Welcome to Eat Sleep Golf

Hank Haney - International Junior Golf Academy

This past weekend, we were invited out to a golf clinic in Toronto Ontario, hosted by one of the top golf instructors in the world, Hank Haney.  Currently touring across Canada and the USA with a series of golf clinics, Hank is recruiting young athletes for the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (IJGA).  Apart from the obvious of getting instruction from one of the best in the business, we wanted to catch up with Hank and get an up close and personal look at the work he's doing at his academy and what sets them apart from other instructional golf programs.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, the Hank Haney IJGA is currently the only academy in the world to combine training, competition and academics for serious junior golfers.  It's gaining global recognition, with students currently attending from more than 25 countries around the world.  Based in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the Hank Haney IJGA is home to about 150 full time students who remain focused on perfecting their game and preparing for post secondary education.  Here's a look at the Hank Haney IJGA intro video:

Eat Sleep Golf representative, Jonathan Carr, was on scene at last weekends clinic to get the inside scoop and to capture Hanks vision, goals and plans for the academy.

So what prompted one of the best instructors in the industry to transition away from working with PGA Tour superstars and focus on junior golfers?  We asked Hank exactly that... "Kids are the future of the game" Hank explained, "and to be able to see them grow, develop and learn life skills, that is what it's all about."  Hanks passion for golf and for the next generation of golfers was evident as he continued, "It brings a lot of satisfaction; it's about more than just golf, it's about developing young people."


And developing young people is exactly what the Hank Haney IJGA does best, both on and off the course.  The academy has some impressive statistics, with a proven track record that demonstrates it's effectiveness for developing a great foundation of golf fundamentals and the importance of a good education.  Here's a couple stats that I find particularly impressive:

•  There are currently two former students of the Hank Haney IJGA in the Top 30 LPGA Tour Money List (ShanShan Feng & In-Kyung Kim).
• 94% of Hank Haney IJGA graduates have received a college golf scholarship

In my opinion, these two stats go to show that first, the Hank Haney IJGA provides students with the tools they need to succeed at a professional level and second the emphasis on a post secondary education to back  it up.

The junior level is such an important stage, as golfers try to fine tune their game and build a foundation for  making the transition into the college/university scene and hopefully beyond that.   In such a competitive industry such as golf, what is it that separates those who will go on to play professionally and those who will simply remain good golfers? We asked Hank to weigh in on this topic and what types of things he looks for and what he hopes to instill in his students.  In short "work ethic and perseverance" was his response.  He went on to explain that if the number one golfer in the world, Tiger Woods, spent 110 days a year with Hank, it goes to show that everyone has things to work on and needs some help doing it.

Hank also attributes much of his students success to their own God given ability.  The game of golf is a power game now, he explains, and the importance of hitting it long has never been more important.  With all his students, both juniors and pros, Hank uses the same formula: diagnose mistakes and set an improvement plan, one step at a time in order to improve.  Goals without a plan for achieving them are nothing but a dream.  It's important to layout a plan and to accomplish it one small step at a time; and that exactly what The Hank Haney IJGA works on with each of their students, identify their goals and more importantly, implement a plan for accomplishing them.  In the end, it's in the students hands, God given ability is great, but when it's all said and done, those who work the hardest and remain committed will surpass the naturally talented.

Speaking of hard work, are there specific elements of the game that all golfers need to work on?  Hank discussed with us his recommendations with all his students which includes three main areas of focus: short game wedges, long game and putting.  He recommends that golfers dedicate a third of their practice time to each of those areas.  There aren't enough hours in the day to practice everything, but those who make the most of it, remain diligent and hard working will be the most successful.

The program at the Hank Haney IJGA goes more in dept into all facets of the game and also includes strength training, mental training, swing instruction, nutrition and more.  After reviewing the programs and schedules, I'd have to say I've never seen a better designed program for junior golfers who are serious about their game and are looking for getting the best shot at making it to the next level.

So, if you or someone you know are planning for a future in professional golf, the Hank Haney IJGA is arguably the best place in the world to pursue that goal.  For more information about the Hank Haney IJGA please visit them online at: www.ijga.com

Rickie Fowler & RedBull - Off Course

Rickie Fowler and RedBull are at it again as they hit the streets yesterday in downtown Dallas for a one of a kind golf challenge they call RedBull Off Course.  Here's the video and more on the story as told by redbull.com...

Playing a round of golf is always enjoyable, but we all know there’s nothing like teeing up on top of a building and cranking one off into the urban landscape. Not that we’ve done that. PGA Tour star Rickie Fowler has, though -- as part of Red Bull Off Course in downtown Dallas (see video above), Fowler and fellow pro golfer Colt Knost went head-to-head to see who could get closest to the pin on a custom-built, Texas-shaped green in Victory Plaza.

With gusting Dallas winds, blind shots and partial sight lines to navigate, the two contestants strolled out to the sidewalk and warmed up with an 80-yard lob wedge, followed by a 115-yard gap wedge from across the street and onto the AT&T Plaza green. Fowler started off slowly in these practice rounds, while Knost consistently landed on the green.

Then the two players jumped into a golf cart and drove around the block to an adjacent third-floor parking structure for the main round. From there, they attempted blind shots from 140+ yards that had to fly over a six-story building or be sliced left-to-right to land softly on the Victory Plaza green.

Fowler and Knost each hit 14 shots in the finale, starting off slowly until they honed in on the target. With the winds causing havoc, Knost was able to land around the nearby bunkers consistently, but couldn’t hit the green. He also hit a few balls onto the nearby rooftops that were never seen again.

On Fowler’s fourth attempt he nailed the green, causing a roar from the crowd. On his sixth shot he landed 30 inches from the hole, which proved to be tough to beat, crowning Fowler as Red Bull Off Course champion, red jacket and all.

"I have done some crazy stuff with Red Bull, but this is by far the craziest,” said Fowler. “I got some good wedge practice in today. I won't see a harder shot in the tourney this week at Colonial. “

The event served as a warm-up to sharpen Fowler’s and Knost’s games as they prepare to play the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Country Club.

Crowne Plaza Invitational - Fantasy Picks

Crowne Plaza Invitational:

Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Course: Colonial Country Club
Par: 70
Length: 7,204 yards
Prize Pool: $6,400,000
Last Years Champion: Zach Johnson
We're now well into the PGA Tour season, however it doesn't seem to be getting any easier making my fantasy golf predictions.  We've seen repeat winners this year like Tiger Woods as well as others who have captured their first Tour victories, like Bae Sang-moon last weekend.  In any event, I've reviewed the field, and think that I've identified players who have as good a shot as any at winning this weeks Crowne Plaza Invitational.

Zach Johnson - It's hard to argue with a two time winner of this event (2010 & 2012).  Zach has a great history at this event and I think he'll be on his game again this year.  Although he hasn't had a stand our year in 2013, I think he'll be looking to turn that around this week.

Harris English - I always enjoy cheering for the young players on tour and at 23 years old Harris is the youngest player registered for this event.  He had a great showing here last year where he finished T5, coupled with a solid start to 2013 including three top 10 finishes, I'll be keeping an eye on him this week.

Chris Kirk - In the game of golf, consistency is a key component and with 10 consecutive cuts made, Kirk is playing great consistent golf.  He's already chalked up two top 10s and another four top 25s this season and I'm sure he'll be looking to improve those stats.

Charl Schwartzel - Although this will be his first visit to Colonial, Schwartzel has been on fire recently, including a third place finish in last weeks HP Byron NElson Championship. He's a great ball striker and also at finding greens in regulation, if his putting is on this week, look out!

Charley Hoffman - Hoffman has been lingering around the top of the leaderboard several times this season, with three top 10s in his last five starts.  He finished T13 at Colonial last year, which I think he'll improve upon this year.

Jim Furyk - No stranger to Colonial, this will be Furyk's 18th start at this event.  He's been in the top 10 several times and undoubtedly knows all the ins and outs of this golf course.

Here's a closer look at my completed fantasy picks:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

This article was written by Scott Stevens and is part of the Eat Sleep Golf - Fantasy Golf series which focuses on introducing upcoming PGA Tour events as well as evaluating the field of players. We encourage you to comment below and/or join in the conversation with us on Twitter using #FantasyGolf & #PGATour. Be sure to connect with us @EatSleepGolf

What It Takes To Win - HP Byron Nelson

I'm guessing that not too many people picked Bae Sang-moon in the fantasy golf pools as this weeks winner of the HP Byron Nelson.  Regardless, the 26 year old from South Korea played a fantastic and consistent tournament and was able to win his first PGA Tour event.  Bae was chasing Keegan Bradley the entire tournament including heading into the final round.  He shot a final round of 69 on Sunday to overtake Bradley and hoist the trophy.

Here's a closer look at the scores from Bae Sang-Moon's tournament:

• Round 1: 66 (4 under) - 5 Birdies, 12 Pars, 1 Bogey
• Round 2: 66 (4 under) - 6 Birdies, 10 Pars, 2 Bogeys
• Round 3: 66 (4 under) - 5 Birdies, 12 Pars, 1 Bogey
• Round 4: 69 (1 under) - 5 Birdies, 10 Pars, 2 Bogey, 1 Double Bogey
• Total: 13 under par - 21 Birdies, 44 Pars, 6 Bogeys, 1 Double Bogey

Personally, I think these stats are amazing! As I've mentioned numerous times in past articles, the ability and the importance of playing consistently throughout a tournament is much harder than it sounds.  Bae shot 66 (4 under par) for all three of his first rounds and finished it off with a 69 on the final day, very impressive.

Looking at a few additional stats (seen below), Bae was crushing the ball off the tee, with an average driving distance of over 308 yards.  Although only about half those drives found the fairway, he still managed to find more than 73 percent of greens in regulation, which coupled with some great putting landed him at the top of the leaderboard.

• Avg Driving Distance: 308.5 yards
• Driving Accuracy: 53.75%
• Greens in Regulation: 73.61%
• Avg Putts Per Round: 27.75 (Avg 1.54 putts/hole)

Congrats to Bae Sang-moon for winning the 2013 HP Byron Nelson!  Here's a video recap of his final round...

Great Moments of the U.S. Open

In anticipation of the 2013 U.S. Open (June 13-16), one of the most famous events in golf, the USGA has announced the release of their first ever book, which celebrates the history of the U.S. Open.

In a nutshell, the 216-page coffee table book, titled Great Moments of the U.S. Open, chronicles the past 100 plus years of U.S. Open history while celebrating the accomplishments of individual champions, past and present. Complete with a foreword by four-time U.S. Open champion Jack Nicklaus, Great Moments of the U.S. Open provides readers with stunning photos, stories and artifacts from the USGA that bring the gutsiest, classiest and most improbable victories to life.

Great Moments of the U.S. Open, written by Robert Williams and Michael Trostel, is available online through Amazon for less than $25.  This is a must have for any golf enthusiasts... but you don't have to take our word for it, here's a look inside the book at the official foreword written by Mr. Jack Nicklaus...

 

Putting records aside, I love the major championships. I always did as a player, and I still do as a fan. When I look at the game of golf from a touring professional’s perspective, I believe the most significant part of the game, and what I believe most careers should be based on, are the majors. They are the measuring stick. They are the lasting championships. They are the ones people remember. The ones that live on to be passed down through generations.

While they are all meaningful, I have always considered the U.S. Open the most important major championship. The U.S. Open represents our national championship, and because I am an American, there is a special connection to that major and an enormous sense of satisfaction when one is fortunate to win.

In addition, I have always loved USGA championships. I have played in a total of 71, and since I was a junior, they have always been the ultimate and complete examinations of a golfer. I always felt that the USGA did the best job of preparing a golf course that will test you completely. A U.S. Open typically challenges every shot a golfer has in their bag. There are courses that demand length, but all of them require accuracy. A U.S. Open requires shotmaking and shot placement on greens, and, of course, it tests your putting ability. Most importantly, it tests your mental ability – from course management to patience to performing under pressure. I feel very proud of the championships I have won, thus I always looked forward to playing USGA championships – none more so than the U.S. Open.

Every competitive golfer realizes that a victory is a four-day process and the cumulative result of several hundred shots. But every major champion can typically point to a seminal moment – one shot, one swing, one putt – that was critical in their ultimate victory. When I look back on my four U.S. Open victories, there are such moments that were vital to victory and remain unforgettable to this day. Some came with a 1-iron in hand, others with a putter in hand. All ended with joyous fists to the sky.

From a very young age, I dreamed of winning the U.S. Open. Never could I have scripted that my first professional victory as a 22-year-old rookie in 1962 would also be my first U.S. Open and major championship win and that it would play out in the backyard of my long-time friend and rival Arnold Palmer. To get to the 18-hole playoff against Arnold, I needed to convert a crucial up and down from thick greenside rough for par on number 17. I faced a difficult, lightning-fast 4- or 5-footer to save par. To eliminate the break, I decided to ram the putt in the hole, with the risk being that I could face a bogey putt of double the length. After a couple of deep breaths, I fired. My long-time idol, Bob Jones, later wrote in a letter to me that while watching the U.S. Open on TV at home, he almost jumped out of his chair when the putt went in.

It was in 1967, during my second U.S. Open victory and my first of two at Baltusrol, that I got my hands on the famous “White Fang” putter that served me so well that year and helped me to a final-round 65 and a U.S. Open scoring record. Yet the one moment or swing I remember most from that championship came on the final hole. I was playing with Arnold, and we came to the 18th with me holding on to a four-shot lead. If I birdied the par-5 finishing hole, I would break Ben Hogan’s 72-hole record of 276. But I faced a 238-yard third shot that played more like 260 because it was uphill, all carry and against the wind. I put everything I had into a 1-iron and put the ball to 22 feet. I made the putt and secured the win and the record. The next time I went to Baltusrol, I dropped a ball at the exact same spot and couldn’t even reach the green with a driver.

I have said many times that if I had only one round of golf to play, it would likely be at Pebble Beach. My love affair with the windswept, oceanside links of Pebble Beach began with my win there in the 1961 U.S. Amateur. It blossomed in 1972 with the third of my U.S. Open victories. The win was memorable in and of itself, but on the 71st hole I hit one of the most unforgettable shots of my career. It was at the famed 17th hole, the long par 3 that borders the Pacific and, particularly on this day, plays into the teeth of an angry wind. I had a three-shot lead with two holes to play, and with 219 yards to the pin, went with my trusty 1-iron. On my backswing, I actually felt myself closing the clubface and working too much inside my target line – all spelling a hook. My tempo, however, was probably never as good as it was that week, and I was able to correct my swing on the way down. The ball flew low and true, and although I couldn’t see the result, the crowd’s roar told me what I needed to hear. The ball had taken a couple of hops, hit the flagstick and stopped 6 inches from the hole.

My return to Baltusrol in 1980 for a U.S. Open Championship was a special one for many reasons. A difficult season in 1979 led to a revamping of my swing in early 1980, and at 40 years old, I was certain I had my skeptics. But a 63 in the opening round tied the 18-hole U.S. Open scoring record and sent a message to many, including myself. My 68 in the final round helped me lower my own 72-hole U.S. Open scoring record, and I remember the warm embrace of the fans that day, who kept chanting, “Jack’s back! Jack’s back!” Yet the day and my fourth U.S. Open title were not sealed until the 17th hole. Isao Aoki had pushed me all day, and he was looking at a 5-footer on 17 for birdie. I hit a sand wedge to 22 feet, made the critical birdie and, to this day, can’t forget the rush of emotions that overwhelmed me. The look on my face after I rolled in that putt remains one of my wife Barbara’s favorite images.

Throughout golf history, we have read countless tales of memorable moments played out on the closing holes – usually the 18th green – of a major, and there’s no doubt I have been fortunate in my career to have a few. But when I look back on my USGA championship career, I can’t discount several moments that happened on the first tee that served as important bookends to a championship legacy I cherish.

I think back to when I was just 13 years old and playing in my first national championship, the U.S. Junior Amateur at Southern Hills in Oklahoma. I was the youngest in the field, and I remember nonchalantly stepping on the first tee of my first match about 30 seconds before it was to begin. On the tee was Joe Dey, then the executive director of the USGA, who would later become a close friend, confidant and mentor. Hewas joined by Colonel Lee S. Reed, a Kentucky gentleman dressed in all white, goateed and in many ways looking like Colonel Sanders. The Colonel looked at me, and with Joe’s nod of approval, said, “Mr. Nicklaus, half a minute more getting here and you would be on the second tee, one down.”

Needless to say, I have never been late for a tee time since. Fast-forward 47 years, and at age 60, I found myself standing on the first tee of the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. I knew the week would be an emotional one as I played in my 44th and final U.S. Open. The emotions were amplified when I was asked to take the spot of the defending U.S. Open champion, Payne Stewart, which was left vacant by his tragic passing in October 1999. When they asked for a moment of silence on the first tee to honor Payne’s memory, the emotions welled up inside me and I had to reach for a towel to wipe my eyes. I regrouped but eventually experienced my own misty-eyed moment on the 18th green when I said my final goodbye to U.S. Open championship golf.

The moment was a confluence of many things – the finality, the warm-hearted applause by the gallery lining the 18th, my son Jack II on the bag and my wife and other family members awaiting me behind the green. I had reached the par-5 green in two shots, but through teary eyes ended up threeputting. Any other time, I would have walked away angry. This time, it just gave me one or two more strokes and a few extra minutes to say goodbye to an old friend – the U.S. Open.

Good golfing,
Jack Nicklaus

For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.

Big Break Mexico - Teams

The new season of Big Break Mexico kicked off this week, with 12 contestants, 6 females and 6 males all competing for one title.  Contestants will be battling it out throughout the coming weeks in a new team format, but in the end, there can only be one Big Break Mexico champion.  Here's a brief look at how the teams have been divided up...  Who will you be cheering for this season?  Join us on Twitter using #BigBreak and cheer on your favorite team (#TeamOlmec, #TeamMaya, #TeamAztec).  I know it's early, but if I had to pick, I think Team Olmec is looking pretty sharp.

Team Olmec:

Jason Seymour (@thagolfer) - Age: 36 - Hometown: Los Angeles, Cali

Brent Long (@brentleelong) - Age: 28 - Hometown: Carthage, Tenn

Lindsey Bergeon (@lindseygolf) - Age: 26 - Hometown: Sarasota, Fla

Stefanie Kenoyer (@stefkenoyer) - Age: 24 - Hometown: Lighthouse Point, Fla

Team Aztec:
Rob West (@robwest1728) - Age: 41 - Hometown Phoenix, Ariz
Matthew Galloway (@matthewgalloway) - Age: 27 - Hometown: Tampa, Fla
Emily Talley (@emtal) - Age: 22 - Hometown: Napa, Calif
McKenzie Jackson (@mckenzie1207) - Age: 24 - Hometown: Uniontown, Ohio

Team Maya:
Chad Schulze (@mufreakcs) - Age: 34 - Hometown: Lebanon, Pa
Jay Woodson (@jaywoodson81) - Age: 31 - Hometown: Powhata, Va
Liebelei Lawrence (@liebelei) - Age: 27 - Hometown: Niederanven, Luxembourg
Taylor Collins (@1taylorcollins) - Age: 23 - Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla


Good luck to all the teams and individuals competing on Big Break Mexico, I'm looking forward to following the action throughout the season.  May be the best man or woman win!


- - - - - - - -

This article was written by Scott Stevens as part of Eat Sleep Golf's 'Golf Channel' series where our focus is on keeping you informed on the latest and greatest solutions, programs and campaigns available through the Golf Channel. The photo's and videos in this post are the property of NBC Sports Group. Be sure to connect with Eat Sleep Golf (@EatSleepGolf) and the Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) on Twitter and keep the conversation going.