Can Michelle Wie win without team support?

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Michelle Wie really wanted all of the "judges" who convinced themselves that she isn't all that great a golfer to see her in all of her glory at the Solheim Cup, and with three and a half out of a possible four points to her credit. She really shut down the naysayers!

Is the "confidence boost" that Michelle Wie used to define her week in biennial match play against Team Europe at the Solheim Cup enough to change her psyche from just another player to winner? Can she finally become the female golfer that the LPGA Tour will look towards in order to boost their own ratings?

As one of the most expressive cheerleaders of Team USA, Wie proved that she has a voice and is a solid team player to boot! This may also be the defining moment in Wie's career as well; the moment that fans will remember long after her first win, placing Michelle on the road to greatness.

Then again, maybe not...

"I think I played with as much passion as I could. I think I played with as much desire and hunger as I wanted to. I think it was absolutely phenomenal, this experience that I had," mentioned a 'hyped-up Wie.

Did Wie say, as I wanted to? Does that mean that she doesn't feel the same way about playing in singles matches? Perhaps then, MW should be playing more team golf at Stanford and less on the Tour until she conquers this fear.

In addition Michelle stated, "I did not want to come to the 18th hole, but it came down to that and I did what I can do," concluding that her nerves were jangling but in spite of it she learned to conquer her fears and just go out and play.

Wie must now play on the LPGA Tour and win an event. She must win by a large margin, not because her opponent fails but because she shows confidence and strength from within.

Congratulations to Michelle Wie and to Team USA for taking possession of the Solheim Cup for a two year stint.

On this week's Golf for Beginners podcast, David Leadbetter's two golf club psych tip, bad last second swing decisions and how young is too young to learn about golf?

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Photo Credit: © Telegraph/EPA

Will Tiger Woods be too old to take Olympic gold? Also Harrington on Woods and John Daly limps off course again

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A word within almost every sports column in the United States is that Tiger Woods 'choked' and gave up a 54-hole lead at the PGA Championship to the golfer who stood in 110th position before the Sunday start, Y.E. Yang. Did Tiger choke or only prove that he is human after all?

'Choke' is a strong word to associate with Tiger Woods and it is not supposed to happen to the one golfer that everyone believed to be made of steel, an alien from another planet to many fans. Some may say that he brought his "B" or "C" game to the final round of the fourth major and others may claim that Woods now has chinks in his armor but rimmed putts are hardly the stuff of failure.

A second place finish yesterday makes it difficult to say that Tiger allowed "a hungrier, more focused, more composed golfer kick the stuffing out of him" as written by Jay Mariotti. Let us reserve that visualization for Padraig Harrington whose quintuple bogey forced him to drop his head once again and sigh his way through another event with Tiger in the field.

Should golfers in future events be less fearful in a face-off with Woods?

Five wins this season is hardly a sign that Tiger is slipping off of his pedestal but lacking a major win this season also cautions fans that he can be beaten. Woods doing negative self-talk? That hardly ever happens either and perhaps Tiger is not even aware of it but when he rolls the playback, which he will, I'm sure that Woods will come back stronger than ever.

Fed Ex Cup golfers, BEWARE!

As far as Olympic glory in 2016, I don't think a forty-year-old Woods will compete but, on the other hand, the gold medal would look great in his trophy room. The problem is, could folks stand it if Tiger only came home with a bronze medal?

Golf for Beginners also reviews Padraig Harrington's thoughts on why Tiger should have won the PGA Championship and how any golfer can follow his progression.

We also look at the real reason why John Daly walked off the golf course at the PGA Championship.


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Send your golf questions and comments to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or through iTunes. Click Here to receive our archived podcasts and 100's of easy golf tips free!

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This podcast is supported by Arizona Golf Packages, 1-866-444-0992.

Photo Credit: © Telegraph/AFP

La Manga Club: Golf and Travel in Sunny Spain

"I have seen dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills Coming in solemn beauty like slow old tunes of Spain."

Excerpt from "Beauty", a poem by John Edward Masefield, English poet laureate

Following in the same vein as my recent interest in playing golf at the Ailsa Course at Turnberry, I have also decided to select several other destinations that I am going to make a strong effort to visit over the next several years. Although I can only cross my fingers and hope that this happens, I consider this a "wish list" of sorts.

Sometimes when you wish hard enough, your wish can come true!

I love the sun, beach and golf, so I always make sure to include that "trifecta" when planning a holiday. The Murcia region of Spain happens to offer the most hours of daylight of any continent and so I am considering a visit to La Manga, Europe's most famous golf resort.

The Mediterranean climate boasts sunshine more than 300 days per year! Couple that with 1,400 acres of top-notch facilities, and I cannot believe that this resort is not on the tips of more golfers' tongues.

The resort town of La Manga del Mar Menor (aka 'the Sleeve of the Minor Sea') is on a strip of land which separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Small Sea (Mar Menor). La Manga was originally formed by an accumulation of sand carried by ocean currents. Volcanic, as well as other sediments came to the surface to form Mar Menor.

It is attractive to touristas who simply want to get away from their natural habitat for pure pleasure. Windsurfing, sailing and water skiing are popular because of the location of both Mediterranean and calm inlet. I don't think I am the type of person to enjoy diving but, isn't that what vacations are for...to try new and exciting things that you would never think of trying before? Perhaps a small cliff... If you are an equestrian, there are both Andalucian and French horses (and Shetland ponies for the kids I'm told) which are great for beach and countryside trots.

I chose to "visit" La Manga Club Principe Felipe because it has top-notch facilities and visually stunning areas allowing me to choose between relaxation by day and frolicking at night. The 1,400 acres of land boasts a five-star hotel, world-class spa, three world-class golf courses and both golf and tennis academies (practice makes perfect). Las Lomas Village on the property features townhomes, apartments and a more tranquil setting but both offer the same amenities.

La Manga was named European Golf Resort of the Year, and it is easy to see why it has received such outstanding accolades. The South, North and West Courses offer championship layouts and stringent tests with tricky slopes that demand exacting course management. Bring your patience for these courses but, with the incredible vistas, it should be easy to relax, regardless of the outcome! Kids are also welcome to play golf with parent/children golf tournaments scheduled every week.

No kids? Me neither! La Manga also offers the spa experience, a piano bar that offers wine and cheese tastings and, for a night on the town, visit Gran Casino Cartagena.

Although many people select accomodations based on what is within the walls of their resort, touring the surrounding areas offer a glimpse into the life of locals as well. Visiting small villages, museums and the ancient port of Cartagena will allow me to get to know the past and present culture of the area.

A visit to Spain is definitely in my future. A week at La Manga is just what I need to restore my well-being. Sunny Costa Calida, here I come!