Golf Magazine - June 2014 USA PDF
Golf Magazine - June 2014 USA PDF
Golf Magazine - June 2014 USA PDF
MAGAZINE
AMERICA’S ClubTest
TOP 100
TEACHERS
2014
40 NEW
Take Back Your Game! WEDGES &
� Exposed: Swing Secrets PUTTERS
of Golf’s Brashest Star P. 48 TESTED,
� 10 Seconds to a RATED &
Perfect Setup P. 64
� Our Midseason REVIEWED
Swing Checkup P. 72
HOW TO BE A
BIRDIE
MACHINE
BY JUSTIN ROSE
JUNE 2014 I GOLF.COM
Henrik Stenson
Webb Simpson
Bubba Watson
Jason Dufner
Luke Donald
Steve Stricker
Jordan Spieth
Lee Westwood
66 YEARS
A N D S T I L L C O U N T I N G.
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THANKS TO ALL OUR PARTNERS FOR BEING A PART
OF MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
MAGAZINE
Crowned Jewels 79
Donald Ross’s most devious greens
Pinehurst 2.0 86
How the revamped course will play
By the Numbers 87
A statistical glimpse at Pinehurst
Once a Champion 88
For Michael Campbell, winning
the 2005 U.S. Open came at a cost
Double Trouble 96
Why this year’s back-to-back Opens
could create a “doomsday scenario”
HOW
Sam Snead’s U.S. Open heartache
MACHINE
C LUB and 12 New Wedges
T ES T
2 0 14 Tested and Rated 117
Midsize Mallets 118
Justin Rose shares his new rules Blades 124
for splitting fairways, hitting High-MOI Mallets 128
greens, wedging it close—and Wedges 132
making every putt in sight. p. 107 ClubTesters’ Top Picks 136
(ISSN-1056-5493) is published monthly by TI Golf Holdings, Inc., Time-Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020-1393. ©2014 TI Golf Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial and Advertising offices:
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June 2014 Volume 56, Issue 6
MAGAZINE
27
Fuzzy Zoeller
FRONT 9
Front9 Interview:
takes a look Fuzzy Zoeller 27
back at his
1989 win at
The Rules Guy 30
Winged Foot. Ask Stan the Starter 36
Peter Kostis 38
Mark Broadie on Stats 40
Johnny Miller 42
Dave Pelz 44
Nutrition: Healthy Golf Drinks 46
Swing Sequence 48
62
Knee-knockers
Your Midseason Swing Checkup
PRIVATE LESSONS
72
made easy.
THE MOST PERSONALIZED GOLF
INSTRUCTION ANYWHERE
138
Low Handicapper 147
Put Some Bite on Your Pitches
Senior Player 148
The Bay Course at Launch It From the Rough
Seaview Golf Club is Power Hitter 150
a New Jersey gem.
The Skinny on Hitting Slim Fairways
High Handicapper 152
Bang Home 5-Footers All Day Long
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: JEFF NEWTON; ANGUS MURRAY; AIDAN BRADLEY; JASON RAISH (ILLUSTRATION)
BEST TRIPS
One Fine Bay 138
Seaview’s Bay Course shines again.
Ask Travelin’ Joe 140
Our expert on the best places to play.
REGULARS
Your Views 12
From the Editor 14
Teeing Off 20
Michael Bamberger 162
MA G A Z I N E
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Justin Time Tour a Golf Legend’s Home Rules Guy Knows Best
Watch a slow-mo video of Get an inside look at the The wise one is back and better
defending U.S. Open champion childhood home of 1913 than ever. Watch his video ruling
Justin Rose’s sweet swing. U.S. Open winner Francis Ouimet. and test yourself with a bonus quiz.
Patrick Reed in Slo-Mo Golf’s Other Donald ClubTest: Wedges and Putters
Check out the three-time PGA No, not Trump. Joe Passov picks Enjoy 360-degree views of every
Tour winner’s swing—and control the best Donald Ross designs you wedge and putter in this issue, then
it with a swipe of your finger. can play, like Pine Needles (above). click the link to buy your favorites.
DISRUPTIVE
BY
UNORTHODOX, UNTAMED AND UNIMAGINABLE ARE NOT QUALITIES
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DESIGN
©2014 Oakley, Inc. | 800.320.9430 | OAKLEY.COM/GOLF
OPINION
Patrick Reed appear to be as good—or even issue (“Do You Know This Man?,” April
A bird’s-eye view of Augusta National in 1933. better—than most I’ve seen over the past 2014). A few years ago, I had the good
65 years, and it will only get harder for fortune to play in a pro-am with Sandy.
THE AUGUSTA OF OLD Tiger to contend in the majors with such One player in our group had a particularly
I loved the 2014 Masters preview, and stiff competition. difficult day. After the round, Sandy quietly
I particularly enjoyed the gatefold Bob Browne, Clarkdale, Ariz. took the player aside and said, “Let’s go
celebrating 80 years of innovation at to the range.” An hour later, he was still
Augusta National (“Ahead of Its Time,” ADAM’S THE BOMB there, and I was thinking, “Wow! What
April 2014). You could produce an entire I certainly enjoyed reading the Golf a great guy.” Thanks for confirming my
issue just on the photo featured on p. 104 Magazine Interview with 2013 Masters feelings with your interview.
(above). The changes to the course since champion Adam Scott (“Empire State Doug Betzold, Seattle, Wash.
then are staggering. To name a few: of Mind,” April 2014). His answers to
The bunker on No. 1, just visible in the
upper right, is now greenside. The large NEXT ON THE TEE IN BIG ‘D’
fairway bunker on No. 2 is now on the While I always enjoy Joe Passov’s course
right side and much farther out. There recommendations, I take issue with his
are no bunkers near No. 2 green; No. 3 Dallas-area picks (“Time for Some Texas
now has a cluster of bunkers where there Tee,” April 2014), especially the courses
was just one before. No. 14, the only hole with $200-plus price tags. Instead, I’d
without a bunker today, apparently had suggest heading east to Rockwall to play
one of the largest on the course. Wow! We Tom Weiskopf’s Buffalo Creek, north to
knew Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones the redesigned Watters Creek, south to
were open to changes and lengthening, the renovated Cedar Crest (home of the
but one can’t help wonder: If they were 1927 PGA Championship) or west to Indian
here today, would their first thought be to Creek’s Lakes course in Carrollton. There
grab an ax and start clearing out all those are no $200 fees there, just great golf. I
trees? Thanks for the great retrospective. was born and raised in Dallas and have
Jeff Sullivan, Hazleton, Pa. played nearly every course in the area,
including the tracks Joe suggested. I
I loved your timeline about the history of wanted to offer an alternative itinerary
JAMES WESTMAN
the Masters, but in my mind, there was that would include some gems that aren’t
one big omission: no mention of Errie Ball, on the “overly expensive” list.
who at age 103 is the only living player left Adam Scott has high hopes for another major title. Robert Hill, Austin, Texas
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The Sweet Spot Adam Scott says he’ll
tee it up with whoever
DEEP A HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE GUIDE TO THE ponies up to purchase How long before “I’m starting
Tough to Play,
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
THOUGHTS WEEK’S HITS AND MISSES By Alan Bastable his Abu Dhabi bachelor
pad. (Fine print: Buyer
PGA of America
president
to putt as well
as I ever have. I
WITH... G-Mac is penning a monthly
must agree to a Ted Bishop have found the
SERGIO GARCIA column for BBC Sports, following
$100,000 nassau with
automatic presses and
lands his own
reality show?
secret.”
—Phil Mickelson,
in the footsteps of such Irish no strokes.) last summer
literary giants as O-Wilde, J-Joy
GOING PUBLIC and W.B. Yeatsizzle. “This is the
IS TWITTER worst putting
Easy to Love
handle the One top 10.
pressure of
TONY & TIGER being the
cousin of
Clint Eastwood saves
THE CHAPTER Cheyenne
Pebble Beach’s tournament
director from choking on a D.A. Points ...
YOU’VE BEEN Woods. piece of cheese. Poor guy henceforth
WAITING FOR had Trouble With the Curd. D.Q. Points.
By Michael Bamberger
CLOCKWISE FROM BISHOP: LANDON NORDEMAN; FRED VUICH/SI; RINGO CHIU/ZUMAPRESS.COM; MARCO GARCIA/AP; GETTY IMAGES; MATT ROBERTS/GETTY IMAGES; KOHJIRO
KINNO; CORBIS
Reviews
Are In!
W
ITH THE SPLENDOR
of the Masters behind
us, the sheer difficulty
of the U.S. Open ap-
“Well done, SI. Just fnished proaches. Our national
championship evokes images of shoe-
reading your new digital swallowing rough and glassy greens.
format and you Words such as “demanding” and “bru-
tal” are bandied about. That’s as it should
hit it on the screws. be. Part of golf’s beauty is how hard it
is. The game finds ways to test you,
The format is clean and whether you’re a recreational player at
easily intuitive.” your local muni or a Tour pro at this year’s
—Richard Gregory, M.D., Fresno, Calif. U.S. Open host site, Pinehurst No. 2.
No one gets off easy, not even U.S. Pinehurst No. 2’s treacherous 15th green.
Open winners. Remember Michael
“I love it—a great mix of Campbell, the qualifier who shocked the
content throughout.” world when he won at Pinehurst in 2005?
Not long after he took the trophy home
THE U.S. OPEN
—Heath Ropp, Ames, Iowa to New Zealand, Campbell’s game seemed EVOKES WORDS
to vanish. On p. 88, contributing writer
John Garrity recounts his visit with the
SUCH AS “DEMANDING”
“I particularly liked the 45-year-old pro at his home in Spain, AND “BRUTAL.” THAT’S
equipment coverage. And and explores what happens when the AS IT SHOULD BE. PART
the fact that I can open soap bubble that is the golf swing goes
pop. Another U.S. Open champion also OF GOLF’S BEAUTY
SI Golf+ Digital on my knows about adversity. In 1999, Justin IS HOW HARD IT IS.
Rose missed his first 21 cuts as a pro. Last
desktop computer year, of course, he fulfilled his promise at visionary, Mark developed the Strokes
Merion, claiming his first major with an Gained metric that has altered the way
is terrifc.” inspiring display of tee-to-green accuracy. putting is analyzed on Tour. He’ll bring
—Vince Coppolecchia, Ridgewood, N.J. This month, on p. 107, he shares his four the same game-changing insights to our
fundamentals for getting yourself dialed- pages. His debut topic is timely indeed:
in off the tee, from the fairway, and when What sets Bubba Watson apart, and
Subscribe to SI Golf+ Digital you’re hitting wedges and putts. what can you learn from the two-time
FOR FREE on Golf.com Finally, we welcome a new addition to Masters winner? See p. 40 to find out.
or download the FREE SI Golf+ Digital our golf-crazed family—someone who’ll Mark, welcome to Golf Magazine!
TOP: ANGUS MURRAY; PINEHURST: LARRY LAMBRECHT
app at the App Store.➜ make this challenging game easier for
you. Mark Broadie is the PGA Tour’s
New Issue resident golf-stats numbers cruncher,
Every Wednesday! and this month he christens his monthly
(* Reviews excerpted from actual reader column, “Every Shot Counts.” A true David M. Clarke, Editor
mail; edited for space and clarity.)
Visit pelzgolf.com for School and traveling Clinic dates, learning aids, news and Dave’s latest tips
000. ( + # + "-"
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Senior Writers: Michael Bamberger, Cameron Morfit,
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KEEP TRACKOF ALL Art Director: Paul Ewen
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SIMPLY VISIT
golftopcoursepegboard.com 16 GOLF MAGAZINE / golf.com June 2014
MORE SPIN.
MORE TYPES OF SHOTS.
MORE WAYS TO SHOOT LOWER SCORES.
Adam Scott Steve Stricker Jason Dufner Webb Simpson
One of the keys to lower scores is more up and downs. Players need
versatility from their wedges so they can confidently execute many
different types of shots. Bob Vokey and his team of craftsmen
understand this and have always utilized Tour player input to
produce the most effective range of bounce and sole grind options
in the industry. These high
performance wedge shapes and sole grinds satisfy a wide variety
of swing types, shot-making styles and short game conditions.
TEEING
OFF
A Fitting
Conclusion
n In 2013, Bubba
Watson helped Adam
Scott don the green
jacket. In April, Scott
returned the favor.
Watson, 35, claimed
his second coat after
a front-nine charge
propelled him from
two strokes behind
20-year-old Masters
rookie Jordan Spieth
[inset] to two strokes
ahead in a two-hole
span. Bubba played
aggressively on the back
nine (see his 366-yard
drive on the par-5 13th,
which led to birdie)
en route to a three-
shot victory. As usual,
Augusta National stage-
managed the sunset.
TEEING
OFF
The Scene
of His Prime
n The last time
Pinehurst No. 2
hosted the U.S. Open,
in 2005, Michael
Campbell held off
Tiger Woods to
shock the golf world
and take the trophy
home to New Zealand.
Then things got
complicated. Campbell
went into a slump, and
he’s made only one
U.S. Open cut since.
Golf Magazine’s John
Garrity visited the
45-year-old Campbell
at his home in Spain for
an in-depth portrait
(p. 88) of a man
looking for one last
Sunday chance.
PHOTOGRAPH:
ROBERT BECK/SI
3 of 3
TEEING
OFF
The Winner
Finds Water
n Lexi Thompson and
her somersaulting
caddie—plus a few
new friends—take
the plunge into
Poppie’s Pond at
California’s Mission
Hills Country Club
after her first major
victory, at the Kraft
Nabisco Championship
in April. Now a four-time
LPGA winner, Thompson,
just 19, played like a
wily veteran, building
a big lead on the
strength of four
frontside birdies
and then carding
nine straight pars to
outlast runner-up
Michelle Wie.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
CHRIS CARLSON/AP
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9
FRONT
THE MOST
IMPORTANT
THINGS
IN GOLF
THIS MONTH
FUZZY
Edited by
JESSICA MARKSBURY
MEMORIES
Thirty years after his U.S.
Open victory at Winged
Foot, FUZZY ZOELLER
reflects on what it
takes to win a major
It’s been 30 years since your U.S. Open win Greg Norman made a great save for par on the 18th
INTERVIEW at Winged Foot. What’s the key to playing hole of the final round, but you initially thought it was
well on the toughest course setup of the year? a birdie. You famously waved your white towel in mock
Interview by Your patience level has to be very high, because the surrender. Did you actually feel beaten?
Jessica Marksbury ball is going to take some stupid bounces. At Winged [Norman] made a putt that, even if he stood there
Foot, the great thing for me was that I stayed away for two or three days in a row and tried, he probably
Portrait by
from the big numbers. The big numbers in an Open couldn’t make again. It was a big swinger, left to
Jeff Newton
are the ones that kill you. You’re not going to make right, and it was fast. But great players do great
a lot of birdies, but you can rebound from bogeys, things. I felt beaten because you really couldn’t get
and par is the number. close to that pin unless it was a freak shot. They
had it set around a little ridge, and the Norman was a contemporary of yours.
best you could do was get it to 20, 25 Why didn’t he win more than two majors, Fuzzy: Three
feet, and at the speed of those greens,
you don’t make many putts like that.
in your view?
He had plenty of opportunities, I mean,
Things I Know
So I gave myself an opportunity from lots of opportunities. But that’s golf. It For Sure
about 25 feet, but my putt had eight or wasn’t because he wasn’t trying. Trust
nine feet of break in it. You don’t make me, he was trying with every shot, every
many of those. swing. But there was always that one You Have to Live Your Life
high push right. Every player sees a shot You’re gonna die. That’s it.
Your par on No. 18 got you into an 18- he wants to hit, and sometimes you pull Everybody does. And you’ve
hole playoff with Norman. You pulled a it off. Greg pulled off a lot of shots. But got to pay taxes. I don’t know
phone out of your bag and offered him when he got in the heat of the majors, how you’ll beat any of those.
a “last call” on the first tee. Was that there was always that dreaded one shot So you’ve got to live life
an attempt at gamesmanship? that people remember, the high righter. every day, because you never
You have to understand, Greg and I were Still, a great guy and a great golfer. I had know when the man upstairs
friends. You have two friends battling a lot of fun with him. is going to pull your number.
for a major championship, you might as And when he pulls your
well have a little fun with it. And I was You won the U.S. Open five years number, there’s not a hell of
playing very well. But I had a contract after your first major win, the a lot you can do about it.
with AT&T, so that’s the reason I carried Masters, in 1979. Was it harder
the phone in my bag. It wasn’t connected to win the first or the second? The Yips Can Be Fixed
to anything. It looked like it, because I had Just getting yourself in the position to Learn to make those two-
a wire connected in the golf bag. But I said have the opportunity [to win one], you and three-footers. Amateur
to Greg, “Would you like to make a last find out what kind of man you really are. golfers practice 40- and
call, before we go out here and do this?” Are you man enough, gutsy enough to hit 50-footers all day long, but
these shots that you really have to hit? you’re not going to make
It’s hard to imagine today’s I mean, you have to do it in the majors. many of those. If you make
players doing something like that. It was a good feeling, knowing I wasn’t those two- and three-
Oh, they wouldn’t do it. It’s a little scared, that I wasn’t going to back down. footers every time, it makes
different today. Back then, we had more those 40- and 50-footers
of a family-type atmosphere out here. Now You’re famous for being loose look a lot easier, because
it’s more individual. and laughing. But what does you don’t have the fear of
major pressure feel like to you? missing the short one. What
I’ve been blessed with a talent for not you want to do is see and
Fuzzy celebrates
his eight-stroke getting too fired up or too upset. My idea hear the ball go into the hole,
playoff victory at of pressure is: Are you afraid to screw up? like you’re programming a
the 1984 U.S. Open. And I’ve never been afraid of screwing computer. Start at a foot.
up. Some guys are afraid. And those Guys out here that have the
are the guys who always finish third, “yippee-eye-ohs,” that’s
fourth, fifth. what they do to reprogram
the computer. And it works.
How do you react to a bad shot?
I react inside. When the heat really gets Golf Reveals Character
bad, I whistle to let some steam off. Most I’m an excellent judge of
people say you should breathe in and out character. You can tell the
rapidly, but hell, your heart’s pounding character of a person by
hard enough! Whistling takes care of a watching him or her play
lot of that for me. golf. Egos drive me nuts. I
always say, “Put your ego
ON You have another successful venture, aside here, bub. You’re not
GOLF.COM Fuzzy Vodka. How do you drink it? as good as you think.” Me,
PHIL SHELDON/POPPERFOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Usually with tonic water, because I have I like to spend time with
For more to drink quite a bit in the evenings—you basic, down-to-earth
PGA Tour know, entertaining and all that. But my people, the ones who don’t
info, go to
golf.com/ favorite is a slightly dirty martini. Awfully get upset on the course.
news good. But not too many of them! n Just go out and have fun.
NO RE-LEAF
Rules Man: One windy day, a large
leaf settled over the hole as my putt
was headed right for the cup. My ball
landed on the leaf and stopped on
it, suspended directly over the hole!
I couldn’t remove the leaf without
disturbing the ball, but if the leaf
hadn’t been there, the ball would
have dropped. Is this a two-putt?
—Mark C. Nahmias, Tulsa, Okla.
DID YOU the second one behind my bag on When I got closer, the frog jumped the tree, too. I called foul. Was I right?
KNOW? the cart. During a recent match, my back into the pond, and my ball —Becky Allan, via e-mail
opponent tried to penalize me for went with him. What’s the ruling?
My, you’re quite the stickler, aren’t
You can having 15 clubs; I protested that I —David Nelson, Canton, N.Y.
A
ILLUSTRATION: JASON RAISH; RULES GUY: ERIN PATRICE O’BRIEN; FROG: ALAMY
watch video was only using the 14 clubs in the you, Becky? (Are you wearing the
I’m really not surprised the frog other half of my amulet?) But you need
rulings
featuring
bag. Who’s right? —Peter, via e-mail
© 2014 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. #1 on Tour claim based on 2014 PGA Tour usage as reported by Darrell Survey Co. #1 Driver in Golf claim based on combined 2013
wins and usage on the PGA, European, Japan Golf, Web.com, Champions and LPGA Tours, as reported by the Darrell Survey Co. and Sports Marketing Surveys, Inc.
FRONT9 ETHICS & ETIQUETTE
ASK STAN
THE STARTER
Solving your stickiest golf
dilemmas since 2013
AT YOUR
SERVICE Do the ALWAYS SOMETIMES NEVER
T
IGER WOODS MISSED THE MASTERS THIS shape—to keep his left heel down on the backswing.
year after having back surgery for a pinched Instead of striving for power from your coil, just focus
nerve, and that’s an injury that I’m sure many on playing tension-free golf.
recreational golfers can relate to. You’re always How can you learn a tension-free swing? First, go to
going to have back issues in golf, because the YouTube.com and watch Snead’s swing. He had 45 to 60
tension that produces the swing’s power puts pressure degrees of hip turn and 120 degrees of shoulder turn. The
on that part of your body. However, the explosive swing Slammer had a very powerful swing, but he didn’t resist
practiced by some of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour the movements of his lower body. Instead, he started
is a dangerous example for everyday golfers who aren’t his downswing by planting his left heel. When the left
in the same physical condition as professional athletes. heel went down, it widened his knees and hips before
Fundamentally, it’s important to figure out how he started to unwind his shoulders, which is how he got
to keep pressure off your lower back in your swing. the spring that fueled his power. Not only is it effective,
it’s a much safer way to play.
To play Be safe with your workouts as
well, copy well. If you have a bit of a belly,
poor flexibility and limited core
the classic strength, then losing weight and
swings getting in shape will be good for
that have your game and will help prevent
injury. But excessive conditioning
endured. can be a bad thing, too. My son is
only 25 but has had two back surgeries; both injuries were
caused by workouts and exacerbated by his swing-for-
the-fences move. People think their games will improve
in proportion to how much they work out, and while that
may be true at first, the returns start to diminish as your
workout intensity increases—and eventually, you end up
hurting your scores and yourself. n
the swings that have endured throughout golf history. the game after a layoff?” wood swings. On day three,
Follow The poster child for a tension-free swing is Sam Snead. The first step is to check hit some short and full
Kostis on Tom Watson also has a swing that was built to last. your grip, posture, ball wedges and short irons.
Twitter at @
peterjkostis. These two players were able to compete at a high level position and alignment. When you get to the longer
For all our for so long because their swings were built on timing From there, slowly build clubs, start with what I call
Tweeters, and technique, not on tension. up your swing. On day one, “full-motion, half-speed”
visit
golf.com/ There’s no valid reason for a recreational golfer— spend an hour hitting chips swings, and then finally full
twitterlist especially one who’s a bit overweight or not in great and half wedges, slowly swings with your driver.
Thom Richard is one of the few pilots in the world to possess the talent,
experience and courage required to compete in the final of the famous
Reno Air Races – the world’s fastest motorsport. Less than ten champions are
capable of vying with each other at speeds of almost 500 mph, flying wing
to wing at the risk of their lives, just a few feet off the ground. It is for these
elite aviators that Breitling develops its chronographs: sturdy, functional
and ultra high-performance instruments all equipped with movements CHRONOMAT 44
chronometer-certified by the COSC – the highest official benchmark in FLYING FISH
terms of reliability and precision. Welcome to the Breitling world.
9 MARK BROADIE: EVERY SHOT COUNTS
FRONT
NEW
COLUMN!
A DRIVING
FORCE
Who’s the Tour’s best player off the tee? It’s Bubba!
In Mark Broadie’s debut column, the game’s foremost
stats expert reveals the secret to Watson’s success.
T
his is my first column for One player hits a long drive down the So who’s the best “driver” on Tour—
Golf Magazine. Welcome. I middle of the fairway to a position that is, the best from the tee on par
look forward to using this where the average to hole out is 2.8 4s and par 5s, which includes drivers
space to illuminate golf strokes. The drive moved the pro 1.2 but also woods and some irons, too?
truths that are buried in strokes closer to the hole. Since an One man has finished either first or
numbers, both on the PGA Tour and average drive moves the player 1.0 second in Strokes Gained Driving
in your game. Every month, I’ll use stroke closer to the hole, this drive the last four years: current Masters
hard statistical evidence to separate “gained” 0.2 strokes against his champion Bubba Watson. (As a
fact from opinion, so that you can competition. Do this for all tee shots comparison, he finished T-75, T-35,
better understand golf performance on par 4s and par 5s—not just on 31 and 22 in Total Driving in those
and strategy, something that will two holes—and calculate the results. years.) From 2010 to 2013, Watson
ultimately help you play better. The result is Strokes Gained Driving, gained a whopping 1.1 strokes per
I’ve spent more than ten years round against his Tour competition
analyzing professional and amateur from his driving. He reaches more
golf-shot data, and since 2011 the Combining two par 5s in two, hits shorter irons into
PGA Tour has been using my Strokes flawed stats to par 4s, and can drive shorter par 4s.
Gained method for measuring Those advantages add up. To put his
putting prowess. I’ve learned that create the Total 1.1-stroke advantage into perspective,
traditional statistics are often Driving category is the putting leaders over the last four
flawed, while the logic behind the like trying to make a years gained an average of about 0.9
newest approaches is both sensible strokes per round.
and compelling. cake out of sour milk You might be thinking, “But I can’t
Let’s kick off this column by and spoiled eggs. hit it as far as Bubba.” True. But you
looking at tee shots. How can we There’s a better way. can be more Bubba-like in other ways
identify the best driver on the PGA off the tee. For example, on average,
Tour? The two traditional measures Watson hits into a penalty situation
of driving performance are Driving only 1.7 percent of the time off the
Distance and Fairways Hit. Both have which has properties that just make tee. The typical 90-shooter does that
their flaws. At each week’s Tour stop, sense: Longer in the fairway is better twice as often. Cut your penalty shots
Driving Distance is measured using than shorter in the fairway. Fairway off the tee by half and you’ll save one
only two holes, but this ignores most is better than rough. Rough is better or more strokes per round.
of a course’s par 4s and par 5s! As for than hitting into the drink. After all, every shot counts. n
Fairways Hit, that category fails to
distinguish drives that finish in the
first cut from those that finish in the
water—both simply count as a missed HOW TO DRIVE IT LIKE BUBBA
fairway. Combining two flawed stats “What frees Bubba to be so aggressive off the tee is a PGA TOUR LEADERS,
MORE
BROADIE: COURTESY MARK BROADIE; WATSON: ROBERT BECK/SI
clear mental picture of his shot shape,” says Top 100 STROKES GAINED
MARK! to create the Total Driving category
Teacher Brady Riggs. “To swing freely like him, fully DRIVING (per round)
is like trying to make a cake out of 1. Bubba Watson 1.25
commit to the kind of shot you want to hit—draw,
Mark Broadie’s sour milk and spoiled eggs. There’s 2. Dustin Johnson 1.09
new book cut, high, low. Making this your dominant mental
a better way. 3. Ryan Palmer 0.83
Every Shot image takes your mind off what could go wrong. It’s
Counts My new approach (which the liberating. The 90-shooter is too dogmatic about 4. Adam Scott 0.78
is now Tour is planning to adopt) is called ‘just hit it straight.’ High handicappers can hook it or 5. Gary Woodland 0.76
available in “Strokes Gained Driving.” It works (Through the 2014 Shell Houston Open)
bookstores fade it 30 yards with practice. So get creative with
and on like this. Suppose the average score your shot shape, and visualize it. That’s Bubba Golf!”
Amazon.com for Tour pros on a given par 4 is 4.0.
not fit your swing speed you’re losing performance. Experience Tour-level feel, control and customized
HEX aerodynamics fit to your swing speed. Play the new Speed Regime Tour Balls. #FlyFarther
9
FRONT JOHNNY MILLER
THE WORLD
IS FLAT
As today’s most accurate players prove, a
Golf Magazine contributor and NBC lead golf analyst flatter swing is the secret to finding fairways
S
OME GUYS just know how to hit it straight.
this tip. See p. 8.
Back in the 1980s, two-time Tour winner
Mike Reid finished first or second in driv-
ing accuracy six times, hence the nickname
“Radar.” In the 1990s and into the early
2000s, Fred Funk hit fairways at a near 80 percent
clip. These days, Zach Johnson is the man you’d bet your
kid’s college fund on to stripe one down the middle.
Interestingly, all three players have the same type
of flat swing. When I was playing in the 1970s, swings
were very upright. We’d get our hands way above our
right shoulder at the top and finish with them well
above our left shoulder. Our swings were so upright
that we had to arch our spines in a reverse-C to make
the move work. (My back aches just thinking about it.)
Flat swings were few and far between in my day. Now
everybody’s flat. I bet there are only three or four guys
on Tour in 2014 who swing the way I, Jack Nicklaus or
Matt Kuchar’s flat, low-hands swing creates more
any players of the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s used to. Look at rotational speed than a steep swing. The result?
Matt Kuchar. His swing is so flat that his hands barely Straight drives that go deep.
get above his shoulders (photo, right). That’s not only
good for accuracy; swinging flat lets you turn faster JOHNNY KNOWS BEST
through impact, because you don’t have to work the
club up in your release. It’s pure rotation, and rotation My Top 3 U.S. Open Memories (from the booth)
equals speed.
Changing your swing plane isn’t that complicated. THE FINAL ROUND AT
Start by swinging your hands from shoulder to shoul- 1 SHINNECOCK in 1995. It was
der (below), and turn your body aggressively through my first time calling the U.S. Open.
impact. Your backswing will feel shorter, but that’s a Greg Norman looked dominant, then
good thing for most weekend players. You’ll make up wham!—Corey Pavin (right) stiffed a
for it with a faster release. And you’ll hit more fairways. 4-wood on No. 18. “He’s hit the shot
MILLER: ANGUS MURRAY; KUCHAR: JOHN ALBRIGHT/ICON SMI; PAVIN: CHARLES REX ARBOGAST
As the most accurate players of the last 35 years prove, of his life,” I said. No doubt it was.
flat is where it’s at.
TIGER’S 15-STROKE WIN
2 AT PEBBLE BEACH in 2000.
Low hands in ...and low hands (and a
the backswing. . . horizontal shaft) to finish. We were only five holes into
our Thursday coverage when
NBC’s Dan Hicks asked me on-
air to pick a winner. I said, “Tiger Woods by a record
MORE score!” I love Pebble Beach, and I love golf—and to
JOHNNY! see both played to perfection was unforgettable.
L
ET’S TALK BOUNCE. I bet you can rattle off how the appropriate amount of bounce to use changes
the lofts on each of your wedges, but what about depending on your lie. In each of these four common
your bounce angles—or what bounce does? Many short-shot situations, you’ll see that I’ve paired a low-
players haven’t a clue, so they often hit greenside bounce wedge (8 degrees, left) against a high-bounce
shots with clubs that are working against them. I’ll spare model (14 degrees, right), with identical lofts. It’s easy
you the geometry of bounce angles and simply show you to see when more bounce hurts you or helps you.
l Less bounce (left) positions the face for contact l With the clubfaces rotated open for higher-
between the fourth and sixth groove from the leading trajectory shots, less bounce allows the leading
MORE edge, which is ideal. More bounce (right) positions the edge to slip under the ball, even on a tight lie.
PELZ! face for contact on the second groove, which kills spin. More bounce (right) invites the chance for a skull.
WINNER: Low-bounce wedge WINNER: Low-bounce wedge
Dozens of
short-game
and putting
video lessons LIGHT ROUGH LIE: SQUARE-FACE SHOT LIGHT ROUGH LIE: OPEN-FACE SHOT
at golf.com/
pelz
FOLLOW
PELZ
INSTRUCTION: LEONARD KAMSLER; HEADSHOT: ANGUS MURRAY
Twitter
@dave_pelz
See a list of
upcoming l Less bounce sets the face in a decent position, l Less bounce settles the club so deeply into the
3- and 2-day but if you come in too low or “heavy,” you’ll catch the grass that you may actually whiff the shot! Added
schools ball too high on the face and leave the shot short. bounce pushes the clubface high enough above
and 1-day
clinics at More bounce settles the club for centered contact. the surface to give you a shot at catching it solid.
pelz WINNER: High-bounce wedge WINNER: High-bounce wedge
golf.com
9
FRONT NUTRITION
GIVE YOUR
Miguel
Ángel
Jiménez
always caps
BOOZE A BOOST
Make an easy substitution in your favorite
off a round
with a glass
of Rioja.
JIMENEZ: STUART FRANKLIN/GETTY IMAGES; DRINKS (L TO R): GETTY IMAGES (4); BOTTOM ROW (L TO R): BAI; EBOOST; VITA COCO; OCEAN SPRAY
and tea flavored beverage 18 holes. It also helps replaces the sugars naturally acidic and helps
is only five calories. Just replenish lost electrolytes you’ve just burned on clean the blood of toxins
add vodka and you’ll be (which work to maintain the course, along with as well as reduce the
in cocktail heaven. This fluid balance and aid electrolytes lost through bacteria that contribute
drink is also loaded with muscle contraction) perspiration. Add some to stomach ulcers and
antioxidants, which help while fueling you with rum and ice, and you’re urinary tract infections.
repair cells damaged vitamins and minerals set. Feeling adventurous? So use the real thing in
from exercise and like vitamin C, D and B12. Try fruitier flavors such your cocktail, and try it
being out in the sun. It’s Try it with tequila for an as pineapple or peach with a splash of lemon-
refreshing and rewarding. energizing pick-me-up. mango coconut water. lime seltzer and vodka.
Sharon
Richter
is a
registered
dietitian in
New York City
1 2 3 4
His upper body squares You’ve heard that
to the ball, letting elite players “swing
his arms deliver the out to the right”? It
clubhead from an looks like this.
inside path.
9 10 11 12
Analysis by Top 100 Teacher Like most Tour players, Patrick Reed can summon
GOLF.COM
KEVIN KIRK, The Woodlands Golf extra speed—and extra yards—whenever he likes. Reed
Watch Performance Center, The Woodlands, Texas calls this “sending it.” In his typical swing, he stops his
dozens of
PGA Tour backswing short of parallel (as in frame 5, above). On
stars hit the “send-it” swings, he goes past this point by increasing
shots you his lower-body rotation and the length of his arm swing (frame 6).
need at
golf.com/ Letting his body, arms and the club “gather” at the top so they can
sequences transition into the downswing in one piece makes this swing just
THE LINE
ON REED
586th 23rd 0 3
Official World Official World Wins in Wins in
*Through the Shell Houston Open; Golf Rank in Golf Rank in first 37 PGA last 15 PGA
stats courtesy PGATour.com 2012 2014* Tour starts Tour starts*
Reed’s “stock” His “send-it” backswing The hips and knees are
backswing ends keeps extending—longer back to square, while his
here: nice and yet still controlled. upper body, arms and
compact. club stay coiled. Perfect.
5 6 7 8
Patrick’s eyes start to The chest, hips
“release” toward the and knees face the
target, but his head target. What a finish!
is still down.
13 14 15 16
as smooth as it is long. Another power secret is the way he switches Sequence by MARK NEWCOMBE/VISIONS IN GOLF
from a fairly level shoulder-turn plane in his backswing (frame 6) Portrait by FRED VUICH/SI
to a much more vertical one in his downswing (frames 11–13). This
moves his swing out to the right and shallows his angle of attack. Control Patrick Reed’s
(Being left and steep leads to pop-ups.) It also causes his trunk to swing with the swipe of a
decelerate, which transfers the energy in his body to his arms and TABLET
BONUS finger on the iPad and tablet
ultimately the clubhead. Try Reed’s technique—it’s the proven way editions of Golf Magazine.
to send one into the stratosphere. Visit golf.com/allaccess.
MORE FOCUS
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC. © 2014 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 676135.2.0
9
FRONT SWING SEQUENCE
ALTERNATE SHOTMAKING
When my driver is off, I reach for a club that never misfires: my 1-iron
I
hate to admit it, but I’m one
of those guys who can drive
“There’s no the ball far (295.5 yards per
rule that says drive in 2014), but who doesn’t
you have to hit always know where it’s going.
And while I’m hitting more
driver,” Reed fairways than ever before (57
says. “Find a percent), I honestly don’t love
trusty alternative hitting driver on every hole, like
Hunter Mahan or Justin Rose
off the tee to find do. (Those guys are long and
more fairways.” straight!) For a while, I wouldn’t
even carry a 3-wood. Then the
guys at Callaway worked up a
special 1-iron for me. I rarely
miss with that club, and I can
hit it 290 yards without blinking.
If I didn’t have that club, I
wouldn’t have won the 2013
Wyndham Championship—
my first victory—and if I
hadn’t won that tournament,
I might still be searching for
the confidence I enjoy today.
The lesson: Work on your
driver swing, but find a reliable
backup. You don’t have to use
a 1-iron; a hybrid or a 3-iron
will do. Don’t try to mash the
Patrick Reed’s
1-iron—his ball like you do with a driver.
primary driver Practice swinging at 50
alternative—
helped fuel
percent, and swing your driver
three victories alternative with the same
in the span of tempo as, say, your 8-iron. This
15 events.
makes it easier to sync up your
body rotation with your arms,
a secret that good players use
to catch the ball flush without
losing their balance. After five
or six slow-motion swings,
Scan this photo gradually add speed. Soon
to see Reed’s swing in you’ll be knocking your hybrid
JEFF NEWTON
800.FIDELITY
Fidelity.com/Rollover
Mobile
Keep in mind that investing involves risk. The value of your investment will fluctuate over time and
you may gain or lose money.
Be sure to consider all your available options and the applicable fees and features of each before moving your retirement assets.
*Based on 349 screened and posted customer ratings and reviews evaluating convenience, customer service, and value, and whether reviewers
would recommend an account with Fidelity to their friends. Ratings and reviews were provided either through an email solicitation for feedback on
the product or as voluntarily submitted on Fidelity.com by customers as of 1/1/2014. The experiences of these customers may not be representative
of the experiences of all customers and are not indicative of future success. For additional information, go to Fidelity.com/Rollover.
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC. © 2014 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 676135.1.0
BACK TO BASICS MARK HACKETT
Old Palm G.C.,
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
(Top 100 since 2009)
W
hen you see a player than that and you risk over-
Here’s the pull away from the thinking, which leads to
dynamic duo of pack—think Rory mechanical swings. Try my
McIlroy winning the 2011 U.S. two backswing thoughts:
swing thoughts Open by eight strokes—he’s
you need to not dwelling on mechanics. 1. Turn your left shoulder under
In fact, he may say that his your chin while keeping the
stay on plane— mind went “blank.” It’s a good upper part of your left arm
and instantly strategy. Why let thoughts on snug against your chest.
mechanics gum up a swing 2. Point your left thumb
get your game that’s soaring on autopilot? at your right shoulder.
in “the zone” Playing in this unconscious
“flow” state isn’t limited to Combined, these two
Tour pros. You can do it, too, by moves eliminate 90 percent
keeping your swing thoughts of the backswing errors
(two, max) short and simple. you’ve made in the past and
Emptying your mind of clutter get the shaft and clubhead
will fuel better scores and put where they need to be at the
your swing in “the zone.” top: on plane and ready to
deliver a powerful blow.
Two Thoughts Only
When it comes to swing
thoughts, less is more:
Use two at the most. More
Play better.
Hit it farther.
Have fun.
With the Top
100 Teachers
in America, the
most elite team of
instruction experts Get perfect at the
in the nation top with two simple
swing thoughts:
Turn your left
shoulder under your
chin while pointing
Edited by your left thumb at
David DeNunzio your right shoulder.
& Michael Chwasky
ANGUS MURRAY (2)
O
ne of the keys to creating power baseball, not golf. Imagine you’re a clubhead to whip through the impact
and solid impact is shifting your batter at home plate and your right zone unimpeded and at top speed.
weight into your left hip during hip is a baseball. As you swing from This only works if you have sufficient
your downswing. This move lets the the top, “throw” the baseball (and mobility in your left hip. If you’re not
energy from your lower body transfer your right hip) toward third base as sure, take the test below. If you fail, visit
into your upper body and arms (yep, you start your downswing. This will mytpi.com/golfmag for tips and videos
power in golf travels from the ground drive your weight into your left hip, to improve mobility so you can clear
up). To improve your weight shift, think clearing the way for your hands and the your left side like a big-league bomber.
...over here.
Get this...
Approach G8 puts precision GPS golf in your hands with features like PlaysLike Distance which tweaks shot
distances to compensate for uphill and downhill targets, and PinPointer which shows you where to aim your
blind shot. G8 even helps you stay connected with Smart Notification, which can easily be switched off.
P
it’s fair to compare pros and To improve it, purchase a you complete your stroke
GA Tour players weekend players here since laser. (Plenty of options at (below right). Don’t worry
attempted a combined we’re talking about putts your local golf shop, ranging about tracing an arc in your
36,772 putts from that anyone can make.) from $25–$125 dollars. The stroke on short putts or
three to five feet last year. laser I use is built into my allowing the putterhead
They canned 31,832 of KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE putter.) Attach it to your to rotate and release. Just
them—about 1,200 rolls If you miss from short range, club and set up on a straight set the face square and
shy of 90 percent. That’s you’re aiming your putter four-footer. The laser will pop the ball straight in.
Custom Fitted
WinnGrips.com
Winn, the Winn Brand Symbol, and “The best grips in golf” tagline are registered
trademarks of Winn, Inc.©2013 Winn, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Performance Comfort
YOUR GAME GET UP AND DOWN ANNE
CAIN
PGA Tour Academy
at World Golf Village,
St. Augustine, Fla.
(Top 100 since 2013)
C
The “hinge-and-turn” move gives you power hipping from rough can be maddening. On
the one hand, you need ample power to cut
and touch from gnarly greenside lies through the thick lie. On the other, you need a
jeweler’s touch, or the ball will come out hot. A lot of
weekend players hit this shot like a bump-and-run,
Scan this photo but that doesn’t generate enough loft—the ball will
to watch a video of stick in the rough or roll too far. Here’s a better way.
this lesson. See p. 8.
WRISTY BUSINESS 1
My hinge-and-turn
technique gives you
the ideal combination
of wrist power and
club loft to get the
ball up and on the
green from a rough lie,
without a lot of rollout.
MARKS
THE
SPOT
”
DIAMETER
”
DIAMETER
”
DIAMETER
Offered in 3 sizes, our new WinnPro X™ putter grips use a less tapered profile than traditional designs to eliminate
wrist movement during putting while still delivering that comfortable, tacky feel you’ve come to expect from Winn. Try
a WinnPro X™ and feel the -ing difference.
WinnGrips.com
Winn, the Winn Brand Symbol, and “The best grips in golf” tagline are registered trademarks
of Winn, Inc. WinnPro is a trademark of WIinn, Inc.©2013 Winn, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
YOUR GAME HIT BETTER IRONS RICK
GRAYSON
Rivercut G.C.,
Springfield, Mo.
(Top 100 since 1996)
S
ome swing mistakes Losing flex in your right the alignment rod jab hard top—weight you can shift to
you can get away knee is what instructors into your leg. To keep the the left on your downswing
with (a little head call a “death move.” rod from poking you (and for an explosive impact.
sway), while others you to correctly maintain the
can’t. One of the latter is ADD SOME FLEX APPEAL flex in your right knee as Scan this photo
straightening your right Set an alignment rod in you swing to the top), try to to watch a video of
this lesson. See p. 8.
knee in your backswing. the ground and angle it so feel as though your rear end
START
nationalcar.com
©2014 National Car Rental. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
The PGA of America rights and logo are trademarks of The Professional Golfers’ Association of America.
YOUR GAME ESCAPE THE SAND FRED
GRIFFIN
Grand Cypress
Academy of Golf,
Orlando, Fla.
(Top 100 since 1996)
Y
Treat a deep-bunker shot as though deep bunkers; it creates the
ou’ve short-sided yourself in a it’s just another swing from the clubhead speed necessary for a
deep bunker. You must pop the fairway. Set up as you normally would high launch. You did it right if, at
ball almost straight up in the air but with the clubface and your stance the finish, you can drop your arms
or it will ricochet off the face of the slightly open and the ball positioned straight down and place your
hazard—and back into the sand. You a bit forward of center. Then make wedge in an imaginary scabbard
swing, hoisting the club high in your a nice, full backswing with plenty of hanging off your left hip (photos
follow-through, thinking that that will shoulder turn. On your downswing, below). I’ll tell you what I tell my
make the ball float up and out. But it go after the ball (or, really, a spot students: Sheath your sword! Not
doesn’t. Your ball is still in the bunker. two inches behind the ball) hard— only does the move work; it’s a
Why? When you lift the club after as you would on an approach shot— cool-looking way to end your swing.
Rotate fast to a full finish, with You did it right if the act of ...makes it feel as though
your left elbow bent and your dropping your hands and club you’re placing a sword in a
right arm across your chest. straight down post-finish... sheath hanging off your left hip.
I
This is a slicer’s move.
t’s the heart of the season, and your
2014 dreams of shooting your lowest
scores ever have yet to materialize.
Hey, bad habits can creep into even
the best swings. My impact drill tells
you if it’s time to reboot your motion.
BAG CHECK
You’ll need an impact bag (or a duffel
bag stuffed with towels) for this drill.
Stick a broken shaft in the ground and
set the bag
at its base.
Pretend that
the bag is
the ball and
address it
with a mid-
iron (photo,
above),
then make
a swing. The
bag will spin Yes!
either to the
left or to CHECKUP PASSED
the right of Swinging inside-to-
the shaft, out (to the right from
Set the bag against the top) will spin the
the shaft and then your depending on
bag to the right of
iron against the bag, as the quality of the shaft—great for
though it were the ball. your strike. hitting a power draw.
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U.S. OPEN PREVIEW
PINEHURST No. 2 June 12-15, 2014
U.S. OPEN
p. 98
at the title. Somewhere, What Sam’s struggles can teach Lefty
Phil’s Phantastic Phinish!
Donald Ross is smiling. Win or lose, Phil will make it fun p. 104
LIFE IS BUT
Flanked by his family
and inspired by memories
A DREAM
of his late father, Justin
Rose, 33, delivered on his
promise at last year’s U.S.
Open. Was it the end of a
journey—or the start
of something big? Interview by Cameron Morfit Portrait by Preston Mack
After you won the U.S. Open battled it for a year or so. I look back at cause of the changes, no one has. [British
at Merion, what did you donate 2002 as the best year of my career because Open host] Hoylake I don’t know anything
to the USGA museum? I somehow managed to win four times about because I missed the ’06 Open
A smelly old pair of shoes [laughs]. knowing that my dad was on the way out Championship, and I didn’t play it as an
at age 57. amateur. And [PGA Championship site]
Why old shoes, rather than the 4-iron Valhalla, I played the Ryder Cup there in
you used for your appoach on the 72nd How did you manage to stay focused 2008, so I know it fairly well.
hole, which helped seal your victory? on golf when your father was dying?
The shoes have my kids’ names—Leo and I have no idea. But he was able to be at one Is Valhalla a bad memory for you?
Lottie—on them. And it being Father’s Day, of my wins, the 2002 British Masters, the Europe took a Ryder Cup loss there.
it was a symbol of the week for me. I’d love biggest win of my career up to that time. Not really. On a personal level, I took a
to give them the 4-iron, but I want that club. It got me to something like 30th in the lot of good things out of that one. I won
world. And he gave me an amazing pep three out of four points and won my singles
In terms of when your career turned talk at the Open that year. I was playing match. And I beat Phil. Poor Phil.
a corner, do you go back to the long with Tiger, who was at the peak of his
putt you made at the 2012 Ryder Cup powers, and I was just a young kid. My Good grief. How many times
at Medinah, which flipped your singles dad said, “We’ve faced much more difficult have you beaten him?
match against Phil Mickelson? things than this.” I went out and shot 68. I’m three for three. I also beat him at the
That was part of the puzzle of winning a I’ll always remember that. He passed away WGC–Match Play [in 2007].
major, but it actually hurt me at the Bar- two months later.
clays [in 2013]. I had a putt to win from You’ve been building a house
25 feet, and I thought about the Ryder Cup What did your father do for a living? in the Bahamas. Will it be your
and draining it, and I knocked it five feet Pharmaceuticals. When he came to England full-time residence?
by and missed it coming back. from South Africa, he had a chemical trading We’re going to try it. Our kids are young
business with another guy. That didn’t go enough to where we feel we can just come
As a 17-year-old amateur, you holed a well, and he got caught up in the recession in back to Orlando if we want. We’ll keep our
pitch shot on No. 18 to tie for fourth at the UK—as a fortyish man from South Africa, house here. The Bahamas is an awesome
the 1998 British Open at Birkdale. Did he had a hard time finding jobs. In the late place for kids.
you get the impression that winning ’80s my parents tried to set up a swim and
majors would be almost easy? dance shop, but swimwear? Not the greatest Is your new house going to have a man
Well, 21 missed cuts later, I did a good job idea in England. That went under. It got to cave for you and your son, Leo?
of proving to myself that it wasn’t going the point where it was down to pennies for The garage on one side of the house has
to be easy. I had a three-year plan, which meals at night. the fake grass and couches, a hitting bay,
came true; by the time I turned 20, I was and a TrackMan.
established on the European Tour. But it Have you bought your mom,
was a rocky road to get there, and that Annie, a house back in England? How big will the house be?
halted my development. It took me until Yeah. My parents sacrificed so much, and Eleven thousand square feet.
2010 to feel like I was past it. it’s nice to pay her back. My mom trolled
the motorways of the country, selling Wow. Are you going to have more kids?
Your most emotional moment at swimwear door to door—hard work. But No—but we’ll have a lot of guests. Ernie
Merion was when you looked skyward that’s the majority of the world. Els and Ian Poulter spend time in the
after winning, in a tribute to your late Bahamas. That’s the problem: You build
father, Ken. How old were you when Switching gears, what’s your take a house there, and the phone starts ring-
he started battling cancer? on the major venues in 2014? ing. “We met when? Oh, you want to come
It was in 2001—I’d just turned 21. He I’ve not played Pinehurst, but really, be- to the Bahamas? [Sighs.] Okaaaaaay.” n
“I look back at
2002 as the
best year of my
career because
I somehow
managed to
win four times
knowing that
my dad was on
the way out.”
Don’t worry.
you can always
finD My Pro To Go.
powered by:
U.S. OPEN
PREVIEW PINEHURST: THE GREENS
CROWNED
JEWELS
Bill Coore Bob Farren
Co-architect, Director of
No. 2 Grounds,
restoration Pinehurst
3
rd The third hole looks
inviting, even easy—
until you reach the green.
389 YARDS
PAR 4
USGA/JOHN MUMMERT
576 YARDS
PAR 5
LAURENCE LAMBRECHT
473 YARDS
PAR 4
202 YARDS
PAR 3
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U.S. OPEN
PREVIEW COORE/CRENSHAW RESTORATION
Pinehurst
2.0
No rough? At a U.S. Open?
In 2011, Bill Coore and Ben
Crenshaw masterminded the
restoration of Pinehurst. Here
are the five biggest changes
that No. 2 will throw at the field.
By Joe Passov
1
NO ROUGH!
For the first time in modern history, Bill Sandy scrub and native plants like goldenrod, sassafras, prickly pear and winged sumac
Coore says, the U.S. Open will be played (maintained by assistant superintendent Alan Owen) have replaced the rough at Pinehurst No. 2.
3 5
without its traditional rough. Coore/Cren-
shaw yanked out 35 acres of primary Ber- DECISIONS, DECISIONS... NEW GRASSES, NEW
muda rough that had flanked the fairways, With the 26-yard-wide fairways in IRRIGATION, NEW GREENS
replacing it with hardpan, sandy scrub, 2005, there was only one play—hit it Removing perimeter irrigation heads
pine straw and wispy wiregrass. straight, with something less than driver, will yield crispy brown turf along fairway
NET EFFECT: Tougher. True, the fairways if necessary. With 40-yard-wide fairways edges, so the farther that players stray from
are wider, but they’ll play firmer and it’ll be possible to cut corners on doglegs, the center lines (where the sprinklers are),
faster, especially on the edges where ir- but at the risk of running into bunkers the more inconsistent the lie will be. New
rigation heads were eliminated. With less or sandy areas. It will also be easy to run A1/A4 creeping bentgrass will have the
resistance from thicker grass, more balls into trouble spots while trying to hit to greens playing firm. The par-3 15th fea-
will race into the sandy scrub. Also, as the proper side of the fairway to leave the tures an additional 600 square feet, and at
Pinehurst director of grounds Bob Farren best angle to the pin. least two right-side locations will be new
notes, “Players like to have control of their NET EFFECT: Tougher. And more excit- to the pros. On the par-3 17th, Coore says
ball. If they missed an old 26-yard-wide ing for the fans, who get to watch play- he “barely flattened the area behind the
fairway, they knew what they were getting ers (shock! horror!) strategize their way front-right bunker that they were not able
in three-inch rough. Now they won’t know around a U.S. Open course for a change. to pin before.” And he set up the green for
4
until they’re 10 feet from the ball what a new front-left pin.
they have. It could be clean hardpan, but NO. 4 IS NOW A PAR 4, NET EFFECT: No change. The new right-side
it also could be in a bad footprint, in loose AND NO. 5 IS A PAR 5 hole locations at No. 15 will cause some
sand, or in a wiregrass clump.” The USGA made a radical change. It angst, and the firmer greens will rattle
2
converted No. 2’s greatest hole, the par-4 players if the wind dries them out. That
ALTERED VISUALS 5th (which played 476 yards in the 2005 said, breezes seldom blow too hard on this
Coore says the players who haven’t U.S. Open) into a 570-yard par 5. At the inland site. And being in the hot, humid
seen No. 2 since 2005 “aren’t going same time, they transformed the 569-yard, southeast, they’ll have to spritz the greens
to recognize it.” Fairway widths increased par-5 fourth into a 530-yard par 4. anyway, so there should be sufficient mois-
by 50 percent, and the place simply looks NET EFFECT: Easier. Coore says the fourth ture to mitigate the extra firmness.
transformed, now that sandy waste areas green was always more receptive to a long
have replaced traditional rough. The over- shot than the fifth, so unlike some par 5s THE VERDICT: Pinehurst will play like no
all effect is a much more natural, far less that were converted into par 4s (Winged U.S. Open course in history. “I’m not sure
manicured track. Foot, Olympic) it’ll work well as a longer it will be tougher,” says Coore, “but there
NET EFFECT: No change. Although Far- par 4. The fifth will sport more frighten- will be more mystery. With the sand and
ren points out that the course has been ing hole locations than it did as a par 4, wiregrass, you’ll see some of the most
LANDON NORDEMAN
lengthened, necessitating a few new or but because of the downhill, right-to-left spectacular approach shots, and the most
altered tees, these are the best players in slope of the fairway, most players will be bizarre. It will be the greatest variety of
the world—they’ll adapt. able to reach the green in two. shots you’ve ever seen in a U.S. Open.”
Have Faith.
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U.S. OPEN
PREVIEW MICHAEL CAMPBELL
ONCE A T
he expatriate golfer has his
morning coffee on the hotel
terrace. His table overlooks a
CHAMPION
garden, which in turn provides
a prince’s view of poplar-lined
golf holes, a pond, and a rugged slope that
tumbles down to the shimmering Mediter-
ranean. “My home is literally there,” the
expat says, pointing over the first tee to
somewhere beyond the hotel’s trimmed
WINNING THE 2005 U.S. OPEN AT PINEHURST WAS hedges and Roman-inspired statuary.
THE CAPSTONE OF MICHAEL CAMPBELL’S CAREER. HE The expat, a handsome man of 45,
stands to exchange a kiss with his just-
BECAME NEW ZEALAND’S GREATEST SPORTSMAN AND arrived wife, an enchanting blonde who
EXPECTED TO WIN EVERY EVENT HE ENTERED. THEN performed as a body double in the movie
Sirens. (“I was Elle Macpherson.”) He
THE WEIGHT OF SUPERSTARDOM BEGAN TO CLOSE IN. orders a hot chocolate for the younger of
his two sons, a gangly teenager with an
By John Garrity Portraits by James Rajotte untamed crop of dark hair and a shy smile.
C
for sixth at the PGA Championship, winning the
ampbell has no memory of his first hours World Match Play (worth a million pounds, then
as the 2005 U.S. Open champion. No the biggest prize in golf), finishing second on the
recollection of the trophy ceremony with European Tour Order of Merit, and taking that
runner-up Tiger Woods. No impressions tour’s player-of-the-year honors.
of the champion’s press conference. But as time passed, the Pinehurst trophy seemed
“It’s a complete blank,” he says over lunch at to promise a career trajectory that Campbell couldn’t
the hotel. “But I’ll never forget that around mid- sustain. “I came back quite strongly in 2006,” he
night, I had to drive my courtesy car back to Pine recalls. “I nearly won the Hawaii event. But then
Needles, where I was staying. The trophy was on the I got a bit busy off the course.” Busy as in photo
passenger seat, so I put a seat belt around it”—he shoots, paid outings, press conferences, meetings
performs the act in pantomime, ending with an with tax consultants, charity efforts. “Michael doesn’t
affectionate pat for the phantom trophy—“and I do well with distractions,” Julie says, arranging a
said, ‘Are you okay?’ ” He laughs. “ ‘I’m good, how paper-thin slice of Iberian ham on a wedge of cheese.
INSET: DARREN CARROLL/SI
are you?’ ” After some late-night partying, he was “I used to ask him what he was thinking, and he’d
jarred awake by a 6:30 a.m. wakeup call. “I’d put say, ‘Nothing.’ ” She laughs. “Really? Nothing? But
the trophy on the bedside table, so I’m looking right suddenly he had this bombardment of distractions.
at it, and I go, ‘Sh--, I’ve done it!’ ” He gives his It was too noisy.”
➔
90 GOLF MAGAZINE / golf.com June 2014
U.S. OPEN
PREVIEW MICHAEL CAMPBELL: ONCE A CHAMPION
Campbell, raised by Maori parents of limited events, shot 11 rounds of 80 or above, and only
means, was way out of his element. He played his
“While no had five rounds in the 60s. He was a cumulative
childhood golf in the company of sheep. He learned psychologist 89 over par for the six majors he played. Says Julie,
to putt on scruffy, wire-fenced greens. But even be- “A lot of his friends and peers said, ‘Well, Campbell
fore Pinehurst, he had become a world-class touring
told me to will bounce back, he always does.’ But he didn’t.”
pro who dressed well, drove luxury cars and owned do this,” Campbell’s swing, Yarwood insists, was never the
homes in London and Sydney. “Michael got embar- problem. “Michael’s got short legs, a wide back, and
rassed about how much money he was making,”
Campbell long arms for his frame, and that’s all conducive to
Julie says. “In New Zealand, everyone’s humble. It’s says, “every creating a simple, one-plane, one-axis swing. In recent
safe, you can leave your doors unlocked.” years he’s swung exactly the same or better than he
Uneasy with his growing wealth and celebrity, time there did when he won the U.S. Open. But the results have
Campbell created an eponymous foundation and was a roar been very poor. The only conclusion you can draw is
threw himself into fund-raising. “It was fun,” he that he’s got some psychological scar tissue.”
says, “it was fantastic.” But it was another distrac- for Tiger Convinced that he had to shake things up, Camp-
tion from the routines that had made him an 18-time [in 2005], I bell left Yarwood for another coach in 2010. Still
winner on four tours. “I’m good at focusing on one flailing, he returned to Yarwood in 2012 and showed
thing,” he says, “But when you chuck three or four imagined it improvement, posting six top-20s on the European
other things in the basket, I can’t do it. So that was
a mistake for which I take full responsibility.”
was for me.” Tour. “But I remember seeing him in the lead in
Hong Kong,” Yarwood says, “and he didn’t look
Another mistake was allowing his expectations like he used to. He looked nervy and tentative.”
to soar. “You expect to win every tournament you That “mental fragility,” as Yarwood describes
enter,” Campbell says, “and when it doesn’t happen, it, has been compounded by the corporeal kind.
it puts doubt in your mind.” He also fell victim to Campbell has suffered rotator cuff injuries to both
perfectionism, the false notion that “great” play- shoulders, and now his left ankle pains him with
ers never hit bad shots or commit mental errors.
Campbell’s record in the majors testifies to the
impact that these mistakes had on his game. Since
2006, he’s missed the cut in five straight Masters,
finished no better than T35 in the British Open,
and missed three of four cuts in the PGA Champi-
onship. He’s made it to the weekend only once in
eight subsequent U.S. Opens, his best finish being
a T58 in 2007.
“It’s hard to believe,” Davis Love III says of Camp-
bell’s slump. Love remembers the 2005 U.S. Open
champion as a dangerous Presidents Cup opponent,
and lumps Campbell in with David Duval as guys
“who looked so good and made it look so easy, and
then it becomes almost impossible.”
Love adds, “I know how you lose it. I don’t know
how you get it back.”
Campbell looks to every stride and swing. “The guy has gone through
ante’s Inferno imagines Hell as nine the heavens at the a rough time,” says Retief Goosen, who shot the
literally threw it off the green. So we went over to ing off to the horizon, to the sea. “It all depends on
Pine Needles and worked on my putting. I gained how you look at things.”
some confidence there, and I putted great that week.”
SE No. 4: “Tuesday, I played with Vijay Singh. he expatriate golfer looks forward to June,
I tried a few bunker shots, and they were pretty
crappy. The ball was coming out heavy, no spin.
About the sixth hole, I said, ‘Veej, I’m having trouble
with my bunker shots, mate.’ So Veej said, ‘Just do
this, this and this.’ It was great, the ball came out
much better. That week I hit it in seven bunkers,
got up and down six times—and holed one!”
“A crack
under the
T hoping his ankle will let him play. The
odds against him reprising his Pinehurst
victory are astronomical; even if he were
fit, he’s not sure his game measures up
to those of, say, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth.
“When you know your chances aren’t great,” the
expat says, “it’s hard to get on the plane.”
SE No. 5: “I wasn’t thinking I could win—until I He has seen guys his age—Darren Clarke, Ernie
talked with Julie, the night before the final round. microscope Els, Phil Mickelson—win majors on grit and guile.
She said, ‘Are you ready for this?’ She had a feeling.”
Julie says, “All of a sudden you’ve got one hole to
becomes a But Campbell seems to have moved on. He may not
have his game of yore, but he’s still got his family,
play, and you realize your life is about to change. fissure. The his health, his ambassadorship, his academy, his
So it was important that we discuss it. I said, ‘Are never-gets-old view from the Sierra Blanca foothills,
you ready for all the things that come with it?’ And
world sees his Champions Tour dreams—and yeah, his trophy.
he just took a little breath and said, ‘Yeah.’ ” every flaw.” Paradise found. n
Double T
here’s been a lot of talk about important volunteers happy and upright
this year’s U.S. Open double- as they suffer through a second week with
dip, and that’s a good thing. The us? There are high hopes that the media
U.S. Women’s Open is our most will stick around for our Open, but Pine-
important tournament, and it hurst is an itty-bitty little town. It’s hard
Trouble
A two-time LPGA winner says
deserves the extra buzz. But among LPGA
players there’s definitely some apprehen-
sion about playing Pinehurst No. 2 the week
after the guys compete there.
If you’ve ever been to a PGA Tour event,
to imagine all those reporters surviving
that long in the sleepy South. And fans
are gonna be cooked after watching all
the carnage of the men’s U.S. Open. Will
they show up or tune in to watch us make
you know how the men tear up a course. the same bogeys?
holding the men’s and women’s The divots are the size of a $30 steak, the Still, for all these concerns, I still think
U.S. Opens at Pinehurst in back- pitch marks like craters. A U.S. Open venue this Open double-feature is a cool idea.
to-back weeks might create is even more vulnerable because the course A lot of LPGA veterans will say the favor-
is pushed to the edge. The USGA wants ite tournament of their career was either
the “doomsday scenario” the greens brick-hard for the guys, and I the Women’s British at the Old Course
of an unplayable course— wonder how much they can soften them or the Women’s Open at Oakmont. It’s
but it’s an idea worth trying in a few days for us. It’s simple physiology: awesome to be able to play these world-
Women don’t hit the ball as high or with as class courses that the guys have made
By Christina Kim much spin, so if those turtleback Donald famous, and Pinehurst is in that class.
Ross greens are too firm, the course will It’s hallowed ground. I’m thrilled at the
be almost unplayable for us. prospect of playing there.
Divots are also going to be a problem. A In the end, I think we’ll attract new fans
Kim’s pick USGA official told me only two holes will because of No. 2. The course will be the
to claim the have similar landing areas for the men star of the show, and people will be curious
Women’s Open? and the women. That’s encouraging, but to see how the women play the holes that
“Whoever has there’s not much that can be done around they’ve fallen in love with. Some players
the biggest
cojones.” the greens; the balls will run off into the
same collection areas. Chipping at Pine-
hurst is tough enough if you have a nice
Chipping at Pinehurst
lie; doing it out of a divot will be brutal. is hard enough without
In March, USGA executive director Mike
Davis met with LPGA players to hear our
doing it from divots
concerns. It was a nice gesture, and Davis the size of a steak.
has that old-school attitude that I like. He
drew a lot of rueful laughs when he said, will be pushed out of their comfort zones.
“Divots are part of the game.” More than a few women on our tour are too
Access to the course could also be dicey. reliant on their lob wedge, and it’s going
Getting to the Open early to acclimate to to be great fun to watch the ball rolling
the conditions is always tricky, given back to their feet. Personally, from around
logistics and LPGA regulations, but those greens, I think bunting a 3-wood is
this year we can’t get on the course the way to go.
until the Monday morning after the Who’ll win? It depends on who has
guys finish, and that’s if everything the biggest cojones. Suzann Pettersen is
goes well. North Carolina a good pick—she’s the baddest bitch on
in June is prime time tour. Lexi Thompson has the same kind of
for thunderstorms— fearlessness, and she’s been playing U.S.
it’s easy to imagine Opens since she was 12. Anna Nordqvist
weather delays push- will be tough to beat, too—she’s a supreme
ing the Open’s finish feel player with incredible creativity in her
back a day. That’s the real doomsday sce- short game, and she’s playing with a ton
nario—heavy rain for the men, delayed of confidence this year.
play, and an 18-hole playoff on Tuesday. So, is this U.S. Open experiment going
JONATHAN FERREY/GETTY IMAGES
I can’t even imagine how much whining to be complicated? Definitely. Is there po-
there would be. Okay, actually, I can. tential for disaster? Sure. But the USGA
There’s also the human toll to consider. has spent years figuring out the details.
It’s going to be hot and humid. Will the I’ll put my trust in them. No matter what
USGA be able to keep all those critically happens, it’s gonna be a helluva ride. n
SAM I AM?
Phil Mickelson is working every angle to fill the void—the lack of a U.S. Open
title—that haunted Sam Snead until his dying days. Like Lefty, Snead repeatedly
fell achingly short of winning our national championship. His pursuit became
almost pathological. As Pinehurst looms, only the names have changed. By Paul Rogers
A short, again, in
the U.S. Open
at Merion last
summer, Phil
Mickelson bare-
ly got out of bed for two days.
He’d blown tournaments before
and moped around the house,
but never like this. He was such
so Mickelson probably won’t
give Snead a second or even
first thought. But he should.
Mickelson is, in many ways,
a latter-day Snead: a gifted
player, prolific winner and
colorful personality. Their U.S.
Open disappointments have
been strikingly similar; the
ral talent carried him to a re-
cord 82 PGA Tour victories. Yet
the best Snead ever did in the
Open was finish second—four
times, along with his 72nd-hole
collapse in 1939.
Several theories have sought
to explain why Snead never
won the U.S. Open. One is
approaches that couldn’t hold
the steeply pitched greens.
Another explanation is that
after months of traveling and
competing in the first half of
the season, Snead was always
worn out by the week of the
Open. “He used to say his
biorhythms were off,” says
a shell of his usual self that he same can be said for their re- that he refused to adjust his Snead’s son Sam Jr., known as
began to worry his wife, Amy. action to defeat. “They’ve both game to the rigors of an Open Jack. “He didn’t know if it was
It was as though Mickelson been explicit about the disap- setup, failing to practice on between the ears or not, but he
were the second coming of pointment, the pain, of not glassy putting surfaces and never played well in June.” A
Sam Snead, who stopped eat- winning,” says Gio Valiante, third theory, which Snead him-
ing and lost 30 pounds after a sports psychologist whose self believed, is that Joe Dey,
a near miss at the 1939 U.S. clients have included Camilo the longtime executive director
Open at Philadelphia Country Villegas, Stuart Appleby and of the USGA, didn’t like him
Club. It was there that Snead,
believing he needed to birdie
Matt Kuchar. “That no doubt
makes it harder to not overtry.
“Laddie,” and therefore gave him unfa-
vorable pairings and starting
the last hole to win—a par, in When you want something that Tommy Armour times in the Open.
fact, would have won him the
title—made a triple-bogey 8
badly and you’ve come close
and [you’ve been] hurt, you’re
told Snead in But by far the biggest reason
Snead kept falling short was
to finish fifth. He called it the apt to overtry.” 1937, “You’ve the pressure he put on himself.
worst experience in 25 years
of tournament golf, and lost so
If anyone should have won
the U.S. Open, it was Snead.
just won “He was an amazingly talented
athlete, and it was a shame that
much weight, so quickly, that A gifted athlete so naturally yourself a he never won the U.S. Open,
his doctor persuaded him to
take time off, lest he suffer a
limber he could kick his leg up
to the top of a doorway, he had
championship because it meant so much to
him,” says Billy Casper, who
complete breakdown. the most graceful swing in golf. worth more won two U.S. Opens, includ-
“If I’d murdered someone, I’d
have lived it down sooner than
Even after his competitive days
were over, fellow pros would go
than a seat ing the 1959 edition at Winged
Foot, Snead’s last best chance
the ’39 Open,” wrote Snead in out of their way to watch him on the Stock to claim our national title.
his 1962 autobiography, The rhythmically hit balls on the “Sometimes the things you
Education of a Golfer. He never range. Hogan built his swing
Exchange.” But want, you want too much, and
did win the U.S. Open and re- from the ground up. Snead it wasn’t to be. that’s probably what happened
gretted it until the day he died. with him, because his talent
As Mickelson prepares to was really superior.”
take on Pinehurst No. 2 at the Snead’s demons at the U.S.
114th U.S. Open, unabashedly Open went all the way back to
coveting the one title that would his Open debut in 1937. Trail-
complete a career grand slam, ing by one stroke going into the
he will no doubt study every last round at Oakland Hills, he
square inch of the course’s fa- eagled the final hole to shoot
mous tortoise-shell greens. He 71 and finish at 283, the sec-
SNEAD: AUGUSTA NATIONAL/GETTY IMAGES; MICKELSON: ROBERT BECK/SI
sponsors, advertising tycoons stood, he didn’t speak up. of playing safe with an iron, he long iron, Mickelson reached
and others latched on, offer- Although he was “loose as a grabbed his 2-wood and, from for his driver and carved a
ing me all kinds of contracts.” goose” until that point—he’d 275 yards, went for the green. huge slice onto the roof of a
Tommy Armour, the legendary done sit-ups and catsprings in The shot took off low and hospitality tent. After a drop,
Scottish pro, sauntered over his hotel room the night before, thin. “Giddyap! Giddyap!” he he chose not to punch out safe-
to Snead, then 25. “Laddie,” keeping his roommate, Gene shouted. But the ball skittered ly and play for a bogey or a one-
said Armour, “you’ve just won Sarazen, awake—Snead now just 160 yards into a bunker, putt par. Instead, he gambled,
yourself a championship worth began to tense up. What’s more, below a steep lip. Again, Snead trying to cut a 3-iron around
more than a seat on the Stock spectators thronged the fairway tried a heroic shot. Choosing a tree, only to strike the trunk
Exchange.” on the par-5 18th, forcing him an 8-iron instead of a wedge and have the ball ricochet back
The celebration proved to wait for an army of marshals that would have easily cleared at him. Ultimately, Lefty was
premature. Guldahl, who had to clear the way. the lip, he bladed the ball into left with a chip for bogey to
quit golf out of frustration When he could finally tee off, the sodded bank. force a playoff. It didn’t come
two years earlier and briefly Snead hooked his drive into a As Snead was preparing to close. He staggered off with a
worked as a carpenter, played a patch of sandy ground. Instead play his fifth shot, from anoth- double-bogey 6, handing a one-
sterling final round, making an er bunker, someone in the gal- stroke victory to Geoff Ogilvy.
eagle himself and shooting 69. lery told him he needed to get “I am such an idiot,” Phil said
His 281 total set a new Open up and down for bogey to tie afterward.
record and bested a crestfallen Byron Nelson, the clubhouse
Snead by two. leader, and force a playoff. His ickelson’s run-
“All at once it got real lone-
some where I was standing,”
Snead recalled. “You could
have shot off an elephant gun
in my corner of the room and
not winged a single sports-
writer. As runner-up, I was
Said Snead,
a victim of
gamesmanship
in the ’47 Open:
hands shaking, Snead hit the
green with his next shot but
left himself a 40-foot putt. He
missed it long and, deflated,
missed the one coming back.
Mickelson knows the feel-
ing. At the 2006 U.S. Open at
M ner-up finish
behind Tiger
Woods at the
2002 U.S. Open
at Bethpage also bore paral-
lels to a second-place finish of
Snead’s. Although Mickelson
nothing.” “If a man can’t Winged Foot, he strode onto played well all week, finishing
It was with that memory in
mind, no doubt, that Snead
defend himself the 18th tee in the final round
needing a par to win. But for
at even par on the famously
punishing Black course, Woods
desperately tried to birdie the against a smart the fact that Phil knew where was in a class of his own. With
72nd hole to break through in
1939. There were no leader-
psychologist, he stood on the leaderboard,
the scenario played out much
his three-shot victory, he com-
pleted a stretch of six wins in
boards back then, and if any- he belongs in the same as Snead’s fiasco did nine majors played. When
one around Snead, including in 1939. Snead lost to Ben Hogan at
his playing partner, Ed Dud-
the clubhouse Rather than play safe off the Oakmont in the 1953 Open, the
ley, knew how Slammin’ Sam playing gin.” tee with a fairway wood or a stoic Texan was at the height
➔
100 GOLF MAGAZINE / golf.com June 2014
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Mickelson acknowledged back fringe. Playing first, Wor- cine in the world to swallow,” you panic.” Jean van de Velde’s
Woods’s mastery at Bethpage sham hit the back of the cup Snead later wrote that he bore meltdown in the 1999 British
in 2002 (inset) before beating with his chip, the ball stopping no grudge against Worsham. Open at Carnoustie is an ex-
himself with a late collapse at
Winged Foot in 2006 (above).
a few feet away. Snead, worried “He did what he needed to do ample. The key to avoiding
about the pace of the green, left to win, and if a man can’t de- such an unraveling, McCabe
his putt for birdie and the win fend himself against a smart says? Breathe deeply and do
of his dominance. The victory a few feet short. psychologist, he belongs in whatever else it takes to slow
marked Hogan’s sixth major Just as Snead was preparing the clubhouse playing gin and down, even stopping—like
title in his last nine tries. to putt out, Worsham asked the not out there with the big-time a pitcher in baseball—to tie
If that also-ran finish of referee, Ike Grainger, which cutthroats.” your shoes. Then trust the
Snead’s could be explained golfer was away. The gallery What Snead needed to do swing and the approach that
by the brilliance of his oppo- fell silent as Grainger took out in that situation was tune got you into contention.
nent, the same couldn’t be said a tape measure and knelt down out the external distrac- The lesson holds true even
of his playoff loss in the 1947 to determine the length of each tion, says Bhrett McCabe, a at the start of the week. “Don’t
U.S. Open at St. Louis Country putt. Snead walked to the side sports psychologist based in change what you do because
Club. There, Snead fell victim of the green to regroup. Sure Birmingham, Alabama, who it’s a bigger tournament on the
to the sort of gamesmanship enough, he was away, by half works with several players on calendar,” says McCabe. “It’s
for which he himself was well an inch. the PGA and LPGA tours. He still a 72-hole tournament.”
known. If he’d encountered “Sam looked daggers at Wor- says there’s also a cautionary For Mickelson, in other
MAIN PHOTO: HEINZ KLUETMEIER/SI; INSET: KATHY WILLENS/AP
it any other week of the year, sham and putted it,” wrote one tale in Snead’s and Mickelson’s words, the best thing he can
Snead probably would have reporter, “but it was a sad ef- decisions to go for broke rather do to increase his chances at
parried the ploy, but not when fort.” His sidehill putt, exactly than play safe when adversi- Pinehurst may be to convince
a U.S. Open was on the line. 30 and a half inches long, ty struck. “I call it a riptide,” himself to care less.
All even on the 18th hole in a missed on the edge. says McCabe. “Just like you’re Care less? That’s a tall order.
playoff against Lew Worsham, Worsham, facing an easier swimming off the coast in Asked whether his father ever
a relative unknown, Snead hit uphill putt, banged it into the shallow water and the next stopped caring about his U.S.
a good drive and placed his ap- hole. Snead was a bridesmaid thing you know the current’s Open failures, Jack Snead says,
proach shot safely on the green. again. Though he called the strong, your mind is going a “He talked about it until right
Worsham’s approach found the experience “the bitterest medi- thousand miles an hour and before he passed away.” n
new
Glare simulated.
©2014 Essilor of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Essilor, E-SPF, the 50+ E-SPF design and Xperio UV are trademarks of Essilor International. E-SPF is a global index developed by Essilor, endorsed by
independent third parties, measuring the lens’ UV protection excluding direct eye exposure from around the lens.
*E-SPF of 50+ means the wearer is at least 50 times more protected than without any lens.
U.S. OPEN
PREVIEW PHIL MICKELSON
TOMORROW’S NEWS...TODAY!
MOR NING
EDITION
Monday,
June 16,
2014
PER
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPA
inehurst!
GOLF U.S. OPEN
Pain at P
Mickelson’s Phil’s bizarre
“I kne w I was entitled to
relief,” Mickelson said. “The
thing is, my ball was sitti ng
butt er-p ecan up nice ly on the ice crea m,
seventh runner-up ice cream shot and there was no guarantee I’d
finish, his str an ges t left a sour taste .
get as good a lie if I dropped
there in the rough.” His caddie,
yet, prolongs U.S. Jim “Bones” Mackay, argued
Open agony for the free drop, but pulled
3-wood when Mic kelson ex-
Rep ort by John Garr ity tended his hand.
PINEHUR ST, N.C. — Zach John - “Phil is the most imaginative
son made 18 stra ight pars on golfe r alive, and he’s not afraid
Sun day to win his seco nd of risk,” Mackay said. “That’s
major, but it was Phil Mic k- just how he’s wired.”
elson’s encounter with a tub Johnson, watching from the
of butter-pecan ice cream that middle of the fair way, could
decided the 114t h U.S. Open. only sha ke his hea d whe n
Mickelson, tryin g to win his Mickelson’s aggressive swipe
first U.S. Open and complete sent the ice crea m tub spin-
akin g of wonder what he was thinking
a care er grand slam, post ed pain ful and hear tbre ning and launched his ball high
es.” It was the fifth with that ice-cream shot.”
and an eagl e in all my loss t and deep into a grandsta nd
eight bird ies USG A, Mic kelson had a two -sho
his final-round charge, only to time , acco rdin g to the left of the green. The Iowa City
those lead on the 18th tee, where he
hand Johnson a one-stro ke vic- that Mic kels on had used
d the massive gallery nati ve calm ly sma cked his
l-rou nd surp rise
ds in a fina 6-iron approach to the middle
THIS PAGE: SIMON BRUTY/SI; OPPOSITE: SAM GREENWOOD/GETTY IMAGES
exac t wor
tory with a triple-bogey on the ce. by hitt ing 3-ir on inst ead of
pres s conf eren of the green.
72nd hole. It was Mickelson’s was first in driver. Unfortunately, his well-
up fini sh in John son, who Mic kels on was still lyin g
seventh run ner- the wee k, stru ck ball landed on a sprin-
America’s oldest major, a re- driv ing accu racy for only three after taking a free
icat- kler head and ricocheted into
cord that TV ana lyst John ny said win ning at No. 2 vind
y waste to the right drop, but his choice of a 7-iron
e strat - the sand
Miller called “proof that Phil ed his mist ake- avoi danc for the downhill chip left Miller
200 7 of the fairway. From there he
is the best U.S. Open player of egy and prov ed that his sputtering into his microphone
fluke. “I tried to punch out, but his ball
his generation. Or may be just Mas ters title was no
through the legs of and wife Amy peeking through
Phil , be- scoo ted
the biggest knucklehead.” feel real ly sorr y for her fingers. Addressing the ball
t shots scampering fans and bounced
Mickelson, who took only 30 caus e he hit mor e grea off his left foot for added loft,
I’ll hit in a year,” into a vendor’s half-empty tub
seconds to check and sign his toda y than . [continued on pg. D4]
John son said. “But you have to of ice cream, knocking it over
scorecar d, calle d it “the mos t
MOR NING
EDITION
Monday,
June 16,
2014
Now They’re
Adopting Our
National Drink.
HOW
TO BE A
BIRDIE
MACHINE
BY 2013 U.S. OPEN CHAMPION JUSTIN ROSE
I’M A GUY WHO KNOWS HOW TO GO LOW.
HERE ARE MY NEW RULES FOR SPLITTING
FAIRWAYS, HITTING GREENS, WEDGING IT
CLOSE—AND MAKING EVERY PUTT IN SIGHT. ➔
I
’ve birdied 3,025
holes in my PGA Scan this photo
Tour career for a video lesson with
Justin Rose. See p. 8.
(through this
year’s Masters),
including a
career-high 384
in 2006. And
my 15 birdies at the U.S.
Open last year paced the
field—and helped me bag
my first major. The talent
level on Tour is so high
that you need a ton of
birdies just to survive, let
alone win majors. Circles
on the scorecard are
necessary to my day job,
but for recreational golfers,
birdies are like gold. I get
it—most of my friends are
mid-handicappers, and
I see what birdies do for
their games. Birdies erase
mistakes, build confidence
and, let’s face it: They make
the game a lot more fun.
I know how to birdie
holes, so I’ll let you in on a
little secret: You can’t even
attempt to make birdie if
you don’t hit greens. And
it’s difficult to hit greens
if you don’t hit fairways.
That’s why my scoring
plan favors accuracy over
MY DRIVER SWING: Slow to fast and all the way through
all else. Follow my simple
Hands and club Think “smooth”
driving, iron- and wedge- reach the top at coming down,
the same time. not “fast.”
swing secrets and you’ll be
staring at more birdie putts
than ever. And just to make
sure you don’t waste a
golden opportunity, I offer
my best putting tip ever.
Get ready to start seeing
red—on your card.
14.8%
but really, distance is at the bottom—which
secondary to accuracy is where it counts.
when it comes to setting When you start
up birdie opportunities. back down, make sure to Chances that a Tour
swing all the way through player makes birdie or
MY VERY BEST the ball. A lot of weekend better after missing
DRIVING TIP! players slow down at or the fairway. Birdies
Drives fly straight when just after impact with a are few and far
you swing with good kind of chopping motion; between when you
rhythm. Take the club they think this will help approach from rough.
back so slowly that you square the clubface. It (Through 2014 Masters)
can feel the segments doesn’t. In fact, you’ll
02 NEW RULES O ne thing that’s helped me This compresses the ball more
become a good iron player is (my new feel for impact), and
FOR HITTING learning to feel impact. Be- it stabilizes the club through
GREENS
fore I started working with the hitting zone, which helps
Sean Foley, I’d strike the ball the ball fly straight.
with the shaft standing al-
POST UP ON YOUR FRONT LEG most straight up and down. MY VERY BEST
TO STABILIZE THE CLUBFACE It worked, but my shots didn’t IRON-SWING TIP!
sizzle. Sean has helped me add G etting the shaft leaning
more shaft lean at impact. forward at impact, with your
hands ahead of the clubhead
and the clubface stable, isn’t
as simple as just “lean the
shaft forward.” It’s really a
whole-body event. The key is
to shift the vast majority of
your weight to your front foot
Once you ...shift 90 percent on your downswing—I’m talk-
complete your of your weight over ing 90 percent of your weight.
backswing... to your front foot Think of it this way: If you shift
by impact. everything forward, then your
hands shift forward—and stay
ahead of the clubhead. Getting
your weight forward also stops
you from “hanging back” on
your right side, where you’re
forced to flip the clubhead with
your wrists just to make con-
The hands lead tact with the ball. Flippers are
the clubhead. usually slicers.
WEIGHT
75.9%
Chances a Tour player will
MY IRON SWING: Weight always moving left into impact hit the green in regulation
from a fairway lie.
52.5%
I shift my weight ...while staying ...and maintaining
forward. . . grounded... my spine angle.
➔
110 GOLF MAGAZINE / golf.com June 2014
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JPX EZ
vs.
SCORECARDS
Te Mizuno JPX EZ irons have a massive sweet spot, which means fewer
mis-hits. And a massive drop in the numbers you write on the scorecard. Hit the
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JUSTIN ROSE BIRDIE MACHINE
03 NEW RULES When you’re swinging your does more of the heavy lifting,
woods and irons, it’s all about so to speak, while your lower
FOR WEDGING creating power from the half stays very quiet.
IT CLOSE
ground up: You drive with your I’ve learned this just re-
legs, then your hips, then your cently, and it has made all
arms and finally your hands. the difference in the world.
USE MORE UPPER BODY That’s the ideal downswing Now when I want to hit a soft
THAN LOWER BODY chain of events. When you get
to your wedges, however, it’s
wedge shot, I turn all my focus
to my upper body and make
the opposite; your upper body sure I rotate it first and fastest
on my downswing. I even set
up to encourage more upper-
LOW SHOT body turn, addressing the
ball with my chest open and
my hips square. My goal? To
re-create this arrangement at
impact. Do it right and it’ll feel
like your hands are traveling
to the left of the target after
impact, rather than straight
down the line.
MY VERY BEST
WEDGE TIP!
I feel like the most accurate
wedge players are the ones
who can control trajectory, so
it’s vital to develop more than
one stock short-game swing.
To hit a low shot (good for
back pins), finish your swing
Clubhead in line with the with your hands and the club-
forearms for low wedge shots. head in line with your forearms
(top photo, left). This sharply
Turn your upper
reduces the launch angle. To
body more than your HIGH SHOT
hit a high shot, line up your
lower for crisp, extra-
tight wedge shots.
hands and forearms in the fin-
ish, but release the club up and
to the left (bottom photo).
30%
...and from 10–15 feet.
Knocking short shots
even five feet closer can
mean the difference
between birdie and par.
Clubhead above the forearms (Through 2014 Masters)
for high wedge shots.
➔
112 GOLF MAGAZINE / golf.com June 2014
A more efficient supply chain
works wonders.
Logistics works for us.
–Jack Roush
Chairman, Roush Enterprises
04 NEW RULES Over the years I’ve tried to The way I read greens now
be perfect with my putting is to walk behind the ball in
FOR SINKING stroke. That’s not the way to a semicircle. Using my feet,
PUTTS
make birdies, because there I’ll try to feel the point on the
were times when my stroke green where I go from walk-
was perfect and I couldn’t buy ing downhill to walking uphill
KEEP YOUR STROKE UNDER a putt. You’re better off work- (or vice versa). Finding this
YOUR EYES—AND DON’T PEEK ing on improving your green
reading than overthinking
“inflection point” (it’s not
hard to do with practice and
your stroke. added awareness) gives you
important clues about how
the putt will break: If your
ball sits left of the inflection
point, it breaks right; if it sits
to the right, it breaks left. And
the farther the ball is from the
inflection point, the more it
will curve.
MY VERY BEST
PUTTING TIP!
I’ve tried a lot of putting tips
over the years, but the one I
keep going back to is “keep
your eyes still.” As soon as you
start peeking, you’re toast. If
your eyes move, then so will
your body, and this will ruin
any chance you might have for
centered contact. I challenge
myself to watch every inch of
my putting stroke—if I keep my
eyes still, I won’t miss a moment
of action. Even on long strokes
I’ll use my peripheral vision to
track the putterhead back and
through. Listen for the ball to
drop, don’t watch it.
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Wedges NIKE METHOD
TESTED &
MOD 60
MIDSIZE MALLET
A
H, THE SHORT GAME—golf’s great
“It seems to swing down the line
equalizer. Being able to save strokes from by itself, has a soft yet substantial
inside 100 yards lets you post your best click, and controls distance well.”
possible scores, not to mention beat that —Zach Fasman, Handicap 10, Age 64
BUY
on misses; the upright lie and offset neck aren’t
� Wedges p. 132 for everyone; some guys don’t care for the red
grip and red and blue logos on the face and sole.
� Testers’ Top Picks p. 136 BOTTOM LINE: One of the top-rated putters in
@ the midsize mallet category. This one delivers the
stability, consistency and overall performance
of a mid-mallet with all the feedback of a blade.
Smooth rolling and deadly accurate, the BB32
Trade in your current clubs at shop.golf.com/tradein could benefit players of any level.
WE TESTED: 38” shaft length WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths
PROS PROS PROS
DISTANCE CONTROL: There’s a learning DISTANCE CONTROL: Light clubhead gets DISTANCE CONTROL: Testers rave about the
curve with this super-heavy putter; once putts rolling quickly off the face—no need deep-milled grooves, which grip the ball and
testers grow accustomed to the pendulum for any extra oomph during the stroke; immediately get it rolling toward the hole;
approach—taking the club back and letting fans of this putter say it’s easy to get distance control and speed are spot-on
the head swing through, instead of hitting it— a feel for distance on longer putts. overall—stellar on center hits—with
short and long putts become easy to execute. FEEL: Many testers like the understated some forgiveness on slight misses.
FEEL: Testers continually reference its response at impact, which is quite similar FEEL: Tops in the test—a slightly heavy
extreme heaviness, which helps take the on center strikes and off-center hits; head that’s well balanced and easy to keep
hands out of the equation—a plus for anyone advocates describe it as sweet, soft and on line; soft yet responsive feedback on
struggling to find a smooth stroke; a few testers comforting, with just enough feedback. all hits, with off-center strokes imparting
rave about the quiet click at impact; extra LOOK: One of the better-looking models; slightly more vibration and just a little twisting.
weight means little twisting on off-center hits. the compact head is simple, elegant and LOOK: A lovely shape and size with a few high-
LOOK: Center-shafted, semicircular, all business—players who use blades will tech industrial touches; the brushed-satin finish,
satin-finish head with a long counterbalanced appreciate the look; matte black finish reduces single black alignment line, and symmetrical
grip that can be held at various lengths; glare, while the white alignment line stands out. grooves add to the overall attractiveness.
a simple design with a single long sightline CONS CONS
that encourages proper setup over the ball. The light weight of this Cleveland putter The smallish clubhead and concentrated
CONS seems to detract from overall stability and toe weighting may make the putter appear
Not for players who like a lot of feedback—it distance control; feel at impact is muted, visually intimidating to some players; the
can be difficult to differentiate between center no matter where you catch it—a definite Mod 60 isn’t ideal for guys who struggle
and off-center hits; some guys have difficulty turnoff for some testers; a few guys to use a putter with significant toe hang.
getting an acceptable rhythm and tempo with find that the club sits a bit too toe-up. BOTTOM LINE: One of the top-ranked models.
the heavy club; this putter takes time to master. BOTTOM LINE: The club’s weighting lends The Method Mod 60 could be a winner for
BOTTOM LINE: Because of its weight, this stable itself to a fluid, arcing stroke. While the HB 2 has just about everyone, but especially for
putter stays on line. It’s great for anyone who some forgiveness, it requires a deft touch and mid- to low-handicap, arc-stroke players
wants to quiet down overly active hands. may be best for low- to mid-handicappers. who want help with distance control.
An updated black-
and-white “Versa”
alignment pattern
highlights the face
Milled, variable-
angle at address and
depth grooves
during the stroke.
(deeper in the
middle of the
face, shallower
on the edges),
offer consistent
run-out regardless
of impact location.
The multi-material
head boasts an
aluminum body
with a stainless
JAMES WESTMAN
MANFRED KOH
steel face.
BRIAN HENN
WE TESTED: 35” shaft length WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths
PROS PROS PROS
DISTANCE CONTROL: Top-notch on shorter putts DISTANCE CONTROL: Exceptional from DISTANCE CONTROL: Not perfectly intuitive
because of easy alignment; lightweight head inside 15 feet and on off-center contact; on long putts but acceptable after enough
requires a bit of a learning curve on longer ones. excellent roll, while testers agree that practice; stellar feel, fine balance and high-
FEEL: Quiet, soft and solid on nearly all contact; the face grooves help on off-center hits. energy transfer get the ball rolling and keep it
balanced weighting keeps the head on FEEL: Extremely easy to putt with; very on line; some distance loss on off-center hits.
line without twisting, almost as if it’s locked stable through the swing and at impact, FEEL: Solid, substantial head weight quiets the
onto a track; gets more comfortable and with no torque; the ball feels light coming off hands and fosters a smooth, flowing, back-
easier to dial-in distances with practice. the face on center hits; contact with the and-through stroke; soft as butter on impact
LOOK: A zebra in a box, or maybe a convict Scottsdale TR Craz-E is more muted on misses. but still imparts a spring effect off the face; no
on a stick—jokes aside, the bold black and LOOK: Lots of visual help builds confidence; penalizing feel or instability on off-center hits.
white stripes, combined with three simple the matte black finish combines with a ghost LOOK: Clean, square lines and lots of alignment
dots behind the ball, help testers line up image of two balls and a white center line help—a large cutout in the rear and a subtle
putts and keep the head on line for a to give it a striking appearance. white line along the silver flange; slightly larger
straight-back-and-through stroke; the CONS satin silver mallet with black face and topline
head is larger than most mid-mallets. Some testers want more feedback (and a less provides a helpful visual behind the ball.
CONS metallic sound) than this offers; a few guys say CONS
Not everyone can get past the bold stripes— that the light head requires extra oomph (and May take practice to hone distances because
some testers find them more distracting than practice) for longer putts; although an “arc of the heavy head and soft but springy face;
helpful; for a handful of guys, it takes plenty of stroke” model is available, many testers think the blue grip distracts some guys and is too
practice to get proper distances on longer putts. the weighting and head size mostly benefit narrow for others; not much contrast between
BOTTOM LINE: While its look wins a few fans straight-back-and-through swings. the white alignment line and the silver finish.
right out of the box, the results are even more BOTTOM LINE: One of the better-performing BOTTOM LINE: Among the liveliest midsize
persuasive. Best for straight-back-straight- models. A friendly, confidence-building design mallets tested, with enough stability,
through swings, the Versa Jailbird’s weighting, that’s easy to line up and swing, with help on forgiveness and feel to make it worth a
balance and distinctive visuals lead to a fluid, direction and distance. Almost second look. The Prodigy’s head weight helps golfers
controlled stroke for many testers. nature on putts from 15 feet and in. of all levels produce a smoother stroke.
➔
The face-balanced,
stainless steel head
suits either square-
to-square strokes
or strokes that
feature more arc. A 130-gram grip
counterbalances
the heavier than
standard head for
added stability.
“A precise instrument
that feels pure on all hits.
I could enjoy practicing
an hour a day.”
MICHAEL CHINI
—Lynn Altadonna,
BRIAN HENN
seemore fgp ptm3 taylormade spider mallet titleist scotty cameron golo 5
$195; golf.com/clubtest $200; golf.com/taylormade $350; golf.com/titleist
WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths WE TESTED: 35”, 38” shaft lengths WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths
PROS PROS PROS
DISTANCE CONTROL: The red-dot alignment DISTANCE CONTROL: Testers like the fact that DISTANCE CONTROL: Responsiveness and
system leaves players free to focus on speed they can fit themselves to different shaft immediate roll produce reliable distances; very
and distance; the lively clubface gets the lengths using the extra-long grip; a powerful, forgiving—even off-center hits roll on line and
ball rolling quickly; testers consider it heavy putter that propels the ball off the face; get close; great balance and weighting make
quite accurate from 20 feet and in. deadly on short putts thanks to the weight and it easy to judge how far to take it back.
FEEL: The light, center-shafted head the counterbalanced grip; mis-hits stay on line. FEEL: Testers couldn’t say enough about the
makes it easy to create a pendulum stroke; FEEL: Solid and stable on misses; head weight soft, pure feel off the clubface, which gives
the putter and ball come together for a crisp, powers through the ball, making short putts the ball a smooth push at impact; its weight
zen-like moment on center contact; stable difficult to mis-hit; vibration-dampening face promotes a steady, rhythmic stroke.
on most hits, especially for straight-back- insert produces a light, metallic click on center LOOK: Tops in the test; classic, sleek and
straight-through strokes. hits and a pleasant, if muted, feel on misses; powerful, with angles as smooth as a
LOOK: The red-dot alignment aid builds the extra-long red grip has a soft, tacky feel. ’57 Chevy; the clubhead looks as though it’s
confidence—once it’s hidden behind the shaft, LOOK: Compact half-moon head has a machined from a single block of brushed steel
it’s time to pull the trigger; smallish and simple, contrasting, black and white color scheme and has an effective, bold, black sight line.
the clubhead has a glare-free matte finish with plenty of visual aids to boost confidence. CONS
and a milled-diamond pattern on the face. CONS Adjustable weights in the heel and toe must be
CONS While the overall weight is heavy, the head itself fitted by a professional; the heft and balance of
It sounds strange, but testers say it’s easy feels light to some testers, making practice this putter covers up mis-hits so well that some
to become too aggressive—guys are overly necessary to develop distance control and a testers desire more feedback; there can be a
confident with their alignment; not for players sense of feel on longer putts; long grip and array learning curve—the heavyish head causes a
who want to maintain a forward-press stroke; of alignment graphics don’t work for everyone. few players to over-hit their initial putts.
the head weight is too light for some guys. BOTTOM LINE: The counterbalance quiets the BOTTOM LINE: The top-rated putter in the test.
BOTTOM LINE: Lively and extremely easy to hands and helps you find a smooth pendulum It provides an exceptionally fluid feel at impact.
line up. Anyone struggling with aim can’t stroke that’s lights out from inside 10 feet Ample forgiveness and spot-on weighting
go wrong with the SeeMore system, which but takes time to figure out from long range. encourages an effortless swing, which can
generates tons of confidence over the ball. Best for players who struggle with short putts. improve both your stroke and scores.
➔
Try it
FREE for
30 days
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MICHAEL CHINI
BRIAN HENN
BRIAN HENN
WE TESTED: 35” shaft length WE TESTED: 38” shaft length WE TESTED: 35” shaft length
PROS PROS PROS
DISTANCE CONTROL: The BB1 is a reliable DISTANCE CONTROL: A nice option for guys DISTANCE CONTROL: A well-balanced putter
performer—the heavyish head helps to get who have trouble getting long putts to the that delivers consistent, predictable results
lag putts to the hole using a somewhat hole—just take the club back and let the weight with no hot spots or surprises; heavyish
normal stroke; requires a pure motion carry it through the ball; despite the weight, it clubhead with subtle feel makes it easy
and clean impact for best results. consistently puts a gentle roll on the ball—you to calibrate speed and distance.
FEEL: Excellent response on center hits; don’t have to hit at it, just focus on your stroke. FEEL: Soft, muted and stable, with a gentle
usable feedback lets you know what you’ve FEEL: The counterbalance keeps you steady thump on pure hits; good weight and balance—
done on off-center strikes; tacky grip keeps the throughout and takes the wrists out of the doesn’t require any extra effort to get it moving;
hands and club well connected; nice weighting— stroke; mild sensation at impact no matter the ball seems to stay on the putterface a bit
the putter rolls the ball very well with little effort. where you hit it, although the sound is different longer than with some other models.
LOOK: One of the top-rated models; gorgeous on misses; a few guys report surprisingly good LOOK: An Anser-style head with understated
craftsmanship that fits the eye; the milled feedback given how heavy it is. good looks; subdued, non-glare, matte black
pattern on the face is stylish and tasteful; LOOK: Standard blade, no distractions, with a finish with conservative alignment graphics;
a straightforward, useful alignment aid. basic alignment line; the long green grip is odd single white aiming line stands out against
CONS at first but works well if you like to vary hand the black finish.
You get what you deserve without a tremendous position for different-length putts. CONS
amount of help—delivers harsh penalties and CONS A few testers struggle with speed control
inconsistent roll on marginal strokes; a handful Heavy feel requires an adjustment period; can on longer putts; the clubface is almost too
of dissenters believe it looks a bit plain at be difficult to gauge speed because of its weight soft and lacks enough feedback for some
address; a few testers don’t get as much and sound—hollow “clink” sound deceives on guys; not the most forgiving on toe hits,
precise feedback as they want. distance and makes it difficult to tell if you made with noticeable distance loss.
BOTTOM LINE: Built for purists who favor good contact; look elsewhere if you want tons of BOTTOM LINE: One of the top putters
feedback over shot correction. This one feedback; a few guys find it too big and clunky. tested. Some golfers might not take this
rewards pure putters who strike it well. BOTTOM LINE: Heavy, counterbalanced club that one seriously, given the price point, but that
Be sure to bring your “A” game, because slight quiets hands on long putts and stays stable on would be a mistake. The HB 1 looks slick,
off-center hits will concede some performance. short ones. But a hollow feel can hinder control. feels smooth, and offers reliable results.
Oval depressions
increase friction
between the
COURTESY PING
MICHAEL CHINI
added control.
WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths WE TESTED: 34” shaft length WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths
PROS PROS PROS
DISTANCE CONTROL: Among the better offerings DISTANCE CONTROL: The Metal-X Milled DISTANCE CONTROL: Top-shelf results—
for controlling distance; just enough jump off face grabs onto the ball to initiate forward perhaps the widest sweet spot in the
the clubface to get putts to the hole with ease; roll; dependable, true roll on slight misses— category; rewards good putts without
grooves get the ball rolling right away and true. putts lose only marginal distance. punishing bad ones—outstanding distance
FEEL: Solid, responsive feel with a deep FEEL: One of the best in this category; very correction and speed control on heel and
resonance on good putts, very stable through responsive, pleasant sensation; guys can almost toe hits; slightly off-center putts roll out
the impact zone with no over-rotation; fosters sense the face gripping the ball; a soft, quiet pop almost as well as center strikes do.
a rhythmic stroke—the head just flows through at impact on solid strokes, not as jumpy as some FEEL: Smooth, controlled roll—stable, soft and
impact; feels great, some guys rave about the other blade putters; two adjustable sole plugs pure on center hits with a little click off the heel
smooth, consistent roll off the face. allow for head weight customization. and toe; a few guys really like the midsize grip;
LOOK: Unique styling—very thin, long blade with LOOK: Smoky black head and cool oval misses feel similar to center contact.
a gently arced sole and topline; new age Bulls depressions on the face make for an attractive LOOK: Old school, polished copper head with
Eye, a rare center-shafted blade, stands out in package; the face blends nicely with the overall contrasting bright white grooves has lots of
a sea of Anser-style heads; distinctive milled color scheme; alignment line is just enough fans; very easy to align; no issue with glare.
face with black grooves on the sweet spot. to let you know that it’s there. CONS
CONS CONS Varied views regarding impact—the face feels
Several testers are turned off by the look— The yellow-green paint job on the grip may too explosive for some testers, while others find
the club features an unusual curved blade with skew a little too young for traditionalists; a few that feedback can be too muted; a handful of
red inserts in the heel and toe and seems to set guys find that the ball comes off the center of guys don’t care for the copper color, and a few
up with the toe up; not stable enough for a few the face too hot and without enough feedback, don’t want to look down at bright white grooves.
guys on slight misses; the heavyish weight and which causes a loss of control. BOTTOM LINE: One of the highest-rated blades.
odd shape can make it high maintenance. BOTTOM LINE: One of the top-ranked putters. Loads of help in a putter with a classic profile—
BOTTOM LINE: Among the higher-ranked Game-improvement features are cleverly the groove design really works. The copper
models. The Method Mod 90 is one of the most integrated in a traditionally shaped head— color is polarizing, but those who loved
distinguishable putters tested—very strong the face grid delivers a consistent roll, and heel- the Pings of yesteryear find themselves
performance, but the look is hit or miss. toe weights keep it stable on off-center hits. rekindling the old flame.
➔
BRIAN HENN
weights add balance
produces a smooth roll. and stability.
seemore fgp ptm2 taylormade ghost tour titleist scotty cameron select
$195; golf.com/clubtest daytona 12 $150; golf.com/taylormade newport 2 $350; golf.com/titleist
WE TESTED: 35” shaft length WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths
PROS PROS PROS
DISTANCE CONTROL: Consistent, precise DISTANCE CONTROL: Easy roll and a DISTANCE CONTROL: Tops in the test;
distances on lag putts; testers get serviceable forgiving clubface lead to consistent outstanding control even when impact varies;
results on slight misses; the FGP PTM2 makes speed control; good choice for faster a real pleasure on lag putts; great feedback
rolling the ball on a straight line simple. greens; you know it when you miss it, but makes it easy to gauge speed and distance.
FEEL: Satisfying, high-pitched ping sound; you’re not heavily penalized distance-wise. FEEL: A buttery soft feel, but it’s substantial
descriptive impact sensation with a slight FEEL: Several testers say the lighter head enough to put a great roll on the ball; testers
pop; poor strokes with this heavy head are transmits a rubbery feel at impact; putts hug enjoy the feel as the ball leaves the clubface;
acknowledged with a duller response but no the green the whole way—face grooves get the the milled face gives consistent feedback
harshness; midsize grip suits some not all. ball rolling quickly with no hopping or hot spots. throughout the length of the blade; no
LOOK: Excellent approach to alignment with the LOOK: White head with black accents gives the surprises at impact; balanced weighting
two-tone shaft and SeeMore’s effective “stop appearance of a classic heel-toe blade with improves tempo and leads to a solid response.
light” visual aid in the heel—you’re not lined up enhanced optics; the alignment tool—a bar code LOOK: The benchmark by which all others are
correctly if you see the red dot behind the shaft; with a series of thin black and white lines on measured—gorgeous, sophisticated look; a
thick, short head offers a sense of control. the flange—promotes a straight takeaway and classic, clean blade with a lovely satin finish;
CONS helps testers see the line during the stroke. simple, effective black sight line on the flange.
Smaller sweet spot than some others requires CONS CONS
a consistent, fundamentally sound stroke; For some testers, the head is too light to judge The stock grip leaves something to be desired—
a few testers think there’s too much going on long putts with; the black and white visual aid some guys find it too thin and/or slippery; one or
visually; shorter head with a wide topline isn’t in the flange is distracting and even dizzying to two testers comment that off-center hits don’t
the most attractive to a handful of guys. a number of guys; too soft at impact for many react quite as well as they’d like and tend to
BOTTOM LINE: There’s enough alignment testers; not everyone loves the white clubhead. come up short; a handful of testers wonder how
help for lesser-skilled players and enough BOTTOM LINE: Fans of the Ghost Tour Daytona big the improvements are over previous models.
feel and performance for low-handicappers. 12 like its look and controlled roll. Still, it’s an BOTTOM LINE: The top blade tested. Elegant in
It’s easy to use, and SeeMore’s visual aid acquired taste—the visual package can be its simplicity, which leads to effortless putting.
along the heel can improve your stroke a turnoff, and the light impact feel might Great balance, lovely feedback, a consistent roll
by improving your starting position. prove too soft for you. and a big enough sweet spot for most players.
➔
“The smoothest-swinging
Comes center-shafted putter produces the most
(pictured), heel-shafted, or consistent roll in the
COURTESY CLEVELAND
JAMES WESTMAN
model with an additional grooves lift the ball
40 grams in the head and from the turf to get —Kevin DiNapoli,
BRIAN HENN
Cleveland Smart Square Nike Method MOD 00 Odyssey White Hot Pro Havok
$140-$180; golf.com/cleveland $300; golf.com/nike $160; golf.com/callaway
WE TESTED: 34”, 35”, 39” shaft lengths WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths WE TESTED: 35” shaft length
PROS PROS PROS
DISTANCE CONTROL: Solid feel, above-average DISTANCE CONTROL: Center hits are dead-on; DISTANCE CONTROL: One of the best; supreme
forgiveness and a useful visual aid make it easy the Method Mod 00 cuts out three-putts and forgiveness—heel, toe—you could probably hit
to lag putts close; off-center hits go in the right tolerates misses; the ball grips the turf off the one off the grip and still get a good roll to the
direction and accelerate nicely after impact; face and holds its line with determination— hole; very consistent and surprisingly dialed
commendable consistency across the face. some say it takes the break out of short putts. in for something this big; doesn’t take long to
FEEL: Head-heavy, with a soft, succinct pop; off- FEEL: One of the top-ranked models for feel; figure out, and once you do, expect gimmes.
center hits are a tad firmer—just a little nudge to easy to use—gets your hands in a great position FEEL: Easy to swing, especially for straight-back-
let you know you missed it; most straight-back- and flows from there; one of the more sensitive straight-through strokes; promotes a pendulum
straight-through swingers benefit from seeing high-MOI mallets, with a quiet, metallic click at that flows toward the hole; very soft, with little
the squares through the stroke. impact and legible feedback; well weighted, with differentiation between solid and squirrely
LOOK: Visual aid is intuitive, effective, and useful a good deal of meat behind the heel and toe. contact; lighter overall than most expect.
for keeping the club on track down the line; the LOOK: A tester favorite, refined, tasteful and LOOK: Ideal for those who struggle to line up;
head looks compact compared with a few others traditional; soft silver finish and half-moon black topline and long, white boxed lines make
in the group, despite the oversize visual aid. shape; array of sight lines looks like an homage it easy to square and track to the target; most
CONS to the Ram Zebra and makes aiming a breeze. testers like the negative space in its design—
Not everyone goes for the alignment aid—some CONS plus, it’s easy to pick your ball up off the green.
guys find the squares distracting, others think Not as stable as many of its spaceship-style CONS
they’re tacky, and a few struggle to use them peers—some panelists say toe misses lose Some guys say the feel is a bit thin; subdued,
for fine-grain aim on short putts; weighty head integrity; off-center strikes can also feel metallic clink bothers other testers; clubhead
gives a couple of panelists trouble, especially marginally unpleasant and can hop off the face; can be too light for serious mallet-heads.
from long range; one or two testers say the head is lighter than it looks, which can throw you. BOTTOM LINE: Among the highest-rated
face is noticeably less lively on off-center hits. BOTTOM LINE: One of the best tested. A low- models. A top-tier option at a mid-market
BOTTOM LINE: Sure, it’s a bit of a design rip-off. stress companion that swings smoothly, feels price, well suited for square strokes from
But the domino-style visual aid provides a rubric sweet on center hits, and puts a clean roll on the high-handicappers on down. Accurate,
for guys who need help with aim, and the putter ball. It should suit mallet-players looking to get forgiving, and, best of all, productive, with high
provides enough feel and control to suit others. back to basics or blade guys wanting more help. marks for distance control and ease-of-use.
Milled aluminum
head has three
“Its most outstanding feature? removable steel
I make lots of putts with it!” plugs to vary weight
JAMES WESTMAN
SCHECTER LEE
—Jon Dobberstein, between 335 grams
BRIAN HENN
WE TESTED: 38” shaft length WE TESTED: 37” shaft length WE TESTED: 35”, 38” shaft lengths
PROS PROS PROS
DISTANCE CONTROL: Exceptionally forgiving; DISTANCE CONTROL: Surprisingly natural— DISTANCE CONTROL: Nearly the entire face
redeems poor strokes and gives you sweet-spot most guys adapt quickly and report excellent delivers a quick, tight roll that grips the green;
results from off-center strikes; after adjusting results; little loss of speed or direction on faulty putts track to the hole and seem to take less
to the counterbalance, most guys dial it in well. contact; counterbalance works much better break than with most others; extreme stability
FEEL: Top-notch; heavy head with back- from long range than a lot of testers expect. and alignment aid minimize directional misses.
weighted design practically swings itself, FEEL: One of the higher-rated models; extra FEEL: The long, weighted club almost wants to
actively improving suspect strokes; crisp, length and weighted grip promote a silky stroke; swing itself; encourages a smooth, repeatable,
consistent and Barry White smooth through clean, compressed sensation akin to a forged rhythmic pendulum stroke; the insert smoothes
the ball; grooved aluminum face replicates iron; launches putts with purpose and pop; head out hot spots, minimizes unwanted rebound
the crisp sound and sensation of an old-school doesn’t waiver through the stroke and provides and creates a consistent feel.
Ping putter; midsize grip molds to your hands. an instructive bit of feedback on misses. LOOK: Huge, futuristic design, although the color
LOOK: A beefed-up mod on Ping’s (now midsize) LOOK: Large clubhead looks substantial scheme slims it down; kitchen-sink approach to
Craz-E—large but not off-putting; almost a behind the ball, while the long single sight line alignment works well by mixing curves, straight
gothic look, with a lot of angles, curves, and a is comforting; SeeMore’s simple alignment lines, contrasting colors and a few crisscrosses.
long sight line that flow together toward the check promotes consistent setup and aim. CONS
face; easy to aim on short to mid-range putts. CONS Some testers describe impact sensation as
CONS Some don’t care for the alignment indicator, “artificial,” and more say it lacks the warmth
Counterbalance requires an adjustment period, and it doesn’t work with a forward press; a few and depth of a good metal putter; dampened,
and to a few guys it’s a radical change; testers panelists have trouble transitioning to the added dull feel can make gauging distance a chore;
who rely on their hands can struggle, especially length; handsy testers tend to struggle with detractors question its over-the-top look.
on longer putts; overall heft presents distance- distance and don’t care for the balance. BOTTOM LINE: TaylorMade’s easy-swinging,
control problems for one or two testers. BOTTOM LINE: With top-shelf feel and oversize design doesn’t require much precision
BOTTOM LINE: Meet this year’s high-MOI surprisingly good performance on long for a flat-out smooth roll. It could work well for
mallet champ. The Scottsdale TR Senita B is putts, this counterbalanced mallet can fit almost any ability, grip or style but is best suited
a fluid, well-executed design that, after a little a range of styles, making it a solid choice for those who struggle to line up and who don’t
introduction, works beautifully for any stroke. to replace your banned belly putter. mind sacrificing some feel for forgiveness.
➔
The “I-Lock”
“Dummy-proof! I’m rewarded with visual alignment aid
CHAD MATTHEW CARLSON
Titleist SCOTTY Cameron Wilson Staf Vizor Level 2 M3 Yes! milly tRUE aLIGNMENT
Futura X $350; golf.com/titleist $150; golf.com/wilson $180; golf.com/adams
WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths WE TESTED: 34”, 35” shaft lengths WE TESTED: 35” shaft length
PROS PROS PROS
DISTANCE CONTROL: Best in class; easy to dial DISTANCE CONTROL: Consistent distance DISTANCE CONTROL: Very good for touch
in and remarkably intuitive for its size; putts and speed off the face, with an instant, end- putts and faster greens; center strikes and
roll out and hold the line off nearly the entire over-end roll that’s easy to command; forgiving slight misses track out similarly; quick, tumbling
face; exceptional precision for a club this big. enough for most guys—little difference in roll roll gives most mid-range putts a chance, and
FEEL: One of the top-rated; a face-balanced or range based on where you catch it; well it can feel automatic inside four feet.
putter that syncs up well with straight-back- suited for slick greens and downhill putts. FEEL: Sweet spot feels like metal, with a firm,
straight-through strokes; lightweight for the FEEL: Lighter head is a plus for those who focused feedback to the hands—a succinct,
amount of metal in there but supremely stable, don’t like swinging a mammoth putter; satisfying click; enough differentiation between
with easy, natural acceleration; firm, energetic thicker-than-nomal grip minimizes the good and bad contact; toe and heel hits feel
response is consistent across the whole face. hands’ involvement; acceptable impact feel— slightly tinny but not overly unpleasant.
LOOK: Techie, with some top-dollar touches; muted but fairly consistent from heel to toe. LOOK: Distinctive highlighter-yellow and
testers liked the glare-proof gunmetal finish LOOK: For many testers, the “I-Lock” visual black color scheme makes it easy to align;
and red accents; easy for most guys to aim, alignment aid makes it easy to get their eyes small, straightforward, squarish shape; “true
since the design curves work well with the over the ball while setting the hands in position alignment” (TA) sole hump—it helps putter sit
central alignment bar to draw the eyes forward. to facilitate a square stroke; long track on top to square for proper aim—raises some eyebrows.
CONS get things aimed the right way; the head keeps a CONS
To some testers, it looks too big and bug- somewhat compact look despite its gadgetry. Many testers are turned off by its gaudy
eyed; extreme stability cuts down a bit of the CONS appearance; a handful of guys want more
feedback for a few guys; one or two testers The “I-Lock” can be confusing and gives a few forgiveness—off-center strikes can lead to
find that putts come off the face hot—it takes testers too much to think about over the ball; problems for line and speed; sole keel kicks
touch to navigate downhillers or fast greens. detractors say impact feel ranges from bland to some testers’ hands too far inside the ball.
BOTTOM LINE: One of the best models tested. numb to plain dead; lag putts can be a challenge BOTTOM LINE: You’ll have to learn to love the
The Futura X makes short work of long putts, because of the light head and minimal feedback. look. For the right player, it feels focused, rolls
topping the high-MOI mallet category in BOTTOM LINE: Part putter, part training aid, the true, and offers some touch. It’s worth a try for
distance control and not lagging far behind Vizor provides a useful mechanical check for guys with a locked-in, square-to-square stroke
in feel. There’s no denying it’s a gimme genie. guys who haven’t grooved a consistent setup. who regularly negotiate slick or sloping greens.
➔
Julia Hernandez
Diagnosed at 16,
in remission.
Samuel L. Jackson
Stand Up To Cancer and
St. BaldrickÕs Ambassador
Photo by Nigel Parry
St. BaldrickÕs Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization funding childhood cancer research.
Stand Up To Cancer is a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a 501(c )(3) charitable organization.
C LUB
T ES T
2 0 14
WEDGES
39 percent larger grooves
than the clubÕs predecessor Callaway Mack Daddy 2 $120; golf.com/callaway
produce 25 percent more
spin from the rough.
WE TESTED: Standard grind in 52° (loft)/ but a soft, forged feel that’s never harsh, even
12° (bounce), 56°/14°, 60°/10°; “U” grind on mis-hits; some testers have anointed this
in 60°/10°; “C” grind in 60°/14°. All with the model Callaway’s best-feeling wedge yet.
True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 steel shaft LOOK: Classic and high-tech at the same time;
PROS testers definitely feel like a “player” when they
PLAYABILITY: One of the highest-rated line these up; aggressive face milling gives the
models; the Mack Daddy 2 is great from impression that you’ll spin the heck out of the
all types of sand—fluffy to wet and firm; ball; testers like both the chrome finish and
greenside rough and uneven fairway lies are the darker slate finish (pictured).
a snap; can hit it low or high with relative ease. CONS
ÒI swear I feel the grooves DISTANCE CONTROL: Among the top clubs Heavy head feel isn’t to everyone’s liking; a few
tested; very consistent on solid hits and traditionalists don’t like seeing the pronounced
at impactÑthis can stop relatively forgiving on misses; predictable face-milling pattern; produces a slightly lower
the ball from almost any lie.Ó results nearly every time, even from rough; it’s trajectory than some testers would prefer.
—Don Wilson, easy to hit high-spin shots that stop on a dime. BOTTOM LINE: The Mack Daddy 2 is one of
Handicap 14, Age 69 FEEL: A real strength—the club has a very the top-rated models. It feels great and
SNAP36
assertive, aggressive sensation through impact offers plenty of control and spin.
WE TESTED: 50°/10°, 52°/10°, 54°/8°, 54°/12°, concentrated contact and a soft, forged-like
54°/14°, 56°/10°, 56°/14°, 56°/16°, 58°/8°, impact sensation; some added vibration will
58°/12°, 58°/14°, 60°/8°, 60°/12°, 60°/14° let you know when you’ve missed it.
with True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shaft LOOK: Beautiful player’s shape that anyone
PROS would be proud to display in his bag; classic,
PLAYABILITY: A true player’s wedge that clean, and even a little old-school; provides
lets you manufacture all types of shots from all the confidence and familiarity of the
the fairway and around the green; very good old 588s with a really sharp finish.
from tight lies, hard sand, and uneven spots CONS
in the fairway; capable of just about any Not a ton of game-improvement capability
flop or pitch shot in the book. for less accomplished players; a few testers
DISTANCE CONTROL: The 588 RTX is predictable would prefer a softer feel than this one has
on full and half-shots; testers know how much to offer; some guys say it’s not the best ÒRotexÓ face milling
spin it’ll produce and where shots will stop; option from more difficult bunker lies. combines with 16 percent
larger grooves to increase
soft landings and little sidespin make it BOTTOM LINE: The 588 RTX wedge is spin, especially when the
easy to dial in for most guys. a traditional-looking design that’s a
SNAP36
WE TESTED: 42° (C wedge) and 58° twisting; surprisingly responsive and pleasing
(S wedge) with Cleveland Traction steel shaft at impact; the chipper glides through turf and
PROS the ball shoots off effortlessly.
PLAYABILITY: The S wedge (pictured) is LOOK: At address, the S wedge doesn’t look
basically automatic on most bunker shots that different from a 588, which is amazing
and better than expected on approaches considering its sole width; the low-profile C
from the fairway; testers could effectively wedge looks like an old-school chipper and gives
bump and run shots with the C club; the S plenty of confidence that you’ll strike it solid.
handles straightforward chips and pitches CONS
fairly well, but again, it shines from soft sand. Some complain that the C club is a one-trick
DISTANCE CONTROL: Dialing in distances from pony and not versatile enough for their needs;
The 58¡ S wedge the sand is the S club’s forte; ample weight in the wide-sole S club can make more advanced
(pictured) has a the club promotes consistent swings, and you shots tricky; both clubs lack the soft feel that
wide sole with lots get equally consistent distances around the some testers expect from a premium wedge.
of bounce to prevent
excess digging in the green; once you’re used to the chipper, it’s dead BOTTOM LINE: Broad-sole design aimed at
on from the fringe, short rough and fairway lies. players who want to solve basic short-game
SNAP36
sand or rough.
FEEL: Tons of stability through the hit—no challenges without much concern for versatility.
WE TESTED: 48°/8°, 50°/8°, 52°/8°, hit it; very stable through trouble and not bad
54°/10°, 56°/8°, 56°/12°, 58°/8°, from the fairway, even if you miss it a bit; for
60°/6°, 60°/10°, 62°/8°, 64°/8° with True some, it delivers a pleasing impact feel, even
Temper Dynamic Gold S200 steel shaft if it’s not the softest of all the clubs tested.
PROS LOOK: A fairly large, round head gives the
PLAYABILITY: Cuts through all kinds of impression that it’s easy to hit; clean lines set
turf without a problem; the sole grind really up nicely and aim easily at address; traditional
shines around the greens, where it gets you styling sits well on the turf or in your bag.
out of trouble time after time; fairly solid, if CONS
unspectacular, from the sand and tricky lies. Not the softest feel or best-sounding
DISTANCE CONTROL: Tight dispersion pattern, model; a few panelists notice slightly less
including mis-hits; easy to lock in specific spin than with others tested; it’s not the
distances from the fairway and fairly predictable best on shots that require an open clubface;
A notched “K-grind”
sole adds versatility
on greenside shots; no problem getting it right overall performance in sand could be better.
from all manner of lies. when you put a solid strike on the ball. BOTTOM LINE: The Tour Trusty has a familiar
FEEL: Full shots provide a crisp sensation and
SNAP 36
WE TESTED: 56°/10° with Nippon N.S. Pro nice and soft without any jarring or unwanted
950GH HT steel shaft and 60°/9° with True vibrations in the hands; a number of guys find
Temper Dynamic Gold S400 steel shaft the forged feel to be more pleasing than
PROS some better-known brands.
PLAYABILITY: The wide sole blasts through LOOK: Large, round clubhead and a touch of
rough and sand; it’s adequate for the full offset inspire confidence at address; a smallish
gamut of shots, including flops; a handful cavity gives it a bit of a game-improvement look,
of guys say it’s easy to alter trajectory; which is a good thing for guys who struggle with
sole design allows you to keep the clubface their wedge play; the DJ-11 looks expensive
square and still loft the ball around the green. with its tasteful, high-quality satin finish.
DISTANCE CONTROL: No big jumpers or CONS
unpredictable outcomes; consistent from Not as much stopping power around greens as
A wide sole leads to more
the fairway; easy to judge greenside and some others; the DJ-11 doesn’t stand out from
consistent turf interaction,
on sand shots; our testers typically get the pack in any specific area of performance; while “reverse taper”
MICHAEL CHINI
reliable results from trouble areas. the meaty sole doesn’t appeal to everyone. weighting (more mass higher
FEEL: Consistently solid sensation across the BOTTOM LINE: A wide-sole model with game- in the blade) raises the CG.
face; as stable as most wedges at impact; improvement attributes and a soft, forged feel.
WE TESTED: 50°/8°, 52°/8°, 58°/12°, 60°/12° pretty consistent when struck well.
in Full sole grind with Hopkins OTM steel shaft; FEEL: The solid weighting makes it easy to
60°/12° in Wide sole grind with Hopkins OTM sense where the head is throughout the swing;
steel shaft; 56°/14° in Arc, Channel, Heel, and minimal twisting creates a stable sensation;
Shelf sole grind with Hopkins OTM steel shaft; ball comes off the firm face with zip.
54°/12° in Heel/Toe grind with Hopkins OTM LOOK: No complaints—a good profile
graphite shaft; 56°/14° in Full sole grind with that sets up well; traditional shape that’s
Hopkins OTM graphite shaft reminiscent of classic wedges; the milled
PROS face functions as an alignment tool.
PLAYABILITY: Testers applaud the array of sole CONS
grinds for a range of playing conditions—guys Face feels harder than many prefer; some
Custom stamping hit chips, pitches, and bunker shots well; the models perform better on full swings from the
is available, as well heavy head destroys tough lies and sand; fairway in terms of distance and accuracy; a few
as seven custom grinds controls full shots from lots of different lies. guys say shots roll out a bit more than they like.
for a variety
DISTANCE CONTROL: Good, predictable results BOTTOM LINE: Solid all-around performer with
MICHAEL CHINI
of swing types
and conditions. on most greenside shots; does the job on full a large selection of sole grinds and a look that
shots when you know your exact distance; you’re likely to recognize and appreciate.
➔
and narrow on lower lofts. hitting specific targets, even on minor misses.
FEEL: Smooth at impact with little vibration; club offers solid game-improvement
responsive but with a very soft touch—similar performance with a pleasingly soft feel.
swings from the fairway; a snap to dial in from The VR X3X heads are strong, dependable to chips.”—Owen Dahl,
around the green; reliable—few unpredictable performers that provide a lovely mix of Handicap 13, Age 42
results from the sand or trouble lies. playability and distance control.
you’d expect from a compact head. even if you’re not familiar with the brand.
WE TESTED: Classic grind in 56°/12°, 58°/10° solid and stable even when you miss it a bit.
with KBS Tour-V steel shaft; ATV grind in LOOK: The Tour Preferred is one of the panelists’
56°/12°, 58°/10° with KBS Tour-V steel shaft favorites; the classy, satin finish has a refined
PROS look; the heel-and-toe grinds make these
PLAYABILITY: These clubs can execute just sticks appear to be easy to hit; one of
about any shot you can think of; very good TaylorMade’s best-looking wedges.
performers (both the classic sole grind and CONS
ATV grind) on full shots from the fairway as Some testers say the Tour Preferred model
The stainless steel head has
well as from most bunker lies; playing from feels a little harder than others; a few guys
a micro texture on the face
greenside rough is a cinch; some guys believe comment that spin rates on shorter shots to increase greenside spin.
it’s the most versatile TaylorMade wedge to date. could be higher; a handful of testers say it’s
DISTANCE CONTROL: Easy, consistent yardages not as easy as it should be to get sufficient
“Superb trajectory,
with a fair amount of help on slight misses; height on flop shots around the green.
laser-like on half shots from fairway lies. BOTTOM LINE: The Tour Preferred is stopping power and control.”
FEEL: Among the better models for crispness —Mike Roynan,
MICHAEL CHINI
and results.”—John Dottore, shot from the fairway and around greens;
Handicap 20, Age 49 minor adjustments to swing length or It excels in every performance category and
clubface angle take care of distance concerns. looks really good doing it.
➔
TESTERS’
6 Jon Dobberstein 13 Jef Bones
Handicap 5 Age 44 Height 5’10” Weight 225 lbs. Handicap 9 Age 66 Height 6’1” Weight 190 lbs.
Occupation Project manager Occupation Golf club fitting and repair
Residence Prior Lake, Minn. Driver distance 293 yards Residence Little Elm, Texas Driver distance 228 yards
TOP PICKS
Driver: TaylorMade SLDR Driver: Cobra Bio Cell+
Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: Not tested
Hybrid: Callaway X2 Hot Pro Hybrid: Titleist 913H
Iron: Titleist AP2 714 Wedge: Not tested Iron: Titleist AP2 714
Putters: Titleist S. Cameron Select Newport 2; Wedge: Scor Scor4161
Ping Scottsdale TR Senita B Putter: Not tested
Driver: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour Driver: Titleist 913D3 Driver: Titleist 913D2
Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: Callaway X2 Hot
Hybrid: Titleist 913H.d Hybrid: Callaway X2 Hot Pro Hybrid: Not tested
Iron: Titleist AP2 714 Iron: Mizuno MP-54 Iron: Callaway Apex
Wedge: Scor Scor4161 Wedge: Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled 5 Wedge: Not tested
Putter: Nike Method Mod 60 Putter: Not tested Putter: Boccieri EL Lite-Weight Q2-L
Driver: Callaway Big Bertha Alpha Driver: Callaway Big Bertha Driver: Cobra Bio Cell
Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: Titleist 913F FW: Cobra Bio Cell+ Hybrid: Not tested
Hybrid: Ping i25 Hybrid: Not tested Iron: Nike VRS Covert Forged
Iron: TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC Iron: Titleist AP1 714 Wedge: Not tested
Wedge: Scor Scor4161 Wedge: Not tested Putters: Odyssey Metal-X Milled #1;
Putter: Not tested Putter: Nike Method Mod 00 Nike Method Mod 00
Driver: Callaway Big Bertha Alpha Driver: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour Driver: Titleist 913D2
Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: Cobra Bio Cell+ Fairway Wood: Ping i25
Hybrid: Titleist 913H.d Hybrid: Not tested Hybrid: Not tested
Iron: TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC Iron: Titleist AP2 714 Iron: Callaway Apex
Wedge: Not tested Wedge: Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled 5 Wedge: Not tested
Putter: TaylorMade Daddy Long Legs Putter: Ping Karsten TR Anser 2 Putter: Bettinardi BB32
Driver: Cobra Bio Cell+ Driver: Callaway Big Bertha Alpha Driver: Cobra Bio Cell
Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: Cobra Bio Cell+
Hybrid: Callaway X2 Hot Pro Hybrid: Titleist 913H Hybrid: Not tested
Iron: Mizuno MP-54 Iron: Titleist AP2 714 Iron: Callaway Apex
Wedge: Not tested Wedge: Ping Tour Wedge: Not tested
Putter: Cleveland Smart Square Putter: Not tested Putter: Nike Method Mod 90
Driver: Titleist 913D3 Driver: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour Driver: Callaway Big Bertha
FW: Cobra Bio Cell+ Hybrid: Not tested Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour
Iron: Wilson Staff FG Tour M3 Hybrid: Ping i25 Hybrid: Not tested
Wedge: Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled 5 Iron: TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC Iron: TaylorMade SpeedBlade
Putters: Odyssey Metal-X Milled #1; Wedge: Not tested Wedge: Not tested
SeeMore FGP PTM3 Putter: SeeMore SB1 Putter: Yes! Milly True Alignment
Driver: TaylorMade JetSpeed Driver: Cobra Bio Cell Driver: Callaway X2 Hot FW: Not tested
Fairway Wood: Callaway X2 Hot Fairway Wood: Cobra Bio Cell+ Hybrid: Yonex EZONE XP
Hybrid: Not tested Hybrid: Not tested Iron: Ping Karsten
Iron: Callaway Apex Iron: Callaway Apex Wedge: Callaway Mack Daddy 2
Wedge: Not tested Wedge: Scor Scor4161 Putters: Titleist Scotty Cameron GoLo 5;
Putter: SeeMore FGP PTM3 Putter: Titleist S. Cameron Select Newport 2 Ping Scottsdale TR Senita B
Driver: Cleveland 588 Altitude Driver: Callaway Big Bertha Driver: Callaway X2 Hot
Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: Tour Edge Exotics XCG7 Fairway Wood: Not tested
Hybrid: Yonex EZONE XP Hybrid: Not tested Hybrid: Nike VRS Covert 2.0
Iron: Cobra Baffler XL Combo Iron: Nike VRS Covert Forged Iron: Nike VRS Covert 2.0
Wedge: Not tested Wedge: Not tested Putters: TaylorMade Spider Wedge: Nike VR X3X
Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro Havok Mallet; Wilson Staff Vizor Level 2 M3 Putter: Not tested
Driver: Cleveland 588 Custom Driver: Cleveland 588 Altitude Driver: Cobra Baffler XL
Fairway Wood: Ping i25 Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: Not tested
Hybrid: Not tested Hybrid: Adams Pro Hybrid: TaylorMade JetSpeed
Iron: Nike VRS Covert Forged Iron: Callaway X2 Hot Wedge: Not tested Iron: Callaway X2 Hot
Wedge: Not tested Putters: Nike Method Mod 90; Ping Scottsdale Wedge: Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled 5
Putter: Nike Method Mod 90 TR Craz-E; Nike Method Mod 00 Putter: Not tested
Driver: Yonex EZONE XP Driver: Cleveland 588 Altitude Driver: Yonex EZONE XP
Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood: Not tested
Hybrid: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Hybrid: Not tested Iron: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Hybrid: Ping G25
Iron: Yonex EZONE XP Wedge: Not tested Putters: Titleist Scotty Iron: Cobra Baffler XL Combo
Wedge: Not tested Cameron Select Newport 2; Nike Method Mod Wedge: Not tested
Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro Havok 60; Ping Scottsdale TR Senita B Putter: Titleist S. Cameron Select Newport 2
Driver: Mizuno JPX EZ Driver: Cleveland 588 Altitude Driver: Cleveland 588 Altitude
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade JetSpeed Fairway Wood: Not tested Fairway Wood: Not tested
Hybrid: Not tested Hybrid: Tour Edge Exotics XCG7 Hybrid: Ping G25
Iron: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Iron: Yonex EZONE XP Iron: Ping Karsten
Wedge: Nike VR X3X Wedge: TaylorMade Tour Preferred Wedge: Not tested
Putter: Not tested Putter: Not tested Putter: Nike Method Mod 90
SPEND YOUR
MONEY WELL
By Joe Passov
Photo by
Aidan Bradley
W
ITH BOTH U.S. Opens—the exclusive private track. Ross remodeled it in the linksy, small-ball charmer (some 6,400
men’s and the women’s— 1914-15, and the course went on to a storied yards) is brimming with youthful energy.
returning to Pinehurst No. 2 history. It has hosted presidents (Warren The redesign added a compelling bunker
this month, Donald Ross’s design skills are G. Harding and Dwight D. Eisenhower), complex, stretched the course a bit (brand
back in the spotlight. That makes June the golf legends (Sam Snead won the 1942 new tees on four holes), and generally
perfect time to visit the Jersey Shore, down PGA Championship here), and three LPGA highlighted the course’s old-school feel.
Atlantic City way, to Seaview Golf Club’s Hall of Famers (Nancy Lopez, Annika Regrassed and squared-off tee boxes,
Bay course. Located on the marshy edge Sorenstam and Juli Inkster all captured wooden bunker rakes and pins, and the
of Reeds Bay, it was originally designed the ShopRite Classic on the course). Thanks double-pennant-style flags conjure thoughts
by Hugh Wilson (of Merion fame) as an to a centennial renovation early this year, of yesteryear. Ross would feel right at home.
A Sound Investment
Dear Joe: The Links at Lighthouse Sound is the
My brother and I are course to play in Ocean City, Maryland.
heading to the East Coast
in June, with time for one
round in Ocean City, Md.
What’s your pick in the area?
—Johnny Robert,
Pepper Pike, Ohio
TWILIGHT
ZONES
From lower rates to
stunning views, some
courses were meant to be
played in the gloaming.
JOANN DOST
Birdies and eagles are great, but bears and elk have their
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge place in golf, too. This rustic, elegant lodge in the heart of
Jasper, Alberta the Canadian Rockies boasts a superior Golden Age Stanley
Thompson course. Jasper’s 463-yard, par-4 18th is a joy, racing
downhill through bunkers and pines, a scenic close to an
DEAL enjoyable romp. (And it’s the only course on which I’ve seen
OF THE bears, elk and a wolf—on the same day!) At par 71, 6,663 yards,
MONTH Jasper isn’t long, but it packs a punch with two 230-plus-yard
par 3s, and holes 14, 15 and 16 (a par 3 between two short 4s)
all require precision irons to avoid the blue-green waters of
Lac Beauvert. Whether you’re holed up in the main building
or in one of the outlying cabins, this is a cozy, back-to-nature
golf adventure that also includes four-star Fairmont service
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Quickly return
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The Skinny
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Slim Fairways
Some fairways are so narrow
that they resemble green ribbons.
They look slimmer still with trees
closing in on you, not to mention
thick, scrubby bushes obscuring
your view of the small landing
area. Here’s the skinny on how
to split tight fairways.
Choke down an
GRIP IT LOW, TEE IT HIGH inch or two on
With a driver, grip down about a your driver for
half inch on the handle and tee
the ball up slightly higher than
more control
normal, so that half the ball sits and accuracy.
above the top of the clubhead.
Gripping down increases your
control, improving your chances
of finding the sweet spot. And
a more elevated position on the
peg promotes contact higher up
on the face, which will generate
less spin and a straighter flight.
Of course, if you struggle to hit
narrow fairways with your driver,
hitting 3-wood or hybrid—with
higher launch and less spin—
offers the same enhanced control.
Ignore the
trouble—focus
your attention
on your target
and make an
aggressive swing.
If your shoulder
points toward
the fairway
and the shaft
is across your SPRINT PAST THE FINISH LINE
The world’s best sprinters are
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into a full finish so that your right
shoulder points down the fairway
at your target and the clubshaft
is behind you, diagonally across
your back. Hold this finish for a
count of three. This will ensure
the proper acceleration through
impact, improving your chances
of finding the short grass.
Practice breakers by
placing a tee on the cup
at five or seven o’clock
and using the tee as
your aiming point.
To get Snead’s
legendary speed,
imagine that an apple
is skewered on your
shaft. You want to sling
the apple to the ground
just beyond the ball.
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LEFTY, LEFTY, HE’S OUR MAN!
E
ven Amy Mickelson, not a golf high times. There are other similari-
historian, can name for you After so much ties: wide fairways, pine-needle rough,
the five men who have won
the modern career grand slam:
heartbreak at slopey greens, pray-for-me chip shots,
sweet tea in the clubhouse. Mickelson’s
Sarazen, Hogan, Nicklaus, the U.S. Open, Phil three wins at Augusta will serve him
Player and Woods. All her husband needs well at Pinehurst.
to become No. 6 is his own national Mickelson could Phil was 12 when he sat at home and
championship. He’s been the runner-up watched the 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble
a half-dozen times, the first of them
use your backing. Beach, where his grandfather had once
coming at Pinehurst in 1999, site of this
month’s U.S. Open. He turns 44 on the day
He’s got mine. been a caddie. He remembers Watson,
who won, and Nicklaus, who didn’t, but
reserved for the playoff. also the stylish Bill Rogers, who had a
May I reclaim my amateur status for piece of the Saturday night lead before
the next 750 words or so? I’m rooting for fading on Sunday. Why couldn’t he keep
Phil. I’d like to see him hoist that little it going? Phil’s always had an analytic
silver jug with the winged lady on its lid bent. Ten months later, he was glued
late on Father’s Day. Phil in ’14. Buttons to the family TV as Seve dashed off a
are available at campaign headquarters. four-stroke win at Augusta. The dream
At the 1999 Open, Mickelson trailed factory was open for business.
Payne Stewart by a stroke after three Friday night of this year’s Masters,
rounds and announced he’d be a no- Phil and Amy boarded a plane for home.
show for the Monday playoff if one was Pinehurst was in Phil’s head before the
required. He said he’d be flying home jet reached cruising altitude. Mickelson
Sunday night to be with his any-day- had played his two Masters rounds with
now pregnant wife, regardless of the Justin Rose, the Merion winner. Rose
scoreboard totals. You could easily argue Amanda Mickelson was born right knows what Mickelson is still figuring
the merits of stay-and-play. Still, he was on schedule, on that Monday in June out: You don’t have to put on a Superman
revealing his priorities in an impressive reserved for the Pinehurst playoff. Phil outfit to win a U.S. Open. Your best golf
way. Stewart won by a shot in regulation went to Amanda’s middle-school gradu- is more than enough. What you can’t do
and held Phil’s head like a bowling ball. ation last year, the day before the open- is let up, not for a second.
Three months later, at the Ryder Cup ing round at Merion, red-eyed his way Our good wishes can only help. Hogan
at the Country Club, Phil was greenside to Philadelphia and at the end of the didn’t need them and Woods doesn’t
when Justin Leonard holed that 45-foot week collected his sixth piece of USGA- either, but Palmer did and Mickelson
bomb on No. 17. As many of the American issue runner-up silver. On their vaca- does, too. He lets us in. Wouldn’t it be
lodge brothers made a mad charge for tions, the Mickelsons sometimes divide nice to see this thing completed?
their new hero, Mickelson turned his and conquer, and earlier this year Amy “I’m lucky,” Phil said the other day. “I
back to the action and celebrated with and Amanda (with Phil’s encourage- always have some big thing to work on,
the person behind him. He double-high- ment) made a mother-daughter getaway some big thing to look forward to. Last
fived Amy and smiled at her manically. not to a tiki beach for rich people but year I overcame the biggest disappoint-
The man who likes his wife. You couldn’t to the mosques and ruins of Turkey. ment in my career with probably the
stage this moment if you tried. Learn something is a family mantra. So biggest accomplishment of my career.”
Twenty-nine days later, Stewart, the is see the world. He was referring to his painful second-
team’s crankshaft, was killed when the Now Mickelson returns to the roll- place finish at Merion, and to his un-
private plane he was in suffered a me- ing North Carolina sand hills and to likely victory a month later in the British
chanical failure. Mickelson lived big even Pinehurst No. 2, the crowning achieve- Open at Muirfield. Now he’s trying to
as a middle-class kid in suburban San ment in the design career of one Donald repeat history, in a manner of speaking.
Diego, but that four-month stretch— Ross. Augusta National, on a tumbling The MC at Augusta stunned him. This
when he stood at the plate and saw former plantation in an old Georgia U.S. Open looms large, the largest ever,
ILLUSTRATION: KEITH WITMER
defeat, birth, victory and death—only river town, plays that same role in Dr. at least for Phil and those in his wake.
deepened his resolve to seize the day. Alister MacKenzie’s interesting life and I’m in. You? —Michael Bamberger
DISTANCE
YOURSELF DISTANCE +
CONSISTENCY
FROM YOUR
OLD IRONS. When choosing your next set of irons, remember
it’s not just how far they go. It’s also how high they
launch, how straight they fly, how softly they land,
how solid they feel and how great they look. In other
words, how consistently they perform on every shot. DISTANCE +
CONTROL
At PING, we have an iron engineered for every golfer.
Find the model that’s right for you. You’ll be better for it.
Visit a PING® Fitting Specialist or ping.com.