In the News

[Jeffrey Reed]

Wilson Golf Reed On The Greens, by Jeffrey Reed
December 14, 2009
Copyright 2009 London Ontario Golf

London Ontario Golf’s 5th Annual Golf Gear Awards

It’s time again, boys and girls, for London Ontario Golf’s annual Golf Gear Awards – our fifth annual list of the top equipment, apparel and accessories reviewed throughout the calendar year.

With innovation and technology reaching greater heights than ever before, this year’s list of the top golf gear – as reviewed by the editors of London Ontario Golf – is the best ever. In fact, we take great pride in our golf reviews, which rival any others. Our readers think so, too: our reviews section is the most visited portion of our website.

Without further adieu, here are this year’s winners. And thank you again for your support in 2009. Reed On The Greens will return in early-January 2010.

Best New Driver
Wilson Staff Smooth Driver

Wilson Staff’s Smooth driver features smooth, rounded edges rather than sharp geometrical lines, hence its name. In fact, it borrows its shape, name and aesthetics from aerodynamic automobiles possessing the same smooth characteristics. And baby, can this driver drive the pill. A 460cc driver, the Smooth has a large, smooth sole and a lower, elongated face for easy launch and workability. Read our review here
http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-wilson_staff_09.htm .

Best New Fairway Wood
Tour Edge Exotics XCG-V Tour Spec Fairway Wood

The Tour Edge Exotics XCG-V Tour Spec 3-wood is one of the best fairway metals I have tested over the past five years. No surprise, the Exotics line is a multiple award winner. I was pleasantly surprised by the length, accuracy and ball flight of this club – one of the best to cross our desk. Read our review here http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-tour_edge_exotics.htm .

Best New Hybrid
Adams Golf Idea Tech a4 Hybrid

Adams Golf has rightly earned the title of hybrid king on the PGA, LPGA and Champions tours. Once I converted, I saw the light: Adams’ hybrids are so easy to use, it’s almost unfair when tracking our handicap indexes. Read our review here http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-adams_golf_09.htm .

Best New Irons
Honma Golf MG803 Irons

The MG803 iron sets runs from a 19° 3-iron to 49° 11-iron (a strong gap wedge), and includes a 56° sand wedge. These clubs are just as gorgeous as the big brother MG813 driver, and boast their own technology with combination muscle back-cavity back design. The set actually follows a carefully-structured design flow. Hats off to Honma Golf for again producing golf gear royalty which not only looks great, but performs like a champion. Read our review here http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-Honma_Golf_Beres_MG813_Driver_MG803_Irons.htm .

Best New Wedges
Wilson Staff Tw9 Wedges

On the golf course, I live and die by Wilson Staff wedges. The Tw7 wedges, which Padraig Harrington had a hand in designing, are superb. Enter the new, improved Tw9 wedges. Within one session at the range, I was hooked, thanks largely to their outstanding feel. Read our review here
http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-wilson_staff_09.htm .

Best New Putter
Yes! Golf Callie –fc Putter

I put the Callie-fc to the test from a variety of lengths, and discovered it to be one of the very best putters I’ve tested. The forged head provides true contact and roll with instant feedback and outstanding control – it was like putting with attached radar. Read our review here http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-fc_putter.htm .

Best New Golf Ball
Bridgestone Golf Tour B330-S, B330 Golf Balls

The Tour B330 is a premium four-piece ball – a Tour-calibre ball for highly-skilled players with varying swing speeds. It’s optimized for fast swings of 112+ miles per hour. Read our review here http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-j33fairway_b330ball.htm . While some 4-piece balls feature a dual core, the Bridgestone Tour B330-S has dual mantle layers, providing several advantages over other 4-piece premium balls on the market. The Tour B330-S has been optimized for a Tour average swing speed of between 103-115 mph. Read our review here http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-bridgestone_golf_tour_b330.htm .

Best New Golf Shoes
ECCO Ultra Performance

ECCO gets it right in the Ultra Performance, a shoe which I believe will help any level golfer better their score. The key is the close fit to the foot, which provides enhanced performance, greater overall support and improve stabalization. If a shoe can fit like a glove, then the ECCO Ultra Performance wins first prize. Read our review here http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-ecco_ultra_performance_shoe.htm .

Best New Golf Accessory
Sumi-G Headcovers

The Sumi-G Headcovers are hard headcovers with a pivot-style hinge which opens and slips on with ease. Forget about tugging on that too-tight headcover for your 460cc driver. The Sumi-G Headcover can be lifted off or picked up off the ground simply by extending your club and inserting the head into the hinged cover. It’s strong, with a tough shell plus elongated neck for shaft protection. Read our review here http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-Sumi-G_Headcovers.htm .

Best New Range Finder
Bushnell Tour V2 Laser Rangefinder with PinSeeker

here's the best laser rangefinder we've tested: the Bushnell Tour V2 Laser Rangefinder. In fact, it was handed a 100% Overall Approval Rating by the PGA Tour Partner's Club Member Tested & Recommended Seal of Approval. Everything about Bushnell's latest rangefinder is perfectly crafted and designed - Bushnell leaves nothing to chance. Read our review here http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-bushnell_tour_v2_laser_rangefinder.htm .

Best New Cart Bag
Wilson Staff 2009 Tour Cart Bag

Looking good on the course is just as important as scoring low. This applies to your golf bag, too. The new Wilson Staff Tour Cart Bag is just the ticket. It has more functions than a Swiss Army knife, and it’s just as sharp looking. Read our review here http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-wilson_staff_09.htm .

Best New Push Cart
Bag Boy Automatic Three-Wheel Push Cart

Golf's only one-step fold push cart, The Automatic from Bag Boy is the best golf cart I've used, bar none. And as an added bonus, it looks great, too. Its design is flawless, and aesthetically it's available in cool colours including arctic blue, titanium, black and red. Read our review here
http://www.londonontariogolf.com/reviews/equipment/equipment-bag_boy_automatic_three-wheel_push_cart.htm .

Best New Apparel – Outerwear
Sunice
www.sunice.com

Best New Apparel – Polo, Pants
AUR
www.aurgolf.com

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Wish to comment? E-mail jeff@londonontariogolf.com with the subject line, Letter To The Editor. Published responses will be posted at the 19th Hole section of the London Ontario Golf In the News Message Board.

About Wilson Golf

Since 1911, Wilson Golf has designed, manufactured and distributed premium and recreational golf equipment throughout the world. Wilson Golf irons have won 61 Major championships, more than any other iron manufacturer in history. Wilson Staff's Zip Ball, Di9 iron and the Wilson Staff Smooth driver were honoured with Golf Digest's Hot List awards in 2009. Wilson Staff, Profile, ProStaff and Hope consumer brands continue that tradition today by delivering the highest quality golf equipment to all golfers to enhance performance on the golf course and overall enjoyment of the game.

Wilson Golf is a division of Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods, one of the world's leading manufacturers of sports equipment by Amer Sports. Consumers can log onto www.wilsonstaff.com or call 1-800-267-7506 for more information.