Happy with par at Zurich Kodak Challenge Hole #17?

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Although there have been a few aces in the history of the 215-yard 17th golf hole at TPC Louisiana, many golfers at the Zurich Classic consider this Kodak Challenge hole to be a very long and difficult par-3.

Darron Stiles may have used a 7-iron to ace the 17th hole in 2005 with Daniel Chopra needing a 5-iron to do the same in the final round of the 2007 New Orleans Zurich Classic but the vision of water and newly reshaped green may be problematic for the players.

Tournament Director Rommy Fonseca conveyed about TPC Louisiana's Hole #17, "This is a unique hole that has proved very challenging for the players. It has also provided some great play over the years."

RotoExperts.com assessed that the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina caused the redesign of the 17th...

"...giving Dye the opportunity to move some bunkers around, redesign the green and generally make it hell for everyone who dares to gaze upon it from the tee box. Last year, the hole was ferocious, ceding just 38 birdies against 85 bogeys. The 17th claimed another 26 double-bogeys or worse. With a scoring average of 3.23, par will be considered a victory."

Photo Credit: WamGolf.com

WamGolf.com affirmed the 17th golf hole as a favorite, detailing the way an average golfer might play it (from about 70 yards forward):

"This was clearly a different hole from the TOUR Tees than our tees. From our tee box there was almost no forced carry over the water which runs down the left side of this hole. If you miss the green left, you're wet. A tee shot right and you're left with a chip shot to a green running away from you. It's a long green and a back left pin placement makes this hole more challenging. I was fortunate enough to hit the green in one and then three putt."


Luke Donald, looking for a way to win the Zurich Classic this weekend and take the number-one spot in the OWGR from Lee Westwood had a different version of the hole, saying a birdie at 17 during the opening round helped him to get back on track.

“I was playing great, 2 under, just not holing the putts when I had the chances," mentioned Donald. "It will make dinner feel a lot better with those birdies on 17 and 18. I played really solid today. I only missed a couple of greens. It was as good a display of iron play as I’ve done all year.”




Watch as Brad Faxon drops in a 27-foot putt for birdie on TPC Louisiana at the par-3 17th Kodak Challenge hole...opening round of the 2011 Zurich Classic of New Orleans:





Will the wind wreak havoc this week at the Kodak Challenge Hole #17 or will one of the PGA Tour players ace the hole creating a Kodak moment?



About the Kodak Challenge

The Kodak Challenge highlights many of golf's most exciting and picturesque holes in 2011 as players take on "the greatest scorecard in golf."

Created to celebrate the beautiful holes and memorable moments in golf, the Kodak Challenge is a first-of-its-kind competition on the PGA TOUR. Players must play at least 18 of 30 Kodak Challenge holes throughout the season to qualify. The golfer with the best Kodak Challenge score relative to par at the end of the season will win the Kodak Challenge trophy and $1 million dollars.


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View more great Kodak Challenge holes on Golf for Beginners

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What makes a good golf blog and more questions answered by Golf for Beginners

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What makes a good golf blog?

Recently I was asked this question (and more) by the folks over at Leaderboard Golf, a new website aiming to be "the authority for golf online."

Although the number of golf blogs has greatly expanded since Golf for Beginners hit the internet back in 2004, I believe that all memorable golf blogs have certain commonalities: they question what they read/see and hear, offer you an opinion and make you want to comment. Isn't that what blogging is all about?

Check out the new Leaderboard Golf website and feel free to click on the Stacy Solomon: Golf for Beginners Interview where you'll also find out about my favorite professional golfing moment and my goals for 2011!

Most people who read Golf for Beginners and connect with me via Twitter and Facebook, also know that I utilize social media and believe that this growing medium is changing the way business is conducted on the internet.

In the premier issue of 914Inc Magazine, I offer up two easy ways to attract followers on Twitter. Dave Donelson, author of five books including his most recent novel, Heart of Diamonds, also discusses the benefits of Facebook and LinkedIn as integral parts of a saavy marketers online presence.

Click here to read "OMG U R on Fire!" written by Dave Donelson.

A hearty thank you to both Leaderboard Golf, @Leaderboard on Twitter and to Dave Donelson who is both on Facebook and on Twitter as @TheDynamicMgr.

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Should golfers searching for a new putter try the Cleveland Classic BRZ?

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Walking through to the rear of the local Golfsmith store, the putting green is surrounded by about a hundred different putters. Every big name and style of putter encircle the perimeter from Cleveland, Odyssey, Ping including belly putters, flat blades as well as two and three ball putters.

How many golfers that come upon this area in their local golf shop will walk away with just the right putter?

Some may simply walk over to a putter because of its look, pick it up, feel the weight and then take it into the putting 'green' to see how the ball bounces off of the clubface.

If a few golf balls find their intended target then 'voilà' the putter goes home with golfer to try out on the golf course. If the 'flat blade' works for a golfer out on the course then it gets rave reviews and pitched to friends, family, any one who will listen. If, however, your game suffers and your putts per round increase, that new putter either gets returned, exchanged or relegated to golf bag storage.

The above trial and error is one of the mainstays in which the amateur golfer can tell which putter works as putting is definitely based on feel.

I just received another email from a golf club manufacturer, Cleveland Golf, this time urging me to try the latest Classic 1 BRZ putter, "inspired by the classics, crafted for performance". 

The new Cleveland Classic BRZ 1 putters are designed with a copper infused face insert for a soft yet responsive feel at impact and comes with its very own oil cloth to help prevent oxidation. According to PutterZone.com, "oil cloths are typically associated with high-end carbon steel putters bearing “oil can” and black oxide finishes.

Putterzone.com continued with the fact that the "finishes are much more sensitive to the elements—such as water and fertilizer—than stainless steel or plated finishes. Rubbing them down with oil adds a protective barrier to rust and corrosion."

Great, more work trying to keep my golf clubs in optimum condition.

The soft feel at impact as well as heel-toe weighting, however, may provide interest to golfers who will benefit from added forgiveness.

As it is said, 'it's the arrow, not the Indian' so the question for me is whether or not the reward of placing a new putter in my bag to possibly see an improvement in my putting outweighs the risk? Also, shelling out approximately $100 for yet another putter when my Odyssey two-ball putter does the job doesn't necessarily seem worth the investment.

On the flip side, the Cleveland Classic line of putters have earned best buy honors from PutterZone.com for the past two years and are really great looking! However, with all of the many choices in putters, don't be too quick to grab a putter from your local golf store with the hopes of improving your stroke and lowering your score.

Take your time to research the different putters on the market, find a golf store where you can feel the putter in your hands, take more than a few putts and be sure to ask about a return or exchange policy.

With golf club manufacturers eager for your business, be aware that sales is their primary concern. It is up to you to understand the market as well as your stroke.

Mom forgives Tiger Woods; does it really matter what his fans think?

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An understandably weepy Tiger Woods humbled himself before family and friends today to apologize for his indiscretions. Did you feel sorry for him?

I felt bad for his mom, watching her downward-cast eyes glowering noticeably away from Tiger's gaze as he spoke directly to her, espousing the importance of his Buddist upbringing and his wandering eye. Was her forgiving hug at the end of the speech out of pity or comfort?

I felt even sadder for Elin and the kids who smartly chose to avoid the circus which Woods decided was an important step towards his recovery. Tiger probably should never have even mentioned the wife and partner who stood by his side during his indiscretions as it sullied her name. Why re-hash the vision of her swinging a golf club at him?

Still, today's self-imposed "intervention" was a step that Tiger Woods felt he needed towards recovery. The public is always ready to forgive, but will we ever forget? Most of the world is guilty of their own sins and would like forgiveness when the time calls for it.

Remember Marv Alpert's sex crime or the time Charles Barkley threw a bar patron threw a window? These two in particular re-invented themselves but there are a bevy more to choose from.

Will this kill the Tiger Woods spirit of competition? Will he be able to return with the same fervor to attack records of the great Jack Nicklaus? Only time will tell.


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Just in case you missed the Tiger Woods Press Conference, you can watch it here: Tiger Woods Press Conference Video Link

Softspikes Enters The Golf Grip Market

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After 15 years of innovating and dominating the golf cleat and tee market, Softspikes®, claiming to be the number one cleat on the PGA TOUR, recently enhanced its position as the game’s premier accessory brand by entering the golf grip market and debuting BLACK WIDOW® Grips.  Branded alongside the game’s all-time best selling cleat model, BLACK WIDOW® Grips are born off Softspikes’ heritage for advanced technology and developing products that offer best-in-class traction and feel.

 

The new BLACK WIDOW® Grips line, which was created to meet the demands of players at all levels, offers five distinct models, each one complete with bold colors and excellent performance features to improve any golfer’s game:

·         Tour Silk – Tour Silk features a Softspikes inspired horizontal “S” traction pattern embedded in a specialized rubber compound for the ultimate performance.  Available in black or white and round or ribbed models.

·         Widow Maker – Widow Maker features a multi-compound hybrid feel and a two-color design that features a corded top for traction in all conditions and a firm responsive bottom for performance and feedback.  Available in round and ribbed models with black/white and black/red color patterns.  In the future, it will also be available in a putter grip model.

·         Signature – Signature features a firm two-compound composition that delivers enhanced feel in the finger tip contact points, as well as Web Traction Technology on the backside for greater control,  resulting in an unmatched combination of an aggressive design, superior feel and performance.  Available in round and ribbed models with black/white, black/red and white/black color patterns.  A junior model with a black/white color pattern is also available, as well as a putter grip model.

·         Fusion – Fusion features a firm and highly textured surface for enhanced feel and control.  The two-compound, multi-color material controls vibration and delivers two distinct feels plus Web Traction Technology for greater control.  Available in black round and ribbed models.

·         Edge – Edge features a soft performance wrap design with a high tack feel.  The Web Traction Technology design pattern provides greater grip confidence and control.  Available in black round, ribbed and oversized models. 

In addition to their unique performance characteristics, all of the models in the BLACK WIDOW® Grips line feature distinctive markings, including either black widow spider icons, and/or stylish spider web designs. 

"After extensive research and testing of our new designs, and based on our track record of success in the golf cleat, tee and overall accessory market, we felt the time was right to enter the grip market and position the new Black Widow line to compete alongside the game’s best brand names," said John Hohman, Vice President of Marketing, Softspikes.  "Building off the advanced technology and design that have made our Softspikes cleats the world’s best selling brand, Black Widow Grips not only offer superior performance and feel, but offer a unique and stylish change from what is on the market today."

BLACK WIDOW® Grips, available in spring 2010, will be sold at golf and sporting goods retail shops nationwide.  Suggested retail price for the BLACK WIDOW® Grips will vary from $3.99 to $9.39 depending on the type of grip. 

Could Tiger Woods' win at ATT foretell problems at the British Open?

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Tiger Woods has made it a habit to win two weeks before a major tournament this season. He won Palmer's, Nicklaus' and his own event in this fashion and, because of this, fans are waiting to see if this streak will cause him to falter during the third major of the year.

Is it possible that Tiger Woods could fall prey to the "middle of the pack" at the British Open?

Prior to the 2009 Masters, Angel Cabrera's best finish this year was a tie for thirteenth at the Northern Trust Open. He was cut from the Arnold Palmer Invitational where Tiger Woods solidly annihilated the competition. Cabrera's stats are also not that impressive: he currently ranks 187th in driving accuracy and only 140th in greens-in-regulation. It is only because of his major win that Cabrera now ranks twentieth in money leaders on the PGA Tour.

Golf afficionados can now say that they have heard of Lucas Glover but, prior to a strong 2009 season and a win at the U.S. Open, Glover had only two top tens in 2008. Taking more of an interest in his game has improved his stats dramatically and only now is the name Glover synonymous with a piece of history.

Anthony Kim learned a valuable lesson as to how to challenge the Tiger at the ATT but can he employ his method at the British Open? "I learned that if you have a birdie putt, you better make it," Kim said. "Tiger obviously is a proven winner for a reason and he makes the putts when you have to do it." Shining your belt buckle in Woods' line of sight may also help, AK.

Still, this is a true "Open" in every sense of the word. "Any certified professional or amateur with a scratch handicap" can qualify for the event which means even the least obvious contestants have an opportunity to shine.

Woods is going to be difficult to beat at the British Open and has already amassed three Claret Jugs during his career. He will be hunting for both his 15th major win in Scotland as well as coming closer to matching Nicklaus' record. Although Tiger has never played Turnberry, he is practicing to have his game "dialed in", feeling confident "with my swing, short putting, everything, then start getting the feel for how to play over there."

This week on the Golf for Beginners podcast, former top LPGA golfer Annika Sorenstam provides her keys to choosing the right golf club. We also offer a few new product reviews and update you to the effectiveness of our previous tests.


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Euro Tour ships Mickelson back to the US. Are Mickelson, Woods Olympic hopefuls? Rhythm and Rules

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Phil Mickelson has dropped out of the 2009 Race to Dubai because he said he doesn’t have enough time to dedicate to both the European and PGA Tours. With second-rate performances at the two opening Euro Tour events in China, Mickelson may have felt his chances of making an upward move were slipping deciding instead to get out early and “save face”.

Add Sergio Garcia’s leapfrog into second place in the World Rankings and that Tiger Woods may return for the 2009 PGA Tour season and Mickelson is probably more concerned with defending interests here at home than the struggle to climb atop yet another ranking system.

One slip at a time Phil, although Mickelson insisted, "I really don't think about the world rankings right now very much."

Go ahead Phil. Keep asserting that you’re not losing any sleep over your drop in the World Rankings and I’ll bet that, eventually, you’ll start believing it too!

As Barry and I watched the final round of the Barclays Singapore Open, it appeared evident with every failed putt that Mickelson would be relieved to be heading back to the States on his new fourteen passenger Gulfstream conveyance. Life can be really tough on the Tour!

Add to the above an article in the latest Callaway Golf Magazine written by the extremely outspoken Johnny Miller which mentioned, "Who wouldn’t relish the prospect of Tiger and Phil battling it out for individual gold at the Olympics" and the fuel was flamed for this week’s Golf for Beginners broadcast!



Whereas Miller states that golf has gone global, he also mentions that the two men fighting for gold honors would be two Americans…so where then has golf gone global? Also, if golf is approved as a summer sport, it would not be introduced until the 2016 games. Woods would be about forty years old and Mickelson would be about ready to join the Champions Tour. Now, where’s the fun in that, I ask?

Also, with guys like Phil and Tiger going after "gold" every week in the form of million dollar payouts and glimmery FedEx type trophies, an Olympic event would seem more like just another stop on the PGA Tour. Instead, listen to what Golf for Beginners has in mind if golf becomes an Olympic sport!

In addition, we talk about Lorena Ochoa’s belief that a lack of rhythm affected her quest to win her own Invitational. Rules taken from the glossy and easy-to-use Golf Rules Quick Reference Guide about embedded and damaged golf balls, are also featured.

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Photo Credit: © BBC Sport

Can Michelle Wie save the LPGA? Also, one way to conquer a troublesome course and can Stacy bring team spirit to stroke play?

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Michelle Wie didn't make the cut and received no exemptions for the Ricoh Women's British Open this week so what does she do? She shrugs it off and goes Tour-hopping, increasing the box-office revenue at the Reno-Tahoe Open instead!

With a star-studded list of PGA Tour professionals attending the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, tournament directors at the B-List event realized that offering a precious exemption to a relative unknown was tantamount to television suicide, so why not offer the golden ticket to the princess of DQ's and MC's?

Add to that the last minute entry of David Duval and you have a recipe for the highest ratings ever on a Sunday. Could you imagine a final round pairing of Duval and Wie? That's like Frankenstein going head-to-head with Godzilla in a celebrity death match!

With the LPGA struggling to keep several of its its events alive for 2009, it would be a wise idea for Carolyn Bivens to consider giving Michelle Wie a full-blown exemption for the new season. The Ginn Company, primarily a real-estate business, pulls the strings to the tune of $25 million over four yearly events on the circuit. A restructuring due to a downturn in the economy means that the Ginn Tribute will be out of the loop next year. The Safeway, the Fields Open and the SemGroup Championship have also backed out their support of the Tour.

A lack of television exposure doesn't help either, making the climate ripe for Michelle Wie to earn her weight in gold!

This week Golf for Beginners addresses television dynamo Michelle Wie, and whether or not it was a good idea for her to jump ship, leaving the LPGA for greener pastures.

Last week we discussed the three steps to go from beginner to winner. Taking Barry's advice, I wound up winning a team best-ball event, posting a terrific score at Branton Woods in the process. Find out how I did it!

Finally, I offer Barry an easy way to defeat Hudson Hills golf course, where blow-up holes abound.

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Ochoa replaces Sorenstam as "Tiger Woods" of LPGA, Ping G10 irons vs Mizuno MP-30 Forged, how to work your waggle and the Ryder Cup on Wall Street

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It was kind of comical (in a purely charming and farfetched way) watching Lorena Ochoa handily defeat her closest opponents wire-to-wire by eleven strokes at the HSBC. Annika Sorenstam could not muscle up the cojones to take her on. Paula Creamer hadn't enough reserves in her tank. And according to Ochoa, "on the weekend I wasn't as good with the putter but I managed to shoot under par every day."

Could Lorena Ochoa be the next "Tiger Woods" of the LPGA Tour?

Woods/Ochoa being groomed for greatness

Perhaps Annika's record prior to 2007 is strong like Tiger's but, if Lorena continues her winning ways, Sorenstam may be just a golf memory, making babies instead of birdies by next season.

Annika Sorenstam had a successful run a few years back, with accolades that included numerous majors, Vare Trophies, mulitple wins in the same event, etc. When one looks at her career, it is worthy of a place in history. But, after an injury sidelined her last year, Sorenstam is now struggling to place second instead of clearing the field like the stallion of yore. Still, some players never even achieve six top-ten finishes in a single season with a healthy back.

But it was Ochoa who compared best with Woods last year. Lorena took home eight trophies; Tiger garnered seven wins including the coveted FedEx Cup.

So hats off to Mexico's Lorena Ochoa whose quick and easy work made the rest of the field look like amateurs in her presence!

As for this week's Golf for Beginners podcast, Barry compared Ping G10 irons to Mizuno's MP-30 Forged irons at the driving range. Find out which golf clubs suited him "to a tee" and which of these two sets might improve your distance and feel!

Also, we offer a golf tip from Hank Haney straight out of Golf Digest Magazine. Find out how you can make your waggle work for you.

And Barry wonders if, after my "audience" with the Ryder Cup, it now has my named etched upon it?


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Mike Weir proves Tiger Woods is human and how to save your own round from going downhill

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Tiger Woods scrambled to keep pace in his Presidents Cup singles match against Mike Weir, that is a given. Not many can make a comeback as Woods did on Sunday, rebounding from a 3-hole deficit halfway through the match but Tiger confirmed one thing and that is, it can be done.

Although Woods conceded the final hole handing the win to Weir, he got his round back on track. As Weir acknowledged, "He didn't have his best day and I had my best day. That's the way you're going to beat the best player."

Granted we are not in the same league as either Tiger or Mike Weir so what can the amateur golfer do when floundering during a round? Golf for Beginners gives advice on how to avoid a meltdown in this week's podcast.

As for the "guffaws" made earlier in the week by the International Team about Phil Mickelson, they were silenced as Lefty easily proved his mettle in his singles match against Vijay Singh. Phil was looking to return the joke by wearing longer metal spikes. "I honestly couldn't find any in the locker room," Mickelson claimed. "I thought it would be funny."

This week's episode also offers ideas on how to play your best golf even when there is no time to practice before your round. A David Leadbetter recommendation for controlling distance is also featured.

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