Topic: Golf Talk / Callaway court injunction against Titleist

was from today – the Acushnet response has since come in as well -

Acushnet Company, the golf business of Fortune Brands, Inc.
(NYSE:FO), announced that it will file an appeal of today’s ruling in
a U.S. District Court in Delaware granting Callaway Golf’s request for an injunction in the long-running dispute with respect to four
Callaway patents and Acushnet’s Titleist Pro V1 golf balls. The
company also announced that it does not expect the ruling to have a material adverse impact on its results.

“We strongly disagree with the judge’s ruling and will file an
appeal and seek relief from the injunction,” said Joe Nauman,
executive vice president, corporate and legal of Acushnet. “However, 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 Titleist Pro V1 products in the first quarter of 2009 that are also outside the scope of the patents in question.

“Our Pro V1 golf balls are the product of technology developed and accumulated by the Acushnet Company over the past 20 years,” Nauman continued. “Acushnet is the industry leader in developing golf ball technology and has over 650 active golf ball patents – more than any other manufacturer. Over 65 of these patents are related to the Pro V1 family.

“We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously and we fully
expect to prevail in having all claims of all four patents at issue
determined to be invalid in the appeal process,” Nauman added. “Our confidence is underpinned by the fact that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued final office actions which have determined these patents to be invalid.”

Topic: Golf Talk / Callaway court injunction against Titleist

Anyone know the impact of this ruling on the purchase of Pro V1’s for non-pro’s? Federal Court Enjoins Sales of Pro V1 Effective January 1, 2009
CARLSBAD, Calif.—(Business Wire)—
Callaway Golf (NYSE: ELY) today announced that the United States
District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, has granted Callaway Golf’s request for a permanent injunction to stop sales of Acushnet’s current line of Titleist Pro V1 family of golf balls, effective no later than
January 1, 2009. At Callaway Golf’s request, professional golfers will
be allowed to play Pro V1 golf balls through the end of this calendar year.

In its ruling today, the Court also rejected Acushnet’s request to
overturn the jury’s December 2007 verdict which found that allaway
Golf’s golf ball patents were valid and infringed by Acushnet’s Titleist Pro V1 family of golf balls.

“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,” said Steve McCracken, Senior
Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Callaway Golf.
“We are very pleased with today’s decision which will stop the sale of
these infringing Pro V1 golf balls.”

Topic: Golf Talk / Asquith Golf Club

Lefty,

I think it's the same ballot system as a lot of other clubs, where you have to put your name down the Friday week before the Saturday. You get used to it after a few years.

They have just renovated the clubhouse but on the downside there are a lot of weddings, 21st's etc on Saturdays. Depending on how big the party is, the member's area is reduced by a 1/2 or a 1/3rd late in the day. P's you off a bit when all you want is a quiet drink and a sit down.

Don't know anyone there who is considering leaving cause they think the club is on a downslide.

Budge

Topic: Golf Talk / Asquith Golf Club

Lefty,

I have been a member there for about 4 years now and enjoy both the course and its members. Compared to some of the more well known courses around (Pymble, Avondale, Killara, etc) I think you are getting fairly decent value for money. There is never a problem getting a game on a Saturday or Wednesday.

Don't know what the problem is with the management. If there is one it doesn't affect me and my once a week visit to the course.

As for the pro leaving, people move on and sometimes (hopefully) get replaced by someone more suitable to such a position. Not exactly sure of the way a pro-shop is set-up, but my guess is that the stock is owned by the pro and he was taking what was his. Until the new pro can establish contacts with suppliers, the shop will be bare.

Cheers,

Budge

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Please advise on new course to join - SYDNEY

Hi Vik,

I have been a member at Asquith for about 4 years now and find it pretty good value for money compared to those three courses you mentioned - less just less than $1500 subs this year. Have recently heard a rumour the joining fee was to be reduced but don't know by how much,

cheers

Budge

Topic: Golf Equipment / Pro Trajectory

Hi guys,

have been searching for a new 3 wood lately around 15° loft. I have only been playing for 30 years so please excuse my ignorance .

Looking at a Titleist 980f and assuming a standard shaft, is there much difference between a standard 15 degree club and and a 17 degree with a pro trajectory. My thought is that the latter would have a lower flight and play almost like it had 15° loft,

cheers

Budge

Topic: Golf Equipment / Maxfli A-10 Irons

Offthegreen,

I have been using them for just on 2 years now, and like yourself, love the look and feel of them. Also, have never seen anyone else using them. I guess most people go for the bigger name clubs like TM or Titleist.

Although my handicap hasn't moved much since I started them, hovering around 8 -9, I'm not into changing clubs often and will be using these for a while yet,

cheers,

Budge

Topic: Golf Equipment / $1000 to spend - what do you buy?

How similar is the Maxfli Ezy drive to the TM Rescue? I may be wrong but didn't TM takeover maxfli, so am assuming they could be almost the same club, but with a different badge.

Topic: Golf Talk / WHO'S GONNA WIN THE OPEN!!!!

for some reason (does one good tournament put you back into form?) I have put a couple of $ on Michael Campbell (80/1), and am hoping it is the only thing that the kiwis win this weekend - go you Wallabies

Topic: The Lounge / What we have learnt from Movies.......

36. There is always a car parking spot when and where you want it

Topic: The Lounge / A bit of Fun!!

there is another version going around where you can smack the penguin out 593.5m - the record amongst a bunch of people at my office

http://ogc.ath.cx/files/tmp...

Topic: Golf Talk / What is your biggest ever CHOKE

it's one of those beaut precept something or others (that will end up in the practice ball bag) with a little Lakelands emblem on it. My wife was really pleased when I let her know I got something back for the $85 green fee

Topic: Golf Talk / What is your biggest ever CHOKE

Played for the first time at Lakelands early last year. Was going along ok until I tripled the last two holes for an 84, off 10. The course rating that day was 75 so I still lost .2 and won an $85 golf ball for my effort.

Topic: Golf Equipment / Whats in the Bag - mid year update

I have found them excellent. Good shots feel solid although I could do with a few more each round. Have used rifle shafts for a while now so maybe I am a bit biased (or just afraid to get out of my comfort zone)

Topic: Golf Equipment / Whats in the Bag - mid year update

Hi guys,

mine is fairly boring but here goes:

Driver: Titleist 975d, 8.5° stiff
3 wood: King Cobra 13°, stiff
Irons 3 - SW: Maxfli A-10, rifles
Wedges - Tad Moore 52°, King Cobra 56°
Putter: Ping Ally
Ball:Srixon Hi-spin, Maxfli A3 / M3
Bag: Titleist

Topic: Golf Equipment / Jarro: A10 Irons

try this one

www.wholesalegolfequipment....

Topic: Golf Equipment / Jarro: A10 Irons

I have had a set of the A10's for about three months now and have so far found them excelllent. They are such a good looking club. I did pay full price for mine though but it was money well spent. I am now hitting one to two clubs less than my previous Cobra shovels, with the same Rifle shafts, and with a whole lot more confidence as well.

Topic: Golf Talk / How did you all play this weekend?

bmc,

deja vu, I am also a member at Asquith and played at Riverside Oaks on Saturday. Could only manage 34 points though, off 9, so played to my handicap which I was pleased with, after putting 4 balls in the water on the back nine. You must be pretty happy with the way you played, well done.

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / The Ridge

There was a course being built a few years back called, I think the Springs, up near Mangrove Mountain. Haven't heard anything about it for some time though.

Topic: Golf Talk / honor Boards

Hi guys,

first post on ISG, so please be kind.

I am not one to brag, but have to in this instance. Last July I joined a club, my first in Sydney for a number of years after drifting away from serious golf. Anyway to cut a boring story short, within 3 months I managed to win the "A reserve" championship, consisting of 4 stroke then 3 matchplay rounds. Extremely embarrassing to be a winner that nobody knows. This is my first entry on an honour board after 25years of trying. My handicap was 9 when I joined the club and now after almost 12 months moved out to 10 and now back to 8.6 at last check.
My ambition now , and I am running out of time, is to not be able to defend this title i.e. not have a handicap high enough to qualify for this division.

Cheers

Budge