NEWS FROM THE TOUR VANS
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It’s the fall, which means a long list of new clubs are being made available for players to test as they move forward into the new year.
Let’s start with the latest version of Callaway’s Apex TCB irons. The initial offering of this line started as a tour-only product before transitioning into retail due to high demand; now this upgrade of the TCB model is just being given to the pros – for now.
Akshay Bhatia is one player who has the new TCB irons in his bag. While information is yet to be released on these clubs, they appear to be slightly more compact compared to the recently released Apex CB irons. Other changes appear more cosmetic in nature, including the stamping of a black star on the clubhead.
Ping’s newest Blueprint S and T irons are garnering some strong reviews. The latest S model is forged, comes with a more squared toe and has a CTP insert in the long irons that ups the MOI.
Matt Fitzpatrick, recent winner of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, is among those who have transitioned into the newest S model. Ping says the Blueprint S irons are having one of the fastest adoption rates of any new iron it has produced.
Here is something off the beaten track: New Level Golf has drawn some attention from the likes of Chez Reavie, Ryan Moore and Steven Alker. Their latest offering is a 480-MC model – Reavie had them in his bag two weeks ago in Las Vegas.
There is a noticeably wide screw in the back of these irons, but it’s hard to tell whether they are forged or cavity-back irons. New Level is a brand to watch going into 2024.
After Callaway released new Apex irons following a long wait, many were wondering whether a new wedge model could be in the cards. It could be, based on the prototype Will Gordon had in his bag recently.
Also noticed has been some new putters. Odyssey is having players test Ai-One and Ai-One Milled putters, offerings that appear to utilize artificial intelligence in their creation. A.I. has long been used by brands such as Callaway in making drivers and fairway woods, but putters have not been as much of the conversation.
Both models feature adjustable sole weights and black heads.
Sean Fairholm