Golf Review: Top Flite Golf Shoes- 6/14/08

Comments: Picked up these Top Flite sneaker golf shoes at clearance at Target a while back. I wanted a golf shoe that was more inclined for walking the golf course than my previous Dunlop Sport saddle shoes so when I saw these sneaker types on sale I grabbed them.

Nothing too fancy about these Top Flite golf shoes. Mainly white with navy blue trim and the bottom has orange accents with stabilizers. Comes with meal thread Top Flite branded spikes. After I wore the spikes down I replaced them with Pulsar spikes but one thread on a spike from the originals has worn down so I could not rip it off at all. So the bottom of one shoe has all but one new spikes on it.

Cleaning is easy, just wash and scrub with a brush, I did add in gels for the long walks since the padded insoles were thin for me. It's not water proof so be careful on wet and muddy courses. The shoe has held up for me with only one cut inflicted on it after two full seasons.

Score: 2.75 out of 5. Lower rating because of the defective spike thread and limited water proof abilities.

Golf Review: Dunlop Sport Saddle Golf Shoes Golf Shoes- 6/13/08

Comments: I purchased these Dunlop Sport saddle golf shoesand wore them for about 10 rounds of golf and I can attest that they feel very comfortable.

As you can see from the photos, the shoe is in good condition, spikes are original Dunlop spikes. There are scuff and marks on the toe of the shoes as well as on some sections of the heel area since I used these shoes when I rode golf carts and I tend to scuff my shoes on the pedals.

I do wish there was more cushioning in the show, I had to add in some gel pads for walking rounds so I usually kept these shoes as backups for when I rode golf carts and switched to my more sneaker-like Top Flite shoes for walking. I did get this shoe back in Maui at the local Walmart there for a low price and brought it back to So. Cal as my first official golf shoe. A good beginner's shoe for the price, less than $30.00 retail, but it does scuff easily.

Dunlop Sport Features & Specifications

Lace up these lightweight shoes for a day on the course. Maximum comfort comes from the cushioned footbed and rubber outsole. Synthetic leather helps with breathability and supports all ranges of motion. Get ready for tee time.

Dunlop Sport Shoes Product Details:

-Comfortable golf shoes with brown shoelaces
-Synthetic leather upper
-Cushioned footbed
-Lightweight rubber outsole
-Original Dunlop spikes with one Softspikes replacement
-Care: Wipe clean

Score: 2.75 out of 5

Golf Review: FootJoy Impulse Golf Shoes- 6/13/08

Comments: The FootJoy Impulse shoes are made on a low-profile last featuring a modified oblique-toe design, which is a very popular look in casual shoe styling.

The FootJoy Impulse golf shoe is built for the green or even the red carpet. A combination of great metro styling with great fit, comfort and support. Soft full grain leather uppers. Low profile EVA midsol.

I just purchased this FootJoy Impulse shoes and wore them for just one round of golf and felt very comfortable. I have to say from just wearing it for one round compared to my previous Top Flite golf shoe, the Impulse is very light and padded so well that my feet and legs did not get as tired as with my previous shoes.

FootJoy Impulse Golf Shoe Features

Inspired by the spirit of the younger golfer - and to help score with a younger demographic - FootJoy introduced a new shoe line called Impulse that offers the unique "metro styling" seen in the trendiest areas of the world. The FootJoy Impulse shoes are made on a low-profile style featuring a modified oblique-toe design, which is a very popular look in casual shoe styling. The new category represents a fresh new attitude in men's golf shoe fashion.

The Impulse golf shoes are made using fashionable full grain leather uppers with a waterproof membrane, allowing the shoe to have limited waterproof ability. The shoe also features super thick PU-cushioned Fit-Bed and soft PU linings for comfort and improved cushioning. The outsole incorporates a TPU lateral stability bridge and a DuraMax rubber outsole for maximum durability.

Upper Technology
- Soft & fashionable full grain leather uppers
- 2-yr ltd. waterproof warranty

Outsole Technology - DuraMax rubber outsole - Pulsar cleats In- shoe Technology - Dual density PU Fit-Bed - Dri-Lex moisture wicking linings - Slip last construction - New low profile Driving Last

Score: 3.5 out of 5

Movie Review: The Incredible Hulk (2008)- 6/13/08

Comments: I thought the movie was so-so, the handling of the Abomination at the end was not thoroughly explained. Once the solider changes he starts thrashing the city and so they have to let Banner take him out?

This one played more of a cat and mouse thriller than the Ang Lee psychological version. Too me it felt more like a beefed up version of the Bruce Bixby show, still I did like some of the homages to the t.v. and comic sources. There are about three main action scenes with the Hulk and only one where he has some problems (the fight with The Abomination monster). There was never a sense of danger for Banner in the movie for me, not even at the end when he throws himself out of a flying helicopter. I do like how the super soldier is shown juicing up to match the Hulk, though adding extra screen time for his character would have been better than the scenes with Banner and Betty Ross which was standard movie fare and didn't add a real romance aspect to the story.

I liked Ang Lee's version for the more insightful dealings with Banner's psyche and where the Hulk comes from in his mind. This 2008 version I dig for the more closely comic book related origin and homages. Gonna have to watch Lee's version again to compare. I do prefer Eric Bana and Jennifer Connelly's representation for their character's and Norton's and Tyler's seem comic-lite.

Not as good as Iron Man though, time to see if Dark Knight topples it as the comic movie of 2008.

Score: 2.75 out of 5

Golf Course Review: UPDATE Casta Del Sol Golf Course, Mission Viejo, CA- 6/11/08

I've just received this email from Casta Del Sol Golf Course in Mission Viejor today announcing their new tiered greens fee program. Prior to this Casta Del Sol in my opinion was the best deal for a short, but full 18 hole golf course in Orange County.

After 1:00 p.m. you would pay only $12 to walk the course which usually take 3-3.5 hours to complete. That cost was even cheaper than paying the $12-14 to play at the nearby 9-hole Lake Forrest Golf Center (underwhelming if you ask me and overpriced).

Now the new fees at Casta Del Sol you can pay the $12.00 only after 4:00 p.m. I wonder if it's the economic slowdown, need to generate more cash, or to break the pace of play from so many people playing during the twilight rates. I'm guessing it's #2 since so many people play during twilight (1:00 p.m. and after) before that the course was routinely backed-up a short bit so increasing the fees should hopefully liven up the pace of play.

It's fair enough for the 4:00 p.m. players to pay $12 still and should still be able to finish the full 18 holes during the long Summer hours. The $9 for post 6:00 p.m. is a joke though, you'd be lucky to get 5-6 holes in Summer.

New Casta Del Sol Twilight Tier Rates for June 2008
Valid Monday-Friday, until June 27th, 2008

2:00pm-3:00pm $17.00 Walking
3:00pm-4:00pm $14.00 Walking
4:00pm-6:00pm $12.00 Walking
After 6:00pm $9.00 Walking

Add a 1/2 Cart Fee for $10.00 from 2pm-6pm and an $8.00 Fee after 6:00pm.

Movie Review: Kung Fu Panda- 6/10/08

Comments: I didn't have high expectations from this movie but after reading some positive reviews I decided to check it out. It's a pretty funny and light-hearted romp in animal-infused China with a hilarious Po the Panda by Jack Black. All-star voice cast lends it's talents to this fast-paced film, runs about 88 minutes so there are not a lot of slow meandering moments.

A DreamWorks Animated Film, I didn't like their recent Shrek 2 or 3 movies so I was pleasantly surprised at the subtle jokes and kooky plots that didn't have to rely on crude humor like the Shrek series has become. The story is pretty standard hero comes from unlikely background then learns martial arts after a hilarity-infused training and defeats the bad guy.

I do wish they delved more into the background of the main bad guy (I think he was a snow leopard) and the Five Masters. Still with the brief running time you'll barely have time to use the bathroom during the film, so go beforehand!

Score: 4 out of 5

Book Review: Small Is the New Big: and 183 Other Riffs, Rants, and Remarkable Business Ideas- 6/10/08

Comments: "Small Is the New Big" is another business marketing book by Seth Godin that I've read. A pretty light and quick read that explains streamlining your marketing business by simplifying and bringing your message to the masses by staying small and keeping ideas fresh and innovative.

I did have some problems with some of the author's view points where it seems like he does think pretty full of himself and his ideas (he's started his own companies, worked at fledgling Yahoo!, etc.) that I've found some of his examples full of holes and easily explainable outside his own thoughts.

What's missing here is that the author doesn't try and challenge his own ideas or try and be his own devil's advocate (a basic rule of thumb) and that's what ultimately brings his ideas down a notch in my viewpoint. He also seems to point out the same websites or companies as examples in his books, especially his own company Squidoo (which according to him is the best thing since processed cheese and I think is another social bookmarking site with no big whoop to it).

Overall still the notes and examples are interesting and this book can help you think of new or reinvent your marketing ideas.

Score: 3 out of 5