Inside The Mystery Box – Nike Hyperadapt Storm-FIT Jacket
Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, October 15th, 2013
Categories: Golf Apparel • Golf Gear • Site News
Tags: Golf Apparel • Nike Golf
Categories: Golf Apparel • Golf Gear • Site News
Tags: Golf Apparel • Nike Golf
A very elaborate mystery box came to the doorstep yesterday. The magnetically sealed box had a fabric top which a Nike logo sort of embossed through it.
Mystery Box from Nike Golf
The fabric was a sample of materials used in the new Nike Golf Hyperadapt Storm-FIT jacket pictured below. Oh to have Nike’s marketing budget!
Nike Hyperadapt Storm-FIT Jacket
The Storm Fit jacket first appeared on the scene at the British Open Championship. It is a 100% waterproof piece which also blocks wind, yet stays comfortable and breathable without hampering the golf swing.
I’m not a big fan of cold, wet and wind on the golf course, but I might just be hoping for a little of that so I can put this baby on through the rigorous Hooked On Golf Blog test battery!
Stay tuned for my Nike Hyperadapt Storm-FIT jacket review soon.
Utah’s Hidden Valley Country Club Sabotaged While Considering Course Redesign
Hidden Valley Country Club
I’ve been lucky to have played one Utah’s best golf courses with my dad many 100’s, of not 1000’s of times over the last few decades. Hidden Valley Country Club in Sandy, Utah is without a doubt my favorite course in northern Utah. HVCC is a fantastic mountainside 27 hole facility with tree-lined holes, great elevation changes and many fantastic views of the valley below and mountains above. Somehow they manage to produce the softest, yet smoothest and fastest greens around. My personal best score was a satisfying 68 (-4) there last year. I love HVCC and know practically every square inch.
Hidden Valley Country Club – Mountain Nine – 3rd Hole
Redesign?
A few years ago the club considered a course redesign by Matt Dye and wisely opted not to do it. During a redesign presentation one of the lady members pointed out to Dye and those considering the project that the course was wonderful as it was, saying, “why would anyone want to change this?”
Rees Jones Proposed Redesign – click to zoom
Good question.
The members at HVCC, which I am not, are once again considering a redesign. This time by Rees Jones. The focus would be the greens and tees, with some modifications to bunkers and trees. Some of the reasons behind the redesign: The course was built a long time ago. Two architects contributed to the current greens design. The course is too short. The putting surfaces are not consistent. The drainage systems need to be updated.
Much effort is put into stressing that the goal is not to make the course more difficult.
While I (sort of ) understand these reasons, I once again question redesigning such a great course. I just mentioned how great the greens are, yet some think they need to be redone? Perhaps I don’t know that much about golf architecture, but I’m trying to think of which greens are so out of place on the course. I suppose I’ve always thought of them as they are, and not how they could or should be. Maybe the members should go play some of the muni courses in town with bad greens to remind themselves how great their greens really are. I don’t find the surfaces to be inconsistent. I find them to be consistently good and the speeds perfect.
I do understand the need for drainage work. The course can often be very soggy and spongy in places, yet very dry in others. Some of the tee boxes can be way too soft.
I can definitely imagine some tee box redesign and repositioning. Some good variation could be added to the course by putting boxes in different locations, providing different angles off the tee as well as different elevations. Right now some of the tee boxes can be a bit boring, with all the tee sets in the same strip, just a few yards apart.
Having grown up playing “mountain golf” I do love the way these types of courses frame up when lined with large mature pines like Hidden Valley is. That being said, I’m also as big a fan of links style golf as anyone. There aren’t any “tree lined” holes on the Old Course in St. Andrews. While part of me wants to see the trees and hole shapes stay, I’d be curious to see what a more modern design might bring in the way of playability and aesthetics. If I had any input at all, I would have suggested the club talk with Gil Hanse, Tom Doak or Baxter Spann about the redesign. I’d recommend getting a 2nd, 3rd or 4th opinion/bid on something as big and important as what the club calls their “biggest asset,” their course. I know if I was looking at spending over $5 million on a project, I’d want want to be sure I was making the right choice.
Hidden Valley Country Club – Poisoned Tree – Mountain Course 8th Hole – click to zoom
Sabotage
Recently the club was the victim of some bad vandalism. Gloves and poison were found in a garbage can on the course. Shortly after those items were found, two large trees on the 6th and 8th holes of the Mountain nine started to die (pictured right). These trees play a very strong role in the strategy of the holes. Without them, the holes become much easier and less challenging, as well as less attractive aesthetically.
Seeing these great trees dying makes me ill. I’m very saddened that someone would stoop that low. Certainly doing something like this is not in the spirit of golf and the golf gods will make these vandals pay.
Some theorize that the “flat bellies” of the club may be the source of the sabotage. If those trees weren’t there, the young and long hitters would be able to drive the short par-4 6th or reach the par-5 8th in two shots easily.
I suspect it is also possible the vandalism may have been performed by a disgruntled member or former member. Perhaps someone has an axe to grind and this is their way of getting back at the club?
A third theory I have is one I really hope isn’t the case. I do find it interesting timing that the course is considering a redesign at the same time this sabotage takes place. If I read the design notes correctly, these two trees would be eliminated in the new design. Coincidence? Was the vandalism done by someone who really wants the redesign to happen or worse yet, has a financial interest in the redesign taking place? As I said, I certainly hope this theory is not the case.
A reward is now offered by the club. $2,500 cash to whoever provides the club information leading to the positive identification of the person responsible for the damage.
Related Links
Hooked On Golf Blog Hidden Valley Country Club Photos
WORX Golf Wedges
Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, October 10th, 2013
Categories: Golf Clubs • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Golf Equipment • Golf Equipment Review
Categories: Golf Clubs • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Golf Equipment • Golf Equipment Review
WORX Sand Wedge
Today I’m reviewing a very unusual golf club from WORX, a “hybrid wedge.” No, I don’t think the club can replace your 3-iron and your lob wedge.
WORX Sand Wedge
I’m reviewing the WORX sand wedge specifically. This is a wedge with a huge, fat head. The big head isn’t just a gimmick. There are real physical properties in such a club design that can make it a good fit for certain players. The large rounded sole has a lot of bounce, which makes it great for situations like sand traps. The club will bounce off the surface and not dig in. For players who have trouble getting out of the sand or deep lies in the rough, this type of design could be a big help.
Specs
Loft: 55°
Lie: 64°
Bounce: 12°
Length 35.25″
On The Course
Hitting this club takes some getting used to. The first few shots I hit poorly because the club bounced so much. I could hear two sounds, the sound of the club hitting the ground, then hitting the ball. The rounded leading edge is actually in front of the shaft quite a bit. That combined with the bounce meant that I had to reposition the ball placement in my stance. Once I had properly adjusted, I could hit this club just like a regular sand wedge from the fairway or rough. The distance was the same as a regular sand wedge with a conventional head design.
WORX Wedge – click to zoom
The bit difference for me was in the sand. Normally I’m a very good sand player. This club cut through and bounced so much more that I was hitting my bunker shots longer, with more carry. Because of the large and rounded head, opening the blade isn’t like a standard wedge. I could open it a few degrees but if I opened too many, the blade starts to lift off the ground. The design of the rounded sole nullifies the need to open the blade though. So I found myself setting up fairly square in the sand. After a few swings, I could start to feel the proper distance.
The bounce is quite dramatic and there was hardly a lie I couldn’t get the ball airborne and out of the bunker, even densely packed sand or “muni-dirt.”
WORX Wedge at address – click for more
Models/Pricing
There are two WORX wedge models available, the 55 degree model I tested and a 51 degree gap wedge.
Pricing for either wedge is $119.00.
Legal For Play
The WORX wedge does have an unconventional design, but it has been deemed legal for stipulated play by the USGA and R&A.
Conclusion
If you struggle with bunker shots, the WORX wedge could be an option to consider. It certainly delivers as it should, with lots of bounce to get the ball airborne out of sand and many other types of lies.
This Week in Golf: PGA Tour Season Opener (yes you read that correctly), Nick Faldo’s Champions Tour Debut, LPGA Tour & More
Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, October 9th, 2013
Categories: Champions Tour • European Tour • FedEx Cup • LPGA Tour • PGA Tour • Pro Golf
Categories: Champions Tour • European Tour • FedEx Cup • LPGA Tour • PGA Tour • Pro Golf
This week marks the beginning of the PGA Tour season. Is that as strange to you as it is to me? Personally, its football season for me and I still consider the beginning of the Tour season to be the first week of January. BUT, players like my friend Kevin Foley, a Web.com Tour graduate who just got his Tour card, have an opportunity to get started early. 2014 FedEx Cup points start to accrue this week. Its a great opportunity.
On the Champions Tour Sir Nick Faldo is making his debut. I’m sure his hair will look exactly the same as it has for the last 25 years.
PGA Tour
Frys.com Open
Dates: October 10-13
Venue: CordeValle Golf Club, San Martin, Calif.
Golf Channel Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday 5-8 p.m. (Live) / 8:30-11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Friday 5-8 p.m. (Live) / 8:30-11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Saturday 5-8 p.m. (Live) / 8:30-11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Sunday 5-8 p.m. (Live) / 8:30-11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Headlining the Field: Davis Love III, Billy Horschel, Charles Howell III, Ryan Moore, Vijay Singh, Hideki Matsuyama, John Huh, Robert Garrigus, Ben Crane, Jonas Blixt and Trevor Immelman.
Champions Tour
SAS Championship
Dates: October 11-13
Venue: Prestonwood CC, Cary, N.C.
Golf Channel Airtimes (Eastern):
Friday 2-4:30 p.m. (Live) / 3-5 a.m. (Replay)
Saturday 2-4:30 p.m. (Live) / 3-5 a.m. (Replay)
Sunday 2-4:30 p.m. (Live) / Midnight-2 a.m. (Replay)
Headlining the Field: Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Kenny Perry, Mark Calcavecchia, Corey Pavin, Mark O’Meara and Mark Wiebe.
LPGA Tour
Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia
Dates: October 10-13
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (East Course), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Golf Channel Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday 12:30-3 a.m. (Live)
Friday 12:30-3 a.m. (Live)
Saturday 12:30-3 a.m. (Live)
Sunday Midnight-3 a.m. (Live)
Headlining the Field: Inbee Park, Stacy Lewis, Michelle Wie, Lexi Thompson, Paula Creamer, Suzann Pettersen, Yani Tseng, Morgan Pressel, Ai Miyazato, Na Yeon Choi, I.K. Kim and Jessia Korda.
European Tour
Portugal Masters
Dates: October 10-13
Venue: Oceanico Victoria Golf Club, Vilamoura, Portugal
Golf Channel Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Live)
Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Live)
Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Live)
Sunday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Live)
Headlining the Field: Matteo Manassero, Martin Kaymer, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Peter Uihlein, Thomas Bjorn, Alvaro Quiros, Francesco Molinari, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Nicolas Colsaerts.
If Your Golf Partner Has a 3×3 Foot 200 Pound Golf Ball, Call the Police
Someone stole a three by three foot, 200 pound golf ball sculpture from The Memorial golf tournament (pictured courtesy of the city of Dublin, OH). The ball is a sculpture, one of several, which is on display until the 2014 Memorial tournament. The sculpture is one of 18 which were sold to sponsors.
The Memorial is offering the thief(s) a mulligan. If they turn the 200 pound golf ball back, undamaged, by midnight Saturday, no questions will be asked. Otherwise, the culprit will be subject to a $2,500 fine.
Questions
Is this golf ball longer off the tee?
Does the driver need to be bigger than 460cc’s?
Is this a four piece ball with a gradational core and soft urethane cover?
Does the ball perform great around the greens and feel soft off the putter?
How big is the green repair tool needed for this ball?
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