GolfShot for Golf News

It is cited in a few places that it was the Chinese who first invented golf, then again, some also claim that the phrase ‘he who has the fastest golf buggy will never play from a bad lie’ was first uttered by Confucius, so it would seem this is a case of poetic licence. Nobody can argue the fact however that the Chinese seem determined to reinvent the game of golf, and in particular, the professional game.

We all know that the only way of inciting a genuine revolution amongst the plus foured brigade is to throw big money at those who are known to be enticed by the powerful greenback. These are the ones whose wallets are in apoplexy as China makes its bid to be at the forefront of the would be Asia annexation of the sport. What has happened in the last few days emphasises this gold plated point.

Over in Malaysia, the PGA Tour has been hosting second CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, where a 48 strong field were playing for a prize fund totalling £3.7m, or $6m. There were some big names there playing for the big money, but unfortunately for those Us officials desperate to get a firm foothold in Asia, it was far from the biggest event in the East at the time.

That honour goes to the Shanghai Masters, even though this tournament doesn’t carry any kind of official status and has had scant pre-publicity. Anyone who doubts the Chinese current obsession with golf has to look no further than the north of the city and the Lake Malaren Golf Resort.

The official prize fund is $5, and this is the only area that the Malaysian money spinner beats it. The Shanghai Masters not only boasts the highest first prize in golf, a whopping $2m, but the Independent Newspaper has discovered that is also has a budget of $20m. The insider said that the appearance fees paid to the top golfer at least matches the $5 purse, and are probably closer to $8-10m.

With money like this up for grabs, it is little wonder that no less than 30 of the finest golfers in the world, including Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel, Padraig Harrington and several other winners of majors, have take the long flight east. The biggest concern for the PGA Tour, who obviously thought that the third week in October in Asia would be all theres, is the fact that many US golfer chose to go to Shanghai instead.

Notable players such as Anthony Kim, Jin Furyk, USPGA champ Keegan Bradley and Hunter Mahan, who the PGA think of a their own, showed that allegiance  to the Yen outweighs any other.

If you are a fan of you won't have failed to notice the recent upsurge in form of the young Irishman Rory McIlroy. His step into history came about in June 2011 when he lifted the US open Trophy at Bethesda, Maryland, setting several course records in the process.

His is the name on everyone's lips at the minute and one of the worlds' leading sports brands, Oakley, are giving you the chance to meet the man himself. They have once again blurred the line between reality and fantasy and created a Rory McIlroy challenge as part of their You vs series.

After the success of their challenge against top cyclist Mark Cavendish, the second challenge in the series is this one against McIlroy. The first part of the challenge is a question and answer session, where you get to test your knowledge of course management and also your skill in making decisions.

What club would you use on the 5^th hole at St. Andrews is the type of question you will be asked, your decisions are turned into video form where McIlroy plays the round against the round you have played as per  your answers. The video is shot is a brilliant style that gives a cool point of view over the proceedings, and is an incredibly engaging game, with superb graphics and interaction.

This gives you a real insight into the kind of quick decision making is need to get to the top of the golfing game. If you go onto Oakley’s Facebook page and click on like, the game will also be personalised. The competition gets serious at the 18^th hole, if you have made the best decisions, and beat Rory McIlroy, you could be one of the lucky few to meet the charming Irishman and walk around a course with him, and see him in action close up.

Spread the word about this great contest through your social media accounts, and share the link to the great video, which includes a great showcase of some of the best Oakley sportswear including the Fast Jacket eyewear and their superb golfing apparel.

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Viral video by ebuzzing

To help golfers in choosing the right equipment and improving their game, Direct Golf UK, the leading multi-channel golf retailer, is unveiling an exciting new channel. Launched online last week, the Direct Golf TV is a new service that is designed to bring golfers impartial and informative video reviews of all the new golf equipment and videos on golf tips, drills and exclusive special offers from Direct Golf UK.

The new channel attempts to improve on the entire shopping experience for all at Direct Golf UK. Golfers need to be able to make sound decisions on purchases of equipment because of the amount available so the goal is to aid the golfer in finding the right equipment for their game says Neil Bell, Managing Director.

The new channel has golf tips, drills from leading coaches, and a comprehensive guide to helping your shopping experience to be quick and simple. Everything the customer may need or want is available on Direct Golf UK.

This investment follows the opening recently of stores in Reading, Milton Keynes, Peterborough and Farnborough is intended to further enhance the company’s commitment to customer service, great stock and the best prices in the UK.

Alvaro Quiros, may be the longest driver on the European Tour, however he is clearly no actor as you will see from the outtakes from his involvment with Callaway’s Demon Drive Challenge.

Callaway’s new online game, the Demon Drive Challenge (www.demon-drive.com), gives a whole new meaning to the words ‘brute force’, with players competing against each other to achieve the longest drive – and win a new Diablo Edge, or Diablo Tour Driver.

Imagine Golf Club (www.imaginegolfclub.com), the world’s biggest golf club, together with Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda have launched a new online golf game SLAM-DUNK whereby players get to compete against the four major golf tournament winners of 2009 in a nearest-to-the-pin challenge to coincide with the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at the Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda, on October 20 and 21.

Participation is free to all golf fans and prizes include golf holidays to Bermuda, loads of golf equipment and a random prize draw, so everyone entering has an equal chance of being a winner. All you have to do is make sure you slam it on the green, not dunk it in the water.? The game is played on one of the toughest holes in golf. The 16th at Port Royal, is a 235-yard battle of nerves over the Atlantic ocean. As you stand on the tee box, there’s a fair chance that if the gusting coastal wind doesn’t get you, the waves crashing onto the pink Bermudan shore below will.

This hole will be one of the highlights of the forthcoming tournament – acknowledged as the most difficult competition to qualify for in world golf. The Grand Slam features a four- man shootout between the winners of the major golf tournaments in 2009.

Slam-Dunk will provide the first opportunity for millions of golf fans following the Grand Slam of Golf to pit their wits against the four majors winners – Angel Cabrera, Lucas Glover, Stewart Cink and YE Yang – in a real-time shootout at the 16th.? ?Here’s how…? ?Gamers will be able to play the Slam-Dunk game throughout October. There will be a host of prizes up for grabs during this pre-tournament warm-up, including a holiday in Bermuda for two people.? ?During the PGA Grand Slam of Golf tournament itself, however, players will get the chance to play the hole twice, head-to-head with the majors winners, in a nerve-jangling nearest-to-the-pin shootout.

Slam-Dunk players who beat the pros will receive a signed certificate from Port Royal Golf Course to commemorate their achievement, while the outright winner of this shootout against the stars will receive a holiday for two people to Bermuda. There will also be a host of top prizes available for the runners-up, as well as a number of special prize draws throughout the month of practice and during tournament time, which means everyone who enters gets has a chance to win.? ?All you have to do to play Slam-Dunk at ImagineGolfClub.com is register your details and play the game at www.imaginegolfclub.com/slam-dunk.htm