First it was the White Cobra Driver; then Taylor Made came out with the R11 and followed that up with its line of white ‘Ghost’ putters. What the heck is going on? Is this simply a trend in club aesthetics, or is there something more to it? And, what’s next?
I have to admit when I first saw Ian Poulter hit his white S3 driver, I thought, “That looks pretty cool. You can count on Poulter to make a fashion statement with his clubs.” And, there is general agreement out there that both the S3 and the R11 are quality clubs.
But, how much does the color affect you as you stand over the ball? Several reviews in golf.com noted that the color makes the head look larger and some felt the white crown and black clubface provide a unique alignment system. (Read more at: http://www.golf.com/golf/equipment/article/0,28136,2025130,00.html#ixzz1MmgvHRXH).
I tend to think the success of the R11 has more to do with the properties of the clubface and the adjustability of the weight and alignment features found on the R7 and R9. Either way, we are seeing more and more pros teeing up white drivers in the past few months.
As for white putters, the arguments in favour of the beneficial alignment properties of contrasting colors may have more traction. I test putted a Ghost putter recently and definitely felt the black alignment markings stood out dramatically against the white background and the entire club against the green itself too made me feel as though I were lined up better. The true test, of course, would be holing more putts over several rounds with the putter, and I may have to make the investment to see if it indeed lowers my score, which in the end is all that matters.
I just worry that the main motivation for many is the trendiness may get out of hand. In the not too distant future, I would not be surprised to see Paula Creamer tee up something like this...
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