June Newsletter

The U.S. Open: “It Still Gives Me Goosebumps,” Says the Champ

The thrill of victory comes with a price. Graeme McDowell, like other major champions, learned after winning the U.S. Open last year at Pebble Beach Golf Links that with the joy comes certain responsibilities.
But would McDowell do it all over again? You bet he would.
“It's probably been the fastest 10 months of my career, of my life,” McDowell said at Media Day for this year’s U.S. Open at Congressional. “It's been busy, it's been fun, it's been tough at times, but it's been a great ride.
“To pick that trophy up at Pebble Beach last June was definitely one of the greatest moments of my life. I would take a major anywhere, any time, but Pebble Beach on Father's Day with my dad there and one of the most legendary golf courses on the planet.”

Every time he tees it up, McDowell is introduced as the U.S. Open champion.
“It still gives me goosebumps,” McDowell said. “Still puts a smile on my face on the first tee on a Thursday morning anywhere on the planet. It’s been great.
“They always say it's a life-changing experience,” he said. “I certainly sit here and hope I haven't changed as a person. The demands on my time, I suppose, is probably the biggest thing that's changed the most. I mean, corporately, yeah, my sponsors want all their days now for some reason. I can't understand why.
“The media want to talk to me all the time, as well. And we obviously have a lot of demands, a lot of requests coming in over the phone. I certainly know my management office back in Dublin, the phone is a little hotter these days.”
McDowell doesn’t have to worry about being a different person. He’s still the same guy, and a great guy to boot. He’s down-to-earth, gracious and generous with his time. He has quickly risen into the top ranks of the most media-friendly golfers. Not only is he willing to talk but when he does, he’s worth listening to because McDowell is insightful, sincere and witty.

Callaway Introduces New upro mx GPS

Callaway’s next generation upro mx GPS device offers a host of intuitive technological advancements and innovations.
The Callaway upro mx features a full-color 2.2" LCD screen in a conveniently compact profile, weighing only three ounces. No annual fees are required after purchase so consumers will immediately have access to both Basic Mode and GoMode. ProMode(TM), which grants access to some of the device's more advanced technology features, including hi-resolution aerial photography, will be available for an additional fee.
It’s pre-loaded with more than 25,000 courses from the company’s global database. The device introduces a full-color Multi-Gesture Touch Screen and a precise Optical Finger Navigation system so golfers can easily navigate the deep feature set with the swipe of a finger. It’s available now at Your Golf Headquarters.
"The Callaway upro mx is a major step forward in the golf GPS category, delivering the best user experience and the most robust feature set in the sport," said Joey Balardeta, Vice President, Integrated Devices, Callaway Golf.
The company has also developed a simplified online process for downloading content to the device. Some of the on-course features include the Virtual Green View, which uses a proprietary imagery process to show the green and the surrounding area in vivid detail, including exact putting distances. SmartView(TM) displays the ideal view for the upcoming shot based on the golfer's position on the course, while two other views are also available at the press of a button.
The device comes standard with Scoring Plus(TM), allowing players to keep a group scorecard, note personal stats and even record individual shot tracking. Golfers will be able to sync this tracked data to a new, integrated web site that Callaway will launch simultaneously with the device in May. This web site will offer a variety of ways golfers can further explore their golf game after each round.
Beyond the device's comprehensive list of standard features, ProMode(TM) offers an enhanced feature set, including TV-style video flyovers that provide an advantageous perspective for each hole layout, and AnyPoint(TM) Technology, which provides golfers accurate distances from any location on the golf course.

Respect Your Golf Shoes: You’ll Be Glad You Did

It’s quite clear that golf shoes are the most disrespected piece of equipment in a golfer’s arsenal. Unless you’re a member of a private club, where shoes are cleaned and groomed after each time they’re worn, chances are your golf shoes don’t get the attention and care they deserve.
Instead, golf shoes are tossed into the trunk. They might be wet or muddied or both. What they require is a little TLC. What they get is the back of a golfer’s hand.
Here are some tips that will help keep your shoes in top shape and save you money in the process. Premium golf shoes from all of the major manufacturers are designed and manufactured with top materials. They are intended to last a long time with this caveat: If they are cared for properly.
Follow these steps. Your shoes will last longer, they’ll make you look better and your feet will thank you for helping them be more comfortable.
• Take a moment to clean the uppers – leather or synthetic – as soon as possible after each round. If you don’t have a designated cleaner handy, use a soft, wet towel to remove the dirt and other debris.
• For leather shoes, it’s always a good idea to apply a leather conditioner and follow with a nice shine.
• Brush the bottoms of the shoes, especially the cleats. An accumulation in the cleat treads will make it more difficult to remove and install new cleats when it’s time. In addition to grime, what you will be removing are the chemicals on the course which definitely can be harmful to your shoes.
• It’s always a good idea to own at least two pairs of golf shoes. They will allow you to properly maintain and rotate them. Shoe manufacturers will tell you that two pairs will last longer than twice the life of one pair. The reason it’s important to rotate shoes is to give them time to recover and, if worn in wet conditions, to dry naturally.
• Never use a hair blower to dry a pair of golf shoes. Instead, place old newspapers inside wet shoes to soak up any excess precipitation (and that applies to rain and perspiration).
• Once dry, use cedar shoe trees. A small investment at Your Golf Headquarters for cedar shoe trees will be worth many times their cost over the long haul in protecting your shoes. This may be the single most important thing in keeping your shoes healthy and your feet happy.

The Missing 1-iron

It is, quite possibly, the most famous shot in the history of golf. Ben Hogan’s 1-iron from the fairway on the 72nd hole of the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club has been immortalized by Hy Peskin’s photograph. You know the shot – and the photo. It is from behind Hogan, down the target line, to the 18th green. Hogan needed – and made – par to reach a playoff with Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio. The next day, Hogan won the U.S. Open just 16 months after an horrific auto accident nearly ended his life.
What you might not know is that the 1-iron Hogan used on that famous shot went missing soon after the fourth round and was not in Hogan’s bag for the next day’s playoff. It was missing for more than 30 years.
In 1983, the 1-iron was sent to Hogan by a collector. Hogan confirmed it was the club he had used 33 years earlier at Merion and donated it to the USGA museum, where it is remains in the collection of the Hogan memorabilia.

‘M’ Is For...

Five terms beginning with the letter ‘M’ to help you better understand equipment:
Maraging steel – A steel alloy which is a mixture of two or more metals or a metal and non-metallic material to make it harder than steel. Maraging steel is used mostly in driver faces but can also apply to irons.
Moment of inertia – A clubhead’s resistance to twisting upon impact with the ball. A clubhead with a higher MOI will twist less on a mis-hit, therefore resulting in a better shot in terms of both directional accuracy and less distance loss.
Mashie – Historical term to describe a club that was the equivalent in loft and purpose of today’s 5-iron. A Mashie Niblick would be the modern-day 7-iron.
Muscleback – An iron design which implements a full back of the clubhead in contrast to a hollowed, or cavity, back. Muscleback irons are usually forged although modern techniques allow for cast musclebacks. A muscleback is generally designed to provide greater feedback and playability for more accomplished golfers.
Mallet – A putter design that offers a larger and wider head than a traditional blade putter. Mallets have been modified and incorporated in a proliferation of oversized putter designs which have become increasingly popular.

The Calendar

June 2-5 The Memorial Tournament, Muirfield Village GC, Dublin, Ohio Defending champion: Justin Rose
June 9-12 St. Jude Classic, TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tenn. Defending champion: Lee Westwood
June 16-19 U.S. Open, Congressional CC, Bethesda, Md. Defending champion: Graeme McDowell
June 23-26 Travelers Championship, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Conn. Defending champion: Bubba Watson
June 30-July 3 AT&T National, Aronimink GC, Newton Square, Pa. Defending champion: Justin Rose
If you attend any of these events, be sure to visit Golf Headquarters stores in the area for club testing or simply to browse the many products available.

Parting Shot

“The face cracked. It was kind of like an old friend, it just went away and it didn't come back.” – Champions Tour star Jay Haas on his favorite driver that finally died and went to heaven

Articles provided by Vartan Kupelian.
Vartan Kupelian spent 40 years writing sports for daily newspapers, 37 of those at The Detroit News before he left that distinguished newspaper in August, 2008. He is currently president of the Golf Writers Association of America. You can reach him at: golfstix@vartangolflive.com.