Golf Equipment Review: Nike 20XI X Golf Balls
Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, May 6th, 2013
Categories: Golf Balls • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Categories: Golf Balls • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
This spring has been fun, including testing out the new Nike 20XI and 20XI-X golf balls. The XI version is the spin/control model while the XI-X is the distance model. Today’s review is specifically the XI-X model. I’ll be posting my XI review soon.
Nike 20XI X Golf Balls – click for larger image
Technology
The 20XI X golf ball is a four layer golf ball. Typically, the more layers, the better the ball. Some layers in the 20XI series are made of a different material than the same layers in other golf balls. At the core of Nike’s technology, pun intended, is Nike’s “RZN,” a rubber material which makes up the ball’s core. The mantle layer, (think back to the time you learned about the earth’s layers), is also made of RZN. The large RZN core and mantle maximize distance and improve accuracy.
The cover of the ball is the same material as most high performance balls, urethane. The urethane layer is what gives the player spin and control, especially in the short game as well as a soft feel on the putting green.
Distance
From the first time I put these balls into play the distance gain was substantial. I have gained some distance this year through new equipment and a few more pounds of weight gain, and the XI X made it even more massive. Where I was even or perhaps 10 yards ahead of some of my friends opponents, I’m now some 30-50 yards ahead. Hitting a wedge to the green is a little better than hitting a 6-iron.
Durability
The urethane Nike uses in the covers must be on steroids or something. The 20XI series is far more durable than any other premium golf ball I’ve tested. I can play 18 holes with an XI or XI X and the cover still looks brand new. Not the case with other urethane cover balls, which show scuffs and scrapes from my wedges.
Feel
The original models of the 20XI series felt quite hard. Too hard for my taste. Nike has certainly improved the feel of the new 20XI and XI X golf balls. They are noticeably softer, though still hard feeling in comparison to balls with non-RZN cores. Some players may prefer that hot and hard feel off the driver. Some may not.
Conclusion
Nike’s new RZN technology in the 20XI models is progressing very well. Each year the feel, performance and quality gets better and better.
Happy Cinco De Mayo
Happy “Cinco de Mayo” to all Hooked On Golf Blog patrons. Hope you get out to golf today.
Happy birthday to my long time bass player from my rock & roll days, Johnny. Miss you man.
And as usual I must send a note of recognition out to my friend Rich a.k.a. Eat Golf for the inspiration every year. Eat is missed.
First Look: Ecco Tour Hybrid Wingtip Golf Shoes
I first saw these golf/street hybrid wingtips from Ecco at the PGA Show in January. It was love at first sight. I’m a big fan of wingtip golf shoes and to have a pair that would work for golf, or the office… woa. That way I can sneak out and hit some balls at lunch without even changing shoes…
Ecco Tour Hybrid Wingtip Golf Shoes – click to see more
Enjoy this first look and check out the HOG Ecco Tour Hybrid photo gallery until I’ve put these babies through the rigorous HOG review battery. Stay tuned…
Golf on TV This Week – Jack, Arnie, Trevino, Player, McIlory, Mickelson all in action this week
Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, May 2nd, 2013
Categories: Champions Tour • European Tour • LPGA Tour • PGA Tour • Pro Golf • Rory McIlory
Categories: Champions Tour • European Tour • LPGA Tour • PGA Tour • Pro Golf • Rory McIlory
PGA Tour
Wells Fargo Championship
Dates: May 2-5
Venue: Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N.C.
Golf Channel Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday 3-7 p.m.
Friday 3-7 p.m.
Saturday 1-2:30 p.m.
Sunday 1-2:30 p.m.
In the field: Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson, Nick Watney, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Martin Kaymer, Hunter Mahan, Angel Cabrera, Robert Garrigus, Nicolas Colsaerts, Bill Haas, Russell Henley, Ryo Ishikawa, Matteo Manassero, Freddie Jacobson, D.A. Points and Jordan Spieth.
Champions Tour
Insperity Championship
Dates: May 3-5
Venue: Tournament Course, The Woodlands Country Club, The Woodlands, Texas
Golf Channel Airtimes (Eastern):
Friday 7:30-9:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
Saturday 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
Sunday 7-9:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
Greats of Golf
Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Lee Trevino will play in the Greats of Golf competition Saturday along with Johnny Miller, Raymond Floyd, Don January, Gene Littler, David Graham, Tony Jacklin, Charles Coody and Dave Stockton. The Greats of Golf players tee off following the last tee time of the official tournament on Saturday. Format: 3-somes in 18 hole scramble.
In the field: Bernhard Langer, Tom Lehman, Kenny Perry, John Cook, Jay Haas, Mark Calcavecchia, Fred Funk, Corey Pavin, David Frost, Steve Elkington, Rocco Mediate, Peter Senior, Roger Chapman, Michael Allen, Brad Faxon, Tom Pernice Jr., Peter Jacobsen and Hale Irwin.
LPGA Tour
Kingsmill Championship
Dates: May 2-5
Venue: River Course, Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg, Va.
Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Live)
Friday 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Live)
Saturday 3-6 p.m. (Live)
Sunday 3-6 p.m. (Live)
In the field: Inbee Park, Stacy Lewis, Yani Tseng, Paula Creamer, Lexi Thompson, Michelle Wie, Ai Miyazato, Suzann Pettersen, Morgan Pressel, Natalie Gulbis, Beatriz Recari, Jiyai Shin, Azahara Munoz, Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome, Karrie Webb, I.K. Kim and Lizette Salas.
European Tour
Volvo China Open
Dates: May 2-5
Venue: Binhai Lake Golf Club, Tianjin, China
Golf Channel Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
Friday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
Saturday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
Sunday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
In the field: Thomas Bjorn, Paul Casey, Branden Grace, Paul Lawrie, Edoardo Molinari, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Alvaro Quiros, Alexander Noren, Jeev Milkha Singh, Richie Ramsay, David Howell and Wu Cheng Ye.
Fantasy Golf – Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Winner
Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
Categories: Fantasy Golf • Miscellaneous • Site News
Categories: Fantasy Golf • Miscellaneous • Site News
Zurich Classic of New Orleans Fantasy Winner: TONY KOROLOGOS! ME! Wow. Only the 2nd time in 7-8 years I’ve won a week. Since I’m only eligible to compete and smack talk, the weekly prize for this week defaults to #2 on the list: The People’s Champ.
2013 Fantasy Golf is brought to you by Hooked On Golf Blog and The Golf Space.
SPONSOR UPDATE
The following four sponsors have been confirmed for 2013!
- Nike Golf – Nike Covert Driver
- FootJoy – Shoes/Apparel
- Bridgestone Golf – Bridgestone Golf Balls
- Tornado Tee – Very cool golf tees (weekly)
I’m still hammering out prizes and arrangements for coupon codes to claim the weekly prizes. Stay tuned!
It is never too late to join HOG Space fantasy golf FREE. Follow the easy instructions below:
1. Go to www.buzzfantasyleagues.com
2. Create an account if you don’t have one
3. Click on “Join an Existing League”
4. Enter League ID 233, and Season ID 335
5. Create your team, enter league password “HOG”
- Nike Covert Driver Grand Prize
Sponsors Wanted
If you wish to sponsor 2013 Fantasy Golf, let me know. Sponsorship would mean providing prizes in exchange for weekly air time, banners and links to your web site via the fantasy golf updates.
Discussion
HOG Space fantasy golf is a dual effort between Hooked On Golf Blog and The Golf Space. Official fantasy golf forum discussion thread is in The Golf Space Forum here.
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