Golf Tips Magazine

British Open Schwag

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:55:00 +0000

Not everybody is going to make it to Turnberry for this year's British Open (Phil Mickelson included), but that doesn't mean you can't score some great golf gear representing golf's oldest and most historic golf event.

Check out the cool stuff HERE.

Kenny Perry Controversy

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:43:00 +0000

Maybe it's not really a controversy, considering it happened months ago when Kenny Perry won the FBR Open in Phoenix. What's done is done, right?

Nevertheless, the debate carries in several golf talk forums, thanks to YouTube clips like this one.

Now, I see nothing wrong here. As long as the ball doesn't move when placing the club behind the ball to hit the shot--isn't that OK as far as the rules are concerned? Or, is all that patting down a sign of improving his lie? Can you see more ball after he pats the grass down than before he did it? Hmmm...

What do you think?

Golfsmith Buys MacGregor

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Looks like Golfsmith can add MacGregor to it's growing list of in-house brands.

Get the story HERE.

"Not Your Father's Golf Tournament...

noreply@blogger.com (Editor) — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:57:00 +0000

...or your mother's either."

That's the Puma Open's tag line, and judging by some of the videos that document last year's party, er, golf tournament, it's a fitting slogan. Hey would you expect anything less from one of golf's hippest apparel lines?

Last year, the 9-hole non-traditional scramble golf tournament visited 6 cities, this year they've bumped it up to 15. (It kicked off last weekend in Scottsdale. Click here for a full list of cities and dates.)

Highlights include trying to play one hole as fast as possible (finally somebody understands golf!) and a hole in which the only club you can use is a 7-iron (on second thought...). Post-round fun includes gaming tables and by the looks of things, drinking.

Cleverly crafted goatees highly recommended. Expect irreverence and a hell of a good time.

See Erica Blasberg in the July/August issue of Golf Tips. On newsstands June 30th.

A Hair (hare) beats a Tiger

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:03:00 +0000

Sean O'Hair hung on to win to the Quail Hollow Championship (even with a couple late bogeys) and beat a field that included Tiger Woods.

Not that we editors know everything, well, we know a lot, but I've long believed that O'Hair is a player who really does have "the stuff." Psychologically he has some demons to slay (hopefully the Quail Hollow did the trick), and once his confidence catches up to his remarkable ability, the guy is going to win more tournaments and no doubt a few majors along the way.

Check out his awesome move right here.

Fairway Furloughs Military Golf Program

noreply@blogger.com (chschroed) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:16:00 +0000

Marriott Golf announced a program today that honors Armed Forces members.

Active, reserve and retired personnel can play 26 Marriott courses for just $29-$69 (after 3 p.m. any day of the week).

With greens fees like that you'd think the tee times were at your local muni. Nope. Participating courses include Kauai Lagoons (HI), Camelback Golf Club (Scottsdale) and Doral Golf Resort and Spa (Miami) among others.

For more information click here.

Tweet with Tour Pros

noreply@blogger.com (chschroed) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:53:00 +0000

Twitter is quickly changing the way we interact with friends, associates and even Tour pros. Stewart Cink is probably the PGA Tour's most avid "Tweeter." The last I looked he updated his status nine times in the last 24 hours.

What's on Cink's mind?

Golf, for one. Seven hours ago he wrote that "Hogan said a good shot feeling travels up the shaft, through the hands and into the heart." Never heard that, but I love it.

Technology too. "...iPod sealed in bag of rice to suck moisture out." Hmm...did Stewart drop his iPod in the drink at Hilton Head???

And hockey. "How 'bout those Atl Hawks tonight??"

LPGA star Morgan Pressel is also a twitaddict (I just made that up. Spread it around. Credit me.) She's currently in Mexico prepping for this week's Corona Championship.

What's on her mind?

Breakfast. "I ordered scrambled egg-whites wth cheese and I think there's more cheese than eggs..." Or as they say, Queso.

And her fledgling Spanish. "Unfortunately I didn't have time to brush up on my spanish. Hopefully my 5 years of classes had a lasting effect..." Something tells me they'll accommodate her.

And a little golf too. "I forgot just how hilly this golf course is. It's basically carved into the side of a mountain. Good track though." A great comment for those of us who watch golf on TV, because the camera always flattens out the undulation.

Whether you think Twitter is worthwhile or a waste of time, in the case of these two Tour pros, it provides unfiltered and easy access to their inner thoughts (Golf Pros! They're just like US!) and, if you're lucky, you might even be able to interact with them in an "inside the ropes" kind of way. (If they decide to follow you.)

We're not sure if Twitter is a trend or whether it's here to stay, but for the time being we've joined the club. You can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/golftipsmag. I can't promise we'll talk about our breakfast or our iPods--we're strickly golf here--but if you want to know a little more about our production schedule, upcoming photo shoots, newly posted videos and anything else Golf Tips related become our follower.

I'll take three of the shiny ones, please.

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:16:00 +0000

Normally, I'd post information on products in the ol' Ready To Buy blog, but in the case of Tri-Mark Golf, I'm not exactly sure if most of our webveiwers would be ready to drop big bucks on what this company has in store.

In fact, I'm not even sure what the deal is with Tri-Mark as far as the company is concerned. I know they sponsor a celebrity event, but beyond that I'm not sure what's up. At first I thought the website had to be something of a farce or mockery, but again, I'm not sure. I don't know anyone who has actually bought something from there.

Anyway, Tri-Mark makes obscenely expensive ballmarkers. Yes, ballmarkers. The things you use to mark your ball on the green. And no, they don't cost $10, $50, $100, or even several hundred. Try nearly $10,000. Yeah. $10K for a ballmarker! The one in the photo is platinum with diamonds. (It's $9980.00 to be exact.)

For heaven's sake, man. A company making $10K ballmarkers ought to know they will be criticised for such a high price thingamajig, especially in the midst of this economic recovery. (Yes, it's recovering!) On one hand, I think it's ridiculous. On the other hand, I appreciate the audacity the company has in making it. On a third hand (if I had one), to each their own. Hey, if someone wants to blow $10K on a ballmarker go ahead. And to you who does buy it, what do you do, where do you live and can I have some of all that green stuff you seem willing to waste?

As for me, I'll stick with my current ballmarker. Not only is it $9979.99 cheaper, it works just fine and I can wear my ratty shorts with holes in my pockets and not worry about losing it. If not a penny, I might use a piece of Trident gum (I've actually used one.) Or a dead bug. Or a piece of wood...

The craziness ensues HERE.

What Golf Sounds Like

noreply@blogger.com (chschroed) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:55:00 +0000

During Sunday's final round at Augusta National, television viewers and Masters patrons roared, gasped and even shed a tear as the final round unfolded. That's what professional golf sounds like in the middle of a major tournament.

But what does golf itself sound like?

Today we've posted two videos that begin to answer that question.

The first is from Dr. Robert Grober, Yale Professor of Applied Physics. I'm testing his invention, called Sonic Golf System-1, this evening here in LA and if sounds anything like it does in this video (recorded at this year's PGA Merchandise Show), it'll be the closest I've ever come to swinging a club and wielding (what sounds like) a lightsaber.

The Sonic Golf System may be the most fascinating (and most intelligent) example of auditory feedback to ever hit the training aid market.

In another video (posted below and provided by Mizuno Golf) Mizuno Golf's Golf Club R&D Manager, David Llewellyn, compares the sound of Mizuno's MP-67 and MP-52 irons to a few competitors forged and cast offerings. The MP-52, Llewellyn notes has a "longer and richer sound" than its competitors. After he strikes one of the clubheads and it makes a high pitched sound, Llewellyn says "that is the sound of feel." (All Mizuno's forged irons are "grain-flow forged.")

How does a richer sounding golf club help your game? According to Llewellyn, the better it sounds the more it provides "maximum feedback." Basically you can feel the ball on the face longer.

A whimsical footnote: at the end Llewellyn "plays" the clubheads like a percussionist in an orchestra. Those clubs sound great!

The Greatest Masters in Our Lifetime

noreply@blogger.com (Editor) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:29:00 +0000

We're (of course) very excited to watch the Masters, but not as much as we used to be. Since the course alterations a few years ago, it's lost a lot of its excitement (especially on the back nine). With fewer birdie opportunities, Augusta National has played more like a U.S. Open setup than the birdie barrage that had become so commonplace there.

Speaking of birdies and exciting finishes, we found this video while sifting through some YouTube. Great to see the full footage and a young Jim Nantz calling the shots. Love Weiskopf's retort as well.

Goodness, that was a tournament we'll never forget...

A look at Shaft Clubfitting

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:57:00 +0000

A few wise words on clubfitting from our friend and master club guru, Tom Wishon.

The Longest Par Three Ever

noreply@blogger.com (Editor) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:59:00 +0000

Tiger Woods And His Incredible Putting Stats

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:41:00 +0000

54 of 54: From inside 5 feet. (100%)

63 of 66: From inside 10 feet (95.5%)

Statistically, when compared to the rest of the field from this range, Tiger had a 6.6 stroke advantage from within 10 feet of the hole.

This is outrageous. Incredible. Amazing. Compared to his play at Doral, where he clearly had a better ballstriking performance yet putted lousy (by his standards), his ballstriking wasn't great at Bay Hill and his putting was superb. It's almost as if his game totally flip-flopped, only this time he won.

Once again the stats prove that no matter how well you strike the ball, if you're making putts your scores will drop. It's that simple.

So get out there and practice your putting. Tiger does it all the time... Oh, and let's see you drop a Rubik's cube... What can't he do?

Crunch Time at GT

noreply@blogger.com (Editor) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:35:00 +0000

It's officially the busiest time of the year for Golf Tips, that's why so few posts have gone up recently. We just sent our May issue to the printers last Friday and our 2009 Annual Equipment Buyer's Guide hits newsstands April 14th. We're currently working on our Faults and Fixes June issue, which will feature instruction stories from Tom Stickney and Jeff Ritter among others.

To tide you over, here's a video of Ritter's tremendous one-plane swing. Take this image with you to the golf course this weekend (if it's warm enough).

Best Swing on Tour?

noreply@blogger.com (chschroed) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:47:00 +0000

Did anybody else hear Johnny Miller comment on Stuart Appleby's swing this past Saturday? Miller said Appleby must have the best swing on Tour. Really? Better than Luke Donald, Trevor Immelman and Tiger?

Tell us who has the best swing on Tour.

Retief Goosen Wins.

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:13:00 +0000

I'll bet he wins a major. Just a hunch.

NCAA BASKETBALL BRACKETS

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:41:00 +0000

I know the NCAA Basketball tourney has already started (I'm 20 for 24 so far in my bracket. Beat that...) but it's Friday and well, I digress.

Our friends over at PGATOUR.com also are fans of March bracketology, going as far as rounding up the brackets from a big handful of PGA Tour players. And of all of them, not one picked the same Championship winner as I did (Go Sooners!). Hmm, either these guys spend way too much time on the golf course to know what they're talking about, or I know nothing about NCAA hoops.

I'm going to go with the latter. I don't know a whole lot. To check out your favorite PGA Tour players brackets, click on the word "OKLAHOMA." Hee hee...

Los Cabos Deal

noreply@blogger.com (chschroed) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:47:00 +0000

The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort & Spa, Los Cabos just announced a pretty decent golf package.

For $279 per room/per night you can stay in one of their deluxe rooms, enjoy buffet breakfasts, welcome drinks, a 10% discount on either Cabo del Sol's Desert (Tom Weiskopf, architect) or Ocean (Jack Nicklaus, architect) courses and gain free access to the gym and sauna.

For more information click here.

Two Golf Courses Re-Open for Business!

noreply@blogger.com (Editor) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:15:00 +0000

Over the past couple weeks a number of golf courses have shuttered their doors including Osprey Meadows which was named "America's Best New Course" in 2006 by Golf Digest. The tough Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course was part of the now-closed Tamarack Resort in Idaho. I played it a couple years ago and wrote about it in our May, 2008 issue. It was an apologetically difficult track and two hours from Boise, so it's not too surprising to hear that it didn't survive the economic downturn. Still, it's never fun to learn that a course that just opened is closing.

But the news for golf courses isn't all bad.

On Saturday Pine Lakes Country Club in Myrtle Beach re-opened after a $15 million renovation (look for a feature article in the May issue of Golf Tips).

And there's also word that the former Silver Course at Doral Golf Resort and Spa will reopen in May as The Jim McLean Signature Course at Doral. What changed? Widened fairways, enhanced water visuals and about 550 more yards.

Henrik Stenson in his Skivvies!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:54:00 +0000

Henrik Stenson really likes his clothes. I mean seriously, he doesn't want to get them dirty. Ever.

So what's a guy to do when he has a semi-playable lie in the mud? How about STRIP DOWN TO HIS UNDERWEAR during round one of the CA Championship?

Here I was, thinking I've seen it all. Wait, I mean I've seen too much. Whatever. By the way, he shot 3-under. He stripped down to HIS UNDERWEAR. Must be some sort of Euro thing...

Beware "Cheap" Masters Tickets

noreply@blogger.com (Editor) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:21:00 +0000

Over the past few days I've received emails touting "once in a lifetime prices" to this year's Masters Tournament.

While the current economic malaise has certainly created a number of excellent bargains for golfers, I'm not sure 10-20% discounts over last year's prices qualify as "once in a lifetime." First of all, the stock market's down 50% and today it was reported that household net worth fell 18% in 2008, so anything that's discounted below 18% really isn't a discount at all.

StubHub sent an email that listed last year's prices and this year's current average prices. Let's consider the $3,377 "Competition Package." Last year the same package rang up for $3,930. While that may be $553 less than last year it's only a 14% discount, which, with household net worth down 18% (not to mention increased unemployment and less money overall being made this year) is actually an increase over last year's prices.

Enough Charles Barkley, Already

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:28:00 +0000

I know, I contributed to the publicity machine that is Charles Barkley a few weeks ago right here on this blog, but enough is enough with Barkley and his horrible swing popping up during every 2.5 minute commercial break on the Golf Channel. I mean Golf Channel (no "the"). I don't want to get in trouble.

He's everywhere, including locked up for DUI in Arizona. (Is he out yet? I don't even know/care.) I do know he's one of the best basketball players ever, with more than 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists. He also spit on a guy. I don't dispute that. In fact, I'd rather see some of that instead of that atrocious (and suspiciously so) and also overexposed golf swing.

Maybe I'm fueling the fire, even with this post. But rest assured, you won't be seeing any "Cha Baahklaay" in our magazine. No, Sir. (Pun intended.)

Golf Tips on iTunes

noreply@blogger.com (Editor) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:26:00 +0000

You mean you don't subscribe to Golf Tips on iTunes? We're there and growing! Subscribe now to watch our videos. (Here's a player you can embed anywhere, any time!)

Sergio Garcia Could Be Number One?

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Noll) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:01:00 +0000

This baffles us too. I mean, he's good and everything and hopefully once he cracks his "best player to never win a major" hurdle, he'll probably win more often. But Sergio as #1? Tiger Woods as #2? How in the world could this happen?

Click HERE for the story.

Click HERE for the Official World Rankings.

Follow Us On Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Editor) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:17:00 +0000

What's Twitter? Well, according to the Twitter people (do they call themselves Twits?) it "change(s) the way you think about staying in touch with friends and family."

And since you're reading this, we consider you to be a part of the Golf Tips family.

By signing up with Twitter, or by following Golf Tips' Twitter feed, you'll know what we're up to at all hours of the day. (Okay, we won't be updating it that much, but you get the picture.)

To visit our twitter feed click here: