Golf Tips Magazine

And it's perfectly legal!

2010-10-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

James Lepp, founder and President of Kikkor Golf sent us his unique "Saucer Pass" tip today. It's the perfect golf/hockey hybrid shot that he claims will cure your chipping yips.

Check out the company's website if you want to see some more out of the box thinking. The Rickie Fowler generation has arrived.

2010-09-10T11:49:00.001-07:00

Paint the Bunker

2010-07-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

What's one of favorite recent tips? Here's one right here.

Way To Go Bubba!

2010-06-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Bubba Watson on his emotional victory at last week's Transitions Championship. Starting the day six shots back, Watson rallied to tie Corey Pavin and Scott Verplank. Watson won on the second playoff hole.

We featured Watson on the cover of our Golf Tips Annual late last year. Inside he wrote about how he generates his incredible length. (Watson currently leads the Tour in Driving Distance, averaging 305.9 yards per drive.) See his story here.

Jeff Ritter's Take on Tiger

2010-05-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

Senior GT Instruction Editor Jeff Ritter weighs in on what ails Tiger.

Erica Blasberg, 1984-2010

2010-05-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

We've just learned that LPGA Tour player Erica Blasberg passed away yesterday at her home in Henderson, NV. No details have been released.

Golf Tips readers will remember the 25 year-old from our 2009 Tips from the Tour issue.

Although I only met Erica once, she made a big impression on me. She was kind, enthusiastic and energetic. She brought us great ideas, but more than anything, her personality really shined through. She was quick to laugh and incredibly patient with all the laborious technical requirements that take place on a typical photo shoot. (If I recall she hadn't slept much the night before, having flown back from a tournament in Mexico.) Never once did she complain about the long day. She was a true professional.

It was easy to see why she'd won so much respect and adoration from fans. She won over one more that day.

We will sorely miss her.

Charlie Schroeder, Senior Editor

Straight Down the Middle

2010-03-04T09:24:00.000-08:00

It's self-promotion Thursday here at GT.

This week, we're proud to announce the release of Josh Karp's latest book, "Straight Down the Middle: Shivas Irons, Bagger Vance, and How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Golf Swing." Karp is Golf Tips' newest contributor, and the funnyman behind our "Please Explain" column. (We've given him the unenviable task of digging up obscure information about rules, statistics and popular golf swing theories, and somehow Karp manages to make them read like a Woody Allen sketch.)

In "Straight Down the Middle," the native Chicagoan travels the country seeking advice from non-traditional instructors (a guy who has a range set up in his basement, a yogi, a martial arts sensei...the list goes on) with the hope of lowering his handicap and quieting his demons. Does he manage to pull off his 2 for 1 special? Who cares? It's a rollicking road trip and Karp is just the kind of driver you want behind the wheel, although you may get into a few minor fender benders along the way.

Wear your seat belt and enjoy the trip.

Fix Your Slice

2009-12-02T12:19:00.001-08:00

Bubba Watson and His Wooden Stick

2009-10-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days we've gotten a real kick out of Bubba Watson's short, silly videos he's been posting to Twitter. If you haven't seen them, you're missing a very savvy lesson in branding.

You can also learn a thing or two.

Study the President's Cup Players

2009-10-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

[Editor's note: We've asked some of GT's instruction editors to share their thoughts with our audience. Steve Dahlby of Golf Club Scottsdale and Forest Highlands in Flagstaff, Arizona, was the first to take us up on the offer. Here's his first entry. Enjoy]

If you get the chance to watch some of the action at the President's Cup this week, take note of the variety of swings the players have. You will see many different techniques based on that players search for the best way for him to play his best golf. Some swings will be based on balance and timing while others will be based more on getting the club into certain positions. The thing these players have found is the best technique for them as individuals.

I truly believe there is no one way to swing the club but in studying all theories, a player can find his or her best technique.

One thing to take note of though, is that all the players, regardless of their styles, will have very consistent preshot routines to allow them the best chance to hit great shots. If a player changes his routine during a round, I believe they will struggle.

Enjoy the tournament and see if you can pick up something that can help you with your game. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at sdahlby@tgcscottsdale.com, http://www.swingmentors.com/ or the video tips section at Golf Tips Magazine.

Groovy Concerns...2

2009-09-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

Look...

I think it's safe to say the only ones who want to see any changes made to the shape and size of grooves on our irons (wedges in particular) are the folks at the USGA. Nonetheless, both equipment companies and most professional tours continue to both adopt and uphold the standards and rules that the USGA puts out, in return for the organization to act as both a governing body and an advocate for fair and equitable play, growth and so on as it pertains to game of golf.

Whatever. We get that.

We also get the actual groove changes, which for the pros take effect in 2010. Now, what may have been misleading and or under-reported up to know is the actual effect the new groove rule may end up having on the game of golf for everyone. You see, personally I find the USGA to be a pretty smart bunch (I don't always agree, though) and I sense they're using the groove changes as a means to create a rippling effect that will affect every club in the bag--including the golf ball.

Here's my logic--and yes--it's a simple one. If grooves become less sharp and wide, the ball will spin less around the green and out of the rough. This means some players may be forced to used softer-covered golf balls. Softer golf balls generally mean more spin, even with the driver, which then means the golf ball will both travel less and be more susceptible to wind and unwanted sidespin. This will in effect shorten drives, make hitting straight shots more difficult and so on.

All as a direct result of the new groove rules as they relate to our wedges.

Some have argued, "Nahh, the best players in the world will adjust and the rest of us won't even notice the difference." (As if there's only two types of players, THEM and US.) Others have conducted tests that analyze spin rates, launch angles etc., with hopes at proving or disproving the effects the new groove rules will have on both Tour players and well, everyone else. Really though, there's two sides to all of it, both saying different things. If you don't believe me, read the USGA's analysis (HERE) of the groove debate then head over to Titleist.com (HERE) and see what they say. They no-likey.

At this point, I'm willing to listen to both arguments, however I know tests can be swung any which way the wind blows. The real proof will come next year, as we watch players who have made careers out of their finesse around the greens either struggle or not, as well as watch big hitters and see how effectively they can hold the green after taking big swings from the rough. If I had to lean one way, I'd say Titleist is right about the groove changes aren't equitable across the board. Some players will be penalized way more than others. It's hard to deny that. And isn't the USGA all about helping make the game fair for everyone? Isn't that what handicaps are for?

In other words, time will tell the truth. Then again, it's possible tournament officials, who never want to see players shooting high numbers at their event (unless it's the US Open), will adjust the rough, green firmness, etc., so even with dulled grooves, players can hit the same types of shots they hit before the groove changes.

My point is, Tour players aside, I sense we all WILL notice a difference, no matter what the USGA says. Low handicappers especially. If anything, the new groove rules will make it tougher to take your game from low-handicapper to scratch (the toughest climb in all of golf, in my opinion).

And that's a darn shame.

Calling All Muni Sticks

2009-09-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hey Muni champ, think you have what it takes to compete against a Tour pro? A new reality show wants to pit you against a European Tour player in an oncourse showdown. Interested? Check out the press release below.

Golf television pilot being made for national syndication is looking for small town muni courses along with its best player for 18-hole challenge match. Player MUST have personality for TV with INTERESTING background. If interested, please submit a 2-minute video of golf course and personality to: lvgolfguru@earthlink.net

Golf course must be regulation 18-holes
Player must have a minimum handicap of 3 or less.

Please No.

2009-09-17T13:07:00.001-07:00

Is this really happening? Look, I'm all for creative uses of advertising. It keeps us in business, but slapping an rotating LCD screen on your golf bag is just too much. And not classy. And way too distracting. The company is called Pro Bag Ads, and well, you can look them up.

Put it this way. Judge Smails would NEVER approve.

Tiger Says Olympics Should Be Hosted on Public Golf Course

2009-09-10T11:03:00.001-07:00

Tiger Says Olympics Should Be Hosted on Public Golf Course

Shared via AddThis

Groovy Concerns

2009-09-02T13:42:00.001-07:00

Still confused about the rules as far as grooves for 2010? Put simply, the PGA Tour (and other top-ranked professional tours) has to adopt the new groove rule, which means no more sharp edged grooves, not to mention grooves that are smaller in volume. In 2014, amateur competition (such as USGA events) will require the new groove standard.

As for regular handicapping rounds, you're free to use the current groove standard until 2024.

Now, we're befuddled by the weird dates and such just as you are, but that's it in a nutshell.

Make sense?

Why He's My New Favorite Player

2009-09-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

Not because he's a fellow Northwesterner. Not because I think he looks cool with a beard and dresses like a skater. I'm a Ryan Moore fan because of his willingness to forgo a lucrative endorsement deal in return for his personal freedom. He plays golf without the restraints that sometimes come with being rep'd by a major corporation.

Now, this doesn't mean I disparage those who do have sponsor labels on their left chest, hat, bag or so on. More power to them. If it were me, I'd probably sell out to Pepto Bismol and wear that putty-pink color every day, if the price was right. ($50 a day sounds like enough.) Actually, that's not a bad idea...Are you listening, Sergio?

But once in a while it's refreshing to see a player, who for whatever reason, dismisses the idea of endorsing someone else and instead hones in what matters most--his golf game. Crazy? A little. It's not exactly free money, since players often have to not only play certain golf clubs they are also required to partake in certain events, promo/advertisements etc., for their respective endorsement companies. Sometimes, the big chunk of money players make from sponsorship outweighs what's made on the golf course, and if they do become successful and win on tour, there are often sponsor rewards for that too. But that's not usually the case. Most guys have sponsors to offset the costs of living on the road.

Seeing Ryan Moore win a couple weeks ago reminded me of a time when golf was just golf. When golfers wore regular shirts, pants and so forth without the need to bankroll their time-shared corporate jets, twin sports cars (his and hers, of course) and McMansions in Florida and Arizona. You never saw Bobby Jones wearing a hat with a logo, did you? How about Palmer, Nicklaus? Sure, maybe later in their careers, but early on, endorsements were fulfilled off the course, not on it.

Guess it's just the way things are, with the advent of television came more endorsements which thankfully, hasn't spread to other professional sports jerseys (with exception to soccer) yet. God forbid the day comes when my favorite baseball team has a fat nasty logo on the front.

But anyway, I'm losing my chain of thought. Back to Ryan Moore. Golf.com estimated the lack of sponsorships/endorsements that Moore passed up was around $300,000. Whoa. That's a nice wad of cash.

Imagine how many skateboards Ryan Moore could buy with that.

Golf Channel....oy vey

2009-08-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate to work from home yesterday and couldn't help but watch some of Golf Channel's coverage of the PGA Championship. Or should I say, unfortunate?

Frank Nobilo is somewhat interesting and Kelly Tilghman is predictable but easy to listen to, but who in their right mind thinks Alex Miceli has the chops to comment on what it takes to win a major is beyond me.

No offense to Alex. I don't know him personally. He may be a great guy, decent writer and so forth. Then again, he does have a really annoying show on the Golf Channel that he shares with Andrew Magee, who at the very least has the experience on Tour and who can speak from having been there. Hmm, now that's a whole different topic. Magee deserves his own show.

Maybe it's just me, but I think Miceli, or any other keyboard stomper for the matter, has no business explaining to the golfing public what it takes to hunker down and win a major. Seriously. If anyone should comment on that, it should be someone who has won a major, played in a major or at the very least, a swing coach who has helped a player prepare or win a major.

Hey beat writers, including you Alex:

Do us a favor and report and don't offer advice. Ask some other players what they think it takes to win. Don't make your own assumptions. Puh-lease. It's driving us crazy. We have enough armchair quarterbacks already come Monday morning.

Golf in Olympics in 2016?

2009-08-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

It's looking more and more likely that golfers will be vying for gold medals in a few years.

Weird? Yeah, a little. But it could be fascinating to watch...

Click HERE for the scoop.

Square Your Core

2009-08-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

Watch this video from Dr. David Wright and you'll square your core in three minutes. Great for golfers and anyone with back pain:

What Do Phil Mickelson and Waffle House have in common?

2009-07-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

If all goes as planned, a lot. Phil is looking into buying a rather large Waffle House franchise for upwards of $20 million bucks.

I know, I know. Phil and waffles sounds like a deadly combination. I just can see it now... Phil wearing a Waffle house logo across his hat and pants the color of syrup. Nice...

Get the scoop right HERE.

An English Victory Coming Soon?

2009-07-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe it's been 17 years since an Englishman won the British Open. Not since Nick Faldo in 1992 has there been a native to take home the Claret Jug.

Hmmph...

Is Paul Casey poised to break the 17-year winless streak? For some perspective, read this article from PGA.com.

Get it HERE.

British Open Schwag

2009-07-10T13:55:00.001-07:00

Not everybody is going to make it to Turnberry for this year's British Open (Phil Mickelson included), but that doesn't mean you can't score some great golf gear representing golf's oldest and most historic golf event.

Check out the cool stuff HERE.

Kenny Perry Controversy

2009-05-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's not really a controversy, considering it happened months ago when Kenny Perry won the FBR Open in Phoenix. What's done is done, right?

Nevertheless, the debate carries in several golf talk forums, thanks to YouTube clips like this one.

Now, I see nothing wrong here. As long as the ball doesn't move when placing the club behind the ball to hit the shot--isn't that OK as far as the rules are concerned? Or, is all that patting down a sign of improving his lie? Can you see more ball after he pats the grass down than before he did it? Hmmm...

What do you think?

Golfsmith Buys MacGregor

2009-05-21T14:45:00.001-07:00

Looks like Golfsmith can add MacGregor to it's growing list of in-house brands.

Get the story HERE.

"Not Your Father's Golf Tournament...

2009-05-19T09:57:00.001-07:00

...or your mother's either."

That's the Puma Open's tag line, and judging by some of the videos that document last year's party, er, golf tournament, it's a fitting slogan. Hey would you expect anything less from one of golf's hippest apparel lines?

Last year, the 9-hole non-traditional scramble golf tournament visited 6 cities, this year they've bumped it up to 15. (It kicked off last weekend in Scottsdale. Click here for a full list of cities and dates.)

Highlights include trying to play one hole as fast as possible (finally somebody understands golf!) and a hole in which the only club you can use is a 7-iron (on second thought...). Post-round fun includes gaming tables and by the looks of things, drinking.

Cleverly crafted goatees highly recommended. Expect irreverence and a hell of a good time.

See Erica Blasberg in the July/August issue of Golf Tips. On newsstands June 30th.

A Hair (hare) beats a Tiger

2009-05-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

Sean O'Hair hung on to win to the Quail Hollow Championship (even with a couple late bogeys) and beat a field that included Tiger Woods.

Not that we editors know everything, well, we know a lot, but I've long believed that O'Hair is a player who really does have "the stuff." Psychologically he has some demons to slay (hopefully the Quail Hollow did the trick), and once his confidence catches up to his remarkable ability, the guy is going to win more tournaments and no doubt a few majors along the way.

Check out his awesome move right here.

Fairway Furloughs Military Golf Program

2009-04-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

Marriott Golf announced a program today that honors Armed Forces members.

Active, reserve and retired personnel can play 26 Marriott courses for just $29-$69 (after 3 p.m. any day of the week).

With greens fees like that you'd think the tee times were at your local muni. Nope. Participating courses include Kauai Lagoons (HI), Camelback Golf Club (Scottsdale) and Doral Golf Resort and Spa (Miami) among others.

For more information click here.

Tweet with Tour Pros

2009-04-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

Twitter is quickly changing the way we interact with friends, associates and even Tour pros. Stewart Cink is probably the PGA Tour's most avid "Tweeter." The last I looked he updated his status nine times in the last 24 hours.

What's on Cink's mind?

Golf, for one. Seven hours ago he wrote that "Hogan said a good shot feeling travels up the shaft, through the hands and into the heart." Never heard that, but I love it.

Technology too. "...iPod sealed in bag of rice to suck moisture out." Hmm...did Stewart drop his iPod in the drink at Hilton Head???

And hockey. "How 'bout those Atl Hawks tonight??"

LPGA star Morgan Pressel is also a twitaddict (I just made that up. Spread it around. Credit me.) She's currently in Mexico prepping for this week's Corona Championship.

What's on her mind?

Breakfast. "I ordered scrambled egg-whites wth cheese and I think there's more cheese than eggs..." Or as they say, Queso.

And her fledgling Spanish. "Unfortunately I didn't have time to brush up on my spanish. Hopefully my 5 years of classes had a lasting effect..." Something tells me they'll accommodate her.

And a little golf too. "I forgot just how hilly this golf course is. It's basically carved into the side of a mountain. Good track though." A great comment for those of us who watch golf on TV, because the camera always flattens out the undulation.

Whether you think Twitter is worthwhile or a waste of time, in the case of these two Tour pros, it provides unfiltered and easy access to their inner thoughts (Golf Pros! They're just like US!) and, if you're lucky, you might even be able to interact with them in an "inside the ropes" kind of way. (If they decide to follow you.)

We're not sure if Twitter is a trend or whether it's here to stay, but for the time being we've joined the club. You can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/golftipsmag. I can't promise we'll talk about our breakfast or our iPods--we're strickly golf here--but if you want to know a little more about our production schedule, upcoming photo shoots, newly posted videos and anything else Golf Tips related become our follower.

I'll take three of the shiny ones, please.

2009-04-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

Normally, I'd post information on products in the ol' Ready To Buy blog, but in the case of Tri-Mark Golf, I'm not exactly sure if most of our webveiwers would be ready to drop big bucks on what this company has in store.

In fact, I'm not even sure what the deal is with Tri-Mark as far as the company is concerned. I know they sponsor a celebrity event, but beyond that I'm not sure what's up. At first I thought the website had to be something of a farce or mockery, but again, I'm not sure. I don't know anyone who has actually bought something from there.

Anyway, Tri-Mark makes obscenely expensive ballmarkers. Yes, ballmarkers. The things you use to mark your ball on the green. And no, they don't cost $10, $50, $100, or even several hundred. Try nearly $10,000. Yeah. $10K for a ballmarker! The one in the photo is platinum with diamonds. (It's $9980.00 to be exact.)

For heaven's sake, man. A company making $10K ballmarkers ought to know they will be criticised for such a high price thingamajig, especially in the midst of this economic recovery. (Yes, it's recovering!) On one hand, I think it's ridiculous. On the other hand, I appreciate the audacity the company has in making it. On a third hand (if I had one), to each their own. Hey, if someone wants to blow $10K on a ballmarker go ahead. And to you who does buy it, what do you do, where do you live and can I have some of all that green stuff you seem willing to waste?

As for me, I'll stick with my current ballmarker. Not only is it $9979.99 cheaper, it works just fine and I can wear my ratty shorts with holes in my pockets and not worry about losing it. If not a penny, I might use a piece of Trident gum (I've actually used one.) Or a dead bug. Or a piece of wood...

The craziness ensues HERE.

What Golf Sounds Like

2009-04-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

During Sunday's final round at Augusta National, television viewers and Masters patrons roared, gasped and even shed a tear as the final round unfolded. That's what professional golf sounds like in the middle of a major tournament.

But what does golf itself sound like?

Today we've posted two videos that begin to answer that question.

The first is from Dr. Robert Grober, Yale Professor of Applied Physics. I'm testing his invention, called Sonic Golf System-1, this evening here in LA and if sounds anything like it does in this video (recorded at this year's PGA Merchandise Show), it'll be the closest I've ever come to swinging a club and wielding (what sounds like) a lightsaber.

The Sonic Golf System may be the most fascinating (and most intelligent) example of auditory feedback to ever hit the training aid market.

In another video (posted below and provided by Mizuno Golf) Mizuno Golf's Golf Club R&D Manager, David Llewellyn, compares the sound of Mizuno's MP-67 and MP-52 irons to a few competitors forged and cast offerings. The MP-52, Llewellyn notes has a "longer and richer sound" than its competitors. After he strikes one of the clubheads and it makes a high pitched sound, Llewellyn says "that is the sound of feel." (All Mizuno's forged irons are "grain-flow forged.")

How does a richer sounding golf club help your game? According to Llewellyn, the better it sounds the more it provides "maximum feedback." Basically you can feel the ball on the face longer.

A whimsical footnote: at the end Llewellyn "plays" the clubheads like a percussionist in an orchestra. Those clubs sound great!

The Greatest Masters in Our Lifetime

2009-04-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

We're (of course) very excited to watch the Masters, but not as much as we used to be. Since the course alterations a few years ago, it's lost a lot of its excitement (especially on the back nine). With fewer birdie opportunities, Augusta National has played more like a U.S. Open setup than the birdie barrage that had become so commonplace there.

Speaking of birdies and exciting finishes, we found this video while sifting through some YouTube. Great to see the full footage and a young Jim Nantz calling the shots. Love Weiskopf's retort as well.

Goodness, that was a tournament we'll never forget...

A look at Shaft Clubfitting

2009-04-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

A few wise words on clubfitting from our friend and master club guru, Tom Wishon.

The Longest Par Three Ever

2009-04-03T11:59:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods And His Incredible Putting Stats

2009-03-31T08:41:00.000-07:00

54 of 54: From inside 5 feet. (100%)

63 of 66: From inside 10 feet (95.5%)

Statistically, when compared to the rest of the field from this range, Tiger had a 6.6 stroke advantage from within 10 feet of the hole.

This is outrageous. Incredible. Amazing. Compared to his play at Doral, where he clearly had a better ballstriking performance yet putted lousy (by his standards), his ballstriking wasn't great at Bay Hill and his putting was superb. It's almost as if his game totally flip-flopped, only this time he won.

Once again the stats prove that no matter how well you strike the ball, if you're making putts your scores will drop. It's that simple.

So get out there and practice your putting. Tiger does it all the time... Oh, and let's see you drop a Rubik's cube... What can't he do?

Crunch Time at GT

2009-03-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

It's officially the busiest time of the year for Golf Tips, that's why so few posts have gone up recently. We just sent our May issue to the printers last Friday and our 2009 Annual Equipment Buyer's Guide hits newsstands April 14th. We're currently working on our Faults and Fixes June issue, which will feature instruction stories from Tom Stickney and Jeff Ritter among others.

To tide you over, here's a video of Ritter's tremendous one-plane swing. Take this image with you to the golf course this weekend (if it's warm enough).

Best Swing on Tour?

2009-03-23T13:47:00.001-07:00

Did anybody else hear Johnny Miller comment on Stuart Appleby's swing this past Saturday? Miller said Appleby must have the best swing on Tour. Really? Better than Luke Donald, Trevor Immelman and Tiger?

Tell us who has the best swing on Tour.

Retief Goosen Wins.

2009-03-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

I'll bet he wins a major. Just a hunch.

NCAA BASKETBALL BRACKETS

2009-03-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

I know the NCAA Basketball tourney has already started (I'm 20 for 24 so far in my bracket. Beat that...) but it's Friday and well, I digress.

Our friends over at PGATOUR.com also are fans of March bracketology, going as far as rounding up the brackets from a big handful of PGA Tour players. And of all of them, not one picked the same Championship winner as I did (Go Sooners!). Hmm, either these guys spend way too much time on the golf course to know what they're talking about, or I know nothing about NCAA hoops.

I'm going to go with the latter. I don't know a whole lot. To check out your favorite PGA Tour players brackets, click on the word "OKLAHOMA." Hee hee...

Los Cabos Deal

2009-03-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort & Spa, Los Cabos just announced a pretty decent golf package.

For $279 per room/per night you can stay in one of their deluxe rooms, enjoy buffet breakfasts, welcome drinks, a 10% discount on either Cabo del Sol's Desert (Tom Weiskopf, architect) or Ocean (Jack Nicklaus, architect) courses and gain free access to the gym and sauna.

For more information click here.

Two Golf Courses Re-Open for Business!

2009-03-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

Over the past couple weeks a number of golf courses have shuttered their doors including Osprey Meadows which was named "America's Best New Course" in 2006 by Golf Digest. The tough Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course was part of the now-closed Tamarack Resort in Idaho. I played it a couple years ago and wrote about it in our May, 2008 issue. It was an apologetically difficult track and two hours from Boise, so it's not too surprising to hear that it didn't survive the economic downturn. Still, it's never fun to learn that a course that just opened is closing.

But the news for golf courses isn't all bad.

On Saturday Pine Lakes Country Club in Myrtle Beach re-opened after a $15 million renovation (look for a feature article in the May issue of Golf Tips).

And there's also word that the former Silver Course at Doral Golf Resort and Spa will reopen in May as The Jim McLean Signature Course at Doral. What changed? Widened fairways, enhanced water visuals and about 550 more yards.

Henrik Stenson in his Skivvies!!!

2009-03-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

Henrik Stenson really likes his clothes. I mean seriously, he doesn't want to get them dirty. Ever.

So what's a guy to do when he has a semi-playable lie in the mud? How about STRIP DOWN TO HIS UNDERWEAR during round one of the CA Championship?

Here I was, thinking I've seen it all. Wait, I mean I've seen too much. Whatever. By the way, he shot 3-under. He stripped down to HIS UNDERWEAR. Must be some sort of Euro thing...

Beware "Cheap" Masters Tickets

2009-03-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days I've received emails touting "once in a lifetime prices" to this year's Masters Tournament.

While the current economic malaise has certainly created a number of excellent bargains for golfers, I'm not sure 10-20% discounts over last year's prices qualify as "once in a lifetime." First of all, the stock market's down 50% and today it was reported that household net worth fell 18% in 2008, so anything that's discounted below 18% really isn't a discount at all.

StubHub sent an email that listed last year's prices and this year's current average prices. Let's consider the $3,377 "Competition Package." Last year the same package rang up for $3,930. While that may be $553 less than last year it's only a 14% discount, which, with household net worth down 18% (not to mention increased unemployment and less money overall being made this year) is actually an increase over last year's prices.

Enough Charles Barkley, Already

2009-03-12T13:28:00.000-07:00

I know, I contributed to the publicity machine that is Charles Barkley a few weeks ago right here on this blog, but enough is enough with Barkley and his horrible swing popping up during every 2.5 minute commercial break on the Golf Channel. I mean Golf Channel (no "the"). I don't want to get in trouble.

He's everywhere, including locked up for DUI in Arizona. (Is he out yet? I don't even know/care.) I do know he's one of the best basketball players ever, with more than 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists. He also spit on a guy. I don't dispute that. In fact, I'd rather see some of that instead of that atrocious (and suspiciously so) and also overexposed golf swing.

Maybe I'm fueling the fire, even with this post. But rest assured, you won't be seeing any "Cha Baahklaay" in our magazine. No, Sir. (Pun intended.)

Golf Tips on iTunes

2009-03-11T12:26:00.001-07:00

You mean you don't subscribe to Golf Tips on iTunes? We're there and growing! Subscribe now to watch our videos. (Here's a player you can embed anywhere, any time!)

Sergio Garcia Could Be Number One?

2009-03-11T11:01:00.001-07:00

This baffles us too. I mean, he's good and everything and hopefully once he cracks his "best player to never win a major" hurdle, he'll probably win more often. But Sergio as #1? Tiger Woods as #2? How in the world could this happen?

Click HERE for the story.

Click HERE for the Official World Rankings.

Follow Us On Twitter

2009-03-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

What's Twitter? Well, according to the Twitter people (do they call themselves Twits?) it "change(s) the way you think about staying in touch with friends and family."

And since you're reading this, we consider you to be a part of the Golf Tips family.

By signing up with Twitter, or by following Golf Tips' Twitter feed, you'll know what we're up to at all hours of the day. (Okay, we won't be updating it that much, but you get the picture.)

To visit our twitter feed click here:

Major Deal at St. Andrews

2009-03-09T09:21:00.000-07:00

Got your attention with that post title, eh?

The five-star Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa just announced a very sweet "Suite Golf" package that offers guaranteed tee times on the Old Course.

Why did we bold that last line? Because as Old Course Hotel Managing Director, Debbie Taylor puts it, "St. Andrews Links Trust traditionally runs a daily ballot for the highly-coveted tee times on the Old Course." This deal, however, guarantees tee times.

The three-night Suite Package includes stay in one of the hotel's 35 luxury suites overlooking the Old Course's famous Road Hole, one round on the Old Course, one on The Duke's Course and a round on either the New or Jubilee Course. It also includes dinner two nights in the Road Hole Grill and a 50-minute luxury spa treatment in the hotel's Kohler Waters Spa. The package rings up for £1,770 ($2,445) per person and is based on double occupancy.

For more information email reservations@oldcoursehotel.co.uk and mention booking reference HOMGLF or click here.

Our YouTube Channel

2009-03-06T15:16:00.000-08:00

What? You haven't heard about our YouTube channel? Come on over and see why billions (okay, millions) of golfers come to us for the best instruction and equipment reviews.

Play at Kingsmill and Save

2009-03-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

Great golf deals abound these days, which should come as no surprise.

At Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, VA, they're offering a $99 per person/per night deal when you stay Sunday-Wednesday.

That's a $30 discount and includes lodging, daily breakfast, one tee time per night of accommodations on any one of their three courses, cart fee, unlimited play on the Par 3 Bray Links course and a discounted round if you hit the links on the same day.

Now through March 22nd.

For more information click here or call (800) 832-5665.

Rory McIlroy-The Next Big Thing?

2009-03-05T11:44:00.000-08:00

According to Geoff Ogilvy, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy isn't just ridiculously talented, but could find himself near the top of the World Golf Rankings in a year's time. Ernie Els goes one step further and thinks McIlroy could be the next #1 and Trevor Immelman thinks the 19-year-old could find himself slipping on a green jacket this April.

Today, over at pgatour.com, they're covering his every move at the Honda Classic, which marks his first stroke play start on U.S. soil. McIlroy is quickly becoming a big media draw:

So far, the 19-year-old wide-eyed, bushy-haired teen hasn't disappointed. He won in Dubai, reached the quarterfinals last week and is 2 under through his first three holes today.

We don't care too much for hole by hole score keeping in the first round of a tournament. The Honda is, like most PGA Tour events, played over 72 holes and while it's nice to know that McIlroy is playing well, being 2 under through 3 doesn't mean anything come Sunday afternoon.

What we do like, however, is McIlroy's swing, which was captured by Donal Hughes of the Irish Examiner here:

The video shows McIlroy's swing from three different angles in three different speeds and I've watched it three times and still can't find a flaw. Can you?

With one European Tour win under his belt, a more technically sound swing than Tiger's was at his age and a top 20 World Golf Ranking, McIlroy's future success seems inevitable. But how far he'll go depends on his determination, mental fortitude and whether he'll continue to have the cut-throat competitiveness necessary to not only dethrone the greatest golfer ever, but a growing list of up and coming talent.

Time will tell.

In the meantime it's great to see how Woods' success has inspired a new generation of young golfers from around the globe (McIlroy, Anthony Kim, Danny Lee) who not only have technically sound golf swings, but promise to keep golf fans excited long past Tiger's prime.

Trick Shot Artistry

2009-03-05T09:56:00.000-08:00

If you can get through the first 45 seconds and the horrendous music, there are some incredible trick shots going on here. My favorite is the tennis serve.

An Open Letter To The USGA.

2009-03-04T08:10:00.000-08:00

Dear USGA,

The economic crisis has hit the golf industry harder than a Bubba Watson drive on a reachable dogleg par-4.

It's no mystery why the game is in a slump. The economic crisis has put a considerable strain on people's checkbooks, even among the middle-to-upper class earners who make up the bulk of the golfing public. Rounds are down. Equipment sales are down. Country club memberships are way down.

You know all of this. In fact, we often turn to you, the USGA, for information pertaining to such figures. But now it's time that we as a collective body of golfers, golf clubs, golf courses, clubmakers and so on, come together and call upon the USGA for assistance, not answers.

As golf's self-professed "governing body" here in the US, it's time for the USGA to step up to do what's needed to help ignite a new sense of fervor for the golf industry. It's time the USGA stops acting as a policeman for golf, but instead as a motivator for new innovations, new ideas and most importantly, as an organization to help foster new ways for the golf industry to sustain itself. We, the golfing public, aren't asking the USGA for a bailout. In fact, we aren't asking for anything. We don't think it's up to the USGA to solve the crisis that the golf industry is in.

Instead, we're asking you, the USGA to get out of the way and enable the golf industry to rebuild itself.

What the golf industry needs right now is analogous to what the country needs. We need our economic freedom back. We need new benchmarks. We need new objectives. We need a new window of opportunity. To summarize, we need a relaxation of the standards as they apply to the rules of club design. Yes, I dared to say it. .830 COR, 460CC, etc.--it's not enough. Let's hike the limits on COR to .900, clubhead volume to 480CC, and stop worrying so much about how far golf balls fly, spin or whatever.

If you really want to reinvigorate the golf club industry, free up the rules on design so equipment manufacturers have more room to innovate. Let club designers have more freedom in their designs. Let them help people hit the ball farther and straighter than ever. Let them make golf balls that make the game easier for everyone. It's my opinion that much of the recent innovations in golf club designs don't do a whole lot to enhance performance. Why? Simply put, equipment innovations have plateaued thanks to the limits you've imposed. We're running out of room to get better. Which, when added to an already difficult economic market to sell golf clubs, makes matters even worse.

Now, before you, and other purists/naysayers begin to debate whether looser club design rules will have a detrimental effect on the golf industry, maybe it's time you get your heads out of the sand and get real. Trust me, 18-handicappers won't become 4-handicappers overnight. But they might become 16-handicappers, which is enough incentive for them to go out and buy that new driver and head to the course and play. Tour pros might shoot lower scores, but since when is that a bad thing? I, for one, find it exciting to watch those guys bomb huge drives and mow down golf courses. I want to see more 59's just like baseball wanted to see more home runs during the Great Depression. The whole idea that the game of golf is already too easy, and any loosening of the rules will hurt golf is just plain ridiculous. It's a power ploy, and we're catching on. Besides, with the current economic situation affecting so many golf club companies, can we really argue against anything that might kick start the golf economy once again?

Instead of imposing new rules, the USGA ought to loosen them. Let people fix spike marks. Let them use rangefinders. Increase the limit to 15 clubs. Do something to get the ball rolling.

The USGA has a powerful position in golf. They've put businesses in business and out of business. Their rules have been adopted across major professional tours, not just here in the US, but around the world (along with the R&A). We've entrusted their "Decisions" as though they know what's good for the game. We've paid our collective "taxes" more or less to fund them, and unless some changes are enacted to rebuild the golf industry, maybe we ought to re-evaluate the spheres of influence the USGA has. For instance, the PGA Tour doesn't have to adhere to the USGA. They can make their own rules. Who's to say they can't? The same goes for the rest of us. I'm not advising a mutiny on the governance of the USGA, but the possibilities for such an overthrow are growing. We just can't wait anymore.

So, USGA, do us all a favor and lead us down the right path. Free up some room for us to grow. You don't have to open the floodgates completely, instead open it just enough so we all have some more water to drink (so to speak.) Let the groove debate go away. Put ratings on equipment not restrictions. Let us decide what's conforming and what's not.

I think I've made my point. As for the rest of us, consider this an opportunity to contact the USGA yourself and encourage your colleagues to do the same thing. The golf industry will rebound at some point, but it's up to you to make it happen. Not the USGA.

Watch Ernie and Luke to Master Rhythm

2009-03-03T13:39:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, I played nine holes after work. It was the first time I've played since mid-December, so I expected to play like, well, crap.

But I didn't.

To my surprise I played very well. Strike that. Absurdly well. In fact it was one of the best ballstriking days I've ever had.

This shouldn't be the case after a long layoff. If anything, rhythm should be the hardest thing to get back.

So, why was I swinging as easy as, well, The Big Easy? Because I spent most of Friday afternoon watching the Ernie Els-Luke Donald match at the Accenture. They have two of the smoothest swings on Tour. The more I watched, the more I picked up both men's rhythm.

Simple as that.

Most of us are visual learners. We remember what we see more than what we read or hear. And watching those two hit the ball in balance, with great rhythm carried over when I played. The game never seemed easier.

With that in mind here are two real time swings from Els and Donald. Watch them, absorb their swings, picture yourself being them the next time you play.

Let us know if it works for you.

Geoff Ogilvy's Golf Swing

2009-03-02T09:10:00.001-08:00

Here's the swing of your 2009 Accenture Match Play Champion, Geoff Ogilvy:

Our quick, Monday morning analysis focuses on how the Aussie's physique dictates a more upright swing plane.

The PGA Tour media guide lists Ogilvy at 6'2" 180 pounds. He's lanky and tall, like Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh, two other golfers who, because of their height, stand closer to the ball and swing the club on a more upright plane.

Since golf clubs tend to have a standard length and lie, it's easy to imagine how different Ogilvy's posture and stance are, versus, say the 5'4" Ian Woosnam (who stands farther from the ball and swings on a flatter plane).

The takeaway? Fit your swing to players who have similar physiques.

Play Where the Players Play

2009-02-27T11:00:00.000-08:00

T-minus two months-ish until The Players Championship (May 4-10, Sergio Garcia defending champ).

To celebrate the tournament and its iconic venue, The Players Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass is offering a special "Play Where The Players Play" package.

It includes three nights accommodations at Sawgrass Golf Resort Spa, two rounds on the Stadium Course, two rounds on Dye's Valley Course, personal forecaddie and a one-hour lesson at the Tour Academy at TPC Sawgrass.

$329 per person/night from June 9th-August 21st, three night minimum stay required, based on double occupancy.

Click here to learn more or call (888) 421-8555.

As a footnote, we searched youtube for videos of Sawgrass' 17th hole (you know, the island green). There are three pages worth of personal experiences (including one poor guy playing through a monsoon). And while most of the swings are better left unseen, we did find one moment that's worth showing again and again. Expect someone else?

Is Scotty Cameron a copycat?

2009-02-27T08:34:00.000-08:00

We don't usually link our blog to other magazine blogs, but once in a while we think there's something worth checking out. Also, we're not snooty like that and we appreciate good reporting when we see it.

Golf Magazine's Dave Dusek recently reported on how Adam Scott asked Scotty Cameron to make him a mallet putter like the one he used to use as a kid.

So, what did S.C. do? Looks to us like he whipped up a putter that looks eerily like the Ram Zebra putter than was quite popular 10-15 years ago. (Yeah, you know the one.) It's a prototype model for now, but if he decides to mass produce it---hmmm. Curious to see how that would play out.

Check out the above photo of the Zebra, then follow the link below to see what Cameron made. Is he running out of ideas? You be the judge.

See it HERE.

Tim Clark Beats Tiger Woods 4&2 at the Accenture

2009-02-26T14:41:00.000-08:00

TV sets all over the world just went dark.

Here's the swing that took Woods down:

Oh My Mayakoba...

2009-02-26T08:07:00.000-08:00

While most of the golfing world has it's eyes fixated on Tiger playing in Arizona this week, do yourself a favor and check out what's going on south of the border at the spectacular Fairmont Mayakoba Resort in Playa Del Carmen (a 30-minute drive south of Cancun.) In case you didn't know, there's a PGA Tour event going on down there this week.

How do I know it's such a spectacular place? I was just there and few weeks ago, and had the privilege to test my golf skill (or lack thereof) on the challenging, yet fair, El Camaleon golf course. Needless to say, the course is a lot of fun to play but it's the scenery that will have you coming back for more. Great views from everywhere, a few holes along the ocean and some of the best manicured fairways and greens in all of Mexico. How can you beat that?

I know how. Add a 650+ acre, 400-room Fairmont resort to the mix, with all the trimmings you'd expect from a top-rated resort company. Great food, great amenities and most of all, great people to make your visit even more special.

Check it out HERE and start planning your vacation now.

Pro Tour Sponsor Deathwatch

2009-02-25T11:32:00.000-08:00

News today that Morgan Stanley will stay on as the sponsor of Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament, but that they will not be sending clients or executives because of the "environment." By this we assume they mean the economic climate and not climate change.

Late last month the Ginn Company, who at their peak, sponsored tournaments on all three tours, abruptly pulled the plug on all sponsorships. Their withdraw was so swift that PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw learned about the decision through a press release.

The "jokes" flying around our office today are about how Tour events should be sponsored by TARP. One thing is certain, every Tour will feel the effect of the downturn, especially once sponsorship contracts expire.

Will winners still pocket $1 million plus checks? Which tournaments won't, um, make the cut? What are your thoughts?

*Update, 3:33pm PST. This just in from Tom Petruno at the LA Times Money & Co. blog about the fallout after Northern Trust wined and dined clients last weekend. The article quotes Bloomberg News:

Wells Fargo & Co., recipient of $25 billion in government aid, is cutting spending on the Wachovia Championship golf tournament that starts in April amid criticism from U.S. lawmakers about banks' corporate expenses.

Wells Fargo, which acquired Wachovia Corp. in December, has a sponsorship contract with the PGA Tour through 2014, spokeswoman Mary Beth Navarro said in an e-mailed statement. The company is reducing costs, including some related to client entertainment, and hasn't determined the specifics, she said.

"This event helps us drive significant revenue for our businesses by building client relationships, but we are carefully evaluating all of our expenses given the economic environment," Navarro said. "We plan to reduce expenses as much as possible, while meeting our contract obligations."

Northern Trust, which received $1.6 billion in funding through the U.S. Troubled Asset Relief Program, was criticized by lawmakers yesterday for spending on clients and employees at a company-sponsored golf tournament this month.

U.S. Bancorp spokesman Steve Dale said that the Minneapolis-based bank is not renewing its sponsorship of a PGA tournament after this year. The final U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee will be held from July 13 through July 19, and the company will reduce "hospitality and entertainment aspects of the event," Dale said today in an interview.

Enough is Enough.

2009-02-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

I admit, I peruse blogs rather often and I do so to catch up on what's going on at PGA Tour events. We GT editors don't get out more than a few times a year to catch an event, so it's nice to catch a little "Johnny-on-the-spot" reporting that you can find on some blogs.

However.

I'll protect the blog of note since it's not the writer's fault, but I've seen my fare share of distracting ads on websites, none of which are so foul and grossly distracting as the image you see here. I mean, come on? Do you really expect me to click it and learn more? I don't know what the ad is advertising and I don't care. Oh, and I've seen this unsightly ad more than once. More than twice. Heck, I stopped counting at 7.

So do me a favor everybody, and let's keep these kinds of ads off our blogs. It's just plain gross. And hey, good thing our blog is ad free for the most part. And if you see an ad, I promise it'll be a golf ad, pertinent to the discussion.

Thanks. Now I'm going to go skip lunch and work out.

What We've Been Missing

2009-02-25T09:33:00.002-08:00

With Tiger on the sidelines for the past eight months, the PGA Tour, while still filled with watchable moments (Greg Norman's close call in the Open, Padraig Harrington's two major wins and The Ryder Cup to name a few) has functioned more like a 10-watt bulb hanging in an airplane hangar. There just hasn't been enough electricity to light up the joint.

If you've forgotten what it's like to have Tiger around, this video should jog your memory. Click to witness the mind-blowing putting clinic he put on at last year's Accenture Match Play when he came from 3 down with five to play to beat J.B. Holmes.

Remember GT readers, no matter how far you hit your driver, no matter how crisply your irons are struck, if you can't putt you're never going to score.

Brendan Jones vs. Tiger Woods

2009-02-24T10:53:00.000-08:00

Tiger returns tomorrow with a first round match against Brendan Jones at the Accenture Match Play Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Dove Mountain, Arizona. The 33-year-old Aussie said he was "overjoyed" when he heard he'd play Woods.

Click here to watch an interview with Jones and see clips of his swing.

During our research we scoured youtube looking for videos of Jones' swing, but all we could find was this...

...and something tells us it's not the same Brendan Jones. If it was a drum off, the 15-year-old Brendan Jones would take Tiger 9 & 8.

Phil Mickelson Holds On To Win The Northern Trust Open

2009-02-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

It wasn't a pretty final round, but Lefty got it done because he straightened out his driver and got his putter rolling when he needed it the most.

Phil Mickelson backwards shot

2009-02-23T08:44:00.000-08:00

I know, I know. We've all seen it before.

But this video features his best explanation on how he does it.

Friday Afternoon Golf Tips from the Northern Trust Open

2009-02-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

In our final batch of tips from this year's Northern Trust Open we take a look at one of the most mechanically sound players on Tour, a leftie who likes to dress loud and the Tour's most unorthodox swing.

First up, the mechanically sound 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman. There aren't many moving parts in his swing. It's compact, athletic and he finishes in balance.

Behind those elevee slacks (below) is the 2006 Valero Texas Open champ, Eric Axley.

We confess, it's not an angle used in golf magazines or websites to show proper positions, but there's still something to learn. Take a look at his right leg. See how "firm" it is on his follow-through and that it's basically in the same position in his backswing? If you sway off the ball, do what Axley's does. Keep your forward leg "solid" through impact and you'll impart proper rotation and prevent swaying.

And now for what golf.com's Alan Shipnuck calls one of "the most unorthodox swings in pro golf." We'll go one step further and say it's THE MOST UNORTHODOX SWING IN PRO GOLF. And to emphasize we'll put it in caps and bold it too.

As Shipnuck notes Singh's club is "laid off at the top...

... and [his] downswing [has] a pronounced outside-in swipe."

Yikes.

Look how little (if any) hip rotation there is. It's a total arm swing. Not surprisingly Singh doesn't hit the ball very far.

We're struggling to pull a lesson from these shots, so we'll just say sometimes no matter how fundamentally "bad" your swing is, with lots of practice and crazy good hand/eye coordination you can make it as a Tour pro.

Any thoughts on Singh's swing? Let us know.

Gallagher Who?

2009-02-20T09:39:00.000-08:00

Jamie Sadlowski can officially BOMB it.

He's Baaaack

2009-02-19T15:18:00.000-08:00

Tiger returns next week.

Do you think the PGA Tour needs him? This video might answer that question.

Become Our Fan on Facebook

2009-02-19T14:59:00.000-08:00

Golf Tips is now on Facebook. To become a fan click here.

More Golf Tips from the Northern Trust Open (with Vijay Singh)

2009-02-19T09:38:00.000-08:00

As promised, here are some more tips from Riviera Country Club's driving range.

Today we're devoting this space to the World's Number Four golfer, Vijay Singh.

Before we begin let's talk about what people know about Vijay:

He practices all the time.
He loves to give tips to his fellow pros.
He seriously guards against hitting the ball to the left.

Contrary to popular opinion, however, his driver is NOT six degrees open. More like one or two, which isn't uncommon on Tour. Where this six degree open thing came from, we don't know.

His bag looked like a Cleveland Demo Day. The HiBore XL was in there, the Monster, the Launcher. Singh won with the XL last year, but it looked as though he wasn't sure which driver would make it in his bag this week.

Vijay's swing is old school. It's long and fluid, which suits his 6' 2" frame. This helps him swing like water and extend:

Check out the following two photos:

The key lesson here is how Singh's follow-through mirrors his downswing (you'll also see his follow-through match his backswing when it's halfway back). His wrists are hinged in the first photo and a millisecond from doing that in the second photo.

Note how in the second photo his right arm is starting to rotate over his left? His right hand is, as Harvey Penick would say, "shaking hands with the target." If you have trouble squaring the clubface, you need to shake hands with the target.

Above we see Singh not only taking perfect divots on Riviera's driving range, but also in a perfect position halfway back. How do we know it's perfect? His clubshaft is bisecting his bicept. Now, run to a mirror and do this so you can set your club on plane.

Singh tees off today at 12:12pm PST.

More tips from the range tomorrow.

Natalie Gulbis...You're Fired?

2009-02-18T10:11:00.000-08:00

Looks like Natalie Gulbis will be battling wits (or something like that) on the next season on Celebrity Apprentice.

Before commenting, I think I'm just going to let this video set in. Yeah. That's a good idea.

Golf Tips at the Northern Trust Open

2009-02-18T09:47:00.000-08:00

What can you learn from a PGA Tour player's golf swing? A lot.

The Golf Tips staff was at the Northern Trust Open yesterday scouring Riviera Country Club's two driving ranges for great tips. We found them.

Here's 3-time winner Kirk Triplett just after impact. Note how his weight has shifted into his left side? His hips have cleared out of the way and his right heel is slightly off the ground. Many amateurs don't do this (they do what's called a "reverse pivot" where their weight falls back onto their right side and, as a result, swing mostly with their arms and slice across the ball).

Another good example of someone who clears their hips is Lucas Glover, although the more flexible 29 year old can keep his right foot planted at impact. Don't try this if you work a desk job.

Here's a down the line shot of Triplett. Take a look at how his club's shaft matches his right arm. Again, a lot of amateurs fail to stay "on plane" like Kirk. His extension here shows that he's kept the club going around his body on the follow-through. Try this at home in a mirror to ensure you're rotating the club properly.

Take a look at Stephen Ames, post-impact. Note how his hips have cleared out of the way and the club remains in front of his chest as he turns. Some people may look at this swing and say "see, you've got to keep your head down," we don't believe that's the best advice to pass onto golfers. All too often "keeping your head down" leads to poor weight shift. In fact better players like Annika Sorenstam and David Duval actually rotate their head toward the target as they approach impact. The key is to keep rotating to the left.

2002 PGA Champ Rich Beem isn't too proud to use a training aid on the range. Here he's trying to keep his legs together so he remains stable and doesn't move off the ball during his swing. Does anybody know the name of this training aid? We don't. Help!

Look for more snaps from Riv's range tomorrow.

The Science of Golf Ball Dimples

2009-02-12T10:18:00.000-08:00

This isn't breaking news, but we still thought it'd be of interest.

A team of engineers at Arizona State University and the University of Maryland have been studying how air flow affects a golf ball's speed and trajectory.

Nicholas Bakalar wrote about the experiments in the November 30th edition of the New York Times. He mentioned that among the many U.S.G.A. rules for a golf ball it...

...cannot weigh more than 1.620 ounces. It must fall, under its own weight, through a 1.680 ring gauge in fewer than 25 of 100 randomly selected positions at a room temperature from 71.6 to 75.2 degrees. It must be spherically symmetrical. Its initial velocity and its combined carry and roll must not exceed precise limits, and the ball must be tested using equipment specified by the U.S.G.A.

But, he continues, what the U.S.G.A. doesn't specify is

the size or number of dimples.
(emphasis added)

This completely opens up the door for improving a golf ball's aerodynamics and, hence, how far it flies. Up until now a golf ball's size, number and dimple arrangement has been, according to an article published on Science Daily, more

art than...science. For many years, sporting goods companies would design their dimple patterns by simple trial and error, testing prototype after prototype against one another.

The engineers' goal was

to make a better golf ball by optimizing the size and pattern of [the] dimples and lowering the drag golf balls encounter as they fly through the air.

According to the Times

a team of mechanical engineers has constructed a computer model of a golf ball's surface. The model simulates a golf ball moving through air [see video below], and allows the engineers to solve equations that describe air flow at more than a billion points across the ball's surface.

Which is no small feat

Running a typical simulation requires a supercomputer — the equivalent of more than 500 networked desktop computers running in parallel for more than 300 hours. The result is a vast amount of data about the local speed and pressure of the air around each dimple and around the ball.

What's this mean for the average golfer? Well, not much...yet. As Science Daily notes, "new designs are still years away," but with any luck the advances will add some extra yards to your drive or, more optimistically, according to ASU professor of mechanical engineering, Kyle Squires.

It's conceivable that we could design dimples that would lower the risk of a hook or a slice.

"Uneven," Tonight on Golf Channel

2009-02-11T14:24:00.000-08:00

Will it be must-see TV, or a bit "uneven?" Despite its compelling subject matter, early reviews are mixed for tonight's Golf Channel documentary, Uneven Fairways.

Inspired by Pete McDaniel's book, Uneven Lies, "Fairways" tells the stories of golf's Negro League, the United Golfers Association (UGA), where African-American's played while the PGA Tour was still segregated.

Over at the Orlando Sentinel Dave Darling says that

The documentary is another good reminder of how blacks struggled in this country for decades to achieve equality and how we sometimes take that struggle for granted.

But, unfortunately

it doesn't present much in the way of actual competition that took place on the UGA Tour.

Over at Golfweek, Marty Kaufmann addresses that very issue, noting that it

has an understandable dearth of archival footage.

(Suffice to say, the UGA wasn't on TV Saturday and Sunday afternoons.) Kaufmann also notes that

ironically, the documentary's momentum stalls on the few occasions when Tiger Woods comes on screen.

His presence, while perhaps obligatory, feels forced, interrupting the compelling memories of the men who actually were there.

At the Journal Sentinel Gary D'Amato learned

a lot about an era in which honor and fair play took a back seat to segregation.

Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, Uneven Fairways debuts tonight at 9 p.m ET.

Here's a related video of the legendary Charlie Sifford receiving an honorary degree from the University of St. Andrews:

And click here to listen to a radio story about Al Duhon, the second African-American to win a USGA title.

Go to Papago

2009-02-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

The recently renovated Papago Golf Course (5th hole, above) in Phoenix reopened a couple months ago and has never looked better according to (Travelin') Joe Passov over at golf.com.

The tired turf has been replaced, 30 bunkers have been added, the green sizes and contours have been restored, and the trees that obscured the views of Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak have been removed. With the addition of 300 yards to the tips, Papago now clocks in at an impressive 7,333 yards.
While it may never host a U.S. Open or Presidents Cup, there's already talk about other events. But all of that isn't really relevant, because Papago wasn't rescued for the pros, but for the people. The top rate here is $109 for visitors ($84 walking on weekdays and just $44 for locals). That's not a deal — it's a steal.

Here are a couple pictures of the 9th hole:

The 11th:

And 18:
All photos: Tony Roberts/Communication Links

AT&T Viewers: Thank Steve Wynn

2009-02-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

Over the years the AT&T has grown from a modest clambake in Rancho Sante Fe to its current format on the Monterey Peninsula, where 180 Tour pros are held at gunpoint and forced to endure six hour rounds of bad golf before one lucky player walks away with a check for $1,080,000 (and a much needed break from their amateur playing partners).

Many pros skip the AT&T because of the lengthy rounds, but this year the field is surprisingly strong with four of the world's top ten golfers (Padraig Harrington, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson and Kenny Perry) teeing it up. Also on hand are Jim Furyk, Davis Love III, Fred Couples and '09 winners, Nick Watney, Kenny Perry and Pat Perez.

Of course the AT&T is really all about the celebrities, and CBS' Saturday telecast is sure to keep the cameras trained on (Kenny G aside) their lackluster golf swings and the crowd-pleasing shenanigans of Bill Murray, Kevin James and George Lopez, etc.

The real golf comes on Sunday.

One notably absent celeb this year is Las Vegas impersonator Danny Gans, who, for the past two years, monopolized much of the Saturday telecasts with recycled SNL impersonations. We're not sure why CBS devoted so much airtime to Gans, possibly they're sadists, maybe they just really dug his imitation of Dana Carvey imitations. Whatever their motivation, watching Gans' ham it up taught us how to use our TiVo and guaranteed that the next time we're in Vegas we'll take in the American Superstars show before we'd see Gans.

Then again, we're not the high-rolling, Picasso-poking Steve Wynn, who, according to the Las Vegas Sun, lured Gans to his newest Vegas property, Encore, when his contract at the Mirage expired last April.

...Wynn has seen Gans' show 20 times.

Wynn drew up a list of favorite bits he wanted to see in the new show, but told Gans: "You can do new stuff too, whatever you want to do, but make sure you do this." Gans looked at the list and realized there wasn't any room for new material. "Steve, this is like an hour and a half of material. I can't do it."

So...expect to see more of the same if you see Gans' "new" show. Look on the bright side, at least it'll be in Las Vegas and not at this year's AT&T.

Tiger and Elin have another cub

2009-02-09T10:10:00.000-08:00

And his name is Charlie Axel Woods.

Earlier today Tiger announced the birth on his website, writing:

Elin and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our son, Charlie Axel Woods, who was born on Sunday February 8, 2009. Both Charlie and Elin are doing great and we want to thank everyone for their sincere best wishes and kind thoughts. Sam is very excited to be a big sister and we feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. I also want to thank our doctors, nurses and the hospital staff for their personal and professional care. We look forward to introducing Charlie to you at the appropriate time, and again thanks from all of us for your kindness and support.

From all of us at Golf Tips, congratulations Tiger and Elin.

Nick Watney Takes the Buick...

2009-02-09T10:03:00.001-08:00

...and with a swing like this it's easy to see why.

Make the Turn, March 8th

2009-02-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

GT Senior Instruction Editor Jeff Ritter, gold medal Olympic swimmer and Certified Holistic Nutrition Specialist Anita Nall Richesson and International Coaching & Training Institute founder Austin Vickers have joined forces for a one day "physical and mental strategy" workshop at the ASU Karsten Golf Course in Tempe, Arizona.

Taking place on Sunday, March 8th, the workshop, called "Making the Turn" promises to not only pass along physical and mental strategies, but also a personal golf game improvement plan, nutritional plan and a strength, flexibility and injury prevention routine. (A round of golf at ASU Karsten is included in the price as well.)

Cost is $950 per person.

To register, call 480.491.5591. For more info visit Jeff's website or send him an email at jritter5@cox.net.

Some things never get old...

2009-02-04T14:09:00.000-08:00

If you swing like this, why even bother?

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Take note Charles, the best golfer ever has your swing down pat.

Free Golf!

2009-02-04T10:29:00.000-08:00

If you've ever wanted to be the first golfer to tee it up on a new (or in this case renovated) golf course, here's your chance.

Pine Lakes Country Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C. is reopening on Saturday, March 14th after a 20 month, $10 million renovation, and to mark the occasion they're holding a sweepstakes--with a few perks, to say the least.

The prize includes an invitation to attend Pine Lakes grand opening ceremony, the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony, four nights accommodations at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, a round of golf at Myrtlewood Golf Club and video swing analysis from a Grande Dunes Golf Academy instructor. Oh, and of course, the first tee time for you and three friends at Pine Lakes. (If you win, play fast. A lot of people will be on your tail.)

Register here anytime before February 16th. Winner will be announced the next day.

Good luck!

What will be the most talked about international golf venue for the next 18 months?

2009-02-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Ireland? Scotland?

Nope, for the next 18 months the most talked about international golf destination is sure to be Wales.

Wales?

Yes, Wales.

Cymru (its Welsh name) might be small (population 3 million) but it's big when it comes to golf. There are 189 golf courses in an area slightly smaller than New Jersey and 22 of them are the highly desirable links courses, like Royal Porthcawl.

Although not one of those links courses, the "2010" course at Celtic Manor Resort will host next year's Ryder Cup. Nine new holes designed by Ross McMurray join a pre-existing (and heavily renovated) nine designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Together the two nines form the first course built specifically to host the Ryder Cup.

At last week's PGA Merchandise Show, the media was treated to a presentation that detailed the extraordinary lengths Celtic Manor went to build the course. (In some cases they had to literally move mountains.) That kind of earth moving makes it sound more like an American venture than one in the British Isles, but we're happy to report that none of the photographs we saw resemble a Pete Dye course on acid.

Suffice to say, the Welsh are excited to play host. How excited? Check out Celtic Manor's website. There's a clock counting down the days. Only 604 to go.

In the meantime, here's a commercial created by the Wales Tourism Board, starring 2006 European team captain and Welshman, Ian Woosnam.

Kauai Golf Deals

2009-02-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

Bad economy = great golf deals. Here are three on Hawaii's Garden Isle, Kauai.

1. "No Airlines Hassle Golf Package." $175 plus tax. 18 hole green fee, rental clubs, shoes and two sleeves of golf balls (no brand given on release). Kaua'i Lagoons Golf Club. (800) 634.6400.

2. Puakea Golf Course. $79 greens fee after 11:00am ($59 after 2:00pm). Call (866) 773.5554.

3. "2009 Tease for Two Package" at Princeville. Call for details (800) 826.1105. (Basically you can play golf and go to the spa for $275.)

For more information about Kauai click here.

PGA Merchandise Show Day One

2009-01-29T18:28:00.000-08:00

Photos (and a little bit of text) from Day One of the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show:

Ashworth (recently purchased by Adidas) has a new line that's made from "High Def Cotton." What's that? Classic looking shirts/shorts with modern day materials. Here's what they look like:
Sunice (also part of the Ashworth deal) has a pretty cool feature on their Typhoon and Hurricane pants. It's an exterior club wipe near the cuff. Perfect for those wet days when you want to remove grass and mud from your clubface:

The Typhoon jacket features a removable ball wipe that tucks inside the jacket pocket. Clever, eh?
Adidas' fall '09 (I know, we're in winter, but consider this your sneak peek) collection is all about "three stripes." You'll see Sergio wear this on Tour this year.

And "Formotion," which is 95% Coolmax, 5% Lyrca. It also fits closer to your body (there's four inches less through the chest). When you see it on a hanger, it'll look kinda strange. Why? Less fabric.
Speaking of Adidas, their eyewear guru, Rocky Fresh showed me a few other Kundo models (we feature one in our Buyer's Guide, due out in early March):

And the women's Adilibria half rim shades. They come with a full custom tri-fit temple and a double snap nose bridge (SPX, not traction grip because that gets caught in women's hair and absorbs cosmetics).

There's the University Stand Bag ($125). It's small, lightweight (less than 4 lbs) and virtually indestructible.
And the Prevail cart bag ($149)...

...that can withstand an Adidas rep jumping up and down on it:

Now that's durable!

Not to mention the aG stand bag, which is a version of Sergio's tour bag. Here are the two side by side:
I never knew that the eighteen dots in Puma's golf logo represented 18 holes. Duh.

Regardless, their new duds are sure to be a hit with the hip, young golfer kids and the post J. Lindenberg crowd.
Probably the only clothes that you can wear on the course and at the club.

And who can argue with the blackjack table they had set up inside their showroom?

Sun Mountain is introducing their Micro Cart ($239) this March. It comes in four colors and features a cup, tee and ball holder.

The four-wheeler weighs just 13 pounds and folds down into 52 cubic inches

Sun Mt. also has a new stand bag, the 4.5 lb "four 5." Get it? Four. Five. If you don't, here's a blurry photo to help, um, clarify:

Cleveland Golf may have lost the Fidra brand, but that doesn't mean they're out of apparel. New this year is the Cleveland Classics line.

What's the coolest part? They're made from recycled water bottles. (Well, at least 37% of it is.) Here's another blurry photo that shows a couple of their new offerings. Next year, I'm bringing a tripod.
Other sightings at the show include Cleveland's CG14 camo wedge...

...and a camouflaged Boo Weekley

Ecco's new kicks
And the coolest electric car I've ever seen:

2009 PGA Merchandise Show Demo Day Photos

2009-01-28T14:17:00.000-08:00

On a windy day that, at times, seemed a good gust away from a downpour, thousands of manufacturers, buyers and media members converged on Orange County National's 360 degree driving range to check out golf's latest products. Not surprisingly, most of the talk centered on the current economic downturn and its impact on the golf industry. Let's put it this way, one manufacturer said "Everyone's feeling it, and if they say they aren't, they're lying." (Only one company said business was "as usual," and we actually believed him.)

One of the best things about demo day is that we get to see things that somehow have slipped under our radar. Like this go-go gadget push cart, the Clicgear model 2.0. Look how small it is when folded up!:

The 2.0 model features a hand-brake, umbrella holder, beverage holder, airless tires and some nifty accessories (ad ons) including a sand bottle, GPS holder, mittens for cold days...

...and a shoe brush

There are two putting greens on the outer perimeter of the OCNGC range. That's where we stumbled upon the full lineup of Mizuno's BC (Black Carbon series). They're now up to 7 models.

And Rife's newest offerings.

Look for the newest Rife putter to roll into stores this April. It's called the IMO (as in "Inline Momentum") and was used last week by Jesper Parnevik when he coasted to a 61 at the Hope. 85% of the weight is directly behind the ball, but the best thing may be its recession-friendly price: $149.

There was a long line to test Nike's newest sticks, including the Victory Red irons. Rather than taking a number, we geeked out on the disembodied clubheads.

For those of us who've been to Asia, we know the most prestigious golf clubs are made by the Japanese manufacturer, Honma. (I once saw a set in Hong Kong that rang up for $40k. And, no, that's not a mis-print. If memory serves they were gold-plated.)

One of their lines is called Beres.

Here's an interesting training aid from Momentus. They're called, appropriately enough, Forearm Swing Weights and tip the scales at 3 lbs. By the look on this gentleman's face, they seem to have worked.

After using those weights for a couple weeks, you can probably hit it as far as this guy:

Even grips have their own place on the range. Check out this rainbow of flavors from Winn

And Golf Pride. Note the subtle "Vyne" the creeps down the grip.

UST has officially changed their name to UST Mamiya. Mamiya has owned UST for some time and representatives told Golf Tips the name change will help consolidate operations in Japan and Fort Worth.

We're not sure what this is, but we like it. According to a recent press release it's "a unique, asymmetrical UV golf umbrella" called "Mibrella."

It's all about transportation at the Demo Day. Whether you take a shuttle or park your car a mile away and hoof it. Unfortunately these vehicles weren't available to us.

Speaking of PING, they're currently celebrating their 50th anniversary. Congratulations!

PGA Merchandise Show Demo Day-Tomorrow!

2009-01-27T05:30:00.000-08:00

Today's a travel day for the GT crew, but expect to see some photos from tomorrow's PGA Merchandise Show Demo Day late Wednesday. We'll bring you snaps of the latest, coolest golf equipment for 2009.

Golf Club Review: Exotics XCG V 3-Wood

2009-01-26T09:22:00.000-08:00

Want to learn about the new Exotics XCG V 3-Wood from Tour Edge? Then check out our review below:

Club Review: Titleist 909D2 (and others)

2009-01-23T10:04:00.000-08:00

Although this review focuses mainly on Titleist's new 909D2 driver, we also touch on the two other drivers in the 909 series, the 909D3 and 909DComp. At 1:00 we compare its sound to two of its competitors. Tell us who you think they are.

Spot On Review: Nickent Pipe Dream

2009-01-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

Check out the all new Pipe Dream with senior editor, Ryan Noll.

Lyon, France: Golf And Gourmet in the Rhone/Alpes Region

2009-01-22T10:40:00.000-08:00

When your magazine's art director gets to play more (and better) golf than you do, it makes you think you're in the wrong line of work.

GT's art director, Warren Keating, recently spent a week in Lyon, France and its surroundings playing golf on what he reports are "breathtakingly natural," "picturesque" and "pristine" courses. We admire Keating for keeping his focus throughout his tour. The longtime GT employee moonlights as a painter and we're sure he was tempted to trade his driver for a paintbrush on a hole or two. Instead he brings us this detailed account:

A couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate to be included in a group of journalists that were invited to visit the Rhone/Alpes Region to review/photograph some of their golf courses. It was a short trip, Sunday to Wednesday, but the P.R. people made sure that we experienced a lot of gourmet food, great golf and some of the culture of the villages and towns of this incredibly charming region.

Golf in France is one of the best-kept secrets in Europe. While most Americans think of Scotland or Ireland as the ultimate destination for golf in Europe, Northern Europeans have already discovered that the courses in France are beautifully natural, moderately priced and the weather and culture can't be beat. The Rhone/Alpes region is home to the "real France," with old castles and villages surrounding the Rhone, dotting the hills of the Ardeche Mountains, a region inhabited by unbelievably friendly people. This is truffle and wine country, so the food and drink found here at the 19th holes is superb. We were able to have a meal at the fabulous gourmet restaurant, Michel Chabran, feasting on delicately prepared courses of regional cuisine and sampling Rhone Valley wines. During the trip, I made friends with an Irish and a German journalist, and we did our part to empty the casks of local wines, each night...and into the morning.

La Valdaine Motelimar Golf Club was our first stop. It's an unassuming, but interesting layout, situated at the foot of the Castle of Monard which houses 35 rooms and serves as three-star accommodations for visiting golfers. From December to March, the site hosts very successful truffle and golf weekends, and, in May, the course hosts the Pro Am des Nougats d'Or.

The course is the most southerly in the Rhone Alps region and meanders through plenty of natural water hazards and a beautiful river that runs through several of the holes. With slight elevation changes and mature trees, this course is a wonderfully natural experience, although often tempered by mountain winds. The Par 71, 6139 yards course, designed by Tom Macauley, is playable by all, no matter the handicap. Number 9 is the most challenging hole with a 200-yard carry over water off the tee, followed by another long iron over the lake into the green.

The next day we played at Domain de Saint Clair Annonay, located on the grounds of an 18th century castle. Nestle between the Ardeche Mountains and the Rhone Valley, the course is breathtakingly natural and features panoramic views on 172 acres of countryside, framed by century-old trees. A sense of peace and solitude exude from this tract, which plays at 6328 yards, Par 72. The adjoining hotel is a swanky, but affordable three star hotel that feels much more like a four star, complete with gourmet restaurant.

Our last stop was the Golf Club of Albon Senaud, meandering through hills around the majestic castle of Senaud. 296 acres of elevation changes, streams and lakes make each hole entirely unique. From the first tee, you see a picturesque lake, protecting the pristine green whis is framed by the majestic castle of Senaud, and you know that you're in for a treat. A creek meanders through the back nine, providing a peaceful, although challenging, character to your finish. Built in 1990, the course has somehow developed a mature feel.

For more information about the Rhone/Alpes region, click here.

Presidents and Golf

2009-01-20T15:04:00.000-08:00

On this historic day, I thought I'd comb through YouTube and post some videos of our Presidents' golf swings. To my surprise, there's not much to see. President George W. Bush famously announced that he'd given up the game in 2003 this past May, and video and YouTube hadn't really permeated our everyday lives before him. That said, there is this video of President George H.W. Bush hitting a few shots (including a shank at 1:34) in this piece by a local Maine news program:

And, of course, there's a video of President Obama, warming up on the range while on vacation in Hawaii. (He dead chunks one at 2:40.)

Neither man's swing is anything to write home about and that's just how we like it at GT. It brings to mind the old adage, which I'll paraphrase: "If you can't break 80 you don't have any business being on the golf course and if you can break 80 you don't have any business."

We prefer our presidents to duff it around on the golf course and spend most of their time working.

The Ultimate Junior Golf Lesson

2009-01-16T13:15:00.000-08:00

If you're the parent of a junior golfer (or if you are a junior yourself) you know that golf instruction can sometimes get pretty complicated. It's Golf Tips' mission to take those complicated ideas and make them easy to digest. (I mean, really, the game is hard enough without bad instruction muddying it up.)

The Georgia-based instructor Clay Chappell has a similar philosophy, but whereas we target all age ranges, he specifically targets juniors. Chappell has worked with kids for years and knows exactly how to make the game fun to play and easy to learn. (He also founded the United States Junior Golf Association.)

Now Chappell's produced a DVD called "Clay Chappell's Ultimate Junior Golf Lesson." From the clips we've seen and the numerous lessons we've watched him give, we think his simple, clear message is something kids (not to mention a few adults) will benefit from.

For more information click here.

Here's a sneak peek:

Villa Premiere Hotel and Spa Golf Packages

2009-01-13T10:06:00.000-08:00

Villa Premiere Hotel and Spa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico announced their Tee it Up Golf Package earlier today and it's a good one.

Prices start at $299USD per person, per night (based on double occupancy) and includes 4-nights/5-days accommodations in an oceanfront room with jacuzzi, and one greens fee at Vista Vallarta (featuring a Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf course), Marina Vallarta and El Tigre Golf Clubs. Plus one 50-minute massage, all meals and beverages and a welcome glass of champagne.

Prices are valid for travel between April 20th and October 31st, 2009. ($320 from now until April 19th).

For more information click here or call (877) 886-9176.

Sweet Golf Deals (in California)

2009-01-12T12:00:00.000-08:00

Recessions aren't fun, but they do have an upside: discounted greens fees and package deals.

Tustin Ranch Golf Club in Orange County, California, is celebrating their 20th anniversary with 1989-priced greens fees. From Monday to Thursday in January and February, club members and their guests pay $45 each (general public pays $65). Rates don't include a $10 cart fee, but that's still a steep discount (weekday general public greens fees are $110).

On Sundays, brunch is just $19 and green fees ring up for $89 (with cart). Call 714.734.2111 or click here for more info.

Up the coast, on the Monterey Peninsula, the newly renovated Bayonet Black Horse course has packages with Sanctuary Beach Resort (877.944.3863), Casa Munras Hotel (800.222.2446) and Embassy Suites (831.393.1115). Rates range from $189-$305 per night and include one 18-hole greens fee, cart and range balls.

To find out more, visit the hotel websites (hyperlinked above) or call them and ask about the "Bayonet Package."

Titanium Drivers and Hearing Loss. A Connection?

2009-01-09T14:10:00.000-08:00

As the resident hard-of-hearing Golf Tips editor, now I know why I can't hear very well. It's all those dang 300+ yard drives I've hit throughout my golf career that have killed my ears!!

I'm kidding. I have four words for the attached link:

1. Give
2. Me
3. A
4. Break

Sure, today's drivers are a lot louder than they used to be, and we've tried some that are so loud it took some getting used to. But loud enough to cause hearing loss? I don't know about that.

CLICK HERE

Marriott Golf Goes Green

2009-01-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

Camelback Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. has been recognized by Audubon International as a "Certified Sanctuary." This honor means that all 25 Marriott golf courses in North America are now certified "green."

"Golf courses have always been a great site for wildlife," says Marriott's Senior Director of Golf Grounds Operations, Robert Waller. To help encourage an on-course relationship with nature, Waller says Marriott supplies caddies with handbooks that have detailed information about plants and wildlife. "It almost becomes a game to see how many things you spot," he says, noting that the interaction is a "value add" to the golf experience.

Here's a shot of the 5th hole on Camelback's Padre Course:

And the 15th at Royal St. Kitts, another Marriott property:

For more information about Audubon International's Golf Sanctuary program, click here.

Countdown to the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show

2009-01-07T09:51:00.000-08:00

We're just three weeks away from the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.

Every year thousands of golf industry members come together in central Florida for the planet's largest product preview and this year Golf Tips will bring you daily blog updates on what's new for 2009.

Check back here starting January 29th to see video and photos of the event.

The year's coolest new sticks, only on golftipsmag.com.

Looking for a Last Minute Gift?

2008-12-22T15:32:00.000-08:00

As we put the finishing touches on our 2009 Annual Equipment Buyer's Guide, we'd like to call your attention to a few products that we'll be featuring. Look for the Buyer's Guide on newsstands in early February. (Maybe some of the following images will trigger some last minute gift ideas too!)

Here's Ogio's new 3 in 1 Devolver golf bag. Note how it breaks down into three golf bags (cart, carry, "Sunday").

Sun Mountain's new Club Glider travel bag. Perfect for folks who are tired of bending over for their travel bag:

Kaenon's Spindle sunglasses. Sleek and protective without looking like a NASCAR driver:
HO HO HO!

Snaps of Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki

2008-12-19T12:18:00.000-08:00

Two photos of Nick Faldo's latest design at Roco Ki Golf Club in the Dominican Republic. Kinda makes you want to change those holiday plans, huh?

Here's the 17th:

And the 18th:

Both photos taken by the terrific Aidan Bradley.

Where Have We Been?

2008-12-15T15:26:00.000-08:00

Loyal GT readers may have noticed a drop-off in blog postings of late. No, we're not on the golf course every day (okay, one day last week, but it was business, we swear).

We've been hard at work on two issues: our Annual Equipment Buyer's Guide (look for it on newsstands late January or early February) and our February/March issue. Writing about all that golf equipment has left us without much free time to update the blog, but you're better off for it, as two great new issues await you in the new year.

A couple new sections to look for in our first regular issue include a "We Tried It" section where we test out the new products (in Feb/Mar tell you what we think of Mizuno MX 200 irons, the Bridgestone e7+ ball, Cleveland XLi irons and Cobra L5V driver). We also tried out some new offerings from Tour Edge last week (the Exotics XCG V and XLD V drivers, Dave Glod putters, XCG V 3-wood and the non-Exotic line TCG sand wedge). That last wedge may be next year's best bargain, ringing up for a measly $40. Honestly I couldn't tell much of a difference between it and wedges that sell for three times that amount.

Keep your eyes on this blog for the latest in equipment, instruction and travel.

Faldo Legacy Course at Roco Ki Golf Club Opens Today

2008-12-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

In today's gloomy economic climate it's hard to believe new golf courses are opening up, but that's just what happened today in the Dominican Republic when the tape was cut on Nick Faldo's latest design, the Legacy Course at Roco Ki. By the looks of things it promises to be pretty darn spectacular. A combination of Hawaii, Ireland and, well, other ridiculously picturesque Caribbean courses.