LINKS & TEE’S GOLF DOME, THE BEST DEAL IN DUPAGE, located at 880 West Lake Avenue, open today until 10 Pm. Rates start at just $12 per half hour. Get a spring tune up lesson from the members of the professional staff. Outdoor golf season is on the first tee and ready to hit it. (630)-233-7275 Ext. 4, See addisonparks.org.

BY: RORY SPEARS, Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter @GogBlogGuy

     Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Golf Course will get new greens and more this summer. The other news was that the King himself held court on Wednesday as his tournament was getting ready to tee off.

The 7th hole at the Bay Hill Lodge.

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge has announced more improvements to the resort.

They will start will a full re-grassing of all 18 greens in May, and the project is expected to be completed in August.

Bay Hill has acknowledged that a 2009 upgrade of the greens, did not meet the expectations of Bay Hill. As a result a new TifEagle Bermuda grass will be installed after Bay Hill found that some of it’s greens were not completely healthy after a rough winter.

Tournament officials of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, feel the greens while weak in some area’s will be made playable to tournament conditions, and will not have an effect on scoring this week during the championship.

The lodge at BayHill

“We always strive to have the very best playing conditions, not only for the tournament, but also for our members and guests,” said Roy Saunders, vice president of Bay Hill Club. “By taking this step, the club is positioning itself to better achieve it’s overall objective of offering superior conditions throughout the year.”

The re-grassing process to be undertaken is called the “no-till method,” which will ensure that all of the topographical features and contours will be preserved.

Chris Flynn, the Director of Grounds for Bay Hill’s 27 holes, will work with Bland Cooper, Competitions Agronomist for the PGA Tour, to ensure that the greens remain in the best possible condition during the tournament.

More improvements were completed prior to the start of this weeks tournament, some include the new “G-Angle” bunker sand that is approved by the PGA Tour and is in the 84 bunkers at Bay Hill. Other improvements include five more acres of fairways that were restored to original course design. Approach and bailout area’s have been enlarged. The grounds staff implemented an aggressive tree-trimming program that has improved the course views, and restored shot values.

Bay Hill a 70 room lodge that features 27 holes of golf, is located close to downtown Orlando. The other features include the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy, tennis, a full service spa and salon, and a heated Jr. sized Olympic pool. Bay Hill has three dining area’s, and over 9,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space.

TO HEAR from the King, Arnold Palmer and his press conference click here.

For reservations at Bay Hill call (888)-422-9445 or (407)-876-2429. Online see Bayhill.com or visit on Facebook or Twitter.

  THE BEST DEAL IN DUPAGE COUNTY, the Links & Tee’s Golf Dome on Lake street in Addison. Open today from 8 AM to 10 PM. Rates start at just $12 for 30 minutes, but only $10 after 7 PM. Come get a spring tune up lesson from the professional staff, there are several top area teachers to pick from . Call (630)-233-7275 Ext. 4, or visit online addisonparks.org.

Golfersongolf.com by Rory Spears, Editor & Director of Content, Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, & Twitter @GogBlogGuy On Calusa Pines 11th hole.

The one day of 70 degree weather is gone for now, but those days hopefully will return on a regular basis before too long. Today is cool and windy in Chicago, but much nicer at today’s Great Golf Destination Calusa Pines Golf Club in Naples Florida.

Chicago area native Gary Chensoff found himself spending a lot of time in Southern Florida back in the 1990’s. During that time he came to realize that the area really didn’t have a top of the line golf club. One that you would make time to play, and one that you as a member would want to bring your guests to play. As a result Calusa Pines came to be.

The 18th green and clubhouse at Calusa Pines.

Calusa Pines is about pure golf on a piece of property that feels natural to enjoy the game. There would not be any waterfalls, statues, fountains, and big patches of flowers. When the course was designed, the concept of playing the course with one sleeve of balls or less was taken to heart.

Par is good score on Calusa’s 18 holes, and it’s considered that the following statements are appropriate at Calusa Pines. “It’s hard to get lucky at Calusa” and “the course will expose a golfers weakness.” Very true, yes indeed.

The Par 4, 1st hole gets golfers off the first tee and into the flow of the golf course.

While Calusa Pines is in Naples, it does not back up to the gulf. Your won’t hear the surf in the background, but there are views that make it feel like Florida, and or Pinehurst North Carolina in a few places.

Calusa does not feel like a normal Florida golf course. There are not big water ponds on every hole, there no canals dividing you away from the homes, because there are no canals and no homes around every hole either. Calusa Pines is about golf period. There is no swimming pool, no tennis courts and country club style events. While the club is not a health club, the course was designed with the concept of walking in mind. Most rounds you will have a caddie, and you will get your exercise.

The Par 3, 155 yard 3rd hole.

There was some serious thought given to the course’s design. Florida can have a wide range of weather conditions.

The winds change directions and speeds, so the par threes and the par fives are all played in different directions. A golfer can reach two of the par fives on any given day, with two well struck shots and maybe a little help from the wind.

The design concept was to have variety so all the holes would all be “memorable”, as a result when members are asked their favorite hole, almost every hole gets mentioned.

The Par 4, 15th hole at Calusa Pines, has a dunes style look.

The fairway width is pretty generous, while the green complexes offer different challenges for the golfer. There some holes where one does need to fly it into the green, others were you can run it up if you wish. Should you miss green you will be given a variety of options on how to play the next shot. Options, a golfers friend and the sign of a great golf course.

Another objective was to make the golf course playable for the members, but to still make the course a challenge every day. The course was designed with enough challenge in a “normal way”, so it never had to be tricked up to play difficult. It’s said that if the USGA wanted to host a U.S. Open there, it could be done with only three weeks notice so some rough could be grown in.

The par 3, 16th hole is 185 yards from the tips. It’s not a full island green, but calls for a precise tee shot.

Calusa Pines is about golf and a golf experience, from the time you deliver your clubs to bag stand, to the time you head home for the day with a great experience having been enjoyed during your visit.

The course architects Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry call the 300 acre site where Calusa sits, to be some of the best natural surrounding vegetation area found in south Florida. As a result, the Hurdzan and Fry refer to Calusa Pines as a “dream job”, that has turned into a lifelong love on their part.

What Calusa Pines offers as a golf course isn’t lost on some of the professionals who played there. Paul Azinger calls Calusa Pines his favorite course in Florida, and Rocco Mediate will tell you the same thing. Anthony Kim says they are best greens he has ever putted on, and Johnny Miller says the greens are in his top 10 toughest greens he has ever putted on.

Calusa Pines has six sets of tee’s and the yardage ranges from 5,348 up front,to 7,203 all the way back. Calusa Pines is not your normal Florida golf course, so if an invitation to play, comes your way. Don’t pass it up, it’s one course that real golfers will enjoy.

     The Buffalo Grove Golf and Sports Center on McHenry Road in Buffalo Grove, is open for business today from 9 Am to 10 PM, with rates starting at just $11 for 30 minutes. It’s not to late to get a spring tune up lesson from the professional staff. Call (847)-459-2321 or visit bgparks.org.

With the Master himself Scotty Cameron (L), by Rory Spears (R) Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin & Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Titleist and Scotty Cameron have announced a new line of putters to be available in your pro shops or retail outlets on April 3rd.

The new GOLO Putters are a new innovative multi-material designs that feature a lightweight aluminium face-sole core surrounded by a stainless steel frame that delivers an improved MOI for increased stability and more forgiveness.

The steel frame is seamlessly connected to the aluminum face face-sole core at five points with a new vibration dampening technology that will deliver a new softer feeling than Cameron putters have had in recent years. The body has a Silver Mist finish that will contrast with the dark anodized aluminum face-sole core that runs through the top to create a sightline field on the back flange for easy alignment. The Four-Way relief on the sole prevents snagging for a smooth takeaway.

The Scotty Cameron GOLO 5 Dual Balance.

There are several options on the new GOLO putters, they are the following.

The GOLO 3, a mid mallet with a heel shafted flow neck.

The GOLO 5, an angled back mallet with a crisp single bend shaft.

The GOLO 5R, a rounded back mallet with a crisp single bend shaft.

The GOLO 6, a B-back mallet with a crisp single bend shaft.

A new GOLO 5 Dual Balanced model is now available for those players who prefer the GOLO mallet head but need maximum stability in their stroke.

“The GOLO line has been around for three years now, and it’s won a lot of golf tournaments with some of the best players in the world,” said Cameron, whose putters have been the choice of more players on the PGA Tour since 1997 and counting. “But there are always ways to learn and do things better. We’ve moved in today’s technology, machining and computer systems and taken everything we’ve learned on tour to create an even better GOLO. The new models have a better feel, better sound, better alignment and better overall performance. It’s the next wave of construction technology-and it’s simply better. Nobody else has done what we are doing with this line.”

The larger mallet head designs of the new GOLO putters work well a 10-inch Matador Red Midsize grip. The grip at 77 grams, promotes a more stable stroke. In shops April 3rd, all models have a MAP of $379 with a MSRP of $410.

The Scotty Cameron Select Roundback Putter, now available.

Now in your local pro shops is the new Scotty Cameron Roundback Putter.

Like the Select Fastback and Select Squareback counterparts, the Roundback features an innovative aluminum sole with crisscross sightlines that pop through the head. Sight lines that are positioned parallel and perpendicular to the face, deliver visual confidence for improved alignment.

Roundback, Fastback, and Squareback each a have the popular Newport shape with an extended back that varies in appearence. The Roundback has anew fully rounded shape. The fastback has rounded corners, while the Squareback is boxy.

“When we introduced them a year ago, the Fastback and Squareback instantly resonated with golfers at every level of the game. Just recently at the Sony Open seven players had Fastback and Squareback models in play,” Cameron said.”Alignment is a huge trend on tour, having multiple sight lines on a head works to benefit many golfers. If you have difficulty setting up to the ball and squaring the face at impact, this is a great option.”

Both putters are available in Right handed lengths  of 33″-34″-35″. Custom lofts, Lies and grips available via Scotty Cameron Custom Shop. The Roundback Putter has a MAP of $349, with a MSRP of $375.

For more information on Scotty Cameron Putters, visit ScottyCameron.com or Titleist.com.

 The Buffalo Grove Golf and Sports Center is open today until 10 Pm, rates start at just $11 for 30 minutes. Outdoor golf season is here, but if you wish to warm up inside before taking outside in the cool spring temps, the BG Golf & Sports Center is your place in Lake County to do it. Get that spring tune up lesson from a member of the professional staff. Located at 801 McHenry Road, call (847)-459-2321 or bgparks.org.

   BY: RORY SPEARS, Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

The temperature is going up to 75 here today, and the list of courses that are opening today is getting longer by the minute. Some might not be open until noon, but they will be open. While a couple courses were open over the weekend, several waited until today. So I will call today opening day.

The weather is so nice, that even BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm came home from the sunny south. But not before he hit a few spots along the way. Visit Lenziehmongolf.com to read about stops at Myrtle Beach, Reynolds Plantation and the French Lick Resort.

Golf courses as far north as Wisconsin have opened. The Bull at Pinehurst Farms just south of Kohler is one of the first to do so in the Dairyland State.

The list in Illinois is even longer. Shiloh in Zion has it’s 9 holes open. Settlers Hill, Tanna Farms, and Oak Grove are open. Foxford Hills has nine holes open, Whisper Creek and Orchard Valley are open. Blackberry Oaks with new GM Chad Johansen is open. Cog Hill is has courses 1 & 3 open. A few other clubs like Sportsman’s in Northbrook have opened their outdoor ranges.

It’s unfortunate that the 75 degrees is for today only. By tomorrow it’s back to a high of 49, but back into the low 50’s by Thursday. But the snow is mostly gone and and with overnight lows above freezing, that’s all we need for golf season to start. Even some of the area country clubs are getting close to opening. White Eagle in Naperville posted how they are taking the winter tarps off their greens today.

If you haven’t bought that new club or clubs do so quickly, it’s not too late to go inside and grab a tune up lesson from one of the local Illinois PGA professionals.

Addisonparks.org or Call 630-233-7275 Ext. 4 for information

ON THE PGA TOUR… Tiger Woods announced he will not play at Bay Hill, probably a smart move and he would only say he is hoping to be at Augusta for the Masters.

I expect him to play at Augusta, it’s major with a shorter field so that gives him a chance to be a little competitive.

JORDAN SPIETH who won his first PGA Tour title at the John Deere Classic, won his second yesterday at the Valspar Championship at the Innisbrook Resort in Florida. You can bet that more eyes will be on him now, as the Masters approaches.

Speaking of Innisbrook, it was great to see that the Salamander Golf Resort chain that owns Innisbrook has committed to a restoration of it’s famed Copperhead Course. When I was there in January, it was easy to tell the time had come for some upgrades. I expect next year the professionals will love the course even more than they do now. For more information, see our story from last Friday. Work starts in May and runs through October.

         (L) on Copperhead at Innisbrook, (R) the entrance to the Atlantic City Country Club.

From the weekend if you missed it. More great news on the renovation front came from another one of my stops last year Atlantic City. The Ottinger family that owns three courses in the Atlantic City area including the 117 year old Atlantic City Country Club, where term “birdie” was coined. Has started a renovation of it’s historic clubhouse and is doing more work on the course, see my story from the weekend for more details.

Starting this coming Sunday, the Gog Blog travels to Mississippi for four days on the links and I have more about the golf in that state over the days and weeks ahead. Stay clicked in.

YOU CAN STILL fill out your brackets tomorrow or Wednesday, so why not take advantage of the 75 degree weather today and go tee it. It’s opening day for outdoor golf season in the Chicago area, and the first tee is open. Pull the driver. RS.

     THE BUFFALO GROVE GOLF & SPORTS CENTER is open today until 8 PM. The price of range balls is $12 for 30 minutes. It’s not too late for a 5-hour pass for only $85 that will have you ready to go for the outdoor season by the time April arrives. Get a spring tune up lesson or two from the professional staff like Kristy Vik, John Andrews and or Todd Sones. Call (847)-459-2321 or visit bgparks.org.

The Historic Atlantic City Country Club Clubhouse.

The Ottinger family of golf courses that include Atlantic City Country Club, the Scotland Run Golf Club, and the Ballamor have announced several significant renovation projects for 2015.

The historic and 117 year old Atlantic City Country Club, the birthplace of the term “birdie.” Has started undergoing renovations to the clubhouse, that will include a make over to the entrance-way and the lobby.

The entrance to the Atlantic City Country Club, will be redone.

In addition the John J. McDermott Room, the James “Sonny” Fraser Room, the Leo Fraser Library, the Grand Ballroom, two private dinning rooms, restrooms and corridors. In addition, an all-new bridal suite overlooking the golf course with breathtaking views of the Atlantic City skyline will be completed and equipped with everything one could ask for. The renovations are expected to be completed during the spring.

“We are thrilled to be making this announcement and look forward to restoring this magnificent property with all the grandeur it once had and more,” said Liz Norton-Scanga, Director of Marketing. “Over the years the clubhouse may have lost a little of it’s luster, but these renovations will be nothing short of spectacular.”

The Atlantic City Country Club is the No.1 ranked public course in New Jersey by multiple golf publications that do golf ratings and rankings.

The golf course itself will undergo improvements. The greenside bunkers around Holes 4,6,8,12,15, & 17 will be renovated. That work will start about April 1st, and a new halfway house is under construction and will be open in April.

Atlantic City Cluntry Club’s, sister club, Scotland Run located in Williamstown ,NJ will undergo a full bunker renovation. This project is much bigger than the one at ACCC according to Norton-Scanga. “This project will include every bunker on the golf course, it is important to the Ottinger Family that all of our golf courses are maintained to the highest standard for our members and guests.”

The Par 3, 17th hole at Atlantic City Country Club.

Both golf courses will remain open during the renovation process. The third course that makes up the Ottinger Golf Group is the Ballamor Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township.

For more information on the Ottinger Golf Group courses, visit accountryclub.com, scotlandrun.com or ballamor.com.

For more information on golf around the Atlantic City area, please see PlayACGolf.com. there are some 20 courses that are located within one hour of the downtown Atlantic City area.

     The Best Indoor Golf Deal in DuPage County, the Links & Tee’s Golf Dome 880 West Lake Street in Addison. Friday nights are country nights, wear in your cowboy hat and get a deal on range balls. See the professional staff for your spring tuneup lesson, as the outdoor golf season is coming. Call (630)-233-7275 Ext. 4, or see Addisonparks.org.

The Gog Blog, by Rory Spears Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

The Salamander Hotels and Resorts have announced upgrades to the famed Copperhead Golf Course at Innisbrook Resort just north of Tampa.

Copperhead is the host of this weeks Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour. The course was originally designed by Larry Packard.

Back in January of this year the resort brought in the new white “tour sand” to enhance the golf course. The new look is coming across this week during the TV broadcasts. But starting in May the improvement list to the golf course will grow.

The new sand was dropped in Copperhead’s bunkers early this year.

It’s a six-month restoration project that will start in May, and continue through October.

The project will include the replacing of all fairways and rough, rebuilding each green on the golf course, and then reshaping bunkers while having them stay true to the original Packard design.

The announcement was made this week at the Valspar Championship, a favorite stop by many of the professionals on the PGA Tour.

The Snake Pit makes up holes 16-17-18 on Copperhead.

One of the area’s that will be interesting to see the improvements will be the area known as the “Snake Pit.” The Snake Pit is made up of the last three holes, and can give the golfers fits, as they make their way around the three holes.

“Our vision is to respect and protect the vision of Larry Packard and his signature design, and continue to elevate the golf experience for our guests, members, partners and playing professionals,” said Sheila C. Johnson, Founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, and owner of Innisbrook. “Our exciting restoration will accomplished this goal in an environmentally sensitive fashion and help maintain Innisbrook’s reputation as one of America’s top golf destinations for years to come.”

Copperhead’s bunkers with the new sand in place.

Copperhead has hosted a professional golf championship for the past 25 years. It is one of the four courses at the resort that was designed by Packard who lived at the resort for some 40 years. Packard passed away at the age of 101 in 2014.

During his career, Packard designed some 600 golf courses.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing Copperhead,” says former World No.1 player Luke Donald, who won the Valspar Championship in 2012. “It is one of my favorite weeks of the year. I’m very glad to hear that Innisbrook is doing so much to make sure it remains a great test of golf for years to come.”

Wadsworth Golf Construction that was the original builder, will handle the work during the restoration. The greens will be rebuilt to USGA Standards with TiFEagle Bermuda grass, with some greens being restored to original size to add additional pin placements.

The fairways will be replaced with Celebration Bermuda grass and some areas around the greens will be expanded for better viewing area’s. The tee boxes will be leveled, and the front tee’s shortened to make the course more enjoyable for juniors, seniors, women and beginners. The overall length will remain at 7,340 yards. The PGA Tour will consult on the improvement project.

Innisbrook is located north of Tampa Florida near the gulf, and north of Palm Harbor and just South of Tarpon Springs on Highway US-19 North. For more information please see innisbrookgolfresort.com or call (727)-942-2000.

 The Best Deal in DuPage, Links & Tee’s Golf Dome 880 West Lake Street. Do you have your Platinum 300 Dome card yet ? 300 minutes for only $100 dollars. Stop by Links & Tee’s now, use the new for this winter mats and range balls. Open today until 10 Pm, rates start at $12, only $10 after 7 Pm. Call (630)-233-7275 Ext. 4 or online see addisonparks.org. Get a spring tune up lesson with the staff of professionals.

PGA.COM

The annual PGA Merchandise Show was held this past January in Orlando Florida. Golfers on Golf attended the show and continues it coverage of the products we saw that are coming to your golf stores or pro shops in 2015.

Stable26 is another newer product that is working it’s way into golf, after successful use in other sports that include skiing and hockey.

By: Rory Spears, Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

Stable26 has been designing a better pair of socks for you, they have proven to be a better fit on and off the golf course.

Stable26 socks come with silicone pads that enhance comfort and fit.

You should start by using them in shoes that are not to worn out. Once you put on the socks to test for comfort, then you can add the pads to adjust the fit. There are different size pads you can put in the pockets on the socks (2mm or 4mm).

     Visit Stable26.com to hear the comments from top professional athletes using the Stable26 socks, including four-time major champion Ernie Els who uses the socks while playing on tour, or his practice sessions.

Click here to hear our interview with Stable26 representative Jesse Madge who talks about socks and some of athletes using them.

If your looking for socks with added comfort, that don’t continue to wear out in the same places over a short period of time, checkout the line of Stable26 socks. Why not have your feet be more comfortable on the golf course than they have ever been. Stable26 socks are easy to wash and maintain. Look for Stable26 in your golf stores and pro shops today.

  THE BUFFALO GROVE Golf and Sports Center on McHenry Road, is the premier golf dome in Lake County. Open today from 9 Am to 10 Pm, rates before 6 PM weekdays are just $11 for 30 minutes. $12 after 6 Pm. Time for that spring tune up lesson, the dome has several top teachers that help your game be ready for when the snow melts, and that is happening right now. Call (847)-459-2321 or visit bgparks.org. it’s not to late to get the 5-hour pass for only $85 dollars.

By: Rory Spears, Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

The annual PGA Merchandise Show was held this past January in Orlando Florida.

Golfers on Golf attended the show to see the exhibits and the new products.

Today is another feature on a new product to coming to a golf retail store, or your pro shop in the short future. It might be a new beginning on how golfers look at the design of the golf ball. We will see.

The OnCore Golf Ball

The OnCore golf ball is different from golf balls as we know them, but golf balls have changed over the years.

There have been several changes over the years, that came along at a time where the industry thought the idea or design was crazy. Only to be the standard just a few years later.

There was a day when a liquid core balls were surrounded by long strings of rubber bands. Then the hard core rubber ball center came along, followed by new covers that don’t cut like the old Balata balls did.

Now a new core has arrived and it’s a metal core, it follows the concept of perimeter weighting that years ago became popular in golf clubs.

The New Maximum Series One OnCore Golf Ball.

The metal core is hollow, but helps give your ball flight more strength for the energy transfer.

The Perimeter Weighting gives the golfer a Tighter Shot Dispersion, and a truer roll on the green. The Enhanced Rifle Spin allows for more distance and in-flight accuracy.

Now to answer the question that is in the back of your mind, is it legal. Well the answer to that question is yes. It took some doing to get it through the USGA and it did not become legal through normal standards. After not getting the green light through the normal testing procedures, Oncore Golf had to appeal to the USGA. Their is a panel that reviews the rulings made in the lab. The board of appeals reversed the testing area for only the second time in history to approve the Oncore Ball.

To hear the story and more about the new design in golf balls click below to hear our interview with Bret Blakely President of OnCore Golf.

For more information on OnCore Golf Balls, Please Visit oncoregolf.com, find them on Facebook or call (716)-536-3763. OnCore Golf Balls, the future is here.

             THE BEST DEAL IN DUPAGE COUNTY..LINKS & TEE’S GOLF DOME on W. Lake Street in Addison. Monday-Friday $12 per half hour and only $10 after 7 Pm. Weekends at just $14 per half hour. Hours Mon.-Thurs. 8 Am to 10 Pm, Friday 8 Am-11 Pm, Saturday 7 Am to 11 Pm and Sunday 7 Am to 10 Pm. Get that Spring-Tune Up lesson from one of several instructors. Call (630)-233-7275 Ext. 4 or visit Addisonparks.org.

     Go practice at the award-winning Links & Tee’s Golf Dome today until 10 Pm.

  By: Rory Spears Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and on Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Photo’s L-R, Doral Blue Monster 18th, the Snake Pit on 16 at Copperhead at Innisbrook Resort, home of this weeks Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour.

What a week for golf it was. Rory went splash, DJ was back in the winners circle, “The Donald” was making news, and an attempt at news went astray per the Washington Post.

The WGC event at Doral had all the making of seeing just where the big guns were at, with the Masters about a month out. Some were in a good place, others were not.

World No.1 Rory McIlroy was all wet, or at least his Nike 3-Iron was after RORS hurled it into the pond on the 8th hole of the Blue Monster. At least a sleeve of Nike golf balls got wet too, as McIlroy found the water a few times.

Much to do was made of the McIlroy hurling, but for those who tried to compare this to one of Tiger Woods poor sportsmanlike acts, you’re not even close. Woods would have Tomahawked the club into the ground first, before kicking it, dropping some F-Bombs in front of the ladies and junior golfers, then hurled the club. He would have also blown off the post round interview, and stormed off for another day.

McIlroy was half laughing as he made the toss. He did speak after the round, and talked openly about the club toss, and addressed the junior golfers who might have witnessed the act if they skipped school that day, or saw the highlights on-line. McIlroy knew he wasn’t using the club the rest of the round, so it was free to go swimming for the afternoon. Since the 3-Iron couldn’t swim, it was Donald Trump to the rescue. A scuba diver was sent in the pond to get the club and Trump ( in front of the camera’s no less) returned the club to McIlroy on the range over the weekend. All-in-all everyone had a good laugh and McIlroy rebounded to a respectable showing, in the end the club toss just makes for a funny highlight for U-Tube.

THE WASHINGTON POST tried it’s hand in golf writing, and failed over the weekend. One of the worst stories anyone has ever read about the sport of golf was published, and you have to wonder how some people keep their jobs in our business.

I won’t sink to the level by naming the guy wrote the story about, America falling out of love with golf or something like that. BTW, when did that happen. Oh that’s right, it never did.

There is some misinformation in the story, old outdated news and fact’s that never were. As for the line about the game hoping to save itself with a resurgence from Tiger Woods, ah no. That’s not the plan, it’s all about Jordan, Rickie, Bubba, and Rory now. Yeah Rory, the guy who encourages his 3-Iron to take up swimming. Maybe the Washington Post guy saw the video, the one that had enough views to go through the roof. Then again maybe he didn’t.

When the week was over at Doral, Dustin Johnson was back in the winners circle. Johnson who stepped away from the game for several months while he addressed personal issues, looks to be a threat again. Talk will start about him winning a major, don’t count him out, but he will have to check the rules on what is and what isn’t a bunker this year at the PGA at Whistling Straits.

The sun is out and the temperature is rising. The snow will be melting all week long, not much longer now. Outdoor golf season in Chicago is coming. Hang in there, RS.

  THE BEST INDOOR GOLF DOME IN LAKE COUNTY the Buffalo Grove Golf and Sports Center located on McHenry Road in Buffalo Grove. Call (847)-459-2321 or visit Bgparks.org for more information. The dome is open today from 7 AM to 8 PM, and rates start at just $12. Get your spring tune up with one of several instructors, warm weather is coming, and the snow is melting. Outdoor golf season is almost here.

BY: RORY SPEARS, Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, & Twitter @GogBlogGuy

Chris Beck of Cleveland/Srixon Golf

The PGA Merchandise Show took place this past January in Orlando. Golfers on Golf attended the show and continues to report on the products and new products that were observed at the show.

One stop was at the Cleveland/Srixon area on the convention floor. This year the company has released the new CG black line additions. The CG Black Line is for senior players, women or players with slower swing speeds. The new CG Black Driver and the new CG Black irons are now available in your favorite golf store or pro shop. The speed innovation added to the CG Black Line, makes them lighter, longer and faster than ever before.

The CG Black Driver is a lightweight adjustable driver for the better amateur player. Players who will find this club to their liking normally have a swing speed of 85 to 105 MPH. The CG Black comes in lofts from 9-12 degrees.

CG Black Irons are designed for better amateur players, with swing speeds from 85-105 MPH. It’s for golfers who want to work the ball towards the hole, but with more forgiveness.

CG Drivers MAP at $399.99, and the CG Irons at $699.99, with graphite shafts add $100.

The 4th Generation of the Z-Star golf ball is now out, the 2015 Z-Star series is the most technically advanced tour performance golf ball that Srixon has ever produced. The line consists of the Srixon Z-Star and the Srixon Z-Star XV. The Z-Star gives golfers more control and feel, add in more distance and it’s a golf ball the amateur player can warm up to.

The Srixon Z-Star has enhanced speed dimples for longer distance, with a Spin Skin that adds control. Pricing for both golf balls will be MAP $44.99 and both balls are available in Pure White or Tour Yellow.

For more information on Cleveland/Srixon Golf, click here and hear our interview with Cleveland/Srixon Brand Manager Chris Beck. Hear about the new wedge fitting process from Beck as well.

You can visit Srixon.com or Clevelandgolf.com for more information on products from both companies.

The best deal in Dupage County, Links & Tee’s Golf Dome. Lake Avenue in Addison. Addisonparks.org.