Dramatic Farmers Finish Proves TV Golf is Anything But a Snoozefest

Unlike other sports, in golf we root for the player, not the team. It makes a fan’s emotional investment all the stronger.

Thrash TalkCall me a golf nerd, but as the theme song piped up and the sweet, sweet voice of Jim Nantz came through the TV, my blood was pumping. The season technically began a few weeks ago, but consider those preseason games. For my money, the PGA Tour year starts when CBS joins the party, with Nantz leading the way.

Sitting on the couch Saturday afternoon, a day after the winter blues had struck with full force, I expected a typical day of golf. The leader board was strong, with big names and exciting stories destined for lots of camera time. But when that Yanni-composed masterpiece started pumping, the feeling was more like a Yankee World Series game, or Sunday of the Masters. I was caught off guard by how excited I was. Just a two weeks earlier I’d lamented whether my golf fever had finally broken. Thankfully I’m as afflicted as ever.

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Nike Launches New VR Pro Drivers, Fairway Woods, and Hybrids

Nike updates its VR lineup for the Spring of 2011 with the second generation of drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids.

Bag DropThough the whole Victory Red (VR for short) name started originally as the TW-inspired branding for Nike’s top of the line irons, it was extended last year to include an entirely new, game-enhancing set of drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids. Upon release, it was evident that Nike had produced their most player-friendly, traditional woods to date.

They further cemented that approach in the later months of 2010, as they confirmed that the SQ lineup is catered to game improvement, while the VR line is designed more around the needs of established/accomplished players. The second generation of VR woods and hybrids, labeled “VR Pro” (in line with the recently released VR Pro Blades and Pro Combo Irons) certainly holds true to that approach. All three clubs (driver, fairway, and hybrid) maintain a more traditional appearance and are designed to offer a lot in terms of workability. With that in mind, let’s have a look at what’s new for this year in the VR Pro hybrids, fairway woods, and drivers.

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Nine Holes With Dustin Johnson

We take a look at a PGA Tour superstar in the making.

ProfilesDustin Johnson is one of the brightest stars on the PGA Tour today. Although he hasn’t been around that long, his roller-coaster of a year in 2010 got him noticed. It left us amazed, disappointed, surprised, and possibly with a better sense of the rules. Johnson, also known as “DJ,” is currently ranked 14th in the world and had one of the best records in major tournaments last year. Since his historic breakdown in the U.S. Open and his final-hole rules debacle at the PGA Championship, Johnson has become a fan favorite, and has established himself as one of the best young Americans. To add to that, now that Sergio Garcia and Colin Montgomery are basically out of the picture, Johnson is battling for the title of Best Never to Have Won an Major. Along with Lee Westwood, Steve Striker, and Rory McIlroy, for DJ escaping that title seems to be much more a matter of “when,” not “if.”

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Volume Two Hundred Sixty Four

John Daly whines, Tiger makes a funny, and Bubba takes home the hardware!

Hittin' the LinksHello golf fans and thank you for joining me for another round of Hittin’ the Links. It was an exciting final round we got to see at the Farmers Insurance Open. I always like it when tournaments come down to the very final shot with several players in contention. Congratulations to Bubba Watson, he made some crazy clutch putts coming down the stretch. It could be a breakout year for the left-handed bomber.

In this newest edition of HTL we begin with another ridiculous John Daly story, move on to more negative Tiger news, and find out how Tiger actually made a funny. Also on tap, we investigate Tim Finchem’s request to the USGA, see what happens when Jamie Sadlowski meets watermelon, and do a wrap-up of the weeks events. Read on!

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Miura CB-501 and Blade 2007 Irons Review

Say the word “Miura” around equipment-knowledgeable golfers and you’ll learn all you need to know about the mystique in a moment or two.

Miura CB-501 and Blade 2007 AddressIf you’re into golf equipment, forged irons, Tiger Woods, or even perhaps Japanese samurai swords, you’ve probably heard about Katsuhiro Miura (or his golf clubs).

Though the common belief that Miura once forged samurai swords before moving on to golf clubs is a myth, it’s true that Miura grew up in the area region of Japan famous for its steelwork and sword-making.

It’s also true that though players like Tiger Woods have played clubs that have said “Mizuno” or “Titleist” or “Nike” on them, many of his clubs have been forged and shaped by the legend himself.

Katsuhiro Miura and the clubs he produces are surrounded by an almost mythic aura. The reverence people will show to a company like Mizuno or Scratch Golf ratchets up significantly when Miura is mentioned.

It all seems like a lot to live up to. Do the clubs live up to the hype? Let’s find out. I’ve spent a few months with both the CB-501 and the Blade 2007 models.

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The Hot List: How to Improve It

Here are our suggestions on how to turn this issue into a the ultimate resource for someone buying new equipment.

Bag DropWe’re not going to waste much time here with introductions, just a quick background. Last week, we took a look at a lot of the common criticisms of Golf Digest’s Hot List, and received a lot of quality feedback from the staff and forum members here.

The bottom line is that subscribers and newsstand customers want to see a change. As one of, if not the biggest name in golf media, you’ve got the money and resources to give us something better, something more helpful. What is it exactly that we want? Well, it’s funny you should ask – I’ve got those answers for you right here.

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Volume Two Hundred Sixty Three

Tiger slips to #3, the Europeans deal with a cheater, and Paddy gets DQ’ed.

Hittin' the LinksHappy Monday to you and welcome to another volume of Hittin’ the Links. Well it happened again, this time on the European Tour, a viewer caught an infraction and reported it to the powers that be. Paddy took it well though, and even gave a junior clinic on the proper way to mark a ball. Some people could learn from his attitude.

In this edition of HTL we begin with a look at Tiger’s fall from the world rankings, find out who will be leading the U.S. and European Ryder Cup teams, and check out the new president of the RCGA. Also, we investigate Paddy’s disqualification, check into the banning of a player on the European Tour, and do a wrap-up of the week’s events. Read on!

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Desert Duel: Dubai Deals Blow to PGA’s Hope

The European Tour stop makes the once-noteworthy Hope Classic an afterthought.

Thrash TalkIf you needed any more evidence of where the game of pro golf sits in 2011, look no further than this week’s two headlining tournaments.

The PGA Tour returns to the mainland after two ho-hum weeks in Hawaii for the once ballyhooed Bob Hope Classic. It should be a fan favorite, with movie stars, musicians and athletes playing alongside some of the best golfers in the world. A big chunk of the country is buried in snow and craving a golf fix, even if it’s staring at pretty green fairways during the commercials of the NFL playoffs.

So where are four of the top five players in the world teeing it up this week? In the desert of the United Arab Emerites, half a world away, at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson and Graeme McDowell will be dueling for the $2 million purse, in a field that reads more like a major than a standard stop on the European Tour.

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The Hot List: Hot or Not?

January means Golf Digest’s annual Hot List issue. But is it really a helpful resource, or closer to one large advertisement?

Bag DropWe’ve all been there – it’s time for a new set of irons, or perhaps a new driver. Old reliable really isn’t getting it done anymore, and deep down, though you’d never admit it, you’re jealous of some of your buddies and the shiny new clubs in their bags. So you take to the Internet, in search of a new driver, but after a 5-10 minutes, you’re quickly overwhelmed with options, and totally unsure of what your next move should be. Of course, you could take a trip to your nearest retailer and ask for opinions, but you never really know if they have a hidden agenda going on, like if they sell one more R9, they get a free trip to Sawgrass or something like that. It sure would be nice to go to that store with four or five options in mind and then test them all to see what works best.

Hot List 2011

Then the thought hits you – Golf Digest‘s annual Hot List. Of course! Back in the day, it was a great place to find what’s new, and what’s hot. So you then run out, pick it up, and hurry back home to see what valuable info it holds inside. A short while later, you’re left even more dejected than before. Why? Follow along to find out.

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