Jonty Driver
Technology drives the world today in most walks of life and golf equipment is no exception. Over the last few years two of the most important products in the sport: golf clubs and golf clothing have developed dramatically.
The dynamic of golf woods, golf irons and golf putters in the average golf bag have changed radically. Their looks mark a major drive to get weight lower and further behind the club face. Golf drivers in particular have developed fast over the last three years and are now offered in traditional as well as square and triangular head shapes. Developments accelerated by the use of internal computer aided design software.
The first square golf drivers to appear on the market was marketed by Callaway Golf – the 460cc FT-I. It positioned weight to the extreme corners of the square club head in order to raise the MOI – Moment Of Inertia. This in turn maximized the resistance to both horizontal and vertical twisting providing far greater forgiveness to off center shots. Since their launch many other brands have used similar principles include Nike Golf, Ram Golf and The Masters Golf Company. These offer major benefits particularly to mid to high handicap golfers.
Triangular shaped golf driver heads have also burst into golf equipment reviews. This design enables weight to be positioned as far away from the face as practical. This lowers the centre of gravity, optimizing the launch angle and once again increases the MOI for greater distance and forgiveness. A feature that is ideal for all golfers, making it easier to improve distance yet still maintain control. A typical example of this golf driver is Titleist’s 907D1.
Moveable weight technology has featured recently in golf driver design too. Both TaylorMade with their r7 Superquad and more recently Mizuno’s MP600 offer products where weight can de moved around the club head. This enabling it to be customised to individuals’ preferred golf ball flight. Golfers that hook shots should position more weight towards the toe, while golfers that slice should position it more towards the heel.
If you want more golf equipment technology advances in your driver then look out for Callaway’s interchangeable shafts that are new for 2008!
If these changes to golf equipment aren’t enough then take a look at the changes in golf clothing. Not so long ago when golfers went out to play they would probably be dress in their every day casual wear. Not any longer – brands like Ashworth, Galvin Green and The Masters Golf Company have introduced ranges of technical golf clothing to ensure that rounds are played in optimal conditions. If you feel good then you play good!
Two of the overriding principles in their systems approach to golf clothing are the use of man-made fibers and layering. On the one hand synthetic fibers, unlike traditional cotton, do not absorb moisture encouraging it to be freely passed into the atmosphere rather than hang around the body in the form of damp or clammy garments. On the other hand, layering helps to trap air that is an excellent insulator helping to keep the body warm.
These principles have lead to the use of three types of clothing. The first, worn closest to the skin are often known as base layers. Their task is to wick moisture away from the golfer’s skin as quickly as possible to avoid it cooling and creating discomfort. Typical of these are Galvin Green’s SkinTight range. These are manufactured from a bacteriostatic material that maintain the body’s natural bacteria level, but eliminates odor, providing incredible fresh dry comfort at all times. For information on technology go to golf equipment
