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MacGregor Golf Launches New Equipment Line

MacGregor M85T Driver

For some reason I thought MacGregor golf was done. Since Greg Norman’s grind to the final group on the British Open a few years ago, I hadn’t really heard much about them… However, since Golfsmith acquired full intellectual property rights to the MacGregor Golf brand last May, it looks like things are turning around.

If you’ve never heard of MacGregor Golf before, I have one question for you, have you been living under a rock!? The brand has been around since 1897, and their equipment has been in the bag for 59 major championships. Not too shabby.

At any rate, let’s get right down to it. Here’s the new product line you can check out right now at Golfsmith:

MacGregor M85T Driver ($299.99)

MacGregor M85T Driver

The M85T uses MacGregor’s exclusive FACEFIT technology to let you choose from an open, neutral or closed face position at address. Weight distribution within the clubhead puts the center of gravity low and deep, for drives that have tons of carry. Cup Face 360* technology also maxes out ball speeds across the entire face.

MacGregor M75T Driver ($199.99)

MacGregor M75T Driver

The M75T Driver is an oversized driver featuring a HOT clubface with Cup Face 360* technology. Again, the center of gravity is placed low and deep, giving you lots of carry and forgiveness on those off-center hits.

MacGregor VIP Forged Irons ($799.99)

MacGregor VIP Forged Irons

If you’re a low-handicap golfer that demands shot shaping and feel from your irons, the new MacGregor VIP Forged Irons are worth a look. Made from 1020 carbon steel, these sticks go through a 800-tom forging process to create a tighter grain structure, which in the end, promises improved feel and consistency. While not a full-out blade, the muscle cavity design is a nice blend of forgiveness and feel… and let’s face it, these clubs look classic.

MacGregor M85i Irons ($699.99)

MacGregor M85i Irons

The MacGregor M85i Irons are more of a game improvement cavity back. Providing ultimate forgiveness via the deep undercut back cavity and a low center of gravity, most players will notice higher shots that come down soft. Inside each cavity is a multi-material medallion with vibration-damping properties to help avoid those nasty ‘stingers’ and provide clean feedback. One other thing you’ll notice in comparison to the VIP irons, is the thick top line.

MacGregor ROTA Series Milled Putters ($129.99)

MacGregor Prestwick Putter

Available in three classic shapes, the new MacGregor ROTA Series Milled Putters are beautiful to say the least. Available in a ‘Prestwick’, ‘Hoylake’ and ‘Lytham’ edition, the three models cover all the bases depending on your style of putting. The Prestwick is a take on the more modern offset putter… The Hoylake looks like your classic blade (think Wilson 8802)… and the Lytham putter is a take on the modern mallet. All are works or art, and feature ARC face milling. The process leaves a texture on the strike area of the putter face for consistent contact and roll on every putt.

Check out our image gallery for a closer look at the new equipment from MacGregor.

Also available are a wide range of fairway woods, hybrids, wedges and more… you can even get MacGregor bags, balls, towels and hats. Golfsmith is doing it right, and I’m looking forward to seeing more and more MacGregor goodness in the years to come!

For more information, hit up the MacGregor line over at Golfsmith.

[Via: THP]

Tiger Woods + David After Dentist = One Great Parody Ad

Tiger Woods Online Ad Views

The new Tiger Woods Nike ad has been a polarizing topic. You either love it or hate it, and quite honestly, almost everyone I’ve talked to seems to have a distaste for the spot. I can’t blame ’em. But there’s something else going on around the interwebs these days… Parodies of the same ad are floating around, and according to the folks at Visible Measures, the parodies are doing even better than the original. Take a look at the chart below:

Tiger Woods Online Ad Views

Interesting. If you pop open YouTube and do some searching, you’ll find a jackpot of spin-offs, but one in particular is the winner for me. It features the ‘David After Dentist’ audio (I’ve included this video below too…) But it just seems to work for some reason. I don’t know, confused, crying kid… something works. Check out the videos below, and as always, enjoy.

[Via: AllThingsDigital]

The Official Masters 2010 Prize Money List

Wasn’t that a great Masters? For me, the tournament just seems to get better and better each year. Coverage was solid, with CBS handling the live coverage like true pros, and The Golf Channel providing awesome analysis all through the week. My hat is well and truly tipped to both for superb coverage.

Phil Mickelson Wins the 2010 Masters by 3 Strokes Over Lee WestwoodWith that said, I came across the official 2010 Masters prize money list last night, and thought it was very must ‘post worthy’. Check it out for yourself after the jump.

Some interesting points to take from this:

  • The amounts remained unchanged from the 2009 event.
  • Any golfer missing the cut still received $10,000.
  • 11 Masters Champions were at the event, but did not play. They received amounts totaling $110,000.
  • 23 honorary invitees were present, with 17 of them being professional. These professionals received honoraria totaling $17,000. The remaining 6 were amateur, thus, they received no cash.

Full Masters 2010 Prize Money List after the jump.

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Videos: Nathan Green and Ryan Moore Ace the 16th at Augusta National

When I noticed the pin was tucked in its usual position on the 16th this Masters Sunday… I was hopeful for a bunch of aces (if struck to quite a large area, the green on 16 funnels down to the back-right pin). In fact, I was heard to mutter, ‘wouldn’t that be cool if either Lee or Phil drops a hole-in-one?’. That was my hope. Sadly, it didn’t happen, but Nathan Green DID ace the 16th on Sunday, followed by an encore performance from Ryan Moore.

I’ve included the videos below for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Phil’s Second Shot at 13 Could Have Been Another ‘I’m So Stupid’ Moment

Phil MickelsonSure, Phil Mickelson’s second shot at 13 was probably one of the most amazing shots I’ve ever witnessed. He hit his tee shot through the fairway on the right, leaving him a 205 (or so) yard shot into the green for his second, from the pine straw, between two trees (not very much room). The ‘safe’ play would be to pitch the ball out into the fairway to a spot where a full wedge could be thrown at the green… But no, that’s not Phil’s style is it?

He gripped a 6-iron and let it rip. The ball flew clear through the trees, carried the creek by about 10 feet, and snuggled up to 3 feet from the cup. Brilliant. The fact that Mickelson missed the putt for eagle was surely disappointing, but Phil had still done what he needed to do. Birdie the par 5. One more par 5 was coming up at 15, and he would go on to birdie that one too.

Looking back at the shot, it was amazing… but things could have went horribly wrong. The pine straw is never easy to hit from. He could have hit it heavy and dumped the ball in the creek. The two trees he was attempting to hit between were awfully close. He could have banked the ball off one of the trunks, leaving him who knows where. The fact of the matter is, this could have been another ‘I’m so stupid’ moment for Phil… But he managed to pull this one off.

At the press conference afterward Phil was asked: ‘Phil, what’s the difference between a great shot and a good shot?’.. He answered: ‘A great shot is when you pull it off… A good shot is when you don’t have the guts to take it on…’

Great shot, Phil… great shot.

What’s in Tiger Woods’ Bag at the 2010 Masters?

What's in Tiger Woods' Bag at the 2010 Masters?

I’ve been wondering for a little while now what has been in Tiger’s bag this week. From all I could tell, the big change came in the form of a new Victory Red Tour Model Driver… But it sounds like there is more, thanks to a great report by James Achenbach over at GolfWeek.

Scroll down for the sweet low-down on Tiger’s equipment this week…

What's in Tiger Woods' Bag at the 2010 Masters?

  • Driver: Stock 9.5 Victory Red Tour Model, with Graphite Design Tour AD-DI-7 shaft (75 grams)
  • 3-Wood: Nike SQ Sumo, with Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Blue Board shaft (103 grams)
  • 5-Wood: Nike SQ Sumo, with Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Blue Board shaft (103 grams)
  • 3-PW: Nike VR Blades, with True Temper Dynamic Gold X-100 shafts
  • Wedges: 56 and 62 degree Nike VR Wedges, with True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts
  • Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2 TW Prototype (was there ever any doubt?)
  • Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord on all grips with the exception of his putter. On the putter, you’ll find the now somewhat infamous Ping Black-Out grip.
  • Ball: Extra-soft version of the NIke One Tour (also used by Anthony Kim)

So there you have it. Looks like a bag stocked-full of some pretty awesome tools of the trade. The question is, can Tiger Woods get it done this Sunday at The Masters? He’s 4 back. Going to be a heck of a finish.

Ryan Moore Gets My Vote for Best Dressed at the 2010 Masters

In what has to be one of the best photographs taken at the 2010 Masters to date, my bud Robert Matre snapped the shot below of a ‘dapper’ Ryan Moore. Diggin’ the classic look. How about you? A big thumbs up or thumbs down?

Ryan Moore: Best Dressed at the 2010 Masters?

This Masters weekend is shaping up to be a spectacular one. Woods, Mickelson, Westwood, Poulter, Yang and more are all at or near the top of the leaderboard. Sure, they may not look as dapper as Mr. Moore (who made the cut at +1, by the way)… but one thing is for sure, they’re going to be sharp.

[Via: RobertMatre]

Tougher Pin Placements Should Equal Higher Second Round Scoring at The Masters

The low scores at Augusta made many headlines yesterday. By the players’ admission, the scoring was in large part due to the generous pin placements… placements that were probably among the most generous offered up in years. Today, expect slightly ‘milder’ scoring, as a number of pin positions have been tightened up, forcing player to play for safe instead of hunting for the pin. Here are a few notable pins to watch for:

  • No. 1: Tucked in the left corner, 15 feet deep and 5 feet from left edge
  • No. 5: Toward the back left, 22 feet deep and 9 feet from left edge
  • No. 8: Back right, 36 feet deep and five feet from right edge
  • No. 14: Back left, 25 feet deep and seven feet from left edge
  • No. 15: Extreme left, 13 feet deep and five feet from left edge
  • No. 16: Tucked behind front bunker, 17 feet deep and 3 feet from right edge
  • No. 18: Back right, 29 feet deep and six feet from right edge

The 15th Green at Augusta National

Number 1 yielded more birdies than usual yesterday… With today’s placement look for the scoring average to shoot up above par. Number 8 and 15 were also offering up their fair share of birdies and eagles, but today I think we can expect more pars and birdies on the par 5’s than anything else. Eagles will be harder to come by.

As the weekend draws near, it’ll be fun to keep an eye on the course… Teeing positions will no doubt move back, pins will begin to find tucked-away places and hard-to-reach shelves, all in an effort to determine who is most ‘Green Jacket Worthy’.

[Via: Augusta.com]

What Do the Numbers Mean on the Caddy Uniforms at The Masters?

Caddies Relaxing at The MastersYou may have noticed through the years that all Masters caddies have a unique number on their overalls. I bet you’re wondering what it all means, right? Let’s take a quick look…

From 1983 to present day, players have been (of course) allowed to supply their own caddy. Most (if not all) tour players these days have a caddy that travels to all of the tournaments with them… This is no doubt due to the huge purses and endorsement deals players receive these days. Players can afford to ‘ship’ their caddy’s with them wherever they go. And let’s face it, a great caddy is invaluable. Not only do they give yardage, but they offer swing advice, act as part-time psychologist when needed… and if a solid bond between a caddy and player is formed, the benefits are HUGE.

Wow, I’m getting off track. Getting back to things, the reason I point out 1983 is important. Before that year, all players were required to use the services of an Augusta National Golf Club caddy. The caddies were in full-uniform, as you see today. The Masters demands that all caddies (whether from ANGC or otherwise) maintain the proper uniform, which consists of the white jumpsuit, with the player name on the back (and sometimes the first initial if needed), and a number on the front.

So what’s up with that number? It’s real simple. The defending champion’s caddy gets the number 1. Makes sense. All other golfers get caddy numbers based on the order in which they arrive at Augusta National to register for the tourny. That makes sense too, right? 🙂 Now you know the reason why!

The Nike Victory Red Tour Driver May be the Only Change in Tiger’s Bag

Nike Victory Red Tour Driver

Nike Victory Red Tour DriverI’ve been wondering for some time now what Tiger Woods would have in the bag for his Masters effort this year. Obviously, I didn’t think much would change (other than the branding on the actual bag!), but after doing a little bit of research, it looks like there is at least ONE important change.

First, I found out that Tiger has made a switch from the Nike Dymo Tour Driver he last played. He now has a Nike Victory Red Tour Driver in the bag… and I just confirmed this while watching him on the 10th green at the Masters. As he tapped in his disappointing bogey with the top of his putter, he pulled what was clearly the Victory Red Driver out of the bag, removed the headcover, and was no doubt looking forward to crushing one down number 11.

Speaking of putters, there had been some rumblings that Tiger may be changing to one of the new Nike Method putters. As you’ve probably noticed already, looks like that rumor wasn’t true. Tiger still has his trusty Scotty Cameron in the bag, and from what I’ve seen so far, it looks like he hasn’t lost much of his touch with the flatstick.

If anything, Tiger is looking a little rusty in shorter chips and pitches around the green. Should be VERY interesting to see if he can post a couple of sub 70 rounds before the weekend.