The News-Herald (shockingly) cannot come up with a media credential for me to go to the Masters and walk the hallowed grounds of Augusta National, this blog will have to do. I'll talk more about Augusta next week.
I recently was able to watch Tiger for an extended period of time this past weekend, and it was mystifying to me. I watched him put two balls in the water, and he did not hit a fairway for an entire 9 holes! Heck - I can even do that, and I am not on the PGA. Take me to Thunder Hill in Madison, and I guarantee that a ProV1X or two will get wet.
He talked about him being "close" and that he has more good shots than bad now. He is trying to tune up for Augusta, where he looks for his 5th green jacket. I don't see him being a factor - not this year. I just don't think he has the ball control to master the tight pins at Augusta. I still don't understand why he left Butch Harmon, when he was winning everything. He was even successful with Hank Haney - but felt the need to tinker....Ask Padraig Harrington how his tinkering is going...
I'll be surprised if Tiger wins Augusta...he is not done winning majors, but not ready to win...But I could be wrong...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Bay Hill Awaits...
This week begins as Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Invitational approaches. This is also relevant as Tiger Woods makes one of his last appearances before Augusta National. I am always intrigued about how a man who dominated golf under teacher Butch Harmon around the turn of the century has retooled his swing TWICE already! He had one of the great weeks at the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach, and then thought he needed to change everything....I suppose that is what made him great, but recent events make him seem very mortal. I look forward to seeing his progress this week as he tunes up for the Masters....Let me know your "Tiger thoughts"....
Friday, March 18, 2011
The Importance of Getting Fit...
This is truly a double-entendre - I can talk about getting physically fit, as I am one of the contestants in the News-Herald's weight loss contest for 2011, which is progressing nicely....And I can talk about the need to get your golf clubs fit to your specific frame and swing type. Since this is a golf blog, I think I will focus on the latter. I you want to read my blog and the other contestants in the Lighten Up 2011 blog, you can go to the News-Herald website, and find it in the 'blogs' section.
Let me begin by saying that if you are new to the game, and unsure if you will continue, getting fit may not be for you (yet). You may want to go to Dicks, Golf Galaxy, or even Wal-Mart and buy a set of clubs at a pre-set length. Therefore, if for some reason you stray from the game, your investment will be minimal. Once you are bitten by the golfing bug, you will be hooked and looking to improve.
There are many places that you can get for new clubs. They include golf courses with PGA Professionals on staff, and big box golf stores such as Dicks and Golf Galaxy (which also have PGA Professionals as well). The Pro will measure take some measurements of your body, including your hands, to make sure you get the proper length and grip size. These measurements are vital to your success as the hands are the only thing connected to the club.
Then, you will begin to hit shots with the clubs you have picked out. The pro may have also picked out some clubs for you to hit based on a discussion about your game. The pro will probably put some impact tape on the bottom of a few of the clubs, and have you hit on a plastic board to see how upright or flat your swing is. Once this is determined, they put it all together, and have a baseline for you to now order your clubs.
I have been fit twice so far in my golfing career, and it has helped my game immensely. My latest fitting came a few months ago, when I ended up selecting PING G15's over other comparable brands. To give you an idea on how I am different than the "average" set of clubs, my club are 1 1/4 inches longer, have 4 degrees upright loft, and have jumbo grips (as I have large hands). When I have to play with a "normal" set of clubs, they look like matchsticks due to the fact that I am almost 6' 4".
The best part about getting fit? IT'S FREE if your are going to be buying a set! The factory makes a special set just for you, and it gets shipped to either your house or the store, where you can try them out! What a deal! Getting fit really helps your game, and if you are serious about golf, I encourage you to get out and get fit! Please also go talk to your local PGA professional! He or she can really help your game! If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Let me begin by saying that if you are new to the game, and unsure if you will continue, getting fit may not be for you (yet). You may want to go to Dicks, Golf Galaxy, or even Wal-Mart and buy a set of clubs at a pre-set length. Therefore, if for some reason you stray from the game, your investment will be minimal. Once you are bitten by the golfing bug, you will be hooked and looking to improve.
There are many places that you can get for new clubs. They include golf courses with PGA Professionals on staff, and big box golf stores such as Dicks and Golf Galaxy (which also have PGA Professionals as well). The Pro will measure take some measurements of your body, including your hands, to make sure you get the proper length and grip size. These measurements are vital to your success as the hands are the only thing connected to the club.
Then, you will begin to hit shots with the clubs you have picked out. The pro may have also picked out some clubs for you to hit based on a discussion about your game. The pro will probably put some impact tape on the bottom of a few of the clubs, and have you hit on a plastic board to see how upright or flat your swing is. Once this is determined, they put it all together, and have a baseline for you to now order your clubs.
I have been fit twice so far in my golfing career, and it has helped my game immensely. My latest fitting came a few months ago, when I ended up selecting PING G15's over other comparable brands. To give you an idea on how I am different than the "average" set of clubs, my club are 1 1/4 inches longer, have 4 degrees upright loft, and have jumbo grips (as I have large hands). When I have to play with a "normal" set of clubs, they look like matchsticks due to the fact that I am almost 6' 4".
The best part about getting fit? IT'S FREE if your are going to be buying a set! The factory makes a special set just for you, and it gets shipped to either your house or the store, where you can try them out! What a deal! Getting fit really helps your game, and if you are serious about golf, I encourage you to get out and get fit! Please also go talk to your local PGA professional! He or she can really help your game! If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Beginning...
I'd like to begin by thanking the News-Herald for letting me blog about golf...something that is a passion and a hobby of mine. I read GolfWeek, Golf World, Golf Digest, Golf, and the Global Golf Post weekly, as well as follow the PGA, Champions, and LPGA tours each week.
I have volunteered for the past three years as a walking scorer at the LPGA Tournament in Toledo, and was also lucky enough to do the same for the Senior PGA Championship when it was in Canterbury. I was paired with Jay Haas for one of the rounds, and it was a great event I will never forget.
Additionally, I coach golf at the high school level as well as work a local golf course in the summer when school is out. I welcome any questions or suggestions you may have, as this blog will continue to evolve as time passes. The picture above is me playing with my best friend in Phoenix, another hotbed of golf. There is an amazing amount of great courses in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area - a future topic, I'm sure! I look forward to you reading and enjoying my blog...
I have volunteered for the past three years as a walking scorer at the LPGA Tournament in Toledo, and was also lucky enough to do the same for the Senior PGA Championship when it was in Canterbury. I was paired with Jay Haas for one of the rounds, and it was a great event I will never forget.
Additionally, I coach golf at the high school level as well as work a local golf course in the summer when school is out. I welcome any questions or suggestions you may have, as this blog will continue to evolve as time passes. The picture above is me playing with my best friend in Phoenix, another hotbed of golf. There is an amazing amount of great courses in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area - a future topic, I'm sure! I look forward to you reading and enjoying my blog...
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