Why the Pros Should Not Play in the Olympics

In 2016 golf returns to the Olympics. I share why the Professional’s should not go and let the Amateurs play instead.

Thrash TalkThe 2016 Olympics are fast approaching. It will be here before you know it. I get the sense that most golf fans couldn’t care less. We have so many events to look forward to — mainly the four majors – and oh yeah, if that guy Tiger Woods ever comes back, that it’s difficult to find a spot in our minds for an event about which we don’t know much.

In some sports the Olympics are at the pinnacle. In track and field, swimming, and a number of others, winning gold at the Olympics means you are the undisputed king of that sport. For some others — boxing, for example – it is place where the up and comers can show off their skills before making it into the professional ranks. Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. are the first the comes to mind for me.

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PING Introduces G Series

New for 2016, PING introduces the new G-Series family of clubs including three new drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, and even a crossover.

Bag DropAnybody that follows the golf equipment world at all knows that PING has essentially two major product lines, the i series and the G series, and 2016 is a G year. Like the company did with the i series last year, the number has been dropped from the name, so what would have been the G35 is just the G. Like previous iterations of the G series, the one for 2016 is an entire family of products including three new drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, crossovers (utility club), and irons. Read on to get all the details.

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Volume Four Hundred Sixty-Three

El Nino sinks Walker and Choi, and buries Brown

Hittin' the LinksWith the women back in action this week at the LPGA’s Pure Silk Classic in the Bahamas we can officially say that all of the major tours are back in action. Paradise Island also saw what’s believed to be the first par-4 ace in the tour’s history.

The annual drool-fest in Orlando took place last week as the golf industry rolled out its newest products that will soon be turning up in a pro shop near you.

But the weather at the Farmers Championship and its effect on the players was the highlight of the week. Trees were down all over the course as play resumed on Monday, but scores were up.

Let’s hit the links.

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Volume Four Hundred Sixty-Two

Jordan and Rory and Rickie, oh my.

Hittin' the LinksSeveral of golf’s current stars gathered for a showdown in the desert. But it wasn’t in Palm Springs.

The Abu Dhabi Championship is one of the few weeks during the year when the European Tour unequivocally overshadows the PGA Tour. It all started with Tiger getting an early start on his season (and a big appearance fee). This year’s field included eight major winners and four of the top six in the OWGR. Not too bad for January.

It’s going to be an interesting year. Let’s hit the links.

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Volume Four Hundred Sixty-One

Tiger’s a short game guru and aloha also means goodbye

Hittin' the LinksFor the second full week of January, it was sure a busy golf calendar.

The PGA Tour went full field for the first time in the shadow of the “Big W.”The European Tour split up to play the EurAsian Cup (yawn) and the Joburg Open (yaw…, oh look a monkey!). There was the new Latin American Amateur Championship, thanks to the Masters, the USGA and the R&A, contested for the first time at the Teeth of the Dog in the Dominican Republic. And if that weren’t enough, Mardy Fish handily beat a celebrity field in Florida to win the Diamond Resorts Invitational.

Not bad for January. Let’s hit the links.

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Volume Four Hundred Sixty

It’s 2016, and the face(s) of golf has changed.

Hittin' the LinksAnd we’re off. It’s a new year if not a new season on the PGA TOUR.

Questions abound… What does the year hold for the Big Three-plus. Will Rory get back to form? Probably. Will Jordan Speith pick up where he left off? Keep reading… Now that Jason Day has won a major, how long will we wait for number two? Not too long, I suspect. Can Fowler make it a Big Four? A major win would go a long way. Will Tiger tee it up in 2016? Would you really be that shocked if he showed up on the tee at Augusta? What young players will break through this year (DeChambeau?… assuming he goes pro after the Masters), and what old pros will show they’re not quite ready for the senior circuit (Phil?)?

Let’s hit the links.

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Titleist 716 AP1 Review

Titleist updates the AP1 with more forgiveness and distance.

titleist_716_ap1_heroTitleist has updated their AP1 line with the new 716 AP1 irons as their longest, most forgiving iron ever. The new 716 AP1 design has an unsupported face made of heat treated 17-4 stainless steel that provides more flex for faster ball speed. More high density tungsten in the toe than previous models lowers the center of gravity, improves MOI and increases launch angle. The 716 AP1 line includes a new high launching True Temper XP90 staft. Let’s take a look and see how it performs.

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Volume Four Hundred Fifty-Nine

Is the Tiger Era over? And why solo players really have no status on the course.

Hittin' the LinksIs he or isn’t he? Have we seen the last competitive golf from Tiger Woods who, love him or hate him, is right at the top of the greatest of all time list?

This week was also Tiger’s Hero World Challenge, where Jordan Spieth had a hole in one on his second hole. The Euros’ South African swing is on hiatus until January. There are 17 shopping days until Christmas. Let’s hit the links.

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Where Does Tiger Go from Here?

Tiger will not say he is retiring, but his recent interviews suggest that his dominant years are now in the past. I give my suggestions on how he should become a new improved retired Tiger.

Thrash TalkThe model for a retired golfing superstar has been set. Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer have written what I would call the perfect book on how to do better in your retirement than in your actual career. Now it is Tiger’s turn.

I am not certain that we can agree that Tiger’s career is completely over, but his days of being a dominant force in the game are over. He is now giving interviews in which he says everything right up to “I am retiring.” I can understand the urge to spend time with his kids. Right now with his injuries and how he has played lately they probably bring him ten times the joy of anything golf-related. Add to this, his relationship with his father was so strong, he likely wants to mimic that relationship with his kids. His father was a teacher and now Tiger likely feels the urge to teach his kids as he was taught. Good for him.

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