CBS Video: American Lake GC For Wounded Vets

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Many thanks to reader Eugene for spotting and sending this CBS News report by Chip Reid on what the American Lake Golf Course is doing for wounded vets. The course is staffed by more than 200 volunteers and was designed with injured vets in mind.

"They make sure the walls of the bunker aren't too steep," said Jim Martinson, who lost both legs to a landmine in Vietnam 45 years ago, "and that you can get up to the tee boxes and things like that."

Martinson admitted he never golfed in his life. "I thought that was the stupidest game in the whole world," he said. But he doesn't feel that way anymore. "It's the greatest game in the whole world."

He tries to pass along that feeling of optimism to the recently disabled. "I tell them, 'Don't let your life be over. Do whatever you want. Set a goal,'" said Martinson.

It's a message that Aaron Boyle has taken to heart. "I don't care what people think," he said. "I love the game. If I didn't have the game, I don't know if I'd be the same person I am today."

Videos: Muirfield's 11th And 12th Holes

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Muirfield really picks up steam with the blind tee shot at the 11th to kick off a number of outstanding driving holes coming in. A new tee has extended this hole 33 yards while the green is one of the more interesting on the course with a steep front.

The Golf Monthly/Strokesaver analysis:



The approach to the eleventh green in 2012, with the red flagstick for the 5th green directly behind:


There isn't great reward for hitting driver at the 380-yard 12th even if the wind is helping, so most players will lay back to less than 263 yards setting up an approach to a tightly bunkered green with the short left bunker being particularly deep.

The 12th hole video:



View of the approach to the twelfth:

Els Grateful For Castle Stuart's Width

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Nice little zinger from Ernie Els to Graeme McDowell about the supposed ease of Scottish Open host Castle Stuart, as reported by Alex Miceli.

“Been to Muirfield a couple of times now so I kind of know what I need to do,” Els said Wednesday in a press conference before the pro-am. “I’m trying out two new drivers from Callaway and thank goodness, according to Graeme (McDowell), we have a lot of width in the fairways.”

Phil Wants To Know More About The Hanoverians And Jacobites

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From a Herald story on Phil Mickelson's pre-Scottish Open press conference:

Mickelson, who posted a record sixth runners-up finish in the US Open last month, is finalising his preparations for the third major championship of the year by playing in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
Castle Stuart is just five miles away from Culloden, which in April 1746 saw the final confrontation of the Jacobite Rebellion where English troops defeated those of Bonnie Prince Charlie.

"There are some plans to check out the battlefields of the war back in 1746 between the Hanoverians and the Jacobites," said Mickelson, whose wife and children are with him in Scotland. "I'm not sure, I've got to read up on it."

Is ADD The New White Belt Of Golf?

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Cameron Morfit explores whether having Attention Deficit Disorder is a positive for professional golfers and while many players suspect they have ADD, many don't want to know.

The clinical characteristics of adults with ADD vary but include fidgeting, impulsivity and inattention. Those with the condition can also come off as cocky or brash, experts say, but that's because they're compensating for often feeling invisible. The ADDed Dimension, by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo, cites a 2001 study showing that people with ADD/ADHD tend to thrive in natural, outdoor and preferably green environments—yes, like golf courses. Hallowell says people with ADD crave both stimulation and structure, which is why the Navy SEALs, for example, tend to attract ADD/ADHDs.

Does that mean SEALs aficionado Tiger Woods has ADD? No. And what does it matter? Who cares whether or not Bradley, Day, Poulter, Watson and so many others on Tour have ADD/ADHD? Answer: Because a growing body of anecdotal evidence suggests that it can be a tremendous asset. "I always say it's bad for [school] teachers," Garrigus says, referring to the high rate of ADD among school-children, "but good for golfers."

And there was this from Bubba Watson:

"When you get under the gun you get hyperfocused," Watson says. "Payne Stewart got hyperfocused." (Stewart, who was diagnosed with ADD, was so hyperactive that his family used to sit in the church loft so as not to disrupt the service.)

If Louis Oosthuizen Loved Golf Like He Loves John Deere...

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The sweet-swinging South African might be number one in the world?

Just wondering after reading this Craig DeVrieze PGATour.com story about the Oosthuizen clan's visit to the John Deere factory on the eve of the John Deere Classic.

I love the passion, but this is also mildly disturbing:

Louis Oosthuizen has no need for a combine on the 150 acres where he raises cattle on the Indian Ocean coast near his parents’ farm. He is eager, however, to step into the new John Deere R450 Windrower tractor he recently ordered. It will join a 6000 Series John Deere tractor that was among the first items he purchased with his British Open winnings.

Piet Oosthuizen said his son’s love of John Deere green knows no end.

“You can ask him anything about John Deere,” the father said. “He is on the computer every day, and he knows every spec of every piece of John Deere equipment. He loves it.”

Videos: Muirfield's 9th And 10th

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The world famous par-5 9th at Muirfield is a bit of a mess these days, with a new back tee on neighboring Renaissance Club ground and the ancient wall demolished to accommodate the new tee needed because of all those stomach crunches by today's golfers.

The Golf Monthly/Strokesaver flyover shows the risk-reward beauty of this hole muted by rough up the left side off the tee, eliminating any flirting with the fairway bunkers to open up the best angle to go for the green in two.

The ancient wall rebuilt to accommodate modern distance:


The optimum view to attack the green after flirting with fairway bunkers...at least in another era. Now it's all rough.


The 10th features fairway bunker and not much else besides length heading into winds from the north.

Video Preview Of Omaha CC, U.S. Senior Open Host

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I wasn't sure what to expect of U.S. Senior Open host Omaha Country Club but what's shown in this USGA preview of the course exudes character and a lot of Southern Hills. Not surprising with architect Perry Maxwell having renovated William Tucker's original, recently restored by Keith Foster. I could do with a little less blinding white sand but otherwise it looks like a really neat course.

And it's as hilly as it looks, based on this Greg Midland USGA story about how much fitness will play a role this week for some players used to taking carts.