Scott's Golf Blog

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

McIlroy Leads Open Championship, Woods in Hunt

Rory McIlroy took advantage of calm morning conditions to fire a 63 at St. Andrews Thursday, and leads by two shots. Tiger Woods also was among the morning group that benefited from a lack of wind, and fired a 67. John Daly is also a surprise contender after a 66.

Conditions at St. Andrews were unusually calm this morning, which allowed the players with early tee times to get a jump on their competitors. Phil Mickelson was among those unfortunate enough to have an afternoon tee time, and he stumbled to a 73. Still, some players who played late in the day were able to shoot decent scores. Mickelson still seems unable to solve the riddle of links golf.

Weather for the rest of the tournament is expected to be a bit rough, so it is unlikely scores will be nearly as low as today. There were 16 scores of 67 or better today, although only a handful of those players, such as McIlroy and Lee Westwood would be considered contenders for the title against tourney favorite Tiger Woods. Ernie Els did manage to fire a 69 and Vijay Singh shot 68.

From my point of view, the tournament is Tiger's to win. He apparently is on form with his swing, and if he putts well, I only see McIlroy and Westwood as having a chance.

Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net

Weekend Golf Re-Cap

This weekend surprisingly displayed some exciting golf in spite of their not being a major men's professional tournament. Paula Creamer tamed a difficult Oakmont course over the weekend for her first major. She displayed some clutch shot making on the back nine to win going away. I applaud the USGA with softening up the course for Sunday's round. Oakmont can easily humble anyone as displayed in the 2007 U.S. Open, when Angel Cabrera won with a 6 over par total.

In Illinois, Steve Stricker held off Paul Goydos, the new Mr. 59, to win by two at the John Deere Classic. While I was glad to see Goydos push Stricker to the end, I really do not like watching putting contests on TV. This golf course required little imagination in any part of the course, so it will be nice to watch the Open Championship this week as it returns to St. Andrews.

Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com

Michelle Wie - How NOT To Develop a Junior Golfer

Michelle Wie appeared on the golf scene 6 or 7 years ago as a teenage, can't miss phenom who could hit with the big boys on the PGA Tour. Because of her prodigious length off the tee and beautiful golf swing, her father consistently entered her in men's amateur events, and she even played in a couple of the PGA Tour events in Hawaii. Unfortunately, she never learned how to win, and since joining the LPGA Tour officially a couple years ago, she has only one victory.

This week at the U.S. Women's Open at Oakmont, Wie missed the cut with rounds of 82 and 76. Meanwhile, 15 year old prodigy, Alexis Thompson, who has dominated junior girls and women's amateur golf, stands in a tie for 6th, after firing the low round of the 3rd round yesterday.

Wie, who is now a student at Stanford, has clearly regressed as a golfer. She once fired a 68 in a PGA event in Hawaii, and now clearly has lost all confidence. While she has one of the beautiful swings in the women's game, she is inconsistent and wild. Her putting is mediocre.

The development of Tiger Woods as a golfer is the blueprint many will try to follow. Obviously, that has worked out, although his development as a person has not. Woods competed at all levels of the game until he dominated. While still a junior golfer, he did compete in a PGA event or two, because he qualified. But, he still played junior golf, then men's amateur golf and college golf, before taking his talents to the professional level. He dominated every level and learned how to win, and win often. He came to the PGA Tour with no fear.

Michelle Wie never even won the USGA Girls Junior Championship. One of her rivals, In-Bee Park won it once, was runner-up once and medalist twice. She has had far more success on the LPGA Tour than Wie. Alexis Thompson won the event in 2008. However, I believe Thompson is jumping the gun as well at 15. She, like Wie, is a great player at this age, but needs to win more. She never won the U.S. Women's Amateur, so why turn pro now?

It seems that women's golf is becoming more like women's tennis. They turn pro at a very young age and this can lead to early burn out. Let the kids grow up a bit and enjoy their youth a bit. What's the rush?

Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com

PA Junior Golf Championship

Congratulations to Jonathan Heydt of Moselem Springs, who withstood the 100 degree heat for two days and fired rounds of 69 and 70 on the vaunted Hershey East Course to win the PA Junior Golf Championship by 5 strokes.

I wanted to take the time to comment on this tournament because I noticed some very strong play, particularly on the first day. There were five scores of par or better in round one, and several one over par scores as well. Heydt was the only player to maintain form for in second round among the leaders.

What I did notice in this tournament is that most of the kids finishing in the top 20 play out of some of the best clubs in the state. In fact, four of the kids in the top five play at clubs that have held State Amateur and State Opens. Two of these kids play out of Merion and Oakmont. You just can't give a kid a better opportunity to develop his game.

However, I see a need for kids such as several of my students to have the opportunity to play at some of these facilities. In the current economic environment, many kids just don't have the opporunity to play or practice every day, much less play or practice at a U.S. Open caliber golf course. As a result, they find themselves at a distinct disadvantage.

I think it is time for a program to be developed to allow these kids more opportunity, so they are not at such a disadvantage when it comes to competing in these events. This is something I intend to work on over time, and if anyone else out there has some ideas, I welcome them.

Scott Cole

Goydos Fires 59 in John Deere Classic

Paul Goydos fired the 4th 59 in PGA Tour history in the first round of the John Deere Classic today! Great going Paul! One of the good guys on tour, Goydos carded 12 birdies in his round, including 8 on the back nine. Not known as a long hitter, Goydos kept the ball in play, and obviously had the flat stick working today. Great to see from one of the real nice guys on tour.

Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net

Bubba Watson Wins Travelers

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Tiger returns this week at Memorial

Tiger Woods returns to the PGA Tour for his first event since the TPC at Sawgrass and his first event since his split with long time swing coach, Hank Haney. Tiger obviously is trying to gear up for the U.S. Open, and has enjoyed tremendous success at The Memorial, hosted by Jack Nicklaus. On Wednesday, Tiger will be playing in a pre-tournament skins game of sorts that I believe will be covered on Golf Channel.

No doubt Tiger will be asked about any new swing coaches and such. It will be interesting to see what kind of form he exhibits on a golf course he clearly loves. If his misses are only going to the right, then he will have made progress. However, I suspect his putting might be a bit off no matter what as the greens at Muirfield Village are quick!

Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net

Golfers, Learn Better Short Game Technique And Take Notes!

I give quite a few golf lessons involving the short game. With most people, if they have been playing the game for a while, I watch them hit a few shots first. The first shot I watch them hit is where they are just a few feet off the edge of the green, maybe on the fringe or in the short rough, and they have about 40 to 50 feet of green to work with. In 90% of the cases, the student will pull out a sand wedge or pitching wedge and try to fly the ball halfway to the hole. They have trouble getting it within 15 feet.

I calmly step up and chip the shot with a 7 or 8 iron and with the first second ball, I am within 2 feet.

We have all this information out there regarding the golf game from the internet to the major magazines, to a tv channel devoted to the game, and yet most people show no improvement. Are they not paying attention?

Yes, there is an awful lot of information about the game to assimilate over time. So, my best advice to the golfer who wants to improve is to take notes!

I studied Pai Lum Kung Fu for 8 years, and I have a notebook that is three inches thick full of typewritten notes on all the forms, techniques and details how to perform each. Golf is similar in that there is a lot to learn. But, how can you improve if you don't remember the proper technique?

You see, if you want to make improvements, you have to take accountability! As a teacher, I can only bring the horse to water, but I can't make it drink!

From now on, take some notes, and when you go practice, take them with you! I guarantee you will start to see better results.

Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net

The Principles of Power Golf

No matter what their skill level or experience, every golfer on the planet will always want to hit increase the power of their golf swing so they can hit 300 yard drives. That is why golfers are bombarded with all kinds of new drivers, golf swing gadgets, and golf fitness exercises that will supposedly allow them to add 10, 15, 25, even 75 yards to their tee shots.

I’ve read and seen so much garbage being sold to the every day golfer, it makes my stomach turn at times. As a professional golf instructor, competitive golfer, athlete and martial artist, I have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn’t. For instance, if you have never exercised regularly and have a classic over the top golf swing that results in a big slice, doing a few wrist exercises and trunk twists with training bands is not going to let you add 30 yards to your tee shot.

There are essentially four key principles to power golf. The first principle of power golf is golf swing technique. The fact of the matter is that if you have a significantly flawed golf swing, it will drain power from your swing. I’ve had success with teaching students to hit the ball further by improving their golf swing. In one case, the student had a classic over the top swing with an early release of the hands. As a result, this student, who at the time was about 5’9, could barely hit the ball 200 yards with his driver. As this student is still quite young, he has grown a few inches, and improved his swing and now can CARRY the ball 250 yards.

Another student of mine is in his early 40’s and recently visited me in my old indoor teaching studio where we measured his swing speed on my simulator. He is actually a friend of mine with whom I have played with competitively. Standing about 6’1, he weighs about 230 pounds. Over time, his swing deteriorated into a severe inside out swing. He would always fight a big hook, and sometimes would just hit a block if he did not release his hands properly. At the beginning of his lesson, we measured his top speed at 98 mph. By the end of the lesson, he was at over 106 mph, as I had improved his swing path. If and when he gets used to this new swing, he will swing much faster.

So, the first Principle of Power Golf must be technique. If you improve your technique, you can definitely hit the ball further. It just takes good instruction and the desire to improve!

After improving your basic swing shape, the next thing that will help you increase your golf swing power is flexibility. This is the second Principle of Power Golf. I place flexibility above strength in terms of importance because if you have the flexibility to make a bit shoulder turn, you will have the ability to create a bigger arc with your swing, which is key to increased swing speed. I place flexibility above strength in importance because when I was 19, I won my first local long drive contest while weighing about 165 pounds (I am 6 feet tall). I was athletic, and fairly strong, but nowhere near as strong as I am now. However, I had the flexibility to make a big shoulder turn and arc with my swing, plus I have very flexible wrists that allow me to create significant lag in my swing. As a result, I was able to out drive many golfers that were bigger and stronger.

That is not to say that strength is not important. If you really want to take your golf swing power to another level, increased strength will do the job. As a result, strength is the third Principle of Power Golf. However, when I am talking about strength, I am talking about total body strength. If you want to increase your swing speed, you have to work out your entire body.

In my research of golf fitness, I have seen some ridiculous exercises being demonstrated. The idea behind these is that if you do a couple of these exercises for a few minutes, a couple days per week, you will hit the ball 25 yards further. This is utter nonsense. As with any endeavor, if you want to improve your golf game and golf swing power, it will take some work. The added benefit of strength training is that it will make you healthier overall, and more durable. So, to truly improve your power off the tee, be prepared to work your legs, your core, your chest, shoulders, back and arms.

The last Principle of Power Golf is body speed. The truly elite golfers and long drivers have incredible body speed, and this primarily innate. However, elite athletes are learning how to increase their speed through a variety of new exercises. Much of this training involves plyometrics and these types of exercises are generally reserved for athletes who are already in pretty good condition. If you are this type of golfer, training like an elite athlete will take you to the next level in your development.

World long drive champion Jamie Sadlowski exhibits all four of these Principles of Power Golf. He has an exceptionally powerful golf swing with a huge swing arc and tremendous wrist lag. He is incredibly flexible with an amazing shoulder turn and substantial hinge in his wrists. He works out like an elite athlete and is quite strong, even though he only weighs about 165 pounds. And finally, he has incredible body speed. The end result is that he can regularly hit the golf ball over 400 yards in competition.

While it won’t likely be possible for you to hit the ball over 400 yards, if you improve your technique, flexibility, strength and speed, you will definitely have the opportunity to hit the ball closer to, or over 300 yards!

Scott Cole
Power Golf Training

16 year old finishes T-16 at Byron Nelson PGA Tour Stop

16 year old amateur Jordan Spieth finished in a tie for 16th this week at the PGA Tour's Byron Nelson tournament. While not playing his best on Sunday, he still finished the tournament with a respectable 72. That is simply impressive. It amazes me how these kids are beginning to show no fear when playing with the big boys. There are young guns on tour like Rory McIlroy and Anthony Kim, and they are showing these high school kids the way.

So, I say to my competitive junior students, it can be done! But, it takes work and practice, but also knowing how to practice. You've got to have a plan for improvement. And, you've got to compete! There is no time like the present, so get to work, but most importantly, have fun!

Scott Cole
Online Golf Swing Coach
Power Golf Training

Bobby Clampett

I just watched Bobby Clampett shoot 64 in the second round of what I believe is his first Champions Tour event. This follows a 65 in the first round, and he holds a one shot lead. I find his performance quite astonishing considering his lack of competitive rounds in the last 15 years, or more. I'll be pulling for him to pull out the victory today.

Clampett was a can't miss superstar as an amateur back in the late 70's. I remember seeing him when I caddied for a friend in the U.S. Amateur in 1979. There were some big names playing that year in Cleveland, including defending champion John Cook, Mark O'Meara (who ended up beating Cook in the final), Hal Sutton (he destroyed Jay Sigel in match play, 6&5), and some others. However, Clampett was the favorite, and I believe he was medalist in stroke play that year.

He went on to win a PGA event in his second year on tour, and then his downward spiral began. He became obsessed with tinkering with his golf swing, and became a very mechanical player.

You can still see some of the remnants of that as he sets up to his shots, even his putting. He putted fabulous yesterday, so we'll see how he holds up today. He was quite emotional after his round on Saturday, so I don't really expect him to win today. However, if he does, it will be a terrific story and a well deserved victory.

Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Your Online Golf Swing Coach

Hank Haney vs. Johnny Miller

I typically like Johnny Miller because he calls 'em the way he sees 'em. But, it's one thing to offer an opinion when you are informed, but another when you are just piling on.

On Sunday during The Players Championship, Miller said Tiger needs to switch coaches because what he is working on with Hank Haney is clearly not working. Hmmmm...let's look at the record a little bit. Last year, Tiger returns to the tour after a 9 month layoff after knee surgery, after winning the U.S. Open on one leg, and wins 7 times worldwide. This included one of the Fedex tournaments where he blitzed the field by 8 shots, and back then Johnny Miller said that was the best golf he had seen out of Tiger since 2000.

So, now, Tiger's problems are a result of poor swing mechanics? Has nothing to do with the off-course issues for sure!

Miller went on to say that he felt that the way Haney teaches does not match up well with Tiger's swing, saying Haney's method requires too much hand action. Huh? Tiger went to Haney because he wanted to shape the ball WITHOUT relying on his hands. Over time, since Tiger has come on tour, his work with Butch Harmon AND Hank Haney has improved his swing dramatically.

If Miller did any research at all on how Haney teaches, he would know that he spoke out of turn. Tiger's best days may have been in 2000, but he himself will tell you he had to play more heroically back then because he did not have the ability to hit some of the shots that he has been able to the last couple of years. Furthermore, Tiger's woes when he has failed to win majors the last few years can be traced directly to his putting.

I remember that run he had in 2000 when he won the U.S. Open by 15 shots and the British Open at St. Andrews by 8 shots. In the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, I never saw him have a bad lie in the rough, and he made what seemed like every single putt he had inside 15 feet.

At St. Andrews, Tiger did not hit the ball in any single bunker for 72 holes. I met a golfer from Scotland a few years ago who said it is virtually impossible to play 18 holes there without hitting it in a bunker, let alone 72 holes. He said, you can hit it down the middle of the fairway and get a crazy bounce on any hole and end up in a bunker.

Tiger played some fabulous golf back then. He himself will tell you he is a better golfer now. Remember, he has had four surgeries on his knee since then. Once he recovered from his last surgery, he and Hank had to work on new swing thoughts because he had a new, stronger knee than he had for years. He went on to win 7 tournaments last year.

I think Johnny Miller needs to get a clue. His game left him a long time ago, and he never even bothered to play on the Champions Tour because he knew he couldn't compete. Now, he comes off as a grumpy old man. I like Johnny, but he is off base here.

Hank completed an interview with the Golf Channel today, which will be aired in its entirety on Sunday at 6 pm ET. You'll see that he is a humble man.

Scott Cole
Hank Haney Pro Associate Instructor Level 2
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net

Hank Haney Parts Ways With Tiger Woods

Hank Haney announced last night that he had resigned as Tiger Woods swing coach. To many, this came as no surprise, as speculation has been rampant that Tiger was ready to make this move. Personally, I did not speculate on such matters. However, I think Hank is somewhat relieved to be out of that professional relationship now. Hank gets virtually no credit for helping to improve Tiger's game, except from Tiger. So, when Tiger has played well, it's because of his greatness, when he plays bad, it's because he doesn't have the right swing coach.

It is funny how many of the pundits who think they know how Hank teaches really have no clue. Johnny Miller thinks the way Hank teaches requires too much hand action. A commentator on Golf Channel thought Hank was a bad match with Tiger since Tiger is a natural fader of the ball and Hank likes to teach the draw.

The fact is that Tiger was always more of a hooker of the ball when he first came out on tour. Does anyone remember the position of his swing at the top back then? It was way across the line, pointing to the right, a sure sign of someone who will fight a hook much of the time. The way Hank teaches, he wants you to have the ability to hit all 9 shots...low, medium, high straight; low, medium, high fade; and low, medium, high draw. And, he wants you to be able to do that without having to manipulate the hands, but rather with the shape of your swing. That was one reason why Tiger got together with Hank in 2004.

The bottom line is that Tiger needs to get his life in order before he can start focusing on golf again. News was out today that he and Elin are pursuing a quiet divorce. Anyone who has been through that knows it is a huge distraction, especially when young children are involved.

I won't speculate on the reasons behind the parting of ways, but those of us in his instructor training program were notified that he wants to devote more of his energy to the program. For those of us in the program, that is great news and I look forward to the opportunity to continue working with Hank and his staff.

Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com

McIlroy wins first U.S. Tour event

Rory McIlroy fired a spectacular 62 in the final round at Quail Hollow this afternoon to win this week's PGA event going away. McIlroy came on the scene in Europe last year with a couple of wins and then played pretty well here in the U.S. as well. It seemed like he was playing a lot of tournaments and I thought he may be getting burned out as his performance had not been nearly as strong this year. Apparently, a bad back was holding him back, which, at 21 years old, is not a good sign. However, it looks those woes are behind him for now!

McIlroy has a very good swing and hits the ball a long way for his size. I also like how he remains aggressive when he gets into contention. McIlroy is another of those young players that has loads of confidence and plays aggressively, and to win. He, and players like Anthony Kim and Dustin Johnson are the type of players that can start challenging the elite. A bit more experience for all of them, and we'll start to see them challenging for majors.

Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com

Furyk Wins Second Event of 2010

Like many decent players here in Pennsylvania, I had the chance to play with Jim Furyk when he was still an amateur at the University of Arizona back in the early 1990's. We were paired together in a U.S. Amateur qualifier at West Shore CC in Camp Hill, PA. Jim fired rounds of 69-74 for a one under par total, and was medalist. I fired two balls out of bounds in my first two holes (actually, one was just a lost ball on the range next to the first hole) en route to rounds of 83 and 76.

I thought Jim was an excellent player with a goofy swing, but I thought I had played with many better players before him in my amateur career. I outdrove Furyk by 20 to 25 yards on every hole.

Now, 19 years later, Furyk has just won his 15th tour event and has a U.S. Open victory and over $45 million in earnings. A few more wins, or one more major, and he is a shoe in for the Hall of Fame.

He has accomplished this one with of the most unorthodox swings ever seen on the PGA Tour, comparable to Trevino, Miller Barber and Chi Chi Rodriguez. So, how is he able to play so consistently well?

One thing Peter Kostis mentioned in the CBS telecast today is that while Furyk takes the club up steeply in the backswing, he loops it back to the inside on a better swing plane on the down swing. Therefore, he is always hitting the inside of the ball. Most amateurs, since most slice the ball, hit the outside of the ball, and have a flat backswing and steep downswing.

Also, Furyk stays very balanced through the entire swing, and he always swings within him self. Most amateurs are typically off balance and will often try to hit shots that they are unable to hit.

Finally, while unorthodox, Furyk is able to repeat his swing consistently. That is the key to consistent ball striking and is also what made Trevino such a great player with an orthodox swing. Unfortunately, most amateurs can not achieve this consistency due to the basic swing faults in their swing. A steep downswing combined with an early release of the hands, or even a change in spine angle are three killer flaws that many amateurs have. However, it really is not all that difficult to correct these errors. A little practice and some guidance from a good teaching professional can set you on the right path.

Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.powergolftraining.net

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