News
Spotted: Callaway Epic Flash, Epic Flash 3-wood
We spotted both Steve Stricker and Kevin Na hitting Callaway Epic Flash woods on the range of the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort ahead of the QBE Shootout in Naples, Florida, today.
The Epic Flash and Epic Flash Sub Zero showed up on the USGA’s conforming list just this Monday. As with all photos from that registry, however, the images were both in black and white and only of the sole of the club. Fortunately, with apparent Tour seeding and testing under way, we can catch a glimpse of the color scheme, face, and crown designs.
Enjoy the photos of Callaway’s expected 2019 wood release and let us know what you think.
More photos of Steve Stricker with the Epic Flash driver in the forums.
More photos of Kevin Na with the Epic Flash 3-wood in the forums.
- LIKE166
- LEGIT16
- WOW6
- LOL4
- IDHT4
- FLOP5
- OB6
- SHANK105
News
Morning 9: Wyndham Clark on back injury | DiMarco’s bold Champions Tour take | Houston Open photos
|
- LIKE0
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
News
Four books for a springtime review
One thing that never changes over time: snowy evenings give purpose to reading (is it the other way around?) It has been a snowy 2024 in western New York, and I’ve had ample time to tuck into an easy chair with a blanket, coffee, and a book. You’re in luck, because despite the title of this piece, I’ll share five books and their worth with you.
There is great breadth of subject matter from one to five. Golf is as complicated as life, which means that the cover of the book isn’t worth judging. The contents begin the tale, but there is so much more to each topic presented within. If you’re like me, your library grows each year. Despite the value of the virtual, the paper-printed word connects us to the past of golf and humanity. Here’s hoping that you’ll add one or more of these titles to your collection.
Hughes Norton interviewed with Mark McCormack for 20 minutes (30 if you count the missed exit at Logan International) while driving the founder of IMG from Harvard to the airport. The lesson of taking advantage of each moment, of every dollar, because you might not get another opportunity, is the most valuable one that life offers. I say to you, be certain to read this book, because another opportunity to bend the ear of Hughes Norton may not come our way.
Hughes Norton was with Tiger Woods for waaayyy fewer years than you might guess, but they were the critical ones. Be warned: not all of the revelations in this tome are for the faint of heart. Some, in fact, will break your heart. Golf was a sleepy hamlet in the 1990s, until the 16-lane interstate called Eldrick “Tiger” Woods came into town. Everything changed, which meant that everything would change again and again, into eternity. Once the ball starts rolling, it’s impossible to stop.
My favorite aspect of this book is its candor. Hughes Norton is well into his time on Planet Earth. He has no reason to hold back, and he doesn’t. My least favorite aspect is that George Peper got the call to co-author the book (and I didn’t.) Seriously, there is no LFA for me, so this is the best that I could do.
Decision: Buy It!
The Golf Courses of Seth Raynor
Michael Wolf, James Sitar, and Jon Cavalier, in abject partnership, collaborated to produce a handsome volume on the work of gone-too-soon, engineer-turned-golf course architect. Seth Raynor was pulled into the game by Charles Blair MacDonald, the crusty godfather of American golf. Raynor played little golf across the 51 years of his life. His reason? He did not wish to corrupt his designs with the demands and failings of his own game.
Jon Cavalier began his photography career as a contributor to the Golf Club Atlas discussion group. I met him there in a virtual way (we still have yet to shake hands) and have exchanged numerous emails over the years. Despite the demands of his day job, Cavalier has blossomed into the most traveled and prolific course photographer alive today. His photography, both hand-held and drone, makes the pages pop. Michael Wolf invited me and two friends to play his home course, despite having never met any of us in person. His words, melded to those of James Sitar, are the glue that connect Cavalier’s photos.
My favorite aspect of the books is the access it gives to the private-club world of Raynor. Fewer than five of his courses are resort or public access, and knowing people on the inside is not available to all. My suggestion? Write a letter/email and see if a club will let you play. Can’t hurt to try! My one complaint about the book is its horizontal nature. Golf is wide, but I like a little vertical in my photos. It’s not much of a complaint, given the glorious contents within the covers.
Decision: Buy It!!
Big Green Book from The Golfer’s Journal
Beginning with its (over)size, and continuing through the entire contents, there is no descriptor that defines the genre of the Big Green Book. It is photography, essay, layout, poetry, graphics, and stream of consciousness. It harnesses the creative power of a lengthy masthead of today’s finest golf contributors. Quotes from Harvey Penick, verse from Billy Collins, and prose from John Updike partner with images pure and altered, to immerse you in the diverse golf spaces that define this planet.
One of my favorite aspects is the spaces between the words and photos. Have your friends and others write a few notes to you in those blank areas, to personalize your volume even more. One aspect that needs improvement: the lack of female voices. I suspect that will be remedied in future volumes.
Decision: Buy It!!!
Troublemaker and The Unplayable Lie
Books that allege discrimination and mistreatment check two boxes: potentially-salacious reads and debate over whose perspective is accurate. In the end, the presentation of salacious revelation rarely meets the expectation, and the debate over fault is seldom resolved. Lisa Cornwell spent years as a competitive junior and college golfer, before joining The Golf Channel as a reporter and program host.
Despite the dream assignments, there were clouds that covered the sun. Cornwell documents episodes of favoritism and descrimination against her, prior to her departure from The Golf Channel in 2021. Her work echoes the production of the late Marcia Chambers, who wrote for Golf Digest in the 1980s and 1990s. Chambers took issue with many of the potential and real legal issues surrounding golf and its policies of access/no access. Her research culminated in The Unplayable Lie, the first work of its kind to address issues confronted by all genders and ethnicities, and immediately predated the professional debut of Tiger Woods in 1997.
My favorite aspects of the two works, are the courage and conviction that it took to write them, and believe in them. My least favorite aspects are the consistent bias that many groups continue to face. Without awareness, there is no action. Without action, there is no change.
Decision: Buy Them!!!!
- LIKE4
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK3
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
GolfWRX is on site in the Lone Star State this week for the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
General galleries from the putting green and range, WITBs — including Thorbjorn Olesen and Zac Blair — and several pull-out albums await.
As always, we’ll continue to update as more photos flow in. Check out links to all our photos from Houston below.
General Albums
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Thorbjorn Olesen – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ben Silverman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jesse Droemer – SoTX PGA Section POY – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- David Lipsky – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Martin Trainer – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Zac Blair – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jacob Bridgeman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Trace Crowe – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Daniel Berger – WITB(very mini) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Chesson Hadley – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Callum McNeill – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Rhein Gibson – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Patrick Fishburn – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Peter Malnati – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Raul Pereda – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Pullout Albums
- Tom Hoge’s custom Cameron – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Piretti putters – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ping putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Kevin Dougherty’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Bettinardi putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Tony Finau’s new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
- LIKE19
- LEGIT5
- WOW2
- LOL4
- IDHT0
- FLOP1
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole4 days ago
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
-
19th Hole1 week ago
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Scottie Scheffler had an interesting response when asked how he ‘quiets the noise’ following Players victory
-
Equipment2 weeks ago
Best driver 2024: The best driver for you, as recommend by expert club fitters
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Jon Rahm dealt fresh blow to hopes of qualifying for 2025 Ryder Cup
-
19th Hole4 days ago
Charlie Woods finds it tough going on American Junior Golf Association debut
-
19th Hole7 days ago
Why Kevin Streelman sought USGA approval to use this equipment tool as he leads Valspar after round one
Tom
Jan 16, 2019 at 12:36 pm
I took an Epic Flush after my second cup of Joe this morning.
Anon
Dec 23, 2018 at 11:13 am
Aaron Rodgers loves this.
Dan
Dec 21, 2018 at 2:07 am
I’ll say this if you think the Wilson driver looks better than the new Callaway, you can’t shine a turd
smz
Dec 18, 2018 at 12:37 pm
The only technological change is the name… “Epic Flash”… chosen to attract the childish nature of immature golfing boyz…. sooo pathetic
ogo
Dec 21, 2018 at 1:51 am
Shoulda called it “Epic Flush”…. like hitting the ball “flush”… 😮
SEAN
Dec 8, 2018 at 11:04 pm
Interesting story with Epic Flash. Have not had chance to try but looking forward to. I do play Callaway woods and irons and my Rogue was not longer than original Epic but was far more forgiving for me. Rogue fairway wood, best thing since sliced bread. For those commenting on the “looks” of a driver(from one generation to another)…..that has little to do with a clubs performance. The technology in the heads from Callaway, TM, Ping and others is almost all within the head itself. There are certain head shapes that are almost universally considered good looking, but other than the aerodynamics they have little to do with clubs performance. Speaking of looks, the green/yellow combination on new Epic…….not my favorite. I suppose one can get a custom paint job but now the price is getting out of control for those of that live in reality with normal jobs and kids and other stuff competing for our discretionary dollars.
Dan
Dec 6, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Heads up everyone, every driver these days is pretty much maxed out to the usga tolerances, so most of these small changes are just that ,small. The proper driver is based on a good fit and a head that’s not outdated. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but if you think all new clubs are just marketing and don’t offer performance improvement you aren’t good enough to see the subtleties. My 2017 Epic blows away anything ever made, mainly because my fit and swing are solid.
Des
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:26 pm
So it’s not the club, it’s because your swing just happens to work with the club.
So what’s your point? Lol
DJ
Dec 7, 2018 at 12:57 am
My Hammer driver blows everything away. Shout out to Jack Hamm! youtube the infomercial to get the low down. It’s the Hammer!
Kevin J Robertson
Dec 6, 2018 at 10:07 am
Look at these pics!
https://community.callawaygolf.com/t5/Clubs/Epic-Flash-color-pics/td-p/93449
HDTVMAN
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:17 am
Good idea to put the sliding weight on the Sub Zero. I still don’t like Jailbreak, as customers seem to push the ball right or left if not hit center face. I’ll stay with the Ping G400 MAX.
Tom
Dec 6, 2018 at 12:48 am
I hit one of the prototypes, it carried 75 yards farther than the previous offering and rolled out another 125 yards farther, net Gain of 200 yards.
My Uncle Rico hit it over them there mountains….
Andy
Dec 5, 2018 at 6:28 pm
yep…. hell hath frozen over…Wilson’s newest driver looks waaaay better than Callaway’s newest driver.
shawn
Dec 23, 2018 at 4:58 pm
… and your opinion is soooo significant to us….. thank you 😛
Jordan
Dec 5, 2018 at 4:14 pm
Mizuno: “We’ve heard customer feedback and decided to ditch the bold colorways in favor of all black”.
Callaway: “Hold my beer”
shawn
Dec 23, 2018 at 4:59 pm
My toys are more colorful than your toys… nyah nyah myah