It may come as no surprise to you but you are not Bubba Watson and you don't look a thing like Rory McIlroy. Nine chances out of ten you are older than Rory, you are not on the PGA or LPGA Tour and you don't practice golf five to six hours a day, every day you're not playing.
So when the commentators on television start giving you golf instruction, dial back. You most likely cannot (to change the sport to soccer) "Bend it like Beckham." What I teach on my lesson tee and in the tips thousands of golfers around the world see here are the fundamentals of golf, sure-fire tips that will, without question, immediately improve your game. I want you to get better and have fun. And, well, all things considered, Bubba, Rory, you watching this?
-- Steve
3 comments
It’s always a good day when I receive this (below) from the PGA of America. Every 3 years we have to accumulate a number of continuing education credits, (MSR’s), much like a doctor. The PGA offers the greatest seminars with great speakers and interesting topics that help us be better professionals. The PGA is the largest sports organization in the world with nearly 25,000 members. I’m very proud to be a Master Professional, a group that makes up just 1.3% of our total membership.
Member – Steven C. Anderson, PGA
Current Period – 06/16/2011 thru
06/15/2015
MSR Status as of
02/11/2015 at 03:39:09 EST
Category Required Earned
PGA Required 36 39
Total MSR Required 54 69
(Has Member Met MSR Requirements? Yes
I just received a great question about my latest tip featuring Bubba from one of our members, so here it is, and my response below.
Steve:
Pro-envy comes with watching too much TV and not enough following your own common sense. I am intrigued by any left handed pro except maybe Mickelson. Bubba and Harmon set the table for me.
One TV instructor analyzed Bubba’s stance at the tee to show one thing that he does to get that incredible distance. Watson actually stands behind the ball.
In your book, which I re-read over the years, you said to forget the pros swing. But you can address the ball like they do. Any thoughts on Watson’s address, pls?
Gary
Hi Gary and thanks for the great question.
Yes, Bubba, like all pros, has some great things that the amateur can copy. Pretty darn hard to swing like him (I think I’d break in two) but his set up is pretty solid.
He’s hard to analyze since he seemingly never stands the same way twice. One time he sets up for a cut shot, then another, for a hook. He’s normally a bit open as he likes to fade the ball. He stands farther away than most amateurs probably but it works for him.
What you said about him standing behind the ball is what I also like the most. He gets his head and upper body (my Tilt) set well back so it lets him turn more. Nicklaus was way back too and had the biggest turn of his time.
I haven’t studied him in depth but he sure can hit it a mile and is good for the game.
Hope your game is good.
On Facebook the last few days there’s been a lot videos showing Tiger at the PGA event this week getting some help from several of the players. I’m so glad to see this. All of the guys on the Tour help their fellow players, it’s what makes our game so special. Tiger has never really been a joiner, and has usually hung out in private with his coach. It’s nice to see him relating to more of the players and I think he’s realizing that he needs some help. Love him or hate him, Tiger is great for the game and makes the viewership go way up when he’s in the hunt so I hope he gets him game back in shape.