Titleist Announces 712 Series – Part One: AP1 and AP2 Irons

Titleist brings the third iteration of their AP line of irons to the masses, intent on helping those that aren’t quite ready for the CB/MB level of players irons.

Bag DropIt’s hard to believe that already two years have passed since Titleist announced the release of the 2nd generation of their Advanced Performance (AP) irons. I distinctly remember covering it, especially because so many people were excited to see these come to market.

I was also lucky enough to review the AP1, and though the Bag Drop isn’t used for reviews, I can personally vouch for them being superb. So now the 712 Series AP1 and AP2 irons are being released next month, and are said to be improved over previous models. Though I can’t personally speak on that at this time, what I can tell you is that if Titleist says they’ve undergone improvements, I’d say you at least owe it to yourself to check them out. Let’s take a look at what refinements and improvements have gone into these new 712 Series Advanced Performance irons from Titleist.

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Volume Two Hundred Ninety Seven

Luke wins it all, the top 125 is set, and Nationwide Members look to make their final move.

Hittin' the LinksHello again golf fans and welcome to everyone’s favorite collection of all that is golf, Hittin’ the Links! Well Luke Donald really took it the the guys at Disney, taking the tournament and the money title too. I guess some guys just never learn how to share!

In this edition of HtL we begin with a look at who made the top 125 on the money list, then check out a 100 year old golf pro, and do some investigating into the Charles Schwab Cup. Also on tap, we look into PGA Tour Latinoamerica, see what some golfers are dying to get into, and do a wrap-up of the weeks events. Read on!

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Nine Holes With the Guys Outside 125

We take a look at the guys who aren’t going to make the top 125 on the PGA Tour money list.

Profiles Every year, the players outside of the top 125 on the PGA Tour money list get kicked to the curb, forced to either retain their Tour card by other methods (prior tournament wins, all-time money list exemptions, etc.) or enter Q-School. Some of them are up-and-comers, still on the cusp of being a full-time Tour player, and some are older guys, struggling to stay relevant. Either way, here are nine (well, 11) of the guys that struggled on the PGA Tour in 2011.

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Bag Drop: Nike Roundup Edition

News and notes from a few random pieces of equipment and apparel from Nike Golf.

Bag DropThe innovative minds at The Oven have been hard at work throughout the year and we’re now starting to see details on a few of their latest designs (and improvements on previous equipment/apparel) trickle out. As we’ve come to expect from Nike (as evidenced by numerous releases over the last couple of years), they’ve again taken care of the traditionalists as well as those that like their clubs and apparel to be a little outside of the box.

We’ll first take a look at the new Limited Edition VR Pro drivers and fairway woods, which do maintain a more traditional appearance and impact tone like those in the VR line before them. Then, we’ll jump over to the shoes/apparel side as we take a quick look at some new colorways that have been added to the Lunar Control shoe line. From there, we’ll shift gears to the not quite traditional, albeit old-school-cool Nike Dunk NG shoes, and then wrap it up with the all new, athletically-inclined Lunar Ascend shoe. Let’s hit it!

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Volume Two Hundred Ninety Six

Lexi’s in, DJ’s not bitter, and what the heck is a Wozzilroy?

Hittin' the LinksHello, hello golf fans and welcome to another volume of Hittin’ the Links. The PGA Tour season is beginning to wind down, silly season is just around the corner and players on the PGA and Nationwide Tours are beginning to stress about keeping those all too important cards. To me this time of year is great to watch. Guys you have never heard of grinding it out to the end for a chance to play (or continue playing) on the big stage. Plus you also have to watch the Presidents Cup in order to find out if Freddie’s Tiger pick will be pan out!

In this edition of HtL we begin with a look at the newest member of the LPGA class of 2012, investigate how DJ really feels about Tiger stealing his caddie, and try and figure out what is a Wozzilroy! Also on tap, We check out some friendly competition, see why Freddie is on the hot seat, and do a wrap-up of the week’s events. Read on!

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Why Parity is Bad for Golf

Top five reasons why parity does’t work on the PGA Tour.

Trap Five LogoParity is the name of the game in sports these days. Many leagues do everything they possibly can to make sure that any team can do well any year. The NFL, in particular, prides itself on this.

Thanks to aggressive revenue sharing, a hard salary cap, the importance of drafting, and the nature of a 16-game schedule, the NFL is set up so that a team like the Kansas City Chiefs can go 4-12 one year (2009), hire a few new coordinators, and finish 10-6 the next year to win their division. By that same token, a team like the Minnesota Vikings can go 12-4 in 2009 and then 6-10 in 2010.

Golf has none of that. It’s an individual sport, so there is no regulation to spread out the finishes. Each player effectively controls his own destiny. If there is to be parity in golf, it has to come about because of the players, not because of the PGA Tour.

That’s the problem golf is facing now. With a wealth of relatively equally-spaced talent, the PGA Tour is becoming increasingly, well, boring. Without a few polarizing superstars, dynasties, if you will, many of the golf tournaments this year have been downright bland. And, at least in near future, it’s only going to get worse.

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Bridgestone Rounds Up J40 Lineup With Two New Forged Iron Sets And Wedges

Rounding out the J40 line is two new sets of irons, one for the low handicapper and one more geared towards the mid- to low-handicapper, as well as new wedges, which are offered in two finishes and a number of loft options.

Bag DropLast week’s Bag Drop was only half the story, as we covered Bridgestone’s two new J40 drivers, as well as the fairway woods and hybrids of the same name. Not covering their new J40 forged cavity back irons, pocket cavity irons, and wedges would be like covering the original release of Pearl Jam’s Ten and talking only about Jeremy, Alive, and Once, while completely ignoring the greatness of Release, Porch, Evenflow, and Oceans. By the way, happy 20th anniversary, boys.

Anyway, I digress. The J40 drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids really only tell half the story or – maybe more appropriately – they only get you halfway to your target (that being the bottom of the cup, and yes, I know technically, you can hit one of the long clubs on a par 3 or short par 4, but work with me here). To get you the rest of the way, Bridgestone is also releasing two new models of J40 irons, along with a variety of wedges to complete the set. So with that in mind, lets take a look at them!

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Volume Two Hundred Ninety Five

Bill Haas wins the Cup, Tiger’s got a new caddie, and JD throws yet another tantrum.

Hittin' the LinksHello fellow golf fans and welcome to another edition of Hittin’ the Links. Congratulations to Bill Haas for winning the FedExCup. If you didn’t watch it you definitely missed out on quite a battle.

In this week’s edition of HtL we begin with a look at Tiger’s new caddie, investigate JD’s latest temper tantrum, and find out what makes Lexi Thompson a smart girl. Also, we look into some slow play, check out why you should never throw clubs, and do a wrap-up of the week’s events. Read On!

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Volume Two Hundred Ninety Four

Justin Rose wins, a 16-year old rocks the LPGA Tour, and Tiger continues to slide

Hittin' the LinksWelcome golf fans to yet another edition of Hittin’ the Links. After a week off, the PGA Tour continued play this weekend amid college and pro football. I have to admit I did not watch all that much golf this weekend, but I did catch Justin Rose’s final six holes on Sunday. He righted the ship just in time to keep from giving up yet another 54-hole lead. Good for him though, and congratulation to all those players that made their respective Presidents Cup teams as well.

In this edition of HtL we begin with an LPGA music video, then take note of Tiger’s continued fall from grace, and look at some of golf’s most desperate moves. Also on tap, we check out the best ten players in the world, look at one good sixteen year-old, and do a wrap-up of the week’s events. Read on!

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