It can be fun researching all the strange games golfers like to play.  Here's one which fits into that category, "Hit It Long."

In Hit It Long an imaginary line is drawn at the flagstick, perpendicular to the line from the tee.  If at any point in time a player's ball crosses the plane of that line, that player loses the hole or a betting unit.

The format of the game can be a dot format (say $1.00 per dot), skins game, match play, stroke play or other formats.

Variation

A variation of the game could be just the opposite.  At some point in time the player's ball must travel past the flag.

We have a FULL slate of golf this week on all tours.  Big tournament this week on the European Tour, the Irish Open.  And this week the PGA Tour is at the AT&T, where Rory McIlory lapped the field at the U.S. Open last year, Congressional.

PGA Tour

The PGA Tour is playing Congressional Country Club this week in the AT&T National. Purse this week is $6.5 million with the winner's share coming in at $1.17 million plus 500 FedEx Cup points.

As mentioned, Congressional hosted last year's U.S. Open where Rory McIlory broke all sorts of Open records.  The course has been toughened a bit, so we will see what sort of scores the players post this week.

In the field are some big names.  The featured group for Thursday and Friday is the trio of Dustin Johnson, Davis Love III and Hunter Mahan.  Another featured group tees off at 12:50PM ET.  That one includes Tiger Woods, Nick Watney and K.J. Choi.

TV Schedule

Thu, 6/28: GOLF 3p - 6p ET

Fri, 6/29: GOLF 3p - 6p ET

Sat, 6/30: CBS 3p - 6p ET

Sun, 7/1: CBS 3p - 6:30p ET

European Tour

The European Tour is contesting the Irish Open this week.  For the first time in the history of the European Tour, an event which is not a major championship is sold out for all four days.  That is because there are some super players in the field, like Padraig Harrington, Simon Dyson, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlory.  Keegan Bradley has even made the trek.

The course for the Irish Open is Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.  Having played some links golf not far from there, the course is a great representation of that style of golf.  Tune in and see how different it is.

TV Schedule

Thursday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Friday 9-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel)
Saturday 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Sunday 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)

Champions Tour

The Champions Tour is contesting the Constellation Senior Players Championship.  Purse this week is $2.7 million with the winner collecting $405K.

The course this week is Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh, PA.  The course is a tree lined par-70 track with a total yardage of 6,170 yards.  The course opened in 1923, designed by Seth Raynor and Charles Banks.

The big news this week is that Greg Norman has entered the competition.  Norman has not made many appearances on the senior circuit.  Other notable players in the field this week are Fred Couples, Ben Crenshaw, Gil Morgan, Tom Kite, Hale Irwin and Craig Stadler.

Thu, 6/28: GOLF 1p - 3p ET

Fri, 6/29: GOLF 1p - 3p ET

Sat, 6/30: GOLF 2:30p - 5p ET

Sun, 7/1: GOLF 2:30p - 5p ET

LPGA & Web.com Tours

The Web.com Tour (formerly Nationwide Tour) is playing its inaugural event, the United Leasing Championship at Victoria National Golf club in Newburgh, Indiana.

The LPGA Tour is contesting the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Arkansas.

Both tours can be found live or on tape delay on Golf Channel.

Big announcement this morning from Tim Finchem, commissioner of the PGA Tour:

"We are delighted to announce this morning that effective immediately the Nationwide Tour will become the Web.com Tour through a 10 year agreement which extends through the 2021 season.  In addition to the umbrella sponsorship of this tour ,Web.com has as well entered into a 10 year agreement to become an official marketing partner of the PGA Tour.  So they will sponsor the Tour and also have a partnership directly with the Tour.  Let me say that we think this is an ideal match for this Tour that includes this partnership with a strong, dynamic company.  This company is a leader in its space providing internet services and online based marketing solutions to primarily small businesses and medium sized businesses all over the country."

Adios Nationwide Tour

So immediately the Nationwide Tour name is gone and has already been replaced with the Web.com name and logo on the Tour's web site and all media.

"Nationwide is proud of our 10-year association with the Nationwide Tour, the PGA TOUR and all the outstanding individuals dedicated to developing and preparing golfers for the next stage of their professional lives. We look forward to our continued partnership with the PGA TOUR as sponsor of the Memorial Tournament and the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational, and wish both the Tour and Web.com the best in their new partnership." ~Matt Jauchius, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer for Nationwide

Here's the full video announcement from this morning:

Let's talk about one important part of golf etiquette today, disturbing play with noise. Golf is hard. It is harder when you can't concentrate because there are inconsiderate people making noises during your swing.

At a couple of my home courses are some high traffic areas.  For instance, the first tee at one course has a sidewalk which is the only path to the practice green and practice range from the pro shop.  Many times my partners and I have had to stop mid-swing because some clueless player is driving by in a cart, just a few feet from the tee.  Worse than that, is when they're talking to their friends too loudly, talking on their cell phone etc.  When they hit the reverse button on the cart right in someone's back swing, which engages that beep warning, really takes the cake.

It is important that you as a golfer be aware of not only your own group, but others.  Here's what the USGA has to say about noise and distraction:

Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise.

Another example would be the 1st green and 18th tee at another course I frequent.  They're no more than 20 feet apart.  It is important to pay attention to the group on the tee/green next to you and not disturb them.

Cell Phones

As soon as you get to the course, put your phone in SILENT mode!  It is especially bad when your phone rings in someone's swing, and worse when your ringtone is a Snoop Dogg song.  The USGA's suggestion on electronic devices:

Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.

Pay Attention

Really, you just need to pay attention to what is around you.  If any players are playing their shots, don't move and don't make noise.  The golf gods will reward you with some good karma for making the game more enjoyable for everyone.

PGA Tour

"I don't know where to start," is what Marc Leishman said when he addressed the press yesterday following the conclusion of the Travelers Championship.  The Aussie from down under had just come from way down the leaderboard to record his first victory on the PGA Tour.  As the pun goes, he came from "down under" to win, following a spectacular final round 62.

Leishman had to wait nearly 2.5 hours to find out if he would win though.  For a while it didn't look like he would pull off the come-from-behind victory, as other players playing behind him had lower scores during their round.  Charley Hoffman held a three shot lead at one point, but collapsed down the stretch.  Hoffman posted double bogey-bogey on the last two holes to finish the tournament one behind Leishman.  The rest of the field fared no better as players like Tim Clark also found it difficult to finish.

The win opens up many opportunities on Tour for Leishman, like playing in the Masters.

Champions Tour

North of the border in Montreal, Canada, the Champions Tour played the Montreal Championship.

Mark Calcavecchia fired a fantastic and bogey free final round 8-under 64, tying the course record at Vallee du Richeliu Vercheres golf course.  The 64 was highlighted by six birdies and a chip-in-eagle on the par-5 16th hole.  Firing all three rounds in the 60's, Calcavecchia won by four strokes.

While Calc won the event, Michael Allen finished tied for 5th and moved up to 1st in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

LPGA Tour

The LPGA Tour was also up in Canada to contest the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic in Waterloo, Ontario.

There was an exciting finish this week, as a sudden death playoff between four players was needed to determine the winner.  Brittany Lang, who had never won on the LPGA, made three consecutive birdies in the playoff to record her first win over Chella Choi, Inbee Park and Hee Kyung Seo.

"I can't believe it took me seven years to win a tournament out here.  I hadn't been that good under pressure and I'm getting better, and I'm so thankful that it happened this week and I'll only get stronger from here." ~Brittany Lang

With the win, Lang punched a ticket to the LPGA's CME Group Titleholders tournament in November.

PGA Tour

Have we recovered from the U.S. Open yet?  Hope so because it is time for the PGA Tour to keep moving on into the Travelers Championship.  The Travelers is contested in Cromwell, Connecticut at TPC River Highlands.  Winner's share of the $6 million purse is $1.08 million, along with 500 FedEx Cup points.  Last year's champ was Fredrik Jacobson, who played well in the U.S. Open this past week.  He could be a good fantasy golf pick.

Field

In the field this week at the Travelers are some highly notable players including winner of last week's U.S. Open Webb Simpson, Hunter Mahan, Padraig Harrington, Ryan Moore, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter and Bubba Watson.

Course

TPC River Highlands is a par-70 track measuring at 6,844 yards.  The toughest hole on the course is the par-4 4th.  The 4th is 460 yards with a fairway well guarded by bunkers on both sides.  It will take two solid shots to reach the green, which slopes severely from back to front.

Coming down the stretch, the final hole is a par-4 18th which will feature uneven lies everywhere except the tee box.  This 444 yard hole will present a good finishing challenge with a green well protected by bunkers on one side and a swale on the other.

TV

Thu, 6/21: GOLF 3p - 6p ET

Fri, 6/22: GOLF 3p - 6p ET

Sat, 6/23: CBS 3p - 6p ET

Sun, 6/24: CBS 3p - 6p ET

Champions Tour

The Seniors are in Canada to contest the Montreal Championship.  Purse this week is $1.8 million with the winner's share of $270,000.

Course

The course this week is the Vallee du Richeliu Vercheres in Sainte-Julie (Quebec), Canada. This track is a par-72 which opened in 1965.  Total yardage for this traditional style tree lined track is 6,950.

Field

This one could be a good one to tune into this week as the Shark, Greg Norman, is making a rare appearance in the field.  Other notables include Fred Funk, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Loren Roberts and Corey Pavin.

TV

Fri, 6/22: GOLF 6:30p - 8:30p ET

Sat, 6/23: GOLF 6:30p - 9:30p ET

Sun, 6/24: GOLF 7p - 9:30p ET

LPGA Tour

The ladies are also in Canada this week at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.  Purse for this championship is $1.3 million.  There is no defending champion as this is an inaugural tournament.

Course

The Manulife Financial LPGA Classic will take place at Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo.  Grey Silo is a par-71 measuring at 6,354 for the LPGA players.  This is a tree lined track with deep fescue residing outside the rough line.

TV

Jun 21 - GC 12:30-2:30 PM EST
Jun 22 - GC 12:30-2:30 PM EST
Jun 23 - GC 3:00-6:00 PM EST
Jun 24 - GC 3:00-6:00 PM EST

About an hour's drive from Frogger headquarters is a vineyard called Wente Vineyards.  This 125 year old vineyard is the oldest continually operated family-owned vineyard in the United States.  Wente Vinyeards teamed up with champion golfer and course designer Greg Norman to build The Course which opened in 1998.  Let's take a look.

Location

Situated in the hills of Livermore, California, the course features drastic elevation changes and spectacular views of the green grass, the vineyards and the surrounding mountains.

Accessing the course is easy from Oakland / San Francisco, about an hours drive southeast depending on traffic.

Design

Greg Norman designed "The Course" at Wente Vinyeards is a par-72 track which measures at 7,181 yards from the tips (Black tee).  Course rating is a difficult 75.0 with a very high slope of 145.  In plain English, this is a challenging course.

The course features three distinct topographies, woodlands, rolling hills and vineyards.  The hills and lack of trees on many holes give the course a links flavor, but the elevation changes are far more dramatic than most links courses in the northern United Kingdom.

Tee shots on par-4's and 5's can be intimidating due to the narrowness of the landing areas, elevation changes and shapes of the holes.  Large complex bunkers guard the fairways and greens.  Shots which do find the fairway are rewarded with reasonably flat lies.

The vineyards line around half of the holes on the course.

Greg Norman is very proud of his design work on this course, saying, “I can stand here as the head of my development company and honestly say this is my best effort.”

Stats

Tee	Par	Yardage	Rating	Slope
Black	72	7,181	75.0	145
Gold	72	6,840	73.9	141
Blue	72	6,266	71.6	131
White	72	5,637	68.7	124
Red (ladies)	72	4,866	69.4	122

Signature Hole

Tough choice on the signature hole.  The 18th is a very tough par-4 which has a dual fairway which is split by a creek in the middle.  Making par on this finishing hole is an accomplishment.

The 228 yard par-3 7th hole is a great signature hole candidate as well.  The views from the tee box on this hole are expansive and intimidating, though the tee shot is elevated and one club less could bring the playing yardage down to between 210-220 yards.

Contact

Wente Vineyards
5050 Arroyo Road
Livermore, CA 94550
Phone: 925.456.2400
www.wentevineyards.com

Even though Tiger Woods didn't win the U.S. Open this past weekend there was some great footage on the broadcast of his "stinger" shot.  They were showing the club face coming into contact with the ball via a camera that was shooting some crazy number of frames per second like 60,000.  It was very interesting to see the position of the club face at impact and see what the club head was doing through the hitting zone.  It was also interesting to note how "quiet" (as in not moving) Tiger's feet were.  Let's talk about how to hit a long iron stinger shot.

Setup

When I'm hitting this shot the first thing I do is move my ball position farther back in the stance.  Where a long iron might be inside the front (left ankle for right handed players) ankle, I might put the ball more toward the ankle of the back foot (right foot for right handed players).  This changes the angle of the club face to a less lofted position at impact and makes the ball launch lower.

My feet in this stance tend to be setup in a slightly open position, with the front toe pointing toward the target.

The shaft of the club will be "de-lofted" at address naturally because the ball is back in the stance and the hands come down to the middle of the body to grip the club.

Swing

I bring back the club just like normal, but I stop before parallel or a full swing.   Some methods suggest this technique and others say to go ahead and take a full back swing.  The length of the back swing isn't as important as what happens at impact.

Delay releasing or turning over the hands until impact and focus on keeping the club de-lofted through the bottom of the swing.  It helps to finish low, which makes keeping the club de-lofted easier.  Finishing low also helps promote a lower launch angle.

Though finishing low, it is still important to accelerate through impact.

Result

The result should be a ball which launches with high velocity and low trajectory.  I find the shot not terribly hard to hit when you get the hang of it.  The stinger can be a great "go to" shot when you absolutely must hit the fairway or in windy conditions when you need to keep the ball low.

Try it!

U.S. Open

What a fantastic weekend of intense golf we had, close to Frogger headquarters at San Francisco's Olympic Club in the U.S. Open.  There are so many interesting story lines from this year's Open.

Winner

Who was the winner this year?  Webb Simpson, not a household name like Tiger Woods.  Simpson was born in Raleigh, NC in 1985.  He attended Wake Forest and turned pro in 2008. As of this week Simpson has three career victories, the 2012 U.S. Open, the 2011 Wyndham Championship and 2011 Deutsche Bank Championship.

Simpson wasn't in the final group.  He finished at +1 a few groups ahead of the leaders.  Sitting at +1 and finished in the clubhouse, Simpson watched as the leaders failed to match him.

Many say the real winner of the tournament was the golf course, Olympic Club.  Last year's birdie fest at Congressional where Rory McIlory finished at -16 was not going to happen again.  Olympic Club played extremely difficult.  The opening 1/3 of the course played so difficult that the entire field was nearly 1200 over par for that stretch.  Despite the difficulty, the players didn't complain about the setup being unfair at all, which often happens in U.S. Opens.

Tiger

Tiger Woods looked to be on his way to winning major #15 through two days.  After Friday Woods was tied for the lead and playing in the final group Saturday with Jim Furyk.  But a 3rd round 75 moved him down the leaderboard to a T14 position, five shots behind.  As tough as the course was playing, a five shot deficit would be nearly impossible to make up.

Tiger's final round started terribly with bogey-bogey-double.  By then he had become a non-factor, so much that the TV coverage left him for nearly two hours.

Tiger would finish tied for 21st place at +7.

Furyk/McDowell

Sunday morning leaders Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell looked to be in the driver's seat coming into the final round.  Both had won U.S. Opens before, and it was a high likelihood that one of the two would finish on top.  That didn't happen.

Furyk made some clutch shots on the front nine to take the lead solo, but began to crumble on the final nine.  On the 16th the nerves for Furyk showed themselves as he hooked his tee shot into deep trouble left.  The resulting bogey would mean he would have to make a birdie in the last two holes to tie Simpson.  Instead Furyk would par the 17th and then hit a bad approach wedge to the 18th which would plug in the left greenside bunker.  Hopes dashed.

McDowell needed birdie on the 18th to force a playoff with Simpson after making birdie on the 17th.  Personally I thought he would drain the 20-25 foot putt for the tie given his stellar clutch putting from the past.  But the read was bad and had no chance of going in, missing left.

Missed Cut

Some other very surprising stories this year lie in those players who missed the cut.  The defending champ Rory McIlory missed the cut by one shot following a three putt on his final hole Friday.  The mystery around McIlory's not-so-stellar play right now continues.

#1 ranked player in the world Luke Donald should have fared well at Olympic.  On paper his game is perfect for that type of setup, where accuracy and great course management are key.  Instead Donald opened with rounds of 79 and 72 to miss the cut.

Reigning Masters champion Bubba Watson also missed the cut with rounds of 78 and 71.  Watson is obviously suffering from Masters hangover with two consecutive missed cuts.

Final Thoughts

This was a very intense and entertaining U.S. Open, though I doubt the casual golf fan kept interest when the big names like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson became non-factors.  It is fun to watch tough golf like this, where par really means something and the competition is not a birdie fest.  The course setup was fantastic and required the players to hit every shot and every club in the bag with precision.  It was truly a great test and Simpson is a worthy champ.

Well played.