Author: Erik J. Barzeski

Golf Talk [Episode 077]

Odds of Tiger Woods winning the grand slam? Let’s put it this way: Annika Sorenstam has less of a chance of getting back to the top of the World Rankings.

Golf Talk PodcastTiger Woods goes 2-for-2, coming back in Dubai, and J.B. Holmes goes 2-for-3 at the FBR Open. Also, Ian Poulter’s comments, Phil the Fake, Ernie the Choke Artist, a blind hole-in-one, and much more in this week’s episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 077 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.

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Field Testing the Titleist AP1, AP2, ZB, and ZM Irons

Proving that you can’t judge a book by its cover, the Titleist AP1, AP2, ZB, and ZM are put to the (field) test.

Titleist AP2 IronWhat do Adam Scott’s final-round 61 and three-shot victory at the Qatar Masters and 2007 European Tour Rookie of the Year Martin Kaymer’s first win a week earlier have in common? Both were fired with new Titleist irons. Adam Scott won with the Titleist Forged AP2 irons while Martin Kaymer played the Forged ZM irons in taking the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship by two.

The existence of these irons (and their two siblings) has been official for a few days now, but the details were made known in our Bag Drop “Titleist Introduces New Irons for 2008” of a few weeks ago. Titleist is replacing every iron in their set with the new AP1, AP2, ZB, and ZM irons. Gone are the well-liked 695 (in CB and MB variations). Gone is the 735.CM. Gone are the 755s and the 775s. Five models are being replaced by four, three of which are forged, and one of which aims to bring incredible feel and performance to the “aspiring golfer” crowd.

Though no Acushnet company (Titleist, FootJoy, Cobra, Pinnacle) has displayed at the PGA Merchandise Show in several years, Titleist was nearby prepping sales representatives and their vast club pro network on the changes coming in 2008. For many of the sales reps, that meant familiarizing themselves with the 2008 irons lineup.

The Sand Trap was there, and I’ve hit all of the irons. What follows are my quick observations. As a quick teaser, I will tell you this: you cannot judge a book by its cover.

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Golf Talk [Episode 076]

Our site’s odds that Tiger wins the slam this year: 9 to 1. Go ahead – take us up on that bet.

Golf Talk PodcastTiger Woods kicks off his 2008 campaign the way he ended last year’s: with a win. Go figure. Adam Scott shoots 61 to win and we talk about Michelle Wie, the U.S. Open, and much more in this week’s episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 076 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.

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Golf Talk [Episode 075]

In other news, John Daly is getting yet another divorce… and suing yet another group of people.

Golf Talk PodcastWelcome to 2008. This year we start off with discussion of Kelly Tilghman and “Lynchgate,” “non-playing cuts,” and the PGA Merchandise Show. We also talk about D.J. Trahan, Vince Cellini, Bob Hope, John Daly, and much more in this week’s episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 075 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.

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Cleveland CG Red Irons Review

Does the red “Gelback” mean you’ll soon be shooting red numbers? Read on…

Cleveland CG RedCleveland Golf builds some of the finest iron sets in the world, yet rarely seems to receive the recognition rightfully heaped on other manufacturers. Despite having a small PGA Tour staff – Cleveland famously dropped David Toms at the beginning of 2007 – Cleveland players such as Jerry Kelly, Vaughn Taylor, Brett Wetterich, and Vijay Singh continue to have success on the PGA Tour.

Cleveland marches to a slightly different drum than the other manufacturers. They don’t offer a square or triangular driver, instead choosing to stay with the swooped-back HiBore model, which met with lukewarm reviews in its first incarnation before delivering an incredible club with the HiBore XL.

In 2007, Cleveland added to its venerable irons lineup with the CG Red and the CG Gold – a pair of cavity-back irons aimed squarely at separate niches in the golf community.

We’ve given the CG Reds a thorough testing, and the results are in. Read on to see what we think: are they duds like the first-generation HiBore drivers or has Cleveland skipped that phase and gone on to greatness?

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The Markers Club Redefines Luxury Golf Membership

Dreaming of playing the best courses in the world… as a member? Your dream is now a reality.

Mitch Brinton and Ron Wade had a dream and a passion for the game of golf. The high school pals wanted to live at and play on the best private courses in the country, and they wanted to let others do the same. With The Markers Club, they’ve done so.

The Markers Club is perhaps best described as an exclusive, virtual golf club. With membership and luxury homes at 11 of top golf destinations in the U.S., Mexico, and Scotland and an additional 13 planned, including spots at St. Andrews and in Ireland, The Markers Club has gotten quite a start on the dream.

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Golf Talk [Episode 074]

Michelle Wie didn’t finish in last place! And that’s what her career has come to: trying not to finish in last?! Sad.

Golf Talk PodcastMichelle Wie embarrasses herself again, but doesn’t finish last as Lorena Ochoa wins her seventh. Also, Ernie Els wins, Jacqueline Gagne is a liar extraordinaire, and much more in this week’s episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 074 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.

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Mizuno Introduces MP-57 Irons, MP-T Wedges, MP-600 Driver, Black Carbon Putters, and More

I don’t think Mizuno is introducing a new line of ball mark repair tools, but perhaps I just missed the press release for them somewhere!

Bag DropWhen we last checked in with Mizuno at the Bag Drop they were introducing a hybrid fitting system. Apparently that didn’t wear Mizuno out as they’ve recently unveiled eight – yes, you read correctly, eight – new products covering every type of club in the bag, every skill level, and every gender.

This week’s Bag Drop is Mizuno-heavy, with a new MP iron, new Bob Bettinardi putters, new wedges, drivers, fairway woods, hybrid iron sets, women’s sets, and more.

Read on for the details.

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Random Musings from the Thrash Pit

Set up the pins, because I’m knockin’ ’em down this week.

Thrash TalkI’m filling in this week, and I’ve got a laundry list of topics to discuss in “Quick Hit” fashion. I’ll discuss things like the Ryder and Presidents Cup captaincy, drug testing on the PGA Tour, the (possible) “tweaks” to the FedExCup, and a few other stories.

Grab your hard hats and strap yourselves in – it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

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