Instagram: candy for the eyes. One search on #golf pretty much nails how predictable golf IG feeds have become. Product shot after sunrise after swing sequence after hot babe with a golf club, repeat.  Thankfully, there are a handful of very clever IG accounts that stand out from the crowd. One of my favorites is a woman who goes by the handle @smooderoo. A quick glance through her account and you realize this is not your average girl golfer IG account. No selfies, no philosophical quotes and no bullshit. Smooderoo has somehow blended golf shenanigans without overt sexuality or self promotion in a unique and refreshing manner.

Every super hero needs a super villain. Where would Superman be without Lex Luthor? Where would Spiderman be without Doctor Octopus? Where would Dudley Do-right be without Snidely Whiplash? Without a foil to put the outcome in doubt, how can anyone be truly heroic? And because golf bloggers are, almost without exception, superheroes, I have acquired my own arch-nemesis. A foil so diabolical that not only does he thwart me at every turn, he does so in the most kung fu manner possible – turning my own fragile ego against me, casting my abilities in doubt, and taking my money in the bargain. I call him… Jon.

Despite not being a household name, Steve Wozeniak has taught some of the very best players and coaches in the world. Specifically, he spent 7 years with famous instructor Jimmy Ballard, whose ideas were learned at the feet of Sam Byrd. We’ve interviewed Ballard and discussed Sam Byrd’s contribution in other blog entries; but if you haven’t heard of him, he helped Hogan remake his swing,

The 2014 Open is over and while it was never in doubt, I spent 5 hours watching it. What did I learn?

1) This would have been a great final day of the Open if: Had Rory only been leading by 1 or 2 strokes, this would have been a blast to watch. There were a handful of guys who played some great golf (or at least I read that, because the Network showed nearly zero shots from guys not named Rory, Rickie or Sergio). Even without the drama, the telecast provided enough shotmaking and star gazing to keep my attention for nearly the entire round.

2) David Duval has a TV future: I know he only gets the early shift but he has great insight and the fact that his life is so interesting just adds to his appeal. It will be tough to replace the guys in the booth, but I would bet a few bucks he makes his way to primetime at some point. NOTE to the Golf Channel…hire this guy NOW!

3) Nike, Adidas and Cobra were very happy: I guess this is why companies spend so much on player sponsorships because for about 5 hours these companies had their best products dominate the telecast. Rory, Rickie and Sergio are essentially 100% sponsored by Nike, Cobra and Adidas respectively, so viewers were treated to the entire line from shoes to wedges (heck, Rory carries a Nike yardage book). While all of these companies “won”, I actually think Cobra made out the best of the three but let me break it down by equipment and apparel.

Rickie v. Rory AKA Cobra v. Nike

-Equipment: The fact that Rory won with Nike equipment should be a big deal but I don’t think it moves the needle much. Perhaps because he struggled for a full year making the change probably hurts as much as this win helps. On the other hand, Cobra has been trying to be more than a flashy brand for years, and with the 2014 Rickie is having it really helps to make that point.

-Apparel: For 5 hours we saw the “best apparel” these companies had to offer, and frankly none of it was very impressive. Sure, they are leaps and bounds ahead of whatever Jim Furyk was wearing, but matching a blue hat to a blue shirt is nothing to write home about. Yes, they looked “fine” but compared to some of the guys wearing apparel by designer brands they looked downright boring.

Exactly when did hats become ten gallon?

Unfortunately, the major stars are locked into 100% company contracts so they have limited choice. Still it would be fun to see Rory wearing Boss, RLX, Illiac or some other designer brand. The kid is just too cool to not look sharper. With that said, Fowler was the best dressed of the three (except the hat).

4) How long before Tiger calls Butch Harmon: Seriously, you cannot dismiss what Butch has done for Rickie this year. All of the timing has been eliminated from his swing and he is contending on a regular basis (remember who used to do that?). Sure, Tiger will take away the positives, but it is time to go back to the swing that we all fell in love with (and won a bunch of tournaments).

5) Using a long putter to get relief seems unfair: This will be a moot point soon and while I don’t have issues with guys who use a long putter on the green, I do think it odd that Adam Scott was able to squeak out a few more inches from the Gorse bush simply because he carries one.

6) 12 months before I get to hear Gorse Bush is still too soon: Not sure what they are but I willing to give up grandstands if it means I never have to see one of these nasty bits of foliage. What do grandstands have to do with Gorse bushes? Well…checking in at number 7

7) How do I get a grandstand at my course: How many times have you yanked a ball only to have it kicked back by a grandstand? None? Me neither. That is not the case for Pros who routinely get great breaks because of grandstands and other man made tournament structures. Ok, now I am just bitching and Sergio absolutely meant to hit the chairs so that it would be hurled back to just off the green.

Until next year…stay clear of the Gorse!

For the past six years I have organized a guys golf trip to Pinehurst NC. I have written a couple of posts about how to organize a guys golf trip and also suggested a format that works for 8 or 12 guys, but this year I threw that all out the window and moved to a Guys Golf Trip Ryder Cup.

A couple of months ago, I stumbled upon a video about a group of guys who were planning to travel the country trying to qualify for every PGA event. While attempting to Monday Qualify is not particularly unique, the fact that they were going on this adventure as a team rather than individuals was something I had never heard of. Sure, equipment and apparel companies have “teams”, but Team TourQuest seemed more genuine. So, I tracked down Sam Goulden, the guy who put this whole idea together, to get the scoop on just who and what TourQuest is.

As I watch two golfers race to the 16th green (instead of the caddies . . . meh) at the Phoenix Open, I can’t help but wonder how my boy Tiger and his management team continue to whiff on what could be his most valuable PR move. Why in the holy Scott Hoch is Tiger not playing in this tournament?!

Each year, Three Guys Golf reviews about 100 products per year. While not the biggest golf review site, we probably see more gear than most. The fact is, companies have come to realize that blogs are a great way to get real and mostly unbiased information into the hands of consumers. While each blog has a slightly different methodology and business model, each one is basically trading their creative talents for gear – the old win/win situation (still unclear who is winning more).

When was the last time you were excited to make a purchase at a golf course? What, no interest in being overcharged for sleeves of balls, gatorades and last year’s golf shirts? I’m guessing you didn’t buy your last set of irons from the pro shop either. Exactly when and why did this business model go so wrong?

Warning: This post ultimately has nothing to do with golf. And it’s long. Continue reading at your own risk.

Over the past several years, the PGA Expo in Las Vegas has started gaining some traction as a legitimate event for retailers and manufactures to come together and showcase their fall lineup.

When I saw the list of attendees for the Vegas 2013 PGA Expo, which took place between August 19^th and August 21^st, I realized that this end-of-summer expo is really starting to gain some national attention and only looks to grow in the years to come.

I will admit it. The first time I heard someone shout “Get in the Hole!” when Tiger teed off it was kinda cool. Cut to ten years later and I want to punch every idiot who thinks his claim to fame will be having his voice broadcast across the nation. Honestly, I do not know how Tiger has held it together all of these years without sending someone to pull a Nancy Kerrigan on these numb-skulls.

Last week I had the opportunity to join Matthew Laurance of ESPN Radio. Matthew’s Radio show is called Backspin Golf and can be heard in Lexington KY on am 1300. Matthew also can be found on twitter @backspingolfML

Dedicated Open Blog Readers!  (Yes, I’m talking to all 10 of you)

It’s time for The Open wrap up and I’m sloppily tapping away at my keyboard while driving south from Scotland to London (no worry warts, I’m not actually driving, I’m obnoxiously co-piloting) on the not so soothing 8 hour drive down the A1/M1.  My writing style may not flow like the boundlessness of the Euphrates River today because I’m having to look up regularly to check out the horizon in order to avoid vomiting in my own lap. Now THAT is blogging dedication!