g-funk13

ooooooo! OUCH!!

Wow, the weather said the wind wouldn't pick up till noon. That's great! There's going to be some tricky shots out there. . . club selection at 12 and 16 comes to mind.

There is a golf course here in Houston that is advertising family memberships for $375 per month. I don't know what their tournament situation is, but the course, Augusta Pines, has a very good reputation for quality. Having played a lot in Australia back when I was dating a Perth girl, I found golf cost to be very similar to the cost of mid priced US public courses. What I loved was the expectation that you would walk and not ride (in Australian: a buggy--ha ha). Obviously, you don't see kangaroos on the course like you do in WA. I loved that. One time I had a 3w shot glance off 2 kangaroos!! Also, you can't get a cold VB after a round in the states-one of the best mass produced beers EVER.

Got a 99 ft. putt for birdie. Double breaker. Its good to be good, but better to be lucky!

I honestly believe that this is a possibility. I think that somewhere down the line there will be a Bubba Watson of the LPGA who hits it far enough to compete with men. Then they just play their way in. . . . like Colin Montgomerie could not. . . he just bitches

HUZZAH!!!!

Does anyone have fogging problems with sunglasses? What did you do to fix it?

Where does one find this Thesis?

"The Par-3 Course was added to the grounds of Augusta National, in an area near Augusta's No. 10 hole, in 1958. It was designed by Clifford Roberts and architect George Cobb (Tom Fazio later did some work on the short course, too). The Par-3 Course is 1,060 yards in length and plays to a par of, surprise, 27. DeSoto Springs Pond and Ike's Pond serve as water hazards on the course. The first Par-3 Contest was held in 1960, and it's been played every year since. The contest is held on Wednesday, the day before the tournament, and is open to the field for that year's Masters, plus former champions in attendance and "Honorary Invitees." Sam Snead won the first Par-3 Contest. Jack Nicklaus has never won. The contest record is 20, held by Art Wall and Gay Brewer." No wonder Jack took so long over his putts.

yeah man. I am holding him in my lap for a lot of TV golf. Trying to get it into his subconscious!

Yup--that's the ticket. I consistently shoot 80-85. All of the sudden last summer I played a round where I was just hitting every putt. I was hitting lots of greens too, and I had this rhythm sound in my head like a "click clack" that seemed to make tempo work with every club. It was a hot day and I was on a desert course, and I was just kind of in another place mentally. All of a sudden I made a 75, which was 4 strokes better than my best. Later I read Bob Rotella "Golf is a Game of Confidence" and he talked about harnessing that state of mind. Memorizing it, and finding ways to get it back. It happened again last week: out of nowhere I shot a 34 on the front (47 on back was dissappointing, but so was the 35mph wind that kicked my butt). I just got in this place where there was nothing but the swing, and every shot I saw in my mind I was able to pull off. Can't wait for the next time it strikes. Till then, I am at the range, and the putting ground.

I gotta agree here. You are trying to triangulate the States and the Sandtrap against you or something. Those pics are unbelieveable. So tough for so many people. I worked in NOLA last fall and parts (Garden district and French Quarter) were immaculate.

What do you guys think? I will kick this off: I guess I didn't know what a throw away the par 3 is for so many players, but I was watching it with my son and I felt very good about so many families golfing together. I am happy they put it on TV. At one point during the afternoon I heard a nose-squirt convo: Feherty: "They say that the Danes are the happiest people on Earth--they set their expectations so low!" Faldo: "Additionally, they have the best bacon!" The delivery and timing of this conversation was so hilarious, and I loved it. Thank goodness that truck didn't off Feherty! I liked the opening montage with the Thomas Hayden Church voice-over as well. No complaints so far.

Tiger will shoot -5 friday, -4 on Sat, and -3 on Sunday, winning with a -12.

This makes a lot of sense to me. Majors, tourneys he hosts, and charity events that he sponsors. But I definitely think that he will be competitive as long as his body holds out. He has been quoted so many times reflecting the idea that winning by 10 is better than by 2, and I think that he will take the same point of view with # of majors.

I would love to see Westwood to win, GREAT COMEBACK STORY.

Tiger's dominance of the game is so good for golf! Here's a short list: -emphasis on fitness -huge increase in prize $$ -recognizable face of golf -Gilette commercials, HELLO! I want him to win. BUT if not Tiger I hope for someone younger than 30 or older than 44.

I don't think its overrated. I started the "tradition or snobbery" thread, and I still don't think so. Augusta has lots of chances to sit back on its laurels (and there are a lot) and just be great tradition. But they seem to work really hard to change with the game, and challenge the players. Additionally, they seem dedicated to showcasing the beauty and traditions of the game. I still have a bone to pick over Tiger-shirking, but I don't think that the Masters is overrated AT ALL.

I have asked many couples on the course who seem to play well, AND enjoy each other. ALL of them said that 'she' took lessons. I am teaching my wife the basics, and as soon as I can I am sending her to a pro.

Who will be watching?? I am!! Can't wait. Going to play an early morning round, and home in time to watch with baby Jonah (see left). It's his first Masters!

Dude, GOOD LUCK!! Both with your ankle healing and with THE OCHO!

Last year I moved from 13 to single digits. I LOVE the range and used to spend LOTS of time with a driver in my hand. But I did the Golf Digest Challenge, which tracked my "long game hdcp" vs my "short game hdcp" and realized that my short game sucked. I made a lot of changes to the way that I practiced, but two things moved me quite quickly from 13 to what it is today: 1) I stopped trying to drive as far as possible of the tee. Now I think first about keeping the ball in play, and second about setting myself up for an approach instead. (course management) 2) I started practicing distance wedges, chipping, and putting. (short game practice) 3) I committed to putts, long and short. I pay attention to how many I have per round and focus how I can get less. I look at that list, and I think that I would describe the overall change as thinking of the hole backwards ie. from hole to tee. I think before i just wanted pretty ballflight all the time--it is very hypnotic. Last point: small, specific targets from hole to tee. Pick a tiny target, and align yourself to it--driving, putting, whatever. I do LIVE to play golf, but I have other loves and responsibilities, so the practice and rounds have to COUNT! Be focused.

Hey Amen, Was it you that said Redstone was closed after the Open for resodding?

Good fresh guacamole is so awesome. On chips, on burgers, on sandwiches. . . aaaahhh. On pizza?? Hmmmm.

Don't forget to check on EBAY!!! Could save you hundreds of dollars.