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Golden Bear Aims to Speed up the Game…

by Annie Latham on September 3, 2011 in News, Courses with No comments

This Labor Day weekend, the Golden Bear (Jack Nicklaus) is experimenting with fun and innovative options in golf at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs, Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Specifically, Muirfield Village will be hosting two separate 12-hole tournaments, during which golfers will be encouraged to play one tee up from where they normally play, the hole will be almost doubled in size (8-inch diameter versus the standard 4.25-inches), and participants will be penalized for slow play.

Imagine a Super-Sized hole

“I love the game of golf and believe we have a unique opportunity right now to grow our sport,” Nicklaus said. “But we all have to recognize that the game in our country has been stagnant for a number of years, and actually has lost a significant number of golfers—close to four million in the last five years, according to the National Golf Foundation. The numbers of female and junior golfers—two segments that once represented a large percentage of the new people coming into the game—have dropped 23 and 35 percent, respectively, over the last five years. Many say the game is too hard and others say the game takes too long.

“I think the game is a great game and in no way am I trying to change it. There are few bigger traditionalists than me, but I realize we need to start thinking out of the box. So I ask all the traditionalists to be tolerant while we try something new, something fun to hopefully help us grow the game. It’s too important for us not to try. With so many sports and activities fighting for the time and attention of families, we need to think of ways to make our game more attractive and thus more inviting, especially to children and young adults. Perhaps what Muirfield Village is trying over Labor Day can help open a few eyes and a few minds.”

The makeup of the 12-hole course comprises holes 1, 2, 5 through 13 and 14 on the familiar track.

For his Labor Day experiment, the Sunday round with be a 12-hole better-ball tournament and Monday will feature another 12-hole event, this time it will be stroke play. Both rounds will feature the 8-inch holes instead of the standard 4.25 inch that is the standard. In an effort to keep the pace as fast as possible, all groups must finish in two-and-a-half hours or they will be penalized a stroke for every five minutes over the 2:30.

The entry fee was not disclosed.

Source: Nicklaus Design Golf

From Red Sox Nation to Pinstripes? Phil Loses Bet…

by Annie Latham on September 3, 2011 in News, Players, Putters with No comments

On Thursday, Phil Mickelson was seen at Fenway Park taking batting practice before the Yankees-Red Sox game. He also threw out the first pitch.

Photo:Darren McCollester/Getty Images

Strange as that may seem to those who don’t know Phil’s interest in baseball, on on Friday, at the Deutsche Bank Championship that is taking place in Norton, Mass., Phil was seen wearing pinstripes.

Photo: Stew Milne/AP

He explained, “Lost a wager with a friend and had to wear these today.”

Yeah, a three-run rally in the seventh inning by the Yankees did Phil in.
The Sox lost 4-2.

Perhaps the pinstripes maneuver was merely a means for deflecting attention from the real news — Phil has a belly putter!

You’ve probably noticed that longer putters are getting more attention this year. This is perhaps a case where the rookie teaches his elder a trick or two. Phil has been a mentor to 25-year old Keegan Bradley who just so happens to be the first player to win a major (PGA Championship) with a belly putter.

After grilling Bradley during The Barclays tournament, Phil decided to order himself a similar one which he received on Monday.

And so it goes in the world of golf: Expect the unexpected.

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Fowler’s Urban Golf Shootout

by Annie Latham on August 12, 2011 in News, Urban Golf with No comments

Rickie Fowler challenged fellow pro, roommate and three-time All-American from Georgia Tech, Cameron Tringale to a game of Red Bull P.A.R, an urban golf shootout consisting of three holes, to find out who has the better repertoire of inventive shots. On the line, besides the bragging rights, was the loser having to do the winner’s laundry and dishes at their house for a month.

On Monday in Atlanta, the duo hit a chip shot out of STRIP Steak & Sushi in Atlantic Station then headed over to the Millennium Gate where 17th Street traffic came to a halt as they hit a blind shot over the 100 foot monument and capped off the game with a shot over the pond to putt on the “green” median of the busy street.

Looks like they used real golf balls too (!?).
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BBDO’s New FedEx “Golf Club Shipping” Ads

by Annie Latham on August 11, 2011 in News with No comments

In June I wrote about FedEx’s ad campaign for shipping golf clubs. As the FedEx Cup season is winding down, the company is back with new creative care of their agency, BBDO.

AdWeek noted how the spots, “Shrink Ray” and “Test Shipment,” feature the familiar quick-witted humor we’ve come to expect from BBDO’s FedEx work.

The point being, you can hand your clubs off to FedEx and breathe easy—no matter how insanely protective you are.

Here’s where you can learn more. There are discounts for the Express and Ground service.

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Turner’s Extended Coverage of PGA Championships

by Annie Latham on August 11, 2011 in News with 1 Comment

Ready for the last Major of the season? TNT & Turner Sports own the broadcast rights this time around with CBS handling prime weekend slots.


Leveraging online and mobile possibilities, TNT/Turner Sports has a full slate of options available:

– A free iPhone/iPod Touch PGA Championship app is available that includes live video of the day’s “Marquee Group”, plus coverage of all four Par 3 holes.

– Scores and other updates are available on the PGA’s optimized mobile and iPad sites.

– A new 360 Degree camera that users can adjust to get a broader view will be available.

– A video highlight hub lets users customize views and information by player, round, hole or memorable moment, and share these on-demand albums.

– “Snap and share” clipping feature for favorite moments that can be shared on Twitter and Facebook.

– Social media features including #PGAChamp destination on Twitter and live fan chats.

Source: Video Nuze

What’s Rory Wearing?

by Annie Latham on July 1, 2011 in News, Style & Fashion, Players with 1 Comment

Borrowing a page from the Nike/Tiger book, Oakley is promoting what Rory McIlroy’s wardrobe will be for the British Open taking place 14-17 July 2011. Today’s Golfer has the scoop:

McIlroy has chosen a striking blue as his outfit for the final day because he wants to stand out from the crowd and to disassociate himself from some other traditional final day colors such as red famously worn by Tiger Woods.

Read more about Rory and Oakley here.

Note: This image may be what he wore at the U.S. Open. Captioning is weird on the Today’s Golfer website.

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http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/Golf/News/searchresults/June-2011/Rory-McIlroys-Oakley-outfits-for-The-Open-at-Royal-St-Georges/

Callaway Timberlake Contest – Vote Now…

by Annie Latham on June 24, 2011 in News, Contests, Callaway, Drivers with No comments

Callaway Golf and Justin Timberlake just announced the 25 finalists in the “Tee Off with Diablo Octane and Justin Timberlake” contest (. The Father’s Day-inspired contest, which kicked off on Callaway’s Facebook page on May 25, has drawn thousands of inspirational entries.

The public can visit Facebook.com/Callaway to vote for their favorite submission and determine the contest’s grand prize winner, who will meet Timberlake and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime golf experience. Voting concludes on June 30.

All 25 finalists, whose entries are now posted on Callaway’s Facebook site, will automatically receive a Diablo Octane Driver, Timberlake’s driver of choice and the first club made with Forged Composite, an ultra lightweight material that Callaway co-developed with Automobili Lamborghini.

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TaylorMade Introduces Ghost Spider Putter

by Annie Latham on June 22, 2011 in News, Putters, TaylorMade with No comments

TaylorMade has just unveiled the newest member of its Ghost family — the Ghost Spider Putter which combines which combines the head construction, size and high MOI of the Monza Spider with the white alignment benefits of the Corza Ghost.

Like the original Corza Ghost and the entire TaylorMade Ghost series family, the Ghost Spider was developed with input from TaylorMade Tour Staff professional Dave Stockton. “We’ve never made a putter that combines this kind of forgiveness and ease of use. Putting is all about confidence, and the Ghost Spider promotes confidence, big time,” said Stockton.

Sean Toulon, executive vice president of TaylorMade remarked, “Dave convinced us that the concept of a white-headed putter was a good one, and he was absolutely right. Dozens of tour pros are using TaylorMade Ghost putters.” TaylorMade-adidas Golf Tour Staff professional Jason Day used a Ghost Spider prototype in his T2 finish at this year’s Masters and U.S. Open, resulting in widespread consumer inquiries.

Benefits of White Alignment

The study of thousands of putting strokes using our proprietary MAT-T (Motion Analysis Technology by TaylorMade) System revealed that 65% of golfers fail to square the putter-face to the target from 12 feet, leading to inaccurate putts and higher scores. The Ghost Spider’s white head contrasts sharply with the turf to make it dramatically easier to determine where the face is aimed. The Ghost Spider also incorporates the Monza Spider’s acclaimed “basketball court” system of alignment on the crown to further facilitate proper alignment.

In addition, the Ghost Spider’s white finish eliminates the distractions of glare and “hot spots” caused by reflected sunlight, making it easier for the player to focus his or her full attention on aiming the putter accurately and executing a sound stroke.

High MOI for Stability; Movable Weight Technology for Customization
Like the Monza Spider, the Ghost Spider incorporates the same innovative, steel wire-frame construction that concentrates most of the weight in the perimeter, which creates the high MOI that makes the putterhead so highly resistant to twisting on off-center hits. The Ghost Spider also shares the Monza Spider’s Movable Weight Technology™ (MWT®), which allows the user to customize the feel by changing the weights to make the head heavier or lighter.

PURE ROLL Surlyn Insert
The Ghost Spider is equipped with TaylorMade’s patented PURE ROLL insert, which promotes forwardspin to help reduce skidding to encourage a smooth, accurate roll and precise speed control. The PURE ROLL insert’s soft Surlyn construction delivers a satisfyingly soft sound and feel at impact.

Availability and Pricing
The TaylorMade Ghost Spider is offered in single-bend and center-shafted models in the 33″, 34″ and 35″ stock lengths, left- and right-handed, at a street price of $179. A mid-length “belly” version is available in 41″ and 43″ stock lengths at a street price of $199. Get more information here.

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Seldom Used Scotty Putter a Winner for McIlroy…

by Annie Latham on June 21, 2011 in News, Golf Equipment, Putters, Scotty Cameron with No comments

Golfweek’s Jennifer Gardner has the scoop on the putter used by Rory McIlroy during his romp to victory at the U.S. Open (Congressional Golf Club in Bethesda, Maryland). He deployed his little-used Scotty Cameron Newport GSS which sports a chromatic bronze finish.

McIlroy, a Titleist staff player, has used Scotty Cameron putters in the past. He first received the prototype putter at the 2010 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Though he has used it for events in Europe, this was his first time using it in the States. The Newport GSS putter provided McIlroy with a slightly different toe to better accommodate his putting stroke.

You can read more at the Scotty Cameron Blog.

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What if Tiger Sat Out in 2008 Instead?

by Annie Latham on June 14, 2011 in News, Players with No comments

Sports columnist, Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News raised an interesting point in a story appearing today — Did playing the U.S. Open in 2008 end up being “career limiting” as the saying goes?

We have all heard the story of how Tiger ignored doctor’s orders to play (and eventually win in a playoff). Purdy mentioned something he wrote down in his notebook after all was said and done in 2008:

After it was over, Woods basically came clean to reporters and said something that I think many people have forgotten, but I circled in my notebook as I wrote it down: His physicians had actually recommended that he not play at Torrey Pines. They feared long-term ramifications. Specifically, they had warned him that he might injure the knee worse by playing.

Two days later, he underwent reconstructive surgery for a torn ligament and double-stress fracture of the left knee.

And now, after four surgeries on that knee… You get the point.

He may have flown too close to the sun and is now paying the price.

Do you think playing in the 2008 U.S. Open was a career limiting move for Tiger?

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Tiger’s other surgeries:

1994 – Doctors removed a benign tumor from the left knee.
2002 – Arthroscopic surgery in the same knee.
2008 – More arthroscopic surgery to correct cartilage damage.

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