Aaron Baddeley Wins The Northern Trust Open With His Eyes Closed

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Posted by Dexter Francois | Posted in , , , , , | Posted on Sunday, February 20, 2011

Well...Not really. What I am referring to is something that I noticed in Aaron Baddeley's pre-shot routine which may have been the secret as to why he won The Northern Trust Open held at the famed Riviera Country Club. Just before he walks up to his ball, he closes his eyes. It's only for about two or three seconds, but for a moment, he is in his own world.

He does this as a means to visualize how he wants to shape his his next shot. A lot of players talk about visualizing their shot before they attempt it. It is a way to give yourself a clear picture of the outcome that is desired.

In the video below, Baddeley said that he had problems visualizing his shots with his eyes open. Too many distractions. When he closes his eyes, his "minds eye" takes over, and his attention becomes singular, only focused on making a proper swing.

This was Baddeley's first win since 2007 when he won the Waste Management, Phoenix Open, formerly known as the FBR. It is hard to say why there was so much time between victories. Some might say it was because he was going back and forth between the Stack & Tilt and a more conventional swing. None of that matters anymore for the moment. This was a quality win in a tournament that boasted a field with a lot of big names. 

Maybe I'll try this technique. It may look a little strange, but I'll try anything if it will help me make a few more putts. Have a great round and always hit your target.

***This is an episode of Playing Lessons From The Pros in which Baddeley talks about closing his eyes during his pre-shot routine.  


Photo found here. 

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Some Of The Sights And Sounds Of The Waste Management Phoenix Open

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Posted by Dexter Francois | Posted in , , , , , , , , , , | Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2011

So...I don't know if I was at a golf tournament or a huge party. Saturday at The Waste Management Phoenix Open certainly doubles as both. The party starts before you even get to the entrance of TPC Scottsdale. I have never been to the Masters but I am sure you would never see some of the sights and sounds I witnessed at the Greatest Show On Grass.


Leading up to the entrance, there is a row of apartments that are rented out for the weekend. There was a group of guys(Arizona State University fraternity brothers most likely) camped out on one of the balconies. They had number signs, like the ones they hand out to fans at an NBA dunk contest. They were not rating dunks but rather, the young coeds that were passing by. In an effort to secure a 10, one young lady flashed her breasts, which caused a Tiger-like roar equivalent to when he made a hole in one on the 16th hole some years ago. Is this spring break or a golf tournament? I guarantee you will not see that at any other event.

Patrons of this tournament are more into the social aspect of what it has to offer. The day before the Superbowl routinely draws the biggest crowd. Much of the time, walking the grounds, especially near the hospitality tents is like standing in the middle of a huge outdoor club.

While I was enjoying all the fun that surrounds this event, I still paid attention to what the pros were doing on the course. These guys are really that good and everyone should attend a tournament at some point to get a feel of what these players can do on a golf course.


After the round was done I was able to get some footage of some of the players as they worked out some of the kinks in their games. After a round I am usually ready for a snack and a nap. Not these guys, and this is why they are so good. They are always trying to improve. Always tinkering with some aspect of their game.

It looks like it is shaping up to be an exciting finish with Tommy Two Gloves Gainey looking to earn his first PGA tournament win. He is very unorthodox in all aspects of the game. He wears gloves on both hands and his swing is one that I think most instructors would not have us emulate. Yet, it is effective and he is in contention.

Here's some of the footage with some of the players post round. My Kodak PlaySport came in handy as I was able to get a look at what they work on before they pack it in for the day. Have a great round and always hit your target.

-Lucas Glover and his new beard working on wedges after his 2nd round.



-Long hitter Dustin Johnson works on his short game.



-Vijay Singh uses a two tee drill to work on his putting.



-Tom Lehman uses the Momentus IDL Stroke Putting Track to work on his putting stroke. Even on the practice green the fans will boo or cheer you.



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From The Airplane To The Waste Management Phoenix Open

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Posted by Dexter Francois | Posted in | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2011

I made it. And just in time for The Greatest Show on Grass. I am officially a resident of the state of Arizona. I can not lie. I am going to miss Miami, but I think I made the move for all the right reasons, and I am looking forward to what the future brings.

After I finish this post I will be heading out for the second/third round of the Waste Management Phoenix open. Due to cold weather during the first two days, the tournament has been delayed and will have a Monday finish. Saturday rounds always attract the most spectators, and the fact that the temperatures will be warmer today will help to ensure a good turn out.

The plan is to spend most of the day at the par 3 16th, the only fully enclosed golf hole on tour. If you remember this post, you know how wild it can get on the (in)famous hole at TPC Scottsdale and this year should be no different. The crowd will swell to over 20,000 rowdy fans ready to boo or cheer depending on the result of the shots taken by the competing golfers. 

I like the atmosphere that surrounds the 16th hole. I grew up playing sports such as baseball and basketball. The 16th hole gives golf fans that stadium feel and the opportunity to act like they would watching their favorite sports team.

Besides raising a lot of money for local charities, this tournament has taken a greener approach to hosting a golf tournament. Waste Management has turned this into an all around green event. Beside sponsoring the tournament, they are educating the public about ways they can help to preserve the planet.

I will have more about the tournament in my next post. I was supposed to play a round on Monday, but with the weather delays, the final round will be free to the public. Who could pass up a chance to watch some of the greatest players at no cost. Have a great round and always hit your target.

Photo found here.

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The Biggest Party In Golf - The 16th Hole

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Posted by Dexter Francois | Posted in , , | Posted on Saturday, February 27, 2010

This weekend is like none other in golf. This is the week when golf is bombarded by over 500,000 of the most raucous fans to attend any sporting event. The TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course hosts the Waste Management Pheonix Open(formerly the FBR Open) which began on Thursday and runs through the final round tomorrow.

I went last year for the third round and had the best time. I got hooked up with some sweet greens keepers tickets which got us into all the hospitality tents. This gave us access to free food and drinks which is always a good thing.

This is truly a unique tournament which is highlighted by the 16th hole. This is the one hole where golf etiquette goes out the door. The completely enclosed hole gives it a true sports arena feeling and the jeering and the trash talking usually reserved for sports like basketball and football finds its way onto the course.

The hole is surrounded by 30,000 screaming and somewhat tipsy(to put it mildly)fans. It's all about pleasing the fans at the 16th. If they love you, they will cheer you. If you went to school at the University Of Arizona like Rory Sabbatini, then you get booed as the 16th is dominated by Arizona State University students.

All the players talk about the 16th hole. Some start thinking about the tee shot as soon as they wake up. Some claim that they don't think about until they walk up to the tee box. It is one of the most intimidating yet fun holes in golf. If you hit the green in one then they cheer for you. If you miss the green, you are going to get booed. Harshly. If you get a hole in one, there's going to be a party.

The best thing that happened that day was when Ted Purdy, a native of Arizona stepped up to the tee at 16. If you remember the Cardinals were in the Superbowl the next day and the crowd was in even more of a frenzy than usual.

The crowd went silent and Purdy unleashed his iron towards the green. The crowd erupted as if they knew something great was about to happen. Purdy’s ball landed within a foot of the cup and the crowd exploded. I could feel the stands shaking beneath me from all the raucous. I was going nuts too.

What happened next was the highlight of all highlights. Purdy reaches into his bag and pulls out an Arizona Cardinals flag and starts waving it back and forth. The crowd lost it. I have never heard such a roar in my life. Purdy then starts to run all the way to the green still waving the flag.

When he got to the green he stopped. Looked at the ball. Then looked at the crowd and then started waving the flag again. Once again the crowd went crazy. He tapped in for birdie and left to a standing ovation.

I still get goosebumps thinking about it now. The energy was unbelievable. This is one event that everyone has to go to at least once in their lifetime even if you are not a golf fan. Have a good one and always hit your target.





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