Callaway, Odyssey, Hogan and Top Flite Update

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Hello all and thanks for stopping by! Some great Nike stuff from SirPuttsAlot yesterday so I guess I’ll have to try and top that today. Just before we get going, a big thanks to the guys over at MyPutterCover.com. I had them make SirPuttsAlot and I a couple of SirShanksAlot putter covers. I just opened the box and they look great! Check out our “Links” section for more details on how to get your own personalized putter cover. Some odds and ends from Callaway, Odyssey, Hogan and Top Flite for you today…

I think point form will work best for these… they are all just random bits of news…

- Fujikura will make the shafts for the new Callaway X Series woods. I hit the X460 Tour today and actually really liked it. Different than the Big Bertha 454? Not really.

- Callaway will also be introducing a #6 and #7 Heavenwood. More and more people are turning to hybrids and it’s not a huge surprise Callaway is expanding their line.

- It looks like the days of the Callaway putters may be numbered. They aren’t even in the new 2006 product book we got today and my rep doubts they will be around much longer.

- There will be a new White Steel 2-Ball Blade #2… the same 2-Ball Blade head but with a crank neck. It sets up much better than the current 2-Ball Blade.

- There will also be 4 new models of the popular White Steel putter too.

- The White Hot putter line will be done in the spring (probably around May or so). Odyssey wants to have a good gap between the new, less expensive Dual Force 2 putters and the White Steel putters. They hope that most golfers will be able to find an Odyssey putter that fits both their game and their budget.

- Speaking of the Dual Force 2 putters… there will be a total of 7 different Dual Force 2 putters available. This includes 2 center shafted options and a Rossie.

- The Hogan line for the start of 2006 is almost the same as the current line. The Big Ben C-S3 driver, Big Ben C455 fairway woods and CFT hybrid will all remain in the line.

- The iron line will be small and simple… an Apex blade, the FTX combo set and the CFT-h will all be around in 2006. The BH-5 is done… I don’t think it sold like they thought it would, and it is a direct competitor of most Callaway irons.

- Both the Tour Deep and the Hawk golf ball will be around next year too. No word on Hogan wedges and putters yet but I’ll let you know when I get some info here.

- The Top Flite line is all about value… and distance. The Strata is gone… the Top Flite golf ball line will consist of the XL Extreme (low compression distance ball), the XL Distance (kind of like a Pinnacle Gold), the XL Distance in yellow, and the XL Straight (a low spin ball). The company will also enter the “Crystal Ball” market (like everyone else) with the release of the Top Flite Quartz ball. Top Flite balls can get a bit tricky… they’ll spring some new golf ball on everyone mid-season. Don’t be surprised if their line changes or it is expanded come next year.

I think that’s all for today. Expect to see most of this new stuff in the spring. The Callaway woods and Odyssey putters are expected in the early spring 2006 although my rep did say that the company was trying to get some stock together for a limited Christmas release. I’ve heard that before… and I wouldn’t hold my breath. It looks like the company is trying to cover all the golfing bases with their products for next year. There are very few “crossovers” amongst the various lines. I’m guessing Callaway hopes those players that previously played the Strata will jump over to the Callaway golf ball line. I think if they can keep their lines simple, they should have a soild year in 2006. Talk to you later!