No.4 - Tiger Woods always exceeds expectations
Every time the odds seem stacked against Tiger Woods, he pulls through. We just shake our heads that he’s done it again. We expect him to win a tournament by five strokes; he wins it by 15. We expect him to birdie an easy hole; he eagles it. In the 2008 U.S. Open, with knee surgery just around the corner, we didn’t expect him to endure four rounds and a playoff round to win -- but he did. At the 2006 British Open, just his third tournament after the death of his father Earl, Woods shot -18 to win when we may have thought the emotions would have gotten the better of him.
No.3 - Tiger Woods has mental toughness
Woods’ father, Earl, once said his son will be the toughest golfer to play against because no one will be able to beat him mentally. In the sport that’s perhaps the most mentally demanding, no one is better. Remember Woods battling through knee and leg pain to beat Rocco Mediate in extra holes during the 2008 U.S. Open? He could have withdrawn, but instead grimaced his way to his 14th Major victory. Back in 2003, Woods was so sick during the fourth round of the Bay Hill Invitational that he threw up several times during his play -- and still won the tournament by 11 strokes.
No.2 - Tiger Woods isn't flashy
In an era when many young athletes use hefty signing bonuses for rims, grills and diamonds, it’s refreshing to see someone who doesn’t flaunt his wealth. Tiger Woods is the richest pro athlete in the world today (late in 2009 he became sport's first billion-dollar man), but you’d never know it. Sure, we hear stories about his 155-foot yacht (aptly named Privacy) and his $65 million spot in the Hamptons, but we don’t hear about these from him. We appreciate that the man who could buy just about anything he’d like doesn’t rub our noses in his riches.
No.1 - Tiger Woods always comes up big
As men, we all fantasize about delivering big on the biggest stages -- in the boardroom, on the sports field and in the bedroom. Now that we know Tiger comes up big on at least two of those stages, it's even more impressive that on the golf course, he never seems to get beaten when it matters most. Sure, he has his share of defeats, but on Sunday, when he’s clad in red and chasing down an opponent, you know that opponent’s finished. Likewise, when Woods is leading the pack, no one’s going to catch him. Sports history is full of choke artists; Woods will never be a part of that group.
No.1 - Tiger Woods always comes up big
As men, we all fantasize about delivering big on the biggest stages -- in the boardroom, on the sports field and in the bedroom. Now that we know Tiger comes up big on at least two of those stages, it's even more impressive that on the golf course, he never seems to get beaten when it matters most. Sure, he has his share of defeats, but on Sunday, when he’s clad in red and chasing down an opponent, you know that opponent’s finished. Likewise, when Woods is leading the pack, no one’s going to catch him. Sports history is full of choke artists; Woods will never be a part of that group.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Top 10: Reasons To Love Tiger Woods
No.9 - Tiger Woods is a hard worker
For all his talent, Tiger Woods’ work ethic is unsurpassed. The stories of his obsessive attention to detail and practice schedule are legendary. When we see Woods make a key shot on hole 18 on a Sunday, he’s already practiced that shot and visualized it more times than we’d like to think about. Woods is so private about his life that it’s tough to gauge just how much time he spends on the practice tees, but it’s believed to be thousands of shots a day -- especially during his formative years. Woods says his work ethic came about because he was always the youngest golfer at junior amateur events, and had to work harder than his opponents.
No.8 - Tiger Woods is in amazing shape
In most professional sports, having top-notch conditioning is a must. In golf, that’s not always the case. Player conditioning has improved in recent years, but every so often a player with a John Daly-like physique will succeed, making Tiger Woods’ desire to have a ripped body even more impressive. He could probably still win with a beer gut, but Woods is so dedicated to being the best ever that he’s in the best shape of anyone out there. Tons of pro golfers try to mask bellies and man boobs with baggy clothing. However, Woods’ Nike attire is tight enough to accentuate his pipes and pecks, but loose enough to avoid the all-spandex look.
No.7 - Tiger Woods is generous
When he’s not perfecting his craft or, um, sleeping around, Tiger Woods is a philanthropist, giving back to people throughout the United States. His foundation, which he and his late father launched more than a decade ago, is aimed at improving the lives of children in need. Development programs, grants, scholarships, and more have helped more than 10 million youth so far. The Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim offers courses on everything from math to golf to help students decide what to do with their lives.
No.6 - Tiger Woods is the best in his field
Whether you’re into cooking, architecture or golf, there’s something to be said about being the absolute best in your field. Woods hasn’t broken all of Jack Nicklaus’ records just yet, but once all the hype over his extramarital affairs and divorce dies down and he gets his head back in the game, there’s little doubt he will. From the time he first started to swing a golf club, Woods has obliterated records at every level and won virtually everything he’s competed in. He will go down as the greatest golfer of all time, and probably the 21st century’s most famous athlete.
No.5 - Tiger Woods has flaws
We love our heroes when they are imperfect -- think of the flaws of Batman and Spider-Man, and late last year, the world found out just how imperfect Tiger was. Even before that, though, every so often Woods would reveal that he's just like us on the golf course. When he makes a bad shot, he swears and throws his clubs. These times are few and far between, but on the rare occasion that Woods makes a blunder, he drops a bit of the “Robo-Tiger” exterior and shows that, just like us, he has flaws.
For all his talent, Tiger Woods’ work ethic is unsurpassed. The stories of his obsessive attention to detail and practice schedule are legendary. When we see Woods make a key shot on hole 18 on a Sunday, he’s already practiced that shot and visualized it more times than we’d like to think about. Woods is so private about his life that it’s tough to gauge just how much time he spends on the practice tees, but it’s believed to be thousands of shots a day -- especially during his formative years. Woods says his work ethic came about because he was always the youngest golfer at junior amateur events, and had to work harder than his opponents.
No.8 - Tiger Woods is in amazing shape
In most professional sports, having top-notch conditioning is a must. In golf, that’s not always the case. Player conditioning has improved in recent years, but every so often a player with a John Daly-like physique will succeed, making Tiger Woods’ desire to have a ripped body even more impressive. He could probably still win with a beer gut, but Woods is so dedicated to being the best ever that he’s in the best shape of anyone out there. Tons of pro golfers try to mask bellies and man boobs with baggy clothing. However, Woods’ Nike attire is tight enough to accentuate his pipes and pecks, but loose enough to avoid the all-spandex look.
No.7 - Tiger Woods is generous
When he’s not perfecting his craft or, um, sleeping around, Tiger Woods is a philanthropist, giving back to people throughout the United States. His foundation, which he and his late father launched more than a decade ago, is aimed at improving the lives of children in need. Development programs, grants, scholarships, and more have helped more than 10 million youth so far. The Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim offers courses on everything from math to golf to help students decide what to do with their lives.
No.6 - Tiger Woods is the best in his field
Whether you’re into cooking, architecture or golf, there’s something to be said about being the absolute best in your field. Woods hasn’t broken all of Jack Nicklaus’ records just yet, but once all the hype over his extramarital affairs and divorce dies down and he gets his head back in the game, there’s little doubt he will. From the time he first started to swing a golf club, Woods has obliterated records at every level and won virtually everything he’s competed in. He will go down as the greatest golfer of all time, and probably the 21st century’s most famous athlete.
No.5 - Tiger Woods has flaws
We love our heroes when they are imperfect -- think of the flaws of Batman and Spider-Man, and late last year, the world found out just how imperfect Tiger was. Even before that, though, every so often Woods would reveal that he's just like us on the golf course. When he makes a bad shot, he swears and throws his clubs. These times are few and far between, but on the rare occasion that Woods makes a blunder, he drops a bit of the “Robo-Tiger” exterior and shows that, just like us, he has flaws.
Since Tiger Woods broke onto the professional golf scene in 1996, he’s gained millions of fans for his impressive plays. At the same time, however, he’s also picked up a great deal of detractors along the way. Why? Well, up until the news of his widespread extramarital activities broke, it was hard to say. Sure, any married man cheating on his wife deserves our criticism, but there’s still little doubt that Woods will retire as the best golfer to ever play the game. Dislike what he's done off the course as much as you like, but if you're a fan of golf, or even just a fan of sport in general, there are still plenty of reasons to love Tiger Woods. Here are 10 of those reasons, while Dave Golokhov’s piece will examine the flip side: Top 10: Reasons To Hate Tiger Woods.
So, even if you're on that flip side (and we're guessing a lot of ladies might be), it's time to check out the top 10 reasons to love Tiger Woods (come on, you know you want to).
No.10 - Tiger Woods has natural talent
There’s no question that Tiger Woods was born with a knack for playing golf. It’s his natural talent, and it’s enjoyable to watch someone who’s naturally good at what he does. Woods is said to have started copying his father’s golf swing at just 6 months of age, and by 2 he appeared on The Mike Douglas Show to show off his swing. At 3 he shot a 48 over nine holes at a course in California; and by 5 Woods was featured in Golf Digest. Though Woods’ work ethic is a big factor in getting him where he is today, in the early years his natural talent helped elevate him to success and fame.
So, even if you're on that flip side (and we're guessing a lot of ladies might be), it's time to check out the top 10 reasons to love Tiger Woods (come on, you know you want to).
No.10 - Tiger Woods has natural talent
There’s no question that Tiger Woods was born with a knack for playing golf. It’s his natural talent, and it’s enjoyable to watch someone who’s naturally good at what he does. Woods is said to have started copying his father’s golf swing at just 6 months of age, and by 2 he appeared on The Mike Douglas Show to show off his swing. At 3 he shot a 48 over nine holes at a course in California; and by 5 Woods was featured in Golf Digest. Though Woods’ work ethic is a big factor in getting him where he is today, in the early years his natural talent helped elevate him to success and fame.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
6:30-8:30p
Dustin Johnson repeats at Pebble Beach
Everywhere he looked, Dustin Johnson couldn't beat the scenery at Pebble Beach.
Most of that was on the golf course. Some of it was in the record book.
In a three-way tie for the lead and facing his most important shot of the final round, Johnson belted a tee shot down the famous par-5 18th fairway that set up a simple birdie from the bunker Sunday and gave him a one-shot victory over David Duval and J.B. Holmes.
Only later did he realize the elite company he joined.
Johnson became only the sixth player (with an asterisk) to win back-to-back in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, most of whom are in the Hall of Fame - Sam Snead, Cary Middlecoff, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Mark O'Meara were the others. The asterisk is attached to Snead, who won tournaments shortened to 18 holes and 36 holes, neither considered official these days.
"That's not a bad list," Johnson said. "Anytime you're on a list with those guys, you're doing all right."
He closed with a 2-over 74, the highest final round by a Pebble champion since Johnny Miller shot 74 in 1994. That's nothing to brag about, although it was a tough day with splotches of mud on the ball and tough pins. Only seven players broke 70.
The last player to win Pebble Beach with a birdie on the 72nd hole from the final group? That would be Davis Love III in 2003.
Perhaps the most impressive of all?
Johnson became the first player since Tiger Woods to go straight from college and win in each of his first three years on the PGA Tour.
The question is how much better he can get.
"As long as I keep playing the way I'm playing, I don't think there's anything that I can't do," Johnson said. "It's all up to me. I've got to keep working hard and keep practicing hard, and good things will come."
His victory included $1,116,000, the largest check of his career. He moved up to No. 2 in the Ryder Cup standings, and would seem to be an important cog on the U.S. team with his extraordinary length.
Ultimately, it was that length that carried him to victory on a day that had more twists and turns that most people could have imagined.
Johnson started the final round tied for the lead with Paul Goydos and lost it three times - on a bogey on the opening hole, a double bogey on the ninth hole when he three-putted from 15 feet, and when Goydos made a birdie on the 13th hole.
He regained control when Goydos took three chips and three putts on and around the 14th green for a quadruple-bogey nine. He won the tournament with a birdie on the last hole, starting with his tee shot.
"All world," Goydos said of the drive.
Johnson is one of the few players who could get home in two on the 525-yard closing hole, which played into an ocean breeze with fairways that are soft and damp this time of the year.
That's assuming he hits it in the fairway, which Holmes failed to do ahead of him.
"It's one of the toughest tee balls on the whole course," Johnson said. "I had a good wind today, in and off the right, so it's a wind that I like and I'm comfortable with. So it was just hit a draw off the trees, because I knew if I just got it in the fairway, then I would have a good chance to get it on the green."
He hit 3-iron into the right bunker, a good place to miss. With the ball on the upslope, he popped it out to 3 feet and made the putt.
Johnson finished at 16-under 270.
Duval promised "big things" were coming after he opened with a 67 at Spyglass Hill, and he wasn't kidding. He closed with a 69, the first time since the Buick Challenge in 2001 that he shot every round in the 60s at a PGA Tour event.
He failed to make birdie on the 18th when his wedge landed short enough below the pin to catch a slope and roll 30 feet away.
"I feel like I did most of the things I wanted to do today," Duval said.
It was a promising week, more than the U.S. Open last week when he tied for second. Duval stayed in the game with big putts at Bethpage Black; this was more about controlling the ball, which he found more impressive.
Holmes also failed to birdie the 18th, missing a 12-foot birdie putt, just as he missed from about the same distance on the 17th.
"Would have liked it to end a little better for me, but I had a good week," Holmes said after a 71. "Had my chances."
And then there was Goydos, who suffered the biggest heartbreak. Mud on his ball after the tee shot on the 14th ultimately left him more club than he wanted into the green (7-iron). Trying to chip over a huge hump toward the flag, it went off the green. The next chip came back toward his feet. The next one barely stayed on the green well past the pin. Then came three putts.
"It wasn't like I didn't try on all nine shots," he said.
Johnson's victory last year was nothing like this. Johnson effectively won the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on a Saturday at Spyglass Hill, with hardly any spectators around. He was declared the winner two days later, while eating breakfast on a Monday morning, when rain cut short the tournament to 54 holes.
"Walking down that 18th hole with all the fans out there was just unbelievable, especially with the clear day," Johnson said. "It's one of the most beautiful holes in golf."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Simple Golf Swing System™
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The Simple Golf Swing System™
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How much better? With the Simple Golf Swing System- You'll hit the ball straighter and further than you ever hit before.
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- You'll gain a new outlook on golf with greater confidence in your game. Because you're armed with a proven system that actually works!
- You'll learn the Simple Golf Swing in just three hours.
- You'll lower your score by at least seven strokes within the first two rounds.
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- You'll drop at least 12 strokes off your handicap at the end of two weeks.
- You'll be a different golfer in a month. That old bogey plus golfer that was you will be totally transformed. Just imagine the look on the faces of your golfing buddies.
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In fact, it's been proven time and time again that
With the Simple Golf Swing System almost any golfer can break 80 regardless of physical ability.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Golf Breaks to St Andrews and Angus Golf Tour in Scotland
AT A GLANCE
Golf courses
Book a golf tour to St Andrews and Angus and you will have the opportunity to tee off at some of the most renowned golf courses in the world including those at St Andrews Links, Carnoustie Golf Links, Ladybank Golf Club and Scotscraig Golf Club.
More information on golf coursesAccommodation
There is a great selection of hotels for your golf tour that provide the perfect retreat after a long day on the golf course. These fantastic hotels include Macdonald Rusacks Hotel, Ogstons on North Street, The Inn at Lathones, Fairmont St Andrews, Old Course Hotel and the Hilton Dundee.
More information on accommodationDid you know?
The Old Course at St Andrews is set to host The Open in 2010 for the 28th occasion. Furthermore, the Old Course boasts the status of being Tiger Wood’s favourite golf course in the world.
Location
The traditionally Scottish region of Angus is situated on Scotland’s beautiful East Coast.
Maps and directions
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