Here Come the Second-Generation 460cc Drivers

I’ve already noted that big steps forward in driver design have been made difficult by the 460cc size limitation. Here’s a look at how three top equipment manufacturers have come up with new products that replace exisiting 460cc drivers.

Bag DropThree highly anticipated drivers have recently been unveiled. The Ping G5 and Cleveland Launcher Ti460 drivers are already available at some retailers, and the Nike SasQuatch driver is expected in shops before Thanksgiving – and is getting a big push from Nike.

So these drivers are bigger and bolder than their predecessors, right? Oh, wait, all three models are replacing drivers that were already at the 460cc maximum imposed by the USGA and R&A. There goes a big selling point. Can drivers be better without being bigger?

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Volume Twenty-Six

Get your week started off right by checking out these links.

Hittin' the LinksI totally forgot about golf this weekend, and that’s the first time that’s happened since I can remember. Well I guess I didn’t totally forget about it, I did catch an unpleasant sight of Laura Davies’ rear as I was channel surfing. But most of the weekend, I was wrapped up in college football (did anyone see my alma-mater Ohio University beat Pittsburgh in OT?) and the U.S. Open finals (tennis). I think Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player ever.

Anyway, enough about my weekend. Let’s look at some links.

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Team USA Reclaims Solheim Cup

The United States wins the Solheim Cup after beginning the day all square with Team Europe.

paula_creamer_solheim.jpgHaving the delicious distinction of never losing the Solheim Cup on their own soil, Team USA did not disappoint today, claiming victory over the Europeans 15.5 to 12.5. This ninth rendition of the Solheim Cup had all the drama of a major PGA Tour event.

Starting the day even at eight points apiece following a tremendous comeback in the Saturday afternoon fourball matches, the United States team had the confidence necessary to take on their competitors in singles match-play action earlier this morning. Triple-threat rookies Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, and Christina Kim stole the show with American flags painted on their faces and ankles and confidence in their abilities. Walking the course pumping up the crowd, the girls’ themselves chanted “USA, USA” making it virtually impossible for the European team to stay focused on their shots and making the gallery into a cheering squad for the Americans.

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Misunderstood Rules

The Rules of Golf aren’t terribly complex, but there are some tricky ones out there. Which five rules are the most misunderstood rules in the game?

Trap Five LogoThe Rules of Golf are not terribly complex. Complexity is naturally reserved for the Decisions on the Rules of Golf! </sarcasm> Jesting aside, the rules are fairly simple so long as some basic concepts are understood. Those basic concepts include what to do when your ball finds a few different areas (hazards, ground under repair, the green, “through the green,” etc.), the idea and definitions of equity, fairness, and intent, and the pervading rule to play the ball as it lies.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there who insist that they’re playing “golf” despite not playing by the rules of golf. Let’s look at some of the more misunderstood rules of the game we love so much.

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Vijay Singh

With a work ethic that pushes him past normal limits, there is no doubt that Vijay Singh is one of the Tour’s elite.

ProFilesGetting to know Vijay Singh is much like cozying up to a porcupine: unless you’re in the family, it’s tough to get close.

While we might not be able to step into Singh’s world, his clubs have done plenty of talking since he joined the Tour in 1993. He won his first ever PGA Tour event in a playoff over Mark Wiebe and subsequently captured the 1993 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award. His winning ways have accelerated during the past several years and he has earned himself a permanent place in golf history.

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Orlimar VT380 Fairway Wood Review

The VT380 is the latest in the line of fairway metal woods from Orlimar. This version falls short of recapturing the market previous models once held.

Orlimar LogoOrlimar at one point was one of the big players in the fairway metal wood market. At courses around the world you could find their clubs in the bags of players of all handicap- and skill levels. Just like everyone else, I hit a few different Orlimar clubs when they were hot.

Since the Tri-metal line was introduced in the late 90s, Orlimar has not enjoyed much success. The struggling company has introduced the VT830 to help recapture that success and hopefully get themselves back into the game.

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The Newport Cup

The 2005 Newport Cup kicks off on October 15-16, and we’re excited!

Newport CupOn October 15 and 16, The Sand Trap .com is holding the initial Newport Cup matches in the sandhills of North Carolina. The competition will be similar to the Ryder Cup (albeit with smaller teams) and should be great fun.

The Name
The Newport Cup is named after the location of the first U.S. Open, the Newport Golf and Country Club in Rhode Island. Held in 1895, professional golfer Horace Rawlins of England was the first champion.

We’ve yet to choose team names for the two competing teams, so this year they’ll simply be the Red and Blue teams. The ball supplies the “white” in a patriotic theme. We’ll choose team names at the event. Perhaps we’ll be in an irreverent mood and play Team McAvoy versus Team Spackler, or perhaps we’ll keep things historic. We shall see…

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Pro vs Amateur in Numbers

The same rules apply to this amateur golfer that does the players on tour: Greens and Putting.

The Numbers GameComparing the professional golfer to the amateur golfer is not an easy thing. Not only do we (amateurs) for the most part play on shorter and easier courses, we do not have the stress of competing in front of thousands of people in person and millions more on TV. Also, amateurs do not have to make a living and survive by hitting that damn white ball into what seems to be a shrinking hole.

So what does this have to do with numbers? Well, I thought it would be interesting to see if my stats correlated in the same way the pros did. The results were interesting.

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Solheim Cup Showdown

The Americans face-off against the rest of the world for the biennial rights to the Solheim Cup.

solheim_cup_logo.jpgFor a grueling three days in September twelve European golfers will doggedly defend their right to retain the venerable Solheim Cup for another two year stretch. Twelve equally determined LPGA golfers will attempt to unseat the Europeans as guardians of the Waterford Crystal trophy.

At the 2003 event held at Barseback Golf & Country Club in Sweden 100,000 cheering fans witnessed the European team (17.5 points) make mincemeat out of the Americans (10.5).

With an all-star American team led by Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam playing on the side of the LET, all I can say is … “Let’s get ready to rumble!”

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