Jimenez wins Hong Kong Open

November 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez claimed a second Hong Kong Open title in three years after overnight leader Robert Karlsson imploded on the final green.

Karlsson held a four-stroke lead over Jimenez at the start of the final round but his double bogey six gave Jimenez the opportunity to claim the title.

The Swede’s amazing error saw him have to settle for joint-second with Thongchai Jaidee and KJ Choi.

Miguel Angel Jimenez described as “very nice” his second triumph at the Hong Kong Open in three years.

The Spaniard held his nerve on the last hole to pip Swede Robert Karlsson, whose challenge fell apart in amazing fashion on the final green.

Jimenez said: “I played well throughout and I’m very pleased. The only down part is I feel for Robert, with the way it finished after he played so well. He had a double bogey at the last, and it’s not the best way to finish.”

Hong Kong Open

Final-round leaderboard
Hong Kong GC, par 70
-15 MA Jimenez Spa 18
-14 T Jaidee Tha 18
-14 R Karlsson Swe 18
-14 KJ Choi Kor 18
-13 P Hanson Swe 18
-11 G McDowell NI 18

The Backswing that increases Consistency

November 16, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Backswing - Ian Poulter The swing theory that we teach is very simple, yet very effective. The following is dedicated to teaching you why golfers are successful with a more horizontal swing plane, which we teach. The first fundamental in our backswing is to turn around your spine. This move generates the power needed to add distance and most importantly gives you consistency in your game.

This swing teaches a very simple takeaway, unlike the conventional swing that teaches a one piece takeaway. The one piece takeaway teaches to move the club back low to the ground and slow. This automatically causes you to shift your weight back and away from the target, and this is where golfers get into problems. Because when they shift their weight to their rear foot on the backswing, it’s extremely difficult to time when to shift their weight forward through the impact zone.

So we have created a swing that eliminates 90% of the weight shift in the backswing, but we do focus on shifting your weight forward through the impact zone. This gives the golfer the best of both worlds - power and consistency.

Unfortunately this is just one of the fundamentals of the conventional swing that makes it so tough to learn and incorporate. When golfers have to worry about timing a weight shift effectively it is difficult to get your body and arms in the correct position at the impact zone, let alone get to the same impact position every time. So our swing takes eliminates weight shift back and away from the target, because it’s just an added variable, so all you have to focus on in our swing is getting your hands through the ball at impact, and finishing your swing correctly.

This swing works better, and is easier to learn, because it eliminates the unnecessary movements in your backswing and
downswing, in order to develop consistency. It’s all about consistency and it works better than other golf theories because it provides an easy to-incorporate system that instills confidence in any golfer. Basically it helps you to get to the impact zone square on a more consistent basis.

If you are having trouble with consistency I recommend that you look at 4 different aspects of your swing:

Spine Angle: Whether your back is straight at set-up

Follow-Through Position: Hold your follow-through at least 2 seconds and you’ll see an increase in consistency and muscle memory development

Position of hands at and through the impact zone: Rotate you hands through the impact zone (this will help with distance and power generation as well)

Head Down: Always do this. Unfortunately many golfers overlook this fundamental

David Nevogt writes golf instruction material that helps golfers of all levels reach their full potential and lower their scores. David is the author of “The Simple Golf Swing” which guarantees to have you shooting 7 strokes lower in only 1 week from today. You can find more of his golf instruction by going to http://www.golfswingguru.com

Older Golfers accused of being ‘Leeches’

November 15, 2007 | 2 Comments

The Old Duffers Guide! An article appeared in the British press a few days ago about senior citizens who spend their retirement playing golf and hogging the holes. The discussion was sparked by a publication called, “The Golf Club Secretary Newsletter“, which described elderly players as, “leeches” on their clubs. The newsletter has prompted Golf Clubs to consider banning elderly players at certain times and dropping concessionary rates.

Regular members, trying to balance work/family commitments are being held up at the weekends by the slow play of elderly club members and the courses are being cut up by the heavy traffic.

It seems to me that people have forgotten that, god willing, we will all be senior citizens at some point in our lives and that also many of these older members will have paid their course memberships throughout the years and are entitled to be there.

The irony is that by playing golf, life expectancy and fitness levels increase, so that older players are living longer and pissing other players off, even more. This is precisely one of the reasons that I took up the game; a sport I wasn’t too old to become good at, and also a pastime I could take with me into my old age and retirement. Anyway, haven’t they heard of the age old tradition of, “playing through.”

“Fair play to the ‘ol duffers,” I say and as one old ”leech” put it, ” Well, I will continue to have a coffee break at the fifth tee and a short nap at the ninth.”

Golf Tour Drug Testing

November 14, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Candy Shop-a homage to 50c Following on from my article a few weeks ago, it now seems likely that The PGA Tour could implement its new drug-testing program as early as July next year. A positive test could result in a one-year suspension for a first offense and a lifetime ban if a player is caught three times. The new anti-doping policy has now been agreed by all organizations involved and ratified by the the Tour’s policy board.

Testing will take place in and out of competition with no limit to the number of times a year a player can be tested. It has not been confirmed whether there would be mandatory testing or players, such as the winner of a tournament. Potentially we could look forward to the sight of the winner receiving two cups; one for the tournament and the other for a specimen!

Next month Tour players will receive a manual detailing the banned substances, as part of an education program that will extend through June, with testing to follow. The manual will contain a list of prohibited substances, including anabolic steroids, human growth hormones, narcotics and beta blockers.

Penalties could include a ban for up to one year for the first violation,up to five years for the second violation, with a lifetime ban for multiple violations; and fines up to $500,000. Violations for recreational drugs, such as marijuana or cocaine, could be treated differently from steroids. The program allows discretion to require treatment instead of sanctions, or a combination of the two.

Although the tour has never disclosed fines in the past, there will be more transparency when reporting penalties and fines for drugs misuse.

An education program for the Nationwide Tour will begin in the middle of next year, with testing to start toward the end of the 2008 season. On the Champions Tour for players 50 and older, the education program will start in January 2009, with testing expected to start in the middle of that year.

Justin Timberlake to host PGA Tour event

November 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Justin Timberlake plays Golf Justin Timberlake will join the ranks of notables such as Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. by becoming the 14th celebrity to host a PGA Tour event. The 26-year-old singer has signed a five year contract and will begin with hosting the 2008 event in Las Vegas, which will be renamed the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

“We will make sure to make this event unique and memorable, and we will raise money for charity while participating in the greatest game ever played,” Timberlake said in a statement Monday. “Raising money to better children’s lives while playing golf? I can’t think of a better way to pass the time.” Golf Digest’s recent ranking of golf-playing musicians has Timberlake in 15th place with a 6-stroke handicap.

The annual event in Las Vegas has taken place each year since 1983, with Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Paul Azinger, Jim Furyk, Curtis Strange and Fuzzy Zoeller among the previous champions. George McNeill won this year’s edition, at the time called the Frys.com Open

How your Grip effects Ball Flight

November 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Golf Club Grip Today I am going to visit with you on the proper grip. This is the grip that you should take as you prepare to hit a golf shot.

There have been many different opinions on this topic, but very few instructors tell you WHY you should grip the club a certain way. The reason that the grip is SO important is because it is the only part of your body that controls the clubface, your hands.

If you have a tendency to slice the golf ball, try this:

Move both hands to the right so you can see one or two knuckles (top knuckles) of the left hand. The most important part of placing your grip is to make sure both palms are facing each other. So adjust the left hand, and then adjust the right hand so that your right palm is facing the left palm. - Strong Grip

If you have a tendency to hook the golf ball, move both hands towards the left (palms facing), and you should see no knuckles on your left hand. - Weak Grip

When I mention the knuckles that I have been referring to, here’s what I mean.

1. After you have addressed the golf ball and you look down at your hands from the address position.
2. You should look at your left hand to see if you can see any knuckles.

Now let’s talk about grip pressure.

Tip: The tighter you grip the golf club; the more the golf ball has a tendency to go off to the right. The looser you grip the golf club; the tendency will be for the golf ball to go off to the left.

Most of the time when I am giving a golf lesson, I can see the whites of my student’s knuckles because they are gripping the golf club so tight. This is incorrect! Hall of Fame golfer Sam Snead once said “Hold the club as if you are holding a bird in your hands.” Another quote that I once heard is that you should grip the club like you were holding a tube of toothpaste.

Mickelson wins HSBC Champions

November 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment

World number two Phil Mickelson held his nerve to avoid another meltdown, and a repeat performance of the the recent Scotish and US Opens. Mickelson edged out English duo Ross Fisher and Lee Westwood at the second play-off hole to win the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and claim his first overseas title in 14 years.

Overnight leader Mickelson held a five-stroke advantage over Fisher through seven holes of his final round, but dropped six shots in eight holes to hand Fisher a one-stroke advantage heading up the last.

Mickelson and Fisher both blew chances to win the tournament in regulation on a farcical first trip to the 18th and that let in Westwood, who hit six birdies in seven holes after the turn for a 67 to go 10-under.

All three had birdie chances at the first play-off hole, but after Westwood and Mickelson both narrowly missed, Fisher held his nerve to two-putt from eight feet.

At the second play-off hole, Westwood found water at the front of the green and Fisher hit his second into greenside bunker, with Mickelson on the fringes of the green.

Westwood, following a drop, played his fourth shot through the green and agonisingly down the slope into the water, while Fisher chipped out of the bunker to within eight feet in four.

But Mickelson played a deft flop to four feet with his third, and after Fisher missed, the American holed his birdie putt to claim the ‘Champion of Champions’ title.

American Kevin Stadler finished fourth at nine-under, with Open champion Padraig Harrington a shot further back with Vijay Singh after a final round one-under-par 71.

Paul Casey, playing in the final group with Fisher and Mickelson, endured a nightmare fourth round and carded a six-over-par 78 to slip to five under.

Final Scores and earnings (Euros) for HSBC Champions Tournament.

1. Phil Mickelson            575,444        68-66-68-76=278   -10
2. Ross Fisher                299,894       68-68-68-74=278   -10
2. Lee Westwood            299,894       70-74-67-67=278   -10
4. Kevin Stadler              172,640       64-69-73-73=279   -9
5. Padraig Harrington   133,969       68-72-69-71=280   -8
5. Vijay Singh                133,969        67-70-72-71=280   -8
7. Steve Webster           103,584       69-70-72-70=281   -7
8. Andrew McLArdy     86,320         68-69-72-73=282   -6
9. Henrik Stenson          73,200         70-70-71-72=283   -5

Mickelson said that he plans to take 2-3 months away from the game now and continue with his new Callaway equipment in preparation for next year.

HSBC Champions Tournament - day 3

November 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Phil Mickelson moved two shots clear of England’s Ross Fisher after three rounds of the HSBC Champions Tournament in Shanghai. Mickelson had a mixed front nine but still turned around with a one shot-lead halfway through the third round of the $5 million (2.4 million pound) event on Saturday.

Mickelson, ranked world number two, hit a 68, matched by Fisher, to stand on 14-under.

The best round of the day came from Fisher’s compatriot and Ryder Cup star, Paul Casey, who chipped in three times for a 66 which secured him third spot at 11-under.

Overnight leader Kevin Stadler fell away after only managing to card a 73 to be 10-under, three strokes clear of a group containing Open champion Padraig Harrington and three-time major winner Vijay Singh.

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-14 P Mickelson (US)
-12 R Fisher (Eng)
-11 P Casey (Eng)
-10 K Stadler (US)

HSBC Champions Tournament - day 2

November 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment

American Kevin Stadler is the early leader at the halfway stage of the HSBC Champions Tournament in Shanghai. Stadler shot a 3-under 69 Friday to go with an opening-round 64.

Vijay Singh was four strokes back after a 70. Of the other big names in the field who finished early on Friday, British Open champion Padraig Harrington and U.S. Open winner Angel Cabrera were both seven strokes behind after second-round 72s.

No. 2-ranked Phil Mickelson, who opened with a 68 on Thursday, was 2-under after eight holes.

Second round:
K Stadler -11
P Mickelson -10
R Fisher -8
S Yates -8

Stadler, who saved his U.S. Tour card on Sunday felt he was not under any pressure and went to Shanghai, “to have fun….and enjoy the whole experience.”

For the first time in the three year history of the HSBC Champions, the tournament features a halfway cut with the initial field having grown to 89 players. Towards the end of day two, the cut fell at five over par 149, with 67 players remaining to contest the final two rounds over the weekend.

Funky Golf Strides

November 9, 2007 | 1 Comment

William Hunt Golf

I’m a great believer in the saying, “look the part, play the part”. In an effort to elevate my golfing attire beyond the chino and pique, polo shirt brigade, I decided to invest in a ‘purpose-built’, pair of trousers.

I went for a sensible pair of Stromberg Golf Quinta Funky Prince of Wales Check Trousers. The PoW check is from the Stromberg, ’Classic Collection’, but there are definitely some even funkier ones, I’ve got my eye on for the future e.g. Villa Sol - Blue/Navy Check.

For anybody else who ‘dares’ to be different here are some trendy, golf clothing sites I’ve come across, which might provide the lifestyle, savvy golfer with some inspiration for course couture.

Function18 - Stromberg, Galvin Green, William Hunt, Ian Poulter Collection.

Golf Poser - Cross Sportswear, Bunker Mentality.

Trendy Golf - J.Lindeberg, Penguin

Bunker Mentality

SubSeventy

PAHR Fairway Essentials

Funk’d Golf (accessories)

If anyone else has found interesting links to dress the discerning golfer, let me know and I’ll include them in the above.