Could Golf Be The Best Therapy!

“Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening - and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.”
Arnold Palmer


I have been blogging recently on everyday news and info. Today I am not going to bore you with that stuff, instead I will bore you with some personal insights on golf. I believe that golf could be the next Prozac or Zoloft.
I have been in a quandry all winter from personal and economic woes, and this past weekend I got a chance to play a full round in about two months. It sucks looking at your golf clubs all winter and not being able to use those fine instruments that you work hard to purchase. That can be brutally depressing by itself without lifes stresses. I just recently obtained a bunch of free rounds from my work as a "perk" or "benefit" if you will. This is such a great thing for me as it would be for anyone. Golf has gotten so expensive that it is hard to justify the cost. My stress level has been pretty high lately bordering on defcon 4. But no drugs, vacation, quiet time or ulcers for me. Golf my friends, golf, that is all I need. This past weekend was awesome and I played very well considering no rounds in two months. I dont know if any of you can understand where I am coming from when it comes to the peace I get from golf. I know peace when I have a golf club in my hand. There is no better drug than the smell of fresh cut grass, the first tee shot, the first putt for birdie or the chance to play with some old friends or new ones. I may be crazy, but golf will keep me sane. The game of golf is something that I respect and have since I was a kid playing in junior tournaments. As a kid even though I respected the game I also took it for granted sometimes. I am older now and I have learned to enjoy the game in many different ways. Golf is something different to everyone, but for me it is my escape and my time to forget about the stresses that life throws at you. The next time you feel stressed or a little blue pick up a golf club and let it take you away to the places it takes me. You never know where you may end up.

Bracket Update! My Sleeper Came Through!

I didn't get achance to talk about my astonishing pick this past week at the Match Play Championship. Tiger just came out of nowhere and took the title. Gosh it was close there for a while. Ok I will stop blowing sunshine and concede that it was an easy pick. What wasn't an easy pick was Justin Leonard as my sleeper. Justin made it all the way to the weekend and into the semi-finals. He has made huge strides in his game and is playing with a lot of confidence. I will be watching him closely for the rest of the year, a win may be in his future soon.

The Presidents Cup Has New Captains!

Finally!!!! Couples and Norman are set to be announced the new captains for the next Presidents Cup. The next cup will be played in San Francisco on Oct.8-11, 2009. This will probably be the most touted and exciting build up to a Presidents Cup that we have had. I am so excited to have my favorite player Fred Couples to be our captain. I can only hope that he gets a chance to be a Ryder Cup captain also. There is also a lot of talk about Greg Norman as a choice, because of the rift between Tim Finchem and Greg. There has been alot of things between them starting with the World Golf Tour fiasco that Greg wanted to start and Tim then took it and made the World Golf Championships or (Tiger Golf Championships). Greg thinks this was his idea and wasn't consulted at all on the concept. Who knows what all happened,but there is no love lost between the two. I still believe that Greg is a fantastic choice to go up against Freddie. Wow, I can't wait!

Scotty Cameron's New Putters!!

Titleist just released the new Studio Select line. They are milled from stainless steel and have weights in the heel and toe to be more forgiving on off center hits. They will come in 33,34,35 in. lengths and can be fully customized at Scotty's Custom Shop. The one thing that did not change is the price, the Select line will retail for $325 and be available in March. We all know that Scotty makes the best putters and he knows it. That is one reason they are so expensive, the next is that it could one day be a collectors item. I don't own one as of yet, but I am hoping one will be in my bag soon. The price is high, but you get what you pay for!

Bracket Update!

Tiger almost ruined every bracket that was filled out, but he pulled it out in the end. Phil barely squeaked out a win and looks a little shaky. Here is an update on my picks.

Tiger won....Harrington won.....Scott won......Verplank lost.....

My sleeper Leonard won and will now take the place of Verplank which keeps all the brackets alive.
See you tomorrow.

February Madness & Bracketology!

Golf's equivalant of March Madness is upon us starting tomorrow. The World Golf Championships Match Play event matches up the 64 best in the world. I believe match play is the best way to play golf. Stroke play gets a little boring after a while, but match play allows the players to use different methods, skills and mental strategies that stroke play doesn't allow. You know exactly who the opponent is and what you have to do on each shot. No leaderboard watching involved.
Now on to the matchups themselves. I think than in this event anyone can squeak through to play Tiger in the finals, Ha. No really anyone can win in match play and my picks are this.....
Jones.....Tiger Woods
Hogan.....Adam Scott
Player....Scott Verplank
Snead.....Padraig Harrington
Sleaper...Justin Leonard
Finals....Woods vs. Harrington
Winner....Woods

Why not Phil? Putter has left him and thats scary.

I may be wrong, but lets wait and see.

Boring.....Is It April Yet? The Masters Is Coming!

I dont know about anyone else but I haven't gotten into any tournaments this year. I can remember a time when I would sit in front of the t.v. and watch golf all weekend. There just isnt any exciting players out there like the old days. I miss the people I grew up watching and admiring. I miss Fred Couples, Greg Norman, Payne Stewart, and the early 90's in general. I get excited only from the majors and the larger tournaments. I want to see the best play and make it competitive. I want excitement and people that play for the love of the game and not for sponsors and the money. That is one reason I follow the mini-tours and aspiring pros and amateurs. They are playing this game for one reason only and that is to play a game they love and make it to the "show". I write about a few of those guys and gals and I admire them for having the drive and desire that we all want and that the "elite" players seem to have forgotten.
I am counting down the days until April 10 when we all dream of the drive down Magnolia Lane at Augusta National and the first sound of "FORE PLEASE" from the starter on Thursday.
56 days and counting!!!

Garcia Has A Brand New Bag!

Sergio Garcia got a new bag this week from his main sponsor Adidas. It is a good looking bag that has the 3 stripe logo on the side with his name in the colors of his native Spain. Adidas is trying to expand their brand on tour. Adidas purchased Taylor-Made in 1998 and the Taylor-Made logo has been more prevelant than the Adidas logo and they are trying to change it. Adidas unveiled a new Tour van that will travel to tournaments and a new Tour 360 limited shoe will be coming out this week. Look for Adidas to be everywhere soon. Check out the pictures and the links.

adidas Ascend Double Strap Stand Bag - New for 2008!

adidas Tour 360 II (Running White/Graphite/Slime) - New Color!

Tommy "Two Gloves" Has a New Sponsor

He signed a one-year cash sponsorship with AO Smith Water Heaters. Who, What? You see Gainey used to be employed by AO Smith in McBee, SC before he got his "Big Break" on the Golf Channels Big Break IV. This must be a thank you sponsorship from AO Smith, because who is going to buy water heaters from a logo on Tommy's shirt and bag. Maybe I am the fool here, but the last time I bought a water heater it was at Home Depot and was on sale. To this day I cant remember the brand name nor do I care.

Anyway, congrats goes out to Tommy and his success. He is talented and seems to have the drive and passion needed to excel in the professional ranks.

They Said What?

QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

“I smoked it. I thought it went farther than it did.”–
FBR Open champion J.B. Holmes, on his 359-yard tee shot on the first hole of the sudden-death playoff with Phil Mickelson.

“I have no idea what they pay Tiger Woods to come here, but he’s worth every dollar.”–
A Golf Channel announcer, after Tiger Woods sank his winning 25-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of the Dubai Desert Classic.

I would have to agree that Tiger is worth every dollar. What he does every tournament is amazing and everyone should have the chance to see him in person once in their life. JohnDaly has been dethroned as the longest hitter on tour. J.B. Holmes crushes it and makes it look effortless. Congrats to both of them.

The Super Bowl Is On!

If anyone wasn't aware the Super Bowl is on. Thought I would remind you just in case. I don't have a pick because I don't care for either team. So I will be watching for the 2.7 million dollar 30 second commercials. I'll give you my favorite tomorrow.

Congrats to Tiger and J.B. on winning in dramatic fashion. Tiger was no shock, but J.B. taking it from Phil in a playoff was impressive.

How rowdy will the 16th at the FBR be today?

It will go down as the craziest, wildest, most controversial and loudest golf hole in history. The 16th hole at the TPC Scottsdale home of the FBR Open is just what golf needs. I will be watching just like millions of others. Where else can you get a standing ovation for a great shot or putt and booed for not getting it close enough. Booing, Booing theres no booing in golf. Yes there is, at least for one week and on one hole. People ask why it is good for the game and I say its something different than the normal golf clap and tip of the hat. Golf needs a shot in the arm every now and then and this is a big shot. The players love it and it allows them to break away from the norm. How awesome would it be to walk into a stadium atmoshpere and have 30,000 people cheering for you? Golfers don't get that like other sports athletes and I think it makes this tournament one that everybody looks forward to every year. I will be watching LIVE@ on the pgatour.com website starting at 12:30. Come on and join me.

Hole-in-One anyone?

A 92 year old from Florida had a hole in one last month. A nice shot of 110 yards with a 5 iron. A modest gentleman that wanted to keep the story from his wife and that used to be a 7 handicap. Oh yea, there is one thing I forgot to tell you.........he is BLIND! Yes, blind. I have been lucky enough to have one and only one. It took forever with two great eyes and odds are against me getting another. I would like to congratulate Leo Fiyalko on his great achievement. Lets all hope we are even able to play at that age.