No doubt that the Tour makes some strange decisions. I could tell you one about the Memorial. The players don't seem to have much leverage. I do remember Sergio complaining about the conditions once, and saying that if Tiger had been on that side of the draw then play would have been suspended.
There is fair, and then there is the tour. You hope to get enough events that it all evens out. Unlucky for Jeff. We could be wishing him a great Sunday if he were on the other side of the draw. Trouble is, the tour only cares about Tiger or #2 if Tiger is not in the field. Not right, but what plays the bills, and sadly, the bottom line seems to be the only thing that matters in Ponte Vedra (did I say that out loud?).
This tournament sounds like a second rate mini tour event.
No official to tell them anything, silly rulings, trying to just "get the tournament in". Sometimes I think these guys on the Tour don't quite have it as made as I think.....(except for all the free gear).
Thanks for the posts, they were really eye opening
Jeff, I want to say congratulations on all of your success and getting the opportunity to play at such a high level. The amount of work, mental focus, and discipline it takes is absolutely incredible. It's only a dream for 99.9% of us to get to play at that level.
I also just watched the video footage of you at the range and I was so impressed by your rhythm. Your swing is just buttery smooth.
I'm still a hitter and will always be, but I think rhythm is something we all need to focus on. It appears to me that your rhythm is the same no matter what club your swinging, which is a big issue for the masses.
Thank to you, Lynn, Ted, and Chris for all you do..
Thanks to everyone for their support during the week. Your questions are very good and I hope to answer them either in this post or separately. I think that this thread may have taken a negative turn (mostly my fault) and I want to make sure that everyone understands how much fun I had this week.
The postives far outweigh the negatives and as I look back I was very blessed to have this opportunity. This week was very similar to last year's Nationwide event in Valdosta except I got the better end of the draw last year. We battled severe wind the last round and a half last year and I fared worse. I feel I was actually more prepared, knew the course better, and was playing better than before Valdosta, you simply can't fight mother nature.
I had a great time doing what I love most: playing competative golf while increasing my knowlege base so I can help others. As much as I feel that I can play at this level, I must also remember what I am, a teaching professional and clubfitter. After watching some of the best players in the world I really see that the line is not so big, but the amount of strength required to jump over it is immense. The PGA TOUR is not about ball striking, although it does play a major role. I watched these players on the range and said "I can do that." You must be able to get the ball in the hole regardless of how well you hit it. Brad Adamonis and Tommy Gainey hit the ball poorly yet still found a way to save par and make birdies and eagles.
I was concearned about my distance, especially off the tee. After playing and watching the leaderboard I now realize that I could hit it a few yards farther off the tee but the real key to success is from inside 50 yards. I remember posting this last year after Valdosta but it really rings true now. If I had been able to convert what now look like simple saves around the green and make the putts that those guys make more regularly, I actually would have made the cut, regardless of the weather.
Putting has been my issue for a long time and what happened this week unfortunately is more "normal". Just missing is great to talk about, but in the end they still miss. Bill Parcells has said that "you are what your record says you are". I am still a great player that needs a better short game to compete at this level.
Making the cut would have been great; having a chance to win with 9 to play would have been even better. Nothing that happened this week can take away from the experience that I had. I had my family fly in from Cleveland, OH and Las vegas. I had so many friends come out to support me that I felt like I had my own gallery. I got to help Augie learn about what life was like inside the ropes so he can gain a better perspective on how to "play golf". My best friend Chris carried the bag and gave me support the entire time regardless of the situation; I can never thank him enough. Lynn and I got to share with the LBG crew a few cool moments of life on the TOUR. Most importantly I got to share the week with my wife and son. Their love and support is ultimately what matters.
I now turn my focus to the PGA National Championship at Reynolds Plantation in June. What I learned this week will definitely help me with my ultimate goal: win the National Championship and play in the PGA Championship in August.
Jeff,
Truly, playing the tournament was a great accomplishment, and these past few days of posts demonstrate your great attitude. I admire and respect you for both. Good luck in August.
Jeff,
All right, so how do you plan to improve that short game?
I feel that LBG and TGM have focused on the mechanics of the machine in
the full swing, but as you spotlighted, scoring in golf is a lot more than that.
I'd like to see LBG begin to put the short game under the magnifying glass to see if we all could improve our scoring. It seems like the tour players use a lot of half and three-quarter shots (controlling the spin) inside 100 yards. How do they do that?
Once again, congrats for your accomplishments. Being able to watch you practice the last three holes has added a great deal to my enjoyment while watching the network coverage of the same three holes.
In fact, CBS (or the Golf Channel) would do well by featuring a walking interview with an amenable PGA pro while practicing the closing holes of every tournament. It would be fascinating to watch replays of that when the leaders come down the stretch.
Jeff,
Congratulations on qualifying for this tournament and doing an excellent job under adverse conditions. I looked at the paper yesterday am and saw a number of "big name" players that finished behind you. Keep pluggin' away and best wishes for a great summer of G.O.L.F.
Just curious, "what's in the bag?"
Jeff,
Congratulations on qualifying for this tournament and doing an excellent job under adverse conditions. I looked at the paper yesterday am and saw a number of "big name" players that finished behind you. Keep pluggin' away and best wishes for a great summer of G.O.L.F.
Just curious, "what's in the bag?"
Henry-Griffitts RDH 460 11.5 driver - 65 gram low torque mid kick shaft
Henry-Griffitts TS-1 irons (5-tw) - Dynamic steel
Henry Griffitts RDH 55 & 60 degree wedges - Dynamic Steel
Bridgestone J36 22 & 19 degree hybrids - VS Proto 80 gram
Bridgestone J33 3 wood - VS Proto 85 gram
Taylor Made Spider Putter
Bridgestone B330 ball
AHEAD Glove (best glove you have never heard of)
Orange an yellow reflector sticks (Only at Lowes)
Jeff,
All right, so how do you plan to improve that short game?
I feel that LBG and TGM have focused on the mechanics of the machine in
the full swing, but as you spotlighted, scoring in golf is a lot more than that.
I'd like to see LBG begin to put the short game under the magnifying glass to see if we all could improve our scoring. It seems like the tour players use a lot of half and three-quarter shots (controlling the spin) inside 100 yards. How do they do that?
Once again, congrats for your accomplishments. Being able to watch you practice the last three holes has added a great deal to my enjoyment while watching the network coverage of the same three holes.
In fact, CBS (or the Golf Channel) would do well by featuring a walking interview with an amenable PGA pro while practicing the closing holes of every tournament. It would be fascinating to watch replays of that when the leaders come down the stretch.
I plan to improve the short game the same why I would improve any other aspect of my game, find a pattern in the book that works and practice. The problem with the short game is that it is much harder to prepare for the multitude of shots that you can get around the greens. The key is understanding hinge action and being able to reproduce all 3 at any speed from any lie.
Homer talks a great deal about power regulation in the book. On one of the videos we talk about eliminating accumulators and reducing speed to create softer shots. The key to great golf is being able to compress the ball at less than full power. The more you play and practice, the better you become at this. Watch a tour event during the practice rounds and you will see these players working on hinge action around the greens, whether they know they are or not.
I would like to have Lynn's input on this but I think there is quite about about the short game in the video section and in the forum. Remember, short shots have the same execution as full shots, just fewer accumulators and less power.
Jeff,
Truly, playing the tournament was a great accomplishment, and these past few days of posts demonstrate your great attitude. I admire and respect you for both. Good luck in August.
Thanks Daryl! It was all because you got me to understand the importance of Hip Action.
Hybrid Mode
