Tag: Tiger

  • Softspikes Strike Back

    Softspikes Strike Back

    I’m here to report that spiked golf shoes are making a comeback! Well, technically they never left, depending on where you play. You see, on the PGA Tour where every shot matters and one bad drive can cost you millions, spiked golf shoes are still dominant. PrideSports, makers of the Softspikes brand, reported that all four major winners this year wore Softspikes, 100 percent of the World’s Top 10 and 86% of 2022 PGA Tour winners wore replaceable spikes in their golf shoes.

    I remember when the spikeless shoe revolution started. In 2010 at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in Hawaii, Fred Couples showed up wearing casual-looking spikeless golf shoes made by Ecco, and even though he shot 21-under in three rounds and lost to Tom Watson in a playoff, all everyone wanted to talk about was his shoes. A few months later he showed up for a Monday practice round with Tiger at the 2010 Masters Tournament wearing the same shoes and lit the world on fire. The spikeless golf sneaker revolution had begun.

    I admit, I was a sucker to the casual street/skater look and comfort that these new shoes offered, but the biggest attraction for me was not having to change shoes in the parking lot or locker room before playing golf. I could just wear my shoes out of the house, to the course and to the bar afterwards. In fact, I frequently wear my spikeless Puma Golf shoes to work. For years I’ve worn spikeless shoes knowing I’m sacrificing traction for comfort, but what I didn’t know was I was also giving up distance.

    In a study performed by Dr. Bob Christina (Prof. of Kinesiology at the University of NC Greensboro) & Eric Alpenfels (Director of Instruction and Golf Academy at Pinehurst Resorts), they found that wearing spiked golf shoes can result in an average gain of 6 yards of carry with a driver compared to spikeless shoes. 6 yards doesn’t sound like much, but in many cases that’s enough to hit one less club into the green, or to carry that fairway bunker you always find yourself in on the corner of that one dogleg par 5.

    The bottom line is, traction positively impacts performance. The pros know this. Softspikes has seen a steady uptick in usage among professionals since last year. We don’t know the percentage of amateur golfers that wear spiked shoes vs spikeless, but I suspect most amateurs are wearing spikeless shoes. For almost a decade I’ve worn spikeless shoes almost exclusively, but I’ll be switching back to spiked shoes and replacing the spikes in the few pairs I have with new Softspikes cleats.

    Replacement Softspikes and CHAMP cleats can be purchased in the golf section of most large retailers, sporting goods stores, golf specialty and golf course pro shops. Cleats can also be purchased online from any of these locations, your favorite online store or directly from www.softspikes.com.  

    PrideSports is the undisputed leader in the golf cleat segment with its CHAMP and Softspikes brands. The company recommends golfers change their cleats every six to eight months – or even more frequently based on use – to ensure golfers get the maximum performance out of their footwear. In my experience, twice a year seems like a good interval.

    CHAMP’s Helix®, Zarma Tour® and Stinger® cleats, as well as Softspikes’ Pivix®, Pulsar®, Silver Tornado™ and Stealth® cleats, dominate the OEM and secondary market in terms of performance and sales. More information can be found at www.champspikes.com and www.Softspikes.com, or follow @softspikesgolf and @PrideSportsUs on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

  • 5 Ways to End America’s Ryder Cup Futility

    5 Ways to End America’s Ryder Cup Futility

    At the outset the United States was utterly dominant in Ryder Cup play, losing only three times to Great Britain & Ireland in the first 50 years the biennial competition was held. But since GB & I was expanded to include the rest of Europe in 1979, the United States has an unenviable record of 8 wins and 12 defeats, including losses in 7 of the last 9 competitions.

    Obviously, the talent level of golf worldwide has grown significantly over the years, so it’s not unexpected to see the Europeans put up such a fight in recent years. What is unexpected, is for the US team to show up in Paris and lay a big, fat egg without looking all that surprised with the result. It’s almost as if they expected to lose. Were it not for a few spirited individual efforts on Sunday by the US squad, the 2018 edition of the Ryder Cup could have been a rout of historic proportions.

    Task Force Failure

    Following the 2014 loss at Gleneagles and Phil Mickelson’s infamous under-the-bus-throwing of Captain Tom Watson, the US formed some kind of task-force to examine the selection process and figure out a way to regain the edge. Despite a solid win in 2016 at Hazeltine, the United States Ryder Cup team as a whole is still more of a gathering of pampered millionaires than a cohesive team of golfers. I believe the task force is fundamentally flawed, but more on that later.

    Team USA’s flaws were on display to anyone that was paying attention at Le Golf Nationale in Paris, France last month. For starters, I saw 2 or 3 players from the US team that seemed disinterested in even being there. From the way he played all week and his general demeanor, it looked to me like Bubba Watson couldn’t get the hell out of Paris fast enough. World No 1 Dustin Johnson is usually pretty stoic on the course, but he seemed particularly apathetic once his putting stroke failed him, and he managed to win only 1 point all week. Jim Furyk’s three captain’s picks went a combined 0-9. In Captain Furyk’s defense, it was nearly impossible for him NOT to pick Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau for the team. DeChambeau won the first 2 FedEx Cup Playoff events and Tiger Woods finished a remarkable comeback season and easily justified his pick by winning the season-ending Tour Championship.

    Phil Mickelson was playing pretty bad golf, yet he was picked for the team anyway, probably because he’s Phil Mickelson. Captain Furyk said he is great in the team room and has a lot of experience. Sure – losing experience. And the last time I checked, matches aren’t played in the team room. Sarcasm aside, you can’t win a Ryder Cup if your “leaders” and captain’s picks can’t earn a single point all week.

    In the aftermath, we heard stories of players complaining about who they were paired with, players complaining about their position in the Sunday singles matches, and even about players fighting. I’m referring of course to Patrick Reed’s comments about his successful past partnership with Jordan Speith being broken up, and to the reported scuffle between Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, which they both claim never happened. I’m not putting too much stock in these stories, but the overall vibe is one of dysfunction and lack of cohesion. If just one player in the team room has a negative attitude because he’s not happy about who he’s paired with, or has issues with another player, that team cannot be successful.

    If you don’t learn from your failures, you are doomed to repeat them. Having said that, I don’t think it is beyond saving. The USA still has dozens and dozens of players that are more than capable of winning on the Ryder Cup stage, and the future looks bright for a whole new generation of young golfers. Here are 5 ideas that I think could help recreate the winning formula for the United States going forward:

    Get players that want to be there – The PGA Tour season is long and it can be a grind. All jokes about 5-star hotels and private jets aside, it’s not easy to make a living playing golf. Most players on the PGA Tour don’t fly in private jets and drive Lamborghinis. But most US players aren’t used to playing in a team environment, and the demands of professional golf in the United States encourages more of a me-against-the-world mentality. Perhaps losing is partially responsible for the perceived decline in interest for the Ryder Cup in America lately. Either way, if a player doesn’t really want to be there and can’t commit 100 percent of their mental energy to represent their country for a week, they shouldn’t be on the team. This is why I think we need to change the process by which we pick the team.

    Change the team selection process – The Ryder Cup selection process has been tweaked a bit over the years and the captain has another wildcard pick at his disposal, but I believe the captain should have more control over the makeup of the team. Why not let the captain pick half the players or more? The team should be made up of players that are playing well now and can be expected to play well at the host venue. The current points ranking system doesn’t work. Why should your team’s roster be determined by someone who played great 6 months ago and earned enough points to hold on and make the team now? That’s stupid.

    The good ‘ol boy network needs to be scrapped and the USA should get a captain that is committed to winning, not just making everyone happy and letting them play with their buddies. Yes, that’s a dig at Jim Furyk who broke up several proven winning pairings like Reed/Speith so that Jordan could play with his childhood buddy Justin Thomas, and who’s pick of a flailing Phil Mickelson was not conducive to winning, given that Phil only played two matches anyway and didn’t earn a single point. Why pick a player to have him ride the bench all week?

    We’ve seen several non-golf superstars hanging around the US Ryder Cup squad in recent years, like Michael Jordan, Condoleezza Rice, and John McEnroe. That got me thinking – Why does the captain have to be a golfer? Why not pick a knowledgeable sports figure or proven national leader to manage the team? Someone that will make decisions with the best interests of the team in mind, not egos. I think we should go with a respected leader that these players are willing to follow, and it doesn’t have to be a professional golfer. Think outside the box!

    Pick a venue that gives us the advantage – There was a lot of talk about Le Golf Nationale in Paris as the venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup. It was set up almost like a US Open, with narrow fairways and thick rough. It’s no secret that the European squad did this to penalize the long-hitting US players. Our “bombers” are also some of the least accurate drivers of the golf ball on tour, and the Europeans took advantage of this to set up the course in their favor. This goes back to my first point – Instead of having most of the US Team automatically qualified on points, our captain needs to have the flexibility to pick players whose game is better suited for the venue. I think the results could have been very different if Captain Furyk had consistent ball strikers like Matt Kuchar, Kevin Kisner, Zach Johnson or Xander Schauffele on the team instead of Phil, Tiger, and Bubba. And on that note…

    Retire the old guard – I’m not the only one who has suggested it and many people don’t dare speak of it, but I’ll say it anyway – It’s time to put Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods out to pasture in Ryder Cup competition. In 12 Ryder Cup appearances, Phil Mickelson has only won more than 2.5 points twice. In 47 matches played, he has only 18 wins. Tiger’s overall record isn’t much better at 13-21-3. While these guys are two of the best golfers in history and founding members of the so-called Ryder Cup Taskforce, they are also part of the problem and proven liabilities in this team format and need to be retired as Ryder Cuppers. Bring them on for a few more President’s Cups (We can still win that easily even with both of them in the lineup), or as vice-captains if you want their leadership and presence in the team room.

    Scheduling & preparation – Only one player from the United States Ryder Cup Team had ever played Le Golf Nationale in tournament conditions – Justin Thomas. Is it a coincidence that he went 4-1 on the week and was the best player on the team? I don’t think so. The US team had two years to prepare and play the golf course, and they only had one guy with prior tournament experience there? That’s not only bad preparation, but it fed right into the European team’s strategy and setup. Because of the flawed team selection process, Jim Furyk’s hands were tied. He couldn’t field a team that would be able to drive it in the fairway and neutralize the European advantage. Instead, the United States brought a bunch of guys who can’t hit fairways to a course that puts a premium on hitting fairways. Not the best game plan.

    To make matters worse, several US players looked quite weary after playing 4 out of 5 weeks chasing the FedEx Cup. Tiger Woods, in particular, looked mentally and physically drained after his breakthrough win at the Tour Championship just days earlier. Bryson DeChambeau appears to have peaked a bit early, winning the first two events of the FedEx Cup playoffs, but perhaps the season-long grind also got to him in Paris because he looked out of sorts all week. For some reason, the European players didn’t seem as affected by the season-ending playoff grind. I’ll chalk it up to the home course fans lifting their boys emotionally.

    In terms of quality of play, I think it would be best for the Ryder Cup as a whole if the event was held at a time of the year where you can give the players at least a week off before the matches. It obviously would have helped the USA this year. The event only takes place every two years – would it be that difficult to give them a week off to rest up and get ready?

    Will it Work?

    Even if the United States implemented all these changes there’s no guarantee of success, but I think the odds would be much better. The US needs to field a team of players that are fresh, genuinely want to be there, want to play together and whose skills are well suited for the course. Team Europe has taken advantage of our flawed process to tilt the playing field in their favor. They relish the fact that their guys play better in pairs than us, and they consistently field a group of players that accept their role and form a cohesive unit towards a single purpose. It’s time for the USA to revamp their preparation, roster, and attitude towards the competition if they want to remain competitive in the Ryder Cup for years to come.

  • 2016 Year in Review

    Arnold Palmer2016 was an interesting year in golf. As it does almost every year, the golf world started the year with great optimism and enthusiasm at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. However, it wasn’t all good news for the game of golf in 2016. Let’s take a look back at the highs and lows of the year in golf.

    Major Pro Tours

    Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson finally broke through and won majors, Jason Day had another great season and finished the year at #1 in the world, and Justin Rose won the first Olympic gold medal in golf since 1904.

    The LPGA Tour continued to be dominated by countries other than the USA, with players from Asian countries winning 19/35 events, and other winners coming from New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Canada, Spain and Germany. Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn won 5 times, including a major and captured the money list, CME Globe and Player of the Year honors. South Korea’s Inbee Park won the gold medal for her country at the Olympics.

    As far as records go, it’ll be hard to top Jim Furyk’s 58 he shot in the final round of the Travelers Championship, beating his record tying 59 from 2013 by a shot. He hit all 18 greens on his way to the lowest round in PGA Tour history, made all the more amazing considering he shot a very sloppy 74 the day before, hitting only 5 fairways.

    Oh yeah, and some guy named Tiger showed up at a tournament in the Bahamas…

    Golf Business

    While some great new products hit the market in 2016, the biggest business story of the year was the uncertainty and failure of a couple of big names. After many years with un-Nike-like market share and quirky club design ideas, Nike decided to pull the plug on their golf equipment division, meaning (among other things) Nike staffers like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy & Michelle Wie will be highly sought after for equipment deals. Nike continues to be a major player in golf apparel and footwear however, recently signing Jason Day away to a multi year deal.

    Well known golf & tennis retailer Golfsmith went into bankruptcy and was subsequently purchased by Dick’s Sporting Goods. Most Golfsmith stores will close, with only the most profitable locations staying open or being rebranded under the Golf Galaxy brand. Sports industry giant adidas has not-so-quietly been trying to sell off the Taylor-Made/Adams Golf brand, with no takers in sight. Cleveland Golf has been reduced to basically just a wedge company since parent company SRI Sports has focused on building their Srixon brand in the US market.

    Golf Equipment & Accessories

    Due to the limits the USGA has imposed on performance of golf clubs and balls, we probably won’t see many significant advances in club technology in the coming years, but some great new products surprised me nevertheless.

    While not new in 2016, alternative golf transport like the Golf Skate Caddy and the Golfboard started to hit the mainstream. After one round I was hooked and made several trips to golf courses strictly because they had Golfboards.

    Putter designer Guerin Rife has been quiet for a few years since his ugly separation from the company that bore his name – Rife Golf. He’s was back in 2016 with Evnroll, a new putter design that is among the best ever tested according to the folks at mygolfspy.com. While we haven’t tried them yet on the golf course (only indoors), I’m very eager to report on their effectiveness in the real world as well.

    Perhaps the most impactful driver of 2016 was Knuth Golf’s High Heat driver. You may not have heard of it because they don’t have commercials on TV or PGA Tour pros playing with it, but that’s because it wasn’t designed for PGA Tour pros. It was designed to perform best for average amateur golfers, and that is one promise it lives up to.

    The biggest “oopsie” of the year goes to Wilson Golf, who invested heavily in a reality show competition on the Golf Channel that pitted teams of designers against each other to come up with the company’s latest driver. Eventually a winner was chosen and the club was marketed as the Wilson Staff Triton and hit the market immediately after the final TV episode. Unfortunately, the USGA had not approved it yet. While the issue appears to have been related to the timing of the show and the desire to keep the results secret until the final episode, it was pie in the face for Wilson Golf and spoiled their product launch to a degree.

    The King

    Probably the biggest story in golf this past year was the passing of Arnold Palmer. There’s no need to go into all the reasons why he was so important to the game, because I could fill a page with that alone. The King seemed to touch everyone who plays the game in different ways, and other than maybe Jack Nicklaus, there isn’t anyone in golf that is more universally loved and respected than Arnold Palmer was. His memory and his legacy will live on forever,

    Looking Forward

    As always, we look ahead into 2017 with hope and optimism. I for one enter 2017 with renewed passion and commitment for the game, as I’ve joined a golf club for the first time ever. I intend to use the membership not only to enjoy the game I love more often, but to take advantage of the club’s unrestricted walking policy (Not an easy thing to find in Florida these days) to lose weight. Walking 9 holes early in the morning certainly beats marching on a treadmill!

    The PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando is just around the corner, and I look forward to catching up with my industry friends again. What started as an annual display of all the cool new stuff has now become a yearly social gathering for me. I’m less excited about new products as I am about old friends.

    Having taken part in the WAGC’s World Finals in Turkey in 2015, I joined the WAGT in the US and look forward to the challenge of qualifying for Team USA once again, this time in Malaysia!

  • Tiger Woods – Illegal Drop on 15 at the Masters?

    TigerTakesADropSo far the 2013 Masters Tournament has had plenty of good stories, like 14 year-old Guan Tianlang making the cut or 53 year-old Fred Couples in contention again, but the big story so far this morning is the controversy brewing over the drop Tiger Woods took on the 15th hole yesterday.

    Woods’ third shot on the 15th hole from 87 yards hit the flagstick and bounced into the water hazzard. After weighing his options, he dropped a ball back in the fairway and hit his 5th shot to three feet and made the putt for a six. Or so we thought…

    After his round, he was asked about the 15th hole during a post-round interview and he may have incriminated himself. “I went back to where I played it from, but went two yards further back and I tried to take two yards off the shot of what I felt I hit, and that should land me short of the flag and not have it either hit the flag or skip over the back. I felt that was going to be the right decision to take off four (yards) right there. And I did. It worked out perfectly.”

    Whoops! Let’s take a look at the rule in question (26-1) under which he took the drop shall we? (via USGA website)

    If a ball is found in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in the water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:

    a. Proceed under the stroke and distance provision of Rule 27-1 by playing a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or

    b. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or

    c. As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of alateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.

    The text in bold is what we’re interested in here. Tiger stated he dropped his ball 2 yards back from the original spot which, by definition, is not nearly as possible to the spot from which the original ball was last played. This is a pretty clear cut situation to me, and if you follow the letter of the rules there should be no other outcome that the obvious one. He should have been assessed a shot penalty. Instead of a 6, he should have made a 7. He signed an incorrect scorecard.

    Tiger should be disqualified.

    UPDATE 09:41am 4/13/2013: Augusta National has given Tiger Woods a 2 shot penalty but he has not been disqualified. Under Rule 33-7, Augusta National decided to give Tiger a 2 stroke penalty rather than disqualify him. The rule is below:

    33-7. Disqualification Penalty; Committee Discretion

    A penalty of disqualification may in exceptional individual cases be waived, modified or imposed if the Committee considers such action warranted.

    Any penalty less than disqualification must not be waived or modified.

    If a Committee considers that a player is guilty of a serious breach of etiquette, it may impose a penalty of disqualification under this Rule.

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  • If I Was Ryder Cup Captain

    rydercup2010logoIt’s interesting to see how each Ryder Cup Captain manages their team, and how they pick players to play together for the team matches. I’ve always wondered what I would do in their position. I think Ryder Cup Captains get a bit too much blame when things go wrong, and perhaps a bit too much praise when they go well. Having said that, it’s clear that the job of captain is integral to the success of the team. So while listening to Curtis Strange comment on a question about Tiger Woods and his status for the Ryder Cup team, I started wondering how I would handle things as Captain this year. To start out, lets look at the current Ryder Cup points list as of August 1st:

    Pos Name Points
    1 Phil Mickelson 5,768.749
    2 Jim Furyk 3,418.942
    3 Steve Stricker 3,402.676
    4 Jeff Overton 3,277.848
    5 Anthony Kim 3,238.309
    6 Lucas Glover 2,980.874
    7 Matt Kuchar 2,938.419
    8 Dustin Johnson 2,936.138
    9 Tiger Woods 2,773.305
    10 Hunter Mahan 2,643.754
    11 Ricky Barnes 2,610.171
    12 Ben Crane 2,533.929
    13 Stewart Cink 2,394.033
    14 Nick Watney 2,297.974
    15 Rickie Fowler 2,259.370
    16 J.B. Holmes 2,219.010
    17 Bubba Watson 2,202.319
    18 Bo Van Pelt 2,156.334
    19 Sean O’Hair 2,122.574
    20 Zach Johnson 2,118.397

    The 2010 team will be selected from the top eight players in the points list, and Captain Corey Pavin will have four other selections, or “Captain’s Picks”. So lets talk about the current state of affairs…

    Jeff Overton1. Jeff Overton is a liability. Keeping in mind that as of today (August 6, 2010) there are still 55 days remaining before the matches, the first thing about the current points list that jumps out at me is that Jeff Overton is in 4th position. Overton has been playing very well this year, and last week finished second to Stewart Appleby's final round 59. However, it is Overton's behavior on the course last week at the Greenbrier that concerns me as Captain. On the 17th hole Overton missed a short birdie putt that would have tied him for the lead. Instead, the putt slid by the hole and Overton proceeded to spend the better part of two minutes whining and complaining about how the ball hit a spike mark, and how unlucky he was and that his life is terrible. In my opinion, this despicable show of immaturity and lack of emotional control cost him the tournament. On the par 3 final hole (which is nothing but an 8 iron to a huge green) he hit his approach a full club short, and two-putted for a second place finish. Clearly he felt robbed and clearly he was still mumbling about the missed putt on 17, when he should have been thinking about the wonderful opportunity he had to make a final hole birdie and ruin Mr. 59's party in the playoff. Overton is a fine young player, but it's clear to me that he isn't ready for the mental rigors of Ryder Cup competition, where every shot is filled with the type of pressure he felt on the back nine last Sunday. As Captain, I'll make sure he plays with a veteran - someone that can have a calming effect on him like Steve Stricker or Jim Furyk. Tiger Woods2. Tiger isn't a shoe-in for the team. The second thing that stands out about the list is that Tiger Woods currently sits in 9th position, which means he won't make the team on points unless he picks up his level of play. Most people would say "So what? tiger is a sure thing for a Captain's pick!" I disagree completely. As Captain, I would call Tiger and tell him honestly that I have no intention of using a Captain's pick on him. I want him to step up as a leader and make the team on points. If not, he's out. Most people will disagree with me on this one, but this year it may be best with him left off the team. By his own admission, he's played horribly this year, and clearly golf isn't his number one priority. He even said so in his press conferences this week before shooting rounds of 74-72 at Firestone - a course he's won on 7 of the 10 times he's played there. Tiger will have a very hard time in the team room, not only with the other players, but with all the players' wives and girlfriends around. Can you say "awkward"? During Ryder Cup week it's all about golf, and Tiger doesn't appear ready to focus solely on golf again. Many would argue that even his "c" game is enough to beat most players, but as Captain I say you have to show you really want to be there, and earn your spot. In the words of Snoop Dog - "Step yo game up!" Rickie Fowler3. Rickie Fowler is on my team, one way or another. I hope Rickie makes my team on points, leaving me another Captain's pick, but either way he's on my team. Rickie's amateur record speaks for itself, with a Walker Cup record of 7-1. The Walker Cup is sort of the Amateur version of the Ryder Cup and the highest level of international golf you can play as an amateur. Rickie has already come close to winning as a 20 year old rookie on the PGA Tour, and nothing seems to phase him. I love players with home-taught swings, and Rickie fits in this category. He plays by feel and doesn't need a small army of swing doctors and mind shrinks constantly tweaking this or that, he just goes out there and hits shots. I think being on the Ryder Cup team will be a great experience for him, and he'll have a great record, especially if paired with another young gun like Rickie Barnes, Anthony Kim or Dustin Johnson. I'm calling it now - The Rickies (Barnes and Fowler) will go undefeated! 2010 Ryder Cup Team Captains4. Match-ups on paper don't mean anything, but still... On paper, it appears that the European team will have a very strong lineup and the home course advantage, even if most of the front runners for the Euros skipped the Celtic Manor Wales Open this year despite that was played on the same course that will host the Ryder Cup. The US team will benefit from four Captain's picks this time, which is good, because there are several proven players that aren't in the top 8 and would require a Captain's pick. Hunter Mahan, Ricky Barnes, Stewart Cink, J.B. Holmes, Zach Johnson and Nick Watney are all potential choices. On the European side, Segio Garcia has been in golf la-la land since being dumped by Greg Norman's daughter. His play has been uninspired and he looks generally unhappy to be playing. That's good for me, since Sergio has been a killer in past Ryder Cups. Regardless of his recent play, Captain Montgomerie will probably pick him anyway. Also look for young guns Rory McIlroy and Ross Fisher to make their rookie appearances for Team Europe, and maybe even Chris Wood. Nobody said being a Ryder Cup captain is easy, and your success as a Captain depends largely on how your players do on the course. I would like to see successful Captains come back, rather than having this revolving door policy where we have a new captain every four years. I hate to say it, but the Ryder Cup Captain talent pool is starting to get a little thin on both side of the Atlantic. Why not bring Tom Watson back as a Captain? Hell, he damn near could make the team at 60! I'm not trying to take anything away from Corey Pavin and Colin Montgomerie, but lets face it - everyone would rather see a Captain match-up like Watson vs. Jacklin. By the way, Jacklin captained four straight European Ryder Cup teams between 1983 and 1989, and won 3 out of 4. So, with that off my chest, we'll sit back and watch the teams develop and the drama unfold. I certainly hope the contest is a good one. Please take the opportunity to leave me a comment and let me know what you think, or what picks you would make and why/why not!

  • Tiger Woods Divorce About To Happen

    Tiger Woods and Elin NordegrenAccording to various tabloid sources, the divorce we all knew had to happen is close to actually happening. The London Sun is reporting that Elin Nordegren will benefit from the richest celebrity divorce settlement ever, netting at least $750 million.

    As part of the agreement, Tiger Woods will keep his future girlfriends away from the kids, and in return Elin Nordegren can’t speak out publicly over her former husband’s reported affairs, The Sun says. In other words, she can’t write a book or go on Oprah to talk about Tiger’s extramarital affairs.

    According to the report, Divorce papers will be signed in Orlando next week. Nordegren will get sole physical custody of the kids – Sam (3), and Charlie (1). They will however split legal custody. Tiger will keep his estate on Jupiter Island, while Elin will get the home at Isleworth in Windermere, where this whole debacle started last year. Nordegren also reportedly purchased a home in Sweden with her sister early this year.

    Tiger’s personal issues have been reflected in his golf game, as is often the case with this game. Golf is one of those sports where a clear and composed mind is essential to high performance. The more distractions you have, the harder it is to focus on playing championship golf.

    This is all rumor and speculation of course, but with tabloid reporters monitoring the Orange County clerk’s public records, as soon as the papers are filed we will know!

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  • BREAKING NEWS – Tiger Woods Will Return At The Masters

    Tiger Woods will return at the MastersIntothegrain.com’s crack news team has learned that Tiger Woods will return to professional golf at the 2010 Masters Tournament on April 5. Ok, we don’t have a crack news team. And we learned of it on ESPN.com, but still… It’s important! After months of seclusion, problems with his marriage and personal life, and a stint in rehab, Tiger will finally come back to his first love – kicking people’s asses on the golf course. Sorry Elin, you have always been second fiddle to golf in Tiger’s world.

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    p style=”text-align: center;”> "The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta," Woods said in a statement, according to ESPN.com. There is no doubt that Tiger's new advisor Ari Fleisher had a part in the decision. "The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it's been a while since I last played. I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy and I am continuing my treatment. Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life." The last time we saw Tiger playing golf was way back on Nov 15, 2009 when he was down under playing (and winning) the Australian Masters, his 82nd win as a pro. I'm sure the people that handle the press at Augusta National will have their hands full for the next few weeks!

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  • Tiger Woods Speaks – Watch The Video!

    Tiger Woods apologizes to the world on Feb 19, 2010There is no doubt that the statement Tiger Woods read to the world on Feb 19, 2010 will be replayed, analyzed, critisized, praised and more for the coming weeks or months. It may even go down in sports history as the turning point in a fall from grace, or a new start to a career that has become larger than life. Only time will tell. If you want to revisit the video of Tiger’s apology, here it is!

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    On a more comedic note, former porn star Joslyn James called press conference immediatly after Tiger's to demand a direct apology. Now, this strikes me as increadibly selfish and very "hollywood". Not to mention that I think it absolutely hilarious that a porn star would fall in love with Tiger while having an affair! Hello Joslyn, wake up and smell the latex! Enjoy the video:

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  • Tiger Woods Speaks!

    Tiger Woods seen running near his home at Isleworth in Windermere, Florida
    Tiger Woods seen running near his home at Isleworth in Windermere, Florida

    Tiger Woods has come out of his self-imposed exile and will speak Friday, Feb 19 about what has transpired in the last three months and what his plans are for the future. The world will be watching, and the world will likely be disappointed. Tiger will reportedly speak from a prepared statement for about five minutes and will take no questions from the media. In fact, the media isn’t even allowed in. They will be covering the “event” from the Sawgrass Marriott convention center in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, about a mile down the road from the PGA Tour HQ, where Tiger’s statement will take place.

    The timing of his statement has been questioned and criticized, taking place on in the middle of the Accenture World Match Play Championships, rather than on a Monday, which is usually a travel day on the PGA Tour. Accenture was the first of Tiger’s sponsors to drop him when the sex scandal broke. Is this a jab at his former sponsor? I doubt it, but some have questions. Ernie Els told Golfweek magazine after Woods’ announcement that his statement was “selfish.” “I feel sorry for the sponsor. Mondays are a good day to make statements, not Friday,” he told the magazine. “This takes a lot away from the golf tournament.”

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    p style=”text-align: center;”> Tiger's statement has been orchestrated in White House style, with a few select friends and media members attending, but the rest of the mob forced to cover it via video. In other words, Tiger is ready to make a statement but he doesn't want to answer the tough questions. The questions everyone seems to want an answer to. Tiger has been very consistent throughout his career in declining the media any access to his personal life, and it doesn't look like he's about to change. Tiger is know for doing things his way, and it doesn't appear that he will let the media change him. It's relieving that Tiger is finally coming out and speaking about the scandal that has dominated golf and his life since Thanksgiving of 2009, but I'm afraid this isn't over. You see, Tiger isn't about to reveal the deepest darkest secrets of his life on a public stage. His statement on Friday will no doubt leave people with more questions than answers, and Tiger will have to deal with the media circus every time he steps into the public for some time. That is, until he wins another major... Here's a great video from Stephanie Wei of Weiunderpar.com that shows you the kind of outrage some media members are feeling about the timing and details of this announcement: Alex Miceli Calls Tiger Gutless from Stephanie Wei on Vimeo.

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  • Tiger Woods’ Wife Elin Nordegren Visits Him in Sex Rehab Clinic

    We haven’t written about Mr. Woods and his little personal drama in some time, and frankly it’s been nice. But as the speculation about his whereabouts and return date continue to mount, it seems there has been a newsworthy event recently that we feel obligated to cover. It seems like Tiger’s wife Elin Nordegren, who was going to file for divorce according to many reports, has spent some time with Tiger at a sex rehab clinic in Mississippi.

    Of course, since all hell broke loose on Thanksgiving weekend the media have been watching Tiger, Elin and anybody else in the Woods entourage like hawks. Tiger has proved quite elusive to the media, sneaking around of friends’ private jets and disguising himself like Hollywood stars often do. The latest report had Tiger holed up in a Hattiesburg, Mississippi sex rehab clinic called The Pine Grove Behavioral Heath & Addiction Services Treatment Center. Many have expected a divorce, but a source said “the marriage is not over, they both want to save it”. Elin has been at the center for an unknown amount of time, somewhere between 5 days and a week, and is there purportedly to take part in the treatment with Tiger.

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    p style=”text-align: center;”> The center has had tight security in the past few weeks as stories broke of Tiger's attendance. A private security force has apparently been hired to protect Elin from the media while in town. I would say that this is a good sign for Tiger and family. It seems he is willing to do whatever it takes to save his marriage and family, even if it means more public humiliation and ruthless questioning from the media. Oh, wait. He hasn't addressed the media. Hmmm. When Tiger does return, the media circus will no doubt be a huge distraction to him and everyone around the tournament he shows up at. Some have suggested that he should call a press conference before his first PGA Tour event to weed out the throngs of questioning and at least make the tabloid media happy. Considering he has basically stonewalled the press up to this point, Tiger's best option to me is to call a press conference and answer any and all questions for as long as it takes to clear the air. It will be tough for him, but get it over with and at the end of the day you can close the book on the "transgressions" and move on with his golf career. Then, when he shows up at his first tournament of the year, he can answer just golf questions. Now, let the speculation begin as to where and when El Tigre will return!

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  • The Tiger Woods Mistress Meter – On The Rise Again

    Tiger's TransgressionsThe Tiger Woods story just won’t die. I suppose we should all have seen this coming when he (allegedly) paid Rachel Uchitel to stop talking. Now, every other Woods mistress is coming out of the shadows for their 15 minutes and big payoff, whether it be from Tiger or the bloodthirsty tabloid media. Golf fans all around the world are holding their heads down in shame, for their squeaky clean superstar is now being dragged through the mud by the media in a desperate attempt for ratings, page views and dollars.

    Being that intothegrain.com is a form of media, I suppose I sound like a hypocrite by accusing the media of not leaving well enough alone while I sit here talking about the very story I want to see go away. However, this isn’t just the biggest story in golf at the moment, it’s one of the biggest stories period, and it deserves it’s attention. Everywhere you turn on the television was an update, or a joke, or a SNL skit about Tiger. Every few hours it seems a new mistress is coming out and telling her story. During the NFL game Sunday between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans, A blonde woman with a huge plastic golf club started chasing a person in a tiger costume and a red shirt around the stadium. You can’t get away from the story. Hell, I’ve deleted more Tiger Woods joke emails this week than I care to remember. This story is now out of control. Chris Mathews and Nancy Grace are even talking about it!

    And so in the last few days we have seen the so called Mistress Meter rise to a number between 7 and 10, depending on what smut magazine you read in the grocery line. I’m not going to comment as to which ones are lying or telling the truth, or give you details about where and when. Go to a tabloid for that. I am also hearing reports that his wife Elin has moved out and is considering divorce. Of course, this information will likely change in a matter of hours as the wave of inaccuracy and speculation spreads all over the internet.

    As a golf addict and internet blogger, all I want to do is write about golf. I’m not thrilled about covering this story because it is mostly about family, marriage, children, scandal and public image. I don’t want to see a family torn apart, and I don’t want to see a man’s image tarnished by the press, but ultimately he brought it upon himself. Tiger Woods’ private life has always been well guarded, learning from others like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. Obviously, what happens behind closed doors in the Woods home is none of our business, but because it has now become everyone’s business, maybe Tiger himself needs to come out and set the record straight. This story has become a raging fire, and Tiger himself is probably the only one that can begin to smother the flames…

  • How to Hit Tiger’s Stinger Shot

    Photo By J.D. Cuban
    Photo By J.D. Cuban/Golf Digest

    Tiger Woods didn’t invent the knockdown shot, or stinger as it is often referred to, but he seems to have made it popular again. The stinger is a shot with a long iron or fairway wood that stays very low with little spin and runs after hitting the ground. Tiger has made great use of this shot over the years. It’s a great shot to hit under pressure and in the wind. Paul Azinger made a pretty good name for himself while hitting the knockdown almost exclusively with his irons. Either way, it’s a crown pleaser and also very effective, especially on fast, dry courses and links.

    How do you hit this shot? I’m going to show you. It’s not as hard as you might think, but it does require some grasp of the fundamentals and I wouldn’t recommend this shot (or any specialty shot) to high handicappers. If you can’t make consistent contact yet you should probably work on that first before you try hitting anything but a basic full swing shot.

    As with most shots, the secret to hitting the knockdown shot is in your setup. To hit the ball lower, you have to make a few changes that will help you de-loft the club and basically turn a 5 iron into a 3 iron.

    Step 1: Take an extra club or two and grip down on the club so that a few inches at the top of grip stick out past your left hand. Choking down on the grip gives you a bit more control and makes the club shorter, which reduces clubhead speed and spin.

    Step2: Move the ball back a few inches in your stance. Ideally you want to play the ball just behind the center of your stance. The reason we do this is mostly to force the hands ahead of the ball and deloft the club. Be carefull not to play the ball too far back, as this forces you to make compensating moves to hit the ball solid and produces too much of a decending blow, creating backspin. The goal is to reduce backspin so the shot flies lower.

    Step 3: Make a full backswing and shoulder turn. Don’t confuse the knockdown with a punch. This isn’t a punch shot. A punch shot requires a shorter backswing, but a knockdown is a full swing that flies lower, so make a normal, full shoulder turn.

    Step 4: Lead with the hands. The key to this shot is delofting the club, and the setup is designed to help that. At impact your hands should be ahead of the ball and the club should be striking the ball with a slightly descending blow. You have to resist the urge to help the ball in the air by flipping it, the goal here is a low flying shot. The Tour Striker training aid is perfect for teaching you to lead with the hands, and I highly recommend it!

    Step 5: Follow through low with your hands going towards the target. Tiger likes to play this shot with “soft hands”, which basically means that he’s not releasing the club aggressively. Instead he doesn’t let the right hand overtake the left on the follow through and the result is a low flying stinger, as shown below.

    Drills: The best drill to learn the knockdown shot is one I was shown by my college coach when he taught me this shot back in 1993. On the range, take a long iron, such as a 2 or 3 iron, and set up to the ball to hit a knockdown as described above. Start by hitting chip shots, then work your way up to 20 and 30 yard shots, while keeping your hands ahead of the ball at impact. Keep gradually increasing your backswing and hit 60 and 70 yard shots, then 100 yards, 150, etc. The idea is to show you the feel of leading with the hands and shortening your follow through to produce the low shot. To hit the ball further, you simply increase your backswing. Give it a try, it really works! If you don't master the stinger shot right away, don't give up. It's easy to learn but difficult to master. At the very least you'll have a great option when pitching out of the woods! A Note about Hybrids: Hybrids have become very popular with amateurs and professionals alike because they are more forgiving than the long irons they replace, and hit the ball higher and straighter. As far as hitting the stinger shot, they aren't as friendly. This is the main reason why Tiger said he hasn't made the switch yet. The low center of gravity of hybrids is there to help the ball get airborne. I've struggled hitting low shots with hybrids, and I know many others do too. If you want to hit the stinger frequently, stay with the old 2 iron. Videos: This video is a bit crude, but a great demonstration of Tiger's stinger. Take a look: I found a great video by Gary Koch on USA Network's website that demonstrates the shot I just talked about. Check it out! http://www.usanetwork.com/videos/index.html?xml=pgatourgolf.xml&video=1|8 I always welcome comments, questions, hate mail - whatever. I want to hear from you out there! Let me know if the 5 minutes you wasted at work to read my blog was worthwhile, and how you are hitting your stinger! Cheers!