How do you determine which golf ball is best for you?  There are so many to choose from and it seems like every year manufacturers change the name, packaging and composition of the balls so you can't just go back and pick up the identical ball you played with the previous year, unless you play something like a Titleist Pro V (but they do modify those too).

Obviously you won't go to a range with your golf ball selections because you can't get those back after you hit them.  So that means trial and error on the course, right?

Not sure which balls to choose for your test?  Golf Digest just released their 2012 Golf Ball Hot List, so why not start there?

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equipment/2012-05/hotlist-golf-balls#slide=1

Get together with your friends and if each of you buys a sleeve of balls you can have a wide selection to test at minimal cost and make it a fun day.  You can even have a little skills competition to make it interesting and maybe recover the cost of that sleeve you bought.

Here is sound advice from the people at Taylor Made on how pro golfers test which ball is best for them.  I think it will work for you too.  Check out this video.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DefRUqwNW6Os%26feature%3Dplcp&h=MAQE3hrpDAQHZSbJotFnPvf7U9CPlxosv5SNiaUS93vx5NA

Over the past few weeks, I've received a some special deal e-mails from CT courses.  Most of these deals apply to Monday thru Thursday play and usually during non-peak times like 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  I've copied their promotions below - some inexpensive golf at great courses for you to take advantage of.  These three courses are all excellent venues that I've played many times and would highly recommend.  Keep an eye out for more deals as courses try to get players to fill in their non-peak time slots.  How can you be the first to find out about these deals?  Well you can always keep checking the CTGolfer.com site as Bob Samek is always on top of the latest specials and go to the club websites and sign up for their e-mail blasts.  Often some of the best deals are given to e-mail subscribers.  So what are you waiting for?  Wouldn't you like more money in your pocket after your round of golf?

Stanley Golf Club

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Sterling Farms Golf Club

MONDAYS GOT YOU DOWN?  

Timberlin Golf Club

ATTENTION LOYAL PATRONS OF TIMBERLIN GOLF CLUB

The Early Bird Special will be coming to an end April 30th

We will be starting our new special May 1st

18-Holes with a cart plus a $6 credit to Remzi's Restaurant for only $45!!!

(THIS SPECIAL RUNS MONDAY-THURSDAY FROM 10 am - 2 pm ONLY)

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, May 9th - CLEVELAND GOLF PLAY DAY (2 pm - 7 pm)

Try any Cleveland Driver on the golf course

Saturday, May 12th - CLEVELAND DEMO DAY (11 am - 3 pm)

Try the latest and greatest Cleveland Golf has to offer on the Timberlin Driving Range

Monday & Tuesday, May 14th & 15th - AERATION

Saturday, May 19th - ADAMS GOLF DEMO DAY (11 am - 3 pm)

Try the latest and greatest Adams Golf has to offer on the Timberlin Driving Range

See You On The Tee,

Marc S. Bayram, PGA

Head Golf Professional

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Below is the formal announcement from the PGA of America on their new program which incorporates their former Play Golf America free lesson month inititative.  Get out there and take advantage of these great offers in your area.

From the PGA of America:

Welcome to Golf Month Launches Today, May 1

Throughout May, golfers are encouraged to bring family and friends out to have fun, while learning a game for a lifetime. The PGA of America, Golf Digest and Nike Golf have partnered to launch Welcome to Golf Month.

Check out our latest Welcome to Golf Month video on YouTube | Follow the conversations on Facebook and Twitter PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America, Golf Digest and Nike Golf have partnered to launch Welcome to Golf Month in May, a new Play Golf America program evolving from PGA Free Lesson Month. While free 10-minute lessons from PGA/LPGA Professionals are the foundation of Welcome to Golf Month, additional complimentary introductory programs, orientations and Get Golf Ready clinics are also part of the innovative month-long promotion. More than 1.1 million people have received free 10-minute lessons in May since 1998 when The PGA of America and Golf Digest originally introduced PGA Free Lesson Month, one of the most successful growth-of-the-game initiatives in the golf industry. "Golf is a game - a game with a ball and a stick that produces a ton of fun," said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. "Welcome to Golf Month is the perfect time to get out and give golf a try by taking a free 10-minute lesson or by participating in a free golf clinic. We encourage golfers to bring their family and friends to the course to share in the experience and have a great time together." Welcome to Golf Month is the perfect time for lapsed golfers to come back to the game; new golfers to try the game; and avid golfers to bring a friend or family member to the game. Consumers can find Welcome to Golf Month programs in their area by going to PlayGolfAmerica.com/wtg and can find a "Beginner's Guide" on how to get started in the game at GolfDigest.com. "As stewards of this great game, we are pleased to support Welcome to Golf Month," said Golf Digest Chairman & Editorial Director Jerry Tarde. "This month-long celebration of golf is a tremendous opportunity for our game to recruit new players, bring lapsed players back and expose it to the next generation of golfers." Every golfer who participates in Welcome to Golf Month is encouraged to enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a two-day/two-night getaway and golf school at The PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance in Port St. Lucie, Fla., or two sets of Nike golf clubs. More than 3.3 million people have participated in Play Golf America programs since 2004. Since its inception, Play Golf America programs have provided millions of people with the opportunity to learn the game of golf and/or to be re-introduced to the game through free and affordable programs hosted by PGA and LPGA Professionals nationwide. Not only do the programs develop basic golf skills and techniques, but they also promote health and fitness principles while having fun spending time with family and friends. Welcome to Golf Month is sponsored by Golf Digest, Nike Golf, and the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance. About The PGA of America Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf. About Golf Digest Golf Digest, the world's foremost authority on how to play, what to play and where to play golf is part of Golf Digest Companies and is published by Condé Nast. Condé Nast is home to some of the world's most celebrated media brands. In the United States, Condé Nast publishes 18 consumer magazines, four business-to-business publications, 27 websites, and more than 50 apps for mobile and tablet devices, all of which define excellence in their categories. The company also owns Fairchild Fashion Media (FFM), whose portfolio of brands serves as the leading source of news and analysis for the global fashion community. Condé Nast has won more National Magazine Awards over the past ten years than all of its competitors combined. For more information, visit condenast.com or follow us on Twitter @CondeNastCorp.

Calling All Girls ages 5 to 7 -

Here's the latest from CT's own Suzy Whaley on the Inagural Cobra Puma Golf Girls Golf Fair on May 19, 2012 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT.

Our link is live for registration! I am passionate about getting more girls to play golf and we have the opportunity to show consumers that golf is fun, healthy, affordable, and ageless! All PGA professionals and LPGA professionals can promote their programming during the day and really get players to their facilities!

The inaugural COBRA PUMA GOLF Girl’s Golf Fair on May 19, 2012, at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT provides an opportunity for girls, ages 5 to 17, to see golf in a whole new light. The day will provide an exciting upbeat venue where girls can discover the thrill of golf through physical activity, games and contests. At the fair, girls will learn to play golf with PGA and LPGA professionals, improve their skills, meet instructors from throughout New England, join programs, and build lasting friendships. We will have giveaways, music, food, inspirational shows, inflatables, and most importantly FUN! Join us on May 19. 2012 and discover what the world of golf can offer to girls!

We are ready to grow golf and sign up 1000 girls for our girls golf fair but please I Need Your Help!

Please send out to your database. Please get your members to help us. Please talk about it, please ask people to activate their members and signup!  Please send to anyone you possibly can think of!

To sign up:

http://www.suzywhaleygolf.com  it is front and center on the home page

http://cobragolf.com/girlsgolffair

 Thank you very much,

Suzy Whaley

Want to know a little more about Suzy and why she's so dedicated to teaching golf - read this recent article by Chris Elsberry in the Connecticut Post -

http://www.ctpost.com/default/article/Chris-Elsberry-Whaley-hopes-to-be-golf-s-3448595.php

But even before Bubba and Phil hit the TV screens, Bo Van Pelt tied a masters record by shooting 64 to tie the lowest Sunday score.  And we the TV viewers didn't get to see any of it, our loss.

Even though we missed that special moment, we were treated with some spectacular and not so spectacular golf for the rest of the day.

At the start of the day Peter Hanson had the lead with Phil one behind.  Then all of a sudden Louis Oosthuizen blasts to the forefront when he hits a spectacular approach shot on the second hole and makes a double eagle to go 10 under and take the lead, something he would only give up briefly to playing partner Matt Kuchar.  His double eagle was only the 4th in Masters history and the first to ever be scored on the second hole.  So what did Louis do - he tossed the ball into the crowd after he holed out this historic slam dunk!  Will we see that orb on e-bay soon?

Next up was Adam Scott's hole-in-one on the 16th hole, the second of the day - Van Pelt had the other one.

As the excitement was growing suddenly Phil steps up the par-3 4th hole and the golf gods decided to have some fun and the normally steady Phil hits his shot deep into the bamboo.  As he contemplates his options, he decides that he can't go back on the line between the ball and the flag as that would put him deeper into the woods.  For a short moment he mentions going back to the tee, but apparently he didn't consider that option for very long and instead decides to try to punch out the ball.  He has to hit right handed, turning his club around and almost incurs a penalty when the ball comes within inches of striking his foot.  He barely gets the ball to escape the grunge and has to make a similar second shot, this one nearly clocking his leg in the process.  By the time Phil finished the hole he had a triple bogey 6 and lost his bid for a fourth jacket.  I'm sure Phil will be rethinking that decision for a long time.

Hanson, playing with Phil also had a rough start with bogeys on 1 and 3.  It seemed that nobody was making a run and the leaders were backing up.  Louis bogeyed 4, something he did in ever round except the first, then gave another back the 10th, now he was sitting a 8 under and letting players back into the game.  Phil was at 6 under and many thought he might be able to make the charge.  Bubba and Hanson were one back of Louis with Kuchar, Westwood and Harrington at -5.  There was still a lot of golf left to play so it appeared to be a horse race to the finish.

15 gave the players an opportunity for eagle.  Westwood hit a great second shot into the par 5 but his eagle putt rimmed around the hole and he ended up with a tap in birdie. 

Kuchar made a quick run to -7 with birds on 12 and 13.  Soon the Bubba show would begin.  He bogeyed the 12th to go back to -6, then proceeded to birdie the next four holes to get to 10 under!  Louis birdied 13 to go to 9 under and tied Bubba by going to 10 on the 15th hole.

It looked like Bubba was going to be in trouble when he put his tee shot into the trees on 17 but he made a miracle shot through an opening in the trees and made an easy par.  Louis also hit a wayward shot that appeared to have gone into the woods but had hit a tree and bounced back into the fairway.  With Bubba's recovery shot on the green, Louis couldn't take advantage of his fortunate break.

Many of the top players had good chances for eagles and birdies but the putts just didn't want to drop.  So it was Bubba and Louis to the end.  It looked like Bubba might win it on 18 but nerves got the best of him as he missed a short putt that would have gotten him to -11. 

Playoff time.  Ninth time in Masters history that the champion had to play extra holes. 

Bubba teed up on the 18th hole, the first playoff hole, with that pink shafted Ping G-20 (8.5 degrees/44.5 in shaft) driver with the custom painted pink head marked "Made Exclusively For Bubba."  Bubba is playing the pink driver in support of breast cancer awareness and Ping is donating $300 for every drive Bubba hits over 300 yards up to a total of 300 drives.  The pink bomber smokes one out there in perfect position.  Louis was up second and hugged his drive along the left side of the fairway.

Louis had 151 to the hole and hit his approach pin high about 10-12 feet from the hole for birdie.  Pressure is on Bubba who is 131 away.  Bubba answers and hits it about 8 ft from the hole.  Louis putt skims by the hole on the right and he ends up with par.  Bubba now has a chance to win but misses left and now it's off to the 10th hole.

Bubba hits an ugly tee shot deep into the woods on the right and has 155 to the green.  Louis seeing what Bubba has just done decides to play safe and tees off with a three wood.  Only problem is his ball is also headed for the trees too.  He gets another lucky break and his ball kicks out with a clear shot to the green.  Advantage Louis.  Louis is first to hit.  At 231 out his shot is short of the green.  Given where Bubba is, it doesn't seem that bad.

Bubba, the lefty has a clear shot to the fairway to chip out but that's not Bubba's plan.  Instead he hits a wicked snap hook (for us righties it would be a massive banana ball) that miraculously finds it's way to the green.  Advantage Bubba.

Louis chips up but is still away, misses the par putt and taps in for a 5.  Bubba now has two putts to win.  Bubba stares down the putt, makes his stroke and the ball just skims the edge of the cup leaving the winning 6 incher to tap in.

Then the water works start, Bubba is so overwhelmed by the victory that his emotions take over.  It was an awesome win, one that will change Watson's life forever.  It was a popular win with several of Bubba's fellow golfers waiting to congratulate him on his first major.

So which shot was the best of the tournament - Louis double eagle or Bubba's clutch shot out of the trees on the second playoff hole?  My vote has to go to Bubba.  To pull off that shot under that pressure is beyond words.  While Louis accomplishment is memorable and historic, there was a greater amount of luck in that hole-out.

Mickelson, Kuchar, Westwood and Hanson all finished tied for 3rd at -8.

Sidenotes:

Congrats to Bubba and his wife on the adoption of a baby boy, the reason why his wife wasn't there to congratulate him on his Master's win, although she did send over a pic of her and the baby to share with Bubba and his fans.

Only four lefties have won the Masters - Bubba (2012), Phil (04-06-10), Mike Weir (03) and Bob Charles (1963).

Ping has to be very happy with both Bubba and Louis playing their clubs.

Breast cancer awareness was on the forefront thanks to Bubba.

Oh, and Tiger, well he finished 5 over in the back of the pack.  He never broke par during the tournament, shooting 72-75-72-74.  He only had 3 birds on the back nine during the entire tournament.  None of those birds were on the par 5s.  To say Tiger was off would be an understatement.  I have to wonder how much longer Tiger will stay with Sean Foley, his coach for the last 18 months.  During the time since working with Butch Harmon and Hank Haney, Tiger has been less than impressive on the golf course.  I think it's time to rethink his options.

As predicted, Saturdays round was exciting.  While players like Couples and Westwood faltered, Peter Hansen and Phil Mickelson played great golf.  Tiger continued his collapse in a way we've never seen the former number one play. And Rory, well he's 10 back of the leader so this just isn't going to be the year he puts on a green jacket.

The leaders, Hansen at -9 and Mickelson one back, should put on a good show today.  While the pack isn't as deep as it was yesterday there are still players positioned to make a charge should either of those leaders find trouble today.  Close behind are Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan and Padraig Harrington and any one of those players are capable of shooting that low round should Hansen or Mickelson run into trouble on the course. Kuchar has that Georgia thing going for him, Hunter just won a recent tournament and Paddy is a majors winner, and Bubba's not slack around the course.

My pick today for the green jacket is Phil Mickelson.  He's a fan favorite, he's playing well, he's got his strut going, he's a three-time Masters champion and has played the course on many Sundays. 

My fear for Hansen is that this is only his second appearance at Augusta and last year he didn't make the weekend cut, so he's never played the Sunday pin placements which could be key in shooting that low round needed to win.  What he does have in his corner is that he played with Phil during the first two rounds so he probably will be comfortable playing with him in the final round and he got a chance to see how Phil manages the course.  Will the pressure of being the leader in a major - the Masters - and playing with a former Masters winner - who happens to be Phil - be enough to unnerve the Swede? 

What was sad to hear was Sergio admit in his after round interview that he feels he will never win a major because he isn't good enough.  What?  I have to wonder if Sergio is saying that to get the reporters off his back about not winning a major.  Sergio definitely has the talent to win one, he just needs to be there mentally and learn to deal with the pressure and expectations.  For him to take the easy way out just isn't right.  If you don't think you can win, why play?  He shouldn't be happy with just winning regular tournaments.  I think as he gets older he'll look back on this failure to try to achieve as the void in his golfing career.  He'll never be considered one of the best golfers with an attitude like that.  Seve would be very disappointed in your mindset Sergio.

And the other sound bite that amazed me is Hansen saying he wants to retire at 2016.  Are these guys making that much money that they can retire by age 40?  Yep, they sure are.

This is one my favorite golf weekend each year - Masters weekend in Augusta.  A mecca for golfers, Augusta has to be one of the most famous courses in America, and one of the toughest to gain access to.  Our primary access to the home of azaelas is through television coverage, which definitely does not due the course justice.  When I visited in 2010, I was shocked at just how hilly Augusta National is. 

What is also amazing is how cheap the food is there compared to other tournaments of lesser stature that I've attended.  Instead of $8 for a chicken sandwich at an area tourney you might pay $3 at Augusta. I remember buying two bottles of water, a pimento cheese sandwich, a bag of chips, a banana, and another sandwich and it cost me around $10.

Where they will get you though is in the pro shop when you try to bring back memorabilia for yourself and every friend who wants something with a Masters logo.  I think my credit card got hit for about a grand before I was done shopping for everyone.  In fact I had to buy a separate suitcase to carry all the stuff home!

While visiting this historic place was a thrill I will not forget, my preference is to actually watch tournaments on TV.  So often when I've positioned myself at one hole to watch players come through, I'd hear a roar off in the distance on another hole and wonder what was going on that I missed.  And following groups for more than a couple holes isn't my thing because then I'm only seeing what that group of golfers is doing on the course.  So yes, I prefer to be a couch potato when it comes to watching golf tournaments, but don't get me wrong, a chance to go to Augusta was well worth it.

My visit was on Wednesday of Masters week, when the players are doing their final practice round and playing the par-3 competition so things are much more relaxed and of course nothing posted on the scoreboard.

I was thrilled to see Fred Couples name atop the leaderboard going into weekend play this year.  Fred has always been one of my favorites because of his easy going attitude and probably because he's a couch potato too.  Fred prefers relaxing at home and seldom pick up the phone.  His swing always seems so effortless.  This years tournament marks the 20th anniversary of his Masters win, can it really be that long ago.  While Fred has won countless tournaments, he only has that one major to his credit.  What a great story it would make if he could hold on and win again this weekend. 

Jack Nicklaus won six Masters starting in 1963 and had the largest gap between wins when he won in 1975 and then captured the green jacket in 1986.  If Fred could win this year that would be a 20 year gap, unheard of, and most likely not probable with the field of horses chasing him this weekend.

Tiger has won four with 2005 being his last victory, but I'm guessing the way he played Friday has his mind scrambling harder than he scrambled to finish up that round going into the weekend at 3 over.  He has had miracle comebacks but I don't think it will be this weekend.  He may challenge, but with the big stick and the flat stick acting pretty wonky, well who knows.

I can't remember when the leaderboard going into the weekend has been this tight.  Dufner and Couples sit at 5 under with Bubba, Sergio, Rory, Lee and Oosthuizen all sitting one shot back.  At 3 under we have Kuchar, Lawrie and Jimenez.  Mickelson is in position along with Baddeley, Watney and Howell at 2 under to make that big move today.  Fowler is at 4 over so it's going to be hard for him to pass so many other players.  Woods may have had a good chance at it if there were only 3 or 4 players between him and the lead, but with all these stellar players in the mix I'd put money down that he won't be putting on a green jacket tomorrow.

I've got the DVR set so that I make sure I won't miss anything and can't wait for coverage to start this afternoon.  Yes, this is definitely one of my favorite tournaments.  Who's your pick to win?  Will it be decided at Amen Corner?

I have to admit, I didn't watch any golf this past weekend so I didn't see Tiger's comeback win after a 30 month absence from the top of the leaderboard.  I haven't been a big Tiger fan since his infidelity was exposed.  Golf is such a game of honor and we all know that what he did in his personal life was dishonorable but he has always been honorable in the game of golf. 

Sometimes that fire in his belly has caused him to curse or toss a club in front of the TV cameras that were always aimed at him while I am sure there were many other journeymen out there doing the same thing but because they were nowhere near the leader board the networks failed to show their indiscretions.

I wonder if that fire now is partially due to the new tell all book coming out today by Tiger's former coach Hank Haney.  The Big Miss controversy seems to be about Hank's claim that Tiger was so obsessed with military training after the death of his father, that he went for Navy Seal Training and injured his knee there. 

Infuritated by the assumptions made in the Haney book, Tiger bristled at a recent interview session with media when Golfweek Senior Writer Alex Miceli asked him to confirm or deny the claim.  Tiger refused to answer stating that he had already discussed the book in previous interviews. So maybe Tiger should thank Hank for putting that spark back into his game, something that has been sorely lacking the last couple years. 

As he's gotten older, like many golfers before him, the injuries have started taking a toll.  I always wondered if Tiger's body would at some point fail him, the way he would torque those muscles to send those bombs down the fairway.  Even in his youth, Davis Love III who was one of the longest hitters realized that he had to tone back the twisting because it was having a devastating effect on his back.  He could still be competitive without having to be the longest. 

Tiger had always been an athlete in top condition.  He works out to keep in shape but the body can only take so much punishment before something gives and in Tiger's case it seems to be persistent knee problems. 

People thought the game would suffer without Tiger at the top but I've actually enjoyed seeing others rise.  Phil has made some progress but never dominated the way he should have.  Similarly Ernie Els and Vijay Singh, names that were always at the top of the leader board once have now faded away.  A new crop of younger players have come forth and overtaken Tiger during his slump.

Players like Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald are battling each other for the number one spot on the World Rankings.  They've put some excitement back into tournaments.  The last time I saw an exciting player like that was when Sergio Garcia started making miracle shots but he too has failed to rise to the expectations put upon him.

So where am I going with all this.  Well, back to Tiger and the upcoming Masters Tournament.  If Tiger is healthy, which I think he may be, he's going back to the site of one of his favorite courses and tournaments and the chance to add another notch into the majors belt to try to overtake Jack Nicklaus for most majors.  With Rory and Luke both playing so well, and players like Steve Stricker coming on strong over the past couple years, will it be as easy for Tiger to dominate at Augusta as it was in the past.  I don't think so.  I think he's going to have a real fight on his hands this time.  Am I glad he's back in the mix, yeah I guess I have to admit that it will be more fun seeing him there than not.  I just wish I could still like him as a person.

The Hank Haney book The Big Miss is available Tuesday, March 27th at major book stores and internet sites.  Cover price is $26 but right now you can pre-order with Barnes & Noble for the hardcover at $15.75 or Nook book for $13.99.  Amazon.com is offering the hardcover at $15.60 with free super saver shipping.

Is this a book you are interested in reading?  Don't expect to see any instruction from Hank here, this is more in line with a biography or gossip novel.  Below is the book description from the Amazon.com site.

Book Description

The Big Miss is Hank Haney’s candid and surprisingly insightful account of his tumultuous six-year journey with Tiger Woods, during which the supremely gifted golfer collected six major championships and rewrote golf history. Hank was one of the very few people allowed behind the curtain. He was with Tiger 110 days a year, spoke to him over 200 days a year, and stayed at his home up to 30 days a year, observing him in nearly every circumstance: at tournaments, on the practice range, over meals, with his wife, Elin, and relaxing with friends.
 
The relationship between the two men began in March 2004 when Hank received a call from Tiger in which the golf champion asked him to be his coach. It was a call that would change both men’s lives.
 
Tiger—only 28 at the time—was by then already an icon, judged by the sporting press as not only one of the best golfers ever, but possibly the best athlete ever. Already he was among the world’s highest paid celebrities. There was an air of mystery surrounding him, an aura of invincibility. Unique among athletes, Tiger seemed to be able to shrug off any level of pressure and find a way to win.
 
But Tiger was always looking to improve, and he wanted Hank’s help.
 
What Hank soon came to appreciate was that Tiger was one of the most complicated individuals he’d ever met, let alone coached. Although Hank had worked with hundreds of elite golfers and was not easily impressed, there were days watching Tiger on the range when Hank couldn’t believe what he was witnessing. On those days, it was impossible to imagine another human playing golf so perfectly.
 
And yet Tiger is human—and Hank’s expert eye was adept at spotting where Tiger’s perfection ended and an opportunity for improvement existed. Always haunting Tiger was his fear of “the big miss”—the wildly inaccurate golf shot that can ruin an otherwise solid round—and it was because that type of blunder was sometimes part of Tiger’s game that Hank carefully redesigned his swing mechanics.
 
Hank’s most formidable coaching challenge, though, would be solving the riddle of Tiger’s personality. Wary of the emotional distractions that might diminish his game and put him further from his goals, Tiger had developed a variety of tactics to keep people from getting too close, and not even Hank—or Tiger’s family and friends, for that matter—was spared “the treatment.”
 
Toward the end of Tiger and Hank’s time together, the champion’s laser-like focus began to blur and he became less willing to put in punishing hours practicing—a disappointment to Hank, who saw in Tiger’s behavior signs that his pupil had developed a conflicted relationship with the game. Hints that Tiger hungered to reinvent himself were present in his bizarre infatuation with elite military training, and—in a development Hank didn’t see coming—in the scandal that would make headlines in late 2009. It all added up to a big miss that Hank, try as he might, couldn’t save Tiger from.
 
There’s never been a book about Tiger Woods that is as intimate and revealing—or one so wise about what it takes to coach a superstar athlete.

In 2010, I had the great pleasure of attending the Masters and the Golf Writers annual awards dinner where Ken Green and Tom Watson were both awarded the Ben Hogan Award, given to an individual who has continued to be active in golf despite a physical handicap or serious illness.  Past recipients included inaugural winner Babe Zaharias and caddie Bruce Edwards who suffered from ALS.  The award began in 1954 and listed at the end of this article is the complete list of winners.

The 2012 award is being given to Sophie Gustafson.  During the 2011 Solheim Cup many of us became aware of something Sophie had hidden from the public, a severe case of stuttering which kept her from doing public interviews.  During the extensive rain delays at the Cup, the broadcasting network seemed to fill the airwaves with all types of interviews and we got to learn a little bit more about the women who play the game and compete for their country in the bi-annual battle.

Sophie Gustafson decided that she would do something very courageous - go before the TV cameras and speak to the public.  If you didn't get to see her interview during the Solheim Cup, you can see the replay by clicking on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wJ2DO_P7tm0

Sophie turned pro in 1992 and  joined the Ladies European Tour (LET).  While Annika Sorenstram may be the first Swedish name that comes to mind for American golfers, Sophie definitely is well known on both the LET and the LPGA tours.  Sophie joined the LPGA tour in 1998 and has earned over $6 million dollars to date on that tour.  She continues to play both the LPGA tour and the LET Tour where she has earned over $3 million dollars (US).  Her only win on the LPGA Tour came in 2009 at the CVS LPGA Challenge but she has many top 10s to her credit.  She has won many international victories on the LET Tour.

Sophie made golf headlines in 2006 when she married then LPGA Commissioner Ty Votaw.  Votaw left the tour shortly after and unfortunately the marriage only lasted 4 years.

She credits Seve Ballesteros and Laurie Davies as having the most influence on her career.  And she loves motorbikes, purchasing a 2004 Triumph Tiger to tool around on.  I think I can figure out which role model might have influenced that purchase.

Reading on Sophie's struggles makes me wonder if JFK had one more chapter to add to Profiles in Courage if he would have put Gustafson's story in there.  I know I would have.

In an 18+ Question segment for LPGA.com Sophie let us in on a couple other secrets - she's addicted to her Apple products, if she wasn't a golfer she'd like to be a photographer, she would like to trade places with President Obama for a day, she hates liver, she's a T-shirt and jeans girl who loves her Chapstick, and she keeps her frig stocked with cavier and Heineken.

Golf.com (March 2012) did a recent interview with Sophie about her award.  I have included it here so you can get to know this wonderful golfer a little better.  Enjoy her reflection on how stuttering effected her life.

 "Since turning pro in 1992, I've won five LPGA events and 21 international tournaments but never given a victory speech more than a few words long."

For 15 years I lived in fear as I struggled to hide my stuttering from the public, but after a breakout interview at last year's Solheim Cup, I'm starting to find my voice.

I was really humbled when I learned last month that the Golf Writers Association of America was presenting me with the Ben Hogan Award, which is given annually to an individual in golf who has overcome a handicap. I’m excited to go the GWAA dinner in Augusta on the eve of the Masters, but when I pick up my award, I won’t be giving a speech. With a couple hundred people staring at me, I wouldn’t get a word out. That’s because I have a stutter.

It has always been part of my backstory—in fact, my inability to communicate with the media has probably kept the golfing world from properly appreciating my 26 global victories or my three player of the year awards on the Ladies European tour. My condition got a lot of attention at the 2011 Solheim Cup when I did my first TV interview. Ever! It was my eighth Solheim; through the years I’ve watched the girls do all the interviews and have a lot of laughs in the group press conferences, and I wanted to be a part of it. But I had been turning down interview requests for so long that reporters had stopped asking me. I felt a bit overlooked. On the flight to the Solheim, I asked Val Skinner, a Golf Channel correspondent, about working together on an interview, and she loved the idea. Doing it live would have been too daunting, so we taped it early in the week. It took me more than an hour to get through a dozen or so questions—ever the perfectionist, I wanted it to be good. Even in the edited version, which ran for 31⁄2 minutes, there were times when I needed five or 10 seconds to articulate a word. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that after taping the interview, I went 4–0 and helped lead Europe to victory.

I was somewhat overwhelmed by the response to the interview. Through Twitter and my personal website the comments poured in, and they were very positive and encouraging. I was extremely touched by a woman who wrote to say I had become a role model for her nephew, who stutters.

At 38, I feel as if I have a few more good years left competitively, but my new public profile has made me realize that as my playing career winds down, I can have an important role raising awareness about stuttering. It’s a very misunderstood condition, probably because we don’t do a good job of speaking up for ourselves. A lot of people think stuttering is simply a form of shyness, but it’s actually a complex bit of neuro psychology. There is lots of evidence that it has a genetic component. (My aunt stutters, and so did two of my brothers, but they grew out of it.) I’ve talked to a lot of doctors and researchers through the years, and the simplest way for me to understand it is that there is a disconnect between the two hemispheres of the brain. Just as stress or nervousness can exaggerate my stutter, some things lessen it. When I’m being a smartass the words come out easier, and alcohol helps a little too. Friends have suggested I have a glass of wine before doing interviews, but trust me, it takes a lot more than that. The bottom line is that stuttering is part of my life.


 Growing up in Särö, Sweden, I got excellent grades in school, and the only accommodation my teachers made was to allow me to skip oral presentations. My peers never made a big deal of my stuttering, probably because I hung out with a cool crowd and was a good athlete. At an early age I gravitated to sports, where I could express myself in a different way. I grew up with four boys who lived down the street, and we did everything together: soccer, tennis, table tennis, handball, hockey, skiing, sailing. From eight to 13, I was a figure skater, but sorry, you don’t get to see any of those embarrassing photos.

People might think I chose golf because it’s a solitary pursuit, but really it was a pragmatic decision: Back then golf and tennis were the only sports in which a female athlete could make a decent living, and I wasn’t a world-beater at tennis. For a long time stories have been going around that I intentionally blew tournaments early in my career to avoid the spotlight. That’s not true, but looking back I do think there was something holding me back subconsciously.

In the spring of 1996, before beginning my second year on the LET, a bunch of us Swedes were working with Pia Nilsson and Kjell Enhager, who were coaches for the national team. As an exercise Kjell had each of us get up in front of the room and give a mock victory speech. I had always been terrified by the thought of having to do this for real. When it was my turn, I went up and said, “Thank you.” I knew that would be good enough if I ever won. Six weeks later I had my first professional victory. It was a Swedish tour event so the trophy presentation was pretty modest, but I did make a small speech, thanking the sponsors and the crowd. When I won my first LPGA tournament, the 2000 Chick-fil-A Charity Championship, Nancy Lopez was the host and she said a few words on my behalf. Later that year, when I won the British Open, they stuck the microphone under my nose without any warning, so I said, “Thank you.” It wasn’t easy to get the two words out, but I did and it felt great.


 Through the years I’ve tried a few things to reduce my stuttering, including acupuncture and speech therapy. Neither did much. In 2004, I began working with a doctor at USC who did research on stuttering. He prescribed a cocktail of heavy-duty drugs, including some more commonly used for depression and schizophrenia. There were strong side effects, so it’s no surprise that I played some of the worst golf of my career. I gave up on the experiment after about eight months, even though I made substantial progress with my stuttering. One time I called the courtesy-car people to ask a question, and the whole conversation was amazingly routine. When I hung up I couldn’t help but think, Holy s---, that was easy. I’m still in touch with this researcher, and when my playing days are over, I plan to go back to him and try again.

I lead a fun, active life and feel fortunate to have so many friends, but stuttering does complicate things. At tournaments I sign a lot of autographs but never initiate any small talk with fans. E-mail has been a great development in my life, as has Twitter, which allows the public to experience my cheeky sense of humor.

I’ve never been one to make a list of goals, but I’d still like to win a major championship. (When I won the British Open, it wasn’t yet deemed to be one.) If I snag a major, it will be a great capper to my career. And now that I’m getting more comfortable in the spotlight, I might be ready to give a pretty good victory speech.

Golf Writers Association of America
Ben Hogan Award

Given annually by the GWAA to an individual who has continued to be active in golf despite a physical handicap or serious illness. Bronze statuette donated by Ben Hogan division of Spalding Sports Worldwide.

1954 Babe Zaharias 
1955 Ed Furgol
1956 Dwight Eisenhower                               
1957 Clint Russell
1958 Dale Bourisseau                                    
1959 Charlie Boswell
1960 Skip Alexander
1961 Horton Smith
1962 Jimmy Nichols
1963 Bobby Nichols
1964 Bob Morgan
1965 Ernest Jones
1966 Ken Venturi
1967 Warren Pease
1968 Shirley Englehorn
1969 Curtis Person
1970 Joe Lazaro
1971 Larry Hinson
1972 Ruth Jessen
1973 Gene Littler
1974 Gay Brewer
1975 Patty Berg
1976 Paul Hahn
1977 Des Sullivan
1978 Dennis Walters
1979 John Mahaffey
1980 Lee Trevino
1981 Kathy Linney
1982 Al Geiberger
1983 Calvin Peete
1984 Jay Sigel
1985 Rod Funseth
1986 Fuzzy Zoeller
1987 Charles Owens
1988 Pat Browne
1989 Sally Little
1990 Linda Craft
1991 Pat Bradley
1992 Jim Nelford
1993 Shelley Hamlin
1994 Jim Ferree
1995 Paul Azinger
1996 Bob Murphy
1997 Steve Jones
1998 Terry-Jo Myers
1999 Casey Martin
2000 Jose Maria Olazabal
2001 Robert Allenby
2002 Scott Verplank
2003 Jeff Julian
2004 Bruce Edwards
2005 Hubert Green
2006 Bart Bryant
2007 Judy Rankin
2008 Denis Watson
2009 Erik Compton
2010 Tom Watson and Ken Green
2011 Barbara Douglas
2012 Sophie Gustafson