Video: How To React When You Win A PGA Tour Event:
Check out Billy Horschel’s reaction to winning on the final green at the Zurich Classic. Now that’s how you do it!
(Via GolfCentral Daily)
Monday, April 29, 2013
Video: How To React When You Win A PGA Tour Event
Saturday, April 27, 2013
7 Fixed-Spike Casual Golf Shoes for 2013
7 Fixed-Spike Casual Golf Shoes for 2013:
Last year was my first complete season exclusively playing a casual fixed-spike golf shoe. In play were a new pair of the original 2010 TRUE Linkswear Tour shoes, which, by the way, are still my favorite shoes in golf for a variety of reasons. There is just something about being able to drive to the course and step out of the car ready to go in your golf shoes that makes the game more enjoyable.
Benefits:
+ convenience factor
+ more comfortable
+ little to no break in period
+ lower priced
+ almost every brand has a casual model nowDrawbacks
- Once they lose their tread, it’s game over for use on the course
- might wear quicker because most people wear them more than just for the course
- often times only carry a 1-year waterproof warranty
- and some are only water-resistantIn this casual shoe feature, I present some casual shoe options for your consideration for the 2013 season. The article is designed as an overview of the shoes, and their features rather than an in-depth breakdown of their on course function and longevity over time. The purpose is to educate you about some of your options for this season, in some cases, options you may have never considered before today.
Asics GEL Matchplay 33
I’ve been a consumer of the Asics brand for several years now wearing their running shoes specializing in motion control for severe over-pronation. One of the aspects I find most appealing in their running shoe selections is the availability of extra wide shoes up to 4E. Since their introduction into the golf market, I’ve been wanting to give their lineup a look and felt it would be an easy transition from their running shoes. Unfortunately, none of the Asics golf shoes are available in wider widths (only M). This was an unpleasant surprise given the variety of width Asics offers in their other lines.
The “33” in the name of this model is inspired by the 33 joints that allow your foot to move efficiently. The Matchplay 33s incorporate the GEL cushioning system, and are remarkably comfortable, which you would expect from a golf shoe with running shoe roots. In fact, the comfort is virtually unmatched in the golf market which is the essential selling point for those who prioritize comfort over any other feature.
Aesthetically, the Matchplay 33 looks cool in gray with the lime green contrast. The fixed-spike pattern is somewhat aggressive, and reminiscent of a trail running shoe. The fit is relatively true to size for an M width and feels like it could accommodate a wider foot because of the flexibility of the front of the shoe. The Matchplay 33’s require no break-in period whatsoever, and are ready for 36 holes right out of the box.
Asics uses a “water resistant coated mesh upper” however, it’s best to wear the 33s when there is little or no chance of rain or turf moisture. The interior of the shoe is soft, and comfortable, and the insole is removable. The sole remains very flexible again, as you would expect from this style of shoe. It’s important to keep in mind that this is a running shoe first, albeit with an adapted sole to improve performance on the course. For those that need the comfort an athletic shoe provides, this is your shoe. The fit of this shoe is true to size in a 10 and can accommodate a wide foot given the slight expansion effect of an athletic style mesh upper.
Asics Matchplay Classics
When I first took a look at the Asics Matchplay Classics, I immediately liked the look this golf shoe. Its casual look would work perfectly both on and off the golf course. In fact, I found that I wanted to wear them more away from the course, as they look great with jeans. The Matchplay Classics are designed from a synthetic leather upper that is waterproof coated. The feature a fixed-spike outsole with a well-designed, aggressive traction pattern is both comfortable and flexible.
In a size ten, these fit true to size from back to front; however, the style and fit of this shoe is fairly narrow, and will likely feel snug for those requiring anything wider that a M. Additionally, with a wider foot, the first eyehole closest to the toe, on the big toe side of the shoe, digs into the top of my foot. I believe this is a result of my wider foot wedged into a narrow fit shoe, and due to any design flaw. I mention this because this shoe cannot accommodate a foot wider than M, so keep the width in mind if considering purchasing these online.
A-GAME Prime
One of the aspects I enjoy most is calling your attention to brands you’ve probably never heard of before. A-Game is one of them. Their corresponding acronym is Always Going Above My Expectations, and is on point in my assessment of this shoe. This particular shoe is called the Prime, and one of my favorite shoes of the bunch. One of the first things I noticed about the Prime is the high quality construction and materials – and I don’t mention that lightly.
All of the contrast stitching is evenly applied and imbedded into the shoe as designed. There is not a hint of adhesive at the seams between the rubber sole and leather upper. The attention to detail is remarkably evident, as well as their pride in manufacturing. The interior appears durable and well designed for the shoe including extra padding in the heel area. They look and feel like a well-made, high-end shoe. The wing-tipped, two-toned suede leather upper boasts a sophisticated modern look.
The Prime has a waterproof upper and fixed-spike outsole. These shoes are an extremely comfortable offering. As good as they look, they feel even better on the foot and is their most significant quality. A-Game includes a separate pair of insoles to accommodate up to a EEE width if necessary. A-Game recommends going up one half size in Prime, and they were spot on with their recommendation. This is one of a couple of shoes in this feature that I plan to continue wearing off the course.
No break-in period necessary for the Prime, they’re ready to go right out of the box. Well made, well styled, and nicely priced at $79.
Vivobarefoot Hybrid
Vivobarefoot describes themselves as the original barefoot shoe company and has been around now for a decade. If you have read any of my past articles, you know that I have been wearing a barefoot platform or minimalist shoe now for the last two seasons. It’s been about 11 years since receiving my Masters of Arts degree, and that’s about how long it’s been since I opened a professional journal. So stand back, I am about to get scholarly.
In July 2012, an article was published in the journal of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. The study looked at the foot strikes of 52 runners and found almost 70% of them used a rear foot strike as opposed to a forefoot strike. Furthermore, runners who habitually rearfoot strike have significantly higher rates of repetitive stress injury.
According to Daniel Lieberman, Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard, “Many people today think that they need stiff-soled shoes with lots of cushioning and arch support, yet we humans evolved to walk and run barefoot. In fact, until recently, everyone was either unshod or wore minimal footwear with flexible soles, and little arch support or cushioning. So try taking off your shoes! Adopting a barefoot style of running and having strong feet is not only more natural, but also may be very good for one’s health.”
Barefoot shoe platforms are here to stay, and there seems to be a great deal of science behind them.
I had a chance to examine the Vivobarefoot Hybrid golf shoe. This shoe is built on the foundation of Proprioception, which is the sensory feedback from the nerves of the feet. The sole is 2.5mm thick and is puncture resistant. It features a “zero-drop” heel and no pitch providing a natural gait. The toe box is wider than most allowing the toes to expand and function individually. The outsole is extremely flexible and can be folded in half with ease. The tread pattern or “spikes” are 2mm thick for incredible turf interaction. The asymmetrical upper is a combination of mesh and full-grain leather making them water-resistant. The insole is removable and Vivobarefoot recommends its removal after your initial adaptation. In a Euro size 43 (10 US) these fit perfectly and true to size. With the insole, they can easily accommodate up to a 3E width and even wider if the insole is removed.
Out of the box, these are ready to go and very comfortable for a minimalist shoe requiring little to no break in period. I found that the shape felt a little different once the foot was inserted, but was a sensation that was easily tolerated and diminished over time. At $170 retail, I strongly suggest taking a look at the Breatho Trail Mens shoe as well from Vivobarefoot. The outsole tread pattern on this shoe is identical to the outsole on their Hybrid golf shoe and at half the price.
PUMA Clyde
The Puma Golf Clyde shoe was designed after the timeless classic of the same name in the Puma line. The Clyde was the first signature basketball shoe named after the man himself, Walt “Clyde” Frazier. The Clyde was was originally custom designed in suede for Frazier in 1973, and had a significant following off the court and on the street. It’s been 40 years since the original design and Puma seems to be releasing this shoe in a variety of options to fit any venue, including golf.
The golf adaptation is said to be a bit lighter and wider than the original but includes the stamped Clyde moniker on the side of the shoe. The upper is made of soft, full grain leather and carries a one year waterproof warranty. The outsole is made of Puma’s abrasion resistant EverTrack rubber outsole. The Clyde’s have a fixed spike “S2QuillTec” spikes that are moderately aggressive.
Although these fit true to size from front to back, I felt as though they were fairly narrow feeling. The leather on these are not as flexible, so they do require some break-in period. However, for the price at $89, and the one year waterproof warranty, these are tough to beat. Add in the timeless Clyde styling, and versatility off the course, and on the street, Puma transitioned this 40 year classic well on to the golf scene.
PUMA FAAS Grip
Since I’ve been playing this game over the past twenty five years, there are a select number of shoes that I have tried on and thought, they nailed it. A shoe that feels comfortable right out of the box, almost as if it were custom made just for you. The FJ Contour, and TRUE Linkswear, True Tour come to mind that fit this description, but that is about as long as my list was until now.
The FAAS Grip (FG) by Puma has been added to that list and is easily one of the top golf shoes I have worn to date.
Right out of the box, they had “that” feel to them. It combines the comfort of a spikeless street shoe with the stability of a tour performance shoe. They are easily my favorite shoe of the ones previewed in this article.
One of the factors contributing to the FG comfort is that they are built on an athletic shoe platform, much like the FJ Contours I previously mentioned. They also incorporate Puma’s EverFoam technology in the heel is designed to recover slowly and adjusts to the contours of your foot. The outsole is made from Puma’s EverTrack designed to resist wear and breakdown over time with continued durability in high-wear areas. The fixed spike pattern is nicely done and provides remarkable traction and grip. These fit true to size in a 10 Wide. The FG come with a one year waterproof guarantee. My lone complaint with the FG is that they are constructed with synthetic leather. However, at $99, the PUMA FAAS Grip are well worth their value and are among the most comfortable, as well as best performing golf shoes I’ve worn.
adidas adicross II
For 2013, Adidas is offering an improved version of the original Adicross golf shoe. Retailing at $90, there is a lot of punch delivered in the second coming of this fixed-spike, casual street golf shoe.
The first thing that caught my attention was the overall attractiveness of the shoe. Often, in street style golf shoes, although designed with casual in mind, they just look goofy worn off the golf course and when not paired with a golf specific outfit. I found these appealing because they could easily be worn to work on a Friday when your plan is to get out of the office and on the course by noon. The full-grain leather upper contributes to this appeal. A synthetic toe cap has been added this year for improved durability and abrasion resistance. The subtle and understated three stripe logo is incorporated into the design of the upper.
Inside this show Adidas incorporates the CloudFoam sockliner which enhanced the feel and comfort of the Adicross. The Adicross II fit true to size in a 10 wide. They are comfortable right out of the box and require little to no break-in period. The outsole features a fix-spike pattern of 100 spikes varying in size for excellent grip and turf interaction. The sole is also made from Adiwear abrasion resistant rubber. The sole as well as the spike system is both durable and flexible.
Like the FAAS Grip, the spike system on the Adicross II is well done offering remarkable traction and enhanced longevity. I appreciated the fact that Adidas included a pair of brown and white shoe laces to further personalize the shoe to fit your individual taste. Unfortunately, I was unable to find any details or information on the box or other marketing material that spoke with the waterproof/water resistance of these shoes. This lead me to conclude they are water resistant only, which is unfortunate in any golf shoe in my opinion.
What’s Your Favorite?
Do you have a favorite fixed-spike casual golf shoe? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
The top ten most ‘unusual’ golf putters
The top ten most ‘unusual’ golf putters:
One of the most remarkable things about the modern touring golfer is the sheer number of hideous golf putters there are in play each week.
Take a trip to any tournament and you’ll be dazzled by golfers taking to the greens with what look like props from an episode of Star Trek tucked under their arm.
It’s not just the modern golfer that is afflicted either, throughout history, golfers have wielded some strange looking putting beasts on the greens.
Here’s our top ten of putters that we’d like to forget
1. Sandy Lyle’s “Black Swan” Putter (above)
Around Augusta last weekend, former Masters Champ Sandy Lyle was attempting to win his second Masters title using what looked like a branding iron on the greens. Lyle admitted that his Black Swan putter “is strange” and “certainly wouldn’t win a beauty contest” but the Scot tried it in a practice round at Augusta and took just 26 putts, hitting six birdies.
“As long as I keep holing putts, I’ll be keeping it in the bag” stated Lyle.
2. The Scotty Cameron Future Phantom
Scotty Cameron may be a name synonymous with some of the world’s best putter, bus the Future Phantom has been given the nickname “the Retarded Spaceship” for a good reason. Viewed face on, the putter looks like it is being held backwards, viewed from the back it looks like the putter’s laughing at you for trying to use it.
3. The “Crazy Golf” or “Mini Golf” Rented Putter
This will bring back a few memories for anyone who has played Crazy Golf or Mini Golf at some point in their lives with a rented putter. Not only is your golf ball seemingly made from vulcanised rubber, your putter is arguably the most basic invention in history. A lump of brass which can be reversed so lefty’s can play too. It plays all the better too when chipped and scratched which is another bonus!
4. Nike Method Core Drone
Ever had such a bad day on the greens that you felt like sticking two-fingers up to the golfing gods? Well if you purchase the new Nike Method Core Drone, the putter does it for you, with its unusual V shape design the perfect accompaniment on the green for the angry, frustrated golfer.
5. Tour Edge T Balance 01
With it’s distinctive curved shaft affixing to the back of the putter and it’s Terminator 2 type looks, the Tour Edge T Balance 01 went for a futuristic feel, but instead ended up looking very much like something had just fallen out of the back of your desktop PC.
6. Scott Cameron Futura X (Prototype)
Adam Scott may have wielded this putter to his Masters success in Augusta in 2013, but there is no doubting that for all its effectiveness on the green, the Aussie is certainly going to be building his physique carrying that amount of metal in his bag every round.
7. Odyssey Versa #7
If you are a fan of the Star Wars movies then you’ll no doubt recognise that the new Odyssey Versa 7 putter has been designed by the same team who produced the Millennium Falcon. The shape of the club we can live with, but what is with the dreadful black and white colour scheme?
8. Taylor Made Ghost Spider S
Similar to the Odyssey Versa shown above, this black and white putter should be one of the best new putters on the market today, but the black and white combination, especially in the Spider versions of the club, just don’t look aesthetically pleasing and the design of the club is a bit of a mangle of metal too.
9. Chase Glen Putter
Only a madman would putt not using a flat putting face, right? Well, if you have the new Chase Glen putter then maybe not. This solid block of aluminium has a curved face and a counterweight at the back, which not only gives it a distinctive look but means that when it is in the bag, you have somewhere to hang your jacket.
10. Ping Karsten Craz-E
This is another putter, like the number 5 Tour Edge T Balance 01, which looks like it belongs inside your computer rather than out on a golf course. The unusual positioning of the shaft and the grandiose back of the putter made it good for picking balls up off the green, but not necessarily getting your ball in the hole.
Images Courtesy of Odyssey, Chase Glen, Tour Edge, Scotty Cameron, Black Swan
(Via Gorilla Golf Blog)
PUTTER REVIEW – The Mantis
Win A Mantis
Would you like to win a Mantis putter? Just leave a comment below and you will be entered into the random drawing. US residents only on this one.
(Written by Golfspy Dave) Who in their right mind would start a putter company these days? Seriously, have you seen the multitudes of putters in your local shop lately? If you haven’t, I’ll let you in on a little secret. There are a lot of them. Enlightening, huh? I’ll let you in on another little nugget of putter knowledge; the vast majority of putters in your local shop are excellent. I don’t know if I can go so far as to say we are in the Golden Age of Putters, but if there comes a more gilded putter era, it will truly be something special. The golf consumer has so many great putters to choose from that he or she could almost just grab and go, ala Jim Furyk, and have a great round on the course.
Keeping this competitive marketplace in mind, again I ask why anyone would try to break into the putter business. Why fight the expensive, uphill battle for exposure and a cut of the putter dollars? The answer could be very simple. The fledgling putter company may feel that their putter is simply better than any other putter out there. They see an open niche in the market, and we all know from our biology classes that utilizing an open niche creates a competitive edge, usually enabling survival.
Mantis Golf is ready to take their shot at the putter market with their new putter. One look at the putter and you can see that the Mantis putter is unlike any of the others in the market. Mantis Golf believes that the matte-green finish and minimal alignment markings cause your eye to stay on the ball and not the putter during the stroke. Many of us learned the importance of “keeping your eye on the ball” during our first T-Ball practice. How else are you going to catch or hit that moving ball?
But can keeping our eye on the stationary golf ball really help a golfer make more putts?
Mantis Putter Features:
:: Material: 431 Stainless Steel
:: Weight: 350g
:: Toe Hang: Face Balanced
:: Length Tested: 34″
:: Finish: Matte Green
:: Insert: Polyurethane
:: Grip: Custom WinnBALL USED: Wilson FG Tour
FEEL
2013 may go down as the year that Golfspy Dave gets over his issues with insert putters. The Odyssey White Hot Pro insert feels great. Ping has truly nailed it with the Scottsdale TR insert as well. Add Mantis’ polyurethane insert to that list. That’s right, drop the Mantis in the same pool as Odyssey and Ping for insert feel.
It’s a soft, yet responsive insert that somehow also delivers a bit of a metallic ring when the ball is struck. When I visited Odyssey in Carlsbad last winter, I learned just how much chemistry and machinery goes into making their insert, and I came to terms with not truly understanding all of it (any of it?). How Mantis can make polyurethane ring with a zen-like tone is truly mystifying. The nice thing for you and me is that we don’t need to understand it to enjoy it.
LOOKS
Well here we go. Welcome to the most polarizing part of the review. Some of you will like it, some of you will warm to it, and some of you can’t be convinced to roll one ball with that big green thing. I was a warm to it guy. When I first saw it, I thought that’s a pretty crazy looking putter. The Mantis looks like a cross between a turtle shell and the alien ships from Independence Day.
An Anser it is not. However, the Mantis was not crafted for display; it was made to putt. Once I had it on the green, I started to see what they are talking about with the color scheme. The matte-green finish takes your eyes away from the camouflaged putter head and instead places them on the ball. The green and the turtle shape became less and less pronounced the more I used the Mantis.
SET-UP & ALIGNMENT
Many of us remember when Nike tried a green color scheme with their IC putter line. Nike claimed that the green color of the IC reduced the overall visual footprint of the putter and allowed the golfer to really focus on the alignment lines. The Mantis takes this concept into similar territory. However, Mantis is helping you to switch your focus from the putter to the ball.
Having played both the Nike IC 20-20 and the Mantis, I will tell you that there are some serious differences between the two. The green color is very different. The Mantis putter’s green is far brighter than the deep olive of the IC. The Mantis‘ green definitely blends into the turf better than the IC’s did. Part of that may also be the alignment differences. Where the Nike IC line had bold white alignment lines, the Mantis has a thin white T-shaped alignment tool. When addressing the ball, you see the alignment T and the ball far more than the rest of the putter head, which I believe is Mantis’ intention.
FIT FOR STROKE™
Don’t change your stroke. Change your putter.
The (FIT FOR STROKE™) concept was developed by PING, yet another genius fitting system they have developed for golfers. It works hand-in-hand with the iPING Putter App which is highly suggest everyone getting (IT’S FREE!). You might be surprised to find out that the stroke you think you have isn’t the stroke you actually have.
This addition to the MGS reviews will allow you to become a more consistent putter by matching you with models that better fit your stroke type. They will be broken down into three categories: (1) Straight – for face balance putters (2) Slight Arc – for mid toe hang putters (3) Strong Arc – for toe down putters
“Results from hundreds of player and robot tests at PING offer overwhelming scientific support for the effectiveness of fitting for stroke. In recent years more diagnostic tools and testing equipment have become available, and the results prove that a golfer’s consistency improves when their putter balance matches their stroke type. It was interesting to observe that golfers putt more consistently with stroke-appropriate models, but they also show a personal preference for these models, too. Prior to putting with them, golfers are drawn to models that fit their eye, even before they fit their stroke.” says PING.
The Mantis Putter: Straight
PERFORMANCE
As we all learned from the Most Wanted Mallet test, a golfer’s reaction to a putter’s aesthetics does not influence performance. Remember how the STX xForm3 was the second most accurate putter while simultaneously scoring dead last in aesthetics? The looks and alignment features definitely do influence accuracy, and that’s why they are there. However, what doesn’t influence accuracy is your feelings about the aesthetics. Believe what you want about liking the looks of a putter generating confidence, and that confidence translating to more made putts. I used to believe that too. Our data just says otherwise.
Accuracy was measured using the same guidelines as the previous mallet test. Testers rolled five putts from distances of five, ten, and twenty feet. The five and ten foot putts scores were adjusted for distance, and then all of the scores from the testers were averaged. The average score was then scored against the ideal accuracy distance score of 127.5 inches, this ideal accuracy number was determined using all the putters we have reviewed.
Accuracy Score Calculation
:: Total Miss Distance (all testers, adjusted for distance)= 922 inches
:: Average Miss Distance Per Tester (Total/6)= 153.6 inches
:: Percentage of Accuracy Ideal Value (127.5/Average Miss Per Tester x 100)= 83%An accuracy score of 83 is a solid score for any putter, especially for a company’s first putter. This score puts the Mantis in the same scoring range as the putters from Bettinardi, Ping, and Odyssey. That’s pretty solid putter-company company.
Total Accuracy Score = 83%
Summary
Mantis Golf has jumped into the putter arena with a uniquely shaped mallet whose coloration and minimal alignment markings are designed to help you watch the ball, and not the putter. While I can’t document what the eyes of the testers were focused on during putting, the data supports the idea that Mantis’ design holds performance merit. If you are interested in purchasing a Mantis, the price is also quite reasonable at $159.99. I think that many mallet players will love swinging this big green putting machine.
Win A Mantis
Would you like to win a Mantis putter? Just leave a comment below and you will be entered into the random drawing. US residents only on this one.
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