Tiger Woods Back Among the Winning

Our long national nightmare is over. Tiger Woods is a winner again on the golf course.

More than two years after his last victory, Woods finally got back on the winning side on Sunday, beating Zach Johnson by a stroke with a final-hole birdie putt at Woods' own Chevron World Challenge.

No, it wasn't a PGA Tour win. Yes, it was a win against a very short field - only 17 other golfers in the tournament. Both criticisms are true, and neither one matters at all.

When you are arguably the greatest golfer of all-time and you haven't won in two years, it doesn't matter where that next win finally comes. Just that it does come.

Woods earned the victory by finally making a couple clutch putts on the last two holes, the kind of putts that were once routine for Tiger but had been in short supply recently. His ballstriking and shotmaking were excellent throughout the tournament. And winning will probably do wonders for Woods' confidence.

What do you think this victory bodes for Woods in 2012? Is it a fluke, a cheap victory against a tiny field, or is it the beginning of another round of Woods domination?

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Report: Natalie Gulbis In Next Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Natalie Gulbis will be featured in the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, according to a report from an unlikely source.

The source? Gulbis' good friend Cristie Kerr. Posting on Twitter, Kerr wrote: "Look for (Gulbis) in the SI swimsuit issue coming out soon! Body painting!"

Body painting? Assuming Kerr is correct in what she tweeted, then Gulbis won't even be wearing a swimsuit in the swimsuit issue, she'll be nude - but with body painting creating the illusion of a swimsuit. (See the Body Painting section of SI.com's Swimsuit 2011 feature to see how it works - not necessarily safe for work).

Gulbis' appearance in the 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition has not yet been confirmed by Gulbis herself, nor by SI.

Gulbis has famously posed for bikini pics in the past, both for her own annual calendars (which she stopped doing a few years ago), and for magazines. Gulbis' first wall calendar was released in 2004 and was considered too hot for the USGA - the governing body banned the calendar's sale at the 2004 U.S. Women's Open. Later in 2004, Gulbis appeared in a racy photo shoot for FHM magazine.

SI's annual swimsuit issue usually comes out in February, so look for Gulbis' appearance then (but just to reiterate: there is no confirmation yet). If you can't wait to see Gulbis in a swimsuit (or what appears to be a swimsuit, anyway), check out our Natalie Gulbis Glamour Shots gallery, which includes a few of her bikini pics.

(Photo: Getty Images/from the 2005 Gulbis calendar)

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New Equipment: Trusty Rusty Plus Accessories

Remember the old Trusty Rusty wedges from Cobra? What's old is new again. Cobra is bring back the Trusty Rusty wedges, and they are the first items featured in this roundup of new equipment.

This roundup is heavy on accessories: multiple golf bags and golf shoes. One of the shoes spotlighted is from VivoBarefoot, a company that makes lightweight, ultra-thin-soled shoes.

View the gallery

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No, 'Golf' Does Not Stand for 'Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden'

Does golf have urban legends? Given that it's golf, we should probably call them suburban legends. But yes, golf has them - those myths, half-truths and untruths that just won't go away no matter how many times they are batted down.

Probably the most persistent is the myth that the word "golf" is an acronym that stands for "gentlemen only, ladies forbidden." It's not and it doesn't.

This suburban legend regularly makes the rounds on Twitter these days. But no matter how many folks repeat it, it's still not true.

See:
FAQ: What is the origin of the word 'golf'?

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The Major Champions

We've added two new pages to About.com Golf that organize the list of major championship winners in different ways. First up is the list of major winners by year and tournament. And next up is the list of major championship winners alphabetized by golfer.
Both pages show you the full list of every winner of every men's professional major yet played. You can also click on any major listed to view the final scores and read a recap (except for a handful of British Opens - but we're working on that).
See also:
Future majors

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7 Free Golf Tips - Improve Your Chipping

There are many times when we are find ourselves facing a shot from off of the green. In these cases we are staring at a chip shot in order to save par. Having the ability to work the golf ball around the greens could make a big difference within your round of golf.
Being successful chipping the ball starts with selecting the best club. There aren't any strict rules that determine which golf club works for a certain scenario when chipping. Still you will have to pinpoint the best golf club by examining the surrounding area and just how far away you will need the golf ball to travel.
You should set a goal to chip the ball close enough to the hole to know that you will make the putt. This may not happen every time, but having a positive mental picture of a successful chip shot will reduce the mistakes you make.
Let's go over the 7 Free Golf Tips to improve your chipping
Chipping the ball correctly is not as difficult as golfers may think. It will require some practice to improve your techniques, but nothing that can't be accomplished in a short time.
The following golf tips will help you understand the concepts behind proper chipping:
1. Review the green to determine the best spot to land the ball. This will vary depending on how far you are from the hole.
2. With your club in hand, address the ball along the target line.
3. Place the majority of your weight on your front foot. Use a somewhat open stance toward your target (not the hole).
4. Visualize your club making solid impact with the ball and landing on the spot you chose during your initial review.
5. Keep your wrists firm and draw the club back similar to the way you would if you were putting. This should come from your shoulders while your lower body remains stationary.
6. Swing your club back along the target line traveling down and through the golf ball.
7. Be sure to keep your form throughout the entire swing. Your wrists should remain fixed and not break at any time.
Practice these free golf tips until you developed a repetitive routine. Once you have gotten comfortable with this technique it will become a natural part of your game and you will no longer think about it on the golf course.



Get more simple free golf tips from this FREE Report that Reveals How to Shave 5 to 7 strokes off Your game the next time you play.
David Wakeman
World Golf Emporium

Low Trajectory With Irons? Here's a Checklist of Fixes

Do you struggle getting any height on your iron shots? If you iron trajectory is lower than you'd like, the issue comes down to impact position. You need to get the clubface onto the ball is a better position. But how?
Here is a checklist of possible fixes for low iron trajectory that can help explain the issues.
Also new on the site:
Future majors

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