Andrew Rice Golf

Posts Tagged ‘greg norman’

Champions Gate (International)

Look, we both know it’s been a long cold winter and that you are ready to feel the sun on your skin and get out and play some enjoyable golf. Why not head south and experience some great golf in Orlando.

Early spring is a fantastic time of year in O-town - no major summer crowds yet, the NBA’s Orlando Magic are playing and the heat (80’s just about every day) and humidity are perfect.

Orlando has two of the finest golf resorts in the entire USA; namely Grand Cypress and Champion’s Gate. Both resorts have multiple courses and are located on the Disney(west) side of the city.

Grand Cypress has three separate Jack Nicklaus nines along with the highly recommended Nicklaus designed New Course – which is based after the Old Course at St. Andrews. It even has a “burn” running through the course.

10th Hole New Course at Grand Cypress

Champion’s Gate sports two Greg Norman designed courses – one a links themed International course and the other a more traditional National course. While the linksy International can be great fun on a calm day, beware when the winds pick up as it can certainly be quite formidable.

The International course at Champion's Gate

Whether it be with the family or a golf specific trip, there are few locations that can match the fun you will have in Orlando. Give it a try!

Face On Camera Angle

• You do not need an expensive or HD video camera.  Anything with a shutterspeed of 1/1000th of a  second or higher should work nicely.  The camera I use every day runs $200!  Flip Video makes a functional and fun camera.
• A tripod is a must have!  And no, your golf bag is not a tripod! There are several small and lightweight tripods available that fit in a golf bag comfortably.  A tripod is important as it presents a steady image – any movement of the camera will render lines or reference points drawn on the screen useless.
• A good swing analysis software program is a must and I have found none better than the V1 Home system.  It allows you to compare swings side by side, draw lines (with angles!) and just about anything you could hope to do while viewing your swing.  Purchase and install this software on your computer and get to work!

Once you have the above items you are just about ready to begin.  When analyzing your swing it is very important that you establish a few rules and guidelines:

• Never over use your new technology! Remember you want to shoot lower scores, not make prettier swings.  Although the two might work hand in hand to a certain degree, never allow the look of your swing to take precedence over the function of your swing.  Only evaluate and analyze once a month.
• Make sure that your camera and tripod are placed in the same position every time.  Subtle changes here can result in large changes in the appearance of your swing.  Make sure that the tripod is positioned in the same fashion as the two photgraphs used in this post.
• It is very important for the ‘down the line position’ to be consistent.  Try to position the camera between the toes and the ball.  A little practice and you’ll have it down!

Down the Line Camera Position is Key

Get the correct equipment, record and analyze on a monthly basis, obey the guidelines you set out for yourself, and don’t try to be perfect – just better!

Things to Ponder:

• Is anybody overly excited about golf making it to the Olympics?  Ho hum…
• I find it interesting that the top three finishers from Firestone, Woods, Harrington and Allenby are the top three players after round one of the PGA.  Supports the saying that golfers make 80% of their money in 20% of their events!
• When will architects learn that you do not make a course (Hazeltine?) better by making it longer?  How about a little creativity? Anyone seen the 16th hole this week?
• I am not a fan of the way Tiger is playing his golf at the moment.  Greg Norman and Nick Faldo played golf the way it was supposed to be played.  Tiger seems to overpower the course and by blasting the ball everywhere, getting it up and down and making putts he continues to win.  Almost like a modern Seve Ballesteros!  Successful but not proper.
• Is John Daly up to his old tricks again?  I noted a WD next to his name yesterday.  Maybe it was just that recurring rib injury he suffered when someone took a picture of him in his backswing……..?
• I look for Tiger to continue to lead after round two (71) and for Phil to close the gap with a 67 of his own in the morning……

Thanks for reading and enjoy the PGA.

The Lodge at Doonbeg

Ireland is my favorite country in the world to play golf in and nowhere in all of Ireland is the combination of luxury and pure Irish links golf better than on the west coast of Ireland at Doonbeg.

The golf course, designed by Greg Norman, is a true links gem with nine holes going out and nine more bringing you home.  The course plays 6,885 yards from the back tees and it has everything from pot bunkers, to undulating greens, exciting, driveable par fours and treacherous par threes.  The five par threes are exhilarating with the shorter 9th, 11th and 14th leading the pack.

The 14th at Doonbeg

The  signature 14th hole plays to 111yards from the back tees and I have hit every club in my bag from a seven iron up in to the green.  Or at least the vicinity of the green!  As you can tell from the picture above it really is a case of do or die!  While the ocean is in view from sixteen of the eighteen holes it certainly does not come into play (on all of them!) and all skill levels should be able to have a fantastic day of golf.  There are five different sets of tees offered.  Other than one questionable green complex (#12) I thought all the holes were memorable,  very playable and interesting.  Actually quite a rare combination.

From a golf vacation perspective Doonbeg’s location in County Clare is excellent as you are in close proximity to Shannon airport and the esteemed Ballybunion and Lahinch links courses.

While the course has been known to abuse a few of it’s guests you will not experience anything of the sort at the Lodge at Doonbeg.  I have had the privilege of spending a handful of nights within her solid stone walls and I have never experienced a finer hotel in all my travels.  The food, bedding, customer service and attention to detail are second to none!  Oh, and the view is not too bad either!  Should the Guinness not have done the trick after the round, the ladies, and gents if you prefer, have access to the world class spa to soothe away those few too many swings out on the course.

Terri and I will travel with a group of  ‘friends’ to Doonbeg later this year to compete in the Norman Trophy.  We cannot wait to experience all the luxury and links Doonbeg has to offer.

For more golf in Ireland please click.

The 9th at Doonbeg

Things to Ponder:

• The other day my son asked asked me why I had a Bobby Jones haircut?! That boy is getting crazy about golf….
• My prayers are with the Mickelson family at the moment. Occasions like this make me realize what truly is important. Tell someone you care about that you love them!
• Look for my pick this week, Mr. Ian Poulter, to dominate the field!
• Thanks to you all for feedback on my post “Family Golf” – I appreciate the words of encouragement.
• Charles Barkley is a funny man, but Hank Haney has had no chance from day one! You cannot cure yips with instruction!  The only hope Sir Charles has is cross handed (my choice) or left handed. End of story!
• Anybody out there know of some secret links golf destinations please let me know.

So often I read that it is important to be “behind the ball”.  While this statement is almost correct I would prefer for a golfer to be “over” the ball and this sense initiates with the set up position.

The Set-up

 The set-up encompasses ball position, stance width and spine/shoulder tilt.  Let’s take a look from the ground up.

With the irons I would like to see the ball played from the middle of the stance – keep in mind, that in order to hit down on the ball, a must, the weight must be in front of the ball.  Notice that I said weight and not body or head!  When the ball is centrally located it is that much easier to hit down on.  As you get to the longer clubs(woods) slide the ball up toward the inside of the left heel.  In the Ben Hogan illustration you’ll notice how his ball is not quite in the center but a little forward.  This is due to his pronounced hip slide into impact which still allowed him to be able to hit down on a more forward ball position.

As far as the stance width goes, I prefer a narrower stance than a wider one and here’s why.  A narrow stance allows for the weight to get to the front foot easily – that’s why you should be chipping and pitching with a narrow stance.  Too wide and you’ll have a hard time getting onto the front foot without excess movement.

Head position and spine tilt is the most important factor in the set-up!  I read an article yesterday pontificating about if you tilt away from the target you’ll reduce your slice.  Well, you might reduce the slice, but you’ll have a hard time making solid contact with the ball.  All the best ball strikers set up as Hogan has here, with the head positioned between the feet, the left eye over the ball and the spine just about vertical.  There should also be a minimal amount of shoulder tilt when the spine is vertical.  Make sure you avoid any excess tilt into your back side as this will make it almost impossible to get “over” the ball at impact.

Set yourself up to get into a great impact!

Things to ponder:

• Harbourtown and the TPC Louisiana are both Pete Dye golf courses. They look like they are from different planets!
• Can Steve Stricker finally get the job done on Sunday? It’s been a while!
• Tiger Woods is a great champion, but does he play golf the way it was meant to be played? Does modern equipment let him play the game “his way”? I offer Greg Norman and Nick Faldo as contrasts.
• I was going to ask, ” When will Sergio grow up?” but I’m not sure he ever will.
• Will Sergio ever grow up?