Monday, February 6, 2012

New VR_S Driver Leads Nike Golf’s Fastest Family Ever

Massive distance gain begins on tee and builds through entire bag

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) – Nike Golf, the industry’s emerging leader in R&D, has shaped the new face of speed with the introduction of its award-winning VR_S driver and VR_S fairway woods, available to consumers starting today.  These ultra fast, distance-generating woods combine with the new VR_S irons to make up Nike Golf’s fastest ever family of clubs.  The VR_S family is an extension of Nike Golf’s Tour-proven VR franchise, which, since its 2008 introduction, has been the weapon of choice for more than 85 worldwide Tour wins, including three major titles.  

The Nike VR_S driver and fairway woods feature NexCOR variable face-thickness technology, for more speed at impact and greater distance.  NexCOR maximizes distance for the widest range of players through a new speed-expanding multi-thickness face design.  The NexCOR infinity design creates a bridge for ultra-thin, ultra-hot faces and unmatched ball speed from every club in the bag.

“When golfers are seeking extra distance, they immediately think about the driver,” said Tom Stites, Director of Product Creation for Nike Golf.  “The amazing speed of Nike Golf’s new VR_S driver more than delivers on that promise.  However, the beauty of the entire VR_S family is that the new fairway woods are also fast and long, as are the irons and the hybrids.  The cumulative result is that every club in the bag is going to get you to the green more quickly -- and that means less strokes.”

Nike engineers conducted impact studies and were able to map where consumers hit the ball on the face at impact on every club.  Based on those results, the location of the NexCOR technology through the entire family of VR_S drivers, fairway woods, irons and hybrids adapt from club to club.  The result is the fastest, hottest and longest family of golf clubs that Nike Golf has ever produced.

With a bigger club head and a deeper face, the new VR_S driver’s ultra fast speed is accentuated by greater swing velocity generated through its aerodynamically engineered head design and longer, lighter 45.75 inch Fubuki shaft.  The driver also incorporates the new Nike STR8-Fit system, which offers a 4-degree range of face angle adjustability, optimizing ball speed, distance and accuracy.

Aerodynamic design also combines with NexCOR technology for accelerated speed off the face and more distance off the fairway in the new 3, 4, 5 and 7 VR_S fairways woods.  Also, L-Face technology positions the weld on the sole to allow for an expanded maximum COR zone from the middle to lower on the face, where the majority of fairway shots are struck.

Starting in March through May 2012, Nike Golf will be conducting VR_S Speed Trials at hundreds of participating golf retail shops and golf courses across the country. Nike’s VR_S Speed Trials will allow consumers to compare the speed of what’s in their current bag to the new Nike VR_S products on a launch monitor. Their accumulative distance will be tallied and recorded on a national leaderboard that will be featured on www.nikegolf.com. For a list of golf shops participating, go to www.nikegolf.com.

VR_S Driver
Availability: Now
Specifications:
460cc;
8.5, 9.5 (RH/LH), 10.5 (RH/LH), 11.5, HL;
Nike Fubuki: X, S, R, A;
Street Price: $299.99

VR_S Fairway Woods
Availability: Now
Specifications:
3W-15° (RH/LH), 4W-17°, 5W-19° (RH/LH), 7W-21°;
Nike Fubuki K FW: X, S, R, A;
Street Price: $199.99

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Luke Donald, John McPhee Join aboutGolf's Board of Innovation

aboutGolf Announces Additions to Its Board of Innovation

(Maumee, OH) - aboutGolf, Limited, a world leader in golf simulator and golf performance technology, announces two notable additions to its expert panel comprising its Board of Innovation - Luke Donald, World's No. 1 professional golfer, and John McPhee, Mechanical Engineer and Sports Engineering expert.

As authorities in their chosen professions, Donald and McPhee offer valuable knowledge and originality to the established board, which serves an advisory role regarding new product development, prototype feedback and market opportunities.

Donald - an honorary member of the Board - is a golf authority, completing the most recent 2011 season with accolades including PGA TOUR Player of the Year, PGA Player of the Year, European Tour Player of the Year, Vardon Trophy recipient, money title winner for both PGA TOUR and European Tour, and holder of the World No. 1 Ranking.

"As an owner of a PGA TOUR Simulator, I am a firm believer in aboutGolf's technology," says Donald. "I am proud to be part of the future of that technology."

McPhee received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from University of Waterloo in 1990 and now serves as a professor in Systems Design Engineering, and the NSERC/Toyota/Maplesoft Industrial Research Chair in Mathematics-based Modeling and Design. As a researcher in many fields, including biomechanics and sports equipment, McPhee has written numerous journal articles and conference papers, received multiple teaching awards and been named a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

"It is an honor to serve on aboutGolf's Board of Innovation and couple my own knowledge with that of experts in other professions," says McPhee. "The Board is a unique opportunity to collaborate with various fields and see tangible results."

aboutGolf's Board of Innovation boasts a membership of professionals who are proficient in not only golf, but also engineering, aeronautics, biomechanics, golf course design, field operations, and golf product development and marketing.

For additional information on the Board of Innovation members, please visit www.aboutgolf.com/ag-difference/partners.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Sandia Golf Club Honored in two Categories of Golfweek's Best Courses Ranking

Sandia ranked among top 100 Resort courses and top 50 Casino courses nationwide

(ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO) – Sandia Golf Club made Golfweek’s Best Courses ranking in two categories, Resort courses and Casino courses, coming in No. 100 and No. 19 respectively.

“Sandia Golf Club is a special place with a host of spectacular amenities for golfers to enjoy,” said Matt Molloy, General Manager of Sandi Golf Club. “It’s very satisfying to have a prestigious publication like Golfweek recognize this by including the club in a ranking filled with the golf industry’s best facilities.”

As defined by Golfweek, course-ranking panelists apply the following criteria when considering each golf course:
1. Ease and intimacy of routing - The extent to which the sequence of holes follows natural contours and unfolds in an unforced manner.

2A. Integrity of original design (Classic) - The extent to which subsequent changes are compatible with the original design and enhance the course rather than undermine or weaken it.

2B. Quality of feature shaping (Modern) - The extent to which the land’s features have been enhanced though earthmoving and shaping to form a landscape that suits the game and has aesthetic/thematic coherence.

3. Natural setting and overall land plan - Quality and aesthetic relationship of golf course, clubhouse, cart paths and other facility features to surrounding structures and native scenery.

4. Interest of greens and surrounding contours - Shotmaking demands on and around the putting surfaces.

5. Variety and memorability of par 3s - Different clubs hit; different terrain; different looks.

6. Variety and memorability of par 4s - The extent to which the angles of play, varied terrain and left-to-right/right-to-left shots create interesting and varied playing options.

7. Variety and memorability of par 5s - The extent to which holes offer a variety of options from the tee and on the second shot as well as risk/reward possibilities.

8. Basic quality of conditioning - Variety of playing textures; extent of turf coverage; consistency and quality of bunker sand; delineation of tees/fairways/roughs/collars and chipping areas (beyond day-to-day changes because of weather, aerification, overseeding or repairs).

9. Landscape and tree management - The extent to which trees and any floral features complement or enhance rather than impose and intrude upon the ground features, and the playing options of the course.

10. “Walk in the park” test -The degree to which the course ultimately is worth spending a half-day on as a compelling outdoor experience.

Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sandia Resort & Casino features an award winning golf experience that offers a visually stunning and strategic 18 hole golf course designed by Scott Miller, complete practice facility and a 16,000 square foot “Pueblo” style clubhouse featuring restaurant, golf shop and expansive patio. The golf club at Sandia is a key amenity to the Sandia Resort & Casino that is already a popular gaming and entertainment venue. In 2006, Sandia opened a world-class resort that features 228 luxurious, oversized guest rooms including over 30 suites. Every guest room and suite are highlighted by awe-inspiring views of the Albuquerque skyline or the rugged wildness of the Sandia Mountains.

The award-winning Sandia Golf Club was ranked 4 ½ stars out of a total possible rating of five stars by Golf Digest’s “Best Places You Can Play” and has garnered a number of other national awards including “Development of the Year” by Golf Inc Magazine, Top 100 Golf Shops in The Country, Golf World Business, Top 100 Resort course rankings by Golfweek Magazine and being selected as one of the Top 10 Best New Courses In The Country by Golf Magazine.

The golf facility at Sandia Resort & Casino is professionally managed by OB Sports Golf Management, a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success. OB Sports currently manages 45 premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information on OB Sports, visit www.obsports.com or call (480) 948-1300. You can become a Fan of OB Sports on Facebook at www.facebook.com/obsports, follow OB Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/OBSportsGolf or visit the OB Sports You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/obsportsgolf.

For information about the Sandia Resort & Casino visit www.sandiacasino.com or call 877.272.9199.
For more information on Sandia Golf Club visit www.sandiagolf.com or call 505.798.3990.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Nike Golf Introduces New VR_S Forged Irons for Maximum Game Improvement

New VR_S Forged Irons offer premium feel and premium distance

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) – Nike Golf is introducing the new VR_S Forged irons, its most technically advanced game improvement irons that combine high-speed performance with meticulous craftsmanship for maximized distance and premium feel. Incorporating the finest materials, advanced technology and a face-welded forged face and body, the VR_S Forged irons offer ultimate speed and precision.

Tiger Woods was the first Nike athlete to put a new Nike VR_S Forged iron in competitive play during the 2011 Presidents Cup. He used a VR_S Forged 3-iron that is bent to perform like a 2-iron. Depending on course conditions, Woods will sometimes swap the VR_S Forged 3-iron with his Nike VR Pro Limited Edition 5-wood.

“These premium forged irons are the epitome of both performance and beauty.  They meet the expectations of a blade player’s discerning eye, yet they are hot and fast and will deliver on distance,” said Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation for Nike Golf. They are so very versatile that they will play very well for both the golfer moving out of forged blades who wants to maintain feel and the golfer looking for forgiving distance.  Hot, fast, forged and forgiving; these irons really have it all.”

The technologies featured in Nike’s hottest forged irons include:

Japanese Precision Forged SAE 8655 Face - allows for a 2.5mm constant thickness face which creates extreme iron COR for breakout distance and precision performance.

High Frequency Nike X3X Grooves – Nike’s X3X grooves, there are more grooves that are closer together and deeper on the clubface, which provides more control and consistency in all conditions off of the clubface, while conforming to the USGA and R&A rules.

Nike Powerbow Technology – by positioning the weight off the face with a deep pocket construction, the Nike Powerbow technology produces a faster, higher launch for maximum carry, straighter ball flight and steeper descent to hold greens.

VR_S Forged irons
Availability: Now
Specifications:  4-AW, Nippon 950HT Steel: S, R; RH
MSRP: $1199.99 STEEL (MAP: $999.99)

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Swedish Apparel Brand Offers Popular Bottoms for Spring 2012

Abacus markets and sells leisure clothing with golf at the heart of its inspiration.  The collections combine functionality, design, and quality in a way that has given the company a very strong international presence in just a few years.  One popular item in the collection is the cleek.  Available in men’s trousers and shorts and women’s trouser, capri, skort, and short, the Cleek features technical fabrics and popular colors.

Cleek short for men and women
The Cleek short is made from a technical polyester fabric that is extremely lightweight.  The Cleek stretch dry cool shorts is extremely breathable and features a unique glove grabber in the back pocket that provides added friction so your golf glove won’t fall out.  The Cleek offers the best of technical performance and comfort combined.  MSRP $90

Material:  96 % polyester / 4 % spandex / drycool poly stretch /
Women’s Sizes:  US 4-18
Women’s Colors: 456 iris stripe, 482 begonia stripe, 686 lt.grey/white stripe, 300 navy, 600 black
Men’s sizes: US 31”- 44”
Men’s Colors:  362 navy/trueblue, 667 black pinstripe, 600 black, 500 green, 668 black/oxigen,
314 trueblue, 620 black/white, 400 red

Cleek Skort for Women
The Cleek is a sporty functional skort with a modern cut, in a drycool polyester stretch fabric. The stretch fabric makes it possible to combine a good fit with an sleek silhouette. The skort has inner shorts in a Drycool jersey, two front pockets and two back pockets.

Material:  96 % polyester / 4 % spandex / drycool poly stretch
Sizes: US 4-18
Colors: 100 white, 482 begonia stripe, 600 black, 686 grey stripe. 456 iris stripe

Cleek Skort Zippered for Women
The Cleek is a sporty functional skort with a modern cut, in a drycool polyester stretch fabric. The stretch fabric makes it possible to combine a good fit with an sleek silhouette. The skort has inner shorts in a Drycool jersey, two front pockets and two back pockets.

Material:  96 % polyester / 4 % spandex / drycool poly stretch
Sizes: US 4-18
Colors: 300 navy, 686 grey stripe, 482 begonia stripe,456 iris stripe, 600 black, 411 cranberry

Cleek Capri for Women
Made from a soft cotton stretch material with belt loops, this stylish capri trouser is available in six different colors.

Material:  96 % polyester / 4 % spandex / drycool poly stretch
Sizes: US 4-18
Material:  686 grey stripe, 482 begonia stripe, 456 iris stripe, 600 black, 300 navy, 411 cranberry

Cleek Trouser for men and women
Designed with a technical polyester fabric that is extremely lightweight, the Cleek stretch dry cool trouser is exceedingly breathable.  A unique feature is the glove grabber in the back pocket that provides added friction so your golf glove won’t fall out.  It is the best of innovation and comfort combined.

Material:  96 % polyester / 4 % spandex / drycool poly stretch
Women’s Sizes:  US 4-18
Women’s Colors:  411 cranberry, 400 red, 600 black, 300 navy, 686 grey stripe, 482 begonia stripe, 456 iris stripe
Men’s: Sizes:  31”- 44”
Men’s Colors:   600 black, 500 green, 300 navy, 620 black /white stripe, 400 red, 314 trueblue, 683 dk.grey check, 362 navy/trueblue check, 170 sand, 667 black pinstripe, 668 black/oxigen, 100 white, 600 black

For more information on Abacus apparel, call Caulfeild apparel at (800) 268-7939.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

'Bubba & Friends Drive to a Million' officially kicks off with $10,000 PING donation

(PHOENIX) – The Waste Management Phoenix Open hadn’t yet begun when the first oversized check was presented to a player. To mark the official start of his “Bubba & Friends Drive to a Million” charity initiative this season, PING Pro Bubba Watson received a $10,000 upfront donation from John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO.

Watson will be playing an all-pink PING G20 driver as part of his goal to raise $1 million for charities this PGA Tour season. In addition to its $10,000 contribution, PING is supporting “Bubba & Friends Drive to a Million” by donating $300 for every drive he hits 300 yards or more (up to 300 drives) in 2012. PING’s fundraising event is called, “Bubba Long in Pink. Driven by PING.” All funds raised will go to Phoenix-area charities, chosen by PING with Bubba’s support.  

The “Bubba & Friends” long-drive tally officially began at last week’s Farmers Insurance Open, where Watson totaled 26 drives of 300 yards or longer, for a PING contribution of $7,800. He led the field in average driving distance at 320.8 yards.

“By virtue of his accomplishments on tour, Bubba has put himself in a position to help people, and we applaud him for this effort,” Solheim said. “What better way to draw attention to charitable causes than with this pink G20 driver that’s like nothing else on tour. He certainly hits the ball like no one else on tour.”

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Butch Harmon Instructional Video Shipping Early Due to Overwhelming Demand

(LAS VEGAS, Nevada) - Butch Harmon, the world renowned golf instructor to many top names on the PGA TOUR and European TOUR, announced the upcoming release of his comprehensive golf instructional two-DVD set titled "Butch Harmon About Golf presented by Titleist."

The response to the introduction of "Butch Harmon About Golf presented by Titleist" DVD at the PGA Show was so overwhelming that the production schedule was accelerated to make the DVD available to ship on March 1.

The two-DVD set features 57 chapters containing more than 250 specific tips, totaling over four hours of instruction from the man voted #1 in Golf Digest's annual ranking of America's Best Teachers for the past 11 consecutive years. In addition, "Butch Harmon About Golf presented by Titleist" features actual footage from the golf professionals who benefited from Harmon's instruction, (alphabetically) Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Natalie Gulbis, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Nick Watney and Tiger Woods.

The DVD is directed by seven-time EMMY award-winner Terry Jastrow. "Butch Harmon is arguably the greatest golf teacher of all-time.  Every golfer in the world today can benefit from the lessons Butch teaches in this comprehensive DVD, which will set a new gold standard for golf instructionals," said Jastrow.

Due to overwhelming demand, "Butch Harmon About Golf presented by Titleist" will begin shipping on March 1 on www.butchharmondvd.com.

The DVD set will be released internationally in six languages - English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.

"Over the past 40+ years I have been blessed to work with some of the greatest players in the game: Phil, Ernie, Greg, Tiger, Seve, Freddie, and several up and coming players, such as Adam, Nick, and Dustin, who are destined to carve their names in the golf record books," says Harmon. "Obviously I am proud to have been associated with them and to have contributed in some small way to their success. But their accomplishments are only part of the overall picture of the scores of everyday players, from all walks of life who have left the practice tee after working with me, that feel that their game has been improved. For everyone that has worked with me there are thousands of golfers that I will never have a chance to try and help.

"With that thought in mind, I decided to commence work on the filming of a DVD that would share a lifetime of golf knowledge with the public that would cover: the fundamentals, identifying faults and the fixes, specialty shots, short game, sand play, putting, club selection, kids, under and over 13, women, seniors and physical fitness (by the way, I do practice what I preach as I have recently lost 35 lbs.).

The DVD was filmed with the concept of paying attention to detail, thus it is a 2-disc set, 4 hours in length and laced with interviews with some of the greatest golfers of all time.

Butch Harmon About Golf

"My thoughts were to create a DVD that was designed to help your game, capture and retain your interest, and to entertain you. Unlike any other golf instructional DVD ever produced, I'll share my thoughts supplemented with those of the game's greatest golfers that I've had the privilege of working with."

Those players who have worked with Harmon all agree that the keys to his success are his keen eye for the strengths and weaknesses of each individual player's swing; his comprehensive understanding of the game; his ability to communicate with the golfer; his toughness; his enthusiasm for his players to succeed; and his relationship and rapport with his players, making their work about teamwork rather than individual accomplishment.

The "Butch Harmon About Golf presented by Titleist" DVD set is sponsored by Titleist, Winn Grips, Rolex, Golf Digest and JMA and will be available for $79.95 on-line at www.butchharmondvd.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com