The Bag: FootJoy gives nod to its past
The Bag goes a bit 'Back to the Future' this week as FootJoy pays tribute to names from the company's legendary past, and Mizuno continues to forge its future in the woods category.
FootJoy's Premiere Series — Packard.
Photo: FootJoy
FOOTJOY: Premiere Series
With the Premiere Series, FootJoy continues its march into the future of footwear with a nod to the past The Premiere Series features three new upper designs — Tarlow, Packard and Flint — each inspired by men with ties to FootJoy’s past.
What you need to know:
> The waterproof uppers feature patterns that are modern interpretations of classic styles.
> Include Softspikes’ Pulsar low-profile cleats.
> Available for men and women, and can be purchased either laced or with the BOA closure system.
> Styles: Tarlow comes in three colorways, the Packard in six and the Flint in three. Women’s come in four. The Tarlow and Packard come with sheepskin linings, while the Flint features a microfiber lining.
> Men’s retail for $220 (laced) and $250 (BOA); women’s retail for $190 (laced) and $220 (BOA).
> The Premiere Series will be available beginning Feb 15. MyJoys customization is also available.
Mizuno's ST-Z driver is the third in a series that the company began in 2019.
Photo: Mizuno
MIZUNO: ST Series Metal Woods
The next generation of ST Series metal woods (ST-Z and ST-X) hit the market in February and culminates what the company says is a “three-year, rapid-fire driver development project.” It began in 2019 with the ST190 series.
What you need to know:
> The drivers come in ST-Z and ST-X versions, while the fairways are just ST-Z.
> The difference in the two drivers? Not a whole lot. The ST-Z is back-weighted and has a wide, while the ST-X has a heel-located sole weight. They both feature a stronger Forged Beta SAT2041 Ti face. The ST-Z has a wider and lower footprint.
> Says Chris Voshall, Mizuno club engineer: "In testing, a lot of our tour players preferred the ST-X over the ST-Z for its deeper shape and slightly smaller profile. I recommend starting with an open mind and dropping the ST-X alongside the ST-Z in the address position. For a draw bias driver, it's not going to be what most players expect."
> The 3 and 5 woods have an adjustable, quick-switch hosel that offers 4 degrees of loft and face angle adjustability.
> The drivers retail for $400; the fairways for $300.
Ogio's Alpha Travel Cover Max is the brand's largest in this series offering. Though it will handle tour-sized bags and accessorys, the Max is easy to maneuver.
Photo: Ogio
OGIO: Alpha Travel Cover Max
Have faith, there will come a time with the pandemic is a thing of the past and golf travel will pick back up. Then that days arrives — and it’s coming — have your clubs ready to roll with Ogio’s newest offering.
What you need to know:
> Designed to fit any size bag.
> Features five compression straps — two internal and three external — to reduce movement of the bag’s contents. Also has two handles for easier lifting and loading.
> Lockable exterior zippers, along with two front accessory pockets with removable panels.
> Weighs 12 pounds. Length: 52 inches. Width: 13.8 inches. Height: 15.7 inches.
> This bag comes with an exclusive Ship Sticks offer. With purchase, receive free return ground shipment on a round-trip order through Dec. 31.
> The Max is the grandest of Ogio’s three offerings in this series and retails for $379. There is also the Alpha Travel Cover Mid ($279) and Alpha Cover Travel ($219).
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