Titleist Introduces Vokey Design Wedge Series With Oil Can Finish

Available in Nine Different Loft and Bounce Configurations from Pitching to Lob Wedges

Contact Joe Gomes
Director of Communications
508-979-3211

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (October 24, 2002) - The finest short game tools in golf just got better with the introduction of the new Titleist Vokey Design Oil Can Wedge series. Among the most played and winningest wedges on the PGA Tour and wherever competitive golf is contested, the Vokey line is designed for serious golfers seeking classic-shaped wedges with a wide selection of profile, loft, bounce and finish choices.

The new Vokey Design Oil Can family is made up of nine different models from the Vokey 200 Series and includes pitching, gap, sand and lob wedges with various bounce and loft configurations. The wedges feature the same teardrop profile with a high toe and shallow heel as the classic Vokey Design Chrome 200 Series. All Vokey Design wedges are investment cast from heat-treated 8620 mild carbon steel to ensure precise shape, tight tolerances and process consistency, while providing soft, solid feel and feedback.

"The new Oil Can series comes directly from several years of experimenting with different oxidized finishes on the PGA Tour," comments Bob Vokey, Director of Wedge Development, Titleist. "The Oil Can finish provides a softer, more muted look, and is the perfect complement to the traditional Vokey Design Chrome appearance. The darker finish makes the club look slightly more compact at address, an attribute that provides added confidence with some players."

A result of the special heated oxide treatment is that each Vokey Oil Can wedge is cosmetically unique and features an attractive "pre-aged" look. Vokey Design Oil Can wedges feature the same soft feel and outstanding spin characteristics as the previously offered Vokey Raw wedges. The new Vokey Oil Can finish will wear away over time but provides the added benefit of a more consistent oxidized appearance as the product ages.

"The Titleist golf club line strives to offer a large menu of tour-proven performance options for serious golfers," comments Chris McGinley, Vice President Golf Club Marketing, Titleist. "The addition of the new Oil Can finish to the Vokey Design line of high performance wedges is faithful to the Titleist golf club mission. Bob Vokey is a true master craftsman and has developed relationships with some of the world's greatest players by watching and listening to what they seek in wedge performance, feel and looks. Vokey Design Oil Can wedges have already established a proven track record on the PGA Tour and among top playing PGA Club Professionals, and are now available for competitive amateurs as another excellent performance and appearance choice within the Vokey Design family."

Vokey Design Oil Can wedges will begin shipping immediately to golf shops with a suggested retail price of $125. For additional information, visit your local golf shop or call the Titleist Consumer Hotline (1.888.324.4766). Video interviews with Vokey, McGinley and tour professionals Brad Faxon, Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott discussing the features and benefits of Vokey Design Wedges are available for viewing on www.titleist.com. For photography, please contact Joe Gomes, Director of Communications (1.508.979.3211).

Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra comprise the major golf brands of Acushnet Company, an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE - FO).

VOKEY DESIGN OIL CAN WEDGE PROFILES

PITCHING WEDGE

248.06: A versatile, specialty pitching wedge with slight offset and classic look. Moderate sole camber and a slightly higher center of gravity promote driving full shots from the fairway, as well as use for greenside chipping and run-up shots. Features a compact look at address.

GAP WEDGES

250.08/252.08: Specialty gap wedges with slight offset. The reduced bounce on these wedges is ideal for shots from hard packed sand and long bunkers. Moderate sole camber promotes low driving shots from the fairway, as well as greenside chipping and run-up shots.

SAND WEDGES

254.10: A versatile sand and utility wedge. The reduced bounce and narrow sole width allow this wedge to be opened or closed to play a variety of shots from grass or sand. Ideal for longer bunker shots, firm conditions and full fairway shots.

256.10: A thinner sole sand wedge designed for players with a shallower angle of attack. A slightly radiused sole with relief along the trailing edge allows the blade to be opened so the club can slide under the ball easily. Outstanding wedge for firm conditions. NEW model also available in Chrome finish. Available in right-hand only.

256.14: A sand wedge with less camber to maximize the effective bounce area for players with a steeper angle of attack. A flatter and wider sole than the 256.10 produces a slightly lower center of gravity. An excellent scoring wedge from deep rough and soft fairway or sand conditions.

258.08: A sand and utility wedge. A moderately wide sole and reduced camber make this an excellent sand wedge. The reduced bounce makes this wedge good from the fairway and for short pitches. Its higher loft allows this wedge to be used for lob shots as well.

LOB WEDGES

260.04: A moderate sole width lob wedge with reduced bounce and slight camber for crisp ground contact. Excellent from tighter lies and firmer conditions. NEW model also available in Chrome finish. Available in right-hand only.

260.08: A slightly wider sole lob wedge with less camber that is fuller across the toe and heel with increased bounce for playability. Excellent from deep grass or sand, and in softer course conditions. NEW model also available in Chrome finish.

FOUR NEW VOKEY DESIGN WEDGES AVAILABLE IN CHROME FINISH

In addition to the new Vokey Design Oil Can series, Titleist introduces four new chrome models. Descriptions of the new 256.10 sand wedge and 260.04 and 260.08 lob wedges are included in the Oil Can model descriptions above. The fourth new model is part of the 400 Series and described below:

456.10: A versatile tour-styled sand wedge with a square profile. The moderate sole width, bounce and camber make it playable and effective from a variety of conditions. One of four wedges in the Vokey Design 400 Series.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS OF THE VOKEY DESIGN OIL CAN WEDGE LINE

8620 Mild Carbon Steel. Cast from this soft, steel alloy, these wedges provide the ultimate in feel. The 8620 steel is specially heat treated to restore the carbon content in the surface, and oxidized with an Oil Can finish ensuring great feedback and soft, solid feel.

Investment Casting. Ensures precise shape and tight dimensional tolerances, Vokey Design Oil Can wedges are cast for superior process consistency. Each head is born from a precise master and mold.

"U" shaped grooves. For maximum spin control.

Knurling. Like fine wedges of times past, a distinctive knurling around the hosel is a mark of craftsmanship. This classic look, found in each Vokey wedge, is enhanced by the elegant appeal of the Oil Can finish.

Dynamic Gold Wedge Steel Shafts. "The" wedge shaft choice of tour and club professionals. Vokey Design Oil Can wedges utilize a special, slightly softer sub-flex shaft for the proper balance between stiffness, control and feel in its sand and lob wedges (S200) and a standard S300 for pitching and gap wedges for full shot control.

Titleist Victory Velvet Full Cord Round Grip. A popular grip among tour players. Includes hand placement guide, better feel and friction, separate right and left hand designs. Additional grips available as a custom order.