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First Look: Natalie Gulbis In Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

topdog — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:04:59 -0500

And here is the first image of Natalie Gulbis from the 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition:

Photo by Kayt Jones/Sports Illustrated

This Natalie Gulbis photo is from the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, which is on sale now.

So I guess we can confirm that Gulbis is in the issue, eh?

Gulbis is actually not wearing a swimsuit in the image above, nor in any of the other photos in the magazine. It's bodypainting. Gulbis is one of three athletes included in the bodypainting section of the 2012 SI swimsuit issue. (Soccer star Alex Morgan is another, and the third is swimmer Natalie Coughlin.)

Gulbis' inclusion in the swimsuit issue was first revealed about two months ago, although nobody (except us) seemed to notice. On Dec. 10, Gulbis' friend Cristie Kerr tweeted about it, but that tweet was quickly deleted.

More of Gulbis' bodypainting pics can be found at si.com/swimsuit.

This isn't the first time Gulbis has posed in a bikini (although it probably is the first time said bikini was, in reality, paint applied to her body). Her first swimsuit calendar was released in 2004, and also in 2004 she appeared in a photo shoot for FHM magazine.

If you enjoy photos of Gulbis looking glam, then also check out this gallery, which includes pics from some of those Gulbis calendars of yore:

Natalie Gulbis glamour shots photo gallery

More about Gulbis:

Natalie Gulbis biography

Natalie Gulbis index

First Look: Natalie Gulbis In Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue originally appeared on About.com Golf on Monday, February 13th, 2012 at 22:31:32.

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2 Vote(s)

Focus On Footwork

topdog — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:52:16 -0500

Good footwork fixes your faults.

2 Vote(s)

Face The Sky To Hit It High

topdog — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:51:47 -0500

Keep the clubface open to execute the lob shot.

2 Vote(s)

How To Use Your Right Side

topdog — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:47:27 -0500

The biggest mistake amateurs is hitting off their right foot. To make a good iron strike, you must hit down on the ball.

2 Vote(s)

Las Vegas: The Right Way

topdog — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:35:39 -0500

Your complete guide to the most entertaining golf destination in America.

2 Vote(s)

Halloween Costumes of LPGA Tour Players

topdog — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:02:43 -0400

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER WIN for Yani Tseng, her 11th worldwide title of the season. Tseng's latest victory came at the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open in China. Tseng closed with a 66 to win by seven shots. Sergio Garcia also won his second straight thanks to his one-stroke triumph over Miguel Angel Jimenez at the Andulacia Masters. And Rory McIlroy beat Anthony Kim in a sudden-death playoff to collect $2 million in first-prize money at the Shanghai Masters.

Now that we've covered all of that, let's get to what's really important today-Halloween costumes. Here's what some lady professionals said they once wore (or didn't wear) to go trick or treating.

Lincicome loves pumpkins.

Paula Creamer: California Raisin.

Natalie Gulbis: Genie. "My mom made the costume by hand. She hand stitched the puffy pants and tube top."

Tiffany Joh: Village People. "In college, our team dressed up as the Village People. I was the Indian."

Cindy LaCrosse: Dalmatian (inspired by 101 Dalmatians). "It was awesome."

Brittany Lincicome: Big Pumpkin. (Because she loved pumpkins, of course. Who doesn't?)

Paige Mackenzie: Football Player. She and her friend ran a play at every house.

Gerina Pillar: Puff the Magic Dragon. "I have a few first place ribbons underneath my belt in that costume."

Beatriz Recari: None. "We don't celebrate Halloween in Spain." (But she did like to watch American Halloween movies.)

Karen Stupples: None, but her son is a Transformer this year.

Me? At a Halloween party on Friday night, I was the Green Hornet. My daughter was Kato. Others said we looked great.

−The Armchair Golfer

Related:
Halloween Edition: Golf's Spookiest Shots

(Photo credit: Keith Allison, Flickr, Creative Commons license)

2 Vote(s)

Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Courses: The Top 10 Most Beautiful Courses

topdog — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 06:32:23 -0400

Our editors weigh in on the top 10 most beautiful courses from the 2011 Golf Digest 100 Greatest Courses List.

2 Vote(s)

Tiger's debut is all about what could have been

topdog — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:51:21 -0500

LA JOLLA, Calif. -- Tiger Woods's return to competition Thursday at Torrey Pines didn't lack for speculation or hype. Would his work with Sean Foley during the off-season pay immediate dividends? Could Woods regain his putting touch that was lost in 2010?

3 Vote(s)

Hot List 2011: Blade Putters

topdog — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:47:07 -0500

Question: What club accounts for the most strokes during a round? Answer: The putter. Here are gold and silver medalists in the blade putter category.

2 Vote(s)

Will Tiger Regain His Dominant Form?

topdog — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:41:04 -0500

WILL TIGER WOODS EVER BE the same? That's a burning question as Tiger begins his 16th season on the PGA Tour this week at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. It has been nearly 500 days since Tiger last won on the PGA Tour. It has been two and a half years since he won his 14th major at the same course where he begins his 2011 campaign.

The boys are not afraid of Tiger. The give him respect, as they should, but they believe he is beatable. The boys are very good. And there are more of them. This will make Tiger's latest comeback harder.

I expect Tiger to groove his new Sean Foley swing, especially with the irons. I'm in the wait-and-see camp when it comes to his driver. Even when Tiger's swing was at its best through the years, he hit far too many crazy-wild drives. They appeared out of nowhere. I think he's a head case when it comes to the driver. Foley can't solve that.

My hunch is that Tiger will not reach the same dizzying heights in golf. He'll still win, but not as much.

Will he catch and pass the majors record of Jack Nicklaus?

I'd put that at even money. I won't be shocked either way. I'm leaning toward no. I just don't see Tiger being as dominant. That's not a knock, especially when you consider the run he's had.

One of Tiger's short-term problems is regaining his confidence. Winning breeds winning. Not winning breeds frustration and despair. Whatever you point to as the reasons-and there are plenty-Tiger hasn't won in a long while. It has eroded his confidence. He is human, after all.

Finally, I've noticed for nearly three years that Tiger doesn't have the same magic on the greens. I'm speaking primarily of the majors. I think I first detected it at the 2008 Masters. Except for his epic playoff victory at the U.S. Open that same year, Tiger's putter has been suspect at recent majors.

Last year, I was aghast when Tiger complained about the greens at Pebble Beach. Can you imagine the 2000 Tiger griping? That kid rolled in everything on Pebble's crusty putting surfaces.

Indeed, the putter may be Tiger's biggest long-term problem. He wouldn't be alone. All the greats eventually lost their mastery of the greens, except for the man Tiger is chasing. Nicklaus putted exceptionally well throughout his long career. I think Tiger will need to regain his clutch putting touch if he hopes to overtake Jack.

−The Armchair Golfer

(Photo credit: Keith Allison, Flickr, Creative Commons license)

3 Vote(s)

Copy Tiger's new swing at your own risk

topdog — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:17:03 -0500

This week, we get to see Tiger Woods' latest swing makeover -- the one he's been working on with new teacher Sean Foley. This is the third such overhaul of Tiger's amazing career but the first that seemed like an act of desperation. The first swing alteration with Butch Harmon occurred after Tiger won the 1997 Masters by a record 12 shots. The second change came with Hank Haney as Tiger's coach. And now there's Foley, who also teaches Tiger's friend, Sean O'Hair. This swing change has occurred during what is easily the worst ball-striking stretch of Tiger's career.

2 Vote(s)

Golf Home Furniture

topdog — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:59:55 -0500

Shop for furniture online for your golf home.

2 Vote(s)

Woods, Yang meet again in PGA

topdog — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 06:56:11 -0400

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) -- Tiger Woods hasn't seen the last of Y.E. Yang in the PGA Championship.

2 Vote(s)

Q&A with Herb Kohler

topdog — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 06:30:44 -0400

Though he's never played a PGA Tour event, Herb Kohler has become a catalyst in golf.

2 Vote(s)

Westwood withdraws from PGA

topdog — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 06:09:07 -0400

AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- Just as he was closing in on No. 1 in the world and possibly his first major, Lee Westwood of England withdrew Friday from the PGA Championship with an injury that even puts the Ryder Cup in doubt.

2 Vote(s)

What's In My Bag: Ricky Barnes

topdog — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 06:14:10 -0400

Ricky Barnes earned his tour card after T-2 at the 2009 U.S. Open, and won the 2002 U.S. Amateur. From driver to putter find out what Ricky carries in his golf bag.

3 Vote(s)

Doug Sanders and the Freight Train Shot

topdog — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:10:34 -0400

I WAS READING SHANE'S piece on Doug Sanders over at Dogs That Chase Cars and it got me thinking about the man who missed a 30-inch putt on the final green at the Old Course and went on to lose the 1971 British Open to Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff. I've seen Sanders on the Grand Champions circuit on several occasions over the last few years and let's just say he's as colorful as ever.

(Note: Sanders was ranked No. 4 in Golf.com's Top 10 Best Dressed Golfers. The shoes always matched.)

The following anecdote from a Golf Digest feature on Sanders reminded me of Miguel Angel Jimenez's now famous carom shot off the rock wall at the Road Hole.

In a money game at Cedartown one day, a guy named Dallas Weaver found his ball behind a tree. A lot of money was riding. We thought he was dead. There were train tracks running by our course, and just then a freight train came through. Dallas Weaver turned sideways, took some kind of low iron and banked a ball off the side of a freight car and almost onto the green. That was 50 years ago, and I've never seen anyone top that shot.

Sanders is a piece of work. Read more of the Golf Digest story on Sanders and stock up on a month's worth of golf anecdotes.

−The Armchair Golfer

(Image: Scott Butner/Flickr)

3 Vote(s)

Rocky Road

topdog — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 06:50:17 -0400

Players have been forced to negotiate uneven putting surfaces so far at Pebble Beach

2 Vote(s)

U.S. Open Video: Interview with 1955 U.S. Open Champion Jack Fleck

topdog — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 06:16:46 -0400

Golf World's Tom Rosaforte chats with Jack Fleck, the unknown club pro who defeated Ben Hogan in the one of the greatest upsets in U.S. Open history.

2 Vote(s)

US Open: McDowell, Els Make Moves; Tiger Moseying Along

topdog — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 06:08:23 -0400

Graeme McDowell held the midday lead during the second round of the 2010 U.S. Open on Friday, Ernie Els made a move, and Tiger Woods ... didn't.

Woods carded a 1-over 72 on Friday, two strokes better than his first-round 74, but again he left plenty of opportunities out on Pebble Beach Golf Links. Woods' total of 4-over 146 will easily make the cut, however, and he remains in a decent position with two rounds to go.

Following his first round on Thursday, Woods had some strongly negative things to say about the Pebble Beach greens. Not their design, but their grass. As the television announcers keep reminding us, poa annua grass grows quickly and unevenly so that by late afternoon, poa greens tend to be much bumpier than they were earlier in the day.

Woods stopped playing the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am after 2002, and the reason usually given is the slow rounds caused by the presence of celebrity amateurs. That's probably a part of it. But another part is that Woods just hates poa greens. Still, it didn't stop him from crushing the field (and the course) at the 2000 U.S. Open, and if he was on his game now Pebble's poa greens wouldn't bother him so much today, either.

McDowell and Els both carded 3-under 68s. As of this writing (about halfway through the second round), McDowell leads at 3-under, with Els among those in second at 1-under. Also in the clubhouse at 1-under are Dustin Johnson and Ryo Ishikawa. Rory McIlroy (75-77) is among those who will miss the cut.

Live leaderboard

US Open: McDowell, Els Make Moves; Tiger Moseying Along originally appeared on About.com Golf on Friday, June 18th, 2010 at 17:19:35.

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2 Vote(s)

Hoffman's day in the sun crumbles with quadruple-bogey on 18th hole

topdog — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 06:21:44 -0400

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- The ball bounced on the rocks five times by my count. CLICK ... Click ... click, click, click ... and then splashed with a mournful plunk in the inches-deep foam below the sea wall. About a dozen of us -- officials, reporters, security guards and red-jacketed marshals -- walked over to the grassy verge behind the 18th green and looked down. We saw the dream of a terrific young golfer ride the foam out and then tumble back in on tiny waves. Out and in. Out and in. And isn't that just golf?

2 Vote(s)

Mickelson returns to Pebble Beach riding a wave of confidence

topdog — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 06:05:21 -0400

Phil Mickelson made his professional debut at the 1992 U.S. Open, a cocky 22-year-old with a big, cheesy grin and a rakishly upturned collar. Thanks to a record-breaking amateur career, Mickelson was already being trumpeted as the next Nicklaus when he arrived at Pebble Beach. He didn't disappoint during the Open's first round, stuffing his approach shot on the opening hole to a foot and a half. "That wasn't even the best shot of the day," Mickelson said recently, a bit wistfully. "On 17 I hit a two-iron to four feet." His 68 left him two strokes off the lead, and America's typing class hyperbolized accordingly. "I remember thinking how fun the U.S. Open is," says Mickelson.

2 Vote(s)

U.S. Open Tee Times Released

topdog — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 06:46:54 -0400

Tee times and pairings for the first two rounds at Pebble Beach.

2 Vote(s)

U.S., Great Britain and Ireland tied at Curtis Cup

topdog — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 06:32:11 -0400

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, Mass. (AP) -- The United States and Great Britain and Ireland are tied with 1 1/2 points each after the first matches of the opening day of competition at the Curtis Cup at Essex County Club.

2 Vote(s)

Look Back at Past US Opens at Pebble Beach

topdog — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 06:17:03 -0400

Pebble Beach Golf Links is the site of the 2010 U.S. Open golf tournament next week. Pebble has hosted the championship four times previously, and so far it has produced only great champions. The four previous winners at Pebble Beach are three all-time greats plus another Hall-of-Famer: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Tom Kite.

Will someone of that caliber win the 2010 US Open? It won't be long until we find out (vote in the poll). Read up on the previous U.S. Opens at Pebble Beach, and view the scores from each:

2000 | 1992 | 1982 | 1972

Big Break Sandals Resorts Website Gives Fans Head Start on Next Season Through Videos and Contestant Stories

topdog — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 05:31:22 -0400

In advance of the June 21 season premiere, Golf Channel today launched the official website for Big Break Sandals Resorts (www.GolfChannel.com/big-break-sandals-resorts), an interactive site for fans to get to know the contestants and preview the series filmed at Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas

2 Vote(s)

What are the Best Golf Courses in Florida?

topdog — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 06:11:18 -0400

That's the question on which we need your feedback. Florida golfers - and anyone else who has spent time golfing in the state - share your feedback on the best courses around Florida. We're looking for nominations of the best courses across the entire state, plus the top tracks in certain cities. Feel free to name your top two or three rather than just picking one.

Take a look at the Best Florida Golf Courses index, choose an area of the state in which you've played golf, and let us (and other readers) know what are the can't-miss courses.

What are the Best Golf Courses in Florida? originally appeared on About.com Golf on Sunday, May 30th, 2010 at 11:02:04.

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2 Vote(s)

Swing Thoughts

topdog — Wed, 26 May 2010 14:15:57 -0400

FULL SWING
- elbows neutral
- slowish takeaway w/right hand wide
- fold right elbow underneath
- don't set wrists
- initiate downswing with left hip

CHIPPING
- hinge and hold
- no sliding

PUTTING
- lineup square
- don't let putter grip drop too low
- take putter back by rocking shoulders (or with right hand only)
- light grip pressure throughout
- follow through down the line

2 Vote(s)

Notes: Harrington to undergo knee surgery

topdog — Wed, 19 May 2010 09:11:00 -0400

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington is playing Europe's flagship even this week at Wentworth, then taking off to have surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee.

2 Vote(s)

Cameron Crazies

topdog — Wed, 19 May 2010 08:58:12 -0400

Scotty Cameron putters inspire passionate devotees, and the latest releases have delivered a buzz.

2 Vote(s)

Y.E. Yang's Daring Second Round Shirt Selection

topdog — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 08:02:13 -0500

1 Vote(s)

Catching up with Stewart Cink

topdog — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:20:36 -0500

Rich Lerner caught up with 2009 British Open champion Stewart Cink at the SBS Championship.

1 Vote(s)

Golf related knee injuries

topdog — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:11:51 -0500

There are numerous common knee injuries related to golf. Basic knowledge of knee anatomy is required to understand golf-related injuries.

1 Vote(s)

Review: Miura 1957 Series Forged Wedges

topdog — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:43:37 -0500

Miura Golf is a name tied to finely crafted forgings by golf equipment aficionados, a company whose forgings have been favorites among Asian touring professionals for decades. The Japanese company is increasing its presence outside of Asia, specifically launching products the past few months in North America.

Among those recently launched products are the Miura Series 1957 Forged wedges, boasting a C-grind sole for greater playability from a variety of lies. Those are the wedges we review here.

PGA Tour Returns, But When Will Woods?

topdog — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:26:21 -0500

The PGA Tour returns to action this week in Hawaii with the season-opening SBS Championship. The tournament has a new sponsor - Korean television network SBS replaces Mercedes - but is still situated at Kapalua Resort.

The tournament is for winners only. Only golfers who won on the PGA Tour in 2009 are eligible. Tiger Woods won't be there, of course. Woods (like Phil Mickelson) hasn't played the season-opener in years. In Woods' case, he last played this tournament in 2005, usually by choice, although in 2009 due to his knee surgery. (Mickelson stopped played the Mercedes after 2001.)

We know nothing about Woods' plans for 2010. Perhaps not even Tiger knows what his plans are this year. When will he return to action? A possible hint was dropped by the PGA Tour's Ty Votaw after AT&T announced it was canceling its sponsorship of Woods. Votaw said AT&T will remain as sponsor of the AT&T National, the tournament hosted by Tiger Woods, but that Woods will not host the event in 2010.

Does that mean the Tour knows Woods won't play until some time after the AT&T National (first week of July)? Votaw said no. Might it mean, as some have speculated, that Woods is under suspension by the PGA Tour? The Tour doesn't announce or discuss its suspensions, but Votaw specifically refuted that rumor.

The truth is, we know almost nothing about what is going on with Woods. There are tons of rumors and anonymously sourced reports floating around, but scant few confirmable facts.

Many golf journalists believe Woods will be back on the links in time for The Masters, which - both in terms of fan control and media interaction - is the most tightly controlled tournament of the year. A few have suggested that Woods won't be back on the PGA Tour at all in 2010. What do you think? Vote in the poll:

PGA Tour Returns, But When Will Woods? originally appeared on About.com Golf on Monday, January 4th, 2010 at 12:39:29.

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1 Vote(s)

Hot List 2010: Drivers

topdog — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:02:51 -0500

Gold and silver medalists in the driver category: Drivers are restricted in nearly every way but one: potential. Let these max out yours

1 Vote(s)

Tips Plus: Sergio Garcia

topdog — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:35:07 -0500

These pitching lessons from Stan Utley have dramatically improved Sergio Garcia's short game.

1 Vote(s)

Tips Plus: Ricky Barnes

topdog — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:59:06 -0500

Ricky Barnes Project: See what Ricky's teacher Dean Reinmuth is doing to improve his putting -- specifically ones with right to left breaks.

1 Vote(s)

2010 Tour Schedules

topdog — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:45:42 -0500

The European Tour began its 2010 season weeks ago. Yet some other tours have not yet released their schedules for 2010. The Nationwide Tour, for example, is still working on its 2010 schedule.

Most of the world's major professional tours, however, do know what their schedules look like for 2010. We've collected some of them, and linked to the rest. View the 2010 Tour schedules.

2010 Tour Schedules originally appeared on About.com Golf on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 09:20:48.

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1 Vote(s)

AT&T Drops Tiger; Woods Won't Host AT&T National in 2010

topdog — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:43:59 -0500

Tiger Woods is out another sponsor: Telecommunications giant AT&T issued a statement today saying, "We are ending our sponsorship agreement with Tiger Woods and wish him well in the future."

Accenture had earlier dropped Woods, and Gillette removed Woods from its advertising while stopping short of ending its sponsorship deal with Woods.

AT&T is the title sponsor of the PGA Tour event hosted by Woods, the AT&T National, which in 2010 takes place July 1-4. But AT&T's tournament sponsorship deal is with the PGA Tour, and the company's decision to end its sponsorship agreement with Woods is something separate from the tournament.

PGA Tour official Ty Votaw said that AT&T's sponsorship deal with the tournament runs through 2014, and that the Tiger Woods Foundation will continue as the primary charity of the tournament at least through the length of that contract. However, since Tiger is on leave from golf, Votaw said, Woods will not serve as tournament host in 2010.

See the AP report for more.

AT&T Drops Tiger; Woods Won't Host AT&T National in 2010 originally appeared on About.com Golf on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 11:26:31.

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2 Vote(s)