Odyssey drops ‘zero torque’ Ai-ONE Square 2 Square putters

Classic Odyssey shapes combine with artificial intelligence and torque-reducing balance.

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/RK58M5MBW3oNazZ6Gd03/1731735736144_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”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”][/anyclip-media]

Gear: Odyssey Ai-ONE Square 2 Square Putters
Price: $299.99 each
Specs: Center-shafted putters urethane insert, 3.3-degree forward press, and navy blue PVD finish.
Available: Now (pre-order), Nov. 29 (in stores)

Who it’s for: The Ai-ONE Square 2 Square putters should appeal to golfers who want to minimize face rotation and increase their consistency on the greens. 

What You Need to Know: This line extension blends a White Hot face insert that was developed using artificial intelligence, with toe-up weighting and balance intended to help golfers reduce face rotation during the stroke. 

The deep dive: Odyssey released the first Ai-One putters in late 2023, promoting them as tools that could enhance a golfer’s distance control thanks to a White Hot face insert engineered with the help of artificial intelligence. The lineup expanded last month to include several new Ai-One and Ai-One Milled putters, including 2-Balls, Jailbirds and other midsize mallets.

Now, Odyssey is introducing the Ai-ONE Square 2 Square line and bringing the AI-designed face insert to a putter category that’s gaining a lot of attention — zero torque putters. 

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Odyssey Ai-ONE Square 2 Square putters” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/195zyx”]

Odyssey Ai-One Square 2 Square putters
The shaft goes into the Ai-One Square 2 Square putters nearly on the center of gravity. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The new Ai-ONE Square 2 Square line includes two mallets, the Jailbird and #7, as well as a heel-toe weighted blade with an extended back flange that is called the Double Wide. All three putters have a center-shafted design, but instead of bringing the shaft into the topline, it connects well behind the face and a few millimeters toward the toe from the center of gravity (CG) location. As a result of that hosel location, if you hold the putters freely across your hands, the toe goes up and the face naturally points forward, toward your target. 

Each Ai-ONE Square 2 Square putter is also designed with a 3.3-degree forward press, so the shaft leans toward your target when you address the ball.  

The combination of the toe-up balance and forward press takes away the putter head’s bias to rotate closed on the backswing and rotate open on the downswing. So, the Ai-ONE Square 2 Square putters remain square to a golfer’s stroke path, regardless of whether that path is relatively straight, slightly arched, or strongly arched. 

Odyssey Ai-One Square 2 Square putters
The Ai-One Square 2 Square putters work to keep the face square to your stroke’s path for enhanced consistency. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Odyssey believes this combination of reduced torque (face rotation), the AI-designed White Hot insert, and the latest counterbalanced Stroke Lab shaft can help golfers produce a smoother stroke with a better tempo that naturally keeps the face square to the path, and that should help golfers hit better putts. 

Odyssey is not claiming that this is the first or only zero-torque putter out there, but the Ai-One Square 2 Square putters conquer one of the challenges faced by club designers in this category: zero-torque putters often look very unconventional. The Ai-ONE Square 2 Square putters have classic head shapes that will be familiar to just about every golfer. 

The Jailbird, originally released in 2014 and used by Wyndham Clark to win the 2023 U.S. Open, incorporates Odyssey’s signature Versa alignment stripes. The #7 is a fang-style mallet with dual white alignment lines that help frame the ball, making alignment more intuitive. The Double Wide completes the lineup as a modern, heel-toe weighted blade with a T-shaped white alignment aid. 

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Odyssey Ai-ONE Square 2 Square putters” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/195zyx”]

Below are several images of the Odyssey Ai-One Square 2 Square putters. 

Cobra releases King Tour Black, King CB/MB Black irons

Black has a way of transforming simple things into classics.

From leather jackets to little dresses, black has a way of transforming simple things into classics, and the list of great rock ‘n’ roll songs that include the word ‘black’ in the title reads like the back of a greatest hits album. There’s “Paint It Black,” by the Rolling Stones, “Back in Black,” by AC/DC, “Black Is Black,” by Los Bravos, Santana’s “Black Magic Woman,” and Pearl Jam’s “Black” … we could go on.

When it comes to golf equipment, black clubs hold a mystique. Black is the most popular color for drivers, fairway woods and hybrids, but most irons are chrome-plated or designed with a silver tone. Black irons are somewhat rare, but some golfers covet them and when brands release special black versions of previously-released clubs, they perk up and take notice.

Rickie Fowler is among them, having put the just-released Cobra King Tour Black irons in his bag this week at the 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. Cobra has also just released the King CB and MB Black Combo irons for pros, college players and elite golfers.

Here’s your first look at the new dark-finished offerings from Cobra and everything you need to know about them.

Cobra King Tour Black irons
Cobra King Tour Black irons. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Gear: Cobra King Tour Black irons
Price: $-Taper 120 Black steel shafts and Lamkin Crossline Black grips
Specs: Forged 1025 carbon steel with TPU insert, co-molded aluminum medallion and diamondized black metal finish
Available: Oct. 18, but available for pre-order NOW

Who it’s for: Low-handicap players who want soft feel with extra control and spin.

What you should know: A better-player’s cavity-back, the King Tour irons have a vibration-dampening insert hidden in the back to soften the feel, along with the compact size and classic look that accomplished golfers demand.

The deep dive: These irons are identical to the standard King Tour irons that were released in 2023 and that Rickie Fowler used to win the Rocket Mortgage Classic last season, except they have been given a black DBM (Diamondized Black Metal) finish. Cobra claims it is especially durable and does a good job of diffusing sunlight to reduce glare.

The King Tour Black irons are made using 1025 carbon steel that is forged five times to increase the precision of the process, make the faces completely flat and enhance feel.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra King Tour black irons” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/LXeD03″]

Cobra King Tour Black irons
There is a small TPU insert in the back of the King Tour Black irons (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The cavity-back shaping is created by computer-controlled milling. This allowed engineers to make subtle changes to the undercuts around the head, taking extra material out of the top of the long irons to lower the center of gravity.

Cobra designers added a thermoplastic polyurethane insert and an aluminum co-molded badge to the back of the King Tour heads to soak up excessive vibrations.

You can read the full review of the standard Cobra King Tour irons here.

Cobra King CB/MB Black irons
Cobra King CB/MB Black irons. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Gear: Cobra King Tour CB/MB Black irons
Price: $-Taper 120 Black steel shafts and Lamkin Crossline Black grips
Specs: Forged 1025 carbon steel with diamondized black metal finish
Available: Oct. 18, but available for pre-order now

Who it’s for: Elite ballstrikers who demand the ultimate in feel and control.

What you should know: This combo set for the game’s best players combines forged cavity-back long irons with muscleback blade scoring clubs and comes with a black finish that Cobra feels is more durable.

The deep dive: In early 2023, Cobra released the King CB and King MB irons for professionals, college players, and elite golfers with powerful, repeatable swings. If you are looking for forgiveness, go check out Cobra’s Dark Speed irons because neither the King CB nor the MB is designed to give you that. However, if you want feel and control, the King CB and MB are at the zenith of what Cobra can provide.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra King CB/MB irons” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/eKdRn6″]

Cobra King CB Black
The Cobra King CB Black irons (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Now, Cobra is offering the King CB and King MB Black Edition irons for low single-digit handicap golfers and tournament-level players who want something that delivers the highest levels of feel, control, and that look, well … kinda badass.

These clubs have the same diamondized black metal (DBM) finish that was given to the King Tour Black irons.

They King CB and MB Black irons are typically sold as a combo set comprised of cavity-back 4-, 5- and 6-irons that are blended with muscleback blades in the 7-iron through pitching wedge. While the CB long irons have slightly more perimeter weighting, all seven clubs have a thin topline, practically no offset, and a narrow sole. The King CB and MB Black irons feature the shortest blade length of any Cobra iron.

Cobra King MB Black
Cobra King MB Black irons. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

If you have a repeatable swing and can generate all the distance you need, the Cobra King Tour CB/MB Combo set can allow you to hit controlled draws and fades, knockdown shots, and more. At the same time, golfers will immediately know where on the face they hit the ball, thanks to the softness of the metal.

In addition to the standard blended set, the CB and MB models are each available as full sets in a 3-iron through gap wedge. The CB is available in both left- and right-handed versions, but the MB is only available as a complete set for right-handed players.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra King CB/MB black irons” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/eKdRn6″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra King Tour black irons” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/LXeD03″]

Best 2024 Presidents Cup apparel items from brands like B. Draddy, Peter Millar, FootJoy and more

Check out 10 brands who have recently released Presidents Cup gear, including t-shirts, hats, sweaters and more.

The 2024 Presidents Cup gets underway this week at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Canada, with Jim Furyk leading Team USA and Mike Weir leading the Internationals. If you’re a big fan of the biennial bash, you’re in luck. We’ve searched the internet for some of the best Presidents Cup apparel items.

From polos and crewnecks to hats and hoodies, we’ve included an item from every corner of the game.

Just some of the brands included below are Peter Millar, Malbon Golf, Johnnie-O and more.

If you’re interested in checking out the fall apparel lists we’ve released so far this year, find them here: Best golf joggers | Best long-sleeve polos | Best golf sweaters | Best golf quarter zips | Best fall golf apparel

[lawrence-related id=778297556,778505992,778450844,778501721,778502254]

B. Draddy

B. Draddy U.S. Team Russ Crewneck
B. Draddy U.S. Team Russ Crewneck (B. Draddy)

B. Draddy is the official apparel sponsor for the 2024 Presidents Cup in Canada, offering dozens of pieces for both Team USA and the International Team.

Item: U.S. Team Russ Crewneck

Price: $165

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop B. Draddy’s President Cup apparel” link=”https://imp.i141429.net/0ZED4N”]

FootJoy

FootJoy 2024 Presidents Cup Swing Hoodie
FootJoy 2024 Presidents Cup Swing Hoodie (FootJoy)

FootJoy’s Presidents Cup collection includes t-shirts, hoodies and a couple of must-see polos. The logo on this hoodie is too good; we had to feature it.

Item: Swing Hoodie

Price: $115

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop FootJoy’s Presidents Cup apparel” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/R5g3kv”]

Johnnie-O

Johnnie-O Sully 1/4 Zip
Johnnie-O Sully 1/4 Zip (Johnnie-O)

Johnnie-O’s Presidents Cup offerings include polos, quarter-zips and a hoodie. When it comes to quality, it’s tough to beat Johnnie-O.

Item: Sully 1/4 Zip

Price: $148

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Johnnie-O’s Presidents Cup apparel” link=”https://go.skimresources.com?id=77560X1658191&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnnie-o.com%2Fcollections%2F2024-presidents-cup”]

Malbon Golf

Malbon Golf Fleeced Collared Crewneck
Malbon Golf Fleeced Collared Crewneck (Malbon Golf)

Malbon Golf is offering several pieces including long-sleeve sweater polos, hats and other shirt options.

Item: Fleeced Collared Crewneck

Price: $168

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Malbon Golf’s Presidents Cup apparel” link=”https://go.skimresources.com?id=77560X1658191&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmalbon.com%2Fcollections%2Fpresidents-cup”]

Barstool Sports

Barstool Sports Roscoe Hat
Barstool Sports Roscoe Hat (PGA Tour Superstore)

Some of Barstool Sports’ Presidents Cup collection is available at PGA Tour Superstore.

Item: Roscoe Hat

Price: $42

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Barstool Sports’ Presidents Cup apparel” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/ba49EM”]

Presidents Cup apparel items available at Fanatics

Peter Millar Presidents Cup U.S. Team Verge Camo Raglan Performance Quarter-Zip
Peter Millar Presidents Cup U.S. Team Verge Camo Raglan Performance Quarter-Zip (Fanatics)

Item: Peter Millar – Presidents Cup U.S. Team Verge Camo Raglan Performance Quarter-Zip

Price: $169.99

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Peter Millar Presidents Cup U.S. Team Quarter-Zip” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/Vmz3Gj”]

tasc Presidents Cup  Performance Carrollton USA Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Tasc Presidents Cup  Performance Carrollton USA Long Sleeve T-Shirt (Fanatics)

Item: Tasc – Presidents Cup  Performance Carrollton USA Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Price: $69.99

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Presidents Cup Performance USA Long Sleeve” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/eKyP6Q”]

Imperial 2024 Presidents Cup Poutine Tri-Blend T-Shirt
Imperial 2024 Presidents Cup Poutine Tri-Blend T-Shirt (Fanatics)

Item: Imperial – 2024 Presidents Cup Poutine Tri-Blend T-Shirt

Price: $44.99

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop 2024 Presidents Cup Poutine T-Shirt” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/k0DGmV”]

Fairway & Greene Presidents Cup Quarter-Zip Pullover Jacket
Fairway & Greene Presidents Cup Quarter-Zip Pullover Jacket (Fanatics)

Item: Fairway & Greene – Presidents Cup Quarter-Zip Pullover Jacket

Price: $141.99

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop F&G Presidents Cup Quarter-Zip” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/9g4aXE”]

Cutter & Buck Presidents Cup Lift Performance Crewneck Pullover Sweatshirt
Cutter & Buck Presidents Cup Lift Performance Crewneck Pullover Sweatshirt (Fanatics)

Item: Cutter & Buck – Presidents Cup Lift Performance Crewneck Pullover Sweatshirt

Price: $44.99

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop C&B Presidents Cup Lift Performance Crewneck” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/xkVD7y”]

Shop all Presidents Cup items from Fanatics below

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Fanatics’ Presidents Cup collection” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/LXA3Q0″]

Scottie Scheffler’s switch to TaylorMade Spider L-Neck paid off

The world’s No. 1 won an Olympic golf medal, seven PGA Tour events and the FedEx Cup.

Every golfer has a breaking point, and Scottie Scheffler reached his after shooting 68-66-66-66 at the WM Phoenix and finishing tied for third. It was a solid result, but statistically, he was among the worst putters to make the cut. After the West Coast Swing, Scheffler was still the No. 1 player in the world, he had earned four top-10 finishes in five PGA Tour starts, but he had failed to win a tournament.

Before the start of the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, Scheffler, who had been using a heel-toe weighted blade putter, switched to a TaylorMade Spider Tour X with a unique L-shaped hosel. The rest of the PGA Tour now wishes he hadn’t because Scheffler won that week, and then won again the following week at the Players Championship. And again, a few weeks later, at the Masters.

TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck
The True Path alignment system makes aiming the Spider Tour X L-Neck easier. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The gunmetal-finished TaylorMade Spider putters have an aluminum wireframe body and TaylorMade’s True Path alignment system on the top, comprising a white area with a single black line extending from the topline and forks in the back. The white is designed to grab your eyes’ attention and make it easier to focus on your putt’s intended path. There is also a vibration-dampening system behind the leading edge in the sole.

Scheffler’s Spider Tour X L-Neck has a hosel that creates about 20 degrees of toe hang. It’s subtle, but for golfers like Scheffler, who make a slightly arced putting stroke, the balance is ideal.

Like other Spider Tour putters, it has a Pure Roll insert made with Surlyn that has a series of grooves that point down at a 45-degree angle. The grooves grab the back of the ball at impact and encourage a forward roll instead of skidding and bouncing.

Scheffler’s putter has 3 degrees of loft, a 72-degree lie angle and 35.5-inches long.

In July, after Scheffler won more events with his Spider Tour L-Neck, TaylorMade started selling it to the public.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Scottie Scheffler’s putter” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/KjrZmy”]

How is Scottie Scheffler’s TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck putter made?

This video created by TaylorMade shows the step-by-step process of creating Scottie Scheffler’s Spider Tour X L-Neck putter.

How much did Scottie Scheffler’s putting improve in 2024?

The best way to judge how well a PGA Tour player is putting is to look at his Strokes Gained: Putting average. This statistic, which can be measured within tournaments and over a season, reveals how much of an advantage or disadvantage a golfer is getting over the average player based exclusively on the quality of his putter, measured in fractions of a stroke.

The PGA Tour leader in Strokes Gained: Putting in 2024 was Justin Suh, with an average of 0.742. That means over the course of an 18-hole round, Suh’s putting earned a 0.742-shot edge on the field’s average score. On the flip side, Justin Thomas struggled on the greens last season and finished with an average of -0.499, which ranked 153rd and meant that Thomas was losing about a half-shot to the field average due to his poor putting.

Scottie Scheffler’s driving, iron player and short game are so good that he is almost always in contention at PGA Tour events. He still has an off-week on the greens from time to time, but as the chart below shows, his Strokes Gained: Putting average and his consistency improved after he put the TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck in his bag at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (The number in parenthesis is his finishing position at the tournament.)

How does Scottie Scheffler’s 2024 putting compare to previous seasons?

Scottie Scheffler has never been among the elite putters on the PGA Tour, and in 2022 he putted well, but his performance on the greens has never matched the quality of his driving, iron play or short game.

As the chart below shoes, Scottie Scheffler’s Strokes Gained: Putting average in 2023 was among the worst on the PGA Tour, but he rebounded in 2024 to finished ranked 69th after using his TaylorMade Spider Tour L-Neck for most of the season.

Scheffler was asked before the start of the Players Championship why he changed to a mallet putter, and this was his answer:

“So I had tried a Spider during the playoffs last year. It was a little bit of a different type of Spider than the one I used last week [the Spider X Tour L-Neck]. At times last year I struggled lining the ball up in the middle of the face, so I lined the ball up on the toe sometimes, and I struggled with a tiny bit of a heel strike, and that was just — you know, just became kind of my miss. Like, if I was fighting a duck hook off the tee, I was fighting a little bit of a heel miss with the putter. This Spider putter is really easy for me to line up. I don’t have to use the line on the ball. I line the putter up really well, and I line up in the middle of the face, and pretty much as simple as that. Kind of gives me just a really good visual.”

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Scottie Scheffler’s putter” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/KjrZmy”]

Callaway Apex Ai200, Ai300 irons

Callaway enhanced the feel and updated the look of its game-improvement Apex irons.

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/_zkMSJEBjsbPL24jtgI_/1723491186205_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLmFueWNsaXAuY29tL2FueWNsaXAtd2lkZ2V0L2xyZS13aWRnZXQvcHJvZC92MS9zcmMvbHJlLmpzIiBkYXRhLWFyPSIxNjo5IiBkYXRhLXBsaWQ9Imw1NWd3dGt0ampjdWUydHRtamlleW1ydW5qMmdvc2s3IiBwdWJuYW1lPSIxOTk4IiB3aWRnZXRuYW1lPSIwMDE2TTAwMDAyVTBCMWtRQUZfTTgzMjciPgo8L3NjcmlwdD4=”][/anyclip-media]

Gear: Callaway Apex Ai200, Ai300 irons
Price: $200 each with True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid steel shafts or UST Mamiya HDC Recoil Dart graphite shafts and Golf Pride Z grips
Specs: Forged 1020 stainless steel body with forged 455 stainless steel face, internal urethane microspheres, and adjustable back weight
Available: NOW

Who it’s for: Mid- and higher-handicap golfers who want more distance, feel, and consistency from shot to shot.

What you should know: Callaway enhanced the feel and updated the look of its game-improvement Apex irons, then used artificial intelligence to create iron faces that deliver more distance, along with spin and trajectory consistency.

The deep dive: When Callaway sold Ben Hogan Golf in 2012, it retained the naming rights to Apex, an iron family that had been synonymous with high performance, feel, and classic looks for well over a decade. The first Callaway Apex irons arrived in 2014 and were popular from the start. The standard Apex irons retained the classic looks while hiding game-improvement features, while Apex Pro and TCB irons blended feel, control, and consistency into clubs that could help amateur golfers win club championships and professionals like Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele win majors.

Yes, Callaway released an updated Apex Pro last year, along with the Apex CB and MB, but the standard Apex’s most recent update was in 2021. Now, however, Callaway has announced the release of the Apex Ai200 and Ai300, two new Apex irons that blend popular Callaway technologies and features with Apex heritage.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Callaway Apex Ai irons” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/jrEyvZ”]

Callaway Apex Ai200 irons
Callaway has reorganized the names of the new Apex irons to make it easier to understand how they relate to each other. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

First things first: the new names. To make understanding the Apex line easier, Callaway has switched to a number system. The larger the number, the bigger and more forgiving the irons will be. Smaller numbered clubs will focus more on feel, precision, and control. Callaway hopes that even before they hit the new Apex irons, golfers will be able to easily understand how each club relates to the others in the Apex family.

The Apex Ai200 (which replaces the Apex ’21) and Ai300 (which replaces the Apex DCB) now cosmetically match the most recent Apex Pro, CB, and MB irons, even though both are hollow-bodied irons designed for mid- and higher-handicap players.

Callaway Apex Ai300 iron
Callaway Apex Ai300 iron. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The Ai200 and Ai300 feature a forged 1020 carbon steel chassis that is attached to a thin, forged 455 Carpenter stainless steel cup face. Callaway injects urethane microspheres inside each Ai200 and Ai300 head to soak up excessive vibrations, enhance feel, and improve the sound created at impact.

While some of that may seem familiar, what is new is that the 455 Carpenter stainless steel cup face has been created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) in the same way Callaway used it to create the faces in the Ai Smoke drivers. Knowing they wanted to create more ball speed but maintain the spin rates and launch angle characteristics in the Apex irons, Callaway engineers programmed supercomputers to run thousands of simulations of impacts using different face patterns and designs. The result is a hitting area that should give golfers more distance, but also more consistency because the hitting area does not have hot spots or excessively rigid areas.

BUY: Callaway Apex Ai irons

Callaway Apex Ai200 irons
The faces of the Apex Ai200 and Ai300 irons were designed using artificial intelligence. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Callaway has added an adjustable weight plate to the back of the Apex Ai200 and Ai300. It is not meant for golfers to change, but it allows fitters to adjust the swing weight of the heads during fittings for extra customization.

The Ai200 has been designed for slightly more skilled golfers who tend to hit down on their iron shots and compress the ball. It has a thinner topline than the Ai300, along with slightly less offset and a narrower sole. The Ai200 should produce a lower initial launch angle and a touch more spin than the Ai300, but because it is larger, the Ai300 will offer more stability on mishits to go along with its higher ball flight.

Both the Ai200 and Ai300 have strong, modern lofts. The Ai200’s 5-iron has a loft of 23 degrees and a pitching wedge at 43 degrees. The Ai300’s 5-iron has 22 degrees of loft, and its pitching wedge is 42 degrees. Working with a custom fitter, golfers should easily be able to create blended sets of Ai300 long irons and Ai200 scoring clubs.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Callaway Apex Ai irons” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/jrEyvZ”]

Below are several close-up images of the Callaway Apex Ai200 and Apex Ai300 irons.

Callaway Apex Ti Fusion irons

Callaway Apex Ti Fusion irons blend a soft stainless steel body with a titanium face.

Gear: Callaway Apex Ti Fusion irons
Price: $300 each with True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Gunmetal steel shafts or Mitsubishi MMT graphite shafts and Golf Pride Z grips
Specs: Forged 1020 stainless steel body with brazed titanium face, internal urethane microspheres, adjustable back weight, and diamond-like coating
Available: NOW

Who it’s for:  Low- to mid-handicap golfers who want more distance, feel, and consistency.

What you should know: Callaway Apex Ti Fusion irons blend a soft stainless steel body with a titanium face designed using artificial intelligence and internal urethane material to create more ball speed, a softer feel, and more consistency.

The deep dive: “Ladies and gentlemen, have fun.” Something like that must have been said to the club designers and engineers at Callaway before they created the new Apex Ti Fusion irons.

While the new Apex Ai200 and Ai300 are game-improvement clubs for the masses, the materials and technologies packed into the Apex Ti Fusion enabled Callaway’s club makers to elevate their design approach for a slightly-better set of players.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Callaway Apex Ti Fusion irons” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/k0nMY0″]

Callaway Apex Ti Fusion
The Apex Ti Fusion has a titanium face attached to a stainless steel body. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The story with the Apex Ti Fusion irons is all about the hitting area. The forged stainless steel body is similar in design to the new Ai200, although it is slightly smaller. However, the cup face given to the Apex Ti Fusion irons is very different. While the new Ai200 and Ai300 have forged stainless steel faces, the Apex Ti Fusion irons feature titanium faces.

Callaway is not claiming that the Apex Ti Fusion irons are the first titanium irons in golf, but the Carlsbad, California-based company developed a new way to bond titanium to stainless steel, a process that typically is not possible. The new manufacturing process allows the thin, titanium cup face to flex more efficiently at the moment of impact for increased ball speed instead of being slowed by the stiffer stainless steel that holds it.

To maximize the titanium face’s performance, Callaway designers used artificial intelligence to simulate and test different face patterns and designs, then determined which would produce the best performance for each club in the set. As a result, the long iron faces were optimized to enhance distance and forgiveness on mishits, while the short irons and scoring clubs feature more spin consistency for better distance control and accuracy.

BUY: Callaway Apex Ti Fusion irons

Callaway Apex Ti Fusion
The Apex Ti Fusion has a narrow topline and not much offset, so it should appeal to accomplished golfers. (David Dusek/Golfwek)

Historically, titanium-faced irons have been made for mid- and higher-handicap golfers who want more ball speed and distance, and the addition of a titanium hitting area certainly helps to do that in the Apex Ti Fusion, though the Apex Ti Fusion is geared toward a different audience. As the numbers in Callaway’s new nomenclature get larger, irons get bigger and more forgiving. For instance, the Ai300 is bigger and more stable than the Ai200, but the Ai200 has less offset, a smaller blade length, and aims to appeal to better golfers. The Apex Ti Fusion can be thought of as a 150, slightly smaller than the Ai200, and its dark finish makes it appear even slimmer. Golfers can expect the Apex Ti Fusion irons to perform more like the updated Apex Pro released last year. Still, thanks to the titanium face, the irons should provide more distance and better performance on mishits.

The Apex Ti Fusion irons’ lofts are modern, with a 5-iron at 23.5 degrees and a pitching wedge at 43 degrees. An attack wedge is available that comes standard at 38 degrees.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Callaway Apex Ti Fusion irons” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/k0nMY0″]

Below are several close-up images of the new Callaway Apex Ti Fusion iron

Ping releases PLD Milled SE DS72 Hovland Edition putter

You can now own an exact replica of the putter used by the Norwegian star who won the 2023 FedEx Cup.

Norway’s Viktor Hovland arrived on the PGA Tour in 2019 having won the 2018 U.S. Amateur, been a star at Oklahoma State and been the low amateur in both the 2019 Masters and U.S. Open. With Hovland, accuracy off the tee and high-quality iron play was never an issue. But in his first season on the PGA Tour, he finished 115th in Strokes Gained: Putting (-0.048), and that won’t do.

Fast forward to this season and Hovland ranks 43rd in Strokes Gained: Putting. He has won six PGA Tour events, including the 2023 FedEx Cup, been a member of a winning European Ryder Cup team and won nearly $30 million in prize money. One of the clubs that helped him achieve that success has been his Ping PDL Milled DS72 putter.

Ping is now making a replica of Hovland’s exact putter available to the public in the same specs Hovland plays. The limited-edition PLD Milled SE DS72 Hovland Edition mid-mallet putter is milled from 1018 carbon steel and has a copper-toned patina finish. It comes standard with a head weight of 360 grams and has a single line on the thin topline to help with aiming the face. As with Hovland’s putter, it has 3 degrees of loft and is 35 includes in length.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop PING Hovland Edition putter” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/nLGGjo”]

Ping PLD Milled SE Hovland Edition
The Ping PLD Milled SE Hovland Edition is milled from 108 carbon steel and has a patina finish. (Ping)

While many milled putters have faces that feature circular milling marks, the hitting area of the PLD Milled SE DS72 Hovland Edition putter is smooth and delivers a firmer feel at impact. With a double-bend shaft, the putter is face-balanced and ideally suited for players who make a straight-back-straight-through stroke.

The PLD Milled SE DS72 Hovland Edition putter is available at authorized Ping retailers for $485.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop PING Hovland Edition putter” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/nLGGjo”]

Best golf rain gear to get you through heavy stuff

Don’t let a little rain disrupt the best round of your life!

After an extremely windy first two days of the Open Championship, Scotland has added a new element to the equation.

No matter how much you enjoy watching the professionals battle the rain from your comfortable couch, being on the course is a different story.

Some people shrink away from a little rain, but we don’t think the heavy stuff is gonna come down for quite a while. If you’re reading this, you’re not one to call off a tee time just because there’s a small chance of rain or a litttle nip in the air.

Here at Golfweek, we’ll weather the weather whatever the weather, and keep you as dry as possible on the courseCheck out our list of best rain gear below and our list of best golf rain jackets as well.

Best golf rain gear 2024:

2024 Callaway Golf Balls: Which is right for your game and budget?

Find out which Callaway golf ball could help your golf game.

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/umyl0YwBi48x4ItYgVxQ/1704324601728_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”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”][/anyclip-media]

Jason Finley is Callaway’s global director of brand and product management for golf balls, but even with that lofty title and decades of experience in the golf industry, he has no idea which ball you should play. However, when Finley talks with recreational golfers, which he does often, there are two things he hates to hear, and they might surprise you.

“The worst thing I can hear when I ask someone what golf ball they play is, ‘Oh, whatever I find,'” Finley said recently. “I don’t even care if it’s a Callaway ball or not, the best thing you can do for your game is to find a ball and play it every time.”

The other thing that drives Finley crazy is when golfers don’t pay attention to the ball being used during their club fitting. Even for tour pros, different balls react in different ways, even when you hit them using the same clubs.

“If I go in and you fit me for irons at some place today, and you fit me using a SuperSoft golf ball, and I walk in tomorrow, and you fit me with a Chrome Soft X golf ball, if you fit me into the same golf clubs, you’re a horrible fitter,” Finley said.

His advice is the get fit using the ball you play and do your best to practice with the same ball you play. Pros like Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm and Rose Zhang certainly do.

But what ball should you play? With pro shops and specialty stores loaded with different types of golf balls, how are you supposed to find the ball that can deliver the best performance for your game? In this article, we will take a deep dive into the Callaway offerings, including the new offerings for 2024, and explain what makes every ball a little different and help you better understand Callaway’s golf ball stable.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Callaway golf balls at PGA TOUR Superstore” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/5goax2″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Callaway golf balls at Worldwide Golf” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/5g4m7o”]

TaylorMade drops 2024 U.S. Open themed bags, head covers and golf balls

Check out Pinehurst-themed bags, balls and head covers.

As it did before the start of the Masters and PGA Championship, TaylorMade has released a limited-edition series of golf balls, headcovers and bags that have a U.S. Open theme on the eve of competition at Pinehurst No. 2.

The Staff Bag ($599.99) has several symbols on it, including the number 1895 on the handle, which is an homage to the year Pinehurst opened,. The anchor above the valuables pocket calls out Pinehurst as the first USGA Anchor Site, and Adirondack chairs adorning the golf ball pocket. Chairs like these are scattered throughout the grounds of the Pinehurst resort and enjoyed by guests. The address for Pinehurst No. 2 (120 Midland Road) has even been added to the base.

The collection also includes a short-course carry bag ($249.99), as well as head covers for drivers ($79.99), fairway woods ($69.99), rescue clubs ($69.99) and putters (79.99)

Commemorative TP5 and TP5x balls adorned with Adirondack chairs are also available for $59.99.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop TM U.S. Open Staff Bag” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/daYBLQ”]