Launch Your Game into High Gear

: tWhat’s really cool about the Bridgestone Golf True Balance tPutter is how it can stand on its town with no assistance. How’s that tfor a balancing act? But what’s surprising is the slightly oversized EVA foam grip. By going unconventional, Bridgestone engineers saved weight in the overall putter, enabling them to concentrate all 360 grams in the head (shaft and grip weigh in at a combined 55 grams). The result is a putter that makes it almost impossible to decelerate (common with poor puts). By moving the balance point closer to the sole, you create what Bridgestone calls a “counter-counterbalanced” design, where the golfer can replicate a true pendulum stroke. Available in three models: TD-01 (mid-mallet), TD-02 (mid-mallet in steel only) and TD-03 (blade). $199.95. www.bridgestonegolf.com.

: Building on its previous X Hot line, Callaway has introduced the new X2 Hot. The club features a deep, central undercut for more distance, in addition to a lowered sweet spot (the tour model featured a slightly less cut and a more centered center of gravity). A perimeter face weighting delivers higher launch angles, which should aid in control and distance. Full set (steel) $799, graphite $899. www.callawaygolf.com.

: Tour Edge might not have the marketing bucks like the bigger manufacturers, but its clubs are top-notch, continually showing up on major publications’ hot lists and, more importantly, in the bags of tour players. The new Exotics CB PRO fairway wood has the smaller head size of its predecessor, CB2 fairway, with the new Slip Stream Sole (which minimizes ground interaction to allow the head to maintain maximum speed through impact). It also features Tour Edge’s premium beta titanium cup face and hyper-steel body to produce maximum distance in a fairway wood. A serious club for the serious player. $499. www.touredge.com.

: SwingSmart is a Bluetooth-enabled sensor module that attaches to the underside of the shaft on any golf club. You get instant feedback on your iOS or Android device for every swing, including data on tempo, attack angle, and swing speed. Released in 2013, the newest version makes a good product even better, with a completely new interface, multiple 3-D swingviews, and the Peter Kostis practice drills. $249. www.swingsmart.com.

: TaylorMade’s newest offering sports an elongated Speed Pocket, which delivers more speed, forgiveness and distance. The pocket creates a faster face and more ball speed across a larger area of the face. The irons all feature the lowest center of gravity of any of their prior irons. TaylorMade considers this its fastest iron face. Steel set $799, graphite set $899. www.taylormadegolf.com.

: What’s old is new again with the relaunch of this iconic name. The original Big Bertha driver in 1991 catapulted Callaway into the golfing industry stratosphere. It’s the first driver to let golfers independently adjust for loft, lie, shot bias and center of gravity height. A new, continuous Adjustable Perimeter Weighting slide provides a 20-percent higher MOI for more forgiveness—and longer, straighter shots. Big Bertha $499, Big Bertha Alpha $399. www.callawaygolf.com.

: Golf’s newest driver offers adjustability and a choice of four vibrant colors. The E9 Face technology removes weight from the face and repositions it low and back to deliver higher MOI. This provides a larger sweet zone and longer, straighter drives on off-center hits. SmartPad technology on the sole helps positioning and squareness to the ball. Features eight loft settings. BiO Cell $299, BiO Cell+ $399. www.cobragolf.com.

: Chances are, if you golf, you’ve had some weird little tweak-or-pull-type injury. The swing is not always conducive to good health, but Zensah and its compression technology help prevent injury and actually promote a better golf swing. Golfer’s elbow (like tennis elbow) can be painful, but the Zensah Elbow Sleeve is designed with that in mind, focusing on the tendon to help alleviate and prevent pain and providing a more comfortable alternative to existing treatments. Elbow sleeve $24.99, other sleeves from $19.99. www.zensah.com.

: The Take Pants 3.0 are made with stretch fabric and vented hems for a fit that moves (87-percent polyester, 13-percent spandex). With multiple pockets and an embroidered Oakley ellipse on the back, the pants are both stylish and athletic. Pants $75. www.oakley.com.

: There’s nothing worse than being wet and cold on a golf course. Nike’s performance wind jacket, Hyper Adapt, ensures that won’t happen and you’ll look stylish, as well. A combination of woven and knit fabrics creates enhanced comfort and the ability to swing freely (stretch zones are strategically placed to ensure the garment moves with your swing). The breathable, 100-percent polyester knit is half-zip pullover style and includes side zip pockets. $100. www.nike.com.

: The Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 improves on last year’s model with the revamped High Speed Cavity Back, and the all-new Fly-Brace technology. The overall benefit is more stability/control and more energy transferred to the face at impact. The result: even greater ball speed and up to six yards of distance gained, compared to the 2013 version. It features an adjustable head from 8.5 to 12 degrees of loft and three face-angle settings. Tour $399, regular $299. www.nike.com.

: Just because you can’t play like Bubba Watson doesn’t mean you can’t look as cool and comfortable. Oakley’s short-sleeve Lyons Polo boasts a bold look, with a breathable mesh side, moisture-wicking fabric that blocks UVA rays, and shoulder seams that help you move freely through your swing. The polyester fabric features Oakley’s proprietary O Hydrolix design, which wicks away sweat. Polo $75. www.oakley.com

: TaylorMade’s approach with the SLDR is all about loft, promoting a high launch angle, lower spin rate and faster ball speed as the keys to length off the tee. The movable weight allows for up to 30 yards of shot-shape adjustment for a slice or a draw. Moving the center of gravity forward, as opposed to the usual low and rear placement, is another unique design element. A 12-position loft sleeve can increase or reduce the loft by 1.5 percent. The SLDR is available in three lofts. $399. www.taylormadegolf.com.

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