Equipment

Nike Golf
The unique new Swingtip golf shoes from Nike come in leather, suede and canvas iterations.

The new Lunar Swingtip shoes from Nike Golf might sound like they’re inspired by wingtip dress shoes, and they are to a point. But they’re much more influenced by surfers and skateboarders. In fact, Nike Golf designers and engineers visited Nike affiliate Hurley for insight and inspiration into the Nike skateboarding line to create a golf shoe that provides stability and comfort both on and off the course.

The traction pattern on the sole was derived from a pressure mapping study that Nike's Sports Research Lab conducted on Nike athletes across several different sports. These findings, Nike says, directly influenced the stud configuration, geometry, and heights of the lugs.

The lugs engage with the ground throughout the swing, providing a secure grip with hidden traction. The rubber rim around the bottom of the shoe is weight-activated, working with the movements of the foot to create increased stability while concealing the traction lugs.

A full-length sockliner made of the Lunarlon foam that Nike uses in its skateboarding line delivers comfort. They’re available in multiple colors and several materials, including leather, suede and canvas, and the leather models come with a one-year waterproof guarantee. The leather models carry a street price of $119.99, while the suede versions carry a street price of $109.99, and both of those are available now. The canvas models, which will be released in January, will carry a street price of $99.99

July 30, 2012 - 12:23pm
Posted by:
John Kim
John Kim's picture
Ping Golf
The Anser driver resembles the i20, but is like no driver Ping has ever produced.

A few months ago, Callaway Golf joined the adjustable driver party with the RAZR Fit. Now -- and some might say finally -- Ping has come out with an adjustable driver of its own. The Anser driver made its competition debut at the John Deere Classic and Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, and is expected to hit the retail market in a month or so.

The Anser driver will be available in four standard lofts (8.5, 9.5, 10.5 and 12 degrees), and golfers can adjust each loft by one-half a degree up or down. The titanium head is 460cc, and comes with a black matte finish that looks similar to the finish on Ping’s i20 driver.

Though Ping is the last among the large clubmakers to offer an off-the-shelf adjustable driver, the Anser is a big step forward for the company, which for several years has focused on its custom-fitting system with interchangeable heads and shafts.

July 30, 2012 - 12:20pm
Posted by:
John Kim
John Kim's picture
TaylorMade Golf
TaylorMade's 2012 Open Championship logo

One of the most fun aspects of major championships these days is that TaylorMade creates one-of-a-kind logos for the hats, shirts and golf bags that its staff players use during the week. The logo for this week’s Open Championship is one of their best – and most detailed.

What does it all mean? Here, courtesy of TaylorMade, is the explanation.

The logo’s foundation is the Lytham Windmill, arguably the most famous landmark in Lytham St. Annes. On it is a life preserver that represents the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which was founded in 1824 and whose lifeboats have saved more than 137,000 lives.

The crown, of course, represents the British crown. It is topped by a violet and the logo also is colored violet as an homage to Violet Talbot, a close friend of Queen Mary, helped Royal Lytham secure its designation as “royal” in 1926. The 10 beads on each side of the crown are a nod to the 10 previous Open Championships played there. And the TL at the bottom is for Tom Lehman, who won the 1996 Open at Royal Lytham.

The three stars on the crown represent the coat of arms of the Clifton family, which has a long history with Royal Lytham. In 1889, Lady Eleanor Cecily Clifton donated a gold medal for the club to present to its champion each year. And the three windows in the windmill stand for the first hole at Royal Lytham, which is the only par-3 opening hole on any of the Open host venues.

And finally, the red banner that contains the word “Open” symbolizes the Challenge Belt, which is what Open winners received in the tournament’s early years. The belt became the permanent possession of Young Tom Morris in 1870 on the occasion of his third Open victory.