“What Does That Get You?”

What does a USGA membership really give you?

I finally bit the bullet and joined the USGA. They sent a flyer to me at the office (go figure) offering a discount on the membership costs, and a free 2005 US Open hat.

Mmmmm. Free hat. I couldn’t resist.

So, I got my membership kit in the mail, tried on my hat and filed my new copy of the Rules of Golf with my old copy. I dutifully and only slightly reverently attached my USGA bag tag to my bag, and shuffled through the list of benefits I’d never take advantage of – free US Open tickets if you give at the moderately obscene level!

When my wife got home and saw the little envelope carcas on the kitchen counter, she picked it up like a caveman picking up a tool for the first time. She turned it over in her hands, curious, and looked at me.

“What’s this?”

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BHMGolf.com

I recommend that you DO NOT buy equipment from BHMGolf.hiddencom. Ever.

A few months ago, I purchased a Titleist 983K from bhmgolf.hiddencom (I’m not linking to them for a reason). They were $50 cheaper than my neighborhood shop. I forgave the abrupt fashion in which the owner (Brian) handled my transaction as “he’s probably busy, getting lots of orders for his stuff.”

I was more than accurate. I called again a day or two later to check on the order status and was treated rather rudely. I received the club a week later… with the wrong shaft. I’d wanted the YS-6, not the Graffaloy. I called – during his business hours – and left a message. I called again the next day. I sent emails. I called some more. I never received a return call or a return email. One time, I did get ahold of Brian and was sworn at and hung up on.

I exchanged the club at a local shop for one with the correct shaft. The $50 extra I would have paid to simply buy it from them in the first place is $50 I’d have gladly paid to avoid the hassle of dealing with BHMGolf.hiddencom.

Clearly, Brian H. Meyer of BHMGolf.hiddencom does not want my repeat business.

Golf-Tech-Porn and the r7 Quad

The new TaylorMade r7 Quad looks really nice, but will it help your game?

r7quad.jpgI finally got a chance to go out and play a round this weekend; between work and a pregnant wife, my golf time has become scarce. So, when my father-in-law called to ask if I could find some time to make an 8:20, I jumped all over it… after checking with my wife.

Standing in line to check in at the pro shop, I overheard the following snippet of conversation between the guy who was paired with us and one of the guys in the pro shop:

“So, have you had a chance to try out the new r7?”
“Yeah, I got one.”
The weekend duffer gets excitedly interested. “Really?!? What did you think?”
“Awesome. I was hitting the ball around 310, 315 yards off the tee.”
Wistfully, “Wow.”
“I mean, that was average. I hit it, what did I say Lisa? 325?”
Lisa, the lady behind the counter, perks up for a moment and responds with a wry grin. “Yeah, 325. Must have had a lot of roll…”
Undaunted, the pro shop employee continues. “Sure. 325 yards. The ball just exploded off the tee …”

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Blomqvisted!

19 year old Minea Blomqvist carded the lowest round ever in a major tournament…

Minea Blomqvist, a Finnish 19 year old carded the lowest round ever in a major tournament, a 10-under 62 in the third round of the Women’s British Open.

Now normally, I could give two shits about anything happening in a women’s tournament, but this deserves some special attention. This is history, as only five women and 21 men have shot 63s in the majors. I shot a 62 the other day too… at my 9-hole Muni.

Monty? Really?

colin_montgomerie.jpgI understand the idea behind Bernhard Langer picking Colin Montgomerie for the European 2004 Ryder Cup team. The thought is that with so many younger or rookie players, you want to look for someone who provides leadership and a steady game. But, speaking as an American who obviously doesn’t have the same access to the European Tour as Mr. Langer, I have to wonder: why Monty?

Yes, Monty was lights-out in 2002, and his Ryder Cup record is impressive. As an all-around player, Monty was one of the world’s best. Was.

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2004 Buick Championship: Woody Austin

Woody Austin used this gear to win the 2004 Buick Championship

woody_austin.jpgWoody Austin used this gear to win the 2004 Buick Championship:

Driver Cleveland Launcher 400 9°
3 Wood Cleveland Launcher
5 Wood Callaway Steelhead Plus
2 Iron Cleveland LDI
Irons (4-PW) Cleveland TA7
Wedges (GW, LW) Cleveland 588 Gunmetal 49°, 60°
Putter Scotty Cameron by Titleist Red X
Ball Titleist Pro V1x

Belly Putters

Rumblings by players on the PGA Tour calling for a ban on the belly putter.

Over the past few months there have been rumblings by players on the PGA Tour calling for a ban on the belly putter.

The USGA doesn’t want any part of this issue, and The Rules Committee of the R&A indicated earlier this year that they won’t bring in any further changes to the game until 2007. I, for one, still can’t shake the perception that belly putters are for old guys who have bad backs.

I can understand why some players want to make the belly putter a thing of the past. The claim that these putters provide a stabilizing effect is a very strong argument, but just look at the statistics. Other than the PGA Tour’s leading money-winner, Vijay Singh, none of the top pros use them. So, unless Bernhard Langer starts breaking scoring records, and ripping up the PGA Tour, I believe it’s an argument better saved until ’07.

The European Ryder Cup Team

Bernhard Langer adds Montgomerie and Donald to his Ryder Cup team.

Bernhard Langer has his Ryder Cup team. Qualifying on their own:

  1. Padraig Harrington
  2. Sergio Garcia
  3. Darren Clarke
  4. Miguel Angel Jimenez
  5. Lee Westwood
  6. Thomas Levet
  7. Paul Casey
  8. David Howell
  9. Paul McGinley
  10. Ian Poulter

Bernhard then chose something old

  1. Colin Montgomerie

and something new

  1. Luke Donald

to round out his 2004 Ryder Cup Team.