Clubs that lived up to the hype and changed the game

[Monty_Brown]

Every time a major manufacturer launches a new club, they claim it is going to transform the game as we know it through technology, design, materials, playability etc.

Most don't, but some clubs seem to come close. Which clubs have had an effect on the sport that comes close to the manufacturer's hype?

Interested to hear your nominations from, say the last 20-ish years.

 

[brendy]

Callaway Biggest Big Bertha was a game changer at the time, their big bertha irons also made the game easier for beginners and high handicappers.
Milled faces on wedges makes a big difference too.

 

[CMAC]

the move to GI clubs with wider soles I think have helped many get the ball airborne. CF shafts in the last 8 years has probably also helped along with ball improvement.

 

[Wildrover]

Ladies and gentlemen I give you the original game changer, The PING Anser. Copied by just about every other manufacturer since (yes I'm looking at you Scotty Cameron).

 

[Monty_Brown]

For the first insert putters, I'll give a mention to Odyssey for the Rossie 2 that Faldo used in the Masters in 1996.

 

[Hobbit]

The sandwedge, and then the metal wood.

For something more specific, Taylormade and their first driver with moveable weights.

 

[Monty_Brown]

The sandwedge, and then the metal wood.

For something more specific, Taylormade and their first driver with moveable weights.

Have adjustable drivers revolutionised the game yet? Good sales point certainly, but for me they've not pushed the game forward as much some of the others mentions. Maybe in the future they will.

 

[ADB]

The Ping G2 driver........launched Ping back into this market and knocked the Callaways aside. So good, I still have one!

 

[ADB]

Also on a Ping theme, Karsten Solheim was the first to introduce the 'L' or lob wedge into mainstream club manufacturing.

 

[One Planer]

I'll go with the introduction of cavity back irons.

 

[DaveM]

Seeing that we have not keep to the last 20yrs or so? It has to be the change from Hickory shafts to metal!!

 

[Swinger]

I'd have to go one better than Brendy. The Callaway Great Big Bertha was the real came changer in my view.
Titanium construction, Huge head comapred to the steel drivers of the day, good graphite shafts and pretty to look at.
They allowed a lot of people to start hitting a big stick properly and big distances too. A lot of guys who struggled before from the tee were sailing down the middle in no time.

The introduction of Graphite over steel made a significant distance with woods also allowing greater distances to be achieved.

Still the golf ball thats made the real difference, anything else is marginal at best.

You'll find that any really revolutionary stuff has been banned if it was deemed to give a significant advantage, the Pixl irons come to mind for this and the grooves on the old Ping Eye 2's.

As for moveable weights I think that Lead tape was never a permanent fixture and thats been around for ages.

 

[fundy]

10 years time we'll be saying the Belly putter

I guess the Odyssey 2 ball is one that hasnt been mentioned as yet

 

[thecraw]

Ping Eye 2 irons, market leaders in GI. First cavity to win a major.

 

[richart]

Chippers.

 

[USER1999]

Titleist tour professional. The first solid ball that was any good.

 

[Oddsocks]

The Ping G2 driver........launched Ping back into this market and knocked the Callaways aside. So good, I still have one!

I agree, wished I hadn't sold mine the nv shaft was awesome

 

[Justman]

Hybrids? Who were the first to produce a hybrid club. I only ask as I'm quite new to the game. Hello everyone.

 

[Grumps]

Id go with the king cobra baffler hybrid so easy and consistently hit. I rate my 3 iron replacement as better than any driver or 3 wood I've ever hit

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Would have to be the Cally Big Bertha driver, Ping Eye 2 irons and Cally 2 ball putters. Followed up by the first decent non balata tour type balls