Celebrity golfers..

I'm still waiting for my name to get registered with the SCGA (Southern California Golf Association) so I can pop my name in and see my handicap index. I was interested at seeing at what some of my fellow office workers shoot so I popped their name into the SCGA Handicap Index Lookup and "Voila!", their full playing history for me to view.

My mind then got curious, or nosy - you choose, and I knew there were numerous celebrity golfers in southern California. I also realized many of them are VERY serious about their golf game. I put two and two together and started punching in names of some of my favorite actors and wow!..as the PGA Tour slogan says.."These Guys Are Good."

Here are a few "players" in Tinseltown (as of July 1, 2006):

Jack Wagner (1.4)
Samuel Jackson (4.9)
Mark Wahlberg (6.2)
Andy Garcia (9.6)
Bill Gates (20.7)
Ray Romano (14.1)
Kevin James (17.9)
Jack Wagner (1.4)
Craig T. Nelson (6.0)
Clint Eastwood (13.7)
Sean Connery (15.3)
Mel Gibson (23.6)
Kevin Costner (11.2)
Dennis Hopper (17.1)
Joe Pesci (17.2)

I'm proud to say that I'm in the same golf association and I can hang with Raymond and Mr. Bond and can whoop Mel Gibson..give me a call guys.

Played hooky..

I played hooky from work this week and played 18 holes. I really wanted to break 90, which would've made it the 2nd time at Rio Hondo, but failed to do so and shot a 94. I was rolling the ball real good but my driving was atrocious. I think I only hit four fairways. What really hurt me was the mess I got into in the bunkers. My bunker play is actually pretty good and I have no worries when I get in one.

I was in three fairway bunkers that I was going for the green in. I not only needed to get out but needed to carry. I hit decent shots, clean, but too strong and I ended up over shooting the green on all occasions. I would say I lost about 3 to 4 strokes because of these errant shots.

I'm still getting use to the 905T and was cutting the ball pretty good but the drives don't seem to be that high for the loft of the driver, 10.5. I wanted to try the new Callaway HX 56 TOUR so I bought a sleeve. It is a very nice ball and plays like the Pro V1..maybe a hair softer..and much softer than the HX TOUR. Hopefully if my digital camera arrives by Friday I'll be able to take some pictures on Saturday.

Got A Camera..

I finally decided to take the plunge into the 21st century and got a digital camera..WA-HOO!! I've always been partial to the Canon family and enjoyed how well their pictures came out and very durable. I wanted to get something that was easy but still had some cool options and within a budget. I decided to go with the Canon PowerShot A620.

It's not as small as I prefer but since it'll be serving double duty for family as well as golf photos it will do. It can also take up to a continuous 1GB of video, approximately 8 minutes, which should be plenty to make some homegrown golf videos which I haven't done in awhile. I also am getting tied of constantly scanning photos to send to friends and family. I can't wait to take it onto the gourse and try it out. I ordered it online at Adorama Photo because I've bought from them before without a problem.

I played my customary back 9 at my home course. As always it's just not enough when you get on a roll. I'm calling in sick tomorrow to play a full round. I'll post some pictures up as soon as I get the camera and take it out.

On a sidenote: The Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 1.5 sold on Ebay for a nice price. I told my wife I'm giving her the profits which made her happy..and me too.

Perfection..

Just got this on one of the golf forums I frequent. I can't believe how still Tiger's head is on the backswing. You can see different profiles of the same swing by clicking to the icons below..simply perfect..wow.

Tiger's swing in super slow-mo!

Where are you Brad?

I finally played 18 holes last Sunday. I did pretty good on the front, got a birdie and played bogey golf, but just blew it on the back and ended up with a 95. I usually play 5 strokes less than the front and thought I was going to be sub-90..NOT!! I'm still getting used to the 905T and it's shallower face, but I can't believe how many times I topped the ball. Fortunately, with the softness of the HX Blue no lasting impressions were left behind on the crown of the driver.

I turned in my scorecards so I should have an index with the men's club soon. I'm excited to play in some upcoming events soon.

I wass thinking about all the Scotty Cameron putters I acquired recently. I laid them on my bed and it was quite a sight. I should've taken a picture of the "family". I debated whether to keep them all or sell them. I decided to sell the Studio Style Newport 1.5 and the Studio Stainless Newport 2.5. I really do love the neck design of the Newport 1.5 and 2.5's but it's just not a Laguna or Santa Fe. I'll keep the Studio Design 2.5 because I dig the Pearl Black finish.

I sold the Newport 2.5 in a matter of hours. I actually went to change the auction from a "Buy It Now" to a "No Reserve". For some reason my changes weren't taking effect. The putter had sold during the time I was tinkering around with my Ebay ad..crazy. The Newport 1.5 is a true "NO RESERVE" auction. Let the market bear it's price.




I'm looking to get an IBBF. "What's That?!?!" It's short for "Inspired by Brad Faxon" A collectible Scotty Cameron..aren't they all ?!? but I just figured I could kill two birds with one stone and get a Laguna style, which the IBBF is, with a little touch. On the back "bumper" area it is written Brad Faxon..cool huh. They're not cheap and are running from $300 and up, including the original headcover, depending on condition.

I'm debating whether to get just the putter itself, which would be cheaper, or get it with the headcover. I didn't realize the "IBBF" headcover alone can fetch up to $100 or more..gadzooks! (you should see what the cost on some other very highly collectible Scotty Cameron headcovers are going for!! OMG.)

Caddychicks..

What a novel idea..I wish I had thought of this. How cool would that be to show up and have your personal caddy. I haven't really had a time to go through their site but looks good. They actually have courses that I play at too. Maybe I should ask if they would like a reviewer..lol

Do what the pro's do..

I was messing around at the PGA Tour site and ran across this little Titleist multimedia player for the pre-shot routine for numerous PGA tour pros. It's pretty cool.

And you think I'm sick..

I was checking out The Cameron Collector, again, and couldn't believe this collection..speechless. I'm not sure if he's a collector or seller or both but none the less..amazing.



I just bought two more Scotty's today, a Newport Studio Stainless 1.5 and Studio Design 2.5. I originally was only interested in the SD 2.5 but then for some reason didn't want to split them up so I got both. I'm pretty sure this is it..

A sickness..

I promised not to look at anymore putters and that I am happy with the Scotty Camerons, (yes, plural, I have 2), I have now. Well, with some of the time I've had at work lately, I was browsing through various Scotty Camerons and for some reason the Sante Fe and Laguna models really caught my attention. I really liked the flowing neck of both putter styles.

Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with my Red X. Actually, it is my FAVORITE putter and it feels unbelievably awesome with a good weight..but just one more.

Anyway, I couldn't find too many Santa Fe's or Laguna's on Ebay that really caught my eye. I was then checking out The Cameron Collector site, the name says it all right?, and found an absolute gem on their Buy/Sell/Trade section. The Studio Style Newport 1.5 was absolutely gorgeous and it looked very similar to the Sante Fe.

I got a great deal and with the unique lime green paintfill made it a stand out. The putter also has the lime green Scotty Cameron Custom Shop grip and comes with the matching lime green headcover (as pictured above).

I've heard people that buy a Scotty can't only stay happy with one. I absolutely, whole heartedly disagreed and said that I would be more than happy if I just even had one Cameron..well..I was wrong.

Three reasons for getting a Scotty Cameron:

1. They are incredibly well made and very solid putter.
2. They are weighted perfect and don't feel light nor heavy..just perfect.
3. They hold their value.

The putter is one of the most frequently replaced clubs in bag. Instead of buying a Never Compromise to a Yes! to a PING to a ?? I'd highly suggest to anyone getting serious about the game to invest in a Scotty Cameron, period. They can be found for a good bargain these days on Ebay and places like The Cameron Collector. Your putter is going to be the most used club in your bag so you might as well get the best.

Putting is Good..

I played my typical 9 holes last Saturday and played pretty good. I shot a 5 over for the back which I'd say is pretty good for me. I knew I was going to have a decent round when I chipped in for birdie on the first hole..which I've never done there. One thing that might've been "cheating", if it is, is that I played from the white tees. This wasn't by choice but rather the group that I played with were playing from them. I could've played from the blue tees but didn't want to seem pretentious..lol

But this leads to another question. Am I supposed to play from the white tees or blue tees? I have to honestly say that my driving was really bad that day but I really made it up with my short game so it was hard to say whether it was the shorter distance or that I just able to pull off more up and downs. I was putting really good with the Red X. I really love the weighting of it and have noticed I have less putts left short.

I'm still getting used to the 905T and noticed that the Aldila NV(S) shaft plays a tad softer than the ProLaunch(R) shaft. It seems that for my swing the NV(S) is suited for me. I'm playing tomorrow morning again..have a Happy 4th of July everyone.