Callaway Golf

November 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

You would normally associate Callaway Golf with manufacturing forgiving irons but the company has now bucked the trend by announcing their first ever set of blades - The X-Muscle Irons

World Number two, Phil Mickelson has already experienced success with the prototype X-Muscle blades when he triumphed in a three way play-off at the recent HSBC Champions Tournament in Shanghai.

After his victory Mickelson said,”It was a great opportunity to test the new Callaway equipment. I’m going to put them into play in 2008 and feel very good about it. Even though I’m taking two months off now I feel like I have a head start.”

Fellow Callaway Tour Staff and World Number Five golfer, Ernie Els has also been testing the new X-Muscle irons at Callaway’s test centre in the UK. Apparently he liked them so much that he has put them in his bag for this weekend’s, Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City in his home, South Africa.

Callaway Golf has not released all details of the X-Muscle irons but it is thought that they will exhibit the usual Callaway power and forgiveness characteristics, together with the look of a blade. Callaway hopes to get the new irons in the shops by next summer

Platinum Balls!

November 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Platinum|Diamond|Golf Ball|Putter We may have had the Nike One, Platinum Golf Ball but Japanese jeweller, Nagahori, took the term literally when they produced the 165 Platinum 900 ball which is studded with diamonds worth 25.13 carats. Although non-conforming (really?), I guess you wouldn’t mind diving in and getting wet if you found the water hazards! In addition to this they have also crafted the 500g Platinum 900 golf putter, which is encrusted with 22.35 carats of white and pink diamonds.

Worth considering this Christmas for the Golfer who has absolutely everything, including very little sense! David Beckham may have, “Golden Balls”, but now the discerning Golfer can go one better! There does seem to be a glaring omission from the details provided though - Cost.

Meanwhile (for the rest of us) you can visit the home of the $1 ProV1’s at Golf Balls

Rules of Golf 2008

November 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Every four years (or “leap years”, as Golf’s old sages prefer to call it) the Rules of Golf are amended by the two main governing bodies of Golf; The R&A and the United States Golf Association. Given that 2008 is a leap year, the 31st Edition of the ‘Rules of Golf’, will become effective on January 1st, with a number of significant changes to the regulations.

R&A rules secretary David Rickman said the 28 amendments to 34 rules in the 2008 rulebook were being made in an attempt to improve clarity and make penalties more proportionate to the offences.

For those who are interested, and I realize this isn’t going to be considered required reading by all Golfers, you can see a summary of the main amendments here.

As well as changes to the Rules of Golf you should also be aware of the changes to the conformance status of Drivers. If in doubt, visit the searchable database for conforming and non-conforming Drivers, together with downloadable PDF documents.

I did wonder whether there would be sufficient interest in this, but I guess”rules is rules!” and if we didn’t have rules, then it wouldn’t be Golf (or….we’d be living in France!)

Rules of Golf 2008 amendments

November 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Here is a list of the principal amendments by The R&A and the United States Golf Association, to the Rules of Golf, 2008.

General

The changes to the Rules generally fall into two broad categories: (1) those that improve the clarity of the Rules and (2) those that reduce the penalties in certain circumstances to ensure that they are proportionate.

Definitions

Advice — Amended to allow the exchange of information on distance, as it is not considered to be “advice.”

Lost Ball — Amended to clarify substituted ball issues and to include the concept of “stroke-and-distance” (see corresponding changes to Rules 18-1, 24-3, 25-1c, 26 and 27-1).

Matches — Definition withdrawn and replaced by two new Definitions, “Forms of Match Play” and “Forms of Stroke Play.”

Rules

Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Ball — Note added to clarify what constitutes a serious breach of Rule 1-2.

Rule 4-1. Form and Make of Clubs — Amended to reduce the penalty for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club or a club in breach of Rule 4-2, from disqualification to the same as carrying more than 14 clubs.

Rule 12-1. Searching for Ball; Seeing Ball — Amended to include searching for a ball in an obstruction.

Rule 12-2. Identifying Ball — Amended to allow a player to lift his ball for identification in a hazard (see corresponding change to Rule 15-3, removing the exemption from penalty for playing a wrong ball in a hazard).

Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions — Exception 1 amended for clarification; Exception 2 amended to refer to

Rule 13-2; Exception 3 added to exempt a player from penalty under Rule 13-4a (testing the condition of the hazard) in certain circumstances.

Rule 14-3. Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment — Amended to refer to the unusual use of equipment (see also new Exception on use of equipment in a traditionally accepted manner) and new Exception added for players with a legitimate medical reason to use an artificial device or unusual equipment.

Note added to clarify that a Local Rule may be introduced allowing the use of distance-measuring devices; previously authorized by Decision only.

Rule 15-2. Substituted Ball — Exception added to avoid a “double penalty” when the player incorrectly substitutes a ball and plays from a wrong place (see corresponding change to Rule 20-7c).

Rule 15-3. Wrong Ball — Amended to remove the exemption from penalty for playing a wrong ball in a hazard (see corresponding change to Rule 12-2, allowing the player to lift a ball for identification in a hazard).

Rule 16-1e. Standing Astride or on Line of Putt — Exception added to apply no penalty if the act was inadvertent or to avoid standing on another player’s line of putt; previously authorized by Decision only.

Rule 18. Ball at Rest Moved — Penalty statement amended to avoid a “double penalty” when the player lifts a ball without authority and incorrectly substitutes a ball (see related changes to Rules 15-2 and 20-7c).

Rule 18-1. Ball at Rest Moved; By Outside Agency — Note added to clarify the procedure when a ball might have been moved by an outside agency.

Rule 19-2. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment — Amended to reduce the penalty in both match play and stroke play to one stroke.

Rule 20-3a. Placing and Replacing; By Whom and Where — Amended to reduce the penalty for having the wrong person place or replace a ball to one stroke.

Rule 20-7c. Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play — Note added to avoid a “double penalty” when the player plays from a wrong place and incorrectly substitutes a ball (see corresponding change to Rule 15-2).

Rule 24-1. Movable Obstruction — Amended to allow a flagstick, whether attended, removed or held up, to be moved when a ball is in motion.

Rule 24-3. Ball in Obstruction Not Found;

Rule 25-1c. Ball in Abnormal Ground Condition Not Found;

Rule 26-1. Water Hazards (Including Lateral Water Hazards);

Rule 27-1. Stroke and Distance; Ball Out of Bounds; Ball Not Found Within Five Minutes –

In the above four Rules, the term “reasonable evidence” has been replaced by “known or virtually certain” when determining whether a ball that has not been found may be treated as lost in an obstruction (Rule 24-3), an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1) or a water hazard (Rule 26-1). See corresponding change to Definition of “Lost Ball” and Rule 18-1.

Appendix I

Seams of Cut Turf — New Specimen Local Rule added.

Temporary Immovable Obstruction — Clause II of the Specimen Local Rule amended to include an additional requirement that, for intervention relief to be granted, the temporary immovable obstruction must be on the player’s line of play.

Appendix II

Design of Clubs

Adjustability — Amended to allow forms of adjustability other than weight adjustment, subject to evaluation by the USGA.

Clubhead; Plain in Shape — Amended to clarify meaning of “plain in shape” and list some of the features that are not permitted; previously detailed in guidelines on equipment Rules.

Clubhead; Dimensions, Volume and Moment of Inertia — Sections added on moment of inertia and putter head dimensions; previously detailed in guidelines on equipment Rules and test protocols.

Clubhead; Spring Effect and Dynamic Properties — New section added on spring effect. The limit, as detailed in the Pendulum Test Protocol, now applies to all clubs (except putters) and in all forms of the game; previously covered by condition of competition.

Rules of Amateur Status

Rule 3-2a — Exception amended to clarify a cash prize for a hole-in-one made while playing golf is permissible.

Rule 4-2b — Note added regarding the rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Rule 4-2c — Note added regarding the rules of the NCAA.

Rule 6-2 — Exception added for a player promoting (a) his national, state or county union or association, (b) certain types of golf competitions or events or (c) a recognized charity.

If you’re fed up with the cost and hassle of traditional Golf lessons then you may be interested to hear about Nick Bayley’s new Online Consistent Golf School

Scotland win Omega Mission Hills World Cup

November 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment

After narrowly missing out in last year’s play-off, Scotland made amends this year by beating The USA on the third extra hole to secure a maiden World Cup success. Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren held their nerve in a thrilling play-off against Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum of the the United States at Mission Hills to capture the World Cup trophy.

The Scots had closed with a six-under-par 66 for a 25-under 263 total before the US pair birdied the 18th to tie for the lead and force the play-off. The defeat was a blow to the Americans, who had deservedly led in all three previous rounds.

The Scots pair shared a $920,000 winners’ cheque and Colin Montgomerie lavished praise on his team-mate Marc Warren. Warren was the Sir Henry Cotton rookie of the year in 2006 and won the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles two months ago. If he progresses from his world ranking of No 148 to get into the Europe Ryder Cup team next year, and assuming that Montgomerie is in it, too, theirs is a natural foursomes partnership.

The victorius Scotish golfers wore golden jackets with mandarin collars at the prize-giving ceremony, which Montogomerie joked, they would be seen wearing in down-town Glasgow.

Justin Rose and Ian Poulter had kept England in contention throughout the tournament but failed to make a genuine challenge on the final day. Though Rose eagled the 9th, two bogeys on the front nine had already done the damage and they finished fourth, going round in five under par for a 23-under 265 total.

Omega Mission Hills World Cup

November 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The unfancied United States pairing of Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum combined for a three-under 69 in Friday’s foursomes to remain top the leaderboard after the second round of the Omega Mission Hills, World Cup.

The American team, which held the overnight lead, finished 36 holes at 14- under-par 130 and are one shot ahead at the Olazabal Course. Weekley, who is ranked 43rd in the world, was picked to represent the United States in the 28-country event after 13 higher-ranked U.S. players, including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk, turned down the invitation. In turn, he picked the 70th-ranked Slocum, his friend from Milton High School in the Panhandle.

English duo of Justin Rose and Ian Poulter and Scots Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren remain neck-and-neck after both pairings shot 68 on Friday. South Africans Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman are a shot further back after a 69.

The format switches to fourballs again on Saturday and then back to foursomes on the final day of this $5 million tournament.

WGC - Mission Hills World Cup
Mission Hills CC, Shenzhen, China
Second round leaders
-14 United States
-13 England
-13 Scotland
-12 South Africa

World Cup of Golf

November 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Justin Rose and Ian Poulter The England football team may be one step away (needing to avoid defeat to Croatia) from qualifying for the European Championships, but the English Golf team has ‘qualified’ for the Golf World Cup. Ok, the World Cup of Golf may be a bit of a misnomer and it doesn’t enjoy a particularly lofty status, but try explaining this to the 56 players, representing their respective countries.

Originally played as the Canada Cup, the tournament doesn’t even qualify as part of the World Cup Championships but patriotic pride will see a keenly fought contest among the players and the competition will be intense. Anticipating that he and Justin Rose could be a Ryder Cup pairing, Ian Poulter also considers the event as an ideal practice ground for when the stakes will be raised next September.

The US challenge is somewhat muted, represented by the less than stellar names of Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum. The ’standout’ pairings in contention are:

Austria: Markus Brier & Claude Grenier
Canada: Mike Weir & Wes Heffernan
Denmark: Anders Hansen & Soren Hansen
England: Justin Rose & Ian Poulter
France: Raphael Jacquelin & Gregory Havret
Germany: Martin Kaymer & Alex Cejka
India: Jyoti Randhawa & Gaurev Ghei
Scotland: Colin Montgomerie & Marc Warren
South Africa: Retief Goosen & Trevor Immelman
Spain: Jose Manuel Lara & Miguel Angel Jimenez
Sweden: Robert Karlsson & Peter Hanson
United States: Heath Slocum & Boo Weekley
Wales: Stephen Dodd & Bradley Dredge

The World Cup of Golf begins tomorrow at the Mission Hills complex near Hong Kong.

The Race to Dubai riches

November 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Dubai to host world's richest golf tournament Dubai will host the world’s richest golf tournament, beginning in November 2009, with a prize fund of US$10 million. Europe’s top 60 money-earners will qualify via the season- long Race to Dubai, which will replace the Order of Merit and emulate the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour. The rebranded money list will divide a $10 million bonus between the top 15 players.

The European PGA Tour chief executive George O’Grady said in a statement that, “The Race to Dubai will bring a new dimension to the European Tour,” and, “create great drama and theatre throughout the year as all the best players in the world are given the opportunity to compete in the world’s richest tournament.”

One of the more intriguing questions raised by yesterday’s announcement is whether the world’s No1, Tiger Woods will change his mind and consider becoming a European Tour member in 2009 so he can qualify to play in the Dubai World Championship. The rules state a player must play 11 tour events in a season to become a member and Woods has never played that many European Tour events in a single season during his career. The chances of this seem unlikely, which leaves the European Tour with the prospect of hosting the biggest event in its history without the world’s most famous player.

Nevertheless, the Dubai announcement is a significant milestone in the development of the European Tour, which for some time has been hoping to counter the financial influence of the American circuit. The inaugural Dubai World Championship will take place at Leisurecorp’s Jumeirah Golf Estates between November 19-22 on either the Fire or Earth course.

Ochoa seals two shot victory at ADT Championship

November 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Lorena Ochoa 'flashes' the cash World number one Lorena Ochoa survived a late scare to seal a two-shot victory at the ADT Championship in Florida and with that, the first player in LPGA history to earn $4 million in a season In the unusual format, eight players competed over the final 18 holes for the record pay day, and Ochoa finished two shots ahead of playing partner Natalie Gulbis. American, Paula Creamer, was third on 72.

Lorena Ochoa hacked out of the rough with a 6-iron from 161 yards to within 30 inches of the cup, setting up a birdie putt on the 18th hole that clinched victory. “I think it was my best shot so far in my career,” the Mexican said of her approach into the 18th green. “It was just a horrible lie. I had 130 yards to the front of the green and you could only see half of the ball.

The two-stroke win over Natalie Gulbis was worth $1 million, the richest prize in women’s golf. In a generous gesture, Ochoa said she would donate a portion of her winnings to a high school construction project, to the Lorena Ochoa Foundation and to victims of the recent floods in Tabasco, Mexico.

Ochoa finished the year with a record $4,364,994 in winnings, and her eighth victory tied her with Annika Sorenstam and Nancy Lopez as the only players to do that in the past 30 years

ADT Championship

FINAL LEADERBOARD:

-4 L Ochoa (Mex)
-2 N Gulbis (US)
level P Creamer (US)
+2 C Kerr (US)
+6 M Kim (SKor)
+8 S Lee (SKor)
+9 C Kim (US)
+12 K Webb (Aus)

Poulter victorious in Japan

November 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Ian Poulter secured his first victory of the year when he won the Dunlop Phoenix tournament held at the Phoenix Country Club in Japan on Sunday. Poulter admitted that a return to winning ways was a welcome feeling particularly at the last stroke play event of the year

The 31-year-old Englishaman led the tournament from start to finish and shot 69 to end at 11-under-par 269, three strokes ahead of Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (68) claiming second on eight-under-par.

Final-round leaderboard

Phoenix Country Club, par 70
-11 I Poulter Eng
-8 G Fdez-Castano Spa
-7 L Donald Eng
-7 S Katayama Jap
-5 P Harrington Ire

Poulter now heads across the waters to China’s plush, Mission Hills complex, where he will team up with fellow Englishman, Justin Rose for the World Cup of Golf. With both men coming to the tournament fresh from recent success, they will be among the favourites to lift the trophy.

Poulter is also keen to put in an eye-catching performance for Ryder Cup captain, Nick Faldo, saying, “The World Cup is going to be an awesome week and it is a great opportunity for Justin and me to show how well we can play together.”

The two men who are good friends and neighbours (Poulter has a house yards away from Rose on the Lake Nona Estate in Orlando) understand each other’s game and would appear to be an ideal pairing. Both players are playing the golf of their lives (Rose is ranked 7th in the world and Poulter 23rd -see Official Golf World Rankings) and are well placed to sign off 2007 with further success.