Sony, Round One: Ow-Wie!

Let us be the first to say it: Wetterich got beat by a girl. How did the rest of the field compare to Wie?

Michelle WieThe PGA.com title nailed it: Ow-Wie! Amateur teen sensation Michelle Wie was anything but sensational in her 5-over opening round 75. Her round, which featured only one birdie, had one up side. “At least I’m not in last place,” Wie joked. True: at least a dozen PGA Tour players finished worse than +5.

In other words, Wie’s efforts to make the cut will, most likely, keep her short of her goal. Wie remains optimistic, however, saying “I think if I shoot under par tomorrow, if I end up at like 1-over-par, maybe I’ll make it.”

Waialae Country Club played tough in Thursday’s round with winds gusting up to 25 MPH. The breezy conditions frustrated some of the game’s best: Ernie Els shot his first above-par round (71) in 17 rounds at Waialae. Vijay Singh finished with a bogey on the par-5 18th to shoot -1 69. Singh, who made some comments last year regarding Wie, snuck out this year by saying only “It’s tough for the boys over here, you know? Going to be tough for a girl here, too.”

Continue reading “Sony, Round One: Ow-Wie!”

Use One Hand for Solid Putting

Putting with one hand improves your ability to sink them with two, according to Jackie Burke.

PuttingThis tip comes from Masters champ Jackie Burke, widely regarded as one of the best putters of his day and, perhaps, ever.

The tip is relatively simple: practice two-footers with your left hand only. Start with two-footers, and bang several dozen of them in. It may be difficult at first, but your stroke will become smoother as you continue. You’ll strike your putts more solidly. This helps to eliminate the dreaded breakdown of the left wrist.

When you’re confident in your ability to make the two-footers, move back to 10 feet. When you’re comfortable with that, put your right hand back on the putter. You’ll be surprised at the difference.

This drill works for cross-handed putters, “claw grip” putters, and more. According to Burke, it may be the quickest way to turn you into a good if not great putter nearly instantly.

2005 Sony Open Preview: Wie Shall See

“Will Michelle Wie make the cut?” Yes, folks, it’s that time of year again: the Sony Open is here, and all the talk is about an amateur girl. Ho hum.

Michelle WieThe 2005 Sony Open kicks off Thursday. The news this year? Pretty much the same as last: teenage phenom Michelle Wie is in the field and looking to make the cut. Last year Michelle came within a shot, shooting even-par 72-68 (and beating 47 men in the process).

The Sony Open, contested along the windy Hawaiian Waialae Country Club, is the first full-field event of the 2005 PGA Tour season. Waialae is one of the Hawaiian native Wie’s home courses.

Ernie Els, the defending champ, played a practice round with the teen star on Tuesday. Els, known on tour as “The Big Easy” for his long, flowing swing, tagged Michelle with the nickname “The Big Wiesy” during last year’s event.

Continue reading “2005 Sony Open Preview: Wie Shall See”

Swing Like a Hurricane

Casting” is releasing the club from the top of the swing and it results in loss of power and accuracy.

Hurricane“Casting” is releasing the club from the top of the swing. Your wrists unhinge early, and your club resembles a fishing rod “casting” a lure to a pond behind you. Casting results in loss of power and accuracy.

To stop casting, think of your body as a hurricane. Your arms are like the outward arms and your body the middle of the storm. As the head stays still (the eye of the hurricane), the body uncoils. The arms follow behind but at extremely high velocities. Your upper body effectively pulls your arms and thus, the club, into the ball.

This tip was inspired by the January 1 entry in Bill Kroen’s “Golf Tip a Day” calendar. He’s also written a book, which you can find at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and other book retailers.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 on Mac OS X

Tiger Woods 2005 will be available for Mac OS X. Probably at about the time Tiger Woods 2006 ships for the PS3.</sarcasm>

Tiger 2005 LogoMac news site MacMinute is reporting that Aspyr Media announced that Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 will be available on Mac OS X. Its release is anticipated for May, 2005. Y’know, only six months or so after the game came out on consoles and for the PC.

As we know, TW2005 allows you to “Tiger Proof” courses, includes a ton of playable characters and a pretty extensive “create a player” option, and quite a bit more. It should be available for pre-order soon for $39.99.

I’ve been playing the game since its release on GameCube and, well, I’m kind of sick of it by now. I’m 117% done. Heck, I’ve even got Tiger Woods 2005 for my Nintendo DS! Ho hum. But hey, today’s hardly the day to complain about being a Mac user!

Lehman’s Right-Hand Men

Tom Lehman chooses Corey Pavin and Loren Roberts as Team USA assistant captains for the 2006 Ryder Cup.

corey_pavin.jpgloren_roberts.jpgThe PGA of America is reporting that Tom Lehman, who was recently dubbed captain of Team USA for the 2006 Ryder Cup, has named his assistant captains – Corey Pavin and Loren Roberts. Between them, they have four combined appearances at the Ryder Cup (Pavin has three, Roberts has one).

The 2006 Ryder Cup matches will be played at The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland on September 22-24, 2006.

Continue reading “Lehman’s Right-Hand Men”

Wider When Windy Is Wise

Widen your putting stance during windy conditions to help keep your balance.

windblow.gifFrom this weekend’s telecast of the Mercedes Championships comes a fantastic, yet simple tip – a wider putting stance helps to keep one’s balance in windy conditions.

For the pros playing last week and for those going to the Sony Open this coming weekend in Honolulu, windy conditions are the norm. The trade winds (from the northeast) and the kona winds (from the southwest) are typically 5-15 miles per hour. When bad weather arrives, usually indicated by the kona winds, it can get even worse. Even placing your ball on the green and getting it to stay put can be difficult at times.

So in those times of increased breeziness, open your stance a few inches or more. The last thing you want to do is fall over on a putt.

Lots of Tips

Beware of the tip mongers. Their tips are often based on their perception, not reality, and can be contradictory to your game.

Today’s Tip of the Day is actually several, and it’s brought to you by MJ of MJ on Golf. Here is a sampling:

  • The 4C chain of golf – Consistency, Concentration, Confidence and Commitment. All are related and if any one weakens, your game falls apart.
  • Single-Axis golf is much easier to learn and allows one to reach their potential faster.
  • The timing and tempo required to shoot par using the traditional finger grip swing is beyond the genetic capabilities of the vast majority of golfers.
  • “I want to be like Moe.”
  • If you have to think about your swing while on the course you haven’t practiced enough.

And, finally…

  • Beware of the tip mongers. Their tips are often based on their perception, not reality, and can be contradictory to your game.

Check out the complete list at mjongolf.com.

The Day the Music Died

Stuart Appleby is the repeat winner at the 2005 Mercedes Championships, holding off the top three golfers in the world to win by one.

Stuart ApplebyStuart Appleby, the ailing father-to-be, has put an end to all that Singh-ing by winning the 2005 Mercedes Championship, defending his 2004 title.The triple bogey Vijay made on 13 certainly helped.

Appleby, unable to hit balls a week before the tournament because of nerve problems in his left leg, started the tournament with a disappointing 74. His final 55 holes were played bogey free and his one-stroke victory assures him a spot in next year’s field. “You’d have to say it’s slightly surprising,” Appleby said of his win. Appleby finished at -21, shooting 6-under 67 on Sunday a few groups ahead of the leaders.

Continue reading “The Day the Music Died”