Deutsche Bank Championship Schedule:

Importnat Schedule notices for the Deutsche Bank Championship’s unlike most PGA Tour events the tournament will not start on Thursday due to the Labor Day weekend.This is the 2nd playoff match in the race to the FedEx Cup. The tournament will be played at TPC Boston in Norton, MA. They should be ready for the tournament but due to Hurricane Irene it may be in less than ideal conditions. The course fortunately didn’t suffer too many damages.

Friday: 3-6 PM (Golf)
Saturday: 3-6 PM (Golf)
Sunday: 1-3 PM (Golf) & 3-6 PM (NBC)
Monday: 12-3 PM (Golf) & 3-6 PM (NBC)

Cleveland Golf Rolls Out New Season of Clubs

Cleveland golf took a page out of Ping golf’s play book this past week and decided to open up their sales meeting to the public (well sort of). In a somewhat interactive Twitter and Facebook updates fans were able to see what new clubs Cleveland was going to rolling out next. With two hints one being a blast from the past and the other inspired by AC/DC back to black.

The first oldie but goodie they rolled out was a redesigned 588 wedge. This classic wedge is easily the most sought after wedge in history. The design for the clubhead is now the standard for this top wedge manufacturer. Their theme was “Forging A Better Future” (pretty clever, no?). The new 588 wedge will be a forged for a better and more “this century” feeling. They will be made from a 1025 carbon steel giving them a soft feel. As per Cleveland standard they will also come equipment with Tour Zip Grooves and Laser Milled face. The shaft is from True Temper made specifically for these wedges. A marvelous upgrade from the 588 wedge which was originally designed almost 20 years ago. The release date is no finalized but it will be around mid-November. With the option of black pearl or high polished chrome they are created to suit just about any golfers fancy.

The back to black was an image for the new CG black driver. Cleveland went ultralite with their new driver weighing in at only 265 grams, it’s the lightest driver on the market. What makes it unique is the teardrop shaped head that was designed to increase distance. For this driver they partnered with Miyazaki for a limited C. Kua shaft.

Weekend Golf Recap

While Hurricane Irene may have shortened the Barclays it was not lacking spectacular golf. With only 54 holes golfers had to prove themselves quicker than the usual 72 holes in a tournament. Dustin Johnson and defending champion Matt Kuchar both found themselves in the playoffs. However, it was Dustin Johnson who was able to make a clutch shots in the end to win the event by 2 shots over Kuchar. DJ rose to #4 golfer in the world and now Johnson is on the top of the FedEx Cup standings in the race to $10 million.

On the plus side it looks like Irene will not be disrupting the Deutsche Bank Championship this weekend but you can never predict the weather.

Over on the European Tour Callaway Golfer Thomas Bjorn found his second win on Tour at the Johnnie Walker Championship. Another repeat winner this weekend was Brittany Lincicome at the Canadian Women’s Open.

Schedule For The Barclays

While Hurricane Irene has already delayed some tee times The 2011 Barclays is underway. Here is the TV Schedule where you can hopefully find some coverage of the tournament, weather permitting:

Thursday, August 25
3-6 PM Golf Channel
Friday, August 26
3-6 PM Golf Channel
Saturday, August 27
1-2:30 PM Golf Channel & 3-6 PM CBS
Sunday, August 28
12-1:30 PM Golf Channel & 2-6 PM CBS

The Playoff’s of Golf

The PGA Tour season may seem like it’s over to those casual golf fans but hard core love it till they die fans know that even after the majors are over there is still the FedEx Cup. From what has been around for about five years now is a points system that ensure golfers who place in the top 125 slots on Tour have a chance to win a large check at the end. Each season the points are recalculated. Players are given a score each week based on how they did at that tournament. Players who are unable to make the cut are not allowed to play in the playoffs. This is different from all other playoff tournaments there are sponsor spots or lifetime exemptions you play because you earned it.

This week marks the first playoff tournament, The Barclays. Held at Plainfield Country club in Edison, New Jersey. Hopefully the immanent presence of hurricane Irene will not disrupt the players this weekend. Defending champion is Matt Kuchar will have a chance to defend his title, of course it will be his first win all season if it does happen. Of course the final playoff will be the Tour Championship which will take place on September 22-25th.

Favorites to win this week include Matt Kuchar, David Toms, Zach Johnson, and Steve Stricker.

Golf Hybrids

In today’s golf club market it is the hybrids that are getting all the attention. USA Today recently cited a study that was done at this year’s Open Championship at Royal St. George stating all the advantages of the club. Hybrid helped players such as Darren Clarke and legend Tom Watson cut through the grass and rough terrain at The Open Championship. This year in particular with such rough weather conditions it was extremely important to trust your equipment.

Hybrids allow us player’s send the ball on a higher trajectory than long irons have in the past. If you are unfamiliar with them you may know them by the name of utility clubs but today it’s widely known they are called hybrids. A cross a fairway wood and an iron taking the best advantages from each club. Essentially combining the advantages of an iron with the forgiving nature of a wood, so they can be used to hit the ball farther and accurately.  Game improvement is the overall goal of this club when added to any players bag.

A leader in the hybrid market for years has been Adams Golf. Claiming the No. 1 hybrid used on the PGA Tour for years. Their latest pride and joy is the Idea Pro Black hybrid, which stands out from the crowd with its non-glare nickel plated finish and design. As you can tell from looking at it’s a compact club that was designed for workability. With an ultra-thin stainless steel crown and face it delivers a lower spin and hotter ball flight. Hybrids are the new all in one golf club. It offers golfers more options for shots and allows them to player a better game.

How A Rookie Won The Majors

After Keegan Bradley’s triple-bogey on 15 it seemed near impossible to make a comeback, but if I have learned anything about golf it’s that it’s never over till it’s over and there is so impossible. Of course he fought back with back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 and a phenomenal two-putt on the 18th to make it into a playoff round with Jason Dufner. Making birdie on the 1st playoff hole and 2 pars the Wanamaker Trophy was finally his. Bradley’s 2nd win of the year and easily the biggest tournament of his life so far.

This 25 year old rookie did something very few golfers have ever or would ever be able to accomplish and that’s win a major his 1st try. A great story is what everyone wants to hear about these major tournament winner and Bradley is no exception. With golf running through his veins, his father a PGA pro teacher and his Aunt Pat Bradley has a place in the LPGA hall of fame, it’s no coincidence that he had that same spark on the course as they do.

While he may not have been the American people were riding on to win the major fans were just as proud and excited to have him hold up that trophy.

2011 PGA Championship Picks

From the last post I talked about what groups to watch at this year’s PGA Championship who do I think is going to win? That’s a tough one. The field is filled with the best players in the golf world including the the # 1&2 players in the world who coincidentally don’t have a major win of their own. Based purely on the fact that they have been able to make it to the top of the leaderboard without winning a major shows they are consistently playing at the top of their game. I wouldn’t put it past either Lee Westwood or Luke Donald to take home a win at the PGA Championship.

Other players looking for vindication are Dustin Johnson and Jason Day. The days leading up to this year’s final major has been flooded with images of Johnson’s regrettable BunkerGate. He grounded his club in what he was unaware of as a bunker. Last year’s Whistling Straights episode definitely has this kid fired up to win this year’s event. Jason Day a young Australian golfer has been on the top of the leaderboard finishing T2 at both the U.S. Open and the Masters. Being so close to winning a major you know he can almost taste this victory.

2011 PGA Championship Groups To Watch

Taking a break from the WGC-Bridgeston Invitational to take a look at next weeks final major of the season the PGA Championship. The 2011 tournament will be held at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Atlanta, Georgia. A few of my favorite pairs are:

Matteo Manasesero-Ryo Ishikawa-Adam Scott
Bubba Watson-Ian Poulter-Jeff Overton
Dustin Johnson-Rickie Fowler-Sergio Garcia
Charl Schwartzel-Rory McIlroy-Darren Clarke (2011 major champions)
Martin Kaymer (defending champion)-Y.E. Yang-Shaun Micheel (former PGA Champions)
Davis Love III-Tiger Woods-Padraig Harrington

Television Times:

Thursday: 1-7 PM ET TNT Sports
Friday: 1-7 PM ET TNT Sports
Saturday: 11-2 PM ET TNT Sports
2-7 PM ET CBS Sports
Sunday: 11-2 PM ET TNT Sports
2-7 PM ET CBS Sports

2011 Bridgestone Invitational

Hunter Mahan 2010 Winner

Today kicks off the 2011 World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational at the Firestone Country Club (South Course) in Akron, Ohio. With big players in the midsts including #1 Luke Donald, rising star Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods back from 3 months of injuries. The field is complied of a total 76 players and a purse of $8.5 million up for stake, this is sure to be a fiery tournament. The defending champion is non other than golf boy member Hunter Mahan.

Check out the TV schedule for tee times of your favorite golfers or online at: http://www.pgatour.com/livegolf/

Round 1 Thursday: 2-6 PM ET Golf Channel
Round 2 Friday: 2-6 PM ET Golf Channel
Round 3 Saturday: 12-6 PM ET CBS
Final Round Sunday: 11-6 PM ET CBS