Feherty on Leno last night for example.  Plugging his new show in a hilariously self deprecating manner only he can deliver.  Something about Bushmills, Vicoden and passing a concrete Christmas tree…

I’ve heard some describe Feherty as golf’s Robin Williams.  Not the case.  More like golf’s version of Dennis Miller.  Replace the borderline condescending attitude however w/ a somewhat cautious “I’ve made it this far….let’s not F-eth it up now….” awareness.  Through this kind of teetering on sanity living, he still knows his stuff as much as anyone and delivers it tactfully, with a sincere sense of humility and usually it’s damned funny.

Tuesday’s at 9 ET on the Golf Channel in case your wondering….

As for this weeks perk that happens to be the Open Championship; my picks are Westwood, and possibly McIlroy or Donald.  Sleeper pick is Nicolas Colsaerts.  The unexpected perk will be watching all the tee shots that looked great, landed smack in the middle of the fairway yet still kicked, rolled, caromed…..leaked, crept, glanced…….grazed, ricocheted and/or somehow trickled into the junk!  Golf across the pond (or anywhere for that matter) sure does have the potential to put players in that ‘one bad bounce from goin’ crazy’ mode.  Makes for good humor.

Kind of like Feherty.

Kind of ironic don’t you think?  The guy that practically reinvented fairway woods & hybrids has initiated yet another tactic to make the game easier and more fun.  Tee It Forward comes from Barney Adams, the Adams Golf guy.  So what’s the deal with Tee It Forward exactly?

In short, it’s the latest attempt to make the game of golf easier and faster by encouraging golfers to play the tee boxes that will give them the appropriate distance on second shots.  8-irons, 9-irons, wedges.  Those are second shot clubs on “normal” par 4′s.  Imagine that…hitting similar clubs as tour players.  Why?  Simply put…faster rounds, lower scores and more fun!

Adams found that the 6,700-yard course length that many of us amateur golfers play is proportionately equivalent to a PGA Tour player competing on a course measuring 8,100 yards!  I’d love to see that….really I would.

So, the Tee It Forward program from July 5th -17th is officially underway!

Some say that advances in technology have already made the game easier.  True to only a certain extent.  Let’s get real here though.  The biggest benefactor of all this tech has clearly been the elite player; ala Tour players.  I can swing an R11 all day long but I’m just not gonna spank it out there as far as DJ unless it’s downhill, downwind and I get a couple of friendly cart path bounces.  The technology I need to get DJ distance would most certainly be illegal.

Us regular folk are left with our $400 drivers (unless you’re a frequent user of ‘ole DownLowTooSlow.com…wink wink, plug plug) on 450+ yard par 4′s where the most common play is driver, fairway wood, chip, putt, putt….uh…..putt again and a “put me down for another double”.

I’m all for the Tee It Forward program.  Get rid of all this “Let’s play the blues” & “golf sucks….it’s way to hard” crap.  Yes, golf is hard…..only if it’s your full time, revenue generating career or you’re completely delusional and expect to shoot tour-like scores after a day of conference calls and business meetings.  Good luck with all that.

For the rest of us, golf is a much needed break from reality; the office, the yard, the bills, whatever.  It’s also a place that can comfortably level the playing field so to speak.  Folks that may not have anything to do with one another under normal circumstances can come together for a few hours and share a good walk spoiled (props to Feinstein there…).  We simply enjoy playing golf as best we can given our collective lack of practice time, perfectly fitted equipment, sleep, time, funds and most ironically; our general lack of golf skills.  Why not move up a box or two and give yourself a break.

Lastly, many have already over analyzed the concept.  Sure, there may be room for improvement but the fundamental concept is solid.  For the love of Jack…..Tee It Forward folks.  You’ll spend less time searchin’ ‘n cursin’, your scores may drop a bit and guess what?  You’re good walk might not be as spoiled as usual.

USGA Yardage Breakdown:

Driver Distance – Recommended 18-Hole Yardages

300 yards – 7,150-7,400

275 yards – 6,700-6,900

250 yards – 6,200-6,400

225 yards – 5,800 -6,000

200 yards – 5,200-5,400

175 yards – 4,400-4,600

150 yards – 3,500-3,700

125 yards– 2,800-3,000

100 yards– 2,100-2,300

And for those curious:

PGA Tour Professional – 7,600-7,900

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Going into the weekend, I really thought Adam would do well.  Not so much.  I also thought Phil would do well.  Not really.  I certainly didn’t think Rory would do this well…!

Greatest victory of all time?  I don’t really think so but it is awesome to see someone come along and dominate even when the supposed king of domination was a DNP.  It was also awesome to watch NBC/Golf Channel trip all over themselves trying to out accolade one another regarding Rory’s performance & golf swing.  Amazing and damn near epic performance?  Sure.  He won by 8 shots at the U.S. Open!  He also won wire to wire while shedding the much media hyped Master’s monkey. However, there are a few moments from the past that still stand.  Jack’s ’86 Master’s.  That was miraculous.  Tiger’s first Masters?  That was unforgettable.  Ken Venturi’s ’64 U.S. Open was downright dangerous as a doctor followed group anticipating heat exhaustion.  Tiger’s 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines against Rocco was another epic battle of human endurance.  All week Woods had managed to mask the pain, walking with a very slight limp and he still won the thing!

Rory has always been a personal favorite.  Especially after following him around during a practice round at Hazeltine in ’09.  However, the most recent epic win doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the greatest.  Congrat’s to Rory on an amazing win.  I’m certain there will more where that came from but for now, it’s still just one Major trophy.

Right off the bat, I’m pickin’ Adam Scott to take this years U.S. Open.  He’s got the goofy lookin’ yet effective broomstick under control and the length necessary to succeed at Congressional.  He also announced a minor caddy change.  In case you haven’t heard, Tiger’s a no show this week.  That leaves his boy Steve Williams with out a dance partner.  Awfully smart of the Aussie to give him a call.  While Tiger will win more tournaments and maybe even a couple more majors, I think we’re witnessing the beginnings the post-Tiger era.  Let’s stay on topic though.

How can you not pick Mickelson?  5 (!) runner up’s?  He’ll win one….maybe even this one.  Length? Check.  Makes bogy’s? Check. Can get up and down from anywhere? Pretty much.  Pretty good odds Phil will be there late on Sunday.

My sentimental pick is Sergio (sweet website!).  He’s one of the greatest drivers and now that he’s enjoying golf again, maybe the Golf Gods (Seve?) will smile upon Garcia.

I’m gonna go download the USGA’s U.S. Open app and not get anything done this weekend.

First off, congrats to Charl for an incredible display of good golf and great luck.  Seems like most have forgotten about the chip in on #1 and the hole out on #3.  Yeah, he birdies the last four to win but it sure does help when you’re 3 under through 3 at Augusta.

Most amazing though was Rory’s train wreck on on the back nine.  His reaction to the hooked tee shot on #13 was heartbreaking.  Career defining collapse?  Naw…guys these days bounce back pretty fast and Rory will be more than fine.

Equally amazing though was the barrage of birdies from pretty much the first page of the leaderboard.  Jason Day, Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy….all of ‘em just lit it up!

Tiger?  Peaked too early shooting 31 on the front and even on the back.  Looks to me like whatever chip was on Garcia’s shoulder is now firmly planted on Tigers.  He looks cranky, spiteful and vindictive.  Nice to see him make a charge though.

While Schwartzel played awesome and is forever a Masters champion, I have to wonder if he just joined the infamous One & Done Club headed by Paul Lawrie, Ben Curtis, Corey Pavin and countryman Louis Oosthuizen.  On the other hand, I wonder how many majors Rory will end up winning.

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That’s right. The Masters is much, much more.  It’s a tradition, not just in golf but in sports in general and it gets better and better every year.

Phil said it best in his Wednesday press conference.  Driving down Magnolia Lane reminds him of why he loves the game of golf so much.  This from a 40 year old professional golfer that’s been playing the game, practicing the game, talking the game for darn near his entire life.  Tiger eluded to it as well by talking about the unique feeling he gets when he walks to the first tee.

Here are 5 reasons why The Masters is so much more than a golf tournament and a cut above all other events including the PGA Championship, the US Open and The Open:

1.  Same golf course every year. That’s what builds tradition. No where else will you have flashbacks of Jack in ’86, Woods’ chip in on 16 in ’05 or Normans heartbreaking Sunday collapse in ’96.  And that’s just on the back nine!  Yes, other courses reveal memories (St. Andrews, Hogans Alley, etc) but not like Augusta National.

2.  Since The Masters was established by Georgia native and amatuer Bobby Jones, the current U.S. Amateur champion always plays in the same group as the defending champion for the first two days. This year it’s Peter Uihlein & Phil Mickelson.

3.  The Par 3 Contest. The bitter sweet, always fun but please-don’t-let-me-win-this-thing pre-cursor to Thursdays start.  Sorry Luke but it’s tough to argue with Augusta National’s Par 3 winner’s fate.

4.  The Green Jacket.  Need I say more…?

5.  Champions earn a lifetime invitation to return.  Lifetime.  Think about that one.  That’s one of sports greatest traditions and Augusta Nationals greatest decisions.  Take a recent quote from Jack, “I drove down Magnolia Lane the first time in 1959 and I thought it was pretty neat,” Nicklaus said Tuesday. “We drove down here again today with my grandson, Nick O’Leary. He’s my caddie (for the par-3 tournament).  I told him, ‘Look at these trees.  These trees are exactly the same. ‘ That’s 52 years ago.  They look the same to me now.”

That’s what the Master’s is all about folks……tradition and not “tournament”.

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Spring is in the air and the Masters is right around Amen Corner.  That’s right.  That means the 2011 golf season is upon us.  Been practicing your swing all winter long?  Been working on the chipping and putting in your basement?  Been working out with golf specific exercises trying to build  stronger core so you can gain a few more yards off the tee?  You might just be a golf junkie.

Here are a few signs you might be a little bit more than “really into it”:

~ You can’t seem to remember your anniversary but can recall all details related to Jack’s 1986 Masters win at the age of 46.

~ You’ve already programmed the Tivo to record all four Majors’ final rounds.

~ You sincerely and genuinely enjoy watching the LPGA and didn’t even notice until recently that Natalie Gulbis is kinda cute.

~  All grilling utensils and implements equipped with GolfPride 1/2 cord grips.

~ You have pet named Phil, DJ, Bubba, Jack or Arnie

~ You estimate distances based on your yardages; i.e. “it’s driver, 6 iron and on your left hand side”

~ You know the exact yardage of your front yard

~ If you absolutely can not get out of playing mini-golf, you bring your own putter.  The back up putter though.  No way you’re going to risk getting any bad mini-golf mojo on your bread ‘n butter flat stick!

~ You can debate in great detail, the benefits of Tigers current swing changes but are only vaguely familiar with something happening in Libya.  Or is it Liberia?  No….Libya.  I’m pretty sure it’s Libya.

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Some of us aren’t fortunate enough (or smart enough) to reside in a location where golf courses are green all year long.  So for the rest of us, spring is upon us along with the golf season.  Now’s the time to think about getting your body ready.

Golf exercise is one of those new-era concepts that can really help.  Core work, strength training and flexibility training really make a difference and before you know it, you’ll feel better just in general!

Here’s  few places to help get you started:

Mens Health

Kelly Blackburn

Mayo Clinic

Sean Cochran

Give ‘em a shot.  With all the information available, it should be pretty easy to find some drills or exercises that work for you.

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Quick shout out to the good folks over at MyBackSpin.com!  Ya gotta love great ideas and the people bold enough to take to reality.  What makes it so great is that DownLowTooSlow.com & My BackSpin.com are perfect compliments to one another.

Get your killer gear deals on the DownLow then put ‘em to good use on a MyBackSpin.com golf course!  These guys are offering 50-80% off greens fees at local golf courses.  If you think about it, you can cut your entire golf budge in half!

What could be better than that!  Check out their current deal here!  Also, check out their blog too.  Great stuff.

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Well, the only guy left that I picked to keep going after round 3 is Luke Donald.  Now we’re down to just two, Donald will face the new #1 player in the world Martin Kaymer.  The Ryder Cup teammates know each other well, have very similar games and will provide a worthy match up in this WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.

So let’s cut to the chase.  Who will win?  Luke Donald that’s who.

Why? Because he hits fairways and greens, has a solid short game and is a slightly better putter than Kaymer.  That’s not to imply that Kaymer is some bomb ‘n gouge player either.  He’s actually very similar to Donald in that he’s also a fairways and greens guy.  The advantage goes to Donald because he’ll be well rested compared to Kaymer who’s had to go the distance (and then some) to take out Rose, Mahan and Jimenez.

On a day that will be cold & windy, advantage Cool Hand Luke Donald.  I wonder what color Kaymer’s “snood” will be today.

Side note: Consolation Match Prediction?  Bubba Watson wins with a victory over Matt Kuchar.  Bubba will play the match he should have played against Kaymer (i.e. he’ll make the putts necessary to beat Kuchar).

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