Golf Talk

Talkin ’bout wedges.

Have you ever thought about the length of your clubs and their swing weights. Specifically, do you the lengths of the shafts from 3-iron all the way through to your gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge?? Do you know their respective swingweights of your 3 wedges?? Most of us know the loft angles of our wedges but how many of us care to even measure the shaft lengths and swing weights, nor do we care. Should we care?

The answer to that question is absolutely you should care. You should be carrying clubs first of all that are fitted to your height, arm length, and leg length. Next, your clubs should each be perfectly a half-inch shorter from each other from 3-iron all the way down through to your gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge. Your gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge should be progressively heavier as well.

I know that it seems trivial to care about such seemingly minute and useless detail, but it can make a huge difference in your game and your swing. If you have a club that is too long, you are much more susceptible to slice it or hit it off the heel. Conversely, if you are playing with a club that is too short, you are more likely to top the ball, or move your body up and down to compensate for the shortness of the club.

This video below is from Ralph Maltby and he shows you a really easy way to measure your club shafts to make sure they are the right length. He also talks about swing weight and what the relative weights should be compared from one club to another.

shaft length, swing weight

Lefty wins in Shanghai.

After a fantastic round three performance by Phil Mickelson where he shot a 4-under 68 to take a 2-shot lead over Ross Fisher of England, Phil struggled to force a playoff in the final round and survived to claim the win in the end. Still, Phil picks up and gets back on track after finishing 16 shots back in the Singapore Open a week ago.

Believe it or not, the win is only Phil’s second win outside of the US, the other 14 years ago in France. This is a new fresh Phil that we are seeing, after years of refusing to play outside of the US, we’ve seen Phil play in Scotland earlier in the year and now in Asia. The $5 million dollar purse probably has something to do with it, but Phil was described to be extremely polite, courteous and jovial all week with fans in Shanghai. Phil filled a big void after having Tiger here for a couple of years in a row. And while Phil isn’t asian like Tiger, he has a certain aura around him that fans anywhere can appreciate.

As for the competition, Nick Fisher and Lee Westwood, both from England, forced the three-way tie with Phil Mickelson in the final round. Nick actually led for most of the final round before dropping a bogey on 18 and allowing Phil to tie. Meanwhile, Lee was 9 shots back of Phil to start the day but 5 straight and a total of 6 birdies on the front nine allowed him to get into contention and tie by the 18th. Nick was 141st in the world ranking coming in and will most likely move up into the top 100, Lee Westwood will probably move a up a couple of spots as well.

Asian Tour, Shanghai, Phil Mickelson

Lefty enjoying himself in China.

After two rounds at the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai, Kevin Stadler continues to lead but has Phil Mickelson hot on his trails. Lefty finished his second round with a 66 to get to 10-under overall and just 1-shot behind second round leader Kevin Stadler. Stadler led after the first round by shooting the low round of the tournament with a 64 and had a solid 69 in the second round to maintain his lead through two rounds.

Other big names like Vijay Singh are lurking in fifth at 7-under and 4-shots behind Stadler. US Open champion Angel Cabrera British Open winner Padraig Harrington are in a log jam at 4-under after shooting even-par rounds of 72.

Reports say Phil Mickelson has been out on the town checking out the sights in between rounds. As for his play so far today, Phil has this to say, “It was a good day today. I made a few putts coming in and that feels good heading into the weekend.”

With the weekend action left, I’m predicting a duel between Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh. Phil has been consistently good in the first couple of rounds and Vijay usually plays well in Asia.

If you’re still wondering why all these top players, 10 out of the top 20 are in Shanghai to play what appears to be a meaningless tournament, the $5 million purse is the sole reason. It is officially an Asian Tour event sanctioned by the European Tour among others. Lets face it, money talks and when you follow the money, usually you’ll find the action.

Asian Tour, Shanghai, Phil Mickelson

We like Natalie just the way she is.

Just days after an article from a Virginia newspaper reported that Natalie Gulbis was under going an image makeover, Natalie Gulbis Inc. has released a statement discrediting that original article. Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Jeffrey Kelley wrote that Gulbis, the biggest sex symbol of the LPGA Tour was going to have her image ‘revamped and de-vamped’ by a Richmond (VA) branding agency called Circle S Studios. The article cited Natalie’s recent win at the Evian Masters as part of the reason for the change to a more professional look. The Natalie Gulbis camp was most alarmed with the following quote from Circle S Studios President and Managing Partner Susan Hogg:

With the original stuff, she was in a beautiful bathing suit, tights and things and that certainly got the attention of a lot of people. But we’re trying to scoot it more to who she is and where she wants to take [her career and name] . . . and being a role model, specifically to young girls and women in general. That’s the brand we’re trying to portray.

A spokesman (which was not named) told the Golf Channel that the quote above from Hogg were for the most part ‘incorrect’. The Gulbis camp did admit that changes were being made to the calendar for 2008 but the result of which was not due to a rebranding but rather to increase the outlets where the calendar could be sold. The 2007 calendar was ruled to be too ‘risque’ by the USGA and thus was pulled off the shelves of many mainstream retail outlets. The new 2008 calendar will be designed to meet the USGA standards and thus should be available at your local Wal-mart, Walgreens, Target, Walden Books and Amazon.

Ironically, the spokesman went on to say that the ban by the USGA actually had the opposite effect in that sales increased and the exposure was more than expected.

Personally, I don’t have any problems with the calendar or the Natalie Gulbis brand. She should be free to market herself anyway she wants. The public will determine whether or not her calendar is appropriate through the numbers sold. Just because she is drop dead gorgeous we shouldn’t hold that against her. The LPGA is stocked full of young beautiful girls that should they wish to, they could all easily market themselves in a more sexually way, but they choose not to for whatever reason, which is also fine. Don’t judge Natalie just because she has something that you don’t have.

Natalie Gulbis, LPGA Tour

Morgan Pressel admits an addiction to her crackberry.

In a candid interview with reporters, Morgan Pressel, the Kraft Nabisco Championship winner this year admitted she had time management issues following her win in April. At the tender age of nineteen, Pressel beat Suzann Pettersen to win the Kraft Nabisco Championship and become the youngest ever winner of that major in its history. Between all the mandatory sponsor engagements, media requests, and Tour promotions, Pressel said her game suffered as a result of the many new demands on her time.

All the extra-curriculars she admitted had an impact on her training hours during the season and she said she was often exhausted after a long day’s work, “Although it’s been a lot of fun, you still have to work on your game otherwise it’s gone really fast. You’ve got to look at what got you there in the first place, and that’s your game. Next year, I need to schedule my events a bit better to maintain a high level of performance throughout the season, and not just in the beginning.”

Having not played golf in college, it’s easy to see how Pressel found the Solheim Cup team win to be such an enjoyable experience. “It was one of the best weeks I’ve ever had. That, winning the (2005 U.S.) Amateur, winning the Kraft and finishing second at the (2005 U.S.) Open were all awesome experiences but the Solheim Cup is almost above all of those. It was really special because these are players and team mates who you play golf with but, when you spend a week together, you really get to know people and make some great friends. It was really cool.”

In another candid admission, Pressel talked about her addiction to shopping and her ‘crackberry’ and how it it literally attached to her. “I enjoy going shopping every now and then and spending way too much money, I am good at that. We should surgically attach it [blackberry] to my hip, or to my hands actually, but then it would be kind of difficult to grip the club.” said Pressel.

Somehow Pressel has garned the reputation of being a prima donna and her nickname is ‘Little miss Piggy’, I think what people don’t realize that she’s only nineteen and that she lost her mother to cancer four years ago. So she’s had to learn a lot of things in life and womanhood by herself. I like her game, and how she wears her emotions on her sleeve, she’s not afraid to be herself. I think there will be plenty of majors to come for Pressel.

Morgan Pressel

El Pato seeks to add another win to his career year.

While many players opt to take the months between November to January off as their “winter break”, some guys like to keep playing and cashing in easy cheques. The HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai this week will feature heavyweights like Angel Cabrera, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els. Angel Cabrera is fresh off his win last week at the Singapore Open which both Phil and Ernie competed in.

The purse of the event is a cool $5 million, but I’m sure some of the players will be asking for any currency other than US dollars which is barely worth the paper it is printed on these days. One has to wonder for guys like Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els what keeps them playing in these tournaments. I know they have sponsor obligations, but clearly they aren’t really trying and their game has gone into the dumps.

According to the AP report, it is Phil Mickelson’s first tournament in China. I’m sure he’s looking forward to the golf just as much as he’s looking forward to find some competitive Ping-Pong action.

The defending champion from last year, South Korean native Yang Yong-eun beat Tiger Woods last year by two strokes and says he plans on the repeat even with the strong field, “It’s great to return here as I have so many good memories from last year. I felt really at home playing on this course and I hope it will be the same this year,” this according to a statement issued by the Asian Tour.

Asian Tour, Shanghai, Angel Cabrera

Aussie Nick Flanagan, the best of Nationwide 2007

The Nationwide Tour wrapped up it’s season and for twenty five lucky souls, they will automatically qualify for the PGA Tour. Richard Johnson was the winner at the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship with a 4-under round for a 20-under overall total to win both the Championship and finish as the Nationwide Tour’s top player. It is the second such win for Johnson on the Nationwide Tour this year and his total earnings popped by $139,500 to a total of $445,421.

No doubt it was a tense week for many of the players with the twenty-five PGA Tour cards on the line. The complete list of twenty five include,

Richard Johnson, Roland Thatcher, Nick Flanagan, Jon Mills, Jason Day, Nicholas Thompson, Matthew Jones, Justin Bolli, Patrick Sheehan, Paul Claxton, Ron Whittaker, Letzig, Laird, Kyle Thompson, Omar Uresti, Marc Turnesa, Brad Elder, Chez Reavie, John Riegger, Tom Scherrer, Scott Sterling, Pappas, Chad Collins, Driscoll and Jimmy Walker.

Nick Flanagan is already on the PGA Tour as he won three times earlier in the season and was bumped up according to the “battlefield” rule which essentially means if you win three times, you move up.

Those unlucky players that didn’t finish in the top twenty five, the 26-40 players on the final Nationwide Tour money list get an automatic exemption into final stage of the PGA Tour qualifying tournament. So, they will still need to go to Q school, but they start at the final stage.

I really like the system of the Nationwide Tour being the minor leagues to the PGA Tour. We’ve seen players like Masters champ Zach Johnson who was dominant on the Nationwide Tour, become really good PGA Tour players. Of all those players mentioned, I think Nick Flanagan has the best chance to have the biggest impact from this 2007 class.

Nationwide Tour, PGA Tour, Richard Johnson

Stephen Ames does his best Mickey Mouse face.

As mentioned, this was actually a really busy week of golf despite being in the fall/winter already. Heck with the fall equinox upon us, it’s by 4:30. In any case, here are the wrap ups of all three tournaments happening all around the world.

Disney Classic:

Scott Verplank led for almost three rounds, but it was Canadian Stephen Ames that endured in the end with a 17-under total for his first win of the season. It’s hard to believe that this is Ames’ first win of the year considering how well he’s played all year. so well that there was that controversy earlier in the summer with Gary Player picking Mike Wier over Ames despite Ames being ranked higher than Weir at the time. In second place was South African Tim Clark at 16-under. Scott Verplank finished in a tie for third.

Singapore Open:

After taking the lead earlier on Friday, Angel Cabrera would see everyone in his rear view mirror on his way to another win this year. Cabrera, of course, famously beat Tiger Woods to win the US Open earlier in the year. The chain-smoking hard-hitting Argentinian won despite missing many a fairway early in the round. The closest player to Cabrera was Vijay Singh who put some pressure on Cabrera with some big eagles on his front nine but fell short by 1. Phil Mickelson, lefty, was pretty much off the entire tournament closed with a ghastly 79. Eeek, maybe it’s to find a new swing coach, Phil.

Volvo Masters:

In the tournament which Ernie Els should be celebrating, instead Justin Rose wins the Volvo Masters and the Order of Merit as the European Tour’s best player. Rose nearly blew a four shot lead heading into the final round but salvaged his round to reach a playoff and won on the second hole. Rose has had a great season overall despite not winning much. He looks to be finally achieving the potential of the next great European player and is definitely one to watch for next year.

PGA Tour, Disney Classic, Singapore Open, Volvo Masters

Tiger makes news even when he isn’t golfing.

Well, clearly the offseason isn’t really here yet as there are three tournaments with some of the big guns still out there trying to fund their private jets and ten thousand square foot mansions. But Tiger Woods is in full off-season mode but has kept himself quite the busy little bee so far.

Golf Designing in Dubai:

According to news reports Tiger Woods has finished designing three out of 18 holes for the Al Ruwaya in Dubailand, the first of two courses he has been paid to design. The 7,800-yard, par-72 course is part of a larger tourism project featuring a 55-million square-foot development with a hotel, golf academy, million dollar mansions and more. Tiger says he isn’t worried about the mostly desert terrain, he plans to include plenty of bunkers. According to the report, Tiger will own one of the mansions next to the course, a modest 50,000 square-foot house. Why this is all newsworthy beats me, I guess anything that has the two words Tiger and Woods is worth mentioning.

I did NOT fire Hank Haney:

The internet message boards and blogosphere had been jumping all over the rumor that Tiger’s swing coach, Hank Haney had been fired. Tiger cleared the air by posting on his website that this was NOT the case and that Hank simply had to take some time off to attend to an undisclosed family manner. Tiger goes on to say that he doesn’t really need a swing coach that much more anyways. That’s great, if Tiger doesn’t need a swing coach, neither do I.

Alexis Sam update:

Tiger gave us an update on his daughter Alexis Sam saying that she can hold a club now. He goes on to say that he couldn’t hold a club until he was nearly 1 years old, I guess that means, watch out Lorena Ochoa.

Tiger Woods

Scottie in the driver seat after two.

In a busy weekend of golf, there are 3 separate tournaments taking place around the world. And you thought they didn’t play golf in the winter…

Disney Classic:

We’ll start on the continental USA where the PGA’s final stop in the fall series is the Disney Classic in Lake Buena Vista (FL) just outside of Orlando. Scott Verplank is your clubhouse leader after 2 rounds at 12-under. Canadian Stephen Ames shot the low round of the day a 63 to get into a three-way tie with Tag Ridings (66) and Ryan Armour (64) for second just 1-shot behind Verplank at 11-under.

Singapore Open:

US Open champion Angel Cabrera is your clubhouse leader at the Singapore Open, part of the Asian Tour. After all the hoopla over Ernie Els decision to skip the ET for the Singapore Open, Els shot a 5-over today and missed the cut. Hey, maybe now he can fly to Spain and watch Justin Rose pick up his Order of Merit. Back to the results, Phil Mickelson was the other big name, but had an off-round shooting 1-over par and is currently ninth and six shots behind Cabrera.

Volvo Masters:

Justin Rose and British Open champion Padraig Harrington are duking it out for the Order of Merit that should be going to Ernie Els. Rose is at 4-under par for the tournament after shooting 5 birdies in the back nine of his round today and is the only player under par after two rounds. Rival Padraig Harrington is at even-par after two rounds.

PGA Tour, Disney Classic, Singapore Open, Volvo Masters

Ernie follows the money.

Ernie Els is fielding some heavy criticism this week for skipping the final tournament of the European Tour, the Volvo Masters. The European Tour hands out their Order of Merit, basically Europe’s version of the player of the year trophy, at the last tournament to the player who has accumulated the most points, again basically like the way the PGA Tour uses to determine its player of the year. Ernie has played very well on the European Tour including an almost win at the BMW PGA Championship and was poised to take this year’s Order of Merit.

So, where exactly is Ernie Els this week. Ernie decided to play the Barclays Singapore Open instead, citing his three-year commitment with his sponsors there to play in it.

Chief among the Ernie bashers is Colin Montgomerie. Monty was quoted saying, “The Order of Merit meant a lot to me and it obviously does not to others. This is our flagship tournament - our Tour Championship if you like - and it’s a shame that all the players who qualified aren’t here.” Monty then went on to say, “This should have been their priority. I would never, ever miss this event.”

And Ernie wasn’t the only one that opted to go to Singapore instead, Angel Cabrera, Lee Westwood, Michael Campbell and Nick O’Hern all decided to follow the money.

I don’t disagree with Monty in principle here, but lets face it, we’re a society that operates around money. And people follow where the money is. Ernie had a three-year agreement with the Singapore Open to play there. Basically, they’ve paid him to show up for three years. He’s not going to give back the money so that he can play at the Volvo Masters.

PGA Tour, Ginn sur Mer Classic, Daniel Chopra, Shigeki Maruyama