Another Driver Recall: This Time it’s Callaway

It appears the self-policing whistle blowers in the equipment industry are on the case as a competitor has turned in Callaway just as a one did to trip up Nike.

Callaway Big Bertha 460 HeroAs of today, April 30, a specific version of Callaway’s Big Bertha 460 driver will be placed on the USGA list of non-conforming clubs. Just like the recalled Nike Sumo², the problem is the spring-like effect, which went over the characteristic time limit correlating to the USGA’s coefficient of restitution limit of 0.830.

The guilty party is the right-handed version of the Big Bertha 460 13° HT model. It’s distinguished by a raised dash in the letter “B” in the word “Big” on the sole of the driver.

Callaway has asked its retailers for information on anyone purchasing this specific model as a prelude to replacing them. It is not thought a substantial number had already been purchased. There’s no word yet on the Callaway web site as to the replacement procedure. Callaway said the issue involved a manufacturing problem with only one its suppliers and resulted in a small percentage of the shipments already made.

E. Michael Johnson and Mike Stachura – a.k.a. “Bomb and Gouge” – broke the story in GolfWorld on Friday.

Byron Nelson’s Best

This is the first Byron Nelson Championship without it’s namesake. Let’s take a look back at the greatest events in his storied career.

Trap Five LogoByron Nelson holds one of the most impressive records in the history of any sport. When you consider that golf is an individual not a team game it is even more remarkable.

He won with one of the most fluid easy swings in the history of the game. His compact swing became the template for future players. “The mechanics of my swing were such that it required no thought,” said Nelson. “If you have to think about your swing it takes that much away from your scoring concentration.”

And he did score. And win. Take a peek…

Continue reading “Byron Nelson’s Best”

Early LPGA Talk

The LPGA Tour has had its ups and downs so far this season.

Thrash TalkThe 2007 LPGA Tour season is in full swing, but it’s been flying under the radar of many. The first major championship of the season wasn’t nearly as exciting as last year’s edition, and that has definitely hurt things a little. I was happy Morgan Pressel won the Nabisco Championship, but the way she won it wasn’t very thrilling. She basically finished her round and watched the leaders crumble coming down the stretch.

In other action on the LPGA Tour this season, a young gun returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in over a year, someone other than Annika is number one in the world, and the Korean contingent is still looking for their first victory of the year. There have been some positives and negatives so far in 2007, and I’m here to break them down.

Continue reading “Early LPGA Talk”

Golf Talk [Episode 055]

Stevie may not need to break Tiger’s driver at Oakmont: he may play 3W and 5W off every tee all by himself.

PodcastNick Watney puts away his first Tour title at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, Tiger Woods plays Oakmont (mostly with 3- and 5-woods), Phil switches coaches officially, Curtis and Hubert get into the Hall, and Lorena Ochoa reaches #1. All this and more in this episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 055 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.

Continue reading “Golf Talk [Episode 055]”

20 Bag Drop Trivia Questions

Over the past year we’ve covered a lot of different equipment topics. How much were you paying attention?

Bag DropI wanted to do something special to commemorate an entire year of authoring The Bag Drop, so I took a peek back at some of those earlier columns for inspiration. As I did, it occurred to me just how much trivial information I’ve blathered on about week after week.

The exercise also made me curious as to whether any of this stuff really sticks with our loyal readers. So here’s a pop quiz… 20 questions to test your equipment and golf industry trivia knowledge based on The Bag Drop columns since last April.

Continue reading “20 Bag Drop Trivia Questions”

Volume Ninety-Five

Watney wins in Louisiana, Phil adds to his coaching staff and the cure for the banana ball.

Yet another Nationwide Tour graduate takes his winning ways to the big leagues.

This week we have a recap of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Phil gets another coach, and we explore a cure for your banana ball.

Continue reading “Volume Ninety-Five”

Greatest Golf Courses

I’ve ranked what I believe to be the top-five greatest golf courses in existence. Put these on your “top-five courses I’d love to play” list.

Trap Five LogoRanking golf courses is a subjective exercise. Clearly, some courses are better than others, but narrowing down the very best is difficult. Like a fine bee…, er, wine, much of the decision is based on personal tastes.

Unfortunately, I’ve never played any of these courses but count it my solemn responsibility to go where only fools dare to tread. So all other ranking systems aside, here’s my choice for the greatest golf courses in the world.

Continue reading “Greatest Golf Courses”

Golf Talk [Episode 054]

We have a special guest this week, and he joins us to talk about the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x.

PodcastThe women on the LPGA play in high winds while the weenies on the PGA Tour delay until Monday. But we have a joke for you: Knock knock. Who’s there? Boo. Boo who? Boo Weekley. Plus, George Sine, Annika, Tiger, and Phil. All this and more in this episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 054 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.

Continue reading “Golf Talk [Episode 054]”

Andy Thompson – Totally Driven Golf

Andy Thompson of Totally Driven Golf gives us his opinion on square drivers, golf fitness, and the myth of cast versus forged clubs.

Throwing DartsAndy Thompson is the owner of Totally Driven Golf based in Oakdale, MN. Totally Driven is an all-in-one golf facility that incorporates a complete analysis of your golf game, including club fitting and repair, instruction, and a fitness assessment conducted by a Titleist Performance Institute certified trainer.

Totally Driven uses the latest in golf fitting technology to ensure your equipment is tailored specifically to you. Putter fittings include technology from Science and Motion Golf and the Edel Putting Fitting System while full-swing analysis uses launch monitors and the K-Vest.

Continue reading “Andy Thompson – Totally Driven Golf”