Speed – Golfing Networks

Titleist GTS drivers add speed, stability, and a new adjustability

admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:39:53 +0000

Titleist’s new GTS drivers use a thermoform polymer body to boost performance in three models that each have new levels of adjustability.

Gear: Titleist GTS2, GTS3 and GTS4 drivers

Price: $699 each with Project X Titan, Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue, or Tensei CK White shaft and Titleist Universal 360 grip.

Available: May 13 (Fittings), June 11 (In Stores)

Who it’s for: Golfers who want more speed and distance, with greater adjustability and improved stability across the board.

What you should know: The Titleist GTS drivers replace nearly 60 percent of the head’s surface area with a thermoform polymer body, freeing up enough discretionary weight to boost speed, stability and adjustability.

The Deep Dive: Eight years is a long time to wait for a driver, but it’s roughly how long it took Titleist to go from discovering the thermoform polymer material (TPM) that is at the heart of the GTS family to actually manufacturing a driver built around it, at scale, to the brand’s standards. The GT drivers, launched in 2024, were a meaningful advancement over the TSi drivers, but they were also a proof of concept for TPM. It was the first time Titleist used the material in a driver, designing the crown that wrapped into the heel and toe areas with it. With the GTS, the concepts Titleist envisioned nearly a decade ago have been fully realized.

The “S” in GTS stands for speed, but it could also stand for stability even though those two things tend to fight each other in driver design. The GTS addresses that challenge by replacing the entire rear portion of the head, not just the crown, with its proprietary polymer.

The GT used 13 grams of TPM in the crown, but the GTS uses 26 in the crown sides and sole. In all, it’s nearly 60 percent of the head’s surface area, but accounts for only 13 percent of its mass. Using TPM instead of titanium frees up 27 to 30 grams of discretionary weight per model.

That reclaimed mass gets redistributed low and forward for ball speed, and in the back for a higher moment of inertia (MOI). The stainless steel housing that holds the back weight in every GTS model is also a concentrated mass element.

The aerodynamic head shapes benefit from the same construction because the lighter body panels allowed Titleist to raise the rear of the club higher, reducing drag in ways that weren’t previously possible, without elevated the CG location.

The face has been updated as well. Speed Ring, which was introduced in the GT drivers, still stiffens the perimeter of the hitting area to allow more deflection at center, but the top of the inner-facing ring is now open at the top, like horseshoe, to enhance performance on high strikes.

Titleist GTS2

The GTS2 is a 460cc head with the 16-position SureFit hosel that is available in 8, 9, 10 and 11-degree models for right- and left-handed players.

The most stable of the three models, it comes standard with a flat 11-gram weight in the forward port and a 5-gram weight in the back. That will confuse some people. Previous “2” models used a single rear weight to maximize MOI. Here, the heavier weight is up front.

Why? In past titanium builds, there was an internal mass pad forward in the sole, but in the GTS2, that pad is gone. The concentrated 11-gram weight in the front reproduces the CG position of the GT2 without the pad, while the rear weight boosts the MOI. The net result is same CG as before, with significantly higher stability.

Swap the weights — heavy to the back, light to the front — and CG shifts 2.5 millimeters rearward while MOI climbs, providing even more resistance to twisting on off-center hits, more spin and a higher launch angle without a reduction in ball-speed.

Titleist GTS3

The GTS3 is a 460cc head with the SureFit hosel, available in the same loft options as the GTS2. It retains its five-position front track that comes standard with an 8-gram weight to allow players and fitters to create a draw and fade bias.

What’s new is the 5-gram flat weight in the back, which is something the “3” drivers have never had. In stock configuration it delivers more speed from aerodynamics and the updated face, plus more stable from the elevated MOI.

Move the heavier weight to the back, and CG shifts rearward by 2 millimeters, adding 150 to 200 RPMs of spin, a higher launch angle and more stability.

Titleist GTS4

Titleist’s “4” drivers have always been low-spin options and niche products. While the GT4 was a 430cc head and less unforgiving, the GTS4 is 460cc and has a shallower profile.

While the size has been increased, the most interesting new feature of the GTS4 is the addition of directional adjustability for the first time. The GTS4 comes standard with an 8-gram weight on a five-position front track, plus a 5-gram rear flat weight. No “4” model has ever offered heel-to-toe CG movement. For players who need spin reduction, but who also need shot-shape control, it’s a genuine unlock.

The GTS4 is available in 8, 9 and 10-degree models with the SureFit hosel.

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Callaway Quantum mini driver offers control with driver-like speed

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:40:29 +0000

Smaller than a driver, bigger than a 3-wood, the Quantum Mini is designed to tighten dispersion off the tee without sacrificing too much distance.

Gear: Callaway Quantum Mini Driver

Price: $519.99

Specs: Titanium chassis with multimaterial face, adjustable weights and adjustable hosel system. Lofts: 11.5 and 13.5 degrees. Length, 43.75 inches

Available: April 29 (in stores)

Who it’s for: Golfers who want a reliable option off the tee that prioritizes accuracy and control.

What you should know: The Quantum Mini Driver uses Callaway’s newest face technology and sole design to blend driver-like ball speed with fairway wood-like control in a head that is sized between a driver and a 3-wood.

The Deep Dive: Over the last five years, mini drivers have carved out a place in golf bags for two different types of players. The first is obvious, because we see them on the PGA Tour. Fast-swinging, elite golfers often like mini drivers because for them, a 3-wood is an off-the-tee club that enhances accuracy and without sacrificing too much distance. They almost never reach for a 3-wood from the fairway because with their power, par 5s are reachable with shorter clubs on the second shots. The other group of players adopting mini drivers is recreational golfers who struggle to hit their driver well, but who find hitting fairway woods off the tee much easier. For them, mini drivers are just a bigger, more forgiving version of their favorite club.

The Quantum Mini Driver is Callaway’s latest offering, designed to please both of these types of players.

From a size standpoint, the 340cc head makes this club unique. It is about 35 percent smaller than a modern driver, but about 70 percent larger than a traditional 3-wood. The result is a club that sits behind the ball and inspires confidence, but that does not feel unwieldy, particularly for players who prefer a more compact look at address.

At the same time, it has the distance-enhancing technologies and features that Callaway debuted in the standard Quantum drivers that were released in January. The most impactful feature is the Tri-Force face. It combines ultra-thin titanium with Poly Mesh and carbon fiber, forming a layered structure designed to preserve ball speed when contact is made away from the center. That should mean more consistent distance on the shots hit outside the sweet spot.

The addition of the Step Sole, found in Quantum fairway woods, is another interesting move. By reducing how much of the sole interacts with the turf, the Quantum Mini should skim more cleanly over the ground, which matters if you’re using the club off the deck.

With a smaller head fitted to a shorter shaft, the Quantum Mini won’t keep up with the standard Quantum driver from a speed perspective, but the shorter shaft should enhance control and tighten dispersion. At the same time, adjustable front-to-back weights allow golfers and fitters to fine-tune the spin rate and launch angle to create a more penetrating flight. If the 11.5 or 13.5 degrees of loft are not ideal, adjusting the weights and the eight-position hosel can increase the launch angle, boost spin rates and enhance forgiveness.

Compared to a standard 3-wood, the Quantum Mini Driver should produce more ball speed and a stronger flight, especially off the tee, while also being more forgiving because the club’s larger size gives it a higher moment of inertia (MOI).

In the end, the Quantum Mini is built for golfers who use their 3-wood exclusively off the tee or who struggle with hitting a driver. If you are comfortable with your driver and need your 3-wood in the fairway routinely, it may not be for you. But if finding fairways is a priority, or if your 3-wood feels like it lacks pop, the Quantum Mini could be a useful alternative.

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Orlimar TriMetal Fairway Wood Returns: Faster Ball Speed, Higher Launch, Longer Distance

admin — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:21:41 +0000

Orlimar Brings Back the Iconic TriMetal Fairway Wood

Roseville, CA — Hireko Golf, owner of Orlimar Golf, is excited to announce the return of one of the most recognizable clubs, the Orlimar TriMetal Fairway Wood. Originally launched in 1998, the TriMetal quickly earned a reputation for innovative design and exceptional playability from the tee to the fairway. Now, 28 years later, the newest iteration combines the TriMetal’s legendary design with modern technology to deliver faster ball speeds, higher launch, and longer distance.

Designed for a wide range of golfers, the Orlimar TriMetal Fairway Wood is a forgiving fairway wood that helps improve ball speed, launch angle, and overall consistency.

The new TriMetal features an ultra-thin S450 maraging steel face, designed to maximize ball speed while producing a crisp, powerful feel at impact. A vacuum-cast 17-4 stainless steel sole, heat-treated for strength, enhances durability while optimizing weight distribution throughout the clubhead.

A strategically positioned copper weighted screw provides pinpoint accuracy and forgiveness, while the club’s Shallow face and railed sole make it an easy-to-launch fairway wood, especially effective from tight lies and challenging turf conditions.

The TriMetal is paired with the SK Fiber Supernova Copper graphite shaft, engineered for enhanced stability, ball speed, and launch. This newest iteration builds on the TriMetal’s legendary design to deliver confidence on every swing.

Key Features

Ultra-Thin S450 Maraging Steel Face – Maximizes ball speed and distance with crisp sound and feel.
Vacuum Cast 17-4 Stainless Sole – Heat-treated for strength and optimized weight distribution.
Copper Weighted Screw – Strategically positions weight for pinpoint accuracy and forgiveness.
Distinctive Low Profile Design – Shallow face and railed sole launch the ball easily from tight lies.
SK Fiber Supernova Copper Graphite Shaft – Enhances stability, speed, and launch angle.

The Orlimar TriMetal Fairway Wood is available for men, women, and seniors in both right- and left-hand options. Purchase via www.hirekogolf.com and www.orlimar.com or through your nearest authorized Orlimar distributor.

About Hireko Golf

Hireko Golf is a manufacturer of golf equipment and accessories headquartered in Roseville, California. Hireko’s stable of brands includes Orlimar, Intech, Juggernaut, Karma Grips, Acer & Dynacraft Golf Components and SK Fiber Golf Shafts. Hireko is also the licensee for PowerBilt in the USA.

For more information, or to become a dealer, contact support@hirekogolf.com or call +1 (626) 330-5525

Media Contact:
Hireko Trading Co., Inc
Ja’Monie Johnson
626-330-5525
jamonie@hirekogolf.com

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Breakthrough Golf Introduces FORTA and FORTA TOUR Wood Shafts Built for Speed and Stability

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:36:14 +0000

DALLAS, TEXAS, – Breakthrough Golf Technology, the company that revolutionized the putter shaft category with Stability, today announced the launch of its new FORTA and FORTA TOUR wood shafts, engineered to help golfers increase ball speed while maintaining tighter dispersion and consistent launch conditions off the tee.

Built with advanced stability engineering, the shafts are designed to produce faster ball speeds and more consistent carry while maintaining control. The lineup introduces two distinct performance profiles:

FORTA: For players seeking increased speed and carry

FORTA TOUR: For faster swings that require lower spin and tighter dispersion

“Today’s golfers are looking for more distance, but not at the cost of consistency,” said Barney Adams, CEO of Breakthrough Golf. “With FORTA and FORTA TOUR, we engineered two performance profiles that help players optimize speed and launch while maintaining stability through impact.”

FORTA

Designed for lightweight speed and maximum carry.

FORTA is BGT’s most stable lightweight wood shaft, designed to help golfers increase clubhead speed while maintaining control through impact. The profile promotes a higher launch with optimized spin, producing strong carry and tighter dispersion.

Key Performance Benefits:

Lightweight speed without excess spin
Straighter starts
More consistent carry windows
Tighter downrange dispersion

The result is speed that stays playable — designed for players who want tighter dispersion and consistent carry without giving up distance.

FORTA TOUR

Designed for more speed, lower spin and stronger flight.

FORTA TOUR is built for players with faster, more aggressive swings who need lower spin and a stronger, more penetrating flight.

The shaft features a firmer profile and reinforced tip section that stays stable through transition, helping reduce spin and maintain control during aggressive swings.

Key Performance Benefits:

Lower spin on aggressive swings
Tighter dispersion under pressure
Strong penetrating flight

The result is maximum ball speed with lower spin and penetrating distance that stays stable under speed.

FORTA and FORTA TOUR shafts will begin shipping April 1, 2026 through authorized Breakthrough Golf fitters and retailers worldwide.

For more information about the FORTA and FORTA TOUR, visit breakthroughgolftech.com.

About Breakthrough Golf Technology

Located in the heart of Texas, a state known for its deep-rooted golf culture and world-class courses. Breakthrough Golf leverages over a century of combined expertise to revolutionize the sport. Founded by visionary Barney Adams, the Dallas-based company develops advanced, high-performance equipment in its cutting-edge facility, including the groundbreaking Stability shaft that transformed putter performance. By focusing on genuine technological breakthroughs rather than incremental updates, Breakthrough Golf stands at the forefront of the industry, pushing the game forward and setting new standards for innovation.

For more information and images contact: Tracy Nackel, TEN Marketing & PR, 760-420-1602, tnackel@gmail.com

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Try this during the backswing for an instant swing speed boost

admin — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:40:48 +0000

Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you become a smarter, better golfer.

I like trying to hit the ball hard. When I go to the simulator, I always carve out some time at the end of my sessions to swing as hard as I can. There’s nothing more satisfying than catching one just right and seeing a new personal best flash up on screen.

But while chasing speed is a fun conquest, it can also be frustrating. There are days when I feel sluggish and slow, and my swing speed reflects that. Worse yet, there are weeks on end where I’ve felt like I hit a plateau, maxing out on my swing speed for good.

Such was the case for me late last year. And after failing to add any swing speed for several weeks, I felt at a loss. That’s when I turned to swing-speed guru Bernie Najar. Not only is he a GOLF Top 100 Teacher, but he’s also taught some of the longest hitters in the game, such as Kyle Berkshire.

At last winter’s Top 100 Teacher Summit, I teamed up with Bernie for a speed training boot camp to get as many tips and tricks on speed as I could. Check out the video below to see all of them, or read on for a simple tip that will instantly boost your swing speed.

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Try this for an instant speed boost

Clubhead speed is measured at the moment you impact the ball, but if you want more power, you need to think about speeding up long before that. In fact, how fast you’re going at impact is directly tied to how fast you start your swing.

“What’s important to realize is that energy into the club happens early in the backswing,” Bernie says. “It’s not ‘take it back slow.‘”

One of the most popular adages in golf is that you should take the club back “low and slow.” But if you are trying to hit the ball longer, well, that’s a load of BS.

To get the maximum amount of energy into the golf club — and generate more speed — it’s important to put that energy into the club as soon as possible.

Think about how it looks when Bryson DeChambeau is swinging a driver. His takeaway is faster than lots of amateurs’ swings — and that’s no accident. If you want to get the most speed possible, you’ve got to start ripping the club back fast.

“We’ve got to get you putting more into the golf club early,” Bernie says. “Putting more into the golf club means you really have to rev it up a little.”

If you’re struggling to get more swing speed, give it a shot. It’ll challenge your need to feel in control throughout your entire swing, but you’ll also find that you have more speed in the tank than you thought.

Bernie Najar is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and the director of instruction at Caves Valley GC in Owings Mills, Md. If you want to learn more about his teaching philosophies, check out his book Speed/Power/Finesse: How to Play the Three Games of Golf.

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TaylorMade Qi4D drivers focus on speed control, spin and fitting

admin — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 15:49:15 +0000

TaylorMade’s Qi4D drivers break speed into four dimensions, pairing carbon faces, adjustable weighting and stock shafts built to fit more swings.

Gear: TaylorMade Qi4D, Qi4D LS, Qi4D Max drivers

Price: $649 with Mitsubishi Reax shaft and Golf Pride Z Grip +2; $699.99 with reflective fitter markings

Specs: Titanium chassis with carbon face, crown and sole panels, moveable weights and adjustable hosel

Available: Jan. 29

Who it’s for: Golfers seeking more consistent ball speed and tighter spin windows.

What you should know: TaylorMade rebuilt its driver platform around four dimensions of performance: face behavior, aerodynamics, shaft response and center-of-gravity adjustability. The goal is to deliver a more predictable launch and spin for a wider variety of swings.

The Deep Dive: As they were developing the Qi4D driver line, TaylorMade’s designers and engineers broke the concept of speed into four dimensions, focusing on the face, the shape of the head, the shaft, and the adjustability features that help ensure a proper fit. If those elements could be dialed in, they believed they could produce a driver that would work for a wide range of golfers. That included staff players like Rory McIlroy, Nelly Korda, and Scottie Scheffler, as well as recreational golfers.

Now you know what the name Qi4D stands for: four dimensions of speed. While the standard Qi4D, the low-spin Qi4D LS and the forgiveness-minded Qi4D Max all share several core technologies, they are designed for very different types of players.

All three models feature large carbon fiber crowns and sole panels, along with adjustable hosels that allow golfers to increase or decrease loft by up to 2 degrees. Each model also features a carbon fiber face. This technology first appeared in TaylorMade’s Stealth drivers in 2022. But for Qi4D, TaylorMade refined the face by tightening manufacturing tolerances so the faces sit closer to the USGA and R&A limits on coefficient of restitution (COR) and characteristic time (CT). The more precisely TaylorMade can control the hitting area, the more consistently it can increase ball speed without risking non-conforming heads.

TaylorMade also revised the face curvature from top to bottom, known as roll. Typically, shots hit high on the face launch higher with less spin, and low-face strikes launch lower with excessive spin. By rounding the roll radius, Qi4D drivers add spin to high-face strikes and reduce spin on low-face strikes, normalizing spin across a larger portion of the hitting area for more consistency.

Although custom fitting is growing, most golfers still buy stock-shaft drivers, so offering stock shafts that could better match what most golfers need to produce high-quality strikes was another priority for TaylorMade.

After studying more than 11,000 swings from staff professionals and recreational players, the brand’s fitters identified correlations between a golfer’s release patterns and the shaft they ended up using.

TaylorMade grouped players into three categories: high rotation (HR), medium rotation (MR), and low rotation (LR). Specific shaft designs consistently matched each group’s delivery patterns. Then it partnered with Mitsubishi Chemical to create three updated Reax shafts — Red, Blue and White — that matched those patterns. Red has a softer tip for HR players, White has a stiffer tip for LR players, and Blue sits in the middle for MR players.

With these shafts in place, TaylorMade intends for fitters to use the head, loft and moveable weights to produce the ball flight a player wants, while the shaft helps the golfer deliver the club more consistently.

Finally, but offering three different Qi4D drivers, TaylorMade felt nearly every player should be able to find a combination of head style, loft, shaft and adjustable features to maximize their swing.

The standard Qi4D (9, 10.5 and 12 degrees; 8-degree RH only) includes two 4-gram weights in the front heel and toe ports and two 9-gram weights in the rear ports. Fitters can configure those cartridges to create strong draw, strong fade, subtle draw or subtle fade biases. Putting both heavy weights forward lowers launch and spin while increasing speed. Placing both heavy weights in the back maximizes forgiveness and stability. The head is 4 millimeters shorter from front to back than the Qi35, but TaylorMade says it is more aerodynamic and produces about 1.2 mph more ball speed.

The Qi4D Max (9, 10.5 and 12 degrees) is the most stable and most forgiving driver in the lineup for players who struggle with inconsistent strikes. Instead of using titanium in the ring that forms the head frame, designers saved weight by using forged aluminum, which is then milled into the final structure that holds the carbon face, crown, and sole. The Max has two moveable weights, a 4-gram and a 13-gram, positioned in the front and back of the sole. The head has a built-in draw bias and less left-right adjustability than the standard Qi4D. With the 13-gram weight in the back, the moment of inertia increases significantly. The combined MOI is about 9,700 g/cm2. That does not meet the technical threshold to be labeled a 10K driver, but the Qi4D Max is TaylorMade’s first ultra-high-MOI driver with an adjustable hosel.

TaylorMade will also offer a Qi4D Lite (10.5 and 12 degrees), which is 30 grams lighter than the standard Qi4D Max and designed for golfers with slow-to-moderate clubhead speed.

The Qi4D LS (9 and 10.5 degrees; 8 degrees RH only) is the lowest-spinning and lowest-launch model. It remains a 460cc head but has a more rounded profile. The crown sits higher behind the topline and the back of the sole rises more sharply, which creates the most aerodynamic shape in the Qi4D line. The LS includes 4-gram and 15-gram weights so players and fitters can adjust launch and spin.

TaylorMade is also making its reflective fitting heads available to consumers. These heads were previously limited to fitters only. They are legal for play and allow golfers with access to Foresight launch monitors to collect clubhead data along with ball data.

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G440 K driver sets PING MOI record; advances forgiveness and speed to new highs

admin — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:14:46 +0000

PHOENIX – A record-setting MOI for a PING driver makes the new G440 K the company’s straightest and most forgiving model to date while delivering golfers faster ball speeds and CG-shifting adjustability for more distance, PING CEO & President John K. Solheim announced today.

The G440 K driver is available for custom fittings and pre-order at authorized PING golf shops around the world beginning today.

“We’re hearing a lot of great comments about how forgiving and straight the new G440 K driver is, which ultimately leads to more distance for the golfer,” said Solheim. “It’s fun to hear that feedback, and we’re excited to get the ‘K’ into the hands of more golfers.”

“Our record-setting combined MOI in the G440 K driver is primarily attributed to the new carbon crown and sole called Dual Carbonfly Wrap, which provides significant weight savings that are optimized elsewhere in the club. Among the key advancements from our previous highest-MOI driver, the award-winning G430 MAX 10K, is a heavier, adjustable back weight that positions the CG location for higher ball speeds and the ability to influence ball flight by moving the weight into one of three locations. Refinements to our T9S+ face structure provide higher, more consistent ball speeds across the face, leading to greater distance.”

G440 Driver Family Grows

The G440 K driver joins the G440 family of drivers (MAX, SFT, LST), each custom fit and custom built to fit a variety of skill levels.

“The ‘K’ is a great addition to the G440 driver line, providing another custom-fitting option loaded with innovations,” said Solheim. “We encourage golfers to experience a PING driver custom fitting with one of our expert fitters around the world who’ve been trained in our fitting techniques and are equipped with our fitting tools. They’ll analyze your launch-monitor results to help find the G440 driver that best fits your game. Whether it’s the new K, the MAX, the LST or SFT, there’s a PING G440 driver for every golfer.”

Dual Carbonfly Wrap Technology

Weight savings from the carbon crown and sole in the G440 K driver are re-allocated within the design, mainly into a high-density tungsten back weight, which drives the CG lower and deeper for faster ball speeds and helps achieve the record-setting MOI for a PING driver. In addition to being four grams heavier than the G430 MAX 10K, the back weight is movable to one of three positions (Draw, Neutral, Fade) to shift the CG and achieve the desired results.

“The combined MOI of the G440 K driver surpasses our previous mark and continues our pursuit of engineering the highest-performing drivers in the world,” said Solheim. “It’s a remarkable accomplishment for our engineering team to offer golfers this new level of forgiveness with the benefits of weight adjustability.”

Fast, Forgiving Face

The proven T9S+ forged face of the G440 K driver continues to evolve and brings golfers faster ball speeds for longer and straighter drives. The combination of a shallower face and refinements to the VFT shaping provide more flexing, retaining consistent ball speeds across the entire face, especially in the high heel region. Spinsistency, our variable-face-curvature innovation, helps ensure consistent spin and maintain ball velocity.

“We continue to rely on our proprietary T9S+ face technology as it gives us the highest performance and consistency for overall flexing and ball-speed retention,” said Solheim. “We don’t sacrifice speed for forgiveness. Golfers can have both. The G440 K driver is a prime example of that. It provides exceptional ball speed, delivers extremely tight dispersion and launches high with optimal spin. That translates to longer and straighter drives.”

Sound Design

Joining the Ti-811 body to the carbon crown and sole of the G440 K driver while ensuring a pleasing sound required PING’s engineering team to develop a composite crown bridge and sole ribs to stiffen the crown and sole during impact, resulting in a solid and slightly muted impact experience.

“With the addition of the carbon sole, we knew the sound characteristics of the G440 K driver would be different than previous models,” said Solheim. “Through finite element analysis (FEA), sound testing and player feedback, our engineers developed the lightweight crown bridge and sole ribs to combat any undesirable frequencies. The G440 K driver has a very pleasing and confident sound.”

G440 K HL (High Launch)

The lighter overall weight of the G440 K HL driver is an ideal build for slower-swing-speed golfers who don’t generate sufficient clubhead speed and ball velocity from traditionally weighted clubs. Custom engineered and custom built at 46″ with a lighter back weight (28g), ultra-light shafts (PING Alta Quick 35/45) and grip (Lamkin UTx Lite, 41g), the result is a lower overall system weight so golfers can swing faster and generate more ball speed for higher-launching, longer-carrying and straighter tee shots. Available in 9°, 10.5°, and 12° lofts.

G440 K Driver Specifications

Head volume: 460cc

Head weight: 203g

Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12° (adjustable ±1.5°)

Std. swing weight: D3

Std. length: 46″ (Alta CB Blue 50); 45 1/2″ (PING Tour 2.0 Chrome/Black and optional stock)

Stock shafts: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 50 (SR, R, S), PING Alta Quick 35/45 (HL build)

Optional stock shafts: PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 (R, S, X), PING Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X), Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65/75 (S, X), PRJX Denali Red 50 (5.5, 6.0), PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5)

Stock grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White-Std, Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″)

U.S. MSRP: $705 each with stock shaft

For more information, visit ping.com.

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Cobra OPTM drivers emphasize stability, speed and accuracy

admin — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:05:55 +0000

Cobra’s OPTM drivers use refined internal weighting and face design to help golfers hit straighter tee shots without giving up ball speed.

Cobra has released its new OPTM line of drivers, which includes four distinct models: X, LS, Max-K, and Max-D.
The OPTM family is designed to be Cobra’s most stable and accurate driver line by maximizing moment of inertia (MOI).
Each driver features a 460cc titanium head, carbon-fiber components, and a highly adjustable hosel.
The four models are tailored for different player needs, from low-spin performance to maximum forgiveness and draw bias.

Gear: Cobra OPTM X, LS, Max-K and Max-D drivers

Price: $599 each with Mitsubishi Kai’li or Project X Denali shaft and Cobra Lamkin Crossline grips

Specs: 460cc titanium construction with variable-thickness face, 33-position adjustable hosel, and moveable weights

Available: Jan. 13 (pre-sale), Jan. 20 (in stores)

Who it’s for: Golfers who want a long, highly-adjustable driver that not only protects ball speed in off-center hits, but also enhances accuracy over a larger portion of the hitting area.

What you should know: The OPTM family represents Cobra’s most stable, most accurate driver line to date, highlighted by aerodynamic shaping, refined weight distribution and a high level of adjustability.

The Deep Dive: Over the past few seasons, several golf equipment companies have reinforced the importance of maximizing the moment of inertia (MOI) to make drivers more stable on off-center hits and help them retain ball speed when you miss the center of the face. Savvy golfers know there are actually two MOIs: one that measures how much the club twists on heel-toe misses (MOI-Y) and another that measures how the club reacts when you miss high or low (MOI-X). When manufacturers maximize both, the result is a driver with a combined MOI over 10,000 g-cm², and you’ve got a 10K driver. An ultra-stable, straight-shooting club.

With the new OPTM family, Cobra wants to take things a step further and also tighten dispersion off the tee. To do that, the company’s engineers studied how side-to-side and up-and-down twisting interacts, rather than just look at them individually. Then they developed a driver line that delivers high MOI while keeping deformation levels to a minimum. The goal, in other words, was to create the optimal driver, and they wound up building OPTM.

All four OPTM drivers are 460 cc and feature large carbon-fiber crowns and carbon-fiber sole panels to create discretionary weight. Each model is designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, they have unique shapes because the needs of players who will be using the X, LS, Max-K, and Max-D will differ.

Every driver also includes Cobra’s 15-zone, variable-thickness H.O.T. Face design and the Future Fit 33 hosel, which provides 33 adjustable combinations of loft and lie—including up to 2 degrees of movement in any direction—so players and fitters can fine-tune launch and spin conditions.

OPTM LS (9 degrees, 10.5 degrees) – The most aerodynamic driver in the family, featuring the deepest face, shortest front-to-back profile and a fade bias. It’s built for fast-swinging golfers who need a low-spin, low-launch setup. The LS includes three adjustable weights: an 11-gram weight in the back heel, a 7-gram weight in the toe, and a 3-gram weight in the rear. In any configuration, accomplished players should notice a more solid feel at impact and tighter spin consistency across the face.

OPTM X (9 degrees, 10.5 degrees) – This model is expected to fit the widest range of players. The CG sits slightly farther back than in the LS, creating a touch more launch and forgiveness. The X has two moveable weights—an 11-gram and a 3-gram—with ports in the toe and back. Placing the heavier weight in the back increases launch and spin, while moving it forward promotes a lower-spinning, slightly fade-biased flight.
OPTM Max-K (9 degrees, 10.5 degrees, 12 degrees) – This is the most stable driver in the lineup, with the CG pushed as far back as possible. With a single 11-gram weight in the rear, it maximizes MOI, which is well above 10,000 g-cm². Cobra feels the Max-K is the ultimate 10K driver for golfers who need maximum help on off-center hits.
OPTM Max-D (10.5 degrees, 12 degrees) – As the name implies, the D stands for draw. This driver has a fixed 11-gram heel weight, along with additional internal heel-side mass to help golfers who fight a slice by encouraging the clubface to square at impact.

Yes, there was a time when Cobra drivers were as colorful as holiday decorations, but those days are long gone. Visually, the OPTM lineup maintains the clean, performance-first aesthetic Cobra established several years ago, using subtle color coding—black for LS, blue for X, gray for Max-K and red for Max-D.

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MIZUNO JPX ONE LAUNCH THE FUTURE OF SPEED TECHNOLOGY

admin — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 17:54:51 +0000

Each head features a wrap-around composite crown that saves critical grams high in the structure, lowering the centre of gravity for higher launch and reduced spin.

A multi-thickness MAS1C steel face ensures peak COR performance, while the all-new Speed Bevel sole refines turf interaction, producing cleaner strikes and more consistent ball speed from a variety of lies.

FAIRWAY WOOD LOFTS

Available in lofts from 15° to 24°, the JPX ONE Fairways deliver the ultimate blend of ball speed, forgiveness, and playable trajectory for golfers seeking effortless distance with the signature Mizuno feel.

Completing the family, the JPX ONE Hybrids take the same design philosophy and apply it to a more compact, iron-replacement shape.

JPX ONE Hybrid range

Their Waffle Crown structure enhances face stability, enabling Mizuno’s engineers to reposition discretionary mass lower and deeper for optimal launch and spin control.

A uniform-thickness 1.8mm MAS1C face combines with the improved CORTECH Chamber and Speed Bevel sole design to produce exceptional speed through impact, even on strikes low on the face or from challenging turf conditions.

JPX ONE HYBRIDS LOFTS

Available in 19°, 22°, 25°, and 28° lofts, the JPX ONE Hybrids offer a seamless transition from long iron to fairway wood, maintaining the visual confidence and feel Mizuno players expect.

From the Vanguard carbon-headed driver in 1982 to the MP-600 with movable weight technology in 2008, Mizuno has continually pushed the boundaries of metalwood design, turning four decades of innovation into one defining moment.

The JPX ONE range marks the next defining chapter, a family that unites materials science, speed engineering, and player-informed shaping in one cohesive system.

COSTS:

JPX One Driver range RRP £529

JPX One Fairway Wood’s RRP £315

JPX One Hybrid’s RRP £280

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Why the updated Titleist AVX adds speed without losing its soft feel

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:02:19 +0000

The 2026 Titleist AVX keeps its low-flight, soft-feel DNA while adding ball speed and improved greenside spin for better all-around performance.

Gear: Titleist AVX (2026)

Price: $49.99 per dozen

Specs: Three-piece construction with rubber core, casing layer and urethane cover; available in white and yellow

Available: January 21

Who it’s for: Golfers who want a softer-feeling, Tour-caliber ball that flies lower off the tee and produces less long-game spin without giving up the urethane feel and short-game control.

What you should know: The 2026 AVX maintains its signature soft feel, low-spin and lower-flight but adds more speed off the tee and enhanced greenside spin.

The Deep Dive: Ever since Titleist introduced AVX in 2017 as a softer, lower-spinning alternative to Pro V1, it has built a loyal following. While Pro V1 and Pro V1x continue to dominate counts on the PGA Tour, LPGA and DP World Tour, along with elite amateur events like the NCAA Championships and U.S. Amateur, AVX has carved out its own lane for golfers who wanted solid distance, softer feel and a flatter trajectory off the tee without sacrificing urethane performance around the greens. In Titleist surveys, many AVX players describe it as the ball that “gives them a little of their distance back” without changing how they swing.

The challenge with updating AVX, according to Titleist, is that the middle-iron flight and soft feel are non-negotiable. Players choose AVX because it launches lower with the driver and then climbs beautifully through the middle of the bag, where that soft-compression engine really shines. The company’s guiding principle in creating the 2026 update was simple: enhance performance without disrupting what makes AVX unique.

To accomplish that, Titleist reformulated the core to be faster without making it firmer. That’s a neat trick because typically, to make a ball faster, brands make the core firmer, which can increase spin and alter the feel. That would go against the goal of AVX, and target players would notice it immediately. Instead, the speed gains come from changes to the chemistry and materials inside the core.

The casing layer has also been made slightly thinner, allowing the cast-urethane cover to grow thicker and softer. That change may sound subtle, but it matters. A softer, more substantial cover helps wedges and short irons “grab” the ball more effectively, adding more greenside spin than the previous AVX while preserving long-game speed.

The aerodynamic package on the AVX still produces a lower flight. Golfers should expect a more penetrating launch off the tee compared to Pro V1 and Pro V1x, and the updated construction discourages that flight from ballooning in the wind. So, players who generate too much spin with V1 or V1x, or who shape shots more than they’d like, may find AVX helps them hit with less curve.

The updated AVX is not going to out-spin Pro V1 around the greens, but this generation closes the gap slightly without walking away from what makes the ball appealing. If anything, Titleist reinforced the line’s strengths by adding a touch more scoring-club precision while protecting the distance and feel that AVX players treat almost like a secret weapon.

The bottom line: For golfers who value soft feel, prefer a lower flight window with the driver, or simply want to keep Father Time from taking too many yards off their mid-irons, the updated AVX remains an appealing fit that still provides solid short-game control.

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