Archer Prepares for 2011

John Letters Staff Player Phillip Archer came to our  test centre at the Stadium Driving Range in Huddersfield yesterday to help us with product development for next season, while being fitted for some new gear himself. 

Testing was focused on two area’s.  Firstly we’ve got a tour driver in development for next season, that sit’s square to slightly open at address, looks a little smaller, and that hit’s it with a flatter ballflight and lower spin. Chris had already done some testing on the head, but it was it was the first time Phil had hit the proto. And we almost didn’t get it back. Compared to his current driver Phillip hit the ball on average 3 yards further, but more importantly his dispersion was improved from 6.2 yards to 2.7 with the JL Proto head. So he was quite literally hitting it longer AND straighter than his current driver, known for being the number one driver on tour. 

We had to make sure we had our eyes on it the whole time, as otherwise Phillip would have nabbed it, but as it’s currently the only one in existence we couldn’t let him have it just yet.  On Phillips request, we’re also going to develop a deep faced version of the driver for players who like a smaller looking driver at address. 

Secondly we also fitted Archer for a three wood. In a lot of ways these are the hardest clubs to get in the bag of a touring professional. Their three woods need to be used as a mini driver off the tee, hitting into par 5’s from distance, while also being used to shape the ball. It’s not necessarily all about having optimal spin rates and launch angles, but what feels right. Phillip tested a variety of shaft options, but settled on an Aldila VS Proto 60 x shaft. Lighter than what he’s used to using he was hitting a John Letters T9+ 15 degree three wood as far, and with better dispersion than his current 13 degree head. Archer wants to do some on course testing first, but all signs point towards it going into his bag for the start of next season.

Charley Hull Tests the 2011 range

Teen golfing sensation Charley Hull came and visited the John Letters Test Facility in Huddersfield this week to get her equipment prepared for 2011. Charley, only 14, already carries a plus 3 handicap and has was agonisingly close to qualifying for the Ricoh Women’s British Open missing out by a shot in a four women playoff.

Charley has been taught in her own words, to “hit the ball like a man” and she was overpowering certain X Flex shafts in her testing session.  After significant shaft testing we put Charley into a X Flex UST Mamiya Proforce V2 shaft in her driver, for a more penetrating low spin trajectory, and a UST Mamiya  Attas shaft  in a 15 degree T9+ fairway wood for a little longer carry. Charley also extensively tested the Master Model Prototype irons, and can’t wait to get her set in the New Year when the stock comes in. Charley has also requested a set of the highly anticipated JL Tour Black wedges, having fallen in love with them at first sight. This forged 8620 carbon steel wedge was designed with the better player in mind, with its clean lines and subtle sole grind, not to forget the stunning black finish. 

With 2011 fast approaching, everyone on the John Letters Tour Truck is looking forward to helping Charley achieve her goals.

Johnnie Walker Championship @ Gleneagles

It was a successful week for the John Letters Tour Truck at the Johnny Walker Championship at Gleneagles. Although not the busiest week we’ve had all season, with the heavy rain the players didn’t spend as much time on the range as usual, there were real quantifiable results to be had from our hard work.

John Letters Staff player Phillip Archer came into the van at the beginning of the week to get his clubs re-gripped. Going with Golf Pride Tour Velvets with a ribbed reminder, Tour Technician Kevin Ludkin thickened the grips with two layers of tape. Four rounds and four under par later, Phil had his best finish of the season with a tied 10^th finish.

With the amount these guys play, they are looking at new grips every 2- 3 months. Obviously most golfers won’t need to change their grips anywhere near as often; however it’s worth changing your grips at least once a season for optimal results. With so many options on offer and seemingly every colour in the rainbow available there’ll always be a new option that will take your eye.