Oops! Armchair Golf Misquotes Winston Churchill

Golf consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.
(not said by) Sir Winston Churchill


Biographical note: Sir Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II.



This misquote brought to you by The Armchair Golfer.
Getting it wrong for the love of the game.

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

6 foot Michelle Wie dating 7 foot Stanford basketball player Robin Lopez

Stanford just got knocked out of the NCAA hoops tournament, but the star 7-foot center Robin Lopez (not to be confused with his brother Brook) has Michelle Wie to help console him. The news is big enough to hit the Korea Times.

Here's video from Hawaii.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Armchair Q&A: SIs Jim Gorant on the Masters

In his book, FANATIC: 10 Things All Sports Fans Should Do Before They Die, Jim Gorant takes you on his pilgrimage to golf heaven on earth, Augusta National. Its good stuff for the golf or sports junkie. Jim provides vivid glimpses into this world-famous golf landscape and the strange sideshow outside the tournament gates.

The book, which includes nine other sports must-dos, comes out in paperback the week before the Masters. Jim is a Sports Illustrated senior editor and a self-described sports addict. We hooked up via email earlier this month.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: It's been a few years since your sports fanatic boondoggle. Do you still owe your wife big-time?

JIM GORANT: I owe her for agreeing to marry me in the first place. Seriously, I think it helps that the book turned out well. She's always proud of me, but in the end she enjoyed reading it herself and that helped make all the sacrifice and craziness seem worthwhile. It doesn't hurt that over time you tend to forget how bad things were. It's the same phenomenon that allows women to have more than one baby. Within months of having the first they sort of forget how miserable the experience was. Maybe sleep deprivation has something to do with it.

AG: You've no doubt watched the Masters all your life. What was most startling about actually being at the Masters and Augusta National?

JIM GORANT: To me the most startling thing was the juxtaposition of the scene outside the gates at Augusta National and on the grounds. The course is pristine and beautiful, but you expect that. What you don't expect, or at least I didn't, was the sort of honky tonk, flea market feel that dominates the streets outside the club. It's sort of where Bobby Jones meets John Daly. If I'm being totally honest, I also love any chance to use the word juxtaposition.

AG: You were fortunate to see Jack Nicklaus in his last Masters appearance. What else is on your Augusta highlight reel?

JIM GORANT: Amen Corner, Magnolia Lane, players skipping the ball across the water at 16 during practice rounds, lunch on the clubhouse balcony, and a friend who's a well-known TV personality trashing a customized golf cart while cruising around the development we were staying in the rain well after midnight.

AG: Did the experience disappoint you in any way? Now that you've been, have you gone back?

JIM GORANT: I have been back and imagine I will certainly go again. I really loved it. It's just one of those places that so unique and so special that it makes you feel lucky to be there. You don't want to leave.

AG: I'll be a first-timer at the Masters this year. Any tips or advice? Should I go easy on the pimento cheese sandwiches?

JIM GORANT: You're on your own with those pimento cheese things. I stayed away. Although I will say, they're a great deal, like all the food at the Masters. Otherwise, wear comfortable shoes because you're going to want to cover a lot of ground in order to see everything there is to see. As for viewing, I like 16 during practice, and the spot right by the 12th tee where you can see part of 11, all of 12 and all of 13. Its beautiful and there's plenty of action.

AG: If you made a list of golf tournaments to see before you die, what events besides the Masters would be on your list?

JIM GORANT: Good question. Obvious answers are the other majors, U.S. Open, British Open and the PGA. I also really enjoy the Players, because it's a such a different-looking course with lots of dramatic risk/reward shots. Beyond that I'd want to hit the classic venues -- Riviera, Pebble Beach, Colonial. Phoenix for the, um, atmosphere, and then something in Hawaii, because who doesn't want to go to Hawaii?

AG: Any good stuff you can share that didn't make it into the book?

JIM GORANT: No. All the good stuff is in there.

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Puma Tour Saddle 2008

I think you could be forgiven for thinking Im working for Puma these days the amount of posts I seem to be writing about their new range of 2008 shoes but I picked up a pair of these Tour Saddle shoes over the weekend and just had to write something about them. Once again they [...]

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[Source: Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods painted fast

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods explains using the F-word and threatening to "break neck" of photographer

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods on moon Gatorade ad

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Natalie Gulbis swimsuit photo shoot

This is I think a few years old, but still memorable.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Masters Coverage at Armchair Golf

(Pocketwiley/Flickr)

I dont know about you, but Im ready for the Masters. So while I keep an eye on the Zurich Classic and Shell Houston Open, Im going to kick off my Masters coverage tomorrow. Heres some of whats ahead.

Q&A: SIs Jim Gorant on the Masters
Jim is the author of FANTATIC: 10 Things All Sports Fans Should Do Before They Die. One of those things is trekking to Augusta National for the Masters.

The Last Surviving Player from the Inaugural Masters
Ill have a piece on Errie Ball, who I talked to early this year. Errie, 97 years young, was a friend of Bobby Jones and played in the first Masters.

50-year Anniversary of Arnies First Masters Victory
Last fall I talked to one of the two men who tied for second in the 1958 Masters, the first of Arnolds four Green Jackets. Ill tell you what Fred Hawkins said and revisit the controversy surrounding that Masters.

First Sunday in April: The Masters
A preview of a new Masters book, a collection of stories from players and golf writers.

My First Masters
Ill blog about my trip to the Masters for the Monday practice round. Im going with John Coyne, the author of The Caddie Who Knew Ben Hogan and The Caddie Who Played with Hickory, due out in late April.

A Conversation with Mark Frost
Ill have an interview with the author of The Match and The Greatest Game Ever Played. I had an enjoyable talk with Mark a few weeks ago about The Match (which, I learned, will be made into a documentary) and other golf subjects. The timing is a little uncertain, but Ill probably have this interview for you soon after the Masters.

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Tiger Woods loses for 1st time in 7 months -- win streak over

Geoff Ogilvy hung on to win the Doral Championship by posting 17-under, shooting a safe 71 in the final round. The leaderboard looked like a "who's who" list of the best players in golf, with Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh, and Retief Goosen all tied for second at -16.

Amazingly, Tiger Woods, who had an off day for this 3rd round (which extended over 2 rainy days), managed to finish at 15-under, two shots back. Adam Scott who shared the lead for some of the third round finished back in ninth place at -12.

If you did not catch the 3rd round, it was a rare sight to behold: two younger generation players, Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott, actually playing better than Tiger Woods in the same threesome. Is this a preview of a few years from now? Ogilvy already has 1 major under his belt and seems to have the DNA to handle the pressure. As for Adam Scott, he's won the TPC Players Championship, but still seems not to be living up to the hype.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Golf Tips - "Hit Down on the Ball" with Irons and Fairway Woods

My favorite part of golf is hitting irons. I can spend all day at the range without hitting a wood and be perfectly content. Irons are the surgical instruments of golf. In the right hands, they can place a ball within 10 feet of a hole from 2 football fields away. If you think about it, that's pretty amazing. The U.S. military would love to have a weapon that accurate! There's also no better feeling than hitting that pured iron shot.

But mastering the irons is much easier said than done. To understand the concept of hitting irons properly, you must throw logic out of the window. Like most things in golf, your common sense will lead you down the wrong path. Most people look at a pitching wedge and assume that to get the ball in the air one must somehow get the club under the ball and hit it with an upward blow. In other words, people see the clubface and assume that the club must impact the ball perpendicular to its the loft. This is incorrect and the reason that most people have difficulty with irons.

In reality, an iron launches the ball into the air because it imparts massive amounts of backspin. This backspin combined with the dimples on the golf ball creates lift, known as the Magnus force. As a result, the spin rate directly influences how high the ball flies.

To impart this necessary backspin, the clubhead must impact the ball with a descending blow. The swing advice, "hit down on the ball" is meant to convey this concept concisely. However, I find that this term can be somewhat misleading because it implies that the clubhead should impact the ball on a very steep angle. Better ball-striking will result from a shallow downward approach into the ball. Once I understood this concept, it truly was a golf epiphany. The key is to re-wire your brain.

It helps to see the physics in slow motion. Below is an impact sequence from the SwingVision of Tiger Woods hitting an iron off a tee. A red dot marks the same point on the ferrule. Some important things to notice:

• The club strikes the ball on a slightly descending angle of attack
• At impact the ball compresses and then leaves the clubface with backspin
• The club strikes the ball first and then takes a divot out of the turf

Read More...

[Source: Grouchy Golf Blog]

USA Today Jinxes Tiger Woods

Geoff Ogilvy


Tiger lost. When was the last time you saw those two words in the same sentence? About six months ago. Absolutely right.

Tiger couldn't quite catch Geoff Ogilvy at the CA Championship completed Monday morning at the Blue Monster. Just like I've had such a difficult time comprehending Tiger's greatness, now -- after five straight PGA Tour wins -- I can't comprehend a loss.

So I'm going to take the easy path. I'm blaming USA Today.

Yep, that's right. They ran the big cover story on Tiger last Friday saying he's greater than Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Jim Brown and Willie Mays put together. (OK, they didn't really say that, but close.)

Forget the Sports Illustrated jinx. That's so last century. There's a new jinx. And it's so USA Today. The proof is the Friday edition.

I mean, how else can you explain those missed short putts and other silly things Tiger never does?

You can't.

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Unlucky Number Eight

They say all good things must come to an end but I didnt see it coming this week! Geoff Ogilvy won the WGC-CA Championship by one shot to end Tigers bid for an eight successive win since the Deutsche Bank Championship last September.It was a mixed bag by Tigers high standards, I didnt think he [...]

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[Source: Golf Blog]

Tigers Amazing Feel

(D Knowles/Flickr)

A gram is about the weight of a paper clip. You need to know that for this anecdote from a USA Today cover story on Tiger Woods published on Friday.

According to the story, Nike had Tiger test a prototype driver a few years ago. He hit three versions and pronounced he liked the light one.

They all weigh the same, Nike said. No they dont, Tiger insisted.

So the Nike research team put them on a scale and discovered the one Tiger preferred weighed two grams less than the other two.

Im not sure if Tiger will win today at Doral. Hes five back going into the final round with some good players in front of him, including Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott and Vijay Singh.

Will the streak continue? Well know in a few hours. Meanwhile, I have a plane to catch and won't find out until late tonight.

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Golf Tips - "Hit Down on the Ball" with Irons and Fairway Woods

My favorite part of golf is hitting irons. I can spend all day at the range without hitting a wood and be perfectly content. Irons are the surgical instruments of golf. In the right hands, they can place a ball within 10 feet of a hole from 2 football fields away. If you think about it, that's pretty amazing. There's also no better feeling than hitting that pured iron shot.

But mastering the irons is much easier said than done. To understand the concept of hitting irons properly, you must throw logic out of the window. Like most things in golf, your common sense will lead you down the wrong path. Most people look at a pitching wedge and assume that to get the ball in the air one must somehow get the club under the ball and hit it with an upward blow. In other words, people see the clubface and assume that the club must impact the ball perpendicular to its the loft. This is incorrect and the reason that most people have difficulty with irons.

In reality, an iron launches the ball into the air because it imparts massive amounts of backspin. This backspin combined with the dimples on the golf ball creates lift, known as the Magnus force. As a result, the spin rate directly influences how high the ball flies.

To impart this necessary backspin, the clubhead must impact the ball with a descending blow. The swing advice, "hit down on the ball" is meant to convey this concept concisely. However, I find that this term can be somewhat misleading because it implies that the clubhead should impact the ball on a very steep angle. Better ball-striking will result from a shallow downward approach into the ball. Once I understood this concept, it truly was a golf epiphany. The key is to re-wire your brain.

It helps to see the physics in slow motion. Below is an impact sequence from the SwingVision of Tiger Woods hitting an iron off a tee. A red dot marks the same point on the ferrule. Some important things to notice:

• The club strikes the ball on a slightly descending angle of attack
• At impact the ball compresses and then leaves the clubface with backspin
• The club strikes the ball first and then takes a divot out of the turf

Read More...

[Source: Grouchy Golf Blog]

Lebron James meets Tiger Woods

At last week's game against Orlando in Orlando, Lebron James met Tiger Woods for the first time. Lebron went up to Tiger, who was sitting court side, and reportedly introduced himself, "Tiger, I'm Lebron." I haven't heard anything else about the exchange. Lebron scored 30 points, with 9 rebounds and 6 assists, but his Cavs lost to the Magic, 104-90.

Remarkably, though both are marquee Nike people, the two have never met before. Afterwards, Lebron said he admired Tiger, and put him in the same breath as Jordan, Kobe, Federer -- as players who have that same desire to be the best.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Las Vegas Without Golf Clubs

I flew into Las Vegas yesterday afternoon for my nephew's wedding. It was 31 degrees and windy when I left home. The Las Vegas weather forecast is monotonous in a way that I can definitely handle: 79, 79, 79. (Hey, I'd take those as golf scores, too!)

I have something in common with South African pro Louis Oosthuizen: no golf clubs. Not because of the airlines, though.

I didn't bring my clubs because this weekend isn't about golf. I don't often see my family since we live on separate coasts, so it will be great to spend time together. Maybe I'll also catch a little March Madness and golf on the tube.

I may be sans clubs, but what I did bring (besides a dark suit for the wedding) is a pair of shorts, something I haven't worn for at least six months.

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

WGC-CA Championship Update

With all eyes on Tiger converting his 8th straight win at the WGC-CA Championship I was starting to wonder if my 64/1 bet on Justin Rose is a complete waste of money? Well maybe not, Rose is currently only 5 shots off the pace to Geoff Ogilvy and Tiger has been a bit off the [...]

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[Source: Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods on his winning putt last week

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Nike Sasquatch Sumo Square 5900 Driver

I am a big fan of the original Squared Sumo driver and I was obviously excited about the new Sumo 5900. I would be lying if I didnt say I was expecting big things from this club and the sleek new look certainly was pleasing on the eye. Im not sure if I am a [...]

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[Source: Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods on front page of USA Today

Excellent article by Steve DiMeglio.

Johnny Miller probably put it best: "Tiger, unfortunately for (other pro golfers), has more intelligence maybe than any golfer ever. He's probably more fit than any golfer ever. He's probably got more talent than any golfer ever, and the 'choke factor' (the ability to produce under pressure) is better than any golfer ever. He's the best player who has ever lived." Game over.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods paints masterpiece with golf balls

Video here

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

South African Needs Golf Clubs to Play with Tiger

It should be great fun. But I wish my clubs would arrive.
-Louis Oosthuizen, on playing with Tiger Woods at the CA Championship


The airlines messing with your golf equipment. Thats not what you need when you have a tee time with Tiger Woods.

After a long flight from Johannesburg to Miami, South African Louis Oosthuizen stepped off the plane and learned that his golf clubs were missing.

Welcome to America. Enjoy your stay. Good luck playing with Tiger.

Ping was making up an extra set of clubs for the 25-year-old Oosthuizen just in case. What is his game plan for playing the Blue Monster with Tiger?

I've got to focus on my game, because Ill be looking at him the whole time, Oosthuizen told The Associated Press. I want to see how he handles himself, because thats the level we all want to get to.

I think weve heard this before.

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Never in doubt!

Most would say it couldn’t happen, but with Tiger Woods I think were starting to realise anything can happen. I mean check out this 24 foot putt to clinch victory at the last hole of the Arnold Palmer invitational.Unbelievable!

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[Source: Golf Blog]

Q&A: The Field Looks Ahead to Doral

Tiger Woods (C. ONeal/Flickr)

ARMCHAIR GOLF caught up with The Field after Tigers stunning victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Q: Thanks for doing this. It must be difficult after such a heartbreaking loss to Tiger Woods. What were you thinking when Tiger was standing over that last putt?

THE FIELD: That theres no earthly way a human being can make that putt to win a golf tournament. We thought we had played well enough to get into a playoff.

Q: Then it goes in.

THE FIELD: Right.

Q: Pretty clever to throw Bart Bryant at him.

THE FIELD: We didnt plan it. It just worked out that way this week. Frankly, well take anybody who can play decent and keep his lunch down when Tigers name is on the leaderboard.

Q: Tigers record and current win streak are phenomenal. How do you explain his dominance?

THE FIELD: Where do we begin? The guy does everything so well. He won a heckuva lot when he had some weaknesses. Now hes really hitting his stride. Whats Tiger won against us - five straight?

Q: Yes, five on the PGA Tour and seven worldwide.

THE FIELD: Right. Another thing, though, is he really knows how to pick his events. Hes very fussy about his schedule, where he plays, how he prepares. We have to play every single week.

Q: Thats true, but youre putting about 130 guys up against Tiger every time he tees it up no matter where he plays. Shouldnt that be an advantage?

THE FIELD: Actually, its more like 70 players. Thats about how many make the cut and play on the weekend. So were only really putting 70 up against Tiger.

Q: OK, 70. How do you like your chances this week?

THE FIELD: Tiger has won five in a row and three straight at Doral. How do you like our chances? Seriously, over the years our record is pretty good at Doral. But were not going to pop off. We dont want to give Tiger any bulletin board material.

Q: Whats your game plan?

THE FIELD: We just have to go in there and, after our guys make the cut, take it 70 shots at a time and hope we have a good week. It doesnt really do any good to worry about what Tigers doing. We just have to focus on our own 70 games.

Q: And hope you get a win against Tiger soon?

THE FIELD: Well, sure. But even if we dont we can take away some positives.

Q: Like what?

THE FIELD: Were doing well on the money list. Some of us will make the Ryder Cup team. Stuff like that.

Q: I see what you mean. Thanks, and good luck this week.

THE FIELD: You got it.

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Tiger Woods keeps win streak alive -- going undefeated in 2008 still a possibility

Forget about the New England Patriots going 19-0. The story of 2008 may be Tiger Woods going undefeated for the entire season. Tiger Woods kept his win streak alive today, by sinking a 25 footer on the final hole to win by one stroke over Bart Bryant at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The win means that Tiger has won every tournament this year he's played in and has a 7-win streak going back to the end of last season.

I have been ridiculed for suggesting at the beginning of 2008 that Tiger Woods could run the table and go undefeated this year. To me, the biggest hurdle was the Accenture Match Play, which is always a crap shoot -- but Tiger managed to escape elimination a couple times. But I still don't know why some people thought my suggestion was ridiculous. I admit that the odds are against it, but the way Tiger Woods is playing, I think he has a very realistic chance to win every tournament. The guy never misses a cut, and, if he's in contention, he usually wins. I would take Tiger against the field any day, especially now.

For video highlights, go here. You have to watch this amazing putt and Tiger fist pump! Awesome!

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

David Feherty No Match for Truck

The next thing I know, I'm at Baylor Medical Center, the only hospital in the United States that doesn't have the Golf Channel.
-David Feherty

CBS golf analyst David Feherty still had his razor sharp wit, even with three broken ribs and a punctured lung. Feherty was riding his bicycle near his home in Dallas when a truck hauling irrigation equipment squeezed him to the edge of the road and smacked him with a side mirror.

Feherty said he would be laid up in the hospital for a few days, but would be ready for the Masters telecast.

His most pressing concern? The leader of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, not easy to know at the Golf Channel-less Baylor University Medical Center.

Maybe he should have been taken to Parkland Memorial.

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Natalie Gulbis tips

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

New Puma Swing GTX golf shoes

It has to be said I am fast becoming a fan of the latest range of Puma golf shoes which have been released in 2008. These are the new Swing GTX shoes which not unlike the Puma Leere shoes have drawn their inspiration for a traditional 50s design with some modern colours and style. The [...]

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[Source: Golf Blog]

The DiXX Putter

Got a spare 400 and looking for the ultimate putting aid!? Forget putting pirrors this DiXX Putter is fully computerised and comes jam packed with some of the latest technology. The idea is that the built in computers will indentify everything your doing from impact position, swing path, face angle, tempo and head speed until [...]

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[Source: Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods tied for lead after 3rd round at Arnie's tourney

Video highlights here.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

One of the Best Spring Sales!

One of my favorite golf stores is having a Spring Sales Event now to Sunday, March 16th. They have tons of golf stuff on sale for up to 30% off. This one of the best online golf sale of the year so check it out before the hot deals are sold out!

Unfortunately, only friends/family of employees have received the special coupon code for this sale. Fortunately, my best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend is an employee. As a result, I am now in possession of the code. If you are a friend and/or family of mine, just email me and I can give you the 411. If you're not, I apologize, but I can't give you the code outright. However, I can give you a little Da Vinci Code-esque hint:

FriendsFamilyMarch08.

Once you have the code, just enter it at checkout to receive the discount.

Here's the rundown of the sale:

20-30% OFF Select Brands
Lynx, Snake Eyes, Killer Bee, Golfsmith, TourTrek, J.G. Hickory, XPC, Zevo, Penick, Clubmaker, Gear for Golf and Gifts for Golf.

* 30% OFF accessories, apparel, clubs, clubheads, custom clubs, gifts, gloves, headcovers, outerwear and training aids.
* 25% OFF shoes, grips, shafts, supplies and tools.
* 20% OFF golf bags, golf balls, push/pull carts, travel covers.


10-25% OFF Major Brands
Select Callaway, TaylorMade, NikeGolf, etc.

* 25% OFF golf accessories, golf gifts, supplies and tools.
* 20% OFF golf & tennis apparel and outerwear, gloves, training aids, golf bags, push/pull carts, travel covers, headwear, socks, belts and tennis accessories.
* 15% OFF golf & tennis shoes, tennis racquets, grips and shafts.
* 10% OFF new golf clubs, golf balls, logo products and schools.

Please post your deal finds!

Read More...

[Source: Grouchy Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods in outer space

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Spot on Swing Plane

Interested!? Check it out at Perfect My Golf for only 30, surely the man himself wouldn’t be endorsing something not worth our while, would he!?

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[Source: Golf Blog]

Golf Novelist Tries to Break Out of the Pack

(Glasson/Flickr)

For millions of golfers this would be paradise, the stuff of February daydreams. But for the guys I was playing with, this wasnt paradise. It was just another day to post a score or barf on their khakis.

Thats an excerpt from the opening of Between Clubs by John Ochwat, a writer from Portland, Oregon.

I've written a golf novel, which I entered in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest, John wrote in a late January email.

The contest took nearly 5,000 novels in the first round, and cut the field to 836 semifinalists. Last week I got the good news that my novel, Between Clubs, is a semi-finalist.

Penguin is the contest sponsor. You can learn more about Between Clubs and download it free here.

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

One of the Best Spring Sales!

One of my favorite golf stores is having a Spring Sales Event from March 13th to March 16th. They have tons of golf stuff on sale for up to 30% off. This one of the best online golf sale of the year so check it out before the hot deals are sold out!

Unfortunately, only friends/family of employees have received the special coupon code for this sale. Fortunately, my best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend is an employee. As a result, I am now in possession of the code. If you are a friend and/or family of mine, just email me and I can give you the 411. If you're not, I apologize, but I can't give you the code outright. However, I can give you a little Da Vinci Code-esque hint:

FriendsFamilyMarch08.

Once you have the code, just enter it at checkout to receive the discount.

Here's the rundown of the sale:

20-30% OFF Select Brands
Lynx, Snake Eyes, Killer Bee, Golfsmith, TourTrek, J.G. Hickory, XPC, Zevo, Penick, Clubmaker, Gear for Golf and Gifts for Golf.

* 30% OFF accessories, apparel, clubs, clubheads, custom clubs, gifts, gloves, headcovers, outerwear and training aids.
* 25% OFF shoes, grips, shafts, supplies and tools.
* 20% OFF golf bags, golf balls, push/pull carts, travel covers.


10-25% OFF Major Brands
Select Callaway, TaylorMade, NikeGolf, etc.

* 25% OFF golf accessories, golf gifts, supplies and tools.
* 20% OFF golf & tennis apparel and outerwear, gloves, training aids, golf bags, push/pull carts, travel covers, headwear, socks, belts and tennis accessories.
* 15% OFF golf & tennis shoes, tennis racquets, grips and shafts.
* 10% OFF new golf clubs, golf balls, logo products and schools.

Please post your deal finds!

Read More...

[Source: Grouchy Golf Blog]

John Daly implodes

Today, John Daly (a sponsor's exemption to Arnie's tourney) was disqualified for not making his tee time, which he thought was 1 hour later. That DQ then snowballed when it made the 2 alternates Ryuji Imada and Nick O'Hern no-shows to fill in for the morning round and therefore out of the tournament.

This DQ comes a week after Butch Harmon said he doesn't want to coach JD, and after reported drinking by JD last week at Hooters. Pretty sad.

(More)

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

LPGA gets YouTube channel

Visit the LPGA channel here -- help the LPGA out because it hasn't received many views yet on YouTube, par for the course.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

No Ernie at Arnies

Scratch Ernie Els from the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, where Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will return to action this week.

Els won the Honda Classic to start the Florida Swing, snapping an 0-for-47 winless streak on the PGA Tour.

It was a difficult decision because I enjoy playing here, Ernie wrote in his weekly diary. But I have to be honest with myself and the fact is, I felt mentally pretty tired in Tampa.

I want to stay fresh for the Masters, so I think a week off now is the right thing to do. Ill stay out here in the U.S. and work on my game.

This weeks question: Will Tiger continue his win streak?

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Stewart Cink gives away PODS championship to Sean O'Hair

It wasn't pretty. Watching Stewart Cink self-destruct again on Sunday was almost unbearable. The guy was all out of sorts and duck hooking shots, and then overcompensating with slices off the tee and into the water. Known for his putting, Stewart even seemed to have the case of the yips and could not make a crucial 5-foot birdie putt that could have saved his round.

Four over on Sunday just won't cut it. Cink gave up the lead on Sunday and an easy opportunity for a victory. Oh, Sean O'Hair won at -4, his second win of his career--half as many as the 35-year-old Stewart Cink. What a way to lose.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Bernhard Langer Survives Seven-hole Playoff

Bernhard Langer (Fortsonre/Flickr)

Finally. Its over.

While reading up on other golf news, Ive been keeping an eye on the Toshiba Classic (Champions Tour) in Newport Beach, California. Jay Haas fired a 65 today to catch and pass third-round leader Bernhard Langer.

But Langer birdied the 72nd hole to force a sudden-death playoff. Many times these playoffs are settled in a hole or two. Not this time. Haas and Langer went seven extra holes before Bernhard sunk the winning birdie putt on the par-five 18th.

The pair completed the 18th hole three times in the playoff, and twice played the 16th and 17th. Its another good (and hard-earned) win for Langer.

UPDATE: I just saw the last two playoff holes on the Golf Channel. Haas nearly chipped in for an eagle on 18 (the ball ducked in and came out) and then uncharacteristically missed a four-footer to give Langer the win. It was the first-ever playoff loss for Haas, who is now 5-1 in playoffs.

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Taylor Made R5 Dual Ti Fairway Wood

Looking for a forgiving easy to hit fairway wood then this R5 Dual Ti could well be your club. The engineering by TaylorMade on the launch control in these clubs becomes really apparant when you have the ball on the deck. They are so easy to get the ball into the air and the [...]

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[Source: Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods interview, part 2

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Ryder Cup Captain Paul Azinger All About Hotness

Paul Azinger (Fortsonre/Flickr)

I saw this over at the Local Knowledge Blog at GolfDigest.com. The topic is captains picks for the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

I think if some guy wins three tournaments in a row on the Nationwide Tour and his last tournament is the week before the week I pick, I probably pick him, Captain Paul Azinger was quoted as saying.

I probably pick him because I'm pretty sure that dude is hot. I'm looking for anybody that I think is blazing hot.

But that wouldnt apply to any other Tour - or would it?

I might not care if they come from the Senior Tour, Zinger added, keep that in mind.

Well, thats different. What do you think?

The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Cast vs Forged irons

Ive been looking at some new clubs the last few weeks and am currently swaying between the Nike CCIs and the Titleist 755s. I have been coming across the terms Forged and Cast and until I actually looked into it I didnt know the difference and what that difference would mean to the actual golf [...]

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[Source: Golf Blog]

Sick of airline excess carry charges?

The guys over at Airport Parking & Hotels Ltd have been doing some very interesting research into the excessive costs some of the UK airlines are charging us for the privilege of taking our golf clubs abroad. This is something which I incur every year but have never really been bothered to actually shop around [...]

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[Source: Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods interview, part 1

This is why Tiger Woods has a chance of running the table.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Frank Deford's funny look at the prospect of Tiger Woods's perfect season

I've received some flak for suggesting that it's possible that Tiger Woods will run the table and win all tourneys he enters in 2008. He's a perfect 3-0 this year, and actually is 6-0 dating back to last year.

Frank Deford discusses the perfect season possibility today in a humorous post.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

The Match by Mark Frost

From the author of The Greatest Game Ever Played, The Match tells the story of a 1956 private match between two legendary pros - Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson - and two top amateurs - Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi.

The match was arranged by Eddie Lowery, a millionaire who caddied for Francis Ouimet in the 1913 U.S. Open (The Greatest Game Ever Played), and George Coleman, a baron of industry and close friend of Ben Hogan. The setting is Cypress Point Golf Club on the Monterey Peninsula just prior to the Bing Crosby Pro-Am.

I had read about this famous match over the years, but, to my knowledge, Mark Frost is the first to tackle it in book form. The subtitle (The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever) struck me as hype, but Mark makes a case by explaining golf's professional-amateur paradigm of the mid-20th century.

If you know nothing about it, the match itself was an unbelievable day of golf that has become legend. Mark Frost writes pretty sentences, and he escorts the reader around Cypress Point with his usual skill.

I was curious to see how Mark would stretch the material into a book. The answer is he intersperses the personal stories of the four players, Lowery and Coleman. Ive read fairly extensively about this period and managed to pick up new information, particularly on the colorful, fun-loving Harvie Ward.

If you like a well-told story from the early era of professional golf, youll certainly enjoy The Match.

The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Ernie Els gets mental game in synch

As many people will know, Ive been working on and off over the past two years with the famous sports psychologist Dr Bob Rotella. At the start of last week, having made an early exit in the Accenture, I decided to have a talk with Dr Bob, just to see if I could regroup and maybe clear my mind. He knows me and he knows what Im like. I think trying to win those tournaments and get better had maybe made me a little bit uptight, so we had a chat about a few things and tried to work on getting me a bit more relaxed. I felt like it helped. You know, I felt like my old self out there again.

I said before the start of the Honda Classic that a win is what I needed in order to really kick-start my year, so this couldnt have come at a better time. Being up there last week, in the mix, feeling the heat and knowing that I can pull off the shots under pressure, that is what its all about. Its amazing what a win does for your confidence.

More from Big Easy

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Matt Jones: Johnny Miller's Man Crush?

Johnny Miller sounded like a man in love last week at the Honda Classic. However, the object of his affection wasn't some hot young Betty, but a 27 year-old Aussie golfer named Matt Jones. Johnny's frequent gushing over this PGA Tour rookie during the 3rd round reminded me of some pre-teen girls talking about heartthrob Corey Haim back in middle-school.

Just read a giddy Miller commenting on a slo-mo replay of Matt's swing on Saturday: "He has a perfect setup...Just a "10" on a scale of 1 to 10...He has a real good "chase"...I really believe that he has a good chance to be a star in the next couple of years."

Ironically, these comments came shortly after Johnny criticized Ernie Els' swing, arguably the best swing of all-time! I guess Johnny reserves the ber praise for golfers that have incorporated his patented "chase" move. It's been a recurring theme with Johnny Miller for quite some time now. I just wish that I knew what the heck he's talkin' about.

And Johnny, don't you think that you're a little premature anointing this guy as the next young golf star? In four years on the Nationwide Tour, he failed to win any of the 94 events that he played. Have the Wies finally convinced you that winning doesn't matter? Remember, people once thought that Corey Haim had star potential. Those people were morons.

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[Source: Grouchy Golf Blog]

The Match by Mark Frost

From the author of The Greatest Game Ever Played, The Match tells the story of a 1956 private match between two legendary pros - Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson - and two top amateurs - Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi.

The match was arranged by Eddie Lowery, a millionaire who caddied for Francis Ouimet in the 1913 U.S. Open (The Greatest Game Ever Played), and George Coleman, a baron of industry and close friend of Ben Hogan. The setting is Cypress Point Golf Club on the Monterey Peninsula just prior to the Bing Crosby Pro-Am.

I had read about this famous match over the years, but, to my knowledge, Mark Frost is the first to tackle it in book form. The subtitle (The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever) struck me as hype, but Mark makes a case by explaining golf's professional-amateur paradigm of the mid-20th century.

If you know nothing about it, the match itself was an unbelievable day of golf that has become legend. Mark Frost writes pretty sentences, and he escorts the reader around Cypress Point with his usual skill.

I was curious to see how Mark would stretch the material into a book. The answer is he intersperses the personal stories of the four players and Lowery and Coleman. Ive read fairly extensively about this period and managed to pick up new information, particularly on the colorful, fun-loving Harvie Ward.

If you like a well-told story from the early era of professional golf, youll certainly enjoy The Match.

The Armchair Golfer

Read More...

[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Lorena Ochoa: I Like the Way Ive Started

Twenty under. That pretty much says it all about the first 2008 start for Lorena Ochoa at the HSBC Womens Champions in Singapore. Lorena won by 11 strokes over second-place finisher Annika Sorenstam.

When asked to put her opening victory into context, Lorena said:

It means a lot. To me it's a great motivation, you know? It makes me want to play better, to win more. But like I said, sometimes there is just no explanation. It just happens and it was a great win for me. Everything came together at the right place, and I'm ready to keep going. I do want to have a great year this year. I know it's going to be tough, we're just at the beginning, but I like the way I've started.

And what did Annika think of Lorenas performance?

She's playing well, but it's nothing I don't think that's not achievable by any means. I think I'm playing as good from tee to green, so I'm very proud of the way I hit it.

Its only one tournament, but I think Annika and the rest of the ladies have their work cut out for them.

The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Lorena Ochoa: I Like the Way Ive Started

Twenty under. That pretty much says it all about the first 2008 start for Lorena Ochoa at the HSBC Womens Champions in Singapore. Lorena won by 11 over second-place finisher Annika Sorenstam.

When asked to put her opening victory into context, Lorena said:

It means a lot. To me it's a great motivation, you know? It makes me want to play better, to win more. But like I said, sometimes there is just no explanation. It just happens and it was a great win for me. Everything came together at the right place, and I'm ready to keep going. I do want to have a great year this year. I know it's going to be tough, we're just at the beginning, but I like the way I've started.

And what did Annika think of Lorenas performance?

She's playing well, but it's nothing I don't think that's not achievable by any means. I think I'm playing as good from tee to green, so I'm very proud of the way I hit it.

Its only one tournament, but I think Annika and the rest of the ladies have their work cut out for them.

The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Ernie Els wins Honda -- 1st victory in 4 years

Ernie Els shot a final round 67 to make a come-from-behind-win (passing Luke Donald and Mark Calcavechia) and to win his first PGA victory in 4 years.

Ernie was absolutely ecstatic upon learning that he had won while warming up on the driving range for a possible playoff. He thanked his caddie, his mental coach Bob Rotella (who shadowed Ernie on every single hole), his wife, his kids, his family back in South Africa, his supporters. He did forget to thank the Academy, and, yes, God, but Ernie was probably too overwhelmed by the moment.

Great job, Ernie! We hope this means you are now back and can challenge Tiger Woods, at least for a few holes, if not tournaments.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Oops! Armchair Golf Misquotes Ernest Shackleton

We had seen golf in all its splendors, heard the text that nature renders. We had reached the naked soul of man.
(not said by) Sir Ernest Shackleton


Biographical note: Ernest Shackleton was an Irish explorer who, along with his crew, survived a famous ill-fated expedition to the Antarctic.


This misquote brought to you by The Armchair Golfer.
Getting it wrong for the love of the game.

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]