It has now been about 16 months since I attended my first Hank Haney Teaching the Teacher seminar, where I received a lesson from Hank himself.  During that lesson, Hank worked on improving my posture, my takeaway, a better position at the top of my backswing, a better position in the downswing, and a better follow through.  For many students, this would be quite a lot to work on, and admittedly, I often give students quite a bit of information during that first lesson.  My thinking is that if I can do it, anyone can.

Improving your golf game is a process.  Not all of the improvements will come at once.  It is important to focus on one or two things at a time, and then when you have made improvement to them, work on the next couple of things.  I feel that the student can progress much faster if they take notes as well. 

Anyhow, after 16 months, I feel like I am getting very close to my best golf, even while I only play once or twice per month.  I have learned so much about the golf swing and golf course management, that I don’t need to play every day like I used to growing up in order to play well. 

Today I played a nice golf course in Maryland, and played my best round since my lesson with Hank last year…an even par 72.  While I did make two long putts, I did have several three putts and missed another short putt for birdie.  I also had a couple unforced errors with wedges.  This course is more difficult than most I usually play locally, so I feel pretty good about the score.  If I were playing more regularly, there would not be as many three putts or missed greens with a wedge in my hand. 

Last year when I went to Dallas to attend that seminar, I really had no clue with my golf game.  Now, I realize that if I actually find more time to play and practice, I can probably be a better golfer than I have ever been. 

I am writing this post because I think it is necessary for students to track their results and performance.  If I can improve after one lesson with Hank, and some follow up feedback at this year’s seminar from two of his senior instructors, Brian Mahon and Doug Alexander, then any student can improve.  However, it requires time, patience, effort, and a willingness to make changes.  If you have some of that going for you, the sky is the limit! 

One final word…just like Ray Romano on the Haney Project, I find that many students think they will get worse before they get better following a lesson….that is utter nonsense.  Get that out of your head.  If you will do what your instructor tells you to do, assuming they are a good instructor, you should see improvement right away.  But, you must keep an open mind.  I started improving from Day One.  You can too.

Looking forward to the U.S. Open, which starts today at Pebble Beach.  This is my favorite tournament of the year as it is more a battle for survival.  This year it is played at probably the most scenic golf course in the world, and the USGA can jack it up to play quite difficult.  I look for the best shot makers to rise to the top in this tournament.  It seems like Phil Mickelson is everyone’s favorite, but look for an unexpected winner, but someone who is still a solid player.  Jim Furyk is also a popular pick here, but I will also mention Mike Weir as a possibility as well.  I don’t see any Europeans winning at Pebble Beach.  Should be fun to watch!

Scott Cole

Today I watched the end of the St. Jude Classic PGA event, and watched in horror as Robert Garrigus had an 18 hole meltdown that almost rivaled that of Jean Van de Velde in the 1999 British Open.  Heading to the 18th tee, Garrigus had a 3 shot lead over Lee Westwood and playing partner Robert Karlsson.  The 18th was a dog leg left par 4, fairly long, with water along the left side of the fairway. 

Garrigus, in spite of a not so great golf swing, was playing well all day, and his back nine surge put him in position to win.  Basically, all he needed was a bogey to win, and even a double bogey would force Karlsson to make birdie on one of the most difficult holes on the course.

So, Garrigus makes his worst swing of the day and hits his tee shot in the water left.  He was forced to drop short of the hazard.  He then proceeded to try a heroic shot toward the green with a mid-iron, and pulled it into a tree.  This forced him to chip out and he ultimately made triple bogey and fell into a playoff, which he lost.

First and foremost, Garrigus does not have a great golf swing that can hold up under this type of pressure, that is clear.  If he wants to take his game to the next level, he needs to change his swing.  Most tour pros are unwilling to do that since it takes time and effort, and they worry more about making a living.  The better players are able to do it because they can still compete when they don’t have their best game.

Secondly, with the water hazard to the left, Garrigus should be aiming well to the right, even if it means missing the fairway into a fairway bunker.  With a 3 shot lead, he might even consider an iron off the tee, or just blasting a driver as far down the fairway and to the right as possible.  The fairway opened up past the curve of the dogleg and driver may have taken the water out of play. 

But, Garrigus chose to play a 3 wood, and made a poor swing.  It was his next shot that made the difference.  Hitting 3 after his drop, all he needed to do was hit a wedge somewhere up the fairway, hit another wedge on and two putt for 6, which would have forced Karlsson to make birdie (Westwood was already in the clubhouse).  Instead, he tried a more heroic and stupid shot, and paid the price.

This is why most golfers shoot higher scores than what they are capable of.  They throw away shots all over the golf course with penalty shots, poor short game shots and 3 and 4 putts.  Since most people are unwilling to put in the work to really improve their golf swing, they should learn to manage their game on the golf course.  If they learn how to play within themselves and score better with the short game, they will see much lower scores.

Next time you are faced with a situation on a golf course similar to what Robert Garrigus faced, play within yourself.  Making sure you make 5 will save you many strokes.  Trying a heroic shot that is likely beyond your ability will only bring 7 and 8 into play. 

Scott Cole