THE big boys are out in force again for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the latest of the $20million super-events on the PGA Tour, with the winner picking up a cool $3.5million.
Open Champion Cameron Smith – down to fifth in the world rankings after his move to LIV – is the only member of the top twenty who will not be teeing it up at Bay Hill.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational takes place this week
World No 1 Jon Rahm is, predictably, a warm favourite at a best-priced 13-2 to make it an incredible six wins from his last ten starts.
At just under 7,500 yards Bay Hill favours the big-hitters like Rahm and 2018 winner Rory McIlroy, who has proved his liking for the course by finishing in the top 15 in all but one of his eight starts here.
But with strong winds forecast for the first three days – and a winning score unlikely to reach double digits under par – it could prove more open than the bookies believe.
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
Hots hot: Scottie Scheffler, 9-1.
The defending champion did not seem too inconvenienced when the wind picked up in the final round last year, adding weight to his claim that it blows harder and more often in his home state of Texas.
On a day when only four of the 77 players who made the cut broke par, Scheffler’s composed level par 72 was enough to get the job done, giving him the second of four victories by the start of April.
That included the Masters, and Scheffler has already successfully defended one title, with his Phoenix Open victory three weeks ago. He has a great chance of going back-to-back again.
Mid price: Keith Mitchell, 50-1.
The Chattanooga express finally broke into the top fifty of the world rankings with an impressive fifth place at the Genesis, and he has the talent to remain on an upward trajectory.
That Genesis effort was his second top five in his last three starts – he was tied fourth at Pebble Beach – and two top tens at Bay Hill are further cause for encouragement.
Mitchell leads the PGA Tour in combined driving, the stat that pairs length and accuracy, and that could prove crucial in a week when hitting fairways will be no picnic.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Long shot: Lucas Herbert, 125-1.
The Aussie battler has been a personal favourite ever since he popped up at long odds to win the Dubai Desert Classic three years ago, and he will enjoy the tough conditions more than most.
His four under par 68 was the best score of the day in the wind-lashed final round a year ago – Tyrrell Hatton was the only other player to break 70, and at 35-1 the 2020 winner was definitely on the short list as the mid price choice
Herbert finished in a tie for seventh last year, and with the wind forecast to reach 35mph on Friday – and averaging out at around 20mph for the opening 54 holes – , he will fancy his chances of improving on his Bay Hill debut.
Golf betting offers
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Betfair: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Max £/€20 refund on first bet. Bet must be placed in first 7 days of account opening. Only deposits made via Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.Org
Sky Bet: Get £20 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
New customers only. First single and E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 2 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 18+. Begambleaware.org
William Hill: Bet £10 and get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
18+. Play Safe. New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply.
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply Begambleaware.org
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Golfing is bad for you?
Golf is not a bad thing. It is very healthy. Studies show that people who play golf live longer than those who do not. Golfers are also less stressed, which makes them happier.
Are there any reasons to have a membership at a golf club?
You do not need to have a membership at the course. But, you do have access to all the amenities at the course like the driving ranges, the putting greens, or the locker rooms.
What’s the average score for a golfer?
An average golfer is able to shoot between 80-85 yards and their driver.
Can I improve my playing without practice?
Practice is key to improving your game. You can still improve your game even if you don’t have the time or resources for consistent drills. Just remember that it’s important to put in the effort to practice what your intention is. To put it another way, if your goal is to play faster you should work towards playing faster. Likewise, if you desire to hit the shot further, then you should concentrate on striking the target far.
How can I lower my score on golf by five strokes?
The first thing you must do is to improve your swing mechanics. Although you may be able to hold the club properly, if your body isn’t comfortable with the swing, it won’t give you the right feedback. Once you’ve mastered the step, you should work to improve your strength as well as flexibility. Slowly start, then work your way up to greater distances. As you progress towards higher scores, your game will become more consistent.
How can watching golf improve your game
Yes, it makes my game better!
Golf is one the most well-known sports in the world. The sport of golf involves hitting a ball to a target from various distances with sticks and clubs. It’s a great sport to enjoy relaxing and spending quality time outdoors. Golf has many benefits. Here are a few examples:
- Golf helps you get fit
- Playing golf makes you feel good
- You don’t have to think too much while playing
- Playing golf teaches you patience
- Inspiration comes from watching golf
- Golf is great fun
- It is very easy to learn how to play golf
- Golf is less expensive than other sports
- Golf is a wonderful stress reliever
- Golf is social.
Statistics
- Trackman found that over 65% of amateur’s golf shots finish short of the target from 160 yards. (golfinsideruk.com)
- According to Shot Scope’s database of more than 30 million shots, 80% of missed greens are missed short. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- If you have 14 attempts and convert as little as 50% of them into Pars – you can double bogey the remaining 4 holes and still shoot 87 for your round. (golfmadesimple.com)
- However, if you go in thinking that you will get all the way down to a 10, you will likely stunt your progress because your expectations are way out of line. (practical-golf.com)
- The blade aim at impact controls 92% of the ball’s start line, so prioritise face aim as a place to start (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
External Links
amzn.to
golfdigest.com
- Bags, Balls and Clubs
- Golf Digest has more great exercises for you to improve your golf game in five weeks
shotscope.com
blog.trackmangolf.com
How To
How do I improve my putting abilities?
There are many things that you can do to improve your putting skills. First, get great instruction from someone who has experience. Our article will help you find the right golf instructor for you if you don’t already know one. Once you’ve found someone that you like, make sure to ask if they offer private lessons. Look at their schedule carefully to make sure you don’t book lessons that conflict with one another.
Look for a pro shop that rents clubs. These shops include: Golf Galaxy and TaylorMade. Titleist, Callaway, Callaway, Callaway, Cobra, Wilson, Ping GOLF. FootJoy, Scotty Cameron.
After receiving some instruction, the next step is to practice. You have two options. First, you could buy a set of putters and practice hitting balls into holes. This is great because you can use different types of putters (long irons, mid irons, wedges) depending on which type of shots you feel most comfortable with. You won’t get good at putting unless you invest a lot in equipment.
Another option is to play online mini games. Some websites let you play against players from around the globe, while others allow you to just practice your short game. There are many websites that allow you to play Putt-Putt. This is where you hit a ball into holes. Other sites include TopGolf, StrokePlay, and even Wii Sports Club.
Once you’ve practiced enough, you can move onto the next phase of improving your putting game. You can then work on your technique. You’ll need to focus on three areas of your putting stroke, namely your grip, stance, and alignment.
Stance refers to how far back you stand when you address the ball. Beginners often make the common mistake of standing too close to a ball. Your body should not be in direct contact with the ball when you are addressing it. Your feet should not be more than shoulder width apart.
Your hands should be relaxed and open. You shouldn’t clench your fists or hold anything else in front of your chest. Instead, put your hands on your shoulders.
Your arms should remain straight but not locked down. They should be free throughout the whole putting stroke.
Alignment is the amount of rotation your hips make as you move through the shot. Many people rotate their hips so much that it is difficult to align properly. Your knees will bend slightly as you approach the shot. As you swing through this shot, your hips turn toward the target.
Grip refers simply to the way your fingers position themselves on the clubface. Many people have difficulty grasping the club properly. Your index finger should be on the lower edge of your face when you are addressing the putt. Your middle finger should be on the top edge. Your pinky finger should be above the handle line, and your ring finger should rest on the shaft.
A new putter may be an option. A new model might help your game, even though all putters don’t work the same.
