CHASKA, Minn. -- Last week I told you that Sergio Garcia and Retief Goosen will be using TaylorMade's yet-to-be-released Penta golf ball here at Hazeltine. From the outside, a five-piece ball looks identical to a two-, three- or four-piece ball. They're all round, white and covered with dimples.

Don't try this at home, but if you cut a few Pentas in half, this is what you'll see.

Starting at the far right, the four interior pieces are: the black core, which is solid; the gray inner mantle layer; the red middle mantle layer; and the thin, light-red outer mantle. The sliver-thin, white urethane cover is the fifth layer.

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Also See:

- 2009 GOLF.com Ball Guide
- See and Buy TaylorMade Balls
- PGA Tour Winning Bags

Sergio Garcia and Retief Goosen plan to use TaylorMade's new five-piece golf ball, the Penta TP, at next week's PGA Championship at Hazeltine.

The ball, which took three years to develop, won't be available to the public until Dec. 1. It is golf’s first five-piece ball, and according to TaylorMade officials, was added to the USGA’s conforming ball list on Wednesday.

The goal for the Penta was to optimize its performance in five key areas: with the driver, long-irons, middle irons, short irons and partial wedge shots. (Get it? "Penta," five.)

The cover of the Penta TP is made of a soft urethane material to promote a high-spin rate, but lower trajectory on wedge shots and pitches for more control. The outer mantle layer, which can be found directly under the white cover, is the most-easily compressed. Of the three mantle layers in the Penta TP, it's the fastest, and TaylorMade says it is designed to create optimal spin and flight conditions when ball speeds are below 120 mph (short irons for tour pros).

The middle mantle layer is semi-firm, and TaylorMade designed it to be compressible on shots with a ball speed between 120 and 140 mph (mid-irons). According to a TaylorMade memo, the inner mantle is designed to create high-launching, low-spinning shots with a ball speed between 140 and 160 mph (long irons).

Encased under all those layers is the core, which is made from an extremely fast, low-compression material that only the fastest swingers will be able to activate. However, TaylorMade says those who do can expect more ball speed and less spin on drives for increased distance.

TaylorMade expects the Penta TP to be widely used by its Tour staff players, and the ball has not only been tested by Garcia and Goosen, but also by Dustin Johnson, Jason Day and Justin Rose. But TaylorMade says the ball should also appeal to slower-swinging players and a wide range of amateurs because it has been designed to increase ball speed (for more distance) and provide feel around the greens.

Callaway has asked the USGA to remove the Tour i ball with a sidestamp from its list of   conforming golf balls because some may exceed the USGA's weight limit.

In a release on the company's Web site, Callaway explains, "The deviation in ball weight was traced to a manufacturing anomaly that occurred on two days in mid-2008."  Callaway went on to say that less than 1% of Tour i balls were affected. Theoretically, the heavier balls could fly farther on well-struck shots.

Going forward, Tour i balls will be marked with a sidestamp that has two dots on either side, like this one: . 

The only golfers this will truly affect are professionals and elite amateurs. Starting in June, those golfers will need to use the ball with the two-dot sidestamp. All other golfers may continue to use the former version of the Tour i ball, even for rounds that are counted toward handicap calculations.

Colt Knost was playing the company's Pro V1x ball because he thought it gave him more distance off the tee. Then for the first round of the Byron Nelson Championship on Thursday, Knost used a Pro V1 instead, according to a source at Titleist.

Both balls have the same cover material, but the Pro V1x, a four-piece ball, is slightly firmer than the three-piece Pro V1. The Pro V1 produces more spin, and for Knost, that added spin translates into better distance control from the fairway.

Knost must have been pleased with the results; his average driving was still 312 yards and he hit 78% of the fairways en route to a three-under 67 at  the TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas. Through last week, Knost had been averaging 280 yards per drive and his scoring average was 71.53, ranking him 137th on the PGA Tour.

Click here to learn more about the similarities and differences between the two balls.

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(Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Zach Johnson doesn't overpower golf courses. His strength is getting the ball into the fairway and setting up his short irons and wedges. It's that strategy that won him the 2007 Masters, so above everything else, Johnson knows that he needs to maintain control.

So when I saw him testing and comparing his old Titleist Pro V1x ball with Titleist's new Pro V1x at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, I stopped and observed. Although he had tested the new Pro V1x in the off-season, Johnson won the Sony Open in Hawaii in January using the 2007 version of the Pro V1x.

"Someone said they spun it more," he told the Titleist tour reps on the range in Tucson. "Not with the driver, but with the irons."

Taking dead aim at a flag that was about 127 yards away, Johnson hit one pitching wedge after another as the technicians gathered launch monitor data. Each shot was tracked and averages were compiled, but shots that Zach mis-hit were taken out of consideration.

What Johnson found was that with the pitching wedge, his launch angle and ball speed were identical using the old and new Pro V1x. For a control player considering a change, that news must have been comforting.

Johnson is still playing the 2007 version of the Pro V1x, but without testing his decision would have been based on feel and guesswork. Unfortunately, that's exactly how many amateur golfers make equipment decisions. Be smart, like the pros, and take the time to get professionally fitted for your equipment.

Here is a complete list of the clubs used by Zach Johnson to win the Valero Texas Open.

Driver                         Titleist 909D2 (8.5°) with Mitsubishi Diamana Blue Board 73 shaft
Fairway woods         Titleist 909F2 (13.5°) with Mitsubishi Diamana White Board 73 and (18.5°) with Fujikura ZCOM Pro95 shaft
Hybrid                        Titleist 909H (21°) with Fujikura Speeder 904HB shaft
Irons                          Titleist AP2 (4-9) with True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts
Wedges                     Titleist Vokey Design (48°), Vokey prototype (54°), Vokey 60 V (60°) with True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts
Putter                         SeeMore FGP
Ball                             Titleist Pro V1x

If you are looking for a tip or two on how to improve your wedge shots, check out this video Johnson shot for GOLF.com.

Take a look inside more PGA Tour winners' bags.

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(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Stewart Cink was recently in Ft. Worth, Texas, experimenting with new equipment at "The Oven," Nike Golf's research and development center.

After taking an overnight flight back to his home in Atlanta Thursday night, Cink partook of his favorite new hobby, Twittering (photo).

He wrote, "New grooves next year mean 10% less spin from fairway and 60-70% less from rough with short irons. Players will use softer balls I believe." Moments later he wrote,  "IMHO [In My Humble Opinion] the new grooves are really an indirect way to attack driving distance since softer balls go shorter in general."

Players have openly wondered how the new groove rules, which will go into effect in January, will affect performance. Several I have talked with—including Geoff Ogilvy and Tremor Immelman—have echoed Cink's thoughts.

Cink's comments are important for a few reasons. First, they show that some players are taking steps now to learn what they will have to do in order to get the most benefit from their equipment after the new rules go into effect. Second, if Cink's estimations are correct, the days of bomb-and-gouge golf may be coming to an end. If players can't control the ball as well coming out of the rough, driving accuracy once again will become a meaningful stat for players at the highest levels of the game.

When I spoke recently with Cink about his equipment, he said, "I'm already on the low end of the spectrum when it comes to optimal spin, so if I fall below the spectrum, I'm going to have to do something in order to get the spin back up. The easiest thing to do is change your ball."

Cink had been playing the Nike One Black ball, but switched this season to the Nike One Tour D ball. He said that he got the spin he was looking for from the new ball, and launch conditions with his driver were good too, but his irons shots flew higher and didn't go as far as they had previously.

He said that this season he wanted to use a ball with more spin, and thus "hit the ground running when the new grooves come out."

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(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

With a grin across his face and beads strewn around his neck, Jerry Kelly admitted Sunday night that he'd been fooled.

Early in the week on the driving range at the TPC Louisiana, Titleist reps approached him with a black golf ball and asked him to try it.

"I said to them, 'This is great! Can I put it in the bag?'" Kelly was told that he could, and that the ball was actually the 2009 version of the Pro V1x. Kelly had been using Titleist's Pro V1 for about a year and a half.

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Despite the ongoing legal battle over the patents used to create the Pro V1 line of golf balls, they have been the best selling balls on the market for 94 consecutive months, according to Titleist. So it was no surprise that the auditorium was packed when the company launched the 2009 update of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x this morning at the PGA Merchandise Show.

George Sine, the vice president of golf ball marketing for Acushnet (Titleist's parent company), explained to the crowd that the polybutadiene core of the new three-piece Pro V1 has been reformulated and made larger. Sine said this will increase the 2009 Pro V1's ball speed off the tee when compared to its predecessor. The casing that covers the core has been made thinner (.035"), and Titleist says that will help create more spin. Sine also said that the improved urethane cover will increase durability.

The four-piece Pro V1x, which is designed for players with a slightly faster swing speed, still has a duel core like the 2007 model. Like the Pro V1, it now features the improved urethane cover and improved cover durability.

"The Pro V1x will deliver the longest driver distance for Titleist tour-played golf balls," Sine said.

The 2009 version of the Pro V1 will spin more with irons than the 2007 model, while the new Pro V1x will spin less than the previous version. "It is accurate to say that the Pro V1 spins more than the Pro V1x," Sine explained. "It's true with the driver, and it's true with the irons."

Look for the new balls to arrive in shops near you in the weeks to come.

(Photo by David Walberg/SI)

According to a release sent by Titleist on Friday evening, 20 players in the 30-man field at the Mercedes-Benz Championship are using a Titleist golf ball. Ten of those players are using the new Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x that will be in pro shops in February.

Players using the new Pro V1 are Adam Scott, Camilo Villegas, Chez Reavie, Richard S. Johnson and Ryan Palmer.

The players who are teeing up the new version of the Pro V1x are Andres Romero, Davis Love III (right), Greg Kraft, J.B. Holmes and Kenny Perry.

Acushnet, the parent company of Titleist, recently initiated a program to help golf retailers exchange Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls that were manufactured with the technology at the heart of Callaway's patent lawsuit against the company.

To read about some other new golf balls that are hitting the market, check out this photo gallery from the February issue of GOLF Magazine.

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

As we recently reported, a court in Delaware granted Callaway Golf's request for an injunction to stop Acushnet from selling the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls. Acushnet, however, plans to appeal the ruling and says it will not impact the company's ability to sell Pro V1s.

Now, on Titleist's Web site, the company has posted the answers to several questions that golfers might have about the ruling, including whether players will be able to buy the popular golf balls after December 31, 2008. Below are a few key questions and answers. All of the questions are here.

Will golfers be able to play and purchase Titleist Pro V1 golf balls after January 1, 2009?
Yes. The recent court order will not impact our ability to supply Golf Shops with Pro V1 golf balls. In September 2008, we converted production of the existing Pro V1 models so that they are outside the scope of the patents in question. Golf Shops can continue to order and take delivery of Pro V1 golf balls now and after January 1, 2009 and golfers can continue to play with and purchase Pro V1 with confidence.

How can I distinguish between the existing Pro V1 golf balls and the converted models?
Converted Pro V1 models have the same packaging and sidestamps as the existing models. However, there is a small black or red circular sticker or marking on every Pro V1 dozen box and sleeve to identify the converted production.

When can golfers play New 2009 Pro V1 golf balls?
Titleist will launch New 2009 Pro V1 golf balls in the 1st quarter of 2009. The technology and construction of New 2009 Pro V1 golf balls are outside the scope of the patents. In Q1 2009, golfers can learn about the exciting new product improvements via their local golf shop, on Titleist.com and in other Titleist advertising and communications.

A court in Delaware has granted Callaway Golf's request for an injunction to stop Acushnet from selling the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls. Acushnet, however, plans to appeal the ruling and says it will not impact the company's ability to sell Pro V1s.

The United States District Court in Wilmington, Del., made the ruling on Monday in the long-running dispute between the two companies over four Callaway patents and the Pro V1 line of balls. According to a release by Callaway, the injunction is to take effect "no later than January 1, 2009."

Steve McCracken, senior executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Callaway, said in the release: "Callaway Golf has invested millions of dollars in research and development to create innovative products for millions of golfers around the world, and has protected those products with one of the broadest patent portfolios in golf. We are very pleased with today's decision which will stop the sale of these infringing Pro V1 golf balls."

Joe Nauman, Acushnet's executive vice president of corporate and legal, said in a statement: "We strongly disagree with the judge's ruling and will file an appeal and seek relief from the injunction."

Nauman went on to say, "It's important to recognize that this ruling will not have any impact on our ability to supply our customers with Pro V1 golf balls because of the following actions which we have undertaken. In September 2008, we converted production of the existing Pro V1 models so that they are outside of the patents in question. And we have also developed, and will be introducing, new and improved Pro V1 products in the first quarter of 2009 that are also outside the scope of the patents in question."

Based on that statement, golfers who wish to purchase Pro V1 balls should expect to find them in pro shops for the immediate future despite the legal victory for Callaway. Essentially, Acushnet seems to be arguing that the patents at the heart of the suit are no longer in use for current Pro V1 models. Callaway also said in its release that "professional golfers will be allowed to play Pro V1 golf balls through the end of this calendar year."

In December 2007, a jury ruled that Acushnet had infringed on four Callaway patents. After that decision, Callaway Golf filed a motion seeking to bring a halt to the production and sale of the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls. That motion led to Monday's ruling.

(Photo by Greg Lord)

Earlier this week, I asked Phil Mickelson how he and the American team would handle the ball issue in the foursomes matches. Not everyone plays the same ball, so in alternate shot the players often hit shots with an unfamiliar brand.

Mickelson told me that he planned to use his partner's ball off the tee, and his partner would use Mickelson's ball off the tee. "Off the tee it's not going to make too much of a difference. It's the distance control and how it comes off the irons and the trajectory and so forth," he said. "We will be hitting our own balls with our iron approach shots. I just don't think it will be a factor."

Well, that's not how it worked out. In both of Mickeson's foursomes matches with Anthony Kim (right ), the pair used Mickelson's Callaway Tour ix ball on every shot. Kim ordinarily plays a Nike One Platinum ball.

(Photo by Robert Beck/SI)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There are 12 players on the United States Ryder Cup team, and they don't all use the same ball. So in the alternate-shot matches, how do teams decide which ball to use?

I asked Phil Mickelson — the only player on the U.S. team who uses a Callaway ball — if he would encourage his potential foursome teammates to hit a few shots in practice rounds using his Tour ix ball, or if he might practice using another ball.

His answer was perplexing at first, but the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.

"What we do in alternate shot is, I tee off with their ball and they tee off with my ball because we can switch balls each hole," he said. "So it really doesn't become much of a factor, because off the tee it's not going to make too much of a difference. It's the distance control and how it comes off the irons and the trajectory and so forth. And we will be hitting our own balls with our iron approach shots. I just don't think it will be a factor."

Here's a list of the golf balls used by each member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team:

Callaway Tour ix -          Phil Mickelson
Nike One Black -           Chad Campbell, Stewart Cink
Nike One Platinium -    Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard
Srixon Z-URS -              Jim Furyk
Titleist Pro V1 -            Steve Stricker, Boo Weekley, Hunter Mahan
Titleist Pro V1x -          Kenny Perry, J.B. Holmes, Ben Curtis

(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Every Wednesday, we'll tap into the expertise of our exclusive research partner, Hot Stix Golf, to answer reader questions and help you navigate the increasingly complex word of golf equipment. If you have a question for the Gear Doc, e-mail it to geardoc@hotstixgolf.com or post a comment below. He'll answer a few lucky readers' questions every week on GOLF.com.

Dear Doc,
My 5-foot 7-inch, 17-year-old daughter wants a new putter. What length putter would be ideal for her?
Mark Bradley

Dear Mark,
There is not a magic formula for length of a putter based on height because it has a lot to do with posture in the setup position.

Here is a simple way to learn which length putter fits her best:
1.    Have your daughter stand in her normal putting position, you want her arms to hang (dangle) straight down from her shoulders, her eyes should be right over the ball to an inch inside the ball. (While putting, your eyes should never be outside the line.)

2.    From that position try several putter lengths to see which length allows her to be in that position and have the sole of the putter level to a couple of degrees toe up. 

My guess is she will probably be somewhere between 31" and 34" but her posture may prove me wrong.

Dear Gear Doctor,
I have a 17° Nickent Genex 3DX hybrid with a stock stiff shaft that I have using for about 3 months. I hit every other club in my bag straight, but I hook this hybrid. Can you tell me why?
Dominick

Dear Dominick,
Assuming you make fairly consistent swing with all your clubs, then it's either a shaft flex issue or a lie angle issue.

If the shaft is too soft the tendency is for a miss to be a hook, and you may struggle with distance control as well. If the club is too stiff, it usually leads to low and right misses, but I often see people work harder with a club that is too stiff and therefore hook it.

If the club has a lie angle that is too upright for you, like any other club in you bag it will cause a hook.
Take a look at the bottom of the club, and if all your ground strikes on the club are on the heel it is possible that it is too upright for you.

Dear Doc,
In some of your previous responses, you have suggested that readers try a different golf ball to either improve distance and/or accuracy. Is there really that much difference between golf balls?
Kevin

Dear Kevin,
Yes. The golf ball you play makes a huge difference when it comes to distance, accuracy, control trajectory and spin. In fact, there is a variance in spin of up to 1000 RPM's with a driver at 100 MPH, and up to 4000 RPM's with a wedge.

Knowing that, you can see how playing one ball on the spin spectrum instead of another can impact your performance.

Don't get too hung up on which ball optimizes distance off the driver. You should hit balls with irons, wedges and your putter as well when looking for the best ball to match your game. Make sure you choose a ball that meets your needs in ALL aspects of your game.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — After working for three days last week with swing coach Butch Harmon in Las Vegas, Ernie Els is in contention at the Players Championship after shooting a two-under 70 Friday.

Els started using Callaway equipment in 2007 after having previously played with Titleist and TaylorMade clubs. He has been experimenting with several drivers this season, including the square-headed FT-i and the new  FT-i Tour Low CG, which features interchangeable shafts.

However, after talking with his caddie and taking a peek into Els's bag, I learned that he's using an original version of Callaway's FT-5 (8.5˚) this week, not the new i-Mix version.

When asked why he'd chosen this particular driver, Els said, "The FT-5 launches the ball a little higher. I started playing the softer ball Callaway makes — the Tour i ball* — and that ball launches lower. I needed something to get the ball up in the air, and it didn't quite work for me with the FT-i driver, the square driver, so I went to the FT-5."

In extremely windy conditions, Els used his work-in-progress swing and the FT-5 to officially hit eight of 14 fairways for the second day in a row at TPC Sawgrass. However, today's number is deceiving because Els hit just two poor drives Friday — his opening shot of the day went well right on the 10th hole, and his drive on the fifth hole went straight right and into the pond. Els missed the fairway by less than two paces on three holes.

But if the winds continue to blow, will Els switch drivers? "No, I'm hitting good with this one," he said.

(Photo: Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

*According to Callaway's Web site, a new Tour i ball will be available in July.