I had the pleasure of testing and reviewing headwear from leading headwear manufacturer Imperial Headwear. At the time the company was just bringing to market their “Coolcore Technology”. Technology that wicks moisture from your body and ultimately keeps your body just a little cooler. It worked.
Imperial Headwear will be on display at the 2019 PGA Merchandise Show that’s all set to take place January 22-25 at the Orange County Convention Center. At the show Imperial Headwear will show off their latest creations to the golf industry. For more details please see the press release below.
BOURBON, MO – Imperial Headwear, the #1 headwear brand for private golf facilities as reported by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) in their Member Survey, the last 4 consecutive years, announced they will feature their new 2019 collection during the 2019 PGA Merchandise Show on January 23-25 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
To view a digital version of Imperial’s 2019 Collection, please click here.
The 2019 catalog and state-of-the-art decoration techniques debuted for company representatives last June, and reaction to the new product line from key accounts has been extremely positive.
“Imperial is definitely a trailblazing headwear brand with regard to innovative decorations and retailer programs,” said Benji Boyter, Merchandise Manager at Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. “Their 2019 line looks great, 3D Insignia embellishment is simply outstanding and T-shirt program is definitely going to be attractive for buyers this season.”
The 2019 Collection from Imperial is an impressive new range of lifestyle accessories including new product categories, decoration techniques and 40 new styles in total. But Imperial’s new wholesale programs are perhaps the most attractive part of the 2019 offering. For PGA Professionals these programs provide extreme customization in small minimums, quick turnaround, inventory control and an overall service provider to encourage retail success.
“Imperial has so many great retail solutions to offer in 2019,” said David Shaffer, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “We are pushing our development and production teams to offer innovative styles, decoration options and programs. Golf shops that are partnering with Imperial this season are going to experience service and sell through like they’ve never seen before.”
Here are a few quick 2019 highlights that will be on display at the PGA Show:
3D Insignia – State of the art high frequency PU welded patch with raised surfaces and is exclusive to Imperial. 3D Insignia achieves staggering detail, color and logo accuracy. It’s a terrific decoration technique for Imperial’s best selling performance headwear styles with thin, light fabrication. A new version of the Insignia called “Dome” is now available.
Custom Repeating All-Over Prints – Trendy repeating all-over prints offered on Imperial’s performance cap and their Signature Tour Visor. Novelty prints are very popular in golf apparel right now, and Imperial is leading the adaptation of this trend in the headwear category.
Direct To Garment T-shirts – The new T-shirts from Imperial are manufactured with a state-of-the-art printing process called Direct to Garment (DTG), which uses a modified ink jet technology instead of the traditional screen printing method. DTG allows for quick turn times and low minimums, and unlimited colors for designs.
“Imperial’s T-shirts are very nice but their program is what sold me,” said Cary Cozby, PGA Director of Golf at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “Being able to reorder a dozen at a time with a 5-7 day turnaround allows me to control my inventory and replenish quickly. This is exactly the type of program golf professionals and merchandisers need to be successful in this category.”
For more information about Imperial Headwear, please visit imperialsports.com, contact your local sales representative or call (800) 950-1916.
About Imperial Headwear
Founded in 1916, Imperial Headwear is the leading manufacturer and marketer of premium quality headwear for the golf market. Imperial is committed to style, functionality and perfection in fit and comfort. It is this commitment that has allowed the creation of a wide variety of headwear with quality that is second to none. Renowned for its superior customer service and art customization capabilities, Imperial offers its products using the most innovative fabrics and designs, as well as logo and embroidery technologies. For further information please visit imperialsports.com or call (800) 950-1916. Follow Imperial Headwear on Twitter and Instagram at @ImperialHats and on Facebook at facebook.com/ImperialInc. Imperial Headwear’s 100th Anniversary video can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/179793530.
Previously, I released information on the new KING F9 SPEEDBACK metalwoods that are being released by Cobra Golf. Also joining the KING F9 family are the KING F9 SPEEDBACK hybrids and irons.
In 2018, I was honored to have the opportunity to test and review the KING F8 ONE Length irons (review here) The KING F8 irons were impressive and I wondered what Cobra Golf would do to improve on an already impressive iron.
Photo Credit: Cobra Golf
The new KING F9 look to deliver speed and power through Cobra Golf’s trademarked “SPEEDBACK Technology”. What is SPEEDBACK Technology? In brief here is a summary.
The new SPEEDBACK™ irons and hybrids utilizeCOBRA’s breakthrough SPEEDBACKTM technology, that for the first time successfully combines a low center-of-gravity (CG) and high moment of inertia (MOI) to deliver the perfect blend of ball speed and forgiveness, for the first time, in one iron.
The new Cobra Golf KING F9 irons come in both a variable and ONE Length set configuration. In most cases when golfer’s choose to play a game-improvement set of irons they normally have to choose one of two options. Distance or Forgiveness. That is not the case with the KING F9 irons. In this set you don’t have to compromise between one or the other. Cobra Golf R&D was able to take “innovative shaping elements different from a traditional game-improvement iron. Through SPEEDBACK shaping, engineers were able to optimize low CG and high MOI to create the company’s longest, fastest, and most forgiving iron”.
When the KING F9 SPEEDBACK irons become available they will be available with steel or graphite shafts. the shafts featured are either the KBS Tour (steel) or the Fujikura Atmos in 60 grams (graphite).
Photo Credit: Cobra Golf
To compliment the irons are matching hybrids in a variety of lofts available in 17-degrees, 19-degrees, 21-degrees and 24-degrees of loft and come standard with a Fujikura ATMOS 70-gram shaft.
*** Once again Cobra Golf will be featuring cobra Connect by Arccos Golf.
I will be swinging these irons the first chance that I get. So stay tuned for more coverage on the Cobra Golf SPEEDBACK irons. In the meantime, please see the press release shared below by Rachel Rees. Ms. Rees is the Communications Manager for Cobra Golf. Thank-you for sharing Rachel!!
Carlsbad, Calif. (October 30, 2018) – COBRA® Golf, a leader in golf club innovation, unveiled today its new KING F9 SPEEDBACKTM irons and hybrids, the company’s most powerful and stable irons and utility clubs ever. The new SPEEDBACK™ irons and hybrids utilize COBRA’s breakthrough SPEEDBACKTM technology, that for the first time successfully combines a low center-of-gravity (CG) and high moment of inertia (MOI) to deliver the perfect blend of ball speed and forgiveness, for the first time, in one iron.
Photo Credit: Cobra Golf
Available in a traditional, variable length set make-up and a forward-thinking, ONE Length™ configuration, the KING F9 SPEEDBACKTM irons are packed with an impressive array of cutting-edge technologies designed to deliver unrivaled performance. Traditionally, in game improvement irons, golfers had to choose between distance or forgiveness. In the new F9 irons, COBRA engineers were able to deliver the ultimate combination of both through SPEEDBACK™ Technology, a design concept that utilizes innovative shaping elements different from a traditional game-improvement iron. Through SPEEDBACK shaping, engineers were able to optimize low CG and high MOI to create the company’s longest, fastest, and most forgiving iron.
“It cannot be overstated just how technologically-advanced the KING F9 SPEEDBACKTM Irons are,” said Tom Olsavsky, Vice President of R&D for COBRA Golf. “Golfers have been forced to choose between distance or forgiveness in their game improvement irons. If you wanted more distance, then you sacrificed forgivness, and vice versa. With the new SPEEDBACK irons golfers can have their cake and eat it too. Never has a game improvement iron set had the perfect blend of distance and forgiveness, until now.”
Key elements of SPEEDBACK™ Technology include:
Low CG SPEEDBACKTM Sole – Mass is added low and back using a belt of steel that wraps around the back of the iron, creating a lower and deeper CG that maximizes ball speed, launch and carry distance. SPEEDBACK shaping strategically positions the weight belt just above the contact area on the sole to maintain the sole width of a conventional game-improvement iron.
High MOI Design – To maximize performance, SPEEDBACK shaping allowed more mass to be added low and wide (out to the heel and toe) compared to a traditional iron. Also, up to a combined 33 grams of Tungsten were added to the heel and toe in the 4-7 iron, a material used in premium priced irons. These shaping improvements increase MOI by up to 10% in the long irons, creating more stability through higher inertia that results in substantial improvements in ball speed, distance, forgiveness, and even accuracy.
Other technologies featured in the irons include:
Forged E9™ PWRSHELL™ Face – An improved E9TM (variable thickness) face is 3 grams lighter and features thin, 1.8 mm pockets in the upper heel and toe that expand the SWEET ZONE™ area on the face. The forged PWRSHELLTM insert features a deep undercut sole design and an all new2 mm internal Speed Channel that absorbs and returns more energy to the ball for faster ball speeds and increased launch angle.
Co-Molded Medallion – a 3-piece multi-material medallion combines Aluminum, a soft Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) and Acrylic foam that improves sound and feel by damping vibrations at impact.
CNC Milled Face and Grooves – CNC precision milling delivers more accurate lofts and allows for tighter tolerances on face roughness and groove shaping to optimize spin and trajectory control. Unlike cast grooves, which can vary in shape, CNC milling reduces the variability in the groove shapes to ensure that the performance is consistent in every iron.
Progressive SpinTechnology™ – The long irons, mid irons and wedges are each designed with different groove shapes to deliver specific performance characteristics. CNC milled V-grooves in the 4-7 irons improve distance by reducing spin for increased distance and flight time, while U-grooves in the 8-PW optimize spin for improved control and accuracy. Tighter-spaced wedge grooves in the GW and SW maximize spin and improve trajectory control for enhanced greenside precision.
Progressive Hosel Lengths – Shorter hosel lengths in the long irons position the CG lower to promote higher launch, while progressively taller hosel lengths in the short irons and wedges raise the CG progressively to promote a lower, more controlled ball flight.
COBRA CONNECT – The COBRA CONNECT, Powered By Arccos™ system features electronically enabled grips that work in conjunction with the Arccos Caddie app to give users the ability to track their stats and improve their game. **Consumers who purchase a COBRA 6-piece (or greater) iron or combo set will receive complimentary screw in sensors, or smart, COBRA CONNECT grips, to utilize on the rest of the clubs in their bag, including one putter sensor (valued at $350).
The KING F9 SPEEDBACKTM irons in variable length, (MAP: $799 Steel/$899 Graphite) come standard with regular or stiff KBS Tour 90 shafts and black Lamkin Crossline COBRA CONNECT grips. The stock steel set make-up is 5-GW with optional 4-iron and SW complements available through custom. The KING F9 SPEEDBACK irons are also available in a Graphite Combo Set ($999) utilizing Fujikura ATMOS 60-gram shafts in S, R or LITE flexes. The set makeup includes a 5H and 6-PW, GW. A Steel Combo Set in the same make up is available in Custom. Both set makeups (iron set and combo set) are available in right-hand and left-hand configurations.
KING F9 Women’s SPEEDBACKTM Irons ($899 Graphite Combo Set) utilize the same cutting-edge technologies as the men’s set, with a design engineered specifically for the needs of female golfers. The stock women’s SPEEDBACK irons come in a Graphite Combo Set makeup featuring a 5H, 6H and 7-PW, SW. The KING F9 women’s SPEEDBACK irons come standard with Fujikura ATMOS 55-gram shafts in ladies flex and black & rose gold Lamkin Crossline COBRA CONNECT (standard men’s size) grips.
Photo Credit: Cobra Golf
COBRA® Delivers Revolutionary SPEEDBACK Technology in ONE Length Design
In addition, COBRA® Golf is introducing an updated option for players who opt for the consistency and simplicity of a ONE Length set configuration. The KING F9 SPEEDBACKTM ONE Length Irons offer all the same ground-breaking technologies as the variable set, with some additional improvements geared towards optimizing the performance of ONE Length irons including:
ONE Length Configuration – Engineered using matching 7-iron length and head weights, a ONE Length set simplifies the game by promoting a single, repeatable setup and swing motion through the set, leading to more confidence and consistency.
Wider Long Iron Soles – Wider soles in 4-6 irons deliver lower, deeper CG for higher, towering ball flights.
Progressive Shaft Weighting – 3 different KBS shaft weights – a lightweight, Tour 80 in the 4-6 iron promotes high launch, a mid-weight Tour 90 in the 7-9 iron delivers control and accuracy, and a heavy-weight Tour Wedge in the PW-SW improves feel and precision on specialty shots around the greens.
Updated Lie Angles – more upright long iron lie angles are used to create more towering trajectories while slightly flatter lie angles in the wedges create straighter, more penetrating trajectory.
The KING F9 SPEEDBACKTM ONE Length irons(MAP: $799 Steel/$899 Graphite) come standard with blue Lamkin Crossline COBRA CONNECT grips. The stock steel set make-up is 5-PW, GW with optional 4-iron and SW complements available through custom. The ONE Length irons are also available in a Graphite Combo Set utilizing Fujikura ATMOS ONE Length 60-gram shafts in S, R or LITE flexes. The set makeup includes a 5H and 6-PW, GW. A Steel Combo Set in the same make up is available through custom. ONE Length irons are available in RH, and LH is available through custom.
Photo Credit: Cobra Golf
Providing the perfect complement to the SPEEDBACK Irons, COBRA is also unveiling its new KING F9 SPEEDBACKTM Hybrids, available in variable length or ONE Length designs. COBRA has integrated its breakthrough SPEEDBACK technology with its popular Baffler® rails to produce the highest performing Hybrid in its history. This Hybrid’s performance can be attributed to the following key technologies:
SPEEDBACKTM w BAFFLER® Technology – This year, COBRA has improved upon its BAFFLER® Rails by adding SPEEDBACK™, a low, back weight structure that sits in-between the two rails, which are strategically centered around the clubs’ center of gravity. These technologies fuse to deliver the best combination of low CG and improved turf interaction, increasing ball and club speed to maximize distance from any lie.
Forged 455 High-Strength Stainless Steel Face – maximizes the amount of flex at impact for increased ball speeds and distance across the entire face.
High MOI Design – Shaping improvements include a 10% larger clubhead compared to KING F8, creating a higher MOI for increased forgiveness. Additionally, the hybrid features a straighter leading edge that allows golfers to align the club to the target similar to how they would with an iron for improved accuracy.
Back CG Position – A fixed, external 15-gram tungsten weight is positioned low & back, creating a low/deep CG that produces more speed and high, towering ball flights. The 15-gram weight is interchangeable, allowing golfers to golfers to customise their swing weight.
The KING F9 SPEEDBACKTM men’s Hybrids(MAP $219) are available in 17-degrees, 19-degrees, 21-degrees and 24-degrees of loft and come standard with a Fujikura ATMOS 70-gram shaft in R, S or LITE Flex and black Lamkin Crossline COBRA CONNECT grips. The KING F9 SPEEDBACKTM Women’s Hybrids are available in 22-degrees, 25-degrees, 28-degrees and 31-degrees of loft and come stock with Fujikura ATMOS 60-gram shafts in ladies’ flex and Lamkin Crossline (Standard Men’s Size) COBRA CONNECT grips.
The KING F9 SPEEDBACK TM ONE Length Hybrids(MAP $219) offer the same performance boosting features that the traditional length hybrid options do, with the infusion of COBRA’s patented ONE Length configuration. Engineered using matching 7-irons length and lie angle, the SPEEDBACK ONE Length hybrid simplifies a players’ game by allowing them to use one repeatable set-up and swing for their irons and hybrids. These hybrids are available in 19-degree, 21-degrees and 24-degrees of loft and come standard with ATMOS ONE Length 70-gram shafts in S, R or LITE flexes with blue Lamkin Crossline COBRA CONNECT grips.
“We have seen some golfers put this consistent, easy-to-hit ONE Length Hybrid in their bag, replacing their more difficult to hit long irons, or even a variable length hybrid. It’s really a great club that golfers can hit consistently, with confidence,” said Jose Miraflor, VP of Marketing COBRA Golf.
All of the KING F9 SPEEDBACK IRONS and KING F9 SPEEDBACK Hybrids will be available at retail and at http://www.cobragolf.com beginning January 18, 2019.
The fall season is here. While the leaves are falling off of the trees and everything is starting to slowly fall into dormancy it doesn’t mean an end to bright colors. After all, before the leaves fall from the branches that line the fairways they show off bright oranges, yellows and reds. But they aren’t the only thing bright this autumn.
Callaway Golf Apparel recently launched its Fall 2018 Collection and the splashes of color are vivid. Color palettes consisting of bright blues (Hawaiian Ocean) and what they call “Bittersweet” highlight the collection. The orange in the “Bittersweet Collection” looks a lot like coral. The collection as one might expect features layering pieces as well to help keep you warm as fall golf turns into winter hibernation. A sad reality.
Please see the press release below for full details. Thank to Stuart Goldstein of RG Narrative Inc. for sharing.
(Miami, FL, August 27, 2018) — Callaway® Apparel announces the launch of the men’s and women’s Fall 2018 fashion collections. The Fall 2018 collections combine the perfect combination of heritage, flair, and function, fusing a traditional golf aesthetic with advanced performance technologies to make it easily adaptable to the elements. “Versatility and comfort are important components to the overall design and we’ve incorporated stretch materials, performance details and finishes for a ‘must have’ cross-functional wardrobe,” said Lupe Benitez, Vice President of Product Design for Callaway Apparel.
Men’s Collection: Featuring a multi-layering concept of base, all season, mid layers and outer layers, the Fall 2018 collection gives golfers the ability to seamlessly layer up or down in style, allowing them to easily conquer the various elements they may face in the Fall season. High performing garments that feature zonal engineering and branded technologies such as Outlast®, Thermore®, and Thermolite®, the Fall 2018 collection provides golfers with optimal temperature control and comfort. Complete with strategic seams and insets, ergonomic cuffs, and stretch panels, the Fall 18 collection marries classic designs with increased attention to modern day details. Fashion-forward color palettes include:
Bittersweet: Based in navy and white, the intense bittersweet orange lends an eclectic accent with a hint of sports nostalgia.
Hawaiian Ocean: In this group, white and navy provide a strong background to highlight the bold pops of Hawaiian ocean.
Women’s Collection: The elegant and sporty Fall 2018 women’s collection features cross-functional garments that can be worn from the course to the clubhouse. Showcasing dazzling blue and burst of energy prints and solids, the women’s collection can be mixed and matched to create a myriad of classic looks. Engineered for comfort, breathability and extended range of motion. Ventilated panels, lightweight fabrics and Swing-Tech™ Series fabrics “bring improvement to every movement.”
About Callaway Apparel
At Callaway® Apparel, we celebrate golf’s rich heritage by creating products that honor its past while defining its future. Callaway® Apparel is the ultimate combination of golf authenticity, classic styling and technically advanced construction because apparel that offers quality, performance, and functionality is as important to golfers as the equipment they use.
Callaway® Apparel men’s and women’s golf apparel is licensed and developed by Perry Ellis International, Inc., a global leader in fashion apparel and is available at: www.callawayapparel.com, select retailers and leading golf and country clubs worldwide.
About Perry Ellis International
Perry Ellis International, Inc. is a leading designer, distributor, and licensor of a broad line of high-quality men’s and women’s apparel, accessories and fragrances. The company’s collection of dress and casual shirts, golf sportswear, sweaters, dress pants, casual pants and shorts, jeans wear, active wear, dresses and men’s and women’s swimwear is available through all major levels of retail distribution. The company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns a portfolio of nationally and internationally recognized brands, including: Perry Ellis®, An Original Penguin® by Munsingwear®, Laundry by Shelli Segal®, Rafaella®, Cubavera®, Ben Hogan®, Savane®, Grand Slam®, John Henry®, Manhattan®, Axist®, Jantzen® and Farah®. The company enhances its roster of brands by licensing trademarks from third parties, including: Nike® for swimwear, and Callaway®, PGA TOUR®, and Jack Nicklaus® for golf apparel and Guy Harvey® for performance fishing and resort wear. Additional information on the company is available at http://www.pery.com.
