Staff Predictions: British Open 2011

Who will hoist the Claret Jug in Sandwich? Will the Americans get trounced by their overseas counterparts? Where do we stand on links golf?

Thrash TalkThere’s little mystique to Royal St. George’s, and even less love for the English venue. It’s not the birthplace of golf like St. Andrew’s or an impossibly difficult test like Carnoustie. When a course crowns so unheralded a champ as 2003’s Open winner Ben Curtis, somehow the host bears the brunt of the criticism.

Ask Ian Poulter about the track at Sandwich, and he’ll say “it’s an average course at best.” The 18 holes that sit as far south as any in The Open rota are wildly considered the most quirky, fluky among the bunch.

But isn’t that exactly what’s so loved about link golf? The creativity, the nuance, the ability to define a champion who does more than lasers his seven iron more precisely than anyone else that week. It’s got humps and bumps and wacky lies and oddball stances and nothing’s a given. But when in golf is anything a given.

Who will emerge? Who will surprise? There’s a strangely common theme among The Sand Trap staff. Read on to see what we think.

Eidolon Golf Introduces New SCOR Golf Brand and SCOR4161 Scoring Clubs

SCOR Golf challenges the common, traditional sets short irons and wedges with the new SCOR4161 scoring clubs.

Bag DropEidolon, whose V-SOLE wedges have been covered here at Bag Drop, just introduced an entirely new brand (named SCOR) along with that brand’s initial product offering in the form of the SCOR4161.

SCOR started over, ditching previous designs and models, and taking a pretty radical approach to the design of these scoring irons and wedges. The question they posed made sense, too – “Why is it that the 9-iron and pitching wedge in your set match the long and mid-irons, and not your wedges?” It’s certainly an interesting question to raise, so let’s take a look at the SCOR4161 set and what they do to give an answer to that very question.

Volume Two Hundred Eighty Five

Steve Stricker must really like tractors!

Hittin' the LinksHello again golf fans and welcome to yet another edition of Hittin’ the Links. So how about Steve Stricker, what an up and down day he had on Sunday. I did not realize it until I looked but Stricker has won seven tournaments in the last three years, not bad for a 44 year-old.

In this edition of HtL we begin by investigating Tiger’s Super-fan, then check out why Tiger is not in England, and find out who else is missing from this year’s Open. Also, we look into some past Open winners, try to figure out what Tiger’s big announcement is, and do a wrap-up of the week’s events. Read on!

Rory Madness All About Potential, Not His Resume

Critics have it wrong: The comparisons between young McIlroy and young Woods are based on excitement and promise. Not accomplishments.

Thrash TalkIt didn’t take long for Rory McIlroy to start drawing comparisons to Tiger Woods, in fact the suggestions began before he even hoisted the U.S. Open trophy this weekend at Congressional.

McIlroy’s age, his boyish charm and his dominant performance on the grand stage, all offered a trip down the memory lane Tiger Woods paved in the 1990s.

Scotland’s Caddies DVD Review

Scotland’s Caddies provides an amusing look at how caddies have shaped golf in Scotland.

When you think of golf in Scotland, you might think of the great courses, the unpredictable weather, or the rich history of the game, and yet there is an integral part you may overlook and that is the importance of the role of caddies. Scotland’s Caddies by Ron Colby aims to bring the caddy to the forefront and show just how integral their role has not only been throughout the history of golf but continues to play a vital role in today’s golf as well.

Is Scotland’s Caddies a “must see?” Should you add it to your DVD collection? Read on to find out.

Lessons From Congressional

We reflect on a tournament for the ages.

Trap Five LogoWe’re halfway through the 2011 major championship golf season, and already it’s proving to be a good one. Even though Tiger Woods was at home on the couch, Rory McIlroy gave us one of the most thrilling weeks of golf in history. Bouncing back from what had been a painful pedigree in past majors, Rory steamrolled the field on Thursday and Friday, and kept up a steady pace over the weekend en route to a eight-stroke victory. This time around there were no meltdowns, no final-round charges, and no broomsticks (though Robert Garrigus did finish T3 with a putter half the size of Adam Scott’s), but what we did get was four great days of golf on a rain-soaked course that became vulnerable to low scores. In many respects, this year’s U.S. Open was about as different from the Masters as possible, but equally as impressive.

Volume Two Hundred Eighty Four

What’s Buggin’ Bubba?

Hittin' the LinksHello out there golf fans and thank you for joining me for another edition of Hittin’ the Links. Nick Watney finally gave Americans something to cheer about on the PGA Tour. It’s good to see that we do have some up and coming talent out there. Now if we can get Bubba to quit complaining in Europe we will be alright.

In this newest edition of HtL we begin with a look at a new number one, investigate what is happening with The Bob Hope Classic, an find out what’s buggin’ Bubba. Also on tap, we check out some USGA payback, look into some tough times at Callaway and do a wrap-up of several of the week’s events. Read on!

Sunice, Zero Restriction, and Tifosi Introduce New Apparel Just In Time For Summer Months

Protect yourself from the harsh summer weather with these new products from Sunice, Zero Restriction, and Tifosi.

Bag DropSummer is in full swing, and this week at Bag Drop, we have a few various items that really fit the season well, whether it’s blazing hot with the sun shining in your eyes, or whether a few storm clouds have rolled in.

It’s just as important (if not more important) to protect your eyes as it is to protect your body from the elements in the extreme conditions the summer heat brings. So with that in mind, this week’s Bag Drop features some new rain gear from Sunice, new polos from Zero Restriction, and new models of sunglasses from Tifosi Optics. Lets get started!

Volume Two Hundred Eighty Three

Rory smashes some records.

Hittin' the LinksHello again cyber golf nuts and welcome to a very special edition of Hittin’ the Links. Happy belated Fathers Day to all the dads out there. Hopefully Sunday allowed for a round with Dad or an opportunity to take the little ones out to the course for a little fun. I know one dad who had a great time on Sunday… Gerry McIlroy. What a Father’s Day present, watching your son destroy the competition at the U.S. Open. Too cool.

In this U.S. Open edition of HtL we begin with a look at Rory McIlroy’s rise to fame, investigate Bubba’s U.S. Open outfits, and see who else is setting fashion trends on the links. Also on tap we take note of who did not fare well at Congressional, check in on the Presidential golf summit, and do a wrap-up of the week’s events. Read on!