News from the Tour

February 15, 2011

NEWS

 Alvaro Quiros receives the trophy from His Highness Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Getty Images)

Quiros takes flight in Dubai with new RAZR Hawk Driver…and Callaway apparel

Hole-in-one highlights clutch final round and 2nd straight win for RAZR Hawk Driver
With the top three players in the world rankings garnering the bulk of the attention entering this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Callaway staff pro Alvaro Quiros flew under the radar like a Hawk, one might say. But after three consecutive 68s at Emirates Golf Club led to his fifth European Tour victory, the long-bombing Spaniard won’t be playing fourth fiddle much longer, regardless of who is in the field.

After Thomas Bjorn’s win last week in Qatar, this was the 2nd straight win for the new RAZR Hawk Driver.

The highlight of the final round was Quiros’ hole-in-one on the par-3, 161-yard 11th hole, which he said was a “three-quarter wedge.” Because who doesn’t hit ¾ wedge shots 160!? “It was the perfect shot,” said the 28-year-old Quiros. “Once a year it happens.” Umm, noooo! Actually, New Year’s Eve happens once a year. Birthdays happen once a year. Hole-in-ones happen about never for most of us.   

“I have to recognize that the 11th might be one of the more exciting moments in my career,” Quiros added. “It was like the last piece of a happy birthday cake. It gave me the chance to win the tournament.”

NOTES
Amazingly, Quiros gets even longer off the tee

Alvaro’s new, even longer driver leans against his bag before racking up another win.
 
Quiros has somehow improved his ridiculous driving stats this year with the RAZR Hawk Driver in his bag. Here’s a thought: maybe it’s the club. A few telling stats below.

With the new RAZR Hawk, Quiros is averaging 12 more yards off the tee in 2011 (317.5) than he did for all of 2010 (305.73). 317.5 is the longest average driving distance of his career.

  • This week, he led the field in driving distance again, averaging 310.5 yards.
  • His scoring average has improved by more than a stroke in 2011 (69.38) over his 2010 season average (70.62). That’s also the best scoring average of his career.
  • He now leads the Race to Dubai and moves to No. 21 in the world rankings, his highest ranking ever.
  • This week, he won with the world Nos. 1, 2 and 3 ranked players also in the field.
  • His recent results: T23rd in Abu Dhabi, T8th at the Volvo Golf Championship, 2nd last week at Qatar, and 1st this week in Dubai.

What Alvaro had in his bag:

RAZR Hawk driver (9.5 degrees)

Tour 15-degree X Fairway Wood
X Fairway Wood (17 degrees)
X Prototype Irons

X-Forged Vintage Wedges (52 and 58 degrees)
Odyssey Black Series i #1 Putter

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New Callaway RAZR Hawk Driver a big hit onTour

February 10, 2011

Great Dane praises new RAZR Hawk Driver following win in Qatar

 Thomas Bjorn (Getty Images)

Thomas Bjorn became the first tour professional to win with the new RAZR Hawk Driver on Sunday when he captured the Commercialbank Qatar Masters by four shots. The Dane carded a 69 on Sunday to win his 11th European Tour title. Bjorn had fellow Callaway Staff Pro Alvaro Quiros breathing down his neck all afternoon. (I mean that figuratively, of course. Otherwise, that would just be awkward—a player breathing on another player.) Quiros finished solo 2nd at 10-under-par.   

 Yep, his driver is named Thomas, too.

Here’s what Bjorn said about his new driver:

“I put a new driver in the bag this week—a Callaway (RAZR) Hawk, which gave me 10 extra yards, which you need out here.”

Here’s what Bjorn had in his bag:

RAZR Hawk Driver (9.5 degrees)

Diablo Octane Tour Fairway Wood (15 degrees)

Heavenwood Hybrid (20 degrees)

Diablo Edge Tour Hybrid (21 degrees)

Callaway Prototype Irons

X-Forged Vintage Wedges

Odyssey Backstryke Marxman Putter

Tour iZ Golf Ball

And one Danish red sausage to eat at the turn.

NOTES

Runner-up Alvaro Quiros also used a full bag of Callaway equipment, including his new RAZR HAWK Driver. Using said Callaway driver, Quiros led the field in driving distance, averaging 323.4 yards off the tee.


If someone ever tells you it’s hard to look cool in golf clothes, you show them Alvaro Quiros wearing Callaway Golf apparel while strutting through the desert like he’s James Dean in white pants. (Was that a bit of a stretch? Maybe. Maybe so. Probably was.)
Here’s what Alvaro had in his bag:
RAZR Hawk Driver (9.5 degrees)

Tour 15-degree X Fairway Wood

Callaway Prototype 2-iron 

Callaway X Prototype Irons (3-9)

Callaway X-Forged Wedges
Odyssey, Black Series i #1 Putter
Tour iZ Golf Ball

Callaway drivers take top 4 spots in Qatar

Here’s what the top of the leaderboard looked like at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters:
1. Thomas Bjorn – RAZR Hawk Driver (9.5 degrees)

2. Alvaro Quiros – Razr Hawk (8.5 degrees)

T3. Non Callaway staff player – Diablo Octane Tour Driver (8.5 degrees)

T3. Non Callaway staff player – RAZR Hawk Tour Driver (9.5 degrees)

New Callaway Staff Pro J.B. Holmes finished T5th at the Waste Management Phoenix Open

RAZR Hawk Driver goes into more bags on European Tour

Nick Dougherty, Thongchai Jaidee, David Drysdale and Danny Lee all joined the list of players who have put the RAZR Hawk Driver into play. Testing on Trackman showed ball speed increases of 4-6 mph in some cases over their previous models. Even better, the drop off in performance when you stray from the centre of the face is minimal.

What European Tour Pros are saying about:
RAZR Hawk Fairway Woods: Look, forgiveness and all-around playability help it gain admirers each week. The player’s like the fact they can hit any trajectory they like with it and this week was the perfect testing ground with wind, soft approaches and firm greens.

RAZR X Hybrid: The strong but manageable flight works well in all conditions and performance from the rough is a definite improvement. A “whisper” was going around among the caddies on the range about how good this club is.

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Tour Notes

February 2, 2011

NEWS

 Mickelson misses victory by a couple of feet in first PGA TOUR start of 2011

Here’s a look at what Phil Mickelson had in his bag as he commenced his 2011 PGA TOUR season at Torrey Pines. One note: Phil said he had 72 yards and hit his 64-degree wedge on that last approach shot that he nearly jarred on No. 18.

 Lefty’s tools of the trade:
RAZR Hawk Tour Driver, 9.5 degrees

Big Bertha Diablo 3-wood (15 degrees)

Callaway Prototype Hybrid – 22 degrees

RAZR X muscle back irons 5-PW

RAZR X Forged 4-iron

Callaway X-Series JAWS Wedges – 52, 60 and 64 degrees

Odyssey PT 82 Putter

New, optimized Tour iS Golf Ball

Other Callaway players in the field this week

Stuart Appleby, Alex Cejka, Scott Gutschewski, J.J. Henry, Jim Herman, J.B. Holmes, Fredrik Jacobson, Lee Janzen, Colt Knost, Derek Lamely, Tim Petrovic, Paul Stankowski and two Monday qualifiers: Len Mattiace and James Oh.

Jacobson adds loft to Diablo Octane Driver at Torrey Pines

Fredrik Jacobson added ½ degree of loft to his Diablo Octane Tour Driver (which was listed at 8.5 degrees this week) and was pleased with how it was playing going into the tournament. He finished tied for 25th. The Swede averaged 284 yards off the tee and tied for 13th best in the field in driving accuracy.

Interesting tidbit: Freddie called in from a pro-Am round on Wednesday morning to ask reps in the Callaway Tour Trailer if they had any 7-woods because the rough was so high on the North Course. After a few trials with the 7-wood and a few hybrids, he went with a Diablo Octane Tour 5-wood (18 degrees), in addition to his Big Bertha Diablo 3-wood.

  Holmes uses Callaway Performance Center to dial in clubs prior to Torrey Pines

New Callaway staff pro J.B. Holmes worked at the Ely Callaway Performance Center last Monday to dial in some of the Company’s new equipment before making his 2011 debut at the Farmers Insurance Open, where he finished tied for 63rd. He settled on an FT Tour Driver (8.5 degrees) but will do some more fine-tuning in the weeks ahead. He also played a RAZR X Tour Hybrid (21 degrees), an X-Series JAWS 52-degree wedge and an X-Forged 60-degree wedge.

 While at the ECPC, Holmes said the following about joining Callaway:

“Callaway has great technology and it’s nice to have cutting-edge equipment. The staff has been phenomenal so far, and the service has been great. That’s what I’ve heard from other players—how great the service is with Callaway. Many players think it’s the best service on Tour. I’m looking forward to working with them more, but so far it has been phenomenal.”

On working new product into the bag:
“I’m going to be working on irons, a putter and the woods, so pretty much the whole bag. I’m already playing with Callaway wedges. I’ve also tested the RAZR Hawk Tour Driver and that won’t be too hard to get into the bag. I tried the new RAZR Irons as well and they are really good. So I’m looking forward to working with the product and getting it in the bag.”

 Jim Herman, despite not encountering kangaroos on the course, asked to have the following new wedges made up: Slate Jaws 50/12, 54/12, and 60/0 wide sole.

 Colt Knost endorses RAZR X Forged Irons after great week at Bob Hope Classic

New Callaway staff pro Colt Knost reported that he was very pleased with the new RAZR X Forged Irons he put into play last week in Palm Springs. He said he liked the turf interaction they offered and told reps, “These irons will be in the bag for a while.”

 New RAZR Hawk and Diablo Octane woods leading charge on European Tour

Alexander Noren joined Thomas Bjorn and Alvaro Quiros in playing the new RAZR Hawk Tour Driver. All have found it to be an easy driver to switch to.

More players put the RAZR X Fairway Woods in play this week.

 The combination of RAZR Hawk Tour, Diablo Octane Tour and Diablo Edge Tour fairway woods saw Callaway top the category this week in Bahrain with 40 fairway woods in play; that was 32% of the 125 total fairway woods in play. A number of players are doubling up on the RAZR Hawk Tour Driver and RAZR Hawk Fairway Woods.

 The RAZR X Hybrid is gaining momentum as well, with players reporting strong flight and playability. Again, teaming with the Diablo Edge Tour hybrids, Callaway led the European Tour field with 22 hybrids in play; that was 26% of the 83 total hybrids in play.

 In a field of 98 highly ranked players on the European Tour, there were 90 clubs in play carrying the RAZR name.

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Tour Notes

January 31, 2011

NEWS

An even 10 Callaway Staffers teed it up this week at the Bob Hope Classic. Cameron Beckman, Mark Brooks, Alex Cejka, Fredrik Jacobson, Colt Knost, Sam Saunders, JJ Henry, Lee Janzen, Derek Lamely and Paul Stankowski.

 Derek Lamely grabbed the early headlines with a 9-under-par 63 that gave him the lead after 18 holes. He finished tied for 13th. Following that stellar first round, Lamely credited the new Callaway RAZR X Tour Hybrid (18 degrees) in his bag. Here’s what he told the media: “The funny part is, today’s the first round I’ve ever played with a hybrid. So I got Callaway’s new hybrid in and it goes just as far as my normal 2-iron, but it’s a lot easier to hit. And it’s funny, I’d never been able to hit one and I finally got a good one and I hit such a good shot with that club today.”

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From the PGA Show

January 27, 2011

Thursday was the opening day of the PGA show in Orlando. This is THE industry-wide golf trade show in which you will find anything related to golf — I mean anything –from the big golf manufacturers (Callaway, Titleist, Ping, etc..) to range equipment to golf spikes to teaching aids to fitness to what color grips you want on your putter! And more!

I was up there looking at the latest teaching aids and what ‘new’ trends were upon us for 2011. John Daly’s Loudmouth Golf Company booth was very busy with interested buyers…if you watch this week’s Famer’s Insurance Open, you will see him wearing the Loudmouth brand of clothing…

Stopped by Callaway booth and looked at the new Razr woods and irons — and may I say ..it looks AWESOME! Can’t wait to try them out myself. It will be available to public on February 15th, and WILL be at our Callaway demo day on Feb 27th…Also, their callaway JAWS wedges were a big hit! We have them available for you to try out and buy at SchiavettaGolf Academy..

Meet some old friends and made new ones..but a very tiring day with all the walking . I will keep you posted on any more news form the PGA show!…..

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Tour Notes

January 19, 2011

A  full slate of Callaway staffers teed it up this week at the Sony Open, the first full-field event on the 2011 PGA TOUR. Stuart Appleby (T13th), Cameron Beckman (T20th), Fredrik Jacobson (T 27th), Colt Knost (T34th) and Ernie Els (T 42nd) were all in action at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.

Nationwide Tour graduates Scott Gutchewski, Jim Herman and new Callaway staff member Colt Knost, who also graduated for the Nationwide Tour, also teed it up in their first PGA Tour event of the year. 

Els finished 1st in the field in Greens in Regulation, hitting 77 percent with his Callaway X-Prototype Irons.

 Beckman finished first in the field in putts per GIR, averaging 1.571 with his Odyssey White Hot #2 Putter. He was also 3rd in putts per round, averaging just 27.

Appleby was sixth in driving distance, averaging more than 297 yards off the tee.

 Callaway Wedges in high demand early in the season

Manufacturer tour trailers may not be able to drive to Hawaii for the first two events, but that doesn’t mean players aren’t busy placing orders with onsite Tour reps. In the case of Stuart Appleby and several non-Callaway staffers that meant placing an order for new Callaway X-Forged Wedges and JAWS Wedges to be made for them and ready to be put in their bags at the next event they play. Appleby asked to have fresh X-Forged 52/12 and 58/10 C-grind wedges made up for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

 Ernie Els puts new RAZR Hawk Tour Driver in play last week

Due to a miscommunication, last week we told you that Ernie Els was loving the RAZR Hawk Tour Driver but had not yet put it in play. Turns out, The Big Easy did, in fact, make the switch and put the new RAZR Hawk Tour Driver (8.5 degrees) in play for all four rounds of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions a week ago. After about 10 swings with the driver on the range, he said he was very impressed with it, then hit 80 percent of fairways for the week. Els used the new club despite having won two tournaments since putting his other new driver in play, the Diablo Octane Tour. The Big Easy won the Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda and the South African Open using that Diablo Octane Tour Driver. Always good to have options.

  Young talent Danny Willett makes 2011 European Tour debut
      
New Callaway Staff Pro Danny Willett enjoyed his first outing of the 2011 season this week at the Jo’burg Open in South Africa and tour reps report that he looked to be in fine fettle. The 23-year-old Englishman finished tied for 33rd at 4-under-par. Willet said the X-Forged Irons are treating him well and added that the transition to Callaway equipment has been easy.

Here’s what he had in his bag this week:

RAZR Hawk Tour Driver, 9 degrees
Diablo Octane Tour Fwy wood – 18 degrees
RAZR X Tour 21-degree Hybrid
X-Forged Irons

Tour IZ Golf Ball
Odyssey White Ice #7 Putter

New Tour IS and TOUR IZ golf balls getting instant acceptance on Tour

A whopping 11 of the 14 players using Callaway golf balls this week at the Sony Open chose to play the new 2011 version of the Tour IS and Tour IZ golf balls. Shaun Micheel and Jim Herman are playing the new Tour IS. After playing a round with Derek Lamely, Alex Cejka also switched from to the 2011 Tour IZ.

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How may wedges do you need?

January 14, 2011

Pros have up to 4 wedges in the golf bags — a pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge. Do you need that many? It depends…

Pitching wedges come in all full sets of clubs that you buy. But some sets do not come with a sand wedge.. but it is IMPERATIVE that you one. You will need it out of the sand and around the green for high, soft shots. Standard loft of a sand wdge is 56 degrees. Get one….you will use it more than your pitching wedge — it is more versatile.

The gap wedge usually is about 52 degrees. It is called ‘gap’ because it flies farther than the sand wedge, but less than the pitching wedge. If there is a big gap between your sand and pitching wedges on full swings, a gap wedge will fit in nicelyto your set of clubs.

Finally, the lob wedge— the club that gets all the attention. It is Phil Mickelson’s favorite club…and a favorite of a lot of other pros. This club runs in the 60 – 64 degree category, producing very high, soft landing shots with a lot of spin. It takes practrice to get used to the loft – this club is used not for disance but for those those difficult shots where touch and feel are used to the max.

So, you can have four wedges in your bag. If  you practice with them, they will each save you strokes on your scorecard.

We have Callaway wedges for you to try. Stop by and see what wedges you need to complete your set of clubs.

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Thank you!

January 8, 2011

Thank you to all who showed up today to meet the Pros from SchiavettaGolf Academy. Some of you received some tips from our PGA staff, some stopped by to say hello. The weather was great, the lite bites and refreshments were enjoyed by everyone!

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Meet The Pros This Saturday

January 5, 2011

Meet the Pros – Saturday, January 8th, 1 -3 pm.

Meet the PGA Professionals from SchiavettaGolf Academy. We are here to answer any questions you may have about your golf swing, golf equipment and everything golf!

 

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Gearing up for 2011

January 5, 2011

What’s ahead for 2011….

I am excited about the winter season here in Sarasota and looking forward to meeting the ‘snowbirds’ once again and working with them to improve their golf games. I am also pleased that so many people are happy with their Callaway clubs as a result of club fitting sessions done by myself or the other SchiavettaGolf Academy PGA Professionals.

SchiavettaGolf and Callaway are again getting together to hold a Callaway Demo Day on Sunday, February 27th, from 11 – 3 pm. Callaway will be introducing their new RAZR Hawk Drivers, fairway woods and RAZR X irons. The launch of the Diablo Octane Driver and fairway wood line this past November was a first for them. Not only did product come out earlier (usually product launches do not happen until Februaury), but the opening price point for the Octane Driver was $299 — the lowest price point they have ever had for a new driver…and it was very successful! Everyone is very happy with the new Octane products — which produce a lighter club with longer length to give more distance. These drivers are on average 8 yards longer than the  Diablo Edge driver.

I want to thank everyone who has purchased Callaway product from SchiavettaGolf, and I look forward to continuing a successful relationship with Callaway Golf….and I want to see YOU come out and practice your golf, take a lesson or clinic or golf school –and IMPROVE YOUR GAME FOR 2011!

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