Cart Boy 101 – How Not To Put A Golf Bag On A Cart

Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, June 20th, 2013
Categories: Boneheads • Golf

The cart boy at the last tournament I played in failed. First, I can’t get my towel out. Second, I cant get my wedge out because it is held down by the towel, which I can’t get out.

First Look – Sun Mountain Micro-Cart Sport

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, June 19th, 2013
Categories: Golf Accessories • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear

Here’s a quick first look at a great 4-wheel golf push cart which I’m reviewing now. In my league this afternoon I’ll be putting my new Sun Mountain Micro-Cart Sport through round two of my evaluation. The course I’ll be trekking is a mountainside layout which features some very large elevation changes.

My first impressions are that this cart is SOLID. I reviewed the original Micro-Cart a while back and this cart builds on that great foundation. I really dig the big valuables pouch which goes under the handle. The valuables holder and magnetic scorecard holder are the best design I’ve used in any push cart whether they’re two, three or four wheeled models.

Stay tuned for my review. Until then check out some Micro-Cart Sport images.

Fantasy Golf – U.S. Open Winners

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, June 19th, 2013
Categories: Fantasy Golf • Miscellaneous • Site News

U.S. Open Winner: The People’s Champ

Bonus Bridgestone Golf Balls go to: The People’s Champ and Playing From The Wrong Fairway

2013 Fantasy Golf is brought to you by Hooked On Golf Blog and The Golf Space.

SPONSORS/PRIZES

Nike Golf – Nike Covert Driver
FootJoy – Shoes/Apparel
Bridgestone Golf – Bridgestone Golf Balls
Tornado Tee – Very cool golf tees (weekly)

I’m still hammering arrangements for coupon codes to claim the weekly prizes. Stay tuned!

It is never too late to join HOG Space fantasy golf FREE. Follow the easy instructions below:

1. Go to www.buzzfantasyleagues.com
2. Create an account if you don’t have one
3. Click on “Join an Existing League”
4. Enter League ID 233, and Season ID 335
5. Create your team, enter league password “HOG”

Sponsors Wanted

If you wish to sponsor 2013 Fantasy Golf, let me know. Sponsorship would mean providing prizes in exchange for weekly air time, banners and links to your web site via the fantasy golf updates.

Discussion

HOG Space fantasy golf is a dual effort between Hooked On Golf Blog and The Golf Space. Official fantasy golf forum discussion thread is in The Golf Space Forum here.

Golf Apparel Review: FootJoy M:Project Spikeless Golf Shoes

Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, June 18th, 2013
Categories: Golf Apparel • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: FootJoy

This is a suplemental review to my original FootJoy M:Project review which I posted a few months ago. The previous review was the spiked version while this one is the spikeless version. Let’s take a look at the FootJoy M:Project Spikless!

FootJoy M:Project Spikeless

M:Project Spikeless Overview

M:Project is a departure for FootJoy. FJ’s shoes have been for the most part conservative and classic in design. M:Project breaks that mold in style, materials and creativity. They don’t break the mold in the already fantastic performance level one expects from FootJoy. The M:Projects I’m sporting in this review are the spikeless charcoal/black mesh.

The upper portion of this model M:Project is a high performance mesh which is lightweight and waterproof, but provides breathability. There three mesh models of this golf shoe and two models which have a leather upper made out of “M:SPEC” leather. The M:SPEC version is also waterproof.

Speaking of waterproof… All M:Project shoes come with a 2-year waterproof warranty.

Protected Toe – click to zoom

The toe of the shoe is protected by FJ’s “ProTekt Toe Guard.” The toe guard helps prevent scratching and damage to the highest wear portion of the upper, the toe. The best way I can describe it, is like one of those clear bra finishes you see on nice cars.

The fit of this shoe is improved by the “MP:627 Last” (where do they come up with this stuff?). In english, the toe area is designed to allow the toes to spread while walking. That’s what happens naturally when we humans walk. Test it out. Walk around in bare feet and see!

The sole of the shoe is a very thin but durable rubber called “L.T.D.” L.T.D. is flexible, adding to the comfort of the shoe in action, but also provides stability and traction in the swing. Without stability, the golf swing is toast.

Spikeless Sole – click to zoom

Colors

White
White/Navy (Navy trim)
Charcoal/Black Mesh (pictured in this review)
White/Silver Mesh
Blue/Grey Mesh

On The Course

I’m preparing for a big, weeklong trip to the Home of Golf, St. Andrews. That’s coming up in less than two weeks. I’ll be playing up to 36 holes per day for seven days there. Last time I was there, wearing classic golf shoes, the hard ground took its toll on my feet and knees. I ended up switching to sneakers about half way through the trip. That’s why you see me wearing tennies in my photos as I walk over the famous Swilken Bridge on the 18th hole of the Old Course. I’ve been walking all my rounds here lately in preparation and testing out the M:Project Spikeless.

Looks like I have a go-to pair of golf shoes for the Home of Golf.

M:Project In Action!

From the first walking round with them, the M:Project Spikeless have been extremely comfortable. They might even be more comfortable than my spiked M:Projects, which is hard to believe. I’ve walked some very hilly and hard/dry ground here and the impact on my lower body and back is minimal. That’s a big deal for a guy with arthritis in the lower back.

The stability and traction of the M:Project Spikeless has been brilliant. I’ve only slipped twice due to very early morning wet grass combined with a spazztic, out-of-balance golf swing.

Critiques

I reserve a section for critiquing a product in all of my reviews. I’ve been racking my brain trying to find something which isn’t up to par with the M:Projects and I can’t. No complaints. Carry on!

Conclusion

The new $145 retail M:Project Spikeless golf shoes from FootJoy combine comfort, style and performance into a super-light shoe which can be worn on or off the course.

2013 U.S. Open Commentary

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, June 17th, 2013
Categories: Champions Tour • European Tour • PGA Tour • Pro Golf • Rory McIlory • The Masters • Tiger Woods • U.S. OPEN • USGA • Web.com Tour

U.S. Open Alternate Titles

Menacing Merion
Merion Massacre
Misfortune at Merion
Misery at Merion
Merion Comes Up Rose
Merion Mayhem
Mahan Misses at Merion
Mickelson Misses Moment at Merion
USGA Declared Winner At U.S. Open

Open Hangover

I didn’t feel too well after the U.S. Open finished yesterday. Either I was dehydrated from my early morning pre-Open round, or I was jacked up from the pressure and gut wrenching drama of the U.S. Open. How’d you like the Open? How was the course setup for you?

Course Setup

The “U.S. Open-ifying” of the course was exactly what I’d expected. I expected to see rough that produced bogeys or worse, and insanely fast greens. The USGA is looking for a winning score of even-par and that’s what they essentially got (+1). There is a lot of discussion, as there always is during the U.S. Open, about whether the setup was “fair” or “manipulated” or “tricked up.” If the goal was to produce a winning score of even-par, the USGA nailed it. Did they compromise some of the holes at Merion in doing so?

If the goal was to preserve some of the same shot values as those in the past Opens at Merion, they probably missed the mark. The par-3 3rd hole was playing at about 274 uphill, into the wind. Many players had to hit driver. There was no bailout or layup area. After scoring a double on the hole in the final round, Phil Mickelson turned to USGA Executive Director Mike Davis who was following his group and said, “274? That’s terrible. Can’t even reach it.”

The final hole was playing so difficult that none of the 148 who played it Sunday made birdie. None. The eventual open winner Justin Rose, navigated the final hole in par after hitting a brilliant 4-iron approach which went through the green to the back fringe.

No matter what side you’re on regarding the course setup, you might agree that the player who executed the best shots all around did win the championship.

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods was crowned the 2013 U.S. Open trophy by many in the media and many fans before the championship even started. Tiger’s play was below mediocre. His putting and chipping were downright awful. Before the Open, the “will Tiger break Jack’s major record” questions were nauseatingly once again being posed. After this open I can’t help but think that those who ask that question should forget that one and start asking whether or not Tiger will win another major, ever.

Despite going FIVE years without a major win and so many poor showings, Tiger is the favorite already to win the British Open Championship. I’ll take the field until further notice.

Rory McIlory

I’m not sure if it is the gear change to Nike and/or the big money that came along with it. Perhaps it is a matter of focusing more on the hot tennis pro girlfriend. Perhaps it is just a case of sophomore-itis. Whatever the reason, Rory McIlory is not focused. Until he can refocus, he will not be a factor in major championships.

Steve Stricker

It was heartbreaking to watch Steve Stricker collapse Sunday. He was in a great position to win his first major. Hitting a shot OB and then shanking another OB was brutal. I felt terrible for him. That was perhaps part of the reason I didn’t feel well after the tournament was over. He’ll get more chances at major championships obviously, but this one was there for him.

Phil Mickelson

What can you say about Phil? Some people love him and some hate him. He put on quite a show for both of those groups. He’s the only player I can think of in history that can make two double bogeys in the final round of a U.S. Open and have a shot at winning it with 1-3 holes to go.

Hunter Mahan

In my own (very) small way I empathise with Hunter Mahan. His driving and ball striking was so good, but his short game was the weak link which cost him this major.

Jason Day

Jason Day is amazing. He’s always in contention in majors lately. His performance this week was just short of brilliant. Mark it down. He’ll win a major. Best shot for him would be the Masters in my opinion.

Charl Schwartzel

The Schwartz was definitely not with Charl yesterday. He was in the lead for a moment, but then uncharacteristically melted down. My golf buddies call that a “Chernobyl.” I couldn’t believe how many putts he missed. Charl had five bogeys and a double-bogey on the front alone. That was tough to watch and very unexpected for a player who has such big golf kahunas. Held the lead at one time, shoots +8 and ends up tied for 14th.

Luke Donald

This was a tournament well suited for a Luke Donald win. Hitting that girl in the head with his drive (on a par-3, the 3rd hole) did Luke in. He was visibly shaken by that event, though not as shaken as the girl, who was knocked unconscious.

ESPN Coverage

I throw up in my mouth a little bit, every time I hear that ESPN will be covering golf. I’ve grown so tired of Chris Berman’s awful golf announcing that I had the sound turned off the first two days. Nothing personal, but I don’t want to hear “underneath par” and “rumblin’ stumblin’ bublin'” ever again. The shtick is old. Really old.

I know a lot of people don’t like Johnny Miller’s commentary, but at least he knows about golf.

Final Thoughts

The U.S. Open is a great championship and I enjoy watching the drama. It isn’t the kind of golf I’d want to watch week in and week out though. I think most golf fans would agree. Is it the best tournament as far as excitement and entertainment goes? Not even close. The Masters blows it away.

Congratulations to Justin Rose. A well deserved championship to the player who clearly handled the conditions and challenges at Merion the best this past week.

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