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Getting to know 59 Belts

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After a long day on the range teaching junior golfers in Las Vegas back in 2006, Trevor Derrheim came up with an idea to create a milled-buckle to complement the new micro-fiber clothing and Euro-styling trends that were becoming red-hot in golf at the time.

“I honestly knew nothing — no fashion background or business degree,” Derrheim said, “but I have always had a great imagination, determination and focus when I really get into something I believe in.”

59Belts3

By the spring of 2007, Derrheim’s brainchild, 59 Belts, had opened shop in Las Vegas and after months of prototyping the first buckles that met his approval were finally ready.

“With the Canadian Women’s Open coming up,” Derrheim said, “I decided I would take the first 20 or so buckles ever made straight to the LPGA Tour to be tested.”

Derrheim flew to Edmonton to hand the buckles – stainless “Canuck” (Maple Leaf) styled and personally engraved with the name of each player, the event and the date on the back of each – out to a select group of players he felt might appreciate the Maple Leaf theme and also support 59.

59BeltsLorena

“I managed to get 16 buckles in play that week and Lorena Ochoa won the event wearing her 59 ‘Canuck’ belt on Friday and Saturday,” Derrheim said.

That’s right, 59 not only debuted on a major golf tour but was also worn by the eventual champion.

Derrheim recalls being worried that a buckle wouldn’t work right or fall apart. Quite the contrary, the reaction he received during and after the event from the players was overwhelmingly positive.

“It was very shoot from the hip kind of stuff looking back at it,” he said. “I was just a golf instructor with an idea who did something about it. Those were great times and I owe a lot to those girls who gave me the inspiration to keep grinding.”

It wasn’t too long after when PGA Tour pro Brian Gay sported a 59 buckle while winning the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in 2008.

After a couple years, Derrheim transitioned away from teaching to concentrate more fully on what is today a nearly $500K business, although he says he still sees the occasional student as time permits.

59Belts5

Independently run with everything customized and made in the USA, 59 primarily mills from solid high-grade aluminum or 303 stainless steel stock. The company is also launching an exotic buckle line in the next month or so that will include Damascus, Mokume Gane and also gold-plated options. The exotic buckles are going to be extremely unique one-of-a-kind pieces. The price of 59 buckles ranges from $50 in aluminum up to $1,500 for the exotics. 59 makes just a handful of buckles a day, one at a time, and the workmanship reflects that effort.

“From the beginning, the goal was to produce a product that would outlast any other in the game,” Derrheim said. “I really believe we achieved that with 59 and continue to set the benchmark for quality. We don’t mass produce; instead, every single buckle is individually milled and hand finished. Our goal is to a make classy buckles that will outlast the user. From a brand perspective, 59 is about full commitment, the total sacrifice to be better. The number ‘59’ in golf will always signify excellence and the constant struggle to achieve perfecting something that cannot be perfected. If 59 were a body part, we would be the calloused hands of a golfer.”

Over the past seven years, several prominent Tour players have worn 59 at one time or another including Rory McIlory, Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley, Sergio Garcia, Jordan Spieth, Paula Creamer, Annika Sorenstam and Yani Tseng.

59BeltsRory

The company is finalizing a new strap attachment system that will allow traditional style straps to fit on a 59 buckle, the goal of which Derrheim says is to make 59 buckles more user friendly to the public and to pave the way for entry into a more traditional retail environment.

While having a buzz around your products is nice, Derrheim admits, he is much more focused on the long-term.

“I think it’s pretty easy to get wrapped up into what is going on now and to forget about forming a plan for who you are as a brand and how you want to spread that message,” he said. “I also think it is important to actually have a message that people can relate to. 59 is that one kid who is the last one off the course or range every night. Every facility has that kid… That is our brand message. It’s never been about making money for me. Maybe that’s a terrible thing to say as a business owner, but I’ve never needed much to be happy. I really just wanted to make something people could take into battle and appreciate being part of.”

John Lahtinen is a Connecticut-based writer with nearly 20 years of experience involving news, media, communications, higher education, PR and marketing. He has been playing golf forever and is still finding unique ways to ruin a good round. Adding to his confusion, he plays both right- and left-handed.

10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. Shannon

    Oct 9, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    Hilarious that Tim above says “gawdy”. You have the ability to work with and design something yourself for your belt buckle – that is why the belt buckles are called “custom”?! Unless you prefer to just wear a Nike belt like the majority of clones in the US, go ahead, it’s your choice. I personally love the two belts my boyfriend designed for me from 69 belts and would consider buying for my gal pal golf buddies up in Canada!

    • Rich

      Oct 12, 2014 at 5:11 pm

      It’s 59 belts Shannon. Perhaps not the best typo either.

  2. Bruce

    Oct 9, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    Quality product. Love 59 Belts…been wearing mine on the links for 5 years and it still looks great.

  3. Bleh

    Oct 8, 2014 at 1:23 pm

    69

  4. J

    Oct 7, 2014 at 11:29 pm

    So now we delete comments and censor membership when someone doesn’t like the comment?

    I’ll say it again..

    Making a comment like ” I’m not in it for money ” while charging 1500.00 for a belt buckle is nothing more than elitism and its pretentious as all h*ll.

    • Zak Kozuchowski

      Oct 8, 2014 at 9:43 am

      Don’t use the word h*ll in comments you want to pass through our profanity filters. It’s as simple as that.

  5. RumtumTim

    Oct 7, 2014 at 9:19 am

    So gawdy.

  6. Jeremy

    Oct 6, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    Why is the logo a 69 and not a 59? Don’t go telling me it’s abstract or artistic. That, sir, is a 6 and not a 5.

    • ABgolfer2

      Oct 6, 2014 at 11:44 pm

      A 6 and a 9. Yup.

      • Jeremy

        Oct 7, 2014 at 2:34 pm

        I’m just saying, if you pulled that “5” iron out of your bag you’d be confused when it came up 15 yards short.

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Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

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Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game. 

The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag. 

At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.

The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.

“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley

In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.

To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.

“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod

An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.

Pricing & Availability

The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026. 

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Equipment

Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:

“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly. 

My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”

And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

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Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”

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Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.

From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo.  4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades.  5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft.   Standard Length, Lie and Lofts.  These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me.  Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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