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Golf Pride Builds on ALIGN Technology Success, Adds ZGRIP and New Sizes to ALIGN MAX Category

admin — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:13:29 +0000

Golfers Interested in New Golf Pride Grips Enjoy Free Install Services At Select Retail Partners Across the United States Now Through March 28

PINEHURST, N.C.) – Golf Pride, a leading innovator in golf equipment and maker of the world’s most popular golf grips, is expanding its ALIGN MAX offerings after an increase in demand from both amateur and professional players. The industry’s most advanced raised ridge technology is now available in the popular ZGRIP model, as well as Jumbo size in MCC Plus4.

Designed to help golfers maintain consistent hand placement throughout the swing and improve clubface awareness for maximum confidence, ALIGN technology was released in 2017 and quickly built a large and loyal following. In response to player feedback about the desire for an even more pronounced ridge, Golf Pride introduced ALIGN MAX in 2025. This second-generation design features a 25% higher ridge to achieve the maximum desired feel and consistency. It quickly gained traction among PGA TOUR players and amateurs, including the winner of the 2026 PLAYERS Championship, who relied on ALIGN MAX MCC Plus4 grips.

To build upon the popularity of ALIGN MAX, Golf Pride identified consumer trends in the golf grip category, indicating golfer interest in grips of a larger size and firmer feel. With those trends in mind, coupled with TOUR feedback, the new line extension offering jumbo sizing and the ZGRIP model gives golfers a wider variety of options for ALIGN MAX’s best-in-class reminder ridge.

“The first step in our innovation process at Golf Pride is asking one simple question: what is going to help golfers improve and reach their goals? When we hear feedback from players that they like the concept of a new technology like ALIGN MAX and want to try it in a different style or size, the engineers in our Global Innovation Center begin a rigorous research, design, and testing process to execute that vision,” said James Ledford, President of Golf Pride. “With this line extension, we aim to give golfers who prefer a firmer grip feel or a larger grip size the opportunity to game ALIGN MAX.”

Benefits of ALIGN MAX and raised ridge technology include:

Consistent Hand Placement: Fits into the hand’s natural contours, promoting consistent hand placement and alignment.
Clubface Awareness: Enhances face angle awareness at setup and throughout the swing, promoting a square clubface.
Player Confidence: Consistent hand placement facilitates a more repeatable swing, which helps build greater confidence.

For those interested in experiencing ALIGN MAX, there’s no better time to regrip than now. From March 15–28, Golf Pride customers receive a free regripping with the purchase of eight or more Golf Pride grips of their choice at select retail partner locations, including Golf Galaxy, PGA TOUR Superstore, Worldwide Golf Shops, DICK’S House of Sport and Carl’s Golfland.

ALIGN MAX now offers ZGRIP, MCC, and MCC Plus4 grip models in standard and midsize. The new jumbo option is available for the MCC Plus4 model. These grips are available at all major retailers and online stores for $15.99 each.

For more information on ALIGN MAX, ALIGN Technology and the entire 2026 Golf Pride product lineup, visit https://www.golfpride.com and follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.

ABOUT GOLF PRIDE

Since its founding in 1949, Golf Pride has become synonymous with the highest quality performance equipment in golf. Today, from its Global Innovation Center (GIC) in Pinehurst, North Carolina, Golf Pride continues to lead in grip innovation by continuing to obsess over the only connection between our golfers’ hands and the club. That’s why more than 80% of the world’s highest performing golfers choose Golf Pride. For professionals, top amateurs and recreational golfers of all skill levels, Golf Pride sets the standard in performance and design. To learn more about Golf Pride, go to golfpride.com.

ABOUT EATON

Golf Pride is a division of EATON, whose mission is to improve the quality of life and the environment using power management technologies and services. We provide sustainable solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical power – more safely, more efficiently, and more reliably. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

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Mizuno Adds New Finishes to Key Models in Mizuno Pro and JPX Ranges

admin — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 18:40:28 +0000

Mizuno have announced the release of new finish options across two core models in its current lineup: the JPX 925 Hot Metal irons and Mizuno Pro T-3 wedges.

These latest additions reflect Mizuno’s ongoing focus on player preferences, craftsmanship, and tailored performance.

Each new finish maintains the underlying design philosophy and engineering integrity of the original model, while offering golfers refined aesthetic options to suit individual preferences and playing environments.

JPX 925 Hot Metal: Black Ion, Revolutionary Iron

The JPX 925 Hot Metal irons, recognised for their blend of distance, control and fitting versatility, are now available in a standout Black Ion finish.

Built around a Nickel Chromoly chassis with strategically placed tungsten weighting in the 4–7 irons, the Hot Metal design continues to provide a high-launch, high-speed platform with consistency across the face.

The addition of the Black Ion finish offers a fresh visual identity while maintaining the same trusted performance, reducing glare, and aligning the iron’s look with its modern, technology-led profile.

Mizuno Pro T-3: Stability Reimagined in Black

The Pro T-3 wedge, recognised for its blend of forgiveness and feel, returns in a commanding Black Ion finish.

Its shallow cavity back, combined with a longer head shape, offers increased stability on off-centre strikes, perfect for golfers seeking consistency without sacrificing finesse.

The forging process, groove structure (Quad Cut + Hydroflow Micro Grooves), and copper underlay remain unchanged, ensuring the T-3 continues to deliver reliable spin and control in all conditions.

Three grind options (S, M, and C) support various short game needs, and the darker finish offers a cleaner visual at setup, particularly in bright light or firm turf conditions.

T3 with Black Face

A third new colourway, the Mizuno Pro T-1 in Denim Copper, will be available exclusively in the US, while Europe will see the JPX 925 Hot Metal in Black Ion and the Mizuno Pro T-3 in Black Ion.

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BGL adds GolfPlex to portfolio with Bracknell acquisition – Golf News

admin — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:25:11 +0000

Burhill Golf and Leisure Limited, part of Burhill Group Limited, has acquired Golf Entertainments Holdings Limited, trading as GolfPlex, bringing the Bracknell venue into its expanding golf and leisure portfolio.

Based in Bracknell, the modern entertainment led venue offers a broad mix of golf and activity experiences for golfers and non golfers. Facilities include a state of the art driving range, adventure golf, sports simulators, foot golf and a wide range of activities designed to make golf more fun, accessible and engaging.

Strategic growth under new leadership

The acquisition is a significant step in BGL’s strategy under chief executive Simon Thompson to broaden and strengthen its golf and leisure offer while supporting ambitions to grow participation through high quality, innovative experiences. It follows a record year for BGL Golf in 2025, driven by continued investment in venues, people and customer experience across the group.

GolfPlex will operate within the BGL Golf division, working alongside existing venues and teams to share expertise and drive collaboration across the portfolio.

Complementary entertainment led offer

Simon Thompson said the addition of GolfPlex represents a strong strategic fit. He said the venue’s entertainment led approach complements the existing BGL portfolio and supports the group’s ambition to grow the game in new and engaging ways.

The acquisition underlines BGL’s ongoing commitment to developing golf through innovative experiences that attract both new and established players. In recent years the group has upgraded driving ranges across its estate into high tech, entertainment led environments with enhanced food and beverage and vibrant sports bar settings.

Alongside this, BGL launched its Pathway to Golf programme in 2025 to create a structured and welcoming route into the sport for the next generation. The addition of GolfPlex strengthens that mission by combining innovation, accessibility and entertainment to bring golf to wider audiences.

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LAB Golf DF3i adds stainless steel insert to change feel and sound

admin — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:09:50 +0000

LAB Golf’s DF3i keeps lie angle balance intact while adding a stainless steel insert to deliver firmer feel and more traditional sound.

Gear: L.A.B. DF3i putter

Price: $499 (stock), $599 and up (custom)

Specs: 6061 aluminum body with milled stainless steel face insert, steel sole weights, 69-degree lie angle.

Available: Feb. 27

Who it’s for: Golfers who struggle to return the putter face square at impact or consistently start putts on their intended line.

What you should know: The DF3i retains the lie angle balance design that defined the original DF3, but adds a milled stainless-steel insert like the one used in the OZ.1i and OZ.1i HS, delivering a firmer feel and more traditional sound at impact.

The Deep Dive: First impressions have never mattered much to L.A.B. Golf. From the moment the company introduced the first lie-angle balanced Directed Force to the broader putting conversation, its designs have pushed golfers to focus less on shape and more on functionality. The DF3i continues that philosophy, pairing the same stability-driven geometry and lie-angle balanced design of the original DF3 with a milled stainless-steel insert that brings a firmer feel and more familiar sound to a putter built around one central goal: keeping the face square to the arc a golfer naturally creates.

The DF3i is an evolution of the DF3 platform introduced in 2024. The compact mallet shape remains intact, as does the center-shafted construction and the precise weighting that defines lie angle balance. Once the putter is soled behind the ball, its mass properties are designed to keep the face from opening or closing relative to the stroke path. The putter is balanced relative to its lie angle, which is why length, lie, and build specs are so critical to how the design functions.

The noticeable change is in the face. The body and hitting area of the original DF3 are made entirely from 6061 aluminum, but the DF3i has been a milled stainless-steel insert that is secured in place with screws in the sole. That construction mirrors what L.A.B. introduced with the OZ.1i and OZ.1i HS and allows engineers to maintain precise mass placement while altering sound and feel. The result is a firmer impact sensation and a sharper, more metallic auditory feedback that some golfers felt was missing from the original DF3.

Yes, the body remains milled from 6061 aluminum, with steel weights positioned in the forward portion of the sole. Those weights vary by putter length and are measured and installed by hand to ensure the proper lie angle balance is achieved. The DF3i also continues to use L.A.B.’s Press Pistol 2 Degree grip, which introduces built-in forward press through an asymmetrical shaft entry. At address, that setup keeps the shaft, hands, and primary hitting area more in line, while the rear hoop portion of the head sits back from the ball.

Visually, the DF3i still won’t be mistaken for a classic blade or a modern Tour-style mallet, and L.A.B. has never pretended otherwise. The brand’s growth has been driven by performance-first golfers and reinforced by Tour validation, with multiple PGA Tour wins in recent seasons from players using L.A.B. designs. The biggest win, of course, came last year at Oakmont, when J.J. Spaun won the 2025 U.S. Open using a DF3.

Those results have helped shift the conversation from how these putters look to how they behave during the stroke.

As with any lie-angle balanced putter, the DF3i is at its best when it’s built specifically for the golfer using it, rather than treated as a one-size-fits-all solution. However, L.A.B. will continue to sell the DF3i directly to consumers. Personalization options include a rainbow of colors, alignment features, shafts and some grip options.

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How the 2026 Titleist Tour Soft adds distance and short-game control

admin — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:55:43 +0000

The 2026 Titleist Tour Soft pairs a faster core and new aerodynamics with a grabbier cover to boost distance while improving greenside control.

Gear: Titleist Tour Soft (2026)

Price: $39.99 per dozen

Specs: Two-piece construction with rubber core and ionomer cover. Available in white and yellow.

Who it’s for: Golfers who want a soft-feeling golf ball that provides more distance off the tee and better control into the greens while staying at a budget-friendly price.

What you should know: The 2026 Tour Soft has been redesigned with a faster core, a new cover and a new aerodynamic pattern to increase distance while helping approach shots stop more quickly.

The Deep Dive: For years, Tour Soft has held a unique place in the Titleist lineup. It’s not trying to compete with Pro V1, Pro V1x or even the 2026 AVX when it comes to spin, but it has always offered golfers a softer feel and more short-game control than the firmer, distance-focused ionomer balls at its price level. With the 2026 update, Titleist set out to give golfers more of everything they got from previous versions, and that means speed, control and consistency while ensuring Tour Soft still feels like Tour Soft.

The most significant change starts in the middle of the ball with something you can’t see: a smaller, faster core engineered to add speed without making the ball firmer. That alone should help to deliver more distance, especially with the driver and your long irons. Surrounding that core is a thicker, re-formulated cover designed to improve how wedges and the grooves in your short irons grip Tour Soft. No one is going to confuse Tour Soft’s spin with a Pro V1, but golfers should notice more stopping power on approach shots and short game shots hit around the greens.

Another improvement comes from the new 336-dimple aerodynamic pattern on the cover. Previous Tour Soft models shared aerodynamic properties with other ionomer balls, but this design was built by the same aerodynamic team that engineers the Pro V1 balls. The task they were given was to make Tour Soft more efficient in flight, help it launch high enough to maximize carry distance and produce a steeper angle of descent to help the ball stop faster. That descent angle matters for scoring, particularly for players who don’t produce Tour-level spin but still want a chance to hold firm greens.

Visually, Tour Soft remains available in white and yellow, but the alignment options expand for 2026. In addition to a traditional side stamp, Tour Soft now offers 360-degree alignment graphics, letting golfers use the entire equator of the ball to line up tee shots or putts. It’s a small detail, but one many golfers appreciate.

Tour Soft isn’t built to replace Pro V1 or to promise Tour-level spin, but that’s not its mission. It fills the space for golfers who want soft feel, distance, and enough greenside control to play more confidently without paying a urethane-ball premium. For players looking to stretch value without feeling like they’re giving up too much performance, the new Tour Soft makes a compelling case.

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Scotty Cameron adds Phantom 5, 7, 9R putters to mallet lineup for 2026

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:53:06 +0000

Scotty Cameron updates the Phantom mallet line for 2026 with deeper faces, carbon steel inserts and more neck options to fit putting strokes.

Gear: Scotty Cameron Phantom putters (2026)

Price: $499 each, $549 (Phantom 5 OC)

Specs: Milled 303 stainless steel with carbon steel face insert, aluminum sole plate and adjustable sole weights.

Available: Feb. 27

Who it’s for: Golfers who want a modern mallet that looks cleaner behind the ball, feels more solid at impact and now comes in more hosel and configurations to match different putting strokes.

What you should know: The 2026 Phantom line extension builds on feel that golfers already love in Scotty Cameron mallets with deeper faces, more hidden performance technologies and neck options to help players find a model that suits their stroke and style.

The Deep Dive: The Phantom line has always been the place where Scotty Cameron provides his take on the modern, high-tech mallet. That means sharp lines, stable designs and clubs built for players who want alignment help without giving up feel. For 2026, the evolution continues with a handful of thoughtful changes that came directly from Tour feedback and player testing.

Every new model in the 2026 line—the Phantom 5, 7 and 9R—has a slightly deeper (taller) face and a more rounded crown. That may sound like a small tweak, but it changes how the putter sits in the address position and how a player sees it at address. The goal is simple: help golfers set the putter down squarely and keep it looking “right” even when if hand position shifts or the player is standing on a sloped portion of the green.

The most noticeable performance upgrade is the addition of full-face Studio Carbon Steel (SCS) inserts that carry over the chain-link milling pattern introduced on the Studio Style blades last season. Expanding the insert across the entire hitting area softens the sound of impact and keeps feel more consistent when putts aren’t struck dead center. It’s the kind of enhancement golfers won’t see on a spec sheet, but they will feel when they play.

To make room for the inserts, some material had to be removed, and some hidden structural work was done. Different models received different solutions, but in the Phantom 5 and 7 heads, a three-chambered truss support piece was added to make the center of the hitting area more rigid and to improve the harmonics. In the Phantom 9R, the body also needed to be stiffened, the aluminum sole plate was redesigned, and a truss was added to the housing that holds the sole weights. Again, golfers won’t see these changes, but they will work with the carbon steel insert to provide the sound discerning golfers have come to expect from Scotty Cameron putters.

Fitting is a major theme this cycle, and there are more neck options at launch than ever, giving golfers the chance to choose a Phantom that fits how they naturally swing the putter. The jet neck has been reshaped to sit more neutrally at address without losing its intended toe flow, and the new Onset Center (OC) option brings a low-torque option to the Phantom family for the first time.

The Phantom 5 lineup expands the most, with four versions now available: Phantom 5, Phantom 5.2, Phantom 5.5 and Phantom 5 OC, plus a left-handed Phantom 5.5 for southpaws.

Cosmetically, the 2026 models are cleaner and more refined, with alignment features that feel familiar but fresher. The shapes haven’t been reinvented, but the lines flow better, and the heads look more balanced behind the ball.

The improvements for 2026 aren’t meant to overhaul the Phantom line. They’re targeted refinements that help golfers set up more consistently, strike the ball more solidly and choose a model that works with their stroke.

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Scotty Cameron adds Santa Fe, Fastback 2 models to Studio Style lineup

admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:07:58 +0000

The Studio Style family grows with the return of the Santa Fe blade and new Fastback 2 options, adding toe-flow and long-design choices.

Gear: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Santa Fe, Fastback 2, Fastback 2 Long Design

Price: $499 (Santa Fe, Fastback 2), $549 (Fastback 2 Long Design)

Specs: Milled 303 stainless steel heads with Studio Carbon Steel face insert, chain-link face milling pattern, aluminum chassis, adjustable sole weights. Loft 3.5 degrees, lie 70 degrees.

Available: Feb. 12 (in stores)

Who it’s for: Golfers who like the look and feedback of classic Scotty Cameron shapes but want more precise toe-flow options, softer sound at impact and, in the case of the Long Design, added stability to quiet the hands.

What you should know: The Studio Style family, re-established in 2025, is expanding with three familiar-but-refined models. Santa Fe brings a high toe-flow blade back into the retail lineup, while Fastback 2 and Fastback 2 Long Design add a plumbing-neck option and a counterbalanced build to the mid-mallet side of the family.

The Deep Dive: When Scotty Cameron brought the Studio Style name back in 2025, it marked a subtle shift in how his retail putters approached feel. On Tour, where price is not a factor, Cameron often uses German Stainless Steel (GSS), but that material is too expensive to use in retail putters. However, carbon steel inserts, once also the domain of Tour-only builds and early-2000s experiments, could work. Cameron opted for the added a chain-link milling pattern designed to soften sound without muting feedback. The result was a new line that felt distinctly different from fully milled stainless steel Camerons, while still looking unmistakably classic.

For 2026, a line extension builds directly on that foundation, and the Studio Style Santa Fe will be the headliner for traditionalists. Long a cult favorite, the rounded Newport-style blade returns with a flow neck that promotes maximum toe flow and face awareness. Paired with the Studio Carbon Steel insert, the Studio Style Santa Fe blends an old-school silhouette with the softer acoustics that defined the original Studio Style relaunch.

On the mid-mallet side, the Studio Style Fastback 2 answers a different request. By pairing the compact Fastback head with a plumbing neck (in Scotty-speak, a 2 indicates a plumber’s neck), Cameron created a version with moderate toe flow that will feel more familiar to players coming from Newport-style blades. The black anodized aluminum heel-toe inlay isn’t cosmetic; it allows weight to be pushed outward, boosting stability while also creating a high-contrast alignment frame at address.

The Studio Style Fastback 2 Long Design takes that same head and stretches the concept further. Built at 38 inches with a heavier head, 25-gram tungsten sole weights, a stiffer shaft and a 17-inch non-tapered grip, it’s designed for golfers who want to smooth out their stroke and reduce excessive hand action. Long Design putters aren’t for everyone, but for players who like a counterbalanced feel, this version adds another legitimate option to the Studio Style lineup.

Collectively, the Santa Fe, Fastback 2 and Fastback 2 Long Design don’t reinvent the Studio Style family. And they weren’t meant too. Instead, they round it out, filling in toe-flow gaps and stroke-type preferences that naturally emerge once consumers and fitters start spending time with a family of putters. If the original 2025 release was about reintroducing feel, this extension is about helping golfers find their fit.

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ECCO GOLF ADDS AARON RAI TO ELITE TOUR LINEUP

admin — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 05:56:10 +0000

ECCO GOLF has announced the addition of PGA TOUR star Aaron Rai to its elite tour ambassador lineup. A consistent performer on the global stage and a familiar face within the ECCO GOLF community, Rai joins the brand’s roster of ambassadors as one of the most exciting English talents in the game today.

Currently ranked inside the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Rai has established himself as one of the most accurate and composed players on the PGA TOUR, with a breakout triumph at the Wyndham Championship in 2024. A three-time DP World Tour winner – with victories at the 2018 Honma Hong Kong Open, the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, and the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship – he has also transitioned seamlessly to the U.S. circuit, where his steady rise and professionalism have earned widespread respect among fans and fellow players.

Rai’s relationship with ECCO GOLF is longstanding, and he has been wearing ECCO GOLF shoes by choice for many years, including throughout his recent run of form on the PGA TOUR. His belief in the brand’s craftsmanship, comfort, and performance innovation makes this official partnership a natural next step in an already strong connection.

“I’m thrilled to officially become an ECCO GOLF ambassador,” said Rai. “I’ve worn ECCO shoes for a long time, because they’ve always given me the perfect combination of performance and comfort. I’ve long admired the brand’s dedication to quality and innovation, and it feels fantastic to make our partnership official. ECCO represents everything I value – attention to detail, comfort, and build quality – and I’m proud to now be representing the brand on tour.”

Rai joins a diverse and world-class group of ECCO GOLF ambassadors, including Thorbjørn Olesen, Aaron Rai, Thomas Bjørn, Erik van Rooyen, Lydia Ko, Lin Xiyu, and Freddy Schott, among others.

Timo Vollrath, Head of Global Marketing at ECCO GOLF, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Aaron to the ECCO GOLF ambassador family. He’s been a great friend of the brand for many years, and his professionalism, humility, and consistency align perfectly with our ethos. As one of the world’s best players and a longstanding wearer of ECCO GOLF shoes, this feels like a perfect fit, and we’re excited to support him as he continues his career.”

Player profile

Aaron Rai

Age: 30

Turned professional: 2012

Professional wins: 8

Career highlights:

2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

2024 Wyndham Championship

2020 Scottish Open

2018 Hong Kong Open

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Ping G440K driver adds more carbon, more forgiveness and more distance

admin — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:15:29 +0000

Ping’s G440K driver builds on the G430 Max 10K with dual carbon panels, a deeper CG, and the highest MOI in company history.

Gear: Ping G440K driver

Price: $705 with Ping Alta CB Black shaft and Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet grip.

Specs: 460cc titanium head with carbon fiber panels on the crown and sole, forged T9S+ titanium face, 32-gram rear tungsten weight, and adjustable hosel. 9, 10.5 and 12 degree loft options.

Who it’s for: Golfers looking for Ping’s most stable and forgiving driver.

What you should know: The G440K builds on the success of the G430 Max 10K with a refined multi-material chassis, a slightly longer profile, and an even higher moment of inertia (MOI) designed to keep the clubface square through impact, launch the ball higher, and tighten dispersion without changing how golfers swing.

The Deep Dive: Ping’s history with stability dates back to the moment Karsten Solheim first moved mass to the perimeter of a putter in 1959. That same principle underlies the G440K driver, but the engineers at the brand’s Phoenix, Arizona, headquarters now have far more advanced materials and modeling tools than Solheim ever did in his garage.

The “K” in G440K signals Ping’s latest pursuit of the 10,000 g/cm² threshold. The company hit that milestone with the G430 Max 10K, a driver that instantly became one of the most forgiving models on the market. With the G440K, Ping pushed the concept further by rethinking how and where every gram of mass could be saved and reassigned.

Two carbon fiber panels — one on the crown that wraps around the top edges and another on the sole — form what Ping calls Dual Carbonfly Wrap. Each composite section saves about 3.5 grams compared with titanium. That redistributed mass, combined with a 32-gram adjustable tungsten weight in the back of the head, pulls the center of gravity lower and farther away from the face. The result is an MOI around 10,300 g/cm², roughly two percent higher than the G430 Max 10K and nearly 10 percent higher than the G440 Max. For golfers, that means less twisting on off-center strikes and straighter shots from tee to fairway.

The face is forged from Ping’s proprietary T9S+ titanium, a material strong enough to allow a thinner perimeter and a more flexible hitting area. The result is consistent ball speed across a larger portion of the face.

Inside, Ping redesigned the sound ribs and added a new I-beam-shaped carbon crown rib to tune acoustics while ensuring the head passes the USGA’s “finger test” for crown stiffness. The overall footprint is slightly longer from front to back, but the streamlined shape and deeper sole maintain aerodynamic efficiency.

Longer drivers can help golfers generate more clubhead speed, but they also tend to magnify off-center hits. Because the G440K is so stable and boasts such a high MOI, Ping decided it could extend the standard build length to the USGA limit of 46 inches without sacrificing dispersion.

In internal testing, Ping found the G440K produced about 4.5 yards more total distance and 0.8 mph higher ball speed than the G430 Max 10K, along with a 20 percent tighter dispersion pattern. Those gains may not sound dramatic, but for a company known for steady, data-driven evolution rather than radical reinvention, they’re significant.

The G440K will be available in 9-, 10.5-, and 12-degree lofts, with a 7.5-degree Tour-only head circulating among staff players. For golfers who need more help launching the ball, Ping will offer a High Launch (HL) version with a lighter back weight, ultra-light shaft, and smaller grip to promote more clubhead speed and easier carry distance.

The G440K feels like the culmination of Ping’s decades-long MOI chase — a driver that doesn’t force players to choose between speed, forgiveness and sound. It isn’t flashy, but like the G-series lineage that came before it, this one is built to deliver what matters most: more consistency, more confidence and a few extra fairways even when the strike isn’t perfect.

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Why the updated Titleist AVX adds speed without losing its soft feel

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:02:19 +0000

The 2026 Titleist AVX keeps its low-flight, soft-feel DNA while adding ball speed and improved greenside spin for better all-around performance.

Gear: Titleist AVX (2026)

Price: $49.99 per dozen

Specs: Three-piece construction with rubber core, casing layer and urethane cover; available in white and yellow

Available: January 21

Who it’s for: Golfers who want a softer-feeling, Tour-caliber ball that flies lower off the tee and produces less long-game spin without giving up the urethane feel and short-game control.

What you should know: The 2026 AVX maintains its signature soft feel, low-spin and lower-flight but adds more speed off the tee and enhanced greenside spin.

The Deep Dive: Ever since Titleist introduced AVX in 2017 as a softer, lower-spinning alternative to Pro V1, it has built a loyal following. While Pro V1 and Pro V1x continue to dominate counts on the PGA Tour, LPGA and DP World Tour, along with elite amateur events like the NCAA Championships and U.S. Amateur, AVX has carved out its own lane for golfers who wanted solid distance, softer feel and a flatter trajectory off the tee without sacrificing urethane performance around the greens. In Titleist surveys, many AVX players describe it as the ball that “gives them a little of their distance back” without changing how they swing.

The challenge with updating AVX, according to Titleist, is that the middle-iron flight and soft feel are non-negotiable. Players choose AVX because it launches lower with the driver and then climbs beautifully through the middle of the bag, where that soft-compression engine really shines. The company’s guiding principle in creating the 2026 update was simple: enhance performance without disrupting what makes AVX unique.

To accomplish that, Titleist reformulated the core to be faster without making it firmer. That’s a neat trick because typically, to make a ball faster, brands make the core firmer, which can increase spin and alter the feel. That would go against the goal of AVX, and target players would notice it immediately. Instead, the speed gains come from changes to the chemistry and materials inside the core.

The casing layer has also been made slightly thinner, allowing the cast-urethane cover to grow thicker and softer. That change may sound subtle, but it matters. A softer, more substantial cover helps wedges and short irons “grab” the ball more effectively, adding more greenside spin than the previous AVX while preserving long-game speed.

The aerodynamic package on the AVX still produces a lower flight. Golfers should expect a more penetrating launch off the tee compared to Pro V1 and Pro V1x, and the updated construction discourages that flight from ballooning in the wind. So, players who generate too much spin with V1 or V1x, or who shape shots more than they’d like, may find AVX helps them hit with less curve.

The updated AVX is not going to out-spin Pro V1 around the greens, but this generation closes the gap slightly without walking away from what makes the ball appealing. If anything, Titleist reinforced the line’s strengths by adding a touch more scoring-club precision while protecting the distance and feel that AVX players treat almost like a secret weapon.

The bottom line: For golfers who value soft feel, prefer a lower flight window with the driver, or simply want to keep Father Time from taking too many yards off their mid-irons, the updated AVX remains an appealing fit that still provides solid short-game control.

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