The Official Golf Thread

[Greenabovethered]

Rory speaking with the media yesterday

Q. Were you tempted to pull out at any stage because of this, because it can't be easy with so much turmoil going on even though you've perhaps become almost used to it over the last 18 months, haven't you?

A:  No, I just I made a commitment to be here. It's the your European Tour's Flagship event. I'm very proud to be part of The European Tour. The European Tour have been very good to me over the last number of years, and I thought it was my duty to come back and play in this event. You know, once I gave my word that I would, I wasn't going to go back on it.

[Orior]

Golf in Wentworth has been suspended because of a "dangerous situation"

Has Caroline turned up?

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014040/leaderboard/index.html

[AZOffaly]

Great start from Shane Lowry today. -8.

Just wondering, why do golfers prefix the word 'golf' on everything? "Yeah, my golf game is good at the moment, I'm striking the golf ball well and finding the greens. My putts are going in, but I love this golf course and this golf tournament'.

Do they think we're maybe unsure of the sport they are playing? 'Jeez. Does he mean his basketball game is good, and he's hitting a rugby ball well, but he loves the race course and the darts tournament'?

[give her dixie]

Apologies if this has been posted already


Rory McIlroy's foundation donates £1m to local children's cancer charity

By Claire Williamson – 13 May 2014

He's already well-known for his big heart.

And Holywood golfer Rory McIlroy is keeping his charitable deeds close to home after his foundation donated £1 million to a children's cancer charity in Northern Ireland.

The two-time Major golf champion set up the Rory Foundation in 2013 with the aim of supporting children's charities from around the world and to give youngsters a helping hand.

The Rory Foundation has now committed £1m to the Cancer Fund for Children over a period of four years to support the running of its respite home Daisy Lodge.

The charity provides practical and emotional support for children and young people diagnosed with cancer.

The top golfer has had a close association with the charity since he visited its new therapeutic short break centre in Newcastle, Co Down, to meet the children and teenagers it supports.

Explaining his decision to donate the £1m, the sports star said: "The Rory Foundation sets out to give children a helping hand. It's that simple."

He said he was very moved by his visit to Daisy Lodge.

"I was overwhelmed by the honesty, courage and warmth of the children and teenagers there and immediately made the decision the enhance my support of the charity," he said.

The family facility, which opened last month, is the first of its kind in the UK and Ireland and will be providing free short breaks for up to 500 families affected by cancer every year.

It has been built in the style of a mountain lodge.

The Cancer Fund for Children aims to set a global standard in the provision of a therapeutic centre dedicated to families nursing a child with cancer by providing a much-needed chance to relax and recuperate away from the gruelling routine of hospital visits and stress.

Chief executive of the Cancer Fund for Children, Gillian Creevy, said: "Rory's commitment to our work over the last 18 months has been so much appreciated.

"Despite his time being so valuable and demands on him so great, he managed to create opportunities to meet children living with cancer – and every time he does, he leaves behind young people with their spirits and self-esteem well and truly lifted.

"This wonderful donation will help us provide short breaks to many families and young people whose lives have been shattered by a childhood cancer diagnosis."

Cancer Fund for Children's team of specialists will be on hand to provide one-to-one support and an expanded range of therapeutic and complementary treatments for families.

Daisy Lodge includes six double family suites, four therapy rooms, a range of age-appropriate play areas, two communal lounge areas, a large open dining space, specialist kitchen facilities, a cinema and safe outdoor play areas.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/rory-mcilroys-foundation-donates-1m-to-local-childrens-cancer-charity-30266669.html

[Hardy]

Disgraceful. Why is he only interested in cancer? What about kids with heart disease?

[Muzz]

Im in the market for a new set of clubs but finding the right place to buy them is proving difficult, ideally looking for Mizuno, either the MP54's or the JPX EZ Forged.  I am also looking for some wedges perhaps Titleist Vokey Design SM5.

There are the usual American golf, Nevada Bobs here around Belfast but can anyone recommend a good place to buy a set.

You are looking at 120 GBP less to buy them on eBay than American golf but would rather buy them local if possible.

If anyone have these irons/wedges or have any thoughts I'd appreciate the feedback. 

[Mikhailov]

Im in the market for a new set of clubs but finding the right place to buy them is proving difficult, ideally looking for Mizuno, either the MP54's or the JPX EZ Forged.  I am also looking for some wedges perhaps Titleist Vokey Design SM5.

There are the usual American golf, Nevada Bobs here around Belfast but can anyone recommend a good place to buy a set.

You are looking at 120 GBP less to buy them on eBay than American golf but would rather buy them local if possible.

If anyone have these irons/wedges or have any thoughts I'd appreciate the feedback.

Muzz, you must have a decent low handicap if you are playing with forged irons. Mizunos are good quality and good reputation also but like you I don't trust the internet and would prefer to buy locally. Did you consider to a 'trade' for your existing irons which will reduce the price of the new ones - surely your current set are worth 100+

What irons are u currently using...?

[thebigfella]

Volkey's will have to be bought individually. Depending on shaft, loft, grind combination will probably need to be ordered directly from Titleist regardless of where you purchase. Unless you know exactly what you want I would recommend getting fit (or at least speaking to a pro who knows your swing) as there is way to many options.

Edit - so yeah you won't really get them any cheaper, in fact I would factor in they may be more expensive than initially thought.

[Muzz]

Thanks guys - already have a buyer for my set when/if I upgrade to the Mizuno's so cant do a trade in.

Big Fella - you are talking 100 GBP from American Golf per Wedge.  Agreed on the fitting and know the grind etc. that I want so can purchase these anywhere.

Cheers

[Puckoon]

Golf equipment - my favourite thing in the world...

Muzz, I own the EZ-Forged predecessor (The JPX 825 Pro) and they are hands down one of the best irons out with the right mix of shot shaping and forgiveness. I'd stand them next to the AP2 any day of the week. They are currently beaten out of the bag by the Rocketbladez tours, as I just seem to be shooting more consistent scores with them. Slightly more forgiving on a mis-hit. The MP54s are also spanking, but for less money I think you could pick up the MP64, which is more than comparable - just a year older. One thing about these soft forgings is you'll get plenty of bag chatter on the soft heads, so if you're worried about re-sale value at all you may want to get iron head covers. In addition - the bronze finish on the EZ Forged will wear a lot quicker than the satin finish on either the 825 Pro's, or the MP54s/64s.

Seems like you are willing to spend a few shackles, as none of the clubs you have on your wish list are cheap - and they are all the 2013-2014 models. I just did a fitting and a wedge clinic for an SM5 ($150, for the clinic and a new wedge) and I dont rate them any higher than the SM4s, or indeed a number of alternative wedges which can be picked up for a better price. The SM5 in my opinion is being sold on the basis of the new bounce/grind rating. At the end of the day considering the equipment you are looking at, I would suggest you already know what you want by the time you get to your wedge selections and don't need some kid in a shop telling you what you need to be fit for. If you're prepared to consider alternatives there are plenty of great wedge selections out there. I don't skimp on golf equipment, I buy about 2 sets a year to t**ker with - but I'm not paying full retail on 3 new vokeys any time soon. Take a look at the Cleveland 588 forged models, the Scratch 8620 wedges, or even last years SM4s for better value.

I really think E-bay is decent value. If you find a seller with positive feedback in the 99%s, on over 1000 transactions, Id trust it. You are always protected by pay pal, and E-bay is really coming down on the side of the buyers in a lot of disputes (even wrongly so at times). The rocketbladez tours I picked up were brand new, heads and grips in plastic in a taylormade factory box for $340...Running $600-700 new. Deep discounts on the bay...

Couple reviews for you, if helpful

http://www.golfwrx.com/139653/mizuno-jpx-ez-forged-irons-editor-review/

http://www.golfwrx.com/49911/review-mizuno-jpx-825-pro-irons/

http://www.golfwrx.com/43695/editor-review-mizuno-mp-64-irons/

http://www.golfwrx.com/118230/first-look-new-mizuno-mp4-and-mp-54-irons/

[thebigfella]

Thanks guys - already have a buyer for my set when/if I upgrade to the Mizuno's so cant do a trade in.

Big Fella - you are talking 100 GBP from American Golf per Wedge.  Agreed on the fitting and know the grind etc. that I want so can purchase these anywhere.

Cheers

Yeah maybe but depends if they have them in stock to the specification. I went for a different shafts and grips than the stock option. Also had the loft strengthened in my gap wedge by a degree. Had an up charge for the grips but they have to be order from Titleist.

[Puckoon]

What shaft option did you put in the SM5s BigFella?

[thebigfella]

What shaft option did you put in the SM5s BigFella?

I went with the Dynamic Gold Spinner on my SM4's. Was looking at the SM5's but the options baffle me 

[Puckoon]

It's not straightforward at all for many folks. I personally like the way the Scratch company classifies it

Slider/Sweeper

Digger/Slider

Digger/Driver

[Gabriel_Hurl]

I needed a digger in the some of the situations I found myself in today