10) The fine line between brilliance and ignorance in golf is just the right amount of creativity coupled with percentages. -- Tyler Wilson, senior
9) Always have a good understanding of where you can and can't hit the ball on the golf course. -- Andy Winings, sophomore
8) Keep your posture throughout your golf swing. -- Jordan Blann, freshman
7) When playing out of deep rough where the ball is sitting down play it like a bunker shot. Choke up, open the face, open your stance, and hit a few inches behind the ball with a fuller swing. This will allow the ball to come out softer and higher. -- Brian Belden, freshman
6) If you believe you will achieve. -- Cale Barr, junior
5) Tempo is the key to better chipping around the green. The ideal tempo is one (back swing) - two (through swing). -- Cole Willcox, freshman
4) Under pressure stick to your routine. -- Brad Doster, sophomore
3) Try to use a variety of clubs to chip around the green, whether it is the typical 60 or 56 degree, all the way up to a 7 or 8-iron. It all depends on how far you need to carry the ball and how much spin you need to produce for the shot. -- Derek Oldham, freshman
2) Golf is a challenging game without beating yourself up; the most important thing one can do to enjoy the game is to have a positive attitude all the time. -- Alex Volpenhein, freshman
1) Keep your eye on the ball! -- Ben Fuqua, sophomore
The Wildcats will put these tips to test at the SEC championships on April 20th.
From Switzerland to America: A Senior Golfer's Reflection By Jennifer Edwards
Weiss claims that living away from home since he was 14-years-old helped make the move from Europe to North America a little easier. The golfer went to boarding school in Switzerland a few hours from his home so that he could attend school in the morning and play golf in the afternoon.
Throughout high school Weiss was a member of the Swiss National Team. Competing in so many different countries with athletes from all over Europe, Weiss was forced to use the French and English he spent so many years studying in school.
During his senior year he was noticed by Tennessee while competing in a tournament in Spain.
"It was lucky for me, because it was the only offer I had from the United States," Weiss explained. "I knew I wanted to come to the United States, because it was the only way for me to keep playing golf at a high level and get an education."
Prior to enrolling at Tennessee Weiss had been to America only a couple of times. Once was in 2001 for a golf tournament in Miami and the other was for a vacation in Tampa.
Before he played golf, Weiss skied competitively in Switzerland. However, once he realized that golf was the sport he wanted to focus on he decided that skiing in competitions was too risky for breaking a limb. He still enjoys the sport and goes skiing with friends during the winter.
Even though he doesn't compete, he hasn't given up his old habits. "I still go pretty fast," said Weiss. "I'm kind of a speed junkie that way."
In addition to skiing and golf, Weiss is gaining skills underwater as well. His dad is a SCUBA instructor, and last summer Weiss became a certified diver. Although his only diving experience has been in a lake at home, he plans on utilizing his certification during the warm months.
Although Weiss enjoys and excels at multiple athletic activities, his passion continues to be golf. He's traveled all over the world, most recently to South Africa last October, where he represented Switzerland in the World Amateur Tournament.
The rest of the year will prove eventful for Weiss, as he plans on graduating in May and competing in tournaments all summer. In the fall he will move home and turn pro.
"It's a new era of my game," Weiss explained. "I can't wait to put all of my effort into golf and not have to think about school or anything else."