Got Balls...

This is a picture of some balls. Nothing much. Didn't take long to model. Didn't take long to apply materials. This was an excercise in depth of field. I wanted the object to be in focus and everything else to progressivly blur. I think it worked alright.

Vacation: Approved...

San Diego, here I come. The only question is if my wife's vacation will be approved. Then we'll be heading down the week of August 17th.

My parents strong armed someone and now they have free use of a beach side condo. This is going to be great!

Another interesting opportunity has arisen. It seems that all three golfers who either hold or have held the Anchor Cup will be in San Diego at the same time. If you consider there are 90+ golf courses in the general area, this could end up being an epic battle for the Anchor Cup.

Tee time will be early Monday morning at a yet to be determined golf course.

The contestants:

Erick "Buster Douglas" Wales - Defending Champion and current holder of the Anchor Cup. What's with the nickname? Well, let's face it. It was complete luck that he ended up with the trophy to begin with. And like James "Buster" Douglas, it's likely he won't hold on to it for long.

Bill "George Foreman" Wales - His claim to fame is he started this whole tradition. He has been Sans-trophy for almost a year. It was last August (2008) when he was annihilated by me. What's with the nickname? Well, let's face it. He's a little too old for this game. And just like "George Foreman", he may have had a good run but his time is up. If he's lucky, I'll let him see his reflection in the Anchor Cup as I take it from Erick's hands.

Danny "Floyd Mayweather" Saiz - (Excuse me as I Ricky Henderson this part. It sounds better if I go 3rd person) One time Champion who lost the Cup on rented clubs and a hangover. Now he's got a killer driver and his own clubs. Can anyone stop him? I think not. What's with the nickname? Before he retired (stopped playing golf due to Daughter), he was considered the best pound for pound golfer in the world. Now he's coming back out of retirement to claim what is rightfully his. The Amateurs have had their fun.

Now that we have established that I am good at talking trash, we can get down to some real talk. In reality, the Anchor Cup can go home with just about any of us. Bill Wales has got the experience and consistency. Erick Wales has the youth, the ever-developing talent and nerves of steel (he sank a 10 foot putt to take the Cup from me). And myself? I've got waning distance and terrible inaccuracy with my irons. That should make it fair for the rest of them.

Disclaimer - of the three golfers in the promotional flyer, only Danny Saiz actually has a mustache. Bill Wales shaved his mustache in 1991 and Erick Wales can't grow any facial hair whatsoever to save his life. The mustaches appearing on their faces were photoshopped from material taken from the band "the Silent Comedy", used without permission. To make up for my complete lack of respect for trademarks and copyrights, I ask that anyone who reads this should immediately download all songs posted on iTunes written/performed by "the Silent Comedy".

Cobra - Speed LD-F Drivers 2008

I GOT A NEW DRIVER!!!

I used this driver when I rented it at Riverwalk in San Diego. I sliced every single shot about 90 degrees. So why did I buy it? Because I'm crazy!! Or not.

There are some important differences. The biggest is the flex. The San Diego driver, which was a 10.5 degree, had a regular flex. I'm used to driving with my tiny little Orlimar 9 degree. A regular flex is ok with the smaller driver head. This driver head is the full 460. The regular flex opens up the club face with my normal swing.

The driver I got, a 9.5 degree, came with a stiff shaft... uh... let's call it a stiff flex. With my normal grip (closed face) and a medium to fast downswing, the extra firmness of the shaft will keep the club face perpendicular to my target line.

I hit a couple of balls and so far, so good. The contact sounds a little different but it feels nice a solid. I'm guessing that I'm getting about 15 to 20 yards of extra distance against my old, beat up Orlimar. There is a little bit of a fade in the shot but it's definitely straighter than that rental I used at Riverwalk. I can't wait to play a full round with this. I'm hoping to shave at least 5 strokes off my game.