Tiger Woods Confirms Return for Masters
The return of Tiger Woods to golf for The Masters this season was the most logical prediction for the once illustrious golfer. Most of the writers in the golf media, inlcuding myself had determined that this tournament would be the most likely for his return. As good as Tiger is he still needs every chance he can get if he is to allow himself the opportunity to tie or beat Jack Nicklaus’s incredible 18 major record, which inlcudes six Masters victories.
This goal has been in the forefront of Tiger’s mind since he first held a golf club in his hand. In a few short weeks we will see how the layoff and his personal dilemma has affected his golfing skills. Will he return in true Tiger form or will he even make the cut at Augusta, one of the toughest major venues on the PGA roster? Either outcome is possible but I’m looking forward to his return to golf and to watch him hitting golf balls again as he does like no other since Jack. Happy Golfing to All!
As most of you know we’ve had to endure extreme weather conditions in the northeast and also in many other parts of the country. For the past five days the weather has been brutal with torrential rain and high winds causing power outages, property damage and even loss of life. We’ve had enough. It is time to be out doors again, hitting golf balls and playing the game we love.
The projected forecast for this coming weekend is 66 degrees and sunny so guess what I’ll be doing, Golf, Golf, Golf! Can’t wait. I’ve only played once in the past four months and I’m looking forward to the spring and summer temperatures and hopefully not too rainy April. Let’s shake the rust off, take out the golf training aids and get ready to play golf. Happy Golfing to All!
I’m sorry to say it appears that the Farmers Almanac’s prediction for a harsh and snowy winter was on the money. This winter was not at all conducive for all of us die hard golfers to keep our games in shape for the coming golf season. Now is the time to start to exercise and preparing to allow yourself to play your best once the season arrives, which will hopefully be in a couple of weeks.
Some suggestions to help shake the winter rust off are as follows: 1) Take about ten to fifteen minutes each day and stretch. This will loosen the muscles and allow for a better fluidity in the swing and help avoid injury once the golf season arrives. 2) If weather permits take a few clubs or a weighted club and swing in the backyard which will also promote a better golf swing as the season is quickly approaching. 3) Get out the putting cup and practice rolling those putts whether in your living room, bedroom, den or any other available space in your home. Though not the same as putting on the golf green, you can still practice your set up, lining up your putt, your grip on the putter, keeping your head down, and your putting stroke, etc. 4)If you have an area in your backyard to actually hit golf balls then take advantage of this opportunity. If the golf range is open in your area this is another opportunity to check out your full swing and get the kinks out prior to the season arriving.
Have fun and Happy Golfing to all!
When all of the players in your group have hit their tee shots, you will go to the player’s ball that is furthest from the green on that particular hole and allow them to hit first. You will all then proceed to hit your second shots in order of who is furthest from the green or away as referred to in golf lingo, while observing golf etiquette and no longer using a tee.
The subsequent shots must be played where they lie in adhering to the normal rules of golf. In inclement weather conditions or after rain or where there is standing water in the fairway or rough, the ball may be lifted, cleaned and placed without penalty so that a player is not unfairly penalized for abnormal conditions they may encounter on the course on a particular day. There are also winter rules and ground under repair situations whereby you may remove and replace your golf balls in a new location, no closer to the hole, without penalty. The most important thing to remember is to have a good time. Happy Golfing to All!
Although winter is not yet over the weather this past weekend allowed for an enjoyable round of golf for the first time in almost four months. A good friend invited me to join him at Ballamor Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township in Southern New Jersey. Although over 100 mile trip I gladly drove there to be able to finally play the game I enjoy more than any other. Besides my good buddy Ferd, two other members of our annual golf competition in Myrtle Beach also joined us for some golf fun. I was definitely rusty as I shot almost 100 which is well over my average score of approximately 85.
It felt good to be outdoors in the fresh air and hitting golf balls again. We finished playing about 1:30 pm and then enjoyed a couple of beers and some chicken wings while dividing up the winnings from our golf bets. I actually lost a few dollars because my game was off and I was stiff from the lay off over the winter. Ballamor Golf Club was very well maintained and enjoyable to play. The layout of the golf holes was challenging, interesting and well presented. I would definitely include it on my places to play again list for this coming golf season and I’m already looking forward to my next golf round. Happy Golfing to All!
Tiger Woods is for the moment resuming his role as dad and doting husband to Elin and their children. He is back in Orlando and if I had to guess he is also inconspicuously preparing for his return to golf this year in golf’s most prestigious tournament in April, The Masters.
I imagine it will be difficult for him at first to face his peers, golf fans and the press when he appears for the first time in public at the beginning of April, which is only a few short weeks away. But if I know anything about Tiger Woods he will be looking to make a statement by staying in contention from start to finish of The Masters. He’ll be back in form hitting golf balls and competing again in the game he loves. This is speculation on my part but I can’t see him foregoing an important opportunity on his march to golf history and Jack Nicklaus’s remarkable 18 major record. We shall soon see. Happy Golfing to All!
After teeing up your golf ball, pick an object a short distance in front of you that will align your ball with the intended target line of your landing area. When preparing to hit golf balls set your shoulders and chest parallel to that object and target line. This will increase your odds for a successful and accurate swing result more so than just swinging the club at the ball without a target or goal in mind. Make sure to tee the golf ball at the proper height to allow for a good angle of impact. The ball should sit approximately one half of the diameter of the golf ball above the head of the driver when it is grounded adjacent the tee. The main goal of the drive is to get the ball into the air so to achieve maximum distance.
Remember you are just beginning and as much as I love the game of golf it is not an easy game to master for most. It is a game however, that can be played and enjoyed by players of any skill level. So give golf a chance, for “It is truly the game of a lifetime”. Happy Golfing to All!
It’s “Tee Time”. Your first time teeing up and preparing to play can be a bit unnerving if you let it. It is human nature to be a little nervous when you are trying something new for the first time and people are around watching you. After a while you may realize that many of those around you are also beginners and not much more experienced than you so they are also nervous when it is their turn to hit in front of their fellow golfers. After a short time you will overcome your fear of the first tee. If you are having trouble at the first tee you have some options.
When my significant other started playing golf she was petrified to hit in front of anyone. I explained my dilemma to the starter on the course and he was able to schedule us on the back nine or 10th tee where there were fewer players, if any around. This was very helpful in easing her into the game and it allowed her, and I for that matter, to enjoy a more leisurely round and initial golf experience for her. Soon she was an old pro and the first tee jitters were gone. Another tip is to schedule your tee time when the course is less crowded, normally late morning or late afternoon, depending on the golf course. If you choose this option then it is a good idea to speak with your local golf professional or starter so they may suggest an optimal time for you to play.
After teeing up your ball, pick an object a short distance in front of you that will align your ball with the intended target line of your landing area. Then set up your shoulders and chest parallel to that object and target line. This will increase your odds for a successful and accurate swing result more so than just swinging the club golf balls without a target or goal in mind. Remember you are just beginning and as much as I love the game of golf it is not an easy game to master for most. It is a game however, that can be played and enjoyed by players of any skill level. So give golf a chance, for “It is truly the game of a lifetime”. Happy Golfing to All!
This winter has been a tough one for golfers around much of the country. The cold is one thing, but the unending snowfall is what keeps us die hard golfers from playing the sport we love to hate. Pictured on the left is True Blue Golf Course, a Mike Strantz design located on the south strand and one of the golf courses we will be playing during our trip.
My yearly golf excursion in Myrtle Beach with seven good friends is quickly approaching and I can’t say that it can come too soon. We are leaving on the 6th of April and staying until the 10th which will allow us four days of golf. This is also the week of The Masters tournament, perhaps the most prestigious of the majors, at least in my opinion. I’m looking forward to some warmer weather and hitting golf balls again. It seems like forever since I’ve been on the links even though it has only been since mid – November, which is the one of the longest time non golfing periods for me in the last 20 years. Wishing all of us golfers an early spring. Happy Golfing to All!
Somebody must have really done something awful to anger the golf gods and cause this deluge of snow and cold weather across much of the country. Well golf gods if you are listening, all of us avid golfers who respect the beauty of your golf courses and nature will make an extra effort this coming golf season to respect your golf courses more so than usual.
Note: Course pictured is Kauai Lagoons Golf Course, Hawaii
We will repair that extra divot on the green, make sure to fill in and repair any damage caused by our divots in the fairway, try to stay out of the trees and hazards as much as possible. There will also be less swearing and less club throwing this year to make amends for whatever was done to provoke your ire. We would greatly appreciate if you will make the winter vanish and especially NO MORE SNOW! We need to be hitting golf balls soon to prepare for this coming golf season. Thank you. Happy Golfing to All! Soon?