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 Each trend impacts recreational golfers. Whether it’s high-tech lessons, new shafts, using a rangefinder or innovative clothing and accessories, the way you play and look this year could be impacted or influenced by the following areas. Rangefinders Portable rangefinders have been transformed from expensive novelties to must-have distance aids since golf’s governing bodies in the U.S. and Europe ruled that the devices can be used in competition and for handicap scoring beginning this year. While the devices still can’t be used at major professional tournaments or at USGA qualifying and championship events, every club and tournament in the country can decide for itself whether to allow them. The news has already spiked sales of rangefinders at the Roger Dunn Superstore in Santa Ana. “I’d say we’ve doubled sales of these products from last year at this time,” said general manager Steve Carfano. “As word gets out about this decision, I don’t think sales will be slowing down.” Carfano said the simplicity and accuracy of rangefinders make them a valuable tool for golfers who want to play better. “Instead of looking all over for a sprinkler in order to tell you how many yards you are from a hole, you just take this out of your pocket, point it at the flagstick and you know within a few inches,” he said. There are several types of rangefinders on the market, some of which can only be used on courses with special reflectors on flagsticks, while others can be used on any course in the world. Roger Dunn offers two brands: Sky Caddy and Bushnell. The Sky Caddy is a GPS system that sells for around $330. After purchase, the owner must visit the company’s web site and subscribe to one of five levels that allows them to download map data on select courses. A $20 subscription allows users to download up to 10 courses; the $29 level includes every mapped course in California; and a $49 subscription includes every course in the country. Bushnell’s rangefinders emit a laser to measure distances from rocks, trees, bunkers or flagsticks. The Bushnell PinSeeker 1500 also includes an inclinometer, which calculates yardage based on elevation changes. The waterproof device, which retails for $449, weighs less than a pound and can measure up to 1,600 yards. Shafts The focus on golf clubs this year will move away from bigger clubheads to the importance of finding the proper shaft for your swing and playing ability. “They’re using better resins, there is better design in energy transfer and the materials are a lot better,” said Jeff Sy, growth manager and repair technician at Power Golf in Rowland Heights. Matrix Shafts, based in Brea, has produced a shaft that embodies the new generation. The Ozik is a high-performance shaft that allows for an “extraordinarily stable impact for maximum energy but also allows for a lot of kick for increased distance,” said J.C. Beeson, the company’s vice president of corporate communication. “Usually people go in one or the other direction — a shaft that is loose with kick or firm with no kick. Our shafts are the first where you don’t sacrifice feel or performance.” The company’s TP7 shaft is designed for professional golfers and priced accordingly: $1,200. But the company’s $400 version is in line with other high-quality shafts. Elsewhere, nano technology is the buzzword, and industry heavyweight Accuflex unveiled its first nanoshaft, the Evolution, last year. Nano technology was created for aerospace and military uses, but the golf industry is using it to make shafts lighter with increased fiber density. Long story short: higher energy transfer and lighter weight means increased distance. Another very innovative shaft is Fujikura’s Rombax, which TaylorMade is using in its 2006 drivers. “It’s a hell of an innovation,” Sy said, calling it as one of the best shafts on the market. The technology has led some golfers to get new shafts for their current clubs. “There’s absolutely been a big increase in people re-shafting their clubs,” Sy said. “The golf consumer is very, very educated about these innovations, far more knowledgeable then they were even a year ago. Sometimes they come in and tell us things we don’t even know.” The bad news for consumers, however, is that the shortage of steel, graphite and rubber that has plagued the industry for more than a year likely will continue. “The war has made the materials harder to find and that’s driving up prices throughout the industry,” Sy said. “The cost of shafts nearly doubled last year and I think they’ll continue to increase 10 to 20 percent in 2006.” Apparel Golf apparel fabrics are getting lighter and brighter, and with a return to classic favorites such as cashmere, they’re also getting softer. Spring 2006 golf fashions will be a healthy mix of performance fabrics with a tailored fit. Shirts will keep you dryer with moisture-wicking cotton blends. Pants will have a more relaxed fit with breathable, waterproof fabrics. And jackets will be lightweight and flexible, ensuring comfortable play in all weather conditions. “The buzz continues to be performance fabrics,” said Mary Beth Lacy, who represents Fairway & Greene. “We have had one of the best performance fabrics in the line since its inception, oxford mesh — a unique knit that allows for natural wicking instead of man-made synthetic that retains odors after multiple wearings.” When it comes to men’s fashions, debut lines will include cable knit and cashmere sweaters and dressier shorts. Fairway & Greene will offer a plain-front short in a silk-linen blend with a slimmer look. Also new is a pima cotton vest that combines an argyle pattern and corduroy stitch. We’ll also see more cashmere sweaters on the course. “There’s a real return to traditional fit and style,” said Jennifer Berlet, U.S. product manager for Adidas Golf. “In May we’re introducing a premium feel with our new exclusive men’s line, the Claret Jug collection, which features cashmere sweaters and vests.” Stripes will remain hot, and many lines this spring will feature cable knit sweaters. Ashworth, for example, has introduced the Classic Cable and Rib Sweater Vest in navy, light blue and green. Apparel companies such as Oakley are appealing to the younger golfer with their first Zip Tye shoe that features lightweight midsoles and silver cleats for a stable stance. For women, its longer shorts, plenty of purple and cashmere sweaters. Lija by Linda Hipp, as well as Callaway and Ashworth, will return this season with a wider spectrum of jewel tones. “The corals and purples we saw last summer will continue,” Hipp said. “We will see greater variations of purple — from soft lilac to deep purple.” Adidas Golf has also added a cashmere V-neck sweater and full-zip mock sweater to its Women’s Club Line. Women’s knee shorts will feature wider legs and are longer, making their way 3 to 4 inches below the knee. While skorts have become a staple in most women’s lines, the grace and sophistication of A-line skirts will define a well-fitted golfer. “Women’s fashions are simpler this year,” Hipp said. “Where we were seeing a lot of appliqués and bold prints, this year’s fashions have more plain colors.” Natural fibers also will dominate most of the spring lines. “We introduced bamboo and soy fibers into our spring line, including our argyle cardigan that is a bamboo-rayon blend,” Hipp said. “The fabric feels heavy but is cool to the touch and has a slight sheen similar to heavy silk.” |
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