We admit, we've never seen a promotion quite like this one. If you buy a TaylorMade r7 Limited, Burner or R9 driver between now and Master's Week (April 11), and if Sergio happens to win, TaylorMade will REFUND your purchase price!

Now, does that mean TaylorMade secretly thinks/hopes Sergio doesn't win at Augusta? Nahh, the benefits that come from Sergio winning a major outweigh the refund price of thousands of drivers (in our opinion.) Plus, it makes watching him play all the more interesting, knowing that a lot of people have the chance to win back their purchase price of that shiny new TaylorMade driver.

We like this kind of promotion, and hope to see something like it for every major this year. Oh, and for those of you who do buy a new TM driver, don't lose your receipt. You're gonna need it.

Buy a new driver HERE.

Labels: augusta sergio garcia taylormade r7 limited r9 burner driver promotion golfsmith, masters

Not in the least. Tiger is bigger and badder than ever. AK isn't too shabby himself, proving that his petite frame is capable of hitting towering drives.

So, what are we talking about? Well, the next time you catch these two players hitting tee shots on television, pause your DVR anywhere you have a chance to take a peek at their new 3-woods...

Here's the secret: Those aren't 3-woods. Both Tiger and AK have allegedly (I say allegedly because it's unofficial) been using 380cc versions of Nike's DYMO driver.

380cc? Huh?

That's 80cc's smaller than the limit. Tiger is on record saying he's always preferred a smaller head, which makes sense when you're a tour player who frankly, misses the sweetpot a lot less often than we do. Also, a smaller head helps prevent too much backspin---a common frustration fast swingers have when using 460cc heads.

For the rest of us though, 460cc heads aren't going anywhere. At least not for now. Some companies have scaled down a bit (the TaylorMade r9 is 420cc's), but generally club manufacturers agree that bigger is better in terms of overall forgiveness and distance. Then again, who knows? Maybe club companies are starting to look towards smaller heads to help further optimize launch/spin for an even greater mass of golfers.

Check it out. And no, you can't head to the shop and buy a 380cc DYMO driver. They are prototypes only. (Above photo is of the regular DYMO, not the prototype.)

Labels: tiger woods anthony kim smaller driver clubhead 380 pga tour three 3 wood equipment in the bag nike

Darn, I was actually hoping to see some tattoo graphics or something on the new Callaway BB Diablo golf balls. Guess we'll just have to settle for a very soft-feeling, long-hitting golf ball. Hmmph. ($24/doz)

Maybe soft isn't the right word for such an aggressive ball. How about "resilient"? Bouncy? I think you get the idea. We tried them and hit the ball further than normal. About a club further than normal, actually. Wowzers.

If greenside spin isn't a huge issue for you, give them a try.

Buy 'em HERE.

Labels: callaway diablo big bertha golf balls equipment accessories golfsmith new

Check out Ryan Noll's quick take on the TaylorMade r9 Driver.

Labels: taylormade r9 drivers technology review golf equipment new pga tour

A close, if not musical, look at Golf Pride's BCT Grips with Senior Editor Ryan Noll.

Labels: clubmaking, drivers, golf clubs, golf grips, golf pride, irons, taylormade pga tour winners bag nike odyssey driver fairway woods irons putters wedges hybrid bct brushed cotton

I know, it's a stretch to blog about the new Apple iPod Shuffle on a Golf Tips Blog. But bear with me.

Labels: apple, clubs, earbuds, editor, equipment, gear, golf, ipod, music, practice, shuffle, strategy

One of the most innovative putters for 2009 is one that will most definitely take some getting used to (in a good way, of course).

The Axis 1 employed a curved heel that moves the heel weight forward from the clubface in order to align the sweetspot in a straight line with the shaft. I.e., if the shaft went all the way to the ground, the sweetspot would be right on it. Now, go ahead. Take a second to digest that...

Sounds pretty cool doesn't it? Wait until you try it. The feel is amazing and unlike anything else out there. The looks are a bit weird, but who cares? The pendulum-like feel and balance is awesome and fewer putts always looks better on the scorecard.

Get more information HERE.

Labels: putters golf equipment axis 1 innovative new pga show featured

Remember that "Whole-In-One" iron that had the adjustable lofts? I do. I also remember trying it and darn near breaking my hands with the horrible feeling it produced. I don't think it was ever designed to be hit, rather it was a novelty. Maybe that's why my granddad kept it in his study and not in his bag.

Labels: adjustable, equipment, for sale, golf, rare, unique, USGA, wedge

Know what? If I had the time to do this I would. Kudos to Golfsmith for doing a great job at organizing a nice rundown of the latest GPS devices.

Labels: golfsmith gps skycaddie sonocaddie golf logix u pro golf handheld device comparison review

Y.E. Yang may not the be the most popular golfer on the PGA Tour (I'll bet he's a huge star in So. Korea, though), but his win last week proved he might soon become one. (We especially liked his Hale Irwin-esque victory lap around the 18th green.)

Showmanship aside, Yang also showcased a lot of talent and a keen ability to hit a variety of golf shots, many of which he did by using a bag with more headcovers than we usually see on the PGA Tour.

Yang carried a ball full of TaylorMade products (except for is putter and wedge):

TaylorMade r7 Limited driver (9.5)



TaylorMade Burner Fairway (13) and V-Steel Fairway (18)







TaylorMade rescue TP hybrids (19, 21)



TaylorMade r7 TP irons (5-PW)



TaylorMade rac Wedge (48)



Nike SV wedge (58)



Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball putter



TaylorMade TP Red ball



Now, if Yang's bag seems unusual, especially considering the near overlap in lofts when comparing the fairway woods and hybrids, the reality is Yang's bag should actually serve as a model for the average golfer and not an anomaly.

Hybrids and fairway woods can in fact overlap in loft, mainly since loft is just one trait in the design and function of the club. I.e., a 18-degree fairway wood and 18-degree hybrid are mostly likely not going to travel the same distance. Hybrids have shorter shafts and lower CGs that fairway woods, meaning they launch the ball higher and with more spin that do most fairway woods.

So, before you go out and buy new fairway woods and hybrids, be sure and test drive a few different models and don't worry so much about the loft or model. Instead, use a Trackman to see what clubs fill the gaps in your distances and round out your set.

Labels: taylormade pga tour winners bag nike odyssey driver fairway woods irons putters wedges rescue hybrid, y e yang

Check it out. (Sorry for the abrupt ending.)

Labels: golf accessories softspikes ball marking too cleats tee clubgrip

Sorry, I must be really into my iPhone today. (See the post below if you're just getting here.)

Labels: iphone aaron baddeley putting tips seeitgolf video mobile video device

If you're like one of the three GT editors who has yet to succumb to the power of the iPhone, you don't know what you're missing. First, having an iPhone means you're cool. It means you're hip and trendy. Second, it means you are a better person than those who don't have iPhones. You want to be superior? Get an iPhone.

Labels: golf, golf course, gps device, iphone, view ti, yardage

Unknowingly to us, Titleist has been quietly packaging golf balls into interesting boxes for certain types of special events. In the case of the above, looks like you can get dozen or single-ball packs for newborn babies, weddings and although we aren't sure, probably just about any other kind of event you can think of. And in case you were wondering, the ball is the DT SoLo: "The Feel Good Golf Ball".

Hmmm. I guess this is a good idea. Worst case, it makes for a pretty good gag.

Get some HERE.

Labels: titleist golf balls equipment stuff

TaylorMade recently launched their new, heavily flash-based website.

Check it out and tell us what you think.

HERE.

Labels: taylormade golf equipment r9

"The perfectly discreet way to enjoy hot or cold drinks right from your golf bag. It looks like a regulation driver, but its secret is the one-button dispensing pump. Designed to sit unobtrusively in a side pocket so it doesn't take up space inside. Fill with hot or cold beverages, and they'll stay at the right temperature for hours. Holds 54 oz. Detach for easy cleaning. Includes four AA batteries." ($99)

OMG.

Get your ridiculous Electronic Drink Caddie HERE.

Labels: electronic drink caddie, gag, golf gifts

We aren't happy to see the MacGregor brand in such a mess. It's long been one of the strongest brand names in golf, and we hope one day it returns to its former glory. They've always made some great stuff.

In fact, the most recent crop of MacGregor products are really good, and for a short time you can get your hands on a bunch of different drivers, fairway woods, irons and putters for dirt cheap.

Again, we hope MacGregor gets its act together. It deserves it. Do them a favor and buy this stuff up.

Click HERE.

Labels: drivers, equipment, fairway woods, golf equipment, irons, macagregor, putters, sale

If you're in the market for a new Cleveland driver, why not get a free dozen Srixon golf balls for doing so?

Choose between any of the new HiBORE Monster models or the Launcher, and receive your choice of either the Srixon Soft Feel, AD-333 or Trispeed golf balls. ($299 for driver with free golf balls.)

Yes, it's that simple.

Get them HERE.

Labels: cleveland, drivers, edwin watts, golf, hibore, launcher, promotion, srixon

How many of you remember the classic Tour Wrap grip from Golf Pride? Not only was it one of the most popular grips around 10-15 years ago, it also was available in a corded version for people who wanted some extra grip and firmness in the grip.

Only thing was, the corded Tour Wrap was pretty tough on the hands. In fact, unless you were able to play daily and build up some calluses, using corded grips meant having some sore hands the following day.

Golf Pride has since then completely fixed the problem. The new line of BCT grips (which includes a corded Tour Wrap version shown) are corded, but the cotton material is much softer and less abrasive. In fact, we're willing to go as far as to say they might be the softest corded grips we've ever tried. They still retain plenty of tackiness in wet weather, only now they're much easier to handle. We like that!

Multiple colors and styles are available. Learn more HERE.

Labels: equipment, golf clubs, golf grips, golf pride, tour wrap