Whether you love, like or hate Michele Wie, it doesn’t really matter. Why? Because the plane truth is Wie’s good for lady’s golf and it’s good that Wie’s made it to the LPGA show. Even though we’ve known Wie for so long, it’s time to realize this reality; Wie’s good for the game of golf period.
If you read my previous articles Wie Bad http://www.thumbsdownmethod.com/2007/10/16/wie-bad/
or What is Wie Doing
http://www.thumbsdownmethod.com/2008/08/01/what-is-wie-doing/
you’d think maybe I was anti-Wie or the head of the he-man Wie haters club, but I’m not. I’m just one of many that quickly got tired of watching her on the PGA Tour trying to make the cut against the men. The novelty wore off quickly after almost qualifying at her first two tries. It was time a long time ago that Wie’s better off winning against the ladies than just qualifying against the men, because so far Wie’s done neither.
In an age where professional athletes are treated like rock stars, it’s more important than ever that they be good role models too. Since her early teen years over six years ago when she almost won the Woman’s US Open, we’ve seen a lot of Wie. The real Wie has proven so far that she enjoys the limelight and celebrity that comes with being a “Tigerlike” phenom. To Wie’s credit, even during the last few years while struggling with her game, nagging injuries and negative PR, she’s handled it well. Wie’s proven to be a solid citizen with her head on straight, well beyond her teen years. As the father of two teens I know first hand.
Her role model status looks better every day, especially when you read the news stories about athlete arrests for gun possession and drugs or players who refuse to play for their teams. Athletes should be grateful playing a game for a living and making a King’s ransom along the way.
Wie’s a super talent that was meant to play the game of golf, just like Tiger Woods. She looked to be on the fast track when she qualified for her first LPGA Tour event at age 12. Wie played in the final group of a major at 13, shot 68 on the PGA Tour at the Sony Open a year later, had a share of the 54-hole lead at the U.S. Women’s Open at 15 and shared the lead on the back nine of three straight majors by the age of sixteen. Equally amazing was her downfall into adulthood.
At the ripe old age of 19 as a student at Stamford Wie’s dealing with all the uncertainty that comes with being an adult growing up. A wrist injury that severely hurt her golf game, didn’t help, but somehow we all knew there would be a happy ending coming soon. Finally, after all the years of playing by invitation or sponsor’s exemptions, Wie earned her LPGA Tour Card. Fortunately for her, winning isn’t the only thing when it comes to Q-school. Since just finishing in the top 20 makes you a winner, the media temporarily lowered their standards and didn’t criticize her for not winning as the medallist, or lowest overall score.
Finally, it’s time to see what Wie has. As Annika Sorenstam departs, waiting for Wie on tour are seasoned pros under the age of 25 like Lorena Ochoia, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and others who are already proven winners. Wie’ll need to play like she did in her early teen years to win against today’s LPGA players. My gut tells me Wie’s on her way and she’ll do just fine! What do you think? Email your comments to ajm.me@thumbsdownmethod.com
December 11, 2008
September 16, 2008
GOLF IS DEAD without Tiger
Do you remember the initial reactions after Tiger announced he'll miss the rest of the 2008 golf season?
On Tuesday June 19th, the day after the Monday US Open playoff battle between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate, I called a senior producer at Golf Channel I've known for a few years. He was noticeably worried about Tiger's condition because without him their ratings could fall off the charts. In the world of TV, ratings are everything. After the announcement that reconstructive surgery was required, the media immediately reported that all the drama has left the game of golf with Tiger on the sidelines. At that stage of the season, Tiger as player of the year was already a foregone conclusion, with two more majors and the FedEx cup still to be played.
The word circulating around the world of golf news going into the British Open was that golf is dead without Tiger and no one cares about the this major tournament in the middle of July. Just in case you fell into the trap and didn't follow any of the action, you missed enough drama to fill a typical season, and it ain't even over yet.
Here's a recap of the drama you missed, times three:
Playing out exactly according to the historic script, The British Open was played in cold and nasty weather with 30-50 mph winds throughout the tournament. A surprise name familiar to all also surfaced, as Greg Norman went back in time and challenged at the top. I'm sure the early morning ratings skyrocketed, as myself and millions of fans viewed, sentimentally pulling for the great white shark. The early predictions counted out Padraig Harrington the defending champion, due to an injured wrist that almost prevented him from playing. In the same fashion as Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, Harrington hung in there, letting the field drop out of contention, before taking charge on the back nine of the final round to win.
Suddenly there was a back-to-back British Open champion and a European to boot, both rarities. Immediately the media counted out any chance of Harrington winning the PGA because Kenny Perry was the favorite and Phil Mickelson is always expected to win if Tiger isn't there. Besides, Tiger is the only player in many a year to win this often, so we're not used to picking the same guy to win too often. Ironically, Perry had to withdraw due to an eye problem.
In what started out as a ho-hum major tournament played on a monster of a course, the PGA at Oakland Hills in Michigan played out as a significant event in the history of golf.With a rainout on the Saturday third round, the players were forced to play 36-holes on Sunday. The leader board changed throughout the day and going into the final round Sergio Garcia, Ben Curtis and Padraig Harrington rose to the top and were tied after 16 holes. Once again Harrington took over with a birdie on 17 and a scrambling par on 18 to win back-to-back majors and three of the last six. Tiger who?
So much for the regular season, bring on the playoffs. For the second year golf has a second season. Like most other sports, golf has it's version of the playoffs and it's Super Bowl equivalent called the FedEx Cup, a $10 million prize to the winner. Also like other sports, the regular season standings only got you in or out of the playoff season, which consists of four events. Now you'd better perform or your season could end quickly.
The opening tournament, the Barclays was played at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New
Jersey. After three days of many players jockeying for position at the top, tour rookie Kevin Streelman was the leader going into the final round. On the back nine, where most tournaments really begin, the cream rose to the top as Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia battled with surprise co-leader Kevin Sutherland, forcing a 3-way playoff.
Garcia thought he had won it after he drained a 30-foot uphill birdie putt on the 18th hole, but Singh spoiled the celebration with a 25-foot gem of his own to extend the playoff between those two players. When Garcia found the trees off the tee on the par five 17th hole Singh took over, by bombing a perfect drive, then easily reaching in two and making a 2-putt birdie. The win vaulted Vijay into the FedEx Cup playoff lead.
Personally, I like watching good golf and think it's very entertaining. Because the tournament was in New Jersey I attended round one and watched good golf up close and personal. The difference was that unlike other tournaments where I moved all around following different players, I followed one group primarily this time and one player in particular. What I noticed earlier in the season was how naturally he performed Thumbs Up on the back swing and Thumbs Down at impact.
60 second golf tip:
What I've noticed as the main difference between amateurs and pros is how naturally pros load up the wrists on the back swing and strike down on the ball with active hands through the impact zone. Because it happens so fast, it takes the Biz Hub super slow motion cameras as shown on the telecasts, to actually see what their hands are doing as they make contact and continue into their follow-throughs. To get a better idea of what I call My Secret, checkout this page: http://www.golfinstructionmadesimple.com/MySecret/MySecret.htm
On Tuesday June 19th, the day after the Monday US Open playoff battle between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate, I called a senior producer at Golf Channel I've known for a few years. He was noticeably worried about Tiger's condition because without him their ratings could fall off the charts. In the world of TV, ratings are everything. After the announcement that reconstructive surgery was required, the media immediately reported that all the drama has left the game of golf with Tiger on the sidelines. At that stage of the season, Tiger as player of the year was already a foregone conclusion, with two more majors and the FedEx cup still to be played.
The word circulating around the world of golf news going into the British Open was that golf is dead without Tiger and no one cares about the this major tournament in the middle of July. Just in case you fell into the trap and didn't follow any of the action, you missed enough drama to fill a typical season, and it ain't even over yet.
Here's a recap of the drama you missed, times three:
Playing out exactly according to the historic script, The British Open was played in cold and nasty weather with 30-50 mph winds throughout the tournament. A surprise name familiar to all also surfaced, as Greg Norman went back in time and challenged at the top. I'm sure the early morning ratings skyrocketed, as myself and millions of fans viewed, sentimentally pulling for the great white shark. The early predictions counted out Padraig Harrington the defending champion, due to an injured wrist that almost prevented him from playing. In the same fashion as Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, Harrington hung in there, letting the field drop out of contention, before taking charge on the back nine of the final round to win.
Suddenly there was a back-to-back British Open champion and a European to boot, both rarities. Immediately the media counted out any chance of Harrington winning the PGA because Kenny Perry was the favorite and Phil Mickelson is always expected to win if Tiger isn't there. Besides, Tiger is the only player in many a year to win this often, so we're not used to picking the same guy to win too often. Ironically, Perry had to withdraw due to an eye problem.
In what started out as a ho-hum major tournament played on a monster of a course, the PGA at Oakland Hills in Michigan played out as a significant event in the history of golf.With a rainout on the Saturday third round, the players were forced to play 36-holes on Sunday. The leader board changed throughout the day and going into the final round Sergio Garcia, Ben Curtis and Padraig Harrington rose to the top and were tied after 16 holes. Once again Harrington took over with a birdie on 17 and a scrambling par on 18 to win back-to-back majors and three of the last six. Tiger who?
So much for the regular season, bring on the playoffs. For the second year golf has a second season. Like most other sports, golf has it's version of the playoffs and it's Super Bowl equivalent called the FedEx Cup, a $10 million prize to the winner. Also like other sports, the regular season standings only got you in or out of the playoff season, which consists of four events. Now you'd better perform or your season could end quickly.
The opening tournament, the Barclays was played at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New
Jersey. After three days of many players jockeying for position at the top, tour rookie Kevin Streelman was the leader going into the final round. On the back nine, where most tournaments really begin, the cream rose to the top as Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia battled with surprise co-leader Kevin Sutherland, forcing a 3-way playoff.
Garcia thought he had won it after he drained a 30-foot uphill birdie putt on the 18th hole, but Singh spoiled the celebration with a 25-foot gem of his own to extend the playoff between those two players. When Garcia found the trees off the tee on the par five 17th hole Singh took over, by bombing a perfect drive, then easily reaching in two and making a 2-putt birdie. The win vaulted Vijay into the FedEx Cup playoff lead.
Personally, I like watching good golf and think it's very entertaining. Because the tournament was in New Jersey I attended round one and watched good golf up close and personal. The difference was that unlike other tournaments where I moved all around following different players, I followed one group primarily this time and one player in particular. What I noticed earlier in the season was how naturally he performed Thumbs Up on the back swing and Thumbs Down at impact.
60 second golf tip:
What I've noticed as the main difference between amateurs and pros is how naturally pros load up the wrists on the back swing and strike down on the ball with active hands through the impact zone. Because it happens so fast, it takes the Biz Hub super slow motion cameras as shown on the telecasts, to actually see what their hands are doing as they make contact and continue into their follow-throughs. To get a better idea of what I call My Secret, checkout this page: http://www.golfinstructionmadesimple.com/MySecret/MySecret.htm
July 07, 2008
If the putts don't go in, you don't win
Shaking in their boots. NOT!
Just listen to the announcers at any pro tournament and you will hear them talk about how much pressure the contenders are feeling (except Tiger of course). They'll typically describe in detail the pounding of their hearts and the feeling of veins bulging out of their heads.
For any pros that may be reading this story, I realize I might be way out of bounds for my viewpoint. After all, I'm not a pro and will never live in a pro's shoes, so I'll never REALLY know how much pressure or how nervous pro golfers get while they're in contention for a win. What I do know is how I've reacted during club golf tournaments for the past twenty-five years, including this past weekend. Again, I realize it's not the same as playing for big prize money, but it's not as different as you may think.
To me, there's a big difference between pressure and nerves. What I've experienced is that I'm constantly putting pressure on myself to perform to the best of my ability. In golf it means always hitting good shots and making the make able putts. The ironic side is that the bigger the situation, the less nervous I actually feel. Pressure is a completely different story. All too often it's the pressure I put on myself that leads to poor shot-making and bad decisions, not nerves. Nervousness is a feeling that happens before the opening tee shot and usually lasts until the first putt drops. After that, it's over.
Do you remember Annika Sorenstam's opening tee shot at the 2003 Colonial, when she played in the men's event? After months of anticipation you could tell she was extremely nervous on the first tee. After she saw her first tee shot land in the fairway I'll bet the nerves disappeared, but the pressure was constant. The pressure to make birdies lasted until her final putt in round two, when she officially missed the cut. A few more putts made and she would have gone where no woman ever has.
Throughout my college football and tournament golf experiences, the more competitive the battle, the more intense my concentration level. Instead of nerves, a feeling of calmness and increased focus takes over, which explains why I've performed my best in some of the most pressure packed situations. Having said that, all too often it works in reverse. All it takes is one or two mistakes early for the pressure demons to re-appear, causing more mistakes in a hurry.
I can only believe it's a similar feeling for professional athletes while they are competing. At the recent Buick Classic, Woody Austin said he choked when he didn't make two closing pars to win. In my eyes he simply put too much pressure on himself to get the job done, including ramming his birdie putt on eighteen (to win) fifteen feet past the hole. Woodie suffered the dreaded birdie to bogey three-putt syndrome and lost by one shot. Although the announcers would have you believe otherwise, it wasn't because he was nervous.
We all put pressure on ourselves. Just look at the recently completed Women's US Open, where Paula Creamer shot a front nine 41 in the final round. The day before I watched her miss several make able birdie putts on the back nine, which would have given her the lead. For some reason the hole seems to shrink when you need to make the putts the most. In golf, scoring is all about making the putts. She missed them all and I believe it's because she wanted to win so badly, putting too much pressure on herself. In tournament golf, when the putts don't go in, you don't win.
When I was in the computer business the word FUD meant that a competitor was building up the Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt in the market. A good comparison is a political campaign, when candidates of opposite parties campaign by creating Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt in the voter's mind about their fellow candidate.
FUD is also a good description of the feeling a golfer has on the greens, when make able putts won't go in. Failure on the greens is contagious and all too often I'll putt defensively, in fear that if I run it past the hole more than a couple of feet, I'll miss the come backer. As crazy as it sounds I've had some of my worst putting days when I hit the best shots onto the green. Missing make able birdie putts is frustrating enough, but when birdies turn into three-putt bogeys, you just want to kick something and cry. (I highly suggest crying because the last time I had a major tantrum was about ten years ago during a member-guest tournament. On the first hole of the second day I three putted, then went to kick my golf bag and instead hit the metal post on the pull cart head-on with my big toe. I thought I broke my toe and limped around the final seventeen holes in pain). We've all seen Woody Austin's approach to letting out steam by smacking his head with his putter until it's bent out of shape. Let's not forget, it's just a game!
When David Feherty or Gary McCord talk about veins bulging from a player's necks, I just don't believe that's what pros are feeling. Professional athletes are conditioned to compete. Although I'll never have a first hand experience, I believe the playing field in the heat of the battle is where they feel most comfortable, not nervous. To best prove my point, did you see the Wimbledon final? You don't hit shots like Roger Federer and Raphael Nadal hit in the fifth set and throughout the tie-breakers when your nervous.
60 second Golf Tip
I hope you appreciate how difficult it is to find a 60 second golf tip these days and how rare it is to actually understand and relate to it when you practice.
When I was having ball striking problems in the early 1990's I naturally read what the experts in the top golf magazines suggested, expecting to practice their tips and turn my game around. What happened was just the opposite, mainly because I couldn't understand how to apply the pages of technical jargon and mechanics they described. I found that keeping it simple is what they all preached, but rarely practiced.
To show how the old is forever new, I just finished reading a two page article about golf's newest swing sensation called the stack and tilt, and how it's being used by more and more tour players every day. It's funny because conceptually what they're describing is simple and makes sense to me. In fact, it's a component of my swing I recently needed to re-discover, again.On paper it's a different story. I'm sorry, but I can't relate to pages that tell me to release my hips so that the butt muscles push them upward and toward the target. When they tell me to feel as if I'm jumping up as the club comes down, it doesn't help me hit more fairways and greens.
The skinny of what I read in the article is this, "keeping your weight on your front foot is the simplest way to control where the club hits the ground, which is the first fundamental of hitting the ball. Golfers who shift to the right (for righties) on the backswing have to make precisely the same shift back to the left by impact. That complicated maneuver is the biggest source of frustration in the game today". My swing-thoughts to myself consist of only a few words, so this is how I translate that statement: Keep weight centered, then shift onto the left side into impact. I'm at my best when the brain is quite, my swing is rhythmic and full of feel.
For me, the more time I spend on thoughts about my swing the worse my ball striking and accuracy gets. When I hinge my wrists as I take the club back and delay my thinking until my hands reach waist height on the downswing, then fire them down on the ball, everything just happens as it should. Translation: Thumbs Up on the backswing, then Thumbs Down at impact. What could be simpler?
To discover Simplicity at Last, go to www.golfinstructionmadesimple.com and checkout the Pro Shop. Be sure to notice the Summer Special of three hours of virtual coaching included with the Pro Edition. Cure your slice and teach yourself to be a better ball striker in minutes by adding Thumbs Down, the missing ingredient. Vist my blog for past articles and other products and topics of interest at www.thumbsdownmethod.com. My media center was recently updated to include an article in the Philadelphia Golfer (thank you Nate Oxman!) about me and my appearance on the Golf Channel's Fore Inventors Only.
Enjoy the Open Championship from Royal Birkdale!
Just listen to the announcers at any pro tournament and you will hear them talk about how much pressure the contenders are feeling (except Tiger of course). They'll typically describe in detail the pounding of their hearts and the feeling of veins bulging out of their heads.
For any pros that may be reading this story, I realize I might be way out of bounds for my viewpoint. After all, I'm not a pro and will never live in a pro's shoes, so I'll never REALLY know how much pressure or how nervous pro golfers get while they're in contention for a win. What I do know is how I've reacted during club golf tournaments for the past twenty-five years, including this past weekend. Again, I realize it's not the same as playing for big prize money, but it's not as different as you may think.
To me, there's a big difference between pressure and nerves. What I've experienced is that I'm constantly putting pressure on myself to perform to the best of my ability. In golf it means always hitting good shots and making the make able putts. The ironic side is that the bigger the situation, the less nervous I actually feel. Pressure is a completely different story. All too often it's the pressure I put on myself that leads to poor shot-making and bad decisions, not nerves. Nervousness is a feeling that happens before the opening tee shot and usually lasts until the first putt drops. After that, it's over.
Do you remember Annika Sorenstam's opening tee shot at the 2003 Colonial, when she played in the men's event? After months of anticipation you could tell she was extremely nervous on the first tee. After she saw her first tee shot land in the fairway I'll bet the nerves disappeared, but the pressure was constant. The pressure to make birdies lasted until her final putt in round two, when she officially missed the cut. A few more putts made and she would have gone where no woman ever has.
Throughout my college football and tournament golf experiences, the more competitive the battle, the more intense my concentration level. Instead of nerves, a feeling of calmness and increased focus takes over, which explains why I've performed my best in some of the most pressure packed situations. Having said that, all too often it works in reverse. All it takes is one or two mistakes early for the pressure demons to re-appear, causing more mistakes in a hurry.
I can only believe it's a similar feeling for professional athletes while they are competing. At the recent Buick Classic, Woody Austin said he choked when he didn't make two closing pars to win. In my eyes he simply put too much pressure on himself to get the job done, including ramming his birdie putt on eighteen (to win) fifteen feet past the hole. Woodie suffered the dreaded birdie to bogey three-putt syndrome and lost by one shot. Although the announcers would have you believe otherwise, it wasn't because he was nervous.
We all put pressure on ourselves. Just look at the recently completed Women's US Open, where Paula Creamer shot a front nine 41 in the final round. The day before I watched her miss several make able birdie putts on the back nine, which would have given her the lead. For some reason the hole seems to shrink when you need to make the putts the most. In golf, scoring is all about making the putts. She missed them all and I believe it's because she wanted to win so badly, putting too much pressure on herself. In tournament golf, when the putts don't go in, you don't win.
When I was in the computer business the word FUD meant that a competitor was building up the Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt in the market. A good comparison is a political campaign, when candidates of opposite parties campaign by creating Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt in the voter's mind about their fellow candidate.
FUD is also a good description of the feeling a golfer has on the greens, when make able putts won't go in. Failure on the greens is contagious and all too often I'll putt defensively, in fear that if I run it past the hole more than a couple of feet, I'll miss the come backer. As crazy as it sounds I've had some of my worst putting days when I hit the best shots onto the green. Missing make able birdie putts is frustrating enough, but when birdies turn into three-putt bogeys, you just want to kick something and cry. (I highly suggest crying because the last time I had a major tantrum was about ten years ago during a member-guest tournament. On the first hole of the second day I three putted, then went to kick my golf bag and instead hit the metal post on the pull cart head-on with my big toe. I thought I broke my toe and limped around the final seventeen holes in pain). We've all seen Woody Austin's approach to letting out steam by smacking his head with his putter until it's bent out of shape. Let's not forget, it's just a game!
When David Feherty or Gary McCord talk about veins bulging from a player's necks, I just don't believe that's what pros are feeling. Professional athletes are conditioned to compete. Although I'll never have a first hand experience, I believe the playing field in the heat of the battle is where they feel most comfortable, not nervous. To best prove my point, did you see the Wimbledon final? You don't hit shots like Roger Federer and Raphael Nadal hit in the fifth set and throughout the tie-breakers when your nervous.
60 second Golf Tip
I hope you appreciate how difficult it is to find a 60 second golf tip these days and how rare it is to actually understand and relate to it when you practice.
When I was having ball striking problems in the early 1990's I naturally read what the experts in the top golf magazines suggested, expecting to practice their tips and turn my game around. What happened was just the opposite, mainly because I couldn't understand how to apply the pages of technical jargon and mechanics they described. I found that keeping it simple is what they all preached, but rarely practiced.
To show how the old is forever new, I just finished reading a two page article about golf's newest swing sensation called the stack and tilt, and how it's being used by more and more tour players every day. It's funny because conceptually what they're describing is simple and makes sense to me. In fact, it's a component of my swing I recently needed to re-discover, again.On paper it's a different story. I'm sorry, but I can't relate to pages that tell me to release my hips so that the butt muscles push them upward and toward the target. When they tell me to feel as if I'm jumping up as the club comes down, it doesn't help me hit more fairways and greens.
The skinny of what I read in the article is this, "keeping your weight on your front foot is the simplest way to control where the club hits the ground, which is the first fundamental of hitting the ball. Golfers who shift to the right (for righties) on the backswing have to make precisely the same shift back to the left by impact. That complicated maneuver is the biggest source of frustration in the game today". My swing-thoughts to myself consist of only a few words, so this is how I translate that statement: Keep weight centered, then shift onto the left side into impact. I'm at my best when the brain is quite, my swing is rhythmic and full of feel.
For me, the more time I spend on thoughts about my swing the worse my ball striking and accuracy gets. When I hinge my wrists as I take the club back and delay my thinking until my hands reach waist height on the downswing, then fire them down on the ball, everything just happens as it should. Translation: Thumbs Up on the backswing, then Thumbs Down at impact. What could be simpler?
To discover Simplicity at Last, go to www.golfinstructionmadesimple.com and checkout the Pro Shop. Be sure to notice the Summer Special of three hours of virtual coaching included with the Pro Edition. Cure your slice and teach yourself to be a better ball striker in minutes by adding Thumbs Down, the missing ingredient. Vist my blog for past articles and other products and topics of interest at www.thumbsdownmethod.com. My media center was recently updated to include an article in the Philadelphia Golfer (thank you Nate Oxman!) about me and my appearance on the Golf Channel's Fore Inventors Only.
Enjoy the Open Championship from Royal Birkdale!
June 24, 2008
Dead Center - Tiger Woods' historic victory at the 2008 US Open
Anyone who says golf on TV is boring, doesn't watch it or wasn't watching this year's US Open, or both. As I'm finishing this story, the Monday playoff between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate is already over a week old. All too often major sporting events with this much hype and anticipation, end with disappointing outcomes. Just like most of the major golf tournaments in my recent memory this one was filled with drama, as I was glued to my seat until the final putt.
If that wasn't enough, how about the startling news revealed after the tournament about Tiger's injuries and "out for the season" status? Hey, I'll bet that professional golf writers around the world have already written millions of words about the announcement, the planned surgery and details about the trickle down of effect of this stunning set of circumstances, that rocked the world of golf. As I'm not a professional writer I wrote this through the eyes of an amateur, with my own spin on what I saw. Here's a few of the many words I read that showed up in my email inbox the following day, that I thought summed up the 2008 US Open rather nicely. Regardless of who you were rooting for, you have to appreciate the history that we're experiencing: "Words no longer do justice to Tiger Woods. First, his winning of the U.S. Open in his first tournament since knee surgery - and without having walked 18 holes of golf in two months since that surgery - was impressive enough. But then to learn that he actually had a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee, plus two stress fractures in the left leg?"
The 2008 US Open will be remembered for it's high drama, uncertainty and doubt until the last putt was struck, as Tiger Woods finally prevailed. That statement is actually true for both regulation play and the playoff. As a golfer, this tournament spoke volumes about how exciting and dramatic major golf tournaments are. In the game of golf, just being able to hang in there and not crumble when shots are not going as planned is difficult enough. The ability to grind, re-group and post a score that's still better than most, is a skill only a few in the game have ever had. Add to that the circumstances around Tiger's injuries and this one will be remembered as TRULY SPECIAL in golf history. There's no doubt it will go down as one of the greatest performances by any athlete in any sport.
As a viewer I felt similar drama watching this year's Players, the Masters, last year's British and US Opens, plus most of the majors in recent memory. To me, "golf is great theatre" is more than just a slogan, it's a great description. The majors during the last few years have lived up to the hype, but there's just more interest when Tiger's in the hunt. He's proven time and time again that anything can happen when he's in a position to win and don't ever believe it's over, till it's over.
There's no secret I love watching championship golf on TV. For me, when the coverage starts late in the afternoon lasting through prime-time, it's an added bonus. As if it were scripted by NBC on Father's Day night, the final pair came to the 71st hole with both players (Woods and Westwood) tied for second place and the leader (Mediate) up ahead on the 72nd hole, with the tournament still up for grabs. I can't recall a major tournament where the last three players to finish all had a chance to win like this. At 8:52 PM EST, Tiger had the stage all to himself. On this occasion, he needed the entire hole to birdie the 18th. As we know by now, he rolled in a 12-footer to tie Rocco, forcing an 18 hole Monday playoff. I watched it all unfold. As usual, it did not disappoint.
How did Tiger even get to that final putt to tie? Let's rewind back to Friday. On his first nine holes he was slopping it up at 3-over par. Fortunately, a few over par still keeps you within reach at the US Open. He managed to hang in there with the help of an eagle on #13, sandwiched in-between four bogies, playing what's described as military golf, hitting it left, right, left, right... all over the course. On many shots it was clearly visible that Tiger's knee was hurting, BADLY.
On his back nine (which was actually the front nine of the course because they played the back nine first) it didn't start off any better, as Tiger's drive on hole #1 ended up next to a tree and just off the cart path. Because he was standing on the cart path he was entitled to a free drop, but because the ball could easily have ended up behind the tree, he decided to play it from where it lied. There was just enough room between the ball and cart path to hit it cleanly. The announcers poured it on thick, pointing out that Tiger wears metal spikes and the worry was that his leg would slip, injuring himself worse. In typical fashion, he not only hit it clean, he flushed it right onto the green and made the birdie putt. This was the spark that turned on the light switch, as he made three more threes and added another birdie for a score of thirty. As expected he found a way to enter moving day Saturday on page one of the leader board.
During the third round Rocco Mediate was clearly the best player in the field. He entered his back nine with a three shot lead and six shots over Tiger, who struggled with a two over-par 37 on his front nine. On the back nine it was complete role reversal, with Rocco faltering at two over-par and Tiger turning on the switch again, shooting a 3-under par 33.
After his second shot on #13 almost flew into the hole on a fly, it ended up over 60 feet away. If you're looking for a turning point, this would be a good place to start, as Tiger made the eagle putt. It was a tough down-hiller with a big break left, that was motoring until it landed DEAD CENTER in the cup. On the par three 17th , he missed the green with his tee shot, then chipped his second shot high into the air from an uphill lie on the side of the bunker. It landed a few inches from the hole on a fly, then hopped up and hit the pin DEAD CENTER, and dropped straight down into the hole for a birdie. Even Tiger had to laugh as his shot looked like it was going at least a few feet past before the hole swallowed it. This put him one shot behind Lee Westwood, the leader at that time. He then reached the par 5 18th hole in two. His eagle putt was a sharp breaking left to right slider from the top of a ridge, so it was going to be fast. DEAD CENTER is the only way to describe how the ball entered the hole. Now Tiger had a one stroke lead entering the final round and we all know his record when leading after three rounds in a major. Here's a hint (he's 13 & 0).
Remember the original Wizard of Oz movie, where the first part was in black and white and the rest of the movie was in color? In comparison, the black and white portion of this year's US Open was Mediate's first 54 holes. The color came on starting when Tiger went double-bogey, bogey on Sunday's first two holes and Westwood also began to slide. Rocco was now in the lead and only Bob May in the 2000 PGA has challenged Tiger like this in the final round of a major.
Up until now, the US Open was a story about Tiger Woods, his struggle and his determination, playing on one leg. Early on Sunday, the storyline was becoming more of a fairy tale about a journeyman pro golfer named Rocco, who everyone loved, but who hadn't won a pro tournament in six years. In fact the last and only time he was this close in a major was in the 2006 Masters. Entering the 15th hole on Saturday, Rocco found himself right in the thick of it, then he slipped and injured is back. If you remember him yukking it up in the TV booth in early 2007, this is why. He spent all last year rehabbing and this year needed to play his way into the US Open as one of the low qualifiers, before getting this opportunity. Like a heavyweight boxer with a shot at the title (just like in Rocky) Rocco knew this was probably his last chance to beat the best, and he gave it everything he had. Unfortunately, he was up against possibly the greatest the game of golf has ever seen.
Will Tiger Woods break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors and every other major record on the books? Will he go down as the best there ever was? OR will injuries prevent him from reaching these goals? What do you think? I welcome your comments. Please feel free to reply via email and I'll post them on my blog or go to the blog directly at www.thumbsdownmethod.com and post your comments.
Trivia Question
What is the size of the golf hole? (Hint: it's smaller than a breadbox)
60 second golf tip
Here's an excerpt from page 57 of my soon to be published book, Thumbs Down - Golf Instruction Made Simple, by Morgan James Publishing. It stresses the importance of not only thinking "delayed hit", but also implies the need for delayed thinking. "Remember: you can't hit the ball during the first 3/4 of your swing, so don't try to. Instead: keep your swing under control as you reach the slot, then accelerate into the impact zone on the downswing." Translation: Keep the swing slow and rhythmic and wait until the second part of the down swing, then accelerate down and kill the ball at impact.
This past weekend I played in a two-day club tournament. The 7th hole is a par 3, 180 yards, where I usually hit my 6-iron. During the first round the tees were up a few yards with a slight wind at our backs and the ground very firm in front of the green. Since the pin was up front I decided to hit a hard 7-iron. Usually when I try to reach for a little extra I start with a strong back swing, followed by a lot of acceleration from the top, followed by a miss-hit, most of the time.
What I remembered on this shot was to delay the acceleration until my hands reached waist height on the downswing (the first 3/4 of my swing), then I fired Thumbs Down at the ball. I've found that the longer I can delay my thinking, before accelerating down on the ball, the more consistent a ball striker I am. I struck it as well as I could and bounced it up onto the green. I had a terrible putting weekend so of course I missed the birdie (a defensive down-hiller), but at least I didn't blow it past and three-putt the hole.
Summer Special
For the summer I'm offering the Pro Plus edition ($197 and includes 3 hours of one-on-one virtual coaching) for the same price as the Pro edition $47 (plus $4 S&H). Also, if you purchase the Front Nine eBook ($9.97) I'll give you 100% trade-in towards the purchase of the Pro Edition. Order yours today or as a gift at www.golfinstructionmadesimple.com/Products/ProEdition.htm and Tell-A-Friend.
If that wasn't enough, how about the startling news revealed after the tournament about Tiger's injuries and "out for the season" status? Hey, I'll bet that professional golf writers around the world have already written millions of words about the announcement, the planned surgery and details about the trickle down of effect of this stunning set of circumstances, that rocked the world of golf. As I'm not a professional writer I wrote this through the eyes of an amateur, with my own spin on what I saw. Here's a few of the many words I read that showed up in my email inbox the following day, that I thought summed up the 2008 US Open rather nicely. Regardless of who you were rooting for, you have to appreciate the history that we're experiencing: "Words no longer do justice to Tiger Woods. First, his winning of the U.S. Open in his first tournament since knee surgery - and without having walked 18 holes of golf in two months since that surgery - was impressive enough. But then to learn that he actually had a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee, plus two stress fractures in the left leg?"
The 2008 US Open will be remembered for it's high drama, uncertainty and doubt until the last putt was struck, as Tiger Woods finally prevailed. That statement is actually true for both regulation play and the playoff. As a golfer, this tournament spoke volumes about how exciting and dramatic major golf tournaments are. In the game of golf, just being able to hang in there and not crumble when shots are not going as planned is difficult enough. The ability to grind, re-group and post a score that's still better than most, is a skill only a few in the game have ever had. Add to that the circumstances around Tiger's injuries and this one will be remembered as TRULY SPECIAL in golf history. There's no doubt it will go down as one of the greatest performances by any athlete in any sport.
As a viewer I felt similar drama watching this year's Players, the Masters, last year's British and US Opens, plus most of the majors in recent memory. To me, "golf is great theatre" is more than just a slogan, it's a great description. The majors during the last few years have lived up to the hype, but there's just more interest when Tiger's in the hunt. He's proven time and time again that anything can happen when he's in a position to win and don't ever believe it's over, till it's over.
There's no secret I love watching championship golf on TV. For me, when the coverage starts late in the afternoon lasting through prime-time, it's an added bonus. As if it were scripted by NBC on Father's Day night, the final pair came to the 71st hole with both players (Woods and Westwood) tied for second place and the leader (Mediate) up ahead on the 72nd hole, with the tournament still up for grabs. I can't recall a major tournament where the last three players to finish all had a chance to win like this. At 8:52 PM EST, Tiger had the stage all to himself. On this occasion, he needed the entire hole to birdie the 18th. As we know by now, he rolled in a 12-footer to tie Rocco, forcing an 18 hole Monday playoff. I watched it all unfold. As usual, it did not disappoint.
How did Tiger even get to that final putt to tie? Let's rewind back to Friday. On his first nine holes he was slopping it up at 3-over par. Fortunately, a few over par still keeps you within reach at the US Open. He managed to hang in there with the help of an eagle on #13, sandwiched in-between four bogies, playing what's described as military golf, hitting it left, right, left, right... all over the course. On many shots it was clearly visible that Tiger's knee was hurting, BADLY.
On his back nine (which was actually the front nine of the course because they played the back nine first) it didn't start off any better, as Tiger's drive on hole #1 ended up next to a tree and just off the cart path. Because he was standing on the cart path he was entitled to a free drop, but because the ball could easily have ended up behind the tree, he decided to play it from where it lied. There was just enough room between the ball and cart path to hit it cleanly. The announcers poured it on thick, pointing out that Tiger wears metal spikes and the worry was that his leg would slip, injuring himself worse. In typical fashion, he not only hit it clean, he flushed it right onto the green and made the birdie putt. This was the spark that turned on the light switch, as he made three more threes and added another birdie for a score of thirty. As expected he found a way to enter moving day Saturday on page one of the leader board.
During the third round Rocco Mediate was clearly the best player in the field. He entered his back nine with a three shot lead and six shots over Tiger, who struggled with a two over-par 37 on his front nine. On the back nine it was complete role reversal, with Rocco faltering at two over-par and Tiger turning on the switch again, shooting a 3-under par 33.
After his second shot on #13 almost flew into the hole on a fly, it ended up over 60 feet away. If you're looking for a turning point, this would be a good place to start, as Tiger made the eagle putt. It was a tough down-hiller with a big break left, that was motoring until it landed DEAD CENTER in the cup. On the par three 17th , he missed the green with his tee shot, then chipped his second shot high into the air from an uphill lie on the side of the bunker. It landed a few inches from the hole on a fly, then hopped up and hit the pin DEAD CENTER, and dropped straight down into the hole for a birdie. Even Tiger had to laugh as his shot looked like it was going at least a few feet past before the hole swallowed it. This put him one shot behind Lee Westwood, the leader at that time. He then reached the par 5 18th hole in two. His eagle putt was a sharp breaking left to right slider from the top of a ridge, so it was going to be fast. DEAD CENTER is the only way to describe how the ball entered the hole. Now Tiger had a one stroke lead entering the final round and we all know his record when leading after three rounds in a major. Here's a hint (he's 13 & 0).
Remember the original Wizard of Oz movie, where the first part was in black and white and the rest of the movie was in color? In comparison, the black and white portion of this year's US Open was Mediate's first 54 holes. The color came on starting when Tiger went double-bogey, bogey on Sunday's first two holes and Westwood also began to slide. Rocco was now in the lead and only Bob May in the 2000 PGA has challenged Tiger like this in the final round of a major.
Up until now, the US Open was a story about Tiger Woods, his struggle and his determination, playing on one leg. Early on Sunday, the storyline was becoming more of a fairy tale about a journeyman pro golfer named Rocco, who everyone loved, but who hadn't won a pro tournament in six years. In fact the last and only time he was this close in a major was in the 2006 Masters. Entering the 15th hole on Saturday, Rocco found himself right in the thick of it, then he slipped and injured is back. If you remember him yukking it up in the TV booth in early 2007, this is why. He spent all last year rehabbing and this year needed to play his way into the US Open as one of the low qualifiers, before getting this opportunity. Like a heavyweight boxer with a shot at the title (just like in Rocky) Rocco knew this was probably his last chance to beat the best, and he gave it everything he had. Unfortunately, he was up against possibly the greatest the game of golf has ever seen.
Will Tiger Woods break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors and every other major record on the books? Will he go down as the best there ever was? OR will injuries prevent him from reaching these goals? What do you think? I welcome your comments. Please feel free to reply via email and I'll post them on my blog or go to the blog directly at www.thumbsdownmethod.com and post your comments.
Trivia Question
What is the size of the golf hole? (Hint: it's smaller than a breadbox)
60 second golf tip
Here's an excerpt from page 57 of my soon to be published book, Thumbs Down - Golf Instruction Made Simple, by Morgan James Publishing. It stresses the importance of not only thinking "delayed hit", but also implies the need for delayed thinking. "Remember: you can't hit the ball during the first 3/4 of your swing, so don't try to. Instead: keep your swing under control as you reach the slot, then accelerate into the impact zone on the downswing." Translation: Keep the swing slow and rhythmic and wait until the second part of the down swing, then accelerate down and kill the ball at impact.
This past weekend I played in a two-day club tournament. The 7th hole is a par 3, 180 yards, where I usually hit my 6-iron. During the first round the tees were up a few yards with a slight wind at our backs and the ground very firm in front of the green. Since the pin was up front I decided to hit a hard 7-iron. Usually when I try to reach for a little extra I start with a strong back swing, followed by a lot of acceleration from the top, followed by a miss-hit, most of the time.
What I remembered on this shot was to delay the acceleration until my hands reached waist height on the downswing (the first 3/4 of my swing), then I fired Thumbs Down at the ball. I've found that the longer I can delay my thinking, before accelerating down on the ball, the more consistent a ball striker I am. I struck it as well as I could and bounced it up onto the green. I had a terrible putting weekend so of course I missed the birdie (a defensive down-hiller), but at least I didn't blow it past and three-putt the hole.
Summer Special
For the summer I'm offering the Pro Plus edition ($197 and includes 3 hours of one-on-one virtual coaching) for the same price as the Pro edition $47 (plus $4 S&H). Also, if you purchase the Front Nine eBook ($9.97) I'll give you 100% trade-in towards the purchase of the Pro Edition. Order yours today or as a gift at www.golfinstructionmadesimple.com/Products/ProEdition.htm and Tell-A-Friend.
June 12, 2008
US Open Week - Torrey Pines
With the month of May in central New Jersey cold and rainy, and the temperature for past few days in the mid-high nineties, I'm finding myself singing the words "hot town summer in the city" in my mind all day. In the Midwest there's tornados, thunderstorms with baseball sized hail and flooding rains. Although Mother Nature can't make up her mind what season it is, it's finally that time of year when the world's media attention turns to golf. It's US Open week.
Whether you love or hate Tiger Woods, the question of will he win his fourteenth major championship in his quest to pass Jack Nicklaus' record of eighteen, at Torrey Pines, a course where he's already won earlier this year; or if Phil Mickelson will win in the San Diego are where he grew up playing, are the buzz all over the world this week. As the number one and two players in the world, you'd expect them to be the favorites. Who will win? I'm not making any predictions... except why do I think Tiger has a great shot to win (or finish on the leader board), even though he's playing his first competitive round since having arthroscopic surgery following the Masters? Because he plays the majors a lot like Jack Nicklaus did.
Even when he didn't have his A-game Nicklaus, who finished second a record nineteen times, seemed to find a way to hang in there until a majority of the field eliminated themselves. Follow all the hype and you'd think there were only two players in this year's field, Tiger and Phil. We all learned how terribly wrong "all the buzz" can be this past weekend, as Big Brown was trying to become the first horse in thirty years to win the Triple Crown. We all know what a lock and "sure thing" he was at 1 to 4 odds to coast to victory, at least if you followed all the buzz prior to the race. I've learned my lesson, that in sports there's no way to predict the outcome. Every year I see more bizarre events and upsets I never thought could happen (like the NY Giants winning this year's Super Bowl). Nothing in sports surprises me anymore. That's why they play the game.
This week's 60 second Thumbs Down method golf tip.
In this 2007 article from a major golf publication in, Tiger Woods describes the benefits of turning knuckles down to the ground. Although he's not using the exact same words, he's describing Thumbs Down, a move all the great ball strikers do, whether they realize it or not.
Most great iron players have at least one thing in common: They take a divot, whether the ball is teed up or on the turf. And it usually comes from a shallow angle of attack, which produces a long, shallow divot about the size of a dollar bill. Conversely, high-handicappers either make a steep downswing and dig a crater through impact, or they don't take a divot at all. Both mistakes lead to inconsistent contact and poor shots.
To improve your ball striking (and your divots), try shallowing out your backswing--swinging a little more around you. That sets up a shallower angle into the ball and a long, thin divot. It also helps if you turn the knuckles of your top hand to the ground through impact, like I'm doing here. This is a clear sign that you're compressing the ball, trapping it between the clubface and the turf, which will result in a divot on the forward side of the ball.
For more information about the Thumbs Down method go to www.golfinstructionmadesimple.com and vist my new blog at www.thumbsdownmethod.com. There's plenty of golf and other topics of interest like airport security and travel tips, alternative energy and environmentally friendly products, articles and information. And now there's a book store. Check it out.
Whether you love or hate Tiger Woods, the question of will he win his fourteenth major championship in his quest to pass Jack Nicklaus' record of eighteen, at Torrey Pines, a course where he's already won earlier this year; or if Phil Mickelson will win in the San Diego are where he grew up playing, are the buzz all over the world this week. As the number one and two players in the world, you'd expect them to be the favorites. Who will win? I'm not making any predictions... except why do I think Tiger has a great shot to win (or finish on the leader board), even though he's playing his first competitive round since having arthroscopic surgery following the Masters? Because he plays the majors a lot like Jack Nicklaus did.
Even when he didn't have his A-game Nicklaus, who finished second a record nineteen times, seemed to find a way to hang in there until a majority of the field eliminated themselves. Follow all the hype and you'd think there were only two players in this year's field, Tiger and Phil. We all learned how terribly wrong "all the buzz" can be this past weekend, as Big Brown was trying to become the first horse in thirty years to win the Triple Crown. We all know what a lock and "sure thing" he was at 1 to 4 odds to coast to victory, at least if you followed all the buzz prior to the race. I've learned my lesson, that in sports there's no way to predict the outcome. Every year I see more bizarre events and upsets I never thought could happen (like the NY Giants winning this year's Super Bowl). Nothing in sports surprises me anymore. That's why they play the game.
This week's 60 second Thumbs Down method golf tip.
In this 2007 article from a major golf publication in, Tiger Woods describes the benefits of turning knuckles down to the ground. Although he's not using the exact same words, he's describing Thumbs Down, a move all the great ball strikers do, whether they realize it or not.
Most great iron players have at least one thing in common: They take a divot, whether the ball is teed up or on the turf. And it usually comes from a shallow angle of attack, which produces a long, shallow divot about the size of a dollar bill. Conversely, high-handicappers either make a steep downswing and dig a crater through impact, or they don't take a divot at all. Both mistakes lead to inconsistent contact and poor shots.
To improve your ball striking (and your divots), try shallowing out your backswing--swinging a little more around you. That sets up a shallower angle into the ball and a long, thin divot. It also helps if you turn the knuckles of your top hand to the ground through impact, like I'm doing here. This is a clear sign that you're compressing the ball, trapping it between the clubface and the turf, which will result in a divot on the forward side of the ball.
For more information about the Thumbs Down method go to www.golfinstructionmadesimple.com and vist my new blog at www.thumbsdownmethod.com. There's plenty of golf and other topics of interest like airport security and travel tips, alternative energy and environmentally friendly products, articles and information. And now there's a book store. Check it out.
Cheating 101 - A Golf Etiquette Primer
Bobby Jones once said, "there's golf and there's tournament golf ...and the two are not very much alike". I say, "there's beginner golf and there's serious golfer's golf"...and the same can be said. They're not very much alike.
When a beginner doesn't follow the rules it's usually because they don't know right from wrong. When guys (or gals) get together and play "beer golf" just for fun, it's OK not to keep score and just play for fun. Just comply with these basic etiquette rules of golf and others:-Respect the golf course. Replace divots and repair ball marks on the green.-Play as fast as possible, maintaining a pace of play that doesn't hold up any players behind you.-Stand still and quietly while other players are hitting and don't walk in anyone's putting line on the green.
BUT, it's a different story when experienced players feel that interpreting the rules "their way" is a right no one should dare to question. For these players, there's only one word to describe what they're doing; CHEATING! Maybe I'm just noticing it more lately, but it's amazing to see club players or members of the golf industry blatantly cheat and think it's OK. They treat mulligans, do-overs, preferred lies anywhere, and mental lapses in counting their actual strokes like it's a normal part of the game that no one notices. They're wrong, I'm noticing.
One of the many beauties of golf is that each player is their own umpire or referee, responsible for enforcing their own rules. With all the talk about golf being a game of honor, a sport that epitomizes the balance between skill, competition and integrity, why is cheating such an accepted part of the game for some players? I'll never understand what they're thinking, except the golf course does make an ideal setting for any person with the mentality of "what they don't see won't hurt them".
Golf is a special sport, with a large majority of golfers honest and trustworthy. My earliest memories at the golf course recall seeing bags of beautiful clubs standing unattended in front of the clubhouse and thinking anyone could steal these at anytime. I remember my father telling me that the golf course is the safest place around, because golfers are the most honest people you'll find anywhere. Around the clubhouse is one thing, but on the course where no one's looking (or so they think) is a completely different story, especially once the competitive juices start to flow and egos take over. Nothing surprises me anymore.
For the record I personally don't consider it cheating when you violate a rule without realizing it. (The Rules of Golf has never been an easy read or very understandable). I also believe that a player should not be penalized due to the poor condition of the golf course, but the rule's of golf Gods don't agree. During my youth playing on public courses the rule of thumb was preferred lies on the fairway and leave it lie in the rough.
Most friendly and casual games are played using paradise rules, which means moving the ball onto a preferred lie on any shot, is OK. This is especially the case when golfer's are first learning to play the game. The only BUT in the last statement is this; if you're going to move the ball, DON'T move it closer to the hole, EVER.
The cheating I'm describing is either when the rules are violated or the score on the card doesn't reflect the actual number of swings at the ball, OR BOTH. They usually go hand in hand.
Have you seen the TGW commercial on the Golf Channel with two guys in a cart adding up one player's score. After replaying many shots, plus one in the water and one out of bounds, he says give me a four. I realize this is a bit far fetched but let me share some of what I've seen on the golf course battlefield. These are actual events I've witnessed, with each player's name disguised, to protect further personal embarrassment.
Player 1 - Have you ever played with someone they call "the umpire". That's because he always keeps an extra ball in his pocket and drops it out when he can't find his original shot. One round when I watched him look for a ball that sliced out of bounds I saw him take a ball out of his pocket and throw it ahead to play it. I called out, "you're not going to play that one, are you"? He had a sick look when he realized I caught him.
On another occasion I watched him search 20-30 yards beyond where his ball. In fact I found his ball (I know that because I saw the logo on the last green while he was putting), then called out "what ball are you playing"? His back-up plan just in case this happens is to say it has a Court TV logo. Since it never does, he drops one plays on without penalty.
When he's not moving the ball in the rough (almost always closer to the hole) and giving himself a preferred lie, this player often times picks up the ball and places it, (again closer to hole). This is the same player who criticizes his former group for doing the same. When he does have a bad lie and misses the shot he blames the course and takes his do-over. After skulling the first shot into the face of the bunker he tries it again, then get's pissed off and starts swinging wildly.
On the greens, he takes liberty with concept of "the gimmee". When his approach shot stops within four to six feet of the hole he putts with the pin in, so if he misses he counts it as if he made it, a gimmee. He almost always steals an extra inch (or more) by marking the ball on the green closer to the hole.
Last but not least, never play this player in a match or expect to watch every shot like a hawk. That includes asking him and agreeing on his score after every hole. Even during tournaments he'll leave a stoke or two off the total when it takes four or five out of the bunker. In fact, as I'm finishing this story, I have a good example of this from yesterday's round. On the 16th hole he pops up the tee shot about 150 yards, leaving 200+ yards to the green. The second shot goes left and ends up in high grass near a tree just short of the green. Shot three lands short. A chip and two putts. As he taps in the sixth shot he says, bogey and puts a five on his card. This is very common, as his scorecard often reads bogey or occasionally double-bogey or more. I know this because the new pull carts at our club have a clip for the scorecard which he now uses. Until this year he used one of my Cardkeepers and had his scorecard and pencil in his back pocket, hidden. Bottom line; after cheating all thorough the round, the score he ultimately posts for his handicap is now lowered once again. He's been described as the world's worst player, that plays almost everyday.
Player 2. - This is a member of the golf industry who often plays in events. During the ten times we've played together I've seen him taking mulligans on any hole, on any shot. I can't remember ever seeing him with a bad lie. That doesn't mean he's never hit the ball in the rough, behind trees or in the tall grass around the greens. He always picks his ball up out of the rough and replaces it where he prefers it. When there's a tree in his way he moves the ball out of the way (I guess that's why they call it preferred lies).
One day on a par 5 he hit a good drive and went for the green on his second shot. The ball went far to the right. There was a creek beyond where he was looking and we never found the ball. Because he knew around where the ball was he felt he was robbed and deserved to play three from a free drop. After an up and down, he celebrates that he made a great par. To me, it doesn't pay to question it. Just play on. Like Player 1 he'll conveniently count only certain shots. What do you post on the card when you pick-up and say, that's enough?
Player 3. - This one really shattered me inside. I have a friend I've played with for over twenty years. . He always wants to beat me and out drive me, but when we play for money, even just a few dollars, it gets real competitive. The first time I caught him cheating was during my first Myrtle Beach golf-o-mania vacation in March 2006. On the first hole of our first of eight rounds, he wanted a 3-foot gimmee, which I didn't give. As he went down to mark his ball he tried to hide it with his body and then snuck the mark a few inches closer the hole. I didn't say anything and never trusted him after that. I saw him do it a few more times at our home course and stopped playing for money until recently, after finally confronting him about cheating. Are you surprised to hear that he denied everything?
Player 4. - This one hurt financially. A regular member of my group in the 1990's inherited a lot of family money. His basement looks like a golf club hall of fame, with a putting green and more new sets of clubs than most pro shops.
One day during a multi-hole Skins game carryover, I was about to win about $20. On a par 5 I'm on the green in three, with only a five needed to win. As his third shot ran just off the back of the green up against the tall grass, he groaned. As we approached the green I saw him scoop the ball with his wedge and move it a few inches closer, onto the fringe. I asked both players in the group if they saw what I just saw. They didn't. Instead of a very difficult wedge shot to even make a par, he putted and of-course made it for birdie, robbing me of some much needed cash.
He didn't need the money, but his ego couldn't live with the loss. This is the same player that carries a +1 handicap (which means he's under-par) because he only posts his low scores. Yes, he's a good player, but maybe a 3 or 4 handicap.
Usually I end my stories by saying Golf is Great Theatre. This time is goes like this; Golf is a game that brings out the worst in people and offers the perfect setting for cheaters.
When a beginner doesn't follow the rules it's usually because they don't know right from wrong. When guys (or gals) get together and play "beer golf" just for fun, it's OK not to keep score and just play for fun. Just comply with these basic etiquette rules of golf and others:-Respect the golf course. Replace divots and repair ball marks on the green.-Play as fast as possible, maintaining a pace of play that doesn't hold up any players behind you.-Stand still and quietly while other players are hitting and don't walk in anyone's putting line on the green.
BUT, it's a different story when experienced players feel that interpreting the rules "their way" is a right no one should dare to question. For these players, there's only one word to describe what they're doing; CHEATING! Maybe I'm just noticing it more lately, but it's amazing to see club players or members of the golf industry blatantly cheat and think it's OK. They treat mulligans, do-overs, preferred lies anywhere, and mental lapses in counting their actual strokes like it's a normal part of the game that no one notices. They're wrong, I'm noticing.
One of the many beauties of golf is that each player is their own umpire or referee, responsible for enforcing their own rules. With all the talk about golf being a game of honor, a sport that epitomizes the balance between skill, competition and integrity, why is cheating such an accepted part of the game for some players? I'll never understand what they're thinking, except the golf course does make an ideal setting for any person with the mentality of "what they don't see won't hurt them".
Golf is a special sport, with a large majority of golfers honest and trustworthy. My earliest memories at the golf course recall seeing bags of beautiful clubs standing unattended in front of the clubhouse and thinking anyone could steal these at anytime. I remember my father telling me that the golf course is the safest place around, because golfers are the most honest people you'll find anywhere. Around the clubhouse is one thing, but on the course where no one's looking (or so they think) is a completely different story, especially once the competitive juices start to flow and egos take over. Nothing surprises me anymore.
For the record I personally don't consider it cheating when you violate a rule without realizing it. (The Rules of Golf has never been an easy read or very understandable). I also believe that a player should not be penalized due to the poor condition of the golf course, but the rule's of golf Gods don't agree. During my youth playing on public courses the rule of thumb was preferred lies on the fairway and leave it lie in the rough.
Most friendly and casual games are played using paradise rules, which means moving the ball onto a preferred lie on any shot, is OK. This is especially the case when golfer's are first learning to play the game. The only BUT in the last statement is this; if you're going to move the ball, DON'T move it closer to the hole, EVER.
The cheating I'm describing is either when the rules are violated or the score on the card doesn't reflect the actual number of swings at the ball, OR BOTH. They usually go hand in hand.
Have you seen the TGW commercial on the Golf Channel with two guys in a cart adding up one player's score. After replaying many shots, plus one in the water and one out of bounds, he says give me a four. I realize this is a bit far fetched but let me share some of what I've seen on the golf course battlefield. These are actual events I've witnessed, with each player's name disguised, to protect further personal embarrassment.
Player 1 - Have you ever played with someone they call "the umpire". That's because he always keeps an extra ball in his pocket and drops it out when he can't find his original shot. One round when I watched him look for a ball that sliced out of bounds I saw him take a ball out of his pocket and throw it ahead to play it. I called out, "you're not going to play that one, are you"? He had a sick look when he realized I caught him.
On another occasion I watched him search 20-30 yards beyond where his ball. In fact I found his ball (I know that because I saw the logo on the last green while he was putting), then called out "what ball are you playing"? His back-up plan just in case this happens is to say it has a Court TV logo. Since it never does, he drops one plays on without penalty.
When he's not moving the ball in the rough (almost always closer to the hole) and giving himself a preferred lie, this player often times picks up the ball and places it, (again closer to hole). This is the same player who criticizes his former group for doing the same. When he does have a bad lie and misses the shot he blames the course and takes his do-over. After skulling the first shot into the face of the bunker he tries it again, then get's pissed off and starts swinging wildly.
On the greens, he takes liberty with concept of "the gimmee". When his approach shot stops within four to six feet of the hole he putts with the pin in, so if he misses he counts it as if he made it, a gimmee. He almost always steals an extra inch (or more) by marking the ball on the green closer to the hole.
Last but not least, never play this player in a match or expect to watch every shot like a hawk. That includes asking him and agreeing on his score after every hole. Even during tournaments he'll leave a stoke or two off the total when it takes four or five out of the bunker. In fact, as I'm finishing this story, I have a good example of this from yesterday's round. On the 16th hole he pops up the tee shot about 150 yards, leaving 200+ yards to the green. The second shot goes left and ends up in high grass near a tree just short of the green. Shot three lands short. A chip and two putts. As he taps in the sixth shot he says, bogey and puts a five on his card. This is very common, as his scorecard often reads bogey or occasionally double-bogey or more. I know this because the new pull carts at our club have a clip for the scorecard which he now uses. Until this year he used one of my Cardkeepers and had his scorecard and pencil in his back pocket, hidden. Bottom line; after cheating all thorough the round, the score he ultimately posts for his handicap is now lowered once again. He's been described as the world's worst player, that plays almost everyday.
Player 2. - This is a member of the golf industry who often plays in events. During the ten times we've played together I've seen him taking mulligans on any hole, on any shot. I can't remember ever seeing him with a bad lie. That doesn't mean he's never hit the ball in the rough, behind trees or in the tall grass around the greens. He always picks his ball up out of the rough and replaces it where he prefers it. When there's a tree in his way he moves the ball out of the way (I guess that's why they call it preferred lies).
One day on a par 5 he hit a good drive and went for the green on his second shot. The ball went far to the right. There was a creek beyond where he was looking and we never found the ball. Because he knew around where the ball was he felt he was robbed and deserved to play three from a free drop. After an up and down, he celebrates that he made a great par. To me, it doesn't pay to question it. Just play on. Like Player 1 he'll conveniently count only certain shots. What do you post on the card when you pick-up and say, that's enough?
Player 3. - This one really shattered me inside. I have a friend I've played with for over twenty years. . He always wants to beat me and out drive me, but when we play for money, even just a few dollars, it gets real competitive. The first time I caught him cheating was during my first Myrtle Beach golf-o-mania vacation in March 2006. On the first hole of our first of eight rounds, he wanted a 3-foot gimmee, which I didn't give. As he went down to mark his ball he tried to hide it with his body and then snuck the mark a few inches closer the hole. I didn't say anything and never trusted him after that. I saw him do it a few more times at our home course and stopped playing for money until recently, after finally confronting him about cheating. Are you surprised to hear that he denied everything?
Player 4. - This one hurt financially. A regular member of my group in the 1990's inherited a lot of family money. His basement looks like a golf club hall of fame, with a putting green and more new sets of clubs than most pro shops.
One day during a multi-hole Skins game carryover, I was about to win about $20. On a par 5 I'm on the green in three, with only a five needed to win. As his third shot ran just off the back of the green up against the tall grass, he groaned. As we approached the green I saw him scoop the ball with his wedge and move it a few inches closer, onto the fringe. I asked both players in the group if they saw what I just saw. They didn't. Instead of a very difficult wedge shot to even make a par, he putted and of-course made it for birdie, robbing me of some much needed cash.
He didn't need the money, but his ego couldn't live with the loss. This is the same player that carries a +1 handicap (which means he's under-par) because he only posts his low scores. Yes, he's a good player, but maybe a 3 or 4 handicap.
Usually I end my stories by saying Golf is Great Theatre. This time is goes like this; Golf is a game that brings out the worst in people and offers the perfect setting for cheaters.
April 25, 2008
Golf's Answer to Houdini
Yogi Berra said it best when he reminded us It Ain't Over Till It's Over. Do you have your own personal favorite expressions with similar meaning? Here's just a few that come to mind: "Almost Doesn't Count ...except in horseshoes"."Close, But No Cigar"."I Can't Believe What I Just Saw".
I'm sure there are many good ones I've left out. Either way, if you were watching last week's Accenture Match Play Championships you saw what I saw, starting with Wednesday's opening matches. If you missed it just trust me, ALL these clichés and more apply to the escape acts performed by Tiger Woods, golf's answer to Harry Houdini. Starting his 2008 golf season the way he ended 2007, Tiger is sending his own message to all those trying to beat him; Forget About It!
We all have a soft spot in our hearts and like to root for the underdog. I'll even admit rooting against Tiger on several occasions, including each of his US Amateur final match victories, his first wins as a pro and Masters win in 1997. Back then, I didn't think he was worth all the hype. I've since learned to enjoy watching him compete, appreciate how good he is as compared to every other player and the history he's making. Yes, I still continue to root for someone to put up a legitimate challenge each tournament, but I'm not holding my breath anymore. I'm also not a believer that Phil Mickelson is that steady challenger. What's incredible to me is that the guys who can't beat Tiger, are the rest of the best players in the world. These guys play a different game than the rest of us, (who's passions are to steadily break 80, 90or 100) and Tiger plays a different game than all of them. To put things into their proper prospective, think about how many times you were ever under par during a round, beyond the first few holes. Be honest now.
For those who still root against him, thinking he can't be that good, that he's made a deal with the devil (GB), get used to suffering for many more years. With 63 wins and Arnold Palmer's 62 victories now in his rear view mirror, Tiger takes aim next at Ben Hogan's 64. It's just a matter of time before he beats Jack Nicklaus' 73, Sam Snead's 82 and holds all the records. He can't go undefeated for the year, can he? Of course not, that's absurd. What about twelve in a row, beating Byron Nelson's record of eleven? This record was always thought of as sacred, never to be broken, just like Joe Dimaggio's 56 game hitting streak Well maybe he can't win every tournament he enters, but why not the fours majors? Tiger has the unique luxury of losing and still being the big winner, especially if he pulls off the Grand Slam. My take on Tiger, "never say never".
To put the official wrap on the Accenture Match Play, here's the quick version of what I saw:Simply put; Tiger was good TV. I watched in awe as he shifted into another gear on Wednesday making three birdies and an eagle, as he performed his Houdini-like escape, a 3-down with 5 to play death grip by JB Holmes. Then on Friday, he out dueled Aaron Baddley in an entertaining birdie fest, where Baddley had multiple make able putts in regulation, before losing in extra holes in sudden death. In the spirit of basketball's March Madness, the bracket wars saw their share of early upsets by top players. The most notable was Ernie Els, who lost 6 and 5 to Jonathan Byrd in round one. Phil Mickelson's early exit can at the hands of red hot Stuart Appleby, where birdies chirped throughout the match for both players before Mickelson made a crucial mistake, three putting on the final hole. The biggest surprise was watching Stewart Cink humiliate his opponents throughout the week, but as the final script read, IT GOT LATE EARLY for Cink, losing 8-7 to Tiger in the 36 hole final. What a surprise!
Today's 60-second golf tip:
With all this talk about perfection, is it just me or do you see all the BAD shots I do by tour players? Here's a few lowlights from Wednesday:Tiger's opening tee shot out of bounds rightThe tee shot on 18 of Henrik Stensen, (last year's winner and this year's winner of the consolation match for 3rd place). This low hook off the heel with his 3 metal (I still don't know what to call it) was replayed by Johnny Miller and described as the worst tee shot he'd ever seen by a pro.
More and more I see bad slices off the tee, as the top players strive for the perfect plane and timing of the knees, hips, shoulders, arms and chest. Wanna get confused too? Just listen to the telecasts and see the replays of a player's swing as they're analyzed by the experts in spectacular super slow motion. They do a good job of showing off their knowledge, with technical terms only a physics major understands. For me, the moment I worry about my left side "getting stuck" on the down swing, not allowing the club to release (quoting Nick Faldo), I lose touch with what's most important, squaring the club into impact. Squaring the club by turning the hands with Thumbs Down as you strike the ball, makes all the right things happen automatically, without thinking. That's the way I like it. This discovery was the magic formula for me, "like money in the bank", as it cured my out of control slice in the mid 1990's.
In case I haven't made this good new public knowledge yet, Morgan James Publishing will soon publish Thumbs Down, the virtual golf lesson, Front Nine edition. Checkout my new and improved website at www.golfinstructionmadesimple and see all the new products and videos available. Pay particular attention to the "Promo Item" button on each page that shows how Thumbs Down makes a unique promotional item for business. Contact me for pricing at: info@thumbsdownmethod.com. While you're on the website see "visit my blog" button or at www.thumbsdownmethod.com.
I'm sure there are many good ones I've left out. Either way, if you were watching last week's Accenture Match Play Championships you saw what I saw, starting with Wednesday's opening matches. If you missed it just trust me, ALL these clichés and more apply to the escape acts performed by Tiger Woods, golf's answer to Harry Houdini. Starting his 2008 golf season the way he ended 2007, Tiger is sending his own message to all those trying to beat him; Forget About It!
We all have a soft spot in our hearts and like to root for the underdog. I'll even admit rooting against Tiger on several occasions, including each of his US Amateur final match victories, his first wins as a pro and Masters win in 1997. Back then, I didn't think he was worth all the hype. I've since learned to enjoy watching him compete, appreciate how good he is as compared to every other player and the history he's making. Yes, I still continue to root for someone to put up a legitimate challenge each tournament, but I'm not holding my breath anymore. I'm also not a believer that Phil Mickelson is that steady challenger. What's incredible to me is that the guys who can't beat Tiger, are the rest of the best players in the world. These guys play a different game than the rest of us, (who's passions are to steadily break 80, 90or 100) and Tiger plays a different game than all of them. To put things into their proper prospective, think about how many times you were ever under par during a round, beyond the first few holes. Be honest now.
For those who still root against him, thinking he can't be that good, that he's made a deal with the devil (GB), get used to suffering for many more years. With 63 wins and Arnold Palmer's 62 victories now in his rear view mirror, Tiger takes aim next at Ben Hogan's 64. It's just a matter of time before he beats Jack Nicklaus' 73, Sam Snead's 82 and holds all the records. He can't go undefeated for the year, can he? Of course not, that's absurd. What about twelve in a row, beating Byron Nelson's record of eleven? This record was always thought of as sacred, never to be broken, just like Joe Dimaggio's 56 game hitting streak Well maybe he can't win every tournament he enters, but why not the fours majors? Tiger has the unique luxury of losing and still being the big winner, especially if he pulls off the Grand Slam. My take on Tiger, "never say never".
To put the official wrap on the Accenture Match Play, here's the quick version of what I saw:Simply put; Tiger was good TV. I watched in awe as he shifted into another gear on Wednesday making three birdies and an eagle, as he performed his Houdini-like escape, a 3-down with 5 to play death grip by JB Holmes. Then on Friday, he out dueled Aaron Baddley in an entertaining birdie fest, where Baddley had multiple make able putts in regulation, before losing in extra holes in sudden death. In the spirit of basketball's March Madness, the bracket wars saw their share of early upsets by top players. The most notable was Ernie Els, who lost 6 and 5 to Jonathan Byrd in round one. Phil Mickelson's early exit can at the hands of red hot Stuart Appleby, where birdies chirped throughout the match for both players before Mickelson made a crucial mistake, three putting on the final hole. The biggest surprise was watching Stewart Cink humiliate his opponents throughout the week, but as the final script read, IT GOT LATE EARLY for Cink, losing 8-7 to Tiger in the 36 hole final. What a surprise!
Today's 60-second golf tip:
With all this talk about perfection, is it just me or do you see all the BAD shots I do by tour players? Here's a few lowlights from Wednesday:Tiger's opening tee shot out of bounds rightThe tee shot on 18 of Henrik Stensen, (last year's winner and this year's winner of the consolation match for 3rd place). This low hook off the heel with his 3 metal (I still don't know what to call it) was replayed by Johnny Miller and described as the worst tee shot he'd ever seen by a pro.
More and more I see bad slices off the tee, as the top players strive for the perfect plane and timing of the knees, hips, shoulders, arms and chest. Wanna get confused too? Just listen to the telecasts and see the replays of a player's swing as they're analyzed by the experts in spectacular super slow motion. They do a good job of showing off their knowledge, with technical terms only a physics major understands. For me, the moment I worry about my left side "getting stuck" on the down swing, not allowing the club to release (quoting Nick Faldo), I lose touch with what's most important, squaring the club into impact. Squaring the club by turning the hands with Thumbs Down as you strike the ball, makes all the right things happen automatically, without thinking. That's the way I like it. This discovery was the magic formula for me, "like money in the bank", as it cured my out of control slice in the mid 1990's.
In case I haven't made this good new public knowledge yet, Morgan James Publishing will soon publish Thumbs Down, the virtual golf lesson, Front Nine edition. Checkout my new and improved website at www.golfinstructionmadesimple and see all the new products and videos available. Pay particular attention to the "Promo Item" button on each page that shows how Thumbs Down makes a unique promotional item for business. Contact me for pricing at: info@thumbsdownmethod.com. While you're on the website see "visit my blog" button or at www.thumbsdownmethod.com.
Aloha and Welcome Back
Aloha and Welcome Back to the professional golf season 2008!
After an off-season break, I'm back in the saddle with many stories and interesting information already teed up to share with you throughout the year. Each story is also posted on my new blog at www.thumbsdownmethod.com, which is also a website with a new Turn Golf Into Business theme. Please check it out, but pardon the appearance during the next few weeks, as it's still under construction.
While the NFL playoffs heated up and football fans like me were enjoying the first three rounds,the 2008 PGA golf season officially kicked off in Hawaii. Even though most of the game's big names didn't play at the Mercedes and Sony Opens, it was still fun to watch the rest of the world's best golfers make the game look easy. Coincidentally, last weekend Tiger Woods made itlook too easy as he coasted to victory by eight shots at the Buick Invitational, after leading by eleven on the back nine of the final round. Stay tuned for more on this.
This weekend it's Super Bowl XLII (42), with my NY Giants playing the role of this year's Cinderella team, against possibly the best team in football history. After suffering with my Gints for forty years (with the exception of two Super Bowl wins and the 2000 Super Bowl loss), a die hard fan can only hope the magic lasts one more week, as they try to spoil the New England Patriots historic unbeaten season. While the football teams are in the desert in Arizona, Tiger and a few friends: Mark O'Meara, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Darren Clark and Thomas Bjorn are in the desert in Dubai. On the eve of the opening round of the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates, I'm watching the Golf Channel's telecast of the team competition.
I love watching great players do what they do best, but I'm getting tired of seeing their fluid swings, perfect ball striking and follow-throughs in super slow motion, then listening to the experts as they analyze what we just saw. This year, a new toy called Track Man shows each player's ball and club speed, spin rates and gives even more feedback. I have absolutely no problem with the quality of the commentator's credentials and expertise, but their explanations are filled with technical information I don't understand, in a language I can't relate to. In their attempts to keep it simple for all of us, most of the messages go right over our heads, better suited for the top 1% of all golfers. In sharp contrast, the Thumbs Down method is targeted at the other 99% (10's of millions of us), because it was created by a peer (ME), not an expert. My big advantage is that I relate to amateurs better because I live in your shoes every day.
It drives me crazy when I see and hear instructors do side by side comparisons between the best in the world and recreational players. Hey, don't get me wrong because watching the best players (Palmer, Nicklaus, Player, etc) on TV is how I learned and taught myself to play golf. I also learned to bowl by watching Dick Weber and started hitting topspin forehands by watching Bjorn Borg destroy the world of tennis in the 1970's. It's a mystery to me why the golf swing is analyzed more than in any other sport. Unfortunately for too many golfers, the term paralysis through analysis applies all too often.
I have a very strong opinion that a majority of the instruction to focuses on the wrong order of importance for the average player. To me, a pretty swing don't mean a thing unless you're making solid contact and able to control where the ball is going. Golf is a lot like skiing in that it's essential to initially learn the correct fundamentals first, but after that you're on your own. Like it or not, we learn and teach ourselves every time we do it.
This year I'm branding the Thumbs Down method as the premier "Teach Yourself" method and myself as a Teach Yourself virtual coach, with a virtual coaching program using the internet. Contact ME to learn more.
This issue's 60 second Thumbs Down method golf tip emphasizes one of my pet phrases, "start with solid ball striking …then works backwards. See what I mean by checking out my new video at www.golfinstructionmadesimple.com/Downloads/FreeStuff.htm. It was filmed live for the Inside Golf show (6:00PM Saturday's on Comcast Sportsnet) on November 14, as I cured the producer's slice and made him a better ball striker in minutes, just as advertised. The video tells my story exactly as it was originally intended.
On Feb 4 I'll be unveiling a new website look, with a unique Pro Shop and Online Store. Check it out and tell your friends to do the same. As always, your comments, replies and input are welcome.
After an off-season break, I'm back in the saddle with many stories and interesting information already teed up to share with you throughout the year. Each story is also posted on my new blog at www.thumbsdownmethod.com, which is also a website with a new Turn Golf Into Business theme. Please check it out, but pardon the appearance during the next few weeks, as it's still under construction.
While the NFL playoffs heated up and football fans like me were enjoying the first three rounds,the 2008 PGA golf season officially kicked off in Hawaii. Even though most of the game's big names didn't play at the Mercedes and Sony Opens, it was still fun to watch the rest of the world's best golfers make the game look easy. Coincidentally, last weekend Tiger Woods made itlook too easy as he coasted to victory by eight shots at the Buick Invitational, after leading by eleven on the back nine of the final round. Stay tuned for more on this.
This weekend it's Super Bowl XLII (42), with my NY Giants playing the role of this year's Cinderella team, against possibly the best team in football history. After suffering with my Gints for forty years (with the exception of two Super Bowl wins and the 2000 Super Bowl loss), a die hard fan can only hope the magic lasts one more week, as they try to spoil the New England Patriots historic unbeaten season. While the football teams are in the desert in Arizona, Tiger and a few friends: Mark O'Meara, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Darren Clark and Thomas Bjorn are in the desert in Dubai. On the eve of the opening round of the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates, I'm watching the Golf Channel's telecast of the team competition.
I love watching great players do what they do best, but I'm getting tired of seeing their fluid swings, perfect ball striking and follow-throughs in super slow motion, then listening to the experts as they analyze what we just saw. This year, a new toy called Track Man shows each player's ball and club speed, spin rates and gives even more feedback. I have absolutely no problem with the quality of the commentator's credentials and expertise, but their explanations are filled with technical information I don't understand, in a language I can't relate to. In their attempts to keep it simple for all of us, most of the messages go right over our heads, better suited for the top 1% of all golfers. In sharp contrast, the Thumbs Down method is targeted at the other 99% (10's of millions of us), because it was created by a peer (ME), not an expert. My big advantage is that I relate to amateurs better because I live in your shoes every day.
It drives me crazy when I see and hear instructors do side by side comparisons between the best in the world and recreational players. Hey, don't get me wrong because watching the best players (Palmer, Nicklaus, Player, etc) on TV is how I learned and taught myself to play golf. I also learned to bowl by watching Dick Weber and started hitting topspin forehands by watching Bjorn Borg destroy the world of tennis in the 1970's. It's a mystery to me why the golf swing is analyzed more than in any other sport. Unfortunately for too many golfers, the term paralysis through analysis applies all too often.
I have a very strong opinion that a majority of the instruction to focuses on the wrong order of importance for the average player. To me, a pretty swing don't mean a thing unless you're making solid contact and able to control where the ball is going. Golf is a lot like skiing in that it's essential to initially learn the correct fundamentals first, but after that you're on your own. Like it or not, we learn and teach ourselves every time we do it.
This year I'm branding the Thumbs Down method as the premier "Teach Yourself" method and myself as a Teach Yourself virtual coach, with a virtual coaching program using the internet. Contact ME to learn more.
This issue's 60 second Thumbs Down method golf tip emphasizes one of my pet phrases, "start with solid ball striking …then works backwards. See what I mean by checking out my new video at www.golfinstructionmadesimple.com/Downloads/FreeStuff.htm. It was filmed live for the Inside Golf show (6:00PM Saturday's on Comcast Sportsnet) on November 14, as I cured the producer's slice and made him a better ball striker in minutes, just as advertised. The video tells my story exactly as it was originally intended.
On Feb 4 I'll be unveiling a new website look, with a unique Pro Shop and Online Store. Check it out and tell your friends to do the same. As always, your comments, replies and input are welcome.
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