David Toms made a big comeback at the Colonial

David Toms made a big comeback at the Colonial

David Toms made a big comeback at the Colonial, winning on the PGA Tour for the first time since 2006 with a closing three-under 67 on Sunday for a one-stroke victory over Charlie Wi.A day after blowing a seven-stroke advantage to enter the final round trailing Wi by one, Toms made an eagle with a wedge shot from 83 yards at the par-five 11th hole. He threw his arms into the air and a smile took over his face.Toms, 44, closed with a three-under 67 at Hogan's Alley to get to 15 under. His long-elusive 13th career victory came a week after a playoff loss to K.J. Choi at the Players Championship, his sixth runner-up finish since last winning."That Taylormade R11 Series Become Golf Game Must-Haves just took a lot of guts, that's really all," Toms said. "That's what I got by on today."Wi shot a 69 for his fourth career runner-up finish.After that playoff loss at TPC Sawgrass, Toms had an opening 62 at the Colonial for his best score in 429 rounds -- since a career-best 61 during his last victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii.Suzann Pettersen beat Cristie Kerr, 1-up, to win the Sybase Match Play Championship in Gladstone, N.J., ending a 20-month victory drought. Leading, 1-up, and with Kerr facing a 10-foot birdie attempt, Pettersen curled in a left to-right 15-footer for birdie to seal the victory at Hamilton Farm Golf Club.Ian Poulter beat Luke Donald, 2 and, 1 to win Left-Handed Golfer Also Can Choose R11 Driver the World Match Play Championship, denying his English countryman the top spot in the world ranking. Poulter pulled clear of his Ryder Cup teammate by winning two of the last four holes with birdies in Casares, Spain. The second-ranked Donald would have replaced Lee Westwood at No. 1 if he had won the tournament. ...

The Disappointing Fall of PGA Golfer

The Disappointing Fall of PGA Golfer

The last time Tiger was out of the top 10 was when he was ranked 13th on April 6, 1997.  This was right before winning the Masters.  After that, Woods went on an unprecedented tear, being ranked number one for 623 weeks.There was also a great sense of pride in the fact that Tiger, like a mythical superhero, could show up to a tournament as the only black man out of 150 participants and whip every single player on the course.  I thought that the emergence of Tiger Woods would lead to a wave of  great black golfers, as other inspired young black men took to the course to replicate the efforts of their idol.  As much as he ridiculously described himself to be “caublinasian,” (whatever that means) he struck a mighty blow to one of the Why decide on custom made Fitted TaylorMade R9 Fairway Wood most racist and elitist sports in the world.  The man other golfers traditionally expected to be their caddy was consistently spanking them on the course and asking “who’s your daddy?”But to date, there are no prominent black male golfers other than Tiger himself.   With Tiger’s exit from greatness, the path has been cleared for new, hungrier, young (mostly white and Asian) players to make their mark on the world.  I never thought I’d see the day where my hero had become an also-ran, but I guess nothing lasts forever.On one hand, it probably got a little dull for Tiger to keep investing the amount of time and energy it takes to be the greatest golfer in the history of the world:  You have to practice longer than your competitors, you can’t have as much fun as everyone else, and you’ve got to make sacrifices that most people aren’t willing to make.  I became concerned about Tiger’s career when he decided to get married, for I’ve always felt that relationships sometimes take away time that highly ambitious people can’t commit.At the same time, Tiger may end up falling painfully short of breaking the record that served as the driving force behind his entire career: winning 18 major championships, set by Jack Nicklaus.  It will surely make the white male golf establishment happy to see that the incredibly threatening black guy never quite reached his mark.  By finishing with 14 majors, Tiger may end up painfully close to his goal.  No, I do not think Tiger is going to win another major – his attention seems to have gone elsewhere.

Westwood and McIlroy are skipping Sawgrass

Westwood and McIlroy are skipping Sawgrass

The two European stars, world number one Westwood and number six McIlroy, are both skipping Sawgrass this week in a blow to golf's richest event.Their absence has led some to question whether the tournament is being Golf Difficulties Send Romo To Regular Job devalued as European events start to build in stature, but Mickelson has defended its importance.Asked if the £5.8million tournament still had the same prestige in his eyes the 2007 winner replied: "Certainly in my mind it does.This week's event will have even more importance given as, with Westwood's absence, the world number one spot is once again up for grabs.Mickelson has another chance to become world number one for the first time in his career, but he continues to play down the significance of the top spot."It's certainly what R9 Fairway Wood everybody strives for, but it's not really something that's on the forefront of anybody's minds," he added. Luke Donald could also take the number one position by winning and German Martin Kaymer could regain that hour with a top two finish.Mickelson was also quizzed on whether he felt that time was running out on him ever becoming world number one with so many young players now fighting for the title."I don't feel that way," he replied. "And I don't feel that way because I see some things in my game that are starting to get better and better."I really know what it is I'm trying to do on the greens now, my short game has been sharp, my driving has been much better. I feel like I'm driving the ball straighter than I ever have and I'm excited to put that into play."My mindset changes after Augusta. It's not distance any more, it's 'got to get the ball in the fairway'. I see my game getting better, I welcome the challenge and I think that there's a lot of opportunity for me to still have a lot of success here."

Chirkinian is considered an innovator in golf broadcasts

Chirkinian is considered an innovator in golf broadcasts

Chirkinian is considered an innovator in golf broadcasts thanks to things like using on-course reporters, blimp cameras and putting microphones throughout the course. Chirkinian, nicknamed "the Ayatollah," was the first to list a players' scores in relation to par rather than total number of strokes. The 84-year-old found out about his induction this year during the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and passed away three weeks later after Players Appear At Tim Tebow Charity Golf Event a battle with lung cancer. Before he died, Chirkinian taped an acceptance speech, which was played at Monday's ceremony. "I must admit that I have been known to be speechless now and again, but that's a rare thing to have happen," Chirkinian said in the video. "But tonight I am speechless." Chirkinian said he was "humbled" by the honor, which wouldn't have been possible without his talented CBS colleagues. "Looking back at a career that spanned 40 years, I'm amazed at how quickly those years have passed, a lot faster than I hoped they would," Chirkinian said. "I realized golf is more than just a game. It's a way of life."

Later in the ceremony, the Hall of Fame honored another golf great who died this year, Seve Ballesteros, who passed away early Saturday following a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was 54 years old. Ballesteros, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, possessed unique charisma and shot-making ability, qualities on display in a tribute video played Monday. His 20-year career included 50 wins on the European Tour and nine victories on the PGA Tour. He won the British Open three times and the Masters twice. Ford won 19 PGA Tour titles, including the 1955 PGA Championship and the 1957 Masters. He played on four United States Ryder Cup teams and was PGA Player of the Year the year he won the PGA. Hutchinson was born in St. Andrews, Scotland and became an American citizen in 1920 when he was 36 years old. He became the first American citizen and first non United Kingdom based winner of the Open Championship in 1921. Hutchinson captured the 1920 PGA Championship and picked up 14 PGA Tour titles. He also won two Senior PGA Championships, including the inaugural one in 1937. Hutchinson passed away in 1977 at the age of 93.Ozaki, whose real name is Masashi, won 94 times on the Japan Tour, which is 40 more than the next closest competitor. He led that circuit's money list 12 times and his last victory came in 2002. Ozaki, 64, still plays some on the Japan Tour and despite rarely playing outside his homeland, he was ranked in the top 10 in the world rankings for almost 200 weeks.

Thomas Aiken lifted his first European Tour title at the Spanish Open

Thomas Aiken lifted his first European Tour title at the Spanish Open

South African Thomas Aiken lifted his first European Tour title at the Spanish Open - an event inevitably overshadowed by the death of three-time winner Seve Ballesteros.

After clinching victory by two strokes, Aiken immediately dedicated his triumph to one of the greats of the game."It's been a sad week with Seve passing away," he said. "I definitely want to dedicate this win to him with it being his home Open  How Can You Enhance Your Golf Level and what he gave to his home fans and to golf."The 27-year-old from Johannesburg, playing his first tournament after a seven-week lay-off, shot a closing 70 at El Prat near Barcelona to beat Dane Anders Hansen by two.Aiken took the first prize of almost £295,000 - way more than Ballesteros earned for his three Open victories combined - with a 10-under-par total of 278."I don't think it's quite hit home yet," he added. "I've been waiting for this for a long, long time and I've been knocking on the door. I'm ecstatic."With all the players again wearing black ribbons in memory of the Spanish superstar, Aiken became the fifth South African to win on the circuit already this season. Masters champion Charl Schwartzel is among them, of course.He resumed two in front and doubled that with birdies at the second and sixth.He added another on the short 11th and after failing to get up and down from sand at the 223-yard 13th he came straight back with a further birdie.Three-putting the 15th cut the gap to three again and when he drove into sand down the 17th the outcome was still far from certain.However, Aiken, six times a winner in his home country, saved par and finished with another.Playing partner Hansen, never able to pile on the pressure, birdied the par-five last to push Scotland's Scott Jamieson and Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal into joint third.Welshman Phillip Price and France's Gregory Havret both bogeyed the 18th to drop into a tie for fifth with Scot Paul Lawrie, England's Simon Dyson and David Horsey and Havret's compatriot Romain Wattel.Jose Maria Olazabal, mourning the loss of his great friend and ex-cup partner Ballesteros, managed only a 77 and fell outside the top 50 on eight over.

Is golf around the corner at Metamora Fields Golf Club?

Is golf around the corner at Metamora Fields Golf Club?

Abnormally wet weather in 2009 and '10, coupled with record rainfall so far this spring, has pushed back the grand opening of central Illinois' newest golf course. But the endless rain has not dampened the optimism of a family who dove head first into the golf industry when analysts and feasibility studies cautioned against it."As soon as the sun pops out," Brinkman said. "We're going to hop on it and hopefully get it done. But until I see the first golfers on the first hole, I don't think it will seem real to me."The driving range at Metamora Rory McIlroy Said Masters Is In Past Fields - a 25-station, bentgrass hitting area - was scheduled to open May 4. The front nine could be open for play in early JuneAnd the entire 18 holes?"Well, that's a moving target," said Dan Budzius, general manager of the facility. "We have a grand opening set for July 11, but if this rain keeps rolling it will be a little tougher to manage that."We'll have to see once we finally get seed in the ground."More than half the golf course is completed and nearly ready for play. But four holes - Nos. 10, 11, 12 and 17 - are behind schedule and might not be playable until late summer.

Even though the grand opening of the golf course - initially projected for 2010 - will likely be a year behind schedule, the clubhouse already is a powerful economic engine for the development. Budzius said weddings are already booked well into 2012, and that the restaurant served more than 800 guests for brunch on Easter Sunday.

If the quality of the product and operations on the inside are any indication of what to expect outside, it should be a good year for Metamora Fields."The Rings, D.A., Steve, Turf Solutions Group ... they all want the perfect product coming out of the ground when we open," Budzius said. "Because the first impressions are so important, impactful and, of course, memorable."In this case, we've had great success with the clubhouse. And when we open the range, that will be a great experience. When we open nine holes, people will see the quality is there. When we finally get all 18 open, we think that same feeling and experience goes through all 18."There's no doubt the product is very, very, very good. It's just a matter of finally being able to have the opportunity, from a weather perspective, to showcase that."

Freshman leads Chico to EALN golf title

Freshman leads Chico to EALN golf title

Highlighting the Panthers was freshman Tyler Collier, who after carding a 78, finished with a season total of 290 to win the individual crown. "As the season went on I started playing better and started feeling better about myself," said Collier, who was masterful on the final nine holes, where he shot a 35. "I really didn't think about the pressure. I just played my game and didn't let it get into my head. On the back nine today I was making a lot more putts that I usually don't make. On the front nine I wasn't making putts or hitting fairways. Watson Talk About Tiger’s Swing I fixed my driver a little bit too and tried not to hook it so much. I was just trying to hit it so far and it wasn't working out obviously. On the back nine I just tried to hit the fairway." After securing the league championship, Chico coach Kevin Wisdom had high praise for his team, which boasted the top three individuals in Collier, Kurt Kitayama (301) and Sean McGowen (308). "I'm really, really proud of them," Kitayama, who has committed to play for the UNLV golf team next year, recorded the low score on the day with a 73. He also played a crucial role in earning the league crown as he delivered a 36 on the last nine holes. Helping to seal the deal for Chico was Taylor Manna's 79 and Josh Martin's 39 on the back nine. Martin's score was a personal season best. "We lost the front nine to a really good PV team. Our hats go off to them," Wisdom said. "Dave Crawford is a great coach and he's done a really good job with them. We were fortunate enough to have a few rolls go our way on the back nine. It could've easily have been PV that won league." All-league went to the six golfers who produced the lowest season totals. In order, those golfers were Collier, Kitayama, McGowen, Andy Lazos (PV), Cole Chavez (PV) and Nick Schwabauer (Shasta). Honorable mentions included Pleasant Valley's Justin Chambers and Brady Stilwell, Shasta's Johnny Catrucco and Manna. Enterprise's Sean Greenhood and Taylor Greenhood rounded out the list. While the league championship eluded the Vikings, Crawford was still pleased with his team's overall performance. "Today, that's a solid score," he said. "We're happy with the score. We just got beat on the back nine by a team that played better. I'm not disappointed by the score that they shot. Of course we wanted to win and second place doesn't feel so good. But we got beat. We didn't hand it to them." Crawford focus now is on the Northern Section Division I Finals, which take place next week at Tuscan Ridge Golf Club.

McIlroy's best performance in his career

McIlroy's best performance in his career

"I'm fine. It was a great chance to win a first major, but it's only golf at the end of the day. No one died," McIlroy said as he prepared to defend his title starting Thursday in the Wells Fargo Championship. "I can't come off and sulk and say, 'Oh, this is the worst day of my life.' Because a bad day on the golf course is better than a good day in the office."I'm very happy with my life, very happy with what's going on, very happy with my game. And there are three more majors this year and hopefully dozens more that I'll play in McIlroy Brings Good Memories To Charlotte my career."The last major, however, was a nightmare. At 21, McIlroy was trying to become the second-youngest winner of the Masters and took a four-stroke lead into the final round. He still led by one heading to the 10th tee despite a 1-over par 37 on the front. But proving once again that the Masters doesn't truly begin until the back nine on Sunday, McIlroy shot 43 on the inward nine and fell into a tie for 15th."I don't think I was ready," McIlroy said. "I hit the ball really well that week, the best probably I've ever hit it. It was more mental than anything else, just trying to handle the situation better. Not rushing. Hopefully I'll deal with it better the next time that I'm in one of those situations. I displayed a few weaknesses in my game that I need to work on.

"Don't listen to you guys," McIlroy said Norman told him. "From now on, don't read golf magazines, don't pick up papers, don't watch the Golf Channel. But it's hard not to. Obviously you want to keep up to date with what's going on. But you can't let other people sort of influence what you're thinking and what you should do."I've taken my own views from what happened a few weeks ago and moved on, and that's the most important thing."Tapping into fonder memories helps, too. Last year at Quail Hollow, McIlroy blew away the field by four shots, closing with six consecutive 3s on his card and shooting a back-nine 30. That final round came rushing back to McIlroy as soon as he arrived at the course on Monday.

Golf betting preview and picks

Golf betting preview and picks

In 2009, the “Green Mile” was the second-toughest closing stretch on tour with a scoring average of plus-0.374 over par and last year it was the toughest at plus-1.008 over par.The last event before THE PLAYERS features five of the Top 10 in the World Golf Rankings as well as 12 of the Top 25 players in the world, highlighted by Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk and Nick Watney. TaylorMade R9 SuperTri-Top Drivers for Pros The field also includes 12 of the 17 different winners on the tour so far this year. This is slowly becoming one of the bigger stops on tour that is not a major, despite taking place the week before the so-called fifth major tournament.

As mentioned, Rory McIlroy (+1,200) was a runaway winner at Quail Hollow a year ago and he seems to be ready to defend his title. He contended and ultimately finished third behind Matteo Manassero in the Malaysian Open, which was the week after the Masters. He has moved to a career-high sixth in the latest OWGR, ahead of Tiger Woods and the positives he took from Augusta will help him moving forward.Bubba Watson (+2,500) won in New Orleans last week and it can be tough for a player to compete, let alone win, for two straight weeks. He does have the temperament, however, to keep riding the momentum and confidence he gained at TPC Louisiana. He finished T-22 at Quail Hollow last year after finishing T-2 two years ago. He leads the tour in greens hit, so his accuracy is a big asset here. Rickie Fowler (+3,000) is an interesting choice this week because of his age. The last three winners here have been 20, 26 and 22 years old so he fits the mold of another young gun looking to tame Quail Hollow. He played here last year and finished sixth, eight shots behind McIlroy and four shots behind Mickelson. He was in the running last week before a Sunday 73 knocked him down to T-26.

Westwood make a macth with Reds

Westwood make a macth with Reds

It was the 38-year-old Worksop player's 35th tournament victory, 21 of which have come on the European Tour, and confirmed and extended his lead at the top of the World Rankings.Westwood, who usually plays the last round of a tournament in a red shirt, is a life-long Forest fan and their 5-1 trouncing of Scunthorpe was just the tonic he The Golf Tips To Pitch Closer needed before teeing off in the last round, three shots behind the leaders."When I turned on the TV on Sunday morning and saw that Forest had won 5-1, it helped and got me in good spirits," he said.His one-shot victory in the Balantine's looks like having another good return as the sponsors are now looking at a special whisky blend with Westwood's name on it."It's going to be nice to have a special Lee Westwood blend," said the European Ryder Cup star, who celebrated with a victory glass of champagne.Westwood shot a last round 67, the best score of the day, to pip fellow Ryder Cup star Miguel Angel Jimenez by one shot.

The pair had dinner and shared a bottle of red wine the night before and Jimenez said to Westwood 'see you in the play-off tomorrow'."Thank goodness that didn't happen because, the last time we were in a play-off, Miguel beat me," said Westwood.

"I'm proud of the way I played because it was tough out there and coming here off a win in Indonesia, it's not easy getting refocused."But the more experience you get the easier it is to do it and if anything, this was an old man's performance."I just hung around the field and got my head in front at the line."Westwood finished ahead of Jimenez who was in the final pair and he watched the Spaniard play the last hole on television.He said: "I watched him play the last from the 15th green. It's more nerve-racking watching than it is out there playing, because you have a bit of control when you're out there playing."But I know now how my wife and kids feel when they watch me at home on TV. It must be pretty nerve-wracking for them.

Different Comments On Bubba Won PGA Tour

Different Comments On Bubba Won PGA Tour

Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I don't see Bubba winning a U.S. Open, but I like the fact that he's capable of almost any surprise. Would love to see him do it. David Dusek, deputy editor, Golf.com: Congressional, probably not, because Bubba's short game is still a little suspect. But depending on the weather, Royal St. Sergio Has Long Way To US Open George's isn't entirely out of the question. (Wouldn't it be awesome for a guy named Bubba to be named Champion Golfer!) I think Watson's best shot for a major this year will be at Atlanta Athletic Club in August.Alan Shipnuck, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: He won't win a U.S. Open, but he's dangerous at the other majors. Atlanta in August with soft greens and one of the longest major championship setups ever could be highly favorable to Bubba.Farrell Evans, writer-reporter, Sports Illustrated: Bubba is admittedly a head case, so who knows how he might react under that kind of pressure? Also, 20 other players have the same qualities that make him dangerous — long off the tee, good shotmaker, putter and scrambler. But he's definitely a real contender and a great personality for the tour.Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: Bubba may be the No. 1 American at this moment. Not sure how I feel about that. His game is so unorthodox; is it built for the long haul? He's definitely entertaining to watch.Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: Bubba may be the No. 1 American at this moment. Not sure how I feel about that. His game is so unorthodox; is it built for the long haul? He's definitely entertaining to watch.

Is Lee Westwood NO.1 In The US?

Is Lee Westwood NO.1 In The US?

Last time Westood topped the heap, our American cousins didn't like the fact he had ended Tiger Woods' long reign at the top without him having won a major. Now they're grumbling because he regained the No 1 spot by beating a field of "nobodies" to win the Indonesian Masters.Lee Westwood regained the #1 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings for the second time this year.  However, as the Scotsman's Martin Dempster writes Lee Westood Frustrated By Talk About Lack Of Titles in a recent article, Westwood still has a long way to go to win over the hearts and fandom of most Americans. Westwood still hasn't even won a major.  How can he be considered the top golfer in the world?The answer to that is pretty simple -- and somewhat unfortunate at the same time.  The OWGR cares not about who you beat or how many events you win.  Instead, it cares only about how consistent of a performer you are in eligible events.  That should be more than enough reason as to why Westwood "deserves" the #1 ranking, right?  You play well for a consistent period, you are rewarded justly.  Makes sense to me.However, that opinion is certainly not shared by the majority of golf fans... and not by a long-shot.  As such, many reporters find it necessary to constantly ask Westwood about his opinion on the matter.  I wonder what happens when someone is asked repeatedly whether or not they feel they rightfully deserve an achievement?

"The world rankings and major championships are two completely separate things," said Westwood, "I haven't won a major yet but hope to do so soon. I've had a lot of good chances to win majors but it just hasn't happened.  But the world rankings are all about consistency and playing well week in and week out, which I tend to do. The secret to being world number one is having the consistency, and all parts of your game have to be good to do that."

The Youngest Member In Golf-loving Family

The Youngest Member In Golf-loving Family

Monahan is currently first in the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association's Class 3A individual rankings while his classmate, senior Zach Carlson (37.66 average), is rated third. Top-ranked Spencer also returns junior Sam DeLoss (41.33).His father, Tom, who's in his third month as a golf professional at Sim Park Municipal Golf Course in Wichita, Kan., was the golf pro at the Spencer Golf and Country Club for 23 years Lee Westwood Is The New Top Player and taught each of his three children how to be mentally sharp in the sport.Their mother, Barb, who will join her husband shortly after Jay's graduation from Spencer High School, has driven Jay and his older siblings Joel and Jodi to compete in countless tournaments.

"Growing up in a golf family, one thing my parents stressed was my mental game," said Monahan. "They came to my meets and tournaments to watch and if I did something they didn't approve of, they'd let me know. They told me to try to get in a zone and take it one shot at a time."Being in a golf family, I spent a ton of time on the course. When there were times I didn't have a thing to do, I'd head out there. I spent a ton of time on the putting green. My parents encouraged me and my love for the game."

"I feel the best feature of Jay's game is the way he practices," said Bomgaars. "Jay practices with a purpose every day and as a coach, you can't ask for any more. He sets a great example for our younger kids the way he practices.

S.C. pros-Best for Youth Golfers To Learn

S.C. pros-Best for Youth Golfers To Learn

The South Carolina Golf Association renewed its emphasis on junior golf in the mid-1990s, and Warren started the parade of graduates who have made their mark in the college and professional ranks. The difference between then and now is amazing, he said.

“When I transferred (from Hammond) to A.C. Flora in the ninth grade, Flora didn’t even have a golf team and we struggled to have enough to How To Solve Putting Problems play (team matches),” Warren said after posing for pictures with current members of the Falcons’ teams. “Now, they have won at least three state championships.”Meanwhile, Jonathan Byrd posed for pictures with members of the teams at his alma mater, Spring Valley.Alumni of the state junior program have won 14 PGA Tour tournaments in recent years, and SCGA executive director Happ Lathrop never tires of ticking off accomplishments that include pro titles and berths on national teams.“Take those three, and any one of them could be the poster boy for junior golf in the state,” he said. “What all the players have done shows what can happen in our program.”

The state’s high school and college teams grow stronger each year, and more and more South Carolina players are making their mark in the pro ranks. That will continue, Warren predicted.

The kids who gathered at the Fairway Outreach facility at Northwoods Golf Club for a clinic Monday afternoon received a special treat: a ton of great game-improvement advice from three PGA Tour pros.The event, the kickoff of the second annual Jim Byrd Memorial Tournament, was special for the instructors, too. Lucas Glover (2009 U.S. Open champion), Charles Warren (1997 NCAA champion) and Jonathan Byrd (five-time winner on the Tour) were giving back to junior golf in South Carolina — the place where their treks to the game’s major leagues started.

The Joy of Playing Golf

The Joy of Playing Golf

If you have decided to take up golf as a hobby you will be rewarded with the benefits of fresh air, exercise, and the addition of many new friends and acquaintances. You will also be humbled by the process of learning HOW to golf. Like any project you approach in life your attitude and expectations will determine your enjoyment of the game.

Should you take lessons from a golf professional? The answer to this question should be yes, but it depends on your budget. Golf lessons are Easter Traditions In Play At Golf Course expensive but will make learning the sport considerable more enjoyable, and you will be playing good golf in considerably less time. A more affordable alternative is to purchase one of the many training programs available by dvd. You can also use the internet as your open resource to learning more about the game without spending a lot of money,Before you lift a club, you need the right attitude, and remember to remain positive, quiet your mind and remember it's only a game. And game are supposed to be fun, so make golf fun and you can play for the rest of your life.You will learn that the road to a low handicap is earned through countless bad shots, bunkers, water hazards and triple digit scores. You will invest a lot of time in practice. Welcome every hook, slice and 3 putt as a learning opportunity. Even the most horrendous mistake is a learning opportunity.

Golfing provides a rich opportunity to meet new people and provides you with opportunities for social interaction. You will get to meet new people in a setting in which you both have an avid interest, which makes for easy conversations. Golfing is also an excellent opportunity to meet like minded single people if you are looking for new people to meet.

Luke Donald's Not Ready to be World's Best Player

Luke Donald's Not Ready to be World's Best Player

The 33-year-old English star shot a 6-under 65 on Friday to take the lead halfway through the PGA Tour event. Donald is ranked third in the world behind No. 1 Martin Kaymer and No. 2 Lee Westwood. However, Donald would jump to the top with a win at Harbour Town, no matter how Westwood fares this weekend at the Indonesian Golf Will Be The Game Of Young Guys Masters.Westwood had a one-stroke lead Saturday after the completion of the suspended second round at the Indonesian Masters. Kaymer isn't playing this week.

The 33-year-old Donald hasn't let talk of No. 1 distract him through two rounds, finishing at 10-under 132 for a one-shot edge over first-round leader Garrett Willis (69).Donald has gradually found his game the past few seasons on Pete Dye's treacherous layout. Donald finished second two years ago, then was third behind Furyk in 2010.Donald began the round three shots behind Willis and quickly moved in front with five birdies on the front nine. After a bogey on the 10th hole, Donald moved in front again a hole later with a 20-foot birdie putt from the fringe. An 8-footer on the par-5 15th brought his final birdie and he parred in to break 70 for the eighth time in his last nine rounds in the event."The last couple of years, I've come here playing reasonably well, where I've had control of the golf ball, which is very key at this place,'' Donald said.Donald has several capable players close on his tail. Willis closed with a birdie to draw within a stroke. Furyk continued his strong play at Harbour Town - he's shot in the 60s 10 of his last 12 rounds - with a bogey-free outing. And the talented Villegas is having his best tournament of the year after missing five of his first eight cuts.

Alabama's Golf Gulf Shores

Alabama's Golf Gulf Shores

Golf Gulf Shores is the moniker for the Gulf Shores Golf Association, the partnership that promotes the destination and its custom golf packages built by its partners, for golf groups, families, and corporate outings. The destination offers nine golf courses, countless lodging options and a wealth of outdoor activity on its 32-mile Golf Will Be The Game Of Young Guys waterfront destination. Glenlakes Golf Club - Scottish-style links course designed by Von Hagge and known for its extensive bunkering and postage-stamp greens.

Kiva Dunes - A "Top 100 Course in America" by Golf Digest, the Jerry Pate design is the only beachfront resort course in Gulf Shores.Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club - Owned and operated by Honours Golf, the 27-hole facility offers chilled apples on the tee. The 830-acre park includes 30 lakes and fairways surrounded by Bon Secour Wildlife Preserve.Rock Creek Golf Club - Also owned by Honours Golf and boasting rolling terrain and fairways lined by pines, the Earl Stone design overlooks freshwater wetlands and the Rock Creek basin.Live music festivals featuring top-name performers, LPGA star visits, fishing and dining on local seafood provide the perfect combination for golfers traveling with their families. Golf packages with stays in multi-bedroom condos located in the center of the summer beach action start at $77 per person per night, giving players a base point to launch an active vacation for all.

Golf will Become a new Area for Competition

Golf will Become a new Area for Competition

Golf is entering an exciting era, and part of the expectation for the game is that the domination of Tiger Woods appears to be over. He was virtually unbeatable for a decade, winning 14 majors, and the players he crushed — including Els and Golf Is Often Belonging To Young Man Goosen — seemed to be cowed by his presence. Without Woods, they would have won several additional majors.

Schwartzel admits that winning the Masters was made easier for him by Louis Oosthuizen’s victory at the Open in July last year. In the final round at the Augusta National, he drew inspiration from the thought that if his best friend could get his hands on the claret jug, he, too, could claim one of golf’s iconic prizes — in this case a green jacket. Oosthuizen won the Open by seven strokes; Schwartzel emulated the excellence of that performance. He made birdies on each of the last four holes at Augusta, to snatch the Masters in the most dramatic circumstances from a pair of Australians desperately trying to become the first from Down Under to win there in 75 years. Today’s generation, as we saw in the compelling final round of the Masters, when Woods made one of his famous Sunday charges, are not intimidated by the former world number one. That’s bad news for Woods, who is seeking to break Jack Nicklaus’ s record of 18 majors, but golf will be a stronger game in this new world order.Our new Masters champion, Charl Schwartzel, has supplied the best answer so far to the persistent question of why the US is losing its hold on golf supremacy: “America is big, but the world is bigger.”

Various Putting Grips That a Golfer Can Use

Various Putting Grips That a Golfer Can Use

The traditional reverse overlap. Here you place your left hand on the putter grip and your right hand slightly below your left. You should then connect your hands by having the fingers of your left hand enveloped under the right index finger. The opposite of this grip; known as the left below right grip is as follows: Place the right hand on the putter grip and your left

TaylorMade R11 Review hand below it then wrap your left forefinger over the fingers of the right hand. This can highly useful to left-handed people.The claw gator grip. This is not a very common grip. With the left hand on the putter grip, place your right hand on the putter grip in a similar way. Then wind your right thumb around the putter grip to maintain a firm hold. The box grip. Both hands are placed on the putter on the same plane, adjacent to each other. Make sure your shoulders are even. After this, move your left hand to the top of the grip with the index finger resting on the side, and then slightly raise your right hand such that it is just below the left. The two hands should form a box-like shape.

PGAM reckons that the local golfers needed to work hard

PGAM reckons that the local golfers needed to work hard

The Professional Golf Association of Malaysia (PGAM) reckons that the local golfers needed to work hard on their game through a systematic approach.Their president, Mohamed Firus Jaffril, said that the Open showed that the target to get into the final rounds was too great for the Malaysians in the fray.“The field was stronger and that put pressure on our golfers. But we have McIlroy Revives From The Awful Masters to accept the fact they our golfers have some way to go to match the best,” he said.“I remain firm in our believe that we can groom champions in years to come. But let’s not think of the immediate future but on the long term.”Firus agreed that quality was more important than having a big number in the tournament. To this end, the PGAM are hoping that the setting up of a golf academy will help.“The academy is already in the works as we have a place at the Mines Resort. We are in the process of getting the facilities and equipment in place and hope to get it off the ground in three months’ time,” he said.

“We want the local golfers to use it to improve on the game and as a training base. It is important that golfers train and not just concentrate on tournaments.”Danny, who is highly regarded as Malaysia’s top golfer, said that the Malaysian Open had always been a learning curve for him.“When you have such a strong field, you can only get better and learn from the experience,” he said.

McIlroy lets another title chance slip

McIlroy lets another title chance slip

UNLUCKY Rory McIlroy put on a brave face after following up his Masters heartbreak with another final-day collapse at the Malaysian Open.The Northern Irishman held a three-shot lead at one stage during a third round that ran into  Tiger Fans Would Be Happy With Video Game Referring To Him ball Sunday because of rain, but ended up two shots behind the winner, the prodigious Italian 17-year-old Matteo Manassero.“At this moment I’m pretty disappointed but it was a good week,” insisted McIlroy, who led last week in Augusta after 63 holes only to crumble but travelled for 25 hours to play in Malaysia just days later.

“I started off really well in the tournament. To shoot the scores that I did considering the travelling is a pretty good effort.”McIlroy extended his overnight lead with a birdie on 10 as he and playing partner Manassero hurried to finish their third rounds, but a double bogey at the 15th saw him slip behind his teenage rival before the final round.And despite three birdies in four holes from the eighth, McIlroy stuttered again with a double bogey and two bogeys in a 69 to finish on 14 under par, behind Manassero and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy, whose 67 saw him snatch second place.

Tiger--the greatest golfer of the current generation

Tiger--the greatest golfer of the current generation

Despite a seven-shot deficit entering Sunday's final round, Woods had a 5-under 67 to put himself into contention late, but he shot a 36 on the final back nine to finish tied for fourth at the Masters. South African golfer Charl Schwartzel walked away as the 2011 Masters champion, but there is no doubt that Tiger's charge up the scoreboard Holywood still has delight for its golf hero Rory in the final round caught the eyes of everyone on Sunday.Although he fell just short, Tiger's near-comeback reaffirmed his status as golf's biggest star. If you need evidence, just look at the favorable television ratings from Sunday. According to a news release from CBS, the 2011 Masters had the second-most viewers for the final round in the last decade, which was up 18 percent from 2009.Of course the Masters, which is the premier golfing event in the world, usually gets plenty of attention every year. After all, it is simply known as the "tradition like no other." But no other golfer in the world can bring in the viewers like Tiger, a 14-time major champion who hasn't won in 22 events since his infamous sex scandal erupted in November of 2009.

Rory McIlroy insisted his golf game

Rory McIlroy insisted his golf game

The Northern Irishman was brilliant for three rounds at Augusta last week before falling away in spectacular fashion as he relinquished a four-shot lead with a first major title in sight, and there had been fears his Masters collapse would have a psychological effect on him in the longer term.McIlroy insisted last Sunday that he would not Masters Match All About The Traditional Game have a Masters hangover and has gone some way to proving it at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club this week, hitting eight birdies today in a bogey-free round which took him to 11 under after 36 holes.He started on the 10th tee and rattled off three birdies in his first four holes, before following up with a cool 12-foot putt at the 16th and another three at the par-four 17th.Coming home McIlroy added three more birdies to move alongside first-round leader Noren of Sweden, who fired a three-under-par round of 69 to add to his opening-day 64.Asked whether his round had proved to him he was over his Masters misery, McIlroy told www.europeantour.com: "It would show more to everyone else other than myself that last week didn't set me back."I've started this week off great but I need to keep going and making birdies and shooting low scores if I want to win.

The golf life of golf winner Schwartzel

The golf life of golf winner Schwartzel

The winner, Schwartzel, proceeded through the round with a palpable composure.Being present in golf as well as life means paying attention to what is happening in the present and not letting the mind get drawn away by the future or biased by the past. In golf the present moment is this next golf swing. Once the strategy and feel for the shot are The Common Point Of Woods And Nicklaus determined by paying close attention to the full sensory information from the environment, the shot is executed.The execution of the shot requires total concentration. No thoughts; just pure action. And in a professional golf tournament this must done over and over again (preferable as few times as possible, but still hundreds of times).I think it’s safe to say that 26-year-old Charl Schwartzel was mindful on Sunday.

We, too, confront the same challenge. Perhaps a $1.3 million prize is not on the line and the fame that goes with it, but every day we are invited to engage life in the present moment, with concentration. We have the option of persisting with patience. And this choice, if left to automatic pilot will typically not move us in the direction of managing stress effectively.So whether we are walking down the 18th fairway, negotiating the needs of a three-year-old, dealing with a difficult boss, or simply trying to get through the day, mindfulness will serve our goals.

A big consolation prize for not winning the Masters lottery

A big consolation prize for not winning the Masters lottery

Following a year’s worth of restoration work, Pinehurst No. 2 is reintroduced to the world. Play has been open on the 2014 host to the US Open and US Women’s Open for a little while, but that was a soft open. This is a formal reintroduction to the Powerful Youth At The Masters Donald Ross gem.Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw were selected by the resort to transform Pinehurst No. 2, in the club’s words, for the next 100  years. But, the club wanted to make sure the rework was authentic to the tradition of the club and the area – the sand hills and dunes of North Carolina.By their admission, the club had learned to grow grass in this climate and topography. With six different grass cuts on the course over the last quarter-century, the genius of No. 2 had been shielded form the eye.

The strategy of the course had been hidden by grass. Mounds, rolling hills and the shape of the track had been taken from view.That’s The Common Point Of Woods And Nicklaus not true now. If No. 2 was unmistakable before the restoration, it might be unrecognizable to modern eye today. And that’s just what the club was trying to achieve – redefining the Ross masterpiece for the 21st century with a view backward to what made this place a beacon of golf excellence from beneath the towering trees of Pinehurst.

When it comes to watching golf or debate prep

When it comes to watching golf or debate prep

When it comes to watching golf or debate prep, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff says there’s no, well, debate.Asked what he did on his down day from the campaign Sunday to prepare for the leaders’ debates this week, Ignatieff told reporters Can Anyone Else Replace The Status Of Woods  he got ready for the verbal showdowns “watching the back nine (holes) at the Masters” golf tournament on television.Like the top golfers, Ignatieff said, the leaders will need “nerves of steel” when they confront each other on national TV on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.He said the debates are a good opportunity to speak directly to the Canadian people because “all the filters fall away” when the leaders face off that way.The decision was even funnier to Canuck-stereotype-loving Americans. Articles about it made the Republican-friendly website The Daily Caller, the Dow Jones-owned financial website MarketWatch, and even the influential legal blog The Volokh Conspiracy, where George Mason University professor Ilya Somin offered a three-paragraph economics-based defence of Canadians’ “rational” preference for the hockey game.

Charl Schwartzel said he had a lot of help on his way to winning the Masters

Charl Schwartzel said he had a lot of help on his way to winning the Masters

Relying on a simple swing taught to him by his father, lessons on how to attack Augusta National from six-times winner Jack Nicklaus, and practice tips from Nick Price, the rail-thin Schwartzel staged a memorable charge to claim his first major.He Mark Wilson Masters Golfing Technique moved up among the Sunday leaders after a long chip-in for birdie at the first and a wedge shot from the fairway that dropped in for an eagle on the third hole, and clinched his triumph with birdies on the last four holes."It's a dream for me," said Schwartzel, a six-times winner on the European Tour. "It's obviously the highlight in my golfing career by a long way."Schwartzel attended Ernie Els's golf academy back in South Africa, won his first European event at age 20 and was tabbed by compatriot Gary Player as a player to watch this week.The 140-pound (63.5 kg) Schwartzel won his Masters on the 50th anniversary of Player's 1961 title that marked the first at Augusta National for an international competitor.Schwartzel grew up on his family's chicken farm outside Johannesburg and learned golf from his father, a talented amateur who became a teaching pro."When I was four years old, I played my first nine holes. He told me from the word go the right grip, the right stance, rhythm, posture, balance. There's five key things that we always worked on," said Schwartzel."Whenever something goes wrong, it will be one of those five that have gone haywire somewhere."His encounter with Nicklaus came over lunch last year during a charity pro-am competition organised by Els.

Craig Stadler at Masters

Craig Stadler at Masters

Today, Stadler stands 5ft 10ins and weighs in at an imposing 255lbs. He has forearms like those of a butcher and he smashes the ball with some might. Alas, judging by his opening round score of 80 in this year’s Masters, not always very accurately. By the time the first round of the 2011 Championship had been concluded in fading sunlight on Thursday evening, it was fair to say no-one was talking about Stadler. Why would they? He looks and is Mark Wilson Masters Golfing Technique a relic of yesteryear, a man who is nearly 58 and, unless he adopts a pretty violent get fit regime sometime soon, isn’t likely to see his toes for much longer. But what intrigues me about former champions like Stadler is just why do they do it? Why do they keep putting themselves out there amidst the young guns of the contemporary game, putting themselves up for ridicule and scorn? Ridicule? At Augusta? Oh yes. As he brought down the huge head of a driver against the ball on the 10th tee on Thursday afternoon, a couple of young bucks in the gallery first sniggered and then exploded with laughter. Discourteous? For sure. But perhaps understandable? Well, maybe yes. For modern day golf is a young man’s game. OK, there is Tom Watson who, at the age of 60, should have won The Open last July. Watson, incidentally, also played Augusta on Thursday and got round in one shot less than Stadler, a seven over par 79.

Of the other former champions, many of them now increasingly bent physically by the years, 53 year-old Welshman Ian Woosnam and American Ben Crenshaw, who will be 60 at his next birthday, both made 78s. The one exception to the rule was the 1987 Masters champion, American Larry Mize, who came home with a very decent 73, just one over par. Not bad at the age of 52, but then Mize is a local boy — he knows this course like the back of his hand and has kept himself in good shape physically.

We should have the spirit of Women's golf team

We should have the spirit of Women's golf team

"Although we lost, I think that we are improving gradually as a team and things are looking up for the future," she said. "Golf is a game that takes diligence and hours of practice for improvement. "We have spent the past few months working daily to keep the ball in play and decrease the number of shots we take per hole. All of us have a long Tiger May Still Deny His Private Life way to go, but we have improved from the fall. That is the nature of the game, it takes patience." Olmstead said she noticed the improvement of the team as well, but says it will take time for the team to reach its full potential."We hope to improve with every tournament that we play in, but it's hard to tell since we always play courses that we aren't familiar with," Olmstead said. Next up for the Bishops is the Cardinal Classic on April 9 and 10, at Little Turtle and Pinnacle golf courses. This is the first of several upcoming tournaments in which the team will look to lower their scores and continue to improve. "The practice is definitely paying off," JanTausch said. "Saturday was the first of a busy month. We are now in the heat of our season and we will have a competition every weekend until the end of the school year. Along with those weekends and practicing everyday during the week the only place for our scores to go is down."Overall, JanTausch said she believes the team performed much better against Wooster in this match than they did in the fall meeting between the two teams.

Luke Donald makes breakthrough at Augusta

Luke Donald makes breakthrough at Augusta

Donald, 33, has spent his entire career trying desperately to convince his critics, and not least himself, that length doesn't matter. That he can compete on 7,000-yard monster courses like Augusta and beat the likes of Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Alvaro Quiros and Mickelson. His average drives plop down to rest at 272 yards. That's 40 yards behind Watson. But Donald's confirmation and reward came in February with a victory at the Accenture Match Play in Tucson on Ryo Ishikawa Helps Japanese Victims a course that was supposed to beat him up."My win at Tucson showed that I can compete on a long course, no matter what," Donald said. "We can't all be as long as Dustin and Bubba but there's more to it that just hitting it a long way. You've got to have a short game and get the ball in the hole."

That's just how Donald can break his drought in the majors at the Masters: By plotting his way around Augusta and relying on his stellar wedge play and dead-eye putting.Winning the Par 3 contest proves his short game is unparalleled. World No. 1 Martin Kaymer thinks Donald's game around the greens might even be sharper than Phil Mickelson's. "Luke probably is the best in the world in the short game at the moment," he said. "I've played with Phil a few times and he is unbelievable. But what Luke is doing at the moment is a joke, you know. Wherever he is, you know that he will make his up-and-down and hole out."Donald has failed to improve on his 2005 Masteres debut, when he finished third while playing the last eight holes in six under par. This week he plans to channel the memory of that storming finish."You can still feed off it," he said. "If you have done it before you can do it again." Donald is now full of self-belief. He won in Madrid last year, finished second in the BMW, third in the Wales Open and played a staring role as a wild card pick in Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team at Celtic Manor. Then came Tucson in February, his eighth career victory and the third on the PGA Tour, which broke a five-year drought.

Phil Mickelson is a good guy, good father, a common person

Phil Mickelson is a good guy, good father, a common person

How could anyone dislike Phil Mickelson as a person? He is just another guy. He sees his kids go to their first day of school, supports his wife, and brings home the bacon. Well, he did until he stopped eating meat for a while.But really, Phil is the family man of the tour. His struggles with his wife and mother's cancer battles have taken a toll on his game. He has admitted to slacking off on his game to focus on his family. Then again, almost anyone would. But this isn't just anyone. It's a professional athlete. The men who finish everything out no matter what.Not Phil Mickelson.It's not just Phil's family man attitude that makes him the favorite of the tour. This week, Phil proved to us again why even I can't dislike him as a person, despite as a golfer I am not a fan Review Of Golf Course In Augusta of his.The Masters Champions Dinner is an exclusive event. To be there, you have to win the Masters, or work that night in the restaurant. The rules are simple. All champions are invited, and the defending champ makes the menu.It's not just Phil's family man attitude that makes him the favorite of the tour. This week, Phil proved to us again why even I can't dislike him as a person, despite as a golfer I am not a fan of his.Needless to say, Tiger's tastes have changed since the weight room became important.Phil, however, went down a different route from his previous lobster and rib meals. His meal for 2011 is as follows: seafood paella and machango-topped filet mignon for an entree. It also has a salad, asparagus and tortillas for side dishes. For dessert? A cream-topped apple empanada.That's not Phil's roots, if you're wondering. That meal is in honor of Seve Ballesteros, the cancer stricken two-time Masters Champion, and Mickelson's mentor. Unfortunately, Seve won't be in attendance for the meal, but he will be on everyone's mind.

Do you think the new era in golf is coming

Do you think the new era in golf is coming

Tigers Woods’ struggles and the emergence of young players on the PGA Tour might signal a new era in golf.Green’s always been the color in play at the Masters: the lovely Augusta National course, of course, the hats crowning the caddie uniforms and the winner’s jacket, worn at the only place outside of the 1970s such a garment can cause envy.And green might also describe the verdant nature of this year’s winner. The flow of this year’s PGA Tour says look for someone beginning to flower into possible greatness.Anthony Kim? Martin Laird? One Japanese Golfer Donate For Disaster Sufferers  of the Molinari brothers, Edoardo or Francesco? Forget the old Tiger and Phil vs. the field Augusta wager. Now, under 30 vs. eligible to apply for midlife crisis seems a fairer bet going into the Masters. “I guess by age we are younger, but I don’t read too much into it,” Kim, 25, said last week.The PGA Tour, for which Tiger Woods’ popularity has brought monetary benefits, realizes it’s getting late in the day for those who dominated the 2000s. PGATour.com devotes one section to establishment vs. new breed. Going into this week’s Shell Houston Open, the old guard led 6-5.The establishment’s holding its ground by that measure only because the site editors choose only one representative from each group for each event, i.e. Fred Couples, 51, vs. Gary Woodland, 26, this week. Look at this year’s winners and see the whippersnappers around for the end of the event long after their elders have gone home.