Well... Duh!

Steinberg goes on to say that the longer Tiger doesn't win, the harder it will be for him to win. He's got one hell of an mental uphill battle in front of him.

But if anyone can pull it off, Tiger can. Here's a man who has been to the mountain top. It wasn't that long ago that the so-called golf experts placed Tiger Woods well above the rest of the PGA tour. He was the on the "Tiger Tour."

Sport psychology consultant Dr. Jack Llewellyn, who has counseled professional athletes whose performances suffered because of turbulence in their personal lives, says he believes Woods can return to the "Tiger Tour," if and when he admits there are flaws in his mental game armor.

Llewellyn believes if Tiger takes care of himself mentally and physically, he'll rediscover the quality energy he needs to play his very large game.

So, Let's hear your opinion. Is the "Tiger Tour" gone forever, or can he rediscover the lost mind game assets from his pre-disaster days?

I'm embarrassed to admit the horrendous amount of three putts I've posted in the last few rounds. I could trim five or six strokes off my score with a little remedial putting. And wouldn't that be a sweet treat on the scorecard?

So what's the solution to my three-putt dilemma? Mind control. I need to become a more positive putter. I believe my problem begins with a lack of putting confidence.

The problem is that I start trying too hard. Rather than finding a calm mental state where I can make a natural move and swing freely I get lost in micro-mechanical last minute repairs. I start crowding my head with thoughts about the grip, posture, swing speed, stance and other minutia. It's not that these issues aren't important but once you're over the putt you've got to let yourself feel what needs to be done ...and then do it!

All this last minute analysis wrecks the natural timing of the putt and I end up short, long or just nowhere near the hole. The added frustration is then added on top of my previous failures and my confidence just slides further away.

I heard a fascinating story about the Jack Nicklaus vs Arnold Palmer match at the 1994 Shell Wonderful World of Golf. Apparently Jack holed every putt, and when asked about his incredible performance, Jack Jr. (his son and caddie) said he told his dad to smile and enjoy the challenge of putting more.

That was the simplicity of Jack's putting secret. Apparently even the great Jack Nicklaus occasionally needed an attitude adjustment.

So I'm on it. And with all my recent study of mental game improvements (more on that later) I'm certain I can muster a more positive mental attitude my next time out.

Wish me luck!

The rules official reported that he always new it was a trap. Dustin contends that it never crossed his mind. Who wins? The rules official does, that's who.

Even when I was watching it all unfold, I had this creepy suspicion that it wouldn't be long before they handed Dustin his walking papers.

"And don't let the door bang your ass on the way out!" Signed with love and affection ...the PGA rules committee.

Unfortunately, tournament officials don't have much wiggle room for rule interpretation. And they certainly didn't demonstrate any in this case.

So there you have it. Loads of PGA controversy and plenty of PR fodder. It's over.

Dustin handled himself like real pro. At least in the televised exit interviews. It wouldn't surprise me if he spun off on an angry kicking bender once he was out of the parking lot. God knows I would have! One minute he was in a playoff for the Wanamaker Trophy, for God's sake. And the next minute, it was snatched away.

I'm not too worried about Dustin Johnson though. He's proven that he's got the big game and he'll be back on the leader board soon enough.

What I don't like about this entire debacle is that we the viewers and spectators got the real shaft. Dustin played well enough to get into the playoff but got flushed on a bunker technicality. And maybe that was the right thing. But I was drooling over the thought of all three of these golf titans banging through the three hole playoff.

I wish a heartfelt congratulations to Martin Kaymer. He outlasted the field in one of the most unusual endings ever recorded. And I'm warming up to Bubba Watson. There's something wild and fearless about his approach to the game. Bubba's going to be around for a long time.

I'm certain we'll get a chance to see a Dustin vs Bubba battle in the not too distant future! 

I decided to sneak in a quick nine hole round earlier this week. I wasn't able to get out last weekend so I gave myself some time off work for a relaxing nine holes ...or so I thought.

For the record, I knew it was supposed to be hot. I didn't care. It was to be a Tuesday morning cakewalk. No worries.

The first sign of trouble was when the pro shop guy gave me a second look when I casually mentioned that we would be walking. "This is supposed to be the hottest day of the year," he said. "Are you sure?" And without skipping a beat, I responded "Of course."

What a wise-ass I was.

I began the day on the practice range for that all-important warm-up. And it didn't take much. Before my 25 range balls were gone, I was soaked.

The first few holes went pretty much as expected. We joked that it was a bit toasty, but that was just the beginning of discussion of the weather.

On the fourth tee box a kindhearted marshal drove up with a bucket full of icy cold towelets. It was a startling sensation on our faces. I mentioned that now we'll need to acclimate to the heat all over again.

This particular tee box seemed hotter than the previous ones. Is that possible? The sun was straight overhead. I could feel the intense humidity steaming up out of the grass. Heavy and dead air. There was no breeze so the profuse sweating just felt like you were wearing a hot and heavy wet rag.

I felt that same dead air sensation again on the green. Steamy hot heat, no breeze. We've just got to keep moving, I thought.

By the seventh hole I mentioned to my buddy that I never realized how little shade there was on this course. We guzzled loads of water from the course provided coolers. I must have refilled my own water bottle ten times by then.

We finished number eight and I could feel myself wanting to move quickly to the ninth tee. I had lost interest in the game. Both drives found the left rough but I didn't much care. I couldn't help thinking we were just that much closer to the end. My approach shot fell just short of the elevated ninth green. I chipped close and holed out for par. My partner finished and we began the long walk back to the clubhouse.

There was a brief discussion, with a chuckle, about finishing the full eighteen. We both required immediate respite from the oven-like temperatures.

I made it to the clubhouse and plopped down into one the four cushy chairs in the air conditioned lobby. My heart was racing and my skin was tingling. I was a bit light headed. Hmmm... Exactly what are the real symptoms of heat exhaustion?

I found my way into the locker room and splashed some water on my face. I was beginning to feel normal again.

We stepped up to the snack bar looking like a couple of drowned rats and proceeded to order a couple of Gatorades over large cups of ice. The twenty-something waitress said, "Hot enough for ya today?" To which I replied "Oh yeah ...and what a day to walk!" She looked up at my flushed face and said, "So you're the ones."

As you can see, this experience wasn't really much about golf. There was no mention of brilliant tee shots, hail Mary putts or miracle up and down sandies! I'm not even sure what my final score was.

It was just HOT! Really really HOT!

Now under normal circumstances I know when and where I'm playing a few days in advance. This invitation came about two hours before the round was to start. "No problem." I told him... "I'll be on the first tee in plenty of time."

This was my first mistake. As those words slid over my tongue, I mentally dismissed the all-important warm up time on the range before the round. I had a few last minute errands to run, but I could be there in time... or so I thought.

My second mistake was to misjudge the drive time. Unfortunately my last minute errands ran a bit long and I underestimated the drive time to the course. And as it turned out... I underestimated by a lot! I also hadn't planned for some the game day traffic on my route. Oops!

Our tee time was 12:51pm and I arrived at 1:18 pm. Needless to say, the group was well into the second hole by the time I arrived.

I wanted to mention another ill-advised brain killer that I experienced that day. As I impatiently sat in that precious time consuming traffic, my mood shifted in a dark and dangerous direction! I was cussing at old lady drivers, yelling at misguided teenagers and generally pissed off at the world. This is NOT a good pre game routine!

I arrived at the course, quickly checked in and hitched a ride out to meet my foursome. I watched as they finished up number two and prepared for my first swing of the day.

A pull-hook into the left rough. The group graciously granted me a mulligan noticing my lack of swing preparation. It was a thin DH drive that went about 160 yards.

I needed to regroup mentally. I shared the disastrous road trip details with my group and managed to yuck it up a bit. But my lack of preparation was not to be ignored. It was ten or fifteen errant swings that jacked my partial score beyond normal recognition.

I was able to salvage the back nine, but the round was one of my worst this summer.

So what have I learned? Well first of all, be certain you can arrive at the course 45 to 60 minutes before the round. Do a specific warm up on the range. Just 10 or 15 shots can work out some of the swing kinks. And it's a good idea to get a feel for your putter on the practice green.

All this in addition to working out game details with your foursome. Choose tee boxes, make bets and get comfortable before the round.

What are your pre-game routines and how do they help you?

Many average golfers wonder why their game seems so scattered, erratic and just all over the place. What they don't realize is the importance of a simple and consistent pre shot routine. When they approach shots inconsistently their results are inconsistent as well.

Create your pre shot routine

Golf is a process that needs an anchor point. It can filled with emotion from peer pressure, competitive anxiety as well as self induced stress to perform well. We all suffer from the similar issues, even the tour super-stars.

The pre shot routine helps to focus your thoughts on executing the swing. It helps to calm your thoughts and align your emotions. Following a specific routine improves your chances of making a good shot.

Your pre shot routine does not begin at address but the moment you step toward the ball. This is the time you think through the shot. You're making decisions about distance, direction, lie conditions and target line. Once you're chosen a club, locate a target line that you'll use at address.

Picture the shot. Practice the swingspeed tempo and decide where your landing zone is. Play for accurary instead of distance.

Breath deeply. Relax and focus on a smooth swing. Have a clear intention of what you want to do and play to that intention. Use this quick video lesson to help establish a solid pre shot routine.

A free lesson from your favorite pro

The next time you're watching golf on television observe how every professional golfer works through their own pre shot routines during tournament play. Each routine is different but they all use routine to mentally prepare for each shot.

Practice your own preshot routine so it is a natural part of your game. Learn more about developing your own pre shot routine with this short golf instruction article. It will help you take your game to the next level.

What could be more important than golf you ask? Well perhaps I'll cover that in a future post. Suffice to say I've had a busy summer ...off the course.

So what happens to your game when you don't play? That's an easy one. It evaporates, drifts and suffers. That's the friendly way I've been refering to my game. To the few whom I have shared a round with, they just look with wonder on how the simple shots can go so far off line and into the skraggle. 

What's an angry and frustrated golfer to do? Grin and bear it, of course. Golf can be a wicked mistress when she's not regularly tended to. But the punishment for my absence seems so severe. The scorecard tally grows with reckless abandon. Cash literally flies out of my wallet and lands decisively in my opponent's. It's just not right!

Time to rise above the sub humanity of inadequate execution. I'm signing up for a lesson or two. I'm in dire need of some fresh swing thoughts.

I'll explain to my future golf redemptor that I need help in just a few areas. I need some driver consistency as well some long iron work. I also need some middle iron assistance and some help with pitching and chipping. Oh and I could use a good deal of putting advice.

Hmmm. That doesn't leave much meat on the bone, now does it?

So what's happened to your handicap this year. Give us a shout and tell us all about it!

As I was rushing into the lavish clubhouse at one of our favorite local public links locations, I couldn't help wondering if it was a wise decision to spend the fifty or sixty bucks on this casual mid-week round. I probably should've stayed in my office and finished a few of the several unfinished projects I had so willingly left on my desk. Ah... such is the hypnotic magic of the game.

I stood impatiently at the counter with credit card in hand waiting for confirmation of the drive-out cost of the round. $30. I looked up and said "that's for eighteen holes, right?" The response came back, "Yep, with a cart."

I finished the transaction and joined my buddy who had been waiting on the practice green for quite some time. I mentioned the fee to him and he echoed my own surprise. "Unbelievable!" he said. "I remember paying $40 for nine holes just a couple months ago."

So here's the premium local public course that charges the $75 plus dollar weekend round dumping their price point thru the floor in order to get a few weekday golfers out on the course. How will they manage the mortgage of that tricked-up two year old clubhouse? How indeed?

And as we drove to the first tee there we're no other golfers in site. Yikes! Will these guys still be around next month? Please tell me this is one course's dilema. Or are the fees in your neighborhood falling into the dumper too?

I guess I just needed to see if he would be somehow different, better or stronger than before. When I rationalize through this thinking I understand how his return to competition would be sort of soft and gentle. Recovery from knee surgery should be slow, careful and methodical ...right?

But this is Tiger Woods we're talking about and I have to remind myself not to be carried off by his incredibly powerful, media focused alter-superego! You know... the superstar golfer that the media has made him into in order to rake in zillions of bucks in TV revenues and such. See William Wolfram's article  "...no other golfers matter again" at WorldGolf.com.

For me it was a bit of an anti-climax. And, I will freely admit, I've enjoyed watching some lesser known golf titans whacking away at each other. Don't be confused, I'm not anti-Tiger. He is, without question, the absolute best golfer on the planet. But I can't help thinking that beneath his Super Golfer veneer, he 's just a regular guy. What do you think?

He even admitted that the deepest reaches of his closet still harbor a few shirts from those wicked golf crony trips we did in the mid 90s. Even his wife has attempted to nudge those ancients out. He contends that when you buy the finest, they last forever! So true... but what about style? Is golf style so stoic that there's no room for freshness?

Enter Loudmouth Golf. With a slogan that reads "Loudmouth puts the fun back in golf", they're sure to get some attention. And if it's attention you want, I recommend you test drive a pair of their pants. My preference leans toward the Disco Balls myself, but several of those not-so-subtle patterns caught my eye. It gives a whole new perspective to the old adage, Go big or go home. Maybe Go LOUD or go home is a bit more fitting in this case.

What a great way to infuse a fresh look into your weekend golf apparel collection. Perhaps my diehard buddy could pair up a few of those oldies-but-goodies with a pair of Loudmouth A-Tisket-A-Tasket Argyles. I'm fairly sure his vintage golf shirt will go unnoticed.

I've got a cobalt blue Adidas ClimaLite shirt that might work with a pair of these babies. I just can't decide which way to go. I could use a suggestion from you!

1. Connect with family, friends, colleagues and neighbors. What better way than during a round of golf?
2. Excercise. It makes you feel good. A five mile walk plus lots of calisthenic golf swings will chase away the blues.
3. Take notice. Catch site of the beautiful. Savor the moment. Ponder those gorgeous trees, the dramatic sky, the wonder of it all.
4. Keep learning. Try something new. Discover swing theories, tips or new shots from books, magazines or your local pro. Then try them. Practice. Preserve.
5. Give. Do something nice for a friend or a stranger. Thank the pro, the starter, the ranger. Look for your opponent's ball. Concede putts. Donate a prize or volunteer for a junior program. Be generous with tips and smiles

So it's official, says the guru ...golf makes you happy. And true happiness is completely recession-proof!

Once again I'm reminded just how the game parallels life itself. I had to read over the list a few extra times. I found them all so true about life, and golf. So now it's your turn. How is the great game going to help you navigate your troubled waters?

So with sample bars in hand I decided to grip, rip and chomp! And in order to get some additional perspective, I opted to include a local confidant and loyal reader of golfnoise to join me in the test. Relatively speaking, she's a newbie golfer but she's all into the nutritional bar scene. She has a seventeen year old son and is in a constant search for quality snack foods. And being a southern California transplant, she's test driven them all! She's compared ingredients, nutrition value and cost for just about every snack bar out there.

For my own purpose and I suspect most of the casual golf snackers out there, I'm interested in evaluating flavor, so I called off the nutritional watch dog and decided we would pick which ones to recommend based on the single most important criteria... TASTE! Not that nutrition should be ignored but we figured you would make your own comparisons on Sun Valley's nutrition page.

With flavors in hand, we set out. Our first choice was Cranberry Almond.  Because these are the uber-trendiest ingredients that seem to inhabit every snack food on the market. We followed with Goji Lemon, all the while wondering what Goji is. I guess we're just simple people here at golfnoise. We moved on to Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. This one made me a little nervous as my son is allergic to peanuts and any snack whose ingredients even hint at peanuts is not allowed near the noisemaker household. And finally, the flavor we assumed would be the hands-down leader ...Chocolate Chocolate Chip. We figured with a name that doubles up on the word "chocolate," you just can't miss!

And the winner is... Well, as it turns out, we weren't so quick to pick the best of the lot. And that's good news. Without one stand out taste leader we decided there were pros and cons to each. I can imagine stowing a variety of bars into my bag so I can follow whatever taste-mood I'm having that day. Suffice to say, they all had a uniquely different taste and with the health benefits associated with their whole food ingredients we concluded you would do well with any or all of them in your bag.

So the golfnoise crew gives the Par Bar a definite thumbs-up! And as it turns out, the Par Bar ranks up there with the best of the best of the all natural, whole food snacks out there. So the next time that cute little cart-missy pulls up to my foursome, I'll pass on the beer and chips choice and reach into my snack pouch for the Chocolate Chocolate Chip... or the Cranberry Almond... or perhaps the Goji Lemon. Hmmm. I still can't quite decide. Maybe you could pick up a selection and get back to me with your favorite. The Sun Valley folks would sure appreciate that!

So how's a proud father supposed to share the great teachings of life without getting out to the course to bang the little white one around... or maybe a little pink one in her case. There's an idea. How about some shiney fresh golf balls. Well the Pro Vs may be a bit too advanced for an eight year old. But just perfect for me... Santa, if your listening. Perhaps a sophisticated stand bag. Everyone needs one of these great golf bags, right? Yea... but her new set came with the cutest little girlly bag. And it hasn't seen much use.

I'm thinking it's all about me spending some quality time and effort with her on the course.  And who cares if she doesn't show the prowess potential of Michelle Wie. She's all mine... and I can't think of a better way to spend a few hours.

Tell us about that special someone on your list. And don't forget to shop golfnoise! 

I was recently invited to play a casual round at Norwood Hills Country Club. Now I've played many of the local private country clubs, but Norwood holds a special place in my heart as I was a member for a dozen years before my children came along. The circumstances of leaving my membership were not as much about a lack of cash, but a lack of available time. With the arrival of bright and shiney new twins in mid 2000 I just wasn't able to find enough time to play.

My good friend Spivey, who remains a Norwood member in good standing, recently issued a spontaneous invitation one sunny afternoon. I just couldn't resist. The course layout is amazing... with greens like greased lightning. I wasn't able to post much of a score but the afternoon was a delightful reminder of days gone by.

With busy days rushing past so quickly, we sometimes miss the small opportunities to enjoy the moment. That afternoon we settled back into the familiar rhythm that we owned nearly a decade ago. It was a rare treat and I am grateful for his generousity. I won't soon forget it.

Take a moment this weekend to think, remember and thank those who've made your season fun and exciting. Then fire up your favorite golf tale and tell us all about it!

Happy Thanksgiving.

But there was one who stepped well above the rest when they offered me a premium golf bag for nada expenditure on my part. How generous is that? They sent me a Burton Hybrid CSX bag. It's got a ton of nifty features including 14 individual full length dividers, an outside putter pod and clip, 8 pockets, a cool rapid access pocket and an easy-grab beverage pocket. It's a fantastic bag!

So what have we learned from this kind gesture of generosity? Well, after my first full season with this bag I now know that Burton manufactures excellent golf products as well as cool snow sports equipment.  I've also learned that the people at ForeFront Golf are serious golfers and their extensive web site is definitely worth a look. Did I mention that the bag came packed with a bunch of nifty golf resort ball markers, ditti bags in different sizes and materials, and some ultra cool head covers. It was a little like an early Christmas gift!

Now all you golf fanatics should grab your holiday gift lists and head on over to ForeFront Golf. They've got all sorts of spiffy golf goodies just waiting for you and your trusty credit cards! Get on with the giving. It feels good.