Golf Talk [Episode 031]

We text messaged Annika Sorenstam to say “we’ve produced our 31st podcast.” Tiger text messaged her with something a tad more impressive.

PodcastTiger Woods has captured his 11th major at the Open Championship at Hoylake. We discuss all the ramifications: Phil’s British misery, Sergio Garcia’s collapse and putting woes, and more. Also this week, Natalie Gulbis, Corey Pavin, Erin Hills, Carolyn Bivens, and Geoff Ogivly at the PGA Championship. Tune in to this episode of Golf Talk for more.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 031 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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Callaway X-Tour Forged Wedge Review

Callaway’s X-Tour wedges are a mixture of old and new, especially the models with the PM grind and MD grooves.

Callaway X-Tour WedgeCallaway Golf built its position in the golf business on the strength of its Big Bertha woods. The company later became a force in the irons market, its Odyssey brand of putters is a top-seller, and its golf balls are gaining traction at retail.

Wedges, however, probably aren’t what you think of in conjunction with Callaway. But the company’s lead golf club designer is a fellow named Roger Cleveland – the founder of Cleveland Golf and designer of many classic wedges, like the enduring 588 line. The X-Tour wedges are the third line of forged wedges he has designed for Callaway. Is the third time the charm?

Roger Cleveland left his namesake company and joined Callaway Golf in 1996. He combined with Big Bertha inventor Richard C. Helmstetter on several designs, including the X-12 irons. The duo collaborated on the Big Bertha Tour Series wedges in 1997, which were cast from stainless steel and aluminum bronze, and the cult favorite X-14 Pro Series wedges in 2000.

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Nine Holes with Steve Williams

Step in to the life of Tiger Woods’ caddy Steve Williams.

ProFilesSteve (or Stevie) Williams is Tiger’s fiercely loyal and dedicated caddy. Precious few can understand what goes on behind the ropes in Tiger’s life and Williams is one of them. Williams must be similar to the guys that were taming the “Wild West” because he comes across as a cowboy. He marches to the beat of his own drum while working hard for the boss.

Join me for a quick nine holes with the camera-snatching, club-pulling, car-racing boy from New Zealand.

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British Open Nuggets

There are always some interesting numbers to look at after a major championship. Tiger showed he could win in a different manner and the Ryder Cup outlook changed as well.

The Numbers GameI thought the Open Championship at Hoylake was one of the better Opens in recent memory. Tiger showed what his greatest asset is: his mind. He didn’t have to overpower the course, just take what it gave him… and it gave him a lot of stinger 2-irons.

This week in The Numbers Game I’ll take a look at a few of the numbers from and related to the Open Championship. Also, I’ll see if The 40-30-20-10 Rule holds up for a tournament on a links style course.

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Titleist Forged 695MB Irons Review

Titleist’s Forged 695MB is not for the weekend duffer, but for the golfer who takes tremendous pleasure in hitting a forged, muscleback iron on the button.

Titleist 695MB HeroLet’s cut to the chase: you’re either interested in Titleist’s 695MB irons or you’re not. If you’re looking for a forgiving iron with no feel, these aren’t the irons for you. But if you’re a single-digit handicapper with a penchant for the buttery sweet feel of a modern muscleback, read on.

Titleist’s Forged 695MB Irons are the successor to the previous model, the 690.MB (preceded themselves by the dotless 690MB). Sister set to the Forged 695CB, the 695MB offers an evolutionary, not revolutionary, step forward in the line.

If Titleist’s irons were placed on a scale with the more forgiving Forged 775.CB irons and the rare Forged 660 at the other, the 695MB would occupy just beside the 660 and a good bit away from the combo 735.CM.

But again, we already knew that. What’s new in these models and how well they work, why, that’s what the rest of the review will tell you. Read on, but bring your proof-of-handicap…

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Subscribe to Comments

Gone are the days of having to remember to check back to read new comments. Now you can be notified automatically!

Site NewsA few days ago, we implemented a new feature here at The Sand Trap: “subscribe to comments.”

Next to the “Post Comment” button at the bottom of every article here at TST, you’ll see a checkbox that says “Subscribe to Comments.” If you check it, you’ll be sent an email every time someone else responds to the same article. They may be responding to you. If you wish to unsubscribe, each email contains a link that allows you to do so.

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2006 U.S. Bank Championship Preview

As most of the big names rest after The Open, players we sometimes don’t get to see get the chance to play some good golf and keep us entertained.

The U.S. Bank Championship LogoWell it will certainly be a change of pace to see a green golf course, huh? After last week’s theatrics, the U.S. Bank Championship has a lot to live up to, but the course has provided excitement in the past and will very likely continue to do so.

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Major Problem for the Europeans

After watching the British Open, I’m starting to wonder if the Europeans will ever win another major championship.

Thrash TalkAnother major championship is in the books. Tiger Woods won his 11th major championship and continues to close in on Jack’s all-time record. Woods displayed beautiful ball striking and a wonderful putting touch all week. Hoylake also held up a lot better than I expected, especially after seeing all the low rounds on day one. It’s not my favorite Open course, but it wasn’t quite the pushover the experts predicted it would be.

The win by Tiger Woods didn’t really catch my attention because he has been there and done that on numerous occasions. I did, however, get a little teary-eyed when he talked about winning it for his dad. Aside from Tiger’s performance, the thing that stood out to me most was the fact the Europeans still haven’t won a major championship since the 1999 British Open. That was seven years ago for crying out loud!

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Sun Protection for Golfers

The sun’s effect on your body is no joking manner. Your skin and even your eyes are at risk. Here are some products that should be part of your routine and in your bag.

Bag DropAs sports go, golf seems to be one of the more benign. After all, nobody’s throwing a ball 100 miles per hour at you; no 350-pound lineman is trying to dismember you; nobody in the cart next to yours is rubbing paint at 200 miles an hour.

When it comes to the lethal dangers in our game most people think of lightning or cart accidents. But that’s not true. The dangers of prolonged UV exposure from the sun are greater than ever. More than 60,000 people a year are diagnosed with malignant melanoma – the deadly kind of skin cancer. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself.

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