August 2012

PUTTERS

NIKE Featuring Nike's polymetal groove technology and a dark chrome finish, the Method Midnight putters ($270) are offered in three models (006, 007 and 008). With grooves that generate a forward roll almost immediately after impact, the putter helps minimize bounce and keep putts on line. Look for the 006 in a left-handed model. nikegolf.com

NEVER COMPROMISE _È_The designers at Never Compromise understand how important good putting is. That's why they've named their new lineup "Sub 30," ($140/each) to reflect the goal of finishing a round with fewer than 30 putts. With five models available, the Sub 30 lineup offers a flatstick for everyone. The arsenal's key component is a copper-infused aluminum and polymer face insert that offers a soft, responsive feel. The insert is also one of the tallest of any putter, making mis-hits that much more forgivable. nevercompromise.com

STX _È_The XForm ($249), a striking new lineup from STX, features two models that are 100% machine milled from 303 stainless steel. It's the perfect flatstick for golfers who love elegant, superbly crafted clubs. Two models are available with either a stainless-steel face or thermoset insert. Look for a mallet version called XForm3. Both blade models weigh 350 grams, while the mallet tips the scales at 355 grams. stxgolf.com

SORENSON GOLF Shaped like a driver and painted with an arctic-white finish, the SG Putterwood putters ($140) boast a hollow-core design that transfers energy from the clubhead to the ball and helps optimize roll. There are four standard models (3-wood, Hybrid, Hybrid-Blade and Blade), which are available in lengths from 32 to 36 inches in 1__ã2-inch increments. Look for a belly version, too. sorensongolf.com

HENRI-GRIFFITTS Want to shape hybrid shots like your irons? Henry-Griffitts' new PRAXIS HY hybrid ($235) may be the stick for you. With a face angle that can be altered from 3_¡ open to 3_¡ closed, and a lie angle from 3_¡ flat to 3_¡ upright, the PRAXIS is a ballflight tinkerer's dream. According to Henry Griffitts' president Randall Henry, "It is uniquely designed to be adjustable for weight, face angle and lie angle so it will match exactly with the player's fit." Comes in four right-handed lofts (19_¡, 22_¡, 25_¡ and 28_¡) and three left-handed lofts (19_¡, 22_¡ and 25_¡). usa.henry-griffitts.com

MATRIX SHAFTS _È_The Matrix Ozik M3 shafts ($320) are for fast-swinging better players who like additional stability in the tip section. If you like a flat ballflight, it's definitely your shaft. Comes in three models (6M3, 7M3 and 8M3) in both S and X flexes; and four weights (64, 70, 73 and 81 grams). Look for a high bend point and stiff tip. matrixshafts.com

POWERLAG PRO Being a consistent golfer is one of the game's biggest challenges. That's what inventor Sam Shah addresses in his new product, the PowerLag + FlatWrist Pro. The easy-to-use training aid makes better contact and longer shots its priority. Simply secure it around your dominant wrist, so it points slightly to the left of your index finger. As you make a swing, it makes it easier to create lag for power and a flat wrist through impact. What's best is it only costs $39.99 and comes with a bonus instructional DVD. powerlagpro.com

INFINTY Infiniti's new TS 12 irons ($1,200, 3-PW RH only) are the perfect set of sticks for low-handicap golfers. The 3-7 irons were built with a forgiving cavity-back and greater mass behind the hitting area to ensure solid contact on mis-hits. The 8-W blades have practically no offset. All irons have been double forged with soft steel and finished with a slick, nonglare matte nickel plating. infinitigolf.com

CALLAWAY Ever feel like you're not getting an accurate view on GPS units? Then you might want to consider Callaway's new uPro MX ($249). In ProMode, golfers can see actual aerial imagery and video flyovers of each hole. The compact, three-ounce device has a 2.2-inch full-color touch screen, and in addition to all the usual GPS features, the uPro MX features AnyPoint technology so you know exactly how far you have left to the pin. Now that's the kind of course management we like! callawaygolf.com

POWER PLAY We think these are some of the best-looking irons this year, and they just so happen to perform beautifully, as well. The Caiman X2 Tour Irons ($33/head) feature a copper-toned PVD finish, a muscle-back design and a top-line profile that better players will love. In our trial, shotshaping was a breeze and although not forged, they sure feel like it. We also dig the near endless options of custom grips and shafts to choose from at Hireko Golf. hirekogolf.com

ACCESSORIES

SENSOGLOVE Featuring a longer battery life and increased sensitivity for a more accurate pressure read, the upgraded SensoGlove ($89/$22 for a replacement glove) has a built-in digital monitor that analyzes your grip pressure during the swing. That way you'll know immediately if your grip pressure is too firm or light. And as a result, make better, more fluid swings. sensoglove.com

AQUA GRIP The AquaGrip ($25) from Bionic boasts a patented pad technology and suede microfiber for a more secure grip during wet playing conditions. Maximum breathability is offered via 15 Lycra vents that are strategically placed throughout the glove and provide flexibility and cross ventilation to keep your hand comfortable. bionicgloves.com

EQ GLOVE Made from top-of-the-line cabretta leather, the EQ Glove ($40) features antimicrobial Lycra, which helps enhance the fit and reduce heat and moisture. It comes with a distinct holo-graphic ball marker, three sizes and two colors. EQ claims it lasts twice as long as the average cabretta glove. eq-love.com

SHARPRO GRIP Sharpro's 3CAT grip ($4.99 cord, $3.99 noncord) provides the security of a velvet cord and the soft, tacky feel of a wrap. The addition of anti-torsion bars, made from higher-density rubber, positioned at the top half of the grip to work in conjunction with the soft cord, creates unrivaled control and security for the golfer. sharprogrip.com

MACRO GOLF The uniquely shaped Macro ($25) putter grip from Macro Golf has a reducing oval shape that tapers on the target side, and can put an end to any and all of your putting woes. It's the perfect addition for golfers who want to make a change in not only their putter grips, but also their philosophy in their putting routine. Comes in three sizes: small, medium and large. macrogolf.com

TOUR STRIKER Want to know if your hands are working the way they should in the swing? The Educator ($30) from Tour Striker teaches you how to do that. Simply insert the Educator into the hole in your grip, and the indicator arm will help convey, in a number of different ways, how you're swinging the club. Among the Educator's benefits are a better transmission of power, clubface control, better shot shapes and even smoother putting. Each Educator comes with an instructional DVD. tourstriker.com

TRION:Z The popular Color Palette ($49) from Trion:Z features the same magnet technology found in other Trion:Z products, only this time is an ultrasleek, titanium band design. Available in many colors, the Color Palette uses special axially magnetized magnets to help neutralize harmful positive ions in the body and whizzing through the air. This means you can maintain focus, energy and balance. Hey, top players like Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler wear this stuff, claiming it helps their games. Why not give it a shot? At just 4 grams, you barely know it's there. trionz.com

INSIGHT Weighing just 15 grams and clamping on a club's shaft just below the grip, the iTrainerMini ($199) measures and analyzes swing characteristics no matter what club a golfer is swinging. By utilizing accelerometers and gyroscopes, it gives an accurate reading of how and where the club is moving. What's coolest though is that it sends all the data via Bluetooth to an app that runs on any Android device. Analyzing your swing has never been easier. insight-sports.com

MVP SPORT Looking to improve all aspects of your putting? The Straight Trax ($30) addresses stroke path, stroke length, eye alignment, club alignment and many more factors. Designed to be used from 10 to 12 feet, it's small enough to fit in your bag and can be used both indoors and out. Includes five 30-inch alignment rods, two clear polycarbonate guides and two adjustable rubber sliders. gomvpsport.com

SUNICE With five new collections to choose from, Sunice has all the bases covered for their 2012 outerwear collection. The men's palette brightens up with blues and orange, while there's some red, white and blue in the ladies' collection, as the company is the official supplier of the 2013 Solheim Cup team. We're showing three collections here, the full-stretch, waterproof Typhoon, the lightweight, fashion-driven Pro Sport and the Hurricane which features GORE-TEX shells, For more information on all the company's new offerings, visit sunice.com.