THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. – The thinnest face in golf is now available to all golfers. PowerBilt, which uses nitrogen gas inside the clubhead, is introducing the Air Force One – Air Foil 2, the next generation of Air Force One drivers, fairway woods and hybrids.
All Air Foil 2 drivers feature a 2.6 millimeter forged titanium face. That compares to 3.2 mm on most high-performance drivers on the market, giving PowerBilt a face that is approximately 20% thinner than other leading brands.
“When you combine the thin face with our unique nitrogen technology, you get maximum distance, maximum ‘smash factor,’ an incredibly large sweetspot – and all within USGA standards,” says PowerBilt President Ross Kvinge.
Nitrogen-Charged Technology is a process that uses nitrogen gas to support the face of the driver. The inside of the clubhead is coated with leak-proof resin, then charged with 85 psi of nitrogen gas. The pressure inside the head provides support, which allows for an ultra-thin face with no internal bracing.
Why is a thin face so important? When the clubhead strikes the ball, the face flexes. More flex means more energy is transferred to the ball, resulting in greater distance. At the same time, the USGA (golf’s governing body) limits the performance of conforming drivers.
“All good manufacturers know how to build a driver that will exceed USGA standards,” Says Kvinge. “The tough part is keeping performance at maximum limits by enlarging the sweetspot so that golfers experience maximum distance and optimal spin rates when they hit the ball on various parts of the face. That’s what we’re doing.”
There’s another benefit of Nitrogen-Charged Technology – it helps golfers of all swing speeds enjoy the benefits of compressing the face at impact. The USGA tests drivers with a 110 mph swing speed. “The vast majority of golfers swing anywhere from 80-100 mph, which means the thin face offered by PowerBilt helps most golfers enjoy more trampoline effect,” adds Kvinge.
So, how does the new Air Foil 2 differ from its predecessor? As already mentioned, the face is 2.6 mm on all drivers. Previously, there were 2.8 and 2.6 mm models. The pressure has been reduced to 85 psi. Less pressure means more flex across the face. The valve (which allows the clubhead to be filled with nitrogen) has been moved to the sole, creating a lower center of gravity. A new aerodynamic head shape helps increase clubhead speed. The new shape has a rounded toe giving the club a more open appearance at address. Plus, improved sound and graphics give the club a richer feel and look.
The Air Foil 2 driver comes in two models – Tour and high-MOI. The Tour is for golfers who like to work the ball and comes with a Fujikura Motore F-3 shaft. The high MOI version helps reduce side spin, resulting in straighter drives. The Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) is $299.99 for the Tour model and $249.99 for the high MOI.
FAIRWAY WOODS & HYBRIDS
All the improvements to the Air Foil 2 driver are incorporated into the fairway woods, which are available in 15- and 19-degree lofts. The ultra-thin face is only 1.6 mm with the clubhead filled with 80 psi of nitrogen gas. The high MOI head is made of 17-4 stainless steel and has a Fujikura stock shaft. The MAP is $149.99. The hybrid clubs have the same features and construction and are available in 20-, 23-, 26- and 29-degree lofts. Fujikura is the stock shaft. The MAP is $119.99.
“PowerBilt has something no other club-maker can offer – and that’s Nitrogen-Charged Technology,” states Kvinge. “We’re winning customers from the megabrands because they’ve tried it and they’ve seen that nitrogen is a game changer. While we don’t have the marketing muscle of the publicly owned brands, we’re proving that innovation can go hand-in-hand with a traditional brand like PowerBilt.”
Plus One Sports, Inc., is the U.S. licensee of the PowerBilt brand. PowerBilt is a division of the Hillerich & Bradsby Co., a family-owned company which has been making golf clubs since 1916. Based in Louisville, Ky., H&B is also the maker of world-famous Louisville Slugger bats and Bionic gloves.
Contact:
PowerBilt Golf • 72-370 Quarry Trail • Thousand Palms, CA 92276 • (888) 488-4653 • powerbilt.com
Media contact • Bob Lauder • blauder@doeanderson.com • (502) 815-3367 office • (502) 403-9976 cell