DATE: 07/25/2008 18:06:04 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

  So I had been out of golf now for about 1 month due to a lower lumbar stress from work or maybe golf. Depending on the physician you get a different story. I could not even hold a driver out straight without being in a lot of pain. I had walked as if I had Scoliosis.  Now after Some rest and therapy I decided to play a little golf with my father in a scramble event. Figure why not no pressure. we did ok finished at -11 for the day. I hit only 1 really bad shot and 2 so-so shots with the wedge. The wedges were actually farther than I had hit before. I realized that I was swinging about 75-80% power. My drives were just as long and on 1 hole I hit a fade which was one of the longest I have hit in a long time even before the injury. So I have learned that every once in a while you need to step down a notch and tone it down to get back into the flow. Sometimes when you are swinging just a little to fast your body is not insync. Not hitting it flush. Just a couple of millimeters off here and there makes a big difference out there. So now my new look is hopefully a nice slow looking swing that is timed perfectly with out stressing the rest of my body. I have a fluid swing that a lot of people stop to watch but it too gets out of sync.

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DATE: 06/18/2008 21:39:50 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

Had the pleasure and rare oppourtunity to work with Rocco Mediate on the Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno on Tuesday. He made a last minute guest appearance during the monologue. What a great guy to talk with. Very warm and friendly. Deffinently was very honored to be in the playoffs with Tiger and was very grateful for his fans and the patrons who just made it a great and memoriable event for him.  He has the courage of a Lion and a heart of gold.  If the picture did not come out in this blog sorry, it is posted in the gallery also.  

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DATE: 06/17/2008 07:45:22 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

   I have to say that this was a very recordable and memorial event and makes you proud to be involved in such a sport. The attitude of both players during the playoff and the work it took Tiger to tie Rocco on the last hole of regulation play was just speechless. It just goes to show that there are more than 1 way to skin a cat in golf. Does'nt matter if you hit the ball 275 yards or 340 yards, you can still be a "big dog". The fans were awesome too with supporting both players greatly on Monday. The display of professionalism by Rocco on the last playoff hole when Tiger finally defeated him was to capture and remember that at the end of the day, everyone is still good friends and we all can play together.

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DATE: 06/04/2008 17:18:36 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

         I was able to take it out on the course finally and had a great time with it. I was able to scope out traps, trees, water, and grass mounds.  Founds yardages to be true to the pins.  Little hard to focus it on the back portions of greens as far as on the fringeline so I just found a person standing in that area, but found it to be a great tool.  I would definently recommend this to anyone who is on a budget but would like a piece of technical advantage.

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DATE: 05/08/2008 22:01:50 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

     I would have to say it would be very awesome to have a heart monitor hooked up to these guys as they approach this hole and watch it speed up as they take their backswing. We amatuers know what goes thru our minds. " ok keep it smooth no sweat" then the backswing starts " keep it on plane buddy.....oh don't take it outside the line" top of the backswing " oh maybe this is too far back just try to start slow then speed it up" down swing just before impact " ok screw it I am going to speed this up I dont want to be short in the water"  then we chunk it. It never had a chance of even hitting the green. I would like to now what the pro has going thru his head. I know they are supposed to keep adrennaline in check but,  come-on it is the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. The island green. You know they have to be nervous and may have a thought or two. 

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DATE: 04/21/2008 07:05:59 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

   If anyone watched the Heritage this weekend, I am sure you noticed something different about this course than 90% of the others played on the PGA Tour as I did. You have to hit all kinds of shots from low to high and left to right as well as right to left. I don't think I had seen this many creative shots having to be played on a course in a single round on any other tour event. This was definently a playing lesson to take to the driving range. NExt time you go to the range and are warmed up and loose, start to imagine weeping willows infront of you. Create some shots, like hitting it low no more than 12-15 feet off the ground. Also try to shape them in different directions(on purpose of course) . The Punch shots that were shaped even off the tee by Boo Weekly this weekend were very simple that I know anyone can do. I am sure after doing this at the range a few times you will find that your scores will drop and hitting a regular flight ball will come easier. 

     And by the way after watching Saturdays round I played my sons PS2 Tiger Woods 05 game at Hilton Head and shot a 57 from the black tees, med fairways, and hard pin postions with fast greens. If I only can do that in real life.

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DATE: 04/09/2008 07:21:07 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

                 I dont know if anyone has really thought about it but Freddy Couples in my opinion has an excellent chance of placing in the top 3 if not winning it for the Masters this year.Jack Nicklaus did it at the age of 46. Yes I know there is the " Tiger" factor but Freddy has made God knows how many concecutive cuts for the Masters and when he makes it this year he will have broken the all time record of cuts made at the Masters if I remember correctly. He is hitting the ball fantastically right now and very long. He averaged in Huston somewhere in the area of 307 yards off the tee. If he can roll the rock well, he can win this for he knows these greens like the back of his hand. I know I heard that 2 greens were changed a little from last season and they lengthened the course again but as we all know it is a game of 100 yards and in. He is extremely aware of all the little humps and bumps in the greens and where to and not to hit it. The only other factor I think will be an issue is his health(back).

                   What are your opinions? 

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DATE: 04/03/2008 07:45:10 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

 Well I had a great practice session a week ago. Hit about 100 balls and everything felt awesome. Until about an hour after that I could hardly walk. I have back problems but this time I feel like my upper and lower body are in 2 separate pieces. Very painful now since. I have been using some heat now and advil( lots of advil) My hips feel like they are burning too when I commute to work. Does anyone have any good exercises for the back when I hopefully recover. I am not even thinking about swinging a club for a while now. Really depressing after getting new woods and hitting everything soo good including the short game.  

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DATE: 03/29/2008 16:39:13 / MOOD: i love golf

http://www.19thhole.com/file/pic/gallery/544.jpg

 

 

          I just recently purchased the Ion-Optics Range finder while I was down in Carlsbad ,CA. I found it to be reasonably priced @ $169.00 compared to the Calllaway or Bushnell which cost $299.00 and up. This is perfect for the frugal golfer like myself looking for good deals on golf products. I found it to be very accurate at 227 yds and in. After that yardage you really need a steady hand. I used the side of a golf cart and got an accurate reading of 293yards. It has a reading up to 300 yards. I did not test it yet on bunker yardage or grass mounds.  It is small and compact and also comes with a carrying case that has a belt loop for easy on body access.  It also has weather detection on it to increase the accuracy of hazy skies or rain drops interferring with the readings. I give this product an 8.5 rating out of 10.

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DATE: 03/21/2008 06:57:54 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

Went to the driving range yesterday with the new Ping G10 woods. I used to take 1-2 big hops before I hit the back fence at our driving range. Out of 18 balls 3 flew to the fence, 6 hit the very base of the fence and the rest were short 1 hoppers. So I definently gained distance from the fitting. My accuracy needs a little work. Left a few to the right. More right than I have before BUT none were left and no duck hookies. I am sure I can correct the right problem. As for the 3 wood I felt it too gained a little distance but I am for sure going to need more work on that 1. Had a few go left I think from the heel making contact first with the mat. But I really do love looking down the shaft of the Ping 3wood better than my Titleist 904f. Although the Titleist weight I really love in the head.It will be a hard time losing that relationship with my 3 wood. I am keeping both the old KZG driver and my Titleist 3 wood warm in my closet for" in case of  emergency" if you know what I mean. 

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DATE: 03/15/2008 12:08:21 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

Well I went to the Carlsbad Golf Company today in beautiful Calrsbad, Ca. The fitting took about 1 hour on the woods alone. I ended up getting a new Ping driver and stayed in a stiff Flex. I thought for sure I would drop the flex to a regular, but the numbers on the launch monitor told us differently. I was bummed to see my carry distance. Not what I was expecting to see. I really thought it was further with both my old driver and the new one. But on the other hand I feel I have a ton of confidence with this new Ping. I bought the 3 wood to the set also.  My spin rates are now at 3400-3500 rpms with a 13.3 launch. The old numbers were 2480 with an 11.7 launch. The old numbers were too low for proper carry.  Cant wait to get out to the course and dance with them. I would highly recommend anyone to go to the carlsbad company if you are interested in a fitting. They have all the new tech gear and they are wonderful people with no pressure at all.

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DATE: 03/14/2008 14:46:03 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

I followed Mark O'Meara and Jerry Pate around today. I was very impressed with how fluent their swings were. I am always impressed with Tom Purtzers. He has the best on the senior tour. However Mark looked like he was not really putting a lot into it and still I would say he averaged 290 of the tee if not more. I have played this course many times and where  he hit it on some holes it was definently 300-305.I play with a lot of fantastic scratch players and pros and they really are putting a lot into it for 280-300. I realize they have the newest equipment and the freshest golf balls at their beckon but still you have to give these guys a lot of credit for their game and I really feel that many of these seniors can still keep up with the young guns.

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DATE: 03/12/2008 06:38:46 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

Geriatric Golf


Arthur is 90 years old. He's played golf every day since his retirement 25 years ago.

One day he arrives home looking downcast.

"That's it", he tells his wife. "I'm giving up golf. My eyesight has got so bad that, once I've hit the ball, I can't see where it went."

His wife sympathizes, and makes him a cuppa.

As they sit down she says, "Why don't you take my brother with you, and give it one more try?"

"That's no good," sighs Arthur. "Your brother's a hundred and three. He can't help."

"He may be a hundred and three," says his wife, "but his eyesight is perfect."

So, the next day, Arthur heads off to the golf course with his brother-in-law.

He tees up, takes an almighty swing and squints down the fairway.

He turns to his brother-in-law, "Did you see the ball?"

"Of course I did," replies his brother-in-law.

"Where did it go?", asks Arthur.

"I can't remember."

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DATE: 03/07/2008 06:55:33 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

 Ok I can understand Boo Weekly's situation of forgetting a few bullets in his bag from a hunting trip that caused a little commotion at an airport. Afterall bullets are small and can be overlooked, right? And then there is steroids in the PGA,LPGA, and NAtionwide which I dont expect anyone to turn up positive for that unless it was for a medical healing process. We all know that strength does not make winners but accuracy wins golf tournaments.

  Now there is Trip. Trip, Trip, Trip. what are you thinking....oh whats that..you were not? You got that right pal. He was caught intentionally killing a bird on the endangered  species list. Why, we ask, because the bird was making too much noise while filming a golf segment for a show. Yes yes yes I know he said he just wanted to "scare" the hawk. Well after he hit 4 shots at the hawk and still the bird did not fly away, he teed up another one and narrowly missing the hawk by inches, he ,the hawk, still did not move. Well Trip if the bird did not move by that one then why tee up another one you dope! The next one killed the hawk. Did Trip ever stop to think that maybe there was a nest up there or close by that the hawk was protecting? I 'm sure he did not. What did that bird ever do to him except to be a little annoying audibly. MOVE THE DAMN FILM SHOOT! HELLO ! I work the business and it would not have been that hard to do, it's not like they built a shooting set that would take hours of labor to move. No thay just had a few golf carts, cameras, and people.

      Now the PGA will have another bad boy image of stupidity to put on file along with one of them racing back east and got involved with a car crash that turned out to be a fatality. Thanks Trip, thanks a lot.

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DATE: 03/06/2008 06:55:51 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

  I went to the range 3 days ago during my lunch break. I dont know if it was due to not hitting a ball in awhile, working 14-16 hr days, or just fell out of touch with my swing. I felt like I could not hit the backside of a barn. I felt so out of sync. I have been working with a weighted club that has a special molded grip on it. I use it early every morning before work( 4:30a.m.) for 5 minutes to keep the swing in check. So I think. I was hitting some really awful toe looping, going no-where,duck hooks. Once I started to find a swing it still felt as if something were missing. I went back yesterday and hit another bucket. Irons were straighter but not getting the normal feel at impact as well as distance and my driver has a big fade to a push. I think it is rythim. I am so puzzled due to just last month I was hitting the irons beautifully with easy power being created. My driver was my best friend and now I am trying to book a club fitting with Susan Roll who is one of Titleist club fitters in Carlsbad. Maybe she can look at my swing and tell me if my path is off or maybe I picked up a Flu-bug in my swing somewhere.   

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DATE: 02/12/2008 06:56:22 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

   Well I can't believe the weather in Los Angeles over the last week. Ideal conditions for the upcoming Northern Trust Tournament, formerly known as Nissan Open and L.A.Open.  The weather over this week was in the mid 70's and Monday was 82. I just finished up a week with the Grammy Awards at Staples Center and at lunch everyday I was chomping at the bit to get out and play but unfortunently my hours were long and traffic was awful the few early days I had. But I got some great feed back on my forum thread " reading greens" from Tenthtee and Froghairs, thank you to both of them. I cant wait to go out during lunch this week to a putting green and stroke the putter. I  have not had a day off in 2 weeks and not one till next week, which I will hopefully get out and play. I have been doing a lot visualization methods over last week and will do more this week at work.

     Has anyone in our group played in the Golf Channel Amatuer Tour events? I just joined the Los Angeles division and hope through out this year to play L.A. , Inland Empire, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas. I live fairly close to them all except Vegas, but I go there about 2-3 times a year for golf so I might as well play in a tournament and play a nice course. I am playing in the Champions Division and only know 1 person that I only see about 1- maybe 2 times a year when we play the High Desert Amatuer Championship. But I have seen his name many times on the results for the tour. If anyone has any insights on what it is like from playing the events such as ...nice courses?....Friendly people?....Sandbaggers? ..... it would be appreciated. So keep swinging, weather is going to get better soon before you know it, yes even on the East Coast where it is 10 degrees now sorry.

 

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DATE: 02/04/2008 20:39:42 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

I have always thought that the pros always make it sound so easy when they want to hit a shot low or high. They simply say " move the ball back in stance or forward". Sounds easy right. I have realized by doing this excersise at the range that I know realize that we really dont move the ball far enough or too far into positions. What I mean is that yes it sounds and really is easy. But we as golfers do not EXECUTE the shot right even from address. I started laying out 3 balls together at the range with the middle ball being in the middle of my stance.(Photo above) Now from here the ball I am hitting, a low shot,  I will move to the back ball for lower shots and forward ball for higher shots. I too being a scratch golfer have some faults. 1 of them I realize is that I do not play the ball far enough in the back position for the lower shot. I moved the ball only about 1/2 a balls width and therefore not getting the results that I was looking for. Some people do the opposite and move the ball too far in any one direction and get awful mis-hits and poor contact.  Now I have noticed a huge difference in trajectory by using this practice technique as well as good contact from any one of these postions. Visually this is a great technique to use on the range while practicing. I am sure you will see hitting a low or high ball on demand will be much easier on the course after doing this several times.

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DATE: 01/26/2008 21:10:50 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

     How many times have you dropped a second ball down after htting a so-so shot to hit the next 1 great from the same place and thought " why could'nt I have done that in the first place?" The 1 tip I can offer you is that the mind is a very powerful tool if used properly( I can honestly say I have not used mine that great, I still have to go to work) . I know a lot of you folks do not have the ideal locations of living in a climate that provides year round golf.I use this pre shot routine on the course, it gets me in the right frame of mind to execute my shots. If you have a room in the house with enough space to swing a mid iron this is great. I usually stretch a little( very important) then I picture myself while addressing the carpet on a course playing a round of golf. I swing the club and picture the golf ball leaving the face of the club at impact and sailing with perfect trajectory into the air. I keep seeing the ball in the air then slowing descending towards the green. I see the ball land about 10 feet from the hole and taking 2 hops towards the stick and stopping within 2-3 feet sometimes hitting the flagstick. I figure if I just hit it that good in my mind then why not hit it again.  I know some of you are thinking why not just see it go in the hole? I like to keep it realistic. That way if 1 should go in the hole while playing it is all that more exciting. Try this on the course while breathing slowly and I think you will notice a sense of calmness over the ball and better results in your shots.

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DATE: 01/21/2008 13:44:15 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

 Well I have had this hybrid now (Nickent 17 *) for a month and I know hybrids are supposed to be the easiest clubs to hit. I am having some major inconsistancy issues. Some are very low. Some are high. Some are toe looping hooks and some are just plainly off to the right. No offense at all to 10 handicapps but I am swinging this club like 1. I am a scratch to a 1 hdcp and this is very fustrating. I hit the 3 wood fine, the 4 iron fine, as well as the driver fine. Alll the other clubs in the bag are fine. But this hybrid is puzzling. It has the beautiful NV Shaft in it and looks great at address. 1 out of 5 shots are ok. But not really sure on the distance. Only had 1 round with it at 45 degrees outside and the rest have been range balls. I have tried the Cobra hybrid but hit it very high and short and this was 1 of 2 recommended clubs to get. The other was a Titleist hybrid but they did not have the 17 degree. I was looking to replace my 5 wood in my bag which was 18 degrees and too high of a launch for me. Has anyone else had this problem with hybrids or with Nickent?  

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DATE: 12/30/2007 15:40:20 / MOOD: like playing 36 holes

I went to the range today, the wind was blowing 20mph with 40mph gusts. I worked on keeping the ball down which worked out really good having my follow thru stop at my belt. I also discovered I should crowd the ball a little more. I have a tendancy to fall a little back on my butt on the downswing. I started really hitting the ball sweeter and on the center. I gained some yards too, but hard to really know how much since the wind was blowing. Trajectory was much better too. Can't wait to take it to the course.  

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