Thursday, August 8, 2013

Golfing Highlights Column 8-9-13

Golf Just Doesn't Get Any Better

  At this point in time our world of golf just cannot get much better.
  Let's first take a look at the resurgence of Tiger and his five victories this year.....as well as first time major winners Adam Scott, Justin Rose and the success of fan favorite Phil Mickelson. 
  Many story lines cross our desk but when we can talk about the happenings in the sport of golf it just doesn't get any better.
  Yes, Tiger has definitely come back and there has been excitement at every major to see if he will end his "major drought".
  Many in the game have picked him at the beginning of the year to win two majors and although he has certainly been a contender on Saturday's, he hasn't really been there on Sunday like we would expect.
  And then there is Mickelson and a little drama comes in to play here as Phil is one step closer to the grand slam and at his age he may be playing some of the best golf of his career.
  Phil's teacher Butch Harman said that he has never seen Phil hit it as well as he did at the U.S. Open.......and for Phil to follow that with the Scottish and the British Open.......it certainly says a lot for what he may still have in the tank.
  Justin Rose, who is certainly one of the best on tour, has finally won a major, and Adam Scott, who many have been rooting for, has proven that he can win and will continue to be around in  majors for the future.
  Golf fans are waiting to see Rory McIlroy come back while we all wonder what has caused his downfall.
  Lee Westwood has been playing well but has yet to win that major.
  And what about Inbee Park, the South Korean golfer who so far this year has won three major championships.
  It will be interesting to see what Golf brings us from this point on.

 Ed's Outlook

   It's always interesting to watch fellow golfers play their bunker or trap shots.
  For instance I like using by lob wedge out of the sand trap and always remember the lesson taught to me so many years ago from Grossinger golf professional Joe Turnesa to strike the sand some two to three inches in back of the ball and follow though with the shot.
  He always told me that as bunker play improved, so does your driving performance with the connection being the rhythm.
  Many golfers do not realize that 90% of bunker shots are within 10 yards.
  When we come to recognize that we then understand why the pros practice 10-yard bunker shots to a three-foot circle. 
  Can just never forget the term RHYTHM.......it works.

  Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's pictures at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook.

The Golf Tip                         
By Robert Menges

  Choosing A Putter
  When you finish a round of golf and are sitting down having a drink with your buddies, try to think for a moment about how many putts you had during the day.
  Most of the time, golfers will have close to half their shots on the green. When you set out to buy a putter, think long and hard about what kind of wand you want in your hands to save you strokes.   
  Putters come in all different shapes and sizes, just as the gamete of players do. When choosing a putter, it is now only important that it is pleasing to your eye, but also, that it is comfortable in your hands. 
  The hottest, most expensive and coolest looking putter will do nothing if it does not feel comfortable and ultimately will cost you strokes. In order for you to become a good putter, you must first conquer the mental side of putting.
  Purchasing a $150.00 putter will do little for that mental side if you cannot stroke the ball well. Not to mention the resentment you will endure each time you look in the bag.
  If you want to improve your game by buying a new putter, take your time and look at all of your options. 
  The most important thing to remember is to make sure the putter you buy is the right fit for you.
  The two main factors in making putts is to have the right speed and the right line or aim. If you focus on these two things you will improve your putting. When you are practicing your putting, try to focus on distance control, beause if you miss the putt off line, you should have a short putt to finish up with if you have the right speed.
  Good luck to all searching for the right tool to improve your game.
  Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net

Putting Tip
By Joe Bermel

  Improve your skills on breaking putts.
  I want to talk today about controlling the speed of your putts.
  That's the only way you can make putts when they're breaking a lot.
  On any given putt, the shower you roll it, the more it's going to break on its way to the hole and the faster you roll it, the less it will break.
  So speed is everything.
  When you read a putt, it will only go in the hole on your intended line if the speed at which you hit the putt reaches the amount of break you're playing.  
  Simple at that.......practice these skills weekly and watch your score go down.
  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His special edition DVD's "How To Putt Well" are available by calling 631-589-1384, at his Web site, www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com 

                      

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