RSS Feed Twitter

Heinz History Museum (Pittsburgh, PA) Hosts Golf Exhibit

on July 6, 2010 8:13 PM , in , , , , 0 Comments

Golf has never really matched its peer sports when it comes to museums. The official Hall of Fame, admittedly, is pretty cool. I checked it out a few years back on a trip to St. Augustine, Florida.


That said, it doesn't seem to attract the public interest or prestige of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, for instance. Plus, the coolest exhibit is almost certainly the five iron brought by American astronauts on a space voyage...

Here are some pictures of the golf section of the "Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum," which is inside the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, PA. If you haven't been there before, it's located smack dab between the Strip District and Station Square. A long walk from the T or parking at the convention center are your best bets.

More importantly, I thought the Center's ode to golf was pretty solid. It is all about celebrating the accomplishments of Pittsburghers, so the emphasis is certainly on the King himself, Arnold Palmer. There are quite a few pictures of Palmer moments blown up and hung throughout the golf room. He also donated his copy of the Claret Jug, so today was the first time I laid eyes on the trophy of the Open Championship.

Aside from that, there are a few sets of old sticks to illustrate the growth of golf in the area. There's also a little section commemorating Oakmont Country Club's significance to championship golf. This includes a one hole miniature golf course that simulates Oakmont's infamous church pew bunkers (pictured right).

All in all, I thought the Heinz History Center's golf exhibit was a pretty good look at the sport's impact on the area. I would have loved to see a shout out to some of the other successful golfers in the region; for instance, U.S. Open champion and Uniontown native Jim Furyk or U.S. Open runner up Rocco Mediate of Greenburg.

ZealousGolfer.com is now on Facebook. Make sure to "like" us for updates and more.


Links to this post

Tiger Woods Heads Off to Ireland

on July 5, 2010 3:58 PM , in , , , , 0 Comments

For some reason, the golf media is pretty excited today because Tiger Woods has left the States. The destination? Ireland. He will be the headliner at a charity pro-am in the land of Graeme McDowell.


More importantly, St. Andrews is on the horizon. As the Golf Channel is reporting, this is pretty significant because it...may be the last week that Woods holds the top spot in the World Golf Rankings. Sounds like a familiar storyline, right?

This pro-am will feature the talents of actors Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Douglas, as well as many other celebs from both sides of the pond.

I wouldn't count Tiger out yet. He did win two major championships at St. Andrews (in 2000 and 2005). Plus, he hasn't exactly fallen to David Duval lows yet.

ZealousGolfer.com is now on Facebook. Make sure to "like" us for updates and more.

Links to this post

US Open Round 2: Live Blog

on June 18, 2010 2:01 PM , in , , , 0 Comments

Hey folks. I am going keep a running blog going throughout the rest of the second round at the U.S. Open. All times are EST. Make sure to leave comments as the action progresses.


Live Blog:

3:15 - Tom Watson - despite strong performances at the 2010 Masters and 2009 British Open - looked like he was out of it after a 78 yesterday. After 15 holes so far, he is -1 on the day (with a birdie on the 15th). That puts Watson on the current cut line. With a birdie on one of the final holes, it looks like he will see the weekend again.

3:06 - Tiger's tee shot on the par 3 5th hole trickles onto the green. He missed his lengthy birdie putt. No luck yet with getting some spark in his game. Ernie Els pars to stay at even for the tournament.

2:47 - Tiger taps in his bogey after having to take a drop on the 3rd hole. He is +5 and nine strokes off of the lead. He's getting dangerously close to the cut line.

2:35 - McDowell drains another birdie putt with three holes left to play. He sits at -4, which puts him one ahead of Dustin Johnson and three strokes ahead of the rest of the field.

2:30 - Tiger just missed his par putt on the 2nd hole (his 11th hole
of the day). Things are not looking good for an enormous Woods rally unless he gets some steam soon. He's at +4 now.

2:27 - Watching the U.S. Open gives one a new appreciation for sports that do not use the vuvuzela...

2:22 - ESPN just did an interview with Shaun Micheel, whose mother is battling cancer right now. The 2003 PGA Championship winner now has Lance Armstrong in his fan base (left).


2:17 - Graeme McDowell's lead at -3 would leave the cut line at +7. If that sticks, 103 players would make it to the weekend, as of right now. Whoa!

2:15 - Ernie Els just pounded a drive down the narrow 2nd fairway. He's playing like the old Big Easy again. If he could putt, he would be a real threat to win this thing. In the same group, Tiger's drive winds up in a bunker off the right side of the fairway.

2:02 - I'm jumping in now. Dustin Johnson is proving that he isn't the only one in the field who knows Pebble Beach from his past victory. Well, on second thought, he might be the only one. Tiger finished his opening nine with a score of 36. His early birdies disappeared after a bogey on the 17th (he started on the front nine today). He's T45 at the turn.

ZealousGolfer.com is now on Facebook. Make sure to "like" us for updates and more.

Links to this post

US Open 2010 Preview: Round 1 Tee Times and Commentary

on June 16, 2010 5:22 PM , in , , , , 0 Comments

We're less than a day away from the kickoff of the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, and I couldn't be more ready.


Tee Times:

At 7 AM PST, Pappas, Woodland, and Sheehan will tee off from the 1st while Cabrera-bello (*not Angel), Mallinger, and Allan start on the 10th.

That said, the first group that any reasonable golf fan will care about begins at 7:33. Camilo Villegas, former Masters champion Zach Johnson, and Luke Donald will play the 10th at the time.

  • Hole 1 - 7:44 - T. Clark, KJ Choi, and M. Weir
  • Hole 10 - 7:44 - R. Goosen*, J. Furyk*, A. Cabrera*
  • Hole 10 - 8:06 - P. Mickelson*, P. Harrington, Y. Yang
  • Hole 1 - 8:17 - S. Cink, B. An, L. Glover*
  • Hole 1 - 1:14 - S. Garcia, S. Stricker, P. Casey
  • Hole 1 - 1:36 - L. Westwood, E. Els*, T. Woods*
  • Hole 10 - 1:47 - R. Ishikawa, R. McIlroy, T. Watson*
Intriguing Groups:

Of course, the eyes of the golf world will turn to the Ernie Els, Lee Westwood Tiger Woods pairing.

It's probably not because of the South African who once was viewed as a Woods rival.

The anticipation surrounding Tiger's comeback isn't the same it was with the Masters. Nonetheless, the storyline is priceless: since his post-Masters golfing despair, he has broken up with his swing coach, suffered a neck injury, and faced an allegedly $750 settlement with his wife. Let's see what next?

The Goosen, Furyk, Cabrera matchup is interesting. The USGA always loves the "three champions" approach. On top of that, Furyk and Goosen have certainly cooled down since their U.S. Open victories. Meanwhile, Cabrera has firmly taken on the role of "relative unknown who is prepared to strike at any moment for the big title." It will be a fun round to watch.

Lastly, the pairing of European young gun Rory McIlroy with the legendary Tom Watson is a pretty phenomenal move. Rory looks like he has a chance to become a household name in golf while Watson has taken the PGA Tour by storm again (with his runner up finish at last year's British Open and an early run at the 2010 Masters).

Does Tiger Have It?

If nothing else, Tiger Woods understands Pebble Beach. His 2000 victory is, in my mind, one of the great accomplishments in the history of professional sports.

The real question is: can Woods withstand the pressure, which seems to continue to rise? It sounds like he's ready to roll. From ESPN Golf:
As far as my game, I'm very excited about how it's progressed,since before [the] Memorial, then obviously during Memorial, and now here it's gotten better," Woods said. "The more time I've been able to practice and play, it's starting to solidify, and I'm actually really excited to tee it up on Thursday."
"Excited to tee it up" sounds pretty good. In his press conference yesterday, Woods sounded as though he was regaining his edge. When questioned about the status of his marriage, he blocked the reporter out without though in his typical Tiger way.

Woods has a history of magic in this tournament. He has a history of dominance on this course. That is a deadly combination when you are Tiger Woods.

ZealousGolfer.com is now on Facebook. Make sure to "like" us for updates and more.

Links to this post

Don't Expect to Catch Justin Rose at Pebble Beach

on June 9, 2010 1:08 PM , in , , , , 0 Comments

Justin Rose's victory at the Memorial last weekend has prompted the golf community to question, once again, the USGA's selection process for the U.S. Open.


How come? Winning the Memorial - one of the PGA Tour's toughest and most prestigious events - isn't enough to get into the U.S. Open. Rose, who previously was not qualified to play this year, will not be appearing at Pebble Beach next week.

Rose competed at this week's final qualifier for one of the final spots in the U.S. Open field. He, along with young gun and fellow Memorial contender Rickie Fowler, came up short.

So why isn't the USGA going to open the doors to players who win tournaments within the month before the championship? David Fay, head of the USGA, made it clear to the Golf Channel that this type of thing is what the U.S. Open shoots for.

The fact that a few deserving players slip through the cracks in many years trades off with the Open's 'democratic' advantage. To the USGA, giving virtually all players an equal opportunity to fight for the top prize is at the heart of the championship.

I can understand that. "Special exemptions" are probably in conflict with giving all players an equal opportunity to play. That said, it seems a little ridiculous that the U.S. Open couldn't work it into the rules for the field to be set closer to the Open.

ZealousGolfer.com is now on Facebook. Make sure to "like" us for updates and more.

Links to this post

ZealousGolfer.com Review: R&B Fist Pump II and High Five Putters

on June 1, 2010 5:09 PM , in , , , 0 Comments

Big news. ZealousGolfer.com is back on the hunt for great golf products this summer. If you are a golf company looking to get the word out about your product, check out how to get a feature on this website.


This week, I had a fantastic opportunity to field test two putters from a company that I (and probably you) haven't heard much about: R&B Putters. Let's talk about R&B's Fist Pump II and High Five (pictured left) putters.


Introduction:

As you can see, I am grouping two different R&B putters into the same article. It's a little strange for me, but there's a method to my madness.

The company advertises with the slogan, "If your stroke has no rhythm," which couldn't be a more accurate description of my putting woes. So what can R&B do for me - and potentially you?

Spoiler warning: One of these putters looks like it will be a permanent part of my golf bag. It turns out a little rhythm can go a long way.

The Good:

Both the High Five and the Fist Pump II (pictured right) are unique because of one primary technological feature: Radius Roll. The High Five employs a conventional putter head-style while the Fist Pump II is a mallet
putter (reminiscent of popular flatsticks like the Odyssey Two-ball series). What's sets these putters ahead of the pack?

Both putters are not really flatsticks at all. They utilize a somewhat strange, rounded face - that is Radius Roll. Here's a video the company
put on YouTube that shows you what the result is:


From personal experience, this is definitely not a gimmick. My field test
included a full round using the High Five putter and a lot of time on the practice green with both putters. I have never putted so well within six feet of the hole. This putter minimizes the possibility of bad hops and skips, and you definitely reap the benefits.

While not totally unique to the R&B putters, both models come center-shafted (as you can see on the right).

I had never experimented with putter shafts before, but this made a huge difference for me. For any golfer who struggles over short putts or has the occasional set of yips, this change can really make life in the short grass much easier.

In short, these are two great putters. Don't let the lack of a brand name fool you - these two putters will go a long way to cure your putting blues.

The Bad:

Like I said, I am a big fan of R&B putters now. The only complaint I have is with the Fist Pump II. Having played with an Odyssey mallet putter for the last few years, it's not the first time I have run into this little issue. I prefer putters that has a sight line that extends through the ball rather than having to do some guess work to line it up.

Some players can do this easily without a sightline right behind the ball, but that apparently isn't my style.

The Ugly:

Nothing to see here, folks.

The Conclusion:

I really like seeing smaller companies come out with great ideas that make golfing easier. R&B accomplishes this with a revolutionary look that can definitely add confidence to your short game while shaving off some strokes. At the very least, that was my experience with the putters over the past two weeks.

Check out their website for more information or the online store to make a purchase.

The High Five earns a score of 4.5/5 for a great design with immediate results. It will be pretty easy for any golfer to adjust to the rounded club face. This is a live saver for the golfer who struggles with short and mid-length putts.

The Fist Pump II probably will be a great addition to the bag of any golfer who prefers the look of a mallet putter. It receives a score of 4/5. It uses the technology as well as the High Five, but might be a little strange to adapt to for the golfer who usually relies on traditional putter designs.

ZealousGolfer.com is now on Facebook. Make sure to "like" us for updates and more.

Links to this post

Golf balls fail to stop Deepwater Horizon leak

on May 31, 2010 10:19 PM , in , 0 Comments

BP announced today that the golf balls - used in the "send junk into the water and see what happens strategy" - have officially failed to stop the Deepwater Horizon leak.


CNN has the full story here. The basics: golf balls were employed because of their high resistance to pressure (as they can withstand the force of the golf club's strike many times). Combined with shredded tires and fired toward the leak, the spill has continued.

Scientists claim that the problem with this technique (which has apparently succeeded with less catastrophic disasters) was the depth of the leak.

No word yet on the brand of golf ball that was dumped into the Gulf of Mexico.

Yikes.

ZealousGolfer.com is now on Facebook. Make sure to "like" us for updates and more.

Links to this post

ZealousGolfer.com Review: Frosty Valley Golf Links, Pittsburgh, PA

12:25 PM , in , , , 0 Comments

As you've probably read, I have covered a lot of different courses from around the U.S. and Europe in my recent course reviews.


One thing I have noticed about golfing in my hometown of Pittsburgh is that there aren't many reviews of local courses. This summer, I hope to build a sizable database of reviews of Pittsburgh golf courses.

I am going to kick off this feature with a review of the Frosty Valley Golf Links in Upper St. Clair, PA.

Introduction:

Frosty Valley is a nine hole course located in Upper St. Clair - a suburb outside of Pittsburgh. With three sets of tees, the course plays at 3,121 yards from the tips, 2,863 yards from the middle tees, and 2,371 yards at the shortest.

Though not a full 18 hole facility, the nine hole course plays at a par of 36 unlike some other nine hole courses (that substitute par fives with additional par threes).

When I played in May of 2010 (for anyone who comes across this article in the future), it was $13 to play 9 holes. However, the course also offers both golf carts and pull carts for an additional charge.

The Good:

One thing that often disappoints me about nine hole courses is that they often choose to not only skip the back nine but cut out par fives and rely on short par 3's instead. Fortunately, Frosty Valley is a pretty typical public golf experience in its own right - aside from lacking a back nine.

At the very least, advanced players will face challenges from a few lengthy holes, the many trees that border the fairways, and a number of shots that encourage you to work the ball. It's not Augusta, but the experienced golfer can be tested at this course.

That said, perhaps the greatest strength of Frosty Valley is its accessibility. Relatively inexpensive and often uncrowded, this is a great place to have a round with the family. Not only will it be a short round (great for any new golfer), but most of the holes don't require players to traverse tricky hazards or bunkers.

Nonetheless, there are a few holes that will definitely test a golfer's mettle. The third hole, a short par four, puts water in play off the tee. The par three 7th hole requires a
mid-length shot over water to hit the green.

(I also encountered some interesting wildlife. This is probably the first time, surprisingly, that I have run into a turtle on a golf course).

Finally, one problem I have run into is the lack of solid practice facilities in Pittsburgh's South Hills. Frosty Valley's range is fairly flat and uses actual grass rather than mats. The practice green is also in good shape. Even if you don't intend to play a round, Frosty Valley is a great choice when looking for somewhere to practice.

The Bad:

Two complaints. First, the greens aren't going to knock your socks off. They tend to run pretty slow, which may be an advantage for the new golfer who doesn't want to be intimidated on the short grass.

Second, many of the holes have bunkers around the greens, but (at least from my most recent experience) they are not well kept. The sand is usually pretty hard and finding a rake afterward is a challenge. This is just a pet peeve of mine, so I felt like it is worth mentioning in the article.

The Ugly:

If you live or golf somewhat frequently in Western Pennsylvania, you won't be surprised by this conclusion. This course is pretty hilly. If you are in good physical condition, walking only nine holes will be fine. However, if you aren't used to walking with your golf bag in the sun, it would probably be best to invest in a cart. This course has the potential to tire you out.
One issue I have run into in the past is that play can get pretty slow during crowded weekend rounds. Maybe because some golfers have to return to the first tee to play their second nine, the course can back up relatively easy and lead to a snail-paced round. However, calling the pro shop beforehand should prevent this problem.

The Conclusion:

If you are in the area and want to play a quick round (i.e. with the family or a recreational nine), Frosty Valley is worth a look. For more information, they have a website up.

For a fun golf experience but without some of the sophistication of other courses in the area, Frosty Valley scores a 3 out of 5 stars.

ZealousGolfer.com is now on Facebook. Make sure to "like" us for updates and more.

Links to this post
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

    Sponsors

    Search This Blog

    Loading...

    Followers

    ZG on Facebook

    Twitter

    Subscribe

    Sponsors

Powered by Blogger