Lord Byron Nelson–A Golf Lesson I Will Never Forget
18. May 2009 by Tee It Up Pro Shop.
By Dave Mark
My eyes were glued to this slender gentleman, here he was dressed up in a suit and I was in short pants and a tee shirt. Besides the difference in clothes, he was so comfortable lacing shot after shot and I was in awe. Of course this was the late great Byron Nelson. He was here for the commentary along with the also late great announcer Chris Schenkel. We lost Chris who was a backbone for many years on ABC Television. The lead announcer was not at the range at this time, at least I didn’t see him. Byron was with a few other men but I didn’t know any by face.
I was a shy kid and it took a lot of reserve for me but I knew greatness when it was in front of me. I asked Mr. Nelson, if he would be so kind, to take a look at my swing. At the time I had no idea just what a gracious man he was. Without batting an eye, he walked over to my booth, which I was lucky that no one else took over. Byron watched me hit a few and told me and showed me how the hips have to work throughout the golf swing. He said that the move is a slight lateral movement before they turn through the shot. He took my hips and physically moved them the way they had to move. It felt much different to me. I was predominantly a lifting of the arms player.
I asked him to hit some more which he agreed to. You could not have drawn where those balls consistently landed any better! I know why the machine used to test golf balls and clubs out is appropriately named Iron Byron. There were a gathering group watching all the while this amazing golfer nailed two irons with such an effortless swing.
He again emphasized to me that the move your hips must make, gives you that power and accuracy, provided you have a solid grip and adhere to the basics. For those who never watch Byron grip a golf club, his hands looked like they were molded to eat. You could see he had a beautiful grip.
I was never an autograph seeker and some may ask, why I did not get his autograph, I am sure he would not have batted an eye if asked. Perhaps his protege and former student said it best.
Byron always told those he taught, that it was most important to educate others by giving back to the game, that which was given to you. We all lost a dear sweet friend late September 2006. The accolades came pouring in, including those of the president. Byron Nelson did live to the age 94 and I’m sure he is up in heaven playing with his past friends.
While it’s easy to remember a talented athlete for what they did on the playing field, Byron Nelsons kindness and dignity will never be forgot.
Is it any wonder why this long tall Texan will not only be remembered for his golf greatness but he was and always will be The Texan Gentleman.
Improve Your Golf Swing
Article Source: Dave Mark
Lord Byron Nelson–A Golf Lesson I Will Never Forget
The Ryder Cup of Golf
6. March 2009 by Tee It Up Pro Shop.
By Gordon Simpson
The Ryder Cup is a contest that is held every 2 years between the PGA tours of Europe and the United States. Samuel Ryder was an English entrepreneur and also a keen golfer who funded an international golf competition in 1926. While watching this competition he thought it would be a good idea to make the match a regular event. So he donated a gold trophy, and in 1927, after the trophy was named after him, the first official Ryder Cup competition was played in Massachusetts between teams from the USA and the UK. After a long period of US domination in the Ryder Cup, in 1979 the UK team was extended to include Europe and since then the competition has been a lot closer.
Both Ryder Cup teams are made up of 12 players and are captained by an experienced golfer from their respective countries. The majority of both teams are made up from the top players on each tour’s order of merit, the exception being that the captain’s are allowed a number of picks. At present, the US captain has 4 picks while his European counterpart has 2.
Currently, the format of the Ryder Cup is played over 3 days. On days 1 and 2 there are 4 foursome matches and 4 fourball matches. The team playing at home gets to choose whether they play foursomes or fourballs in the morning or afternoon. A foursome match has 2 players from each team and the players play alternate shots. Player 1 on each team tees off, and player 2 takes the second shot and continues like this until the hole is completed. In the fourballs, there are still 2 players on each team but they play their own balls this time until the hole is completed. On day 3 there are 12 singles matches. With 1 point available for a win and ½ point available if the match is drawn the magic number to reach is 14 ½ points to win the trophy outright. The present holders of the trophy will retain it with 14 points. All matches are played as matchplay as opposed to stroke play.
A lot of changes have been made to the Ryder Cup over the years, but it is still one of the most exciting and hard fought competitions in the golfing world. The USA team are the current holders of the trophy, but the European team will be bidding to win it back when the next event takes place at Celtic Manor golf club in Wales.
Gordon Simpson.
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