It was the Tiger Woods of old at Bay Hill, dominating and intimidating his way to an impressive win

Share this post Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Posted March 26, 2012 in 2012 Bettinardi, 303 Stainless Steel, Alligator Belts, Bettinardi Golf, Bettinardi Putters, Bob Bettinardi, Brian Gay, Butch Harmon, Cash Covers, CNC, CNC Milling, Custom Putters, David Howell and Adam Scott, Exotic Leather Belts, Exotic Skin Wallets, For

The Hank Haney book, “The Big Miss,” comes out this week. In a related note, renowned book reviewer Tiger Woods issued his blurb over 72 holes at Bay Hill:

“Did I read my old swing coach’s book? Eat my dust! – Tiger Woods.

Maybe his review won’t make the back of the paperback version. His performance, however, resonated around the golf globe.

Nobody authors dismissive “Forget you’s” like Tiger Woods. Whether mentally crushing Sergio Garcia or Ernie Els in the early 2000s – two items mentioned by Haney in the detailed, nuanced, instructive portrait of Tiger – or whether stymieing any talk of a permanent Tiger demise with a five-shot win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the lessons of Tiger remain.

If you give Tiger a stage to flex on, eventually he will flex.

Perhaps it was just a coincidence that Tiger chose the week of the Haney book and his last tournament before the Masters to put together the entirety of the Sean Foley golf swing and unveil its ball-controlling glories. Or, more likely, perhaps it was because of those two things – the book and the azaleas – that Tiger was able to summon up “The Package,” as Haney calls it in the book, or “the mystery,” another phrase Haney uses to describe Tiger’s ability to stand tallest at the most important times.

So much of it was familiar: the red shirt, the seventh win at Bay Hill and, perhaps most notably, the shrinking of competitors. Credit to The Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee who pointed out that every challenger, whether Jason Dufner (77) or Charlie Wi (76) on Saturday, or Graeme McDowell (74), Ernie Els (75) or Ian Poulter (74) on Sunday, drowned in Tiger’s wake. Tiger went 65-70 on the weekend.

Taking Chamblee’s cue, we are left with a question going forward: Does this mean the intimidation – the Tiger aura, the atmosphere where his presence on the leaderboard means contenders shrivel up – is back?

As a weekly pontificator in this slice of cyberspace, I have often conjectured that Tiger would win again, that he would reclaim No. 1 and that he still had a 50-50 shot at toppling Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record for major championships. My reasoning always included the following: At 36, Tiger remains relatively young; and with perhaps 10 years of great golf in front of him, 40 major opportunities could surely yield five wins, especially given his comfort level at Augusta National.

On the flip side, however, I included the caveat: He may break Jack’s mark, but he will never, ever be Tiger Woods 1.0 (71 wins and 14 majors before age 34) again. A new generation of players, led by Rory McIlroy, would look at Tiger the way young rockers look at Mick Jagger or Bruce Springsteen: with respect, but with knowledge that the graybeards are past their prime.

The Escalade into the hydrant, the loss of image, endorsements and family, and perhaps most important, the disappearance of his putter and the emergence of a chronic knee injury meant fellow competitors would never fear him again as they once did. At least that’s how I saw it.

But something in “The Big Miss” resonated. Haney details Tiger’s lifelong obsession with the golf swing and ball flight, so much so that you forget all the other white noise that surrounds him, including our dime-store psychology that he was damaged goods. Reading the book reminds you that at his core, Tiger Woods is a golfer and won’t stop for early retirement or other interests or to play minor-league baseball. True, his military obsession, particularly after his father’s death, came close to derailing his focus, but Haney’s explicit description of how Tiger’s golf credo is about the chase for greatness that this pursuit of perfection reminds you that every tinker of his swing is a means to that end, droughts be damned. It’s why he’s on his third golf swing and never settled for the Nicklaus “See Jack Grout Once a Year” plan.

Digesting that information and watching him drive the ball around Bay Hill with some of the most definitive authority of his career made me guess that Tiger feels rejuvenated with Foley’s instruction. Haney writes that Tiger would be bored with a “maintenance” plan on his golf swing, that he gets juiced to learn something new – to re-define his swing. Instead of seeing it as a negative – this switching of instructors – Tiger keeps his gas tank full by taking on new things.

[ Related: Eric Adelson: Will Tiger Woods’ ‘resurrection’ be enough to satiate public? ]

And watching that ball flight around Bay Hill? Being ranked No. 1 in the field in total driving? Playing from the fairway almost every hole? A 35-hole streak of greens hit in regulation? Goodness gracious. It was some of the most gorgeous golf Tiger has played since his Haney heyday.

Yes, the putter and the knee remain the biggest questions. But here are more questions:

Can the re-emergence of Tiger break Rory, as it did Sergio and Ernie?

Can the re-emergence of Tiger stifle Phil Mickelson’s recent mastery over Woods?

Can the re-emergence of Tiger surpass all our expectations and restart the greatest comeback in golf since Ben Hogan, post-car accident?

We’re tantalized. The answers will come.

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Bob Childs: Alligator-skin Craftsman; Owner, House of Fleming

Share this post Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Posted March 24, 2012 in 2012 Bettinardi, 303 Stainless Steel, Alligator Belts, Bettinardi Golf, Bettinardi Putters, Bob Bettinardi, Brian Gay, Butch Harmon, Cash Covers, CNC, CNC Milling, Custom, Custom Putters, David Howell and Adam Scott, Exotic Leather Belts, Exotic Skin Wall

Bob Childs: Alligator-skin Craftsman; Owner, House of Fleming
For a guy who didn’t actually start playing the game until just a couple of years ago, Bob Childs runs in some impressive golf circles.

“I was at The Players Championship in Jacksonville this past March,” recalled the 54-year-old Atlanta [Ga.] resident. “I had dinner at Ian Poulter’s house with Luke Donald, Justin Rose, David Howell and Adam Scott. It was pretty much half the European Ryder Cup Team.”

While Poulter is a proven winner in Europe, and as Childs added, “A wonderful cook,” the Englishman is best known for his sartorial style and his clothing panache. And that’s the reason he connected with Childs, the owner of House of Fleming in Atlanta, a man widely acknowledged as one of the premiere alligator-skin craftsman in the world.

Though his business is more than 25 years old, Childs had scant association with the game until seven or eight years ago. His introduction to golf? That falls under the category of, “build it, and they will come.”

Noted instructor Butch Harmon was on a flight to Atlanta, heading to the Masters some years ago. He saw someone wearing an unusual belt, found out it had been purchased at House of Fleming, and Harmon, who’s described by Childs as an “alligator addict,” beat a path to his door.

“It was only five or 10 minutes into our lunch meeting that I realized that Butch was interested in belts not only for himself, but also for Tiger,” Childs said. “I might not have known who Butch Harmon was at the time we met, but I certainly knew Tiger Woods.” 

As Tiger goes, so goes the golf world. Now Childs boasts an All-Star lineup of world-class golfers, including Darren Clarke, Jose Maria Olazabal and Natalie Gulbis. Oh, and Steve Elkington, Rocco Mediate, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Matt Kuchar and a guy named John Daly. Childs claims one of his favorite customers is Marty Hackel, Fashion Director at Golf Digest.

The House of Fleming has had a celebrity clientele for years. Satisfied customers like Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Burt Reynolds and the famous check-forger and con artist, Frank W Abagnale, Jr., whose exploits were made famous in the movie “Catch Me If You Can,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. 

However, the golf category has exploded since the late 1990s, now accounting for about 20 percent of their business. Even more significant is the transformation of the belt finishes. The previous standard for these pricey accessories ($300-$500 as a general rule of thumb) was a glazed finish, which Fleming describes as “a shiny look, often used with a suit.”

Due in large part to the proliferation of pro golfers now wearing his product, the matte finish belt, previously about 5 percent of the business, is now closer to 50 percent. The matte finish is the better choice in wet, hot or humid weather. 

Ultimately, this is work apparel for the pro golfers who use them, and the belts need to look good regardless of the atmospheric conditions present.

A Georgia native and a Georgia Tech graduate, Childs always liked working with his hands. As a young man, the concept of working with leathers and other exotic skins like alligator appealed to him. He got started the old-fashioned way. 
“I locked myself in a room with some skins and some tools,” Childs said. “I didn’t come out ‘till I had a belt.” 

He still has that first rudimentary effort, though chances are it’s not on display, like successful business owners who frame their first dollar. 

“I never sold that belt,” Childs admitted. “It was too ugly.”
They’ve gotten better looking. Though he began as a sole proprietor, he now has almost a dozen employees, including six other craftsmen. Everything is handmade; no corners are cut. 

There are 56 separate steps, each done by hand, for every belt and strap that the company produces. 

“It’s not a technology-driven business,” stated the belt-maker. “I use the same tools that belt-makers have been using for 60 years.” 

When it comes to the pro golfers, he selects and cuts the skins himself. Asked to explain his almost cult-like following among many of the game’s greatest practitioners, he theorized, “I think they appreciate not just the quality of the product, but also the energy and commitment it takes to produce belts like this, one at a time.” 

Here’s another theory: These pros are awash in freebies. They’re handed courtesy cars, dozens of balls, unlimited clothes, clubs, shoes, gloves and food in the clubhouse. In a way it’s almost refreshing for them to spend their sizeable winnings on the finest toys. That’s why the top earners are private jet fliers, luxury and sports car owners and wine connoisseurs. House of Fleming belts are just another manifestation of that old saw, “he who dies with the most toys wins.”

“I also think another one of the attractions is that these top-level pros have their outfits picked out for tournament play by the corporations they represent, be it Nike, adidas, Dockers or whomever,” continued Childs. “The belts give them the chance to express a degree of individuality and style they don’t get otherwise.

“Some pros get so involved they’ll go beyond picking the skin and the buckle, and even select the color of the thread that’s used for stitching. They really seem to enjoy custom-designing their own belts.”

Childs is affiliated with a tannery in Europe, and he goes over there several times a year to pick out skins. While there, he’ll often visit the European Tour event transpiring that week, lay out the skins, and like kids in a candy store, the Euro-pros fight over the hides that best match their shirts, shoes and slacks. The aforementioned Poulter is trying to chase down Darren Clarke as the most prolific golf customer of the House of Fleming, but with a shake of the head and a chuckle, Childs exclaimed, “Darren has over 150 belts, so Ian will be hard-pressed to catch him.”

The buckle supplier is a high-end jeweler who prefers to “fly under the radar,” according to Childs, and is know internally only as “Mr. Pink.” But this “Dr. Buckle” collaborates seamlessly with “Mr. Hide.” And the silver and gold accoutrements he supplies are interchangeable from belt to belt, adding even more appeal and flexibility to the wearer. 

Is it instructive or meaningful to interpret different belt styles as windows to the golfer’s souls? Probably not, but it’s interesting nonetheless.

For example, Rocco Mediate likes a four-piece buckle set, including two “keepers,” the technical term for the metal strap-holders seen on some belts, and a silver tip. But most pros have just a single piece of metal accompanying their alligator skin – the buckle itself. Europeans prefer wider belts, with the notable exception of Sergio Garcia. He eschews the 1½-inch standard of his Continent brethren, and opts for the 1¼-inch width that most American players prefer. 

And you thought you knew everything about the PGA Tour.

Childs often travels to Tour events with what he calls his “bag of tricks,” an oversize duffel filled with his latest skins.

There’s no such thing as an “average” skin, but the craftsman says generally speaking, he’ll get three or four belts out of a skin, while unusual skins might only yield two. Some of the pros will happen to stop by his Atlanta factory when they’re in town, and get a bit of hands-on experience, cutting the skins themselves. 

A self-described “professional bachelor,” Childs recently wed Florence, finally changing his marital status past the age of 50. He is currently mired with an 18 handicap, and regrets he took up golf later in life. While he has no club affiliations of his own, he’s got no shortage of invitations at this point. Not just from his friends on Tour, but from the well-heeled (and belted) connoisseurs in his hometown. Invitations to Piedmont Driving Club, TPC at Sugarloaf, Capital City and the Golf Club of Georgia have been accepted, and he someday plans on making his way to the twin pinnacles of Atlanta golf – East Lake and Peachtree. 

His first golf contact, Butch Harmon, was helpful in regards to instruction. Well, to a point. 

“He sent me one of his books, and told me to read it,” Childs said. Asking how to cure his shaky putting, Harmon informed him to “putt with your eyes closed.” But his ever-expanding Rolodex of golf contacts is a real eye-opener.

Despite the allure of celebrity proximity, beyond the fact these young millionaires buy his handmade exotic belts like the rest of us buy packages of tube socks, in other words, in volume, fattening the House of Fleming coffers commensurately, Childs is enjoying all of these burgeoning relationships for another reason entirely.

“These are some wonderful, down-to-earth people,” he said. “They just happen to play extraordinary golf.”
And the handcrafted ribbons that encircle their waists, manufactured under the watchful eye of Bob Childs, are extraordinary themselves.



BOB CHILDS In The Bag

Occupation: Alligator-skin Craftsman; Owner, House of Fleming in Atlanta [Ga.]
Home course: “I don’t have one. I just play wherever I get invited.”
Clubs: Titleist driver, Mizuno irons, TaylorMade Rossa putter and Bridgestone golf balls.
Frequency of play: “I’m a sneaky golfer; I sneak out to the course whenever I can.”
Hole-in-ones?: One; “I hit a 2-iron from 217 yards on the fifth hole at Heritage Golf Club [in Georgia]. I was playing like crap and was with two buddies who had tried to get me to play golf a lot earlier in life, but I passed. I saw them hit 3-irons short of the green. Before the round, I watched one of Butch Harmon’s videos that said a common fault by amateurs is they don’t hit enough club. So I grabbed the 2-iron and let the ball get in the way of the club, just like Butch’s tape said. All I wanted to do was get it on the green. I stood there and watched the ball creep to the hole, and all my friends went nuts.”
 

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Graeme McDowell talks fashion, cars and wine

Share this post Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Posted March 24, 2012 in 2012 Bettinardi, 303 Stainless Steel, Bettinardi Golf, Bettinardi Putters, Bob Bettinardi, Brian Gay, Cash Covers, CNC, CNC Milling, Custom, Custom Putters, Exotic Leather Belts, Forged, GOLFWRX, Graeme McDowell, Honeycomb, House of Fleming, John Daly, Ma

Graeme McDowell has a style of his own and has been highlighted this blog several times for his classic take on golf fashion. As he did last weekend at the U.S. Open, McDowell sported sharp cardigans layered over crisp, classic collared polos and paired them with well-tailored trousers. His clothes fit him to a tee and it’s easy to see that he is confident and comfortable in his clothes.

Golfweek caught up with McDowell earlier this spring to get some insight to his style and how he goes about putting together his look.

Who are your clothing and shoe sponsors? Are you scripted?

Photo by Associated Press

Graeme McDowell celebrates on the eighteenth hole after winning the U.S. Open

Louis Copeland. He is one of Dublin’s top tailors]. My footwear is by Stuburt. They have the classic all-leather styles. I’m not scripted. I usually just pick my own gear. I kind of go for the certain classic-cut look, tailored pants, just as classic as possible. I like wearing the smoking cardigan styles (final round style cardigan).

What is your favorite part of a golf outfit?

Probably the pants, really. I kind of go with quite plain shirts, so I like to kind of dress it up with some nice pants. Shoes and belts are definitely very important accessories. I like to try and match those up as much as possible. I’ve got some nice colorful shoes coming from Stuburt later in the season but definitely my pants are very important to me.

Are you a belt or watch guy?

I like belts probably. I don’t wear a watch on the golf course. Obviously, I’m with Audemars Piguet, which makes some great watches. House of Fleming in Atlanta do my belts. They do a lot with the guys’ belts, in a colorful way. I’ve got a great blue gator one that I enjoy wearing. House of Fleming makes belts for Darren Clarke,Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood. They do a lot of the guy’s stuff and have some really, really cool skins.

Are you into buckles?

I actually have my own buckle that the guy designed, it’s quite plain but it’s a classy looking buckle and stuff. There aren’t any big G-Mac logos or anything but just a nice classy looking buckle.

Money clip? Or wallet?

I’m a money clip guy.

Any particular brand?

No, no particular brand. I like that, you’ve seen the M clip thing that kind of pulls out? Either that one or one of my players badges that I picked up somewhere. At the moment I’m using my 2009 European Tour badge as my money clip. But I’m definitely a money clip guy.

Any luxury indulgences?

I like cars. I’ve always been a Porsche fan. Stuff like that. Nice glass of red wine from time to time. I’m not a cigar smoker or anything. Definitely wine, cars and watches.

What red wine: French or California?

Bit of everything, really. I’ve been getting into my California’s a little bit I’ve always been into Spanish wine, that kind of stuff. But I like I really like some of the California’s.

As a junior player did you have any fashion disasters?

I was a Nick Faldo fan growing up and I owned some very, very dodgy Pringle sweaters. I definitely had a nice Pringle sweater collection in my closet at one point, which I think if you asked me to wear now I would probably laugh at you.

The argyle man?

The argyle man, the pringle man, and definitely some argyle prints in there. And some reasonably – you know, it probably went out of fashion in the ’90s and will probably come back in again. It probably looks pretty cool right now.

What do you like to see women wearing on the golf course?

Photo by Associated Press

Graeme McDowell

Just as little as possible, really. I think I like these, you know, like a Natalie (Gulbis) there, she wears some cool skort and she’s got a good frame to carry it off. Yeah, I think I actually think women can dress a lot better than the men can. They can kind of get away with some riskier stuff. I think women, generally the American women, are very well dressed.

Which LPGA players do you think are most fashionable?

I would go with Natalie. I hardly get to watch the LPGA tour too often. There are a lot of the Ladies European Tour girls that are pretty stylish, a couple Spanish girls. Anna Rawson, she hasn’t quite got the game to match the look, but she’s a well-dressed girl. Stuff like that.

If you are going on a date on Saturday night, what are you wearing?

Depends on where I’m eating. But I mean when I’m hanging out in Florida and it’s casual. I’m a jeans, flip-flops and button-down shirt kind of guy. But I’ll dress it up with some nice shoes and maybe throw a jacket on and that’s kind of a jeans button down shirt, nice sport coat and a nice pair of shoes.

Do you have a favorite designer off the course?

I’m a Hugo Boss guy off the course. Again, Louis Copeland looks after me, he stocks Hugo and keeps me as well dressed as possible.

Do you have a signature look, item or color that you have been sporting?

When I won twice in 2008 I wore green in the last round, green with white pants. I’ve actually struggled to find a shirt with a nice color of green. I’ve got one coming this season. So that’s kind of my Sunday colors, a little bit of Irish green. Some nice white pants, a nice green gator skin belt so that’s kind of what I plan on wearing on Sunday afternoons.

So when you say Irish green we would call it maybe Kelly green?

It’s like an Augusta green or the color of the green in the Irish flag.

How did living in Alabama during college influence or change your European style?

Like I say, probably introduced to jeans, flip-flops and baseball hats. I always remember thinking it was crazy to see guys wearing baseball hats to the bar. But, yeah, the Alabama kind of theme there, you know, baggier jeans and flip-flops perhaps.

You’ve been sporting the rugged scruffy look lately. Is this here to stay or is it an on-again, off-again thing?

It’s just something a little different. I’m just trying to rock it for a little while.

It looks a little more Alabama then?

Yea, perhaps, than London or Dublin.

What about Poulter’s pants are too over the top for you?

No, I actually think he’s kind of calmed it down the last few years. I like Ian’s stuff. I have to say he’s a very stylish guy, carries it well. He has nice colors and like I say, he matches everything really well. I think he gets my vote for best-dressed player.

Your nickname is G-Mac. Who first called you that?

I don’t know who first called me that. Probably way back in my amateur days. It’s just a bit of an identity. It’s nice to have something sort of a little bit of a logo. It’s nice for the Web site. I love it when I go out and I hear fans shouting “Go G-Mac” or whatever. I guess it’s kind of cool to have a nickname like that. It’s not like everyone calls me that. My mom still calls me Graeme, she doesn’t call me G-Mac. It’s something a little bit different I think. Something a bit more marketable in the future when I win about 10 majors.

– Ashleigh Korzack contributed

 

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'Sakman' is Back !

Share this post Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Posted January 01, 2012 in 2012 Bettinardi, 303 Stainless Steel, Bettinardi Golf, Bettinardi Putters, Bob Bettinardi, Brian Gay, CNC, CNC Milling, Custom, Custom Putters, Forged, GOLFWRX, Honeycomb, John Daly, Made in the USA, Milling, One Piece Milled Putters, PGA Tour, Putter, St

'Sakman' is Back!

January 1, 2010

Another great thread from GolfWRX.com member, Ryan Sakowski! We hope 'Sakman' enjoyed his visit and puts his custom BB8 to good use. Words can't describe his experience. That's why he captured it and is now sharing it with the GolfWRX community. Thanks for the kind words 'Sakman'!

Visit GolfWRX.com to see all the incredible photos!

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