Hireko Golf family putters offer both new and borrowed technology
The innovations of small golf equipment manufacturers don't get much media attention until they go "mainstream." At which point, the design innovations become the "next big things" and get slapped big price tags as well. Hireko Golf -- the Japanese company that has consolidated long-time component companies including Tour Edge, Dynacraft and Acer -- is an excellent case in point. And a sample of the company's recent putters illustrates the sort of design innovations coming from lesser-known equipment makers.
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Power Play Caiman X2 woods by Hireko Golf offer unconventional power
Drivers these days come in a number of unconventional shapes, from square to lopsided to triangular. Hierko Golf's Power Play Caiman X2 driver is one of the latter: At address, it looks a bit like you're about to hit the ball with a large, black wedge of cheese. Fittingly enough, there is some serious cheese on the ball when you connect with the Caiman X2. This is a powerful head design, Kiel Christianson writes.
... full article »Dynacraft Avatar Evolution Hybrids by Hireko Golf: All hybrids, all the time
Weekend golfers often struggle to get the ball up in the air and with distance. So why not replace the entire set with hybrids? The Dynacraft Avatar Evolution Hybrids by Hireko Golf are engineered to address this quandary. If you're looking for a couple of handsome, inexpensive hybrid replacements for your 3i, 4i or 5i, Dynacraft Avatar Evolution are well worth the price.
... full article »Miura CB-501 irons: Like playing golf with a Stradivarius
Nobody will ever confuse Miura irons with game-improvement golf clubs. And while the new CB-501 irons aren't jacked up to make pitching wedges go as far as 8-irons, there is technology in these forged beauties. They won't make your misses better, but they will make your better shots better, more accurate and give you more feel, Mike Bailey writes.
... full article »Nike Golf's Method Core Drone putter is an effective "contraption"
Nike Golf's Method Core Drone putter is the first of the Method line to fully embrace the engineering features that have become popular with us not-quite-ready-for-the-Tour players: high MOI, polymer face insert and a mallet head with perimeter weighting. Ardent traditionalists may mock the appearance, but now that a major has been won with a belly putter, there is no need to be ashamed.
... full article »Cleveland Golf's Classic Driver: Blending technology and tradition
New for 2012, Cleveland Golf is introducing the Cleveland Classic Driver. The newest horse in the Cleveland stable has a mahogany-shaded crown, traditional pear-shaped head, faux-brass sole plate with an old-timey "1" on it and a brass-colored titanium face insert. Among golfers with a sense of history -- and for whom looks, feel and sound rank as high priorities -- I predict that the Cleveland Classic will be the "hot" driver for 2012.
... full article »SKLZ introduces Golf Fitness and Golf Accuracy packages for off-season training
SKLZ, which is fast becoming a premier sports training equipment company, offers several extensive lines of golf-specific training gear, focusing on both golfers' swings and fitness. New for 2012 are the Golf Fitness Package (approximately $135) and the Golf Accuracy Package ($190). "When these showed up at my door, I swear I heard my neglected abs mutter a meaty and muffled, 'Thank you,'" Kiel Christianson writes.
... full article »Nike Golf's VR Pro Ltd. Edition Forged Driver is made for top players
Nike Golf's new VR Pro Ltd. Edition Forged Driver is already finding its way into the bags of some of the best of the best players, including PGA Tour winners such as Paul Casey and Anthony Kim. Its pear-shaped head is 430cc and made of a forged construction that addresses the tour athlete's need -- and the needs of lesser mortals, such as single-digit handicappers -- for great feel, ultimate control and maximum workability. This is a gorgeous, muscular driver in a relatively compact, traditional form.
... full article »Miura Golf's MG Hybrid clubs provide ultimate power and control
Miura Golf has been producing high-end custom irons for nearly 45 years. Now the company has branched out into wedges, utility clubs and, most recently, hybrids. How do the Miura MG Hybrids play? They deliver phenomenal distance and workability and can be the "go-to" clubs in your bag, Kiel Christianson writes.
... full article »Boccieri's Heavy Wood golf club may lower swing speed, but it raises control
Boccieri Golf's "heavy" line, by virtue of its namesake weight, creates a pendulum stroke that relies on the large muscles of the shoulders and trunk. The latest in the series is the new Heavy Wood. They offer more control, less mid-stroke compensation. The potential downside of the Heavy Wood is that the heavier weighting will slow down swing speed somewhat.
... full article »Bag Boy XLT-15, keri golf's sara: Golf bags with masculine, feminine features
In recent years, golf bag designers have placed greater emphasis on keeping your precious clubs safe and free from damage. Two recent offerings by smaller, high-end bag companies, BagBoy and keri golf, represent two quite different takes on club security, one a very masculine approach and the other a very feminine approach. Kiel Christianson takes a closer look at the companies' latest bags.
... full article »Sun Mountain pleases fans of both three- and four-wheel push golf carts
What's better, a three-wheel or four-wheel push cart? Kiel Christianson has been testing and comparing two push carts by Sun Mountain: the three-wheel Speed Cart SV1 ($259) and the four-wheel Micro-Cart ($219), both of which have been upgraded from previous models for 2011. What are the pros and cons of each?
... full article »Dynacraft Prophet Tour CNC forged irons are bargain-priced beauties
The Dynacraft Prophet Tour cast irons were a rousing success when they were introduced a couple years ago, so Hireko Golf decided to up the ante with the Dynacraft Prophet Tour CNC forged irons. The result? The are arguably the least-expensive, highest-quality tour-caliber irons on the market today, Kiel Christianson writes.
... full article »Dial in your short game with custom-built Scor Golf wedges
Scor Golf is the newest player in the boutique, custom-made wedge market, and its new 4161 wedges feature the V-Sole design, which resists digging in. More importantly, though, the Scor Golf 4161 wedges come in 21 lofts, from 41 degrees to 61 degrees (hence the name). Kiel Christianson takes a closer look at the latest wedge on the block.
... full article »Hireko Golf's Acer XF game-improvement irons are extra-forgiving
The success of the Acer XK irons, which debuted in 2009, was a tough act to follow for Hireko Golf, but that hasn't stopped the company from trying. This year, Hireko Golf unveiled the Acer XF game-improvement irons. How do they hold up? Kiel Christianson put them to the test.
... full article »- Hireko Golf's Acer XF Thriver: On the tee, loft is your friend
- Royal Collection brings driving cavity technology back to the U.S. with its JP104 Series
- Japanese jewels: Maruman Shuttle i4000X fairway woods
- Need a new driver? Hireko Golf offers a trio of new, affordable clubs
- Hireko Golf's Bionik Nano White putters and Acer XK Flipper help you master the greens
- Tour Edge Golf Exotics XCG 4 driver is okay if you like long, high, straight drives
- Sun Mountain's lightweight golf bags are also cart friendly
- Nike Golf's SQ MachSpeed Black Driver boasts respectable power, remarkable accuracy
- For the one you love on the golf course: His and hers Nike cart bags
- Practice putting year-round with the SKLZ Vari-Break Putting Green
- Design your own wedge with Vokey WedgeWorks Exclusives
- Acer XDS React irons by Hireko Golf: Weighty wonders
- Tour Edge Golf's BackDraft GT+ OS-4 mallet: A top-shelf putter for less than $50
- Tour Striker golf-training aid improves ball striking
- Yes! Golf's multi-material high-MOI Mollie putter: Mmm-mmm good!
- Miura Golf's forged 1957 Series K Grind wedge: Effortless sand play
- Sumi-G is golf's newest and swankiest accessory company
- Hireko Golf's Dynacraft On-Line Putter is a triple-threat on the greens
- Hireko Golf's Dynacraft Prophet ICT driver: An option for thrifty golfers keen to try adjustable-head technology
- Fresh from The Oven: Nike Golf in great shape with hot new VR Tour driver
- Dynacraft Prophet Tour irons by Hireko Golf: Affordable workability
- Nike SQ Machspeed Str8-FIT driver: Nike Golf's best adjustable-face driver ever
- Grom Stand Bag by Ogio: Best-selling golf bag gets even better
- Heavy Putter's Lite-Weight Series: An effective oxymoron
- Cleveland Golf's CG7 Tour Black Pearl Irons: A real treasure
- Nike Golf's Method putter scored two majors before hitting store shelves
- Acer XDS Insider clubs by Hireko Golf: Swing from the inside out
- Titleist on a roll with court win and dominant NXT Tour golf ball line
- Sun Mountain Monsoon rain suit delivers the goods on bad-weather golf days
- Pink putter from Sweet Spot Golf tries every angle to improve your score
- Hireko Golf's Acer Cb7 and Cb8 putters are wicked both in style and performance
- Solaire clubs by Callaway: One-stop equipment shopping for female golfers
- Ho-ho-hole it with his-and-hers putters from Hireko Golf this holiday
- Sun Mountain Micro Cart: Good things 'do' come in small packages
- Acer XDS Cabriolet by Hireko Golf: Affordable, integrated game-improvement irons
- Krank Golf drivers are all the Rage among long-drive competitors
- Nike STORM-FIT Elite rain gear and Zoom Bandon golf shoes: Dry, warm and stylish
- Pinnacle diversifies and upgrades golf ball line
- Miura Golf's Precious Edition is a tour-quality utility club
- Yes! Golf's Madison mallet putter: Ugly duckling is a swan on the greens
- TaylorMade's new line of golf bags, FAST-TEK is a snap to use
- Sandbaggers (the shoes) are welcome on the golf course, and on your feet
- Scotty Cameron Studio Select Kombi putter appeals to refined palates
- iBella Bellissima ladies' clubs by Hireko Golf combine fashion and playability
- Hireko Golf's Avatar XMOI woods are long, in more ways than one
- Comparing the Nike Golf SQ Str8-FIT and TaylorMade R9 drivers head-to-adjustable-head
- Golf gadget: The Bob Wedge from Bob Burns Golf is four wedges in one
- STX Envision TR putter is a small mallet with an artistic flair
- Heavy Putter Mid-Weight Series CX2 not light - but just right
- Ogio's Devolver golf bag: Batman's utility belt for golfers
- Never Compromise NCX-RAY Alpha putter impresses both PGA Tour players and duffers
- Power Play Caiman irons by Hireko Golf: Precious metal at bargain prices
- Nike Golf's SQ DYMO driver and fairway woods make a powerful arsenal
- TaylorMade-adidas Golf's new Targa Tour glove is worth the drive
- Hireko Golf's Acer XK clubs: Solid equipment for this soft economy
- For a stronger core and longer drives on the golf course, try riding the Ab Coaster
- Golf Gym's PowerSwing Trainer lets golf fitness buffs work out at home and on the road
- Bushnell's latest golf course laser rangefinder - the Pro 1600 Slope Edition - hits the mark
- SMT Golf puts record-setting DB Plus driver in hands of regular golfers
- New TaylorMade-adidas Golf Burner 09 irons look good, perform better
- Swingback provides back support without limiting motion
- Nike Air Zoom Vapor golf shoes are extremely light yet very stable
- HiPPO Golf's Hex2 3-2-3 irons deliver technology bang for the buck
- Nike Golf's Victory Red Forged Split Cavity irons: Golf clubs that make you feel better about your game
- Want a better body for golf? Try the TRX Suspension Trainer - but be prepared to work
- New Nike Golf Xtreme Element golf bag has all the necessary elements
- Get a grip! SensoGlove monitors golfers' grip pressure
- Transitions lenses protect eyes (and wallets) of golfers who wear glasses
- ShotWatch provides data, and some distraction, to your golf practice
- Sun Mountain's waterproof H2NO golf bags protect clubs and accessories in any weather
- Yes! Golf's GrooveTube: Most bizarre-looking putter of 2008
- A simple idea makes Sun Mountain's Club Glider a leap forward in travel bag technology
- Cleveland Golf introduces Club Count Technology: Never lose a golf club again
- Golf club review: Sizemore's SM-2 mallet putter is a futuristic beauty
- The Radar is a portable but unreliable launch monitor
- Review: Nicklaus Golf's Dual Point Fastback driver looks powerful, feels heavy
- HiPPO Hex TX: The best driver you've never heard of
- Vulcan Golf's Speedlite V14 driver is the lightest on the market
- Review: Ixnay on KZG's new "Q" driver but a resounding hoozah for the new "Q" fairway wood
- MacGregor MT Pro-C forged cavity back irons: Too good for many of us
- Rife TwoBar Hybrid putter: A high-tech putter from grip to face
- Cleveland Golf's new VP milled putters appeal to traditionalists
- Nike Golf's SQ Sumo2 5900 driver improves over maiden model
- "Ultimate protection" from Bag Boy's Clip-Lok stand bag falls short
- PowerBilt Citation FZ1 is a great 460cc driver for traditionalists
- G3-DF Heavy Putter by Boccieri Golf: Big muscles, big putts
- Bold new Under Armour muscles its way into golf apparel
- Ogio Mammoth golf travel bag lives up to its name
- Bag-gate: Major golf bag makers share names, confuse customers
- Burton Syncro a good, sturdy, nicely priced cart golf bag
- Nike Golf's Unitized Neo: A mid-sized mallet putter with exceptional feel
- See some of the top golf products from the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show
- Nike Golf's IC 20-20 Putter is the most stable mallet on the market
- Golf club review: Srixon's Z-Steel is a pumped up old-school fairway wood
- Srixon's Z-RW driver will make a lot more golfers familiar with the brand
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