The 2008 Players Championship Preview & Golf Tips
The 2008 Players Championship
TV Coverage
Click here for video analysis of Sergio Garcia & Anthony Kim's golf swings The name says it all…this is the 2008 Players Championship. You need to be a player to win this tournament. This event is in a class by itself, as it is not a major, yet has arguably the toughest field of all the tournaments. It is played on the one of the toughest tracks, created by one of the greatest designers…Pete Dye. 
The tournament started as the Tournament Players Championship, and could it get any better than having Jack Nicklaus winning the first event in 1974. Nicklaus would go on to win 3 in total. When you start your event with that kind of champion, you are likely to have some great champions to follow him. There have been very few non major winners to take home the Player’s Championship. Of the 34 years it has been played it has been won 19 times by players who have won a major. That is a pretty impressive ratio. Most of the other champions have been multiple winners on the PGA Tour. The most obscure winner was probably Craig Perks in 2002. Here is another way to look at it…this tournament is so tough that Tiger Woods has only won it once back in 2001. Unfortunately for Tiger he will not be making it two as he recovers from knee surgery. 
Phil Mickleson is the defending champion. He had a good start to the year but has cooled off the last few tournaments. Maybe this will be the event that gets him back on track to make a charge at another major. The TPC It has to be great layout if the most talked about hole is only 130 yards long. Now, it is a hole that has 120 000 balls go in the water every year. That is an average of 3 per group, if you figure 40000 rounds are played there every. Only one guy per group doesn’t get wet. Now, the numbers won’t be that high during the 2008 Players Championship, however it is the type of hole that will be on the player’s mind during their round. 
The island green 17th hole has seen tons of action, which is why it is so entertaining. Tiger’s crazy putt in 2001, Perk’s chip in, and last year when Sean O’Hair was 2 back of the lead and then dumped 2 in the water and made a 7. That cost him 16 spots and $747,000! What a fun golf hole! The great thing about this course is that the other 17 holes are no push over. You have to keep your focus all the way around or you will quickly drop shots. The opening hole is just less than 400 yards but the competitors had better hit the ball in the right place. There are bunkers everywhere and a creek to avoid on the tee shot. The approach is no gimme either as there are more bunkers and grass bunkers with deep rough to catch errant shots. The only ‘break’ the players really get is on the 16th hole as they can reach the par 5 in two shots. It will take two great shots, but it is achievable. After a great tee shot, the second must avoid trees to the right, water to the left and a a bunker in front. No problem right? The best part is probably psychological as the players may try to force a birdie, knowing the pressure of the next hole. If the players survive 17, they will only have a minute or two to catch their breath before taking on a great finishing hole. The 18th hole is a dogleg left around a huge water hazard. The right side is lined with trees and it is a mere 447 yards long. With the tournament on the line, this will test all the great player’s capabilities. This is why this tournament is so well respected. It is also why great players are often the champions. I hope you enjoy the 2008 Players Championship. Please remember to check back here before the start of the third round for my Tour Tips.
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PGA Tour Winner Quick Lesson
Congratulations to Steve Stricker on his victory at the 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
I believe the commentators said he has won 9 times in his 40s. That is amazing!I also agree with Sir Nick and Johnny Miller that his swing will be copied in the future. Technology has reduced the need for hand action in the golf swing to generate power. Watch the old videos of Bobby Jones to see how much action he created compared to that of Steve Stricker.
A great objective for any player is to eliminate any unnecessary movement. Stricker does a great job of that. His hands stay very quiet on the backswing. His wrists hardly hinge at the top of his backswing. You can see from the above video that his backswing is all shoulder turn.
His downswing starts from the hips and he simply turns everything through the golf ball at the same time. His hands and wrists release naturally without any effort. This is a great way to have a consistent rhythm through the golf ball on every shot. This swing delivers enough power to win on Tour.
European Tour Winner Quick Lesson
Congratulations to Louis Oosthuizen and his victory at the 2012 Africa Open.
Louis burst onto the scene with his dominating performance at the Open Championship. Many have predicted multiple wins for this player. His victory this past weekend is likely one of many to come.
In the video above pay really close attention to when the video ends. Take a look at his left foot. Notice how all his weight his on his left heel. This is a great sign that he has cleared his hips properly.
One of the key reasons for starting the downswing with your lower body is to clear your hips out of the way to create more room for your arms to swing through impact. It is a great indicator as to how well you cleared your hips, when almost all your weight is on your heel.
If your weight is leaning on you toes or even the middle of your foot then you have not rotated and cleared your hips enough through your downswing and past impact. You really want to feel the pressure of your weight on your heel like Oosthuizen.
Make sure you start your downswing with your lower body. At the top of your backswing; either pull your left knee or your left hip (right handed player) towards the target. Also make sure your hips keep rotating through impact and into your finish position with your weight on the heel.