Play for something

Golf is a game in which your greatest competitor is yourself. To be able to execute the shot you see in your mind's eye is surely the greatest satisfaction of all. Running a close second however, is the satisfaction of competition. How many times have you surprised yourself by playing extra well because something important was riding on it? Or you were competing against a player who you were determined to beat?

Golf is one game that is truly enhanced by playing for something. Whether it's for a can of Coca Cola at the end of the round, dinner or a friendly sidebet - there are those that contend that golf without the extra challenge of gaining reward is nothing more than a walk for fresh air and sunshine!

That's why golf has so many sidegames, some of which are well-known (like Nassau) and others which less common (e.g. Olympic - where you get gold silver or bronze on the green for length of putt sunk)

Most popular games - Nassau, Skins, Matchplay, 3-1-1, Stroke and Stableford in both team and individual format.

When you play for something, you focus your mind. It was Tom Watson who said "I learned to win not because I liked winning, but I hated losing". When you are tired of losing -  your golf will improve too!

Can Tiger make it 5?

With the Masters just round the corner, the overwhelming favourite based on form AND track record is Tiger Woods. Jack Nicklaus once prophesied that Tiger would win more Green Jackets than "Arnie and me together". Jack won 6, Arnie won 4 - Can Tiger reach the halfway mark?

It'll be a major upset if he doesn't - an online poll reveals that 48% of all respondents think he'll stride to victory and his 11th Major overall. The next closest player is Phil Mickelson (7%) and then David Toms, Chris DiMarco and Sergio Garcia (6%) followed by Ernie Els (5%).

Only 2% thought Vijay Singh would win and 1% gave their vote to Retief Goosen.

In his recent interview with CNN, Tiger once again stated that his schedule is structured to peak at the 4 Majors. With his game coming together and barring any misfortune, he seems to have one arm through the sleeve already!

It will be interesting to see who stands up to be counted come April to make the Tiger turn tail

Musings - New Titleist driver hits market

The latest Titleist Pro Titanium 905R Driver (the first 460cc driver for the company) becomes available on 15th March 2006 at a recommended retail price of USD$500. It replaces the 905T is being dropped and complements the existing 400cc Pro Titanium 905S.

The techno-babble is as follows:

The new 905R launches one-half degree higher and spins approximately 350rpm more than the 905S. The 460cc clubhead size is 15-percent greater than Pro Titanium 905S and 905T)

* Larger head size and sweet spot provides 10% higher inertia for increased forgiveness
* 35-percent larger maximum ball speed area produces higher ball speed on off-center impacts
* Deeper Center of Gravity (CG) creates higher launch angle
* Produces slightly higher spin than 905S and 905T with a flatter downrange flight
* Bore-thru design offers a solid shaft feel and greater stability Square face for a square set up
* Multi-Material Design incorporating separate face, body and hosel construction
* Constructed of 6-4 Titanium body and SP7000 Titanium face insert
* CNC milled 6061 T-6 aluminum hosel tube reduces hosel mass and allows weight to be redistributed lower and deeper in the clubhead to optimize CG location and dynamic face closure
* Strategic weight pads in the skirt walls for optimum CG
* Maximum Coefficient of Restitution (COR) with thin plasma-welded face insert design produces higher ball speed, maximum allowable COR
* Large, uniformly thin, beta titanium face insert is supported by a thin outer flange
* Larger face flex area for higher COR over more face area
* Acoustic multi-material sole plug is positioned farther away from face than 905S and 905T placing CG lower and in the optimum position for the larger clubhead. It dampens sole vibration and helps optimize acoustics resulting in the impact being more explosive than 905S and 905T.
* Classic pear-shaped design
* Raised crown logo for better visual alignment
* Scorelines feature white paintfill to highlight face at address
* Stock shafts include Graphite Design YS-6+ (64g), Aldila NV 65
(67g), UST Proforce V2 75 (76g) and Titleist Speeder by Fujikura (78g). Additional shafts available through Titleist Custom
* Stock Grip: Titleist Tour Velvet Cord Round. Additional grips available through Titleist Custom

Phew! No wonder Drivers are so expensive! They have to pay someone to write all of that! I think distance is very important, but ask me to spend thousands more for 10 extra yards and I'll think twice! I'd rather spend the money on a putter that allows to hole every 5-footer.