Wilson FG Tour X Golf Ball Review

Written by: Tony Korologos | Friday, February 10th, 2012
Categories: Golf Balls • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Golf Balls • Wilson Golf

With the PGA Merchandise Show in the rear view mirror and spring coming, I’m happy to get back on my review schedule. Love doing golf equipment reviews. Fortunately the weather around here hasn’t been like the massive snow-in we had last winter. We have been very thin on the snow here in Salt Lake, meaning many of the lower altitude courses have been open much of the winter. This has allowed me to record some rounds, albeit not terribly warm, and evaluate some gear like the Wilson FG Tour X golf balls.

FG Tour X Overview

Wilson Staff FG Tour X Golf Ball – click to see more

The FG Tour X is a multilayer golf ball with a cast Urethane cover. Urethane is typically the material used in the outer layer of “premium” golf balls. The design of the golf ball is geared for distance first and spin second, but read my comments below on the spin and cover.

The compression level of this ball is said to be 93. I would call that a medium compression ball. Back in the old days 90 was softer and 100 was hard. A visit to the Wilson FG Tour X product page is a bit confusing on the compression. Under the product details the first sentence says “–piece features a higher compression distance ball wrapped in a thin, soft veneer of cast urethane.” I’m not sure what “–piece” means. Sounds like they need to fill in the blank there. To the right on product specs the first line says “Compression Low.” So we have two seemingly contradicting statements, one saying the ball is higher compression and one saying it is low compression.

On The Course

Typically I don’t like the hardness of “distance” balls, except for a few which now includes the FG Tour X. This ball does not feel “hard.” In fact I really can feel it compress on every club in the bag, except of course the putter. On 2nd thought, if I were putting on the massive greens at St. Andrews, I might actually compress it with a 400 foot putt. I’ll have to go try that. …Okay I’m back. The ball compresses nicely and easily, even for my slower “granny dual chicken wing” swing.

Driving the ball is fun. This ball flies very straight and does a very fine job in windy conditions. I have a very strong and mid-height launch angle with the FG Tour X, which I really like. And yes of course–this ball is long.

Irons are a pleasure to play with the FG Tour X. I can feel the ball compress on the club face and I feel like I have great control of the ball.

Short game is the BEST part of this ball, which does sound odd and contradicting to the ball being a “distance” ball. Every time I chip or pitch with this ball, my playing partners comment on the spin and check I’m getting. They’ve watched me fail to check those types of shots for years and it surprises them and me when I can check/stop the FG Tour X on a dime. The urethane cover of this ball seems a bit different than others. Just taking the balls out of the box they feel more sticky and tacky. That extra tackiness is big for me around the greens.

When putting, the ball rolls straight and true. Distance control on the greens is easy.

Wilson FG Tour X Golf Balls – click for more

Durability

Unlike most urethane covered high performance golf balls, this ball is actually durable! Even cart paths (and I’ve hit several with these balls) don’t do much damage. High spin square grooved wedges (yes I’m not on the PGA Tour and can still play square grooves) don’t shred the cover.

I’m very happy with the durability.

Conclusion

Admittedly I wouldn’t normally get excited if I found a Wilson ball in the bushes when searching for my previous errant shot. But if I find an FG Tour X, that one is going into the gamer pocket on the golf bag and not the shag bag. These balls are good!

Putter Lust – Scotty Cameron

Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, February 9th, 2012
Categories: Golf Clubs • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Site News

Here’s a little food to feed the golf gear junkies. I’ve added a few Scotty Cameron putter photos courtesy of Titleist to the HOG Image Gallery. These are black Scotty Cameron models, like the Select Newport below. Click the image to see them all in the gallery.

Very few putters elicit the amazing response that Cameron putters do.

AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am TV Times

Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, February 9th, 2012
Categories: PGA Tour • Pro Golf • Tiger Woods

Set your DVR for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Nearly all the bigs are in action like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson & Rickie Fowler.

THU: 3-6PM ET Golf Channel
FRI: 3-6PM ET Golf Channel
SAT: 1-2:30PM ET Golf Channel
SAT: 3-6PM ET CBS
SUN: 1-2:30PM ET Golf Channel
SUN: 3-6:30PM ET Golf Channel

2012 PGA Show Video Interview – TaylorMade ATV Wedges

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
Categories: Golf Clubs • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Golf Videos • HOG World Tour • Interviews • PGA Merchandise Show

My last and final video from this year’s PGA Show covers the TaylorMade ATV wedges. Check out the sole on these wedges.

Nike Golf to provide VR_S irons as 2012 fantasy golf grand prize!

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
Categories: Fantasy Golf • Golf Clubs • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Site News

Big announcement today. I’ve confirmed with Nike Golf their participation for a 2nd year in a row as the HOG Space Fantasy Golf grand prize sponsor. This year’s grand prize is HUGE, a set of the new Nike VR_S irons, either forged or cast. The $1200 retail forged models look beautiful, and happen to be the next irons in my iron review queue.

1st Place Prize for 2012 Fantasy golf: Nike VR_S Forged Irons - click image to see more pictures of the VR_S irons

Many thanks to Nike. Thanks to them and the other great sponsors (who are still being arranged), the HOG Space fantasy golf league is offering amazing prizes once again.

HOG SPACE FANTASY GOLF IS FREE – SIGN UP NOW! It is never too late: