Golfspot

Hey

2006-09-17T13:35:00.000Z

Hey, guys, i was just wondering, because i forgot all about my golf blog, does anyone actually sill read it?!

European Tour Update

2006-01-30T16:56:00.000Z

Henrik Stenson followed his second place finish in Abu Dhabi last week with victory at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters at Doha GC. The victory takes Stenson into the World Top 20 for the first time as he jumps 9 places to World Number 19. Elsewhere, second placed Paul Broadhurst moves up 22 places to World Number 62.

World Number One Tiger Woods retained his Buick Invitational title when he overcame Nathan Green and Jose Maria Olazabal in a sudden death playoff after the trio had tied on 10 under par. Woods extends his lead at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking to 7.64 average points. Green climbs 110 places to World Number 143 while Olazabal’s improvement is 6 places to World Number 24.

The 2006 Nationwide Tour got underway this week with the Movistar Panama Championship and it was Tripp Isenhour who came out on top. The win takes him up to World Number 389, an improvement of 694 places.

Its been a long time!

2006-01-30T16:45:00.000Z

Wow, it has been a long time since I last updated. Firstly I must apologise, I have been really busy over the past few months- a very hectic schedule.

Anyway, on a lighter note, I will tell you about our Winter League Campaign. So far we have played 3 matches, winning two of them and unfortunately loosing the other. We had to give 9 shots in the first match, but still managed a victory, 2up in the end. The second match was a slight disaster, lets just say me and Matt were not on form, and finally the third match, which we played yesterday was a resounding victory of 4&3. With another 3 matches remaining and our chances of getting into the knockout stages looking promising our spirits are high!

Well until next time! (hopefully tomorrow or maybe even tonight)

Regards, Matt

Winter League!

2006-01-10T17:33:00.000Z

With my first match of the Winter League drawing even closer, I have suddenly discovered that I may be slightly out of practice! I had a lesson on Sunday in the wind and rain which didnt really do anything for me apart from show up my alignment. Striking the ball ok, but to make things worse the first match we have to play we have to give 9 shots! And thats on three quarters of the difference! To be honest it is slightly a joke, 9 shots!, thats half of the round. The only plus side is that our opponents have higher handicaps thus prone to make more mistakes, however if they are bandits, which they could very well be, then we are basically screwed!

I will tell you all the results afterwards.

P.S. Think of me when you are all lying in bed on Sunday morning and I am teeing off in the cold and rain at 8.30!

Europe take the lead

2006-01-07T22:10:00.000Z

Europe's golfers established a stranglehold in the inaugural Royal Trophy against Asia on Saturday when they took a 6-2 overnight lead in the matchplay event. They collected a 3-1 lead in the morning foursomes, in which players take alternate shots and followed up with a similar advantage from the fourballs.

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Nick Faldo and European Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam, who have won seven major titles between them, were the only European losers earlier, crashing 6&5 to Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant and Thongchai Jaidee. But both were paired with different partners in the fourballs where each competitor hits his own ball and emerged victorious.

There are eight singles matches remaining on Sunday and Europe require two and a half more points to clinch the trophy.

Asia would have been in worse shape overnight but Kenneth Ferrie, playing with fellow Englishman David Howell, missed a seven-foot putt on the last to tie against Indians Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Rhandhawa in the fourballs.

Winter League Draw

2005-12-30T12:51:00.000Z

Sorry for the lack of posts guys, I've been really busy in the past few days with xmas etc. Sad to say I didn't get any new golfing equipment from santa, well apart from some tees and a couple of sleeves of pro v1s!

Well, the divisions for my anual Winter League have been drawn and I'm sad to say it's not looking good for me and my partner Matt. It seems that out of every team in our particular divsion we are the lowest off a joint handicap of 10. This is not good as now it means that we have to give shots to everyone!! Despite the rule being 3/4 of the difference the highest handicap team is 22 meaning that we have to give 9 shots!! in a matchplay format!!

And on another note does anybody think that a should leave my Scotty Cameron out of my bag for the winter months and use my old Odessy??

Award Hatrick for New Zealands' Campbell

2005-12-27T19:13:00.000Z

Michael Campbell’s stunning 2005 season, in which he held off Tiger Woods to win the US Open Championship, has been further recognised with three awards in his native New Zealand.

Campbell, who was recently crowned The European Tour Golfer of the Year, has been named Maori Sportsperson of the Year and New Zealand Sky TV’s people’s choice as Sports Personality of the Year. The hat-trick of accolades was completed by the New Zealand PGA, which honoured the 36 year old with life membership.

Campbell was home in New Zealand last weekend to attend the Maori Sportsperson of the Year Awards and he delighted in accepting the honour ahead of Kiwis Rugby League Tri-Series winning captain Ruben Wiki and Wests Tigers’ Rugby League Grand Final-winning star Benji Marshall.

“It’s been a fantastic season and to win the Maori Sportsperson of the Year is a fabulous honour,” commented Campbell, who has now been installed as one of the favourites to win the New Zealand Sportsman of the Year in February.

Singh to play Abu Dhabi

2005-12-20T19:35:00.000Z

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) announced today that Vijay Singh, ranked World Number Two, will play the inaugural Abu Dhabi Golf Championship to be held at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club from January 19 – 22, 2006.

Surprisingly, for one of the most widely travelled golfers in the game, Vijay has never played in the Gulf before. Commenting on his decision to add Abu Dhabi to his long list of countries visited, Vijay said: “I have heard good things about Abu Dhabi and the golf course and am looking forward to seeing it for myself in January. With players like Sergio, Monty, John Daly and Thomas Björn already entered, it looks like it’ll be a tough tournament – but that’s how I like them!”.

In all, there will be 120 players in the field for the Abu Dhabi Championship, which is offering US$2 million in prize money and will be televised world wide.

Should be interesting no????

Tip of the Day

2005-12-17T19:59:00.000Z

Blame gravity. When you swing at a ball that's lower than your feet, gravity pulls you down the slope, making it hard to stay balanced. Try these adjustments:
Get Down. Take a shoulder-width stance for stability and lower yourself to the ball by bending from your knees. You should feel like you're sitting back on your heels.
Set Up Left. Shots hit from below your feet tend to fade because lowering the clubhead points the face to the right. Compensate by aligning your body slightly left.
Keep Quiet. Your hand and arms, not your body, should control the swing, moving the club on a fairly steep plane. Take one more club than usual and make a three-quarter swing.

by Glenn Deck

Teams named for The Royal Trophy

2005-12-15T16:55:00.000Z

Both the European and Asian teams have been named for The Royal Trophy set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand 7-8 January 2006.

The course in which the event is being played at is Amanta Spring Golf Club located in Bangkok has a 7400 plus yard layout and is described as "the finest jewel in Thailands golfing crown" More info on the course can be found here.

The Royal Trophy promoted as a ‘history making event’, the cream of Europe takes on the elite of Asia in this new team matchplay competition described as ‘the great battle of the two continents’.

Each team will comprise eight players, led by a captain. They will compete in a series of 16 matches involving foursomes, four-ball and singles. The Royal Trophy offers a total prize fund of US$1.5 million, with the winning team sharing $1 million and the losers sharing $500,000.

Captaining the European Team is the legendary Seve Ballesteros and the rival captain said to be one of Japans most decorated and respected golfers Masahiro Kuramoto will head the Asian team.

The teams are as follows:

Europe - David Howell (ENG), Paul McGinley (IRE), Thomas Bjorn (DEN), Kenneth Ferrie (ENG), Henrik Stenson (SWE), Graeme McDowell (NIR), Nick Faldo (ENG), Ian Woosnam (WAL)

Asia - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Thongchai Jaidee (THA), Jyoti Randhawa (IND), Yasuharu Imano (JPN), Keiichiro Fukabori (JPN), S.K. Ho (KOR), Arjun Atwal (IND), Zhang Lian Wei (CHN)

Offer at GolfDash

2005-12-15T16:45:00.000Z

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Winter

2005-12-14T19:06:00.000Z

Winter is probably the worst month for the average amatuer golfer. It's cold, wet, either muddy or snowing and worst of all we have to put up with those tempory greens!! I don't know about your courses, but at mine the tempories are very small and the hole is still the same size!! It's almost impossible to put on them which is extremly fustrating yet the only good thing about them is that it makes that 450yrd par4 just a little bit shorter!

Janurary will mark the start of my golf clubs anual Winter League. Like most years, this year I will partner my good friend Matt who is off 11 and I being off 10. The Winter League consists of about seven divisions each with about eight or nine teams in. Much like a football/soccer league you get three points for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The format is greensomes matchplay with the top two teams from each divison going through into a knockout round afterwards.

I probably need to start practicing as I havent played golf for about three weeks now!

Tip of the day

2005-12-12T22:36:00.000Z

Too many golfers bend forward from the waist instead of the hips. Do that and your shoulders will slump, and you'll find it hard to make a proper backswing turn. To make sure you bend from the hips, push your rear end back about six inches. This will straighten your spine and pull your shoulders back, setting the stage for a fuller, more powerful turn.

by Mike McGetrick

Ernie makes a come back

2005-12-11T22:42:00.000Z

Ernie Els has stormed to a magnificant win in the Dunhill Championship, Leopard Creek GC. A 14 under, 72 hole aggregate of 274 saw the South African nicknamed the "Big Easy" bank the €1 million prize cheque.

This was only his second tournament back on tour after more than four months on the sidelines with an injured left knee which required surgery and an intensive rehab programme.

For more info visit: http://www.europeantour.com/default.sps?pageid=127&pagegid=%7BAEFB93B0%2DEFF
5%2D4C05%2DAB0F%2DFD08D947D944%7D&eventid=2005086&infosid=1

Tip of the Day

2005-12-10T23:10:00.000Z

Once you have made the decision to lay up, don't second-guess yourself. Plan how you are going to play the shot after the lay-up. Get accurate distances to the trouble and the lay-up zone, then select the club that provides the most room for error, factoring in carry and roll. Choose a specific target, not a general area, and form a precise picture of the shot you want to hit. Don't get lazy. Go through your entire preshot routine and hit it with authority.

by Dana Rader

Els has returned

2005-12-10T23:04:00.000Z

A third round 68 has enabled good old Ernie Els to be within reach of the lead at the Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.

Todays round saw the South African shoot into contention, onl two off the leader, compatriot Ulrich van den Berg.

Of the top 10 players on the leaderboard only Scotland's Doug McGuigan and Christian Nilsson of Sweden, both on 209 and five off the pace, are non-South Africans.

Archer leads in South Africa

2005-12-08T22:50:00.000Z

England's Phillip Archer shot a clubhouse lead six-under-par 66 as a thunderstorm halted play in the first round of the Dunhill Championship at the Leopard Creek course in eastern South Africa.

Six birdies, was the highlight of Archers round on the bushveld course situated next to the country's famed Kruger Park game reserve.

Sweden's Jarmo Sandelin came in second on 67, with South Africa's Jaco van Zyl and Finland's Tuomas Tuo two strokes off the lead on 68.

Eight players, England's Gary Clark and David Carter, South Africans Trevor Immelman, Johan Kok, Louis Oosthuizen and Thomas Aiken, Zimbabwe's Sean Farrell and Toni Karjalainene of Finland, were bracketed on 69.

Play in the first round is scheduled to resume at 6:20 am (0420 GMT) Friday.

Tip of the Day!

2005-12-07T22:43:00.000Z

When you're having a off-day, follow these checkpoints:Club Selection -- Resign yourself to the fact that you are not going to hit it solid today and use more club. Alignment -- If you're slicing the ball 20 yards, start aiming 20 yards to the left. Adjust for your fault during play and correct it AFTER the round. Swing Speed -- When we are playing poorly, we tend to get quick. Swing at 50-percent speed until contact and direction improve. Shorten backswing and foillowthrough -- If you're hitting fat shots and hooks, shortening the swing helps the timing of the arms and body. Keep the 3/4 swing until your ball flight has improved.

by Bill Moretti - Academy of Golf Dynamics

Campbell wins European Golfer of the year 2005

2005-12-06T21:27:00.000Z

New Zealander Michael Campbell has won the 2005 European Tour Golfer of the Year award as a result of his victoires in the US Open and the World Match Play Championship.

Among those considered were Angel Cabrera, Stephen Dodd, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen, Padraid Harrington, Davis Howell, Paul McGinley and Montgomerie.

But 36-year-old Campbell capped a successful season after a birdie on the final hole of a qualifying tournament to earn a place in the US Open, and he then held off world number one Tiger Woods at Pinehurst to become New Zealand's first major champion since Bob Charles in 1963.

He then went on to claim the one-million-pounds prize in the World Match Play at Wentworth in September.

"To be named European Tour Golfer of the Year for the first time is a wonderful honour," said Campbell.

Golf and Cricket?

2005-12-05T20:14:00.000Z

Just reading some of my feeds and saw that members of the England cricket team combined with former Pakistan cricketers on Sunday to raise funds for earthquake victims.

$50 000 was raised in the charity golf tournament for the victims of the October 8 earthquake.

The "Golf for life" team event at the Royal Palm Beach golf course featured former Pakistan captains Zaheer Abbas, Salim Malik, Aamer Sohail and Akram Raza plus Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer. The England players included Trescothick, Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen and Matthew Hoggard.

What a nice thing to do!!

Todays top tip!

2005-12-05T20:13:00.000Z

If your hands get too active, your timing will be inconsistent. Train your hands to move in sync with your body by choking way down on the shaft so the grip touches your belly. Practice turning back and through, keeping the grip in place. Mimic this all-together action in your normal swing for superior pitching.

by Darrell Kestner

Monty wins UBS Hong Kong Open

2005-12-04T11:46:00.000Z

Colin Montgomerie has won the UBS Hong Kong Open by one clear shot. Shooting a final round of 70, level par, allowing the Scotsman to have a total of 271, nine-under par.

Monty consoled a tearful Kingston after the South African threw away his one shot lead he had held for the duration of tournament after making a double bogey on the last hole.

"We all feel for him. Every golfer who plays the game feels for someone who doubles the last to lose. It has happened before and unfortunately it will happen again but on this occasion I am glad that I managed to take the spoils after that," said Montgomerie, 42.

Montgomerie’s victory was worth £116,584 and moved him to fifth on The European Tour Order of Merit as well as enforcing his strong position in the race for places in next year’s Ryder Cup Team. But more importantly, it pushed him back into the top ten on the Official World Golf Ranking at number nine.

2009 British Open: Turnberry

2005-12-01T17:06:00.000Z

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club announced that Turnberry will be the venue for the 2009 British Open. The fourth time that the particular course has staged the event since it was added to the Open roster in 1977. The year being memorable for the 'Duel in the Sun' between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, eventually won by Watson by a single shot.

1986 saw Greg Norman lift the title at the course and the last time that Turnberry was used for the British Open was back in 1994 when Nick Price eventually won, after battling it out with Jesper Parnevik.

Turberry boasts two magnificent links courses, "the scene of the some of the most remarkable moments in Open history, the legendary Ailsa is complemented by the dynamic challenges of the new Kintyre championship course."

For more info visit the Turnberry homepage: http://www.turnberry.co.uk/golf/index.html
or: http://www.europeantour.com/news/fullstory.sps?id=1147698&iTourID=1

December

2005-12-01T08:28:00.000Z

Sorry about the lack of posts recently, I have been really busy at work and on top of that ill for a couple of days.

Anyway, enough of the excuses, December is set to be a good month golf-wise. We have numerous tournaments to look forwar to including, the UBS Hong Kong Open, the Dunhill Championship and the South African Airways Open. (European Tour events)

For more info visit: http://www.europeantour.com/tournaments/schedule.sps?iTourID=1

Harrington pulls out of Hong Kong Open

2005-11-30T13:13:00.000Z

Irishman, Padraig Harrington has pulled out of the UBS Hong Kong Open at the last minute. The $1.2million venue was given no reason for the drop out by the 2003 champion and last years runner up.

The co-sanctioned Hong Kong Open is already the third stop on the 2006 European Tour, and the penultimate on this year's Asian Tour. Monty was also reported to be on the verge of dropping out until he realised that his image was being used on the advertising posters.

Danish star Thomas Bjorn said many players preferred to take a break at this time of year, traditionally a rest period at the end of the season. Amongst the big names playing in the event are defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez and the winners of the first two European tour events of 2006, David Howell and Paul Casey.

Todays top tip!

2005-11-28T20:58:00.000Z

Golfers often ask me how far they should stand from the ball. To answer, I refer to a composite computer model that Dr. Ralph Mann and I generated from a biomechanical study using 54 PGA Tour pros. With the driver, the pros we tested addressed the ball with their left toe approximately 32 inches from the ball. Shorter golfers may want to increase that to 33 inches, taller players to 31. For a 5-iron, the pros stood 23 to 25 inches away; with a 9-iron, 19 to 21 inches. So, the next time you go to practice, slip a yardstick in your bag and see how you measure up.

Fred Griffin

Todays top tip!

2005-11-27T19:12:00.000Z

One of the most common problems that occurs in putting, whether an amateur or a PGA Tour player, is "trying" to make putts. A sure way to miss a putt is to get over the ball and really "try" to make the putt. Or tell yourself that you really need to make this putt. This will lead to bad putting. Once you have picked your line and determined the speed of the putt all you can do is get over the ball and try to make a good stroke feeling the proper speed for the distance required.

by KipPuterbaugh - The Aviara Golf Academy

Casey comeback seals China Open

2005-11-27T11:32:00.000Z

England's Paul Casey has completed a dramatic come-from-behind victory to win the Volvo China Open and secure only his fifth European Tour Victory. Going into the final round, Casey was 5 shots off the pace but carded a magnificent 65-seven under par to equal the par-72 Shenzhen Golf Club course record.

Missing a three foot putt on the last hole which would have seen him win the event outright, Casey forced a play-off with fellow Englishman Oliver Wilson. -13 and a total of 275 after 72 holes was the end result for both of the joint leaders.

The play-off saw a calm, cool Casey easily birdie the first hole with compatriot Wilson making a bogey after hitting two bunkers.

The win for Casey was only his second this year and saw him collect a $216,660 winners cheque.

Final Result
GB&Ire unless stated
-13 P Casey, O Wilson
-12 B Lane
-11 C Plaphol (Tha), R Fisher
Selected others:
-10 Pe Lawrie
-9 M Tunnicliff
-Level N Dougherty

Interesting Swing Drill

2005-11-27T10:20:00.000Z

A Swing Drill to Improve Your Fairway Woods

Did you get a chance to see Tiger hit that fairway wood at the Grand Slam on Wednesday?

If you didn’t let me give a quick recap: He pulled out 3-wood, scorched one onto to the green, and then proceeded to make eagle!

An amazing shot!

As amateurs we often struggle hitting fairway woods, especially 3-wood.

I know many amateurs who will not even think about pulling out 3-wood on the fairway.

They will hit an iron, lay-up, and settle for par.

But think about for a moment.

If you were able to hit 3-wood “off the deck”, would it not give you a better chance at birdie or even eagle?

Yes it would!

So we are left with the question of how do we get comfortable and improve on our fairway wood shots?

A little practice routine I have learned from the guys on the Tour can definitely help!

The next time you are at the range try this little practice drill:

Take 3-wood out of the bag after warming up.

Place 3 tees in the ground in a row.

Set the first tee at a height that half of the golf ball is above the face of your 3-wood.

Set the height of the second tee at a height that golf ball is centered of the face of the 3-wood.

Place the final tee at ground level.

Address the first ball and hit it with your 3-wood.

Address the second and hit it with your 3-wood.

Finally, address the third ball and hit it with your 3-wood.

Continue to move through this drill in the same sequential order. Over time this drill will get you comfortable with the “sweeping” motion required of fairway wood shots.

And in no time you will be pulling that 3-wood out on those long par 5’s and making birdie.

Hit Them Straight and Hit Them Long!

Sean Cochran - BioForce Golf

Todays top tip!

2005-11-26T18:40:00.000Z

Working with CompuSport, a biomechanical research firm, I studied 30 PGA Tour pros hitting shots inside 100 yards. From 25 yards and in, they consistently landed the ball a quarter of the way from the front edge of the green to the flag. So, if the hole was eight paces from the front, they dropped the ball two paces on.When they needed more or less flight, the pros changed clubs but kept the landing spot a quarter of the way on. If the green sloped away, they took a more lofted club and used the extra height to counter the faster surface. If the green ran uphill, they used a less lofted club for a hotter roll. But 25 percent was the Tour's golden rule.

by Fred Griffin - Grand Cypress Golf Resort

Unlucky guys, more prize money next time

2005-11-26T17:21:00.000Z

It has been annonced ahead of the fourth round of the Volvo China Open, that the prize fund for next year’s event - at the Beijing Hong Hua International Golf Club from April 13-16, 2006 - will be raised by $500,000 to $1.8 million.

It will see the winner pick up a prize cheque of $285,000 and signifies Volvo's hopes for golf in China in years to come. The last increase is only a minor 38% rise but the event has seen a massive 450% increase in prize money in the past three years.

Stephen Dodd, recent World Cup winner and the defending champion in Shenzhen, said: “This huge increase in prize money is great news for players on the Asian and The European Tour, and is certain to further enhance the quality of the field, confirming Volvo as the keynote sponsor of golf on both continents.”

China Open up for grabs!

2005-11-26T17:03:00.000Z

Two-day leader Chawalit Plaphol has pressed the self-destruct button in spectacular fashion to leave the Volvo China Open up for grabs going into the final round.

Full story: http://uk.sports.yahoo.com//26112005/3/chawalit-meltdown-leaves-china-open-grabs.html

Round 3 Leaderboard (top 20)

Name	Rnd1	Rnd2	Rnd3	Total	Par
Ross FISHER (Eng)	69	68	68	205	-11
Oliver WILSON (Eng)	68	67	71	206	-10
Chawalit PLAPHOL (Thai)	65	67	74	206	-10
Lian-Wei ZHANG (PRC)	70	71	66	207	-9
Barry LANE (Eng)	67	74	67	208	-8
Søren KJELDSEN (Den)	74	67	67	208	-8
Miles TUNNICLIFF (Eng)	68	70	70	208	-8
Anders HANSEN (Den)	70	70	69	209	-7
Jyoti RANDHAWA (Ind)	71	67	71	209	-7
Peter LAWRIE (Ire)	69	72	68	209	-7
Gaurav GHEI (Ind)	72	70	67	209	-7
Shiv KAPUR (Ind)	69	70	70	209	-7
Fredrik WIDMARK (Swe)	75	65	69	209	-7
François DELAMONTAGNE (Fr)	65	70	74	209	-7
Paul CASEY (Eng)	71	69	70	210	-6
Scott STRANGE (Aus)	73	67	70	210	-6
Kenneth FERRIE (Eng)	70	70	70	210	-6
Simon YATES (Scot)	68	68	74	210	-6
Keith HORNE (SA)	74	68	68	210	-6
Boonchu RUANGKIT (Thai)	67	73	71	211	-5
Daniel VANCSIK (Arg)	73	70	68	211	-5

Todays top tip!

2005-11-25T18:42:00.000Z

Generally, when a swing is too steep it is also too narrow. Tiger Woods has one of the widest swing arcs on the tour, and this creates maximum clubhead speed along with the optimum launch angle. Work on keeping your lower body resisting while your arms stretch out into a wider arc and a full shoulder turn.

by Todd Stones - White Deer Run GC

Monty recieves OBE

2005-11-25T17:37:00.000Z

Monty has recieved an OBE for his services and contribution to golf. Choosing to dedicate the award to his European Ryder Cup team-mates, he was awarded the medal by the Prince of Wales at a ceremony which took place at Buckingham Palace.

"This was awarded - I think - on behalf of The Ryder Cup Team of 2004.We won in America and I was probably the oldest player. I was the one at the helm of it I suppose, and in a way I take it for them - the whole Team. It's nice to be rewarded again for one's accomplishments, this one especially.”

Monty was the man who holed the winning putt to seal the Ryder Cup for Europe, last year at Oakland Hills.

Currently ranked 16th in the world rankings, the 42yr-old Scot still remains optimistic that he can clinch one of the four majors. Winning the European Order of Merit for the eigthth time this year, Monty was also awarded a MBE in 1998.

Wie misses cut

2005-11-25T17:27:00.000Z

Michelle Wie failed to become the first woman to make the cut on one of the major men's tours in 60 years after a disastrous finish in Japan on Friday.

Personally, I don't think that Wie is all that she is made out to be, even though she is still pretty good. Considering she is only 16, she has a long way to go but has to be careful of not to burn herself out.

What are anyone else's views?

Todays top tip!

2005-11-24T20:14:00.000Z

The lob shot takes some getting used to, as the swing is long but the shot is short. To generate a long enough swing and the necessary shallow approach into impact, try to feel an underarm throwing motion with the right arm. Take practice swings (then hit balls) with your left arm off the club and let your right arm create the wide arc and shallow approach necessary to slip the leading edge under the ball.

by Dick Harmon - River Oaks CC

Todays top tip!

2005-11-23T19:33:00.000Z

Your hands at address should be in front of your body. At the top of your swing, keep them behind your head. The hands and arms must swing behind you. Try this drill: Address the ball with your hands only (no club). Imagine you have a wall touching your backside. Swing your hands and touch the wall with your right hand. Continue swinging to the left side. This will create the correct turn for you on both sides of your swing.

by Derek Hardy - The Vintage Club

Dodd to defend title at China Open

2005-11-23T16:55:00.000Z

Stephen Dodd is set to defend his title at this week's China Open. Three ahead of the field at last years event, Dodd also went on to win his second Irish Open title in May, played an important role in Britain and Ireland's Seve Trophy success over Continental Europe, as well as clinching the rain-shortened WGC-World Cup in the Algarve.

The 39yr-old Welshman also finished the 2005 season with a career best of 17th in the European Tour Order of Merit.

Among his closest contenders for the second event on the 2006 European Tour schedule are Ryder Cup players Paul Casey and Thomas Levet, Thai duo Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant, India's Jyoti Randhawa and local favourite Lian-Wei Zhang.

This week's event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour for the second year in a row, will be the first on the 2006 European schedule to operate with a 36-hole cut for the leading 65 professionals and ties.

The cut had stood at 70 and ties since the start of the 2000 season but the Tour decided on a change in response to negative feedback from its members and in a bid to improve television coverage of tournaments at weekends.

Todays top tip!

2005-11-22T18:27:00.000Z

To make sure you have the right sequence of motion on your downswing, compare your clubhead arc halfway down to its position halfway back. Set up next to a bush or small tree so that your clubhead just reaches the leaves halfway back. Then take some practice swings, stopping to check the clubhead position halfway down. Your lateral move toward the target to start the downswing and the subsequent body rotation should pull the clubhead at least a foot inside the leaves on the downswing.

Craig Shankland - Ormond Beach, Fla

Todays top tip!

2005-11-21T21:06:00.000Z

Unless you're facing a fried-egg or some other buried lie in the sand, you must swing through the ball. This helps get the ball in the air and out of the bunker. To ensure that, stand outside the bunker and make a fluid practice swing up into a full-finish position. Once over the ball in the sand, "see" yourself reaching that finish. Make your swing, mimicking your physical and mental rehearsals.

Jim McLean - Jim McLean Golf Schools

2006 Ryder Cup: Ireland

2005-11-21T19:04:00.000Z

For the first time in its 79-yr history, the 2006 Ryder Cup will be hosted on Irish soil. Preparations for the event have been underway since 2001 and organisers believe "The Irish are going to bring the most enormous passion for and enjoyment of sport to next year's Ryder Cup."

The event, which is set to be hosted at the K Club in County Kildare from September 22 to 24.

"It will be great. The course has matured with age, much like a fine wine, and it is getting in better and better condition every year. By 2006 it will be something everyone in Ireland is going to be proud of, a venue very much worthy of holding The Ryder Cup," were the words of Paul McGinely

http://www.pga.com/rydercup/2006/europe/ for more info

McGinley wins RBS shot of the month for October

2005-11-21T17:16:00.000Z

Just checked the lastest news and found out that Paul McGinely has been awarded the RBS shot of the month for October award. The shot which won him the prize was a 112 yard sand wedge into the 17th green during his recent victory in the Volvo Masters.

For more info: http://www.europeantour.com/news/fullstory.sps?id=1146754&iTourID=1

Todays top tip!

2005-11-20T17:52:00.000Z

A wider swing equals more power. To create maximum width -- the distance from the butt of the club to your left shoulder at the top -- set your wrists early in the backswing. How early? Both wrists should be fully hinged by the time your left arm is parallel to the ground. To feel an early hinge, try this. With just your left hand, grip down a few inches on the club. Swing your left arm back until it's parallel to the ground and then add your right hand. Your wrists should be fully hinged, the left forearm and clubshaft forming a right angle. Strive for this feeling in your normal swing.

Mike McGetrick - Mike McGetrick Golf Academy

Wales triumph in Algarve

2005-11-20T15:01:00.000Z

Wales have won the World Golf Championship-World Cup after heavy rain and thunderstorms forced the cancellation of Sunday's final round on the Algarve.

The Welsh team, consisting of Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge, were two shot shots ahead of England and Sweden with one round left to play.

"It was the best rain I've ever watched,"Doff joked afterwards,"It would have been nice to have won over four days but we'll take winning over three days."

Finishing at 27 under par after three rounds, the event organisers decided to pay the Welsh duo the full winnings, Dodd and Dredge collecting their $700 000 cheques. It was the first time since 1987 that Wales had lifted the title, when the partnership of Ian Woosnam and David Llewellyn won in Hawaii.

The last time a World Cup was badly hit by the weather was at Las Brisas, Spain in 1989 when Australians Wayne Grady and Peter Fowler won a 36-hole tournament.

Todays top tip!

2005-11-19T18:17:00.000Z

Good putters don't think about hitting a putt. Their goal is to get the ball rolling. The key to generating true roll with minimal bouncing or skidding is to swing the putter slightly upward through impact. You can do it by setting your weight properly at address. Many golfers set up with too much weight forward. But that shifts your upper body over your front foot. Result: a descending strike that can press the ball into the turf, making it hop into the air. Instead, set most of your weight over your back foot. You'll naturally swing the putter back low and follow through higher -- a swing path that gets the ball rolling right away.

Eddie Merrins - Bel-Air CC

Algarve World Cup Update

2005-11-19T17:55:00.000Z

Day 3 of the World Golf Championships. The third day of the venue, in the four-ball format, witnessed the Welsh team comprising of Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge fire an 11 under round of 61. They take the lead from England and Sweeden, currently two shots behind at -9.

The Welsh pair opened with a 6 under 30, 3 birdies apiece, but it was Dredge's eagle that separated the boys from the men. Dredge nailed a drive to 35ft and holed the putt to put the Welsh dragons in the lead.

All three teams, Wales, England and Sweden are in close contention for the final round of foursomes tomorrow. If Wales were to the lift the trophy, it would be the first time since 1987, when Ian Woosnam and David Llewellyn won the title.

“We are in a very good position,” said Dredge. “Coming into this tournament we were both playing good golf and we have given ourselves a chance to go out and finish it off which is what we want to do.”

For more info visit:
http://www.europeantour.com/tournaments/fullreport.sps?iTourno=2005078&id=1146680&iTourID=1
http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/scoring/leaderboard/r169

Todays top tip!

2005-11-18T18:48:00.000Z

The next time you face a lob over a bunker, imagine trying to land the ball softly on the green using a 7-iron. Open the clubface considerably (before taking your grip) and lower the handle -- meaning the butt end of the grip toward your knees -- in order to slide the clubhead underneath the ball and create the necessary loft. The higher you want the shot to fly, the lower you should set the club's handle at address, with your hands slightly behind the ball. This will force you to stand farther from the ball and widen your stance, adjustments that will help you lob the ball high and soft every time.

by Mike Lopuszynski - Jim McLean Golf Schools

Algarve World Cup Update

2005-11-18T18:04:00.000Z

Day 2 of the World Golf Championships saw the competing 24 nations deadlocked in a foursomes duel.

Argentina made the record books by shooting an 11 under round of 61, breaking Fiji's Vijay Singh and Dinesh Chand's record set in 2002 by one shot. Their stunning round allowed them to be catapulted from last place to one off the lead.

Despite a struggling start, England's David Howell and Luke Donald, closed the day with a three under round of 69 to be tied for the lead along with Sweden and Wales at -16. Howell and Donald made an impressive finish with three straight birdies, yet this was topped by Wales' Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge scoring four straight birdies to finish.

India, who made a spectacular start to the tournament with a 60, could only muster a round of 73, one over par, to drop down to joint seventh.

-Leaderboard after round 2-

Tournament officials have brought Saturday's fourball starting time forward by several hours to 0830 GMT, with rain and high winds predicted for the afternoon.

Sports pyschologist banned!

2005-11-18T16:39:00.000Z

British sports psychologist John Pates has been banned from the European Tour for three months following a scuffle with a caddie last week in China.

Pates who measures up to be 6ft 3in admitted to hitting Welsh World Cup player Bradley Dredge's former caddie, Rick Brand.

"The fact that I hit him was, in hindsight, unacceptable. At the end of the day, what I did was wrong," were the words of the psychologist

"I have no choice than to accept the ban. I need accreditation to work and they don't want me to work."

Brand who is caddying for Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen this week, apparanlty provoked Pates, which caused the whole incident.

An official statement was released by the European Tour saying "John Pates will have his accreditation taken away for a period of three months, effective from December 1 2005. The caddie has been fined an undisclosed sum"

England lead in Algarve

2005-11-17T18:34:00.000Z

Defending champions, England, are living up to their reputation of favourites in the World Golf Championships. Partners David Howell and Luke Donald carded a blistering round of 59! Leading the event being staged in Algarve, Portugal by one clear shot, the England duo were only two shots of the World Cup record. India and Austrialia were not far behind, both countries scoring impressive rounds of 60. Wales and Sweeden are currently on -11 with Spain, last years victors three off the lead. -Leaderboard-

"Everyone wants the magic 59," said Donald, "so it was a very big putt to make. The way we were playing earlier, we had so much momentum we were thinking we could birdie every hole."

Howell added: "The way we played in practice I thought 59 was gettable and conditions were perfect."

With only a total of 120 golf professionals, mostly club pros playing on local circuits, India has only made golfing headlines once when they beat Scotland and Colin Montgomerie in 1996 to provide the shock result in the Dunhill Cup at St Andrews.

"This will be big news back home," Atwal said. "We love team games, but it is normally through cricket. This will be huge for the game."

Todays top tip!

2005-11-17T17:12:00.000Z

Always remember that every shot you take is meant to make the next one as easy as possible! Keep this is mind every time you are planning your shot or selecting your club.

By Veme Perry - Pumpkin Ridge GC

Algarve World Cup

2005-11-17T16:35:00.000Z

Today is the first day of the Algarve World Cup being hosted in Portugal. The event which runs until Sunday November 20 will consist of alternating days of four-balls and foursomes. Today is the first day of four-balls and with America and England the current favourites it will be interesting to see who comes out on top after day 1.

I have found a couple of good websites for more info: http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/tournaments/r169
http://www.algarve-golf.co.uk/worldcup2005.htm

It has current scores and information about the players and course.

Todays top tip!

2005-11-16T18:55:00.000Z

When Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam putt, their heads stay down until the ball is almost to the hole. There's no peeking. If you pull up prematurely, you'll open your shoulders, leading to a pull or a putt struck low on the face. To keep your head steady, picture a hot iron just off the target side of your face. Don't look up until you hear the ball drop -- or you'll be toast.

Scot Sacktt - Resort Golf Group

Howell and Donald to represent England at Vilamoura

2005-11-16T18:39:00.000Z

Luke Donald and David Howell will lead England's defence of the World Golf Championships at Algarve World Cup in Portugal this week when they line up alongside 23 other nations at Victoria Clube de Golfe, Vilamoura.

The competing field is as below:

1 08:40 Eduardo HERRERA/Diego VANEGAS - Colombia.
Bradley DREDGE/Stephen DODD - Wales

2 08:52 Christian REIMBOLD/Alex CEJKA - Germany.
Marco RUIZ/Carlos FRANCO - Paraguay

3 09:04 Alex QUIROZ/Pablo DEL OLMO - Mexico.
Raphaël JACQUELIN/Thomas LEVET - France

4 09:16 Scott DRUMMOND/Stephen GALLACHER - Scotland.
Henrik STENSON/Niclas FASTH - Sweden

5 09:28 Arjun ATWAL/Jyoti RANDHAWA - India.
J CHOI/Ik-Je JANG - Korea

6 09:40 Takuya TANIGUCHI/Yasuharu IMANO - Japan.
Mark HENSBY/Peter LONARD - Australia

7 09:52 Robert-Jan DERKSEN/Maarten LAFEBER - Holland.
Miguel Angel JIMÉNEZ/Sergio GARCIA - Spain

8 10:04 Mardan MAMAT/Chih-Bing LAM - Singapore.
Tim CLARK/Trevor IMMELMAN - South Africa

9 10:16 Anders HANSEN/Søren HANSEN - Denmark.
Zach JOHNSON/Stewart CINK - USA

10 10:28 Manuel BERMUDEZ/Carlos LARRAIN - Venezuela.
Padraig HARRINGTON/Paul MCGINLEY - Ireland

11 10:40 WANG Ter-Chang/CHANG Tse-Peng - Chinese Taipei.
Ricardo GONZALEZ/Angel CABRERA - Argentina

12 10:52 Jose-Filipe LIMA/António SOBRINHO - Portugal.
David HOWELL/Luke DONALD - England

The venue will mark the second time only that the World Golf Championships, dating as far back as 1953, has visited Europe and the first time that it has been staged in Portugal.

Donald and Howell are the people I'm personally rooting for, me being from England ;), but the event will see 24 nations battle it out for a share of the very large $4,000,000 prize fund!

Who do you reckon will be victorious out of all the countries competing? Leave a comment and tell me what you think :)

Whitehouse wins Tour class in Espana

2005-11-15T19:53:00.000Z

Englishman, Tom Whitehouse has finished top of the the class after the sixth and final round of the European Tour's qualifying school finals at San Roque Club, Cadiz.

25yr-old Whitehouse, finished with a six round total of 13 under after a 4 under 68 helped him on way on Tuesday. Close behind on -11 was compatriot Robert Rock who carded a closing 71 to finish second.

The 84 players who survived Sunday's fourth round cut had to play a minimum of 26 further holes on the final day, steady rain and thunderstorms having forced the abandonment of the fifth round on Monday.

Among those securing their 2006 playing privileges were South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Darren Fichardt, Britons Shaun Webster, David Dixon and Ian Pyman, Spaniard Santiago Luna and 1999 Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden.

"I came here to try and improve on the card that I had won the Challenge Tour and I have moved up about 34 spots on category 11 so I think we could say that it was worth coming here now," Whitehouse commented.

Todays top tip!

2005-11-15T17:47:00.000Z

Golf is an art form, not a science. You don't have to conform to some mechanical model of a perfect swing. You just have to remember your goal -- to have a bunch of fun by making a little white ball go from the ground here in front of you into a target area over there.

Jim Flick - Nicklaus/Flick Game Improvement

Record Prize fund for 2006 Nissan Open

2005-11-15T16:25:00.000Z

€2.2 million is the new prize fund for the 2006 Nissan Open, an increase of €200 000 from last year. The event which will be played over the highly-acclaimed Colin Montgomerie course at Carton House will be going into it's fourth year as a prestigious event on the golfing calander.

The prize fund, which has steadily been increasing over the past 30yrs, has been rapidly increasing ever since Nissan took over as title sponsors. €35 000 was the prize fund in 1975 when Christy O’Connor Jnr captured the title. It reached a dramatic point in 1996, standing at €1 000 000 when Monty won the first of his three Irish Open titles. €2,000,000 was the fund when Stephen Dodd of Wales triumphed at Carton House last year.

"The increased prize fund presents us with a great opportunity to attract some of Europe’s most elite players to play in the 2006 Nissan Irish Open as the pressure to accumulate Ryder Cup points mounts and I am confident that this coupled with our return to the superb world-class Montgomerie course in Carton House will attract record spectator numbers for a truly spectacular event in May 2006," were the words of Gerard O’Toole, Executive Chairman, Nissan Ireland.

The course where the venue is being hosted at, Carton House, was designed by Monty himself and has currently been undergoing some modifying develpoments in time for the event in May 18-21.

So...Any Views, comments, suggestions?

2005-11-14T21:46:00.000Z

So...what do you think of my blog so far? Any suggestions or recommendations? Please leave a comment if you are visting for the first time and tell me what you think

Matt

Todays top tip!

2005-11-14T16:43:00.000Z

The key to a proper grip is to hold the club so that your brain interprets your hands as a unit. To accomplish this, there should be only one pressure point -- the right fat pad of the thumb pressing down on the top joint of your left thumb (for right handers). This uniting pressure point ends the tug of war. To check, put a coin there -- it should remain in its position throughout your entire swing.

T.J. Tomasi - Acadamy of Golf at PGA National

2006 European tour, to have new events

2005-11-14T16:25:00.000Z

As if the 2006 European tour schedule didn't have enough events, three more have just been added.

The season started in Shanghai last week with the opening Champions Tournament, won by England's David Howell. The other two new events are the Royal Trophy in Bangkok on 7-8 January and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in the United Arab Emirates from 19 January.

The Royal Trophy will be hosted in a Ryder Cup style event, seeing the best of Europe go head to head with the best of Asia.

In addition, the Austrian Open is making a return after nine years and will will take place between 8-11 June. Two new courses will also feature on the 2006 schedule. Beijing's Honghua International Golf Club will host the China Open in April and the Grove in Hertfordshire will stage the WGC-American Express Championship in September.

So that comes to a grand total of 50 events, including the four majors. That's one booked up diary!!

Todays top tip!

2005-11-13T16:29:00.000Z

Golfers who have the yips usually are older rather than younger. The reason isn't age itself or the loss of nerves, however. it's simply that a golfer usually has to have played for a long time, endured poor mechanics, and many missed putts before that fear of missing becomes so great it takes hold in the mind. The yips don't happen overnight. It takes many years of bad practice before they take over, thus the tendency for older golfer to develop them.

Dave Pelz - Dave Pelz Golf

Clarke defends Taiheiyo title

2005-11-13T14:19:00.000Z

Darren Clarke has retained his Taiheiyo Masters title in Japan. Rolling in a 30ft eagle putt on the 18th enabled the man from N.Ireland to finish with a 68, -18 in total, two ahead of Japan's Mitsuhiro Tateyama.

The event was Clarke's first appearance since pulling out of the Volvo Masters to to return home to his wife Heather, who is battling cancer.

"That's the first time I've defended a title successfully," he said. "I look forward to trying to make it three in a row next year."

The win was also hailed by Tiger Woods whose father has also been suffering from cancer as well as having a heart attack.

"Darren is one of my best friends and it's good for him," said Woods, after finishing second in the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.

"The things that he's had to deal with I feel so sorry for him. I can relate a little bit because of what happened to my father."

Howell hangs on to clinch title

2005-11-13T14:01:00.000Z

England's David Howell outscored world number 1 Tiger Woods to take the HSBC Champions Tournament title in Shanghai.

Finishing on -20 after going into the final day only one shot ahead of Woods and Nick O'Hern, Howell fired a 68 to be three shots clear of the field and to clinch victory and a £2.7m prize cheque.

Finding the water on the 16th, Woods ended up with a 70, putting him in second place at -17.

"David has worked hard and that's what happens. You're going to improve when you put in time and he certainly has," the world no.1 commented.

"I've made a lot of progress this autumn. Second doesn't feel as good as first, that's for sure, but some wonderfully positive things have happened."

Elsewhere, Englishman Nick Doherty finished joint third with O'Hern on 14 under. World no.2 Vijay Singh had five birdies and two bogeys for a closing 69 and tied for fifth on 13 under with Denmark's Thomas Bjorn.

Padraig Harrington ended on seven under while Colin Montgomerie finished with a disappointing 74 to close on one under.

Howell's lead looked to be in jeopardy when his missed short par putts at the eighth and ninth but he recovered quickly at the 10th to restore a three-stroke lead.

"I'm very ambitious and winning events like this is the sort of stuff I want to be doing," he said.

"I've worked so hard for this win. I'm now leading the 2006 Order of Merit plus I've got some Ryder Cup points, which we're all after, so I couldn't be happier."

"I was very nervous when I missed a few putts, particularly at the ninth after missing on the eighth. "

"I played solid golf from there and Tiger perhaps wasn't on song."

So...What do you think so far?

2005-11-12T21:06:00.000Z

So...what do you think of Golfspot so far? Any suggestions or recommendations? Leave a comment and I'll see what I can do :)

Todays top tip!

2005-11-12T18:39:00.000Z

Often times the driver is not the smartest club selection off the tee. Examine the terrain first and then decide if the difference between driver and 3-wood (5 to 10 yards) really matters. A driver clubface open or closed 4 degrees will miss the fairway. A more lofted 3-wood is always more accurate.

by Shelby Futch - Jacobs Golf

One ahead, with one day left

2005-11-12T18:15:00.000Z

David Howell is still ahead in Shanghai, yet his lead has been reduced to only one shot.

Tiger Woods is close behind, currently at -15, sharing the second place spot with Nick O'Hern. After firing a third round 67, which contained a three putt on the ninth the world no.1 said,"Considering this is the biggest event China have had had it would be very special to have my name associated with it."

"Hopefully I can get the job done, but there's a long way to go and it's not exactly easy to make the short ones. "

Howell, who is currently leading at 16 under, finished up with 68, taking a one shot lead going into the final 18 holes.

"I think 68 was the worst score I could possibly have scored and it's slightly frustrating to have only a one-shot lead," he said.

"It's all about winning on Sunday. It's a great opportunity for me, taking on the world's best player with a one-shot lead."

"It's going to be an exciting day and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Elsewhere, Paul Casey carded a round 73, not his best performance, putting him 8 behind. Monty ended up with a much better 68, in a round which inlcuded five birdies, however his poor start means that he is down in 25th place.

Todays top tip!

2005-11-11T19:35:00.000Z

Many golfers, especially those who slice, have the misleading image that just the clubhead should be delivered to the ball. This leads to throwing the club with the hands from the top and a breakdown of the wrists through impact, producing weak shots that move left to right. Instead, focus on delivering the entire shaft to the ball. Imagine that there are three extra clubheads attached to the shaft and that they must all reach the ball at the same time.

by Mike Hebron - Smithtown Landing CC

Daily tips

2005-11-11T19:33:00.000Z

I have decided to give a daily tip published by golf proffesionals to help improve your own game

England lead the way in Shanghai

2005-11-11T19:03:00.000Z

England duo, Nick Dougherty and David Howell are currently joint leaders at 12 under par at the halfway stage of the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.

World number 1, Tiger Woods, remains two shots behind after wet, miserable conditions hampered play. Carding a round of 69, Woods commented," I am a little bit frustrated. I didn't really get going today."

Englishmen, Dougherty and Howell are leading the field at the halfway point. Howell fired a second round 67 while Dougherty added a respectable 68 to his score. Howell, who is from Swindon, commented on the weather saying "We could just do with some nice weather and everything would be great."

Elsewhere, Monty lies 13 shots behind finding the water during his round. Ian Poulter, dressed to show in a range of silk trousers, finished with a 69, which puts him at 8 under par, 4 off the lead.

New blog

2005-11-11T18:58:00.000Z

Hey all, I've just set up this blog because I'm quite a bit of a golf fan. I play regualry and I have a handicap of 10. Good or bad?!! I just thought that I could create a blog that brings people up to date news from the golfing world. Please feel free to leave your comments on the site :)

Matt