Golf News November 8th, 2008
Golf Course

Stenson Takes 1-Stroke Lead At HSBC Champions

Henrik Stenson shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the HSBC Champions.

The Swede dropped a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th, putting him a shot ahead of four of the game’s top players: Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim, defending champion Phil Mickelson and Australia’s Adam Scott.

Garcia nearly tied for the lead, but the Spaniard missed a four-foot eagle putt on the 18th. “Unfortunately, my putting stroke didn’t feel as good as it’s been feeling lately,” Garcia said. “Maybe it’s the jet-lag or something.”

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Golfer John Daly Drunk, Detained in N.C.

Professional golfer John Daly was placed into police custody early Sunday morning after passing out at a Hooters restaurant and refusing to be taken to the hospital, police said.

When police arrived at the restaurant, emergency medical personnel were treating Daly, who had apparently lost consciousness earlier. According to EMS, Daly refused to go to the hospital.

Police said Daly appeared extremely intoxicated and was uncooperative, repeatedly refusing to be escorted to the hospital. Hooters personnel eventual asked Daly to leave the restaurant.

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Marino joins Verplank in Disney lead

Steve Marino posted a six-under 66 on Saturday to join overnight leader Scott Verplank atop the leaderboard after the third round of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic.
Verplank, who bogeyed the 18th hole for the second consecutive day, shot a three-under 69 to match Marino at 19-under 197. The pair is two shots ahead of Davis Love III (64) and Scott Sterling (66).

The Magnolia Course hosts the final two rounds after players competed with amateurs the first two days. Action was split between the Palm Course and the Magnolia Course.

This is the final PGA Tour event of the season, and players are fighting to get into the top 125 on the money list to keep their PGA Tour cards for next season.

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Golf Tips and Lessons November 15th, 2008

Gate Drill can help your putting | Golf Tips

Golf Drills

Here is an oldie but goodie drill for putting that is making a big comeback, thanks to a company called Momentus. They make many well-made teaching aids for golfers of all abilities and ages.

This one is called the gate drill. If you don’t want to pay the $50 fee for the device itself, you can make your own for with some supplies you most likely already have.

Pictured on the left is a simple practice putting station with two golf tees and a string representing your line to the hole. On the right is the Momentus teaching aid that does the same thing.

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Gimmies take away satisfaction of making putt for birdie

Junior Golf Lessons

You’re playing with your regular foursome and hit a great iron shot up onto the green with your ball landing only two feet from the hole.

What do most weekend players do next? They walk up and knock the ball away, giving themselves the putt either before or after their partner said, “that’s good.”

Not only did you break a rule, but you’ll never know if you actually would have made the putt.

You’ll forever lose the satisfaction of making a real birdie since you didn’t actually putt the ball in the hole.

Golfers do this everywhere, on every course, and they’re breaking the rules every time they do it.

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Golf tips from a pro

Golf Balls

There is not much movement needed to make short putts, but we often leave the green with a sour taste because we miss one too many of them. The problem is we get so caught up in mechanics, that we forget how simple they really are.

The best way to start to make more short putts is to practice them and learn to free your mind. I’m going to give you a few drills and games that you can do to improve your putting.

* Place six tees surrounding the hole, about 2 feet from the hole. Play a putt from each spot until you can make them all in a row a couple of times. Then try to make them with your eyes closed. Listen, too. Hearing the ball going in the hole will help to build your confidence.

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Golf tips: getting the kids started

It is definitely a great idea to get your kid or kids started out in this great game early and correctly.

It teaches them so many wonderful things like self control, honor, respect, teamwork, problem solving and the list goes on, and on.

Your child does not have to be the next great thing in the game, just get them started and just watch what happens.

You do not have to go to the golf course to work on this game with kids. Keep it fun, I would suggest getting them to enjoy putting first. Any decent simulated putting green will be fine.

Once they learn some basic rules and etiquette start taking them to your nearest driving range or par-three golf course to learn the full swing and how to play the game. If you are not sure of the basics yourself, get the “summary of the rules of golf” for juniors from the USGA or PGA. Your local pro can help you. Good luck and keep it simple.

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There are balls for all different levels of skill, from the beginner to the pro, and within those levels there are balls designed specifically to match various playing styles.

The balls are designed with different densities that allow for varying levels of spin, distance and control.
The various types of covers on the balls and the core of the ball determine these factors.

Before you even consider buying a golf ball, you need to know what your style of play is and what type of ball you need to maximize your performance.
This will change if you are still progressing through the game, and as you master new skills you will need to change the type of ball you use accordingly.

If you are unsure of your style, spend a little time with a golf pro and get him or her to watch you play some shots.
Ask them to tell you what type of ball you should be using.
If they are any good at their job, they will be able to advise you what balls to buy.

Good ball choice can also help correct some errors that you might have in your style of play.

It could be that the balls you are currently using are mismatched to the way you are hitting them and this is actually more prevalent than many people understand.

The golf player who can switch his mind off that last shot, and move on, will always have a decided advantage over the competition. If you are one of the many golfers who let their previous performance affect the rest of their game, then retraining your mind will do more for your game than all the tuition that any golf pro can give you.
Visit Golf Tips for more information and some pointers on how to get the most out of your game.

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Opportunities to take a family vacation with all family members can be difficult to coordinate. You need to think through a number of creative ideas to come up with a location and activities that all find to be a fun vacation. But what if you’re going alone and love to golf? Then Myrtle Beach should be one of your considerations.

Myrtle Beach resorts offer travelers some of the most challenging and rewarding golf in the world. Many of the courses run right alongside the Atlantic coastline and are world-famous thanks to their roles hosting the Ryder Cup and other PGA Tour events.

Fortunately, many of the courses in and around Myrtle Beach are open to the public all year, including those connected to resorts. That’s why more than a million golfers annually trek to the Palmetto State to play in Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island and Charleston.

From designers Tom Fazio, Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones, Rees Jones…they all have done some of their finest work here. So have top player-designers that include Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Davis Love III and Tom Weiskopf.

To find more about a few of the best Myrtle Beach resorts that offer incredible golfing opportunities, read on.

Harbor Town

Any list of South Carolina courses has to begin with this classic Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus collaboration. Bring plenty of golf balls and even more money for the near $200 green fee.

Harbor Town is tight and tree-lined with water hazards guarding several of the fairways and tiny, bentgrass greens. Ocean breezes are always a factor too. Most of the resorts in the surrounding Hilton Head area offer golf packages that include this fantastic course.

Kiawah Island Resort and Golf Course

Pete Dye was given prime oceanfront land and told to build the toughest, most spectacular course he could to test the world’s finest players at the 1991 Ryder Cup. He did exactly that. Half of the Ocean Course’s holes butt up against the beach. The wind can be brutal and peril awaits every shot. But somehow, the course is great fun.

The course is part of the luxury Kiawah Island Resort, and though the course is a bit pricey, it’s well worth it for a once-in-a-lifetime golf experience. It’s also located closer to Charleston than Myrtle Beach, but worth the drive.

Pawleys Plantation

Built along wetlands in lightly populated Pawleys Island south of Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Plantation is far different than most resort courses. Originally a country club, Pawleys Plantation is somewhat secluded in a tranquil location dissected by a huge wetlands area that’s part of a wildlife preserve.

Out of all the most popular Myrtle Beach resorts, Pawleys offers the most authentic South Carolina experience alongside some of the best golf. If you’re looking for a slower pace away from the crowds of Myrtle Beach and more in tune with the state’s strong heritage, you’ll find it here.

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Golf Clubs

The golf swing can seem complex and difficult to master. If you are learning the game for the first time then it is important to get started on the right foot otherwise you could spend a lot of time and money doing things that are just not effective and will not help you play better golf. Here are some simple golf swing tips that you can follow to help you on the road to shooting lower golf scores quickly.

Tip 1: Use the right grip

The grip is the first fundamental of golf swing mechanics you need to master. There are many types of grips you can use and the most popular one is the interlocking grip which works well for people with smaller hands. The other grip types include the ten finger grip and the baseball grip which is used by many beginner golfers.

Grip pressure is important and it is ideal to use a very light grip pressure in most situations unless you are in deep rough in which case you may need to use a slightly stronger grip. Gripping the golf club too tightly can result in a poor release which will send the ball off target in most target with a loss of distance as well. The interlocking grip is used by most good players and involves simply locking the small finger of the right hand with the index finger of the left hand and this applies to right handed players.

Tip 2: Setup the right way

The setup to the golf ball is important. A good setup will make it more likely that you will execute a good golf swing which will send the ball far and straight. Make sure your feet are aligned directly at the target so check for this by using a golf club on the ground that points to your target on the driving range or have a fellow golfer check your alignment for you.

Your stance should get wider with each club until roughly shoulder length for the driver. If you are really tall then your stance may exceed shoulder length slightly as you will need the wider stance for more stability. The ball position should start at the center of your stance with the wedge and gradually move up to line up with the right foot for the driver.

Lessons in Golf

Tip 3: Use a proper backswing

Do not rush your backswing and at the same time do not go too slowly either. Move at a pace that fits your personality. If you are generally a fast talker and walker then you will probably have a backswing that is relatively quick. It is best to start the backswing in one piece and keep the left arm as straight as you can for the entire backswing. At the top of the swing you should feel some tension in your right hamstrings and keep both feet planted on the ground.

Tip 4: The right downswing and follow through

Start the downswing by pulling the club with your left hand and do not get your right hand involved too much otherwise you will end up casting the club and releasing it too early which will result in loss of power and accuracy. Keep your head down and let the momentum of a complete follow through bring your head up instead of trying to peek to see where the ball went. Try some of these golf swing tips to help you reduce your handicap and shoot lower scores.

If you are tired of shooting high golf scores and want a way to reduce your handicap fast then you need to try the “How To Break 80″ system to improve every area of your game so you can shoot low scores fast.

Golf Drills

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New York City Helicopter Tours

new york city attractions

Are you looking to get the most of your tour in New York City? If you always thought that it is impossible to catch a glimpse of the entire city within half an hour or less, then you are in for a big surprise! There are various New York City helicopter tours to give you a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the entire city.

Would seeing New York City on a helicopter cost you a fortune? New York City helicopter tours would be a bit expensive, but they are one of the most adventurous and exciting ways to see the city. The best part is that you get to see the city without any traffic jams. Every minute of a helicopter tour of New York City is not only stimulating, but also worth every dollar you have paid.

Helicopter tours through New York City take you literally everywhere – from Greenwich to Brooklyn – without your having to leave your seat. The helicopter tour operators also look after your special needs. You would need to book your passes for the helicopter tours in advance, as they sell out like hotcakes.

You could see the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Wall Street, Central Park and the Chrysler Building – all for about 110 dollars per person and within a matter of just 15 minutes.

Although most helicopter tour operators would charge a lot of money, there are some operators like Xperience Days which offer helicopter tours for as little as 70 dollars.

What’s more, a helicopter tour through New York City could be very romantic. So go ahead and enjoy the ride through New York City.

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The 5 Best New York Tourist Attractions

New York City is rich with tourist attractions. It’s not so much a matter of having attractions to visit, it’s more about having enough time to see the things you want to see. In this article, I will cover some of the best strategies involved when seeing New York tourist attractions.

Let’s start with some of the essentials that should be on your list of attractions to see. For man-made structures, you have the beautiful and patriotic Statue of Liberty, a truly breathtaking experience. Also, the staggering and second tallest skyscraper in the US, the Empire State building. Fly up the 86 floors in a high-speed elevator, so you can look out over the city from the observation deck.

One beautiful natural structure that no one should miss is the Niagara Falls. This is one of the most popular attractions in New York City. Also, the beautiful and history rich Ellis Island, which is home to the Statue of Liberty, is a must to visit and explore as well.

What about places where the people congregate? Be sure to wander around Times Square and Central Park. Times Square will catch your eye with all its animation and neon signs, as well as the different types of commerce and fast pace buzzing in the air. Central Park is a great place to take a ride in a horse and carriage, or simply relax and enjoy the surroundings. And if you get bored, make sure to visit the Central Park zoo while you are there.

There are a number different ways you can see sites in New York. You can go on a boat tour, helicopter tours, travel by foot or even take bus tours. Helicopter tours are not as expensive as you think — sometimes they are as cheap as $75 per person, and last around 20 minutes per tour.

Boat tours are a great way for you to see sites in New York that you cannot access by traveling on land. Also, there are great hop in/hop out taxi boat services that double as both a tour and way to get from one place to the next.

Shopping in New York City is a breathtaking experience. Saks on Fifth Avenue is so big that you can get lost while going through all 10 levels of the shopping room floors. They boast one of the best men’s departments in the entire world! Also, stop by DeBeers to check out the different jewelry available, and to see the famous 203 carat flawless stone!

Other things you should add to your list of New York tourist attractions are Broadway shows, fashion shows, and fine dining establishments. The most talented Broadway performers in the nation can be found in New York, and the New York fashion week fashion shows have revolutionized the industry. As far as eating is concerned, head down to the Greenwich Village and have your pick of different restaurants with both tasty cuisine and a wonderful atmosphere.

If you’re going to be in New York City for five to nine days, consider purchasing a New York City Pass. This will allow you to save 50% on specific ones, like visits to certain museums as well as different eating establishments. It also helps cut down on the time you wait in lines when you’re visiting different tourist attractions. You can purchase these on the Internet, as well as get more information about the different attractions a New York City Pass covers.

If you’re going to see all the ones that are available and suit your interest, it is a must that you plan ahead. Look at the different touring options that are available to you, and consider the different types of attractions that you must see when you visit New York. Use some of the suggestions above as a starting point to brainstorm your list of New York tourist attractions to see.

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Golf News November 7th 2008

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Rain wipes out second day of HSBC Champions

Heavy rain wiped out all play Friday at the HSBC Champions tournament, forcing organizers to find a way to squeeze in 54 holes over Saturday and Sunday to complete the event.

Henrik Stenson led the damp first round Thursday with a 7-under 65. Four well-known players were a stroke behind: Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott, Anthony Kim and Phil Mickelson.

Officials for the tournament, which includes 10 of the world’s top 20 players, said they hoped to complete 72 holes by Sunday, but some play may be required on Monday to finish the tournament. Playing only 54 holes is also possible in the $5 million event at the Sheshan Golf Club.

“If we have any further delays … there is a strong possibility that play in the fourth round may need to be completed on Monday morning, and this has been provisionally agreed with all parties within the tournament,” said David Probyn, European Tour tournament director.

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pga golf

PGA commits to tournament in New Orleans

The PGA Tour and Gov. Bobby Jindal on Wednesday announced that the Tour has committed to having a tournament presence in the New Orleans area through at least 2014.

That means the Fore!Kids Foundation, which last year celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organization’s founding, will produce the PGA Tour’s annual springtime stop for at least six more years at TPC Louisiana.

The Fore!Kids Foundation, along with title sponsor Zurich Financial Services, has hosted the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the last four years.

The tournament, which had a $6.2 million purse last spring, annually turns over $1 million to children’s charities in south Louisiana and generates $25 million to $30 million a year for the New Orleans economy.

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golf tips

Curt Hocker - golfing beyond the odds

For all the golfers out there, how many of you ever hit a hole in one? I don’t know anyone that has, and I know maybe 100 golfers who have played they game for a combined total of 1,000 years. The closest I personally have ever gotten was 48” on a 125yd par-3. I won a prize in a tournament for it too. But the best part was that 9 golfers were around at the time to see it.

Now I mention that one moment of golf competency for a reason. The odds of getting a hole in one are variable depending on where you look. But going with Golf Digest the following seems accurate:

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