Tiger stood up there with a 10-page pre-written speech and apologized to the universe for his infidelities. Was this necessary? I don’t think so.

First, in my opinion, Tiger doesn’t owe anything to anyone in this world, except his family. His indiscretions, vulgarities, or whatever he decides to do in his personal life, have nothing to do with his abilities as a golfer.

If you are one of those people that think he was a role model, or should be viewed as one, you’re stupid. He never claimed to be. You assumed it because he’s good at a game that has been associated with gentlemen (also ridiculous).

And don’t even give me that crap about golf giving Tiger everything. Make no mistake, TIGER gave golf everything! More than half of golf’s excitement in the past 10 years has come from Tiger. And if you think he owes his sponsors for “all of the money that he’s made,” you’re stupid.

Tiger has made THEM insane amounts of money through exposure and branding. And those sponsors pay him to increase their business, nothing more. Then they hypocritically drop him, claiming that’s not the image they want to portray. Way to turn your back on a guy whose success you’ve ridden for the past decade. A guy that you’ve touted as your money-making puppet.

Anyway, back to the apology speech. Needless to say, it was just more of a confirmation that Tiger really is a robot. It would have been so much smarter if he went outside the words of the speech a little bit.

Or if he didn’t look directly into the camera to make important points. All that did was make it looked coached and fake. Then again, he didn’t owe that apology to anyone other than his wife and kids.

But it was obvious that he knew that. Maybe, it was a necessary rouse for the crazed media and naive public. Either way, I would have liked to see some honesty. But it doesn’t make me appreciate Tiger any less. I’ve always thought of him as the King of Golf.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Officials from the USGA and Ping met yesterday in Dallas to discuss the use of Ping Eye 2 clubs on the PGA Tour. Can you believe these people get paid to have such ridiculous meetings? All of this groove craziness is enough to make your head spin. At least we don’t have to deal with it directly – like the pros on the PGA Tour. Actually… that would be awesome! Just being on the PGA Tour would be well worth the groove nonsense. Am I right?

USGA President Jim Hyler issued the following statement today:

“We met with representatives from Ping yesterday. Our conversation with Ping regarding the status of the Ping Eye 2 irons on the major professional American tours was productive, and we are hopeful that a solution can be found that respects and reflects the best interests of golfers and the game.”

Ping Chairman & CEO John Solheim also issued a statement today:

“We had a productive meeting with the USGA yesterday regarding the Ping Eye 2 groove debate on the PGA Tour,” said Ping Chairman & CEO John Solheim. “I’m encouraged by their willingness to openly discuss some of the challenges the golf industry faces relating to equipment issues. We left the meeting with an understanding we would continue to seek a solution that benefits golfers and acknowledges the importance innovation plays in the game.”

Callaway Golf and CBS Sports have reached an agreement that establishes the golf equipment manufacturer as a presenting sponsor of Sunday’s Super Bowl Today pregame show. It’s the first time a stand-alone golf manufacturer has purchased such rights.

The 30-minute sponsorship includes a Callaway-themed opening interstitial to introduce the company’s presence, as well as product and branding exposure on the CBS set throughout the show. Phil Mickelson, Callaway’s primary pitchman, is slated to appear in an additional segment to run during the sponsored programming.

Callaway will also use the Super Bowl platform to debut 90 seconds of commercial time that will feature the company’s focus on technological innovation and its 2010 products. Terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

Super Bowl pregame sponsorships are regarded as an aggressive and effective way for marketers to reach a substantial mainstream audience that culminates as the game’s kickoff approaches. Last year’s Super Bowl pregame show drew a Household rating/share of 11.6/24, and featured a viewership of 21 million during the 5:00 – 5:30 p.m time slot.

“We understand the pent-up desire for cutting-edge products that has been building through the recession as consumer spending declined,” said Jeff Colton, Senior Vice President, U.S., Callaway Golf. “Our 2010 product line featuring Diablo Edge has been generating a great deal of excitement within the golf industry, and we’re looking forward to introducing it to a mainstream audience.”

[Via thegolfchannel.com]

No, it’s not a PlayStation hand held gaming device. PSP stands for Pure Solid Perfect – three words that correctly describe the company’s new product. This year at the PGA Show, PSP debuted their new training aid called “The Little One.” It’s concept is simple, but it’s results are very beneficial.

Ever heard the phrase “aim small, miss small?” That’s basically how this little thing works. The club head is less than half the size of a regular 7 iron, and it forces you to practice hitting the center of the face. You may miss a few times, but if you can develop any kind of consistency with it, hitting a normal iron will feel easy. It’s a great confidence builder and can improve ball striking for players of all levels.

Even professional practice maniacs like Vijay Singh have been known to use “The Little One.” In fact, it’s become quite popular on the range at PGA Tour events.

Check out their website at PSPGolf.net.

Apparently this guy went after his $2 golf ball, and payed for it with his arm. Graphic pictures, but probably a good warning to golfers everywhere. Don’t mess with prehistoric animals.

Williams Formula One sure added some flair to this year’s PGA Show. We’re not completely sure why the racing company decided to throw their hat into the ring, but at least they did it in style. Williams Formula One girls were there to promote a new limited set of golf clubs that they have priced at $50,000. The set is called the Black Diamond Series, and according to their press release, the set provides the “Ultimate Golf Experience.” In our opinion, it better be one hell of an experience for $50k! Might even need to throw in the girl and the car to seal the deal.

Understanding each individual golfers needs are unique, a Williams’s expert club maker will custom fit and tailor each piece of equipment to the specific needs of the player. Maximizing and utilizing all fitting aspects will ensure the highest level of success that the Black Diamond Series can offer. The player will also receive a personalized 100% Italian leather custom Williams golf bag handmade in Italy by Schedoni, and will be a VIP Guest of the team of any F1 event of his choosing. The Black Diamond Series package carries a price tag of $50,000.00.

Williams will also be selling two more moderately priced sets – the Golf Series and the Players Series. Both of which will come with the engineering and design experience of Williams Formula One. Again, not really sure how racing engineering is relavent to golf, but you gotta love the chutzpah.

(We tried finding an angry picture of Lefty for this article, but the guy is permanently smiling. So we had to make do.)

Maybe you’ve seen or heard about some of the latest groove controversy. It all started with a small rule change that seemed to be just another “nit picky” implementation by the USGA. Now it’s developed into a major feud between players and USGA officials, led by Phil Mickelson on the players side.

When we first started hearing about the groove rule controversy, we assumed that it was just another pro athlete “prima donna” case. We thought that maybe the top 150 golfers in the world shouldn’t be complaining about a simple equipment change, but we were wrong. It’s really quite a cluster.

We run a spy golf news and reviews site, and we still don’t fully understand what’s going on. But we do know that when pros are going on Ebay to buy wedges from the 1980’s that are exceptions to the rule, things are screwed up. What you have is basically a ridiculous specification change that is really effecting how golfers play the game, and it’s completely unfair. Mickelson being one of the best players in the world, arguably has the most reason to be pissed. He essentially built his career around the 64 degree lob wedge, and is now being told that he cannot physically use it. According to Nick Faldo, it is now “impossible” to use a 64 degree wedge. The new groove rules have made such a drastic change that the ball literally slides up the face of the club, and can cause a variance in distances up to 20 feet when chipping. On top of that, the bafoons at the USGA have decided that a specific Ping Eye 2 Wedge from the 1980’s, which has the old square grooves, is acceptable becuase it’s grandfathered in yada yada yada.

“I agree that the rule, it’s a terrible rule,” Mickelson said. “To change to something that has this kind of loophole is nuts. But it’s not up to me or any other player to interpret what the interpretation of the rule is or the spirit of the rule. I understand black and white. And I think that myself or any other player is allowed to play those clubs because they’re approved. End of story.”

So Mickelson adheres to the nonsense and puts a Ping Eye 2 wedge in his bag, only then to be called a “cheater” by Scott McCarron.

According to the golf channel: “After testing an array of scenarios (U groves, V-like grooves, and no grooves) with players of all levels, the USGA, jointly with the R&A, determined that the V-like grooves are the best way to add the question back into the game.”

Well they certainly have added question to the game. We are questioning if they have any common sense. Probably very little, if any. Anyway, we wish Phil luck in his battles with the USGA.

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Phil Mickelson entered a packed room of about 60 reporters Wednesday at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. He then read the following pre-prepared statement:

“The first is obviously the Tiger, uh, topic,” Mickelson said. “The game of golf needs him to come back. I mean it’s important for him to come back and be a part of the sport, but right now he’s got a lot more important things going on in his life. And Amy and I are good friends with both Tiger and Elin and we care deeply about how this turns out, but I’m going to choose not to talk about it publicly anymore, and I appreciate you guys’ understanding on that.”

Asked why he, like others, has been reluctant to talk about Woods, Mickelson responded:

“Well, again, I don’t want to talk about it publicly for the reason that we’re friends and we have a personal relationship, and I just don’t feel–I feel like it’s a violation of our trust and our relationship.”

Mickelson did allow that he and his wife, Amy, have had “limited communication” with the Woods family, although “not necessary saying with who in the family.”

Asked to comment on the coverage of the Woods scandal, Mickelson threw it back to his questioners.

“As far as the media exposure or coverage, I think it’s more of a question for you,” he said. “That’s your industry. That’s what you guys do for a living. How do you feel it was covered? I don’t know. That’s more of a question for you guys.”

[Via Golf.com]

Titleist
Rory McIlroy, who finished third last week in Abu Dhabi, has switched from playing Titleist ZB muscle back blades to the company’s new MB irons. McIlroy is carrying a 3- through 9-iron, 1 upright, with True Temper Project X Rifle 6.5 shafts. Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy and Robert Karlsson have also recently switched to the new clubs.

Nike
David Duval and Jamie Lovemark both experimented with an 18° Nike Victory Red Hybrid before the start of the rain-soaked Bob Hope Classic in Palm Springs, Calif.

Nike also reports that Sweden’s Carl Pettersson had tour reps make him a Victory Red Split Cavity 4- and 5-iron last week. Pettersson, who plays Victory Red Forged Blades (5-PW), joins a group of several other Nike staff players who have created combo sets using various Nike clubs.

Paul Casey — Pro Combo OS (3), Nike Forged Blades (4-PW)
Stewart Cink — Pro Combo OS (2, 4), Victory Red Split Cavity (5-PW)
Justin Leonard — Pro Combo Tungsten (3), Nike Forged Blades (4-PW)
Pablo Martin — Victory Red Full Cavity (3-7) and Nike Forged Blades (8-PW)
Anthony Kim — Victory Red Full Cavity (3), Nike Forged Blades (4-PW)

TaylorMade
Martin Kaymer (right) won last week’s European Tour event in Abu Dhabi. The win, which moved the German to a career-high sixth position in the world rankings, was his first using TaylorMade clubs. Kaymer had previously played Titleist equipment.

Kaymer played a TaylorMade R9 460 driver (8.5°) with a Ping prototype 824-X shaft, an R9 3-wood (13°) with a Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki 73 X shaft and aBurner TP 5-wood (17.5) with a Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki 83 X shaft. He also played TaylorMade’s RAC TP irons (3-9) and wedges (54°, 58°) and the company’sPenta ball. Kaymer’s putter was a Ping Karsten Series Anser 2.

At Torrey Pines this week, TaylorMade will be debuting the newest Kia Ma putters. According to the company, the new putters will have weight ports that will allow for easy and quick customization.

[Via Golf.com]

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Champions Tour player Jim Thorpe has been sentenced to a year in prison for failing to pay more than $2 million in income taxes.

Thorpe’s attorney, Mark Horwitz, said Friday that Thorpe must turn himself in to authorities by April 1. The 60-year-old player also was sentenced to two years of supervised release and 200 hours of community service. He must try to repay the taxes while he’s on supervised release.

In September, Thorpe pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to pay income taxes and faced up to two years in prison.

Horwitz said Thorpe “has accepted his punishment and will be getting on with his life.”

Thorpe has 13 Champions Tour victories after winning three times on the PGA Tour.

“While it is unfortunate and regrettable that this is the final resolution, Jim has taken responsibility for his actions and has expressed his remorse,” the PGA Tour said in a statement.

The new Swami 1500 Golf GPS from IZZO Golf is a new and improved version of an already great product. Simple to read, easy to use, and low priced are three areas that this little GPS nails. Like we’ve said before, if your in the market for a Golf GPS that just works, pick up a Swami 1500. It will not disappoint.  (Check it out at booth 1119 at the PGA Show this year)

Izzo Golf is pleased to announce the launch of the next generation SWAMI 1500 Golf GPS. The new SWAMI employs a number of firmware updates designed to improve performance and make it easier to use.  According to David Witkoski, Marketing Manager for Izzo Golf, “ This new version of the SWAMI offers an auto-shut off feature to preserve battery life and provide more rounds with a single charge. The SWAMI will no longer need to be manually shut down and golfers will get more play out of the 16-hour battery charge. We have also added a low charge alert feature that lets the golfer know when to recharge the SWAMI.”

The SWAMI is a fast, and accurate, and affordable golf GPS unit that retails for $99.99. There is a  $9.99 membership fee for access to all USA and Canadian courses. Renewal of the fee is optional and the last 10 courses loaded will remain on the unit in perpetuity.

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