Getting back in the saddle

Let me start with saying that it has been a long time since I have posted anything to my blog.  The last thing I posted was my review on the Srixon Q-Star...sheesh!  Any ways, I have been occupied by other things that life has thrown at me and I just haven't had time to really put forth an effort to posting and maintaining a blog.  Guess what?  I have found that time again.

So this is the plan going forward...I can't guarantee that I am going to post every single day or every single week.  What I can guarantee is that you will start seeing more content on my site.  I want to start talking more about the game that I love.  You will see more equipment reviews, course reviews (for the state of Kentucky and surrounding areas) and just general perspective on the game.  

I don't have a set form in which I am going to accomplish this.  Unfortunately, equipment reviews are the hardest since I don't have the financial backing of a large money making website or club companies sending me product to test, but I will review the things that I can.

Long story, short...let's get this show on the road again.  I have had a lot of visitors on my site and I want to provide content of some nature.  Heck, I might even stray from the golf world from time to time.  

With all of this being said...I have a few posts that will be up in the coming days and weeks.  I have one golf ball review that I am working on and the jury is still out so I want to make sure that I give the ball a fair shake.  Keep an eye out for that review on the Callaway Chrome Soft and keep an eye out for more content in general!

Hit 'em Straight

Golf Ball Review- Srixon Q Star (Tour Yellow)

I know, I know...it has been ages since I made a post on my blog.  Between working on my golf game, coaching baseball in the summer and preparing for my first child I have been busy.  Now that baseball is winding down and everything is pretty much done in the nursery, I thought what better time to getting my writing going than now. 

I can't say that I haven't been playing much this year as I have played as often as I can.  My bag is set right now until I come across something that can knock one of my clubs out and I have been playing the Titleist NXT Tour S as of recent and have fallen in love with it.

Yesterday, though, I went out and played 18 holes with a buddy of mine and I had picked up a sleeve of Srixon Q Star Tour Yellow balls (I am a sucker for yellow golf balls).  Since we weren't playing for anything, I thought I would give them a go and see how they performed for me.  I have played Srixon balls in the past and my favorite was and has always been the Z Star Tour Yellow, of course. 

I am not a tour level golfer by any means, but I do drive the ball well, have an above average iron game, and my wedges have become something a sniper would be jealous of.  I can play a tour level (multi-piece) golf ball or a mid-level distance ball and shoot roughly the same score.  So now, after telling you about my game...let's get to the review:

Specifications

According to Srixon, the Q Star is a 2-piece ball that is "designed for players who are looking an all ability ball with Z-STAR performance". It is built for swing speeds of 90+ mph.  The ball is rated with exceptional driver distance, minimal spin off the driver and average spin on approach shots. 

How it performed-Feel

The first thing I notice is feel as that is a major importance factor to me, so please keep that in mind throughout my review.  With that being said, the first negative I found with the ball was on driver impact.  The first time I hit the ball, it felt rock hard and left the impression that I didn't put my best effort on the ball.  I thought that I had caught the ball off the heel a little more than usual, but I decided to tee another up and I got the same exact thing.  Let's just say that after 18 holes, this is not my favorite ball off the tee.

I would be lying if I said that after my experience on the tee that I didn't have some doubts going into iron and wedges shots with the Q Star.  Luckily, I found that the Q Star has a little softer feeling off an iron or wedge, but it does produce a louder "click" off the club face than I am used to.  I was pleased with the feel off the irons and wedges, because if it felt like it did off the driver then I would have had a hard time continuing this trial of the Q Star. 

How it performed-Distance & Spin

I will say that Srixon seems to be spot on with their exceptional distance claim when it comes to the driver.  Even though I wasn't pleased with the feel off the driver, I could not dispute the distance I gained.  Let's just say that the Q Star was easily 10 yards longer off the tee on average than the Titleist NXT Tour S ball I have been playing a majority of the year.  The ball has a penetrating flight, that lands hard on the fairway and gets exceptional roll out. 

I was a little scared of the extra distance I gained off the driver, so I decided to back down a little on my irons and wedges.  This decision was not my brightest idea, to say the least.  I was afraid I would blow the ball over the green on approach shots and that was not the case.  I was able to use the same club I would normally.  The only difference on approach shots was in spin.  I can't spin the ball like the guys on the PGA Tour, but I have enough game where I can get the ball to check and maybe spin a slight bit.  Unfortunately, the Q Star didn't want to check or spin back.  It does land soft on the greens for such a firm ball, but you need to be prepared for the ball to roll out. 

I would like to add that the majority of use "recreational" golfers out there should not be worried about spinning the ball back.  We just need to be worried about getting the ball in the hole. 

How it performed-Chipping & Putting

I was slightly skeptical of the Q Star around the greens due to the firmness I felt from the ball on impact, but surprisingly enough the Q Star is amazing around the greens.  I am the type of golfer that uses an 8 iron from the fringe to get the ball to roll out to the hole and I will only use the 60* wedge when using the 8 iron doesn't make sense.  No matter the shot I had the Q Star passed with flying colors.  The fringe chip rolled tried and true, the low running chip shot landed soft enough to roll close to the hole and the long pitch/chips landed soft with just a small amount of roll out.  I felt like I had total control of the ball around the green.

As a feel player, putting is where you notice the most.  While the Q Star is not my favorite off the putter, it is also not the worst.  The big issue I had was on short putts, I felt that I had to hit the ball a little lighter due to the feel and I had the tendency to come up short.  Once I convinced myself to actually "lift my skirt up" and hit the ball the results were just as typical as I would normally see.  I did, however, love the Q Star on longer putts.  When I knew I had to hit the ball firm I saw the results that I wanted to see and that was the ball falling into the cup or at the least nestling up next to it for an easy tap in. 

Final Takeaway

If you have a higher swing speed (90+) and are looking for a long ball off the tee that performs well around the greens, then this ball is for you.  If you are a feel player I suggest you give the ball a little time.  It will take you a few swings to get adjusted to how the ball feels off the driver, woods and hybrids.  The other big factor is the price...if you aren't looking to spend $40 or more for a tour level ball then the Q Star is adequate substitution. 


If you have any requests of clubs, balls, apparel or equipment you can leave a comment on this post or send me a tweet (@mcbush25) and I'd be happy to fulfill that request. 

Hit 'em Straight!

Is Tiger Back?

So after three rounds in Abu Dhabi, Tiger Woods finds himself tied atop the leaderboard with Robert Rock.

I must say that I'm impressed with the way Tiger looks on the golf course. For the first time in a long time, Tiger looks healthy and the swing changes that he has been implementing seem to have sunken in. I had no doubt that once Tiger became healthy again that he would make the adjustments to his swing and get back to the red numbers. The real question at hands will Tiger still have that affect on the rest of the field that the old Tiger had? Only time will tell and we will get a small look at that tomorrow during they final round in Abu Dhabi.

Let me know your thoughts...leave a comment.

Hit 'em straight!

Stricker completes the Three-Peat

So for the past two season on the PGA Tour, Steve Stricker has dominated one event. The tour stop at TPC Deere Run has become a favorite of Stricker's and it shows as he pulled off back to back wins in '09 and '10. The main question coming into this weeks John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run was can Steve Stricker pull off the trifecta?

I must say that after 3 rounds of the tournament in looked like it was Stricker's to lose and with two holes to go on Sunday it looked as if Stricker had lost it. Through the first three rounds this week Stricker had a total of 1 bogey, but on Sunday he had 2 bogeys and a double bogey. As Stricker walked off the 16th green that he had just bogeyed he found himself two shots back of Kyle Stanley who had played exceptional golf all week long.

What Stricker did on 17 and 18 were the things you would come to expect of the World's 5th best player. Stricker went on to birdie the 17th to bring him within one of the Stanley who pared the 17th. As Stricker was finishing up on 17, Stanley had found himself in a slight predicament. Stanley was able to get over the trees on his approach, but fund himself in the right green side bunker on the down slope. While, Kyle Stanley was able to make an incredible shot out of the bunker he was unable to knock in the par putt. As Stanley was playing out the 18th, Stricker's hopes did not look the best as he hit his tee shot in the left fairway bunker, leaving himself an awkward stance and 182 yards to the hole over the water. The next two shots from Stricker were two of the best I have seen in a while. Stricker's 6 iron from the bunker wasn't stuck to within two feet, but the lie that he had would have made most pros crumble. Then the 25 putt from off the green would seal the third consecutive title for Stricker.

If you are wondering...Yes, Steve did get a little teary eyed during the post round interview with David Feherty, but I like to see a player that is humble and appreciative of where he is and what he has achieved; and you get that every time Steve Stricker wins. This marks the 8th consecutive start for Stricker that he has finished within Top 20 in an event. So far, I would say this has been another impressive season for Sticker with two wins already. I feel that he is due for the major championship that has avoided him during his career as he is too good and too consistent to not win a major within the next few season.

Congrats Steve! Keep up the great play!

Hit 'em Straight

Tiger Woods leaves us all hanging on a thread...

As many of you may have heard by now, Tiger Woods will be making a special announcement tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM EDT. Kelly Tilghman will be representing The Golf Channel during this announcement. Since the news broke on this announcement, speculation has run rampant on what the announcement could be. Let's run down a few of the speculations and the odds that it could be true:

1. Tiger is hanging it up for the season (3/1 odds)- Obviously, we all know Tiger has not been in full form for a while now. The Achilles and knee are still issues and quite frankly it doesn't seem to be healing as quickly as thought. This seems to be the most plausible of all speculations.
2. Tiger is changing swing coaches (15/1 odds)- I don't think this is far fetched. Nothing against Sean Foley as he has plenty of great students on Tour, but Foley doesn't seem to be getting Tiger to where Tiger thought he should be. There was a lot of questions about this move once it happened and even after it took place. Now, I don't think you can completely pin all of this on Foley as a 100% healthy Tiger might have had a difference. I just can't see him calling a huge conference like this to announce something this to the public.
3. Tiger is clearing the air about the Anthony Galea situation (5/1 odds)- As everyone knows Anthony Galea has plead guilty in case and with Tiger being one of Galea's top clients, one could only think that maybe there is more to the story of Galea-Woods that we aren't aware of. Tiger may be calling this presser to get some things out in the open before Galea can air the dirty laundry.
4. Tiger could possibly be announcing his retirement (30/1 odds)- The only way, in my mind, that this happens is if the announcement is about Galea and the situation there is much worse than anyone could have thought. I think Tiger wouldn't retire right now based on injury unless his Achilles and knee are much worse than we could ever imagine. Either way, if he was to announce his retirement it would be tied to either the injury or more likely Galea. I think the big reason for this speculation is the fact that the announcement comes with a day notice and the fact that it must be something of major proportions to let everyone know a day ahead.

In all honesty, these are the only things that make any relevance. I can't foresee Tiger retiring, but there is part of me at this point that could see if happening. Over the past few years, Tiger has shocked us in many ways and his retirement would only add to that shock. I really think by Noon tomorrow we will have heard that Tiger is hanging it up for the rest of the season to rehab. Quite frankly, I hope I am right. I know Tiger isn't the fan favorite like he used to be due to his attitude, off the course issues and many other things; but he is still one of the greatest, if not the greatest golfer to ever play and I would hate to see him hang it up. I guess we will have to let the speculation run wild until 11 AM tomorrow.

Hit 'em Straight

Adidas Fall/Winter '11 & '12 Shoe Line Up

I thought I would share this link with everyone...the great folks over at www.gppgolf.com released these photos on their Facebook of the upcoming designs that Adidas Golf will be releasing this Fall/Winter.

Here is the link.....http://fb.me/Z7Vv6DQ4

As you can see Adidas is trying to jump on board the success that Ecco has had with their street shoe by releasing a similar model. Also, if you look through the pics you will that Adidas is releasing a Soccer style shoe with golf spikes...quite different in my opinion.

I am very happy to see more colors popping up in the Adidas closet. I have always been a fan of Adidas since the Tour 360's came out a few years ago.

Hit 'em Straight!

I'm Back!!!!!!!!

Hey Everyone,

Long time...no blog! I know my last posy has been a little under a year ago. I attempted to go out and write for another blog with a friend, but things just didn't pan out. I wanted to continue the site, but quite frankly...I have more followers and more hits here than we were getting on the other site. It's hard to leave the following I had on this site. Therefore I have decided to go back to my roots and start writing for my own blog again.

I am currently trying to figure out how I can give the site a little more spunk so if you have any suggestions please leave them in the comments section. I look forward to writing more thoughts and reviews for everyone to read. Keep your eyes peeled for updates over the next few days.

Hit 'em Straight!