Thursday, December 13, 2012

Tom Watson Named Ryder Cup Captain

The PGA of America has announced that Tom Watson will be the 2014 Ryder Cup Captain. Even though Watson was critical of Tiger's personal life, Woods was complimentary of the selection. Not surprising that Tiger would do so; he certainly couldn't criticize the selection.

I didn't watch Watson's at his peak, but certainly remember his grit at The Open a couple of years ago. If he can infuse that to his team, USA might have a chance to end Europe's domination for the last two decades.

Good luck, Tom!!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Here's your 2013 golf-marketing calendar!

Yesterday the PGA Tour released its 2013 tournament schedule.

It's for you here:
http://bit.ly/12jgjYY

If you want to use golf to deepen and build your relationships with clients, prospects, and referral sources, bookmark this link or save this email. You'll want want to use this schedule for your marketing.

Not sure what to do for your golf marketing? First, you can send an email to your golfing clients and prospects to get them ready for the 2013 season. It's likely going to be an exciting one with McIlroy on the rise and Tiger making a comeback.

That's one idea and I have others. Contact me if you want to know more. And I'd love to hear what ideas you have as well.

I'm in the SF Bay Area and we're lucky to have some sunny days at the end of the week. So I'll be able to get a round in on Friday with a close friend and my dad. If you can, go play 9 or 18, or even a driving range session.

Enjoy!

P.S. If you're ready to use golf to attract higher-than-average net worth clients in 2013, I can help. You don't have to play like Tiger, but you need to know how to be on the course. Let's talk!

Monday, December 03, 2012

Need to Find a New Putting Stroke?

The R&A and USGA have tentatively banned the use of a putter anchored on one's body, effective January 1, 2016. So if you put your putter against your belly or chest and have a fulcrum point, then that's considered an anchor and will be prohibited. You can brace the putter grip against your wrist, like Matt Kuchar, and that will still be allowed. You can also still use the longer putters, but you have to freely swing the putter without it being against your body at a fulcrum point.

The rationale for the ban is a putting stroke is supposed to be a swing and without an anchoring point. I understand the rationale, but I wonder why the R&A and USGA waited so long to ban this style of putting if they felt that a putting stroke should be a swing. Former Tour Pro and past Ryder Captain, Paul Azinger, used the now-banned putting style in the 90's and the governing boards were silent for the past two decades.

Keegan Bradley was heckled by a spectator and called a cheater during Tiger's tournament on Sunday. Today the USGA release a statement that Keegan and others using that style are not cheaters and are allowed under the rules to have that putting stroke.

What to do if you use that putting style and are playing business-golf? Since anchor putting will be banned in 2016, you'll need to practice using a short putter. And when you play business-golf, you're not trying to shoot your personal best round. So I suggest if you're playing a client or prospect who leans toward being a traditionalist, I'd use your short putter. You don't want to give the impression or hint of being a cheater to a client or prospect. This way you avoid the possibility of damaging your business relationship.

If weather permits, go enjoy a round of winter golf!