Golf World Monday - January 31, 2011

�debuts titleist unveiled its new line of pro V1 and V1x balls last week. both are designed to deliver higher trajecto-ries and, thanks to less spin, improved performance into the wind for both driver and iron shots. the upgraded V1 boasts a more consistent core and a 352-dimple cover (five different sizes of dimples). the re-engineered V1x, which farmers insurance open winner bubba watson played, also has a new dimple pattern (332 dimples, seven sizes).

�changes phil mickelson made some changes for his 2011 pga tour debut at the farmers insurance open. lefty switched to callaway’s tour is ball, as well as the company’s new razr hawk tour driver ( 9. 5 degrees). … recent bridgestone signee davis love iii had three taylormade white woods in his bag at torrey pines, including an 8-degree r11 driver. … nick watney (pro V1x) was among 43 players using titleist’s new pro V1 or pro V1x at the farmers.

�slot shot one of the more intriguing products at the pga merchandise show last week in orlando was adams golf’s f11 fairway woods. the f11 features a “Velocity slot” on the club’s crown and sole that increases ball velocity on on-and off-center hits. aaron baddeley, ryan moore and tom watson are among the pros that have put the fairway wood in their bag. the f11 is offered in stainless steel ($199) and titanium ($299) models.

�gamechanger trying to pinpoint a piece of equipment responsible for bubba watson’s win at the farmers insurance open isn’t easy. his ping redwood anser putter holed several clutch putts, while his ping s59 irons led the field in greens in regulation. but with watson, it always comes back to the driver, and his 7.5-degree ping g15 (at just

44½ inches) is what helped set up many of those iron shots. watson led the field in distance for the week at 316.6 yards per drive.

�seen at the show bobby grace has had flashes of success in the putter business with several notable designs. at this past week’s orlando trade show grace unveiled his latest creation: the amg series (four mallets, four blades) that feature a radial face designed to have the putter strike the ball above the equator to promote forward roll. the face insert also has polymer grooves designed for added grip.

equipment// e. michael Johnson
phil’s changes, bubba’s sticks and some ‘show’ buzz

farmers insurance open// winner’s bag

�in the bag (Bubba Watson’s lineup) ball: Titleist Pro V1x Driver: Ping G15 (Grafalloy BiMatrx prototype), 7. 5 degrees 4-wooD: Ping G15, 17 degrees irons (3-Pw): Ping S59 weDges: Ping Tour-W (52, 56, 60 degrees) Putter: Ping Redwood Anser