The Golf Club: August 30, 2014
BOSTON (CBS) - The world's best golfers have descended upon Norton this week for the annual Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston, which has become a Labor Day Weekend tradition here in New England.
Defending champion Henrik Stenson looks to defend his crown against the best DBC field we've seen in some time, including Hunter Mahan, who spoke with Hardy and Trenni Kusnierek this week.
Mahan is dialed in right now. Or as Hardy puts it, "Out of his mind hitting fairways and greens." His recent hot streak even got him a win at The Barclays last week in what was the first of four events of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Mahan can't really explain why he's playing so well, he's just focused right now on hitting his best shot every shot and staying in the moment. Mahan is currently atop the FedEx Cup leaderboard with 3,276 points to his name and three tournaments still to play: the Deutsche Bank, the BMW Championship in Denver and the TOUR Championship in Atlanta.
Once the FedExCup Champion is crowned, the best Americans and Europeans will square off in the Ryder Cup. Mahan hopes his name is called to play for the US.
"It would mean a lot. That's the goal of every European and every American player. Going back to Scotland to play for captain Tom Watson would be a tremendous honor. With the PGA and the win last week I think that puts me in good standing with him. Hopefully this week I can seal the deal."
Mahan, 32, is still chasing that elusive major championship.
He's finished in the top 10 a total of seven times, and he's hoping he can break through next April at The Masters.
Hardy knows just how to help.
"My other broadcasting partner and I have a streak going right now at the Deutsche Bank Championship. If you sit down and talk with us you win a major the next year. If you don't believe me, ask Bubba Watson and Jason Dufner," joked Hardy. "It's happened a couple of times is my point! If, over the course of the weekend, you have the opportunity to sit down with us, I can all but guarantee a major championship next year."
Listen below for Mahan's response, and which major would mean the most to him:
Also joining the show was Mark Russell, the PGA Tour's VP Of Rules & Competition.
Golf has a lot of quirky rules and etiquette do's and don'ts (too many to keep track of). People watching television even call up the PGA if they see a rule infraction.
"For them to be able to get our number they must be CIA agents to begin with," joked Russell. He added that most people, close to 100 percent, have no idea what they're talking about when it comes to the rules, and that it doesn't happen as often as its made out to be."
Listen below for the full discussion!
Next up was Todd Cook, the head professional at the Milton Hoosic Club in Canton, MA.
Hardy visited with Todd to get a short game lesson, but ended up with a full swing lesson anyway. According to Cook, there's nothing wrong with body movement in some short game shots, as it goes along with his overall swing philosophy.
Listen below for the full lesson!
Lastly, Hardy gave a review of Butternut Farm Golf Club with the help of co-owners Cole and Hope Paige.
Butternut is located in Stow, MA and is a 6,300 yard par-70 course. It's a family run business that's been around for a little over 20 years now.
Hardy's never been, but has heard from others how it plays.
Cole confirmed to Hardy that the fairways are tight, "but not as tight as they used to be." They've taken down quite a bit of trees in recent years to open it up. Cole also confirmed that it is a "thinking man's course."
"Tight fairways? Thinking man's course? I'm out on both counts!" joked Hardy.
There's also, what Cole believes, is the longest par-five in the country without a sand strap at 625 yards.
Listen below for the full review:
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