Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 35

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2003 C7 What's new Bargain tip of the week Cimarron Golf Course, the fourth and final course at Sun City Grand, opened last Friday in Surprise. Designed by Greg Nash, the par-72 course plays at 6,810 yards from the back tees and has water features on nine of the 18 holes. Green fees are $59 (including cart) Monday through Thursday, and $69 Friday through Sunday. Information: delwebb.com or (623) 975-5654. The popular Southwest Section of the PGA of America golf pass is now available for 2003.

The pass has added seven new courses to the program, giving it 50 courses around Arizona, including some of the top-rated layouts in the Valley. It costs $110 and offers discounts up to 50 percent on green fees. Information: southwest.pga.com or (480) 443-9002. The First Tee Name this hole What they're playing The most widely used golf equipment among pros and consumers In 2002, according to the Dan-ell Survey: The Arizona Republic Balls Irons Drivers Fairway woods Putters Wedges PGA Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour 1. Titleist LTaylorMade LTaylorMade LTaylorMade 1.

Titleist 1. Cleveland 2. Callaway 2. Cleveland 2. Titleist 2.

Callaway 2. Odyssey 2. Titleist 3. Nike 3. Titleist 3.

Callaway 3.0rlimar 3. PING 3. PING Low handicappers Low handicappers Low handicappers Low handicappers Low handicappers 4. TaylorMade 1. Titleist 1.

Titleist 1. Titleist 1. Titleist 1. Odyssey 2. Precept 2.Mizuno 2.

TaylorMade 2. Callaway 2. Titleist upH? 3. Callaway 3. Callaway 3.

Callaway 3. PING 3. PING High handicappers High handicappers High handicappers High handicappers High handicappers 1. Titleist 1. Callaway 1.

Callaway 1. Callaway 1. Odyssey 2. Top-Flite 2. PING 2.

TaylorMade 2. TaylorMade 2. PING 3. Pinnacle 3. TaylorMade 3.

PING 3. PING 3. Others '02 in review mm. Correctly identify this par-3 hole on one of the Valley's signature courses, listing the course name and hole number and e-mailing us at holeoftheweekazcentral.com. If you are randomly selected from the correct entries, you will receive a small but fabulous prize.

Last week, 272 people correctly Identified No. 15 at the TPC of Scottsdale. The winner was James de Veuve of Phoenix. 19th hole Phil's Grill, named after Phil Mickelson, is a place where golfers can get their fill of Phil and good food at the same time in a comfortable setting at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale. The menu features tasty treats such as creamy spinach and Odyssey 2-ball putter, TaylorMade fare well By John Davis The Arizona Republic With a vast array of golf equipment available and manufacturers designing future products before their new ones even hit the market, figuring out which clubs and golf balls to use can be as complicated as filling out income-tax forms.

Several factors determine the success of golf equipment, such as what pros are using it, how often they win with it, IS, whether the public accepts it and marketing campaigns that convince golfers to try it. artichoke dip and caramel pecan passion, and the decor features Lefty memorabilia, with photos and a 1999 Ryder Cup pin flag autographed by the entire U.S. team. There's also a daily hole in one board with the names of that day's lucky golfers and a permanent plaque with the names of golfers who have carded aces at Grayhawk. $1 While much of the golf industry struggled, TaylorMade went to the head of the class with its clubs in 2002.

The Darrell Survey, which is the recognized authority in equipment usage, showed that TaylorMade ranked first in three categories drivers, fairway woods and irons among PGA Tour players. Most impressive was its top ranking in irons as it jumped from seventh place in 2001 and replaced Mizuno, which had led the iron category for eight years. It also pulled an upset in the fairway-woods Associated Press Words to golf by category by unseating longtime leader Callaway. tf profanity had an influence on the flight of the ball, the game would be played far better than it is. Titleist ranked first in putters and balls used by the pros, and Cleveland remained first in wedges.

Getting equipped Whether the figures reflect which equipment is better is a matter of debate as the pay-for-play factor must be added to the equation. Last season, for example, Callaway and TaylorMade reportedly offered Phoenix-based PING has become the first equipment-maker to introduce a Web site that allows golfers to design their own putters. By going to PINGgolf.comSpecify, golfers can design a Specify putter. Once created, the golfer can print a picture or have an image e-mailed from PING. The golfer also can locate the nearest retailer to order the putter.

The cost is $175 (there is no charge for creating the design). pros $3,000 per tournament to use their drivers. What the pros use doesn't always translate to what the golfing public Associated Press Sererio Garcia. Mercedes 1 Fairway sightings champion last year, is Tay- i lorMade's marquee pro. See EQUIPMENT Page C9 C0UFS6 SpoUigfli Phantom Horse Golf Course TV talk show host Maury Povlch (below) was at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale last weekend for one round of the Tommy Bahama's tournament.

Povich and partner Peter Kostls had a scramble score of 68, 10 shots behind the leaders, and they withdrew. Officials said they were the first team ever to withdraw from the event and didn't provide a reason, but Gary McCord was more than happy to offer one. "Maury does his best work on TV, interviewing aliens who have been impregnated by earthlings," McCord said. "Like those aliens, he boarded a spaceship, never to be seen again except on his network. And Kostis is flying another spaceship not too far behind him." The last word WHERE: 7777 S.

Pointe Parkway, Phoenix COURSE DESIGNERS: Forrest Richardson and Jack Snyder. RECENT RENOVATION: New greens, tees and bunkers have been constructed along the first four holes, and a new 18th hole was built, featuring an island green in the core of the Pointe South Mountain Resort. VITAL STATISTICS: Par 71 with yardage ranging from 5,451 to 6,336 (ladies tees are Rated at 68.8 with a slope of 124 from the back tees and 64.6 with a slope of 110 from the forward tees. SIGNATURE HOLE: No. 18, a par 4 with a dogleg left, requiring a strategic tee shot to set up a delicate approach to a well-bunkered, island green.

The risk-reward hole features large elevation changes and two landing areas. AMENITIES: The renovation also included a new, ground-level clubhouse that overlooks the new finishing hole, -and the resort added an oasis water park, with slides, a wading pool, spa and a slow-flowing river. CURRENT GREEN FEES: $99 weekdays, $129 weekends. TEE TIMESINFORMATION: (602) 431-6480. 1 11 "If we should fancy that we have mastered golf to the extent that we can go out day after day and play as we please, then we are greater fools than ought to be left at large." Bobby Jones Tim KoorsThe Arizona Republic On tour ps of the week From Tim Mahoney, golf instructor.

Reach him at (480) 850-8633. Grip Using a hook In Arizona January 23-26: Phoenix Open, at TPC of Scottsdale. February 3-4: UA men at PING-Arizona Intercollegiate, Tucson. 27-March 2: Chrysler Classic of Tucson JANUARY Today-Sunday: PGA Mercedes Championship, Kapalua, Hawaii, ESPN. 25-26: LPGA Skins Game, Maui, Hawaii.

25-26: Champions Skins Game, Maui, Hawaii. f' -a Ernie Els is among the favorites at this week's PGA Tour Mercedes Position the ball back in your stance, open your stance slightly to minimize hip rotation, lean your body weight toward the target, lean the shaft forward, flattening your wrist and de-lofting the club, and grip down onto the club. Learn to hook to lower your handicap. Strengthen grip by turning both hands more to the right, ball in the middle of stance, close body lines at address, swing the club more around body and allow arms to release and close clubface at impact. Left-hand checkpoints: heel pad on top, thumb to the back of center and no gap between the thumb and the base of the hand.

Right-hand checkpoints: lifeline covers left thumb, trigger finger positioned at 3 o'clock and no gap between the thumb and the base of the hand. Associated Press 7T PAVILIONLAKES "Scottsdale's Best Golfing Value" 18 Hole Championship Course MWm iiii rwwwmnwrwr "A UMClilditiltll Wft MON-THUH 9 fit FHI-SUN Apache Stronghold. Named by Colfweek as the top-rated public course in Arizona. Packages include greens fee, cart, premium balls, EASONAL AV1NGS IN COTTSDALE Buy Your SWPGA Pass Here Get A Free Round of Got) on Any Mon-Thurs in lanuary Iromood 480-895-0614 Omood 480-895-1159 Before pm Monday-Friday Sal, Sun Holiday $2732 Includes Cart Includes Cart Tax Tax resort room and meal, in ian Larios, 5 minutes east or uoDe on I 39 Before 2:00 pm Hwy. 70.

Call 1 -800-APACHE 8. MOO I 12 Noon Sunday thru 'i it ni 1 'u'i i'l ai1 I (H ifUJ II tU ti' 22 STRONGHOLD I Plus lu. 7 daysMeek. Per psreonMghl. Based on doutts occupancy.

1 Reservations required Not valid with any olnst oHsr Oftoi a(res 13103. After pm Tax With Cart $19 After 2KX)pm Includes Cart Thru Jan. 16, 2003 Thursday 1 Range Token Included with Golf on Sunday Afternoon 1iT "Viewpoint a Return cl ta $10 Mora for Fri.Sat Before Noon Sun Includes Cart Thru Jan. 16, 2003 SWPGA Pass Rate $36 Includes Cart PGA Pass Rate 5 DflGII Includes Cart IIOIM HI Wtl'lOJSSIllI' tJttUK Ask For Details Tin 1pm Tvvilite tPQO 7 Days TBTt a Week NEW FOR 200311 KAAPGA Instructors Full Service Club Repair HatKmaHy Uttogiwwl Mmxtt fqurpmem Analysis 480-948-3370 8870 East Indian Bend aim. i Sat, Sun Holidays Ob Course Restroomt NOW OPEN! Includes Hi.

LZi 1 MOVIM SM -siTN $27 Cart T(4X (0) PrimeWedmlTmtesAdlabk HitM 4iv WiK Tit I TVct CrAt I ja TifiiP Imac nr TVnltn Cml plnM Ckuic fltifn isnw. MtMl iHIHWi ill ffl 'lnr litilnMllMlrlllMhMisT 480-373-5555 Musi pment aiuM)n Ilxpires 12303 Call For Reservations N.E. corner of Warner Greenfield Call (480)503-0500 for Tee-l imes Slin LdkcS 7 Daj' Achancai Tee Tunes Available Call After 10 AM I Osipoii anxl fw A I I I Coiiixin not wilKi w-kiic: yr jfroip play. Ckwdwiuwponoiily.AI! foes ntus at. I I.