GEAR SHORTS: Hoffman’s Titleist 915 driver key to victory

Charley Hoffman claimed his fourth PGA Tour win at the Valero Texas Open at the weekend and he did so with a driving distance 15.2 yards above the tour average.

Hoffman, who uses a 9.5˚ Titleist 915 driver with a tour only D4 head, had a driving distance of 300.5 yards for the week, with the tour average currently sitting at 285.3 yards.

Photo credit: GolfWrx.com

The D4 head has its weight positioned slightly further forward than the low-spinning D3 that is available in shops. Its crown is also slightly more curved to give a rounder appearance while, at 450cc, it is 10cc larger than the D3.

Those changes make it less consistent on mishits but gives the potential for more distance, which Hoffman is clearly benefitting from.

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Rickie’s new shoes

While Rickie Fowler was off having the best time ever in the Bahamas with Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Smylie Kauffman, Puma announced the release of its limited edition TitanTour Ignite Tricks golf shoes.

With different coloured left and right shoes, Fowler will be wearing them at the Players Championship. The inspiration for the designs came from Cameroonian footballer Rigobert Song’s decision to wear two different coloured Puma King boots during the 1998 World Cup.

A limited number of these one-of-a-kind shoes are available now at selected retailers with an RRP of £130.

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Photo credit: GolfWrx.com

Sizemore’s weird wedges

Bruce Sizemore is to release these fully adjustable, 100% milled wedges and it’s fair to say they look a touch different to the norm.

Made from seven different pieces, these wedges will offer adjustable loft, an adjustable sole and an adjustable face.

Photo credit: GolfWrx.com

According to Sizemore, the different appearance was done on purpose. He’s quoted as saying: “I didn’t want to just break the conventional wedge mould. I set out to shatter it.” We think you’ve managed it Bruce

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Harrington’s historic wedge 

If you’re after a thing of old school beauty, look no further. I present to you, Padraig Harrington’s Ping Eye2 XG lob wedge.

Photo credit: @jonathanrwall

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Photo credit: GolfWrx.com

Sticky fingers in Spain 

Peter Uihlein walked off the 18th green at the Spanish Open with his Scotty Cameron ‘Cameron and Co’ Newport 2.5 GSS only to find it had been stolen when his clubs turned up at the Shenzhen International.

The American quickly took to Twitter to vent his frustration, only for others, including Kristoffer Broberg and Seve Benson, to come forward to say some of their clubs had been taken, too.

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Scotty heaven 

Given that his dad is the CEO of the Acushnet Company, which includes Titleist and FootJoy, we don’t think Uihlein will have much trouble replacing his putter. If he fancies a change, however, he should definitely look at this new Scotty Cameron Concept 2 putter with a new silver GSS inlay.