When I was a kid, one of the pros I admired was Gene Littler who won the U.S. Amateur, scored 29 victories on the PGA Tour, including the U.S. Open in 1961. Gene the Machine, they used to call him, for his smooth, easy, repeating swing. For a time, he was my model for how […]
U.S.Open
Notes, Questions, and My Two Cents
Long hitting Jason Kokrak won his second tournament of the year at Ben Hogan’s old haunt Sunday, beating Jordan Spieth and his cheering minions by two shots. I think if Kokrak can figure out how to control the spin of his wedges, he may be close to unbeatable. Faldo thinks he should get new wedges […]
Learning from Fabulous Phil Mickelson
Taking over five hours, with time between shots and holes, golf requires mental focus, perhaps more than any other sport. From three-foot putts to irons over water to drives down tight fairways, you need to stay focused to insure all your relevant body parts are in sync with your brain’s neurons; for anything out of […]
Moxie
Moxie. Some say you either got or you don’t. In golf, moxie is right out in front with every step a pro takes. Even with handicappers, its pretty easy tell who’s got it. So what is it, and why is it important? Can it be developed? If I had to choose one word to describe […]
And Yet More Player Assessments, Pre-Masters
This may be the deepest PGA tour field I’ve seen in years. There’s a lot of talent out there, with just a putt or two separating those who win from the others. Patrick Cantley. Great college player. Has been solid on pro tour. I’ve seen better putters, but otherwise, I can find no flaws in […]
Player Assessments Pre-Masters
There’s a building excitement as we approach the premier tournament of the year. We’ve never seen anything quite like this year in the history of this game. We’ve come to recognize fans as an integral part of the pro tours. And their presence does affect play, f
Harry Higgs…and others to watch on tour
When you hear the name of golf pro Harry Higgs, your first reaction is probably Harry Higwhoda, reminiscent of Danny Kaye’s Griwhoda declaration in a movie of yesteryear (yes, I’m so old I remember well my pet dinosaur Rex!). But Harry surprisingly has quite a following, and he’s ranked eighth in the race to the FedEx Cup. His story is one worth taking a closer look at.
Bryson and the Fate of the Game
Not since the need to Tiger-proof Augusta National have we seen anything quite like it. Bryson DeChambeau, or Chambo as he is beginning to be called, has the golf world on tenterhooks. Is this the next step–and a giant step it is–after the amazing Tiger? Bryson hits drives 360+, at will,
Fixing Jordan Spieth
In trying to help Jordan Spieth fix his game, former World Number One and now Golf Channel commentator David Duval came up with what he calls “reactionary golf.” In my thinking, it’s quite wise, and may have two, or possibly even more, meanings.