Big Play With Nancy Quarcelino

With the Buick Open title on the line, Vijay Singh set up his
winning birdie at 16 by relying on his smooth tempo to crush a
290-yard three-wood shot

ANALYSIS

Vijay Singh's demeanor is lackadaisical and unchanging, which is
why his tempo--the pace of the transition from backswing to
downswing--is smooth and flowing. It's the key to Singh's success
and helps explain why he looked as relaxed as a sleeping cat when
he was under tremendous pressure in the final round. At the par-5
16th he led playing partner John Daly by one and was 281 yards
from the hole on a green surrounded by trees and a big bunker.
Instead of laying up, Singh casually launched a towering
three-wood that landed softly a few yards past the hole and
trickled to the fringe. From there he two-putted for birdie.

THE TIP

Hit Three-wood, Think Short Iron

Most golfers have trouble hitting a three-wood off the turf
because they get nervous and lose their natural tempo. Here's a
routine to help avoid that mistake: While addressing the shot,
think about the swing that you'd use with your favorite club
(mine is an eight-iron) and hold on to that image and feeling
throughout the swing.

AND ANOTHER THING...

"Women's college golf will soon be decimated because most of the
best teenage girls will begin turning pro by the end of high
school."

******

"The Seniors had no reason to grouse about playing 36 holes on
Sunday. Golf is a sport, and you shouldn't play if you can't deal
with the conditions."

******

"The biggest difference between how pros and amateurs practice is
that pros do drills and use training aids, while amateurs
mindlessly swing for the fences."

COLOR PHOTO: ERICK W. RASCO (QUARCELINO, 2)

COLOR PHOTO: DAVID BERGMAN (SINGH)

COLOR PHOTOMONTAGE: ERICK W. RASCO (QUARCELINO, 2)/JIM GUND (BACKGROUND) Just like an eight-iron

Nancy Quarcelino teaches at the Vanderbilt Legends Club of
Tennessee in Franklin and is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher.