Bubba Watson, one of the longest hitters on tour, won his first tournament as a professional this past Sunday, beating Corey Pavin and Scott Verplank in a playoff. It is surprising that it took Watson this long to gain his first victory on any tour, due to his length and talent.
More surprising to me was that Corey Pavin, at age 50, and probably the shortest hitter on tour, is able to compete with players like Watson on select venues. I think most golfers should pay attention to Pavin and how he gets around a golf course.
Pavin does not have a pretty swing, but he is able to work the ball right to left and left to right, pretty much at will. He has an excellent wedge game and is a great putter. In the final round, on the 18th hole, Pavin hit is tee shot about 240 yards, while Watson hit his 390 yards. The hole is 444 yards. That is an unfair fight, yet the two were tied at the end of 72 holes. Watson should study Pavin's game if he wants to win more.
While Pavin is not a long hitter, he is in control of his swing. He does not have a pretty swing, as I said, but he does not have the flaws of the typical golfer such as an over the top downswing, a reverse pivot backswing, or a reverse weight shift on the down swing. Since he does not have these flaws, he is able to work the ball, which he needs to be able to do, since at his low ball speed, he can not hit the ball very high.
It is amazing to me how long some of these players like Watson, Dustin Johnson and J.B. Holmes can hit the ball, but they do not win much. Even the pretty swingers like Adam Scott and Luke Donald do not win as much as they should. It appears that they still need to learn how to manage their game properly and quit worrying about making a perfect swing.
While it is ideal to have a nice swing that is on plane, it is more ideal to have the ability to get it in the hole quicker than the other guy. Corey Pavin, at age 50, showed them how to do that this weekend.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
My Golf Game Continuing To Improve
It has now been about 16 months since I attended my first Hank Haney Teaching the Teacher seminar, where I received a lesson from Hank himself. During that lesson, Hank worked on improving my posture, my takeaway, a better position at the top of my backswing, a better position in the downswing, and a better follow through. For many students, this would be quite a lot to work on, and admittedly, I often give students quite a bit of information during that first lesson. My thinking is that if I can do it, anyone can.
Improving your golf game is a process. Not all of the improvements will come at once. It is important to focus on one or two things at a time, and then when you have made improvement to them, work on the next couple of things. I feel that the student can progress much faster if they take notes as well.
Anyhow, after 16 months, I feel like I am getting very close to my best golf, even while I only play once or twice per month. I have learned so much about the golf swing and golf course management, that I don't need to play every day like I used to growing up in order to play well.
Today I played a nice golf course in Maryland, and played my best round since my lesson with Hank last year...an even par 72. While I did make two long putts, I did have several three putts and missed another short putt for birdie. I also had a couple unforced errors with wedges. This course is more difficult than most I usually play locally, so I feel pretty good about the score. If I were playing more regularly, there would not be as many three putts or missed greens with a wedge in my hand.
Last year when I went to Dallas to attend that seminar, I really had no clue with my golf game. Now, I realize that if I actually find more time to play and practice, I can probably be a better golfer than I have ever been.
I am writing this post because I think it is necessary for students to track their results and performance. If I can improve after one lesson with Hank, and some follow up feedback at this year's seminar from two of his senior instructors, Brian Mahon and Doug Alexander, then any student can improve. However, it requires time, patience, effort, and a willingness to make changes. If you have some of that going for you, the sky is the limit!
One final word...just like Ray Romano on the Haney Project, I find that many students think they will get worse before they get better following a lesson....that is utter nonsense. Get that out of your head. If you will do what your instructor tells you to do, assuming they are a good instructor, you should see improvement right away. But, you must keep an open mind. I started improving from Day One. You can too.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Improving your golf game is a process. Not all of the improvements will come at once. It is important to focus on one or two things at a time, and then when you have made improvement to them, work on the next couple of things. I feel that the student can progress much faster if they take notes as well.
Anyhow, after 16 months, I feel like I am getting very close to my best golf, even while I only play once or twice per month. I have learned so much about the golf swing and golf course management, that I don't need to play every day like I used to growing up in order to play well.
Today I played a nice golf course in Maryland, and played my best round since my lesson with Hank last year...an even par 72. While I did make two long putts, I did have several three putts and missed another short putt for birdie. I also had a couple unforced errors with wedges. This course is more difficult than most I usually play locally, so I feel pretty good about the score. If I were playing more regularly, there would not be as many three putts or missed greens with a wedge in my hand.
Last year when I went to Dallas to attend that seminar, I really had no clue with my golf game. Now, I realize that if I actually find more time to play and practice, I can probably be a better golfer than I have ever been.
I am writing this post because I think it is necessary for students to track their results and performance. If I can improve after one lesson with Hank, and some follow up feedback at this year's seminar from two of his senior instructors, Brian Mahon and Doug Alexander, then any student can improve. However, it requires time, patience, effort, and a willingness to make changes. If you have some of that going for you, the sky is the limit!
One final word...just like Ray Romano on the Haney Project, I find that many students think they will get worse before they get better following a lesson....that is utter nonsense. Get that out of your head. If you will do what your instructor tells you to do, assuming they are a good instructor, you should see improvement right away. But, you must keep an open mind. I started improving from Day One. You can too.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Sunday, June 20, 2010
2010 U.S. Open - Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda
I just witnessed a debacle of a final round at the U.S. Open, where it was clear no one was willing to reach out and grab their destiny. Starting with Dustin Johnson, on down to Phil Mickelson, and even Tiger Woods, it was clear the best players just didn't have the game to go out and win this golf tournament.
So, the tournament came down to a couple Europeans. One, a solid player from Northern Ireland, Graeme McDowell. The other, an unknown Frenchman, Gregory Havret, ranked 391 in the world. Havret played the steadiest golf of anyone in the final groups.
At one point in the round, Ernie Els looked like the man to beat, as he got it to -3 early. This was as Dustin Johnson decided he had no business competing for the title, and played himself out of the tournament with a triple bogey and double bogey early, on his way to a round in the 80s. He clearly didn't believe he belonged.
I have to say that this generation of golfers, while clearly having more depth, it's stars, except Tiger Woods of course, rarely show up and win...they typically back into winning these majors when Tiger has shot himself in the foot. Occasionally, we've seen some good golf to win, usually at the Masters or the British Open. Never have we seen any big head to head duals involving Tiger Woods and any of his chief rivals. The usually scenario was that he would make a birdie or two early and the others would wilt away. While I view Tiger as the most talented golfer the game has seen, Nicklaus had to fend off far more quality challengers such as Palmer, Player, Watson, Trevino, Casper, Miller, etc. Have we ever seen a true Woods-Mickelson dual in a major? Never. What about Woods-Els? Nada. How about Woods-Singh? Nope.
Greatness is evident when a player reaches out and grabs the tournament, or survives a tough challenge from a gritty competitor. Tiger has been great many times, but he was never challenged when he had his A game.
Today, there were four 68s and a 69 at Pebble Beach, but no one close to the lead even came close to breaking par. The winner, Graeme McDowell, backs into the win with a 74. Congratulations to him, but just once I would like to see the best players in the world all playing well at once in a major. Today, the best man did not win, but the last man standing simply choked the least.
So, the tournament came down to a couple Europeans. One, a solid player from Northern Ireland, Graeme McDowell. The other, an unknown Frenchman, Gregory Havret, ranked 391 in the world. Havret played the steadiest golf of anyone in the final groups.
At one point in the round, Ernie Els looked like the man to beat, as he got it to -3 early. This was as Dustin Johnson decided he had no business competing for the title, and played himself out of the tournament with a triple bogey and double bogey early, on his way to a round in the 80s. He clearly didn't believe he belonged.
I have to say that this generation of golfers, while clearly having more depth, it's stars, except Tiger Woods of course, rarely show up and win...they typically back into winning these majors when Tiger has shot himself in the foot. Occasionally, we've seen some good golf to win, usually at the Masters or the British Open. Never have we seen any big head to head duals involving Tiger Woods and any of his chief rivals. The usually scenario was that he would make a birdie or two early and the others would wilt away. While I view Tiger as the most talented golfer the game has seen, Nicklaus had to fend off far more quality challengers such as Palmer, Player, Watson, Trevino, Casper, Miller, etc. Have we ever seen a true Woods-Mickelson dual in a major? Never. What about Woods-Els? Nada. How about Woods-Singh? Nope.
Greatness is evident when a player reaches out and grabs the tournament, or survives a tough challenge from a gritty competitor. Tiger has been great many times, but he was never challenged when he had his A game.
Today, there were four 68s and a 69 at Pebble Beach, but no one close to the lead even came close to breaking par. The winner, Graeme McDowell, backs into the win with a 74. Congratulations to him, but just once I would like to see the best players in the world all playing well at once in a major. Today, the best man did not win, but the last man standing simply choked the least.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Tiger Makes Presence Felt at Pebble Beach
Tiger Woods' golf game has apparently returned today, with a 66 in the third round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. In a stunning display of ball striking and clutch putting, Tiger should be a force on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson was unable to follow through on his second round 66. Struggling from the start, Phil is fighting just to stay in contention. Ernie Els seems unable to make a putt, otherwise he would still be about even with Tiger.
So far, the leaders remain Graeham McDowell and Dustin Johnson. Which means, Tiger will be favored to win on Sunday.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.com
Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson was unable to follow through on his second round 66. Struggling from the start, Phil is fighting just to stay in contention. Ernie Els seems unable to make a putt, otherwise he would still be about even with Tiger.
So far, the leaders remain Graeham McDowell and Dustin Johnson. Which means, Tiger will be favored to win on Sunday.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.com
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The U.S. Open
Looking forward to the U.S. Open, which starts today at Pebble Beach. This is my favorite tournament of the year as it is more a battle for survival. This year it is played at probably the most scenic golf course in the world, and the USGA can jack it up to play quite difficult. I look for the best shot makers to rise to the top in this tournament. It seems like Phil Mickelson is everyone's favorite, but look for an unexpected winner, but someone who is still a solid player. Jim Furyk is also a popular pick here, but I will also mention Mike Weir as a possibility as well. I don't see any Europeans winning at Pebble Beach. Should be fun to watch!
Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Golf Course Management
Today I watched the end of the St. Jude Classic PGA event, and watched in horror as Robert Garrigus had an 18 hole meltdown that almost rivaled that of Jean Van de Velde in the 1999 British Open. Heading to the 18th tee, Garrigus had a 3 shot lead over Lee Westwood and playing partner Robert Karlsson. The 18th was a dog leg left par 4, fairly long, with water along the left side of the fairway.
Garrigus, in spite of a not so great golf swing, was playing well all day, and his back nine surge put him in position to win. Basically, all he needed was a bogey to win, and even a double bogey would force Karlsson to make birdie on one of the most difficult holes on the course.
So, Garrigus makes his worst swing of the day and hits his tee shot in the water left. He was forced to drop short of the hazard. He then proceeded to try a heroic shot toward the green with a mid-iron, and pulled it into a tree. This forced him to chip out and he ultimately made triple bogey and fell into a playoff, which he lost.
First and foremost, Garrigus does not have a great golf swing that can hold up under this type of pressure, that is clear. If he wants to take his game to the next level, he needs to change his swing. Most tour pros are unwilling to do that since it takes time and effort, and they worry more about making a living. The better players are able to do it because they can still compete when they don't have their best game.
Secondly, with the water hazard to the left, Garrigus should be aiming well to the right, even if it means missing the fairway into a fairway bunker. With a 3 shot lead, he might even consider an iron off the tee, or just blasting a driver as far down the fairway and to the right as possible. The fairway opened up past the curve of the dogleg and driver may have taken the water out of play.
But, Garrigus chose to play a 3 wood, and made a poor swing. It was his next shot that made the difference. Hitting 3 after his drop, all he needed to do was hit a wedge somewhere up the fairway, hit another wedge on and two putt for 6, which would have forced Karlsson to make birdie (Westwood was already in the clubhouse). Instead, he tried a more heroic and stupid shot, and paid the price.
This is why most golfers shoot higher scores than what they are capable of. They throw away shots all over the golf course with penalty shots, poor short game shots and 3 and 4 putts. Since most people are unwilling to put in the work to really improve their golf swing, they should learn to manage their game on the golf course. If they learn how to play within themselves and score better with the short game, they will see much lower scores.
Next time you are faced with a situation on a golf course similar to what Robert Garrigus faced, play within yourself. Making sure you make 5 will save you many strokes. Trying a heroic shot that is likely beyond your ability will only bring 7 and 8 into play.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
Garrigus, in spite of a not so great golf swing, was playing well all day, and his back nine surge put him in position to win. Basically, all he needed was a bogey to win, and even a double bogey would force Karlsson to make birdie on one of the most difficult holes on the course.
So, Garrigus makes his worst swing of the day and hits his tee shot in the water left. He was forced to drop short of the hazard. He then proceeded to try a heroic shot toward the green with a mid-iron, and pulled it into a tree. This forced him to chip out and he ultimately made triple bogey and fell into a playoff, which he lost.
First and foremost, Garrigus does not have a great golf swing that can hold up under this type of pressure, that is clear. If he wants to take his game to the next level, he needs to change his swing. Most tour pros are unwilling to do that since it takes time and effort, and they worry more about making a living. The better players are able to do it because they can still compete when they don't have their best game.
Secondly, with the water hazard to the left, Garrigus should be aiming well to the right, even if it means missing the fairway into a fairway bunker. With a 3 shot lead, he might even consider an iron off the tee, or just blasting a driver as far down the fairway and to the right as possible. The fairway opened up past the curve of the dogleg and driver may have taken the water out of play.
But, Garrigus chose to play a 3 wood, and made a poor swing. It was his next shot that made the difference. Hitting 3 after his drop, all he needed to do was hit a wedge somewhere up the fairway, hit another wedge on and two putt for 6, which would have forced Karlsson to make birdie (Westwood was already in the clubhouse). Instead, he tried a more heroic and stupid shot, and paid the price.
This is why most golfers shoot higher scores than what they are capable of. They throw away shots all over the golf course with penalty shots, poor short game shots and 3 and 4 putts. Since most people are unwilling to put in the work to really improve their golf swing, they should learn to manage their game on the golf course. If they learn how to play within themselves and score better with the short game, they will see much lower scores.
Next time you are faced with a situation on a golf course similar to what Robert Garrigus faced, play within yourself. Making sure you make 5 will save you many strokes. Trying a heroic shot that is likely beyond your ability will only bring 7 and 8 into play.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
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