar Clayton, a shoe that is designed to celebrate the heritage and history of the sport of golf while providing athletes with superior comfort, supportive fit and an aesthetic appeal suitable for wear bothon and off the course.

Ready for launch in January, it takes its inspiration not from the night sky but from handmade, Italian leather shoes, while still ensuring that it provided the Nike Lunarlon technology for maximum responsive cushioning. The shoe even features a leather welt, so often utilized in traditional methods of making shoes, to join the upper to the outsole while protecting it from the elements.

The result is a shoe that promises to feel good on the course and look just as good in the clubhouse.

Nike Golf Official Website

Nike Golf Swings With New Wedges for 2014

Golfers know they won’t always hit the green in the most ideal conditions, but Nike Golf will help with the upcoming VR X3X Toe Sweep wedges, which can tackle rough or wet grass, difficult lies and even daunting bunkers. These were designed to be the solution for the toughest conditions golfers might face.

“We built the VR X3X Toe Sweep wedges from the ground up,” says Mike Taylor, Nike Golf Master Modelmaker. “Our Tour athletes have told us that the toe side of the sole is most critical in bunker performance. In a bunker shot, these new wedges are carefully crafted to provide bounce relative to the path of the club head. Around the green, our athletes ask for material to be ground away from the heel to aid open-face versatility – and we’ve done that with this new design.”

The VR X3X features improved groove technology to deliver a more consistent shot in all conditions, while the wider sole area toward the toe can help make it easier to hit out of the bunker. The new wedges will be available in January.

[Press Release: Nike’s VR X3X Toe Sweep Headlines New Wedges for 2014]

OGIO Brings Out Lady Line of Golf Bags for 2014

OGIO has announced its colorful new line of golf bags for women for next year. the 2014 Women’s collection combine feminine color palettes and energetic patterns with the innovative features for golfers. With names such as Duchess and Diva Luxe it does seem like this is very much a lady’s game.

The Majestic cart bag features seven zippered pockets and ZBP, a zipperless ball pocket. This sleek bag comes in two trendy designs featuring polka dots and geometric shapes. The hot-pink piping pops against the charcoal and white designs and makes this bag impossible to overlook on the course. $194.99

The Duchess cart bag is fit for a queen with its five stylish designs and deluxe features. It boasts plenty of storage with its six zippered pockets and tee holder, and the durable fabrics will resist wear and tear to continue looking great. Both the Duchess and Majestic feature a padded shoulder strap and 10” Uniter 15-way cart top with a putter pit for oversized grips. $154.99

The Diva Luxe and Featherlite Luxe stand bags combine fun, feminine patterns with utility. Both feature the Crossbow 3-point shoulder strap system and a 9.5” Woode top with an oversized putter pit.

The Diva Luxe bag is available in three attractive patterns, including a bold pink and black plaid that will be sure to attract attention at any club. The designated pen and scorecard sleeves, along with the accessible and insulated water bottle holster, make this bag a practical choice for any golfer as well. $194.99

The Featherlite Luxe bag comes in five innovative patterns inspired by women’s fashion that hide the dirt and wear caused by regular use. It is a stylish option with a detached ball pocket panel for embroidery and logo application, for the woman who craves customization. $154.99

OGIO Official Website