When I felt a slight chill this morning I knew exactly what I was going to insert into my apparel scripting for the day, the Bobby Jones Donegal Cable Mock. If you’re not sure what I mean about apparel scripting, stick around and you’ll eventually find out.
Bobby Jones Donegal Cable Mock Sweater is so comfortable and soft it’s practically sinful or indulgent. The comfort of this amazing sweater is rivaled by its style, all class, just like the original Bobby Jones, my favorite golfer of all time.
The $265 imported Donegal Cable Mock is made from 90% merino wool and 10% cashmere. The fabric is so absolutely soft it’s hard to fathom. It is also very light, not heavy feeling. The stylish V-neck sports some large, old-school buttons. This is a gamer and will just as stylish and comfortable in 20 years as it is now.
This is not a super thick or heavy sweater, so it’s not quite what you’d pick for a windy day in Chicago on January 4th. But in conditions where there’s a small chill in the air, spring or fall, San Francisco type conditions, it’s a perfect choice. Just this evening I used only this sweater on a date with the fine lady, with evening temps around the high 40’s to low 50’s.
I love sporting Bobby Jones apparel. I will never be the golfer Bobby Jones was, but I gain great inspiration from him. He was a true inspiration in his play, and his classic style is still as sharp many decades later as it was in 1930, the year he won the first ever Grand Slam in golf.
Oh, that chill I mentioned before? Gone. I’m perfectly comfortable and toasty now.
Hats off Mr. Jones.
I’ve seen some interesting golf gadgets in my now 11+ years of golf blogging. In golf, alignment is a crucial aspect to the setup and golfers do everything they can and utilize every tool in the shed to insure it is correct, from alignment sticks to lasers to now sunglasses.
Birdie Max Sunglasses are not sunglasses one wears during a round of golf, walking along the beach, or riding a motorcycle. In fact, that’s not a good idea. Don’t do that. Birdie Max Sunglasses are meant for golfers to use during practice to check alignment and help them focus on only the target line and setup. How is this achieved? By blocking out everything in the field of vision except the primary target line.
Quite an interesting concept, which I poo-pooed at first. After trying it a few times I did realize a few interesting things about my setup. The most interesting part for me was that my head was not aligned parallel to the target line. My head seems to naturally line up crossing the target line from outside to in when drawing a line toward the target. If my swing wants to follow that line, I produce the dreaded hacker amateur outside-in swing path. Results of that swing path are either slices from cutting across the ball, or dead straight pulls if the clubface is square to the incorrect line.
It is interesting also to use this swing aid during putting not only for setup, but to watch the putter’s path through the stroke. I tend to be a more Ben Crenshaw style (yes, I could have picked a better example LOL), with a swinging gate. That means the putter goes inside the line on the backstroke and the end of the stroke. But the Birdie Max still helped me get the concept of being square at impact. A degree or two off on a putt of more than a couple of feet could mean a large miss. The longer the putt, the bigger the miss.
Included in the package is a nice case and cleaning cloth:
Conclusion
While this unit might seem a bit hokey, as many golf swing aids and alignment aids are, the Birdie Max sunglasses did “open my eyes” (sorry, had to do it) to some alignment issues I look to fix soon in both my full swing and in my putting setup. If you’ve tried other alignment aids and still are not able to get it right, maybe you should “look into” the Birdie Max sunglasses.
Christmas is coming up soon and what better way to spread the holiday cheer than with a fine Honduran cigar? How about this one, the Romeo Y Julieta House of Capulet Toro?
Medallas de Oro Romeo Y Julieta
- Strength: Medium
- Shape: Toro
- Size: 6 x 52
- Country: Honduras
- Wrapper Color: Natural
- Wrapper Origin: Ecuadorian
- Wrapper Leaf: Connecticut
This cigar is a very tasty cigar for my not-so-professional cigar taste, not too strong. Medium strength is good for me. The flavor stays consistent, even toward the end of the cigar’s life where some can get a bit nasty. This size will last me several holes to perhaps 1/3 of a round on the golf course, or about 40-60 minutes on the front porch. Even the lovely bride, who is a newb to cigars, enjoys this one despite the strength being a little bit higher than she would prefer.
The numbers for me don’t lie. My golf scores when enjoying a fine cigar are a good 40% better. I’m not kidding. Perhaps it is that the cigar helps me relax, or perhaps keeps my mind eating itself with bad memories of the last 3-putt. Out of courtesy I always give my opponents an opportunity to surrender as I light up my next cigar.
11 Years of Golf Blogging
Today marks the 11th birthday blogday of this humble, single-writer, independent golf blog. This blog was founded before most people had heard the word “blog” and before all the magazines and newspapers started calling their columns blogs. This blog is one of the originals, in the group of perhaps the first 4-5 golf blogs ever founded, and one of 2-3 that are still in operation since 2004. To date, I’ve “crafted” (ahem) 5,268 golf blog posts, 2-3 of them are actually quite good.
Diamante Dunes 16 Green
In 11 years I’ve traveled to some of the world’s most spectacular golf destinations, from St Andrews to Cabo to Colombia to New Mexico. I affectionately call these travels the HOG World Tour. I’ve played many of the world’s top courses, some which had not even opened yet like Ballyneal in Colorado and Diamante Dunes in Los Cabos, Mexico. I’ve tested and blogged about hundreds of golf clubs, golf gadgets, and golf apparel items. Though not the primary focus of this blog, I’ve covered many PGA Tour and amateur golf events. I’ve been to the hallowed grounds Augusta National Golf Club several times. I was one of the first bloggers to do live blogging from the PGA Merchandise Show. Now it’s old hat.
Anna Rawson and me. You can tell she’s in love…
The People
The gear, the golf, and the travel are great, but by far the best part of my experience in the golf blog world has been all the amazing and interesting people. Many of the people whom I would never have met without this golf blog have become lifelong friends.
I’ve managed to make acquaintance with so many of golf’s greats and celebrities it could take me a long while to write them all down. Highlights include Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Gary Player (check out my interview with Mr. Player), actor Robert Duval (nice long interview), Dave Stockton, Chi Chi Rodriguez, played golf with George Brett, Fuzzy Zoeller, Duffy Waldorf, Anna Rawson, Blair O’ Neal (interview), Fred Funk (interviewed), John Daly, Rocco Mediate, Billy Casper, Dave Pelz, Charles Barkley, Doctor J – Julius Irving, John Elway, Mario Lemieux, Michael Strahan… There are many I forget.
Celebrities aside there are some amazing people I’ve established relationships with in the golf world. Some are bloggers like John Retzer (Golf Blogger), Jay Flemma, Kristen Williams (The Golf Chick), John Duval, Robert Rodriguez, Mike Bailey… It’s a long list of great people and some great writers. Other amazing people I’ve met through golf blogging are golf pros or directors of golf at fantastic resorts like Tom Velarde at Black Mesa Golf Club who has become a very close friend. Some of the great people I’ve met are in golf equipment like Jesse Ortiz (Bobby Jones Golf), or small entrepreneurs like Scottish putter maker Grant Mackay.
My pal John Boyne (left) and myself at the Home of Golf, St Andrews Scotland
Last but certainly not least is a special friend John Boyne of Caddie Golf Tours, who is a caddie at the Old Course in St Andrews (pictured right).
Thankful
I’m so thankful for all the great opportunities that have presented themselves to me as a result of this golf blog and quite frankly as a result of my hard work. The past 11 years have been 11 of the greatest years I’ve had on this planet. This last year has been a struggle in my golf game and in my personal world and some of my blogging (or lack thereof) has reflected that. But I’ve stuck with it and plan to continue on this journey, wherever it leads.
Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to get going on year #12 of golf blogging. Stay tuned and thanks for your patronage.
Related
Golf Blogger sends 11th blogiversary wishes
10th blogiversary
PGA TOUR
Hero World Challenge
Dates: Dec. 3-6
Venue: Albany Resort, Albany, Bahamas
Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):
Thursday Noon-4 p.m. (Live) / 4:30-7:30 p.m. (Replay)
Friday Noon-4 p.m. (Live) / 4:30-7:30 p.m. (Replay)
Saturday Noon-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 5:30-8 p.m. (Replay)
Sunday Noon-2 p.m. (Live) / 6-11 p.m. (Replay)
Tournament Airtimes on NBC (Eastern):
Saturday 2:30-5 p.m. (Live)
Sunday 2-5 p.m. (Live)
Broadcast Notes:
Leonard to take part in Golf Channel / NBC coverage of Hero World Challenge: 12-time PGA TOUR winner, major champion and 1999 Ryder Cup hero Justin Leonard will work as a tower analyst for Golf Channel and NBC’s live coverage of the event.
Elite field: The field includes six of the top-10 players in the world, and each of the 18 players are currently ranked in the top-43 in the world. 11 of the 12 members of the victorious United States Presidents Cup team also are in the field.
New venue: This week marks the 17th playing of the event, but the first time being held at the Albany Resort on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas. The event is not an official PGA TOUR stop, though players will receive Official World Golf Rankings points.
Spieth defends: World No. 1 Jordan Spieth separated himself from the field with a 10 shot victory at Isleworth Golf & Country Club in Florida last December.
Headlining the field: Paul Casey, Rickie Fowler, Bill Haas, J.B. Holmes, Billy Horschel, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Chris Kirk, Brooks Koepka, Matt Kuchar, Anirban Lahiri, Hideki Matsuyama, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker and Bubba Watson.
PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA / EUROPEAN TOUR
Australian PGA Championship
Dates: Dec. 3-6
Venue: RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Australia
Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):
Wednesday 8 p.m.-1 a.m. (Live)
Thursday 8 p.m.-1 a.m. (Live)
Friday 8 p.m.-1 a.m. (Live)
Saturday 8 p.m.-1 a.m. (Live)
Broadcast Notes:
Chalmers defends: Greg Chalmers defeated Adam Scott and Wade Ormsby on the seventh playoff hole for his second Australian PGA Championship title.
Final event of “Australian Triple Crown”: This week marks the third and final event of the “Australian Triple Crown,” which also features the Australian Masters and Australian Open. Australian Masters winner Peter Senior is in the field but Australian Open champion Matt Jones is not. And for the first time, the event is being co-sanctioned by the European Tour and will count as an official event.
Headlining the field: Brandt Snedeker, John Senden, David Lingmerth, Peter Senior, Cameron Smith, Peter Uihlein, Jarrod Lyle, Robert Allenby, Greg Chalmers and Paul Dunne.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Nedbank Golf Challenge
Dates: Dec. 3-6
Venue: Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa
Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):
Thursday 3-10 a.m. (Live)
Friday 3-10 a.m. (Live)
Saturday 4-10 a.m. (Live)
Sunday 4-10 a.m. (Live)
Broadcast Notes:
Event changes: This is the 35th edition of the Nedbank Golf Challenge and the first of two times that it will be contested during the 2016 Race to Dubai season. The event will move to November in 2016 and become the second leg of the European Tour’s Final Series. The field of 30 this week will increase to 72 next November. Following the conclusion of play on Sunday, the European Tour will take a four-week hiatus and resume in 2016 with the South African Open in Johannesburg on January 7.
Willett defends: Danny Willett defeated Ross Fisher by four shots to earn his second career European Tour win.
Headlining the field: Henrik Stenson, Martin Kaymer, Robert Streb, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, Louis Oosthuizen, Danny Willett, Shane Lowry, Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley.
ASIAN TOUR
Ho Tram Open
Dates: Dec. 3-6
Venue: The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, Vietnam
Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):
Thursday 1-3 a.m. (Live)
Friday 1-3 a.m. (Live)
Saturday 1-4 a.m. (Live)
Sunday 1-4 a.m. (Live)
Broadcast Notes:
Inaugural event: This week marks the first playing of the Ho Tram Open, being contested in Vietnam, two hours southeast of Ho Chi Minh City.
Headlining the field: Sergio Garcia, Geoff Ogilvy, Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn, Robert Rock, Oliver Wilson, David Lipsky, Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal.
LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR
The Queens
Dates: Dec. 4-6
Venue: Miyoshi Country Club, Aichi, Japan
Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):
Saturday 2:30-5 p.m. (Tape delay)
Sunday 2-5 p.m. (Tape delay)
Broadcast Notes:
Format: The inaugural match play event features four nine-person teams comprised of members of the Ladies European Tour (captained by Laura Davies), LPGA of Japan, Korean LPGA Tour and Australian Ladies Professional Golf Inc. The format features 34 matches being contested over three days: eight fourball matches on day one, eight foursomes matches on day two, and 18 singles matches on day three, with 102 total points available. Each match is worth three points to the winning team, and one point will be given for matches ending all square.
Ladies European Tour Team: Laura Davies (captain), Hannah Burke, Karine Icher, Nanna Madsen, Catriona Matthew, Gwladys Nocera, Emily Kristine Pedersen, Melissa Reid and Marianne Skarpnord.
LPGA of Japan Team: Momoko Ueda (captain), Erika Kikuchi, Ayaka Watanabe, Misuzo Narita, Akane Iijima, Shiho Oyama, Erina Hara, Miki Sakai and Ritsuko Ryu.
Korean LPGA Team: In Gee Chun, Sei Young Kim, Sung Hyun Park, Jung Min Lee, Yoon Ji Cho, Jin Young Ko, Seon Woo Bae, Min Sun Kim, Bo-Mee Lee.
Australian Ladies Professional Golf Team: Rachel Hetherington (captain), Nikki Campbell, Nikki Garrett, Whitney Hillier, Sarah Kemp, Katherine Kirk, Stephanie Na, Sarah Jane Smith and Lindsey Wright.
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HOGWire – Golf Industry News
