New Features on Annikablog.com

Hello all!  It is good to see so many posters here at annikablog.com, please keep it up and tell your friends to join.  I haven't posted in a while so I will re-introduce myself.  I'm Christian Thornley, the Operations Manager at the ANNIKA Academy in Orlando.  I know it is an exciting time with it being mid season for the LPGA, a few majors, and Annika playing well.  With that said, I wanted to post and let you know of a couple of additions here on the site.

Many have noticed the ANNIKA Academy Online section of the site that has just recently popped up.  This section will serve as a way to share some of the teachings of the Academy with the readers.  Charlotta has been working on some videos in which she'll share some of her favorite tips with you the readers of the site.  We have added a first tip and have a few more in the works so keep checking up. 

Another feature you may notice is the photo gallery of Annika's swing.  We have many Academy guests who request a copy of this sequence so that they can study her every move (obviously it works very well).  Annika wanted to share the photos with the reader so that they can try and emulate her swing. 

We've also added Annika's Tips for the Turn.  These tips you may recognize as they were shown on the Golf Channel over the past few months.  With the tips  on annikablog.com you will now be able to watch them again and again until you start playing like Annika does.  We'll be adding new tips as the weeks go on so again, please stay tuned for new videos. 

Last week we had our first ANNIKA Academy for Advanced Junior Golfers and it was a great success.  You may have noticed the photos that were posted over the weekend.  The juniors spent 5 days working with Charlotta, Kai and I fit them for clubs.  The whole week I just thought to myself "why wasn't this around when I was 15."  It was an incredible program and the best part was on Friday afternoon when we heard "I don't want to leave."  Actually the best part was seeing the improvement in their swings.  We hope to see all of these guests again soon!  There is another Junior Academy which starts 3 weeks from today, so if you are interested please give us a call.

Long post today, but I wanted to get everyone up to speed on what's going on around the Academy and with annikablog.com.  Let's hope Annika gets a fourth U.S. Open trophy in a few weeks.

 

Comments

[Mike H]

Annika played so well at the McDonald's, it was unfortunate that she just couldn't get those last putts to drop as she charged to the finish. Actually, her putting was not as sharp as in the past, and probably cost her the title. I noticed that she is using a smaller Odyssey mallet putter. In the past, she was brilliant with the Two Ball Odyssey putter; I suggest that she go back to that winner in order to recapture the magic.

[Christian T.]

Hey Mike. Thanks for the post. Annika has been using that Odyssey #2 for the past few months, she actually won the Michelob Ultra event using this particular putter. Sometimes putters run their course with a player and a new feel is needed. A few years back people might have said the same thing about the Rossie which Annika used to win a ton of tournaments and shoot 59! I'm betting she catches fire with this one as well.

[Dee H.]

One thing's for sure Christian, she's using a blade putter now much like the Ping Zing I've been using for a few weeks. It's the first blade putter I've used for any period of time. I love a lot of things about it, but I fear I'm gonna need to go back to a mallet for easier alignment. Wow, Annika only needed to make ONE of those putts! Amazing. I fully expect her to get hotter with her putting soon, I'm sure she'll find a way somehow with her determination! Her ball striking was better than anyone's yesterday! Noone's putting was great yesterday, I'm thinking possibly because of the extreme heat.

[Christian T.]

Thank you very much for the comment Dee. The Odyssey #2 has a bit more offset than a Ping Zing (more like an old Ping My Day), but you are right, different players like different looks. I hope your putting improves, give the new Odyssey Tour putters a try, they are offered at 340 grams and 355 grams. I've noticed a lot of tour players using them.

One thing to watch with Annikas stroke is how long she keeps her head in the putt. It takes so much patience to not lift your head to look at where the ball is going. Annika may be the best in the world at keeping her head in the putt. Watch for it this weekend, it's something everyone should copy.

[Peg]

Annika missed putts inside 6 feet so many times for birdie that weren't even close. I feel better when Annika putt from 10 of 12 feet putts.
On the 13, last day, she missed the par putt about 4 1/2 feet that cost her.
Annika had so many lip-outs. On Saturday the last hole that was heart breaker.
I hope Annika gets putter troubles over.

[Howard & Helen]

Chris, thanks for the update on all the new things on the blog.

As for sharing experiences at the Annika Academy, Helen had such a great time that she tells everyone that besides the birth of her children and her marriage to me the experience at the Academy was the best of her life! So, if anyone out there is thinking about going to the Academy, don't hesitate. You will have the one of the best experiences of your life. You truly do get to share Annika's passion at the Academy!

[Dee H.]

Actually Christian, I believe Annika may be the best in the world at about everything! I've been in awe of her for years! Every swing is so beautiful. Thanks for the putter info. I'd love to go to the Academy, saving my pennies.

[Peg]

I was too harsh about Annika putting in earlier post.
Annika has beautiful swing. She was best tee to green last week. I was thrilled about her hanging in there.
I am 67 years old. I don't talk well (literally). I was good athlete but now golf is my game.
I might consider to come Annika's Academy in the fall.

[Golf54deciple]

Christian,
How cool the blog site is becoming as little by little more is added! Good job to all!

I really like that Charlotta will be giving tips because from all we've seen & heard so far, she really seems to be a special teacher.

Eventually my day will come!

[Christian T.]

I usually don't get this many comments. Thank you all!

Peg- We hope to see you at the Academy this fall. You may think I'm biased, but it is well worth the trip.

Dee- You are right, Annika is good at a lot of things, especially things to do with golf. Kai was saying yesterday how it has to be the most efficient golf swing in the world.

Golf54deciple- We'll keep coming up with new content for you. Charlotta has a gift for teaching. My guess is she'll be top 100 before we know it.

[Annika the Cat]

Hi Christian,

Great job here Christian. The Bloggers are getting a preview of what The ANNIKA Academy's exceptional team has to offer. Very exciting that Golf54deciple & Peg are planing on attending.

Here in Reunion this AM and I'll be heading over today to see Charlotta for a tuneup.

See you soon!

AtC

[Annika the Cat]

Hi Peg,

I didn't think your comments were harsh about Annika. You really care about her and feel her pain as we all do. I'm sure she is working on her putting and just like the true Champ she is - she will bounce back to the top of that leaderboard on Day 4!

GO ANNIKA!!!

AtC

[Golf54deciple]

To AtC and others who have gotten to attend the Academy. Keep posting your experiences so as to put a fire under the rest of us to come up with creative ways to fund and make our way there.

It's good that we have to aggressive reach out to grab what we believe will be a life-changing event not to mention the awesome encouragement concerning golf improvement that "obviously" is SURE TO COME!!

I'm fully pursuaded that what I'll get there can be gotten NOWHERE else!!!

[Christian T.]

Thanks for the nice comments Annika the Cat. We just wish you would be around more often.

I'm excited for the weekend, I'm headed home to visit the folks and on Sunday I'll be out at Torrey Pines!

[Golf54deciple]

Chris,
We waived at you and the other million folks out at Torrey Pines as we watched on tv. Did you ever get to 'actually' see Tiger.

Wow, Rocco & Tiger they're my favorite guys on the pga tour. I'll be cheering for both to do well.