Rossa Introduces Corza Ghost
Unique new putter specially designed with input from putting master Dave
Stockton
CARLSBAD, Calif. (April 26, 2010) - TaylorMade Golf, maker of Rossa
putters, has
unveiled Corza Ghost, a mallet specially designed to be exceptionally easy
to aim,
and exceptionally easy to use to roll the ball down your intended line. It
was
designed with significant input from the hottest putting instructor in the
world,
Rossa Tour Staff professional Dave Stockton.
"We started with the intention of designing a putter that's easier to aim
than any
other," said Bill Price, Rossa senior director. "That led us to experiment
with a
white finish. We consulted Dr. Steven A. Hitzeman, a professor at the
Indiana
School of Optometry and he felt we were onto something."
The Contrast of White Against Dark Makes Aiming Easier
"Corza Ghost's white putterhead stands out so clearly against its
background - the
putting surface - because of the high contrast between white and green,"
said
Dr. Hitzeman, who is also a past president of the Indiana Optometric
Association
and a past chairman of the American Optometric Association's Sports Vision
Section. "That high contrast maximizes stimulation to the retina and
highlights
the head's shape and features. The contrast would be lower if the putter
were black or gray because these colors are closer in luminance to the
color of the putting green than white. White creates the biggest difference
in luminance, hence maximizing contrast and promoting focus. Many golfers
use the leading edge of the putter as part of their alignment strategy (by
positioning the edge perpendicular to the imagined target line). So, this
high contrast for the leading edge gives the golfer the best chance of
squaring up the putterface at address. Also, the lines on the top of the
putter are painted black to achieve maximum contrast against the white
surface of the putter. All of these high-contrast alignment elements give
the golfer the best possible chance of accurately aiming the putter."
To make it even easier to aim the Corza Ghost, Rossa engineers put three
black alignment lines on the crown and a circular hole in the back of the
putterhead, giving you different options to focus on to lock in your aim.
"You can focus on the topline to aim Ghost," said Bret Wahl, senior
director of iron, wedge and putter development, "or you can focus on the
alignment lines to visually connect the circular hole and your ball to lock
in your aim. The point is that you've got options, each one highly
effective."
Because Corza Ghost's putterhead is white, its three alignment options are
easier to focus on and use, according to Dr. Hitzeman. "The Corza Ghost
putter's three alignment elements all have high contrast against their
backgrounds. This high contrast maximizes stimulation to the retina, which
helps the golfer to focus and use these aiming features effectively."
Eliminating "Hot Spots"
"Hot Spots" are reflections of direct sunlight from the top of the putter
into the golfer's eye, and distract the player's attention from the task at
hand, which is to focus on the putterhead, the alignment system, and aiming
the putter squarely down the target-line.
"When I started playing on tour in the 1960s, I used a silver mallet," said
Stockton. "Nicks and marks would form on the crown from normal use. They
lit up when sunlight hit them at address, which I found extremely
distracting, so much that I would have the crown sandblasted frequently to
erase the hot spots. Because when you look down at the putter you don't
want anything disturbing your focus, which should be on the putterhead and
the features of it that you use to align the putterface squarely down the
target-line."
The Corza Ghost's white finish helps keep hot spots from standing out,
allowing you to focus your attention on seeing the whole form of the
putterhead and the alignment system, so you can aim without distraction.
Large, Solid-Feeling, High-MOI Mallet
Being a mallet, Corza Ghost's high-MOI head is extremely stable on
off-center hits and feels extremely solid at impact. Its three alignment
lines on the crown function not only to help aim the face accurately, but
also to frame the ball in the middle of the face, which promotes solid,
center-face contact on every stroke.
AGSI®+ to Promote Better Roll
Corza Ghost also has the advantage of Rossa's renowned and tour-proven
AGSI®+ (Anti-skid Groove System Insert) Technology. AGSI+ features 14
polymer-filled grooves in the face that "hold" the ball briefly at impact
to promote forwardspin for a smoother roll and more accurate results. The
AGSI+ insert, in concert with the putterhead's extremely high MOI, also
delivers superior consistency in forward roll on off-center hits, something
not shown in tests of other popular putters.
Two More Ghost Models in the Pipeline
Corza Ghost is scheduled to appear at retail starting in June, at a
manufacturer's suggested retail price of $159. Two more Ghost models - a
blade and a mid-mallet - also with white finish and black alignment lines,
are scheduled to become available in July.
