March 9, 2010 by david horne
Last week I spent time in Scottsdale, AZ visiting a few clients. I love working with folks in the golf industry. We spent most of our time answering the two most important questions.
Thanks again to Eddie at Victory Golf Works and Fred and Tim at Golf Academy of America- Phoenix for treating us so well. I think I would work for free golf if my family didn’t have crazy demands like eating regularly or shelter. I did get the opportunity to play at Fire Rock Country Club outside of the Phoenix-Scottsdale area. This was a treat for me since I had never played in the desert before. The contrast of the fairways and greens with the desert was beautiful.
Enjoy the pics below. Does anyone have a great southwest golf experiences to share?
[ No. 1 fairway ]
Funny, it is sunny 350 days a year. We hit one of the 15 days it rains.
[ Par 3 over the desert ]
[ Oasis in the valley ]
[ Definitely unplayable ]
Posted in Travel, golf courses | Tagged desert golf, Fire Rock CC | 2 Comments »
February 25, 2010 by david horne
Need your help here at View from the Fringe.
I am working on a project and need golf stories. If you or someone you know has any crazy, funny, I can’t believe that just happened, amazing, or memorable stories related to golf, and you like to be a part of something big, please send them to me. I have included a simple form to fill out below if you are interested in sharing.
I am excited about rolling this out and I look forward to sharing the details soon. Thanks!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged golf stories | Leave a Comment »
February 16, 2010 by david horne
Last week I found myself sitting in a breastfeeding class. In my defense, I was there supporting my wife. We are expecting our first child in a month and I felt it was my duty to be there with her. Ok, I am not fooling anyone. She made me go. I will say this, there is way more to it than I thought, and I did learn a lot despite my mind wanting to revert to back to 4th grade (when the word nipple was funnier than almost anything).
One word that kept coming up in the class was posture. I was amazed at how important getting the baby and mother in the right posture is to successful…well, you know. In the golf swing posture is also key. This time of year when it is cold and outside practice is limited, one thing we can always work on is posture. I try to do this a few times a week leading up to the warm season. A mirror is all you need (club optional). Practicing your posture is one of the best off-season uses of your time. Please check out this post on posture by my friend Chris Guy. He is a golf instructor and touring professional from across the pond.
P.S . Congrats Freddie on your first Champions Tour victory! Talk with you soon.
Posted in game improvement | Tagged Chris Guy, golf posture | Leave a Comment »
January 28, 2010 by david horne
Every year the PGA Merchandise show converges on Orlando.
Anything and everything golf related makes a splash.
Check out the Link to the HQ
Follow the action with some of the top golf bloggers in attendance
Sandbox8
Hooked on Golf
Also check out the streams from #pgashow on twitter
I haven’t kept up with equipment too much. I wonder if they will announce the igolf? Yep, it is Apple’s newest product launch on the heels of the recently unveiled ipad.
The new device actually allows you to swing like Fred Couples, Jonathan Byrd, or Michele Wei depending on which app you download. The putting app produces a Mutual of Omaha putting line on the green which makes it easier to line up putts.
Ok, just kidding.
I am curious to see what the golf world will unveil this week. What are you looking forward to hitting?
Posted in Equipment | Tagged PGA SHOW | 1 Comment »
January 23, 2010 by david horne
photo credit: foxypar4
The other day I dreamed of being in a climate conducive to playing golf in January and February. North Carolina normally has breaks in the winter weather which allows some of us to escape for a round or two. This year that has not been the case. To be honest, I have hardly thought about the game until recently as the PGA tour started its season. My golf itch typically doesn’t need scratching until the crowds start to gather around Amen Corner in April.
This mini-sabbatical is a good idea for all golfers. While many links players are aided in their leave of absence by snow, ice, and blizzard conditions (Michigan, Vermont, and Canada come to mind), our friends in balmier climates have to force themselves to take time off.
I know for me, coming off the break I am recharged and excited about the process of practicing and fine tuning my game for the summer. So Enjoy your break, watch some sports, spend time with the family, and get ready for the golf bug that bites in the Spring.
What do you do in the off season while waiting for the greens to thaw?
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
January 6, 2010 by david horne
The PGA tour kicks off this week in Hawaii. I really feel for those guys being stuck in tropical bliss while we freeze in the lowest temperatures Greensboro has seen in 30 years.
No Really, my heart goes out to the players that have to endure this
photo credit: roy_'s
all week.
I will stay here wrapped up like Ralphie in “A Christmas Story” while Geoff Ogilvy and company work on their golfers’ tan (Oh, how I look forward to the dividing line around the ankle that separates copper-tone legs from ivory white feet).
Golf seems so distant. I am sure I should be hitting the gym hard, in preparation for the approaching season. I am sure I should be working on my set up and club positions with a mirror. But I am not. My prep for golf season begins Feb 1.
I have set my goals and devised my plan Here is a recent guest post I wrote on setting golf goals for a soon to be launched golf blog.
Setting Your Golf Goals for 2010
A new year is upon us. Now is the time for new year’s resolutions and goal setting for 2010. Have you created any golf goals for next year? If not, now is great time to start. You may want to set a goal to walk instead of ride or play more often. Many golfers strive to lower their handicap or set a new career low. These are all noble pursuits. Here are a few key tips for setting and reaching your goals in 2010.
1. Be specific- Make your goals clear and concise. A lot of folks develop goals that are vague. The clearer your goals are the easier they are to hit. Instead of having a goal to improve your putting why not have a goal to reduce the number of three-putts per round by sharpening your lag proximity.
2. Create a plan- We have a goal. We now need to develop a plan. Your PGA professional can help you create this plan by recommending drills and practice tips designed to help you hit your goals. Think of this as a road map with a time-line. The teaching professional also acts as a GPS guide by helping you steer your way along the map. Just like when the mechanized British voice tells you to make a right in 2 miles, your instructor will help stay on course.
3. Visualize Success- More than half the battle is believing you will. Take time to see yourself hitting your goals. Imagine the feeling and joy of accomplishing your goals. I remember hearing a story about a college basketball coach that spent and entire practice having each player cut down the net like when winning a championship game. We should do this as well. Drain a 3 foot putt on the practice green and visualize it being a new career low.
I think these three things will help you accomplish your goals in 2010. I would love to hear about what goals you have for this year.
Please share them in the comments below.
Posted in game improvement | Tagged setting golf goals | Leave a Comment »
December 17, 2009 by david horne
Stefano A
I recently finished a post looking at the Tiger situation from the perspective of building a brand or business in today’s marketing landscape. If you are into business or would like to read it, here you go: A lesson in authenticity from Tiger Woods and John Daly.
A few days ago, Robert Bruce, a blogging acquaintance of mine, posted a great response to the drama on his site, Game Under Repair. I would encourage you to check it out. Robert’s site is one of my favorite golf related blogs to tune into.
To echo Robert a bit, I haven’t followed the ordeal in detail. What I have seen has been the unavoidable snippets, due to the story getting the lion’s share of coverage (on every channel). I would like to also second that I am saddened for his family. I am also sad for the parents around the world that have had to answer many questions from their children on why Tiger is on tv when it’s not golf season.
My hope is that he does repent and rebuild. He is one the most passionate and driven people on the planet. I hope he can get radically driven and passionate about saving his family and his marriage. I believe with a lot of humility, immense grace, and forgiveness, he can overcome this storm. Love is the undisputed champion of the world. It has never been defeated. I hope he and Elin will learn that and overcome.
Posted in Opinions | Tagged rebuild, Tiger Woods | Leave a Comment »
December 3, 2009 by david horne
This time of year golf slows down for most of the world and yields to the gridiron of the NFL or College Football bowl season. Some dream-chasers however, are making a final stride towards realizing life long goals to compete on the PGA Tour. Christmas will come early on December 7th for the 40 or so golfers making it through the arduous six round marathon.
The fall classic, as it is affectionately called, always produces some of the year’s best stories. This year will it be David Duval’s rebirth (I thought it might come at Bethpage) or the right of passage for Rickie Fowler?
One player I will be watching is Chris Mundorf. He and I played Jr. and collegiate golf around the same time but became friends while students of the same coach, Robert Linville, at Precision Golf School. Chris has been looping for Troy Matteson this year on tour. As timing would have it, Troy won the Frys.com Open the week Chris took off for the first stage of Q-school. Chris figured going to first stage cost him six-figures.
I think it will be a good opportunity cost if he makes it through this week. You can can follow Chris here as he chases an early Christmas.
Posted in Tournament Golf | Tagged Chris Mundorf, PGA Tour Q school | Leave a Comment »
November 2, 2009 by david horne
This is always one of my favorite times of year in golf because so many professionals are in the hunt to make their dreams come true. When I was playing golf as a youth I made numerous putts (in my mind) to win my spot on golf’s main stage. Now, as a grown man with my season of playing behind me, I love watching the guys grind it out.
Last week the Nationwide tour graduated its class of 2008 to the PGA Tour. The top-25 money leaders for the season earned the coveted pass to join Tiger and company on the big tour.
One guy that punched his card this year is Chad Collins. This will be Chad’s sophomore campaign on tour and I believe a breakout year. His game matured immensely during 2008, highlighted by a win at the Miccosukee Championship.
Chad was a rival of mine in collegiate golf. He played for Methodist College and I played Greensboro College. During his four years at Methodist he was the number one ranked player in NCAA Division III every year. Many times we played head-to-head in collegiate events and many times he beat me like Brock Lesner vs. Pee Wee Herman.
I knew Chad was going to make it on tour during his freshman year when he drained a putt on the 72nd hole of 40 feet from off the green to win the NCAA Tournament. Clutch! Over the next three years we watched him break scoring records and win countless medalist hardware. We knew it was just a matter of Time.
Here is a video (courtesy of pgatour.com): Meet Chad
I hope you will tune in next year and watch the crop of young players in pursuit of their golf legacy.
Posted in Opinions | Tagged chad collins, pga tour | Leave a Comment »
October 16, 2009 by david horne
Last week’s President’s cup is further proof of the Tiger and the Dip theory. Here are 3 other observations that will help you in building teams.
1. Everyone needs a Wingman. Phil Mickelson proved to be the ultimate wingman. Like Iceman to Maverick, Phil’s partnerships with rookies, Anthony Kim and Sean O’ Hair were close to perfect. Phil’s talent and experience helped the young guns to stay in the present. It was also apparent that he was able to transfer confidence when his team needed it most. Successful teams from every arena have an experienced veteran that brings out the best in his teammates.
2. Create a “have fun and win atmosphere”. Fred Couples’ decision to bring in Michael Jordan as “assistant-assistant” captain seemed odd to many. I believe it was a stroke of brilliance. Anytime a team can draw from an advisor (s) with a thought process of success there will be benefit. A person like Jordan helps create the atmosphere of a winning team. If the atmosphere is right a team will achieve peak perform.
3. Unity. Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods gel better than Danny Ocean and Rusty, than JB and KG, than Tango and Cash, than Milo and Otis, than..well, you get the idea. My main point here is that two or more teammates who work that well together will inspire a whole team. Their unity was energizing and helped set the example for the whole team. A team acting as one is always powerful.
photo credit: woodleywonderworks
Posted in Life Lessons, game improvement | Tagged president's cup, teamwork | 1 Comment »
