By ED TRAVIS
The weather is warmer, the U.S. Open is just around the corner and there’s lots of daylight so we can get out on the course after work…it must be spring. Many, including the staff of California Golf + Travel, think this is the best time of the year, a time of renewal for nature and our golf games.
Part of that renewal can be new equipment, and we have a few product ideas to help get your golf year off to a great start.
Bettinardi Antidote SB2 Putter
Zero torque putters are all the rage right now and Bettinardi as usual is leading the pack with the Antidote SB2 model. It is a full-sized mallet style and the Simply Balanced location of the shaft in relation to the center of gravity maintains a square face no matter what swing path is used. The body is high grade aluminum and the stainless steel face is milled for a soft feel at impact. Right or left-handed, counterbalance option. $450 Antidote SB2 Counterbalance Putter | Bettinardi Golf – Studio B
Cleveland Golf RTZ Wedges
Cleveland’s RTZ wedges use a new Z-Alloy steel which is 10% softer than that used in the previous RTX6 model. Not only is it softer and not as dense but it allowed engineers to put lighter material in the heel and hosel which moved the center of gravity closer to the center of the face for more precise contact. Four sole grinds and two finishes available $170 or Tour Rack (raw) finish $190. RTZ Tour Satin Wedge | Dunlop Sports US
Shot Scope G6 GPS Watch
The G6 GPS Watch is preloaded with 36,000 courses all with full hole maps and there is no monthly software subscription–all updates are no cost plus it’s ready to use right out of the box…no setup. The color screen is easily readable even in direct sunlight and shows front, middle, back yardage as well as layups, hazards and dogleg distances. At $180 the G6 is a pocketbook-friendly but sophisticated solution. Shot Scope G6 GPS Watch
Titleist Pro V1 & Pro V1x for 2025
The most played ball brand has a reformulated core and a redo of the casing layer to lower spin off the tee which maximizes distance while allowing the short scoring clubs to generate more spin. The Pro V1 continues to be a three-piece urethane cover ball with a mid-trajectory and the Pro V1x four-piece construction and a firmer feel and higher spin of the mid and short irons. $55 dozen, same as 2023 models Explore Golf Balls | Titleist Pro V1, Pro V1x, AVX & More
Srixon ZXi Irons
There are three new ZXi models: ZXi4 for recreational players, the ZXi5 a distance model for better players and the ZXi7 for better players. All three have forged heads with the ZXi5 and ZXi4 model using Srixon’s third generation MainFrame, a design of grooves, channels and notches milled into the back of the head producing a variable thickness behind the face. Set of seven irons $1300. Irons | Dunlop Sports US
