Odds for who will win the Masters

These days everyone is strapped for cash. We all are looking for ways to pick up just a bit more to help pay the bills. And with the upcoming Masters ready to start on April 8th, many are trying the friendly local betting pool to try to do it with.

But for those with a serious interest in trying to win along with their favorite duffer, there are serious odds out there. I was able to get the exact odds on the Masters from bookmaker expert Mickey Richardson, CEO of Bookmaker.com and his team.

Here are the standings:

TIGER WOODS
+350
PHIL MICKELSON
+750
PADRAIG HARRINGTON
+1400
ERNIE ELS
+1600
STEVE STRICKER
+1600
LEE WESTWOOD
+2200
PAUL CASEY
+2250
RETIEF GOOSEN
+2500
GEOFF OGILVY
+2500
JIM FURYK
+2500
RORY MCILROY
+2800
VIJAY SINGH
+3000
CAMILO VILLEGAS
+2500
DUSTIN JOHNSON
+3300
MARTIN KAYMER
+3300
IAN POULTER
+2800
HUNTER MAHAN
+3300
ANTHONY KIM
+4000
ZACH JOHNSON
+4000
SERGIO GARCIA
+4000
ROSS FISHER
+4500
HENRIK STENSON
+4500
ANGEL CABRERA
+4200
SEAN OHAIR
+5000
NICK WATNEY
+5000
JUSTIN ROSE
+6000
LUKE DONALD
+6000
CHARL SCHWARTZEL
+5000
ROBERT KARLSSON
+6000
MIKE WEIR
+6000
ADAM SCOTT
+6600
TIM CLARK
+6000
STEWART CINK
+6000
KJ CHOI
+6000
ROBERT ALLENBY
+6600
THE FIELD (ALL OTHER PLAYERS)
+175

What the numbers mean is that the lower the score the lower the amount you would win. Or in other words, Tiger Woods remains the favorite (outside the feild) and Robert Allenby is a crazy longshot.

This should help the pros and the amatuers who will have a bit more than just their pride in their favorite player on the line during the Masters.

I think that Tiger will do it again. Not just because he is that damn good but because he has a point to prove. That all the media hype and attention have nothing to do with his ability.

if he does, watch out. he will stomp all over the PGA just like he did after going pro. And all the sponsors will be back with more cash than ever.

But who do you think will win?

Who will win the Masters in 2009 - the odds

With the Masters just a day away, I am sure that every golfer is out trying to figure out who is going to win. There are pools in offices and golf clubhouses across the nation, and millions will pass hands in a few short days. So I thought I might help by showing some of the odds that are out there right now.

Tiger Woods is of course a favorite. With his recent win he is now at 11-5. And I think this is the ultimate winner by 3 strokes or more.

Relatively close behind Tiger are Phil Mickelson and Jeff Ogilvy at 8-1. Not bad choices either, though I think far from such sure bets. Padraig Harrington is the next up at 15-1.

Then we get a random anybody from the field at 20-1, a bet that I would always take, just in case. The numbers get worse as we look at the rest of the challengers.

Paul Casey 25-1
Sergio Garcia 25-1
Retif Goosen 25-1
Rory McIlroy 25-1
Nick Watney 25-1
Ernie Els 30-1
Jim Furyk 30-1
Anthony Kim 30-1
Zach Johnson 35-1

What about a few other big names? Way back in the bleachers:

Lee Westwood 50-1
Vijay Singh 60-1
K J Choi 80-1
Greg Norman 80-1
Rocco Mediate 100-1
Chad Campbell 125-1

For my money I think the smart bets are Woods, Garcia, and the field. But who do you think will win?

Proper fitness improves golf swing and handicap

For a lot of men, fitness is summed up in their preparation for and actual golf game. There is good reason for it too. Creating and maintaining proper fitness can give you less tension, hit drives farther, greater flexibility, weight loss, more energy and fewer injuries. I’m sure that every man can enjoy these types of benefits, no matter what their handicap.

The fact that spring is approaching means that the duffers out there are starting to think about getting out on the course away from work and family for a few hours in sunshine and warmth. If walking manicured fairways, with a few friends for a couple of hours isn’t relaxing to you I can’t imagine what you do for work. So for most of us we start to consider getting ready.

There are probably as many different golf videos, online sites, golf books and so on available on how to get in shape as there are diets for women. A casual Google search turns up hundreds. But the fact is that a bit of work will definitely help improve your score.

Why is fitness so big a deal?

Of the things that make up a golf swing there are several components intrinsic and consistent to every golfer. More important than golf equipment, choice of golf ball, and as important as golf instruction lessons are (in my opinion) strength, range of motion, and technique. All three are required to strike a consistent, solid shot.

First off if the body is weak and inflexible you will not be able to achieve optimal swing mechanics. Such things as a full shoulder turn, with minimal hip rotation are critical to get that Daly/Happy Gilmore drive that we all want so badly. No piece of golf equipment will make up for a weak golf swing, and shoulders that don’t turn.

Dropping a few pounds makes walking those 7,000 some odd yards (real golfers walk the course) far more easy. The best golf ball on the market won’t roll that far. In addition it adds to the energy you have for the back nine that most average, and overweight, golfers tend to have their blow-up holes on.

The golf swing itself is affected by how fit you are. The lower back usually takes the brunt of the stress and strain of a swing. Then hips, knees, shoulders and even wrists. The better off you are the better your swing and obviously the results of that swing.

So what should you do?

Well that depends on you. Going to the gym is never a bad thought. Talking to your doctor to determine what might be specifically good for you to do, or not do, isn’t a bad place to go either.

Shedding a couple (roughly 10) pounds if you are overweight can be a huge help. Stretching so that you can touch your toes is a great idea for flexibility. Bend over, keeping your knees straight, touch your toes, hold for 15 seconds. Do not bounce or have a slight bend in the knees. It’s also a great goal for those with more than a few vanity pounds to achieve.

Working your grip, which you can do indoors on those days the snow won’t stop falling, is definitely a benefit to your game.

Getting your stamina up will not only improve your ability to go thru 18 holes, but could improve your night-life as well.

Will working on all these things turn you into Sergio Garcia, Tiger Woods or even Kirk Triplett? Nope. Not by themselves.

But being just a bit more fit than the average guy in your foursome could mean dropping a few strokes, winning more rounds, and even a few dollars from your skins game (if you indulge in that). The bragging rights for all of that are immeasurable when it comes to the 19th hole. Especially if you are buying the drinks from winning the skins.

So as the days get longer, the sun shines brighter and warmer, and your desire to get out of the house and on the green increases, consider and work on getting a bit more fit. Your handicap counts on it.