No. 17 Sawgrass vs. No. 16 Scottsdale TPC

photo credit: nsaplayer   The two most famous par 3’s in the world are the 17th TPC Sawgrass (“the island green”) and hole no 16 at Scottsdale’s TPC.  These little giants have earned their reputation as “game changers.” 

The 17th at Sawgrass is 130 yards but the landing area is tiny (15 to 20 yards) by tour standards.  The green sits deceptively at only 3 feet above the water.  This little par 3 has got to be the most costly hole in golf

The 16th at Scottsdale’s TPC is known as the “stadium” hole and can intimidate even the most confident golfer.  The attendance usually tips the scales at 20,000 wild and woolly fans.  Booze, boos and cheers flow as the golfers enter the amphitheatre.  The 16th is what the game is all about, pure fun.

GOLF DIGEST US Open Challenge

photo credit: mihirvaze   The GOLF DIGEST Challenge is a yearly contest which requires the contestants to tell, in 60 words or less,  how playing in the Open Challenge would change their lives.  Contestants may describe their game and what they think they would shoot on a US. Open setup at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.

Tiger Woods made a famous statement before the first US. Open Challenge where he said “I doubt any average golfer can break 100 on a course that’s set up for the US. Open Championship.”  It’s probably safe to assume that you have to play a respectable game.  Players can enter the contest by going to www.gdopencontest.com.  

The winner will play a round with celebrities which will be broadcast on national TV.

Stan Utley

photo credit: USACE Europe District   Stan Utley is one of the most sought after golf instructors in the World.  Playing out of the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ., Utley ranks No. 6 in GOLF DIGEST’S, “America’s 50 Greatest Teachers.”  He is a former PGA Tour winner who decided to devote himself to helping golfers at all levels of play.

Stan Utley has helped such PGA superstars as Sergio Garcia, Jay Haas, Craig Stadler, Peter Jacobson, Darren Clarke and Rocco Mediate, (just to name a few).  He is known for his simplified and innovative instructional techniques specializing in the short game. 

He has written several excellent instructional books including “The Art of Putting,” and “The Art of the Short Game,” which should be standard reading for every serious golfer.  Stan Utley can be reached at http://StanUtley.com.

Interesting Records

photo credit: foto footprints   From the pages of GOLF DIGEST:  1)  Lowest Course in Elevation > The Death Valley, CA. Furnace Creek Golf Course is 214 feet below sea level.  2)  Longest Hole-in-One > Michael Crean at the 517-yard, par-5 ninth at Green Valley Ranch in 2002.  3)  Lowest Score Using One Club > Durham N.C., the club was a 6-iron, the score was a 70 (two under).  4)  Longest Golf Course > Bolton Mass., par 73 Pines Course at the International is 8,325 yards from the blue tees.  5)  Longest Putt > Bob Coughlin sank a putt of 149 feet, two inches at Schalamar Creek golf Club in Lakeland, FLorida.  6)  Oldest Masters Contestant > Ernie Ball, age 99, is the only living golfer from the first Masters, played in 1934.

Longer Shafts?

photo credit: danperry.com   GOLF DIGEST commissioned a test to determine if longer shafts created more distance.  37 players hit 10 shots each with a 44 1/2 ” driver and 10 shots with a 46 1/2 ” club.  The results follow:

1)  The Range – The 44 1/2 ” drivers had more centralized shot patterns.  2)  Club Length – players swung the 46 1/2 ” driver faster with a gain in clubhead speed of 1.7 %.  3)  Ball Speed – increased for more than half the players using  the longer shaft but the advantage was inconsistent.  Those that gained speed showed a 1.7 % increase.  Those who lost speed had an average decrease of 3.2% because of off-center hits.  4)  Accuracy – no difference.  5)  Distance – improved in about 1/2 the players with the longer shaft.  Findings:  Shaft length is not a universal standard.

Tiger’s Maya Copa

photo credit: gitsul.   Tiger Woods finally entered the daylight and gave a 14  minute “maya copa” speech to the entire world.  Sitting in front of Mr. Woods was his mother, wife and mother-in-law.  Inside the conference center where the speech was given, reporters were present but not allowed to ask questions.  In a special note the Golf Writers Association of America boycotted the event.

Woods read a well scripted speech in which he apologized to his family, friends and fans.  He stated that the press had no right to pursue his family and two children.  He spoke of his own sexual addiction and stated that he could not say when he would return to the game of golf. 

What did you think of the speech?  We’d love to hear  your comments.

Golf Cart Seat Covers

photo credit: USACE Europe District   In certain areas of the country, people find it necessary to own their own golf carts, especially in senior communities in parts of Florida, Arizona and Nevada just to name a few.

There are many accessories that are made for carts such as air conditioners, plastic enclosures, heaters, ball washers, ice chests and all sorts of gadgets.  Cart-Cozies are the newest comfort item made of 100% Sueded Cotton which fits snugly on the cart’s seat and back rest.  They come in four exotic fabrics which can include a custom name or company logo.  The retail price on the covers is $49.95-$69.95.

For cold or inclement weather, these seat covers are ideal for maximum comfort.  To learn more go to:  www.cartcozies.com or call them at 813 881-1070.

New Stealth Headcovers

photo credit: andrea.pacelli   If you are looking for a great value in quality headcovers, try the new Stealth Club Covers.  There are 10 matching colors for: Drivers, Fairway Woods, Hybrids, Iron Sets and Putters.

Stealth Headcovers have superior fit and durability.  The patented sleek design of their headcovers incorporates a superior fit which provides 50 percent more space in between golf clubs.  The company has been in business since 1996 and considers itself a leader in innovation.

Every golfer has had problems with headcover design.  Some are so tight fitting they are very difficult to place back on the clubhead.  Others, are so loose they can easily come off the club when least expected, putter’s are especially prone to this problem.  To learn more, go to:  www.stealthclubcovers.com.

Practice With one Hand

If you want to sharpen-up your pitching and chipping game, the next time you go to the practice range, try hitting these shots with just one hand.  Take your normal grip using both hands.  Now, release your right hand from the club.  Pick a target and chip/pitch about 15 balls.  Keep your left wrist perfectly straight all through the impact zone and beyond.  This drill is perfect for the golfer that tends to drag their hands behind the ball as the shot progresses.

Now grip the club with your right hand and do the same thing, hit about 15 shots with each club.  Notice how much heavier the clubhead feels just using the right hand.  These two exercises teaches perfect control and acceleration.

More Allegations in Tiger-Gate

photo credit: utsfl   More sordid details about one of Tiger Woods’ mistresses have been made public.  Joslyn James, a 32 year-old porn star who first met Woods in a Las Vegas nightclub in 2006, in an interview with the very popular TV show Inside Edition, alleged that she was impregnated twice by Woods and suffered a miscarriage during the first pregnancy and aborted the second one.

She also alleged that her pregnancy coincided with Elin Woods’ pregnancy with their (Elin’s) second child.  She said “I was pregnant with Charlie at the time and I didn’t want to ruin anything.”  She alleged, that after his car accident, he abruptly “ended all contact with me.”  “Right now I don’t know if he cares about anybody or loves anybody but himself,” she said.

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