Choosing the right curling broom is crucial for your performance on the ice. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, Goldline offers a range of brooms to suit your needs. In this guide, we’ll explore our lineup, helping you make an informed decision and take your curling game to the next level. Let’s get started!
Goldline Curling’s Broom Buyer’s Guide
If you’re in the market for a new curling broom, you’ve come to the right place. At Goldline, we offer a range of high-quality brooms designed to suit curlers of all levels, from recreational enthusiasts to competitive athletes. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll walk you through our selection, highlighting the key features and options available for each broom.
Here’s a quick overview of our broom offerings:
- Carbon Fiber Impact Broom: The ultimate choice for serious players seeking maximum performance.
- Fiberlite Impact Broom: A winning combination of performance and affordability.
- FG360 Air Broom: Ideal for those looking for a low-cost option with dependable performance.
- FG Air Broom: A stationary head design perfect for club brooms or beginners.
In this article, we’ll delve into the details of each broom, including materials, handle diameter, grip coating, and design. Whether you’re upgrading your equipment or picking up your first broom, this guide will help you make an informed decision. Let’s get started!
Handle Options
Let’s start off by diving into one of the most important components: the handle. The handle is your connection to the ice, affecting your grip, control, and sweeping technique. Goldline offers a variety of handle materials, diameters, and features to suit your preferences and enhance your performance on the ice. In this section, we’ll explore these handle options, helping you choose the one that best suits your playing style and needs.
Handle Materials
The material of your curling broom handle plays a crucial role in its overall performance. Goldline offers three primary handle material options, each with its unique characteristics:
- Carbon Fiber
- Description: Carbon fiber handles are favored by elite curlers for their lightweight and stiff properties, which facilitate precise sweeping control. They are designed for maximum performance.
- Ideal For: Competitive players seeking the highest level of performance.
- Key Benefits: Lightweight, stiff, and responsive for precise sweeping.
- Fiberlite
- Description: Fiberlite handles are a composite of 35% carbon fiber and 65% fiberglass, striking a balance between weight and affordability. They offer excellent performance without breaking the bank.
- Ideal For: Recreational and club-level players looking for a cost-effective option.
- Key Benefits: A cost-effective choice without compromising performance.
- Fiberglass
- Description: Fiberglass handles are the most affordable option. They are heavier but offer durability and stability, making them suitable for beginners and club brooms.
- Ideal For: Beginners, club-level players, or those on a budget.
- Key Benefits: Budget-friendly, durable, and stable.
Selecting the right handle material depends on your skill level, budget, and personal preferences.
Handle Diameter
Most curling brooms come in your choice of either a 1β³ diameter, or 1 1/8β³, and which size is right for you is very subjective.
There really isnβt a lot of difference between the two, just an eighth of an inch! In fact, without having a side-by-side comparison most people would be hard-pressed to tell which is which!
Broadly speaking, most women choose to go with a 1β³ handle, and most men tend to select a 1 1/8β³. Donβt get sucked into this being a gender-based decision though, as weβve definitely seen men go with the smaller 1β³ and women go with the larger 1 1/8β³. It may be more accurate to think of it as people with larger hands will likely find a 1 1/8β³ handle more comfortable, and people with smaller hands will probably prefer a 1β³.
If I take myself as an example (6β² tall man of average build), a 1 1/8β³ handle is far more comfortable for me. In fact, using a 1β³ handle for an entire game (especially as a front-end player) will give me hand cramps! Itβs hard to be an effective sweeper with sore hands.
Grip Coating
Goldline’s handle designs are known for their comfortable and secure grip. Our Carbon Fiber Impact brooms come equipped with Grip Zone Technology. This innovative technology enhances the lower third of the handle with a ribbed texture, providing an excellent grip even in intense sweeping situations.
For the other handle materials, Goldline offers handles without additional grip coatings, relying on their natural properties to provide a comfortable hold.
Curling Broom Heads: The Heart of the Sweep
The choice of broom head plays a pivotal role in your curling performance. Goldline offers two primary types of broom heads: the Impact Head and the Air Head. We offer complete brooms featuring both heads, or you can purchase just the head to upgrade an existing broom. Let’s delve into their distinctions so you can select which one will be best for you.
Impact Head: The Next-Generation Choice
The Impact Head represents the cutting edge of broom head technology. It’s the result of meticulous research and development in collaboration with top curling experts. Here’s why it’s the preferred choice among elite athletes worldwide:
- Maximized Performance: Engineered for the highest level of performance optimization, the Impact Head excels in competitive play. It’s the broom head of choice for those aiming to elevate their game.
- WCF Certified: Approved by the World Curling Federation (WCF), the Impact Head is the go-to option for events requiring WCF-certified sweeping equipment. It’s your ticket to competitive success.
- Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly: The Impact Head’s individually replaceable components not only reduce your overall ownership cost but also contribute to environmental sustainability. It’s a responsible choice for the planet.
Air Head: The Proven Performer
While the Impact Head represents the next generation, the Air Head remains a reliable and user-friendly choice, especially for curlers transitioning from older Oval Heads. Here’s why it’s still a contender:
- Ease of Use: The Air Head’s snap-in design ensures quick and hassle-free pad replacement. It’s a practical option for those who value simplicity.
- Lightweight Advantage: Compared to older Oval Heads, the Air Head is lightweight, making it a favorable choice for novice and recreational players. It offers a noticeable improvement in performance.
- Winning History: The Air Head has been part of winning strategies across all levels of play. It continues to prove its mettle on the ice.
Stationary Air Head: Stability Meets Efficiency
If you prefer a broom head with no rotation, the Stationary Air Head is the ideal choice. It combines the user-friendly design of the Air Head with a stationary angle, providing added stability during sweeping. While not suited for competitive play requiring WCF compliance, it’s a reliable option for club curling, beginners, or anyone who values stability.
Broom Pads: Enhancing Your Sweep
The pad you choose for your curling broom can significantly impact your performance on the ice. Goldline offers a range of pad options designed to meet the diverse needs of curlers. Let’s explore the key differences between our recreational and WCF-compliant pad choices.
Recreational Reliability
For those who enjoy curling at a recreational level or are just starting their curling journey, our recreational pad options provide dependable performance without the need for WCF certification:
- Impact Rec Sleeve: The Impact Rec Sleeve is an excellent choice for recreational curlers. It offers durability and performance that will last approximately 25 games or a full season if you curl once per week. Notably, it features the same fabric used in our trusted Norway, Airway, and Airway X pads, ensuring a reliable experience on the ice.
- Airway Pad: The Airway Pad is modelled after the trusted Norway pad, making it ideal for recreational curlers. It features the same fabric, ridges, and foam that are known for their reliability. The snap-fit attachment ensures quick and easy pad replacement, so you can focus on enjoying the game. For those who prefer the larger Air Head X for recreational play, we also offer the Airway X pad, which maintains the qualities of the Airway Pad while being compatible with the larger Air Head X.
World Curling Federation (WCF) Compliance
For those competing in events that require WCF-compliant equipment, our WCF-compliant pad options ensure you meet the necessary standards:
- Impact Pro Sleeve: The Impact Pro Sleeve is designed for top-tier competitive play and is WCF certified for use in events requiring sanctioned equipment. When you need a WCF-compliant solution, the Impact Pro Sleeve delivers.
- Air Pro Pad: The Air Pro Pad offers WCF-compliant quality for your Air Head broom. If you’re using an Air Head and aspire to compete at the highest level in events that mandate WCF-approved equipment, the Air Pro Pad is essential. Alternatively, if you are using the larger Air Head X, we also offer the Air Pro X pad, which provides compatibility with the Air Head X broom while adhering to WCF standards when required.
Choosing Your Ideal Curling Broom
In the world of curling, having the right curling broom can make all the difference in your performance. At Goldline, we offer a range of high-quality brooms to suit the needs of every curler, from beginners to seasoned pros. Let’s take a closer look at our lineup:
- Carbon Fiber Impact Broom: The Carbon Fiber Impact Broom represents the pinnacle of curling technology. Featuring our innovative Impact Head, meticulously designed and tested with input from top curling experts, this broom maximizes performance in every aspect of the game. The Carbon Fiber handle, known for its lightweight and stiffness, allows for efficient sweeping, while Goldline’s Grip Zone Technology provides enhanced control. If you’re looking to dominate on the ice, the Carbon Fiber Impact Broom is your ultimate choice.
- Fiberlite Impact Broom: For those seeking high performance at an unbeatable price, the Fiberlite Impact Broom delivers. With the same Impact Head as its Carbon Fiber counterpart, this broom ensures optimal carry, hold, and carve. The Fiberlite handle strikes a balance between weight and cost, making it an ideal choice for competitive and recreational curlers alike. Plus, with individually replaceable components, you can maintain your broom’s performance at an affordable cost while reducing your environmental impact.
- FG360 Air Broom: The FG360 Air Broom combines affordability with innovation. Its fiberglass handle may be heavier, but the Air Head reduces overall broom weight, making it lighter than traditional oval-headed brooms. Perfect for beginners and club players, this broom features the Airway pad for dependable performance. And, when needed, you can easily upgrade to meet WCF specifications with the Air Pro pad.
- FG Air Broom: The FG Air Broom, designed for beginners or anyone who prefers a stationary head, offers stability and ease of use. With a fiberglass handle and the Airway pad, it’s a great introductory broom that allows you to enjoy the game without breaking the bank.
Choose the Goldline broom that suits your level and style of play, and step onto the ice with confidence. Whichever broom you select, you can trust that Goldline delivers quality, innovation, and performance to enhance your curling experience.
Broom Model | Material | Handle Diameter (inches) | Grip Coating | Head Type | Recommended Use |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carbon Fiber Impact | 100% Carbon Fiber | 1″ or 1 1/8″ | Grip Zone Technology | Impact Head | High-performance competitive play |
Fiberlite Impact | Fiberlite Composite | 1″ or 1 1/8″ | None | Impact Head | Recreational and competitive play |
FG360 Air | Fiberglass | 1″ or 1 1/8″ | None | Air Head | Entry-level and recreational play |
FG Air | Fiberglass | 1″ only | None | Stationary Air Head | Entry-level and club brooms |
Hi, I was wondering what the warranty is on a carbon fiber impact broom
We value our standard and quality of product. Goldline offers a one year manufacturer’s warranty against manufacturing defects. We also offer a full repair service to our footwear and other products. Regular wear and tear is not covered by our warranty. We have a longstanding history of product quality and continue to service our customers. Please call our customer service or email us should you have a concern.
Are all broom handles of equal length? Is there a standard length or requirement from governing bodies? What about sizes for children or do they just use adult sizes?
Hi Chris! They are all the same length, but it’s not standardized by any regulations. Typically the handle is about 47.5″, so the assembled broom is slightly longer than that in total (total length will depend on which head you’re using). We don’t offer child sized brooms, but we do know some people cut down the length of the handle themselves.