JustinLeonard.com

Justin's life is not just about what takes place inside the ropes during TOUR events. Outside the Ropes takes you to those other places with news & notes and occasional "favorites" lists so you can know a little more about Justin.

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Kennebunkport Connections

Justin's Favorites in Dallas

Pros Using Testing Labs to Polish Their Play

Kennebunkport Connections
This wasn't a case of mixing politics and golf. No, sir. When they make a trip to Cape Arundel in Kennebunkport, Maine, it's all about golf for Phil Mickelson, Davis Love, and Justin Leonard. Even when their host is former president George Bush. The trio of PGA Tour stars were guests of the Bush family for the two days in August, then Love and Leonard were back at work at TPC Boston. (Boston.com, August 30, 2007)

Justin’s Favorites
Some of Justin's favorites in his hometown of Dallas

Best breakfast: Breadwinners

Best restaurant (where money is no object): The Mansion on Turtle Creek

Best Mexican food: Javier’s

Best Tex-Mex: Mi Cocina

Best Steak: Bob’s Steak and Chop House

Best pizza: Campisi’s

Best BBQ: Dickey’s

Best bar: The Old Monk

Best margarita: Primo’s

Best ice cream: Wild About Harry’s

Best place to stay: Hotel Crescent Court

Best live music: Deep Ellum Live

Best place to shoot pool: The Loon

Best sports bar: Christie’s

Best place to shop: Highland Park Village

Best view: Reunion Tower

Best public golf course: The Tribute, Bridlewood CC

Best amusement park: Six Flags

Best sports event: Dallas Stars hockey or Dallas Mavericks basketball

Hottest ticket: Tie, Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks

Best one-day road trip: Rough Creek Lodge, Iredell

Best way to look like a Texan: Old jeans, old boots, old white button-down shirt

Biggest giveaway you’re a tourist: New cowboy hat, new boots, new jeans

Pros Using Testing Labs to Polish Their Play
"Launch monitor ready," a computerized voice announces as Justin Leonard sticks a tee in the turf. Next to him, Chris Couch already has learned he's blasted several drives with ball speeds at 180 mph. "C'mon, Justin, hit one hard," Couch teases.

"I'm just getting loosened up," says Leonard, who so far has topped out at 163 mph. A few swings later, Leonard reaches 167 mph and listens intently as the launch monitor's robotic monotone gives him unbiased feedback that also includes the ball's spin rate and launch angle off the clubface.

An extra 4 mph doesn't sound like much, but at the Nike Golf Research and Development facility — and other testing centers across the USA — players thirst for just such an edge, one that might be revealed while hooked up at the launch monitor or putting laboratory and translate into more prize money.