Make Spin

I think this might be my first tip that I'm posting here since I re-vamped things a little bit. Over the last couple of days here in Niagara Falls, Ontario we have been experiencing some gorgeous nice weather. For the first time in a while I found myself with time and feeling decent enough to get some practice in. A nice change... quality me time with different irons and a new driver. Both Tour Edge Exotics.My two sessions were a bit different than each other where yesterday I added some short game work to the 4 hours worth of practice I spent. With my lack of playing time this year I honestly feel like I lost another year and with a lack of play if one aspect of the game can go in downward spiral quickly it's green side play. Yesterday I was employing balls from OnCore Golf and a Cradlz by Stinger device that I received to test and review. Watching some video of my pitching I saw a mistake that I didn't feel like I was making. So I thought that since it was fresh in my mind I would talk about it.

Photo: alexandertothgolf.blogspot.com

It happens almost every round that you play. You've missed a Green In Regulation and what's worse is that you've short-sided yourself a little. If you're on the fringe things aren't so bad because you definitely have the use of your putter at your disposal to hole it out or get it close. But you aren't on the fringe and there is too much real estate between yourself to utilize a specialty shot like a "Texas Wedge". So there you are and you take a wedge... or iron (green side doesn't automatically make it a wedge shot) and you've seen the guys and gals on Sunday afternoon on the various tours chip and make the ball stop. You try the same thing but instead you hit your chip and run it well past the hole. What happened to the spin?

Photo Credit: alexandertothgolf.blogspot.com

In a lot of cases two things might have occurred. The first option is that your club head got ahead of your hands and you flipped. The second option is a very, very good possibility. You decelerated on the stroke. Regardless of the distance for the shot you have to make if there is one thing that you you should never do is decelerate or give up on the shot. This is what I observed on my play back. While there was no lack of enough "swing" to make the shots I was making... I was clearly tentative. In order to get the spin that you require you have to accelerate through the ball... much like a driver or any other full shot. The combination of "trapping" the ball by having your hands lead the way through the ball and acceleration is what creates the spin. A deceleration will put "lazy spin" on the ball meaning that it will want to spin but it's almost like the golf ball says "Ummm... no!" and upon hitting the putting surface it just skips along. Accelerate and make that ball check. Below is a quick list of the set-up to achieve the spin.

1. Open up your stance slightly.
2. Weaken your grip. (If you normally see 3 knuckles on your top head lean more towards 2 or less)
3. Your ball position should be off of your trailing ankle. If you need to pop the ball up a little bit place it more towards the lead heel.
4. Place 90% of your weight on your leading side.
5. Pre-set your hands ahead of the ball. Doing this programs the hands or handle of the club to get through first.
6. If the shot is your basic chip rock the shoulders like a putt. Do not let your bottom hand "take over the stroke". Light grip pressure.
7. See the shot... rehearse the shot  and get a feel for how much stroke you need. Practice the acceleration. (Pre-Shot Routine)
8. Reset... step in to the shot by repeating 1-6.
9. Make the shot.

Do not do this. Deceleration causes a lack of spin and makes you prone to chunking chips and pitches. Not to mention coming up short.

I hope that this helps you lower your score by a stroke or 3.

Until The Next Tee!

Review - Tour Edge Exotics EXi Irons

Nestled away in Batavia, Illinois lays a company in the golf industry that has a different sort of following when it comes to golfers. In a way it's almost like a "cult" because those that like the products that this company makes... really like them. Tour Edge Exotics the brand that is the brainchild of President and Founder David Glod. I remember the first time I saw a product with the Tour Edge Exotics name on it back in 2005 (approximately). I was new to the game, enjoying golf and really liking the sport so I went to the Toronto Golf and Travel Show if for no other reason it was a day out. But on this day I took part in my first what I would consider Demo Day. I made swings with a variety of clubs and included in the proverbial buffet was the original Tour Edge Exotics driver and 3 wood. To this day I remember the sound and feel of those two sticks and I remember the four ports on the trailing edge of the driver and the fairway wood that year was much talked and every now and then you still hear about them. What I don't remember from back then were irons. Well I am pleased to say that much has changed for Tour Edge and there are most definitely irons to be talked about.

This past January I made a point of "swinging" by the Tour Edge booth at both the Demo Day at Orange County National and at the PGA Show just to see what Tour Edge was up to. This would be the first time visiting their booth after walking away not blown away by their products in 2013. I'm glad that I returned to their booth and discovered the Tour Edge Exotics EXi irons. The EX1 irons fall into the category of being somewhere in between a Player's Club and a Game Improvement iron. I only say this because the head shape and size of these irons is more traditional and closer to what can be described as compact. Tour Edge boasts that the EXi irons offers golfers "traditional playability, feel and control combined with having built-in distance technology". Notice that the term "forgiveness" has not been mentioned yet? More on that in a bit. The EXi irons feature less offset than their stablemate (EXd) but feature a dual undercut cavity which places the CoG (Centre of Gravity) deeper in the design of the head. This deeper CoG combined with Tour Edge's "Power Grid" technology (which was first introduced a few years ago) combines to make the sole very thin behind the face. Furthermore, Tour Edge introduced an insert in the cavity which provides golfers a softer feel at impact. The EXi irons also features "Variable Face Technology" and a very thin face that allows the design of the face to have more trampoline effect which helps with higher ball speeds upon launch and solid contact on those swings that would be considered less than optimal. The EXi irons are cast from 431 Stainless. The lofts of the EXi irons are slightly stronger (45*) than what is considered to be "the norm" as far as lofts nowadays for this particular category (47*). So it sounds like the EXi irons have a fair amount going for them. How did they perform?

I actually would make swings with the EXi irons on two occasions. The first time was in Orlando during Demo Day at the PGA Show and the second was about a month later at the Toronto Golf and Travel Show. When I made swings with the EXi irons I was initially impressed with the feel at contact. I loved the feel and even though they are a cast offering the "TPE encased insert" was effective in making the strikes feel softer as opposed to "clicky". Good strikes were rewarded with an "authoritative thwack" and the ball would jettison off of the face. The results... flights that were pleasing to watch. I would make swings with both of their stock shaft offerings which are the UST Mamiya Recoil 670 F4 (graphite) and the KBS Tour 90 (steel). Both shafts offer a profile that leans toward a mid-trajectory and the combination of the shaft profile and heads of the EXi irons lived up to their billing. One thing that I should report on adding to the performance of the EXi irons is the fact that there is a slot on the sole of the club. Similar to technology seen in other brands it is just that much different. The slot on the EXi irons actually extends out past the toe of the head and curls upwards toward the top line. This definitely is part of the "distance technology" that Tour Edge built into these irons. But what about the ever important "F Word"? Forgiveness is there on the mishits. I must forewarn my readers with a disclaimer at this point. For one reason or another my striking did not falter a whole lot with the EXi irons. My swing was for the better part "off" at Demo Day but then my swing came around nicely with these irons in my hands. Confidence inspiring? Perhaps. But I do recollect two swings that were in that...ahem... less than optimal category. Those strikes stayed on-line without losing a horrible amount of distance. So again, the EXi irons lived up to their advertising. These irons were easy and I mean easy to work in either direction and flighting the ball was a breeze. The EXi irons are irons that are very easy to control. When I would swing them a month later back in Toronto I achieved the same results. Solid striking. Simply put the EXi irons and I get along and that could be attested by my friend Randy who was present.

The EXi irons from Tour Edge currently retail for $599.99 and $799.99 USD in steel and graphite respectively. When compared to the other brands out there with similar products the EXi irons could very well be several hundred dollars less than irons comparable. I would classify them as "The Biggest Bang For Your Buck" as far as irons go in 2016. If you're a Low to Mid-Handicapper they are definitely worth a look... if you can find them. Where I sit geographically I am unaware of any "local" Tour Edge dealers so in my base the inability to locate them could be a negative. But the Pro's far outweigh the Con.. I am aware that is singular. There is a ton of performance and a lot to like about the EXi irons. Workability, control, and a soft feel at impact. All in all the EXi irons are an iron that has everything that I look for. I would put these in my bag tomorrow. Check them out at www.touredge.com they are worth your time.

*** Special Thanks to Tour Edge PR Director Joanne Miller for providing me a USB drive with the above images.

Worldwide Game...Worldwide Issues

2016 has been an interesting year for golf. It's been a year full of ups and downs and some of those downs have been sad. While we crowned freshly minted first time Major Champions in Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson and Jimmy Walker we also said good-bye to a "King". As much as many have stated that golf has made a downturn in terms of play and popularity it's also made strides worldwide. We crowned our first Men's Olympic Golf Champion in 112 years with Great Britain's Justin Rose earning the distinction. The games in Rio marked the first time that a Women's Champion was crowned when Inbee Park of South Korea took home the gold medal. Canadians rejoiced when Smith's Falls, Ontario native Brooke Henderson won her first Major the first for a Canadian woman since Sandra Post in 1968.

Photo Credit: pga.com

The opening paragraph basically shows the proverbial "proof in the pudding" that the game of golf is truly a worldwide game. Golfers from Canada, England, Sweden, South Korea and the United States are listed without batting an eyelash. However, with being a worldwide game the potential is strong for the game to be caught up in worldwide issues. These issues can come in the form of things like the Zika Virus which plagued the Olympics and held back notable golfers like Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy. Sometimes matters of politics can be involved as well. Let's look at this week shall we?

Photo Credit: europeantour.com

This week is the Turkish Airlines Open in Antayla, Turkey. This isn't the first time of that this event has been held as it has been played on the European Tour since 2013. In the past it has played host to a great field and this is also an event that Tiger Woods was supposed to play in. Regardless of this, I have had my eye on this tournament for a while. The region is mired in strife as the Middle East has always seemed to be during my 44 years on this planet. This year I would say is the most volatile of any of those years that I have been alive for. A time where it seems the world is one bad decision away from escalating into a point of no return. Turkey is definitely in the middle of this "powder keg" where tensions became high after Turkish forces surrounded the NATO air base in Adana at the end of July. Not to mention thousands of Turks who threatened to seize the base after an alleged failed coup. The base a key installation for the fight against ISIS. The latter then launching rocket attacks in Turkey including recent attacks in Antayla. A resort town hosting the event this week

Photo Credit: golf.turkishairlines.com

I have often thought of two of my passions being ways to escape the world so to speak. Fly fishing and golf. I never thought that politics regardless of how many rounds per year President Barack Obama would get in the way of my escapism. But it has and it has effected this tournament and millions of people worldwide. The tournament which once had an air of excitement surrounding it with the field scheduled to appear has had that air get taken out of its "sails". Rocket attacks... a little bigger than Zika (potentially as fatal) and can you blame for guys like Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson and Rory for withdrawing? Where I was a little critical of the Zika withdrawals I also understood. To be frank, I'm shocked that more players haven't withdrawn and for months I actually waited for this event to be cancelled entirely much like the Ladies European Tour did earlier in the year for security reasons. Credit the organizers and European Tour officials for following the old entertaining mantra of "the show must go on". The field is still strong with names like Willett, Lee Westwood, Nicolas Coelsarts, Padraig Harrington and some guy named "Beef" headlining. I'd love to see a victory for Beef.

It sucks but it's a reality that golf can be effected by politics. There have always been geopolitical issues and they are not going away anytime soon especially with a truly worldwide game. I guess we have to just roll with the punches and have life and show continue to go on. In the grand scheme of things, one tournament having an issue like this is minor in comparison to other conflicts or issues that people face every day of their lives. But I like the escapism that is golf. Thinking about the sweet smell of freshly mowed grass covered in dew, lush fairways that look like ribbons adorned with trees, the shimmering sand that fills bunkers, and the sounds of nature. Golf! If only the world would trade #BombsForBirdies

Until The Next Tee.

McGirt and "The Geriatrics"

Alright, I know what you may be thinking. This title is either demeaning or it's about some new up and coming country music brand. Of course it isn't. This week the world of golf had some interesting stories emerge so let's take a look.

Photo Credit: independent.ie

When was the last time we saw not one but two elder statesmen at the top of the leaderboard of a tournament that did not say Champions? I'm sure that it has happened but I fail to recollect when that might have been. This weekend was special. Over in Portugal at the Portugal Master's was played at the Victoria Clube de Golfe in Vilamoura, Portugal. The tournament was host to some fantastic scoring from the field which included the winner in 2015 Andy Sullivan. Sullivan finished with a score of -22 and second place. Of course, this is a terrific score that could nearly any golf tournament but not this weekend. For the first time in 8 years Padraig Harrington the very likable Irishman from Dublin, Ireland found himself atop the leaderboard when the action ended on Sunday. Powered by the new Wilson Staff FG Tour V6 irons 5-PW (which he tried out Monday) he would scramble his way to a winning score of -23. Scrambling was the key for the weekend as Paddy had otherworldly statistics. Yes, he held it together coming down the 72nd hole after missing the fairway but his scrambling was insane. But there was another elder statesmen that was in contention at the sane time. Anders Hansen. Why is he noteworthy? Well, he just happens to be 46 years young and the Dane would find himself finished with a T-3. But as much as his age might be an eyebrow raiser it's the fact that Hansen is a part-time Tour player. Hansen announced his retirement at the same tournament in 2015. He has teed it up this year four other times. Talk about a good paying part-time job.

Photo Credit: skysports.com

As we had a "part-timer" made some decent cash this past weekend things were a little different on this side of the pond heading into this weeks stop in Jackson, MS. The Sanderson Farms Championship is being played and it so happens that it happens to be the same week as a WGC-HSBC Champions event. Well, there happens to be a bit of a wonky rule that states if there is a WGC event and you are qualified to play in that event you CANNOT play in another event that week on the PGA Tour. William Mc Girt fell victim to this rule. While rules are rules I also understand Mc Girt's position. Why fly to China when he can board a flight and have a short hop to Mississippi? If I were him I would opt to do the same thing... regardless of the guaranteed paycheck (no cut). Of course, the WGC has their position as well which is basically that they want the best possible field that they can muster. They actually have 43 of the Top 50 players in the world. But the last time that I checked the PGA Tour does not have a player's union and these guys have the right to play where they want... when they want. Otherwise the world would have seen a lot more Tiger over the years. So will there one day be a player's union in golf? I honestly don't see it ever happening. Getting back to Mc Girt it has been reported that he's going to go to Jackson anyways. It has been stated that Mc Girt will be attending the Pro-Am party on Tuesday and then after playing in the Pro-Am Wednesday he's heading home. He feels that supporting a brand (Sanderson Farms) that has given his his area's economy much needed employment is more important and quite frankly... I don't blame him.

Photo Credit: golfchannel.com

Until The Next Tee!

Review - Bridgestone Golf JGR Hybrid Forged Irons

If there is one thing that I have said that I will never waver from it's my thoughts. That "Alexism" is this. "Improving in golf... depends on your ability to check your ego at the door".  This pertains to a few different things among them includes having an open mind and flex of shaft. Today's subject could also epitomize the thought. 

When the average golf consumer thinks of forged irons they think of eye-pleasing muscle back designs or a tiny blade with nary a top line. Although this has been the thought for a very long time the reality is that golf manufacturers know that only a low percentage of golfers worldwide can produce consistent ball-striking with these tiny instruments of craftsmanship that house a sweet spot the size of a dime. Little by little golf equipment manufacturers came to the realization that there was a niche market for the mid to high handicap golfer that desired to play a forged iron. A true forged iron that could help them improves their games. If one company really captured this goal in 2016 it might have to be Bridgestone Golf.

https://youtu.be/PHb94gq-Nsg

Bridgestone Golf long known for their golf balls (and in these parts only known for the balls) happens to have a real nice product range of golf clubs too. And they should, considering they have staffers like Fred Couples, Brandt Snedeker and Matt Kuchar in their stable. In the past when you looked at their offerings one of the words that would be used to describe them would be "clean" which still the case is. Often though to get that clean look designers have to sacrifice forgiveness. With the JGR Hybrid Forged irons an observer might contend that Bridgestone Golf sacrificed looks for forgiveness. Before continuing on about the JGR Hybrid Forged irons I will use some literature from www.bridgestonegolf.com

"JGR Hybrid FORGED irons are a revolution in distance. Featuring the lowest and deepest CoG of any forged iron on the market we are able to increase lengths and strengthen lofts while maintaining traditional iron trajectories, thereby maintaining landing angles for maximum stopping power on the greens. JGR Hybrid FORGED irons will fly longer with more distance while still providing the shot shapes golfers prefer."

Upon reading that snippet from their website, it would make a golf consumer (in their target audience) feel intrigued. Much like I was when I saw these irons on the Demo Day range at Orange County National. But there is a lot more to these irons as they are simply not just geared towards the high handicap because they are also geared towards the professional as well. These irons are offered with very high quality stock shafts as the JGR Hybrid Forged Irons come with either the Nippon Zelos 8 in steel or the UST Mamiya Recoil as a graphite option. One knock on these irons coming out of the gate is that these are only available for right-handed golfers which means there is no love for the southpaw golfers out there. As mentioned above, the lofts are bumped up as the PW2 is 44*. The iron set starts with a 5 iron that has a loft of 22* which is pretty "beefy" for a 5 iron. Then again, it's all for a good reason because most golfers carry a hybrid for those types of loft anyways. Also, it makes for more room in the bag for extra wedges. For a set composition a golfer could get away with a Driver, 5 wood and go into the irons from there or Driver, 4 wood, hybrid and then irons. Either way, the iron set allows for some flexibility of your set. Other important information about this iron set from Bridgestone Golf is that they created their "thinnest face ever" and they've incorporated a vibration dampening "Turbo Rubber" which also enhances the feel.

Photo Credit: Bridgestone Golf

I will never forget my immediate impression of these irons at the Bridgestone Golf booth at the Demo Day. After admiring their range of drivers, metalwoods and hybrids (driver was a serious sleeper as mentioned in my review at alexandertothgolf.com) I looked at these JGR Hybrid Forged irons and thought "what a travesty". Adjectives like "shovel", "ugly", and "appalling" came to mind. I was actually disgusted and downright hated them. Maybe there is a part of me that could be classified as a "purist" thus being the reason of my malcontent. For example... the flange I couldn't bear to even look at. One other quote I've used in my life is "to be able to kiss a girl you have to be able to look at her" and I had a hard time looking at them. Prior to placing the iron down in the address position I looked at the cavity and thought that the badge was nicely done. It looked quite smart and thought that at least it had that going for it. Then I placed it down and I was surprised by the fact that the ever present flange did not bother me. Frankly, I never really noticed it. So I thought... okay let's see the "proof in the pudding".

https://youtu.be/-K08rjD2y9g

Photo Credit: Bridgestone Golf

On my first swing, I knew that Bridgestone Golf had a tremendous iron with the JGR Hybrid Forged irons. The top line was moderate and the face responsive. The flight of the ball was "long and strong". I also noticed that the feel was like the oft-used term "butter". If anything it was so smooth that pure strikes did not offer any sort of feedback. That said, when I toed one it offered that feedback. So there is feedback on a poorly struck golf ball. But what I really found attractive about the JGR Hybrid Forged irons was the launch conditions. The ball elevated quickly (without ballooning) and climbed down range. No doubt that the wide flange and consequential weight low and back played an integral part of these ideal launch conditions. Launch is great for anyone... isn't it nice being able to get the ball up in the air? For those wondering about the workability of these irons. The JGR Hybrid Forged irons are workable in either direction. The location of their booth was such that there was a right to left wind (quartering). With my usual draw ball flight I would say that the JGR irons were a club longer than my "gamers" which are longer than my previous model. Even into the wind when I opted to hit one or two in that direction without putting other "attendees" in harm's way the JGR Hybrid Forged irons were longer. Flighting the golf ball was a snap... set it back (half back swing... abbreviate follow through) and watch it happen. Fat shots weren't severely punished but I am sure that if you tried really hard... a fat shot would be punished. The width of the sole/flange helps in protecting against the fat shot.

Conclusion: I really wanted to hate the JGR Hybrids and I cannot stress that enough. The fact is that Bridgestone Golf really raised the bar when it comes to Super Game-Improvement clubs offered as a forged head. This iron is the ultimate in forgiveness; the length is impressive and could be viewed as too long. Only because it could potentially create gapping issues. Would I game a set? The short answer is yes.

Until The Next Tee!