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Houston Open 2021 Expert Picks to Win

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HOUSTON OPEN 2021 EXPERT PICKS TO WIN

Another week, another Fall Swing winner from the Golf Digest expert picks column, with both Rick Gehman and Brandon Gdula hitting on Viktor Hovland’s title defense at 19-1 in Mayakoba. Picking up right where we left off in 2020-’21. Not to brag.

This week, we like our chances again, even with just one year of course history at second-year Houston Open host venue Memorial Park. Not sure if you’ve heard, but Brooks Koepka did have a little bit of input on the massive renovation project, which was largely overseen by Tom Doak. It’s made Koepka anything but a sneaky play this week among the gambling community.

While Koepka deserves plenty of attention, there are a ton of intriguing names at the top of this week’s odds board, which the scorching-hot Sam Burns sits atop as the solo favorite. Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Smith, Sungjae Im, Talor Gooch, Matthew Wolff, Tyrrell Hatton and Tony Finau fill in the space between Burns and Koepka. Our experts aren’t straying too much further down the board, because if the Fall Swing has shown us anything it’s that elite players usually win golf tournaments.

Houston Open 2021 picks: Outright Predictions

Anonymous Caddie Picker of the weekSam Burns (12-1, DraftKings) — It’s crazy to think four-time major champ Brooks Koepka is double the odds of Sam Burns. But Burns has really put on tee-to-green exhibitions all year. He doesn’t get enough credit. He got the win at Sanderson, and I could absolutely see him winning again. He’s motivated to be a star.

Pat Mayo, DraftKings/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analystBrooks Koepka (28-1, DraftKings) — Forget all that business about him helping redesign the course, that matters not. What matters is that you’re getting the best player in the field at 28-1. Sure, he’s been playing like trash, but this is really no different than his horrendous play before winning in Phoenix in February. And, in the outright betting market, there’s no difference between second place and a missed cut. Go with the guy who churns out those firsts at the highest rate in the field.

Brandon Gdula, FanDuel/numberFire managing editorCameron Smith (23-1, FanDuel) — Last year, we saw Memorial Park reward those with great wedge play, and that sets up well for Cam Smith. He’s my win simulation model’s most likely winner but isn’t listed as a betting favorite; there’s value here. The course played moderately tough a year ago, and Smith has a combination of birdie ability and bogey avoidance.

Rick Gehman, data scientist and RickRunGood.com founderRussell Henley (45-1, DraftKings) — Are there better players in the field? Absolutely. Are there better players at better prices? Probably not. Memorial Park will be stout, checking in at 7,400 yards as a par 70—but that shouldn’t intimidate Henley. He’s made 13 starts in his career on par 70s that are at least 7,250 yards. He’s gained strokes on the field in every start and has four top-10 finishes. His 1.31 strokes gained per round is second to only Koepka of golfers in this field who have played at least 40 rounds under those conditions, per the RickRunGood.com golf database.

Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest dep. managing editorJoaquin Niemann (30-1, PointsBet) — It’s tough coming off a few ShotLink-less weeks—we’re flying a little blind without the data. What we do know is Niemann’s playing some great golf this year, with runners-up at Rocket Mortgage and the Sony Open. And he finished fifth after a hot Sunday at Mayakoba. I just think Niemann’s peaking toward another win soon, and his length should be a big advantage at Memorial Park.

Christopher Powers, Golf Digest assistant editorBrooks Koepka (28-1, DraftKings) — Will go to war with Brooksy one more time before we don’t see him again until 2022. As Pat said, he missed three straight cuts before winning at Scottsdale last year, so the poor recent form doesn’t scare me at all. He’s the best “flip-switcher” in the world, and at 28-1 that’s absolutely worth the risk.

Lee Alldrick, FanShare SportsTalor Gooch (30-1, FanDuel) — Gooch comes into this event ranked second for strokes-gained/total over the last two months and ninth in the FanShare Sports’ course-suitability ranking. His fourth-place finish here last year will ensure he comes brimming with confidence too.

Houston Open 2021 picks: Sleepers/Dark Horses

Caddie: Sahith Theegala (150-1, BetMGM) — You’ve seen his name on the leader board a few times already in the fall. It will be a continued sight all year. This loaded field might be a tall task for him, but 150-1 just seems too high.

Mayo: Danny Willett (130-1, DraftKings) — The king of mixed results, Willett has started to play much more consistent golf the last two months and even won the Alfred Dunhill Links event a month ago. A terrific scrambler, Willett tends to play better in more difficult conditions, and a par 70 playing over 7,400 yards will afford him that luxury.

Gdula: Charley Hoffman (90-1, FanDuel) — Hoffman finished 29th here last year, giving him course knowledge and success at a still-new track. He’s got the right combination of Bermuda putting and tee-to-green ability to pull off a win as a long shot.

Gehman: Denny McCarthy (180-1, DraftKings) — We are seeing signs of life from McCarthy lately, making the cut in Bermuda then following it up with a T-15 last week in Mayakoba. Now he gets to travel to Houston where he will find Bermudagrass greens. McCarthy has gained 0.82 strokes putting per round on that surface, making him the best Bermudagrass putter on the planet.

Hennessey, Golf Digest: Shane Lowry (46-1, FanDuel) — Andy Lack’s Inside Golf podcast is always a great listen, and that’s true this week despite him having my guy CP on his show. CP and Andy make the case for a bunch of guys who play hard, long golf courses well … Tyrrell Hatton, Marc Leishman, Grace (below). Lowry’s in that category, too, and his price is finally starting to creep above the 30s and 35-1s we were seeing this summer. The Irishman finished T-11 here last year, too. Take the drift.

Powers, Golf Digest: Branden Grace (95-1, FanDuel) — Friend of the “Be Right” podcast Andy Lack convinced me on the South African this week. Grace plays his best golf on tougher courses, evidenced by top 10s at Zozo, Wyndham, the U.S. Open and Memorial, which all came in the last five months.

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Alldrick, FanShare Sports: Denny McCarthy (180-1, DraftKings) — Not only is McCarthy the best putter in the field on fast Bermuda greens, he ranks seventh in the FanShare’s course-suitability ranking this week. A pair of 69s last year here at Memorial Park shows just how well he can navigate his ball around here. Two top 20s in his last four events shows he’s current form is solid too.

Houston Open 2021 picks: Players to Fade This Week (who will disappoint)

Caddie: Brooks Koepka (28-1, DraftKings) — That long range session Koepka put in at Mayakoba is probably not a good sign. I’m sure Jena was none too pleased.

Mayo: Sam Burns (12-1, DraftKings) — The betting favorite is likely to have a good week, but generating the same favorite number he saw at Sanderson isn’t quite the same when you glance at the other higher-end options in the field this week.

Gdula: Scottie Scheffler (16-1, FanDuel) — It’s really nothing against Scheffler in particular but more a statement of the value at the top of the field. Aside from Cam Smith, the top of the field rates out as overvalued, via my model, and so it’s hard to recommend a favorite. I’m more worried about Sam Burns than Scheffler, so Scheffler is the least likely bet I’ll have this week.

Gehman: Adam Scott (28-1, DraftKings) — It’s a bit jarring to see Scott’s price shorter than Aaron Wise, Joaquin Niemann, Carlos Ortiz and even Patrick Reed. All of which have either played much better in the short-term or own more historical win equity than Scott. Scott has been a little volatile recently and Bermudagrass is his worst putting surface.

Hennessey, Golf Digest: Aaron Wise (30-1, DraftKings) — Who is going to bet Aaron Wise at 30-1 in a field like this?

Powers, Golf Digest: Matthew Wolff (25-1, DraftKings) — This could end up looking very dumb come Sunday, but I’m not prepared to overpay for Wolff just yet. Would love to see him drift back to 40- or 50-1 this winter and pounce then.

Alldrick, FanShare Sports: Tony Finau (25-1, DraftKings) — Finau ranks just 78th in the FanShare Sports’ course-suitability ranking this week and didn’t even make the top 20 here last year. His recent form has not been great too, ranking just 69th for SG/total over the past two months.

Houston Open 2021 picks: Matchups

Caddie: Mackenzie Hughes (+115) over Maverick McNealy (Bet365) — McNealy’s playing some solid golf in the past few months, but Hughes embraces the long, tough golf course—like we saw at Torrey Pines. McNealy is more of a shorter course savant.

Mayo: Patrick Reed (-110) over Christiaan Bezuidenhout (DraftKings) — Very similar players outside of one very clear difference: When running well, Reed can really drive the ball. Bezuidenhout never really can. That’s a BIG advantage for Reed this week at a longer track . . . assuming he’s not spraying it all over the course.

Gdula: Kevin Streelman (-112) C.T. Pan (FanDuel) — Long term, Streelman separates in this head-to-head in tee-to-green play and in overall ball-striking over Pan. Each are similar putters, so I’ll be taking the edge in tee-to-green here.

Gehman: Matthew Wolff (-130) over Marc Leishman (DraftKings) — We are seeing signs of positive play from Wolff, who has finished T-17, runner-up and T-5 in his three starts this season. His style of play couldn’t be any more different than Leishman’s style and on a 7,400-yard par 70, it’s Wolff’s natural skill-set that creates the edge.

Hennessey, Golf Digest: Sam Burns (-122) over Scottie Scheffler (FanDuel) — Burns is playing as well as anybody in the world right now, and sure, Scheffler had a great week last week—but he also had a T-38 and a MC in his two previous starts. I’ll take the consistency of Burns here.

Powers, Golf Digest: Talor Gooch (-110) over Tony Finau (DraftKings) — Gooch is absolutely cooking right now with four straight top-11 finishes, plus he finished fourth here last year. Finau has hit the ball quite well in the fall but his putting has been abysmal and Bermuda appears to be his least favorite putting surface according to the numbers.

Alldrick, FanShare Sports: Sungjae Im (-122) over Tony Finau (FanDuel) — As you can see above I don’t like Finau this week, Im on the other hand comes into this event ranked second in the FanShareSports CSR and fourth for SG/total over the last two months and third for SG/total over the last two years. ​

Matchup Results from the Houston Open: Caddie: 1 for 1 (Hovland (-143) over Finau); Mayo: 1 for 1 (Thomas (-105) over Ancer); Hennessey: 1 for 1 (Grillo (-120) over Harman); Alldrick: 1 for 1 (Scheffler (-120) over Koepka); Powers: PUSH (Fowler (-120) over Rose); Gehman: 0 for 1; Gdula: 0 for 1

Matchup Results from this season (Wins-Losses-Pushes): Mayo: 6-1-0 (up 4.52 units); Caddie: 5-2-0 (up 2.66 units); Powers: 4-2-1 (up 1.82 units); Gehman: 2-4-1 (down 2.26 units); Alldrick: 2-4-1 (down 2.32 units); Hennessey: 2-5-0 (down 3.20 units); Gdula: 1-6-0 (down 5.07 units)

Houston Open 2021 picks: Top 10s

Caddie: Sam Burns (+150) — I might as well back up our Burns outright with the top-10.

Mayo: Branden Grace (+550, DraftKings) —The more difficult and gusty the conditions, the better for Grace. While the ball striking is never consistent, he’s seen spike weeks with his irons and his short game is always reliable.

Gdula: Tyrrell Hatton (+310, FanDuel) — Hatton is trending back up and is available at a good number for a top-10 finish. Hatton has great wedge play and is sixth in adjusted strokes gained: tee to green in my database over the past year.

Gehman: Jason Kokrak (+350, DraftKings) — On paper, Memorial Park should be a perfect fit for Kokrak. When things are going well, he’s long off-the-tee and has a putter that allows him to reach his ceiling more frequently than his peers. He’ll need to shake off a run of bad form recently, but his price is depressed and too good to pass up.

Hennessey, Golf Digest: Max Homa (+700, FanDuel) — It seems like oddsmakers regularly forget how good Max Homa is, even after he keeps winning. A difficult, long course is typically where Homa has had success (Riviera, Quail Hollow, for example).

Powers, Golf Digest: Brandon Hagy (+1600, DraftKings) — A bit of a Hail Mary here, yes, but Hagy has so much upside, particularly off the tee, that he’s worth a flyer every week because of how ridiculous his odds always are.

Alldrick, FanShare Sports: Christiaan Bezuidenhout (+550, FanDuel) — Bezuidenhout ranks third in the Fanshare’s course-suitability ranking this week. One of the main reasons for this is his excellent putting on fast Bermuda greens. He ranks second in the field this week for SG/putting on fast Bermuda over the last two years. His form is also good having recorded a 15th, fifth and third-place finish in his last four events.


Top-10 results from the Houston Open: Everybody: 0 for 1

Top-10 results from this season: Powers: 2 for 7 (up 12 units); Mayo: 1 for 7 (up 8 units); Caddie: 1 for 7 (down 4.3 units); Hennessey: 1 for 7 (down 1.5 units); Gdula: 0 for 7 (down 7 units); Gehman: 0 for 7 (down 7 units); Alldrick: 0 for 7 (down 7 units)

Houston Open 2021 picks: One and Done

Gehman: Sam Burns — 
Every arrow points directly at Burns this week. He’s gained 2.14 strokes per round in his last 24 rounds, second on TOUR to only Jon Rahm. He hasn’t finished worse than T-21 in any of his last seven events while earning a win at the Sanderson Farms Championship in the process. Now he heads back to Bermudagrass greens, which is his specialty. His last four starts on Bermudagrass greens have yielded two wins, a T-2 and a T-18 — per the RickRunGood.com golf database. The year of Sam Burns is going to continue this week in Houston.

Previous weeks: Fortinet Championship: Kevin Na; Sanderson Farms Championship: Mito Pereira. Shriners: Abraham Ancer. CJ Cup: Louis Oosthuizen. Zozo Championship: Hideki Matsuyama. Bermuda Championship: Seamus Power. Mayakoba: Abraham Ancer.

Hennessey: Sam Burns — Ride the hot hand.

Previous weeks: Fortinet Championship: Emiliano Grillo; Sanderson Farms Championship: Carlos Ortiz. Shriners: Abraham Ancer. CJ Cup: Collin Morikawa. Zozo Championship: Takumi Kanaya. Bermuda Championship: Seamus Power. Mayakoba: Aaron Wise.

Powers: Marc Leishman — Leish has been putting the lights out lately and Bermuda greens are where he does his best work.

Previous weeks: Fortinet Championship: Brendan Steele. Sanderson Farms Championship: Mito Pereira. Shriners: Aaron Wise. CJ Cup: Talor Gooch. Zozo Championship: Joaquin Niemann. Bermuda Championship: Patrick Rodgers. Mayakoba: Jhonattan Vegas.

By The Numbers

2.06 – The strokes gained per round by Sungjae Im in his last 24 rounds. That’s second to only Sam Burns and they are the only two golfers gaining 2+ strokes per round.

41.6% – The percentage of time that this event has gone to a playoff in the last 12 years (5/12).

15 – The number of consecutive cuts made by Christiaan Bezuidenhout, the longest active streak of anyone in this field.

7.75 – The average finish for Talor Gooch in four starts this season (T-11, T-5, T-11, T-4).

About our experts

Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long and short-form content, owner of the Mayo Media Network and host of The Pat Mayo Experience. (Subscribe for video or audio. Mayo (@ThePME) won the 2020 Fantasy Sports Writing Association Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and Golf Writer of the Year awards, along with the Fantasy Sports Trade Association Best Sports Betting Analyst award, and was finalist for four FSWA Awards in 2020 (Best Podcast, Best Video, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year). His 21 FSWA nominations lead all writers this decade and are third-most all-time. Mayo is on the board of governors at www.fantasynational.com.

Brandon Gdula, managing editor and analyst for NumberFire, a FanDuel daily-fantasy analysis company, recently won the 2018 fantasy sports-writers association Golf Writer of the Year *(congrats, Brandon!)*. Gdula also co-hosts the DFS Heat Check podcast.

Rick Gehman is the founder of RickRunGood.com and the RickRunGood YouTube Channel, is one of the industry’s leading experts on golf DFS and gambling. Gehman is co-host of the First Cut Podcast and appears regularly on the Pat Mayo Experience golf podcasts. Follow him on Twitter: @RickRunGood.

Lee Alldrick of FanShare Sports started out writing an article highlighting the best bargain plays for fantasy golf under his twitter handle @DKGolfBargains. His success at this prompted FanShare Sports to enlist him as a guest writer, which evolved into him writing the weekly Under The Radar article. As a U.K.-based expert, Alldrick’s insight into European Tour regulars and low priced, low owned plays has provided an invaluable edge for readers when it comes to DFS GPPs.

This article originally appeared on Golf Digest.

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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.

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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.

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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”:

  1. Poor Lag Putting: You leave your first putt so far from the hole that the second putt is still a challenge.
  2. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

Want to improve your own game?

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