Fortunately for Tiger and those same Australians, nobody was treated for an injury caused by a flying Nike driver, which only moments earlier had let the world's best golfer down with a poor tee shot on the thirteenth hole Saturday.

I've excused Tiger's verbal outbursts in the past. Ben wrote an article about them and largely supported Tiger as well. I continue not to care about Tiger's verbal outbursts, and will point out that he seems to have improved both in volume and content in recent years.

But tossing a club into a crowd of people? Well, now, that's well across the line.

So far as I know, Tiger's thrown a club only a few times like this - an overhanded hammer-throw - only once before. That happened at TPC Boston on a secluded tee well away from spectators.

He's thrown or slammed - sometimes quite violently - clubs into the ground, his golf bag, bunkers, and even a tee or plastic bottle - on several occasions. He's cursed and sworn, occasionally quite loudly, in the past as well.

These acts don't bother me so much. I prefer to see golfers who show a bit of emotion, and I think this aspect of Tiger is the yin to his fist-pumping yang. Take away one part and you'd be left with an unbalanced Tiger.

Tiger Woods retrieves his driver from the gallery after chucking it following a poor tee shot.

But there can be no offsetting yang large enough to absolve a yin which puts spectators at risk of injury (however small).

All that said, I'm willing to give Tiger Woods a pass on this incident. And before everyone jumps on me and accuses me of being a Tiger Woods apologist, read on.

Tiger gets a pass on this occurrence because people make mistakes. However, a smart person who cares about the traditions of the game as well as the respect and safety of the fans will learn from his mistake, and Tiger Woods is a smart guy. Additionally, there are ten ways in which this type of behavior can hurt him and none in which it can help, so even if Tiger's a prima donna jerk who doesn't really care if someone's eyeball gets in the way of his hurtling titanium, he's smart enough to realize that this behavior can't help him win golf tournaments, it can't help him fund the Tiger Woods Learning Center or his children's great-great grandchildren's lives, or anything else.

Everyone makes mistakes. People worth respecting learn from their mistakes and don't make them again. While the lesser offense of slamming a golf club down away from spectators may or may not cross your own personal line of "showing respect" or "acting like an adult," you'd be hard pressed to find a sane person whose line sits beyond "tossed clubs entering the gallery." That's just to say that while you'll find disagreement that the occasional "goddammit Tiger" is a mistake (or not), nobody will disagree that this most recent act is an egregious one.

I'm reminded of the time Bobby Jones threw a golf club (as detailed in the Mark Frost biography The Grand Slam):

But just prior to that, dissatisfied with his approach shot, Bobby had thrown his club back toward his bag, lying on the ground near the gallery. The club glanced off the bag, bounced up, and hit a female spectator in the lower leg… Walker [USGA President] warned: "You will never play in a USGA event again unless you learn to control your temper."

Tiger, you've crossed the line, both metaphorically and physically (the rope that's supposed to separate a player - and his equipment - from the gallery). Like Bobby Jones before him, Tiger is human. He deserves most of what people are saying, but he deserves a chance - like Bobby Jones - to realize the error of his ways and change his behavior.

I hope never to see a golfer behave like this again.

Photo Credits: © golf.com.

© iacas for The Sand Trap, 2009. | Permalink

Of course, I would be referring to the TaylorMade Raylor, which for those of you that may be too young to remember, was a very popular fairway wood back then. The Raylor name has been brought back for their newest hybrid club, and as you can imagine, there is a bit of difference between the old and the new. Along with the Raylor, Taylormade has also brought us their latest irons, which share the name with their very popular line of woods from 2009.

TaylorMade Raylor
The first order of business is the Raylor, which you may have spotted as far back as this year's U.S. Open, as it made its way into the bag of Kenny Perry as a replacement for his 3-iron and Mike Weir as a replacement for his ability to get the ball in the fairway. The rough conditions at Bethpage Black commanded a club that ensured crisp, clean contact from any lie, which the Raylor was designed to provide. It became an invaluable tool for cutting through the tall fescue, due to a somewhat sharp, pointed leading edge, and the "Raylor Sole." This sole design resembles the hull of a ship, as it slopes up at the sides, providing a means to separate blades of grass as the head accelerates towards the ball. In fact, Taylormade says there is a 23% reduction in the surface that would otherwise rob you of precious clubhead speed.

The design of the sole also serves another purpose: the sole radius provides a great deal of assistance for sidehill lie shots. The Raylor's sole radius presents an angle of 17° up from horizontal, as opposed to the previous Burner Rescue, which was only 10°. That leads to 70% more sole relief on the heel and toe side, and effectively makes it much easier to make clean contact with a ball above or below your feet. Another benefit to the Raylor is a near-guaranteed increase in clubhead speed, due to the inch of added length in the RE*AX 65 gram shaft.

Price & Availability
The Raylor is available in two lofts, a 19° 3-iron replacement, and a 22° 4-iron replacement, for both right- and left-handed players. Though the MSRP is listed at $229, it can easily be found more in the neighborhood of $180. It is available in stores now, and if you have already had the opportunity to try the Raylor out, let us know what you think in the comments section below.

R9 Irons
For the R9 and R9 TP irons, TaylorMade sought to design an iron that combined modern performance (as in forgiveness) with superb distance in a classic frame. In order to pay special attention to each iron across the entire set, TaylorMade's R&D took different approaches for the long irons and the short irons.

The long and mid-irons are said to be extremely long and easy to hit, thanks to the enclosed, foam-filled chamber that resides behind the clubface, under the cavity insert. The virtually weightless foam actually originates as a powder that is sealed in this chamber, and then transforms into the foam substance after the clubhead is heated during production. This design, which acts much like a shock absorber, has been titled the "Velocity Control Chamber," and it provides the means for a large area of the 2mm thick face to exist without any support behind it. This allows the face more freedom to flex, much like a driver. This trampoline effect leads to an increase in distance as you can imagine. The Inverted Cone Technology on the inner side of the clubface helps maintain a consistent ball speed, even on shots struck a little off-center. Perimeter weighting emphasis in the long and mid-irons helps to maintain stability throughout impact.

The design of the short irons is intended to promote a higher degree of control and accuracy while giving the player the desired amount of feedback. They feature a deep, undercut cavity, with a broad, low center of gravity sole and heel-toe weighting for added stability. They have a clearly delineated leading edge and beveled sole which promotes solid contact and playability through the reduction of surface resistance, so that contact is made with as much force as possible, every shot. All of this is wrapped up into a compact, simple teardrop shape that should be pleasing to see at address. There also resides a thin layer of visco-elastic adhesive (made by 3M) on top of the black badge in the cavity, which provides vibration dampening. Like the long irons, weighting was pushed to the heel and toe for added forgiveness. The iron is then capped off with a nickel chrome-plated stainless steel and pearl finish.

Options and availability
The groove-rule-conforming R9 comes with a KBS steel 90-gram shaft (either regular or stiff flex) as its stock shaft option, though the Fujikura Motore is also available. The cool thing about the KBS shaft is that the wall thickness increases proportionately as the shaft diameter decreases, which promotes stability throughout the entire shaft, and should give the player more control and consistency. The standard set contains 3-iron through PW, and has a MSRP of $999, though a quick search led me to quickly find them for $799. They are available and in stores now for both righties and lefties.

R9 TP Irons
The compact head of the R9 starts off with a semi-straight leading edge and a semi-square toe. The thin, cambered, beveled (sounds like hash browns Waffle House, doesn't it?) sole again allows the club to pass through the turf without becoming stuck. At address, the thin topline should be appealing to most all players, as it is beveled along the back edge, creating the appearance most golfers like to see on approaching the ball.

Remember the VCC (Velocity Control Chamber)? It's also used in the R9 TP, but only in the 2-iron up through the 5-iron. This again allows for a low and deep center of gravity and assists in increasing the MOI. Perimeter weighting (provided by the undercut cavity) also contributes to MOI and stability.

One standout design feature in the R9 TP is the variable progressive face thickness. As the irons get shorter, the face gets slightly thicker. The 2-5 irons have a face that is 2mm thick, whereas by the time we get to the 8-iron, 9-iron, and PW, the face is up to 2.5mm. Why, you ask? Because this results in a progressively higher center of gravity in the mid and long irons, and adds to the great feel in the short irons. The Inverted Cone Technology is again utilized throughout the entire set to provide consistent distance from off-center contact.

The shape of the R9 TP head is very similar to that of the popular Tour Preferred irons, but by use of the Inverted Cone Technology, and the way the face blends into the hosel, there is a larger overall contact area.

Options and Availability
On top of the normal 3-PW set, TaylorMade is also making a 2-iron available for those brave souls out there, though they say it's extremely easy to hit, thanks to a low CoG and even more extreme perimeter weighting. The stock shaft offering is the KBS Tour Series steel in either X-Stiff, Stiff, or Regular flex, and there is no graphite option. The R9 TP irons are available to both right handed and left-handed players, and though TM lists them at $1125, they can be found for $899.

We'll be reviewing the R9 and R9 TP irons before the end of the year, so stay tuned.

© jlpucheu for The Sand Trap, 2009. | Permalink

Most professionals aren't concerned with looking cool, and if they're worried about breaking 40 or 90, we probably aren't seeing them in the winner's circle on a regular basis. But they are concerned with birdies.

This week we take a look at birdies on the PGA Tour.

Let's begin by looking at the most straight-forward method of making a birdie: hit the green in regulation and make the putt. This is known as the birdie conversion rate, and is a statistic tracked by the PGA Tour. As of, and including, the Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola, the top 15 are:

Player              FEC      Birdie %    Birdies    Greens
----------------    ---      --------    -------    ------
Anthony Kim          35       35.68        289        810
Daniel Chopra        97       34.06        298        875
Tiger Woods           1       33.25        253        761
Jason Day            48       33.12        204        616
Dustin Johnson       14       32.98        311        943
Kris Blanks         168       32.97        179        543
Joe Ogilvie         121       32.88        268        815
Phil Mickelson        2       32.74        238        727
Fred Couples         84       32.61        195        598
Charley Hoffman      37       32.51        343       1055
Matt Bettencourt    106       32.33        313        968
Michael Letzig       86       32.23        312        968
Harrison Frazar     104       32.19        281        873
Steve Stricker        3       32.17        304        945
Nick Watney          12       32.02        318        993

11 of the top 15 "birdie converters" finished in the top 100 in the FedExCup. Only one of the 15 failed to qualify for the playoffs. Two of the players in the list had high-profile birdie fests recently. Anthony Kim set the record at The Masters for most birdies in a round with 11. That's a birdie on almost two-thirds of the holes in his round! Harrison Frazar posted a 59 in Q-School en route to medalist honors and his 2009 PGA Tour card. And it is no surprise to find that all three players with three or more wins this season are on this list.

As for percentages, Anthony Kim and Daniel Chopra sank more than one-third of their birdie putts this season. Tiger Woods, in third place, would share this honor if only one more birdie attempt had fallen this season (we will never know how close he came, because the television networks never seem to show him if anyone else is on the field). Jason Day, in fourth, would have needed two more to join the crowd.

The Par Threes
So, where do birdies come from? Is it a perfect lie and knowing the exact distance to the pin? If so, we would expect the par-three birdie leaders to be cleaning house this season. Let's look at the top five in that statistic.

Player              FEC      Birdie %    Birdies    Holes
----------------    ---      --------    -------    -----
Kris Blanks         168       18.22        39        214
Dean Wilson         145       18.18        50        275
Mark Brooks         173       18.14        41        226
Gary Woodland       207       17.59        38        216
Corey Pavin         129       17.16        46        268

… and not a single one of them even made the playoffs! In fact, only one of them would have qualified under last year's rules (which allowed 19 more qualifiers in The Barclays to begin the playoffs).

Why is this? When we see a famous par three on television, we tend to see relatively short holes, such as the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, the 16th at TPC Scottsdale, or the 12th at Augusta National. None of these, from the tournament tees, extends beyond the reach of my 6-iron; why aren't the professionals throwing darts?

Truth is these aren't examples of typical par threes. In the case of 17 at Sawgrass, we can be thankful for this. Many of the par threes that the professionals see require long-iron approaches, and this may explain the lack of birdies and the par-three scoring average, too (as of the Tour Championship, only six players are under par for the season).

It isn't that Phil is bad with his long irons; he just doesn't hit them that often in a green-in-regulation attempt, certainly not in proportion to short irons and wedges over the course of a round. And therein is a difference in the professionals' game, versus that of a mid-handicapper, one in which the mid-handicapper has an odd advantage: we hit long iron approach shots far more often, so our scores on par threes tend to not be much out of line, relative to par, with our scores on par fours.

The aforementioned Phil Mickelson, incidentally, is sixth on the list of par-three birdie percentage leaders, so it isn't as though those players low on the rankings are all doing poorly on par threes.

The Par Fours
This brings us to the par fours. Players at all levels see more of these than any other hole type, unless we're playing par-three courses (or are regulars at John Daly's all-par-five design). Whoever is leading in birdies on par fours must have had a good shot at the FedExCup this year.

Player              FEC      Birdie %    Birdies    Holes
----------------    ---      --------    -------    -----
Joe Durant          167        21.62       128       592

That's not very encouraging. In all the years that the Tour has had the FedExCup, the person ranked 167th would not qualify to begin the playoffs. All right, who's next?

Player              FEC      Birdie %    Birdies    Holes
----------------    ---      --------    -------    -----
Joe Durant          167       21.62        128       592
Dustin Johnson       14       20.25        175       864
Anthony Kim          35       19.90        158       794
Hunter Mahan         27       19.25        186       966
Jonathan Byrd        66       19.16        151       788
Fred Couples         84       19.10        102       534
Marc Leishman        20       19.10        183       958
Charlie Wi           56       18.81        170       904
Jason Dufner         11       18.80        182       968
Justin Leonard       39       18.60        170       914

First, something encouraging: Joe Durant and Dustin Johnson made birdie on par fours on more than one in five attempts this year. This amounts to one per side, and if one more of Anthony Kim's attempts had dropped, he would have joined this club. Other than Joe Durant, the top ten in par-four birds had some good staying power, with four making it to the Tour Championship and another four reaching the penultimate tournament of the playoffs.

The Par Fives
And now, house cleaning. The par fives. After seeing the last category leaders, maybe you're expecting to see someone who didn't fare very well this year, but quietly led some scoring category. If you expect that, you'd be wrong.

Player              FEC      Birdie %    Birdies    Holes
----------------    ---      --------    -------    -----
Tiger Woods           1       56.77        109       192
Nick Watney          12       54.55        150       275

How far back to do you have to go to find a tournament at Torrey Pines that one of those two didn't win? 2004. Let's expand to the top ten:

Player              FEC      Birdie %    Birdies    Holes
----------------    ---      --------    -------    -----
Tiger Woods           1       56.77        109       192
Nick Watney          12       54.55        150       275
Matt Jones          126       50.33         76       151
Bubba Watson         53       50.00        118       236
Anthony Kim          35       49.54        108       218
Steve Marino         15       49.29        138       280
Steve Stricker        3       49.19        122       248
D.J. Trahan          96       49.00        123       251
Scott Piercy         88       48.76        118       242
Dustin Johnson       14       48.25        124       257

Fully half of the top ten in par-five birdies made it to the Tour Championship. Of these, only Steve Marino didn't win at least once in the past year, and only one of the top ten didn't make it to the playoffs. Four of them birdied at least half of their par fives, and, as with par fours, Anthony Kim would have joined the party if one more attempt had fallen.

The massive birdie count on the par fives relative to the threes and fours is instructive to us amateurs, too. We might not be able to reach them all in two, but we can hit short irons and wedges into the greens with very little risk by intelligently planning the hole.

Conclusion
As fun as the math behind the professional game is, having our own low scores is more fun. In particular, we can observe that par is a very good score on a par three and that birdies don't do us an immense amount of good on such holes. I, for one, am happy if I can play my par threes in a 3.5 average. Obviously, I want a lower score, but not to the point of being unhappy. I regularly see playing partners upset over par on such holes, as though these were crucial scoring opportunities.

I see the same playing partners accept net bogeys on par fives, essentially writing them off due to their length. Such holes' length, however, puts the advantage in your hand: they are rarely a full 3-wood longer than an average par four, and this lets you effectively choose the shots you want to hit. Zach Johnson, hardly a long hitter, used this to his advantage en route to his win at the 2007 Masters. Tiger is often credited with thinking his way around the course better than anyone, and he accordingly has a commanding lead on the very holes that offer the advantage to the most thinking players.

This article was written by Michael Shindler, or "Shindig" in the forum.

© Guest Author for The Sand Trap, 2009. | Permalink

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 128 as an MP4 file. For those who want to subscribe to us in iTunes, click here.

For this week's Show Notes - links to articles we discuss in the show and additional information - just read on.

Off the Tee

• U.S. Wins (
  one, two, three, four)
• AK the 'Current John Daly'

Beating Balls

• Kuchar Prevails in Turning Stone Playoff
• Ochoa Wins, Wie T2
• LPGA Cutting Staff
• Rory to Play PGA Tour in 2010?
• Norman and Evert Separate
• Golf an Olympic Sport

Colophon

This show was recorded with QuickTime Player over a Skype connection. We then used Soundtrack Pro 3 to edit the show and GarageBand to produce the AAC file from the AIFF file, to add the artwork, and so forth. Feeder was used to create the XML file.

Note: This is an AAC (MP4) file, an open file format. iTunes - free software - can play AAC files, as can numerous other players, though we heartily recommend iTunes.

You Can Contribute

If you'd like to submit a listener question that we can answer on the air, send the question to podcast@thesandtrap.com.

© iacas for The Sand Trap, 2009. | Permalink

This November 15th, Titleist ends the year on a high note with the release of the newly revised AP Series irons, as well as some new wedges from master wedge craftsman Bob Vokey. They follow that up in mid-December with the new MB and CB irons, and new putters from renowned flatstick sculptor Scotty Cameron.

Following the recent trend, we're going to break this release into two parts for your reading pleasure. This week, we'll have a look at the updated revisions to the AP line, along with the new, conforming, Vokey wedges. Then stay tuned for next week, when we'll visit the new MB and CB players irons, as well as Scotty Cameron's latest flatsticks.

Before we look at the new AP irons, let's just start out by throwing the term "game improvement" out the window. Zach Johnson, Nick Watney, Ben Curtis, and many other Titleist Ambassadors play every week with AP irons. The fact of the matter is, no matter what your skill level, these Advanced Performance irons can be of benefit for both high- and low-handicap players.

Let's also discard the notion that simply because the irons say "Titleist" that they can't be played by the bogey golfer. Though the AP1, for example, is used by the occasional PGA Tour player, we've also found them quite suitable for the 10- to 18-handicapper who values good looks and great forgiveness with a lot more feel than you might expect.

"Advanced Performance" Overview
With all of that out of the way, it's time for the good stuff. According to Steve Pelisek, GM of Titleist Golf Clubs:

The new AP1 and AP2 irons embody significant improvements in feel, forgiveness, and shot control to what had already been recognized as a revolutionary step forward in iron design. The new AP1 and AP2 irons offer the most successful marriage of both playability and forgiveness, traditional looks, feel, and feedback available in the market today.

Both the AP1 and AP2 underwent refinement this year, and the differences are immediately visible, but before we check out the differences let's see what remains the same. The general design concepts are the same as the originals (which is a good thing). The multi-material, dual-cavity design has been maintained, along with the dual hosel lengths and progressive offsets.

Among the new tweaks common to both sets is the new Tuned Feel System, which improves the sound and feel of the new AP line by introducing a co-molded medallion of soft elastomer and aluminum plating. Also, as expected, the grooves do conform with the 2010 Conditions of Competition. But so did the previous models (reviewed here for AP1 and here for AP2).

New AP1
The cast 431 stainless steel head and tungsten nickel sole are retained in these models, though the new Tuned Feel System is one of the many things that sets these apart from last year's AP1. In addition to the Tuned Feel System, the aluminum and elastomer face is now thinner, with a larger cavity in the back, which leads to a hotter and more active feeling face.

Keeping with the trend of improving the feel, the AP1 reduces low frequency vibrations via the use of a tungsten nickel sole bar. This sole bar, along with a perimeter-weighted back flange (the notch in the back), keeps the CoG low and deep so that MOI, forgiveness, and stability is increased in comparison last year's model. Looking down at the 701 Series AP1, you will also see that the blade length is shorter, the topline is thinner, and the offset has been reduced.

All of these design changes help the player have a greater degree of control and workability, while maintaining the traditional look players are accustomed to. The previously mentioned usage of dual hosel lengths assist in shifting the weight a little lower on the long irons, by the use of a shorter hosel, in order to help launch the ball. Shorter irons thus have a longer hosel, a higher center of gravity, and a lower ball flight.

Options and Availability
Titleist also decided to deviate from the previous iteration of the AP1 by offering the Nippon NS Pro 105T as the stock steel shaft option instead of the True Temper Dynamic Gold HL. Though the stock steel changed, the graphite shaft option is still the made-for-Titleist Aldila VS Proto-T 75. Both come wrapped in the Titleist/Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip, but as usual, if you prefer alternate shaft and grip options, or if alternate lengths and lies are needed, a call can easily be made to Titleist Custom.

New AP2
Much like the AP1, the multi-material construction of the AP2 is generally the same as the previous iteration. The AP2 is still forged from 1025 soft carbon steel, and features the tungsten nickel sole found in the original AP2. Like the new AP1, the Tuned Feel System is one of the big differentiators in the new model.

The AP2 allows the workability desired by so many players, yet provide that extra bit of forgiveness we all wish we had from time to time. The dual cavity provides that extra bit of forgiveness by pushing weight to the outside, while the lower CoG should make them easy to hit.

The appearance of the AP2 is very similar to that of the original, as to be expected. Looking down at address, the top line is slightly thinner which allow some weight to be pushed outside, providing that extra bit of forgiveness I mentioned earlier. Bounce was reduced one degree in the shorter irons to improve turf interaction. As with the AP1, the length of the hosel increases through the set, with the longer irons having a short hosel to assist in launch, and the scoring irons utilizing a longer hosel to help control the ball flight.

Options and Availability
The standard shaft in the AP2 irons is the True Temper Dynamic Gold - a shift from the Project X that was stock in the original AP2 - and is topped off with the proven Golf Pride Tour Velvet rubber grip. If you prefer a different shaft or grip, or you need modifications to the length and lie, Titleist Custom can take care of you. Expect each club to set you back $142 per club for the steel shafted models when the hit your favorite retailer on the fifteenth of November.

Vokey Spin Milled C-C
With the Conditions of Competition changing on January 1, 2010, I'm sure Titleist's new wedges are generally one of the more anticipated releases of the year. The new Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges ("C-C" stands for "condition of competition") are the product of a collaborative effort between master wedge maker Bob Vokey and Titleist Golf Club R&D. They have undergone countless hours of player testing to ensure that, even though the grooves have changed, the player will have the highest level of performance available from their wedges.

As you can see in the image below, there appears to be almost no noticeable difference between the 2009 Vokey wedges and their C-C-grooved counterparts, with the exception of a gold paint fill in the Spin Milled Logo, and the C-C engraving on the hosel. They can also be identified by a sticker on the face, which states that the wedge conforms with the USGA/R&A regulations. I assume the intention is to make them look as familiar as possible, and I personally think it was a good decision. I also applaud Vokey and Titleist's decision to be quite clear in their descriptions of the playability of the new wedges. Bob Vokey, Master Craftsman and Senior Product Development Manager, says:

The new groove standards will put more pressure on better players' short games. It will be crucial for them to determine the most effective combinations of loft, bounce and sole grinds in their wedge set-ups. There is less room for error when players don't have as much spin as they are accustomed, and they must be much more precise in their execution.

There's no sugarcoating it - the new grooves have an substantial effect on the amount of spin imparted on the ball, and better players needs to step their game up to make up for it. Expect the new Spin Milled C-C wedges to produce a higher launch and less spin, with a bit more run-out than the previous models. In some cases this may be a good thing. How many times have you put an approach shot within a few feet of the hole, only to have it spin back too far, and put you into two-putt land? I'm not saying they won't spin the ball, it just won't be quite as much.

In terms of construction and material, the same 8620 milled carbon steel has been used for the 2010 models. At this time, there will be only one available finish - the non-glare Tour Chrome finish. The perfectly flat, CNC-machined face is grooved with a new cutting tool, which has a much tighter tolerance on both the edge radius and volume of the grooves. Still present are the micro edges used on previous models, which aid in creating friction and imparting spin, especially on partial shots.

Options and Availability
One of the reasons the Vokey wedges have been so popular is the multiple options available to fit any type of player. These are no exception, with 17 different variations available in nine different lofts, spanning from 48 to 64 degrees, and multiple bounce and sole grind configurations. Nine of those 17 will be available for left-handed players. The lone shaft option is the True Temper Dynamic Gold Wedge shaft, and it comes wrapped in the standard Titleist Tour Velvet rubber grip. As usual, if you need non-standard specifications, Titleist Custom can handle them. Expect to pay $125 for these when they hit stores November 15th.

© jlpucheu for The Sand Trap, 2009. | Permalink

First is that CBS and NBC performed about the same as one another this year. Yawn.

Another yawner: more (often many more) viewers tune into to golf coverage when Tiger Woods is playing. More still watch when he's in contention on the weekend.

Third: Though I rarely ever hear anyone saying anything positive about Golf Channel or its commentators, and though I rarely read any positive reviews of their coverage, I was surprised to see that their viewership has grown over the past few years.

Perhaps golf fans tune in to see and hear their favorite announcers and not because a significant tournament is being covered, or Tiger Woods is playing. I don't think this is the case. I am sure the majority of readers don't either.

Some of the announcers I am rating here are downright awful. Further, the general consensus is that they are aren't very good. Yet, year after year, they keep their jobs. Can networks succeed with subpar commentary teams and lackluster coverage? Apparently. As such, Ian Baker-Finch and CBS aren't likely to be too concerned about the "D" the aforementioned announcer is receiving in my 2009 Rating of Golf Commentators.

Networks live in fear of anything which would cause a decline in sponsor investment, or anything which would offend the core nucleus of devoted viewers. I understand this. I realize it is in the best interest of the networks that bucolic stuffed shirts occupy the studios and stooges roam the course.

Infusing the telecasts with "personalities" hasn't gone very well either. Consider the tired routine of Feherety and McCord. Uncompromisingly bland is, and ought to be, the name of the game, until more intelligent, insightful and dynamic announcers and production crews come along.

Given all of this, watching golf for me is like eating comfort food. I never tune in expecting an interplay of bold flavors or subtle brilliance. This year though, Mom's meatloaf was particularly dry and tasteless.

CBS

Jim Nantz: C
Jim Nantz is the essence of the modern golf commentator. He is mild and soothing. He deals in clichés and comical sentimentality. Whether he is relaying his own barnstorming of the announcing world, plugging his puff-piece of a book, or coming up with another premeditated gemstone of stupidity ("Y.E. S! Y.E. Yang has won," was this year's worst) he's sure to be flashing his signature patronizing smile and bringing little if any real value to the telecast.

There is a word for what Mr. Nantz is and is asked to be: filler. He occupies airtime and segues between one supposed expert and another. I have never heard or seen any evidence that Nantz does any preparation for the multitude of events he announces every year. He certainly brings no sport-specific knowledge beyond his friendship with Freddie Couples. At his best, he is background noise.

Ian Baker-Finch: D
Weak-minded Finchy, with his skeletal visage and token accent, is always talking out of turn on any CBS telecast. Finch is a man whom I have an overwhelming and completely irrational desire to punch in the face for no good reason. Because of this, I have upgraded Mr. Finch from an "F" to a "D," as I am unable to do anything resembling an objective analysis of his commentary.

Finch is as famous for issuing his nonsensical perspectives as he is for shooting 92 in the opening round of The Open Championship. I was truly upset when he shot 68-78 to miss the cut at Colonial this year. I had hoped that he would return to competitive play, thus leaving the broadcast team.

Bobby Clampett: C
Clampett seems like that arrogant junior member at your club who can play, but not that well. His near-orgasmic reaction to any player who takes a divot with a 3-wood are perhaps the only good thing about his announcing.

David Feherty: B-
As I mentioned earlier, Feherety's quirky commentary has become annoying. Tired. Old. Trite. I actually prefer his writing to his endless interjections during CBS telecasts. He both tries too hard and is overexposed. Less Feherty would certainly be better. It would be better, also, if he didn't feel the need to say something witty every time he opens his mouth. Sometimes "174 yards to the hole, wind a little off the left" is sufficient.

Peter Kostis: C+
The best thing that Peter Kostis does is analyze SwingVision footage. He is a competent teacher, as he instructs Zach Johnson and Paul Casey, amongst others. Given this, he has an excellent understanding of the golf swing. It seems both he and CBS are concerned about getting too esoteric in any swing analysis. I wish this weren't the case.

Kostis as a conductor of interviews and general commentator is significantly more bland in flavor. More SwingVision, less general commentary.

Gary McCord: D
McCord was never a great announcer. He now appears to be taking a turn for the worse, becoming senile as he pushes sixty. In the past, he made his living with odd and sometimes insightful commentary. Now he giggles and babbles his way through a telecast.

A great character? To be sure. From the waxed mustache to the weird biographical anecdotes, McCord is one of a kind. I respect this. Although he often rubs me the wrong way, I believe we need more individuals like him in the game of golf and fewer "aw, shucks" status-quo fondlers.

Next Week…

Come back next week for the rest of the list. Will Golf Channel and NBC's drones fare any better? Will Johnny Miller get the A+++ he surely feels he deserves (he once shot a 63 at Oakmont to win the U.S. Open, you know!)? I'll address all this and more in Part Two next week.

© benalb for The Sand Trap, 2009. | Permalink

The latest evidence - not counting the belts and cars, of course - comes in the form of Editor in Chief Jerry Tarde's "Golf's Five Sacred Rules." This week in Trap Five we take a quick look at Tarde's "rules" and come up with a real list of five sacred rules - if, that is, we're sufficiently pretentious enough to think that golf is religious enough to warrant calling anything "sacred."

Tarde's List

The column (despite the title) applies only to private country clubs, of which I belong to one and have played at several. Let's have a look at the rules the title would have us believe apply to all of golf.

Tarde's Number Five
No cell phones on the course or in the clubhouse. (One club I know is very tough on this: Mobile phones are only permissible sitting in your car in the parking lot with the windows rolled shut. A friend of mine adheres to this rule with his convertible top down.)

I have my cell phone with me at all times. It's got a weather application that I can use to check the proximity of an incoming storm. It's got a calendar so I can check availability for future tee times. And, lo and behold, it's got a phone so that my wife can reach me when plans change and I can reach the clubhouse in an emergency (partner has a heart attack, cart runs out of juice or gets stuck or driven into a lake, six-some in front of us is holding up play and needs to be split up, etc.).

Instead, cell phone usage should be judged on a case-by-case basis. Not once in fielding the occasional call from my wife have I held up or distracted play. I'm as annoyed by the guy loudly talking about his stock portfolio with his broker while holding up play as the next guy. If you want to make a rule, how about the far more reasonable "ban the behavior, not the instrument."

Tarde's Number Four
Take off your hat when you go indoors or when sitting down to eat.

Because hat hair is so much more attractive. Let me put it this way: if it's perfectly acceptable to wear spikes, I see no problem wearing a lid as well. My country club has a grill room where spikes and hats are worn by virtually everyone, and a dining room where they are not worn by anyone. Guys don't take their hats off in the locker room or the pro shop. They don't take their hats off at the halfway house or when greeting women.

Sorry, Jerry, but you're showing your age here, and the "hats off" rule is murky at best. Rather than draw up a hard and fast rule, I prefer the rule of "When in Rome…"

Tarde's Number Three
No blue jeans, even the expensive kind.

Though I personally won't wear blue jeans to play golf (I may have once, when it was winter, beneath some snow pants…), I couldn't really care less what someone else wears. This is yet another of the rules that says more about those attempting to enforce the rules than those who might break them.

And do these rules apply only to men? Tarde never really says. Perhaps he's assuming that the only women Tarde will run into at these private clubs will be asking him what he'd like to drink.

Tarde's Number Two
Do not change your shoes in the parking lot. (Perfectly OK at a public course, but the locker room at private clubs is preserved as the last bastion of golfing ablutions.)

I changed my shoes in the parking lot just yesterday at my country club… and I've got a locker inside. I think I may even still have the key for it somewhere…

Frankly, the locker room can be a scary and frightening place, particularly since Tarde left out the first sacred rule of Locker Room Etiquette, which could be stated simply as "Nobody Wants to See Your Ding Dong." The less time I have to spend trying not to look at the penises of fat, wet, naked old dudes, the better.

Tarde's Number One
The most important: Never throw a club in anger.

Bobby Jones once said that "some emotions cannot be endured with a golf club in your hands." And while I gave up club-throwing as a teen, I do enjoy burying a clubhead in the earth two or three times a year. (The damage is easily repaired and you can do it without your playing partners even noticing, though neither are an excuse.)

My List

As I see it, Tarde's list suffers from two problems. The first is that it seems to come from the perspective of a privileged old white dude stuck in the 1950s. The second is that his list has almost nothing to do with golf.

Tarde's "Golf's Sacred Rules" are more about day-to-day etiquette than they are about golf (at any type of course). It's rude to talk on your cell phone when you're riding in a car with someone. It's rude to wear your hat at a nice restaurant… but at McDonald's it's okay. Would you wear blue jeans to a church? I suppose that depends on the church. And so on…

In the spirit of the title of Tarde's article, I've come up with my own "Golf's Five Sacred Rules," and here they are.

Sacred Rule Number Five
Pay Your Bets and Buy Drinks with the Winnings

If you never bet while you're golfing, by all means skip this one. Congratulations, you've only got four "sacred" rules to follow!

If, however, you're like most golfers who engage in the occasional bet - on the putting green or on the golf course - pay up immediately after losing, and do so gracefully. If you're competitive, a little "I'll get you next time" type jab is perfectly appropriate.

If you win enough and the opportunity presents itself, buy drinks for the vanquished.

Sacred Rule Number Four
Understand the Rules of the Game

The Rules of Golf are the same for everyone, and everyone who plays the game of golf should understand them.

But the "Rules" (capital R) don't need to be followed to the letter each and every time you set foot on a golf course. In addition to understanding the "Rules," you're responsible for knowing the "rules" (lowercase r). If your foursome allows for gimmes inside of a foot or two, go ahead and "gimme" and "givve." If you're betting, understand the rules of the bet so you're not whining on the 16th tee that you're up five bucks when you're actually down ten.

If you're playing with strangers, assume that the "rules" are the same as the "Rules" until told otherwise. And when conflict arises - you'd rather not give that three-footer your partner wants to give the other team - man up and make whatever decision you think is right in the situation.

One last thing: don't brag about your 82 with six mulligans and eleven gimmes. You can brag that you took fifteen bucks off your buddies that day, but your score is only valid if you followed the Rules of Golf.

Sacred Rule Number Three
Respect Your Fellow Golfers

Here's where the cell phone bit comes in. And the hat part. And the club-throwing part.

Respect is a lot more than not talking in someone's backswing. It's more than refraining from the telling of crude stories or smoking your Cuban in a cart with a non-smoker. It goes beyond offering unsolicited advice while you chop it around in 93.

Some foursomes trash talk each other all around and make "your wife" jokes all day. Some don't. Virtually all care about things like "don't step on my line." Respect the maintenance workers, the pro shop attendants, and the guy two fairways over who just duffed a shot because you unknowingly shouted obscenities at the top of his swing.

Sacred Rule Number Two
Leave the course in Better Shape

Repair ball marks. Replace divots. Rake bunkers properly and leave them outside the bunkers in the direction of play (unless the club wishes otherwise). Clean up tees while you wait and put broken tees in the proper places.

These go without saying, and yet each of us can do more to improve the way we treat the gorgeous grassy areas on which we play the game of golf.

Sacred Rule Number One
Play Quickly

There's simply no excuse for a five-hour round. Slow play is a selfish, obnoxious, loathsome trend that everyone can do something to change. If you need some tips, we spent a whole week on slow play in 2007.

To those who would undoubtedly reply to this by saying "I paid as much as you, so don't tell me to rush - I'm out there to enjoy my leisure time and if that takes five hours, so be it" I will point out a simple fact: if everyone played faster, you could play 27 holes instead of just 18 (and perhaps less expensively too!).

Be a smart golfer. You're not playing for a million dollars like the guys on TV. Hit the ball and keep your group moving.

© iacas for The Sand Trap, 2009. | Permalink

For now, we'll be taking a look at Mizuno's latest offerings in the MP line of products, including the MP FLI-HI, the MP T-10 wedges, and we'll finish up with the MP-58 and MP-68 irons. If you're not a Mizuno fan, you might just become one after seeing their latest offerings. Follow along to see what all the fuss is about!

MP FLI-HI
First out the gate is the MP FLI-HI 2010 iron hybrid. As you can see from the picture below, this isn't a hybrid in the same sense as Mizuno's MX-700. Instead, it's more of a driving iron, created as a direct replacement for your long irons, though without the frustration that can sometimes come with a long iron. Mizuno focused on playability with the FLI-HI, and in doing that, they created a long iron replacement with an extra-wide sole for maximum forgiveness out of most any lie. The center of gravity is positioned low and deep in the head in order to get the most out of that not quite perfect shot, while also promoting a more consistent high launch.

The MP FLI-HI takes advantage of Mizuno's Hot Metal Technology and is created by plasma welding a thin ES230 maraging steel face to a stainless steel body to maximize the elasticity and rebound, which results in a higher ball speed. Mizuno's Grain Flow Forging process is used on 4135 high strength steel for construction of the face and neck, which Mizuno says provides a solid, consistent feel and makes the club as durable as possible. The FLI-HI is then finished off with double nickel chrome plating.

The head of the FLI-HI maintains a traditional, player-preferred shape with a thick front edge bevel, which should further support consistency and ease of launch. The modified U-Grooves are employed in order to conform with the new groove rules which go into effect at the beginning of 2010.

Options, Pricing, & Availability
The MP FLI-HI can be included in your purchase of another Mizuno iron set, or separately if you'd like to add it to your existing arsenal. It can also be fit to your specifications, if alternate lengths or lie angles are required. These hybrid irons are meant to replace your 2-, 3-, and 4-irons, and are thus offered in lofts of 18°, 21°, and 24°.

As much as I hate to break the bad news to you lefties, the FLI-HI is only available to right-handed players at this time. The stock shaft offering is the Project X 5.5 steel, which I think is an added bonus. As far as the standard grip goes, you're looking at the Mizuno/Golf Pride M-21 58 Round.

Customization options are available from the Mizuno's Custom Department if you prefer a different shaft or grip. Expect the MP FLI-HI to run $140, though any custom options may cost you a little more. If you're ready to try one today, you're in luck, as they're available in stores now!

MP T-10 Wedges
Next in line is the Mizuno MP T-10 forged wedges, which utilize Quad Cut grooves. The first question that probably comes to mind is whether these conform to the Conditions of Competition. The short answer is no, not if you're playing pro tournaments. If you're playing elite amateur tournaments, you will be able to game these up until 2014. For the normal weekend warrior, you're in the clear until 2024. Now that that's out the way, let's take a closer look at what makes these wedges tick.

The Quad Cut Groove Technology is essentially a manufacturing process that provides strict control of the width, depth, draft angle, and shoulder radius of every groove. By using such a precise process, the consistency of the grooves is guaranteed. Spin control is ensured from most any lie due to the aggressive nature of the grooves.

The MP T-10 is a forged wedge, utilizing Mizuno's previously mentioned Grain Flow Forging process for the 1025E "Pure Select" mild carbon steel. The teardrop-shaped wedge makes use of a 360° sole grind on bottom, though at address all you will see is the sleek, slender top line that most all players look for.

Options, Pricing, & Availability
Two glare-resistant finishes are available for the MP T-10, plated white satin and raw black satin. It comes in a variety of lofts, ranging from 50° up to 64°, with the 50°, 53°, 56°, and 58° models using a 35.25" True Temper Dynamic Gold shaft and the 60° and 64° using the same shaft, but a quarter inch shorter. Most lofts have multiple bounce options as well. Beware that not all models are available to lefties. Mizuno again went with the Golf Pride M-21 58 round grip as the standard. Luckily, for players such as myself that require a little adjustment, Mizuno's Custom Department offers a wide variety of customization options, from lie angle adjustment to alternate grips and shafts. Expect the standard model to cost $120, and you can find them in stores now.

MP-58
If you've made it this far, it was worth the journey, as this is the part I'm sure a lot of you have been waiting for - Mizuno's new forged irons, the MP-58 and MP-68. I'd hate to make you wade through any fluff, and there's not much I can say about them that hasn't been said a million times before, so let's dive right in and take a look at the MP-58.

The MP-58 makes use of Mizuno's Dual Muscle Titanium Technology, which builds on the Dual Muscle Technology previously employed on the MP-52, but adds a high-tech Titanium metal along with the 1025E "Pure Select" mild carbon steel during the Grain Flow Forging process. This is done in order to leverage the qualities previously found in the older MP offerings, yet add a greater degree of playability. The purpose of the Titanium is to provide the perfect reinforcement behind the impact area, which Mizuno says adds to the soft, solid, and consistent feel players expect from Mizuno's irons. The Titanium also assists in raising the degree of playability by increasing the amount of weight that is pushed to the perimeter of the head. As a result, Mizuno says to expect a workable, penetrating ball flight, along with an increase in MOI.

Modal Analysis was used to make sure impact, sound, and feel was right where they wanted it to be. The non-physicist definition of modal analysis is basically the use of computer modeling to predict vibration patterns and shapes, and in this case, those computer models are able to determine the feedback that you, the player, feels from this club upon impact with the ball. Kinda crazy, isn't it???

According to Dick Lyons, Vice President and General Manager of Mizuno USA, the MP-58 is the most technologically advanced iron Mizuno has ever created. By using tools such as modal analysis, he says that qualities such as impact, sound, and feel are optimized.

As far as the externally visible qualities you can see, a rolled leading edge and trailing edge are combined with a flattened mid-sole to produce a great looking head that promotes consistent ball striking ability from all types of lies. To top it all off, the MP-58 features a double nickel chrome plated finish with a black chrome stainless steel muscle medallion. The MP-58 is legal for use by all players, even after 1/1/2010, as modified U-grooves are utilized in the face of the club.

Options, Pricing, & Availability
The standard MP-58 set will include a 3 iron through pitching wedge, and have the True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 or R300 as the standard shaft option. I really hate to break this news once again, but there isn't a left-handed model at this time. Like the previously mentioned clubs, the grip of choice is the Mizuno/Golf Pride M-21 58 round grip is used, though custom options are available if needed. $1200 is what it will take to make these yours.

MP-68
Just like the MP-58, the MP-68 takes all of the best qualities of previous models, and improves on them. Mizuno has deemed the MP-68 as the next generation of muscle back irons, and you'll soon see why. Computer modeling was used in designing and implementing the 3D muscle technology used in Mizuno's new flagship iron. The 3D muscle technology is credited in optimizing the center of gravity, placing it lower and more face-centered. Mizuno says the result is a more penetrating and workable ball flight, with more control than ever.

The MP-58 and MP-68 share many of the same design and production elements. Examples of this include the use of 1025E "Pure Select" mild carbon steel in the forging process, again in order to maintain the soft feel players have come to expect from Mizuno. Modal analysis was also used here as well to ensure the feel of the club. The MP-68 also has a rolled leading edge and trailing edge, with a flattened mid sole, as well as the same double nickel chrome plated finish found on the MP-58. Modified U-grooves finish off the face. What separates the MP-68 from its slightly larger sibling is its lesser offset and the lack of the medallion insert.

Options, Pricing, & Availability
First off, for you lefties, I saved the best news for last. The MP-68 is available in both right handed and left handed models. Though the True Temper Dynamic Gold S300/R300 is the stock shaft, for an extra Benjamin, you can swap in favor of the Project X 5.5 steel shaft. That brings us to the price. The price tag on a set of MP-68s is a cool $1100, but if you prefer the Project X shafts, plan on dropping $1200 to get these in your bag. As always, custom options are available. You should be able to find them in stores now.

Final Thoughts
Stay tuned for part two of The Sand Trap's overview of Mizuno's newest products, where we'll take a look at a couple of new iron sets in the MX line. See you then!!

© jlpucheu for The Sand Trap, 2009. | Permalink

Consider this The Bag Drop's equivalent to a buffet, but with zero calories and some added spice. Follow along as we look at a new full-featured cart bag from Sun Mountain, some hot new shafts from Aldila, and new all-weather apparel from Nike Golf that might make you want to play in the rain!

Is your current bag showing it's age? Have years of abuse, rain, and heat taken its toll? Or maybe you just don't have enough room to carry all of your "required items," you're in luck, as Sun Mountain has a new bag coming our way, and it looks to cover the needs of just about anyone.

Sun Mountain MCB

For many years now, Sun Mountain has produced some of the highest quality bags money can buy. They were the first to use a backpacking strap system, the first to bring a lightweight nylon bag to market, and were also the first to integrate legs, a virtual must-have on the modern carry bags. Now they have designed a bag that leverages their own Micro Cart push cart, released earlier this year.

The MCB, which stands for Micro Cart Bag, has all the features you'd expect from a modern golf bag, and them some. As previously stated, it was designed specifically for use with the Micro Cart. The combination of the Micro Cart and the MCB look to take every need of the frequent walker into account. The molded bottom of the MCB fits perfectly in the Micro Cart, and as a result, bag chatter and club movement is greatly reduced, according to Sun Mountain. There's much more to this bag than a special molded bottom though. Other important components of this bag include:

• 15-way top
• Integrated handles
• Two velour-lined valuable pockets
• Insulated cooler pouch
• Two full-length clothes pockets
• Ball pocket with two-way zippers
• Accessory pockets located in the front for easy access
• Quick-release strap and pocket to store strap when not in use
• Umbrella holder
• Ball Liner
• Two pen holders
• Included rain hood

Sun Mountain is also promising a model targeted towards women: it's an inch shorter and comes in color schemes more suitable for the female golfer.

Price and Availability
Expect to pay $209 for the MCB, and if they're not available in your local shop, they should be arriving shortly.

Aldila En Fuego Series Shafts

Next up, we have a new line of graphite shafts from Aldila. The new En Fuego series has been tested on the PGA Tour and are now being offered in some of the newer drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids; most notably the new Ping G15 series.

There are three models in the En Fuego series, each promoting a different ball flight. The three models are the Serrano (low to mid-launch option), the Wasabi (mid-launch option), and the Habanero (mid to high-launch option). Like the popular NV series, all three use Aldila's Micro Laminate Technology, which, Aldila claims, produces enhanced power, consistent flex, and precise feel. The Micro Laminate Technology is also said to eliminate shock and vibration on impact. All three models will be available in Regular, Stiff, and X-Stiff flex. They are set to ship October 1, and will have a price tag of $99.

Nike STORM-Fit Elite Outerwear

Nike Golf is bringing to market the newest in their line of STORM-Fit golf apparel. Designed to be flexible, breathable, and comfortable, the new Nike STORM-Fit jackets and pants have a lot of qualities that might make you want to play in the rain.

This new all-weather gear uses a laminate technology designed to protect the body from wind and rain, yet remain breathable enough to keep you from feeling like you're in a sauna. The four-way stretch material was used to allow for an extended range of motion, which means when you pull the club back, the material isn't going to pull back on you. Weight and bulk are also cut down by the use of a no-sew bonding technology.

Price and Availability
There are three versions of the jacket available; a long sleeve half-zip (which retails for $260), a long sleeve full-zip (which retails for $300) and a short sleeve half-zip ($200). All variations of the jacket will be available in black or red. The pants, which will set you back $200, are only available in black. The STORM-Fit gear is available now. I have always thought the STORM-Fit Elite line looks great, the only problem is that I can only afford it when I'm playing Tiger Woods 2010 on my Xbox 360.

Final Thoughts

As the end of the season approaches, take comfort in knowing that we'll be seeing a lot of new equipment drop this off season. Though these items fall into separate categories, they prove their repsective manufacturers' dedication to producing quality items for every facet of our game, from comfort, to appearance, to performance.

Sun Mountain's new MCB bag has so many qualities that just make sense, and the integration with the Micro Cart will surely make anyone owning it strongly consider this bag. The Aldila En Fuego series will also likely prove to be a must have for fans of their shafts, based on the popularity of their previous shafts. The combination of a competitive price and tour-proven technology are sure to have more people looking Aldila's way when considering a shaft swap in their driver or fairway wood. As for the Nike STORM-Fit rain gear, if you can afford it, I'm sure you'll be impressed, as Nike's other apparel has been exceptional up to this point. The Dri-Fit material used in their shorts, pants, and shirts have been a favorite of many, and I'm sure the STORM-Fit would be no different, with the only fault being the huge price tag.

Expect to see lots of new product announcements in the near future, as all the major manufacturers hold their fall meetings. I personally believe it is very exciting, as the competition between them breeds better products at lower prices, and benefits us as golfers the most. If any of the above are an indication of what's to come, prepare to drop some cash this fall and next spring! Got big plans for a purchase this fall? Anything in particular you want to see come to market during the off-season? Tell us about it in the comments!

© jlpucheu for The Sand Trap, 2009. | Permalink

I am in shock. Truly beside myself, I can barely type. Short of crying "global-fascist-new-world-order-conspiracy" or "the feminists are at it again," I don't know what to do, other than shout to God in Heaven to intercede, smiting Leaderboard Golf in the process.

I am not entirely sure what's wrong with having an attractive young woman (who may or may not know anything about golf) carrying one's golf bag, nor what Leaderboard Golf, the offended party, means by referring to "outmoded notions of golf as a male bastion." All I know is that if I, as a wealthy and probably married business man alone, or with my buddies, want to have a scantily clad 20-something carry my golf bag for me, I should have the right to do so in England or anywhere else. After all, paid company, whether in public or private, is a pillar of any decent society! Just look at Victorian England!

Not only is a truly great service being provided to amateurs, professionals can access the site as well. Who needs important information about the break of a putt, wind direction, or yardage? I say, give me something in a short skirt with a limited vocabulary any day. My basic point being: if I were Henrik Stenson, I would be on my way to eyecandycaddies.com, giving the aptly named Fanny Sunneson her marching orders.

At risk of really offending anyone, let me stop here and say the following: None of the previous was said with any degree of sincerity.

The best part of the entire arrangement is that it only sounds a little like prostitution, which it may or may not actually be. There seems to be, at least implied on the agency's website, a sort of "you do the math" scenario in much the same way that the local strip club isn't going to be checking in on you in the VIP room, or asking why your companion has emerged with $500 in her hands.

The utilization of such a service is lewd, comical, and disrespectful, both to the game of golf and to those unfortunates that have to watch the pathetic flirtation which is sure to be part and parcel of any Eye Candy Caddie/customer interaction. I am not sure a formal ban is necessary, however, if one of my buddies shows up for a round of golf (probably the one that still boasts of conquering teenagers when he's 30) accompanied by a caddie from the service, I would certainly both laugh and refuse to permit such frat boy nonsense in my foursome.

In short, it's pathetic. If you're at the point where you need to pay for on-course companionship, you are, I think it's safe to say, having serious self-esteem issues; you have become tragicomic figure who ought to seek out professional help.

The worst thing on the ECC website is the following:

When you pay for an Eye Candy Caddie you get her services for 18 holes of golf, plus "a drink at the club house for approximately one hour." In other words, you can tell your buddies that this is "your date" and everyone will see you with a gorgeous woman… heck if the price is right who knows!

In her article on Golf Digest's website, Stina Sternberg asks, "Where should golf courses draw the line when it comes to hired help? Many don't seem to have a problem enlisting cute cart girls to drive around in short shorts and sell beer to their players. Is that entirely different than hocking unqualified model caddies?"

Entirely different? No. Quite different? Yes. There is no insinuation of prostitution with the cart girl, she isn't "accompanying" any players for a drink following the round, and she is, for some clubs, a crucial and profitable figure.

At the club where I work, for example, there's a tournament every year held by a company whose name I won't mention at which actual strippers are hired to drive the beer cart. I can't tell you the sorts of things which I have seen as a result, or heard said, or the amount of times I have seen them literally driving on tee boxes and greens, but I believe it is sufficient to say that inserting actual, potential, or apparent sexual companions for golfers on the course is a less than stellar or reputable idea.

Additionally, the question of "escort-caddies" brings to mind all the bad behavior which seems to be endemically linked to all-male "golf trips." I don't want to be a moralist here, but I think golf can bring out both the best in worst in men, particularly. Think of the difference between playing a round of golf with Shivas Irons (of Golf in the Kingdom) or filling out the foursome with Palmer, Nicklaus and Woods, and heading to Las Vegas for five days of drunken bro-fest with the traditional, predictable, chain of events.

Call me conservative, or reactionary, but we would be better off if Eye Candy Caddies weren't walking the fairways. The service is, however, just the tip of the veritable iceberg of bad golf behavior, which can surely be identified at any municipal course, resort or country club on any given day. This should be the true subject of scrutiny and it is this herefore unnamed "stuff" which really makes golf appear (to some) as a particularly disgusting "male bastion".

© benalb for The Sand Trap, 2009. | Permalink