MCQ’S DOME IN BOLINGBROOK is your one-stop place for golf, horse racing, hockey and great food and drink. This year McQ’s has added a new drink and hotdog bar right behind the teeline in the dome. McQ’s is part of Mistwood Golf and the professional’s from Mistwood are at the dome for lessons and club fittings, Mcqsdome.com for details. ______________________________________________________________________

Peggy Kirk-Bell was one of the greats in women’s golf, and a fantastic teacher of the game.

When Peggy Kirk-Bell passed away late last year, there were those who wondered what would happen to the golf properties in Southern Pines that she made so famous.

The two resorts that reside right across the street from one another Pine Needles and Mid-Pines are doing just fine thank you, and Pine Needles is looking forward to hosting yet another U.S. Women’s Open in 2019. This time it will be the new U.S. Open the USGA has added to it’s list of championships, the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open.

The hope is that some of the past champions that won U.S. Women’s Opens at Pine Needles, will be back to play there again.

According to those that were there, when Bell was told that the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open had been awarded to her resort, she wondered if the USGA could add a U.S. Super Senior Women’s Open, because she was ready to dust off the clubs and go play.

The welcome sign is still out in front of Pine Needles.

You can bet the staff at Pine Needles will be watching when the historic Chicago Golf Club hosts the first U.S. Sr. Women’s Open in 2018.

In honor of Bell the staff wants to make sure this open is as good or better than the last three championships played there in 1996, 2001 and 2007. Pine Needles produced great champions as well. Annika Sorenstam in 1995, Karrie Webb in 2001, and Christie Kerr in 2007.

Fire away, your on the first tee at Pine Needles.

Who will win in 2019, that remains a mystery but you can bet players from the past Pine Needles Championships will come back there and be ready to play.

As for Pine Needles, there is no doubt that people miss Bell, but that won’t stop the property from moving forward

What exactly the plans are for new improvements isn’t something the resort is talking about just yet, but those things might start to get known even later this year. What is known is that, there is still a great Donald Ross golf course that you can play, the golf schools that have helped so many enjoy the game are still in full swing with a teaching staff that has been in place.

The Par 3, third hole at Pine Needles, it’s not long but one of the best par 3’s in the Sandhills, Pinehurst area.

Pine Needles not only is the home of great golf, it has more to do when you need a break from the game.

First off located not far from the first tee and 18th green, is the resorts swimming pool.

Over-looking the academy is the lodge with great views of the property.

If good food is a must, then you must simply try the Bell Burger. Add on your favorite of cheese along with the bacon and you have a burger that will make your mouth water. So if your golf travels take you to the Pinehurst area, why not visit Pine Needles or the Mid-Pines resorts.

More information see Pineneedles-Midpines.com two great courses and more. more coming up on Pine Needles and the Mid-Pines resorts in the next few days. So stay clicked in. Written by Rory Spears, writing from Pinehurst.

 THE NCAA MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS COME TO ILLINOIS AND RICH HARVEST FARMS IN MAY. These back-to-back national championships will bring the best men and women college golfers in the country together to compete for the honor of being national champions. The championship is hosted by the Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, come see players that will be on various professional tours in some cases just weeks after the completion of the NCAA. Visit NCAA.com for details. ______________________________________________________________________

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

The winter road trip has come full cycle, with a short return to Pinehurst North Carolina. Before I know it, I’ll be on my way to the French Lick Resort again on my final stop before heading home.

I’ll have a full trip report coming up in the next day or two.

This morning I wrapped up four wonderful days on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, as i wrote on the weekend, the island is still cleaning up from Hurricane Matthew, but in a couple of months, most everything should be back to normal. From local sources I spoke with, it appears that only 2 course and 9 holes at another remain closed. In some cases a few properties held up the clean up work until they had settled with their insurance companies. A few of the bigger golf properties just got rolling with the work, and will settle the paperwork down the road.

Speaking of the road, I’ll be hitting it on Tuesday to head north towards the Windy City, and will be home just in time to attend the 6th annual Tinley Park Golf Show this Friday-Saturday and Sunday, at the Tinley Park Expo Center. Show owners Joe Copeland and Gregg Tengerstrom tell me the show should be even better again this year, and there is no reason to doubt them. See You there.

I KNOW THE WM-PHOENIX OPEN pack a lot of people around the 16th hole for some great excitement, but a new PGA Tour record of almost 200,000 fans in one day at TPC Scottsdale, that’s a big number. One that is a little hard to believe, I saw about 60,000 on the course last year at Hazeltine during the Ryder Cup, and that was crazy. If there were 200,000 there, well thanks for coming out.

TIGER WOODS and another WD with back issues. Regardless of how bad they were, Woods pulled out 1 hour before tee time at the Dubai-Desert Classic. His opening round in great golfing conditions was a +5 (77). How long is he on the shelf now, hard to say but a few folks think Woods might have to retire. I’m not saying he will right now, but you have to ask, when can Tiger play pain free golf for four straight days, if he ever makes another cut. Some reports suggest that his new swing will put even more pressure on his back, something Woods does not need.

More news tomorrow from around the Pinehurst area, so stay clicked in. RS

    WHERE ARE YOU HITTING IT THIS WINTER, keep your game in tune all winter long by stopping in to try the new simulators at the Schaumburg Golf Club at 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg, visit Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000 and make a tee time today. Or hit McQ’s Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, watch the Superbowl there today after you hit balls, or play the horses in the OTB. See Mcqsdome.com for details.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is ready for your next visit. Hurricane Matthew is gone and the final cleanup at the resort is almost completed.

Two of the three golf courses on the property are back in play and full of golfers. The Robert Trent Jones and the Arthur Hills courses are open, with the George Fazio course about 2 weeks away from reopening.

The resort staff have done an amazing job of putting things back in order. With the location of the resort right on the ocean, the property did suffer a little more damage than some places on the island, but things are getting closer to 100% everyday.

The entrance to the resort off of highway 278.

No sooner do you turn in at the entrance, you can see the clean work continuing. The main drive through the resort has workers putting things back in order, and making improvements as they go.

Multiple publications have placed the resort in the Top 75 resorts in America, and there is no reason to think it won’t stay in those lofty rankings, when things are fully back in order.

The George Fazio golf course is getting back to looking this again.

For those of you looking to do more than just golf, Palmetto Dunes has plenty of options. The resort is called a beachfront resort for good reason. If you enjoy the beach Palmetto Dunes has plenty of it.

So soak up the sun, or go for a swim out in ocean, either way a day at the beach is usually a great day. If you wish to go for a swim and the ocean is not where you wish to it, look for the pools along the condo properties that over look the ocean. WaterSkiing and Tubing are other options.

The Robert Trent Jones clubhouse, also home to Big Jims restaurant, where you will find some of the best BBQ, Burgers and Pizza on the Island.

Tennis is another option at Palmetto Dunes, plenty of courts and programs to enjoy, if you need a lesson you can do that.

If you wish to fish for fish after fishing for birdies on the golf course, you can take a cruise or deep sea charter.

Like tennis, there is a golf academy where you can work on any part of your game. If your dirver is the issue, work on long game, short game or putting. There are clinics for juniors, seniors, or even for how make family golf work for your family, and a back to basics school if you need a refresher course with your old clubs or new clubs. Get fitted or take a private lesson.

The new look Par 5, 10th hole at the Jones Course, minus a few trees to the right of the flag, that has opened up a new view of the water.

Restaurants at the resort leave you with several options, Big Jims has great burgers, BBQ and Pizza. But if your atses are more in the line of seafood, there are options or what to eat and where to eat, like right on the beachfront.

You can try mexcian food, Italian Ices, or a wine bar, and there is a general store if you wish to load up on provisions and just eat back in your villa, that have full kitchens inside and BBQ grills out on the patio.

The Par 4, 2nd hole on the Arthur Hills course, requires a second shot over water to an island green.

Accomendations, your choice. Do you like a villa, which is great for families, the guys or gals trip, or for people with a full family.

The villa’s are three levels, and have bedrooms and baothrooms on two levels, you can sleep six easily, and maybe a few more.

If you want an ocean view, there are some highrise condo’s over on the beach, with an ocean view. The condo’s are large, and have plenty of room to fill all your needs.

If your interested in property, while visiting you can contact the Dunes Marketing Group and arrange visits or tours, see DunesRealestategroup.com

To come visit Palmetto Dunes Beachfront Resort, call (888)-322-7032 or online go to Palmettodunes.com. Hilton head Island never looked so good. Palmetto Dunes three great golf course and much, much more.

   CHICAGOLAND GOLF is the official program for the Chicago Golf Show in Rosemont, pick up the glossy style issue at the show, or at your favorite club or golf retail store if you don’t make it to Rosemont. MCQ’s Dome your place to see this years Superbowl, practice your golf, bet the ponies in the OTB, or enjoy the new menu in restaurant. You can grab a hotdog or drink from the new bar in the dome while hitting golf balls. All in one stop for fun, try MCQ’s Dome in Bolingbrook on Rt. 53. Visit Mcqsdome.com.           ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to Atlantic Dunes Golf Club at Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, and on Facebook, linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

(Writing from Palmetto Dunes Resort on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina )

Last October Hurricane Mathew blew through Hilton Head Island and left behind a mess of downed trees, flooded homes, damaged roads, busted windows and more. The island which counts on golf in a big way as a major source of business, had a big clean up project on it’s hands.

It took about six weeks before most of the golf courses reopened, some are still not open yet. I have spent four days looking around the island, and found things slowly getting back towards normal, but it’s not quite there yet.

The entrance to Palmetto Dunes looks great as always.

Palmetto Dunes Resort that has three golf courses and plenty more to offer, seems to have taken a harder hit, then the Sea Pines Resort, home of the famed “lighthouse” that everyone see’s during the PGA Tour broadcasts from Harbour Town Golf Course.

Palmetto Dunes has two of it’s three golf courses back up and running, the most known Robert Trent Jones course called the Jones Course is back up and full of golfers. When I played it two days ago, I found things pretty much back in order, but there was a notable change. The famous Par 5, 10th hole, that has the ocean view from the green, now has a better ocean view from the green, and the 11th tee box.

  The Par 5, 10th hole on the Jones Course, is now missing the trees that stood right of the flag, on the positive side, there is now a better view of the beach and the ocean from around the green. Crews have worked hard to repair damage to the golf courses, this cart path on the 11th hole of the Jones Course is about the last piece of major repair work needing to be done. But up-rooted trees caused damage like this all over the island.

  THIS TREE (L) was one of the final remaining tree’s needing to be hauled away from the (Arthur) Hills course at Palmetto Dunes. The Hills Course is open for play and was in good shape during my round yesterday. (R) A debris pile sits alongside of one hole on the (George) Fazio Course at Palmetto Dunes. The Fazio Course needed to have many of it’s bunkers redone, which they now are. The Fazio Course still has some clean up to do, and it’s expected to be open by Mid-February. ( I’ll post that information when I get it). I saw two greens and the putting green at the Fazio course and they looked in mint condition.

I’ll have a seperate story on Palmetto Dunes in the days ahead, stay clicked in. But there is no reason, not to plan a visit to Palmetto Dunes, call (888)-322-7032 or online see Palmettodunes.com.

The 14th hole at Harbour Town, home of the Heritage Classic on the PGA Tour.

At Sea Pines home of a famous ligthouse and a PGA Tour stop, just about everything looks good.

The Harbour Town Golf Course is in absolutely mint perfect condition. In fact it’s been a while since I have seen a course in this great condition. There will be no issues by the time the tour pro’s arrive after the Masters in April.

But after a drive around the property I was able to see that Sea Pines was not hit as hard as some other parts of the Island. The newly renovated course called Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III, was in great shape. I’ll have more on the new Atlantic Dunes in the days ahead. For more information see Seapines.com or call (800)-955-8337.

While golfing I came across one local superintendent who stayed on the island during Matthew a Level-2 Hurricane. Once the storm passed, he needed his chain saw to cut up downed trees just to get out of his neighborhood and over to the golf course he works at.

The good news is that the golf courses are mostly open and so are the businesses in the area. While the clean up will take a bit longer to complete, things here are getting better everyday.

If your thinking spring trip or summer trip, do consider Hilton Head Island, the Low-Country folks here would love to have your business, or your business back again. The PGA Tour week in April will be all the fun and enjoyment it normally is.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg just minutes from Woodfield, is now a year round golf facility, with the addition of simulators on the lower level of the clubhouse. While playing, practicing or taking a lesson, you and your group can order from Chandlers Chop House right upstairs. So book your tee time and come and play many of the Top 100 Courses. Schaumburggolf.com (847)-885-9000.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and while hitting the new Wilson Triton Driver.

(Writing from Palmetto Dunes Resort, on Hilton Head Island SC.)

EDITORS NOTE… BIG 3 Partner len Ziehm of Len Ziehmongolf.com and I held a group interview with Wilson Golf GM Tim Clark at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando Florida.

Clark deserves credit for taking all questions from both Len and I, in regards to the Wilson Triton Driver, and the issues Wilson had with the launch of the Winner of Driver vs Driver, the Wilson Triton Driver. With the USGA forcing Wilson to make extra minor changes to Triton to make the club conforming, and having most clubs and retail stores pull Triton off the shelves during the holiday season, Clark could have said many things to Len and I, but only off the record, he didn’t. Clark was a breath of fresh-air and told us what happened.

Wilson GM Tim Clark holds the Triton Driver.

Clark admits there were certain things that had to be kept confidential, and as a result, Wilson Golf did not ship Triton to the USGA for conformance testing as early as it could have.

The limited information I was able to receive from the USGA, was that Wilson Golf had finished filming the Driver vs Driver in mid-summer, and could have sent the Triton in earlier for review and the USGA like it does with any product sent in for conformance testing, keeps all things confidential. As of the PGA Show, Clark says that Triton is now back in clubs, and in retail stores, as the club at all degrees of loft is now conforming per the USGA.

Click here to hear the interview with Wilson GM Tim Clark, as he explains the process of getting the Triton Driver, and what happened with the USGA.

Clark says that Demo Day for Wilson Golf at the PGA Show was as busy as he has seen it, in his 20 years with the company, saying everyone wanted to hit the Triton.

Wilson Golf is not ruling out another reality type show called Iron vs Iron or Putter vs Putter. Clark says now that people know how the show works, and that the winner of Driver vs Driver, Eric Sillies was paid the $500,000. Any future contest will likely have not just a few hundred people entering the contests, but the final total of applicants could be well into the thousands.

Clark says that Wilson has already held discussions with The Golf Channel about another reality type contest show.

Clarked added that Wilson Staff player Kevin Streelman has put Triton in play on the PGA Tour this year, and that a few other tour players have added Wilson Clubs to their bag in 2017.

For more information on Wilson Golf products, see Wilsongolf.com.

 MCQ’S DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, is your winter home for golf dome practice. McQ’s is part of Mistwood Golf, which has it’s staff of professionals at the dome, ready for lessons or fittings. McQ’s is not only a golf dome, but an OTB so you can play the ponies and be ready for Kentucky Derby Day, it’s an official Blackhawks Bar, and with the new menu has a great restaurant and new hotdog and drink bar behind the tee line in the dome. For information see Mcqsdome.com and check out the Superbowl specials   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content, follow Rory to the Schuamburg Golf Club simulators on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

There is no doubt that Titleist is the #1 ball in golf. But now it’s shoe and apparel company FootJoy is making the same claim, and there is plenty of reason to believe it.

All of FootJoys most recent shoe designs have been #1 sellers, with the most recent lines of DNA and Contour being no exception.

In fact when the DNA shoe line launched a couple of years ago, it didn’t take long for there to be a 3 month back order wait time on the most popular colors and designs.

Foot Joy Director of Product Management Mike Foley, shows the new Foot Joy Contour Golf Shoe.

With the look of Contour, being a mix of lightweight and comfort, with an added touch of the traditional looking saddle-leather. Contour has mixed FootJoys historical style with a modern day style and technology, to create a shoe that all generations of golfers can enjoy.

Mike Foley the FootJoy Director of Product Management, says the challenge of creating softer, more lightweight shoes, more colorful shoes with support in places that over the years have been tradtional wear spots is a challenge. But one that FootJoy is meeting with the designs that it’s creating.

  THE FOOTJOY variety of brand shoes, with it’s full line of socks now being designed to last longer, and support your feet where you need it most, on and off the golf course. FootJoy also has a full line of apparel and golf gloves. It’s rain and all-weather suits have long been regarded as among tops in the industry.

Click here to hear our interview with Mike Foley, that includes information on the newest improvements and steps that FootJoy has taken to make your steps more comfortable and with more support on the golf course.

FootJoy has introduced Boa technology, which is a way to tighten your shoe to the pressure that works best for you. If your tired of shoe laces, then Boa is the way to go. Hear more from Foley on Boa technology during the interview above.

What’s new and more from the #1 shoe maker in golf, visit Footjoy.com. You can make orders online.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB 401 North Roselle in Schaumburg, now year round with it’s new indoor simulators, play golf or practice today (847)-885-9000. Do you have your tickets yet for the NCAA Golf Championships coming to Rich Harvest Farms. They are on sale, come see two final fours in two weeks, and future stars of the professional tours, Tickets are well priced, Rich Harvest Farms will take NCAA golf to a new level.

  PGA NATIONAL RESORT in Palm Beach Gardens, home of the Honda Classic coming up Feb 23-26, see Pgaresort.com. PALMETTO DUNES resort on Hilton Head, home of three great courses, beaches and much more, see Palmettodunes.com #RTJCourse.   ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the French Lick Resort, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

One of the components of the PGA Merchandise Show, is that of golf apparel.

Looking good on the golf course, is almost as important these days, as it is to play good. The golf apparel business has grown in many ways, and in recent years the challenges to designers is getting more demanding.

Marshall Macillas the President of Carnoustie Sportswear could not agree more. Mancillas says that creating something, that can breathe, keep the player dry, allow enough room for the golfer to be able to swing a club without any restrictions, and look good both on and off the golf can be challenging. Which is why Carnoustie uses only the best fibers in it’s clothing lines, both for comfort and for style.

Marshall Mancillas is the President of Carnoustie Sportswear.

Mancillas should know exactly what a golfer should need since he has been an avid golfer for many years. He brings many of his own experiences to the Carnoustie line.

Carnoustie sportswear is worn by longtime PGA Tour player Vijay Singh, who is still competing on the PGA Tour and now the Champions Tour as well.

Mancillias says getting feedback from players on tour, is important to how Carnoustie designs it’s lines of sportswear for golfers.

Click here to hear our interview with Marshall Macillas President of Carnoustie Sports wear. Mancillas explains what’s new, and what directions Carnoustie is going in 2017.

   Carnoustie Sportswear has brought back a line of clothes for women, as well as many other new editions for 2017.

To find out what’s new for both men and women in 2017 from the line of Carnoustie sportswear please visit Carnoustiesportswear.com and you can shop for Carnousite items online.

Carnoustie Sportswear with classy cotton designs and more. Look good, play good, feel good, perform at your highest level, with Carnoustie. Follow Carnoustie through social media outlets like Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter as well.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB now a year round golf facility with the additon of new simulators downstairs from the pro shop, play one of the many Top 100 courses,or just practice, grab a lesson or club fitting. While there enjoy great food and drink from Chandlers Chop House located upstairs. Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy with Elisa Gaudet President of the Ex. Golf International and Women’s Golf Day.

June 6th, 2017, mark it down on your calendar right now. It’s Women’s Golf Day, it runs four hours and it is bringing more ladies out to the golf course.

It started last year with over 430 golf courses in over 20 countries and movement is growing.

Enter Elisa Gaudet the President of Executive Golf International, and author of three golf books called Two Good Rounds written in three different styles.

Gaudet (Gaw-day) elected to start a women’s movement in an area they could be proud of, golf.

While the first tee shot was a good one, and the first round was even better, there is still more that can be done as the movement heads into the second round.

Womensgolfday.com

For the golf courses that are supporting Women’s Golf Day, or if your golf course would like to join this national movement to bring ladies to the golf course, it doesn’t take a lot of time or energy to put it together.

Women’s Golf Day on June 6th is simply this, it’s a four hour event, the first two hours women’s can play nine holes of golf, or take lessons and hit golf balls on the practice range. Hours three and four are about being social and sharing your golf experience with other women who just enjoyed a golf experience at a golf course or golf club.

Click here to hear out interview with Elisa Gaudet on Women’s Golf Day 2017.

Gaudet says the video on the website showing last years events is moving, and so were the countless emails she received about how much this day, and playing golf going forward has helped so many women.

For more information about June 6th and Women’s Golf Day, please visit Womensgolfday.com and don’t forget to pick up a copy of Two Good Rounds, all three editions.

 MCQ’S DOME IN BOLINGBROOK is your winter home for dome style golf practice. But at McQ’s you get even more than a place to practice your game for the 2017 golf season. At McQ’s you can golf, take a lesson, get a club fitting all from the Mistwood Golf Staff, and now enjoy the new Hotdog and drink bar behind the tee line in the dome. You can play the horses in the OTB, or enjoy the restaurant complete with a new menu. McQ’s is an official Blackhawks bar, so enjoy all the action during Blackhawks games at McQs, for information see Mcqsdome.com or call (630)-739-1592. YEAR ROUND golf is now part of the Schaumburg Golf Club located at 401 N. Roselle Road, the club has brought in the several new top of line golf simulators, practice or play several of the Top 100 golf courses, while you enjoy food and beverage from Chandlers Chop House right upstairs. To book a tee time on the simulator, Schaumburggolf.com or (847)-885-9000.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy and to Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor Florida.

(Writing from Port St. Lucie Florida)

13 days on the road into the winter trip and so far it’s been plenty of hard work, but fun as well. Regardless I am out of the Chicago area, and it’s warmer here in Florida. I have snuck in 5 rounds of golf. With more to play.

Currently I have ventured over to Port St. Lucie, home of the PGA Village and the PGA of America Hall of Fame. It’s the new winter home of BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm of Lenziehmongolf.com. Len has posted two new stories on golf courses, one an Arnold Palmer design team renovation of a course near Palmer’s famed Bay Hill Resort and Lodge in Orlando.  In addition, Len had some thoughts on the various new drivers out by several companies at the PGA Show.

As for me I’ll be posting many more stories from the PGA Show in the days ahead, including information on destination properties golfers need to hit or put on a “hole” list. You do try to hole putts, not drop them in a “bucket.”

IT WAS NOT EASY to read a post from IPGA Executive Director Carrie Williams today that suggested some media outlets have encouraged the people still being cry-babies about the election, to make calls to President Donald Trump’s golf courses and be jerks to the people answering the phone, or the golf professioanls trying to do their jobs. They like you and other people have a job to do, bills to pay and familes to feed.

First off, any media outlet that would encourage something like this is an embarassment to our industry, and if this garbage continues they will get called out for what they represent. I hope the FCC revokes your license to broadcast.

THE PGA SHOW..I had the opportunity to join Rusty Silber and his sports radio show last Saturday morning on WRLR to discuss the PGA Show. Rusty asked me what I saw in terms of new products and who the movers and shakers were at the show.

Jason Day drinking SwingOIL in Lemon-Lime.

BEST NEW PRODUCT in my eyes (not the show winner) Was SwingOIL, a new body and energy supplement you should take before golf, but can take during or after. World #1 Jason Day is taking it daily whether he plays or not. So is Gene Sauers the current U.S. Sr. Open Champion, who I had the priviledge to see in the Carnoustie Sportswear booth. Many other professionals on all the tours are catching on to SwingOIL, visit the website and find out what your missing. ( I’ll have a future story on SwingOIL coming soon).

I have taste tested all three flavors SwingOIL has right now on the market, Lemon-Lime, Orange and Banana-Strawberry, and all three as Tony the Tiger would say “taste great.” The flavor that could be added soon is Grape.

WHILE TITLEIST added an updated Pro-V1 and Pro-V1x golfball and a few new updates on the Scotty Cameron putter line, with updated versions of Newport and Futura, I thought that Chicago based Wilson Golf and Callaway Golf were the movers and shakers of the show. I know Taylor Made announced some players including Tiger would soon be playing Taylor Made clubs, but it didn’t really have much buzz in Orlando. First up these players were not in Orlando, and a few of them including Tiger were not at Torrey Pines this weekend after missing the cut.

WILSON GM Tim Clarke said in his 20 years at Wilson, demo day had never been so busy. The new Triton Driver winner of the show Driver vd Driver, in spite of the delay in full release with the non-conforming ruling by the USGA, was very popular and everyone wanted to hit it. Clark did not hold back when he said that Iron vs Iron could be next, or putter vs putter. The Golf Channel seems interested as well.

CALLAWAY GOLF is on a roll. Right after the really cool campaign of “The Airplane People”, the launch of the new Great Big Bertha Epic Driver with “Jailbreak” technology is one worth watching, or in this case hitting. Get on Callawaygolf.com and watch the video on the Epic, fun to see. On the putter side Callaway now has both Odyssey and Sean Toulon putters going for it, after the purchase of Toulon’s company.

I DID TRY THE NEW SENTIO SIERRA PUTTER (Green insert) on the course this past weekend at Innisbrook, see our feature from yesterday. I had great results, 8 holes, 8 greens, and 8 1-putts. None of the putts were longer than 18 feet, but 8 for 8 was a nice run. Sentiogolf.com.

COPPERHEAD the flagship course of the Innisbrook Resort was in great shape this past weekend as I walked a few holes before the rain arrived. The course is the home of the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship played in March, past winners include our very own Kevin Streelman and Luke Donald. Copperhead is a PGA Tour course you can play, so what’s stopping you. Get to Innisbrook and play Copperhead. Bring a group and set it up with Group Sales Director Doug Schmidt, the former VP at Northbrook based Kemper Sports.

Plenty more coming this week as the winter trip continues, stay clicked in. RS

  JON PARSONS OF THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB shows off the new simulators that have made the club a year round golf facility. As you get in the swing for 2017, take some time to work on your game in Schaumburg. See Schaumburggolf.com or you can (847)-885-9000. Practice or play Top 100 courses, located at 401 N. Roselle Road.         ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory ot the French Lick Resort, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

One of the most competitive area’s in golf club desing is the making of putters.

While many people look to create putters in new ways, the creation of Sentio putters with it’s new style of where to put the insert has golfers taking notice.

Sentio (Pron-Sen-tee-oh) putters is the idea of President and CEO Jim Varney.

The first line of Sentio Putters is the Sierra 101 line, that allows golfer to fit the putter to their feel, or the type of courses that they play. Are the greens at your favorite course a little slow, then the firm Sentio-Blue insert is for you. If the greens are creeping up to 10 on the stimpmeter, then the Sentio-Red insert is your choice. If your normal choice of greens are ones that roll out, and are a double-digit number on the stimpmeter, than the Sentio-Green soft insert should be your choice.

Sentio Putters President Jim Varney, holds the Sentio Soft insert putter.

While many putters have a 4 degree loft, the Sentio Putters are 2 degrees, that get the ball rolling on the green even quicker. Sentio putters also comes with horizontal grooves that promote a better roll.

Right now Sentio Putters are made only for right handed golfers, but that could be changing soon.

Shaft options are currently 33-34-35 inches long, with the outer finish in a satin silver.

Click here to hear our interview with Sentio Putters President Jim Varney, who gives the insight on this new putter line and what might be coming next in the product line.

For more information on Sentio Putters, rated a Top 10 selling Putter of 2016, and award winner from one golf media equipment rating service. See Sentiogolf.com or email to Info@sentiogolf.com or call (978)-460-9209.

   McQ’s Dome part of Mistwood Golf is your home for indoor winter golf practice. Now with a new hotdog and drink bar right beind the tee-line. Whether your working on your game, playing the horses in the OTB, enjoying the food off the new menu, or enjoying a cold beverage during the Blackhawks game, it’s time to visit mcQs (630)-739-1592.