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2023 U.S. Open Recap: 7 Takeaways Including Wyndham Clark, Rory McIlroy, Elite Golfer Dads, & More…


What a wild week at Los Angeles Country Club as Wyndham Clark won the 123rd U.S. Open for his first major title and hot takes littered the landscape until the very end. Let’s get right to my TOP 7 takeaways from it all.
1. It had undoubtedly been a breakthrough campaign for Clark
He won the Wells Fargo Championship and has established himself as a high-level talent, even before this week.
That’s great, but it usually takes a few spins around a major leaderboard before a player is ready to win one, yet Clark hadn’t finished better than T-75 in six previous starts. I interviewed him after each of the first three rounds for the U.S. Open Radio broadcast, and what struck me each time was a confidence that bordered on nonchalance, as if he’d challenged for majors a dozen times before and it wasn’t really a big deal anymore.
Not gonna lie: That insouciance toward it all had me thinking he was going to crash and burn when the real spotlight shined on him, as the bright lights of a Sunday back-nine have withered many confident players before him.
That never happened, though. Clark was able to maintain that steely demeanor, even in the most high-pressure moments. It’s something that most players who haven’t won a major usually struggle with in their first few attempts — and something that some multiple major winners still struggle with.
To me, that was the most impressive thing about this victory. It never appeared like the situation was too big for him. Apparently, because it wasn’t.
2. This was the scouting report for Clark
For those who hadn’t paid too much attention to him until this year: His two best clubs in the bag have always been driver and putter, which can be a deadly combo if he’s even just field average with his irons.
Well, that’s all changed this year. His approach play has been his greatest strength, though it’s not like his driving and putting have gotten any worse. This week, he ranked second off the tee and fourth in putting (while only 49th with his irons), but the biggest difference was his short game around the greens.
On at least three to four occasions, it looked like Clark was potentially looking at bogey, only to hit a pitch shot stone dead next to the hole and save par.
For the tourney, he ranked third in strokes gained around the greens.
Think about it this way: It’s not a stretch to suggest that if two of those chip shots run 8-10 feet past the hole and he misses the putt, he loses by a stroke instead of winning by one. It all accounts for a very fine line, but that short game kept him on the right side of it.
3. If you’re scoring at home, it’s been a rough stretch for Rory McIlroy
That’s now three straight Sundays when McIlroy was in the lead or close to it, but couldn’t get it done when it mattered most.
And while you’re doing such scoring, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that it’s been nine years since his last major victory. I’m not sure I have a great explanation for any of it — and I don’t think he does, either. This one is going to sting for a little while, as he had every chance to take control of the tournament and could just never wrestle it away from Clark.
The biggest mistake was a bogey on the par-5 14th hole after getting incredibly lucky with an embedded ball ruling. But this underscored the fact that nearly every single putt looked good for about 97% of its journey, only to take a late turn at the hole and fail to drop.
It recalled the final round of last year’s Open Championship. He was leading that one instead of playing from behind, but he couldn’t get a putt to drop at the Old Course, either. That has to be bitterly frustrating for him. If he weren’t hitting the ball well or couldn’t get into contention, that’s one thing.
But to get there and not make anything on the greens has to make him feel like he’s snakebitten once again like the golf gods are somehow conspiring against him.
4. Here’s the good news for Scottie Scheffler:
After a few brutally poor putting performances — he lost strokes on the greens in five of his previous six starts entering this week — he actually gained 0.20 strokes per round at LACC.
For those who believed that just a slightly above-average week with the putter would yield a title for the tee-to-green master, that didn’t happen this week. Not that the logic is flawed, he just didn’t hit the ball as well as he did in his most recent start at Muirfield Village, ranking “only” third in that tee-to-green stat.
What I can tell you is that for as much as the rest of the world is vividly aware of his flatstick troubles lately, Scheffler is well aware himself, tinkering with different models and sizes throughout the past week.
I don’t know if he’s ever going to be the best putter in the game — in fact, I’m pretty sure he won’t — but I do think he’ll improve soon. And when he does, watch out. He now has three straight top-three finishes, five straight top-fives, and 17 straight top-12s.
If that putter gets warm — not even hot, just warm — he’ll start turning those close calls into more wins in a hurry.
5. This U.S. Open lacked a buzz, because, well, it lacked spectators – Period
That was one of the underlying plotlines this week, anyway. (As my colleague Bob Harig said, “Golf but quieter.”)
That isn’t wrong by any means, but like some other sweeping declarations about this event, it deserves an explanation. The biggest issue is that the North Course was built more than a century ago – and for private play, not in hopes of someday hosting one of the world’s biggest tournaments.
The WM Phoenix Open isn’t a massive party just because the locals show up; it’s a massive party because it’s set up to be a massive party. If you build it, they will come, so to speak. They didn’t build it that way at LACC, which is understandable.
The fans who were here often couldn’t get too close to the action, just due to the topography of the land. With greens leading directly to tee boxes and barrancas guarding much of it, there’s just nowhere to put the people. And with limited tickets available, from what I witnessed this was mostly a country-club crowd, which makes some sense, considering walk-in ticket prices were going for $300.
Most events will see a decent amount of beer-swilling, frat-bro, mashed-potatoes fans who are there to make their presence known. Everybody at this one looked like they’d had a tee time earlier that morning.
And then there’s this – and I mean this from a non-LA guy who was shocked every night by how long the GPS said it would take to get back to a hotel that was five miles away: The traffic is an absolute nightmare. If you’ve got a chance to leave early and save 90 minutes of your life, I imagine you’d do it rather than wait out the final pairing by the 18th green.
None of this belies the lack of buzz, but trying to place blame on one particular party is trickier than it appears.
6. Some folks on social media suggested I should rip LACC North
For being unworthy of a major championship following a pair of 62s in the opening round and no scores in the 80s. Just as for Erin Hills six years ago.
My answer: We have to separate the course from the setup. While we can all agree that the USGA set up this week’s host venue too cautiously to start the week, leading to those low scores, we can similarly agree that by week’s end, it proved inherently worthy of having this event.
I fell in love with LACC the first time I walked around on Monday. It’s subjective, sure, but I never felt close to that way about Erin Hills. Seeing a bunch of red numbers on the leaderboard shouldn’t be a reason to bash a U.S. Open course, just the way it’s been maneuvered for a certain round.
That said, those who did (properly) bash the early-round setup probably don’t understand just how fine the line is between “a little too easy” and “way too penal.” Without a championship of this magnitude on this course previously, there was little background info on the best way to approach it. (And for all the talk on why LACC played to such a low scoring average early, the easiest explanation might be that the world’s best players don’t miss from inside 10 feet on perfect greens. Make those surfaces poa annua and we’d see a whole lot more shorties bumping around the hole.)
We do need to give the USGA credit, though. Sure, the weather cooperated, but the week concluded with a U.S. Open-worthy track that provided a terrific stage for this event, even if the winning score wasn’t something over-par like this tourney of a generation ago.
7. On this Father’s Day, a shoutout to not just all the dads out there
Imagine being given the free pass to play golf all morning and THEN turn around watch the final round all afternoon and evening, but a special nod to those who have the best gig in the game. More on this below…
I’ve had this conversation with colleagues on a few occasions and again this weekend, but there’s one specific faction of golf insiders who has things better than anyone else.
The players? Sure, they’re rich and get to play golf, but there’s tons of pressure and disappointment on a regular basis.
Swing coaches? Caddies? Same deal: They’re all one decision away from looking for the next job.
Media members? Hell no, trust me.
Instead, the best “job” is that of an Elite Golfer Dad. I’m telling you, some of the friendliest people in the game are the likes of Gerry McIlroy, Scott Scheffler, and Rod Fowler. They’ve all got a nice tan, they tag along to play golf at the nicest clubs, they’re all super proud of their sons, and they all get to hang out at tournaments cheering them on.
That’s not to suggest the moms aren’t just as great, if not more so, but the carefree demeanor of the dads in a world where everyone else is worrying about something always makes me envious of just how good they’ve got it.
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Stop Wasting Strokes: 5 Simple Drills to Kill the Dreaded 3-Putt
Tired of ruining a great hole with the dreaded 3-putt? These 5 simple drills fix your speed, conquer pressure, and turn three putts into two.

There is no feeling in golf quite as demoralizing as the 3-putt.
You smash a perfect drive. You hit a pure iron shot that lands safely on the green. You’re feeling like a pro, walking up to your ball with a birdie on your mind.
Then, disaster strikes. You blaze the first putt eight feet past the hole. Your comebacker for par is a nervous, jabby stroke that lips out. You tap in for a bogey, walking off the green with that all-too-familiar feeling of frustration, your good shots completely wasted.
The 3-putt is the great scorecard killer. It’s the difference between breaking 90 and shooting 95. The good news? It’s almost always the easiest problem to fix. It’s not about buying a $500 putter; it’s about controlling your speed and handling pressure.
Here are 5 simple, time-tested drills to kill the 3-putt and make you a confident force on the greens.
Why You 3-Putt (It’s Not What You Think)
Most amateurs 3-putt for two simple reasons, and neither has to do with a “bad stroke”:
- Poor Lag Putting: You leave your first putt so far from the hole that the second putt is still a challenge.
- Missed “Knee-Knockers”: You can’t consistently sink putts inside 3-5 feet.
These five drills are designed to fix both of those problems, starting today.
5 Drills to Become a 2-Putt Machine
Find a practice green and spend 20 minutes on these. You’ll see results in your very next round.
1. The Ladder Drill (For Lag Control)
This is the ultimate drill for dialing in your speed control.
- How to do it: Place three balls at 20, 30, and 40 feet from a hole (or use tees if you’re just practicing speed).
- The Goal: Hit the 20-foot putt, then the 30-foot, then the 40-foot. Your only goal is to get all three putts to stop within a 3-foot radius of the hole (imagine a hula-hoop around the cup).
- Why it works: It trains your brain to instinctively understand how hard to hit a putt based on distance. You’ll stop blazing putts 10 feet by or leaving them 10 feet short.
2. The Clock Drill (For Short Putt Pressure)
You must be automatic from three feet. This drill adds the pressure you feel on the course.
- How to do it: Place 12 balls in a 3-foot circle around the hole (like the numbers on a clock).
- The Goal: Go around the clock and make all 12 putts in a row. If you miss one, you must start over from the beginning.
- Why it works: It’s not just about mechanics; it’s about focus. When you get to ball #10, you will feel the pressure. This simulates the feeling of having to make a putt for par.
3. The Gate Drill (For a Pure Roll)
Missed short putts are often caused by a poor starting line. This drill gives you instant feedback.
- How to do it: Find a straight, 5-foot putt. Place two tees on the ground just wide enough for your putter head to pass through. About a foot in front of your ball, place two more tees just slightly wider than the ball itself.
- The Goal: Stroke the putter through the first “gate” and roll the ball through the second “gate.”
- Why it works: If you hit the ball off-center or have a wobbly stroke, the ball will hit the second gate. It forces you to hit the sweet spot and start the ball exactly where you’re aiming.
4. The 100-Footer (The “No 3-Putt” Zone)
This drill is simple: go to one end of the practice green and putt to a hole on the opposite end. Your goal is not to make it, but to get it inside that imaginary 3-foot circle. Do this 10 times. This makes 30 and 40-footers on the course feel like tap-ins by comparison.
5. The “Read, Roll, and React” Drill
Stop agonizing over every putt. This drill teaches you to trust your first instinct.
- How to do it: Take three balls to a 25-foot breaking putt.
- The Goal: You have 20 seconds total. In that time, you must read the green, take one practice stroke, and hit all three putts.
- Why it works: It stops “paralysis by analysis.” It trains you to pick a line, trust your speed, and accept the result. You’ll be amazed at how much better your instincts are than your over-analytical brain.
It’s About Process, Not Perfection
You’re still going to 3-putt occasionally. Even the pros do. But by practicing these drills, you’ll be building confidence and skill. You’ll stop fearing long putts and start knowing you can get them close. That confidence is the real secret to finally killing the 3-putt for good.
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Stop Trying So Hard: A Zen Guide to Golf That’ll Have You Saying ‘Gunga Galunga’
Tired of your scorecard looking like a phone number? Maybe the problem isn’t your swing, it’s that little voice in your head. It’s time to empty the bucket, stop overthinking, and learn how to ‘be the ball.’ It’s a lot simpler than you think, and the results are… well, they’re nice.

I see a lot of you out there. Knuckles white, teeth grinding, a vein popping in your forehead because you left a ten-foot putt an inch short. You look like you’re trying to solve a complex math problem, not hit a little white ball into a slightly larger hole. You’re trying so hard, you can’t even see what you’re doing.
A long time ago, the Dalai Lama himself, a big hitter, told me something that’s stuck with me. “Total consciousness.” So I got that goin’ for me, which is nice. But what does that mean for you, standing over a 4-iron with water on the right and nothing but trouble on the left?
It means you have to stop thinking.
That little voice in your head? The one reminding you about your slice, or that you duffed the last chip, or that Judge Smails is watching from the clubhouse patio? You need to tell that voice to take a little vacation. Send it to the 19th hole for a Fresca. Your brain is a powerful tool, but on the golf course, it’s usually on the other team’s payroll.
The secret is simple. You have to be the ball.
Now, don’t take it literally. You don’t need to become a dimpled sphere of Surlyn. That’s a whole other level of Zen, and honestly, the lawnmowers are a real hazard. To “be the ball” is to see the shot before it happens. It’s a feeling. You look at the target, you see the flight of the ball in your mind-a nice, gentle draw landing softly on the green-and then you just… let it happen.
Think of it like this: you are the ball, the club is just an extension of your arm, and your arm is just a noodle doing what the universe tells it to do. See it, feel it, and then let your body take over. Nanananana…
The more you force it, the worse it gets. It’s like trying to hold water in your fist. You squeeze with all your might, and it just slips through your fingers. But if you relax, cup your hands gently, you can hold it. Your golf swing is the same. Loosen that death grip, relax your shoulders, and just let the club flow.
Golf isn’t a game of perfect. It’s a game of managing the imperfect. It’s about finding that one pure shot in a round that makes you feel connected to everything. That’s the feeling that brings you back. So next time you’re out there, take a deep breath. Look at the trees, listen to the birds, and remember that you’re just a blip in the cosmos hitting a ball with a stick.
Empty the bucket. Stop trying. And just be the ball. You’ll be surprised at what happens when you get out of your own way.
If this little nugget of wisdom helps you find your flow, do me a favor and share it with a friend who’s stuck in their head. The world needs less thinking and more ‘nanananana’. And for more insights from the links, follow us on social media. It’s the Zen thing to do.
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Legendary Golf Coaches and Their Signature Teaching Techniques
A Deep Dive into the Art of Golf Coaching. There are few sports as mentally challenging and technically nuanced as golf.

There are few sports as mentally challenging and technically nuanced as golf. The game demands a unique blend of physical precision, mental resilience, and strategic insight. As such, the role of a golf coach extends far beyond mere swing mechanics and course management. They also play a crucial part in shaping the mindset and overall approach of the player. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the profound impact that legendary golf coaches have had on the sport, highlighting their signature teaching styles that have produced world-class golfers and changed the face of golf across generations.
Butch Harmon: The Guru of Simplification
Butch Harmon is a name that resonates with any serious golf enthusiast. Known for his work with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Greg Norman, Harmon’s coaching style is characterized by its simplicity. He focuses on making the swing as effortless as possible, keeping technical jargon to a minimum and emphasizing feel and natural movement. His approach has proven successful, with his students winning numerous major championships.
David Leadbetter: The Technician
David Leadbetter, renowned for his work with Nick Faldo, is often considered a technician in golf coaching. He pays great attention to minute details of the swing, believing that consistency and efficiency come from mastering the fundamentals. Leadbetter introduced the “A Swing,” a technique designed to simplify the golf swing while increasing efficiency and reducing strain on the body.
Hank Haney: The Strategist
Best known for his six-year coaching tenure with Tiger Woods, Hank Haney is a strategist at heart. Haney emphasizes the importance of course management and strategic decision-making, helping players choose the best shot for any given situation. His teaching style aims to help players understand their strengths and weaknesses, thereby maximizing scoring opportunities on the course.
Sean Foley: The Modernist
Sean Foley represents a new wave of golf coaching, blending traditional golf instruction with modern technology. Notably, he uses advanced tools like 3D motion analysis and Trackman to provide detailed feedback on swing mechanics. Foley, who has worked with players like Justin Rose and Tiger Woods, believes in a holistic approach, incorporating physical fitness and mental preparation into his coaching regimen.
Pete Cowen: The Philosopher
Pete Cowen, known for his work with major winners like Brooks Koepka and Graeme McDowell, approaches golf coaching from a philosophical perspective. Cowen’s teaching style emphasizes the importance of mental strength, discipline, and a strong work ethic. He believes in building a solid foundation, focusing on short game and wedge play, and then working up to full swings.
Legendary golf coaches like Butch Harmon, David Leadbetter, Hank Haney, Sean Foley, and Pete Cowen have left an indelible mark on the sport. Their unique teaching styles, whether it be simplification, technical precision, strategic insight, technological innovation, or philosophical approach, have helped shape the careers of many world-class golfers. Aspiring golfers and coaches can learn a great deal from their methodologies, applying these lessons to improve their own game or coaching style. After all, golf is not just about the swing; it’s about the approach, both on and off the course.
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