Everyone knows the R11 is a great driver.\u00a0 But have you seen the R11 stand bag?\u00a0 Comparing TaylorMade\u2019s new R11 Pure-Lite stand bag to carry bags from even just a few years ago is like comparing an F-22 to a paper airplane.\u00a0 This species has evolved a lot.\u00a0 The R11 is the ultimate stand bag \u2013 with several meaningful improvements over last year\u2019s model.\u00a0 The design of this bag is just plain smart.\u00a0 It houses the things it needs to house well and flat-out works the way it should.\u00a0 TaylorMade does the little things right here, and the big things even better.<\/p>\n
The R11 Pure-Lite has compartments for just about everything.\u00a0 There are a total of eight pockets — a valuables pocket, a large apparel pocket for sweaters and rain gear, a glove pocket big enough for six gloves, a pocket for tees and balls, an accessories pocket, a valuables pocket, a water bottle sleeve \u2013 even a place to keep your Sharpie.<\/p>\n The R11 is rugged, too.\u00a0 The legs are 6020 aluminum with stainless steel rod actuators.\u00a0 The stand system is tested to hold up to all but the toughest abuse \u2013 an automated test replicates cycling the stand open and closed 60,000 times.\u00a0 The legs are designed for optimum spread to help with stability on uneven lies, too, and new for 2011 is a stand housing with an anti-split mechanism \u2013 so the legs won\u2019t open up too wide.\u00a0 Finally, the tough-as-nails base has a new actuator for 2011 that allows its hinge to work smoothly even on slippery surfaces.\u00a0 It\u2019s as close to a \u201ccan\u2019t-fail\u201d design as anyone has ever come or may ever need to come.<\/p>\n Throw in a rain hood that\u2019s big enough to actually fit golf clubs under it and a towel ring that doesn\u2019t make you jump through hoops to use it and you\u2019ve got what just may be the most intelligently designed golf bag ever created. $179<\/p>\n Strap one on and you\u2019ll see what I mean.<\/p>\n A Belly Putter That Gives You More Than a Ghost of a Chance<\/strong><\/p>\n But which belly putter should you try?\u00a0 I\u2019d recommend the TaylorMade Ghost Spider belly putter.\u00a0 It\u2019s beautifully weighted \u2013 and the moveable weight technology allows you to customize that weight to your preferences.\u00a0 And it\u2019s got the perimeter weighting and resulting MOI you need for consistency.\u00a0 What’s more, its \u201cPure Roll\u201d Surlyn insert promotes forward roll and accuracy.\u00a0 Seen from above, the club may look like something better suited to flipping burgers than holing putts.\u00a0 But put that white clubhead down behind a golf ball on a putting green and suddenly the stars start aligning.\u00a0 The Ghost Spider almost seems to align itself.\u00a0 Bottom line: this beautifully balanced club and all the technology that went into it make it a great choice for those who are looking to go the belly route \u2013 whether you sport a paunchy belly yourself or not. $199<\/p>\n Have you seen the kicks that golfers like Tiger Woods and Fred Couples have been wearing of late?\u00a0 They look more like running shoes than golf shoes \u2013 and they fit like them, too.\u00a0 If you\u2019re thinking of going the sneaker-substitute route, adidas has a new entrant into the category that\u2019s worth a look.\u00a0 The adidas adiCross don\u2019t look much like traditional golf shoes.\u00a0 They come in a variety of colors and designs that more closely resemble street wear than something you\u2019d see in a golf locker room.\u00a0 But they do a good job on the course, thanks to their 124 strategically placed traction lugs.\u00a0 The lugs (or nubs or nibs or whatever you want to call them) are of varying sizes and they offer a pretty good grip on all but the slipperiest surfaces.\u00a0 Their uppers are full-grain leather, so they\u2019re comfortable and breathe.\u00a0 And the toe cap is made from a super-durable synthetic material that resists abrasions and protects your toes.\u00a0 The adiCross comes in five different colors, and each pair ships with two different sets of laces \u2013 a tonal pair and a contrasting pair.\u00a0 Best of all, when you finish playing in these babies, you won\u2019t necessarily have to take them off.\u00a0 The adiCross is perfectly happy to transport you across asphalt, cement, wood, carpet or any other surface you encounter, either before golf or apr\u00e8s.\u00a0 $90<\/p>\n Infrared Precision<\/strong><\/p>\n I don\u2019t get the appeal of GPS units for judging yardages.\u00a0 You have to have the course you\u2019re playing downloaded on the unit.\u00a0 And even then, it only gives you yardages to approximate points, such as the front, middle and back of the green.\u00a0 You may not think you need anything more precise than that, but in my mind, having the exact yardage to the hole (or bunker or water hazard) is a good thing.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/theaposition.com\/daviddesmith\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2011\/12\/TaylorMade-R11-Stand-Bag.jpg\")
<\/a>The R11 Pure-Lite is<\/span> light: just 5.0 pounds.\u00a0 But it\u2019s anything but light on features.\u00a0 This year\u2019s model is made with a new lightweight rip-stop Gortech material.\u00a0 Its six nylon dividers and three full-length shaft dividers keep clubs organized, while the integrated handles at the top, bottom and side make it one of the world\u2019s easiest bags to move around.\u00a0 It\u2019s also easy \u2013 and comfortable \u2013 to carry.\u00a0 The ergonomic \u201cair-mesh comfort straps\u201d utilize an EVA foam and a continuous webbing system that distributes weight evenly, giving it an even lighter \u201ceffective weight.\u201d\u00a0 This year\u2019s straps were designed to breathe, too \u2013 so your shoulders stay cool and relaxed.\u00a0 And the strap system is 8-point, 4-way adjustable, so\u00a0 the bag can be fitted to ride at the optimal 10-degree hanging angle.\u00a0 And it\u2019s got a generously padded hip pad for comfort when walking and carrying.<\/p>\n<\/a>Admit it.\u00a0 Ever since you\u2018ve seen PGA Tour players who don\u2019t have bellies successfully wield belly putters, you\u2019ve wanted to try one, haven\u2019t you?\u00a0 When you see the likes of Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and others (even Phil Mickelson, who does have a belly) win events using the longer sticks, it makes you wonder, doesn\u2019t it?\u00a0 If you\u2019re ready to give one a go, the first thing is to make sure you get properly fitted for it.\u00a0 Belly putters can range from around 38 inches to 46 inches or more.\u00a0 Finding the one that allows your shoulders and body to make a nice, smooth pendulum-like swing is key.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want to feel hunched over \u2013 nor do you want your arms to feel like they\u2019re extending out too far from your torso.\u00a0 They should hang freely and swing freely.<\/p>\n<\/a>The New adidas adiCross Golf Shoe<\/strong><\/p>\n