Ever wonder exactly what an X-Out golf ball is? Why are they sold so cheap?
X-Outs are name-brand golf balls on which that brand has been stamped out, usually with a row of X’s, because of imperfections in the ball. Those imperfections are often cosmetic in nature, and usually so small as not to be noticeable. The balls usually play the same as their counterparts, or at least close enough that most recreational players could never tell the difference.
I’ve written about the Nike Sasquatch driver before, but I finally saw it in person this weekend for the first time when I was at Dick’s Sporting Goods. The driver has one of the biggest heads on a golf club that I’ve ever seen, but it’s one of the lightest drivers I’ve held in my hands. The sweet spot on the Sasquatch has to be huge, so I don’t know how you could hit a bad shot with the thing. I bet I could hit a nice 100 yard slicer with it though. That’s how much “control” I have in my swing. They are really hyping this club up so when you get a chance check it out.
The first Woman’s World Golf Ranking came out this morning. Sorenstam at the top of the list was no surprise. Having Michelle Wie debut at the third position was a bit odd since she has only played in 15 tournaments during the past two years, which is the time period used for the ranking. It’s nice to finally see a world ranking like the men have had for some time.
Travelling Golfer pointed out an article from Pub Links Golfer Magazine Online about hybrids. In today’s market, the hybrid clubs are quickly becoming a popular part of most golf club sets. Last year I replaced 3 of my long irons with hybrids and experienced great results. You’ll want to read the article for the full info, but here are a few highlights…
Historically, long irons have been the most difficult clubs to hit for both recreational golfers and touring professionals.
Hybrid clubs make the game so much easier and enjoyable that it’s amazing to consider they barely existed only a few years ago.
Today’s new-look hybrids account for close to 20 percent of the total metal wood market. As the category grows, so do the options in terms of performance, head styling, loft and trajectory. Hybrids give golfers the ability to dial in long-game distances and ball flights much like wedges do for our short game.
It seems like every year around February I start to get a case of golf fever. Thanks to our lovely Michigan weather, my last round of golf was on September 17th, which is almost 5 months ago. It seems like an eternity now that I count up the months.
The PGA Tour gets back into the swing of things in late January and early February, which means we have golf on TV again. There’s something about seeing the pros smoke long drives and sink putts that gets the juices flowing again. The Hooked on Golf Blog is running a fantasy golf league with some great prizes donated by sponsors so this has helped to give me a bit of the itch as well.
I haven’t even touched a golf club since that last round in September, unless you count the club I have sitting at the desk in my office. A new golf center just opened in the area and it has a heated outdoor driving range, so I’m pretty excited to give it a try. My goal is to have the rust knocked off my game for the start of the Michigan golf season by hitting a bucket of golf balls every week or two.
I’ve taken way too much time off from posting here at Primary Rough. I seemed to have started the blog and only kept at it for a couple of weeks. I never meant to post daily, but I sure meant to post more than once ever couple of months!
Speaking of time off, it looks like taking some time away from the golf course can really help a player’s game. Tiger Woods went 24 days without swinging a club and then won his first tournament of the year last week at the Buick Invitational. Retief Goosen went 5 weeks without touching a golf club and is tied for the lead in Dubai right now.
As a weekend hacker during the Michigan summers I’ve found that I sometimes play my best game after taking a week off from golf. Golf is such a mental game that I think it really helps to get away now and then to clear our heads. Twenty-four days or 5 weeks are probably too long for us normal folk, but for professionals who play every day it’s probably right on par. I know it takes me a couple of weeks after the winter to find my swing again.