Pieters takes early lead at Dubai Desert Classic

For the best players in the world, the way a putter feels at impact can determine the longevity of a flat stick. It’s part of the reason why Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods and Brandt Snedeker, just to name a few, have relied on the same putter or insert for years — they know what they’re getting in the feel department, which allows them to dial-in distance control and improve their overall consistency. For Woods, it’s the firmer, “clickier” feel of the German Stainless Steel on his Scotty Cameron Newport 2 “GSS” putter that allows him to decipher a good putt from a mishit. For others, a softer feel is preferred, giving the sensation of the ball staying on the face slightly longer at impact. With PING’s new Sigma 2 putter series, which consists of 10 head options, the feel shades slightly to the softer side via a dual-durometer Pebax elastomer face material. The lightweight elastomer is commonly used in the sole of athletic shoes for its elasticity properties and high-energy return compound that delivers a soft yet responsive feel at impact. The soft front layer of the face is geared for shorter putts while the firmer back layer offers solid feedback and distance control for long-range efforts. The face design also features PING’s True-Roll (TR) face technology. By varying the depth of the grooves across the face — with the deepest grooves in the center and getting gradually shallower toward the perimeter to equalize ball speed — speed and control can be improved on center-hit and mis-hit putts off the heel or toe. “Feel is difficult to quantify as there are a lot of opinions and preferences about how a putter should feel,â€� said PING president John K. Solheim. “The Sigma 2 has a very soft feel with a lively response, similar to a solid-face putter. It is designed for the golfer who prefers a putter on the softer side of the spectrum but with the response of a firm face, including more consistency on longer putts. Rounding out the offering is a USGA-conforming, adjustable-length shaft that allows the golfer to choose between 32 and 36 inches to fit their stroke and posture. With the help of an adjustable tool that inserts into the top of the grip, length can be increased or decreased a 1/4-inch while the grip remains perfectly aligned during the process. “The adjustable shaft is just a really cool technology,â€� said Solheim. “Our engineers took a very complex technical challenge and simplified it for the benefit of golfers. It allows you to experiment with various lengths and ultimately self-fit yourself. You’re no longer limited to a specific length measurement.” Three pistol grip options are offered in the midsize PP60, slightly heavier PP61 (inspired by the popular PP58) and PP62, which has a more rounded shape to promote “quieter hands.” Here’s a look at all 10 putters (Platinum and Stealth finishes) in the lineup, including the new Fetch mallet. Anser The Anser is the winningest model in PGA TOUR history, and its newest iteration has the traditional heel-toe ballasts that boost MOI, plus pleasing contours, a clean top rail and simple alignment line. The blade design and medium head weight make this putter proficient from any distance. The mid-hang balance targets players with a moderate rotation in their stroke, and thus fits a large percentage of golfers. Putter type: Blade Finish: Platinum or Stealth Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 350 grams Stroke type: Slight Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $215 ZB 2 The ZB with a modern twist. The deeper center cavity and heel-toe weighting increase moment of inertia by more than 25% in this new model and make it as forgiving as an Anser. The heel-shafted weighting is engineered to fit players with more rotation in their stroke and those who have a pull tendency. This putter’s blade design and medium head weight provide versatility from anywhere on the green. Putter type: Blade Finish: Platinum Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 350 gram Stroke type: Strong Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $215 Arna Inspired by the timeless design of the Anser, this mid-mallet model features a flow-style hosel that complements the head’s soft arc shape and compact profile. The 360-gram head weight ensures stability on shorter putts while offering distance control on lag putts. The mid-hang balance fits golfers with a moderate rotation in their stroke. Putter type: Mid-Mallet Finish: Stealth Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 360 grams Stroke type: Slight Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $215 Kushin C This center-shafted model with added emphasis to the toe and heel ballasts will appeal to golfers drawn to the visual symmetry and stability of a face-balanced design. Prominent ball-width alignment features and micro-lines on the center cavity allow for easy alignment. The 360-gram weight and center-shaft design keep the head very stable on short putts in particular. The face-balanced design is optimized for players with very little rotation in their stroke or a push tendency. Putter type: Mid-Mallet Finish: Platinum Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 360 grams Stroke type: Straight Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $215 Fetch A distinctive golf-ball-size center hole in this new design allows you to pick up the ball or remove it from the cup with the putter head and not have to bend down. This circular shape allows for efficient perimeter weighting, creating an extremely high MOI for a putter its size. Its 365-gram head is extremely stable on shorter putts. The face-balanced design works well with players who have little rotation in their stroke or a tendency to push putts. Putter type: Mallet Finish: Platinum Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 365 grams Stroke type: Straight Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $235 Tyne Boasts a PGA TOUR-winning design, back by popular demand for its stability and ease of alignment. New micro-lines visible from address provide added texture and a contrast that amplifies the ball-framing and parallel alignment. The 365-gram head stays extremely stable on short putts and delivers ample feel for longer attempts. The Tyne can be custom built as face-balanced or mid-hang to be optimized for straight or slight-arc stroke types. Putter type: Mallet Finish: Stealth Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 365 grams Stroke types: Straight, Slight Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $235 Tyne 4 The stability and ease of alignment of the original Tyne are re-created in this heel-shafted version. The heavier 370-gram head is optimized for a smoother stroke tempo and designed to improve consistency, especially on shorter putts. The short hosel offers a distinctive – and popular – look at address, and the heel-shafted balance is particularly effective for golfers with more rotation in their stroke or a pull tendency. Putter type: Mallet Finish: Platinum Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 370 grams Stroke type: Strong Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $235 Wolverine H Its angular shape combines with ball-shape geometries and a long alignment line to simplify aiming for improved accuracy. To promote consistency, the heavier 370-gram mallet head provides a very high moment of inertia for extreme forgiveness, especially on shorter putts. The mid-hang balance ensures better all-round performance for a wide range of golfers. Putter type: Mallet Finish: Stealth Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 370 grams Stroke type: Slight Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $235 Valor A new model, this high-MOI mallet features a uniquely designed heel-toe ballast profile that contributes to its incredible stability and ease of aiming, with help from a long, contrasting alignment line. On shorter putts in particular, the added stability of the heavier 365-gram design offers a big performance advantage. This putter can be custom-built as either a face-balanced or mid-hang design to be optimized for golfers with almost any stroke type. Putter type: Mallet Finish: Stealth Adjustable-length shaft: 32 inches to 36 inches Head weight: 365 grams Stroke types: Straight, Slight Arc Lie angle: 20 degrees plus-or-minus four degrees Loft: Three degrees plus-or-minus two degrees Price: $235 PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE: Buy equipment here

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The PGA TOUR today announced that IMG Arena, IMG’s leading sports betting service and content hub, will distribute official PGA TOUR scoring data for media usage and sports betting purposes. Under a significant multi-year agreement, IMG Arena will distribute official PGA TOUR data to sports media companies, news services and other media organizations worldwide. Further, IMG Arena will have the exclusive right to distribute official data and selected live video of PGA TOUR competitions to international regulated sports betting and gaming markets. The PGA TOUR’s official data is collected through its proprietary ShotLink® system powered by CDW. With an elaborate network of walking scorers, lasers and greenside cameras, ShotLink collects and distributes a rich set of data points from each shot in PGA TOUR competition in real time. Utilizing the ShotLink data, IMG Arena is developing a range of innovative golf products that will provide PGA TOUR fans with new and exciting ways to enjoy the sport. The PGA TOUR’s relationship with IMG Arena will support the PGA TOUR’s Integrity Program, which was implemented earlier this year to protect the PGA TOUR from sports betting related corruption. The official data provided by IMG Arena will deliver fans the most timely, accurate and reliable source of information for betting purposes, all verified by the PGA TOUR. Further, IMG Arena, will be responsible for providing the highest standard of security and data protection and ensuring proper controls to prevent the unauthorized use of information by outlets licensing PGA TOUR data. “This is a very important step for the PGA TOUR in terms of engaging our fans, serving our players and enhancing our Integrity Program,� said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Creating a bigger, more diverse, more engaged fan base around the world is key to any league’s success, and sports betting is part of how we plan to do that.�
 “The global sports betting market’s access to official data has revolutionized the in-play sports betting experience,� said Freddie Longe, Managing Director at IMG Arena. “We see golf as a sleeping giant. It is one of few major sports that doesn’t yet offer consistent in-play betting markets. The PGA TOUR is an undisputed leader in golf and we feel this long-term partnership will allow us to work hand in hand to grow the game and protect the sport via the launch of a truly innovative digital experience that captures the next generation of sports betting and entertainment.�  

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