Today’s Golfer UK — December 2017

TOUR STATS

HOW HAVE TOUR

STATS CHANGED

SINCE 1980?

TODAYSGOLFER.CO.UK ISSUE 367 95

Benross HTX Compressor £89 I http://www.benrossgolf.com

Our verdict: The shaft and grip are great quality, but with major

brands spending so much more on R&D, there seems to be a bit

of a gap between top tour brands and the smaller competition.

Great club at this price, though.

Callaway Apex £189 I http://www.callawaygolf.com

Our verdict: That penetrating flight is well suited to a strong

performance off the tee. To get the max out of it from the fairway,

you had better not have any difficulty launching shots from the

short grass.

Callaway XR 16 OS £149 I http://www.callawaygolf.com

Our verdict: An excellent hybrid that delivers the extra ball speed

and distance the majority of golfers need. Our test pro thought

80 per cent of golfers would be better off with a wide-body

hybrid like the OS over a narrower-bodied model.

Cobra King F7 £159 I http://www.cobragolf.co.uk

Our verdict: The F7 is a gorgeous little hybrid and its versatility is

boosted by the ability to dial in three lofts (with draw settings)

from the hosel adaptor. Baffler rails on the sole help it get through

turf better.

Mizuno JPX900 £219 I Golf.mizunoeurope.com

Our verdict: Across our three-man test team we thought the

JPX900 hybrid was a pleasure to hit. With four lofts and the

ability to tune the loft up or down by two degrees, it means the

900 can be fitted into virtually any golfer’s set.

Ping G400 £200 I http://www.ping.com

Our verdict: The wider body is particularly suited to golfers

who sweep shots off the deck. We didn’t all love the

unconventional groove pattern, but it’s exceptionally easy

to hit consistently well.

Srixon Z H65 £190 I http://www.srixon.co.uk

Our verdict: Srixon aren’t renowned for their wood designs yet

and with the H65 weighing in at a hefty £190 it’s unlikely to

change with this model. But if you like the look of a wider hybrid,

but would benefit from less spin, it’s a great solution.

TaylorMade M1 Rescue £239 I http://www.taylormadegolf.com

Our verdict: The M1 is for golfers who either hit down on their

hybrids (like irons) or have a tendency to pull hybrids left. It is

expensive, but it gives a level of flexibility decent golfers have

come to expect.

TaylorMade M2 £189 I http://www.taylormadegolf.com

Our verdict: Its lighter shaft (65g compared to M1’s 80g reg flex)

means it’s a bit of a speed machine. It’s responsive, forgiving and

easy to launch from the tee, fairway, rough and even a fairway

bunker.

Wilson Staff D300 £139 I http://www.wilson.com

Our verdict: If your buying criteria includes ease of launch,

forgiveness, good distance and ball speed protection, the D300

is difficult to beat.

FIVE BRILLIANT SHOES FOR WINTER...

TOP 10 HYBRIDS

Lofts: 3/20°, 4/23.5°, 5/27°,

6/32°

Stock shaft: Kuro Kage Black 70g

Adjustable hosel: No

Lofts: 2H/18°, 3H/20°, 4H/23°,

5H/26°

Stock shaft: Kuro Kage Black

Hybrid Adjustable hosel: No

Lofts: 3/ 19°, 4/22°, 5/25°,

6/28°, 7/31°

Stock shaft: Mitsubishi Fubuki AT

Adjustable hosel: No

Lofts: 2-3/16°-19°, 3-4/19°-

22°, 4-5/22°-25° Stock shaft:

Fujikura Pro 75 Adjustable hosel:

Ye s How much loft change: 3°

Lofts: 16°, 19°, 22°, 25°

Stock shaft: Fujikura Pro

Adjustable hosel: Ye s

How much loft change: +/- 2°

Lofts: 2/ 17°, 3/ 19°, 4/22°,

5/26°, 6/30° Stock shaft: Alta

CB 70, Tour 85

Adjustable hosel: No

Lofts: 2/16°, 3/19°, 4/22°

Stock shaft: Miyazaki Kaula

Hybrid 7

Adjustable hosel: No

Lofts: 2/ 17°, 3/ 19°, 4/21°, 5/24°

Stock shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage

TiNi 70HY Adjustable hosel: Ye s

How much loft change: +/- 1.5°

Lofts: 3/ 19°, 4/22°, 5/25°,

6/28°

Stock shaft: TM REAX

Adjustable hosel: No

Lofts: 17°, 19°, 22°, 25°

Stock shaft: Matrix Speed Rulz

A-Type Adjustable hosel: No

We’re constantly told equipment

technology has changed the game, but

how much difference does tech really

make to the top pros of today? We took

a look at the leading pro’s stats back

when Jack Nicklaus was still winning

(1980) and compared them to those at

the top now.

DRIVING DISTANCE 270.7 yards

Average of top 10 longest hitters on

tour in 1980 / 311.49 yards in 2017.

Major advances from persimmon and

balata balls have added over 40 yards

of driving distance, which is significant!

GREENS IN REGULATION

70.4% of greens hit in regulation in

1980 / 70.1% in 2017

Courses have got steadily longer

as players hit the ball further, so it

shouldn’t come as a surprise top

players today hit fewer greens than

their counterparts in 1980.

BUNKER PLAY 56% sand save

percentage in 1980 / 62% in 2017.

Tour players are over 6% better from

sand today. Newer equipment helps,

but courses are better prepared and

more manicured than ever which plays

a roll, too.

PUTTING: 1.76 putts per green in

1980 / 1.73 in 2017

Tour pros spend longer on the practice

putting green than ever before. Despite

all the effort and more severe greens

than ever, 37 years (1980-2017)

practice with the flatstick has seen

hardly any improvement.

FootJoy DryJoys Tour £150

http://www.footjoy.co.uk

One-year waterproof guarantee.

Five colours, or design your own

on FJ’s MyJoys platform.

Ecco Biom G2 £215

http://www.global.ecco.com

A Gore-Tex waterproof

membrane will keep moisture

out and let your feet breath.

adidas Tour 360 Boost

£149.95 http://www.adidas.co.uk

Energy returning soles make light

work of walking. Guaranteed

waterproof for two years.

Puma Titan Tour Ignite Disc

£130 http://www.cobragolf.co.uk/

pumagolf/

A disc closure system offers a

snug performance fit.

Skechers Go Golf Pro 2 LX

£142 http://www.skechers.com

Sealed seams, premium

leather upper and lightweight

shock absorbing sole.

SERGIO GARCIA’S LEAVING TAYLORMADE

The two are par ting company af ter 15 years; the smar t money is on him signing a

deal to join Callaway. He’s been seen testing their wedges and putters recently.