Friday, January 13, 2006
Friday Fun

This might be of some interest as it seems that everyone on every, bus, train and in every gym in the world (I really get around) has an iPod (or other mp3 technology device) plugged into their ears.
Loads of different things that I didn't think they could do.

In the four years since its introduction, the iPod has proven to be a versatile little device. Despite a relatively closed architecture, hackers have found their way in. Content creators and software makers put information at your fingertips when you're on the go. Would-be designers have added to the fashionable stylings of the now-ubiquitous white ear buds. Hardware makers and enthusiasts have augmented the iPod with new add-on gadgets. Here are a few dozen things you can do with your iPod besides listen to music.

01 Make your own pirate radio station

For more click on the link: http://www.kottke.org/plus/50-ways-ipod/


For when golf isn't enough
1/13/2006 1:03:47 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
OH PUNKS, YOUR MAGGOT IS A GOLFER!

Celebrity Big Brother has taken over the airwaves and the whole nation is talking about it.
It might not necessarily be nice things that people are saying. As web bloke Sifa said: "Car-crash television. I do get some perverse negative entertainment out of it. To me, the idea is hell on earth but I can't help but watch it, if only to scream 'I can't believe people watch this shit' at the tele."
Whatever your viewpoint on reality TV shows people are addicted to them. The first Big Brother series was captivating viewing and spawned a whole host of 'we're not big brother but it's a big brother type format' copycats.
Big Brother contestants have even gone on to become minor celebs and earn a tidy packet in the meantime.
It seems strange then, that a parody of the whole cult of celebrity 'Celebrity Big Brother' is proving to be just as popular.
Websites far and wide blog every day on what's happening in the house. I even stumbled across Golfmagic's proposal for a celeb golf Big Brother.
Admittedly, we've joined in on the fun with our VOTE FOR MAGGOT campaign. The Goldie Lookin Chain member is a keen golfer and is one of the bookies favourites to win Big Brother. Maggot will be appearing in our next issue so we want everybody to vote for him to win Big Brother and score one for the world of golf.

 

http://www.golfpunkonline.com/GP-Campaigns/


For when golf isn't enough
1/13/2006 11:29:09 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Thursday, January 12, 2006
Newsflash!! Important stuff

The BBC shows why it is the dominant force in worldwide journalism in a cutting edge interview with Paul McGinley posted today.
Auntie revealed how "McGinley is determined to avoid a last-gasp scramble to make the 2006 European Ryder Cup team" this year.
The article went on to describe how the Irishman will achieve his goal.

"The 39-year-old Dubliner is keen to secure a place in the team as soon as possible."

We held an unofficial straw poll of all European and US tour golfers on this issue and came up with some shock results. It seems that all professional golfers in with a chance of qualifying for the Ryder Cup would love to qualify at the earliest possible opportunity. Who'd of thought it? We were flabbergasted and have notified all the relevant authorities.
Keep up the good work Beeb!

Golf News | Golf Punks
1/12/2006 3:50:23 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Picturesque

Having a browse around our blogroll I came across the USGA's picture gallery looking back over 2005. There are some stunning photos and some that need some serious captioning.
Click on the USGA link and get thinking.



1/12/2006 3:24:13 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Wednesday, January 11, 2006
SONY-EAR, SO FAR

Michelle Wie is teeing it up in the Sony Open this week on her home course alongside the big boys. We know the world's media will go mental with speculation about whether she will make the cut and become the first woman to ever do so in PGA Tour history. She has failed twice before, but the usual '..women should stay on their on tour...it's an amazing victory for the sport...' columns will be trawled out depending on the outcome.
We've jotted down a few things that probably won't happen this week....

Wie and Jean van de Velde kiss and make up after being paired together for the first two rounds and shock the world's press by announcing their engagement on Sunday night.

Tiger Woods breaks down under the pressure of being the first billion-dollar sportsman (as predicted by Golf Digest) and trades it all in for a career as an interior designe.

A volcanic explosion of a different kind stops play on the 12th when John Daly combusts after his 19th cheeseburger.

Tim Finchem comes over all funny and decides to give the PGA Tour TV rights to google for free and reveals all in GolfPunk magazine.

Web blokes Sifa and Shaun
Golf Punks
1/11/2006 6:23:27 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Great balls a flier!

The Guardian newspaper's golf correspondent, Lawrence Donegan has an interesting article on how golf's governing bodies are researching the possibilities of limiting distances the modern golf ball can travel.
I've taken out some of the highlights for you to have a ponder over. If you want to view the whole article click on the link below.

"We looked at making a bigger ball and a lighter ball; we looked at balls made from different rubbers and at balls with different dimple patterns," Dr Otto said, adding that some experiments were more successful than others. "The larger ball was not a great triumph. The difficulty with a much larger ball is that it floats"

"the modern ball is largely responsible for the prodigious distances achieved by modern professionals and is, as a consequence, rendering many of the game's great courses obsolete. The ball manufacturers, on the other hand, are vehemently opposed to the introduction of a new ball, insisting that other factors, including the greater athleticism of the modern player"

Hmmm, you mean like John Daly and Duffy Waldorf?


'On a New Year diet, watch it fly.'

Full article: http://sport.guardian.co.uk/golf/story/0,10069,1683683,00.html

Golf News
1/11/2006 2:07:25 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Balls!

'Watch this it's going to be fantastic'



'Ah, balls! Missed it'

For when golf isn't enough | Golf Punks | Tips and Swing thoughts
1/10/2006 6:31:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Resolutely not fussed

We've left behind the 'season to be jolly' and have crashed our way into the 'season of good intentions' with a list longer than the christmas card mail-out.
New Year's resolutions are an ingenious concept. Straight after the longest period of over-indulgence of the year everyone pledges to get themselves back into shape. (unless you're a morbidly obese, alcoholic with a spending addiction). It's also perfectly timed. The church steps in and tells us 'enough is enough' on 'Twelth Night', January 6th and the decorations come down everyone gets back to work. On top of that January and February are two of the coldest, most dismal months of the year. Getting dressed up and going out seems like to much of a palaver and time is be better spent getting into shape or learning French or something in preparation for the spring when people start smiling again.
Of course, there's no point going out because everyone's given up drinking unless the liquid is in a bottle marked 'Evian'. Web bloke Shaun reckons he can become teetotal as long as we don't count those two pints he had on Saturday. I've taken the realistic approach of cutting down on all the junk I was taking before because I know that as soon as I have a bad round I'm going to swear, smoke and drown my sorrows in the clubhouse after.
Everyone also has a penchant for lycra and low GI foods. Bogey lounge has taken on a $300 a man weight loss contest with two buddies and every golf website in Christendom has the latest trick to get you 'fit for 06'.
We went to the gym at the weekend as part of the new 'healthy body, healthy mind' crap and you can view the results below as Shaun tries to show off his new physique after one session on the weights. Personally, I think I'm fine as I am but as long as it makes him act like a pillock I'm all for it.

Click here to download the movie clip

Tips and Swing thoughts
1/10/2006 6:27:01 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Monday, January 09, 2006
FA CUP 4TH ROUND DRAW

For all Spurs and Fulham fans and for those who enjoyed the magic of the FA Cup over the weekend the next installment will take place on 28/29 January and looks a little bit like this:
Stoke City/Tamworth v Barnsley/Walsall
Cheltenham Town/Chester City v Newcastle United
Coventry v Nuneaton Borough/Middlesbrough
West Brom/Reading v Torquay/Birmingham
Portsmouth v Liverpool
Leicester v Southampton
Bolton v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Port Vale
Brentford v Sunderland
Manchester City v Wigan/Leeds
Millwall/Everton v Chelsea
Preston v Crystal Palace
West Ham v Blackburn
Colchester v Derby
Charlton v Leyton Orient
Wolves v Burton/Manchester United

For when golf isn't enough
1/9/2006 5:26:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Bill bonds with the stars

I came across an amusing little newspeice about Bill Clinton giving golf lessons to ex- James Bond star Pierce Brosnan.
Apparently, the pair met on a Christmas break in Hawaii and bonded (sorry) over the links.
Brosnan admitted to not being the world's best golfer and Clinton stepped in to give him a few tips.
"It's terrifying… and you have about 26 secret servicemen standing around looking at you. We went out there and we were practising and he wanted to give me a few tips; he tried to hold my hips at some point… because my swing was off. He said: 'You're doing it all wrong, Pierce… now let me just hold on your hips here.' "
Sounds similar to how Clinton got in trouble last time. And as I recall Clinton is no David Leadbetter. He's infamous for taking mulligans left, right and centre and employing the leather wedges of his army of secret servicemen, then having the audacity to claim that he plays of 'ten'.
Still, at least we've got one of the world's statesmen doing his bit for the game.

For when golf isn't enough | Tips and Swing thoughts
1/9/2006 2:36:14 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Sunday, January 08, 2006
Victory for Golf

So Europe secured quite an easy victory in the inaugural Royal Trophy with a 9-7 victory over Asia in Bangkok.
It wasn't all plain sailing, however, as Asia staged a mini fightback late in the singles.
Europe dominated the first day proceedings as expected and it looked like it was going to be the whitewash that many predicted after they established a 6-2 lead at the close of Saturday's play.
Equipment editor Dan Owen had a big smug grin plastered across his face after predicting that this would be a bit of a damp squib, but it was gradually wiped off during the course of the singles matches on Sunday.
The Undaunted Duffer gave us his thoughts saying "International/match play formats are exciting to watch, no bones about it. I don't care what countries are competing against each other it makes for good golf."
This proved to be a more accurate reflection as the Asian team played some spectacular golf to force the competition down to the last singles pairing. Fortunately for Europe, Henrik Stenson had virtually sealed victory after building up a four hole lead by the thirteenth.
"I am really happy with the final score. It has been a great two days of competition and the team played fantastically." Asian captain was equally as pleased with the way the tournament unfolded adding: "I was happy to see the boys fight back. For a moment it looked possible that we could upset Europe as our players grew in confidence."
This was no made for TV event or a warm-up to the new season. As Duffer pointed out: "Asian tour players feel that they have a lot to prove. After all, the Asian cuture prides itself on the principle of honour." We really enjoyed the event and look forward to seeing it next year. And we won as well. One down, one to go....
Golf News
1/8/2006 8:11:08 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Friday, January 06, 2006
EU can't hold us down!

Women's rights received a welcome boost when the European Commission ruled that any golf clubs that bar or restrict women will be violating EU law from 2007.
Clubs in the 25 member states must end such things as separate tee-boxes, should women wish, time restrictions for women and men-only bars.
The move is a response to Irish MEP Proinsias De Rossa, who asked if such practices would be outlawed by a new sex discrimination directive.
While there's no EU laws in force obliging clubs to apply the same rules to men and women, the European Commissiom said the directive on equal treatment between men and women in goods and services would plug the gap.
The news was welcomed by the English Ladies Golf Association.
"We think it's time women had equal opportunities and we support the moves by the EU," said spokeswoman Clare Tyler.
"The growth of the female market and numbers of young girls taking up the game means that this is good for the future of the game."
The directive does not ban single-sex private clubs, which are regarded as legitimate on grounds of the right to freedom of association.
Clubs or member states who fail to uphold the law will face legal action.
Whatever needs to be done to help more people play the game is always good in our eyes, but we also know that the House of Lords can overturn the decision on appeal. Politics eh! Who'd have it?


Golf News | Women's Golf news
1/6/2006 3:55:27 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Royal Trophy kicks up a storm

2006 kicks off with a showdown match between Europe and Asia in the first ever Royal Trophy being held at the Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok in Thailand.
Seve Ballesteros is captaining a stellar European line-up which unites the formidable talents of wildcards Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo with current Order of Merit leader David Howell, Paul McGinley Thomas Björn, Kenneth Ferrie, Graeme McDowell and Henrik Stenson.
The Asian team brings together players from China, Japan, Thailand, India and Korea and will showcase some of the talent prevalent on the Far East circuits.
Sixteen matches, including a mixture of foursomes, fourball and singles will be played over two days on Saturday and Sunday.
I think that this will be an interesting platform to view potential Ryder Cup contenders as well as giving a bit of air-time to a flourishing Asian tour. Let's not forget that China are leading the world in golf course development having announced plans for five thousand new courses.
This, however, is not an opinion that everyone shares.
"Contrived, money making and made for TV," says equipment editor Dan Owen. He believes that this competition and others like it dilute the magic of the Ryder Cup. These sentiments are also echoed on various forums around the world.
There is some weight to this argument. Players are competing for a prize fund of about £854,000. Surely this event should be about pride and honour? Let us know your thought as the event unfolds over the weekend and we'll blog them up alongside the score.


'Mine.' 'No, it's mine. 'No, mine....'

Web bloke Shaun

Golf News
1/6/2006 12:01:50 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Thursday, January 05, 2006
Tiger taunts: 'Easy, Easy, Easy'

Tiger Woods has said that he would like golf's officials to make the game harder.
Speaking to Golf Digest the world number one said that the advances made by golfing technology have had an impact on the shot-making and skill levels in the sport.
Woods said: ''The game has changed since I've been on tour. You look at the old guys who are or were true shotmakers . . . [and] then you look on tour and you ask, `Who's a true shotmaker? Who actually manoeuvers the ball or does something different with it?' And there really aren't that many, if any, out here anymore.'' Woods believes that a concerted effort should be made to maintain the skill factor in the game. ''Anytime you bring maneuverability back into the game of golf,'' Woods said, ``it's going to favor the better players who understand how to control the golf ball.''

We have been running a poll on whether golf balls should be changed to limit the distance they travel after the point was raised in an interview we had with Seve Ballesteros. So far 38% of people believe that action should taken, but the large majority are against the idea.
We had a chat about it in the office and reckon that the game's top players should lead by example if this is how they genuinely feel. We're sure that, although maybe not as talented as Tiger, the lower ranked players in the world are still capable of hitting their hats and would play with pride and valour be it hickory shafts or modern gizmos.
Sifa thinks they should put it to the test at the next WGC event and everyone must play with the technology available 25 years ago. That would sort the men from the boys.
I also believe that it's very easy to preach when you've got ten million plus in the bank from last year and you must bear in mind that while 1% of the world's golfers can bend it round oil tankers, in a hurricane to a pin 210 yards away, the majority of us can't hit a cow's arse with a banjo. Share the wealth Tiger and then we'll all be on your side.

Shaun and Sifa - webitors
Golf News
1/5/2006 12:51:15 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
TaylorMade face the Bombsquad

Webitor bloke Sifa and myself were brainstorming in the office (see below) about our plan of attack this year when we received an email from the guys at BombSquadGolf.
It seems the pesky critters have also been bashing their heads together, the only difference is they've actually got something to show for their efforts other than a bruised head.
Today they will have TaylorMade Adidas Golf online for a chat about all the TaylorMade RAC and Rossa products.
The discussion begins at 4.30 to 6.30pm (pacific time). That's half past midnight for all you golf junkies over here in history filled Europe.
Jose Miraflor, Duane Anderson and guest will be answering all your questions so if you want to find out everything and anything about TaylorMade and the year ahead then go to www.BombSquadGolf.com. We'll see you in there!


Ooooh, feel the creativity flowing


Golf Punks | Tips and Swing thoughts
1/5/2006 11:23:44 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 


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