Golf: Tiger Woods sits in tie for 5th place at -3 after front nine at Hero World Challenge; scores 4 birdies, 1 bogey (ESPN) …
— Yardstick Golf (@YardstickGolf) December 1, 2016
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Thursday, December 1, 2016
Golf: Tiger Woods sits in tie for 5th place at -3 after front nine at Hero World Challenge; scores 4 birdies, 1 bogey (ESPN) …
Golf: Tiger Woods pars the first hole at Hero World Challenge in his first competitive event since August 2015 (ESPN) …
Golf: Tiger Woods pars the first hole at Hero World Challenge in his first competitive event since August 2015 (ESPN) …
— Yardstick Golf (@YardstickGolf) December 1, 2016
Today, The Pent-Up Demand For Tiger Woods In Action, Has An Outlet
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| Tiger Woods & The Adorable Tiger Trophy Robert Laberge/Getty Images |
There was, in fact, a pragmatic acceptance among avid fans, that golf had entered the post-Tiger era. Some such fans appeared to move on without regret, convincing themselves that this stable of emerging stars would fill the void left by the one who once ruled.
Meanwhile, despite the weekly appearance of deep and accomplished fields, it seems that even avid fans were left with an unrequited longing for what once was. As for casual fans... many of them lost interest altogether.
So, The tsunami of excitement that's currently inundating the golf spaces on social media should come as no surprise. As Tiger Woods prepares to tee off for the first time in way too long, it's clear that the pent up demand for Tiger Woods is very real.
How to watch Tiger Woods live at Hero World Challenge: Live stream, TV channel, tee time
Golf Shoe Review: FootJoy Pro/SL
Product Highlights
Model: FootJoy Pro/SL
Upper Material: ChromoSkin Pittards
Sole Material: TPU
Colorways: 4 - (4 laces / 1 BOA)
Price: $149.99 /$169.99 BOA
By: Tony Covey
There’s an argument to be made that FootJoy’s PRO/SL is the opposite of its FreeStyle, which we reviewed earlier this season.
While FreeStyle can be described as an exceptionally mobile spiked golf shoe, the PRO/SL offers an incredibly stable, spikeless, alternative. That alone makes the Pro/SL a bit of an enigma. It's not at all what we expect from a spikeless design, and in that, lies its brilliance.
The Pro/SL Design
The bulk of the FootJoy Pro/SL is constructed from FootJoy’s proprietary FTF (Fine Tuned Foam) material, which is 10% lighter than more commonly-used EVA foam. The first layer of the FTF material is softer to provide cushioning and comfort, while the second layer is firmer for support and balance during the swing.
The spikeless sole is made from a durable TPU material. In this case, spikeless is a bit of a misnomer. Instead of the nubs found on most spikeless models, the Pro/SL features what I’d describe as a needle design. While not as long or as sharp (and destructive) as the old metal spikes, the primary spike pattern does offer some similarity of design.
Finally, the upper is made from ChromoSkin leather from Pittards. The total package comes with the 2-year waterproof warranty you’d expect from FootJoy.
Aesthetically, a bold colorway way or two aside, the Pro/SL has a bit of a conservative slant to it; especially when contrast with the more audacious FreeStyle.
One reader described it as a nurse shoe. I didn’t initially see it, but I suppose there’s a hint of it in the white colorways. That said, nobody’s hit me with “nice shoes, grandpa,” so I think they’re plenty good enough in the looks department.
Pro/SL Performance
As I’ve mentioned in the past, we can’t exactly put a golf shoe on a launch monitor, so we have to settle for an admittedly subjective look at what I believe are the key metrics that contribute to golf shoe performance.
Comfort
As it does with most of its offerings, FootJoy offers the Pro/SL is a multitude of size/width combinations. My count puts that number at +/-35 options in the laced, white colorway. Nobody in the industry will match that number.
Performance begins with finding a comfortable fit, and nobody in the golf shoe business goes to greater lengths than FootJoy to ensure golfers can find a shoe that fits properly.
Sizing benefits aside, I experienced no comfort issues of any consequence while wearing the Pro/SL. I was able to get in roughly the equivalent of 10 rounds of golf, all walking, all over hilly terrain while wearing the Pro/SL.
From a pure comfort perspective, the Pro/SL is nearly flawless. No break-in required, no blisters, no discomfort; beginning with my walk from the parking lot to the first tee and ending when the snow fell several rounds later.
One minor comfort note: from time to time, while walking, I did notice some contact between the edge of the tongue and my foot. The tongue hits right at the hinge between shin and foot. This could be limited to the BOA model. It could also be related to my particular anatomy or even the crease in my socks.
As I said, it’s a minor thing. I wouldn’t call it a discomfort so much as an awareness, but it did notice it on occasion. Your actual mileage may vary.
On comfort alone, the Pro/SL is a winner.
Stability and Traction
Stability and Traction are without question the most interesting facets of the Pro/SL design. In most cases, there’s an inherent trade-off that comes from moving between spiked and spikeless shoes. More often than not, you must sacrifice stability and sacrifice traction, to gain the everyday comfort and sometimes the aesthetic of a street shoe.
Almost none of that applies to the Pro/SL.
In every meaningful respect, the Pro/SL is a real golf shoe that just happens to have non-replaceable spikes. That minor distinction aside, it can hold its own with any other non-spikeless golf shoe on the market.
What does that mean?
The Pro/SL is stable like a real golf shoe. It offers, for example, far less mobility than the FreeStyle. There isn’t that wobbly foot, tentacles gripping the ground sensation like there is with FreeStyle. Frankly, that’s what I love of about FreeStyle, but I get that it’s not for everyone. In that respect, the Pro/SL is actually much more mainstream.
Now it’s true; the Pro/SL’s stability certainly costs you in versatility, and it lacks the vibe of a street shoe. Both of those potential drawbacks contribute to what makes the Pro/SL such a revelation in the spikeless category.
The Pro/SL is the rare spikeless golf shoe that’s infinitely better suited to the golf course than casual Fridays at the office.
Traction isn’t just good, or adequate; it’s exceptional. It’s on par, and arguably better than many replacement spike models.
While initially, I tested the Pro/SL in reasonably dry conditions, I did the bulk of my testing in the soft fall conditions of a dwindling New York golf season. Wet grass, muddy, leaves everywhere, etc.; basically, I gave the Pro/SL every opportunity to fail and instead, it exceeded my expectations every literal step of the way.
No slipping, minimal clogging, and no bleeding. Infinitely comfortable and nearly perfect.
Durability
As I said earlier, I have less than a dozen rounds in the Pro/SL to date. Consider this section incomplete and ongoing, but thus far there are no durability concerns to report. All aspects of the shoe are holding up well with no visible wear on the spikes themselves.
The Final Word
It’s the kind of praise that might make the FootJoy team cringe just a bit, but the Pro/SL is the perfect shoe for golfers who hate spikeless shoes. That only tells half the story.
I don’t hate spikeless shoes.
I’m a guy who likes spikeless shoes just fine, so long as it’s dry, and I’m not playing in a tournament, and there’s no meaningful amount of money on the line. If I’m playing for anything at all, I’m playing in spikes. At least I was.
While I still mix in the FreeStyle and some other spiked favorites from time to time, the Pro/SL is the first spikeless shoe that I’ll confidently wear in any conditions.
The combination of comfort, stability, and traction I’ve personally experienced helps to explain why so many of FootJoy’s PGA Tour staffers have made the jump to this shoe. It’s that good.
For more information, visit FootJoy.com
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Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Can't Call it a Comeback #golf
Can't Call it a Comeback #golf
— Yardstick Golf (@YardstickGolf) December 1, 2016
Can't Call it a Comeback via /r/ProGolf https://t.co/w3m5wnAheB
Can't Call it a Comeback via /r/ProGolf https://t.co/w3m5wnAheB
— Yardstick Golf (@YardstickGolf) December 1, 2016
Can't Call it a Comeback
http://ift.tt/2g8FJoH
Submitted November 30, 2016 at 08:11PM by 123poopy http://ift.tt/2gmK3E2
Submitted November 30, 2016 at 08:11PM by 123poopy http://ift.tt/2gmK3E2
Golf: Entire U.S. team wore red 'Make Tiger Great Again' t-shirts under flag-colored onesies one night during Ryder Cup (ESPN) …
Golf: Entire U.S. team wore red 'Make Tiger Great Again' t-shirts under flag-colored onesies one night during Ryder Cup (ESPN) …
— Yardstick Golf (@YardstickGolf) November 30, 2016
Golf Video: Tiger Woods says he's happy "just going out there" in Wednesday's exhibition; "I'll be focused" for Thursday (ESPN) …
Golf Video: Tiger Woods says he's happy "just going out there" in Wednesday's exhibition; "I'll be focused" for Thursday (ESPN) …
— Yardstick Golf (@YardstickGolf) November 30, 2016
SportsCenter Video: Tiger Woods' scores won't matter much this week, he just needs "something to build on" - Bob Harig (ESPN) …
SportsCenter Video: Tiger Woods' scores won't matter much this week, he just needs "something to build on" - Bob Harig (ESPN) …
— Yardstick Golf (@YardstickGolf) November 30, 2016
Jack Nicklaus says Golf Ball Is Reason Golf Courses Are Closing
Jack Nicklaus (AGAIN) on Tuesday at the HSBC Golf Business Forum in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida said the reason golf courses are closing is because golf balls go too far.
Wait. What?
Here is what Nicklaus actually said, "Fact is, more golf courses have closed in the U.S. in each of the last 10 years than have opened. This is thanks in great part to changes in the golf ball and the distance it travels."
HIS SOLUTION: create golf balls designed for each and every golf course.
Jack might not be aware of this (you would think he would be though), but Jack you actually make one of the longer balls in golf. The Nicklaus Black. And not that is NOT the reaosn courses are closing.
These statements always baffle me. Don't get me wrong Jack is the greatest, but the fact our industry continues to look to these 3-5 famous "golfers" for the answer to the games problems when what they say makes almost no sense in terms of actually solving the problem, just makes well...no sense. They are not the answer to golf courses closing or the game shrinking.
Here is the funny thing about evolution: it never stops. Not even for Jack or Tiger. This game and every other game ever invented and our species will continue to evolve. If not...well, that is when it dies. Moving back to a more primitive version of ourselves or this game is what is called de-evolution and it is NOT the answer. The sooner they relaize this (they won't) the sooner our game moves in a more healthy direction.
And there is your reason for why golf is dying. It is quite simple. It has failed to evolve and if it continues it will end up extinct just like the dinosaur it is becoming.
Golf Video: Tiger Woods tees off at Hero World Challenge pro-am exhibition Wednesday ahead of his 1st event in 15 months (ESPN) …
Golf Video: Tiger Woods tees off at Hero World Challenge pro-am exhibition Wednesday ahead of his 1st event in 15 months (ESPN) …
— Yardstick Golf (@YardstickGolf) November 30, 2016
New Golf GIF
New Golf GIF fun, golf, green, sport, office, relax, bayern, munich, recreation, put, muller, holeinone via http://ift.tt/2fDjbQQ
First Look: PING Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Anser
It’s a Wonderful Putter
By Dave Wolfe
It’s almost time for my annual I like being married watching of It’s A Wonderful Life. You know the story. Bad things happen, a guy wishes he was never born, realizes his life was wonderful, and “ding”, an angel gets his wings. Probably should have said spoiler alert before that sentence.
Anyway, today’s putter, PING’s 50th Anniversary Anser, got me thinking about what golf would be like without the contributions of Karsten Solheim. More specifically, what would the putter market be like without the PING Anser?
Anser-Free Golf
The Anser is the winningest (and most copied) putter model in golf, with more than 500 tour titles to its credit, including 19 men’s major championships. Its first win came in 1966 at the Florida Citrus Open. The Anser’s first major victory was at the 1969 Masters.
The Anser is the foundational putter design for the past fifty years, and it is the “most copied” equipment design perhaps in all of golf. Just imagine if it never happened.
The Anser is so ingrained in the golf psyche that I can’t even envision an Anser-free golf universe. Would Scotty Cameron still be a club maker? How many Anser-using tour pros over the years would have had the same number of wins with another putter? Perhaps another design would have taken the Anser’s spot in the pros’ bags, but that putter wouldn’t likely have lived up to the Anser’s performance pedigree.
Thankfully, we don’t need to imagine Anser-less golf. The PING Anser has dominated putting for fifty years, and this new limited edition version deftly captures both the history of the Anser and PING’s commitment to engineer better golf clubs.
Specs: PING 50th Anniversary Anser
- Material: Sand-cast manganese bronze with tungsten plugs
- Head Weight: 350g
- Grip: PING PP58 by Golf Pride
- Shaft: True Temper High-step
- Versions: 2 (K for Karsten and A for Allan)
- Number Produced: 775 from each mold
- Left-hand available: Yes
- MSRP: $900
Fun Fact: The Anser Name
The name was inspired by his desire to find an “answer” to the popular putter of the time. His wife, Louise, suggested he call it “Answer” but Karsten was concerned it was too long to fit on the toe. She told him to leave out the “w” and the rest is history.
Some of you already knew this story, but others are likely learning this for the first time. I know when I first started playing and writing about golf, I had no clue why Anser was lacking a “W”. So now you know the story as well. It’s not the world’s most famous typo; it was just a matter of toe bumper space.
This Anser
“Most people don’t realize the amount of hand work that went into the original Anser putters 50 years ago. The radiuses on both of the hand-machined tools were finished with a file and sandpaper by Karsten. I built most of the original Ansers in the garage, starting with machining and grinding the raw castings and continuing through final assembly. My brother Allan machined the second mold, which is slightly different and often referred to as the ‘slope-side’ mold. We wanted to bring that handcrafted approach back as part of the Anser’s 50-year celebration and its remarkable contribution to golf.” - John Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO
The more I explored this putter, the more I was reminded that the Anser really does represent a piece of golf history. When you open up the included the signed certificate of authenticity, you find photos of Karsten and writings about the Anser’s history.
This putter’s construction throws back to the way things were done when the Anser first came to life. The head is cast, but then it takes a ton of hand milling and sanding to get it to its final shape. It’s not all historic, though. This Anser also contains a couple of tungsten plugs, adding a touch of PING’s modern weight engineering to the old school design.
If you are not sure about how much handwork went into this Anser, just look at the texture of the putter. Casting leaves the metal with a rough finish like this:
That means that someone’s hands likely worked every part of the head that has a smooth appearance. In this putter’s case, those hands belonged to John Solheim, the same person who did the machining on the original Anser. Sweat and craft of the original Anser artisan permeates this Anser just like it did fifty years ago.
Did you roll balls?
I love that some of you are reading this and wondering how a $900 limited edition putter performed on the course. Who in their right mind rolls balls with this putter?
I totally rolled balls with this putter.
I’m not going to say that I had the stones to throw it in the bag for a round, but after using it on the practice green for a while, I’d be totally happy bagging this Anser.
I believe that PING wants this putter to be gamed. Why else would they go to the trouble of adding the tungsten plugs? The 350g head weight should allow most golfers to produce a familiar, comfortable swing with the Anser.
The sound slot and the manganese bronze combine to produce a big click at impact. That click says Scottsdale Anser to me as much as the putter’s visuals. No other putter has the same distinctive sound and feel.
The Ideal Gift
From the box to the blade, PING did this offering right. There is so much WOW. The box, even when closed, sets an impressive stage for what is inside. Upon opening the box, you are greeted with not only the putter, but also the signed certificate of authenticity, and a one of a kind leather headcover. I know I already said impressive, but that is really the best word to describe the overall feeling.
If you have a putter lover on your list, this Anser is the gift for this year. Yes, it’s more expensive than a production putter, but this putter is so much more than a club you putt with. The putter lover will gush over this Anser.
The PING 50th Anniversary Anser brings the history of Karsten Solheim and his sons with it. The design set the stage for so many putters that came in the decades after its inception. It speaks to the brilliance of the initial design, and also to PING’s work to make that design better in the years that followed.
Golf is better with the Anser a part of it, and this Anser is a wonderful putter.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Golf Video: A man shows off his skills by hitting a ball tossed in the air while standing on top of a moving golf cart (ESPN) …
Golf Video: A man shows off his skills by hitting a ball tossed in the air while standing on top of a moving golf cart (ESPN) …
— Yardstick Golf (@YardstickGolf) November 30, 2016
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