WGT Golf News

  • Releasing the Clubhead

    30 Apr 2010

    by Josh Zander

    As we all know, there are many golf swings in the Hall of Fame and none of them look alike. But what they all have in common is that they can control their ball flight. After all, all we want as golfers is predictability. A few years ago I asked the #1 player on the Stanford Golf Team how he was hitting it. His answer was that he was hitting it too straight and could not curve the ball. He thought the new equipment made the ball fly too straight. Imagine that! We should all have that problem. The real reason he hits it so straight is that he has a stable release that keeps the clubface square to the arc around impact. These players tend to be very accurate but do not curve the ball much. Players with stable releases can still curve the ball but it requires set-up adjustments. Many great players also use the roll release. Phil Mickelson just won the 2010 Masters using it. Bubba Watson is another example of a player who uses it and he certainly does not have a problem curving the ball. In this day of forgiving equipment and computerized video analysis, I think we have lost the art of shot-making. Old schoolers like Sam Snead used to find their desired ball flight by playing “spin the ball” on the range. If they were hooking it on the golf course, they would slice it for a while on the range until they neutralized their ball flight. Once they found their favorite flight, they were good to go.

    What kind of release do you have? Once you know this, you can use use the correct fundamentals to make it successful. As I explain in the video, the fundamentals of each release are significantly different. Impact is the moment of truth and if you want predictability to your ball flight, you need to know how to use your release to achieve your desired ball flight.

  • Congrats to the Cybergolf Open Winner!

    27 Apr 2010

    WGT extends its congratulations to modoherty, who was the randomly selected winner of the Cybergolf Open.  modoherty won a real Taylormade r9 Iron Set 3-PW with Steel Shafts, estimated retail value of $800.

    Check out all of the other tournaments that we currently have running, and enter for your chance to win great prizes.

  • Only Five Days Left to Enter the Visit Edgewood Tahoe Challenge

    26 Apr 2010

    The Visit Edgewood Tahoe Challenge ends on April 30, so if you haven't entered yet, now's the time!

    The grand prize for this sweepstakes challenge is an incredible trip for two to beautiful Lake Tahoe and a stay at Edgewood-Tahoe's exclusive Twin Pines Cabin, located on the lake, with four rounds of golf included.  Two more winners will get two rounds of golf at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, and five winners will get week-long passes to attend the American Century Championship held from July 13 – July 18, 2010 at Edgewood Tahoe.  See rules for details.

  • Scheduled Maintenance 4/25, 12AM to 2AM Pacific Time

    24 Apr 2010

    There will be some site maintenance occurring early Sunday morning between 12am and 2am Pacific Time.  Users playing during this time may experience some unexpected errors.  Please be sure to save your games, and our apologies for any inconvenience.

  • 10% Credit Bonus on April 23 and 24

    23 Apr 2010

    Purchase credits anytime from noon on April 23 until noon April 24 Pacific Time and get a 10% credit bonus. That means for every dollar you deposit, you'll get 110 credits!

    Use WGT credits to upgrade your equipment in the Pro Shop, enter premium tournaments, or challenge other players in match play games.  Deposit now and get more bang for your buck.

    To purchase credits, click on the ACCOUNT button under your username  on the upper left hand side of the screen, then click on the Buy  Credits tab.

  • Hold your Finish, It’s Not Just for Show

    21 Apr 2010

    By Josh Zander

    Why is the finish so important? After all, isn’t the ball gone? This is a comment I get sometimes from some students. The finish is the result of having done correct fundamentals along the way. Watching the 2010 Masters this past weekend, I was so impressed by runner-up Lee Westwood’s balance at the end of his powerful golf swing. Westwood’s balance is the result of an on-plane motion which allows him to deliver an efficient blow to the golf ball without having his body compensate for any loops in his swing.

    The finish is also the result of trying to hit a ball with a specific flight. If you want to hit the ball low, your finish should be low, If you want to hit the ball high, your finish should be high. If you want your ball to fade as a right-handed golfer, your hands should finish more left and away from the target line. If you want your ball to draw, your hands should finish closer to the target line.

    The bottom line is that the golf swing is over in less than two seconds and you don’t have time to think about all the positions along the way. If you rehearse a swing that ends in balance and has one of the aforementioned finish positions, you have a good chance of hitting correct positions along the way. My students are so psyched when I have them do follow-through drill that improves their backswing positions. Give yourself some credit. You are a better athlete than you thought!

    Make it part of your routine to rehearse the finish you want based on the ball flight you desire. Hold it for a few seconds to feel your balance and to tell your brain what ball flight you want. Feeling it will get you there more often than just thinking about it. I have my juniors always hold their finish for a count of five. Lastly, swing as fast as you can as long as you can hold your pose. After all, it’s fun to hit it far and you can’t get distance without clubhead speed.

  • User Tips for Putting, Pitching, and Chipping

    19 Apr 2010

     

    For those users who haven't found these great guides yet, it's time to improve your game!

    These Putting Tips written by Nivlac (now known as WGTNiv) and Iconian's guide to Chipping and Pitching will help improve your short game.  If you need more tips or have specific questions, ask our helpful community of users in the forums.  You'll find some friendly WGT veterans there who will be happy to share their expertise and advice.

  • Replay Highlights: Aces on Oakmont!

    16 Apr 2010

    Check out these replays of aces on Oakmont from The USGA Virtual Championship front 9 closest-to-the-hole challenge. 

    Click on a username to see that player's replay.

  • DSFREEWORLD
  • AvatarLee
  • Plim
  • Cyl6
  • Run34
  • OaktheToke

    • And no, it's not an Ace on Oakmont, but we couldn't leave out Reggieboy's 356-yard ace on St Andrews.

    Have a great weekend, and good luck in the Virtual Majors!

  • The R&A Forms Long-term Exclusive Partnership with World Golf Tour

    15 Apr 2010

    Exclusive Long-Term Partnership with Online HD Golf Destination Establishes First Virtual Open Championship in Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of The Open on the Old Course at St Andrews Links

    SAN FRANCISCO (April 15, 2010) –The R&A, organizer of The Open Championship and golf’s governing body outside of the U.S. and Mexico, today announced an exclusive long-term partnership with online HD, 3D golf destination World Golf Tour (WGT). The R&A views this partnership, which will enable a Virtual Open Championship to run online in conjunction with The Open, as an opportunity to introduce the game to new audiences and increase participation in golf.

    “The R&A is dedicated to developing the game of golf, and The Open Championship plays a huge part in our efforts,” said Adam Lynch, Head of Digital Media for The R&A. “This partnership with World Golf Tour enables us to reach more fans than ever before and give them a taste of competitive golf at the home of the game. We are delighted to offer this to our fans on the 150th Anniversary of The Open Championship.”

    Through this partnership, World Golf Tour is recognized as the exclusive creator, platform-provider and co-host of the Virtual Open Championship. As the world’s best golfers compete for the Claret Jug at this year’s Open Championship at St Andrews Links, fans will have a chance to do the same on an HD, realistic, virtual version of the Old Course at St Andrews Links, bringing them closer to the action than ever before and giving them an appreciation for what it’s like to compete on this famous golf course under championship conditions.

    This year marks the first of ESPN’s broadcasting deal with The R&A. To help celebrate the 150th Open, the media network is collaborating with The R&A and WGT on the inaugural Virtual Open Championship, and will broaden access to the Championship to golf fans worldwide by making it available for play on ESPN Arcade, ESPN.com’s destination for casual games online. The Virtual Open Championship’s first event is a closest-to-the-hole version on the Front 9 holes of the Old Course at St Andrews Links, which will be available on www.opengolf.com, www.wgt.com and www.espnarcade.com starting April 15. This is the opportunity for players to hone their skills in preparation for the Stroke Play events which begin on June 1st. After competing in a qualifying round of 18 holes and a 36-hole championship round, one winner will emerge as the champion and will receive a trip for two to St Andrews with a round of golf on the Old Course.

    “We look forward to welcoming The Open Championship back to the Home of Golf as it celebrates its 150th Anniversary,” said Izzy Cameron, Brand Development Manager at St Andrews Links Trust, the organization which manages and maintains the Old Course and the other six courses at St Andrews Links. “We are pleased to be working with The R&A and WGT on creating the Virtual Open Championship and believe this will help even more people become familiar with the Old Course and its iconic golfing landscape.”

    Using its patented technology, which replicates courses within 1 ½ inches of accuracy, World Golf Tour was able to faithfully recreate the Old Course at St Andrews Links. More than 100,000 HD images were captured, geo-referenced and placed into a patented physics simulator, along with other measurements, to render a course that allows fans to truly experience every shot.

    “To be partnered with The Open Championship and St Andrews Links Trust, is testament to the incredible product we’ve developed and the vast fan base we’ve established,” said YuChiang Cheng, CEO of World Golf Tour. “We’re humbled and truly honored to be working with these prestigious organizations to grow the game of golf.”

    About World Golf Tour
    World Golf Tour (WGT) is the leader in virtual online sports gaming with its free-to-play browser-based HD golf destination that provides photographic 3D replicas of world class courses for play. With more than one million members worldwide WGT enables players to compete in a free, easy-to learn and rewarding community. WGT requires no download or special plug-ins, and its patented technology offers a rich and realistic playing experience on world class golf courses. In partnership with brands such as American Express, USGA, Pinehurst Resorts, Kiawah Island Resorts and NBC Sports, WGT has awarded more than $100,000 in products, prizes and tournament purses since its inception in 2008. For more information, please visit www.wgt.com.

    About The R&A
    The Open Championship is golf’s oldest Major and celebrates its 150th Anniversary this year (2010). Based in St Andrews, The R&A is golf's governing body and organiser of The Open Championship. The R&A is committed to working for golf and operates with the consent of 138 organisations from the amateur and professional game and on behalf of over thirty million golfers in 124 countries.

    About St Andrews Links Trust
    St Andrews Links Trust manages and maintains the seven courses at St Andrews Links, the Home of Golf, including the famous Old Course, host of the 2010 Open Championship, and The Castle Course which opened in 2008. The Trust was established in 1974. It employs more than 300 permanent staff and manages a number of additional facilities including three clubhouses, a golf practice centre and golf academy and four shops.

    Media Contacts

    The R&A
    Adam Lynch
    Head of Digital Media
    +44 (0) 1334 460000
    adamlynch@randa.org

    World Golf Tour
    Jennifer Nichols
    Allison & Partners
    415-277-49123
    jnichols@allisonpr.com

  • Compete in the Virtual Majors!

    13 Apr 2010

    Here are the highlights from today's product release. While we make an effort to include all updates made to the product, please note that occasionally some changes are unintentionally omitted.

    It’s that time of year again: The Virtual Majors!

    After witnessing an incredibly exciting Masters, now it’s your turn to compete in two Virtual Majors and endeavor to be crowned Champion of The USGA Virtual Championship and The Virtual Open Championship 2010. It’s time for you to take those pressure shots, to make those crucial birdies, and to hone your talent for the ultimate honor of being crowned a Champion. In this release, you will experience two of the Virtual Championship Events: closest-to-the-hole challenges on the front nine holes of both Oakmont Country Club, celebrating the hosting of 15 USGA Championships, and the Old Course at St Andrews Links, celebrating the 150th playing of The Open Championship. These challenges end May 31. The Championship Events continue in June with the Qualifying Rounds of Stroke Play and back nine closest-to-the-hole challenges. More details to come, but in the meantime, check out Oakmont and all-new shots on the Old Course and compete for prizes and for the glory!

    Bug Fixes

    • Year to Date Career Earnings are now being displayed properly on the community site.
    • Automatic club selection should now be picking the approprite clubs for skill challenge courses and stroke play courses.

    • WGT Golf Game News

    WGT Golf Archives

    Subscribe to WGT News