ed travisThe Ben Hogan Company working hard to rebuild their business has released a new line of putters, the first in 15 years. The Precision Milled Forged line are CNC milled from the very soft 1020 carbon steel using a forging process of several steps that helps the molecular structure of the steel. By using a complicated multi-step forging hot spots and dead areas are eliminated giving better feel and distance control.
Available in four head shapes, all have Hogan’s Diamond Black Metal finish to reduce glare and help alignment by providing a contrast with both the green and the ball. The precision milling also makes the face of the putters exactly flat across its whole width.
“A 100% forged, CNC precision milled putter is not the least expensive nor the easiest way to make a putter by any means, but at Ben Hogan Golf we believe it is the best way,” said Scott White, CEO, Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company. “Serious golfers demand precision and performance on the greens, and the new Ben Hogan Precision Milled Forged putters deliver. They look great but perform even better.”
White went on to say, “What makes this new line even more special is our factory-direct business model, which provides golfers with an ultra-premium forged milled putter at a price far less than many mass-market investment cast putters. In fact, while many of today’s leading putter brands sell their top models at $400 or more through retail channels, we allow allows serious golfers to purchase one of our new Precision Milled Forged putters for just $250 direct at BenHoganGolf.com. This is unheard of given the feel, consistency and pure performance attributes of our forged putters, which are synonymous with Ben Hogan’s uncompromising standards.”
Available in right-hand models only at a standard length of 35.0” each can be customized in lengths ranging from 33.5” to 36.5”. Standard lie is 70° with an adjustment range of +/- 2°. Stock grip is the SuperStroke, with a choice of Flatso 1.0, MidSlim 2.0, Slim 3.0
Brand & Model:
Ben Hogan Precision Milled Forged Putters
Key Features:
CNC milled soft Carbon heads
Diamond Black Metal finish
Choice of four head shapes
Retail Price & Availability:
$250 available now for direct shipment at BenHoganGolf.com
Need to Know:
Plumber’s Neck Blade – One shaft offset, 2° loft and 355 gram head weight with 43° toe hang.
Player’s Blade double bend shaft – One shaft offset, 2° loft, 355g head weight, face balanced
Player’s Blade flowing neck – One shaft offset, 2° loft, 355g head weight with 50° toe hang
Player’s Mallet – Single bend shaft, ½ shaft offset, 2° loft, 370g head weight, face balanced
Aim L10 from GolfBuddy
Extending the aim line of laser rangefinders GolfBuddy has introduced the aim L10 with three targeting modes: standard, scan, and pin with vibration when target is locked on. The L10 has a slope mode to compensate for up or down hill targets that may be switched on or off to comply with local tournament rules. Priced at $330 at GolfBuddy.com.
Garmin Approach S40
Garmin’s latest smartwatch may be used on the course or and a regular watch. It is lightweight, has 1.2-inch color display readable in sunlight and a metal bezel design. Using Garmin’s AutoShot Game Tracking it records detect shot distance and shows yardage to front, middle and back of greens on 41,000 preloaded courses. The Approach S40 is $300 at Garmin/golf.com.
Volvik State Packs
Volvik now has limited-edition State Pack golf balls for Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New York, South Carolina and Texas of six VIVID matte finish model balls with the state logo in two colors plus a magnetic hat-clip ball marker. Retail price is $25 per pack at golf shops, resorts and retail outlets or the Volvik website.
In Case Anyone Should Ask:
Gear at Valspar:
Titleist had another good week at Innisbrook being the number one brand used in every major category of equipment, the fourth time at a PGA Tour event this year. Though always the leader in golf balls (this week 106 to 16 for Callaway) winning the driver category over the long-time leader TaylorMade and the recent challenger Callaway is a notable feat. Of the 144 players at the Valspar 40 teed it up with a Titleist driver with 35 being the 2019 TS model—TS2 (10) and TS3 (25) versus the nearest competitor with 34. The other categories: fairway woods-48, hybrids-22, irons-37 sets, wedges-182 and putters-50.
Equipment usage on Tour depends on how many player contracts manufactures have and Titleist has a lot. The web site shows 69 PGA Tour players listed as “Brand Ambassadors” meaning they play with both the companies clubs and golf balls plus 26 who play the Pro V1 ball and 61 the Pro V1x. Callaway Golf lists 48 PGA Tour players under contract while what is probably an incomplete list of TaylorMade Golf players includes just five full contract users plus one signed to just play their TP5x ball.
Still Titleist’s accomplishment coming from an also ran in Tour equipment especially drivers is a major deal. Combined with the lengthening list of players opting to play without a contract for equipment such as defending Masters champion Patrick Reed, a clear sign the club and ball landscape on Tour is changing.
Casey Repeat:
Paul Casey accomplished one of the rarities in all of golf, wining the same tournament in succeeding years with a one stroke win at the Valspar Championship. Casey’s equipment reflects his status of being without a contract with a single equipment company, a situation not that uncommon on Tour as companies such as TaylorMade cut back on the number of endorsers while others have curtailed payments to contract players.
Driver: TaylorMade M4 2017 (10.5°) – Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX
Fairway woods: TaylorMade M1 2016 (15°) – Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX Limited
Irons: (3) Mizuno JPX 919; (4) Mizuno MP 25; (5-PW) Mizuno MP 5 – Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 TX
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 (52°, 56°), Titleist Vokey Tour Prototype (60°) – Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Circle T 009
Ball: Titleist Pro V1