USGA. Photographic Archives

photo credit: nicmcc
With over 500,000 images the USGA.’s photographic archives has the largest collection of historical golf photographs in the world.  Growing at a rate of 25,000 images per year the archives rate of expansion is truly amazing. 

The photo’s date back to the late 19th century and include a collection of some of the most memorable moments in golf’s long history.  There are photo’s of 20 year old Francis Ouimet, amateur winner of the 1913 U.S. Open, Patty Berg and Babe Didrikson, two famous LPGA champions.  Payne Stuarts magical moment on the last green when he won the U.S. Open at Pinehurst C.C and so many more amazing shots.

To view photographs from the Museum visit www.usgamuseum.com.  Many photo’s can also be purchased.

Golf Digest/USGA. U.S. Open Challenge

photo credit: lrargerichIn June 2008 a brand new event occured.  It was the first time a contest was held to see if an amateur could break 100 on a U.S. Open golf course.  The foursome included Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, performer Justin Timberlake, NBC anchor Matt Lauer and John Atkinson an average golfer who just happened to be suffering with lung cancer.  Atkinson was the winner of a Golf Digest contest.

As it turned out the finals scores were: Romo 84, Timberlake 98, Lauer 100 and Atkinson was unable to break 100.  Afterwards Lauer said of the event “It connects ordinary golfers to the game as it’s played at a higher level.  The Pro’s that we watch weekly are simply superhuman!”

The Golf Digest/USGA. Challenge will occur again during the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black G.C.

LG Skins Game

photo credit: bjhernandez The 2008 Skins game features Stephen Ames (going for a threepeat), K.J. Choi, Phil Mickelson
and one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour, Rocco Mediate. This is the 26th edition of the Skins Game which will be played at Indian Wells Golf Resort, Indian Wells, CA.

The Skins Game is an 18 hole event which is televised over two days (9 holes per day). Money can be earned only after a player wins a hole outright. If two or more players half the hole the money is carried over to the next hole and each hole counts as one Skin. Holes 1-6 are worth 25K each, 7-12 are 50K, 13-17 are 70K and hole 18 is a whopping 200K! Watch this exciting event on ABC., Nov 29 & 30.

Life on the PGA Tour

photo credit: SD DirkLife on the PGA Tour has it’s ups and downs. Tour players have a rigid schedule to keep every week but there are plenty of benefits. Players have a complimentary car waiting for them at each event. Usually, gourmet food is supplied during each day of play.

Most Tour Pro’s will admit that their least favorite day is during the Pro-Am. They are committed to give advice to amateurs who have paid up to $10,000.00 for the day’s round which creates a great deal of frustration for them.

The average Tour Pro makes a yearly six figure income. How can you beat doing what you love to do and getting paid for it? The fact is you can’t unless you make it through Qualifying school (Q school). For more information on the PGA Tour check out www.pgatour.com

Golf Playing Statistics

PGA Tour players divide their game into 4 categories, driving, mid and long
irons, chipping and putting. They calculate their averages and get a clear
picture of where improvements need to be made. The averages below can
be eye opening.

The following statistics may help you determine where your
game may need to be improved: Driving - The tour average is 63% of
fairways hit while a 10 handicapper hits 50% of fairways. Iron Play - the
tour average for greens in regulation is 62%, a 10 handicapper hits 39%.
Chipping - Tour Average for saves is 56%, a 10 handicapper averages
32% for saves. Putting - ( 3 putt avoidance ) tour average is 3.2%
while a 10 handicapper’s average is 7%.