Vulcan Golf Is Hot!

Andrew Penner

Posted 2005-06-23

My mamma always told me not to play with fire. Matches, butane lighters, flame throwers, those were big no-nos. But last week I disobeyed mama. I played with fire. And I liked it.

Vulcan Golf, whose slogan is “Play with Fire,” is an up-and-coming club manufacturer based in St. Charles, Illinois. Thanks to quality craftsmanship and great price points, they are quickly making a name for themselves. Interestingly, the founder, Gary Hansberger, comes from a long line of club builders. Just after WWII his family started Ram Golf. In the early 90s Gary went out on his own and started Vulcan Golf. (Because, I presume, he too likes playing with fire.)

Vulcan Golf is building their brand with a growing network of regional distributors (they do not sell directly to consumers) and, most specifically, excellent hybrids – still the fasted growing segment in the golf equipment marketplace.

Last week I tested their Backfire hybrids (I had a lofty 29 degree model with an Aldila Speed Lite shaft) and came away with singed fingertips and a genuine appreciation for Vulcan. The Backfire hybrids, however, are much more like irons. So those with a “wood” bias with their hybrids may want to pass on the Backfire and opt for Vulcan’s Woody or Z3 hybrids.

The Backfire hybrids are a “deep cavity hybrid.” They look a lot like an iron, but feature a massive cavity that allows for an exceptionally deep and low center of gravity. They also have an extremely wide and curved sole that reduces turf drag and promotes better contact. Conventional looking things they aren’t.

Not surprisingly, with the incredibly low center of gravity, I found the Backfire hybrids launched the ball high in the air with incredible ease. People who like watching the ball soar will certainly enjoy these clubs. Impact was very solid and, to me, felt slightly more forgiving – and more explosive! - than most forged cavity-back irons. Now the real good news: people who like these unique hybrids – and there will be many - can order a full set and ditch their entire set of irons. My opinion? Getting burned has never felt this good. www.vulcangolf.com. Backfire hybrids retail for just $85 (graphite) each. Full sets are $595 (graphite).

Andrew Penner writes for a number of publications in North America. He can be reached at andpenner@shaw.ca.