I was reminded of this not-so-great moment in Mike Clayton's career. It is not great quality video but a great laugh all the same. Thankfully his course design career has had nothing that resembles this failure as yet.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Friday, 29 October 2010
On Monday we will have a new world #1
No matter what happens this weekend, Tiger Woods will not be the world's number one golfer on Monday. The position will be filled by either Martin Kaymer or Lee Westwood replacing Woods who has had 281 weeks in the top position.
Martin Kaymer needs to win or finish second in this weekend's European Tour event to take the world number one title. If not, Lee Westwood will assume the title despite missing the tournament through injury.
The world golf rankings are based on ranking points obtained over the previous two years and these two guys have accumulated more points than anyone else.
Related
King Kaymer at bunkergate
Related
King Kaymer at bunkergate
The Australian Summer of Golf begins
The brief but always entertaining Australian swing is almost upon us again kicking off with the Australian Masters in Melbourne in two weeks. Here is a quick look at the major tournaments on Australian golf calendar for the upcoming summer.
Victoria Golf Club, Melbourne, Vic
November 11 - 14, 2010 Buy tickets
The JBWere Masters was where Tiger Woods' life began to unravel last year but given his divorce settlement, it is not totally surprising he has taken the cash and gracing us with his presence again. Sergio Garcia has looked everywhere but Australia for his golf game and will try and find it in the Melbourne sandbelt. Camilo Villegas will be on the plane too after hearing good things from his brother last year.
The Lakes Golf Club, Sydney, NSW
December 2 - 5, 2010 Buy tickets
There is always drama at the Australian Open which rolls around a few weeks after in Sydney. Adam Scott's victory last year didn't spark his resurgence as we expected but he'll be back to defend his title. Greg Norman will be trying to win his sixth but look out for Fred Couples. The man with the cool shoes has won four times on the Champions Tour in 2010.
Hyatt Regency Coolum, Sunshine Coast, Qld
December 9 - 12, 2010 Buy tickets
Robert Allenby will be defending his title at the the PGA Championship in Coolum. This is one of the most relaxed tournaments in the world where not even John Daly could get worked up enough to throw a camera if he wanted to. Put your shades on as he'll be back as well as a whole host of other Aussies including Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott.
Commonwealth Golf Club, Melbourne, Vic
February 3 - 6, 2011 Buy tickets
Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Qld
February 10 - 13, 2011 Buy tickets
The big tournaments for the ladies start next year with the Australian Women's Open in Melbourne followed closely by the ANZ Ladies Masters on the Golf Coast. Fields for these events will be finalised as the tournaments draw nearer.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Cigar Guy t-shirt winners!
We had a great response to our competition to win a Cigar Guy t-shirt. We're pleased to announce Mark Allen and James Donkin have been drawn as winners by our specially designed random draw generator. Well be in touch to deliver your prize!
Thanks to everyone who entered and a special thanks our competition sponsors Tauntr. If you missed out, you can always purchase the Cigar Guy t-shirt at Tauntr.
Keep an eye on Aussie Golfer for more competitions coming soon!
Keep an eye on Aussie Golfer for more competitions coming soon!
Australian golfers fear 'social rounds' for handicapping
Golf Australia decided a year ago to overhaul the Australian golf handicapping system in favour of the USGA handicapping system, used in most golfing regions around the world including Europe, New Zealand, Canada and of course the USA.
The system is the most used golf handicapping system in the world and its introduction into Australian golf was seen as progressive but long overdue. The reasons for change were numerous but the previous system was not a good reflection on a golfers current game and was prone to some golfers protecting their handicap.
The USGA system was taken on and was to be rolled out in several stages over the next few years. It includes a change to the method of handicapping and a change to the way Australian golf courses are rated.
Any change to the game of golf will bring with it a form of conservative resentment but the first roll-out by Golf Australia which saw a change to the way handicaps were calculated was generally well accepted. Only now are some golfers understanding the system; appreciating its transparency and fairness to all golfers.
However the most recent roll-out has not gone so smoothly. Golf Australia were to implement (among other things) a change which would mean that 'social rounds' could be considered for handicapping purposes, not just club competition rounds of golf. In the words of a memo issued by Golf Australia, the response was "overwhelmingly negative" and they decided, for the moment, to pull the pin on the new changes and reassess their options.
This about-face is a huge disappointment and a big setback for Australian golf. I fear it has been rejected by a vocal minority and possibly because of a misuse or misunderstanding of what Golf Australia are calling a 'social round'.
The roll-out would have seen a system where a golfer could sign-in to play a round (outside of a designated competition) before teeing off. A fellow golfer (with an official handicap) must also play in order to mark the golfer's card and is submitted at the end of the round.
A few golfers including club professionals claimed the new system would encourage more cheating. As far as club professionals are concerned, they may see a potential loss of income from club competitions and a fear of more doing more work. Both arguments are utterly ridiculous and based on their misinterpretation of a 'social round'.
'Social rounds' are thought of as rounds of golf which can include kicking your ball, granting long 'gimmes' and a blatant disregard of the rules of golf. But once a golfer signs in for a handicapped round, it would no longer be deemed a 'social round' but should more appropriately be termed a 'formal round'.
I fail to see how this form of golf will lead to more cheating which is, in effect the same as playing in a competition. The small, but significant number of gutter golfers who cheat would surely have more incentive to win club competitions than get a better handicap.
Australian golfers would still play 'social rounds' and they could also play 'competition rounds', but they would also be able to play 'formal rounds'. This would see a golfer's handicap more closely reflect their game without being forced to play club competitions during designated tee times.
I sincerely hope Golf Australia can adjust their terminology, try again and convince the conservatives that 'formal rounds' must be implemented. The worst part of all this is that much of the golfing world is laughing at this farce, including the Kiwis.
More on this...
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
New online search for Australian golf courses
A new Australian golf course search engine has appeared online in the form of BestGreens which all Australian golfers should be aware of.
The site has a database of over 1500 Australian golf courses. Simply type in a location or the name of a golf club and BestGreens will serve up the course you're looking for or alternative golf course options. It also lists information on each course including course length, green fee guide and contact information.
In future, I'm told BestGreens is aiming to have much more information on each course including tee time bookings and promotions. It is simple and quick to use, and with more features planned, it is a golf resource to keep in mind.
Monday, 25 October 2010
Video: A hole-in-one to win a playoff!
Jonathan Byrd has just beaten Australian Cameron Percy and Scot Martin Laird to win the JT Shriners Hospitals Open with a hole-in-one on the fourth playoff hole! See video below.
In near darkness, the three golfers had just agreed to play one more hole and see if they could break the dead lock. Byrd did so in the most dramatic way to win a golf tournament. It was heartbreaking stuff for Percy who has struggled in his debut year on the PGA Tour/ the win would have assured him a a PGA Tour card next year.
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Timberlake loves golf so much, he bought a golf course
Who said money can't buy happiness? Or a golf course. Or a low handicap for that matter.
Here's a short, slightly cheesy, report on Justin Timberlake's love for golf. He has bought a golf course and runs a PGA Tour tournament. That's how much he loves it.
Friday, 22 October 2010
Through the Green - engagements, DQs and loose cannons
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| Richard Green. Getty Images |
Richard Green came from seven shots behind the leader to win the Portugal Masters on the European Tour netting himself €500,000. Former Nationwide Tour player Kim Felton won the China Classic on the Asian Tour, his biggest win of his career.
It has been a great three weeks for Australian golfers. Previously Steven Bowditch and Scott Gardiner won on the Nationwide Tour; and Katherine Hull won on the US LPGA Tour.
This guy really doesn't know... I'm going to stop. Roy and HG said it best this week on their Triple M show, The Life. Listen here:
Adam Blythe disqualified himself for signing an incorrect scorecard on the weekend. He only realised the day after the final round.
The only problem I have with all this is the way it was reported: "Australia's Adam Blyth has shown what the game of golf is all about when he disqualified himself...". We should stop holding golfers who play by the rules up in lights. It is the rules. It is expected. Only cheats should be named.
A Las Vegas newspaper has called Anthony Kim a loose cannon after he was mouthing off at the craps table this week. He's getting plenty of support for his behaviour in American golf circles but one wonders what the reaction might be if Sergio was involved. Or Robert Allenby for that matter.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Can I practice my putting during a round?
Yes, you can practice the putt. It is a golfing myth that seems to come up all too often, so let's get it right.
In any form of competition, matchplay, stableford and even stroke play you are allowed to practice your putting and chipping on or around the green you previously played. The rules of golf deal with this in Rule 7-2;
In any form of competition, matchplay, stableford and even stroke play you are allowed to practice your putting and chipping on or around the green you previously played. The rules of golf deal with this in Rule 7-2;
7-2. During RoundA player must not make a practice stroke during play of a hole. Between the play of two holes, a player must not make a practice stroke, except that he may practice putting or chipping on or near:a. the putting green of the hole last played,b. any practice putting green, orc. the teeing ground of the next hole to be played in the round,provided a practice stroke is not made from a hazard and does not unduly delay play (Rule 6-7).Strokes made in continuing the play of a hole, the result of which has been decided, are not practice strokes.
So in fact you can also practice your putting and chipping on the next tee too.
It is only against the rules when certain golfing bodies disallow it. The PGA Tour for example, disallows putting and chipping practice around the previous green to speed up play and ensure players aren't practising to the next day's hole positions. The recent Ryder Cup permitted players to only continue playing out the hole - even if the hole was already decided.
Win a Cigar Guy t-shirt!
Thanks to the good folk at Tauntr, we are giving away two Cigar Guy t-shirts!
How to enter: Everyone who signs up to receive Aussie Golfer email updates (see sidebar) between now and next Wednesday (27th Oct, 5pm AEST) will go into the draw to win a Cigar Guy t-shirt.
Already a subscriber? Don't worry. By emailing Aussie Golfer with "I want a Cigar Guy t-shirt!" you will also get an entry to the 'current subscriber' draw.
Winners will be drawn randomly and will be announced here at Aussie Golfer on Thursday, October 28, 2010.
If you're thinking "Who is Cigar Guy?; he's the guy who appeared in the now famous photo of Tiger Woods hitting a golf ball into the lens of a cameraman. It turned out he's a quietly spoken guy from South London but he's gone on to become a viral internet phenomenon.
Winners will be drawn randomly and will be announced here at Aussie Golfer on Thursday, October 28, 2010.
If you're thinking "Who is Cigar Guy?; he's the guy who appeared in the now famous photo of Tiger Woods hitting a golf ball into the lens of a cameraman. It turned out he's a quietly spoken guy from South London but he's gone on to become a viral internet phenomenon.
Related Posts
Who is Cigar Guy?
The greatest golf photo of the year + Cigar Guy
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Golf Tip Video: Chipping
Here is another video golf tip from Ossie Moore and The Golf Show. I personally worry a little bit about using too much wrist in chip shots if you haven't played much golf for a while. But if you've been playing or practising regularly use this, it will help a lot.
Monday, 18 October 2010
Dedicated Golf GPS device or just use your phone?
by Malcolm Schulstad
A few months ago I came across an article in the July edition of the Australian Golf Digest comparing dedicated Golf GPS devices to programs you can get on your mobile phone. In a nut shell, the article effectively states that a Golf GPS program on a mobile phone is "not designed to offer the precision that golf requires." It's a statement I disagree with.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
The Mickelson backflip
Today's trick shot video comes courtesy of a young Phil Mickelson. Try it on the weekend!
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Ricky Ponting talks golf
Golf Vacations Magazine have been kind enough to share with Aussie Golfer an article from their most recent edition where they chat to Ricky Ponting about golf and a bit about the upcoming Ashes Series.
If you don't already know, Punter is a mad keen golfer who plays off a handicap of one and recently attended his first US Masters. Check out the article by clicking the image below.
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Aussies win on LPGA and Nationwide Tours
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| Katherine Hull. Getty Images |
LPGA Tour
Katherine Hull has come from three shots back to win the Navistar LPGA Classic, her second victory on the LPGA Tour. A couple of years ago, Hull looked like dominating the Tour and appeared set to be Australia's best golfer. While still playing good golf, she never quite caught fire they way everyone expected.
Monday, 11 October 2010
Who is Cigar Guy?
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| The original photograph by The Mail on Sunday's Mark Pain |
Last week we showed the greatest golf photo of the year taken at the Ryder Cup and mentioned the phenomenon of the 'Cigar Guy' that swept the internet soon after.
You see, 'Cigar Guy' was standing in the background of the photograph and became more famous than the photo itself. Soon, he was added to many more famous photos which you can see examples of below.
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Freddy's golf shoes now in Australia
Aussie Golfer we write about things we like and think you will too. From the very first day we saw these golf shoes, we liked them. They are the ECCO Golf Street Premier shoes that Fred Couples has been wearing.
The shoes are finally available in Australia and can be purchased at different shoe and golf stores around the country, RRP $219.95. Let me know if anyone can find good deals on them. I'll add the information here.
Without trying them on it is hard to comment on comfort but they do look great. They have a set of "traction bars" on the sole which will be fine for dry weather golf but you might need your spiked golf shoes if it gets wet. But who plays golf in the rain these days anyway?
At Aussie Golfer we like any golf gear that jumps out from the traditional, conservative golf style. These shoes, which look more like street shoes than golf shoes certainly do that. It will have a few snobby members at your golf course questioning if they are golf shoes at all.
I'd love to hear from anyone that has tried them out.
Related posts
The street shoes of Fred Couples
The search for the most comfortable golf shoe
Couples joins Woods, Garcia, Daly in Australia
Related posts
The street shoes of Fred Couples
The search for the most comfortable golf shoe
Couples joins Woods, Garcia, Daly in Australia
·
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Competition winners announced!
Aussie Golfer would like to congratulate Daniel Cas and Sean Williams for winning the competition for a free round of competition golf in the GolfLink "Race To..." Series.
Daniel will be competing in the Sydney qualifying event at Ryde/Parramatte Golf Club and Sean will be playing at Settlers Run Golf Club in Melbourne. Please get in touch with Aussie Golfer to claim your prize.
Thanks to everyone who took part and to GolfLink for their sponsorship. There will be more Aussie Golfer competitions for everyone to enter over the coming weeks!
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Ladies - this man is playing in Australia this year
This is Camilo Villegas. He is a Colombian golf superstar who plays on the PGA Tour and he's just appeared naked for ESPN the Magazine's Body Issue.
He sometimes goes by the nickname 'SpiderMan' because of the way he stretches out to read the line of a putt and is a fitness freak. The Body Issue of the ESPN Magazine has him appear nude in his 'SpiderMan' position and it actually looks a little weird (besides the fact he has no clothes on). His head seems to have been pasted on.
Anyway, you can check him out for yourself at the JBWere Australian Masters in Melbourne this year. His brother Manuel played in the event last year.
Related posts
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Hurry! Competition closing!
Hurry! Tell your friends!
Entries close this Friday to win a round of competition golf. Two lucky readers will win a spot in the GolfLink "Race To..." series in Sydney and Melbourne
The prize gives you a place in the field in either the Sydney or Melbourne event, 18 holes of tournament golf, a 2 for 1 voucher to play either Cypress Lakes or Rich River, and a food and beverage voucher. More details can be found at the "Race To..." series website.
Entries close this Friday to win a round of competition golf. Two lucky readers will win a spot in the GolfLink "Race To..." series in Sydney and Melbourne
The prize gives you a place in the field in either the Sydney or Melbourne event, 18 holes of tournament golf, a 2 for 1 voucher to play either Cypress Lakes or Rich River, and a food and beverage voucher. More details can be found at the "Race To..." series website.
How to enter - Answer this question...
Which race series would you like to take part in, Sydney or Melbourne?
Simply email Aussie Golfer OR add your name and answer to the comments section below this post.
Simply email Aussie Golfer OR add your name and answer to the comments section below this post.
A winner will be chosen at random for each event and announced here at Aussie Golfer on Saturday October 9, 2010. (Entries close Friday October 8, 2010, 5pm AEST.)
Get your entry in quick!
SydneyDate:
Monday 18 October 2010
Region:
NSW - Sydney
Ryder Cup wrap
The 2010 Ryder Cup was one of the best golf tournaments I've ever had the pleasure of watching. It was spoilt only by the Welsh weather and the programming of OneHD who did not play the final round live.
The Europeans prevailed beating the USA 14.5 to 13.5 with Graeme McDowell winning the final match to bring the Euro's home.
Matchplay
Simply the best golf format to watch...and play.
The weather and Wales
Staging the Ryder Cup in Wales, in October is not the greatest option despite the course being well prepared for rain. At first it just looks like poor organisation but the October start was forced on them due to the FedEx Cup now running into late September, which is run by the PGA Tour. They do not control the Ryder Cup had no vested interest in its success.
Rules infringements
Rickie Fowler is a little guy but can play golf. He ran into trouble with the rules during his Saturday foursomes round with Jim Furyk. Furyk hit his tee shot which was plugged in the fairway. Rather than picking that ball out and dropping it, he pulled a ball from his pocket and dropped that. effectively swapping golf balls in the middle of a hole. Two shot penalty in strokeplay. Loss of hole in matchplay.
OneHD and the Australian TV coverage
For three days, OneHD did its job perfectly. Australia had great viewing times with commentary from the UK (much better than Johnny Miller and the US commentary) but when the event ran over to Monday, things got bad. The Commonwealth Games took precedence even though Ten were playing the same thing. Only after midnight was the Ryder Cup broadcast on a three hour delay. Disgraceful.
The tweets of Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter
These two snuck in tweets all week. I'm not sure which insights I found more interesting, the shots of Padraig Harrington and Miguel Jiminez sleeping in the locker room or a shot of Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods cleaning up on the ping pong table (see pics).
Monday, 4 October 2010
The greatest golf photo of the year
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| Photo: Mail on Sunday, Mark Pain |
Keep up to date with the latest from Aussie Golfer by subscribing to free email updates!
On Saturday, Tiger Woods played an embarrassing golf shot. Faced with a tough chip shot on a side-hill, muddy lie - he fluffed it.
He took a chunk of dirt the size of Gondwana from behind the ball. It squirted a few metres to the right and straight into the lens of Mail on Sunday's photographer, Mark Pain. Just after he had taken this photograph.
The ball landed at his feet and neither Woods or caddie Steve Williams could say anything about his position - it was just a terrible shot.
It is an incredible photograph, not least for the guy with the fake moustache and cigar on the right! At least I hope its fake.
Here's an update on this photograph that's doing the rounds on the internet and a link to more images with him in. He's fast becoming an internet phenomenon. AG's own lame version is the bottom one.
Found! Cigar Guy lives with his mum in South London!
Here's an update on this photograph that's doing the rounds on the internet and a link to more images with him in. He's fast becoming an internet phenomenon. AG's own lame version is the bottom one.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Annika says Tiger made excuses when she beat him
Remember Tiger Woods the golfer? Annika Sorenstam does, and she talks about the competitive days playing with him in the video below. It is a refreshing change to hear someone talking just about Tiger as a golfer. Even if he did make excuses the day she beat him.
Sorenstam talks about the day she shot a 59 in ther second video that is also worth watching. Fascinating hearing what she has to say about being 'in the zone'.
H/T Devil Ball Golf
Friday, 1 October 2010
Golf Australia suspends changes to handicapping
Golf Australia has announced that it will suspend all implementation of the current roll out of changes to the new handicapping system. In light of negative feedback to the latest changes (social rounds used for handicapping, changes to fourball handicapping);
"...the Board has now decided to suspend the implementation of the Second Package of Changes to the Australian Handicap System for an indefinite period.
This period of time will allow GA to: Complete our discussions with the USGA and analyse the outcome of these discussions. In response to the queries and requests from Clubs, provide further detail on the USGA Handicap System. Once the desired detail has been provided and our discussions with the USGA have concluded, we will survey all Australian Clubs and State Associations in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of views regarding the US System."
This does NOT mean the changes to the handicapping system (best 10 of 20 rounds) will be rolled back.
I'm pretty disappointed by this. I assume the negative feedback related to the option to include social rounds - despite the round must be officially scored by another golfer and pre-designated for handicapping prior to beginning the round.
I've heard from some pro shop staff that they don't like the idea because it will require more work. I've also heard golfers say it will lead to an increase of cheating. The first argument is just a fear of work, the second is an unfounded fear. I fail to see how cheating will increase. The situation on course will be no different to a regular competition round.
Bummer. I was looking forward to playing against my handicap in the upcoming warm summer evenings like you can in most other golfing countries.
Another competition: Play with a Pro!
A new Australian golf course search engine on the horizon and to launch the website a great competition is underway to play golf with PGA Tour Professional, Paul Gow.
By visiting www.playthepro.com.au and entering you go into the draw to play with Paul Gow at St.Michael's Golf Course in Sydney on Monday 6th December 2010. The winner will receive $5,000 and you can take a mate along! All travel and accommodation will be covered.
Don't forget to enter the Aussie Golfer competition for a spot in the GolfLink "Race to..." series!
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