Major golf manufacturers rise up with lines for fall

This has been one busy fall season for golf equipment introductions, with no sign of a letup by the major manufacturers. That might seem strange, considering that the amount of rounds being played and the amount of equipment being purchased is, at best, flat.

But in a sports equipment business that is consolidating among manufacturers and becoming even more competitive, the companies can't hold back in bringing new products to market.

King Cobra 2009 Transition-S irons

"It used to be, and not that long ago, that the lifecycle of a driver was at least a year and a half, maybe two, and more so for irons," said Chip Brewer, Adams Golf CEO. "But it appears that now the lifecycle of a driver is just one year, and then it's replaced."

The current late summer/early fall period has been one of the most prolific for new product introductions in years. The past few seasons, a handful of companies launched new equipment at this time of year, while others waited until January, and others until the spring. But not this time around. Nike, Ping, TaylorMade, Titleist, Cleveland, Cobra, Callaway, Mizuno, Adams and others are announcing all sorts of new clubs, from drivers to irons to putters and more.

"The aim is to announce and showcase the latest products now, then spend the fall ramping up sales so that at the beginning of the year, we're ready to ship our new clubs and have them available for golfers everywhere," explained Tim Reed, Adams Golf vice president of research and development.

For some companies, the new clubs being introduced are shipping now, or will be shortly. Others will begin distribution later in the fall or midwinter.

Here's a closer look at who's making club introductions and what's new for 2009.

Callaway: The company takes the next step in multimaterial Fusion Technology with the introduction of the FT-iQ driver, a followup to the FT-i. With a futuristic look, the new driver is engineered with features designed to enhance both distance and accuracy.

According to Callaway execs, the FT-iQ club incorporates "Complete Inertial Design," a principle that factors in characteristics such as Moment of Inertia (stability on off-center hits), center of gravity, face design, loft and lie to optimize performance.

The new driver will be available in both men's and women's versions, and in standard and Tour models. The Tour version has a slightly more open face.

Shipping begins internationally on Oct. 15; its debut is Nov. 15 in the U.S. and Canada. Suggested retail price is $625.

Cobra: Rejuvenated by recent successes on the PGA Tour, Cobra is offering an updated Transition-S hybrid/iron set and a new multimaterial L5V driver.

The integrated Transition-S game improvement sets are custom crafted in standard men's, seniors and women's models. The composition of the men's set, for example, is Nos. 3, 4 and 5 utility metals, Nos. 6 and 7 hybrid irons and Nos. 8-PW wide-sole irons.