John Daly Signs With Some New Thing Called A Vertical Groove Driver
so glad to be on @vertgolf team! Driver is Simply AMAZING! #gripitandripit #stayverticalyall pic.twitter.com/qfqRAq6rjk
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) January 10, 2017
Vertical Groove Golf — Boston, MA January 10, 2017 — Two-Time Major Champion and the #1 driver on the PGA TOUR Champions, John Daly, has signed a multi-year deal with Vertical Groove Golf, LLC, and will now tee off with the Vertical Groove Driver when competing on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and other professional golf tournaments in 2017 and beyond.
As part of his agreement with Vertical Groove Golf, Daly will serve as Global Ambassador for the Company, sporting the Vertical Groove Golf logo on his left shirt collar, while the logo will also be prominent on his golf bag.
The Vertical Groove Driver, which conforms to the Rules of Golf, is the only golf club innovation to enter the market featuring vertical groove technology on the club face. The Vertical Groove Driver technology reduces side spin at impact, leading to 40% straighter ball flight on average, while also generating greater energy at impact, resulting in a stronger forward roll and increased driving distance.
First off, LOVE when you have to slip in this little line about your new driver: “The Vertical Groove Driver, which conforms to the Rules of Golf…” Good to know.
Look, I don’t know what the fuck Vertical Groove Golf is. Sounds like a company that makes golf shit with grooves that are vertical not horizontal but I’m not a scientist. Anyway John Daly is their newest (first?) get. And what a get he is. Did you see that twitter video? What a salesman. I’d buy anything from JD — no wonder he’s slinging merch at the Augusta Hooters every April. Slingers sling. If this driver gives you 40% straighter, 7 yards deeper and John Daly uses it, I’m all-in.
For a bit of real #talkinggolf, this is an interesting and surprising move, especially when coming on the heels of Bubba Watson signing with Volvik golf balls. I say this because my first encounter with Volvik was Trent and me at the World Long Drive and those fuckers may go far but they’re about as soft as lonsdaleite (little chemistry joke; look it up). Seriously I think the interior may be solid diamond. Surprising they’re not more expensive. Bubba will use the S4 which is their “Tour caliber” ball, but a quick browse through some S4 reviews shows these things aren’t giving you the action of the Pro V’s (Bubba’s previously been using the Pro V1x).
Anyway I digress. With the emergence of PXG (elite, personalized club-making company founded by billionaire golf addict Bob Parsons), Bubba switching to Volvik, and now Daly signing with Vertical Groove Golf, we’re seeing a bit of a revolution and newfound publicity for smaller, newer, more niche golf equipment manufacturers. It’s awesome. (Snell golf balls are also a highly recommended item to check out; founded and created by Dean Snell, a 25-year golf ball R&D veteran who worked on the original Pro V1, the Snell is incredibly similar to the Pro V1x but about 25% cheaper).
And that was talking golf.
PS — Volvik/hit it hard experts: