Author: Erik J. Barzeski

Golf Talk [Episode 021]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Woods family, but the show must go on. And so it does.

PodcastThis week saw the passing of Tiger Woods’ father Earl, and it’s a main discussion topic this week in the Golf Talk Podcast. Also this week, Wie in the U.S. Open, Chris Couch wins the Zurich Classic, John Daly losing $60 million gambling, the fall of Annika Sorenstam, and a whole lot more.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 021 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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TaylorMade RAC MB TP Irons Review

TaylorMade updates the “TP” irons with what’s best described as “tradition meets technology.” The RAC MB TPs are a winner.

Taylormade RAC MB TP PromoWe’ve all seen the commercials. And they’re true: TaylorMade, for all intents and purposes, “owns the tee box.” Having established a dominant position in drivers with the r5 and then the r7, TaylorMade is making believers out of even the staunchest of opponents. Dave Koster, who has used Titleist drivers much of his life, recently put the r7 460 in his bag after reviewing it.

Leveraging the success TaylorMade has had with drivers, the Carlsbad, CA company is seeking to “own” other product categories as well. They make great hybrids (their “Rescue” clubs) and are widely regarded as the leader in that category. They recently introduced “TP” golf balls to compete with Titleist, Callaway, and Nike. Even their putters and apparel (via Adidas) have gotten a fair amount of acclaim.

Lost in the shuffle a bit have been TaylorMade’s irons. Despite tremendous retail success with the higher-handicapper irons (see our RAC LT review), the company’s better irons have fought an uphill battle against the likes of Titleist and Mizuno for the attention of lower handicappers. With the 2006 revision to their high-end model, TaylorMade’s RAC MB TP irons what may be the best irons they’ve ever produced for better players.

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Server Move

We’re back up and running on a brand new (and more powerful) server.

Site NewsWe’ve completed a switch to a new server. Everything, including our forum, seem to be working quite smoothly. If you see any problems, however, please report them to problems@thesandtrap.com. Thanks!

Now, back to the golf…

Golf Talk [Episode 020]

The post-Masters lull is only boring if you stop paying attention to golf altogether. We’ve got plenty to talk about!

PodcastAaron Baddeley breaks through with his first win on the PGA Tour, but did Jim Furyk give it away a little? Lots of Tiger Woods news, Phil Mickelson updates, Greg Norman and Annika Sorenstam, changes at Winged Foot, and a little bit about distance once again.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 020 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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The Mythical ‘Ball Boost’

The USGA dips its toe into the ongoing debate over whether players with super-fast swing speeds gain an “extra boost” of distance.

Fred Funk, one of the shorter hitters on the PGA Tour (which, at 49 years of age and 5’8″, is not altogether shocking), is feeling left out these days. He believes that the modern golf ball gives players who swing 115 or 120 MPH a “boost.” More specifically, as he said in a recent interview, “You just get this huge gain hitting the ball a certain speed.”

Unfortunately, despite what Fred and others believe, the facts on this issue have recently been made quite clear. The USGA, on April 11, dispelled some commonly held beliefs in an article called “Myths About Golf Equipment and Performance.” The first myth was “Golfers with faster swing speeds get disproportionately greater distance benefits from new golf balls that have been introduced after 2000.”

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Golf Talk [Episode 019]

Phil Mickelson and Karrie Webb win the first majors of 2006 and Tiger putts like a “spaz.”

PodcastThe Masters and the LPGA’s first major are in the books. We discuss Phil Mickelson’s victory, Karrie Webb’s win, Michelle Wie’s mistakes, Fred Couples’s inability to putt, Tiger Woods’ “spazzy” putting, comments from Ernie Els regarding Phil and David Toms regarding Augusta National security. It’s a very rousing week on the Golf Talk Podcast, so join us for this and a whole lot more.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 019 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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Two Drivers for Everyone! Uhhh, No.

I don’t need a second driver, and if your name isn’t “Phil Mickelson,” neither do you.

Two Drivers Edwin Watts EmailPhil Mickelson won a few events with two drivers in his bag. Since winning the Masters on Sunday, I’ve received no less than four or five emails from Edwin Watts, TGW, and other online golf retail stores urging me to buy a second driver.

Do these retail outlets think golfers are that stupid? Are golfers really that stupid?

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TaylorMade TP Ball Launch: On the Range Video

This video takes you onto the driving range with Dean Snell and Sergio Garcia for the introduction of the TaylorMade TP golf balls.

TaylorMadeWe’ve told you about the new TP Balls from TaylorMade. We’ve shown you the reveal video. We’ve told you what it’s like to be there and we even produced a special-edition podcast. Now it’s time for the final piece, the video from the driving range last Monday morning.

The video largely features Dean Snell talking about the development of the TP Red and the TP Black. He begins by talking about the TrackMan system TaylorMade uses to analyze launch and flight data. He talks about the problems they had to overcome in getting pros to switch to the TP balls. You’ll also see Sergio’s, uhh, “unique” ball stamp. In the end, Sergio hits two drives – one with his old ball and one with the TaylorMade TP Red.

Throughout the video you’ll catch a glimpse at some of the private jokes and the lighthearted nature of the whole event. Enjoy.

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‘I Am a Golfer’ TV Ad Debuts

I am a golfer. We’re all golfers. TaylorMade’s new ad seeks to drive that point home.

TaylorMadeTaylorMade’s new ad – introduced Sunday evening at the TP Ball Launch, is called “I am a golfer.” You’ve likely seen the TaylorMade ads in recent publications, but this 60-second video debuts today worldwide.

The ad features the voiceover of U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman, who upon reading the script and seeing the video the first time, got chills. The part about “I still feel my dad’s hands teaching me to hold a club” was especially touching, TaylorMade CEO Mark King told reporters.

You can view the ad here.