Conference 7.286::golf

    Greg Norman will finally wake up before Sunday...
    
    And win pulling away from the field...
    
    dave

    
    
    	Crenshaw or Norman...
    

    Since I picked Crenshaw in the GD Sweeps, I'll stick with him here!
    
    
    							Keith

    My eternal favourite.. Seve

    Odds on favorite according to Golf Digest is Nick Faldo...but wouldn't
    it be nice to see the Little Professor (Kite) pull it off!

    Payne Stewart has been playing well of late. 

    
    ANOTHER VOTE FOR GENTLE BEN....(But yes Ben; Watch out for sharks!!)
    

    
    
    He's mean ! he's lean (ha ha) he's a golfing machine !
    
    he's overdue for a win, my favorite Craig Stadler !
    
    ace
    

    i'll vote with .4

    My boy Tom Kite will come back on Sunday...
    
    

    It's time for a new name on top of The Open leader board....how
    about Scott Simpson.
    

    NICK PRICE MAY SURPRISE EVERYONE, HE HAS PLAYED WELL AS OF LATE
    ALSO!!
    
    THE MAD HACKER

    	I'll pick either Greg Norman or Fred Couples.
    
    If it's only one, than I'll be different than everyone else and
    go with Couples.
    
    Beak

The U.S. Open always seems to be won by either one of the "greats" who 
always seem to be in contention in the majors--Nicklaus, Watson, 
Norman, Ballesteros, Strange, etc.--or by a relative unknown--Scott 
Simpson, Jim Feree (sp?), Francis Quimet.

The course is long, narrow, and with fairly small greens. The 
player will have to be straight off the tee, accurate with long irons, 
great around the greens, and have a solid temperament. Great putting 
and aggressive play are less important (which takes the Greens, 
Calcaveccios, and Azingers of the tour out of the winners circle).

My pure guess: Nick Faldo (one of the emerging "greats") or Mike Reid 
(one of the relative unknowns).

My sentiments are, as always, with Tom Watson. 9 years ago, I would've 
bet a lot of money on him, too.

    I'll pick Bob Tway, he looks in complete control of his new swing.
    He's been in contention and won a major before and I think he can
    do it again.
    
    Dennis
    
    

    How about a Rochester, NY "native son" - PGA champ Jeff Sluman
    
    Jim

    Paul Azinger by two shots over his nearest rival Greg Norman.
    
    -paul

    I like Seve and than Norman. They seem to have what it takes in
    these Majors. I like Watson and Stadler from the ranks of the Yanks.
     
    I'm sure it will be interesting. I suppose ABC will cover all 18
    both Sat. and Sun. Does anyone know which cable station will carry
    Thurs. and Fri. ?
    
    Ken

    Ken
    
    the following are the times the Open will be on TV
    
    ESPN JUNE 15-16 1-3 PM., 5-7 PM,;
    ABC JUNE 17, 1:30-6:00PM
        JUNE 18, 2:00-6:30PM
    
    Paul

    Faldo won the British Masters this weekend - that's back to back
    tournaments (GB PGA and GB Masters). He finished about 4 shots clear
    at 20 or 21 under (4 rounds of 67 or better). His form lately is
    superb, if it holds then I can't see any other winner - unless Seve
    has a good week. The only doubt is he's been playing too well and
    may have peaked.
    
    This weekends win puts him to No.2 in the Sony rankings.

    Another vote for Faldo. His scores at the weekend were 71, 65, 65,
    66. Not bad, even though the course was playing quite short.
    
    His putting seems to have improved immeasurably this year. I remember
    last year how he was leaving everything bang on line but just short.
    This year he looks dangerous from anywhere on the green !
    

    I'll vote for Fuzzy Zoeller.  His first three rounds at the Memorial
    were terrific, and if his back holds out at the Open, look for him to
    be atop of the leader after the final round.    
    
    Greg "bridesmaid" Norman will make a late charge but will come up short 
    again and take second place.   
      
    -phil

    Gene,
    	go ahead and make your list of 10 again and I will go double
    or nothing on that coffee you owe me.  Go ahead and put Nick Faldo
    on your list, I am curious to see whom you take off.
    
    	As a matter of courtesy please do not put Scott Simpson or DA
    Weibring on...:)
    
    bill

    
    	Ok Bill, your on...
    
    	My original two picks of Crenshaw and Norman, plus Kite, Couples,
    	Azinger, Tway, O'meara, Calcavecchia, Stewart and since he is
    	having a great season now and I did pick him the the Golf Digest
    	sweeps my tenth pick will be Nick "Fido" Faldo... (I don't need
    	any comments from you Mansor)...!
    
    
    	Gene

    
    			      ANY ONE OF THREE
                              
    1, Fred Couples
    2, Larry Mize
    3, Sandy Lyle (It would be great for him to win this one)
    
    
    
    
    P.S  missed cut I hope  - Nick Faldo

    Re. -1
    
    Don't you like Nick?
    
    
    I think he's gonna win.
    
    
    Stephen. 

    I finally did it, I've got a ticket and I'm going to my first
    professional golf tourny. I have friends in Rochester who some how
    were able to get me a ticket. I only have one ticket for Saturday
    though. Does anyone know if I would be able to get in on Sunday
    with a "buy one at the gate"? and if so what would the anticipated
    price be? 
    
    Any suggestions on viewing and places to avoid?
    
    	Thanks, Jim.

    I like Nick Faldo, Mark Calcavecchia, Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros
    & Scott Hoch as possible winners.
    
    
    					Mike

    This are  the  US  Open  featured  pairings  for  tomorrow and Friday
    according to the Boston Globe:
    
    9:02am - 1:31pm - Jack Nicklaus, Jeff Sluman, Lee Trevi�o.
    
    9:36am - 2:05pm - Curtis Strange, Eric Meeks (a), Seve Ballesteros.
    
    9:54am - 2:23pm - Tom Kite, Mark O'meara, Payne Stewart.
    
    1:31pm - 9:02am - Sandy Lyle, Tom Watson, Jumbo Osaki.
    
    2:05pm - 9:36am - Nick Faldo, Lanny Wadkins, Ray Floyd.
    
    2:33 pm - 10:03am - Greg Norman, Hal Sutton, Bob Tway.
    
    2:41pm - 10:12am - Ben Crenshaw, Isao Aoki, Mark Calcavecchia.

    
    Tavo

       Tavo,
    
             this listing brings back memories of last year. Wow, I
    wish I see the Open again.
    
    
    
                       Ken

    Re: .29
    
    	This may be a dumb question, but why are there two tee-times
    listed for each threesome?
    
    -Tom
    

    Re:< Note 622.31 by MSD27::FITZPATRICK "Today, my jurisdiction ends here." >

    Not having been in  an Open, this is only a guess:  they have a brake
    between front and back nine.
    
    I played in a couple  of tournaments in Japan that had that schedule,
    am and pm tee times. It was a formal lunch break.

Re:

Why are there two times for each group?  The pairings don't change from 
Thursday to Friday.  The second time is probbly Friday's starting time.
Thursday morning's group goes off in the p.m. on Friday.  This prohibits
players gaining an unfair advantage by always playing early when the greens
aren't all spiked up.
    
>    9:02am - 1:31pm - Jack Nicklaus, Jeff Sluman, Lee Trevi�o.
>    1:31pm - 9:02am - Sandy Lyle, Tom Watson, Jumbo Osaki.
    
If it were the time they finished or started the back nine it would be either
   1. A very long round for Lyle, et al     or
   2. A very long wait to get a hot dog at the turn ;-)

Larry

    My tip for the OPEN is SEVE

    In today's Boston Herald (and reprinted here without permission), Joe
    Gordon listed his picks as
    
    Seve Ballesteros, 7-1 - Watch out, he's mad.
    Greg Norman, 8-1 - Watch out, he's not mad.
    Nick Faldo, 8-1 - If he putts.
    Curtis Strange, 9-1 - Hard to repeat.
    Jeff Sluman, 10-1 - He tamed Oak Tree.
    Mark Calcavecchia, 12-1 - Bank account low.
    Tom Kite, 13-1, - Always contends.
    Ben Crenshaw, 14-1, - Majors perk him up.
    Sandy Lyle, 15-1, - Long iron master.
    Scott Simpson, 15-1, - Olympic conditions.
    Joey Sindelar, 16-1, - Local knowledge.
    Ken Green, 20-1, - Has the talent.
    Tom Watson, 25-1, - New swing too late?
    Lee Trevino, 30-1, - Won here; good Masters.
    Jack Nicklaus, 50-1, - Lapped field here.
    Mac O'Grady, 8378-1, - Long commute from Mars.
    
    
    
    						Mike

    
    Listening to WVBF on the way in this morning - it sounds like they
    are getting some heavy rain in Rochester and it might last into tomorrow - 
    could mean a big delay in the start of play..!!!!

    .34 is the correct answer for .29's question....
    
    first time listed is thur tee time and second time listed is fri
    tee time
    

                    <<< USER$1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GOLF.NOTE;1 >>>
                               -< The Good Game >-
================================================================================
Note 647.0                      THe '89 U.S. Open                        1 reply
RATTLE::TLAPOINTE                                    12 lines  15-JUN-1989 10:00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since the U.S. Open starts today I was wondering if any of you fellow
    golfers have any thoughts on who will win it.
    
    After hearing that Tom Kite is the odds on favorite, according to
    the latest line from Vegas, I'll say he'll pull this one out by
    2 strokes.
    
    Another name that's getting a lot of press is Tom (whatever happened
    to his game) Watson.  I think he'll try like hell but he's not back
    yet..........
    
    Tony

    622.39 SHOULD BE:
    
    .34 is the correct answer for .31's question...(fat fingered typing...)

    rain, rain, rain....
    
    Heard on the radio, Open officials are already preparing for a 
    possible 36 hole finishing day on Sunday.
     
    
    Tom Watson - comeback - played well at last weeks Westchester
    Classic...
    
    

    Come on Tom !!!!!!

Last year was no fluke.  Curtis Strange and Nick Faldo are accurate off the 
tee and with their approach shots.  The key to winning the Open is to stay
out of the rough.  Therefore, I pick Curtis and Nick to finish 1 & 2 again.

Jeff

Gene,
    To make things fair I'll give you masters and open lists (looked
    back to see who you dropped and added) and I made a list myself.
    
bill    
			     KELLEY		KELLEY
    *=MASTERS AND OPEN       MASTERS              OPEN		BREEN-OPEN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------    
*    			Ben Crenshaw				S. SIMPSON
*    			Greg Norman				HOCH
*    			Fred Couples				WEIBRING
OFF    			Sandy Lyle		TWAY		GREEN
*    			Tom Kite				FAXON
*    			Mark Calcavecchia			WOOSNAM?
OFF    			Lanny Wadkins		O'MEARA		WATSON
*    			Paul Azinger				STADLER
OFF!!!!			Seve Ballesteros	STEWART		FROST
OFF    			Chip Beck		FALDO		STRANGE
    			
    

    RE .27
    	Jim, lots of luck getting in on Sunday, buying one at the gate,
    and congrats on getting a ticket for Saturday.  Being this is your
    1st PGA tournamnet, beleive me you'll enjoy it!!!  To see the way
    that the pros consistantly hit the ball, is a real shocker.  I mean,
    we all have seen the guy who occasionally hits the ball 280 to 300
    yards off the tee, or the guy who consistantly hits the ball 240
    yards off the tee, but only occasionally hits the ball on the green
    on his approach shot, but for the 1st time in person, you'll see
    players who average hitting the ball 260 to 275 off the tee, and
    also hit more than half the greens in regulation.  It's one thing
    to see them on TV where we all see things we find hard to believe,
    but to see them in person, is totally awesome the 1st couple of
    times you see them.
    
    Beak

    
    I heard just a little while ago that the OPEN is under way, don't
    know any other details though...
    

    Well I got word that I have a ticket for Sunday.
    Club house pass included. This one is free of charge to me
    but Saturday I have to pay for.
    
    	Jim.

    Haven't seen any scores yet (it is Thursday...) but my pick is Mike
    Reid.  Everytime he hits he looks like he's bunting but he does
    keep it straight.  He'll be there on Sunday...
                            
    

    With with usual scintilating(?) final round!

    not to be a poor sport but.... nice 78 sandy lyle shot huh....
    kinda puts him out of it...seve with a 75 is almost gone too.
    
    one more prediction, bernhard is good for a 76 today.
    
    USA USA USA 
    
    Bob

    
    
    	Come on Jack...! Hang in there....! Boy wouldn't that be a thrill
    	to see Jack come through....!!!!

    Go Jack.  I for one would love to see him and Ray Floyd battle it
    out.  They don't make them like those 2 anymore....
    
    Chuck

Who is Jay Don Blake?  Does anyone know anything about 
him?

Jeff

    	For Lyle, he's not out of it, but certainly is an extreme long
    shot now.  On Seve, don't count him out of it at all!!!  I've seen
    him shoot a score like a 76 many times, only to come back with a
    round of 65 the very next day.  All he has to do is make th cut,
    and come Sunday, he'll at some time during the day, make the top
    10, you can count on that.
    
    Beak

    
       Jay Don Blake is a self-taught rookie(?) who led a recent tournament
     the first 3 days, only to finish 2nd or 3rd in the final round.
     Other than that I have no idea.
    
    -rick 

    
    How many people is is that make the cut for the OPEN...?
    

    re-1
    i think 72 players or anybody within 10 strokes of the lead plus
    ties.
    
    bob                                                               
                                                                   
    

    What a STRANGE tournament !!
    
    You have to feel for Tom Kite though. He had shot 3 successive sub-par
    rounds and then....+8. Looking at him on the 15th was painful. He
    just wanted to go home.
    
    So Strange defies history and repeats his success of last year.
    I reckon he's going to be on a roll for the rest of the year with
    a couple more victories, maybe even majors....I'm looking forward
    to seeing him play in Troon for the British Open in July.
    
    Watch out for Ian Woosnam! After his US Open performance he's looking
    like a very formidable player.
    
    martin
    

    martin,
     yes watch out for ian in the uk.
    
    btw- i think i called burnhards 78 on friday, along with curtis
    winning. to bad tom took the apple, i was rootin for jumbo but 
    he was having to much fun.
    
    give me those pars,
    
    bob

    	I've never really liked Tom Kite before, but I did feel sorry
    for him yesterday.  To get beat by someone while you play good yourself
    is one thing, but to fall apart like that on National TV, is really
    hard to swallow, especially for someone who is as talented as he
    is.  On the other side, congrats go out to Curtis Strange, who did
    what noone else has since Walter Hagan.  He played very consistantly,
    and had he dropped a few putts, could easily have won by 3 or 4
    strokes.  But I suppose 3 or 4 golfers could say that.  But Curtis
    never seemed to be in real trouble all day.  I never saw him worrying
    about water or trees. 
    
    Beak

    
    RE: .61
    
    Beak,
    
    It was Ben Hogan not Walter Hagen that won the back to back opens
    in 50-51...
    
    Indeed congrats go out to Curtis...! I can't even begin to think
    what was going through Kite's head yesterday, I really feel sorry
    for him...
    
    Gene

        I was sadden by Kite's self-destruction. Not that I have anything
    against Curtis, but Tom's performance was something else. It is
    interesting that Simpson also skied to a 75 with the Open on the line
    and again I would not have expected that.
     As always, the Open provided quite a show. Seve and Greg were never
    in it. Nick Faldo couldn't come up either. And there was Curtis
    parring each hole. While looking at the scores in the paper, I noticed
    that if it wasn't for a second round 64, Curtis really didn't play all
    that well overall. Woosnam and Ozaki really put on a show and I really
    figured that one of them would have won.
    
     Anyway, congratulations Curtis !!! 
    
    
    
                      Ken

    
        Sadly, this is going to be the Open that "Tom blew it" instead
     of the Open that "Curtis won".  Kite is such a nice guy that you
     hate to see that kind of round happen to him.  I wonder how this
     is going to affect him in the long run.  
    
        The tournament had an anticlimatic ending with Strange's
    three-putt, and the fact that nobody really put in a charge on the
    final day.  Seemed like all the players were just trying to hang
    on.  To me, Oak Hills won.  And I'd much rather see a human being
    win instead of the golf course. My opinion of course.
    
    -rick

                    <<< USER$1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GOLF.NOTE;1 >>>
                               -< The Good Game >-
================================================================================
Note 649.0                          U.S. Open                         No replies
KAOA01::WEISS "Grab 'im by the ears Billy!!"         14 lines  19-JUN-1989 14:02
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    How about the U.S. open.  Curtis defends his title as U.S. Open
    champion, the only person to do it since Hogan did it in 1959.
    Talk about a tough course, narrow fairways, difficult greens to
    read, and I guess all the rain they had didn't help much either.
    Tom Kite is the ultimate choker.  His game totally fell apart after
    he hit his drive into the water.  To go from -5 to +1 in a matter
    of four or five holes is ridiculous.  I think you better get your
    money back from your sports psychologist there Tommy.  Congrats
    to Britain's Ian Woosnam who played a fine tournament for his first
    U.S. Open.  Great golf.  Looking forward to watching the Canadian
    Open next weekend, will Ken Green repeat.  See ya in the funny papers.
    
    Tony
    

    
    RE: .65
    
    Hogan repeated as the US OPEN winner in 51...
    
    Sorry to hear that some people feel the way you do about Kite (CHOKING). I
    am soory to see that happen to such a fine player. I hope he can
    recover from it and quickly...!
    
    
    Gene

    Re:< Note 622.64 by ESPN::BLAISDELL "I'm NOT going to Disney World!!" >

    I totally  agree with you. The dampness help many on the first rounds
    to get under par scores, but, if I remember correctly, only 9 players
    hit below par yesterday.
    
    Other than the four  aces  on the first day (which I don't think were
    televised) there were very few  "expectacular"  shots in the Open, so
    Oak hill put up a great battle and won.
    
    Based on the above, I consider  that,  even  if  it was not the great
    thrilling  tight  finish    that  TV  viewers  would  have  preferred
    (including me) Curtis Strange  managed to, if not tame the course, at
    least not get thrown off and win.
    
    Congratulations for that!
    
    Tavo
    
    P.S.  I kept on  looking  at  the leaders board and Seve never showed
    up, big dissapointment...  even when he  was  one of the few to shoot
    under par the last day.

    don't hear much from all those seve and sandy lovers now do we,
    not much at all.
    
    bob

    I just had to talk about one of the greatest thrills I have had since
    becoming interested in golf. I spent last week on vacation in Rochester
    at the U.S. Open watching Curtis Strange back into his second
    consecutive Open title. The real thrill however was being geenside on
    the 6th and watching three of the four hole in ones scored there that
    day. Missed the first one by Weaver, he was the first player to tee
    off that morning. I had never witnessed a hole in one in person before
    and it was quite a thrill. Oak Hill is a beautifull (will need quite a
    bit of repair after this week) layout, plenty of good locations to
    watch from. Even thought the weather was bad (ok rotten) the people
    were great and we had a good time. Saw quite a few folks with last
    year's Open clothes on. Even saw someone wearing a marshall's uniform
    from last years Digital Classic.
    
    

    
     I took heart at a lot that happened in the open.
    I saw a good player stuggle to keep from going bad and the harder
    he tried the worse it got ( that of course was Kite ), another player
    played steadily getting 35 pars in a row not really going for broke
    for a birdie ( and winning it all, of course Curtis Strange ) and
    even the great one, Nicklaus chili-dipping a chip.  Even Jumbo tried
    to get an errant shot back with his next swing.  Guess we all play
    to the same faults at times.....

    I didn't get to see much of Sunday's coverage. How did Kite get
    the triple? I turned on the TV and found that Kite, Strange, and
    Ozaki were tied for the lead after 10, and when I turned it on again
    Strange was making his approach to 18.

    re: .71    
    Kite's triple on the Par 4 5th.
    
       Blocked out drive into creek on the right.
       Penalty and drop in rough behind a tree.
       At this point, Kite had a choice. Play a tricky slice around
         the tree to a green guarded by water or play a safe shot to
         the fairway. Kite chose to play it safe.
       Wedge to green leaving himself a 15 foot putt.
       1st putt slides just past the left side of the hole.
       2nd putt from 2 feet slides past the right side of the hole.
       3rd putt goes in for the 7.
    
    I can sympathize with him. Seems like I've had a lot of these type
    holes this year.  8^(
    
    -rick
    

    re: .68 Seve and Sandy slip again!!
    
    Your right, things are a bit quiet from the people who love Seve
    and/or Sandy...I happen to be one of them. 
    
    Sandy's game really has deserted him. I think he has now missed
    9 out of the last 11 cuts. He has been said to feel that he's almost
    there but not quite. I suspect it's now a lack of confidence, a
    degree of desperation creeping in and a lot of bad luck. Everybody
    knows he's a supreme golfer ( 2 majors tell you that), so I think
    he'll bounce back soon. Incidentally, he has decided to return home
    and spend time with his coach/father. He has even said he's not
    going to compete in the PGA later in the year. Anyway, don't worry
    I'm sure he'll be ready at the Belfry in September!!
    
    As for Seve, he seems to be great this side of the Atlantic and
    not the same player in the U.S. I also think he hates the bad weather
    and it affects him more than most. He is generally playing solid
    golf with a couple of wins under his belt this year already. One
    of the best was in the Epson Matchplay Tournament last month. Looks
    good for the next matchplay in September!!!!
    
    Even though it's obvious where my loyalties lay, I thought Curtis
    did a fine job on Sunday and did what the others couldn't...not
    make mistakes. It was pretty reminiscent of Nick Faldo's win at the
    British Open in 1987 when he got 18 straight pars on the last day.
    I too feel for Tom Kite, if anyone deserves a major it's him.
    
    
    Finally, with the continued emergence of the European players, there's
    really no need to rely on cheering for Sandy or Seve anymore. Nick
    has proved that already this year and little Woosie very nearly
    did the same. 
    
    
    
     

In my humble opinion, Seve has problems with tight, wooded American 
courses. He does well at the Masters because Augusta has very wide 
fairways and virtually no rough. He does well at the British Opens 
because there's usually not a tree in sight (our overseas friends are 
welcome to correct me--my observation is based purely on what I've 
seen on the telly). While Seve's game isn't as wild as it used to be, 
he's a little more erratic off the tees than the Stranges and Simpsons 
of the world. And it kills him on U.S. Open tracks.

Last year, I watched him on the practice tee at TCC. A purer, 
more graceful swing I've never seen. With each club, every ball he hit
landed within a few feet of the one before it. I thought "How can this
guy not break par every time out?" Then I followed him to the first
tee and saw the flaw in the diamond: he pull-hooked his drive into the
corporate tents, out of bounds. 

    Let's not forget J-M Olazabal. He had a pretty good week (+2 ??)
    and had a pretty good Masters too. He never quite got into contention,
    but he was pretty consistent.
    
    Looking forward to the Ryder Cup, I think the US will be stronger
    this time than the last 2 meetings - but this will be strength in
    depth. The "stars" seem to me now more on our side of the Atlantic
    - Seve, Faldo, Lyle, Woosnam, Langer (when he really recovers from
    his injuries), maybe even Olazabal have got the game to beat anybody 
    you've got except maybe Curtis - I'm perhaps concerned that the rest 
    might not be as strong this time. (Mind you I never thought Darcy 
    would make that putt either!!)

     Re: tightly wooded American courses affecting Ballesteros: I'm
    not a huge Seve booster, but in fairness to overseas golf, I think
    the great (albeit treeless) courses over there are harder.
     I've played the British Open rota in Scotland, and the good ones
    in Ireland, and we don't have anything close to Portmarnock or
    Carnoustie. I can't figure out why Seve doesn't win more here either,
    but it sure isn't just the courses. If any of you ever get to see
    Royal Portrush, or Royal County Down, you'll feel like you died
    and went to heaven (or Hell, if you're at Portrush...).
    
    --The Skoal Bandit

    Well, I always thought it was tough to contend in the US Open out
    of the rough. Didn't Seve have something like the 2nd lowest number
    of putts at Oak Hill? But he didn't hit the fairways, which means
    he didn't hit the greens in regulation either. We saw last weekend
    what happens to *any* pro who is in the rough at the Open.
    
    I also watched Seve practice at Brookline last year. What a magnificent
    swing! Terrific balance and tempo on every shot. I remember he was
    complaining to his brother/caddy and I couldn't dream of what was
    wrong. I too was surprised when he didn't contend.
    
    Augusta National is perfect for Seve's game. Room off the tee and
    a right to left game and a great putting touch. I sometimes wonder
    if he gets too emotional or tries to hard when here in the states
    (after all he has underachieved, considering his position, in the
    last few Masters too).
    
    Anyway, Re -1, nobody said the British Open courses were easy. However
    the pros always seem to be shooting at the green (seldom do they
    have to play sideways). That would help a Seve or a Crenshaw who
    lets a few get away off the tee. Plus, their parking lots are playable!
    ;-)
    
    Eric

    
      Was that my imagination or is Curtis Strange a lefty playing from
    the right side??  I saw him in the tent signing autographs, lefty,
    and I think I remember him hitting from the right side.....

    As a rank beginner - been playing just over a year - perhaps I ought
    to keep my opinions to myself... But, I actually received two weeks'
    worth of tuition from Vincente Ballesteros, Seve's brother/caddy/coach
    and as their playing styles are very similar, have come to some
    conjectures about Seve's roller-coaster performance.
    
    The style Vincente teaches and Seve uses is very wristy with heavy
    emphasis on a strong grip. Judging from my very meagre experience,
    wristy play is superb when you're hot - and a disaster when you're
    not. When Seve is on form, he can produce miraculous shots that
    most players would not even consider, much less attempt; so a hit
    or two going astray does not matter much because he is so very able
    to recover. But when he is even a little bit off form - and, by
    the way, that seems to happen with equal probability on European
    courses - he gets into trouble, but can't extricate himself. This
    is sufficient to depress him enough to miss approach shots and putts
    as well.
    
    This style is in complete contrast with Strange's. There were some
    superb TV sequences of his shots where you could put a ruler to
    his swing plane and a pin through his head, and neither would move
    a millimeter.
    
    (For the record, Vincente's style is completely wrong for me and
    it took me several months to revert to a more traditional style.
    I still catch myself occasionally trying to swing with a strong
    grip.)

    RE.78>
    Yes I to saw that same bit of tape at the scorers tent Curtis 
    signing autographs using his left hand.
    
    What is so unusual about that I play left handed and am right handed
    in all else except softball I swing from the left side there as
    well but i am learning to swing from the other side of that little
    ball
    
    Jeff
    

    I seem to remember, from his "Modern Fundamentals", that Hogan was
    leftie playing rightie... How's that for a trivia connection?
    
    Tip - in 38 years time look for a leftie playing right, and stick
    you're house on him!!! (but don't blame me if he doesn't win;-))

    
      re. .79    Have to disagree with you.  Curtis Strange moves his
              head significantly(for the pros) on his backswing. Some
              would call his swing a sway.
    
    -rick

    re. .79, .82
    
    Golf Digest  even  had  a  article a few months back on how many pros
    don't have a  "school"  swing,  and  Strange  was featured due to his
    sway.
    
    Tavo

       I remember reading a article about Strange's swing and while he does
    sway, his body is properly positioned at impact. As I recall, the
    article talked about whether you can really keep your head still during
    the swing. Most pro's seem to have a varying degree of sway, but they
    are always able to come back to the proper position at impact.
     As for me, swaying is a no-no and if I do, it is guaranteed disaster!
    
    
                      Ken

    	Well I for one was watching on some of the tee shots shown from
    a camera above and behind the tee.  Most of the shadows showed very
    little if no movement in their head position.  They showed 2 such
    tee shots of Nicklaus, and his head doesn't move a centimeter on
    his swing!!!  I then tried to watch mine Monday at the driving range
    and did notice some movement.  
    
    Beak

    
    
      If you ever get to watch Jim Hallet (young new pro) take a close
    look at his grip. You would think he's riding for team HONDA. He has
    one of the most unorthodoc swings around. He kicked my butt in the 
    state am in 1982. He was on fire that year, he didn't miss anything.
    He was 4 under par when he finally finished me off. I was one under
    and playing well but not well enough. He beat me 3-2. I never thoughht
    Hallet would make it on the tour with that swing. I was wrong, he's 
    doing alright. I think he even place 10th in the masters one year as
    an amateur. He was tied for the lead that year after two days. This
    just goes to show that if your hot your HOT. It really doesn't matter
    how your swing looks as long as it works. I've shot many good sub par
    rounds but I only play once a week now and it tough to get hot once a
    week. Mabye I'll catch the fever when my sons older and play in the 
    mid amateur.
    
    BAL  Playing for fun and loving it!!!!!!!!!
    
    

	Don't bet your house on a guy with a bad grip or poor swing
	fundamentals.  You may miss some winners (Trevino, Strange, et al).
	However you'll rarely go broke! ;-)

	Larry

    re: .87
    
    that's right...the true test is over time and a bad grip/swing
    fundamentals will never hold up over the l...o...n..g haul...
    
    NICKLAUS was/is one if not the best with simple fundamentals which
    he attributes to learning at a young age and he has stood the
    true test of a good golfer...play good golf consistantly over
    a long time....