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TALES FROM THE MEMORIAL: ROUND 1

TONY FINAU: THE BIG BREAK

Rising Son: Family's Sacrifices Fuel Tony Finau | Golf ChannelFormer Golf Channel’s “The Big Break” standout leads the field at Muirfield (-6) after Round 1

DUBLIN, OH–Despite windy conditions Tony Finau  continued to putt with remarkable consistency to score a smooth 66 good for the lead at (-6).  The former “The Big Break” contestent  has been a fixture amongst tour favorites in recent months.  From his “interesting” relationship with Tiger Woods, to his awkward antics on the greens, Tony even has “Six Degrees of Separation” to the NBA and all this while he’s begun to discreetly (or not so discreetly) start floating around the rarefied PGA Tour air around him.  Finau has always been an enigma amongst his peers.  The former college basketball recruit out of Utah, who also happens to be second cousin to former Duke standout and NBA basketball player Jabari Parker, decided to forego that sport to focus on the game of golf at the age of 17.  Tony got his first pro exemption at the Greater Milwaukee Open in 2007 and continued to grind through mini tours, and yes, as well as a stint on reality television.  He joined the PGA Tour Canada in 2013 and officially worked his way onto the PGA Tour in 2016.  Finau is more workman like at his craft than a standout in any particular category.  Although he has been hot off the greens of late, his overall putting avg. stands at 1.594, good for a mediocre (66th) on tour and his One-Putt Percentage of 39.98% is a meager (85th).  What he generally lacks in putting, he tries to make up for with a solid driving Distance average of 305.9 yards (26th) and a much improved tee-to-green avg. of 1.278 (10th).  When Finau manages his game around the greens, he fairs very well in scoring, boasting a 4.26 Birdie avg. (20th) and 69.43 (Actual) Scoring avg, also (20th).  The knock on Finau is that he has so much room to grow.  Many on tour suggest that if only he would fully apply himself, the sky would show him no limits.  Never shying away from the spotlight, he has demonstrated tremendous flashes in Major tournaments, most recently at last years Masters, finishing 5th, which he followed up with a 3rd place finish at the Open Championship later that season.  After his first round performance at Muirfield, it appears that this late bloomer is starting to find his groove.

TONY FINAU: PGA TOUR STATS 2020

MAJOR STRIDES

Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament T5: 2019
PGA Championship T10: 2015
U.S. Open 5th: 2018
The Open Championship 3rd: 2019

Tony steps it up when the lights are brightest

TONY AND THE TIGER

Tony Finau’s few interactions with Tiger Woods have been frosty to say the least… 

The Finau/Woods relationship can probably be best described as awkward…As Finau was surging at last years Masters he found himself paired with his idol on Day 4.  After saying “good luck” on the first hole no words were exchanged until hole 7.  In an attempt to break the ice, Finau said, “Hey Tiger. How’s the family? How’s the kids?”  Woods, known for his laser-like focus,  replied with a frosty “they’re good” and nothing more.  Finau recalled that congratulating Woods at 18 was his last interaction with him.

Also: here’s Finau recounting a moment from the 2018 Memorial:

“I putted for 20 minutes. I saw him walking toward the (fans), so I sneaked by him. No one was paying attention to me, of course, it was Tiger. As I’m walking up the stairs, he looks up at me and shakes his head.

I’m eating lunch, he comes in and looks at me and says, “You’re an (expletive)” (with a smile). I stuck him with all his fans and didn’t help him one bit to sign. He didn’t like that a lot, but I was ready to eat and knew they were there for him. It’s not that I don’t like signing, I was just very hungry.”

We’ll be sure to continue to keep track of this budding connection…

“THE BIG DISLOCATION” 

Finau contorts his ankle after sinking a hole in one at the Masters Par 3 contest in 2018.  He managed to pop it back in in real time.  Despite the gruesome injury, Finau played all week and finished tied for 10th at The Masters.

More Tales from the Memorial to follow as we march closer towards the PGA Championship at Harding Park Aug 3-9

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BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU: GAME THEORY

ROCKET PERFORMANCE

DeChambeau looks totally different after packing on 20kg of muscle following loads of work with weights in the gymDeChambeau in 2019 (Left) vs. 2020 (Right)

DETROIT GOLF CLUB–Emerging talent Bryson DeChambeau (26) scorched through The Rocket Mortgage Classic, dusting off a Sunday -7 to compile his -23 sum total for the week.  A performance of that caliber made it  impossible for us at Outdrive Me not to take notice!  His driving has catapulted him as The Top Bomber on the PGA Tour crushing an excess of 323 yards per attempt, pacing his contemporaries while amassing a physique atypical to the sports general requirements.  DeChambeau, already affectionately known as “The Mad Scientist” says he wants to be “The House.”  As in a casino, because “The House Always Wins.”  A modern day quip from a millennial Tour athlete who is willing to test, tinker, and press the limitations of his own body with a determination to power his way into the elite of the sport.  Now: A “Power House,” Bryson has developed his body into the composite of a professional wrestler.  He has been devastating tees with impunity while displaying a timely putting game. His short iron game is still in question, but the hottest topic on the Tour remains DeChambeau’s recent emergence which has been primarily fueled by his increased mass and strength.  His peers discuss his 40 pounds of muscle gained during this past offseason with variant degrees of intrigue.  He is currently swinging his driver just shy of 140mph and the ball leaves his clubface at more than 200mph!  Can this ultra concerted effort of power translate with consistency in the Majors?  Is this a game theory to be championed by those in the PGA meandering in the low equity of sub 300 yard drives?  Could mass physical training be a substitute for the finesse and subtleties that we typically associate with the game of golf?

What’s undeniable is that pulverizing the ball off the tee is not only exciting to watch, but is also the most marketable portion of the game.  As fans, we fawn at the majesty of  a deep arching drive that screams across the sky and lands on the softest bed of grass at an apex length.  For the sake of a sport that is now thrusted in the spotlight in a post-Covid world as one of our few options for distraction, the California native and Texas bred pro maybe ready for his close-up.  With a more keen focus on his game, could we be in the midst of witnessing a total fluke, the second coming of John Daly, or golf’s Next Big Star?!  Pretty exciting stuff to look forward to as we resurface from the catacombs of sports hibernation.   A younger more risk taking breed of golfer primed to blend muscle with science and technology in this new era of the PGA.  Vegas odds makers have taken notice: DeChambeau (10-1) leap frogged Rory Mcllroy (12-1) as The Masters favorite following this weekend’s victory at DGC, which will be showcased this fall at Augusta National Golf Club in November after having been postponed due to the pandemic.  This definitely bears watching.

PGA Tour Stats Breakdown

Odds to win 2020 Masters (11/12/20)

Odds and Field Subject to Change – Updated 7.6.20

Bryson DeChambeau 10/1
Rory McILroy 12/1
Jon Rahm 14/1
Brooks Koepka 14/1
Justin Thomas 16/1
(DC*) Tiger Woods 16/1
Dustin Johnson 14/1
Patrick Cantlay 25/1
Xander Schauffele 25/1
Jordan Spieth 25/1
Tommy Fleetwood 30/1
Justin Rose 30/1
Webb Simpson 30/1
Patrick Reed 40/1
Rickie Fowler 40/1
Hideki Matsuyama 40/1
+Phil Mickelson 100/1

(VegasInsider.com)

Next Event: The Memorial Tournament **– Muirfield Village GC-Dublin, OH (July 16-19)

* Defending Champion

* There will be no fans in attendance due to Covid-19

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GOLF vs. COVID-19

OUR NEW NORMAL: GETTING OUT OF THE ROUGH

Coronavirus Update: N.H. Sees 1 Additional COVID-19 Death; 21 New ...

Due to the increased spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,  We are going to take a focus on how the various Public, Federal, and Private golf courses are addressing the reality of the Novel Coronavirus.  We hope to give additional insight to these ongoing changes to our Community at  MyScorecard and Outdrive Me so to better avoid the spread of the infectious respiratory disease.

Please note: During this current phase of the pandemic, Public and Federal courses do not allow for any groups larger than a Foursome.

Below are links that identify the current trends and developments in the United States:

New York Times Corona Interactive Map

CDC Covid Data Tracker

PUBLIC AND FEDERAL GOLF COURSE GUIDELINES – WEAR YOUR MASK!!!!!

Back on course! Golfers tee off and tennis players prepare to ...

Of the 4 Greater Washington Metropolitan Public and Federally owned golf courses surveyed, a unanimous refrain from their staffs was that guests are not respecting the CDC guidelines these establishments are forced to adhere by.  The most broken rule is that of wearing a mask.  Most often the attendant or employee of the golf course will be too timid to enforce the rule or guests will just blatantly disregard the requirement entirely.  CDC data has revealed that a primary route of transmission of the disease is likely via small droplets that are ejected when speaking, coughing or sneezing.  Masks are viewed as effective as a “source control” because they can prevent larger expelled droplets from evaporating into smaller droplets that can travel farther.  Please do your part as a member of your community and READ and FOLLOW the guidelines, restrictions, and regulations that are designed for your safety provided by your attended golf course.

PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING:

So You Wanna Give Your Homie/Homegirl Dabs…

DON'T TOUCH ME GIF | Gfycat

We’ve heard it ad nauseam: *6 FEET APART.  That’s the spacing and distancing required by each individual to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.   However, recent studies have suggested that 20 feet of distance and a mask is the most sure fire way to stay safe. That’s obviously ridiculous when golfing with a friend or someone that you are comfortable and familiar with.  I get it.  How difficult is it NOT to acknowledge a killer Drive, sweet Approach shot, or beautiful Layup to stave off a potential disaster?  You know the feeling!!!  Similar to the time you nailed a scientific Fade that let you off the hook from a bad Shank…You know the immediate reaction is that your Homie/Homegirl will want to give you dabs of some sort.  Unfortunately, a handshake, high five, or a hug is not advisable during this pandemic.  The best suggested practice when combating COVID-19 while golfing is to avoid body contact and to steer clear of the exchange of equipment amongst partners or groupings.  Hands touch too many surfaces and can quickly pickup viruses.  Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your face, from where the virus can move inside of your body, making you feel unwell.  Probably best to acknowledge a certain feat with  a fist bump or a tip of the cap.

PACK A SNACK

Although I highly recommend that you support all local small businesses and establishments during this crucial time,  the restaurants affiliated with Public and Federally owned golf courses are mostly limited to a reduced Carry-Out Menu.  At the risk of an 1hr 1/2 or 2 plus hour drive, it would probably be wise to pack a sandwich or a snack just in case their offerings aren’t to your liking due to the lack of variety .  Golfing 9 between Four participants who are primarily chopping it up could take way longer than expected.  This is one way to ensure that you’ll have enough sustenance to carry through the day.

PRIVATE GOLF COURSES GUIDELINES

Well, looks like you’re successful at what you do! If you’re reading this you have the luxury of golfing at a private estate or you have a friend in a very high place.  At this point in life, you may feel invincible.  Just remember:  COVID-19 does not distinguish between Prince or Pauper.  Please adhere to the suggestions listed above to ensure safety for yourself and others.

In addition: The PGA continues to monitor this situation closely.  We will keep our Community posted on all updates.

PGA TOUR update on protocols for positive/symptomatic cases – PGA Tour

PGA Tour scraps plan to have fans at Memorial due to COVID-19 – Reuters

 
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Forward for Fun

For those of you who follow our blog, one of our guest posters is Shawn Augustson, a student at the College of Golf and writes the blog Golf with Shawn and has shared with us some of his recent lessons. Here is one such post for the benefit of MyScorecard members.

We have many different reasons why we like to golf. Some find it as a way to relax, others enjoy the challenge… but the common denominator is that we all find it fun. This leads me to the question that if we want to have fun, why do we set ourselves up for failure at the first tee?

I have friends who like to stretch the course out and play as far back as they can. “I want to get my money’s worth and see the entire course”, is what I have heard time and time again.

The simple reality is this. They do not have the skill set to play from the distances they “feel” they need to play at. They start off with high hopes but after a few holes there is a lot of complaining, self-doubt, and threatening to quit the game forever.

This could all have been avoided and they could have had much more fun had they moved up to a tee that was more comparable to their game.

We need to change our mindset and play the game where we can score and have fun. When I was attending the College of Golf, Dr. Wilson, PGA Master Professional, and Director of Golf would challenge us to play from the first set off tees. “If you can shoot par or better there, then move back one set until you shoot par or better from there, etc.” he would say to us.

The Tee It Forward program has a really good yardage recommendation based of the players average drive distance:

Driver Distance Recommended 18-Hole Yardages
275 6,700-6,900
250 6,200-6,400
225 5,800-6,000
200 5,200-5,400
175 4,400-4,600
150 3,500-3,700

If you are finding that the game of golf is becoming frustrating, my challenge for you is this… with your next round of golf, move up one set of tees from where you normally play from. Move it forward and have fun. See you on the tee at Westchester Golf Course!

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From the Forward Tee’s then Beyond

Shawn is a member of MyScorecard and is currently a student at the Keiser University College of Golf in Port Saint Lucie, FL. He’s undergone superb improvement in his game, dropping his index from a 19 to a 9 in just under 12 months. Below, posted from his blog Golf with Shawn, is one his lessons regarding his dramatic improvement.

PGA Master Professional Dr. Wilson has stated at school several times for us to play the forward tees, “Shoot Par there, then move back”. You can read one of his articles on Facebook titled “Learning to Play, Learning to Score” .Golf Ladies Tee

The first time I heard him say it, that is what I wanted to do. The hard part was getting the rest of my foursome to tee off with me. EVERYONE wants to play the tips and tournament tees. I had found it to be hard to be the only one to play around the middle tee ground. A lot of times the group would tee off then forget about me.

Recently with some of my closer friends at school I have been able to convince them to do this. During these “practice rounds” I have started to notice something more and more… there have been a lot of smiles, laughter, and good vibes throughout the round. With my golf game I have noticed more improvements with my swing and ball contact. Something has just clicked, and all the lessons I have had at school I am starting to feel the difference in my swing and contact with the ball. Continue reading “From the Forward Tee’s then Beyond”

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Tracking Your Game to Improve your Performance

MyScorecard members have a diverse array of experiences as well as stories and lessons that we can all learn from. One of our members, Shawn Augustson, is a student at the College of Golf and writes the blog Golf with Shawn. In this post he shares some of his most recent lessons.

In order to improve your golf game and become a better player, it’s essential to have an updated strengths and weakness profile. Keyword being UPDATED… you will want to continually track your progress. If someone were to ask you how your game went and you replied with “It was alright. I hit my irons well, but the rest of my round was bad.” This would be an analog response. You want to be thinking DIGITALLY, and be more specific. This is what will help you improve.

I will give you an example, I am a student at the College of Golf in Port Saint Luce, FL. In my swing fundamentals class with Dr. TJ Tomasi (Golf Magazine Top 100 teacher) we had to track the digital information from each of our rounds and be able to compare them to a tour player. When I would look at my putts and see that I was 2 putting across the board I thought I was bad at putting.

Percent of Putts Holed by DistanceAs I began to track other statistics from each of my rounds I discovered that my putting was not the problem because my first putt was always from around 30 Feet! The problem was with my approach. I wasn’t getting to the green in regulation and when I was on the green I was barely there. According to Dave Pelz and the extensive research he has done, any putts from 15 feet and beyond your best case scenario is 1 in 10 for holing it, even for the tour player.

My putting turned out to be alright because I would lag putt and then tap in. From the distance I was coming from this was good. With this information, I was then able to start looking at my decisions from 100 yards, and make better choices in order to get on and be able to one putt. Continue reading “Tracking Your Game to Improve your Performance”