BALLS
A raſt of important new ball introductions for 2013 are set to ignite the category at retail aſter a lacklustre 2012 in some European markets
High flyers B
Ball-fitting is a concept being
all manufacturers continue to strive to find the best combination of distance
and feel in one ball, although core European golfers are showing signs of mature course management: SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC.’s 2012 consumer research shows that in the UK, France, Germany and Scandinavia, ‘Feel’ was selected as the number one factor influencing ball purchase decisions.
promoted increasingly by ball manufacturers, although SMS INC. European consumer research suggests the message is not necessarily getting across to amateur golfers. Among the four major markets included in the SMS Inc. research, 12% of German golfers had tried ball fitting, 11% in the UK, 6% in France and only 5% in Scandinavia. With Titleist’s Pro V1 and Pro V1x the
ONLY THE BEST SMS INC. research shows that 46% of core German golfers use premium balls (i.e. golf balls with three, four or five-piece composition), to lead the way in European markets.
perennial leaders in the premium ball market, their new formula will be revealed at the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show. There will be plenty of competition at the high end of golf
balls this year though, particularly as Bridgestone is launching its new generation e-Series, and with new premium models from TaylorMade and Srixon also being introduced.
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NIKE
ONE RZN Designed for club golfers, a resin core should provide a faster core than rubber. The One RZN is set for retail delivery from February 1.
RRP: £29.99/dozen
www.nikegolf.eu
PENFOLD
BLACK HEART So far the Black Heart is not being retailed beyond online channels, but it is a four-piece ball with a resin cover from the revived Penfold brand.
RRP: £25/dozen
www.penfoldgolf.com
PINNACLE
BLING The Bling is a distance ball that comes in ‘High Optix’ colours of Pink, Violet, Orange and Yellow.
RRP: £14/dozen
www.pinnaclegolf.com
SRIXON
Z-STAR With a new ‘High grip spin coating’ for 2013, the Z-Star should offer improved response around the green. It will be in shops from February 8.
RRP: £48/dozen
www.srixon.co.uk
TAYLORMADE
LETHAL A new, premium, five-piece ball that will appear on Tour in 2013, the Lethal prototype was put in play by Justin Rose in 2012.
RRP: £44.99/dozen
www.taylormadegolf.eu
TITLEIST
PROV1 & PROV1X Set to be officially revealed at the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show are updated Pro V1 and Pro V1x models, which have been seeded on tour in plain white boxes.
RRP: TBC
www.titleist.co.uk
Contact Richard Payne e:
richard.payne@
sportsmarketingsurveysinc.com
WILSON STAFF BRIDGESTONE
DX2 SOFT Wilson’s latest ball is two-piece, with a larger rubber core than its predecessor, promising extra yardage. It will reach shops in March.
RRP: £17.99/dozen
www.wilsonstaff.com
t: + 44 (0) 1932 345 539
www.sportsmarketingsurveysinc.com
E-SERIES A 326 Seamless Dual Dimple cover increases the dimple surface area on the ball by six per cent compared to previous models, and Bridgestone promises this will mean less drag off the clubface.
RRP: £25.99/dozen
www.bridgestonegolf.com
| SGBGOLF
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