Tour Could Lose Events Next Year? No Big Deal.

A short term rebound is a given, however, it’s never too early to begin preparing for the post Tiger Woods era.

Thrash TalkThe eminent Tim Finchem announced last week that the PGA Tour “could lose a couple more events” in the coming years. Obviously, this news isn’t a proclamation of imminent disaster, or an LPGA-esqe “we may not even have a Tour next year” scenario. As the PGA Tour isn’t a publicly traded corporation, it isn’t obligated to continually grow in order to return profits to its shareholders. My point here is that downsizing, and potentially losing money in the process, ought not to be a terrible prospect.

The Tour has to pause while assessing the present difficulty in order to take a look further into the future when real trouble will come.

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Golf Talk [Episode 127]

Just how much slack does Lorena Ochoa get for being a lousy #1 in 2009?

Golf Talk PodcastTiger and Phil both win on the same day (but Tiger wins a bit more). Also, trouble in the LPGA and PGA Tours – what will their schedules look like in 2010 and beyond? Who will be the commish of the women? That and a whole lot more in this episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 127 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 Launches New MP-Series Iron Hybrids, Wedges, and Irons

Mizuno continues to impress with their latest line of players irons, wedges, and hybrid irons.

Bag DropFor you Mizuno fans, get ready for your favorite itch to be well scratched this week, as we look at Mizuno’s MP line of clubs for 2010. If that’s not enough, stay tuned for part two, where we’ll give you the latest on what’s new in the MX-series.

For now, we’ll be taking a look at Mizuno’s latest offerings in the MP line of products, including the MP FLI-HI, the MP T-10 wedges, and we’ll finish up with the MP-58 and MP-68 irons. If you’re not a Mizuno fan, you might just become one after seeing their latest offerings. Follow along to see what all the fuss is about!

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Volume Two Hundred Seven

Phil wins, Tiger wins, seems like all is right in the world of golf

Hittin' the LinksWelcome golf fans to another issue of Hittin’ the Links. Well there you have it, what better way to end the FedExCup playoffs than to have golf’s biggest names go one-two? It’s like Tim Finchem wrote the script himself.

In this volume of HTL we start off by looking at the future of the PGA Tour, then listen to the advice Phil got, and check out the shot hit by one talented 13 year-old. Also on tap, we see why golf is a game for life, see why Steve Stricker needed some mud tires, and then do a wrap-up of the week’s events. Read on!

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Fall ’09 Releases: Sun Mountain MCB, Aldila En Fuego Shafts, and Nike Outerwear

Sun Mountain brings us a bag that combines form and function, Aldila looks to pepper your game with some new shafts, and Nike helps keep you stylish and comfortable, even when under inclement conditions.

Bag DropThis week at The Bag Drop we shift gears and take a look at some newsworthy releases you may have missed in the past few weeks. We here at The Sand Trap know you all lead busy lives, and we’ve taken time to condense some info on some of the latest equipment from various manufacturers for your reading pleasure.

Consider this The Bag Drop‘s equivalent to a buffet, but with zero calories and some added spice. Follow along as we look at a new full-featured cart bag from Sun Mountain, some hot new shafts from Aldila, and new all-weather apparel from Nike Golf that might make you want to play in the rain!

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Volume Two Hundred Six

The PGA Tour takes the week off, the PGA Cup stays in America, and Haney takes on Romano

Hittin' the LinksHello golf fans, and welcome to Hittin’ the Links. The PGA Tour took a little time off this week, but I am still on the job trying to find whatever tidbits of golf news remain. So without further delay…

In this edition of HTL we start off looking at the PGA Cup, then turn our attention to the next “Haney Project” victim, and then take a look at our newest golf millionaire. Also we ponder a very bored golfer, take a peek at the newest technological Tour bags, and then do a wrap-up of the weeks winners. Read on!

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My Three Favorite Golfers of 2009

Three guys whom I enjoyed following in 2009, Tiger Woods not included.

Thrash TalkI present to you my list of three golfers whom I enjoyed watching this year. Not included are any of the major winners or Tiger Woods. As they year winds down into the manufactured drama of the FedExCup, and the majority of PGA Tour pros have been sent packing, these guys stand out in my mind for reasons which are not entirely clear.

I feel obligated here, too, to extend an honorable mention to Jeff Klauk who earned $1,036,524.50 this year as a rookie. Must be a tough life being the 77th highest paid golfer on the PGA Tour in 2009. Well done, Mr. Klauk. Also, Marc Leishman, who bettered Klauk on the money list and is yet to be eliminated from the FedExCup. Seeing their success inspires me to search the couch cushions for the $20,000 it costs to head to Q School. I’m not sure my 4.2 index would travel though…

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Golf Talk [Episode 126]

Tiger takes a day off and his points lead goes from 1503 to 250. 🙂

Golf Talk PodcastTiger Woods wins in a walk while the rest of the field struggle to get into the Tour Championship (particularly Brandt Snedeker). Also, Phil’s decision to play in the Presidents Cup, Zach Johnson’s shank, and a whole lot more in this episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 126 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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Nike Golf Reveals Details on New Method Putter

The secret Method to relieving the madness in your putting has finally arrived.

Bag Drop If you’ve visited our equipment forum at any point in the past, you’ve most likely seen a thread in which someone asks for putter recommendations. Shortly thereafter, you’re sure to see someone mention how a putter is a “personal choice” or “personal experience.” How much more “personal” would that putter be if you won the Open Championship or the U.S. Open with it?

Following that line of thinking, it might be safe to say that the recently announced Nike Method is so personal to Stewart Cink and Lucas Glover, their significant others might be a little jealous at this point. Nike Golf‘s putters have been somewhat of an enigma in the past few years. While it’s true that the IC and Unitized series may have had a few wild looking variations, they were generally met with good reviews, yet somehow, they never really had same degree of retail success that Nike’s woods, irons, and balls did. Nike again enters the high-end putter market with the new Method line, and this time, the performance is already validated by a couple of high-profile major championship wins. Follow as we take a quick look at the new Method putter from Nike Golf!

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