Ben Crane - On Working Out

Now this is FUNNY!

Wild photo

Tiger Woods gives us the greatest golf photo you'll ever see

Woods and the Ryder Cup

Woods on McIlroy's Ryder Cup challenge: 'Me, too.' Hey maybe Tiger is not the Tiger he was before the scandal. But he is still Tiger Woods.

Wow

Golf Ball Hitting Steel At 150mph - Slow Motion (70,000 fps)

Young golfer disqualifies self

Young golfer disqualifies self, gives up medal . You gotta' love golf.

Rory McIlroy 'fancies his chances' against Tiger Woods - Devil Ball Golf - Golf - Yahoo! Sports

Rory McIlroy and his comments just made it onto Tigers pregame blackboard.

Dustin Johnson at the PGA

Weep for Johnson if you must, but rules are rules . This article misses the point. My buddy, Gregg McHatton, believes the PGA of America (which runs this tournament, not the Tour or USGA) dropped the ball here. He was telling me how USGA (for the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, etc....) officials follow the leaders on the last day and advise them on everything in order to avoid this very problem. Where was the PGA official that was following this group? Why didn't he run up to Johnson and tell him it was a bunker?

Tiger

Woods seems lost with no way out . I have steadfastly held on to the belief that he would get back to his old self. You know, the inhuman golfer whose performances were other worldly. He won no matter what state his game seemed to be in.

The problem with playing poorly for extended periods of time is that even when it gets better the mind recalls the "slump" when it faces adversity. So now I am officially questioning whether Tiger Woods will win 19 majors (the holy grail of golf). Can't believe I am saying it.

Tiger still struggling

Tiger Woods cards career worst score at Firestone - I really thought he would play well this week but I have been saying that all year.

Woods will play the Ryder Cup

Woods waffles on Ryder Cup intentions - There is no waffle here, Tiger will play.

appleby shoots 59

Golf Digest ... what in the world, two 59's in same year. Wow.

Backspin: Too Young for the Tour? - BACKSPIN - Golf News & Articles | Golf Channel

Too Young for the Tour?

"If Thompson eventually petitions the LPGA for a waiver of their age requirement (must be 18 to be an official tour member), Michael Whan and company would do well to grant it."

Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson gives us yet another British Open disappointment . So many times he overthinks himself. I'll bet it is hard to be his caddie when he makes these goofy decisions.

McIlroy tears it up

Rory McIlroy leads the Open after stunning opening 63. So many of these young ones play with no fear.

Tiger in the hunt

Tiger Tracks Golf Blog .... well, he must have needed that putter change.

Watson is all class all the time

Mon, 12 July 2010|

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – On a blustery afternoon at the Old Course, Tom Watson had more to do than just work on his iron play heading into the British Open, the major he came so close to winning last year at the age of 59.

He posed for pictures. He doled out local knowledge. All with that impish grin.

“St. Andrews is a place where people are just happy. They’re just happy to be here. The fans, the players, everyone. It’s a place that people truly enjoy,” Watson said Sunday after a practice round with pick-his-brain playing partners Brian Gay and Ben Crane.

Can Watson pull off another turn-back-the-clock performance at the British Open? A year ago at Turnberry, he lost to Stewart Cink in a playoff after missing an 8-foot par putt on the 72nd hole that would have made him the oldest major champion in golf history.

“Ask me Wednesday,” Watson said. “I don’t have my arsenal firing right now. My iron play is sketchy right now. I’ve got to see if I can get it homed down.”

“I still love to put my game to the test here. It’s a wonderful test of golf. This is where people think of when they think of links golf. The first course that comes into your mind is St. Andrews.”

Gay and Crane were soaking it all in, trying to get inside information from Watson, who’s playing in his seventh Open at St. Andrews.

“I tried to pick his brain a little bit about pin positions and how to hit certain shots, what clubs to use,” Gay said. “This was my first go-round out here. It’s pretty overwhelming. There’s so much to try to figure out there. It just seems you can’t play it enough times.”

As they walked away from No. 17, the hole that runs alongside the Old Course Hotel, Crane wanted to know what to use as a reference point for his tee shots.

“I hit it over the ‘L’ of the hotel,” Crane said, referring to the prominent sign on the building.

“I hit ‘em over the ‘O,”’ Watson countered.

History is against Watson pulling off another performance like the one at Turnberry.

Even though he’s America’s greatest links champion, having won the claret jug five times on five courses, the one Scottish layout where he’s failed to win is St. Andrews. He came close in 1984, losing on the final holes to Seve Ballesteros.

It will be more of a challenge at St. Andrews – with the daunting length of holes such as the 480-yard fourth – than it was in 2009 at Turnberry, which better suited golfers getting by on guile more than strength.

“The conditions have to be right,” Watson said. “I have to be firing on all cylinders. That’s one thing I learned early in life. I didn’t have to fire on all cylinders to win. I could just think my way around the course early in my career and still win. But the older you get, the shorter you get.”

One thing that won’t be weighing on Watson’s game this week: any lament about letting the claret jug slip from his grasp at Turnberry.

“That left me in about 24 hours,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “There’s no regrets at all. I’ve played enough golf to have lost tournaments that I should have won, and I’ve won some tournaments that I should’ve lost. That’s my philosophy about it. There’s nothing I can do to bring it back. So there’s no regrets. No regrets at all. That’s how life is.”

Not that he doesn’t appreciate what got away.

Said Watson, “It would’ve made a great story.”

BRITISH OPEN WEEK IS UPON US!

Tiger to tee up with Rose, Villegas at Open -

American winners and the LPGA

Shag Bag Golf Blog . The success of the LPGA is dependent on interest in the U.S. . It markets it's players many times on how they look and where they are from. That's the cold hard fact.

Tomasulo shoots 61 to win Nationwide event

Scores - Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic . Kevin Chappell shoots even par and gets lapped... ouch.

Kevin Chappell is 5 strokes up at Nationwide event

Golf Scores - CBSSports.com

And Stricker keeps going lower and lower

Golf Scores - CBSSports.com... and lower.

Why Mickelson struggles at the British

I believe hitting it solid is as important as hitting it low in windy conditions.

A student of mine

Facebook Kendall Dusenberry: amazing junior golfer. Keep an eye on this one I really think she is gonna' be good.

Ben Hogan mirror image (lefty)

Here is some Mr. Hogan for you lefties who have been so discriminated against.

Glof swing plane training with WonderSwing1

I like this. Just turn and drag the arms, hands and club back with your torso. Don't use your wrists to take it away.

Geez, how low can they go?

Striker leads John Deere by one after setting 36-hole record

Only 4 people see the entire round

Goydos' gallery of four: I happen to read her blog from time to time. I think this is a cool story.

Marijuana arrest

Matt Every playing in the Deere following marijuana arrest: At least his game didn't go to pot.

Kevin Chappell takes it low in Nationwide event

Golf Scores . Remember what I said about this guy. He can really golf his ball.

Stricker shoots 60

Like my buddy who texted me said... Yikes, ya shoot 60 and you are behind by one after first round.

Only fourth player to shoot 59 on PGA tour

Paul Goydos shoots 59 in John Deere’s opening round - man, that is low. Years ago I caddied for a buddy at a Hogan tour event and Goydos was in the group. He shot 67 and I couldn't believe it. When you watch him swing you think, ah whatever, it's not so pretty. Like they say, there are no pictures on the scorecard and 59 is low, low, low.

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods turns icy at personal questions in Ireland . Maybe it's justified, maybe it isn't, but Tiger has seemed pretty icy about everything lately... except for his 4 footers.

Tiger continues to play poorly

Tiger staggers to 7-over 79 in charity event in Ireland :

Woods was matched up with no major celebrity teammates Monday. One in his foursome, silver-haired Swiss banker Bernard Droux, played more consistently than Woods, who offered him compliments after his precise approach shots and solid putts.


Ouch, outplayed by a banker.

Justin Rose playing well again

AT&T National Second Round: I always say that if a player has the kind of meltdown that Rose had last week it can lead to one of two things: a wound that won't heal or a learning experience that leads to a change in behaviour the next time around. Guess we will find out this weekend how Justin deals with it.


Update: Rose had this to say yesterday;

"I turned up here Monday morning feeling like I was a better player than I was Sunday," said Rose, who has eight birdies and just one bogey through 36 holes at the AT&T National. "You can never prevent it from happening again. I think that's the first thing to accept. You can't be scared of it happening again. You've just got to put yourself in that position, dig in, do your best."

Ya gotta' love that kinda talk.

Early start for Tiger tomorrow

Tiger Tracks Golf Blog . Barely making cuts must leave him seething.

Tiger still struggling

Cause For Concern: It's not like he is dealing with a divorce or an inquiry about a relationship with a doctor who has been providing PHD (performance enhancing drugs) to other athletes... oh, wait, yes he is.

Top teacher round table

The Big 4, Part 2: Butch Harmon, Hank Haney, David Leadbetter, Jim McLean .

I liked this part of the first discussion:

McLEAN: The amateur might be going real hard, but the speed is at the wrong time. It's out of sequence. The fastest part of the swing is back here [before the ball], and they're actually slowing down at impact.



I will defer to these guys on the second part because they all work with multiple tour pros.

Lastly, I disagree with all of them regarding 60 degree wedge use. They don't like it's use for amatuers and I love it. You all should learn how to lean the clubshaft forward at impact to avoid what these instructors are afraid of. Lean the shaft for solid contact and let the loft take care of the rest.

Forcing players to play more events

Shag Bag Golf Blog . Commissioner Finchem talks about possible mandatory attendance for top players at some of the lesser tournaments. Duh, it's a brutal economy, the tour is losing tournament sponsors.... make the name players show up to boost interest.

Tiger Woods and Performance Enhancing Drugs?

Source: Tiger Woods interviewed in Galea probe . Maybe Tiger did (and does) use them, I don't know.

Maybe he does not use them, I don't know.

But I have said it before and I will say it again, if he is not using them then what in the world is he doing using this Doctor? Tiger is supposed to be smarter than that.

Tiger and Elin divorce settlement

Tiger Woods banned from letting girlfriends near kids in divorce deal .... ouch... and I don't mean the money. The limited access to the kids would be brutal on any dad who really loves his kids.

Anthony Kim cleared to practice

Anthony Kim is good for the tour. Even if he is a bit petulant on the course at times I want to see him out there.

Shag Bag Golf Blog | Tiger working by himself

So, Tiger is gonna' go it alone for now. Does not surprise me, insofar as he seems to be hard headed anyway. Not that that is a bad thing, as a matter of fact, I am sure that is a common character trait for superstars.

Working with the camera can be very helpful, I do all the time. But I will say that it has it's inherent dangers as well. One of those dangers being when the student tries to place or put the club in certain places to get the right look on camera. A good instructor will attain those positions IN MOTION with the overall move blending it all together.

We shall see how it works for Mr. Woods.

Hogan's Mystique

Start your week with some Mr. Hogan swings.

Bill Murray, Caddy shack

... total conciousness... so I got that goin' for me, which is nice.

Bubba Watson wins as Rose plays poorly

Bubba Watson wins Travelers Championship in playoff . With a name like Bubba, your probably gonna' kill it. If you watched it you saw how far he hits it. I mean long. I know someone who spent time with him recently and said he claims to keep it very, very simple when playing. Kind of just get up there and just hit it. Works for him.

Man, Rose looked bad coming in. Can I change my pick for the British Open? Of course, it's our blog not yours. I like Phil and Tiger... one, two at Saint Andrews. (How's that for a suzie safety pick.)

Haney Interview

Hank Haney : Golf Digest . This is a great interview of Haney about Tiger. The author, Guy Yocum, knows how to ask the right questions. Read it all.

LPGA Championship

Kerr caps LPGA Championship with 12-stroke win; ..... wasn't even close.

Colin Montgomerie

Check out this article... the last part is rather re"veal"ing.


Meanwhile, Montgomerie has revealed he has undergone a small blood transfusion in Germany in an attempt to speed up his recovery from a torn calf muscle which threatens his appearance in the British Open at St. Andrews next month.
A doctor has injected the muscle with blood from a young cow.
"Apparently, the protein in it is a great healer," Montgomerie said.



Ewww.

Analysis Paralysis

Study Confirms Analysis Paralysis in Golfers . "Verbal overshadowing" is counter productive.

Golfers should try to think in pictures if they are thinking of a move and "feel" the shot when playing.

When practicing you can think all you want --- just don't judge the time by the result of your shots. Judge your time by how well you are making the particular move you are working on.

Use the verbal part of learning to understand the concept behind what you are trying to accomplish. This is where the instructor - student relationship can really work.

Dredge shoots 67

He extends BMW lead to three - Well, it's obvious this isn't a Dredge at the bottom, he is on top.

Rose playing well

Justin Rose leads Travelers Championship by three . Starting to think Justin is gonna' really bloom this year. He is my early pick for the British Open.

Golf fashion ---- or not

Swing Sequence: Ian Poulter: I think he should swing on over to the pro shop and buy some new clothes.

For the Man Who Has it All

For the Man Who Has it All : "The man who has everything, really does. So in the spirit of last-minute-gift-giving we’ve come up with a list of possible birthday options."

Crowd hoping to see American champion at LPGA Championship.

Crowd hoping to see American champion at LPGA Championship. "“We have to keep doing what we’re doing with the LPGA Girls’ Golf program,” said Kerr, 32. “I know I keep hammering that home. We need to get more girls playing golf in the United States and hopefully have them watch these kinds of tournaments, seeing Americans win."

Dredge leads BMW International Open by three strokes

Dredge leads BMW International Open by three strokes: "Welshman Bradley Dredge extended his lead in the BMW International Open to three strokes Saturday, shooting a 5-under 67 in the third round."

Ai Miyazato is focused on being No. 1 - RANDALL MELL - Golf News & Articles | Golf Channel

Ai Miyazato is focused on being No. 1 - RANDALL MELL - Golf News & Articles Golf Channel: "Yes, you can see something special in the elegant tempo of Ai Miyazato’s golf swing and the terrific rhythm of her putting stroke, but the reason she’s ascended to No. 1 in the world in women’s golf is in those blazing brown eyes."

Backspin: Brutal, Honestly - BACKSPIN - Golf News & Articles | Golf Channel

Backspin: Brutal, Honestly - BACKSPIN - Golf News & Articles Golf Channel: "'I have never found anything, including divorce and a sexual harassment suit, more frustrating.' Comedian Jay Mohr once said that about golf, and it was apropos for the final round at Pebble Beach."

Tiger Woods vacuum

Graeme McDowell won the U.S. Open -- or maybe Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els lost it . "So until Tiger Woods retires, everyone in golf -- including Tiger Woods -- is doomed to be a footnote to the Idea of Tiger Woods in the Age of Tiger Woods. In fact, for more than a decade, golf at every level has deformed itself entirely around the Idea of Tiger Woods."


This is why I want Phil, or someone else, to rise up and challenge Tiger now. I think it would be great for the game.

U.S. Open venue now open to public

Pebble Beach Resorts and Golf Pebble Beach, California . For over $500 a round... yikes. Like I have said before, these guys don't give us PGA members a break on green fees and most everyone else does... so I am not the biggest fan. That being said, the Monterrey Peninsula is the most beautiful place I have ever been to play golf and it contains my favorite golf course, Spyglass Hill.

I have a friend playing Thursday of this week. I will post his take on how tough it is playing.

Tom talks Tiger again

I read this in an article this morning:

Tom Watson said a curious, brilliant thing about Woods the other day and it may have explained a wayward shot or three on this Father's Day when Tiger was at Pebble Beach and his son and daughter were ... where ... in Sweden, with their mother, where? "He talks about complete silence," Watson said, repeating a Woods mantra on concentration. Then in allusion to Woods' array of troubles -- physical, marital, financial, sexual -- Watson said, "It's hard to have complete silence when things are going on in your head."

I think Tom probably knows a thing or two about the mental side of golf.

Open thoughts

Looking back, this really was Els' U.S. Open to win ... I couldn't agree more.

Tom Watson is all class

Tom Watson says emotional goodbye to Pebble Beach ... for now .

Collapse

Dustin Johnson implodes, fumbles away U.S. Open . They said he was a "flatliner" all day saturday. I picked him to win but didn't realize he would be DOA sunday.

Greame McDowell wins

U.S. Open . He sure seems like a good guy and it's obvious that he can golf his ball.

Ya, we know

USGA’s Fay: Tiger wrong to criticize greens -

Here comes Phil

Scores - U.S. Open 2010

One of my picks to win

Johnson still sees the same course . Let's not talk about Stricker or Zach Johnson.

Man up

Tiger Woods blamed the greens for his bad putting, Phil Mickelson blamed himself - This about sums up my point from yesterday.

Rush loves golf

Rush Limbaugh Haney's latest 'Project' . I bet he favors the right side of the course...

Phil putted terrible also

What they said: Phil Mickelson. Notice how Phil blames himself for the poor putting performance.

The Whiny One

Pebble Beach no panacea for Woods' woes . Man up Tiger. The top 3 on leaderboard played in the afternoon too.

More on the tough conditions

Reality Check .

I like the quote " ... we are not trying to embarrass the best players in the world. We are trying to identify them".

Imagine that

Tough opening day all around at U.S. Open at Pebble Beach - Not one single birdie for Tiger or Phil... you think it's playing hard or what? What if it starts blowing? It could get real ugly if the weather gets harsh.

Golf Scores

Golf Scores - So, my predictions look iffy right now. The Johnson's are fine but the superstars better get going tomorrow.

Here we go!

Pebble now an intimate meeting of land and sea - U.S. Open Coverage

Longshots

The 2010 U.S. Open Championship - Awtrey: Six who could pull a 'Glover' at Pebble Beach. I ain't seeing any of these guys winning it. My picks:

Phil
Zach Johnson
Dustin Johnson
Steve Stricker
Tiger... if the baby is not his.

Kendall Dusenberry

Arizona State University Official Athletic Site :: Women's Golf . One of my all time favorite students - Kendall - is going to be a junior in high school next year and she is talking with ASU.

Talk about a distraction

Documentary: Tiger Woods Fathered Child With Mistress . And the Tiger scandal's just keep coming... jeez, Tiger may be the greatest golfer ever but he can't break a hundred in the game of life decisions.

Hey... 40 is the new 30 anyways

As Mickelson hits the Big 4-0, he’s still hunting for big victories . And I sure as heck hope 50 is the new 40 for MrSwingDoc.

Mickelson the bridesmaid

Despite silver medals, Mickelson continues Open competitiveness . Wow, I did not realize he has 5 second place finishes.

Steve Stricker

But he should have ordered the Grand Slam. I will bet it is nice not to be hounded wherever you go.

Tough to pick one

Sleeper Picks: U.S. Open .

Not according to Johnny Miller

Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods among 10 players who could win U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

Johnny Miller

Tiger needs 'a small miracle to win the Open'. Says Johnny Miller. What is he smoking when he basically says that Tiger is at the age where he is burned out?

When Tiger gets the rest of his life in order he will be back. And oh by the way, he is a 6 to 1 favorite by many oddsmakers to win this U.S. Open... they think he is the favorite to win, Johhny.

Lee Westwood

Muscle Power. He sure didn't muscle his way to win the St. Jude.... nice birdie on the 4th playoff hole but he backed into this one, big time.

Train wreck

Westwood wins second PGA title after Garrigus meltdown . I wanted to turn my head but couldn't.

Please

Arnold Palmer: 10 Rules for Good Golf Etiquette. Slow play is a fun killer. No reason the game can't be played in 3 1/2 hours... max.

Watching golf right now

Golf Leaderboard - PGA . My goodness, everyone is throwing up on themselves.

Update:  Westwood wins it.  "It was a gift" said Ian Baker Finch. Isn't that the truth.

More U.S. Open talk

Pebble Beach will once again yield few under par scores.

It's all about the trunk (hips and shoulders) moving the club

Meet Butch Lumpkin - Golf Video . For those of you who have taken lessons from me... now you see what I have been talking about when I say the pivot is everything. And I mean really SEE it.

Utility Clubs

Titleist 909H Utility Clubs The World of Golf . I am getting the "I wants" for these lately...

Analysis

A Decade of Difference for Woods at U.S. Open . Here is a Padraig Harington quote about Tiger after his U.S. Open win in 2000. "I think at that very moment, professional golfers were wondering would they ever compete again with Tiger," said Harrington, who tied for fifth at Pebble that year. "He had taken such a leap. Nobody else was capable of doing that."

 The problem for Tiger is that the longer he stays in this funk, the more Phil and the young guns are going to think he can be beat. For well over 10 yrs. everyone, and I mean everyone, thought him invincible. Now, even Tiger is questioning whether he will win.

U.S. Open

Woods grouped with Westwood, Els to start U.S. Open . This is gonna' be fun.

Daly hit wrong ball out of hazard

Daly’s dubious day . I really think this is a dumb rule... I liked it pre 2008 when it wasn't a penalty.

Tiger

Tiger Woods: Is Tigermania Finally Beginning To Wane? Don't you just want to get over all the crap, see some great golf at the U.S. Open and start up a great rivalry with Phil? Oh, good 'cause I do too.

The number 4 pressure point

Rose takes the lead - and the win - with the lead arm . The pressure point this writer is talking about exists between the upper part of the left arm and the side of the pectoral muscle. I like that he wrote about it but it's too bad he didn't talk about it's real importance... during the through swing. The turning torso pulls the arm throughout the down stroke and into the follow through in order to sustain compression at impact.

Pebble Beach

Why Pebble Beach Will Be More Fun Than Most US Opens . It's all about the wind... and if it blows hard we will be in for a wild ride.

Camillo

Big brother is always watching out in the Villegas house . I hope his brother has a better swing than him, 'cause his is awful. Doesn't mean he can't play well and get the ball in the hole, which is pretty obvious based on his record. Oh, and Mrs. swingdoc says he is pretty easy on the eyes, so there is that also.

Tour encouraging players to play less popular venues

Players willing to hold hand that feeds them, not bite . Smart move by tour and even smarter move by players to see how important this is. It's a bad economy and sponsers are hard to come by... and oh, by the way, they might win a million dollars.

Tiger commits to Australian Masters

Tiger's appearance fee . I have no problem with this. These tournaments make huge money when big name players play and I see no reason why guys like Tiger or Phil shouldn't share it.

Mark Wahlberg

Wayne Gretzky, Mark Wahlberg break 100 at Pebble Beach

2010 Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge

Mark Wahlberg prepares for Pebble Beach ... I predicted that he would shoot over 92, and he did. 50 - 47 for 97.

Nathan Green

Nathan Green decides he'd rather watch soccer than play golf . Are you kidding me? No, really, are you kidding me?

USGA exempts Singh for U.S. Open

USGA Singh-ed by fire, Tiger vs. Phil at Pebble . I have never been a Vijay fan... I respect his record but I am no fan. So my subjective viewpoint now is that he should not have been given the pass.

Ben Hogan

Masters of the Game: Never hurts to post a Mr. Hogan bio.

Seve

Seve Ballesteros named dog after Phil Mickelson ... no dogs named Les please.

Punch Shots Golf Blog | Golf Channel

Is Pebble Beach the greatest U.S. Open venue? I vote yes... if the wind is blowing like crazy and the rough is knee high.

Golf destinations

Luxury Golf Resorts Pinehurst - Golf North Carolina Golf Courses. I always wanted to play the No. 2 course.

Love, Lehman in U.S. Open

U.S. Open; Rose, Fowler out - U.S. Open Coverage . These guys finish one, two at the Memorial... ya think it's hard to qualify for the Open, or what?

the ultimate golf lesson

And some of you thought I was too complicated during a lesson.

Tiger

Tiger hits three fans, takes 72 shots in final round ... whew, thought it read "hits on" when I first saw the headline.

Justin Rose

Rose earns first PGA Tour win. Our house is full of Justin Rose fans. My oldest did a Taylor Made photo shoot with him a couple years back and he could not have been nicer. He was engaging and treated my son very well. Congrats to him for a great win.

PGATOUR

Memorial Tournament Leaderboard. Thought Fowler was gonna do it. He is very good and will prove it with a win soon.

Tiger

Tiger Tracks Golf Blog . Ya know, the problem is that he promised us he was gonna' change.

John Wooden was, at one time, a 6 handicap

John Wooden Dies At 99: Golf Digest. Had to be the greatest coach in history.

Rickie Fowler... really good

Rickie Fowler holds 54-hole lead at Memorial

Pebble Beach

Open practice a Pebble in player shoes? . This rumor does not surprise me. I can play most courses in the country for free. All I do is call and then show my PGA member card. It's a priviledge, not a right, but like I said, it's usually free. Not at Pebble... not at Spyglass Hill...

Ryder Cup Article

Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie "sorry" after reported affair. I bet not as sorry as the wife.

Champions tour

Armour III shoots 8-under 63 to take lead in Iowa . I have always liked Armour's swing. Check it out this weekend if you get a chance.

Rickie Fowler is good... have I mentioned that already?

Rickie Fowler ties Memorial record in taking lead

Hogan golf swing model

This is a Mr. Hogan swing done by my mentor Gregg McHatton, PGA. It's called Blobman and it can give you a different perspective on what is going on in the best swing ever.

Enjoy your unique Mr. Hogan friday post and have a great golf weekend!

Does Tiger still have what it takes? - Press Tent

Tiger is still going to be the best player in the world when all of the stuff subsides... but I am shocked to hear the quote by him in the post. I have never heard him talk of anything other than winning the tournament... ever.

Ricky Fowler is good

Player Scorecard . If you have read my earlier post on this guy you know what I think of him. If you haven't then go do so now.

Memorial

Scores - the Memorial Tournament . Vijay falls back to one under. Tiger at even with Phil at a nice 5 under. Looking forward to see how this plays out.

Sarcasm alert

Scores - the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley 2010 ... see what I mean, Vijay is a mess... only 3 under after 5 before rain delay.

Vijay Singh

U.S. Open: Vijay Singh granted exemption . I know he has been injured lately but doesn't it seem like yesterday that he was winning all the time?

Jack Nicklaus has class

Jack Nicklaus skips St. Andrews to preserve memory .

Les Johnson 7 iron

I have been working hard on tying my arms into my pivot. It's all about swinging from the ground up and Gregg McHatton has been helping me do that, like he has for 22 yrs. Thanks Hat.

Finally found some details

Classic Anxiety Breathing Techniques to Calm and Relax You. All inhalations through the nose... all exhalations through the mouth.

Breathing and staying in the now

Mental Game of Golf Exercises: A common theme seems to be how to breath.

Another opinion on the Pavin - Ryder Cup - Tiger controversy

Christine Brennan: Sports issues, controversies and commentary . Everyone is entitled to their own opinion... even if it is a stupid one. Good lord people, this is Tiger Woods we are talking about here. I have said it before... "if he is breathing...".

Talk about an article that the club manufacturers don't want written

Advances in drivers can be more hype the actual science .

Tiger's march toward Jack takes detour - Tours & News - Golf.com

Tiger's march toward Jack is still on track as far as I am concerned. My bet is he beats Jack's record of 18 majors. But there is certainly more drama associated with the pursuit since last thanksgiving. And I agree completely with a major point in this article.. the next two majors matter... allot more than they would have.

Bandon Dunes

Ten ways to make a trip to Bandon Dunes more enjoyable

Ask yourself the question: "What do I need to know?"

Stay in the Present Using Centering Techniques

I have always liked the idea of asking that simple question while you stand behind your shot. Assessing wind conditions, course condition, which shape you are hitting it that day etc...

Travel

Hitting It Straits: Looks awesome.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

I am actually surprised this has not been worse.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.