John Lynch


Are you looking for a way to halve your golf handicap immediately?

Then read on…

Did ya watch Tiger Woods during the U.S Open at Torrey Pines this year?

Tiger meticulously planned each golf shot - he is a pure golf warrior!

Tiger Woods is the best golfer on the planet mainly because he fully understands his strengths - and weaknesses. Yes, even Tiger has weaknesses.

You might think to play golf like Tiger Woods means to bomb every drive.

Or go for the miracle golf shot. This is hardly the case.

Read on…

When Tiger has the lead in the final round of a golf tournament he usually plays conservative; like hitting fairway wood off the tee - this usually takes the big number out of the equation. He lets his opponents beat themselves as they aggressively chase him.

Tiger’s knee hurt badly during all 4 rounds of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines this past weekend. A weakness in his game not to be denied or ignored. Because of his knee injury Tiger knew what he was capable of, and what he wasn’t capable of.

Tiger played within his limits!

Even with all of Tiger’s power he still lays up on par fives when he’s in the rough, especially when he has the lead in the final round. He didn’t go for the green in two and risk shooting himself out of the golf tournament.

Tiger Woods learned early in life under the tutelage of his father Earl on how to survey the golf course AND his opponents with uncanny precision. Tiger does this through the fine art of course management.

And mental toughness!

What is the fine art of course management you say? It all starts with knowing your limits.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and knowing your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses - and of course know the golf course you are playing on - this is your battlefield!

Tiger Woods knows his limits and plays within them. Amatuer golfers usually try to hit the golf shot they can pull off maybe 1/10 times. This usually ends up costing them at least 10 strokes or more a round (depending on their level).

The truth is, trying to pull off a shot you can perform maybe 1/10 attempts is foolish. This may make for great drama. Remember Tin Cup? How bout Jean Van de Velde when he choked in the ‘99 British Open? They both went for the miracle golf shot.

The truth is going for the miracle shot when everything is on the line may make for great T.V. drama; however this attitude will absolutely crush your golf scores!

Do you hit driver on a 300 yard par 4 even though you can only drive the ball 250? The 50 yard pitch shot is one of the hardest shots in golf…

Even for Tiger Woods!

Rather than reaching for the big stick, leave yourself 100 yards for your second shot. For most good golfers 100 yards is a full pitching wedge which they can hit in their sleep.

Play golf like Tiger Woods as he systematically wore down a game competitor in Rocco Mediate during the 18 hole playoff in this year’s U.S. Open. Think and plan ahead - know your strengths - and your weaknesses!

The fact of the matter is, if you plan on leaving the golf ball at your “sweet spot” distance from the hole, you will dramatically improve your chances of hitting more greens in regulation.

And more greens in regulation leads to more circles on your score card - which means more pars and birdies!

For some this sweet spot distance from the pin is 100 yards, some 120 yards, learn what your sweet spot distance is and practice that shot over and over at the range until you can hit that shot in your sleep.

Play golf like Tiger Woods sizing up his next major win!

Hit ‘em Long and Straight!

John Lynch

Patrick Carpen asked:


One of the most elegant and prolific games of this century, golf has a fascinating trail of history running behind. The word ”golf” is actually a modification of the Dutch word “kolf” which simply means a “bat,” “stick,” or “club”. If defined literally, the game is all about striking a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes while complying with the rules of the game. It is one of those rare games which do not require playing area; rather golf is played on golf “courses.” The competitions of golf are based on stroke play, where the individual or team posts with lowest score on the most individual for a full round, wins the game. Some other team games of golf such as fourball have been pioneered, and are played either using matchplay format or stroke. Several alternative styles of golf playing have been introduced like disc golf and miniature golf. However, it is still interesting to find out the History of golf.

Most scholars agree with the “fact” that the Scots were first to popularize the game of golf. However, there exists no common consensus in the history of golf about the inventors of the classy sport. The records suggest a golf-like game was played in a city called Loenen aan de Vecht, Netherlands, on 26 February 1297. The Dutchmen played this game with leather ball and a stick. Actually, the game required the players to hit the ball into a target situated several hundreds of meters away.

The emphasis on golf’s Scottish origin is contributed to the fact that the game was mentioned in two 15th-century Acts of the Scottish Parliament. Further, there are evidences that in A.D 1456, the first game of golf was played at Bruntsfield Links, in Edinburgh, Scotland, as recorded in the archives of The Royal Burgess Golfing Society.

There are some reports which record evidences of golf from continental Europe. Different forms of sports similar to golf were played in 14th century in the countries of France, Belgium, and Holland, apart from Scotland. However, the game was introduced in England by a keen Scottish Baron, James VI, after succeeding on the English throne in 1603.

In the early years of golf, the players never thought of forming a club or society until in 1744 a group of Edinburgh golfers united into a club named Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. It was here that the first 13 rules of golf were drawn up for an annual contest. In 1766, Royal Blackheath Golf Club was formed in England - the first golf club formed outside Scotland.

Although traces of golf can be encountered in 18th century United States, however the game was still waiting to be popularized. The history of golf in North America began with its roots in Canada. In 1873, The Royal Montreal Club was formed, which was followed by the Quebec Golf Club in 1875 and the golf club in Toronto a year later. It was in 1888 that golf re-emerged in the United States. For the first time the “three-hole golf course” was built in Yonkers, New York by a Scotsman, John Reid on a 30-acre site. From a modest beginning, golf emerged as the new national pastime in the United States.

In the recent times golf has become a complete spectators’ game, involving professionals at different levels and amateur tours across various terrains of the world. Not only the game, but the golf players -Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam and Jack Nicklaus to name a few, have gained worldwide recognition as great sports personalities. Engrossingly huge sponsorships and new technologies being developed to assist golfers and dedication and raw talent from the emerging players all suggest a luminous new chapter in the “history of golf”.