Mickelson and Singh pursuits fall short of Tiger Woods perfection. Getting out of a divot and onto the green, sweet spot myth and when balls collide

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Where an eleven on a hole is a mishap which any golfer would prefer to forget, Phil Mickelson will be reminded of his m/c at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am for weeks, even months to come. He wasn't even in the list of golfers on the cut line who got paid for their efforts and went home...nope, not Lefty. He made sure that this collapse would be one for the history books. Recall the 2006 U.S. Open? I'm sure talk of that previous loss will now be regurgitated along with this mishap throughout the golf season until Mickelson returns to form, does something spectacular and/or wins a major tournament.

And what about Vijay Singh who easily had the edge on Sunday but fell apart when his solid play needed to carry him to victory? Singh held a three-stroke lead with only five holes remaining...the deck was stacked in his favor! Defeated by Steve Lowery, a player who was 305th in the world rankings prior to this weekend and had a seven-year gap in the "win" column of his PGA Tour resume, this loss looks strangely familiar to last week's playoff defeat of Mickelson to relative unknown J.B. Holmes.

Singh stated, "One bad shot after another, three holes in succession." Phil's statement? He's says striking the ball well but he "never felt good on the greens".

Those words could have been echoed by either Vijay or Phil, take your pick. Playing aggressively instead of safely, choosing the wrong clubs, problems with the putter...these errors happen to even the greatest golfers. Well...almost all of the top golfers...all except Tiger Woods.

Tiger Woods has the mental game needed to rebound from a slight lapse in judgment. He doesn't dwell on his mishaps but uses quick thinking to adjust to his surroundings and overcome obstacles. Both Mickelson and Singh made errant shots which caused their following efforts to careen into a downward spiral in which they could not mentally recover.

This could be the difference between winning the Grand Slam this season and simply accepting loss as a part of the game. As Phil remarked, "Well, it's just the way it sometimes goes. Sometimes I just don't score well, and I try not to weigh too much into that because I hit a lot of good shots this week." Would Woods have taken an eleven in such a matter-of-fact manner?

This week's Golf for Beginners podcast is loaded with tips from the fairway to the green. What happens when your beautifully hit tee shot woefully lands in a divot? How do you recover? We also discuss the sweet spot myth with the assistance of LPGA Teaching Professional Lana Ortega and the Rules of Golf that pertain to hitting another golf ball either when chipping up, or, from on the green.


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Mickelson answers putting question, Tiger Woods tenaciously scrambles. Also, Laura Davies doubts Michelle Wie's mental state. And, Odyssey XG Two-Ball

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It's easy to see why professional golfers become distracted when Tiger Woods is somewhere in the pack. If he's only a few strokes back, chances are his resolve will carry him to victory. That is precisely what happened this weekend at the Dubai Desert Classic.

On the flip side, no one seems to be afraid of Phil Mickelson.

J.B. Holmes' memories of a 2006 victory at the FBR Open was all he needed to maintain his purpose for this year's event. And, the claim to fame that he beat Mickelson was also a good incentive.

Phil's putter let him down once again claiming that a misread putt and a few that "slid by the edge" contributed to a playoff. Although Butch Harmon has been working with Mickelson on his 150-yard approach shots, Lefty found that his golf ball wasn't as close to the hole as was Na's. That must have also frustrated him.

This week on our Golf for Beginners podcast we discuss Mickelson's views from the putter. Is it better to keep your eyes over, or behind, the ball?

We also talk about how the amateur golfer can use Tiger Woods' scrambling ability and tenacity to improve your own game.

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Michelle Wie takes center stage once again as she receives an exemption to the Fields Open. Has her physical injury healed? Has her mental game improved? All questions will be answered in two weeks.

Is Michelle Wie ready for 2008?

Laura Davies believes that psychological damage that Michelle Wie endured from playing golf in men's tournaments will take a year to heal. She also thinks that her own game is ready for the next level, affirming that this is her year to dominate the LPGA Tour..and that includes toppling Lorena Ochoa! At least Davies understands what it takes to win, but, at forty-four years old and with a plethora of new stars on the horizon as well as Annika Sorenstam back in form, the LET star is going to have her hands full.


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The Odyssey two-ball putter has become a mainstay on the PGA Tour. From professional golfers to amateurs, all gain assistance from the golfball-sized white discs on top of the clubface which help align a ball to its target.

Where the design was initially unusual, the technology which offered exceptional resiliency and performance became the mainstay of Odyssey's line-up of putters. And, with the introduction of the elasticore multi layer insert technology, the advancements are noticeable.

With the introduction of the Divine Line of putters designed specifically for women, I wondered if I would notice a difference between the new White Hot XG and the Divine, or if one should rely on a putter's performance predominantly based upon the length of its shaft?

This question, and more, are answered in our golf podcast.


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

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

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Photo Credit: © Art By Grant.Photo Credit: © Cartoon Stock.Photo Credit: © ESPN.

Soccer star Upson looks to Tiger for mental toughness, learn Leadbetter's strategic tee placement, Tiger Woods putting drill and more!

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Records are set "in the books" with the express consequence of beating them. This weekend, Tiger Woods implanted his name firmly among the greatest golfers of all time, tying Arnold Palmer in number of career victories achieved.

Next golf legend to overcome? Ben Hogan, whose record is at 64 wins. That too will be achieved as Tiger Woods is most certainly focused decisively on his hero, Jack Nicklaus, who stands at 73 victories.

Nicklaus was five years older than Woods when he won his 62nd tournament, finishing his winning streak at 46 years of age. Woods should be on his way to his 100th victory by that time. But is Tiger thinking about his place in "the record books" and the eventual toppling of Sam Snead's 82 professional wins?

"My career is not done yet," Woods said. "Hopefully, my good years are still ahead of me."

With Hank Haney's swing change assistance taking effect, Tiger's short-term goal is to achieve the elusive single-season Grand Slam. And, if Woods wins another seven events this year, his name will probably be just under Snead's name next year!

In honor of his exciting victory at the Buick Invitational, this week's Golf for Beginners offers an easy putting drill used by Tiger Woods. We also discuss how an English soccer star uses Tiger's "brain-training" techniques to improve his own focus on the field.

A "tee-tip" from David Leadbetter is also featured on our popular golf podcast as well as a drill designed to help you to get to know your clubface.

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A new ruling ousts John Daly from PGA Tour event; who's next? Also, how to overcome windy conditions and driving range tips

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John Daly was recently one of the casualties who fell prey to a new PGA Tour edict which punishes golfers on the cut line if there are too many lurking there. His comment about his fate at the Sony Open? "It's a stupid rule."

Whereas this new regulation is probably an effort to speed up play, keeping the event within television programming limits, I wonder if it will detract from the excitement of the game? Consider the following conjecture.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are both getting off to a rough start at the Buick Invitational this week and both are walking a thin line. They wind up tied with a pile-up of players and get cut because there were too many golfers already on the brink. Both are sent packing with their meager winnings and FedEx points.

Are you still going to watch the Buick Invitational without the two big names playing the weekend?

Is it fair that golfers who get cut still collect their pay and receive their points but don't participate? Or is the PGA Tour just spoonfeeding this new rule planning to cut those benefits as well in the future?

Right now it appears that the fans are the only ones who will suffer the consequences of this ruling.

Also in this week's Golf for Beginners podcast, we discuss the complexities of playing golf in the wind along with the assistance of PGA Professional Instructor Ben Alexander. Tips on target practice are also featured.


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Tiger Woods goes public about Grand Slam win, Mickelson silent. Michelle Wie seeking LPGA glory and Leadbetter power tip

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When PGA Tour golfers mention their season ambitions it's usually hypothetical, mixing dreams with unspoken fears, hedging their bets with terms like "goals", "desires" and the "significant improvements" made over the previous year.

Not Tiger Woods. Simply put, a single exclamation on his website is all that is needed to jump on the Grand Slam bandwagon. "I think it's easily within reason," said the world's number-one, confident of his abilities.

Taking the lead from Woods is Ernie Els who isn't as positive but remains hopeful. Although Els has been a non-event in the U.S. for several years (he claims that putting under pressure lets him down), he has now decided that he has to "start winning tournaments...fast!" His insecurities are magnified by his statement, "anything is possible. Dream big…and who knows?"

Phil Mickelson remains silent in his ability to win four consecutive major events in a single year but is buoying himself up with the prospect of playing Torrey Pines, where he won his first professional event. Although Mickelson is confident of a future Green Jacket and his ability to win another PGA Championship, he has made no claims that this is even a goal of his, hedging his bets with comments about his difficulty in making the cut at Royal Birkdale in 1991!. Perhaps Phil is smarter not making predictions, although he is betting on equipment changes that he thinks will "lead to lower scores".

This week Golf for Beginners discusses the difficulties in achieving the elusive Grand Slam and the slim possibility of one man making history.

Michelle Wie's absence from the Sony Open is also probed as well as the possibility of a future commitment to the women's tour. Is it in the LPGA's best longterm interest to bestow exemptions on a girl who may be using ladies' events as a springboard to the PGA Tour?

We also feature a golf tip regarding core coil from David Leadbetter , Michelle Wie's instructor, and talk about the upcoming PGA Merchandise Show.

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

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

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This podcast is supported by New Roc Harley Davidson, your worldwide parts and accessories distributor. Great rides start here!.

Woods and Mickelson hibernate, Chopra and Stricker take their place. Golf Podcast features winter tips and drills

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While Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson quietly enjoy their respective breaks from the PGA Tour, Daniel Chopra and Steve Stricker shouted out to the golf world that they are contenders for this year's FedEx Cup.

Dangling a new Mercedes-Benz like a carrot on the end of a stick was one good reason that Stricker stroked only eight putts in the final eight holes of the Championship but I'll bet that Stricker's long-term goals include dueling it out with the big names and a major win.

Chopra's use of Playstation to get to know the Plantation Course might have helped him manage the fairways but his lackluster performance on the greens almost handed Stricker the victory.

This week, Barry and I discuss our own struggles on the driving range. With cold weather hanging over the Northeast, we can only dream of Kapalua and instead must rely on overhead space heaters to keep our swings intact.

We offer an easy drill to keep your irons crisp, talk about the all-important pitch shot and discuss how to keep your focus through your shot.

Even though Mickelson and Woods are not in aggressive mode, they both constantly think competitively. Tiger has mentioned on his website that he has been "testing some new Nike irons". Woods makes his 2008 PGA Tour debut at the Buick Invitational (January 24-27) and Mickelson is due to make his first appearance at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic so Chopra better get his putter working!

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

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

This podcast is supported by Arizona Golf Packages and Florida Golf Travel.