A wounded warrior from the Green Beret Foundation participating with Caddy For A Cure at the HP Byron Nelson pulled a fast one on PGA TOUR player Charley Hoffman. A "fake" replica putter was switched out and he broke it and tossed it in the water to the aghast look of Charley, who about passed out.
May 26, 2011
Caddy For A Cure Golfer Has Some Fun With Charley Hoffman
Good to see Charley Hoffman has a sense of humor. He's pretty intense/focused on the course and has been know to break a few putters on the course. His putter even started a Twitter account be sure and follow Hoffman's putter and follow @caddyforacure
May 25, 2011
A Refresher On Golf Etiquette - Tips To Golf By
Brian Kendall had a great little article in Ottawa's Metro News yesterday where he gave 5 simple rules to play like a pro. Most were geared towards a beginner but any golfer can use the refresher.
I golfed with a couple of buddies this past Friday. They are guys that don't golf that often but enjoy the game with enthusiasm. Here's a few more to remember for beginners and veterans alike.
- Be aware of your surroundings on the course, if you happen to hit one close to an adjoining fairway or on another fairway be respectful of others on the course who are playing as well. Don't yell over to the other golfers wait your turn and proceed with your shot hopefully getting it back into the fairway.
- Play ready golf and for God sakes don't take forever on the greens we're not putting for Millions of dollars like the Tour Pros. Gimmes can be your friend.
- Stand behind your buddies when they're taking their swing, both for safety and for courtesy.
May 20, 2011
PUMA Golf Keeps Rickie Cool With TransDRY Technology
Looks like we might be doing a review this Summer of Puma Golf's TransDRY(TM) polo shirts. The technology looks perfect for those hot and humid Summer rounds of golf we get here in the Ottawa area. Rickie Fowler the face of Puma Golf opened with a solid 63 at this weeks Crowne Plaza Invitational hopefully we'll see him sporting a TransDRY(TM) polo this week in Texas.
Press Release
PUMA Golf and Cotton Incorporated have partnered to create a series of PUMA Golf performance shirts featuring TransDRY(TM) technology, a moisture management system that wicks away moisture and spreads it for faster drying and less cling to the body. Rickie Fowler sported one of the new styles, the Golf TransDRY™ 18 Hole Polo, during his Thursday round at The Players Championship® in Florida last week.
The TransDRY™ moisture management system turns cotton into a performance fabric while maintaining the original breathability and comfort of cotton. By applying the technology at the yarn stage, PUMA Golf TransDRY™ styles reduce cotton absorbency capacity and overall drying time by 50% and doesn't wash away like a topical treatment.
The new treatment wicks moisture from the inside of the shirt to the outside, benefiting the golfer by keeping the inside of the garment dry and less saturated; simultaneously, the treatment spreads the moisture horizontally, allowing for a faster drying time.
Press Release
PUMA Golf and Cotton Incorporated have partnered to create a series of PUMA Golf performance shirts featuring TransDRY(TM) technology, a moisture management system that wicks away moisture and spreads it for faster drying and less cling to the body. Rickie Fowler sported one of the new styles, the Golf TransDRY™ 18 Hole Polo, during his Thursday round at The Players Championship® in Florida last week.
The TransDRY™ moisture management system turns cotton into a performance fabric while maintaining the original breathability and comfort of cotton. By applying the technology at the yarn stage, PUMA Golf TransDRY™ styles reduce cotton absorbency capacity and overall drying time by 50% and doesn't wash away like a topical treatment.
The new treatment wicks moisture from the inside of the shirt to the outside, benefiting the golfer by keeping the inside of the garment dry and less saturated; simultaneously, the treatment spreads the moisture horizontally, allowing for a faster drying time.
May 19, 2011
He Played a PENFOLD & Other Golfing Memorabilia
British golfing memorabilia
Golf is often called a Gentleman's game. A sport predicated on enforcing your own penalties and reporting your own score. The rules of golf etiquette are all about maintaining the gentlemanly state of the game. If you are into the history of Golf and golf memorabilia you might want to check out the auction being hosted by Heritage Auctions. On June 1 they'll be auctioning off a lot aptly called “The Gentleman Collector.” It features nearly 100 lots of golf-themed memorabilia from a private collection, including steins, desk accessories, decanters and trophies, most from early 20th century Britain.
Some of the more affordable and cooler trinkets include a Dunlop counter display (estimated at $100-$150), and a Penfold Man Counter Display, circa 1950.
Golfers can be notorious drinkers who doesn't love the 19th tee after a round. Whatever your poison these items will surely intrigue the avid golfer.A very cool set of six American Golf Club-form stirring sticks would create a bit of chatter at your next party. Some beer lovers won't be able to resist a Royal Bonn Transfer Printed Stein with pewter lid Bonn, Germany, circa 1890. Top it off with a game of poker with some golf theme Poker Chips set in a wood case, American, circa 1950. A little something for everyone.
One of the higher priced items is a Derby Silver Co. golf-bag form martini pitcher with cups and tray (estimated at $10,000 - $15,000). Something Ian Fleming lovers would love to put their hands on.
The auction also contains large collections of ocean liner souvenirs, vintage walking canes, vintage automobile mascots, and the “Mortality of Immortality” collection of Malcolm S. Forbes. To view lots and register to bid, visit www.HA.com/5065 or contact Nick Dawes at 800-872-6467, ext. 1605 or NickD@HA.com.
Golf is often called a Gentleman's game. A sport predicated on enforcing your own penalties and reporting your own score. The rules of golf etiquette are all about maintaining the gentlemanly state of the game. If you are into the history of Golf and golf memorabilia you might want to check out the auction being hosted by Heritage Auctions. On June 1 they'll be auctioning off a lot aptly called “The Gentleman Collector.” It features nearly 100 lots of golf-themed memorabilia from a private collection, including steins, desk accessories, decanters and trophies, most from early 20th century Britain.
Some of the more affordable and cooler trinkets include a Dunlop counter display (estimated at $100-$150), and a Penfold Man Counter Display, circa 1950.
Golfers can be notorious drinkers who doesn't love the 19th tee after a round. Whatever your poison these items will surely intrigue the avid golfer.A very cool set of six American Golf Club-form stirring sticks would create a bit of chatter at your next party. Some beer lovers won't be able to resist a Royal Bonn Transfer Printed Stein with pewter lid Bonn, Germany, circa 1890. Top it off with a game of poker with some golf theme Poker Chips set in a wood case, American, circa 1950. A little something for everyone.
One of the higher priced items is a Derby Silver Co. golf-bag form martini pitcher with cups and tray (estimated at $10,000 - $15,000). Something Ian Fleming lovers would love to put their hands on.
The auction also contains large collections of ocean liner souvenirs, vintage walking canes, vintage automobile mascots, and the “Mortality of Immortality” collection of Malcolm S. Forbes. To view lots and register to bid, visit www.HA.com/5065 or contact Nick Dawes at 800-872-6467, ext. 1605 or NickD@HA.com.
May 16, 2011
KJ Choi Uses Miura Irons/Wedges En Route To Players Win
Exciting Sunday golf concludes with KJ Choi beating David Toms in a play-off to capture the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. The pair finished tied at 13 under but 2001 USPGA champion Toms
three-putted the short 17th, the first sudden-death play-off hole, as
Choi made par.
Choi certainly had an assortment of clubs in his bag including some Miura forged cavity back irons as well as some Miura Classic wedges. I had a chance to review the Miura Series 1957 C Grind Wedge last year and was impressed with the wedge's performance.
KJ Choi WITB 2011 Players Championship
Miura Press Release
THE WINNER OF THE 2011 PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP USES MIURA GOLF CB-501 FORGED CAVITY-BACK IRONS
VANCOUVER, British Columbia—The winner of the 2011 PLAYERS Championship used CB-501 forged cavity-back irons made by Japanese golf-club manufacturer Miura Golf, which has been making the world’s highest-quality forged irons for 45 years, the company announced today.
Sunday’s champion captured the title on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff—the famous island-green 17th hole at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The winner’s bag contained Miura’s CB-501 4-PW irons with frequency matched KBS Steel Shafts with progressive swing weights, as well as Miura’s Classic 54- and 60-degree wedges. The CB-501 boasts a W nickel (satin) chrome finish.
"
The winner of THE PLAYERS Championship chose Miura, which pleases us greatly," says Adam Barr, president of Miura. "We don’t sign players to endorsement contracts, so when they come to us, it’s a real compliment to Mr. [Katsuhiro] Miura’s craftsmanship. And when they win, we naturally feel very proud."
Mr. Miura’s goal with the CB-501 was to create an iron that featured the ideal ball flight, enough offset to promote playability, the perfect head size and a sole grind that would accommodate a broad range of players.
In all, Mr. Miura spent two years integrating these design variables in different ways until he found the blend that worked best for the widest range of golfers. The result is the CB-501—a cavity-back iron featuring a small muscle-back located behind the sweet spot that delivers the trajectory of a blade iron when the ball is struck on the center of the face. This style of iron also offers cavity-back forgiveness and ball flight, as the contact point moves away from the center of the face.
"It’s validation enough when one of the world’s best players chooses to play your company’s clubs," Barr adds, "but that validation takes on an even bigger meaning when he beats the world-class field in the PGA TOUR’s marquee event of the year."
about Miura Golf:
Besides the new MG Hybrids and PP-9003 irons, Miura Golf’s current product line also includes the CB-501 (Cavity Back Model); Blade (Tournament Blade Model); MC-102 (Mid-Size Cavity Model); CB-202 (Cavity Back Model); CB-301 (Cavity Model); and IC-2003 Utility Long Irons) irons; Wedges (Wedge Series and Black Wedge Series, each available in six lofts); Series 1957 By Miura Custom
Grind Wedges; Small Blade model irons; Blade and Classic putters (two models); Precious Edition Driver, Fairway Wood and Utility Wood.
Miura Golf's corporate office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia and Miura Golf clubs are sold at the finest custom-fitting shops in North America. The Miura brand is marketed exclusively by Miura Golf Inc., in the United States and North America. More information on Miura products can be found at www.miuragolf.com.
#######
For more Miura Golf information or company/product images please contact Mary Beth Lacy at 760-346-6942, email mb@mblacy.com or Adam Barr at 407-435-7431.
Choi certainly had an assortment of clubs in his bag including some Miura forged cavity back irons as well as some Miura Classic wedges. I had a chance to review the Miura Series 1957 C Grind Wedge last year and was impressed with the wedge's performance.
KJ Choi WITB 2011 Players Championship
- Driver: TaylorMade R11 (9.0°) with a Matrix OZIK XCON F6M2 shaft
- Fairway Wood: Ping i15 (15.5°) with an ACCRA S3 Dymatch 85 shaft
- Hybrid: TaylorMade Rescue TP (19°) with a Graphite Design Tour Ad UT 85 shaft
- Irons: Miura CB-501 4-PW, KBS Steel Shafts
- Wedges: Miura Classic 54- and 60-degree
- Footwear: FootJoy Icon
- Glove: FootJoy StaSoft
- Putter: Odyssey White Hot #2
- Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Miura Press Release
THE WINNER OF THE 2011 PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP USES MIURA GOLF CB-501 FORGED CAVITY-BACK IRONS
VANCOUVER, British Columbia—The winner of the 2011 PLAYERS Championship used CB-501 forged cavity-back irons made by Japanese golf-club manufacturer Miura Golf, which has been making the world’s highest-quality forged irons for 45 years, the company announced today.
Sunday’s champion captured the title on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff—the famous island-green 17th hole at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The winner’s bag contained Miura’s CB-501 4-PW irons with frequency matched KBS Steel Shafts with progressive swing weights, as well as Miura’s Classic 54- and 60-degree wedges. The CB-501 boasts a W nickel (satin) chrome finish.
"
The winner of THE PLAYERS Championship chose Miura, which pleases us greatly," says Adam Barr, president of Miura. "We don’t sign players to endorsement contracts, so when they come to us, it’s a real compliment to Mr. [Katsuhiro] Miura’s craftsmanship. And when they win, we naturally feel very proud."
Mr. Miura’s goal with the CB-501 was to create an iron that featured the ideal ball flight, enough offset to promote playability, the perfect head size and a sole grind that would accommodate a broad range of players.
In all, Mr. Miura spent two years integrating these design variables in different ways until he found the blend that worked best for the widest range of golfers. The result is the CB-501—a cavity-back iron featuring a small muscle-back located behind the sweet spot that delivers the trajectory of a blade iron when the ball is struck on the center of the face. This style of iron also offers cavity-back forgiveness and ball flight, as the contact point moves away from the center of the face.
"It’s validation enough when one of the world’s best players chooses to play your company’s clubs," Barr adds, "but that validation takes on an even bigger meaning when he beats the world-class field in the PGA TOUR’s marquee event of the year."
about Miura Golf:
Besides the new MG Hybrids and PP-9003 irons, Miura Golf’s current product line also includes the CB-501 (Cavity Back Model); Blade (Tournament Blade Model); MC-102 (Mid-Size Cavity Model); CB-202 (Cavity Back Model); CB-301 (Cavity Model); and IC-2003 Utility Long Irons) irons; Wedges (Wedge Series and Black Wedge Series, each available in six lofts); Series 1957 By Miura Custom
Grind Wedges; Small Blade model irons; Blade and Classic putters (two models); Precious Edition Driver, Fairway Wood and Utility Wood.
Miura Golf's corporate office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia and Miura Golf clubs are sold at the finest custom-fitting shops in North America. The Miura brand is marketed exclusively by Miura Golf Inc., in the United States and North America. More information on Miura products can be found at www.miuragolf.com.
#######
For more Miura Golf information or company/product images please contact Mary Beth Lacy at 760-346-6942, email mb@mblacy.com or Adam Barr at 407-435-7431.
May 15, 2011
Book Review: Golf List Mania
Of course I jumped at the chance to review a new book called Golf List Mania: The Most Authoritative and Opinionated Rankings of the Best and Worst of the Game. Firstly because I love golf, secondly I love reading what others have to say about the sport. It gets me thinking about ideas for writing on my blog and inspiration for those golf debates on the course with buddies.
Leonard Shapiro and Ed Sherman have done a great job of putting together a golf book with lists for everyone who’s picked up a golf club and has felt the pleasure of a perfectly struck iron shot. From Best Ryder Cup players to David Feherty’s Best Lines to Grip It and Sip It each list has a little something to say about the game we all love. Of course you might not agree with all the lists but that’s what the authors Leonard Shapiro and Ed Sherman wanted. To give us a little insight into golf and spark some healthy debate.
Golf Mania List also includes some great original lists written by legendary golfers like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, plus a Foreword by Jim Nantz.
Jim Nantz's List For Why You'll Enjoy This Book
A nice touch to the book are the quotes interspersed between the lists. Golf quotes from the likes of Bob Hope, Mark Twain, Winston Churchill, Phyllis Diller, and Gerald Ford. We’ve all been there frustrated by our swing, like Ben Hogan quote, “Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing.”
Being busy with the kids I don’t a have a lot of time to sit down and read for an hour or so. Golf List Mania was perfect for getting my golf fix on those hectic days. I’d pick it up and read from whatever list sparked my interest on that given day. At $15 Golf Mania List is a great read for the golf fan in your life.
In honour of the passing of Seve Ballesteros here’s what Ed Sherman wrote about Seve in his list of Top Twenty Men Players of All Time:
#17 Seve Ballesteros
The Spaniard was golf’s ultimate thrill show. Time after time, fans watched in awe as Seve escaped from trouble with shots that came from one of golf’s most creative minds. He won five majors, including three British Opens. He also transformed the Ryder Cup, making it one of the top events in golf.
About the Authors
Leonard Shapiro is an award-winning sportswriter who wrote for the Washington Post for forty years (covering the national golf beat for 18 years), past president of the Golf Writers Association of America, and current feature columnist for Global Golf Post, a popular digital weekly golf magazine (www.globalgolfpost.com). He lives outside Washington, D.C.
Ed Sherman was a longtime sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune, including 12 years as the Trib’s national golf writer. A winner of numerous Golf Writers awards, he writes a popular golf blog on Crain’s Chicago Business (www.chicagobusiness.com). He also hosts “The Scorecard,” a Saturday-morning golf show on WCSR-AM 670 in Chicago and heard throughout the Midwest. He lives in Chicago.
GOLF LIST MANIA!
The Most Authoritative and Opinionated Rankings of the Best and Worst of the Game
Author: Leonard Shapiro and Ed Sherman, Foreword by Jim Nantz
Publisher: Running Press
Format: Paperback; 284 pages; Retail Price: $15.00; ISBN-13: 978-0-7624-4069-6; Publication Date: May 2011
Leonard Shapiro and Ed Sherman have done a great job of putting together a golf book with lists for everyone who’s picked up a golf club and has felt the pleasure of a perfectly struck iron shot. From Best Ryder Cup players to David Feherty’s Best Lines to Grip It and Sip It each list has a little something to say about the game we all love. Of course you might not agree with all the lists but that’s what the authors Leonard Shapiro and Ed Sherman wanted. To give us a little insight into golf and spark some healthy debate.
Golf Mania List also includes some great original lists written by legendary golfers like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, plus a Foreword by Jim Nantz.
Jim Nantz's List For Why You'll Enjoy This Book
A nice touch to the book are the quotes interspersed between the lists. Golf quotes from the likes of Bob Hope, Mark Twain, Winston Churchill, Phyllis Diller, and Gerald Ford. We’ve all been there frustrated by our swing, like Ben Hogan quote, “Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing.”
Being busy with the kids I don’t a have a lot of time to sit down and read for an hour or so. Golf List Mania was perfect for getting my golf fix on those hectic days. I’d pick it up and read from whatever list sparked my interest on that given day. At $15 Golf Mania List is a great read for the golf fan in your life.
In honour of the passing of Seve Ballesteros here’s what Ed Sherman wrote about Seve in his list of Top Twenty Men Players of All Time:
#17 Seve Ballesteros
The Spaniard was golf’s ultimate thrill show. Time after time, fans watched in awe as Seve escaped from trouble with shots that came from one of golf’s most creative minds. He won five majors, including three British Opens. He also transformed the Ryder Cup, making it one of the top events in golf.
About the Authors
Leonard Shapiro is an award-winning sportswriter who wrote for the Washington Post for forty years (covering the national golf beat for 18 years), past president of the Golf Writers Association of America, and current feature columnist for Global Golf Post, a popular digital weekly golf magazine (www.globalgolfpost.com). He lives outside Washington, D.C.
Ed Sherman was a longtime sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune, including 12 years as the Trib’s national golf writer. A winner of numerous Golf Writers awards, he writes a popular golf blog on Crain’s Chicago Business (www.chicagobusiness.com). He also hosts “The Scorecard,” a Saturday-morning golf show on WCSR-AM 670 in Chicago and heard throughout the Midwest. He lives in Chicago.
GOLF LIST MANIA!
The Most Authoritative and Opinionated Rankings of the Best and Worst of the Game
Author: Leonard Shapiro and Ed Sherman, Foreword by Jim Nantz
Publisher: Running Press
Format: Paperback; 284 pages; Retail Price: $15.00; ISBN-13: 978-0-7624-4069-6; Publication Date: May 2011
May 14, 2011
Ian Poulter Sprints To Finish His Round
If you were watching any of the Live@ online coverage of the Players Championship you probably noticed a rather well dressed guy running to the famed 17th hole. Yes it was Englisman Ian Poulter trying to finish his round before the horn went and play was called.
Here's Brian Wacker's from PGATour.com take of the sprinting Englishman.
Here's Brian Wacker's from PGATour.com take of the sprinting Englishman.
Knowing he was running out of time and eager to avoid a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call for a 7:45 a.m. restart Sunday morning, Poulter sprinted to the 17th green, pulled the flag himself and quickly lined up his putt. He two-putted for par, grabbed his driver and sprinted to the 18th tee -- only Phil Mickelson’s group had just teed off. Mickelson’s group stepped aside, though, and Poulter piped his tee shot 304 yards down the fairway before eventually making bogey for a 74 to fall to even par for the tournament. “A 300-yard sprint was well worth four hours in bed,” said Poulter, who added that Mickelson gave him the green light back on the 16th hole. “Phil came over and said you have to tee off, just give us a shout.” That’s exactly what Poulter did and it resulted in his best drive of the day -- even though his heart rate was up from all the running. “It was probably about the same as your heart rate is when you’re playing the Ryder Cup so it was just taking you back a few months,” Poulter joked. “I think quite a few guys in that situation would have done the exact same thing.”Poulter in a hurry on No. 17 in Round 3 of THE PLAYERS
Charley Hoffman Snaps Putter - Broken Putter Starts Twitter Account
Charley Hoffman is one of my favorite golfers to follow. On Thursday he had a bit of a rough day putting at the Players Championship (31 putts for the day) and snapped his Scotty Cameron Red X3 in two like a match stick. Charley has had some other frustrations at the Players Championship before. On the #13 hole a few years ago he threw his putter in a nearby pond after missing a 20 inch putt.
Don't mess with the Hoffman. Like Luca Glover's beard starting a Facebook page his broken putter has started up a Twitter account. If your on Twitter you have to follow for some pretty funny banter.
Nice to see Charley bounce back today with a round of 68 and 26 putts. No indication what Charley is putting with now.
Charley Hoffman snaps his club in half after the ninth hole at the Players Championship
Nice to see Charley bounce back today with a round of 68 and 26 putts. No indication what Charley is putting with now.
Charley Hoffman snaps his club in half after the ninth hole at the Players Championship
May 11, 2011
Review: The Rope It
Golf Ball On A Bungee Rope! Appears in my inbox. Peaks my interest, I read on:
The Rope It! Backyard Practice Range
Uses a real golf ball,
NOT a practice ball.
See 20 yards of flight,
UNLIKE a GOLF net.
Practice in your backyard,
NO DRIVING TO THE RANGE.
I live out in the country, I have a big backyard. Addicted to Golf. Sign me up!
How it Works
Pretty simple, a real Dixon golf ball attached to a nylon/bungee rope. You need at least 20 yds of practice area where there’s no one around. Anchor the rope to a weight or other heavy object. Face the bolt that attaches ball to the rope towards the weight. Keep rope curved and out of swing path and commence your shots with your mid-irons. For use on grass only.
Pros
When I don’t have a lot of time before a round I can setup the Rope It in a couple of minutes in my backyard and get a quick warm up. I love to practice golf in my backyard. I do lots of chipping and short pitches which is great. So being able to use the Rope It with my mid irons adds a new element to my backyard practice.
Cons
You can only use the Rope It with your mid-irons (6 through 9) so not being able to use a driver, fairway wood or hybrid seems limiting. The ball is attached to a rope by a bolt so at times feedback on your mid-irons feels some what off or muted but hey your hitting a real golf ball right.
Conclusion
For those of us that are busy and addicted to golf. The Rope It is $20 well spent. It’s easy to set up and use in your backyard or your nearest park. Great practice for your mid-irons that will only help you in the long run when you hit the course.
The Rope It! Backyard Practice Range
Uses a real golf ball,
NOT a practice ball.
See 20 yards of flight,
UNLIKE a GOLF net.
Practice in your backyard,
NO DRIVING TO THE RANGE.
I live out in the country, I have a big backyard. Addicted to Golf. Sign me up!
How it Works
Pretty simple, a real Dixon golf ball attached to a nylon/bungee rope. You need at least 20 yds of practice area where there’s no one around. Anchor the rope to a weight or other heavy object. Face the bolt that attaches ball to the rope towards the weight. Keep rope curved and out of swing path and commence your shots with your mid-irons. For use on grass only.
Pros
When I don’t have a lot of time before a round I can setup the Rope It in a couple of minutes in my backyard and get a quick warm up. I love to practice golf in my backyard. I do lots of chipping and short pitches which is great. So being able to use the Rope It with my mid irons adds a new element to my backyard practice.
Cons
You can only use the Rope It with your mid-irons (6 through 9) so not being able to use a driver, fairway wood or hybrid seems limiting. The ball is attached to a rope by a bolt so at times feedback on your mid-irons feels some what off or muted but hey your hitting a real golf ball right.
Conclusion
For those of us that are busy and addicted to golf. The Rope It is $20 well spent. It’s easy to set up and use in your backyard or your nearest park. Great practice for your mid-irons that will only help you in the long run when you hit the course.
May 10, 2011
ECCO Golf Street Review
ECCO Golf Street Shoes
This year once again Freddie Couples strolled the fairways of Augusta sporting a pair of ECCO Golf Street shoes. The fifty-something Couples know for his silky smooth swing loves the fact he can wear his ECCOs from his house, to the practice range and onto the course. This year he signed an extension of his contract with ECCO.
"I am thrilled to be continuing my relationship with ECCO," says Couples. "They are a fabulous company making some of the world's most comfortable golf shoes. ECCO is also a leader in creating unique styles, like the Golf Street shoes that I can wear all day, on and off the golf course."
So I’m never going to play in the Masters and win a green jacket like Freddie but I can at least do a review of the golf shoes Freddie endorses. Here’s my take on these hybrid sport-casual model.
Look/Feel
The ECCO Golf Street shoes don’t look like your average golf shoe and that’s what ECCO is trying to get across. They first do it by using some really great combinations of colours from Black/Black/Chili • Black/Blue • Concrete/White/Royal • Licorice/Coffee/Fanta • Sephia/Bison/Honey they all look great. I got to review the Concrete/White/Royal which wouldn’t be my first choice for a duel purpose shoe because I’d be worried about keeping them clean looking.
After wearing them extensively on and off the course they held up great and now have that nice worn in look. ECCO Golf Streets aren’t available in all sizes in all colors so be flexible when ordering.
ECCO has added some classy subtle details to the shoe with colour metal rivets down the outside of the shoes and your choice of two different pairs of laces ( I immediately swapped out the white laces for the blue). I also really liked the way ECCO used a combination of distressed leather with suede to give the shoe a worked in look.
I got to test out a size 11.5-12 (Europe 46) which fit just perfect (I usually wear a size 12 in most shoes). I tend to have a more narrow foot and it fit great with just enough room in the toe to move around. For the first few weeks I wore the Golf Street shoes strictly off the course. I really liked wearing them casually with jeans. I found them very similar to wearing tennis shoes except much lighter.
On the course they had great traction for a shoe that doesn’t have regular soft spikes. Very comfortable and kept you low to the ground for great stability during your swing. If your worried about the sole and traction bars wearing out they are made of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane Plastic)a highly durable, wear-resistant material. More wear resistant than ordinary rubber.
Conclusion
I usually practice a few times a week with my 3 year old, the ECCO Golf Street shoes are perfect for just slipping on and heading to the local course. Not once did I ever lose any performance this obviously has something to do with the 100 molded traction bars which provides more than 800 traction angles for excellent grip. I played and practice in wet conditions and my feet stayed dry as well.
The Golf Street shoes retail for about $180 CDN at Golf Town which is higher then some similar style of golf shoes but for a shoe you can wear on and off the course that’s comfortable and fashionable. You can’t go wrong.
This year once again Freddie Couples strolled the fairways of Augusta sporting a pair of ECCO Golf Street shoes. The fifty-something Couples know for his silky smooth swing loves the fact he can wear his ECCOs from his house, to the practice range and onto the course. This year he signed an extension of his contract with ECCO.
"I am thrilled to be continuing my relationship with ECCO," says Couples. "They are a fabulous company making some of the world's most comfortable golf shoes. ECCO is also a leader in creating unique styles, like the Golf Street shoes that I can wear all day, on and off the golf course."
So I’m never going to play in the Masters and win a green jacket like Freddie but I can at least do a review of the golf shoes Freddie endorses. Here’s my take on these hybrid sport-casual model.
Look/Feel
The ECCO Golf Street shoes don’t look like your average golf shoe and that’s what ECCO is trying to get across. They first do it by using some really great combinations of colours from Black/Black/Chili • Black/Blue • Concrete/White/Royal • Licorice/Coffee/Fanta • Sephia/Bison/Honey they all look great. I got to review the Concrete/White/Royal which wouldn’t be my first choice for a duel purpose shoe because I’d be worried about keeping them clean looking.
After wearing them extensively on and off the course they held up great and now have that nice worn in look. ECCO Golf Streets aren’t available in all sizes in all colors so be flexible when ordering.
ECCO has added some classy subtle details to the shoe with colour metal rivets down the outside of the shoes and your choice of two different pairs of laces ( I immediately swapped out the white laces for the blue). I also really liked the way ECCO used a combination of distressed leather with suede to give the shoe a worked in look.
I got to test out a size 11.5-12 (Europe 46) which fit just perfect (I usually wear a size 12 in most shoes). I tend to have a more narrow foot and it fit great with just enough room in the toe to move around. For the first few weeks I wore the Golf Street shoes strictly off the course. I really liked wearing them casually with jeans. I found them very similar to wearing tennis shoes except much lighter.
On the course they had great traction for a shoe that doesn’t have regular soft spikes. Very comfortable and kept you low to the ground for great stability during your swing. If your worried about the sole and traction bars wearing out they are made of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane Plastic)a highly durable, wear-resistant material. More wear resistant than ordinary rubber.
Conclusion
I usually practice a few times a week with my 3 year old, the ECCO Golf Street shoes are perfect for just slipping on and heading to the local course. Not once did I ever lose any performance this obviously has something to do with the 100 molded traction bars which provides more than 800 traction angles for excellent grip. I played and practice in wet conditions and my feet stayed dry as well.
The Golf Street shoes retail for about $180 CDN at Golf Town which is higher then some similar style of golf shoes but for a shoe you can wear on and off the course that’s comfortable and fashionable. You can’t go wrong.
May 9, 2011
Rickie Fowler's Players Championship Puma Scripting
Love the look and colors for the first two days for Rickie. Not a fan of the third round shirt though. What are your thoughts of Rickie's Puma apparel.
May 7, 2011
Goodbye Seve you will be missed.
Adiós Usted Seve se puede perder. A tribute to Seve through videos.
1983 Masters - Seve Ballesteros - Final Green
Amazing golf shot - Ballesteros on his knees
Seve Ballesteros 13th Fairway approach shot 1986 Masters
1983 Masters - Seve Ballesteros - Final Green
Amazing golf shot - Ballesteros on his knees
Seve Ballesteros 13th Fairway approach shot 1986 Masters
May 6, 2011
Promomedia Teams with Executive Golf To Promote Golf in Ottawa Area
Looks like Promomedia, a Eastern Ontario Promotional Firm has teamed with Executive Golf to introduce Ottawa-Gatineau businesses to some head to head tournament golf. See the press release below for details of the inaugural Promomedia Corporate Challenge to be held at Loch March Golf, September 13, 2011.
Promomedia Group partners with Executive Golf to boost golf market in Ottawa-Gatineau
New “Corporate Challenge” event will pit company against company as part of the deal
May 5, 2011 – Ottawa, Ontario.
Promomedia Group (promomedia.com), one of Eastern Canada’s largest promotional firms, has signed a major two-year sponsorship agreement with Ottawa-based Executive Golf (executivegolf.ca) to enhance the profile of golf in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
In the deal, Promomedia will take over sponsorship of three already existing events and will work with Executive Golf to introduce the inaugural “Promomedia Group Corporate Challenge” to the region’s business community. This one day event, slated for autumn 2011, will attract the top four competitive golfers from different companies to battle it out in match-play competition. Individual businesses will appoint their own team members.
“We’ve had this corporate challenge on the drawing board for a few years now,” said Jamie Ryan, Executive Golf President. “The demand is clearly there and I guess we just needed the right partner to make it happen, and Promomedia’s enthusiasm for the event made it clear that that time has arrived.”
The event takes place at Loch March Golf & Country Club on September 13, 2011. Interested companies can sign up online at executivegolf.ca/promomedia. According to Promomedia President & CEO, Dan Rochette, the Corporate Challenge is just one part of a much broader picture. “We’ve been looking for an opportunity like this for a while. Just by the nature of our line of business, we already know most of the region’s marketing and advertising people – so recruiting teams is going to be the easy part. When you combine that with Executive Golf’s own marketing reach and tournament management skills, I’m certain this event will turn into a major staple in the region’s golf scene.”
In addition to the Promomedia Group Corporate Challenge, Promomedia will take over title sponsorship of the following events:
• Ottawa Sun Scramble Promomedia B-Class City Championship. The biggest division of Ottawa Sun Scramble City Championship Week (the region’s largest golf event), which is now entering its 7th season – and held in August at multiple golf courses throughout Ottawa and Gatineau.
• Ottawa Sun Scramble Promomedia Closest-To-The-Pin. This contest for competitors in all nine divisions is a 50/50 with the winner taking half the pot, and the other half going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern Ontario.
• The Slammer Tour Promomedia B-Class Tour Championship. Also entering its 7th season, this event is a season-long elimination match-play event where the field is cut in half after each round, until one player survives and takes the championship.
The overall mission of Executive Golf is to promote the sport of golf in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, and key to success in this area is to recognize and appeal to all types of golfers.
“We have some of the Canada’s best players, right here,” says Ryan, “but we also have a huge number of beginners and social golfers, and, of course, everything in between.”
While the Promomedia Group Corporate Challenge targets players who crave competition and networking, Executive Golf conducts programs and events that are specifically designed for every type of golfer, including beginners, juniors, ladies, seniors, non-serious social players and hard-core competitors.
Since 1999, Promomedia Group has grown into one of the largest promotional firms in Eastern Canada. They provide high-quality brandable promotional items through their Signature Collection and base their reputation on knowing what products offer the best return for different market segments. The company is located in east Ottawa on Canotek Rd. and has 23 employees who service clients throughout Canada and the United States.
Contacts
Dan Rochette President & CEO, Promedia Group 613-749-4212 drochette@facilisgroup.com promomedia.com
Jamie Ryan President, Executive Golf 613-799-GOLF (4653) jamie@executivegolf.ca executivegolf.ca
Promomedia Group partners with Executive Golf to boost golf market in Ottawa-Gatineau
New “Corporate Challenge” event will pit company against company as part of the deal
May 5, 2011 – Ottawa, Ontario.
Promomedia Group (promomedia.com), one of Eastern Canada’s largest promotional firms, has signed a major two-year sponsorship agreement with Ottawa-based Executive Golf (executivegolf.ca) to enhance the profile of golf in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
In the deal, Promomedia will take over sponsorship of three already existing events and will work with Executive Golf to introduce the inaugural “Promomedia Group Corporate Challenge” to the region’s business community. This one day event, slated for autumn 2011, will attract the top four competitive golfers from different companies to battle it out in match-play competition. Individual businesses will appoint their own team members.
“We’ve had this corporate challenge on the drawing board for a few years now,” said Jamie Ryan, Executive Golf President. “The demand is clearly there and I guess we just needed the right partner to make it happen, and Promomedia’s enthusiasm for the event made it clear that that time has arrived.”
The event takes place at Loch March Golf & Country Club on September 13, 2011. Interested companies can sign up online at executivegolf.ca/promomedia. According to Promomedia President & CEO, Dan Rochette, the Corporate Challenge is just one part of a much broader picture. “We’ve been looking for an opportunity like this for a while. Just by the nature of our line of business, we already know most of the region’s marketing and advertising people – so recruiting teams is going to be the easy part. When you combine that with Executive Golf’s own marketing reach and tournament management skills, I’m certain this event will turn into a major staple in the region’s golf scene.”
In addition to the Promomedia Group Corporate Challenge, Promomedia will take over title sponsorship of the following events:
• Ottawa Sun Scramble Promomedia B-Class City Championship. The biggest division of Ottawa Sun Scramble City Championship Week (the region’s largest golf event), which is now entering its 7th season – and held in August at multiple golf courses throughout Ottawa and Gatineau.
• Ottawa Sun Scramble Promomedia Closest-To-The-Pin. This contest for competitors in all nine divisions is a 50/50 with the winner taking half the pot, and the other half going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern Ontario.
• The Slammer Tour Promomedia B-Class Tour Championship. Also entering its 7th season, this event is a season-long elimination match-play event where the field is cut in half after each round, until one player survives and takes the championship.
The overall mission of Executive Golf is to promote the sport of golf in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, and key to success in this area is to recognize and appeal to all types of golfers.
“We have some of the Canada’s best players, right here,” says Ryan, “but we also have a huge number of beginners and social golfers, and, of course, everything in between.”
While the Promomedia Group Corporate Challenge targets players who crave competition and networking, Executive Golf conducts programs and events that are specifically designed for every type of golfer, including beginners, juniors, ladies, seniors, non-serious social players and hard-core competitors.
Since 1999, Promomedia Group has grown into one of the largest promotional firms in Eastern Canada. They provide high-quality brandable promotional items through their Signature Collection and base their reputation on knowing what products offer the best return for different market segments. The company is located in east Ottawa on Canotek Rd. and has 23 employees who service clients throughout Canada and the United States.
Contacts
Dan Rochette President & CEO, Promedia Group 613-749-4212 drochette@facilisgroup.com promomedia.com
Jamie Ryan President, Executive Golf 613-799-GOLF (4653) jamie@executivegolf.ca executivegolf.ca
May 4, 2011
SeeMore Si4 Putter Review
I’ve
enjoyed doing a few reviews of SeeMore putters over the last few
seasons but I was excited to get out of my comfort zone and try a style
of putter I wouldn’t normally radiate towards. At first glance the
SeeMore Si4 is one sharp looking putter. With it’s black satin finish
and classic Anser-style blade design. This putter will appeal to many
golfers just on looks alone but looks don’t sink putts as we all know.
Si Series From Seemore
The SeeMore Si4 is the fourth putter in the Si Series by SeeMore. The "i" stands for the thermoplastic insert found in the face of each Si putter. The Si4 incorporates RST2 technology similar to it’s milled brother the SeeMore DB4 CS putter.
RifleScope Technology
If your not familiar with RifleScope technology. Here’s the scoop:
Testing
For the Winter months I tested the putter out in my indoor putting area. Now with the better weather I’ve been able to test it out on the course and while practicing. Here are the highlights:
The Si4 putter frames the ball beautifully. The contrasting color of the ball against the black satin finish really looked good to my eye. I initially thought the smaller shaped Anser-Style blade of the Si4 might mess with my confident being use to my gamer, the SeeMore M3 mallet putter but it didn’t.
According to SeeMore, the thermoplastic face insert on the Si Series putters is designed to offer " a softer feel and a slightly lower rebound characteristic preferred by some players." I found the insert in the Si4 to be soft but not to soft. Having the lower rebound I found hard to get use to especially on longer putts (25+ feet). Wasn’t a real issue with short ones.
I also felt that that maybe it would of been nice to have the option of having a heavier Si4 than the stock weight of 340g. Somewhat like the Seemore DB4 CS Gunmetal putter head weight option (either a 335g head or a 350g head). On short putts the Si4 felt stable but on longer putts I felt the extra weight might have helped with making a few more longer putts.
Conclusion
SeeMore excels in the online customization option of their putters. Where else can you get a $180 putter customized for your unique length and lie. As well you can choose from a plethora of head covers and putter grips. The only suggestion I have for SeeMore is to maybe have an option similar to the DB4 CS Gunmetal which has an option for a 335g head or a 350g head. I really feel that would help with longer putts for some golfers.
For me putting is all about feel and I don’t like to get to technical. I guess that’s why the SeeMore Si4 putter has that appeal. Pick your line, hide the red dot and pull the trigger. If you prefer an Anser-Syle blade putter then you’ve got to add the SeeMore Si4 to your “must try” list. Soft feel and a great price for a custom putter you really can’t go wrong with a Si4.
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
Si Series From Seemore
The SeeMore Si4 is the fourth putter in the Si Series by SeeMore. The "i" stands for the thermoplastic insert found in the face of each Si putter. The Si4 incorporates RST2 technology similar to it’s milled brother the SeeMore DB4 CS putter.
The RST2 alignment system is housed on the top of the hosel vs. the original RST system which is found on the top heel section of the putter. The 2 white lines on top of the hosel are milled perfectly parallel to the face of the putter, creating a perfect "gun sight" effect where the golfer is assured of being square to the intended target line when the white lines are visible and the signature red dot is hidden. If the red dot becomes visible at address, then the putter face is either open or closed, or the loft is not optimal.
RifleScope Technology
If your not familiar with RifleScope technology. Here’s the scoop:
- All SeeMore putters have it.
- There’s a visible gunsight on the top line of the putter
- Hide the red dot and you know you’re aligned square to the target.
- Leads to a better set up/alignment/stroke.
Testing
For the Winter months I tested the putter out in my indoor putting area. Now with the better weather I’ve been able to test it out on the course and while practicing. Here are the highlights:
The Si4 putter frames the ball beautifully. The contrasting color of the ball against the black satin finish really looked good to my eye. I initially thought the smaller shaped Anser-Style blade of the Si4 might mess with my confident being use to my gamer, the SeeMore M3 mallet putter but it didn’t.
According to SeeMore, the thermoplastic face insert on the Si Series putters is designed to offer " a softer feel and a slightly lower rebound characteristic preferred by some players." I found the insert in the Si4 to be soft but not to soft. Having the lower rebound I found hard to get use to especially on longer putts (25+ feet). Wasn’t a real issue with short ones.
I also felt that that maybe it would of been nice to have the option of having a heavier Si4 than the stock weight of 340g. Somewhat like the Seemore DB4 CS Gunmetal putter head weight option (either a 335g head or a 350g head). On short putts the Si4 felt stable but on longer putts I felt the extra weight might have helped with making a few more longer putts.
Conclusion
SeeMore excels in the online customization option of their putters. Where else can you get a $180 putter customized for your unique length and lie. As well you can choose from a plethora of head covers and putter grips. The only suggestion I have for SeeMore is to maybe have an option similar to the DB4 CS Gunmetal which has an option for a 335g head or a 350g head. I really feel that would help with longer putts for some golfers.
For me putting is all about feel and I don’t like to get to technical. I guess that’s why the SeeMore Si4 putter has that appeal. Pick your line, hide the red dot and pull the trigger. If you prefer an Anser-Syle blade putter then you’ve got to add the SeeMore Si4 to your “must try” list. Soft feel and a great price for a custom putter you really can’t go wrong with a Si4.
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)