Videos

A Long Way Down: Pro Hits 70 Inches Away From Cliff Edge

Published

3 years ago

February 7, 2022

Jordan Spieth’s wife? And parents? He knows he has some explaining to do to Annie, and Shawn and Mary.

“I’m not really sure what’s going to happen there,” Spieth said. “I just saw the blimp shot from overhead, and it really bothered me. So I can’t imagine while she [Annie] was watching that live. They actually came out — my son [newborn Sammy] was out for the first time ever on 3 and 4, and I don’t know where they went from there. …

“So, yeah, I mean, my parents are here too, so not only do I have to explain to my wife, I got to explain to my mom, my dad.”

As for Spieth’s own thoughts on his second shot on Saturday on the 8th hole at Pebble Beach, where his ball had sat just inches from about a 70-foot drop off a rocky cliff? The results, of course, speak for themselves, as he did, indeed, hit, his ball flew over the flag and the green, and he was able to get up and down for a par during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

But afterward, with about two or so hours to process it all, he wasn’t quite sure what to make of his latest — and perhaps greatest (?) — daredevil shot in a long line of them.

“Yeah, I asked Colt, I was like, Colt, you know, I was the one hitting it, so, I mean, you looked at it, was it, was I being dramatic?” Spieth said of Colt Knost, who, while working as an analyst for CBS, was near the shot. “He’s like — and he’ll always call me dramatic — and he was like, no. He’s like, I don’t know what you were thinking.

“And, I mean, I don’t know, just thinking about it now, it’s like kind of hard, it’s weird. It’s like, because there’s a story of the guys that drove off that cliff so, when they used to allow carts here. So I, I was thinking about that obviously walking up.

“So, not worth it, to be honest, but I guess I just, it was a weird situation. It was like, well, if I can hit it then just hit it.”

And that — if I can hit it — was what sold him on the shot. The eventual sequence went as follows: He took a stance over the ball; backed away; walked back; set up with his legs wider than normal to balance himself, with his left foot down the slope and his right above; took one half-swing; stood over it for 8 seconds; and swung.

"This is downright terrifying right now."

This shot from Jordan Spieth was quite the situation. ? pic.twitter.com/sq04R96GXQ— GOLFonCBS (@GOLFonCBS) February 5, 2022

“It’s so weird because if you can normally see the ball, like I never had a situation where you can see a ball, get a swing on it, but you’re not going to play it,” Spieth said. “So it was just kind of weird because it was like, well if I can get a swing on it and I can hit it then why would I take a drop? Like just whenever, you’re never over, I guess I saw a 65-foot cliff. So it’s an unusual situation, normally if you’re walking into a hazard, you see a ball, you hit it out. …

“I’m just glad I made the par to make it worth it, because I don’t think I would have made par with a drop, but if I made bogey it would have really not been worth it.

“But yeah, I mean it was, I was more like, it was more of a nervous and adrenaline hitting it and then when I got to the green as I was walking there it was more of like an anxiety feeling afterwards, luckily it wasn’t before.”

A reporter asked about the footing on the shot.

“I mean, footing was solid, but I didn’t have much room past where my left foot was, and the problem was it’s down sloped,” Spieth said. “Like if it was flat, it’s no issue at all. It’s the down slope that worries you because you’re going to try and — you’re getting more forward to your left side on a down slope in order to get the strike, right? You want your weight with the slope. I didn’t want my weight with the slope that time.

“So those are ones — I was almost sitting there going, is it worth it because, yes, I can get a strike on it, but am I going to back up out of fear and just kind of thin this in the water, you know, like kind of top it. …

A true cliffhanger starring @JordanSpieth. ? pic.twitter.com/jwCtyOwdpP— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 5, 2022

“And clearly the — if I felt like I was in real true danger of losing my life I would have pulled the ball back and dropped it. It wasn’t quite that severe. But it was enough to where I certainly couldn’t put a normal swing or shot on it.”

And what did his longtime caddie, Michael Greller, think?

Drop it. Both the idea. And the ball. Spieth’s ball had also crossed a red line that marks a penalty area, and it would have cost him a stroke.

“He said, I just don’t, I just don’t see the point,” Spieth said. “I don’t think it’s worth it. I just don’t see the point. Stuff like that, I think. …

“And I kept on, I was adamantly telling him, like pretty aggressively, like, please don’t get, go across that red line. To him. And that put him in a tough spot. But if he went across that red line, he wouldn’t have let me hit it, I don’t think.”

And if it all somehow happened during Sunday’s final round?

“He said that next, if that were to happen again, he’ll walk up, grab my ball and throw it in the water, so that I can’t hit it,” Spieth said. “He said, I should have done that. He was like, I just didn’t know what to do myself.”

This article originally appeared on Golf.com.

Blog

Maintenance during the off season

Published

5 days ago

December 17, 2024

Resident PGA Pro

Ever wonder what kind of repairs you can do to keep your clubs in shape during the off season?

Many of us find the grips on our clubs starting to wear down and nothing brings new life into your older clubs like a new set of grips.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend a small fortune having someone else do this for you, this handy DIY video by Coach Lockey will show you how to replace your grips at home. Click below and have a watch. Then see some of our suggestions for new grips you can buy today.

DFS

The Best YouTube Channels for Tips and Tricks

Explore the top YouTube channels for golf tips and tricks, featuring expert insights and practical advice to elevate your game.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 3, 2024

The Golf Hacker

If you’re looking to improve your golf game, YouTube is a treasure trove of expert advice, entertaining content, and practical tips. With channels that cater to beginners and seasoned golfers alike, there’s no shortage of inspiration. Here’s a roundup of the best YouTube channels for golf tips and tricks that can elevate your game.

Top Channels for Golf Instruction

Peter Finch Golf

Peter Finch

Peter Finch is a household name in the YouTube golf community, with over 660,000 subscribers. His channel is a blend of instructional videos, equipment reviews, and on-course vlogs. Finch’s approachable personality and professional insights make his content both engaging and educational. Don’t miss his “Quest for The Open” series, which showcases his journey to qualify for The Open Championship.

Rick Shiels

With 2.8 million subscribers, Rick Shiels is the most popular golf YouTuber. His PGA professional background shines through in his detailed instructional videos and comprehensive club reviews. Whether you’re refining your swing or exploring the latest golf equipment, Rick’s relatable style makes complex topics easy to understand.

Danny Maude

Danny Maude’s channel focuses on simplifying golf instruction, particularly for beginners. With over a million subscribers, Danny excels at breaking down swing mechanics into digestible steps. His clear, actionable advice ensures golfers can immediately apply what they learn on the course.

Other Notable Channels

Mark Crossfield

Mark Crossfield is considered one of the pioneers of golf YouTube. His content includes equipment reviews, course vlogs, and swing tips. Known for his candid and insightful approach, Mark’s channel is perfect for golfers who want honest advice and practical guidance.

Chris Ryan Golf

Chris Ryan’s channel is ideal for club golfers looking to fine-tune their game. A PGA professional and one of Today’s Golfer’s Top 50 Coaches, Chris simplifies swing mechanics into easy-to-follow tutorials. His videos are accessible for golfers of all skill levels.

Athletic Motion Golf

For players intrigued by the science behind the swing, Athletic Motion Golf is a fantastic resource. Their nearly 800-video library offers scientifically backed explanations of golf techniques, focusing on swing mechanics and biomechanics. While their posting frequency is lower than others, the quality of their content stands out.

Padraig Harrington

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington brings a wealth of experience to his YouTube channel. Despite his elite playing background, Harrington simplifies the complexities of the game into straightforward advice, making his content relatable for golfers of all skill levels.

Why These Channels Are Must-Follow

Each of these channels offers a unique perspective on the game, whether it’s equipment reviews, swing tutorials, or course strategies. By following them, you’ll gain insights from top professionals, learn actionable tips, and enjoy a variety of entertaining and educational content.

Final Thoughts

Golf improvement doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. These YouTube channels provide a wealth of free knowledge to help golfers of all levels refine their skills, explore new techniques, and enjoy the game even more. Dive into their content and start transforming your game one video at a time!