Depending on where you live and who you know, the two most asked questions of GolfClubAtlas.com this year have been:
1.) 2010 is the first year since they have been keeping records that Pat Mucci has gone down in flames to the same person TWICE in a single year. How do you, One of Golf's Most Beloved Figures, account for you dominant performance, especially on Pat's own home course? After all, you once could only beat him with hickories (i.e you could only beat him with clubs that were on average ninety years old)?
2) You have stomped on him so much this year, do you consider Joe Andriole as more of a door mat or as a person?
For those that have seen my swing (an early snatch to the inside followed by a desperate heave to the top and an outside-in motion on the way down, frequently with the clubface dreadfully shut), there can be no explanation other than superior equipment. From Muira irons to a Scratch wedge to two clubs from Izett Golf, my two little chickens had little to do but stand by for the slaughter.
Given how the implements of the game have a direct bearing on golf course architecture and determine what does/doesn't provide challenge, a Feature Interview on equipment seemed like a good idea to Ben and me. We turned to Mike Morrison who is a partner in Izett Golf in Ardmore, PA. No less an honest person than Bart Bradley will attest to the fact that Izett's 60 degree wedge was the single source for his loss to me at the nearby West Course at Merion in July this year.
Equipment matters and the neat thing about golf is that you are free to make up your own set. One day it might be hickories, the next day it might be steels with a three iron included so that I can chip out from under pine trees
, and the next it might include three wedges for getting up and down around some push-up greens.
In this Feature Interview, we walk through changes to equipment and tie that in to how courses play. This is not meant to be an info-mercial for Izett Golf (no discounted anything was exchanged) but rather we are tapping into a very kind man's immense knowledge on equipment. The fact that he shares it so freely and took the time to expound on his answers makes for a highly educational read.
Now, have I let the cat out of the bag? Surely, Pat and Joe will be on the phone to Mike begging for the state secrets behind my 2010 victories? Perhaps, but golf has always been a game made up by gentlemen for gentlemen and this is my way of spreading a little Christmas cheer to two otherwise grumpy old men.
Happy Holidays and enjoy!