Equipment: TaylorMade Irons ...

TaylorMade has a raft of clubs coming to market, now and shortly in the future. The first wave includes the r7 irons, r7 TP irons, and rac Satin TP wedge.

Carrying the "TP" (Tour Preferred) designation, the r7 TP irons (pictured) are aimed at professionals and low handicappers. The rest of us will want to check out the r7 irons, which include several game-improvement features. The rac Satin TP wedge is identical to the earlier rac Black TP wedge except for the satin finish.

Read more about the TaylorMade r7 irons and rac Satin TP wedge.

Also on shelves, or hitting them soon, are the Adams Idea Pro Forged Hybrid Irons, six complete sets from Hippo, and shoemaker Ecco's 2007 U.S. men's collection. More info on these items below the fold ...

Adams Idea Pro Forged Hybrid Irons
Adams' latest extension of its popular Idea hybrid iron series is the Pro Forged hybrid iron set. As its name implies, this set mixes hybrid clubs and forged irons in the same set. The set starts with 3 and 4 iWoods of 20- and 23-degrees, respectively, in place of the long irons. Irons 5 through PW are forged with a satin plated finish and a slight cavity back. A TriTech forged 4-iron is available as an option, as are gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge.

The Adams Idea Pro forged hybrid iron set will be on sale in retail outlets beginning on Oct. 1, 2006, with an MSRP of $1,099 with graphite shafts and $899 with steel shafts. See the Adams Web site for more info.

Hippo Complete Sets
Hippo Golf has six complete sets that were unveiled at the PGA Fall Expo a couple weeks ago in Las Vegas. The new sets are the OS4, EXP3, RS3, Lady Magia, Magia XS and Women’s XP3 - three for the men and three for the women.

The sets come all-in-one in a box that features Hippo Tour staff member Ian Woosnam along with color-coded instructions for determining the appropriate set for your game. Each of the sets includes a titanium driver and a mix of hybrids and irons. Hippo Web site

Ecco 2007 U.S. Men's Shoes
Footwear maker Ecco has introduced the 2007 men's collection it will be selling in the U.S. The collection includes four new styles along with several returning favorites in both classic and casual models.

The product lines are Casual Cool ($160), Casual Cool Hydromax ($180), Flexor GTX ($200), Flexor Hydromax ($180), Flexor ($160) and Classic Crossfire ($160). Each line includes multiple color combinations.

Among the technological features are:

• Ultra-soft, high-grade leathers with hydrophobic treatments to provide superb water-resistance
• Internal stabilizer that reduces torque and provides a stable swing platform
• Double-layer insole that provides extra cushion and absorbs heel force to reduce stress on the knees, hip and back
• Internal Air-Circulation System for a fresh, dry and cool foot environment
• Dynamic Energy Return System that provides a trampoline effect during foot-strike and follow-through to reduce fatigue during the course of a round
• Advanced grip systems including Eclipse cleat with Fast Twist insert system, Stinger cleat with Q-Lok insert system and molded traction bars

See the Ecco Web site for more info.

(Photo courtesy of TaylorMade-adidas; used with permission)