Day 3 - Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am @ Bay Hill

Here we are, pulling into the players parking lot at 7am, being directed to our space and given our badges for freedom to almost all areas on the property; driving range, clubhouse, putting green, and most of all inside the ropes. Yeah the small group of fans there were looking at me and Mike! Noticed girls walking around giggling wheres Ricky Fowler, wheres Ricky Fowler. He was nowhere to be seen. The grounds were fully set up for the tournament - ropes, signs, Golf Channel staging area, corporate tents, leaderboards, etc.

I watched Mike warm-up at the range and then I spent a lot of time hanging around the putting green with many of the pros such as Brad Faxon, Chad Campbell, Erik Compton, Boo Weekley, Alex Cejka, Jarrod Lyle, Sam Saunders, and a few others.

Again, perfect weather. Mike played great. He put the fear in Dicky Pride early on that he might lose. Mike was carrying the team for a while. He finished around 77. It led Dicky and his caddy (a monstrous 6'6' former Georgia Tech bball player who played with Dennis Scott and Kenny Anderson) to jar jokingly with Mike to rouse him up. Dicky joked, told stories, gave tips, and laughed it up through the entire round. I really appreciated his effort to be involved with the amateurs. I hear many pros do not take the time. Mike's group included Jim (friend of EMC), Mike (VP @ Royal Caribbean), and Dave (CEO of a luxury hotel marketing firm).

Bay Hill was in spectacular shape. Fast greens and deep rough. Dicky said he plays the deep rough with an open stance, open face, and takes a steeper swing path. During the day, I also ran by Johnny Miller, Michael Breed, Paul Goydos, and Arnold Palmer. I really noticed how the pros can get in the zone for 60 seconds to hit their shot and then can relax. Their lower bodies are very quiet. They generate a lot of swing speed but it looks effortless. Also, very good short games and very high levels of confidence. They love the competitiveness. Even a no-name amateur can get them fired up to play better.

It was a true pleasure being part of this weekend. If I'm lucky, I will be there again in the future!

Final Feedback on My Game:

1) Keep left shoulder slightly tilted up to stay behind ball on impact position, will help with height of shot

2) Best shots usually when failure rate was high - those 'expected failure' shots of high difficulty, so my mind goes into 'go for it' mode and i just 'LET IT HAPPEN' such a shot over a bunker lip or fescue or near a tree, etc. Need to translate this into more normal situations

3) Be confident, relax motion, and have no doubts

Time to play in Boston.

Take care,

Kurt