Sweet Stuff by Terry Ross

by Terry Ross and Barry Lotz

Titleist recently introduced its new generation of the T-Series irons, and the new materials, designs and feel of these clubs make for a distinct new experience for players of all skill levels.

With four new T-Series iron models –T100, T100•S, T200 and T300 –Titleist has made some significant advances with their flagship iron lineup in terms of performance and looks.

“The new T-Series irons represent another step forward in Titleist iron design and technology,” said Josh Talge, Vice President, Titleist Golf Club Marketing. “With these new irons, across the board, every detail matters. They provide the best precision and performance in their respective iron category with stunning aesthetics and feel. Golfers don’t buy an iron ‘line,’ they want specialization, and that’s what each of these models offer.”

The most notable aspect of the new line is in the game improvement model—the T300. While game improvement can have a connotation of a club that looks and feels bulky—and might be designed for a beginning golfer—the 2021 T300 is far from this. The newest edition of the T300 has a new sleek, powerful look—like that of a performance cavity-back iron with a light touch. It is plenty workable for many players but has several benefits for the mid to higher handicap players—or those that want explosive power.

“The T300 is the ultimate Titleist game improvement iron,” added Talge. “It is for the golfer who wants high launch, long distance and forgiveness, and wants to see the technology they are using. This model utilizes the Max Impact 2.0 technology which is featured in a sleek, clean package at address for which Titleist irons are known. The design team retained the offset, shape and size, but was able to add 40 percent more tungsten to this iron, precisely lower the CG and meet the performance needs of this golfer.”

Under the hood, this iron features a Cantilever Core Support Structure and a new high resilience polymer core, delivering maximum speed and distance control.

The high-density tungsten (D18) weights are utilized in the heel and toe of the 4-7 irons for greater mass efficiency. In addition, Titleist engineers were able to add 40% more tungsten than was in the previous generation T300 through a brazing process applied from aerospace construction usually reserved for Tour-played irons. This contributes to a solid-feeling, advanced design that produces the optimal balance of launch, distance, and forgiveness.

The T300 now employs a High COR Variable Face Design that is thinner towards the heel in the long and mid irons to improve performance at what is traditionally one of the least effective strike points. This is an iron that achieves excellent distance even on offcenter hits with high MOI. The new chrome plated finish to these irons gives them a premium, classic look as well.

Although Titleist offers custom shafts, the featured stock iron shaft that comes with the T300 is the True Temper AMT Red with Ascending Mass Technology: 3g per club (95-107g) that promotes high launch and high spin. This shaft has a responsive tip and superlight weighting, with progressively lower weighting in the 4-7 irons to help with launch conditions.

The stock graphite shaft is the MCA Tensei Red AM2 that also has similar Ascending Mass Technology: 2g per club (54-68g) and promotes high launch and high spin as well. The stock grip is the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 with white paint fill and black flat cap and the set makeup is 4-PW.

For those that are looking for (and can play) a Tour iron, Titleist has made marked improvements in its other iron offerings. The T100

is a modern Tour iron and the most played iron model on the PGA Tour.

The new T100 offers more precise flighting and control, fully forged feelA and a more versatile sole design with less bounce in the heel and more in the toe. A denser version of tungsten weights is used and the 3 through 7 iron-faces were redesigned for more spin for improved shot shaping. The T100 irons are designed with a new Tour-preferred brushed chrome finish. The T100•S is a faster iron with two degrees stronger lofts for added distance.

The T200 is called the Tour distance iron by Titleist and has an updated shape with a reduced offset with thinner top line. This is an iron that Tour players use but can be an excellent choice for low to mid handicappers who like a Tour design and feel--but has some game improvement qualities that many golfers can use.

For more information, visit: www.titleist.com

For those golfers willing to invest in their physical improvement to enhance their golf swing, therapeutic exercise specialist Carl Horne, Jr. has developed a unique device aimed at developing players’ spinal rotation and flexibility.

The TrueTurnPro was designed to be used at home, in a hotel room or on the turf before a round to increase a user’s rotation and to strengthens the core, which helps develop the muscles to protect and strengthen the back—all collectively improving a player’s speed, power and distance.

Horne, who is a former NBA strength and conditioning coach, and therapeutic exercise specialist, is the owner of the Scottsdale, Arizona-based In2One Wellness Studio. He invented and patented the TrueTurnPro device as an easy and cost-effective way to restore and maintain thoracic mobility--and calls it the world’s first thoracic spine isolation and training system.

“Swing flaws, back pain and undesired high scores are often connected,” noted Horne. “Whether it’s a common swing flaw such as ‘coming over the top,’ or simply common back pain from, bending, twisting or sitting, high golf scores are the result—and they all have a common denominator: limited hip and back function. If the components of the hip and spine become tight and weak, the mechanics of the spine will eventually become compromised.

“Compromised movement is often the root cause for the development of common back pain. Therefore, flawed mechanics can easily be the blame for the most common swing flaws, as swing flaws don’t solely reside in golf theory. The undiscovered origin of these flaws would suggest many are physical by nature.”

Horne also noted that the physical separation of shoulders and hips takes place during every full golf swing and creates rotational

power that is vital for one’s best swing. The TrueTurnPro is designed to safely develop this separation of the shoulders and hips by isolating movement of the thoracic spine and improves the spine’s ability to move with less friction and discomfort while increasing overall stability. It helps to restore back function and ultimately offer relief to many people suffering from back pain, he added.

The unit itself is easy to use and very packable for a trip—and it certainly works areas of the spine that normally don’t get a lot of attention with the average stretching regimen or traditional workout. The product’s website has many very useful videos and training exercises that are very helpful.

“There are a myriad of ways the invention improves one’s golf game overall,” added Horne. “For one, it improves shot accuracy. Accuracy in golf is dependent on the ability to control the angle of the spine throughout the entire golf swing. The TrueTurnPro improves both strength and stability of the spine. Having swing power is only useful and safe with the stability to control the spine. It will develop the power to improve stability and help maintain spine angle. It improves golf shot accuracy.”

For more info on the TrueTurnPro: https://trueturnpro.com

These Trivex sunglasses are the very best sunglasses for golf! And they are available for prescription users. Their Trivex materials provide clearer, crisper vision than polycarbonate lenses.

REKS designed this non-polarized lens to have a lighter tint than a full sunglass lens allowing more light into the eye resulting in a more precise visual experience. REKS also have a brown polarized Trivex® Color-Boosting® lens preferred by many golfers for its superior contrast qualities. In REKS’s polycarbonate polarized product line, the polarized brown and polarized amber lens provide the best contrast for golfers.

Trivex precision GOLF lens features REKS’s rose amber tinted lens enhanced with a multi-layer silver mirror on the front. This lens has a light transmission of 30% recommended for medium to bright light days. Designed to have a lighter tint than a full sunglass lens allowing more light into the eye, resulting in a more precise visual experience.

Whether looking down the fairway or reading the green, this lens will provide great optical clarity. The color-boosting lens technology improves contrast, delivering brighter, more distinctive colors. This lens includes anti-reflective and oleophobic coatings that reduce glare and help keep them free of smudges and dust.

If glare is an issue, REKS offers Brown Polarized/Seagreen Mirror, Gray Polarized/Blue Mirror and Smoke and Brown Polarized lenses. REKS’s Photochromic lens darkens in the sun and lightens in the shade. Frame styles abound, but personally, the Sling-Blade model works great for me as there are no frames below eye level.

The SLING-BLADE is mission specific. Maximum performance in the precise confines of serious competition. Tinted lenses and unbreakable frame material let you see it through to the end. High impact resistant lenses treated with hydrophobic, scratch resistant and anti-reflective coatings designed for the most demanding effort.

Polycarbonate lenses are injection molded to create a thin, lightweight shatter-resistant lens. Polycarbonate lenses provide 100% UV protection and are considered the industry standard for shatter-resistant lenses.

Trivex® lenses are cast molded and made of an exceptionally clear, lightweight lens material, which translates into excellent allday wearing comfort. Although lightweight, Trivex® lenses have similar shatter-resistance qualities to polycarbonate and provide a clearer visual experience. Trivex® lenses provide 100% UV protection.

REKS’s polarized lenses are engineered to reduce glare off horizontal surfaces such as water, sand and roads and are especially good for outdoor sports. Polarization reduces eye strain, improves clarity and enhances colors.

All REKS’s glasses carry a 2-year warranty covering frame damage, a hard protective case with zipper and a 30-day, 100 percent, no questions asked, money back guarantee--with free shipping and returns on all orders to the US. REKS’s customer service is outstanding!

Visit the REK’s site for special offers and detailed information on their eyewear: www.reks.com