When Fred Couples first strolled into tournament play wearing a pair of sneakers in late 2009, most thought it was either a someone simply trying to increase his longevity with a new-age comfy shoe, or it was a purely financial decision.   After all, Freddy was a long time Ashworth guy, and now he had not only switched to Ecco kicks, but it wasn't even a real golf shoe.   They didn't look like a traditional golf shoe, and there was no way those little nubs on the bottom a could support a golf swing.

Slowly but surely, the truth spread.  Not only were the nubs up to the challenge, but they were seriously comfortable shoes.   More and more tour players caught on, and manufacturers rushed to get into the "street golf shoe" game.   By the 2011 PGA season, virtually every major manufacturer has a street shoe available and a tour regular to wear them.

Ashworth joined the party in 2011 with the Encinitas and the Cardiff.   We recently got the opportunity to try the Cardiff for a couple of rounds while in Orlando for the PGA Merchandise show and went in wondering if they could possibly unseat the Ecco as the 'King of the Casual Golf Kicks'.

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GolfEtail.com is a vendor we haven't bought from before, but a deal like this we felt we needed to bring your way.   The Adidas Tour360 4.0 is originally $179.99 and discounted to ~$140 at most major retailers.

GolfEtail.com has them for $74.99 + shipping right now.

Only making the deal sweeter, they're offerring a free Samsonite shoe bag with your purchase.

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While waiting for my golf clubs at the oversize luggage carousel in the Orlando International Airport, I struck up a conversation with someone from my same flight who was similarly clad in golf attire. After finding out he was a PGA Merchandise Show veteran, I asked him about what to expect in our first experience. His response: "Imagine being a 4 year old on your first trip in a Toys R Us. Have a great show."

Being a father of an ambitious 4 year old boy who recently set the world record for using the phrase "I want" more than previously thought possible while in a Toys R Us, I could only laugh at the thought that I would find something so entertaining.

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Justin Timberlake, star of SNL (as well as some other stuff), has expanded his role with Callaway Golf, where he has been a staff professional since 2008.    As of today, he is now also a "Creative Director" with the company....with his position being described as "consultation on the visual representation of the Brand".    While we wonder if that's really just code for "can you get Jessica Biel and Mila Kunis to hang around?", we have no doubt that this will mean more sweaters and vests will be a part of the Callaway clothing lineup for 2012.

Full press release after the break!

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Once upon a time, there was an immensely talented golfer named Sir Dustin who was invited to test some prototype weaponry in the land of TaylorMade.   While watching this new invention launch his ammunition into lands previously thought impossible, Sir Dustin made an offhand comment about how it reminded him of a "rocket".    From that one comment, the blacksmiths at TaylorMade deemed the new line of clubs "RocketBallz".

Don't they have focus groups to review this crap before releasing it?     It sounds like a name for a crudely animated japanese import cartoon.

All jokes aside, the technology and process put into the new line (especially the new fairway woods, pictured) is impressive, and given TaylorMade's recent string of hitting virtually everything out of the park, I certianly won't doubt their performance increase claims such as "RocketBallz Fairway Woods Promote up to 17 Additional Yards".

More info include clubs specs, release dates and prices after the jump!

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Another day, another club announcement.

This time of year is always great for us equipment honks.    For most of us, it's gotten too cold to play, but this is also the time when the manufacturers are unwraping their latest and greatest.    This time, TaylorMade has one-upped their own monster release from last year, the R11. 

The biggest change with this year's version is an increase from 440cc head size to the R11S's 460cc.    The club also improves on it's adjustable sole plate to add an additional couple options, changing the plate from a triangle to a pentagon.

At a suggested MSRP of $399 for the standard version (TP version is $499), it will sit at a $100 to $150 high street price than it's 1 year old brother.

Read the full Press Release after the jump!

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It seems that the most reliable source for the latest club pictures are the only people who won't get in trouble for posting them early.

Today we have another Twitter image release of a much anticipated, yet not formally released club:   the Ping i20 Iron.

If you ask us, they're dead sexy...and we're hoping we get the change to hit them at the PGA Merchandise Show in January (where we will be posting throughout event).

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