Posts Tagged ‘Rory McIlroy’

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Racing to Predict Tiger’s Comback

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

So Tiger’s back. Or he isn’t. It all depends on your point of view.  One thing that is certainly back is the mountain of monotonous articles written on his every move, shot, thought, and interview. There seems to be a ramification, permutation, rhyme and reason for everything he does.  Forgive me a moment but… yawn.

I’d love to see Tiger back to his best, with subsequent articles lavishing praise on him for sensational victories, dominating performances, and impossible shots under pressure. But can we not save the headlines and questions until he produces just that?

You can’t help but feel that journalists believe there will be a certain amount of kudos bestowed upon them for being the first to rightly predict the dawn of the new Tiger era. Alright, I accept that they’re just doing their job and reporting on items that engage the readers, but it gets a bit ridiculous when he holes a putt and a commentator announces “I think you can safely say Tiger is back”. Crikey, I wish it was that easy for the rest of us. And isn’t it a little disrespectful to guys like Robert Rock that all the articles after this last weekend focused on the ‘nearly’ performance of Tiger rather than the ex-club pro who started the day level with the great Tiger Woods and beat him?

So he’s on the comeback trail, fine, but at the moment, that’s all you can say. A few years back, we were questioning why the best English players couldn’t get past the winning post in front of Woods. Now we have guys that do, but instead of focusing our attention on them, the trend is to question Tiger’s inadequacies.

Robert Rock is a prime example of how I believe golf has changed over the last ten years. A question was put to him on Saturday regarding his feelings on playing with Woods on Sunday, given that back in 2003 he was teaching golf and selling Mars bars, whilst Woods had won countless Majors and was dominating the sport. The answer, “It’s pretty cool’, was hardly insightful, but his performance on Sunday did all the talking. Ten years ago, most players would have done what the golfing media was expecting Rock to do and crumble under the pressure. Admittedly, a lot has happened in Woods’ career since those heydays, but he still has an aura. The difference is that ten years ago, when Rock, McIlroy, and the younger breed were still playing with a half set and from the ladies tees in a Junior Medal (or selling Mars bars), they were learning that in order to beat him, you had to raise the bar. It’s been the same in other sports, too. Just think of the impact Roger Federer has had on tennis. I’m sure Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic would be the first to tell you they wouldn’t be the players they are if they hadn’t had to set out to beat him.

In Tiger’s pomp, players hoped to get near to his level, but were resigned to losing once he had the lead. Now, players know they have to surpass the levels he set. I’m not suggesting Robert Rock is now a better player than Woods, but I think there is enough evidence over recent years to suggest that players know what levels they have to achieve in order to win. Previous statements such as “if Tiger plays well, we’re playing for second”, and “Tiger will win two majors per year, that only leaves two for the rest of us” are no longer valid. Tiger can play well and expect this generation to go toe-to-toe with him, regardless of how his supposed comeback is developing. Some even catch him on the last day now (Graeme MacDowell at the Chevron in 2010). That just didn’t happen before. Majors are won by guys who go out and seize their opportunity (Y.E.Yang beating Tiger at the PGA Championship), rather than by guys hoping Tiger’s game doesn’t show up.

Wood’s is certainly on his way back, but if he does get back to his best, the difference is that this time players aren’t scared to take him on. I’m sure he’ll have many victories in the future, including Majors, battling ones, and comfortable ones, but this generation will also inflict more defeats.

So there it is, an article complaining about the reams of paper wasted on Tiger in which I’ve managed to squeeze in 18 references to him.  Ah well, it’s an easy trap to fall in to.

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In Search of the Portuguese Star

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Germany had its Bernhard Langer, and more recently, Martin Kaymer.  Spain had, of course, the inimitable Seve, then Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia.  Sweden has been a conveyor-belt of Ryder Cup players, Denmark has Thomas Bjorn and even Italy, with its comparatively modest golfing pedigree, has had Costantino Rocca, and now the Molinari brothers and Matteo Mannassero.  France has perhaps underachieved, but has still delivered a list of established European Tour Pros and names that we all know, like Jean Van de Veld.  Northern Ireland punches well above its weight, boasting three Major champions in little over a year, Wales brought us Ian Woosnam and Scotland a catalogue of famous old names plus some more recent Major winners in Sandy Lyle and Paul Lawrie. While England hasn’t produced a Major winner since Nick Faldo, there has been a constant stream of world class professionals, including recent World Number Ones Lee Westwood and Luke Donald.  But for all the famous golfers making a name for both themselves and their respective European countries, Portugal remains conspicuous in its absence.

Despite an abundance of top notch golfing facilities across the Algarve and beyond, many of which have been established for decades, Portugal is still awaiting their first golfing superstar.  It’s a shame, and the region would benefit from a breakthrough performance. Surely it’s time the trend was bucked.

It’s only recently that Ricardo Santos was appointed brand ambassador for Oceanico, but in the past few years it’s been the faces of Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke acting as the inspiration to a Portuguese nation of golfers. Then again, perhaps that’s half the point. Perhaps they aren’t intended to provide inspiration to the Portuguese, but inspiration to British tourists. That’s all well and good, but for the sake of home grown talent in Portugal, they need their own superstar. Longer term, a home grown player will serve as much greater influence on the growth of their domestic game, and in turn the success of the resorts, than borrowing a pro from another part of the world.  By all accounts, Seve almost single-handedly brought golf to the domestic Spanish market.  What Portugal would do for the same.

Professional golfers undeniably bring exposure to their native countries on the golfing map. Consider the number of Americans now likely to add the rugged links courses of Northern Ireland to their itineraries when visiting Ireland, just to experience the course where Darren, Rory and GMac grew up. Without doubt, a Major champion from Portugal would widen the country’s golfing reach, especially if the Major they won was a US Masters or US Open.

Of course, there are plenty of reasons that will have contributed to Portugal’s failure to-date, but surely over the years one player should’ve made it through to the big time? Granted, there have been one or two flirting with the fringes of the European Tour for a few years, but are any of them considered to be a ‘household name’?

For a start, the trouble for Portugal is that there hasn’t been someone from a previous era of such stature as Gary Player or Seve Ballesteros, to raise the profile of golf to the youngsters. In most successful golfing countries, one player in a generation inspired a future pool of talent. Years later, one of these inspired another group of youngsters. The trouble is, you need that initial breakthrough to kick start the process, and to date Portugal hasn’t had one. Sadly for golf, one suspects that the inspiration was concentrated in other sports, particularly football, from the likes of Eusebio, Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo. Football is undoubtedly ‘cooler’ than golf, and you’d suspect that the younger generation dream of emulating Ronaldo’s footsteps, rather than Jose-Filipe Lima. No disrespect intended.

I also doubt that the infrastructure and support levels at the top of the amateur circuit in Portugal rival that of other countries. For example, can it compare to the EGU who do a sterling job in fostering the best young talent to the professional ranks? Does the Portuguese golf federation do the job to the same effect? Or produce similar results? Clearly not, though funding and volumes of players are surely valid excuses.

As touched on, financial reasons are perhaps the greatest hindrance of all. Portugal’s economic situation is well documented, so it’s probably fair to assume that in an industry priced towards tourists, the average Portuguese family might well be unable to afford, let alone justify, a sizeable outlay at the local golf club.

I’m sure there are many other contributing factors, too, and doubtless there are people far better placed to explain them.  But the roots of the problem are certainly there to see.

Of course, one day a Portuguese player will break through and buck the trend and the lift it will give to the region, and in particular the domestic game, when it does will be immense. While the 2018 Ryder Cup was recently awarded to France, there was a very strong case for Portugal to host the event. It’s fair to assume that they will bid again (and get it) another year, but you have to wonder whether the weight of a star player behind a bid might make the difference.  That the first Ryder Cup in Continental Europe went to Valderrama in Spain was solely down to Seve’s captivating heroics in the event during the 1980s and early 1990s. Perhaps when it comes to bidding for the 2022 Ryder Cup, Portugal may have a superstar to do just that. A famous ambassador carries significant weight to a Ryder Cup bid, and a Ryder Cup elevates a country beyond all recognition in golfing terms.

Consider the boost French golf will be given for the coming years as it prepares for the arrival of the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National. Golf will go wild as 2018 gets closer, and France stands to benefit. Nobody is saying that hosting a Ryder Cup is the only route to longevity of success, but you can see how Portugal would benefit from doing so in the future. A home grown Major Champion would undoubtedly influence a bid, and greatly raise the profile of the country as a golfing destination on the world stage.

Sadly, as things stand, that doesn’t look particularly likely, but regardless I hope Portugal produces at least one stand-out player sooner than 2022. The courses, facilities, and weather are too good a breeding ground for the barrenness to continue.

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Links On Show

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

If you were still indulging in festive leftovers you might well have missed the start to the European and PGA 2012 Tours, both of which got underway last week. Yes quite, it was a fairly inconspicuous start, so you are of course excused. With the post-season competitions and money-spinners, the professional golfing merry-go-round doesn’t seem to stop.

Unless you are one of the Rookie’s on tour, you’d probably have to concede that The Africa Open and the Hyundai Tournament of Champions are a pair of fairly uninspiring season openers.  I don’t mean this as a criticism of the respective tours, as we all understand that the flagship events tend to be scheduled mid-season, but it got me thinking….which event really kick starts the public’s interest in the new season?

For the majority (that is, the averagely keen golfer and those without Sky TV) interest is usually ignited by The Masters.  For more hardened enthusiasts, the Dubai Desert Classic, the World Matchplay or the Phoenix Open are often the first events that have us tuning in.  All of these are great events in their own right, but it’s not rocket science to spot the correlation between level of interest and number of world class players in the starting field.

Personally, I’ll be keeping a close eye on all of these, and perhaps an earlier eye on the Volvo Golf Champions event at The Links at Fancourt. This one is purely down to the fact I’ve played the course a few times and it’s one of my favourites. There’s always extra interest when you’ve played the golf course (one of the special attractions golf has over so many other sports).  It’s even better still when you have enjoyed the odd birdie, and affords us to the right to heckle the professional efforts to ‘only score a par’!  And, naturally, the conditions they’re playing in are identical to (if not easier than) when you played – that cauldron pressure, off the very back tees…. and everyone’s allowed a mulligan, right?  OK, perhaps not, but it’s nice to let yourself dream.

Still, even watching all of these early season events as the players build their form, nothing inspires us to dust off the clubs and go out there and play ourselves more than the sight of rhododendrons in bloom and Magnolia Lane as The Masters rolls around.  However, this year there is a stretch of tournaments that I’m looking forward to more than any others in recent years. And bear in mind it’s a bumper year, what with the Ryder Cup upon us again in September.

The most intriguing and appealing run of events for me start at the end of June due to the recent announcement that The Irish Open will be contested at Royal Portrush. This means there is now a run of four weeks that will see three links courses, one Major Championship, one future Ryder Cup venue, and one litmus test for a future Open Championship venue.

The Irish Open (Royal Portrush), Scottish Open (Castle Stuart), and The Open (Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s) promise to be superb, and it is here that will provide a rarity to savour – being able to witness three links courses in use for professional events in such quick succession. Usually, we’re confined to one a year. I only hope that some of the top name players use the first two as a warm up for The Open. After all, and as demonstrated with a few of the early season examples above, a good quality field is essential for raising the public interest. You’d think that 2012 (being a Ryder Cup year) won’t struggle for interest, and with this being prime time for the jostling of ranking points, the fields are likely to be top notch. It’s a given that McIlroy, Clarke, Harrington, and McDowell will play at Portrush, and with many big names opting for the links of Castle Stuart last year in preparation for The Open, you’d think that many will do the same again. There is something extra provided by the vagaries of a good links course, but sadly it’s increasingly a lost art in the professional game. If it wasn’t for The Open, you wonder whether there would be any on display.  I know it’s all about access, finances, and galleries but it’s still a shame.

Either way, these four weeks from 28th June – 22nd July look set to provide the season highlight, perhaps with the exception of the Ryder Cup under Jose Maria Olazabal’s stewardship at Medinah in September . The struggle will be to draw oneself away from the armchair and onto the golf course.  I can sense a few sneaky evening rounds ahead.

I’d be interested to know which events you’re most looking forward to. There are the obvious and usual candidates, and let’s not forget the Curtis Cup at The Nairn Golf Club, or some of the major amateur events that often provide a fascinating insight into the next generation of players. Perhaps it’s this run of links courses that tick your boxes, too. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.

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Keep Scoring When the Swing Goes A.W.O.L.

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

Everyone goes through spells where their long game feels as though it’s packed its bags and left town for good.  It can, and often does, detract from your enjoyment of the game, while a really bad bout can have you questioning your sanity and retiring those good-for-nothing sticks that are ruining your life.

How much comfort it gives, I don’t know, but there’s some solace in the fact that it happens at every level, whether it’s one of your friends or a famous pro like Harrington or Woods.  An AWOL golf swing constitutes a pretty fundamental problem, but personally, I believe the reason it truly frustrates more than other issues (perhaps like dodgy bunker play or nervy putting) is that it stops us scoring almost entirely.  We’re into the realms of mid-teen stableford scores and dog licence matchplay thrashings.  It is so debilitating and, often, humiliating.

But this is where the pros set themselves apart and still end up cashing the cheques. How many times have you watched a top pro spray it all over the course only to see them return a 72 or 73 at the end of their “horror” day?  And how do they manage to conjure a score like that?  Very simply, they have a short game that repeatedly gets them out of jail.

I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t care less how I hit it if I shot 65s week in and week out. Equally, I’d go crazy if I struck it like Rory McIlroy but shot way above handicap on a regular basis. So clearly the source of the aggravation isn’t how well we hit it, but how well we score.

It’s a modern cliché to bang on about the importance of scoring shots from within 100 yards, so instead of simply emphasising the value of improving this area of your game, here’s a simple chipping drill that will actually give you with the tools to address any chipping problems you may have.

You’ve probably seen, read, or tried the pretty well known putting drill that requires you to hit putts from increasing distances to within a certain length in order to improve your control of pace. It’s one I’ve used on many occasions and fully advocate, but you can apply this same concept to your chipping with what I believe are even more beneficial results.

Stage 1

Find a chipping area with plenty of length to it, and start the drill by hitting a short chip-and-run shot to a target 10-12 feet in front of you. Take a second ball and play the same chip shot, but with the goal being to hit this ball slightly further than your first effort. The aim of the drill is to continue hitting chip shots beyond the previous ball. Anytime you hit a chip that finishes short of the last one, or off the end of the green, you start the drill again. Your first goal is to get as many chip shots as possible to finish between your first ball, and the end of the green. Simple! You’ll quickly notice that as your success at this game increases, your striking consistency naturally improves, as does the feel of pace, spin, and control.

Stage 2

Once you’ve got a good feel for one club, you can try it with others too, so that you learn the same control with two or three different clubs in the bag. If you can develop your control with an 8 iron, gap wedge, and lob wedge for example, then you’ll quickly establish a huge variety of short game shots around the green.

Now play the same game but alternate clubs between shots. So instead of hitting 8 iron, 8 iron, 8 iron… with increasing levels of force, you might hit 8 iron, lob wedge, gap wedge, lob wedge, 8 iron, etc, each time attempting to hit your shot a little past the last. This way, you’ll quickly learn how to use the three different clubs to hit chip shots the same distance. You’ll soon start to notice where these various shots land, how they react when they bounce, and indeed how to play a multitude of trajectories and spin. Undoubtedly this will help you around the greens.

The value of this on the golf course is unparalleled. Consider those awkward little lob shots over a bunker, or the bump’n’run shots along a double tiered green. Instead of blindly choosing your ‘go to club’, you’re now armed with an array of short game shots that Phil Mickelson would envy! Plus, you’ll have the confidence and visual feedback to know you can pull them off. I can’t promise that this drill alone will appease the frustrations associated with an absent golf swing, but your scores and enjoyment of the game certainly won’t continue to suffer when it does go AWOL.

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The 2011 Golf Season in Review

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

Having previously shared my opinion that end of season money spinners are a bore, I couldn’t resist offering the first review of the 2011 season.  OK, it’s a little early, I’ll concede, and there’s interest in seeing whether Luke Donald can top both the US Money List and the European Order of Merit come the end of the season.  But, as for individual tournaments, if you really believe any of the remaining events will overshadow those already completed, then I’m ready to hurl a hotdog in disagreement.

So which tournament has been the pick of the bunch? Well, I’m not about to summarise every event of the season, so I’ll concentrate on the big events, a few of which stand head and shoulders above the rest for sheer entertainment.  If you think I am missing any that deserve inclusion then please feel free to tell me.


US Open

Runaway winners can sometimes kill a tournament as a spectacle, but occasionally watching someone dominate in a fashion that leaves their own peers searching for superlatives is truly thrilling.  You know you’ve been privileged to witness something extraordinary and perhaps pivotal in the future of the professional game. This was why the performance of Rory McIlroy at this year’s US Open was so captivating and why it will live long in the memory. Coming of age, overcoming the demons of The Masters, the quality of golf was simply exceptional on a tremendously difficult course.  Not since Woods was winning US Opens and Open Championships by a country mile have we seen anything like it, and for a change, this conquistador comes from this side of the Atlantic.

Solheim Cup

Even non-Europeans must agree that the Solheim Cup was one of the most enthralling events of the year. The level of play and excitement was straight from the top drawer all week, and the finish stirred the emotions of everyone involved. Women’s golf was given a tremendous boost by the event which was being touted as a mismatch and potential walkover for the United States, but the closely fought, unpredictability of the matches had the golfing world gripped.

The Masters

With the exception of just about everyone but Charl Schwartzel, The Masters in 2011 will be remembered for the anguish of watching Rory McIlroy collapsing under pressure.  Here was a world class athlete succumbing to a mental breakdown that we could all sympathise with without ever having experienced the level of scrutiny he was having to endure.  It was agonising but compulsive viewing. With three holes to go, McIlroy had already fallen out of contention while the likes of Luke Donald, Adam Scott, and even Tiger Woods, were making a charge. Schwartzel produced the kind of finish that should be remembered as one of the greatest of all time, but my suspicion is that it will be forever overshadowed by McIlroy’s meltdown.  Whatever the outcome, this year’s Masters was undeniably engrossing.

The Open

It was Darren Clarke, but for a time it could’ve been Thomas Bjorn, Tom Watson, or even the amateur Tom Lewis, who walked away as winner at The Open in 2011. Each would have been a fairytale ending in its own right, so The Open seemed destined to be one of the most popular in recent years. As it was, Darren Clarke plucked a performance out of nowhere, and thus fulfilled his lifelong ambition. The changeable weather provided much fascination too, as a battle with the elements played out over the links of Royal St. George’s over the four days. The only disappointment for me has been the lack of form for Clarke since but perhaps in the off-season he’ll reassess his goals and we’ll see a resurgence in 2012. I’m optimistic that there will be more victories for him in the future.

Walker Cup

The Walker Cup surprised many people, not only for GB & Ireland’s win as underdogs, but also because this was utterly compelling viewing.  Who needs the professionals?  A lot of credit should go to the BBC for covering the event so comprehensively. Undoubtedly the profile and status of the Walker Cup was raised by the performances of Tom Lewis at The Open and Patrick Cantlay on the PGA Tour in the months preceding the matches. Either way, it demonstrated the gap between the best amateurs and the professionals continues to narrow, whilst providing further evidence (if it were required) that we fans love matchplay golf.

US PGA

Keegan Bradley created some long-handled headlines by clawing back a five shot deficit to beat Jason Dufner in a play-off to win the PGA Championship.  Bradley subsequently failed to earn a spot on the Presidents Cup team, losing out to a man who’s plunged outside the top 50 in the world rankings but happens to be called Tiger Woods.  Sadly, the belly putter and Bradley’s absence from the Presidents Cup were the overwhelming talking points after the US PGA Championship, which somewhat belittles Bradley’s achievement.  In the interests of offering a comprehensive list of memorable events for 2011, I couldn’t omit the year’s final Major, even if it wasn’t the best spectacle.  Still, if Bradley doesn’t warrant a mention on Fred Couples list, he certainly deserves one here.

Seve

For all the great golf and European success, the 2011 season will also be remembered for one great loss.  Severiano Ballesteros was the heart of the European Tour for a golfing generation and his premature passing sent shockwaves through the golfing world.  Not since the awful circumstances of Payne Stewart’s death has the golfing fraternity been so affected by the loss of one of its own. Thankfully Seve left us all with an abundance of happy memories and that famous pose on the 18th green at St. Andrew’s will remain one of golf’s iconic images for all time.  He was a hero, a genuine legend of the game.

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Back to School at the London Putting Academy

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Luke Donald’s incredible run of consecutive holes without a three putt came to an end last week at an astonishing 449. With statistics like that, it’s no surprise to find Donald occupying the World No.1 spot, Major win or no Major win. Donald will be the first to acknowledge that his phenomenal success this year has been largely down to an incredibly sharp short game, and, in particular, his ability to hole-out. The best putters always feature at the top of the leader boards and lately Donald’s putting has been akin to Woods in his pomp; inside 10 feet is as good as a gimmie.

Given that most mortals will forever be denied the pleasure of swinging a golf club like Luke Donald, perhaps we should all be focusing instead on emulating him on the greens. The challenge is finding a way to do so and trust me, heading down to the putting green for 20 minutes with your faithful wand and a handful of golf balls isn’t going to cut it.

Recently I visited the London Putting Academy at Royal Blackheath GC in South East London (incidentally held to be the oldest golf club in the world having been instituted in 1608) and was thoroughly impressed by the set-up that owner and operator, Matthew Johns, has built. From the outside, it’s an unassuming place, but inside is a flawlessly controlled putting environment with state-of-the-art software. My eyes were immediately drawn to the photographic testimonials on the wall – signed tributes to Matt from successful pupils clutching trophies.

The academy provides the three things you’ll need to have a shot at breaking Luke Donald’s 449 hole streak – a world class fitting centre, expert guidance, and the most erudite putting coaching I’ve come across. The Quintic Ball Roll software can tell the exact speed of the putt, the amount of skid or bounce, the time until the ball begins rolling forwards, the time until the ball has completed one revolution, the amount of hook or side spin, and the initial launch angle. Basically, everything you’ll ever need to know about what your putts are doing and areas for improvement.

Matt coaches the individual rather than a method, and he quickly makes you understand that an ideal putt will be one that is ‘rolling’ forwards as soon after impact as possible. Much like a snowball rolling down a hill, forward rolling momentum is less likely to deviate than one that hops, skips, and bounces.

Having put myself to the test with my current putter, a Ping Redwood, I was pleased to learn that I was maintaining control of the pace of my putts and wasn’t hitting them with any overly-worrying amount of side spin. My problem, however, was that the ball wasn’t rolling forwards quickly enough after the point of impact owing to a launch angle that was a little high causing the ball to lift and then bounce in the early stages of the putt, which makes pace control more difficult as the ball loses speed at an uneven rate.

Matt then asked me to try again with a GEL Hurrion Sedo II putter. Face balanced with a grooved face insert, he chose it to reduce the small amount of side spin I was imparting and to promote a faster forward roll with the groove technology. Immediately the forward rotation improved from that of my current ‘plain faced’ putter, while the launch angle also reduced as a direct benefit of using the Pendulum++ shaft that is fitted into the GEL Hurrion Series putters.

Stage two involved a perception test to identify the ideal head and eye position at address, with the aim being to align my eyes correctly to ‘see’ a straight putt, taking away any compensation or manipulation in the stroke. Once we had identified my ideal position, Matt used the GEL fitting putter to ensure the length of my putter promoted a balanced and suitable posture, and to ensure that the sole of the putter sat perfectly flat to the floor at address – a vital key for reducing side spin and alignment errors. Following this perception test he identified the ideal ball position to help control the launch angle, and also encourage positive forward rotation in the initial stage of the putt.

The final test was with all the modifications in place, and it unsurprisingly produced my lowest side spin rates, most consistent forward rotation (closer to ‘true roll’), and a launch angle closer to the optimum.

The long-term benefit, of course, relies on practice once away from the London Putting Academy, but as Matt says, “When you go away and miss putts, you’ll be able to identify whether you pushed or pulled it, misread it, or hit it at the wrong pace. We’re all human and we all miss putts. The key to improvement is to understand why a putt missed, so that you can go back to the practice green knowing what you need to improve.”

What sets the academy apart further still is the opportunity for regular coaching beyond the fitting process via various tutorial packages that Matt has implemented. Many of us seek regular ‘swing’ lessons from a PGA pro but how many lessons concentrate on putting? When you consider how many shots you take with a putter compared to that of your long game, it’s clearly the greatest opportunity for improvement.

Some might consider it a niche, but the value of quality putting performance is unequivocal. Names such as Dave Pelz, Dave Stockton and Paul Hurrion are all highly respected putting coaches who’ve had major success over the years. Think of Harrington holing everything in sight when winning three Majors in just over a year, or McIlroy’s runaway victory at the US Open? Both players would fully endorse the influence of Paul Hurrion and Dave Stockton respectively.

Equally, given a quiet moment, most coaches would concur that there is a correlation between their own reputations and that of their players. I’m prepared to wager that you can’t name a famous coach who hasn’t had a famous pupil. Obviously they can argue that it was their help and advice that allowed them to win, but were Butch Harmon and David Leadbetter as famous before the likes of Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods started winning?

While we’d all jump at the chance of a lesson from Butch Harmon, access may be a little tough and, let’s be honest, price may be a factor for most of us, too! Access to the London Putting Academy is fortunately a little easier, undoubtedly cheaper, and it’ll certainly do wonders for your game. I’m sure Matt will concede that he’s not in the same bracket of fame as Butch, David Leadbetter or Pete Cowan, but for my money, he’s only one high profile player away from being so. Catch him while you can!

To contact Matt at the London Putting Academy, please call 0208 8501763 or email matt@londonputtingacademy.com. Fitting sessions start at £25 and there are a range of other packages, and tuition options available. Please see the London Putting Academy website by clicking here.

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Choosing a Path – Amateur or Professional?

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

This month, two of golf’s great contests take place in the British Isles. First, the Walker Cup tees off this Saturday at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, and in a couple of weeks Killeen Castle will provide the spectacular backdrop for the Solheim Cup. Both will undoubtedly provide fascinating viewing, and if previous billings are anything to go by, the Walker Cup will provide us a glimpse of future stars.

Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler are unquestionably the new breed of superstars on tour, yet a couple of years ago they were ‘unknowns’ competing in the Walker Cup matches themselves. Top level amateur golf is of such a high standard these days, that arguably the only difference between the best amateurs and many of the Tour players is just the absence of a pay cheque. For the most talented, the leap from the amateur game to the professional ranks today appears to be a small one – just look at the smooth transition these aforementioned names have made to the highest echelons of the game. And what about the assured performance of Tom Lewis at The Open this year?

 

All this said, for the majority, perhaps not blessed with quite the same talent or mental fortitude, the step-up and the pressure that comes with it will prove too much and they will remain ‘unknowns’, grinding out a career as a journey-man pro or falling by the wayside.

The Walker Cup isn’t the only route into a life of competing for the riches of the pro tour, but, for the rest of us, it is a fascinating first view of the talents of the future, and perhaps our only glimpse of those who won’t quite make it – it’s a very fine line between success and failure.

All the Walker Cup players are selected on merit and the next challenge for them will be to make a living on merit, too. Easier said than done. So what’s the best route? Whether it be the amateur ranks or the professional satellite tours, there’s likely to be a long road ahead.

Walker Cup Players

For the representatives on each team, the Walker Cup is liable to be the pinnacle of their amateur career, if not their golfing career. For these guys, the path will be mapped out for them, but they’re the elite few. Walker Cup players are handed out sponsor’s exemptions into tour events, have management companies crawling all over them, and will benefit from untold guidance and coaching. The experience these days is not far removed from those of the Ryder Cup teams in the 1980s. Doubtless, it’s an environment that breeds success, and anybody fortunate enough to have been selected should milk it for all it’s worth.

The Rest

But what about those guys who don’t make the Walker Cup? Inevitably at some point along the golfing career path they have to make the decision as to when to turn pro. But is this going to make life any easier to reach the top? Knowing the right answer is a tough one, and personally I tend to believe that everyone’s circumstances are unique. But there are some considerations that often get overlooked in the pursuit of playing golf for money.

Speaking from personal experience (and it’s a view I consistently heard from fellow players), amateur golfers often get frustrated over two things – the lack of opportunity to play in the biggest events e.g. the British Amateur where the cut off for maximum handicap falls at around +3; and maximum prize values of £500, awarded more often than not as merchandise. OK this is not to be sniffed at, but as the maximum you can play for as an amateur it doesn’t help pay the bills. As a consequence, the lure of playing on the developmental tours often becomes too great, and many opt for an environment where consistent performance can be rewarded with cheques in the thousands.

However, the satellite tour is a tough place to ply your trade. The stark reality is that the only place you’ll make money live is on the main tour – that is, the European Tour, if you’re from this part of the world. What’s also true for the satellite player is that there are very limited opportunities to progress on to the European Tour. In short, you have two routes that are open to amateurs and professionals alike (just increasing the competition), which are the annual Tour School, and qualifying for The Open (or French Open, etc) where you’d then have to finish in the top 10. For professionals, a top five season finish on a ‘feeder tour’ would allow you to graduate to the Challenge Tour.

As an amateur, if you can get your handicap low enough to play in the British, European, and US Amateur Championships (amongst others), these all provide the winner with an opportunity to compete in the respective national Open Championships, and therefore further opportunities to win enough money to gain a tour card. And who wouldn’t want the chance to play in The Masters and The Open? Admittedly it’s a long shot, as there are hundreds of competitors with a lot of talent and just one winner, but regardless it remains a possibility, and one that is not open to satellite tour professionals.

The great risk for the amateur is that the significant financial investment to compete in tournaments (something I’ve touched on before and could write another thesis) comes with no potential for return on that investment – the money all goes in one direction. OK, if you get selected by the national team your expenses will be paid but even then it’s still a case of no money earned, just no money spent either.

For me, this is where the line in the sand is drawn. Those on the brink of selection for their country as an amateur should reap these benefits for as long as possible in their pursuit of professional glory. After all, the aim of the national governing bodies is ultimately to develop these players into future stars and you can be assured that every opportunity will be presented to you. Make the most of it.

For those not on the cusp of selection, perhaps starting early in the lowest ranks of professional golf is the right one. It at least allows you to test your ability playing for money, which is the nature of the profession. Play well, and within a year you can be mixing it up with the top players in the world. Anything short of robotic consistency and it can become a brutal reality check, and one that a large number of golfers struggle to accept. Ultimately, if you can’t make money on the developmental tours, you’re probably unlikely to make money on the European or PGA Tours – as the PGA Tour slogan goes “these guys are good”! Of course there are exceptions to the rule – if you’ve ever read any of John Feinstein’s golf books you’ll know of many instances where players are on the cusp of packing the game in, only to find success with that last roll of the dice.

Playing developmental tours as a pro, and playing at the top level of the amateur game both provide pathways to success, and whilst the performances and future careers of the players at the upcoming Walker Cup matches will be of great interest, it’s worth bearing in mind that the choice to turn professional is arguably a lot easier for this crop of players than it is for the talented pool of aspiring golfers just behind them in the pecking order. With a number of guaranteed starts on tour and an element of ‘spoon feeding’ from management companies, life is a lot simpler.

For the rest, whether they stay amateur or turn pro, windows of opportunity are few and far between, so when a chance comes they have to grab it. It’s also easy to see why many agonise over the decision. Finances will often dictate, but if the choice is purely down to the number of potential opportunities to progress, it is difficult to argue that the professional route offers any great advantage over the amateur – even if you’re not in the Walker Cup team.

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What’s In Your Golfing Room 101?

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

I’m sure every golfer has a list of aggravations they vent fury over on a regular basis.  I sense the proverbial can of worms being opened here, but I’m keen to share mine in the hope that you’ll do the same.  Get on our Facebook page and let off some steam! What is it in the golfing world that truly gets your blood boiling? I’m not talking about ‘three putting’ or Sir Nick Faldo’s attempts at comedy (although they’ll both drive you nuts). No, what is it in the professional or amateur game that you think really should be kicked into touch?

 

Here are a few of my personal pet hates:

Mashed Potato

I’ve heard some ridiculous heckles in my time, but none top the cry of “mashed potato” during last year’s Ryder Cup.  For me, this was as bad as it could get and made me think that something’s got to be done sooner rather than later or the catcalling will just get worse.  I’m sure most people agree that golf isn’t football and these pointless shouts for attention are a blight on the professional game.  Like most things, what happens first in the US eventually reaches these shores and I think the majority on both sides of the Atlantic would be pleased to see the back of it.  It’s a recurrent theme in golf coverage that the commentators will follow a spectator shouting “get in da hole” as a tee shot gets hit on a 600 yard par five with “I wish those idiots would shut up”.  So, perhaps it’s about time the officials responded with a slightly more prominent statement of intent.  I’d suggest they politely demand that the offending character “get off da premises”.

Yardages Junkies

How many golfers do you see meticulously calculating their yardages down to the nearest inch?  And yet how many of them can routinely hit to a consistent yardage? I remember being fortunate enough to hit balls on the range next to Soren Kjeldsen a couple of years ago. After an hour or so you could see distinct white lines of golf balls where he’d been hitting through the set of clubs. His yardages were so precise that they actually created a line on the range. He’s the only player I’ve ever witnessed control yardages that well, yet for some reason there’s an abundance of amateur golfers out there who routinely waste time calculating whether its 142 or 147 yards. Seriously, unless your name is Soren Kjeldsen, you’re wasting mine and everybody else’s time out here.  Just hit it.

To Dream the Impossible Dream

We’ve all witnessed it:  that person in the group ahead who has hit a career 250yard drive down a par 5 and then stands and waits for the green to clear (10 mins) before “crushing” a fairway wood that comes up 75 yards short.  Seriously, if you can’t keep your ego in check then at least do the maths…. 530 yards– 250 yards = 280 not-in-a-million-years yards

Rule 18-2b

For those that don’t know the rules by number (which includes me), this is basically the rule that states “if you address the ball and it moves, you’re penalised”. You know the one, it put paid to Harrington’s chances on the 15th hole at The Masters a couple of years ago, as well as many other individuals in lower profile cases. The rule is in desperate need of modification, as for the time being it only stands to do one of three things: damage golf’s reputation; ruin a major golf tournament and/or ruin a player’s career. A freaky gust of wind is hardly anybody’s fault, and if you can replace the ball no advantage has been gained, or attempted to be gained.  To my mind, if it’s evident to all that the ball was caused to move by an outside agent and it wasn’t influenced in any way by the player, then there shouldn’t be any penalty.   Most of the golfing world has recognised that the rule is an accident waiting to happen, so surely the R&A/USGA needs to lock the stable door before the horse bolts, so to speak.

Headline Tweets

A recent blot on the landscape this one, although I must say that for the large part Twitter has been great for the fans – it’s still something of a novelty to receive unprecedented access into the thoughts and opinions of the golfers on tour.  That said, what really gets on my wick is when the media latch on to the most mundane Tweets and try to make a story out of it.  If the likes of Poulter, Westwood or McIlroy (to name a few on Twitter) decide to broadcast a preference, opinion, or (heaven forbid) a photograph, you can now guarantee that a back page article will follow. Granted, in today’s world of 24/7 news it must be tough for journalists but please, please, stop making stories out of nothing!

Bad Pairings

I may be getting it a bit personal here, and this isn’t one for the R&A to consider, but one of my greatest golfing bête noirs is the bad pairing.  It’s that moment you realise your wife’s suggestion that you spend the afternoon shopping was, in fact, a good one.  For me, there’s nothing worse than looking forward to a competitive game only to feel your heart sink as it dawns on you that you’ve got four hours of this company ahead of you.

Personally, and I don’t mean to offend anyone here, my two least favourite character-types are the beer-towel-tucked-into-the-trouser-belt and the wannabe-Ian Poulter.  With one you can look forward to an afternoon of swing advice and analysis of your technical faults (spare me), while the other can stomach nothing worse than a 62 and follows every less-than-perfect shot with a petulant display of anger that has you striding down the fairway to get as far away from them as possible.  No disrespect to the real Ian Poulter, I’m sure he’s a pleasure to play golf with, but without his ability to accompany his attitude, this is hardly a recipe for a fun game of golf.  Everybody has their own idea of what a nightmare pairing is, but can’t we devise a way of pairing these spoilers together, leaving the rest of us to enjoy an afternoon’s golf in enjoyable company?

The debate is now open on our Facebook page, so tell us what goes into your Golfing Room 101?

 

 

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When it comes to golf psychology, Bob’s the man

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

Guest Author: James Rogers, MD at iSpyGolf and a golfer who regularly enjoys bouts of the yips.

We all know how important our mind is in this wonderfully infuriating game.  Every time we stride confidently on to the tee following a birdie or feel our knees tremble over a three foot putt, both sides of the coin are patently clear to us.

To me, what’s most amazing about the whole thing is how a game, a leisure pursuit we voluntarily play for enjoyment (apparently), can leave us stricken with physical symptoms more often associated with genuine fear.  It’s ludicrous; what’s the worst that can happen?

This is a side of the game that fascinates me.  I’ve watched players like Ian Baker-Finch go from Claret Jug to missing the “unmissable” first fairway at St. Andrews in the space of a few short years and thought, how is that possible?  And he’s not alone.  I’m sure we can all name other top players who have gone the same way.  The common theme with all is that it’s the mental collapse that precipitates the physical breakdown, and it’s often painful viewing.  Just this year at the Masters we endured watching Rory McIlroy’s mind reduced to “blancmange”, in Wayne Grady’s words, an ordeal that made his performance at the US Open all the more impressive.  And that’s the kind of morbid fascination, for me.  How can someone that good suddenly play that badly?

I’m not an idle bystander in all this, either.  Without reducing this to an “all about me” anecdote, I think some of you will be able to empathise with my plight.

Like many others, I have the dubious honour of being a “Range King”, capable of hitting dozens of purely struck, arrow straight drives ahead of a pushed-slice off the first tee that heads 45 degrees right in an arc that bears greater resemblance to a cover drive than anything you’d see from Mr Mickelson.  It’s a yip, a twitch, an electric shock to the hands that I can feel brewing even before I’ve started swinging the club.

I’ve talked to professionals about it and the answer is always a technical one: my swing is too flat on the way back for my hands to recover; my hips are too close to my hands at impact; my wrists are too cupped through the ball.  All of these may be true but they don’t stop me hitting good shots all day long on the range, so I just don’t believe that’s the fundamental cause.  I know PGA professionals don’t get paid to tell you that your swing’s perfect (and mine is far from it) but the mechanics aren’t the root of the problem.

Perhaps I’m a golfing masochist but all the years I’ve known the problem to be a mental one, I’ve never once sought help.  Golf psychologists were dismissed as purveyors of self-evident mumbo-jump and they couldn’t tell me anything I couldn’t tell myself.  That was until I read a book called “The Golfer’s Mind” by Dr Bob Rotella.  My brother bought it for me, in fact, in the hope that he could save me from a life as “the weakest mental golfer in the world” (his words).  I have to honest, had he not given it to me, I’m pretty sure I would never have resorted to buying it.  Still, once in my possession I decided I had nothing to lose in hearing what Dr Rotella had to say (or my friend Bob, as I like to think of him now).

“That’s me in a nut-shell” I thought on about page two.  And then again on pages five, six, nine, twelve….. you get the idea.  I admit that I may be afflicted by more mental frailties on the golf course than most, but here was someone that truly understood my plight and didn’t just say, “Come on, you’re good at this game, just hit it”.  Better still, Bob’s conclusions and advice made sense and gave me something to take out on to the course, much like a single swing thought.  Amongst others, there were simple, concise, two-page chapters on “Fear” (as noted above, what’s the worst that can happen?), “Confidence”, “Trust”, “Commitment” and “Perfectionism” (his thoughts on which you’ll appreciate given his previous book’s title, “Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect”).

Out on the course things have gone reasonable well, too (kiss of death).  OK, I haven’t had time to play much since reading Bob’s words of wisdom but it came as little surprise to me to see my new hero chatting away with Darren Clarke ahead of his final round at Royal St. George’s last month.  I also hear that, following Clarke’s win, Lee Westwood has also turned to the same guru to help him over that final hurdle of transforming his undoubted talent and remarkable consistency into Major wins.

All this got me thinking.  What can Bob be saying to these greats of the game that he hasn’t said in his book?  I’m sure he’s charging Clarke more than £7.99.  When it comes to mental self-help, is getting told to think positively in person any better than reading the same advice on paper?

I could be wildly off the mark but, to my mind, psychology is one aspect of the game where we, the hackers, can enjoy the same quality of tuition as the professionals, without the expense.

Here’s my reasoning:

1. The joy of Bob’s book (and I’m sure there are others equally good on the market) is that it delivers his perceptive pearls of wisdom in pithy and memorable phrases that stay with you.  The book is written with the intention of being carried and turned to repeatedly, rather than read cover-to-cover and never looked at again.

2. The one positive thing you can say about a mental failing as opposed to a technical one is that appreciating you have a problem may take nothing more than a moment’s self-reflection.  For example, it won’t take your local PGA pro to tell you that your inclination to shake like a leaf when putting doesn’t help you get the ball in the hole, whereas your nerveless playing partner who’s missing just as many putts may not realise it’s because his shoulders are too closed at address.

3. Once you know you’ve got a problem and are open to some help, Dr Rotella and others are on-hand (in written form at least) to diagnose and to offer up some sage advice.  And this is where I see written psychological self-help far outweighing the potential of technical books and tips from the pros in Golf Monthly to help improve your swing.  When it comes to technique, you need someone else to watch and diagnose your faults before you can start applying the fixes.  But, for affairs of the mind, with someone holding up a mirror in written format or any other, and you can self-diagnose effectively and start heeding the advice.  The self-help tips are just as powerful and effective read in a book as they are said face-to-face.  And once you’re out on the course, it’s just you and your demons anyway.  Who needs a couch?

So, what am I trying to say?  Well, I’m sure Darren and countless others will tell you Bob’s personal coaching is invaluable (and, if you hadn’t noticed, I’m a converted follower these days so I don’t need convincing), but I still think there’s an argument to say that, unlike with physical tuition, the best psychological assistance in the game is available to us all, courtesy of that old fashioned medium, the book.  We may not be able to pay Butch Harmon to stand next to us on the range, but we can all sit Bob Rotella on our shoulder.  If it’s good enough for Darren, it’s good enough for me.

 

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Not Bigger but Better than McIlroy and Woods

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

There are thousands of ways you could go with this debate but, whatever the reasons for it are, the fact is that the Women’s Tour doesn’t receive the same coverage as the Men’s. It’s certainly not because the women aren’t as talented, that would be a very naive assessment. You’ve only got to look at the success of the female competitors in the recent launch of Powerplay Golf to realise that: they finished first, second, and third as I recall, in a field full of Ryder Cup players, Major Champions, and legends from the men’s game.

 

Whether it’s down to media coverage (which isn’t anywhere near as comprehensive as in the men’s game), the prize money (which isn’t anywhere near as sizeable as in the men’s game), the sponsorship (which isn’t anywhere near as lucrative as in the men’s game), the popularity of the game among young women (which isn’t anywhere near as healthy as in the men’s game)… I could go on, but I think you see the pattern here. There’s enough to write a thesis on any one of these issues, and indeed many more, but the reason I bring it up is to show some recognition for who has a genuine claim to be the biggest superstar in golf.

Take the hype in the aftermath of Rory McIlroy’s win at the 2011 US Open, which has elevated him to the pinnacle of the game. He’s known the world over to golf fans, sports fans, and beyond. McIlroy is touted as the biggest thing since Tiger Woods, a legend of the game, a hero and inspiration to millions.  He’s 22 years old and has one Major under his belt. Equally, Rickie Fowler adorns billboards, TV commercials, and goodness knows what else, as he’s grown into the poster boy of the PGA Tour. Yet he’s won nothing.

I don’t have a problem with either of these two players reaping the rich rewards. They are both exceptionally talented and are undoubtedly, as the American’s would say, “Box Office”.  I’m sure that come the end of their respective careers they will both have trophy cabinets bursting at the hinges.

What puts all the hyperbole surrounding these two (and others on the Men’s Tour) into perspective, is that last weekend Taiwanese Yani Tseng won the Women’s British Open. Aged just 22, this was her fifth Major title. Yes that’s five, at just 22 years old. Yet I’m willing to bet the majority of people reading this have still never heard of her.

Remember the days when Tiger Woods was so dominant and his game so feared that he was odds-on to win two of the four Major titles each year, leaving just two for everybody else to fight over? Well, Tseng is turning that into a reality in the women’s game, winning two in 2010 and two in 2011.

Make no mistake about it, Yani Tseng is the dominant force in golf right now. Not Rory, not Tiger, Phil, or anybody else in the men’s game. She was ‘Rookie of the Year’ in 2008, the fastest player in LPGA Tour history to reach $2million in career earnings, and is the current and undisputed world no.1.

If you’re looking for an inspirational figure in the game, Tseng is the perfect role model. And it’s not just in terms of golfing achievements either. In September 2010, she turned down a $25million sponsorship deal, luxury villa, and use of a private jet, because one of the requirements was that she changed her citizenship to the People’s Republic of China.  Clearly patriotic, Tseng hails from Taiwan, and conceivably this may why she hasn’t received the attention her achievements deserve, at least in the West. I’d wager that she’d be more of a household name if she were European or American.

I’m sure there are a number of other reasons for the lack of publicity, certainly more than can be covered in this article.  I’m also sure I’d be wading into hot water, as, to my eyes at least, a few of the reasons remain taboo subjects; undeniable facts that are a sad indictment of society.  I think if I lamented the fact that these days fame and celebrity isn’t just about talent, you’d know where I’m going.

For my part, though, I’m campaigning for Yani Tseng to receive the public credit she deserves. Five Major titles at the age of 22, the golfing world should be at her feet. She’s quickly becoming a legend of the game that’s actually worthy of the phrase, and could conceivably become the most decorated golfer of any generation.

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