Pre-Season Blues: Golf in 2013

Golf is back in 2013!  At least, on television.  For those of you in the northern United States and Canada, I feel your pain.  It is impossible to watch golf on The Golf Channel in Hawaii without having the urge to grab the sticks and head out to the course.  But if you are like me, there is over a foot of snow on the ground and high temperatures pushing 25 degrees.  So what can we do?  Unless you have a timeshare in Myrtle Beach or somewhere warm, or have an upcoming vacation planned, we are stuck inside for a few more months.

The golf blues usually start around mid-December when the courses have been closed for a few weeks to a month and the first major snowfall has occurred.  Up to that point you usually are holding out hope for global warming to kick in and keep the courses open year round.  But when the white stuff builds up on the greens and fairways you drive by every day on your way to work, your optimism fades to depression.

There's always the indoor golf domes and simulators, but who wants to bang balls off mats for hours without knowing what kind of shot you are hitting.  Not me, at least.  The World Challenge, Tiger's tournament, usually is the first breaking point for me after the season ends.  Seeing the professionals teeing it up in usually-sunny California really gets to me.  I start to realize I will not be teeing it up until March at the earliest and I get antsy.

So what do I do?  I scour the web for any signs of new golf clubs being released by the big name companies.  I try to find out as much as I can about them and tell myself each new club I see is going to be the one I will be playing the upcoming season.  I can go through as many as 5 to 6 drivers without them even being released to the public.  My mind tells me each and every one will be the savior of my golf game, but my pocketbook tells me the sticks in the closet will do.

What else do I do?  Well, Golfwrx.com is a great website to spend countless hours laughing, bragging, and trolling about your golf game (I try to avoid the latter to spare myself from the wrath of the Golfwrx mafia).  You can find information about new and upcoming clubs, you can find info from the tour, and they have a marketplace to buy used clubs from the lucky bastards in the south who have access to golf courses year round.

Now that the 2013 PGA Tour season is underway and touring professionals are using the clubs introduced for 2013, it makes the urge to golf even worse.  I have no upcoming travel plans and with the snow on the ground definitely do not see golf in my near future.  The clubs are tucked away in the back of my closet and probably have a decent layer of dust.

So if you're reading this I am probably on my way out to shovel another three inches of snow and clear the driveway for work.  And if you are on your way to the golf course, just think about how lucky you are to have picked somewhere warm to live.  And if not, call the real estate agent and get yourself to Florida.

Pinehurst Golf Resort, #2, Payne Stewart, and a beautiful North Carolina Afternoon

Clubhouse at Pinehurst Golf Resort

As a day trip this weekend, I decided to head out to Pinehurst, North Carolina.  As I am only down in NC for three more weeks, I thought that it would be worth the trip.  As I exited into the city of Pinehurst, I noticed how golf-centric the village was.  The road was surrounded by golf courses, both country clubs and public alike.  Each of them with their own little twist, and each of them making me want to stop and play.  But there was one course and resort that was on my mind: Pinehurst #2 and the resort at Pinehurst Golf Club.

Picture of Payne Stewart in the display at Pinehurst

As I was only going to visit and not actually play, I pulled into the parking lot and walked around for a little bit before heading into the clubhouse.  Upon entering the clubhouse, I noticed the displays dedicated to the past USGA and major championship winners of events at Pinehurst.  The one that caught my eye was the display dedicated to the late Payne Stewart, who won the US Open just months before the tragic plane crash that claimed his life.

Scorecard from the US Open final round

Other displays contained memorabilia from Michael Campbell's win in 2005 and Danny Lee's win at the 2008 US Amateur tournament.  Another display had replica trophies from each of the major championships and the Ryder Cup.  Here's a pic of the replica US Open trophy:

USGA US Open Replica Trophy

As I continued into the clubhouse, many golfers of all ages walked by.  I stopped in the pro shop and picked up a towel and golf ball, as I collect both.  I ventured out onto the veranda and noticed the statue of Payne Steward.  I snapped a picture of the statue, which captured the memorable fist-pump after the putt on 18 for the win in 1999.

Statue of Payne Steward near the 18th green at Pinehurst #2

Finally, I was able to see the golf courses.  From the veranda, you could get a great view of the 18th green and fairway of Pinehurst #2.  The course was in immaculate condition.  The redesign really has done wonders for the aesthetics and playability of the course.  I'm sure the course will be amazing during the 2014 US Open.  

The 18th green at Pinehurst #2

18th hole at Pinehurst #2

18th hole at Pinehurst #2

Finally, I took a short stroll towards the tee boxes of Pinehurst #3 and #5, which even though they are not as highly regarded at #2, still looked immaculate.  I think the only thing stopping me from heading into the clubhouse and scoring a tee time was the fact I did not have my clubs with me on the trip.  All in all, it was a great day and a great trip to see a beautiful part of the country.  I cannot wait to take another trip to Pinehurst, but this time I will have my clubs.

Golfers on Twitter: #Showusyournumber

Hey everybody, there is a new movement by golfers on Twitter to post their lowest gross score as their profile picture.  #Showusyournumber has gained numerous followers and participants since the movement started.  Golfers from all over the world are participating and posting pictures stating their lowest score.  I've seen everything from a 58 (WOW!) to 90+ posted, so there is no reason for embarrassment!  My lowest is a 75 shot in a tournament on a par 70 course to finish top 5 after a tough first 2 days.  So go to twitter, post your round in your profile pic, and retweet #Showusyournumber

Maybe a tour pro or two will follow suit ;)

To read more about the beginnings of the movement, check out http://www.ibleedgolf.com/ who started the trend with his friends!  Here's a snippet from his blog post:

"On Tuesday this week I played in a weekly golf game with 17 other club members and shot a 73, my best ever gross score over 18 holes.

Naturally, I was extremely pleased and VERY keen to let my Twitter buddies @mattholbrook86 and @philp1977 know about it. We're having a mini competition (first to 7 wins over the summer) and I thought if I rubbed their noses in it a bit, we'd have a good laugh and perhaps I'd even gain a psychological competitive edge!


I made a decision to change my Twitter profile image to the number 73, a constant reminder to my opponents of my golfing prowess, and my sole intention to kick their asses in the coming weeks.

I'll let you know how that goes. @philp1977 is currently in the lead with 3 wins, Matt and myself have 2.

This morning, another Twitter buddy of mine, namely the great and wise Mr. Ross Murdoch (@cafebrouge) asked me a question;

I replied and told him the significance of my '73' icon and he thought it was a cool idea. Within minutes he'd also changed his profile pic to show his lowest ever round, a 78. 


Soon after @MattHolbrook86 changed his picture to highlight his PB of 87.


Next, @neverupneverin1 changed his picture and started tweeting the #showusyournumber hashtag.

A trend had started.

With the help of @golfshake, @darrenram, @prinsjoel, @ron_lewis. @3_putt and many, many other passionate golf nuts, #showusyournumber became a worldwide trending topic at approximately 2pm UK time. Please search for the #showusyournumber hashtag on Twitter to get an idea of what I'm talking about."



Let's keep it going!

Tee It Forward!

The PGA of America and other golfing organizations are leading a charge throughout the world of recreational golf.  The Tee It Forward program encourages players to try a tee box ahead of where they normally would think about playing.  Not only is this an effort to speed up play on golf courses around the country, it is also a way to make the game more fun and enjoyable for all players.

Let's think about it this way.  Professional golfers average 290 yards off the tee.  On a 400 yard par-4, that gives them 110 yards to the pin, usually a sand wedge of some kind.  Now, if an amateur player tees off from that same tee box and averages 220 yards, he will have 180 yards to the pin.  A 180 yard approach shot from amateurs usually requires a hybrid club.  Now, if the amateur moves up to a tee box around 350 yards, he will have 130 yards left to the pin and a short iron to wedge into the green.  Both par 4s, but one yardage gives the amateur a chance at hitting the green and a birdie putt, while the other leaves a long approach shot that will probably require a pitch to hit the green.  Which would you rather have?

And Tee It Forward should not only apply to the shorter hitters.  Longer hitting amateurs would benefit greatly from teeing it up a box ahead of normal.  No one wants to struggle to make bogeys on a golf course when they can approach many different shots from closer in.  I know that I enjoy hitting greens and making birdie putts, and shorter tee boxes make that much more common.  Players should leave their egos at the parking lot and come to the course to try to make golf as fun as possible.  It is definitely more fun to have birdie putts than to be grinding out bogeys all round.

So what do you say, golfers?  Next time you hit the links, try playing from a forward tee box.  Not only will you hit more greens and shoot lower scores, you will speed play up for everyone on the course.  Who knows, you may just shoot the best round of your life and continue to lower that handicap!

Custom Fit Golf Clubs

There are many of you out there who have bought clubs off the rack for many many years without stopping to think if the clubs really are what you need. A lot of you probably think, "Custom fitting is only for professional golfers. What will it really do for an amateur like me?" Well, that is definitely an incorrect way of thinking. In fact, many of the top clubfitters have proven that a club fitting is actually more beneficial for players of a higher handicap. It may just be the difference between falling short of your personal best, or smashing your personal course record.

Clubfitting usually starts with static measurements--they measure you for length of the club. The length is important because too long or too short of a club may lead to many shots that are not hit on the center of the clubface. Once the fitter knows your stats, you are ready to get started.

If you go to a reputable fitter, they will then move on to the dynamic fitting process. If you are getting fit for irons, they will have you hit on a lie board to make sure the lie angle of your clubs are correct. An incorrect lie angle can lead to digging of the toe or heal at impact and will lead to shots that are sprayed all over the place.

After all of the measurements are complete, you move on to the fun part--hitting. Most fitters will start with your old set of clubs to take a baseline measurement. The best system to use is a Trackman or Flightscope launch monitor that utilizes radar technology. These are the most accurate and best when it comes to data. The fitter should record everything with your old clubs: clubspeed, ball speed, launch angle, angle of attack, spin rate, side spin, and smash factor.

After the baseline measurements are complete, the fitter will provide you with clubheads and shafts that fit your swing profile. This is the most important part of the fitting and where you will get the most information and improvement. The fitter will have you hit combinations that are proven with your swing characteristics to give you the best performance. At a good fitting, you will be able to try as many heads and shafts as it takes until you find the one that maximizes performance based on your swing. Every fitter knows the "gold standard" of flight data based on each swing speed.

When all is said and done, you should have spent 1-2 hours fine-tuning each and every club for your individual game. Now you know the clubs that fit you and the shafts that will help you shave those strokes off your game. So what are you waiting for? Go to your local clubfitter (google search usually helps), give someone a call, and schedule your best game improvement you will have. And try to find a fitter who has the Trackman or Flightscope, as these will give you the most accurate readings.

Good luck, get fit, and play your best golf ever!

Tee It Forward Program

The PGA of America and other golfing organizations are leading a charge throughout the world of recreational golf.  The Tee It Forward program encourages players to try a tee box ahead of where they normally would think about playing.  Not only is this an effort to speed up play on golf courses around the country, it is also a way to make the game more fun and enjoyable for all players.

Let's think about it this way.  Professional golfers average 290 yards off the tee.  On a 400 yard par-4, that gives them 110 yards to the pin, usually a sand wedge of some kind.  Now, if an amateur player tees off from that same tee box and averages 220 yards, he will have 180 yards to the pin.  A 180 yard approach shot from amateurs usually requires a hybrid club.  Now, if the amateur moves up to a tee box around 350 yards, he will have 130 yards left to the pin and a short iron to wedge into the green.  Both par 4s, but one yardage gives the amateur a chance at hitting the green and a birdie putt, while the other leaves a long approach shot that will probably require a pitch to hit the green.  Which would you rather have?

And Tee It Forward should not only apply to the shorter hitters.  Longer hitting amateurs would benefit greatly from teeing it up a box ahead of normal.  No one wants to struggle to make bogeys on a golf course when they can approach many different shots from closer in.  I know that I enjoy hitting greens and making birdie putts, and shorter tee boxes make that much more common.  Players should leave their egos at the parking lot and come to the course to try to make golf as fun as possible.  It is definitely more fun to have birdie putts than to be grinding out bogeys all round.

So what do you say, golfers?  Next time you hit the links, try playing from a forward tee box.  Not only will you hit more greens and shoot lower scores, you will speed play up for everyone on the course.  Who knows, you may just shoot the best round of your life and continue to lower that handicap!

Getting Introduced to the Game of Golf

For the past couple years, interest in the game of golf has been declining.  New participants are at an all-time low and many players are quitting the game.  The economy has played a role in the decline, but other factors are contributing as well.  Some golf courses are making it harder for beginners to join the game.  Others are toughening courses due to the influx of technology into the game.  Others still are cancelling group lesson programs. 

As a tight-knit fraternity, golfers have to take a stand.  We need to start introducing new players into the game.  Courses need to start offering programs to beginners and high handicappers to strike golf fever into a new generation of golfers.  But we cannot do it the old-fashioned way.  Many young people these days are very dependent on technology.  We as golfers need to embrace technology into the game.  Maybe we need to videotape beginners' swings so they can see them and post the videos on social media.  Maybe we need to incorporate Twitter into games on the course.  Maybe having a long-drive contest or closest-to-the-pin contest where the entries are posted to Twitter or Facebook will get more and more kids interested in the game.

Along that line, courses need to make the game more accessible to everyone.  Some courses play too long and too hard for the beginning player.  Courses need to place temporary tee-boxes in the fairways for beginners to hit from.  Instead of a 400 yard par-4, the beginner's tee should be placed at 250 yards.  That will allow the players to have much shorter clubs into greens and have a chance to make great shots and score.  Many players feel discouraged from the normal tees when they can only hit the ball 150 yards.  Having tees dedicated to the beginners will allow these players to experience shots we as seasoned veterans enjoy each and every round.  Who doesn't like hitting a green in regulation?  Or splitting the fairway and having a short-iron into a green?  With tee boxes moved forward, beginners can experience more and more of these feelings and hopefully stay enthusiastic about the game of golf.

As a community, golfers need to stand together and embrace the new generation of golfers.  Take your children and their friends to the course.  Invite your neighbor and his wife to the golf course.  Play a round of golf with your brother-in-law.  Any way you can, we need to invite more new players to keep the game of golf the strongest sport in the world.  Who knows, you may just pique a beginner's interest and you may find a golfing buddy for life.  

Will Tiger Woods break Jack Nicklaus' Major Record?

With another major season quickly approaching, most casual golf fans are finally getting excited for the season.  Yes, the early season has had some excellent and exciting storylines, but unless you watch golf week in and week out, the summer is what you look forward to.  Fans were treated to a stellar Masters tournament, with Bubba Watson outdueling Louis Oosthuizen on the second playoff hole.  And now we have the US Open at the Olympic Club to look forward to.  And with each new major season comes the never-ending speculation into Tiger Woods' quest to best Jack Nicklaus and his record of 18 major championships.

Just 5 years ago, it was a no-brainer to assume Tiger was going to break the record and run away with it.  He was the most dominant golfer on the planet; people crumbled in his presence on Sundays.  The red meant death to any of his competitors.  The man never choked; he never let a tournament get away from him.  Then came the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines.  The 2008 US Open, you might be asking.  Didn't Tiger win that tournament?  He won, but it came at a cost.  The injury he played through was much worse than everyone thought at the time.  He lost out on 2 opportunities to win majors in 2008.

2009 rolls around, and Tiger had the lead going into the final round of the PGA Championship.  Paired with YE Yang, Tiger seemingly had an easy path to his 15th major championship victory.  But Tiger was finally toppled on a Sunday.  His invincibility broken; his confidence seemingly shattered.  YE Yang beat him; Tiger did not lose this one by himself.  But since that tournament Tiger has not looked the same.

We all know what came next, the scandal, the car accident, the therapy, the divorce.  Swing coaches were fired and hired, caddies were swapped, and his game was in shambles.  No wins from the end of 2009 until December of 2011.  No PGA Tour wins in 2010 or 2011.  Never once seriously contending in a major championship.  But can he get it back?

With his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in early 2012, many thought Tiger had regained his magic and his confidence.  But a T40th at Augusta proved he is not quite ready to win on the biggest stage.  With the US Open at Olympic Club, Tiger needs to figure out his driver and keep it straight.  He also needs to start making putts again.  What were once gimmies are now a struggle.

So will Tiger break Jack's record?  As of now, I still say yes.  Sure, there are many youngsters in the game now who have the game to win major championships.  And many more players in the world who can contend week in and week out.  But if Tiger just can find one glimpse of confidence, I think he will be back to winning multiple tournaments a year and contending in all the majors.  But it will take that rediscovery to get there.  Will it be at The Players next week?  Or the US Open?  Or maybe at a regular PGA Tour event.  But wherever, Tiger needs that spark of confidence to get over the hump and start trusting his new swing.

A prediction?  Tiger will take The Open Championship title at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.  He may never pull driver.  I think his 2 iron and 3 wood will be plenty for him there.  And getting away from the American media may do him well.  After missing the British last year, I think he will be ready for the win, and that may just jumpstart another run of majors for Tiger.  But we'll see if he can do it.  Right now, it is up to Tiger finding the confidence to trust himself and the game that has won him 14 majors, 72 PGA Tour events, and numerous other times around the world.  Once he does that, he will again be able to contend and win major championships and restart the quest for 19.

2012 Golf Clubs--The Bag is Set

Well, finally have the bag set for 2012, and it is just in time for the season to get started. I believe that this year's setup will be the best my game has had. Fittings, testing, and everything else has gone into this setup. I have finally realized a softer shaft is better for my game. Yes, I would love to hit heavy X-stiff flex shafts in every club, but if I can play better with the ones I have, why worry about it. So here's what is in the bag:

Driver: Ping G15 Tour Issue 7.5* with Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 6.0 X-stiff
Hybrid: TaylorMade Rescue 11 with UST Mamiya Tour Only VTS 100HS
Irons: 4-6 Titleist 712 AP2 with Dynamic Gold XP S300, 7-9 Titleist 712 CB with Dynamic Gold S300
Wedges: 47* Titleist 712 MB with Dynamic Gold S300, 50* Scratch Golf Milled 8620 with Dynalite S300, 56*, 60* Scratch Golf 8620 with Dynamic Gold S300
Putter: Piretti Potenza 360g 33" with UST Mamiya Frequency Filtered Shaft

If you can count, this is only 13 clubs. I am open to adding a fairway wood into the bag but have not found the correct one yet. I am looking for 14-17* and will use it more off the tee (deeper face).

This is the best set-up I have ever had so hopefully it translates into better play for 2012 and beyond. Look for reviews of all the clubs and shafts listed above in the near future.

Hit em straight.

Alex
@ahintz2 on twitter!

Custom Fitting Golf Clubs--Not Just For Pros

There are many of you out there who have bought clubs off the rack for many many years without stopping to think if the clubs really are what you need. A lot of you probably think, "Custom fitting is only for professional golfers. What will it really do for an amateur like me?" Well, that is definitely an incorrect way of thinking. In fact, many of the top clubfitters have proven that a club fitting is actually more beneficial for players of a higher handicap. It may just be the difference between falling short of your personal best, or smashing your personal course record.

Clubfitting usually starts with static measurements--they measure you for length of the club. The length is important because too long or too short of a club may lead to many shots that are not hit on the center of the clubface. Once the fitter knows your stats, you are ready to get started.

If you go to a reputable fitter, they will then move on to the dynamic fitting process. If you are getting fit for irons, they will have you hit on a lie board to make sure the lie angle of your clubs are correct. An incorrect lie angle can lead to digging of the toe or heal at impact and will lead to shots that are sprayed all over the place.

After all of the measurements are complete, you move on to the fun part--hitting. Most fitters will start with your old set of clubs to take a baseline measurement. The best system to use is a Trackman or Flightscope launch monitor that utilizes radar technology. These are the most accurate and best when it comes to data. The fitter should record everything with your old clubs: clubspeed, ball speed, launch angle, angle of attack, spin rate, side spin, and smash factor.

After the baseline measurements are complete, the fitter will provide you with clubheads and shafts that fit your swing profile. This is the most important part of the fitting and where you will get the most information and improvement. The fitter will have you hit combinations that are proven with your swing characteristics to give you the best performance. At a good fitting, you will be able to try as many heads and shafts as it takes until you find the one that maximizes performance based on your swing. Every fitter knows the "gold standard" of flight data based on each swing speed.

When all is said and done, you should have spent 1-2 hours fine-tuning each and every club for your individual game. Now you know the clubs that fit you and the shafts that will help you shave those strokes off your game. So what are you waiting for? Go to your local clubfitter (google search usually helps), give someone a call, and schedule your best game improvement you will have. And try to find a fitter who has the Trackman or Flightscope, as these will give you the most accurate readings.

Good luck, get fit, and play your best golf ever!

Follow @ahintz2 on Twitter!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

Hey Everybody,


Thanks for making my blog a success the first month of existence.  I have gone from 1-2 views per day to over 100 views per day.  You guys and girls are the reason I write.  I hope that my writing has been as enjoyable for you to read as it has been for me to write.

I am looking forward to a big 2012.  With an early trip to Myrtle Beach and the release of new clubs to try, expect bigger and better stories coming from my blog.

So, please give this blog a follow and follow me on Twitter, @ahintz2
I include as much about golf as possible there!

So Happy Holidays, Happy New Years, and may 2012 bring you much successes in golf and life!

Hit em Straight,

Alex
@ahintz2 on twitter

2011 World Golf Player of the Year and Tournament of the Year

The 2011 golf season has finally come to an end. With so many great tournaments this year, it is going to be hard to pick the couple that really stand out to me. And the player of the year is even more up in the air.

For me, the player of the year should be a multiple tournament winner. They should be undoubtedly the best player on that tour in the given year. A major championship should be included in their 2011 resume. So who is my pick for 2011 player of the year? It is Yani Tseng. Yani is arguably the most dominant player in golf today. At 22 years old, she already has 5 major championships. This season alone she won the LPGA Championship and the Women's British Open. And she had a second place finish at The Kraft Nabisco Championship. Not only that, she won an astounding 11 times around the world this year. ELEVEN!!!! That includes 7 wins on the LPGA Tour amonst the world's best players, and 4 other worldwide wins. She is dominating the tour right not and the undoubted world #1.

The tournament of the year, for me, was The Masters. With the return of Tiger Woods to major championship golf, Phil Mickelson looking for another major, and many other storylines, this tournament did not disappoint. Rory McIlroy went into the final day with a nice sized lead, but could not hold on. His debacle after the turn was gut-wrenching. But his misfortune opened the door for all the other players. Tiger Woods shot 5 under on the front to grab a share of the lead, but could only break even on the back to fall short at 10 under along with Geoff Ogilvy. World #1 Luke Donald chipped in for birdie on 18 after hitting the flagstick with his approach to enter the group tied at 10 under. Adam Scott was playing about as good of golf as he has for a while, making birdies down the stretch. He finished the day at 12 under par, along with Jason Day. But the story of the day was Charl Schwartzel, whose 4 straight birdies to close out the round led him to victory. 4 straight birdies on 15-18 at Augusta National may never be equalled again to win the tournament. It was as clutch a performance as I had seen. The other majors had drama and record-breaking performances, but none could match the drama down the stretch at Augusta National.

Disagree with me? Post your comment here and we'll discuss this later in the blog. Visit my twitter page and follow me @ahintz2

And join the facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teeing-Off/195680700523625?sk=wall

Hit em Straight!

Camilo Villegas 2012

Well, I think it is time that I write a piece on my favorite golfer, Camilo Villegas.  2011 was a year full of expectation for Camilo.  He was coming off another top 30 year on the money list and a win in 2010.  His work ethic finally seemed to be paying off.  However, Camilo switched club companies in 2011, going from Cobra, with whom he won 3 events in 3 years, to TaylorMade.  Villegas became the face of the Burner line of clubs.

Starting 2011, Camilo got off to a rough start with a disqualification at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.  His struggles continued with numerous missed cuts and withdrawals through his first 10 or so events.  His highest finish throughout that stretch was a 30th place at the Memorial hosted by Jack Nicklaus.  He missed the cut in 3 of 4 majors, with The Masters being his only play on the weekend.  He only finished 49th there so it wasn't much of a success.

Finally, Camilo had a top 10 finish at the St. Jude Classic, where he came home 3rd.  However, that good play was followed up with 5 missed cuts out of 6 tournaments and a 71st place finish.  Camilo took a few weeks off and came back to play at the Wyndham Championship, taking 9th place and squeaking in to the FedEx cup playoffs.  The first playoff event, The Barclays, Camilo finished 6th and moved on to the Deutsche Bank.  He came home with a 25th place finish to make the BMW, where he earned another 6th place finish.  This was not enough to make the Tour Championship or the President's Cup team, but Villegas was able to take 4th place at the CIMB Malaysia event, which is Co-sanctioned by the PGA and Asian tours.  The strong play at the end of the year propelled Camilo to 1.2 Million in earnings, and had him finish with 5 top tens for the season.

With strong play down the stretch, look for Camilo to come out in 2012 swinging.  I fully expect him to contend for wins early in the season and regain the form that saw him climb into the top 20 in the world rankings.  There is no one who outworks "El Hombre Arana" off the course, so he will be in top shape starting right away this season.

My Predictions
Wins: 1-3
Top 10: 8-10
Money List: Top 20
FedEx Cup: Top 15
World Ranking: Top 20
Major Championships: 1-2 Top 10s

Chevron Ends Run as Title Sponsor of Tiger's Event

After Tiger Woods wrapped up the 2011 Chevron World Challenge, an announcement was made by Chevron ending the company's 3 year run as the title sponsor of the event.  The Chevron World Challenge has taken place the last 13 years in December, and benefits numerous charities for children, including the Tiger Woods Foundation.  The tournament has had 3 different title sponsors, Williams, Target, and Chevron, and also had associate sponsors Bank of America and Countrywide Insurance.

Since the event attracts some of the biggest names in golf, look for many companies to be lined up ready to sponsor the event.  And with the legacy of giving involved, companies can boost their reputation and value.

A few of the companies I think could step in and sponsor?

1. Rolex
Rolex has had a huge partnership with golf over the years.  From the Open Championship to individual charities, the luxury watchmaker has made a name for itself in the golf industry.  And now that they endorse Tiger Woods, what better way to further the partnership than to sponsor the event that benefits his charity.

2. McDonalds
One of the most recognizable names in the world, McDonalds would be an excellent sponsor for the event.  Already with a huge charitable efforts towards children in their Ronald McDonald house charities, what better company is out there to sponsor an event that gives so much to children's charities.

3. Ford
Ever since leaving the game of golf as a title sponsor of the Ford Championship at Doral, I have thought that Ford would once again like to get back into golf.  With competitors Nissan and GM still acting as title sponsors, Ford would do well to reintegrate itself in the game.  And with some amazing par 3 holes at Sherwood Country Club, they could give away a car either to a golfer, the caddy, or a random fan for a hole-in-one.

As one of the better end-of-season fields in golf, the World Challenge should have no trouble attracting a title sponsor or maybe co-sponsors.

GOLFWRX.com the Angel and the Devil

It's been almost one year since I stumbled upon the website that has changed golf for me forever, GOLFWRX.com.  I was browsing the internet looking for some information on a set of iron heads when I came across the website's forum.  I thought I would just stop by and read a few posts, but those few posts turned into many, those many posts read turned me into a member of the forum, and so it began.

The first this I noticed about WRX was the intelligence and knowledge of the posters.  I started out as a golf noob but have become quite well-versed in the game.  I know now about CPMs, shaft flexes, torques, fitting, loft, lie, and many other technical terms that I can't think of right now but would know if you mentioned them.  I love hearing about new clubs people are trying out, different head/shaft combos, different trips players have taken, the new inside scoop from the PGA tour, and many other stories on there.  But nothing compares to the soul-stealing forum called the BST.

What't the BST you may ask? Well, it is pretty much the online equivalent of a golf Costco, with low price deals to super high-end clubs.  The BST introduced me to the process of swapping clubs until you find the "one", (or 2 or 12 or 100).  It also introduced me to club "hoing" which is always having new ones coming in to try to replace your old ones.  I also learned about tour issue clubs, exotic shafts, Circle T putters, Putter Porn, Miuras, Endo Forgings, JDM clubs, and many other things.  However, with all this good comes the bad--how many clubs I have gone through this year.

The Count?

12 drivers
10+ fairway woods
10+ hybrids
7 iron sets
5 sets of wedges
But only 2 putters

And I am trying to change out more.  I am down to one bag with a couple extra fairway woods and hope to be all TaylorMade in the next couple weeks.  If any of you out there are looking for a great website for the game, check out GOLFWRX.com!