Tiger’s Dilema

photo credit: Keith Allison   As the Woods controversy unravels, Tiger finds himself hunkered down in his home near Orlando, Florida like a bear in hibernation.  What some would call the world’s greatest athlete is in hiding and refuses to answer to police or the press after he was found unconscious lying next to his wrecked SUV.

Woods is used to being coddled by the press, his fans and his sponsors, why then should he expect anything different now?  After all, he’s only a stone’s throw away from being the first athlete billionaire.   

His sponsors (10 and climbing), and the press, consider him their cash-cow, who can do no wrong.  The time has come for everyone to get to know the real Tiger Woods and we may not be happy with what we see !

Twenty-One

photo credit: mrnoy9n   Strengthen your concentration by playing Twenty-One on the practice green.  Twenty-One is a game you can play, on the practice green, with another player whenever you have a chance.  Each player alternates selecting a target hole, of any length, or difficulty.  If a player sinks their first putt they get five points.  The player closer to the hole after each has hit their first putt, gets one point.  If you three-putt, your opponent gets three points.  The first player to get twenty-one points wins.

This is a game that emphasizes accurate lag putting and stimulates the pressure on short putts that you feel out on the course when competing in a match.  It is an excellent way to focus on your putting while practicing at the same time.

Thoughts From the Famous

photo credit: the_tahoe_guy   HENRY WORDSWORTH = “Golf is a day spent in a round of strenuous idleness.”  HORACE HITCHENSON = “If profanity had an influence on the flight of the ball, the game of golf would be played far better than it is.”  JOHN UPDIKE = “Golf appeals to the idiot in us and the child.  Just how childlike golf players become is proven by their frequent inability to count past five.”  MARK  TWAIN = “It’s good sportsmanship not to pick up lost balls while they are still rolling.”  HARRY VARDON = “Don’t play too much golf.  Two rounds a day are plenty.”

FOOT NOTE:  If you have any famous quotes or sayings that you would like to share, please send them to us !

Try a 3 Club Round

photo credit: Mark Heard   Some golf clubs hold special tournaments that limit the participants to five or six clubs.  Three clubs could be a happy medium.

For tee shots on longer holes, perhaps you could choose a five -or seven-metal wood, or a three-hybrid.  Either can be used for knock-down shots for more distance, if necessary.  They can also be used for long chip and run shots.  For approach shots, or shots near the green (and/or sand), a seven-iron is ideal.  You can open or close the face to adjust the ball’s trajectory for high lob shots or low chip and run shots.  The third choice is the putter. 

Playing in a group, where everyone is using  just 3 clubs, is a real challenge.  Try it the next time you play !

The Dreaded 2-Iron

photo credit: mrnoy9n   There is no doubt that the 2-iron is a difficult club to hit (enter the hybrids).  With a little practice, you can hit the 2-iron as good as any other club in your bag.  There are only a few minor changes needed to make solid contact.

Common Mistakes:  Deceleration into the ball causing fat shots – Too much backswing extension, causing too much club-speed into the ball.

Tips:  1)  Keep your hands ahead of the ball to encourage a clean, powerful downward strike into the back of the ball.  2)  Position the ball slightly forward of center.  3)  Stand with feet shoulder-width apart (do not take an overly wide stance).  4)  Make a smooth stroke and be sure to incorporate a full follow-through.  4)  Keep the swing short and firm.

Michelle Wie’s First LPGA Victory

photo credit: Keith Allison   The LPGA desperately needed Michelle Wie’s first LPGA victory at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, in Guadalajara, Mexico, as much as she did.  At the age of 16, Wie became an instant millionaire when she turned pro and received a huge endorsement from Nike.  Now at age 20, Wie’s career has taken many turns, mostly downward.  

Last year (2008), Wie had to go back to Q school to re-qualify for the LPGA tour.  After one disappointment after another, Wie finally got to kiss an LPGA trophy.  This bodes well for the LPGA Tour, which has had sinking ratings and poor attendance at tournament events.

“I didn’t think I would cry but I did.  It was everything I expected and more,” she said.  “It’s been long overdue,” Wie exclaimed.

Check Your Takeaway

photo credit: mrnoy9n   One of the keys to a good golfswing is a smooth takeaway.  Its not uncommon for some players to jerk the club back with their wrists and hands.  Doing so,  can destroy any possibility of executing a good swing since it usually results in a loss of balance and coordination. 

The backswing should be started with the shoulders, while the hands and wrists remain passive.  Once the clubhead is about a foot behind the ball, the wrists start to hinge slightly.  Using the shoulders to start the backswing encourages a good body turn which results in greater power.

DRILL:  When in the address position, place another ball directly behind your clubhead.  Upon starting the backswing, roll the ball backwards (out of the way) with your clubhead.  This promotes the proper takeaway.

Use an Umbrella

photo credit: matsuyuki   If you are having problems with your pitch shots, its probably because you don’t pitch to a specific target.  Scratch players try to land their shot on a specific target.  You can use a mark on the green as the target you want the ball to land on.  Visualize landing the shot somewhere in a two foot circle around the target you have chosen.

TIP:  During your next practice session, use an umbrella.  Place the umbrella 10 yards from you and pitch for the inside of the umbrella.  Continue this at 10 yard increments, until you reach 50 yards (if room allows).  Don’t vary your tempo for more distance, just increase the length of your backswing.  This drill is an excellent way to sharpen your short game.

Aim Away From Trouble

photo credit: Kevitivity   Every good golf hole has some sort of trouble that lurks, whether it be fairway traps, water, trees, desert, culverts etc.  The trouble is usually quite obvious from the tee, a good golfer must learn to stay clear of these hazards. 

HOW TO:  Make full use of the teeing area.  Tee up on the side where trouble is and aim in the opposite direction.  If the ball starts in the direction you started it in (away from trouble), it requires the width of the entire fairway to come back into the trouble area.  If you aim in the center of the fairway (normal shot) you have half the width of the fairway to get into trouble.  Aiming away from trouble increases your margin of error by 50%.  The odds of success increase dramatically !

Learn the Turn

photo credit: nsaplayer   The turn is the most important part of the golf swing.  Many amateurs often wonder how the PGA Tour players hit the ball as far as they do.  The answer is resistance in the backswing.  Making a full turn generates torque and torque means power.  One of the critical factors is achieving a great deal of width on the backswing.  More width means greater clubhead speed resulting in more distance.

THE TURN:  On the backswing, rotate your shoulders until your front shoulder is directly under your chin at the top of the backswing.  Transfer your weight from the lead to the back leg as you turn away.  Make sure your takeaway is slow, smooth, low and on an inside path.

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