Hunter Mahan Striping His Ping G25 @WGC_Accenture

Is Hunter Mahan in form for another Match Play Win? Spotted: PING Pro and defending @WGC_Accenture champ @HunterMahan striping his #G25 driver.

Spotted: PING Pro and defending @wgc_accenture champ @huntermahan striping his #G25 driver. vine.co/v/b6mzm1O2pu6

— PING GOLF (@PingTour) February 18, 2013

Betting on the US Open

It is too soon to start betting on the US Open or would it be better to see how the US Masters pans out? The Open does not get underway until June, and there is plenty of golfing to go before then, but the odds have been posted and money is being staked, so perhaps it is opportune to take advantage of any longish odds before they shorten. The Open is a little different from the other golfing majors, and generally it favors accurate driving, and it is not at all unusual for the winner to be over par. Last year it was won by Webb Simpson of the US, and the year before by Northern Island’s Rory McIlroy, and although Tiger Woods last won it back in 2008, he has won it more times than anyone else since Jack Nicklaus.

Tiger Woods has certainly come back from where he was in terms of his golf, and his recent game with US President Obama demonstrates that he has come back into polite society too. Currently he is equal favorite to win the Open with Rory McIlroy, both of them being priced at 8/1. However if you are going to bet so far ahead, then why not try to pick some of the longer odds players? For instance Lee Westwood is priced at 20/1, as is Luke Donald, and Brandt Snedeker is priced at 33/1. It is not a fore-said conclusion that either Woods or McIlroy will win, so why not have some fun?

The Argyle Open Golf themed online slots machine is a great game for golf fans who enjoy a little gambling, and you can find it at an online casino like http://www.luckynuggetcasino.com/au/. It is a five reel slot game with 40 pay lines and it includes a particularly interesting bonus feature in which you choose a famous golfer who will compete in a three stage tournament. The better you opponent tees off, the further he advances along the fairway, and the closer to the hole that his ball lands, the greater the reward which can be twenty free spins along with a five times multiplier. It is possible to win a jackpot on each of the 40 lines, which will pay out 400,000 coins which can be as much as £20,000.

Ping G25 Iron Fitting - My First Ping Fitting

This week I got to do something I've been wanting to do for awhile. I was invited by Andrew Donaldson of The Marshes Golf Club for a Ping Iron Fitting. In fact is was for the new G25 line of irons that just came out recently. When Andrew first posted the picture of the G25 iron on Twitter I was intrigue as it definitively fit my eye. So I was more than excited to hit the Marshes Indoor Studio this past Tuesday to get fitted for some G25 irons.

 Comparison Pics of the G25 against my Current TM Burner 2.0 9 Iron

The first step in getting a proper fitting is whats called the Interview Process which I didn't even realize I was going through with Andrew as I warmed up by hitting my own 9 iron into the indoor studio. Andrew asked me a series of questions regarding my present iron makeup and ball flight. I currently own a set of TaylorMade Burner 2.0 irons 5 iron through AW with KBS Tour Stiff Shafts. My ball flight is right to left (draw) my real bad misses tend to be hooks. I have a medium ball flight when it comes to trajectory. I'd definitely still want to keep my draw but go with a bit higher ball trajectory.

The second part of the fitting was a Static Fitting which I found interesting because I finally got to understand the Ping Color Code Chart better. Andrew took my height (6'5") and wrist-to-floor measurement (36") and these measurements were used to calculate my static Iron Color Code (Yellow Dot 1.5 degrees upright) and shaft length (+1").  My hand dimensions were also measured my Andrew Total hand size(8.5") as well as longest finger(3.75") to calculate my static Grip Color Code (Gold(+1/32"), or grip thickness.

Now came the fun parts The Dynamic Swing Test and the Ball Flight Analysis. Where you actually get to hit a G25 7 iron. Andrew initially tried different lengths of shafts with impact tape on the face of the irons. At the time I had no idea if I was playing a regular shaft or a stiff. Andrew was just trying to see from the impact tape on the face of the club where I was hitting the ball from my type of swing. Optimal being the middle of the face of the club. After numerous swings the impact tape reveal that I would need a shaft that plays at +1/2 ".

Then we moved on to the impact board where Andrew taped the sole of the club to get feedback from the sole of the club. When the club hits the board, it leaves marks on the tape that gave Andrew an idea to my setup and how my swing affects the position of the clubhead at impact. After I hit numerous balls off the impact board it was made clear from the impact tape and Ball Flight Analysis that I wouldn't need Yellow Dot irons. From all my swings Andrew was able to conclude I actually need my irons more flat Red Dot (.75 degrees flat) do in part to the way I impact the ball.

At this point Andrew told me I had been hitting the G25 with a Regular Ping CFS Shaft. So I then hit a bunch of shots with a Stiff Ping CFS Shaft. Comparing the values like launch angle, carry distance, deviation, etc. to the Regular shaft.

The Ball Flight Analysis was the most important part of the process. Andrew used a variety of clubs with slightly different specifications to isolate each fitting variable and determine the combination of Color Code, club length, shaft type and flex, club model and grip size that gave me best opportunity to achieve your desired ball flight.

Final step of the Ping Fitting is Monitoring Performance. A golfers swing can change over time. So the Monitoring Performance is an ongoing periodic evaluation of your ball flight. A swing change, club adjustment or a combination of both may be necessary to resolve or eliminate any variation in desired ball flight.


What a great experience going through a Ping Iron Fitting. The G25 was a great iron I loved the feel, look and the game improvement qualities of the irons. I want to try a fitting outside before I commit to a set but I know it will happen. It will only improve my love for the game.

A iron fitting by Andrew will cost you $50 which is money well spent. You find out alot about your swing habits and get fitted irons for your individual/custom swing. It only takes about 45 minutes so if your thinking about new irons by Ping be sure and contact Andrew the following ways: Toll Free 800-417-8555 or Andrew.donaldson@marshesgolfclub.com

BTW- He also does fittings for Titleist and Mizuno. Will definitely be setting up a driver fitting with Andrew. I can see the G25 in my future.

One Golfer Intrigued by gbelts

It's about lifestyle... Inspired by golf.... Intended for everyone

It's easy for me to admit I love golf apparel. Especially something that sparks my fashion eye. When I viewed on Instagram what a new West Coast Company is about to release this month. I'll admit I was more than a bit interested. The G Belt looks amazing from the various photos posted on Instagram. Classic style belt with a great looking buckle, understated yet stylish. We hope to get our hands on one for our upcoming trip to Myrtle Beach.

Here's what Roderick McDaniel, Sr. Product Placement Manager for gbelts has to say:

In short, gbelts is a line of unique belts designed to be worn on and off the golf course. Inspired by golf, the gbelt brand was thought of purely out of a personal necessity. The need for a quality made, stylish but yet affordable belt has always been there. For me, golf is not just a sport we play, golf is a lifestyle. Either golfing or at the workplace, hiking or enjoying a nice cigar and a fine glass of whiskey - my goal is to have the gbelts brand fit seamlessly into that lifestyle.

Looks like gbelts will go live by the end of the month. What do you think?

Q&A With Kikkor Golf's James Lepp

Got a chance to ask James Lepp a few questions through email this week. He's busy with his Kikkor Golf company as well as preparing his schedule for the upcoming 2013 PGA Tour Canada.

1. It was great following you on the Big Break Greenbrier to the final two. What were the positives you took from the show? Any negatives?

There was a lot to take from the show, but the most notable was probably the fact that no matter how nervous I got out there I was still able to perform. That gives me confidence moving forward into any nerve racking situation I get into. And really, there were no negatives!

2. What did you learn from the experience as a golfer? As a person?

I learned that the saucer pass works really well!! haha. Simply though, I learned that I'm half decent at golf. I know that I can be competitive out there on any stage. As a person, I learned that there are two James Lepp's. One that is a fierce competitor, and the other that just wants to have a good time. I'm never sure when one or the other will show up.

3. Every year Kikkor shoes seem to get better but there also seems to be more competition in the genre of alternative golf shoe? How is Kikkor going to compete in the years to come?

When I started Kikkor there wasn't really anybody in this market space. Now everybody is, and even new companies to boot. While it is very competitive, there will always be room for Kikkor. We don't just sell shoes; we sell an experience of awesome.

4. So what’s up Kikkor has golf shirts now? Is there not too many golf shirt companies out there? What makes Kikkor shirts different?

It just made sense to extend the brand to other products. Our customers love our shoes not only because they're a great product, but because they're cool and different. Our brand extensions, like apparel, will follow a similar story.

5. Any cool stories to come out of this years 2013 PGA Merchandise Show?

What happens at the PGA Show stays at the PGA Show.

6. Love the new Kikkor Commercial “Be Yourself Be Awesome” Hope did it come to be and who helped you with it?

We've made some videos here and there, and wanted to come out with some even more awesome. It was sort of a roundtable discussion. Once the wheels started turning then there was nothing stopping the creativity. Friends, colleagues, producers, camera guys...they all had their part in it.

7. Love social media and I know Kikkor Golf is actively involved in it as well? How do you see a company like Kikkor role in the whole “social media” world?

 I don't know if we ever look at it like a role. We're lucky that people are willing to follow us. Just like any news source, we want to give our followers newsworthy information. A lot of people over tweet in my mind. We just try to deliver great content when it comes up. There's no agenda, no specific schedule for tweeting or posting on Facebook. We want our followers to trust and appreciate our content. The trick is developing enough content to share! 

Golf Channel's Win McMurry chats with James Lepp, founder of Kikkor Golf, about his newest line of golf shoes at the PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

February Golf Madness Pool

Great Golf Pool put on my man Séamus Maher. Join today it's fun or try one of the other many pools he runs.

The Accenture Match Play Championship starts Wednesday, February 20th. I like to think this is golf's prelude to the NCAA March Madness to see who will be the last man standing and hoist the trophy at Dove Mountain, AZ.

The February Madness pool at GoForTheGreenGolfPools.com requires you to select the winners in all of the 64 matches. Total accumulated points will determine winners. Points are awarded as follows:

Round 1 - 1 point
Round 2 - 2 points
Round 3 - 3 points
Quarter Finals - 4 points
Semi - Finals - 5 points
Third Place - 6 points
Final - 7 points

There will be 3 payouts of 50%; 30% and 20%. The entry fee for this pool is $20 Canadian and payment must be sent before start of play to participate in this pool.

Preferred method of payment is by an Interac E-Mail Money Transfer from your online bank account. Please send to:

goforthegreengolfpools@gmail.com

Payment by cheque, money order & bank drafts are also accepted by mail and must be postmarked before start of play. Payment can be sent to the following address:

Séamus Maher
121 Main Street West
Grimsby, ON L3M 1R5

Payments can also be made by PayPal. Login into your PayPal account and send payment to:

goforthegreengolfpools@gmail.com

When sending PayPal funds remember to select Purchase (Services) and not Personal so as to avoid PayPal transaction fees. Credit card payments can also be made using PayPal however these are subject to a transaction fee.

All the pool details are at:

http://www.goforthegreengolfpools.com/match/index.htm

Please note the tournament brackets won't be released until Monday February 18th. Signup now to be on the distribution.

Signup is required to participate.

James Hahn Goes 'Gangnam Style' On #16

James Hahn is my new favorite golfer on the PGA Tour. He's one cool Travis Mathew wearing Gangham Style dancing golfer who obviously doesn't take himself to serious.

Check out his Sunday dance at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.