It caps what his coach, Nick Bradley, describes as a "groundbreaking" season for the Englishman where he did not finish less than 12th in any of the season's four majors.
Bradley (pictured second from the right) has had a large part to play in 
And if you have any problems with your own game or about golf in general, Nick will do his best to reply.
Please note because of technical problems in America, Nick will log onto 606 as soon as possible, so keep your questions coming in.
|
Notes: Refreshed South African headed to Middle East.
Get the latest news and notes on the PGA Tour's top 20 golfers.
After winless '06, veteran wins '07 Champions Tour opener.
Claims first PGA Tour victory in a playoff over John Rollins.
Troche, Granada cap off seven-shot win at Women's World Cup.
Final-round 65 beats Jimenez, Hanson by one at Abu Dhabi.
|
Welcome to the 2007 edition of the UK-GolfGuide website - possibly Europe's largest golf course and golf travel information resource. If you have used the site before you will no doubt have noticed the bright new livery. Over the coming weeks we will be introducing the new page format throughout the site so would ask that you bear with us while the changes are carried out. If you are new to the site then please either use the drop down menu bar or alternatively, use the search box above to look for information on clubs, courses and hotels throughout the UK and other parts of the world where UK golfers may wish to travel. We would also appreciate it if at some point you could take a moment to use the 'Site Feedback' link and give us your views on the new design. Positive or otherwise, we would like to know what you think. |
2007-11-28
Justin Rose won the European Order of Merit on Sunday following his victory at the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama.
Rich golfers getting richer is the sort of story that should generally be avoided.
“What’s new?” is a familiar reaction, but it has to be admitted the European Tour’s announcement of its latest lucrative deal involves staggering sums of money.
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/gol...
Thanks to the seemingly bottomless pits of cash to be found in Dubai, from 2009 the Tour’s leading players will be able to compete in the single richest tournament in the world.
Furthermore a bonus pool that matches the tournament’s $10m prize fund means the top 15 earners in the year will hit a jackpot that, even by golf’s gargantuan standards, is well worth winning.
The Order of Merit will become “The Race to Dubai”. Two million dollars will go to the winner of the Race; $1.5m goes to the player finishing second and $1m to the guy finishing third. The money then staggers down to 15th place which is worth $250,000.
If the winner of the Race also claims the season ending Dubai World Championship in the way that Justin Rose took the 2007 Volvo Masters and Order of Merit, he will walk away with $3.66m.
Tour chief executive George O’Grady admitted: “We’ve had to re-focus the European Tour.” And this is the way he wants to compete with America. The PGA Tour, with its $10m four-tournament season-ending FedEx Cup series, has been proving more and more attractive to Europe’s top players.
But the Dubai funded figures dwarf the FedEx Cup cash, which is also paid as an annuity rather than as a single winner’s cheque.
They also breathe new life into the Order of Merit. No more need to go and “fill the wheelbarrow” with appearance money from places like Singapore as Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Angel Cabrera and Darren Clarke did in preference to playing the Volvo Masters.
Another welcome development is that from 2010 the European season will run from January to November, with a specific off-season. The current nonsense where the next year’s campaign begins the week after the previous one finishes is ridiculous.
As a result of jumping into bed with Dubai, the Tour will almost certainly be waving farewell to one of its more enduring venues.
Next year's Volvo Masters will be the last time this tournament closes a season and while the Tour is keen to hang on to Volvo as sponsors, there are indicators to suggest Valderrama will not want to stage what will be relegated to a regular tour stop, rather than the season finale.
Tradition tends to bite the dust when wallets are opened as widely as they have been with the Dubai deal.
Does it mean Europe’s biggest stars will be more likely to base themselves on their home tour? To a degree, but not massively, and Rose showed why by winning the Order of Merit competing in just 12 tournaments.
Will it attract more top Americans, like Tiger Woods? No. He has shown no interest in taking up European Tour membership and that would be a pre-requisite to make him eligible to compete for these new prizes.
Other Americans may be tempted, but would have to overcome their phobia to crossing their own borders.
For now the Tour can celebrate bolstering their position significantly. The deal with Dubai stretches far further than just the season-ending tournament and Race.
They will open an International Tour Headquarters – but won’t be moving from current Tour HQ at Wentworth – and several course design projects are on the table.
And for the moment, the Tour can boast that it will have the world’s richest tournament. Though, given the way organisations love to throw money at golfers, you have to wonder whether they’ll be able to say the same by the time it is staged.
2007-11-25
Baddeley wins Australian Masters
FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD
-13 A Baddeley (Aus), D Chopra (Swe)*Baddeley wins on fourth play-off hole
-11 S Appleby (Aus)
-10 P O'Malley (Aus)
-9 D Horsey (Eng), P Lonard (Aus), R Pampling (Aus) Selected other:
-6 R McIlroy (NI)
Home favourite Aaron Baddeley claimed his first Australian Masters title after defeating Sweden's Daniel Chopra in a sudden death pla
Baddeley sealed the win in Melbourne after recovering from heavy rough for par on the fourth extra hole while Chopra missed a 5ft par putt.
England's Dave Horsey finished on nine under after a final-round 65, four strokes behind Chopra and Baddeley.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy carded a 73 to end up on six under.
Give your reaction to Baddeley's win
Baddeley and Chopra both finished regulation play on 13-under, with the Aussie world number 18, shooting a closing two-under 70. Overnight leader Chopra finished with a one-under 71.
"In the play-off I felt like I was swinging the club really well," said Baddeley.
"I just kept hitting the same shots and felt that I'd wear him down," Baddeley. "I had the chance to win at every play-off hole, and it was Dan who was saving it to keep it going.
"It really feels great to win at home. It's fantastic."
Compatriot Stuart Appleby, who had led until his final hole, double-bogeyed the 18th for a three-under 69 and dropped to third on 11-under 277.
The Australian Masters is co-sanctioned by the Australasian and European Tours.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Golf Tips:
Why does my golf ball do that?
Most golfers rarely hit the ball dead straight.
And many amateurs know all about the slice where the ball starts straight and then veers off to the right.
Natural quirks in a golfer's swing will mean the ball might move slightly left or slightly right through the air.
Golfers such as Colin Montgomerie learn to use this to their advantage but also learn how to move the ball in other ways.
Our troubleshooting guide will tell you why the ball is moving in a certain flight path and golf coach, Nick Bradley, will tell you how to correct it.
Click through the links on the right hand side.
You can also check our guides on the basic set up and how to swing the club.
************************************************************************************************
How to avoid slicing the ball
The ball starts to the left of the target line and then curves right to finish to the right of the target.
Check this list of possibilities to see where you are going wrong:
Aim: Your clubface could be too open.
Grip: Your hands may be twisted too far round to the left of the grip, known as a weak grip. As you swing through the ball the blade is naturally opening.
Ball position: The ball could be too far forward in your stance causing your shoulders to open.
Stance: Your stance may be too narrow causing you to be unstable and rely too much on your arms through the forward swing rather than your hips.
Body alignment: Your feet, hips and shoulders are probably aiming too far left of the target causing you to swing your club on an 'out to in' swing path. (See above).
Posture: You may be standing too far from the ball.
Swing: In the first part of the backswing the club goes too much to the inside. The left arm goes too much across the chest. The arms have got nowhere to go so they lift and go over the top, like a figure of eight almost. (See above).
Golf coach tip: Hit shots from a side hill lie with the ball above your feet. This will get you swinging along the correct target line rather than in, up and over.
************************************************************************************************
The ball starts to the left of the target line and continues to fly straight along that line. This of
ten happens with short irons.
ten happens with short irons.
Check this list of possibilities to see where you are going wrong:
Aim: Clubface not normally a factor.
Grip: Both hands could be twisted too far round the right on the grip causing the clubface to close at impact.
Ball position: The ball may be too far forward in the stance causing the shoulders to aim left.
Stance: If the stance is too narrow the shoulders will dominate the forward swing.
Body alignment: The feet, hips and shoulders are aiming too far left. (See above).
Posture: Maybe a bit top heavy where you don't have enough knee flex.
Arms: Your arms are too close to your chest.
Golf coach tip: Check your grip and your clubface position, making sure it's not closed. Try and rotate the clubface through the ball like a swing door in a western. Make sure it opens on the way back and closes after you've hit the shot. (See above).
************************************************************************************************
How to fade the ball
A ball which starts left and moves right through the air ending on target is known as a fade.
A ball which starts left and moves right through the air ending on target is known as a fade.
Colin Montgomerie hits this shot as a natural part of his game.
It's a good thing, here's how to play it:
Step 1: Set your clubface square to the ball.
Hold the club extra tight in the bottom three fingers of your left hand which means you will release the club slightly later than normal and help create the left to right trajectory.
Step 2: Aim your feet and shoulders to the left of the target making sure the clubface is still square. (See above).
Step 3: With everything except the club aiming left, it should automatically force you to develop an out-to-in swing path which is necessary to create the fade. (See above).
Step 4: On the downswing concentrate on bringing the club back across the ball, attacking the 2 o'clock position on the ball. You should feel like your right hand comes underneath the shot.
Golf coach tip: If you're going to commit to fading the ball then start aiming left. Really commit to moving it from left to right.
************************************************************************************************
How to draw the ball
The ball starts to the right of the target line then curves to the left to finish on target.
A draw is a good thing, here's how to play it.
The ball starts to the right of the target line then curves to the left to finish on target.
A draw is a good thing, here's how to play it.
Step 1: Set your clubface square to the ball.
Hold the club more loosely in your left hand turning your grip clockwise so you can see an extra knuckle on your left hand thus creating a stronger grip.
Step 2: Aim your feet and shoulders to the right of the target, making sure the clubface is still square. (See above).
The ball might be slightly further forward in your stance.
Step 3: With everything aiming right of the target except the club head, you should automatically develop an 'in-to-out' swing path. (See above).
Concentrate on swinging the club back along the line of your feet.
Step 4: Fire into the ball on the downswing, visualising hitting through the 4 o'clock position on the ball. It should feel like you are following through well right of the target and that your right hand is turning over your left.
Golf coach tip: It's far easier to draw and shape ball with long irons than with short irons. Don't try and draw a short iron because it will inevitably turn into a hook.
************************************************************************************************
Get rid of the push shot
The ball starts to the right of target line and continues to fly straight along that line.
The ball starts to the right of target line and continues to fly straight along that line.
Check this list of possible faults.
Aim: Clubface not normally a factor.
Grip: Grip a little weak but not usually a factor.
Ball position: The ball position needs to be right so you hit the ball at the bottom of the swing arc. Ball likely to be too far back causing you to block the shot.
Stance: It may be too wide restricting the weight transference on the forward swing.
Body alignment: The feet, hips and shoulders may be aiming too far to the right. (See above).
Posture: You may be sitting too far back on your heels. Put your weight on to your toes more.
Swing: The body may well be sliding into the ball rather than turning through the shot. This means you are unlikely to be turning your hips as you should. (See above).
Golf coach tip: At the driving range, stand at the far right bay and hit to the left of the range. You won't push it.
************************************************************************************************
How to avoid hooking the ball
The ball starts to the right of the target line and then curves to the left to finish to the left of the target.
Check the following list for possible faults:
Aim: Your clubface may be too closed.
The ball starts to the right of the target line and then curves to the left to finish to the left of the target.
Check the following list for possible faults:
Aim: Your clubface may be too closed.
Grip: One or both of your hands may be twisted too far to the right. Check the V formed by your thumb and forefinger - it should be pointing inside your right shoulder, not outside.
Ball position: The ball may be too far back in the stance.
Stance: Not usually a problem but may be too wide.
Body alignment: Shoulders aimed far too far to the right. (See above).
Posture: Not normally a factor.
Swing: You cannot hook the ball unless your clubface is going crazy through the strike. Generally the swing is too long so, the body gets to the ball before the club head and the hands turn over at the last minute. (See above).
Golf coach tip: Keep the swing nice and short.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Histats.com
