2018 RCK Salt Lake City Amateur Round 2 Recap | Chernobyl

Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, June 5th, 2018
Categories: Golf

It has taken me a couple of days to cool down from my 2nd round in the Salt Lake City Am. I came into the final round tied for 3rd place and played in the final grouping of my flight with the #1, #2, and the player I was tied for 3rd with.

Bonneville 12th Green

I started out well, with a birdie on the first but by the 3rd hole I’d made my first major error. I missed the green to the right, with a right pin. I was in deep rough and the green ran severely away from me. My chip was as good as I could hope for and landed in the fringe. But the physics of the shot were impossible, except for perhaps Phil Mickelson. The chip ended up 40 feet away. First double of the day. The next hole I did nearly the exact same thing. My 3rd shot on the par-4 missed the pin to the right, where the green falls off. The ball ran off into deep rough. I gouged it out, up the hill, and it came back to me. 2nd double in a row.

I could go on, but that’s how it went. I struggled to a 39 on the front, still in the mix. On the back I continued to gag with a double on the 10th. On the 12th tee I went to grab my driver out of my bag and I had a sharp pain in my forearm. I could not even pull my driver out of the bag. From that point on this “injury,” combined with a complete confidence meltdown, destroyed my round. I found myself dreading every shot and just wishing the round would end. I’ve never felt that way before.

I dropped from 3rd to 8th, still in the money, but completely embarrassed and disappointed.

When I got home I wanted to have a snack, so I grabbed some chips and dip. I dipped a chip in and tried to lift it up to my mouth. It was a no go. My arm hurt so bad I couldn’t lift a damn chip into my mouth.

I’ve been icing it for a couple of days, and taking some anti-inflammatories. But I’m afraid I’ve completely aggravated the old golfer’s elbow. I’ve worked very hard this spring to prepare for this event, which is the most important tournament of the year in my mind. I hit the range and practiced short game far more this spring than I have any spring in the last 10-15 years. I must have overdone it.

So here I am with piles of golf equipment in the office to review, and worried I’ll be able to swing a club.

First Look: 2018 Wilson Duo Soft Golf Balls

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, June 4th, 2018
Categories: Golf Balls • Golf Equipment • Golf Gear
Tags: Wilson Golf

In for review are some Wilson Staff Duo Soft golf balls. Soft is the new long. Every golf company has scrambled to make super soft golf balls over the last few years, and Wilson has the softest ball on the planet (as of this writing), in the Duo Soft line.

As you can see above, the line comes in numerous models and colors. There are women’s, matte white, orange, yellow, blue, pink, lime green, red dawn.

Why Soft?

For decades balls were measured by “compression.” The higher the compression, the more swing speed needed to get optimal distance. That’s great for the big hitters, but high compression balls don’t help golfers with slower swing speeds. Soft golf balls with low compression are easy to compress, and easier to hit long for slower swing speeds.

Price Point

Wilson’s Duo Soft are only $19.99/dozen on the Wilson golf site. A super price point for the average golfer. A super gift for Father’s Day, which is coming up very soon.

Pending Review

Stay tuned full HOG review later this summer. I don’t normally play soft compression balls, but I’m curious to see how they perform. My swing speed isn’t getting any faster year after year.

Review: Reks Optics Unbreakable Prescription Sunglasses

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, June 4th, 2018
Categories: Golf Accessories • Golf Gear
Tags: Designer Sunglasses • Golf Sunglasses • Prescription Sunglasses • Sunglasses

I’m near sighted, which is great for writing golf blogs and programming code, but it is not good for golf. Without prescription glasses I can’t track the ball or see where it finished beyond around 150 yards. Lately I hit it so sideways I need prescription shades, and prescription antidepressants to make it through a golf round. Fortunately in the sunglasses department I’ve been sporting some new unbreakable prescription sunglasses from Reks Optics.

About Reks

Reks frames are the bend but not break kind, which is great. Drop them. Sit on them. Bend them. No issues. Reks is so confident in their product, they offer a 24 month replacement guarantee.

Lines/Styles

Reks offers two lines of frames: Leisure and Active. The leisure line has styles which are similar to the Ray Bans Wayfarer as well as an aviator style. The sport line has “wrap around” type sports sunglasses, similar to one might find from Oakley sunglasses.

Lenses

Reks lenses come in Chromalux, Lumolux, and Solux models. All Reks lenses are treated to resist dirt and are scratch resistant. Optical grade polycarbonate material in the lenses provides high quality an superior durability.

Ordering

Since I have two pair of “sports” style prescription sunglasses, I decided to have some fun and go with the Leisure line for my Reks shades. I love the Wayfarer Ray Ban design, so I went with the Reks “Seafarer.” Ordering was easy. I picked out the frame style and the lens style. I went the the Reks HD Trivex polarized lenses with anti-reflective coating. Loved the look of the mirror-red. During the order I attached my RX. Within two weeks my awesome shades arrived.

A day in the life with Reks

Today I started off around 8:30am at a local golf tournament. The sun was shining and the temps around 90 degrees by the afternoon. My Reks kept the glare down while keeping the colors and details of the course up. Since my Reks are prescription, I’m able to see the ball even hundreds of yards away.

Following the tournament I spent some time at the pool with the family. Loved the feel and comfort of the Reks while basking in the sun relaxing after a tough day at the tournament. I even swim with them on sometimes. All in all today I probably had the Reks’s on for 10 hours!

Final Thoughts

Reks prescription sunglasses are stylish, fun, durable, and extremely affordable compared to other prescription sunglasses. I’m talking 1/3 to 1/2 the normal cost. If you don’t need prescription like I do, Reks models are priced between $30-$60. A very affordable proposition.

Father’s Day is coming up quickly. Dad would love some Reks sunglasses.

Review: Chase54 Apparel Frequency Golf Polo and Trekker Golf Shorts

Written by: Tony Korologos | Saturday, June 2nd, 2018
Categories: Golf Apparel • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Chase54

I’m inspired to post this review because I wore this exact apparel script (outfit) today in the first of an intense two-day local amateur tournament. It was hot and muggy but I was cool and comfortable with my Frequency Golf Polo and Trekker shorts from Chase54. Let’s take a look.

Frequency Golf Polo – $73

The Frequency Polo is super stylish with some nice trim highlights, but nothing overstated. The cut is very clean. The 92% Polyester and 8% Spandex fabric provides 50+ UPF sun protection, which I really loved today.

Chase54’s “DRYFUZE” technology wicks moisture from the body and helps it evaporate. I needed this especially today, when I get a little gamy under extreme pressure.

The comfort and performance of the Frequency is fantastic. It doesn’t pull, bind, or resist during the golf swing or during blog posting. 🙂

Trekker Golf Shorts – $79

The Chase54 Trekker golf shorts (in photo below) are made from 100% Polyester. They’re super comfortable and flexible, especially during the rigors of walking the course, crouching down to read putts, or making full swings. Like the polo, the shorts feature DRYFUZE moisture wicking.

The shorts also have a very cool rubber gripper on the inside of the waistband. This helps keep the shorts right where they belong. No creep up or down.

Final Thoughts

My apparel was so comfortable and responsive today, I never noticed it. No fidgeting. No adjusting. No stretching during the swing. It looked great and kept me cool under the collar. Chase54 is cranking out some great threads. HOG recommended!

Father’s Day is coming up… this combo would make a fantastic gift.

2018 RCK Salt Lake City Amateur Round 1

Written by: Tony Korologos | Saturday, June 2nd, 2018
Categories: Golf • Hackers • Miscellaneous

2018 Salt Lake City Amateur Round One Recap

Played solid today, especially ball striking which I’ve been working quite hard on. The greens were very fast and 4 of my 5 bogeys were due to getting above the hole and 3-putting. 76 (+4). One highlight was the solo birdie on the first hole with a chip to 6 inches.

As of the last handicap update I bounced on the number up to B flight, so I will probably have no shot net but a good shot at gross. When I left I was tied for first, but more players on the course.

Bonneville Golf Course is in incredible condition. Best greens I’ve played in a long time. Probably running 12+. Downhill they’re insanely fast. I’m glad to finally play some decent golf for the first time in months. Just in time for me to switch out most of my gear next week.

Here’s where to find the 2018 Salt Lake City Amateur scoring and tee times/groupings

And finally, I must comment on how awesome the hats are every year for the tournament competitors:

Always great hats given to the competitors in the RCK Salt Lake City Amateur tournament. pic.twitter.com/JKBqU42bZ6

— Tony Korologos (@TheGolfSpace) June 2, 2018