Thoughts and Non Thoughts

After three rounds at the US Open, Matthew Wolf leads at 5 under. Meanwhile Tiger Woods failed to make the cut. Is it the changing of the guards? A new king of the golf jungle? In golf one never knows. It’s going to be an exciting final round. Whatever happens, the winner is professional golf and competitive sports in general. After the success of the US Open (Tennis), the US Open (Golf) shows that the world can adapt and move forward.

This par 71 course is built along the Candaba swamp (a nature preserve) and water comes into play in almost all holes. And bunkers too, with Boracay-like sand! It's like being in the beach! The greens on the back nine are nice and fast (the original 9 holes), but the front nine greens are very slow. It's a nice course nonetheless, with views of Mt Arayat. Wish there were more trees as it can get really hot. White sand in the bunkers. Water, water everywhere. If you play it right, ie, "dartboard golf," you can manage this course. Scored 82.:)

"No crackling fire or chestnuts roasting, But we got some coconuts and rum for toasting Don't need a snowman we'll build castles in the sand I'm in a Christmas Paradise You and me underneath a beach umbrella, we don't need no mistletoe at all No need to hurry we don't have to worry there's no where else to be But the starry sky and the Christmas lights when the sun sets on the sea" - from Christmas Paradise by Carole King

There are many versions of the "Wimbledon Effect", but a simple one is about weekend tennis players playing better after watching Wimbledon on TV. I watched The Masters at Augusta on TV last night. Some observations: the players don't swing out of their boots -- they swing smooth and not jerky and it doesn't seem forced. I also noticed that their arms seemed relaxed and not stiff. So this morning I tried to swing like the pros. No need to go for that extra ten yards, swing smooth, go for accuracy. On chips, pitches and putts tried to keep arms relaxed and grip firm but not tight. The result -- I scored my best game from the blue tees on my home course so far. Definitely the Masters Effect. Hope it is not temporary, like the temporary bump in club membership applications after every Wimbledon.

This tip talks about the real meaning of "lag" and how to release the club. Always accelerate! Time the release for maximum clubhead speed at impact. (Remember the Korean swing coach.)

Go with the De La Torre method. It's what works best for you. Proven when trying different approaches in a round. Always the swing thought, specially the downswing with both arms, when playing well and striking irons solid.

Scored 39 on the back nine for a round of 84!

OK, maybe my game is really good enough for the 90's. To get to score in the 80's I need to go to the next level. For starters a longer drive, and more length overall. More work at the driving range. I need to keep building both my long and short games. In the meantime, the foundation needs to be a consistent iron game (including hybrids). Here are excerpts of really useful tips from David Leadbetter's "100% Golf." Approach Play - 170 yards and in, the strike zone. "Watch most tour players and you will find that they hit these shots with a compact, almost three-quarter action. They swing within themselves." "The irons are direction clubs, not distance clubs." "Keep your feet flat on the ground as much as possible.... That will give you a real sense of stability in the lower body providing the base for a good upper body turn and a controlled arm swing." "Look for the hands to swing to about 11 o'clock on the backswing through...

Ok, 94 isn't bad for my handicap. But I missed too many short putts, including a couple of birdie putts within six feet. And I don't know how I could miss that drive on the 9th hole. That game without those misses was good enough to break 90. More practice?

Great putt by McDowell on the 16th. Both teams played well, the US making a strong comeback on the last day. But the two-point lead was too much to overcome, and the Europeans held their nerves.

Going through a bit of a slump lately. Only broke 100 once in the last four outings. This after breaking 90 for the second time. Too many holes that blew in my face. Gotta turn it around. Or maybe just relax and enjoy the game...

Been gaming this wedge for about a month now. Nice balance and weight, the ZZ65 shaft is perfect for me. Has a nice spin that makes it versatile around the green. It looks very durable and can be used with confidence from the rough. Great too for approach shots up to 75 yards. This is definitely a keeper.

In this post about the Mizuno MP 57, my current gamers, I mentioned the soft feel of these irons vs the Taylormade Burners. Just as an experiment, I brought the Burner 6-iron to the course. On a par 3 teeshot, I hit the Mizuno 7-iron; then I hit another ball with the Burner 6-iron. I hit both solidly but I really felt the difference in feel. The Burner was hotter but harsher. I guess when one goes forged there's no going back.

Work by Dr. Jim Suttie et al has focused on the appropriate swing for your body type ("Your Perfect Swing"). Body types have been classified into ectomorphs (tall and thin), endomorph (short and round), and mesomorph (muscular and athletic). The theory is that one's body type dictates one's tendency to adopt a certain way of swinging a golf club. It also provides clues on what to watch out for and how to counter them for more consistency. I believe I am closest to an ectomorph, and the key swing thought is "width." These include (according to "Golf Rx" by Dr. Vijay Vad): - feel as if your arm reaches the top of the backswing at the same time as the body - don't bend your right elbow more than 90 degrees. The feeling I get is that it stops an overswing (on the backswing).

Ayala Greenfield Golf and Leisure Club. On the rare occasion that the water is still and you can see the mountain and sky reflected on it. Hole no. 14 as viewed from the teebox of hole no. 15. (taken with Nokia N95 8/14/10)

Hit the demo 7 iron at the range. Wow, this is one sweet feeling club! Feels just as soft as my Mizuno MP57. Only the Ping TFC graphite shaft (by Tour AD) was available and it felt surprisingly stable. Ping has a winner here. Photo courtesy of golf.com

Approach to Ayala Greenfield's par 5 Hole no. 2. Add caption

Finally broke 90 again! Thanks to Swingyde for the backswing and the dela Torre method for the downswing. Backswing with the wrist cock and body turn and downswing with the arms. No birdies, 5 pars, 10 bogeys and 3 double-bogeys.

Here's what works for me. 1. It starts with the grip. For the driver, I grip it in my palm and fingers (Hank Haney). I use a Vardon grip. I align the clubface exactly to the target with a slightly strong grip. 2. The rest of the set-up is standard. I stand farther from the ball than with my hybrids, the ball is positioned just inside the left heel, weight favoring the right leg, right shoulder lower than the left (reverse K). 3. Backswing starts with a low and slow takeaway. The sequence is takeaway, then begin cocking of the wrist halfway back then full shoulder turn (Leadbetter). I feel my weight on my right leg as I complete my shoulder turn. 4. Downswing starts with the weight shift, not with the shoulders. Smooth transition, no jerking. Swing the arms from the inside. Tempo is key for maximum clubhead speed at impact. 5. Keep the left wrist firm and left elbow straight (no chicken wing) at impact. 6. Release after impact by turning the right hand over the left, throwing the ar...

Just one stroke to break 90 again. Too bad -- that disaster in the 15th hole and the double bogey on the 18th... So close. Getting closer.