Cleveland Golf RTX-4 Wedge - First Look Preview

Cleveland Golf is releasing the new RTX-4, their most tour-authentic wedge ever created.  Enhanced with fourth generation Rotex, the new wedges will launch September 14th, 2018.  Cleveland held nothing back during RTX-4 development, creating a made-for-Tour wedge in its purest form. 

 

Cleveland utilized its latest face technologies, Tour-preferred shaping, expanded its grind options to design what they're calling their most Tour authentic wedge of all time. 

Ben Hogan Birthday Giveaway: Ben Hogan Tour Authentic Golf Visors

It's Ben Hogan's birthday today, and to celebrate the legend I'm giving away three (3) Ben Hogan Tour Authentic Visors. 

 

You can enter on twitter and Instagram.  On twitter just RT my giveaway announcement and be sure you're following both me and Ben Hogan Golf Equipment on twitter @BHGolfEquipment. 

Firestone Country Club - South Course Review: Back-9 (2018 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational)

I only needed to play the front-9 of the South Course at Firestone Country Club to learn this is a course that's as testing as it is beautiful.  Trees help mark the true lines of play, fairways have right sides and wrong sides, and undulating greens are heavily defended with bunkers - particularly on the front and sides of the putting surfaces.  I'd reflect more on my experience once the entire round was over, but I couldn't help but think about a few more things as I made the turn to the back-9. 

 

The South Course won't ever be mistaken for a C.B. Macdonald, Seth Raynor, or A.W. Tillinghast design.  But the South Course's charm is laying it all out right in front of you.  South shows you what shots you have to hit, and then rewards you or punishes you depending on your execution.  Wide fairways give players more options off the tee yes, but it's just as much a test of skill to hit straight drives on South's narrow fairways as it is to work the ball more on wider ones. 

Firestone Country Club - South Course Review: Front-9 (2018 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational)

The South Course at Firestone Country Club is as much a part of the PGA Tour's fabric as any course in history.  South has hosted a Tour event in 64 of the last 65 years, including PGA Championships, World Golf Championships, and the World Series of Golf.  Giants of the game have played here and won here - which speaks to the integrity of and respect for this iconic course. 

 

I played South the week prior to this year's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, and it's classic, timeless design is challenging to both professionals and amateurs.  I can also tell you right now - South deserves to, and should host a future U.S. Open (more on that later). 

Comparing Jordan Spieth's Swing with Rory McIlroy's Swing at The Open Championship

Golf's main event is now Jordan Spieth versus Rory McIlroy, and nothing out there suggests that's going to change anytime soon.  Spieth and McIlroy are both alphas - and each is one major championship victory away from the career grand slam.  They've both won two majors in a single season - a feat accomplished by only 19 players in the history of the game.  Let's be honest - this is Jordan and Rory's world and we're just living in it. 

 

Spieth and McIlroy have gotten to this place in history with two completely different swings - both of which work for each respective player. Watching the 2018 Open Championship you'll see that Jordan's swing is unorthodox and somewhat unconventional, while Rory's swing is classic and more textbook. 

Titleist Introduces Limited Edition 2018 Open Championship Scotland Inspired Headcovers

Crafted with premium materials to commemorate the 2018 Major Championship season and the game's return to Carnoustie Golf Links, Titleist has released their Scotland Inspired Headcover Set and it's their undisputed finest work to date. 

 

Featuring hand-selected leathers, rich embroidery, and "2018" debossed details, this commemorative set will be seen in the bags of Titleist Brand Ambassadors competing this week at Carnoustie. 

2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills - PGAPappas Giveaway

This has been a wild U.S. Open week!  From playing Shinnecock to the all the carnage during the tournament, I'm going to remember this one forever. 

 

It's been a busy time but I didn't forget about you!  To make things a bit easier for me though this year's US Open Giveaway will be held exclusively here on my blog.  To win, simply leave a comment in the section below about the Open, my coverage, the course, the prizes, or whatever you like. 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The 118th U.S. Open Has Given Us A Little Bit of Everything Heading Into Sunday's Final Round

Gusty winds and firm conditions on Thursday made the first round of the U.S. Open at Shinnicock Hills extremely challenging.  Easier pin positions and unexpected rain softened the course on Friday making the second round scoring average almost three strokes lower. 

 

After 36  holes Dustin Johnson led the field, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods were sent packing, and the cut line (8-over par) was the highest since 2013 at Merion.  On Saturday however, the carnage reached a completely new level. 

Winds blew stronger than expected and some pin positions became maniacal.  The sun beat down hard and glassed the greens.  The USGA admitted to crossing a line, and of course there was that Phil thing.  What's going to happen Sunday?  A closer look at the first three days gives a very good indication of what will happen in the final round.

Sights from the 2018 US Open Practice Rounds at Shinnecock Hills

Some players were getting their first looks at Shinnecock.  Others were fine-tuning their games having already practiced here in previous weeks.  Only 18 players in the 154 man field were here in 2004 - the last time Shinnecock hosted a U.S. Open. 

 

I took you through a comprehensive review of the course already and let you know what shots have to be hit and what shots have to be avoided.  I showed you how the course has changed since it last hosted our national championship.  Now just enjoy some of my favorite pictures from the three practice round days.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Review: 2018 U.S. Open - the Clubhouse

Shinnecock Hills clubhouse is the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1892.  It was expanded in 1896, 1903, and 1913, and what you see today is essentially how it looked in 1913.  In many ways Shinnicock Hills is our St. Andrews, and there's history everywhere you look. 

 

When my round was over it was time to reminisce about the carnage, but also some celebrated shots.  I didn't know it at the time, but I'd wind up shooting lower on the first hole than than 137 players at the U.S. Open on Day 1 (only 19 birdies that day).  Views of the landscape from the clubhouse are unrivaled.  Inside the clubhouse it's even more spectacular. 

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Review: 2018 U.S. Open (the Back-9)

Making the turn at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club I felt like I'd just been put through the ringer.  It's the ultimate exam of your game.  Off the tee the course is enormous and seems to extend forever.  Second shots can be spectacularly demanding.  Green complexes are slick and daunting.  You have to pound the fairways straight here, and you have to make a lot of putts. 

 

Your reward for surviving the front-9?  Everything is about to become even more challenging.  You'll still see the risks and rewards of different options off the tee and into the greens.  You'll know what shots you have to shape and what angles you'll need to play based on the design dictates of particular holes. But now on the back-9 you'll also need to deal with elevation changes that make the winds more demonic and club selection more exacting.  Fairway widths in the drive zone also begin to tighten up with some of the narrowest on the course. 

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Review: 2018 U.S. Open (the Front-9)

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is many things to many people.  To some this William Flynn and C.B. Macdonald gem is the greatest course ever created.  Its classic, timeless design requires a thought-out game plan each time you swing the club.  For others Shinnecock is brutal and unrelenting, but eminently fair.  It penalizes you severely for missing fairways and greens, but rewards you the more you flirt with danger. 

 

When I played Shinnecock Hills last month for the 118th U.S. Open Media Day, I learned almost immediately why this is an architectural masterpiece.  Elevated tees, masterful doglegs, corner bunkers, raised greens, varying severities of fall-off, and routing that forces you to deal with wind at your face, at your back, and coming in from left and right.  Shinnecock is pure golf the way it's meant to be played. 

From West Sayville and Timber Point to Bethpage Black and Shinnecock Hills: My Weekend Playing Long Island Golf Courses

Last month I was in New York to play Shinnecock Hills Golf Course for a media event before the 118th U.S. Open, and decided to take advantage of my first time here and get in as much local golf as possible. 

 

I played West Sayville Golf Course on Friday, Timber Point Country Club on Saturday, Bethpage State Park Black on Sunday, and then Shinnecock Hills on Monday.  And I learned that Long Island is a golfer's paradise - home to some of the oldest and most challenging courses in the country. 

New Golf Equipment Reviews: Callaway La Grange Shoes and Bolle Sunglasses FIRST LOOK Preview

Callaway Golf is clearly doing more than just making great equipment these days.  Their new La Grange golf shoes are their finest spiked shoes to date, and I'll tell you why below in my initial impressions. 

 

Golf is always going to be a hard game, but new sunglasses from Bolle ensure your shades will be the least of your problems.  I've been testing the Anaconda, Bolt, and King models and there's a slew of technology in each of these styles that make them some of the best your money can buy. 

Cleveland CBX Wedges Review: Some of the Easiest to Hit Wedges You'll Ever Play

I've had the chance to play multiple rounds now with the new Cleveland CBX wedges, and can tell you confidently they're some of the easiest to hit wedges I've ever played. 

 

But don't think you're sacrificing versatility just because they're cavity backs.  These wedges are triple-threats from the fairway, rough, and sand, and should definitely be on your must try list of new gear for the year. 

New Golf Equipment Reviews: Callaway Golf Swami 2.0 Shoes and Electric California Sunglasses FIRST LOOK Preview

You've gone through the fittings, read the reviews, and are beginning to get an idea of what new equipment you want in your bag this season.  But what about performance for your feet and eyes?  New Swami 2.0 spikeless shoes from Callaway Golf and sunglasses from Electric California feature cutting edge style and comfort, and innovative features make them stand apart from the pack. 

 

I've been wearing Electric's Knoxville, Knoxville Pro, and Tech One sunglasses for a few weeks now and everything about them is world class. The Callaway Swami 2.0 spikeless shoes check all the boxes with tremendous comfort and outstanding traction. 

The Masters 2018 Giveaway: Callaway Rogue, Jordan Spieth, CRU Golf, and Titleist

Tiger's back.  Rory's back.  Phil's back.  Hell, even Poulter's back?  Just about every big name in the field is coming into Augusta red-hot this week.  The 2018 Masters is setting up as one for the ages.  So of course, that means I'm going to have to up my Masters Giveaway game this year. 

 

This year we're having four prizes and four different winners.  Each prize is directly or indirectly related to the Masters.  A Callaway Rogue Fairway Wood (currently played by reigning Masters champion Sergio Garcia).  A signed Jordan Spieth Under Armour Tour Cap (the last American Masters champ and also signed in Masters green).  A full set of CRU Golf Limited Edition Masters headcovers.  And your choice of a dozen Titleist Pro V1, Pro V1x or Tour Soft balls (the most played ball brand in modern Masters history).  Getting excited? 

CRU Golf 2018 Major Collection - Limited Edition Masters Headcovers REVIEW

It’s a rite of passage that connects golfers on a primal level to the folklore of miracle shots and great champions.  It evokes the smell of fresh cut grass and vibrant Azaleas that enshroud the property like jam-packed, frenzied patrons.  It’s of course The Masters at Augusta National, and CRU Golf’s limited edition April 2018 Major Collection headcovers pays homage to this heritage and mystique with dazzling authenticity. 

 

There are an estimated 1,600 Azalea bushes bursting with blooms down the left side of the famous 13th hole, and behind the green at Augusta National.  I’m convinced CRU inspected each one before designing their new headcovers.  Varying hues of pink, red, and white faithfully reproduce one of Augusta’s most recognizable icons. CRU’s Azalea number patches are so captivating and authentically detailed, they’re seemingly a portal to this hallowed ground. 

New Golf Equipment Reviews: Cobra KING F8 Driver and Golf Pride Tour Velvet ALIGN Grips FIRST LOOK Preview

The new Cobra KING F8 driver and Golf Pride Tour Velvet ALIGN grips were two new products that stood out as Best of Show for me at the PGA Merchandise Show back in January.  And I've been putting them to the test for the last few weeks with a full review coming soon. 

 

The Cobra F8 driver delivers one of the best combinations of distance and forgiveness of any driver on the market today.  That's no exaggeration.  And the Tour Velvet ALIGN grips take an already spectacular grip in the Tour Velvet, and makes them even more spectacular. 

New Golf Equipment Reviews: Wilson Staff C300 Driver and C300 Irons FIRST LOOK Preview

I've been testing the new Wilson C300 driver and C300 irons the past few weeks, and will have a full review soon.  I wanted to share a few initial thoughts with you first however,  as these have both given me some surprises I did not expect. 

 

When my full review drops I'll have tested these clubs in all conditions.  That's the great thing about playing here in Ohio in March to April - you get some days that approach 70 degrees and the sun is absolutely glorious, and other days when the temps are barely holding in the 40s and rain certainly makes an appearance.