You Can Bet On It: My U.S. Open Picks

I’m not betting on any players in this week’s U.S. Open, but if I was these would be my favorite picks. As a proud American player, I have faith that our guys can regain the top spots in the golf world. One of those being the U.S. Open Champion. If an international player were to win this week it would be five consecutive majors without an American winner. That hasn’t happened ever in the modern grand slam era (Masters, U.S. Open, British, & PGA). As a rule in betting, always go with history… or something like that, so I would bet it wouldn’t happen this time either.

A safe bet is always Phil Mickelson. He is usually in the mix at the U.S. Open, but hasn’t ever closed the deal. I don’t think it matters that he’s not playing his best golf right now, Phil is a competitor and he really wants that U.S. Open title.

Two solid bets and big hitters are Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson. Both have multiple PGA Tour victories and are just waiting to bust through that major championship barrier. Congressional is long and demanding off the tee, watch out for these two guys if they can keep it in play and make a few putts. Also, Dustin Johnson now has a veteran caddy in Joe LaCava can only help in such a pressure filled tournament.

My favorite pick is Jonathan Byrd. I’m a little biased and always pull for J Byrd, but I truly believe he has a great shot this week. For one, Jonathan loves to work the ball right to left, which is crucial at Congressional. Second, with five PGA Tour victories and several other close calls in big events, he is also very ready to win a the big one. He also has been working on a renewed attitude on the course. Always known as a Hogan-like grinder and perfectionist, J Byrd has created an alter ego “Johnny Byrd” to help free himself up in competition and be a little more accepting of mistakes. Everyone will make mistakes at the U.S. Open, whoever handles it and well makes the least amount will probably win. I really like “Johnny Byrd” this week at the U.S. Open.

As always it will be fun to watch. I’ll have more for you guys as the week rolls on. Enjoy U.S.  Open week!

Introducing the Golf Boys!

Ben Crane has done it again. This time with the Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, and Hunter Mahan. If this is where American golf is going, then bring it. It’s about time the Pros start having fun again. I love this trend of young guys who play hard on the course and off. Not in a wrecking hotel rooms way, but in a love life way. Kudos guys, well done. Thanks too, to Farmer’s Insurance for footing the bill.

If you can’t see the video, click [here].

And if you’d like to buy this song to support charity, you can pick it up on itunes.

2011 Greensboro College Golf Hall of Fame induction

Notes From The Fringe

Well, it has been a while since I’ve posted here. Sorry about that. A lot has been going on at WHM and I haven’t had anything great to share.

Today, I do.

In April, my college golf team was inducted into the Greensboro College Sports Hall of Fame. It was fun seeing some of my teammates. We shared old stories and jokes from our 2000 season when we won the NCAA Championship. It was the first title for any sport in school’s history. Somehow, I ended having to give the induction speech. I used the opportunity to roast some of the guys and thank them for a wonderful experience.

In May, as if on queue, the GC men’s golf team won their 2nd National Title. I am so proud of the guys and for coach Dirk Finnie. You can read about it here and here.

In June, I will be playing in my first NC Amateur in 15 years. I haven’t played many CGA events in the last decade and a half, so I had to qualify along with several hundred other golfers in NC. Since it was my first competitive round in over 16 months, I was a little rusty. I did manage to earn my spot in the field and will let you know how it goes. The event is in three weeks. Time to start practicing!

That pretty much sums it up. Until next time, see you on the fringe.

 

Putting Address Position: The Key to Holing More Putts

A proper putting address position in golf

A simple, repeatable putting stroke starts with the appropriate address position. Many pros suggest a method that is consistent with their performance. As such, you see many grips and address positions being used successfully on tour. However, I have found the proper grip and address position are vital to a fundamentally sound putting stroke.

Putting Address Position

The grip is place in the palm of your bottom hand as then palms contain nearly 22 per cent of your body’s nerve endings below the neck, thus facilitating “feel” or distance control. Both hands are parallel to one another with the back of the hands on a line consistent with the target line.

The back of your forward hand points directly at your intended target and the back of your back hand points directly away from your target. I’ll speak more about the intended target and target line later in “Laser-like Alignment.”

Your feet, hips, and shoulders are on a line parallel to your target line with your eyes directly over the ball and your arms hanging straight down, directly under the center of the shoulders. In other words, your arms are as long as possible and hang straight down from your shoulders. Setting up square to or parallel to your target line allows you to stroke the ball with the best chance of rolling the ball along your target line.

Placing your eyes directly over the ball provide you the optimum position to properly view your target. If your eyes are either inside or outside the ball you will see your target, sometimes the hole, either left or right of where it actually is. I’ll speak more about this in “Laser-like Alignment.”

Finally, allowing your arms to hang naturally from your shoulders so that there is no bend in your elbows allows you to create a putting stroke that follows your intended target line back and through for as long as possible. I’ll speak about this more next time in, “A Simple, Repeatable Stroke” and why this is the most effective way of putting.

When you first try to set up with long arms you may find that your hands don’t grip the putter at the top of the grip – that your putter is too long. That’s ok. Grip down the putter if you have to or do like I did, have your putter shortened so that your hands fit perfectly at the top of the grip. My putter is only 31 inches long. Since we don’t have to hit the ball long distance while putting, a shorter putter does not compromise your ability to putt the ball the correct distance.

If you have any questions please leave them in the comments!

photo credit: Playadura*