Does Michelle Wie stand a chance at the U.S. Women's Open, dealing with adversity, proper drop technique and more!

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Lorena Ochoa will be heading into the 2007 U.S. Women's Open exuding confidence after her sudden-death victory at the Wegman's LPGA this past weekend. She has also successfuly knocked Annika Sorenstam off of her perch as the number-one golfer in the Rolex Rankings. Congratulations Lorena!

Michelle Wie will also be in attendance at the Open (since this Golf for Beginners broadcast was produced) but we believe, with less self-assurance than in previous years. Wie has decided to skip the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic due to the length of the course so it is uncertain how she will fare at Pine Needles. Confidence is everything in a match-up where ladies like Ochoa and Kraft Nabisco winner, Morgan Pressel, are tuning up their games seeking the coveted title.

Barry and I offer you our predictions this week as to whom we feel has the right stuff to hoist the trophy.

We also discuss how we fared on our rounds and the lessons we have learned from them. Barry and I played about two holes of twilight golf when darkness appeared and the sky opened up. The following day, both of us played in different groups. My foursome included a guy who tried to teach me the game in the middle of my swing. The game lies in your mental fortitude, folks!

During Barry's round, one playing partner had to take a drop but did so improperly. He could have received a one-stroke penalty had Barry known this Rule of Golf for proper drop technique. You can't be expected to know every rule, so keep a copy of the book in your golf bag.

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Woods and Mickelson's coaches give golf tips on the fat shot, Leadbetter on putting and Bobby Jones wisdom

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Butch Harmon and Hank Haney's heavyweight contenders for the first ever FedEx Cup failed to produce results at this year's U.S. Open and hoist the coveted trophy. Woods came so close yet could not seize any opportunities and Mickelson was eaten up and spit out alive, never even witnessing the fast, tricky greens of weekend competition.

Some Phil fans might be disappointed over Lefty's whining commentary after 2nd round action but, in retrospect, there were plenty of golfers at Oakmont this weekend who were tossing their sticks around in disgust. Abyssmal etiquette abounded!

As for Tiger Woods, the U.S. Open seemed almost like a repeat of this year's Masters tournament, with Woods playing golf in the final group and taking it on the chin from relative unknown Zach Johnson.

The only player under par in the final round, Angel Cabrera, showed mettle and fortitude and should be heartily congratulated for standing up to Goliath!

This week Golf for Beginners compares the teaching methods of both Harmon and Haney in relation to hitting the ball fat and discuss a great practice drill we found in Golf Digest Magazine.

The best putting drill I recently rediscovered came from our visit to Turning Stone Resort and Spa. We compare it to a golf tip from David Leadbetter in another segment of our broadcast.

Finally, we take a quote from the great Bobby Jones who won four U.S. Open Championships. Who can teach us the true spirit of golf better than this worthwhile competitor?
Continue sending 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. Nextel/Sprint cell customers type http://www.mymbn.com/podcast/ in your browser and click on "sports casts". Our station number is 1955.

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U.S. Open pressure, Butch Harmon's nerve-busters, Ogilvy's concerns and is this Mickelson's year?

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U.S. Open week is one of the most highly anticipated times of the year for both professional golfers and fans alike. Where the Masters is like a "spring fever" wake-up call to all golfers, this second major of the season has the PGA Tour pros in fine form, ready to take on all competitors as well as a golf course which proves to be a real "tester".

Geoff Ogilvy related a bit of his concern for both the greens and longer holes at Oakmont in a recent pre-tournament interview. Last year's winner talked in particular about both the six hundred yard par-fives as well as the long par-three eighth hole. The interview sparked interest in a discussion on how the amateur should tackle the longer par-three's through practical course management. It's not all about bombing the long drive, you know!

The pressure will be on all of the great players this week so we also relate a few golf tips from Butch Harmon on "how not to choke". We found these nerve-busting thoughts in the pages of a Golf Digest Magazine. Hopefully Harmon has been offering up drills to Phil Mickelson on this subject so we don't see a repeat at this year's U.S. Open. Let's also hope that Phil doesn't use his sore wrist as an excuse if he doesn't make the grade. That just wouldn't be right!

Finally, Barry and I give you our U.S. Open picks. Naturally, being a huge Lefty fan, I'm rooting for Mickelson once again. Listen in to hear Barry's selection and how we came upon our decisions.


Continue sending 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. 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 Pioneer Golf and Florida Golf Travel.

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Tiger Woods' golf tips for side-hill lies, stay one-up by beating the heat and a few thoughts from Sam Snead

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This past week, Barry and I were guests at the Canyon Club, a private golf club located in Armonk, New York. The course was both well manicured and picturesque. My main problems stemmed from the side-hill lies. Barry took issue with the undulations on the green. Tiger Woods, being one of the most creative golfers on the PGA Tour, helps us alleviate problems with the ball being both above, and below your feet on this week's Golf for Beginners broadcast.

Although we utilized a cart during our round (you had to be a billy goat if you wanted to walk the golf course) it was still a hot and sunny day. No relief was in sight even though the breeze was comforting while driving. We give you a few tips to make the summer heat more bearable.

Finally, we offer up a few thought-provoking quotes from the great Sam Snead.

Continue sending 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. Nextel/Sprint cell customers type http://www.mymbn.com/podcast/ in your browser and click on "sports casts". Our station number is 1955.

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Palmer tells us why Tiger Woods beats Mickelson, a golf tip for kids and more!

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Arnold Palmer believes that Tiger Woods is "every bit as aggressive as Phil (Mickelson)" in the June issue of Golf Digest Magazine. There is one difference, however, which gives Tiger the edge. Find out on this week's episode of Golf for Beginners.

In the same interview, Palmer gives us a simple putting tip which Barry questions in certain circumstances. When should you give yourself the option of playing it safe and when should you make sure you drain the golf ball in one shot?

We also discuss the proper form for hitting out from under a tree, commonly known as the "low shot". Practice this shot and you'll get out of trouble and back into the fairway in fewer strokes.

Continue sending 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. 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 Pioneer Golf and Florida Golf Travel.

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Michelle Wie "Dancing with the Stars" at the Samsung, hybrid tip and an email asks lefty or righty?

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Will Michelle Wie accept an invitation to the Samsung World Championship in October, "Dancing with the Stars" of the LPGA's finest?

The PGA Tour's John Deere Classic is also awaiting a response from Wie, B.J. Wie that is, to confirm her status in yet another PGA Tour event. In the interim, swing coach David Leadbetter is probably wishing that he hadn't mentioned Wie's possibility to "commit herself" to the women's tour.

She has the right stuff and everyone, including Golf for Beginners, wish that she would take the step from competitor to winner. We offer Wie a mental game tip from Dr. Robert K. Winters, a sports psychologist whose tip we found on the David Leadbetter website.

We follow up with a discussion of the hybrid, how efficient it is compared to long irons and how to use ball position and proper setup to maximize each shot you take with it. You may never use a three-iron again!

Finally, a beginner asks what golf clubs she should purchase, left or right-handed?

Continue sending 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. 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 Pioneer Golf and Florida Golf Travel.

My Podcast Alley feed!