Author: Erik J. Barzeski

Golf Talk [Episode 073]

Aquaman, now in theatres worldwide!

Golf Talk PodcastThe top players not from Europe compete in the Presidents Cup where the U.S. team takes 10½ of a possible 11 points in alternate shot, a format with which they’ve historically struggled, and which leads to an easy victory. Also, drug testing on the PGA Tour 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 073 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 072]

The FedExCup succeeds in telling us what we already knew: Tiger Woods is good at golf.

Golf Talk PodcastTiger is the inaugural FedExCup champion, with a five-shot victory at the Tour Championship. Zach Johnson shoots a Saturday 60, Cold Knost goes pro, the American gals win the Solheim Cup, the Tour Championship is poorly scheduled in 2008, 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 072 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 071]

Phil vs. Tiger in Boston was the best showdown on the PGA Tour since Phil vs. Tiger at Doral. This time, Phil gets the better, even if he now trails again in the FedExCup.

Golf Talk PodcastPhil Mickelson wins in Boston, Tiger wins in Chicago, and only five have a chance now to win the FedExCup. Plus, Phil badmouths Tim Finchem, the site of the Tour Championship has bad greens, 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 071 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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Titleist 906F4 Fairway Wood Review

Titleist is renowned for their fairway metals, and the 906F2 and 906F4 continue the tradition of solid fairway metals for better golfers.

titleist_906f_fairway_woods_hero.jpgThe fairway metal may be the most under-rated and least publicized club in the bag. It doesn’t command the $400 price tag of some drivers, nor does it supply as much drama as “letting the big dog eat.” It’s not the newest rage in golf – that honor belongs to hybrids. It can’t make a ball spin like crazy or hit a glamorous flop shot like the modern wedge. It doesn’t make 50-foot putts (or miss three-footers) and it isn’t used on virtually every hole like irons.

Still, as a player’s handicap drops, he typically relies on his fairway woods more and more. Whether it’s playing safe on shorter, tighter par fours or hitting to long par threes or trying to reach long par fives, many better players will use their fairway metals more times during a round of golf than their driver.

Titleist has long held its own in fairway metals. Tiger Woods held onto his Titleist PT 3-wood for years after signing with Nike for a reason: he couldn’t find anything better. Last year, Titleist replaced the 904F with the 906F2 and, this year, supplements the lineup with the 906F4. I’ve had a chance to play both, and I believe Titleist has another winner on its hands.

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Ian MacCallister to Release New Ad at Deutsche Bank?

Ian MacCallister is up to his old tricks. This time he’s committing identity theft… of a sort.

We last heard from Ian MacCallister when he launched his anti-NXT, anti-technology blog at nxtube.com.

With this week’s Deutsche Bank Championship being played in Boston – an hour’s drive from Titleist’s headquarters – we expected to hear from Ian once again. He did not disappoint, as early this morning the FedEx man delivered not a Cup but a CD to Sand Trap headquarters. There was no return address, but the CD clearly came from the GDAD chairman and contained a single file: the movie you see to the right. Our hunch? Ian plans to release this ad for airplay during Sunday’s coverage of the Deutsche Bank Championship.

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Golf Talk [Episode 070]

Tiger’s in fourth place. Is the sky falling on Finchie’s grand plan? No, probably not – Tiger should gain plenty of ground this week in Boston.

Golf Talk PodcastTiger wasn’t there, but Steve Stricker was and made the most of it, besting K.J. Choi. Ochoa wins again, Wie misses another cut, Michael Vick is a punk, and more in this week’s episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 070 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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Longaberger Golf Club (Nashport, OH) Review

Longaberger is one of the most expensive courses we’ve reviewed so far, but it’s worth it.

Longaberger LogoRegardless of your location in the country or perhaps even around the globe, you may have heard the name Longaberger. The Longaberger company has been turning out world-famous baskets for 70+ years. Their office is even shaped like a basket.

(Note: as of 2016, Longaberger was sold and is now known as The Virtues Golf Club. Much of the article remains the same, but some URLs were updated.)

In 1998, Longaberger commissioned a golf course from architect Arthur Hills. The Longaberger traverses up and down unusually hilly terrain and offers breathtaking vistas, huge elevation changes, and a challenge to golfers of all skill levels… though higher handicappers may want to stay away. From a few locations on the course, you can even see the building shaped like a giant basket!

Longaberger Golf Club is not about the baskets. The owners didn’t copy Merion’s wicker basket flags nor are the tee markers little baskets… though they should have been. The golf course may have been funded by money earned from making expensive woven baskets, but the golf course is all about golf.

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Golf Talk [Episode 69]

Nick Flanagan earns… a month off on the PGA Tour with his battlefield promotion from the Nationwide Tour! Maybe he’ll go to Disney Land.

Golf Talk PodcastTiger Woods skips the first FedExCup playoff event, Lorena wins north of the border, and Nick Flanagan earns himself a month off with his battlefield promotion. Plus, a candidate for Jackass of the month and a nifty win by Brandt Snedeker and more in this week’s episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 069 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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Money List vs. FedExCup Points List

Why do we have the FedExCup points list, and how does it differ from the money list? How much is a FedExCup points list worth? Let’s find out.

The Numbers GameWhen the FedExCup was announced way back in 2005, the questions began. Does golf really need a playoff system? What kind of playoffs doesn’t eliminate people? Why do 144 people qualify for the playoffs when only 125 keep their PGA Tour cards?

The question I asked myself (and which Dave Koster asked last year) was a simpler one: isn’t this just another way of rejigging the money list? The formula for handing out FedExCup points is very similar to the way in which prize money is handed out.

So why create a separate measure at all? Wouldn’t using the money list be “good enough”? PGA Tour fans have watched the money list for years. It’s a simple value that makes a lot of sense.

Let’s have a look at how things shook out. Are the money list and the FedExCup brothers from different mothers?

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