Golfing News & Blog Articles
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2020 NCGA Hole-In-One Sweepstakes Winners
February 12, 2021
NCGA members Raymond Jeung and Eric Morgan were the grand prize winners of the 2020 NCGA Hole-In-One Sweepstakes.
Every year, the NCGA holds a Hole-In-One Sweepstakes where members can report their ace and be entered into a sweepstakes with the grand prize being a round of golf for four at Poppy Hills or Poppy Ridge (note: the courses rotate each year. In 2021 the two winners will receive a foursome at Poppy Ridge).
In addition, those lucky enough to get an ace receive a custom-designed coin to commemorate their shot.
Jeung, who lives in San Francisco, got his ace on the 162-yard 6th hole at Hiddenbrooke GC using a 5-wood. Morgan, a Walnut Creek resident, got his on the 130-yard 3rd hole at Oakhurst GC.
The European Tour has announced a new tournament in Kenya will be played next month. The Kenya Savannah Classic will be played March 23-26, one week after the Kenya Open.
Key Takeaways:
The Cleveland Frontline Putter series adds new models.Two wide blades and four mid-mallets offer more choices.Forward CG technology designed to help keeps putts on line.$199.99, available today.Looking for a moderately priced putter with some interesting technology? You could do a lot worse than the Cleveland Frontline Putter series. That may sound like faint praise but it’s not intended to be.
We live in a world where you can easily drop four bills on a putter. There’s minimal tech but it’s sexy and has a collectible headcover. But we also live in a world where a forged aluminum putter with MIM tungsten and a variable milled face can be had for $199.99. And not for nothing, you get an interesting theory on where the CG should be … for free!
Cleveland’s Frontline Putter series made its debut in September of 2019 with seven models. A year-and-a-half later, reinforcements are coming in the form of six new models. Well, technically, it’s five new models plus a new neck on a sixth.
And none of them has what you’d call traditional MOI.
Cleveland’s Frontline Putter Series: CG > MOI?
We detailed the Cleveland Frontline tech story in 2019 so we’ll spare you another deep dive. The short version is that you should forget everything you may have believed about putter MOI. Typically, high MOI putters are big and the higher the MOI, the deeper the CG has to be. Even for a club moving as slowly as a putter, that rear CG can cause the putter face to move laterally on off-center hits.
Key Takeaways
TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw wedges: full-face grooves, full raw faceTaylorMade adds more lofts to the Hi-Toe line, 50 through 62 degrees.Big Foot wedge line gets an added loft.MSRP $180, available Feb. 19The TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw and Hi-Toe Big Foot wedges are a mouthful. And very soon they’ll be a “raw” mouthful.
TaylorMade is updating and expanding the Hi-Toe lineup, giving you more lofts and more bounce options. And the entire line is going with a raw face and full heel-to-toe grooves.
So what is this mouthful of a wedge all about? Let’s break it down.
TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw: Niche is the Word
Full-face wedges aren’t for everyone and Hi-Toe-style wedges aren’t for everyone. Super-wide-soled wedges aren’t for everyone, either. The math, therefore, is telling you that you have wedges that might not be for anyone. In this case, however, versatility trumps math.
High-toe wedges are officially a thing now. You can trace the idea back to the PING Eye 2 but Callaway made them mainstream with the Mack Daddy PM Grind in 2015. Callaway gave the PMs the full-face treatment and, since then Wilson, Cleveland and others have followed suit with their own high-toe, full-face groove options.
Patrick Cantlay tied a course record during first-round action at Pebble Beach on Thursday, firing a 10-under 62, good for a 2-shot lead.
PXG 0211 ST irons feature a traditional muscle-back profileTriple-forged from 8620 soft carbon steelMSRP $149 per club
The PXG 0211 ST irons follow suit as a niche offering in PXG’s more affordable 0211 series of equipment. PXG’s standard 0211 irons are designed to fit a broad range of players. However, a quick glance at the 0211 ST (Super Tour) irons tells you that’s not the case this time around.
30,000 FOOT VIEW
The 0211 ST irons are very much what you’d expect from a club that PXG asserts “pushes distance and workability for skilled golfers.” Shorter blade length, compact profile, minimal offset and a thin top line are generally requisite features of so-called blade irons.
But, again, there’s a bit of an engineering twist, according to PXG. A tapered sole and back-bottom flange add mass toward the toe side of the clubhead. Additionally, some material is removed from the upper mid-section and repositioned to the high toe.
The redistribution of weight creates a marginally more stable club face. That said, the shorter blade length generates less MOI about the shaft axis which is what allows golfers more control over the club face at impact.
2021 Stand Bag Buyer’s Guide
Are you in the market for a new stand bag? Or just want to add another to your collection? If so, we have you covered with the Best Stand Bags of 2021!
This has been our most comprehensive stand bag test to date. It was comprised of 39 different models from 24 OEMs, ensuring you get the best advice possible based on our review of the majority of the stand bags on the market.
The stand bag category has expanded from the traditional slim design to hybrid and ultra-slim categories, making your buying decision even tougher.
That’s where we come in. We have identified which bag is best in each category to suit your personal preference.
Keep reading to find out what to look for when purchasing a new stand bag.
Key Takeaways:
Record $375 million in sales in Q4 for CallawayClub sales up 48.5 percent, ball sales up 14.3 percent, apparel sales up 8.7 percent over Q4 2019Callaway still posts net loss for Q4 but for a very good reason.Overall net loss for 2020 but not as bad as it could have been.The Callaway Q4 and 2020 financial reports are out and they say what you’d expect. And maybe what you wouldn’t expect.
The golf industry’s comeback continued to roar in Q4. Callaway posted another record quarter with $375 million in sales, a jump of 20 percent over Q4 of 2019. That increase was fueled by a huge leap in club sales and a respectable bump in ball sales compared to 2019.
“We are very pleased with how strongly our business finished 2020,” said Callaway CEO Chip Brewer in a statement. “This increase reflects the continued unprecedented demand in our golf equipment business and a quicker than expected recovery in our soft goods business led by sales of Travis Mathew and Jack Wolfskin apparel.”
Although Callaway is reporting a record sales quarter, there is a harsh reality. The company did post a net loss for Q4 which is not uncommon even during the best of times. And there’s also a net loss for the year. Again, not unexpected, given the fact COVID shut down the golf industry for nearly two months in the spring.
There is a lot to unpack here so let’s get to it.
Whats your favorite SWEET TART color?
Thats what the new Arnold Palmer Collection by PUMA reminds me of with its bright variant colors.
Inspired in part by the iconic “Arnold Palmer,” drink, a mixture of sweet lemonade and cool iced tea, the newest iteration of the collection combines hi-tech, modern fabrics with a sophisticated take on Mr. Palmer’s signature style, both on and off the golf course.
The collection includes other hidden discoverable details including pink stitching on the top buttons of the polos, real shell buttons with Arnold Palmer’s name engraved on them, and unique hangtags inspired by the cataloging labels used in his personal archives.
So get your SWEET TART on and find those hidden easter egg discoverable’s in these pictures.
Learning to keep your leading arm straight in your backswing is a critical step for more distance. Unfortunately, too many of us rush the backswing and never benefit from the straight leading arm. Limiting your backswing is one way to ensure that your arm is straight but it’s not the ideal solution. You should take more time to complete your backswing (with a straight arm & cocked wrist) and to start your weight transfer to your leading foot.
Don’t rush your backswing. Our recent blogs have focused on ways to create more time for more rotation in your backswing. By thinking the words “1 aaand 2” to manage the timing of your swing you are not only creating a 2-step rhythm but you are also blocking out other thoughts.
1/ Count “1 aaand 2”, by adding “aaand”. It gives you more time for more backswing.
2/ You may want to try lifting your leading heel to give you more rotation without bending your leading arm.
3/ The more time you take the easier it is to rotate your hips and then your shoulders as you lift your straight leading arm. (Older bodies have less flexibility so it takes us more time to coil up our bodies.)
4/ The power hitter (like Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson) start their driver takeaway by flattening their leading wrist (IT WORKS!). They naturally cock their wrists for lag at the top of their backswing.
Resulting Problems
More backswing coil gives you more power and distance for each club but it generates a few problems.
1/ A longer drive is always helpful but you may find that you have to drop down a club on holes with doglegs.
2/ You will find that you are adding about 10 more yards for most of your clubs. You have to adjust your club selection to hit your greens in regulation. Hitting further with each club is fun to watch but not fun to play when they rocket over your target green.
3/ The worst problem that I found is that can pull some of my shots. To avoid pulls, I still setup square to the ball but I have to focus on impacting the ball on the inside quadrant of the ball.
Don’t get frustrated with your changing game. Accept the fact that you are increasing your distance as that will ultimately improve your Greens in Regulation. Make adjustments with your club selection and your line up to benefit from your NEW GAME.
Don’t complete your takeaway on a low plane as it will result in an over the top slice swing. Your takeaway should be straight back so that you can shallow your downswing and hit the inside quadrant of your ball to create a straight or draw shot.
MyGolfSpy Ball Lab is where we quantify the quality and consistency of the golf balls on the market to help you find the best ball for your money. Today, we’re taking a look at the Bridgestone Tour B X, which is arguably the most popular range ball on the market right now. An overview of the equipment we use can be found here. To learn more about our test process, how we define “bad” balls and our True Price metric, check out our About MyGolfSpy Ball Lab page.
The Tour B X is my favorite Bridgestone ball. That’s probably not enough to get you to order a box (nor should it be) so it’s probably worth mentioning that it’s also the ball used by Lexi Thompson and Bryson DeChambeau. While Tiger’s B XS is more popular at retail, the B X gets more play on the PGA TOUR.
All of that said, what might be of interest from a fitting perspective is that the Bridgestone Tour B X is a low-launch, low-spin ball. If you hit it the ball a bit too high or with too much spin, it might be for you. Factor in the higher compression and, if you’re willing to forgo the softer feel of the XS, the B X should also prove to be one of the longest balls on the market.
About the Bridgestone Tour B X Golf Ball
The PGA Tour heads to California this week for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Our analysts offer their best bets and props for the event.
Open Championship organizers said Wednesday they have "cautious optimism" that golf's oldest major will go ahead at Royal St. George's in July.
Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington has withdrawn from the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am after testing positive for COVID-19.
Annika Sorenstam will play in her first LPGA Tour event since 2008 as she joins the field for the Gainbridge LPGA in Orlando, Florida, scheduled for Feb. 25-28.
The Augusta National Women's Amateur will return after being canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. So far 85 players have accepted invites to the event that will run March 31-April 3.
Distance-measuring devices will be allowed this year at the three major championships run by the PGA of America for the first time.
Black History Month: Remembering Pearl Carey
February 9, 2021
The late Peal Carey was known not only for her dignity and grace, but also her courage.
In 2005, Carey, who passed away in 2009, was chosen as only the second woman to receive the prestigious USGA Joe Dey Award.
Annually given since 1996 in recognition of meritorious service to the game of golf as a volunteer, the award is named in honor of the late Joe Dey, who served as USGA executive director for 35 years, from 1934 to 1969 and was later commissioner of the PGA Tour (note: today her award is featured in the NCGA Headquarters lobby).
Said Carey upon hearing the news that she was being recognized, “The chairman [of the selection committee] called me a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been sick ever since. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep. Oh my … this is such an exciting thing I can’t believe it. I would have never thought I would get such a thing.”
Scotty Cameron announces four new models for the Phantom X putter line.The line extension includes redesigned 5 and 5.5 models and a new 11/11.5 head design.Available in stores worldwide on March 26 for $429.
Scotty Cameron today announced two new models for its Phantom X putter line. The Phantom X mallet putter line first debuted in 2019. Since then, the line has expanded once already and provided the basis for the Inspired by Justin Thomas (IBJT) limited edition putter. One can assume sales of the Phantom X line must be going well for Scotty and Titleist to keep the line essentially unchanged.
Yes, I did say there are two new models and, yes, that does count as a change. However, only the Phantom X 11 is a new head, with the Phantom X 5 representing more of a materials revision. However, I expect Cameron and JT fans will see that revision as welcome.
New Multi-material Construction
All of the heads in the Phantom X line feature stainless steel and aluminum construction. The original Phantom X models had the lighter aluminum in the center of the head and face with the stainless steel toward the edges and rear to boost the MOI. Things are a bit different with these two new releases as most of the head is now milled 303 stainless steel with the aluminum moving to the sole and flange.
This is an interesting shift in construction. It’s not unprecedented in the putter arena. Bettinardi swapped the aluminum and stainless steel components in their Inovai lines to make the faces stainless steel. If memory serves, this was due to player demand and increased design versatility with a stainless steel face. Perhaps that was the motivation here as well since the new 5.5 features a slant neck to increase swing arc as opposed to a different bend position in the shaft. The stainless spud necks did poke through the aluminum bodies of the original Phantom X models but I’ll bet that getting a slant neck through that hole was not an option.
