Montreal, Quebec - "AUR", a new young quality golf apparel collection, recently launched in the U.S. and Canada, does well at retail with exciting and fresh looking golf apparel. AUR has a modern fit for the golfer/athlete who wants performance clothing with a distinct look.
AUR stands for 'All that you Are' and lends its design to men's and women's added value golf fashion that is relevant in today's marketplace both from design and performance point of view. The lines are trendy and fashion forward. They look good on and are eco-friendly.
"Like all our products, the Spring 2012 collection is very tech-driven to make it ideally suited for golf," says Mark Fletcher. "They've got a great look and hand feel, and the overall styling is a bit more European-influenced than what U.S. buyers might be familiar with, but at a much more reasonable price and with a more relevant, current fit. Our customers get great value for the fashion and quality we offer; our products are very fashion-forward for the price point."
AUR offers the consumer three distinct categories including AUR Active, AUR Authentic and AUR Aware.
AUR Active is a performance golf collection with emphasis on the golfers ease of movement. This category features the AUR double-knit Dri-Max™ polyester. These polos feature a stretch of
ACTIVE
spandex, a soft supple hand feel and a lightweight drape that makes it ideal for swinging a golf club. Golfers will appreciate the long lasting synthetic fibers which create a strong, crease resistant fabric that is quick drying and maintains its shape season after season. For example, the AUR Tonal Embossed polo is available in bright colors such as flex blue, wasabi and white offering the golfer comfort, breathability and a stand out look on any fairway, especially combined with the Active plaid flat from pant in charcoal.
Next on the tee is AUR Authentic, a collection of more traditional golf-inspired clothing. An assortment of sweaters, vests, pants and shorts round out the category in classic colors of black, taupe, navy and charcoal. Classic inspired v-neck argyle vests and full-zip cardigans in taupe or iceberg are standouts in this collection. These argyle classics have a front panel design with finely knit tubular finished collars, cuffs and waistbands.
AUTHENTIC
Finally, AUR Aware is the newest strongest growth category and the company's attempt to give back to our ailing planet with a unique list of specifically designed fabrics including CarboCool™, S.Cafe™ and Ecosmart™. This line not only looks great on the golfer but is great for the world's golf environment.
AWARE
CarboCool™ fabric contains a blend of Polyester and Bamboo Charcoal. The carbonized bamboo is visual on the inside of this material as a grey tint. The benefits of this fabric include Moisture Wicking and Fast Drying for comfort, as well as Anti-Odor and Added UV Protection for peace of mind. Carbonized Bamboo is environmentally responsible, and offers the same benefits that a chemical finish would without the unnecessary harm to the environment.
S.Café™ uses a patented process that transforms the coffee grounds into yarn, which is then used to produce polos. Most coffee grounds end up in our landfills, which contributes to our overall solid waste management problem. Producing a garment with S.Café™ fabrics helps in easing landfill concerns.
Last but not least, EcoSmart™ is a fabric made from Recycled Polyester Yarn. Recycled polyester yarn is made from plastic post-consumer based products.
It is environmentally friendly by reducing fossil fuel consumption and green house gases when compared to regular polyester production.
The Ecosmart story encompasses 2 different fabrics including 100% Recycled Polyester and Combed Cotton/Recycled Polyester. The Combed Cotton / Recycled Polyester provides the durability and performance of polyester with the added comfort and breathability of cotton.
AWARE
In the Aware line is the wonderful women's Ecosmart™ argyle print dress in gray and heather with peony argyle accents.
The Spring 2012 color palette for men features basic must-haves in a myriad of colors that all merchandise back to the men's fashion collections. An assortment of cool grays and black mixed with additional bright blasts of color: Flex Blue and Wasabi are the highlight colors for Men. In addition we have added a more traditional Brite Navy and Blue Granite collection for the more conservative golfer. For women, distinctive style, fine quality and an aura of sophistication lends itself nicely to a golf collection that is current and on-the-ball. Fashion driven Urban Garden features bright Peony paired with plaid bottoms featuring our new slim cut plaid Capri. Water Trace features Blue Glass with Black accents to provide a sporty, fun look. Skylight is all about the fashion girl who loves trendy prints. Periwinkle and Navy are the base for this group with a trendy Pucci inspired print.
For the men's AUR apparel the price range for polos is $38 to $72, sweaters - $52 to $130, shorts and pants - $48 to $90. Pricing for women's apparel is $38 to $76 for polos, $50 to $90 for sweaters and $70 to $90 for bottoms.
Committed to delivering top-quality actionwear, AUR owned by The Fletcher Leisure Group of Canada. Fletcher Leisure Group, based in Montreal, Quebec, is a company with 42 years of golf industry experience marketing multiple brands in Canada and the United States.
Antigua 2012 Spring Color Stories for Men
Azalea/Ruby Color Group
The inspiration for Antigua's Spring 2012 performance golf collection is color, and in bringing this inspiration to life Antigua has developed for the collection six different color groups, including the Azalea/Ruby group, focusing on bright, bold colors. "We found many ways to weave our 'pop' colors in as subtle details while keeping them sharp and proud," says Sean Gregg, Director of Product Development at Antigua, "and tried to focus on how a color affects the textures of its complementing neutrals and sits as a critical contrast as the spark to the paler surroundings."
The Spring 2012 performance collection has been merchandised to tell one cohesive story about color between all six groups, and the Azalea/Ruby group brings to that story the rich ruby reds that, paired with shades of grey and every shade of neutral, form an unexpectedly pleasing palette. "The philosophy during the development cycle is that each garment be built to stand alone – as though you were creating someones 'favorite' piece – and build those pieces out to assemble a full collection of favorites," says Gregg. "With the wide selection of shirts, shorts, outerwear and hats offered in the Azalea/Ruby group, any piece from this group may be combined with any others to create a fashion-forward golf ensemble that's both simple and elegant."
Add to this the tie-in with the complementing outerwear which Antigua has expanded on in both layering styles as well as sweaters, vests and wind shells, and the color story and presentation is enhanced even further.
Melon Color Group
Bright, bold colors are the inspiration for Antigua's Spring 2012 performance golf collection, and with six different color groups, including the Melon group, Antigua has brought that inspiration to life. "We found as we interpreted our color inspiration that the colors themselves remained sharp and proud even as they were in many ways woven in as subtle details," says Gregg. "It was important to us that the color we used not be contrived or forced, that it could affect the textures of its complementing surrounds and provide a contrasting spark to the neutrals."
The Melon group is highlighted by a sharp melon orange that pairs with shades of grey and every shade of neutral to form an unexpectedly pleasing palette, an essential component of the single color story of the Spring 2012 performance collection. "The philosophy during the development cycle is that each garment be built to stand alone – as though you were creating someones 'favorite' piece – and build those pieces out to assemble a full collection of favorites," says Gregg. "With the wide selection of shirts, shorts, outerwear and hats offered in the Melon group, any piece from this group may be combined with any others to create a fashion-forward golf ensemble that's both simple and elegant."
The color story and presentation are enhanced even further by the tie-in with the complementing outerwear which Antigua has expanded on in both layering styles as well as sweaters, vests and wind shells.
Miura Hybrids Are On A journey
October 31, 2011
John C. Ehle
GolfWisconsin.com
Miura Golf is known for its unerring commitment to craftsmanship, so when the company made the decision to introduce hybrids to their line it was no surprise that it coincided with the hiring of Adam Barr as the company’s new president. Mr. Barr has a particularly interesting pedigree as he has a varied academic background: a BA in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from the Duquesne University School of Law; somewhat of a hybrid himself.
Barr launched his career at the Golf Channel doing the “What’s in the Bag?” segment for 6 years and met Katsuhiro Miura, the renowned craftsman who has led Miura for 50 years. A friendship was forged and when the search for new leadership was launched, Miura pursued Mr. Barr. His tenure at Miura approaches one year in November and among the new product introductions he has guided, the MG Hybrid is the most recent.
Offered in 20 and 23 degree models, the MG is as beautiful as it is functionally effective. Mr. Barr encouraged me to expect the
same feel as a solid hit with a forged iron and he was dead on. Looking down at one’s ball at address, the view inspires confidence as the 43mm clubface height is precisely the same as the diameter of a golf ball. The black finish of this club is as aesthetically pleasing as the feel of a solid hit with a forged iron; through the hands, arms and shoulders…..straight to the heart.
The head is designed with a “circle cut”which moves the center of gravity….but not to its lowest point. It is low, but not bottomed out and weight is effectively repositioned to the perimeters. The ball leaves the clubface with surprising velocity, climbing to its apogee and falling gently to earth. This is an implement which builds confidence.
I selected a shaft from Aerotech Golf, a Bellingham, WA. company led by Chris Hilleary, an industry veteran. The SteelFiber shaft is a perfect transitional application as it is constructed with a high modulus graphite core which is then fortified with 59 miles (yes, miles!) of steel fiber which has a diameter measured at 1/10 that of a human hair. This technology was introduced as iron shafts initially and is presently flourishing on the Tour.
Mr. Miura says that “perfection is not a goal to be attained, but rather a rewarding journey of commitment and effort”. The MG hybrid is on that journey.
ANTIGUA!!!!! Top of the line! Always!
Antigua Outerwear - Good for all climates and great for on and off the golf course Antigua's fall based outerwear is created to function in various climates and incorporates the trend that focuses on layering. The current opinion is that as weather fluctuates throughout the day it is more desirable to take off-and-add on layers to adjust for comfort and function. Antigua has the options to meet this demand.
To demonstrate, the Antigua layering line-up start as base layers that can be combined with wind resistant or water resistant wind shirts and jackets as well as worn with fuller weight outerwear pieces to function against more inclement weather. Antigua has an excellent base layer long sleeve mock called 'Hero'. Hero uses Antigua's proprietary Desert Dry moisture management technology and is constructed with a hyper-micro poly fleeced backing against a super soft interlock face which has enough weight to be worn alone and is light enough that it layers remarkably well. Add to that the next tier in style - 'Succeed', consisting of a contemporary color block stretch jersey half zip shell with a micro fleece brushed back which can be worn on its own, under a jacket, over a base layer - or both depending on climate and preference.
To round out Antigua's outerwear collection offering, styles are developed to function according to climate needs. Antigua has a great wind shirt and wind jacket in styles 'Rendition' and 'Highland'. Antigua's Desert Breeze wind block fabric serves as a guard against wind while offering warmth. Made with a four-way stretch laminated jersey bonded to a water resistant membrane, Rendition and Highland both offer water resistance as well as comfort against the wind and rain. Rendition, styled with contemporary color blocking details, is available as a traditional pullover wind shirt while Highland is designed as a full zip front wind jacket. The stretch aspect of these pieces allows them to be multi functional - on the course and off.
Antigua has a variety of great golf jackets. 'Style Motion' is a full zip jacket constructed with a stretch jersey face bonded against a high-low fleeced 'wave' pattern engineered for warmth while allowing breathability for comfort. 'Style Explorer' is built for warmth while being light weight and ideal for layering. With its water resistant woven shell bonded against a micro-fleece inner core Explorer wears and travels well and is well suited for both cold and precipitation alike. Antigua equally offers thin-layer micro fleece shells in both pullover as well as full zip styling as exceptional layering options in styles 'Frost' and 'Sleet' as well as traditional fleece hooded styles in both a pullover as well as full front zip styling. So, no need to let weather concerns factor into your round as Antigua has the right outerwear to get you into the clubhouse warm, comfortable and dry. Antigua outerwear selections for 2011 include: Atlas Jacket - 100% polyester water proof and fully seamed sealed jacket with contrast bonding details. Removable ball cleaner cloth snapped in wearers front pocket, adjustable velcro cuffs, toggle bungee bottom and hidden inside left chest pocket with Antigua branding. Men's and Women's Traverse - 100% Polyester jersey bonded with a water resistant membrane to a fleece inner layer as a full zip jacket with adjustable velcro cuffs, chest and side pockets with Antigua branding at back neck.
About Antigua
Headquartered in Peoria, Ariz., The Antigua Group, through its license sports division, holds license agreements with Major League Baseball (MLB), Minor League Baseball (MiLB), National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), along with numerous American universities and colleges for men's, women's and children's apparel, headwear and outerwear. Antigua additionally designs, produces and supplies product for corporate America and specialty retail managed under its corporate division. Its golf division also holds license agreements with the PGA TOUR, LPGA and the PGA of America. www.antigua.com
Antigua products can also be found online at shop.antigua.com.
Henry-Griffitts-the seminal force in custom club fitting for 28 years and the originator of the club-fitting cart-continues to take driver technology to the next level with the introduction of its new PRAXIS PI Driver Series. Henry-Griffitts worked on the development of the PRAXIS PI Driver for the past two years. We researched the best possible manufacturing process to produce a performance-driven driver for our loyal customers. After painstaking testing we settled on a four-piece construction with a special cup-face that significantly outperformed other drivers using other methods. Four-piece construction has come a long way from the early 2000's attempts. It now produces some very tight tolerances that are critical to maintain Henry-Griffitts standards. Of course, the final decision wasn't based on the construction method but on the phenomenal results we saw during the testing phase.
The PRAXIS PI Driver features a large 450cc head design for stability and forgiveness using a machined 6-4, thin titanium face with proprietary design. The center of gravity located low and back in the head that produces high launch, low spin and superior carry and roll. The Characteristic Time rating of 239 microseconds - right at the USGA maximum..
"The PRAXIS PI Driver is incredibly easy to hit, and it really sounds great," says Randy Henry, Founder of Henry-Griffitts. "When a golfer matches up the right loft with the correct shaft length, shaft flex and weight, with the help of a H-G Certified Teacher, there will be no way to beat this new driver. It will deliver confidence and consistency to anyone's game."
The PRAXIS PI Driver is available in right- and left-hand models. Right-hand lofts are 9.5, 12.5, 15.5 and 18.5 degrees while left-hand lofts are 9.5, 12.5 and 15.5 degrees. The PRAXIS PI Driver's lie angle is 59.5 degrees, the face angle is 0.5 degrees closed, and the bulge and roll are each 12 degrees.
“ This new PRAXIS PI Driver is absolutely phenomenal,” says Randall Henry, President of Henry-Griffitts. “This club will satisfy anyone who likes to hit a big head, and still have the feel and control they want in their driver.”
The PRAXIS PI Driver's body is made from forged, space-aged GR4 Titanium, which is then stamped thin under extreme pressure and formed into the driver's crown, walls and sole pieces. The face is machined from 6-4 Titanium. Using the latest innovations and technology, the machining results in a specialized and proprietary configuration that produces Characteristic Time ratings right at the USGA established limit of 239 microseconds. All four pieces are then welded in an Argon atmosphere to ensure the weld's purity and strength. A weight screw is attached to the rear of the sole to help in establishing desired launch angles. All of this results in a light, strong driver head with optimum performance characteristics.
The large club volume makes it possible to increase the face area. Generally a larger head design with a larger face will make any club more forgiving. With the help of the proprietary face design, the PRAXIS PI Driver is better then any previous driver. Finally, using a black-on-black PVD process, Henry-Griffitts applied the same great-looking cosmetics to the head that it used on the PRAXIS Fairway Woods.
"Golfers will want to get their hands on this new offering from H-G as soon as they see it," Henry says. "They'll love the feel, the sound, the looks and the results." About Henry-Griffitts Henry-Griffitts is the pioneer of dynamic club fitting and originator of the lie board, interchangeable heads and dynamic fitting, as well as the club-fitting cart. Dedicated to the symbiotic relationship between swing and equipment, Henry-Griffitts custom fits clubs through its national network of H-G Certified Teachers and then hand assembles those clubs to the tightest industry specifications. Henry-Griffitts was founded in 1983 by Randy Henry and Jim Griffitts, a pair of golf professionals who recognized that custom-fit golf clubs consistently enhance golfer performance.
About aboutGolf
aboutGolf is a world leader in golf simulator and golf performance technology. The more than 20-year-old, Ohio-based company is committed to developing and applying innovative, state-of-the-art technology to enhance and improve the game for golfers at every level. Its products, including PGA TOUR Simulators, aG Studio and Henry-Griffitts Custom Fit Golf Clubs, enable substantive learning and improvement in the game of golf. Learn more at www.aboutgolf.com.
ANTIGUA makes great golf shirts! I wear them in my Hot Golf TV Show!
http://www.antigua.com/ and shop.antigua.com.
Buoyed by the popularity of the Desert Dry and Desert Dry Xtra Lite lines, Antigua doesn’t plan to mess much with success. Jewel tone colors will be the focus for women, while classic colors will dominate the men’s line.
Updated performance will be featured in both men’s and women’s golf shirts from the company that is a leading designer and marketer of men’s, women’s and children’s lifestyle apparel and sportswear. The reputation the Antigua Group, Inc. has earned over the last 32 years for producing the finest knit shirts in the industry is now being enhanced by the outerwear it is producing.
“We’re featuring updated styling designs on our outerwear,” said Sean Gregg, Head Designer for Antigua. “Among those updates are the pockets in those pieces are more useable for what men like particularly in golf outerwear.”
An area that is getting attention at Antigua are pieces that can be worn as part of a layering look or as standalones. One of the tweaked styles for 2011 is a stretchable fleece, a piece that allows golfers to move freely as they swing, while providing the warmth of fleece.
“The focus is now on developing product from the base layer up. Lightweight base layers such as our style Hero developed as a micro-fleeced back jersey mock can stand alone or can be worn under a performance polo such as Exceed, or with a mid-weight pull-over performance fleece style such as Succeed, or under a water and wind resistant wind shirt such as our styles Resilient and Highland,” said Sean Gregg.
“The new mentality -- from the tour player to the weekend golfer -- is they want to be comfortable at any point during play, and they look for layering options that correspond with the fluctuations in weather that occur especially during golf season.”
As technology has evolved in the golf equipment arena, apparel technology has evolved as well.
“We've developed lighter and lighter fabrics with the intention of them performing faster with regard to wicking speed, while simultaneously being less restrictive and minimizing garment friction during release with our Desert Dry Xtra-Lite (D2XL) fabrics,” Gregg said.
When the Desert Dry concept was first conceived, the focus was on warmer climates. The lighter weight fabrics are cooler on the body and wicks faster is ideal in those warmer places. But as it’s turned out, it’s become hot nationwide during the summer months and now all Desert Dry products are distributed nationally.
SUNICE! SUNICE! SUNICE! There simply is no better jacket on the market!
Sunice's® Pro Sport and Sport Layers Collections feature high-end performance Windstopper®, and basic, lightweight, fashion-driven layering pieces blending science and style in soft shells, sweaters, lightweight layering, thermal layering and windgear.
Sunice® Performance Layers create the ultimate all-weather golf apparel layering system. The moisture-wicking Otaki SuperLite FX Pullover-with an invisible chest-pocket zipper-can be added as an extra layer without extra bulk or weight. Sunice's® most breathable, 100 percent windproof, water-repellent WindStopper® styles include the new Burnham Soft Shell and high-performance Limmen Active Lightweight Shell designs in sporty colors such as Royal Blue with hits of White, and a bright White with hits of Shadow and Red. Sunice’s® 2011 golfwear embodies the perfect fusion of science and fashion-forward style. The color palette’s updated Blues and Reds brighten basic Black, Gray and Navy. A classic Camel suit, crisp windowpanes, and Black and Red Glen Plaid, salute the past. Sporty Real Red and Royal Blue inspire the Men’s collection, which combines updated cutting and welding techniques with innovative fabrics. The exciting Ladies’ collection highlights a rich Lapis Blue, with soft pink variations in Rose Dust and Dolce. An Asian-inspired Kimono Print and geometric plaids offer Sunice’s® usual variety and style.
Sunice® is For Your Freedom of Play™ in design, philosophy and practicality. Updated classic cuts, interesting contrasts and subtle detailing give the collection a clean contemporary feel, and provide comfort and the ultimate freedom of movement. Sunice®, a longtime expert and leader in the technical outerwear industry, is dedicated to a unique concept of science and style. This is done by creating innovative design, using durable construction, and blending fashion-forward styling while using the latest in technical specialty fabrics.
MIURA WEDGES by John EHLE Golftrips.com
With Miura Grounded in Steely Tradition: Series 57 K Grind Wedge Adds to the Lore of Soft Forged Irons
Katsuhiro Miura has been plying his trade in Himeji City, Japan since he was 16 years old. Known as the steel region of Japan, Himeji City was home to the craftsmen who forged the swords of the Samurai. Centuries have passed since the sword was the primary product of these artisans but the techniques have been preserved and handed down and are now the basis for the production of the finest forged golf clubs in the world
Bill Holowaty is the V.P. of Miura golf and as he walked me through the proprietary 14 step forging process it was abundantly clear that this was a man with a passion for his products. As he described the feel of hitting a golf ball with a Miura iron he used words like soft, buttery and solid.
Comparing the grain structure of the Miura forgings to other companies’ product he used the image of a jar of marbles versus a jar of sand. The spaces between are literally squeezed out through a process of heat and extreme pressure leading to a reduction in the dissipation of energy. In lay terms; no vibration up the shaft. The process is accomplished by striking the club head with a pile driver the size of a parking stall.
The new putters which Miura is producing, Series 1957, are made from a single billet of soft carbon steel and they are forged using the same process as the irons. The heel/toe weighted MP 005 and 006 have a traditional look and the KM-350 blade (350 grams) is toe weighted to prevent an open face at impact. The feel of this putter is remarkable and Mr. Holowaty’s words came back to me; soft, buttery and solid.
The oiled chrome finish and milled face create an instrument which may be the most beautiful putter in the world. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but the proof of the pudding is in the tasting. This putter is as performance-oriented as it is beautiful and once you get your hands on it you won’t let go.
The newest addition to the Miura family of finely crafted golf instruments is the Series 57 K Grind Wedge. Available in 56 degrees, this beautiful wedge has a fluted sole which has 3 finger-tip impressions which appear to be knuckles. As aesthetically beautiful as they are functional, the knuckles enable the wedge to accelerate through sand, rough or short grass with a minimum of resistance. Combine these characteristics with the buttery, solid feel that Mr. Miura’s irons provide and you have a wedge which inspires confidence every time you use it. This is golf art.
My Series K came in a nickel (satin) chrome finish and was shafted with a stepless UST Mamiya Spin Wedge Proto. It is also available in a black finish. I auditioned this wedge over six days in diverse conditions and it has earned a permanent residence in my bag.
EQUIPMENT THAT SUCKS & IS A WASTE OF MONEY!
Below is a letter I recently sent to "Jack". I hope this helps in your choice of sunglasses.
Dear Panama Jack,
I wrote to you several months ago.
I bought the red pair of sunglasses in Punta Cana last year. I wore them two days and they broke.
I sent them back to you and you were kind enough to send several pairs as replacements.
Enclosed is one of the replacement glasses. They also broke within several wearings.
Where are you manufacturing your glasses? The lowest bidder gets the contract? This kind of stuff sends me through the roof! People work hard for their money and have come to expect that you make a great product.
Instead it seems as if you are slapping you name on plastic crap!
People work hard to earn a dollar and expect that what they buy will last. I can remember a day when my parents and grand-parents took pride in their stuff and owned it for years!
As I mentioned before, I'm a golf writer and produce several golf TV shows. I also have a golf blog that has an equipment review.
Please log onto www.golfingaround.com and look on the right side for my BLOG.
If you go to “equipment reviews” you will find an honest equipment review of how badly Panama Jack Sunglasses have become.
Come on "Jack"; you are better than this!
Cordially,
Randy Tantlinger
http://www.golfingaround.com/
