Thoughts and Non Thoughts

So far the putting thought that works for me is rock and roll. Basically it is to keep the knees and the head steady while rocking the shoulders. Right shoulder up on the "backswing" and left shoulder up on the "through" swing. Rock your shoulders -- then listen to the ball roll into the cup. Rock and roll.

I feel sad that Tom Watson lost in The Open. He embodied the hope of eternal youth. That age didn't matter, that one can win golf majors at 59. His win would have given us all a belief in our unfading powers. It almost happened, and for more than one moment it was in the realm of the probable. And for that I thank Tom Watson. Because he dared to prove what we all want to believe in. One day, someone will do it. Because Tom Watson showed that it could be done.

Scored a round of 93 today. It was quite windy, like playing on a links course. Driving was on -- 300 yards on the 18th hole, helped by the wind and a cart path bounce. :-) Now if I can only nail those 6 footer birdie putts....

And Tom Watson, 59, is in the lead. Go Tom!

There is a restaurant in Gerona, Tarlac, called Isdaan. You eat on one of these floating rafts. Double-fried pla-pla and inihaw na hito -- yummy! A more interesting feature is the Tacsiyapo Wall, where you can throw glasses, plates, vases -- anything -- while shouting "Tacsiyapo!" to vent your anger. There's a pile of broken glass and ceramics that speaks for itself. As the wall says, it's an effective way to release your anger. Tacsiyapo is a local cuss word, so no need to add your own. Angry at anyone or anything? Tacsiyapo!

Too bad for Andy Roddick. He deserved to win the Wimbledon Championship as much as Federer. After a record-breaking (and heartbreaking for Roddick) 30 games in the 5th set, Federer prevailed in the late summer evening sun. The championship was Roddick's had he converted his 6-2 lead in the 2nd set tie-breaker. A 2-0 set lead would have been too hard to overcome, specially with the way Roddick was serving all night. Somehow Federer stole the set, and the match turned into a battle of stamina and consistency in the homestretch. Federer deserves the win after holding Roddick at bay the whole night, and his service game served him well. With the win, he sets a new record for most Grand Slam championships. He is ranked number 1 now, but the shadow of Rafael Nadal looms large and long as the shadows on Center Court. He has the numbers, but he may have to beat Nadal on the same court if he is to erase any lingering doubt that he is the better, if not the best, player today. The greatest o...

If you are a high or medium handicapper, this is probably the best book on the golf swing you can get. What I like about it is that it goes back to basics -- no, essentials. For instance, there is a very definitive discussion on the grip. But it goes beyond the basic fundamentals for beginners. It is unequivocal about what is an essential golf swing element. For instance, the end of the takeaway position is an essential (parallel to the ground and the target line). It is more than a breakdown of the swing into intermediate positions; on the contrary, it simplifies staying on plane by indicating two important drills for the backswing and the release. His descriptions of the "feel" is also spot-on, such as the wrist cock (he doesn't call it that but describes how to do it) at the start of the takeaway. It is not a collection of tips. Haney distinguishes his approach from the "instant fix" mode of instruction. He refers to Hogan...