Big Play

WHO
Anthony Kim

WHAT
148-yard approach to two feet

WHERE
450-yard par-4 1st hole at Valhalla Golf Club

WHEN
Ryder Cup singles match against Sergio García

WHY
Kim is the only pro I've seen who chokes down on the grip with every club onevery shot. He developed the habit as a boy, when he gripped down on hisfather's clubs because they were too long and heavy. As Kim grew up, he triednot choking down but couldn't make solid contact as frequently, so he went backto choking down all the time. The idiosyncratic habit clearly works, becausefew guys hit it as solidly and control their distance and trajectory as well asKim, the game's newest superstar.

T.J.'S TIP
Choke Down for Solid Contact

To see if chokingdown will generate more solid contact for you, put baby powder, suntan lotionor face tape on the face of an iron. Hit 10 shots and check the contact pattern(inset). Choke down an inch and hit another 10 shots. Finally, choke down twoinches and hit 10 shots. Compare patterns to find the optimal grip. Be careful,though: Choking down can make you overswing at first.

T.J. Tomasiteaches at Nantucket Golf Club in Nantucket, Mass.

... AND ANOTHER THING

"Phil Mickelson [1-2-2] looked lost last week.Unless he fires his retinue and goes back to basics, he'll throw away the primeyears of his career."

GOLF MAGAZINE TOP 100 TEACHERS POLL

Would the U.S. have won the Ryder Cup if Tiger Woodshad played?

Yes 83%

No 17%

"Azinger created so much team spirit that evenTiger would've bought into it."
—BRUCE PATTERSON, BUTLER NATIONAL

PHOTO

ROBERT BECK (KIM)

PHOTO

ERICK W. RASCO (BACKGROUND)

THREE PHOTOS

ERICK W. RASCO (TOMASI)

PHOTO

FRED VUICH (WOODS)