2013 Bonneville Men’s Gross Match Play Round One Recap
Wow I’m quite spent. I came off the course about 1.5 hours ago after 18 holes of match play in my new league this year at Bonneville Golf Course. I’m thrilled to be back in match play competition. It is the BEST format of golf, period. I’d still say that if I didn’t win today.
My opponent today was a 1 handicap golfer who was probably about 20 years younger than me. Boy was he long.
1. On the par-5 first hole, he hit some kind of wedge to about six feet and made eagle. 1 down.
2. After blocking my drive right and having to punch out due to tree trouble, I quickly found myself 2 down after two holes.
3. I did manage a solid par on the tough par-4 #3 which was good enough for a win. 1 down.
4. Tie on the hole. 1 down.
5. I went for this par-5 in two but pulled my 2nd shot. In an area probably two acres wide there was one tree. I was behind it. 2 down.
6. Par-3. Pars. 2 down.
7. My opponent lost his tee shot left on this short par-4. I win the hole without having to finish it. 1 down.
8. Pulled drive left into trees. Hoisted a great gap wedge to the green somehow from the left rough and behind trees. Tied the hole. 1 down.
9. Tough par-3. The slow greens got the best of my putting on this one and I miss making par. 2 down.
TWO DOWN after nine holes.
10. I put my approach on this mega-slanted green in the wrong place, way above the hole. I’ll be lucky to 3-putt. My opponent though fares worse and makes a double. 1 down.
11. On this short par-4 I pull a 9-iron to about 50 feet left of the pin. Easy putt! I dropped it in for birdie. ALL SQUARE
12. On this par-5 I have to play it as a three-shot-hole due to my drive in thick rough. My Miura 59 degree wedge delivers a brilliant 3rd shot to about six inches. Birdie to go 1UP!
13. I hit a solid 5-iron into this tough par-4. My opponent hit lob wedge having outdriven me by 79 yards! I made par and he didn’t. 2UP.
Just realized I’ve won FOUR holes in a row… time to gag.
14. Tough par-4. I miss the green with my 4-iron and fail to get up and down for par. Lose hole to go 1UP.
15. 230 yard par-3 downhill. 4-iron to 20 feet. Par ties. 1UP
16. My long hitting opponent has a big advantage on this par-5. I have to play it as a 3-shot hole. Solid 3rd shot sand wedge to 12 feet. Miss the birdie. Opponent went for it in two but came up short. His chip was short too. He makes par. 1UP.
17. Short, downhill par-3. We both hit the green and two-putt for the tie. Still 1UP.
18. TOUGH par-4 downhill. Need a 300 yard drive to get to the 150. I get to 160 out and hit a solid 8-iron. Too solid. Back fringe. I two putt from there to tie.
I WIN the match 1UP!
This was a blast. Can’t wait for the next match. They’ll only get tougher!
Golf Equipment Review: Datrek Go-Lite 14 Stand Bag
Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, June 11th, 2013
Categories: Golf Accessories • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Categories: Golf Accessories • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Datrek Go-Lite 14 Golf Stand Bag – click for more images
I’ve had a new Datrek golf bag in play for a while now. Before my bag arrived I wasn’t familiar with Datrek. They’re part of the parent company Dynamic Brands, which has several companies in its portfolio including BagBoy and Burton. Lets take a look at my new bag, the Datrek Go-Lite 14 Stand Bag.
Go-Lite 14 Overview
The Go-Lite 14 (I should call it GL14 for short) is a carry/stand bag. The bag is very light, weighing in at five measly pounds.
One of the primary selling points of this bag is the large 14-way top. The 14-way top makes organizing the clubs in the bag easy. Getting the clubs out and putting them back is smooooooth. No more getting whacked in the eye by a 2nd club which is pulled out of the bag while grabbing another one. The spacing also helps to prevent club dinging and when some of my clubs like my lob wedge are over $400 each, that’s a big deal.
The Go-Lite 14 works as a cart bag too! Click to zoom…
There’s a nice handle on the top of the bag which is great for bag handling. This ergonomic handle comes in, well, “handy” when loading the bag to/from the car or when putting the bag down and standing it up to get clubs out.
The five pockets in this carry bag are HUGE. The valuables pocket could hold about $40,000 in cash, good for those heavy betting days. Or perhaps an iPad or Android tablet might go in there for those swing analyzer apps. I put in a camera, my phone, my wallet, a GPS and a few bucks (less than $40 G’s though). The apparel pocket could hold a small wardrobe. That’s going to come in handy when I head to Scotland in about three weeks. I may need several layers of rain gear and a wee pint to keep me warm. It’ll fit in there no problem. The ball holder could hold about 500 golf balls, which may be enough on my hazard-laden home course as long as it isn’t windy.
The carrying strap works well. No chafing or pressure points.
There’s a cool section of velcro on the top of the bag. Players can use the velcro to hang their golf gloves out to dry.
Looks
As you can see from the photos I shot, this bag is sharp. Not a lot of frilly and unnecessary design features. The lines are as clean as the bag is functional.
Colors
This bag comes in six different color combinations:
Red/Black/White
Royal/Black/White
Charcoal/Black/White
White/Charcoal/Black
Orange/Black/White
Lime Green/Black/White (pictured in this review)
The 14-way divider rules! Click to zoom…
On The Course
It has been nice putting clubs in and pulling clubs out of my new Datrk Go-Lite 14 Stand Bag. The individual dividers are a big deal. Datrek calls the system “IDS” for “individual divider system.” Clubs go in and out super-easy. They’re arranged nicely, making it easy to pick and pull a club.
Carrying the bag is easy. I do need enough balls and perhaps a beverage in the beverage pocket in order for the balance to work out properly. Otherwise the bag can be heavy to the club-head side. Makes sense.
I’ve slung the bag, ridden carts with it (compatible with riding carts), and used it with three different push carts. All are enjoyable with no issues.
The stand’s leg action is solid and the bag is very sturdy when in tripod mode.
Critiques
My only critique of this bag comes with the insulated beverage sleeve. It is hot here right now. In fact, today it was 100 degrees on the nose. Tomorrow I have a match and the forecast is for 99. In sunny conditions I find that the water bottle in the beverage holder heats up due to the black nylon material surrounding it. I’ve had better luck keeping my water and sports drinks cooler by putting them in the large apparel pocket.
Conclusion
At under $130 street value ($149 retail), this is a fine golf stand bag well suited for golfers like me who don’t just walk, don’t just ride, and don’t just push a cart. I do all three.
The ease with which the clubs can be inserted and removed is alone worth the price of admission. The large pockets are fantastic. The bag looks sharp and classy.
Related Links
Buy the Datrek GO LITE-14 Stand Bag
HOG Datrek Go-Lite 14 Stand Bag Photos
Let’s call sandbaggers what they really are: CHEATERS
Sandbaggers are slime bags. CHEATERS.
Ironically the handicap system which is designed to make the game fair for all golfers is the one which is abused and makes it unfair for honest players.
I paid an $80 dollar entry fee to play in a local amateur competition, the Wingpointe Amateur yesterday. I was excited to play in this event, as I haven’t played in any state golf association tournaments like this in some time other than the Salt Lake Amateur, which is run differently. I forgot the reason I decided not to play in these state tournaments but today I was reminded why. I guess I’m back to not playing in “net” state tournaments.
I struggled a bit today, but on a tough course fired a 76. I came in as a 3 handicap and my course handicap put me up to a 4. The tournament’s flights were broken down to champ flight which was gross, handicap 0-3 and then two flights which were 4-9 and 10-X. The winner in my flight shot a net 63. If that player was a 4 handicap like me, that score differential would have been 11 and he would have had to shoot a gross 67. Likely, the player who shot the 63 was a 9 handicap who shot 72. That’s a 9 differential. Let’s take a look at the USGA’s chart showing the odds of shooting an exceptional tournament score:
| Handicap Range -> | 0-5 | 6-12 | 13-21 | 22-30 | GREATER THAN 30 |
| Net Differential | odds | odds | odds | odds | odds |
| 0 | 5:1 | 5:1 | 6:1 | 5:1 | 5:1 |
| -1 | 10:1 | 10:1 | 10:1 | 8:1 | 7:1 |
| -2 | 23:1 | 22:1 | 21:1 | 13:1 | 10:1 |
| -3 | 57:1 | 51:1 | 43:1 | 23:1 | 15:1 |
| -4 | 151:1 | 121:1 | 87:1 | 40:1 | 22:1 |
| -5 | 379:1 | 276:1 | 174:1 | 72:1 | 35:1 |
| -6 | 790:1 | 536:1 | 323:1 | 130:1 | 60:1 |
| -7 | 2349:1 | 1200:1 | 552:1 | 229:1 | 101:1 |
| -8 | 20111:1 | 4467:1 | 1138:1 | 382:1 | 185:1 |
| -9 | 48219:1 | 27877:1 | 3577:1 | 695:1 | 359:1 |
| -10 | 125000:1 | 84300:1 | 37000:1 | 1650:1 | 874:1 |
So if the net 63 winner was in the handicap range 6-9, the odds of him shooting that score were 1 in 27,877. If the net 63 winner were in the handicap range 0-5, the odds of him shooting that score were 1 in 48,219. Let’s call it what it is, CHEATING.
The winner of the 3rd flight was a 17 handicap who shot 77, one shot worse than my gritty 76. The chart above doesn’t even go as high as a 12 differential. Closest odds are one in 37,000. Yeah, that’s likely. Can you believe that two players in the same tournament both overcame odds between 1-28,000 and 1 and 1-48,000? The odds of both of those happening at the same time have to be worse than the odds of winning the powerball.
“The Doctor”
There’s a guy who USED to be in my men’s leauge. He was a doctor and quite well off financially. The reason he left our league? We started punching in his scores, low 70’s, into the state handicapping system. He flat out told us, “I can’t win any state tournaments if you guys punch in my scores.”
Here’s a guy who doesn’t need prize money. He could afford any golf gear he wanted. Yet, he still CHEATED by not posting his low scores and by not carrying a legitimate handicap so he could “win.” Sounds like a loser to me.
“James Taylor”
I remember another CHEATER I became aware of. He had registered with the local golf association a handicap card under the name “James Taylor.” Not only is that the name of a sappy guitar player/singer, it is not this guy’s name. “James Taylor” won a net event and the $700 in prize money for first place. I hope the guy gets the shanks with the clubs he bought using his ill-gotten prize money.
“Match Play Champion”
A good friend who is also very frustrated with sandbaggers CHEATERS told me his latest bad experience. He was playing in his club’s net match play event. He made it to the championship match against a player who was a 13 handicap. That 13 handicap shot a round in the low 70’s and crushed his opponent, my pal, for the championship. Upon looking at his scoring record in the state handicap system, something which is publicly available, he hadn’t punched in a single golf score in 3-4 YEARS. He kept telling my buddy “this is the best round I’ve shot in years…” Yeah, right. You are a dirt-bag cheating liar.
Not What Golf Stands For
Cheating goes against what golf stands for. Golf is supposed to be an honorable game. We golfers police ourselves, call penalties on ourselves.
Solution?
My solution is to no longer compete in competitions that sandbaggers CHEATERS play in. That ruins it for me because I want to compete in state golf association sanctioned events. I’ve found a couple of leagues which combat CHEATERS by having their own league handicapping policies and punching in every score. I’ll compete there, and perhaps in tournaments which have “gross within flight” type competitions. That helps reduce the problem but still doesn’t stop a person who plays like a 3 but pads his handicap up to a 10.
Do Nothing?
It amazes me that people just sit back and let it happen. If you were cheated in business you’d probably take legal action. If you were cheated in your marriage you’d probably divorce. You get cheated in golf and do nothing?
Your Thoughts?
Do you have any solutions? I’d love to hear them. There’s a Wall Street Journal Article which discusses a system which sounds interesting.
First Look: 3UP Golf Balls
Written by: Tony Korologos | Friday, June 7th, 2013
Categories: Golf Balls • Golf Gear • Miscellaneous • Site News
Categories: Golf Balls • Golf Gear • Miscellaneous • Site News
I have to admire the tenacity of some golf entrepreneurs. Even though there are billion dollar companies out there making golf balls, Rob Zimmerman and 3UP Golf decided they’d join the fray. I have a dozen 3UP 3f12 golf balls to try. They’re a three piece ball meant to perform and feel like a balata but also produce modern distance. I’d like that.
As an extra cool bonus, $3 of each dozen sold is earmarked to a golf related charity. Cool. Buy high performance golf balls and support a great cause. And rather than a typical cardboard box, these balls come in a nice bag which would be great for carrying golf tees and other stuff around in.
In hand the balls look sharp and have what looks to be a dimple pattern close to the 330-332 dimple designs. The balls feel very tacky so I can tell they’ll produce a ton of spin around the greens.
I’ll put them in play as soon as I can and start working up my review.
Great Father’s Day Golf Gifts Over $50
I recently posted an article for those of you shopping for Father’s Day with a budget of $50 or less, Great Father’s Day Golf Gifts Under $50. Today’s Father’s Day gift guide is for those with a larger budget, $50 and up. What’s the limit? Let’s find out. In my gift guide I will include products I’ve reviewed here at Hooked On Golf Blog and a link to the original review so you can get some detailed information and product links.
Ecco Tour Hybrid Wingtip Golf Shoes – $190
The Ecco Tour Hybrid combines classy traditional wingtip dress shoe design with a hybrid golf/street sole. You can wear these beauties to work or the golf course. Ecco is famous for great performance and high comfort and the Tour Hybrid Wingtip meets that expectation.
Ecco Tour Hybrid Wingtip Golf Shoe Review
FootJoy M:Project Golf Shoes – $145
Not just one shoe recommendation in this article. Equal opportunity blogging here. I’ve been digging the light weight and high performance of the FootJoy M:Project golf shoes. These are a departure for my pals at the normally conservative FootJoy, and a good one. My M:Projects are quite possibly the most comfortable FootJoys I own and likely my primary choice for the hard ground in St. Andrews next month.
FootJoy M:Project Golf Shoe Review
Rukk Net – Portable Golf Practice Net – $199
I had this net setup in my basement over the winter and it really gave me a great way to keep the golf swing somewhat loose during those long winter months. Now that the weather is warmer, I have the net setup in my back yard. Sometimes I secretly wish the net would fail and my errant practice ball would find the cranium of the neighbor lady’s yelping poodle. I can dream. The Rukk Net is super solid and can handle shots from every club in the bag, but I wouldn’t recommend putting into it. Setup and teardown is a breeze, just a few seconds.
Ecco Leather Golf Belts – $100
Ecco is widely known for the superb leather they use to make their fine shoes. They own their own tanneries. That same fine leather is now available in these super stylish leather golf belts which come in three colors. I have a white and brown one. They’re fantastic.
Cobra Golf – Amp Cell Driver – $299
I’m not necessarily into matching my golf clubs with my apparel. I AM into crushing my driver long distances and hitting about 80% of my fairways. That’s exactly what I’m doing with the Amp Cell Driver by Cobra Golf. This is a very sharp looking adjustable driver which comes in four colors. I chose red and it is a beauty. It is also a beauty when I outdrive my friends opponents…
Miura New Wedge Series – $$$$$
I didn’t want to even hit this wedge for fear of putting a scratch or ding in it. I almost just mounted it on the wall in my office here at HOG World Headquarters. This club is a thing of beauty only surpassed by the incredible feel and performance it produces. Miura’s clubs are not for those on a limited budget. If you have to ask how much this club is, it is probably out of your budget range…
SkyCaddie Breeze Golf GPS
GPS technology is getting better and better, and less expensive. For you golfers who like to use GPS units, the SkyCaddie Breeze is a solid and inexpensive choice. The unit comes pre-loaded with 30,000 courses, tracks your scores/stats and measures club distances.
Sun Mountain Micro Cart – $199
This review is a little old but this cart still rules. The Sun Mountain Micro Cart is a 4-wheel golf push cart, “trolley” for those of you in the UK. The unit folds to a very small and manageable size for the trunk or the garage. Note: I have the new “sport” version of this cart and I’m in the process of reviewing it now. Stay tuned.
Sun Mountain Micro Cart Review
Golf At Black Mesa Golf Club, New Mexico – Affordable
For my final and grand Father’s Day golf gift idea I’m recommending you book dad (and me) a trip to New Mexico to play golf at my favorite course in the USA, Black Mesa Golf Club. There are two golf courses in the world which have made me consider moving to be close to them, the Old Course at St. Andrews and Black Mesa. It is THAT good.
Black Mesa Golf Club – Hole 15 – click to enlarge
Dad can stay in the Santa Claran Hotel in town, a nice new hotel built by the Santa Clara Pueblo.
Black Mesa Photo Gallery (322 images, until I go back and shoot more)
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