Tag: golf

  • Hawk’s Landing Golf Club at Orlando World Center Marriott

    Hawk’s Landing Golf Club at Orlando World Center Marriott

    OrlandoWorldCenterOrlandoIt’s official. Foot Golf has come to Orlando. Hawk’s Landing Golf Club at the Orlando World Center Marriott has added one of the country’s fastest growing sports to its impressive list of amenities, which already includes an 18 hole Bob Cupp designed golf course that winds through the 200 acre property, a golf academy run by top 100 instructor Bill Madonna, a huge modern practice facility with chipping greens practice bunkers and covered hitting bays, and that’s just at the golf club.

    Waitaminute – what the heck is Foot Golf? Simply put, if you combine soccer with golf, you get foot golf. The resort has laid out a course with 21-inch holes that blend in with the existing golf course so that it doesn’t interfere with golf, and players kick a soccer ball around the course while avoiding sand and water just like golfers do until they hole out. Foot golf is played with a regulation soccer ball and players can play 6 or 18 holes. Play is scheduled every Tuesday and Saturday after 4:30PM and costs $25 for adults and $12.50 for juniors and includes soccer balls and golf carts to ride around.

    OrlandoWorldCenterOrlandoHawksLandingIf Foot Golf isn’t for you or you would rather play regular golf, Hawk’s Landing Golf Club is a fantastic choice. Despite being wrapped around the huge resort complex, the 6600 yard par 71 layout never feels like it was shoehorned into a tight area around the other resort amenities. This course was not an after thought and wasn’t built to just say they had a golf course at the resort. Hawk’s Landing Golf Club is a focal point at the Orlando World Center Marriott. While you are well within the resort boundaries and many of the resort’s rooms and facilities are visible from the course, it still almost feels like you can disconnect and get away when you play a round of golf here. They’ve found a nice balance between golf and the rest of the resort.

    Speaking of the rest of the resort, here’s a short list of the amenities that await resort guests and members:

    • Hawk’s Landing GC – 18 hole Championship Bob Cupp designed golf course
    • Bill Madonna Golf Academy and learning center
    • Falls Pool Oasis – ranked one of the “World’s coolest hotel pools” by Forbes, a pair of 200-foot slides, splash zone for kids with zero entry pool and playground, 564000 gallon main pool, poolside bar and grill
    • The GRID – Gaming Recreational Interactive Destination – Where gamers can play everything from the classic arcade games to XBOX, PlayStation, Wii, iPads and more
    • 4 night-lit tennis courts, 2 beach volleyball courts, basketball court
    • 4000 sq/ft fitness center open 24 hours a day, including Cybex equipment, 21 cardio machines and free weights
    • Spa, offering all the usual services such as aromatherapy, mani/pedi, facials, massage, private spa pool, whirlpool and steam room
    • Over 2000 guest rooms with premium bedding, down comforters, high speed wired and wireless internet. Rooms range from about 500 sq/ft to the 1875 sq/ft Presidential Suite and even more luxurious International Suite
    • 9 Restaurants offering food choices from all over the world

    OrlandoWorldCenterOrlandoPoolThe Orlando World Center Marriott is an impressive property. Given its stature among Orlando’s best resorts with guests coming from all over the world to visit, you would think the locals couldn’t help but feel a little left out. However, Hawk’s Landing offers memberships! For a price, local residents can enjoy all the resort’s facilities whenever they want. Now that sounds more like it! Too bad I don’t live closer or I might have taken a hard look at that for myself!

    As a vacation destination, Orlando is a worldwide family favorite. When listing Orlando’s best resorts, the Orlando World Center Marriott always seems to be in the top 5. The top notch accommodations, extensive amenities and prime location close to all the theme parks and nightlife makes this place a winner in my book.

    To book your own vacation, visit Orlando World Center Marriott for more information.

  • Lostgolfballs.com – Never Buy New Golf Balls Again

    DiverIt is estimated that golfers lose about 300 million golf balls per year in the United States alone. That’s a lot of cash sitting at the bottom of a lake! So tell me, why are you paying full retail price for golf balls? Professional golfers on the PGA Tour will use between 5 and 9 golf balls per round on average. That’s fine for them because they get their balls free. The average weekend golfer may also use several golf balls per round, but that’s usually because they get lost in the trees or water!

    Lostgolfballs.com finds those golf balls, cleans them up and sells them back to you at a deep discount. They have been doing it for over twenty years, and they are the best at it. Golf is hard, and let’s be honest – Most golfers suck at it. Company founder Gary Krueger knows this better than most. He played on the PGA Tour. Think I’m exaggerating? Lostgolfballs.com recovered, recycled and sold over 43 million golf balls in 2015. That accounts for 6% of all golf balls sold worldwide! Since the company started they’ve processed and sold close to 530 million golf balls. That’s million, with a capital M.

    The Recovery Process

    As the company likes to say, every golf ball is used once it has been hit. Lostgolfballs.com uses a proprietary and environmentally friendly cleaning system that washes every golf ball without damaging its original condition. Once they have been cleaned and sorted by brand and model, the golf balls are given a rating from A to AAAAA. Golf balls rated AAAAA (5A) are in almost new condition and show hardly any signs of wear, if at all. The most common difference between a 5A rated used ball and a new ball will be some ink left over from the previous owner’s personal markings that the cleaning process wasn’t able to fully remove. AAAA (4A) golf balls will show minor signs of wear, similar to a golf ball that has been played for a few holes, but with no drop in performance.

    Why Buy Used?

    In a word? Cost! Lostgolfballs.com sells their 5A rated golf balls at almost 50% off the retail price, and in some cases more than 50% off. AAAA (4A) and AAA (3A) rated balls are even less. Taking the most popular golf ball as an example – The Titleist Pro V1 and V1x golf balls retail new for $47.99 per dozen. At lostgolfballs.com, the cost for a dozen is $26.99 (5A), $21.99 (4A) and $14.99 (3A). Furthermore, you can buy in bulk. Titleist Pro V1 buckets of 50 or 100 (5A quality) are available for $111.99 and $223.99, respectively. When buying brand new, you pay $4 per golf ball. When buying used, 5A quality balls you pay about $2.25 each. If you choose 4A rated balls you’ll pay $1.83 each.

    Does A Used Ball Perform Like New?

    When it comes to golf balls, they don’t make ’em like they used to, and that’s a great thing for us! Golf balls are no longer constructed with liquid cores and rubber windings, and as a result they are far more consistent and durable than they have ever been. It’s not uncommon for golfers to play multiple rounds with the same golf ball. Personally, I’ve played 54 holes with one ball before, and after a quick cleaning by hand it still resembled one of lostgolfballs.com’s 4A rated balls.

    To help consumers understand that used golf balls perform just as well as new ones, lostgolfballs.com did some testing at an independent research facility to compare used balls they sell with brand new versions of the same balls. Given the variables in testing and statistical margin for error, the data showed that the difference between the used balls and new balls was almost negligible. In some cases the used balls even flew further than the new ones!

    To Summarize…

    • Lostgolfballs.com’s recycled golf balls fly just as far and spin just as much as their new versions.
    • Used golf balls are much cheaper than new balls, and in some cases over 50% cheaper.
    • AAAAA (5A) rated golf balls are almost like new and show little (if any) signs of wear.
    • Every major brand and model is available – Titleist, Callaway, Taylor Made, Srixon, Bridgestone, Nike and more
    • Free shipping on orders over $100

    Give lostgolfballs.com a try if you are in the market for golf balls, and I know you are. I think you’ll be impressed at the quality of golf balls you get, and you’ll get a lot more for your money too. Once you’ve played a few holes with them you’ll realize you’ve been wasting money all these years, and you’ll never buy new golf balls again.

  • Cure Putters 2016 Lineup

    Cure RX3Cure Putters was born in 2013 in Flagler Beach, Florida – Just up the road from where I live. The concept was simple. Make a putter that has high MOI, is adjustable for weight, lie angle and also has interchangeable shafts. Once designers Steve Davis and Jeff Ryan showed their putter to former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman, he liked it so much he wanted to be a part of the company. Since their official introduction at the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando the response has been overwhelming.

    If professional tour usage is a measure of success for a club, the Cure Putter is doing very well indeed. Since its introduction a few years ago Cure Putters have gained a strong following on the PGA Tour Champions, LPGA Tour and PGA Tour.

    Whats the Deal with MOI?

    MOI stands for Moment of Inertia. MOI is a term used in physics to describe an object’s resistance to twisting. In this case the object in question is a putter. The higher the MOI, the less the putter will twist on off-center hits. Simply speaking, the higher the MOI, the more stable and forgiving a club will be. With putters that means a poorly struck putt will stay on line better with a high MOI putter.

    Most blade style putters like the Ping Anser and Scotty Cameron Newport have an MOI of around 4000. One of the most popular high MOI putters on the market, the Taylor Made Daddy Long Legs mallet, has an MOI rating of about 8000. By comparison, the 2016 Cure RX5 has an MOI that can be adjusted (via interchangeable weights) from 8500 up to 18,000! Cure is the highest MOI putter on the market, and it’s not even close.

    Cure Putter Goes in the Bag

    Last summer I got the 2015 RX3f model putter and it rolled the ball so well that I put it in play just a few weeks before the WAGT National Championship in Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania. Despite not making as many putts as I wanted, I rolled the ball beautifully all week. In fact, one of my competitors I played with on all 4 days of the tournament remarked after the final round that most putts I rolled that week had perfect speed and most of them had a chance to go in. That was my “A-HA!” moment with the Cure Putter. As a player all you can really ask for is for your putts that don’t go in to finish close to the hole, and it’s exactly what Cure is promising – More consistent speed and line on all your putts, even if it doesn’t go in. That’s what high MOI will do for your putting.

    Low Loft, High CG

    Most putters come standard with 3 or 4 degrees of loft these days. Cure’s RX series have half that with 1.5 degrees of loft. The reason it works is because Cure Putters have a high center of gravity (CG) and a deeper face than traditional putters. The deep face and high CG combine to impact the ball closer to the equator which eliminates backspin and produces a more consistent roll.

    2016 RX Series

    Cure RX6For 2016 the RX Series get some updates. The shapes have been streamlined, three of the four models have a flange and the silver alignment disks that a few models had in 2015 are gone. The RX1 and RX2 models are also gone. The RX3 is a more compact size, with a face that is 5.25″ wide. The RX4 model is slightly bigger with a 5.5″ face, and the RX5 and flange-less RX6 model have a 6″ face for the greatest forgiveness and MOI. All models have adjustable weighting and a full adjustable hosel to custom fit the lie angle. Interchangeable shafts allow golfers to switch between straight and offset shafts. Every RX Series putter is adjustable for lie angle from 62 to 80 degrees (most upright allowed by the rules of golf) and has 1.5 degrees of loft.

    RX3 – The adjustable weighting system may be the feature that sets the Cure Putters apart from the competition. The RX3 is adjustable from 332 grams up to 586 grams. At over 500 grams this putter can be a sledge hammer, but you can hit it anywhere on the face and still make putts. The RX3 is the smallest putter in the RX series.

    RX4 – The RX4 is the middle child in the RX series. The 5.5″ face is a little bigger than the RX3 but still looks more compact compared to the RX5 and RX6. The RX4 is adjustable for weight between 349 grams and 603 grams for an MOI range of 6900 to 14600.

    RX5 – The Cure RX5 is the biggest putter Cure makes with a flange. With a full 6″ wide face and adjustable weights from 361 grams to 615 grams with the extended weight kit, this putter is also the most resistant to twisting model Cure makes. At a weight of 615 grams, the MOI rating is 18000, which is the highest in golf.

    RX6 – The Cure RX6 is similar to the other models in being adjustable for lie and weight, plus having the ability to change shafts. Unlike the other models however, the RX6 has zero degrees of loft, no flange and is available in 5 different colors.

    2016 CX Series

    Cure CX1Known as the Classic Series, the CX1 and CX2 putters from Cure have more traditional shapes while still offering high MOI and weight adjustability. The CX Series measure 5″ wide and have 2.5 degrees of loft. Weights range from 334 to 376 grams for the CX1 and 342 to 384 grams for the CX2. Both models have a spiral milled face and a 70° lie angle.

    If the RX Series are too big or look too unconventional for you, but you still want high MOI with the design advantages of a Cure Putter, then the Classic Series may be the best option for you.

    Availability & Pricing

    Cure Putters are available at all major golf retailers and online directly from www.cureputters.com. Prices range from $229 for the RX6, $259 for the RX3,4 & 5 and $299 for the Classic Series putters.

     

  • First Look – Harry Taylor Wedges

    Harry Taylor WedgesChances are good that you haven’t heard the name Harry Taylor before. Chances are also very good that (much like our friend Clay Long) at some point you’ve probably played golf with clubs that he designed or helped design.

    In the 1980s while playing on the PGA Tour, Mr. Taylor helped launch the TaylorMade Golf company with legendary golf industry pioneer Gary Adams. In case you haven’t figured it out yet – Yes, the company is indeed named after him.

    After leaving TaylorMade, he once again helped Adams launch a new company. This one was called Founders Club, and Taylor brought with him a club design partner named Bob Vokey. Yeah, THAT Bob Vokey. Taylor later helped establish Mizuno as one of the premier iron makers in golf – a reputation they still have to this day. During his tenure at Mizuno they also became the #1 iron manufacturer on tour for eight straight seasons.

    Harry Taylor WedgesBy now you should be starting to understand how significant Harry Taylor’s role in the golf club industry is. After a stint on the Champions Tour, a health scare and some soul searching, he returned to golf club design. The result of his years of experience and passion for the game are the new Harry Taylor Design 305 series wedges.

    Harry Taylor Wedges

    Harry Taylor’s 305 series wedges are milled from 303 stainless steel and available in lofts of 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees. They are available in black or satin finishes and are fitted with True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 shaft, which is a very popular choice on the PGA Tour for wedges.

    We’ll be putting our tester through some heavy play testing for the next several weeks and we’ll be back soon with a full review of these beauties!

     

  • 7 Reasons to Visit Hilton Head Island

    7 Reasons to Visit Hilton Head Island

    Hilton Head Island has long been one of the most popular and beloved vacation destinations in the United States, but have you visited the island lately? They are upping their game and ready to impress. Some say Hilton Head Island is too expensive, but if you think that you simply aren’t looking hard enough. While Hilton Head Golf Island offers plenty of upscale, premium golf experiences, there are also some fantastic deals available without having to skimp on quality.

    #10 Jones Course, Palmetto Dunes
    #10 Jones Course, Palmetto Dunes

    “Spring is the peak season for golfers to visit Hilton Head Island to experience our world-class golf courses, stunning Lowcountry scenery and amazing culinary offerings,” says Cary Corbitt, President of the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association and Vice President of Sports and Operations at Sea Pines Resort. “Many resorts have made significant upgrades and improvements – totaling more than $200 million – to both their golf courses and accommodations to make everyone’s golf experience here truly memorable.”

    If you are searching for a great value for a buddies golf trip or even a family getaway, you need to take a serious look at Hilton Head Island. Below are just seven reasons why you should visit the Carolina Low Country this spring.

    #16 Fazio Course - Palmetto Dunes
    #16 Fazio Course – Palmetto Dunes

    7 Reasons to Visit Hilton Head Island This Spring

    1. Hilton Head Golf Island’s territory includes over 30 golf courses on and around the island, including championship designs from legendary golf course architects like Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio and Pete Dye.
    2. Hilton Head Golf Island’s courses and resorts have earned top 10 rankings in seven categories by Golf Digest, including “Best Buddies Trip Destination,” “Best Accommodations,” “Best Couples Trip,” “Best Courses,” “Best Food and Drink,” “Best Weather” and “Best Value.” Hilton Head Island also was named the International Association of Golf Tour Operators’ Golf Destination of the Year for North America for 2016.
    3. The PGA Tour stops by Hilton Head Island every spring to play the RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links. The PGA Tour pros love spending a week on Hilton Head Island. It’s always ranked one of their favorite tournament stops every year.
    4. Hilton head Island is easy to get to. It’s less than an 8 hour drive up or down I95 for millions of people, and Savanah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is very convenient for those traveling by air. SAV has daily non-stop flights on JetBlue from Boston and New York City, and Allegiant Air flies non-stop from Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and others. 14 other locales offer non-stop service to SAV from Chicago, Detroit, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.
    5. There’s much more to do than just golf! To start, Hilton Head Island is home to 8 of the world’s top 100 tennis resorts and boasts over 500 public and private tennis courts. Then there’s world class inshore and offshore fishing and boating and kayaking, miles and miles of beaches, bike trails, nature walks and bird watching, plenty of art galleries, shopping and dining.
    6. The weather is fantastic. You’ll be at the very southern tip of South Carolina, near the Georgia border. With an average low of 57° and an average high of 75°, you are more likely than not to get great weather when you visit. March, April & May are the best months, with average temps in the low 60s to mid 70s.
    7. It’s not as expensive as you think. In fact, it’s pretty cheap! Take Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort’s “Birdies and Beer Getaway” package for example – Guests enjoy four days/three nights in a two-bedroom villa at the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, and three rounds of golf on the resort’s three championship courses: Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront, Arthur Hills and George Fazio. Starting at $180 per golfer/per night, the promotion features breakfast and beers via a resort gift card. Also offered: two hours of court time per day per villa at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center, range balls, dining and pro shop discounts, and preferred rates and priority access to all resort activities and amenities. $180 per night at a high quality resort like Palmetto Dunes is hard to beat!
    #16 Hills Course - Palmetto Dunes
    #16 Hills Course – Palmetto Dunes

    For additional information about rates, restrictions and other package inclusions, or to receive a quote, visit: www.hiltonheadgolfisland.com or call (800) 523-3373

  • Best New Golf Balls – 2016 PGA Show

    Best New Golf Balls – 2016 PGA Show

    To be perfectly honest, the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando didn’t have as much to offer in the way of new products as previous years. Thankfully, golf ball makers have some great new and updated products for us this season. Here’s a few of the best new golf balls to check out in 2016.

    Callaway Chrome Soft

    Last season’s king of the hill is still on top this year, but has some stiff competition. When I tested this ball last year I was afraid to over-compress it, but if the ball is good enough for Phil Mickelson, it’s good enough for anybody! The Chrome Soft golf ball is a 4-piece golf ball and combines Callaway’s SoftFast Core and inner mantle layers with a soft urethane cover for spin around the greens without spinning too much off the tee. The Chrome Soft won 5 stars on Golf Digest’s Hot List in 2015 and should make another strong showing in 2016. This ball feels very soft around the greens and really performs well.

    https://youtu.be/LdMsLcG5T_M

    Volvik Crystal Vivid

    Volvik is known for making colored golf balls, and they’ve taken their signature Crystal ball and given it a matte finish. The result is a very striking finish that’s easy to see and really pops! The three-piece Volvik Crystal Vivid has a very soft feel and a durable Surlyn cover, with a compression rating around 80. Made for slower swing speeds, the Volvik Crystal Vivid are available in orange, pink, green and red.

    Vivid photo 2

    Bridgestone B-Series

    Bridgestone’s popular B-Series golf balls (which includes the Tour B330, B330S, B330RX and B330RXS) get an update for 2016. The new Tour Core is 6% larger and has a steeper gradient in softness from the inner part of the core to the outer region for faster ball speed and less spin off the driver. The new SlipRes cover took four years to develop and Bridgestone claims it has the highest friction coefficient rating possible, which translates to more spin from shots in the rough and around the green without increasing spin on the driver. I tested the new B330 for 18 holes and was so impressed that I’m buying a case of 12 dozen to use for the 2016 season.

    The Amatour Core in the B330RX and B330RXS golf balls is 28% softer than the average tour ball core, making these balls ideal for golfers with swing speeds under 105 MPH. Along with the Callaway Chrome Soft, The Bridgestone B330RX is probably the best option for golfers looking for tour performance, durability and distance from slower swing speeds.

    Wilson Duo Urethane

    Wilson Golf claims their Duo golf ball is the softest on the market, with a compression rating of 29! Having tried the original Duo several years ago, I can tell you that the ball is a marshmallow. Wilson Golf now offers three models in the Duo line. The original Duo, Duo Spin and the Duo Urethane. The three golf balls offer a very soft feel for golfers seeking more distance with slower swing speeds. (See a pattern emerging in golf ball marketing yet?)

    Wilson Duo – 29 Compression – Durability and distance with very soft feel – $20
    Wilson Duo Spin – 35 Compression – Durability and distance with more spin and very soft feel – $27
    Wilson Duo Urethane – 55 Compression – Softest urethane ball in golf, distance with tour spin and performance – $38

    I haven’t tried the new Duo golf balls, but I remember the original Duo feeling a bit like the old Titleist Tour Balata on the putting green. Given the $20 price point for the Duo, these golf balls should be very popular!

    download

  • BioMech AccuLock Ace Putter – First Look

    BioMech AccuLock AceIn case you were living under a rock for the past year, the arrival of 2016 ushered in the USGA’s not-so-popular ban on anchored putting strokes. What this means is that golfers can no longer lock or “anchor” the putter shaft to their bodies. The familiar broomstick long putter and belly putter styles of putting will be changed forever as everyone from PGA Tour players down to weekend hacks at the local muni are forced to adapt to the post-anchored stroke.

    One style of putting that stands to gain more acceptance with this rule change is the arm-lock style. You may have seen it before. Matt Kuchar has used it for several years to cash in on the PGA Tour. I spent several months playing with his unique putter a couple of years ago and wrote a review of it here. Being familiar with the arm-lock style, I was excited to see someone take the next step with this trend and make a putter specifically designed for the arm-lock method.

    2016-02-09 10.05.39BioMech Sports is hitting the market with their AccuLock Ace putter, and you may see some in use on the PGA Tour with Heath Slocum. During the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am you may also see some of the amateurs using the AccuLock Ace as they are being given to all the participants to try out. I spoke to the founder of BioMech – Dr. Frank Fornari about the design at the 2016 PGA Show and I’m excited to try it on the course. Stay tuned for the full review of this unique and interesting looking putter soon!

    2016-02-09 10.05.18

  • High Heat Driver – Game Changing Technology For Amateurs

    High Heat Driver – Game Changing Technology For Amateurs

    high heat soleKnuth Golf may be a new player in the golf equipment market, but the company’s namesake is anything but. Dean Knuth spent many years working with the USGA to develop and evolve the current course and slope rating system that is used to establish, maintain and adjust player handicaps different courses.

    With degrees in mathematics and computer science and decades of service to golf, Dean was the obvious choice to design the first driver that is specifically made with the amateur golfer in mind, not the pros on tour. So what does it take to design a club for amateur golfers, and how does it differ from other drivers on the market?

    The Technology

    Amateur golfers don’t swing like the pros, so why play the same driver the pros play? Knuth’s High Heat driver is designed to help slower swing speeds of amateur golfers, and it does that by offering a driver with a center of gravity (CG) that is 25% deeper and 18% lower than any on the market.

    What does a low and deep CG do? Simple. It makes the club easy to hit! The deep and low CG of the High Heat driver allows golfers with slower swing speeds to launch the ball higher with less spin than other drivers. Another benefit of the deep, low CG is forgiveness. Since most mid-to-high handicap golfers tend to hit the ball lower on the face, the low CG is a great benefit to help get the ball airborne.

    “High MOI” is technical term that golf companies are tossing around these days. MOI, or Moment of Inertia is simply a measure of resistance to twisting. What high MOI means for a golf club is more distance and better accuracy on off-center hits. The High Heat has a higher MOI than just about every driver on the market. Terms like moment of inertia and low CG sound cool for a testing lab, but in the real world what it means is you get a club that is very easy to hit solid, and very forgiving when you miss it a bit.

    Visually Stunning

    high heat faceThe first thing you’ll notice about the High Heat driver is the sleek cobalt blue paint job and the shiny mirror face. The cobalt blue is striking and sharp, and gives the High Heat an identity that is unmistakable. The blue color scheme was also favored because it mimics the color of a flame when it burns the hottest. The polished mirror face is functional as well as being aesthetic. When hit, the ball leaves dimple marks on the face telling you where you made contact, and simply wipe away with a soft towel. Plus you can use it to deflect sunshine into your opponent’s eyes while he’s hitting! (wink)

    Specifications

    The High Heat driver comes in right and left handed models in three lofts – 9.5, 10.5 & 12 degrees. Standard length is 45 inches. There are also four premium shaft options to choose from: Fujikura Pro Sakura, Fujikura Pro 53, 63 and 73 and the Aldila Magnum 44. My testers had the Fujikura Pro 73 in X-Flex and the Fujikura Pro 63 in Stiff flex.

    Play Testing

    I spent quite a bit of time playing and testing the High Heat, and put it in as many players’ hands as I could to get as much feedback as possible. After half a dozen rounds with it I can conclude that the High Heat is one of the most playable and forgiving drivers I’ve ever seen.

    Someone like me who swings over 110 MPH and hits the sweet spot with regularity won’t see as much benefit from the High Heat as the average golfer, but even for me it was very accurate and forgiving on mishits. For the other 95% of golfers out there, this driver is a game changer. The low & deep CG really helps players with slower swing speeds launch the ball higher with less spin while still being very forgiving and playable.

    Many of the play testers that tried the High Heat said that it had a huge sweet spot and the ball seemed to shoot off the face with a springy feel. The noise was also distinctive. It sounds a bit like hitting the ball with an aluminum baseball bat. Most testers I gave it to gained distance with the High Heat, and not surprisingly the golfers with the slowest swings seemed to get the most out of it.

    In my personal testing I got great results from the High Heat, even with my tour-level swing speeds. While it is designed primarily for average golfers, any golfer can benefit from it. In my case I saw better forgiveness and excellent accuracy. The look and sound are unique, but not off-putting by any means. Personally I think the driver is gorgeous.

    Machine Testing

    hhcrownKnuth Golf saved me the trouble of inventing a golf swing robot to test their club against the other leading drivers on the market. Instead, they contracted with Golf Labs, the most reputable independent golf testing company in the world. Below is an excerpt of the results of that testing provided by Knuth Golf:

    On October 29, 2014 on a clear and relatively calm day in the San Diego area, Golf Labs tested the High Heat driver and Major Brands on its range using their precision robotic tester set at 95 mph.

    High Heat’s submission, identified as D-12 on the hosel, was marked 10.5 loft on the sole and was shafted with a Fujikura Pro 853 Stiff flex 53 gram shaft. It was tested against the Major Brands’ 10.5 lofts with their standard Stiff flex shafts. The testing was conducted against TaylorMade SLDR, Ping G30, Titleist 915 D2, Callaway Big Bertha Alpha, and Nike Covert 2.0.

    Golf Labs’ test used its standard 5 point test which provides total distance and dispersion from the center line on center and four off-center hits based on hitting six balls at each of those 5 points. The four off-center hit locations are located 1⁄2” above and below the center of each driver’s face; and 3⁄4” to the right and to left of center. Golf Labs also used new Titleist NXT golf balls.

    Golf Labs’ test results showed that High Heat’s total distance on center and off-center hits toward the center line was the longest, its total dispersion was the lowest and it had the most forgiveness than any of the Major Brands with one partial exception. The only exception was Callaway’s Big Bertha Alpha total distance toward the center line on center hits was the longest but High Heat’s total distance toward the center line for off-center hits was longer than Callaway’s Big Bertha Alpha and High Heat’s total dispersion on center and off-center hits was lower than Big Bertha Alpha.

    Final Thoughts

    The High Heat driver from Knuth Golf is a game changer. It has the lowest and deepest CG in the industry and is one of the most forgiving, easy to hit clubs I’ve ever hit. If you believe high performance can only come from a name-brand driver, you’ll be shocked when you hit this one. As soon as you hit it, I’ll bet you will want to put it in the bag. Many of Knuth’s happy customers have been prodding him for the past year or so with the inevitable question – When will you make fairway woods and hybrids? The answer is – Very soon!

    Knuth Golf introduced their new fairway woods and hybrids at the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida, and they will be available in time for the 2016 golf season. The High Heat driver sells for $399 direct, but you don’t have to pay that much. In fact, to save $70 check out the special offer below! For more information on all the clubs available from Knuth Golf, visit their website at www.knuthgolf.com

    Special Offer

    We have arranged for a special price of $329 for the High Heat driver, which also has a 30 day full money back guarantee. Just go to www.knuthgolf.com, add the driver to your shopping cart, and at checkout simply select Intothegrain.com when asked how you heard about High Heat. Happy shopping!

  • Club Glove – Last Bag

    Club Glove Last BagClub Glove has long been known for making high-quality products. The fanatical attention to detail and durability they build into their travel cases is almost legendary. If professional tour usage is any indication of quality, Club Glove is king of the hill. 90% of PGA Tour pros use Club Glove to protect their golf clubs.

    For years I’ve used a hard plastic travel case from a rival brand and have been happy with it, but despite the durability of hard cases, the weight and size are drawbacks. I am only able to fit a small carry bag with the driver removed in the plastic case, and it weighs in at about 46 – 48 pounds with only a lightly loaded bag inside. Most airlines limit weight to 50 pounds before charging you extra, so excessive weight is a constant problem when traveling with golf clubs.

    Club Glove Last BagRecently I traveled to Antalya, Turkey to represent Team USA in the World Amateur Golf Championships and as part of the package I received a sweet new custom staff bag. Because of the size of the new bag, I needed a new travel case to fit it in. That’s where Club Glove’s Last Bag comes in!

    The Last Bag from Club Glove is their top of the line golf travel bag. This premium large collapsible bag weighs about 11 lbs unloaded and accommodates nearly any golf bag and up to a 47″ driver, plus still has room for additional gear and accessories. Here are the specs:

    Club Glove Last Bag – Specs

    • 51″ H x 19″ W x 16″ D • 86 linear inches
    • Single piece burst proof construction made with Invista™ Cordura® 1000 D water resistant nylon up to 3x stronger and lasts up to 5x longer than standard polyester
    • 1600 D ballistic nylon base reinforcement
    • Reliable and durable YKK® zippers and ITW Nexus® Buckles
    • Patented high-impact plastic wheelbase with integrated support and super high rebound 70mm 78A inline skate wheels with bearings for smooth and quiet transport (U.S. Patent #7,188,714 and # 7,219,902)
    • Over the top zipper for easy loading
    • Patent-pending integrated carry handle integrates with Train Reaction™
      (Patent Pending Ser#12/348,857)
    • Patented adjustable restraint device to secure golf club set (U.S. Patent #6,901,979)
    • 2 exterior shoe/storage pockets with nylon shoe bags
    • ID card holder
    • Made in the USA

    Real World Testing

    Club Glove Last Bag Club Glove Last Bag Club Glove Last Bag

    Specs are nice and all, but how does the thing perform when being tossed around by disaffected airline baggage handlers? The bottom line is this: If you are anything like me, you’ve spent a lot of time and money putting together a set of golf clubs that look great and help you perform your best. I personally have about $3500 worth of custom made equipment to protect when I travel, so I don’t want to throw my clubs in some cheap $25 travel case you can pick up at Walmart.

    When I first received my Club Glove Last Bag, I was impressed with the thick cordura nylon and solid construction, but I was a little worried that my huge 9.5″ Burton staff bag would fit. My fears were misplaced however, because the bag fits inside easily. I picked the bright yellow color to make it easy to spot in airport baggage claims, and it also matches this website’s logo color. When packing my clubs I usually weave a couple extra towels back and forth between the irons to prevent them from banging around against each other too much. I then fit the golf bag’s rain hood on it, then slide it into the travel case.

    In my opinion, one critical accessory for this travel case is the Club Glove Stiff Arm. The Stiff Arm is a metal pole with a plastic cap on top that expands and protects your clubs, should the soft-sided travel bag be dropped on its head. Simply place it in your golf bag and expand until you get a tight fit against the rain hood. The Stiff Arm extends past your driver and three wood to absorb any impacts, giving your clubs additional protection. When you buy on Amazon they send you the Stiff Arm free.

    Once packed, the entire thing closes up nicely without much room to spare. The compression straps on the side of the bag allow you to take up that extra space for a nice tight fit. After adjusting the straps, it all felt very tightly packed and solid. The heavy-duty YKK zippers glide nicely and installing a standard TSA lock to secure the zipper ends was no problem. Once packed the bag weighed in at 46 pounds fully loaded, giving me some wiggle room for the airport baggage weight limit.

    My trip from Florida to Turkey and back included layovers in New York and Istanbul both ways, so that meant that my golf clubs would be handled (or mishandled) by airport staff at least 8 times. Getting the clubs through the airport to the check-in counter was a breeze. The large rollerblade wheels roll smoothly, the beefy grab handles are easy to use and the hard plastic skid plate allows the bag to negotiate curbs and escalators with ease.

    When I arrived in Antalya, Turkey I was happy that my bag arrived without any signs of wear and tear other than a bit of dirt and dust. The bag was intact and all my clubs were ready to go. After the return trip the bag showed some signs of tampering, but it was just the TSA that had opened it for inspection. It turns out that they rummaged around quite a bit because my lock was in the bottom of my golf bag instead of attached to the travel case, and some of the clubs were not in their usual position.

    LastBagAfter traveling over 13,000 miles and being tossed about and handled by various baggage handlers, airport security, customs agents, bus drivers and golf course attendants, the Last Bag stood up to the abuse and came out smelling like roses. The fact that there was no damage or appreciable wear to the bag and its contents is testament to the build quality of Club Glove products.

    In the end, the Club Glove Last Bag lives up to its name. If you are in need of a solid, high quality golf travel bag, this is the last bag you’ll ever need. The $299 MSRP may be a bit steep for some, but considering the investment you are protecting I think it’s worth it. This bag is tough as nails, easy to transport and functions perfectly. It even integrates and attaches to Club Glove’s other fantastic travel luggage to form a train for easy transport. If for some reason the Last Bag is not big enough for your bag, you can even get the Last Bag XL for those huge old-school staff bags. For more info, visit www.clubglove.com

     

  • 6 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

    6 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

    Christmas is only 10 days away, and if you are anything like me, you haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet! Time is running out, especially for internet shopping. With that in mind, here are a few ideas for the golfers on your gift list. Happy shopping!

    • New grips! Most golfers wait too long to change their grips, and their game suffers. Lamkin is one of the leaders in golf grips and have been doing it since 1925. Try the new Wrap-Tech or UTX grips. Lamkin’s pricing is awesome and they have many styles and materials to choose from. I’ve been using the iconic Lamkin Crossline Cord grips for years. You can’t go wrong with Lamkin grips.

    • Golf GPS – SkyGolf makes some of the best Golf GPS products on the market. In fact, the SkyCaddy TOUCH is probably the most full-featured and accurate GPS device on the market. Paired with your smart phone and the Sky Golf 360 app, you can get the latest updates to over 35,000 pre-loaded golf courses as well as tracking your scores and stats. I’ve used the SkyCaddy Touch for several months and it has been invaluable to me in tournament golf to get more data to help me plan my way around a course.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsbfVMe9cEM

    • Socks! Kentwool makes the best golf socks. Period. Just try a pair and you’ll see. If I have to walk a golf course with a forty pound golf bag on my back, I want a good pair of shoes and some Kentwool socks to keep my feet happy. The Tour Profile sock is their best all around golf sock and they’ll make any golf shoe feel better. Combine these socks with some shoes from True Linkswear or Ecco and you have an unbeatable combination.

    Kentwool Tour Profile Socks

    • World Amateur Golfers Tour membership – Does the golfer on your gift list want to be challenged? Make new friends? How about a chance to play for your country at a top golf resort, all expenses paid? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then perhaps a membership to the nearest local World Amateur Golfers Tour would be a great gift! Play against players of similar ability in handicapped events for points in the national order of merit and to have a chance to qualify for Team USA and represent your country at the World Championships. I just returned from the 2015 WAGC in Turkey and it was an experience I’ll never forget.

    2015 WAGC in Antalya, Turkey

    • New Driver – When in doubt, you can always fall back on the old standby and get your golfer a new driver. It’s the most oft-changed club in a golfer’s bag and there are always shiny new models to try. One of the best new drivers of 2015 is the Knuth Golf High Heat driver. It has the lowest center of gravity in golf and produces straighter drives that go further on mishits (probably) than your current driver. Its inventor Dean Knuth also invented the USGA’s Slope Rating system for golf courses. Basically what I’m trying to say is, he’s way smarter than you and me. Try his driver. It’s very shiny and I think you’ll like it!

    • Another Putter – Seriously, how many putters do us golfers have? The answer is always “One too little!” At least in my case it is. I’m always looking for the BBD – Bigger better deal. Believe it or not, I think I found it. It’s called Cure Putters, and they are quickly becoming very popular. They may not win any beauty contests, but when it comes to rolling a golf ball they excel. The high-MOI design makes even mis hits roll true and they are customizable to every golfer. I put the Cure RX3F putter in the bag and promptly won the WAGT National Championship. Then I used it to finish 3rd in my flight at the 2015 World Amateur Golfers Championship in Antalya, Turkey. It just works!

     

  • Feel Golf 73 Degree Lob Wedge

    Feel 73 Wedge

    A few years ago I posted this article on our sister site which will be taken offline in a few weeks, so I decided to share it with everyone once again. Since this article was written it appears that Feel Golf has also been taken offline, so to speak. I can’t find much evidence of any online presence at least. If they are indeed shuttered, it’s a shame because they made some great clubs. If I find out more about what happened to them I’ll post an update. In the meantime, enjoy the 73 Wedge!

    Feel 73 Degree Wedge

    3/6/2012 – Feel Golf has been around since 2000, but they actually began making wedges for tour players back in 1985. In fact, Feel Golf can claim several major championships and many tournament victories by players using their irons and wedges. The company recently moved to Sanford, FL and I took some time to meet with Dr. Lee Miller, the company’s CEO. He showed me their entire line of clubs and we spoke at length about the small technological advantages the company has over most of the big OEMs.

    Feel Golf is one of the few companies out there that has the guts to reject the USGA’s new groove rule, and I applaud them for it. They are selling irons and wedges with both conforming and non-conforming square grooves. With the vast majority of golfers not playing in high-level USGA or professional tour events, why not allow people to choose which grooves they would rather have? Feel’s square groove wedges are worth a look for anyone who wants more spin around the greens.

    Feel 73 WedgeEventually our discussion came to the most popular club that Feel Golf makes – the 73° wedge. And you thought 62° or 64° was a lot of loft! I’ve seen gimmicky wedges in the past with tons of loft, but they didn’t work well because the design wasn’t really thought through. With this much loft, you need time to design a sole grind that works properly. This wedge has that. Obviously when you have 73 degrees of loft, your shot-making options will be limited. This wedge was designed to help players hit a very high, soft landing shot with ease, and it does that.

    I was instructed to play the ball back in my stance for most shots and simply let the loft do the work. Moving the ball up in your stance too much makes distance and trajectory control with the 73 very difficult. In my testing over the course of several rounds and at the short game practice area, I found that the best results came when I stood a bit closer to the ball. This club makes flop shots look easy. You can really get the ball in the air with this thing, but some practice is needed to get the distance control down. As with any high lofted wedge, the most important thing to know is when to use it, not how to use it.

    This post was originally published on 3/6/2012 at ITGexpress.com and written by John Duval

  • WITB – November 2015

    WITB Nov 2015Back in September I posted my first “What’s In The Bag” segment that detailed the clubs I play with. WITB posts are pretty popular on other sites when they post pictures of PGA Tour players and their preferred equipment. It’s always interesting to see what the best players in the world play with, and the market for “tour van” or hard to find equipment – especially putters – is huge. Forget that most people couldn’t possibly hit the clubs that tour players use, they still want them for the exclusivity and cool factor. I’ll admit, I’m one of those people that love being unique and having things that nobody else has.

    It’s for good reason that people are curious about the golf bags of PGA Tour players, but not many people care about what a lowly golf blogger plays with. It’s a shame too, because I think my fellow bloggers and golf media people are in a much better position to help others when it comes to getting the right equipment.

    While the average touring pro is well paid to endorse a company’s golf clubs, golf writers and bloggers aren’t. That’s not to say we don’t get our share of sweetheart deals or eek out a tiny profit from online affiliate sales, but nobody I know that runs a golf blog is making much more than enough to keep the site going and pay for the occasional round of golf.

    Golf writers and bloggers do however have access to and get to play with a ton of different clubs, and the ones that go in our golf bags as “gamers” have cut through the marketing hype and passed the test. Just like my buddy Tony from hookedongolfblog.com, in my golf bag on any given weekend sits a who’s who of golf manufacturers you may or may not have heard of. If we’re playing them, you can be pretty confident that they are a good buy.

    Since the end of September all but 3 of the clubs in my bag have changed. No less than 6 different golf equipment companies are represented in my bag.

    What’s in the bag?

    Driver: Ping G30 LS-TEC (9° w/ Ping Tour 80x)
    Fairway: Tour Edge Exotics E8 Tour (14° w/ Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana S+ 70x)
    Hybrid: Srixon Z H45 (16° w/ Aerotech hls880 x-flex)
    Utility Irons: Srixon Z U45 (20° & 23° w/ Aerotech Steelfiber i110cw x-flex)
    Irons: Srixon Z745 5-PW (w/ Aerotech Steelfiber i110cw x-flex)
    Wedges: Ben Hogan TK15  50° & 54° (w/ KBS Tour-V 120X)
    Lob Wedge: Hopkins Golf CJ-1 60° (Custom channel grind w/ Dynamic Gold X-100)
    Putter: Cure RX3F Putter
    Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV

    What’s New?

    The clubs that didn’t change? My Tour Edge Exotics E8 Tour three wood, which gets a fresh new grip, my trusty Hopkins Golf CJ-1 60° wedge and the ugly-duckling-but-impossible-to-mis-hit Cure RX3F putter.

    The biggest changes are the replacement of my aging Cleveland CG16 Tour Concept irons with the fantastic new Srixon Z745 irons. These irons are currently in play by most of Cleveland/Srixon’s tour staff including Graeme McDowell, Keegan Bradley, Russell Knox and many others. I also replaced the 3 and 4 irons with the Srixon ZU45 utility clubs which are much easier to hit, and the old Cleveland hybrid is replaced by a new Srixon ZH45 hybrid. All the new clubs get Aerotech Steelfiber shafts. The Srixon irons and utilities are made of forged 1020 steel and look as good as they perform.

    I changed drivers this month also. I switched out the Ping G30 driver for the Ping G30 LS-TEC. There’s not much difference between the two as they look identical, but the LS-TEC spins a little less according to Ping.

    I also have some new wedges in the bag. Gone (but not forgotten) are the SCOR 50° and 54° wedges I was so fond of. Fortunately they’ve been upgraded to Ben Hogan TK15 wedges. For those who aren’t familiar with SCOR and Ben Hogan, they are run by the same brilliant golf mind – Terry Koehler. SCOR Golf became Ben Hogan when he resurrected the iconic Ben Hogan brand from the ashes of golf equipment history. His amazing v-sole wedges live on in the Ban Hogan brand however. The new TK15 wedges perform the same as the older SCOR wedges and look fantastic in the new Hogan design. They are also a perfect match for the Hogan Fort Worth 15 irons, which players can customize to their liking. The Ben Hogan TK15 wedges are available from 48° to 63° and every loft in between. The HoganFit fitting process is designed to customize a set of wedges that will compliment your current irons and offer consistent distance gaps to help you score better inside 125 yards, where almost 65% of shots are taken.

    Finally, new in my golf bag this month is the golf bag itself! My special WAGT “Team USA” golf bag recently arrived from Burton and it looks fantastic. The amazing Last Bag travel bag I got from Club Glove is going to be protecting my clubs while traveling. I’m one of the few fortunate souls to be proudly representing the US in the World Amateur Golfers Championship in December in Antalya, Turkey.

    Antalya is one of the ten most frequented tourist destinations in the world, and is in the southwestern part of Turkey in a region called the Turkish Riviera. We’ll be at the all-inclusive Gloria Golf Resort competing over 54 holes in a team format with 40 other countries. I’ll be posting photos and updates on the event when we get there!

  • Tour Edge Launches New Exotics EX9 Drivers

    Exotics EX9 driversTour Edge Golf is one of those club companies that tends to fly under the radar, but really shouldn’t. Their Exotics brand has been one of the best fairway woods in golf for years, and they have a strong following on tour even if they don’t pay anyone to endorse their stuff. My Exotics E8 Tour 3-wood is the best I’ve hit in years, and found a spot in my bag after just a few swings on the range.

    Tour Edge continues to innovate and push the envelope with their Exotics branded clubs, and because they don’t spend millions in marketing and TV advertising, they can devote more resources to R&D. That’s one of the reasons why their clubs frequently outperform their competition. The new Exotics EX9 drivers should be no exception.

    There will be two new models available when this driver starts shipping on November 15 – The EX9 and EX9 Tour. The EX9 driver has a 460cc draw-enhancing club head available in 10° and 12° designed to deliver forgiving, high-flying drives. The Tour model is a pear-shaped, 430cc head with a deeper face (in 9° and 10° lofts) to deliver low-spin and faster ball speeds. Both models feature an adjustable hosel to help fitting and alter ball flight with eight different settings including the ability to add or subtract loft.

    “On the new EX9 models we moved the center of gravity much deeper in the head for super high MOI numbers,” said David Glod, president and founder of Tour Edge Golf. “This translates into our lowest spinning drivers to date and a greatly increased sweet zone for longer drives from all areas on the face.”

    Exotics EX9 driver faceSeveral technological features like Full-Speed Impact design help create more club head sped by sloping the crown of the club to reduce drag.  The narrow slot behind the face called the power grid allows the club face to flex on impact for more ball speed and added forgiveness. Also adding a another degree of customization is the interchangeable sole weight. The weight port is located in the heel on the EX9 for draw enhancement while the EX9 Tour driver has the post in the extreme rear of the club for spin and trajectory changes. 3, 9 and 11 gram weights are available separately.

    Suggested retail:

    • $299 for the EX9
    • $399 for the EX9 Tour

    Shaft offerings:

    • EX9 − Mitsubishi Bassara E-Series, Fujikura Exotics PRO and PRO Tour, Matrix Exotics White, Red, and Black Tie
    • EX9 Tour − Aldila Rogue Silver 60 and 70, Mitsubishi Diamana S+, M+, and D+

    Every Tour Edge club comes with a lifetime warranty and a 30-day play guarantee. For more information, call (800) 515- 3343 or visit www.touredge.com.

  • Imperial Coolcore Headwear

    imperial-powered-by-coolcoreYou may not know much about Imperial headwear, but they’ve been around for a long time. Since 1916 to be specific. Chances are good that one or more of the hats you own were made by Imperial. I have several Imperial products in my closet, but my favorite is the new Coolcore hat.

    Coolcore is a technology similar to modern golf shirts that helps to wick moisture away from the wearer and keep you cooler. When wet, the hats claim a 30% lower surface temperature compared to regular cotton hats. The material is very light weight and comfortable to wear. The hats also provide UPF 45 sun protection and are offered in several styles and colors. For maximum protection, try the Old Norse model with  wide brim for total sun protection.

    Playing golf during the summer months in Florida, we have to deal with a scorching sun and brutally hot and humid weather. The three things you need to play golf in these conditions are a hat, a good towel and plenty of water. I found that the best way to use the Coolcore hats is to wet them with cold water and wear them wet for maximum cooling. I just rinse the hat in cold water every few holes and my head stays nice and comfy.

    Naturally, much of Imperial’s business comes in the form of custom logo sales. After all, most (if not all) of the hats you have probably have a pro sports team, golf company or golf course logo on them. With that in mind, you may be interested in Imperial’s new Tailgate Collection. These models feature hats with the state of origin on them in colors that mimic the popular collegiate teams from that state.

    The next time you are looking for a hat in your local pro shop or golf store, make sure you check under the lid for the brand name. Not all hats are created equal. Imperial’s headwear is top quality, so look for the name and happy shopping!

    https://vimeo.com/127868395

     

  • WITB – September 2015

    WITB – September 2015

    As a golf blogger, I get to handle many different golf clubs and try many products over the course of a year. As a result, I always get asked about what’s in my bag. Most amateur golfers like me aren’t sponsored by club companies, so our bags tend to be a mix of clubs from different manufacturers.

    While I have had opportunities to officially endorse products in the past, doing so might violate the rules of amateur status as outlined by the USGA in rule 6.2, and that would be a no-no since I sometimes compete in FSGA and USGA events. Therefore, I must disclose that none of the companies shown here paid me to represent their brands.

    After years of testing hundreds of drivers, fairways, hybrids, irons, wedges, putters and assorted golf gadgets, these are the ones that have found a place in my bag as “gamers.” I’m always tinkering with and testing new clubs, but my gamers remain pretty consistent. The only part of my bag that changes constantly is the putter, because I’m a mess on the putting green and always looking for the BBD – bigger better deal.

    What’s In The Bag?

    Driver: Ping G30 (9° w/ Ping Tour 80x)
    Fairway: Tour Edge Exotics E8 Tour (14° w/ Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana S+ 70x)
    Hybrid: Cleveland Launcher DST (18° w/ Miyazaki C.Kua 83x)
    Irons: Cleveland CG16 Tour Concept 3-PW (w/ Aerotech Steelfiber i95cw x-flex)
    Wedges: SCOR Golf 50° & 54° (w/ True Temper Dynamic Gold X100)
    Lob Wedge: Hopkins Golf CJ-1 60° (Custom channel grind w/ Dynamic Gold X-100)
    Putter: Cure RX3F Putter
    Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV

    My current setup has been in place for over a year, except the 3-wood and putter. I recently started testing the Cure RX3F putter and after some work on the putting green and one round of golf, I decided to bring it to the WAGT National Championship at Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort. The Cure putter will be featured in a review article soon. The Exotics E8 Tour replaced my trusty old Adams RPM LP back in May. After years of searching, I finally found a fairway wood that out performed the Adams. You may notice I listed 15 clubs. That’s because I usually swap the 3-iron for the 50° gap wedge depending on the course setup where I am playing.

    WITB 09-2015

    WITB 09-2015

    WITB 09-2015

    WITB 09-2015

    WITB 09-2015

    WITB 09-2015

    Coming Soon…

    I’m long overdue for a new set of irons. The CG16 Tour Concept irons that came from Cleveland’s Tour Van have been awesome, but they are almost five years old and ready to be demoted to a backup role. The Aerotech Steelfiber i95cw shafts are amazing. I’ve said it for years – I think they are the best iron shafts you can get, and their popularity on the professional tours all around the world backs up that claim.

    I’m currently testing the Srixon Z745 irons, Z U45 3 & 4 Utilities and a Z H45 2 Hybrid. The Z745 irons are a forged cavity back club that looks sharp and performs similar to my CG16s. The clubs I’m really excited about are the Z U45 3-iron and 4-iron. They are called utilities because they have the looks and workability of an iron with the forgiveness of a hybrid. I love hitting long irons, and these things make it even easier to hit them. The Z H45 16° hybrid will fill the distance gap nicely between the 3-iron and 3-wood. I was looking for 5-10 more yards out of my hybrid and this guy will do the trick nicely. I have a strong feeling that this fantastic 2-PW set will soon be my gamers.

    Ping’s awesome G30 driver has been in my bag since last fall, but I’ve started experimenting with the G30 LS-TEC driver which is the same as the regular G30 but spins slightly less. According to Ping, 400 rpm less. Combining the LS-TEC with my switch from the softer, higher-spin Srixon Z-Star back to the lower spin and firmer feeling Z-Star XV, I should see a measurable decrease in spin off the tee which means more distance.

    The SCOR wedges I got a few years ago have been stalwarts in my bag ever since I first hit them. I started with SCOR’s complete short game system: 42°, 46°, 50°, 54° & 58°. Going from the 42 and up, they replace your traditional 9, PW, GW, SW & LW. SCOR wedges are forged and their unique v-sole design works amazingly well in all conditions. However, they have taken a real beating from heavy use and need to be replaced. Enter Ben Hogan Golf. SCOR’s founder Terry Koehler acquired the rights to Ben Hogan golf equipment and re-launched the brand with his already proven TK15 Wedges and the new Fort Worth 15 irons. The result is a gorgeous set of forged blades and wedges that perform on par with any of the best irons in golf. They are also much more forgiving and easy to hit than you might think for a blade. The TK15 wedges will soon be replacing the aging SCOR wedges in my bag.

    I love my Hopkins 60° custom grind wedge. The Channel Grind basically gives me two wedges. With the face square it has very low bounce, making it perfect for fairway shots and tight lies. With the face open it has high bounce for deep rough and sand. This wedge has made me look like a much better bunker player than I am, so it’ll be very hard to replace it. The new Callaway Mac Daddy PM Grind wedge might just do that, however. Designed with heavy input from Phil Mickelson, this wedge has grooves all the way to the edges of the face and a very high toe to help with shots from the deep rough, along with a similar channel-type grind on the sole. My early testing so far has been very promising.

    I’ll try to post another WITB early next year so we can see what’s changed and if my predictions for new gamers comes true. Until then, keep it in the short grass!

  • 2015 WAGT National Championship

    2015 WAGT National Championship

    We’ve been out of touch for a little while, and that’s because I was out playing golf! I recently took a road trip to the Poconos in Northeast Pennsylvania for the 2015 World Amateur Golfers Tour (WAGT) National Championship.

    The National Championship

    Shawnee Inn White #7
    Shawnee Inn White #7

    The event was held at the historic Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, located on the banks of the Delaware River. This wonderful facility dates back to 1911 and features 27 holes designed by legendary golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast who’s design career started at Shawnee Inn. The three nines were his first course designs in a list of courses that includes Baltusrol, Bethpage Black, Winged Foot, Newport CC and many more. His designs have hosted over a dozen major championships.

    What’s Next?

    The World Amateur Golfers Tour was founded in 1995 by Sven Tumba, a Swedish ice-hockey and soccer star, as well as avid golfer. The tour has expanded to 40 countries and is the world’s largest amateur golf championship.

    National championships are held in all participating countries in a handicapped, flighted stroke play format. Winners from each flight are automatically qualified to represent their country at the World Championships. This year, the World Championships will be contested in Turkey at the Gloria Golf Resort in Belek, Antalya. Participants from all over the world will be competing against golfers of similar ability for the big prize.

    Players are broken down into flights based on handicap. The flights are: 0 – 5.4, 5.5 – 10.4, 10.5 – 15.4, 15.5 – 20.4 and 20.5 – 25.4. This year’s tournament format is 54 holes of stroke play. There are three days of practice rounds also in which players will compete in three separate one-day stableford games.

    Tournament Summary

    I was fortunate enough to advance out of qualifying at Mission Inn Resort in Florida back in May with an even par 72. That got me in to the National championship. I drove up to Shawnee Inn on Tuesday and arrived Wednesday morning. I jumped out of the car and almost immediately onto the first tee for a practice round on the white/blue course. In perhaps a sign of things to come, I made a hole-in-one on the 186 yard par 3 fourth hole.

    Shawnee Inn White Course Scorecard

    The tournament started at 7:20am Thursday morning on Shawnee Inn’s Red/Blue course in some light fog and 50 degree temperatures. I went into the event with a +2 handicap. I knew I would have to play well giving 2 extra shots to everyone in my flight. I was honored to hit the first shot of the tournament, and promptly pushed a three-wood into the right rough. The course was challenging due to the cold temperatures, wet rough and tournament pins tucked into corners and behind bunkers, but I managed to make a few birdies and shot 74 to start.

    The second round was played at a great Jack Nicklaus design called Great Bear Golf Club. The course is expertly laid out to make good use of natural landscape and elevation, and the design was a real joy to play. I struggled mightily with the putter to start, with bogeys on three of the first four, but rallied with a birdie on number seven for an opening nine score of 38. I again struggled on the back nine with four consecutive bogeys before coming back to birdie three of the final four holes to post another 74. I took 35 putts in round two.

    That evening I put in about 90 minutes of work on the putting green to get the flat stick going again. The extra practice paid off. The final round was contested on the Shawnee Inn white/blue course and I opened with three birdies in the first six holes to jump ahead of my competitors. Going into the 16th hole I had no idea where I stood, but the change in mood from one of my adversaries told me it was close, as he was starting to take more time, take deep breaths and seemed more on edge.

    We both played shaky golf on the final three holes. I made three bogies to finish with a third consecutive 74 (net 76) while he made two bogeys and a double. Had the competition been a gross stroke play event I would have won by 22 shots, but handicaps have a way of evening the playing field, and that certainly was the case this week. The double bogey on the 17th hole turned out to be the difference as I won by a single shot (net). I posted 10 birdies for the week despite my struggles on the greens, so I’m optimistic I can get it going on time for the world championships!

    Team USA

    WAGT Team USA 2015
    WAGT Team USA 2015

    As the national champion in flight 1, I’ll join my fellow champions in flights 2-5 for the world championships in Turkey. There are also several other tour members joining us oversees for the WAGT Invitational Tournament. As part of Team USA we will each receive airfare, hotel, food & drink as well as being dressed head to toe and getting a custom Team USA staff bag. I’ll be posting updates, photos and blog entries during the week while in Turkey.

    Get Involved!

    To get more information about the WAGT and to participate for a chance to represent your country, go to http://www.wgatusa.com/ in the US, or http://worldgolfers.com/ for information on international tours in your country. Maybe we’ll be teeing it up together next year!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUavXB4OFEQ

  • 4 Fairway Woods You Need To Try

    Whenever a new driver comes out on the market, people want to get it in their hands and try it. The driver is sexy. Despite the fact that you can’t hit more than about 14 drives on a normal golf course, many golfers spend an inordinate amount of time hitting driver on the practice tee. But what about those oft-ignored fairway woods?

    Many golfers hit their three wood almost as far as their driver, with greater accuracy. Modern technology means fairway woods hit the ball further than they ever have. While there are many great fairway wood options on the market, here are a few that I have hit and think are worth a look if you are in the market for a new three, four or five wood.

    Ping G30

    Ping G30 FairwaysIf you are a fan of this site you already know what I think of the Ping G30 driver. Not only do I like it, but many more people do too. In fact, since the G30 arrived last July it’s the best selling driver in golf. In June 2015, 62% more G30 driver units were sold than the next closest driver model. It’s that good. Naturally you could assume that the G30 fairways are just as good, and they are. Available in 14.5, 18 and 21 degree lofts, the Ping G30 fairways are a perfect compliment to the best driver in golf. Street price: $249

    Exotics E8, E8 beta & E8 Tour

    Exotics E8 TourTour Edge’s legendary Exotics brand has built the hottest fairway woods on the market for several years, and while the premium price may scare away some people, their quality and performance is unquestioned. The latest Exotics E8 line is more affordable than ever without giving up anything in the way of performance and quality. The E8 model has the most forgiveness, the E8 beta model has a slightly smaller head and lower ball flight, and the E8 Tour has the smallest head and offers the most workability and control, along with an adjustable hosel. If you think your fairway woods are long, you need to hit the Exotics. After hitting just a few balls on the range, I put the Exotics E8 Tour in my bag for a tournament without any further testing, and won. It has stayed in the bag since and is now my “gamer” three wood. The small head, clean lines and exceptional performance inspired instant confidence for me, and they’ll do the same for you. Street price: $249 – $399 depending on model.

    Nike Vapor Speed & Vapor Flex

    Nike Vapor Flex I remember when Nike Golf started, riding the wave of Tiger Woods’ success. It has been many years and Nike Golf has gotten better and better in that time. While some of their radical designs are polarizing to some, I like that they are willing to take chances with innovative ideas. Their latest fairway wood offerings are the Vapor Speed and Vapor Flex models. Both models offer high launch and low spin with just the right amount of forgiveness. The Vapor Speed is not adjustable, while the Vapor Flex is. I tested the Vapor Speed model and came away impressed. The ball flight was high and straight with enough forgiveness for most golfers. If you are a Nike loyalist, you can’t go wrong with these sharp looking fairway woods. Add tons of custom shaft options and you are sure to find what you need. Street price: $249

    Srixon Z355

    Srixon Z355 FaorwaySrixon Golf has enjoyed a resurgence in the United States this season. The brand is well established as a market leader in Asia , UK and Europe but has only just started to gain traction in the US following the success of their popular Z-Star and Q-Star golf balls. The latest fairway woods from the Japanese brand is the Z355. Available in four lofts (15, 17, 19, 22) and featuring Action Mass Technology, these fairways use more weight in the head combined with an ultra-high balance point shaft to help increase ball speeds and more consistency and stability. Street price: $229 (Available 9/18/2015)

    Fairway woods aren’t as sexy as the driver, but everyone has them and many hit them as far a their driver, so why not upgrade to the latest tech? It also helps that fairway woods aren’t as expensive as the driver they go with. Give one of these fairways a try and you won’t be disappointed.

     

  • Ping Introduces New Clubs

    PING GMax cavityPing Golf is one of those companies that takes their sweet time to launch new products, usually on a two year development cycle. Ping also benefits from one of the most loyal customer bases in the industry, and for good reason. They make quality golf clubs that perform well, and they take care of their customers. People that buy Ping golf clubs tend to stick with them for the long haul. I know a few people that still hit their Eye2 and ISI irons.

    Ping has been on a roll for about a year, since introducing the G30 line of drivers, fairways and hybrids in July 2014. The G30 driver continues to be the best selling driver in golf, and their market share is impressive. In June 2015, 62% more G30 drivers were sold than the next closest driver model, and for the entire year (since January), they’ve sold 44% more drivers than any other. I’ve stated on several occasions that I think the Ping G30 driver is the best I’ve hit in over a decade.

    This summer, Ping is riding the momentum of the fantastic G30 line and introducing some new irons, wedges and putters. There are two new iron sets, called GMax and the “i” irons, a new Glide ES (Eye Sole) and two new putters in the Cadence TR line.

    GMax Irons

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    The new GMax iron introduces COR-Eye Technology, a revolutionary design that increases flexing across the entire face for faster ball speeds that produce unprecedented distance and forgiveness. The irons are squarely aimed at mid-to-high handicap golfers that want more distance and help getting the ball airborne. These clubs will fall in the “max game improvement” category.

    – Available 4-9, PW, UW, SW
    – Stock steel shaft: PING CFS Distance (Soft R, R, S, X)
    – Stock graphite shaft: PING CFS Graphite (65 Soft R, 70 R, 80 S)
    – After-market stock shaft options (no upcharge): Dynamic Gold S300, X100; Project X 5.0, 6.0; XP 95 (R, S), N.S. Pro Modus3 105 (S, X)
    – U.S. MSRP: $121.25 per club w/steel shaft; $ 136.25 per club w/graphite shaft

    i Irons

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    The new i iron, PING’s first model to utilize 431 stainless steel, is a softer players-style head that offers some workability and ball-flight control with forgiveness to help low-to-mid handicap golfers. The Ping i irons will be replacing the i25 irons in their lineup. Both new models are available with the stock Ping CFS Distance shaft, but you can also choose one of four popular after-market shafts with no upcharge.

    – Available 3-9, PW, UW
    – Stock steel shaft: PING CFS Distance (Soft R, R, S, X)
    – Stock graphite shaft: PING CFS Graphite (65 Soft R, 70 R, 80 S)
    – After-market stock shaft options (no upcharge): Dynamic Gold S300, X100; Project X 5.0, 6.0; XP 95 (R, S), N.S. Pro Modus3 105 (S, X)
    – U.S. MSRP: $135 per club w/steel shaft; $150 per club w/graphite shaft

    Glide ES Wedges

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    The new wedge is the Glide ES (eye sole) that combines technology of the original Eye2 sand wedge with the new Glide wedge design to add even more options to the Glide wedge line that already offers the Glide standard sole (SS), thin sole (TS), and wide sole (WS), creating 16 loft and sole combinations to suit a player’s style and adapt to the most common turf conditions.

    – Available in 56º, 58º, 60º
    – Dyla-wedge grip: ¾-inch longer, grip-down markings at 1 3/8″ intervals, softer tapering profile
    – Stock shafts: CFS Wedge (stiff flex, 118g); TFC 419i (Soft R, R, S)
    – U.S. MSRP: $140 w/steel shaft; $160 w/graphite shaft

    Cadence TR Putters

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    Ping’s market share in the putter segment may have dropped over the years, but that doesn’t mean they don’t make a good putter! They are still one of the best. The popular Cadence TR putter series grows with the addition of the Craz-e-r and Ketsch Mid models. The Craz-e-r, an evolution of the highly successful Craz-E design, is a high-MOI model with a sightline that extends from the top to the back of the putter. The Ketsch Mid, a smaller version of my personal favorite and award-winning Ketsch, provides golfers a fully machined, high-MOI mallet-style head with advanced alignment features. Both models are engineered with True Roll Technology grooves and are available in two weight options.

    – Traditional, 350g; Heavy, 375g
    – Straight, Slight Arc and Strong Arc stroke types
    – Adjustable +/- 2º from std. lie angle
    – U.S. MSRP: $245; Adjustable-length upcharge: $35

  • Hydro Flask – 3 Reasons Why You Need One

    Hydro Flask Standard 21ozHydration is not a sexy topic of discussion, but it is important nonetheless. Humans are about 65% water, and the experts seem to agree that an average person should be drinking about two liters (half a gallon) of water per day. It’s called the 8 x 8 rule. You need to drink eight ounces, eight times a day. During physical activity this amount goes up. Golf is no exception, especially when it’s hot outside. Forget about plastic bottles. The best way to stay hydrated is to get a good reusable water bottle like the one Hydro Flask makes. Mother nature will thank you. Here are 3 reasons why you should get a Hydro Flask:

    1. Durability – Hydro Flask is made from 18/8 (food grade) stainless steel and powder coated in several different colors. This thing is virtually bulletproof. Powder coating is an electrostatic process that is heat treated and much much tougher than paint, so you know it will last. If that doesn’t convince you, maybe the lifetime warranty will.
    2. Versatility – Hydro Flask comes in a wide, standard and narrow mouth configuration in over a dozen sizes from 12 ounces all the way up to 64 ounces. You can get 4 different lids to suit your needs, over 10 different color choices and color bands to fit around the bottle for added personalization.
    3. Function – The double wall stainless steel Hydro Flask is vacuum insulated, which means there is no air between the walls of the bottle. That also means it will keep liquids hot for up to 12 hours, and cold liquids will stay cold for up to 24 hours! To test this I filled to bottle with ice and water and left it on the kitchen counter overnight, and in the morning it was still full of ice. The Hydro Flask is also BPA Free, resists stains and odors and is hypoallergenic. Different lids allow you to customize your Hydro Flask depending on your needs. Wide mouths are great for ice and water, but a flip lid works best for coffee or other hot liquids.

    Hydro Flask Wide 32ozYou would think that there’s nothing really exciting about a water bottle, but Hydro Flask has made me a believer. When playing golf recently I filled the bottle with ice and Gatorade, and even though the black bottle was hot to the touch on the outside from being in the blazing sun, my drinks on the inside remained ice cold all day. The 21 oz standard mouth Hydro Flask is perfect for golf. The opening is big enough for ice cubes and the bottle fits perfectly in golf cart cup holders. From now on my Hydro Flask goes with me everywhere I go to play!

  • Callaway Mack Daddy PM-Grind Wedge

    Callaway Mack Daddy PM-Grind WedgesPhil Mickelson has a lot of influence in the design and construction of his clubs, and his relationship with Callaway has greatly benefitted them both. These days, Callaway has one of the hottest (and longest named) drivers on the market in the Big Bertha Alpha 815 Double Black Diamond. It also has possibly the best new golf ball on the planet in the Callaway Chrome Soft.

    Phil Mickelson’s influence has never been more apparent than in his feedback during the design of the new Mack Daddy PM-Grind wedges. According to Callaway, Phil gave his direct input to Callaway wedge maker Roger Cleveland on the design of these wedges. They have a unique shape and design that make it easier to hit aggressive shots out of deep rough, bunkers, on flops, and all the toughest shots that players face around the greens. 

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    The Mack Daddy PN-Grind wedges will be available in loft & bounce combinations of 56-13, 58-10, 60-10 and 64-10. Pricing starts at $129 and several custom shaft & grip options are available. The Mack Daddy PM-Grind wedges will be available starting May 15, 2015.

    PM Grind Evolution Graphic
    Click image to zoom

    Check out the 3D view of the new wedge below.