Guide for Beginning Golfers

Since the victory by Phil Mickelson at the the WGC-HSBC  Champions Tournament in Sheshan, Shanghai, China this past weekend (November 5th thru the 8th), perhaps the greatest controversy in modern golf has arisen as the known rivalry between the two best golfers in the world continues. As a golfer myself, who is imtimate with the game and its inconsistent nature, having played for more than 35 years,  it is way too premature to be lauding Phil as a better golfer than Tiger. Both of these players are remarkable and very skilled players and are ranked one and two in the World Ranking and justifiably so. As much as I respect both players, Tiger Woods is in my opinion the better golfer and his illustrious career to date speaks for itself. That does not mean that at any given time and tournament that Phil Mickelson cannot provide Tiger with some stiff competition especially when his confidence level is at full throttle. Since Tiger has recovered from his ACL Knee surgery theoretically he is back in form and healed satisfactorily as even he attests to. Even though he may claim a full recovery which may be a reality as far as his physical health is concerned, I strongly feel his psychological approach has been altered due to the  nine month layoff.  I have watched many of the golf tournaments this season and as well as Tiger has done I have noticed a difference in his game, especially in the Majors. His normally aggressive and “Take No Prisoners” style of play has taken on a personna of a more subdued and strategic nature which was painfully obvious in the PGA when he tamefully succumbed to Yang on the final nine on Sunday. The final nine on Sunday is when Tiger would normally turn up the heat, make his move and do whatever it would take to win the golf tournament in Tiger like fashion when the situation called for it. My opinion on Tiger is that he is off his game to a degree but with some off season work with Hank Haney he will be back with a vengeance next season so Watch Out! While I mentioned he is off his game please take note to his accomplishments this year playing at 3/4 speed. He has won six golf tournaments, he is ranked # 1 in the World Golf Rankings, the PGA Tour’s leading money winner, and has gone undefeated 5-0 in the President’s Cup. As noted earlier I think these statistics speak for themselves but the true gauge of Tiger’s ability is the fact that Jack Nicklaus is the # 1 all time golfer in the world and he set a standard for golfing excellence that only Tiger has been able to rival and soon overtake if he remains healthy. Case closed – Tiger is number 1 in the modern day golf era, at least as of this writing.

I am also a huge fan of Phil Mickelson, who has received a tremendous confidence boost since his putting session with Champions legend, Dave Stockton. If he can continue on this pace he may have a career boosting season ahead and give Tiger a run for the money. Phil has also had to surmount some pretty serious obstacles this season since both his mother and wife, Amy had been diagnosed with cancer and thankfully they are both doing well. If Phil and Tiger can go head to head in some tournaments this coming season it will provide the golf fans with some truly great times that will be recorded in the annals of golf history. Golf fans would be able to relive the Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson rivalry of the 70’s, a truly historic golf era, through these two remarkably talented players. As much talent as Phil Mickelson has, he cannot yet lay claim to being the World’s Best Golfer but who knows what the next few seasons will bring. He has the talent and ability to rival Tiger but he has to “Believe in Himself” as Tiger does so well. So for now Tiger is # 1. I’m really looking forward to this coming season as I think some other golf tour professionals  may also provide a pleasant surprise. Happy Golfing to All!

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Captain Fred Couple’s American Team continues the dominance over Greg Norman’s International Team and wins the President’s Cup for the United States at this years venue at Harding Park. The U.S. has won all but two Presidents Cups since 1994, one ending in a tie in 2000 and the other loss came in 1996 when the Internationals beat the American Team handily 20 -1/2 to 11-1/2 respectively. In 2009 the final score was United States 19-1/2, Internationals 14-1/2 which matched their winning scores in 2005 and 2007. Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker took Harding Park by storm and made it look easy as they recorded four wins and no losses in their play against the Internationals. Woods record 5-0-0 and Mickelson’s 4-0-1 record is befitting the number one and number two player’s in the world. Their stellar play appeared to carryover from the victory they shared a few weeks back as they trumped the field in their one, two finish in the Tour Championship and Fed Ex Cup.

Let’s not forget the rest of the Amercian Team led by Steve Stricker, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard and Jim Furyk who all played inspired golf in their singles matches on Sunday. The fact that American Basketball sports legend Michael Jordan was in their team room and delivered a speech on teamwork the Saturday evening prior, may have contributed to their inspirational play. Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have been teamed together in the past at both the President’s and Ryder Cups and their record together in these two venues is not reflective of the true ability of the world’s two best player’s. You would think they would be invincible as a duo but that is not the case. They may have relied too much on each other carrying the match and may not have put forth their best efforts. The teaming of Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim or Justin Leonard worked out well. Was it Fred Couple’s strategy or the players themselves teaming up with whom they felt most comfortable with? However the teams were established set the tone for the victorious play for the American Team. Kudos to Fred Couples and the American players who made their country proud by retaining the cup and continuing the dominance over the Internationals in the President’s Cup Competition!

For more valuable tips and golf info visit http://www.guideforbeginninggolfers.com

I must admit I’ve been disappointed watching the Major Tournaments all season because the two best golfers in the world have not been able to capitalize when in the hunt on Sunday. Tiger Woods is recovering from ACL surgery on his knee after last year’s U.S. Open when Rocco Mediate played out of his socks to give Tiger a run for the money and force a playoff on the Monday after a tie for 72 holes in regulation – Good for you Rocco. As far as I’m concerned Rocco still had no business being there as Tiger Woods was well ahead of the field of many players much more statistically better than Rocco and on any given day could beat him handily, but Rocco was there and he gave Tiger some stiff competition. He knew in the back of his mind that this may be the only chance he would ever have for an opportunity like this and he did well to make the best of  it. We all know how it turned out but Tiger is back and Rocco deserves some credit for his tenacity in battle!

In this year’s Tour Championship and Fed Ex Cup, a number of great players also had a shot at either title. Because of the new reset format it gives players who are close in the standings an even better opportunity to win the Cup. But finally the cream rose to the top. I’ve been waiting patiently all season as Major after Major have slipped out of the grasp of the world’s two best players, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. I’ve been rooting for these guys since the Masters, when Phil made a charge reminiscent of Jack Nicklaus in the 86 Masters and Tiger stayed right in the hunt with him but neither of them could seize the moment.  Phil Mickelson also had a good shot at the U.S. Open when he was playing his heart out for wife Amy, who had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer as was his mother shortly thereafter, but the distraction proved too much for him and understandably so as he dropped out of contention on the final nine on Sunday.

The Tour Championship finally yielded the One Two Punch from the world’s two best golfers, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. With many of the world’s top players in contention for both the Tour Championship and the Fed Ex Cup, such as Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, Padraig Harrington, Steve Stricker and Sean O’Hair, the lead exchanged hands a number of times between these players but Phil and Tiger showed them why they were considered one and two ranked in the world. Phil shot a final round 65, which was 4 strokes better than the rest of the field and good enough for a three stroke victory over the worlds best player Tiger Woods. Tiger’s statistical standings in all the important categories remain intact. He is # 1 in the world ranking, # 1 on the Money List, six victories under his belt this season on tour solidify his rank as # 1 in virtually any category that matters and now the Fed Ex Cup title and $10,000,000 dollars more in his bank account. What more can you ask for? Tiger is back and with a vengeance. As much as any normal human being would be satisfied with his accomplishments for this year I’m sure he has already strategized with his golf coach, Hank Haney, on how to ensure a few more notches in his Majors Belt for next year. Tiger is still young but impatient to reach the goal he had cemented in his mindset at an early age, tie and then beat Jack Nicklaus’s record 18 majors. He is well on his way with 14 but he may have a few more years ahead to reach his goal. There are many good players on the Tour who also want to win and who will provide Tiger with some stiff competition along the way but make no mistake about it he will be victorious in the end.

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The 91st PGA Championship was played this year at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. Tiger Woods has been victorious in 14 out of 14 attempts in the major championships when leading or sharing the lead after 54 holes. Tiger game has been sharp over the last few weeks, including back to back victories in the 51st and final playing of the Buick Open, which he has dominated so brilliantly over the years and also the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio. He beat the field handily by three and four strokes respectively thus dispelling any doubts about his return to true Tiger form. Yang also made some noise and came in alone in 5th place at the Buick, tied for 19th at Firestone and has played well as of late and stood at 110 in the World Rankings until his PGA win, which should put him well ahead of that number.

 I must take a moment to ask, ”What happened to Padraig Harrington?” Having started the day at -6 and in excellent position to make a run at the title, he dropped off the leader board and shot 78 to put himself out of the running for back to back titles and another Wanamaker Trophy. It makes me seriously wonder whether Padraig would have been victorious in last year’s two final majors, the British Open and the PGA, since he has faltered in both the Buick Open and the 2009 PGA when Tiger Woods was in the field. It may be the intimidation factor that exudes with Woods mere presence, which could affect Padraig Harrington’s performance when going head to head with Tiger. There are many players so affected but it did not seem to bother P.E. Yang on the back nine on Sunday, or for that matter at any time in the final round. He play well  thru out the round and his only hiccup came on 17 when he three putted for bogie and left the door open for Tiger. Tiger pulled his approach shot left and in the rough just off the green. His attempt to chip out left him short and he could not convert the par putt to return to -7 and a tie with Yang going into the final hole. I guess you could say he did not  Wan-a-maker, a little play on words there. Yang’s second shot on 18, a hybrid to approximately 8 feet, all but sewed up the title for him. Tiger needed to hit his approach shot stiff if he were to have any chance but instead he over shot the green and again left himself with a difficult shot from the rough to birdie or even par the hole, which he ultimately failed to do. Tiger had to settle for bogie to Yang’s birdie leaving him an unprecedented three shots back at -5. Yang finished at -8, where Tiger had started for the day. When Tiger was ahead by two shots at the turn, I said to myself, “This PGA is over”, but Yang had other ideas. P.E. Yang played well, no two ways about it. It seemed that Tiger uncharacteristically changed his strategy mid-round to a more conservative approach which is atypical for him. He appeared to be protecting his two stroke lead instead of his normal aggressive style and using his unequivocal ability to expand that lead to three, four or even five strokes. He did not appear to trust his game as he laid up on a number of holes and left himself much longer approach shots than Yang and this tactic may have ultimately lent itself to Tiger’s demise and loss of the championship.

I know the missed cut at the British Open did not sit well with Tiger and I’m sure he worked even harder with his coach, Hank Haney, to correct any swing faults in preparation for the PGA Championship. Second place is not a bad spot to be in but unacceptable by Tiger’s standards. I’m sure he would have much rather have today’s headline read “ Tiger’s Wins Wire to Wire Victory in PGA Championship” or “Tiger wins 15th Major” or “Tiger Edges Closer to Jack Nicklaus’s Record 18 Majors and Sam Snead’s all time 82 Victory Record” but it was not to be this time. It just goes to show that even the infallible TIger Woods is human and can lose when the chips do not fall in his direction. This is the fourth straight major with an unlikely victor accepting the trophy. In The Masters, Angel Cabrera held off late charges by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who blew opportunities on the final nine on Sunday and Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry, who had it sewed up at the 16th until he bogied both finishing holes to force a playoff in which he lost to Angel. At the U.S. Open, Phil Mickelson was once again in contention on Sunday and playing his heart out for wife Amy who requested him to win, along with David Duval and Ricky Barnes who could not hold on to a 6 stroke lead and who both allowed Lucas Glover to snatch victory right out from under them. Then, an unprecedented performance in The British Open by Tom Watson, who should have and could have won but Stewart Cink tied him on the 18th and handily beat him in the playoff that ensued. Finally, in the PGA, what can I say, Tiger Woods beaten by P.E. Yang on the back nine on Sunday.  Who could have imagined a more implausible ending to the last major of the season, given Tiger’s two stroke lead at the turn. This is the time when Tiger usually makes his move and can catch an opponent with a four stroke lead or more when he turns it on. A Tiger Woods Major victory was not in the cards this year and his continuing quest toward Jack Nicklaus’s record will have to wait until 2010. Please note that Tiger’s season has been very successful, as he is the leading money winner, the leader in the Fed Ex and Presidents Cup standings, not to mention his long standing status as # 1 in the World Ranking which remains intact. His next opportunity will come in the Fed Ex Cup where he can add another victory and move closer to Sam Snead’s all time victory total of 82. Not too shabby from a player who is still somewhat recovering from his ACL knee surgery of last year.

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The British Open was the third major of the year that did not end the way I would have scripted it. The Masters had an improbable winner in Angel Cabrera when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were in the hunt and let it slip away on the last few holes and Kenny Perry, a 48 year old, had it all sewed up until the last two holes, which he bogied and opened the door for Angel to win in a playoff. In the second major of the year, the U.S. Open winner could have easily been Phil Mickelson, who was playing his heart out for his ailing wife Amy but he could not hold on Sunday and lost out to Lucas Glover, and now Tom Watson, one of the greatest golfers who ever lived, loses to Stewart Cink in a playoff that didn’t have to be.

Tom Watson had given the fans so many thrills all week and after the first round, even though tied for the lead, most of the golf authoritarians had already written him off and said he had virtually no chance for victory. Tom Watson had other ideas and I was rooting for him all the way. He kept coming back and even after four bogies in a row during one of the rounds, he bounced back with birdies and pars when he needed to and fought his way back into the lead. His play was reminiscent of the Tom Watson I so fondly remember when in his prime in the 70’s, and where at this very venue in 1977 he faced down Jack Nicklaus, the greatest golfer who ever lived, for the final 36 holes and beat him by a shot.

After a valiant effort for all four rounds, the 18th hole of the final round turned out to be the defining hole of the tournament. Tom Watson was leading by two shots going into the 18th hole and a par would have clinched it for him. But again at the British Open the improbable happened, Stewart Cink birdied the hole and Tom bogied to force a playoff. Tom hit his eight iron approach shot to the 18^th green flush and got a bad break when it hit on the green and instead of checking up it rolled off the back and left him with an uphill shot back to the green. He opted for the putter, which had served him well all week, but he hit it a bit too hard to get thru the fringe and went past the cup by about 8 to10 feet. The putt coming back was makeable but he hit it short and missed to the right. Had he sunk that putt the Open title would have been his and golf history would have been made. He may have lost the Claret Jug but he is a winner in my book.

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The U.S. Open returned to the Bethpage Black Course this past weekend on Long Island, New York where it last decimated the field leaving Tiger Woods as the only player standing and below par in 2002. It’s fearful reputation was softened a bit by the steady rainfall during this years tournament, but make no mistake about it many players were still well over par and missed the cut by making the error of missing the fairway on critical holes.

As with the Masters I have to admit I am disappointed in the outcome of this years Open. With wife Amy awaiting surgery, and her request for a win, I thought sure Phil would pull this one out of the hat. He is as capable as any and more so than most when it comes to golf skills, but the majors still seem to elude him when he is in contention on Sunday. When he made his move and went to - 4, he appeared psyched and I thought this would surely be the one, a real Cinderella Story in the making but it was not destined to be. He missed a three footer on 15th hole and a makeable par putt on the 17th that ended his chances for his and Amy’s dream finish. Bethpage Black reared it’s ugly head and clutched victory away from not only Phil Mickelson, but Ricky Barnes and another Cinderella Story contender in David Duval. They all finished tied at -2 and a share of the second place prize. Duval, looking a bit heartier since his stellar play around the turn of the century, when he was ranked 2nd in the world behind none other than Tiger Woods had played well during this Open. Second behind Tiger was not a bad place to be at that time but he has struggled over the past four or five years and has missed quite a few cuts. He finally recaptured some of the form at Bethpage Black that made him one of the top players in the world at that time in his career. The U.S. Amateur Champion in 2002, Ricky Barnes, dropped 6 shots in his last round and just missed birdie at 18. A birdie would have put a little pressure on Lucas Glover but the putt slid by on the left side which ended any chance for a tie and a playoff. Lucas two putted easily for par and victory. Lucas Glover, a real good player with all the skills needed to win, remained the most cool, calm and collected out of the final pairings on Monday and Bethpage Black could not take the prize away from him. He did drop three shots in the final round but the Rain Man, Glover, played intelligently enough to outlast the competition. 

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The winner of the Masters this past Sunday, Angel Cabrera, ultimately deserved the title of Masters Champion. Having been in contention with his stellar play the first three rounds and playing steadily on the earlier holes on Sunday, he was all but out of the running a few holes later when he dropped from -12 to -9 with bogies but he never conceded to the competition. He rallied back to -12 under and seized every opportunity to stay in the game by making birdies when he needed to. It only goes to enforce the old adage that “Slow and Steady Wins the Race”. Even after he tied with Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry for a playoff he all but stymied himself when he hit behind a tree on the first playoff hole, #18. Chad and Kenny Perry were in the fairway in great shape but Masters Sunday nerves got the better of them. They both pushed what would normally be routine iron shots into the green to the left and right respectively leaving the door open for Angel. He seized the moment by first making a lucky punch draw shot that hit a tree and caromed into the fairway leaving him a clear shot to the green. He again seized another opportunity by executing an excellent lob wedge shot in an extreme pressure situation which put him on the green in three with an approximate 12′ putt, which he converted, to tie Kenny Perry’s par save and go on to the next playoff hole. Chad was not as lucky and unable to salvage par so it left Kenny Perry and his playing partner all day, Angel Cabrera, to duke it out once again only this time on the 10th hole which turned out to be the deciding hole of the Masters. Kenny hit his tee shot into the left trap while Angel hit safely down the middle of the fairway, he wasn’t going to make the same mistake as he made previously on #18 again. His second shot was safely on the green while Kenny had yanked his left out of the fairway trap, leaving himself with a very tough approach shot to get close enough to save par, which he needed to keep his Masters hopes alive. He left himself about a 25 footer and missed just short on the right while Angel easily converted his two putt for par and victory. Congratulations to Angel on his amazing victory but I must admit I was disappointed by the way things played out.

Had I scripted this Masters it would have gone something like this.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson had teed off earlier and both started at -4. Phil’s rally on the front nine was reminiscent of the Nicklaus charge in the 86′ Masters and my favorite Masters to date of all time. This years Masters was a close second but anti-climactic because Phil, Tiger or Kenny were not victorious in the end. When Phil turned the front in 30 or minus 10 I thought to myself that this was far from over and could be one of the greatest Masters ever. Since I had tuned in, when Phil and Tiger first teed off, to the finale, I could not take my eyes off the TV screen. The steady and stellar play by Angel, Kenny, Tiger and Phil was riveting. The two best players in the world were going head to head and catching the the leaders after having been 7 shots back when they first teed off on Sunday morning. After Phil’s 30 on the front I knew Tiger had to make his move if he wanted to catch Phil who was now at -10. He accomplished this by eagling the 13th hole subsequent to Phil’s double bogie of 12 when he had made a mental error by not using enough club to  carry Rae’s creek and land on a safe part of the green. Tiger and Phil still both had an opportunity but they also both missed possible eagles on 15 which left them with more work ahead if they were to taste victory. Phil and Tiger had at one point reached -11 and -10 respectively and were both standing at victories door when they faltered at the end. Tiger bogied the last two holes in unTiger like fashion and Phil did not do much better. When they both came up short at 18, I was hoping that Kenny Perry, who has been playing some of the best golf of his life for the past two years or more, could become the oldest player at 48 years plus to win a major let alone the Masters. His -14 standing at the end of the 16th hole had all but sewed it up. A par on one of the last two holes would have clinched victory for him. He had not gotten a bogie for the previous 22 holes so why start now. But start now he did with two consecutive bogies to finish at -12 tied with Cabrera and Campbell and the playoff loomed. Kenny’s steady play had come to an end and the pressure of Masters Sunday finally took its toll on him. He all but handed the victory to Angel, who seemed more calm than the rest and just happy to be there in contention without succumbing as much to the pressures of the day.

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