New Season on Links Means Time for Fresh Resolutions

I’ll be focusing on fitness and consistency this year, and hopefully they’ll go hand in hand.

Thrash TalkAs if winter in the Northeast would never end, I’d convinced myself weeks ago to quit thinking about anything but the driving range. But suddenly, March arrived in New Jersey, the temperatures spiked, cleared away the mountains of snow, and there was hope my home course would open as scheduled on March 12.

So what happened on March 10? Some of the heaviest rains we’d seen in years. It was a real shock then, that I called the pro shop to see how bad the course was hit by the storm when they told me it was full steam ahead for a regular opening. Caught off guard, and with no time to fixate on the first round of the year, I headed out for a casual, just-have-fun day on the course.

Now that it’s arrived, I realize that with a new season comes hope of better golf, as well as fears it will all go wrong. With most of the country out of the deep freeze and spring fever cranking up, I offer up my resolutions for the 2011 golf season.

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Nike Lunar Control Shoe Review

Nike’s new Lunar Control shoes keep you firmly planted here on earth.

Nike Lunar Control ShoesThough Nike’s line of golf equipment has expanded over the years to include for the most part, anything you’d ever need, they continue to stay true to their footwear roots year after year by offering everything from the radical to sporty to premier/upper echelon. They’ve established a great practice of producing shoes for just about anyone, no matter what their looking for. This year marks the initial release of the Nike Lunar Control, a shoe that, in my opinion, could easily appeal to nearly everyone, young or old, traditional or modern, those seeking comfort over anything else, as well as those concerned with appearance above all. Though this is only the first year they’ve been available, after searching the Internet a bit, it seems that they’ve already gotten quite a fan base.

What makes them so great? Well, you’ll have to follow along to find out.

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Mizuno Launches JPX-800 Drivers, Fairway Woods, and Hybrids

Mizuno grows their recently-introduced JPX family to include all new drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids.

Bag DropLast October, we covered the launch of Mizuno’s new JPX brand, which marked the first time they had ever combined all of their R&D teams from around the world. The goal was to produce clubs that contained every possible technology from each of their shops around the world and put it all into one cohesive brand.

Part of that launch was the introduction of their JPX-800 and JPX-800 Pro irons, one of which I had the pleasure of reviewing. Their commitment to this brand continues as they are now adding to that brand all new drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids. So, what all technology and game improvement features can be found in the first woods in the JPX Series? Well, you’ll have to read on to find out!

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Volume Two Hundred Seventy

Tiger’s past and present coaches get chippy.

Hitting the LinksDanny is enjoying his vacation so I’ll be your tour guide here at Hittin’ the Links for the next couple of weeks. I’ll try to keep our foursome moving quickly along as we peruse various interesting (hopefully), humorous, and odd stories from around the world of golf.

This week we have multiple PGA events for the fellas, a couple aces, the passing of a legend, and Doral celebrates the big 5-0. So put down your NCAA bracket, grab your favorite beverage and let’s take a look at what’s making Graeme McDowell giggle.

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Nine Holes With Bubba Watson

We profile the winner of the 2011 Farmers Insurance Open.

ProfilesBubba Watson just picked up the second win of his career, the second in as many years, and he seems to be one of the fastest improving players on Tour. Watson has always had loads of talent but only in the past few years has he begun to put it all together. Just like in baseball where a fire-balling thrower must eventually become a pitcher, Bubba Watson is a long-hitting bomber that is starting to become a golfer.

His appearance in the playoff that decided last year’s PGA Championship introduced him to the casual golf fans, and his prominent usage of Twitter has made him as popular as any golfer. His free swing, huge distance, and Arnold Palmer-like follow through make him easy to watch, and lately he has been prominently featured on golf coverage. While he probably will never be a top-ranked golfer, Bubba Watson has quickly forged himself a career.

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If Quality Counts, Wilson Staff’s Rep Should Be Strong As Any

As a long-time fan of their equipment, it’s reassuring to see just how solid FG Tour offering proves to be.

Thrash TalkAs a whole, we are a nation of consumers, and when it comes to fast food restaurants or golf equipment, so many of our decisions are influenced by name recognition, brand loyalty and the messages delivered through marketing of all sorts.

So when you add up reputation, commercials touting technological advances, and Tour player endorsements, where does actual quality enter the equation?

For Wilson Staff, that’s the million dollar question.

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Nike Introduces New 20XI Balls, Method Core Putters, and VR Pro Cavity Irons

Nike again thinks outside the box and the result is a brand new ball design that takes an inside out approach to improving the one piece of equipment we use on every single shot.

Bag DropNike Golf, it seems like, has always been a company to push the boundaries and buck the trends in order to produce equipment that legitimately does make positive differences in their customer’s games. Such clubs as the SQ Sumo2 and the original line of Slingshot irons immediately come to mind. While those clubs aren’t exactly synonymous with traditional clubs, they did go a long way in making the game more enjoyable for high-handicap players. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen them tone down the appearances and even the sound in some cases, but don’t mistake that as them resting on their laurels. Their VR franchise is proof of exactly that as well as Nike’s commitment to give the players what they want. Even the SQ Machspeed line of drivers and fairways have a much more subdued, all black finish this year, which is a stark contrast to the light grays and bright yellows we’ve seen used in recent years.

As I said though, don’t mistake those trends in aesthetics as a lack in progressive thinking. In fact, they’re still pushing the limits as hard, if not harder, than before and a prime example is their newest golf ball, the 20XI. What makes it so revolutionary? Well, you’ll have to follow along to find out. While you’re at it, kick your feet up and take a look at the latest in the Method line of putters as well as the all new VR Pro Cavity irons.

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Volume Two Hundred Sixty Nine

Jack and Lee discuss Tiger.

Hittin' the LinksGood Day golf fans and welcome to yet another edition of Hittin’ the Links. So Rory Sabbatini has decided to turn over a new leaf. The king of bad attitude says he has put that in the past. Either way, he definitely showed he can still win on the PGA Tour.

In this edition of HTL we begin with a look at Jack’s thoughts on Tiger, find out what happened to the Baddeley family home, and investigate some seniors doing well on the PGA Tour. Also on tap, we check out some new reality TV, see who is the new head of the USGA and do a wrap-up of this weeks Tour event. Read on!

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Sorry Phil, Bubba Now Sits Atop My Favorites List

As he enters the spotlight more frequently, I realize Watson’s a guy I can really root for.

Thrash TalkI never thought I’d say it, but after years of answering “Phil” or “Lefty” or “Mickelson” if I was feeling proper, I’m fairly certain my answer is now “Bubba.”

So if you want to know my favorite golfer, I have to admit, a new southpaw has taken over at the top of the heap.

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