Omaha-based Prairie Golf, sponsor of a professional mini-tour since 1996, has branched from green to tee. Founder Norm Stoakes, whose machining business is the parent company, founded Prairie Golf five years ago to produce putters. He added woods, called Pathfinders, in early 1999.

     Stoakes discovered that he needed to provide a full line of clubs to make a greater impact on the golf industry, so he got to work on the Pathfinders. Irons should arrive this May.

     Prairie Golf introduced its drivers first, followed by the 3- and 5-woods. Pathfinder drivers come in 7.5-, 9- and 10.5-degree lofts. The 3-wood has a 14-degree loft, and the 5-wood's is 18. The drivers included Penley shafts, while the fairway woods use Harrisons. While Stoakes doesn't want buyers to consider Pathfinders run-of-the-mill, he has chosen to give them a familiar appearance.

     "You might say they have the old-style, pear-shaped look," Stoakes said of the deep-blue, graphite shafted Pathfinders. "They look traditional, rather than funky or offbeat. So far, they've been a big hit."

     The Pathfinder's chromium-nickel alloy performs well at various lofts, giving it the desirable trampoline effect and making it easier for golfers to shape shots. Stoakes said that distinguishes the Pathfinder's alloy from other commonly used materials, such as titanium and managing steel.

     You won't find Pathfinders anywhere but on the golf course, because they are marketed through what the industry calls green-grass outlets. That means their availability is limited to pro shops at public and private courses, not discount or sporting good stores.

     The clubs are available in 33 states and via www.prairiegolf.com. The suggested retail price for the drivers is about $250, and fairway woods start at $230. The women's clubs feature lighter shafts but cost as much as the men's