Equipment
“I play golf.” Be proud to be a golfer
More than just a cool slogan on a hoodie, the words “I play golf” have had such a strong impact on me throughout my life.
Like any kid growing up, I had a variety of interests… but ultimately, sports ran my life. Whether it was watching or playing, I lived for basketball during basketball season, football during football season, and baseball during baseball season. But ever since I could walk, I took a strange liking to golf in particular, and it never had an “off-season” to me. In the spring, summer and fall months, I went to the range (often forcing my mom to videotape my swing for hours), to the golf course with my dad, or hit pitch shots in my backyard until sunset or long after. In the winter, I chipped on the carpet in our living room, or I swung a golf club in a mirror working on my positions. I was obsessed with the game.
Often times, however, it was a personal obsession; something I kept to myself. Kids can be cruel, and playing golf was more of a reason to be ridiculed than praised for me while growing up. So I always told people “I play basketball,” or “I play football.” Rarely did I say, or at least say proudly, “I play golf.”
But as time went on, and I went from playing golf in junior events, to high school matches, to playing golf in college, I started saying it more and more proudly. My college peers, probably from all of the student-athlete gear I’d wear to and from class, knew I played a sport at Rutgers. They’d ask, “what do you play; baseball or lacrosse or something?” And I’d answer, “No, I play golf.”
I was being borderline cocky with my answer, if we’re being honest. I liked playing Division I golf, plus I had worked so hard to get there I felt entitled to that bravado. It also felt good to not hide my passion for golf amongst my peers anymore like I did when I was younger. Some people even thought it was pretty cool I played golf.
A funny thing happened my junior year while on the golf team at Rutgers, however. A tumor popped up into my spine, and the back spasms were so bad I needed immediate surgery. Back surgery at 20 years old is far from ideal for anyone, but as a collegiate golfer with big aspirations, it could have meant the end of my career. And it almost did.
I was forced, both physically and by my doctors, to red shirt my senior year. That meant I did not in fact play golf. For awhile, I couldn’t even stand to putt, let alone work on my swing at the range. “I play golf.” Maybe those are words I’ll never say again, I thought at the time.
“The Blackout” hat by @Back9usa
Sometime during my senior season, however, I began swinging the golf club again. Then I started playing golf again. Then I started scoring pretty well during practice rounds, and I felt I was “back.” But this time around, I had a new appreciation for the sport that I’ve always loved.
After graduating from Rutgers, and with a year of eligibility still left to play collegiately, I took my (mostly diminished) talents to Hawaii; a Division II school called Hawaii Pacific University. When people asked me at HPU what sport I played, I proudly — not with embarrassment, apprehension, or some unwarranted cockiness — told them “I play golf.”
The words “I play golf” may have different meanings to you, depending on your perspective. Actually, I had a swing coach one time who would repeatedly ask me, “Do you play golf swing or do you play golf?” to which I’d answer “I play golf.” But, to me, the words “I play golf” on this hoodie represent a lifelong relationship with golf that went through ups and downs, but today I’m proud to be a golfer, and I’m proud to have the opportunity to play the game I love most. And to anyone who gets made fun of — kids, adults, whomever — for playing golf, I say screw em; be proud of who you are and what you love. Life’s too short to be ashamed of yourself, and golf truly is the greatest game ever played, isn’t it?
If you’re proud to be a golfer, purchase your “I play golf.” hoodie here.
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Equipment
Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage
Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.
It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.
When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”
“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”
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According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.
Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:
“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.
“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.
“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.
“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.
“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”
So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.
His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.
See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here
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It seems like the RBC Heritage is full of new gear to be spotted, and you can add TaylorMade’s P-UDI utility irons to that list.
We spotted a 17-degree P-UDI 2-iron in Nick Dunlap’s bag yesterday, and now have some photos of both the 3- and 4-irons. Nick has his P-UDI 2-iron setup with a Project X HZRDUS Black 4th Gen 105g TX shaft.
From what we can tell, this new P-UDI utility iron looks to have some of the usual TaylorMade technology as we can see the Speed Slot on the sole of the club for additional face flexibility. A toe screw is usually used to close off the hollow body design that will probably be filled with a version of TaylorMade’s Speed Foam that is present in the current iron lineup. This hollow body, foam-filled design should offer additional ball speed, soft feel, and sound, as well as an optimized CG for ball flight.
“Forged” is etched into the hosel, so we can assume that either the face, body, or both are forged for a soft and responsive feel. The club looks good from behind and at address, where we can see just a little offset and a topline that I would consider medium thickness. We don’t have the full details on what is under the hood or how many loft options will be available yet.
TaylorMade P-UDI 3-iron – 20°
TaylorMade P-UDI 4-iron – 22°
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
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- Collin Morikawa what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 LS (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX (45 inches)
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (4), P7MC (5-6), P730 (7-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Mid 115 X100 (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (7-PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-SB09, 56-LB08), TaylorMade MG4 TW (60-TW11)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: TaylorMade TP Soto
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Cord
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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Laney
Nov 2, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Such a well-written and poignant article. And the hoodie is dope AF.
Mad-Mex
Oct 30, 2017 at 8:19 pm
“Back surgery at 20 years old is far from ideal for anyone, but as a collegiate golfer with big aspirations, it could have meant the end of my career.”,,, what a narcissist hit piece! Really? I can easily introduce you to a dozen men and women 20 years old who had one or both legs blown off, I can also introduce you to a dozen or more young men and women who work while attending high school or community college paying their way and helping their family. GOLF is a LUXURY !!!
Let’s see how long before this one is deleted too.
Jack
Oct 31, 2017 at 12:31 pm
Yeah, what a loser for being upset about losing out on a lifelong career dream. Hey people have had legs blown off, so no whining about back surgery!
Actually you know what, the guys with blown off legs should shut their holes too, I know people who DIED in combat, so these guys with two working limbs and a heartbeat should just shut the hell up too I guess.
Dave
Oct 30, 2017 at 9:09 am
The comments here are funny.
LD
Oct 30, 2017 at 5:41 am
Looks like they also added enough “likes” to prevent the article from being the shank that it is. Pathetic.
2putttom
Oct 29, 2017 at 6:44 pm
” for playing golf, I say screw em; be proud of who you are and what you love. Life’s too short to be ashamed of yourself, and golf truly is the greatest game ever played, isn’t it?”
. spot on
C.B.
Oct 30, 2017 at 2:21 am
We all know it was you who caused it all to happen with your incessant nonsense
Stevens
Oct 29, 2017 at 11:57 am
The game is doing just fine now without the Tiger Woods bandwagon of fickle children. Please don’t encourage them to return.
Tim Gunn
Oct 29, 2017 at 10:08 am
Make it work!
The dude
Oct 28, 2017 at 8:47 pm
This is a joke right???
Sr. Golfer
Oct 29, 2017 at 5:55 pm
If anybody walked into my golf club wearing that hoodie and baggy pants they would be quickly escorted out the front gate. So yes, it is a joke, a bad joke.
Phil
Oct 28, 2017 at 8:36 pm
Golfer’s Anthem:
O say can you see, the golf ball on the tee,
What so proudly we play to twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad fairways and bright greens through the perilous OBs,
O’er the sand bunkers we watched, were so gallantly swinging!
And the driver’s fast flare, the balls flying in air,
Gave proof through the green that the flag was still there;
O say does that golf-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
AP
Oct 30, 2017 at 12:14 am
No kneeling…. stand up and sing proudly.
C.B.
Oct 30, 2017 at 2:20 am
You really enjoy talking to yourself, don’t you?
Duncan
Oct 28, 2017 at 7:59 pm
#curmudgeon Take the hate elsewhere. Grow the game bro
Closing time
Oct 29, 2017 at 9:56 am
Are you serious? You still have brought nothing to the table accept apparent hate probably stemming from jealousy…you’re that guy who looks at me and our group of players who are for most part finishing/finished baseball careers, and came to a private country club with full sleeve tattoos accumulated while bouncing around country playing baseball and golf when not playing ball…it’s those like you so quick to judge, I’ve seen it literally. Yet guys I’ve crossed paths with on web. and PGA Tour are the last to decide someone’s character by appearance. Occasionally 2 NFL players joined us this summer, and its you a full grown man asking for autographs after passing judgement for the way someone looks. Cheers to you, and hope you change the way you think…the close minded miss out on life
Terry
Oct 29, 2017 at 1:39 pm
LOL
Duncan
Oct 28, 2017 at 7:55 pm
Your serious? Let me guess… over 60 curmudgeon.
Duncan
Oct 28, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Great article. Make golf great again. I am in the same boat. Much cooler to say your a race car driver or basketball player than a golfer. Golfer I am.
8thehardway
Oct 28, 2017 at 12:15 am
‘The hoodie, you own it, you better never let it go.’
Your heartfelt shame-to-pride journey is bookended with ads for the $39.95 hoodie you wear in the accompanying eminem-inspired photo shoot? I’m calling a Slim Shady on this infomercial.
alfred
Oct 27, 2017 at 9:41 pm
Good stuff!
Terry
Oct 27, 2017 at 8:29 pm
I dont get this article
Duncan
Oct 28, 2017 at 7:56 pm
Troll, hater. Must have been banned. You can smell it.
RonL
Oct 27, 2017 at 6:04 pm
How about these slogans?:
Golf is my passion
Golf is for lovers
Golf is power
Golf is happiness
Golf is wonderful
Golf is important
Golf is golf
Scott
Oct 27, 2017 at 2:55 pm
I have played golf when it was kind of cool (maybe kind of cool?), then not cool, then very cool, and now, not that cool. Not sure that I was ever laughed at or made fun of. I never really care what people think. So heck yeah! I play golf!! Always something I could do with my dad. He woudl needle the $^!t out of me and piss me off to no end. What I wouldn’t give to have any of those days back.
Travis
Oct 27, 2017 at 1:45 pm
I’d buy a hoodie if it didn’t say “GolfWRX” right on the hood. What a stupid location for that…
M. Vegas
Oct 27, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Back the blue!
Morpheus
Oct 28, 2017 at 2:14 am
You take the blue pill – the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe.
Duncan
Oct 28, 2017 at 7:58 pm
hater. How about be proud and grow the game. #curmudgeon
037
Oct 27, 2017 at 1:19 pm
So you ran away to Hawaii, where there is nothing else to do but play golf and surf and thought you were cool saying you played golf? Boohoo. I don’t think you were in a challenging environment to say that with any power. You should have gone to some cold weather poor industrial town and say that in the middle of the town square where people have never even come close to golf and see what happens then
Scott
Oct 27, 2017 at 2:47 pm
huh???? what is this comment about???
fUN
Oct 27, 2017 at 4:36 pm
i THOUGHT iT was fUNNY
Bert
Oct 28, 2017 at 9:22 am
Perfect!
SteveK
Oct 27, 2017 at 1:13 pm
In a word(s) …. OCD ….. and everybody wants to ‘play’ for fun, but only a few want to ‘perform’ for the satisfaction of accomplishment.
Phil
Oct 27, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Fried Eggs golf should do a rap video with this hoodie on.
Colonel
Oct 28, 2017 at 2:18 am
Yes…. rap and golf go hand in hand ….. yo’ bro’
JT
Oct 27, 2017 at 12:14 pm
I’d love to play a round with you Andrew. I found this game about 6 years ago and have been obsessed ever since. I only wish that I had found this game earlier. Very cool hoodie.
To the other commenter, thank you for your service! I say never be afraid to say you served.
me
Oct 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Re. ‘Golfer’ post above… It sucks that you feel that way. Golf is awesome! It’s a great sport and is great for the soul, esp when compared to other sports imo.
Thank you for your service in the military… my family and I are LUCKY to have people like you. Never be ashamed, b/c if people make you feel that way about being in the military… you don’t want to be around them anyway. THANK YOU!
Golfer
Oct 27, 2017 at 11:36 am
Until recently there were two things I did not like to share with others: That I play golf and that I was in the military. Nowdays I share the golf connection with virtually everyone and the military connection with a select few.
Thank you for your article Andrew.
LaBraeGolfer
Oct 27, 2017 at 8:43 pm
Golfer sorry to hear that you felt ashamed being in the military. Where I come from our military men and women are our heroes. I have a fair amount of family that served. Thank You for your service!!!
Colonel
Oct 28, 2017 at 2:16 am
Heroes have low IQ…
joe
Oct 28, 2017 at 11:40 pm
Hahah. you and your 34%
2putttom
Oct 29, 2017 at 6:39 pm
+1 thank you for your service
Mad-Mex
Oct 30, 2017 at 8:23 pm
My BS meter went off after reading this,,,,, and yes, I am a 20+ year Vet and I am indifferent about playing this GAME,,,