Ten Questions for 2011 #3: Which Golfers Need a Comeback Year?

These four golfers need to bounce back in a big way in 2011.

Thrash TalkThe 2010 golf season saw the rise of several golfers including Graeme McDowell, Matt Kuchar, and the Molinari brothers. These golfers have had success in the past, but they are all inside the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking after breakthrough 2010 seasons. On the other side of things, there are several golfers who fell out of the spotlight in a big way this past season. It’s something golf fans don’t always see because they are so focused on the golfers having success on a weekly basis.

I’ve put together a list of golfers who struggled to find their way in 2010 and will be looking to have a bounce back year in 2011. All but one are Major Championship winners, and three of the four were in the top 20 this time last year. In addition, the game of golf is a better place when these guys are playing well. Without further ado, here is the list.

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The Sand Trap’s Holiday Gift Guide, Part One

Let us help you find the perfect gift for the obsessed golfer in your life

Bag DropHaving problems deciding what to get the golfer in your life for the upcoming holiday season? You might be thinking he or she has everything, making it tough to even come up with any good ideas. Well, you’re in luck, as over the next few weeks, we’ll give you a number of ideas and hopefully you’ll come away looking like a superstar.

We’ll be covering everything from the cheapest accessories, all the way up to some of the most expensive and extravagant gifts known to the golfing world, and we’ll break it all down by price. Also remember that sites such as TGW, Discount Golf World, and Golfsmith can be your best friend during this time of the year.

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Volume Two Hundred Fifty Nine

Jim Furyk, 2010 PGA Tour Player of the Year

Hittin' the LinksHello golf nuts and welcome to another volume of Hittin’ the Links. The PGA Tour Qualifying School is down to the nitty-gritty with but one round left to play. Make sure to tune in tomorrow to see the lucky few that get their 2011 PGA Tour Card.

In this newest edition of HTL we begin with a look at the Player of the Years honors, then turn our attention to who may of been snubbed, and take a peek at the 2011 PGA Tour Schedule. Also on tap, we see whats going on in college golf, investigate a 15 year-old who wants more starts on the LPGA Tour, and do a wrap-up of the week’s events. Read on!

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2010’s Unexpected Winners

PGA Tour parity leads to unexpected winners.

Trap Five LogoAfter talking about the top surprising stories of the year a few weeks ago, this week I have decided to go through the year’s most unexpected individual victories. From a major champion whose name no one can pronounce, to a multiple winner that nobody has heard of, 2010 had surprises down every turn. Because no one won more than three times, there were many opportunities for the journeymen to make a name for themselves. This year we saw Rocco get back in the winner’s circle, Arjun Atwal win after Monday qualifying, and Geoff Ogilvy kick off 2010 the same way as 2009.

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Ten Questions for 2011 #2: Will Lee Westwood Win His First Major?

Will the new number one break through and win his first major in 2011?

Thrash TalkThe 2010 season was a crazy one for many different reasons, but the craziest thing of all is the fact Tiger Woods lost the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in over five years. It’s no surprise Woods had his worst year as a professional, but who would have predicted he would fall out of the top spot? I sure didn’t.

Lee Westwood took over the top spot in the rankings after playing really well the past couple years. He has won several events worldwide and has been in the hunt in more majors than anyone. With all his recent success, however, he is still looking for his first major victory. Will he finally break through and win a big one in 2011? Keep reading to find out.

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Mizuno MP-63 Irons Review

Mizuno’s Diamond Muscle. Better than Cut Muscle (or Dual Muscle)? It just might be.

Mizuno MP-63 IronsA few years ago, I sold a set of Mizuno MP-60s and have been ruing the decision pretty much ever since. At the time, I thought I’d found a better fitting set for my game (plus, newer clubs are always better. Right?). Unfortunately, I haven’t found an iron with that same sweet feel that those MP-60s had. The MP-57s were very close, but the MP-52s and 62s seemed to lack the buttery feel that solid impact delivered with the 60s. Plus, that “Cut Muscle” design employed by Mizuno on the MP-32, -57, -60 and -67 made for some very good looking golf clubs.

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Nike Launches New Machspeed Black Drivers and Forged VR Pro Combo, Pro Blade Irons

Nike sets its sights on continued success for the upcoming year by building off of proven designs and concepts. Because like I’ve said in the past, why re-invent the wheel if something works??

Bag DropIn sports, whether we’re talking about a single player, a team, or even the equipment our favorite athletes use, every entity forms a certain image, or a certain formula that people get to know that entity by. Generally speaking, if you have a successful formula, you stick with it, and over time, with a tweak here and an enhancement there, it may evolves. Sometimes it radically changes for no reason (see Harrington, Padraig), and other times, it gets a little bit too stuck in its ways and resists evolution, even when the situation calls for it (see Pittsburgh Steelers). Though more often is the case that these entities are able to evolve while at the same time staying true to their roots.

Enter Nike Golf. In a little short of a decade, they have kept that balance of both evolution and staying true to what got them to the big game. Technology has been the name of their game for quite a while, and a lot of times it’s out there and in your face, like it or not. But ever so slowly, their products evolved as well, by combining that technology with more traditional appearances, while still keeping options alive for players that don’t mind a little bit of that technology to be visible. I think the products we’ve got for you this week prove just how far they’ve come in a relatively short time. Follow along as we take a look and see what I mean.

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Sun Setting on 2010 Playing Season

Keep your warm cider, pumpkin pie and Thanksgiving. I’ll be out, trying squeeze in one more round before winter.

Thrash TalkSome of my best memories in golf come on the short, crisp, leaf-strewn days of fall in the Northeast. The grass is always greener, the oppressive heat of the summer is a distant memory and the crowds have thinned out.

So as most of the country bids farewell to the 2010 playing season, packs up their gear and cleans out the trunk, I say, “welcome to fall, embrace it, and enjoy it.”

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Volume Two Hundred Fifty Eight

The LPGA gives in.

Hittin' the LinksHello golf fanatics and welcome to another fact filled edition of Hittin’ the Links. With the PGA Tour season over for 2010 we turn our attention to the Q-Schools going on around the land. This is the real pressure-packed season.

In this newest volume we begin with a peek at Tiger’s new PR campaign, check out the old guy Q-School results, and investigate why the LPGA might need to reevaluate their “L,” Also on tap we find out about some errant-shot litigation, peruse the 2010 season in review, and get some results from around the world. Read on!

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