Air Force One and PowerBilt Split Up
News

Air Force One and PowerBilt Split Up

Air Force One and PowerBilt Split Up

Breaking up is hard to do, but that’s just what’s happened with PowerBilt and the Air Force One brand. The latter, known for it’s Nitrogen-charged drivers has parted ways with PowerBilt (a Hillerich & Bradsby licensee), and is now doing business on its own as Air Force One.

That’s right…just Air Force One.

Why The Change

Stuff happens.

The guys behind the new Air Force One brand felt there was some confusion in the marketplace, and perhaps consumer perceptions of PowerBilt as a brand, and more specifically a golf brand, weren’t ideal for growing the Air Force One label. When the opportunity for Air Force One to be its own man presented itself, the guys behind the Air Force One product line made the most of it.

“I feel this is a strong move for the Air Force One brand and the Nitrogen Charged Technology.  In the past we had a broad range of products from recreational to premium.  This confused the consumer as to who we are and what our goals were.  We have seen this in the past with the likes of MacGregor, Spalding/Top Flite and even today with Wilson and TaylorMade with the Adams Brand,” – Ross Kvinge, Air Force One President

The company plans to hit the ground running, or perhaps swinging, with a relaunch of the DFX MOI and DFX Tour Drivers (sans PowerBilt logos), and will also introduce an AIR FOIL fairway wood, along with two new sets of irons; AFX Game Improvement and AFX Pro Series. For those who like to go all in with a particular brand, Air Force One will also offer stand and cart bags along with a cabretta leather glove.

For fans of Air Force One drivers, this could be a good thing. This isn’t contraction. If everything goes according to plans, it’s a growth opportunity.

For You

For You

News
May 2, 2024
Team Golf Needs A Bigger Place In The Game
Putters
May 2, 2024
Good Good Putters: Good or Gimmicky?
Golf Technology
May 2, 2024
Best Gifts for the Golf Techie
Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them. Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer.

Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony Covey





    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

      King

      8 years ago

      The market confusion lies in both names being prominently displayed on the cover and head as a brand and model. ie: ford explorer/ powerbuilt airforce 1. I own an N7 and also a PB gsxlcg. The n7 has resulted in an avg of 225yrds for a once a week player who doesn’t practice and still improving. While I would not trade my N7 driver for any high end taylormade etc, designed for high swing speeds I do not believe it would be advantageous to the pro that drives the market. Good Luck.

      Reply

      David

      8 years ago

      I had no idea Air Force One was a golf company. I’m sure they dumped Power Bilt so they could make some sweet golf shoes with Nike and Jordan.

      Reply

      Foz

      8 years ago

      I have mixed feelings……my first clubs were Powerbilt(1950’s) I have three Powerbilt Air Force Zone Drivers(2nd Gen, WMD & DFX a Tour) I also have Powerbilt Air Force One irons, so I am not sure who to root for, Powerbilt or AFO…..without AFO, what is left for Powerbilt? Without Powerbilt, what can AFO do to advance in the market? I guess time will tell.

      Reply

      John Kraus

      8 years ago

      I actually have the DFX MOI N7 driver in left handed model. Nice club. I hope they don’t totally abandon all of the left handed golfers. I know its tough for small company’s to be able to invest in the smaller side of the market share that lefties represent though. It’s kind of why I migrated my brand of choice to Ping. Everything Ping makes for righties they also make for lefties. Love me some Ping!

      Reply

      Steve

      8 years ago

      Had the first version. It was OK but didn’t hit it any further than my R7 Superquad. The argument about the thinner face due the nitrogen charge ignores the fact that the thinner face still can’t exceed the max. COR. The theory is that the thinner face “expands the sweet spot”. Did not see that with the one I had; mishits were just as crappy as the R7. Took both of them on 4 rounds and hit two drives on every hole. Did not see any appreciable difference.

      Reply

      W. Scott

      8 years ago

      I have three of the newest AFO drivers and have tried their irons. The driver is very good and could be great with more R&D investment. I will be watching. Too bad though for H&B I think.

      Reply

      ChrisK

      8 years ago

      I’ve had one of these drivers in my bag for several years, probably the first one I got was the 2nd gen version (air foil tour I think it was called). I bought it at the time because It got good ratings here on golfspy and because it had different construction than all the other drivers on the market. I was curious, and i’m glad i gave it a shot because i’ve hit my best drives with it (i’m a 5 handicap currently that swings a driver about 105 mph).

      Fantastic customer service too. I still have my old one, but I also got the 2015 DFX tour model as well (it was a Christmas present and i haven’t had the opportunity to test it out in good weather yet!). Been hitting it anyway, but it’s been too cold to even make my swing work right that past few weeks to properly judge it. I wish the company the best because i’m definitely a fan.

      Reply

      Beau Ho

      8 years ago

      Who?

      Reply

      Steven Jay Keith

      8 years ago

      I work part time at a golf resort for 10 years…havent seen a single one of these.

      Reply

      Harlow

      8 years ago

      Anyone else immediately check their calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1st?

      Reply

      John Anthony Eubanks

      8 years ago

      Nitrogen charged? So give me the bs sales pitch on that,anyone?

      Reply

      Marty Neighbour

      8 years ago

      I tested the fairway prototype of the AFO. Basically is a pressurized head, filled with nitrogen. Which allows the face to be thinner. And it did have much higher ball speed than the Callaway I tested it against. Right up until the face and crown cracked. Mind you, I have a swing speed above the norm.

      Reply

      John Anthony Eubanks

      8 years ago

      What’s above the norm?

      Reply

      Marty Neighbour

      8 years ago

      With a 45″ driver, I average 125mph.

      If I recall, the ball speed was 173 when it broke. That was a shot off the turf during testing.

      ChrisK

      8 years ago

      my swing speed is maxed out at about 110 mph, but usually in a round of golf not going after it full bore i’m probably between 100-105 mph, and this AFO driver suits me very well at that swing speed. Guys who swing it harder may not see the same benefits. I know I like it very well.

      And that’s not a bad thing; those long-drive guys that swing clubs 140 mph can’t use normal clubs off a shelf either because they’ll break them every time too.

      Reply

      Johnny Ra Ra

      8 years ago

      Haven’t seen a set since 1996!!

      Reply

      McaseyM

      8 years ago

      I thought that Air Force 1 was a line of Power Bilt, not it’s own separate company. so at least i learned something. The PB-AFO performed well in the 2014 Most Wanted Driver, rating 5th ( and is only $89.95 on AFO’s website), but does the market need another driver? I’m all for the small companies, but is there enough market share to carry another line of clubs. Time will tell

      Reply

      Brandon

      8 years ago

      When I think of PowerBilt I think of crappy baseball equipment from the 80’s. Mizuno, and to a lesser extent Wilson, are the only brands that can pull off being a sporting goods company first with a legit golf division.

      Reply

      Chris Embardino

      8 years ago

      The air force one gets a lot of shit because its an “infomercial” driver and put in the same category as the javelin blue and the hammer. Its no joke though. Im actually trying to become a component fitter for them and this head on premium shafts is incredible. I messed with one about 2 months ago. Holy crap. Look for these guys to grab a piece of the pie.

      Reply

      John Duval

      8 years ago

      They are doing very well as a component driver when properly fit by a good clubmaker. I’ve seen several out there and they perform as well as the leading brands.

      Reply

      Brian

      8 years ago

      Currently gaming a DFX MOI attached to a Motore Speeder 757. The combo is excellent. Don’t plan on switching any time soon.

      James Turner

      8 years ago

      Have a air force one its nice looking driver but can out drive it with a ping g5

      Reply

      Don

      8 years ago

      Ouch!

      Reply

    Leave A Reply

    required
    required
    required (your email address will not be published)

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    News
    May 2, 2024
    Team Golf Needs A Bigger Place In The Game
    Putters
    May 2, 2024
    Good Good Putters: Good or Gimmicky?
    Golf Technology
    May 2, 2024
    Best Gifts for the Golf Techie
    ENTER to WIN 3 DOZEN

    Titleist ProV1 Golf Balls

    Titleist ProV1 Golf Balls
    By signing up you agree to receive communications from MyGolfSpy and select partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy You may opt out of email messages/withdraw consent at any time.