Spider Men

There've been a few Peter Parkers on Tour this year playing and winning with TaylorMade's new Rossa Monza Spider. J.B. Holmes was the first player to use his superpowers to win in February at the FBR Open. According to TaylorMade the extremely high MOI mallet was the "No. 1 putter model" at the tournament. The week before at the Buick Invitational, 12 Spiders were in play.

In March Sean O'Hair used the Spider at the PODS Championship. That week O'Hair averaged 1.813 putts per Green in Regulation and won by two shots over six other players.

Why have Tour players been so successful with the Spider? In order to find out I tested it last week.

Aside from all of its technical advances I liked the Spider because it just felt great (I know, what an expert opinion). It has tremendous balance and at times it felt like I literally couldn't swing it off line. (See below for more a technical summary of its weighting properties.)

It's hard to say how golfers will react to its unorthodox looks, but if they give it a try I think it's very possible that it could supplant the Two-Ball as the most popular mallet.

A quick overview on what TaylorMade did to ramp up the Spider's MOI to give it that great weighting:

1. Its head was constructed from a steel wire-frame so weight can be pushed to the clubhead's perimeter.
2. It has a light, but strong aluminum core which helps move weight to the perimeter as well.
3. It sports a pair of "wings" into which weights have been added (and adjusted). (I didn't mess around with the weights-I never do-and still found it to have exceptional control and balance.)

It might not be the most traditional looking putter and it may turn off some customers simply by its looks, but I suggest giving it a try at your local store. TaylorMade just started shipping them to retailers (they ring up at $240) and I wouldn't be surprised if you started seeing more in your friends' bags as well as on Tour.

Charlie Schroeder

Innovation is King in Equipment Industry

If you're the type who gets complacent easily the rough and tumble world of golf equipment design and manufacturing isn't the place for you. Despite a variety of obstacles, including what some describe as the USGA's desire to limit the effect technology has on the game, equipment company engineers and marketing execs continue to push forward with little sign of letting up.

I was struck by this fact the other day when some of the GT staff took a field trip to our local golf superstore. Ostensively we were there to investigate the current state of the golf ball market, and to purchase a number of new models for "testing," purposes. The sheer number of golf ball manufacturers, as well as the variety offered by each would amaze anyone not jaded by a close relationship to the industry. In all honesty, the sight of three massive islands composed entirely of golf balls from at least ten different manufacturers can be a bit daunting, even for those of us who expect it.

Once we did a full reconnaissance of the new spheres, we took a walk around the store and saw the same basic situation in every department, which was more styles than you could shake a stick at with features that would be unimaginable just a few years ago; In the shoe area there was a pair made from biodegradable materials including rice husks, in the bag aisle there was a model with a built-in beverage cooler and pouch for your GPS unit, and in the driver racks there were models featuring interchangeable shaft technology.

It's all pretty amazing stuff, especially when you consider the number of hoops any given equipment manufacturer has to jump through to build a product that conforms to USGA rules, doesn't infringe on competitors patents, and actually does what the marketing claims say it will do. Clearly this is not easy task, but it's one that even the most cynical observer would have to admit is being accomplished quite well these days.

So if you're hoping to jump-start your golf game this season, you need not look any further than your local pro shop for inspiration. And don't get nervous when confronted by the huge number of options available. Just keep in mind what you feel is lacking in your on-course performance, or what would make the game more fun, and look for the model that best fits the bill.

Let the Games Begin

By Charlie Schroeder

Unlike other professional sports seasons, which have clearly marked beginnings and ends, the PGA Tour's schedule is, well, a mess. Sure, official tournaments begin just after the New Year and end in November, but most people tune out after the Fed-Ex Cup (if they tune in at all). Then, there's a smattering of secondary tournaments that fail to attract any big names (personally I think there's some interesting action here as players on the bubble try to retain their Tour cards). Once that wraps up, the so-called "Silly Season" kicks in, hanging around like an unwanted house guest into most of December, ensuring that folks who like their golf with a side order of eggnog won't be disappointed.

Some argue that the season really begins (and ends) with the majors, and that everything else is just a lead up (and for that matter a let down) to the "Big Ones."

I disagree.

For me, the golf season revolves around when Tiger Woods plays.

Consider the excitement he's already brought to 2008. After his runaway victory a couple weeks back at the Buick, Tiger flew to Dubai, and, jet lagged out of his gourd, shot 65. After struggling on Friday and Saturday, he finished with a 31 on the back nine on Sunday to edge out Ernie Els and win his 72nd worldwide victory (he has 62 on the PGA Tour).

72 wins. The guy's 32 years old!

I'm a sucker for Charles Osgood and his CBS Sunday Morning Show (I love their nature montages.), but last Sunday when Tiger roared back to win in Dubai I happily eschewed my weekly dose of bird calls to watch the world's greatest golfer ever. How could any golf fan not?

Since we here at GT focus our energies on instruction, equipment and travel, we rarely find ourselves locked inside a press tent over the weekends, so when it comes to the Tour I'm a fan, just like you. And as a fan I couldn't have cared less about the Mercedes (a victor's-only tourney that Tiger didn't play), Sony or the Hope. Not that I'm not thrilled for the winners (can you tell me who they were?) but it's just not the same as watching Tiger make history every time he tees it up.

Speaking of which, one more win until Tiger ties Hogan. Let the games begin.

Lost In The Fray

The 55th Annual PGA Merchandise Show has come and passed. Whew! It was an interesting year, full of new rules, technology, products and even a fair share of national media coverage--although for the wrong reason. Nevertheless and despite the "noose incident", The PGA Show had a different vibe this year--probably due to the level of uncertainty coming from golf's governing bodies on subjects like adjustable shaft technology, groove width, and other club related issues. For me, and for the other thousands of golf nerds there with me, I couldn't help but wonder what the USGA had in mind next. We're they thinking of relaxing restrictions on adjustability to soften the blow for when they decide to scale back the golf ball? Are my wedges going to be non-conforming in a few years? Will the USGA soon put a ban on pink golf shirts? (I was kidding about the last one, although after having walked the show, it wouldn't be a bad idea.)

As an editor, I don't have the answer to those questions yet. I'm not sure if anyone outside the USGA does. But what I do know is, despite the fray of uncertainty regarding the Rules of Golf and how they do and will apply, there still remained plenty of innovation and technology that's sure to please golfers in 2008.

In fact, there was a whole lot of it. If you haven't been to "The Show", be ready to walk and gaze for hours and hours. Every aisle and corner practically had some new product geared to do what we all want to do--play better golf. And if not that, it's a product to make us look and feel better while playing golf. And if not that, it's something to at least make us think golf, as far as memorabilia, travel and careers go. Hey, there was even a 15-minute teeth whitening booth for all you who want to freshen your grin for when you have to hold those oversized checks. (To each his own, I guess.) Just take my word for it--it's all there in Orlando. (Also, take my word on this: Steer clear from the Hooters up the street. It is NOT the antidote to a long day on your feet. I had to learn the hard way.)

That said, you've come to the right place if you want the jist of The Show without the foot blisters. I've got the skinny (I think I lost a couple pounds just walking around by the way), on what's great in '08.

Handheld GPS rangefinders: If you don't have one, get one. They work wonderfully and really speed up play.

Interchangeable shaft technology: With Nickent at the forefront, look for several other companies to unveil drivers and woods that feature on-the-fly shaft interchangeability, so you can adjust your shafts to fit wherever and whatever you play-- just like the pros do.

Performance apparel and shoes: Clothes that can actually help you play better? Dare we say we saw underwear that can help your swing? Check out the new stuff from adidas Golf. It's amazing. Also, can new shoes help you hit it further? You bet!

Custom-fitting: PING unveiled a new fitting system (they practically invented the genre by the way), and seemingly every other equipment manufacturer has some sort of way for making sure you have clubs that fit. Take 'em up on it.

Hybrids: Yep, they're still a must have. Good thing now is, there are more than ever to choose from.

Golf eyewear: Yes, it's a big deal. And yes, they can save your eyes and maybe go as far as save your round. And no, you don't have to look like Robocop while wearing them. Styles have improved in a big way.

Lessons from the Tour

If you've ever attended a golf tournament, you know that there are two ways you can follow the action: hoofing it or parking it (or getting drunk in one of the food tents and watching it on TV, but that doesn't really count, does it?). Me, I'm more of a hoofer. I like to think that while I walk the course I not only appreciate the course design and see a variety of different players and shots, but get a workout in the process. Parking it in a grandstand? Please. I'd rather sit on a bed of nails. Ouch.

Yet at the last two tournaments I attended I've parked it. Last February at the Nissan Open (what's now called the Northern Trust Open), I sat in the bleachers behind No. 14 at Riviera, a downhill, 176-yard Par 3 into an easterly wind. I watched a couple dozen marquee players come through: Harrington, Garcia, Furyk, Els, Mickelson and the eventual winner, Charles Howell III. Some were playing well, others, not so much.

Here's what I observed:

1. Even though the pin was cut just on the other side of a cavernous bunker, nobody purposefully (as far as I could tell) played it safe. Every player-all 24 of them- took dead aim at the flag. The Lesson: Tour players, unlike most amateurs, know their distances and control their ball spin. Not that all of them pulled this off, of course, but it's a little peek into what makes a Pro a Pro. Know your distances, know your limitations.

2. As I recall there was only one birdie in the first five or so groups, and it was a chip in. Nonetheless there were plenty of good opportunities. A 10-footer here, a 12-footer there, still nobody rolled one in. All that changed when the leaders came through. Els, Furyk and Howell all birdied. The Lesson: Players are in contention because they carry hot putters. The algorithm is simple: good putting=lower scores.

3. Trust a good caddie. Some lesser-known players had Riviera caddies on their bags. Although the Pacific Ocean is (a few miles) behind the green, caddies were trying to convince their players to factor the ocean into their read. From where I was sitting the break looked pretty subtle, but I knew that most greens slope from back to front. Most newbies thought so too. In fact some players were so adamant about it that they were getting into arguments with their caddies. Sure enough, the ones who were convinced their putts broke toward the front of the green were shocked to see that, indeed, all putts break toward the ocean. The lesson: trust a caddie who loops in professional tournaments! And a bit more realistically, all putts break toward the agua.

Later this week I'll talk about another tournament where I was stuck in the bleachers and a few of the lessons I learned there. Stay tuned.

My Playing Peeves

I'll be straightforward with you. As a magazine editor, let alone one that specializes in instruction and equipment, I can safely say that it's likely I play more golf than most people. I slip out of the office every so often and tee it up, either with colleagues, instructors or folks from the equipment realm. There are some of you out there who seem to play a lot more often that people like I do and still manage to make a good enough living to be members at private clubs or can afford the high prices for green fees (Where do you work and where do I apply?), but generally I play more than the occasional weekend warrior. That said, I have little to gripe about in that department.

(ENTER SNOOTYNESS HERE): However, since I play so much, I've managed to acquire a few pet peeves that generally turn my otherwise pleasant round of golf into one that's riddled with annoyances. Not that I get that upset (I never take my golf blessings for granted), but there are times I wish these kinds of irritations were avoided. I'll try and leave out the obvious ones (such as SLOW PLAY, which happens to be the granddaddy of all golf course aggravations) and stick with some that are lesser talked about, but equaling annoying.

So, without further ado, in no particular order, here's my Top 10 Things I Hope The Players in My Foursome Never Do:

10. Playing from the wrong tee box: My theory on this is, don't play the back tees unless you average somewhere around par from the one-forward box. Or, stick to courses that play somewhere between 6500-6800 yards. You'll have more fun, I'll have more fun and we'll all shoot lower scores. Also, if you are playing the forward tees, make an effort to hit first when applicable. We'd rather wait for you to walk back to us than have all of us huddle over your tee shot after we hit ours.

9. Fear of better players: Unless you're playing for moolah, feeling intimidated by better players is nonsense. So long as you adhere to #10 and keep pace, better players generally don't care what you shoot. One of the reasons better players are better players is because they pay attention to their own game, not every else's. Keep pace, and odds are the better players in your group will hardly notice you just double bogeyed the last three holes.

8. Green etiquette: Replacing divots, honors on the tee box, that's all well said. But lack of green etiquette can get old fast. First, don't stand behind the hole while someone is putting, the first person to hole out is always the first to replace the pin, and lastly, please don't mark that one-footer to save bogey. Pick it up. And please, don't mark your ball with anything plastic. Plastic is for bottles only, and for buying drinks for the winner at the 19th hole.

7. Lost ball disorder: if loosing golf balls is a problem, please stop buying balls that cost $50 a dozen. Buy some cheaper ones that ease the pain of loosing a couple balls a round. Stop whining about it. "I hear there's a sale on X-Outs in the golf shop." That's one of my favorite lines and I'm not afraid to use it.

6. Beverage cart from the fairway: I don't care how thirsty you are, I can't stand when people flag down the beverage cart while playing a hole. Also, the beverage cart gal should know better (even though I know she doesn't care. Time is money to her). Seriously folks, there are two times to re-stock: after you finish a hole and before you start the next one. Nothing is worse than waiting in the group behind because you're jonesin' for another Coors Light.

5. Betting on a curve: I don't care what your handicap is, playing Nassau's, skins, whatever should always be played straight up. If the variance in skill is too much to be competitive, then don't bet. Nothing is more unjust and frankly, more unholy, than making a miracle birdie from a fairway bunker, only to tie the hole with a 17-handicapper who took three shots to get to the green and 2-putted for a net birdie...That's not golf, that's highway robbery. Bet against players at your skill level, or toughen up and learn to compete with better players.

4. "Golfers, traps, pin...what'd you shoot?" First of all, I know golfer is technically a word, but for my sake it's not. You aren't a baseballer. Or a basketballer or footballer. You are a player. Same holds true for golf. You play it, not golf it. (hush, hush you bowlers.) It's a bunker not a "trap" and its a flagstick not a "pin." Finally, you don't shoot anything on a golf course (unless you're lucky enough to play some of the dangerous courses we have to choose from here in LA). You score. So, the correct question is, "what was your score? Not, "What'd you shoot?" Come on folks...make Peter Oosterhuis proud.

3. Cell phones talking: I know, this counts as an obvious one, but I had to include it. Worse case scenario, put it on silent and use a text message. We don't care that you're having fried chicken for dinner tonight.

2.Brake pedal vigilantes: You know who you are. Listen, you don't need to lock in the parking brake every time you stop, and you definitely don't need to come to such an abrupt stop every time you reach the ball/teebox. I've almost broke my nose on the windshield enough times already. Conversely, please wait until I sit down before you pop the parking brake that you felt was so important to lock in. I really don't the wind knocked out of me. Thanks.

1. Club droppers: It's happened to everyone. (Even me.) But when you do drop something and turn the cart around to find what you lost, wait until the right time to interrupt the group behind you. Don't do it while we're putting or teeing off. You've already made us carry your club, so please move your cart and we'll give you your club back. Also, if you're the lucky one who found a club, do the right thing and pick it up. Don't just leave it on the last tee box. That'll only slow down the group in front of you even more. Also, don't ask "What brand is it?" or some other obnoxious question to the person who's looking for his/her club. Just hand it over and be on your way.

-Got any pet peeves of your own? I want to hear about it!

So You're Tellin Me...?

Hi. Welcome to my new pseudo-column that I'm going to tentatively call, "So You're Telling Me?" Now, what's the gist? Well, instead of me explaining my column, let's just start with the first dig and you'll see what it means.

Lately, it seems some of my colleagues from other golf-related (I say "related", since many of them are barely golf magazines anymore) magazines have duly noted that the average driving distances among PGA Tour professionals hasn't increased as of late. They cite PGA Tour stats, which seem to indicate that not only has the player's driving distance hit a wall this year, it's bounced back a few yards. (The first time since 1993. Hey, go look it up if you want the numbers.) Previous years also have indicated wimpy increases in distance at best, proving that the guys on Tour have maxed out as far as distance is concerned. Ugh, wait. So, you're telling these guys aren't continuing to hit the ball too far? Come on now.

The only thing going in reverse is the way the PGA Tour calculates driving distance. Of course these guys are hitting it farther than ever, and until the Tour begins publishing the latest Shotlink numbers (which accounts for every shot hit on the course by a given player), the truth will never be told in writing. Then again, do we really need stats to tell us what's going on? Do we really need lab results to show that Barry Bonds was or is still on the juice? Do we need another story about Kobe Bryant wanting out of Los Angeles? So you're telling me we need more proof? Come on now.

Angel Cabrera won the US Open bashing driver to almost embarrassing distances. Tiger, who we all know can be as long as he wants, can hit a 3-wood past just about anyone. In case you haven't looked it up already, the PGA Tour still calculates driving distance the old-fashioned way. They pick two holes, in generally opposite directions. It doesn't matter what club the player uses (the Tour picks driver holes, but that doesn't guarantee drivers are always what are hit) nor if the ball hits the fairway. Come on now. Two holes? Most guys probably hit at least 10 drivers per round. Why just two holes?

Maybe there's more too it. Maybe the Tour doesn't want to show the truth on paper, fearing backlash and the criticism that has once come from those who feel the game is being ruined by big hitters who have made many courses obsolete. Me, I don't agree with them either. So what if guys hit the ball further. Let them continue to crush it, as long as they play by the rules. (You don't see anyone complaining that the basketball rim is too high and it should be lowered to 9 ft so shorter guys have a chance, do you?) All I ask is that the Tour stops hiding behind old-school stats, and let folks see just how far these guys are killing it. That's all.

If you still don't believe me, just look at your own driver. if you bought it after 2002, it's longer than your previous driver, right? I'd bet my house on it (even though I rent). Today's equipment has helped you, and it's helped the best players even more. Why? They hit the sweetspot an awful lot, and when you have the right ingredients in a ball, shaft and clubhead, amazing things can happen.

Come on PGA Tour. Stop hiding those Shotlink numbers and tell us what's really going on. And to my colleagues, stop falling for it. These guys are hitting it further than ever.

Next Installment of SYTM: Accuracy Matters...NOT!

What Off-Season?

For those of you naysayers who think the snow, rain and cold weather means it's time to hang up the sticks until next Spring, I'm hear to tell you to get your head out of the sand and look to some of the country's hottest (pun intended) golf spots this fall and winter season.

We editors just got back from a week of work in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona.
Unfortunately, our last trip marked the first time we travelled sans golf bags, and boy did we regret it. Our trip took us to the beautiful town of Carefree and Cave Creek, both located a chip shot north of the golf-rich Scottsdale. We conducted photoshoots at places such as Eagle Mountain (pictured), We-Ko-Pa, Grayhawk and TPC of Scottsdale, each of which look so well-manicured that you'd bet a Tour event is just around the corner. (There happens to be one at the TPC in a few months.)

So, if you want a ringing endorsement, go visit any or all of the courses mentioned above. And don't be shy to book a golf lesson with the instructors at those fine facilities. You'll be seeing them in our magazine in '08.

Michelle Whoop-ie!

Yes, I know.

Many of my peers have already lamented on Team Wie and the gang's insistence on making MW play in this week's Samsung World Championship via a sponsor exemption handed to her several months ago (before the evidential downward spiral). All this in lieu of Annika Sorenstam bowing out as a courtesy to the higher-ranked Sarah Lee (I'll bet she's got some great recipes), who's getting the chance to play. Classy...

Yeah, yeah yeah. Nice work Annika, but this blog is all about the ridiculousness that is Wie. I sat in a press conference a couple weeks ago and heard Tiger comment on, (I'm paraphrasing) why Michelle Wie flat out stinks.

He said she doesn't know how to win. She has no clue what it's like to face competitors who at times, are just as good as you are---are then know how to beat them. I couldn't agree more with Sir Woods. Wie has no clue what it means to win and beat opponents who are playing at not his or her highest level, but THE highest level---unless you count the millions of dollars she's already made. I guess that's winning in some messed up way.

So Michelle, if you're listening here's my advice: quit. Stop pretending you're a professional. Cuz you're not. Go to school, enjoy it, then consider going pro. We're tired of this.

And to B.J. Wie: knock it off. You're not helping anything, and the micro-management of your daughters aspirations have darn near killed her shot at ever competing at the highest level of WOMEN's golf. You're greedy, and everyone can see right through you.

Michele Wie is blessed with incredible talent, and cursed with horrendous career advice. She'd be better off trying to qualify to play for Stanford and working her way through the college ranks to learn what it takes to win. Maybe that's what she needs to get her head in the game.

Otherwise, I'm too annoyed to even finish my blog and support my cause. Maybe you bloggers out there can do it for me. I'm going to go back to watching the Whatchamacallit Open on The Golf Channel. Sorry, I mean, Golf Channel (sans the).

Who Knew?

By Charlie Schroeder

That sigh of relief you heard last Sunday came from Justin Leonard when he beat Jesper Parnevik on the second playoff hole of the Valero Texas Open. Leonard's victory, his first since 2005, catapulted him up 53 spots on the Money List from 94th to 41st. While recent lackluster play isn't what we've come to expect from the 1997 British Open Champion, it's hard to feel too bad for him. After all he sits in a very comfortable 8th place on the all-time Money Leaders list.

How much has Leonard won? After his recent victory his total comes to about $22 million. The victory also catapulted him (by $600,000) past Mark Calcavecchia to take the 8th place spot.

Wait a minute you say. Calc is in 9th place all-time? Yup, I had the same reaction.

I'm not even going to tell you who's in first place all-time. He has $76 million, while Vijay comes in second with $54 million and Phil, poor guy, has only $45 million settling for a distant third.

But what's really shocking, however, is how many major-less players are in the top fifteen. In fact Kenny Perry (10th place), Stewart Cink (11th), Scott Verplank (12th), Stuart Appleby (13th) and Fred Funk (14th) all have close to $21 million each and none of them have won a major.

It's a sign of the Tiger Times. Purses have grown considerably since he started dominating the tour and all players have been rewarded. Consider this year's money list. Major-less Harrison Frazer is currently holding down the #125 spot with a healthy $688,000. Good cash, yes, but unless Frazer and others below him can't crack the Top 125 in the next four tournaments they'll have to head back to Q-school.

Don't feel too bad for Frazer if he doesn't earn his exemption this year. He ranks 94th on the all-time money list with $7.9 million, 53 spots ahead of 19-time major winner Jack Nicklaus who comes in with $5.7 million.