Who would win the War

I decided to take a unique perspective with respect to golf equipment to make the decision a much easier one for you, the ever so gullible consumer. New toys are synonymous with golf which fortunately for the manufacturers is riddled with overpaid and underappreciated spouses who have little else to do but spend their fairly easily earned money in hopes that they may just suddenly figure it out. Every so often I'll put two different and popular products to battle and see whose left standing at the end. All of this is of course in my opinion only, which means it's 100% accurate.

THIS WEE - DRIVERS

Taylor Made R9 vs. Callaway FT-9

Taylor Made, the self-proclaimed king of the metal wood is back in 2009 with the R9. If you're one of the many who enjoy drivers that offer adjustability then this may be for you. Evidently it has more performance enhancing features than ever. Along with their standart weight movement technology, they've added new Flight Control Technology (FCT) that allows for eight different clubhead positions to fine tune face angle, lie and loft. It has a bunch of other shit that you'll love, and will make little difference to your game. If you decide this is the stick for you, don't lose the torque wrench or getting a new one will cost you.

Not to be outdone Callaway has introduced the new FT-9 this season. It did wonders for Phil Mickelson in last week's Buick Invitational. As a sneak peak, don't miss out on the FT-11 early next season, and the FT-13 the following spring. You heard it hear first. With Draw and Neutral options available the FT-9's Hyperbolic Face Technology have increased ball speeds over the entire face. This shit is space age. I could get into all the other jargon that Callaway spits at you on their website and in their marketing, but really who cares. It's new, so you should buy it.

Reverend says - The FT-5 kicked ass, so I'm putting my money on the FT-9, screw the torque wrench shit. FT-9 in a walk.

Catching Up

It's been a busy week and my microscopic corner of the interweb was unusually quiet. With that in mind, and not a lot of time it's important that note a few thoughts before coming back on the weekend with actual substance.

1. Daniel Chopra sucks. Yes it's true. Last year's Mercedes Champion and almost certain, "can't miss" rising star has lost it. He's withdrawn from this years Buick Invitational after posting a first round 76. This is coming off the heels of three missed cuts in four starts in 2009, and being cut in the last 6 of 7 events in 2008. Time for a swing change.

2. Phil Mickelson just doesn't give a fuck. He doesn't care what the safe play is. He doesn't care if driver off the deck is the wrong choice. He's going to hit it anyway. You know what, good for him.

3. Bring back Zinger! Nick Faldo is an idiot.

We'll talk more this weekend...

Big Names are Lackluster

On a weekend that saw one of the better Super Bowls of the past decade (so I hear) many of the big ticket names at the FBR were left to watch the game with the millions of others come Sunday.

Phil Mickelson who chose to make the FBR his first event of the season and was the odds-on favorite played like a complete hack on route to missing the cut emphatically. Mickelson looked completely out of sorts and struggled with his swing most of Thursday and Friday. Saying he thought he didn't hit the ball that badly made him seem all the more stupid. Just tell us how it is, you sucked.

Anthony Kim although not quite as bad, was still quite poor. One has to wonder if there is more to this shoulder thing than meets the eye, or if it was just one of those weeks. Kim seemed to spend more time looking for balls in the desert and seeking rules advice than he did making birdies. The next few events will tell us just how bad (or not) the shoulder is.

Camillo Villegas also spent Sunday hanging out and enjoying the eight hour Super Bowl pre-game shows. Villegas struggled most of Thursday and Friday, but managed to hold it together just enough to get to #18 Friday on the number. He then proceeded to vomit his way to a bogey thus missing the cut by one.

Defending champion J.B. Holmes came out of the gate strong and looked like he was poised to make a run at the title again. He came out on fire posting a five under 31 on his first nine. From there he played the last 27 holes in nine over on route to missing the cut. Great performance.

Other notables deciding not to show up included, Justin Leonard, Stephen Ames, Charles Howell, Brandt Snedeker, Ryuji Imada, Stewart Cink, Mike Weir, Stuart Appleby, Steve Stricker, Ken Duke and Steve Marino. Well, at least James Nitties, Scott Piercy and Charlie Hoffman had good weeks. Someone needs to tell Hoffman how much of a clown he looks like and do something about that mop. That's entirely why he lost the playoff, because his hair...is worthless.