2003 is Going to be Another Banner/Tour de Force Year for New Golf Equipment and Accessories.

With the 2003 PGA Show taking place in Orlando from January 23rd to 26th inclusive, the positioning and introduction of new products is already in full swing.

Technology continues to thrive in the golf domain. Whether it is drivers, putters, irons, balls or shoes, advances in designs and materials continue and new products are being introduced almost monthly.

Technology continues to thrive in the golf domain. Whether it is drivers, putters, irons, balls or shoes, advances in designs and materials continue and new products are being introduced almost monthly.

Leading the way is golfs “hottest” golf manufacturer and technological leader for the past 3 years – TaylorMade-addidas Golf. Though many golf equipment manufacturers are not attending the show such as PING, Titleist, Adams and Kasco, their new introductions are hitting all the major golf magazines as this article is being written.

TaylorMade-adidas Golf, with their new and approved USGA driver models is leading the way with their R500 Series clubs. Just being introduced and delivered are their new titanium fairway woods, the R580 Ti in 3, 5 and 7 lofts.

Following the same successful technology applied in the R580 driver, the fairway woods, were designed to work in collaboration to produce both high launch angle and high spin, resulting in high trajectory, long carry and maximum distance. In fact, these fairway woods deliver the highest COR ever developed by TaylorMade and exceed the 300 Series fairway woods COR by 30%.

Additionally, TaylorMade is introducing the Burner 420, a titanium driver that features a 405 cc head and is a derivative of the original TaylorMade Burner, one of the most successful drivers ever introduced. The selling price of $299.00 will have a much broader appeal to cost conscious golfers.

The TaylorMade Rescue Mid, a utility club designed to deliver long-iron distance with a high launch angle and spin, replaces the original Rescue wood.

On the iron front, TaylorMade is introducing the RAC OS irons based on the RAC (relative amplitude coefficient) that proved so successful in their wedges released earlier this year. Steel will be selling for $599.00 and graphite for $799.00. Also to be introduced will be the RAC LT (lower trajectory) blade irons aimed at the lower handicapper.

TaylorMade has also expanded their Rossa putter line by adding five Sport putters and three Tour putters to their existing Rossa line.

Also being introduced by TaylorMade are four new lightweight carry bags, four staff bags, a cart bag and a full line of headwear and gloves.

TaylorMades newly acquired Maxfli division has introduced three new premium balls: the M3 Tour – Red, the M3 Tour LT-black and the A3 red. The balls feature the Maxfli roundel, a solid circle surrounded by a thin outer circle, first introduced in 1955, which became Maxflis time-honored trademark. Remember the Blue Max and the “red” Maxfli? As of December 2002, the M3 Tour had accounted for 4 Tour victories.

Kasco Golf

Following their success with their K2K Super Hyten Utility Club, Kasco has introduced their new K2KE-Spec Utility club that features a 10% larger head and is being offered with 27 different specifications of heads and shafts. MFSR is $399.00.

Kasco is also introducing a set of six K2K E-Spec irons with a MSRP of $2,350.00 for the Super Hyten head and $899 for the stainless head. The irons are only available with graphite shafts.

Kascos designs are futuristic to say the least, but the company, one of Japans most preferred golf manufacturers, knows its business and the adaptation of technology to produce performing golf equipment.

Cleveland Golf, known for years for their odd-looking woods and now, following their unbridled success with their original Launcher driver, Cleveland has introduced a new 400 cc Launcher model. It is extremely well priced at $299.00

Also due to be released in 2003 are the TA7 Tour Micro-Cavity” Irons The new TA7 Tour Micro-Cavity Irons feature the same technology that has made the original TA7’s so popular, but in a compact head design made of soft 431 stainless steel and with less offset.

STX Golf , which had a major success with Rich Beem using the Sync 3 both at the 2002 PGA Championship and the 2002 Hyundai Team Matches, will be introducing three new putter models and a modified Greeny Plus line in February 2003.

The three new models–the Sync 7, 8 and 9-will feature two face-insert options, the very soft XH1.17 black insert and the firmer, more solid-feeling XH4.60 black face insert.

The Sync 7 is a heel-toe weighted model with a no-hosel single-bend shaft with a slight offset and low center of gravity. MSRP of $155.00

The Sync 8’s head also complements mid-length or long-handled lengths in addition to the standard lengths, as does the Sync 9, which features a mallet with a scoop-like flange with an alignment line and a no-hosel center shaft. MSRP of $165.00.

The Greeny Plus I’s sole contour and flanged blade has been redesigned and improved, with cleaner, rounder lines. The Greeny Plus VII has new alignment lines and the Greeny Plus VIII is now a mallet with stronger alignment aids, thinner top line and classical sole contours. MSRP for all three are $145.00 each.

Winn Inc.s, 2003 grip product lines, endorsed by Butch Harmon, will feature the Tour Series, Excel Line and Heritage Putter Line. MSRP: $6.99 to $7.99 each with the price varying based on the volume purchased.

The firm Tour Series has been designed specifically for lower handicaps and tour professionals. The Excel Regular Firm Collection offers new colors for ladies–mocha and burgundy–while the Excel Extra Firm Collection’s Harmony Series will now include a black/gray grip and a solid black tapered model.

The Heritage line of putter grips feature the Medallist Pistol, Gem Pistol and Y2K-Paddle models, along with a new 21-inch pistol-shaped mid-length putter grip.

The Tour Series, Excel Line and Heritage Putter Line MSRP: $6.99 to $7.99 each with the price varying based on the volume purchased.

Feel Golf, who has a big following on the LPGA Tour, will unveil its five-model Midnight Series at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando and will be available for delivery in March 2003.

The wedges jet-black finish is designed to provide players with a visual advantage with setup and alignment, when placed behind the white ball, while the ultra-smooth finish is designed to move efficiently through deep rough and sand.

The wedge line will be available in 46, 52, 56, 60 and 64-degree lofts. MSRP: $139, steel; $169, graphite.

Spalding Sports Worldwide 2003 Strata lineup will include the Tour Ace and Tour Ultimate+.

The Strata Tour Ace (MSRP: $36.95), is a four-piece ball featuring unique stampings. Instead of conventional numerals, the Ace features playing card-suit symbols. Jim Furyk will play the Ace in 2003.

The Strata Tour Ultimate+ ($29.95) is designed to provide high launch angles for maximum distance.

The recently launched, multi-layered Strata Tour Straight ($26.95) has a low-compression core (37 compression).

The three-piece, multi-layer Strata Tour Professional ($29.95) is a low-spin ball.

The Tour Ace will sell mostly in on- and off-course markets and the Tour Straight in all channels, while the Ultimate+ and Tour professional will appear mostly in off-course, sporting-goods and mass-merchant outlets.

The Ben Hogan golf division of Spalding Sports Worldwide will be introducing their 2003 Ben Hogan Edge CFT game-improvement irons in late December, early January.

The stainless-steel Edge CFT’s two-piece construction includes a compression-forged titanium (CFT) face, which has been designed to allow more weight in the perimeter and back of the extended muscle-back cavity head to promote playability and forgiveness. MSR: $599 for eight, steel shaft; $749, graphite The irons are available 1-iron through PW in men’s right hand and 2-SW in men’s left hand with custom options available. The left-handed version will be available in February.

The Ben Hogan Apex Tour ball has had its cover refigured for extra durability and, for those golfers looking for an excellent ball comparable to the Titleist Pro V1, they may be pleasantly surprised with this balls performance.

PING has begun shipping a plethora of accessories for 2003 that will appeal to golfers as well as non-golfers. PINGs styling and quality is most definitely the envy of the golf industry.

The 2.1-pound Ping ensemble is a messenger bag that’s a combination briefcase and book bag. It features a large main pocket, padded laptop-computer sleeve, business accessory organizer, and pockets for computer accessories, cell phone, writing instruments and a water bottle. MSRP $50

The mid-sized duffel bag has a five-pocket design that includes a large main compartment, ventilated end pocket and two large-capacity zippered side pockets. MSRP $75

The shoe bag has a ventilated shoe compartment, interior accessory pocket, dual zipper opening, mesh outside pocket and a buckled strap for attaching to a golf bag. MSRP $38

The small travel cover offers an expandable top to allow up to 49-inch drivers and putters and has a removable shoulder strap. MSRP $100.

A leather shaving kit features a zippered main compartment and a separate zippered area for toothbrushes or combs MSRP $55.

Another version of this shaving kit features two zippered compartments, one a large interior pocket and one with four pockets for toiletries. MSRP $24.00

Other accessories being introduced will include the leather travel document case ($40), Ping cart mitts ($22), a velour valuables pouch ($15), two logoed towels ($22 for 42-inch by 19-inch and $16 for 16-inch by 19-inch) and 68-inch umbrella ($40) with the Mr. Ping logo round out the line.

Scotty Cameron/Titleist putters will formally introduce the CAMERON FUTURA PUTTER and Center Shafted Platinum Prototype Center Shafted models. The latter being priced at $500.00

Nike Golf’s Forged Pro Combo irons have just begun arriving in golf specialty shops and sporting-goods stores. These irons are being sold at $799.00 per set.

The Forged Pro Combo irons combine full-cavity long irons, half-cavity mid-irons and muscle-back blade short irons in the same set. The irons will feature Nike’s Speed steel shaft, which the company says is stronger and 30 percent lighter than traditional steel shafts. Graphite shafts and left-handed Pro Combo irons will be available in March 2003.

Nike Golf has taken a major step toward capturing a larger share of the extremely competitive golf ball market with the addition of renowned engineer Hideyuki “Rock” Ishii to the Global Golf Ball Team.

As the newly appointed Product Development Director for Golf Balls, Ishii will oversee all aspects of future golf ball development for Nike Golf beginning immediately. His impact in a previous role as project team liaison for Nike Golf’s ball manufacturing partners is already being realized with the recent introduction of the Power Distance Super Soft, a soft core golf ball with a surprisingly soft feel and yet the long distance characteristics of a hard core ball.

Nike will also be introducing their new fairway woods in 3, 5, 7 and 9-degree lofts. It would be fair to say that Nike has the “best looking” clubs in the industry currently.

Top-Flite has begun shipping the replacement for the Top-Flite XL 2000 line – its new Top-Flite Tour irons The new irons are made from Titan steel, which Top Flite claims is stronger than 17-4 stainless and 6-4 titanium. The clubs feature an ultra-thin face, which is braced by rib supports and placed behind the score lines. The ribs are designed for maximum strength and minimum weight to create maximum perimeter weighting. MSRP $350 for eight.

Mizuno USA will introduce their new line of MP Series RAW Black Ox wedges, which consist of nine forged models with a black-oxide finish. The head construction will be identical to the company’s MP Series Chrome wedges, but the new model’s finish is designed to offer an improved appearance and distinct feel that is preferred by many tour players. Over time, the RAW black-oxide finish is designed to rust and create a face texture that will enhance the spin created by the club’s computer-milled U-grooves.

Made of mild carbon steel, the club’s sole design was created with tour-player input. The wedges are available in lofts of 50, 52, 54 and 58 degrees in one bounce. Three 56-degree models with varying bounce and two 60-degree models with varying bounce are also available but currently only in right-handed models. MSRP: $169, steel shaft only.

Sonartec Golf is introducing their new limited edition Super CV Pro Titanium driver.

The club features a 305cc titanium head and a horseshoe-shaped tungsten-copper alloy rear-weighting system that positions the center of gravity deep in the head to promote a wider sweet spot. The CG (center of gravity) also promotes a mid-high launch angle.

The driver is available in lofts of 8, 9 and 10 degrees with a MSRP of $395.00.

Callaway Golf will be introducing their new X-16 irons to replace their extremely popular X-14 line. These new irons will feauture a “notch” in the bottom of the cavity. The weight saved from the cavity is distributed to the heel and toe for added forgiveness.

The irons will be available in standard and Pro Series (more blade-like), graphite and steel with a MSRP of $880 for a set of eight in steel and $1.120 in graphite.

Odyssey Golf will be introducing a new line of putters named the XF Putter Line. This line will feature 6 different heads and a black insert covering the face. This insert differs from the White-Hot insert in that it provides both a harder feel and a different sound/click.

A new equipment manufacturer, Carlton Golf will introduce its flagship line, the Carlton Classic, in early January. The line consists of a 400cc graphite-shafted titanium driver available in 9, 10.5 and 12-degree lofts MSRP $199.00; a 300cc steel driver with a Maraging Steel face insert in 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees MSRP of $119, steel; $139, graphite; and midsize steel fairway woods in 3, 5, 7 and 9-wood models MSRP $99, steel; $119, graphite. The Carlton Classic line also includes midsize irons offered in both 3-PW and 4-PW plus SW eight-club sets MSRP$329, steel; $449 graphite and traditionally shaped wedges in 52, 56 and 60-degree lofts with a MSRP of $59 each.

In the shoe category, Bite Golf will be introducing a new golf sandal for those with special-needs shoes. The X-Golf OS orthosport sandal, for men and women, will be packaged with both a basic footbed liner and an additional cushioned, anatomically correct insole designed to ease tired feet MSRP $99.00.

Etonic is introducing their Dri-Lite 200 (Moc) featuring a removable insole and sole pyramids designed for cushioning. MSRP $75.

Eccos Casual Apron GTX is priced at $180 and features a Gore-Tex Hydromax leather upper.

This shoe is undoubtedly one of the most comfortable shoes currently available for golfers.

Footjoy, is introducing its new Xdimension shoe which features an x-shaped bridge in the sole for added stability. MSRP $120. Footjoys GelFusion line is also proving to be very popular and many more models are planned for 2003..

Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the California Golf Writers Association, and serves both as a Consultant and Mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers” and his current book, “How to Build Business Relationships Through Golf” is in the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s best seller list.

He can be reached at www.pgtaa.com or drlotz@cbsgolf.net