|
|
Weekly Ezine Aug 9/04 |
|
Visit our PROSHOP for the best selection of name brand and clone golf equipment, apparel, training aids, gifts and accessories.
In this edition:
|
|
Lower your handicap by 30% within weeks for only $11.95. Guaranteed. And get two free bonus ebooks !
The Week on the tours:
This week is the final major of the year, and I am excited about the venue. Whistling Straights, a links style course on the shores of Lake Michigan in Kohler, Wisconsin is a beautiful test. It is quite different from many US major venues and will be longest course in major history at 7,515 yards, including four par fours measuring at least 500 yards.
Obviously the long hitters like Tiger and Daly would seem to have an advantage, but players who have practiced on the course have said it is tight and very difficult, especially in the wind. Last year's champion Shaun Micheel even predicted that if the wind is up, double figures over par could win. Loren Roberts said it was the hardest course he has ever played.
There will be a lot expected from Phil Mickelson this week. He actually has a chance to set a record if he finishes in the top three. No player has ever finished in the top three in all four majors. With his Masters win, he has finished 1-2-3 in the majors this year. The first two rounds will see a great threesome as Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, and John Daly will tee off together on Thursday and Friday.
Retief Goosen and Nick Price will both miss the PGA. Goosen, who also withdrew from the International last week, is still recovering from a jet-ski injury, and Price has family obligations.
Speaking of the International at Castle Pines, which is one of my favorite tournaments, Rodney Pampling eagled the par five 17th for 5 points to pass Alex Cjeka who bogied the 16th making it an eight point swing.
On the LPGA tour Meg Mallon won by a stroke over defending champion Se Ri Pak, and last week's British Open winner Karen Stupples.
Tom Kite ended an almost two year winless streak on the Champion's Tour with a one stroke victory over Kevin Stadler.
PGA Tour:
2004 The International modified Stableford scoring
1.
Pampling, R. +31
2. Cejka, A. +29
3. Pernice Jr., T. +27
4. Waldorf, D. +26
5. Haas, J. +25
6. Cink, S. +24
6. DiMarco, C. +24
6. Petrovic, T. +24
9. Gronberg, M. +23
9. Langer, B. +23
9. Tway, B. +23
12. Hamilton, T. +22
12. Maria Olazabal, J. +22
12. Sutherland, K. +22
European
Tour:
2004
The KLM Open
click
here for results
Champion's
Tour:
3M Championship
click here for results
Nationwide
Tour:
2004 Cox
Classic click here
for results
LPGA Tour:
2004 Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic by Kroger click
here for results
For full field scores and stats on all the tours, go to PGA
Tour.com.
This week:
PGA tour:
|
2004
PGA Championship |
TV
Coverage: |
European Tour:
2004 BMW
Russian Open
Aug 12-15
Meridien Moscow Golf and Country Club
Moscow, Russia
Defending: Marcus Fraser
Purse: $452,654 ($75,434 to winner)
Champion's Tour:
No event scheduled
Nationwide Tour:
2004 Price Cutter Charity Championship
Aug 12-15
Highland Springs Country Club
Springfield, Missouri
Defending: Tom Carter
Purse: $525,000 ($94,500 to winner)
LPGA Tour:
No event scheduled
top of page
"I don't think I'll live long enough to shoot my age. I'm lucky to shoot my weight." - Bruce Lansky
|
|
Ugly putters seem to be the rage, even on tour. Well, maybe beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially when the putts start rolling in. I am a traditionalist when it comes to putters. It took a couple years to be coaxed away from a blade to my Ping B-60, and when the first big putters came out, I was disgusted. So when I was finally talked in to trying the Technica curved putter, I looked down and felt like I was holding something from outer space. About five minutes later, I was looking more seriously at it because putts were going in from everywhere. I decided to play a round with it and had 27 putts. I had not broken the thirty putt plateau in over two years previously. To prove it wasn't a fluke I used it again and had 29 putts. I was making everything from the 10-15 foot range. This putter feels great and has a really nice weight to it once you get used to it. I found it easy to make both long and short putts, which I find to be rare with most putters. I don't think I am ready to put this one in my bag yetbecause of the look, even though I should because putting has always been my weak link. The idea of the curved back is similar to what Scotty Cameron has done with Titleist though the feel is different. The three ball alignment helps and the curved weight in the back is supposed to keep the putter from opening and closing at impact. I don't know but it sure seems to work, and it is over $200 less than the comparable Titlelist model. Oh yeah, of course it is guaranteed. Rating: 5 out of 5 |
Warming up on the range before a round:
Go to a tour event and just about player you watch on the range will be doing pretty much the same routine.
Start with a sand wedge and pick a target about 60-80 yards away and start by hitting leisurely shots to that target. Work on making easy contact and having a nice relaxed tempo. Hit as many of these as it takes to get into a nice groove.
Then start working your way up. You do not have to use every club as you work your way up, but don't go straight to the driver. Take your time between shots, and stay focussed on good tempo, not results.
Ensure that your last shots are with the club you will be hitting off the first tee. Then go finish off with some chipping and putting to get a feel for distance on your chips, and the speed of the putts. Do not get caught up in making putts and chips at this point, just concentrate on feel.
For
more golf tips click
here.
top of page
Do you have relevant questions, comments, or opinions about golf that
you would like to be heard? Have any suggestions to improve this ezine?
Please email them to sean@lowerscoregolf.com
2004 PGA Money Leaders Through The International:
|
1
Vijay Singh 21 events $5,813,567 |
|
Good Golfing,
SEAN HARDER