Golf Blog

Archive for April, 2009

Titleist Ambassador Michael Hoey claimed his maiden European Tour win at the Estoril Open de Portugal with a tense play-off victory over Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño. Hoey shot a stunning final round 5-under par 66, to finish on 7-under par 277 before going on to defeat Fernandez-Castaño at the third extra hole. The win is the fourth of Hoey’s professional career and his first on European golf’s biggest stage as he follows the example of fellow Titleist Ambassadors Rory McIlroy and Estanislao Goya in claiming a maiden European Tour victory on the inaugural Race to Dubai.

Former British Amateur Champion, Hoey, trusted the performance and playability of the legendary Pro V1x golf ball for his first European Tour win. The Pro V1 family was also the most played golf ball in Portugal, accounting for 95 players (63% of the field), compared to 26 for the nearest competitor. Also in Hoey’s bag were the Titleist ZB forged irons, Vokey Design Spin Milled gap, lob and sand wedges and Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport 2 putter.

Elsewhere, on the US PGA Tour, Titleist was the most played ball at the Shell Houston Open, accounting for 67% of the field with 96 players, compared to 20 players for the nearest competitor. Towards the top of the leaderboard Titleist accounted for seven of the top 10 finishers, as the best players continue to put their trust in the #1 ball in golf. The majority of the field in Texas also put their trust in Titleist irons, wedges and putters as Titleist topped the count in each of these categories respectively.

At the first women’s Major of 2009 Titleist golf ball loyalist Brittany Lincicome eagled the final hole to claim the first major of her career at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Lincicome used the new 2009 Pro V1x to shoot a final round 69 to finish on 9-under par, 279 for a one shot victory. Titleist was also the most played ball in the Kraft Nabisco with 64 players (66% of the field) compared to 17 for the nearest competitor.

On the Nationwide Tour, Titleist Ambassador Michael Sim claimed a six stroke victory in the Stonebrae Classic, trusting Titleist from tee to green for the second title of his career. Titleist was also the most played golf ball on the Nationwide Tour with 92 players compared to 19 for the nearest competitor.

Further wins for Titleist golf ball loyalists TaeKyu Lee and Trevor Fisher, who trusted Titleist to claim victories in Korea and South Africa respectively, bolstered Titleist’s worldwide win count to 39, compared to nine for the nearest competitor. Titleist was also the most played ball at both events as the Pro V1 and Pro V1x continues its dominance across the worldwide professional tours.

A maiden European Tour title for full-line Titleist player Michael Hoey and continued success for Pro V1 and Pro V1x across the worldwide tours proves once again that the game’s elite continue to opt for the matchless performance of Titleist.

With 14 Nike clubs in his bag, Paul Casey won the first PGA Tour event of his career at the Shell Houston Open, giving him a surge of confidence heading into the Masters. Battling tough weather conditions, Casey tirelessly demonstrated a strong will to capture his first PGA Tour title and meet the expectations of those who recognize the high level of talent that he has had throughout his entire golf career.

Using a new Nike prototype putter, Casey ranked second in putts per greens in regulation, and was sixth in putts per round.  The prototype putter has been a member of Casey’s Nike Golf arsenal since last season.  Also in his bag were Nike’s new Victory Red irons, which assisted him to a 75% average in greens in regulation.

Averaging 307-yard drives, Casey used the winning combination of a Nike SQ driver and the new Nike ONE Tour ball, which further reduces driver spin and optimizes flight trajectory while improving overall distance performance.   Rounding out his bag full of Nike Golf equipment were his Nike SQ SUMO 3 and 5-woods, and his 54 and 60-degree Nike Victory Red wedges.

Casey’s kit:

•    Nike SQ Tour Driver
•    Nike Victory Red Split Cavity Irons; Nike Victory Red TW Blade Irons; Nike Pro Combo Irons
•    Nike SQ SUMO Fairway Woods
•    Nike Victory Red 54 and 60 degree Wedges
•    Nike Prototype Putter
•    Nike ONE Tour Golf Balls
•    Nike Air Zoom Elite Shoes
•    Nike Golf Apparel

Three-time Masters Champion Gary Player announced yesterday that 2009 would be his final Tournament as an active player. He said he’s leaving the list of golfing participants full of gratitude and respect for the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club.

“The love I have received here has been incredible,” Player, 73, said in a late afternoon press conference to announce his decision. “The one word that comes to mind is spectacular.”

The same could be said of the South African’s play and Masters longevity.

His 52 Masters appearances are the most in tournament history, two better than Arnold Palmer.

Player recorded victories in 1961, the first ever by an international player, along with 1974 and 1978, at the age of 42.

But more importantly for him, a lifetime of memories from his annual early April appearances at Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters Tournament.

“We all have our favorite tournaments, but no one can doubt this is the best organized tournament ever,” he said.

“I’m not going away. I will still come back to for the Champions Dinner,” he said. “I will still come back to see these great young players. I’m not getting out of golf.”

In fact, Player spent Monday morning playing with countryman and defending champion Trevor Immelman and Germany’s Martin Keymer, among others, marveling at the length they can hit he ball.

“I decided to get out before I had to hit a wood on (par-3), No. 12.” he joked.

Player, who had to make a multi-stop international flight the first time he ever played in the Masters, said he would be open to joining four-time Masters Champion Palmer as an honorary starter, as early as 2010.

“I never expect anything. It is totally up to the Club, but yes, I would accept. In fact, I would exercise more to make sure I would outdrive Arnold on the first tee,” he said to a room full of laughter.

Player is the only international player in golf to achieve the career Grand Slam, with one U.S. Open Title, two PGA Championships, three British Opens to go along with his three Masters wins.

“Last year, I was just standing on the first tee thinking, most of my friends at age 72 are dead and I’m still playing in the Masters,” he said.

When he comes up the 18th fairway for the final time this week, Player admits he expects to be overcome with a mixture of emotion and good memories.

“I think I will cry. It will be a cry of appreciation and enjoyment.”

He received a standing ovation from the media members present for his announcement, thanking him for a lifetime of golfing memories and Masters.

Gary Player’s bag contains:

Callaway FT-5 Tour Driver

Callaway Steelhead III Fairway Wood 4+

Callaway Steelhead Plus Fairway Wood

Callaway Heavenwood Hybrids

Callaway X Hybrids

Callaway X-Tour Irons

Callaway Tri Hot 3 Putter

Callaway Tour IX Golf Balls

This week will see The Masters Tournament kick off for the 73rd time so all this week on the Golfbuyitonline blog we’ll be looking at the course, the favourites and of course, the equipment.

Scheduled for the first full week of April, it is the first of the majors to be played each year. Unlike the other major championships, the Masters is held each year at the same location, Augusta National Golf Club, a private golf club in the city of Augusta, Georgia, USA.

The Masters has the smallest field out of the major championships at around ninety players. It is an invitational event, with invitations largely issued on an automatic basis to players who meet published criteria. The top fifty players in the Official World Golf Rankings are all invited.

As with many other courses, Augusta National’s championship setup has been lengthened in recent years. In 1998, the course measured approximately 6925 yards (6332 m) from the Masters tees. It was lengthened to 7270 yards (6648 m) for 2002, and again in 2006 to 7445 yards; 520 yards (475 m) longer than the 1998 course.

The Holes:

1. Tea Olive – Par 4, 445 YardsThe one change to the scorecard comes right off the bat, as the tee was adjusted to improve patron traffic, leaving the hole 10 yards shorter. This slight dogleg right plays uphill with a yawning bunker 317 yards off the tee. Drives to the left may catch the trees.2008 Average Score: 4.24 – 2008 Difficulty: 4th

2. Pink Dogwood – Par 5, 575 Yards
This dogleg left should be reachable in two for the longer hitters. Large, deep greenside bunkers can catch errant second shots. 2008 Average Score: 4.82 – 2008 Difficulty: 16th

3. Flowering Peach – Par 4, 350 Yards
The shortest par 4 on the course. Golfers usually hit short of the four fairway bunkers, resulting in a full club to an L-shaped green where it is better to be long than short. The tricky green slopes right to left. 2008 Average Score: 4.03 – 2008 Difficulty: 14th

4. Flowering Crabapple – Par 3, 240 Yards
A long par 3 that got a whole lot longer with the most recent round of changes. The hole is made even tougher by changing winds. Two greenside bunkers guard the wide, sloping green. 2008 Average Score: 3.23 – 2008 Difficulty: 5th

5. Magnolia – Par 4, 455 Yards
An uphill dogleg left hole with a sloping green. The deep fairway bunkers make accuracy off the tee essential. It is a 315-yard carry over the bunkers. The pin is always on the upper level of the two-tiered green, which slopes down to the front. 2008 Average Score: 4.23 – 2008 Difficulty: 6th

6. Juniper – Par 3, 180 Yards
Fans often gather on the hillside beneath this elevated tee, which looks down to a large target. The green features a big hump on its right, making pin position the key. Three-putts are not uncommon. 2008 Average Score: 3.10 – 2008 Difficulty: 11th

7. Pampas – Par 4, 450 yards
This hole is straight but extremely tight. Drives are often played to the left-center of the fairway, leaving a short to mid-iron from a level lie. Players will need to avoid the three bunkers in front of the green and the two behind. 2008 Average Score: 4.25 – 2008 Difficulty: 3rd

8. Yellow Jasmine – Par 5, 570 yards
Tiger and the long knockers can get home in two, but there’s a fairway bunker in play on the right, placing a premium on accuracy. This uphill hole features trouble left of the green. This played as the second-easiest hole on the course in 2008. 2008 Average Score: 4.80 – 2008 Difficulty: 17th

9. Carolina Cherry – Par 4, 460 yards
This hole is best known for a green that slopes from back to front. Players often hit their tee shots down the right side to take away the two greenside bunkers on the left. 2008 Average Score: 4.20 – 2008 Difficulty: 7th

10. Camellia – Par 4, 495 yards
The famous downhill fairway of this long par 4 can produce some long drives, although tee shots that stray to the right can leave an awkward stance off a slanted lie. The green slopes right to left. Historically, this is the toughest hole at Augusta National. 2008 Average Score: 4.30 – 2008 Difficulty: 2nd

11. White Dogwood – Par 4, 505 yards
The hardest hole on the course once again in 2008, this hole is the start of Amen Corner, and wind is often a factor. A pond guards the green to the left, and a bunker is strategically placed right-center. This hole has decided all but three of the Masters sudden death playoffs, and may be best remembered for Larry Mize’s incredible chip-in in 1987. 2008 Average Score: 4.35 – 2008 Difficulty: 1st

12. Golden Bell – Par 3, 155 yards
One of the most famous holes in golf, this is the shortest par 3 on the course. With swirling winds, club selection for a knee-knocking tee shot can range from a 6-iron to a 9-iron. Rae’s Creek and three bunkers guard the impossibly narrow green. 2008 Average Score: 3.09 – 2008 Difficulty: 13th

13. Azalea – Par 5, 510 yards
A delightful risk/reward hole where both 3 and 7 are possibilities. An accurate shot to the center of the fairway allows a player to go for the green in two. A tributary of Rae’s Creek guards the green, and behind the putting surface are a deep swale and four bunkers. From tee to green there are approximately 1,600 azaleas. 2008 Average Score: 4.84 – 2008 Difficulty: 15th

14. Chinese Fir – Par 4, 440
The only hole on the course with no bunkers, No. 14 is made tough by a green that terraces down sharply, with significant contours. From a well-struck drive, the second shot will usually be a short-to-middle iron.  2008 Average Score: 4.10 – 2008 Difficulty: 12th

15. Firethorn – Par 5, 530 yards
Accuracy is critical off the tee of this par 5. Still, it’s reachable in two shots when the winds are favorable. A well-hit second shot must carry the pond and avoid the right-hand bunker. Gene Sarazen’s double eagle here in 1935 helped him win his only Masters and is one of the most famous shots in golf. 2008 Average Score: 4.78 – 2008 Difficulty: 18th

16. Redbud – Par 3, 170 yards
This tee shot is all carry over a pond to a green secured by three bunkers. The famous Sunday pin placement tucks the hole behind the pond and front bunker. 2008 Average Score: 3.13 – 2008 Difficulty: 10th

17. Nandina – Par 4, 440 yards
The famous Eisenhower Pine at the left-center of the fairway is approximately 210 yards from the tee. Again, an accurate tee shot is a must. The green slopes dramatically off toward the back; players need to leave their approach shots below the hole. 2008 Average Score: 4.15 – 2008 Difficulty: 9th

18. Holly – Par 4, 465 yards
A rugged finisher, this uphill dogleg right is protected off the tee by two bunkers at the left elbow. The uphill second shot will likely require a middle iron to a green guarded by two bunkers. Par is a good score, especially under the crushing Sunday pressure. 2008 Average Score: 4.16 – 2008 Difficulty: 8th

So the clocks have moved forward, spring is here! And that means summer is just around the corner so there is no better time to get kitted out for the heat wave we’re long overdue!

A lot of people will think that wearing a short sleeved golf shirt and shorts rather than a long sleeved golf shirt and trousers will be enough to keep cool on the course. A short sleeved shirt and shorts will keep them marginally cooler than their winter counterparts, but it’s all about the technology of the clothing.

All the big golf clothing manufacturers have their own special technology to keep you cool during the summer months such as Footjoy ProDry, Nike Dri-Fit and Mizuno DryLite as well as numerous others.

Footjoy ProDry can be found in such products as Footjoy Sport Collection Short Sleeve Interlock Golf Shirt, Footjoy Performance Pique Golf Shirt, Footjoy Red Label Collection Brights Shirts and many more.

Nike Dri-Fit is featured in the Nike Tiger Woods’ Collection, Nike Men’s Border Collection and the Nike Men’s Tech Elements Collection as well as Dri-Fit ranges for ladies and junior golfers.

The Mizuno DryLite collection features Mizuno DryLite Performance Split Polo Shirts and Mizuno DryLite Performance II Polo Shirts.

OK, so you’ve got your golf shirt sorted out, now you’ll be wanting to protect your head. Most people who spend a lot of time playing golf know that they need to wear sun block to protect their skin from the sun’s rays, however, most people don’t think about protecting their scalp from the rays of the sun when they are playing golf. This is why, if you are a golfer, it is important to have the right golf headwear.

Here at Golfbuyitonline, we supply headwear for men, ladies and junior golfers from the best golfing brands around including Callaway, Ping, Cobra and TaylorMade to name but a few. You’ll be able to find a wide variety of golf hats ranging from Baseball Caps and Visors to Beanie Hats and Bucket Hats which all help protect your scalp from the sun.

If you’re out on the golf course a lot over the summer, then it is worth picking up some top quality golf sunglasses. We stock and supply fantastic sunglasses from Callaway and Oakley including Oakley Radar sunglasses, Oakley M Frame sunglasses, Oakley Straight Jacket sunglasses, Callaway X-Series sunglasses and many more, all at incredible Internet prices.

It’s great to get out and play more golf during the summer, but make sure you’re protected and wearing the right kit.