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iPhone 6 - One Week In
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Are we are interested in the wrong stuff? The big iPhone bends and it's not
an LG Flex.. OK. Friends in love with Samsung are waiting for the EDGE/Note
4. ...
9 years ago
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Like the New World Order in Golf?
It's great.. Martin Kaymer. Lee Westwood. Luke Donald. Not too excited about Rookies winning on the PGA tour. Like the lower key euro approach. Seems the media and fans are more knowledgeable and well behaved. Like the concept of the Gentleman's Game.. It isn't football. Onward! Looking forward the US Open at Congressional.
Somehow the play-off between number 1 and 2 at Wentworth didn't get the attention that Phil and Tiger would have received.
Somehow the play-off between number 1 and 2 at Wentworth didn't get the attention that Phil and Tiger would have received.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Bridgestone Balls. Superior technology.
He said it. A Nike sponsored, major champion and US Ryder cup captain said it. He was asked about golf balls on Twitter. I saw it with my own two eyes. Bridgestone ball technology is superior. To everything!
"@PaulAzinger Bridgestone way ahead of the rest in solid ball tech. 0 Xouts"
"@PaulAzinger Bridgestone way ahead of the rest in solid ball tech. 0 Xouts"
I don't use them.. have tried the RX and the B330 and the S.. the B was good but I can't remember how much control I got with it around the greens. The S was shorter noticeably. The RX flew straight and I couldn't spin it enough to hold hard greens... Part of my problem is irreversible. I'm close to 60.
I swing at 102-3.. carry a 4 index. Hit a solid drive 250-60 in Monterey air.. somedays it's 220-230 and my season best this year is 273. GPS measured. Could I get 5-10 yards from a ball? I'd like to know. Tell me. Thanks!
Golf Shaft Labels..up or down?
Q? A: doesn't matter ..really. I do everything label down and peel off the shaft labels from steel shafts.. why? they do it on tour. Not everyone.. but enough of them to influence me. I answer this question only because it was a search that someone did on Google to get to my Blog and I figured I might as well answer the question. I pay attention to the Ball and the clubface.. Not sure I'd notice labels on grips or shafts but I continue to take them off and noticed that Scotty Cameron
now puts shaft labels on his putters that you can't see from address. All about removing the excuses...
now puts shaft labels on his putters that you can't see from address. All about removing the excuses...Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Woods' agent out at IMG as contract renewal fails - Tours & News - Golf.com
Woods' agent out at IMG as contract renewal fails - Tours & News - Golf.com
It remains to be seen if all these questions surrounding Tiger will ever resolve themselves. Golf is a zen exercise to some. To others it is a brutally selfish endeavor for only the most egomanical who also display good manners for the most part. Can Tiger resolve all these off course issues and return to greatness? Seems a perfect stage for a complex mix. Tiger seemed straightforward a few years ago. Happy husband and winning competitor. Not so today.. and to some degree I am forgetting about him.. but want to see the greatness he displayed again... from someone. Lots written about the need for a dominant number one. Sorry. He left.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Tiger Will Play the US Open.
@TigerWoods Bummed that my left leg has me on the sidelines, but I want, and expect, to be at the US Open. Will do all I can to get there.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Congratulations to KJ Choi on a great win at The Players Championship!
Impressive and wonderful sportsmanship by David Toms and KJ Choi
...seemed like everyone was playing too safe. Was waiting for a run. It seemed like a race of attrition.
@Graeme_McDowell Oops. That was not the day I wanted. Bogied 6 and 7 and went completely flat. Chased it and couldn't make it happen. Onwards and upwards.
Lessons learned:
@mbaggsGC Toms' son might not have seen Dad win, but he saw how to handle defeat with grace, which is more valuable in life.
@chubby6665 The Sky boys obviously aren't allowed to get excited !! They've been building it up when nothing happening ,then nothing when it all went on
K.J. Choi - 1 - Final round at 2011 Players Championship - Photos - Golf.com
(you will leave this site-please come back)
(you will leave this site-please come back)
"It's better without Tiger"
Sunday shootout at the players. McDowell brings his new mindset to the course and his buddies are in Europe (I guess) watching.
Last night while watching the tapes, someone remarked how much more interesting Golf is this year without Tiger. Think we'll all agree that parity is ultimately going to be good for the game. The Masters was fueled by a front nine Tiger rally. He walked off the course on Thursday with a limp and a front nine 42. Golf will be just fine. But every sport needs a hero. Graeme said he was going to get to bed early and try to stay out of the bar. Stricker said he hoped g-Mac went to the bar. We know he can close. He won the US Open. So can Toms and Glover. Should be fun. Time to tune in... what do you think?
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Players...
Lots of hype and storylines about the course and players.. Is Tiger 100%? Will former World Numero Uno Martin Kaymer be a factor? He's paired with Tiger and Kuchar. Who won the Masters? Phil? Bubba and his comments about Tiger and Foley's comments about Bubba....Tiger responded, "we'll talk".
The Ad for the event is great and When Hunter Mahan says, "You better bring it when you step on the first tee!" I know he knows what he's talking about. His, "this game owes you nothing!" comment in the Titleist ad tells a lot about the mindset necessary to win on tour... more to come...
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Picking out shafts in irons....
...many years ago the Lady (former lpga tour player) who tried to teach me the game signed on with MacGregor. I had just edged over the line to single digit land and was ready (so I thought) for some real playas irons.. convinced her to get Mac to get me a set of 1025 cm's with some flighted rifle shafts. She invited me to play one Monday with one of the Pros that Macgregor sponsored and he told me something I have largely ignored (of course) but have confirmed with a few OEM execs and sponsored players over the years. That is that a lot of thought and research goes into the shaft selection of every set of retail irons.. the shafts are not for everyone, but I know a former nation am champion who now just buys them off the rack. His thinking is that with all the CAD and rocket scientists the OEMs have working for them they do a very fine job of matching shafts and heads together..Often I have thought, "why don't they offer ZXY shafts in these".. only to find out why, later on when I can't seem to generate enough (or I get too much) spin with my 8i... there are other issues as well, but much of my second guessing of the OEM engineers has been a mistake on my part....now that I am playing 85 gram graphite shafts I have eliminated sore hands and elbow/shoulder. They are not stock but they were offered in custom by Callaway. Still would like to play some irons with 850 nippons as they have been a favorite of a few guys who play some real fine golf.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
buster confidential...
Every week the guys who "follow" Golf at Golf.com/SI chat a bit about issues in the sport. They never ask, but maybe they should since, straight-up, the guys I play with on Sundays would destroy these hacks (meant to be a compliment) seriously!.. Not sure that means that our opinions matter but something to be said for a foursome that has only one guy in it that hasn't broken par (best score 73). All indexes below 5 and best +5. I'll submit that we see golf from the same perspective week after week and so here we go:
Who's numero uno: Gary Van Sickle: The No. 1 spot in the world rankings should be left vacant until somebody actually goes out and earns it.
Agreed!
...sometimes one of them hits the nail on the head.. Usually actually.. we're not haters. Just your above average fousome that is usually a threesome cause you know who made the weekend or is out there somewhere..
Loose the Heritage? Shipnuck: It's one of the best courses on Tour, in one of the nicest places. If Finchem can't make this work, he should give back his zillion-dollar salary.
Two of us played Bayonet with Finchem's old law partner. It's a sweet job. As he noted over and over, Tim is a good guy with a sweet deal and is fortunate enough to have Tiger around.. Phil too. See how great everyone thinks he is if a Tradition (The Heritage is) is lost and the numbers keep falling.
Time for Two Gloves? Find something else to talk about.. Like Jerry's new job.
Legends? Two of us know Bobby Clampett.. an occasional member played HS golf with him. Very Knowledgeable guy.. He does a lot for others. I couldn't watch the Telecast. I heard 2-3 times in the first minutes, "they are as loose as you can imagine." I love watching the Champs play in person. Can relate to them and the LPGA much better than the Big Boys. But drama (or lack of it) is what it is... I didn't watch. Nobody did.
How to Cut Down the Masters field? Didn't know this was a problem. Is it? Think a win should get you in.
Legends? Two of us know Bobby Clampett.. an occasional member played HS golf with him. Very Knowledgeable guy.. He does a lot for others. I couldn't watch the Telecast. I heard 2-3 times in the first minutes, "they are as loose as you can imagine." I love watching the Champs play in person. Can relate to them and the LPGA much better than the Big Boys. But drama (or lack of it) is what it is... I didn't watch. Nobody did.
How to Cut Down the Masters field? Didn't know this was a problem. Is it? Think a win should get you in.
What do you think?
Make room for an old friend.. Hot Driver
A cautionary tale... I'd warn: There are some old driver's around that beat the yards out of the "new" ones.
This info is not new: A friend (really-sitting at a computer most of the day, I still talk with people face to face and develop relationships!) who works in a Super Store and has played at the National amateur level for many years plays a bag that is unavailable today (no retailer has sold his equipment new in years) and, because he "works" in the business, he has tried to "get current" but when tournament season comes around he always goes back to his faithful irons, wedges and driver (which is His bag-not mine)..
I on the other hand have spent a small fortune trying to find 10 yards off the tee and a few more greens in reg.. buy a game? you sorta can but I'll get onto that subject some other time. I have two friends now.. make that three that use drivers that are more than 5 years old .. and they are Callaway drivers. FT-3's and an X-460. Introduced about the same time I think. Providing distance and accuracy that I've haven't experienced in a long time. I swing right around 102 and now with the FT-3 and a tour platform 26.3 shaft (stiff) I am into an area on my home course I've never seen before off the tee. If I miss the driver on 11 (mid length par 4 ...generally into the wind) I'll have 145-50 into the smallest green on the peninsula.. catch it and I've got 120-125.. used to be 175 if I missed and 145 if I caught it.. Earlier reports of my success with the tour Octane were true but I seemed to spay it now and then. I hit a drive 273 yards the other day with the FT-3 and 255-260 is not uncommon. You can play from there. You can't get around the dogleg on 15 (two very big trees guard it) for a clear shot at the green without a 250 yard shot.. I have had 110 in with other drivers but I think I may have had a very fortunate bounce.
I got a razr Hawk tour in the mail last week to try and had some hope for it. Love the sound and feel (really!) It is being reshafted today. Perhaps it is an FT-3 with a hosel.. we shall see. I don't have another one of those "old" shafts to try it with.
The other heads on the Oldies but Goodies list are the original Cleveland comp and the 425 Orlimar. I have seen guys in competition crush these and have been told by fitters that they are very difficult to beat for ballspeed.
Hear the reigning US Open champ (who left Cally for Srixon this year after a great 2010) tried a few drivers and now is back using his FT-3. Think Stenson also kept his FT-3 when he left Callaway.
If you want to try one, the heads are inexpensive on Callaway pre-owned and eBay's good as well. I sure am pleased with what I found.
In the racing I used to do when much younger (Tri's, Bi's, Cycling, Running) we used to say that so and so "found a friend" if they showed marked improvement due to weightloss, diet, drugs, or say a new aerobike. I just found one in a headcover tucked away in a travel bag.. I shafted it before and got nothing.. a new lease on life I guess. A hunch with an old shaft in the corner and my game has been issued a new lease on life. Get used to the sound.. It's easy with the performance.
BTW-The Hawk is being outfitted with a MotoreF1.. We'll see!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
First day at the #Masters
@stephaniewei has a great web site and has a lethal point of view now and then that obviously came from playing golf in New Haven for 4 years.. Her question this evening is obvious. Who you got? McIlroy or Quiros (who is a funny guy who can't (?) act)
My answer: Did u pick? Chicken? We are a long way from a green jacket ceremony. Brilliant huh? As impressed with Rory as I was earlier today, this afternoon brought out a new emotion. Awe. The pairing (that's not) was a blast to watch. I had Kaymer on all my "lists".. poor choice. So the wizard will make one more prediction. Casey or Barnes maybe.. Quiros at 12 under. Was a great display and the future of golf looks more exciting than trying to figure out if Tiger will wake up or which Phil will show up..if only Luke had not won yesterday... what's casey and Kuchar got to do with this.. and then the initial brothers (YE and KJ) with their 5 or 6 woods and hybrids may have a thing or two to say as well.. I'm chicken.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
My Bag today
17° Octane Redboard 73s
20/23° mx-700 YS-q hybrid
5-AW RAZR tour vs-proto 85 stiff
54/59° CG-15 nippon 950
2 Ball Mid/Belly
ProV1
Playerstowel
Kraft Nabisco.. and why the LPGA is good to watch for most of us..
In a word: Tempo. Love to see the hard and super fast greens at Mission Hills. Played the course once in 110 degree heat. Fattened my wallet with a few Benjamins that afternoon. Had to resuscitate one of our foursome with Coors as I recall. THE cure for heatstroke!
I have played some Championship golf on fast and firm courses and know what all the girls are dealing with this week.. hard to hold the greens even with short irons. When I played the Bridgestone RX I could never get enough spin on the ball to stop it with anything longer than a 9i. After a nice afternoon on Black Horse I swapped balls.. back to the ProV1. It putts better and is close enough in distance off the tee (a big thing for me) but I can stop a 6i on a green that would not be possible with a lower spin ball.. so what's the point? Championship conditions requires some adjustments.. most of our shots out there require an ability to control the ball from inside 130 yards.. Driving is critical as well.. you cannot play good golf if you can't drive the ball decently. But on a fast and hard course I can hit the ball lower off the tee and run drives out past 260 and my scores become a function of an ability to launch and spin the ball with my 100 mph driver swing speed inside 160..The Prov1 is a very versatile ball. It works for me and it works for the average tour player swinging at 112. I can hit that butter cut with it into greens and now with my new high launching irons I can take all the heat the summer will bring. But I need that Tempo .. that's the point. There is very little difference between my game and the typical LPGA tour player. My distances are very close to the ladies. I hit one more club than the longer hitters and am right their with the rank and file...
It really helps me to watch the ladies. Have proven that with performance. Would love to hear what you do to improve your game away from the course and range. Sandra Gal really got my attention last week. Her tempo is superb. A female Ernie Ells.
It really helps me to watch the ladies. Have proven that with performance. Would love to hear what you do to improve your game away from the course and range. Sandra Gal really got my attention last week. Her tempo is superb. A female Ernie Ells.
I have been annoyed at the lack of HD coverage on the Golf Channel of women's golf. They say it's in HD but we know better. So this week I am happy to be improving by watching the ladies at the Dinah Shore. Really enjoying the tournament and I think there is a message for the LPGA here.. Better courses, set up tough. It's good for the game! The first Major of the year is here. I'm ready.. We punched the greens at the club yesterday...
The view from behind the first green at Salinas Golf and Country Club.
The view from behind the first green at Salinas Golf and Country Club.
Monday, March 21, 2011
WRX and Callaway get my vote for Great Customer Service
I hang out on golf forums. Longtime BSG guy from the early days and now a contributor when I think I have some relevant experience on WRX. Have played the game as well as a 2 and started someplace at well over 100 for 18 holes. Learned to play the game from a wonderful former LPGA pro and have appreciated the lessons in life that the game has taught me.. Have been given equipment to use by Taylormade and Callaway but have spent most of my "serious" playing days with Mizuno clubs in my bag along with a Titleist or Taylormade driver. So I got a PM from the owners of WRX and they had a "deal" for me.. send specs and get clubs.. Hope you'll like them and say nice things. I did ...and got a fresh box of Callaway RAZR tour irons in a week and a half and after a very pleasant phone call with their customer service folks had a gap wedge to match a week later.
I love to look at Equipment Pictures and find some of the guys who shoot the pro tourneys at WRX to really do a great job . The latest from the Transitions Championships.
I have a bit of a collection on Photobucket. Some nice stuff over the years.
What prompted the post was a simple transaction between Callaway Golf and myself and the awareness that everything sorta comes full-circle. I learned to play with x-12 Callaway irons and now am back using graphite shafted Game Improvement irons from the company that first helped light the fire within me.. Along the way there have been some triumphs and lots of fun. Some profound frustration too. Many years ago I got paired up with a couple of guys who told me they felt blessed to love golf as much as they do... Feel the same way.
It's that time of year.. can smell the Master's. No greater spectacular in sport for my money. Absolutely heaven on earth. Enjoy the walk. I don't really care what Tiger does.
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