Equipment
Q&A: IonLoop co-founders Bob and Melissa Gotfredson
If you’ve ever wondered about the rubber bracelets world No. 1 Rory McIlroy wears on his right wrist, you can stop now. Bob Gotfredson, founder of IonLoop told me:
[quote_box_center]Rory McIlroy wears the Ion Thins. He wears a David Yurman bracelet, and he puts our Thins on either side of it. We don’t have any kind of agreement with Rory, he just likes our product.[/quote_box_center]
It’s a ringing endorsement for the five-year old brand, which Gotfredson—a co-founder of Trion-Z—started with his wife Melissa five years ago out of a desire for a U.S.-based and focused ion technology company.
I spoke with the pair about the company, its products, and what we can expect in the future.
How it started
Bob Gotfredson: We started this company because we’re entrepreneurs, and we wanted a U.S.-owned company.
IonLoop vs. the competitors
BG: The biggest difference is a design philosophy. The Trion-Z product is designed and developed in Osaka for the U.S. market as well as Japan. Our products are designed and developed here in Texas for the U.S. market. The technology is similar, but it just comes down to: It’s got to be fashionable … as well as functional. I think we bring a different fashion viewpoint.
We’ve developed bracelets for Adidas globally, and also TaylorMade and Adams. We do a lot of corporate business, and we have a very active web presence.
Best-selling items
BG: Original IonLoop bracelet: Silicon band with two magnets. It was the original bracelet we started with and it remains very popular. I think our most popular bracelet is the braided black. It’s a silicone bracelet that looks like a braided bracelet, but it has the durability that you can wear it in the water.
Newest items
BG: We have Ion Thins, which are just small, thin negative ion bands with no magnets that you can mix and match. Those come in 14 colors. You can pick out your four favorite colors to match your team or country. They’re very comfortable to wear. People wear them with other bracelets as well.
The biggest step we made outside of the bracelet area was the Ion Time watches, which just have been really well received.
Melissa Gotfredson: They’re silicon with infused tourmaline in the backplate, and we are patent pending on that technology. We’re excited about that. We’re the only ones who have a watch that offers that technology. It’s a unisex watch. It’s very lightweight. And I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface with it.
BG: And it’s fashionable. Comes in five colors. We’ve been advertising on Morning Drive and have had great response on the watch.
This past week we introduced leather bracelets, which have negative ions and a magnet clasp. The negative ions … are infused in the band. It’s an eight-strand leather design. Most leather bracelets in the market place are four-strand. And they’re thicker and kind of bulky. This is a fine gauge bracelet that looks like it might cost $200. We retail them for $45. Again, a fashion element using our technology.
Negative ion technology
BG: Negative ions are found in nature as well as positive ions. Positive ions are the bad ions, so it’s counter-intuitive. Positive ions come from the sun in the form of UV rays and they fatigue your body.
A number of years ago in Japan, golfers found that if they wore negative ion bracelets …they would have more energy and focus as they turned the back nine after being out in the sun all day. So they became popular in that marketplace and transitioned over to the rest of the world.
What’s also interesting is that negative ions counteract the effects of positive ions that come out of your computer screen. If you’re in front of a computer screen, you’re getting bombarded … sitting in front of that thing all day just fatigues the hell out of you.
Hewlett-Packard, in England, is doing a great deal of research into trying to find a way to block the positive ions from these computer screens. They haven’t come up with it yet, and until they do, everybody at a computer should have something on that produces negative ions. Cell phones, computers, anything electronic is giving off positive ions.
Why not?
BG: Really, when you think about it, for $20 or $45 on the leather bracelet, they look good anyway. Hundreds of millions of people wear bracelets. The bracelet business in the U.S. is estimated to be $400 million a year.
So, there are a lot of bracelets out there…the ones that have technology, why not try them? It’s a small investment and it might be helpful. They really don’t wear out either. The magnets don’t wear out. We’re coming on six years here and the original bracelets are still running at about 90 percent output.
On Tour
BG: We do not have endorsement deals with any players on the PGA Tour because they like to wear our bracelets anyway. The TaylorMade bracelets are in the tour trailer every week.
Zach Johnson, we were involved with him and his charity, so he wears our bracelets from time to time. Ryan Palmer wears them every week. Butch Harmon, we sent him some of our leather bracelets and he loved them. Lexi Thompson loves the bracelets.
We do them for the U.S. Open every year and they go in the players’ bags and the wives’ gift bags. We do them at the PGA Championship as well.
What’s next
BG: From a bracelet standpoint, we’re going to continue to innovate and come up with new and unique products similar to the leather bracelet. We’re going to have some more watch offerings coming out in 2015.
We’re always developing new products. There’s three or four new bracelets that are in the works. We’re constantly looking to innovate.
You can check out IonLoop’s website here.
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
Aexis
Nov 6, 2016 at 5:35 pm
Found this IONTIME.COM
George
Mar 6, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Magnet therapy has been around for many decades. The people leaving negative comments need to do some research instead of giving uninformed bias opinions. Even the FDA has acknowledged the benefits of magnet therapy. Two recent devices approved by the FDA that use magnetic therapy for health.
http://www.fastcompany.com/3004658/fda-approves-magnetic-helmet-treating-depression
http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20131215/fda-approves-new-magnet-device-to-treat-migraines
TS
Feb 1, 2015 at 10:38 am
Lydia Ko just became the youngest woman ever on LPGA to be #1 in the world…no articles on that, but hey we’ve got this.
Bob
Jan 31, 2015 at 2:52 pm
GolfWRX, sponsored by SnakeOil Co.
Rodger Maltbee
Jan 30, 2015 at 7:42 pm
I think urine has negative ions in it. Peeing on yourself is more effective at battling positive ions than this product.
SM
Jan 30, 2015 at 2:59 am
Copy, copy copy. All these monkeys can do is copy the amazing stuff that comes out of Japan, as usual.
Marc
Jan 30, 2015 at 12:33 am
GolfWRX should be ashamed for their part in promoting trash like this. You just spent some goodwill earned from your readers. Seriously,Mifsud you continue down this path, you’re going to damage your credibility and reputation. Wake up and make good decisions, people.
Rodders
Jan 29, 2015 at 2:25 pm
So a mum and dad company headed by Bob and Melissa can discover how to counteract these positive ions but Hewellet-Packard can’t. Right, that makes sense.
Why don’t hp stick half a dozen of these bracelets to the screens then?
The only positive thing these bracelets destroy is your bank balance!
Shame golfwrx.
Zac
Jan 29, 2015 at 1:01 pm
GolfWRX has really hit a new low now, shilling for companies that engage in blatant misleading claims. I’m actually shocked the scam artists purveying this junk aren’t afraid of suffering the same legal fate as PowerBalance, who had to write an apology letter in Austrailia that read:
In our advertising we stated that Power Balance wristbands improved your strength, balance and flexibility.
We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims and therefore we engaged in misleading conduct in breach of s52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
If you feel you have been misled by our promotions, we wish to unreservedly apologise and offer a full refund.
If people actually “swear by these items” claiming some kind of “benefit”, they need to be openly mocked so as to prevent the proliferation of this age-old scam.
ParHunter
Jan 29, 2015 at 12:41 pm
If this isn’t a paid for article then I don’t know. The article should have a big ‘Advertisement’ sign at the top. What’s the next article, Voodoo dolls for golf?
ER
Jan 29, 2015 at 12:39 pm
What a terrible interview. Go ahead and don’t ask real questions. This company, like all other predecessors, is selling snake oil. Shame on GolfWRX for giving a sham company publicity.
Alex
Jan 29, 2015 at 12:32 pm
These companies get sued into bankruptcy whenever they get big enough to attract attention in the first place. (see, e.g., Power Balance, Q-whatever, http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/balance_bracelet_settlement.html)
As stated previously, there’s no evidence that this stuff has any benefit beyond a potential placebo effect. Your site’s representations to the contrary (“IonLoop products allow you to enjoy all the natural benefits of magnets and negative ions: quicker sports recovery, better sleep, stress management, natural energy, better concentration and focus, less stiffness and soreness…more!”), even coupled with poorly worded disclaimers about the “user experience” open you up to liability for deceptive advertising charges.
Scientist Golfer
Jan 29, 2015 at 11:57 am
Please listen to frendy. Many people swear by these bracelets but there is no, I repeat NO (NADA, ZILCH, ZIP), scientific evidence suggesting that these things actually do anything. If they “work” for you it’s entirely due to the placebo effect.
If you are going to wear these things, do it because they look cool, not because of their effect.
frendy
Jan 29, 2015 at 2:39 pm
Yes and no. Sure, there is no evidence to back up the claims of these wonder bracelets, but let’s not discount the placebo effect. What people think about the potential benefits/medicinal properties of accessories like these can have a marked effect on how they physically feel, and therefore *potentially* how they might play golf.
So I say if you feel like these things are helping you feel better, by all means wear them. However, don’t make the claim that they are anything else than mind-body woo woo.
ca1879
Feb 2, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Ben – you’ve really dragged your credibility through the dirt with this one. Hope you’re proud of shilling for such a transparent pile of nonsense.
Jafar
Jan 29, 2015 at 11:15 am
There are ions out to get you.
frendy
Jan 29, 2015 at 10:47 am
Placebo effect very strong here. If that works for ya, great, but let’s not pretend that these bracelets and watches do anything more than look nice.