E9golf

Fedex Cup-The True Financial Opportunity for Players Explained

Here's a great post that summarizes the Fedex Cup point system and the financial benefit that lies ahead for the players...

The Fedex Cup:  Where Birdies become Annuities by SportsAgentBlog.com

Callaway Golf Fusion FT-i

Peter Jacobson gets clubs stolen, then returned

An interesting twist in a stolen club case...

Thieves end up with an unplayable lie

PGA TOUR Players wear Blue Gator Belts for Good Cause

Nearly 30 of the players in this weeks Barclay's Tournament are wearing Blue Genuine Alligator belts with a very cool buckle to support Ian's Friends Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to raising funds to support pediatric brain tumor research.

Here's the article on PGATOUR.com or watch the video

It's nice to see the players getting involved and doing something that will certainly raise awareness over the weekend and hopefully throughout the Fedex Cup playoffs. 

It's also interesting to see that something like an accessory can be legitimate real estate for endorsement opportunity, yet these players have hopefully spent the $1000 to purchase their own belts and spread the word.

The belts were made by House of Fleming and are a very cool Royal Blue Color.

More Links:

Ian's Friend Foundation

Belt for a Cure

House of Fleming

Bill Murray: Drunken driving in a golf cart?

Definitely a 19th hole article...  After reading this article it wasn't difficult to invision this happening.  I don't think Carl Spackler realized the drunk driving laws were so strick in Sweden.

Bill Murray: Drunken driving in a golf cart?

by golf.com

The Six Hole Golf Course-It's time has come

While I can't prove it, I recall Jack Nicklaus once talking about the merits of a six-hole golf facility.  Regardless of whether or not the Greatest Player of All Time (at least for the time being) endorses it or not, I truly believe the time has come for the six-hole golf course concept to be developed.

In fact, I'll go as far as saying that it will save the golf business. 

As a lifetime employee in the golf biz I find myself concerned about the aging population.  Sure, we are going to see a surge over the next decade or so as the Baby Boomers retire and head to the links, buy their vacation homes on golf developments, and travel to the golf destinations they have been dreaming about for the past 40 years.  But what happens when they get to the point that they stop traveling, start downsizing, and slowly begin to play less and less rounds?

I am part of the next generation, the one that grew up on television, video games, fast food and as a result has the attention span of a 5 year old without his riddilin.  I work a lot of hours, spend as much time with my wife as I can, and as a result play very little golf anymore.  It's really a shame, but the only time I play these days is with clients.  Truth be told, my wife enjoys golf and will gladly hit balls with me or practice whenever I mention it.  We'll sneak out on occasion and walk the local muni in the evenings when we aren't in anyone's way (she's still getting her game back after a long layoff). 

The challenge for me is, I really dislike the service, conditions and environment at the courses that offer convenient golf in our neighborhood.  This is a shame because I have 45 holes of crappy city-owned golf within 10 minutes of my doorstep.  I'm not trying to be a golf snob, but after 20+ years in the golf biz I expect a basic level of competency and unfortunately it's not available.  I suspect this is the case in many cities across the US.

My solution?  Someone take these money-losing city owned dumps (yes, the golf courses and some land-fills), and convert them into wonderful, six-hole layouts that take 75 to 90 minutes to play.  Take the remaining land and build a great practice facility.  Turn the old clubhouses into a local pub or sportsbar.  Nothing too fancy, just a place inviting enough to maybe grab a sandwich and a cold beer after sneaking out for 6 holes on a Tuesday evening.  Maybe even put in a pool, offer a small membership program.  How about some meeting space in case you wanted to do a meeting plus golf?

Start a great Player Development Program.  Give the local First Tee organization office space.

With enough land you could build three six-hole tracks so someone could get in 18 in if they wanted.

To me this certainly seems like a project that any organization that was interested in growing the game of golf (PGA of America, PGA TOUR, USGA, etc.) would jump all over.  Maybe even equipment manufacturers should fund this project.  Just so that 20 years from now they actually have someone avid enough about golf to sell their clubs to.

Someone please tell me I'm crazy and why this model wouldn't work.  I know it won't replace the classic courses of our world or the desire to spend 4 hours outdoors with your golf pals.  But if you want to grow the number of participants, let's break this incredibly time consuming, intimidating, expensive sport into little pieces and grow it up from there.

Additional Resource:  An article I found that is doing this concept in London

Sun Mountain launches new Carry System aimed to ease back strain when Carrying Clubs

I've been tracking this product launch for a while and am happy to announce that it's finally ready to roll.  Sun Mountain claims that the system transfers 60% of the bag and clubs weight to the hips, creating less fatigue because you walk when carrying the bag due to better posture.

HUG Technology works in conjunction with dual bag straps allowing the bag to be shouldered as usual and then for the HUG Carry System to be simply positioned around the waist. Using the HUG Carry System transfers the majority of the weight off of the shoulders which results in reduced upper body fatigue and more upright posture.

Research by backpack safety expert, Ralph Kester, showed that golfers carrying bags with HUG Technology walk with their heads forward 4% from vertical, while those carrying without HUG Technology walked with heads forward 25%. The further forward the head tilts, the more weight the neck and shoulder muscles have to support. The closer the neck is to straight vertical, the better the weight is dispersed throughout the entire body.

As soon as we get a few in stock we'll do a full product review and add it to JustGolfBags.com, but for now we can at least offer up the press release:

Take Off Pounds in Seconds

Nicklaus and Player announce President Cup Selections

Ok, so Daly and Bubba didn't make the squad.  But, I like the picks, particularly since both have a great shot at making next years Ryder Cup. 

The Weir pick was a little surprising, although it makes sense since he's known for being the Pride of Canadian golf and the event is in Montreal.  Stephen Ames probably would like that moniker and had a nice argument for being selected after a great PGA.  I wonder if his 76 yesterday cost him the Captain's Pick...

That being said, on paper the Americans have their hands full this year...

Player and Nicklaus announce captain's selections from PGATOUR.com

Note to Captain Jack-My President's Cup Picks

Dear Captain Nicklaus,

No doubt you've got things under control when you make your wildcard selections for the Presidents Cup tomorrow, but I have some unsolicited advice that I would like to offer up for your consideration.

Please, please pick a few players that will inject some excitement into the Presidents Cup.

Personally, I enjoy the Presidents Cup very much.  It seems to embody the Spirit of competition and golf decorum more than the Ryder Cup.  Maybe it's because a vast majority of the players on the International team regularly play on the PGA TOUR versus the Ryder Cup team, so the participants are more comfortable with each other and act a little more civilized (let's face it, the Ryder Cup can get a little over the top, almost like a re-enactment of the American Revolutionary War). 

So here are my picks:

John Daly and Bubba Watson

Yes, I just said it...  Let the long ball rule the Presidents Cup.  The pairing opportunities are limitless.

Bubba and Tiger, Daly and Furyk, heck, Bubba and Daly in the Four Ball competition. 

Sure, there are going to be some foul balls resulting in the occasional "ball in hand, get in the cart, I'll see you on the next tee" moments.  But, there will also be the Driver over the corner of the dogleg, hit short wedge from the rough to two feet, pick it up because you just made birdie moments as well.  And let's face it, winning match play events is all about making Birdies.  And both Bubba and Long John make their fair share...

Most of all Captain Nicklaus, it will be fun to watch. 

Tiger to design a golf course in America

I would love to know what it costs to get Tiger to lend his design eye to a stateside development, but my guess is that $10 million wouldn't even get the conversation rolling.  However, he did decide to part ways with American Express so maybe he has a bit of time on his hands...

Tiger to design his first US course by Golf.com