Big Play
WHO: KarrieWebb
WHAT: 116-yardwedge shot for eagle
WHERE: 485-yardpar-5 18th hole at Mission Hills
WHEN: Final roundof the Kraft Nabisco Championship
WHY
Webb helpedresuscitate her career by making the same swing change that Tiger Woods madeafter he won the 1997 Masters. Like Woods, Webb fixed flaws that are mostnoticeable at the top of the backswing--a closed club face with the shaftacross the target line and off plane. Since the fix, Webb has been moreconsistent and her distance control has improved, which was highlighted by herdramatic hole-out to force the playoff.
MICHAEL'S TIP
To Stay on Plane,Use One Arm, Not Two
To preventcrossing the target line at the top of the backswing, try this one-arm drill.Hold the club with your left hand only and swing back to the top. The clubheadshould be left of your hands when viewed from behind. Then put your right handon the club and, without going back any farther, finish your swing.
Michael Breedteaches at Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, N.Y.
... AND ANOTHERTHING
"Butch Harmonis the best golf instructor on earth. He's the only teacher who hasn't messedup any of the Tour players he's worked with."
The Grapes ofGolf
This year the PGATour launched a portfolio of eight wines made from grapes harvested inCalifornia appellations (growing areas). The Tour's contribution doubles thenumber of wines available with connections to professional golf, thus creatinga golf wine category. Greg Norman was the first golfer to get into thebusiness, in the mid-'90s. Newer brands from Ernie Els and Arnold Palmer werethe fruit of on-course friendships with people in the wine industry. Here's aquick guide to golf wine by Bill Henderson, a wine and spirits consultant toretailers and restaurateurs. The scale is 0 (sour grapes) to 100(perfection).
  | Wine | Appellation | Suggested Price | Handicap* | Caddie's Tasting Notes | Rating |
HIGH | PGA Tour Commissioner's Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 | Napa Valley, Calif. | 80 | 0 | Mellowing tannins, delicious toffee/coffee flavors | 93 |
HIGH | Ernie Els Red Bordeaux Blend 2002 | Stellenbosch, South Africa | 75 | +$40 | Lush, with some Bordeaux-like qualities but an unfortunate smokiness | 82 |
MIDDLE | PGA Tour Commissioner's Private Reserve Pinot Noir 2003 | Monterey, Calif. | 55 | +$20 | Saw Sideways, so therefore "loves a great Pinot" | 94 |
MIDDLE | PGA Tour Commissioner's Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 | Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, Calif. | 44 | -$16 | Richness, flavor, balance | 92 |
MIDDLE | PGA Tour Commissioner's Private Reserve Chardonnay 2004 | Sonoma County, Calif. | 38 | +$13 | Good, but not that good; full of flavor, nice balance | 88 |
VALUE | PGA Tour Players Cellars Merlot 2004 | Central Coast, Calif. | 18 | +$5 | Appreciate its youth; it's a bit edgy for a Merlot | 85 |
VALUE | Greg Norman Cabernet Merlot 2003 | Limestone Coast, Australia | 16 | -$2 | Better than expected | 89 |
VALUE | Greg Norman Shiraz 2003 | Limestone Coast, Australia | 16 | 0 | One of the best of its kind, golf wine or not | 89 |
VALUE | Arnold Palmer Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 | Napa Valley, Calif. | 15 | -$5 | There's a lot of flavor in the bottle, and a candied fruit aroma that'spretty nice | 90 |
VALUE | PGA Tour Players Cellars Chardonnay 2004 | Santa Barbara County, Calif. | 15 | +$5 | Simpler than many of its kind; smells a bit like bubble gum | 80 |
VALUE | Greg Norman California Estates Chardonnay 2004 | Santa Barbara County, Calif. | 13 | 0 | Straight, if only moderately long | 85 |
*+ indicatesamount overpriced; - amount underpriced
GOLF MAGAZINE TOP100 TEACHERS POLL
Were the mostrecent changes at Augusta National necessary?
Yes 23%
No 77%
"It's likechanging the smile on the Mona Lisa just because you own the painting."
--T.J. TOMASI
NANTUCKET GOLF CLUB
PHOTO
WEBB (COURTESY OF CBS)
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ERICK W. RASKO
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ERICK W. RASKO
JIM GUND (BACKGROUND)
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GINA HOUSEMAN (ARNOLD PALMER WINE)
TWO PHOTOS
CHRIS CONDON/PGA TOUR (TOUR WINE, 2)
TWO PHOTOS
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FRED VUICH (AUGUSTA)