Not because it’s good. Oh no, usually it’s dreadful, unless you have erectile dysfunction issues – then you are likely well informed of a wealth of options available to you.

But sometimes we find something that is interesting for all the right, or even wrong reasons. 

This may not be new to you but it was called out to us by a reader and we thought we’d share the ‘Amazing’ video from Callaway golf.

So what do you think?  Does it belong in the golf marketing Hall of Fame or Hall of Shame?

There are arguments to be made for both:

Pros – The ‘I’m not even sure I got it all!’ line is chuckle-worthy and it’s refreshing to see a golf related ad that features a couple in bed instead of bathtubs.

Cons – Where’s the love for the ladies?  In a perfect world there would be a version of the video featuring a female golfer. Natalie Gulbis gets our casting nod please.  Also, a tad stereotypical ‘bigger, longer’ etc. Why stop at the (not so) subtle comparisons between driving length and, um other things and just make the driver into a giant phallus?

Let us know what you think in comments on if it’s Fame or Shame worthy.

For one, you can’t buy clubs with the specifications Tour pros use. And, if you did, you couldn’t play them. Shafts as heavy as a hammer and as stiff as a telephone pole. Special sole grinds for “maximum turf interaction.” Whatever.

NiceBallz introduces Baggage, a new feature that provides you with a look inside our golf bags at the clubs we carry — and the real deal behind the specs. Here is a peek inside GolferWriterGuy’s bag, and the baggage he brings with him to the golf course each week:

Driver- Callaway FT-5 Tour (9.5 degree loft, Aldila NV stiff shaft 65 grams). Average approx. 265 yards. I bought this club for the 460 cubic centimeters of forgiveness and the open clubface, which took the snap hook out of play but brought a big banana ball as my main miss. Fore right! Nah, I can’t complain. After a sale, a coupon and a trade-in I got this club new for about $92. What do you want for less than $100?

Hybrid- Adams Golf Idea a2 (20 degree, Aldila NV stiff shaft 85 g). Average approx. 210. Great on short par 4s and long par 3s, this hybrid hits the ball low and long. The only problem is it will go as far as about 225 when I pure it, outdistancing some players’ 3-wood, but on miss hits it only goes about 180. That’s a huge gap. When it’s good, it’s real good. Otherwise, it’s not. That’s not good.

Irons- Titleist DCI 962 (4-PW, True Temper Dynamic Gold Sensicore stiff S-300 steel shafts). These are classic clubs, with a thin topline, a modest progressive offset and a reasonable cavity back. These irons are two degrees upright, and I often hook the hell out of them. However, I do love these irons and have owned them about 12 years. Why change? I’m too cheap to buy a new set. But, my ego does take a beating because most modern iron sets feature clubs with lofts that are 2- to 4-degrees stronger. In essence, the contemporary 7-iron is what they used to call a 6-iron. That’s why they go farther today. At least that’s what I tell myself.

Wedges- Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled (52, 56 and 60 degrees, True Temper Dynamic Gold wedge flex). These wedges go anywhere from about 75 yards to about 105 yards — unless I chunk it or blade them. They are versatile with great feel, but the square grooves have spun balls off the front of a green more often than they have helped. Regardless, all that backspin makes me feel cool. It’s sad, I know.

Putter- Boccieri Golf Heavy Putter BM-2. I stole this putter from Hack. No, really. Took it right out of his garage, though I did eventually pay $75 for it. My stroke was so bad with my old stick that I constantly missed 2- and 3-footers. A serious case of the yips. That’s pretty bad for someone not yet 40 years old. But the counter-balanced Heavy Putter got me straightened out. Lag putting is more difficult, but then I make more 5-footers than I used to. It all works out. However, this club is a heavy load. Double up on the Advil before you tee off or book a chiropractic appointment for Monday. Maybe both.

Misc.- My bag includes several other miscellaneous items including a rules booklet that I never consult, and a huge poker chip of a ball mark that really pisses people off on the greens. I have some Blistex in my bag. I once went on a date with an heiress to a lip balm fortune but she wasn’t into me. Maybe my lips were too dry. Anyway, I also carry a ton of groceries so I can graze during a 5-hour round. Two Gatorades, two apples, two energy bars and one banana. I’ve got it down to a science because I’m freaky like that.

That’s all the baggage I care to share. Stay tuned soon when Hack shares his baggage with the world.

Do you have any baggage? Lay down on the couch and tell us.

NiceBallz told you yesterday about our impressions of a recent golf club demo day. We walked up and down the range where several major golf club makers showed off their latest selection. While we don’t like to judge a book by its cover, we did judge a few brands by their headcovers. Certain stereotypes were reinforced and new perceptions were forged. 

Speaking of forged, we set out to test some of the newest game improvement and better-player irons on the market. And, there’s no faster way than demo day to meet your match. 

Really, it’s like speed dating for golfers. Fall in love fast, seven swings or less. Guaranteed*

*Results may vary

They say you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince. I don’t kiss frogs, and I’m no prince. “They” say a lot of other things, too. This is a family publication, we can’t print them here. But, the truth is that demo day lets you love ‘em and leave ‘em, no strings attached.

Wham, bam, thank you, Ping! 

Having played the same cavity back blades for more than a decade – a 1990′s investment cast set from a major manufacturer with minimal progressive offset and a traditional thin top line – it’s time to think seriously about an upgrade. So what if I have a wandering eye? The technology has clearly improved in the past 12 years and with so many discounts on the market it may be time for me to deal. 

We all know first impressions are important. Here are a few of mine: 

Callaway X-22: A good all-around set. These game improvement irons are incredibly easy to hit and even the extra offset, which was initially concerning for a single-digit handicapper, resulted in a high, straight ball flight – not a severe draw as expected. The “uniflex” steel shaft leaves something to be desired – is it Regular, Stiff or neither? – but, overall, not a bad buy. A good head on her shoulders and a distinctive sense of style, she’s good girlfriend material for many. 

Cleveland HiBORE: These irons look quirky and a bit bulky, which could be a concern on tight lies or in thick rough. But, they have a nice high launch resulting in some soft-landing shots. The mid-irons feel more solid than the wedge, which lacks the feedback some players expect from the scoring clubs. Oddly attractive in an edgy artistic or Goth girl sort of way, but we’re not sure how long the fun will last. 

Nike Victory Red Split Cavity: These forged cavity back blades have a very solid feel and a consistent, penetrating ball flight even with True Temper High Launch steel shafts. A traditional profile and an elegant look mask a relatively large cavity. These clubs provide feel with some forgiveness. A classic beauty who tries a little too hard to stay in style, while some may consider her to be high maintenance, to us she may be worth it. 

TaylorMade Burner TP: These innovative cavity back irons have some signatures of better-player clubs combined with the latest technology for playability. This combination has a nice modern look, but the vibration dampening drum results in a disappointingly chintzy, hollow feel at impact. She comes from great bloodlines, but turned out a little cheap. 

Ping G10: Another set of irons that works for mid-handicappers and better players, with a quasi-traditional look and enough technology to make the game fun. These irons offer a medium-high launch with some workability. Easy to talk to with girl-next-door good looks that will surprise you. 

It’s hard to make a definitive decision based on hitting a dozen balls. It’s like getting married after dinner and a movie. But, you can get an immediate sense for whether you click with a club, and demo day is a great place to pick up ch, err, sticks. Seriously speaking, we recommend you test new clubs thoroughly, on days when your swing is sharp and others when it’s not, and get fitted by a teaching professional before you spend as much as $1,000 on a set of irons. 

While there’s a clear frontrunner that I have feelings for, none of these new irons has gotten past the first date yet. I’m still committed to my current golf clubs, but you’ll be the first to know if there’s a future breakup. I really shouldn’t kiss and tell, but I know you love juicy golf gossip. 

-Corey 

Corey Grice has commitment issues. Not that kind, though he has those, too. On the golf course he’s *too* committed, having played the same technology for more than 10 years. Read more about his unhealthy relationship with golf at http://twitter.com/GolferWriterGuy and follow his happily married collaborator at http://twitter.com/NiceBallz.

Do our impressions of some of the big brands seem familiar to what you’ve experienced?  Are they way different?  Let us know in comments or on twitter.
 
-Hack
 
Hack expects @GolferWriterGuy to up the ante on their weekly matches soon to generate the revenue needed to purchase the set of irons he clearly has fallen head over heels for from the demo day.  You can follow both at http://twitter.com/NiceBallz and http://twitter.com/GolferWriterGuy.