2012 March - May SFG

YEAR 2 NO. 7 WINTER EDITION DECEMBER – JANUARY 2012 BIMONTHLY

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LOCAL NEWS

CADILLAC CHAMPIONSHIP ROLLS INTO TOWN

DESTINATIONS

JAMAICA’S CINNAMON HILL REVIEWS

JAMES PATRICK WEDGES WORLD’S FINESTS WEDGES

ON THE TEE

HONDA CLASSIC ALLIANZ CHAMPIONSHIP FASHION

ARNIE WEAR RETRO WEAR INSPIRED BY THE KING

OUR PICKS PGA SHOW GOLF INDUSTRY TRENDS

NICK WATNEY 2011 WGC-CADILLAC CHAMPIONSHIP DEFENDING CHAMPION

WWW.SFGMAGAZINE.COM

INDEX Editorial 06 Cadillac Championship 08 Rose Hall Plantation 10 Allianz Championship 12 PGA Show 14 Equipment Picks 18 JP Wedges 23 Arnie Wear 32 Wine Review 37

South Florida Golf Publication of Young Morris Group 326 Lincoln Rd Suite #228 Miami Beach, FL 33139

Inquiries info@sfgmagazine.com

Spring brings great things for us South Floridians, our offices are newly decorated signaling the arrival of our 2nd Anniversary Edition (our 8th Edition). March also marks the beginning of South Florida Golf Season and with it the Allianz Championship, The Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens and the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral. All in all the excitement just days away and the anticipation of many as they look forward seeing their favorite player.

EDITORIAL

Our March edition brings news from the PGA Show in Orlando with new trends in fashion from Arnie Wear, the emergence of the Back 9 Network a new Golf TV Network to compete against the Golf Channel, new golf equipment, golf wedges

by James Patrick Golf, travel destination to Jamaica’s Rose Hall Plantation, a review of a local gem Normandy Shores Golf Club, golf tips from Pure Strike, wine reviews from our friend and wine expert Peter Brandon and even a Mojito recipe to dye for.

As always we want to thank our sponsors for believing in our product and many thanks to you our fan for all those daily emails we receive. Thank you South Florida and keep it in the short grass

Fernando Solorzano @SOFLAGOLF

www.southfloridagolfmagazine.com

ROLLS INTO TOWN DORAL, Fla. -- With compelling finishes across the globe in professional golf last weekend, the potential field for the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship continues to fluctuate as the top-10 players from the 2012 FedExCup points list (as of March 5, 2012), not otherwise qualified, will earn their way into the event. Players can also qualify via the Official World Golf Ranking with a move inside the top 50 (as of Feb. 27, 2012 or March 5, 2012) to tee it up at TPC Blue Monster at Doral Resort & Spa, March 7-11.

With his dramatic playoff victory over the weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open, Brandt Snedeker claimed his third PGA TOUR title and improved to No. 15 in the OWGR, the highest ranking of his career. Snedeker found himself in a playoff after Kyle Stanley (No. 87) made a triple-bogey 8 on the 72nd hole.

He won the sudden-death playoff with a par on the second extra hole. Snedeker's only previous appearance in the Cadillac Championship came in 2008 when he finished T48.

England's Robert Rock carded a 2-under par 70 in the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship to finish one-shot ahead of Rory McIlroy and two shots clear of Tiger Woods. The victory improved Rock to No. 55 in the OWGR and on the verge of qualifying for the Cadillac Championship for the first time.

Rock has made only one start in a World Golf Championships event, finishing T33 at the 2011 HSBC Champions.

McIlroy improved to No. 2 in the OWGR with the runner-up finish, supplanting Englishman Lee Westwood (No. 3), while woods climbed to No. 25.

"The dynamic competition last week was thrilling to watch. We are now about a month away from the start of the World Golf Championships Cadillac Championship.

We believe that this year's event will be one of the most thrilling and competitive events of our history given the energy and enthusiasm that some of golf's younger stars are bringing to the game as they try to compete with the world's top-level established players," said Executive Director Eddie Carbone.

"Outside the ropes, fans will notice several new and exciting enhancements that will bring Doral Resort & Spa to life the week of March 7-11 We have a huge variety of ticket and hospitality options for fans in 2012, but now is the time to take advantage."

One fan enhancement is the construction of the all-new Blue Monster Village. This climate controlled area located adjacent to the first tee of TPC Blue Monster and the Cadillac Performance Center is open to all spectators and will be one a great location for fans to congregate and cool down. The Blue Monster Village will include the

NICK WATNEY 2011 WGC-CADILLAC CHAMPIONSHIP DEFENDING CHAMPION

"Welcome to the Don't Hurry" Cruzan Rum bar with daily drink specials, official merchandise area for all Cadillac Championship merchandise, live radio broadcasts from WQAM and much more. Just outside the Blue Monster Village, fans can enjoy the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden without missing any of the action on the course by watching your favorite players live on the video board outside on the lawn.

The field for the Cadillac Championship will once again feature the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking (as of both Feb. 27 and March 5), the top two players from the different professional tours around the world that make up the International Federation of PGA Tours (Japan, Australasian, Sunshine and Asian), the top 30 players from the final 2011 FedExCup standings, the top 20 players from the final 2011 European Tour Race to Dubai and the top 10 players from both the 2012 FedExCup standings and European Race to Dubai, if not otherwise qualified (as of March 5 and Feb. 27 TOURNAMENT FACTS DATE: March 7 -- 11, 2012 SITE: TPC Blue Monster at Doral, Doral, Florida PAR/YARDAGE: 36-36=72/7,334 yards ARCHITECT/OPENED: Dick Wilson and Robert Von Hagge/1962 Redesign: Jim McLean/2000 FORMAT: Four-day, 72-hole stroke-play competition; no cut 2011 CHAMPION: Nick Watney 272 (-16) PURSE: $8.5 million (US) with $1.4 million to the winner WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE EVENT • The top 50 players, including any players tied for 50th place, from the Official World Golf Ranking (as of February 29, 2012).

• The top 50 players, including any players tied for 50th place, from the Official World Golf Ranking (as of March 5, 2012).

• The top 30 players from the final 2011 FedExCup Points List.

• The top 10 players from the FedExCup Points List in 2011 (as of March 5, 2012).

• The top 20 players from the final 2011 European Tour Order of Merit • The top 10 players from the European Tour Race to Dubai Standings in 2012 (as of February 29, 2012).

• The top 2 players from the final 2011 Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit.

• The top 2 players from the final 2011 Australasian Tour Order of Merit • The top 2 players from the final 2011 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit.

• The top 2 players from the final 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit.

While worthy candidates abound, none offer the unique combination of championship golf, colorful history and superb hospitality served up by Jamaica’s Cinnamon Hill Golf Course and Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa

Looking for a Caribbean escape where you can affordably tee-it-up on a renowned, oceanfront course?

While worthy candidates abound, none offer the unique combination of championship golf, colorful history and superb hospitality served up by Jamaica’s Cinnamon Hill Golf Course and Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa. Both are located within Montego Bay’s scenic Rose Hall Plantation. Its 7,000 acres were purchased more than 40 years ago by the late American entrepreneur John W. Rollins, and have been transformed from 18th century sugar-cane farms into a popular sanctuary for recreation and relaxation.

The 6,828-yard, par-72 Cinnamon Hill (www.cinnamonhilljamaica.com 876.953.2984 or 9381) was re-designed by celebrated architect Robert von Hagge in 2001. Highly ranked by Golf Digest and Golfweek, it excites low-handicap and resort golfers alike.

Its open and windswept front nine is frequently just steps from the azure Caribbean Sea. Case-inpoint is “Majestic Blue,” the signature, 453-yard, par-4 fifth hole. A solid drive avoiding three fairways bunkers left and one right will be rewarded with a mid-iron approach to the peninsula-shaped green. But don’t let the arresting ocean backdrop distract from the task at hand, especially when firing at back pins guarded by water on both sides.

As the course gently climbs into the Jamaican hills, caddies won’t be shy about acting as unofficial tour guides and bringing the site’s vibrant history to life. They’ll point out landmarks like the family burial plot of famed English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning; long-time home of Johnny and June Carter Cash; centuries-old aqueduct and gravesites abutting the 17th green; and waterfall behind No. 15 where a famous scene from the James Bond thriller “Live and Let Die” was filmed.

“Cinnamon Hill is the Caribbean’s most unique golf setting,” says Robbie Ames, Director of Golf. “The combination of beachfront holes, towering aqueducts, ancient gravesites, cascading waterfalls, exotic flora and centuries-old Great Houses is unmatched.”

Adjacent to Cinnamon Hill and nestled between turquoise Caribbean waters and the lush Blue Mountains, the all-inclusive, 489-room Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa (www.rosehallresort.com, 866.799.3661) caters to golfers’ every whim. It boasts an 1,800-foot ribbon of private, white-sand beach, the Sugar Mill Falls Water Park (Jamaica’s largest), full-service Soothe Spa, water sports center, six lighted tennis courts, diverse restaurants and meeting and banquet facilities.

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Corey Pavin edges Peter Senior to win the Allianz Championship Boca Raton, FL Corey Pavin rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole Sunday to defeat Peter Senior and win the Allianz Championship at Broken Sound Golf Club. Pavin and Senior were tied going into the final round and both shot a 71 on Sunday to finish tied at 11-under 205. Senior forced the playoff with a birdie on the final hole of regulation, but his birdie try in the playoff stopped an inch short of the cup.

The gorgeous Broken Sound is considered one of the premier golf course communities in Palm Beach County, FL. It features resort-style, country club living in 28 private villages and has 23 tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness/spa center, aquatic area, dining facilities and two of the finest golf courses in South Florida. The original Broken Sound Club, now affectionately known as the “Old Course�, was founded in 1978 and designed by Joe Lee. Gene Bates completed a redesign of the Old Course in January 2004. The Old Course features an abundance of trees unique to South Florida and rolling fairways that give it a feel similar to courses in the Pinehurst, NC area. It includes the largest stand of natural Florida maples trees in the county. The Club Course, another Lee design, was opened in 1985 and also recently renovated by Bates. Broken Sound is located on the north side of Yamato Road on Old Course Way between Congress Avenue and Military Trail.

The gorgeous Broken Sound is considered one of the premier golf course communities in Palm Beach County

Charity The main recipient of the Allianz Championship is the Boca Raton Regional Hospital. In 2010 it received the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence by HealthGrades, a leading independent healthcare ratings organization. HealthGrades ranked the institution #1 in Florida for cardiac surgery, #2 in Florida for the treatment of stroke, #3 in Florida for overall cardiac services, and #1 in Florida for gastrointestinal medical treatment. In addition to the Distinguished Hospital Award, the Hospital has received the 2010/2011 HealthGrades Women’s Health Excellence Award and the 2010 HealthGrades Emergency Medicine Excellence Award.

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2012 PGA Merchandise Show Orlando Florida The 59th PGA Merchandise Show brought together some 1,000 companies and brands along with more than 42,000 PGA Professionals, buyers and industry leaders from nearly 80 countries to introduce the latest in golf equipment, apparel, accessories and services, January 25-28, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. This year’s PGA Show was the industry’s most comprehensive gathering of manufacturers and influential industry leaders to participate in the event’s expansive selection of programs for merchandising, professional development, product testing and peer networking.

There was a discernible aura of optimism and upbeat economic outlook during PGA Show Week.

TaylorMade-Adidas President and CEO Mark King predicted a good year ahead on the second day of the Show saying, “TaylorMadeAdidas had its best year in history in 2011, and judging by the first two days of the Show, this year is going to be even better. The energy and enthusiasm at the Show has been phenomenal, which certainly sets a positive course for the industry in 2012.”

Taylormade-Adidas President and CEO Mark King predicted a good year ahead on the second day of the Show saying, “TaylorMade-Adidas had its best year in history in 2011, and judging by the first

Official Press Release | Sherry Major | PGA Golf Exhibitions

There was a discernible aura of optimism and upbeat economic outlook during PGA Show Week two days of the Show, this year is going to be even better. The energy and enthusiasm at the Show has been phenomenal, which certainly sets a positive course for the industry in 2012.”

Added, PGA of America President Allen Wronowski, “The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show has provided the industry with a lot of positive momentum going forward. There’s a lot of excitement and buzz. Certainly it feels like there is recovery in the industry.”

With every major equipment, apparel and accessory company exhibiting and writing orders, early attendance figures for the 2012 Show indicate a slight increase in overall attendance and a three percent increase in PGA

Professional attendance. Attendees came from around the world with the top five countries (outside of U.S.) represented in attendance being Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Korea and Germany. The top five U.S. states represented in attendance were Florida, California, New York, Georgia and Pennsylvania. PGA Show Week began on Wednesday, Jan. 25, with the 10th anniversary of the PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, Fla. More than 6,000 PGA Professionals and invited retailers tested the latest products from 100-plus golf equipment, training aids, performance wear and golf accessory companies.

Leading companies such as Callaway Golf, Titleist, TaylorMade, Ping, Nike, Cobra PUMA, Bridgestone, Cleveland/ Srixon, Mizuno, Wilson and many others returned to the world’s largest professional Outdoor Demo Day to show off their wares. Several professional players, celebrities and renowned PGA teaching professionals made special appearances at Outdoor Demo Day including Nick Faldo, Lexi Thompson, Suzann Pettersen, Jim Flick, Bob Toski and Michael Breed.

The PGA Merchandise Show officially opened its doors at the Orange County Convention Center on Thursday, Jan. 26, when PGA World Golf Hall of Fame member Jack Nicklaus and Major League Baseball great Ken Griffey Jr., a member of the Board of Governors of the Boys and Girls Club of America, were joined by country recording artist Julie Roberts and PGA of America officials in the event grand opening.

Nicklaus joined PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka, Mike Davis, executive director of the U.S. Golf Association; Frank Sanchez, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America; and baseball superstar Ken Griffey Jr., who sits on the Boys & Girls Clubs Board of Governors, for the PGA Show Keynote address on Golf 2.0, an industrywide initiative promoting programs to grow participation in golf. Noting that “golf has given me everything I have,” and “I care about the game,” legendary champion and course designer Jack Nicklaus shared his belief that aspects of the game need to change in order for it to prosper, and that Golf 2.0 is a major step in the right direction.

“I’ve always been a traditionalist, but I’ve realized that in order to save the game we need to think outside the box,” said Nicklaus. “This plan (Golf 2.0) is the most comprehensive that’s ever been put together, it’s not a Jack Nicklaus or PGA of America initiative, it’s something the whole industry needs to be involved in.”

“I’ve always been a traditionalist, but I’ve realized that in order to save the game we need to think outside the box,” Jack Nicklaus on Golf 2.0 With the Golf 2.0 initiative placing a focus on making golf fun, many exhibits followed suit. Cobra Puma had an adult-sized slide, while Travis Mathew had a blackjack table and the Golf 2.0 booth itself offered attendees a chance to play video golf. The fun activities fit in with the optimistic mood of the Show. The real life of the party was the wide variety of new products on display. Product introductions from industry leaders such as Titleist, Callaway Golf, TaylorMade, Nike, Ping, Cobra PUMA and Wilson were behind the buzz on the Show floor. “I think consumers are going to be very excited by the new products for 2012,” said Brad Bachand, the PGA head professional at Man O’War Golf in Lexington, Ky., and the 2007 Kentucky PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year for public facilities. “All the products we’re seeing are so good, you can’t really go wrong.” “It has been a wonderful Show for FootJoy; it has exceeded our greatest expectations,” said Acushnet Company’s Chris Garrett, senior manager for FootJoy consumer marketing.

“Traffic has been tremendous. We did a lot of research before deciding to return to the Show this year, and we are glad we made the decision to come back with such a significant presence.”

“There is definitely a bigger buzz at the Show this year,” said Mike Attara, PGA Professional and president of Spirit Golf Management. “The addition of FootJoy and its line of apparel have added a lot to the Show, but virtually every major company is here with new products this year. It’s a good sign for the golf industry.”

A number of high-profile professional players, teachers and celebrities made special appearances at the PGA Merchandise Show including 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III, Tom Kite, Greg Norman, Lee Trevino, Billy Casper, Ian Poulter, Paula Creamer, Hank Haney, David Leadbetter, Michael Breed, Butch Harmon, Natalie Gulbis, Lexi Thompson, Johnny Damon and Anna Nordqvist.

The Ping booth was not only bustling with business the first two days of the Show, but PGA Professionals were lined up hundreds strong to participate in the Ping Skins Game Putting Challenge, which introduced the iPing putter app to industry professionals in an interactive environment. “We had four Ping fitters devoted to the iPing putter app on the first day of the Show

”The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show brought back the biggest brands in golf, plus some 300 new companies and a medley of favorite features” and they helped 220 PGA Professionals familiarize themselves with iPing and sign up for the Ping Skins Game,” said Pete Samuels, Ping director of marketing.

“Traffic has been terrific, and the reaction to the Ping i20 and G20 lines has been extremely positive this week at the Show.”The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show brought back the biggest brands in golf, plus some 300 new companies and a medley of favorite features, such as Indoor Demo Days, the Inventor’s Spotlight Pavilion, the New Product Zone, the PGA Education Conference, PGA Awards Night, multiple specialty exhibitor pavilions and numerous networking events. New in 2012 were the Business Leadership Series, PGA Fashion E Studio, International Clubmakers

Guild Connections Center and new PGA Show streaming video reports on www.PGA.com Several exhibitors left the PGA Merchandise Show receiving awards for their ingenuity. Top retailers voted for the best three overall new products displayed among nearly 275 new products in the PGA Show New Product Zone including Cart Clamp, a golf cart accessory; Hydro Flask, an insulated stainless steal drinking bottle; and Crocs™, an alternative to traditional golf shoes. Also, inventions showcased in the Inventor’s Spotlight were judged by a panel of experts from both the Product Development and Golf Industries. The 2012 Inventor’s Spotlight winners were Score Band for Best Product Concept and Integrity Analysis Swing Profile for Best Market Research & Best Overall Product.

More than 1,000 media from around the world came to the PGA Merchandise Show. Daily video reports and blogs can be found at the official webcast at www.PGA.com. Golf Channel, a PGA Golf Shows media partner, also provided extensive coverage for consumers at www.GolfChannel.com and will present a one-hour PGA Merchandise Highlight Show on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. (eastern).

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In a golf show where over a thousand exhibitors showed us close to 50K items it is very difficult to pick a clear favorite. We have narrowed our selection to just 8 items of which we consider them to be either new or inventive products, revolutionary items and useful gadgets. Here is our selection in no particular order

IOMIC focuses on grip technology, which is often underestimated when compared to the technology put into club heads and shafts. Our revolutionary approaches include the development of a new grip material called “IOMAX,” which gives golfers great feel and control. The launch of our Color Grip Series helped us gain attention in the industry for the wide variety of colors we offer.

The Sun Mountain Club Glider "Pro" travel case is the ultimate in golf travel! The integrated legs extend out to eliminate bending and lifting. Pivot wheels add to the superior maneuverability and ease when you travel with your clubs

“SQRD UP”, pronounced Squared Up uses green or red laser technology that provides golfers of any caliber a laser accurate alignment foundation. Quickly and easily set SQRD UP to your intended target and take all the guessing out of ball position within your stance, alignment to your intended target and club face alignment at address. Need a putting line for the practice green? SQRD UP can quickly be adjusted to create a laser accurate putting line.

OptiShot is an affordable, accurate and portable home golf simulator. Designed for the home and/or office, OptiShot is a fully immersive, super realistic, virtual golf experience. You use your own clubs to hit drives, approach shots and putts - all in the comfort of your own home.

Sundog Eyewear has pursued the best materials and components possible while providing exceptional value.

Our most significant development is Mela-Lens™ technology. We are honored to have partnered with BNL EuroLens (an Essilor company) to be the leader in delivering Melanin lens technology in sunglasses for active sports with proven results in golf, running, and fishing.

Innovex Golf Balls Wind tunnel tested 318-dimple pattern is designed to reduce drag and increase carry distance. The V-Motion is a Tour quality, urethane ball made for golfers who want high-spin and great feel around the greens, as well as extreme distance off the tee. The V-Motion challenges every professional ball ever made and is built to compete.

The Heavy Putter will instantly improve your control on the greens and now is available in belly sizes. By incorporating a back weighting system under the grip, we are able to alter your body mechanics and improve the consistency of your stroke.

Golf Rules Made Easy is a quick reference guide and a practical guide loaded with easy to follow pictures and instructions for the day to day golfer. The guide comes with tabs section to better locate the correct rule and explanation from separated sections.

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GOLF TIPS Pure Strike: 5 Simple Keys to Consistency

By Chuck Evans and Dave Wedzik One of the greatest compliments we get from our students is when they come back to us and tell us how much more they’re enjoying the game now that they can hit the ball consistently. We love it because building a repeatable swing is really the best way to increase your enjoyment of golf, and that’s how we teach.

As we all know, no two golf swings are the same. Even when comparing some of the greatest names in the game of golf we see differences from one player’s swing to next. But there’s one thing that all the great players have in common; they consistently strike the ball pure. The way we teach is completely different because we don't focus on traditional fundamentals like grip or stance – those vary widely between great players – we focus on a series of keys that every great golfer, past and present, have in common. After studying thousands of swings from the world’s top all-time players, we have found a distinct set of similarities in how those players consistently strike the ball pure. We call them the Pure Strike Keys to Consistency.

These keys are the simplest way to guarantee that any golfer can build an accurate and repeating swing with a pure ball strike, time after time. Whether they realize it or not, golfers who use these 5 simple keys have a very consistent and correct swing, with better accuracy, better distance control, and better golf scores.

Let's go through the keys with Bob Koch, an expert on golf swing improvement. You'll see why Pure Strike is right for you.

#1 The Steady Head Imagine a camera tripod, but with a 12-pound bowling bowl on top instead of a camera. If you remove or bend one of the three legs, the bowling ball will fall to the ground. Likewise, if the bowling ball drifts too far from the exact center of the three legs, it will no longer be balanced and will fall.

Just like centering the bowling ball on the tripod, keeping a steady head creates balance and consistency.

The Steady Head contributes to your overall balance – keeping you centered over the ball while not inclined to “tip” in any direction.

A Steady Head is a head that stays centered between the feet from address until at least followthrough. During the swing, your head is a fixed point around which you turn back and forth – it does not move side-to-side or up and down.

What’s the bottom line?

As you work on keeping a Steady Head, remember that all progress is good progress. A head that moves two inches during the swing is better than one that moves four inches – though a head that moves zero inches is best. Keep working incrementally to eliminate head movement until there is almost no movement at all.

#2 Weight Forward 100% of ALL the best ball strikers have their weight forward at impact! And, 100% of ALL the worst ball strikers have their weight back! There is a direct correlation between the amount of weight forward and the handicap of the player. The higher the handicap, the less weight forward and the lower the handicap, the more weight forward. (Yes, this is another key that all great players have in common!) Master this key and you set the foundation for consistent ball striking.

As the term implies, weight forward is simply moving the weight, from the waist down, toward the target with the weight progressing forward from the start of your downswing continually through impact.

From address your weight distribution between your feet should be fairly even (50% on each foot). From the top of your swing, moving the weight forward starts with the left hips and knees moving laterally toward the target in the downstroke. Since the hips are turned in the backswing when they slide, they will also turn back to “square” just prior to Impact. Your weight should be about 80% on the left foot at impact increasing to almost all over the left foot at finish. This "hip slide" produces a slight tilt of the upper body away from target while maintaining a steady centered head.

What’s the bottom line?

Without exception, all great players move the weight forward in the downswing but how they do it is the often overlooked key. It all starts with the proper sequence of motion in the downswing as we have described above incorporating the proper execution of the hip slide and maintaining Weight Forward. Left knee, hips, shoulders, arms, and club. Get this sequence correct and you set the foundation for consistent ball striking.

#3 The Flat Left Wrist The Flat Left Wrist controls the clubface. It is the most important key to consistency and the number one alignment in golf. The absence of the Flat Left Wrist is the most common problem among golfers and absolutely destroys golf swings. It is simply a key that all great players have in common.

We define the Flat Left Wrist as a left wrist that is in-line with the left forearm from before impact to follow-thru. Before impact you must simply establish the Flat Left Wrist and lock it into place. This allows you to deliver the entire club, not just the clubhead, into the ball.

What’s the bottom line?

This is absolutely critical for a consistent Pure Strike, so remember that having the Flat Left Wrist from before impact to follow-through is the most important alignment in golf. Nothing works if you bend your left wrist.

#4 Sweet Spot Path As the clubface’s sweet spot approaches the ball, it takes a slightly inside path (the Sweet Spot Path) to the ball. This is the “alternate target line” that needs to be followed as the club approaches the moment of contact. The clubface’s sweet spot will point at, but will not swing directly on top of, your Straight Target Line. It will in fact follow the alternate target line that we refer to as the Sweet Spot Path. When the ball and clubface connect the result will be a Pure Strike that you can feel. The ultimate goal in golf is to deliver the clubface’s sweet spot to the ball – a pure strike. Being conscious of and monitoring Sweet Spot Pressure ensures that you consistently hit the golf ball on the sweet spot of the clubface. Simply put, Sweet Spot Pressure is feeling the clubface’s sweet spot trailing the hands. You monitor this pressure through the first joint of your right hand index finger (your “trigger finger”), which sits on the back side of the grip.

You’ll start to feel an increase in Sweet Spot Pressure – a heavy, dragging feeling – at the top of your on-plane golf swing, and it intensifies further when you start down toward the golf ball. Your goal is to steadily transport this pressure down to the inside rear portion of the ball without allowing it to dissipate.

What’s the bottom line?

Following the Sweet Spot Path and being conscious of and monitoring Sweet Spot Pressure is the only way to ensure that you consistently hit the golf ball on the sweet spot of the clubface.

#5 Club Face Control Clubface Control is responsible for a shot’s accuracy. Being able to consistently maintain Clubface Control will give you a consistent ball flight.

Clubface Control is the movement of the clubface from startup through follow-through. For the full swing it works like this: The clubface opens in the backswing and closes in the downswing; it’s like a saloon door opening and closing. It’s what you’ll naturally apply during a full swing when you maintain a Flat Left Wrist.

What’s the bottom line?

Train your Flat Left Wrist to produce Clubface Control and learn the difference in how it feels as you produce it.

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JP WEDGES pure art and performance

SPECIAL REPORT

T

he science behind building custom made golf wedges is boundless; lofts, lies, bounce, swing weight, endless possibilities for all types of players. To get customized wedges amateurs are in a clear disadvantage over tour professional golfers.

On tour, Tour Vans cater to the demand of players seeking to fine tune their scoring clubs based on their swing style, personalized to those seeking performance perfection. For amateurs the choices are limited, a couple of different wedges from the top 3 brands and cross your fingers!

Yet, wedges are an essential part of our game. Inside 100 yards we rely heavily on these scoring tools to do the job, from chipping, getting out of a bunker to long shots.

Enter James Patrick Golf, a custom made house designed to do just one thing, precision built, hand crafted golf wedges and irons for all types of players!. A work of art is a physical object that is professionally determined or popularly considered to fulfill a primarily independent aesthetic function James Patrick Wedges are created using the finest forgings in the world from the Kyoei Forging House in Ichikawa, Japan. Kyoei has been forging golf club heads for over 50 years and creates JP Wedges are the the industries highest quality forgings. Kyoei adheres to the most demanding tolerances to result of a merger create their true one-piece forged golf club heads. From the consistency of the Kyeoi JIS S25C steel to the finely tuned temperatures used during the forging process is second to none. between art and These forging techniques create ideal density and grain structure within the club head. JP has traveled to the source and has worked directly with Kyoei to produce a wedge blank that can performance be hand-ground and sculpted to create a custom wedge that is unmatched in the industry.

Custom made markings for client Independent Golf Reviews

Unique finishing's

The brains behind JP Wedges is the man itself James Patrick Harrington; James graduated from Arizona State University’s PGA Golf Management Program, and had learned to make custom golf equipment at Hot Stix Golf and Cool Clubs Golf, two top custom-club making companies located in Scottsdale, Ariz. He also spent time under the tutelage of legendary MacGregor Golf club maker, Don White. Harrington had even done the grinds on a set of irons for Aaron Baddely that Baddely used to win his first PGA TOUR event, the Verizon Heritage, in 2006.

Harrington began work on the wedges in September 2010. He searched for a forging company that could supply Edel Golf with the blank heads for their new line of wedges. He chose Kyoei (pronounced Ky-o-eh), a Japanese company that became Edel Golf’s blank head supplier. When Edel received the heads from Kyoei in December 2010, he proceeded to machine the faces, grooves and logos at Edel Golf’s headquarters outside Austin, Texas. He then sent 60 of the finished heads to Harrington for him to work on for the show.

Review: James Patrick Custom Wedges By: Independent Golf Reviews

Best Looks + Best Performance = Best Wedges If you were to create a checklist of how to make the best wedge ever, what would you put on it? I would want a wedge that works from just about any lie, can be used for any shot, squares up easily, spins aggressively, feels soft and looks great. James Patrick wedges are just that, I can easily say they are the best wedges on the market. If you want to see all the wedges I have reviewed, just glance at the pull down menu, and you will see a pretty extensive list. While some are very good and have treated me well on the course, these JP wedges are the best I have ever put in the bag.

I’ll start with the obvious, these wedges looks amazing. JP has a number a really nice finishes, but the vintage raw finish he applied to mine, (the first with this finish) just look amazing, like burled oak. There is such a texture of tones, some copper flaking with some dark rust tones; it is more like a piece of art than a golf club. The finish did wear some on the soles of these wedges, but that is expected because of the raw nature of the finish. It still looked awesome even after a number of rounds because of the rusty look. Add to that the custom nature of stamping that JP can do, you can get the look exactly how you want, from stamped full to almost stampless. The creative loft degrees and other cool ideas make for a really unique piece of art for each customer.

I can easily say they are the best wedges on the market….

But no matter how good a club looks, if it doesn’t perform on the course, it doesn’t matter, it is not going to be worth the investment. These on the other hand are the best performing wedges I have played. Let’s start with the one unique reason these are so good; the Center of Gravity placement. JP has studied the art of making a wedge for some time and learned that in order to keep a traditional look and get the CG to the dead center of the face, a different material needed to be added to the mix, thus the signature of JP wedges are the tungsten plugs in the toe part of the muscle Each head is ported and then hand ground with the weights for a seamless look. Having the CG in the dead center helps in a couple of ways, it keeps the head square at impact and creates an incredibly solid feel. After the perfect CG placement, the grind is the next most versatile and useful nature of these wedges. JP puts an aggressive C-grind on all his wedges from gap to lob. It makes it easier to hit from any lie and allows for creativity with each club. With each wedge being hand ground, you can really notice the craftsmanship of these wedges; they work perfectly. Also a thinned out hosel makes it really easy to cut through the deep grass with the face opened or closed.

Another aspect that made these wedges better than the rest is the shape and lines of the head. The leading edge is nice and straight with very clean sharp edges all the way around the face. When you look down the hosel it seamlessly transitions right into the leading edge. While it looks sharp, JP grinds just enough camber and blunt to the leading edge so you can cut into the turf, but not dig to deep. The last major feature that will make these wedges stand apart is that the grooves come in two options, both conforming and non-conforming.

While many of the big boy wedge companies don’t offer aggressive grooves anymore, this is an opportunity if you can still use them for a number of years, to get some really sharp non-conforming grooves. I was really happy with the non-conforming grooves as they spin like crazy, although they do shred the balls up a little, but that is to be expected.

For my on course review, I put a 54* and a 58* wedge in the bag. This late fall was one of the best times for testing wedges because we had the greatest extremes of conditions and everything in between. It started with very dry hard-pan ground, then it got soggy after some rain and finished the season with ideal firm but soft turf. The 54* fit a perfect gap for me. I was able to hit a consistent 105 yards on full shots. I felt so comfortable with this wedge from the fairway or from the rough.

I hit almost every green I aimed at with this club. It squared up so easily and spun so nicely that everything just hit and stuck. The 58* is the most versatile wedge I have ever hit. For 90 yards and in, this was the club. Full shots, chip shots, punches, flops and sand shot were all consistent and easy to hit with this club. While I used it very sparingly in the sand because of the rocks in the muni courses I play, in the grass it really worked wonders.

I paired these heads with some of new wedge shafts from Miyazaki. Not only did these shafts look incredible, they too are great performers. They impart some nice spin in addition to the grooves and feel so smooth. I did have 2 different weighted shafts, but they matched up perfectly with my use of the 54* compared to the 58*. These wedges were then finished with JP’s logoed Pure grips. I liked the tacky soft feel of these grips. The only thing that will keep these out of the hands of golfers is going to be the price, but beauty and performance comes at a price. With so much put time and effort into each head it isn’t an unfair price by any means, but some might balk at the price. JP didn't set out to design a cheap mass produced wedge, he set out to create the best wedge money can buy. So if you are serious about getting the absolute best wedge available, then check out JP and get some custom made wedges for your bag.

For more information please visit www.jpwedges.com

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Beautiful works of art Custom finishes and stampings Soft forged with c-c grooves or non-conforming grooves Perfect cg placement Excellent custom grind

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All this beauty and performance comes at a price

N O R M A N D Y S H O R E S

REVIEW Normandy Shores Golf Club Flourishes in Miami Beach Golf course facts This gorgeous golf course is conveniently located in the serene residential area of Normandy Isle in Miami Beach (North of 79th St Causeway). The land for the golf course was donated to the City of Miami Beach by M. C. Gryzmish on January 4, 1928, a year later the City took position of the land but it wasn’t until 1941 when the original golf course was open to the public. In 2008, the City of Miami Beach spent over $9 million and hired world renowned golf course architect Arthur Hills to redesign the aging course and bring it back to its current state of glory. The Arthur Hills designed golf course is planted with ultra modern Supreme Seashore Paspalum and features three sets of tees playing from 5,900 yards to 6,800 yards.

Blue Tees 72.5/129 6805 White 70.1/124 6502 Red 68.7/119 5889

The Review We found course in fantastic condition. It was a typical January day with temperatures in the low 70s and ocean breeze of 15-20 mph.

Greens and fairways have matured nicely since my last play here back in January 2011. It is a fun track as undulating greens are a signature of Arthur Hills designs, not a long golf course but hard to score because of strategic placement of lakes, bunkers and fairways, all of which funnel balls back into fairways and the lakes so you must be careful.

The #1 handicap Hole is #4, a par-4 playing 465 yards from the back tees. Today was playing to a gusty down wind and I still needed a 5 iron to get to the middle of the green. During today’s round the toughest hole we found was #11, it is a par-4 playing 421 yards against the ocean breeze, out of bounds markers to the right of the fairway and water left guards an elevated green, a gorgeous hole worth a trip back.

Normandy is a fun track as undulating greens are a signature of Arthur Hills designs…

There are several scoring holes to take advantage of, Hole #6 Par-4 playing at 369 yards, #12 and #13 also Par-4s playing at 325 and 352 yards and Hole #16 which is the longest Par-5 but with generous fairways and a big green reachable in 2 for long bombers.

The clubhouse was recently built in 2011 and its architecture gives you the feeling of a southern comfort locale. The bar area and restaurant are very elegant and suitable for a nice gathering. The full restaurant menu and bar will satisfy the most demanding golfer.

Although a public facility; the all year around course conditions, the ambiance, the food, the friendly staff, the adequate parking, the nice driving range and practice facility makes this a must venue for locals as well as tourists visiting South Florida Overall Course Condition Driving Range and Practice

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FASHION

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1950s

By Tammy Portnoy It's rare that the term "icon" is an understatement, but that's certainly true when it comes to Arnold Palmer.

As a sportsman, businessman and philanthropist, his accomplishments are legendary.

He's influenced not only the culture of golf, but our culture as a whole.

So when Quagmire Golf CoFounders Geoff Tait and Bobby Pasternak first received the call inquiring about a partnership from Arnold Palmer Enterprises they thought it was a prank. Almost a year later came the official launch of Arnie, a golf and lifestyle apparel line directly inspired by the looks worn by Mr. Palmer during the peak decades of his playing career.

“We got the chance to do Arnie because we’re not your typical golfers/designers,” says Tait, Creative Director for Arnie. “One of the best things is that Mr. Palmer’s style from that era is bang on with today’s trends.”

Geoff Tait Creative Director Quagmire Golf

Arnold Palmer won seven major championships and 92 professional titles while becoming a cultural force way beyond the golf course With this in mind, authenticity was of utmost importance.

That's why the development of Arnie included countless hours researching primary source material – such as Mr. Palmer's personal library of photographs and archive of historically significant garments.

The new line has three collections being released throughout 2012, each with a distinct aesthetic reflective of its titled decade:

During this period, Mr. Palmer showcased slim, clean-fitting clothes. He preferred fitted pants and tops with short plackets, small collars and shorter sleeves. Red was a prominent color in his wardrobe and is exclusively found in the 1950s collection.

1960s

While dominating the competition, Mr. Palmer was also looking the part. Wider legged pants, wider collars and longer shirt plackets were the style of the day. No golfer of the era looked as naturally cool as Mr. Palmer, especially in his staple color of blue, which is exclusively found in the 1960s collection.

1970s

While piloting his own plane around the world, Mr. Palmer's wardrobe continued to evolve and set trends. He chose shirts with slightly wider collars and long plackets, but the fit of his pants more closely resembled a modern boot cut. His color palette also became more subdued, hence grey being the signature color exclusive to the 1970s collection Ryan Moore Arnie Staff Player PGA Tour Style Icon

PGA Tour star Ryan Moore is the brand’s ambassador. Having previously competed in ties, button downs, cardigans and slimmer fit polos with epaulets, his throwback looks work right in line a style befitting the modern face of Arnie.

Timeless This small collection contains some great pieces that were in fashion throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s, and remain just as popular today, like plaid pants and shorts. Also included are some amazing solid basics in three great fabrics. They have a superb modern fit and go well with anything and everything, so golf clubs and shops can use them as Core polos. And don't forget about the awesome collectible t-shirts and belts that every true Arnie fan should have! “Mr. Palmer is among my all-time idols as a golfer and a person, so competing in these clothes and being so closely associated with his style legacy is a dream come true,” said Moore . Arnold Palmer won seven major championships and 92 professional titles while becoming a cultural force way beyond the golf course. He's been named one of the "25 Coolest Athletes of All Time" by GQ and one of "The 75 Best Dressed Men of All Time" by Esquire.

Eagle Black

Dresscode Black

Umbrella Tee

Arnie 2012 Roll Model

The Arnold Palmer Legacy 62 PGA Tour Titles 2 European Tour Titles 2 PGA of Australasia Titles 10 Champions Tour Titles 7 Major Championship Wins Hall of Fame inductee 1974 Professional Wins 95 4 Time PGA Tour Leading Money Winner

Arnie lifestyle continues to inspire and the result is a collection that's clean, classic and cool. The Bay Hill Club & Lodge and Doral Golf Pro Shop are among many of the locations to purchase Arnie in the South Florida region.

For further listings and more information: www.arniewear.com www.facebook.com/ArnieWear or 800.652.9839.

MEDIA

umors started circulating inside the golf industry about the emergence of a new TV Network.

These rumors increased and the appearance of social media buzz just before the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL confirmed all of these facts.

Edgier, younger and more appealing to the masses The Back9 Network started the PGA Show with a roar by placing their main stage right next to their competitor the Golf Channel.

We sat just outside the stage when Back9Network Founder/CEO James Bosworth and comedian Jackie Flynn were interviewing David Leadbetter and we immediately understood the potential of this new TV Network Back9 Network, is a new multimedia lifestyle and social entertainment network for all kinds of golf fans, is set to launch spring / summer 2012. The content will be available via television, computer, or mobile device.

VP of Digital Media John Raser commented “Yes! it will be a different kind of golf network with something for everyone!

Clint Eastwood has endorsed the network and now has the title of creative board chairman and founding shareholder, we expect great things just around the corner from the new network.

R

Sophie Horn Sexiest Female Golfer Member of Back9 Network

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Known as America’s most prestigious gourmet gathering featuring the best chefs, winemakers, culinary personalities, and wine & spirits experts, the 2012 Festival will take place February 23 – 26, 2012. The 11th annual edition of the Festival will feature new events and programming guaranteed to please. As always, all

Proceeds from the Festival benefit the Florida International University (FIU) Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center; monies raised to date total approximately $14 million. A complete line-up of events and participating talent for the 2012 Festival is available at www.sobefest.com. A few new events and returning highlights include:

The Festival will kick-off beachside at the Delano on Thursday, February 23 with Moët Hennessy's The Q presented by Allen Brothers, sponsored by Miami magazine, hosted

by Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri. For those who wish to partake in a latenight experience The Q will also feature its own after-party, The Q After Dark!

The iconic Amstel Light Burger Bash presented by Allen Brothers hosted by Rachael Ray moves to Friday, February 24 at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach; a night which is also home to the eighth annual Fontainebleau Miami Beach presents Wine Spectator's Best of the Best sponsored by Bank of America.

Also taking place on Friday, February 24, the Festival will return to the stunning 1111 Lincoln Road space for Epicure Gourmet Market Presents Party Impossible hosted by Robert Irvine The Festival is offering the public its first sneak-peek at the New Miami Marlins Ballpark on Saturday, February 25 during Diamond Dishes, featuring host, Julie Loria (author of the cookbook, Diamond Dishes, and wife of Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria) for an exclusive evening of VIP experiences and a walk-around dinner from South Florida’s finest chefs;

including Michelle Bernstein, Scott Conant, Hedy Goldsmith and Laurent Tourondel!

The 2012 Tribute Dinner presented by Bank of America – also taking place on Saturday, February 25 at the Loews Miami Beach – keeps its long-standing tradition of honoring the world’s greatest wine and culinary talent by paying tribute to esteemed chef Charlie Trotter and celebrated winemaker Piero Antinori.

With Anthony Bourdain, author and host of the popular Travel Channel series No Reservations, serving as the master of ceremonies and a “who’s who” of chefs preparing the dinner, including the Loews Miami Beach own Frederic Delaire, Wylie Dufresne, Michelle Gayer, Emeril Lagasse, Nathan Myhrvold, Patrick O'Connell, and Norman Van Aken, the evening is sure to be nothing short of unforgettable.

The Festival’s signature Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village, featuring the American Express Grand Tasting Tents, returns with a winning blend of tastings, superstar chefs and fun.

The Festival’s family-oriented program, Florida Blue’s Fun and Fit as a Family featuring Kellogg’s Kidz Kitchen, which takes place at Jungle Island, returns with healthy food tastings, physical fitness activities, interactive food labs. and star-studded healthy cooking demonstrations.

Golf &Wine Restaurant reviews Events Afterhours Wine and Dine Liqueur Beach Scene Night Life

Best Cabernet for the frugal budget…

Peter Brandon Wine Connoisseur From the wine notes I quote “Our Monterey Cabernet was sourced from a warm vineyard on the northeastern side of Monterey County. This fruit was the last of our 2009 vintage to come off the vine, as a result, produced wines with a lot of color and brilliant fruit. 2009 Paso Robles Cabernet contributes depth and mouth feel as well as dusty Paso Robles terrior that comes across in the brambly nature of this blend

Anyone who has read my columns in Wine Connoisseur knows that Cabernet Sauvignon is not my favorite grape. Too often I find the heavy tannins unpleasantly astringent. Not so here. Best of all, even if you paid $30 for this wine, you would still feel you had a good deal. The Leese Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep ruby in the glass. There is a great deal going on in the nose – cherries, espresso, hazelnuts. This Cab is very smooth and round in the mouth, and while the tannins are there, they are under control. Of course, like most reds you taste cherries. There is also blackberries, a little burnt sugar, and some figgy pudding. Towards the end you get toasted coconut and a sparkle of acidity. Whew! Like I said – a lot going on for $10.

Leese-Fitch has a dark garnet in color, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon blend presents aromas of fresh roasted hazelnuts, espresso, cherry liquor, and black currants.

In the mouth, this cabernet blend exudes deep blackberry notes with toffee, dark cherry, Dutch cocoa, tea leaf, and fig compote. On the finish, there are rich tannins, caramel oak notes, toasted coconut, and black raspberry with mouthwatering acidity.

Towards the end you get toasted coconut and a sparkle of acidity.

Whew! Like I said a lot going on for $10.

This wine would go great with an open-faced steak sandwich with caramelized onions and shaved asiago cheese alongside an arugula salad studded with dried cherries and candied pecans.

Lamb meatballs over soft polenta with an oven roasted tomato sauce and dried black olives or Korean BBQ ribs with all the fixings would be a great option.

VARIETAL Cabernet Sauvignon; 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah, 5% Tempranillo, 2% Alicante Bouchet, 2% Petite Sirah APPELLATION California; 32% Monterey, 23% Paso Robles, 21% Clarksburg, 14% River Junction, 10% Lodi ALCOHOL 13.89%

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19th HOLE

MOJITO Mint Infused Mojito Special recipe by South Florida Golf Magazine reader and bartender at Nikki Beach Club in South Beach Kimberly Gonzalez 1. Pour 1 ounce mint-infused simple syrup into a tall glass.

2. Add a handful of mint leaves, and mix it together.

3. Add crushed ice.

4. Add to that 1-1/2 to 2 ounces of light rum 5. Squeeze in the juice of half a lime.

6. Add a splash of club soda and stir.

7. Garnish with a mint stem and a slice of lime.

706 594-9695 The SouthTEL. Florida Lexus Dealers