buster confidential...

SI's Tour 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.

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!

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.