Here is the complete press release, with a bunch of detailed information:

DIRECTV, atop the leaderboard in HD and interactive sports coverage among pay TV providers, continues its run of offering golf fans unique, in-depth tournament viewing with its PGA Championship Interactive service, debuting Aug. 7. Supplementing broadcast feeds from TNT and CBS, as well as the online offerings of PGA.com, DIRECTV will provide enhanced and expanded coverage of the 90th PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan, during all four days of the tournament.

The service, free to DIRECTV customers, will deliver four channels – all in HD – of Tournament coverage, including three unique channels that will focus on a featured group each day, featured holes and a new offering called “Players In Depth.” These channels will be available, along with live network coverage, throughout each network’s broadcast hours, Thursday and Friday from TNT (1-7 p.m. ET) and on Saturday and Sunday from TNT (11 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET ) and CBS (2-7 p.m. ET). Complimentary online coverage will also be available all four days from PGA.com. The PGA Championship Interactive Mix Channel will display all four channels on a single screen, allowing viewers to select and tune to each as a full-screen channel, each of them available in HD. Each individual channel will also provide access to scores and stats at the push of a button.

“DIRECTV Interactive is to viewers what a great caddie is to the touring pro. We’re their eyes and ears and we make sure they have all the information and the tools they need to get the most out of the game,” said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. “Major championships like the PGA and US OPEN golf and US OPEN tennis provide an incredible stage to showcase our HD and interactive technology and the new, exciting dimension they bring to the televised sports viewing experience. This is what content leadership is all about and what our customers have come to expect as we continue to explore innovative ways to engage the viewer.”

The PGA Championship Mix Channel (Channel 701) will feature a leaderboard on the left side of the screen and display the following four views:

• Live CBS/TNT network coverage of the tournament itself.
• Featured Group will follow a single group’s progress around the course, with announcers providing insight on the live play.
• Featured Holes will focus solely on two of the challenging par 3 holes on the Oakland Hills South Course. Viewers receive complete live coverage as players try different clubs, swings and strategies to meet the challenge.
• Players In Depth, a new featured channel, is a fully produced show with interviews, highlights, press conferences, graphics and up-to-the-minute stats. For example, a camera crew and host will visit the driving range or the 18th green and conduct interviews, while another host will provide voice-over highlights and lead-ins to additional content.

On each full-screen HD channel, a menu of features will be displayed on-screen for immediate access via remote. Features include:

• Top 5 Leaders: Displays the top 5 current scores against par.
• Leaderboard: Provides information on all golfers in the field.
• Scorecard: Hole-by-hole stats for each player in the field. The current round and any previous rounds are included. At the top of the page, the player’s current year’s stats are displayed.
• PGA Championship Trivia: A new 10-question quiz on the history of the PGA Championship appears each day.
• Past Champions: A list of the winners and runners-up from previous PGA Championships.

Patriot Golf Day Driver

TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company, the world’s leading maker of metalwoods, today announced it will produce a limited number of special-edition Patriot Golf Day drivers in hopes of helping the Folds of Honor Foundation raise more than $1 million during its Patriot Golf Day fundraising event. The foundation, which provides educational scholarships to families of those who have become disabled or lost their lives in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, is the sole beneficiary of Patriot Golf Day.

Patriot Golf Day is supported by The PGA of America and is the vision of Captain Dan Rooney, who is both a PGA Teaching Professional and an F-16 fighter pilot in the 125th Fighter Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard. It was held for the first time on September 1, 2007; more than 3,200 golf courses participated and helped raise more than $1.1 million by donating one dollar for every player who played that day. This year, Patriot Golf Day will span all four days of Labor Day weekend (Friday, August 29 through Monday, September 1).

TaylorMade-adidas Golf has vowed to help the Foundation double the first year’s fundraising efforts by creating specially-designed, limited edition drivers inspired by the F-16 “Viper” fighter jet that Captain Rooney piloted during two tours in Iraq. The driver features the Patriot Golf Day Logo on the toe, a laser-etched F-16 jet on the sole, a deep “intimidation” black crown and a specially-designed Patriot Golf Day head cover in red, white and blue.

Beginning in August, participating golf facilities will receive a single driver in a commemorative box to put on display for silent auction prior to Patriot Golf Day. Net proceeds from the silent auction will go to the Folds of Honor Foundation to support college and vocational scholarships for the spouses and children of fallen and wounded soldiers.

“More than 37,000 service members have been killed or wounded, and Patriot Golf Day is a way for patriotic Americans to assist families of those military personnel who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” said Rooney, who will return to Iraq for a third tour of duty this summer. “TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s support of Patriot Golf Day has helped us add a critical fundraising component that will allow us to reach more families with scholarships and other forms of support.”

“When we learned of Dan Rooney’s fundraising mission with Patriot Golf Day, it wasn’t a question of whether or not we would, but how much could we do to help,” said Mark King, president and CEO of TaylorMade-adidas Golf. “We hope the money raised from the auction of the TaylorMade limited edition drivers will positively impact families of servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.”

Last year this event was a great success. It’s nice to see the tradition continue and grow.

BagBoy Compact 600

Not long ago we had a look at the Clicgear 2.0 Push Cart, today we follow up in the Push Cart series with a review of the Compact 600 by Bag Boy. Bag Boy is a veteran in this field, with a wide variety of offerings and ample experience in providing golf gear to the masses. How does the Compact 600 stack up to current models? Let’s have a closer look and see…

Background

Make your walk around the course easier on your back by investing in one of these beauties. The Bag Boy Compact 600 Push Cart folds down to an incredibly compact size when not in use, making it easy to fit in your car when headed to the links.

• Telescoping handle for ultra compactibility
• Foldable scorecard and beverage holder for compact storage
• High modulus ultra lightweight aluminum tubing
• Handle mounted parking brake
• Quick release folding mechanism (lift and fold)
• Adjustable bag brackets fold for compact storage
• Adjustment mechanism guarantees perfect front wheel alignment
• Maintenance free 12″ non flat tires
• High strength support cable for long lasting durability
• Hi-tech, rust proof spoke wheels with steel ball bearings
• Quick release Velcro bag straps

The BagBoy Comapct 600 is available in two color combinations: Black/Red and Grey/Blue (the color of the unit we have reviewed).

Look and Feel

While we found the Clicgear 2.0 to be a rugged, mountain bike style push cart, the Bag Boy Compact 600 is, well, compact. Comprised of a thin aluminum frame, the Bag Boy looks and feels quite light and trim. At first glance, one might be concerned about the stability of this cart, but you can rest easy. The Compact 600 is a solid piece of equipment. The cart feels extremely stable and I believe will hold up quite well over time. As you can see below, the nice wide base of the wheels ensures that you will be stable over a variety of terrain.

While the Clicgear offers a ton of bells and whistles, along with the trendy rugged look, the Bag Boy Compact 600 takes a simplistic approach to the push cart. The straps to hold your bag are made of a sturdy material with simple plastic buckles which snap together. The brackets which hold the bag in place are also simple, yet effective. They fold out easily to snugly hold your bag and fold up out of the way when you are done with your round.

The storage compartment is very simple. A plastic latch holds the door shut versus a magnetic latch in the Clicgear 2.0. Unless you plan on sitting there all day opening and closing the door, the latch seemed to be sturdy enough to hold up over the long haul. Inside the compartment there is plenty of space for your wallet, phone, spare glove, or whatever you would like to keep out of the elements. While the compartment may not be completely waterproof, I found my items to be dry after a few light rain showers. The top of the compartment has a little clip to hold your scorecard and a pencil. This is quite convenient, and easy to write on as the surface is completely flat. It may be difficult to see in the picture above, but the compartment folds down so it could be perpendicular to the ground, so that makes it a little easier to write on as well. The arm with the handle and storage compartment is also extendable, so you can make sure that the handle is at a comfortable position for you while you are pushing the cart.

The parking brake on the Compact 600 is well designed. You simply flip a latch forward, and the brake is in place. Flip it back, and the brake is off. It certainly would not leap out as a must have feature of a push cart, but when you start actually using this cart, you will quickly find refined features like this brake are welcomed additions.

Performance

The first thing you will do with this cart is unfold it as you take it out of your trunk for your round. So easy of folding and unfolding is a big factor for me when deciding on a push cart. When you are running late for a tee time, you certainly do not want to struggle with a complicated push cart. I found the Bag Boy Compact 600 to be as simple to unfold and fold as the Clicgear 2.0. Do it a couple times, and you’ll have the cart out of your trunk and your bag saddled up within a minute or two. Folding is just as simple. It boils down to about 3 steps. Fold the front tire, lift the little red bar, and boom, it folds up. Done and done.

One issue I had with the Clicgear was the size of the tires and the resulting added friction over soggy terrain. As you could probably see in the pictures earlier in the review, the tires on the Compact 600 are slightly more narrow and rounded. This helps tremendously when navigating muddy or wet areas. The people at Clicgear said the reason for the wider tires was to avoid creating ruts on the course, but I did not find this problem with the Compact 600. Though, I do not push a 60lb Staff Bag around on my push cart…so perhaps you would do more damage to the course with narrow tires and an anvil on your cart! As with the Clicgear, the tires are made of a slightly soft rubber material, not hard plastic. This makes for a quiet, softer ride on cart paths.

The straps held up well, my bag always felt secure in the cradling arms of the Compact 600. The cart also provides ample clearance for all sorts of terrain. Some carts I find have a very low front tire, and this causes a problem if you are trying to push the cart over those little wooden cart path barriers. You’ll notice in the picture above, the Compact 600 has a little more clearance than the Clicgear.

Last, but not least, everyone always wants to know…how is the cup holder? Ok, maybe everyone does not want to know that…but anyway…it held my 32oz water bottle just fine. It is slightly larger than the cup holder on the Clicgear, but should still be able to hold something as small as a can of soda.

Conclusion

The Bag Boy Compact 600 Push Cart can be had for $179.95, coming in at a slightly lower retail price than the Clicgear 2.0 or Sun Mountain Speed Cart. This compact, lightweight push cart is priced well. Sure there are slightly less expensive push carts to be found, but I do not believe there is a better price/performance contender out there. If you are looking for a very lightweight push cart, that folds down to fit into the smallest of trunks, with a more subdued look, the Compact 600 may be a great option for you. I really like the fact that it is so easy to push over just about any terrain. Couple this with the established brand of Bag Boy and you have a product that is both highly functional and backed by a solid company. If you have any questions about the Bag Boy Compact 600, please feel free to ask in the comments below, we’d be happy the answer them.

** Note, the winners have been selected and notified. If I do not hear back from them or if they do not meet the residency requirements, new winners will be selected. Thanks to everyone for entering the contest, it was very successful! Be sure to keep your eye open for the upcoming August contest! **

First of all, let me extend congratulations to the winners of the June Birdie Ball Contest and a big thank you to everyone who participated.

June Winners

• Mike of Beavercreek, OH
• Patrick of Tarrant, AL
• Robert of Thomasville, NC

For July we have decided to put together another very simple contest along the same lines as the June contest. However we have added a new prize to the contest. Three winners will be selected again, and in order the winners will receive:

• First Place: Three Birdie Balls and a set of Epoch Golf Tees
• Second Place: Two Birdie Balls
• Third Place: One Birdie Ball

To enter the contest, all you need to do is subscribe to our Newsletter by entering your email address and clicking subscribe below. On the morning of July 31st, 2008, we will randomly select 3 subscribers to The Deep Rough (previous winners excluded). The first selected winning First Place. So make sure you subscribe by July 30th! Could it get any easier? Email addresses must be valid accounts which have been verified, as winners will be notified by the subscribed email address. So make sure you verify your account! This is important, last month we had about 100 people who had not verified their accounts, so they were not eligible to win. Due to shipping costs, the contest is only open to residents of the USA and Canada. Feel free to send this along to your family and friends, have them enter as well!

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The Nike SQ Hybrid at Address

Over the past few months, we have had a chance to have a close look at a lot of clubs in the 2008 line of Nike golf equipment. From the Nike Sumo 5900 driver to the Nike Slingshot 4D irons, we have continually been impressed. Today we will be having a closer look at the Nike Sumo Squared Hybrids. These hybrids promise pinpoint accuracy and ample forgiveness.

Background

Ever been stuck with over 200 yards to the green and a tough lie? All alone, in the middle of the rough? Introducing the Nike SQ SUMO² Hybrid, a marvel of science (geometry in particular) to stand beside you in the most difficult of situations.

SQ SUMO² Hybrid Profile
Square head design, generous offset and extreme perimeter weighting make this Nike Golf’s highest MOI hybrid ever. Designed to deliver exceptional stability at impact and produce high launching soft landing shots.

Hot Cryo Steel Face
The lightweight face is thicker in the middle and progressively thinner at the edges, resulting in a more consistent ball speed, maximum distance and increased forgiveness across the clubface.

Nike PowerBow Weighting
The square Nike PowerBow design strategically positions weight low and to the perimeter. The resulting high MOI and low CG produce a very forgiving and stable head at impact.

Look, Feel and Performance

It was a big weekend. I was returning to my alma mater for my 15th Reunion and was arriving a day early to play in their annual golf tournament. A scramble format, I was paired with my husband and a classmate that I hadn’t seen in 15 years and I knew we were going to have a fun time. My only concern was how my golf game would hold up. My game has improved considerably since I started playing with the Nike Slingshot 4D irons, but I have continued to struggle off the tee as well as with shots over 150 yards.

The moment I stepped up to the first tee I knew I had a big decision to make. I could either use my driver which I’ve never been very successful with in the past or bring out my new Nike SQ Sumo 2 Hybrid 20 degree (3 iron) which I hadn’t had a chance to try yet. Since it was a scramble and the guys could choose not to take my drive, I decided to give the SQ Sumo 2 Hybrid 20 degree (3 iron) a shot and I hit a beautiful, high draw right down the middle. The moment I put the club in my hands I knew it was going to be good. Similar to the Nike Slingshot 4D irons, there is just a confidence that comes with using these clubs.

Yet again Nike has come out with an incredible club with the SQ Sumo 2 Hybrids. I’ve played with a different brand of hybrids before and I never felt comfortable using them out of the rough. While playing with they Nike hybrids, I didn’t hesitate when I was in the rough to use them and I was not disappointed. I stepped up to the ball confidently and was astounded at the both the distance and trajectory out of the rough. Playing with these hybrids I’ve just enhanced my game even more! I’ve used the SQ Sumo 2 Hybrids (both 20 and 23 degree - 3 and 4 iron) several times since the golf outing and I’ve had similar results. I’m confident whenever I step up to hit the ball and am rarely disappointed. An incredibly forgiving club, even a mishit with these clubs travels a good distance and provides a decent next shot. I am starting to rely on the SQ Sumo 2 Hybrids a little too much though as I’m using them off the tee, in the rough and in the fairway. They’ve become my go-to clubs for any distance over 150 and they usually provide the desired result. I have been incredibly impressed with these clubs and recommend them for any woman who is looking for a hybrid that provides great distance and accuracy as well as confidence whenever you bring it out of your bag.

Specifications

Where to Buy

The Nike SQ Sumo Squared Hybrid can be found in just about any pro shop or golf retail store for a price of just around $150. Given that some hybrids seem to be creeping up toward the $200 range, this is quite a bargain for the technology involved. You can also find them used in the $100-$125 range on eBay.

Crocs Ace

Early last summer I purchased a pair of Off Road crocs, and they have rarely left my feet. They are quite possibly the most comfortable casual shoes I have ever owned. I always wear them to the golf course, and am anxious to slip them back on after walking 18 holes. When Crocs purchased Bite Shoes last year, my first thought was wow…when do I get golf spikes on my crocs?. Well, I did not have to wait long. Crocs quickly put together a golf shoe design, that is more than just spikes slapped onto the bottom of a traditional croc: the Crocs Ace.

Background

• the fusion of comfort and sport, a concept pioneered by others but perfected by crocs
• circulation nubs stimulate blood flow
• footbed conforms to foot creating a custom fit
• loose fit and lightweight design allow feet to bend and expand naturally, reducing fatigue
• adjustable turbo strap™hugs the heel enhancing stability and performance
• ventilation ports increase breathability while also helping you line up your feet “square to the ball” for increased aim and accuracy
• no holes on sides to protect your feet from fresh morning dew and incredibly easy to clean
• traditional golf spike pattern includes an innovative ‘target’ pattern to help you focus your game
• lug traction system features extra traction to effectively balance weight during swing
• so easy to get on and off you may forget how to tie your old golf shoes

Look and Feel

As you can tell from the pictures, at first glance, the Ace shoes look quite similar to the original Crocs. Upon closer inspection, you’ll first notice that there are no holes on the sides of the shoe. This prevents water or dew from seeping into your shoes during early morning or soggy rounds. Obviously they are not waterproof, but if you played with normal crocs, plenty of water would quickly get in there. Flip the shoe over, and you’re presented with the other obvious change…soft spikes!

The Ace shoes use Champion spikes which appear to be less grabby than typical scorpion or spider type soft spikes. However, I found them, in combination with the other nubs and creases, to provide ample traction on the course. With the rear strap of the shoe snug around your ankle, the shoes do feel quite solid on your feet.

Feel…yeah, these are crocs and they feel absolutely amazing. Your feet really do mold into the foot bed. If you haven’t worn crocs, it is difficult to explain. But wear these for 18 holes and your feet will still feel quite fresh. For walking, I haven’t worn any more comfortable shoes.

Performance

Now, we discussed water and comfort. No question these shoes are comfortable…once they are broken in. I was so excited to play a round when I first got these, I ran out to the course, slapped them on with no sock, and headed for the starter’s shed. Talked with the starter for a minute, he looked at my shoes, and asked if I planned on playing in plain old crocs…I showed him the sole, and he looked shocked. I trotted off to the first tee with a big grin on my face…oh how comfortable these shoes felt!

Well, about 6 holes into my round, I had walked through several puddles (the course was quite wet)…had brand new croc rubbing across the tops of my feet…and ouch. I had a couple huge blisters on the top of both feet. The combination of newness, water, and the stress of your skin sticking to the top of the shoe while your swing causes some big problems. I ended up having to stop after 9 holes as it just became too painful to walk. My own stupid mistake for rushing out there not thinking about the ramifications. I wear my normal crocs without socks all the time…why would this be a problem? Well, I would suggest wearing socks with them the first few times you play, or at least wear them around your house, your back yard…take your dog for a few walks…before you take them out on the course.

One of my initial concerns when I thought of Crocs making a golf shoe would be whether or not they could make a croc with enough lateral stability to support a golf swing. If you pickup a pair of these shoes, you’ll notice the top of the shoe is a little more rigid than a typical croc. This seems to make the shoe more stable than trying to hit balls wearing a normal croc. If you roll your feet ala Jack, you’ll feel quite comfortable. The shoes accommodate this quite nicely. The only problem I found was with my forward foot, it had a tendency to twist within the shoe rather than the shoe spinning out on shots where I have lost my balance or not shifted my weight properly.

Otherwise, the shoes felt quite supportive and had a good amount of traction on a variety of lies. Side hill lies on wet grass, bunker shots or just walking on the green, these shoes felt quite supportive.

Conclusion

While you may get some strange looks, and it takes a bit to break them in, the Crocs Ace Golf Shoes are quite possibly the most comfortable golf shoes I have ever worn. On wet days you will probably want to stick with your normal golf shoes, but on those dry, hot summer days, when your feet would normally feel like they would melt after walking 18…the Crocs Aces are a godsend.

Given that they can be had for under $40, these shoes are quite a bargain. If nothing else, I’d pickup a pair just to throw in your trunk to have for those quick 9 hole rounds after work.

Power Blade Attached

Background

Introducing Power-Blade, a new swing trainer that combines two of the most popular power-building techniques into one sleek, portable training device. Using the feel of a weighted club properly balanced with wind-resistance technology, the Power-Blade leads to two things - more power and more distance.

When folded, Power-Blade measures only 16 ” x 5 ” x 2″ and weighs just 12 ounces. Use Power-Blade anywhere, anytime.

Power-Blade was designed to be used with your own clubs. By attaching the Power-Blade to your club, your club becomes an instant power trainer. The longer the club you use, the more resistance you’ll feel.

The key to hitting long drives relies simply on increasing clubhead speed. Most great players maximize clubhead speed by creating a clubhead lag along with a powerful release. By using wind-resistance, Power-Blade allows you to develop clubhead lag on your downswing generating a sling-shot effect through the impact and release positions. All the while, strengthening the power muscles in your forearms, back, and shoulders.

Adding 10 to 30 yards has never been made easier. To achieve the best results with Power-Blade, create the sound of the “swoosh” at the bottom part of your wing. The weight of your own club produces a smooth consistent tempo while keeping your swing on plane. If you hear “swoosh” in the right place, you’ll know that you’re developing proper lag and release. The later you create the sound, the more clubhead speed you’ll generate.

Look and Feel

The Power Blade is an elegantly simplistic design offering both added weight and resistance to your training regiment. The device folds up small enough to fit into one of the larger pockets of your stand bag, and doesn’t even weigh a pound. So taking the Power Blade to the range or even the course is no problem whatsoever. It even comes with a nice little bag to offer some protection from nicks and scratches.

The device itself is made of a rigid plastic with high quality metal hinges used to attach the blade to your golf club’s shaft. It will take you all of 30 seconds to attach the Power Blade to one of your clubs. Really the most difficult part is making sure it is aligned properly with the clubface…and that’s about as difficult as tying your shoes.

One nice thing about the look is that it is a nice subdued black. Most training aids seem to be very bright colors. Some people find it embarrassing to take one of these neon yellow training aids out when they’re on the driving range. If you are that worried about someone seeing you trying to improve your game…don’t worry about the Power Blade, most people probably will not notice it.

Performance

In the past we have reviewed a few other ‘power’ game training aids (The Momentus Power Hitter and SKLZ Swing Accelerator) and while we have found them to be effective when used regularly, sometimes it’s nice to switch things up. Both the Power Hitter and Swing Accelerator are designed to hit balls and really help get your swing on plane while building strength in your swing. They both are quite large, and weigh a ton as well, so they are a little less practical than the Power Blade. As I found out with the Power Hitter, it is also very easy to injury yourself if you start trying to swing that thing too hard too fast.

The Power Blade, on the other hand, provides a great workout by just offering significant wind resistance. You still have the benefits of the training aid help put you on plane and swing more with your larger muscles, with less of a threat of injury. I found that the Power Blade really encouraged me to drop the club into the slot and create a lot of lag in my swing. After 15-20 minutes with it, and a few minutes hitting into an impact bag, my swing really felt very powerful. So there is definitely a lot of potential here to help improve your swing speed and clubhead path in general. However, like any training aid, you need to stick with it to see the results.

I did not try hitting balls with the Power Blade attached, I am not sure if it is recommended…but I think it would be very distracting. So, you loose a little of that instant gratification factor. What I did was went through 10-20 swings with a club with the Power Blade attached, then took 5 swings with the next iron down. It is pretty fun to use. The swoosh sound the blade makes as you swing provides a lot of great feedback. You can quickly identify an early release and really feel the acceleration through the ball on the nice smooth swings.

Conclusion

If you are looking to add a few yards to your drive, work on your swing path or just want a little golf related workout, the Power Blade is a great little device that is both highly portable and highly effective. I love the fact that it folds up small enough to stuff in my bag and snaps on your own club in a few seconds. I cannot say that it has added any yards to my drive at this point, but I will post a follow-up on this one in a few weeks to keep you updated. Hmm…I wonder what would happen if I attached the Power Blade to the Power Hitter? JB Holmes anyone???

My swing speed range was up in the 110-115 range toward the end of last year, though has been back hovering around 105 right now (check out the Swing Speed Radar review to accurately gauge your swing speed). We’ll see if the Power Blade can get me back up to 115. I’ve been losing my lag a little early lately, and the Power Blade has definitely helped me work on that. Again, just a matter of commitment!

The Power Blade can be had for $54.95 directly from the GP Golf website. So if you thought spending $100-$200 on a weighted driver was a bit pricey, this could be a great option. The Power Blade can be attached on anything from your 7 iron through Driver.

For those of you stuck at work, check out this post, I’ll do my best to find a live stream of the US Open coverage online. We have been able to find these in the past, and I’m sure there will be plenty of them around again this year.

Now, onto the DirecTV Coverage:

As the US Open approaches this week, anticipation is brewing for one of the most talked about first round pairings of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Last week, I found myself telling a buddy “What I wouldn’t give to follow that pairing for the whole day.” I was excited to learn that once again, DIRECTV is offering its customers services above and beyond those of any other provider with US Open Interactive, a free interactive service to significantly enhance the viewing experience for this week’s U.S. Open. The service offers a “featured group” channel that allows viewers to follow the featured group for an entire round. With the PGA creating a “dream” pairing as Tiger and Phil will play together, DIRECTV customers will have the ultimate way to experience this rare and historic group.

In addition to the featured group channel, the service also offers a “featured hole channel” in which viewers can watch each and every group take on Torrey Pines hole 3.

A third channel (Up Close) will offer live and taped interviews with players from the practice range and post-round press conferences, as well as other feature stories to related to the historic American major.

Finally, a real-time leader board can be called up via an on-screen overlay at the push of a button to track the progress of each player as the tournament unfolds. There’s also a host of additional interactive features:

• A quick “Top 5 Leaders” update that appears at lower left of the screen
• Round-by-round scorecards for every golfer in the field
• A list of past US Open winners and runners-up
• U.S. Open Trivia, with 10 new questions each day

In addition, US Open Interactive will feature the NBC broadcast as well. DIRECTV will bring this all together via a US Open “Mix” Channel on which all four channels will be visible on the same screen. Viewers can then navigate between the four screens to hear audio from each, and tune to any of them directly with a push of a button on their interactive remote.

The US Open Interactive service will be available on Thursday and Friday of this week.

Now, if you’re looking for some details about the South Course at Torrey Pines, NBC of San Diego has put together a great coverage site. They have video previews of each of the 18 holes along with a ton of other great video content. For those of us who aren’t about to get out to beautiful San Diego, it doesn’t get much better!

Clicgear 2.0

Background

The Clicgear Cart is the original compact three wheel golf pushcart and winner of the 2007 Best New Product Award at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida. Clicgear offers a full sized three wheel golf pushcart that glides smoothly down the fairway and yet still folds up incredibly small. At only 13″ x 15″ and 24″ when folded, it won’t take over your car trunk or garage.

The award winning Clicgear Cart has even been improved for 2008. The new Model 2.0 offers many improvements and new features of an already well built cart. New improved folding makes the cart much easier to use, right out of the box. Our new wheel and tire design has also made this high quality cart even more reliable.

The Clicgear website provides some great videos of the major features of the Clicgear 2.0. They really have done a great job with the site. Here are some direct links to videos of the major features:

• Unfolding the Clicgear
• Folding the Clicgear
• Front Wheel Alignment
• Features and Benefits

In addition to the included umbrella holder, Clicgear offers several accessories for the 2.0 model:

• Wheel Cover
• Storage Hanger
• Foot Brush
• Sand Bottle
• Umbrella Adjust

Our Clicgear 2.0 came in the bright Kiwi color, however if you are looking for something a little more subtle, the Clicgear is offered in 8 different colors.

Look and Feel

The 2008 Clicgear 2.0 has a rugged, almost mountain bike look to it. Between the thick frame tubes, wide treaded tires and beefy handle bar, you may almost feel like hitting the trail. Couple that with the bright Kiwi color scheme we received, and you sure get a lot of looks on the golf course. If you’re looking to go unnoticed, definitely opt for a more subdued color, like black for instance! All that said, I really enjoy the look of the Clicgear. I have had nothing but positive responses from people who have seen it. Everyone wants to know more about it. They all want a chance to push it around a bit. It definitely is a bit of an ice breaker on the course if you’re paired up with some random people on the first tee.

The cart itself is quite light and is very compact when folded up. I had no issue getting it into the trunk of my car along with my golf bag. Pushing the cart on pavement or hard packed ground/grass was a breeze as well. The cart rolls very smooth and does not provide much resistance. The only problem I had in this department was on wet grass, muddy ground or in thick rough. The wider tires have a disadvantage here. They have that much more surface area touching the ground and as such, offer up more resistance. I found it considerably more difficult to push the Clicgear in these type conditions over a cart with thin tires, like the Bagboy Compact 600. So if you play in an area that is often water logged or muddy, you should take this into consideration.

The handle bar is covered in a soft foam like material that is quite comfortable. The bar can also be adjusted in both height and the angle it sits at, so one should be able to accommodate just about any size user. I’m rather tall, so being able to stretch the handle bar out far so I do not have to hunch over to push the cart is a great thing.

Sitting just below the handle bar is an easy to access, magnetic locking compartment for a couple golf balls and whatever else you may want to keep from the elements (some gum maybe, spare glove, your wallet?). The compartment has a little elastic bungee cord on top, where you can slip your scorecard under for safe keeping during the round. There’s even another little bungee for a pencil. Rounding out this area is a spot for your water bottle (20oz or so), spot to attach the included umbrella holder and the parking brake. It is all very well laid out.

Performance and Functionality

When you are looking at push carts, invariable one of the top priorities will be an efficient, easy to use folding system. You do not want to be at your car struggling with the push cart for 20 minutes when you’re running late for your 7am tee time. The Clicgear has an amazing folding system. Once you have done it a couple times, it won’t take you more than 30 seconds to get the thing out of your car, and completely unfolded.

The straps that hold your bag to the cart are also extremely easy to use. They are also a bungee like material that stretches out, and hooks together over the bottom of your bag as well as around the handle area. Very simple to attach and disconnect. I never had a problem with the bag even sliding around a little. It just stays put.

Clicgear has added some nice little touches to this push cart that make life just a little easier on the course. For one, there is a little Velcro area for you to attach your golf glove. The glove is then easily accessible, and unlike attaching it to your golf bag (or sticking it in your pocket), the glove hangs free from any nearby objects, so that it can air out or dry out on those hot sweaty days.

On either side of the push cart, there are hooks for towels. I found my normal golf towel was a little long to hang here, as it dragged on the ground, however, if you have a smaller towel, this is a great idea. Here you also benefit from the towel hanging free and having a chance to dry out quickly (rather than being stuck against your bag). In the console there is also a spot for a few easy to access golf tees.

The parking break, while not as simple to use as the one on the Bagboy Compact 600, is an improvement over the previous model. Just pull the handle back and twist, and the brake is in place. Just make sure that you release it before you go shoving your cart forward! I found the brake to be very strong, never having a problem with the cart moving, even when I would ‘park’ it on a hill.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a rugged golf cart, with all the bells and whistles, the Clicgear 2.0 shouldn’t disappoint. As I mentioned earlier, really the only negative thing I have to say is with regard to wet area performance. It is a little tougher to push through those areas than other carts with more narrow tires. That being said, if you play in relatively dry conditions, with lots of cart path access, the Clicgear is as light on its feet as any other cart I have used.

I absolutely love all the little ‘creature comforts’ this cart provide, even something as simple as the Velcro spot for your glove. With the beefy aircraft grade aluminum frame, and scratch resistant powder coat frame, the Clicgear should last you a good many seasons on the links.

The Clicgear 2.0 can be had at the retail price of $199.

Heavy Putter C2-DF

Background

Deep Face Explained

The DF, or Deep Face Series is the newest line of innovative putters from Boccieri Golf. The Deep Face technology raises the center of gravity “CG” by combining innovative design elements with a ¼ inch increase in the height of the putter face. By raising the CG, the sweet spot on the face more closely aligns with the equator of the golf ball. With a conventional putter, the golfer must consistently raise the putter approximately ½ inch off the ground in order to strike the sweet spot. Achieving this optimal vertical impact point with consistency is extremely difficult. In fact, with so many putter companies talking about skid-roll and putter face technology, the reality is simply that many golfers are striking the ball too low which causes the dreaded skip and bounce. The DF series sets the CG so that it closely aligns with the equator of the ball, allowing the golfer to simply raise the putter just above the surface to strike the ball on the sweet spot. This optimal transfer of energy results in better roll and more consistent distance control.

C2-DF Specs

This putter incorporates the patented Heavy Putter technology into the classic blade design. The putter head has CNC milled surfaces and is fully face balanced. The head weighs approximately 465 grams, and there is a 250 gram weight in the grip end of the shaft that creates a balance point that is 75% higher up the shaft than a conventional putter. The overall weight is approximately 850 grams.

• 303 Stainless Steel with CNC milled surfaces
• Grooved face pattern
• Total Putter Weight = +/- 850 grams
• Head Weight = +/- 465 grams
• Weight Management System (weight in grip end of shaft) = 250 grams
• Stock lengths 32″ - 36″ (custom lengths available 30″- 38″)
• Dexterity: Right and Left available
• Lie Angle = 72°
• Loft = 3°
• Custom Winn Grip
• Custom True Temper steel satin shaft
• Head Cover included with purchase

Heavy Putter C2-DF

Look and Feel

The C2-DF, as you can see in the pictures, has a traditional blade design look to it. For someone who is accustomed to playing with a blade style putter, the look will be very familiar at address. For me, someone who has been playing with mallet style putters with big alignment aids, it is a bit of a change. At this point, I have become very reliant on the alignment aids to help get my putts on the right track, so that was an issue for me with this particular putter. The matte finish of the putter itself is very similar to that of the B3-M. It is very classy looking, will not reflect any sunlight in your eyes, and is certainly not distracting in any way. The only real visual difference between this putter and a traditional blade, is the face itself. As you may notice in the picture to the left, the face is quite deep, and actually sticks up a little bit (look at where the neck of the putter meets the blade).

The CNC milled steel face is extremely smooth and feels great when you hit the ball on the sweet spot. Feel off the face is quite similar to that of the B3-M series putter, though I had to adjust my stroke a little bit to make sure I got that feeling. Given that the CG is a little higher, you do not need to lift the club up off the ground as much when you are putting. So, I took a bunch of ‘brush the ground’ practice strokes, and then was back to the soft feel of a milled face putter once again. If you have not hit a Heavy Putter, it is definitely an interesting experience. You would think you would loose a lot of ‘touch’ with the putter, but I actually find I have started to feel more with the putter now that I have adjusted to the weight. My ‘big muscles’ are more involved in the putter swing, so my hands are very tension free. That ‘frees’ my hands up to feel more subtleties during my stroke and ball strike.

One thing I’ll note here in the look department, I am not a huge fan of either the head cover or new golf grip. The grip has a camouflage/swirly color look to it, that, well is interesting, but I preferred the more traditional look of the B3-M grip. The B3-M head cover was a nice soft velvet feel to it, with a magnetic closing mechanism. The head cover included with the C2-DF is a bright green vinyl material with a Velcro closure. Not a huge deal, but just something I thought I’d mention. I did not take pictures of either, but you can find them on the Heavy Putter website.

Performance

Performance wise, this putter is as good, if not better than the B3-M. Sure, off center hits are not quite as ‘on the mark’ as some of the newer super high MOI putters like the TaylorMade Spider. However, I find that I have less off center hits when I play with the Heavy Putter. The added weight of the club really smooths out your putting stroke. It takes your hands pretty much out of the game, and I find that I am deadly accurate with this thing inside 10 feet. The Deep Face of the putter, once you have adjusted your stroke a little, really helps add to that consistency. I found the putts to roll much nicer, more often, with the C2-DF. Newcomers to the Heavy Putter will probably struggle with distance control on longer length putts. But just give it some time, you will adapt, and soon the 20+ footers will start rolling out nice for you as well.

The only real issue I had performance wise, and I mentioned this earlier, was alignment. This however, is mostly my own personal issue. I am hopelessly addicted to the alignment aids of mallet putters these days, and the little white tick mark on the back of a traditional blade just doesn’t do it for me anymore. There are, however, a bunch of interesting mallet shaped putters in the Deep Faced line. So if you are like me (Hello, my name is Sean, I am an alignment-a-holic), there are deep face options for you.

Conclusion

As I mentioned in the B3-M review, if nothing else, the Heavy Putter line of putters make an excellent training aid. It really helps smooth out your putting stroke. If you are one who struggles with consistency inside 10 feet…find your hands shaking a lot…inconsistent strokes on short putts…get one of these putters in your hands. It will take a little getting used to, but trust me, it will do wonders for your putting stroke. I have gone back to traditional weighted, insert putters now and then, and always seem to come back to the Heavy Putter. I really just can’t find any putter that is as consistent for me as this is inside 10 feet.

• Heavy Putter C2-DF Putter - $169.95
• Find the Heavy Putter C2-DF on eBay - $100-$150