Nike VR_S Driver - click to zoom
Nike Golf has just introduced the new VR_S NexCOR club face technology, which will be available on February 3, 2012. I’m sure I’ll be seeing some first hand at the upcoming PGA Show, so stay tuned here for pictures and initial impressions. The VR_S clubs will span the full golf bag: VR_S driver, VR_S fairway woods, VR_S hybrids, VR_S irons, VR_S forged irons.
Press Release
Nike Golf’s full press release describing the new VR_S line can be found on the Hooked On Golf Blog golf wire site, HOGWire.biz.
Nike VR_S Images
For all current VR_S images, go to the Hooked On Golf Blog Nike Golf VR_S Image Gallery.
Nike Golf VR_S Irons - click to zoom
Welcome to the fourth and final post looking back at 2011 for myself and Hooked On Golf Blog. I start this post in July 1 2011, which happens to be when I’m on an airplane to golf’s home, St. Andrews, Scotland. What comes up first is the trip of a lifetime and the shot of a lifetime.
July 2011
My first July golf blog came on the 2nd, Greetings From St. Andrews. It was a quick hello from the home of golf. Not much time to write, too much golf to be played and pubs to be experienced.
My 2nd July post is Great times in St. Andrews, more to come. Look at the killer pic of my golf group standing in the Road Hole bunker.
Within a couple of hours of arriving in St. Andrews, we were teeing off on the Old Course. Having traveled all day and having no feel for the huge difference between American golf and Scottish golf, I was happy with my 81.
Shot Of A Lifetime
At 7:00am the next day, we played the Old Course again. This is where I hit the shot of a lifetime–the greatest par I’ll ever have on the Road Hole, the 17th. To cap that off I make birdie on #18 to shoot a satisfying 77.
Picking my ball out after holing out from 196 yards, Road Hole – St. Andrews, Scotland
Other courses played while in St. Andrews include the amazing Castle Course, the unbelievable Kingsbarns, Strathtyrum, Jubille Course, New Course and the Eden Course.
Interviewed Robert Duvall
August 2011
I had the great pleasure of interviewing Academy Award winning actor Robert Duvall about his starring role in the golf movie Seven Days In Utopia.
In August I had the pleasure of seeing my golf writing appear in an actual print magazine. My article on the Solstice Golfathon appeared in the Utah Golf Association’s Fairways Magazine.
On August 8th I posted a review of one of the best courses in Southern Utah, Coral Canyon.
The HOG World Tour headed for some sea and sun to southern California and the beach. While there I took some time away from basking in the sun to visit the Cleveland/Srixon world headquarters.
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Jim Huber
I’ve been a big fan of Emmy Award winner Jim Huber for years. I really loved his work in the golf world. Every April I greatly looked forward to hearing Jim’s “Masters Today” pieces during the Masters. I’m saddened to have to post the news of Jim’s passing.
I met Mr. Huber last January (2011) at the PGA Merchandise Show. He was walking down the center isle opposite the direction I was walking. I stopped him and introduced myself, mentioning that I was a golf blogger. I told him how much I enjoyed his Masters pieces. He was thankful and appreciative. I half jokingly offered my services as his assistant at Augusta. He smiled and patted me on the back, letting me know that I hadn’t been the first to offer such a thing.
Rest in peace Jim. You’ll be missed.
From Turner Broadcasting
BREAKING NEWS…
…from David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Re: Passing of Jim Huber
The Turner Broadcasting family suffered a great loss and we are saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend, Jim Huber. A terrific Emmy Award winning journalist and essayist, Jim made so many contributions during his more than 27 years with our company. He was a gentleman and wonderful individual and will be deeply missed. We send our condolences to his wife, Carol, and son, Matt.
Now that a new year is here, it is time to set some goals for the golf game. My handicap has been creeping up over the last year or two, and my distance has been dropping. Just two years ago I was a 1 handicap and I finished this year at a 3.4. I crept up to a 5 early in 2011 and knocked it back down to the final 3.4.
Goal 1: Improve Short Game – HIGHEST PRIORITY
My biggest blaring weakness is short game from about 50 yards in. When I miss a green, I’m getting up and down as low as 20% of the time. Around the greens can be pretty bad. If I haven’t played for a while, I almost have the chip yips. The thing I need most to do this year, is improve my chipping and pitching around the greens so I can get the ball closer to the hole.
Goal 2: Increase Greens In Regulation
My 2nd worst statistic this past year has been greens in regulation. I miss a lot of greens. Combine that with bad short game stats and you have a recipe for bleeding strokes.
I put some new KBS Tour 90 shafts in my Hogan irons toward the end of last season and my iron flight has straightened out quite a bit. I must increase greens in regulation.
Goal 3: Get Lost Distance Back
Driving accuracy has been fantastic this season, hovering around 80% (blows away most of the players on the PGA Tour). But I’ve lost some distance (PGA Tour blows me away). I suspect my recent separated shoulder may be one contributing factor, plus I think poor technique and releasing the club way too soon is another reason.
I haven’t just lost distance in driving, but my irons are all 1 to 1.5 clubs shorter. Here at altitude my 8 iron for the last 10 years has gone 160 yards. 2011’s yardage was 150. The whole iron set is the same story.
I suspect on the iron distance loss, I’ve subconsciously changed my technique a bit to prevent the damn golfer’s elbow. I used to play the ball back in the stance and pound down on it. I don’t do that as much. So the good is that I don’t suffer the golfer’s elbow pain, but I lose distance. At least that’s the theory.
What Will It Take?
What will it take to reach these goals and fix the issues mentioned above? First I’m going to get some short game lessons, perhaps from a few different instructors. When I’m satisfied that my coach and I have come up with the proper techniques, I’m going to try to practice them every week.
On the distance issue, I’m going to study my ball position, consult an instructor again etc. Then see what I can do to get some more club head speed. Definitely not ruling out a new driver, and I’ll surely test a bunch of them.
On the greens in regulation, I think once again it comes down to swing technique and distance control. Need to have properly set up gear as well.
Happy new year to all Hooked On Golf Blog patrons, friends, associates and golf buddies!
Goodbye 2011
2011 was a hell of a year for me and this golf blog. The blog logged roughly 38 MILLION hits in 2011 by about 1.8 million unique visitors. That’s an average of over 3 million hits per month by 150,000 unique visitors. Not bad for an independently run, one man blog with no advertising.
I’m working on the fourth and final look back at 2011 post which will be likely up tomorrow, unless I have an emergency golf round come up. That emergency round is quite possible, as the temps here tomorrow will be around 50. Normally this time of year we are buried in snow, so any chance to play golf is taken.
Hello 2012
After the final look back at 2011 it is all about 2012 and the new year/season. 2012 is going to be a huge year and I’m very excited for what it will bring. Stay tuned and don’t miss the action. I plan on doing a LOT more product giveaways and contests, giving patrons (readers) here more and more chances at free golf gear.
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