allin

I have read all the way through this thread tonight. The posts have moved from the initial comment about a centered pivot/head to weight shift, mass etc. The odd thing is that no one really addressed why they believe weight shift, possibly laterally is positive. I believe weight does shift at least slightly. The relevance is that this shift is away and helps stretch the muscles storing energy for the downswing. As the shoulders arms and hands turn away some weight, the levers / arms accentuate this feeling of weight shifting but only a small amount actually does. FWIW I think Nicklaus left heel lifting is a function of his trying to raise his hands higher than his flexibility allowed. The forward thrust of his hips which he triggered with what has been described as leg drive further stretches his muscles storing even more energy and shifts weight far enough that when his body stops shifting and that energy is transferred by the arms through the spot weight has reached slightly in front of the ball. I suppose a lateral weight shift, as long as you still turn and you are flexible enough to control the move and shift the weight forward far enough would transfer more power. For a big strong guy like Nicklaus it wasn't needed and the loss of efficiency more than offset any gain. I think if you look at smaller guys extra turn is more likely the preferred power source, for the same reason, lateral weight shift is difficult to control and makes getting weight in front of the ball on the downswing less consistent and therefore less efficient.

I would say the time I played a new mountain course hit down on a wedge from the rough and broke my left wrist. Turns out someone goofed and there was hardly any topsoil in that area.

The lowest I have seen posted and believed was 16 under, one teaching pro, one 3, one 6, one 10 handicap. The lowest. I have been part of was 12 under on a tough course par 70, 16 under won it. Each team was limited to one 5 or less, a 6-10, a 11-15, and a 15+. You had to use each players tee shot at least once each side. No strings, mulligans etc. I refuse to believe 16 under was possible. 4 low handicap players maybe.

I have seen all of these guys play in person, most in their prime. Seve wins easily for me. He did not have the power some of the others but I once saw him play 9 holes where he only hit only 2 holes in regulation a par 3 and a par 5 in 2 from another holes fairway, no fairways and was 4 under par for the aide. On 5 of the holes he played from heavy rough, he birdied one par 4 going from a fairway bunker to a greenside bunker and holed a buried bunker shot. Not a major tournament but awesome anyway.

Over the years there have been rumors, never confirmed as far as I know, of pros being chastised for eating sunflower seeds on the practice green, supposedly one old time pro in the 60's for spitting tobacco juice. It wouldn't be surprised if it has happened.

1. Tiger Woods 276 2. Swartzchel 278 3. Keegan Bradley 278

I would say Adam Scott or Hunter Mahan. If rhythm is added in then Ernie Els and Tom Watson are right there also.

I suspect that fear of legal action is a big part of the decision by USGA and R&A; at this time. When they have been allowed for so long manufacturers, ADA concerns, disgruntled purchasers have an easier time taking legal action. The ruling bodies have to present more compelling reasons than if they had recently been introduced.

I call it luck because any mention of quantum mechanics, string theory or any thought experiment involving a cat would result in my playing golf alone for the foreseeable, predictable? future.

I am probably not objective about Tebow, public faith displays during sporting events turn me off. I think his chances of being a successful NFL quarterback long term are at best 50/50. Going way back there have been tough guy quarterbacks who won for a period of time; Bobby Douglass, Joe Kapp, Jim McMahon. Injury risk is even greater than the already high NFL average. Dependence on the passing game is pervasive today. Improving his passing game skills, not just his throwing motion, will determine his long term success.

I wouldn't make it a requirement that you win your conference. They build everything else into the formula why not build a bonus of 2% into your computer formula. Otherwise in two division conferences there is a chance that a 9-3 team wins on a bad weather day and replaces a previously undefeated team and all the major competitors already have 2 losses.

I think it is now clear there are no great teams this year. I will now begin rooting for an LSU upset or a second Alabama loss. I also think it is time for the national pundits to acknowledge that the SEC is not as deep as it was a couple years ago. They have 2 very good teams four above average teams. The truth is the differences between conferences are very small now. When NEB. Had its run in the 90s the perception of big 8 dominance far exceeded the reality, SEC is receiving that pundit love now. For one thing the lack of line and QB depth means teams struggle to overcome injuries and teams wear down more than in the past. The schemes now mean that match ups, almost like basketball, have teams utilizing 2 or 3 difference makers and if they are neutralizd or injured the team that blew out one good team by 28 points loses to a similar team by 14 points. The reliance on hurry up and spread offenses means, again more like basketball, that momentum and turnovers exaggerate small differences in talent and play on a given day. Because of practice limits and the emphasis on weights and physical development outside of practice, physical fundamentals have declined precipitously from past generations. Interestingly the focus on film work means players are in the right place more than ever, but lack the skills to make plays. Bottom line there are fewer great teams and no truly dominant conferences anymore. Of course this reasoning also clearly leads to the conclusion that the BCS and its flawed computer models have outlived any relevence. Teams and players deserve a playoff system. They work hard and deserve an equitable process.

I have read through these posts and the one thing I have an issue with is that people fail to recognize that what used to be called the Westmorland effect is likely a factor here. As each level of the chain of command the language chosen to inform becomes milder, tending to minimize what happened. When people invested in an organization are faced with a volatile situation the risk to themselves, other employees, the organization colors everything. Being a team player is often not only a value but a club to limit dissent and criticism, especially in paramilitary and sports environments. It is easy to see it in black and white from the outside. A local writer in my area has called for the dismissal of every employee from secretaries up. This kind of response is why people fail to report in the first place. Of course in my state the reporting requirements are such that a bunch of people including Paterno would be facing charges. I just think even though I recognize the awful moral failure, one of the outcomes if we are to prevent these kind of things is organizations that are more internally supportive of criticism and dissent, including whistle blowers. I also think we need to be more measured in our personal responses. The nuclear response every time we respond to issues polarizes discussion and is one of the main reasons our political and other institutions are so dysfunctional these days.

When you talk about handicaps it is usefull to remember that a large portion of the golfing population doesn't carry a handicap and has no idea what their handicap would be if figured correctly. I suspect a smaller percentage of golfers carry a handicap now than 30 years ago. I believe Dave Peltz or someone else came up with what average golfers shot , distances etc a few years ago. When golfers who didn't carry a handicap were included average scores were over 100. I believe average carry distance for men, with a driver was 183 yards or something. My point is average handicap applies only to the subset of golfers who choose to carry an official handicap and may not reflect whether gofers on average are scoring better or worse.

My personal pet peeve about the internet and forums is this. It takes all my self controll especially on public issues when offensive posts are made. I recognize offending others and getting a response so additional insults can be made is often the goal. Even though I have a background in social work and understand it intellectually, it is still frustrating to see someone choose an ego rush over the longer lasting satisfaction of thoughtful discussion and actually helping others .

Internationals win 18 1/2 to 15 1/2. Day MVP. Neither team has clearly better putters. Given the Australia advantage I think that will make the difference. So I guess I will be hoping I am wrong.;-)

Actually as developing countries wage rates increase transportation costs increase and they start having environmental concerns I anticipate some of that manufacturing may return. Not a lot of jobs will be created as it will be in small run high tech areas or areas where firms are concerned with technology theft.

OK its all starting to sort out now. Who is everybody picking Tide or Tigers? With teams this good I feel quarterback play usually makes the difference, but that is not the strength of these teams. I am leaning towards Tide since with a big time back there is less need to throw and a lower chance of turnovers. But teams are so close that the only real suprise would be a blowout. I am hoping huskers don't have a letdown after finally playing well against a decent team. After Tide and Tigers I am starting to believe Boise maybe deserves to be in the mix despite the weak schedule.

We would still have slow play. I see golfers all the time who are in the 6-15 handicap range who are slow players. If I start listing the reasons I would begin ranting. Most of the problem in general comes from the excessive amount of mental analysis people devote to reading putts, usually waiting until its their turn to putt before reading their putt. The same issues with club and shot choices is endemic. It amazes me that people think the time to do all this is when its their turn to play, not while the other guy is taking his or her turn. Most of us don't have the ability to hit all the shots pros do so why does it take so long to make club and choice decisions?

A major cannot be just declared. Certainly if a tournament demonstrates the staying power one of the US majors. agreed probably the PGA could be replaced. Identify for me a tournament with at least 20 years of history, big purse, consistently great field, major TV exposure, outside the US which could replace the PGA? Part of it is that weather and when tournament could be played. US and British places on the calander are firm. It will be tough to convince pros that a major in what is winter in US and Europe is desireable. Unless asian players make a much larger contingent of the top players for and extended time frame 10-20 years I don't see it happening anytime soon. WGC was originally intended to be the beginning of this process. I believe the big TV money in the US has resulted in WGC moving away from it original purpose. Only Asia seems to have potential to eventually claim one of the majors, but asian golf has to be more mainstream and create a bigger legacy before it can happen.

Was at Wisc. game Sat., Wisc. offense looked good. Neb. offense really self destructed. Wisc. had several def. players out but Neb. failed to put any pressure on them. Neb. has major QB problems. Other teams may be able to score on them, but their offense is probably the best in big 10 this year.

OK Big Al, I never played FB at a high level. Is Wisc. really as good as they look? I try not to be an idiot when rooting for my Huskers. Wisc played a weak schedule so far, Neb. schedule has been slightly stronger. Neb. has clearly held some stuff back on offense, expect to see some wildcat and more roll out passes on running downs. I am kind of hoping are tall tackles, we have several in the 6-5 to 6-7 range will give the QB problems, but he seems mobile enough to avoid that. I still see it Wisc. by 7-10, maybe more since Neb. is turnover prone. I still expect them to play again in the championship game. I will be in Madison, have an old friend who has press access and I will be his gopher/ equipment sherpa.:-D

At this point it seems likely they will play twice. Right now Wisconsin would have to be favored by 7-10 points. I am hoping Nebraskas young team will improve enough to win a rematch.

In my opinion this is all about conferences positioning themselves to maximize the value of the new conference TV networks. There is no real is advantage to expanding beyond 12 teams since that makes championship games possible except TV marketing. If small TV marekt schools like Iowa State etc. have an opprotunity to join a BCS conference they will take it, but the may not get the opprotunity.

This is why I don't subscribe to twitter. Clearly expressions of their political and faith beliefs is a right. I just don't see why I should give them much weight. They are entertainers, and the majority of them have given me little reason to be impressed by the depth of their knowledge or intellect. I do find the need for public expressions of faith to be closer an to exercises in ego than true witness. This seems to come from the growth in evangelical and charismatic religious groups. Of course these are the same groups who gave us Jim and Tammy Faye Baker etc. I am more impressed by good works than simplistic public statments. And of course I do reserve the right to not spend my money on products they endorse if I dislike their point of view or just dislike being forced to hear it during the course of my entertainment.