1 Piece of news:

Tiger Woods and Nike, renowned partners for over 27 years, have officially parted ways, marking the end of an era in sports endorsements. Since turning professional in 1996, Woods, a 15-time major golf champion, has been synonymous with the Nike brand, creating an enduring legacy. The partnership began with a $40 million five-year contract and evolved into one of the most lucrative deals in sports history, reflecting Woods' unparalleled dominance in golf. Nike expressed gratitude for being part of Woods' journey, acknowledging his transformative impact on the sport. Despite the ups and downs, including personal scandals, Nike stood by Woods, distinguishing itself from other brands that severed ties. With this historic separation, January, a month often marked by new sponsorship deals, signals a significant change in the golfing landscape.

As Woods bids farewell to a longstanding alliance, the financial dimensions of his partnership with Nike come to the forefront. From the initial multi-million dollar contract to subsequent renewals, including a reported $200 million 10-year deal in 2013, the collaboration transcended traditional athlete endorsements. The termination of this enduring connection prompts reflections on the evolving dynamics of sports sponsorships and leaves fans curious about the future endeavors that may lie ahead for both Tiger Woods and Nike.

1 Personal opinion:

Rory McIlroy recently remarked, "I think, at this point, I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start, and I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realize that not everyone is in my position or Tiger Woods' position." This surprising admission from the four-time major champion raises intriguing questions about the motives behind his change of heart.

Rory’s sudden LIV quote makes me wonder if he got an offer he can’t deny and he is “slowly” changing his mind so shortly he can accept a juicy 1 billion dollar offer from the Saudis.

Only time will tell.

1 piece of advice:

Practice Swings.

Let's delve into the realm of practice swings today. Picture yourself on the first tee, a bit apprehensive, indulging in numerous practice swings to instill a sense of security and bolster your confidence for that "perfect" shot.

However, this surge of confidence may come at a price.

Firstly, there's a common tendency for players to execute a different swing during practice than when addressing the ball. This prompts a crucial question: is your practice swing truly indicative of a "good" swing, or might it inadvertently be a slice or shank motion?

Moreover, doubling the number of swings taken on the golf course can lead to fatigue. By the end of your round, this weariness can significantly impact your ball striking, body rotation, and overall performance.

So, It begs the question: are those extra swings worth the potential toll on your game?

In my opinion, they are not worth it.

P.S.: I've found that practice swings are only helpful for short approaches, offering a better sense and feel of the grass and lie in those specific situations.

1 Golf Course:

We continue with Argentinean courses and today I bring you:

Arelauquen Golf & Contry Club

Arelauquen is a golf course located in Patagonia in the city of Bariloche in the province of Rio Negro. The course is as hard to pronounce as it is beautiful.

Here is a picture of one of the holes with the Andes as a background

Patagonia is already a stunning destination to relish during our summer months (from December to February), and incorporating golf rounds against such breathtaking landscapes is truly invaluable.

1 piece of equipment:

Rangefinder

A rangefinder proves indispensable on the golf course, functioning much like counting steps in putting but extending its utility across the entire course. It acts as a precision tool, steadily building an internal database of yardages as one plays. The more expansive this database becomes, the more accurate and calculated shots golfers can execute. Personally, I find it extremely helpful, especially for those tricky short shots requiring very low trajectories. When faced with such a scenario and reaching for a 4 or 5 iron, I always measure the distance with my rangefinder. This always helps me realize how short my swing should be, especially for those kinds of irons.