Moe on Golf

European Senior Tour Qualifying

2012-02-08T06:16:00.000-08:00

Chasing the Dream

After missing out in the Champion's Tour finals in November, 50th shooting par for four rounds I flew over to Portugal to give their tour a shot. Played well again shooting 72-69 in the pre-qualifier to advance to the final and shot 69-74-72-73 to finish 20th. For that I got a pat on the back and a finger pointing me to the airport to fly home.

These days there are loads of really nice golfers at every age. I have to say I enjoy playing in these events, they help you become better as long as you are patient and work hard to keep on improving. I figure by the time I am 80 I will be damn good. Hopefully then they'll have a super- super senior tour by then. And why not? Guys are staying fitter and fitter and who knows we'll be living to over a hundred in the not-too-distant future.

On a side note Portugal is one nice country. Never occurred to me in the past to visit Portugal, pretty quiet country really, just minding it's own business and putting out great soccer teams. Really impressed with its golf on the south coast, the Algarve. One resort after another with a weather and landscape much like Southern California. Beautiful beaches, excellent food, wine and a good value for just about everything. Worth a trip if you haven't been. We played at the Pestana golf courses, six courses in all, and the Pinta and Villa Sol are world class.

Anyway, next stop Newport Beach for a Champion's Tour qualifier in early March. Until then ramp up my exercise program, tweak my equipment and practice up on putting the ball into the hole two shots sooner over 18 holes!

How do I pay for all of these elaborate tournaments (golf vacations)? I run my top 25 rated golf school in Napa called Kris Moe Golf Schools. I also golf lessons in San Francisco at the San Francisco Golf Performance Center with my friend and coach, Terry Rowles.

Chasing the Senior Tour Dream

2011-12-09T11:33:00.001-08:00

Turned 50 in September and won the Senior Northern California Open right away!

Had the opportunity of playing the National Club Pro Senior Stroke Play in Virginia in October but finished poorly to miss out on an exemption to next year's PGA Senior Championship.

I did make through the regional Champion's Tour qualifying in Houston in late October of this year. So I played the finals at TPC Scottsdale in late November. Michael Allen was my caddy (he finished ninth on the Champion's Tour money list year) and what a great experience that was for me. That's Michael's home course and he was amazing as my partner out there.

I shot par for four rounds but at this level that's not even close to being good enough. So now I'm training up for the European Seniors in Portugal in late January. Feeling good, we'll keep you posted.

First tournament of the year

2011-01-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

Played in a Northern California PGA sectional event at a great golf course in Sacramento called Del Paso. Shot a fair round of 71 to finish 12th.

It was a wake up call to out of shape I am coming out of winter. I had played the previous two days in a practice round and another round in a skins game at my local home course Stonetree. Turns out the third day I was feeling it. Middle aged syndrome of sore back and yatta, yatta, yatta....

I'm going to start working with a trainer in San Francisco to start getting the body in better condition so I can handle multiple days of golf like one has to on any tour.

My tendency is too early extend (come out of posture through impact) and either hit it right or over hook the ball. When I'm pooping out this occurs more and more.

On another front I'm trying a new chipping and pitching technique that is very unconventional but I think will become conventional. I'd call it the Phil Rogers technique where you flip your hands through to use more of the bounce in the bottom of the club. In this event I semi- committed to the technique. I hit a couple really nice pitch and sand shots but I also chunked a couple.

Looking at pre-qualifying with the young guns for the Los Angeles Open February 9.

Today I'm off to San Diego for business and hoping to catch some of the San Diego Open at Torrey Pines.

Kris Moe Earns TPI Certification

2011-01-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend I attended a TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) seminar in San Francisco and passed their certification test so I can display their logo.

I was blown away with the quality of information Greg Rose and his staff shared. Their education is a "game changer" in the world of golf. Here's why, us well intentioned golf pros have been figuring all these years that our students can move and do things like us. Well there are a lot of golfers out there whose bodies simply can't do what us pros ask of them.

In a nutshell most of us have muscle tightness in some part of our body that literally blocks our swing. This seminar showed us how to do a simple screen of the golfer that takes about 7 minutes. The results tell us immediately the tendencies for this type of body. For instance a very simple example could be a golfer tight hips that would restrict his hip turn and would most likely cause a golfer to sway or slide in their swing.

Now from the quick screen we can suggest some simple stretches, which by the way are all at mytpi.com, or if the golfer is more motivated or don't get the mobility or strength they'd like quick enough they would hire a professional trainer (PT) to coach them through a program.

So now I find it a disservice to students if golf pros don't factor in their body's abilities. You can actually screen yourself or if you like come in and that would be part of my lesson with you. This will make you better understand your history and how to get better.

Have a peek at www.myTPI.com, you'll be glad you did!

January Update

2011-01-11T14:49:00.000-08:00

This weekend I'm attending a Titleist Performance Institute seminar in South San Francisco. This program is really amazing and if you haven't been following what they do then by all means check them out at www.mytpi.com

One of the faculty has a campaign this year about "glutes", http://www.facebook.com/pages/Year-of-the-Glute/114706085267958 so these days this is part of my work out.

Lately I'm doing a lot of pulling exercises, like pull ups to strengthen the back muscles, lats and core. I'd be swimming more but boy it takes a lot of grit to get out in this cold (50 degrees).

I'm trying to pull off a trip to San Diego for their qualifying and then LA two weeks after. I'm putting well so I feel I can put up a low number.

Kind of Quiet on the Training Front

2010-12-16T07:48:00.000-08:00

I've played twice in the last two months, once in Korea at a buddy's course and last week at Metropolitan in Oakland (pretty good public track). In the latter struck it pure and was pretty excited to be hitting my new Titleist D3 driver.

The K-vest in our studio in downtown has made an amazing difference with my feeling of what creates power. Also working with Terry Rowles, a great coach. He's opened my eyes to some new things in my short game and fullswing that I know are paying off. Terry has been through many TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) seminars.

Got to run to take my son to school....

One Washed Up Old Pro Counting Down to Senior Tour in 2011

2010-10-06T16:13:00.000-07:00

In September I turned 49 and in the next year I'll be gearing up my middle aged body to give the Champion's Tour a try. I'll be writing in this blog how I'm preparing to get my game in fighting shape for playing with my peers.

Reality is only five players from the qualifying tournaments get exempt status on that tour and to think I would battling Hall of Fame golfers like Langer and Couples is very humbling. And the "young bloods" just turning 50 along with me is Kenny Perry, Tim Herron and Chris DiMarco to name a few.

I'm not going to kid myself, these guys can play and I might fall flat on my face. But what the heck, I'm going to go down swinging!

Still there is a back up plan, I'll also be trying to sneak onto European Senior Tour. I did play the European Tour 20 years ago, but frankly you won't see my name on any big trphys from that campaign. I sucked, but I did play well in the 1985 British Open shooting 70 in the final round to finish 25th.

My roomie in Europe was Michael Allen, who at the time was a top 15 Eurpean Tour player. If you follow golf you'll know he's doing very nicely these days on both tours. Currently he is 117th on the regular tour and 10th or so on the Chanpion's Tour. The guy has been an inspiration and has had his best years after turning 45! Gotta love that about golf.

I'm sitting in my indoor golf studio in San Francisco waiting for my next lesson as I write this and I have to give credit where credit is due, my partner in the studio Terry Rowles has really elevated my game and my teaching knowledge. Terry's a big Titleist Performance Institute prodigy and we use a K-Vest in the studio to measure golfer's swings. Really an amazing combination for anyone out there looking to improve their game.

So I hope you'll follow me in the next year as I train and play in tournaments to be ready next October for my qualifying tournaments. Tomorrow I begin with a pre-qualifying tournament to get into the Fry's.com PGA Tour event in San Jose California.

Finished Fourth in Northern California PGA Championship

2010-07-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

Hey, my game kicked in just in time for our Club Pro Championship at the TPC San Francisco Bay Area June 20-21 and I finished tied 4th. This qualified me for the National Championships next June in Hershey, PN.

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, many golf courses have dug up their Poa Annua greens and put in Bent greens. Some of the golf courses that that have converted are Olympic Club, Lake Merced, Cache Creek, Spanish Bay and Fort Ord. With the new greens they are firm and you have to adjust your game. To handle these greens I've put into my bag a 64 degree sandwedge. Not an easy club to hit, so if you go this route, you better practice.

Fron longer distances , with these "rock hard" greens I'm now experimenting with a nine wood and a 24 degree hybrid to help bring in the ball on a more vertical trajectory.

Whatever your challenges, I'm happy to help you with your game!

How about 103 holes in one day

2010-05-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

I didn't know what to expect when I signed up for a Golf Marathon as charity fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. I've played as many as 50 holes in one day as a youngster and played in a few 36 hole tournaments but 100 holes seemed to be crazy.

Now looking back I found the experience to be very rewarding. It helped that about 30of us marathoners had the golf course to ourselves. When you play 1.5 hour rounds (about five minutes a hole) regular play would obviously get in the way. There is a very healthy "aim and shoot" attitude one takes on especially when your scoring isn't a huge issue.

When you're playing six rounds in a day you even get a chance to experiment some. I had been working on a new move on in round two I gave it a trial run where in regular golf I would have give the "trial run" maybe a hole or two. The "new move" worked pretty well so I played that way the rest of the day.

Over the course of the day you start to see patterns on your card. Some holes you play well and others (say long par threes) not so well. About round four you get a handle on distances and the right places to miss the ball so you can leave yourself a relatively easy chip.

I'm going to recommend golfers to go out once in awhile and play a marathon day (hopefully for charity) even if it's only 36 or 54 holes. It's a good workout, especially if you walk, so take in plenty of water, load up on snacks and have a ball. I think you'll find it will benefit your game.

New golf courses to play and enjoy

2010-04-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

When i say new golf courses I mean they're new to me. Take for instance Yocha De Ha in the Davis area off of highway 80 about 20 miles west. It's in a beautiful valley and the golf course is in great condition. Definately worth a trip and if you can swing it stay the night at the hotel there. Everything about the resort is first class (casino dollars paid for it).

Believe it not they even have a vineyard there and make their own wine. The wine, by-the-way was excellent. I'm trying to put together a golf getaway that includes using their practice facility, playing, staying the night and playing again in early morning. Just hold onto your wallet before blowing too much in the casino.

Another golf course I'm excited to play again is Fort Ord in Monterey. If you haven't played Fort Ord since their redesigns (two courses have been redone) then do yourself a favor and make the trip. They're hurting for business like so many higher-end golf courses, look for a deal. The golf course is in superb condition with brand new bent greens ( a bit firm still). You might want to check your golfing ego at door because this is an advanced players golf course. If you can shoot your handicap you've done very well.

Any new courses you can recommend?

Bring your range game to the golf course

2010-03-02T10:41:00.000-08:00

I had one of my students share his frustration of being a different golfer on the range than how he plays on the course. His words "why I can hit the ball so well on the range and then these mysterious, god awful shots show up on the course. Any suggestions on how to get the same results when it matters?"

That is frustrating to get those mixed results. I have a feeling you’re in a different state of mind on the range (low expectations and in rhythm) vs. the course. This delemma is very common for all levels of golfers. My suggestion is to spend more time and attention with your pre-shot routine. Your brain kind of works like a computer and before you hit a shot it wants to retrieve files from your memory.

In a nutshell the routine is, “see it, feel it and trust it”. You need to practice “retrieving” various folders like “what am I going to do?” folder. “Where’s my landing area? What’s the distance? What club will do the job? What will my shot look like in the air and on the ground (think it and see it). The feel it folder is “what’s it going to feel like or what do I want it to feel like?” . After you’ve called up these folders you are ready to move to “trust it” mode which is really saying “we’re in GO mode, connect to target and let it go.

Just like a fine wine, Michael Allen has aged nicely, watch out PGA Tour

2010-02-03T06:59:00.000-08:00

I've had the pleasure of being at a lot of PGA Tour events the last year to promote my 19th Hole wines. While out there I've been following a long time friend Michael Allen whose career is just now blossoming at the ripe old age of 51.

He's one of those great sports stories of an athlete who has kept his nose to the grind stone. By staying with it, keeping in shape and finding a coach he connected with he is now a force on the PGA Tour. I've really enjoyed his story unfold as a friend but also as a sports fan.

Michael and I go way back to the early eighties when we played amateur tournaments across the country. In 1989 on the European PGA Tour he let me stay at his house in London, as I was just wrapping up an unillustrious career, making very few cuts and he on the other hand was just crowned the Scottish Open Champion and was a top fifteen player on the European Order of Merit.

You might think Michael Allen is a rookie, because unless you're a big PGA Tour fan, you'll have never heard of him. He has been the journeyman pro finishing 135th on the money list. He's been the guy going through Q School (qualifying tournament to get on tour) every December. He's been a record twelve times, succeeding nine times. This tournament is like a job interview that lasts two weeks and he has somehow found it in him to pass and give himself another year on tour.

He's ascent from mediocrity started five years ago when he left one famous teacher and landed at the doorstep of Mike Mitchell out of Palm Springs. "Mitch", as know him, is a no b.s. kind of guy. If you met him at a bar you would think he was just back from his final tour as a marine sargeant in Iraq. He and Michael reshaped a forty year old swing to become a lean mean golfing machine. The old swing was vertical swing and produced a draw, the updated swing is more horizontal, lots of core rotation and it creates a low powerful straight ball or slight fade. From behind it looks like a guided missile with laser beam accuracy, it's a beauiful thing to watch!

Fast forward four years and you have a guy who hits it 285 in the fairway, 70% of his greens, strong short game but with an iffy finishing stroke with his putter. At the ATT for instance I saw him in third place with nine holes to play finish with four three putts and a forty on the back nine and drop from third to 21st. We all thought, if he could just putt better....

So here we are in 2010, he's in great shape, finished 20th at the Hawaiian Open (number one putter the first three rounds), third at a Champion's event in Hawaii (an epic duel with Tom Watson, who won on the last hole, there's another great story) and then last week's final round 65, on his birthday, at Torrey Pines to vault him from 35th to 5th.

So I'm traveling down to Los Angeles to watch him play at Riviera. A great tournament venue for spectators because there are so many good vantage points and a superb golf course that draws a first class field. I really think he is on the cusp of winning (on both tours). I've set up a few wine tasting appointments (to please my boss, my wife) but at 11:30 am I'll watch Michael Allen tee off with Aaron Baddeley and John Senden (a couple of Aussies). If you can getaway, come out and watch, should be fun.

Good battle down at Torrey Pines at the Farmer's Insurance Open

2010-01-31T13:34:00.000-08:00

I usually watch the San Diego Open because it's at Torrey Pines and I played there a lot while attending and playing golf for San Diego State.

I can't help but marvel at the length of the golf course and how these great players still manage to break 70. 500 yard par fours against a wind is a mighty long hole.

Just watched Robert Allenby catch a flier and fly it over the green on number 14. The groove change is going to make fliers (a ball that knuckles off the face and can carry twenty yards plus longer). I personally love the rule change to rein in some of the bombers of the golf ball.

Still with a few holes left in regulation I'm writing to congratulate Michael Allen on his 65 the final round which should get him a fifth or sixth place finish on his 51st birthday.

Next week I'll be traveling down to Los Angeles to follow Michael Allen play at Riviera. This is a great week to watch golf, a very good field, a nice walking course and a beautiful challenging golf course with a deep history.

Hope it doesn't rain too hard. Either way maybe we'll see you out there!

19th Hole Interviews PGA Tour Player Michael Allen

2010-01-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

I spoke with PGA Tour Player Michael Allen a week ago about how he felt about the coming season and he was kind enough to share his thoughts.

He said he's in the best shape of his life, which is big words for a man about to turn 51. His biggest concern was changing his irons to the V grooves (vs. square grooves that have been allowed in recent years). V grooves don't grip and spin the ball like the square grooves. Think of deeply rutted off road tires against run-of-the-mill street tires.

I had a similar conversation with Rocco Mediate at the Callaway Invitational at Pebble Beach (another guy on the precipice of the big 50). He was thrilled about this upcoming season with a healthier back and a leveler playing field for wily old ball strikers like him. In previous years he's been giving up 10-60 yards to other players and even if they were in the rough they could spin and control their ball. This year, with the new grooves, their recovery shots from the rough will come our knuckling.

Michael Allen said the Hawaiian Open will tell volumes about the equipment change, in regards to scoring, because the ball sits deep in the Bermuda rough out there. It will be really hard to control distances unless your hitting from the short grass. Michael, by the way, is in 13th after two rounds.

I've got a prediction that this year Michael Allen wins a on the PGA Tour and the Champion's Tour this year. That's his goal as well. If you do get a chance to follow him at a tournament, do it. He is a beautiful ball striker and I think the best all around driver on tour. If he can get hot with his putter, he may hoist quite a few cups in the next few years!

I think this tournament and many others will be rewarding good drivers of the golf ball. There will less emphasis on bombing the ball and hitting 50% of the fairways. It'll be very interesting to see what names excel with the new equipment regulations and if the scores change at all fom the previous years.

Upcoming golf school events

2009-12-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

Just click into here, http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs057/1011003023215/archive/1102863908048.html

Constant Contact : Emails : Manage Archive

2009-12-03T19:02:00.000-08:00

Constant Contact : Emails : Manage Archive: "http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs057/1011003023215/archive/1102863908048.html"

Lag it and Tag it!

2009-11-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

Way back when I was playing high school golf, Bobby Clampett was the man in amateur golf around the country. He was my idol because he was local (Pebble Beach, CA) for one but he also had a great swing that appeared perfect. He was my hero at the time, the benchmark for golf.

Recently he released his new book Imapct Zone, which I picked up and read and I give it a "thumbs up". I think for anyone looking for a book to read on a better swing or at least a better understanding of the swing this is a great book.

I put together a modest short video picking out a couple little gems that may help your game.

On another note the Callaway Pro-Am is at Pebble Beach this week. Having played the event once as a pro it reminds me of what the Crosby felt like 40 years ago. It is low key and kind of a breather for the pros. They come out to play Pebble, Spyglass and Old Del Monte in their best condition (unlike February for the ATT when everything is soggy) and the evening cocktail and dinner parties are a lot of fun. Rocco Mediate and a few other top guys are playing so it could be a nice walk if you can getaway this weekend.

New Golf School Now at Poppy Hills in Pebble Beach

2009-04-20T13:36:00.001-07:00

My two favorite places in the world are the Wine Country and Pebble Beach and now I'm thrilled to offer golf school packages at both locations.

Poppy Hills like Chardonnay has a private side of the range with a short game area along with plenty of good turf to strike full shots.

I hope you can come out for my first golf school there April 26th.

Riviera, a great tradition

2009-03-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

The winners of the Los Angeles Open have a tradition of writing a note to the members of Riviera. All these notes are scribbled on huge pictures that hang in the locker room and most of the guys say something like "... Riviera is my favorite course".

I had the pleasure to spectate a few rounds of the LA Open this year. A great place to watch a tournament, by the way. And yesterday I had an even greater experience in playing the golf course as it was set up for the PGA Tour players.

The course was in perfect condition and it was a beautiful day. We played a member guest event called the "green monster" and I was fortunate to be a guest of a friend from college, Don Silk.

To be essentially a member for the day was a real treat. They have a great locker room and I toured some of the hotel rooms they have in the clubhouse. Most of which have views of the golf course.

Riviera is famous for huge deep bunkers and a design that challenges you to work the ball around the course. It was built in 1926, like so many great courses in America. It was first more of a play ground for the rich and famous. Most of the area was polo fields until Hogan and celebs starting making golf a chic activity. There's still quite a few mansions surrounding the property that occupied by a who's who of Hollywood (Mel Brooks, Julie Andrews ...).

So if you get the opportunity to play there, go for it. Worst case come out to the Los Angeles Open next February, you'll really enjoy it.

Riviera brings out the big boys

2009-02-25T11:08:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of watching the Los Angeles Open Wednesday through Friday. The players love this gem of a golf course. It's beautiful, straight forward, steeped in history and challenges these guys with all the shots and usually fine weather.

I spent most of my time watching my friend Michael Allen play with two super players, Vaughn Taylor and Bill Haas. I was most impressed with Luke Donald who was the group in front of us. He makes it look really easy, strikes it very solid and boy can he roll the ball on the greens!

I can't imagine a better golf tournament to spectate. It has a great field, it's a nice walk and the holes parallel each other so often times you can jump over to another group.

It's really worth going to one of professional events. I think you'll really benefit from watching these great swings, pure ball striking and the tempo of their shot routines.

Only at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

2009-02-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

So here we are at the end of a long day at Poppy Hills Golf Course in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (rounds took over six hours) and the temperature is dropping to into bone chilling levels that only the hearty or drunk can still enjoy.

I'd heard George Lopez interviewed on the KNBR show in the am with Murph and Mac that he continue his tradition of buying a round of Tequila for any that were willing and able in the clubhouse. Sure enough it gave some of a little more motivation to stick around and I'm glad I did.

First off Bill Murray who is the comedian of the ages on the golf course decides to duck into the clubhouse for a drink with his group, in true 19th Hole fashion. I'd been pouring my wines all day on the deck for corporate folks and the NCGA board and guests. So I walk up to old Bill with a bottle of the 19th Hole's finest a bit shyly because I've seen Bill tear into some autograph seekers and I didn't want that same treatment. Thankfully he took the wine graciously and enjoyed it with his friends.

Ten minutes later Mr. Lopez, now to me Sir Patron, walks in and announces that he'd like to buy everyone there a shot of Patron. Off course the bar erupts. I shout, "George Lopez stimulus package". Then he asks that we all join him in singing "God Bless America"! The whole bar and clubhouse sings and as if staged two Marines in camos are there singing with us.Anyway a great moment I wanted to share.

The tournament continues today and the celebs are at Pebble Beach and for most this is their last round with the cut taking place today. The weather great again so try to make it down or least join in the fun through the broadcast. I'm following my buddy Michael Allen whose in the hunt at Poppy Hills.

Cheers!

An update from the ATT Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

2009-02-13T07:57:00.000-08:00

Quick update from the ATT where I'm pouring 19th Hole wines on the clubhouse deck overlooking the 18th green at Poppy Hills. Cool spot, lots of great shots into the green and a few eagles from the pros.

The celebrities are on this golf course today so we're expecting a big crowd.

A really strong field this year, Vijay, Patraig, Phil, KJ, Furyk and quite a few more. Remember the Open is here in 2010 and these players are getting a longer look at some of the changes at Pebble (lots of new sand).

Our honorary wine club member Michael Allen fired a smooth 67 at Pebble Beach to position himself for another top finish at the ATT (finished 14th last year).

Weather-wise we hope to dodge the weather again today. Bing, if you're up there... we could use some of your power to hold back the rain. So far the rains have come at night so the courses are soft and the players are lifting and cleaning their ball. But the down side the golf course is playing about 10,000 yards.

Check out my audio blogs from the tournament here...http://www.amillioncooks.com/Home/FoodWeekly/tabid/296/Default.aspx

19th Hole Wine at the 19th Hole on the deck at Poppy Hills

2009-02-08T18:24:00.000-08:00

Even if you miss our mid-week golf event having a big time at ATT at Pebble Beach Tuesday and Wednesday, I'll be pouring 19th Hole wines at the tournament (Poppy Hills) Thursday through Sunday on the deck overlooking the 18th green.

So come on out and say hello and get a healthy pour of some delicious 19th Hole wine. Let your friends know, we've got some really cool events coming up for the Masters, US Open, British Open and the President's Cup in San Francisco. We play then 19th hole with...19th Hole wines. Because "real golfers 19th Hole".

2009-01-31T10:16:00.001-08:00

I love going down to Pebble Beach for the Crosby (aka AT&T). Let's face it any excuse to visit the area is hard to turn down.

Well here's an excuse to come down, we're going to meet some fun people (19th Wine fans) at the Pebble Beach driving Tuesday, February 10 at 11:00 am (we actually taxi in from Carmel Valley). We're going to enjoy some ball striking on the range before strolling over to the first tee for the pro shootout at Pebble.
They'll play 1, 2, 3, 17 and 18 (takes about 1.5 hours) and they draw some of the top players in the tournament and it's narrated by a comedian. This just happens to drop us into the Tap Room at Pebble Beach (not a bad place to enjoy a drink and snack).

We then have enough time to taxi or shuttle over to Spanish Bay for a little putting action while the bag piper plays in the back ground. Of course another cocktail is in order at my favorite 19th Hole (Spanish Bay #1).
Dinner is set for Rio Grill in Carmel Valley. Some of us will clean up at our hotels and we're set for 6:30 pm. If our party gets large I've arranged to have a private room at the Carmel River Inn. My buddy will some guitar, we'll enjoy some wines and dinner. Who knows a player or two from the tournament may drop in. Last year Michael Allen (finshed 14th last year and our honorary wine club member) joined us.

Wednesday we're set to golf at Fort Ord's Bayonet. Bring your game because this course doesn't hold back, it's brought grown men and women to tears and fits of self loathing. Still I'll put up some wine for prizes (low net, low gross, a closie or two and something else like prettiest outfit or worst swing).

Call me at 707-529-6458 if you'd like to come out.

Get started on a better game for 2009

2009-01-01T10:41:00.000-08:00

Saturday, January 3 I'll be offering a golf school at Chardonnay Golf Club for just $225!

We'll begin at 10:00 am and train the swing until a lunch break. After the rest we'll check out your game on the golf course until about 3:30 pm. I'll bring out my new balance tool which improves your set up and balance through out the swing.

Give me a call at 707-529-6458 if you'd like to come out and improve.

2008-11-22T16:09:00.000-08:00

Now that the televised golf season is over for awhile, we are free from the cliches and obvious language the announcers use. Perhaps this will get to them, and they will improve their ways. For example, I would recommend they put the terms, "No doubt about it" and its partner, "No question about it," on one-year sick leave and then retire them for all time. How about "absolutely," or "You betcha" (the Palinistas will enjoy that), or "Yessiree, bob" (for the seniors in the audience), "Right on, Johnny" or "Hey, cool man" (for the forty-somethings who would like to be twenty-somethings again). Catch my drift?
And may we never hear again, "He wanted that one" when a putt just misses or whatever. The baseball guys use that even more. Well, no kidding! Is that to say there are some putts (or pitches) the player didn't want?
Same with "He didn't want to go there," when a guy pulls a drive into the water thirty-yard left of the fairway. Really? Right on, Johnny.
How about the reference to the "golf shot" the fella hit. Aren't we watching a golf tournament? And he is "got his golf" ball on the line. Well, what else would it be, a volleyball, a baseball?
"He's got a lot of room to work with" and it's opposite, "he has no room to work with," have been so overworked they are nothing more than crowd noise. Maybe an explanation would bring the phrases back to life. You know, like "there isn't much room between where he needs to leand the ball and the hole playing from that long grass which will not give up much holding spin."
Do we really need to know to the quarter inch how long a putt is? Only when it's inside two feet and is missed.
Which brings me to being told the putt is against or with or across the grain. Folks, I haven't seen any grain on a modern-day green for years. And even if there is a bit of it, the greens are so smooth and fast the little bit there might be can have no effect on the ball. Grain was the stuff they played on in the south from the 1920s to the 1950s, when the greens were in native bermuda. That grass has heavy, wide blades that lay flat to one side or another (and to the west late in the day), that could move a four foot putt that looks straight-in three feet left of the hole. That was grain.
Finally, why do they mike the caddie and the player and when they begin to discuss the options for a shot coming up the announcers talk right over them with their own analysis of what the player has and what he should do? What's wrong with getting it from the horse's mouth? Right on, pally.
Al Barkow

New Tap In Series

2008-11-10T14:50:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, I'm excited to finally share some of my favorite clips from golf movies. This first one is from the movie Bagger Vance and everytime I see it I have to hold back from going straight to the course.

I'm going to do a regular series of these, I hope you enjoy them and stir you to better golf and some thoughts in our blog.

Other News- I'm joining Terry Rowles (a very fine instructor himself) offering golf lessons in an indoor golf studio in the San Francisco Financial District (456 Montgomery). The golf studio is called the San Francisco Golf Performance Center. It's a cool space with one hitting bay and loads of cool technology.

I'll be excited to share the K-Vest with my students, it is a valuable learning tool. We'll also use the TOMI system for those of you who'd like a clearer picture of their putting stroke.

If you'd like pay a visit or reserve a lesson ($150 an hour, but I have a 20% introductory through November on a series or $600 for five) call me at 707-529-6458. I'm going to be there a couple days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Barkow on the Ball

2008-11-02T13:33:00.000-08:00

We hear so much about the post-modern golf ball, that it goes too far and is changing the essence or nature of the game. Only for the top players, the tour pros, is that so. They live in a totally different world, and if amongst them they want to level the playing field between the super-long hitters and the medium guys, let them work that out amongst themselves. Personally, I think there should be one ball out on tour; that is, a kind of universal ball with the same cover material, the same "speed," and especially the same dimple pattern. If only the dimple pattern was standardized it would make a huge difference. Let the ball be as fast as they can make it, but make it so it will hook or slice throughout the entire flight when it is mishit. Today's ball corrects in flight - a slice become a slight fade, a hook becomes a mild draw. Bad swings are rewarded, and that's not as it should be. Golf is the only professional sport that does not have a standard ball that everyone must play in competition, and that is very odd.
As for the ball we average guys play, let it be, let it be. They don't cut, which is economical. Beiing an old-school golfer, and one who always hit a lot of shots thin, I still find that a terrific feature. We all can use the more distance we get (in particular when we don't use the Pro-V, which needs the compression of a big hitter to get the value of it), and in general don't hit it hard enough for it to correct in flight. If we hit a slice, it slices, and so on. In that respect, we guys are playing a purer game than the pros. I like the sound of that.
Until next time.
Al Barkow

Schwab Cup- Andy Bean Destroys Field

2008-11-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

I think Andy Bean would have been happy to play another 18 at Sonoma Golf Club because he was in that magical zone that we all dream about. Where other players were cursing the rain and conditions he seemed to relish the conditions. When your hitting fairways and knocking in putts, life is good.

Personally I was blown away watching a man 6 foot 4 inches and 280 lbs. in his mid 50's get around the course by foot. Andy is a big human, a guy you wouldn't want stepping in your line before a putt. Nothing seemed to phase this guy and the proof was in the pudding, he basically lead the tournament for stats in greens in regulation, fairways hit and putting. When you do this, you win and you win big.

Mr. Bean, hats off, great way to finish your season!

2008-10-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

19th Hole Wine Club Event!

It's about time for a 19th Hole Wine Club event and with the Schwab Cup in Sonoma I thought we should piggy back watching a little golf with wine tasting in some real cool places in the Sonoma Valley. Saturday, November 1, 2008, we'll start the day meeting at Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood at 11:00 a.m.. You'll see where we produce 19th Hole Wine and walk the caves where we store the wine. You'll taste some of our new wines and some of the releases like our Cabernet Sauvignon and our tasty Red Blend.

Heading back toward Sonoma, about two miles, we'll have lunch at one of my destinations and gems of the Sonoma Valley, Olive and Vine in the the Jack London Village in Glen Ellen. You'll also get to see and taste a few other treats next door from vendors in the village who make chocolate, cheese and olive oil (this is why I live here). About another mile down is parking for the golf tournament and we'll shuttle in to event where you see up close Fred Funk, Jay Haas and Jeff Sluman play flawless golf. You may stay until play finishes, about six o' clock, or leave whenever you wish.

The cost for the day is $60 and this covers the wine tasting, lunch and the ticket for the golf tournament.

Call me if you'd like to attend and I'll save you a ticket.

707-529-6458

Where's your favorite 19th Hole?

2008-10-23T15:44:00.000-07:00

My favorite 19th Holes in the SF Bay Area

Old School (as in no bells or whistles)- California Club, San Francisco Club or Palo Alto Hills CC.

Must visit 19th Holes- Tap Room at Pebble Beach (great food too), Olympic Club, Meadow Club and Peninsula CC.

Slick 19th Holes to visit- Carmel Valley Ranch, Corde Valle, Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay and Sharon Heights.

I gotta get some pictures.

Kris Moe Golf Schools awarded Top 25 Golf School in America

2008-10-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

We're pretty excited about being acknowledged in this month's issue of GOLF magazine for Top 25 Golf Schools. It definately isn't all about me, I have a couple great pros that I work with, Mark Favell and Dennis Mitchell. We learn from each other and all still love the game.

Speaking of which, one of my favorite golf coaches is Gary Wiren and he has a cool article in GOLF's October issue about how to rate your enjoyment of the game. This may give you a new perspective on your enjoyment of the game. For most by the way, it is too much based on their score. For each category include your percentage:

Course Design- ?%

Course Conditions- ?%

Course Aethetics- ?%

Amenities- ?%

Weather- ?%

Your group- ?%

Your score- ?%

If you can find something in enjoy in every round of golf, you're ahead of the game. I tell my students to listen for the birds chirping and notice the landscape of the area. This far view of your surroundings can take you out of your overly busy brain and be more aware and in the moment. Golf can be such a great exercise in more ways than one. So remember keep it fun even when your scoring isn't its best.

Fired up with Ryder Cup Action

2008-09-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

I didn't mean to take the day off today to watch golf all day, I actually don't watch a lot of golf unless it's a major. But while drinking some coffee I flipped it on and I was hooked until the last putt of the day.

High definition resolution, great characters and a beautiful golf course was the recipe for riveting entertainment. I laughed at myself and my friend Mark Favell as we yelled and cheered like a couple football fans as the drama unfolded. The fans in Kentucky were tremendous and truely have an impact. What a home field advantage for the American squad to have them behind them. Still, hats off, their respect and appreciation for the European side was a cool thing to see.

I really can't wait for another day of watching but unfortunately I'll be teaching golf so I'll be watching it on Tivo at the end of the day which is almost as fun. What do you think so far?

Over here in Hong Kong

2008-08-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

While the growth of golf seems to be at a glacial pace in the US over here in Asia golf is exploding.

What Yao did for basketball here is what some young Chinese man or women will do in the next few years. And then watch out.

There are 200 golf courses in China and in the next ten years it is going to explode with new courses and new golfers. I'm over here in Hong Kong for the first time in over twenty years (played the 1985 Hong Kong Open). Wow this place has gotten bigger and better. Now I see where our money in the states are going aside from the royal families in the Gulf.

Of course what comes with wealth comes the happy pursuits of the rich, and one of those hobbies has got to be golf (I would also argue for wine). I had to check out the scene here since I've been reading about this growth project throughout Asia for years. One case in point is Mission Hills Golf Course. Aside from being the Guiness World record holder for largest golf course development, 12 golf courses, it has done everything right to put itself on the map for golfers who love status. Of course you get Tiget to play your golf tournament, you host world class golf tournaments like the World Cup and you pay virtually a who's who list of golf course architects (Dye, Nicklaus and a whole bunch of name players like Norman and Els).

Having lunch with executives here in the golf business I learned they are going through comical growth pains with their new golfers. These folks have no clue apparently of how to follow protocol on the golf course. It's such a new sport here and many of them are rubes who've struck it rich manufacturing, with everything we buy at WalMart, and they don't want to hear about pace of play or being still while others play their shots. Hey, don't get me wrong, we've got quite a few oblivious Joes floating around but most golfers have a sense of manners on the course because we've had the game around for a few years now. In mainland China there are loaves of bread that been around longer than the game here.

This all brings me to the Germans or the Swiss who not twenty years ago or so we're just falling in love with golf (with the success of Mr. Berhard Langer). In those countries you can't play the golf courses until you have a PGA pro's signature certifying that one has learned the appropriate skills in striking a ball and getting around the course in a orderly fashion. Some of you I know would love that idea here. Anyway, could this be the future of golf in China?

2008-06-30T08:29:00.001-07:00

Just finished playing the PGA national club pro championship in Georgia. Played really good, especially the second day but missed by two pops.

Tournaments are always an experience. Especially big ones. It takes a few to get more calm with the pressure. I've never really enjoyed the nerves I have during these events but I've learned how to deal with it over the years. Oh, I still choke, but so does everyone else and just knowing that is enough to help me settle and focus. My lesson to you is, breathe!

I found the site, Reynolds Plantation to be a great golf destination. It's right between Atlanta and Augusta. Great stop on the way in to the Masters if you're lucky enough to be going there. It reminded me of Pinehurst up in North Carolina. Instead of the great sand belt Pinehurst is graced with Reynolds Plantation is along a massive lake (all eight courses).

The PGA put on a great event. 400 volunteers, the Golf Channel , scoreboards and stellar lodging. There were 312 players and a 70 player cut. Quite a hoot meeting club pros from around the country.

Next year the tournament is in New Mexico and all of us scrubs will try to qualify this summer in our local PGA sections (41 across the US).

British Open at Birkdale July 14-20

2008-06-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

With Tiger out of the field the Open is up for grabs. I believe it's time for Sergio Garcia to win one.

Last month I didn't have a winner for the US Open contest, I took Tiger out of the running. So a golf school day ($425 value) is up for grabs for the winner of this contest.

In 1984 I got a chance to play Royal Birkdale when I was playing next door at Formby in the British Amateur. Birkdale is my favorite golf course of the Open courses. Great mounding and beautiful scenery. After 24 years I think it's time to get back there...

For a bit of fun I'm throwing a golf tournament, a mini-major, close to where I make my wine, in Sebastopol, California. It's a little nine-holer and the green fee is like $25. We'll play some golf then go to the winery, grill some food, taste my barreled wines and bottle a barrel of the Napa Valley cab that's ready to go. If you like the wine you can go home with some at a bottling day special price! Call me at 707-939-0523 if you'd like to play. For food, wine and green fees I'm going to charge $60.

Kris Moe US Open Contest

2008-05-30T08:16:00.000-07:00

I'd like to hear who you think will win the US Open, besides Tiger. The winner will get a two-day golf school with me in Sonoma or Napa.

FYI- You may enter through this blog or send me an email to mailto:kris.moe@sbcglobal.com

The 19th Hole Wine Club outing is at Bodega Bay Golf Club June 13th. We've got four groups filled. Our next outing is during the British Open in July.

Favorite Golf Destinations

2008-05-27T09:04:00.001-07:00

I've got quite a few great great places I've had a chance to play golf when I played on tour. Closest to my home is the Monterey Peninisula with Pebble Beach, Spyglass and Spanish Bay. The under appreciated stars down there include Fort Ord's Bayonet (a monster that has held numerous PGA Tour qualifying tournaments) and Del Monte Golf Club (only 6,000 yards but a classic test). If you've got the pull Cypress Point and Monterey Peninsula Country Club (two great tracks). Just up in Santa Cruz is an Alister Mackensey layout called Pasatiempo (open to public for cool $240). Few would know it but he also designed Claremont CC in Oakland and Green Hills CC in Millbrae also in Northern California.

San Francisco has four great courses but they're all private, SF Golf Club, Olympic Club, Lake Merced and California Club. All gems with Cypress Oaks keeping you honest with your driver.

Some of countries top courses were built at a time of great wealth, for some. From 1890 to 1925 our country's big metropolitan areas like NY, Chicago and Philly built great courses. We're having a similar trend these days with Charles Schwab building golf monuments in Hawaii and Montana. I wouldn't be surprised if Bill Gates is right behind him. In this area young Bill Getty is building a new course in Napa with designer Bill Doak of Bandon Dunes fame.

Australia is incredible for golf. I was lucky enough to play the tour there for three years and got to play the best courses there. Many are Mackensey designs (I'm still blown away how they traveled the world in those days) such as Royal Melboune and New South Wales. The turf conditions in Aussie is amazing, the best I've ever seen. The greens are scary quick and wind is almost always blowing. These conditions really demand good ball striking, it's no wonder so many great players come from the "land down under".

Another great spot for golf is the UK. So much great links land with marvelous landscapes that border on fantasy golf. And in the summer where "dark-thirty" is close to 11:00 pm, there's time to play 54 holes if you have it in you. In northern England, some call it England's Golf Coast, you have Royal Birkdale, Formby (where I lost to Colin Montgomerie in British Am), Royal Lytham St. Annes and Royal Liverpool. Like great golf destinations every where, the local folk love their golf and being a golfer you are welcomed with open arms (and a pint).

Your turn, I've left quite a few but I don't want to hog the show...

Technorati Profile

Who do you like for the US Open, besides Tiger?

2008-05-18T14:57:00.000-07:00

I've got a little contest running for anyone picking the winner of the US Open at Torrey Pines. The winner gets a two-day golf school at my either Napa or Sonoma location.

So who do you think will win?

My vote is Phil Mickelson. I think he plays well there and he's got a solid short game. Oh, don't pick me I lost in a playoff in the first stage last week, guy drains a 30 footer on me from off the green then I miss my 12 footer.

U.S. Open Qualifying weeding out process

2008-05-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

Every year a bunch of us dreamers tee it up to for another chance at our "Cinderella" moment on the links. The entry fee is modest at $150 compared to the Nationwide and PGA Tour entries which are $350 and $450.

The way to Torrey Pines this year is first a regional qualifying (90 golfers for three spots) at Mayacama Golf Club (my favorite golf course that is located in Santa Rosa). If I happen to survive that test the final qualifying is called a sectional qualifying, which is basically for the entire state of California. This year it's at Lake Merced Country Club in Daly City, Ca.

Typically the regional location has the area's top players in both the amateur and pro ranks. Even good junior players come out. It's actually a great experience for anyone who is a two handicap or less because the USGA does have an aura about it and it is pretty darn serious. If the USGA was a profession it would be a banker in a crisp suit with glasses.

I've had two chances to play in USGA events, the 1981 and 1984 US Amateurs at Olympic Club and the Country Club. Both times my game was vastly over matched and was very humbled from the experience. USGA events are great tournaments to show off clutch putting and pitching because you're going to miss a lot of greens.

I'm looking forward to playing again, it's fun to see the emotions that golfers carry. I'm sure I'll be nervous but after all these years of playing I'm learning being nervous can be a good thing.

What fires you up to want to practice or play?

2008-04-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

I like to play tournaments. I also will practice to play a difficult golf course like a Spyglass Hill Golf Club. How about you?

Can anyone beat Tiger at Augusta?

2008-03-21T18:19:00.000-07:00

The smart money is on Tiger and rightfully so. Maybe he should only play with nine clubs or play one extra hole. Still if he continues to make it exciting on the last day I'm a big fan. Don't much care for the blow outs.

What do you think?

What's hot in golf these days

2008-01-24T12:17:00.000-08:00

I'd love to get your input in what you think is hot in golf. But here's what I'm seeing and hearing about Equipment, Fitness and Mental training:

Last week I visited the new PGA Tour Golf Store in Scottsdale Arizona, whew, what a store! Watch our Golf Marts and Golf Smith. These 60,000 square foot monsters have it all from equipment to the latest simulators and technology for fitting and swing analysis (including putting). A former CEO who cashed out from Home Depot is going big and golfers are going to love him for it. There's now ten stores moving out from the east. The next one is coming to Vegas.

The Titleist Performance Institute, seen regularly on Golf Channel, are taking fitness and golf instruction to the next level with training courses for teaching professionals and physical therepists (three levels of certification at three days each). Will regular golfers take the advice of their pro to do such and such exercise or stretches? I don't know.

Is mental training hot? Not compared to big new drivers, but, PGA pros know what it takes to play their best and many more are fine tuning their mental state. I shared in my newsletter last month about the Heartmath program that is helping golfers be in that "zone state". Pros are all over it, but will it trickle down to Joe the Bogey shooter? Vijay and some other notables are playing around with it and endorsing it's benefits.

What do you see out there?

Collecting grapes for the 2007 Nineteenth Hole Merlot

2007-10-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks for stopping in. You may be shocked to find that this blog is a bit more about wine making this time of year. If you're looking for cool golf stuff you might want to scroll down. By all means, throw in your comments whether about golf or wine.

Now, I'm going to dive into Part Two of Making Nineteenth Hole_

Making wines has so many rewards and the big one for me is taking the grape from the vine and seeing it through to the bottle and into someone's mouth. I've made some duds but with experience my partners and I really make good wine now consistently. The key partner, by the way, and the true star, is the grapes. You cannot make good wine from crummy grapes, I don't care if your Helen Turley or some other rock star in the winemaking biz.

We harvested Monday, September 17th on Dry Creek Rd. in Healdsburg. I sourced the grapes from the internet and walked the vineyard before committing to buying the grapes.

The vineyard owners were very supportive and I was thrilled with the quality of their fruit. They had planted each vine and knew their property like the back of their hand. Farming people, I find, are very balanced and seem to have their priorties straight. I know that's one of the benefits of working closely with the earth.

It's funny being a little guy. Some places won't even talk to you because they deal at such large volumes. But on the other hand others in the business remember their own home-winemaking days and there's kind of a kinship. They'll do whatever they can for you.

It was a Monday for the pick, not a good day to prey on your friends for help. I couldn't convince any of my friends to join me in the pick, so I hired five pickers to do most of the picking. I, for the record, did most of the lifting of the bins onto the truck (you'll see me in action in the video).

Pickers pick, so if you leave them on their own they pick everything on the vine, including the raisining or green bunches. I was a tyrant about picking the good fruit which were abundant but still I had cull out a few bad picks of green or raisined bunches. It would sure help to speak Spanish, I always imagine that the pickers are having fun at my expense...like "this guy's a tamale, why doesn't just get out of the way and get us lunch or something, he should know that the green grapes are balanced out by the over ripeness of the other grapes".

After we loaded up the grapes on the truck I drove them down to the custom crush facilty in Sabastopol. This was the first year that I've used pros and big time equipment to do the crush and destem. What a breeze. With my buddy Jay Brown and brother-in-law and friends this step would take about four hours and about seven beers each.

With a forklift and other big machines it took them about an hour to process 5,000 pounds or anough to make about 1,500 bottles.

If you watch the video below you'll see all the hard work is very worth the effort when you get to blend the wines. That'll be one of the upcoming shows and maybe you'd like to partake when that day comes.

If you weren't able to open the video above, click here http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1223809940870067030&hl=en

Wine Making Day September 17

2007-09-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

Friends,

We're picking grapes at Messina Vineyard from 8:00-10:00 am at 6489 Drycreek Rd. Healdsburg (use Yahoo maps for directions from your location). Afterward we're trucking the grapes down to 4950 Ross Rd., Sebastobol, CA 95472 (again Yahoo maps will get you there). The drive down is about 30 minutes. You can join us at both places or just one just give me a call at 707-529-6458 to give me your ETA (estimated time arrival). The crush and de-stem should move quick and I plan to be ready for lunch at 12:30. Hope you can make it, it's gorgeous up here and quite an experience!!!

Moe on Wine from Vine to Bottle 2007

2007-09-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

Have a peek at the first of a series of videos that show the steps in making my wine Nineteenth Hole.

In this episode I'll walk you through the vines to show you where the grapes are August 27th. I'll also show you what is the criteria for the time to harvest the grapes.

The Aussie Swing catching on

2007-07-30T15:21:00.000-07:00

I use myself as a test subject for new swing methodologies. In this issue I reveal the keys of a swing I love and think you will too. Right now I'm calling it the "Aussie Swing" because so many players from Australia are playing well with it because of a gentleman named Gary Edwin who lives in Australia.

Gary has grown weary of the long flights and has tutored Alex Murrey, who teaches out of Burlingame Driving Range. I took a lesson from Alex a couple weeks back (Burlingame Driving Range) and I found the swing to be simple and worth sharing with all of you.

I used this swing last week in our PGA Sectional Stroke Play and found it very playable under pressure. Here's a video with my interpretation of this swing.

And here's a nice little video on pitching the ball or making a mini-swing.

Wine making season rolls into the wine country

2007-07-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

One of my other passions is making wine. This is the time of year we're sourcing out grape supply and watching the grapes turn into mature fruit ripe with a the right amount of sugar.

I'm expecting to do my first white wine this year. I may try to do a sparkling wine as well. So from mid- September through late October we'll be collecting white and red grapes, fermenting them then pressing them. It's a lot of work but well worth it when good wine finally is the end result.

Last year I finally came up with a label I liked after twelve years. It's called Nineteenth Hole and I had a talented designer, Ryan Kaz, come up with the image. I think our wine is good enough to sell so this year I'm taking the big step to get the license to sell.

I'm going to take some pictures during the season and put them up so anyone can vicariously enjoy the process of making wine.

Zack Johnson and those nifty wedges at Augusta

2007-04-19T08:07:00.000-07:00

What a wedge display by newly crowned or jacketed, if you like, Master's Champion Zach Johnson. All the experts were predicting some power hitter to win the tournament but Zack stuck to his plan of laying up on the par fives and making birdies with accurate wedges and stellar putting.

I think you'll see more and more swings shortening on the tour with a powerful body rotation through the hitting zone (like baseball players). Most of these guys these days spend hours a week in the gym strengthening their core so their can handle the force of that swing and in upcoming posts I'll share those exercises with you.

Here's a simple drill that you may try to get a better sense of the timing of the correct body motion. And here are some keys for improving your wedges inside of hundred yards.

2007-04-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

One of the best (actually) worst indications of how spoiled are some of the so-called professionals playing the tour these days is Sergio Garcia and his spitting incident. All right, he got excited, angry, whathaveyou over a missed putt and let fly some saliva into the cup. It's been done before. It's not a nice thing to do, it's the wrong thing to do, and he should have known that. But when he has an opportunity, in an interview immediately after the round, with the television guy, who brings it up, all Garcia can do is grunt that it's over, he doesn't want to talk about it, and other incoherent mumbles. It was a chance to simply say, "I did the wrong thing, it was in poor taste, I'm sorry." But this overpaid punk, who can't make a putt for his life when it really means something, but apparently thinks he can do whatever he wants and get away with it. Feh, as my mother used to say when something tasted or smelled rotten.
Al Barkow

Golf's Greatest Week, the Masters

2007-04-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

I'm a big sports fan but the Masters is always one of my favorite sporting events, especially the final round.

I don't know if the Masters has ever falling on Easter but what's up with that? This is going to hurt my total focus on the round. I'll be visiting the in-laws for Easter Sunday and I'm afraid I'm at the mercy of the group and even if I do get to watch I'm pretty sure they have a black and white television.

I'm going to have Al Barkow chime in with a Master's story or two. Props to Al for being honored a couple years ago during the Masters at Augusta for the PGA of America Lifetime Achievement-Journalism.

This Sunday will be an especially entertaining and sentimental with a first of bunch of shows put together by Jim Nance about some great battles at Augusta. This year is about Arnold Palmer's Master's win in 1960. Here's a description my friend Mike Cinelli sent me-

Here's a short list of reasons to watch:

Arnold Palmer at 30 is a lot like Tiger Woods. He bashes the ball amazing distances, oozes Palmer charisma and putts like a genius.
He is repeatedly seen puffing like a chimney with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. It looked cool in 1960, now it makes you cringe.
Pass the hedgeclippers. Augusta National looks surprisingly mangy compared to the way it's maintained now. Even on shots from the fairway, you wonder, "Didn't they mow the grass?" The areas around the bunkers were intentionally left rough and uncut, a very different look from the sharp-edged, perfectly manicured conditions today. The greens were still Bermuda grass and much, much slower.
The colorizing, which had never been done to a sports telecast before, was remarkable. I thought it would've been fine in black and white but the show opens with black and white footage and then Nantz announces the colorization and when the screen changes from gray to green and Augusta's colors come to life, it's a true goose-bump moment.Nantz showed the telecast to Palmer and Chirkinian in December and said both men were pretty emotional watching it again.

Nantz brought cameras to film Arnie's reaction and interviews the obviously choked-up Arnie at the end. In February, Nantz premiered the finished product at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles. Bel-Air members attended, along with Palmer and Venturi, who is recovering from heart bypass surgery. Palmer and Nantz met with reporters the next day to discuss the telecast.

Nantz hopes to do a whole series of similar flashback shows. He kicked it off last year with a one-hour review of the 1986 Masters won by Nicklaus. Next year, he's planning to feature one of Gary Player's wins. This April, however, the spotlight belongs to Palmer. And plenty of good seats are still available.

Online March 27th 7:30 a.m.- noon P.S.T.

2007-03-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

If you've got any golf questions feel free to send me a comment and I'll my best to answer your questions about game improvement. Al Barkow I'm sure will be checking in as well and he knows pretty much everything there is to know about any golfer or golf tournament in the last fifty years!

Al and I will be doing the same each and every Tuesday until we inform you otherwise.

2007-03-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

I've come up with a fairly easy way to understand the timing of the impact zone, I call it "drag, drop and roll". Have a peek at the video and let me know what you think. Many of our golf school students have really connected to this and I hope it helps you as well.
See the golf video tip.

Moe on Golf Blog Tees Off

2007-03-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

Greetings,

Many of you have found the blog through my March "Moe of Golf" newsletter. Thanks for visiting and I hope you become a regular reader and participate. Blogging is new to me but I thought it might be fun to open up this forum to a bunch of golfers who have stories to tell.

I'll do my best to add golf content that is interesting and I hope, thought provoking. Your posts will help in the direction of the blog. I won't pretend to know everything about golf, so if you've got something to share, please share.

I've asked renown golf writer Al Barkow to join in once in awhile. Al and I have become good friends since writing some articles together for Golf Illustrated. I actually talk and Al turns my long-winded descriptions of "how-tos" into coherent articles like this one on "Playing in Gusty Winds".

Anyway, I hope you'll join in. We'd like to hear what's going on in your golf game, even if it's about a place to play or if you want to brag about an eagle or hole-in-one. If you want to talk about wine, that works too.