Phil won the Masters. The other three were won by….. Oh yeah, McDowell, Oosthuizen, and Kaymer. Now we’re expected to get excited about golf tournaments during football season? It’s the money, follow the money. Some kabillionaire golfer cashing a ten million dollar check and the NFL is a remote click away? Not here. As far as this Average Golfer is concerned it’s golfing purgatory. The upcoming Ryder Cup is must see TV. This is a regular tour event with a better purse. Not that I’m against regular tour events, it’s just that I’ve about had my fill after 27 of them and the majors shuttled until next year. I Know, I know, it’s the money. Ratings, sponsors, ticket sales, etc. I like meaningful golf. The only meaning in this fabricated post-season is for the guys playing. Parochial on my part? Yes. Hey, I only have so much time and when my head hits the pillow I can’t get that day back.

Credits: Average Golfer

Perhaps it’s the difficulty in reaching a milestone in terms of age. Maybe it’s the desire to still compete with the young guns. Pragmatically, it could be the difference in purse size. Regardless, Fred Couples will be teeing it up in the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina rather than the Jeld-Wen Tradition in Sunriver, Oregon. How the Tradition commands “major” status is beyond me. It’s not even mentioned on Golf Channel’s website’s homepage on the eve of the event. That just corroborates the fact that no one watches the Champions Tour, (see Seniors), or LPGA tournaments. Hell, there’s barely enough folks tuning into PGA events these days with the circus that is Tiger Woods and players with foreign names winning majors. Come to think of it, Woods should be playing this week. He desperately needs Ryder Cup points and and has to move up in the FedUp Cup standings to play past the Barclays next week.

Credits: Average Golfer

This past week’s Colonial Golf Tournament did little to awaken the masses and click their remotes. Zach Johnson seems to be a super guy, but lacks the cachet of a Phil or Tiger, especially when left to his own devices. Johnson beating Mickelson or Woods or winning the Masters, as he did, are all big stories. Woods and other top ranked players, including nearly all Europeans, skipping Hogan’s event, combined with Phil missing the cut, meant this tourney was losing to burgers and beer on Memorial Day weekend. Still, Johnson won the honor of the plaid jacket to go with his green one. Which reminds me of one of my favorite golf tales. I’ll paraphrase. When Peter Jacobsen won the 1984 Colonial in a playoff over Payne Stewart it was said that he was dutifully donning the plaid coat while gathered in a small group and said, “How long do I have to wear this %&*#@$& jacket?” No other than Ben Hogan, standing close behind him, but not noticed, replied to Jacobsen, “Until I say you can take it off son.”

 This weeks Memorial Tournament will be a Nicklaus lovefest with the likes of Woods, Mickelson, Els, Scott, and McIlroy teeing it up. Woods defends. Is Woods game still a mess? Does Phil miss consecutive cuts? Can McIlroy validate his “arrival”? Good questions all. A pretty good US Open tune-up as well. This launches the meat of the pro golf season running through the Open Championship and culminating with the PGA Championship.Time to separate the pretenders from the contenders in the 2010 season. If at that point you still haven’t made a decision you can have the FedUp Cup for dessert. Memorial field.

For this Average Golfer this week represents the first meaningful pro golf since THE PLAYERS Championship. Be there or risk falling behind.

Til’ next,

Credits: Average Golfer

Not by any stretch of the imagination the cheapest pitch repairer and ball marker combination I’ve seen but none the less this JL accessory certainly ticks all the boxes for class and style.

At a pricey £20 it’s bound to put a few people off but then again at least they won’t be as common as some brands on the golf course.

£20 via Trendy Golf

Credits: UK Golf Blog

With Spring hopefully fast approaching its time to start thinking about a new set of golf shoes once again. This year once again it appears Puma are setting the trends, especially with these new Tour Saddle Golf Shoes.

I was a fan of the old Tour Saddle PG shoes as I like their modern style and sleek design, and Puma haven’t disappointed with their new range.

A combination of water resistant synthetic leather and water resistant nubuck. Solid rubber sole with 8 replaceable Champ Stinger Spikes these Tour Saddles once again provide a fresh modern perspective on a traditional golf silhouette with a Puma twist.

Via Trendy Golf for £85

Credits: UK Golf Blog

• A new, refined HEX aerodynamics pattern with 6 sub-HEX geometries increases distance by reducing drag
• The higher-resiliency 2nd generation dual core construction increases ball speed for a wide range of swing speeds
• The soft urethane cover uses a new proprietary blend that plays softer
• Longer distance, better accuracy
• And cutting through the wind with a stronger, more penetrating ball flight
• Lasts longer and generates Tour-level greenside spin

Product Description
The most technologically advanced golf ball on tour. Through 2nd generation Dual Core Construction, Callaway engineers have designed a tour ball that delivers faster ball speeds. The refined HEX Aerodynamics pattern has been improved to add even more distance. This patented design breakthrough reduces drag and adds flight stability through every kind of wind condition, minimizing the wind’s effect on ball trajectory. The new urethane cover uses a proprietary blend to provide tour-level feel and control around the green with significantly improved durability. It’s also available in higher player numbers.

Callaway Tour iZ Golf Balls

• The fastest growing ball on Tour in 2008
• Tungsten-Infused outer core distributes weight away from the center of the golf ball
• Dual Core combines a lower compression inner core inside a higher compression outer core to manage spin
• New, softer thermoset urethane cover provides unmatched feel with increased short-game
• High density mantle layer works with the dual core to produce high ball speed

Product Description
Simply put, Callaway Golf engineers have re-invented tour golf ball performance. This isn’t a small step forward. It’s a giant leap forward. The new Tour i Golf Ball is the most technologically advanced tour ball you’ve ever played, providing the perfect balance of breakthrough distance and control. Innovative 4-piece inertia technology utilizes a tungsten-infused outer core to shift weight away from the center of the ball, reducing driver spin for maximum distance and straighter shots. The softer core formulation provides unparalleled tour feel and the softer urethane cover generates more short-game spin for precision control and aggressive shot-making. A refined HEX Aerodynamics pattern further increases distance through reduced drag and better stability. 4 pieces, 2 cores, 1 unbeatable ball.

Callaway Tour i Golf Balls

www.prostancegolf.com Pro Stance Golf is the result of over 10 years research and development to produce a simple yet effective golf training aid. Pro Stance Golf is used by over 100 Tour Professionals which include Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Rory McIlory and Becky Brewerton. It is only recently that Pro Stance Golf has now been made available to the public..

• The new Titleist Tour Prestige golf ball delivers a more responsive feel, long distance and outstanding performance tee-to-green.
• Long distance and outstanding performance tee-to-green.

Product Description
One Dozen brand new Titleist Tour Prestige golf balls. With a new, softer Fusablend cover, and softer core formulation, the new Titleist Tour Prestige golf ball delivers a more responsive feel, long distance and outstanding performance tee-to-green. New soft compression, high velocity 1.580″ core provides long distance and exceptional feel on all shots. The high coverage 392 lcosahedral dimple design provides consistent, distance enhancing ball flight. GUARANTEE – If a Titleist Tour Prestige golf ball is cut through the normal course of play with a golf club, Titleist will replace the golf ball with three new Titleist Tour Prestige golf balls free of charge!

Titleist Tour Prestige Golf Balls – 1 Dozen

• Putter and ball markers
• Heel and toe weighted putter to help a junior learn the art of putting
• Ball markers to help learn the etiquette of golf
• One year from date of purchase

Product Description
The Intech Future Tour Pee Wee Heel-toe weighted Junior putter with steel shaft and bonus ball markers is designed with the beginner golfer in mind. Let your Junior get started on the right foot to a game that will last a life time!

Intech Future Tour Pee Wee Putter