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The Hottest New


Issue No. 115


On the cover: Engineered with passion - trusted by pros - customised for you. With steel shaſt s such as the Dynamic Gold, Dynalite Gold XP and Gold Series 95, as shown on the cover, True Temper is forecasting a gold rush in 2013.


Contents FIRST WORDS


There is a genuine sense of anticipation coursing through the golf trade at the beginning of 2013.


Ping has broken with tradition to launch the latest generation of its fl agship G series, G25, in January, going head to


head against the latest off ering from its main rival at the top of the golf hardware tree, TaylorMade, with its own customarily broad New Year launch, led by the R1 driver. If anything can kick-start the retail trade in 2013, it is a battle royal such as this.


January has also seen the end to the worst kept secret in golf, with the announcement that Rory McIlroy is now wearing Nike Golf apparel from head to toe, and playing Nike clubs. As seen in the new TV ad with Tiger Woods, McIlroy has Nike’s new VR_S Covert driver in his bag. “As soon as I hit the club I knew it was going in the bag straight away,” claimed the 23-year-old Northern Irishman at his press conference in Abu Dhabi. “My ball speed is up and I am hitting the ball further, so this club has taken my driving to a new level.” That is the kind of ringing endorsement from the world number one for which Nike is paying the mega bucks.


So Nike Golf now has both of the top draws in golf, McIlroy and Woods, numbers one and two in the world at the time of writing, decorated exclusively in the ‘swoosh’.


In recent years the top-four in golf hardware has been immovable: TaylorMade, Ping, Titleist and Callaway, but that order could change in 2013.


With wishes for a prosperous 2013,


ROBIN BARWICK, EDITOR TWITTER: @RobinBarwick


Datateam Business Media, London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY T: 01622 757 646


Editor: Robin Barwick | robin@barwickmedia.com


Publisher: Paul Ryder | pryder@datateam.co.uk T: 01622 699 105 Advertising: Matt Davis | mdavis@datateam.co.uk T: 07788 812 444


Contributors: Adam Hathaway, Duncan Lennard, Paul Trow Design: Darren Kirk | www.scratchdesignphoto.co.uk Production: Design & Media Solutions


Circulation: Capsule Publishing Services datateam@capsule-group.com


4 SGBGOLF REGULARS


6 News Bridgestone introduces e-Series – Homer joins Adams – Masters Golf takes over Golfsmith Europe


8 Front of shop Ian James writes that club professionals need to ensure they stock a line in storytelling


10 Launch pad It’s Ping vs. TaylorMade in 2013


20 View from the industry We hear from GoKart’s Sandy Catford


FEATURES


12 Out of bounds Paul Trow begins 2013 on a positive note


14 Field report Duncan Lennard speaks to SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC.’s John Bushell


16 Showcase For almost every gofer other than Fred Couples: gloves


24 Field report Focus on G-Mac by Kartel


SGBGOLF is published by Datateam Business Media Ltd.


The views expressed within this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor or publisher, and while every care has been taken in producing this issue, no responsibility is accepted for such views or for any inaccuracies contained herein. Datateam Business Media Ltd 2012. All


rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, fax, email, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Datateam Business Media Ltd.


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