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A previous post on a Hybrid Club Test proved to be so popular that I thought it would be worthwhile doing the same for Rankmark’s latest Irons Test (not least, given the somewhat surprising outcome).

Rankmark tested 28 sets of Irons, by dividing the clubs into groups of four (although it doesn’t seem clear how this grouping was determined).  Each of the group winners received a ‘Best of the Best’, award, with the following shortlist for the overall winner.

• Callaway FT Irons
• King Cobra S9 Irons
• MacGregor MT MID Irons
• Nicklaus Polarity MTR Irons
• Ping G10
• TaylorMade r7 CGB Max Irons
• Titleist AP1 Irons

Each of the testers hit all of the above seven sets of Irons and were asked to pick just one manufacturer’s clubs based on looks, feel, closest-to-the-target, and overall satisfaction.

And the winner of the Rankmark 2008, Irons test was the Nicklaus Company’s Polaris Irons……..surprising eh?

Nicklaus Golf now proudly display the Rankmark ‘badge of honor’ on their website.

It’s now been over two years since I took up golf seriously and aspired to be a better player. In this time I’ve experienced a roller coaster ride, something I’m sure all players will have gone through.  Despite all the contrasting emotions I’ve stuck with it; times when I could no longer hit a ball if my life depended on it and performing consistently poorly in my local golf societies.

Around about 4 weeks ago I hit a new low and decided it was time for action -it was time to deconstruct my game and have lessons. I’ve now had four or five sessions, in between hitting  balls down the range until my forearms have felt like they were going to burst.  All this additional work has paid off and I’ve had a small epiphany and eureka moment on the course which has left me with a very positive attitude, now feeling the only way is up.

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This week there have been two interesting and opposing points of view on the Ryder Cup.  You could argue that perhaps these comments run much deeper and provide a zeitgeist to attitudes both sides of the Atlantic.

Earlier this week Hunter Mahan criticized the Ryder Cup by saying that players are treated like slaves during the tournament - ’slaves’ in the sense that players are forced to sit down and eat dinners - “not little dinners, but huge” ones. Perhaps Mahan believes the traditions of the Ryder Cup could be better preserved if everyone ordered room service. 

In his interview with Golf Magazine, Mahan implies that his fellow players are also not fans of huge dinners and may boycott the event (it will be interesting to hear if there is any support for this statement over the next few days).  For an event that relies on teaming, and coming from someone who’s never played a Ryder Cup, I’m sure that this is exactly the sort of esprit de corps Azinger is looking for.

Meanwhile Ian Poulter, who takes a slightly different stance, says he’s prepared to sacrifice his lucrative FedEx Cup campaign in order to make the European team.  Recent success has put Poulter within reach of the final qualifying spot, but says he will reschedule his itinerary if he has to, so that he plays the right tournaments in order to make the team.

Guess who will win the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla?……again!

Sadly I didn’t manage to get any photos from the British Open and there were no Agfa moments.  Security was nearly as tight as an International Airport on code red and no cameras or phones were allowed in.  Besides, we wouldn’t want to upset Monty would we? 

On Thursday,I did manage to take a few photos of the Black Bull Golf Society trip to the Old Course at Abbotsley, (where they’ve managed to maintain a ‘minimal risk of terrorist attack’, in the Cambridgeshire countryside) but I don’t think that these would have quite the same appeal.

I don’t know if security is as tight at other golfing events around the world, and although I understand the reasons, it does seem a shame that spectators who pay good money are not able to come away with a few mementos of the occasion. If you’re looking for PGA Championship Tickets or Masters Tickets then you might like to try TickCo Premium Seating who are offering some of the best deals for Online Tickets.  As well as golf, they also offer tickets to many other major sporting events.Things to do before I die include attending a Formula 1, Grand Prix (Monaco maybe?) and a major Boxing Event. Perhaps by mentioning them TickCo would make an Aspiring Golfer very happy!

Ricoh, sponsors of the British Women’s Open Golf Championships, have launched a game to test your golfing knowledge. Players travel around the world in a bid to win the top prize of 500 pounds ($1000) and a great Ricoh camera. The game will update with new holes and questions each week- register before you play to record your score and get regular updates.

I’m currently partnering with Morgan Pressel. I was hoping to partner with Natalie Gulbis (a recent Golf.com online poll showed that Gulbis beat out current No. 1 Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer as the LPGA member with whom most golfers would want to play a round of golf) but unfortunately she was unavailable and we’re lying in 387th position. 

Sadly (for me - not Morgan!), it’s only a fantasy competition but it’s interesting to test my golfing knowledge.  There must be some real golfing geeks out there, as I only got one question wrong, out of twelve, but this isn’t enough to get you on the leaderboard.

For a bit of fun visit; www.ricohwomensbritishopengame.com/ to get started.

adjective:aspiring u'spIring - desiring or striving for recognition or advancement