What you can learn from tour gear trends, and the rise of player's distance irons | Interview Miura's Bill Holowaty
Mar 21, 2024
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This podcast features an interview with Bill Holowaty, Miura Golf's COO, discussing the release of their new 602 irons. Topics include tour gear trends, the rise of player's distance irons, and what amateur golfers can learn from the latest gear trends on tour.
Precise yardage gaps with wedges benefit all golfers, from pros to high handicaps.
Fairway woods maintain consistent effectiveness in player's gear bags over the years.
Tour pros favor utility irons over hybrids for consistent performance and versatility.
Deep dives
Trend Analysis on Wedges
Wedges on the DP World Tour have increased from an average of 3 wedges per player in 2008 to 4 wedges in 2023. This shift reflects the importance of having precise yardage gaps for scoring tools, benefiting both pro players and mid to high handicap golfers.
Consistent Fairway Wood Usage
Fairway woods usage on the DP World Tour has remained stable, with an average of 1.28 fairway woods per player in both 2008 and 2023. This consistency suggests that fairway woods continue to serve their role effectively for players.
Rise of Utility Irons and Decline in Hybrid Usage
On the DP World Tour, there has been a significant shift towards utility irons over hybrids. The usage of hybrids has decreased from about 1 in 2008 to 0.74 in 2023, while utility irons have become more prominent. This trend reflects the preference for utility irons' consistency and performance among players.
Decline in Three Iron Usage
The usage of three irons on the DP World Tour has significantly declined, from 0.78 in 2008 to 0.20 in 2023. This indicates a clear shift away from three irons in favor of more forgiving and versatile clubs like utility irons and hybrids. Even tour pros recognize the limited utility of traditional three irons in today's game.
Evolution of Mira Brand and Product Range
The evolution of the Mira brand from being a product known to only a few golf enthusiasts to becoming a global brand offering a range of clubs accessible to players of various skill levels. Initially, the Mira clubs were considered elite and hard to access, but the development of a unique manufacturing process led to the brand's growth and the inclusion of clubs for mid-handicap players. Through organic growth and strategic partnerships with club fitters, Mira expanded its product lineup and distribution worldwide.
Innovative Design and Future Direction of Mira Irons
The focus on innovative design and maintaining the traditional identity while incorporating modern technology in Mira iron products. The introduction of the IC 602 iron model showcased a blend of multi-material construction aimed at providing intermediate and good players with exceptional feel and performance. The club's design prioritized offering a feel comparable to forged irons rather than focusing solely on distance and forgiveness, demonstrating Mira's commitment to combining tradition with evolving technology for an exciting future lineup.
On this week's episode of Fully Equipped, GOLF's Jonathan Wall and Ryan Barath are joined by Gene Parente of Golf Laboratories to talk what amateur golfers can learn from the latest gear trends on tour and the rise of player's distance irons. The episode then concludes with an exclusive, in-studio, interview featuring Miura Golf's COO Bill Holowaty discussing the release of their new 602 irons.
