Just when fans were eagerly awaiting a great weekend of golf featuring Michelle Wie, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, despair set in. Michelle Wie proved to be doing the “moonwalk” in her quest to compete admirably in any professional tournament, PGA or LPGA. Some would still say that Wie is the perfect (?) “ten” even after her blowup hole on the back nine at the Ginn Tribute hosted by Annika Sorenstam, never finishing but coming in dead last (+14) before finally succumbing to her dreaded fate. Wie didn’t see it coming although she did predict in her pre-tournament interview, “I know I ...

Click here to listen. Arnold Palmer believes that Tiger Woods is “every bit as aggressive as Phil (Mickelson)” in the June issue of Golf Digest Magazine. There is one difference, however, which gives Tiger the edge. Find out on this week’s episode of Golf for Beginners. In the same interview, Palmer gives us a simple putting tip which Barry questions in certain circumstances. When should you give yourself the option of playing it safe and when should you make sure you drain the golf ball in one shot? We also discuss the proper form for hitting out from under a tree, commonly known ...

As Michelle Wie gears up for yet another circus performance at the Ginn Tribute next week (and has just confirmed her third John Deere Classic), Annika Sorenstam’s sister, Charlotta, quietly took the lead in first-round action at the LPGA Corning Classic. While Michelle talked to reporters of warm, fuzzy feelings for the people of the Quad Cities, Charlotta played one of the best rounds of her career, a 64, also tying (with Lorena Ochoa) the record for the best round of the season to date. Did anyone but her competition notice? Perhaps Charlotta needed to pick up the slack for an injured ...

Click here to listen. Will Michelle Wie accept an invitation to the Samsung World Championship in October, “Dancing with the Stars” of the LPGA’s finest? Let’s see how Wie fares at the inaugural Ginn Tribute next week! The PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic is awaiting a response from Wie, B.J. Wie that is, to confirm her status in yet another PGA Tour event. In the interim, swing coach David Leadbetter is probably wishing that he hadn’t mentioned Wie’s possibility to “commit herself” to the women’s tour. She has the right stuff and everyone, including Golf for Beginners, wish that she would take the ...

Click here to listen. Tiger Woods may not have had a stellar performance at the Players Championship (his putting let him down once again), but at least he came away with a smile on his face on Sunday after redeeming himself with a five-under-par 67. Although Tiger might have difficulty putting, rest assured that Woods is one of the best putters around. He is also terrific out of deep rough. We give you a Tiger tip to assist you when the rough is as deep as it was at Winged Foot during the 2006 U.S. Open. Also on Golf for Beginners, Barry and ...

Do you think Butch Harmon was bitter when given the “heave-ho” by Tiger Woods? Current teaching professional Hank Haney claimed, “those other instructors never wanted to give us a chance. The result was never going to make them look better.” Now that Harmon has picked up Phil Mickelson as a student, could he be grooming Lefty for a win at this year’s Players Championship? It’s always been known as the PGA Tour’s “fifth major” and the players consider this event one of the most important of the season, hence the name. If Haney is correct, then Harmon’s interest lies in using Mickelson ...

Click here to listen. “Turning Stone leaves no stone unturned!” That’s Barry’s quote, plain and simple, after we accompanied a group of writers to Turning Stone Lodge. Our mission? To let our listeners in on the buzz accompanying this multidimensional casino/resort. The PGA Tour has chosen Atunyote golf course at Turning Stone for the start of its 2007 fall series. Tiger Woods is currently undecided as to if he will attend but the field should be strong buoyed on by an attractive purse. From beginning to end our weekend at the Lodge at Turning Stone offered us the opportunity to relax, unwind ...