Equipment Review: KZG Gemini II 460cc Driver
by Jeffrey Reed

Few new equipment releases have excited me in 2006 as much as KZG’s release of the Gemini II 460cc driver. Consider it an early Christmas present – not only for me, but for any golfer looking to improve their game off the tee.

I’ve played the original Gemini 460cc driver for two seasons, and consider it a big contributor to my low single-digit handicap: it’s long, it’s straight, and it comes from one of golf’s most trusted names. The secret behind the Gemini force is a second faceplate behind a forged and heat-treated titanium face – hence the name Gemini. In short, the entire face of the Gemini driver provides a giant sweetspot. Add a deep, back-weighted Midnight Black head, and you have one of the best drivers on today’s market.

Enter the new and improved Gemini II. Says KZG president Jennifer King, “The Gemini II has been totally re-engineered and the performance has exceeded even our expectations. The first edition was our most successful launch of a new product ever, and we are bracing ourselves for the demand on its rebirth – the Gemini II.”

A gorgeous fall day allowed me to put the Gemini II to the test out on the course, and it didn’t disappoint. I found the new driver to be just as long and straight as the original Gemini. The only issue I struggled with at first was adjusting to the NovaTech 7500 stiff shaft, since I typically play the Grafalloy Blue stiff shaft. But make no mistake, the NovaTech shaft is a quality shaft, too. Known for its true custom fitting, KZG launched the NovaTech brand in January 2005 and makes it available exclusively to the company’s Master Club Fitters worldwide.

Adjustments made for the NovaTech shaft, the Gemini II driver made short par-4s buckle at the knees. KZG’s exclusive, patent-pending twin-face technology truly does make the Gemini II driver stand out from the pack. At impact, the second titanium face behind the hitting surface transmits energy to the perimeter of the clubface. The result is an effective sweetspot that is literally as big as the entire face. Back and sidespin are also dramatically reduced. Off-centre shots fly further and straighter than any other driver KZG is aware of on the market.

I’ve tested scores of drivers, and the Gemini II 460cc driver produces the prettiest sound off the face. In fact, the Gemini II isn’t just another pretty face. KZG’s new identification system helps marks lofts in a true fashion. It’s common for clubs to be mislabeled – your 10-degree driver may, in fact, have 11 degrees of loft. In response, KZG has labeled the Gemini II 460cc driver with launch angles of low (LL) – replacing my 9-degree Gemini driver; mid (ML); high (HL); and super (SL).

KZG tested its Gemini and Gemini II drivers, and concluded that the new 460cc driver is straighter and longer. I’ve depended on the Gemini 460cc driver when recording a local course record, but I would not hesitate replacing it with the new Gemini II.

With more than 2,000 dealers worldwide dedicated to proper clubfitting, KZG is “the #1 Custom ProLine.” KZG’s fitting system combines state-of-the-art launch monitor analysis with its own fitting software to identify the ideal KZG club for each individual player’s swing and launch characteristics. Clubfitting professionals may complete an advanced training course for certification as Master Clubfitters at KZG’s North Hollywood, Calif. headquarters.

In my opinion, KZG now offers the top trio of drivers on the market today: the Gemini; the Gemini II; and also the 2006-released GF 4 driver, a 425cc club offering up to 2,401 different weight options thanks to an innovative adjustable screw system. With this terrific trifecta, you’re sure to find a driver to suit your game.

For information on all of KZG’s offerings, visit www.kzgolf.com.