Equipment
New Arrivals
by SCOTT KRAMER
IF YOU HAVEN ’ T VISITED YOUR LOCAL GOLF SHOP , NOW IS THE TIME . All the fresh gear for 2025 has come in — from clubs to balls to shoes and accessories . Even if you aren ’ t in the market , it ’ s fun to check out the latest . And who knows ? Maybe you ’ ll discover something you simply can ’ t live without .
PUMA GOLF // IGNITE ELEVATE 2
Every golfer should start the new season with a fresh pair of shoes . They will help immensely , especially on wet grass . Puma Golf ’ s Ignite Elevate 2 ($ 130 ) is a wonderful and relatively inexpensive option that ’ s just hitting the fairways . Its semi-translucent carbon rubber outsole is cleatless but does have more than 100 traction lugs that collectively provide footing across the gamut of turf and weather conditions . And it features multiple new technologies both inside and out , such as a FLOATPLATE midfoot shank that helps maximize control and stability , as well as fulllength toe-to-heel foam for cushioning and energy return for your entire foot . That comfort is immediate , from the moment you try on the shoe for the first time . Then there ’ s the proprietary saddle and exterior shell upper that locks down your foot for enhanced control and performance throughout the swing . Look for Tour pros Rickie Fowler , Max Homa , Gary Woodland and Viktor Hovland to wear the Tour version that has changeable spikes and sells for $ 150 . pumagolf . com
TITLEIST // 2025 PRO V1 AND PRO V1X BALLS
The all-new Titleist 2025 Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls aim to help you gain more speed off the tee , better control with your irons and maximum backspin around the greens . Each features a new and faster high gradient core that ’ s been reformulated to maintain low long game spin with increased ball speed . Pro V1 now has a faster high gradient core , while Pro V1x sports a faster high gradient dual-core . Which should you play ? Pro V1 offers the best combination of speed , spin and feel , with mid-flight trajectory , low long game spin , maximum short game spin and soft feel . Pro V1x will fly higher , spin more on full swing shots , and have a firmer feel . Many Tour pros have made the switch to the new models , which are available in both white and high-optic yellow . And you can get them personalized with enhanced alignment aids , play numbers from 00 to 99 , and customized text and logos . $ 55 / dozen , titleist . com
SRIXON // Z-STAR SERIES BALLS
All fresh for 2025 , Srixon ’ s Z-STAR Series balls are designed to be longer than their predecessors , with more optimized spin and greenside stopping power . A newly formulated , extra thin urethane cover is made with biomass and withstands all conditions faced on the course . It ’ s flanked by thin and durable Spin Skin + coating — a urethane layer that increases the cover ’ s friction for better approach-shot spin . Interestingly , it uses a stronger urethane paint that improves resistance to dirt and grime — which in turn maximizes spring control by staying cleaner . A new core is soft at the center and gradually firms from the inside out , optimizing spin and distance while still emitting Srixon ’ s signature feel . There are three models offered . With less compression , Z-STAR minimizes driver spin for increased distance , softer feel and enhanced greenside spin . Z-STAR XV is firmer and boosts ball speed for distance and better iron-shot spin . Z-STAR Diamond sports a slightly firmer core and less compression that minimizes driver spin for more distance while maintaining spin around the green . $ 50 / dozen , us . dunlopsports . com / srixon
38 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M ARCH / A PRIL 2025 vsga . org