Tag Archives: Callaway Golf

January 2, 2018 – Callaway Golf has announced today that Sergio Garcia, the reigning Masters Champion, has joined its Tour Professional Staff. He will play Callaway woods, irons and wedges, an Odyssey putter and a Callaway Chrome Soft ball.

“I’m really excited to switch to Callaway,” said Sergio Garcia. “After testing different brands I realised Callaway’s technology and innovation will help me maximise my game and perform to the best of my ability.”

Callaway’s Tour Department worked extensively with Sergio Garcia to dial in the specs on each of his clubs, from driver to putter, to promote maximum distance, accuracy and control.

“The launch monitor doesn’t lie,” said Tim Reed, SVP, Global Sports Marketing, Callaway Golf. “Jailbreak driver technology has upped his distance off the tee. And the combination of Apex irons, Mack Daddy 4 wedges and our Chrome Soft ball has given him tremendous control on approach shots, and around the green.”

On the green, Sergio is currently using a new Odyssey putter that he’s won with previously. “It’s an exciting new toe hang mallet that we will launch next month,” said Sean Toulon, SVP, Callaway Golf & GM, Odyssey Brand. “He really likes the choices we have for him, especially the roll enhancing face technologies that our putters feature.”

Sergio Garcia, 37, has won 30 tournaments worldwide since turning professional in 1999, including 10 on the PGA Tour, and he’s consistently been one of the top ranked players in the world throughout his career. He has also been a mainstay in Ryder Cup competition for the past two decades, competing on eight European teams while compiling an impressive 19-11-7 record. Last October, Garcia won the Valderrama Masters in his native Spain with a Mack Daddy 4 Wedge and an Odyssey putter in the bag.

“Sergio has been one of the world’s most talented and charismatic players for almost 20 years,” said Callaway President & CEO Chip Brewer. “It will be fun to see what he can do using Callaway equipment.”

In addition to playing Callaway equipment Garcia will display a Callaway Golf logo on both sides of his hat. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Wedges

Callaway Golf – New Sure Out wedge for ultimate greenside control

2 March, 2017 REDACCIÓN

March 2, 2017 – Callaway Golf has unveiled its new Sure Out Wedge, created in collaboration with world-renowned golf instructor Hank Haney, to provide optimal performance on greenside shots.

Working closely with Callaway engineers, Haney crafted the forgiving, easy-to-play Sure Out Wedge to help provide golfers with enhanced performance, particularly on shots from the bunker or the rough.

The Wedge’s distinctive new Sure Out sole, which has an enhanced camber and high bounce, enables the club to glide smoothly through sand and thick grass, without the need to open the face, helping eliminate fat shots.

Hank Haney said: “For many golfers that struggle with their short game around the greens, the Sure Out Wedge could be exactly what they are looking for. The design helps simplify troublesome greenside shots making scoring that much easier.”

KEY FEATURES

Easy Explosions from Greenside Bunkers
New enhanced camber, high bounce Sure Out sole glides cleanly through sand without the need to open the face at address, generating easy, high, soft-landing shots.

Solid Contact for Consistent Distance Control
A wider sole and larger face area promote solid face-to-ball contact for optimal distance control.

High Spin for Fast Stopping Shots
17 full-face grooves and an aggressive groove geometry promote fast, shot-stopping spin even on off-centre hits.

Callaway’s Sure Out Wedges – in store in Europe from March 31st, 2017 with an RRP of £99 – are equipped with a choice of two premium shafts, a highly responsive KBS 90 steel or a lightweight 65g graphite option from UST, and are available in two lofts: 58° and 64°.

Golf Shoes

Callaway Golf – New footwear range helps build a better game from the ground up

20 February, 2017 REDACCIÓN

February 20, 2017 – Callaway Golf has unveiled its 2017 Footwear Collection blending performance-enhancing design features with a host of innovative styles and striking colours for men and women.

Featuring 43 different shoe styles and colour combinations, the 2017 family is split into four very distinctive and technologically advanced sub-collections, X Series, Chev Series, Del Mar Series and Sky Series, all designed to give the golfer a perfect platform from which to build their game.

Leading the high-tech footwear line is the new Xfer Fusion, a Tour performance signature shoe constructed from sumptuous full grain leather sitting on the world’s first Fusion 4×4 outsole – a fusion of dynamic TPU cleats and spikeless permanent traction.

This technology gives golfers the comfort of a spikeless shoe but with the performance of cleats. The shoe also features the Xfer Lateral Power Wall that prevents lateral side foot slippage, while absorbing and releasing power during the load and unload of the golf swing.

Duncan Patmore, Callaway Europe Footwear Manager, said: “Our 2017 family of shoes for men and women push the performance boundaries a stage further thanks to a host of ground-breaking technologies that not only assist in giving golfers the very best comfort on the course, but could help them improve their games too.”

Among the 14 different shoe styles within the 2017 Callaway Golf sub-collections, the new Chev Vent, takes design inspiration from 80s retro running shoes, to create a super comfortable, extra breathable, lightweight athletic shoe with a spikeless rubber 4×4 outsole and an Opti-Vent mesh upper.

In addition, the new Del Mar Retro combines high-quality leather with a unique Opti-Soft drop-in footbed and fashionable retro styling for a shoe that looks as good off the course as it does on it.

In the 2017 Sky Series, women can choose from 15 different styles and colour combinations, headlined by the Halo Pro range and featuring the super-stylish Ozone and Sunset Pro lines.

Ozone blends the use of sumptuous performance leather, a super-comfortable drop-in footbed, and a new Ground Control outsole – all in a stunning, fashionable retro look in four striking colourways: navy/white, putty/white, pink/white and black/geranium.

In Sunset Pro, women can choose from three colourways that take inspiration from the running market, and boast an athletic, comfortable fit and a host of features, including a new Chev 4×4 Outsole featuring Xfer Power Wall traction elements, Ortholite Insert, EVA midsole and full grain leathers.

Golf Companies

Callaway Golf – The company acquires OGIO International, a leading lifestyle brand

12 January, 2017 REDACCIÓN

January 12, 2017 – Callaway Golf has announced that it has acquired OGIO International, Inc. for $75.5 million in an all-cash transaction, subject to a working capital adjustment.

Known for its adrenaline-raising designs and exceptional product performance, OGIO International, Inc., helps consumers to carry their passion. OGIO designs and sells bags, accessories and apparel for the golf, lifestyle, motorsports and endurance categories on a global basis.

The acquisition enhances Callaway’s presence in golf while also providing a platform for future growth in the lifestyle category. Excluding non-recurring transaction and transition expenses, Callaway’s management expects the acquisition to be immediately accretive to earnings.

“We are excited about OGIO becoming part of Callaway and believe this acquisition aligns well with our stated goal of strategically developing growth in tangential areas,” commented Chip Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf Company.

“Furthermore, there is a robust strategic fit between the companies; both are strong brands with a sports heritage that share a passion for creating high-quality, performance-driven products. There is also significant overlap in our supply chains and go-to-market strategies, which should allow us to add value and create profitable growth.”

Callaway projects the acquired business will generate annual EBITDA of approximately $10 million after the acquisition is integrated and the majority of operational synergies are realized. Callaway estimates that the majority of the operational synergies will be realized within two years. The purchase price values OGIO at a multiple of approximately 7.6x this projected EBITDA. Callaway also expects to realize significant value from potential tax benefits associated with the transaction.

In 2017, OGIO is expected to contribute to Callaway approximately $45 million in revenue. After absorbing non-recurring transaction and transition expenses of approximately $7 million, OGIO is expected to be dilutive by approximately $0.02 to Callaway’s 2017 earnings per share but is expected to be accretive thereafter.

Callaway intends to finance the transaction with cash on hand and borrowings from its existing asset-backed credit facilities. Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal counsel and Lazard acted as financial advisor to Callaway. Snell & Wilmer LLPacted as legal counsel and Robert W. Baird & Co. acted as financial advisor to OGIO.

Drivers

Callaway Golf – Introduction of GBB Epic and GBB Epic Sub Zero Drivers with Jailbreak Technology

4 January, 2017 REDACCIÓN

January 4, 2017 – Callaway Golf has introduced today the Great Big Bertha Epic and Great Big Bertha Epic Sub Zero drivers, incorporating Callaway’s innovative new Jailbreak ball speed technology. Jailbreak Technology changes the fundamental way the head behaves at impact to promote more distance for every type of player.

The key structural components of a driver – crown, sole and face – deform at impact. Because they’re connected, they influence each other’s dynamics. Jailbreak incorporates two slender titanium bars positioned parallel to each other behind the face, connected to the crown and sole. The size, strength and position of each bar creates a new dynamic relationship between the crown, sole and face. The result is a profound change in how the head, as a whole, behaves at impact, resulting in more speed across a much larger area of the face.

“Jailbreak Technology creates a new and remarkably efficient working relationship between the face, crown and sole to promote faster ball speed across more of the face to give the golfer more distance,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, Callaway’s senior vice president of R&D.

CALLAWAY GREAT BIG BERTHA EPIC DRIVER

GBB Epic’s clubhead consists of Callaway’s new aerospace-grade titanium Exo-cage outfitted with a crown and sole panels made of triaxial carbon, an extraordinarily light and strong composite material developed by Callaway. Nearly half of the head’s surface – 46 percent — consists of triaxial carbon, with the crown weighing just 9.7g and the sole just 5.8g. That’s the lightest crown of any Callaway driver currently on the market.

Epic’s multi-material structure is incredibly light and strong, with high MOI and a low, deep-back CG that makes it ultra-easy to launch the ball on a high angle with low spin.

Epic’s increased accuracy is rooted in Callaway’s Adjustable Perimeter Weighting technology, an invaluable feature that allows golfers to quickly and easily adjust the club to fit their swing. Compared to previous Callaway Drivers, Epic’s track has been redesigned and the sliding weight has been increased to 17 grams, both for good reason: to deliver a full 21 yards of shot-shape correction (a 22 percent increase compared to last season’s Great Big Bertha) to dial in straighter, more accurate flight while maintaining high MOI (or Moment of Inertia).

CALLAWAY GREAT BIG BERTHA EPIC SUB ZERO DRIVER

GBB Epic Sub Zero’s clubhead also consists of Callaway’s aerospace-grade titanium Exo-Cage outfitted with a crown and sole panels made of triaxial carbon. A full 50 percent of the head’s surface area consists of triaxial carbon. The crown weighs just 10.8g, the sole panels just 7.4g. The weight saved is strategically repositioned to create Epic Sub Zero’s extraordinarily high MOI, which measures a full 40 percent higher than the Big Bertha 816 Driver (when Epic Sub Zero’s heavier interchangeable weight is in back).

Two interchangeable weights (12g and 2g) positioned at the front and back of the sole, which can be used in tandem with the Optifit hosel, give players the ability to adjust the spin-rate, the launch angle and MOI.

Epic Sub Zero’s unique head construction allows Callaway engineers to position the Centre of Gravity low, deep and in line with the head’s neutral axis, which is defined as a line that intersects the geometric center of the face and runs perpendicular to the loft. The CG location, in particular CG height, is often measured relative to the neutral axis.

In both drivers, head speed gets an additional boost from Callaway’s proven Speed Step technology. Devised with the help of aerospace experts, the Speed Step, located on the crown, improves head aerodynamics for more speed and distance.

“Callaway engineers paid particular attention to the shape, aesthetics and acoustics to make Epic drivers great to look at and agreeable to listen to,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell. “The Tour-inspired shape is sleek and confidence-inspiring. The triaxial carbon weave visible on the rear half of the crown, and the vibrant green highlights on the head, shaft and grip, together create a dynamic appearance from every angle.”

SPECIFICATIONS

Availability: GBB Epic Driver, GBB Epic Woods full line and GBB Epic Sub Zero Driver, January 27, 2017.

Lofts (adjustable): GBB Epic Driver, 9º (8º-11º), 10.5º (9.5º-12.5º), 13.5ºHT (12.5º-15.5º); GBB Epic Sub Zero Driver, 9º (8º-11º), 10.5º (9.5º-12.5º).

Stock-shafts: Project X HZRDUS Green, MRC Diamana Greenboard, Fujikura Pro Green and Aldila Rogue Max.

RRP: GBB Epic Driver, 549€; GBB Epic Sub Zero Driver, 549€.

Golf Companies

Callaway Golf – Significant improvements in the 2014 full year results

30 January, 2015 REDACCIÓN

January 30, 2015 – Callaway Golf Company has announced its 2014 full year and fourth quarter financial results. For the full year, despite challenging conditions that beset the golf industry for much of 2014, including unfavourable weather and changes in foreign currency exchange rates, Callaway returned to profitability for the first time since 2008.

Callaway reported full year sales growth of 5% for 2014 to $887 million (compared to $843 million in 2013) driven by growth in most major product categories (woods +8%; irons +12%; golf balls +4%; and accessories and other +2%) and growth in all geographic segments (United States +5%; Japan +3%; Europe +11%; Rest of Asia +7%; and Other foreign countries +1%). Additionally, income from operations improved significantly to $31 million compared to a loss of ($11) million in 2013 and fully diluted earnings per share increased to $0.20 compared to a loss of ($0.31) in 2013.

This positive turnaround was driven by the increase in sales, improvements in gross margins of 310 basis points, and flat operating expenses, all of which more than offset an approximately $6 million increase in other expense due to a decrease in foreign currency contract gains. The 2014 results also benefitted from a $17 million decrease in pre-tax charges related to the cost reduction initiatives that were completed in 2013.

“We are pleased with our results for 2014,” commented Chip Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf Company. “Notwithstanding challenging market conditions for the golf industry as a whole, we were able to grow sales, increase our market share and return to profitability for the first time since 2008 – a significant milestone for us in our turnaround. Our return to profitability has clearly benefitted from the many actions we have taken during the last few years to improve our operating efficiencies, as evidenced in part by our 300+ basis point improvement in gross margins in 2014. Also, our continued emphasis on cost management has allowed us to increase our investments in Tour and marketing and still hold our operating expenses essentially flat with 2013. All in all, we are pleased with how our turnaround has progressed thus far.”

“Looking forward, while the recent weakening of foreign currencies will adversely impact our 2015 GAAP results, we expect our underlying operational performance to continue to improve in 2015,” continued Chip Brewer. “Given the strength of our product line for 2015, which was well received at the recent PGA Show in Orlando, and anticipated additional improvements in our operations, we expect for 2015 on a constant currency basis not only sales growth and market share gains, but also further improvements in gross margins and profitability. Golf is a momentum business and fortunately momentum is now on our side.”

Pictures: PGA of America.

Equipment

Callaway Golf – Introduction of Big Bertha Alpha 815 Fairway Woods and Hybrids

2 January, 2015 REDACCIÓN

January 2, 2014 – Today Callaway Golf officially announced the new Big Bertha Alpha 815 Fairway Woods that adjust spin control and trajectory for the ball flight golfers want to play. At the same time, Callaway also announced the Big Bertha Alpha 815 Hybrids, complete distance hybrids for better players.

Big Bertha Alpha 815 Fairway Woods

The Big Bertha Alpha 815 Fairway Woods are designed for ball speed and forgiveness at every impact location, especially on misses low on the face, from a Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup. They also have adjustable weights (3g and 30g) that can be used to move the weight forward for a low spinning ball flight that’s great off the tee, or to move the weight back for higher launch and more forgiveness.

FEATURES

Adjustable Launch Conditions:  Lower spin when the weight is in the forward position, and more forgiveness with higher launch when the weight is back. Move the adjustable weights (3g and 30g) for the ball flight you want.

Ball Speed And Forgiveness All Over The Face : A Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup creates ball speed at every impact location, especially for mishits that are low on the face.

Compact Head Shape:  An appealing look, especially for better players.

OptiFit Adjustability : 8 way adjustability for loft and lie angle.

Lightweight Shaft Options : A comprehensive list of shaft matrix, available at no upcharge.

Big Bertha Alpha 815 Hybrids

The Big Bertha Alpha 815 Hybrids focus on a more controlled, penetrating trajectory for better players, along with ball speed all across the face and loft and lie adjustability. The compact head shape also has less offset for a look that’s preferred by better players.

FEATURES

Ball Speed All Over The Face:  High speed at every impact location from a Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup.

Controlled Trajectory : Penetrating ball flight and less spin are what you get from an Internal Standing Wave and Sole Weighting that move the CG low and forward.

Compact Head Shape With Less Offset:  The compact shape and rounded half pear toe profile provide a look that many players prefer.

OptiFit Adjustability : 8 way adjustability for loft and lie angle.

Lightweight Performance Shaft:  A Speeder shaft comes standard for even more speed.

RRP Big Bertha Alpha 815 Fairway Woods: 319 €.
RRP Big Bertha Alpha 815 Hybrids: 289 €.
Availability: January 16, 2015.

Golf Balls

Callaway Golf – Announcement of the new Chrome Soft redefined golf ball

18 December, 2014 REDACCIÓN

December 18, 2014 – Callaway Golf officially announced yesterday the new Chrome Soft Golf Ball. This is a product that, according to the company, will completely redefine golf ball performance and change the category, with the slogan: “The Ball that Changed The Ball”.

Chrome Soft is the only ball that has the new proprietary SoftFast Core with low compression and the Tour Urethane cover. This leads to low spin off the tee for incredible ball speed and distance, low 65 compression to compress the ball on iron shots for incredibly soft feel, and excellent control for aggressive shots into the green. With Chrome Soft, the company says golfers no longer have to choose between ‘great feel’ and ‘hitting the ball farther’.

The introduction of the product is supported by its own webpage (http://cmp.callawaygolf.com/chrome-soft/) along with a suite of original content, with the commercial video above and the comments of Phil Mickelson in the next video:

Chrome Soft will be available in U.S. golf retailers and in www.callawaygolf.com on January 16, 2015 for $37.99 per dozen.

DP World Tour, What's in the bag…

Callaway Golf – Amazing hat-trick for the brand at European Tour thanks to Branden Grace

16 December, 2014 REDACCIÓN

December 16, 2014 – Callaway Staff Professional Branden Grace has continued the manufacturer’s winning streak on the European Tour courtesy of a convincing seven-shot victory in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club, South Africa.

Following wins by Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett in consecutive tournaments, the 2014 Race to Dubai finale and first event of the 2015 European Tour season respectively, the 26-year-old went wire-to-wire with rounds of 62, 66, 72 and 68 to join his Callaway stable mates in the winners’ circle, finishing 20-under par and completing the company’s hat-trick.

Powered by a full bag of Callaway and Odyssey product, the South African earned his fifth European Tour victory and became the first golfer to secure both Alfred Dunhill titles. Commenting on his win, Branden Grace said: “One of the main things this week has been the driving; I just put a new driver in the bag in Dubai and that’s been the key this week.”

“It’s been a phenomenal week. It’s special to win it wire-to-wire, more so because it’s in front of a local crowd. It was a pretty flawless round today and the perfect way to finish off an incredible tournament.”

Neil Howie, President and Managing Director of Callaway Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “We are delighted that Branden used the new Big Bertha Alpha 815 Double Black Diamond Driver to such devastating effect this week and became the first player globally to win with it in the bag.”

“With the ink barely dry on our previous two victories, it’s fantastic to be celebrating both Branden’s fifth European Tour title and the third consecutive Callaway win on The European Tour.”

Grace opened his account as a Callaway Staff Professional in 2012 fresh from The European Tour Qualifying School by becoming just the sixth player in history to win their first two European Tour events in back-to-back tournaments.

What’s in Branden Grace golf bag?

Driver: Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 Double Black Diamond (8.5º)

Fairway wood: Callaway Big Bertha V Series (3-wood)

Utility: Callaway Apex UT (18º)

Irons: Callaway X Forged ‘13 (4-PW)

Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 Tour Grind (52º, 56º, 60º)

Putter: Odyssey Versa WBW V-Line

Golf Ball: Callaway Speed Regime SR3

Footwear: FootJoy

DP World Tour, What's in the bag…

Callaway Golf – Danny Willett energizes #teamCallaway in 2015 European Tour

9 December, 2014 REDACCIÓN

December 9, 2014 – Callaway Golf and Odyssey started the 2015 European Tour season how it ended 2014, in the winner’s circle, thanks to Staff Professional Danny Willett powering to a four-shot victory in the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, South Africa.

Willett, 27, using a full bag of Callaway and Odyssey products, including the X2 Hot Driver and Fairways, Speed Regime Golf Ball and Odyssey Versa BWB Rossie Putter, earned himself €864,976 for his week’s work at the Gary Player Country Club. Danny closed out the tournament with an emphatic bogey-free final round six-under-par 66, which included six birdies, to finish 18 under par.

He ranked 3rd in the field in greens in regulation, 4th in putts per GIR, and averaged just 26.5 putts per round for the week. Odyssey was also the #1 putter in play at the tournament, with 50% of the field using an Odyssey putter. Danny’s victory is the 73rd win for Odyssey across the major worldwide Tours (PGA, European, Champions, Web.com, LPGA and JGTO) in 2014. That’s by far the most worldwide Tour wins for any putter this year.

Neil Howie, President and Managing Director of Callaway Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “Congratulations to Danny for finishing the first tournament of the new European Tour season in such dominant style and also to Emiliano Grillo, winning this weekend at the Open de Argentina. Coupled with second and third place finishes for Henrik Stenson and Patrick Reed respectively at the Hero World Challenge, this further underlines the strong momentum we continue to enjoy as a brand across all global Tours.”

Commenting on his win Danny Willett, from Sheffield, said: “I put a new Callaway X2 Hot Driver in the bag a few weeks ago and it has been tremendous. My caddie and I spoke at the start of the week and came up with a good game plan, to be aggressive off the tee on this golf course.

“I’ve been driving the ball really well and we wanted to give ourselves more wedges and nine irons into holes, whereas some guys were just laying back.”

Danny turned pro in 2009 after building a strong reputation in the amateur ranks, recording a stunning win in the English Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s shortly after being crowned Yorkshire Amateur Champion in 2007.

He then went on to play in The Walker Cup and became the No.1 amateur in the world. His breakthrough European Tour victory came on 2012, when he won the BMW International Open in Germany.

As Callaway X Apparel Ambassador, Danny Willett wore the X Jersey Contrast Collar Polo and the X Technical Trouser in Bright White with Callaway’s new Cut-To-Fit Webbed Belt on Sunday.

What’s in Danny Willett’s golf bag?

Driver: Callaway X2 Hot (9º)

Fairway Woods: Callaway X2 Hot Pro (15º and 19º)

Hybrid: Callaway X2 Hot (20º)

Utility: Callaway Apex UT (24º)

Irons: Callaway Apex Pro (5-9)

Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (47º, 54º, 58º)

Putter: Odyssey Versa BWB Rossie

Golf ball: Callaway Speed Regime SR3

Footwear: FootJoy