Wrapped - The Pure Golf Ball

I came across these wrapped Slazenger B51 golf balls the other day in my office. This was actually the ball that Jack Nicklaus used for many years in the 60s.

There was a purity to the wrapped golf ball and opening a new ball on the first tee was a great feeling. Sadly, in these days of mass manufacturing, golf balls come off the production line straight into 3 packs and miss out the wrapping machine to save a couple of cents. It's a shame and I bet that if one of the major manufacturers reintroduced this element they could more than compensate for the cost by adding a premium to a top of the range ball. Anyone have any great memories of wrapped golf balls? When was the last time you used one?

Streamsong Review - A New Addition to the Pures

Over at our sister site, macduffconsulting, you will find a full review of a days golf at wonderful Streamsong - a worthy addition to purist golf. You can read it here - http://macduffconsulting.blogspot.com/

3 Pures From The PGA Show

So, I am back from a terrific Golf Show in Orlando  - There really was a buzz in the air this year - rounds played were up in 2012, Callaway are back with style and once again I have selected three Pure products that fit the style and ethos of our site.

True Linkswear

It's no secret I am a big fan of this company. The True guys created a new category of walkable, comfortable shoes and naturally all the other big boys have jumped on the bandwagon. Nike, adidas, Footjoy all have their low profile version, but none are as good as the original Trues. In 2013 they have  introduced a couple of exciting new designs - I particularly like the look of the Chukka, with a little more height for those rainy days when only a walk will do! Read More Here.

Callaway's new X Hot Pro 3 wood

A new golf club on the golf purist? Yes, it does happen if I see one that is true to itself and free of all the horrendous graphics that are popping up on golf clubs. The flashes and geometric designs from Nike, Adams and Taylormade won't last - they do nothing other than distract the eye.

For a gorgeous clean golf club take a look at the new Callaway X Hot Pro 3 wood. I have the wonderful old X Hot 3 wood in my bag from 2006 and it is my "go to club"  - I don't think Callaway has ever made a better golf club - who knows - maybe the new X Hot Pro 3 could takes its place. Read More Here.

G/Fore Golf Shoes

More footwear, this time from world famous fashion designer, Mossimo Giannulli. Last year he added color to the boring old white golf glove, but kept it pure by choosing beautiful colors. This year he has added shoes to the line and come up with contemporary colors to add some verve to the fairways. They are coming soon, so keep your eye on his website here 

"The Show" Is Here!

Well, it's in a couple of days and I will be attending for the 24th time - is it a badge if honor or dishonor?  - I'm not sure! As well as conducting MacDuff business I'll have my golf purist hat on and be on the look out for all things pure in golf. I'll report back next week with photos and some copy.

New TaylorMade Drivers Graphics...shield your eyes!

TaylorMade are once again pushing the design envelope with their new drivers. They did the same a couple of years ago with the white drivers, which have become the norm on Tour and amongst many amateur players. But, this time they have outdone themselves with the ugliest graphics ever seen on a golf club. The clubs in question are the R1 Driver (top picture) and Rocketballz Stage 2 Driver (bottom picture.) The graphics, we are told, are to improve alignment and seek their inspiration from racing cars. Well, they should have left them on the cars and how on earth these will help alignment goodness only knows. Suffice to say, as good as the technology of these golf club is, the graphics will ensure they never make it into the purists bag!

Pure Golf in 2012

I was fortunate to play some pure golf in 2012, as well as write about it. Here are four of the best.

1. Augusta National.  The feeling of driving down Magnolia Lane never gets old and the golf course continues to amaze. It is without question the greatest experience in golf.

2. The Old Course. I played in the summer, before the R&A pulled a swift one and made the unnecessary changes. The wind was up that day and was all the defence the grand old lady needed. TOC continues to be a major bucket list item.

3. Pinehurst #2. The revamp by Coore and Crenshaw is remarkable and proof that length is not the essential component in memorable design. To improve on Ross's layout is an amazing accomplishment.

4. Muirfield. The site of the 2013 Open Championship gets better the more you play it and with The Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers wisely improving the playing opportunities for non-members this is a must play.

Many thanks to all the very kind members and professionals who facilitated these rounds of golf. It was a blast!

The R&A, What Were You Thinking?

Wow, what a week for the purists amongst us. The powers that be at The Old Course, namely the St Andrews Links Trust and the R&A have seen fit to make one of the worst decisions ever in golf by digging up the hallowed turf on a number of holes, including the 17th (above). And for absolutely no good reason. I'm sure Old Tom is spinning in his grave. The way that they handled the matter is also a joke. By announcing the decision to "improve" TOC last Friday (following Thanksgiving Day in the USA) it was the ultimate way to "bury the lede." By the time the news wires picked up on the story on Monday, Mr. Hawtree and his ditch diggers were hard at work attempting to "improve" on one of the greatest golf courses in the world. How on earth they could think that increasing the size of the road hole bunker would improve the hole remains to be seen, and it's another example of the R&A running rough shod over the game. They have managed for years to ignore the fact that the golf ball was getting longer and longer and destroying classic golf courses and now they see fit to add to their incompetence by messing with the most famous golf course in the world. I was at TOC in June this year with seven friends all of whom were in awe of the town and the finest public golf course in the world. Golf architects around the world, who know considerably more about these things than I do, are outraged and have made their voices heard. The most vocal is renowned designer, Tom Doak, but sadly it seems to be too late to stop the insane "reshaping." It is indeed a sad day for the Old Grey Toon.