In testing fairway woods and utility/hybrid clubs with GolfWeb demo groups this spring, both Sonartec and Tour Edge received high praise among equipment from non-major manufacturers.
Sonartec has come forth this season with an NP-99 fairway wood series and Md Transition club, in addition to continuing its T.R.C. utility models.
Tour Edge, a pioneer in the hybrid category, has a new iron-wood line that refines and enhances the companys breakthrough products.
Heres a closer look at the latest from both companies.
SONARTEC
Known among equipment aficionados for its aerodynamic Driving Cavity in the sole, Sonartec has interestingly gained significant acceptance and use on the PGA TOUR, without paying a large roster of staff players.
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According to company statistics, Sonartec was the No. 3 most-played fairway wood in 11 of the first 14 TOUR events this season, with 52 TOUR players overall using Sonartec clubs. Only TaylorMade and Callaway register a greater usage, according to Sonartec.
Leading spokesperson for the company is part-owner Nick Price. Also on staff is Bill Glasson. Others pros playing a Sonartec club include Lee Janzen, Jonathan Kaye, Todd Hamilton, Mark Hensby, Cameron Beckman, Steve Pate, Fuzzy Zoeller, Travor Immelman and Brendan Pappas. Clubs in play include those from Sonartecs ongoing SS fairway series.
Further, the company predicts, its Md Transition will soon become the most-used utility wood on the TOUR. Nine Mds were in play at the recent Shell Houston Open, 11 earlier at the BellSouth Classic.
We feel [the Md] is bridging the gap between the long iron and the lofted fairway wood, said Thane Fisher, Sonartecs PGA TOUR rep. It combines the benefits of both types of clubs.
The NP-99 fairway woods, named in honor of Prices induction as the 99th member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, is a cross between Sonartecs SS-02 and SS-03 fairway models. It is designed with a horseshoe-shaped weight concentrated in the rear of the soleplate to provide a deeper center of gravity for a higher lift of the ball. The club is perimeter-weighted, finished with a blue metallic coat on the crown and outfitted with a midnight blue Aldila NV shaft.
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| The NP-99 fairway woods have a suggested retail price of $339. (Provided to GolfWeb) |
In testing among a variety of players assembled by GolfWeb, the NP-99 was rated both powerful and forgiving.
The Md Transition series comprises four models with lofts between 17 to 23 degrees. The 21-degree, for instance, would replace a 3 iron or 7 wood. The Md is designed with a higher center of gravity and slight bulge and roll on the face for a penetrating ball flight, especially in windy conditions.
Equipped with a UST iRoD shaft, suggested retail price for the Md Transition is $199.
GolfWeb testers judged the Md Transition clubs very solid and workable across the entire face.
The T.R.C. utility series, with a smaller, heavier head and a Twin Rail Cavity, is designed to especially help on hits from rough lies, deep rough, sand and divots. The rails reduce the surface area contacting the ground while the weight helps dig through the swing and provide a high launch angle. Theres a shorter shaft, upright lie angle, and less bulge and roll to enhance versatility.
Available in six models ranging in face lofts from 14 to 24 degrees, suggested retail price is $265.
While many of our GolfWeb testers rated the T.R.C. series very good, some of our higher handicap players had difficulty controlling the heavier head through the swing.
For customizing, Sonartec offers 16 different types of shafts for its clubs, varying in weight and kick points.
TOUR EDGE
The Bazooka JMAX iron-woods are sold individually or as a complete set. Our GolfWeb testers were most inclined to consider these Tour Edge clubs as individual replacements for longer irons. The entire line is targeted at golfers who have trouble with more traditional irons.
Bazooka JMAX iron-woods are designed with a super-thin Hyper Steel face and hollow body; a wide, heavy (120-gram) sole; an extremely low center of gravity; and perimeter weighting for forgiveness. The intent is a higher launch angle with an easy swing.
With a metallic blue/black top, a non-glare wrapover face, and a more seamless look than previous versions, the iron-woods are available from Nos. 1-9, plus pitching and sand wedges. Suggested retail price is $89 each with steel shaft, $99 with graphite.
GolfWeb testers praised Tour Edges new iron-woods for confidence, ease of swing and solid feel at impact, along with their resistance to twisting.
Editor's note: Chuck Stogel writes about golf equipment. Look for his columns each week on GolfWeb and PGATOUR.COM.
