DATE: 06/20/2008 10:27:34 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
Yet again 19thHole.com has been mentioned in the Wall Street Journal. This time in an article about Golf Fitness.
Johanna Bennett, a staff writer at Barron's Online in New York authors a story that is near and dear to many of us, how should I put it, "experienced" golfers.
I have been battling back and knee pain for several years as I know several of our members have. The story doesn't identify any new "cures" but it does discuss several "fitness resources can help golfers stay on course."
Take a look at the article and let me know what you think.
Unofficial Member's Guide to the Masters Tournament
DATE: 04/09/2008 07:33:07 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
I won't pretend to know all the subtleties of Augusta National Golf Club. I've never been there. The closest I've gotten is a visor my Father-in-law brought back on his once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Masters three years ago. And about 157,000 other bloggers are covering the news and the tournament much better than I will. But I can do this. I'm going to give you a quick list of links to the important stuff so you can follow the tournament. Whether on your laptop in from of the TV or in your office where you don't happen to have a TV or you can't turn it off of CNBC for a few minutes to catch a glimpse of Tiger.
Please feel free to add your own links in the comments. This is, after all, a (19thHole.com) Member's guide.
Stewart Cink/Stupid Golf Rules/interpretations/people who interpret the Rules of Golf
DATE: 03/31/2008 08:02:00 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
I have to admit that I didn't have a chance to keep up with
professional golf this past weekend so this is the first I had heard of
this stupid, stupid rules interpretation.
This is a clip from Dave Austad, of Austad'sGolf in his weekly newsletter which I think is a great recap of what's going on in the golf world.
I don't normally "reprint" full articles in a blog but in this case Austad's doesn't have the articles posted on their site. So, with full acknowledgment and absolutely no previously obtained permission...Check it out...
Out of
Cink The most bizarre story of the
week came from the third round of the Zurich Classic involving Stewart Cink.
During his 15th hole, Cink hit his shot onto the edge of a fairway bunker. He
stepped into the bunker and then stepped out to play his shot. His shot then
landed 180 yards away in a greenside bunker. Before playing that next shot,
Cink’s caddie raked the fairway bunker in which Cink had stepped. This raking
was in violation of a rule regarding testing the surface of a hazard, and
because Cink didn’t initially penalize himself, he was disqualified for signing
an incorrect scorecard. Had Cink played the original shot from the fairway
bunker, there would have been no penalty; but, because of the intricacy of the
rules, he was in violation. Golf is a game of integrity and rules are a part of
the game, but this situation ranks right up there with the most pointless and
stupid rules ever (also see Craig Stadler’s towel situation). How could Cink
possibly have gained an unfair advantage from stepping into the fairway bunker?
The USGA needs to take a serious look at piddly little interpretations of the
rules like this. If tour pros can’t remember all of these goofy rules, how is
your average Joe supposed to?
DATE: 03/06/2008 20:16:11 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
Many thanks to Scot Duke, aka Mr. Business Golf for inviting me to be a guest on his Blog TV show, The Clambake Cafe. We had a great time and we had a number of 19thHole.com Members in the audience.
In this segment we discuss golfers interaction online and how current sites are meeting (or not) those needs.
2007 was a wonderful year. But 2008 is going to be the best ever.
"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words
on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first
chapter is New Year's Day."
San Antonio, Texas - October, 16 2007 - November is
Fashion Month at 19thHole.com, the Premier Online Social Network for Golfers,
and the “best of the best” in golf fashion and accessories will be in the
spotlight throughout the month.
“A common theme within the interactive
community is style and fashion,” says Jamie Odom, 19thHole.com’s Vice President
for Sales and Partnerships. “The recreational golfer always wants to play well,
but he or she wants to look great, as well. That’s why, a few months ago, we
asked our Product Research and Review Team to nominate their favorite apparel
and accessory companies in some 15 different categories. From there, the team
voted on the ‘Best Of’ in each category.” The Fashion Month “Best Of” reviews
will be presented in three categories – Ladies, Men, and Junior Golfers. The
Ladies Category will feature favorite companies for shirts, shorts, skorts,
slacks, accessories, golf bags, shoes, sunglasses and performance gear. The
Men’s Category will include reviews for shirts, shorts, slacks, accessories,
golf bags, shoes, sunglasses and performance gear; and for Junior Golfers
reviews will be offered for apparel, accessories and golf bags. The 19thHole.com
Project Research and Review Team’s goal was to identify the best quality, design
and fit in each of the categories. Companies selected range from big names in
golf, such as Callaway Golf and Lacoste, to more boutique lines such as CJ Golf
and Titania Golf, said Odom. “The 2007 Best of Golf Fashion Exposé is sure to
have something for everyone.”
Selection Process: The 19thHole.com
Research and Review Team consists of five men and five women, all amateur
golfers of diverse ages, handicaps and build, who have come together to select
only the best in each of the product categories. “We stand behind the companies
chosen and feel that our 19thHole.com community members will benefit from these
products,” Odom added. A full list of the selected Best of Golf Apparel &
Accessories Companies in 15 categories will be released to the public on
www.19thHole.com on November 2, 2007.
On April 1, 2007, 19thHole.com, one
of the original golf sites on the Web, reinvented itself as an online social
network. Online social networking has become a cultural phenomenon over the past
year, sparking thousands of media stories, blog postings and television exposés.
19thHole.com considers itself on the ground floor of this phenomenon and enables
people to create profiles, describe their interests, share their golf highlights
(or lack thereof), blog, upload photos and audio/video submissions, interact
with others in forums and create their own interest groups.
DATE: 10/11/2007 07:45:13 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club announced today that the Thursday and Friday rounds of the 2008 Masters Tournament will be televised on ESPN.
At first glance it's not such a big deal. ESPN broadcasts a lot of golf, and they do a pretty good job.
But...The Masters? Famous for its uptight, high-fallutin, buttoned-down, tight-lipped, iron-fisted rules of what broadcasters can say, or show. Silly rules like what to call the fans (Patrons) and the rough is no longer the rough (it's the Second Cut). Oh, and there will be no mention of Prize Money! You can ask Gary McCord what the punishment is for breaking the rules. He mentioned "bikini-wax" and "body bags" back in 1994 and he hasn't seen Augusta National since.
Billy and his entourage that run Augusta National really need to loosen up. They are so living in the 1950's.
Don't get me wrong. I very much appreciate the tradition and history of this great game. But the guys in the green jackets are too much.
So, maybe the move to ESPN for the early rounds is a sign that the Masters is ready to loosen up.
"We think our new worldwide initiative is important," Payne said. "The
other major golf organizations have rightly identified a need to
accelerate the growth of golf throughout the world. We will utilize the
goodwill of the Masters and our other resources in support of these
bodies and programs. We are pleased that CBS, ESPN and our present
television sponsors, AT&T, ExxonMobil and IBM, as well as these new
international partners and our international broadcasters will help us
with this program that will have a particular focus on young people."
Well, "loosen up" may be a bit strong, but at least they're focused on the right things. Growing the game and the kids.
What do you think? Is this a turning point for the Masters, or is ESPN just going to sell out to Da Man?
Power Golfers? - 1st Suspected Drug Use in Professional Golf
DATE: 08/02/2007 14:24:37 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
The Italian Olympic Committee announced on Wednesday that it has suspended Italian golfer Alessandro Pissilli after failing a drug test.
Pissilli, who plays on the Italian pro tour, tested positive for the
banned diuretic Finasteride at the Omnium National Championship on June
29.
Finasteride is sometimes used to treat hair loss in men but has been the subject of several doping cases recently, as it has also been used to mask steroid use.
In a statement released late Wednesday, Pissilli's local club in Florence defended him, stating that he had been using the drug for almost two years to treat a prostate problem and that he informed the authorities at the time of the test, that he had been taking the drug.
Several athletes recently have been suspended from their sports for using this drug and some of them have been cleared of any wrong doing.
We'll wait to see the results of further tests, but if Pissilli is found to have been using steroids he will face a two-year suspension.
What are your thoughts about drug testing and drug use in professional golf?
DATE: 07/10/2007 09:12:50 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
WOW! I never knew how ugly my golf swing was until I watched it on video...over and over and over again.
Well, there's plenty to critique here. But please, don't tell me I
need to shorten my backswing....DUH! I know that....But I would
appreciate any tips on how to control that swing. How do I make it stop
at parallel? And where did that chicken wing come from? When I swing I
feel like I have a nice solid plane most of the time....the video begs
to differ!
And I thought listening to an audio recording of yourself was painful....this is a new level of pain.
Take a look at this...
Do you have any tips? Leave a comment and let me know how to fix this awful mess.
DATE: 06/26/2007 19:06:29 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
19thHole.com member BusinessGolf (aka Scot Duke) has a great blog. Scot is a no nonsense entrepreneur whose mission is to show everyone how golf can be a fun way of doing business.
Scot has recently been posting a video blog titled "A Quick Nine" where he talks about the latest happenings, newsworthy topics and great new websites related to golf. Scot has mentioned 19thHole.com several times in the past week and has been very helpful to me recently.
DATE: 06/25/2007 15:06:14 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
I received a message today from a 19thHole.com member asking me what my most memorable shot in golf was.
I'm sorry to say that I don't have that many shots that were memorable enough to store. I've had two "almost" aces, each of which hit the pin and bounced off.
I've had three 100+ yard hole-outs for Eagle and a number of drive-the-green par 4s.
But there's one round that sticks in my head. In my Club Championship several years ago I had an incredible first round. It was the only round I've played where I felt "in the zone" the entire round. Everything was effortless. It just felt right. And at the end of the day I had a 10 stroke lead over the field. I know, that sounds pretty memorable, but that's not the round I remember most. The second, and final, day of that tournament is the one I really remember.
With a 10 stroke cushion and feeling 10-feet tall and bulletproof...I gave up 11 strokes to the field in the first four holes!!! Talk about coming down to earth.
But somehow I was able to pull it together and finish the day with a two stroke lead to win the tournament. That's the round I remember every time I have a blow-up hole. I refer to that round in all types of situations in life and that's the one I will always remember first.
Because of that round I know I can recover, stay in the game, and come out on top. That was my Major. I've done it before and I know I can do it again.
How about you, what's your fondest memory on the golf course? Let me hear about it.
Well, my annual Member-Guest golf tournament starts today. Actually we have a practice round today and official play begins tomorrow but I've got my game-face on .
Thetournament is called the Battle Intense. It's named after a prize-winning bull the club's founder, Ralph Fair, raised (and eventually got rich off of). Is that a Texas thing? To name a golf tournament after a bull??
Anyway...
After all of the great people I've met in the past two months here at 19thHole.com,and all the great swing tips and fitness drills and mental preparation you all have shared I feel more prepared than ever. Thanks to everyone who has helped out (and put up with me!). I'll keep you posted.
I will be posting details, results and photos in our Battle Intense Group throughout the tournament if you would like to see what's going on.
DATE: 06/04/2007 11:48:22 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
Michelle Wie's withdrawal from the Ginn Tribute is questionable at best. I want to like her, I really do. But this latest stunt, in a stunt-littered "career", takes the cake.
W/Ds due to injury are not uncommon. Phil Mickelson withdrew from the Memorial this week, allegedly due to an injury he believes he incurred at a practice round at Oakmont, host course of the US Open.
But the Wie camp has become a circus. Recently Wie's handlers announced she would not play in any PGA events this year. A week later she accepted an invite to the John Deere. What?
Now the Ginn thing. Wie was 14-over through 16 holes when her agent, not her doctor or swing coach or even her shrink...her AGENT pulled her aside to talk. I am SURE he wasn't discussing the little-known rule of the LPGA that states "if any non-member shoots 88 or higher that she will not be allowed to compete on tour for the remainder of the year."
Wie was two bogies away from shooting 88. That would have put her out of every tournament other than the US Open and British Open, which are co-sponsored events and do not fall under the LPGA rule.
Immediately after that conversation with her agent, Wie withdrew from the tournament due to an injury to her wrist.
That wrist injury just saved her a couple million dollars I would guess. Nike frowns on paying players who don't play.
But again, I'm sure that is not what her agent was discussing with her...hmmmmmm.
What do you think? Leave a comment and share your thoughts. Is Michelle Wie a phenom...or a phlop!
This Memorial Day, 19thHole.com honors those who served
DATE: 05/28/2007 16:10:41 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
On Memorial Day we honor the men and women who died while defending our
country, our freedom and all we consider
sacred.
On the last Monday in May each year, everywhere you go in the US there are red,
white and blue decorations and flags on homes, buildings and in parks.
Established in 1868 and originally known as Decoration Day, it was a
day to remember all those that died in the Civil War. Memorial Day is
now celebrated to remember all those Americans who fought for there
country and were killed or missing in all wars. A day when people show
respect for those fallen soldiers that lost their lives protecting
everyone's safety.
19thHole.com proudly joins all Americans in thanking every member of our Armed Forces for your dedication and
service.
DATE: 05/23/2007 18:02:54 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes
If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet, 19thHole.com Member , aka Mike Pedersen has a great group here on 19thHole.com that you can join.
Perform Better Golf is the place to find information and ask questions about better ways to get physically fit for golf and learn from other members what is working for them.
Mike is also the Expert Host of the Health & Fitness category and I fully recommend his services if you want to get the most out of your game. You can find out more about Mike by clicking on the link above.
Mike also has a great line of golf fitness products for purchase at his many websites.
I won't pretend to know all the subtleties of Augusta National Golf Club. I've never been there. The closest I've gotten is a visor my Father-in-law brought back on his once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Masters three years ago. And about 157,000 other bloggers are covering the news and the tournament much better than I will. But I can do this. I'm going to give you a quick list of links to the important stuff so you can follow the tournament. Whether on your laptop in from of the TV or in your office where you don't happen to have a TV or you can't turn it off of CNBC for a few minutes to catch a glimpse of Tiger.
.
Michelle Wie's withdrawal from the Ginn Tribute is questionable at best. I want to like her, I really do. But this latest stunt, in a stunt-littered "career", takes the cake.
