Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year,

Cirilo

Nick Faldo tip

How to: lob shot

Proper Grip

Mobile Phones Should Be Banned From The Dinner Table At Squad Sessions

Mobile Phones Should Be Banned From The Dinner Table At Squad Sessions:

I’ve heard this all year long.  First from a member of an International Amateur golf team and just last weekend from Sean Kelly who manages a pro cycling team in Belgium.  Where once the dinner at squad sessions was all chat and banter it’s now almost deathly silence with every man just staring blankly at his phone.

He’s checking his facebook or twitter, or maybe posting a picture of the great time he’s not having because he’s too busy on his phone. It’s an epidemic that’s ruining team building all across sport.

How do you build team spirit?  At the dinner table and in group sessions where players get to know each other, get to interact, get to slag each other off for playing badly.  Believe it or not it’s this interaction, this bonding, this joking around that helps build team moral.

Carry on with our heads buried in our phones and where will be?  A bunch of repressed shy retiring individuals, who for whom team will mean nothing.

So please managers and coaches of every team, from club to country, implement a rule of no phones at meals or group sessions.  You can always leave 10 minutes at the end for the guys to rub out a quick tweet behind the bike shed.

Rant Over!

(Via GolfCentral Daily)

The Club Report! – 2013 Nike Method Core Weighted Putters

The Club Report! – 2013 Nike Method Core Weighted Putters:

Win a Nike Method Core Weighted Putter!

Just leave a comment below telling us which model you like best and why you think it is the putter for you.

(Written by Golfspy Dave) “Which one of these putters is the right one for me?” Do you ask yourself that question?
I ask that question every time I check out a newly released line of putters.  We are rapidly approaching the 2013 PGA Show and that means that we will get to see a whole bunch of new putters over the coming weeks.  These new flatsticks will come from the big name manufacturers and from the little shops as well.  Regardless of the company, I see myself wondering which of the new putters is right for me every time I see a new photo.  Some of you may be able to stick to your old faithful putter year after year, but I know that some of you are like me, constantly on the lookout for the latest beauty in the putter corral.
Today, I submit for your perusal the new Core Method Weighted line-up from Nike.  The Method Core Weighted putter line is the latest interpretation of Nike’s Method Core series.  This new line builds upon the success of the previous Method Core line by bringing something new:  weights.  What do the weights do?  Let’s ask Nike.

David Franklin, Nike Golf Master Modelmaker, stated, “Most people don’t realize that they are about 3/10 of an inch above the ground at impact. You need to keep the center of gravity of the putter as low as you can so that it never gets higher than the CG of the ball. This stops the putter from driving the ball down and creating backspin on the ball.”
The Method Core Weighted putter works to solve this potential putting inconsistency with its strategically designed weighting system. Franklin continued, “With the Method Core Weighted technology, we worked to get the center of gravity lower than the ball, enabling the putter to rise up at impact, lift the ball and turn it over quickly.”

So there you have it, the weights help get that ball rolling forward.  Combining this new technology with the Polymetal™ grooves and multi-material insert sounds like a great combination.  So let’s check take a look!

General Specs:  Nike Method Core Weighted

:: Tour Weighting for optimal forgiveness, roll and accuracy
:: Multi Material Insert w/ Polymetal Groove technology
:: Heel-Toe sole weights
:: CG’s that are lower and deeper
:: Mid-sized Method Core grips
:: Tour Satin Chrome finish
:: Milled Faces
:: Putters Weighted to Lengths (33”, 34”, 35”, & 43” in belly version of 11w)

Nike Method Core – MC01w

The Nike Method Core MC01w has a classic blade shape with a short flow neck.  This neck creates quite a bit of toe hang (5:00) and will most likely fit those of you with a strong arcing stroke.

// BEST FIT – Strong Arc

Nike Method Core – MC02w

The MC02w is another classically shaped plumbers-necked blade, whose toe hang (4:00) should fit more of a slight arcing stroke.  This is not just the MC01w with a different neck though.  The MC02w is shorter heel to toe, and wider face to flange that the MC01w.  Personally, I found this compact geometry very visually appealing.

// BEST FIT – Slight Arc

Nike Method Core – MC03w

The MC03w’s half-mallet head has the shortest heel to toe length in the line-up.  Rather than the more typically found flow neck, Nike has equipped the MC03w with a plumbers neck.  This brings the toe hang (4:00) and playability (slight arc) more to the realm of the MC02w than to the other mallets in the line-up.  If you like the mallet head, but want a bit more toe hang, this may be your putter.

// BEST FIT – Slight Arc

Nike Method Core – MC04w

The MC04w is a double-wide version of the classic blade.  The extra deep flange and the double bend shaft give the putter just a touch of toe hang (3:15), likely dropping it into the bag of the straight putting player.  The MC04w has the same length heel to toe as the MC02w, but is definitely wider than even that wider-than-normal blade.

// BEST FIT – Straight Back Straight Through

Nike Method Core – MC11w

The MC11w is the true mallet in the Method Core Weighted line-up.  Like the MC04w, the MC11w also has just a bit of toe hang (3:15) and should fit a straight stroke.  The MC11w is also available as a 43” belly putter.

// BEST FIT - Straight Back Straight Through

General Impression: Feel

Most people who rolled the Nike Method Core Weighted putters were surprised at how nicely they feel.  I was in this camp as well prior to rolling them.  I love the original Method and the Method Midnight lines, but have prior to now avoided the Core line likely do to my anti-insert snobbery.  I think that this line may have dispelled my anti-insert mentality.
The feel of this putter is total Goldilocks.  Is it too mushy? Nope.  Nor does it have a hard, plastically click at impact.  Impact sounds good, and the ball definitely rolls well like the designer of their weights and the grooves says it should.  These putters may be at the lower end of the price scale, but they feel nice and rich at impact.

General Impression:  Looks

Overall, I think that the Nike Method Core Weighted is an attractive putting package.  I always get a bit concerned with glare potential of a silver finish, but the Core Weighted’s Tour Satin Chrome Finish was glare free.  The stock grip looks great and has a great tacky texture.  My only concern with the looks comes in the realm of durability.  The bottom edge of the face seems unusually prone to dings, especially on the MC011w.  You can see a few in the photos above.  Nothing is visible at address, and play seems unaffected.  Perhaps this is a headcover coverage issue.  Regardless of cause, I found their emergence surprising, and thus worth mention.

The One For Me

Many of you who have read my reviews probably know which version of the Nike Method Core Weighted that I picked as my favorite.  Did you guess the MC04w?  If so, you are correct.  I really loved the look and feel of that putter.  It was a solid performer for me as well.  The very first putt I took with it was a 25 footer that dropped for birdie.  I didn’t drop every putt with it, of course, but after a few (one?) holes I did feel very confident with it.  One of my friends, we will call him Agent R, had this to say about the MC04w.
“All of these putters feel really good, but that one is special.” - Agent R
I was actually surprised by my second favorite putter in the line.  Looking at them, I figured second place would go to the MC11w or the MC03w.  As it turns out, these two were third and fourth.  Number two for me was the MC02w.  Maybe I have an eye for square heads, maybe it’s the MOI, or maybe it’s something else.  Whatever the reason, the MC02w and I seemed to get along quite well.

In Conclusion

I was definitely impressed by Nike’s new Method Core Weighted line.  Maybe pleasantly surprised is a better way to describe my overall impression.  The addition of the sole weights to the existing Polymetal Groove/Polymer-Aluminum insert allows the Method Core Weighted line to produce a great feeling, true rolling putt. I appreciate that the Nike designers have included quite a diverse range of head shapes in the line-up as well.  If one of the models catches your eye, and/or sounds like it will fit your stroke, I strongly suggest you take it out for a test roll.  Take it from this now former insert snob, you are in for a treat.

Win a Nike Method Core Weighted Putter!

Just leave a comment below telling us which model you like best and why you think it is the putter for you.

(Via Golf Forum - Golf Blog (MyGolfSpy.com))

2012′s best golf moments

2012′s best golf moments:

Posted on: 13 December, 2012

It was been quite a year in the golfing world. From nail-biting tension to agonising moments of defeat and the sheer ecstasy of victory, we’ve been rather spoilt in 2012. The Mole shares some of his 2012 best golf moments.

Ernie winning the Open Championship
This is a no-brainer. One of South Africa’s finest golfers took full advantage of Adam Scott’s final-round collapse and snatched the Claret jug right from underneath his nose. More importantly, the win gave Els fans renewed hope that there is still plenty of Major-winning talent left in that body.

Branden Grace winning Volvo Golf Champions
There’s no denying that Branden Grace has had nothing short of a stellar year with victories across the globe. However, back in January 2012 Grace was just a relative unknown professional ranked 258th in the world. After beating his childhood heroes Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in a playoff in the Volvo Golf Champions at Fancourt, Grace set the tone for the year.

Louis Oosthuizen’s Albatross at Augusta
Despite being edged out in the playoff against Bubba Watson, Oosthuizen walked off with a rather great consolation prize. Oosthuizen became the first person to have a double eagle/albatross on the par-five 2nd hole after a beautiful approach shot. It’s also the only televised albatross in Augusta’s history. Check out the incredible shot here.

Justin Rose’s putt on the 17th during the Ryder Cup
Thanks to Ian Poulter’s sterling efforts at keeping the European team in with the smallest of chances, the comeback started thanks to South African-born Justin Rose sinking a beauty of a 35ft putt in his singles match against Phil Mickelson. Winning the hole took the wind out of Mickelson’s sails and set the ball rolling for one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history.

Bubba’s bender at Augusta
Admittedly, I was rooting for South African Louis Oosthuizen to win the Masters, but there’s no denying that Bubba Watson’s jaw-dropping shot on the second playoff hole, the par-four 10th, was simply sensational. After his drive went way right and came to rest on some pine needles in the thick of the trees, Watson hit a perfect snap hook out and the ball finished close to the pin. He sunk the winning putt and grabbed the coveted green jacket.

Gary Player’s 66 at the Gary Player Invitational
Despite being 77 years old, the South African golfing icon carded a fantastic 66 at Zimbali Country Club on the first day’s play of the Gary Player Invitational charity tournament. To break your age by 11 shots is quite an achievement and must be a record of some sorts.

Charl Schwartzel’s demolition of Thailand
Admittedly Charl Schwartzel hasn’t had the best year. After winning the 2011 Masters, the 28-year-old hadn’t had a single victory in 20 months. That all changed when he headed east to play in the Thailand Golf Championship. After losing out to Lee Westwood in last year’s event, Schwartzel wanted revenge and did so in spectacular fashion. He had just a single bogey in the week and carded rounds of 65, 65, 68 and 65 to finish with an 11-shot margin of victory. Take that, Westwood.

Jungle Bird
Before the US Open, very few had heard of the environmental activist known as Jungle Bird. A self-proclaimed sports fan, Jungle Bird became an overnight sensation after rudely interrupting winner Webb Simpson’s prizegiving ceremony. Since his debut at the Olympic Club, Jungle Bird has subsequently gate-crashed other sporting events.

Rory McIlroy’s dominance
The 23-year-old youngster from Northern Ireland has cemented his position at the top of the world ranking after winning four US Tour events, including the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. He also added two European Tour wins to his tally and was the 2012 Order of Merit winner. He notched up the Vardon Trophy, the Byron Nelson Award and was the PGA Tour Player of the year. It wasn’t just about the titles either. He bagged the PGA Tour leading money winner and is currently dating tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. Well played Rory, well played.

These are just some of my favourite moments from 2012. Have I missed anything out? What are you favourite moments from this year?

(Via Compleat Golfer)

TaylorMade R1 and RBZ Stage 2 – What’s the Story with Those Crown Graphics?

TaylorMade R1 and RBZ Stage 2 – What’s the Story with Those Crown Graphics?:

Coming Soon: TaylorMade R1 & RBZ Stage 2

Unless you’ve basically been living in a bunker for the last several weeks you’ve very likely already seen pictures of TaylorMade’s upcoming R1 and RBZ Stage 2 woods lineup.
If TaylorMade’s plan was to keep everything under-wraps until early January, that ship has long since sailed…and sunk.  Pics, some real, some real fake, have been floating about the interwebs for a number of weeks now. The latest round of spy pics aren’t coming out of factories. They’ve emerged from sources within multiple proshops, leaving us with little doubt that what you see, is what you’re going to get.

A Story for Everything

When TaylorMade does make their official announcement we expect there won’t be any shortage of storylines.
You can be certain the resigned compass-like ASP plate is going to offer even more control over face angle. Both drivers apparently will feature an all-lofts-in-one-head design similar to Cobra’s MyFly, and Nike’s FlexLoft. TaylorMade may even talk about a refined head shape with weights in the R1 placed closer to the face.
We fully expect that the announcement of the new RBZ Stage 2 Fairway Wood will be accompanied by a yardage claim; maybe even a double-digit one. Readers will immediately want to know how it compares to Callaway’s upcoming XHot. Begun, the fairway wood wars have…again.
Golfers will care about that stuff…all of that stuff, but the untold story that’s sure to generate the most interest…

What the hell is the deal with those crown graphics?

You’ve got lines, and patterns, and colors. There’s basically a lot going on.
The early feedback wasn’t kind (to say the least). Initially I thought TaylorMade was sitting on top of their biggest bust in years, but opinions, including my own, have tempered of late. Frankly, none of that matters. Find it beautiful. Find it hideous. Be indifferent. It doesn’t matter what you think. TaylorMade wouldn’t release it, if they weren’t sure they could sell it.
For all the hype, I’m one who has come to believe that TaylorMade’s stuff performs as well (and sometimes better) than most anything else on the market today. Of course, performance isn’t even half the equation. It’s the story that matters most, and nobody in the industry spins a yarn as well as TaylorMade.

You Tell the Story

So while we wait patiently for the “Official” version we thought it might be fun for you guys to speculate (and wildly so) on the story behind the elaborate crown graphics. Put on your psychic caps and tell us how you think TaylorMade is going to sell the crown design.

(Via Golf Forum - Golf Blog (MyGolfSpy.com))