November-December 2010

NOW PLAYING: DRIVERS

PING's new K15 driver ($299) has a 460cc clubhead and a clubface that's longer from heel to toe. The company's Straight Flight Technology weighting moves 10% of head mass toward the heel, a move that helps square the clubface for consistently straight tee shots. Comes in three lofts, 9.5_¡, 10.5_¡, 12.0_¡. pinggolf.com

Titleist's new, adjustable 910 drivers feature a dual-angle hosel that enables golfers to set 16 different loft and lie combinations to better optimize their ballflight. Also new for 2011 is a fast face design with a larger maximum ball speed area and improved launch and spin face map gradient. Comes in one of three stock shafts (Diamana, Aldila and Project X) and an additional 83 custom shaft offerings. D2 and D3 (shown) models available. Look for 910 fairway metals and hybrids early next February. titleist.com

The detachable face Alpha 610 ($395) from DnA Golf features an elastomeric face insert that allows golfers to tune their driver for optimal distance and desired acoustic levels. Each DnA driver also includes a custom logo of your choice integrated into the club's crown. dnagolf.com

Cleveland's new Launcher Ultralite series ($299) features three different models in three different weights. The Tour Trajectory "TL 310," the lighter, faster "SL 290" and the lightest, fastest model, the "XL 270", which may be the lightest driver ever. Each comes in three loft options and fitted with a Miyazaki C. Kua Series shaft. The XL 270 comes in a draw model also. Available in RH and LH. clevelandgolf.com

The fourth generation in Adams Speedline series, the 9064LS ($379), is an aerodynamically shaped driver that cuts through the air and generates a faster swing speed. That equals bigger drives (Adams claims 15 yards more). That's why so many guys on the Long Drive circuit swing it. Features a massive face for big-time forgiveness. Available in 8.5_¡, 9.5_¡ and 10.5_¡ models. adamsgolf.com

TITLEIST DnAGOLF CLEVELAND ADAMS

The premium Dixon Fire golf ball ($75/dozen) boasts a recyclable cast urethane cover and, what the company calls an "energy-intensifying mantle" and a "high-intensity green core with ignite technology." What's that mean? Well, when we tested them, it meant long, incredibly soft golf balls that perform exactly how you expect them to. dixongolf.com

TaylorMade's Burner 2.0 irons ($699-899) feature a glare-resistant "Burner Black" PVD finish, and have been enhanced from last year's models to boost distance, uniform distance gaps and yield a more satisfying feel and sound. They feature varying weight distribution, different face thicknesses and toplines that get progressively thinner as the clubs shorten. What's really nice is that they're still as long and forgiving as last year's model. taylormadegolf.com

Want to play the world's best golf courses but don't want to pay or travel? Consider Dancin' Dogg Golf's OptiShot Infrared Golf Simulator ($399). The plug-and-play in-home game connects with Windows computers. Up to four players per round can compete by hitting real balls, foam balls or no ball at all. What we think you'll like the most though, is that you can accurately record your clubhead speed, face angle, swing path, distance, tempo, face contact and ballflight, too. dancindogg.com

Mizuno's two new "player's" irons, the MP-53 and MP-63 irons ($899-$999) both feature Diamond Muscle technology for better feel, workability and control. How do they differ? The MP-53 has a thicker topline and is a bit more forgiving, plus weight is redistributed around the cavity to achieve the largest sweet spot ever in an MP iron. The MP-63 retains the iconic head profile. Both were designed with the assistance of Mizuno's Modal Analysis and Harmonic Impact Technology, which tunes the sound of impact to deliver the ultimate in feel. (mizunousa.com) Want to get fit for your perfect set? Visit mizunomatch.com.

Oban's new Kiyoshi shaft ($350) is the latest addition to the company's high-performance line. Utilizing Oban's Emersion Wrapped Frequency Technology, the Kiyoshi is just the shaft you need to produce high launch/low spin for longer distance and tighter dispersion. obanshafts.com

Used by Paula Creamer to win the U.S. Women's Open, TaylorMade's new Rossa Daytona Ghost ($129) features the same white color as its mallet predecessor. Looks good and feels soft too as a result of its polymer-filled grooves in the face. taylormadegolf.com

The highly affordable Backdraft GT+ putter ($49) from Tour Edge has a high-contrast white head and jumbo-size grip, two technologies never before combined in putter design. Why white? Its high level of contrast helps you focus on the putter's leading edge and alignment aids, giving you the best possible visual presentation for accurate aim. Blade and two mallet styles available. touredge.com

Some Tour pros recently asked for lighter shafts, Miyazaki responded with their new C. Kua series shafts ($129-$249). (Boo Weekley, among others, has put the 39 series in play, making it the lightest shaft ever played on Tour.) They come in three distinct driver and fairway wood flexes and two hybrid families. Look for a premium golf finish on the driver and fairway wood shafts and dark gray hybrids. miyazakigolfshafts.com

BAG IT!

The Eazy Bag ($159) eliminates the need to lift your clubs up and over the edge of the bag, greatly reducing the strain on your shoulders and back. The unique Club Lock System keeps your clubs secure, organized and protected. Comes with wheels on its base. ltgolf.com

Datrek's lightweight Sabre ($149) stand bag includes a 10-inch top with eight individual full-length dividers, nine pockets, a scorecard holder sleeve and an easily accessible insulated water-bottle holder and ball pocket. Designed with a rubberized lift assist handle, a stylized hip pad and an ergonomic molded carry handle. Offered in a variety of color combinations. datrek.com

Bag Boy's Revolver Plus Cart Bag ($179) features a 360_¡ revolving-top design for easy access to your clubs. Plus the company's innovative Clip-Lok technology keeps clubs and shafts from banging together. Includes 11 compartments including a large cooler pocket and a fleece-lined valuables pocket. Also from Bag Boy is the affordable T-700 ($79) golf travel cover, which fits up to a 10-inch cart bag. Comes in three color combos. bagboycompany.com

TRAINING AIDS

Used by numerous PGA Tour pros, including major champions Padraig Harrington and Stewart Cink, SKLZ' new easy-to-use Practice Pod Pro ($19.95) is designed to help golfers find the correct body position and direction of the golf swing. Features a three-rod alignment system to help golfers set up squarely, as well as hit draws and fades, and a shoulder-alignment mirror to help self-monitor proper positioning. SKLZ.com

The Floppy Indoor Golf Ball ($19) is made of a proprietary fill core, surrounded by a rubber shell and a hand-knit cover. It spins like a real golf ball with true feel and feedback. Safe to use and practice anywhere. Go on, just try to break a window! thefloppy.com

Tom Watson's first ever instructional DVD, Tom Watson: Lessons of a Lifetime ($49.95), features three hours of content and represents the culmination of his more than 50 years in the game. The eight-time major championship winner shares lessons that he learned as a boy as well as those he gleaned from Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Sam Snead. The two-DVD set is available at tomwatsondvd.com, retail stores and pro shops or by calling (800) 993-5589.

Wear marks prematurely destroying your golf glove? The Grip Solid ($19.95) seeks to remedy that and other grip issues you might have. The thin, flexible rubber strap fits over your golf glove and ensures that you'll hold the club in the proper position every time. Right-hand only. gripsolid.com

Can't find the perfect tee height on the course? Try the TwistTee ($5.99/3-pack). The adjustable golf tee comes in two sizes (27/8-35/8 inches and 21__ã4-25__ã8 inches) and makes it easy to adjust tee height for any driver face. twistteegolf.com

APPAREL

As seen on Christina Kim and Carin Koch, Druh's handmade leather and snakeskin belts ($100-$200) range in color from turquoise to pink and 15 different leathers from crocodile to ostrich. Buckles come in brushed nickel, polished silver or gold. druhbeltsandbuckles.com

The Olie Superlite Pullover ($100) from Sunice is the perfect choice when you need an extra layer without extra bulk or weight. The superlightweight __ zip pullover offers a poly/spandex blend that provides full freedom of movement. Available in Black/Shadow, Pure White/Royal, Midnight/Shadow and Charcoal/Lime. sunice.com

Etonic's new, ultralightweight Stabilizer golf shoe ($150) is lined with "Outlast," a NASA-engineered material that reduces heat and moisture inside the shoe by more than 40 percent. The upper is made from a microfiber material that reduces weight by 20 percent while providing a soft and supportive fit that doesn't lose its shape. etonic.com.

Drymax Golf claims the fiber technology that's woven into all the company's sports socks ($8-$10) keeps your feet up to 25 times drier than socks made with wicking fibers. "They dry at the speed of sweat," says Drymax's founder. Sounds good to us! Available in white and black. drymaxsports.com

Inspired by the current barefoot running trend, the designers of TRUE linkswear's TRUE tour shoes ($159) believe Mother Nature is the best engineer. Their shoes feature a wide toe box and a TPU sole that's just 2.5mm thick! Worn by PGA Tour pro and the company's cofounder, Ryan Moore, these golf shoes weigh a mere 11 ounces. truelinkswear.com

Fairway & Greene introduces four fashion collections for 2011, including the Cape Cod Collection ($60-$90), which takes classic colors and infuses them with a modern freshness, and the Sanibel Collection ($60-$105), which draws inspiration from the surf and beautiful shades of blue and green, plus classic navy and white. fairwayandgreene.com fairwayandgreene.com

EYE WEAR

Pilla Performance ($449 for two pair) claims that its bulletproof (yes, bulletproof) "Ballistx" lens material is the clearest sports lens on the market. Its light-management system lightens up the putting surface so the user can see and perform with greater accuracy than ever before. Comes in two golf models. (Liberty, shown). pillasport.com

Switch Vision sunglasses ($169-$249) feature a magnetic, interchangeable lens system, so you have great clarity no matter what the weather. Incredibly comfortable, too. switchvision.com

Need protection from the sun but don't want to spend a fortune? Consider the Maxx sunglasses ($20). That's right, twenty bills. Choose from 23 different models in their golf collection. (GT shown). maxxsunglasses.com