I saw a set of these on a trip to Golf Galaxy the other day, and was intrigued by their looks. They are, in many ways, miniature versions of the HiBore driver, with their scoop backs and the hollow construction on the longer irons.

Cleveland claims thet they’re the easiest irons they’ve ever made. And just by looking at them, I can believe it. Those wide soles are goign to prevent digging, and the hollow heads give a 28% larger hitting surface than traditional irons.

This is a set that I’d really like to try out. If someone has, I’d love to hear your reactions. Just leave a comment below.

My five year old loves to hit golf balls. And it’s telling that on the first decent day in March, he’s out in the front yard, hitting them.

So why is he wearing a bike helmet?

I asked that very question, and I quote his reply: “Because, Dad. If I hit a ball in the tree and it bounces back at me, I’m going to need it.”

There’s no way to convey the sound of exasperation in his voice as he had to explain yet another of his plans to his dense father.

I discovered Links of Wood at the recent Michigan Golf Show in Novi, Michigan. And I have to say that it’s one of the neatest golf products I’ve seen.

As you can tell from the photo at left, Links of Wood offers wood models of famous golf holes. The pieces are laser cut, layered and polished. The photos are neat, but in person the models are exquisite.

The holes are in scale, with major stands of trees, sand traps, water hazards and elevations represented. The tee boxes and greens are stained green; the water blue. There apparently is an option for the fairways to be stained, or in a natural wood color. (I like the natural wood).

Except for the short par threes, the pieces are large—too large, really to sit on a table. So they’re designed to hang on the wall. Most of the pieces can hang either horizontally or vertically.

The price is pretty good, too. Bethpage #5 is just $120, while the entire Augusta National is $400. Prices are better for the “famous” holes, as the manufacturer already has the laser templates ready and presumably has a stock on hand.

However, custom holes also can be created, representing any hole or course you desire. This makes it a great gift to commemorate someone’s hole-in-one.

I met Greg Schwartz, the founder of Golf I-75 at the recent Michigan Golf Show in Novi, Michigan and was impressed with the concept.

Golf I-75 is but the first of a series of websites that focus on golfing opportunities along the major US interstates.

On Golf I-75, you’ll find a list of public courses located within fifteen miles of I-75, which runs from Northern Michigan to Florida. Michiganians are well familiar with the road, for it leads us “Up North” to our cottages on the lakes, and south to winter playgrounds in Florida.

The site is easy to navigate: after selecting a state, you are shown a map with clickable mile markers. Selecting one shows a list of courses in the area.

Even better: there are coupons for many of the courses.

It’s a great project, and I look forward to seeing more.

Nude Golf Ball In Red Print

Ridiculous Golf Item Of The Week

In the wake of the collapse of the International and the rise of Tiger’s new Washington, D.C. tournament, a lot has been written about the importance of Woods’ presence to a tournament. But an article in the New York Times offers an interesting, if bizarre twist:

PGA Tour stops do not offer players appearance fees, so tournament directors try to lure Woods by offering luxurious courtesy cars and fishing excursions, or by leaving personal messages on an iPod.

In telephone interviews with tournament directors, many said they would not drop their current charity beneficiary and shift the funds to Woods’s foundation in an effort to get him to play in their tournament, although Kaplan (Dave Kaplan, director of the AT&T Classic, where Woods has not played since 1998) said, “I hadn’t thought about that.”

“It seems to make sense, but probably not,” said Kaplan, when asked if it was a possibility. “We have supported the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta since 1982 and donated about $13 million for various things they need and do. If you were going to,” he said of switching beneficiaries, “you’d likely have to give the entire amount generated for the tournament. Our tournament is in the Atlanta region, and the better part of the money stays here.”

Now in no way does the reporter suggest that the idea came from Woods or his people. But I have to ask: Where did such a notion come from? What would cause a reporter to come up with the idea that to get Tiger you might need to donate to his foundation? And why would you ask such a question of tournament directors?

Note that reporter Damon Hack asked Kaplan about it, and when Kaplan demurred, Hack pressed the issue by asking if it wasn’t at least a possibility.

There’s something about the tone of this that makes it think that the line of questioning was sparked by a rumor—or at least a whispering. But that has to be all it is. I can’t—even in my most Oliver Stone moment—imagine Woods or his team trying to extort money from a tournament. Not even to benefit his foundation.

You can’t have too many putters. Or at least that’s what my friend Dave claims. Here’s one he doesn’t have in his collection (yet).

Hireko golf says that its new Acer CB2 putter is “the most advanced putter made for the component market.” It features a two piece consturciton with a lightweight milled aluminum face and center section and a stainless steel outer ring.

The outer ring accounts for more than half the weight of the putter, which allows Hireko to achieve the holy grail of golf club design—a high moment of intertia.

It’s also center shafted, which is my preferred style. I also like the fact that you can get it either assembled, or as a component.

Hireko’s got a 60 Day Satisfaction guarantee.