Orlando Golf Blogger

I was flipping through the latest issue of Golf magazine, which, for some reason, I’ve been receiving for the past 3 months and which I never signed up for…. err..  of which I’m a satified paying customer of…

Anyway, I was flipping through Golf magazine and I came across their list of the Top 100 Teachers in the US and I was quite shocked to see so many of these instructors are in Orlando and the surrounding area.

So, for your viewing pleasure, brought to by none other than the Orlando Golf Blogger, the list, of Orlando’s Top 7 Active Golf Teachers.

1. Mike Bender - Lake Mary - Timacuan
2. Brad Brewer - Orlando - Shingle Creek
3. Fred Griffin - Orlando - Grand Cypress
4. Bill Madonna - Orlando - Hawk’s Landing
5. Rick McCord - Kissimmee - Orange Lake
6. Patti McGowan - Orlando - Lake Nona
7. Brian Mogg - Windermere - The Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Point

But wait, there’s more! Here’s the list of the Top 3 Emeritus Golf Teachers in Orlando.

1. David Leadbetter - Champions Gate
2. Phil Ritson - Winter Garden
3. Craig Shankland - Daytona

And for those who were wondering, Emeritus means retired but retaining an honorary title corresponding to that held immediately before retirement.

If you happen to give them a call, tell em the Orlando Golf Blogger sent ya!  I’m not really sure what good it’ll do, but hey, never hurts

-Dave

Soo…  In an attempt to reduce the size of my midsection, I’ve signed up for Yoga classes at a local ‘hot’ Yoga school.  It’s called Bikram Yoga College of Orlando.  They conduct classes in a room that’s at a constant temperature of 90 degrees (I believe), they pack you in there like sardines and you get to enjoy not only your sweat, but the sweat of those flanking you on all sides.

I did a trial class and the guy next to me, who resembled a large werewolf during a full moon, would fling his arms wide and shower me in his body’s attempt to cool itself…

But after the class, I felt great and was full of energy.  I plan on doing three classes a week and will be monitoring my progress.

I started pondering what impact Yoga might have on my golf game, figuring that a given was increased flexibility, which, would allow for deeper swings and result in more distance from strikes.  After doing some research, it turns out that, although continued practice of Yoga over time may increase a  person’s flexibility, it is not true in all cases and should not be assumed.  Yoga was not created for that purpose.

There are benefits derived from Yoga that can help your game and it’s because the two activities are similar to one another.  In both Yoga and Golf, you must train your body and mind to focus on many independent yet related motions and combine them into one seamless movement.

For example, a Yoga pose may require you to stand on your toes, while bending this knee this way, and keeping that leg straight and locked while also extending this hand out in front of you and that hand over your head, while also, keeping your back straight and looking to the rear.  Oh, don’t forget to breath only through your nose and ofcourse, keep your balance.

Sound vaguely familiar??

All this helps develop solid muscle control and stabilization of the lower body.

The other big part of Yoga is meditation and focus.  Whenever you’re performing Yoga, you are supposed to clear your mind, focusing only on the postures and those independent motions that make up the postures.

I think this is probably the most valuable benefit to your game.  You ever hear the expression, that golf is a game of inches, the inches between your ears?  As you know, this is the seemingly simple yet most difficult aspect of any players game.  For a person like me, who’s mind races at a hundred miles a minute, my mental game can and has ruined a round.

Improving my focus would have a huge impact on my game and I’m assuming others as well.

Doing some research on Golf & Yoga, I’ve learned that the pairing of the two is nothing new, I’m just a late bloomer…

There’s a lady named Katherine Roberts who’s been featured all over the professional golf community, has created a business around Yoga for Golf.

Thanks for reading and I’ll keep you posted on my progress!

-Dave
Soon to be the Orlando Yoga Golf Blogger…… as if the name wasn’t long enough..

Figured I’d pass this on, sounds like it’s going to be a good tournament.  I won’t be able to make it, being a father, sometimes you have to sacrifice golf for such wonderful things as a toddlers birthday party..

This is a part of the Golfnow.com’s Fall Tournament Series.  It’s a two part even that began at Timacuan, this is the second one.  I intended on posting up both, but as things sometimes occur, technical difficulties prevented such a thing…

Harmony Golf Preserve, Saturday, November 15th. 12:00 PM Shotgun start - $48.15

When the town of Harmony’s stewards approached celebrated golf course designer, TV personality and 1973 U.S. Open Champion Johnny Miller, their goal was to create a gem of a course while preserving their original treasure – 11,000 acres of broad meadows, towering stands of southern pines and two shimmering 500-acre natural lakes.

By wrapping the course around existing wetlands, Miller created a stunning combination of art and nature. Incredibly, no homes will be built that front the golf course.

The ancient land where Harmony Golf Preserve lies is home to tremendously diverse plant and animal life, including fawns and adult deer, otters, sandhill cranes, bobcats, foxes, ospreys and owls, as well as hundreds of types of plants, including at least one kind of rare orchid.

Harmony Golf Preserve won’t spare amenities, however. Guests can take advantage of a complete practice facility, featuring a driving range, putting green and chipping area, while a magnificent 18,000-square-foot clubhouse offers a professional shop, men’s and ladies’ locker rooms, Harmony Town Tavern, Greenside’s Restaurant and a banquet facility. A professional staff caters to guests, upholding Harmony’s standards of quality.
Where: Harmony Golf Preserve - 7251 Five Oaks Dr., Harmony, FL

When: Saturday, November 15th, 2008. 12:00 PM Shotgun start

Cost: $48.15 includes cart, range balls, hors d’oeuvres and chance to win prizes for top 3 team scores, Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive. Trophies for top scoring team. Cash bar reception following tournament.

Format: Two person scramble, singles are encouraged to play – we will pair you up. Non-handicapped event.

Prizes: Overall Champion for Timacuan and Harmony – Free golf for a year per team member
Champion flight – Trophy, Golfnow prize pack and foursome per team member
2nd flight – Golfnow prize pack and free foursome per team member
3rd flight – Golfnow prize pack and free foursome per team member
Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive – Golfnow.com prize pack

This series begins on November 2nd at Timacuan Golf & Country Club. 12:30 Shotgun start. Play either date or both. Team with the best cumulative score of both tournaments will receive one year of free golf.

“World golf is sorely missing Tiger Woods and the sooner he is back the better,” says Phil Mickelson.

“The reason why we all want Tiger back is because he drives the game of golf.”

“He drives television ratings, the sponsors need him in their events and the fans turn out to see him, so we need him back as soon as possible.”

“We’re very lucky in the sport of golf to have the number one athlete in the world.”

“I never thought that would happen when I first came on tour, when we had some of the greatest players in history, whether it was Ben Hogan or Jack Nicklaus, nobody ever reached the status of the number one premier athlete in the world, and it’s in golf.

It’s pretty amazing when you think about just how much this “One” man has done for the game.

Mickelson: Golf desperately needs Tiger to return

Dave

First of all, I’d like to apoligize for the site going down for a couple weeks.  The server I’m hosting on crashed two weeks ago and it took them forever to repair it!  Guess you get what you pay for eh?  Well, they’ve since upgraded their hardware so these issues should be resolved!

On with the show!

Here’s the link.

Aces wild: Golfer reportedly cards five in one week

A 22 yr old amateur golfer named Curt Hocker recorded five holes-in-one last week, including two on Saturday..

There has been 15 different people who have witnessed his various aces.

When asked about the incredible streak, he commented “I’m just glad my club membership comes with hole-in-one insurance.”

This insurance means that the golf club, not himself, has to honor the golf tradition of buying everyone in the clubhouse a drink after an ace is made…

So far this year, he’s sank seven aces, five on par-4’s and two other double eagles..

I tell ya, some guys have all the luck.  I’ve yet to sink an ace, i’ve gotten close a few times….  I’m going for delayed gratification, I mean come on, if I were to get one now, it wouldn’t be nearly as great as getting one twenty years from now… Right?

Thanks for reading and sorry again for the downtime!

Dave

Tee it up with Tiger

Guess they had multiple contests running at the same time.  This one was in California and Anthony Kim made a guest appearance.

One of the contest winners asked Tiger how the knee was, he replied “great!”  Hmm…  Would you consider that question inappropriate to ask?  It certainly felt like an uncomfortable moment..

I’m sure the knee is not great, or he’d be back on the course…  Having Kim show up at the tee it up with Tiger event made me wonder if they’re planning on Tiger passing the torch to him.. Is that even possible?  Don’t get me wrong, I think he had a great year, especially his contributions to the Ryder Cup, but Kim the next Tiger?  Possible, but doubtful..

-Dave

<knocks the rust off> ahh, feels like forever since I’ve last posted! Sorry for my absence, other worldly things captured me and performed strange tests…

Thanks to those who emailed, makes a lowly golfer feel appreciated!

So check out the link.

I loved this video!  A 52 year old gent named John Abel won the Buick Challenge 2008 “Tee-off with Tiger” and played a free round at Torrey Pines with none other than Tiger as his caddy.

One of Tigers last comments, I found amusing, was that he and John spent the day conversating…

I wasn’t sure and after some lengthy research, I found that “Conversating” is not grammatically correct, nor is it even in the dictionary…  Well, it IS in the urban dictionary, but don’t think thats accredited.

Granted, I’m in no position to correct anyone’s grammar and Tiger makes enough money to have any word he wanted added to the dictionary, I just found it strange to hear him use it during an interview.

-Dave

A local golf pro/instructor/blogger, etc… Brendon Elliot asked me to spread the word on this!  Take a look and support a good cause!  Also check out the little linksters link on the bottom of the post.  It looks pretty cool and I might be signing Orlando Golf Blogger Jr. up for it

“The Children’s Miracle Network® Golf Classic presented by Wal-Mart® at the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort tees off at Disney’s Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses November 6-9, 2008.

For more info click here

Support Brendon Elliott Golf and the development of our “Little Linksters” Junior Program by purchasing a Good Any One Day ticket. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to Brendon Elliott Golf and the development of our “Little Linksters” Junior Program and local Children’s Miracle Network® hospitals including Arnold and Winnie Palmer Hospitals for Children in Orlando and Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville.

Good Any One Day tickets are $20 each and kids 17 and under get in free with a paid adult. New for 2008, complimentary parking is available.

To purchase tickets, call us at 386-532-9639 or visit us at www.BrendonElliottGolf.com

- Dave

During the third round of the Tour Championship, Anthony Kim hits an errant drive off the 9th tee and domes a spectator.  Ouch…  The video is below, notice how the ball makes contact with the victim’s head and bounces upwards in a high arch.  The reciepent, a 48 yr old man named David Whitfield was reported to have a “crater-like abrasion” on his forehead above his right eye.  Wouldn’t it be more accurate to describe it as a “crater-like dent?”  AK offered this man his clubs, bag, and even his belt buckle as an apology.  The poor man was so dazed by the event that he didn’t take him up on the offer, and settled for a golfball with a hastily scribbled “sorry.”  Regrettibly it was not the ball that made contact, but a backup.  Be on the lookout for a huge influx of “sorry” golfballs on Ebay!

Good thing for Mr. Kim that Whitfield wasn’t a Paparazzi…  Those slimeballs would kill for a situation like this.  

Enjoy!

-Dave

First time in nine years!  United States Wins!  It’s good to see the 17 inch cup back where it belongs and it’s long over due.  Posted below are the results of the matches.  Congratz to the honorable Mr. Azinger for his incredibly significant win.  Whatever he did to “overhaul” the selection process seems to have worked!  I guess he does have “the lowest IQ of any genius who ever lived.”

Score:

United States 16.5, Europe 11.5

Venue:

Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Ky.

Captains:

Europe - Nick Faldo

United States - Paul Azinger

Day 1 Results:

Foursomes

• Phil Mickelson/Anthony Kim, U.S., halved with Padraig Harrington/Robert Karlsson, Europe
• Justin Leonard/Hunter Mahan, U.S., def. Henrik Stenson/Paul Casey, Europe, 3 and 2
• Stewart Cink/Chad Campbell, U.S. vs. Justin Rose/Ian Poulter, Europe, 1-up
• Kenny Perry/Jim Furyk, U.S., halved with Lee Westwood/Sergio Garcia, Europe

Four Ball

• Phil Mickelson/Anthony Kim, U.S., def. Padraig Harrington/Graeme McDowell, Europe, 2-up
• Ian Poulter/Justin Rose, Europe, def. Steve Stricker/Ben Curtis, U.S., 3 and 2
• Justin Leonard/Hunter Mahan, U.S., def. Sergio Garcia/Miguel Angel Jiminez, Europe, 4 and 3
• J.B. Holmes/Boo Weekley, U.S., halved with Lee Westwood/Soren Hansen, Europe

Day 2 Results:

Foursomes

• Ian Poulter/Justin Rose, Europe, def. Stewart Cink/Chad Campbell, U.S., 4 and 3
• Justin Leonard/Hunter Mahan, U.S., halved with Miguel Angel Jimenez/Graeme McDowell, Europe
• Henrik Stenson/Oliver Wilson, Europe, def. Phil Mickelson/Anthony Kim, U.S., 2 and 1
• Jim Furyk/Kenny Perry, U.S., def. Padraig Harrington/Robert Karlsson, Europe, 3 and 1

Four Ball

• Boo Weekley/J.B. Holmes, U.S., def. Lee Westwood/Soren Hansen, Europe, 2 and 1
• Ben Curtis/Steve Stricker, U.S., halved with Sergio Garcia/Paul Casey, Europe
• Ian Poulter/Graeme McDowell, Europe, def. Kenny Perry/Jim Furyk, U.S., 1-up
• Phil Mickelson/Hunter Mahan, U.S., halved with Henrik Stenson/Robert Karlsson, Europe

Day 3 Results:

Singles

• Anthony Kim, U.S., def. Sergio Garcia, Europe, 5 and 4
• Hunter Mahan, U.S., halved with Paul Casey, Europe
• Robert Karlsson, Europe, def. Justin Leonard, U.S., 5 and 3
• Justin Rose, Europe, def. Phil Mickelson, U.S., 3 and 2
• Kenny Perry, U.S., def. Henrik Stenson, Europe, 3 and 2
• Boo Weekley, U.S., def. Oliver Wilson, Europe, 4 and 2
• J.B. Holmes, U.S., def. Soren Hansen, Europe, 2 and 1
• Jim Furyk, U.S., def. Miguel Angel Jimenez, Europe, 2 and 1
• Graeme McDowell, Europe, def. Stewart Cink, U.S., 2 and 1
• Ian Poulter, Europe, def. Steve Stricker, U.S., 3 and 2
• Ben Curtis, U.S., def. Lee Westwood, Europe, 2 and 1
• Chad Campbell, U.S., def. Padraig Harrington, Europe, 2 and 1

-Dave