Big Play

Who: SherriSteinhauer

What: 23-foot parputt from the rough

Where: 410-yardpar-4 18th hole at Panther Creek Country Club

When: Final roundof the State Farm Classic

Why

Switching to thelong putter a few years ago saved Steinhauer's career. Plagued by the yips, sheplunged to 119th in earnings in 2003 but jumped back to 33rd in 2004. Last yearher British Open title was the first major win by anybody--male or female--witha long putter. Steinhauer, 44, is picture perfect with the long wand, as sheshowed holing bombs at 17 and 18. Her left forearm is parallel to the ground;her right arm hangs long and soft; and, most important, her lower body is deadstill while her shoulders rock back and forth.

An unstable lowerbody is the most common mistake made with a long putter. To maintain a firmfoundation, practice while somebody or something keeps your lower body still.On a green, have a friend hold a shaft across your thighs. Off the green, leanagainst a bag rack. At home, practice with your thighs leaning against atable.

John Elliottteaches at Golden Ocala (Fla.) Golf & Equestrian Club.

...AND ANOTHERTHING

"For me, theFall Series will be infinitely more interesting than the FedEx Cup. One's aboutmoney; the other is about survival."

JOHN'S TIP

Stable Lower Body Key to Long Putter

GOLF MAGAZINE

TOP 100

TEACHERS POLL

If you had to give the FedEx Cup a passing or failinggrade at this point, which would it be?

Pass ...49%

Fail ...51%

"I hope they don't pull the plug before it has thechance to show the possibilities. "

--JOE THIEL, PGA GOLF AND LEARNING CENTER

PHOTO

COURTESY OF GOLF CHANNEL (STEINHAUER)

THREE PHOTOS

ERICK W. RASCO (BACKGROUND; ELLIOTT, 2)