New ball from Spalding

Spalding has today launched the Ben Hogan Apex Tour golf ball, claimed to be “quite simply the best golf ball ever”

PGA Tour professionals Hal Sutton, Bernhard Langer, Len Mattiace, Mark Brooks, Luke Donald, Craig Parry, Dennis Paulson will play the Ben Hogan Apex Tour golf ball and were instrumental in the design, testing and market launch.

“We don’t go on Tour just to make great products, we use the Tour as our living laboratory to produce great golf balls for everyone,” said Tom Kennedy, vice president of research and engineering development for Spalding. “One hundred percent of our tour guys got involved on this project and all were eager and willing to be a part of the development process. They are integral to our R&D team.”

Last October, the players joined Spalding’s team of scientists and engineers to begin extensive testing using a blend of machine and on-site player tests. They played the prototype products using proprietary launch monitors to measure launch angles, ball velocity, spin rate, and computer algorithms with a variety of clubs. Data was then gathered and analysed before more prototypes were produced. The processes were repeated and included on-course testing with every possible shot (chip, flop, rough, bunker, into the wind, downwind, and crosswind). Players then played the prototypes on their own courses.

“In my 20 plus years on the PGA Tour, I have never been more intimately involved in the development of a product,” said Hal Sutton. “I was into it from Day One, and after extensive testing of this ball, I am convinced it is the most complete ball – providing the most spin and distance – in the industry today.”

“I’m amazed at what this ball can do and believe it’s way ahead of the technology curve,” said Bernhard Langer. “I've been searching for extra distance for a while but I hadn't been able to find it until now.”

“The Ben Hogan Apex Tour golf ball is a welcome addition to the Ben Hogan brand family and joins a group of products known for the finest quality craftsmanship and product excellence available in the market today,” said Ian Stringfellow, responsible for marketing at Spalding Sports in the UK. “Along with this great brand, we will continue to develop premier products under our portfolio of the Strata and Top-Flite golf brands. This new ball is our quest for perfection, and it warrants the Ben Hogan name.

“The Ben Hogan Apex Tour golf ball extends the capabilities of the Strata Tour Ultimate patented Concentrated Core and Multi-Layer Technologies. Our company has a history of innovation and firsts in the golf industry,” continued Stringfellow. “The Ben Hogan Apex Tour golf ball is simply the finest performing golf ball we have ever produced’.