Michelle Wie plunges below top fifty(?), Tiger Woods helps Annika Sorenstam at British Open and putting tips from Leadbetter, Toski and Reinmuth

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Never trash talk against Tiger Woods! And don't ever believe that Woods forgets what he hears, as Rory Sabbatini found out the hard way during yesterday's final round at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. As Tiger stated he "let his clubs do the talking" and easily defeated the rest of the field as Sabbatini ate his words that Woods was "as beatable as ever".

Annika Sorenstam did not let her tiger out of the tank at the Ricoh Women's British Open even with the assistance of Woods' yardage book in her back pocket. Instead, Lorena Ochoa made easy work of the rest of the ladies in the field, going wire-to-wire and proving she is the best female golfer in the world.

Michelle Wie wasn't even a consideration during the event as she missed the cut. David Leadbetter believed that it was too soon for Wie to compete and felt that she may be compensating, "pushing the envelope a bit", instead of what he considers to be a four-step plan to a full recovery. Michelle Wie optimistically spoke of her terrific driving ability, noting that her putter and approach shots were off the mark. But, as we all know, you drive for show and putt for dough.

So where does Wie stand now? Has she fallen below the top-fifty on the Rolex Rankings? And, why are bloggers everywhere still buzzing about the mystique of Michelle instead of the achievements of Lorena Ochoa?

This week, we discuss strategies for long putting as offered up by David Leadbetter. In keeping with the British Open theme, we also discuss a video golf putting tip from Dean Reinmuth viewed on WorldGolf.com Tee Vision.

Finally we look at where the swing actually begins and how to make solid contact as viewed by Bob Toski.

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"Shiny Tech" courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"

This podcast is supported by St. Andrews Golf Tours and Florida Golf Travel.

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Wie flops again: new excuses needed for British Open, links golf tips and correct grip pressure

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A lower back injury two months ago forced Natalie Gulbis to reassess her golf swing. She had to take a month off and change her posture to compensate for the strain. Michelle Wie's wrist accident has forced her into a rehabilitative state which has, unfortunately, cost her more than a few cuts at inopportune times. This trauma has also changed the public's perception of the girl once considered to be the LPGA's answer to Tiger Woods.

Natalie Gulbis stepped up and was ressurrected at the Evian Masters this weekend, becoming a first-time Rolex winner. Michelle Wie is still struggling to compete aptly although finally making a cut after a year's worth of trials and tribulations. Two injuries with two separate and distinct outcomes. One golfer became a winner due to her injury, the other becomes more frustrated over time.

This week Golf for Beginners discusses Michelle Wie's uneasy level of comfort. How can she play well for two days with an injured wrist and then falter during the final two days? We don't believe her problems are totally related to her injury anymore but rather becoming a psychological issue, the battle to win rather than just compete.

Next stop for the LPGA (and Michelle Wie) is St. Andrews G.C. for the Ricoh Women's British Open. The Old Course is considered by some to be the "home of golf" and a links-style course, completely different than the parklike grounds of the Evian Masters Golf Club in France. This challenge will certainly prove the mettle of all the women on tour.

As Tiger Woods has stated before, "To win at St. Andrews is the ultimate."

We also give you a golf tip on how to keep your grip comfortable on the club during a trying round of golf. Grip is probably the one aspect of "G.A.S.P" that can save, or ruin, a round of golf!

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or through iTunes. Nextel/Sprint cell customers type http://www.mymbn.com/podcast/ in your browser and click on "sports casts". Our station number is 1955.

"Shiny Tech" courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"

This podcast is supported by Scotland Golf Tours and Florida Golf Travel.