Category: Tap-Ins

Postcards from Orlando

I waded deep into the bowels of the 2007 PGA Merchandise Show, and I’ve emerged with some gems (and notes).

PGA Merchandise ShowLast week’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando gave me a chance to step out of my semi-retirement from The Sand Trap and check in to see what’s happening in the ever-interesting golf business. I played a couple rounds with the latest and greatest clubs and balls from most of the major equipment companies – at least the ones not named Titleist, Cobra, and Ping, since they are still AWOL from the Show.

What’d I learn? That driver designers really enjoyed geometry class in high school. That fans of forged irons have a couple new objects of lust. And that golf products are being marketed more and more to specific groups of players according to age and style of play.

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Google Earth as a Golf Tool

In the northern reaches of the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the off-season and thus a perfect time to do some time-killing on a computer that might help your game.

I’m not the fastest to catch on to new technologies, but I do my best. That’s why this may not be news to some of you.

But the other day while doing some research for a course review, I stumbled onto some golf-specific uses for Google Earth that I thought were very, very cool. Unfortunately, the course you’re looking for has to be in an area they display in high resolution.

But if it is, from creating your own yardage book to understanding why your approach to that uphill par 3 always seems to come up short, this free net-based program can help you scope courses you play all the time and some you wish you could.

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Indoor Practice Facilities

Feeling sad because it’s winter and you won’t be able to hit a bucket of balls for the next few months? Well, cheer up, because there are some new options out there you can take advantage of to keep in golf shape year around.

About Golf Screen ShotMy golf season having been officially “over” for two months and the next one still three months out, I will no doubt find the next few months quite maddening. So what can I do? Do I sit around and read the golf magazines looking for the latest tips and drills? Do I drool over the latest equipment and gear? Play Tiger Woods 2007 endlessly?

I will be doing all the above. However, I’ve also decided to take a different approach and come up with an off-season game plan of getting into better golf shape over the winter so I am ready to go come spring. My best round of the year was my last one at the Newport Cup and needless to say, it was the perfect springboard into working on an off-season plan to be a better golfer in 2007. Think of it as “Extreme Makeover: The Sand Trap Edition.”

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Dick’s Sporting Goods Agrees to Acquire Golf Galaxy

Dick’s agrees to acquire Golf Galaxy. Here’s the official press release.

Dicks Sporting GoodsDick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. and Golf Galaxy, Inc. have entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger whereby Dick’s will acquire Golf Galaxy. Under the terms of the agreement, each outstanding share of Golf Galaxy common stock will be converted into the right to receive $18.82 per share in cash, without interest. The Merger Agreement also provides for the assumption of outstanding employee stock options and warrants of Golf Galaxy, except that, the holders of vested in-the-money options and warrants will be permitted to elect to cash out such options and warrants. The Merger Agreement contains a provision related to limited solicitation of third-party proposals and a customary fiduciary out for unsolicited proposals.

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A Wednesday on the PGA Tour

In the spirit of the baseball playoffs, we throw a change up and show some of the sights from the GGCC and some thoughts about the recent course changes too.

I live near Greensboro, NC and this week’s PGA Tour stop is at Forest Oaks Country Club for the Greater Greensboro Charity Classic. In place of my normal Thursday column, The Numbers Game, I thought I’d bring you some sights and experiences from the tournament site. Rob Goodman and the people at the GGCC were kind enough to provide The Sand Trap with credentials, and I’m happy to provide some thoughts on the tournament and the recent renovations to Forest Oaks by Davis Love.

Brad Faxon Corey Pavin GGCC
Corey Pavin and Brad Faxon are in the field this week. Brad is winless this year, but Corey isn’t!

Though most of the feedback has been positive, some of the changes border on “gimmicky.” Read on to find out why…

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Nike Juice to Launch in November

The Nike Juice ball arrives at our offices and plays off Viagra and other ED medications, among other things. Have a look.

Nike Juice LogoNike will introduce a new golf ball on November 1. The “Juice” is a 312-dimple surlyn-covered golf ball designed for more carry and distance for the low- to mid-head speed player who “needs a little more Juice.”

Nike sent The Sand Trap a unique teaser promotion for the new ball, and though it doesn’t quite suit my game (I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Pro V1x kinda guy myself), I’ve got to give the marketing and sports equipment giant props for thinking outside the box on this one.

We’re bored today, as the Ryder Cup is still a few days off, so we’ll give this little deal the full treatment. Read on for pictures and more information.

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Tweety Bird at the Open

Sergio Garcia’s all-yellow outfit earned him plenty of nicknames, but “Champion Golfer of the Year” was not one of them.

Sergio Garcia Yellow 2006 OpenI never thought to call Sergio Garcia “Tweety Bird” in my final-round coverage of The Open Championship, but reader Dave Miles wrote to me with one of the best jokes I’ve heard this weekend.

Overheard in the final pairing on the first tee at Hoylake yesterday: “I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat!”

While Sergio continues his search for a power color to rival Tiger’s red (or, lately, his pinks, maroons, wines, and mauves, and scarlets), many in the golf world are asking themselves today “when will Sergio win a major?” He’s only 26, but he’s also played in nearly 33 majors already. When does “it’s only a matter of time” turn into “he sure is taking his time,” and when does that turn into “he’s running out of time?”

Sergio, I tawt I taw a puddy tat too. And, like at Medinah 1999, you were once again his lunch.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images.

Callaway and TaylorMade Giving Clubs Away

Summer now brings real deals on golf equipment. Two of the biggest makers are offering a buy one, get one free deal on drivers and fairway metals.

Once upon a time the product life cycle of a persimmon wood model might be as long as four or five years. No more. Now a driver or fairway wood model’s life is measured in months.

Callaway FT-3The downside is that it’s expensive to keep playing the latest and greatest. The upside is that you can quickly realize some terrific bargains on top-of-the-line equipment even as early in the season as June.

Callaway and TaylorMade both recently announced similar promotions that may be a real bargain if you’re in the market for a driver and fairway metal or hybrid. Here’s the scoop.

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Cycles of Greatness on the PGA Tour Poster

Chart the PGA Tour’s big names from 1916 to 2004 with this heavy-duty poster from HistoryShots.com.

I consider myself a fan of the history of the PGA Tour. Though I wasn’t around to see Slammin’ Sammy Snead, The Wee Ice Mon Ben Hogan, Arnie Palmer and his Army, or even Fat Jack Nicklaus in their primes, that does not mean that I cannot appreciate what they accomplished.

History Pga Winning PercentageI’m also a fan of statistics, charts, and graphs. The image to the right was taken from a larger poster at HistoryShots.com. It adds fuel to the fire that Tiger Woods is the best golfer ever by comparing his winning percentage (24%) to Hogan’s (22%), Nicklaus’ (16%), Palmer’s (13%), Watson’s, Casper’s, and Player’s (12%, 11%, and 7% respectively).

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