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Introduction to Review – SUB 70 Golf 699 Pro Irons

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Many thanks go out to the Founder and CEO of SUB 70 Golf (Jason Hiland) for giving me the opportunity to put the NEW 699 Pro irons through the paces.

A couple of weeks ago, the Sycamore, Illinois-based independent golf manufacturer announced that they had a new iron that was to be released in January. The iron… The 699 Pro. An iron that grabbed my attention right away when they posted a picture of it over social media. Shortly after the released picture, I exchanged a few emails with Mr. Hiland which led to a terrific telephone call where we discussed the 699 Pro irons and SUB 70 Golf in general. If there’s a brand that I can stand behind, it’s a brand like SUB 70 Golf. Why?

There are a couple of reasons.

  • The price point of their equipment is highly competitive and second to nobody. They might offer the best bang for the “golfer buck.
  • Just because the price point is significantly lower than the competition doesn’t mean that they “skimp” on quality. The products are of high quality.
  • They care about the consumer. It’s little things like a hand-written note thanking you for your purchase or putting a new piece of equipment through its paces.
  • They listen to the consumer and take recommendations into account. That’s actually how the 699 Pro irons came to be.

What are we looking at when we talk about the 699 Pro irons. Well, we have the same technology that was packed into their popular 699 irons (so popular in fact that they brought out left-handed versions of that iron) and placed it into a smaller, more compact head with less offset, and a thinner top line. The 699 Pro irons retain the same 17mm face as its predecessor. This thin-faced, hollow body design gives golfers the maximum in ball speed of off the face and a crisp, hot feel.

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The head of the 699 Pro is black. Using their Quench polish quench (QPQ) which “is a specialized type of nitrocarburizing case hardening that increases corrosion resistance and wear resistance” gives the 699 Pro irons a sleek, sexy, and stealthy look.

I received my 699 Pro 7-iron yesterday and immediately took it to the Paddock Golf Dome in Tonawanda, NY for some initial swings. The first impression was staggering. In a great way.

Stay tuned right for a review in the near future.

Until The Next Tee!!

Test… Test!

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Well, I made it. After being in Florida back in January for the PGA Show and a planned trip that I canceled two weeks ago I’m in Florida. A 3 hr bus ride to Buffalo, NY and a wonderful flight once again on Frontier Airlines and I’m basking in the Tampa sun. A trip that will see me go fly fishing, practice golf, hopefully, go home with a swing and of course play and conduct several testings. Most of the golf ball variety. All of this before I resume working at the same golf course that I worked at in 2018 until I had my Stroke. Scenic Woods Golf Course which is a GolfNorth Properties facility. God! I can’t wait!

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Today was without a doubt the most gratifying day of golf that I’ve experienced. I just couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face. I was just elated to be back doing what I love. I spent the majority of my day at Terrace Hill Golf Center in Temple Terrace, FL. At any rate the product testing.

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So what are the products that I’m testing down here in Florida? The most important of the bunch is the Equalizer wedges from Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company. Up until now, testing of these wedges has amounted to basing everything on feel and/or limited ball flight in a golf dome. Getting these clubs outside and seeing them perform as they were intended to do so was worth the wait. These Equalizer wedges are even better than I thought. The feel, the ballflight (these wedges penetrate) and some clear stopping power on firm greens that were/are dried out by the wind. I am beyond impressed. I’ll finally be able to write this review sooner than before later. If you need wedges… Look no further. These wedges are the best bang for your golfer buck!

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Another product that I was sent for testing were tees by ZoomTee USA. The premise of these tees is to give golfers the option of playing tees that are extremely durable, a tee that’s designed to produce less drag which is said to result in longer, straighter drives. Also of note here is the addition of a height guide for getting the golf ball teed u at just the right height and a tip that’s used for cleaning your grooves and repairing ball marks. I used only one tee and there was no sign of breakage thus far and ZoomTee USA was also very easy to locate after the shot. No scanning the ground looking for your pesky golf tee. It’s a minor thing, but it is a way to help maintain the pace of play. I also found ZoomTee USA was easy to get into the ground. Although, the soil here in Florida is quite sandy. It’ll be interesting to see how they penetrate the clay-based soil at home.

Balls, balls and more balls. I am testing golf balls ‘o’ plenty while I’m down here. No less than 6 different models. Testing has officially begun of…

  • TaylorMade Golf (TP5 and TP5x)
  • Srixon Golf (Z Star)
  • Wilson Staff DUO Professional
  • Bridgestone Golf (e12 Soft and e12 Speed)

It was an interesting first day of testing and with that, I have a few thoughts.

  1. The TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x seem to really have a penetrating ball flight as advertised. Early indications are that this golf ball is a strong golf ball in the Tour ball market. All-around great feel (TP5 a little softer) and I can see why Rickie Fowler switched from the Titleist Pro V1. There’s a reason why the ball is hyped.
  2. Not that it’s a bad thing. I wasn’t blown away through Day One of testing of the 2019 Srixon Z Star. To me, this iteration of the Z Star is solid. I’ve always liked the Z Star and have a lot of familiarity with it. Maybe that’s why I wasn’t blown away. It felt too familiar.
  3. Where I wasn’t blown away by the previous ball if there was a ball that I was very impressed with thus far it HAS to be the Wilson Staff DUO Professional. This golf ball was long with irons (albeit downwind) and the short game spin of this golf ball was extremely impressive. This ball STOPPED on greenside chips and pitches. I didn’t have it in play for any driving holes.
  4. Bridgestone Golf developed the e12 with 12 years of golf ball data taken from their ball fitting data. What they came up with were the e12 Soft and e12 Speed. Just from a putting standpoint (this was the first part of the testing) I wasn’t enamored with the “firmer” e12 Speed. It felt too clicky or too firm. But then all of that suddenly changed. This ball actually felt pretty soft and responsive on full iron swings. Into a hurting wind, I was able to find the green pin high from 182 yards away with a 5-iron. Judging by the flags and wind I figure it was a 1.5 to 2 club wind. Never be too hasty in being judgmental folks! The e12 Soft I liked right away. I liked the feel of the e12 Soft when it came to putting, my first drive of 2019 was with the e12 Soft (Red) and it just carried down the fairway into the wind and it penetrated. My approach into the firm, wind-swept green resulted in no severe rollout (settling 8′ from the pin) and greenside chips and pitches I thought it performed better than the e12 Speed and as good as one of the tour-level golf balls.

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Today was just the beginning of what I have planned down here. So stay tuned for more information as I test products, write reviews and enjoy some March golf in sunny Florida.

Until The Next Tee!!

#FightAndGrind #SeeUOnTheNextTee

 

Bald Head Blues Introduces NEW Striped Clubhouse Quarter Zip Pullovers

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BALD HEAD ISLAND, NC – November 19, 2018 – Bald Head Blues, a golf and island inspired apparel company distinguished by its golf cart with surfboard logo, is proud to announce that the company has added NEW Striped Clubhouse Quarter Zip Pullovers to their wide variety of outer layers and just in time for the holiday season.

 

The new Striped Clubhouse Quarter Zip Pullovers are made with a super soft 100% Pima, the company coined Comfort Pure. These extremely comfortable pullovers are perfect for on or off the golf course. They are available in a coastal Blue with White Stripe, a nautically inspired Navy with White Stripe and a classic Red with White Stripe. All are accented with an embroidered Bald Head Blues logo.

 

“Our Quarter Zip Pullovers are one of our top sellers and these striped versions are a great addition to the collection,” commented Bald Head Blues Founder & CEO, Claude Pope.

 

Bald Head Blues suggested retail for the Striped Clubhouse Quarter Zip Pullover is $125.00 but beginning on Sunday, November 18th through Cyber Monday, November 26th the company will be extending deep discounts on the company website www.baldheadblues.com.

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Discounts ranging from 25% to 50% will be applied on all of their outer layers which includes all quarter zip pullovers, beach hoodies, men’s rain jackets, Sherpa vests and more.

 

When shopping Bald Head Blues outer layers, think about a special place where nature’s abundance and a casual coastal lifestyle define an experience found nowhere else. The company carries striped and solid coastal colors, and you’re sure to find a quarter zip pullover or the New Striped Clubhouse Quarter Zip – maybe even the men’s beach hoodie that brings out the coastal lifestyle in you. Embody the island lifestyle in a pullover or hoodie and keep in mind they fit perfectly over one of the performance polo shirts.

 

About Bald Head Blues:

“Clothing for Coasting”

 

For over 25 years, the Pope family has enjoyed the wonder and majesty of Bald Head Island with its acres of beaches, untouched marshes, maritime forests, pristine harbor and casual coastal lifestyle. It’s a special place where nature’s abundance and casual lifestyle inspired the formation of Bald Head Blues. An apparel company that embraces the island’s extraordinary experience.

 

Unique to the island is its mode of transportation. Locals and tourists alike use electric golf carts to get around and more than often they are hauling beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards and surf boards. This island lifestyle where a quick ride to the beach becomes an adventure is represented by the Bald Head Blues logo.

 

All pieces in the Bald Head Blues Collections are fun, casual, colorful and classic. They employ high performance fabrics, refined designs and an inimitable attention to details. The new 2019 Spring Collection which include Aruba, Coral, Lavender, Regatta and Spring magnify the island’s vibrant colors. Each series is bold, fresh, and energetic.

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Bald Head Blues is known for their coastal and island style but their collections also incorporate technology like “Comfort Flex” which combines pima cotton with the performance and stretch of spandex. For rounds played in the heat, Bald Head Blues has utilized “Comfort Dry.” This polyester/spandex blend is moisture wicking, lightweight and has a 4-way stretch for ultimate performance. The new Albatross Polo is also treated with a UPF 50+ for UV protection.

 

These high performance technologies and fabrics are worn by Bald Head Blues brand ambassadors and PGA TOUR Professionals Joel Dahmen and Martin Piller. They both face extreme weather changes on the tour and their Bald Head Blues polos keep them comfortable and ready to compete.

 

Bald Head Blues transports you to a place you want to be – even if you aren’t there. Maybe it’s to the golf course, the tennis courts or on the beach. For the Pope Family, its Bald Head Island. Where do you want to go?