The iPod: My Key to Breaking 80?

Can an iPod be the key to breaking 80? Perhaps…

ipod_mini.jpgAfter receiving a bright pink iPod for the holidays this year, I was unable to decide how it could enhance my life. “Just another electronic toy,” I said to myself, kind of like my digicam or my new picture-taking LG cell phone. It stayed in the box for almost a week before I attached it to my iMac and diligently began to load it with several hundred songs.

Because of their intuitive interface and small size, iPod minis and iPod shuffles are easy to use while exercising. When listening to my iPod over watching the news, I seem to have more stamina. With my favorite tunes playing in my ears, I remain on the elliptical trainer 15 minutes longer and am not as tired when I’m through. I stand up straighter, pulling my shoulders back confidently while strutting my stuff through the weight room. I now look forward to exercising, as long as my iPod is sufficiently charged.

Of course, taking my iPod to the gym is an obvious use. But I wondered: could it also help me improve my golf game?

Continue reading “The iPod: My Key to Breaking 80?”

Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head… Saturday at the Nissan Washed Out

Nobody hit a single shot on Saturday at the Nissan Open and the PGA Tour may be looking at its first 36-hole event in over eight years.

Rain at RivieraThe rain kept coming. So much so that the Nissan Open may become the first 36-hole event in nearly nine years on the PGA Tour. PGA Tour tournament director Mark Russel said “Our main goal is to get 36 holes in. We’re at the mercy of the elements, and right now it has us on the ground.”

The Nissan Open may need to catch a break just to finish 36, as rain is forecast for Sunday and Monday. The $7.5 million Match Play Championship, a World Golf Championship event, begins Wednesday in La Costa, CA. Last year’s Match Play Championship was the site of the last PGA Tour rainout when the second round was cancelled.

Continue reading “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head… Saturday at the Nissan Washed Out”

Maxfli BlackMAX: The Newest Challenger?

Just how good is Maxfli’s BlackMAX ball? Is it good enough to knock-off the king of golf balls – Titleist’s Pro V1?

Black MAXIn 2001, Titliest Introduced the Pro V1 line of golf balls which quickly became the most played ball on the PGA Tour due to their low spin off the driver and high spin around the greens. Titleist is the number one ball of choice on every professional golf tour and perennially leads in number of wins. Even players like Mike Weir, Sergio Garcia, and Vijay Singh who have signed equipment contracts with other companies choose to play Titleist golf balls. However, the recent introduction of Bridgestone’s B330, and the new HX Tour from Callaway, which has been earning notoriety behind a hot Phil Mickelson, has proved that there is still room for competitors in the high-end golf ball market.

Earlier this week, we introduced you to Maxfli’s BlackMAX golf ball, the newest entry into the high-end golf ball market. Is the BlackMAX good enough to compete? As promised, we’ve played this ball on course and experimented on the launch monitor, here’s what we found.

Continue reading “Maxfli BlackMAX: The Newest Challenger?”

Nissan Open: Friday Recap

The second round of the Nissan Open was more like half a round, and first-round leader Brian Davis didn’t even get to tee off.

Nissan OpenPlay in the second round of the Nissan Open was pushed back four hours due to rain and eventually suspended, as many players – including first-round leader Brian Davis – didn’t even get a chance to tee off.

Chad Campbell teed off, though, and nearly holed out two shots en route to a 6-under 65 that catapulted him into a three-shot lead over Robert Allenby. Davis was about to tee off on ten when the siren signaling the end of play due to darkness sounded, ending his round before it had even begun.

Continue reading “Nissan Open: Friday Recap”

Tom Fazio: Golf’s Hero or Heel?

Tom Fazio has gained notariety for his golf course designs, just how good are they?

Riviera Country Club 15th HoleThe golfing public seems quite divided over course architect Tom Fazio. Some adore his layouts while others despise his designs. There is no doubt Fazio has tremendous exposure from some high profile clients. Fazio “Tiger Proofed” Augusta National in 2002, he redesigned Riviera Country Club, and he has built several acclaimed courses throughout the country. So why the controversy over Fazio’s projects? Let’s look at Augusta National and Riviera’s redesigns to find out.

Continue reading “Tom Fazio: Golf’s Hero or Heel?”

Riviera Rain: Round One of the Nissan

Four players didn’t finish round one, and Tiger Woods three putted three times. Brian Davis leads, but Tiger and two-time defending champ Mike Weir are close.

Riviera Country ClubBrian Davis is an unlikely leader after the first round of the Nissan Open, but then again, the first round isn’t quite over yet. Davis, a 2004 Q-School graduate, fired a 6-under 65 to take the early lead at rain-soaked Riviera Country Club.

One back, Luke Donald and Darren Clarke, who recorded a “1” on his scorecard at the “bunker-in-the-green” 6th. Donald bogeyed his last after his drive found a divot and his approach a greenside bunker. Brett Quigley, who’s having a good year so far, also fired a 66.

Continue reading “Riviera Rain: Round One of the Nissan”

Stirring Up the LPGA

Where are the Tigers and Phils of the LPGA? I like golf, but the LPGA is boring.

LPGAThe United States Team turned in a disappointing final round of 80 in the Women’s World Cup this past weekend. Young phenom, 19-year-old Ai Miyazato, shot a 6-under 67 to capture the title. The only other sub-par round on Sunday came from Lorena Ochoa of Mexico.

The US finished 14th, with superstars Meg Mallon and Beth Daniel scoring a 78 and 80 respectively. This particular venue is interesting in that the first round was best ball, the second round was alternate shot, and the final round was stroke play with both women’s scores counting toward the total score. The first round allowed the field the lowest scores with many scores below par 73.

So, why am I feeling disillusioned with the LPGA Tour?

Continue reading “Stirring Up the LPGA”

Big Break III Episode 1: Tasha Tossed

Tasha Browner can’t stand the heat and is promptly booted out of the kitchen after blading a pitch.

Big Break IIIThe women of Big Break III spent last week being wined, dined, and flown, boated, and trucked across the country, from Orlando, FL to Williamsburg, VA.

In this week’s show, the glitz and glamour came to an end: someone was going home.

Continue reading “Big Break III Episode 1: Tasha Tossed”

Women in the British Open?

Women are technically allowed to play in every men’s major except one: The British Open. But change is afoot…

Royal And AncientThe R&A is considering letting women play in the British Open. Pete Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Club responsible for the staging of “the Open,” is in favor of amending the rules to more closely match those seen in the American majors.

The current rules state that the tournament is open to “any male professional or from a male amateur golfer whose playing handicap does not exceed scratch.” The possible change is simple: remove the word “male.”

Continue reading “Women in the British Open?”