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Tiger’s Fall Symbolizes America’s Decline as Well

November 20, 2011 / Staff

America is in decline in many ways from its economy to its culture and self-confidence but also on the golf course. Tiger Woods symbolized American greatness and glory both on and off the course, or so the image portrayed, but his fall is emblematic of the current state of golf which is being dominated by European players. Beyond that, the European Tour is quietly becoming more important and of a higher quality than the PGA Tour in the States.

The Official World Golf Ranking has England’s Luke Donald as the number one player. Donald won two PGA Tour events this year at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic and the World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play Championship. He earned over $6.6 million this year on the PGA Tour.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Island is the number two player on the Official World Golf Rankings. McIlroy has become one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour and is a big hit with American fans. He won the US Open this year and competed in just ten PGA Tour events as he focuses primarily on the European Tour.

Lee Westwood of England is 3rd on The Official World Golf Ranking despite winning just one PGA Tour event over the past 5 years. Westwood tied for 3rd in the US Open for his best finish on the PGA Tour in 2011. Westwood dominates the European Tour and this is what makes his ranking so high.

Germany’s own Martin Kaymer is ranked 4th on the Official World Golf Ranking and like the players ahead of him, he concentrates primarily on the European Tour. Kaymer did win the 2011 World Golf Championships HSBC Champions event.

The best American is Steve Stricker, who ranks 5th on the Official World Golf Ranking and was the winner of two PGA events this year with The Memorial and the John Deere Classic. Stricker has yet to be a winner vs. the golf odds at a major tournament.

As for Tiger, he has fallen all the way down to 50th on the Official World Golf Ranking after reigning atop the board for many years. Woods last won a tournament in 2009 and finished a humiliating 132nd on the PGA Tour last year. Tiger’s career has been in a shambles with physical injuries and the mental strain of his wrecked marriage and personal life that tarnished his carefully cultivated image. Many wonder if he will ever be the same again.

Golf Pros

Lee Westwood Luke Donald Rory McIlroy Tiger Woods

Taking that England golf trip

November 14, 2011 / Staff

There’s so much to do in England that any tourist can get overwhelmed by the possibilities. For many golf fanatics, a trip to England and Scotland is at the very top of their list. Golfer fantasize about playing at St. Andrews and other iconic courses, though of course the fees are just incredible. Not everyone can afford it.

This time of year you can start thinking about your budget and possibly getting in a great trip to England. The airfares are certainly less. Of course the weather isn’t as cooperative, but you also avoid all the summer crowds.

Do some research and think about your trip and your options. For example, check out Leeds castle (pictured above) and consider the 9-hole golf course there. Also, you don’t have to plan your entire trip around golf. There is so much more to see and do in this spectacular country. The Brighton hotels for example should be a bargain this time of year in this seaside resort.

Of course you’ll want to go up to Scotland is you can swing it, and you’ll deals this time of year on hotels in Edinburgh so you can check out the castle.

The key is that you really don’t have to plan an entire trip around golf. Most golf fans appreciate beautiful scenery and history, and the UK offers so much in those areas.

Travel

England golf golf travel

Steve Williams keeps saying stupid things

November 5, 2011 / Staff

Ever since Tiger Woods let him go, caddie Steve Williams keeps putting his foot in his mouth. His latest gaffe seems particularly stupid, even if it was at a private event.

Uncategorized

caddie caddies famous caddies Steve Williams Tiger Woods Tiger Woods vs Steve Williams

Training is always important

November 4, 2011 / Staff

Golf isn’t just for beer guzzling weekend warriors any more. Tiger Woods proved that you can get stronger and be even more effective. Think about it. Of course you don’t want to ruin your swing, so flexibility has to be one of your goals. But you don’t have to give up your dream of looking like an MMA fighter just because you’re serious about your golf game.

Check out the video above and you’ll want to try the workout program used by Georges St-Pierre. This is not about bulking up, but instead it’s about getting incredibly fit. The intensity is real and it’s ideal for those of you who set the bar high for yourself.

If you want to improve your golf game, doing something to improve your fitness can only help. Find a workout routine that fits your goals and just be mindful of how it’s impacting your swing as well. That said, this program is not for the guy looking for a program to just get into shape. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if you’re looking for something more challenging this could be for you.

Lifestyle

workouts

Golf Betting Dynamics Changing Rapidly

October 24, 2011 / Staff

It was only a couple of years ago that Tiger Woods was the biggest overlay in all of sports as the golfer the masses would flock to each weekend for what they believed to be easy money. Woods had his name atop the Official World Golf Ranking for years on end and golf betting basically came down to who was the second choice after Woods.

It has taken the general betting public a year to catch on to the fact that Woods was nothing but a myth of the past and that his days of dominating golf were completely over. A new era has arrived in golf betting that is all about a fine crop of new players that adds significant parity and balance to a sport that needed it.

Betting on golf comes down to far more than who is going to win the next tournament. While you can certainly play those odds you can also get odds on different matchup pairings between the golfers as well as futures odds on the major tournaments as well as proposition bets on scores and such rarities as a hole in one.

Woods was always a highly popular choice on all of those different wagering options as he had a larger than life reputation that indeed turned into a myth that sustained itself for 2 years after his infamous fall on Thanksgiving weekend of 2009. Beyond the collapse of his phony image that he used to make hundreds of millions of dollars in endorsements and the destruction of his marriage; Woods has also had to deal with injuries that are decimating his ability to perform.

Woods has suffered an epic fall in which he went from number one on the Official World Golf Ranking all the way down to 55th. A new breed of names starting in order of ranking with Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Steve Stricker, and Dustin Johnson is where the action is for the new facts of golf betting life.

Handicappers are now looking at new dynamics that they didn’t care about when Woods was at the peak of his game such as board value. With Woods, the golf betting price was irrelevant but without him it is among the most important factors to consider. Matchups between golfers are now even and a new champion seems to win every week which makes this era the best ever.