Big Play With Mark Wood

Event	Description	Ratings
Nov. 10--12 Merrill Lynch Shootout USA/ CBS	Greg Norman hosts, so there are big names among the 12 two-player teams and plenty of birdies to spice it up.
Nov. 21--22 PGA Grand Slam of Golf TNT	Majors winners ( Geoff Ogilvy, Woods) on a 36-hole Hawaiian vacation. Mike Weir replaces Phil Mickelson, while Jim Furyk fills out the foursome.	2 1/2
Nov. 25--26 LG Skins Game ABC	Stephen Ames, Fred Couples, John Daly, Fred Funk. Lots of dead time as the foursome plays nine in 21/2 hours.
Nov. 30--Dec. 3 Del Webb Father/Son Challenge NBC	The pros love this event. The dads want to play well for the sons, and the sons really want to impress their dads.
Dec. 7--10 WGC- Barbados World Cup ESPN/ABC	Two-man teams from 24 countries. Stewart Cink and J.J. Henry represent the U.S.
Dec. 14--17 Target World Challenge USA/ABC	The atmosphere is almost as relaxed as the golf, which can get sloppy, as tournament host Woods and 15 friends tee it up.
Dec. 23--24 Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge ABC	The top three players from the Champions, LPGA and PGA tours duke it out in a one-day team competition.	2 1/2
Dec. 30--31 ADT Skills Challenge NBC	Punt, Pass and Kick for golfers. Watch the players hit fades, draws and other creative shots.

WHO: Adam Scott

WHAT: 20-foot putt to get up and down for par

WHERE: 453-yard par-4 17th hole at East Lake

WHEN: Final round of the Tour Championship

WHY

It's been a popular refrain since Adam Scott turned pro in 2000: He has Tiger Woods's swing but not his putting stroke. But Scott found some flat-stick magic while winning the Tour Championship. He led the field in putts per round (27.8) because he released the putter head on long putts, giving him better distance control, which in turn allowed him to make a few bombs, including the tournament-clincher at 17.

MARK'S TIP

Up Against a Wall For a Proper Release

To practice a proper release, take your stance with the top of your head against a wall. That forces you to keep your head still while you move your hands, arms and shoulders during the stroke. As you swing, make sure the butt end of the putter points at your belly button, especially during the follow-through (inset). Doing so helps maintain the proper radius between you and the butt end.

Mark Wood teaches at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, N.J.