Maxfli Golf Introduces BlackMAX

Press Release

Posted 2005-02-26

Maxfli, a brand of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company, has introduced a premium, tour-caliber golf ball called BlackMAX that's engineered to compete with the Titleist Pro V1, Titleist Pro V1x and Callaway HX Tour.

BlackMAX is a multilayer ball, its parts including a large Neodymium rubber core, a firm, thin ionomer mantle and an ultra-thin cast thermoset urethane cover. Neodymium rubber is an uncommon core material because it is the most difficult polybutadiene rubber to process, yet Maxfli chose this material because it offers a superior combination of high Coefficient of Restitution (COR) and low compression. That equals high velocity off the clubface, yet soft feel at impact.

BlackMAX's thin ionomer mantle serves a dual function. Off the driver it works with the core to help minimize backspin. Low spin-rate, when combined with a high launch angle, creates launch conditions that promote maximum distance. Off the irons, especially short irons, BlackMAX's soft urethane cover is compressed between the mantle and the clubface, giving the clubface traction as it strikes the ball with downward force. That creates sufficient backspin to make the ball "grab" the green and quickly come to a stop.

Maxfli Spin Control
"The degree of spin that BlackMAX delivers off wedges is crucial," says Dean Snell, senior director of golf ball R&D. "Many players find that other balls in this category tend to spin too much, making it difficult to put the ball close to the flag. BlackMAX is engineered to bounce once and stop quickly without rolling too long but also without spinning back too far. We call it 'spin control,' and it makes it easier to put the ball near the hole on shots in the scoring zone -- from about 100 yards and less."

The secret to BlackMAX's spin control lies in the composition and thickness of the mantle, the composition and thickness of the urethane cover, and the way in which the mantle and cover are engineered to work together. Developing the proper mantle-cover relationship took hundreds of hours of research, player testing and computer modeling. The resulting spin control allows players to generate enough spin to stop the ball quickly, but not so much that it makes spin-back behavior hard to predict.

Thermoset Urethane vs. Thermoplastic Urethane
BlackMAX's ultra-thin cover is thermoset urethane as opposed to the thermoplastic urethane used by some competitors. Thermoset urethane is prepared by mixing several ingredients which react chemically, generating heat and forming a new material that's stronger than the sum of its parts. While still in liquid form, thermoset urethane is poured into a mold to form a cover.

In contrast, thermoplastic urethane is first melted and forced into an injection mold to the form of the cover, where it cools and solidifies. It can be reheated and reused again and again. Conversely, thermoset urethane cannot be reheated and reused, which makes thermoset urethane more expensive to work with. However, the expense is worthwhile because thermoset urethane offers superior performance qualities to its thermoplastic counterpart.

Compared to thermoplastic urethane covers of the same hardness and thickness, thermoset urethane covers are more durable and resistant to the shearing often inflicted on a golf ball's cover by square-grooved wedges. It's also easier to create a thin uniform cover by pouring liquid thermoset urethane into a mold than it is by forcing heated thermoplastic urethane into an injection mold.

Superior 372 Dual-Radius Dimple Design BlackMAX also incorporates a new 372 Dual-Radius dimple design. The depth of the Dual-Radius dimples and the angles of their edges are specifically engineered to combine with the low spin-rate of the BlackMAX off the driver to promote a ball flight that results in longer carry and longer roll.

In addition, the combination of BlackMAX's fast, low-spinning Neodymium rubber core with the 372 Dual-Radius dimple pattern and low spin-rate off the driver further boosts distance. Maxfli robot testing indicates that BlackMAX is significantly longer off the driver than the Maxfli Revolution Tour.

Additionally, a new, proprietary urethane painting process devised by Maxfli helps make the 372 Dual-Radius dimple design function more efficiently. Whereas most urethane-covered balls are subjected to three or more coats of paint, Maxfli uses only two on BlackMAX. Because less paint is used, paint is less likely to flood or pool at the bottom of dimples, which can negatively affect the ball's aerodynamics. The result, then, is better and more consistent ball flight.

BlackMAX vs. the Competition
How does BlackMAX stack up with its competition? BlackMAX offers a superior balance of performance in the key categories of distance, spin and feel.

- Compared to Pro V1, BlackMAX delivers more distance, a comparable degree of feel and better spin control on wedge shots in the scoring zone -- from 100 yards and less.
- Compared to Pro V1x, BlackMAX delivers comparable distance, softer feel and better spin control on wedge shots in the scoring zone. And while Pro V1x is engineered to perform best at higher swing speeds, BlackMAX performs well at both higher and average swing speeds.
- Compared to HX Tour, BlackMax delivers comparable distance, softer feel and better spin control on wedge shots in the scoring zone.

BlackMAX carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $50 per dozen, in part because it is a particularly expensive ball to produce. It will begin appearing at retail in March.

"The process required to produce the Neodymium rubber core is complex and time-consuming, and casting the thermoset urethane cover is a hands-on, labor-intensive undertaking," says Bill Price, Maxfli director of marketing. "However, golfers that try BlackMAX will agree that it's worth the price because of the outstanding blend of performance it offers -- long distance, excellent spin control and great feel."

About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company
TaylorMade Golf has led the golf industry's technological evolution since being founded in 1979. In 1998 the company joined with adidas Golf, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of adidas-Salomon AG. Dedicated to being the best performance golf company in the world, consumers can find more information on TaylorMade-adidas Golf at (800) 888-CLUB or www.tmag.com , www.taylormadegolf.com , www.adidasgolf.com , www.maxfli.com or www.rossaputters.com.