Tiger Woods and Sean Foley Part 2

Ok, for the second time in a couple weeks I've read some remarks online from Sean Foley, trashing Hank Haney's teaching philosophy. He indicates that Tiger was not happy with how he was hitting the ball the last couple years.

Well, let's look at the record. After dumping Butch Harmon in 2002, Woods started under Haney in 2004. In 2005, he wins The Masters and the Open Championship. In 2006, his dad dies, so he misses the cut at the U.S. Open, then wins the Open Championship and PGA. In 2007 he finishes 2nd at Augusta and the U.S. Open, then wins the PGA. In 2008, playing on a bum leg, he wins the U.S. Open. After the win, he does not return to the tour until March 2009. He wins 7 tournaments in 19 starts, won the Fedex Cup, but blew a 54 hole lead for the first time in a major at the PGA. He won all these tournaments in 2009 while learning how to play with a solid knee for the first time in years.

Now, I have seen some good commentary about Sean Foley, but I don't see other instructors publicly dissing another instructor like Foley has with Haney. With that in mind, I can't say I have much respect for the guy.

As for Hank Haney, I have tremendous respect for him. He consistently acknowledges the instructors who helped get him where he is, particularly John Jacobs and Jim Hardy. His senior instructors are extremely loyal to him. Some have been with Hank for over 20 years. And, while he has had success teaching professional golfers, I have seen him work magic with average golfers in as little as 5 minutes. And, I personally have a much greater understanding of the golf swing due to my own lesson with Hank, and due to his instructor program.

Bottom line is Sean Foley should keep his mouth shut. When he has coached two players to major championships like Hank Haney has (Mark O'Meara won two in 1998), then he can start talking. All he has now are a few good young players under his wing, but they have still only won a handful of tournaments among them...about as many as Tiger won in 2009!

Foley should give Hank his due, and Butch Harmon for that matter. Coaching the best player in the world is no easy task, yet both succeeded.

As for Tiger, I really don't understand his need for an active coach anyway. The legends of the game didn't have a coach at their side all season long. The best players grooved their swings on their own, with maybe the occasional review of fundamentals from a mentor or help from a friend. Tiger has said he wants to own his swing like Hogan did. Well, doesn't seem like he has taken those steps yet.

For many of today's tour players, I think having an active coach is just a crutch. As much as they play and practice, they should all be able to get things figured out on their own, with maybe a second pair of eyes helping once in a while. The bottom line is winning, not how pretty your swing looks. But, in this age of huge paychecks, most of them are just comfortable making a living. While there may be many more good players on tour compared to 30 years ago, there aren't as many that know how to win.

Just my two cents.

Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com

Tiger Woods and Sean Foley

It looks like Tiger is about to make it official that Sean Foley is his new golf swing coach. I can understand that he is making this move after his split with Hank Haney. However, I felt that Hank certainly received a lot more criticism than he deserved. All you have to do is look at Tiger's track record from 2005 to 2009 and see that Hank made a difference for the better with Tiger. Tiger and his caddie Steve Williams acknowledged that his distance control and ability to shape shots certainly improved under Hank. After major knee surgery and a nine month layoff, Tiger won 7 times in 2009 with 17 top tens out of 19 events, and the Fedex Cup title. Obviously though, he tuned Hank out starting at Augusta, and I am convinced it is because his friends, Hunter Mahan and Sean O'Hair had gotten into his ear about Sean Foley while he was taking time off after his scandal.

But, here is my thinking. Coaches like Foley and the Stack and Tilt guys, and One Plane/Two Plane Swing coach Jim Hardy are simply just marketers. The general fundamentals of the golf swing are the same. Ultimately, it is up to the individual golfer to identify what works for them, and then take ownership of their golf swing.

I find it humorous that a guy like Hunter Mahan touts Foley's methods as "science." As if it were possible to turn a human being into a robot swinging a golf club! Mahan has all of three tour wins in his young career. He is almost 28. Tiger won four consecutive majors at the age of 24. Nicklaus had won quite a few majors before he was 28 as well. How many events has O'Hair won?

Sure, O'Hair, Mahan, Stephen Ames and Justin Rose, all Foley students, are pretty good golfers. But, I would take Mickelson, Westwood, Harrington, Els, etc., over these guys any day. Maybe they have a lot more wins in them under Foley, but it won't be because of the coach. Great players find a way to win even when they are not hitting it their best.

In this day and age, it is clear too many golfers are trying to find that magic potion. I equate this to my time trading in the financial markets. All the newbie traders and millionaire wannabes, myself included, were trying to find that Holy Grail of trading systems. Golfers are a similar breed.

Great golf takes hard work and practice. The great golfers all work extremely hard at their craft. Players like Woods, Vijay Singh and Ben Hogan are all known for their work ethic. You see that in all sports.

In golf, you must master some important fundamentals. After that, you can pretty much swing the golf club any way you like and be successful. While Ben Hogan had a beautiful swing, I recall that Lee Trevino had a pretty successful career as well. Same with Nicklaus, Player and Palmer, all of whom had very different golf swings.

The key is to find a swing that you make that results in a good solid golf shot, and learn to repeat it. That requires a good grip, solid balance, good lower body work, and the ability to get the club on a decent swing plane at impact. Learn how to do this and you will be on your way and it does not require some particular swing model or another.

Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com

Golf Clinics

Greetings golfers! I will be conducting a series of clinics on Wednesday afternoon and evenings at Olney Golf Park, starting next week, September 8th.

On Wednesdays, I will be conducting full swing clinics for junior golfers, ages 10 to 17, from 3:30 to 4:30. The cost is $15, plus your range balls. Also on Wednesdays, I will be conducting Vital Signs putting clinics from 5:30 to 6:30. The cost of this clinic is $15.

Next Saturday, September 11th, I will be conducting a Fix Your Slice clinic from 3 pm to 5 pm for $20. This clinic is limited to twelve participants.

To sign up ahead of time, call the Olney Golf Park pro shop at 301-570-6600. See you there!

Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com

Meet Me At Olney Golf Park in Maryland

Greetings! I will be spending my first full weekend at Olney Golf Park in Olney, Maryland this weekend. My first order of business is to assist Jim Estes with his soldier clients in the Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA). Jim created this foundation to introduce the game to military vets, including our wounded warriors. I look forward to helping Jim teach this great game to the men and women who serve our country in the greatest capacity.

After Saturday morning's work with the veterans, I will be on hand to give lessons and tips while at the same time I will be working on some videos and such for my website. If you have the opportunity, come and check out the Olney Golf Park this weekend, and be sure to say hello!

Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com

Olney Golf Park in Maryland

This week I start offering my instruction at Olney Golf Park in Olney, Maryland. This is a full scale practice facility where you can work on every part of your golf game. Today, I spent three hours in the heat and humidity working on my full swing, wedge game, pitch shots and putting. I was drenched, otherwise, I would have spent more time, as I have not had this opportunity to work on my game in years.

Olney Golf Park has a terrific driving range complete with covered and heated stalls, higher quality mats, grass tee area, target greens, and pitch shot greens. We also have a two bay indoor teaching studio where we conduct video analysis and club fitting.

The practice putting green is massive and and rolls very smooth. You can work on every short game shot imaginable, except your bunker play. However, there is a separate wedge game area where you can work on this part of your game, as well as wedge shots up to 70-75 yards.

Finally, there is a fully stocked pro shop and a terrific staff. Jim Estes is the Director of Instruction, and there are several other instructors, including myself, that can help you with your game.

Olney Golf Park is located about 10-15 minutes from Rockville, and 30 to 45 minutes from DC. Come check us out!

Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com

What's Wrong With Tiger?

I just saw that Tiger Woods shot 75 in the third round of the Bridgestone tournament, after opening rounds of 74 and 72. Tiger has won this event at this golf course seven times. That means its basically like his home course. Yet, after three rounds, he stands 11 over par.

He indicated lately that he is not practicing. I think he could still shoot 68 on this course without practicing.

I have another theory. After the PGA Championship next week, his season is done. There is no way he gets his game turned around in time to compete, let alone win, at Whistling Straits, one of the most difficult golf courses in the country.

I think Tiger does not want to play the Ryder Cup. With this performance, why would Corey Pavin want him on the team? While he will still sit pretty high up the rankings, he likely will need a top 3 finish next week to play his way onto the team. I just don't think he wants to go. We'll certainly find out next week.

Moving to Maryland

I am very pleased to announce that I will be moving my instruction business to Olney Golf Park in Olney, Maryland, which is about six miles northeast of Rockville. Olney Golf Park is a full service practice facility with an excellent driving range, very large practice green and a separate practice green for the wedge game and bunker practice. I will be making this move in mid-August.

If you are an existing student here in PA, I will continue to have some limited availability as I will continue to travel between the two locations often. PA students may schedule appointments by email... scottcolegolf@aol.com

I wish you all tremendous success in pursuit of a better golf game!

Scott Cole