Author: Erik J. Barzeski

Nike One, Back in Black (for a Limited Time)

The Nike ONE Black is now available in… black.

Black Nike One BlackGolfers asked for it, and now they’ve got it: a black Nike One Black. Says a Nike press release:

Due to incredible demand for the black Nike One Black, Nike Golf will offer a limited number of two-ball sleeves of the black Nike One Black with the purchase of a dozen Nike One Black or Nike One Gold golf balls at participating golf shops and golf specialty stores.

Golfers looking for the unique black ball need to ask their local shop or specialty store to take part in the program that Nike Golf is making available to store owners. The black One Black two-ball sleeves are expected to begin shipping by the end of February and will only be available while supplies last.

Only pro shops and golf courses that ask to take part in the program are going to have the black Nike One Black, so if you’ve got a hankering for the dark side, give your shop a call.

Photo Credits: © Nike Golf.

The Long Ball: Distance is Everything?

The ball is going too long, right? There may be more to this than you think…

Longball MickelsonThe long ball enthralls us all, regardless of the sport. In baseball, Barry Bonds is the current king, but the McGwire/Sosa race remains fresh in our minds. In football, it’s the hail mary. And in golf, it’s the 350-yard drive. The drive that makes 550-yard par fives reachable with 6-irons and renders long par fours defenseless against an onslaught of high-arcing short irons and wedges.

But the ball, many say, has simply gone too far this time.

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2005 Nissan Open: Adam Scott

Adam Scott is the “unofficial” 2005 Nissan Open champion. What were his sticks? Titleist all the way.

Adam ScottAdam Scott is a Titleist guy, and in last week’s shortened Nissan Open, two Pro V1x players squared off, but Adam came out on top. Here’s what he carries:

Driver Titleist 983K 8.5°
3 Wood Titleist Pro Trajectory 15°
2-Iron Titleist Prototype
Irons (3-PW)Titleist Forged 680
Wedges (SW, LW) Titleist Vokey Design 54°, 60°
Putter Scotty Cameron Prototype
Ball Titleist Pro V1x

Here’s a picture:

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Titleist.com Redesign Debuts with New Gear

Titleist.com has been redesigned, and a quick look around will reveal a lot of what’s coming from the makers of “the #1 ball in golf.”

TitleistTitleist today unveiled a new website at titleist.com. The new site is similar in design to the old site but features specs on the page (instead of within popup windows), animation and video, and an updated roster of players and features.

The site also carries information and some teaser shots of new and soon-to-be-released products, including:

Things are looking up for Titleist fanboys these days.

Long Bunker Shot? Chip!

Instead of whaling away at a 40-yard bunker shot, try a far easier chip. You’ll eliminate the home run and get close to the pin, safely.

The 30- to 40-yard bunker shot is one of the most dreadful in golf. Hit fat and you’re facing a long putt or perhaps another bunker shot. Hit it thin and you’re 50 yards past the pin in goodness knows what kind of lie. Long bunker shots require a full, powerful swing and the room for error is small.

Instead of risking a fat plopper or a thin home run, try chipping instead. We’ve talked about chipping from wet sand before, and the long chip is not very different.

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Manic Monday at the Nissan? Or Tuesday…

The scenarios are many, and the Nissan Open may not be over until Tuesday! A round two recap – yes, on Sunday – follows.

Adam Scott NissanPlayers finally finished the second round of the Nissan Open and tournament officials are going to attempt to get a third round in on Monday, but the forecast isn’t promising.

Adam Scott took advantage of the weather and fired a 5-under 66 to vault him into a tie for the 36-hole lead. Should the tournament end, Scott and Chad Campbell, who completed his second round on Friday and hasn’t hit a shot since, would play off late Monday for the $836,000 first-place check. The win, unfortunately, would be unofficial. Tour officials still hope that 54 holes can be played – they have 12 hours of daylight and a field of 76 golfers after the cut – to make the tournament official.

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Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head… Saturday at the Nissan Washed Out

Nobody hit a single shot on Saturday at the Nissan Open and the PGA Tour may be looking at its first 36-hole event in over eight years.

Rain at RivieraThe rain kept coming. So much so that the Nissan Open may become the first 36-hole event in nearly nine years on the PGA Tour. PGA Tour tournament director Mark Russel said “Our main goal is to get 36 holes in. We’re at the mercy of the elements, and right now it has us on the ground.”

The Nissan Open may need to catch a break just to finish 36, as rain is forecast for Sunday and Monday. The $7.5 million Match Play Championship, a World Golf Championship event, begins Wednesday in La Costa, CA. Last year’s Match Play Championship was the site of the last PGA Tour rainout when the second round was cancelled.

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Riviera Rain: Round One of the Nissan

Four players didn’t finish round one, and Tiger Woods three putted three times. Brian Davis leads, but Tiger and two-time defending champ Mike Weir are close.

Riviera Country ClubBrian Davis is an unlikely leader after the first round of the Nissan Open, but then again, the first round isn’t quite over yet. Davis, a 2004 Q-School graduate, fired a 6-under 65 to take the early lead at rain-soaked Riviera Country Club.

One back, Luke Donald and Darren Clarke, who recorded a “1” on his scorecard at the “bunker-in-the-green” 6th. Donald bogeyed his last after his drive found a divot and his approach a greenside bunker. Brett Quigley, who’s having a good year so far, also fired a 66.

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Women in the British Open?

Women are technically allowed to play in every men’s major except one: The British Open. But change is afoot…

Royal And AncientThe R&A is considering letting women play in the British Open. Pete Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Club responsible for the staging of “the Open,” is in favor of amending the rules to more closely match those seen in the American majors.

The current rules state that the tournament is open to “any male professional or from a male amateur golfer whose playing handicap does not exceed scratch.” The possible change is simple: remove the word “male.”

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