There, that’s better…
I almost forgot the yearly ritual of dawning the HOG skull with a Santa hat for the Christmas season!
And yes, I actually said “Christmas” and not “holiday.” No political correctness here!
First Look: Rossignol Alltrack 120 Ski Boots
Here’s another great case of “being a golf blogger doesn’t suck.” In for review are some amazing Rossignol Alltrack 120 ski boots.
Rossignol Alltrack 120 ski boots
Wait a sec… This is a golf blog.
I couldn’t help posting a picture of my new ski boots, since these are the first new ski boots I’ve owned since Ronald Reagan was president of the United States. I had just as much fun taking pictures of these beauties as I do taking pictures of golf equipment.
Perhaps it is time to start up my ski website. The golf courses here in northern Utah are closed, but the ski resorts are open!
Stay tuned for my review of the Rossignol Alltrack 120’s soon
Photo: Mystery Box From FootJoy Holds Clues To New Product Innovation
Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, December 11th, 2013
Categories: Golf Accessories • Golf Apparel • Golf Gear • Site News
Tags: FootJoy
Categories: Golf Accessories • Golf Apparel • Golf Gear • Site News
Tags: FootJoy
Well now this is fun. A mystery box came in to day from FootJoy. Normally boxes which come from FJ are in the size of shoe boxes. This one was not. It was about three by five by five inches.
Inside was a mystery “object” which is about seven inches long and shaped somewhat like a bat. One side is textured, as can be seen in the photo.
FootJoy Mystery Box 1
A small card in the box says “We would like to invite you to experience the next innovation from FootJoy over the coming weeks… piece-by-piece from the inside out!”
Welcome to piece clue number one…
Cobra Baffler XL Hybrid Review
Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, December 11th, 2013
Categories: Golf Clubs • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Cobra Golf • Golf Equipment
Categories: Golf Clubs • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Cobra Golf • Golf Equipment
Cobra Golf is definitely on an ascending path. Their gear is getting better and better. The latest example is the new Cobra Baffler XL Hybrid, what Cobra says is the most forgiving and easy-to-hit hybrid in their 40 year history.
Cobra Baffler XL Hybrid – click to zoom
Has Cobra been making hybrids for 40 years? Anyway… Lets take a look.
Cobra Golf – Baffler XL Hybrid
Baffler XL Features
One of the most unique features of the Baffler series of clubs for many years (maybe even 40), has been the trademark rails on the bottom of the club. What do the rails actually do? They provide smooth turf interaction as less of the club is in contact with the ground. The lower drag on the sole and leading edge of the club help the club launch the ball higher and longer from all kinds of lies.
The Baffler XL Hybrid has tungsten weighting positioned at critical places low and in the back of the club. This weighting increases the clubs MOI (moment of inertia). The higher the MOI the more resistant the club is to twisting. This makes even off-center hits fly farther and straighter.
The center-of-gravity of the Baffler XL Hybrid is also low and back. The result is a high trajectory shot with low spin and more distance.
Specifications/Models
| Model | Loft | Length | Swing Weight |
Stock Flex |
RH/LH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2H | 17° | 41″ | D2.5 | S, R, Lite | RH |
| 3H | 19° | 40.50″ | D2.5 | S, R, Lite | RH/LH |
| 4H | 22° | 40.00″ | D2.5 | S, R, Lite | RH/LH |
| 5H | 25° | 39.50″ | D2.5 | S, R, Lite | RH/LH |
| 6H | 28° | 39.00″ | D2.5 | S, R, Lite | RH/LH |
| 7H | 31° | 38.50″ | D2.5 | S, R, Lite | RH/LH |
Shafts
| Model | Flex | Weight | Kick | Torque | Tip Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baffler XL Graphite Hybrid | A | 60g | Low | Mid | 0.370 |
| Baffler XL Graphite Hybrid | R | 62g | Mid | Mid | 0.370 |
| Baffler XL Graphite Hybrid | S | 63g | Mid | Mid | 0.370 |
Cobra Golf Baffler XL Hybrid Topline – click to zoom
Looks and Feel
I’m not a big fan of blue (college football issues). But the dark blue hue of this club is beautiful. My playing partners have all salivated over this beauty. The look at address is as Cobra advertises, confidence inspiring.
The feedback of the club in feel and especially audibly, is great. The club makes a very nice sounding “ping” on crisp shots. You know when you’ve hit the sweet spot.
On The Course
There was a slight period of adjustment for me with this club. I think it is primarily due to the mid kick point of the shaft. I had to experiment a bit with ball position before I started to hit it really well. The best position, forward in the stance, produced some amazing results.
Once dialed in the XL for me launched very high and produced a slight draw. I’m normally a straight ball player. The model I tested, 19 degrees, was great for layup shots on short par-4’s or going for it in two on par-5 holes. The high launch and forgiving performance made those very long par-3 holes quite fun.
I understand and love the rails now. This hybrid launches the ball brilliantly from any kind of lie, tight or thick.
Baffler XL Hybrid Head Cover – click to zoom
Head Cover
I dig the head cover on the Baffler XL. It is small and fairly thin, which helps keep it from taking up too much space in my bag. I typically use smaller carry bags so club real estate is valuable.
Despite being so compact, the cover protects this beauty well.
Critiques
My only critique is that the club is only available in blue (a college football issue once again). I’d prefer any other color.
Conclusion
At $159 retail, the Baffler XL is a great hybrid. It is very easy to hit, launches the ball very high, and produces long shots. This one has earned a starting position in the bag, and the previous hybrid is now keeping the garage warm.
Related Links
Golf Equipment Review: THE BALL
Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, December 10th, 2013
Categories: Golf Balls • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Golf Balls • THE BALL
Categories: Golf Balls • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Golf Balls • THE BALL
THE BALL
Lately there are small golf ball companies popping up which compete directly with the big boys. One great example is THE BALL.
THE BALL is a new golf ball which can be found at www.ineedtheball.com. This golf ball stands toe-to-toe with any premium golf ball on the market with regards to distance and short game control.
Technology
THE BALL is a three piece (three layer) golf ball. Each layer features materials and properties which contribute to the ball’s performance.
The core is the first layer. The core is the largest layer, in the center of the ball. This layer contains Tungsten, chemical element 74, a hard steel-gray metal. The core is primarily responsible for the distance and compression of the ball.
Layer two is the mantle layer. The mantle layer construction promotes high initial velocity (ball speed) and a low launch angle with lower spin. The low launch angle and lower spin promote longer distance off the driver.
The outer layer is known as the cover. The cover of THE BALL is made from cast urethane, the same material found on the cover of 90% of the premium golf balls on the market. The cover is responsible for the spin of the ball and the control it has in the short game.
THE BALL – Layers
There are 318 dimples on the cover of the ball. The dimples promote lift and help the ball carry farther and straighter.
Specs
Driver spin is 2745 revolutions per minute (RPM), lower than the leading brand (they say “leading brand.” I’d guess they mean the Titleist ProV1), which his 3022. Lower driver spin is good.
Carry for THE BALL is 266 yards compared to 263.
Carry + Rollout for THE BALL is 277 compared to 272 for the leading brand.
Short game spin with the ball is 7410 RPM’s compared to 7500.
On The Course
Specs and techie stuff aside, how is this ball on the course, where performance really counts? I’ve played every premium ball known to man and this ball has no weaknesses compared to any of them. In fact, it outshines many premium brands for my game in the distance department.
Two weeks ago (before it snowed) I played a couple of rounds in some very cold and wet conditions. We’re talking low 40’s and even upper 30’s toward the end of the round. In these cold conditions golf balls go much shorter as the ball does not compress easily. That was not the case for me and THE BALL. In fact, I was pleasantly amazed that I was out-driving my regular distances by 20 to even 40 yards!
Case in point was the 468 yard 2nd hole at my home course, the toughest hole on the course. Normally my drives end up around the 200 yard marker, give or take 10 yards. My yearly average approach is about 275. With a nice solid drive I found THE BALL way up the fairway at the 160 mark. Ding ding ding! Winner. Much more fun to hit 8-iron into a green than a 4-iron.
The Ball – click to zoom
300+ yard drive in the cold? I couldn’t believe it. But by the time the round was done, I believed it. Same case on the 15th hole, the hardest hole on the back. Normally once again I’m looking at a 5-6 iron approach on this tough hole. Instead, I was at the 150 marker debating a 9 or 8-iron.
Distance isn’t the only strong point of THE BALL. I found the feel to be fantastic around the greens, even for my very mediocre short game. I had nice control on short shots inside 100 yards and especially chipping and pitching. THE BALL feels great off the putter too, easy to control distance.
Conclusion
At a retail price of $34.99, THE BALL clocks in at $10-20 less than premium brand name golf balls.
THE BALL is golf’s equivalent to a car that costs as much as a Honda, but outperforms a Porsche.
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