Out on the Nationwide Tour with Travis Hampshire

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Hampshire has two top-20 finishes so far in his first year on the Nationwide Tour.

Editor's note: Each week during the season a different Nationwide Tour player will check in with a quick blog about how their season is going and what life is like out on the road with the Nationwide Tour. This week's player blog is written by Travis Hampshire, who earned his Tour card through q-school.

You may not believe me, but my best friend and neighbor asked me who I thought would win the Masters and I said "Charl Schwartzel." They thought I was crazy, but Schwartzel was too good not to win sooner or later. He went in under the radar. His game fit the course perfectly. I was flying out to California on Sunday for this week's Fresh Express Classic and got checked into my hotel just in time to turn on the TV and catch the end of it. What a win! Now if only I had been in Vegas to place a bet on that one!

My first season on the Nationwide Tour is going pretty well so far. Two top-20 finishes in three starts. I'm sitting at 30th on the money list and getting close to my goal of moving into The 25 so I can get my PGA TOUR card next year.

Back in March I was able to Monday qualify into the Transitions Championship on the PGA TOUR -- right in my hometown of Tampa. I had a good friend on the bag and shot 66 to take the top spot. I've asked for sponsor exemptions here before, but just haven't been able to receive them, so I was thrilled to get in. Transitions does a great job marketing this event and getting people involved in the tournament.

I was blown away at how fantastic the Copperhead course at Innisbrook was. I'd never played the course before. There was definitely a lot more rough than I've seen so far this season on the Nationwide Tour. It reminded me of the rough I experienced when I played the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 2010. I never really get to practice out of rough like that because we don't typically see thick grass like that in Florida.

I didn't end up making the cut, but it was a great experience and I gained a lot of confidence heading to Louisiana for the Chitimacha Louisiana Open.

I always like to show up at tournaments refreshed and excited to play. During this two week break in between the Chitimacha Louisiana Open and Fresh Express, I made sure to rest and spend time with my wife and play with our new dog, Bud. Then it was off to TPC Tampa Bay to practice.

Since writing this blog, Hampshire ran into Jerry Rice at a pre-tournament event for the Fresh Express Classic.

I've been driving the ball pretty consistent this season, so I worked on my iron play and short game. I picked up some new wedges the week of Transitions and I spent time getting them dialed in. My other wedges were just getting too old, the grooves were warn down. It can be tricky sometimes to get new equipment because you develop such a feel for the old stuff. The guys in the Cleveland Golf trailer did an awesome job and got my wedges built just right.

I usually start a typical practice day with a stop at McD's for an iced coffee and then head over to TPC Tampa Bay. I'll work on my short game for a while, and then move over to the range and fire up some Pandora radio. I start out hitting mid- to full-wedge shots, move into the short irons (9-7), then into the longer irons (6-3), a few hybrids, couple 3 woods, couple drivers. Then I might go out and play a few holes. Mainly, what I work on while hitting balls is distance control, trajectory, shaping shots and 3/4 to half shots. I try to simulate actual situations on the golf course that I may encounter.

Raymond Floyd always talked about how he thought great players had the ability to "visualize" things before they happened. I couldn't agree more.

Now I'm out in California and I'm really looking forward to this week. The Fresh Express Classic is a little different because it's hosted by Jerry Rice -- the pro football hall of famer. It's great that he's involved because he does a lot for the tournament and he brings extra attention to the Tour and more people out to watch.

I haven't played TPC Stonebrae yet, but I hear from other players that it's a challenging walk. Also, it's our first televised event of the season, which is really cool. My friends and family can keep track of me on TV instead of on the computer.

I'll check back in a few weeks to let you know how the season is going. You can keep up with me and send along questions on Twitter @TravisHampshire. I try to post pictures every week along with what's going on at the tournament or city we are in.