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PuttOUT Putting Trainer ReviewDecember 18, 2018PuttOUT Putting Trainer ReviewPuttOUT Putting TrainerPuttOUT Putting TrainerGrade: A+Teachers’ Comments: An elegant device for purposeful putting practice.Manufacturer’s SiteBuy PuttOUT On AmazonThe PuttOUT Putting trainer is a beautifully designed device that tests not only your line, but also tempo and speed. The PuttOUT consists of a white rubber base from which a gracefully curved acrylic arm extends. In the center of the curve is a hole which can either be left open, or sealed off with an extending portion of the base.A putt perfectly paced and on line will roll up the slope and stick in the hole.PuttOUT Putting Trainer A missed putt, of course, misses the rubber disk entirely. But a putt that is just slightly off line, or with an incorrect pace will miss the hole on the slope and gently return.The distance that the ball returns is indicative of how far a missed putt would have rolled past the hole.The design of the PuttOUT is pure genius. You can see the Puttout in play in the video below.The PuttOUT putting trainer has a number of advantages over other putting practice devices. First, it does not trap the ball. Many putting practice devices are deceptive because a ball that is offline will be trapped or funneled into the target area. With the PuttOUT, a ball might roll over the rubber hole area, but then miss the smaller hole on the parabola behind it. A ball that does that on the PuttOUT may very well have been one of those round-destroying five foot lip-outs on the course.Traditional Putting Practice DevicesSecond, the PuttOUT offers clear feedback on pace. Putting devices with a backstop or a trapping mechanism don’t let you know how hard you hit the ball. With the PuttOUT, a perfectly paced ball will catch in the slope’s hole. Too slow, and the ball doesn’t make it up the slope. Too fast, and it dashes up the slope and rolls over the hole on the return. The parabola is such that the distance it returns to you is the distance the ball would have gone past the hole.Regular practice with the PuttOUT will turn those knee-knocking five to seven footers for par into a confident routine. A view of the folded PuttOut Trainer.The PuttOUT folds away neatly, and can be safely stored in a desk drawer. In this, it has a distinct advantage over larger, electro-mechanical putting devices.I see the PuttOUT putting trainer getting a lot of use over the winter. Highly Recommended....
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Tomahawk NEO Winter Golf TeesDecember 18, 2018 Tomahawk NEO Winter Golf Tees When the ground is frozen, getting a tee into the ground can be a chore. The Tomahawk NEO tees sit on top of the grass (or in the case of my muni, on top of the frozen dirt). This package includes 3 large 1 5/8 inches tees and six small tees that can be used as either 1/2 or 1/4 inch tees....
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Feeding Your Golf Addiction In The Winter, Part 2: Maintain Your EquipmentDecember 17, 2018This is the second in a series of essays on things to feed your golf addiction in the off-season.Maintain Your Equipment. Cold, snowy days are a good time to give a little tender loving care to your equipment. Get your bag out of the shed and empty it completely. If you’re like me, chances are you’ll find old scorecards, useless balls, protein bar wrappers and plenty of dirt—the detritus of a busy summer. Vacuum the inside, and wipe it down. Then wipe down the outside. Snip any stray threads. Get the goo out of the zipper teeth; I use Goo Gone for that. Wipe down your pull-or-push cart. Oil the bearings. Tighten the bolts. Then take a look at your clubs. Get the dirt off the heads, and take a scrub brush to the grooves. Then give them a good buffing with a clean cloth. Wipe down the shafts, too. If there’s any residue, try the Goo Gone on that, too. If your plastic ferrules are nicked or scruffed, you can buff those up, too. Put a little acetone on a lint free cloth and give the ferrule a quick swipe. That’ll take out the scruff marks. If there are deeper nicks, you may need to give it a stronger swipe. Be careful with the acetone. That’s powerful stuff, and not to be breathed. It can cause brain damage, or worse. Avoid getting it on anything plastic or painted. It’s best to do this in the garage with the door open (that’s what I do). Finally, take a look at the grips. Give them a good scrubbing, at the very least. A better option, however, is to simply replace them. Replacing grips is very easy and relatively cheap if you use rubber, slip-on grips. You can get a complete grip kit, with grips, tape, grip solvent and a rubber clamp on Amazon. Here’s how to do it: 1) Get some grips, and double sided grip tape. 2)Cut off the old grips with a utility knife. 3) Strip off the old tape. Use a hair dryer to melt the glue if the tape is stubborn. 4) Secure the club in a vice with soft rubber clamps. You can get ones designed for golf clubs from the companies mentioned above. 5) Apply the tape: There are two ways to do this: You can start at the lower end of where the grip would be by running it in a spiral pattern up the shaft. Or, you can run it lengthwise up one side of the butt and down the other. Peel the backing off the tape so the stick side is revealed. 6) Put another small strip over the hole on the butt. 7) Put something to catch the mineral spirits under the butt end. I use an aluminum paint tray for paint rollers. 8) Pour some mineral spirits into the grip while holding your finger over the hole at the bottom. Slosh the spirits around inside the grip. 9) Pour the spirits over the tape. Add a little bit more of the spirits until the glue on the tape is slick. 10) Push the grip onto the shaft. 11) Most grips have a couple of little marks at the top and bottom ends to help with alignment. Make sure that these align with each other. Otherwise, the grip might be slightly twisted, which may affect your swing. 12) You can put the logo up (I do), or down (as most pros do). Just make sure that the marks line up parallel to the shaft. Read the rest of the series....
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TaylorMade TP Ardmore 2 PutterDecember 17, 2018TaylorMade TP Ardmore 2 PutterThe Taylormade TP Ardmore 2 putter features:Milled 304 stainless steel heads with a new high-contrast, red-white finish to help golfers envision a proper path and improve their alignmentPure roll insert designed to increase topspin and improve forward roll-helping your ball start and stay on its intended lineAdjustable sole weights for head weight personalizationSteel shaft in an all-black PVD finish to minimize glare...
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GAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Mikaela Schulz Is Top Junior GirlDecember 16, 2018GAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Mikaela Schulz Is Top Junior GirlGAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Mikaela Schulz Is Top Junior Girl FARMINGTON HILLS – Mikaela Schulz of West Bloomfield sets goals that have more to do with the process than the outcome of playing well. “This last year I committed to the process of improving and I think I did that, and I played against good competition all year, too, which only made me better,” she said. Schulz, 17, is the 2018 Golf Association of Michigan Junior Girl’s Player of the Year, Kyle Wolfe, director of handicap and competitions, announced today. It’s the second consecutive year she has topped the Junior Girl’s Honor Roll and received the honor. “She is a goals-oriented golfer and she has a purpose for every time she goes out to practice or play in tournament,” Wolfe said. “That helps her, and at this level sets her apart and will help her as she moves on to college golf.” Schulz, a Bloomfield Hills High School student, is headed to the University of Michigan on a golf scholarship in the fall. “I have signed and feel great about it,” she said. “Since I was little, I have been taught to bleed blue. There is a long list of family alums (mother Rachel played golf for Michigan) and we’re all Michigan fans. To get the opportunity to play college golf for Michigan is a great opportunity. I know it’s the perfect place for me to grow as a student and as an athlete.” GAM Players of the Year are determined by the GAM Honor Roll points system. Point totals can be found under the Championships tab at gam.org. Over the next few weeks the GAM will announce more Players of the Year in gender and age categories. Previously, Alex Scott of Traverse City was named the Men’s Player of the Year, Kerri Parks of Flushing was named the Women’s Player of the Year, Mitch Wilson of Portage was named the Senior Men’s Player of the Year, Julie Massa of Holt was named the Senior Women’s Player of the Year, Mike Fedewa of Canton was named the Super Senior Player of the Year and Bradley Smithson of Grand Rapids was named Junior Boy’s Player of the Year. Schulz, a GAM member through Tam O’Shanter Country Club, topped the Honor Roll with 1,290 points. Winning the Michigan Junior State Amateur Championship, including being medalist in the stroke play qualifying portion, keyed her season, which also included qualifying for the U.S. Junior Girls in sectional qualifying in Ann Arbor on the University of Michigan Golf Course. “Being both the medalist and match play winner in the Michigan Junior Am was very special because it showed I could play at a high level through the week, and then qualifying for the U.S. Junior at U-of-M was a thrill,” she said. “It was a great summer, and it makes me want to keep working the process so I can have great outcomes like that in the future.” Anika Dy of Traverse City West High School, who like Schulz is part of the University of Michigan incoming freshman golf class, finished second on the Honor Roll with 903 points. Shannon Kennedy of Beverly Hills and Oakland Hills Country Club, the runner-up to Schulz in the Michigan Junior Girls State Amateur, was third with 873 points. Danielle Staskowski of Clarkston and Oakhurst Golf & Country Club (723) and Kay Zubkus of Ada and Egypt Valley Country Club (643) rounded out the top five. Schulz, a cousin of LPGA star Morgan Pressel and a second-degree black belt in taekwondo, said the summer of 2019 will feature work on sharpening her short game. “All the parts of my game are pretty good, but I want to refine the short game and be sharper around the green,” she said. “As I move up the ranks in competition from junior golf to college, I know how well I do will depend on how well I score. I have to continue to push. Winning the GAM Junior Girl’s Player of the Year two years in a row is a huge honor, and I want to continue to compete for those kind of great honors at higher levels.” Wolfe said he expects many more honors ahead for Schulz. “She is an extremely hard worker and looks to improve her game and her weaknesses,” he said. “She is also very competitive. She has that desire to finish at the top. She is a great kid, too. She’s an outstanding golfer and an even better person.”via Greg Johnson...
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Five Golf Exercises To Hit The Ball Longer #FitnessFridayDecember 14, 2018Tyler Parsons demonstrates five golf exercises to hit the ball longer.Five Golf Exercises To Hit The Ball Longer #FitnessFridayIn this video, Tyler Parsons demonstrates five golf exercises to hit the ball longer. Parsons has coached, among others, Justin Thomas and JB Holes. Neither is a slouch when it comes to distance.The exercises involve activating the glutes (yes, Tiger was onto something) with fitness bands and lateral jumps, kneeling rows, seated squat jumps, a hanging snatch and the medicine ball throw. Video at the bottom of the page.What strikes me about these golf distance exercises is that they are not only about strength, but also about explosive power. The kneeling rows involve quickly punching with a turn. The lateral jumps are all about explosion. The hanging snatch is a lift, but working with lighter weights — again for explosiveness. The medicine ball is strength, rotation and explosion.None of the exercises require a gym membership, just a fitness band, kettleball and medicine ball. The kneeling row/punch is demonstrated on a cable cross machine, but you could do it with a fitness band attached to a doorknob.Watch the video on five golf exercises to hit the ball longer....
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Oh What Fun Ugly Christmas SweaterDecember 14, 2018Oh What Fun Ugly Christmas Sweater Ridiculous Golf Item Of The Week ...
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PNC Father Son Challenge Winners and HistoryDecember 13, 2018PNC Father-Son Challenge Winners and HistoryThe PNC Father / Son Challenge is a “silly season” golf event that pairs PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions players with their children (primarily their sons). In order to qualify for the event, the father must have won either a Major Championship or The Players Championship. The junior player cannot be a current touring professional.In 2005, Fuzzy Zoeller played with his daughter, Gretchen. Bernard Langer played with daughter Christina in 2013 and 2016. Arnold Palmer played with his grandson Sam Saunders in 2013. Saunders now is a touring professional.In addition to the cash prize, the players vie for the Willie Park Trophy, named after the Father and Son Open Championship champions Willie Park, Sr. and Willie Park, Jr.The tournament is played over two days in a scramble format.Raymond Floyd won five times with sons Raymond, Jr. and Robert. Bernhard Langer has three wins with sons Stefan and Jason. Larry Nelson has three wins with sons Josh and Drew.2018 TBD2017 Ángel Cabrera and Ángel Cabrera Jr2016 David Duval and Nick Karavites2015 Lanny Wadkins and Tucker Wadkins2014 Bernhard Langer and Jason Langer2013 Stewart Cink and Connor Cink2012 Davis Love III and Davis “Dru” Love IVDel Webb Father/Son Challenge2009–11 No tournament2008 Larry Nelson and Drew Nelson2007 Larry Nelson and Josh Nelson2006 Bernhard Langer and Stefan LangerMBNA WorldPoints Father/Son Challenge2005 Bernhard Langer and Stefan LangerOffice Depot Father/Son Challenge2004 Larry Nelson and Drew Nelson2003 Hale Irwin and Steve Irwin2002 Craig Stadler and Kevin Stadler2001 Raymond Floyd and Robert Floyd2000 Raymond Floyd and Robert Floyd1999 Jack Nicklaus and Gary Nicklaus1998 Bob Charles and David Charles1997 Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr.1996 Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr.1995 Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr....
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Alfred Dunhill Championship Past Winners and HistoryDecember 13, 2018The Alfred Dunhill Championship is part of the South African Sunshine Tour, and has been co-sanctioned by the European Tour since 2005. Although the Alfred Dunhill Championship dates only to 2000, it is a continuation of the Alfred Dunhill company’s sponsorship of the South African PGA Championship. Alfred Dunhill sponsored that event from 1995 to 1999. The Alfred Dunhill Championship was originally scheduled in January, but in 2004, it was moved to December to be a part of the European Tour Schedule. That led to the curious circumstance of two Dunhill Championships being held in that year. Alfred Dunhill (30 September 1872 – 2 January 1959) was an English entrepreneur who made his fortune in tobacco and luxury goods. He was the founder of both the Alfred Dunhill luxury goods company (which sponsors the tournament), and Dunhill tobacco products (a separate company). Dunhill began by manufacturing accessories for cars, eventually developing a pipe designed for drivers. This led him to open a tobacco shop in Mayfair. After expanding to New York and Paris, Dunhill went into the production and sale of so-called luxury goods. Today, Alfred Dunhill, Ltd. the sponsor of the Dunhill Championship, is specializes in ready-to-wear and custom menswear, leather goods, and accessories. The Dunhill company also sponsors the Dunhill Links Championship, which is played in October. A complete list of winners of the Alfred Dunhill Championship follows...
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Smathers & Branson Needlepoint FlaskDecember 13, 2018Smathers & Branson Needlepoint Flask This Smathers & Branson Needlepoint flask features a golf cart design. The stainless steel flask holds six ounces of your favorite adult beverage....
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Rocket Mortgage Classic Tickets To Go On Sale Dec 13 – 23December 12, 2018Rocket Mortgage Classic Tickets To Go On Sale December 13 – 23, 2018The PGA TOUR is coming to Detroit June 27 – 30, 2019 and early bird Rocket Mortgage Classic tickets go on sale December 13 at RocketMortgageClassic.Com. The Rocket Mortgage Classic will be the first PGA TOUR event to be held in the city of Detroit (although the Detroit area hosted the Motor City Open from 1948 – 1962). The tournament will be held at the historic Detroit Golf Club.Rocket Mortgage Classic Tickets go on sale beginning December 13. Fans can purchase two one-day general admission grounds passes for any day of competition (Thursday,June 27 through Sunday, June 30) for $130. Hospitality packages are also available. These include two passes for full tournament play (Thursday through Sunday), access to a shared hospitality venue overlooking the 15th green and one VIP parking pass for $1,750.“With this being the first ever PGA TOUR event held in the city of Detroit, the demand for Rocket Mortgage Classic tickets has been overwhelming. We are putting an end to the wait and anticipation – at least for a few days – to give fans the chance to be among the first to get their tickets. The holidays are right around the corner, and there is no better gift or stocking stuffer for the golf enthusiast on everyone’s list. There are millions of golfers and fans of the sport across the state and surrounding area. We have had so much interest from the local community, it only felt appropriate to acknowledge this enthusiasm by creating an opportunity for everyone to claim their spot front and center when the world’s best golfers come to Detroit next summer.” – Jason Langwell, Executive Director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. “The Rocket Mortgage Classic will feature 156 of the world’s best golfers playing over four days for a $7.3 million purse. Attendees will also experience great local food and beverages, unique entertainment options and other activities outside the ropes — both at the Detroit Golf Club and throughout the city.The tournament will benefit the Rocket Giving Fund, which supports local charities. Rocket Mortgage Classic tickets support the charities.Rocket Mortgage / Quicken Loans is a Detroit-based company that is now the nation’s largest home mortgage lender. Quicken Loans moved its headquarters to downtown Detroit in 2010 and employs more than 17,000 full-time team members in Detroit’s urban core. More information is available at RocketMortgageClassic.com and on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram (@RocketClassic)...
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Under Armour ColdGear LeggingsDecember 12, 2018 Under Armour ColdGear Leggings The Under Armour ColdGear Leggings will keep you warm on those cold days on the course. They feature:Dual-layer fabric with an ultra-warm, brushed interior & a smooth, fast-drying exterior Stretch-mesh gusset & inseam panels provide strategic ventilation 4-way stretch construction moves better in every direction Material wicks sweat & dries really fast Anti-odor technology prevents the growth of odor-causing microbes...
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GAM POY – Bradley Smithson Top Junior BoyDecember 11, 2018GAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Bradley Smithson of Grand Rapids Tops Junior Boys Honor RollGAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Bradley Smithson of Grand Rapids Tops Junior Boys Honor RollFARMINGTON HILLS – Bradley Smithson of Grand Rapids found the right combination. “I finally put everything together that I have been working on with my coach Brandon Roby and showed I can do it and win,” he said.Smithson, who recently turned 18, is the 2018 Golf Association of Michigan Junior Boy’s Player of the Year, Kyle Wolfe, director of handicap and competitions, announced today.“Bradley had a great year,” Wolfe said. “His ball-striking is great and he can make putts. He’s more than just a guy who can hit the ball a long way.” GAM Players of the Year are determined by the GAM Honor Roll points system. Point totals can be found under the Championships tab at gam.org. Over the next few weeks the GAM will announce more Players of the Year in gender and age categories. Previously, Alex Scott of Traverse City was named the Men’s Player of the Year, Kerri Parks of Flushing was named the Women’s Player of the Year, Mitch Wilson of Portage was named the Senior Men’s Player of the Year, Julie Massa of Holt was named the Senior Women’s Player of the Year and Mike Fedewa of Canton was named the Super Senior Player of the Year.Smithson, a GAM member through Quail Ridge Golf Club where his father Gary is the head golf professional, topped the Honor Roll with 905 points. He won three significant events, including the GAM Junior Invitational, the Michigan PGA Junior Championship, the Michigan State Pro-Am Championship with his father. He was also the stroke play portion medalist at the Michigan Junior State Amateur Championship.Nick Krueger of Spring Lake Country Club, who scored points in nine tournaments, was second with 868. Colin Sikkenga of Kalamazoo and a member through his high school team at Kalamazoo Christian, played well in the U.S. Junior Amateur and finished third with 853. Patrick Sullivan of Grosse Pointe, the Michigan Junior State Amateur Champion, who had 805 points, and Charles DeLong of DeWitt and a member through his DeWitt High School team, who had 613 points, rounded out the top five.Smithson, who has signed a national letter of intent to join the Michigan State University golf program, said he is honored and happy about the award.“It feels satisfying I think because of all the hard work I put in the past two summers and the last two years working up to this summer,” he said. He said winning the State Pro-Am was the best and coolest golf accomplishment he has had.“Winning with my dad was great,” he said. “Beating professionals and the best amateurs from the clubs they work at was just amazing.”Smithson said he hopes to repeat with a great summer in 2019, attempt to play on the national stage in the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Junior Amateur and then be a contributor on the Michigan State golf team in the fall.“I want to be Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and that’s what I will shoot for,” he said. “I want to get to Michigan State, play a role on the team and help out each week.”Wolfe said it’s not a surprise that Smithson had multiple college golf choices.“He is a complete player and can shoot low numbers,” he said. “He has a lot of playing experience, too. I’m sure his father Gary has taught him a lot through the years, but also taught him how to handle himself and about attitude on the golf course. Bradley doesn’t get visibly frustrated very often and he is great at managing his way around the golf course.”via Greg Johnson...
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Book Review: Grand Slam: Bobby Jones, America and the Story of Golf by Mark FrostDecember 11, 2018The Grand Slam : Bobby Jones, America, and the Story of Golf By Mark Frost Grade: A- Teacher’s Comments: Not as good as Frost’s The Greatest Game, Grand Slam is still a great read. Grand Slam is Mark Frost’s second foray into golf history, following on the heels of his successful book-turned-movie, The Greatest Game. Grand Slam is an accessible biography of golf immortal Bobby Jones, built around his 1930 decision to try to win all four majors (British and US Amateurs, British and US Opens) in a single season. Like The Greatest Game, Grand Slam is a mix of social and golf history. Frost not only lays out Jones’ life, but also helps to illuminate the times in which he lived. However, I don’t think that it would appeal as much to the non-golf fan as The Greatest Game, for much more of the book is dedicated to play-by-play of Jones’ matches. As with Jones’ life, there is an almost mystical quality to the book. Frost begins with a bolt of lightning that stikes the East Lake Country Club clubhouse. Lightning then strikes figuratively throughout the book, It is not until the end, though, that we learn the full import of the literal East Lake strike (though those already familiar with his life know the answer). Frost also takes us through Jones’ meditations on fate and destiny. When reading about Jones, I never fail to wonder at the physical and mental toll that playing championship golf seemed to take of him. Major weight loss, stomach pains and debilitation accompanied each victory. Given that, I frankly wonder if he would be able to play at all under the media scrutiny that Tiger Woods faces today. There also are other fascinating characters in the book, and a never ending supporting cast. Two of the most fascinating for me were women: Alexa Stirling and Joyce Wethered—both of whom, I think, deserve a biography of their own. These female amateurs were said to be the equal of nearly any man playing at the time....
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Rukkett Chipping NetDecember 11, 2018 Rukkett Chipping Net This practice net is designed for both indoor and outdoor practice. It comes with a set of sport foam practice balls. Features:SHORT GAME GURU: sharpen your skills with the ultimate folding golf chipping net! This bundle includes (1) Rukket Pop Up Golf Chipping Net, (12) Rukket Sports Foam Practice Balls and (1) Rukket Carry Bag. USER-FRIENDLY: easy pop-up design with simple storage instruction for ideal indoor or outdoors use. PUTT LESS, CHIP IN MORE: features three targets to improve your accuracy for the ultimate challenge. READY-TO-GO PRACTICE: nylon carrying bag included for easy portability from home to office to tailgate! GOLF ANYWHERE: 20 in. x 25 in. x 20 in. to fit right in the corner of your office (Great gift for a golfing boss)! ...
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Happy (Belated) Blogiversary To My Friend at Hooked On Golf BlogDecember 10, 2018A very happy Blogiversary to Tony Korologos at Hooked On Golf Blog. Tony is one of the original golf bloggers, and after fourteen years of golf writing and photography is still going strong.I feel lucky to count Tony as a friend. We have been on many golf blogging adventures together, including trips to Morocco, Bandon Dunes, the Bahamas, Arizona and Northern Michigan. A round with TK is always a highlight of my golfing year.If you don’t currently have Hooked On Golf Blog in your news feed, you should add it immediately. Reviews at HOG Golf — whether equipment, or apparel or travel — are always well researched, thoughtful and free of the corporate and financial influence that should make you doubt what you read in other publications. TK also has a wicked sense of humor — his savaging of golf media and manufacturer tropes are priceless.Thanks for the blog and the friendship, TK. Here’s to another fourteen....
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GolfBlogger.Com is a daily golf blog featuring golf news, golf course reviews, golf equipment and golf book reviews, golf lifestyle, golf fitness, golf history, Michigan golf news and reviews, photography, cigars, food and beverages, the PGA Tour and the LPGA with essays and musings.

This is the golf blog of golf’s 99%: The working stiff who plays at munis with ten-year-old clubs and whose family and work take precedence, but whose love of the game never diminishes.

The Golfblogger is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America.

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