England's Luke Donald began the defence of his Madrid Masters title with a solid four-under-par round of 68.
Two uncharacteristic mistakes by the world number one cost him an early share of the lead.
Errors at the ninth and 18th resulted in bogeys at both, and he also missed a great birdie chance at the 17th when he missed a three-foot putt.
Ross McGowan heads the leaderboard at the end of day one, at eight-under, one shot clear of the chasing pack.
"The 18th played a little longer in than I thought and my three-iron didn't quite get there." said Donald. "And the greens, which are very undulating, can be very difficult if you don't hit them in the right spots."
He prepared for the tournament by winning Wednesday's pro-am, playing alongside the late Seve Ballesteros's 21-year-old elder son Javier.
McGowan carded his lowest European round for three years, with a fine 64.
"I think I like Madrid. That was a much better round than I've been putting together recently," he said.
"It's been a pretty tough year with a couple of injuries but it's been improving week-to-week and this week it really seems to have come together."
News from: news.bbc.co.uk
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Callaway Razr X Tour Irons for low-to-mid Handicap Players
There's less offset in the RAZR X Tour irons (discount golf clubs) when compared with the RAZR X, but once again, because the CG has been driven so low and deep, Callaway strengthened the lofts of the RAZR X Tours.
The new Callaway RAZR X Tour Irons are designed for low-to-mid handicap players looking for a next-generation combination of playability and workability. While other irons chase one specific performance attribute, RAZR Technology provides the optimal balance of distance, accuracy and feel with tour-inspired styling. It’s an iron with uncompromised performance, and it’s just another reason why Callaway has been the #1 Irons in Golf for the last 14 years and counting.
Key Technologies: The all-stainless steel iron has a 30-gram weight on the lower back of the cavity that shifts its center of gravity 23 percent lower and 18 percent deeper than in the X-22 Tour. The primary goal is to deliver the forgiveness and power of a wide-sole iron plus the versatility of a thin-sole iron.
Built on Callaway's popular X Series line, the RAZR X is designed to provide consistent distance and accuracy through the set. RAZR technology shifts the center of gravity lower and deeper in the clubhead, offering increased shotmaking from more places. The irons are also available in RAZR X Tour and RAZR X Forged models.
The new VFT Power System precisely positions the center of gravity and maximizes ball speed throughout the set. Its compact head shape and reduced offset with a thinner topline produces the aesthetics and the shot-shaping workability that better players prefer.
"This is the only iron in our line that's forged," Williams says. "So it's got the feel of a forged iron, and it's got our new Competition grooves, which in this club we can forge into the faces. We can control the grooves much more effectively in a forging than in a casting."
The new Callaway RAZR X Tour Irons are designed for low-to-mid handicap players looking for a next-generation combination of playability and workability. While other irons chase one specific performance attribute, RAZR Technology provides the optimal balance of distance, accuracy and feel with tour-inspired styling. It’s an iron with uncompromised performance, and it’s just another reason why Callaway has been the #1 Irons in Golf for the last 14 years and counting.
Key Technologies: The all-stainless steel iron has a 30-gram weight on the lower back of the cavity that shifts its center of gravity 23 percent lower and 18 percent deeper than in the X-22 Tour. The primary goal is to deliver the forgiveness and power of a wide-sole iron plus the versatility of a thin-sole iron.
Built on Callaway's popular X Series line, the RAZR X is designed to provide consistent distance and accuracy through the set. RAZR technology shifts the center of gravity lower and deeper in the clubhead, offering increased shotmaking from more places. The irons are also available in RAZR X Tour and RAZR X Forged models.
The new VFT Power System precisely positions the center of gravity and maximizes ball speed throughout the set. Its compact head shape and reduced offset with a thinner topline produces the aesthetics and the shot-shaping workability that better players prefer.
"This is the only iron in our line that's forged," Williams says. "So it's got the feel of a forged iron, and it's got our new Competition grooves, which in this club we can forge into the faces. We can control the grooves much more effectively in a forging than in a casting."
Friday, September 9, 2011
Ping G20 Irons vs Ping G20 Driver
I hit the Ping G20 today and was really surprised by it. It has a fairly square look at address, which took some getting used to, being a Titleist guy.
Ping's newest irons--Ping G20 irons are designed to make mis-hits more playable and provide more distance. It showcases the same head profiles, sole thicknesses, lofts and shaft lengths as G15, along with several new features that aid feel, forgiveness and distance.
Ping engineers, for example, strengthened the “Custom Tuning Port” (CTP) in the rear cavity. The reinforced CTP combines with an elastomer badge to reduce face vibration and dampen shock. The thinner, lighter face allows four grams to be shifted more rearward in the head. The payoff should be more playable misses, a higher ball flight and slightly more carry with the long irons.
Ping's newest driver--Ping G20 Driver has hit the tour and Golf Magazine's Rob Sauerhaft says the G20 should provide more carry and roll than its predecessors. It has a heavier head than G15 (7 grams more than standard) for greater force at impact. Additional backweighting and a more elongated face shore up misses.
The reconfigured clubhead — 5 percent higher moment of inertia on heel or toe hits — combines with a light, 45.75-inch "high-balance point" shaft (TFC 169D or TFC 169D Tour) to boost clubhead speed and, thus, distance. Specifically, the TFC 169D shaft has more flexible tip and butt sections for softer feel.
Ping's newest irons--Ping G20 irons are designed to make mis-hits more playable and provide more distance. It showcases the same head profiles, sole thicknesses, lofts and shaft lengths as G15, along with several new features that aid feel, forgiveness and distance.
Ping engineers, for example, strengthened the “Custom Tuning Port” (CTP) in the rear cavity. The reinforced CTP combines with an elastomer badge to reduce face vibration and dampen shock. The thinner, lighter face allows four grams to be shifted more rearward in the head. The payoff should be more playable misses, a higher ball flight and slightly more carry with the long irons.
Ping's newest driver--Ping G20 Driver has hit the tour and Golf Magazine's Rob Sauerhaft says the G20 should provide more carry and roll than its predecessors. It has a heavier head than G15 (7 grams more than standard) for greater force at impact. Additional backweighting and a more elongated face shore up misses.
The reconfigured clubhead — 5 percent higher moment of inertia on heel or toe hits — combines with a light, 45.75-inch "high-balance point" shaft (TFC 169D or TFC 169D Tour) to boost clubhead speed and, thus, distance. Specifically, the TFC 169D shaft has more flexible tip and butt sections for softer feel.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Star names will miss Seve Trophy
Britain and Ireland will be without four of the world's top 20 players when they defend the Vivendi Seve Trophy against Continental Europe in Paris.
World number one Luke Donald is at the FedEx Cup play-offs, while Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Paul Casey have turned down the match.
However, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Darren Clarke will be playing.
GB & Ireland captain Paul McGinley said: "I think we have an extremely strong side with a good blend."
European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal defended the absence of the leading players and said: "I'm sad that all our top players are not going to be playing TaylorMade Burner 2.0 Irons in the Seve Trophy after his death this year.
"But I also know that with the top players in the world they do have their commitments like the FedEx Cup in America, getting world ranking points and in Luke Donald's case trying to finish top of both the European and US money lists.
"So they cannot appear at every event, and I am sorry they won't be there but because I understand their situation I certainly will not hold it against them at the Ryder Cup in a year's time."
Scotland's Scott Jamieson, England's David Horsey and Jamie Donaldson, from Wales, will make their debuts at the event, which starts on 15 September.
There is also a first cap for Westwood's Worksop colleague Mark Foster.
McGinley, who won the event as a player in 2006 and 2007, added: "It is a huge boost for our team that players of the calibre of Lee, Darren and Ian have opted to play Mizuno JPX 800 Irons.
"These are players with big worldwide reputations and impressive Ryder Cup pedigrees.
"It is certain that many of the members of our team will go on to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup, so this experience of team golf cannot be underestimated."
He also defended the decisions of McDowell and McIlroy not to compete and said: "I'm not going to comment, so don't drag me into that, and besides I'm not going to criticise any players not playing Callaway Diablo Edge Irons next week. All I can say is that I would have loved them both to play."
Continental Europe will also be without some big names including world number three Martin Kaymer, Robert Karlsson and Sergio Garcia.
Their debutants will be Italian teenager Matteo Manassero, Swede Alex Noren, Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, who has recovered from the elbow injury he suffered in a scooter crash just before the Open Championship in July.
Skipper Jean Van de Velde said: "With eight rookies in the two teams it means that 40% of the sides are newcomers and this will be great preparation for the day they step up to play in the Ryder Cup.
Source from: news.bbc.co.uk
World number one Luke Donald is at the FedEx Cup play-offs, while Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Paul Casey have turned down the match.
However, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Darren Clarke will be playing.
GB & Ireland captain Paul McGinley said: "I think we have an extremely strong side with a good blend."
European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal defended the absence of the leading players and said: "I'm sad that all our top players are not going to be playing TaylorMade Burner 2.0 Irons in the Seve Trophy after his death this year.
"But I also know that with the top players in the world they do have their commitments like the FedEx Cup in America, getting world ranking points and in Luke Donald's case trying to finish top of both the European and US money lists.
"So they cannot appear at every event, and I am sorry they won't be there but because I understand their situation I certainly will not hold it against them at the Ryder Cup in a year's time."
Scotland's Scott Jamieson, England's David Horsey and Jamie Donaldson, from Wales, will make their debuts at the event, which starts on 15 September.
There is also a first cap for Westwood's Worksop colleague Mark Foster.
McGinley, who won the event as a player in 2006 and 2007, added: "It is a huge boost for our team that players of the calibre of Lee, Darren and Ian have opted to play Mizuno JPX 800 Irons.
"These are players with big worldwide reputations and impressive Ryder Cup pedigrees.
"It is certain that many of the members of our team will go on to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup, so this experience of team golf cannot be underestimated."
He also defended the decisions of McDowell and McIlroy not to compete and said: "I'm not going to comment, so don't drag me into that, and besides I'm not going to criticise any players not playing Callaway Diablo Edge Irons next week. All I can say is that I would have loved them both to play."
Continental Europe will also be without some big names including world number three Martin Kaymer, Robert Karlsson and Sergio Garcia.
Their debutants will be Italian teenager Matteo Manassero, Swede Alex Noren, Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, who has recovered from the elbow injury he suffered in a scooter crash just before the Open Championship in July.
Skipper Jean Van de Velde said: "With eight rookies in the two teams it means that 40% of the sides are newcomers and this will be great preparation for the day they step up to play in the Ryder Cup.
Source from: news.bbc.co.uk
Monday, September 5, 2011
Titleist AP1 712 Irons and Titleist AP2 712 Irons
The new AP1 and AP2 irons deliver an industry leading combination of performance, looks and feel. They feature our most advanced multi-material designs which deliver superior distance control through increased moment-of-inertia (MOI) which also provides outstanding solid feel. In addition we have made appearance improvements to both sets.
Building upon the high technology design and resounding success of the original AP irons, Titleist AP1 712 Irons introduces the new high performance AP1 irons for avid golfers. The Titleist AP1 are multi-material, dual cavity irons that take the design mission of "Advanced Performance You Can Feel" to new heights.
The Titleist R&D team’s advanced research group has been conducting extensive sound and vibration analysis aimed at reducing the harsh lower frequency vibration that causes poor feel in irons. This research led to combining several technologies and materials in the back cavity of the new AP irons resulting in a new Tuned Feel System to take feel to a new level.
The New Titleist AP2 712 Irons are more forgiving and more disctance control.It gives the AP2 player more consistent ball speed over a larger area of the face. They are designed for low handicappers,Titleist has significantly increased the club's moment of inertia (MOI) by re-positioning tungsten weight within the heads.The overall goal was to better apply the different materials used in the design.
Titleist has always been about tradition and seem to always be going after the better player. I for one like the new 712 AP2 (discount golf equipment) looks pretty decent. Titleist has long used “700’’ numbers for irons for a long time. It uses 900 numbers for metal woods. The “7” stands for irons, while the “12” stands for the new model year, 2012.
Acushnet says the feedback it receives during this validation process influences the design and specifications of the Titleist products available in golf shops around the world. No word yet on when the 712 AP2 irons is available at retail.
Building upon the high technology design and resounding success of the original AP irons, Titleist AP1 712 Irons introduces the new high performance AP1 irons for avid golfers. The Titleist AP1 are multi-material, dual cavity irons that take the design mission of "Advanced Performance You Can Feel" to new heights.
The Titleist R&D team’s advanced research group has been conducting extensive sound and vibration analysis aimed at reducing the harsh lower frequency vibration that causes poor feel in irons. This research led to combining several technologies and materials in the back cavity of the new AP irons resulting in a new Tuned Feel System to take feel to a new level.
The New Titleist AP2 712 Irons are more forgiving and more disctance control.It gives the AP2 player more consistent ball speed over a larger area of the face. They are designed for low handicappers,Titleist has significantly increased the club's moment of inertia (MOI) by re-positioning tungsten weight within the heads.The overall goal was to better apply the different materials used in the design.
Titleist has always been about tradition and seem to always be going after the better player. I for one like the new 712 AP2 (discount golf equipment) looks pretty decent. Titleist has long used “700’’ numbers for irons for a long time. It uses 900 numbers for metal woods. The “7” stands for irons, while the “12” stands for the new model year, 2012.
Acushnet says the feedback it receives during this validation process influences the design and specifications of the Titleist products available in golf shops around the world. No word yet on when the 712 AP2 irons is available at retail.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Phil Mickelson tries out belly putter
NORTON, Mass. -- The newest craze on the PGA Tour -- the belly and long putter -- has captured the attention of Phil Mickelson, who practiced with one Thursday morning during the pro-am at the Deutsche Bank Championship at the TPC Boston.
Call it a fad or the future of putting, belly or long putters have been in the winner's circle six times in 2011, including the PGA Championship, where Keegan Bradley became the first to win a major using one.
But will Mickelson put it in the bag Friday in the first round?
"Probably, yeah, probably," Mickelson said of the Odyssey 46-inch putter. "I was a little shady with it on the front nine but a little bit better with it on the back ... I don't mind trying new things. I've hit two drivers and no drivers in Opens, and I don't mind trying something different. We'll see."
Mickelson, long considered to have one of the best short games in the sport, is ranked 89th on tour in total putting. Inside 10 feet -- the distance where the pros make their cash -- he is ranked 84th, converting from that range only 57 percent of the time.
Last month at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, 47 players averaged fewer putts a round than the 41-year-old four-time major champion. And 56 players averaged fewer putts on greens in regulation than Mickelson in a field of 76 golfers.
Mickelson has tried to read putts with his feet more and has worked with putting guru and former PGA champion Dave Stockton after years of advice from Dave Pelz. Mickelson still works with Pelz on other aspects of his short game.
Source from: espn.go.com
Call it a fad or the future of putting, belly or long putters have been in the winner's circle six times in 2011, including the PGA Championship, where Keegan Bradley became the first to win a major using one.
But will Mickelson put it in the bag Friday in the first round?
"Probably, yeah, probably," Mickelson said of the Odyssey 46-inch putter. "I was a little shady with it on the front nine but a little bit better with it on the back ... I don't mind trying new things. I've hit two drivers and no drivers in Opens, and I don't mind trying something different. We'll see."
Mickelson, long considered to have one of the best short games in the sport, is ranked 89th on tour in total putting. Inside 10 feet -- the distance where the pros make their cash -- he is ranked 84th, converting from that range only 57 percent of the time.
Last month at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, 47 players averaged fewer putts a round than the 41-year-old four-time major champion. And 56 players averaged fewer putts on greens in regulation than Mickelson in a field of 76 golfers.
Mickelson has tried to read putts with his feet more and has worked with putting guru and former PGA champion Dave Stockton after years of advice from Dave Pelz. Mickelson still works with Pelz on other aspects of his short game.
Source from: espn.go.com
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Discount TaylorMade R11 Irons Review
To match the popular R11 driver, TaylorMade released the new R11 Irons, which are engineered with multiple technologies that make them stunningly easy to launch high and long. I believe they will become the next legend of golf iron set.
The “Precision Weight Port” system is used in the TaylorMade R11 Irons to dial in desired head weights and swing weights, and to ensure each club’s center of gravity is in line with the sweet spot. The fixed (red) plugs—2.5 to 17 grams—are made of aluminum, steel or tungsten and can not be adjusted by consumers.
Besides, a light and lively face combines with “inverted cone technology” to deliver more consistent ball speeds and forgiveness on mis-hits. At impact, the R11 feels and sounds more muted (quieter) than the loud-ish Burner 2.0 because the R11's clubface is slightly thicker in the impact zone and where it connects to the sole.
Lastly, the R11’s short irons have a shallow undercut channel between the face and rear to control feel and CG location, the mid-irons have a moderate undercut, and the long irons have a progressively larger undercut that pulls weight farther back from the face for added forgiveness. Starting with 2.0mm thick face in the long irons to 2.3mm in the mid irons and 2.5mm in the short irons, they bring enhanced feel.
Overall, the new discount golf clubs are such a lengend that you have to try them on the course. They are engineered for the player who appreciates the shape and refinement of a tour-grade iron but needs the help of advanced technology to launch the ball high, straight and long with less effort, regardless of handicap. Are they what you are looking for?
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