Tiger Woods’ private jet was spotted in Augusta on Tuesday morning, ostensibly ahead of a practice round at Augusta National as he decides whether to play in next week’s Masters.
Woods, who sustained traumatic injuries in a single-car accident in February 2021, remains on the official list of participants on the Masters website but has not yet announced whether he’ll play. The 46-year-old has not competed on the PGA Tour since the Masters in November 2020.
Fans and media tracked Woods’ private jet on Tuesday morning and posted screenshots to social media that appeared to show the plane en route from South Florida, where Woods lives, toward Augusta. Eureka Earth then posted a video showing a plane with Woods’ foundation logo and tail number on the ground at the Augusta airport.
Justin Thomas was with Woods at Augusta, as was Woods’ son, Charlie, according to SI.com’s Bob Harig. ESPN reportedthat the trio played all 18 holes.
Over the weekend, a video surfaced showing Woods playing a round at his home course of Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Fla., and various reports have suggested Woods has ramped up his practice in recent weeks with a goal of teeing it up at Augusta National. Woods is a five-time winner of the Masters, and this year’s tournament marks 25 years since his first major championship victory there. He has said that while he will return to golf, his time as a “full-time” golfer are over and that he will have to play a limited schedule moving forward.
Spending Tuesday at Augusta would seem to suggest Woods is testing whether his surgically rebuilt right leg can withstand walking the famously hilly course for four straight tournament rounds. Woods competed alongside his son at the PNC Challenge in December but rode in a cart between shots and didn’t have to hit every shot due to the scramble format.
He has maintained that his return will depend on his ability to walk courses and reiterated a longheld position that he will not enter a golf tournament if he doesn’t feel he can win it.
“I don’t want to come out here and just play,” Woods told CBS in February. “That’s how I am. I need to feel that I’m confident that I can beat these guys, and I got to do the legwork at home. It’s on me.”
Woods has historically announced his decision on whether to play the Masters on the Friday before tournament week. In 2015, he announced on that Friday that he would play, while in 2016 and 2017 he waited until the Friday to announce his withdrawal.

Article by Golf Digest

We are only one month away from leagues starting! ✨

Join us for this Tuesday Night league starting May 3rd! 🏌🏼‍♂️

Call the Pro Shop to register!

217-528-6600

Is your game lacking some key shots?  Perhaps the simplest solution is to have your clubs re-gripped.  Our knowledgeable staff can help with the decision making and proper grip choice for your game.

GOLF CLUB REGRIPPING

Meadowview offers a range of quality grips.  Ozone, heat, dirt, and oils from your hands all age your grips and cause damage.   Grips that are the wrong size, worn out or that aren’t suited for weather conditions can all negatively impact your game. We recommend having your clubs re-gripped once a year or every 30 – 40 rounds depending on how much time you spend on the practice range.

A good grip can improve comfort, consistency and shot distance. You can personalize your grip type, size, color and material to get one that best suits your hands.

A grip should always be replaced if you notice any of the following signs…

• smooth hard surfaces

• cracks

• shiny patches

• worn spots

• loss of tack

GOLF CLUB RESHAFTING

Broken shafts happen and whether it’s an accident or on purpose we can supply and fit shafts from all the main manufacturers. We can simply perform a straight replacement or perhaps recommend a new improved type of shaft that could lengthen your drivers.

We have a large assortment of grips in stock or one day custom ship.  

Stop in today to check out the selection.

The Players Championship begins Thursday at TPC Sawgrass, with a wet and windy forecast ahead. The GolfChannel.com writers weigh in with their predictions.

Pick to win and winning score:

Rex Hoggard: Rory McIlroy. Based on his last 36 holes, a horrid run of 8 over to finish a miserable week at Bay Hill, the Northern Irishman isn’t exactly a no-brainer pick. But he does have Mother Nature and history on his side. He won The Players in 2019 with a dominant performance and has always been most comfortable on a soft golf course, which is in the forecast at TPC Sawgrass. McIlroy wins his second Players title with a 13-under total.

Ryan Lavner: Collin Morikawa, 12 under par. Throughout his short but spectacular career he’s proven to be a fast learner, and TPC Sawgrass should accentuate his gifts as one of the game’s premier ball-strikers (take note of his best-of-the-day closing 66 last year). And when the conditions deteriorate over the weekend, he has the perfect temperament and self-belief to handle them.

Brentley Romine: Will Zalatoris. Ball-striking. Ball-striking. Ball-striking. I don’t care that he’s likely going to miss a few putts inside of 5 feet. He’s also going to hit more greens than just about everyone. In red numbers every day here a year ago, Zalatoris shrugs off a closing 79 at the API and gets his first PGA Tour title on the biggest non-major stage. As for the winning score, who knows; things could get crazy with the weather forecast, so I’ll play it safe and go a couple of shots under the over/under: 9 under does the job.


Full-field scores from The Players Championship


Pick to benefit from the wind and rain:

Hoggard: Jon Rahm. The world No. 1’s ball-striking has been sublime this year, but he continues to struggle with his putting. That ball-striking will come in handy when the winds are expected to gust to 30 mph on the weekend and upwards of 4 inches of rain will slow the normally slick greens to more manageable speeds.

Lavner: Matt Fitzpatrick. There are plenty of folks on Tour who can absolutely flush it, a skill that will come in handy when it’s howling 30 and it’s imperative to hit it on the screws. But just as vital will be his scrambling. Fitz enters the week with five straight top-12s, flights it nicely in the wind and is one of the best around the green. A nice sleeper pick this week.

Romine: Corey Conners. Riding the hot hand. Brutal conditions at Bay Hill did not stop the Canadian flusher from going 6 under on the weekend, including posting a final-round 66. It’ll be softer this week, but the wind is still expected to blow. While some may let Mother Nature dictate their mood, Conners is the type of player to put his head down and play on.


Pick to disappoint:

Hoggard: Collin Morikawa. The five-time PGA Tour winner is on many short lists as a potential champion this week, and he certainly has the game to contend on the Stadium Course. Where he disappoints is in his quest to overtake Rahm atop the world ranking. Morikawa needs just a tie for second place to claim the top spot but seems destined to come up short again.

Lavner: Jordan Spieth. For whatever reason, it just hasn’t been a good match, and it wasn’t lost on anyone that Spieth canceled his Wednesday press conference to squeeze in some more prep. Outside of a T-4 in his 2014 debut, he has four missed cuts and two other finishes outside the top 40. Yikes.

Romine: Justin Thomas. No one has ever won back-to-back Players titles. In fact, the past 10 champions who defended have combined for two top-25s, no other finishes better than T-48 and four missed weekends. If there was ever a time for a player to buck the trend, it’s JT – who is currently enjoying a run of 10 straight top-25s – but I’m just saying don’t be surprised if history repeats itself yet again.

 



Pick your favorite Tiger Woods moment:

Hoggard: There are 14 other major victories, and 81 other Tour victories, that could all qualify as a favorite Tiger moment, but the 2019 Masters had it all – redemption, celebration, emotion. With his family watching from the clubhouse, Woods completed a comeback with his 15th major victory that for so long didn’t seem possible.

Lavner: I’ll always have fond (and personal) memories of his 2005 Masters victory. My 18th birthday fell on Masters Sunday, and it was the best possible gift: my mom brought me an endless stream of my favorite snacks as Tiger attempted to hold off the scrappy Chris DiMarco. When Tiger’s chip dropped on 16, I leaped off the couch and – I swear – touched the ceiling. After that iconic fist pump on the final green, my closet soon was stocked with mock-neck polos, in every color.

Romine: It’s so hard to narrow down a singular achievement. The 2019 Masters was pretty special, but for me, it’s Woods’ runner-up finish alongside his son, Charlie, at the PNC Championship last December. After Woods’ horrific car crash the previous February, it was hard to envision when – or if – Woods would ever play again, and if he did, what that would even look like. But seeing Woods compete with his son, trading fist bumps and smiles and laughs, was a memory that will stick with me forever.

Article By: The Golf Channel

Here are 5 stretches you should be doing to warm up before your game!

1. Twisting Stretch- Start with your legs wider than your hips. Rest your right hand on your lower back palm facing away from you. Inhale. With an exhale, bend the right knee and reach your left hand outside your right foot. With an exhale, lift your torso up and switch your hands, placing your left hand on your lower back. Twist toward the left reaching your right hand around the corner. Follow your hand with your gaze to exaggerate the twist. Repeat six times and switch sides.

2. Hip Press- Tight hamstrings tend to put a lot of pressure on your lower back. This stretch will loosen up the hips and hamstrings — releasing this pressure, alleviating back pain and increasing the range of motion in your legs.

Step your right foot forward in a short lunge position with both heels on the ground. Place your hands on your hips or hold onto your golf club with one hand to help with balance. Tuck your pelvis in. Engage your left glute and feel the stretch in your left hip flexor and quad. Inhale. With an exhale, bend your back leg and extend your front leg into a hamstring stretch. Lower your torso while keeping the back straight. Think of arching your lower back to intensify the stretch. With an inhale return to your lunge and repeat. Continue this action six times, breathing through it.

3. Scarecrow Twists- Start with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. Place your golf club behind your neck and onto your shoulders with both arms over the golf club in a scarecrow position. Bend your knees slightly and inhale. With an exhale, twist to the right, pivoting in the left foot. Look around the corner to intensify the stretch. With an inhale, return to center. Repeat on the other side. Continue this twisting action six times on each side, breathing through it.

4. Standing Side Stretch- Standing up straight, plant your golf club into the ground with your right hand. Cross your left leg over the right and reach your left arm up and over toward the club. Then, open your chest and look at the sky. Allow your hips to go slightly to the left and feel the stretch in the left side of your body. Use your club as a balance point. Hold here for 3-5 breaths and switch sides.

5. Shoulder Flossing-Stand with your feet hip-width apart and grab your golf club with each hand. Lift the golf club over your head. With an inhale, begin to floss it behind you until it becomes parallel to the ground. With an exhale, return to your original position. If you want to intensify the stretch, inch your hands closed together; to simplify the stretch, move the hands wider apart. Repeat 6 to 8 times, breathing through it.

It’s been an incredible season of golf and it’s not over yet!! We experienced an abundance of wonderful golfing weather! We saw many new faces, all the regulars and we’re forever grateful for it after being so closed off the year prior. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that we don’t take advantage of the great outdoors and what a little fresh air can do for us all. It’s so important, and with a sport like golf — you get to multitask — spend time outdoors, soak up the sun, enjoy the fresh air and relax while playing a sport you thoroughly enjoy! 

 

As we enter into cooler temperatures & begin prepping the golf courses for winter conditions, here is what you can expect to see during your last few rounds of golf this year. 

 

WINTER PREP

 

For the Oaks Golf Course:

 

We’ll begin overseeding the front nine fairways, trimming the trees along the tee boxes to enhance playability, applying a new surface road to the entrance road and upgrading some of the irrigation throughout the course! 

 

For Meadowview Golf Course:

 

We’ll begin overseeding all the fairways and doing some bunker renovations, too! 

 

WHY DO WE OVERSEED?

 

In golf, overseeding is a maintenance process. Grass seed is spread on top of the existing grass to promote new growth or to swap out seasonal turfs, essentially replacing once type of grass with another. 

 

Because various grass types go dormant in the winter, it is essential to overseed with a grass that doesn’t do this so that grass continues to grow throughout the fairways regardless of season. In the Spring, the process will be reversed; we’ll begin overseeding the fairways with the regular season grass so that it can grow throughout the Spring & Summer seasons.

 

This ensures the health of the fairways & overall playability for all.

 

While we’re sad the regular season of golf is coming to an end soon, we’re excited to begin prepping all the golf courses for Winter so that come the Spring, they’re in their BEST shape for yet another beautiful season!! 

 

Give us a call or visit the pro shop to register! 217-528-6600

Must register and pre pay by October 20th!

Unless you’re superhuman, you may not have been born with superb golfing skills like the rest of us.

With that being said, getting the hang of properly swinging the golf club may not come as natural to you as you would hope.

Does this sound familiar? Swing. Miss. Swing. Dig up the green. Swing. Flies to the left. Swing. Flies to the right. Swing. Got it! But then the next time you go to hit the steps repeat themselves.

So what do you do?

  1. You can always get lessons. Highly recommended! What better way to learn how to improve your swings than to have someone observing you and teaching you all the fundamentals?
  2. Make sure your clubs fit you! Having clubs which are too short or too long can really impact your body positioning which will impact the direction the ball takes flight when you finally hit it 😉
  3. Speaking of body, remember that the power of your swing comes from your entire body, not just your arms. Focusing on swinging with your body will help you become more consistent and have more control over the depth of your shot.
  4. Even though your body controls the power, don’t forget you have arms and let them bend or “chicken wing” after you make contact. Follow through with your swing. Commit to the end.
  5. Practice, just like we’ve been told since we were younger. If you want to improve your swing, it may take you a few games to catch on, understand your body positioning and start to gain consistency.
  6. Have fun and remember that everyone starts somewhere.

Have you ever driven by a golf course and thought to yourself, “Wow, I really wish I golfed, but I have no idea where I would even start?” or reminisced with your friends and thought, “I wish I knew this before I started!”

Well, we decided to poll our golf courses through social media and find out what the golfers wish they knew before they started or what their best advice for new golfers were and here are some of the responses:

Stick with it! Be patient and have fun!
Practice and enjoy the game and remember that it is only a game.
Accuracy over distance!
Golf is a game that cannot be beat, remember that and have fun!
After your game, go relax and talk over things you could have done differently to improve your strokes.
The ball is not going to go straight every time you hit it. Don’t get frustrated, and focus on your next swing.
Play your ability and not your ego! So if you need a little bit of assistance, take it.
Don’t give up too easily, even the professionals have off days.
Tee the ball to the correct height. Tee high for drivers and low for irons.
Take lessons at your local course.
Ask questions!
And last, but not least, always remember that a bad day of golf is still better than a good day at work.

I guess what we can gather from all the responses is that golf is a game of fun, relaxation and time with friends, family and those we love (even if we want to beat them on that scorecard). Always remember to hold your head up and swing with meaning, because even if you miss the green it’s better than sitting at work.