Virginia Golfer Jul / Aug 2016 | Page 41

XXIO Golf balls XXIO’s balls have become wildly popular with many golfers in the past year. The brand’s latest model, the Premium, employs loads of technology to help golfers achieve optimum performance. The specially adapted lower compression design delivers terrific distance, particularly helpful for golfers with slower swing speeds. (xxiousa.com, Price: $80/dozen) PUMA GOLF Waterproof IGNITE Spikeless Sport Shoe Puma’s waterproof IGNITE shoe features a breathable, sporty performance mesh upper that’s complemented by premium leather for a modern silhouette—it’s fashionable both on and off the course. The company guarantees that the shoe’s full-length proprietary foam midsole will provide an extremely comfortable ride. (pumagolf.com, Price: $140) TITLEIST Vokey Design SM6 wedge Titleist’s Vokey Design SM6 wedge is now available in a raw finish that’s preferred by many PGA Tour pros. “Raw means there is no additional finish applied to the wedge, which is made of 8620 carbon steel,” says the company’s master craftsman Bob Vokey. “It has a satin appearance that will start to rust after some use. On tour, the raw heads give us the flexibility to grind wedges based on a player’s needs. But guys just love the look of that raw steel—some players like it even more as it rusts, kind of like a trusty hammer or another tool. These are their scoring tools.” (titleist.com, Price: $195) vsga.org NIKE Air Max Zoom 90 IT golf shoe Thank Rory McIlroy for Nike’s new and lightweight Air Max Zoom 90 IT. McIlroy is a big fan of the non-golf Air Max 90—he says he wears it all the time. So Nike made a golf version of it, replete with a waterproof upper, custom Zoom Air sole in the forefoot, resilient cushioning and aggressive rubber outsole cleatless traction. It’s offered in black-white and white-black colorways. “I dress pretty casually off the course, so it’s nice to have options,” he says. “If I want to go straight from the course to somewhere else, I can do it and not feel like I stand out and look like a golfer. Not only is it different and very cool but it also performs well, giving me the comfort, traction and stability that I need.” (nikegolf.com/golf, Price, $175) Scott Kramer is a freelance writer based out of Carlsbad, Calif. J U LY /A U G U ST 2 0 16 | V I R G I N I A G O L F E R 39