Saturday, December 17, 2011

Enough is enough!!

One thing I am adamant about is that my golf clubs must look "clean".  Clean meaning void of useless, cosmetically, un-appealing stamps, graphics, etc. from the manufacturer.  One of my favorite designs off all time, well used to be, was the classic Cleveland 588 wedges.  It was flat-out plain, clean and beautiful.  Lately, however, the latest Titlest wedges and Cleveland wedges are just flooded with so many engravings, stamps, etc. on the head that it makes me naseous..and just makes the wedges ugly..and appealing.  Do we need to be "reminded" by the manufacturer what the wedges do or how they are different.  Are we as golfers that dumb?  Does K.I.S.S. come to mind?

Take a look at the heads on the latest offerings from Titleist and Cleveland..yucK:

Do we need the flying "BV", "SM4"..really?..really?, and forgot it is a "Vokey Design"
 











and

No need for explanation here..who makes this again?  This would be so bad ass without 99% of their graphics.












Seriously, what is up?  Do we need to be "reminded" that it is a "SM4" and isn't the "BV" enough..did we forget it's a "Bob Vokey" design.  I play with the older generation Spin Milled and personally that the little circular saw blade was a tad atrocious..but learned to get over it..but now..ugh.

NOW..look at the 588..what the hell?!?  I understand that it's a forged club..that's why I bought it, right? but, please I don't need a stamp saying "Precision Forged" and what up with that weird emblem underneath the Reg. 588?  Yes, I guess it's supposed to stand for "CF"? Cleveland Forged..I guess...but once again..yucK!  I still never like their "Tour Zip Groove" stamp either..similarly in the same place as a Vokey SM stamp.  We are not dumB! or perhaps they'll soon be selling ad space by other companies on them.  I can see it now..a little Starbucks or McDonald's stamp..

Mizuno has seemed to stay true and realize that simple is good..simple is great..simple is simple:

Mizuno R12..perfect.



















How beautiful is this?  Hullo Titlest..Cleveland?

If you guys want to see some other gorgeous and "simple" wedges check these out..but *cough* it's gonna cost ya, but soooo worth it"


Sunday, December 11, 2011

I got it BAAAADDD!!

Signs that the golf bug has bit you on your ass (off the top of my head):

1. You check Craigslist and Ebay..incessantly.
2. You try to justify why you need to replace your current set (irons, woods, putters or all 3..lol)
3. You re-grip your irons when they aren't needed.
4. You scour the internet and sports/golf stores for the best prices and deals on Pro V1's.
5. You clean your irons better than your own teeth.
6. You golf bag is better organized than your own workroom..and you constantly re-organize.

For me:
1. Yes (scored major deals today..OMG so happy!!)
2. I bought, but sent back..seriously I love my current Mizzy's (Mx 25's)..what was I thinking?!
3. I contemplated it..and was going to get a great deal..but think old age is making me a wiser man..if it ain't broke why fix it..right?
4. Yep..
5. Yep..
6. Yep..

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Getting my mojo back!

It's been a super long time that I blogged here..but it's good to see that there are some hits coming through.  I finally dusted off the clubs and have been playing every week now for the last couple months.  It's been fun and feel the "bug" has bitten me again.  To be honest I had no desire to play, but after a few times at the range with my son, 8, even I started to get "into" it again.  I just played yesterday at Alhambra GC and it was a blast.  I can't remember the last time I played there but it was extremely enjoyable.

I think I'm growing up as a player as I really enjoy helping others improve with their own game.  A friend of mine just started getting into it and I really enjoy seeing his exuberance for the game.  He's a true student as he is learning all the good habits..counting EVERYTHING and putting EVERYTHING out..key traits in lowering your score and becoming a better player.  I'm a fan of players who never take their scores for granted.  This has also made me really inspect my game and made me be really aware of taking strokes for granted..a stroke is a stroke is a stroke.

Anyway I'm back!!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

WAM Golf!! Please change your domain name..deadbeat!

WAM Golf PLEASE GET ANOTHER DOMAIN - YOU SCAMMER!!

One thing that really pisses me off is when you have other people jumping on a name just to get their search engine rating up.  An obvious case in this is with this guy that runs WAM Golf Blog (I had it url'd but no more free rides for this scab..just Google my name "Golf Nomad" and you'll see this pathetic slim-ball's site..it's unluckily beneath my blog)  Iwould not be so angry if he had any other name, uh-duh..how about having your domain/url say "WAM Golf Blog"..besides using "TheGolfNomad"..like c'mon..you came up with that all by yourself..right?  His url that has my name in it has no relation to his content. 

It's apparent that WAMMO is using my name..yes..Golf Nomad..in his domain to get free traffic..what a loser and a scab.  Please, be a man, get your own traffic to your site and not ride my coat-tails.  If you have any questions you can contact me..THE ORIGINAL GOLF NOMAD (not you) anytime.

Monday, January 17, 2011

The Art of Scoring - Stan Utley

I just finished reading "The Art of Scoring" by Stan Utley.  The book presents a guide on great ways to lower your score utilizing various approaches to strategies, decision-making, and management for every part of your short game..where it counts right?

We have all heard of Stan Utley and his breakthrough short game and putting techniques have made him one of the most sought-after golf instructors in America..ask Sergio Garcia, Jay Haas, Darren Clarke and Paige MacKenzie.  Stan also holds the PGA Tour record for fewest putts in nine holes with six at the 2002 Air Canada Championship.

Utley's sole PGA Tour victory came in 1989 at the Chattanooga Classic. He lost his PGA Tour card in 1992 and decided to play on the Nike Tour (now known as the Nationwide Tour). In the 1990s, he played primarily in this venue.  As his touring career was winding down, Utley began to develop new career strategies for taking advantage of his reputation as one of the best chippers and putters in the game. He began a transition into teaching and writing with special focus on his specialty - the short game. Utley has risen to prominence as one of the best instructors in golf. Golf Digest has called him one of America's 50 greatest teachers.

The key components that Stan wants you to leave with after reading (..and for me re-reading) are:

Four Keys to Success

Get to the Green: Stan Utley’s techniques show you how to keep the ball in play, and make the most of your individual skills. Stan shows you how to reduce your risks, stay out of trouble, and play within yourself to get to the green with a minimum amount of pain and frustration. 

Wedge Game: Learn the techniques of consistent wedge play around the green. Stan Utley will show you how to hit your wedges consistently and the easiest way to cut down the number of putts you make. Learn proper techniques for shots around the green and then learn to pick the best strategy for each situation. 

Rediscover the Lost Art of Putting: How can you blow a knee-knocker from 8 inches, but backhand a “gimmee” from two feet? Consistent putting requires a good eye and steady hand. Stan Utley’s techniques let you rediscover the lost art of putting.

Bouncing Your Way Out of the Sand: Even the highest skilled golfer gets sweaty palms when faced with a digging the ball out of a bunker. When should you blast? When should you try to pick it cleanly? With a few easy-to-learn techniques, Stan Utley can prove that there are worse places to end up than on the beach.

It is a very easy book to follow along and worth every penny..the perfect golf reference book for us everyday golfers.

I'm late..blame it on Ansel Adams

I know it's been a very long time since I put something up.  In all honesty, I have not been playing any golf lately as I've been "distracted" by another endeavor..photography.  Actually, the two share similar concepts, which I can see why golfers could be drawn to photography:
  • The equipment doesn't matter, it's the indian not the arrow.  Whether you have a point and shoot or a $50,000 Phase One (Google it..), it's all about course management..or in this case, composition.  You create the "shot", not the equipment.
  • There's numerous ways to make a "shot".  Like golf where you can hit multiple shots with one iron, the same goes with photography.  You have multiple ways to control your aperture, shutter, ISO which will in the end give you thousands of ways to make the "shot" that is needed at the moment.
  • They are both an expensive hobby, unless you are sponsored or get paid..right?  My current camera (body alone) was $900 at the time I purchased it.  This is not to include lenses, gear, etc. which can easily take you over the cost of multiple golf sets.
  • Photographers (like golfers) are gear-hounds.  We're always looking for the latest, newest, thing and then begins the drooling.
  • You have to be dedicated and disciplined to advance to the next level.  Whether it's beating balls at the range or driving out and finding interesting places to take photos.  You need to get out and commit yourself if you want to improve.  There's no easy way to get better.
As you can see, it's quite possible why we like photography and wouldn't surprise me if I was to ask the group in front of us, at the next round, how many have a DSLR.  I'm sure I'd get a few hands that go up.