Equipment Update: Pipes, Big Berthas and Vulcans

Our latest equipment update is chock full of good stuff, highlighted by a couple new Pipe putters (one pictured at right) from Nickent, and the 2006 model of Big Bertha irons from Callaway. Also included are a new driver and hybrid from Vulcan Golf, the Cruzer Hybrid TW from DeLaCruz Golf, plus an updated ball from Srixon.

The next few weeks will be busy ones on the equipment front as manufacturers scramble to release new products prior to and during the PGA Merchandise Show later this month.

So let's tee things off with these goodies:

• New Nickent Pipe Putter Models: Two new blade-style versions of Nickent Golf's popular Pipe Putter are now available. The PP-004 is Plumber-Neck Blade and the PP-005 is a Flare-Tip Blade. The PP-004 is the one pictured above. Both putters combine a traditional blade-shaped putter head with the Pipe alignment and weighting system from the original Pipe mallet. Nickent claims that its testing shows the new Pipe models offer the highest MOI of any blade-style putters. Both models carry an MSRP of $199. More info

• Callaway Big Bertha Irons: The 2006 models of Callaway's ever-popular Big Bertha irons are due on pro shop shelves in the middle of January. The 2006 Big Berthas come in 2-iron through lob wedge, with the standard set configuration being 3-PW. With graphite shafts, they'll carry an MSRP of $999; with steel shafts, an MSRP of $760. More info

• Vulcan Caldera 460 Driver and Sniper Hybrids: Vulcan Golf has announced a couple new clubs to be officially introduced at the coming PGA Merchandise Show: a new Caldera 460 driver and the Sniper Hybrid Transition Woods. The Caldera 460 is maxed out in specs with a wraparound sole design. It carries an MSRP of $249. The Sniper Hybrid Transition Woods come in 17-, 20- and 23-degree models with an MSRP of $129. They feature a carbon crown, heavy sole and shallow face profile. More info

• DeLaCruz Cruzer Hybrid: The Cruzer Hybrid Trouble Wood is the latest offering from DeLaCruz Golf. The Cruzer Hybrid TW comes in lofts of 17, 20 and 23 degrees. Three inverted reinforcing ribs are designed into the crown to further strengthen the hitting surface in order to help generate a more effective trajectory. The photos on the DeLaCruz website make the Cruzer Hybrid TW appear more like a fairway wood than a smaller hybrid, so particularly golfers who prefer a larger clubhead might like this one. More info

• Srixon AD 333 Ball: The original AD 333 ball from Srixon was a modestly priced ball designed to bring great spin and control performance to a distance-oriented, 2-piece ball. The new AD 333 is the same thing ... only better. The re-introduced Srixon AD 333 still carries an MSRP of only $25 per dozen. But the new AD 333's reformulated cover delivers more spin and control than the original, according to Srixon. With a more resilient core also designed into the ball, that adds up to a softer feel with higher launch, less spin and more ball velocity. More Info

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(Photo courtesy of Nickent Golf; used with permission)