Blue Monster Unworthy of the WGC?

The season’s second WGC event starts today, but is Doral the right course for it?

Thrash TalkIt’s pretty weird not having The Players Championship in late March, but at least we get a World Golf Championship (WGC) event in its place. The fields for WGC events are always just as strong as they are for major championships, so it’s definitely an added bonus. On top of that, we still get The Players Championship and Sawgrass in May.

Like I mentioned above, the fields are very strong for WGC events. The golf courses are usually equal to the task, but this week may be a little different. I was watching “The Approach” on The Golf Channel last night, and one of the topics really piqued my interest. The topic centered around whether or not The Blue Monster at Doral is worthy of having a World Golf Championship event.

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Titleist Introduces Blog

The “serious equipment for serious players” company gets serious about blogging. Welcome to the block, Titleist.

TitleistAfter testing the waters a year and half ago with a revamped Titleist News section complete with an RSS feed, the equipment company “for serious players” has gotten serious about blogging, introducing today a new blog at the aptly named titleistblog.com.

Currently called the “Tour Blog” (and with only a “Tour” category), the site already has articles about player equipment on the PGA Tour, including posts from Bob Vokey on building a spin-milled wedge for Arron Oberholser, Adam Scott’s UNLV March Madness, and more.

Of course, you can’t expect any secrets to be revealed, but if you’re a fan of golf, then every little peek behind the curtain of life on the PGA Tour is fascinating. This blog promises to give you many such peeks.

Unlike many corporate blogs, Titleist’s Tour Blog allows commenting. Use your power of speech wisely, grasshoppers.

Off-Season Fitness

Working out over the off-season doesn’t have to be bore. Make a plan and stick with it before your treadmill becomes a clothes rack.

As I continue through my off-season plan (which you can read here and here), one aspect that I have tried to work on is a more golf specific fitness plan. Not the “I made a resolution to workout, blah, blah, blah” plan, but to actually incorporate exercises that will help ingrain better muscle memory for my golf swing, increase flexibility, and prevent me from losing any time during my golf season due to injury.

I also have another motivating factor which is purely selfish as I want to be one of the first men not to gain any “sympathy weight” during my wife’s pregnancy.

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Scotty Cameron Tweaks Circa 62 Putter Lineup

Introduced last year, the Circa 62 putters were a big hit. This season brings a new model along with a new finish, color scheme, and headcover. Huzzah!

Bag DropThere’s no question that Scotty Cameron putters engender mixed feelings among the general golfing population.

On the one hand, there are those who balk at the price or complain some designs are too derivative. On the other hand, there are players like me who really appreciate the subtleties of his improvements and the tremendous feel they afford. These people don’t mind shelling out the bucks for his putters. Not to mention the legion of fanatic collectors (last year one rare Cameron went for $35,000).

Coming out April 1 along with the Newport Detours we talked about in a January Bag Drop, the new Circa 62 putter lineup fixes one complaint I had with mine and introduces a whole new classic design. Unfortunately, it looks like one of last year’s models bites the dust. Here’s the story…

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Volume Ninety

Maybe Tiger was thinking whether or not his tournament should be an invitational or full field event.

Hittin' the LinksWell, my brackets destroyed and my favorite team was sent packing on Sunday but that was nothing compared to Tiger Woods’ meltdown in the final round at Arnie’s party.

This week we have a recap of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, the true cost of sportsmanship, and a little advice for tournament directors looking to get Tiger Woods to play their event.

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Nike Golf Issues Recall of Sumo2 Drivers

Nonconforming spring-like faces are the result of an “unauthorized manufacturing variance.” Nike will replace any driver sold to date.

Nike Sumo2-DriverPushing the edge as manufacturers are doing these days, it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.

Although the Sumo² (the square one) had been approved by the USGA, apparently an unnamed equipment competitor went to the USGA in late February and made a complaint. Upon subsequent testing, the USGA notified Nike that a number of clubheads were found to be non-conforming.

Conforming models will be shipped within a month. They’ll come marked with a circular notch on the soleplate indicating they conform to USGA rules. Nike has a plan where consumers can trade in their drivers beginning March 26 either through their website or by calling 800-632-6453. The recall period will run until April 30. You can watch a video of Nike Golf President Bob Wood’s mea culpa here.

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Callaway X Hot Fairway Wood Review

The Callaway X-Hot fairway wood is both long in the shaft and off the tee. It serves as a great second option off the tee and doesn’t do too bad off the deck either.

Callaway X Hot Fairway Wood HeroLast year, Callaway introduced its X fairway woods. That design harkened back to the old, and still popular, Steelhead and Steelhead Plus series. After carrying a Steelhead plus in my own bag for over five years I replaced it last year with a TaylorMade r7. I saw a jump in distance and accuracy that was impossible to ignore. It kept my beloved Callaway from getting back in the bag.

I had a chance last year to demo the non-Hot Callaway X fairway wood and liked it. It felt pretty good but it wasn’t quite good enough to make me think about removing the TaylorMade from my set – but it did make me think.

This year I was able to get my hands on the new Callway X-Hot fairway wood. Now I would be able to take a full and even better look at the new design. The question is, would it be enough for me to make a change after having a great experience with the r7? Read on to find out if Callaway is back in my bag.

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Most Likely First-Time Major Winners in 2007

With help from several Sand Trap Forum members I’ve compiled my picks for most likely first-time major winners in 2007. See if you agree with my picks.

Trap Five LogoWe’re predictions fanatics at The Sand Trap, and this week’s installment of the Trap Five underscores this compulsion. It has been an exciting start to the season for young talent. Charley Hoffman, Aaron Baddeley, Charles Howell III, and Henrik Stenson have all, as relatively young players, won on the PGA Tour. While the number of Americans (outside of Woods, Mickelson, and Furyk) is lacking, there are plenty of current European and Australian players making history on the PGA Tour.

Besides the usual suspects vying for another slice of history there are some viable candidates for first-time major championship winners in 2007. The year has already showcased a few talented young players and odds are good that this trend will continue. Perhaps there is a Tiger-slayer in training we aren’t aware of. Perhaps one of the candidates for first time major winner below will be the one to take a title from him. Let’s take a look…

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Golfers Missing in Action

A few household names have been struggling to find their games in the past year or so.

Thrash TalkTiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Charles Howell III, etc. have had great starts to their 2007 season. Their names have been in the headlines all year and will be favorites to win the season’s first major championship next month. Other top golfers like Jim Furyk, Geoff Ogilvy, and Ernie Els haven’t won any events in 2007, but they have still contended a little.

Now it’s time to turn to the bad side of the spectrum. There are a few household names that have showed up to play golf in the past year or so, but they haven’t played very well. Camilo Villegas almost made the list, but he snapped out of his slump at The Honda Classic two weeks ago. I’m going to list the struggling golfers, talk about their reasons for struggle, and make some predictions regarding their future.

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