Products you need to know from the 2012 PGAM Show

[zakkozuchowski]

By Zak Kozuchowski, GolfWRX Managing Editor

Big product releases are usually the draw at the PGA Merchandise Show, but there were a few lesser known products that generated a lot of buzz at this year's event. Here's three products you need to know about from the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show.

SCOR




Industry standards for iron lofts have gotten stronger in recent years. Yet wedge loft offerings have stayed nearly the same, leaving golfers with a problem. They don't have a pitching wedge any more.

"Companies haven't been making pitching wedges for a long time," said Terry Koehler, president of SCOR Golf.

For that reason, SCOR produces a line of clubs with lofts from 41 degrees to 61 degrees, which the company hopes will help golfers fill the gap that stronger short irons create in their bags. To make things even easier on golfers, SCOR wedges are offered in only one sole grind, the company's V Sole.

"We don't believe in different options on grind," Koehler said. "We build a low bounce into the main part of the sole so it will work from tight lies, and a very aggressive bounce in the leading edge so that it will perform from soft lies. The idea of custom grinding a sole for the vast variety of lies you could face in any given round of golf to me is pretty hard ... your lies change continually. (Wedge designers) talk about fitting your sole to your swing type, well if you're a really good player you vary your swing type for the kind of shot you're trying to hit, and if you're an average to poor player you're not really sure what your swing type is going to be from swing to swing."

The custom built golf clubs will be available at select fitting centers across the country, and start at $149 for an individual wedge.

I hit the 44 degree model (the same loft as my Miura CB-202 9-iron) on the range, and was impressed with the club's more compact profile and lower trajectory on full shots. On chips and pitches, the V grind proved very versatile, and was definitely an improvement over my 9 iron on smaller shots.

Swiftwick



SwiftWick socks were featured in our GolfWRX last minute holiday gift guide past because of the huge following the sock company gained on the PGA Tour in win 2011. At this year's PGA Merchandise Show, I finally had the opportunity to don the company's much hyped socks.

I squeezed my size 12s into Swiftwick's Vibe Zero sock on Friday for day No. 3 of frantic coverage and the endless walking required from a GolfWRX staff member. The first thing I noticed was how snugly the socks fit around my heel.

All of Swiftwick's socks are seamless, and constructed at a 200-needle standard, which means they provide compression throughout the entire sock without any friction points. My aching feet were immediately rejuvenated, like I was being given a foot massage as I walked the floor. My feet also felt cooler inside my sweat saturated Ecco Street golf sneakers. Since the fabric wasn't slipping, my feet felt much more stable inside my shoe, a feeling that later translated into more stability in my golf swing.

The Vibe line is a litter thicker than Swiftwick's thinnest socks, the Aspire line. And while I'm not usually a fan of thin socks, but I loved the feel of the Vibe and the Aspire, which I later sampled.

It wasn't long before I returned to the Swiftwick booth for the Aspire 12s, a knee-high length sock that I hoped would give my ankles and calves the same treat mean my feet had just received. While I was there, I also picked up Swiftwick's Performance Sleeves, which I thought was one of the most thoughtful products at the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show.

I wasn't disappointed by the performance of the Aspire 12s, and during testing days later I found Swiftwick's sleeves to be perfect for cold weather practice sessions. The sleeves fit snugly from just above the elbow to the wrist, and provided warmth and compression without the straight jacket feeling of multiple layers and compression shirts. Like Swiftwick's Aspire, Vibe and Performance sock lines, the sleeves are made of Olifin, a naturally moisture wicking fabric, which makes them playable in warmer weather conditions as well.

My personal favorite product from Swiftwick, however, is the company's Pursuit sock line, which is constructed completely of merino wool. The socks cost a little more than the other models and are the thickest socks the company produces.

Swiftwick gives cotton socks a swift kick in the behind. Prices range from $9.99 a pair to $34.99 for the knee-high 12s. The sleeves are $24.99.

Putting Alley

The Putting Alley training aid is going to make you a better putter.

It works like this.

1. You place your ball in a small depression on one end of the 27-inch training aid.

2. You try to putt the ball down the raised surface without having it fall off.

3. You practice, and miss fewer short putts.

Check out the video below with Putting Alley Vice President of Sales, Tim Maloney. I couldn't pull out my credit card fast enough to get mine.

Want to write for GolfWRX? Click here for more information.

[iaindan]

That puttin alley is basically the same principal that the Harold swash putting rail uses

[Ereim]

Better hope the floor is completely flat for that putting alley

[ohcanada17]

seriously, with all the hook-ups GolfWrx has can you not get some decent polos? No offense, but those look like closet material from the 80's... lol... but as always, great work on keeping us updated!

[Zach Heusser]

[quote name='ohcanada17' timestamp='1328023348' post='4184507']
seriously, with all the hook-ups GolfWrx has can you not get some decent polos? No offense, but those look like closet material from the 80's... lol... but as always, great work on keeping us updated!
[/quote]
I believe the guys are working on that. IMO we need to get a private label to make some sweet golfwrx logo gear for the guys to wear. The issue is with trying to stay unbiased....

[mintonma]

Does SCOR make anything for lefties?

[J13]

I'll add in the GolfGruva is one of the best aid's I've seen in a long time. The man who created it was there and took me through it and I was amazed at how great it was in grooving the swing.

[D. Williams]

Hmmm.....This putting alley is a good idea but I have a similar putting tool that you can buy for 3$ at any hardware store and it does the exact same thing. Its just a simple metal yardstick. Just a thought

[Golfwolf]

I am seriously thinking about getting 4 SCOR wedges this spring, the putting alley looks good but a 3 ft ruler will work just as well, the socks. . . don't thrill me at all.

[bldolat]

Is there more pictures of the Scor wedges?

[Golfwolf]

[quote name='mintonma' timestamp='1328025653' post='4184679']
Does SCOR make anything for lefties?
[/quote]


The SCOR Golf website says this:

Hand (LH - March 2012)

[Poser]

Seriously... Out of all the new cool products out there you posted about some socks... It's freaking socks.... Their marketing team must be the best in the biz if they can sell those for the price they do. I could see the team meeting. We will tell the people we make them out of the rare infant sheep from cambodia and weave them on a loom made of gold.

[bunkeru2k]

To me, the socks were the one item I have seen from the entire show that I am planning to buy. Really good socks are a vastly under-rated piece of kit.

[o_man]

[quote name='D. Williams' timestamp='1328026107' post='4184727']
Hmmm.....This putting alley is a good idea but I have a similar putting tool that you can buy for 3$ at any hardware store and it does the exact same thing. Its just a simple metal yardstick. Just a thought
[/quote]


My thoughts exactly

[No Three Putts]

[quote name='Golfwolf' timestamp='1328031596' post='4185313']
I am seriously thinking about getting 4 SCOR wedges this spring, the putting alley looks good but a 3 ft ruler will work just as well, the socks. . . don't thrill me at all.
[/quote]

I think you missed one of the main points or differences from a ruler. On a ruler you bend over hit the putt and chase after the ball and repeat the process. Also you hope your ruler is flat and on a flat surface. On the Putting Alley the ball returns and can be self loaded with out bending over or chasing it. Also our product guarantee’s a flat surface on our alley and has two levels of precision. We know you can get more quality practice putts on our device than the ruler. Also the price is worth more than a sore back. Give it a try, I’m sure you’ll be convinced and like the product.

[LongIslandBirdie]

Glad to see the Scor guys on this list, saw the clubs at the demo day and couldn't have been more impressed. First they are great looking clubs, the grinds are the best I've seen on a stock club and the feel was amazing. Had a chance to talk with one of the lead reps and from what he was telling me I think these clubs will be a homerun. The idea of offering 41*- 61* can really appeal to most level golfers and give you the gaps in distance you are looking for.