Monday, May 31, 2010

Can Simple Breathing Improve Your Golf Swing?

Can Simple Breathing Improve Your Golf Swing?

This week I will be hunting down some articles or pieces on the mental side of golf. I have always been very skeptical about this part of golf instruction because it is so difficult to prove it's effectivness. So much of it is so vague. But, I will keep an open mind and see what we get.

Freddie Couples golf shoes

Ecco street premier are the shoes he made famous at the Masters. A buddy has a pair and loves them but I am not seeing how they can be worth almost $200.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Bobby Jones

Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004) . Watching it on golf channel right now. Pretty good, with descent swings by the actors.

Funniest quote:  ...of Walter Hagen, one of the competitors says, "Walter Hagen: I heard he has broken all eleven of the 10 commandments."

And the plot thickens

Police Raid Doctor of Erica Blasberg

Zach Attack

We are fans of Zach Johnson. My youngest has the same name and his nickname is Zach Attach. Johnson is a class act and by all accounts is a very hard worker. So congrats to him on a fine win.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Another young player to watch

Kevin Chappell will win on the PGA tour one day. Mark my words. I have had the good fortune of playing with him often. He is a fierce competitor and exudes confidence on the course.

He also has a great caddy in Brandon Christianson who played with him at UCLA. Brandon came to me as a 9 yr. old and I have had the pleasure of working with him since.

Daly shoots highest score of day

Colonial Golf Leaderboard ... 75 must have felt like a million. This is the tough part for Daly, hanging in there for an entire tournament. If you don't demonstrate perseverance at all times a 4 round tournament will expose your weakness.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Freddie, Freddie, Freddie

Senior PGA Championship Second Round:

BP using golf balls to stop the leak

But Making Little Headway on Leaking Well .... dang.

The human rain delay

Crane aces No. 13 and I am happy for him. He seems like a very nice guy. But he has to be the slowest player I have ever seen. I hate slow play... always have and always will.

Movie stars playing U.S. Open courses

Mark Wahlberg Prepares For Pebble . He does sound competitive... but my guess is he shoots over 92 at pebble.

The President and his golf

For Obama, Golfing Is a Very Leisurely Pursuit . Golf can be an escape (if you let it be) and I will bet it's a well deserved escape for any President.

Ben Hogan Swing


Our Friday Mr. Hogan segment.
Since we have a 3 day weekend and hopefully plenty of golf for you all... an extra long Mr. Hogan piece here. Enjoy.

Crowne Plaza Colonial

Phil Mickelson to miss cut . Come on, get it over with. Phil needs to take the number 1 spot and when Tiger starts to get it together we start this rivalry in earnest.

Pavin, Tiger and the Ryder Cup

Golf Blog debate on Corey Pavin and his comments regarding Tiger and Ryder Cup. I will say it again... if he is breathing.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

John Daley played well ... Phil tied for 89th - ugh

Golf Scores -

Jan Stephenson talks about friendship with Mr. Hogan

Remembering Ben Hogan ---- any new story I find about Mr. Hogan makes on this blog.

Freddie

Couples' back is suffering from busy schedule. I wish he could play 52 weeks a year. I don't think I am alone on that one.

U.S. Open: Tom Watson

I think Tom Watson is one of the classiest golfers of all time. I would love to see him play well at Pebble because I think he can still compete.... after all, he was one club choice away from the British Open title last year, and he is 59 yrs. old. Awesome.

Jessica's "Daily Affirmation"


This is the daily affirmation of all time. I am thinking I should affirm my love for golf in this way... sans diapers, of course.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

I did all that?

After a particularly poor game of golf, a popular club member skipped the clubhouse and started to go home. As he was walking to the parking lot to get his car, a policeman stopped him and asked, "Did you tee off on the sixteenth hole about twenty minutes ago?"

"Yes," the golfer responded.

"Did you happen to hook your ball so that it went over the trees and off the course?"

"Yes, I did. How did you know?" he asked.

"Well," said the policeman very seriously, "Your ball flew out onto the highway and crashed through a driver's windshield. The car went out of control, crashing into five other cars and a fire truck. The fire truck couldn't make it to the fire, and the building burned down. So, what are you going to do about it?"


The golfer thought it over carefully and responded...


"I think I'll close my stance a little bit, tighten my grip and lower my right thumb."

Nicklaus speaks

Nicklaus thinks Pavin needs "brain scan: like I said, If Tiger is breathing he is on the team.

Mark Calcavecchia

Mark Calcavecchia to end PGA Tour career at Memorial : I think Calc will win on the old guy tour for sure. And I love his anti-hook move with his lower body. Watch the slide in that back foot when you see him next.

Old Macdonald: the newest course at Bandon Dunes

Bandon Dunes Debuts Old Macdonald: Man, I wanna' play here.

Smokin' hot

Golf Balls Hot List:

Line up

Lining up the ball while putting is not an exact science - Frank Thomas - Equipment Insider : I have never been able to understand why someone would not line up the ball (and a line on the ball) with the intended target line. My advice to Brian in this article is learn how to line up the putter to the line on the ball to the target line by practicing. If it looks goofy to your eye at first.... then practice until it doesn't look goofy.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Oregon

Family-friendly golf resorts in Oregon : I took the family to Sunriver, Oregon a while back.... we had a blast.

Tiger feeling better

Tiger Woods expected to play Memorial : How is it that the guy plays and wins (in an extra day playoff) the U.S. Open with a broken leg and a completely torn up knee, yet drops out of the Players? I played with a Chiropractor last week who said this kind of neck injury is no big deal. Needless to say, I expected this news.

Monday, May 24, 2010

This is one funny golf swing


This guy is really working hard on the stuff I taught him in the last lesson.... kidding.

Corey Pavin: Tiger Woods not automatic for Ryder Cup team - ESPN

Yeah, right. Tiger Woods is on the team if he is breathing.

Scotty Cameron

Scotty Cameron - Newport 2 Mid Slant : A while back I mentioned that I have the "I wants" for one of these... thought I would mention it again in case Mrs.SwingDoc missed it the first time.

I hope it stays that way

Gulf Coast's scenic beaches, golf courses open for business despite oil spill

Ben Hogan 1953


I usually do a Friday Mr. Hogan clip but, what the heck, may as well have a Monday clip as well.

Over 30 hrs. of U.S. Open coverage

U.S. Open Coverage : I can't wait.

Monday dreams of Bandon Dunes

Away Game: Bandon Dunes Buddies Trips : I have a student who worked on a documentary about this track. He is playing it on opening day, June 1. I'm jealous, how about you?  Have fun Craig Bench.

More on Jason Day

The 18th made it tough on Day, but it was worth it in the end . The problem with finishing your first winning tournament with a 2 over par round and a very messy 18th hole, is that those two facts are now in the back of your mind when you face this challenge again. He made the lengthy putt on 18 after a poor pitch... after he watched Blake Adams miss his putt and knew he only needed to 2 putt to win.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Byron Nelson Championship Leaderboard

PGATOUR.com Like Nick Faldo said, "good 'Day' mate". Jason Day is a great young player and even though his 18th hole was a little messy, he gets his first win.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Spieth still in contention at Byron Nelson - Duramed Futures Tour - CBSSports.com

Spieth shoots 67 --- apparently the kid can do more than putt like a 16 yr. old... a whole bunch more.

Tiger Woods 2010 Masters - Hole #2


OK, let's do some Tiger analysis. His back swing is terrific, huge turn, more on plane after much work with Hank Haney, great structure with his right leg at the top, etc... The problem is when he over accelerates his arms as his lower body shuts down through impact. The right arm is too straight at impact. The rapid roll of the wrists at the end of those speedy arms makes consistent club face alignment difficult. His through swing to follow through and then to his finish is off plane (and therefore down the target line instead of in and up the plane) because of this. When it gets real bad for Tiger you can slow down video and see that his legs go almost completely stagnant and too straight through impact.
If Woods ever learns how to use that lower body correctly and tie his arms into his trunk, he could be good. Ha. But seriously, it could be scary how well he could hit it if he understood that concept.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Golf: The perfect first date.

Golf: The perfect first date. The best place for singles golf dating is at Golfmates.com! I bet if you are a slicer and she is a hooker you won't need this site.

16 years old!

PGATOUR.COM - A very surreal -- and historic -- day for this teenage amateur . I remember seeing a questionaire done by tour pros years ago. When asked the question; "at what age did you putt best" the answer was averaged out to .... 16 yrs. old. Mmmm.

Rickie Fowler missed cut

Rickie Fowler - Golf - CBSSports.com PGA No more predictions from me.... till next week.

Ryder Cup secrets

Paul Azinger book excerpt, Ryder Cup secrets : He is an ultra competitive guy that you just gotta love.

Paul Azinger is a stud

Cracking the Code: The Winning Ryder Cup Strategy: Make It Work for You is a book I want to get. You can support this site by ordering from this link.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Ben Hogan Swing Step by step 2

Here is your friday offering of Mr. Hogan. Enjoy.

His arms look as soft in this footage as I have ever seen.

Ricky Fowler

Oops... 2 over with two holes to play. Either he goes low, low tomorrow or I prove I am no Nostradamus. Check earlier posting for prediction.

Brad Faxon playing well

HP Byron Nelson Championship « PGATOUR.com Live Report ... watch Faxon if you get a chance, his mistake in his full stroke is when he independantly shoves his elbow during his downstroke. Then watch how he putts and do that... every time... forever.

Truth & rumors: Tiger may not get belted - Press Tent

Tiger would not have heard this kinda talk if his womanizing scandal had not hit last year. And I don't think this guy would have had the guts to say it back then.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Fairmont Chateau Whistler hotel golf course hosts playful bear cubs ...... uh, you get the flag.

Hugh Hefner - 1 - Tiger Woods Peanut Gallery - Photos - Golf.com

Anyone else find it difficult to look to Hugh Hefner for advice on this stuff?

Documents: Doctor made many trips, injected athletes with HGH - CBSSports.com

Doctor made many trips, injected athletes with HGH . This is the doctor that did the platelet spinning for Tiger. What in God's name is Tiger doing associating with this guy? Let's say Tiger was never, ever doing any performance enhancement drugs, fine, but the question is why would he even open himself up to speculation? Woods is a multi-million dollar corporation in and of himself, why would his handlers allow this? Geez whiz.

What they said: Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler is the real deal. I think he will win on tour soon. His swing has me concerned because it looks like a stressfull move on his back. But here is the deal with this kid... I have two students that tell me this guy has no fear. I think that is the single most important ingredient in the makeup of a winner. Here is the money quote from one student. "He (Fowler) is the most confident person I have ever met". When I followed up that comment with the question "is he arrogant?" and he answered no, I knew I had a new favorite young player to root for. I like him to finish better than 5th.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Ireland Golf Vacations

Play Ireland Golf Courses. Why not, the Euro is falling... and falling.

Tiger Woods's doctor Anthony Galea charged with distributing PEDs to NFL players - Tours & News - Golf.com

Tiger Woods's doctor Anthony Galea charged with distributing PEDs - Uh oh.

Erica Blasberg's Parents Speak Out; Father Claims It Wasn't Suicide -- Golf FanHouse

Dealing with the fact that a loved one is gone is brutal. Dealing with it while the media watches and speculates about it must be unbearable.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Greg Mchatton Golf Swing

I had the pleasure of hanging out with my mentor today. Gregg McHatton is a great man and an amazing instructor. I am thankful for his guidance and friendship.

Enjoy this one 'cause it's one of the best swings I have ever seen.

Vijay Singh drops out of top 50

Vijay Singh drops like a rock in the standings. Man, this is one tough game isn't it? One side note here: I saw him working with his instructor last year at the Tiger challenge. They were working on getting him more upright and he was lifting his arms as high as he could in his backswing (with a weighted club no less). Since I like the arms to be soft and responsive to the trunk turn, I would never offer that kind of advice. Just sayin'.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Scott prevails

Scott sounds like he has worked hard to get his game back. But his pressure putting is still iffy.

Bend Oregon Golf - Deals, Courses, Jokes and Golf News from Central Oregon

A few years ago I took the family to Bend Oregon for a vacation and loooooved it. Thanks to Rochelle Neal (long time student who is moving to Bend) for the link.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Obama won't be golfing with Limbaugh anytime soon - Devil Ball Golf - Golf  - Yahoo! Sports

Obama plays often from what I read. Too bad they can't use the game to bridge the partisan divide.

Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations, Myrtle Beach Golf Packages, Golf Lodging, Golf Courses, Tee Times, Lodging Guide, grand strand, oceanfront

Myrtle Beach is a favorite destination of a good friend of mine, who lives in Atlanta.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Rumors: Hank Haney says Tiger Woods never took PEDs - Press Tent

Tiger Woods may or may not have done PED's. I think it was a huge bogey on his part to do a procedure with a Dr. who has a questionable reputation. That's what gives the rumor legs.

Mr. Hogan

How 'bout a little Mr. Hogan swing to meditate on before you play this weekend. Nice.

Rice disqualified

Rice disqualified from BMW after caddie uses rangefinder. Oops. How is it that his caddie did not know the rule?

92, 82 then DQ.

Well, Tommy Gainey brings up a good point when he talks about greater attention to the tour when someone like Rice plays.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Jerry Rice shoots 92 at BMW Charity Pro-Am

Jerry Rice is the best reciever I have ever seen. He is a class act by all accounts. Golf is one tough sport to play.... but you don't have to tell Jerry that.

Lee Trevino offers advice

Lee Trevino has my second favorite swing. Mr. Hogan being first. I like this article alot. A flat left wrist at impact is the most important alignment in the golf swing. Trevino knows this, Haney did not emphasis it...

Golfer suspends herself for 11 tournaments - Devil Ball Golf - Golf  - Yahoo! Sports

Golfer suspends herself. Talk about being tough on yourself.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

TigerWoods.com: Tiger Woods and Hank Haney

TigerWoods.com: Well, this is short and to the point.

LPGA player Blasberg dies; police investigating - Golf - Yahoo! Sports

LPGA player Blasberg dies; police investigating - Golf - Yahoo! Sports

Hank Haney resigns

Haney was sounding a little defensive lately...

PGATOUR.COM - Haney announces he is resigning as Tiger's coach

Check out the speculation at the end of this article. Tiger back with Butch? Would Tiger view that as an admission that he made a mistake by leaving him in the first place?

Hank Haney steps aside as Tiger Woods' swing coach - ESPN

Hank Haney steps aside. He says it was "my decision".

Tiger's swing coach, Hank Haney, resigns - Golf, PGA Tour - CBSSports.com PGA

I have heard Haney speak a few times over the last 15 years. I respectfully submit that he has a huge ego, it's part of what made him who he is. The fact that he made the choice to resign, or at least that is his story, is not shocking.

Hank Haney, Tiger’s Swing Coach, Resigns - Bodog Beat

Haney is smart. Very smart. It would not surprise me if he quit before he was let go.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Golf fan Tasered, arrested at Players Championship - Golf, PGA Tour - CBSSports.com PGA

Golf fan Tasered, sounds like the atmosphere was electric.

Cigars and golf ... you got a problem with it? - Farther Off the Wall

Cigars and golf ... you got a problem with it? - Geez, it's outdoors. I can understand the arguement against smoking indoors but on the course?

Tiger Woods says neck injury has nothing to do with November car crash | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Tiger Woods is one tough athlete. No matter what you think of him, he won a U.S. open with a torn up knee.

JC Video Systems > Home

JC Video has great products. I have used one of their systems for 7 years now. If you have more money than you should be allowed to have, check out the Will Smith set up.

Amazon.com: The Golfing Machine (9780932890054): Homer Kelley: Books

Amazon.com: The Golfing Machine (9780932890054): Homer Kelley: Books... I believe one of Mr. Kelley's goals was to standardize golf instruction terminology. Given the differing beliefs and personal agendas of famous instructors, that didn't happen. Thankfully this book still remains one of the most influential instruction manuals ever and the first authorized instructor of the Golfing Machine, Ben Doyle, PGA, is a wonderful man. I have worked with him and recommend a trip to Carmel, Ca. if you can swing it, (pun intended).

Clean Golf jokes. Funny golfing short stories | Golf one-liners

Who doesn't like a few jokes during the round?

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Golf fan Tasered, arrested at Players Championship - Golf, PGA Tour - CBSSports.com PGA

I am actually surprised this has not been worse.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Anthony Kim has surgery on thumb « PGATOUR.com Live Report

Anthony Kim is a great player. Wish him a speedy recovery.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Miller says Woods should heave Haney swing - CBSSports.com

I think Woods might be better off moving on and finding a new coach. I have never been a fan of Haney.

Golf Scores - CBSSports.com

Golf Scores - CBSSports.com

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

When losing a golf tournament really makes you a winner - Devil Ball Golf - Golf Blog - Yahoo! Sports

I am wondering if there was another player who would have made it had he won.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Not a surprise that Woods unfazed by Mickelson threat to number one ranking Reuters
I have the "I wants" for one of these. Scotty Cameron by Titleist Studio Select Newport Putter: Scotty Cameron by Titleist Putter > Clubs > Golf Equipment: Discount Golf World
I think all schools should plan a virtual field trip to Scotty Cameron Museum&Gallery. and avoid the smelly bus.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a road trip I have been hearing about for years.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Golf Digest Woman

Mrs. SwingDoc thinks we should make the sport more appealing to women.

Been a long time since we have talked about this.