A look across the much-anticipated releases of several new ranges from golf’s biggest brands and what they mean for your game
TaylorMade Stealth 2
The people at TaylorMade are calling it “Fargiveness”. The results of improvements to last year’s Stealth technology are increases in ball speed on off-centre strikes and forgiveness. This, TaylorMade says, is made possible by the new face design in Stealth 2, which is highlighted by an advanced version of Inverted Cone Technology (ICT). How does that translate to distance? A more pronounced ICT produces a thinner face on the edges and a thicker centre face, which spreads speed around the perimeter. Stealth 2’s face also weighs 24 grams, which is two grams lighter than the original Stealth face.
For the fairway and Rescue (hybrid) options, there are the Stealth 2 fairway and Stealth 2 Rescue. The Stealth 2 Plus fairway features a heavy, 50-gram sliding weight on the sole, allowing for three main settings. The middle setting is the most versatile for optimal playability off the deck or off the tee. This standard setting will fit a wide range of golfers and has mid-launch, mid-spin and consistently powerful distance, while shifting it to the front reduces spin and creates a piercing trajectory for added distance off the tee. This setting is also ideal for high-spin golfers who want to knock off spin for increased roll and distance. For more information visit taylormadegolf.com.au
Callaway Paradym
The new Callaway Paradym driver family features the high-forgiveness, adjustable weight Paradym, the high-launching, anti-slice Paradym X and the tour-inspired, low-spin Paradym Diamond. All use a fully carbon composite midsection that comprises much of the entire body of the clubhead and is 44 percent lighter than if it were made of titanium. That weight saving produces a more efficient system for transferring energy to the ball, increasing forgiveness and ball speeds.
The Paradym family of fairway woods and hybrids make use of an internal structure that joins the crown and sole at the heel and toe areas, which acts to support the face for better flex and consistent distance and dispersion. The fairway woods and hybrids also include heavy doses of carbon-composite bodies and sole weights that help control spin.
In the irons, the Paradym and Paradym X are highlighted by a face made from a high-strength 455 stainless steel that allowed Callaway engineers (with help from artificial intelligence) to create a thinner face for more speed while creating a tighter dispersion pattern. For more information visit callawaygolf.com.au
Cobra Aerojet
For the Aerojet LS driver a refined clubhead shape – whose design features input from some of the best players in the world – provides an elevated look at address that promotes workability and control. The Aerojet driver features PWRSHELL L-cup technology, which maximises launch and distance, while an AI-designed H.O.T. Face delivers more speed and efficient spin across the entire clubface. For the Aerojet Max, adjustable back and heel weight positioning allows the golfer to fine-tune draw bias in their most forgiving driver head.
The Aerojet fairway uses a PWRSHELL insert and suspended weight PWRBRIDGE design to create a more flexible face and sole to maximise launch and ball speed, while the Aerojet LS fairway uses a subdued clubhead for a tour-validated look and feel at address.
Meanwhile, hunt for greens like never before through effortless launch and distance in Cobra’s most technologically advanced iron. Its A.I. designed H.O.T Face delivers more efficient speed and spin creating a larger sweet spot and more looks at birdie, while the company’s PWRSHELL insert and suspended weight PWR-Bridge design create a more flexible face and sole to maximise launch and ball speed. For more information visit cobragolf.com.au
Mizuno ST-Z/X metal woods
The engineers at Mizuno are confident their new ST driver family (ST-Z 230, ST-X 230 and ST-X Platinum 230) and ST-Z fairway and hybrid ranges have been given enough research and development – and tour-validation from tour pros like Luke Donald and Keith Mitchell – to finally lift their reputation to that of Mizuno’s iconic irons. At the heart of this new-found confidence is Mizuno’s CORTECH Chamber. This encases a stainless-steel weight with elastomeric TPU, taking stress from the clubface and creating an additional source of energy. This also places weight closer to the clubface to reduce spin rates, while contributing to a more solid, powerful sensation at impact. For more information visit mizunogolf.com/au/
Cleveland Golf RTX 6 ZipCore wedges
The RTX 6 ZipCore wedges are uniquely designed to consistently hit high- spin shots regardless of the lie you’re facing. By combining the new HydraZip face, UltiZip grooves, and upgraded ZipCore technologies, golfers are given more tools to control spin. How much control? Cleveland’s testing showed 43 per cent more spin in wet conditions with the RTX 6 ZipCore than the previous generation.
“The RTX 6 ZipCore wedge may have the classic look on the outside, but inside it’s packed with three technological breakthroughs that give the advantage to the golfer and not the conditions,” says Pat Ripp, Cleveland’s tour engineering manager of research and development. For more information visit clevelandgolf.com.au
