USGTF Monthly Newsletter

4 Oct 2018 admin

“PRO” File – European Ryder Cup Team

Much was made of the touted United States Ryder Cup “task force,” formed in 2014 after Phil Mickelson publicly called for the U.S. squad to “return to the winning formula” of 2008. Much was also made of the “success” of the task force in 2016 after Team USA won the Cup at Hazeltine in Minnesota. Overlooked in 2016 was the relative weakness of the European squad, and the fact that the U.S. and Europe had alternated victories on U.S. soil since 1983, so the winning effort by the U.S. meant nothing changed. The real test would be on European soil. And the United States failed that test miserably, which is the big story in the U.S. But the truth is Team Europe played wonderful golf at such a high level that it’s doubtful that any 12 non-Europeans could have emerged victorious. And it was only fitting that Francesco Molinari, the reigning Open champion, clinched the Cup after defeating Mickelson in the Sunday singles. Hats off to Molinari and his teammates Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Alex Noren, Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Thorbjorn Oleson, not to mention captain Thomas Bjorn. There’s something about Team Europe playing at home that inspires them to be a virtually unbeatable juggernaut. Credit Europe for a job well done.

4 Oct 2018 admin

Editorial – Thinking Differently

Golf is a game that doesn’t have to follow a certain blueprint for a player to be successful. Your swing doesn’t have to look a certain way, or your strategy conform to a certain philosophy.  You can be a short hitter, long hitter, straight hitter or a wild hitter and still compete at a high level. In today’s era, players’ swings look very similar versus 20-40 years ago. The use of technology and emphasis on employing golf teaching professionals has definitely aided in this.

Now comes along Bryson DeChambeau, a man who does not fit the mold of today’s players. Some call him more of a scientist than a golfer. Several think he’s odd due to his grips and one-length irons. Others might name him a tinkerer for using odd putters or styles. I like to look at him as an artist painting his own canvas, not someone else’s.

For Bryson, the way he plays works. He figured out at an early age that one-length irons would be a more effective way for him to play as opposed to the traditional-length irons. He uses grips that fit his style of swing versus fitting his swing to the style of grips. He found a putter and style that made sense to his thought process and understanding of what he wanted to do.

We teach a wide variety of students; some fit a certain mold while others do not. As golf teaching professionals, we need to adapt to our students’ philosophy, not the other way around. We need to think differently, teach differently and not be afraid to try or recommend alternative ways to play the game.

By Cole Golden, WGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional