Tuesday, February 20, 2018

2018 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap Part 1 of 4: Titleist Presentation, New Era Ryder Cup (New Era and Polo Ralph Lauren), Sunice, Adidas, Galvin Green, and J.Lindeberg

When the PGA Show moves indoors to the Orange County Convention Center prepare for an all-out assault on your entire being.  It's not quite a cell block riot, but you need to develop a sixth sense on how to get around, or you'll plunge into meltdown quickly. 

You're bombarded with overwhelming amounts of new equipment, new apparel, new gear and accessories.  Everything gets unleashed.  Every isle leads to something cool.  More than 1,000 companies and brands showing off their new merchandise in a 1 million square foot area bursting at the seams. 

 

Yes the Show is packed with big budget marketing and dripping with hype.  Yes there's a definite commercial flavor to it.  But as I wandered the floor for three days in search of magic and mystery, I learned that PGA Show 2018 also delivered some of the best new products I've seen in years.  If you're a certifiable golf nut, these are exciting times.  In this recap we take a look at new wares from New Era and Polo Ralph Lauren (2018 Ryder Cup uniforms), Sunice, Adidas, Galvin Green, and J.Lindeberg. 

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

2018 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap Part 4 of 4: Cobra Golf, Cleveland Golf, and Vertical Groove Golf

As Demo Day starts drawing to a close I always wish it was a two day event.  Orange County Convention Center has spots indoor to hit new clubs as well, but it's nothing like the full circle, mammoth driving range at the Golf Center.  To hit all the new clubs I want to test, I have to take fewer pictures at this point because there's so little time left.  But I'll still have loads of pictures of clubs from this recap, as well as more pics from other Demo Day recaps you've already read coming up in my PGA Show recaps from the floor. 

 

In my Demo Day Recap Part 3 we took a look at new wares from FootJoy, Titleist, Miura, and Lynx Golf.  In this final Demo Day recap I'm covering new clubs from Cobra, Cleveland, and Vertical Groove.  When all my recaps and Best of Show are done, if you're interested in a particular company or club(s), head on over to the search bar and type in the name to see the multiple articles where I covered them throughout the week. 

Friday, February 2, 2018

2018 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap Part 3 of 4: FootJoy, Titleist, Miura, and Lynx Golf

Halfway through Demo Day is a dangerous point for me.  Muscles are starting to ache and burn.  Orange County National Golf Center begins to look even more gargantuan knowing there are still numerous companies to cover.  The sun's beating down and I have to decide, "do I save the space in my backpack for much needed water, or for more gear to bring back for you?"  Maybe just a quick breather to recharge? 

 

But you know what happens.  It's breakneck from start to finish.  I put on my Bose earbuds, queue up Eminem "Till I Collapse," and forge ahead to more new equipment.  And forget the water.  In my Demo Day Recap Part 2 I went under the hood with new gear from Ping, Callaway, and Fujikura.  In Part 3 I'll show you the latest from FootJoy, Titleist, Miura, and Lynx Golf. 

Thursday, February 1, 2018

2018 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap Part 2 of 4: PING Golf, Callaway Golf, and Fujikura Golf

Demo Day feels a bit like the Gold Rush for me. Trekking around Orange County National Golf Center and hitting swarms of new clubs can be grueling for sure.  But when you discover those gold nuggets panning through the waters of new equipment, it's a glorious adrenaline rush. 

 

In my Demo Day Recap Part 1, I told you about new riches from Wilson Staff, TaylorMade Golf, and Mitsubishi Golf shafts.  Next up would be PING Golf, Callaway Golf, and Fujikura Golf shafts, and competition for my Best of Show winners started to really heat up. 

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

2018 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap Part 1 of 4: Wilson Golf, Mitsubishi Golf Shafts, and TaylorMade Golf

Demo Day is always my favorite part of the PGA Merchandise Show.  I start at the front gates, and purposefully make my way around the entire 42-acre Orange County National Golf Center.  I hit as many new clubs as I can in the nine hours we get, jot down notes for recaps, and grab pictures and videos so you can see everything. 

 

Music is pumping, people are drinking, and everyone's having a great time.  Demo Day is basically golf's version of Woodstock, except everyone has their clothes on.  By the end of the day I have worse calluses than I do actually playing an entire season back home in Ohio.  And I usually don't sleep that evening, because if I did I probably wouldn't want to wake up for the first day of the Show. 

Monday, January 29, 2018

2018 PGA Merchandise Show and Demo Day PGAPappas GIVEAWAYS

Well I'm finally home from the spectacle that is Demo Day and the PGA Merchandise Show, and I've never been more excited about new equipment, apparel, and golf gear as I am this year. 

 

I'll start uploading daily pictures, videos, and recaps starting tomorrow, and will have my Best of Show final wrap up sharing with you what products stood out as best in their class and why. 

As always I picked up some swag for you while I was down there and currently have five separate giveaways you can enter to win in three different ways. 

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 4 Wedges - Preview

Callaway Golf has released an ultra- premium wedge called Mack Daddy 4, created with an appealing new shape, forged of soft 8620 carbon steel, and delivering an exceptionally satisfying feel and response on every shot. 

 

Less offset, a squarer toe and a straighter leading edge create a clean, confidence-inducing appearance at address to promote crisp contact and command control.  Higher spin comes from the new Groove-in-Groove technology and surface treatment to promote added stopping power, especially on pitches and chips.  Callaway also added an extra 16th groove to provide extra grab on shots hit from right lies that are often hit thin. 

TaylorMade Golf Spider Interactive Putter Powered by Blast - Preview

TaylorMade Golf has announced the release of the new Spider Interactive putter Powered by Blast.  Engineered in collaboration with Blast Motion and SuperStroke Golf, it will advance how golfers of all skill levels capture, analyze and progress their game on the greens. 

 

The Spider putter is TaylorMade's most popular putter in company history and was one of the most popular putters on the PGA Tour in 2016 to 2017.  Taking the next step in its evolution with the incorporation of Blast's motion capture sensors, this is TaylorMade's first totally-integrated golf sensor product in company history. 

Miura Giken MC-501 Irons Preview

You probably haven't heard much about this yet, but Miura Golf will be releasing three new sets of irons this year, and the Miura Giken MC-501 irons should make their debut at the PGA Merchandise Show next week. 

 

I'll have all the information about them you'll ever need next week from the floor, as well as tons of pictures and first impressions.  In the meantime, here's what we know about these muscle cavity beauties so far. 

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Callaway Golf Rogue Drivers and Fairway Woods Preview

Riding a wave of momentum into 2018, Callaway Golf has released their new Rogue Drivers and Rogue Fairway Woods.  Both clubs feature the company's proprietary Jailbreak Technology made famous in last season's Epic drivers, but Callaway claims the Rogue drivers and woods are more forgiving and deliver even faster ball speeds thanks to an updated face. 

 

Improving on the best selling driver of 2017 is no small task, and I'll give you my full impressions next week at the PGA Show.  In the meantime here are few key details about the new line, and some comparisons for perspective to last year's Epic. 

Wilson Golf C300 Driver, Woods, and Irons Preview

It's easy to be curious about the hundreds of eye-catching new products that come out every year about this time.  Wilson Golf's new C300 Series of drivers, woods, and irons however, will grab your attention. You can expect heavy coverage of the entire line from me at the PGA Show.  I can't say for sure until I review these new clubs, but my first impression is the C300 Series has the potential to be Wilson's best selling line ever. 

 

The C300 Series clubs feature Wilson Staff’s revolutionary Power Hole technology for accuracy and power.  These urethane-filled through-holes strategically positioned around the face minimize contact between the body and face while providing maximum flex and an expanded sweet spot. 

TaylorMade Golf M3 and M4 Driver, Fairway Wood, and Rescue Preview

TaylorMade Golf is shifting the landscape of golf club engineering with the introduction of their new M3 and M4 metalwoods.  In a radical departure from traditional driver face design, TaylorMade's breakthrough innovation - Twist Face technology - promises new thresholds of never before seen performance. You might even call it a plot twist in driver design (see what I did there)? 



Seriously though, the concept is intriguing and it's sure to be a polarizing topic in the industry.  Twist Face technology is supposed to deliver a corrective face angle for shots hit off-center that should result in longer, straighter shots.  I'll have a full report for you from the PGA Merchandise Show on whether or not the benefits are real and tangible. 

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Antigua Golf Apparel Spring 2018 Collection Preview - High Fashion at the Forefront

It's not officially spring until The Masters is upon us, but that doesn't mean we can't warm up a bit with an early peak at the bold new styles from one of the nation’s most prominent golf apparel designers. 

 

I'll be showing you a lot of Antigua Golf's new Spring 2018 collection from the PGA Show next week, and can tell you already they've made spring a season of energy and optimism. 

Preview: COBRA Golf Introduces the 2018 KING F8 Drivers with CNC Milled Faces for the Ultimate in Speed and Precision

COBRA Golf's new KING F8 line of clubs earned immediate validation last month when Rickie Fowler used the new KING F8+ driver and fairway woods to win the Hero World Challenge over a star-studded field.  I'll have a full report on COBRA's entire F8 line-up, including the new F8 irons next week at the PGA Merchandise Show.  I'm especially excited about COBRA's new equipment because last year's KING F7 Driver was one of my top-rated drivers of the season. 

 

The KING F8 and KING F8+ drivers feature COBRA's first ever Precision Milled Forged face for the ultimate in driving performance.  The groundbreaking, fully CNC machined driver face paired with revolutionary 360* Aero Technology, and equipped with COBRA CONNECT Powered by Arccos, delivers COBRA's fastest, most precise, and smartest drivers to date. 

PING Golf G400 Max Driver, Glide 2.0 Stealth Wedges, G700 Irons Preview

PING Golf is going all in on new equipment releases this year, with drivers, irons, and putters that promise to be some of the most eye-catching products at the 2018 PGA Merchandise Show. 

 

I'll have detailed impressions of the new PING G400 Max driver, G700 irons, Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges, and Vault 2.0 putters at Demo Day and on the floor at the Show.  In the meantime here's some info on all the clubs that PING believes will deliver across-the-board performance gains to help all golfers play better. 

Monday, December 25, 2017

EDEL Golf Torque Balanced Putter Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 12 Giveaway

Nothing causes more stress for a golfer than putting, and so each new year we see companies lay out different putter models, sizes, weights, toe-balanced versions, face-balanced versions, and everything in between to be our saviors. 

 

In one way, shape, or form, they all promise their putters have great feel, fantastic spin, and superior control.  Most of the time however, you just have to file these promises under complete and utter bullcrap.  That is, unless the promises come from a company like EDEL Golf. 

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Callaway Golf Epic Sub Zero Fairway Wood Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 11 Giveaway

Move over Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt and the rest of the 2000 St. Louis Rams, there's a new "Greatest Show on Turf" in town.  Callaway Golf's GBB Epic Sub Zero fairway woods are attack oriented clubs that run circles around the course with burner speed.  They eat up massive chunks of yardage from the fairway and the tee, and every time you take a swing, they put big shot potential in your hands. 

 

I should tell you right away the Epic Sub Zero fairway woods don't feature the jailbreak technology included in the Epic drivers, the face is too shallow for rugged titanium bars.  But trust me, it's nothing to stress out about.  The SZ still fires with the power of a .357 Magnum thanks to its lightweight triaxial crown and Callaway's latest generation Hyper Speed Face Cup. 

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Cobra KING F7 Driver Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 10 Giveaway

Let’s be honest.  We’ve all grabbed a driver from our bag, stuck a tee into the ground, and then had no idea what was about to happen next.  Our ball might go left and it might go right.  We might hit it high and we might hit it low.  Stepping into the tee box can sometimes be like pulling the arm on a Vegas slot machine.  You just hope for the best. 

 

Cobra Golf's KING F7 driver takes random chance out of the equation and hits the jackpot with a three gold bar payout in distance, forgiveness, and adjustability - making it one of my top performing drivers of the year.  It leaves no doubt in all-around performance and will give you confidence to take dead aim and fire away without inhibition. 

Friday, December 22, 2017

Cleveland Golf RTX-3 Sand Wedge Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 9 Giveaway

The pros make it look easy, but hitting out of a sand bunker for the rest of us can be intimidating, and sometimes even a truly miserable experience.  Put a Cleveland Golf RTX-3 sand wedge in your hands however, and you'll start blasting your way out to lower scores in no time. 

 

I wrote a full review on the Cleveland RTX-3 wedges here earlier this week, and you can read all about why it gets my top billing, in particular for its amazing spin and incredibly versatile sole.  The RTX isn't just a game-changer from the sand however.  It will be your go-to club from 100 yards and in, and when you see your approach shots landing a few feet from the hole, it might also become the favorite club in your bag

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Callaway Golf Steelhead XR Fairway Wood Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 8 Giveaway

Let this one bounce around your grapefruit for a bit.  Callaway Golf's new Steelhead XR fairway woods can be used with equal effectiveness on the tee, from the fairway, in the rough, and around the green.  One club.  Infinite utility. 

 

No, they're not equipped with flux capacitors and won't leave a trail of flames in the turf when you swing them.  The Steelhead XR woods don't even have removable weights or an adjustable hosel.  Callaway's gone back to the future however, and recharged one of the most successful fairway woods in history with jaw-dropping performance that will give you an edge just about anywhere on the course

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

CRU Golf Lighthouse Collection Leather Headcovers Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 7 Giveaway

From the Turnberry lighthouse off the cliffs at Ayrshire, Scotland to the Harbour Town lighthouse on the shores of Hilton Head, South Carolina, golf course watchtowers around the world are just as much a part of the game as daunting greens and tempting fairways. 

 

CRU Golf pays homage to these magnificent beacons with their Lighthouse Collection leather headcovers, and I can unapologetically say these are some of the finest CRU has ever made. 

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Cleveland Golf RTX-3 Wedge Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 6 Giveaway

Here’s the scenario.  You’re in a fairway bunker, maybe 100 yards out from a back pin location.  Your ball is partially buried - the dreaded fried egg.  If you blast out too far your ball’s screaming over the green and into a pond.  Don’t clear the tall bunker lip and tentacles of shame will emerge from the trap and cripple you where you stand.  What are you going to do? 

 

If you grab a Cleveland Golf RTX-3 wedge, you’ll probably hit one of the prettiest, highest bunker shots you’ve ever seen.  Even before your club twirl is finished you’ll know that danger was averted, and while the iconic 588 name might be gone from your wedge, the legendary 588 performance has never been better. 

Monday, December 18, 2017

Piretti Firenze Black Onyx Putter Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 5 Giveaway

Golfers are an finicky bunch.  We fall in love with our putters almost as quickly as we fall out of love with them.  I'd like to tell you the Piretti Firenze Black Onyx putter will once and for all put an end to your compulsive putter buying binges, but I can't.  Putting your hands on the new Firenze is just going to feed an insatiable obsession to keep buying Piretti masterpieces for the rest of your life. 

 

Let me give it to you straight.  The Firenze is one of the best putters you'll ever hit.  Today, tomorrow, seriously... forever.  Incredible distance control and stability makes it almost foolproof.  A heavier head and deep milled grooves create exceptional roll.  And the soft, pure sensation off the face combined with its sleek and powerful appearance makes Firenze a flat-out game changer. 

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Wilson Staff FG Tour PMP Lob Wedge Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 4 Giveaway

It's the high-lofted assassin you grab from your bag when you need that impossible flopper to a foot.  Sometimes it's the only option you have when you're short-sided or stuck in thick rough.  I'm talking about your lob wedge of course, and Wilson Staff's FG Tour PMP lob wedge is hell-bent on making it easier than ever to expand your shot repertoire around the greens. 

 

I already wrote a full review on the Wilson PMP wedges here, so you can read all the ins and outs about their flight, spin, and distance control.  They'll shave strokes off your game and probably also save you from more than a few tough lies.  I won't go into detail here again except to say the PMP performance is legendary.  It's a wedge you can trust completely.  And it will deliver for you when it counts the most. 

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Travis Mathew Tour Cap Review & Arnold Palmer Commemorative 1960 U.S. Open Pin - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 3 Giveaway

The "M." 

 

It's minimalist yet progressive.  It's steeped in golf culture.  You know it when you see it.  It's of course the logo for the Travis Mathew brand, and its refreshing aesthetic is all about sexy, rock-n-roll, and elegance. 

Friday, December 15, 2017

Titleist Pro V1 Ball Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 2 Giveaway

Telling you the Titleist ProV1 is a great ball is like telling you the New England Patriots are a great football team.  Everyone knows that.  What you might not know about the 2017 Pro V1 however, is that it’s likely to meet or exceed every expectation you have for a golf ball.  This season, it did for me. 

 

I joked with friends that Titleist must be controlling my ball with some kind of NASA satellite because shot after shot after shot, the Pro V1’s performance was sensationally exact, particularly 100 yards and in.  It’s softer feeling than the Pro V1x and provided greater stopping power, even when greens were firm and fast.  On long pitches and full swings that translated to remarkable distance control, allowing me to be as aggressive as I wanted attacking pins. 

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Wilson Staff FG Tour PMP Wedge Review - PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas DAY 1 Giveaway

Wilson Staff's FG Tour PMP wedges aren't good up-and-down wedges.  Get that blasphemous idea out of your head right now.  What they are however, are great up-and-IN wedges.  Seriously, I'm talking real wedge weaponry here... if you're into that sort of thing. 

 

Wedges don't usually get the same kind of love as the driver or the putter.  "Drive for show, putt for dough," but chip and pitch for what?  Yes, wedges are likely the least expensive clubs in your bag, but all you have to do is watch any professional tour over the weekend to see they should be your most valuable.  Cue up your new love affair with Wilson's PMP wedges right here. 

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

4th Annual PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway: Callaway, Cleveland, Cobra, CRU, EDEL, Piretti, Titleist, Travis Mathew, Wilson & More!

It's that time again everyone.  My PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway kicks off tomorrow evening.  This will be its fourth straight year, and as you'll see below, also the biggest! 

 

Equipment and gear from Callaway Golf, Cleveland Golf, Cobra Golf, EDEL Golf, Piretti Golf, CRU Golf, Titleist, Travis Mathew, Wilson Golf, and more!  You can read more details about all the gifts and how to enter below. 

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Titleist 718 AP1, AP2, and AP3 Irons Preview: Irons You'll Wish Were In Your Bag Right Now

I try to always be even-keel when I'm writing an equipment preview or review, but I have to throw that theme out the window this time.  Mark it down right now.  Titleist's new line of 718 irons irons are destined to be hugely successful and they're going to have a significant impact on the golf equipment landscape. 

 

Titleist is providing breakthrough technology and proven performance for players at every level of the game.  The new AP1 feature powerful distance and ultra-forgiveness of AP1.  The AP2 deliver tour-proven consistency. And the new AP3 are going to be absolutely insane.  Think of them as a combination of the AP1's distance and forgiveness along with the look and feel of the tour-favorite AP2s. 

Cleveland Golf TFi 2135 Satin Putters Preview: Perfecting Your Putting

The importance of putting cannot be overemphasized.  It's arguably the most important skill in your game.  Unfortunately it's often the most frustrating to master, too often leaving us weeping on the greens. 

 

Cleveland Golf understands putting is what separates the field, and their new TFi 2135 Satin putters promise to take the fright out of the flatstick and put you in a holing putts state of mind. 

Cleveland Launcher CBX Irons Preview: Easy To Love Shots Throughout Your Bag

Nothing beats the scenery of fall golf.  The season turns into a blur of reds, yellows, and oranges, and letting that beauty sink in makes playing an entire day out on the course something memorable. 

 

Cleveland Golf thinks that your game should be memorable as well.  And so next month they're releasing the new Launcher CBX irons, designed to make your game even more spectacular than the new autumn landscape. 

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Titleist Releasing New Scotty Cameron Futura 5.5M Putter

Scotty Cameron has added a high-MOI mallet with enhanced toe flow to his new Futura line of putters that combines the forgiveness of a mallet with the feel of a blade.  The Futura 5.5M features the alignment and high-MOI characteristics of the Futura line coupled with a neck configuration that promotes a flowing, arced putting stroke more commonly associated with blade style putters. 

 

The idea for the Futura 5.5M began as a prototype when Justin Thomas came to the Putter Studio looking for a new option.  Thomas wanted a smaller mallet that he could align easily, but one that also promoted the arced putting stroke he preferred.  Cameron welded a flare neck to a Futura X5 Tour putter and sent him on his way.  Thomas went on to win three events, reporting back that some of his buddies wanted a putter like his, and the wheels started turning from there. 

Monday, July 31, 2017

Cleveland Golf CBX Wedge Preview: A New Category of Wedge For Golfers Who Play Cavity Back Irons

Occam's razor is a problem solving principle that basically states the simplest answer is usually the best answer, and Cleveland Golf has designed a new category of wedges that might be the most obvious solution to the short game woes of a majority of golfers. 

 

The new CBX wedges are modeled to complement the address profile and swing weight of the most popular cavity back irons, and built to look, feel, and play like the game improvement irons used by 84-percent of the golf market. 

Srixon Launches New Q STAR Golf Ball - A Two-Piece Ball Delivering Performance And Playability

Two-piece golf balls are basically game improvement golf balls designed for players looking for maximum distance and reduced spin to keep those undesirable slices or hooks in check.  The problem with these types of balls however is they sacrifice spin control around the greens.  And what good is hitting it longer and straighter off the tee if you can't stick it closer on approach? 

 

SRIXON Golf understands the predicament this causes for too many golfers and they've announced the release of a new Q-STAR two-piece ball that promises both performance and playability. 

Cleveland Golf Announces Third Generation Smart Sole Wedges: Smart Sole 3 S and C

When the company that prides itself on being the finest wedge company in the world announces it's designed new clubs that promise to make your short game easier then ever, you stand up and take notice. 

 

Cleveland Golf has released the latest iteration of their popular Smart Sole line of clubs: the Smart Sole 3 S and Smart Sole 3 C wedges, and this new generation of wedges feature super game improvement technologies specifically designed for golfers who struggle with short game shots. 

Friday, June 30, 2017

Titleist Announces New 718 Irons: AP1 AP2 AP3 T-MB MB and CB

Is it wrong of me to be infatuated with the new Titleist 718 AP3 irons when they're only just in the seeding and validation process? I'm seriously not slobbering.  Okay I am slobbering.  That's right, Titleist is releasing AP3 series irons and word of mouth is they're the most forgiving AP iron Titleist has ever made. 

 

Titleist unveiled their new 718 series this week, including the AP1, AP2, and MB, T-MB, and CB irons, but hasn't provided a lot of detail about them yet.  Official launch is still months away, but here's what we do know. 

Fujikura Releases New ATMOS Tour Spec Hybrid And PRO+ Vista PRO Iron Shafts

Fujikura's new ATMOS HB Tour Spec is their newest collection of hybrid shafts that use the same design concept and technologies as the Tour proven ATMOS Tour Spec wood shafts.  These new hybrid shafts are geared towards the performance golfer. 

 

They have a smooth feeling profile and will promote low dispersion and generally low spin compared to our other hybrid offerings.  The ATMOS HB is a true tour flighted line of hybrid shafts with red as the lighter weight and higher launching, blue as the mid-weight and launch, and black as the heavier weight and lowest launch. 

Miura Golf Unveils New CB-2008 Irons: Preview

Miura Golf is betting it can turn average golfers into a good ones, and a good golfers into a great ones with the release of their new CB-2008 irons, touted as irons that will deliver real performance benefits to golfers of all abilities. 

 

The CB-2008 is a mid sized head that begins as a single billet of soft carbon steel.  It's the first composite body iron produced exclusively at Miura's Himeji, Japan factory, and technological advancements have enabled Miura to integrate a forged face that's just 4 mm thick with an SUS composite pocket cavity back. 

Saturday, June 17, 2017

117th US Open PGAPappas Giveaway: Signed Rickie Fowler Erin Hills Cap and Erin Hills Pin Flag

I'm at Erin Hills this week for the 117th U.S. Open and thrills and agony have been the story for the first two days.  Rickie Fowler tied a U.S. Open scoring record on Thursday, while Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, and Rory McIlroy were ravaged by the hostile fescue and missed the cut. 

 

Today on moving day however it's going to be all thrills for you as I've picked up a few things to bring home for my U.S. Open Giveaway, including an official U.S. Open Erin Hills pin flag, and a signed Rickie Fowler U.S. Open Erin Hills Tour cap. 

Oakley Launches One Obsession #CantStop - Featuring Bubba Watson

Bubba Watson is a polarizing athlete.  The two-time Masters winner is loved by many for his creativity and the passion he wears on his sleeve.  He's also hated by others for the very same reason.  This week during the U.S. Open Oakley is celebrating Watson's approach to the game with their "One Obsession #CantStop" campaign, a call to action we can all relate to. 

 

The common bond between a major champion like Bubba and amateur golfers like the rest of is that while we all want to win, and all aspire towards some level of perfection, the journey getting there is what it's all about.  We may all do things differently, we may all have different skill sets, but we share one obsession: to never stop pursuing our dreams, because never stopping is the power that fuels our driving passions and turns them into storied reality. 

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

PGAPappas PIN SEEKERS Podcast - Episode 3: U.S. Open Preview and Erin Hills Course Insight, Jon Rahm is a Teddy Bear with an Assassin's Mentality, Srixon's New Golf Balls are Contenders for Best New Balls of the Year, and The Memorial Recap

It's U.S. Open week and I'm breaking down everything you need to know about Erin Hills in my new PIN SEEKERS Podcast: Episode 3

 
 

In addition to previewing the U.S. Open, I'll let you know why I think Jon Rahm has a more complete game at 22-years old than Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, and (gulp) even Tiger Woods.  No that's not a typo.  Rahm is a teddy bear with an assassin's mentality and he's always must watch tv

Sights from the U.S. Open at Erin Hills - Practice Round Wednesday

Recognizable and venerable courses will host the U.S. Open for the next nine years.  But starting tomorrow, the spotlight shines brightly on first-time host Erin Hills. 

 

With all the questions, uncertainty, and even early drama about Erin Hills, one thing is certain: the course is in absolutely perfect condition, and the players are ready to get things going.